HH-60G Pave Hawk - Golden Gate rescue

SAN FRANCISO—California Air National Guard pararescuemen of the 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., climb up a moving rope ladder, from the chilly waters outside the Golden Gate Bridge, up to a HH-60G Pave Hawk. Tech. Sgt. Mike Sampognaro, flight engineer, monitors the training mission from the troop door. Hovering only six feet above the waves, Lt. Col. Thomas Laut must fly with extreme care as he deals with gusting winds, sea spray, sun glare, and sea swells, as he maintains a “low-and-slow” flight. Some members of the 129th provided technical assistance for the production of the movie “The Perfect Storm.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lance Cheung)