This search & rescue mission included two important firsts for the U.S. Coast Guard’s new HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The incident marked its first search and rescue mission, and its first use as an On-Scene Coordinator platform.

HC-144A No. 2303, from Aviation training Center Mobile, Alabama, was diverted from a routine training flight and arrived first on scene to the crash area, assuming the crucial role of On-Scene Coordinator—responsible for leading the activity of several search and rescue assets (including those of the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense and civilian partners). Although not fully search and rescue-capable while undergoing Operational Test and Evaluation of its mission systems package (including radar, an electro-optical/infrared sensor and a communications suite), the HC-144A enhanced the Coast Guard’s ability to execute a multi-agency rescue mission.

The HC-144A’s bubble observer windows were important design features, in that this allowed the aircrew to more carefully observe the area, including directly below the aircraft, (which is not possible to do from the legacy HU-25 aircraft). Although still undergoing integration and operational testing, the HC-144A’s mission system collected Automatic Identification System data, which in turn helped identify and communicate with civilian vessels in the area, including the Good Samaritan (F/V Nina) which was vectored in to help locate the downed airmen. Automatic Identification System provided positive identification of assisting vessels and eliminated the confusion often associated with hailing an unknown vessel.

The HC-144A is currently the only Coast Guard aircraft with Automatic Identification System capability onboard. The HC-144A’s Flight Management System enhanced the aircrew’s situational awareness by showing real-time position maps, including an active surface plot populated with information gleaned from other assets in the area, including Automatic Identification System data. The HC-144A’s ability to sprint to a scene and then fly slowly through a search pattern were important factors in this case.

The HC-144A’s long endurance enabled the aircrew to coordinate the search and rescue at slow speed, ensuring excellent visual coverage of the area. No. 2303’s communications suite allowed the aircrew to interoperate with and coordinate the efforts of many partners, including an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker and two other Air Force F-15s; the civilian fishing vessel F/V Nina; and several Coast Guard District Seven and District Eight assets. Other Coast Guard search and rescue units included an HH-60J Jayhawk helicopter from CG Air Station Clearwater; a HH-60J and two HU-25C Guardian jets from Aviation Training Center Mobile; an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from CG Air Station New Orleans; Coast Guard Cutter Coho and a 41-foot Utility Boat from CG Station Panama City