Coast Guard to take delivery of last Air Force C-27Js

The Coast Guard will take control of the last of the Air Force’s C-27J cargo planes, putting an end of a years-long saga over finding a long-term home for the twin-engine aircraft.

The planes will be transferred to the Coast Guard within six to 12 months, with the goal of filling “medium range surveillance USCG missions such as maritime patrol, drug and migrant interdiction, disaster response, and search and rescue,” according to a press release from Italian contractor Alenia Aermacchi, which built the planes.

The C-27J is a tactical transport designed for use on small, rough airfields. The Air Force initially planned on fielding 38 planes before deciding they were too expensive to operate. That decision set off a firestorm of controversy in Congress, where members were eager to make sure local Air National Guard units received the platforms.

Read more