Reserve pararescuemen help rescue Mount Hood climbers

[sardak]

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123041737

by Master Sgt. Ruby Zarzyczny
939th Air Refueling Wing

2/20/2007 - PORTLAND, Ore. (AFNEWS) -- Air Force Reserve pararescuemen from 304th Rescue Squadron, Portland International Airport, Ore., were called Feb. 18 to assist in the search and rescue effort for three stranded climbers.
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The 304th team, four pararescuemen and two combat rescue officers, arrived at Government Camp at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 and checked into the Clackamas County Sheriff's command post. They were the only team to search throughout the night and tracked a beacon signal transmitted from the climber's MLU, said Capt. Mark Ross, 304th RQS combat rescue officer.
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"Our team was on the way to continue the search when the teams met at the first avalanche hazard," said Captain Ross "To avoid exposing rescuers to avalanche conditions, we made a risk benefit decision to send a smaller, fresh Portland Mountain Rescue team into the area. They could report back if they needed additional assistance. We went into a stand-by mode waiting to hear if the rescuers needed our help."
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"We've always appreciated the 304th's experience and help in rescues," said Sheriff Deputy Tygh Thompson, Washington County Sheriff's Office SAR coordinator. "These guys bring a mass of people who are skilled in many different areas who are paramedic, who can climb mountains and swim rivers. They are an all-purpose rescue resource, and they have skills and equipment that no one else has. I think we are blessed to have them in the area. If we could do more training scenarios together throughout the year it would be a benefit for all."

Mike