EDGEWOOD, Md. — Soldiers with the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, Maryland Army National Guard conducted rescue hoist training with the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, April 9.

Formed in 2008, the MD-HART team comprises firefighters from departments throughout central Maryland. The team’s primary mission is to work with Maryland Army National Guard members to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies that require aerial rescue techniques. 

During the training, the Soldiers flew hoist-equipped UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters while the MD-HART members aided simulated victims on the ground before they were hoisted to the aircraft. 

“This training is super important,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chris Hoffman, an instructor pilot with the 29th CAB. “It’s crucial for us to get along with these guys and make sure we’re all on the same page so when the hurricanes do come or somebody is in need, we can all mesh together and work together and save their lives.”

Team members and aircrews performed both static hoists – when the helicopter remains stationary while hoisting - and dynamic hoists, where the helicopter moves forward while hoisting to reduce hover time and rotor wash in the area.   

The training is conducted quarterly, and the difficulty of the training scenario increases as the year progresses. In May, the training is scheduled to include hoisting from the water, then from rooftops, and finally from trees. 

That’s all to be as prepared and ready as possible, said Mike Berna, the civilian program manager for MD-HART, adding that it also helps strengthen clear coordination between aircrews and the MD-HART.

That ensures “everybody is on the same sheet of music,” he said. “Because what we don’t want is the various units doing their own thing. We’re building consistency.”

He added that team cohesion is a vital part of operational readiness and the training also helps develop that.

“The camaraderie with everybody is just phenomenal,” Berna said. “We hang out, we call each other - we’ve become a big family, and that’s where we need to be.”

Last year, the Maryland Army Guard and the MD-HART provided rescue operations during Hurricane Helene response efforts at the request of North Carolina officials. They completed 59 hoist missions for nine days, rescuing 83 people and 20 pets. 

The teams also responded to relief efforts following Hurricane Florence in 2018, helping to evacuate 53 people to safety.