Plane & Pilot Photo Of The Week: Heroes In Action

A Blackhawk comes to the rescue.

Heroes In Action
Heroes In Action
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A California Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopter heroically rescued campers trapped by fast-moving wildfires in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
  • Campers were in life-threatening danger, forced into a reservoir to escape flames and smoke, fearing they would drown or burn.
  • The pilots reportedly defied orders to turn back, putting their lives on the line to save everyone and fly them to safety.
See a mistake? Contact us.

This week’s photo of the week was a no-brainer. It shows the dramatic arrival of a California Air National Guard Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter at a campground in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that had quickly gotten surrounded by fast-moving wildfires. Campers were getting into the reservoir at the campground to escape flame and smoke, and one woman trapped there said at one point she wasn’t sure if she was going to drown or burn to death. Thanks to the heroic actions of these helicopter pilots, who some are saying defied directions to turn back, everyone was rescued and flown to safety. That’s what being a hero is. Putting your life on the line to help others, or, in some cases, as is true here, to actually save their lives.

Heroes: Remarkable Video And Still Images As Cal National Guard Rescues 200

Plane & Pilot

Plane + Pilot is general aviation’s only adventure-based magazine. From where to go, to how to get there, and everything in between, your next great adventure awaits.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get the latest Plane & Pilot Magazine stories delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE