JULY 9, 2026 – Soldiers and Airmen of the Alaska National Guard executed four missions to save four people during the July 4 holiday weekend.
Maj. Kody Schmidt, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, or AKRCC, senior controller, said the first mission opened following a request from the Alaska State Troopers, or AST, for a hoist-capable helicopter to rescue a critically ill patient from a remote residence on the Kantishna River west of Cantwell.
The 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, search and rescue duty officer accepted the mission and tasked a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter and a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II fixed-wing aircraft, both with 212th Rescue Squadron Pararescuemen, or PJs, on board…