Air National Guard From Moffett Field Is on Rescue Mission to Save Ill Toddler on Boat Off Mexico

A Air National Guard team left Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View Thursday afternoon on a rescue mission to help a seriously ill 1-year-old girl on a boat hundreds of miles off the coast of Mexico, according to California National Guard officials.

Members of the 129th Rescue Wing joined the rescue after a call Thursday morning from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding a sick infant on board a 36-foot sailing vessel, the Rebel Heart, currently located around 900 nautical miles off the coast of Mexico, according to 2nd Lt. Roderick Bersamina.

Around 7 p.m. Thursday, four members of the 129th are expected to parachute into the ocean from an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft to board the Rebel Heart and assist the little girl, Bersamina said. 

The pararescuemen will help prepare the girl and this morning they will help hoist her on to an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, which will fly her to a medical facility for treatment, Bersamina said.

The 129th Rescue Wing's primary mission is the recovery of personnel, and it has participated in a number of civilian rescues in the past. Bersamina said the unit has saved the lives of more than 1,000 people.

"Like" the 129th Rescue unit here on Facebook. 

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