Three hunters were rescued in two separate incidents on the Kenai Peninsula on Sunday.

The Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, was contacted simultaneously by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center for both rescues, a news release from the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said Tuesday.

When reports came in of two sheep hunters in distress at Benjamin Creek, south of Skilak Lake, the center also followed up on a request from a goat hunter in distress at Bradley Lake.

Lt. Col. Brock Roden, the release said, sent a helicopter and an airplane. Capt. Erin Phillips, who piloted the helicopter, said in the release that the sheep hunters were given priority because they were unsheltered and at high altitude — exposed to the elements.

The hunters were prepared for the weather, the press release said, but their tent was destroyed. The pair was quickly located thanks to the high-quality GPS coordinates they provided. When the wing arrived, they signaled with “what was left of their tent,” a small piece of orange cloth.

The time between arriving at the scene and takeoff was “less than five minutes,” Phillips said in the press release.

The two hunters were turned over to the Alaska State Troopers in Kenai, who then turned their attention to the Homer area, where the goat hunter was stranded.

Likewise, the man was quickly identified by his bright clothing and quickly recovered. The helicopter refueled from the larger aircraft “air-to-air” before returning to Anchorage.

Alaska Air National Guard Master Sgt. Jacob Inman, senior controller for the Rescue Coordination Center, encourages in the release to be prepared for conditions in Alaska, even in the summer.

“Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s technically still summer in Alaska,” Inman said. “It can get wet and cold quickly, especially in the deep Alaskan wilderness. Tell a loved one where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Bring a two-way satellite communication device. Pack clothes to stay dry and warm, and bring a sturdy shelter.”

Contact reporter Jake Dye at [email protected].