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New USCG Air Station To Be Built in Ventura

Ventura is the location for a new $53 million Coast Guard air station, which will be built at a naval base in Point Mugu. Currently the Point Mugu Forward Operating Base (FOB) operates out of leased space at the Naval Base Ventura County, with 13 permanent service members and approximately 11 rotating crewmembers from San Francisco, flying two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters. A groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday marked the beginning of construction.

Members of the team responsible for bringing the new base to fruition, including Capt. Thomas Cooper, Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco commanding officer, and Capt. Kirk Lagerquist, the chief staff officer for Naval Base Ventura County, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony on July 27, 2021.
© 2021 Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Brahm

The new facility, which is expected to open in August 2023, will include a 48,000-square-foot hangar and a 12,200-square-foot administration and berthing facility to house four MH-65 Dolphin helicopters and 82 personnel.

“We’re excited to break ground to re-establish a permanent air station,” said Vice Adm. Michael F. McAllister, commander US Coast Guard Pacific Area. “The new air station in Ventura will enhance critical mission capabilities, allowing us to better serve this critical area.”

USCG groundbreaking Ventura
Vice Adm. Michael McAllister, the Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, addresses the importance of the Coast Guard’s newest air station before the groundbreaking ceremony.
© 2021 Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Brahm

The air station’s area of responsibility covers 350 nautical miles stretching from Dana Point to Morro Bay and including the Channel Islands. Its missions include 24/7 emergency response, search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, law enforcement, and marine and waterways conservation and protection.

3 Comments

  1. Mark Anderson 3 years ago

    TITLE of article is bad as Pt. Mugu is MILES AND MILES from Ventura. I was born there.

  2. Reverend Robert D Jones 3 years ago

    Point Mugu is MILE AND MILES from Ventura where I built Marinas for 20 years.

    • Monica Grant 3 years ago

      Robert and Mark, we appreciate your feedback and agree that Point Mugu is not in Ventura the city. It is however in Ventura County. As this story was taken from a US Coast Guard press release, we used their language in which they quoted the Air Station as being located in Ventura. However, point taken, and perhaps next time we can be more specific about the location. Thanks for reading!

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