Several hundred beachgoers and children from McGaugh Elementary were thrilled to watch a helicopter rescue demonstration by the Coast Guard yesterday at the Seal Beach pier. According to Mr. Anthony Turner, of the Public Affairs Department of Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles, "It was a search and rescue demonstration. What was unique about it was that the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) who was on board was sworn in while he was on the helicopter."

The action began at about 11:30 yesterday (March 26, 2009) morning just off the Seal Beach pier. With at least 300 school children lining the pier, a rescue swimmer performed a free fall from the helicopter. Another member of the team played the part of the victim in the water and was put into the rescue basket to be hosted up to the helicopter.

Before being lowered into the water, Coast Guard 2nd Class Petty Officer Joe Morales was given his re-enlistment oath of office by the helicopter's pilot, Lieutenant David Middleton. He was then taken ashore where he was greeted by the students and "swarmed like a rock star" said Turner. Morales's son is a second grade student at McGaugh Elementary.

The students were pretty excited and had many questions for Morales. They asked "what the job is of an AMT. They talked about what the rescue swimmers do, they talked about boating safety, and about kids wearing their life jackets when they are on the boats." said Turner.

As an AMT at the air station, Petty Officer Morales has a number of responsibilities that include servicing, troubleshooting and repairing all aspects of the HH-65C “Dolphin” helicopters at the air station. As a collateral duty he is also a part of the helicopter aircrew and plays a vital role on various missions and search and rescue cases. Morales is also an instructor, helping to teach and train new flight mechanics in the tasks required of the air crew position.

Air Station Los Angeles is located at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The unit began as an aviation detachment in August 1962, with one HO-4S helicopter from Air Station San Diego. Air Station Los Angeles was commissioned in November 1962 with two HO-4S helicopters, nine officers, and twenty enlisted personnel. In May 1963, the unit switched to three HH-52A "Sea Guard" helicopters, which remained in service until November 1987. The Air Station moved to its present location in August 1987 and transitioned to the HH-65A "Dolphin" helicopter. In 2002 the Air Station received one additional helicopter. Over the years, the Air Station upgraded to the HH-65B and to its current model, the HH-65C helicopter.

Twenty-two officers and 68 enlisted personnel presently staff the air station. Air Station Los Angeles maintains a Search and Rescue helicopter 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is responsible for protecting the coastal area of Southern California. The area of responsibility begins at the San Diego County and Orange County border to the south near Dana Point and extends north to the San Luis Obispo County and Monterey County border near Morro Bay. The area reaches west 200 miles out to sea and covers approximately 20,000 square miles. On average, 200 SAR (search and rescue) cases are prosecuted every year. In addition to SAR, Air Station LA helicopters provide Homeland Security Patrols for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and Port Hueneme in Ventura County. The Air Station responsibilities also include, Law enforcement, Aids to Navigation, Environmental Response, and Military Operations.