JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued an injured skier March 3 at Snowbird Hut north of Wasilla.

According to Alaska Air National Guard Master Sgt. Gailanne Paculba, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson at about 3:30 p.m. Aboard the helicopter were two pararescuemen who are both highly trained personnel specializing in rescue operations.

After receiving a report of the injured skier, the AKRCC tasked the Guardsmen to respond.

The pararescuemen assessed the skier and packaged him for hoist by Pave Hawk.

The HH-60G transported the skier to the Providence Alaska Medical Center where the pararescuemen handed him off to hospital staff at about 5:30 p.m.

Paculba credited a member of the skier’s party for having and properly using a GPS device with satellite communication capabilities to aid rescue efforts, which saved valuable time and enabled a quick rescue operation.

For this mission, the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were awarded one save.