Who rescues the ejected pilots over domestic waters?

The scene the rescuers found was very dangerous. There was even fuel in the water and they were on jet skies. It takes more than guts to rescue our pilots. It takes bravery.

Supplied photo by D.J. Struntz. Wrightsville Beach fire chief Glen Rogers, far left, and Ocean Rescue director Dave Baker, far right, present EMT lifeguard Kyle Miess and Ocean Rescue captain Jeremy Owens with medals for meritorious conduct during a ceremony Monday, May 30.

On May 6,first responders (click here) charged into a dangerous scene, riding a Jet Ski more than one mile and through floating debris and fuel to be the first to reach the pilot of a Marine Corps jet that crashed off of Wrightsville Beach.  This week, the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department honored Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue Capt. Jeremy Owens and EMT, firefighter and lifeguard Kyle Miess with the department’s medal for meritorious conduct.

“Jeremy and Kyle were true to our motto: ‘always willing and always ready,’” said Glen Rogers, Wrightsville Beach fire chief.  “They jumped into action to respond to potentially fatal military aircraft crash. Our nation could have lost another military member. Fortunately circumstances worked out for the best for the pilot and his rescuers.”

After receiving the call at about 4:50 p.m. on Friday afternoon, Owens and Miess left from the station, launched a Jet Ski near Masons Inlet, and arrived at the downed pilot nearly two miles offshore in less than 20 minutes. The Marine Corps Harrier jet pilot ejected before the plane crashed and Miess said he was conscious when they arrived. The Marine Corps said the pilot recovered without serious injury.

Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Tim Owens said the scene must have been “surreal.”

“They went out there and didn’t know what to expect, but they came out with a good outcome,” Owens said. “I couldn’t imagine responding to a scene like that.”...