The 16-year-old parted with his family on Sunday afternoon to go to the bathroom when he did not return. The 304th Squadron deployed a 12-person search and rescue team to where the teen and family were last seen. The squadron is part of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, many of the members have other full-time jobs and serve part time in the military. The team worked closely with the Cowlitz Sheriff’s office as well as other volunteers to find the young man. After about 30 hours, a canine unit was able to locate the hiker in a tree. He had lost his balance at the edge of a hilltop and tumbled down. The young hiker had suffered minor injuries.

Photo by 943rd Public Affairs