Navy honors helo crash first responders

ELKINS, W.Va. (WAVY) - It's called the miracle on the mountain.  Seventeen military service members survived a helicopter crash in a remote mountain area in West Virginia on February 18.

The MH-60S helicopter from Naval Station Norfolk based Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron TWO SIX (HSC-26) was on its way to a training exercise when it went down.

Wednesday, the Navy held a ceremony in Elkins, West Virginia, honoring the first responders who initially arrived on the scene.

Because of their efforts, only two of the 17 crew members on board the helicopter remain in the hospital - and both are expected to make a full recovery.

For the crew members facing death, their rescue was nothing short of spectacular.

"The men and women of West Virginia, they're heroes," said AWS Ben Chellew, one of those 17 aboard the Knighthawk helicopter that crashed on a training flight from Fort Pickett, Va., to Camp Dawson, near Kingwood, West Virginia. The chopper crashed in Pocahontas County, about six miles from Showshoe Ski Resort, landing in more than four feet of snow.

"I found myself looking up at the trees because we were on our side," said Chellew.

Once the 11 were Navy sailors, four West Virginia National Guard personnel, and two Marines aboard got out of the helicopter, it became a waiting game.

"All the good foliage was buried under snow," said Chellew. "We were burning anything we could find to keep a flame long enough to dry out the wood."

Through the combined efforts of nearly a dozen West Virginia agencies, all 17 men survived.

Each rescuer received a plaque and letter of appreciation for their professionalism and dedication during the ceremony at Elkins-Randolph County Airport.

Those from Norfolk who attended and thanked the first responders included Captain Stephen Schreiber, Commander Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic; Commander Heath Howell, Commanding Officer, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26; and Rear Admiral David Anderson,Vice Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

"This is a true event that brought out the best in all of our first responders across the state," said Major General Allen E. Tackett, Adjutant General, West Virginia National Guard.

The investigation into the helicopter crash is still underway.