US, Japan rescue squadrons save downed pilot
By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton, 18th Wing Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016
Capt. Zack Martin, a 33rd Rescue Squadron pilot, was part of the team that rescued a Marine pilot after he ejected from his AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet Sept. 22, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. The pilot ejected safely from his aircraft and was rescued successfully by the 31st and 33rd RQSs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)
Staff Sgt. Marcus Taylor, a 33rd Rescue Squadron special mission’s aviator, was part of the team that rescued a Marine pilot after he ejected from his AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet Sept. 22, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. The pilot ejected safely from his aircraft and was rescued successfully by the 31st and 33rd RQSs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)
8
PRINT | E-MAIL
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Within 30 minutes of an AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet crash Sept. 22, Airmen from the 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadrons here were in the air and intent on saving the life of a pilot stranded in the Pacific Ocean.
The pilot was able to eject from the aircraft before the crash and landed in the cold waters of the Pacific, where he waited for rescue.
“We received the notification of an ejection and immediately went into action,” said Capt. Paul Fry, a 31st RQS combat rescue officer.
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/953882/us-japan-rescue-squadrons-save-downed-pilot.aspx
