Reps seek replacement of crashed CG helicopter - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Reps seek replacement of crashed CG helicopter

JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska's congressional delegation is seeking the replacement of a Coast Guard helicopter following a recent fatal crash off the Washington state coast.

The delegation has written a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, asking that she seek funding to replace the aircraft. It contends a replacement is critical, given the amount of coastline that must be monitored, the Coast Guard's role in emergency efforts and a desire to avoid diverting a helicopter from another location, thus creating a void in another area.

Three Coast Guard members died earlier this month when their helicopter went down near La Push, Wash. The crew was based in the southeast Alaska community of Sitka.