Alaska Army and Air Guard team rescue lost hiker in distress at Hatcher Pass

Alaska Army National Guard’s G Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion and Alaska Air National Guard’s 212th Rescue Squadron partnered together to rescue a lost hiker at Hatcher Pass, Aug. 8.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received a mission support request from the Alaska State Troopers concerning a lost hiker in the vicinity of the April Bowl trailhead. According to the initial notification from the AKRCC, the hiker was hypothermic and was able to reach 911, but was not equipped to stay overnight.

She was in range to use her cell phone to contact the Alaska State Troopers, who then made contact with the AKRCC.

Capt. Seth Peterson, a controller at the AKRCC, said a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crew received the mission and took off from Bryant Army Airfield to Elmendorf Air Field to pick up the pararescuemen while enroute to Hatcher Pass.

After making attempts to land in various locations, the crew dropped off the pararescuemen 500 feet below the hiker’s approximate location. From there, they hiked the peak and made contact with the lost hiker. She had no other injuries and was transported to the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center for further treatment.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Miller, a UH-60M pilot assigned to the mission said the joint rescue effort involved visibility ranging from two miles to ten miles, making it difficult for the helicopter crew to locate the hiker.

He also stated the importance of having a communication plan when going on long hikes, wearing bright clothes, have a signaling device and packing enough gear to stay overnight if needed.

For this rescue mission, the AKRCC, 207th AVN and 212 RQS received credit for one save.