CalGuard Pilots Recount Rescuing Hundreds from Inferno | Aviation International News

CalGuard Pilots Recount Rescuing Hundreds from Inferno

California Air National Guard Chinook pilots were "deep into luck bag" during perilous evacuation.

By Mark Huber • Contributor

November 11, 2020

On September 5, members of California National Guard’s 40th Air Combat Brigade were dispatched to fly into a raging forest fire and evacuate hundreds trapped by the rapidly-moving Creek Fire at the Mammoth Pools campground in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Merced. The fire started on September 4, incinerating 45,000 acres on its first day. By September 5, the carnage grew to 81,000 acres.

A Boeing CH-47F Chinook commanded by CW5 Joseph Rosamond was dispatched from Stockton and was joined by a Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk commanded by CW5 Kip Goding out of Fresno. The two told their stories during a recent webinar hosted by the Helicopter Association International.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Falcon Executive Cleared for Flights at Dubai Helipark

Facility at Al Maktoum International Airport will complement the group’s FBO

Dubai Helipark

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helicopter Sales Activity Up

Pricing on heavy twins reached a five-year high in the first half

Sikorsky S-92 in flight

Louisiana Rotor Pathway Advances Rotorcraft Careers

Program started with Utah and North Dakota

Airbus Helicopters H215 Super Puma helicopter

Nepal Relief Efforts Need More Support and Coordination

Local rotorcraft industry leader urges international partners to get involved in crisis

Nepal army helicopter

Boltoukhine Named Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Frederic Lemos departs after serving as CEO of ACH since 2017

Nicolas Boltoukhine

Avincis Orders Five McDermott 214ST Utility Helicopters

Medium twin-engine rotorcraft will supplement European firefighting operations

Artist's impression of Avincis' McDermott 214ST helicopters

One Bell Kenya Facility Serves Three East Africa Fleets

Facility offers maintenance, avionics, and shipping support

Bell helicopter flying in east Africa

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Heli Everest H125 helicopter