Rescue Swimmer Lost Assisting Two Walrus Hunters

A treacherous nighttime icy Arctic sea rescue of two hunters by a Canadian Forces Search and Rescue team has been selected as the winner of the 2012 Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue. This year’s awarding of the Cormorant Trophy for the October 27, 2011 rescue serves as a solemn reminder of danger and selfless dedication of SAR crews every day in Canada with the death of Canadian Forces SAR Tech (search and rescue technician) Sergeant Janick Gilbert who had earlier jumped into the water from an accompanying CC-130 Hercules, to assist the hunters.

The recipients of this year’s award from 103 Search and Rescue Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Gander, Newfoundland are: Captain Aaron Noble (aircraft commander), Captain Dean Vey (co-pilot), Sergeant Brad Hiscock (flight engineer), Sergeant Daniel Villeneuve (SAR Tech team lead), Master Corporal Shawn Bretschneider (SAR Tech team member).

“Despite the tragic loss of life, this rescue is being recognized because of the extreme circumstances of distance, location, weather conditions and the rescue of two hunters, two SAR Techs from another squadron and the recovery of their companion,” said Jeremy Tracy, AgustaWestland’s Head of Region for Canada. “While there were a number of very worthy contenders, this particular rescue stood out for the complexity and danger and was therefore the unanimous choice of the adjudicators.”

The winners were announced at the annual SAREX competition on September 21, 2012 in Val-d’Or, Quebec. A presentation ceremony will take place later at 103 Squadron. The Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue recognizes the Canadian civilian, government or military crew that has performed the most demanding helicopter rescue of the year.

“We are all extremely proud of the crew of Rescue 915,” said Major Clinton Mowbray, Commanding Officer of 103 SAR Sqn. “They persevered through incredibly difficult conditions that lesser men would have turned back from. Sadly they could not save one of our SAR brothers but their perseverance despite immense personal risk ensured four others lived.”

At 0900 local time on October 27, the crew of AW101 Cormorant “Rescue 915” from the 103 SAR Squadron were tasked with rescuing two walrus hunters stranded on an ice flow in the Arctic sea near Igloolik, Nunavut. In planning the mission, Noble realized he had to travel over 1,700 miles in the shortest time and with the fewest stops. Noble and Vey plotted a mission which used no crew replacement and three very short fuel stops. After about 12 hours of flying with night setting in, Rescue 915 was told the conditions of the hunters had worsened. In addition, there were three SAR Techs from 424 Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario, who had parachuted into the water from a CC-130 Hercules and two Personal Locator Beacons had been activated indicating there was more trouble in the water.

The crew of Rescue 915 arrived on scene and was confronted by 55 miles per hour wind gusts and 30 foot waves tossing masses of ice into the air, with life rafts, people and strobe lights in multiple locations. With Hiscock manning the hoist, Villeneuve and Bretschneider were lowered to the icy water where they fought waves, dodged ice and freezing sea spray. They swam to the first life raft, dragging the hoist hook, line and rescue ‘Horse” collar, where they were constantly submerged as they all worked together to get the two hunters and one of the 424 Sqn SAR Techs into the AW101 helicopter. Villeneuve started to tend to the hunters and SAR Tech who were suffering from exposure and exhaustion. The crew repositioned over a second life raft and Hiscock again lowered Bretschneider into the sea to recover a second 424 Sqn SAR Tech.

After a short search, the unresponsive body of Gilbert was spotted floating in the ice and waves and Bretschneider was again lowered into the icy sea. At some point while trying to attach Gilbert to the rescue line, Bretschneider was struck on the head by the heavy hoist hook. Dazed, he still managed to hook himself and Gilbert’s body to the hoist and they were brought up. By the time they got to the aircraft door, Bretschneider had deteriorated and Hiscock had to struggle with both men on the line until Villeneuve, and Master Corporals Marco Journeyman and Maxime Lahaye-Lemay - the two rescued 424 Squadron SAR Techs who had recovered sufficiently - were able to help get them inside.

Running low on fuel, with everyone accounted for Rescue 915 was able to finally head to Igloolik and further medical support, more than 18 hours after their day had started.

Both SAR teams were previously announced as winners of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) Guild Award for Gallantry, which will be presented at the medieval Guild Hall in London, England, October 23.

(Images provided by Canadian Forces. Pictured Top (L-R) Captain Dean Vey (co-pilot), Sergeant Daniel Villeneuve (SAR Tech team lead), Sergeant Brad Hiscock (flight engineer), and aircraft commander Captain Aaron Noble)

FMI: 103rd Squadron, www.agustawestland.com