News

Alaska Army National Guard rescues two hunters after plane crashes near Merrill Pass
August 18, 2023 — The Alaska Army National Guard conducted a rescue of two hunters 15 miles north of Chakachamna Lake near Merrill Pass, August 16, 2023, after receiving the mission request from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. The first call for assistance came to the AKRCC from a good Samaritan aviator who spotted the hunters’ downed aircraft while flying in the vicinity. The RCC opened an investigation and confirmed the incident after one of the hunters contacted the RCC via an InReach satellite phone. ... MORE

HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with the Alaska Army National Guard Golf Company, 2-211th, General Support Aviation Battalion

Navy celebrates Sol Atkinson for legacy of service to country, Alaskan veterans, community
August 10, 2023 — The U.S. Navy announced its profound tribute to the legacy of Alaska Native Solomon ‘Sol’ Atkinson, a steadfast servant of both his nation and native community of Metlakatla, Aug. 7... MORE

Retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer 4 Solomon Atkinson, center, is greeted by Verdie Bowen, right, the director of the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs, and escorted by son-in-law Franklin Hayward before receiving the Alaska Governor’s Veteran Advocacy Award during a ceremony in Metlakatla, Alaska, Dec. 10, 2018.

207th Engineer Utilities Detachment retires the colors
August 8, 2023 — The 207th Engineer Utilities Detachment, Alaska Army National Guard, encased its colors for the final time during the unit’s deactivation ceremony Aug. 5, 2023... MORE

Alaska Army National Guardsmen with the 207th Engineer Utilities Detachment salute as the national anthem plays during the unit’s deactivation ceremony at the Camp Carroll flagpole on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2023.

Alaska National Guardsmen assist with Interior Alaska wildland fires
August 7, 2023 — Thirteen members of the Alaska National Guard deployed to Interior Alaska to support wildland fire suppression across the region. Eight 207th Aviation Troop Command Soldiers deployed to the Alaska Army National Guard Readiness Center in Fairbanks July 31 for UH-60 Black Hawk operations flying out of Fort Wainwright’s Ladd Army Airfield. ... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to 207th Aviation Troop Command operates near Ladd Army Airfield Aug. 3., 2023 in support of wildland fire suppression across Interior Alaska. During fire suppression operations, the UH-60 employs a Bambi Bucket filled with approximately 630 gallons of water from a nearby lake. The Alaska Army National Guard deployed the UH-60 and air crew July 31, 2023 after receiving a resource request from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection routed through the State Emergency Operations Center.

176th Air Defense Squadron surveillance technician competes in arctic triathlon
August 2, 2023 — 176th Air Defense Squadron surveillance technician competes in arctic triathlon... MORE

Alaska Military Youth Academy starts 22-week program
August 2, 2023 — The Alaska Military Youth Academy welcomed 156 candidates July 19, 2023. They started with intake processing which include paperwork, haircuts for the men and assignment of gear they will need for the next 22 weeks. Day two is shock morning where candidates are roused out of bed at 6 a.m., put through calisthenics, learn about position of attention, how to do proper push-ups and are taught what will be expected of them for the next 22 weeks. Candidates spend a week in the acclimation phase before graduating to a cadet. Cadets will have the opportunity to serve the community through volunteer service hours, earn high school credits or GED, receive vocational training, and earn some job-specific certification. This is the 61st class to go through the academy. ... MORE

Alaska National Guard command sergeant major soars into retirement
August 1, 2023 — Amidst the vast Alaskan skies, an impressive sight unfolded on July 21, as Alaska Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grunst prepared to take the leap of a lifetime. Gripping the side of an M-5 Maule aircraft, he peered down onto the Fort Richardson drop zone, knowing that this jump would be unlike any other in his illustrious career. Wearing his distinguished Army Service Uniform, jump boots, and maroon beret safely stowed, he braced himself for what lay ahead... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grunst parachutes into his retirement ceremony July 21, 2023, at Camp Carroll on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Grunst joined the Alaska Army National Guard in 1989 and finished his 34-year career as the G3 operations sergeant major for the AKARNG.

Tangirnaq Native, local hero memorialized at Kodiak Readiness Center
August 1, 2023 — The Kodiak Readiness Center in Kodiak, Alaska, was filled with somber reverence on July 27, 2023, as family, friends, and fellow service members gathered to pay tribute to the late Specialist Four Daniel Lee Harmon while memorializing the readiness center in his name... MORE

Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of
the Alaska National Guard and commissioner
of the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs, stands with friends and brothers in
arms of Specialist Four Harmon in front of the
new Kodiak Reediness Center sign July 27,
2023, in Kodiak, Alaska.

Alaska National Guard kicks off IRT project in support of Shepard Point oil spill response site
July 27, 2023 — Shepard Point, Alaska – When the Exxon Valdez grounded on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound on March 24, 1989, more than 11 million gallons of heavy crude oil spilled into the sound. The spill spread over a vast area, impacting around 1,300 miles of coastline. Response efforts did not arrive onsite until 14 hours after the spill, and it took another 21 hours to place booms around the oil. The incident prompted changes in oil spill prevention, response regulations and practices. It led to the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 in the United States, spurred advancements in spill response technology and techniques and helped pass the Alyeska Consent Decree, which mandated the construction of three oil response facilities around the Prince William Sound: Chenega, Tatitlek, and Cordova. Of the three facilities, Cordova is the last to be built. ... MORE

From McCarthy to McArthur: Alaska National Guard rescues 10 during the Independence Day weekend
July 6, 2023 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Rescue crews from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard navigated across 1,850 miles of southcentral, southwest and northeast Alaska, saving 10 people in four civil search and rescue missions and one medical evacuation mission. The first call for assistance came to the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center from Alaska State Troopers Friday, June 30. A hiker had used a satellite communication device to call for help after experiencing a significant leg injury on Winner Creek Trail near Girdwood... MORE

An HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter from Golf Co., 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion