Fairchild rescue team saves man with broken hip

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) --  Airmen from the 36th Rescue Flight here rescued a 65-year-old man Jan. 22 near Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.

Argyle Mydland was walking back to his house when he slipped on a patch of ice and broke his hip. He was able to use his arms to crawl back inside to call for help.

Because of weather restrictions and the remote location, rescue officials notified Fairchild responders they might be needed. Soon enough, the call came and the rescue team set out in a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter.  The crew comprised Capt. James Outland, the pilot; 1st Lt. Clyde Vickery, the co-pilot; Tech. Sgt. Steven Perez, the flight engineer; and Maj. (Dr.) Mark Robinson, a flight surgeon.

"Like this rescue, (civilian responders) aren't always able to reach people in a timely manner," said Lieutenant Vickery, who was on his first local rescue mission. "We have more lift capability and can carry more people, not to mention our helicopters have equipment no one else does." 

While the helicopter was en route, a medical team was able to reach Mr. Mydland and prepare him for aeromedical evacuation.

"It took the paramedics an ambulance, a boat, and an all-terrain, tracked vehicle just to get to my house," Mr. Mydland said. "If it weren't for the Fairchild crew, I don't know how I would have gotten out of there. I'm just so very grateful they were able to get to me.

"It was actually pretty exciting; I hadn't been in a Huey since my days in Vietnam," Mr. Mydland added.

The Fairchild crew transported him to a medical center and even gave Mr. Mydland a 36th Rescue Flight patch as a memento.

"I'll always remember what they did for me," Mr. Mydland said. "They say the military has your back and Fairchild definitely had mine."

This was the rescue flight's 657th save.