Additional Coverage:
- ‘It was scary’: Air Force evacuates 12-year-old boy in critical condition from cruise (newsbreak.com)
In a dramatic rescue operation more than 350 miles offshore, the 920th Rescue Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command successfully conducted a high-stakes medical evacuation of a 12-year-old boy, Aiden Bridges, from a Carnival cruise ship. The young passenger required urgent care due to a bowel rupture, prompting a swift and coordinated response from military and civilian personnel.
Understanding the gravity of Aiden’s condition, the cruise ship altered its course to facilitate the rendezvous with the rescue team, enabling the 920th Rescue Wing to execute a civilian medical airlift operation unmatched in its complexity and scale. Mobilizing in record time, the team was airborne and en route to Aiden’s location six hours ahead of competing response units, underscoring their efficiency and dedication to saving lives.
The operation saw helicopters undertaking air-to-air refueling to bridge the over 1,000-mile flight distance required for the mission. In a breathtaking display of precision and skill, pararescuemen were hoisted down to the ship, where they secured both Aiden and his mother, ensuring their safe extraction and transfer aboard the helicopter for immediate medical attention.
Spanning more than eight hours from takeoff to the final touchdown, this mission highlighted the extraordinary capabilities and heroism of the 920th Rescue Wing’s personnel. The successful evacuation allowed the Carnival cruise ship to continue its journey toward New York, where it arrived on Monday morning as scheduled, with passengers surely in awe of the rescue operation they had witnessed.
In the aftermath of the rescue, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support Aiden Bridges and his family with the medical costs and insurance deductible. As Aiden faces a challenging recovery path ahead, his family has expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming support and well-wishes from the community and the exemplary performance of the rescue team that brought their son to safety.
The 920th Rescue Wing’s intervention not only saved a young boy’s life but also served as a powerful reminder of the critical role of military units in civilian rescues, showcasing their readiness and willingness to serve beyond the call of duty.