Stoic Responder
oil on paper
Coast Guard Art Program, 2011
A Coast Guard Flight Mechanic (FM) surveys the scene of distress. Her expression underlines her concentration as she makes decisions that could mean life or death. FMs are responsible for advising the pilot on the preferred rescue device, employment of the rescue swimmer, and directing the hoist evolution. They are experts at delivering life saving rescue equipment to those in peril at sea and save hundreds of lives each year. In FY 2010, the Coast Guard responded to 22,226 search and rescue cases, saving 4,335 lives