Idaho Army National Guard rescues two stranded hikers near Stanley

CUSTER COUNTY, Idaho - An Idaho Army National Guard helicopter crew hoisted two stranded hikers from a mountainside near Stanley at about 9,000 feet on Oct. 9 after ground search teams couldn't reach them.

The hikers had run out of food and water and were too exhausted to walk out. Custer County Search and Rescue requested a hoist-capable aircraft through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and the Idaho Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Boise accepted the mission.

"We're very lucky to be able to execute these missions in support of both our interagency partners and our community overall," said Capt. Kate Smith, the mission's pilot in command. "Many of us joined the organization to help people, and this allows us to leverage our military skill set to do just that."

The crew, accompanied by Boise Fire Department Senior Firefighter Kevin O'Donnell, located the hikers within minutes of arriving. They hoisted both hikers into the aircraft and transported them to Stanley Airport, where an ambulance and representatives from the Custer County Sheriff's Department met them.

For Chief Warrant Officer 2 Logan Lusk, Staff Sgt. Justin Rhodes and O'Donnell, the operation was their first live search-and-rescue mission together.

"We train for years not knowing if or when we'll be needed, but Friday was the day for our team," Smith said. "They did an excellent job."

The rescue team included Smith, Lusk, Rhodes, Staff Sgt. Brad Stock and O'Donnell.

The Idaho Army National Guard supports civil authorities with aviation search-and-rescue capabilities, including hoist operations, when life, limb or eyesight is at risk. Requests are coordinated through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center by local agencies, including county sheriffs and search-and-rescue teams.