News

176th Force Support Flight upgrades, reflags as 176th Force Support Squadron
June 9, 2021 — 176th Force Support Flight upgrades, reflags as 176th Force Support Squadron... MORE

Alaska Air Guardsmen build homes for Cherokee veterans as part of training
June 9, 2021 — Thirty-eight Alaska Air Guardsmen with the 176th Wing supported the Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, May 15 - 29, as part of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program... MORE

Alaska Air National Guardsmen with the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron stand alongside Brig. Gen. Anthony Stratton, 176th Wing commander, as they near the end of their participation in the Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, May 27, 2021. The initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program and the Cherokee Nation that constructs new single-family homes and supporting infrastructure for eligible Cherokee Nation veterans and their families. (U.S. Air Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Cook)

Midnight Sun Guardians partner with Army Guard to rescue stranded mountaineers on Klutlan Glacier in Wrangell-St Elias
June 7, 2021 — Midnight Sun Guardians partner with Army Guard to rescue stranded mountaineers on Klutlan Glacier in Wrangell-St Elias... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard Ch-47 Chinook helicopter departs Bryant Army Airfield Dec. 11, 2020

Alaska Army National Guard announces Partnership with statewide Business Community
June 7, 2021 — The Alaska Army National Guard is excited to announce its official launch of the Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program across the state... MORE

Representatives from local businesses participate in the Alaska Army National Guard’s Culinary Showcase, an event celebrating the launch of the new Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, May 14. The PaYS program is a strategic partnership between the Army National Guard and a cross section of private businesses, universities, and public institutions. It provides Alaska’s newest Citizen-Soldiers the opportunity to increase their prospects for potential civilian employment while serving their country. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edward Eagerton)

Trading Places: Arctic Guardians of 176th Mission Support Group swap jobs to become Multi-Capable Airmen
June 7, 2021 — Arctic Guardians of 176th Mission Support Group swap jobs to become Multi-Capable Airmen... MORE

Alaska Air National Guardsman excels in marksmanship
June 7, 2021 — Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew Larson, a security forces member with the 268th Security Forces Squadron, Clear Air Force Station, was awarded first place in part of the annual marksmanship competition known as the Adjutant General Match, or TAG Match, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s shooting range last month... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew Larson, a security forces member with the 268th Security Forces Squadron, and his team pose for a photo after the annual Adjutant General Match, May 16, 2021. Larson took first place in the open rifle marksmanship competition, was added to the state team to compete in the regional competition, and was awarded the Governor's Twenty tab, which is generally awarded to the top 20 marksmen in the state. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Air National Guard rescues two men after airplane crash on Mount Hawkins
June 1, 2021 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued a pilot and passenger May 31 after they were in an aircraft crash on Mount Hawkins in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve two days prior... MORE

Pararescue personnel with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing rescued a pilot and passenger from an aircraft crash near Mount Hawkins in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, May 31, 2021. The rescue was coordinated by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, and was a combined effort between one of the 210th Rescue Squadron’s HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, an HC-130J Combat King II of the 211th Rescue Squadron, and 212th Rescue Squadron pararescue personnel aboard each aircraft. The National Park Service also collaborated with the AK RCC in a coordinated effort to rescue the stranded personnel. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Air National Guard, civil SAR partners rescue injured hiker from snow slide
May 27, 2021 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing partnered with multiple civil search and rescue partners to rescue a hiker injured in a fall on May 26 near Kennicott, Alaska. National Park Service contacted the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at 6:20 p.m. on May 26 to notify them of the incident and request a hoist-capable aircraft be on standby. Snow conditions and steep terrain on Donoho Mountain made it impossible for the National Park Service A-Star helicopter to reach the injured hiker, and at 8:05 p.m. the NPS requested Air National Guard support... MORE

Pararescue personnel with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 212th Rescue Squadron transload an injured hiker from a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk to a Guardian Flight, AirMedCare air ambulance after conducting a multi-agency rescue from an avalanche near Donoho Peak in Wrangle-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve May 26, 2021. (Courtesy photo by Stephens Harper)

Olympic Hopeful, ‘Breakin’ Barriers’
May 23, 2021 — For Staff Sgt. Brianna Pritchard, an Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter mechanic from Anchorage, Alaska, it all started with a dream to become an Olympian... and a little bit of genetics... MORE

Staff Sgt. Brianna Pritchard, an Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter mechanic from Anchorage, Alaska, shows her Olympic breaking moves at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.

National Guard Civil Support Teams, partner agencies conduct Exercise ORCA 2021
May 20, 2021 — National Guard Civil Support Team units from twelve states, along with partnering local, state, and federal agencies and organizations, totaling approximately 250 people, participated in Exercise ORCA 2021 at various training locations in Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and Seward, May 17-20... MORE

The Seward Alaska Fire Department transport members of the 13th Civil Support Team, Rhode Island National Guard, out to a simulated incident site aboard the Glacier Express vessel cruising through Resurrection Bay off of the coast of Seward, Alaska, May 19, in support of Exercise ORCA 21. ORCA is a chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear threats response exercise designed for participants to provide support in the aftermath of hazardous materials incidents. ORCA tests interoperability between agencies, increases opportunities for working relationships, and practices requests for assistance methods. Approximately 250 National Guardsmen from CST units in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Idaho, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin are in Alaska to participate in Exercise ORCA 2021. Numerous support units and civilian agencies participated in the exercise as well. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)