Air Station Los Angeles

• Historical Establishment: Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles was officially established in 1962, serving the greater Los Angeles area for over five decades. • Location: The station was located at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), making it one of the few military units co-located at a major civilian airport. • Primary Missions: Its core missions included Search and Rescue (SAR), Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, and environmental protection along the Southern California coast. • Iconic Helicopters: The unit primarily operated HH-65 Dolphin helicopters, recognized for their bright orange paint and advanced avionics. • Hollywood Connection: Due to its proximity to Hollywood, Air Station Los Angeles and its helicopters were frequently featured in TV shows and movies, such as "Baywatch" and "The Guardian." • Rescue Milestones: The air station’s crew conducted thousands of rescues over its history, often in challenging conditions, earning multiple commendations for lifesaving operations. • Post-9/11 Role: After the September 11 attacks, the air station played a key role in increased homeland security patrols along the busy Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. • Environmental Response: Aircrews participated in high-profile oil spill responses and environmental protection missions, including the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill near Santa Barbara. • Decommissioning: In 2016, the air station was decommissioned as part of a Coast Guard modernization effort, with its missions and assets transferred to Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco. • Legacy: Despite its closure, the legacy of Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles lives on through the numerous personnel who served there and the thousands of lives saved in Southern California’s challenging maritime environment.