BETHEL, Alaska — Alaska Army National Guard members assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, transported a patient requiring advanced medical care from Scammon Bay to Bethel Nov. 18, after severe weather grounded civilian air ambulances for two consecutive days.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center initiated the mission following a request for assistance from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Medical Center.

The patient, a Scammon Bay resident, had sustained a hip injury that exceeded the treatment capabilities of the local clinic. Initial attempts to evacuate the patient via a civilian air ambulance were halted because of persistent inclement weather.

By the third day, with weather conditions still preventing fixed-wing operations, local medical personnel sought support from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center.

The Alaska Army National Guard’s A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, accepted the mission and dispatched a Bethel-based UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to conduct the evacuation.

The Black Hawk crew was able to avoid icing conditions because of the helicopter’s ability to operate at lower altitudes and slower speeds than fixed-wing aircraft. Its prepositioned location in Bethel further reduced response time, enabling a timely pickup.

Upon arrival in Bethel, the Alaska Army National Guard aircrew transferred the patient to Yukon-Kuskokwim medical personnel for continued care.