JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued two individuals after their plane crashed Aug. 4 in the vicinity of Tyonek.
According to the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to a report of a crash from Anchorage Center. A Good Samaritan pilot in the area spotted the aircraft crash and relayed the information to the RCC via Anchorage Center.
An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Also aboard the helicopter was a Guardian Angel team from the 212th Rescue Squadron.
The plane's emergency 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter was detected after the HH-60 was en route to the crash.
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 report of the crash, the AKRCC tasked Air Guard members to respond. The helicopter flew to the location of the downed aircraft, rescued the two injured individuals and flew them to Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
For this mission, the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded two saves.
In another rescue, Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued three individuals Aug. 6 who were hiking in the Denali National Park.