On Dec. 31, Tennessee National Guard medical aircrews conducted an emergency air evacuation mission after two hikers became stranded on the Appalachian Trail.
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Shortly after 5:15 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, the Tennessee Military Department and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified that two hikers were in need of assistance in the Sampson Mountain Wilderness Area south of Johnson City. The hikers are trapped in darkness, surrounded by cliffs and slopes. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office received the initial call but was unable to contact the hikers and requested air support.
TEMA approved the mission, and Tennessee National Guard personnel assigned to the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Knoxville began preparing a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Crews set out shortly after 8:00 a.m. and located the hikers at 8:45 a.m.
Shortly after 9:00 a.m., both hikers were loaded onto the plane. Paramedics rendered aid during the short flight to Johnson City Medical Center.
The crew consisted of two pilots, 1st Lt. Samuel Gibson and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Redley; Crew Chief Sergeant Ryan McKnight; and two flight medics: Petty Officer 1st Class Giovanni Dezu Giovanni DeZuani and Staff Sergeant John Sharbel.
The hiker suffered minor injuries and was later released.
