The U.S. Coast Guard recently marked the opening of the first new air station in 25 years with a ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County, with officials praising this critical new resource for coastal emergencies.
A ribbon-cutting and commissioning ceremony Wednesday celebrated the establishment of the new Coast Guard air station. It likely will mean more sightings of the distinctive orange helicopters for Santa Barbara County residents.
The Coast Guard’s Air Station Ventura at Point Mugu boasts a $70 million state-of-the-art, 48,000-square-foot hangar and a 12,000-square-foot administration facility.
This new facility is expected to house three MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and approximately 100 personnel, significantly enhancing the Coast Guard’s capabilities in the region.
“The establishment of Air Station Ventura is a critical development for the Coast Guard’s operations within the Eleventh District area of responsibility,” said Rear Adm. Joseph R. Buzzella, District Eleven commander. “This new station offers ready resources that provide safety and security to the maritime community. This is a monumental day for the air crews and for the community in which they serve.”
Crews based in Ventura County have already conducted rescues.
On Oct. 17, a crew from Air Station Ventura hoisted a diver suffering decompression sickness near Anacapa Islands in Channel Islands. They rescued the patient aboard a vessel in 10-foot seas.
Also in October, Air Station Ventura personnel conducted two other rescues including a 63-year-old woman suffering from abdominal pain from the Cruise Ship Grand Princess and a man suffering from seizures from Cruise Ship Celebrity Radiance.
“The recent rescues by the team at Air Station Ventura is a testament to the skill, dedication and readiness of our aircrews,” said Cmdr. Amanda Sardone, commanding officer, Air Station Ventura.
The air station serves a crucial role in protecting the maritime region from Orange County to San Luis Obispo County encompassing an area of more than 350 nautical miles.
The Coast Guard air crew in Ventura joins Coast Guard vessels stationed at the harbors in Santa Barbara and Morro Bay.
Along with the 24/7 emergency response, their mission includes search and rescue; drug and migrant interdiction; law enforcement; and marine safety and environmental protection.
The permanent presence of the Coast Guard in Ventura County provides enhanced security and quicker response times to emergencies, benefiting both the local community and maritime industries, officials said.
District 11 now consists of five air stations: Humboldt Bay, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego and Ventura.
Naval Base Ventura County includes two installations that once operated separately — Point Mugu Naval Air Station and Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Center.
