The skies over Lake Superior may be buzzing with Jayhawks this summer.
Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City is expected to receive three MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters in the coming months, with the first to arrive in April. The air base in Traverse City, Mich., handles Coast Guard air rescues and other aerial operations on Lake Superior.
The air station will be sending its four MH-65 Dolphin helicopters to other air stations around the country. The Jayhawk helicopters are larger than the current Dolphin-class helicopters, and are specialized for search and rescue missions.
"They are significantly larger and will have more of a presence," said Lt. Katherine Pelkey of Air Station Traverse City. "They are similar to the Black Hawk in appearance."
The Black Hawk is the U.S. Army's version of the helicopter, which is manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
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The new helicopters are equipped with anti-icing technology and larger fuel reserves than the MH-65s, allowing for longer-distance flights, such as those to northern and western Lake Superior. The Jayhawks' range is 700 nautical miles, compared to the Dolphins' 375 nautical miles.
"The MH-60s will allow us to reach the Duluth area for potential search and rescue operations versus the 65s having to stop and refuel," Pelkey said.
The MH-60s have been in service with the Coast Guard since 1990, having undergone an upgrade program over the last several years that included new avionic systems, among other improvements.
Pelkey explained the change is being done now as it is mutually beneficial to other air bases and operations. The MH-65 has the ability to land on ships equipped with helipads, which she said is useful in operations such as drug interdictions.
"It will allow the Coast Guard to help ensure security in the Western Hemisphere," she said, referencing the Coast Guard's role in Homeland Security operations.
The benefits of the MH-60 go beyond its longer range. They'll be able to rescue up to 15 people, if needed; the MH-65 had the capacity to rescue up to five people.
The Jayhawks also will allow rescue missions to proceed without having to worry about burning off fuel to make room for the weight of the rescued individuals - and that will save time, Pelkey explained.
And another benefit with the MH-60's larger size is the ability to carry stretcher-style boards for hoisting people in rescue situations.
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"If one was needed with the 65s, we would have to know ahead of time, or have to return to pick one up and then go back to the rescue," Pelkey said. "The 60s have one on board."
It all adds up to allowing the Coast Guard to conduct rescue missions more quickly and efficiently, especially in situations where time is critical.
"Some rescues involve medevacs on lakers, where a crew member may have had an accident or is undergoing a medical emergency," Pelkey said. The new helicopters will allow for a quicker response and transfer to medical facilities.
Other rescue missions that are common on Lake Superior involve people in the water, such as capsized kayakers, and overdue boaters - and last year was a busy one for calls on Lake Superior, Pelkey said.
"Boaters will often let someone know when they leave somewhere and when they expect to arrive back or at another destination," she said. "When that person does not arrive on time the Coast Guard will be called and we will conduct a search."
The base in Traverse City has already started preparing for the change in aircraft - stocking parts, and training pilots and crew members to fly the new helicopters. Some personnel will relocate to other bases as the helicopter switch takes place.
Both helicopters carry a crew of four, including the pilot, Pelkey said.
One difference that any observer will be able to see - besides the helicopter's size - will be the paint scheme. The MH-65 Dolphins are mostly orange with a white stripe, and the MH-60T Jayhawks will be mostly white with a stripe of the Coast Guard's distinctive orange.
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MH-60T Jayhawk specifications
- Power plant: Two 1,560 shp General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines
- Length: 64 feet, 10 inches (the MH-65 Dolphin is 44 feet, 5 inches in length)
- Rotor diameter: 53 feet, 8 inches
- Height: 17 feet
- Gross weight: 21,884 pounds
- Empty weight: 14,500 pounds
- Maximum speed: 180 knots
- Range: 700 nautical miles
- Endurance: 6.5 hours
Source: U.S. Coast Guard
