Coast Guard Station Sand Key and Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater conduct search and rescue training

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski | Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachary Loesch, a rescue swimmer assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, swims toward a training dummy during search and rescue training in Sand Key, Florida, Aug. 13, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwaters rescue swimmer shop is the largest in the Coast Guard consisting of over 25 active duty aviation survival technicians. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)  

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

08.22.2025

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski 

U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District     

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter aircrew conducts search and rescue training with Coast Guard Station Sand Key boat crews in Sand Key, Florida, August 13, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg boatcrews regularly hold hoist training with Air Station Clearwater aircrews to maintain their qualifications and crew readiness. Station Stand Key crews and the rest of Sector St. Petersburg’s units responded to 588 search and rescue cases, saving or assisting 713 people in fiscal year 2024. By practicing these precision maneuvers, Sector St. Petersburg crews ensure they are always ready for the call.

• Date Taken: 08.22.2025
• Date Posted: 08.22.2025 21:53
• Story ID: 546313
• Location: CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, US