Feature story Swift water rescue underscores the UH-72A’s capabilities in U.S. Army service

March 1, 2011

The UH-72A Lakota has once again demonstrated its capabilities in a rescue scenario, with a Lakota mission that saved the life of a man trapped by unseasonably-heavy rainfall in San Bernardino, California.

This rescue was completed by an EADS North America-produced UH-72A operating from the U.S. Army’s National Training Center Air Ambulance Detachment at Ft. Irwin, California – which in 2007 became the first operational unit to be equipped with the Light Utility Helicopter.

The man was attempting to cross the normally-dry Mojave River in December when his truck was caught by rushing water caused by heavy rains, then pushed halfway off a causeway.  The San Bernardino Emergency Center received his emergency call – made from a mobile telephone – and contacted Ft. Irwin for support.

After being dispatched to the scene, the Lakota was able to lift the man to safety using its externally-mounted rescue hoist – which is standard equipment on UH-72As based at the National Training Center Air Ambulance Detachment.

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