A KC-130J Hercules aircraft from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 aided the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam with a search and rescue mission June 6 approximately 60 nautical miles northwest of Chuuk Island. The Coast Guard was notified June 5 at 3:17 p.m. that two mariners piloting a 23-foot skiff were overdue to Chuuk Island and initiated a search-and-rescue mission. The Marines were asked to assist in the search with available air assets that evening and launched the aircraft the next morning, spotting the mariners at 2:00 p.m. The Marines dropped a life raft containing food, water and other supplies to the mariners and coordinated with the Coast Guard to have a rescue vessel arrive and transport the mariners to Chuuk Island.  VMGR-152 is part of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The aircraft and crew are currently in support of Exercise Geiger Fury 2012.
U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. J. Gage Karwick
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