News

Military-wide Blended Retirement System offers attractive “Continuation Pay” bonus: Alaska Army National Guard brings awareness to overlooked incentive
July 1, 2020 — There is a little-known incentive for National Guard Soldiers to receive a sizable bonus after their 11th year of service. The 297th Recruiting and Retention Battalion is working to identify those who are eligible and who may not know about it.This issue being brought to light stems from a lack of awareness for an incentive in the newly implemented... MORE

Alaska Army Guardsmen from the 297th Military Police Company visit with friends and family members following a deployment ceremony at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March. 13, 2019. Approximately 80 Alaska Guardsmen from the 297th Military Police Company are deploying to the U.S. Central command area of responsibility in support of Operations Spartan Shield for about nine months. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Balinda O’Neal Dresel)

Alaska Air Guard Security Forces return from Afghanistan deployment
June 23, 2020 — Ten Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Security Forces Squadron returned home from Kandahar, Afghanistan shortly after midnight this morning, at Ted Stevens’ Anchorage International Airport.A total of 12 Air Guardsmen deployed to Kandahar to support Operation Freedom Sentinel, a NATO-led continuation of the Global War on Terrorism... MORE

Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Security Forces Squadron, walk through Ted Stevens-Anchorage International Airport upon returning from an 8-month deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan, June 23, 2020. The unit executed air base defense in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel, NATO-led continuation of the Global War on Terrorism. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead/Released)

Alaska National Guard airlifts “Into the Wild” bus from Stampede Trail
June 18, 2020 — In a coordinated effort with the Department of Natural Resources, 12 Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment accomplished the successful extraction of a 1940s era bus located west of the Teklanika River near Healy June 18, 2020.“After studying the issue closely, weighing many factors and considering a... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment execute an extraction mission via a CH-47 Chinook helicopter over Healy, Alaska, June 18, 2020. As part of a combined effort with the Department of Natural Resources, the Guardsmen rigged and airlifted “Bus 142”,, an historic icon from book and film, “Into the Wild”, out of its location on Stampede Road in light of public safety concerns. The bus will be stored at a secure site while the DNR considers all options and alternatives for its permanent disposition. (Alaska National Guard courtesy photo)

297TH Regional Support Group prepares to be the first National Guard unit to take over base operations in Poland
May 28, 2020 — Alaska Army National Guard 297th Regional Support Group (RSG) completed pre-mobilization training to be the first National Guard unit to take on the mission of base support operations in Poland at Fort Hood, Texas, May 27, 2020. The 120th Infantry Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas, put the Alaskans to the test, seeing how they would react to different... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Sergeant Charles Medlin, 297th Regional Support Group, works with Sergeant 1st. Class Arthur Washington,120th Headquarters, Headquarters company Infantry Battalion, to go over his chaplain assistant duties while in Poland at Fort Hood, Texas, May 25, 2020. Chaplains Assistants are responsible for working with Soldiers in regards to their individual faiths, and making sure their religious needs are met. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by SGT Heidi Kroll)

Refilling the life supply: Alaska National Guard and Blood Bank of Alaska hold blood drive at AKNG armory
May 27, 2020 — More than 30 Alaska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, Alaska State Defense Force Soldiers, and other DMVA personnel volunteered to give blood at the National Guard Armory here yesterday in coordination with the Blood Bank of Alaska.The blood drive was led by Lt. Col. Joseph Gerace, the 49th Brigade, Medical Detachment Commander of the ASDF, under... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Capt. James Tollefson, an operations plans officer with Joint Task Force-Alaska, donates blood at the Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, May 26, 2020. Blood donation centers have been impacted by a lack of donors during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the need for blood, plasma and platelets continue to be critically needed for many medical services. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Seth LaCount/Released)

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Staff Sgt. Bethany Hendren completes 100 mile BOSS challenge while preparing for deployment
May 21, 2020 — Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Bethany Hendren completed her 100-mile run in a month challenge with the 297th Regional Support Group surrounding her at Fort Hood, Texas, May 22, 2020. Hendren is currently at Fort Hood in preparation for deployment to Poland with the 297th Regional Support Group, an Alaska Army National Guard... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Bethany Hendren completes her 100 mile challenge at Fort Hood, Texas, May 22, 2020. She is surrounded by her Guard family members from the 297th Regional Support Group as she prepares for mobilization to Poland later this year. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by SGT Heidi Kroll)

Wings and Blades of Hope
May 18, 2020 — In the case of the HH-60 Pave Hawk and HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft, the first “H” stands for “help.”Both machines and crews, of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th and 212th rescue squadrons respectively, provide that help by training every day for their combat mission of going behind enemy lines and inserting... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Loadmasters aboard a HC-130J Combat King II observe an HH-60 Pave Hawk as it prepares for an aerial refueling. The 176th Wing conducted the first of the flyovers for Alaska. The Salute to Alaska flyovers were an approved training mission and part of the Air Force Salutes initiative designed to show appreciation to the heroes around the world battling the pandemic, and to lift morale in communities across America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Granado/Released)

Frag Out! Alaska Air Guard PJs throw grenades with Geronimo Soldiers
April 30, 2020 — As April came to a close amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. military in Alaska continued to makes strides toward maintaining mission readiness.On April 29, in a Joint effort with U.S. Army Alaska’s 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 14 pararescuemen (PJs) from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 212th Rescue Squadron used the Small Arms... MORE

Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 212th Rescue Squadron maneuver after placing AN-M14 TH3 incendiary hand grenades at the Small Arms Complex on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Apr. 29, 2020. This type of grenade is exclusively used to destroy equipment. It can damage, immobilize, or destroy vehicles, weapons systems, shelters, or munitions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Seth LaCount/Released)

Joint Task Force-Logistics team helps in Alaska National Guard response to COVID-19
April 28, 2020 — The Alaska National Guard Joint Task Force-Logistics team is supporting three mission assignments for the State Emergency Operations Center and is continuing a coordinated response to assist the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.The team is in charge of sourcing and disseminating equipment and available personnel internally to support entities... MORE

Members of the Alaska National Guard's Joint Task Force-Logistics team work hard to ensure community requests for assistance are fulfilled by resourcing needed equipment and personnel at the Alaska National Guard armory April 28, 2020. The Joint Task Force was stood up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the members of the Alaska National Guard are ready to respond when needed. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky/Released)