Alaska Air National Guard hoists four skiers out of avalanche accident
CAMP DENALI, Alaska - Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard were called upon Jan. 29 to rescue four avalanche victims that were backcountry skiing behind the Summit Lake Lodge in Moose Pass.
The request for assistance came in at 1:45 p.m. from the Alaska State Troopers, and because of the high probability of another avalanche and the inability to land within half a mile from the location of the survivors, the 11th Rescue Coordination Center tasked the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons with the mission.
The 210th responded with a hoist-equipped HH-60 Pave Hawk carrying 212th pararescuemen and flew out to the location. It took approximately 35 minutes to get on site.
"It was a great team effort," said Lt. Col. Paul Vanderweide, director of the 11th RCC. "Luckily one of the guys was not buried in the snow and was able to help dig the others out."
After performing a hoist, three of the survivors were taken to an Anchorage hospital and the other survivor was released to the Alaska State Troopers.
"I am proud that our Alaska National Guardsmen are very well trained and are able to complete these kinds of missions, especially since they were called on over the weekend on a Saturday afternoon," Vanderweide said.
The Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded one save.