Coast Guard aviators return home from Hurricane Harvey rescue efforts

Coast Guard aviators return home from Hurricane Harvey rescue efforts

WARRENTON, Ore. – Nine Coast Guard aviators returned home, Sunday, from their Hurricane Harvey rescue efforts on the Gulf Coast of Texas after rescuing 40 people.

The aviators, four pilots, two rescue swimmers and three flight mechanics, all from Sector Columbia River, returned from a week-long deployment as part of a Coast Guard-wide surge of personnel to assist in mass-rescue operations.

The returning aviators are:

Lt. Cmdr. James Gibson, pilot
Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Rapp, pilot
Lt. Chip Haas, pilot
Lt. Kyle Murphy, pilot
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordan Gilbert, aviation survival technician
Petty Officer 2nd Class Dan Wilson, aviation survival technician
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Cimbak, avionics electrical technician
Petty Officer 3rd Class Allison Dowell, avionics electrical technician
Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Hioe, aviation maintenance technician

“From all accounts Coast Guard search teams responded quickly and effectively in the impacted area to save lives and help the people of Texas," said Cmdr. Jason Dorval, air operations officer, Sector Columbia River. “These aviators represented the 13th District and Sector Columbia River very well and we are glad to have them home.”

The response is far from over, but the efforts are now transitioning into a recovery phase which includes reconstitution of ports, the cleanup of pollution and hazardous materials, and the repair and recovery of Coast Guard facilities damaged by hurricane Harvey.

The returning aviators will be available to share their experiences and stories from the response during a media event held at Sector Columbia River at 10 a.m., Tuesday.

Sector Columbia River’s address is 2185 SE 12th Place, Warrenton, Oregon 97146.

Media interested in attending are requested to RSVP with Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read at 206-819-9154 or by email at Levi.A.Read@uscg.mil

-USCG-