Air National Guardsmen of the 212th Rescue Squadron at Kulis ANGB, Alaska, responded to a search-and-rescue call to find survivors from a small airplane that crashed on Jan. 2 in the Bear Lake Glacier area. The Anchorage Daily News reports that an HC-130 tanker and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter circled the area for hours waiting for a weather break, which finally came as both aircraft ran low on fuel. With only 20 minutes to spare, the Pave Hawk lowered two pararescuemen—TSgt. Dave Johnson and SSgt. Ben Walker—who retrieved two men—father and son—and their Labrador dog. Both men were seriously injured, and, unfortunately, the son was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
