Teton County Search & Rescue’s Helicopter Program

New H125 is on call for year-round Backcountry Rescue Service
in Teton County, Wyoming

Teton County Search & Rescue is excited to announce that it has received its year-round rescue helicopter, completing the capital campaign to provide an on-call rescue ship to Teton County. The helicopter—a single-engine H125 aircraft built by the France-based Airbus and then customized as a rescue ship by Kansas-based EuroTec—officially arrived on Saturday, October 14, 2023. TCSAR volunteers are already training in and around the helicopter in preparation for the winter rescue season.

After raising $7.25 million in private donations from the community in a nine-month campaign known as Mission Critical, TCSAR Foundation, the nonprofit that supports TCSAR volunteers, handed over the title and deed of the H125 helicopter to Teton County. Moving forward, the County owns the ship and employs the chief pilot through the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees SAR operations as stipulated by Wyoming state statute. The process has been a prime example of the community benefits resulting from the public/private partnership between the TCSAR Foundation, Sheriff’s Office, and County.

At the end of the day, the campaign and partnership has always been about saving lives with the most effective tool for mountain rescue.

Mission Critical raised donations from approximately 2,000 individuals, and so many others played key roles in making the helicopter a reality. In this photo are stakeholders who were instrumental in the public/private partnership to ensure the helicopter’s arrival in Teton County. Left to Right: Teton County Commissioner Greg Epstein and daughter, Teton County Commissioner Luther Propst, Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, EuroTec Project Manager Mike Whitter, TCSAR volunteer and board member Don Watkins, EuroTec Marketing and Communications Manager Katie Brown, TCSAR Chief Advisor Cody Lockhart, TCSAR Foundation Board President Hugh O’Halloran, TCSAR Foundation Board Vice President Sara Adamson, Teton County Commissioner Natalia Macker, TCSAR Chief Pilot Steve Wilson, TCSAR Training Advisor Anthony Stevens, TCSAR Medical Advisor AJ Wheeler (kneeling), TCSAR volunteer Tim Ciocarlan, Teton County Sheriff’s Office SAR Coordinator Mike Estes. Photo: David Bowers

Watch how the TCSAR helicopter came together in this video from eurotec.

“The new H125 helicopter comes at a time when Teton County Search & Rescue continues to see a high volume of rescue calls, within and outside our county,” says TCSAR Chief Advisor Cody Lockhart. “Having a rescue-ready helicopter year-round can be the difference between life or death for locals and visitors alike. We are incredibly grateful to our entire community and partners for helping to make this vital rescue tool a reality for Teton County.”

TCSAR volunteers conduct a recent short-haul training session with the new H125. Photo: TCSAR

The helicopter completion process showcased EuroTec's unique expertise in helicopter modifications and its close relationships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), enabling them to offer a comprehensive list of options to enhance the H125’s capabilities. From its original factory green color to a custom-designed red exterior with a mountainscape paint scheme pulled from TCSAR’s new logo, the end result is a state-of-the-art aircraft equipped for the challenging Search & Rescue missions required in Wyoming's rugged terrain.

Having a year-round helicopter eliminates the uncertainty with lease contracts of the past, and allows TCSAR to conduct complex training missions—not to mention rescues—no matter the season.

“Delivering this custom-completed H125 helicopter represents a significant milestone for Teton County Search and Rescue. We're honored to have played a crucial role in supporting their mission. We are thrilled to witness the positive impact this aircraft will have on their life-saving efforts,” said Chad Decker, President of EuroTec.

Key features and enhancements of the customized H125 include:

● Swiss Rotor Services Door/Maximum Pilot View Kit

● Astronics Max-Viz 2300 Enhanced Vision System

● BLR FastFin Kit

● Dart Basket

● Boost Cargo Hook

● Onboard Cargo Hook

● Bear Paws

● Avionics Panel Reconfiguration with Garmin Avionics Suite, Dual TDFM, US Forestry Kit, Flex Digital Battery ACU, SpiderTracks, Additional Antennas, and more.

● Custom Designed Paint Scheme with Ceramic Coating

● Vertical Flight Solutions True Blue Power TB20 Battery Kit

TCSAR consists of 39 volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. The rescue services they provide to backcountry users are free of charge. This does not change with the new helicopter. Anyone who is having an emergency is encouraged to call or text 911.