Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue distressed patient at Sockeye Lake > Alaska National Guard > News

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An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron takes off from the tundra after loading simulated casualties during exercise Arctic Chinook, near Kotzebue, Alaska, August 24, 2016. Arctic Chinook is a joint U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Northern Command sponsored exercise which focuses on multinational search and rescue readiness to respond to a mass rescue operation requirement in the Arctic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Eagerton/released)

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An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron takes off from the tundra after loading simulated casualties during exercise Arctic Chinook, near Kotzebue, Alaska, August 24, 2016. Arctic Chinook is a joint U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Northern Command sponsored exercise which focuses on multinational search and rescue readiness to respond to a mass rescue operation requirement in the Arctic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Eagerton/released)

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued a woman in medical distress at Sockeye Lake northeast of Talkeetna following an Oct. 2, 2021 call to 911.

Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Evan Budd, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center superintendent, said the Alaska State Troopers requested assistance from the AKRCC, and 176th Wing responded with Airmen of 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons launching from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on a 210th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk.

The HH-60 crew located the cabin where the distressed woman was staying, and the 212th RQS pararescuemen (PJs) hoisted down from the hovering helicopter and made contact. The PJs medically assessed, treated and packaged the woman for hoist up to the helicopter.

The HH-60 transported the distressed individual to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center where she was released to civilian medical professionals.

For the operation, 210th RQS, 212th RQS and the AKRCC were awarded one save.

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