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Fairchild's 36th Rescue Flight recovers missing woman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Chapman
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  An Air Force rescue operation in Idaho County, Idaho, ended successfully after crewmembers from the 36th Rescue Flight recovered a missing female hiker at 12:30 p.m. July 24.

Charlotte Cabel, 30, was reported missing after separating from a six-member archeological study group to take a walk around Laude Lake in Wilderness Gateway Campground, Idaho, early morning July 22.

Local search and rescue units, attached to the Idaho County Sherriff's Department, patrolled the ground until 6:30 p.m. July 23, after which time the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center based at Langley Air Force Base, Va., was contacted for additional assistance.

Upon coordination with the AFRCC, the 36th RQF launched a UH-1N Huey to provide immediate assistance to the search efforts, arriving on scene at about 7:30 p.m. Crewmembers included Capt. Magdelana Painter, pilot; Capt. Kevin Burns, copilot; Senior Airman Jacob Bragg, flight engineer, and Maj. Mark Robinson, flight surgeon. Once on scene, the crew was accompanied by Don McPherson,82, a 60-year volunteer with the Idaho County Sherriff's Department.

"It's doubtful that any other person could have known those forests as well as Mr. McPherson," said Capt. Burns. "He knew everything about the area; besides his interesting experiences, it was definitely helpful to have him in the helicopter with us during the search."

The crew searched for five hours, utilizing night vision and forward-looking infrared technology before retiring the mission in Hamilton, Mont., where they stayed for the night and awaited a replacement crew from Fairchild.

At about 11:30 a.m. July 24, a second helicopter crew consisting of Maj. Daniel Nielsen, pilot; Capt. Geoffrey Petyak, copilot; and Tech. Sgt. Mathew Ryplewski, flight engineer; and returning flight surgeon Major Robinson and Idaho County Sheriff's Department volunteer Mr. McPherson, was airborne and continuing with search efforts.

Ms. Cabel was discovered within ten minutes of the helicopter crew's re-entry into the area. She was located two-and-a-half miles from her original position between a rocky ledge and a thick group of trees, waving her arms for help.

After two passes around the area, the hovering helicopter lowered Major Robinson to the woman. "Ms. Cabel appeared to be in good health and was well hydrated," reported Major Robinson. "Besides looking a bit worn out, the grin on her face showed that she was happy to see us."

After being hoisted into the helicopter, the woman was taken back to the Idaho County Sheriff's Department, where she was released without further need of medical attention. She continued back into the campground where she is reported to be continuing in archeological research.

This was the 625th successful rescue operation for the 36th Rescue Flight, an Air Education and Training Command unit assigned to the 336th Training Group's Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape School.