
Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn's history is deeply intertwined with that of Floyd Bennett Field, New York City's first municipal airport. In the mid-1930s, recognizing the growing importance of aviation, the Coast Guard established a presence there. In 1936 mayor LaGuardia announced that the city of New York had executed a 50 year lease to the U.S. Coast Guard for facilities at the field. This led to the official establishment of Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn on April 23, 1938.
Initially, the station's primary focus was on air-sea rescue, a mission that became increasingly vital. During World War II, the station's role expanded significantly. It became a hub for helicopter training, playing a pioneering role in the development of helicopter search and rescue techniques. The station was instrumental in the testing and implementation of new technologies, such as rescue hoists and sonar equipment, which greatly enhanced the Coast Guard's capabilities.
Throughout the mid 20th century, Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn continued to be a vital asset, adapting to changing needs and technologies. It served in many rescue operations, and was a place of innovation for aviation technology. However, with the decommissioning of the Naval Air Station at Floyd Bennett Field in 1971, and the changing needs of the coast guard, the coast guard air station Brooklyn was decommissioned in May of 1998. The legacy of the station is remembered through the continued use of Floyd Bennet field as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Initially, the station's primary focus was on air-sea rescue, a mission that became increasingly vital. During World War II, the station's role expanded significantly. It became a hub for helicopter training, playing a pioneering role in the development of helicopter search and rescue techniques. The station was instrumental in the testing and implementation of new technologies, such as rescue hoists and sonar equipment, which greatly enhanced the Coast Guard's capabilities.
Throughout the mid 20th century, Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn continued to be a vital asset, adapting to changing needs and technologies. It served in many rescue operations, and was a place of innovation for aviation technology. However, with the decommissioning of the Naval Air Station at Floyd Bennett Field in 1971, and the changing needs of the coast guard, the coast guard air station Brooklyn was decommissioned in May of 1998. The legacy of the station is remembered through the continued use of Floyd Bennet field as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Decommissioned in 1998 following its merger with CGAS Cape May, New Jersey and relocation to the new base CGAS Atlantic City
I was stationed at CGAS Brooklyn from 4/71 to 8/74. There were 3 HH3Fs and 4 HH52As stationed there. The numbers changed often as they would be sent off for major overhauls. I was a SAR AD. I operated the hoist. On New Years Eave 1972 the Ready Crew was called to a Bulgarian canning ship 80 miles off the coast of Long Island. Ordinarily not a problem, but sitting in the jump seat in the door, I could just barely make out the outboard corner of the right sponson. When the starboard ident. light blinked on it looked like a wall of green. We made the litter hoist and flew the injured crewman (skull fracture) to a hospital in New Jersey. This was the only life I saved with the HH3F. I saved 2 with the HH52A in my tour at Brooklyn and 7 in my tour at CGAS North Bend Oregon with the HH52A.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn List of helicopters |
| C/N | Version | Built | In this Org | In other Org | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62-026 | hh-52a | 1962 | 1357 : pictured (pic2) with CGAS Brooklyn mrks at Dulles International Airport ai+ | ||||
| 62-036 | hh-52a | 1963 | 1360 : July 1984 pictured out of Brooklyn | ||||
| 62-040 w/o 1964 | hh-52a | 1963 | 1363 : USCG HH-52A Seaguard 1363;
Brooklyn, NY 04Jun63;
San Francisco, CA 12No+ | ||||
| 62-042 | hh-52a | 1963 | 1364 : Sikorsky S-62C, c/n 62-042, ff?; del USCG as HH-52A Seaguard 1364, Brookly+ | ||||
| 62-056 | hh-52a | 1378 : Ca.1964: TOS USCG;
feb65: CGAS Brooklyn, NY;
jan66: Loaned to Sikorsky, + | |||||
| 62-092 | hh-52a | 1407 : Circa 1980, pictured (pic1) flying over Miami, FL; pictured (pic2) on a w+ | |||||
| 62-117 | hh-52a | 1429 : USCG; CGAS Brooklyn; 1983/86 pictured (pic1) approaching Rockaway New York+ | |||||
| 61-586 | hh-3f | 1968 | 1430 : apr69 to jul71 (aprox) at CGAS Brooklyn | - 1430 | |||
| 6185 w/o 2012 | hh-65 | 6535 : USCG HH-65A; 1999 CGAS Brooklyn | |||||
