Silicon Valley Air National Guard Unit Performs Second Rescue in Past Week

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Roderick Bersamina
  • 129th Rescue Wing
MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CALIF. --  After saving the life of a 63-year-old civilian contractor aboard a U.S. naval ship just seven days ago, the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing (RQW) conducted its 1,014th life-saving mission Saturday evening, completing a long-distance rescue over the Pacific Ocean. This latest mission saved the life of a seriously ill 29-year-old Filipino man on board the Noble Salute, a Japanese bulk carrier vessel.

"This, our second save in a seven-day span, is a testament to the selfless dedication and professionalism that our citizen-airmen bring to the table every day," said Col. Taft Aujero, 129th Rescue Wing Commander. "The 129th Rescue Wing is always mission-ready."

Early Saturday morning the Noble Salute was approximately 490 miles west of San Francisco when the U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) requested the 129th RQW to conduct the long range open ocean rescue. With AFRCC and U.S. Coast Guard coordination, the 129th RQW launched two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft and an 11-man Guardian Angel pararescue team from Moffett Federal Airfield around 12 p.m. to the Noble Salute.

In spite of marginal weather conditions, the Rescue Task Force successfully delivered pararescuemen from a Pave Hawk helicopter to the Noble Salute, stabilized the patient, and hoisted him via litter. The Guardian Angel team provided enroute medical care to the patient until their arrival at a local Bay Area hospital.

The 129th Rescue Wing is credited with saving the lives of 1,014 people since 1977. The Wing conducts combat search and rescue missions, as well as the rescue of distressed persons on board ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations across the continental United States.

For more information about this weekend's rescue or the 129th Rescue Wing, please contact 1st Lt. Roderick Bersamina, public affairs officer, at 650-603-0760.