AKRCC supporting ongoing Search and Rescue mission in western Alaska > Alaska National Guard > News

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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska –

At the request of the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center continues to lead the multi-agency search and rescue operations across storm-impacted communities in Western Alaska.

As of October 13, a total of 51 lives have been saved through joint rescue operations supporting the communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. The U.S. Coast Guard has rescued 34 individuals. The Alaska Army National Guard has rescued nine individuals. The Alaska Air National Guard has rescued eight individuals and two dogs. Three people were medically evacuated from Kipnuk to Bethel for a higher level of medical care.

Combined, seven aircraft from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard flew approximately 60 hours in support of life-saving operations.

The AKRCC mission remains active. Alaska Air and Army National Guard aircraft, along with U.S. Coast Guard assets, will continue to respond as weather conditions allow and as additional reports of missing or isolated individuals are received.

The AKRCC will remain in close contact with the SEOC to coordinate ongoing response efforts and continued search and rescue operations.

The Alaska State Troopers are tracking three individuals unaccounted for in the community of Kwigillingok. The U.S. Coast Guard continued flight operations overnight, and a first-light search is underway this morning, including a UAS overflight of the search area.

Anyone in need of immediate rescue should contact the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at 907-551-7230.

Media contact: Dana Rosso, 907-428-6039, mailto:dana.rosso@alaska.gov, or mailto:AKNGpublicaffairs@alaska.gov

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