The Coast Guard air crews at Air Station Barbers Point received the second of four new multi-mission helicopters Saturday. The helicopter will join the Coast Guard’s fleet used to assist with rescues and monitoring throughout the state, including on the Big Island.
The new MH-65 Dolphin helicopters will replace four older models currently in service at Barbers Point. They have a multitude of new equipment to further enhance mission capabilities.
Improvements include satellite communication capability and the ability for the Coast Guard air crews to communicate with federal, state and local law enforcement and emergency services. The Coast Guard says this will greatly increase the Coast Guard’s ability to cooperate with local agencies statewide in the event of an emergency. The new MH-65 will have a pilot’s head-up display and night vision optics to enhance the air crew’s ability to operate around-the-clock. They will also have better direction finding of Radio Beacon Signals, enhancing their capability to locate distressed mariners.
Two more MH-65s are scheduled to arrive in May.
