Coast Guard upgrades from 32-year-old aircraft

Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi’s first HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft will replace a 32-year-old Falcon jet used to aide the maritime patrol and search and rescue missions in South Texas, according to a news release.

The medium-ranged, twin-engine aircraft is the first of three aircrafts that can be used to help mariners located more than 400 miles from shore.

The aircraft, also used to locate and identify illicit maritime activities, can carry 40 passengers, as much as 9,400 pounds of cargo and can be configured to carry litters for medical patients.

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