CAP CADETS VISIT U.S. COAST GUARD

On Friday, 19 Jan, 16 Civil Air Patrol cadets from SMA, under the leadership of Capt Petrucci, toured the USCG stations in both St. Pete and Clearwater. These two units have very different missions.

Sector St. Pete is the home of sea borne missions for search and rescue as well as law enforcement for all of the west coast of Florida. Sector St. Pete carries out its missions using a variety of boats and ships. Our cadets toured the 110 foot cutter PEA ISLAND from engine room to arms room to mess deck to bridge. As part of its law enforcement duties, the PEA ISLAND has received many unit commendations for interdicting shipments of illegal drugs while at sea. Drug smugglers beware when you are on the PEA ISLAND's radar screen.

Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater is one of two Coast Guard Air Stations in the state of Florida. It is home to a fleet of HC-130 Hercules transports and UH-60 Jayhawk helicopters. The Hercules design was first put into service 50 years ago. It's a fixed wing, four turbo-prop plane that has a range of 2,600 miles and a maximum speed of 375mph. Their missions include search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and transportation. The Jayhawks are modern design high lift twin-turbo powered helicopters with a 300 mile range and 180 mph top speed. Their primary mission is Search and Rescue. They are equipped with a rescue hoist that can lift up 600 pounds. With a crew of 4, it can still lift a maximum of six survivors, although that would be very cramped and pushing the limits of the aircraft. Training is very extensive for all Jayhawk air crewmen whether they are pilots, rescue swimmers or paramedics.

The SMA CAP cadets came away with a real appreciation for the important, and at times very dangerous, work the men and women of the Coast Guard do to protect the country and assist anyone in distress at sea.