US President Joe Biden called Coast Guard Lt. Commander Christopher Hooper and aviation survival technician second class Zach Loesch to praise them for their search and rescue operations during Hurricane Ian, days before the latter would be fired for being unvaccinated. .“The President thanked them for saving lives and asked for a report on the work that continues to rescue Floridians,” said the White House in a statement. .“He also asked if they needed any additional support that he can provide to accelerate successful rescues; they indicated they have gotten what they need to execute their vital mission.”.The statement said at Biden’s direction, multiple Coast Guard helicopters and rescue boats were pre-deployed to support search and rescue operations as part of an inter-agency group led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It said its work saved hundreds of lives. .The statement went on to say the Coast Guard was notable in supporting the efforts. Up to 16 Coast Guard aircrafts were in the air searching for survivors, rescuing more than 100 people along the southwest Florida coast. .Despite being praised for heroic actions during Hurricane Ian, Loesch revealed he is among service members due to be discharged in 30 to 60 days for being unvaccinated. .Loesch said he submitted a religious exemption request, which was denied. This was followed by an appeal, and it was dismissed. ."If I had asked any of the people I saved yesterday if they wanted to come with me even though I am unvaccinated, every single one of them would have said yes,” he said. .Loesch said he saved a woman with a disability and her husband after kicking through a wall that collapsed during Hurricane Ian to free them. He went back to retrieve her wheelchair, which he attached to his body as he was hoisted by a helicopter. .His rescues included saving dogs and cats. He said he did not want to bring up his imminent discharge during his phone call with Biden. .“It just sucks that he thanked me, yet the vaccine mandate is what’s kicking me out,” he said. .“I feel like this is the job that I was born to do.”.About 1,200 service members filed a lawsuit against the Coast Guard and other government agencies seeking religious exemptions under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. .They accused the Coast Guard of “categorically denying virtually all” religious accommodation requests, but a representative for the agency denied anyone was penalized for seeking them. .Loesch is one of 2,632 Coast Guard member who refused to take a COVID-19 vaccine. .Biden said on Thursday Hurricane Ian could be "the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history.".READ MORE: WATCH: 'Substantial loss of life' as Hurricane Ian hammers Florida."The numbers are still unclear, but we're hearing early reports of what could be substantial loss of life," he said. ."My message to the people of Florida and to the country is, it's at times like this America comes together.”
