News

Alaska Army Guard aviators rescue family of 6, stranded on Kuskokwim River during summer storm
July 1, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Battalion, rescued a family of six June 30, near Tuntutuliak on the Kuskokwim River. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to an Alaska State Troopers request for assistance when the family’s boat became stuck on a sandbar in the river. The AKARNG accepted the mission and launched a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter from the armory in Bethel and flew 25 miles south to search for the stranded people... MORE

Diamond Strong: 176th Wing LRS Airman earns NGB first sergeant of the year honors
June 30, 2025 — Behind every mission-ready Airman stands a dedicated advocate and mentor. Often referred to as the “diamond,” the rank insignia they wear is more than just a symbol; it represents strength, resilience and an unbreakable commitment to the morale and welfare of the airmen they serve. For First Sgt. Anthony Celia, 176th Wing’s Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, that symbol now shines even brighter after being named the National Guard Bureau First Sergeant of the Year in 2025... MORE

Ling succeeds Groat as Alaska state command chief
June 26, 2025 — Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Ling succeeded Chief Master Sgt. Kim Groat as the Alaska state command chief during a June 18 change of responsibility ceremony at JBER. The Alaska state command chief serves as the senior enlisted leader for the Alaska Air National Guard, which includes the AKANG Air Staff, 168th Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, and the 176th Wing at JBER. The 168th Wing’s 213th Space Warning Squadron and 268th Security Forces Squadron are stationed at Clear Space Force Station, and the 176th Wing’s 210th Rescue Squadron Detachment 1 is at Eielson. ... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Kim T. Groat relinquishes the position of the State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Alaska Air National Guard to Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey A. Ling during a change of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 18, 2025. Brig. Gen. Brian D. Kile, the commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, presided over the ceremony.

Key leaders visit Shepard Point IRT site
June 26, 2025 — Key leaders from the National Guard Bureau’s Innovative Readiness Training program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Native Village of Eyak and City of Cordova visited Shepard Point, Alaska June 25, 2025, to observe the progress of an ongoing construction project. The Shepard Point Marine Tribal Transportation Oil Spill & Marine Casualty Response Facility project began in 2023 and is one of three sites being built in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989... MORE

Alaska National Guard leads ORCA WMD exercise in Juneau
June 16, 2025 — Dressed like 1950s science fiction aliens in head-to-toe hazardous material protective suits, the Virginia National Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team members Tech Sgt. Taylor Lincoln and Staff Sgt. Samantha Sanders slowly crept into an otherwise quiet building June 9 at AJ Dock on Juneau’s ocean shore. The two Airmen were operating based on an intelligence report that foreign terrorists were planning to carry out a chemical attack in Alaska’s capital, and Coast Guard Sector Southeast marine science technicians corroborated the report, discovering a chemical lab at the port facility. ... MORE

The exercise is a full-scale all-hazards chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives joint and interagency training exercise testing and evaluating the operational capability of the whole-of-government emergency management system.

Alaska National Guard TAG Match 2025 showcases lethality across the force
June 6, 2025 — Amid the biting wind and relentless rain of a chilly Alaska spring, 44 determined marksmen gathered for The Adjutant General’s Match June 3-5, put on annually by Alaska National Guard... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard conducts MEDEVAC mission from Skagway to Juneau
June 4, 2025 — A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Alpha Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, transported a patient from Skagway to Juneau June 3, following a medical evacuation request from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. The mission, flown by an Alaska Army National Guard aircrew based out of the Army Aviation Operating Facility in Juneau, involved a round-trip flight of approximately 140 miles. ... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion conducts flight operations over Southeast Alaska near Juneau, Jan. 24, 2025.

Alaska Army Guard leads, supports statewide cadet leadership events
June 3, 2025 — The Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion played a key role in developing the next generation of leaders through its support of the Junior ROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge program, held in two locations across the state from May 27–31. The AKARNG RRB hosted the southcentral event at Camp Carroll on JBER, delivering hands-on leadership development and team-based challenges to cadets from multiple high schools. Simultaneously, Guard Soldiers from across the state participated in and supported the northern JCLC event in Fairbanks providing mentorship, aviation familiarization, and career pathway discussions to cadets attending from Interior communities. ... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Spc. Katlyn Olexa, a recruiter assistant assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, leads a morning physical fitness session for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Dimond, Bartlett, Service, East, Colony and the Bethel Regional high schools at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 29, 2025. The PT session was part of the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge camp, designed to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and military discipline among the cadets. Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion personnel served as safety observers and mentors, providing guidance, and sharing their expertise to enhance the cadets’ training experience.

Alaska Rescue Coordination Center directs 10 saves during start of rescue season
May 30, 2025 — Alaska Air and Army National Guard, U.S. Army and Civil Air Patrol units responded to six requests for assistance, primarily in support of the Alaska State Troopers and local hospitals May 24-28, 2025... MORE

AKARNG Best Warrior Competition highlights excellence, partnership
May 22, 2025 — Fifteen competitors, including thirteen from the Alaska Army National Guard and two from the Mongolian Armed Forces, competed in the 2025 AKARNG Best Warrior Competition, held May 19–22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. After four days of intense physical and mental challenges, Sgt. Dylan Hennessey, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, was named the AKARNG’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Pfc. David Badke, Alpha Company, 1-297th, earned the title of Soldier of the Year... MORE

Fifteen competitors, including thirteen from the Alaska Army National Guard and two from the Mongolian Armed Forces, competed in the 2025 AKARNG Best Warrior Competition, held May 19–22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.