Alaska National Guard

LEADERSHIP

Alaska Army National Guard Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz, right, outgoing commander for the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, was rewarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Col. Michele Edwards, the commander of the 297th Regional Support Group, Oct. 20, 2024, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Bushatz was recognized for his commitment to improving his battalion’s readiness in the two years he served as commander. (Alaska Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marc Marmeto)

Alaska Army National Guard officer surmounts combat trauma to command infantry battalion

By Maj. David Bedard | Feb. 19, 2025

“I wasn’t going to leave that fight unless it was in a body bag.”Alaska Army National Guard Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz, 297th Regional Support Group operations officer and former 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment commander,...

An Alaska Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook assigned to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, operates Feb. 2, 2025, at the Whitehorse airport, Yukon Territory, Canada. The Chinook crew supported the repair of a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk that had rescued two victims of a Jan. 26 ultralight plane crash near Faro, Yukon Territory. (Photo courtesy of Simon Blakesley)

Rescue of 2 plane crash victims in Yukon Territory kicks off 176th Wing’s busy rescue week

By David Bedard | Feb. 7, 2025

The Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing rescued eight individuals during four rescue missions in Alaska and Yukon Territory between Jan. 26 and Jan. 31...

Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to the 297th Regional Support Group greet their loved ones following a deployment ceremony at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 24, 2025. The Alaska Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 297th RSG will deploy approximately 80 Guardsmen on a nine-month mission to Eastern Europe in support of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount)

AKARNG 297th RSG to deploy to Eastern Europe in support of NATO allies, expeditionary base operations

By Seth LaCount | Jan. 27, 2025

The Alaska Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 297th Regional Support Group will deploy approximately 80 Guardsmen on a nine-month mission to Eastern Europe in support of the U.S. Army Europe and...

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Capt. Rick Benedict, a fifteen-year-old assigned to the Birchwood Composite Squadron, uses a receiver to measure signal strength to locate a distress beacon during a three-day training event Nov. 4, 2023, at the Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, Alaska. The training is part of the CAP wing-wide Search and Rescue Exercise, a quarterly event designed to test participants’ skill sets, leadership qualities, and resourcefulness. (Alaska National Guard photo by Balinda O’Neal)

Aviation distress signal draws rapid, multi-agency response at Merrill Field Airport

By Alejandro Peña | Jan. 16, 2025

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened a mission in response to an emergency locator transmitter notification in the vicinity of the Municipality of Anchorage Merrill Field Airport, Jan. 11, 2025. Lt. Col. Brian...

Alaska Army National Guard Maj. John “Chad” Smyre, Alaskan Command J5 strategy plans and policy officer, explains dog mushing Feb. 23, 2024, to Lt. Gen. David Nahom, then ALCOM commander, and other ALCOM staff members at JBER. Smyre’s assignment to the active component command is part of the National Guard Assistant Program. (Alaska Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Donald Hudson)

Alaska National Guard strengthens cooperation with Alaskan Command

By David Bedard | Jan. 6, 2025

Alaska Air National Guard general assumes duties as ALCOM deputy...

Santa Claus rides inside an Alaska Army National Guard Humvee before meeting local children and community members during Operation Santa Claus in Yakutat, Alaska, Dec. 18, 2024. Started in 1956, Operation Santa Claus is an annual AKNG and Salvation Army partnered community outreach program that spreads holiday cheer to rural Alaskan communities. Every Christmas, numerous civilian and miliary volunteers work to provide backpacks filled with toys and books to children that live in these remote Alaskan communities. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)

From sleigh to Humvee: Operation Santa Claus 2024 wraps up in Yakutat

By Alaska National Guard | Dec. 19, 2024

Approximately 50 Alaska National Guard service members, volunteers from the Salvation Army, AKNG Child and Youth Program and others visited the southeastern Alaskan city of Yakutat, Dec. 18, 2024. Operation Santa Claus is an...

Rescue of 2 plane crash victims in Yukon Territory kicks off 176th Wing’s busy rescue week

Civil Air Patrol cadets from across the Southcentral Region practice body blocking while using receivers to measure signal strength to locate a distress beacon during a three-day training event Nov. 4, 2023, at the Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, Alaska.

Aviation distress signal draws rapid, multi-agency response at Merrill Field Airport

Approximately 50 Alaska National Guard service members, volunteers from the Salvation Army, AKNG Child and Youth Program and others visited the southeastern Alaskan city of Yakutat, Dec. 18, 2024.

AKNG brings Christmas cheer to Yakutat

Alaska National Guard Brings Holiday Cheer to Circle, Alaska with Operation Santa Claus

Alaska National Guard flies 14,000 pounds of meat to Toksook Bay via IRT program

DMVA hosts 2024 Veterans Day ceremony, honors U.S. and Canadian servicemembers

Alaska Civil Air Patrol Wing to expand HF radio capability to increase emergency preparedness

Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Joint Task Force - Kotzebue assist the Arctic Circle community with recovery efforts, Oct. 26, 2024, following a recent storm that caused severe flooding along Alaska’s West Coast. The 11-member team, including personnel from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the Alaska State Defense Force, was activated by the State Emergency Operations Center to support response and recovery efforts.

