JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center and Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued two distressed hikers Tuesday at Crow Pass north of Girdwood.
According to Alaska Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Katelyn Magnuson, a controller at the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.
An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson with two pararescuemen on board. The aircrew subsequently located the uninjured hikers and transported them to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where they were released to authorities.
“Key to this mission’s success was the hiker’s preparedness in carrying a satellite communication device providing exact coordinates to their location,” Magnuson reported.
For this mission, the AKRCC, 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded two saves.