An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 5, 2021

Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue injured climber

By David Bedard 176th Wing

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued a fallen ice climber Jan. 2 at Chugach State Park near Anchorage.

Alaska Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Katie Magnuson, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center search-and-rescue senior controller, said the Alaska State Troopers requested assistance from the AKRCC and reported that the climber fell approximately 40 feet and suffered an injury.

The AKRCC assessed the situation and requested assets from the 176th Wing, which launched a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk search-and-rescue helicopter carrying two pararescuemen (PJs).

Chugach State Park Rangers and Alaska Mountain Rescue Group volunteers also responded by snowmachine and transported the injured climber to a location suitable for helicopter evacuation.

The HH-60 crew then transported the patient to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and released him to Anchorage Fire Department paramedics.

Magnuson credited cooperation with partner agencies for the swift rescue.

“It was really great working with the troopers, AMRG, the park rangers and the AFD,” she said. “We count on our partnerships to provide world-class rescue support statewide.”

For this rescue, 210th RQS, 212th RQS, AKRCC, AMRG and Chugach State Park Rangers were awarded one save.

 

 

Related Articles
An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska while conducting a training operation Oct. 2, 2024. The Pave Hawk is the 176th Wing’s primary platform for personnel extraction since the all-weather helicopter can land in a variety of austere locations, and the crew can employ the rescue hoist when landing is not possible. The 210th, along with the 211th and 212th RQSs, make up the 176th Wing Rescue Triad and are among the busiest combat search and rescue units in the world. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Plane Crash Survivor
By Alejandro Pena, | Sept. 12, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued the single occupant of a plane crash Sept. 10, approximately 115 miles northeast of Anchorage.The Alaska Rescue...

Arizona Army National Guard Sgt. Sean Smeltzer, assigned to Alpha Company, 49th Missile Defense, Ground Based Interceptor Security Company works on shift at Ft. Greely, Alaska August 13, 2025. Smeltzer is currently on a one-year rotation with the AZARNG, augmenting the missile defense site’s military police force. (Alaska National Guard photo by David Bedard)
Alaska Army Guard Forges Mission Success Through Resilience, Community
By Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount, | Sept. 9, 2025
FORT GREELY, Alaska – In the heart of interior Alaska, where the wind howls across the tundra and winter locks the land in 40-below darkness, Soldiers of the Alaska Army National Guard’s 49th Missile Defense Battalion carry...

Alaska Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nick Lime, an aviator assigned to 207th Aviation Battalion, assists six distressed people stranded on the Kuskokwim River during a rescue mission June 30, 2025. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to an Alaska State Troopers request for assistance when the family’s boat became stuck on a sandbar in the river.
Alaska Army Guard Rescues Family Stranded on River During Storm
By Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount, | July 2, 2025
BETHEL, Alaska — Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Battalion rescued a family of six June 30 near Tuntutuliak on the Kuskokwim River.The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in...