Air Force airlifts sick boy, mom from Carnival Cruise ship
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit, airlifted a “critical patient” and his mother while they were 350 miles off the coast of the U.S.
On May 4, the wing received a call asking for aid. The wing sent two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircrafts and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen to fly to the cruise ship and airlift the boy.
The 920th Rescue Wing successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings to complete. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir) The 920th Rescue Wing successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings to complete. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (Courtesy pgoto) The 920th Rescue Wing successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings to complete. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (Courtesy photo) An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship more than 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60s, two HC-130Js, and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir) An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship more than 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60s, two HC-130Js, and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (Courtesy photo) An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship more than 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60s, two HC-130Js, and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir) The 920th Rescue Wing successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings to complete. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir) An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship more than 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60s, two HC-130Js, and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (Courtesy photo) The 920th Rescue Wing successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings to complete. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir) The 920th Rescue Wing successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship 350 miles off the eastern coast of U.S. May 4, 2024. The mission, carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of pararescuemen required three air-to-air refuelings to complete. The more than 8-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. (Courtesy photo)
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“Everyone in the wing mobilized with exceptional speed,” said Capt. Dylan Gann, 301st Rescue Squadron pilot. “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.”
The Rescue Wing said it took three helicopter air-to-air refuelings to reach the ship.
Once on location, pararescuemen were hoisted down and the boy and his mother were hoisted into the helicopter.
The boy received medical attention on the way to a hospital.
“This is what ready now looks like. These real-world missions are what our countless hours of training have prepared us for,” said Lt. Col. John Lowe, 920th Operations Group commander. “Rescue was able to plan and execute this mission without hesitation. This combined arms team is highly trained in their field while understanding what role they play in the bigger picture and led to the successful completion of the mission.”
The boy and his mother were successfully transported to a U.S. hospital after 8 hours and more than 1,000 miles flown, according to the Rescue Wing.
The 920th Rescue Wing is based at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida.
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