Photo By Tech. Sgt. Nicole Leidholm | A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft from the 22nd Airlift Squadron lands as a...... read more read more
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COMODORA RIVADAVIA, Argentina -- Mobility Airmen and aircraft from Travis Air Force Base, California, are supporting search operations for the A.R.A. San Juan submarine, which went missing in the southern Atlantic Ocean a week ago.
The aircraft are part of the U.S. government’s role in supporting a request from the Argentine government for international assistance in the ongoing search for the missing submarine.
"We're trying to get very specialized equipment down to our partners in Argentina to assist with their search and rescue efforts," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Kelly, 22nd AS flight engineer. "These are the most motivating missions. There's people possibly (in distress) and we're trying to get this equipment on the other side of the world as quickly as possible."
The aircraft picked up two different types of submarine rescue chambers belonging to the Undersea Rescue Command at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
“We're supporting the Argentine government,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Mike Eberlein, Undersea Rescue Command Naval Air Station North Island commanding officer. “The capabilities of the Undersea Rescue Command is to rescue sailors from a distressed sub anytime, anywhere.”
After loading up the McCann Submarine Rescue Chamber at MCAS Miramar, the Travis C-5M Super Galaxy and crew delivered it to Argentina.
"It's been my absolute pleasure to be able to maximize the employment of the (C-5) under the noblest of duties," said Capt. Miguel Garcia, 22nd AS C-5M pilot and aircraft commander for the mission. "We are fully invested in (supporting our) fellow brothers in arms and I will be eternally grateful for this opportunity."
Additional flights delivered the Pressurized Rescue Module and supporting equipment Nov. 21.
The PRM can submerge up to 2,000 feet for docking and mating with a submarine settled on the ocean floor up to a 45-degree angle in both pitch and roll. The PRM can rescue up to 16 individuals at a time.
"The undersea rescue team has been training for this for a long time," said Eberlein. "It's a privilege to be able to try to help the crew and families of the San Juan."
The McCann Submarine Rescue Chamber was designed during World War II and is still used today. It can rescue up to six individuals at a time and reach a bottomed submarine at depths up to 850 feet. The asset is operated by two crewmembers and mates with the submarine by sealing over the hatch, allowing sailors to safely transfer to the rescue chamber.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2017 12:14 |
| Story ID: | 257078 |
| Location: | COMODORA RIVADAVIA, CHUBUT, AR |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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