CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi received its first of three HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft, Tuesday. This marks the beginning to the modernization of the Coast Guard’s medium range fixed wing maritime law enforcement, and search and rescue fleet in South Texas.
The HC-144 Ocean Sentry is a highly flexible, multi-mission, medium-range aircraft which the Coast Guard uses as a search-and-rescue platform to find and provide aid to mariners in distress over 400 miles from shore. The aircraft is also used as a law enforcement surveillance aircraft to locate and identify vessels engaged in illicit activities. The Ocean Sentry can also be configured to carry 40 passengers, up to 9,400 pounds of cargo or can be configured to carry litters for medical patients.
“The arrival of the Coast Guard's newest Medium Range Surveillance Maritime Patrol Aircraft is another significant milestone in the recapitalization of the US Coast Guard's fleet and underscores the commitment of the President and Congress to the protection of the citizens of our great nation,” said Cmdr. Te-Ali Coley, air operations officer and HC-144 pilot at Sector Corpus Christi.
Sector Corpus Christi will receive two more Ocean Sentry aircraft through the next year. The HC-144 will replace the aging HU-25 Falcon jet used by the Coast Guard since 1982 and offers improved performance in range and endurance, and also has upgraded sensor systems and modernized cockpit.