Archive image: The Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Search and Rescue (SAR) unit MH-60S Knighthawk demonstrates Rescue and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) procedures during an aircraft mishap drill on the Naval Outlying Field in Coupeville, Washington.
U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd class Aranza Valdez.
NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Washington. – A Search and Rescue (SAR) team MH-60S Knighthawk from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island rescue two hikers the last week: a female hiker on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail near Blizzard Peak in North Central Washington, June 15, 2024, and another female hiker near Colchuck Lake southwest of Wenatchee, June 19, 2024.
The hiker near Blizzard Peak had reportedly fallen 100’ and sustained an injury to her leg and loss of consciousness.
The MH-60S Knighthawk SAR crew launched from Ault Field at noon on June 15, and negotiated low cloud ceilings and intermittent snow during their transit to the location to find the injured hiker at 6,400 feet half-a-mile from her originally reported position. Once on location two SAR crew were inserted to prepare the patient for transport.
The patient was hoisted aboard the rescue helicopter 20 minutes later and transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Wash. at 2:50 p.m.
On June 19, a MH-60S SAR aircrew responded to a request in the evening to rescue a female hiker who had sustained injuries from a 60 foot fall in the area of Aasgard Pass south of Colchuck Lake. The Whidbey SAR crew launched from Ault Field at 8 p.m. and were on site by 8:40 p.m. After a search of the area the patient’s hiking party was found in a boulder field surrounded by snow.
Two SAR crew were inserted via hoist and prepared the patient, then the patient was hoisted aboard the SAR helicopter and transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where they landed just after 10 p.m.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 13 missions this calendar year, which includes 3 MEDEVACs, 3 searches and 7 rescues.
Navy SAR
The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue / medical evacuation (SAR / MEDEVAC) platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation.
Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the unit may also be used for civil SAR / MEDEVAC needs to the fullest extent practicable on a non-interference basis with primary military duties according to applicable national directives, plans, guidelines and agreements; specifically, the unit may launch in response to tasking by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (based on a Washington State Memorandum of Understanding) for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.
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