Rescue Reservists joined search for missing hiker

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
Portland IAP, Ore. --  Guardian Angels from the Air Force Reserve Command's 304th Rescue Squadron here, joined the search and rescue for a missing hiker on Mount Hood, Ore., March 30.

Mary Owen, 23, was stranded on Mount Hood in freezing conditions for nearly a week.

As part of the search and rescue effort, Seven Guardian Angels, consisting of one combat rescue officer and six pararescuemen, joined other area search and rescue agencies tracking the missing hiker.

Prepared for anything, once on site the Guardian Angels divided into two groups.

"The plan was for the technical rescue ski team to search the area for signs of the missing hiker," said Capt. Niul Manske, 304th RQS, lead combat rescue officer. "Our medical team would climb as high and as fast as they could, enabling us to provide rapid urgent medical care to the hiker or any other search teams who might need it."

Owens, an experienced hiker, left Sunday for what was to be a 13-hour hike and was scheduled to return home Monday evening. With no signs of Owens by Wednesday, her friends and family became concerned and called authorities.

Searching the parking lots at the base of the trails, local sheriff deputies found her sport-utility vehicle on Thursday and initiated a mountain search. Mountain rescue teams must be able to navigate rough terrain, and be able to treat life-threatening injuries.

"We have a full-time group that is always ready to go, our equipment is staged and ready to roll out of our cage," Manske said. "We are all paramedic certified and because of the combat aspect of our job, we also have a higher level of trauma experience than most of your street paramedics."

Owens spent seven days on the mountainside before being spotted by an Air National Guard helicopter crew on Sandy Glacier at 4,600 feet. Owens is recovering from a leg injury and frostbite on her toes.

The family was overcome with thanks for the dozens of rescue crews who were part of the search effort.

The 920th Rescue Wing, headquartered at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., has two globally separated units that perform combat search and rescue as its primary mission. They also carry out civil search and rescue, humanitarian relief and support of rocket launches. A third GSU located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., is an aerospace medicine flight. To date, the unit has saved more than 3,000 lives.

Stay up to date with the 920th Rescue Wing at http://www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil. Follow the 920th on Facebook and Twitter, and follow the 304th on Facebook.

Editor's note: Information for this article was compiled from stories written for The Oregonian by Emily Fuggetta, and Lynne Terry, and also official statements by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.