JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued a man whose plane crashed Tuesday in the vicinity of the Yentna River.
According to the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to a report of an audible emergency locator transmitter signal 40 nautical miles northwest of Anchorage.
An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron was in the vicinity during a training mission when they heard the signal and reported it the AKRCC. Also aboard the helicopter was a Guardian Angel team from the 212th Rescue Squadron.
Guardian Angel teams are highly trained medical personnel made up of a pararescueman and a combat rescue officer who both specialize in conducting high-risk rescue missions.
After receiving the report of the ELT (electronic locator) signal, the AKRCC assigned Air Guard members to respond to the event. The helicopter flew to the location of the downed aircraft, rescued the pilot and flew him to Providence Hospital where the pilot was released to medical personnel.
For this mission, the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded with one save.