U.S. Air Force Conducts High-Stakes Rescue of Ill Passenger and Child from Cruise Ship

In a coordinated effort involving multiple aircraft, the U.S. Air Force successfully airlifted a critically ill boy and his mother from a cruise ship far off the U.S. coast.

The rescue operation took place 350 nautical miles off the U.S. East Coast, involving two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft.
A mother and her 12-year-old son were airlifted to safety after the boy suffered a serious medical issue aboard the Carnival Venezia.
The mission required three air-to-air refuelings and covered over 1,000 miles, demonstrating the logistical complexity of the rescue.
The 920th Rescue Wing, trained for such high-stakes operations, executed the rescue efficiently, saving crucial time.
The boy is currently recovering in a North Carolina hospital, with his mother expressing profound gratitude towards the rescue teams.