News

AKNG COP manager leads charge on AI integration in disaster response
July 11, 2025 — During the Alaska National Guard’s most recent disaster response exercise, Vigilant Guard, the AKNG made a significant leap forward in disaster response by integrating Palantir Technologies Maven software into its operations. The effort was led by Wolf Russo, a Title V civilian and the Common Operating Picture manager with the AKNG Joint Staff... MORE

Alaska Army Guard aviators rescue family of 6, stranded on Kuskokwim River during summer storm
July 1, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Battalion, rescued a family of six June 30, near Tuntutuliak on the Kuskokwim River. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to an Alaska State Troopers request for assistance when the family’s boat became stuck on a sandbar in the river. The AKARNG accepted the mission and launched a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter from the armory in Bethel and flew 25 miles south to search for the stranded people... MORE

Diamond Strong: 176th Wing LRS Airman earns NGB first sergeant of the year honors
June 30, 2025 — Behind every mission-ready Airman stands a dedicated advocate and mentor. Often referred to as the “diamond,” the rank insignia they wear is more than just a symbol; it represents strength, resilience and an unbreakable commitment to the morale and welfare of the airmen they serve. For First Sgt. Anthony Celia, 176th Wing’s Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, that symbol now shines even brighter after being named the National Guard Bureau First Sergeant of the Year in 2025... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard rescues injured climber near Eklutna Lake
June 28, 2025 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued an injured climber June 29 near Eklutna Lake after the climber was struck by a boulder and unable to self-evacuate... MORE

Ling succeeds Groat as Alaska state command chief
June 26, 2025 — Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Ling succeeded Chief Master Sgt. Kim Groat as the Alaska state command chief during a June 18 change of responsibility ceremony at JBER. The Alaska state command chief serves as the senior enlisted leader for the Alaska Air National Guard, which includes the AKANG Air Staff, 168th Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, and the 176th Wing at JBER. The 168th Wing’s 213th Space Warning Squadron and 268th Security Forces Squadron are stationed at Clear Space Force Station, and the 176th Wing’s 210th Rescue Squadron Detachment 1 is at Eielson. ... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Kim T. Groat relinquishes the position of the State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Alaska Air National Guard to Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey A. Ling during a change of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 18, 2025. Brig. Gen. Brian D. Kile, the commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, presided over the ceremony.

Key leaders visit Shepard Point IRT site
June 26, 2025 — Key leaders from the National Guard Bureau’s Innovative Readiness Training program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Native Village of Eyak and City of Cordova visited Shepard Point, Alaska June 25, 2025, to observe the progress of an ongoing construction project. The Shepard Point Marine Tribal Transportation Oil Spill & Marine Casualty Response Facility project began in 2023 and is one of three sites being built in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989... MORE

Alaska National Guard leads ORCA WMD exercise in Juneau
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 into an otherwise quiet building June 9 at AJ Dock on Juneau’s ocean shore. The two Airmen were operating based on an intelligence report that foreign terrorists were planning to carry out a chemical attack in Alaska’s capital, and Coast Guard Sector Southeast marine science technicians corroborated the report, discovering a chemical lab at the port facility. ... MORE

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 TAG Match 2025 showcases lethality across the force
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... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard conducts MEDEVAC mission from Skagway to Juneau
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 Coordination Center. The mission, flown by an Alaska Army National Guard aircrew based out of the Army Aviation Operating Facility in Juneau, involved a round-trip flight of approximately 140 miles. ... MORE

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.

Alaska Army Guard leads, supports statewide cadet leadership events
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 across the state from May 27–31. The AKARNG RRB hosted the southcentral event at Camp Carroll on JBER, delivering hands-on leadership development and team-based challenges to cadets from multiple high schools. Simultaneously, Guard Soldiers from across the state participated in and supported the northern JCLC event in Fairbanks providing mentorship, aviation familiarization, and career pathway discussions to cadets attending from Interior communities. ... MORE

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.