Air Station New Orleans was recognized for heroism and mission excellence at the 2024 Coast Guard Foundation Tribute to the 8th Coast Guard DIstrict on March 8.

The U.S. Coast Guard regularly performs medivacs from all sorts of vessels. But on this day, while retrieving an ill passenger from a cruise ship, they were confronted with an unforeseen weather event that came very close to taking the helicopter into the water. Quick thinking and expert training came into play to save everyone involved from a tragic ending.