National Guard pilot says he broke the “golden rule of rescue flying” while deployed to North Carolina

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A Maryland Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter aircrew returned to Aberdeen Proving Ground this week after completing lifesaving rescue operations in western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

An additional eight Maryland National Guard soldiers returned for scheduled maintenance of their Chinook helicopter, while nine crew members will redeploy to Salisbury, North Carolina. Their mission will focus on heavy lift and cargo support for recovery efforts in the area, with operations expected to continue through the end of the month.

“It was a challenge going in every day and not knowing what we could prepare for,” said CW2 Lyndsey Phelps, a Chinook Aviator Pilot for Hurricane Helene Relief Missions assigned to B Co 3-126th GSAB CH47F, Maryland Army National Guard. “We struggled to get an accurate idea of the landing zones prior to flight, any imagery we had was from before the storm and many of the locations we landed were unrecognizable. However, no one ever complained, in fact the crew was always looking for the next mission.”

The Chinook aircrew flew 33 sorties, moved 97 people, including 20 rescues and 6 dogs. The aircraft transported more than 347,000 lbs. of cargo and supplies to communities in North Carolina hardest hit by Hurricane Helene since the mission began.

Supplies included generators, food, water, cold weather clothing, baby and medical supplies, according to the Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office.

Soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard alongside civilian firefighters from the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (MD-HART) returned on October 7, 2024 from supporting Hurricane Helene.

“As a pilot, My job is to be focused up front,” said CW2 Brian McCord Marlyand Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (MD-HART) UH60 Pilot-in-Command. “On the first day of search and rescue when I looked back to see MSG Lucas comforting a crying woman or SGT Bunch securing a mother and child; Mike Szczesniakowski holding a pair of frightened dogs – In those moments, I held deep respect for the ‘back seater’.”

During their mobilization, the MD-HART members and the MDARNG UH-60 Black Hawk aircrew collectively rescued 83 individuals including children and infants as well as 20 dogs and cats. They also conducted 59 hoists along with delivering 55 pounds of cargo consisting of food and water to citizens in need.

According to CW3 Will Tobin, the Lead HART SAR UH-60 Pilot assigned to C Company 1-169 Medevac, Maryland Army National Guard, the team quickly learned, real world operations required extended hover times and long hoist intervals as the majority of people we rescued were either children or senior citizens.

The MD-HART crew, consisting of Maryland soldiers who are pilots, crew chiefs, and a hoist operator on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter along with three rescue technicians from the Baltimore, Howard, and Montgomery County fire departments, completed 29 sorties since beginning the 9-day mission.

“At the end of day one, we responded to an isolated family, mom, dad and two babies, on a very steep mountainside as sunset quickly approached, ” said Tobin. “The golden rule of rescue flying is don’t look in the back. It shouldn’t matter who’s on the hoist, just fly the machine… but having a toddler of my own, I couldn’t help but quietly repeat to myself ‘just do a good job… just do a good job.’ I don’t know their names or anything about them but as we flew away I broke the golden rule. Through a gap in some equipment, seated in the rescue basket and snuggled up to mom, two blue little eyes, smiling and looking back at me. It’s ok to look in the back sometimes.”

CW3 William Tobin has been with the Maryland National Guard since retiring from active duty in 2023, after serving for 22 years.

Before becoming a warrant officer, he served as an enlisted soldier, achieving the rank of sergeant first class.

While serving as a brigade support battalion battle captain in 2008-09 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at Camp Taji, Iraq, he was awarded the Combat Action Badge for his direct participation in ground combat operations while under hostile fire.

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