CAMP DENALI, Alaska— The Alaska Air National Guard rescued a distressed 25-year-old hiker approximately 43-miles southeast of Anchorage near Whittier Glacier August 28 after Alaska State Troopers requested a hoist equipped helicopter.

According to Alaska State Troopers, the hiker was trapped on a ledge at the 500 foot level in a box canyon. After all other means to rescue him had been exhausted, Troopers called the 11^th Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) at 8:39 p.m. requesting assistance with the mission.

The RCC alerted the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210^th and 212^th Rescue Squadrons, and following a situation brief, they launched an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson at 9:31 p.m.

The HH-60 helicopter arrived on scene at 9:55 p.m. and Guardian Angels from the Alaska Air National Guard promptly began operations by lowering a pararescuemen 200 feet via hoist onto the scene.

“Performing a 200 foot hoist is one of the most complex tasks that an Air Guard helicopter performs during a rescue,” said Master Sgt. Robert Carte, 11^th Air Force RCC superintendent. “It’s a tricky type of situation even in the best weather conditions.”

According to Whittier Police, two Whittier police officers and a fireman used lights to guide the helicopter crew to the bottom of the ledge.

The male was hoisted onto the HH-60 helicopter and transported to the Whittier Police Department at 10:30 p.m. He did not require medical treatment.

“The rescue was a total team effort with help from Alaska State Troopers, Whittier Police Department, and the Alaska Air National Guard,” Carte said.

The Alaska Air National Guard’s 210^th and 212^th Rescue Squadrons were awarded one save for this mission.