Coast Guard
AVIATION
Subspecialty

Officer Subspecialty

CG-AVI12

Rotary Wing Aviation

An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.

Description

Rotary Wing Aviation Subspecialty Officers are commissioned officers who have successfully completed an approved military flight training course and have been designated by the Commandant per Article 6.A.1.a of the Personnel Manual. Rotary Wing Aviation Subspecialty Officers have flown rotary wing aircraft and have first-hand knowledge of specialty skills which are beneficial to the USCG. Such rotary aircraft include the MH-65D (Helicopter) and the MH-60T (Helicopter).

Core Skills

  • rotary wing aircraft operations
  • helicopter mission planning
  • aircrew leadership
  • search and rescue operations
  • maritime aviation
  • hoist and rescue coordination
  • aviation risk management
  • weather assessment
  • emergency decision making

Common Certifications

  • FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate
  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate
  • FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Certificate
  • Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
  • PMP
  • IS-200.c Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response

Civilian Career Paths

  • COMMERCIAL AVIATION
  • AVIATION MANAGEMENT
  • TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Training & Development

Getting Started

  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate
  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate
  • IS-100.c Introduction to the Incident Command System
  • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)

Career Growth

  • FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
  • FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Certificate
  • Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
  • PMP

Data sourced from official Coast Guard publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.