A mother and her child were airlifted to safety by the U.S. Air Force on Saturday after being stranded on a Carnival Cruise Line ship off the U.S. eastern coast.
Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King 11 aircraft, and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen from Patrick Space Force Base in Florida embarked on a 350-nautical mile journey to reach the Carnival Venezia, which had been sailing from Port Canaveral since April 26th on a 10-day cruise to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
The rescue mission required three air-to-air refuelings to reach the Venezia's location, according to the Air Force.
Dramatic images captured the moment the unnamed woman and her child were hoisted into the helicopter from the ship's deck. The nature of their medical emergency remained undisclosed, but a U.S. Air Force spokesperson confirmed that the patient was successfully transferred to a hospital in the United States.
The eight-hour operation involved a total flight distance of over 1,200 miles, with all aircraft returning safely to Patrick SFB upon mission completion.
The rescue group's commander, Lt. Col. John Lowe, emphasized the significance of the mission as a testament to their rigorous training.
"Rescue was able to plan and execute this mission without hesitation," Lowe said. "This combined arms team is highly trained in their field while understanding what role they play in the bigger picture and led to the successful completion of the mission."
Carnival Cruise Line, when contacted by Fox News Digital for comment, did not immediately respond.
The incident highlights the importance of safety precautions during cruise vacations, prompting travelers to familiarize themselves with the vessel's medical facilities and emergency procedures.
In a separate incident, the Carnival Cruise Line ship rescued 27 migrants adrift off the coast of Cuba, demonstrating the company's commitment to assisting those in distress at sea.
The Carnival Venezia's 10-day cruise, which was scheduled to visit several Caribbean islands, resumed its itinerary following the rescue operation.
