News

If you start seeing a lot more Coasties in the air, not to worry.

Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay will be increasing flights over the area for two weeks in March as part of annual training exercises and evaluations, according to a release.

There will be a “significant increase” in flights around Eureka’s Murray Airfield, the Samoa Airfield and Arcata-Eureka Airport from March 9 to March 20 as crews show their stuff during the assessments.

“The evaluators will be ensuring that procedures are being performed to the Coast Guard’s standard,” the release states. “These annual evaluations help maintain the unit’s readiness to respond to missions and emergencies safely and effectively.”

Normal rescue capabilities will not be impacted, the Coast Guard states.

Read the Coast Guard release below:

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay aircrews are scheduled to go through annual standardization training and evaluations from March 09 through March 20.

Flight Standardization Instructors from the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala., will be arriving to evaluate aircrew flight proficiency and procedures. This evaluation will result in a significant increase in daily flights and an increase in helicopter traffic at Eureka’s Murray Airfield, Samoa Airfield and Arcata Airport over the next two weeks.

These evaluations are required annually by the Coast Guard to test the ability of pilots and aircrew to perform during search and rescue cases and react to in-flight emergencies.

The evaluators will be ensuring that procedures are being performed to the Coast Guard’s standard. These annual evaluations help maintain the unit’s readiness to respond to missions and emergencies safely and effectively.

Normal Coast Guard emergency response capability will not be affected.

Questions can be directed to the Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer at (707) 839-6559. Callers are asked to leave their name and number.