A U.S. Air Force HH-60 follows a U.S. Air Force MC-130P. Aircraft like these, along with a KC-135 stationed at two different Royal Air Force bases in the United Kingdom, were used in Friday's mission to rescue an ill crew member from the container ship "Pascha." The ship was approximately 700 miles off the coast of Scotland. The distance made it impossible for traditional sea rescue operations to reach; and the U.K.'s Rescue Coordination Center requested the assistance of the U.S. military forces who are based in England.
General Brady, Commander U.S. Air Forces Europe, said, "the two recent rescues at long range over water are indisputable evidence of the necessity for forward-based US forces. We have combat-proven forces that are here, ready today, and the strong, ongoing relationships with our allies and other partners to accomplish missions that would otherwsie not be possible. That is what the EUCOM, NATO and Partnerhship for Peace team is all about."