The United States Air Force helicopter involved in responding to an ultralight plane crash rescue in Faro, Yukon, has been spending more time than planned in the remote Canadian town while awaiting maintenance.
The 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter made a precautionary landing in Faro, where it safely landed, following the rescue operation, according to Alaska National Guard State Public Affairs Officer David Bedard. The cause of the precautionary landing was being investigated. These types of helicopters are capable of making day or night recovery operations in hostile environments, according to a U.S. air force fact sheet.
Bedard said by email that the helicopter needs repairs but is expected to be “fully mission capable” after its return to its base.
The pilot and passenger aboard the ultralight Chinook Plus 2 that crashed were safely rescued after the crash on Jan. 26.
None of the authorities involved in the rescue operation have identified the rescued individuals to the News, citing a lack of knowledge, policy issues and privacy concerns.
The search and rescue duty officer ordered the U.S. planes to respond to the crash in the Canadian territory, per Bedard.
“Joint Rescue Coordination Centre-Victoria (JRCC-Victoria) requested assistance from the Alaska Rescue Coordination at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER),” Bedard wrote.
“The 176th Wing search and rescue duty officer dispatched the HC-130J Combat King II and the HH-60G Pave Hawk, both with 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen onboard following a request from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at JBER that in turn had received a request from JRCC-Victoria.”
The HC-130J Combat King II is a fixed wing search and rescue plane. Per the U.S. air force website, the plane is capable of refuelling helicopters in mid air, allowing for long flights.
As part of the operation, Bedard noted the 144th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster II flew into the Whitehorse international airport — the closest airport that can accommodate the plane — to help move personnel in an effort to repair the helicopter. That type of cargo aircraft can do tactical airlifts and airdrops and transport patients.
Sub-Lieutenant Simon Gonsalves, a Canadian public affairs officer with the Maritime Forces Pacific, couldn’t comment on how often these types of events occur, in which the U.S. responds to incidents in Canada.
"Which agency responds is generally determined by the proximity of the event to the nearest relevant asset,” Gonsalves told the News by email.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com