Tyler Jaggers, ACG rescue swimmer, died Thursday

Tyler Jaggers, ACG rescue swimmer, died Thursday

Published 9:09 am Friday, March 6, 2026

The Distinguished Flying Cross awarded for heroism

According to the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter Association, Astoria Coast Guard crew member Tyler Jaggers died Thursday. Jaggers, a rescue swimmer and aviation survival technician, second class, had responded Friday, Feb. 27 to a medical evacuation request for a stroke sufferer off the coast of Washington close to the Canadian border when “a tragic accident” occurred. Jaggers was transported to Victoria General Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and later to Joint Base Lewis McCord in Washington in response to Krystal Wolfe, a Coast Guard media relations official.

The official assertion from the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter Association:

The Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Association introduced right now the passing of Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Tyler Jaggers, Rescue Swimmer No. 1087, who was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Oregon. Jaggers crossed the bar on March 5, 2026, after sustaining accidents throughout a med evac response Feb. 27 roughly 120 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery, Washington. For his extraordinary heroism throughout the rescue, Jaggers was meritoriously superior to AST2 and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of our Nation’s highest awards for heroism in aerial flight.

Jaggers was one in every of 387 energetic AST Rescue Swimmers at present serving on energetic responsibility within the United States Coast Guard. Since this system’s inception, just one,105 people previous and current have earned the suitable to put on the Gold Fins. The AST ranking is one in every of essentially the most selective within the U.S. Armed Forces, with an attrition charge among the many highest of any army coaching program within the nation.

The Distinguished Flying Cross was offered by Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Phillip N. Waldron in a ceremony with Jaggers’ household. Admiral Lunday stated Jaggers “demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger” and “represents the very best of our Service and the Aviation Rescue Swimmer community.”

“Tyler was the best of us,” stated J. Butch Flythe, USCG Rescue Swimmer No. 5, vice president of the CGHRSA. “He earned his Gold Fins the way every rescue swimmer does, by refusing to quit. He answered every call without hesitation and served with a selflessness that defines this community. Our commitment now is to his family, his crew and the entire AST community. We will carry his name forward.”

“The loss of Tyler Jaggers is felt across the entire search and rescue community,” stated Rick McElrath, USCG Rescue Swimmer No. 17, president of the CGHRSA. “Tyler lived our creed every day: So Others May Live. That was not a motto to him. It was how he served and how he lived. The CGHRSA stands with the Jaggers family, the aircrew and every member of Air Station Astoria. We are here today, and we will be here in the months and years ahead. This Brotherhood does not leave anyone behind.”

The CGHRSA is coordinating assist for the Jaggers household, the flight crew and the broader Air Station Astoria neighborhood. Those wishing to contribute can donate straight at bit.ly/CGHRSADonations.

An outpouring of assist from fellow Coast Guard members has flooded social media. Thousands of Coasties, family and friends members have despatched heartfelt messages and prayers.

From The Columbia River Maritime Museum: The Columbia River Maritime Museum group expresses its sorrow and deepest condolences to the household, shipmates, and family members of Aviation Survival Technician (rescue swimmer) 2nd Class Tyler Jaggers, and the crew of Coast Guard Air Station Astoria.

Tyler has handed from accidents sustained throughout an tried medical evacuation of a stroke sufferer by helicopter from a cargo ship over 125 miles off Cape Flattery, WA on February 27, 2026.

We are so accustomed to studying accounts of profitable, difficult rescues from hazardous environments, at sea and on land, by Coast Guard helicopter crews, as properly from mountainous seas by motor lifeboat crews, day and evening, truthful climate and foul, that we might overlook that every of those missions entails a excessive degree of danger to the crews who unhesitatingly undertake them.

AST2 Jaggers, like his fellow Coasties, embraced the problem, and the chance, with a view to save lives.

The Coast Guard is woven into the material of our area’s maritime tradition and heritage. We are grateful past measure for the dedication, braveness, ability and devotion to responsibility of the women and men who select to serve, “So Others May Live.”

While we relaxation straightforward, these members of our neighborhood are on watch, across the clock. They have our timeless gratitude and respect.

Rest in Peace, Tyler Jaggers.

This is a breaking information story. Check again for updates.