May 18, 1980

1980:    After Mount St. Helens erupts, a C-141 from the 63 MAW at Norton AFB, CA and a C-130 from the 62 MAW at McChord AFB WA fly above the stricken area to provide communications for rescue aircraft. The USAF Rescue Coordination Center at Scott AFB manages 568 sorties by the ARRS, Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Army through 5 June that save 101 lives.