Story and photographs by Petty Officer David Schuhlein & Mario Romero

The Best Li'l Air Station in Texas 

"We are extremely proud to serve our nation and local community in a wide varitey of critical roles and missions.  Our orange helicopters are a familiar site in the skies over Houston," said Coast Guard Capt. Norman Schweizer, commanding officer of Air Station Houston. 

Air Station Houston's area of responsibility spans south from Matagorda, Texas, near the entrance of the Colorado River, up north near Lake Charles, La.

Located about 30 minutes from downtown Houston, the air station is located on Ellington Field.

Air Station Houston's crew of over 90 personnel respond to a wide range of Coast Guard missions including search and rescue, homeland security missions, enviromental protection and maritime law enforcement cases.

HOUSTON - A rescue swimmer from Air Station Houston conducts a freefall deployment into Galveston Bay during a training mission.  Flight crews constantly train to better prepare themselves for real rescue cases.

HOUSTON - Air Station Houston crewmembers prepare two HH-65C Dolphin helicopters for flight, before flying a training mission in the Houston Ship Channel.

HOUSTON - A Dolphin helicopter stands at the ready for any call for help that may come as the morning sun rises at Ellington Field.

HOUSTON - A flight mechanic conducts basket hoist training during the air station's annual standardization training.  The training is to ensure that all flight crewmembers from air stations around the Coast Guard use the same techniques and terminology. 

HOUSTON - Air Station Houston crewmembers ignite smoke flares during survival training at East Beach in Galveston.

HOUSTON - A flight mechanic at Air Station Houston, inspects the engine of an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter during his morning checks at the station.

HOUSTON - Coast Guard Air Station Houston crewmembers practice lowing their rescue swimmer onto a moving boat provided by Coast Guard Station Freeport, Nov. 13, 2007.

HOUSTON - A crewmember from Coast Guard Station Galveston tends a guide-line to a HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Houston during rescue basket hoist training.