U. S. Coast Guard Aviation Celebrates One Hundred and Ten Years of Service

by Photorecon.net Photographers Team · Published March 30, 2026

U. S. Coast Guard HC-144 in special US Coast Guard Aviation Centennial colors in 2016

Story by Ken Kula, photos by Scott Jankowski, Bob Finch, Ken Kula, Corey Beitler, Shawn Byers and Scott Zeno

On April 1, 1916, U. S. Coast Guard Lieutenants Elmer Stone and Norman Hall, with their commander Captain Benjamin Chiswell’s backing, began their Branch of Service’s aviation operations. The pair of Coast Guardsmen Lieutenants were keen to show the advantages of aviation as a tool for search and rescue and offshore patrols. With their Captain’s approval, Elmer Stone was enrolled with the U. S. Navy’s flight training facility at Pensacola, Florida, while Normal Hall travelled to the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in Newport News, Virginia to study aviation engineering with that prime seaplane manufacturer.

In 2016, the Centennial of Coast Guard Aviation was celebrated, here is an excerpt of what Photorecon.net published to mark the milestone: https://photorecon.net/coast-guard-aviation-at-100-years-a-century-in-harms-way-part-2/

One hundred and ten years later, the U. S. Coast Guard has definitely proven aviation’s worth within its operation, assisting with the functions of economic patrols, search and rescue missions, humanitarian aid, and law enforcement. The Service utilizes a variety of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to accomplish their missions, and unmanned aircraft are beginning to be used in this mix too.

Early fielded HH-65A

Maintaining and upgrading their aircraft with ongoing programs during the past decade or two have allowed their aircraft to remain relevant. However planned retirements have been pushed further ahead until new models are chosen, and the monies to purchase and operate them becomes available. Some examples of upgrades include the MH-65E helicopters of today began life as HH-65A versions, the type’s contract was accepted in 1979. The first HH-60 Jayhawks were built in 1990 and have been contiguously upgraded into today’s MH-60T version.

There are a few replacements arriving now, like the Long Range Command and Control and VIP transport aircraft. An aging 23-year-old C-37A (a Gulfstream 5 now out of manufacturer’s warranty) will be replaced with two Gulfstream G700s. A C-37B (a newer G-550 jet) will be retained for now.

As Coast Guard aviation’s 110th birthday is celebrated, here’s a look at many of the airframes which personnel have operated and maintained.

Current: