By Senior Airman Clare Werner, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
On a windy Saturday afternoon, June 21, a call for help pierced through the air. A teenage boy had fallen down a steep cliff near Riverview Bible Camp in Cusick, Washington. The terrain was brutal, strewn with rocks and imposing pine trees, and every second counted.
A 36th Rescue Squadron crew was prepared to respond, and without any hesitation they navigated a UH-1N Huey through the dense forest toward the scene. Beneath them, a treacherous landscape and shifting winds presented a formidable challenge.
At approximately 3 p.m., their plan was swiftly put into motion. Staff Sgt. Taten Swanson, a flight paramedic with the 36th RQS, was lowered from the helicopter into the sea of green, his expertise and courageous dedication accompanying him on his journey.
“The crew on the ground stabilized the patient very well and communicated with me so that I could transport the essential gear with minimal risk,” Swanson explained. “When I got on the ground, the patient was conscious and alert, [and] I felt comfortable enough that we could get him out of there safely.”
In the chaotic yet coordinated scene, an array of flashing lights illuminated the figures of dozens of rescuers working together from many agencies: local fire departments, the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, U.S. Border Patrol and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“It was really amazing to see the vast number of people there, we probably saw 30 to 45 rescuers on the ground,” said Capt. Anthony Goodwin, 36th RQS UH-1N Huey pilot. “It was great to be integrated with a larger team since that is something I haven’t seen a lot within my Air Force career.”
While the ground team coordinated their efforts, the crew above faced the pressure of threading the needle through the tight airspace full of swaying trees. A single wrong move or a moment’s hesitation could’ve plunged them into disaster.
“As soon as we arrived at the scene, I was examining the wind speeds and the terrain to decide which direction was best to enter the scene,” explained Staff Sgt. Alfredo Barrios, 36th RQS flight engineer. “Essentially, I am trying to establish the best infiltration and exfiltration for the situation and give the whole crew as much information as possible to get the mission accomplished.”
This mission relied on trust, training, and teamwork. Every Airman’s role was critical, resulting in a seamless rescue which was a testament to the crew’s countless hours of dedicated training.
The team’s swift and seamless collaboration was the key to success. The patient was hoisted from the perilous terrain, transferred to ground medical crews, and rushed to a nearby hospital. Thanks to their skillful efforts, he was able to return home to his family and begin his recovery.
“I can’t thank my crew enough for being able to rely on their experience and technical skills to make this rescue happen,” said Maj. Cameron King, 36th RQS UH-1N Huey pilot and aircraft commander. “This couldn’t have happened without the team effort and the training that we get, I’m very thankful that [the patient] is back home with his family right now.”
This marks the 36th RQS’s 716th save since its formation in 1971. In a moment when every second mattered, the 36th RQS delivered, living up to their motto, “That Others May Live.”
