Posted on 07/02/2006 1:13:36 PM PDT by SandRat
Two helicopters from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base were called Saturday to rescue an American who suffered what appeared to be a stroke about 500 miles off the California coast.
The helicopters, from the 943rd Rescue Group, were chosen because the Navy and Coast Guard cannot refuel in the air, said Capt. Eric Simon, of the 943rd. While there is a rescue group stationed at Moffett Federal Airfield in the San Francisco area, Capt. Simon said the holiday made it difficult to activate that group.
The man was aboard the cargo ship Horizon Pacific when he began suffering stroke symptoms, according to a news release.
The helicopters left at 5 a.m. and had refuel three times during the seven-hour flight.
Late Saturday, Capt. Simon said the man was rescued and that he and the crew had returned safely.
I would think they'd at least have crews "on call" at all times. It is equipped with HH-60G and HC-130s. The 943 Rescue Group, Air Force Reserve, at DM appears to only have HH-60Gs. Wonder who refueled them?
Not necessarily. Their SAR requirements might be split with other units, such the Coast Guard out of San Francisco.
If they weren't expecting to fly over the long weekend they may have opted not to do daily inspections on Friday because they would expire prior to work on Wednesday. Even if they had aircraft "turned" and ready they might not have been configured for that type of mission (max external tanks.)
Rescue guys live for this kind of mission. There are going to be some severely disappointed guys in that unit because they didn't get to fly out to make the rescue.
Hopefully the owners of the Horizon Pacific paid the cost of this rescue, and it is not being charged to the American taxpayer.
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