4 USAF Rescue Wing Helicopters Airlift Passengers On Carnival Cruise 350 Miles Off US Coast
4 USAF Rescue Wing Helicopters Airlift Passengers On Carnival Cruise 350 Miles Off US Coast
- The 920th Rescue Wing conducted a mission to airlift a mother and child from a cruise ship, showcasing their critical rescue capabilities.
- The operation involved two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters along with combat rescue officers and pararescuemen.
- The successful mission required complex mid-flight helicopter refuelings, hoist operations, and swift teamwork to transport the patient to the nearest medical center.
The United States Air Force once again demonstrated that fighting is not the only role of the organization. On Saturday, two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and two HC-130J Combat King 11 aircraft conducted a rescue mission to airlift a mother and her child by helicopter from a Carnival Cruise Line ship. The United States Air Force has a particular billet called pararescue specializing in rescuing both military and civilians in need.
A dramatic Air Force rescue
The Air Force 920th Rescue Wing (RQW) released a statement stating it had successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation more than 350 nautical miles off the East Coast. The operation took place on May 4 and successfully extracted a critical patient aboard a cruise ship (the Carnival Venezia).
The 920th RQW stated it responded to the emergency call within hours and launched a rescue force comprising two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen. They took the patient to the nearest capable medical center.
It was a complicated operation that required three helicopter-air-to-air refuelings. The HC-130J provided the helicopters with mid-flight refueling. The 920th RQW states as the helicopters approached the cruise liner, the pararescuemen were hoisted down and then hoisted up the patient and his mother into the helicopter. The child received medical attention en-route to the hospital in the United States.
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A successful rescue
Everyone in the wing mobilized with exceptional speed. By uniting our efforts, we saved crucial time, delivering life-saving assistance six hours ahead of other response teams. Our collective determination and efficiency ensured the successful rescue and transport of the individual in need. – Capt. Dylan Gann, 301st Rescue Squadron pilot.
After eight hours and over 1,000 miles flown, the 920th concluded the mission and the aircraft returned to Patrick Space Force Base in Florida. While the mission was deemed a success, it is unclear what manner of medical emergency the child suffered. The child’s present condition is also unclear.
The 920th Rescue Wing
The 920th Rescue Wing is the only combat search and rescue wing of the Air Force Reserve Command. Its main mission is to plan, lead, and conduct military rescue operations as well as to deny competitors and adversaries exploitation of isolated personnel. The 920th provides rescue for civilians in distress at sea, in the desert, or in mountains. It also provides worldwide humanitarian reliefs in the aftermath of disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
This may have been one of the last hurrays of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters as they are in the process of being replaced by the new HH-60W Jolly Green II. The 920th recently stated some of its HH-60Gs boarded a Galaxy C-5 bound for retirement and mothball status at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.