An official website of the United States government
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 31, 2024

Washington Army Guard, Partners Train on Air Rescues

By Joseph Siemandel, Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - As Washington National Guard helicopter crews can confirm, emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time in the state. Hikers slide down cliffs and a routine walk on a nature trail could require an emergency airlift.

To build familiarization and share tactics, techniques and procedures, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew from 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation, joined members of the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue team May 15 at Crystal Mountain ski resort to rehearse rescue operations with military aircraft.

“This operation provided a mutually beneficial, unique opportunity for first responders in Pierce County to coordinate with the Washington Army National Guard in preparation for realistic, all-hazards domestic emergency response and rescue,” said Maj. Kevin Robillard, operations officer, 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation. 

The training resulted from relationships with the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue team. Lt. Cols. Rebeccah Martinazzi and Scott Fieldman, who work for the Fire Department and are in the Washington Army National Guard, helped set up the training.

“We had been training for several weeks at Crystal Mountain and this was the culminating event,” said Fieldman. “We had reps from across Pierce County Fire and Rescue, the Washington National Guard, Graham Fire, FEMA, Pierce and Snohomish County Sheriff Offices, and rescue crews from Crystal Mountain take part in the training.”

The Guard aircraft picked up members of the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue team from Thun Field, airlifting them to Crystal Mountain to participate in a gondola rescue scenario.

“This happened in Turkey last month coincidentally,” said Fieldman.

The Washington Army National Guard is part of the larger rescue operations footprint in Washington state.

“There is the potential to have 230 rescue assets who are technician experts in the region answer the call,” said Fieldman.

Guard aviation assets have seen an increase in rescue operations the past decade, so the training at Crystal Mountain was valuable for the flight crew that participated.

“We were able to not only discuss scenarios like flying near the ropes courses and gondola but provide valuable feedback and input on what Washington Army National Guard’s aviation aircraft and aircrews are capable of assisting with,” said Robillard.

 

 

Related Articles
Members of the Washington Army National Guard, Oregon National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, participated in Helocast training on the Columbia River, Troutdale, Ore., Aug. 8, 2025. The event, led by the 2nd Battalion, 162 Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Jungleers), Oregon National Guard, included soldiers with 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment, 96th Troop Command, Washington National Guard and 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve.
Washington Guard, U.S. Army Reserve Conduct Helocast Training in the Pacific Northwest
By Joseph Siemandel, | Aug. 15, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Whether on land, in the air or on water, Guard members train to adapt to any mission. The Washington Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment demonstrated that adaptability...

U.S. Army Spc. Meadow Wilkins with Charlie Company, 181st Brigade Support Battalion, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Washington National Guard, triages a patient during mass casualty training at Yakima Training Center, Wash., July 20, 2025. Mass casualty training is crucial for preparing medical teams to triage, stabilize, and evacuate patients in combat environments, thereby enhancing their readiness for large-scale operations.
Washington Guard Brigade Trains at Raven Focus 2025
By Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent, | July 28, 2025
YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash., – More than 1,500 Soldiers with the Washington National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team converged at Yakima Training Center this month for Raven Focus, a collective, high-intensity,...

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Williamson, right, with the 176th Engineer Company, 420th Chemical Battalion, 96th Troop Command, Washington National Guard, is instructing Soldiers in his unit about tongue and groove roof decking for the restroom facility at Charter Park, Orting, Wash, June 19, 2025. 176th Eng. Co. is partnering with the city of Orting through the Innovative Readiness Training program, a Department of Defense initiative that enables Soldiers to receive training and acquire new skills while providing valuable services to their local communities.
Washington Guard Improves Park Through Innovative Readiness Training
By Sgt. John Giltamag and Joseph Siemandel, | June 30, 2025
ORTING, Wash. – Washington Army National Guard members are making improvements to a community park while also receiving valuable training that can support domestic and overseas missions.“I believe this isn’t just a way to...