Wing answers call for help for missing divers

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here answered the call for help in search of a missing diver off the coast of Port Canaveral, Fla., July 26, while earlier in the day rescue crews aided in the successful rescue of another diver.

HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crews from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th RQW launched to help search for the missing divers.

In the first rescue, 920th RQW helicopter crews aided in the successful rescue of a missing diver off the coast of Boca Raton, Fla. The crews were conducting an exercise in Key West, Fla. and as they flew up the coast to Boca Raton to refuel, they spotted an unmanned boat dragging its anchor. Two helicopters were launched on the scene in addition to other rescue assets. Ultimately that diver was found by the Coast Guard.

In the second search, a 60-year-old man was diving with a friend for lobster when they became separated. The man's diving companion resurfaced without him so he alerted authorities. A large search effort went into effect immediately. 

A Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral small boat, Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., helicopter, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are all searching for the missing man. Good Samaritans on scene are also assisting in the search. Two HH-60Gs helped search for the missing diver.

At approximately 7 p.m., the two HH-60Gs returned to Patrick Air Force Base to refuel, and with little time to spare, turned back around to continue their search before sunset. The search was called off at 8:30 p.m.

The 920th RQW is one of the most called upon units in the Air Force Reserve, and is the only reserve rescue wing in the U.S. The wing's primary mission is combat search and rescue, but also supports NASA and the 45th Space Wing in all rocket and space shuttle launches as well as civilian humanitarian calls for help.

"We are always ready at a moment's notice to aid those in need. It's what we train for as Air Force Reserve search and rescue teams," said Col. Steve Kirkpatrick, the 920th RQW commander.

(Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service) 

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