Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles US Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles is located at the end of the Ediz Hook peninsula in Port Angeles , Washington , above the Olympic National Park . History . The Coast Guard ’ s presence in Port Angeles began 136 years ago on August 1 , 1862 with the arrival of the SHUBRICK , the first Revenue Cutter to be home ported on the Olympic Peninsula . Ediz Hook , a level sand spit extending from the mainland north and east into the Strait of Juan de Fuca , was declared a Federal Lighthouse Reservation by President Lincoln in 1863 . The first lighthouse was commissioned on 1 April 1865 . The Air Station was commissioned on 1 June 1935 , becoming the first permanent Coast Guard Air Station on the Pacific Coast . Its location was chosen for it ’ s strategic position for coastal defense of the Northwest . The first aircraft , a Douglas RD - 4 amphibian , arrived 11 June 1935 and flew the first " mercy hop " on August 1935 . The 75 - foot patrol boats were also stationed at the new unit . During WWII , the Air Station expanded to include a gunnery school training aerial gunners and local defense forces . A short runway was added to train Navy pilots for carrier landings . It also hosted independent units such as Naval Intelligence and was Headquarters of the Air Sea Rescue System for the Northwest Sea Frontier Area . By the end of 1944 , the Air Station had 29 aircraft assigned . In September 1944 the station officially became Coast Guard Group Port Angeles , with several sub - units . Today , Group Port Angeles comprises the Air Station , Station Bellingham , Station Neah Bay , Station Port Angeles , Station Quillayute River , USCGC ADELIE , USCGC BLUE SHARK , USCGC CUTTYHUNK , USCGC OSPREY , USCGC SEA LION , USCGC SWORDFISH , USCGC TERRAPIN , and USCGC WAHOO . In 1946 , the first helicopter , a Sikorsky HO3S - 1G arrived . This was replaced in 1951 with the Sikorsky HO4S helicopter ( the " Eggbeater " ) . The last fixed wing aircraft , the Grumman HU - 16E Albatross ( the " Goat " ) was retired in 1973 . Since then the Air Station has been home to helicopters only , starting with the HH - 52A Seaguard , first acquired in 1965 . The HH - 52A was replaced in 1988 with the new American Eurocopter HH - 65A Dolphin twin turbine helicopter . During a typical year , Group Port Angeles units carry out over 400 search and rescue missions , saving 35 lives and assisting 500 persons . Each year , property valued at over $ 2 million is saved . Coast Guard Group and Air Station Port Angeles continues its untiring vigil , true to the Coast Guards motto " Semper Paratus " ( Always Ready ) . On 30 JUL 2010 , Group / Air Station Port Angeles was reorganized into Air Station Sector Field Office Port Angeles . The Sector Field Office logistically supports Station Neah Bay , Station Port Angeles , Station Quillayute River , USCGC ACTIVE , USCGC ADELIE , USCGC CUTTYHUNK , USCGC OSPREY , USCGC SWORDFISH , and USCGC WAHOO . Operational Area . Air Station Port Angeles is the US Coast Guard ' s oldest operational air station , in operation since 1935 and today supports three MH - 65C Dolphin helicopters , which have been operating at the station since 1984 . This air station is well placed as Port Angeles is a port city with ferries to Canada . It ' s general operational area is the central and eastern parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca , from Pillar Point to the south of Whidbey Island . Just 18 miles to the north is Canada ' s British Columbia and the city of Victoria . The main roles of the station is search and rescue , maritime law enforcement , waterway security , boating and fishery safety and environmental protection . The station also works in conjunction with Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound , as well as local , state and federal law enforcement agencies of Jefferson and Clallam counties . Housing . At Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles there are no housing facilities available for crew and officers , so renting accommodation in Port Angeles is the only option .