Two Bear Air Rescue

05/15/2026

Today is National Peace Officer Memorial Day. Please join us in remembering and paying tribute to the peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. We would like to recognize members of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office who have been assigned to us over the years. While their assignment has been an ancillary duty, their contribution to our organization has been invaluable. This photo is of some of those individuals. Our sincere thanks to those past and present law enforcement professionals - Sheriff Heino, Sheriff Curry, Deputies Sine, Childers, Harrison, Salois, Roberts, Duke, Nuno, Weathersbee, Wise, Grant and the Claridge brothers.

05/13/2026

Monday was our annual physical assessment and water competency day. We work at ensuring our crew is up to the challenges the rescue environment might present to us. The “dunker” simulates egress from a helicopter that has suffered an inadvertent water landing. It’s great training while we await the arrival of our new helicopter in a few days. More on that to follow……

03/20/2026

With heavy hearts, the Two Bear Air Rescue Team is reporting the tragic off duty loss of one of our crew members. We are devastated with his passing and will miss him greatly. As we navigate the fog of disbelief, our focus now is his family and assisting them during these trying times. Please join us in wishing peace and strength to his family and loved ones left behind.

Chris Duke unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, March 15th, leaving behind his beloved wife, twin daughters, and young son. Chris was a marine veteran who com...

02/27/2026

A few times every year we hoist K-9s into our aircraft because, well, we certainly can’t leave a family member in the woods to fend for themselves! We do keep a K-9 harness in the aircraft for just such events. Most of the fur babies are very well behaved on the hook! This K-9 hoist is from the archives and involves the K9 family member of an injured hiker. Yes, dad was successfully hoisted as well. Also, this call was at night and illustrates our night capability.

01/14/2026

Here is another one from the archives, by request. This rescue is from September of 2018 and occurred on Mount Cowen in Park County, Montana. Two technical climbers had been stuck in a storm and cliffed out on a small ledge at about 11,000 feet in elevation. We attempted a rescue at night in strong gusty winds but conditions prevented us from being successful. We waited out the wind and darkness in Livingston and returned at first light. We were successful in rescuing both climbers at that point. Both were cold but uninjured, and they were flown to safety.

12/22/2025

Here is another one from the archives . This rescue is from February of 2021 and occurred in Idaho County, Idaho. A female on a snowmobile had struck a tree and was injured. She was assessed, treated and hoisted into our helicopter then delivered to a waiting ground ambulance at Lolo Pass. We would like to wish all our snowmobile friends a successful and safe upcoming season!

12/02/2025

Here is one from the archives in honor of our recent snowy weather. This rescue is from February of 2021. Father and daughter backcountry skiers had become separated when the father broke a cornice and fell. They were able to initially communicate until batteries died. The daughter spent the night in a snow cave to survive. The father was located by ground search and rescue members, and we were able to eventually locate the daughter from the helicopter. She was in moderate to severe hypothermia. She was hoisted into our helicopter then delivered to a waiting ground ambulance and her father for rewarming and transport. Both individuals were well prepared and did the right things to survive the extreme conditions.

11/06/2025

September 20, 2025 - Saturday afternoon we were dispatched to Diamond Peak in Blaine County, Idaho for a climbing accident. During the descent, one of the climbers lost their footing and disappeared from sight. We were able to quickly locate the fallen climber and determine that they were, unfortunately, deceased. The other two climbers were identified and hoisted off the mountain. Attempts to recover the deceased climber were made as night approached but were unsuccessful due to minimal fuel, hoist complexity and fading light. We elected to return the following morning and successfully recovered the victim. We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the victim’s friends and family.
The video is hoisting one of the climbing partners.

10/18/2025

September 20, 2025 - Saturday afternoon we were dispatched to Shoshone County, Idaho for the hoist rescue of two subjects who had been involved in an ATV accident. The side by side they were in had left the trail and rolled multiple times down a 200’ embankment. We located the subjects and lowered our rescue specialist to them. They were assessed and hoisted into our helicopter, then transported to a waiting ground ambulance. Both had been belted in. It’s been our experience that seat belts really do save lives. Please always wear them.

09/25/2025

September 7, 2025 - Sunday afternoon we were dispatched to Shoshone County, Idaho for the hoist rescue of a subject who had accidentally stabbed himself in the thigh while field dressing an elk. We were able to locate the subject and lower our rescue specialist to the individual. He was assessed, treated and hoisted into our helicopter. He was flown out of the woods and was able to receive definitive care. And yes, his friends were able to recover the elk later the same day!