Rescue From Above — 129th Rescue Wing saves passengers on sinking vessel

Photo By Senior Airman Serena Smith | U.S. Air Force Maj. Evan Dineen assigned to the 130th Rescue Squadron and Col. Jeffrey Waldman assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing fly a HC-130J Combat King II to Socorro Island off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, May 9, 2022. The crew picked up four pararescuemen from the 131st Rescue Squadron who rescued and medically treated passengers on board a sinking vessel three days prior. (Air National Guard photo by Airman Serena Smith) (This image has been altered to enhance the subject)  

MOFFETT FIELD, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

05.18.2022

Story by Airman Serena Smith 

129th Rescue Wing

MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. — Two fishermen who suffered serious injuries in a boating accident approximately 1,400 miles off the coast of Mexico, are now safe after pararescuemen from the 129th Rescue Wing provided lifesaving treatment, May 6.
The fishing boat experienced a plumbing issue in the engine room, leading to evacuation off the ship.
Following the issue, the wounded fishermen managed to board several other fishing boats, until boarding the AZTECA 7, a Mexican Naval vessel. Their injuries required additional medical attention and a call went out to the 129th Rescue Wing.
Equipped with nearly 100 pounds of gear, four Guardian Angel pararescuemen from the 131st Rescue Squadron jumped from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft to treat the injured pair.
“It was a pretty intense mission,” said Master Sgt. Justin Shook, pararescue team lead for this mission. “It was very emotional for our guys who kept close to the patients while caring for them, and it was very gratifying to be able to provide care."
The pararescuemen boarded the AZTECA 7 and began providing around the clock treatment for the next three nights. Medical care included dressing wounds, providing pain relief and using antibiotics until the pair were stable enough to be transported to Socorro Island, a remote island approximately 300 miles off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. A civilian Mexican medical team later airlifted the patients to a local hospital.
With their mission complete, the pararescue team returned to Moffett Field onboard an HC-130J piloted by Maj. Evan Dineen and Col. Jeffrey Waldman.
The mission was the last rescue for Waldman, the wing’s former commander who retired a few days later, and it spoke volumes about the wing’s capabilities.
“The wing has the logistics and the people to get the PJ’s the last 100 yards,” said Waldman. “We have the capability and our way is the fastest and the best.”
The 129th Rescue Wing’s mission is to train and prepare to perform its wartime mission of combat search and rescue anywhere in the world.
The two patients mark the wing’s 1,154th and 1,155th lives saved.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2022
• Date Posted: 05.25.2022 11:44
• Story ID: 421017
• Location: MOFFETT FIELD, CALIFORNIA, US