NAS Whidbey SAR Rescues Three off Snowking Moutain

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island rescued three stranded hikers
off Snowking Mountain in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

The SAR crew received the notification request to rescue the stranded hikers around 7:25 a.m. The three hikers were located in a chute at approximately
4,200 feet.  After the crew successfully hoisted the three individuals aboard their helicopter they transported them to the Marblemount Ranger
Station and dropped them off with the local Sheriff.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 31 total missions throughout Washington State this year, including 18 rescues, 3 searches and
10 medical evacuations this year.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue/medical evacuation (SAR/MEDEVAC) platforms for the
EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation.  Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the
unit may also be used for civil SAR/MEDEVAC needs to the fullest extent practicable on a non-interference basis with primary military duties
according to applicable national directives, plans, guidelines and agreements; specifically, the unit may launch in response to tasking by the
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (based on a Washington State Memorandum of Understanding) for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States
Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.