1980: After Mount St. Helens erupted this date, a C-141 from the 63 MAW at Norton AFB, Calif., and a C-130 from the 62 MAW at McChord AFB flew above the stricken area to provide communications for rescue aircraft. The USAF Rescue Coordination Center at Scott AFB managed 568 sorties by the ARRS, Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Army aircraft through 5 June that saved 101 lives. SR-71 aircraft conducted sorties to aid the rescue and recovery operations.
