Alaska National Guard

LEADERSHIP

Command Sgt. Maj. Julie Small transfers responsibility as the Alaska National Guard command senior enlisted leader to Command Sgt. Maj. John Phlegar during a dual change-of-responsibility and retirement ceremony Dec. 5 at the Arctic Warrior Events Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Small, the longest-serving SEL in AKNG history, is honored for 31 years of service as Soldiers, Airmen, families and community members recognize her legacy of mentorship and love for the people she served with and for. (Alaska National Guard photo by Seth LaCount)

Beloved, longest serving AKNG command senior enlisted leader Small hands reigns to Phlegar, celebrates retirement

By Seth LaCount | Dec. 9, 2025

Alaska National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, leaders, families, and community members gathered to witness a time-honored military tradition as Command Sgt. Maj. Julie Small transferred responsibility of the AKNG command senior...

Alaska Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Matthew Komatsu recently pinned on a star to become the Alaska National Guard's first combat rescue officer general officer. Komatsu sits at the 212th Rescue Squadron, a unit he commanded previously. (Alaska National Guard photo by David Bedard)

‘Someone real’: AKNG’s Matthew Komatsu’s path through fire and ice leads first CRO in Alaska Guard history to promote to general

By Seth LaCount | Dec. 8, 2025

Long before he became the first Alaska National Guard combat rescue officer (CRO) in history to pin on a general star, Brig. Gen. Matthew Komatsu was a kid in the Midwest, mesmerized by Top Gun and dreaming of fighter jets.“I...

Alaska Organized Militia members, assigned to Task Force Bethel, organize and distribute building supplies during post-storm recovery efforts for Operation Halong Response at Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 10, 2025. AKOM members, including Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen and members of the Alaska Naval Militia and Alaska State Defense Force, continue coordinated response operations in support of the State Emergency Operations Center following Typhoon Halong. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Keara Hendry)

AKOM logistics experts key to Typhoon Halong response

By Maj. David Bedard | Nov. 26, 2025

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region of Alaska is approximately the size of the state of Louisiana.Despite its size and population of about 25,000 residents scattered across 48 communities, there isn’t a paved network of highways...

From the left, Alaska National Guard Warrior and Family Services Coordinator Octavia Thompson, AKNG Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Julie Small and AKNG Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Ashley Shelton pose for a photo during “Purple Thursday”, a Domestic Violence Awareness Month event Oct. 17, 2024. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska National Guard named top performer in sexual assault prevention efforts

By Seth LaCount | Nov. 24, 2025

At a time when sexual assault prevention remains a national priority across the U.S. military, the Alaska National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program has been recognized as one of the strongest programs in...

Alaska Naval Militia Master Chief Petty Officer Eric Zimmermann, an air traffic controller assigned to Task Force Bethel, serves as the director of air operations during the Alaska Organized Militia’s Operation Halong Response in Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 16, 2025. AKOM members, including Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen and members of the Alaska Naval Militia and Alaska State Defense Force, continue coordinated response operations in support of the State Emergency Operations Center following Typhoon Halong. (Alaska National Guard photo by Maj. David Bedard)

Alaska Naval Militia sailor provides crucial aviation coordination for Operation Halong Response

By David Bedard | Nov. 20, 2025

Bethel is 56 miles from the mouth of the Kuskokwim River and the adjoining salt water of the Kuskokwim Bay and the Bering Sea. The Western Alaska hub city is 1,136 miles from the small but crucial Southeast Alaska Acoustic...

Tech. Sgt. Wolf Russo, Common Operating Picture manager with the Alaska National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters, demonstrates capabilities of Maven in response to Western Alaska storms at Joint Base-Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, Nov 10, 2025. Maven improves communication with joint partners and enhances the COP while tracking supplies and personnel by integrating collected data from SHOUT Nanos. (Alaska National Guard photo by Azavyon McFarland)

AKOM’s communication team launches critical connectivity during disaster

By Pfc. Azavyon McFarland | Nov. 17, 2025

Following severe storms that struck Western Alaska earlier this month, members of the Alaska Organized Militia’s Communications and Information Systems Directorate, known as J6, deployed new handheld satellite tracking...

Beloved, longest serving AKNG command senior enlisted leader Small hands reigns to Phlegar, celebrates retirement

‘Someone real’: AKNG’s Matthew Komatsu’s path through fire and ice leads first CRO in Alaska Guard history to promote to general

AKOM logistics experts key to Typhoon Halong response

Alaska National Guard named top performer in sexual assault prevention efforts

Alaska Naval Militia sailor provides crucial aviation coordination for Operation Halong Response

AKOM’s communication team launches critical connectivity during disaster

Alaska Organized Militia continues recovery support across Western Alaska

Alaska Organized Militia builds on historic evacuation as focus turns to community sustainment

ROTC Minuteman Scholarship Recipient: Alaska Army Guardsman embarks on path to leadership

Multi-agency responders save plane crash survivor

Alaska Army National Guard rescues multiple individuals from two separate small aircraft crashes

Alaska Air National Guard conducts multiple hoist rescue of stranded rafters on Kichatna River

Alaska Air National Guard rescues individual with facial laceration near Knik Glacier

Leveling Up: Alaska Army Guard engineers rebuild observation posts during annual training 25'

Alaska Organized Militia Typhoon Halong Response: First week in Review:

Oct. 18, 2025 | 2:27

Between Oct. 10-18, the Alaska Organized Militia, composed of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, alongside partner agencies, conducted the largest airlift operations in Alaska history, transporting hundreds of storm survivors from Western Alaska to safety following the devastating 2025 West Coast Storm. In coordination with the State Emergency Operations Center and local officials, AKOM members continue supporting response and recovery operations through airlift, sheltering, and sustainment missions across the affected regions.

Audio: Col. Christy Brewer, The Alaska National Guard Joint Staff operations director,

(Alaska National Guard video shot by: Seth LaCount, Staff Sgt. Joey Moon and Sgt. Sam Barnlund)
(Video edited by: Seth LaCount)

Push Harder: Alaska State Best Warrior Competition feature

May 30, 2025 | 2:33

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. The events included a variety of physical fitness tasks, ruck march, land navigation course, live-fire stress shoot, an obstacle course, drill and ceremony, and a uniform inspection. 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 video by Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount)

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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