ALAMEDA, Calif. — A family with a sick infant safely boarded the frigate USS Vandgrift Sunday morning as part of a rescue by Coast Guard, California Air National Guard and Navy personnel approximately 900 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Vandgrift arrived on scene at 1 a.m. and in an abundance of caution waited until first light to commence the rescue.
At approximately 8 a.m., Sailors aboard USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) brought the infant, three family members and four California Air National Guard pararescuemen from the 129th Rescue Wing aboard using the ship’s rigid hull inflatable boat.
The family and the infant are reported in stable condition.
The rescue follows a call from the sailing vessel Rebel Heart operator on Thursday to the Coast Guard requesting assistance for a one-year-old child that was ill. A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended the child be seen by medical personnel within 2 days.
The Coast Guard requested assistance from the California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing, stationed at Moffet Field, Calif. and the Navy. The 129th Rescue Wing launched an Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft and four pararescuemen. At approximately 8 p.m. they arrived on scene with Rebel Heart and the sick child and provided medical aid while they awaited Vandegrift to arrive.
Sailors aboard Vandegrift will provide a medical evaluation of the family and the ship will begin transiting to San Diego.
