Falcon Flight rescues kayakers

Published March 23, 2009
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISS. -- A sunny March afternoon took an unexpected turn for Keesler kayakers who capsized in Biloxi's Back Bay. Fortunately for the two students from the 338th Training Squadron, the 81st Security Forces Squadron's Falcon Flight was on patrol.

The kayaks, rented from outdoor recreation at the marina, weren't equipped with spray skirts, which would have made it easier to do an "Eskimo roll," a technique that allows a capsized craft to be flipped upright, according to one of the students, an experienced kayaker.

"It was sunny out and about 70 degrees," the student said. "A wave hit the kayaks and flipped them over, and we couldn't get them upright. We were also trying to retrieve my kayak, which flooded and was submerged."

They tied the submerged vessel to the one that was still floating as one Airman swam alongside in the 53-degree water. Three boats passed the kayakers before 81st SFS members aboard the Falcon Flight vessel spotted them in the bay as they headed toward the I-110 bridge.

The rescue team included Staff Sgt. Christopher Pike, Senior Airman Matthew Hemphill and Airman 1st Class Robert Vogel.

"As soon as we realized they were in distress, we called in to request medical support," said Sergeant Pike. "One Airman had been able to right his kayak and climb back in, but one remained in the water."

"There are some places in Back Bay with sandbars where the water is only 3 feet deep, but the spot where they capsized was 23 feet deep," Airman Vogel reported.

"We took the one who had been in the water back to shore first -- he was in full Air Force (physical training) gear which retains a lot of water," Sergeant Pike stated. "We turned him over to medical personnel, and then headed back to get the second guy."

In the meantime, recreation aides Doug Stiles and Joe Heflen from the marina came out in a pontoon boat and took the second Airman to shore while the Falcon Flight vessel towed the kayaks back to the marina.

Both kayakers were transported by ambulance to Keesler Medical Center where they were treated for hypothermia and released a couple hours later.

Recent water rescue training came in handy during the mishap.

"We practiced as much as possible, but with time constraints, it's not the same as actually dealing with a real-life situation," Airman Vogel pointed out.

"You can get all the training in the world, but you'd better take it seriously and pay close attention," Airman Hemphill added. "If you do, the right thing to do is second nature."

Keesler's Falcon Flight, established last June, was the Air Force's first unit of its kind, according to Capt. Jason Williams, 81st SFS commander.

"The flight consists of 20 to 30 Airmen, depending on our deployment cycle," Captain Williams explained. "They're trained in boat patrols, all-terrain vehicle patrols, bike patrols and high-visibility foot patrols with the purpose of community problem-solving policing. We strive to be a highly mobile and visible force to everyone around, thus promoting interaction with the base populace and helping to reduce the fear of crime as a whole."