Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue pilot near Lime Village

A U.S Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, conducts aerial refueling from a U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, over Alaska, Jan. 21, 2021, during Operation Noble Defender. Operation Noble Defender is a North American Air Defense Command air-defense operation that allows dynamic training for operational readiness in an Arctic environment.

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210121-F-MJ351-1263

A U.S Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, conducts aerial refueling from a U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, over Alaska, Jan. 21, 2021, during Operation Noble Defender. Operation Noble Defender is a North American Air Defense Command air-defense operation that allows dynamic training for operational readiness in an Arctic environment.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard members of the 176th Wing rescued the pilot of a crashed Cessna 170 April 7 near Lime Village about 185 miles west of Anchorage.

Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Evan Budd, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center superintendent, said the pilot called the Stoney River Lodge, which relayed the Cessna’s position to the AKRCC.

The AKRCC requested assistance from the 176th Wing, which dispatched a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II, with 212th Rescue Squadron pararescue teams on each aircraft.

The HC-130 refueled the HH-60 and was the first aircraft over the crash site, providing precise coordinates to the helicopter crew.

The Pave Hawk crew landed near the crash site and the pararescuemen medically assessed and evacuated the pilot.

The pilot was transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Budd emphasized the importance of having a reliable means of communication when venturing into the Alaska wilderness.

“Having a communications device was absolutely critical to a good outcome for the pilot,” he said. “Getting the call early with crucial information made it so we could get on scene quickly.”

For this rescue, 210th RQS, 211th RQS, 212th RQS and AKRCC were awarded one save.

Alaska Air National Guard

Pave Hawk

HC130J Combat King

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...