USCG Rescue Swimmers

Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technicians serve as rescue swimmers -- risking their lives daily throughout the nation helping those in dire situations.

December 2002 -- an in water view of two rescue swimmers and their Jayhawk. An AIRSTA Sitka HH-60J Jayhawk hovers over the shoreline of Biorka Island. Rescue swimmers during night training in Sitka Sound. A rescue swimmer dangles under a Jayhawk during cliff rescue training. The swimmer works with Oscar the rescue dummy. A digital art wide view of the recovery operation. On the ramp with two of AIRSTA Sitka's three Jayhawks. An air to air shot of AIRSTA Sitka Jayhawk #6006. AST2 Jason Schelin and AST3 Michael Browning head out for a training mission. AST Chief Dennis Schoenwether puts on his game face. The hoist hook attaches to the TRISAR harness. The Chief leaves the Jayhawk. A flight mech guides the hoist cable while lowering a swimmer. View over the flight mech's shoulder as he lowers a swimmer to the rocks. Hanging below the Jayhawk, a swimmer looks for a suitable landing spot on a cliff. Dangling on the hook. A swimmer on his way back back up. A flight mech stows a datum marker buoy while the swimmer works the radio. A swimmer stands by for the word. Note all the stowed rescue and med gear. Geronimo! A swimmer performs a "direct deployment" from his Jayhawk. The view from the rescue basket while dangling below a Jayhawk. A swimmer is recovered from a chilly Sitka Sound. No sharks, please. Jayhawk transmission and rotor maintenance in AIRSTA Sitka's hangar. The two T700-GE-401C turboshafts produce nearly 4000 shaft horse power. Post cliff rescue training mission crew debrief in the AST shop.