The ever-evolving world of aviation technology has necessitated numerous changes to the Coast Guard’s aviation ratings as the service has sought to more effectively align skill sets with operational needs. The Avionics Electrical Technician (AET) rating is no exception. Originally established as Aviation Radioman (ARm) during World War II, the growing suite of onboard electrical systems led to the creation of the Aviation Electronicsman (AL) rating in 1948, which subsequently was redesignated Aviation Electronic Technician (AT). The AT rating was augmented with two service ratings based upon the two most prevalent electronics systems in Coast Guard aircraft: Communications Equipment (ATN) and Radar (ATR).
In 1999, the Coast Guard implemented a major overhaul of its system of aviation, reducing the five ratings to just three in order to streamline training and more efficiently deliver services. The AT rating was retitled Avionics Technician (AVT) to accommodate the growing number of electronics systems aboard aircraft, then renamed it Avionics Electrical Technician in 2004.
AET personnel are responsible for the inspection, maintenance, servicing, and repair of the various avionics systems that perform necessary performance and safety functions related to navigation, communications, object detection and collision avoidance, target or object acquisition, and auto-pilot controls. Their duties also extend to the various aircraft components controlled by these systems, such as flight-control (flaps and ailerons), landing gear, power plant and drive train, hydraulics, anti-icing, and fire detection and mitigation hardware.
AETs are capable of filling aircrew positions from basic aircrewman to more technically challenging jobs as radio or sensor-systems operator, flight mechanic, or navigator. Among the fixed-wing aircraft on which they serve are the HC-130H Hercules (the service began receiving the newer HC-130J variant in 2008, HC-144 Ocean Sentry, and HC-27J Spartan. Rotary-wing aircraft include the C and D variants of the HH-65 and MH-65 Dolphin and the MH 60-T Jayhawk, a derivative of the famed Army Blackhawk choppers that is based on the same airframe employed by the Navy’s SH-60F.