5/5/2013 - MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. (AFNS) -- A team of California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing (RQW) aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter and a MC-130P Combat Shadow refueling airplane, successfully completed a complex overwater rescue mission, extracting an injured cruise ship passenger more than 300 miles off the coast of San Diego this afternoon.
The 129th RQW received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard late Saturday concerning a critically ill passenger onboard the Netherlands cruise ship, Westerdam. The passenger was suffering from kidney failure and required immediate treatment beyond the capabilities of the vessel's medical staff. Upon mission approval, the aircraft and crews immediately departed Moffett Federal Airfield to stage for their final launch from Coronado.
Guardian Angel para-rescuemen, from both the 129th RQW and the 58th Rescue Squadron from Ariz., boarded the vessel, prepared the patient, and hoisted him onto the helicopter. The patient was then flown to San Diego for further treatment.
"This was a complex rescue mission and our Airmen rose to the occasion," said Col. Steven Butow, the 129th RQW commander. "I could not be prouder of our Airmen's efforts to save this passenger."
The primary mission of the 129th RQW is to perform its wartime duties of search-and-rescue anywhere in the world. Equipped with MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, the 129th RQW has performed a wide variety of civilian search-and-rescue missions, including responding to distressed persons aboard ships, lost or injured hikers, and conducting medical evacuations during natural disasters. This is the 993rd person the wing is credited with saving.
Comments
5/13/2013 9:57:48 PM ET I was on the Westerdam and witnessed this rescue. I am a retired Navy P-3 pilot. It was amazing to see the event and all 1800 passengers were taking pictures. Most people saw the markings on the helo and thought that it was not from the US. Tell us about the markings please.
