Five Became Lost July 4 Near Tarzan Falls

Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 conducted a search-and-rescue (SAR) operation and recovered five hikers who went missing July 4. 

The rescue was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, and the Guam Fire Department and Police Department.
 
HSC-25 received a request from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam at approximately 7:30 p.m. for assistance in searching for five missing hikers in the vicinity of Tarzan Falls. A Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter was launched from Andersen Air Force Base at approximately 10:17 p.m. 

The crew arrived on scene at 10:28 p.m. and immediately commenced searching. They located the hikers at 11:15 p.m. The hikers were then transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam for treatment.
 
During the search, Guam was experiencing adverse weather conditions as a result of Tropical Storm Chan-Hom, which was tracking near the island. 

"The Independence Day SAR was an illustration of how beneficial it is to have a strong and willing relationship between multiple search units," said Lt. j.g. Walter "Wally" McGann, who was the co-pilot during the rescue. "Knowing when and how to use each other's resources can lead to conducting an effective search. Their ability to execute a coordinated effort in demanding conditions was vital to mission accomplishment."
 
HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron. As a part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it provides an armed helicopter capability for U.S. 7th Fleet in support of logistics, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance missions. HSC-25 is also the only squadron that maintains a 24-hour search-and-rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, directly supporting the U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas.

(MH-60S pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.navy.mil/local/guam