Archive image: OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS — An MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island prepares to land during an Alpine Search and Rescue (SAR) training mission in the Olympic Mountains.
NAS Whidbey Island’s SAR unit 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 1st Class Marc Cuenca.
A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island rescued a hiker who had fallen and sustained injuries on Cutthroat Peak in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest, Monday, April 29, 2024.
The day before, April 28, the SAR weekend duty crew attempted to perform the rescue but was forced to abort the mission due to deteriorating weather enroute. In the morning of April 29 SAR received a request to re-attempt the mountain rescue.
The MH-60S Knighthawk SAR aircrew launched from Ault Field at a little after 9 a.m. and flew over Cutthroat Peak to begin their search. The crew almost immediately spotted the survivors and ground rescue team on the mountain at approximately 7,300 feet mean sea level. By approximately 9:50 a.m. two SAR crewmembers were inserted to the location via hoist where they prepared the hiker for transport.
Just before 10:30 a.m. the hiker and SAR crewmembers were back aboard the helicopter and were flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 6 missions this calendar year, which includes two MEDEVAC, one search and three rescues.
Navy SAR unit
The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue and 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 search and rescue and medical evacuation 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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