Alaska Guard Rescues Pilots From Two Plane Crashes

U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II aviators assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, conduct flight operations while responding to a simulated medical emergency during SAREX 2026 near Sitka, Alaska, April 16, 2026.

Download

Details

260416-Z-HY271-1334

U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II aviators assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, conduct flight operations while responding to a simulated medical emergency during SAREX 2026 near Sitka, Alaska, April 16, 2026. SAREX 2026 was a search-and-rescue exercise conducted by U.S. Coast Guardsmen assigned to Sector Southeastern Alaska and U.S. Arctic out of USCG Air Station Sitka. Participants also included Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command, Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons, Air Force Reserve pararescuemen from the 304th Rescue Squadron out of Portland, Oregon, civilian search and rescue personnel with Sitka Search and Rescue, and volunteers from the National Park Service. The collaborative and realistic training drew on the participants’ varied backgrounds, experiences and practices, to enhance SAR proficiency and collective readiness when conducting life-saving missions along Alaska’s extensive and austere coast. Photo by Alejandro Pena.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued two pilots in two separate plane crashes Sept. 10.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson opened the first mission after receiving a report from a good Samaritan of a crash of a Piper PA-18 at Friday Creek about 20 miles east of Palmer.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center requested support from the 176th Wing search and rescue duty officer, who dispatched a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel rescue Airmen on board.

The HH-60 crew landed near the crash site, and the Guardian Angels made contact with the pilot before bringing the pilot on board the helicopter for transport to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

The second mission opened when the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received a 911 report of a Cessna 170 that crashed near Skwentna about 80 miles northwest of Anchorage.

In a near repeat of the previous mission, the HH-60 crew located the crash, landed and the Guardian Angels brought the pilot into the helicopter for transport to Providence.

Alaska Rescue Coordination Center officials urge aircraft owners to keep 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters up to date with their aircraft's registration information to expedite rescue efforts.

Alaska National Guard

Alaska Rescue Coordination Center

Rescue

Related Articles

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Four From Plane Crash

By David Bedard, | Sept. 2, 2026

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued four people from an Aug. 30 plane crash at a Montague Island coastal sandbar about 60 miles southeast of Seward.The Alaska...

An Alaska National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II carrying 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen returns to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson after an Aug. 9, 2026, mission rescuing a pilot of a Cessna 185 that crashed near Trapper Joe Lake about 25 miles south of Anchorage. The rescue happened during the base’s Arctic Thunder Open House, and special coordination was made for the HH-60 to depart the open house’s Joint Force Demonstration. Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon.

Alaska Guard Rescues Pilot in Plane Crash

By David Bedard, | Aug. 12, 2026

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Wing rescued the pilot of a Cessna 185 crash Aug. 9 near Trapper Joe Lake, about 25 miles south of Anchorage.A 210th Rescue Squadron...

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Allenmikel Armstrong, 212th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, hoists from a HH-60W Jolly Green II during the Arctic Thunder Open House 26 full-scale exercise on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 17, 2026. The exercise simulated a recovery operation of a pilot after an aircraft incident. Photo by Airman 1st Class Keola Vischi)

Alaska National Guardsmen Rescue Nine People in Four Days

By Alejandro Pena, | July 29, 2026

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel assigned to the 176th Wing and Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command saved nine people during...