South Carolina Army National Guard pilots help save gravely wounded hunter

By Staff Sgt. Tracci Dorgan
South Carolina National Guard

WALHALLA, S.C. (11/7/13) - The South Carolina Army National Guard's 2-151st Aviation and South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (SCHART) teamed up to rescue a hunter Tuesday in Walhalla, S.C.

The hunter suffered a gunshot wound and needed to be airlifted to medical treatment.

"It was a successful mission. The crew did an awesome job. We had the hunter hoisted out and on his way to the hospital quickly," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark Shuford, Black Hawk pilot for the South Carolina Army National Guard.

"He was already in shock and had lost a lot of blood," said Dan McMannis, SCHART team member.
The SCHART recovered the patient and dropped him off at the Mountain Rest Fire Department where he received medical attention and was taken to the hospital.

"I spoke to the medic who was the primary care giver and he could not say enough how we saved this man's life," said Scott Krein, Oconee County emergency management director.

"This quick response and transport of the injured hunter speaks to the professionalism and dedication of our air crews and first responders who train together," said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., the adjutant general for South Carolina. "Congratulations to the SCHART for a job well done in answering the call to save this man's life."

The South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team is a collaborative effort between the State Urban Search and Rescue Task Force and highly trained pilots and crew members from the South Carolina Army National Guard. Together they make a cohesive unit capable of performing helicopter rescue.