Training mission results in real-life rescue

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  A series of coincidences and an alert helicopter crew from Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here saved the life of a 66-year-old Florida man.

Several miles off of the coast of Florida's Daytona Beach, Lt. Col. Paul Nevius and his crew were piloting an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter back to Patrick AFB when they spotted a 21-foot boat in the ocean moving at full-throttle with no one aboard.

"It was not our intent to be anywhere close to that position," said Colonel Nevius.

Bad weather on their original course to Key West, Fla. sent the reservists north to Gainesville, Fla., and the flight path to Patrick was hampered by air traffic.

In addition to launching its own search for the missing boater, the crew initiated a large-scale search by other Air Force Reserve aircrews, local Coast Guard units and the Daytona Sheriff's department.

Two more Air Force Reserve helicopter crews, preparing for nighttime training missions, went to help but not before wing maintenance people had reconfigured the aircraft for a real life-saving mission. Five pararescuemen, also preparing for a training mission, joined the search.

"If there was someone out there, he needed to be found," said Master Sgt. Chris Seinkner, a 920th RQW pararescueman.

With only a few hours of daylight left and using the previous helicopter crew's search pattern, the two helicopters on scene flew to the course line and began working towards each other.

"You could only see the shore in between the 5-foot waves," said Sergeant Seinkner.

The crew suddenly spotted a man in the water, later identified as Russell Alger, and made a beeline towards him.

"We saw the guy and 30 seconds later we were in the water," said Sergeant Seinkner.

Sergeant Seinkner and another pararescueman, Staff Sgt. Kacee Holms, jumped out of the helicopter, plunged into the choppy ocean water and swam towards Mr. Alger.

"He was waving his arms and splashing in the water," said Sergeant Holmes. "He was excited to see us."

"I took off my life preserver and put it around the guy," said Sergeant Seinker.

Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Schwarz, a combat search-and-rescue flight engineer,  lowered the hoist to the pararescuemen.

Sergeant Holmes then put Mr. Alger in the hoist and gave the thumbs up signal to Sergeant Schwarz, who pulled them up to safety.

The crew transported Mr. Alger to Daytona International Airport. Once there, he declined medical treatment. He was in good condition upon his release.

"Because of the effort of a lot of our own professionals, a very lucky 66-year old Floridian is alive today," said Col. Steve Kirkpatrick, the 920th Rescue Wing commander.

"I truly appreciate the efforts of all involved," he said.  "You have all embodied the motto 'these things we do that others may live' and made the entire community proud."  

(Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service)


Comment on this story   (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page