The larger cutters and aviation assets are under the operational control of the Coast Guard's Seventh District, headquartered in Miami, Fla., and the Atlantic Area Command in Portsmouth, Va. The operational tempo is high. According to Cdr. Fredrick D. Pendleton, the air station's operations officer, the Seventh District recently augmented the unit's flying time beyond the collective total of 5,600 hours allocated annually for C-130 aircraft operations. Surge operations, like the current Frontier Lance Phase II, will temporarily provide added air and sea assets committed to the drug-interdiction mission.
Fatigue can pose added risk, given the unavoidable interruptions to normal circadian rhythms.
Special provisions are made for light, noise, daytime activities, and meals. Helicopter aircrews are not allowed to employ force to stop surface craft observed or suspected of drug smuggling. The Coast Guard recognizes this shortcoming in its drug-interdiction capabilities and, according to its fiscal year 2000 budget statement, plans to test the use of force from aircraft. Last December, the Coast Guard selected Boeing's MD-902 Explorer helicopter to help the service determine if its helicopters should be armed. On Station, Ready, and Responsive Miller advocates the goal of excellence in operations and support through teamwork at Coast Guard Group St. Petersburg.