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| News > Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured hiker near Chena Hot Springs |
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A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter hovers as pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron fast rope onto a scene during training June 30, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Sean Mitchell)
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Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured hiker near Chena Hot Springs
Posted 6/30/2010
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by Maj. Guy Hayes
Alaska Air National Guard
6/30/2010 - CAMP DENALI, Alaska (AFNS) -- Alaska Air National Guard officials responded to an 11th Rescue Coordination Center request to perform a search and rescue mission of a severely injured hiker June 29 near Chena Hot Springs.
The call for National Guard support came in after Alaska State Troopers were unable to safely reach the injured hiker, who'd fallen from a cliff near Angel Rocks. She sustained a severe compound fracture of the ankle and required hoist capability to get her to medical support.
The 11th Rescue Coordination Center officials called on members of the 210th Rescue Squadron Detachment 1 and 212th Rescue Squadron to complete the rescue mission.
The 210th quickly dispatched an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska.
"We were in the air pretty quick because we just finished training for the day and were in debriefing when the call came in," said Lt. Col. Darren Slaten, the pilot of the HH-60. "The crew responded quickly and we were headed to her location within minutes."
Once on-scene, the pararescuemen were hoisted down 50 feet from the helicopter and had to climb 50 to 75 meters back up the mountain to the hiker's location.
"She was in a precarious position," Colonel Slaten said. "So we dropped the (pararescuemen) in at a lower location and had to climb up a steep vertical wall and brush to get to the hiker."
The pararescuemen arrived on scene, where several volunteers were assisting, and immediately started to administer care to the injured hiker.
"The (pararescuemen) administered care and secured the patient to a Stokes litter to be transported back down the mountain," Colonel Slaten said. "It was a difficult situation and the (pararescuemen) did a great job getting her back to us, so she could be hoisted onto the helicopter."
The guardsmen secured the patient in the Pave Hawk and flew her to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, where she was released into the care of the hospital staff at 6:13 p.m., and is currently being treated for her injuries.
"From the time the call came in to the time we got her to the hospital was about an hour," said Colonel Slaten. "With no alpine recovery team in Fairbanks, it's important that we were able to provide this type of service to Alaskans living in Interior Alaska."
The Alaska State Troopers were also thankful the Alaska Air National Guard members were able to assist in this rescue effort.
"From the person who answered my call to the crew's response to the injured person, this was a great example of the quality of your personnel and the can-do attitude you demonstrate each time," said Lt. Craig Macdonald, a statewide search and rescue member of the Alaska State Troopers. "Thank you for your commitment to the citizens of Alaska."
Members of the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th Rescue Squadron Det. 1 and 212th Rescue Squadron were awarded one save for this mission, bringing the total lives saved by the Alaska Air National Guard to 35 in 2010. |
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