Working Conditions Aboard the Yanbu

On July 7 and into the early hours of July 8, 2017, a remarkable operation unfolded as approximately 80 members of the Citizen Airmen and four aircraft from the 920th Rescue Wing rallied to rescue two German sailors stranded 500 nautical miles off the southern coast of Florida. The request for help came from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Seventh District in Miami, prompting the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, to spring into action. At around 2:30 p.m., Airmen launched an HC-130P/N "King" fixed-wing combat rescue aircraft, which carried six specially-trained GA Airmen skilled in various rescue operations. During the mission planning, it was revealed that only one of the German men could communicate in English but was severely injured. To facilitate communication, Master Sgt. Isabelle Kleirgraham, an Equal Opportunity noncommissioned officer fluent in German, was integrated into the rescue team. The rescue crew reached the scene two hours later, flying overhead to maintain contact with the nearby tanker "Nord Nightingale," situated approximately two miles away. In a daring move, five pararescuemen leaped into the ocean, while the tanker maneuvered a small boat towards the yacht engulfed in flames to facilitate the transfer. The pararescuers successfully hoisted the 48-year-old and his 66-year-old father aboard, while additional Airmen retrieved essential medical supplies that were deployed to assist the victims. Simultaneously, two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters took off from Patrick Air Force Base, fully fueled, to retrieve the rescued individuals and transport them to Orlando Regional Medical Center. The Pave Hawks, capable of covering around 500 miles on a single tank, coordinated with the HC-130 for aerial refueling as they headed back to the base. Approximately an hour later, another HC-130 took off to provide additional fuel reserves for the helicopters’ return. After the pararescuemen treated and stabilized the patients, they transferred them to the "Nord Nightingale," which was subsequently met by the helicopters. By 8:20 p.m., the two Pave Hawk crews hoisted all seven individuals from the ship, making their way back to Central Florida and landing at an Orlando High School football field at 1:30 a.m. The patients were handed over to the Orlando Fire Department for transportation to their final destination, the Orlando Regional Medical Center. For further details, check the full report with accompanying photos and videos: [Space Coast Daily](http://spacecoastdaily.com/2017/07/920th-rescue-wing-airmen-save-german-father-son-at-sea-in-south-florida-after-boat-catches-fire/), [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/Jacht-in-Flammen-Air-Force-rettet-zwei-Segler,seenot188.html).

On October 22, 2012, the tanker 'Nord Nightingale' played a heroic role in rescuing 19 individuals following a helicopter crash landing in the ocean, approximately 86 miles from Aberdeen. The Super Puma helicopter was en route to an oil rig when it encountered difficulties, prompting it to make an emergency landing. Shortly afterward, the aircraft sent out distress signals that were promptly picked up by the 'Nord Nightingale', which was nearby. Without hesitation, the tanker altered its course and deployed its Man Overboard (MOB) boat to reach the site of the incident. Within minutes, they arrived at the downed helicopter, and over the next 45 minutes, successfully transferred all crew members aboard the tanker. Subsequently, they were hoisted by two rescue helicopters that transported them safely to shore. Remarkably, there were no injuries reported during this incident, highlighting the swift coordination and prompt action taken during the rescue operation. For additional details and photos, visit [Maritime Denmark](http://www.maritimedanmark.dk/?Id=16129) and the [RNLI News Centre](http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/RNLI-volunteers-involved-in-helicopter-rescue.aspx).

The Danish oil tanker, Nord Nightingale, successfully delivered a substantial cargo of 30,000 metric tons of gasoil to Benghazi, a strategic port in rebel-controlled Libya. This shipment, which is critical for heating and can be refined into diesel, marks a significant entry into the region's fuel supply chain. The vessel made its arrival at the port on July 16 and has since completed its unloading before departing yesterday. The details were confirmed by the operating company and reported by Bloomberg.