Barth Merrill News

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) participated in a joint rescue effort off the coast of San Diego June 4. At approximately 8:15 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter 6040 from Coast Guard Sector San Diego responded to a medical emergency aboard the charter fishing vessel Holiday involving a 52-year-old male who was apparently suffering a heart attack. “We heard the call from the fishing boat to the Coast Guard over the bridge-to-bridge [radio],” said Stennis’ Commanding Officer, Capt. Brad E. Johanson. “We notified the Coast Guard that we did not have a helicopter aboard, but we did have medical facilities and offered our assistance. Within an hour and a half, Stennis reduced the 60-nautical mile gap to within about 15 nautical miles and was standing by to receive the rescue helicopter.