News

Alaska Organized Militia members arrive in Kotzebue to assist with storm response
October 25, 2024 — A team of service members from the Alaska Organized Militia have deployed to Kotzebue to assist with response efforts after the recent West Coast storm which caused major flood damage throughout the community. The team currently includes six members of the Alaska Army National Guard, three members of the Alaska Air National Guard, and one member of the Alaska State Defense Force, with another Air National Guardsman scheduled to arrive this afternoon to further support the team. One local member of the AKARNG has been on the ground assisting the Kotzebue community since Oct. 24. ... MORE

Members of the Alaska Organized Militia assigned to Joint Task Force Kotzebue assess priority-one damaged homes in the Arctic Circle community of Kotzebue, Oct. 26, 2024. The team’s measurements will help local emergency managers determine supplies needed to repair and rebuild structures impacted by severe flooding along Alaska’s West Coast. Many buildings in the area sustained foundation, sub-floor, and insulation damage due to the storm. 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 National Guard sending service members to assist with storm response in Kotzebue
October 24, 2024 — In the wake of a West Coast storm causing significant flooding, the Alaska National Guard has received an official resource request from the State Emergency Operations Center to support response and recovery efforts. The SEOC requested the AKNG to assist the community of Kotzebue with damage assessment, distribution of relief supplies and emergency shelter support. ... MORE

1-297th Infantry Battalion changes command, honors Lt. Col. Bushatz
October 21, 2024 — The 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment held a change of command ceremony on Oct. 19 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The ceremony signified the transfer of authority from the outgoing battalion commander Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz to the incoming commander Lt. Col. Christopher Dailey. ... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz, left, outgoing commander for the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, passes the colors to Col. Michele Edwards, the commander of the 297th Regional Support Group, as part of a change of command ceremony on Oct. 20, 2024, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Alaska National Guardsmen no longer required in Florida hurricane response
October 16, 2024 — The Florida National Guard notified the Alaska National Guard, Saturday, Oct. 12, that it no longer required the assistance of the Alaska Guardsmen to provide response and recovery support following Hurricane Milton. The hurricane’s impact was not as severe as anticipated, and Florida’s state, county and local organizations were able to meet the immediate response needs of the impacted residents. As a result, the Florida National Guard’s response requirements were significantly reduced, which in turn cut back the amount of out-of-state Guard support required. ... MORE

Alaska National Guard and State EOC to support hurricane response efforts in Southeastern US
October 11, 2024 — The Alaska National Guard will activate 50 Guardsmen on state active duty to deploy to Florida to assist the Florida National Guard with response and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Milton... MORE

Service after sale: Juneau-based recruiter makes strides in Southeast Alaska
October 8, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – For more than three years, Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Sean Smack has been the only recruiter enlisting Soldiers in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. “There’s something different about the way the sun sets here that gives me an appreciation for places like Juneau and Ketchikan,” said Smack. “It motivates me to talk to people about serving this state with this organization.” Smack travels to high schools and colleges sharing the benefits of the Guard. He said the availability of scholarships and financial aid make attending college possible while serving... MORE

Alaska Army National Guardsmen to deploy to Southwest border to support Customs and Border Protection
October 3, 2024 — A detachment of approximately 20 Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command will deploy in October for approximately 12 months to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of the federal Southwest Border Mission... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard stations Black Hawk helicopter in Juneau
September 20, 2024 — The Alaska Army National Guard’s 207th Aviation Troop Command, headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, stationed a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter in Juneau, Sept. 19, where AKARNG aviators will fulfill federal training requirements across Southeast Alaska... MORE

Alaska Army and Air Guard rescue four hunters in back-to-back, same-day missions
September 17, 2024 — The Alaska National Guard rescued four hunters Sept. 16 in two separate missions at the request of the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Rescue Coordination Center... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard rescues 8 in 5 Labor Day Weekend missions
September 6, 2024 — Alaska Air National Guard members of 176th Wing rescued eight distressed residents through five missions over the Labor Day Weekend. Two of the missions required 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angels to parachute from an HC-130J Combat King II. ... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Dan Warren (right), 212th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer, and Master Sgt. Harry Bromley, 212th RQS pararescueman, evacuate an injured airplane pilot Aug. 30, 2024, about 50 miles southwest of Tok to a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk. Warren and Bromley jumped from a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II to quickly reach the injured pilot.