Wilderness mission

As a member of the successful, interagency mission to search for the former Marine Noah Pippin, who disappeared in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in September of 2010, I feel it necessary to make a few comments about the assistance provided by several governmental agencies.

When this young patriot disappeared on his solitary walkabout, it wasn’t possible to mount an extensive search for him immediately. Only after several months was it possible for the family to piece together his itinerary and for investigators to gather the evidence that he probably perished in the vicinity of the Chinese Wall. By then, it was clear that it probably would be a recovery mission not a rescue mission.

As circumstances unfolded, it wasn’t until last month before a second attempt could be made after the first attempt in 2011 was unsuccessful. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton, his deputy Uriah Woods, the Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue Team, agents from the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs, and several citizen volunteers came together and successfully conducted the search and recovery of this fallen Marine.

Conspicuously absent from this list is the government agency that supervises the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Citing its protected status as a designated wilderness, the Lewis and Clark National Forest supervisor refused to allow the team to utilize their own helicopter.

That decision was abhorrent and a callous rejection of common sense that would dictate providing any and all assistance for such a mission.

John Fuller

Whitefish