Fly

History

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Program has been around since the late 1940s to early 1950s, though it became more formally structured and widely recognized in the 1960s and 1970s.

Key Milestones:

• 1939: The U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (later renamed the Auxiliary) was founded.

• 1940s–1950s: Auxiliary members began informally using privately owned aircraft for patrol and search missions, especially during WWII and postwar years.

• 1960s–1970s: The Auxiliary Air Program was formalized, with national recognition and integration into the broader USCG operational framework.

• 1980s–1990s: The program expanded, gained standardized training, and began operating under more rigorous FAA and USCG coordination.

• 2000s–present: It continues to serve a vital role in search and rescue (SAR), maritime patrols, environmental observation, and training support for Active Duty and Reserve.

Today:

Auxiliary pilots fly privately owned and maintained aircraft under orders from the Coast Guard, supporting missions that enhance maritime domain awareness and free up military assets for more critical operations.