JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Members of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing rescued a climber who was trapped and unable to climb down a steep cliff July 27 near Seward.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and deployed a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk with 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen aboard from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The HH-60 crew located the individual on the cliff near Mt. Marathon at about 4,000 feet elevation. The crew conducted a hoist to lift the climber off the cliff and transported them to Seward airport, where the individual was released to the Alaska State Troopers.
This mission underscores the capabilities of these elements of the Alaska Air National Guard’s rescue triad— pararescuemen, special mission aviators and HH-60G Pave Hawk crews—who stand ready to respond anytime, anywhere, to save lives across Alaska’s vast and unforgiving terrain. For the rescue, the AKANG was awarded one save.