At the heart of the United States Coast Guard's mission to protect and serve lies its Aviation Logistics Center. In this crucial hub, precision, efficiency, and innovation converge to ensure that its fleet of aircraft is always mission-ready and operating at peak performance. The USCG Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina is responsible for the precision maintenance, repair, and logistical support that keeps the Coast Guard's fleet of aircraft ready to deploy at a moment's notice. The meticulous work done at the ALC is crucial to ensuring that every aircraft in the fleet is prepared to handle the diverse challenges maritime environments present.

As the Coast Guard continues to adapt and evolve in response to new challenges, the ALC’s role in keeping its fleet of aircraft ready and reliable is more crucial than ever. At Greenwood Aerospace, we’re familiar with the challenges they face. From aircraft parts procurement to aviation logistics, supporting a fleet is no simple task. That’s why we work with contractors that support the U.S. military branches depending on reliable suppliers and supply chain experts. 

Our services include: 

  1. Fixed-wing aircraft acquisition and support - Involves procuring and providing ongoing assistance for fixed-wing aircraft.
  2. Aircraft sustainment - Encompasses all activities necessary to maintain and prolong the operational life of an aircraft fleet, including repairs and upgrades.
  3. Parts storage and distribution - Involves securely storing and efficiently distributing aircraft parts as needed, ensuring that the necessary components are available when required for maintenance or repairs.
  4. MIL-SPEC packaging - Packaging aircraft parts and other materials in accordance with military specifications, ensuring that they are protected during transportation and storage.

With a robust track record backed by over forty years of experience and a team of dedicated experts, the Greenwood Aerospace team is adept at handling the complexities of government contracts and meeting the specific needs required by such programs. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Aviation Logistics Center and its critical role in the operations of the United States Coast Guard. We’ll break down the aircraft they sustain and the services they provide to the aviation wing. 

About the Aviation Logistics Center

The U.S. Coast Guard, a branch of the armed forces and a critical component of the Department of Homeland Security, is entrusted with safeguarding the nation's maritime interests and the environment around the world with six central maritime  missions: 

  • Law enforcement 
  • Response to marine casualties and disastrous events
  • Prevention of marine casualties and property losses
  • Transportation system management, ensuring safe and secure waterways 
  • Security operations to detect, deter, prevent, and disrupt maritime attacks 
  • Defense support operations 

Integral to fulfilling these missions is the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC), a facility that ensures the Coast Guard's fleet of aircraft is ready to be deployed at all times. Now, let's explore the rich history, mission, and objectives of the ALC to gain a comprehensive understanding of its pivotal role within the Coast Guard.

History of the Facility

While Coast Guard aviation was established in 1916, the property for the ALC in Elizabeth City, North Carolina wasn’t purchased until 1939. During World War II, it became increasingly clear that a centralized service facility was needed for the growing military branch. The choice of Elizabeth City was no accident; its strategic location near the Eastern seaboard puts it in close proximity to a range of Coast Guard operations, from search and rescue missions in the Atlantic Ocean to law enforcement patrols along the coastline.

The facility was officially established as the Aircraft Repair and Supply Base in 1947 and was later renamed the Aviation Logistics Center in 2008. 

The ALC has undergone significant evolution since its inception, continuously expanding and upgrading its facilities to meet the growing demands of the Coast Guard's aviation needs. Key milestones in the center's history include the addition of new hangars, the implementation of state-of-the-art technology, and the establishment of specialized units dedicated to aircraft maintenance, logistics, and engineering. The facility now occupies 23 buildings with two large production hangars, expansive warehouse space, an engine test cell, a machine shop, and an aircraft paint hangar. 

Each of these milestones has been a crucial step in the ALC's journey towards its current status as a premier facility, fully equipped to handle the complex and diverse needs of the Coast Guard's fleet of over 200 aircraft. From routine aircraft sustainment to major overhauls, the ALC is a one-stop shop that ensures each aircraft is ready to take on the crucial missions that safeguard our nation's waters and its people. 

Mission & Objectives

The Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) operates under a clear and resounding mission—"We Keep 'Em Flying"— by providing the right support in the right place at the right time and at the right cost, every time. This steadfast commitment guides the ALC in its multifaceted role of supporting the Coast Guard's fleet of aircraft.

The ALC is dedicated to upholding the pillars of aeronautical engineering, which include:

  1. Assuring Airworthiness and Reliability: Ensuring that each aircraft meets the stringent standards required for safe and effective operation.
  2. Optimizing Logistics: Streamlining the process of procuring and distributing the necessary parts and supplies required for aircraft sustainment and operation.
  3. Ensuring Stewardship Excellence: Upholding the highest standards of care and excellence in managing the Coast Guard's aviation assets.

