JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued five individuals Aug. 20 after their PA-18 Super Cub plane crashed near Pingston Creek about 90 miles east of McGrath.
According to Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeremy Rhodes, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to a satellite telephone call from the pilot.
An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron and an HC-130J Combat King II from the 211th Rescue Squadron were launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Aboard the helicopter and HC-130J were Guardian Angel teams from the 212th Rescue Squadron.
The HC-130J air-to-air refueled the HH-60G during the mission.
Guardian Angel teams are highly trained personnel made up of a pararescueman and a combat rescue officer who both specialize in conducting rescue missions.
After receiving report of the crash, the AKRCC tasked the Guardsmen to respond to the event. The helicopter and Guardian Angel team rescued the five survivors and flew them to the Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.
For this mission, the 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded five saves.
