7/5/2011 - MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. (AFNS) -- Airmen from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing conducted a successful mission, rescuing a missing hiker near Pioneer, Calif., on the Fourth of July.
Officials from the Air Guard unit were contacted the evening of July 3 by members of the California Emergency Management Agency about a missing hiker in the El Dorado National Forest. Airmen with the wing's 129th Rescue Squadron, which earlier that day had participated in a Fourth of July celebration near Lake Tahoe, had rescue aircraft and personnel already positioned at the Truckee Tahoe Airport and accepted the mission.
At about 9 a.m. on July 4th, an HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter crew carried two separate civilian rescue crews to the El Dorado National Forest to search for Lauren Ellen DeLaTorre, a 54-year-old hiker, who had become lost on July 2.
Shortly after dropping off the second civilian rescue crew, guardsmen aboard the Pave Hawk spotted DeLaTorre in a remote area of the forest. The crew landed the helicopter and climbed through steep and rocky terrain to reach DeLaTorre, who had been without food, water and warm clothing for approximately 32 hours and was suffering from dehydration and extreme fatigue. The crew airlifted her to the incident command post where she was treated for minor injuries and reunited with her family.
"With lost hiker searches, you hope for the best but prepare yourself for the worst," said Capt. Nathan Nowaski, the aircraft commander. "It was extremely gratifying to find the missing hiker and get her back to her family safely."
Comments
7/8/2011 7:55:41 AM ET As a former rescue guy, good job for everyone involved. This shows that we are still there for our people as well as the rest of the world. The U.S. military provides many services for our citizens everyday and I am proud of all we do and the people that get the job done every day. Stamp some green feet on that woman's forehead. God bless America
DB, NC
7/6/2011 6:35:37 PM ET As the Ops Chief for Monday's search, I really appreciated your professionalism. Thanks to your training and focus we were able to reunite Mrs. DeLaTorre with her elated friends and family. You did your country proud. Thank you!
