California Air Guard’s Daring Night Rescue: A High-Risk Operation from a Fog-Covered Cruise Ship

Pararescuemen from the 131st Rescue Squadron and helicopter crew from the 129th Rescue Squadron of the California Air National Guard recently undertook a perilous night mission to rescue a 79-year-old woman from the Ruby Princess cruise ship, located over 100 miles off the coast of San Francisco. The operation, which occurred in the early hours of December 17, was rendered "high risk" due to heavy fog and strong winds, making visibility dangerously low.

Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Copley, a pilot with the 129th Rescue Wing, emphasized the urgency of the mission, noting that the passenger’s condition was critical. She had become unresponsive, necessitating immediate evacuation to a medical facility. Following the call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, the 129th crew was alerted while another aircraft, an HC-130 Combat King II, was already in the air on a training mission.

As the HC-130 advanced toward the cruise ship, the rotorcraft from Moffett Federal Airfield was dispatched with a specialized team, including three pararescuemen equipped with vital medical supplies. The mission became increasingly challenging as the crew navigated using night vision goggles through the treacherous conditions.

Upon reaching the ship, the helicopter executed a low-pass maneuver, allowing pararescuemen to descend onto the deck. After providing initial treatment to the passenger, she was hoisted into the helicopter and transported to a hospital in San Jose.

This operation was not an isolated incident; it was the second medical evacuation from the Ruby Princess in just four months. In August, both the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force had been involved in a similar rescue operation for two passengers aboard the same vessel.

For more details on the rescue operations, refer to this California Guardsmen article.

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