Phoenix, Arizona – An Arizona Army National Guard UH60-M Black Hawk helicopter aircrew, assigned to the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, sits on the flightline at Papago Park Military Reservation, Ariz., Mar. 26, 2026.
The battalion executed a rapid-response rescue mission in support of mutual aid partners after their resources were exhausted, demonstrating its commitment to readiness and mission success.
Arizona National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Beltran.
Story by Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Beltrán, Arizona National Guard
COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. – An Arizona Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter aircrew conducted the rescue of a stranded teenager (hiker) from more than 12,000 feet on Humphreys Peak during the early hours of March 21, demonstrating the unit’s ability to execute high-altitude rescue missions beyond the reach of most civilian aircraft.
The mission underscored the critical role of National Guard aviators, whose training prepares them to operate in extreme conditions during both domestic emergencies and combat operations.
Within hours of the request, a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter was on scene. The rescue aircrew included Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Hammond, pilot in command; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Steve Hilgendorf, co-pilot; Sgt. 1st Class Eric Rodriguez, hoist rider; and Staff Sgt. Tyler Mowbray, hoist operator.
“The crew’s rapid response is a direct result of our ongoing focus on readiness,” Hammond said. “Our training prepares us to deploy at a moment’s notice, under challenging conditions, and execute the mission with lethal precision. The skills we used here are the same we would use to rescue a Soldier on the battlefield.”
After establishing communication with a ground team on the 12,000-foot ridgeline, the Black Hawk aircrew began an aerial search. The teenager, using a flashlight to signal the aircraft, was spotted about 400 feet below the ridgeline.
Hilgendorf maneuvered the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter into a steady hover despite significant wind turbulence. Mowbray, operating the aircraft’s hoist, lowered Rodriguez to the snow-covered mountain face.
“Our ongoing readiness training gives us the decisive edge,” Mowbray said. “It allows us to operate in extreme environments where others can’t, that’s why we train for this constantly.”
Rodriguez secured the hiker to the rescue sling, and both were hoisted safely into the aircraft. The UH-60M aircrew then flew to a designated landing zone at the base of the mountain and transferred the hiker to a waiting civilian rescue team for medical evaluation.
The successful search and rescue (SAR) highlights the preparedness of the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, which provides trained and equipped forces for federal and state missions requiring a high level of proficiency and readiness.
“I am extremely proud of our Soldiers as well as Chief Hammond’s crew responding to an emergency late at night through the early morning,” said Brig. Gen. Joe Murdock, Arizona Army National Guard land component commander. “It is gratifying to the entire organization that we have the training, skills and resources to be able to respond to preserve the lives of our fellow Arizonians. This rescue mission was under difficult conditions, and the Arizona National Guard once again demonstrated its skill and readiness to accomplish difficult challenges.”
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