An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Fairchild rescue flight saves 3 in busy week

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Tristan Hinderliter
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Helicopter crews from the 36th Rescue Flight here rescued a man and his son Jan. 11 and one woman on Sunday in what turned out to be a busy, heroic week in North Idaho. Sunday's save was number 613 for the flight, which is part of the U.S. Survival School, a tenant unit at Fairchild.

The action started the evening of Jan. 10, when the 36th RQF was notified of a man and his teenage son stranded in the wilderness north of Sandpoint, Idaho, after their snowmobiles had become disabled in deep snow.

The father was able to communicate via cell phone with local search and rescue crews, but the ground search stalled when the rescuer's snowmobiles also became stuck in deep snow. The 36th RQF launched helicopters twice, but had to abort both missions due to severe weather and low visibility.

Shortly after 9 a.m. the following morning, the rescue flight launched two UH-1N Huey helicopters for another attempt to rescue the man and boy, who had spent the night at over 5,000 feet elevation in sub-freezing temperatures.

At around 10:45 a.m the crews spotted the pair and descended for the rescue, said Capt. Micah West, one of the pilots. Also on board his aircraft was Capt. Zach Guza and flight engineers Tech. Sgt. Matt Ryplewski and Staff Sgt. Jamie Aulbach.

The other helicopter, piloted by Capt. Mike Volkerding - with Capt. Chris Roness and flight engineer Senior Amn. Jake Bragg - lowered Tech. Sgt. John Parish, an Independent Duty Medical Technician at the Survival School, down 70 feet on the hoist to assess the medical condition of the two men.

"It was horrendous," said Sergeant Parish of the ordeal. "They had made a snow cave and fire the night before, but by the time we arrived their gear was frozen. I don't know if they could have made it another night."

Captain Volkerding's aircraft hoisted the boy and flew him to the Boundary County Airport, where he was picked up by ambulance and transported to Boundary Community Hospital. In the meantime Sergeant Parish looked after the father, whose condition was more serious, while the second helicopter circled back around to pick them both up. The father was taken directly to the hospital.

Both were treated and released that morning, the Bonner County Daily Bee reported Jan. 12.

"This sort of situation is something we train for on a regular basis at the Survival School," said Captain Volkerding of the rescue. "It's very rewarding to be able to use our skills to help civilians in the community when they get into trouble."

Part of the rescue flight's mission, in addition to supporting Survival School activities, is assisting local authorities by conducting search and rescue and medical evacuation missions such as this.

The 36th RQF had the opportunity again just three days later.

Mid-afternoon on Sunday, the rescue flight was tasked by Air Force Rescue Coordination Center to aid in a search and rescue in progress near Wallace, Idaho. Captain Volkerding, again the aircraft commander, gathered his crew of copilot 1st Lt. Duke Warner, flight engineer Master Sgt. Keith Fitzgerald, and IDMT Master Sgt. Cameron Aaron and headed to Idaho.

Ground search crews had already located the subject, a woman who had suffered a broken leg in a snowmobile crash in rough terrain. The Idaho emergency medical service was on scene administering first-aid, but they needed air support to extract her due to the rough terrain, Captain Volkerding said.

It was dark when the helicopter arrived shortly after 5 p.m., so the crew had to use Night Vision Goggles. They did not have communication with the ground, the captain said, but were able to locate the injured woman and ground rescue crews by spotting flares. About 5:45 p.m., they went to work in the steep terrain.

The helicopter circled the site several times while the crew determined the best approach. With temperatures dipping below zero, they lowered Sergeant Aaron down 80 feet into the dark on the hoist penetrator. Sergeant Aaron worked with the injured woman for about 20 minutes to prepare her for recovery. He then requested a stokes litter - a stretcher with sides and a removable torso cover.

From 60 feet up, they hoisted the injured woman up on the litter, then hoisted Sergeant Aaron and headed to the Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene.

"It was a challenging recovery," Captain Volkerding said. "The terrain was very steep with tall trees and the blowing snow, but it always feels good to be able to use our training to help people."