News

National Guard Arctic Interest Council chair highlights need for better Arctic access, unified strategy
January 31, 2023 — Speaking as the Chair of the National Guard Arctic Interest Council, Jan. 25, Adjutant General of the Alaska National Guard, Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe addressed several challenges the Guard and other service components will face when conducting Arctic operations, and emphasized the need for a unified Arctic strategy for the National Guard. Saxe spoke via teleconference at the council’s quarterly meeting hosted by the Minnesota National Guard at Camp Ripley, outside of Little Falls. The three-day event included National Guard participants from Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, North Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming... MORE

National Guard leaders partake in multi-state Arctic event at Camp Ripley
January 31, 2023 — In the Arctic, steel becomes brittle at -22 degrees Fahrenheit, continuous connectivity at the bandwidth needed for modern military operations is lagging, and more than 80 percent of Alaska communities are not connected to the road system. These challenges were among the many topics discussed at the National Guard Arctic Interest Council’s quarterly meeting at Camp Ripley, Jan. 24-26, 2023. The Minnesota National Guard hosted the event bringing together subject matter experts from the Coast Guard, Navy, Air and Army National Guard, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, academic professors and industry partners to discuss the advancement of Arctic and cold weather capabilities. ... MORE

Alaska Air Guard HC-130J Combat King II expedites critical medevac
January 23, 2023 — Alaska Air Guard HC-130J Combat King II expedites critical medevac... MORE

Always Ready, That Others May Live: Alaska Air National Guard trains with Coast Guard at Air Station Kodiak
January 18, 2023 — Alaska Air National Guard trains with Coast Guard at Air Station Kodiak... MORE

Alaska Army Guard rescue distressed person near Whittier via hoist
January 18, 2023 — Alaska Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, Gulf Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, rescued a distressed individual Jan. 17 from the Main Bay Hatchery 20 miles southwest of Whittier. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received a mission support request for a medevac from the Alaska State Troopers who were not able to attempt the rescue due to bad weather in the area. ... MORE

Alaska Army Guard aviators train with Special Tactics Airmen
January 17, 2023 — Special Tactics Airmen assigned to 24th Special Operations Wing, Detachment 1, conduct an aerial insertion and field training exercise at Camp Mad Bull training site on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 10, 2023. The 24 SOW Det 1 Special Tactics Airmen are capable of assessing and opening anything from a major international airport to clandestine dirt strips in either permissive or hostile locations, providing strategic access for follow-on forces during global contingencies, and joint readiness exercises. Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to the 207th Aviation Battalion flew UH-60L and HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in order to support the aerial insertion, medical evacuation and hoist training of the Special Tactics teams. The Alaska Army National Guard’s GSAB routinely trains with all branches of the military as well as civilian agencies to increase its operational interoperability and to be ready for a wide range of federal and state missions... MORE

Alaska Air Guardsmen overcome extreme elements to medevac pregnant woman Christmas Eve
December 28, 2022 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing raced against time and overcame high winds to medevac a pregnant woman in distress Dec 24 at Shaktoolik approximately 32 miles northwest of Unalakleet... MORE

Alaska Army Guard behavioral health office emphasizes mental health awareness during winter months
December 14, 2022 — Winter can be challenging for many people in Alaska. The temperatures drop, the sun disappears for long periods of time, and feelings of isolation can settle in like an unwelcomed guest. This may be especially true for those transplanted from other states. While some Alaska National Guardsmen are born-and-raised Alaskans, many are from the lower 48... MORE

Alaska Military Youth Academy to Graduate 75 Cadets
December 12, 2022 — The Alaska Military Youth Academy will celebrate its 59th class of students and more than 28 years of service to the State of Alaska as Class 2022-2 graduates 75 cadets from its ChalleNGe program on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. The 10 a.m. ceremony is open to the public and will take place at the Dena’ina Center, 600 W. 7th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska.The... MORE

Air Force supports Army integrated joint force Warfighter exercise, MCTP validates 3rd and 40th IDs readiness
December 9, 2022 — U.S. Air Force Airmen supported Warfighter exercise 23-2 enabling the U.S. Army’s Mission Command Training Program to validate the readiness of both the 3rd Infantry Division and 40th Infantry Division, and their respective subordinate units... MORE