WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. — A Navy helicopter crew navigated the smoky skies to rescue an injured hiker near Steven’s Pass this weekend.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island says the 59-year-old had fallen off some rocks and suffered severe leg injuries on Saturday.
After receiving the alert, the crew plotted their flight path using a program called Foreflight that took them along the western edge of Camano Island, over Everett and above Highway 2 up to Steven’s Pass.
Once there, they found a valley that allowed them to access the hiker’s location and hoist him on board.
Mission Commander Lieutenant Alex Castillo says this was one of the most complex rescues he has been a part of in his time at the Whidbey station due to the haze enveloping the area.
He says the crewmen in the back flew with the doors open and helped the pilots with obstacle clearance throughout the flight.