JANUARY 23, 2026 – Alaska Air National Guard members assigned to the 176th Wing rescued an injured snowmachiner Jan. 21 in Southcentral Alaska.
The injured snowmachiner used a cellular phone to contact the Alaska State Troopers, who then requested support from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, which opened a rescue mission.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and dispatched Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson-based rescue assets from the 176th Wing’s Rescue Squadrons.
A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angels aboard flew to the Lost Lake trail about 70 miles south of Anchorage.
The Pave Hawk crew arrived on scene and loaded the patient for transport. Guardian Angels rendered medical aid en route.
The patient was transported and released to the staff at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
While the 176th Wing Rescue Triad’s military mission stands alert in support of the 11th Air Force Alaska NORAD Region, they also work with the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center to provide Alaska with specialized civil search and rescue capabilities when available.
The rescue squadrons continuously train in Alaska’s vast, austere locations to hone their specialized skill sets and operate under the most challenging conditions.
By Alejandro Pena
Alaska National Guard