News

Bethel-based Guardsmen bring holiday cheer to Scammon Bay
November 21, 2022 — A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter filled with community volunteers and holiday gifts for children in the northwest community of Scammon Bay touched down on the south bank of the frozen Kun River, one mile from the Bering Sea, Nov. 16... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Eddie Jones, left, a Bethel recruiter with the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, shares holiday cheer with local children during Operation Santa Claus in Scammon Bay, Nov. 16, 2022. Operation Santa Claus is the Alaska National Guard’s yearly community relations and support program that provides gifts to children in remote communities across the state. In partnership with the Salvation Army and with more than a dozen volunteers, the program delivered 1,780 pounds of gifts, backpacks, hygiene supplies, and books to 325 children in Scammon Bay. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O’Neal)

Clear Space Force Station Airmen and Guardians Honored as 2022 Alaska Missile Defenders of the Year
November 17, 2022 — The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance presented the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year awards to Clear Space Force Station Airmen and Guardians in Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 5, 2022. The annual MDAA-sponsored event honors the best Air and Missile Defenders from Alaska’s Army National Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Alaska’s Air National Guard, and U.S. Space Force... MORE

Alaska Missile Defenders of the year pose for a photo with their Air National Guard and Alaska Air National Guard leadership during the 2022 Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Awards ceremony. The Clear Space Force Station, Airmen and Guardians were honored amongst the MDAA awardees in Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 5, 2022. The annual MDAA-sponsored event honors the best Air and Missile Defenders from Alaska’s Army National Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Alaska’s Air National Guard, and U.S. Space Force. (Courtesy Photo)

Alaska National Guard to bring Christmas cheer to three remote villages
November 15, 2022 — The Alaska National Guard and local community volunteers are gearing up to share their time-honored tradition of Operation Santa Claus by spreading goodwill and cheer to three remote Alaskan communities again this year.Scammon Bay, Minto and Nuiqsut will soon celebrate with Santa, Mrs. Claus and dozens of elfin volunteers in the 67th year of the... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Michael Durgin, a ground transportation specialist with 176th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 176th Wing guides a pallet of gifts for Operation Santa Claus onto a truck at the Salvation Army warehouse in Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 10, 2022. Operation Santa Claus is the AKNG’s yearly community relations and support program that provides gifts to children in remote communities across the state. In its 67th year, the program will celebrate with the communities of Scammon Bay, Minto and Nuiqsuit. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Mazos-Vega)

Veterans Advocacy Award recipient honored for dedication to court
November 15, 2022 — At the beginning of the Iraq War, Alison Carter realized that she was ignorant to the sacrifices that U.S. service members were about to make. Almost two decades later this self-awareness and advocacy that followed led her to be recognized during the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Veterans Day ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Nov. 11... MORE

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, right, and Verdie Bowen, director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, left, present the 2022 Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award to Alison Carter, who helped establish the Fairbanks Veterans Court, during the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Veterans Day ceremony held at the National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 11, 2022. The ceremony included speeches from key speakers, Fallen Warrior ceremony, presentation of commemorative wreaths, and moment of silence for those who have fallen. (Alaska National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

Exercise Guardian Watch: How Alaska Guardsmen maintain arctic resilience and readiness
November 9, 2022 — Soldiers of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion (GMD), Alaska Army National Guard, showcased their resiliency and readiness in their most recent iteration of exercise Guardian Watch at Fort Greely, Alaska, Oct. 31 through Nov. 3, 2022... MORE

Soldiers from 113th Military Police Company, Mississippi Army National Guard, patrol the missile defense complex as part of exercise Guardian Watch 23 at Fort Greely, Alaska, Nov. 2, 2022. Guardian Watch 23 focused on conducting ground-based midcourse defense and critical installations security, which are the two missions of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Mazos-Vega)

Family Programs new orientation shifts focus from Guardsmen to families
November 7, 2022 — The Alaska National Guard Warrior & Family Services is on a new mission to ensure every Alaska National Guard family is educated about the resources and information available to them through a new program named Guard Smart. The Warrior & Family Services team christened the program with a mixture of new and seasoned Alaska Air and Army National Guard families at the AKNG armory on JBER, Nov. 4... MORE

The Alaska National Guard Warrior & Family Services team christened their new Guard Smart orientation program to a mixture of new and seasoned Alaska Air and Army National Guard families at the AKNG armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Nov. 4, 2022.

168th Wing Airmen stay mission ready with CBRN training
November 7, 2022 — Team Eielson exercised the capability to accomplish their mission while countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats during Golden Raven 23-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska... MORE

Tech Sgt. Breanna Oswalt, left, and Master Sgt. Quindell Dixon of the 168th Force Support Squadron ensure their Mission-Oriented Protective Posture gear is tightened properly as wingmen during exercise Golden Raven 23-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Nov. 4, 2022. Golden Raven 23-1 was a readiness inspection testing the capabilities to deploy Airmen effectively. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Alaska Native Guardsman driven to serve after early childhood experience
November 1, 2022 — In a cabin nine miles from his home village of White Mountain, Alaska, Tech. Sgt. Blassi Shoogukwruk, a C-17 Globemaster III crew chief with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron took his first ride in a UH-1 Huey helicopter at the tender age of three... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Blassi Shoogukwruk, a C-17 Globemaster III crew chief with the 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron receives artwork from a young participant in the Elder and Native Youth conference held by the First Alaskans Institute in Anchorage, Alaska, Oct. 18, 2022. The conference gives Alaska Native youth opportunities to meet with elders in their communities and learn how to advocate for themselves and their people as well as connect with others. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Mazos-Vega)

Arctic Guardians rescue 3 boaters on the Kuskokwim River near Bethel
October 31, 2022 — Arctic Guardians rescue 3 boaters on the Kuskokwim River near Bethel... MORE

Alaska National Guard pararescueman shares story for National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 26, 2022 — Following a federal declaration in 1988, October became the official observation month for disability employment awareness. The Alaska National Guard recognizes the contributions of its members with disabilities all year around; however, this month reaffirms the commitment to provide equal opportunities for all... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Maddamma, a pararescueman in the 212th Rescue Squadron, speaks during a National Disability Employment Awareness Month observation luncheon on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. During the month of October, the Alaska National Guard joins the Department of Defense in recognized the contributions and accomplishments of the men and woman with disabilities that strengthen the Nation. (Alaska National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)