News

Alaska Army National Guard rescues two near Knik Glacier
May 10, 2021 — Aircrew from the Alaska Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, rescued a father and his daughter near Knik Glacier after their off-road vehicle was stuck in water Saturday night... MORE

A hoist-capable UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and aircrew from the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, Alaska Army National Guard, arrives in Bethel, Alaska, April 27, 2021, as part of the State of Alaska’s effort to prepare for disaster response in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region during the spring flood season. While stationed in Bethel, the crew will continue to train on their federal mission and remain ready to respond to any requests for support from civil authorities through the State Emergency Operations Center.

Alaska Air National Guard aircrew and pararescuemen save stranded hikers
May 3, 2021 — Members of the Alaska Air National Guard’s search and rescue aircrew and pararescue teams saved two stranded hikers on Rainbow Peak trail early this morning, after one hiker experienced an injury and was unable to continue hiking for several hours as nightfall and colder temperatures set in... MORE

A U.S Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, conducts aerial refueling from a U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, over Alaska, Jan. 21, 2021, during Operation Noble Defender. Operation Noble Defender is a North American Air Defense Command air-defense operation which allows dynamic training for operational readiness in an arctic environment.

Alaska Army National Guard Black Hawk is in Bethel for spring flood season
April 29, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard prepositioned a hoist-capable UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Bethel April 27 as part of the State’s effort to prepare for disaster response during the 2021 spring flood season, considering the potential threat of flooding along the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers... MORE

Aiming high from the foundation up
April 27, 2021 — Building from the ground up brings a new meaning to aiming high and is what you will find Structural Airmen accomplishing out in the wild blue yonder. Structural is an integral part of Air Force operations constructing, repairing, and building from the foundation.Airman 1st Class Evan Offie is a structural journeyman in the 168th Wing Civil... MORE

Airman 1st Class Evan Offie is a structural journeyman in the 168th Wing Civil Engineering Squadron, learning the trade and serving in the Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Alaska National Guard armory honor pole restored by original artists, Vietnam veteran and son
April 27, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard’s honor pole, which is a monument dedicated to the profound contributions of Alaska Natives to the safety and heritage of the state in the past and present, proudly sits in front of the Alaska National Guard armory here and is seen by everyone who enters the building. This 11.5-foot pole, built by George Bennett Sr., a Vietnam war veteran and rural veteran liaison with Alaska’s Veterans Affairs, and his son, James Bennett, was refurbished April 16-17 after 12 years of standing tall in front of the building... MORE

George Bennett restores the 11.5-foot honor pole that sits in front of the Alaska National Guard armory April 17, 2021, on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson after 12 years since originally carving it with his son. The pole was originally built in Sitka and serves as a monument dedicated to the profound contributions of the Alaska Natives to the safety and heritage of the state in the past and present. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky)

Alaska Army National Guard deploys Black Hawk to Bethel for spring floods season
April 26, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard will send a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to Bethel tomorrow as part of the State’s effort to prepare for disaster response during the 2021 spring flood season... MORE

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter departs Bethel, Alaska, returning to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, April 9, 2021, after providing transportation to hub villages April 7-9. Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, commissioner for the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and adjutant general for the Alaska National Guard, accompanied by representatives from the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, traveled to Western Alaska to meet with Tribal leaders and citizens in Bethel, Tuluksak, and Chevak. They discussed disaster assistance measures and processes in light of recent emergencies that have occurred in the region, and in preparation for the upcoming flood season. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

168th Wing connects with Civil Air Patrol
April 23, 2021 — During the 168th Wing April unit training assembly, local Civil Air Patrol Cadets from Fairbanks, Eielson, Delta, and Tok, had the chance to see the mission and hear from Airmen firsthand... MORE

During the 168th Wing April unit training assembly, local Civil Air Patrol Cadets from Fairbanks, Eielson, Delta, and Tok, had the chance to see the wing's mission and hear from Airmen firsthand. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Bethel, Tuluksak and Chevak communities discuss disaster processes with the state
April 14, 2021 — Commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, traveled to Western Alaska last week to meet with Tribal leaders and citizens in Bethel, Tuluksak and Chevak to discuss disaster assistance measures and processes in light of recent emergencies that have occurred in the region, and in preparation for the upcoming flood season... MORE

Community members of the City of Chevak watch from a safe distance as representatives from of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development load onto an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Chevak, Alaska, April 9, 2021. Members of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development traveled to Western Alaska April 7-9 to meet with Tribal leaders and citizens in Bethel, Tuluksak, and Chevak to discuss disaster assistance measures and processes in light of recent emergencies that have occurred in the region, and in preparation for the upcoming flood season. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

Alaska Air National Guard commander promoted to brigadier general
April 12, 2021 — Brig. Gen. Tracy Smith, assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at a ceremony here, April 1. Retired Brig. Gen. Blake Gettys presided over the ceremony... MORE

Brig. Gen. Tracy D. Smith, assistant adjutant general-air and commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, poses for a photo after she was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at a ceremony on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 1, 2021. Smith took command of the Alaska Air National Guard in January. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edward Eagerton)

176th Wing prepares mobile rescue operations center for ARCTIC ACE
April 1, 2021 — 176th Wing prepares mobile rescue operations center for ARCTIC ACE... MORE