Idaho Army National Guard rescues two stranded hikers near Stanley

Idaho Army National Guard rescues two stranded hikers near Stanley

STANLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Idaho Army National Guard rescued two stranded hikers at roughly 9,000 feet near Stanley, Idaho.

On Oct. 9, two stranded hikers were hoisted from a mountainside after running out of food and water and being too exhausted to walk. Custer County Search and Rescue requested a hoist-capable aircraft via the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and the Idaho Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility accepted the request.

“We’re very lucky to be able to execute these missions in support of both our interagency partners and our community overall,” said Capt. Kate Smith, the pilot in command of the mission. “Many of us joined the organization to help people, and this allows us to leverage our military skill set to do just that.”

Within minutes of arrival, the crew was able to find the hikers and hoist them into the helicopter. They were taken to Stanley Airport, and an ambulance and the Custer County Sheriff’s Department met them.

“We train for years not knowing if or when we’ll be needed, but Friday was the day for our team,” Smith said. “They did an excellent job.”

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