Idaho Army National Guard Conducts 3 Search, Rescue Missions in 3 Days

The Idaho Army National Guard conducted three successful search-and-rescue missions in three days beginning Sept. 16, assisting local search-and-rescue agencies with rescues in remote parts of Ada and Custer counties in Idaho. 

“Whether our soldiers are serving overseas in support of combat operations or responding to an emergency here at home, the Idaho National Guard is trained to operate in some of the most challenging environments imaginable,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan, adjutant general of Idaho.

On the evening of Sept. 18, an Idaho Army National Guard flight crew assisted Custer County authorities in rescuing a husband and wife who each suffered broken bones while hiking near Challis, Idaho. The crew hoisted both hikers into the rescue helicopter and transported them to the Challis Airport. They were transferred for further medical care. 

The previous day, Sept. 17, an Idaho Army National Guard flight crew assisted Custer County Search and Rescue with the rescue of a 77-year-old man who suffered a broken leg near Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho. The crew hoisted the man into the rescue helicopter and transported him to the Stanley Airport in Stanley, Idaho, where an ambulance was waiting to take him for further medical treatment.

On Sept. 16, the Idaho Army National Guard assisted Boise County Search and Rescue and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue in rescuing a 59-year-old mountain biker near Dead Dog Creek in Ada County. The man had become lost in the Boise National Forest, Idaho, and had not been heard from since Sept. 13. He was dehydrated, and medics were unable to establish an intravenous line. The flight crew hoisted the man into the rescue helicopter and transported him to civilian medical care for further treatment. 

The Idaho Army National Guard’s HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters provide search-and-rescue agencies throughout Idaho with unique capabilities. The aircraft have powerful engines that allow crews to operate at high elevations and hoists that can rescue people from rugged, inaccessible terrain. In addition, the Idaho Army National Guard operates the only helicopters in Idaho with this hoist capability. 

“Our unique dual mission makes us exceptionally capable when Idahoans need help,” Donnellan said. “These crews bring the same professionalism, training and readiness to a mountain rescue that they bring to missions anywhere in the world.” 

The missions brought the Idaho Army National Guard’s total number of search-and-rescue missions this year to 11.