CGAS Detroit was established in 1966 at Selfridge Air National Guard base, Michigan and initially flew three Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard helicopters with an area of operations encompassing Lakes Ontario, Erie, St. Clair and southern Lake Huron. Since the retirement of the HH-52As in the 1980s, the unit has operated five MH-65D Dolphins. The Dolphin has gone through a series of upgrades since they were first assembled in Grande Prairie, TX, including a change of engines (from Lycoming LTS101-750B-2s to Safran Arriel 2C2-CGs turboshafts) and new navigation systems and "glass" cockpit displays.