A helicopter from CGAS Traverse City flies over Torch Lake
Originally established as a one-plane detachment to provide Search and Rescue services to the Great Lakes, Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City was commissioned in 1945. Over the years, the Air Station has grown from its original small complement to its present staff size of 20 officers and 100 enlisted personnel.
In 1980, the air station increased its building space when a new maintenance and administrative hangar was completed, providing over 50,000 square feet (4,600 m2) of work space. Along with changes in size, the air station has experienced changes in the types of aircraft assigned over the years. The Consolidated PBY-5A "Catalina" gave way to the Grumman HU-16 "Albatross" seaplane and, eventually, the Dassault HU-25 Falcon. Likewise, the Sikorsky HO4S/3G (or H-19 "Chickasaw") helicopter gave way to the Sikorsky HH-52 "Seaguard" helicopter.
In 1961, Air Station H-19helicopters assisted in the evacuation of the crew of the Francisco Morazán, an operation that lasted four days in continuous gale conditions. Crews also rescued 25 survivors of the collision between the Cedarville and the Topdalsfjord in 1965, as well as 19 survivors from the fire aboard the Canadian freighter Cartiercliffe Hall in 1979.
Proving their versatility, air station personnel have participated in a variety of other operations. In 1986, a premature baby boy was delivered aboard an HU-25 during an air evacuation (AIREVAC) from Alpena to Traverse City, Michigan. The same year, another Falcon aircraft reported to Patrick AFB, Florida to assist in the recovery search for Space Shuttle Challenger.
Later in 1986, the rescue capabilities of the "Seaguard" helicopter and the patrol capabilities of the "Falcon" jet were combined in the SikorskyHH-3F "Pelican" helicopter. At that time, Traverse City became a helicopter-only unit, operating three HH-3F helicopters.
Since 1995, Air Station Traverse City has controlled and staffed air facilities throughout southern Lake Michigan. On April 1, 1995, Air Station Chicago transitioned to Air Facility Glenview at the former Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois and fell under operational control of Air Station Traverse City. However, its colors were retired soon after on November 15, 1996, and the facility ceased operations concurrent with the closure of NAS Glenview due to BRAC action. On April 1, 1997, Air Facility Muskegon was established and with one HH-65A from Traverse City. But on May 25, 2000, Air Facility Waukegan was established, and Air Station Traverse City slowly transferred operations there. On September 30, 2001, Air Station Traverse City completely transferred Air Facility Muskegon to Air Station Detroit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan and took control of Air Facility Waukegan.
The air station transitioned from four MH-65D to three MH-60T in April 2017.
Community Events
The station occasionally opens its facilities to public tours. Particularly during Traverse City's National Cherry Festival Airshow, the base allows community members to visit with crewmembers and tour the aircraft the base operates. It also often welcomes aircraft from other bases for public tours.[3] The base also often invites residents of nearby towns to interact crews and aircraft when they visit other airports on training missions.[4]
