JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued an injured Iditarod musher March 9 from the Rohn Roadhouse about 136 miles northwest of Anchorage.
Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Evan Budd, superintendent of the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, said the musher sustained multiple injuries after falling while coming into the Rohn checkpoint.
The AKRCC requested assistance from the 176th Wing, which dispatched a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and a 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel (GA) team. GA teams are highly trained search-and-rescue specialists with arctic expertise.
The Pave Hawk crew was able to land close to the Rohn Roadhouse and the pararescue personnel made their way to the cabin. Upon arrival, the team worked with the on-scene medic to assess and treat the musher’s injuries before medical transport.
The musher was transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
Budd commended the Iditarod medical team for quickly identifying and stabilizing the musher’s injuries on scene and working with multiple agencies to transport the injured musher to Anchorage.
“The Iditarod is a world-class event traversing through remote Alaska,” he said. “Their team did a great job ensuring medical aid is readily available along the trail, developing contingency plans and swiftly activating them.”
For this rescue, 210th RQS, 212th RQS and AKRCC were awarded on save.