Air National Guard executes 19 rescues during Hurricane Florence operations

Courtesy Photo | Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Wing’s 212th Rescue Squadron assist with recovering isolated flood survivors via a California ANG’s 129th Wing HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter crewed by members of the 210th RQS near Sampson County, N.C., Sept. 17, 2018.  

WASHINGTON DC, DC, UNITED STATES

09.18.2018

Story by Capt. Matt Murphy 

Air National Guard

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --Air National Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) teams from the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, and the 106th Rescue Wing, New York Air National Guard, conducted rescue operations yesterday in support of Hurricane Florence resulting in 19 rescues in Sampson and Clinton Counties, North Carolina.

Members of the 106th Rescue Squadron from the 106th RQW dropped in over Kinston, North Carolina from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft.

The 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, provided HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters for the 212th and 210th Rescue Squadrons, both of the 176th Wing.

“The [rescue] force launched in two HH-60 Pave Hawks with a couple of C-130s to go rescue and recover isolated civilians,” said Master Sgt. Cody Inman, pararescue team lead, 212th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing. “It was a cool thing to witness all the state Guard teams coming together to help those in need.”

The teams worked with local firefighters, first responders and other federal authorities to coordinate the operations and deliver the rescued citizens to a nearby medical facilities.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2018
• Date Posted: 09.18.2018 10:14
• Story ID: 293242
• Location: WASHINGTON DC, DC, US