Dramatic Mid-Ocean Rescue: LA News Center Airlifts Mother and Child from Carnival Cruise Ship
In a heart-pounding display of heroism, an elite team of Air Force rescuers airlifted a mother and her child from a Carnival Cruise Line ship in a remote part of the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday.
A Daring Operation
Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King 11 aircraft, and teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen from Patrick Space Force Base in Florida embarked on a 350-nautical-mile mission to reach the Carnival Venezia, according to the 920th Rescue Wing.
The ship had sailed out of Port Canaveral, Florida, on April 26 for a 10-day cruise to the Bahamas and Caribbean. The rescuers had to perform three air-to-air refuelings to reach the ship’s location.
Dramatic footage captured the tense moments as the unnamed woman and her son were hoisted from the ship’s deck into a helicopter.
The mother and child were hoisted into the U.S. Air Force 920th Rescue Wing’s helicopter from the deck of the Carnival Venezia. (920th Rescue Wing via SWNS)
A Successful Rescue
“The patient was successfully transferred to a hospital in the United States,” a U.S. Air Force spokesperson said. “After 8 hours and more than 1,200 miles flown, the mission was complete when all of the aircraft returned to Patrick SFB.”
Lt. Col. John Lowe, the rescue group’s commander, praised his team’s readiness and expertise.
“These real-world missions are what our countless hours of training have prepared us for. Rescue was able to plan and execute this mission without hesitation. This combined arms team is highly trained in their field while understanding what role they play in the bigger picture and led to the successful completion of the mission.”
Remaining Details
The nature of the medical emergency that necessitated the rescue remains undisclosed. LA News Center has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line for comment.
The pair were transported from the ship in the Atlantic Ocean to a hospital in eight hours, the Air Force wrote. The nature of their medical emergency is unclear. (920th Rescue Wing via SWNS)
The harrowing experience highlights the capabilities of the U.S. Air Force’s rescue teams and the vital service they provide in responding to emergencies on the high seas.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
