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 | Dec. 29, 2022

Alaska Air Guard Medevacs Pregnant Woman

By Maj. Chelsea Aspelund, 176th Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing raced against time and overcame high winds to medevac a pregnant woman in distress Dec. 24.

Late Christmas Eve, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received a call for assistance from Alaska Native Medical Center because civilian air ambulances could not medevac a patient experiencing pregnancy complications at the clinic in Shaktoolik, about 32 miles northwest of Unalakleet.

“Crosswinds at the unattended, gravel airstrip in Shaktoolik and surrounding airfields were gusting in excess of 35 knots,” said Maj. Paul Rouenhorse, the search and rescue duty officer for the mission. “While this exceeds weather limitations for civil air ambulance, the HH-60 is capable of hovering into and safely landing in extremely high winds.”

The AKRCC coordinated with the 176th Wing to dispatch a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with a 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel team. Two pararescuemen were on each aircraft.

“ANMC reported that the patient was losing blood, so we immediately contacted our mission support team to coordinate a blood pickup from the 673d Medical Group,” said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Bowerfind, the lead pararescuemen on the mission.

En route to Shaktoolik, the HC-130 refueled the helicopter in the air and provided weather reconnaissance until the HH-60 landed.

The pararescue team and medical personnel provided intravenous fluids and the critical blood transfusion protocol to the woman in the clinic. 

“This is the first time that the 212th Rescue Squadron has administered a blood transfusion in support of Alaska civil search and rescue missions,” Bowerfind said.

After determining the patient was stable and the bleeding had subsided, the Guardian Angel team prepared for transport while continuing to administer blood and monitor vitals.  

Meanwhile, the HC-130 flew to Unalakleet to survey the field for a possible transload location. The crew determined the crosswinds were too strong and that McGrath would be safer.

“While the [Guardian Angel] team transported the patient into the Pave Hawk, the aircrew verified the winds and reported a 70-knot headwind back to JBER,” Rouenhorse said. “This affirmed our decision to conduct a patient transload at an airfield west of the mountain range.”

The HC-130 is faster and can fly above terrain that the HH-60 would need to navigate more slowly.

In McGrath, the Guardian Angel team transferred the patient to the HC-130 and flew to JBER. The patient was released to an Anchorage Fire Department ambulance and taken to ANMC on Christmas morning.

“This mission was truly one of those ‘only in Alaska’ moments,” said Bowerfind. “The patient was surrounded by family as the entire village showed up to offer help; from vehicle transport to and from the helicopter to safe movement across the ice. It truly takes a village.”

For this mission, the AK RCC, 210th RQS, 211th and 212th RQS received credit for one save.
 

 

 

Related Articles
Airmen from the 168th Wing Medical Group, along with their counterparts from other Air National Guard units, conduct radiation monitoring during field training at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, June 2025. The training enhances the unit’s ability to detect and respond to radiological threats in deployed or contingency environments.
Alaska Air Guard 168th Medical Group Trains for High-Stakes Missions
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | July 7, 2025
ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich. — The Alaska Air National Guard 168th Wing Medical Group continues to strengthen its operational edge, proving lethality in today’s battlespace isn’t just about combat power -...

Civic leaders and newly commissioned U.S. Air Force pilot trainees gather with the 168th Wing KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew following an aerial refueling mission during Red Flag-Alaska 25-2, June 24, 2025. The event provided participants with a unique opportunity to witness the complex coordination and precision required for refueling U.S. and allied aircraft in flight. This experience highlighted the critical role the 168th Wing plays in sustaining readiness and strengthening defense capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Civic Leaders Fly With Alaska Air Guard During Red Flag Alaska 25-2
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | July 3, 2025
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing hosted a civic leader flight June 24 that offered local leaders an opportunity to view an aerial refueling mission over the Joint Pacific Alaska...

Alaska Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Quintan Hecimovich, 176th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, supports wildfire containment efforts June 21, 2025, at Bear Creek, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard activated volunteers to support containment efforts in  the Interior.
Alaska Guard Works to Contain Fires
By Maj. David Bedard, | June 23, 2025
BEAR CREEK, Alaska – Alaska National Guard service members were activated on June 20 to support local, state and federal efforts to contain fires threatening Alaska Interior communities. Col. Christen Brewer, Alaska National...