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California Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Garcia, 9th Civil Support Team, helps Staff Sgt. Bianca Juarez don protective equipment before checking a building in the Juneau capitol building complex for simulated weapons of mass destruction June 9, 2025, as part of Exercise ORCA 25. The exercise is a full-scale all-hazards chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives joint and interagency training exercise testing and evaluating the operational capability of the whole-of-government emergency management system. (Alaska National Guard photo by Maj. David Bedard)
Alaska National Guard leads ORCA WMD exercise in Juneau
By Maj. David Bedard | June 16, 2025
Dressed like 1950s science fiction aliens in head-to-toe hazardous material protective suits, the Virginia National Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team members Tech Sgt. Taylor Lincoln and Staff Sgt. Samantha Sanders slowly crept...

Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen from across the state, active-duty Army paratroopers with the 11th Airborne Division, Coast Guardsmen out of Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic, and a member of the Alaska State Defense Force, compete in The Adjutant General’s Match at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 4, 2025. TAG Match, hosted and organized by the Alaska National Guard’s Marksmanship Program, was a multi-day competition that tested the competitors’ reflexive and precision shooting skills with both the rifle and pistol. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)
Alaska National Guard TAG Match 2025 showcases lethality across the force
By Seth LaCount | June 6, 2025
Amid the biting wind and relentless rain of a chilly Alaska spring, 44 determined marksmen gathered for The Adjutant General’s Match June 3-5, put on annually by Alaska National Guard...

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion conducts flight operations over Southeast Alaska near Juneau, Jan. 24, 2025. The Juneau-based Black Hawk aircrew conducts their federal mission training requirements and, when available, can respond to emergency requests by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center or the State Emergency Operations Center. The Black Hawk is a versatile aircraft, suited for a variety of missions including, air assaults, medical evacuations, and airlift operations. Equipped with internal and external auxiliary fuel tanks, the Black Hawk’s range is extended allowing the aviators to better support the communities of Southeast Alaska. (Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)
Alaska Army National Guard conducts MEDEVAC mission from Skagway to Juneau
By Dana Rosso | June 4, 2025
A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Alpha Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, transported a patient from Skagway to Juneau June 3, following a medical evacuation request from the Alaska Rescue...

Alaska Army National Guard Spc. Katlyn Olexa, a recruiter assistant assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, leads a morning physical fitness session for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Dimond, Bartlett, Service, East, Colony and the Bethel Regional high schools at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 29, 2025. The PT session was part of the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge camp, designed to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and military discipline among the cadets. Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion personnel served as safety observers and mentors, providing guidance, and sharing their expertise to enhance the cadets’ training experience. (Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)
Alaska Army Guard leads, supports statewide cadet leadership events
By Capt. Balinda O’Neal, | June 3, 2025
The Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion played a key role in developing the next generation of leaders through its support of the Junior ROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge program, held in two locations...

An HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter from Golf Co., 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion conducts a training mission May 31, 2023. The Black Hawk departed Bryant Army Airfield on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to complete aircrew qualification tasks medevac and hoist operations as well as basic flight maneuvers near Colony Glacier. (Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)
Alaska Rescue Coordination Center directs 10 saves during start of rescue season
By Seth LaCount | May 30, 2025
Alaska Air and Army National Guard, U.S. Army and Civil Air Patrol units responded to six requests for assistance, primarily in support of the Alaska State Troopers and local hospitals May 24-28, 2025...

The State Command Sergeant Major, John Phlegar, center, pauses for a photo with Pfc. David Badke, 2nd left, and Sgt. Dylan Hennessey, the two winners of the Alaska State Best Warrior Competition 2025 as well as Lance Cpl. Sandaijav Sainbileg, far left, and Senior Sgt. Purevdorj Ganbaatar, two Mongolian Armed Forces participants, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, May 22, 2025. Hosted by the AKARNG’s 207th Multi-Functional Training Regiment, the SBWC, is an annual, multi-day Soldiering contest that showcases the competitors’ readiness and lethality through a series of challenging mental and physical tests. Badke, an infantryman assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, was the junior enlisted winner of the competition. Hennessey, also an infantryman assigned to the 1-297th, was the winner amongst the non-commissioned officers. Ganbaatar is assigned to the 150th Peacekeeping Battalion, and Sainbileg is assigned to the 084th Special Task Battalion. This year two members of the Mongolian Armed Forces participated in the competition. Alaska and Mongolia have been counterparts since 2003 through the State Partnership Program. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)
AKARNG Best Warrior Competition highlights excellence, partnership
By Capt. Balinda O’Neal | May 22, 2025
Fifteen competitors, including thirteen from the Alaska Army National Guard and two from the Mongolian Armed Forces, competed in the 2025 AKARNG Best Warrior Competition, held May 19–22 at Joint Base...