A Navy crew rescued half a dozen mariners from Micronesia who had been stranded for more than a week without power.
The 23-foot skiff was reported missing on Nov. 3, after it lost power and was overdue near Oneop Atoll, Chuuk State, in the Federated States of Micronesia, according to a statement from the Navy. The “Tridents” of Patrol Squadron VP-26 located the disabled ship after nearly four days of searching the ocean for it.
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The VP-26 operates a maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, which utilizes an advanced APY-10 radar, MX-20 camera system, and other tools to detect a small vessel. Once it located the stranded vessel, it deployed a UNI-PAC II SAR kit to provide the survivors with medical supplies, food, and water, among other necessities.
Six survivors were rescued by the FSS Micronesia after the naval crew located them.
“It was incredibly rewarding to be able to help save six lives and ensure they made it home safely to their families and friends,” said Lt. Alex Shaffer, mission commander and aircraft commander of the VP-26 aircrew.
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“We once again successfully demonstrated the capability of the Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft community to react quickly and effectively to operational requirements in the farthest corners of the globe,” the commander added. “None of this could have been possible without the tireless effort and support from the maintenance crew, aircrew, combat support crew, and partners on station.”
The Trident aircrew had been traveling from Kadena Air Base in Japan to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
