Today (the 30th), Squadron 3 of the NASC 1st Wing stationed in Hualien received an emergency call from the NASC Duty Command Center, requesting it to rescue a Taiwanese burning fishing ship (Hsinchinfa No. 6) situated about 38 nautical miles northeast away of Hualien Airport.
Upon receiving the order from the command, the Squadron immediately dispatched a UH-60M Black Hawk numbered NA-701 to implement the mission. The pilot-in-command firstly gathered all crew members to give pre-flight prompts; set the rescue plan in detail; and check the helicopter. Then, later at 11:35, the helicopter had its engine turned on for ground hovering and had its radio system checked. At 11:42, the helicopter took off from Hualien Airport and reached the target zone at 11:57.
After contacted with the NASC Duty Command Center and on-site Coast Guard cutter, the crew started their rescue operations and successfully hoisted 1 Indonesian sailor to safety at 12:12. At 12:20, the helicopter landed at the Suao Fishing Port and handed the patient over to the ambulance for treatment. At 12:31, the helicopter returned to Hualien Airport and landed at Hualien Airport at 13:00. At 13:10, the crew turned off the engine. The EMS mission was completed successfully.
