U.S. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans yesterday received their first MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, with a further pair expected by July of this year. The Air Station has exclusively flown MH-65 Dolphin helicopters up to now.

The arrival included an overflight of downtown New Orleans by Cmdr. Keith Blair, Air Station New Orleans commanding officer to mark the historic occasion.

The addition of the MH-60s are a part of a Coast Guard rotary wing service life extension program and initiative to expand the capabilities of the Coast Guard Eighth District.

The MH-60 Jayhawk is a multi-mission, medium-range helicopter used for search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness and marine environmental protection missions.