# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Under the Ash: A Pilot's Story
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 11:00 am – Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 12:30 pm (-07:00)
- **Event Description**: At 12:30pm on May 18, 1980, Washington Army National Guard helicopter pilot Captain Mike Cairns flew beneath the ash cloud of the Mount St. Helens volcano eruption – a feat never before attempted in history. In the challenging days that followed, as Mike, his crew, and fellow National Guard pilots flew numerous search, rescue, and recovery missions, he documented the devastation they encountered with photographs taken with his own 35mm camera. Those missions, over 600 in all, would lead to three pilots and five crew members receiving the Valley Forge Cross. Mike was one of those three pilots awarded the National Guard’s highest honor for heroism.

Here’s your chance to chat with Mike in person about his new, highly-rated photo journal, Under The Ash, as well as view his remarkable slideshow presentation and take questions about his experiences at Mount St. Helens. Mike will also have copies of his book available to purchase and sign. This one-of-a-kind book showcases some of the best of his never before seen images, the rescue of survivors, facts about the eruption, what the conditions were like for a helicopter pilot, and more. Hope to see you there!
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/elma/under-the-ash-a-pilots-story/200029798888349
- **Event Categories**: 
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 14

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Elma
- **state**: WA
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 119 North 1st Street, Elma, WA, United States, Washington 98541
- **lat**: 47.00479
- **long**: -123.40116
- **full address**: 119 North 1st Street, Elma, WA, United States, Washington 98541

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Under the Ash: A Pilot's Story
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events3/banners/a431139b553bd6dbffd9622eb326d84dbba9a41071c9abf6015e8bba9b2406bb-rimg-w760-h230-dceeefed-gmir?v=1776191412

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Under the Ash: A Pilot's Story being held?
  - **A:** Under the Ash: A Pilot's Story takes place on Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 11:00 am to Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 12:30 pm at 119 North 1st Street, Elma, WA, United States, Washington 98541.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Under the Ash: A Pilot's Story?
  - **A:** Under the Ash: A Pilot's Story is organized by Elma Timberland Library.

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        "startDate": "2026-05-09T11:00:00-07:00",
        "endDate": "2026-05-09T12:30:00-07:00",
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                "name": "Elma Timberland Library",
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                "description": "The Elma Library joined Timberland in 1969. The current library shares Timberland's collection over 1.6 million books, CDs, DVDs, ebooks, downloadable audio books, videos, magazines, talking books, and audiocassettes."
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