Alaska Air Guardsmen Rescue Researcher

Alaska Air National Guard personnel rescued a 41-year-old researcher who was on a snowmobile when he fell about 80 feet into a glacier crevasse while conducting snow and ice tests, according to an Air Guard release. The rescue took place at Jarvis Glacier, near Delta Junction, Alaska, on April 4 with members of the 210th Rescue Squadron, 211th RQS, and 212th RQS from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, states the April 9 release. These airmen deployed in an HH-60 helicopter and HC-130 platform, with Guardian Angel pararescuemen aboard. Once on the scene, the four Guardian Angels traversed 100 meters across the glacier in two-man rope teams until they reached the crevasse, said SMSgt. Robert Carte, 11th Air Force Rescue Coordination Center superintendent. They then lowered a harness and climbing tools to the individual, who was unhurt, so that he could move himself up to the point where they could extract him. The rescue airmen then airlifted him back to safety. “Our Alaska Guardsmen are skilled instructors at glacier operations and are very well equipped to handle situations like these, which makes our team one of the most highly skilled glacier rescue teams in the world,” said Carte. (Camp Denali report by Maj. Guy Hayes)