CAMP DENALI, Alaska - The Alaska Air National Guard rescued an injured climber off Root Glacier in the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park Wednesday.
An Alaska Wilderness guide called the National Park Service from a satellite phone to request help after his client, a 57-year-old male, fell 50-feet off the Root Glacier and sustained multiple injuries.
A National Park Service Ranger on location, who assessed the situation, was unable to extract the climber and requested assistance from the 11th Rescue Coordination Center at 12:15 p.m.
The Alaska Air National Guard's 210th, 211th, and 212th Rescue Squadrons from Kulis Air National Guard Base responded with a HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter, a HC-130 Hercules and pararescuemen.
They arrived on scene at 3:10 p.m. and used a hoist recovery system to drop pararescuemen down to the glacier to safely remove the injured man.
"The National Park Service is extremely good at rescuing most injured individuals from the Park," said Master Sgt. Sal Provenzano, the 11th RCC, non-commissioned officer in charge. "However in places like this, where there is extremely difficult terrain and no place to land, the Alaska National Guard is called in to assist."
Upon insertion, the pararescuemen were informed by the National Park Ranger and Alaska Wilderness guide that the man had an angular fracture of the femur, which had been splinted, and minor head injuries.
The injured man was hoisted up into the HH-60 Pavehawk for transportation and arrived at Providence Medical Center for treatment at 4:12 p.m.
"This is just one of the many examples of how our Alaska Guardsmen work tirelessly to help ensure the safety and well being of other Alaskans and visitors to our state," said Provenzano. "The Alaska National Guard's continued commitment and dedication to assist with the rescue of countless individuals throughout Alaska is a tribute the state and its residents."
The 210th, 211th, and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded one save for this mission.