4/29/2008 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- Airmen from the 23rd
Wing at Moody AFB performed a maritime rescue in the Gulf of Mexico
April 25 that saved six lives.
Moody Airmen responded by providing two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters
from the 41st Rescue Squadron, a 71st RQS HC-130P King and pararescue
assets from the 38th RQS.
The wing received the support request from the Joint Personnel Recovery
Center at Tyndall AFB, Fla., around 11 a.m. The request was in response
to a report the Coast Guard received from the Eos, an 800-foot
Panamanian-flagged tanker ship operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The Eos
discovered and assisted a life raft with migrants in distress.
The crew of the Pave Hawks performed a 10-hour mission, supported by the
aerial refueling and command and control capabilities of the HC-130, and
retrieved six of the stranded individuals from the tanker 260 miles
south of New Orleans.
The response required four sets of aerial refueling and the close
coordination of members from the 23rd Wing, JPRC, Coast Guard and
medical facilities in Louisiana.
Upon the Pave Hawks' arrival to the Eos, pararescuemen from the 38th RQS
were lowered from the helicopters to medically assess and treat the
individuals.
Subsequently, five adults and one child were hoisted from the tanker and
transported to a hospital in New Orleans.
Following the rescue, all Moody-assigned units returned safely.
The 23rd Wing is responsible for all Air Force active duty combat search
and rescue assets in the continental United States and routinely
supports civilian rescue assets around the country.
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