Preamble: 

“The Captain Frank Erickson award recognizes Helicopter aircrews who have demonstrated exceptional performance while engaged in search and rescue operations.  This year’s recipients are the Sikorsky MH-60T Crew of Air Station Kodiak CG6027.

Aircraft Commander: CAPT Nate Coulter
Copilot: LT Chris Guernsey
Flight Mechanic: AET2 David Belt
Rescue Swimmer: AST3 Kimble Peterson

Citation:

“On the evening of September 19, 2022, the crew of CG6027, deployed to Forward Operating Location Kotzebue, AK, was notified of an urgent MEDEVAC for a hunter experiencing chest pains, vomiting, and unable to walk without great difficulty. Located approximately 100nm northwest of Kotzebue, the hunting party reported on-scene visibility of one-quarter mile.

Due to the condition of the hunter, a civilian paramedic from Kotzebue was brought along as part of the aircrew to assist with rendering medical care to the critical patient. During the transit, widespread fog limited visibility to less than one mile with the cloud ceiling at 150 feet. The pilots brought the helicopter into a low hover over the Ipewik River and expertly navigated the mountainous terrain in demanding low-light conditions and a 20-knot tailwind, placing the helicopter in an unusual performance envelope. After navigating approximately 40nm in this low visibility, the crew located the hunters’ campsite, 800’ above the helicopter in the clouds. The pilot in command skillfully hover taxied up the side of the mountain in less than one-eighth mile visibility. Arriving at the campsite, three bears were detected and repelled before landing. After successfully embarking the patient, the crew departed into the clouds for the return transit to Kotzebue. During the climb, the helicopter began to accumulate ice and the left windshield anti-ice system failed, rendering the window completely opaque. During the transit, the crew tended to the hunter and treated him with an IV to relieve his heart attack symptoms. Regaining visual flight, the helicopter landed at Kotzebue and disembarked the hunter to local EMS care. Incredible airmanship, decision-making, and teamwork allowed the crew of CG6027 to complete one of the unit’s most challenging cases in recent memory, saving one life.”