069 - U.S. Coast Guard Aviation

The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a robust aviation capability comprised of numerous fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft stationed all over the country and deploying all over the world. This "fifth branch" of the U.S. military enforces laws, conducts search and rescue, maintains navigational equipment, and performs a host of other important tasks. And in a time of war, they can even help fight our nation's adversaries.
This week, U.S. Coast Guard Commander Dan "Rainman" Warren joins us to help us understand everything we ever wanted to know about the Coast Guard but were afraid to ask. Listener questions include the use of gloves when flying and how to confirm a "kill" in long distance air-to-air engagements.
Episode artwork by Janek Krause. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.

[@ligmaboo]

That’s really awesome that the fixers are flyers, makes me want to fly Coast Gaurd. I love the ethos behind that, and admire the hard work. Reminds me of the early days of aviation.

[@alaskanmarine1]

Love the Coast Guard some of the best aviators in the world, certainly up here in Alaska, they usually fly into some of the worst weather on the planet to rescue fisherman, hikers, others lost in the Alaskan wild.

[@Snuckster2]

the helo drivers are ridiculous and the shooter component gets way more action than typical soldiers and Marines. legit

[@brettheary]

Most of them are prior Army pilots

[@kennethhunkus886]

​@@brettheary The Coast Guard poaches prior Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine pilots some of the time, but they make plenty from their own ranks as well.

[@christiancormier7847]

Great interview Jell-O. Thank you for highlighting the USCG. My wife is a Lt Cdr in the CG and I could not be prouder of her and all of our other coasties. They are all amazing men and woman.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Here here.

[@brockmiller574]

Man, Mr Lopez can play. Hats off to you, Jaime!

[@TB0321]

When I was in the Navy onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN the UCGS Boutwell was assigned our Carrier Strike Group.They basically performed plane guard duties for the carriers.

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

I was an AT3 on the Falcon HU-25A at USCGAS Cape Cod in the mid eighties- critical life experience gained. We fixed what we flew. I remember landing at MacDill AFB (on the way to GTMO) and was blown away when the fuel truck came out with 5 crew, plus other support personnel! Another time in Cape Cod, the USAF Commandant (I think that was his title, lol) his G4 rolled up to our flight line only to be met by 2 duty crew in our old fuel truck, his expression was priceless, 😂 😂 😂 Sounds like the Guard is still doing awesome work. Just found your channel.

[@Underwaystudios]

That's right, we fixed what we flew. No other service gets its aircrew from maintenance personnel. I was an AE-3 at Mobile in the Falcon shop. Coasties do everything where as the other services are so specialized. I sure do miss those days. Talk about critical life experiences, I was on Taney for 2 years then to Station Wrightsville Bch NC and then off to E city and ended up in Mobile.

[@wallaceb9120]

I was "Falcon puke" at that time and did several deployments to GTMO. I worked with outstanding maintenance crews....all the rates did "everything"

[@BennyAndTheJets86]

Miss seeing falcon 20’s all the time. I used to do hot selection inspections on them and always got to go on test flights in them. They are definitely not a fighter, but they are definitely hot rods compared to some. Love this channel. Keep the good stuff coming!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks!

[@ryansilcox1124]

Awesome Podcast! Shoutout from Mobile, Al! I used to work at Brookley field in Mobile and watched them train! I would love an episode on the hurricane hunters. Also in another comment I saw a request for an episode on civil air patrol.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

We're considering CAP because of its ties to the Air Force but hurricane hunters might be a bit too far off our subject.

[@ryansilcox1124]

The Fighter Pilot Podcast yeah I definitely understand that. Once again love the show!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@ryansilcox1124 Thanks, Ryan! 😎

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

I flew as an avionicsman (sensor operator now) back from 86 to 88 aboard a HU-25A Falcon. Worked mostly LE in the Caribbean via gtmo and occasionally Fisheries patrols over the Grand Banks. Very cool experience 👍

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

That's awesome, Bill. Thanks for what you did. 🤩

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

@@FighterPilotPodcast thanks 🙂 I love listening to these podcasts- Makes me feel connected to those who serve and that is what makes our country what it is, awesome👍

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@CocoaBeachLiving Amen.

[@michaelmulligan0]

That’s really interesting about the rear aircrew also being the mechanics

[@deltasierra1774]

There’s a coast guard station here in traverse city Michigan so I’ve grown up around them. I’m planning on joining this year

[@05glisedan]

Excellent interview. Very informative.. Thanks for sharing.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome.

