In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #68 and Coast Guard pilot, Russ Torgerson.
Born in Alaska and raised in Colorado, Torgerson originally planned to follow in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter. Until a chance glimpse of Coast Guard fast boats on Miami Vice changed the course of his life forever. What started as a “four-year plan” quickly turned into a 31-year career filled with unforgettable missions, close calls, and lessons learned both in the aircraft and beyond.
Torgerson dives deep into several dramatic rescue cases, including the harrowing 1990 mission near St. Paul Island, Alaska, where Russ and his crew rescued survivors from a fishing vessel before suffering a catastrophic hoist cable failure that tore through the helicopter’s rotor system. Forced to make an emergency landing during an Arctic storm, the crew and survivors spent nearly two days stranded inside the damaged HH-3F Pelican waiting for rescue. Torgerson recounts the tension, survival decisions, humor, and teamwork that helped everyone survive.
Torgerson also shares stories from Detroit, Kodiak, North Bend, and Atlantic City—including rescues on the Great Lakes, flying beneath the St. Louis Arch during flood operations, emergency aircraft mishaps, and the long road toward earning his pilot wings after being rejected multiple times for Officer Candidate School and flight training waivers. His persistence, humility, and dedication ultimately carried him from the rescue basket to the cockpit.
Beyond the rescues and aviation stories, this episode also explores the personal side of service. Torgerson opens up about the emotional weight carried throughout a long Coast Guard career, the importance of accountability and mentorship, and how faith, family, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became essential tools in maintaining mental health and finding purpose after difficult chapters in life.
Enjoy.
For more information on the Bow Mainer, check out Disasters at Sea S3E2.
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