Marine aircrew executes emergency desert extraction during routine flight
A United States Marine Corps aircrew assigned to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) conducted a successful rescue of a stranded civilian on February 11, 2025, while operating in a remote area near Twentynine Palms, California. The mission demonstrated the CH-53K King Stallion’s operational effectiveness and underscored the Marine Corps’ ongoing commitment to readiness and rapid response in contingency scenarios.
While conducting a routine CH-53K flight, the VMX-1 crew observed a neon green signal flag being waved from atop a large boulder in a rugged valley. Despite initial uncertainty, the aircrew opted to re-approach the area for further assessment. “I saw a flag being waved on top of a big boulder,” said Sgt. Conrad Kerr, CH-53K crew chief. “At first, I wasn’t sure what it was, but I asked the rest of the crew if they saw it. When they didn’t, we decided to take another pass to confirm.”
Upon closer inspection, the Marines identified a civilian off-road motorcyclist who had suffered a leg injury after his motorcycle overturned on a steep incline. The individual had been stranded for nearly 48 hours without food or water, unable to move from his location. Utilizing the CH-53K’s fly-by-wire flight control system and advanced situational awareness tools, the crew identified and executed a safe landing approximately 500 meters from the injured civilian. “The CH-53K’s capabilities allowed us to safely insert into a confined and challenging landing zone,” said Maj. Dale Metcalf, CH-53K pilot. “Our training prepared us for this type of situation, and the crew executed their roles with precision.”
After landing, Sgt. Kerr and Gunnery Sgt. Theodore Young disembarked and traversed the terrain to reach the injured civilian, providing immediate field assessment and stabilization. “He had been out there nearly two days without any supplies,” said GySgt. Young. “He was conscious but clearly in distress. We stabilized his leg and prepared him for extraction.”
With no immediate civilian SAR assets available, the crew coordinated with Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms Range Control and received authorization from VMX-1 Commanding Officer Col. John D. Dirk to conduct an emergency medical evacuation to MCAS Yuma. Upon arrival, emergency medical personnel from the MCAS Yuma Fire Department assumed care and facilitated rapid transfer to Yuma Regional Medical Center. “We took over care as soon as the aircraft landed,” said Greg Lopez, MCAS Yuma Fire Department Chief. “The patient was stabilized, packaged, and transported to a local emergency room within 25 minutes of arrival.” The civilian sustained an ankle injury but is expected to make a full recovery. The rescue serves as a clear example of successful interagency coordination and mission execution.
“Our mutual aid agreements and routine coordination with local agencies allow us to operate efficiently in joint emergency response scenarios,” Lopez added. “This mission demonstrated that interoperability in action.” Capt. Ryan Hogan, CH-53K co-pilot, credited the outcome to crew vigilance and cohesive execution. “This event reinforced the value of crew discipline and situational awareness,” Hogan said. “From initial observation to patient transport, every member of the team contributed to a successful outcome.”
VMX-1, based at MCAS Yuma, is charged with the operational test and evaluation of the CH-53K King Stallion, the Marine Corps’ newest and most capable heavy-lift platform. The aircraft’s enhanced lift capacity, survivability, and avionics systems played a decisive role in the success of this mission.
