Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured hiker at Hatcher Pass

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 23, 2015. The 210th Rescue Squadron provides emergency rescue services for the citizens of Alaska in addition to training for wartime combat search and rescue missions.

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

150723-F-YH552-027

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 23, 2015. The 210th Rescue Squadron provides emergency rescue services for the citizens of Alaska in addition to training for wartime combat search and rescue missions.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska – Responding to a rescue request from Alaska State Troopers for a hoist-capable helicopter, the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing rescued an injured hiker at Hatcher Pass July 14.

Six pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron boarded an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron to respond to the injured hiker, who was isolated on a grassy ledge, said Alaska Air National Guard Master Sgt. Heidi Gould, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center controller.

After locating the hiker, the helicopter landed above the hiker and the pararescuemen rappelled down to stabilize the hiker and secure the area. The hiker was packaged and roped up to the helicopter.

The hiker was transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center and released to medical personnel there.

For this mission, the 210th and 212th rescue squadrons and the AKRCC were awarded one save.

Alaska Air National Guard

176th Wing

hiker rescue

Pave Hawk

Related Articles

Master Sgt. Philip Nelson and Master Sgt. Jonathan Wilson of the 168th Communications Flight pose for a photo while installing broadband satellite, and 5 G Cellular Service in Shishmaref, Alaska. The installation, completed over five demanding days, was part of a larger initiative funded by a $29.5 million grant awarded to Alaska Tribal Networks, a nonprofit focused on expanding broadband access to rural villages. The recent Shishmaref deployment marked the beginning of a broader plan that includes coordinating the provision of Broadband satellite and 5G fixed and mobile wireless services in 45 communities across the Arctic. Nelson and Wilson of the 168 CF and ATS Lead Technician Brian Vaughn collaborated closely with the Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training program to execute the installation in Shishmaref. They extended the existing Starlink service from a community building into a 4G/5G broadcast signal, blanketing the entire village with reliable connectivity. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Alaska Air Guard's 168th Wing Helps Deliver Connectivity to Remote Alaska

By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | May 23, 2025

SHISHMAREF, Alaska — In the icy expanse of Northwest Alaska under the biting chill of Arctic winter conditions, a team of communications specialists from the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing and Alaska Tribal Spectrum...

Aircrew members with the 168th Wing Operations Group participate in hands-on CBRN training during the May drill weekend at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 3, 2025. The training, led by the Wing’s Emergency Management specialists, focused on decontamination procedures, protective gear use, post-attack reconnaissance sweeps, and mock threat scenarios to reinforce mission readiness and operational capability in high-threat environments. CBRN training is crucial for maintaining operational readiness and ensuring Airmen can protect personnel and mission-critical assets effectively. The training reinforces the Wing’s capability to mobilize to support wartime tasking.

Alaska Air Guard’s 168th Wing Sharpens Readiness with CBRN Training

By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | May 20, 2025

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – During the May drill weekend, the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing Operations Group took another step in reinforcing mission readiness through comprehensive Chemical, Biological,...

Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Robert Brodsky, a combat rescue officer assigned to the 212th Rescue Squadron, prepares to hoist and conduct a rescue mission in an HH-60G Pave Hawk at Point MacKenzie Sept. 1, 2022. Airmen of the 212th RQS and 210th Rescue Squadron rescued four Alaskans in four missions from April 1 to 4, 2025.

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Four in Separate Missions

By David Bedard, | April 11, 2025

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard Airmen of the 176th Wing conducted four rescue missions across Southcentral Alaska between April 1- 4, successfully rescuing four individuals.The first...