The "Island Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 assisted during their first rescue operation in 2017 where two small fishing boats were in distress off the coast of Guam, Jan. 23.

HSC-25 aircrew members first spotted a distress flare while exercising routine training. Shortly after spotting the flare, two MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters used their forward looking infrared radiometer (FLIR) cameras and night vision goggles to locate the boats. Both fishing boats were adrift in 10-12 foot high seas approximately 10 miles southwest of Cetti Bay.

The vessels were stranded without power, so the Island Knights marked their location and remained on scene until Guam Fire and Rescue arrived. Guam Fire and Rescue towed the two vessels back to shore and safely returned the fishermen.

Last year, HSC-25 aided the U.S. Coast Guard and Guam Fire Department in 60 search and rescue missions throughout the Northern Mariana Islands.

HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron, equipped with an armed helicopter capability for U.S. 7th Fleet in support of anti-surface warfare, personnel recovery, special operation forces missions, and humanitarian assistance.

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For more information about Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, visit http://www.hsc25.navy.mil.

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