Coast Guard Rescues 10

October 28, 2009
By Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse
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Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse

Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse
USCG Hawaii 14th District Public Information Site

HONOLULU - A crew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point rescued 10 people from Tern Island, part of the French Frigate Shoals (FFS), Oct. 21.

Officials from the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contacted Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators at approximately 2 p.m. Oct. 20 requesting the evacuation of their personnel as a precaution to the inbound Hurricane Neki.

The runway at FFS is very short and consists of crushed coral; the island also is covered with birds that pose a serious bird strike risk. However, the Coast Guard C-130 long-range search plane crew was able to safely land their aircraft.

“I turned to my crew and said, ‘If a storm hits this tiny island, these people might not make it - we have to get these guys,’” said Lt. j.g. David Shook, the C-130 pilot. “The landing was a major concern for me and my crew, but the crew’s professionalism made all the difference.”

“We are incredibly grateful to U.S. Coast Guard District 14, especially the pilots and crew of today’s C-130; they are true heroes in today’s world,” said Susan White, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service superintendent for Papa-hanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.