FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Team leader from small town Southern Utah bravely leads young PJ team to the top of tallest mountain in North America.
July 31, 2018 Anchorage, AK
Members of the Air Force rescue team the 212 RQS returned home from their successful climb of mount Denali earlier this year. The team of 6 climbers conducted training taking them into the alpine environment of the tallest peak in North America. This training was conducted as part of a unit wide focus to increase leadership, solidify teamwork and to return to the basics.
The 212 RQS often makes the expedition up among the beautiful and dangerous mountain peaks of mount Denali. There they learn how to live and travel as well as the skills necessary to rescue those in need. As they travel up wards they interact with different challenges that help them grow as a team and as individuals. As the increase in altitude and the depletion of available oxygen started to affect the team, they faced many difficult decisions.
“Being a team leader is as much about trusting your team as it is about leading them” trip and team leader Jason Hughes said “we were able to have candid discussions as a team about every big decision that was made on that mountain. I leaned on the knowledge of the group a great deal for the whole duration of the trip and together we were able to return safely and successfully.”
While only two of the climbers were able to summit during the trip, five made it to high camp at 17,200’ and all returned safely home. It really is in situations like this when teams come to know who they are and what they can accomplish. Every climber on this trip will take home the experience and confidence they need to be ready to respond to the call for rescue.
Author Jason Hughes is a TSgt in the 212 RQS and is currently attending Southern Utah University. This article is part of his engaged learning project that is a graduation requirement.
###
TSgt Jason Hughes