A Search and Rescue MH-60S helicopter and team of six from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island conducted a training exercise on Hurricane Ridge on Jan. 12.

After weeks of coordination, the U.S. Navy unit met with Olympic National Park Rangers and other agencies — U.S. Coast Guard, Airlift Northwest, Clallam County Search and Rescue, Clallam County Fire District 2, Olympic Mountain Rescue and the Hurricane Ridge Ski Patrol — for the cooperative training.

Teams focused on unique challenges encountered during rescues on the Olympic Peninsula and how to best employ each asset.

After “ground” meetings, there was an aerial demonstration of the typical sequence of events used for a rescue that could be encountered on the Olympic Peninsula.

“Often Search and Rescue incidents in Olympic National Park rely on a multi-agency response and our recent training was a great opportunity for substantive pre-planning,” Olympic National Park Ranger Sanny Lustig said. “We look forward to working with the Navy and all the represented agencies both in training and on incidents in the future.”

The Navy Search and Rescue unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation.

The base also has an agreement to assist Washington State and the surrounding areas with medical evacuations and search and rescue activities if other assets are unavailable.

“This type of training is an invaluable tool that our unit relies on,” Mark Hlousek, Search and Rescue Co-pilot Lieutenant, said. “(Search and rescue) missions are never a ‘one person show’ and because of that, we rely on so many organizations to help get those in need back to their families and loved ones.”