HSC-25 Teams with Coast Guard, Guam Fire Department to Save Fishermen

By Oyaol Ngirairikl, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas Public Affairs/Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 rescued two stranded fishermen on a 14-foot fishing boat about 35 miles west of Guam July 1.

The command received a call from U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Guam around midnight July 1 following a report of the missing fishermen.

One helicopter was dispatched shortly after notification, and a second helicopter dispatched about 10 a.m. and more than an hour into the search its crew members spotted a trail of debris.

"Apparently, the fishermen were breaking off parts of their boat and were leaving them in the water in hopes that the trail would help SAR [search and rescue] find them," said Lt. j.g. Mark Klein of HSC-25.

According to a USCG press release, the fishermen set off early June 30 but did not return later that day as expected. Family members reported them missing to the Guam Fire Department. USCGC Washington (WPB-1331), HSC-25 and the Guam Police Department participated in the search south of Guam.

HSC-25 SAR helicopters found the boat around noon drifting 31 miles northwest of the Agat coastline.

"The outboard motor had stopped working and the boat had been drifting," said Lt. Matt Sevier, helicopter aircraft commander and pilot of the rescuing helicopter. "After spotting the boat, we flew up by it and our rescue swimmer, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (AW/SW) Frank Breitbach, swam out and got them strapped into the rescue nets and we pulled them up."

Sevier said HSC-25's flight surgeon, Air Force Capt. Stanley Kimball, attended to the fishermen, and the crew brought them to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam around 12:45 p.m. July 1.

"HSC-25 is charged with SAR and MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) responsibilities 24/7 so it's part of the job. But it's more than that. It feels good to know that we're saving lives and helping the people of this island and this region," said Sevier.

Two additional members of the rescuing helicopter crew were Lt. j.g. Justin Pacheco, the second pilot, and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Heath Smith, the helicopter crew chief.

Sevier said the mission is one example of the team effort within HSC-25.

"We're one big team here at HSC-25. We all play different roles that help make this such a great command," said Sevier. "This search and rescue, as well as HSC-25's many other life-saving missions here on Guam, would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the maintenance and flight line personnel that work around the clock to keep each aircraft flying."

He added that successful SAR missions on Guam and in the region are also testimony to the collaboration between the command and the island's SAR groups.

"Coast Guard, Guam Fire and Rescue, Guam Police Department, and, on board with us, our Air Force flight surgeon – this was everyone working together, making sure that the people of this island are safe," said Sevier.

HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S Sea Hawk expeditionary squadron. As part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it provides an armed helicopter capability for 7th and 5th Fleet, as well as detachments to various commands covering a diverse mission set. It is also the Navy's only squadron that maintains a 24-hour SAR and MEDEVAC alert posture directly supporting U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam and Joint Region Marianas.