Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 conducted a search-and-rescue (SAR) operation and retrieved five distressed mariners west of Apra Harbor on U.S. Naval Base Guam April 11.

HSC-25 received a request from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam at approximately 7:25 p.m. about five people who drifted away from Family Beach while on a jet ski and raft.

Knightrider 01, a Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, was launched from Andersen Air Force Base at approximately 8:20 p.m. The crew located the survivors at 10:15 p.m. They were then transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam.

HSC-25 has conducted seven searches, eight medical evacuations, seven rescues and two recovery efforts this year.

"Our SAR posture benefits the Navy by providing future aviation leaders with real-world experience and proficiency in lifesaving missions," said HSC-25 aircraft commander Lt. Monica Mondloch. "In an era where most missions and training exercises are planned well in advance, SAR is a unique mission that requires time-critical problem solving and decision making."

HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron. As a part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it provides an armed helicopter capability for U.S. 7th Fleet in support of logistics, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance missions.

HSC-25 is also the only squadron that maintains a 24-hour search-and-rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, directly supporting the U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas.