Winters in Alaska tend to be quieter for military rescue teams, but the last week of January proved to be an exception.

In an extraordinary display of capability, the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing executed four distinct rescue operations in rapid succession, responding to emergencies involving both aircraft mishaps and an avalanche.

The missions ranged from a remote Canadian town to backcountry terrain near Anchorage, showcasing the versatility and commitment of Alaska’s elite rescue teams.

The first call came on January 26, when an ultralight plane crashed in Faro, Canada. The mission required extensive coordination, as the 176th Wing operates from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), located roughly 500 miles away from the crash site.

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The Guard’s 210th Rescue Squadron deployed an HH-60 helicopter—modified for long-range rescue operations—carrying two pararescue specialists (PJs) from the 212th Rescue Squadron. An HC-130 tanker from the 211th Squadron escorted the helicopter, providing air-to-air refueling to extend its operational range.

Upon reaching the scene, the HH-60 crew successfully retrieved both survivors and transported them to Faro for medical attention. However, mechanical issues grounded the helicopter in Canada, triggering a secondary logistics mission that spanned multiple days and towns to retrieve and repair the aircraft.

Meanwhile, rescue operations continued in Alaska. On January 30, a Piper Super Cub experiencing engine trouble west of Anchorage prompted another rapid response. A training mission crew diverted their HH-60 to locate the grounded plane, where PJs assessed the situation. When the pilot determined his aircraft was not airworthy, he opted to be airlifted to safety.

The busiest day came on January 31, beginning with a distress call from the Alaska State Troopers. A snowboarder had been caught in an avalanche at Turnagain Pass, a backcountry ski area southeast of Anchorage.

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Image Credit: Simon Blakesley / DoW

“We took off pretty quick, got to the site, and fortunately the good samaritans on-site and on snowmachines had already prepared a flat area on the side of the hill that PJs could hoist into and put their litter down,” said Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Tyler Seibold. The snowboarder, suffering from hypothermia but otherwise stable, was transported to Providence Hospital in Anchorage.

While en route back to JBER, the crew received another distress call.

A plane had reportedly crashed through the ice, approximately 40 to 50 miles from the HH-60’s position. With no survivors initially visible, the helicopter crew coordinated with civilian tour pilots to locate the crash site. Soon, they spotted four individuals hiking roughly four miles from the wreckage.

“So they hoisted a PJ down to ask them if they were on the plane sinking in the ice, and they said, ‘Yes,’” Seibold explained.

The PJs assessed the survivors, all of whom exhibited varying levels of hypothermia. They were hoisted into the helicopter and flown to Anchorage for medical care.

Meanwhile, the stranded HH-60 in Faro necessitated an elaborate multi-aircraft response. Over the course of a week, a C-17 from the 144th Airlift Squadron ferried personnel and mechanics to Whitehorse, Canada.

Additionally, an Alaska Army Guard CH-47 Chinook transported critical parts to Faro, while a C-12 Huron, an eight-passenger military aircraft, facilitated crew rotations and supply deliveries. Ultimately, the HH-60 was transported back to JBER aboard the C-17 on February 6.

The series of rescues underscored the Alaska Air National Guard’s ability to rapidly respond to emergencies across vast and unforgiving terrain.

With missions spanning international borders and demanding coordination across multiple military units, the 176th Wing’s performance demonstrated the vital role these teams play in Arctic and remote operations.

In a single week, they saved lives in four separate crises, proving that even in the dead of winter, Alaska’s rescue teams remain on high alert and ready to act.

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