Alaska Wildlife Troopers received a request from the National Park Service to assist in a search and rescue operation for James Potter, age 26 of Wasilla on Sunday, August 20, in the Mentasta Mountains, north of Nabesna.
Potter was hunting Dall sheep with two other individuals and split up from the group on August 18. Troopers responded with air assets to assist in the search.
The search area was later determined to be outside of the Wrangell St Elias National Preserve, and Alaska Wildlife Troopers assumed incident responsibility. On Monday, August 21, James Potter was observed by a big game guide, flying in the area of the Tetlin River, downstream of the search area. The pilot contacted the Alaska Wildlife Troopers out of Tok and relayed this sighting, which was passed on to the Air National Guard still on scene in the search area.
The Air National Guard quickly responded, rescued Potter and transported him to the Gulkana Airport.
The Alaska State Troopers would like to commend the multi-agency effort, which included personnel and aircraft assets from State Troopers, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, the National Park Service, the U.S. Army, and the Air National Guard, as well as efforts of Potter’s friends, family, and hunting partners for the search’s successful outcome.