NAS Whidbey SAR Rescues Two Climbers Near Cannon Mountain

— from Thomas Mills for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station —

A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island rescued two climbers stuck on a cliff near Cannon Mountain, southwest of Leavenworth, Wash., late Wednesday night, July 18, 2018.

While neither climber was injured, they were unable to safely climb off the cliff. Because of the remote location, high winds, and technical nature of a night cliff rescue, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance through the Washington State Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The state EOC determined that they did not have an asset with the capability to conduct the mission and requested the NAS Whidbey Island SAR team through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC).

When the SAR crew arrived on scene they were able to see the climbers’ headlamps on a small ledge of a sheer rock face. The SAR crew hoisted both climbers on board and, because they had no significant injuries, they were taken to Leavenworth, Wash., and transferred to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

NAS Whidbey Island SAR, has conducted 27 total missions throughout Washington State this year, including twenty rescues, five searches and two medical evacuations.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue/medical evacuation (SAR/MEDEVAC) platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the unit may also be used for civil SAR/MEDEVAC needs to the fullest extent practicable on a non-interference basis with primary military duties according to applicable national directives, plans, guidelines and agreements; specifically, the unit may launch in response to tasking by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (based on a Washington State Memorandum of Understanding) for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.