California Air National Guardsmen parachuted from an aircraft into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday so they could access a container ship and nurse a sick crew member who later died.
According to a statement from the 129th Rescue Wing, a group of four Guardian Angel pararescuemen traveled from Moffett Federal Airfield to Green Ridge, a container vessel located roughly 900 miles from San Francisco.
They received word from the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday about a person who needed treatment beyond what those on board the Green Ridge could administer, the statement said. The 129th Rescue Wing agreed to carry out the mission due to the vessel’s location as well as the crew member’s need for immediate medical attention.
Leaping from an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft on Wednesday, the team parachuted into the ocean yawning below and boarded the ship to tend to the patient.
"Our Guardian Angels have been working hard through the night administering care to their sick patient," Col. Gregory Jones, 129th Rescue Wing commander, said in the statement.
Despite the rescue effort, the crew member passed away at about 6 a.m., officials said.
