Two people were successfully rescued from the frozen surface of Knik Lake Monday morning after spending nearly 12 hours stranded in sub-zero conditions, according to Alaska State Troopers and rescue officials.
The Alaska Army National Guard conducted the rescue operation at approximately 10:30 a.m., extracting both individuals who had become trapped on the ice overnight. Temperatures in the region dropped to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit during the night, creating life-threatening conditions for the stranded pair.
The rescue highlights the critical role of Alaska's military and civilian search-and-rescue network, which has conducted multiple high-profile operations across the state's treacherous winter terrain. Alaska State Troopers coordinate with the Alaska Army National Guard, local fire departments, and volunteer organizations to respond to emergencies across more than 665,000 square miles of often inaccessible wilderness, where frozen lakes and rivers create constant hazards for residents and visitors.
Discovery and Initial Response
A good Samaritan discovered the two individuals on the eastern side of Knik Lake around 9:15 a.m. Monday morning, according to Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain. The civilians had apparently become stranded on the ice after their snowmobile broke through a section of unstable surface ice near the lake's center.
Alaska State Troopers received the emergency call at 9:22 a.m. and immediately contacted the Alaska Army National Guard's 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The battalion operates CH-47 Chinook helicopters specifically equipped for cold-weather rescue operations.
Troopers established a perimeter around the rescue site while National Guard crews prepared specialized equipment for the ice extraction. The operation required careful coordination due to unstable ice conditions across much of the lake's surface.
Military Rescue Capabilities
The Alaska Army National Guard maintains extensive cold-weather rescue capabilities developed through decades of Arctic operations. Staff Sgt. Jeremy Maddox, a flight engineer with the 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, described the unit's specialized training for ice rescues during extreme weather conditions.
"The Alaska National Guard has supported numerous rescue operations across the state's frozen terrain," Maddox explained. The unit's CH-47 Chinook helicopters can operate in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit and carry specialized equipment for ice rescues.
The 144th Airlift Squadron, which operates from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, provides additional support capabilities for search-and-rescue missions. The squadron has a 70-year history of Alaska operations and maintains coordination with the 212th Rescue Squadron for emergency responses.
National Guard crews used thermal imaging equipment to assess the individuals' condition before attempting the extraction. Both people showed signs of mild hypothermia but remained conscious and responsive throughout the rescue operation.
Previous Alaska Water Rescues
Alaska's frozen waterways present ongoing challenges for rescue operations, with multiple incidents occurring each winter season. In March 2024, the body of Amanda Richmond Rogers, a 45-year-old Eagle River woman, was recovered from the Eagle River after she went missing in December while attempting to rescue her dog from icy waters.
Richmond Rogers had leaped into freezing water when her dog fell through ice on the North Fork Eagle River Trail. Alaska State Troopers and the AK Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducted extensive search operations, using divers, sonar, and remote-operated vehicles.
"Amanda was found with her dog in her arms," confirmed her sister Jennifer Richmond. The incident highlighted the dangers of ice rescue attempts by untrained civilians.
In a separate incident, another woman went missing after entering frozen water near the North Fork Eagle River Trail while walking dogs with a male companion. The man survived after both entered the water, but the woman never resurfaced.
Aviation Rescue Operations
Alaska's military aviation units regularly conduct rescue missions across the state's remote regions. In one recent case, a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser with a pilot and two juvenile passengers was reported overdue around 10:30 p.m. on a Sunday night.
The Alaska Army National Guard located the aircraft wreckage on Tustumena Lake on the Kenai Peninsula after approximately 12 hours. All three occupants survived the crash and overnight exposure.
"The plane was found with all three missing people alive on Tustumena Lake," confirmed John Morris, father of the pilot. The two passengers were elementary and middle school age children who had been traveling with the adult pilot.
A good Samaritan discovered the plane wreckage near the eastern side of Tustumena Lake Monday morning. The Alaska Army National Guard rescued the male pilot and two juvenile passengers around 10:30 a.m..
Coordination Between Agencies
Alaska's rescue operations require extensive coordination between multiple agencies and organizations. Alaska State Troopers serve as the primary coordinating authority for search-and-rescue missions, working with the Alaska Army National Guard, local fire departments, and specialized volunteer teams.
The AK Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team provides underwater recovery capabilities for incidents involving frozen waterways. The organization deploys divers, sonar equipment, and remote-operated vehicles for complex water rescues.
Local fire departments contribute personnel and equipment for ground-based rescue operations, while the Alaska Army National Guard provides aviation assets and specialized cold-weather gear. The 176th Wing, which includes the 144th Airlift Squadron, maintains readiness for emergency response missions across Alaska.
Weather conditions significantly impact rescue operations, with visibility, temperature, and wind affecting helicopter operations. Crews must assess ice thickness and stability before conducting extractions on frozen lakes and rivers.
Successful Outcome
Both individuals rescued from Knik Lake were transported to Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage for evaluation and treatment. Medical personnel reported that both patients suffered mild hypothermia but avoided serious frostbite or other cold-weather injuries.
The successful rescue demonstrated the effectiveness of Alaska's coordinated emergency response system, which combines military aviation capabilities with civilian search-and-rescue expertise. The operation concluded without injuries to rescue personnel despite challenging ice conditions and sub-zero temperatures.
Alaska State Troopers remind residents to exercise extreme caution when traveling on frozen lakes and rivers, particularly during temperature fluctuations that can weaken ice structure. The agency recommends carrying emergency communication devices and informing others of travel plans when venturing onto frozen waterways during winter months.