News

Alaska National Guard delivers holiday gifts to remote villages for 66th year
December 22, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard continued with the tradition of Operation Santa Claus again this year, spreading holiday joy to remote Alaskan villages by delivering gifts to children of two communities. Gifts were delivered to Buckland Dec. 14, while a flight to Chevak was delayed several times due to inclement weather. Efforts to deliver Santa’s packages to the small community will resume shortly after the holidays... MORE

Gifts are unloaded from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Buckland, Alaska during Operation Santa Claus, Dec. 14, 2021. Operation Santa Claus is an Alaska National Guard annual community outreach program that provides Christmas gifts, books, school supplies and stocking stuffers to children in rural Alaskan communities. This year marks the 66th year of the program, which began in 1956 after the village of St. Mary's experienced a year of hardship and the Alaska Air National Guard flew in gifts and supplies donated by the local community. The Alaska National Guard was able to continue the tradition this year and safely provide gifts despite COVID-19. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Chelsea Aspelund)

Commentary: Alaska National Guard Airman shares perspective
November 19, 2021 — An Alaska Air National Guardsman shares her perspective and experiences while supporting Operation Allies Welcome at Liberty Village, NJ... MORE

A service member assigned to Task Force Liberty embraces an Afghan child at a park at Liberty Village as she supports Operation Allies Welcome on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Oct. 28, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities in permanent or temporary structures as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside of Afghanistan. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead)

Pratt assumes command chief responsibilities for 176th Wing
November 19, 2021 — Pratt assumes command chief responsibilities for 176th Wing... MORE

A Veteran's career unimagined
November 15, 2021 — Master Sgt. Lisa Espinoza could not have imagined the situations, opportunities, places she would travel and people her career would bring to her life when she joined the United States Air Force twenty years ago. Espinoza currently serves in the 168th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard, and will soon retire... MORE

Master Sgt. Lisa Espinoza of the 168th Wing serves as Command Support Staff for Wing headquarters. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Airlifter Tanker’s Association recognizes Arctic Guardians for evacuation of Afghans
November 6, 2021 — Airlifter Tanker’s Association recognizes Arctic Guardians for evacuation of Afghans... MORE

From grunt to Guardian: Arctic Guardian HH-60 pilot draws on service as Recon Marine
November 4, 2021 — From grunt to Guardian: Arctic Guardian HH-60 pilot draws on service as Recon Marine... MORE

U.S. Air Force Captain Seth Peterson, a helicopter pilot assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, Alaska, stands in front of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter in a hanger at JBER Nov. 3, 2021. Capt. Peterson commissioned as an U.S. Air Force officer after serving as a U.S. Marine with the 4th Battalion.

Arctic Guard PJs partner with Army Guard for mass casualty exercise
November 3, 2021 — Arctic Guard PJs partner with Army Guard for mass casualty exercise... MORE

Warrior and Family Services support Alaska Guardsmen and families
November 2, 2021 — As citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, members of the Alaska National Guard train continuously to stay prepared to protect the state and nation during a multitude of circumstances – from devastating earthquakes to international pandemics, or even overseas deployments in support of the United States’ federal missions. But who can our Guardsmen turn to when they or their families are in need of support themselves? The one-stop resource for all needs of Guard members and their families is Warrior and Family Services... MORE

The Alaska National Guard's Child & Youth Program hosted an annual Halloween event for the military youth and families within the Alaska National Guard at the Alaska National Guard armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Oct. 30. The event consisted of treats, crafts, games and a movie screening. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky)

Arctic Guardian civil engineers train for chemical-protective operations
October 27, 2021 — Arctic Guardian civil engineers train for chemical-protective operations... MORE

176th Wing detects, tracks and identifies Russian aircraft entering Air Defense Identification Zone
October 25, 2021 — The 176th Air Defense Squadron played a key role in the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command Region detection, tracking and identification of five Russian aircraft entering the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone Oct. 21... MORE