Tennessee National Guard rescues two hikers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Clarksville Online

Louisville, Tennessee – duriDuring the afternoon and evening of May 31, flight crews from the Tennessee Army National Guard, based at Joint Base McGhee-Tyson, conducted two air evacuation missions for hikers experiencing medical emergencies in Great Britain National Park. Smoky Mountains.

Shortly after 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified that a hiker was experiencing respiratory distress in the park and required medical assistance and rapid transportation to a nearby hospital. . The hiker was in a remote area near Mount LeConte Lodge, southeast of Gatlinburg.

Once the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) was notified of the possible mission, members of the Tennessee National Guard assigned to the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, in Knoxville, assembled a flight crew, They prepared a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for flight and prepared to rescue the hiker. Fifteen minutes after the mission was approved, the plane departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson and flew directly to Mount Leconte Lodge.

The Tennessee Army National Guard flight crew consisted of two pilots, Maj. Hulon Holmes and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Luke Hargrove, crew chief Sgt. Daniel Bandy and two flight paramedics, Sgt. 1st Class Nolan Ogle and Giovanni DeZuani.

Fourteen minutes after takeoff, the plane arrived at the lodge and the crew quickly located the hiker and Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers, who were providing first aid.

Shortly after 4 p.m., the plane’s crew chief, Daniel Bandy, lowered Nolan Ogle and Giovanni DeZuani, the combat paramedics, to the ground via elevator to perform a quick medical evaluation and prepare the hiker for transport. .

After a few minutes of rendering aid, the hiker was loaded onto the Blackhawk helicopter that was flying overhead. Ogle, DuZuani and the patient’s wife were also put on the plane where they continued to provide aid to the patient. Once everyone was safely on board, the plane flew to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the plane landed at UT Medical Center, where medical staff took the patient to the emergency room. Once the patient was safely in the care of medical professionals, the plane returned to Louisville and landed shortly before 5:00 p.m.

Just over two hours later, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Tennessee National Guard received another notification of a hiker with a possible heart condition near Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Alum Cave Trails. The mission was quickly approved through TEMA and the crew began pre-flight procedures.

Around 8:15 p.m., the plane departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson and flew directly to the Alum Cave Trail area, which is also southeast of Gatlinburg.

The Tennessee Army National Guard flight crew consisted of two pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brian Spotts and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Brasfield, two crew chiefs, Staff Sgt. Ryan McKnight and Sgt. Daniel Bandy and two flight paramedics, Sgt. 1st Class Nolan Ogle and Giovanni DeZuani.

Fifteen minutes after takeoff, the plane arrived at the trail where the crew radioed the park rangers who were assisting the hiker. Rangers then activated smoke canisters to identify their location on the aircraft, which flew to an area very close to the site where they could safely lift off.

Shortly before 8:45 p.m., the plane’s crew chief, Ryan McKnight, lowered Nolan Ogle, the combat paramedic, to the ground via elevator, where he met with rangers, performed a medical evaluation of the patient, and then prepared the hiker to be hoisted. After a few brief minutes on the ground, Ogle and the hiker were lifted together to the Blackhawk helicopter overhead, where he continued to provide aid along with the other paramedic and crew chief. Once the patient and paramedic were safely on board, the plane flew to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

At approximately 9:10 p.m., the plane landed at UT Medical Center, where medical staff met the hiker and took the patient to the emergency room. The entire rescue mission lasted less than an hour.