Archive image: Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew and Guardian Angels (PJs), assigned to the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons, respectively, conduct a hoist rescue demonstration while participating in a multi-agency hoist symposium at Bryant Army Airfield on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 22, 2025.
Alaska Army National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña.
Story by Seth LaCount, Alaska National Guard
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard (AKANG) HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew from the 176th Wing rescue a climber who was trapped and unable to climb down a steep cliff in the vicinity of Seward. July 27, 2025.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) opened the mission in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and deployed a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel pararescuemen (PJs) aboard from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew located the individual on the cliff near Mt. Marathon at approximately 4,000 ft. elevation. The rescue aircrew conducted a hoist to lift the climber off the cliff and transported them to Seward airport where the individual was released to the AST.
This mission underscores the capabilities of these elements of the AKANG rescue triad— pararescuemen, special mission aviators and HH-60G Pave Hawk crews—who stand ready to respond anytime, anywhere, to save lives across Alaska’s vast and unforgiving terrain. For the rescue, the AKANG was awarded one save.
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