The Long Blue Line (Summer 2020)

LIFESAVERS AROUND
THE GLOBE WING
The Lifesavers around the Globe Wing introduces visitors to the
most fundamental responsibility of the Coast Guard: to protect
the lives and safety of our citizens. During daily operations
and in times of crisis, heroic teams work together to save
lives on land, sea, and air.
The galleries within this wing highlight the innovative
technologies and teamwork required to search the
seas for vessels in distress and perform rescues by
air. A series of scenic installations anchor stories of
boat rescue, lifesaving technology, search and rescue
operations, mass rescue, and humanitarian relief efforts,
including the Coast Guard’s unprecedented response
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
At the Coast Guard Station: Coast Guard search and
rescue operations depend on command centers, multimission
stations with assets like boats and aircraft, all linked
together by communications systems. When a distress call
comes in, the network gets to work. Information flows from the
Sector Command Center to the Coast Guard stations nearest the
incident. Boat crews or air crews are ready to respond within 30
minutes of receiving the call.
Evolution of Boat Rescue Gallery: The development of motorized
lifeboats was a milestone in Coast Guard search and rescue. Motorpowered
boats changed Coast Guard search and rescue forever.
Boat crews used to bravely row out to a rescue scene. Now they
had the power of a motor behind them. They could go farther and
faster than ever before, in the service of others.
Fixed Wing Aircraft Gallery: The Coast Guard operates over 200
aircraft – airplanes and helicopters – to support its work as a law
enforcement arm, a military service branch, and a seafaring service.
Nearly all Coast Guard aircraft have some role in homeland security
operations. Fixed-wing aircraft, such as the HC 130 Hercules, are
built for long range missions and operate from air stations. The
Coast Guard operates its aviation fleet on the principle that it cannot
afford a fleet of aircraft intended solely for specialized missions,
and has concentrated on aircraft that can carry out a wide range
of diversified missions.
Helicopters and Hoists Gallery: CDR William
Kossler and LCDR Frank Erickson were true
Coast Guard innovators who envisioned the
potential of new helicopter technology in search
and rescue. Visitors learn about the history of
the helicopter hoist through graphics and an
artifact on display.
Hurricane Katrina Immersive Gallery: In
response to Hurricane Katrina, the Coast Guard
responded with unprecedented resourcefulness
THE LONG BLUE LINE SUMMER 2020
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