End of an Era: Air Station Traverse City helicopter heads to new home

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) -- It's the end of an era, the last MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter left Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City for its new home in Jacksonville Florida.

The MH-65 Helicopters have been used at Air Station Traverse City for 22 years flying more than 63,000 hours which 11 thousands of those hours were devoted to search and rescue missions.

Now, the MH-60s will takeover helping crews respond more efficiently in our harsh winter conditions here in northern Michigan.

"They've done a tremendous job with search and rescue, assiting more than 600 lives of people from the Great Lakes and surrounding area," said Ted Borny, Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City. "They've done a great job here and their contributions are definitely going to be missed. The MH-60 that is taking its place has very large shoes to fill."

The MH-65 will be stationed in Jacksonville Florida with the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron.