A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew flies in front of trees during a search and rescue exercise near Sitka, Alaska, April 13, 2026.
The helicopter aircrew searched for a group of training participants acting as kayakers during a large joint exercise involving multiple government agencies and local organizations.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class John Hightower.
JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew crashed during a search and rescue training flight with four crewmembers aboard near Harbor Mountain in Sitka, Alaska. Monday, June 22, 2026.
The pilots. rescue swimmer and hoist operator are reported safe with non-serious injuries.
Watchatanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center received the initial report of the crash through the activation of the aircrew’s personal locator beacon (PLB) at approximately 10:07 a.m.
Sitka Fire and Rescue arrived on scene at approximately 11:00 a.m. and transported the four Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60T Jayhawk crewmembers to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center.
“We are incredibly relieved our crewmembers survived with only minor injuries,” said Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District. “We are grateful for the swift response by the Sitka Fire and Rescue who assisted us during this critical time.”
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak is repositioning a MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter and aircrews to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka to augment and maintain operational readiness in the Southeast Alaska region.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
-USCG-
From Hlcopters we wish a rapid recovery to the injured aircrew.
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