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Alaska National Guardsmen Save Nine During Start of Rescue Season

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount
  • Alaska National Guard

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska– Alaska Air and Army National Guard units responded to five requests for assistance May 24-28, primarily in support of the Alaska State Troopers and local hospitals.

The Alaska Army National Guard rescued five people near the Knik River May 26 with a HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter in a one-hour operation. G Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion’s Chief Warrant Officer 3s Bradley Jorgensen and Mike Miller piloted the mission with one crew chief and two flight paramedics on board.

A good Samaritan called the Alaska State Troopers, and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) relayed to the crew a description and coordinates of where to find the people needing help, who had been riding in an all-terrain vehicle on the river’s shoreline when it fell over into the water. They escaped from the ATV and were waiting to be evacuated from the riverbank.

One person was injured during the submersion. The crew rendered care and brought the person into the helicopter on a stretcher. They also rescued the other four people and flew them to Matsu Regional Hospital, where they were released to medical professionals.

“We had great coordination with the RCC, and our guys did a great job,” Jorgensen said. “For everyone exploring Alaska this summer, I’d say have a plan and a [satellite communication device].”

The successful mission underscored the importance of preparedness and interagency cooperation, themes that continued throughout the week’s other rescue efforts.

On May 24, the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th Rescue Squadron deployed an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter near Seward with pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron. They medevaced an injured hiker, who had been rescued by Seward Fire Department, resulting in one save.

On May 26, a joint mission involving the Alaska Air National Guard and Civil Air Patrol was launched to search for an overdue hiker near Sutton. A good Samaritan found the hiker, but the coordinated aerial search contributed to the recovery, and one save was recorded.

The Alaska Air National Guard also responded to two separate medical emergencies May 26 and May 27. An individual with a head injury was airlifted May 26 from a remote cabin near Montana Creek to Providence Alaska Medical Center. The other mission began May 27 and involved rescuing a person with a leg injury from a remote lodge. The individual was transported to Gulkana for pickup by civilian air ambulance.

Both missions resulted in one save each, bringing the total to nine saves during this series of coordinated rescue efforts.

“This busy week was a testament to our capabilities across the state to help Alaskans in need,” said Alaska Air National Guard Lt. Col. Aaron Hunter, the director of the Alaska RCC. “As this rescue season kicks off, we encourage all Alaskans to travel with satellite communication devices at all times to ensure their safety.”