MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Whether on the battlefield or 500 miles off the coast of Bermuda, when lives are on the line, communication and coordination are key.
Moody Airmen understand their part in the overall team effort and do what’s necessary to live by the rescue motto “that others may live.”
Within hours of the Taiwanese fishing vessel, Wenshun 211, catching fire and leaving 19 stranded in the Atlantic Ocean, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center notified Moody because of the 347th Rescue Group’s unique capabilities.
“‘That others may live’ is a motto the 347th Rescue Group lives by and this mission demonstrated our commitment to every life in need, not only on the battlefield, but anyone, anywhere who needs us,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Dorl, 347th RQG commander.
The 347th RQG immediately took action to integrate into the rescue mission alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and civilian first responders.
“The Air Force and Coast Guard coordinated efforts led to a successful rescue and recovery of all crewmen aboard the Wenshun 211,” said Dorl. “This mission was a combined team effort across all four squadrons within the group and we could not have accomplished it without everyone who responded during this mission.”
Two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft from the 71st Rescue Squadron, 10 pararescuemen and one combat rescue officer from the 38th RQS, one Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese speaking battlefield Airman from the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing, and medical personnel from the 720th Special Tactics Group made the 1600 nautical mile trip.
Seventeen fishermen were rescued by the Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel, K. Coral, but because of the severity of the remaining two’s injuries, further medical care was needed beyond what the K. Coral’s crew could provide. Moody’s mission was to provide that care and support.
“The majority of the sailors were unharmed, but two of them had experienced burns on over 80 percent of their bodies,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Kelly, 38th RQS combat rescue officer who was in the HC-130J overseeing the mission. “Because of the distance, typically the National Guard, reserve units or the Coast Guard would launch on a mission like this, but we were the unit that was most capable of getting to these patients in the shortest amount of time.
“Unfortunately one of the patients expired shortly after our pararescuemen got on the boat, but the other patient was taken care of and is now being expertly treated at one of the best hospitals in the world,” said Kelly. “When we arrived, the expired patient had obviously been through a lot and was already letting go, but his family can take comfort in knowing that we made his passing more comfortable and cared for him in his final moments.”
The surviving patient was stabilized by the pararescuemen and flown to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, for further medical care.
“The mission was a success,” said Kelly. “Coordination in a civil search and rescue mission is most important for one reason: time. The real answer to saving a life is getting to higher care as fast as possible.
“Civil search and rescue is just as important as downrange SAR,” said Kelly. “They both result in saving lives, which is the most important thing. We go and get people on their worst days, and when it comes down to it, all that matters is that we save that isolated person's life.”
No matter the mission, rescue community personnel are committed to saving lives. They are always up for the challenge and remain ready at a moment’s notice.
“The aircrew and pararescuemen are highly-skilled and prepared to execute high-end rescue missions, but we do not do it alone,” said Lt. Col. Carrie Worth, 347th Operations Support Squadron commander and HC-130J pilot. “From the support personnel that care for the flight equipment to the maintenance personnel ensuring the aircraft are airworthy and ready to go, the men and women that made this possible are all remarkable. They are all critical links in the chain of a successful rescue mission.
“Bottom line, it is a full-on team effort,” said Worth.