News>Bay Area Air National Guard Unit Rescues U.S. Navy Contractor over Pacific Ocean
Photos
The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) sends fuel to the dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) during a replenishment at sea. Comstock, part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are returning to homeport San Diego following a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific and the U.S. Central Command areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lenny LaCrosse/Released)
California Air National Guard members assigned to the 129th Rescue Squadron conduct aircraft deck landing qualifications with the United States Coast Guard, approximately 25 nautical miles off the coast of Northern California, June 20, 2012. This is the first landing of an Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk on the National Security Coast Guard Cutter, USCG Bertholf. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kim E. Ramirez/released)
Two HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter and an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, assigned with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, conduct an aerial refuel operations over the pacific ocean, April 3, 2014. (Courtesy photo by Master Sgt. Miguel Toro/released)
by 1st Lt. Roderick B. Bersamina
129th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
11/14/2016 - MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- The California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing completed its 1,013th save Nov. 12, after responding to a call for a long-distance rescue mission over the Pacific Ocean.
The mission resulted in saving the life of a seriously ill civilian contractor on board the USNS Guadalupe, a U.S. Navy vessel which was approximately 560 miles off the California coast.
"Due to the distance of the vessel and no local assets in the area, we reached out to the 129th Rescue Wing for assistance," said Lt. Kayla Abruzzese, 11th Coast Guard District watchstander. "Through the coordination efforts, we were able to get the person in distress to higher medical care."
With coordination between Air force Rescue Center and U.S. Coast Guard, the 129th launched two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft and a Guardian Angel pararescue team from Moffett Federal Airfield around 11 a.m. to the USNS Guadalupe. Once the Guardian Angel Team boarded the ship, they stabilized the patient before loading him into a helicopter to depart back to the airfield. The Guardian Angel team continued to provide care for the civilian patient during the 4 hour return flight. An ambulance met the team at Moffett ANGB and immediately transported the patient to a local hospital.
Since its designation as a rescue unit in 1975, the 129th Rescue Wing is credited with saving the lives of more than 1,000 people. The Wing conducts combat search and rescue missions, as well as the rescue of distressed persons on board ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations across the West Coast.
"The 129th Rescue Wing's bottom line is the Air Force rescue community's motto: That others may live," said Col. Taft Aujero, 129th Rescue Wing commander. "Our more than 1,000 saves both at home and abroad speaks to the extraordinary talent of our members. I could not be prouder of them and their accomplishments."
