JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska —Alaska Air National Guard members had a very busy few days that resulted in a total of five rescues.
On Saturday, Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued four individuals after their all-terrain vehicle flipped and fell into the Knik River at the Knik Glacier.
A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson rescued the individuals before midnight and transported them to the JBER Hospital.
According to the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.
Guard members included Guardian Angel teams, which are highly trained personnel made up of a pararescueman and a combat rescue officer who both specialize in conducting rescue missions.
After receiving the mission, the AKRCC tasked Air Guardsmen to respond to the event.
For this mission, the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded four saves.
And on Sunday, Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued one person after the pilot's PA-18 plane crashed in the vicinity of Stoney River Lodge.
A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson rescued the individual at 12:20 a.m. and transported the pilot to McGrath. A 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J transported the pilot to JBER, and the individual was then transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center.
The HC-130J air-to-air refueled the HH-60G during the mission.
After receiving report of the crash, the AKRCC tasked Air Guardsmen to respond to the event.
For this mission, the 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons will be awarded one save.
Also, the Alaska National Guard announced Tuesday that it saved another five people the day before. Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued five individuals Aug. 20 after their PA-18 Super Cub plane crashed near Pingston Creek about 90 miles east of McGrath.