NM National Guard helicopter crew airlifts injured hiker

SANTE FE, N.M. – The New Mexico National Guard received a request late in the late evening of Jan. 6, 2024, from New Mexico Search and Rescue coordinators.  Three people (two men and one woman) on the La Luz trail about 5-6 miles from the base of the mountain were lost and were ill-equipped for the dangerous winter conditions.  Ground Search and Rescue Teams from multiple agencies hiked to their location and determined that the female was unable to walk and required a hoist rescue.   A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew of five (call sign LOBO 82) from the New Mexico Army National Guard’s Santa Fe-based Golf Company, 1^st Battalion, 168^th Aviation Regiment, accepted the mission in the early morning of Jan. 7.  Golf Company is a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) unit which can provide critical care transport.  The crewmembers reported to their unit, prepared the aircraft, and lifted off at first light to attempt the rescue.