The Coast Guard Aviation Training Center (ATC) in Mobile, Alabama is a multi-mission unit, acting as the Coast Guard's aviation and capabilities development center, as well as an operational air station. Training is conducted to qualify Coast Guard pilots in the MH-60 "Jayhawk", the MH-65 "Dolphin" , the HC-130 Hercules, the HC-130J Hercules, and the HC-144 "Ocean Sentry." All pilots initially trained at ATC return once a year for a one week proficiency course in their designated airframe. Serving within the Coast Guard's Force Readiness Command's Training Division (FC-T), the ATC Mobile evaluation center is responsible for ensuring that Coast Guard aviation forces are using the best equipment and tactics to successfully complete all required missions. The Operations Department, flying the HC-144A Ocean Sentry, is a segment within the ATC command that conducts traditional Coast Guard air station missions including Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, and Environmental Protection. The Operations Department operates under the tactical control of the Eighth Coast Guard District and has area of responsibility that extends from the Louisiana/Texas border to the eastern edge of the Florida panhandle.
Commanding Officer: Captain Scott E. Lugo
Captain Lugo assumed command of the Coast Guard’s Aviation Training Center in April 2023 and is responsible for all aspects of Coast Guard pilot and aircrew training, including the standardization for 26 air stations and 43 flight deck-equipped Coast Guard cutters, the development of Coast Guard aviation capabilities, and an operational element that provides disaster surge response and 24/7 a fixed-wing operational response and for America's Gulf Coast.
Enlisting into the Coast Guard in 1992, he completed non-rated tours in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Station Miami Beach prior to attending Aviation Structural Mechanic School. Reassigned to Air Station Miami, he qualified as HU-25 Falcon Aircrew and Dropmaster Instructor, and in 2001, attended Officer Candidate School and Flight Training under the reenacted Aviation Candidate Program.
Earning his Wings of Gold in 2002, he went on to fly operational tours in the HU-25 Falcon and HC-144 Ocean Sentry at Air Stations Cape Cod and Miami, where he served as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner. Prior to his recent Headquarters assignment, he served as ATC Mobile’s Operations Officer; managing the operational risk and employment of 17 aircraft and crews, providing the Coast Guard Eighth District an operational response capability. He also served the Training Department’s Fixed-Wing Chief, directing the development and execution of the Coast Guard’s fixed-wing aviation standardization, simulation, and training programs.
Captain Lugo’s staff assignments include serving as the Executive Support Staff Chief for the Deputy Commandant for Operations, leading the coordination, distribution, tracking, and review of all enterprise correspondence supporting the Commandant, Vice Commandant, Area, Congressional staffs. He also served as the West Africa Desk Officer at U.S. Africa Command, working alongside our interagency and foreign partners to develop and implement counternarcotics programs for eight African nations.
Captain Lugo has earned a Bachelor of Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Arts from the U.S. Naval War College, where he was a member of the international cohort. He has flown over 4,800 hours in military aircraft, and holds several FAA pilot certifications and type-ratings.
Captain Lugo’s military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation and Achievement Medals, and other team and service awards.
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, he is married to his wonderful wife Lynn, and have two children, Hannah and Jackson, who currently attend Auburn University.
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Vision:
The Aviation Training Center is committed to be the model Coast Guard aviation and support unit. We balance the needs of our people, our organizational commanders, and the public, in our plans, policies, and operations. When making decisions, we first consider how our actions will affect our people, by identifying, eliminating or minimizing the risks associated with those decisions in order to ensure mission safety. We recognize that if we support, respect, and challenge our people, they will deliver superior service and continuous improvement.
Mission:
The mission of the Aviation Training Center (ATC) is to produce mission ready aircrews and develop aviation capabilities. We provide core training for rotary wing and fixed wing pilots, rescue swimmers and aircrews for air stations Coast Guard wide. We also serve as the Coast Guard's aviation capabilities development center. We provide direct aviation support to Coast Guard Atlantic Area and the Eighth Coast Guard District. We provide health and administrative services to military families throughout the Mobile metropolitan area, in order to enhance their ability to support Coast Guard operations. We strive to ensure the safe accomplishment of all mission tasking by implementing Coast Guard Safety and Health Programs that provide all employees and their families a safe and healthful environment.