[@mariusfrost640]

I think UAVs, especially small ones, make the most sense for the Coast Guard. If you have mariners in distress, you could have one in the air in 60 seconds (keep one on standby at all times), and get it out there to get eyes on the situation, as well as drop supplies long before a crew can be on scene. I've seen how the choppers operate, and they still have to plan and brief a mission, which could take 10-15 minutes, before they lift off. That can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. Considering the small budget of the Coast Guard, and the low cost of UAVs, they would be a force multiplier.

[@christophermailloux4706]

Great episode, interesting guest, as always! If we're on the topic of Coast Guard and missions like couter-drug and search and rescue, is there a chance we will get an episode on the Civil Air Patrol? While staffed entirely by civilians, they are technically part of USAF's "Total Force" and they fly a lot of interesting missions.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

We've had many requests for CAP lately, may consider it down the road.

[@USNRaptor]

Coast Guard picked Maverick and Goose out of the water. Also, the tail rotor of the Dauphin is similar to that of Blue Thunder (Gazelle), not Airwolf (Bell 222).

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Ah, dangit. Got my helicopter shows mixed up.

[@USNRaptor]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Well, lucky for you they are both available on DVD. You can set them on the shelf next to your Iron Eagle I - IV collection.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@USNRaptor How did you know?!

[@USNRaptor]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Its obvious you are an avid fan of Iron Eagle. As such, its practically impossible not to have the full set. I'm even willing to bet that when you were flying fighters through Star Wars canyon, you were fantasizing about racing a dirtbike in your Cessna.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@USNRaptor Guilty as charged. 😎

[@kennethespinosa8442]

Flew with CDR Warren in Mobile, great stick and all around great leader!

[@whiteprivilege4469]

Are you guys planning on any more Canadian/RCAF related content? The Snowbirds cast was awesome! I'd love to hear from CP-140 Aurora ISR or RCAF SAR pilots

[@Basilone45]

Hey Jell-O, another shout out from Augusta. As much as I love the podcast I'm not looking forward to hearing you constantly telling me to wave off in this upcoming DCS carrier content 🤣

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Well then I guess you better fly a good approach!

[@therocinante3443]

Dang, Jello was really making sure we're aware of the fact that the CG isn't the military, lol

[@maz5907]

As an enlisted CG aviator BZ on an enjoyable podcast... IMO Engineers do make the best pilots...

[@jamescooley2604]

I have seen a HU-25 go across Harbor Blvd to the airport.

[@michaelmulligan0]

I believe the USCG looked at the Irish Air Corps CASA CN235s before deciding to buy the Ocean Sentry

[@Tonetwisters]

We get a couple of those lickity split fast CG choppers coming over and by our house quite often. Boy. Those'll blow the doors off of most anything that whirlybirds!

[@Jojo867PIE]

Nice.

[@JoaoPedro-mj5zu]

USCG is awesome 👏

[@raz562]

Nice

[@kroganoperator]

Would love to be a USCG pilot but unfortunately the slots aren't guaranteed.

[@cgmason7568]

Law enforcement is 14 USC 522

[@Underwaystudios]

What's this "not really military" statement in reference to the USCG all about? Very surprised at how ignorant that sounds coming from a USN officer. Tell that to Douglas Munro!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I’ve been called worse.

[@SteveSurgenor]

Episode 69, chuckle chuckle, sorry.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I knew there'd be at least one.

[@skateforevermarcus]

Nice

[@Iggy1219]

@@FighterPilotPodcast the fella from episode 072 knows what it’s about haha

[@Saltysailor83]

GO COAST GUARD!!

[@Snuckster2]

grew up literally just under the main approach at McClellan AFB. Maybe 300 ft up. LOL so close we saw funky weird things in the cattail swamp in the backyard (colored gas etc). Brother and grandpa were Airforce so I got to see and hang around multiple aircraft over the years. I even saw a couple Blackbirds, F-15s F-16s and U2s were common My favorite had to have been A10s being tested after imaging work done on base. Theyre low speed maneuverability was crip duster tier and was impressive to day the least. but the VAST majority of aircraft seen were coast guard C-130s. I will always have soft spot for those birds. your channel is very underrated

[@skateforevermarcus]

Nice