ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Coast Guard touched down at Schwiebert Park in Rock Island Saturday. They performed a mock helicopter rescue in the Mississippi River, part of its "Mission Mighty Mississippi." The event promoted the Coast Guard to the community and helped 130 Boy Scouts earn their search and rescue merit badge.
"We're looking for talented young men and women here in the heartland that want to step forward and make a difference and serve their country," Vice Admiral Kevin Lunday said.
Although primarily stationed on the coast, the Coast Guard is stationed around the world and makes a large impact in our region.
"We're here every day throughout the year in America's heartland making sure that commerce goes up and down the Mississippi, the Missouri and Ohio rivers," Lunday said. "And that commerce that moves agriculture and other products around the United States and around the world is essential to US economic prosperity and security."
The mighty river faces historic low water levels in the lower Mississippi, something the Coast Guard monitors closely to ensure commerce can flow safely along the river. They're also responsible for environmental issues along the river such as hazmat or oil spills.
"We have the National Strike Force out here that's going to be doing a lot of pollution remediation, and things like that," Reserve Marine Science Technician Matt Hensley said. "So this allows us to kind of show off what each different job of the Coast Guard does."