Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to Joint Task Force – Aviation depart Bethel, Alaska, in a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to recover service members from JTF – Bethel who were assisting the community of Nightmute, Alaska, with storm debris removal as part of Operation Merbok Response, Sept. 23, 2022. More than 130 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes members of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline.
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Army National Guard aviators with A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, operating a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter out of Bethel, rescued four stranded boaters May 20 near Kotlik.
The crew responded to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers, routed through the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The boaters were reported overdue in a remote area about 160 miles northwest of Bethel.
In addition to the flight crew, the Black Hawk transported two emergency medical service personnel from the Bethel Fire Department and an Alaska State Trooper, who was picked up in Emmonak to assist with the grid search and provide immediate medical care if needed.
“This was a strong team effort between our crew, local EMS and the Alaska State Troopers,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bryan Kruse, Bethel Army Aviation Operating Facility commander and pilot in command. “Everyone brought their expertise to the table, which helped us cover more ground quickly and ensure the boaters got the help they needed.”
During the aerial search, the combined team was able to locate the stranded individuals and safely transport them back to Kotlik.
“In these remote parts of Alaska, no single agency can do it all,” Kruse said. “Our ability to respond effectively relies on the partnerships we’ve built with first responders across the region. That coordination makes all the difference when time is critical.”
The Alaska Army National Guard regularly supports search and rescue efforts across the state in cooperation with local, state and federal partners.
