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.