IDAHO — The Idaho National Guard has successfully completed three search and rescue missions since late June, including a rescue on Mount Borah, which represents the highest elevation landing rescue in the organization’s history.
On June 27, the Custer County Sheriff's Office requested assistance in rescuing a hiker stranded near Mount Borah at an elevation exceeding 12,000 feet. Considering the risky nature of the operation, aviation leaders decided to wait until the following morning to initiate the search.
A crew from the Idaho National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter located the hiker and executed a two-wheel landing approximately 30 feet below him. The hiker was able to reach the helicopter without assistance. Crews then transported him to the mountain's base, where he was handed over to a ground rescue team.
Just over a week later, on July 6, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office again requested the Idaho National Guard's assistance, this time for a hiker in the Sawtooth Mountain Range near Decker Peak.
As before, crews opted to wait until morning for the rescue. The next day, the 1-183rd Aviation Battalion initiated the search and successfully located the hiker. Due to the lack of a suitable landing area, crews were lowered from the HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter to provide first aid.
The injured hiker, alongside an uninjured companion, was then hoisted into the helicopter and flown to a ground ambulance.
WATCH: Crews hoist injured hiker from Sawtooth Mountains
A third rescue on the morning of July 9th brings their total for the year up to six.
The July 6th hoist rescue, conducted at 10,100 feet, marks the highest elevation hoist rescue performed by the Idaho Army National Guard in 2025 and the second highest in the organization's history.
"When you're up there, the difference between success and failure is really like a razor's edge," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Theron Cameron.
He flies a medevac Blackhawk helicopter on some of the most technical rescues in Idaho.
"When we get the calls, it's because nobody else can do it," Cameron said.
These complex missions require extensive preparation and planning for the safety of the crew and those in need of rescue.
"We analyzed what the weather was going to be, what the temperatures were going to be, and the altitude in the hoist location. And so we made a plan to where all those things were kind of at the perfect mix to where we could do it with as little risk as possible, and it worked out about perfectly," Cameron said.
He emphasized that crew coordination is a crucial part of these rescue missions — where the two pilots work together with team members in the back of the aircraft to get all the information they need.
"A large portion of the time I am right here on the aircraft working in the back," said Sgt. First Class Adam Brundy.
Brundy operates the hoist for the majority of their rescues, but on Monday, he was lowered down to help a hiker with a broken leg.
"We're extremely capable, but there's always a level of danger, there's always risk, and when you're getting hoisted down from an aircraft 50-100 ft down on top of a steep mountain, there's always a little bit of tension," Brundy said.
Despite the dangers involved, he says helping people on what may be the worst day of their lives is like nothing else.
"It's extremely gratifying, the most gratifying thing that I've done in the army," said Brundy.
The crew also emphasized the importance of the teams that maintain the aircraft and support from the families behind every guardsman.
