Washington, D.C. – A serious engine failure on a U.S. Coast Guard C‑37A jet did not turn into a disaster on Wednesday afternoon. The aircraft, which was transporting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, lost its right‑hand engine shortly after take‑off from Lawson Army Airfield near Columbus, Georgia, and the pilot declared an emergency to air‑traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Quick response and safe touchdown
According to a recording obtained by ATC.com, the pilot radioed, “We just lost our right engine and would like to declare an emergency.” The jet, a military‑grade Gulfstream V (C‑37A), had been airborne for about an hour and a half and still carried enough fuel for roughly two and a half more hours of flight. Fourteen people were on board, including Secretary Mullin.
Coast Guard pilots executed a single‑engine landing with what the secretary described as “routine” professionalism. After touching down, the aircraft taxied off the runway while two airport fire trucks responded as a precaution. No injuries were reported.
Secretary Mullin praises the crew
Secretary Mullin took to social media shortly after the landing, praising the Coast Guard crew: “The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine. No panic, just straight professionalism. After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands.”
Background on the Coast Guard’s transport fleet
The Coast Guard, a component of DHS, routinely uses two long‑range command and control aircraft to move senior officials. The C‑37A involved in the incident is part of the CG‑101 fleet, a Gulfstream G550 platform that first entered service more than two decades ago. In 2025, before Secretary Mullin assumed his role, the agency defended a request for funding to replace one of the aging jets, noting that the aircraft was “outside of Gulfstream’s service life” and had exceeded typical corporate usage hours.
Congressional oversight has also highlighted the need for modernization. In a 2024 letter to then‑Secretary Kristy Noem, Representatives Bennie Thompson (D‑MS) and LaMonica McIver (D‑TX) warned that a $50 million request for a new jet could divert funds from critical upgrades to the broader Coast Guard fleet, which supports search‑and‑rescue and other lifesaving missions. They argued that “your desire to travel in luxury should not eclipse the need for USCG service members to fly safely and conduct lifesaving missions.”
What this means for the department
The successful emergency landing underscores the professionalism of Coast Guard aviators and the robustness of safety protocols even when older aircraft are in service. While the incident did not result in any harm, it reinforces the ongoing conversation in Congress about investing in newer, more reliable transport aircraft for the department.
The U.S. Coast Guard referred inquiries to DHS, which directed reporters to Secretary Mullin’s public statement. No further comment was provided at the time of publication.
Looking ahead
As the Trump administration continues to prioritize strong, family‑focused leadership and fiscal responsibility, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining modern, safe equipment for those who protect the nation’s borders and waterways. The administration has indicated that it will continue to evaluate the fleet’s needs while balancing budgetary constraints.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
