San Diego Firehawk helicopter assists in search for swimmer

San Diego Fire Rescue Helicopter 3 Firehawk
San Diego Fire Rescue Helicopter 3 helping to locate a swimmer off Mission Beach, June 15, 2022. Ryan Grothe.

On Tuesday three swimmers off Mission Beach near San Diego were in distress, having trouble staying afloat. Lifeguards rescued two, but the third was not found. On Wednesday the search transitioned to a recovery. Units involved included Helicopter 3 from San Diego Fire Rescue, three lifeguard rescue vessels, and scuba divers for a total of 18 personnel.

Ryan Grothe took the opportunity to get additional photos of San Diego Fire Rescue’s Firehawk helicopter. Thanks Ryan!

San Diego Fire Rescue Helicopter 3 Firehawk
San Diego Fire Rescue Helicopter 3 helping to locate a swimmer off Mission Beach, June 15, 2022. Ryan Grothe.

Photos of San Diego’s Firehawk, Copter 3

San Diego Fire Rescue Copter 3 (N283SD)
San Diego Fire Rescue Copter 3 (N283SD) working a small fire near Scripps Ranch, April 7, 2022. Ryan Grothe.

Ryan Grothe sent us these photos he took of San Diego Fire Rescue Copter 3 working a small fire in the Scripps Ranch area April 7, 2022.

San Diego Fire Rescue Copter 3 (N283SD)
San Diego Fire Rescue Copter 3 (N283SD) working a small fire near Scripps Ranch, April 7, 2022. Ryan Grothe.
San Diego Fire Rescue Copter 3 (N283SD)
San Diego Fire Rescue Copter 3 (N283SD) working a small fire near Scripps Ranch, April 7, 2022. Ryan Grothe.

Below, I grabbed a photo of the helicopter at HAI in Anaheim, CA, January, 2020.

HAI HELI-EXPO 2020 Anaheim helicopter Firehawk
San Diego Fire Rescue’s new Firehawk at HAI 2020, January, 2020. Photo by Bill Gabbert.