Rescue Airmen relieve U.S. Coast Guard in search for overboard cruise ship passenger

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Leslie Forshaw
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Rescue Reservists from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing here took over the search for a reported overboard cruise ship passenger at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, 25-miles off of Ponce Inlet, Fla., from the Coast Guard who had been searching for over 12 hours.

A 31-year-old man was last seen on the cruise ship Carnival Fascination by a security guard before he leaped into the water, Tuesday around 2:09 a.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Rescue Wing Airmen launched an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter at approximately 3:15 p.m. and an HC-130P/N King aircraft at approximately 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to relieve the U.S. Coast Guard crews.

The Rescue Reservists remained on scene until the Coast Guard's crew rest was over and they could resume the search Wednesday

Pararescuemen are also part of the Air Force Reserve crew aboard the helicopter who are skilled rescue specialist trained in water, mountain, desert and combat rescue.

"It's a team effort to conduct extended searches." said Col. Jeffrey Macrander, 920th RQW commander. "We have unique specialties that we bring to the table. We train and fly at night, due to our combat requirements, and we are prepared for long range searches because of our mid-air refueling capabilities."

The Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the Army Black Hawk helicopter which features an upgraded communications and navigation suite and has the ability to refuel while in flight to increase the range of ongoing search and rescues.

The King is not only another rescue platform, or "eyes in the sky", but it also serves as a fueling station in the sky for the rescue helicopters.

Stay up to date with the 920th Rescue Wing at http://www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil. Follow the 920th RQW on Facebook and Twitter.