Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured hiker in Hatcher Pass

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176th Wing flies last Pave Hawk mission, fully transitions to Jolly Green

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260708-Z-HY271-1486

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II, assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, flies over Southcentral Alaska during the final training mission and flight of the AKANG’s HH-60G Pave Hawks, July 8, 2026. Since 1990, the 176th Wing’s Rescue Squadrons used the Pave Hawks for personnel recovery operations and to provide lifesaving support during combat and civil search and rescue missions around the world. The AKANG’s HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters have since been replaced with the HH-60W Jolly Green II model. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – At the request of the Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued an injured hiker from steep terrain in the Hatcher Pass area, approximately 40 miles north of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Aug. 18, 2026.

When the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the request for assistance, an HH-60W Jolly Green II aircrew assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron was conducting a training mission in the area with Guardian Angel personnel from the 212th RQS already aboard. The aircrew quickly transitioned from training to the rescue mission.

After locating the injured hiker, the Guardian Angels conducted hoist operations to extract the individual from the mountainside.

The hiker was transported aboard the HH-60W to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

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