An Inside Look at Coast Guard Air Station Ventura's Joint Rescue Training

Story by Matthew Dawson

Edited by Emmett Lopez 

Published July 27nd, 2026

Photographs by Matthew Dawson Unless stated otherwise

 For the United States Coast Guard, the primary mission is saving lives. It happens every day all along America’s coastlines. You don’t necesarily see them, but there are aircrews, boat crews, rescue swimmers, flight mechanics, and many others that stand ready to answer the nation's call for help at any given time.

In order to remain proficient and prepared, the USCG, specifically Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, collaborates with agencies along the southern California coast line frequently. These training evolutions strengthen not only the skills of the helicopter crew, but also that of the lifeguard rescue vessel. This ensures that when the call does happen, these agencies can operate as one. One team, one mission, one purpose… to save lives.

To better understand how this training comes together in the field, SkyBlazer Magazine was invited to document the training from both sides of the evolution.  Joe Trilling was in the helicopter and I was on the boat. While Joe was beginning to board the helicopter to document his side of the mission, I was leaving the harbor, nearby Sunset Beach and its suburban community.

A thin marine layer settled over the Southern California coastline. This marine layer is a common sight in California, especially in the summer months. After we left the harbor it became apparent that the marine layer was lower than I thought and visibility of the sky was limited. The low ceiling concealed nearly everything above. Above you could hear the air traffic of nearby Long Beach Airport.

It was hard to imagine a helicopter conducting flight operations with overcast skies and a low marine layer, but for the crew of Coast Guard Air Station Ventura and their MH-60T Jayhawk, mornings like this aren’t out of the ordinary. No two training days are exactly alike, especially near the coastline. Weather, operational requirements, and mission objectives all influence what happens in a day. During an interview with SkyBlazer Contributor Joe Trilling, LTJG Preston W. Hill explained that flexibility is simply a part of life at Coast Guard Air Station Ventura. “You show up, you check the weather in brief. It ultimately depends on what they have planned for the day. You can go on a training flight to the islands, you can work with different boats, you can do rough area landings up in the mountains. It just depends on what training you want to get done that day.” 

As we got further out the Marine Layer was slowly breaking up, everybody with Huntington Beach Fire on our vessel was putting their water suits on and preparing for the training evolution. We reached the location where we were training and the Coast Guard helicopter slowly approached and began to circle our vessels. Any height-obstructions, such as antennas, were temporarily removed from the boats. The training was about to begin.

I watched from the back deck of the lifeguard rescue vessel, and Marine Safety Captain Tony Villalobos kept myself and Coast Guard PA3 Uranga informed about the first of many training evolutions. His advice was simple: “Expect the unexpected. The rotor wash is a lot more on the MH-60T Jayhawk compared to the MH-65 Dolphin.” 

The MH-60T is a medium range recovery aircraft and is one of the Coast Guard’s primary SAR platforms. This aircraft is capable of responding hundreds of miles offshore and in demanding conditions. Since entering service in 1990, the Jayhawk fleet has played such a critical role in saving lives with more than 13,000 saved from the platform alone. Its long range, endurance, and capabilities to operate in challenging weather have made this platform shine throughout its history.

The MH-65 Dolphin helicopter is the U.S. Coast Guards Short Range Recovery (SRR) helicopter. Its primary mission is short range SAR. With over 98 aircraft in service and 14 Coast Guard stations operational it's safe to say that this aircraft still has a future ahead of it. Introduced in 1984, the Dolphin is expected to remain in service into the late 2030’s, continuing a legacy of lifesaving for many more years to come.

Huntington Beach Fire, Marine Safety Division operates a modified 1989 Crystaliner 29RS. The boat weighs around 11,000lbs and from what is noted by Tony Villalobos a notable difference is the momentum and stability combared to top end speed. The open aft deck of the vessel serves many purposes which is very helpful to crew members in a wide variety of scenarios.

Now came the moments we’ve been waiting on for a long time to come. The efforts to recover, rescue, and provide necessary supplies for those in need or injured before coming onboard the MH-60T. 

What I witnessed was nothing short of incredible. The MH-60T maintained a steady 6-8 knots behind the adjacent rescue vessel with LTJG Preston W. Hill at the controls. On board our vessel we always had a captain at all times watching what was ahead and making sure we got our photos safely and professionally. This type of training is important because it helps both sides especially when a vessel is moving.

On my end, everything seemed skillful. The Coast Guard crew was executing everything that was needed for the safety of all occupants on the vessel. The helicopter approached slowly but with enough power that could blow away any loose items in sight. Luckily our crew had made sure to stow any loose items before the training began. 

The steady approach of the MH-60T to the other vessel looked perfect and I thought to myself, “Man do these guys know what they are doing.” The “side slip” as I call it from my perspective was perfect for both the pilot and the fight mechanic. 

I was surprised to see a crate of supplies being transferred to the rescue vessel but it’s important to utilize all tools necessary in training to make a safe rescue. Coast Guard Air Station Ventura utilizes all necessary rescue equipment just like any other Coast Guard Station would. But the emphasis on rescue equipment extends well beyond just Air Station Ventura.