Through these pillars, the ALC ensures that the Coast Guard's fleet of aircraft is ready to handle the diverse and challenging missions that are integral to protecting the nation's maritime interests. They achieve this through six main functions. 

C-27 Medium Range Surveillance aircraft sits on runway at Aviation Logistic Center.
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Primary Functions of the Aviation Logistics Center

To achieve its mission of "We Keep 'Em Flying," the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) encompasses a range of crucial services that form the backbone of the ALC's operations. These services are pivotal in maintaining the high standards of performance and safety required for the Coast Guard's varied missions.

To fulfill its mission, the ALC provides:

  • Depot Level Maintenance
  • Engineering
  • Supply
  • Procurement
  • Information Services
  • Acquisition Project Management

In the following sections, we’ll take a deeper look into each of these services to provide a comprehensive understanding of their importance and impact on the success of the Coast Guard's aviation program.

Maintenance & Sustainment

Depot-Level (D-Level) Maintenance involves comprehensive overhauls or complete reconstructions of aircraft, including parts, assemblies, subassemblies, and final products. This process may encompass the production of components, adjustments, testing, and refurbishment as necessary. The Coast Guard keeps a strict 4-year recurring schedule, programming maintenance on approximately 42 aircraft out of their 204-aircraft fleet each year. 

This sustainment is crucial to ensuring the longevity and performance of each aircraft in the diverse fleet: 

  1. H-65 Helicopters: These multi-mission helicopters are a workhorse of the Coast Guard fleet, utilized for search and rescue, law enforcement, and marine environmental protection missions. 
  2. H-60 Helicopters: These medium-range recovery helicopters are essential for search and rescue missions and law enforcement operations.
  3. HC-27 Aircraft: These medium-range surveillance aircraft are used for search and rescue missions, maritime patrol, and cargo transportation. 
  4. HC-144 Aircraft: This medium-range surveillance and transport aircraft is a crucial component of the Coast Guard's mission. 
  5. C-130H Aircraft: Known as the “C-130 Hercules”, these long-range surveillance and transport aircraft are essential for search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection missions. 
  6. C-130J Aircraft: As the latest addition to the Coast Guard's fleet, these aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and are used for long-range missions. 
  7. C-37A/B Aircraft: These selective transport aircraft are used to provide rapid airlift for senior Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security officials. 
  8. Super King Air 350ER: With a crew of four, this aircraft will replace AMO's existing fleet of King Air C-12C and B-200 aircraft, boasting advanced sensor equipment for detection and surveillance, a reconfigurable cabin for cargo and personnel transport, and video recorders for evidentiary purposes.

During the depot maintenance process, modifications and upgrades are also implemented. These enhancements are a testament to the ALC's commitment to the lifecycle extension of all platforms in the Coast Guard's fleet, ensuring each aircraft is equipped with the latest technology and can meet the demands of modern-day missions.

The ALC is also at the forefront of modernization efforts, continually focusing on enhancing technical manuals, intelligent wiring, interactive maintenance data, and additive manufacturing. These advancements not only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of aircraft sustainment but also contribute to the ALC's goal of optimizing logistics and ensuring stewardship excellence.

Supply & Information Services

As the inventory control point of Coast Guard aviation logistics, the ALC's role is multifaceted, managing an aviation parts inventory valued at over $1.5 billion and ensuring that the fleet is adequately equipped. The ALC meticulously oversees internal control of the aviation enterprise parts inventory, implementing regular unit-level logistics compliance inspections to ensure the highest ISO standards are maintained.

In tandem with its supply chain responsibilities, the ALC is at the forefront of information management, having developed and sustained the Asset Logistics Management Information System (ALMIS). This web-based program is pivotal for the Coast Guard, offering users the tools to record and manage usage data, maintenance actions, and operational statuses for every major asset, including cutters, small boats, aircraft, and communication towers. 

Through its intricate management of aviation parts and innovative approach to information services, the ALC plays a vital role in ensuring the Coast Guard is mission-ready, effectively equipped, and operationally efficient. The services provided by the ALC are essential to the success of Coast Guard operations, contributing significantly to the safeguarding of maritime interests.

Procurement & Acquisition Project Management

Without access to critical parts, the Aviation Logistics Center can’t support its maintenance and sustainment duties. Procurement and acquisition project management services are just as integral to the impact of the Center. Through meticulous procurement strategies and adept project management, the ALC ensures the fleet is always equipped with the necessary tools and technology to complete its mission successfully.

In 2019, the ALC's procurement staff executed a whopping 5,691 procurement actions, demonstrating their commitment to operational excellence and their pivotal role in the Coast Guard’s logistics chain. These actions amounted to an obligation of $361 million, a testament to the scale and significance of the ALC’s procurement operations.

