Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles is located at the end of Ediz Hook. Take Marine Drive through the Daishowa Mill to the end of Ediz Hook Road. Ediz Hook, a level sand spit extending from the mainland north and east into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, was declared a Federal Lighthouse Reservation by President Lincoln in 1863. The first lighthouse was commissioned on 1 April 1865. The Air Station was commissioned on 1 June 1935, becoming the first permanent Coast Guard Air Station on the Pacific Coast. Its location was chosen for it’s strategic position for coastal defense of the Northwest. The first aircraft, a Douglas RD-4 amphibian, arrived 11 June 1935 and flew the first "mercy hop" on August 1935. The 75-foot patrol boats were also stationed at the new unit.
During WWII, the Air Station expanded to include a gunnery school training aerial gunners and local defense forces. A short runway was added to train Navy pilots for carrier landings. It also hosted independent units such as Naval Intelligence and was Headquarters of the Air Sea Rescue System for the Northwest Sea Frontier Area. By the end of 1944, the Air Station had 29 aircraft assigned.
In September 1944 the station officially became Coast Guard Group Port Angeles, with several sub-units. Today, Group Port Angeles is comprised of the Air Station, Station Quillayute, Station Neah Bay, USCGC CUTTYHUNK, and USCGC OSPREY.
In 1946, the first helicopter, a Sikorsky HO35-1G arrived. This was replaced in 1951 with the Sikorsky HO4S helicopter (the "Eggbeater"). The last fixed wing aircraft, the Grumman HU-16E Albatross (the "Goat") was retired in 1973. Since then the Air Station has been home to helicopters only, starting with the HH-52A Seaguard, first acquired in 1965. The HH-52A was replaced in 1988with the new American Eurocopter HH-65A Dolphin twin turbine helicopter. During a typical year, Group Port Angeles units carry out over 400 search and rescue missions, saving 35 lives and assisting 500 persons. Each year, property valued at over $2 million is saved. Coast Guard Group and Air Station Port Angeles continues its untiring vigil, true to the Coast Guards motto " Semper Paratus" ( Always Ready ).
**Visiting hours are: 8:00– 4:00 Monday-Friday Only Persons with a Valid Military ID will be allowed on base. All other persons will require prior coordination to visit the base. Tours for civic and school groups are available with prior coordination through the Public Affairs Officer at (360) 417-5842.
HH-65A Dolphin
The HH-65A Dolphin is the Coast Guard’s Short Range Recovery (SRR) Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter. It was manufactured by American Eurocopter Corporation. The Coast Guard has 90 Dolphins in service. The Distinctive shrouded tail rotor (fenestron) offers performance and increased safety for ground and shipboard operations. Though normally stationed ashore, the Dolphin can be deployed on board flight deck equipped Coast Guard and Navy vessels. Missions flown by the Dolphin include SAR, law enforcement, including drug interdiction and fisheries patrol, marine environmental protection, military readiness, logistic support for aids to navigation servicing, and many others. Normal crew compliment is 2 pilots, 1 flight mechanic/hoist operator, and one rescue swimmer.
ADELIE
The Coast Guard Cutter ADELIE is the 33rd "Marine Protector Class" cutter to join the fleet. She has several enhancements over the aging 82's, including improved mission sea keeping abilities, significantly upgraded habitability (allowing any gender mix for its 10 person crew, 11 berths max), 25 kt max speed, and compliance with all current and projected environmental protection laws.
CGC ADELIE also employs an innovative stern launch and recovery system using an Aluminum hulled, inboard diesel powered waterjet small boat. The vastly larger pilot house is equipped with an integrated bridge system including an electronic chart display system (ECDIS) which interfaces with the Coast Guard's new surface search radar. Her missions include Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, and Defense Operations.
WAHOO
The Coast Guard Cutter WAHOO began simply as Hull #45 in the muddy bayous of the Bollinger Shipyards, located in Lockport Louisiana. After its final fitting out and sea trials, Hull #45 received its crew and truly became the WAHOO. WAHOO would then make a long voyage of almost 6,000 miles, Stopping in 5 countries and passing through the Panama Canal along the way. Then in late June of 2002, She arrived in her homeport of Port Angeles Washington where she serves to this day.
The WAHOO’s patrol areas begin off shore along Washington’s western coastline. It continues along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, up to the San Juan Islands, and down into the Puget Sound. It is within these zones that the WAHOO is busy patrolling the waters, responding to search and rescue missions, protecting our borders, and conducting boardings on commercial and recreational vessels. Also, the WAHOO is often seen conducting escorts of United States Navy vessels, and high value assets along the straits.
PRIMARY MISSIONS
Homeland Security, Search and Rescue, Marine Environmental Response, Recreational Boating Safety, Port Safety and Security, Law Enforcement: Alien Migrant Interdiction, Boater Intoxication,
Pollution Prevention,Marine Sanctuary Protection, Drug Interdiction
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