JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members from the 176th Wing rescued five individuals involved in three incidents Sept. 15 that spanned more than 550 miles across Alaska.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened a mission in the morning of Sept. 15 in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers regarding a hunter experiencing a medical emergency.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and dispatched Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson-based rescue assets from the 176th Wing’s Rescue Squadrons. A 210th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk and a 211th RQS HC-30J Combat King II, both carrying 212th RQS Guardian Angels, traveled to the reported emergency site about 220 miles northeast of Fairbanks.
Air-refueling from the HC-130 to the HH-60 twice en route, the rescue personnel made their way to the hunting party’s location on a bank of the Wind River. Because of the deteriorating condition of the distressed hunter, the Combat King II pressed ahead of the Pave Hawk and was the first to arrive at the hunting party.
To expedite medical care, Guardian Angels parachuted from the HC-130 down to the distressed hunter and immediately began rendering medical care. The Pave Hawk arrived a short time later, picked up the Guardian Angels and the two-person hunting party and transported them to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. The hunter was released to the medical staff at the hospital.
Later that day, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened a second mission in response to a registered 406 megahertz emergency locator transmitter signal and subsequent aircraft crash confirmation.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and dispatched a 210th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk with 212th RQS Guardian Angels on board from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The Pave Hawk crew spotted the downed two-seat general aviation aircraft, along with two individuals with minor injuries, about 65 miles southwest of Anchorage. The HH-60 crew located a clearing to land, picked up the two individuals and transported them to Providence Alaska Medical Center.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened its third mission in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers regarding two stranded hikers on Bear Mountain, about three miles southwest of Seward.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted this mission and again dispatched a 210th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk with 212th RQS Guardian Angels on board from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The Pave Hawk crew arrived on scene and located the two hikers stranded on a steep rock formation. Because of the hikers’ precarious location, the Pave Hawk crew carefully maneuvered and approached the two individuals to minimize the hazards posed by the helicopter’s forceful rotor wash.
Unable to land because of the terrain, the Pave Hawk crew deployed Guardian Angels and rescued the two hikers from the rock formation using a hoist. The hikers were transported to Seward, where they were released to the Alaska State Troopers.
The three incidents and successful outcomes highlight the vital importance of having an emergency communication plan when venturing in Alaska’s remote and rugged terrain.
According to David Alborn, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center search and rescue program manager, the aircraft owner properly registered the ELT, which resulted in an expedited response.
“The beacon registration being up to date and accurate allowed us to get rescue forces to [the downed pilot] within minutes versus hours,” Alborn said.
ELT registration provides the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center with the aircraft owner’s emergency point-of-contact information that can be used to rule out a false alert or confirm a real emergency.
In the event of a real emergency, registered ELTs can facilitate timely rescues by providing direct contact between rescue personnel and the pilot in need of assistance. Timely responses are vital when traveling over Alaska’s expansive spaces and medical attention is needed.
While the 176th Wing Rescue Triad’s military mission stands alert in support of the 11th Air Force Alaska NORAD Region, they also work with the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center to provide Alaska with specialized civil search and rescue capabilities when available.
By air, land or sea, the Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel constantly train in Alaska’s vast and austere locations to hone their specialized search and rescue skill set.
“It’s important to mention that from the folks at the rescue coordination center to the HC-130 and HH-60 aircrews, and the PJs [pararescuemen], everyone here are local residents,” Alborn said. “Not only do we understand the state and the different terrain and conditions, everyone goes through an intense amount of training to conduct search and rescue across Alaska."