“The busiest air-sea rescue facility in the world.” Those words, painted on a small, unassuming sign, greet everyone entering the USCG Air Station Miami. Don’t let its modesty fool you. This place is a beehive of activity, a testament to the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to saving lives. The USCG Air Station Miami, originally located at Dinner Key, has called Opa Locka Airport home since 1965. From these bustling runways, courageous men and women take flight, facing storms and danger to answer distress calls across a vast expanse. The station’s history is etched with tales of daring rescues and unwavering dedication. During World War II, pilots from Dinner Key braved enemy fire, plucking survivors from torpedoed ships. When a devastating hurricane tore through the Florida Keys in 1935, it was a USCG Air Station Miami pilot, LT Clemmer, who risked his life, flying through the storm to warn unsuspecting residents. He later returned, his aircraft laden with the injured, a symbol of hope amidst the wreckage. The years that followed saw the station grappling with new challenges – the influx of Cuban exiles, the fight against drug trafficking, and the ever-present threat of hurricanes. Through it all, the USCG Air Station Miami has remained a beacon of hope, a testament to the human spirit’s enduring capacity for courage and compassion.
Glenn Hubert Library
What secrets lie hidden within the walls of a university library? Right here in North Miami, the Glenn Hubert Library