An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NEWS | Aug. 10, 2021

Alaska Air National Guard rescues hiker near Glacier Pass

By Senior Airman Kelly Willett

The Alaska State Trooper Search and Rescue coordinator contacted the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center Aug. 6 around 7:30 p.m. for assistance to rescue a hiker in distress near Glacier Pass.

“Cloud cover and terrain precluded initial rescue efforts by a civilian medical evacuation company, so the AK RCC coordinated the dispatch of a hoist capable, [HH-60G] Pave Hawk from the 176th Wing” said Maj. Josh Lester, AK RCC senior search and rescue controller.

The distressed hiker was one in a group of seven. After the hiker began experiencing distress, a fellow hiker activated the personal locator beacon they were carrying and made a cellphone call to AST.

The medical and terrain information provided to AST were critical for the 210th Rescue Squadron Pave Hawk crew and the 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel pararescue team on board.

“Understanding the nature of the injury or medical condition and the terrain surrounding the hiking party helps us decide which rescue assets to dispatch and which medical teams to have on board,” Lester said.

The Pave Hawk crew safely navigated through the weather to the hiking party’s location where the GA team provided field care and hoisted the patient into the Pave Hawk before transport to Matanuska-Susitna Valley area hospital.

The AK RCC stressed the importance of having a PLB and two-way satellite communications such as an InReach device or a satellite phone to communicate with rescue assets via text or voice. Cell phone coverage is not always a guarantee in Alaska.

For this rescue, the AK RCC, 210th RQS and 212th RQS were awarded one save.
Alaska Army National Guard conducts MEDEVAC mission from Skagway to Juneau
June 4, 2025
An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion conducts flight operations over Southeast Alaska near Juneau, Jan. 24, 2025.

Alaska Rescue Coordination Center directs 10 saves during start of rescue season
May 30, 2025
na

AKARNG Best Warrior Competition highlights excellence, partnership
May 22, 2025
Fifteen competitors, including thirteen from the Alaska Army National Guard and two from the Mongolian Armed Forces, competed in the 2025 AKARNG Best Warrior Competition, held May 19–22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Alaska Army National Guard aviators rescue four stranded boaters near Kotlik
May 21, 2025

The AKARNG's 207th Multi-Functional Training Regiment conducts Infantry Advanced Leader Course
April 23, 2025
na

Pararescue, airlift Alaska Air National Guardsmen parachute jump into Kodiak
April 10, 2025
na

Alaska Army Guardsmen rescue injured skier near Mt. Spurr volcano
April 2, 2025
na

Alaska Army National Guard rescues 3 plane crash victims on glacial lake near Soldotna
March 26, 2025
na

New state Tuition Reimbursement Program (TRP) expands education opportunities for servicemembers
March 24, 2025
na

LOD Cart supercharges tactical air mobility operations in the Pacific
March 19, 2025
LOD Cart supercharges tactical air mobility operations in the Pacific