During an interview with Joe Trilling, LCDR Robert Turley explained that one of the Coast Guard’s greatest strengths is standardization. Every Coast Guard Aircrew follows the same procedures and training standards, allowing pilots, rescue swimmers, and flight mechanics from different parts of the country to operate together seamlessly when large-scale disasters demand additional resources. 

Now this training with Huntington Beach Fire bridges that standardization gap similarly so that they are prepared when the Coast Guard has a demand for additional resources for a vessel or person in need offshore. Trust is a small but big word. Trust allows crews to swiftly work together. To know that every flight, every training is an opportunity to learn and get better at what you do.

Continuing on after the evolutions from the other lifeguard boat, the helicopter backed out for 3-4 minutes to re-adjust its path to our boat. During this process it was unique to see the shine of the reflection on the water suits from the other rescue vessel.

Now seeing as the helicopter was approaching our vessel we all got in our ready positions briefed before the training started. The first evolution was wild. The MH-60T Jayhawk approached our vessel from above as we maintained a steady 6-8knots. Two members of our crew onboard was their first time training with the helicopter overhead. This training was super valuable for them so they could learn what ways are best to work with the helicopter and a moving vessel simultaneously. 

Simulating this type of experience is near impossible without actually doing it in real life. Coast Guard Air Station Ventura aims to communicate, coordinate, and allow agencies to practice their skills regularly. Every single hoist strengthens the trust that both crews need to have when a real emergency happens. This is true with Max Vandermeulen, a Marine Safety Specialist. He explained that, “When I hooked the basket the other way the second time it was easier to maintain control before reaching the boat. I think I will do that from now on.”

The work you see in these photos is demanding, both physically and mentally. The force of the helicopter became impossible to ignore. Rotorwash sprayed water all across anything within 100-200ft of the MH-60T Jayhawk. The combined force of the wind and water made it difficult to catch a full breath at times. Even sitting securely aboard the rescue vessel, I gained a new appreciation for the environment in which Coast Guard aircrews and rescue personnel operate in. 

Something that was noted during the basket training with our boat was the side to side motion of the boat in the rotorwash whenever the MH-60T got close to our vessel. I thought that was something important to share because this is something other smaller vessels could expect whenever rescue helicopters approach their boat in the water while moving. 

After I learned that, I noticed the subtle change beneath my feet and I used the slow shimmy to my advantage when capturing photos in a backlit condition. But the mission is not about my advantages and viewpoints, it's about the people working hard and putting their lives at risk to save others. That’s what is most important.

It's important that everyone gets time with the basket because it’s not that often that training days like this happen, and it’s imparitive that everyone stays up to date with their training.

Therefore, the crews rotated to ensure everyone that was onboard had an opportunity to train that day. Andrew Mackie exchanged positions with Kevin Berry, which allowed the next phase of the exercise to move on while giving everyone a valuable experience in the basket hoisting environment.

Every moment, every maneuver, and every decision is an opportunity to refine skills that may be called upon one day during an actual SAR mission. Huntington Beach Fire trains regularly on the water, but they gain confidence in joint training with Coast Guard Air Station Ventura so that when they are needed, they are ready, especially when lives depend on it offshore. There is no substitute for working alongside one another in realistic conditions, which is why this training is necessary.

When our training was up for the day the crew onboard my boat settled in and prepared for the rescue swimmer demo that was to take place. Myself and PA3 Uranga got ready at the back of the boat as directed by our captain and we were placed in an area of good lighting.

The MH-60T began hovering over the water and a mannequin nicknamed “Randy” dropped out the door and into the water. Shortly after rescue technician AST2 Curren Hinote jumped out of the helicopter to rescue the mannequin and bring them onboard the aircraft. I have a lot of respect for what rescue swimmers do in the USCG. Swimming through the wake of the MH-60T has got to be a crazy experience and I can only imagine what it’s like being in that position in the water especially in rough water conditions. 

 During a rescue the aircraft gives room to the rescue swimmer so he can conduct his duties. After he retrieved Randy, he held out a thumbs up, inviting the helicopter back to hoist both the swimmer and the rescuee onto the aircraft. They had two sets of training with AST2 Curren Hinote in the water practicing and honing in on his skills.

To conclude the demonstration the aircraft made one final pass before heading back to Coast Guard Air Station Ventura and the surrounding areas for more training. 

Afterwards, we set up a group photo with the Huntington Beach Fire Marine Safety Division. This moment was perfect and it ended with a splash! Two brothers Max and Jack Vandermeulen had some fun, ending with one of them floating in the pacific.

If there was something I learned from my experience on the boat, it is that these individuals aren't just colleagues, they're friends, buddies, and for some even family. The way they act in this environment is very indicative of good leadership.

I would like to thank the United States Coast Guard and service members over at Coast Guard Air Station Ventura for allowing SkyBlazer Magazine to capture what they do on a daily basis. I would also like to thank the Huntington Beach Fire Marine Safety Division for having me onboard. Thank you all for reading and we can't wait to release more articles about our experience from the Coast Guard Air Station Ventura visit soon.