Whidbey Island Search and Rescue Crew Receives Commendation

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Maebel Tinoko, Commander, Navy Region Northwest Public Affairs

SHELTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Mason County Sheriff's Office recognized Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel at the Little Creek Casino Resort, Sept. 24 for saving the life of a teenager in August.

"I would like to take this opportunity to commend all of you for your heroic and spectacular rescue," said Mason County Sheriff Casey Salisbury. "Your conduct during this operation reflects favorably on the United States Navy; during this mission you all demonstrated the highest standards of dedication, bravery, and professionalism to the mission of public safety.

"Because of the brave rescue you accomplished that day, Ruth Powell is alive and expected to recover fully from the injuries she sustained that day. Accordingly, I am awarding you this commendation on behalf of the citizens of Mason County, the Mason County Sheriff's Office, and Mason County Fire Districts number four, number six, and number nine."

The SAR personnel responded to a call for assistance from the Mason County Sheriff's Office Aug. 17 after 16-year old Powell fell off a cliff and into the river in Skokomish River Canyon while hiking with her family.

SAR launched an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter with a crew of six personnel. Ground rescue teams reached the injured hiker and rendered first aid.

Once on location, the SAR crew analyzed the situation and began conducting basic operational risk management, taking everything into consideration in order to embark on a safe and successful extraction mission.

During the awards ceremony, the SAR crew, which included Lt. Brandon Sheets, pilot and mission commander; Lt. Scott Zenner, pilot; Chief Naval Aircrewman (NAC) Jeremiah Wilkins; Naval Aircrewman (NAC) 1st Class Andrew Worth; Naval Aircrewman (NAC) 2nd Class Brian Casey and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (NAC/AW) Richmond Roy, each were given a challenge coin from Mason County Sheriff Casey Salisbury and a letter of commendation.

"This is a huge honor to be recognized by the community," said Roy. "They were working just as hard as we were, and for them to recognize us means a lot. It is personally rewarding to be able to get a chance to build a great relationship with the community and help save those who get stuck in bad situations."

"I am proud of the SAR crew for what we do as a unit, and it's nice to be recognized," said Zinner. "This job is very rewarding, and any chance we get to help people who need us; we are there, trained and ready to help."