Alaska National Guard

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Combat rescue officers and pararescuemen of 212th Rescue Squadron stand in front of a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft during the 82nd D-Day anniversary in Normandy, France. The Alaska Air National Guard Airmen jumped with the Air Force and U.S. Army to commemorate the cross-channel invasion. (Courtesy photo)

176th Wing Airmen honor a shared heritage during the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day

By | July 8, 2026

For more than 80 years, C-47 Skytrain tail number 42-100857 has connected generations of Airmen.On June 6, 1944, the aircraft carried American paratroopers into Normandy during Operation Overlord, one of history's defining...

A G Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, HH-60M Black Hawk crew chief hoists a hiker stranded on Matanuska Peak July 2, 2026. The rescue required the hoist-capable helicopter due to the vertical terrain. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska National Guard rescues 4 in 4 missions during July 4 weekend

By David Bedard | July 8, 2026

Soldiers and Airmen of the Alaska National Guard executed four missions to save four people over the July 4 holiday weekend.Maj. Kody Schmidt, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center senior controller, said the first mission opened...

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Lalor, left, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, passes the guidon to Alaska Army National Guard Col. Kurt Rorvik, incoming commander of U.S. Army Area Support Group-Balkans, during an assumption of command ceremony at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, June 29, 2026. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the formal transfer of authority, responsibility and accountability from one commander to the next. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Azavyon McFarland)

Alaska connection comes full circle during Area Support Group Balkans assumption of command

By Capt. Balinda O'Neal | July 2, 2026

A decades-long connection between Alaska and Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, came full circle June 29 as Alaska Army National Guard Col. Kurt Rorvik assumed command of Area Support Group-Balkans during a ceremony presided over by...

Alaska Air Guard pararescue save pilot near Knik Glacier

By Maj. David Bedard | May 13, 2026

Alaska Air Guard pararescue save pilot near Knik Glacier...

Army ROTC Cadet Jake Thacker, is a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage pursuing an Army commission as a second lieutenant. Thacker earned and is using a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Minuteman Scholarship to pay for college. (Alaska National Guard photo by David Bedard)

Army Guard offers full-ride scholarships for college-bound Alaskans

By Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting | May 12, 2026

Army Guard offers full-ride scholarships for college-bound Alaskans...

Alaska Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook aircrew members and National Park Service personnel assigned to Denali National Park and Preserve’s Denali Rescue Team pose for a photo at Denali Base Camp on the Kahiltna Glacier, April 14, 2026. Alaska Army National Guard and active-duty CH-47 crews delivered cargo to support the establishment of base camp operations ahead of the climbing season on Mount McKinley, demonstrating heavy-lift capability in a high-altitude environment. (Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

Alaska Army National Guard CH-47 crews support Denali Base Camp establishment

By Mr. Dana Rosso | April 23, 2026

An Alaska Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopter lifted off from Talkeetna with a load calculated down to the pound. Carrying more than 5,500 pounds of cargo and equipment, its destination was Denali Base Camp at 7,200...