The aircrew conducted the rescue of the two hikers from Makushin Volcano on Unalaska Island after one of them sustained a leg injury and transferred them to emergency medical services.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Womboldt.
JUNEAU, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted the rescue of two hikers who were stranded on Makushin Volcano in Unalaska, Alaska. Sunday, April 26, 2026.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center in Juneau received a request from the Alaska State Troopers to assist with two hikers stranded at approximately 2,000 feet of elevation on Makushin Volcano. One of the hikers was reported to have a leg injury.
Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak. The rescue helicopter aircrew departed at approximately 11 a.m., stopping in Cold Bay to refuel.
The Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60T Jayhawk MRR Helicopter aircrew landed on the scene at approximately 5 p.m. and safely evacuated both individuals from the volcano.
They were transported to Dutch Harbor to meet awaiting emergency medical services (EMS).
«To put the scale of this operation into perspective, the distance our aircrew flew is roughly equivalent to launching a helicopter from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to conduct a rescue in North Carolina,” said Jennifer Whitcomb, the search and rescue (SAR) program manager. “This mission highlights the incredible operational reach and endurance required of our Alaska-based crews to answer the call for help.»
–USCG–
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.
