Alaska Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
08/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/19/2026 14:34
Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured hiker in Hatcher Pass
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.
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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