Coast Guard Air Station Salem

Coordinates: 42°31′42″N 70°52′09″W / 42.52833°N 70.86917°W / 42.52833; -70.86917

Coast Guard Air Station Salem
Coast Guard Air Station Salem Patch
Active	1935-1970
Country	United States
Branch	United States Coast Guard
Type	Air Station
Role	To patrol the Northeast coast from Canada to New York City
Winter Island	Salem, Massachusetts
Engagements	World War II Cold War
Aircraft flown
Helicopter	Sikorsky HOSS, HO3S, HO3S, HH-25A Army Mule
Patrol	Vought_UO4, Fokker PJ-1, Widgeons, Grumman Goose, Kingfisher, Corsair, PBM-5, PBY, Grumman HU-16, Piasecki HRP-1, UF-1G Albatross,
Trainer	Link Trainer

Coast Guard Air Station Salem was a United States Coast Guard air station located in Salem, Massachusetts. It operated from New York City to the Canadian Border.

Mission

The air station's missions included search and rescue, law enforcement, counting migratory waterfowl for the U.S. Biological Survey and assisting icebound islands by delivering provisions.^[1]

Operations

Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Salem is located in Salem, Massachusetts.

History

Beginnings

A view of the barracks and hangar, 1938

With little room to expand at Gloucester, a new air station was established at Salem in 1935. Salem CGAS as it became to be known was built with a barracks, hangar, a tarmac, and a ramp.

World War II

Aerial view of CGAS Salem, 1945

In 1941 air crews from Salem began flying neutrality patrols along the coast, and the war years saw the air station roster increase to 37 aircraft, making it the second largest station on the east coast. Patrols were flown with depth charges for anti-submarine patrols. On October 21, 1944 Air Station Salem was officially designated as the first US Air-Sea Rescue service on the eastern seaboard.

Post War Years

Martin PBM on Salem's slipway

In 1950, Air Detachment Quonset Point, Rhode Island was established as a sub unit of Air Station Salem. During the 1950s, helicopters were introduced with a great deal of success as a rescue platform.

Aerial view of CGAS Salem, 1952

With the development of the HH-52A, an amphibious helicopter, the need for a flying boat was lessened. Therefore, air stations having only water landing capabilities, such as Salem, were phased out. It was eventually replaced by Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod in 1970.^[2]

Muster, 1952

Geographic Location

Coast Guard Air Station Salem is located at 42°31′35″N 70°52′07″W / 42.52639°N 70.86861°W / 42.52639; -70.86861.

References

1. ^ Coast Guard Air Station Salem: fate unknown. Industry & Business Article - Research, News, Information, Contacts, Divisions, Subsidiaries, Business Associations
2. ^ USCG Air Station Cape Cod

External links

United States Coast Guard portal

• http://uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org/coldfusion/inactive_airsta_srch.cfm
• http://www.uscg.mil/history/stations/airsta_salem.html
• http://www.airfields-freeman.com/MA/Airfields_MA_Boston_N.html#salem