Page 1 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, Nov. 30, 2018
P. 1
vol. 2, no. 24 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR nov. 30, 2018
An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com
Climber visits 66th RQS after harrowing rescue
by Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver
Nellis AFB, Nev. Capt. Ben Gransee, 66th Rescue Squadron Spencer Cottam tries on a tactical vest in the 823rd Maintenance Squadron hangar at
HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter pilot, meets Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 16, 2018. Having taken part in multiple rescues as a civilian,
One month after his life flight rescue Dr. Daniel Cottam, a bariatric surgeon Spencer described the 66th Rescue Squadron as one of the most professional and precise
from Zion National Park, Daniel Cottam from Salt Lake City, Utah, at Nellis Air rescues he has ever seen. Spencer visited the 66th RQS with his nephew Dr. Daniel Cottam,
visited his rescuers at the 66th Rescue Force Base, Nev., Nov. 16, 2018. Gransee following Dr. Cottam’s rescue after a fall near Zion Canyon left him severely injured.
Squadron Nov. 16 at Nellis Air Force piloted the helicopter that rescued Cottam
Base, Nev. after he was severely injured after falling
off a cliff when his climbing equipment
Cottam suffered injuries when his rope malfunctioned.
gave way while hiking, sending him down
a steep cliff face requiring pararescuers to Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver Air Force photograph by
rappel more than 100 feet to evacuate him Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver
from the narrow canyon. Dr. Daniel Cottam talks to Airmen assigned to the 823rd Maintenance Squadron at Nellis Air Force
Base, Nev., Nov. 16, 2018. The airmen were part of the team who launched the helicopters that Ruth Cottam tries on a helmet from
“I know enough about what is going rescued Cottam after a hiking accident. the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis
on that the pilots and the rescue crew Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 16, 2018.
did place themselves at significant risk to Ruth’s dad, Dr. Daniel Cottam, was
come down into that canyon to get me,†rescued by the 66th RQS when he
said Cottam. “I knew how professional suffered multiple broken bones
they were to get that done and then get from a hiking accident near Zion
me out safely. They deserved a thank you.†Canyon, Utah.
Cottam’s wife and uncle, who were also
hiking with him, spent four additional
hours hiking and climbing in search of
a phone signal. Finally, they were able to
call for help and rescuers arrived shortly
after. The team that arrived didn’t have the
necessary equipment to perform the res-
cue and had to call for additional backup.
Capt. Ben Gransee, 66th RQS HH-60G
Pave Hawk helicopter pilot, said they got
the call around 7:45 pm from the local
sheriff. It took about 90 minutes to as-
semble the personnel and get the helicop-
ter ready to rescue Cottam.
Cottam spent about nine hours in the
canyon while temperatures plummeted
as the sun dropped behind the sheer cliff
walls.
“When I saw the helicopter come over
the edge of the canyon, it was like seeing
an angel,†said Cottam.
The crew had only 10 feet of clearance
on each side of the helicopter blades, leav-
ing little margin for error.
“In a training environment we
wouldn’t go any closer than 25 feet to
an obstacle,†said Gransee. “So to put
yourself in a canyon hundreds of feet
deep, only to have 10 feet on each side of
the helicopter, it comes down to the skill
of the pilot and the skill of the crew to
work as a team.â€
INSIDE: Commentary — 2; News — 3-8; Hometown Heroes — 12; Nellis Living — 13-15
