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 | Feb. 19, 2010

West Virginia crews evacuate passengers from downed helicopter

By From West Virginia National Guard press release

CHARLESTON, W.V., - Thirteen of the 17 passengers stranded in a remote region of Pocahontas County have been evacuated from a U.S. Navy helicopter that was forced to land in the area on Thursday, National Guard officials said.

Rescued passengers are being evaluated by emergency services agencies in the area and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

West Virginia Army National Guard medics are still at the landing site and working with emergency crews to evacuate the remaining passengers, said Mike Cadle, the state public affairs officer.

The helicopter was reportedly carrying passengers from Fort Pickett, Va., to Camp Dawson in Preston County, W.Va. Three members of the West Virginia National Guard were on board the aircraft.

The aircraft was participating in Operation Southbound Trooper X, an annual military exercise focusing on the integration of joint U.S. and NATO tactics and procedures as well as inter-service coordination and capabilities.

A West Virginia Army National Guard HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter located the downed aircraft at about 7:15 p.m., on Thursday. Two medics were lowered to the landing site to assess the situation and assist the injured.

Rescue personnel reported several injuries to the passengers, but the extent of those injuries is still being determined.

A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard based here has also been orbiting the site to maintain communications with the downed aircraft.

On-site rescue efforts are being coordinated by the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the West Virginia National Guard.

The National Guard is worked with local officials to deliver food, water, blankets and other essential items to the snow-covered, rugged site, which lies in northwestern Pocahontas County.

 

 

Related Articles
Airmen with the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force work alongside their RTAF counterparts in small groups to finalize their respective training objectives at the Enduring Partners 2025 final planning conference in Spokane, Wash., May 20, 2025. The working groups focused on areas such as air operations, ground-controlled interception, Air Force Special Warfare, cyber, combat communication, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief medical logistics, intel, and space.
Royal Thai Air Force, Washington Guard Finalize Plans for Enduring Partners 2025
By Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon, | May 29, 2025
SPOKANE, Wash. – Airmen with the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force assembled in western Washington May 19-24 to finalize plans for Enduring Partners 2025, an exercise involving RTAF and the Washington...

Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, discusses briefing details with Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff for the Louisiana National Guard, during the annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 21, 2025. The drill helps synchronize plans and strengthen coordination across LANG’s senior leadership ahead of hurricane season.
Louisiana Guard Rehearses Emergency Plans for Hurricane Season
By Capt. Peter Drasutis, | May 28, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard conducted its annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge May 21, uniting key personnel across multiple commands to refine...

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations - preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.
New Hampshire Guard Teams with Morocco for Sling Load Training at African Lion 2025
By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester, | May 28, 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company (744TH FSC), 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for...