Arctic Guardians rescue injured hiker at Crow Pass > Alaska National Guard > News

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

An Alaska Air National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk transits Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's Malamute Drop Zone Feb. 10, 2021, during parachute jump operations. The jump presaged the change-of-command ceremony for 212th Rescue Squadron. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by David Bedard)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210210-Z-ZY202-1041

An Alaska Air National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk transits Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's Malamute Drop Zone Feb. 10, 2021, during parachute jump operations. The jump presaged the change-of-command ceremony for 212th Rescue Squadron. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by David Bedard)

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska –

Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued an injured hiker late evening June 9 at Crow Pass about 20 miles east of Anchorage.

The mission opened in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers to the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. The hiking party of four used a satellite communication device to call for help.

At the request of the AKRCC, Alaska Air National Guardsmen of 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons launched on a 210th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.

The HH-60 crew located the hiking party and hoisted the injured hiker, treating her enroute to Providence Alaska Medical Center.

A Wildlife Troopers official said the hikers’ use of a satellite communication device and other preparations were crucial to a good outcome.

“The injured female was part of a hiking group that was well-equipped for a four-day hike,” he said.

For this mission, 210th RQS, 212th RQS and the AKRCC received credit for one save.

Alaska Air National Guard rescues individual with facial laceration near Knik Glacier
August 26, 2025 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, approximately 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier. ... MORE

Leveling Up: Alaska Army Guard engineers rebuild observation posts during annual training 25'
August 19, 2025 — More than 70 Soldiers with the Alaska Army National Guard’s 910th Engineer Support Company completed a project during their annual training Aug. 2-17 on JBER to rebuild two critical training sites, Observation Post Cole and Observation Post Fagan. The project provided the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 11th Airborne Division with improved facilities to support future training and readiness... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard aviators accomplish two rescue missions at the start of Alaska sheep hunting season
August 13, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guards Soldiers assigned to G Co. 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion conducted two separate rescues of hunters with leg injuries on Aug. 10, at the start of the Alaska sheep hunting season. Both rescues launched from JBER using an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with external fuel tanks to provide additional fuel capacity for extended flights. ... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard hosts multi-agency hoist symposium, expands partnerships, improves SAR coordination
July 29, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to Golf Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, hosted mission partners for a multi-agency hoist symposium at Bryant Army Airfield on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, July 20-22. The event brought together search and rescue professionals from across Alaska including Alaska Army National Guard aviators; U.S. Coast Guard crews from Air Stations Kodiak and Sitka; Alaska Air National Guard Airmen from the 176th Wing’s rescue units; U.S. Army aviators from Fort Wainwright’s 1-52nd General Support Aviation Battalion; Alaska State Troopers; volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group; and personnel from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. ... MORE

The symposium, hosted by Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to Golf Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, included U.S. Coast Guard crews assigned to Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic out of Air Stations Kodiak and Sitka, Alaska Air National Guardsmen with the 176th Wing rescue squadrons, U.S. Army aviators from Fort Wainwright’s 1-52nd General Support Aviation Battalion, Alaska State Troopers, and civilian search and rescue professional volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group.

Alaska Air National Guard rescues climber trapped on cliff near Seward
July 28, 2025 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued a climber who was trapped and unable to climb down a steep cliff July 27 in the vicinity of Seward... MORE

AKANG

AKARNG aviation maintenance Soldiers conduct HH-60M Black Hawk repairs
July 23, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard helicopter maintenance personnel with the 207th Aviation Troop Command conducted repairs on an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter swash plate assembly and mounted it back onto the aircraft July 21, 2025, in Hangar 6 on Bryant Army Airfield at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson... MORE

AKNG COP manager leads charge on AI integration in disaster response
July 11, 2025 — During the Alaska National Guard’s most recent disaster response exercise, Vigilant Guard, the AKNG made a significant leap forward in disaster response by integrating Palantir Technologies Maven software into its operations. The effort was led by Wolf Russo, a Title V civilian and the Common Operating Picture manager with the AKNG Joint Staff... MORE

Alaska Army Guard aviators rescue family of 6, stranded on Kuskokwim River during summer storm
July 1, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Battalion, rescued a family of six June 30, near Tuntutuliak on the Kuskokwim River. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to an Alaska State Troopers request for assistance when the family’s boat became stuck on a sandbar in the river. The AKARNG accepted the mission and launched a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter from the armory in Bethel and flew 25 miles south to search for the stranded people... MORE

Diamond Strong: 176th Wing LRS Airman earns NGB first sergeant of the year honors
June 30, 2025 — Behind every mission-ready Airman stands a dedicated advocate and mentor. Often referred to as the “diamond,” the rank insignia they wear is more than just a symbol; it represents strength, resilience and an unbreakable commitment to the morale and welfare of the airmen they serve. For First Sgt. Anthony Celia, 176th Wing’s Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, that symbol now shines even brighter after being named the National Guard Bureau First Sergeant of the Year in 2025... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured climber near Eklutna Lake
June 28, 2025 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued an injured climber June 29 near Eklutna Lake after the climber was struck by a boulder and unable to self-evacuate... MORE