Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue stranded ATV rider near Knik Glacier

WASILLA — An all-terrain vehicle rider was rescued by Alaska National Guard Airmen Wednesday, Jan. 19 near the Knik Glacier.

According to a recent press release, the Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued the stranded ATV rider after following up on a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers through the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center.

Alaska Air National Guardsmen of 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons launched on a 210th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from JBER. The HH-60 crew located the ATV rider and air landed the 212th RQS pararescuemen to retrieve him, according to the press release.

The man was not injured by the incident. The Pave Hawk crew transported him to Palmer and released him to the Troopers.

Alaska Air National Guard Captain/Alaska Rescue Coordination Center senior controller, Brent Kramer said this was an important reminder to always carry a satellite communication device when venturing into the Alaska wilderness.

“Cell phone coverage is far from a given when going outdoors away from cities,” Brent stated in the press release. “A personal locator beacon gives you two-way communication anywhere in Alaska, and it allows us to quickly find and rescue you if you get into trouble.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com