An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 15, 2016

Air National Guard unit rescues U.S. Navy contractor over Pacific Ocean

By 1st Lt. Roderick B. Bersamina 129th Rescue Wing

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. - Late Saturday night, the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing (RQW) completed its 1,013th save since 1977, conducting a long-distance rescue mission over the Pacific Ocean. The mission resulted in saving the life of a seriously ill 63-year-old civilian contractor on board the USS Guadalupe, a U.S. Navy vessel.

"The 129th Rescue Wing's bottom line is the Air Force rescue community's motto: That others may live," said Col. Taft Aujero, 129th Rescue Wing Commander. "Our more than 1,000 saves both at home and abroad speak to the extraordinary talent of our members. I could not be prouder of them and their accomplishments."

The USS Guadalupe was approximately 560 miles off the California coast when the U.S. Coast Guard requested Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) assistance.

"Due to the distance of the vessel and no local assets in the area, we reached out to the 129th Rescue Wing for assistance," said Lt. Kayla Abruzzese, 11th Coast Guard District watchstander. "Through the coordination efforts, we were able to get the person in distress to higher medical care."

With AFRCC and U.S. Coast Guard coordination, the 129th RQW launched two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft and a Guardian Angel pararescue team from Moffett Federal Airfield around 11 a.m. to the USS Guadalupe. Once the Guardian Angel Team boarded the ship, they stabilized the patient before loading him into an HH-60G that departed back to Moffett Air National Guard Base (ANGB). The Guardian Angel team continued to provide enroute care for the patient during the 4-hour return flight. An ambulance met the contractor at Moffett ANGB and immediately transported him to a hospital.

The 129th Rescue Wing is credited with saving the lives of more than 1,000 people. 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 West Coast.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...