News

Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue distressed patient at Sockeye Lake

Staff Oct 10, 2021

An Alaska Air National Guard aircraft maintainer from the 176th Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, inspects the main landing gear tires of a HC-130J Sept. 13, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Members and equipment from the 176th Wing, 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons at JBER arrived at Dover on Sept. 12 to support hurricane relief efforts when called upon. Courtesy photo provided by Roland Balik, U.S. Air Force.

By Jacob Mann Frontiersman.com

WASILLA — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing recently rescued a woman in medical distress at Sockeye Lake.

The woman was rescued about 12 miles northeast of Talkeetna following a call to 911 Saturday, Oct. 2, according to a recent press release.

Alaska State Troopers requested assistance from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. 176th Wing responded with Airmen of 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons launching from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on a 210th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk.

They located the distressed women in a cabin and 212th RQS pararescuemen (PJs) hoisted down from the hovering helicopter and made contact. Crews medically assessed, treated, and packaged the woman for hoist up to the helicopter, and transported the distressed individual to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. She has since been released to civilian medical professionals.

Responding crews were recognized and received accolades for their effort during the operation.

For more information, visit ak.ng.mil.