Photo Release: Coast Guard, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington grant child’s wish in Kodiak, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/10/2017 07:50 PM EDT

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News Release

  

July 10, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
Office: (907) 487-5700
After Hours: (907) 321-4513

 

Coast Guard, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington grant child’s wish in Kodiak, Alaska 

Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil, a rescue swimmer at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, assists honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop, an 8-year-old boy from Woodland, Wash., as he participates in modified rescue swimmer pool training at the air station, July 7, 2017. Members from the air station and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington granted Bishop's wish to be a rescue swimmer in Alaska. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Meredith Manning Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil, honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop and Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Dickey walk to an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter during a search and rescue drill at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, July 8 2017. Fulfilling Bishop's wish to be a rescue swimmer, they hoisted a hiker and simulated CPR while transporting him to the air station. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Michael Benson
Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil, a rescue swimmer at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, assists honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop, an 8-year-old boy from Woodland, Wash., as he participates in modified rescue swimmer pool training at the air station, July 7, 2017. Members from the air station and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington granted Bishop's wish to be a rescue swimmer in Alaska. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Meredith Manning Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil, honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop and Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Dickey walk to an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter during a search and rescue drill at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, July 8 2017. Fulfilling Bishop's wish to be a rescue swimmer, they hoisted a hiker and simulated CPR while transporting him to the air station. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Michael Benson
Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil, Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Dickey and honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop prepare to hoist a hiker with simulated injuries, Kodiak, Alaska, July 8, 2017. Bishop, an 8-year-old boy from Woodland, Wash., was designated as an honorary rescue swimmer aboard the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter after completing modified rescue swimmer training and basic air crewman training. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Meredith Manning Coast Guard Capt. Mark Morin and Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil present honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop an Air Medal at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, July 8, 2017. Bishop received the award while visiting the air station to fulfill his wish to be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Alaska. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Meredith Manning
Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil, Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Dickey and honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop prepare to hoist a hiker with simulated injuries, Kodiak, Alaska, July 8, 2017. Bishop, an 8-year-old boy from Woodland, Wash., was designated as an honorary rescue swimmer aboard the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter after completing modified rescue swimmer training and basic air crewman training. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Meredith Manning Coast Guard Capt. Mark Morin and Petty Officer 1st Class Keola Marfil present honorary Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Bishop an Air Medal at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, July 8, 2017. Bishop received the award while visiting the air station to fulfill his wish to be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Alaska. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Meredith Manning

KODIAK, Alaska – Members from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington granted a child’s wish to be a rescue swimmer in Kodiak, Alaska, Friday and Saturday.

Andrew Bishop, an 8-year-old boy from Woodland, Washington, was designated as an honorary rescue swimmer aboard the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter after completing modified rescue swimmer pool training and basic air crewman training, Friday.

Bishop was given a flight suit and reported for duty as a rescue swimmer, Saturday morning. During his first day of duty, he responded to a search and rescue case where he and the aircrew hoisted a hiker with simulated injuries. Bishop and the crew simulated CPR on the hiker and safely transported him to the air station.

After the mission, he was met by members of various Coast Guard units and families and was presented an Air Medal for his work during the rescue.

“I could not be more proud of the coordination effort put forth by the members who helped make this a memorable event for Andrew and his family,” said Capt. Mark Morin, commanding officer of Air Station Kodiak. “Words cannot express the look on Andrew’s face during his time spent with us and we are proud to have such a wonderful addition to the Air Station family.”

For more information on Bishop contact Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington at 425-770-3212.