Alaska Organized Militia, multi-agency teams join forces to aid Kotzebue flood recovery

Alaska Army National Guardsmen with the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, stand at attention during a change of command ceremony Oct. 20, 2024, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

1-297th Infantry Battalion Change of Command

Alaska National Guard and State EOC to support hurricane response efforts in Southeastern US

Service after sale: Juneau-based recruiter makes strides in Southeast Alaska

Introduction to the Alaska Military Youth Academy 2025

Jan. 29, 2025 | 2:41

Approximately 160 young men and women from across Alaska began the Alaska Military Youth Academy’s 22-week ChalleNGE program at Camp Carroll on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 15-16, 2024. The AMYA ChalleNGe program is a demanding, 22-week residential phase aimed at developing self-confidence, discipline, leadership, and life-coping skills. (Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

Operation Santa 2024 Brings Christmas Joy To Yakutat

Dec. 19, 2024 | 2:15

The Alaska National Guard's annual community outreach program, Operation Santa Claus, continues to bring the magic of the season to the remote communities of Yakutat Dec. 18, 2024. In partnership with the Salvation Army, the program delivered gifts and tidings of Christmas joy to the town. The video highlights the annual Operation Santa Claus, a collaborative effort between The Salvation Army, the Alaska National Guard, and the Alaska National Guard Child and Youth Program, spreading joy to communities across Alaska during the Christmas season. The Salvation Army collects, wraps, and packs gifts for children, and the Alaska National Guard plays a crucial role in transportation, logistics, and planning. (Alaska National Guard video by Sgt. Marc Marmeto).

DMVA Veterans Day 2024

Nov. 12, 2024 | 1:23

Alaska veterans, service members, friends and family attend a Veterans Day ceremony at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Nov. 11, 2024. The ceremony was held to honor the sacrifices and contributions of U.S. and Canadian veterans across Alaska and the world and to reflect on their shared service. (Alaska National Guard video by Sgt. Marc Marmeto)

life is a movie, film drug free: Red RIbbon Week 2024

Nov. 6, 2024 | 1:30

Elementary school students listen to a presentation for Red Ribbon Week at Klatt Elementary School, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 4, 2024. Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide campaign focused on promoting a healthy and drug-free lifestyle amongst the nation’s youth by delivering prevention information at school assemblies in collaboration with the Alaska National Guard Counterdrug Support Program, Drug Enforcement Agency, local law enforcement, and elected officials. The 2024 RRW events were held at six elementary schools across Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

(Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

Alaska National Guard flies 14,000 pounds of meat to Toksook Bay via IRT program

Nov. 25, 2024 | 2:22

Two years after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok flooded communities across thousands of miles of western Alaska in September 2022, the community of Toksook Bay made a big step toward replenishing what they lost from the storm – thousands of pounds of meat.

On Friday Nov. 15, 2024, the Alaska National Guard began the process of delivering nearly 14,000 pounds of frozen beef, chicken and pork to Toksook Bay as part of the Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training Program.

The Alaska Air National Guard transported the frozen meat from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to Bethel via an HC-130J Combat King II, the same aircraft that routinely conducts civil search and rescue missions across the state.

Once in Bethel, the meat was generously offloaded by Northern Air Cargo and safely stored in their airport freezer facility while awaiting airlift to Toksook Bay via two Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawks.

The AKARNG aircrews assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command delivered 234 of the 280 50-pound boxes during multiple flights on Nov. 18 before poor weather postponed the final flight. Bethel area Guardsmen from Bison Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, assisted the effort by loading each helicopter for the roughly 75-minute flight to Toksook Bay. The remaining boxes will be delivered as soon as the weather clears, and the helicopters can safely continue the mission.

(Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount and Dana Rosso)

Alaska Military Youth Academy tours 176th Wing 2024

Nov. 4, 2024 | 2:36

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets and cadre toured the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Oct. 16, 2024. The AMYA cadets had the opportunity to see the HC-130 Combat King II, the HH-60 Pave Hawk, and tour the metal fabrication shop at the wing. They also visited with Airmen from the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron to learn about life as a Guard firefighter. Events like this allow Alaska Guardsmen to highlight the many opportunities available to these cadets as they explore future careers and build on the character traits that the academy seeks to instill in these young men and women as they progress in the program.

(Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

Alaskans working together to support Kotzebue

Nov. 1, 2024 | 1:01

Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Joint Task Force - Kotzebue join local and state responders to assist the Arctic Circle community of Kotzebue with recovery efforts following a storm that caused severe flooding along Alaska’s West Coast. In response to the storm's impact, Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster emergency on October 22, 2024. With winter rapidly approaching, the teams are on the ground assisting in critical recovery work—clearing debris, repairing pipes, and securing homes.

South for the winter: 207th AVN Soldiers deploy for Southwest Border Mission

Oct. 17, 2024 | 2:10

A detachment of approximately 20 Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command deployed this October for a 12-month rotation in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of the federal Southwest Border Mission. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, the Alaska detachment deployed two UH-72A Lakota helicopters, aircrews, a maintenance team, and additional support personnel to the Southwest border. Guardsmen will support the SWB mission in a federally funded, Title 10 status. Teaming with Guardsmen from other states, the Alaska Guardsmen will provide mission-enhancing aviation support to CBP’s border security operations.

(Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

Dare to Lead: Alaska ROTC

Sept. 23, 2024 | 3:08

Alaska Army National Guard Maj. Jessi Fernandez and Sgt. First Class Nate Sandback talk about the impact that the Reserve Officer Training Corps has on young men and women in Alaska and the difference it has made in their careers during the 2024 fall semester field training exercise "Operation Eagle Claw", Sept. 11-15. The Nanook Battalion, which includes the University of Alaska Fairbanks as the host school and the University of Alaska Anchorage as a detachment, cooperates with the U.S. Army and the Alaska Army National Guard to educate, train, and prepare students to serve as commissioned officers in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

(Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

Making a difference as a guard athlete: All Guard Marathon Team in Alaska

Aug. 22, 2024 | 1:59

Twenty members of the National Guard All Guard Marathon Team visited the 49th state, Aug. 15-19, 2024, to compete in the Anchorage Runfest and promote the team’s program as part of an effort to boost recruiting across the state.

The AGMT is dedicated to promoting physical fitness, self-discipline, and esprit de corps among Air and Army National Guard members, while supporting recruiting and retention efforts in the communities where they compete.

(Alaska National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount and Sgt. Marc Marmeto)

Alaska Organized Militia, partners clearing the way in Juneau

Aug. 19, 2024 | 1:37

Members of the Alaska Organized Militia, including service members from the Alaska National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and Alaska State Defense Force, work with local authorities and tribal emergency operations to remove disaster debris in the Mendenhall Valley, Juneau, Alaska, Aug. 8-21, 2024, following the recent glacial outburst flood. The State Emergency Operations Center activated 60 Alaska Organized Militia members from the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force, and Alaska Naval Militia as part of Joint Task Force – Juneau. (Alaska National Guard video by Sgt. Marc Marmeto).

Welcome home Bison Company: 1-297th Infantry returns from Kuwait

Aug. 12, 2024 | 1:39

Description: Approximately 100 Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Bison Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment returned home after a 9-month deployment to Kuwait on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Aug. 10, 2024. The deployment was in support of Operation Spartan Shield, which aims to build partner capacity in the Middle East to promote self-reliance and increase security among partner nations. (Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

176th Wing Rescue Triad conducts capabilities exercise

June 27, 2024 | 1:26

Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Wing’s 210th, 211th, and 212th Rescue Squadrons conducted a rescue capabilities exercise at Malemute Drop Zone, on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 25, 2024. The training showcased search and rescue, high-altitude parachute drops, in-flight refueling, emergency medical response, personnel recovery, and recovery hoist. Participants included HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew of the 210th RQS, HC-130J Combat King II aircrew of the 211th RQS, and pararescuemen (PJs), and combat rescue officers (CROs) of the 212th RQS.

(Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

ANG 176th Wing Rescue Triad Tour: Air Force ROTC

June 17, 2024 | 1:46

Approximately 88 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from South Anchorage, West Anchorage and Eagle River high schools visited the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Wing on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, June 13, 2024. During their visit, the cadets learned about the 176th Wing’s Rescue Triad and had the opportunity to see multiple aircraft and facilities where these airmen train for their search and rescue mission. The 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons make up the 176th Wing Rescue Triad and are among the busiest combat search and rescue units in the world. (Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

A Love For Shooting: AKNG TAG Match 2024

June 5, 2024 | 2:04

Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen from across the state, U.S Coast Guardsmen, and U.S. Army 11th Airborne Soldiers trained and competed against each other at the Alaska National Guard’s Adjutant General Match on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Small Arms Range Complex, May 20-23, 2024.

The TAG Match, hosted and organized by the Alaska National Guard’s Marksmanship Program, is a four-day event that challenges competitors through several rifle and pistol matches designed to test their skills in reflexive fire and precision shooting.

(Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

Molding Future Leaders: Cadet Leadership Challenge 2024

May 30, 2024 | 2:09

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Dimond, Bartlett, Service, East, Colony and the Bethel Regional high schools complete the Leadership Reaction Course and take a familiarization flight with the Alaska Army National Guard's 207th Aviation Troop Command Soldiers as part of the Cadet Leadership Challenge on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 29, 2024. Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion personnel served as safety observers and mentors, providing guidance, ensuring safety, and sharing their expertise to enhance the cadets’ training experience. (Alaska National Guard video by Seth LaCount)

U.S., Mongolia unite for firefighting exchange

May 8, 2024 | 1:27

Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Fire Emergency Services assist in training the Mongolia 52nd Firefighting and Rescue Unit during a simulated search and rescue scenario as part of exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 in Choibalsan in the Dornod Province, Mongolia, May 8, 2024. Gobi Wolf 2024 is a four-day disaster response exercise and exchange between the government of Mongolia and U.S. Army Pacific focused on interagency coordination. The Mongolia National Emergency Management Agency hosts the exercise with support from the Mongolian Armed Forces. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. Marc Marmeto).

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