Alaska Rescue Units Tackle Four Life-Saving Missions in One Week

The last week of January was a busy one for Alaska's military rescue teams. They were sent on four important tasks across the state and into Canada. The 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard flew to a remote town in the Yukon to help two people who had survived an ultralight plane crash, but their own HH-60 helicopter broke down, making the recovery task last several days. 

Back in Alaska, rescue teams went to a small plane near Anchorage that had engine trouble, helped a skier who was trapped in an avalanche and was getting cold, and found and saved four plane crash survivors who were stuck at a remote, frozen lake.

With pararescue experts on board, the 210th Rescue Squadron sent out an HH-60 chopper that had been modified to look like a Black Hawk. An HC-130 tanker was following them to refuel them in the air. When the team got to Faro, Canada, they were able to get the hurt pilots out of the plane, but they had to stay there because of technical problems, which led to another airlift operation. 

Other rescue teams were called to help with emergencies like a Piper Super Cub that had to land quickly and an airplane that was sinking through the ice just west of Anchorage.

Even though there were some technical and logistical problems, the Alaska Air National Guard, the Army Guard, and active-duty groups worked together to make sure that everyone who was in trouble was safely found.

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