For the pararescuemen of the 129th Rescue Wing, the call that came in had its challenges.

The Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel Grand Vega put out a distress call after a Filipino crewman started showing symptoms of a stroke. He needed to be evacuated from the Grand Vega, which was more than 700 miles off the California coast, according to the California Air National Guard, which shared details surrounding the complicated medical evacuation earlier this month. The ship was far away, the weather could change and the mariner needed help quickly. The Coast Guard picked up the distress signal and relayed it to the Air Force, who in turn contacted the pararescue team.

“The distance was a unique obstacle, and while all mission requests are time-sensitive, this one was especially so,” Senior Airm

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