Two climbers were missing for more than two days on Mount Hood -- that was the scenario when Reservists from the 304th Rescue Squadron in Portland, Ore., partnered with five civilian rescue organizations in a search and rescue exercise.

Approximately 50 search and rescue professionals from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department, Portland Mountain Rescue, American Medical Response’s Reach and Treat team, the U.S. Forestry Service, and Mountain Wave Communications participated in the exercise April 22.

The sheriff's office initiated the exercise when they received word that two people were missing on the 11,200-foot mountain, one of the world's most popular climbing spots. They requested help from local rescue groups and then activated a mobile command-and-control center on Mount Hood to coordinate the efforts, said Capt. Chris Bernard, a combat rescue officer with the 304th RQS.

During the situation briefing, the rescuers discovered that the climbers had been missing more than two days on the ice- and snow-covered mountain. They also were told that communications between the different agencies’ radio frequencies would be coordinated with the help of the volunteers from Mountain Wave Communications.

Luckily, the missing climbers were wearing mountain locator units, a personal locator device attached to a belt. Rescuers can use a directional antenna to track a signal being transmitted from the locator units.

At daybreak, the first search team was sent out to the 8,500-foot elevation level where the climbers' campsite was thought to be located. Each of the rescuers wore an avalanche beacon during the search that would help locate them.

By 8 a.m., the mountain temperature had warmed to 32 degrees. Two more search teams from the 304th RQS and Portland Mountain Rescue were sent to search for the missing climbers.

Disaster struck at 9 a.m. when a simulated avalanche swept the first rescue team away. The 304th team was diverted back down the mountain to find the rescuers-turned-victims.

“Rescue organizations in Oregon train together several times a year,” Captain Bernard said. “We are always interested in joint training with our civilian counterparts because it helps make all the moving parts of the (rescue) machine work. It also allows us to utilize our skills in the community, making us more familiar with the civilian rescue equipment and procedures when we are called to save someone’s life.”

During the exercise, Captain Bernard coordinated the command and control for the 304th team at the base camp. Chief Master Sgt. Rich Konopka, 304th pararescue superintendent and exercise coordinator, set up the avalanche scenario, using both the 304th and Portland Mountain Rescue teams.

Pararescuemen used snow axes to climb the snow-covered mountain with medical and rescue equipment on their backs. Once they reached the 9,500-foot-elevation level, they headed back down the mountain to search for the victims of the avalanche.

“This high-altitude snowy alpine environment is very similar to the mountains of Afghanistan where a pilot or ground troop could need the skills of a pararescueman,” said Master Sgt. Eric Giacchino, one of the pararescuemen. “So the training we are doing here today is applicable both to prepare us for a real world rescue on Mount Hood or in the mountains of a contingency theater.”

After searching for more than two hours in the ice and snow, the 304th and Portland Mountain Rescue teams found the four "avalanche victims" by tracking their avalanche beacon signals. Several hours later, additional teams found the two missing climbers in a snow cave at the 8,500 ft. elevation using their mountain locator unit signals.

The mountain locator units and avalanche beacons helped rescuers in this scenario find their victims, but the locator is only as good as the planning that is used with it.

“When you need help, an MLU sends out a signal the moment it is activated. The new ones have Global Positioning Systems, too,” said Hal Lillywhite, a member of Portland Mountain Rescue.

“However, these signals are not monitored and no one will look for you until the sheriff is notified that you’re missing,” Mr. Lillywhite said. “So when you’re out hiking or climbing, it’s important to have an in-town contact who knows where you’re going and when you’ll be back, as well as a cell phone (number).”

“We train so that others may live,” Captain Bernard said. “We are paramedics with unique technical search and rescue skills. We bring enough first aid and equipment to care for our victims and transport them out of danger. Training with local civilian rescue organizations enhances our skills and makes us familiar with the people we will be working with in a real (search and rescue) mission.”