An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 12, 2021

Tennessee National Guard aircrew rescues stranded hiker

By Tennessee National Guard

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A Tennessee Army National Guard medical flight crew rescued a hiker who was having difficulty breathing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park May 9.

Shortly before 7 a.m., the Tennessee Military Department and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a hiker who needed immediate medical care near the Tri Corner Knob Shelter along the Appalachian Trail. The Tennessee National Guard was alerted for a helicopter rescue.

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew from Detachment 1, Company C, 1-171st Aviation Regiment, based in Knoxville assembled in less than an hour and launched, arriving at the Tri Corner Knob Shelter at approximately 9 a.m.

The flight crew included Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Backus, pilot in command; Capt. Philip Draper, pilot; Staff Sgt. Joseph Hough, crew chief; Spc. Joshua Culotta, crew chief, and Sgt. 1st Class Giovanni DeZuani, flight paramedic

Unable to land due to terrain, Culotta lowered DeZuani to the patient via rescue hoist. DeZuani did a quick medical assessment, provided first aid and ensured the patient was stable enough for hoisting. Dezuani and the patient were lifted safely into the helicopter, which departed for the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. The entire hoisting operation took 12 minutes.

The aircrew continued medical aid to the patient during the 20-minute flight to the hospital.

"The rescue mission went off flawlessly," said Col. Jay Deason, the state Army aviation officer. "Once we were notified of the mission, the flight crew immediately jumped into action. They are a well-trained and experienced crew that are true professionals at what they do."

This is the second search and rescue mission by the Tennessee National Guard this year.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Jackson, a senior leader from the 134th Mission Support Squadron helps clear debris with Airmen from the 134th Civil Engineer Squadron, in Elizabethton, Tenn., Oct. 2, 2024. Airmen commuted to Elizabethton and surrounding areas daily to help clear debris and give assistance to local residents in need due to flooding from Hurricane Helene.
Tennessee Guard Engineers Continue to Support Helene Recovery Efforts
By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, | Oct. 3, 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than 100 Tennessee Army and Air National Guard engineers continue to support recovery operations in East Tennessee counties impacted by severe flooding following Hurricane Helene. These Guard members...

Sgt. 1st Class Giovanni DeZuani, a fight paramedic with the Tennessee Army National Guard, is hoisted into a hovering Black Hawk helicopter with an injured hiker immobilized on a stretcher during a rescue at the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park June 28, 2023.
Tennessee National Guard Rescues Injured Hiker
By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, | July 31, 2023
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A Tennessee Army National Guard medical flight crew evacuated an injured hiker from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Shortly before 7 p.m. July 27, the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee...

Tennessee’s Military Intelligence Company, Troop D, Regimental Engineering Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, shown June 14, 2023, completed a validation event at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Tennessee Military Intelligence Company Completes Validation
By William Jones, | June 30, 2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee’s Military Intelligence Company proved it could effectively gather mission-critical information from the battlefield during a validation event at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Observer Coach Trainers...