Portland Pararescue Reservists searching for missing hiker on Mount Hood

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Daniel Delgado
  • 304th Rescue Squadron Public Affairs
MOUNT HOOD, Ore. --  The 304th Rescue Squadron Airmen are supporting an ongoing search-and-rescue mission for a climber who went missing on Mount Hood Saturday.

Four Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, and 1 Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) were activated by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center to participate alongside volunteer searchers from Portland Mountain Rescue, Mountain Wave Communications, American Medical Response Reach and Treat Team, and the Hood River Crag Rats.

The missing climber has been identified as Kinley Adams, a 59-year-old dentist from Salem. He went missing Saturday, is believed to be an experienced hiker, and registered in the Timberline Lodge climbing log to climb the Leuthold Couloir route.

Currently, two PJs remain on Mt. Hood to support the rescue mission. After sheltering-in-place during inclement weather Sunday night, they began searching for Adams around 4 a.m. Monday. The remainder of the force returned to Portland Air National Guard Base to continue their out-processing for a forthcoming deployment in support of the Combined-Joint-Task-Force Horn of Africa.

"The CROs and PJs of the 304th are rescue specialists--the only force in the DoD specifically trained and organized for personnel recovery," said Lt. Col. Thomas J. Stephens, 304th Rescue Squadron Commander. "The skills we have for rescue--paramedic, high-angle rope rescue, parachuting, etc.--translate easily from combat rescue to civilian rescue. As a Reserve unit, we are Citizen Airmen. We are trained and ready to offer our skills to the local community as well as to our nation."

Activated on November 16, 1957, the 304th RQS has been training, equipping and employing CROs, PJs, and support personnel worldwide in support of U.S. national security interests.

During the 1980s, the unit conducted numerous SAR missions, most notably among these were the 100+ missions following the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in May 1980.

It maintained helicopter air refueling capability from 1985 to 1997 and deployed to provide SAR coverage worldwide, including Keflavík, Iceland, during and after the Gulf War and to the Persian Gulf region from 1990-2003. The unit no longer has aircraft, but employs the use of aircraft assets from its parent wing, the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., or other available DoD assets as the become available.

Since 2001, personnel from the 304th RQS have deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Currently, members of the squadron are deployed to the Horn of Africa in support of the Combined-Joint-Task-Force Horn of Africa.

For more information on the 304th RQS, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/304.RQS.