In addition to procurement, the ALC’s acquisition project management services play a vital role in the strategic development and implementation of new assets and technologies. By meticulously managing each step of the acquisition process, from initial planning and contractor logistics support to final implementation, the ALC ensures that every new asset is seamlessly integrated into the Coast Guard’s existing fleet, further enhancing its operational capabilities.

The combined efforts of procurement and acquisition project management at the ALC not only sustain the Coast Guard’s current fleet but also pave the way for future advancements, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of maritime operations and continues to safeguard the nation's maritime interests effectively.

U.S. Coast Guard leverages HC-144 Ocean Centry to survey area of impact after Hurricane Hermine
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Aviation Logistics Center Mission Support 

The U.S. Coast Guard's diverse array of missions requires a versatile fleet of aircraft. From life-saving search and rescue operations to drug interdiction, homeland security, and disaster response, the Coast Guard's aviation assets play a crucial role in protecting lives, property, and the nation's security. 

Search & Rescue Operations

The USCG Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) plays a vital role in supporting the United States Coast Guard's search and rescue (SAR) operations. The ALC is responsible for ensuring that the Coast Guard's fleet of aircraft, including the versatile HC-27 and C-130H aircraft, is equipped with surveillance and transport space for search and rescue operations. These aircraft are integral to the Coast Guard's SAR missions, providing the necessary capabilities to locate and assist individuals in distress in a variety of maritime environments.

By maintaining the fleet in peak condition, the ALC enables the Coast Guard to execute life-saving missions efficiently and effectively. The ALC's commitment to operational readiness ensures that when disaster strikes, the Coast Guard's fleet is ready to answer the call, providing crucial assistance in times of need.

Drug Interdiction

The United States Coast Guard also plays a crucial role in the nation's multifaceted approach to combating illegal drug trafficking. Working alongside the Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard aircraft became an essential tool in the war on drugs in the 1980s. They’re used to patrol a vast expanse of international waters to intercept drug shipments and gather intelligence.  

The success of these drug interdiction operations hinges on the reliability and readiness of the Coast Guard's aviation assets, a responsibility that falls squarely on the shoulders of the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC). By ensuring that aircraft are meticulously maintained and equipped with the latest technology, the ALC empowers the Coast Guard to patrol and secure maritime borders.

Homeland Security & Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is another central mission in which the Coast Guard leverages its fleet — and drug traffickers aren’t the only ones providing threats. The fleet of aircraft under its command is central to the execution of these homeland security and law enforcement missions. These missions include patrolling waters and airspace to prevent illegal fishing, human trafficking, and unauthorized entry into U.S. territories.

The HC-144 Ocean Centry aircraft is one of the mid-range surveillance aircraft utilized in this mission. The aircraft is effective at locating objects in large search areas, performs aerial delivery of search and rescue equipment, and boasts a sophisticated command and control system. 

The meticulous maintenance and logistical support provided by the ALC ensure that the fleet is not just available, but also in top operational condition to respond to homeland security threats and law enforcement needs effectively.

Disaster Response

When disasters strike, the operational readiness of the Coast Guard's fleet is vital to a successful response. Disaster response operations require a fleet of aircraft ready to deploy at a moment's notice and capable of providing critical assistance in the aftermath of natural or man-made disasters. The Coast Guard’s Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) is instrumental in ensuring that the fleet is always prepared for such missions.

The HC-27 aircraft, in particular, is a valuable asset in disaster response operations. With its medium-range surveillance and cargo transportation capabilities, the HC-27 is adept at delivering essential supplies and personnel to affected areas, as well as conducting reconnaissance missions to assess damage and gather crucial information for coordinating relief efforts.

Greenwood Aerospace: Aviation Logistics Experts

At Greenwood Aerospace, we respect and support the hard work that goes on at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center. From the technicians and mechanics to the engineers and procurement managers, each Coast Guardsman plays a critical role in the many missions of the Coast Guard. 

With over forty years of experience in the aerospace supply chain, we know what it takes to provide solutions that maximize operational readiness for U.S. military branches. We can help military and defense contractors fulfill their contracts quickly, efficiently, and in the most economical way possible. 

Through our proprietary Greenwood Parts Intelligence (GPIQ) software, we can: 

  • Ensure suppliers follow stringent onboarding and qualification tests 
  • Simplify labor-intensive activities to streamline the supply chain process
  • Use predictive analytics to forecast demand and manage supplier risk 

Learn more about our services for the defense and military industries. For additional information, you can also get in touch with us here or by emailing sales@governmentprocurement.com.

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