News

Alaska Air National Guard rescues hiker near Glacier Pass
August 10, 2021 — The Alaska State Trooper Search and Rescue coordinator contacted the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center Aug. 6 around 7:30 p.m. for assistance to rescue a hiker in distress near Glacier Pass... MORE

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received a rescue request for a hiker in distress near Glacier Pass in Archangel Valley, Aug. 6. Initial rescue efforts from a civilian component were postponed due to weather. The 176th Wing initiated a launch of rescue crews using information from the hikers, launching an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with a Guardian Angel Team on board, from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The Pave Hawk crew safely navigated to the hiking parties’ location where the team provided field care and hoisted the patient into the Pave Hawk, transporting the individual to a Mat-Su area hospital. (Photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Zachary Little)

297th Regional Support Group conducts change of command ceremony
August 10, 2021 — Alaska Army National Guard Col. Thomas “Alex” Elmore succeeded Col. Matthew Schell, commander of the 297th Regional Support Group, in a change of command ceremony at the Lestenkof Plaza here, Aug. 7, as part of a formal transfer of authority and responsibility... MORE

Members of the Alaska Army National Guard’s 297th Regional Support Group stand in formation at the Lestenkof Plaza on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, during a change of command ceremony Aug 7, 2021. During the ceremony Col. Matthew Schell relinquished command of the unit to Col. Thomas “Alex” Elmore. This event marked the first time the unit has gathered together since returning from their nine-month rotation to Poland, supporting the European Deterrence Initiative and Atlantic Resolve missions, in March. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Heidi Kroll)

Alaska National Guard assists Commissary in serving rural Alaska
August 8, 2021 — Retired Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Harry Alexi pushed a gray industrial-grade platform shopping cart at the Bethel Alaska Army National Guard Aviation Facility. He needed the cart’s capacity to load up with bags of flour, boxes of cereal, cases of mac and cheese – all at prices a fraction of what could be purchased locally... MORE

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Alaska National Guard transports cargo for the Defense Commissary Agency from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson via a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 176th Wing’s 144th Airlift Squadron to the remote village hub of Bethel, Alaska, Aug. 2, 2021. The AKNG partnered with DeCA in order to provide discounted groceries to eligible military- and DoD-affiliated patrons during a one-day event Aug. 7. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by 1st Lt. Balinda O’Neal Dresel)

Alaska Army National Guard completes Innovative Readiness Training for the village of Telida
August 5, 2021 — An Alaska Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopter from the 211th General Support Aviation Battalion transported a skid-steer loader by way of slingload, July 27, from Nikolai to Telida, two villages located in the Alaskan interior... MORE

A 211th General Support Aviation Battalion CH-47 Chinook helicopter transports a skid-steer loader by slingload from Nicolai to the community of Telida, Alaska, as part of the Innovative Readiness Training program on July 27, 2021. The IRT program is designed to enhance mission readiness while addressing the needs within America's communities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

Maintenance Effectiveness Award goes to the Alaska Air National Guard 168th Wing Maintenance Group
July 29, 2021 — The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Maintenance Group won the Maintenance Effectiveness Award for 2020 in the small aircraft maintenance unit category, recognizing it as one of the Air Force’s top maintenance units... MORE

Staff Sgt. Elliot St. Laurent, an Air National Guard crew chief with the 168th Wing, Eielson AirForce Base, Alaska, prepares to refuel a KC-135R Stratotanker at Ørland Air Station, Norway, March 10, 2020. Aircraft and personnel from the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and active duty Air Force are working together in support of Exercise Cold Response 20. CR20 is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging Arctic environment with rugged terrain and extreme cold weather. We are able to maintain a global presence through the combined efforts of our active duty, National Guard, and Reserve partners. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. James Michaels)

Total Force C-17 crew chiefs earn JBER Pride of the Fleet laurels
July 29, 2021 — Total Force C-17 crew chiefs earn JBER Pride of the Fleet laurels... MORE

Alaska National Guard participates in DoD’s largest unclassified cyber defense exercise
July 27, 2021 — Alaska National Guard participates in DoD’s largest unclassified cyber defense exercise... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard infantry battalion conducts annual training
July 27, 2021 — Approximately 280 Alaska Army National Guardsmen from 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, conducted their two-week annual training July 10-25, primarily at Donnelly Training Area, located 107 miles southeast of Fairbanks, and west of Fort Greely... MORE

Indirect fire infantrymen with the Alaska Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment conducted live-fire training on various weapon systems at Donnelly Training Center, near Fort Greely, Alaska, July 19, during their annual training event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Dayton Will)

18-year mission with Mongolian counterparts comes to an end
July 23, 2021 — State partner liaisons redeploy to Alaska for the final time... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Capt. Jessica Miller and Sgt. 1st Class Juan Restrepo spend time with their Mongolian counterparts during the last rotation of the Mongolian Expeditionary Task Force liaison program in New Kabul Compound, Afghanistan, December 2020 - July 2021. This program started in 2003 shortly after the country was selected for Alaska’s state partnership program, and finally came to an end in 2021 when the camp was signed over to the Afghan Army, the METF returned to Mongolia, and the Alaska National Guardsmen returned to Alaska. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue injured hunter at Wood River
July 23, 2021 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued an injured hunter on Wood River near Fairbanks, July 22... MORE