Contact Information
Air Station Elizabeth City is a military facility located in the city with the same name, in the northeastern corner of South Carolina. The facility is located in the local airport. It is operated by the United States Coast Guard and is known to be one of the most important and useful installations in this military branch. It has the capacity to perform military actions in the Caribbean, Greenland or the Azores.
Mission
Air Station Elizabeth City conducts operations in multiple areas around the United States of America, therefore it is an extremely busy facility. The advanced training and modern techniques took these experts where they are today. They are involved with a wide variety of missions. The SAR – Search And Rescue – ones are probably the most important operations. The United States Coast Guard is well known all over this world for this professional service. It aims to save as many lives as possible and reduce the physical damage. It is ready to respond around the clock. It benefits from a large network of ships, boats, aircrafts and cutters.
A second mission at Air Station Elizabeth City implies the international ice patrol. The experts locate the largest icebergs and keep the maritime experts informed on a regular basis. These operations were conducted soon after the Titanic disaster from 1913. The navigation is just as important. Without lighthouses, buoys, foghorns or other similar facilities, the system would not be as organized as it is today. It is an excellent system to help the mariners and warn them of any potential dangers.
Finally, the air station can also support law enforcement operations, deal with the national security or locate and fight against the environmental problems, such as the oil spills. All these missions are performed with four helicopters and five aircrafts, aside from the boats and cutters.
History
Air Station Elizabeth City was established in 1940. The location was picked in 1938. The authorities decided it was excellent for an air station. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on August, 15-th. The base was operated by four officers only, who got 52 military troops under their command. Three seaplanes, four landplanes and three amphibious aircrafts were the only flying machines these people could use back then.
World War II gave the United States Navy access over the facility. The SAR operations were just as popular back then, but the base also dealt with anti submarine missions and training sessions for the young aspirants. Ever since then, the missions and objectives have changed along with the national priorities. In 1966, the installation saw a major expansion process. It basically “swallowed” two other US Coast Guard facilities – one in Bermuda and the other one in Newfoundland. The site expansion helped the officials expand their missions as well, not to mention their ability to provide better support.
Air Station Elizabeth City “starred” in a popular movie too. Kevin Costner’s “The Guardian” was released in 2006 and most of the scenes were filmed on site. Some of them were doubled at a similar facility from Alaska.
