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
U.S. Air Force dental technician completes a dental X-ray for a local resident during Operation Healthy Tennessee, Rhea County Middle School, Evensville, Tenn., July 10, 2025. Operation Healthy Tennessee provides no-cost medical, dental, vision and veterinary services to the residents of Bledsoe and Rhea County, as well as the surrounding areas while satisfying training requirements for active-duty, reserve and Air National Guard service members and units.
Operation Healthy Tennessee: Where Readiness Meets Relief
By Staff Sgt. Sarah Stalder Lundgren, | July 22, 2025
EVENSVILLE, Tenn. - More than 200 service members from the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Navy Reserve and U.S. Air Force Reserve participated in Operation Healthy Tennessee, part of the...

Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) returned home July 19, 2025, following a successful year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. The members were enthusiastically greeted by friends and family as they made their way into the Camp Withycombe gymnasium in Happy Valley, Oregon.
Oregon Guard Brigade Returns After Kosovo Deployment
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | July 22, 2025
CLACKAMAS, Ore. - Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, or IBCT, returned home July 19 after a successful year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force...

U.S. Army Maj. Troy Dandrea, brigade chaplain, 17th Sustainment Brigade, prays over Soldiers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 14, 2024.
Nevada Guard Brigade Returning From Middle East Deployment
By Sgt. Adrianne Lopez, | July 22, 2025
LAS VEGAS - After 10 months of conducting logistical operations across the Middle East, the Nevada Army National Guard’s 17th Sustainment Brigade is coming back home to the Silver State with its Task Force Warrior mission...