Open Sea Rescue Mission by the Air Force: The Second Phase - A Thousand-Mile Journey Over the Ocean
Article Rewrite:
Jaws of Life from the Skies:
On a crisp October afternoon, about two dozen airmen found themselves soaring over the Pacific aboard four aircraft—two HH-60G helicopters and two HC-130J fixed-wing aircraft—with a life-threatening mission: to retrieve a sick passenger stranded on a cargo ship some 500 miles off the Golden State's coast.
The California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing, with its exceptional capabilities in long-range helicopter refueling, was a perfect fit for such a high-risk mission few organizations can pull off. Mid-flight refueling using trailing hoses from the HC-130Js allows this elite squad to push the boundaries of what's possible.
As one HC-130J (courtesy of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona) fueled up, its fellow HC-130J, commanded by mission leader Lt. Col. Christopher Nance, sped ahead to contact the stranded ship, Port Kyushu. But things took a turn when Russian-speaking aircrew flight equipment specialist, Staff Sgt. Mike Scheglov mistakenly thought the ship captain spoke Russian. After a brief conversation that went nowhere, he discovered the captain communicated in Romanian—an entirely different language. Fortunately, Scheglov managed to get the captain on the radio. Scheglov's valuable instructions saved precious time once the HH-60s arrived 45 minutes later.
Due to the small helipad and nearby cranes, the hovering HH-60 had to maintain a substantial altitude, making the hoist ride treacherous for the two Pararescue Jumpers (PJs) aboard. Descending on a swaying platform within the belly of the helicopter, the PJs bravely balanced on a metal cable, keeping a watchful eye on the patient, the cable, and their surroundings. The stakes were high; if the hoist moved too fast, the patient could be injured. But going slowly increased exposure, potentially leading to cable weakening, entanglement, or disorientation.
"Hoisting is like being Bob Ross in the back, painting a picture, all while keeping it calm and chatting with the pilots," explained Senior Airman Reese Williamse, a special missions aviator (SMA). On that fateful day, stabilizing the cable meant navigating the calm with an artist's precision.
Meanwhile aboard the cargo vessel, the crew members marveled as two helicopters appeared over the vast expanse of the Pacific and delivered two men in bright red survival suits. Back on deck, Senior Airman Connor and fellow PJ, Tech Sgt. Sean, worked side by side with the confused but helpful crew to transport the sick passenger.
"I could tell they were in awe," Connor recalled. "When two red-suited superheroes dropped onto their ship, it was hard not to be surprised."
After managing to get the patient onto the helipad, Connor and Sean radioed for pickup. The 129th Rescue Wing once again demonstrated their remarkable teamwork, deploying helicopters that flawlessly dropped the hook at just the right moment. By now, the thought of a life buoy commemorating the rescue was merely an afterthought.
As the patient continued to receive medical attention during the return journey, Connor finally took a moment to reflect on the day's events. "Rescuing a patient is nothing out of the ordinary for us" Connor admitted. "The 129th works seamlessly, with each person knowing their role and doing it well."
After a grueling 9.5-hour flight, the helicopters landed back at Moffett Field, marking the successful conclusion of another incredible mission for the 129th Rescue Wing. Another life snatched from the jaws of death, another story to add to the hallowed walls of the squadron buildings back in San Jose.
- The Pararescue Jumpers (PJs), displayed remarkable bravery, balancing on a metal cable within the helicopter's belly during the hoist operation, a task that required an artist's precision.
- As the two red-suited PJs were lowered onto the cargo vessel, the crew members were left in awe, comparing their arrival to superheroes dropping onto their ship.
- The California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing, known for their exceptional capabilities, demonstrated remarkable teamwork yet again, expertly deploying helicopters for the patient's pick up.
- Following the mission, the veteran team member, Senior Airman Connor, acknowledged the significance of their work, stating that rescuing a patient is a regular occurrence for the 129thRescue Wing, with each member knowing their role and executing it flawlessly.
