ARTICLE SEARCH

Fairchild rescue team saves man with broken hip

Published Jan. 25, 2011
By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Airmen from the 36th Rescue Flight rescued a 65-year-old man Saturday morning 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 they might be needed. Soon enough, the call came and the rescue team set out on a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter.

On board the helicopter were:
- Capt. James Outland - Pilot
- 1st Lt. Clyde Vickery - Co-pilot
- Tech. Sgt. Steven Perez - Flight engineer
- Maj. (Dr.) Mark Robinson - Flight surgeon

"Like this rescue, civilians 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."

A medical team was eventually 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 Sacred Heart 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.