JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued two individuals Saturday in two separate incidents within quick succession.
A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson rescued a distressed hunter in the vicinity of Rainy Pass and transported the individual to Providence Alaska Medical Center.
According to Alaska Air National Guard Master Sgt. Evan Budd of the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to notification from the Alaska State Troopers.
A few hours later, the same alert crew with the Pave Hawk rescued a pilot after his PA-12 crashed in the vicinity of Beluga River. The pilot was also transported to Providence.
Budd said the AKRCC was notified upon receipt of the pilot's electronic-locator beacon signal.
Guardian Angel teams are highly trained personnel comprised of a pararescueman and a combat rescue officer who both specialize in conducting rescue missions.
After receiving report of the crash, the AKRCC tasked Air Guardsmen to respond to the event.
Between the two missions, the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons as well as the AKRCC were awarded two saves.