67th Special Operations Squadron assists with rescue mission

RAF Mildenhall, England ? Crew members from the 352nd Special Operations Group deplane a MC-130P Combat Shadow on its return from a rescue mission June 26. They provided refueling support to RAF Lakenheath HH-60G helicopters to transport a critically-ill crew member on a container ship off the Irish coast. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Marelise Wood)

67th SOS, 321st STS assist with rescue mission

Published June 29, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Merelise Wood
352nd Special Operations Group Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- A crew from the 67th Special Operations Squadron and 321st Special Tactics Squadron, aboard a MC-130P Combat Shadow, responded June 26 in support of a rescue mission involving a critically-ill crew member on board a container ship off the Irish coast.

United Kingdom rescue authorities requested assistance from U.S. forces when they were notified of the situation and realized that a rescue attempt solely on their part would be beyond the range of their assets.

The 352nd SOG, in a joint effort with the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall; 56th Rescue Squadron, RAF Lakenheath; and RAF Kinloss, Scotland, successfully completed the mission, getting the crew member safely to Shannon, Ireland for medical attention.

"The mission was a complete success," said Lt. Col. Kelly Passmore, 67th SOS commander and mission commander for the rescue. "There was great cooperation between the 56th Rescue Squadron, 100th Air Refueling Wing, the Royal Air Force and the 352nd Special Operations Group. The weather was challenging, but seemed to cooperate when it mattered most, such as in the vicinity of the ship and during our helicopter refueling. The 352nd Maintenance Squadron did a great job getting the aircraft ready."