Editing Salem, Massachusetts (section)

===Air Station and the National Guard===

[[File:Muster at Coast Guard Air Station Salem in 1952.jpg|thumb|upright|Coast Guard Air Station Salam, 1952]]

[[Coast Guard Air Station Salem]] was established on February 15, 1935, when the [[United States Coast Guard]] opened a new [[seaplane]] facility in Salem because there was no space to expand the [[Coast Guard Air Station Gloucester|Gloucester Air Station at Ten Pound Island]]. [[Coast Guard Air Station Salem]] was located on [[Winter Island]], an extension of [[Salem Neck (Massachusetts)|Salem Neck]] which juts out into [[Salem Harbor]]. [[Search and rescue]], hunting for [[derelict (maritime)|derelict]]s, and [[medical evacuation]]s were the station's primary areas of responsibility. During its first year of operation, Salem crews performed 26 medical evacuations. They flew in all kinds of weather, and the radio direction capabilities of the aircraft were of significant value in locating vessels in distress.

During [[World War II]] (1939–1945), air crews from Salem flew [[neutrality patrol]]s along the coast, and the Air Station roster grew to 37 aircraft. [[Anti-submarine]] patrols flew regularly. In October 1944, Air Station Salem was designated as the first [[Air-Sea Rescue]] station on the eastern seaboard. The [[Martin PBM Mariner]], a hold-over from the war, became the primary rescue aircraft. In the mid-1950s, [[helicopter]]s came, as did [[Grumman HU-16 Albatross]] amphibious [[flying boat]]s (UFs).

The air station's missions included search and rescue, law enforcement, counting migratory waterfowl for the U.S. Biological Survey, and assisting icebound islands by delivering provisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-412372/Coast-Guard-Air-Station-Salem.html|title=Manta – Rediscover America's Small Business|work=Manta}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/d1/units/ascapecod/history.htm|title=USCG Air Station Cape Cod, MA|work=uscg.mil}}</ref>

The station's surviving facilities are part of Salem's Winter Island Marine Park. Salem Harbor was deep enough to host a [[Edward Robert Armstrong#Seadrome|seadrome]] with three sea lanes, offering a variety of take-off headings irrespective of wind direction unless there was a strong steady wind from the east. This produced enormous waves that swept into the mouth of the harbor and hampered water operations. When the seadrome was too rough, returning amphibian aircraft used the [[Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Beverly]]. Salem Air Station moved to [[Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod|Cape Cod]] in 1970.

In 2011, the City of Salem completed plans for the {{convert|30|acre|adj=on}} Winter Island Park<ref>{{cite web|last=Lytle |first=Stewart |url=http://salem.patch.com/articles/benefits-concerns-discussed-at-wind-turbine-hearing |title=Benefits, Concerns Discussed at Wind Turbine Hearing – Salem, MA Patch |publisher=Salem.patch.com |date=2011-08-03 |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref> and squared off against residents who are against bringing two power-generating windmills to the tip of Winter Island.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goff |first=John |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/salem/news/lifestyle/columnists/x1145375982/John-Goff-Salem-windmills-revisited |title=John Goff: Salem windmills, revisited – Salem, Massachusetts – Salem Gazette |publisher=Wickedlocal.com |date=2010-12-04 |access-date=2012-09-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113044505/http://www.wickedlocal.com/salem/news/lifestyle/columnists/x1145375982/John-Goff-Salem-windmills-revisited |archive-date=2012-11-13 }}</ref> The Renewable Energy Task Force, along with the Energy and Sustainability Manager, Paul Marquis, have recommended the construction of a 1.5-megawatt power turbine at the tip of Winter Island,<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis |first=Brendan |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/salem/features/x1260731137/Wind-turbine-project-moves-forward-in-Salem?img=2#axzz1UlBIsVsO |title=Wind turbine project moves forward in Salem – Salem, Massachusetts – Salem Gazette |publisher=Wickedlocal.com |date=2011-06-16 |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref> which is the furthest point from residences and where the winds are the strongest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salem.com/Pages/SalemMA_BComm/metdata|title=City of Salem, MA – Winter Island Meteorological Tower Data|author=City of Salem, MA|work=salem.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213014439/http://www.salem.com/Pages/SalemMA_BComm/metdata|archive-date=2014-12-13}}</ref>

The 30-acre park has been open to the public since the early 1970s. In 2011, a master plan was developed with help from the planning and design firm, Cecil Group of Boston and Bioengineering Group of Salem. The City of Salem paid $45,000 in federal money.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/plan-calls-for-amphitheater-other-fixes-at-winter-island/article_2b6d2eb7-35c6-515d-9186-dfe90df378e9.html |title=Plan calls for amphitheater, other fixes at Winter Island » Local News » SalemNews.com, Salem, MA |publisher=Salemnews.com |date=2012-08-30 |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref> In the long term, the projected cost to rehabilitate just the barracks was $1.5 million. But in the short term, there are multiple lower-cost items, like a proposed $15,000 kayak dock or $50,000 to relocate and improve the bathhouse. This is a very important project since Fort Pickering guarded Salem Harbor as far back as the 17th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2012/2012430-port-compact.html |title=Patrick-Murray Administration Creates Ports of Massachusetts Compact |publisher=Mass.gov |date=2012-04-30 |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref>