Archive image: An UH-60L Black Hawk aircrew from the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the Tennessee Army National Guard conducts a casualty hoist exercise as part of the SAREX 23 in Pickett State Park near Jamestown, TN Jan. 7, 2023.
The aircrews conducted two hoist practices with other state agencies to be prepared in the event of actual emergency situations in the future.
U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash.
LOUISVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter aircrew from 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion assisted multiple emergency and law enforcement agencies to rescue a lost hiker and his dog after they were stranded at Sampson Mountain Wilderness in the Cherokee National Forest, just west of Erwin. May 2, 2026.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m., the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Tennessee National Guard were notified that a hiker, who had been lost for nearly 24 hours, was found by rescue personnel and needed to be airlifted out of a ravine in which he was trapped. The hiker was hypothermic, having spent the night in the ravine wearing shorts and a T-shirt as temperatures dropped into the 4º. When rescue personnel found him, they determined it was unsafe for him and his dog to climb out of the area, even if assisted.
Once the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency was notified of the possible mission, Tennessee National Guardsmen assigned to Task Force Smokey assembled a five-person aircrew and readied a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter for flight. The aircrew consisted of two pilots, Capt. Andrew Rines and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andres Salas; two crew chiefs, Staff Sgt. Matthew Belcher and Sgt. Christopher Burke; and the flight paramedic, Sgt. 1st Class John Sharbel. When the mission was approved, the rescue helicopter departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson about 2:50 p.m., flying directly to the rescue site.
The UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter aircrew arrived at the Sampson Mountain Wilderness within about 25 minutes and began searching for the hiker and emergency crew members. Working with the rescuers over radio, the rescue helicopter was directed to the lost hiker and made visual contact with the hiker on the ground.
The UH-60L Black Hawk aircrew determined the best position to begin hoisting, finding an ample opening through the trees. Belcher then lowered Sharbel to the ground for a medical assessment and to prepare the hiker for transport.
Sharbel rendered immediate first aid to the hiker and his German Shepherd, Jack. He then prepared everyone to be hoisted into the aircraft hovering overhead, including the German Shepherd, for whom Sharbel made a special harness using webbing from the helicopter.
After a few minutes, the hiker and three rescue personnel were hoisted over 150 feet into the UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter. Sharbel was then hoisted into the aircraft while holding the dog, suspended by the specially made harness. Once everyone was safely on board, first aid continued, and the hiker was given fluids intravenously.
The UH-60 Black Hawk aircrew flew to an ambulance staged in a field behind the Farmer’s Daughter Restaurant in Chuckey, where the Nolichuckey Fire Department had established rescue operations. Once the hiker and his dog were offloaded, they were evaluated by paramedics from Greene County Emergency Medical Services, who determined they were in stable condition.
Once the patient was with medical personnel, the UH-60L Black Hawk refueled at the Tri-Cities Airport before returning to Louisville, landing at 5:50 p.m.
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