January 4, 2011: The U.S. Coast Guard is using discarded U.S. Navy helicopters to replace losses. This is possible because the navy is replacing the older SH-60F with new models, and some of the older helicopters are stored for use as spares, or to be refurbished if there is a national emergency (and a sudden need for more choppers.) Some are refurbished and sold to foreign customers. Tunisia is buying twelve refurbished American SH-60Fs, for about $24 million each. The coast guard can refurbish an old SH-60F to the same standard as their MH-60T for $18 million. A new MH-60T would cost $40 million. The coast guard lost two HH-60 helicopters to accidents last year, and has already replaced one with a refurbished navy SH-60F.

The SH-60 is a navalized version of the U.S. Army Black Hawk. The SH-60F is a ten ton helicopter that can carry three tons of personnel or equipment. Cruise speed is 270 kilometers an hour and sorties are usually three hours. The SH-60F can be equipped for anti-submarine or mine clearing, as well as transporting equipment and personnel.