40th Helicopter Squadron records 385th, 386th rescues

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 40th Helicopter Squadron was called upon, not once, but twice this past weekend to assist with search and rescue missions, both of which were successful.

On Sept. 3, a student from Montana State University in Bozeman was skiing near Bridger Bowl on the east slope of Sacajewa Peak when he injured his head, back and legs after a nearly 1,000 foot slide, according to reports from the Gallatin County Sherriff's Department, who received the 9-1-1 call from the skier's friend.

A rescue team was dispatched to assess the situation but due to the skier's injuries and the rough terrain, a call for help was made to Malmstrom. The 40th HS crew of Capt. Andrew Ackles, aircraft commander; Capt. John Mahaney, co-pilot; Staff Sgt. Michael Frank, flight engineer; and flight nurse Capt. Angela Ling, dispatched and performed a hoist using night-vision goggles in near-vertical terrain at 9,500 feet to recover the victim and transport him to Gallatin Airport. An ambulance met the crew at the airport and further transported him to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

On Sept. 5, another crew was dispatched when a call for help was received for an injured hiker on Granite Peak in the Beartooth Mountains. At an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet, the crew was able to locate the victim and drop off medical supplies, but was unable to recover him due to deteriorating environmental conditions, according to 40th HS reports. That crew was Capt. Allan Sain, aircraft commander; 1st Lt. Zack Minner, co-pilot; and Staff Sgt. Michelle Bresson, flight engineer.

Another crew; Capt. Leo Gracik; aircraft commander; Ackles, co-pilot; and Frank again serving as the flight engineer; redeployed on Tuesday in support of the same mission.

"Using crucial information gained from Sain's crew, they were able to insert a 4-man ground team, rescue party who stabilized the victim," said Capt. Michael Scott, 40th Helicopter Squadron pilot. "The ground party, with the help of Ackles, then transported the survivor in the Stokes liter to the helicopter where he was transported to Billings Deaconess Hospital at approximately 6:30 p.m."