tyler jaggers, an Aviation Survival Technician Second Class and rescue swimmer stationed at Air Station Astoria, died Thursday after sustaining injuries during a medical evacuation response off the Washington coast near the Canadian border.
What happened during the mission?
The response began on Friday, Feb. 27, when a medevac request was dispatched for a stroke victim off the Washington coast near the Canadian border. During that operation, described by the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter Association as “a tragic accident, ” Jaggers sustained injuries approximately 120 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery. He was transported to Victoria General Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia, and later moved to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
The U. S. Coast Guard has opened an investigation into the cause of the injuries sustained during the rescue. The Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter Association announced Jaggers’ passing and noted the organization is coordinating support for the Jaggers family, the flight crew and the broader Air Station Astoria community. An outpouring of messages and prayers from fellow service members and community members followed the announcement.
What does Tyler Jaggers’ service and recognition reveal?
Jaggers was meritoriously advanced to Aviation Survival Technician Second Class and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The medal was presented by Admiral Kevin E. Lunday and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Phillip N. Waldron in a ceremony attended by Jaggers’ family. Admiral Lunday said Jaggers “demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger” and called him a representative of the best of the Aviation Rescue Swimmer community.
Members of the rescue swimmer community reflected the same sentiment. J. Butch Flythe, USCG Rescue Swimmer No. 5 and vice president of the Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Association, said, “Tyler was the best of us, ” and praised his refusal to quit and selflessness. Rick McElrath, USCG Rescue Swimmer No. 17 and president of the association, said Jaggers lived the creed “So Others May Live” and emphasized commitment to supporting the family and the Air Station Astoria community in the months and years ahead.
Service details in records indicate Jaggers joined the Coast Guard in January of 2022 and served at Air Station Astoria since April of 2024. He previously received recognition for superior performance from the Secretary of Homeland Security during a deployment to operations in the Caribbean Sea. Jaggers was one of 387 active Aviation Survival Technician rescue swimmers serving on active duty; since the program’s inception, 1, 105 individuals have earned the Gold Fins, and the AST rating carries one of the highest attrition rates among military training programs.
Sen. Suzanne Weber of Tillamook addressed Jaggers’ passing in a legislative setting, saying, “He gave all so that others could live, ” and urging the public to keep the family in thoughts and prayers. Thousands of fellow service members and community members sent condolences and tributes following the announcement of his death, and the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter Association is coordinating support for those affected.
As the investigation proceeds and the community rallies around the family and crew, the facts remain the loss of a highly trained rescue swimmer who was honored for extraordinary heroism. Readers should expect updates from official channels as the review of the incident continues and continue to hold tyler jaggers and his family in mind during this difficult time.
