Office of Public Affairs

U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: Sept. 15, 2004

Contact:  Lt. Catherine Carabine(281) 481-0025 x280 or x0

COAST GUARD ASSISTING ITS OWN AS IVAN NEARS

HOUSTON - The Coast Guard Air Station at Ellington Field is serving as host for members from Coast Guard units evacuating due to Hurricane Ivan.

Air Station Houston is serving as the staging area for aircraft and aircrews evacuating from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center (ATC) in Mobile, Ala.  Aircraft began arriving at 8 p.m. last night, with the last aircraft arriving this morning at 9:30 a.m.  Ellington Field is serving as the home away from home for about 75 Coast Guard members; three HH-60 Jayhawks and seven HH-65B Dolphin helicopters from ATC Mobile; and three HH-65B Dolphin helicopters from Air Station New Orleans.  The total number of Coast Guard aircraft at Air Station Houston on Ellington Field right now is 17. 

Air Station New Orleans and ATC Mobile still have Coast Guard aircraft and crews remaining near Ivan's projected impact area maintaining the Coast Guard's ability to respond to local emergencies and provide immediate post-storm support.  The evacuated aircraft and aircrews in Houston will also head back to the impacted areas once the storm passes.                     

Note: Aerial digital pictures of the additional aircraft with the Air Station hanger in the background are available through the numbers listed above.

###