Oregon Guard Helicopter Supports Rescue in Lane County

The Air Guard helicopter launching to aid in the rescue is based in Salem, Oregon.

File photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Oregon Army National Guard is preparing to launch a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter in support of a rescue in Lane County.

A hiker with a possible dislocated knee who may be going into shock could require evacuation by hoist - an operation in which a rescuer is lowered from the helicopter by cable to stabilize a patient for extraction.

Rescue crews say the hiker is in the Waldo Lake area of Lane County. The Lane County Sheriff's office is the lead agency for the rescue. Rescue officials can request assistance from the Oregon Army National Guard through the state Office of Emergency Management.

The UH-60 is from the 1042nd Medical Company. Thirty-five members of the unit recently returned from a six month tour in Afghanistan.

This is the second consecutive day the 1042nd has been called upon to support civil authorities.