Story by Maj. Ryan Finnegan, Montana National Guard
Billings, Montana. — A Montana Army National Guard HH60M Black Hawk medevac helicopter aircrew from 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion conducted the rescue of three hikers from the Princess Lake area of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The HH-60M aircrew safely transporting them to receive medical attention. August 17, 2025.
After getting a mission request for Army National Guard assistance early Sunday morning, the HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter aircrew departed from the Billings Army Limited Aviation Support Facility at 7:50 a.m. The hikers, suffering from hypothermia and illness, were recovered and transported to Columbus to receive further medical care. The HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter returned to Billings by 9:20 a.m.
The rescue aircrew onboard the aircraft included pilots Chief Warrant Officer 3 Zach Lundgren and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cameron Olson, hoist operator Sgt. Sydney Stephenson, hoist rider Sgt. Justin Asher and flight medic Sgt. Patrick Northrup. Billings Fire Department Paramedic Rob Gersbach provided additional on-board medical support.
“The entirety of the rescue operation was executed seamlessly due to the dedication and level of expertise of all personnel involved,” said Northrup. “It reflects a tremendous amount of credit and pride to not only the Montana National Guard, but also the flight crews of the 1-189th GSAB and Billings Fire Department.”
This rescue marks the 5th search and rescue (SAR) mission performed by Montana Army National Guard helicopters stationed in Billings this year. Since the facility in Billings began operations in January 2023, rescues have included a hunter stranded on an island in the Yellowstone River in December 2023 and a hiker who suffered a heart attack and was rescued near Albino Lake in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in July 2024.
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