MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Montana – A U.S. Air Force’s 40th Helicopter Squadron MH-139 Grey Wolf aircrew conducted the first rescue using the platform, specifically that of a lost hiker, during the night of August 25-26, 2025. This mission marks the first rescue operation using the Air Force’s newest helicopter.
The MH-139A Grey Wolf aircrew, consisting of Capt. Jacques Soto (pilot), Capt. Jaani Barclay (co-pilot), Staff Sgt. Chase Rose and Senior Airman Corbin Dietrich (flight engineers), and Maj. Collin Urbanowicz (341st Operational Medical Squadron aeromedical physician assistant) dedicated 8.2 hours over three sorties to search and rescue the stranded hiker.
The aircrew was reassigned from a scheduled night training mission and the MH-139A helicopter was quickly reconfigured for the Search and Rescue (SAR).
Under the callsign Air Force Rescue 012, the MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter aircrew departed Malmstrom at 5:35 p.m. and arrived at the Stillwater Plateau search area above Nye, Mont., at approximately 6:50 p.m. Upon arrival, the aircrew picked up the sheriff and circled the vicinity for an overview of the search area.
Previous efforts, including a coordinated grid search by a civilian helicopter and a Montana National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk from Billings, Montana, found no sign of the hiker.
The rescue helicopter flew down a canyon framed by 11,000-foot mountains. Using their forward-looking infrared camera in the search. The aircrew identified the man waving his arms from a slope in a dead-end canyon, surrounded by 1,000-foot rock walls. The marshy site on the ground was unsuitable for landing and the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter also had excess fuel for the altitude, complicating the flight.
After circling the area, the MH-139 Grey Wolf Rescue 012 aircrew performed a low altitude approach. However, a second attempt to hover 50 feet above the trees was disrupted by winds, threatening the operation. On the third approach, Soto and Barclay controlled the aircraft in a 70-foot hover and Rose lowered Urbanowicz using the hoist.
Senior Airman Dietrich monitored for deviations, struggling with depth perception in the darkness, while keeping the MH-139 helicopter stable.
Urbanowicz landed and assessed the man, he was able to walk but disoriented and dehydrated, the plan was to lower the Stokes litter. The rescue aircrew ascended to reduce rotor wash.
During the operations, the aircraft reached its Bingo fuel state, the aircrew radioed Urbanowicz, explaining the need to refuel, leaving him on the ground with the hiker. Urbanowicz provided medical care, warmth, fluids, and snacks, confirming the man was the missing hiker, and stabilizing him for the night.
The MH139A Grey Wolf Rescue 012 helicopter landed at Big Timber and discussed options. A hoist extraction was deemed imprudent due to the deteriorating weather above the area. The aircrew returned to scene to check on him from a safe altitude, dropping additional supplies, ensuring their team member was protected.
The next day, a Montana Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk aircrew from Helena, extracted Urbanowicz and the hiker at daybreak and transported them to Columbus, Montana, bringing the search and rescue mission to a close.
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