News

Air National Guard volunteers assist Mat-Su Valley kitchen to help meet local needs
October 2, 2020 — Since mid-August, Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Force Support Flight Sustainment Services who are local to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough area have been volunteering their time to assist the Five Loaves, Two Fish Kitchen in Wasilla.“As a force in readiness, the relevancy of the National Guard increases through the flexibility... MORE

Alaska Guard members recognized for assisting state lab with COVID-19 testing
October 1, 2020 — From early June, to mid-August, Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen Capt. Roger Tran and Capt. Jamie Bowden, both assigned to the 103rd Civil Support Team, augmented the Alaska State Public Health laboratory by processing COVID-19 samples for testing.Over the course of approximately 21 days of testing, totaling more than 148-man hours, the two... MORE

Alaska Army Guard aviator performs first real-world rescue mission over drill weekend
October 1, 2020 — Chief Warrant Officer Two Paul Gillquist woke up for his weekend training the morning of Sept. 13, 2020 expecting to perform a routine training mission aboard his Uh-60 Blackhawk helicopter. For three years since flight school graduation, Gillquist honed his piloting skills, awaiting the opportunity to have his training put to the test outside the... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard awards 2019 Field Grade Officer of the Year
September 17, 2020 — Alaska Air National Guardsman and retired Alaska State Trooper, Lt. Col. James Truesdell, commander of the 176th Security Forces Squadron, was awarded the 2019 Field Grade Officer of the Year award Sept. 15 for his accomplishments last year.“Lt. Col. Truesdell has demonstrated a level of excellence that distinguished him from his peers,” said Col... MORE

Alaska Air Guard awards First Sergeant of the Year
September 17, 2020 — Alaska National Guard Airman, Master Sgt. Melissa Erhard, was awarded the 2019 First Sergeant of the Year award Sept. 15 for her accomplishments last year.As an Anchorage resident and Arizona native, Erhard has been a first sergeant with the 176th Air Defense Squadron since October 2015.Erhard is the only first sergeant in the unit of more than 150... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard awards 2019 Field Grade Officer of the Year
September 17, 2020 — Alaska Air National Guardsman and retired Alaska State Trooper, Lt. Col. James Truesdell, commander of the 176th Security Forces Squadron, was awarded the 2019 Field Grade Officer of the Year award Sept. 15 for his accomplishments last year.“Lt. Col. Truesdell has demonstrated a level of excellence that distinguished him from his peers,” said Col... MORE

Alaska Air Guard awards First Sergeant of the Year
September 17, 2020 — Alaska National Guard Airman, Master Sgt. Melissa Erhard, was awarded the 2019 First Sergeant of the Year award on Tuesday, Sept. 15 for her accomplishments last year.As an Anchorage resident and Arizona native, Erhard has been a first sergeant with the 176th Air Defense Squadron since October 2015.Erhard is the only first sergeant in the unit of... MORE

Alaska Air National Guardsman takes home regional Airman of the Year award
September 9, 2020 — Staff Sgt. Kailey Mills, a crew chief assigned to the 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, received the regional Airman of the Year Award last week for her accomplishments in 2019.While still wearing the rank of senior airman, Mills executed 44 major inspections, completed five aircraft modifications, had a 100-percent... MORE

211th Rescue Squadron captures top individual awards for 2019
September 2, 2020 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen Capt. Natasha Sanders and Tech Sgt. Christopher Luther, both assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, achieved top honors for 2019 and were awarded with a plaque and coin Aug. 28 for their accomplishments.Both Airmen were evaluated based on leadership and job performance in their primary duty and whole Airman... MORE

A lighthouse in the storm: 176th Wing Director of Psychological Health is here to help
August 26, 2020 — A single COVID cell is no more than 140 nanometers in diameter — about 1/500th the width of a human hair — but it has come to dominate daily life the world over.Beyond its physical health impact, Diann Richardson, 176th Wing director of Psychological Health, said the invisible microorganism also has psychological health impacts as Airmen, civilian... MORE