News

Alaska Army National Guard rescue three hunters from an early season avalanche
October 7, 2021 — A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter and crew from the Alaska Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, provided helicopter evacuation to three hunters after an early season avalanche near a glacier above Hunter Creek Airstrip in the Knik River Valley late at night Oct. 6, 2021... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to the National Guard Readiness Center in Bethel, Alaska, carries volunteers during Operation Santa Claus in Napakiak, Alaska, Dec. 3, 2019. Operation Santa Claus is an annual event hosted by the Alaska National Guard and the Salvation Army. The Alaska National Guard started the event in 1956 and was joined by the Salvation Army more than 40 years ago. This partnership serves as a way for the military to care for isolated villages. Napaiak is a village in western Alaska with a population of around 350 people. Volunteers flew into the village to deliver gifts, school supplies, backpacks, ice cream and an opportunity to take a photo with Santa for the entire community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emily Farnsworth)

Fabrication Flight Arctic Guardian spearheads innovation for unit
October 6, 2021 — Fabrication Flight Arctic Guardian spearheads innovation for unit... MORE

Arctic Guardian supports Operation Allies Welcome
October 5, 2021 — Operation Allies Welcome cultivates multicultural calling... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgts. Sharon Queenie, left, and Judy Phommathep, assigned to the 176th Air Defense Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, during a break as public safety team members at TF Liberty Village 3, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 19, 2021.

Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue distressed patient at Sockeye Lake
October 4, 2021 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued a woman in medical distress at Sockeye Lake northeast of Talkeetna following an Oct. 2, 2021 call to 911... MORE

An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron takes off from the tundra after loading simulated casualties during exercise Arctic Chinook, near Kotzebue, Alaska, August 24, 2016. Arctic Chinook is a joint U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Northern Command sponsored exercise which focuses on multinational search and rescue readiness to respond to a mass rescue operation requirement in the Arctic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Eagerton/released)

168th Force Support Flight Redesignation strengthens operational readiness
September 29, 2021 — The Alaska Air National Guard's Eielson Air Force-based 168th Force Support Flight has been renamed the 168th Force Support Squadron. The squadron received official orders to re-designate as a squadron by order of the Governor, and the name change was made formal during a ceremony held at the 168th Wing... MORE

The Alaska Air National Guard's Eielson Air Force-based 168th Force Support Flight has been renamed the 168th Force Support Squadron. The squadron received official orders to re-designate as a squadron by order of the Governor, and the name change was made formal during a ceremony held at the 168th Wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Arctic Guardians of 211th Rescue Squadron recount evacuation in the face of Iranian missile strike
September 24, 2021 — Arctic Guardians of 211th Rescue Squadron recount evacuation in the face of Iranian missile strike... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard rescue stranded hunter near Cottonwood Creek
September 16, 2021 — Medevac aircrew from the Alaska Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, provided helicopter medical evacuation to a hunter stranded on a 3-by-3 ledge near Cottonwood Creek, 40 miles north east of Anchorage, down the Knick River Valley, Sept 15... MORE

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)