Alaska Guard Saves 4 Lives Over July 4th Weekend

Alaska National Guard crews saved four lives during the July 4th weekend, executing back-to-back rescue missions across some of America's most unforgiving terrain.

The weekend started when Alaska State Troopers called for help reaching a critically ill patient stranded on the Kantishna River west of Cantwell. Within hours, an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter and HC-130J Combat King II aircraft launched with elite Pararescuemen on board.

The team hoisted rescuers down to the remote residence, stabilized the patient, and airlifted them to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Before the day ended, they were back in the air for another critically ill patient north of Mount McKinley, this time delivering them to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

On the same day, a hiker triggered a satellite SOS from Matanuska Peak, seven miles east of Palmer. An Alaska Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk crew performed a dynamic hoist, lowering their flight medic while the helicopter was still moving to prevent dangerous spinning and speed up the extraction.

The fourth rescue came when another hiker experienced chest pain near Gulkana. The crew located them, provided immediate treatment, and hoisted them to safety for transport to Providence Alaska Medical Center.

The Bright Side

Major Kody Schmidt from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center emphasized one simple tool that made all four rescues possible: satellite communication devices. In Alaska's vast wilderness where cell phones often don't work, these devices turn potential tragedies into successful saves.

The missions required six aircraft flying nearly 21 hours in under two days. The HC-130J aircraft refueled the rescue helicopters mid-flight, extending their range deep into Alaska's interior where ground vehicles can't reach.

Every person who entered the wilderness that weekend came home safe, thanks to both smart preparation and the skilled teams ready to respond when seconds count.