Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles will be conducting a high volume of training flights May 17 through 28, 2010.

The flights are part of an annual standardization and training visit conducted at all Coast Guard air stations by teams of examiners from the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala.

Aircraft will be flying throughout the day and demonstrating aircrew proficiency in flight maneuvers, maritime search and rescue (SAR) and execution of simulated emergency procedures. The focus of the flights will be standardization of procedures and communications, safety of flight and crew coordination.

The public may expect increased helicopter traffic in the Port Angeles harbor, as well as the traffic patterns at Fairchild, Wash., and Sequim Valley, Wash., airports and at the Coast Guard air station on Ediz Hook, Wash.

Training operations will not be conducted at night to minimize public disturbance and the Coast Guard will maintain its normal 24-hour maritime response of the region.

Coast Guard aircraft and aircrews are regularly called on to perform emergent life-saving and homeland defense missions in challenging and dangerous environments, often with Coast Guard personnel from other air stations. Having all pilots and aircrew able to operate with the same standardized procedures and to the same high standard maximizes the Coast Guard’s interoperability, flexibility and ultimately its ability to safely accomplish its missions.

 For questions concerning the event please contact LTJG Neil Penso, 360-417-5842.