JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska –
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.
Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers. Due to the remote and challenging terrain, military support was requested to ensure timely rescue and transport.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and deployed a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk with 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen (PJs) aboard. The HH-60 crew located the injured individual, and the PJs stabilized them before loading them into the helicopter for transport to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for further care.
Leadership of 176th Wing praised the coordination between agencies and the rapid response of the rescue crews, emphasizing the value of maintaining readiness for Alaska’s unique and demanding environments.