VIEW LARGER Pararescue jumpers from the 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base prepare to parachute to a fishing vessel in the Pacific Ocean, July 2019 U.S. Department of Defense
Airmen from the 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base traveled 1,700 miles last week to rescue two badly injured fishermen in international waters southwest of San Diego.
The men were injured when a crane on their fishing vessel collapsed.
The nearest medical facility was at Mexican naval base more than 800 miles away.
Planes from Davis-Monthan flew pararescue jumpers, also called PJs, to the area. They then parachuted into the ocean near the fishing vessel.
Once onboard, the PJs provided care to the men during the trip to the naval base.
The rescue was the longest domestic rescue in the history of the 563rd Rescue Group.
In 2014, another group of PJs from Davis-Monthan helped badly burned fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico.
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