Archive image: Petty Officer 1st Class Alesha Horn and Nikki, an explosive detection K9 assigned to Maritime Safety and Security Team 91101, stand ready to be hoisted from a response boat during air-to-vessel training in Port Angeles, Washington, Nov. 18, 2025.
This training allows K9 teams to swiftly move from helicopters onto vessels to assess potential maritime threats.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Annika Hirschler.
ASTORIA, Oregon. — A Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew with local search and rescue (SAR) agencies conducted the rescue of an injured 33-year-old female hiker from Mount Larrabee in Washington’s Mount Baker Wilderness. Saturday, June 21? 2026.
The hiker sustained serious injuries after she fell 120 feet down a steep gully on the mountain’s south face and was unable to descend the mountain. Due to the location of the injured hiker and need to conduct the medical evacuation (medevac) before sunset, the Washington State Emergency Management Division requested the Coast Guard’s assistance.
The Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew searched the narrow gully for 40 minutes before spotting a reflection from hikers on the mountain, who led the aircrew to the injured female.
Operating at an altitude of 6,710 feet and with less than 10 minutes of fuel remaining to stay on scene, the MH-65E Dolphin SRR Helicopter aircrew deployed the rescue swimmer, successfully completed a precision hoist at approximately 8:40 p.m. and safely transported the hiker to Bellingham Airport, where emergency medical services from Bellingham Fire were waiting.
The rescue was accomplished under extreme conditions at an altitude of 6,710 feet.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class William Kirk.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles.
U.S. Coast Guard Northwest.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
“This successful outcome is a direct result of the outstanding teamwork and rapid coordination between our agencies,” said Lt. Cmdr. Marshall Burtt, MH-65E Dolphin helicopter commander of the rescue. “I want to thank Whatcom County Search and Rescue, Bellingham Fire Department, as well as the hikers for their efforts. Equipped with advanced survival training and critical safety gear, the hiking party was uniquely prepared to serve as active partners during the rescue of their fellow hiker.”
–USCG–
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