Under the Ash A Pilot's Story

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!

You may also like the following events from Westport Timberland Library:

• Next Saturday, 11th October, 11:00 am, Shipwrecks of the Northwest in Westport
• This month, 15th October, 03:30 pm, Kids Hangout in Westport
• This month, 22nd October, 03:30 pm, Teen Hangout in Westport