USCG Dolphin visiting Malta
The US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Hamilton (WSML-753) visited the Grand Harbour of Malta. The cutter is homeported in the City of North Charleston (SC), at the old Charleston Naval Base. The vessel is conducting a routine deployment in the US Sixth Fleet area of operations, working alongside allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards.
The USCGC Hamilton has facilities for a Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin. On 17 May 2021, our friend Shaun Psaila photographed MH-65D Dolphin, serial 6531 (construction number 6177) aboard the vessel. According to the Scramble Magazine database, the Dolphin is operated by Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville.
The US Coast Guard operates 80+ MH-65Ds which are upgraded HH-65C/MH-65C versions. Currently, the USCG is upgrading the D-models to the E-model, incorporating upgrades that will modernise the cockpit by installing digital glass cockpit instruments, known as the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), similar to those installed in the USCG's upgraded MH-60T Jayhawk Medium Range Recovery (MRR) helicopters.
Photo by Shaun Psaila