Beach-goers in Brevard County got quite a helicopter show over the ocean Thursday as military aircraft hovered low over the ocean waters off Paradise Beach in Melbourne during a rescue.

  • Helicopters off Melbourne coast were part of pararescue training
  • Pararescue crews were from Patrick Air Force Base
  • 920th Rescue Wing historically has been on call for astronaut rescues

But it turns out it was a training exercise involving members of the Patrick Air Force Base's 920th Rescue Wing.

Pararescue servicemembers took turns simulating water rescues from the air and also swimming 1500 meters to shore. The helicopters flew low, stirring up water while pulling up "victims" from the ocean, as many beach-goers watched from shore.

Coincidentally, Thursday marked the 60th birthday of the special unit based on the Space Coast, which has performed thousands of combat and humanitarian rescues around the world for decades.

The wing also has historically been on standby to rescue astronauts during manned spaceflight missions.


Helicopters from the 920th Rescue Wing hover over the ocean near Paradise Beach in Melbourne on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (Jon Shaban, staff)