38 people saved from rooftops

Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Search and Rescue members would likely say they were just doing their jobs when they rescued scores of Lewis County residents during December’s catastrophic flooding.

More than 90 people in the Chehalis and Centralia areas would vehemently disagree. They would say the heroic SAR sailors did far more than carry out their mere duties.

Five sailors represented the latest of the group awarded Air Medals for their selfless efforts in collectively, and in dire weather conditions, transporting 38 people from their rooftops to safety.

“This is what we train to do,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremiah Brown in a press release. “So, it’s nice to go out and help people in their time of need.”

Both superior airmanship and leadership were critical in turning possible tragedies into successful rescues, the citations stated. The crews were faced with what many would call a worst-case scenario, battling low cloud coverage, limited visibility, gale-force winds, and driving rain. Adding to the challenge, many of the people rescued were critically ill, elderly or physically challenged.

“This was a great mission,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Lance Tanner in the release.

In hindsight, Turner recalled numerous situations in which people could have died or the aircraft could have crashed.

However, with the adrenaline dissipated months later and the successful outcome, the entire mission no longer seems as “perilous.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Wedding, NASWI SAR, got more than his feet wet during his first call at the SAR command.

“I learned a lot doing this,” he said in the press release. “I learned that you would be surprised at where you can land a helicopter.”

The five sailors were able to rescue people in increments of 10 before they would have to drop them off at the nearby airport or high school football field. But they continued to go back for more.

“I felt lucky to be able to do this mission,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Chad Lewis, in the press release. “This is potentially my last tour in the Navy. So, I was happy to be able to help these people. I’m happy to get the award, but it’s not the award we were looking for. It’s that we are just so happy to go out there and do our job and be able to help people. That’s the biggest reward.”

A total of 16 SAR sailors from NAS Whidbey have received Air Medals at several different ceremonies for their respective roles in rescuing more than 90 residents.

“The satisfaction of being able to help people is the best reward we could get,” said Lt. Patrick Smith, NASWI SAR. “It’s definitely nice to be recognized, but it’s not why we do this.”

For more news from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, visit www.navy.mil/local/naswhidbey/.