SAR "Meat Grinder"

[River-8]

Oof da...

So some of the SAR Types requested a notch-up in training

Hence the "SAR Meat Grinder" in addition to our 'standard' 24 Hour SAR Pack Test.
Went on for nearly 40 hours of training evolutions !!

Way too tired now for much, but here's a shot of one evolution;
BlackHawk loading knives for flight:

Introductions: ASH, FSH, Ratweiler, SARsquatch, Ratweiler, Ratweiler and a CS
(oh; and my HH)...

Initial reports indicate the fellers enjoyed the ride too

Need a nap :yawn:

Perhaps more later...

8

 

[Fallbrook Forge]

40 hours is pretty rough!

Sounds like you guys get some amazing training in though! I wish I could join in the fun(only fun is a masochistic way)

lookin' foreward to the full AAR

 

[River-8]

Ok; some more...

It all started with a Dog Mt. hike, here being briefed by River 7:

2 1/2 steep hours later, they were thrown in a van and driven to their next assignment:
Plan a rescue strategy at a waterfall on a near-by bridge - in under 5 minutes.

Back in the van, and off to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT):

... where they were met by a Deputy, who briefed the next evolution:
"Numerous and conflicting reports of hikers in peril on the PCT."

Then the real fun began... !!

 

[imaginefj]

Oh, don't leave us hanging!

 

[Troy H]

Looks like a great time! Wish I could've made it.

Got any more pics?

 

[River-8]

Next evolution:

After packing the Stokes Litter, loaded with a couple ropes and rescue rigging gear, about a mile on the PCT
they found two 'patients' that need rescuing - Ok; one was 'dead,' and the other damaged...

Time to rig for a steep-angle rescue:

Note the ASH and FBM...!

"Wrap 3, Pull 2" anchor, Rigging Plate and pulley are all part of the 3-to-1 raising system:

Down goes the stokes...

Patient Packaging for rescue:

Patient and stokes in a final pull up to the PCT:

... and delivered safely to the Deputy on the 2070 Road.

A quick "Rig for Air Ops" drill (with no helo THIS time) involves donning goggles, hearing
protection, and other protective equipment.

Then the gear was repacked, thown back on the stoke and off again up the PCT.

About 5 miles, 3,000 ft. and several hours later, they emerge from the drizzling darkness
on the 41 Road, on top of Mowich Butte!!

Nicely done fellers; but we're not done yet...

Bleary with exhaustion, they were individually quizzed and given tasks, with a "Drop and give me 20"
for each wrong answer, or failed task.

Somewhat rehabed with a couple hours sleep, they once again geared up for air ops, including harnesses
and imporovised teathers, for an evolution with an Oregon Nat'l Guard BlackHawk (see first pic).

Next; gimme shelter...

 

[Helle]

It's nice to know someone takes the time to ready themselves for these situations, good job.:thumbup:

Thanks for sharing.
Helle

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great stuff...:thumbup:

 

[KnifeAddictAK]

Awesome to see your training and infi. Thanks for the pics :thumbup:

 

[westllen]

cool pic's ..thanks for doing what you do!:thumbup:

Jules

 

[River-8]

... flying Rat pic !!

Training can be SO much fun!!!

 

[JurT]

John, great pics! It looks like you guys had alot of fun

 

[River-8]

A few more from the daytime (hint) Air Ops evolution...

Upon arrival the Medic is lowered:

SARsquatch teathered in for the flight (between two Ratweilers):

A view (out the open window) of Bonneville Dam, in the Columbia River Gorge:

Back on the ground; hoist/tagline ops:

Finally some of the fellers help the crew load up their toys to go home:

So guys; just a couple hours of daylight left - best get some shelters built...!!
(They do NOT know what's gonna hit 'em next.)

Nighty night...

 

[idahoskunk]

great pics, awesome!:thumbup:

 

[j williams]

Awesom man. Looks like they put the screws to you guys. Gotta love it. Im a glutton for punishment though.......

Thanks for sharing your training pics, be safe man.

Nice INFI!!

 

[River-8]

Ok, so accomdations were improvised while exhausted, but still did the job:

Nice job fellers!!

-----------------------------------

Oops; no sleep yet - the Coast Guard Jayhawk is here for night hoist-ops...

As the crew was using nigh vision goggles, we could not take any pics (the flash would have
wiped out the NVG's; sub-optimal).

Had there BEEN light; it would have looked something like this:

(from a previous training)

As it was, it looked more like this:

... as lightsticks were all the light we had - except when spotlights under the helo turned night to day!

After tagline ops, we all wandered into the nearby tree line, and they establishe a tree-top hover, blasting
us with branches, dirt, pine cones, tree frogs and other various 80+ mph projectiles !!

Rather entertaining...

Ok fellers; NOW you can crawl into your shelter for some shut-eye .

Only one evolution left...

 

[Rescue Mike]

Would that last evolution be the infamous B&G25???

 

[River-8]

Would that last evolution be the infamous B&G25???

Correct!!

 

[Guyon]

I bet that meal tasted pretty good.

Thanks for the pics.

 

[Shore08]

Looks like that would have been a blast!