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	Exercise MG23 supports real-world search and rescue mission with U.S. Navy
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        <h1 class="title">Exercise MG23 supports real-world search and rescue mission with U.S. Navy</h1>
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                 alt="U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class William Bennett Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Horn, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Damian Maxilom, all aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, tend to an injured hiker aboard an MH-60S Knighthawk on Guam, July 18, 2023. The crew treated the injuries of the hiker before safely transporting her to a local hospital. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class William Bennett Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Horn, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Damian Maxilom, all aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, tend to an injured hiker aboard an MH-60S Knighthawk on Guam, July 18, 2023. The crew treated the injuries of the hiker before safely transporting her to a local hospital. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Damian Maxilom, an aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 prepares to board a MH-60S Knighthawk on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 18, 2023. While flying a multinational Maritime Personnel Recovery training event during Mobility Guardian 23, the crew was called to rescue a hiker who had fallen off a mountainside. MG23 is a mobility exercise held across a 3,000-mile area intended to deepen interoperability with U.S. Allies and partners, bolstering the collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Damian Maxilom, an aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 prepares to board a MH-60S Knighthawk on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 18, 2023. While flying a multinational Maritime Personnel Recovery training event during Mobility Guardian 23, the crew was called to rescue a hiker who had fallen off a mountainside. MG23 is a mobility exercise held across a 3,000-mile area intended to deepen interoperability with U.S. Allies and partners, bolstering the collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class William Bennett, an aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, receives a message aboard MH-60S Knighthawk on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 18, 2023. During the mission, the crew was tasked for a search and rescue mission to aid an injured hiker on the island.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)"
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                <div class="image-title">Exercise MG23 supports real-world search and rescue mission with U.S. Navy</div>
                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class William Bennett, an aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, receives a message aboard MH-60S Knighthawk on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 18, 2023. During the mission, the crew was tasked for a search and rescue mission to aid an injured hiker on the island.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class William Bennett, an aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, looks for a safe drop zone from a MH-60S Knighthawk on Guam, July 18, 2023. While flying a multinational Maritime Personnel Recovery training event during Mobility Guardian 23, the crew was called to rescue a hiker who had fallen off a mountainside. MG23 is a mobility exercise held across a 3,000-mile area intended to deepen interoperability with U.S. Allies and partners, bolstering the collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class William Bennett, an aviation rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, looks for a safe drop zone from a MH-60S Knighthawk on Guam, July 18, 2023. While flying a multinational Maritime Personnel Recovery training event during Mobility Guardian 23, the crew was called to rescue a hiker who had fallen off a mountainside. MG23 is a mobility exercise held across a 3,000-mile area intended to deepen interoperability with U.S. Allies and partners, bolstering the collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)</div>
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                 alt="An injured hiker awaits aid from an MH-60S Knighthawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 near Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 18, 2023. The crew from HSC 25 was conducting a training mission when they got a call to conduct a search and rescue mission on Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom) (Faces were blurred for sensitivity reasons)"
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                <div class="image-title">Exercise MG23 supports real-world search and rescue mission with U.S. Navy</div>
                <div class="image-caption">An injured hiker awaits aid from an MH-60S Knighthawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 near Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 18, 2023. The crew from HSC 25 was conducting a training mission when they got a call to conduct a search and rescue mission on Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom) (Faces were blurred for sensitivity reasons)</div>
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    <div><b>By Rachael Sansano,</b> <span class="date">/ Published July 20, 2023</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam, </span>
    <p>A U.S. Navy helicopter participating in Exercise Mobility Guardian 23 flew a real-world search and rescue mission in Guam on July 18. The Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 crew was diverted from their multinational Maritime Personnel Recovery training event to rescue a hiker who had fallen off a mountainside.</p>

<p>The initial distress call came to Guam Fire Rescue who immediately contacted the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam Joint Rescue Sub-Center. The JRSC coordinated aviation support with HSC-25 who had a helicopter on scene less than 20 minutes after the initial notification.</p>

<p>"Receiving a SAR call during your training mission isn't what you expect even though you know it could happen,” said Lt. Sterling Lambert, co-pilot of the rescuing helicopter. “Aircraft and Crew Resource Management, high standards for SAR training, and trust in our crew led to a successful lifesaving recovery.”</p>

<p>After arriving on scene, the crew hoisted the injured hiker 150 feet to safety. Once on board, the hiker received first aid, and was delivered to the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam where she was transferred to a ground ambulance.</p>

<p>"Because of standardized training and experience we were able to utilize our CRM and procedures to flawlessly work together to safely execute a high angle rescue keeping the helicopter, crew and survivor safe," said Naval Aircrewman (AWS) William Bennett.</p>

<p>HSC-25 is the Navy's only operational squadron that maintains a 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, supporting U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia and Joint Region Marianas.</p>

<p>Currently, the squadron is participating in MG23, a multilateral exercise and an opportunity to train alongside our Allies and partners, increase interoperability and bolster our collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.</p>

<p>"I'm extremely proud of our team's ability to flex from their assigned mission supporting Exercise Mobility Guardian to SAR efforts and execute,” said Cmdr. Neil Toohey, Commanding Officer, HSC-25.</p>
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