JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued an injured skier March 1 at Hatcher Pass.
According to Alaska Air National Guard Capt. Wesley Ladd, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.
An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Aboard the aircraft were two pararescuemen who are both highly trained personnel specializing in rescue operations.
After receiving a report of the injured skier, the AKRCC tasked the Guard members to respond. The pararescuemen assessed the skier and packaged her for transport by Pave Hawk.
The HH-60G transported the skier to the Providence Alaska Medical Center where the pararescuemen handed her off to hospital staff.
Ladd commended a good Samaritan, who reported the injured skier, for having and accurately using a GPS device with satellite communication capabilities to aid rescue efforts.
For this mission, the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded one save.