Active 1935-1970 Type Air Station Engagements World War IICold War | Country United States | |
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Role To patrol the Northeast coast from Canada to New York City | ||
Coast Guard Air Station Salem was a United States Coast Guard air station located in Salem, Massachusetts. Its area of coverage extended from New York City to the Canada–United States border.
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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.
Operations
Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Salem was located on Winter Island in Salem, Massachusetts at 42°31′35″N 70°52′07″W.
History
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.
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.
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. The station's surviving facilities are part of Salem's Winter Island Marine Park.