DY
30 June 2004, 11:42
Reservists rescue injured firefighters in Arizona
by Tech. Sgt. Ruby Zarzyczny
305th Rescue Squadron Public Affairs
6/28/2004 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- Reservists from the 305th Rescue Squadron here rescued two injured firefighters stuck by lightning while fighting fires at Arizona’s Mount Graham on June 24.
Squadron officials received the rescue request at 3 p.m. from the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
After Rescue Coordination Center officials at Langley Air Force Base, Va., approved the mission, an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter and aircrew launched from here at 4 p.m.
“We’re always prepared to do rescues,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Lake, one of two pararescue specialists on the mission. “It’s not just the crew that goes out on the rescue, it’s every single person involved coming together.”
Other local rescue agencies were unable to complete this mission because of the high elevation and severe weather. The capabilities of the Air Force Reserve Command squadron were required to rescue the men, said Maj. Jeffrey Macrander, the 305th RQS deputy commander for operations and mission aircraft commander.
At 7,200 feet, the helicopter hovered at about 150 feet while Lieutenant Lake and Master Sgt. James Sanchez repelled to the injured men. They repelled onto the side of the mountain and climbed straight up to reach the clearing where the injured men were waiting with other firefighters. Lieutenant Lake said the climb seemed like a 60-degree incline through rocks and dense trees.
One of the firefighters was directly struck by lightning, and another was also injured. The crew returned to airlift the more seriously injured firefighter to a hospital in Safford, Ariz.
“The Forest Service firefighters did a great job of taking care of their two buddies,” said Lieutenant Lake. “It looked like the firefighters on the mountain side prepared the rescue site for easier extraction.” (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)
by Tech. Sgt. Ruby Zarzyczny
305th Rescue Squadron Public Affairs
6/28/2004 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- Reservists from the 305th Rescue Squadron here rescued two injured firefighters stuck by lightning while fighting fires at Arizona’s Mount Graham on June 24.
Squadron officials received the rescue request at 3 p.m. from the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
After Rescue Coordination Center officials at Langley Air Force Base, Va., approved the mission, an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter and aircrew launched from here at 4 p.m.
“We’re always prepared to do rescues,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Lake, one of two pararescue specialists on the mission. “It’s not just the crew that goes out on the rescue, it’s every single person involved coming together.”
Other local rescue agencies were unable to complete this mission because of the high elevation and severe weather. The capabilities of the Air Force Reserve Command squadron were required to rescue the men, said Maj. Jeffrey Macrander, the 305th RQS deputy commander for operations and mission aircraft commander.
At 7,200 feet, the helicopter hovered at about 150 feet while Lieutenant Lake and Master Sgt. James Sanchez repelled to the injured men. They repelled onto the side of the mountain and climbed straight up to reach the clearing where the injured men were waiting with other firefighters. Lieutenant Lake said the climb seemed like a 60-degree incline through rocks and dense trees.
One of the firefighters was directly struck by lightning, and another was also injured. The crew returned to airlift the more seriously injured firefighter to a hospital in Safford, Ariz.
“The Forest Service firefighters did a great job of taking care of their two buddies,” said Lieutenant Lake. “It looked like the firefighters on the mountain side prepared the rescue site for easier extraction.” (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)