News

Alaska National Guard armory honor pole restored by original artists, Vietnam veteran and son
April 27, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard’s honor pole, which is a monument dedicated to the profound contributions of Alaska Natives to the safety and heritage of the state in the past and present, proudly sits in front of the Alaska National Guard armory here and is seen by everyone who enters the building. This 11.5-foot pole, built by George Bennett Sr., a Vietnam war veteran and rural veteran liaison with Alaska’s Veterans Affairs, and his son, James Bennett, was refurbished April 16-17 after 12 years of standing tall in front of the building... MORE

George Bennett restores the 11.5-foot honor pole that sits in front of the Alaska National Guard armory April 17, 2021, on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson after 12 years since originally carving it with his son. The pole was originally built in Sitka and serves as a monument dedicated to the profound contributions of the Alaska Natives to the safety and heritage of the state in the past and present. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky)

Alaska Army National Guard deploys Black Hawk to Bethel for spring floods season
April 26, 2021 — The Alaska National Guard will send a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to Bethel tomorrow as part of the State’s effort to prepare for disaster response during the 2021 spring flood season... MORE

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter departs Bethel, Alaska, returning to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, April 9, 2021, after providing transportation to hub villages April 7-9. Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, commissioner for the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and adjutant general for the Alaska National Guard, accompanied by representatives from the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, traveled to Western Alaska to meet with Tribal leaders and citizens in Bethel, Tuluksak, and Chevak. They discussed disaster assistance measures and processes in light of recent emergencies that have occurred in the region, and in preparation for the upcoming flood season. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

168th Wing connects with Civil Air Patrol
April 23, 2021 — During the 168th Wing April unit training assembly, local Civil Air Patrol Cadets from Fairbanks, Eielson, Delta, and Tok, had the chance to see the mission and hear from Airmen firsthand... MORE

During the 168th Wing April unit training assembly, local Civil Air Patrol Cadets from Fairbanks, Eielson, Delta, and Tok, had the chance to see the wing's mission and hear from Airmen firsthand. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Bethel, Tuluksak and Chevak communities discuss disaster processes with the state
April 14, 2021 — Commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, traveled to Western Alaska last week to meet with Tribal leaders and citizens in Bethel, Tuluksak and Chevak to discuss disaster assistance measures and processes in light of recent emergencies that have occurred in the region, and in preparation for the upcoming flood season... MORE

Community members of the City of Chevak watch from a safe distance as representatives from of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development load onto an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Chevak, Alaska, April 9, 2021. Members of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development traveled to Western Alaska April 7-9 to meet with Tribal leaders and citizens in Bethel, Tuluksak, and Chevak to discuss disaster assistance measures and processes in light of recent emergencies that have occurred in the region, and in preparation for the upcoming flood season. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

Alaska Air National Guard commander promoted to brigadier general
April 12, 2021 — Brig. Gen. Tracy Smith, assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at a ceremony here, April 1. Retired Brig. Gen. Blake Gettys presided over the ceremony... MORE

Brig. Gen. Tracy D. Smith, assistant adjutant general-air and commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, poses for a photo after she was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at a ceremony on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 1, 2021. Smith took command of the Alaska Air National Guard in January. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edward Eagerton)

176th Wing prepares mobile rescue operations center for ARCTIC ACE
April 1, 2021 — 176th Wing prepares mobile rescue operations center for ARCTIC ACE... MORE

38th Troop Command gets new senior enlisted leader
March 31, 2021 — Col. Tim Brower, commander of 38th Troop Command, Alaska Army National Guard, presided over a change of responsibility ceremony here, March 30, where Command Sgt. Maj. Maureen Meehan, the outgoing 38th TC senior noncommissioned officer, relinquished her position to Command Sgt. Maj. John Phlegar... MORE

Col. Tim Brower (center), commander of 38th Troop Command, Alaska Army National Guard, passes the ceremonial scepter to Command Sgt. Maj. John Phlegar (right) during a change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 30. Phlegar assumed the role as the senior enlisted leader from Command Sgt. Maj. Maureen Meehan (left), making Phlegar the senior noncommissioned officer in charge of the brigade. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edward Eagerton)

Alaska National Guard Adjutant General speaks on Arctic Strategy and future plans during visits to three of Alaska’s military installations
March 30, 2021 — Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard toured and spoke at three of Alaska’s military installations, expounding on the Alaska National Guard’s role in Arctic Strategy, Mar. 23 – 25... MORE

Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard speaks with Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Porter during a visit to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 23, 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

Alaska Army National Guard Infantrywoman makes history
March 22, 2021 — On the cusp of Women’s History Month, one Alaska Army National Guard Soldier made her own mark in history last month by becoming the first infantry woman in Alaska National Guard history... MORE

Sgt. Serita Unin, a fireteam leader with Bison Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, Alaska Army National Guard, poses for a photo on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 16, 2021. Unin made Alaska National Guard history by becoming the first infantry qualified woman in the organization after she reclassified into the infantry military occupational specialty last month. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edward Eagerton)

Alaska Air National Guard to receive four additional KC-135 Stratotankers at Eielson AFB
March 20, 2021 — Four KC-135 Stratotankers and more than two hundred active duty U.S. Air Force personnel will join theAlaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing, Guardians of the Last Frontier, to provide aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force in the Arctic region and around the world... MORE

A new F-35A Lightning II refuels midair via a 168th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard KC-135R Stratrotanker, en route from the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas, to the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. The 168th will receive four more KC-135 Stratotankers and more than 200 active-duty U.S. Air Force personnel.