 Training, training and more training is key to safe, effective SAR operations. A couple of time a year, Wind River SAR conducts a "24 Hour SAR Pack Test." After one such training, where a USAF SERE (Survival Evation Resistence and Escape) Instructor tagged along with his amazing expertise, some asked if we could 'dial things up a notch?'
Ok; we can do that... So some 40 hours of near-constant training evolutions were planned, and an IAP (Incident Action Plan) was drafted.
Participants dubbed it the "SAR Meat-Grinder."
Underlying all the training evolutions was a sharp focus on ICS (Incident Command System).
Exercise Cadre assigned a Team Leader for each evolution, and they had to choose a Safety Officer. For each evolution they were required to use an ICS-201 Form, locally modified for SAR use.
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It all started with a Dog Mt. hike, here being briefed by River 7.
After almost 2 hours of full gear, uphill hiking they were directed to RTB (Return to Base) ASAP...
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2 1/2 steep hours later, they were thrown in a van and driven to their next assignment: Plan a rescue strategy at a waterfall on a near-by bridge - in under 5 minutes.
Teamwork's division of labor, and structured information flow, allowed them to easily accomplish the assignment.
Back in the van, they were driven further into the backcountry...
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... where they were met by a Deputy, who briefed the next evolution: "Numerous and conflicting reports of hikers in peril on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail)."
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After packing the Stokes Litter, loaded with a couple ropes and rescue rigging gear, about a mile on the PCT they found two 'patients' that need rescuing - Ok; one was 'dead,' and the other 'damaged'... |
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... and the rigging of a ropes rescue system began. |
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The stokes litter and wheel were quickly lowered... |
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... and the 'patient' was packaged to be raised to the trail using the mechanical advantage provided by the system. |
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Just about up to the trail, about 1/4 mile to the road where a simulated "rig for air ops" prepared for the potential of a hoist operation. |
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Then the gear was repacked, thown back on the stoke and off again up the PCT.
About 5 miles, 3,000 ft. and several hours later, they emerge from the drizzling darkness on the 41 Road, on top of Mowich Butte!!
Nicely done fellers; but we're not done yet...
Bleary with exhaustion, they were individually quizzed and given tasks, with a "Drop and give me 20" for each wrong answer, or failed task.
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Somewhat rehabed with a couple hours sleep, they were once again told to "rig for air ops," including harnesses and imporovised tethers, for an evolution with an Oregon Nat'l Guard BlackHawk.
Upon arrival, a medic is lowered.
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After a briefing, the ship is fired back up and, in teams of two, board the BlackHawk; clipping their tethers to D rings in the floor (each safety-checking the others). |
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A view (out the open window) of Bonneville Dam, in the Columbia River Gorge: |
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Upon returning to the training area, participants disembarked from the aircraft, and organized themselves to conduct hoist-op tagline training. |
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Off to the sticks for shelter-building.
Various techniques and materials were employed, from tarps to full-on natural shelters.
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Oops; no sleep yet - the Coast Guard Jayhawk is here for night hoist-ops...
(Had there BEEN light; it would have looked something like this: from a previous daytime tagline training.)
As the crew was using nigh vision goggles, we could not take any pics (the flash would have wiped out the NVG's; sub-optimal).
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... as lightsticks were all the light we had - except when spotlights under the helo turned night to day!
The planning/organizing done earlier payed huge dividends.
After tagline ops, we all wandered into the nearby tree line, and they establishe a tree-top hover, blasting
us with branches, dirt, pine cones, tree frogs and other various 80+ mph projectiles!!
Ok fellers; NOW you can crawl into your shelter for some shut-eye... |
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Only one evolution left...
Biscuts 'n Gravy at the Wind River Inn in Carson!
Oh, and coffee; LOTS of Coffee!!
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| This training, for the first time in our experience, brought together many SAR skills for an extended time. Overall the exercise was a success; truly pushing participants in ways real world "Knock-Down-Drag-Out" missions do...
Nicely done!!
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