Four para
rescuemen and two combat rescue officers with Air Force Reserve Command’s 304th Rescue Squadron, Portland, Ore., helped save three mountain climbers and a dog trapped on Mount Hood Feb. 18. The climbers and their dog—roped together—had fallen through a snowy overhang on a ridge. The pararescuemen searched, sometimes in whiteout conditions, for more than 12 hours, using a directional antenna to pinpoint a mountain locator unit the climbers had activated, and marked a safe trail for follow-on rescuers. On Feb. 19, climbers and rescuers walked out to where they could ride down the mountain in a Snocat.
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.


