Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 23, 2015. The 210th Rescue Squadron provides emergency rescue services for the citizens of Alaska in addition to training for wartime combat search and rescue missions.150723-F-YH552-027
                        
                        
                        An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 23, 2015. The 210th Rescue Squadron provides emergency rescue services for the citizens of Alaska in addition to training for wartime combat search and rescue missions. (Photo by Alejandro Pena)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured hunter on mountainPublished Sept. 9, 2020
                    
                    By David Bedard
                    
                    
                    176th Wing
            **JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AFNS) --**Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the **176th Wing** rescued a hunter who was critically injured in a 100-foot fall Sept. 6 near the Eagle River Nature Center north of Anchorage.
Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Wesley Ladd, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center senior controller, said the hunter used a satellite communication device to contact the Alaska State Troopers who then contacted the AKRCC.
The AKRCC notified the 176th Wing, which dispatched a 210th Rescue Squadron **HH-60G Pave Hawk** helicopter carrying 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen, or PJs.
Aircrew of 210th Rescue Squadron are combat search and rescue Airmen highly capable in civil search and rescue missions in Alaska's challenging weather and terrain. PJs and combat rescue officers compose the Guardian Angel Weapon system of the 212th Rescue Squadron. They are elite special operators trained in technical rescue and are advanced-practice paramedics who employ on combat and civil search and rescue missions.
Navigating to the survivor through a windstorm, rain and limited visibility, the HH-60 aircrew accessed the base of the mountain 500 meters from the hunter's location. The aircrew landed and disembarked a CRO and two PJs who scaled 500 meters up the mountainside with their equipment to reach the survivor.
The Pave Hawk then returned to **Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson** for an additional PJ to aid in the technical rescue effort. The PJs and CRO on scene gained access, stabilized and packaged the survivor in a litter.
The team set up a technical rope belay system to lower the patient down the mountain and waded through Eagle River to the HH60. The patient and his hunting partner were transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center.
"This mission highlights the exceptional synergy of our rescue community," said Capt. Dan Warren, 212th RQS CRO and team commander for the ground rescue effort. “The Alaska State Troopers provided critical info, 176th Maintenance (Group) personnel rapidly prepared the helicopter for flight, the helicopter crew navigated harsh weather to employ us, and the unmatched resolve of fellow PJs to overcome brutal terrain to save a life is a humbling endeavor. The team effort is what enables our success."
Ladd commended the hunter for carrying and properly using a satellite communication device while hunting and said the Alaska wilderness should never be underestimated.
"Even close to a city, cold and wet conditions can lead to injury, especially with challenging terrain," he said. "Have a plan and carry a satellite communication device for if you need to call for help."AFWN 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



ANG 



Alaska Air National Guard 



rescue 



injured 



hiker 



mountain 



PJ 



Pararescuemen 



search and rescue 



Alaska Rescue Coordination Center 



HH-60G 



Pave Hawk 



AKRCC Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil