Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 NEWS
 New Mexico flood victims look to the skies for help By Staff Sgt. Anna Doo, U.S. Army
                New Mexico National Guard
 SANTA FE, N.M. - New Mexico Army National Guard aviators put their hoist training to the test not once, not twice, but 57 times on July 27 after Tropical Depression Dolly caused flooding in the high desert environment of Ruidoso, N.M. By the end of the mission, the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crews had picked up more than 250 residents and vacationers. This feat set a state record for the number of victims rescued in just two days. "[The Blackhawk] kind of looked like Noah's Ark in the back," said Staff Sgt. Ian Weiger. When asked if there is a precedent for this magnitude of rescue, Capt. Daniel Purcell said, "There is no way in our aviation history in this state that we've saved or rescued that many people at once. Certainly a record as far as rescues go. We were just doing what we were trained to do." The July 27 helicopter crew consisted of pilots, Purcell and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles Boehler, along with their flight crew, Weiger and Sgt. First Class Greg Holmes. Hundreds of residents and vacationers were stranded due to the swift rise of the Rio Ruidoso which runs through Ruidoso located southeast of Albuquerque. The rushing river tore through 14 bridges, engulfed roadways and continued to create more rivers, all of which prevented people from escaping. Crossing the river was impossible as even the trees cut down by rescue workers to act as bridges were unsafe to use. The high waters completely encircled one campground creating an island that was the only dry ground for the vacationers. Before the campers had a chance to panic, the Blackhawks were hovering overhead and lowering a hoist and crew to help transport them to safety. This mission was performed by using a jungle penetrator, which is a seat suspended from the helicopter by a sturdy cable. Crew members strapped in victims one at a time for the ride of their life from the ground up to the hovering aircraft. Crews were then able to lift them into the safety of the helicopter. Some of the 57 people hoisted from the ground on July 27 were picked up well after sunset. The helicopter crews are well versed in night operations of the jungle penetrator. They have performed extensive training using night vision goggles to see in the dark. The focus, said Purcell, "was to get the elderly, women and children out first and then come back for the rest." Over the next three days, crews would continue to airlift stranded residents and vacationers in addition to dropping water and Meals Ready to Eat to those still on the ground.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 5 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil