JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, UNITED STATES, (September 23, 2026) - A U.S. Air Force Guardian Angel assigned to the 212th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, conducts a military freefall jump from a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II over Malemute Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 23, 2026. Combat rescue officers, pararescuemen, and search, evasion, resistance, and escape specialists of the 212th RQS – known collectively as Guardian Angels – are experts in personnel recovery operations and are trained to infiltrate behind enemy lines to extract isolated U.S. and allied personnel. The 212th, along with the 210th and 211th RQSs, make up the 176th Wing Rescue Triad and are among the busiest combat search and rescue units in the world. (Alaska National Guard photo via DOW)