On June 22, the 563rd Rescue Group rescued an Arizona Game and Fish Department intern after she fell while attempting to check the status of wildlife in the area in Pima Canyon.
The intern a 21-year-old female with injuries to her head and knee, was was reported as being “in and out of consciousness.†The woman managed to call the Pima County Sheriff’s office at 11:40 p.m.
At 1:45 p.m., the 563rd Operations Support Squadron received a call from the Command Post at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center on Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., saying they received a request for assistance from the Pima County Sheriff’s office for a hoist capable helicopter and crew.
An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 55th Rescue Squadron and pararescuemen from the 48th Rescue Squadron responded within the hour. The Airmen were able to establish contact with ground teams from the Pima County Sheriff’s Dept. who had located the survivor and began to provide first aid.
“It is always a great experience to go out there and rescue somebody,†said Staff Sgt. Luke Dryden, 48th Rescue Squadron pararescueman. “For us, it is a pretty standard thing. We maintain a 24/7 alert here. We don’t get called very often, but we always have our gear prepped for stuff like that.
Once the survivor was hoisted aboard the helicopter, she was transported to the University of Arizona Medical Center without further incident.
After the drop-off, the rescue team returned to the accident site to assist and airlift two members of the Pima County Sheriff’s office who also received minor injuries while attempting to rescue the intern.
