/ Published May 04, 2014
The 161st Air Refueling Wing, Arizona Air National Guard, Phoenix, launched a KC-135 Stratotanker on short notice, in support of a rescue mission of two critically injured sailors aboard a Venezuelan fishing boat in the Pacific Ocean. Along with the 161 ARW, the 563rd Rescue Group deployed two Combat King II aircraft, three HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters and ten Guardian Angel Personnel, with 38 Airmen from the 48th, 79th and 55th Rescue Squadrons . The tanker from the 161 ARW enabled the Combat King II and Guardian Angel Teams to proceed directly to the vessel in order to provide lifesaving care. Aircrew from the 161 ARW included: (from left to right) Senior Airman Blake French, Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Madorski, Capt. Britton Bates, Maj. Erik Wichmann, 1st Lt. Julie Keeney and Master Sgt. Dennis Abraham. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kelly Deitloff/Released)