Archive image: An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, takes off at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 26, 2022.
The 210th, along with the 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons, make up the 176th Wing Rescue Triad and are among the busiest search and rescue units in the world.
Alaska Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens.
Story by Alejandro Peña, Alaska National Guard
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – An Alaska Air National Guard (AKANG) HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew assigned to the 176th Wing conducted the rescue of an injured snowmachiner in Southcentral Alaska. January 21, 2026.
The injured snowmachiner used a cellular phone to contact the Alaska State Troopers, who then requested support from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC), which opened a rescue mission.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and dispatched Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson-based rescue assets from the 176th Wing’s Rescue Squadrons.
A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angels aboard flew to the Lost Lake trail about 70 nautical miles south of Anchorage.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew arrived on scene and loaded the patient for transport. Guardian Angel pararescuemen rendered medical aid en route.
The patient was transported and released to the staff at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
While the 176th Wing Rescue Triad’s military mission stands alert in support of the 11th Air Force Alaska NORAD Region, they also work with the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center to provide Alaska with specialized civil search and rescue (SAR) capabilities when available.
The rescue squadrons continuously train in Alaska’s vast, austere locations to hone their specialized skill sets and operate under the most challenging conditions.
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