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NEWS | April 2, 2012

Alaska Air National Guard members rescue two plane crash survivors

By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Karima Turner Alaska National Guard

CAMP DENALI, Alaska - In response to a notification by the Federal Aviation Administration of a downed aircraft carrying two people, the 11th Rescue Coordination Center called on members of the Alaska Air National to conduct a rescue March 30.

Within minutes of the notification, members of the 210th Rescue Squadron quickly launched an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter carrying two "Guardian Angels" from the 212th Rescue Squadron onboard.

The 210th Rescue Squadron pilots were directed to coordinates by the RCC on Knik Glacier and quickly found the crashed aircraft with the two survivors.

"We didn't know what the status was of the crash victims," said Air Force Maj. Karl Westerlund, the 11th Rescue Coordination Center director. "It was imperative that we were able to task our assets as quickly as possible to ensure a timely response to the crash site."

The Guard members were able to land on the glacier, and safely load the survivors onto the HH-60 and fly them back to Providence Hospital in Anchorage. No injuries were reported.

The Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded two saves for their actions.

 

 

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