Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aviators assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron hoist 212th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officers during a capabilities exercise over Malemute Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 25, 2024.
The Airmen of the 212th RQS are trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full-spectrum personnel recovery to include both conventional and unconventional rescue operations.
The 210th, 211th, and 212th RQSs, make up the 176th Wing Rescue Triad and are among the busiest combat search and rescue units in the world.
Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña.
Story by David Bedard, 176th Wing
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter Airmen from Alaska Air National Guard (AKANG) 176th Wing conducted four rescue missions across Southcentral Alaska between April 1- 4, 2025, successfully rescuing four individuals.
The first mission opened in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers April 1 to help an injured snowmachiner at the base of the Nelchina Glacier about 90 miles northeast of Anchorage.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) requested support from the 176th Wing, and the wing search and rescue duty officer launched a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with two 212th Rescue Squadron ‘Guardian Angel’ pararescuemen (PJs) on board, and a similar package was used in all four missions.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew located the injured snowmachiner, landed, and the PJs treated them before loaded them into the helicopter for transport to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
The second mission opened April 1 in response to a request from the Alaska State Troopers to rescue an injured hiker at Flattop Mountain near South Anchorage.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew located the hiker and hoisted a PJ to the hiker, medically assessing the hiker before hoisting into the helicopter for transport to Providence.
The next mission opened April 4 in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers to rescue an injured snowmachiner near Tangle Lakes near Paxson about 130 miles southeast of Fairbanks.
The 176th Wing SARDO dispatched a 210th Rescue Squadron Detachment 1 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew with 212th Rescue Squadron ‘Guardian Angel’ PJs out of Eielson Air Force Base to respond.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew located the snowmachiner, landed, and the PJs treated the snowmachiner before loading them into the helicopter for transport to Providence in Anchorage.
The last mission opened April 4 in response to a request for assistance from Coast Guard 17th District to medically evacuate (medevac) a critically ill patient at Chenega Bay about 50 miles east of Seward.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew flew to Chenega Bay, picked up the patient, and transported them to JBER where they were transferred to an ambulance for final transport to an area hospital.
Alaska Air National Guard Lt. Col. Allan Sain, AKRCC director, commended 176th Wing rescue Airmen for the week’s saves.
“Airmen of the 210th and 212th showed exceptional adaptability, braving long distances and challenging weather conditions to help their fellow Alaskans,” Sain said. He also urged outdoor adventurers to be prepared. “It’s important to carry a two-way communication device when venturing into the Alaska outdoors because cell coverage is sparse, and time is precious when you need help.”
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