Archive image: Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Lane Ries from Montpelier, Ohio, prepares to be lowered from an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter, attached to Station Search and Rescue (SAR) Whidbey Island, during a cliff side rescue training in Oak Harbor, Washington, Feb. 3, 2025.
Naval Air Station SAR Whidbey Island trains for emergencies in different environments, including overwater and mountain rescue, using methods such as rappelling, hoisting and mountain landings.
U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charlotte Dudenhoeffer.
NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – Search and Rescue (SAR) MH-60S Knighthawk teams from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island conducted two rescues of injured hikers in the North Cascade Mountains, on June 14 and 16, 2025.
The first rescue took place on the Eastern Face of Sliver Star Mountain in Okanagan County. A 25-year-old woman had fallen about 80’ at an approximate altitude of 7,800 ft. above sea level. During the fall she severely lacerated her right leg, rendering her unable to walk.
NAS Whidbey Island’s SAR team received a request for assistance from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) shortly before 1 p.m. and were on scene at 1:50. The SAR team retrieved her within half an hour and flew her to Peace Health St. Joseph Medical Center in stable condition.
The second rescue occurred on the Pacific Crest Trail below Devil’s Backbone, which is also located in Okanagan County. A 48-year-old woman injured herself at an altitude of about 6,100 ft. above sea level. The SAR team received a request for assistance from AFRCC early in the afternoon of June 16 as local rescue services would not be available until later that night. She too was flown to Peace Health St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham in stable condition.
NAS Whidbey Island SAR Teams
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR MH-60S Knighthawk teams conducted 15 missions this calendar year, which includes 4 MEDEVAC missions, 1 search and 10 rescues (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 Growler 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 U.S. Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.
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