Helocasting involves inserting rescue personnel from a hovering helicopter into water to reach survivors in hard-to-access environments.
Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña.
Story by David Bedard, Alaska Air National Guard
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing members with an HH-60G Pave Hawk conducted the rescue of five distressed boaters stuck in sea ice about 10 miles east of Deering on the Kotzebue Sound, after flying more than 1,000 nautical miles from the helicopter base. June 16, 2025.
The boaters used a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio to call for help. Deering residents received the call and contacted the Alaska State Troopers.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) at JBER opened the SAR mission and requested support from the 176th Wing after receiving a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.
The 176th Wing search and rescue duty officer dispatched a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter and a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, both with 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen (PJs) «Guardian Angel» onboard.
The HC-130J Combat King II provided weather reconnaissance and air-to-air refueled the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter three times to extend its range for the more than 1,000 nautical miles round trip.
Once the HH-60G helicopter aircrew located the boat, the Pave Hawk special mission aviator hoisted two PJs to make contact with the boaters before hoisting them into the helicopter.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew flew the boaters to Deering, where they were released to the community’s search and rescue (SAR) president.
Alaska Air National Guard (AKANG) Lt. Col. Allan Sain, AKRCC director, credited the boaters with having long-range communications. “We always advise people going into the outdoors to have two-way satellite communications devices because cellphone coverage is spotty in the state,” Sain said. “But long-range radio is still an effective way to communicate in Alaska when you need help.”
For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos visit hlcopters.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
