Military retiree rescued at Mission Lake

  • Published
  • By Airman Eric Schloeffel
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  As home to the 347th Rescue Wing, Moody is no stranger to successful rescue missions. Fortunately for Richard Caillier, a Team Moody civilian upheld the base’s rescue-oriented reputation April 6.

While fishing at Mission Lake, Mr. Caillier toppled from his boat and was stranded 100 yards from shore.

“I was fishing in the north end of Mission Lake,” said Mr. Caillier, an Air Force retiree. “My seat had one or two bolts that were semi-loose; I reached back to get one of my fishing poles and the whole seat fell into (the water).”

Mr. Caillier added to his dilemma as he attempted to climb back onboard his small fishing boat.

“The boat already had some water in it, and when I grabbed onto the side a lot more water dumped in,” he said. “Then the boat flipped over, and all my equipment went into the water. The boat wasn’t moving because it was anchored down to the bottom.”

Mr. Caillier hung onto the side of his boat while deciding his next move. He said he was too far to swim without his life jacket, which was underneath the boat. He also considered the many alligators that call Mission Lake home.

“Earlier I saw a ‘gator in the water that was about 10 feet long,” he said. “I’ve heard people say alligators are docile animals, but I wasn’t going to test that theory so I decided not to swim to shore.”

He yelled for help and got the attention of Gary Weis and his 11-year- old son William, a fifth grader at Dewar Elementary, who were fishing on the other side of the lake.

“I heard him hollering, looked up and saw his boat upside down,” said Mr. Weis, 347th Security Forces anti-terrorism officer and Air Force retiree. “I knew someone was in trouble, so I started heading over there.”

Mr. Weis revved his small boat’s engine and was alongside Mr. Caillier within a few minutes. When he reached the vessel, Mr. Weis cut the anchor and unsuccessfully attempted to tow Mr. Caillier and his boat to shore. It was then they decided to bring him onboard.

“My son held the rope at the back of the boat, and I stayed at the front and Mr. Caillier rolled in,” said Mr. Weis. “We had to keep the boat steady because it’s only designed for two people. If it tipped, all of us would be in the water wondering what to do.”

Luckily, the rescue attempt was successful and all three were soon safely on shore. Mr. Weis called security forces and a boat was later dispatched to retrieve the toppled vessel. In the end, Mr. Caillier recovered all his equipment, losing only the boat’s battery and anchor.

After the ordeal, Mr. Caillier was grateful to reach land without injury and credits his rescuer with possibly saving his life.

“I was happy to be on solid ground again,” he said. “There’s no telling how long I would’ve been out there or what would’ve happened if he wasn’t out there fishing, heard me yelling and came to the rescue.”