US Coast Guard Station Clearwater, FL

On assignment today in Florida brought me to the St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport which is also home to the US Coast Guard Station Clearwater. Although my mission was to photograph a new ARFF unit, I couldn’t help myself from frequently turning my attention and camera to the incredibly cool C-130 Hercules aircraft and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters.

There are (I believe) three of the C-130s assigned to this station and seven helicopters.

USCG C-130 Hercules taking off from the St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport. Larry Shapiro photo
USCG C-130 Hercules taking off from the St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport. Larry Shapiro photo

There was a home game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today and the Coast Guard was doing a flyby prior to the game which included one C-130 and two MH-60s.

Two USCG MH-60 Jayhawk helicopoters
Two USCG MH-60s taxiing to the runway at Air Station Clearwater. Larry Shapiro photo
A USCG MH-60 hovers over the runway prior to leaving the field. Larry Shapiro photo
A USCG MH-60 hovers over the runway prior to leaving the field. Larry Shapiro photo