News

Airman led to serve as Chaplain- Answers her Calling
September 14, 2021 — The 168th Wing gained a new Chaplain, 2nd lt. Jennifer Pottinger. Before serving at Eielson Air Force Base, Pottinger was stationed at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., serving since 2008 as an Aerial Porter. Pottinger earned her master’s degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. In 2016 Pottinger decided to become a Chaplain after... MORE

The 168th Wing gained a new Chaplain, 2nd Lt. Jennifer Pottinger, after serving as an Aerial Porter and Religious Affairs Airman since 2008. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Alaska National Guard hosts 9/11 remembrance ceremony
September 11, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard hosted a September 11th remembrance ceremony at the Alaska National Guard armory one day before the 20th anniversary of the events that transpired in 2001... MORE

Master Sgt. Melissa Branch, the Alaska Army National Guard religious affairs noncommissioned officer, recounts her story during a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony held on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson one day before the 20th anniversary of the events that transpired in 2001. (Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky)

Alaska Army National Guard Soldier reflects on her 9/11 experience
September 10, 2021 — This September 11th marks not only the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that day in 2001, it also comes on the cusp of the United States pulling out of Afghanistan. For one Alaska Army National Guard Soldier who was near the Pentagon that day, it is a time to reflect... MORE

Master Sgt. Melissa Branch, the Alaska Army National Guard state religious affairs noncommissioned officer, poses for a photo at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 26, 2021. Branch, who was serving in the Marine Corps at the time when 9/11 happened, was stationed at the Navy Annex building next to the Pentagon in Washington, and was there when the American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon during the terrorist attack that sparked a 20-year-long war. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edward Eagerton)

Alaska Army National Guard rescues distressed hunter at Tyone River
September 10, 2021 — The Alaska Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, rescued a distressed hunter at Tyone River, which is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Lake Louise, Sept. 9... MORE

Alaska Army National Guardsmen of 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, rescue an individual who was experiencing cardiac issues while hunting near Tyone Lake, Sept. 9, 2021.

Alaska Air National Guard Airmen partner with NPS to rescue bear-mauling victim
September 9, 2021 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing saved a hunter mauled by a bear Sept. 8 in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve... MORE

Pararescue personnel with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 212th Rescue Squadron transload an injured hiker from a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk to a Guardian Flight, AirMedCare air ambulance after conducting a multi-agency rescue from an avalanche near Donoho Peak in Wrangle-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve May 26, 2021. (Courtesy photo by Stephens Harper)

Alaska National Guard Soldiers assist Louisiana in aftermath of Hurricane Ida
September 8, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard is in Louisiana this week providing assistance to the Louisiana National Guard and civil authorities in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which struck the state Aug. 29... MORE

Sgt. Joemicheal Cristobal, Spc. Osias Passi, and Spc. Brennon Westfall, members of the Alaska Army National Guard and Task Force-Alaska, log trailer and driver information on a yard dog sheet, at a transportation yard in Roseland, Louisiana, Sept. 7, 2021. 17 Alaska Guardsmen are assisting the Louisiana National Guard's support to civil authorities in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which struck the state Aug. 29, leaving disaster, destruction and flooding in its wake. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Tyrrell)

Arctic Guardians work with partners during Nome, Utqiagvik site surveys
September 8, 2021 — Arctic Guardians work with partners during Nome, Utqiagvik site surveys... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard hosts maintenance showcase for local business partners
August 23, 2021 — The Alaska Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion hosted members of local-area businesses and organizations here, Aug. 20, for a maintenance showcase as part of the Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program. The PaYS program is a strategic partnership between the Army National Guard and a cross section of private businesses, universities, and public institutions. It provides Alaska’s newest Citizen-Soldiers the opportunity to increase their prospects for potential civilian employment while also serving in the AK-ARNG... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard 1st Lt. Jacob Olson, a shop lead at the Guard's Combined Support Maintenance Shop gives a tour of the facility to local Anchorage business representatives to bolster the Army Guard's new Partnership for Youth Success Program, Aug. 20, 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Seth LaCount)

Alaska Army Guard recruiting debuts new program for high school credit, first recruit to use it returns from basic
August 19, 2021 — The Alaska Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion debuted a new program earlier this year for recruits to earn high school credit for their time in basic combat training. The first Soldier to take advantage of this opportunity, Pfc. Hunter Skaw, graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina earlier this month, just two weeks before starting his senior year at Colony High School in Wasilla... MORE

Pfc. Hunter Skaw (right), enlists in the Alaska Army National Guard as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer. Skaw enlisted while he was a junior at Colony High School in Wasilla, Alaska, and went to basic combat training during the summer before his senior year. He used the Alaska Army National Guard's program to receive high school credits for attending BCT before graduating. (Courtesy photo)

The Golden Heart City of Fairbanks Mayor visits the Alaska Air National Guard 168th Wing
August 18, 2021 — The Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing received a visit from Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly as he thanked them for their service and saw the Fairbanks new tail flash on the Wing's KC-135 air refueling flagship aircraft for the first time. Born and raised in Fairbanks, Matherly wanted to stop in and thank the Airmen for their service as events occur around the world. ... MORE

The Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing received a visit from the Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly as he thanked them for their service and saw the Fairbanks new tail flash on the Wing's KC-135 air refueling flagship aircraft for the first time. Matherly is born and raised in Fairbanks and wanted to stop in and thank the Airmen for their service as events occur around the world. This past December, the 168th Wing dedicated their flagship to honor Fairbanks, Alaska, the city it calls home, with the polar bear and Fairbanks proudly displayed on the tail. Matherly was unable to recognize the Wing's new tail flash, and the Airmen dedicated to the community, state, and nation due to COVID restrictions at the time. The aircraft's tail has a polar bear standing strong on the wing's tail flash, representing Alaska's arctic region and spirit. The geometric design of the polar bear highlights the wing's culture of innovation. The Fairbanks flagship aircraft is one of nine KC-135 aircraft flown by the 168th Wing. The other eight aircraft all have the polar bear tail flash and each have a different community from interior Alaska. Those communities are Minto, Gwichyaa Zhee, Grayling, Huslia, Tetlin, Telida, Tanana, and North Pole. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)