JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Army National Guard aviators with G Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, helped rescue a hiker in critical condition near Hatcher Pass Aug. 6.

The crew, led by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cody Bjorklund, was already gearing up for a training flight when they received notice that the Alaska State Troopers requested assistance through the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Bjorklund said the crew heard about the overdue hiker on social media and recognized the opportunity to assist. They adjusted their flight plan to use the helicopter's forward-looking infrared technology, which detects thermal signatures, to help in the search.

"As the day progressed and we got closer to takeoff time, we received the actual RCC notification," said Bjorklund. "But we were already planning on going up and supporting the search as a training flight either way."

The Alaska National Guard has a longstanding partnership with the Alaska State Troopers and the broader rescue community, ensuring a coordinated response to emergencies. Before receiving the official request for support, the crew was already in contact with the rescue teams on the scene.

After an extensive search lasting over 5.5 hours, the crew coordinated with the SAR incident commander to assist with consolidating search crews and dogs on the ground, saving them hours of hiking.

"We had already consolidated one team from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and were headed to pick up another group by Upper Reed Lake, and I just kind of decided to turn really wide this one last circle," said Bjorklund. "At that point, I was only looking for orange jackets, I was looking for AMRG guys. I wanted to make sure we didn't miss any of them."

It was at that point that the crew, which included Capt. Ryan Montgomery, Sgt. Hunter Lorenz, Staff Sgt. Steven Gildersleeve, Staff Sgt. Derek Shadle and Sgt. Matthew Tucker, spotted the hiker almost directly beneath the aircraft near Bomber Pass. Shadle and Lorenz noticed the hiker dressed in all black, making him difficult to spot against the rocky terrain.

The helicopter landed approximately 100 yards uphill from the hiker, and medics Tucker and Gildersleeve exited the aircraft to render aid. Bjorklund said three members of the AMRG, who were waiting to be picked up, helped carry the hiker up the hill to the helicopter, which transported him to the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

"We could not have done this without our medics, and they really shined," said Bjorklund. "The level of care they were able to deliver was outstanding."

Bjorklund credited a series of fortunate events for the mission's success. The crew, already equipped with extra personnel for training, had five hours of fuel - more than usual - allowing them to extend their search time.

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