MAFB helicopter squadron speaks on Butte fishing family rescue

MAFB’s 40th Helicopter Squadron briefed officials after helping rescue a missing fishing family of five near Maney Lake north of Butte, Montana. Rescuers began the search about half an hour after a request at 3:30 p.m. from Butte Law Enforcement, deploying their new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter. By 5 p.m., the squadron located the family’s disabled truck and found all five fishers roughly two miles away, taking them to safety. Butte police credited Air Force support as the key difference, citing the squadron’s resources, local search experience over terrain and tree cover, and “luck.” Capt. Angela Stella said the team focused on access points for fishing and followed a creek until spotting the truck, while Senior Airman Jordan Bauer noted that the white vehicle was easier to detect off-road. The squadron said it had snacks and a hospital plan ready because three boys live with Type 1 diabetes, and described the Grey Wolf as boosting capabilities while SAR remains a secondary mission.