News

Alaska Civil Air Patrol wing aligns with DMVA to increase partnership, capability
September 6, 2022 — The Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol became officially aligned underneath the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs this month, opening the door for closer state-wide cooperation and partnership between the two organizations. According to the Alaska CAP Wing commander, Col. Kevin McClure, the new alignment is a welcome change. “I’ve always thought we belonged under DMVA,” he said. “We’re here to support the state in anything they need.” The new administrative alignment is made possible through a $250,000 grant which will be awarded through the DMVA’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said the division director Bryan Fisher. He said the Alaska legislature made the FY23 allocation for the Alaska Wing with the intent on having DHS&EM award the annual grant by the beginning of each fiscal year. ... MORE

Civil Air Patrol Cessna 206 and GippsAero GA8 Airvan park next to an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk in front of the Army Guard’s hangar. The CAP and ARNG recently teamed up to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Arctic Shield, a mission to conduct inspections of approximately 50 bulk fuel storage facilities across Western Alaska, August 22-30.

Arctic Guardians rescue injured hiker near Eklutna Lake
September 1, 2022 — Arctic Guardians rescue injured hiker near Eklutna Lake... MORE

National Guard Honored for Youth ChalleNGe Program
September 1, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, which helps “at-risk” teens earn their high school diploma or GED, earned national recognition Aug. 31 during the 103rd American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee.“After spending over almost 30 years in the military I had not heard of the ChalleNGe academy, and it really [has... MORE

Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp accepts the 2022 American Legion National Education Award on behalf of the National Guard Bureau at The American Legion 103rd National Convention at the Milwaukee Center in Milwaukee Aug. 31, 2022. The award was presented for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, which helps “at-risk” teens earn their high school diploma or GED.

Tuition assistance increases at all University of Alaska campuses for Alaska National Guard
August 25, 2022 — The Alaska National Guard and University of Alaska partner in providing financial assistance for service members pursuing a college education. The financial assistance can be rendered by two methods – a tuition scholarship or tuition reimbursement... MORE

Bethel couple recognized for decades of service to the Alaska Guard
August 23, 2022 — On the shores of the Kuskokwim River, 400 miles west of Anchorage, a Bethel couple cuts strips of salmon before carrying them to their smokehouse as youth spectators eagerly watch and learn about local subsistence life. The youth, who come from Anchorage, Fairbanks and the lower 48 states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, are part of the Alaska National Guard’s Warrior and Family Services Child and Youth Program. Each year Sgt.1st Class Joseph Sallaffie and his wife, Rachel, host part of the summer cultural event at their subsistence fish camp. ... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Sallaffie, then a staff sergeant, right, and his wife, Rachel, to the left of him, spend time demonstrating the process of drying and cutting salmon strips to participants of the Alaska National Guard Warrior and Family Services cultural camp at thier subsistence fish camp on the shores of the Kuskowim River near Bethel, July 21, 2016. The youth learned the importance of subsistence living during the five-day program that focused on cultural-based service and learning projects.

Arctic Guardians rescue injured ATV rider near Kahiltna Glacier
August 22, 2022 — Arctic Guardians rescue injured ATV rider near Kahiltna Glacier... MORE

State command chaplain pitches faith as local baseball coach
August 22, 2022 — Since 1775, Army chaplains have supported the spiritual, moral and emotional wellbeing of Soldiers and their families. McGovern serves not only the Alaska Guard family, but also the communities surrounding JBER as an assistant coach for the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks, a local collegiate-level baseball team... MORE

Alaska National Guard State Command Chaplain (Col.) Ted McGovern coaches baseball players during warm-up exercises before a baseball game at the Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska, July 23, 2022. In addition to serving the Alaska Guard family, McGovern serves the communities surrounding Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as an assistant coach for the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks, a local collegiate baseball team in Chugiak. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O’Neal)

Arctic Guardians rescue 5 during 3 different missions
August 16, 2022 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued five people from three separate incidents Aug. 11 and 12 at different locations throughout Southcentral and Interior Alaska... MORE

AKNG, Providence unite to better support sexual assault victims
August 16, 2022 — The Alaska National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program renewed its partnership with the Forensic Nursing Services of Providence August 3, 2022 by signing a revised memorandum of understanding intended to better serve victims of sexual assault, their families and the entire AKNG community. According to Ashley Shelton, the AKNG Joint Forces Headquarters SAPR officer and Lead Sexual Assault Response coordinator, these types of support agreements expire every nine years and have to be updated to remain current. ... MORE

Alaska Army, Air Guard team rescues overdue hikers at Crow Pass
August 9, 2022 — Alaska Army National Guard’s G Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion and Alaska Air National Guard’s 212th Rescue Squadron teamed up to rescue two lost hikers at Crow Pass, Aug. 9... MORE