We did our monthly training for Ventura County Sheriffs Search & Rescue Team 3 (VCSAR3) with helicopter operations. Being on the team for the last 7 years, you would think that one would get used to riding in a helicopter; that it would get somewhat boring or blasé — Let me tell you something…It doesn’t…It never gets old. It never sucks. It is ALWAYS exhilarating!! It’s one of the yearly trainings that we have almost perfect attendance for—as you are guaranteed to ride in the chopper!!
This time we lifted off from our Landing Zone (LZ) at the water tower near the Satwiwa Native American site in Newbury Park, and flew low and fast, through the canyons in the Boney Mountain State Wilderness Area to another LZ, just northwest of Sandstone Peak. We got on the Backbone Trail on foot and headed west, to another LZ where Backbone trail meets with the Mishe Mokwa trail and got picked up by the chopper again. This flight was barely skimming treetops, heading due west, into the mist (flying via instrumentation), then up to be dropped off 50 meters from the flag at the top of Mugu Peak. Then begins our long hike back to Satwiwa. In all, just another day on Search & Rescue.
