Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña.
Story by Alejandro Peña, Alaska National Guard
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard (AKANG) HH-60W Jolly Green II aircrews with pararescuemen assigned to the 176th Wing and Alaska Army National Guard (AKARNG) UH-60L Black Hawk aircrews assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command conducted the rescue of 9 people during 3 different missions across Alaska from July 23-26, 2026.
1st rescue mission
On July 23 the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) opened a mission in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District regarding an individual who was stranded on a remote beach.
The AKARNG’s 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion accepted the mission and dispatched a Nome-based UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter aircrew to the individual’s reported location about 20 nautical miles east of Deering.
The UH-60L Black Hawk aircrew located and rescued the stranded individual and transported them to Kotzebue where they were released to the USCG.
Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña.
2nd rescue mission
The following day, July 24, the AKRCC opened a mission in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers to rescue a group of overturned rafters who became stranded.
The AKANG accepted the mission and dispatched JBER-based rescue assets from the 176th Wing’s rescue squadrons.
A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel Pararescuemen aboard flew to the party’s reported location about 25 nautical miles northwest of JBER.
The HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter aircrew landed in a clearing along the Little Susitna River and rescued the six stranded individuals. The rescue helicopter aircrew quickly transported the party to Providence Alaska Medical Center where they were released to the Alaska State Troopers.
3rd rescue mission
On July 26 the AKRCC opened another mission in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers to rescue two overturned rafters who became stranded about 7 nautical miles southwest of Glennallen.
The AKANG accepted this mission and again dispatched a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter aircrew with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel Pararescuemen from JBER.
The HH-60W Jolly Green II aircrew arrived on scene and located the two rafters along the Tazlina River. Unable to land due to thick vegetation and terrain, the HH-60W aircrew deployed Guardian Angels and rescued the two rafters via hoist. The rafters were then transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center where they were released to the Alaska State Troopers.
The three incidents and successful outcomes highlight the vital importance of having an emergency communication plan when venturing in Alaska’s remote and rugged terrain.
While the Alaska Air and Army National Guard aviators train to fulfill their military and federal missions, they also work with the AKRCC to provide Alaska with specialized civil search and rescue capabilities when available. The Alaska National Guardsmen continuously hone their skills in Alaska’s vast and austere locations and can operate under the most challenging conditions.
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