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Tag: Long Blue Line

One of Chatham Air Station’s HS-1 flying boats dropping its payload of two wing-mounted bombs. (Courtesy of the National Archives)

Sept. 26, 2025

The Long Blue Line: Phil Eaton—Coast Guard’s Winged Warrior of World War I

Rear Admiral Philip Eaton was one of thousands of Coast Guard aviators who have made their mark as members of the service’s long blue line.

Officers of the Revenue Cutter Bear pose for a group photo with Samuel Call standing in the back row far right. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Sept. 25, 2025

The Long Blue Line: Surgeon Call—Arctic Hero of the Coast Guard and Public Health Service!

Samuel J. Call’s contributions epitomized the finest in officers of the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Coast Guard, practicing the latter’s core values of “Honor, respect and devotion to duty.”

An HNS-1 helicopter in flight. (Coast Guard Historian’s Office)

Sept. 19, 2025

Erickson—Coast Guard pioneer of helicopter flight 80 years ago!

80 years ago, Coast Guard pilot LCDR Frank A. Erickson's revolutionized search and rescue.

FRC Terrell Horne underway in its home waters of Southern California. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Sept. 19, 2025

Remembering BMCS Terrell Horne—father, friend, hero, mentor, and FRC namesake

"We need selfless patriots who will make the decision every day to answer the nation’s call, to throw themselves into the breach against every manner of evil that might confront us, and will state to their fellow citizens, ‘I will be your shield, I will stand the watch.’ Terrell Horne was such a patriot.” - Adm. Bob Papp Robert J. Papp Jr. (24th Commandant).

Distinguished Coast Guard pilot Charles Thrun standing on an OL-5 float in an early aviator suit. Notice the landing gear folded into the float behind him. (Smithsonian Institution)

Sept. 12, 2025

“CG 1”—the Coast Guard’s first aircraft

Driven by the need to combat rum-running during Prohibition, the U.S. Coast Guard established its aviation program, acquiring its first aircraft, and proving the value of aerial interdiction.

Painting of the Escanaba’s nighttime Dorchester rescue effort painted by Robert Lavin. (Coast Guard Collection)

Sept. 10, 2025

“I saw them hang on with one hand and break ice with the other”—the Coast Guard’s Greenland Patrol

"To the officers of the Greenland Patrol vessels: This is your command. Your first command. Your first great chance. It is hard, responsible, vital duty. War duty. Don’t fail your country or your ship or me." RDML Edward Smith (USCG), Commander Task Force 24.8 (“Greenland Patrol”), 1944

Pictured is a rare photograph of NC-4 during flight operations. NC-4 had three forward-facing tractor engines and one center-mounted pusher engine. (Naval History and Heritage Command)

Sept. 5, 2025

Elmer Stone—Coast Guard Aviator #1 set the world record over 100 years ago!

Coast Guard aviators have always been at the forefront of technological change and put themselves in harm’s way to complete the mission. Many have risked their lives pioneering the development of the helicopter, initiating the rescue swimmer program, and serving as astronauts in the Space Shuttle Program. Coast Guard aviation crews have flown