The New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing is assisting the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue operation for a missing submersible that had been exploring the wreckage of the Titanic.
Based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach on Long Island, the 106th is one of three Air National Guard search and rescue units in the country and the only one based on the East Coast. The 106th flies fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and rescue helicopters and has a unit of pararescue jumpers who are trained to rescue people on sea and on land.
“The women and men of New York’s Air National Guard are always ready to lend a helping hand,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I commend the members of the 106th Rescue Wing for their efforts to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in this search and rescue operation.”
On Monday, the 106th Rescue Wing launched an HC-130J Combat King search and rescue aircraft at 3:18 p.m. at the request of the Coast Guard. There were 13 Airmen on board including a team of pararescue jumpers. The aircraft flew 900 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean and searched a designated area using forward-looking infrared radar and onboard observers. The plane returned to base at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning. The wing was asked to assist in the search again Tuesday afternoon and launched an HC-130J with the same mission around noon.
Major General Ray Shields said, “When the Coast Guard called on the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing for assistance in this search mission, our Airmen responded quickly and professionally as they have in the past when called for other missions. Our men and women are always ready to respond when needed.”
