USS IWO JIMA, (Atlantic Ocean) – On Sept. 11, two Aerographer’s Mates (AGs) assigned to USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) from Fleet Weather Center, Norfolk, recently provided their ship with more than just a weather report, they provided “real world” battlespace awareness that resulted in the successful rescue of a missing Sailor.
The Iwo Jima received a distress call from the USS New York (LPD 21) regarding a possible “man overboard” during Amphibious Readiness Group exercises off the coast of South Carolina.
AG1(IDW) Tara M. Crow and AG2(IDW/AW) Lachelle M. McMahan were aboard the Iwo Jima when the man overboard call came in. McMahan immediately collected her recent observations of winds, seas, and other pertinent data, and then contacted Crow, who was the Forecast Duty Officer at that time.
With no indication of the Sailor’s initial position, Crow used the New York’s previous course and speed, and the information gathered by McMahan, to produce a containment graphic that provided rescuers the best locations to conduct the search.
McMahan used a Web-based Search and Rescue (WEBSAR) model and a Geophysics Fleet Mission Program Library (GFMPL) model to come up with the graphic.
“I immediately took the ingested data and entered it into the WEBSAR model to get a standard lock on the area to start looking for the missing Sailor,” said McMahan. “When we ran a GFMPL model, we added more data and current information to give us an even more accurate location.”
The WEBSAR provides Fleet on-scene environmental predictions, while the GFMPL uses ingested data from the forecaster and produces a drift map that predicts a possible location for a given timeframe.
“I immediately started comparing the data to analyze the information entered in the programs to ensure accuracy,” said Crow. “We knew the situation was real and we had to work as quickly and efficiently as possible to find the missing Sailor.”
Using the information provided by the two models, Crow produced a search recommendation and provided it to all rescue personnel in the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group, which included the USS New York, USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), the guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Tybee Island (WPB 1332).
Thanks to quick action, and the efforts and expertise of Crow and McMahan, a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crew assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM-46), embarked aboard the Dunham, located the Sailor and recovered the Sailor shortly after 11 p.m.
After missing for more than five and a half hours at sea, the Sailor was located within 1200 yards of the forecasters’ predicted position.
"Our great Iwo Jima Sailors not only did exactly what they are trained to do in Search and Rescue situations, but they applied critical thinking and effective communication skills to provide the right information at the right time to ship and helicopter crews," said Capt. Raymond R. Delgado III, Commanding Officer, Fleet Weather Center, Norfolk. "I am tremendously proud of Petty Officers Crow and McMahan and all their Fleet Weather Center, Norfolk teammates!"
Both AGs received On-The-Spot Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAMs) for their contributions in the rescue of the USS New York Sailor. Crow's NAM was a Gold Star in lieu of third award and McMahan's NAM was her first.
Both Sailors agree that they were just doing what the Navy trained them to do. “I immediately acted on instinct,” said Crow. “I feel the same way. It was just second nature,” added McMahan.
The USS Iwo Jima's Commanding Officer, Capt. James E. McGovern, concurred with Delgado on the Fleet's appreciation for the Weather Team's efforts. “They were remarkable in every way,” said McGovern. “The Navy cannot ask for more from either Sailor.”