Kentucky Air Guard Special Tactics rescue 19 after floods

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron rescued 19 stranded residents and two dogs in the aftermath of historic flooding last week that claimed at least 28 lives in eastern Kentucky.

The Airmen, assisted by Callie, the only certified search-and-rescue canine in the Department of Defense, rapidly deployed to the region July 28 to conduct rescue operations via boat and helicopter for four days, said Maj. Ian Williams, 123^rd STS commander. The team of 23 special operators also coordinated 29 rotary aircraft missions, recovered four bodies, and helped direct operations that led to the rescue or assistance of 40 additional people.

"We found out about the situation Thursday morning at approximately 8:10 a.m.," Williams said. "Before we had our tasking to respond, we started having our initial team show up to the squadron to prepare gear in the event that we would have to push out and support. We were officially told to support around 9 and were out the door by 10 o'clock."

Once given the green light, 17 STS members deployed over the road with boats and trucks, while another six operators and Callie departed via helicopter transport provided by the Kentucky Army Guard's 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade.

"Local, state and federal agencies all have search and rescue dogs, but what we bring to the table is the ability to get a dog, with its incredible capabilities, to normally inaccessible locations potentially faster," said Master Sgt. Rudy Parsons, 123^rd STS pararescueman and Callie's handler.

"Callie is able to travel via helicopter, boat, non-standard vehicles, rope systems and can even insert via parachute with her handler in order to bring a high-level capability to accelerate life-saving measures in situations where minutes matter," Parsons said.

Although Callie is trained in live-find detection — searching for living or missing people — "she also did a great job of telling us specific locations to investigate more thoroughly to recover fatalities, to help bring closure to those individuals' families."

Williams noted that the entire mission was a team effort.

"Our success at the 123rd STS wouldn't be possible without our mission support folks. They're the first to arrive at the unit when something happens because they know that the vehicles, boats, communication equipment and resupply coordination are make-or-break elements of this sort of mission."

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron load a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter with lifesaving equipment at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., July 30, 2022. In response to flooding in Eastern Kentucky, the unit coordinated 29 rotary-wing relief missions, rescued 19 people and two dogs, and recovered four bodies. Their command-and-control efforts also facilitated the assistance or recovery of 40 people. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear) — Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron load a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter with lifesaving equipment at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., July 30, 2022. In response to flooding in eastern Kentucky, the unit coordinated 29 rotary-wing relief missions, rescued 19 people and two dogs, and recovered four bodies. Their command-and-control efforts also facilitated the assistance or recovery of 40 people. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

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