News

Alaska Army National Guard ‘First Scouts’ awarded state’s highest heroism medal for 1955 rescue
March 29, 2023 — On June 22, 1955, two Russian MiG-15s from Siberia shot down a U.S. Navy P2V-5 Neptune plane flying a routine maritime patrol from Kodiak out over the Bering Sea. After it crashed in flames on St. Lawrence Island, 16 Alaska National Guardsmen from the First Scout Battalion mounted an immediate rescue mission, ultimately saving everyone on board. On March 28, 2023, more than 67 years later, the Alaska National Guard and Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs presented the Alaska Heroism Medal, the state’s highest award for valor during peacetime, to one veteran and 15 family representatives of the Alaska Army National Guard’s First Scouts. ... MORE

Alaska Heroism Medals sit ready March 28, 2023, for the ceremony at the John Apangalook Memorial High School gymnasium honoring 16 Alaska Army National Guard First Scouts for their heroism during a 1955 rescue mission after two Russian MiG-15s shot down a U.S. Navy P2V-5 Neptune plane flying a routine maritime patrol over the Bering Sea with 11 sailors on board.

Bethel’s Cama-i weekend a flurry of activity for Alaska National Guard
March 27, 2023 — A host of Alaska National Guardsmen and members of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Alaska State Defense Force traveled to Bethel during its 2023 Cama-i Dance Festival, March 24-26, for celebration, community outreach and training. Guard and ASDF recruiters took the opportunity to meet and speak with community members during Cama-i and talk about the many opportunities available... MORE

Alaska Guard, Reserve interoperability aid arctic mobilization proficiency
March 24, 2023 — Monotonous beeps reverberated across the Joint Mobility Complex as Soldiers arriving to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson were scanned in for Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration ahead of 11th Airborne Division’s Joint Pacific Multi-National Readiness Center-Alaska 23-02 exercise. The Alaska Army National Guard’s 49th Personnel Detachment (Theater Gateway) and U.S. Army Reserve’s 3301st Mobilization Support Battalion welcomed incoming forces as part of the units’ combined annual training to support the exercise reception center, track incoming personnel, and keep accountability of participants and their equipment March 9-23. ... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Black Hawk to continue training, operating out of Bethel
March 24, 2023 — The Alaska Army National Guard has been operating a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter out of Bethel since late January 2023 and will continue doing so for the foreseeable future to continue federal training requirements across Western Alaska. While the aircraft and crew are stationed in Bethel for the purpose of conducting federal training requirements, they will remain available to provide emergency assistance as requested by the State Emergency Operations Center or Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. ... MORE

Perseverance ... and rain boots: Arctic Guardian overcomes obstacles to join the Alaska Air National Guard
March 16, 2023 — Arctic Guardian overcomes obstacles to join the Alaska Air National Guard... MORE

176th Wing Guardian Angels jump into Pilot Station to enable medevac
March 15, 2023 — 176th Wing Guardian Angels jump into Pilot Station to enable medevac... MORE

176th Wing integral to NORAD air sovereignty and routine intercept of Russian aircraft
March 7, 2023 — 176th Wing integral to NORAD air sovereignty and routine intercept of Russian aircraft... MORE

Alaska Air Guardsmen provide life-saving medevac for pediatric patient from Elim
March 1, 2023 — Alaska Air Guardsmen provide life-saving medevac for pediatric patient from Elim... MORE

Arctic Guardians earn valor awards for actions during Al Asad evacuation
February 21, 2023 — Arctic Guardians earn valor awards for actions during Al Asad evacuation... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard rescues two overdue snow machiners near Tuntutuliak
February 15, 2023 — The Alaska Army National Guard rescued two overdue snow machiners suffering from severe frostbite near Tuntutuliak, Feb. 14, 2023... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter hovers near the aviation facility at the Bethel Airport after returning from a training flight. The helicopter is stationed in Bethel for the time being to allow aircrews to train for federal mission requirements and become more familiar with the area. The aircraft will be available to assist in emergency situations as requested by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center or Alaska Emergency Operations Center and subject to aircrew availability. (Alaska National Guard Photo by Dana Rosso)