News

Alaska National Guardsmen, Naval Militia and State Defense Force deploy across Western Alaska for Operation Merbok Response
September 21, 2022 — More than 100 members of Joint Task Force Alaska deployed to the hub communities of Bethel and Nome today, as part of Operation Merbok Response, to support recovery efforts across Western Alaska. The task force includes members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, the Alaska Naval Militia and the Alaska State Defense Force... MORE

Alaska Army National Spc. Mark Ibay, a petroleum supply specialist with E Company, 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation, left, and Sgt. Maj. Arturo Bautista, operations sergeant major with 38th Troop Command and noncommissioned officer in charge of Joint Task Force – Bethel, exit an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft from the 176th Wing’s 211th Rescue Squadron after arriving in Bethel for disaster relief response Sept. 21, 2022. Approximately 100 service members from the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. A JTF in Nome is standing up concurrently as part of Operation Merbok Response. (Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

Arctic Guardians rescue injured hunter near Flat
September 12, 2022 — Arctic Guardians rescue injured hunter near Flat... MORE

Arctic Guardian Rescue Triad celebrates heritage during wing’s 70th anniversary
September 12, 2022 — Arctic Guardian Rescue Triad celebrates heritage during wing’s 70th anniversary... MORE

Air, Space Force installations seek mediators to help with conflict resolution
September 7, 2022 — The Department of the Air Force is seeking mediators for conflict resolution as an alternative solution to litigation for workplace conflicts... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Tomeka Parker, Equal Opportunity career field manager, discusses how the Advanced Mediation course helps fulfill the training requirement for enlisted personnel in the Equal Opportunity career field during the Advanced Mediation training class held in Washington, D.C., Aug. 31, 2022. The Department of the Air Force partnered with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a federal agency with a conflict management mission, to bring about this training. (Courtesy photo by Kimberly Mlinaz)

Alaska Civil Air Patrol wing aligns with DMVA to increase partnership, capability
September 6, 2022 — The Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol became officially aligned underneath the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs this month, opening the door for closer state-wide cooperation and partnership between the two organizations. According to the Alaska CAP Wing commander, Col. Kevin McClure, the new alignment is a welcome change. “I’ve always thought we belonged under DMVA,” he said. “We’re here to support the state in anything they need.” The new administrative alignment is made possible through a $250,000 grant which will be awarded through the DMVA’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said the division director Bryan Fisher. He said the Alaska legislature made the FY23 allocation for the Alaska Wing with the intent on having DHS&EM award the annual grant by the beginning of each fiscal year. ... MORE

Civil Air Patrol Cessna 206 and GippsAero GA8 Airvan park next to an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk in front of the Army Guard’s hangar. The CAP and ARNG recently teamed up to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Arctic Shield, a mission to conduct inspections of approximately 50 bulk fuel storage facilities across Western Alaska, August 22-30.

Arctic Guardians rescue injured hiker near Eklutna Lake
September 1, 2022 — Arctic Guardians rescue injured hiker near Eklutna Lake... MORE

National Guard Honored for Youth ChalleNGe Program
September 1, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, which helps “at-risk” teens earn their high school diploma or GED, earned national recognition Aug. 31 during the 103rd American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee.“After spending over almost 30 years in the military I had not heard of the ChalleNGe academy, and it really [has... MORE

Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp accepts the 2022 American Legion National Education Award on behalf of the National Guard Bureau at The American Legion 103rd National Convention at the Milwaukee Center in Milwaukee Aug. 31, 2022. The award was presented for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, which helps “at-risk” teens earn their high school diploma or GED.

Tuition assistance increases at all University of Alaska campuses for Alaska National Guard
August 25, 2022 — The Alaska National Guard and University of Alaska partner in providing financial assistance for service members pursuing a college education. The financial assistance can be rendered by two methods – a tuition scholarship or tuition reimbursement... MORE

Bethel couple recognized for decades of service to the Alaska Guard
August 23, 2022 — On the shores of the Kuskokwim River, 400 miles west of Anchorage, a Bethel couple cuts strips of salmon before carrying them to their smokehouse as youth spectators eagerly watch and learn about local subsistence life. The youth, who come from Anchorage, Fairbanks and the lower 48 states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, are part of the Alaska National Guard’s Warrior and Family Services Child and Youth Program. Each year Sgt.1st Class Joseph Sallaffie and his wife, Rachel, host part of the summer cultural event at their subsistence fish camp. ... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Sallaffie, then a staff sergeant, right, and his wife, Rachel, to the left of him, spend time demonstrating the process of drying and cutting salmon strips to participants of the Alaska National Guard Warrior and Family Services cultural camp at thier subsistence fish camp on the shores of the Kuskowim River near Bethel, July 21, 2016. The youth learned the importance of subsistence living during the five-day program that focused on cultural-based service and learning projects.

Arctic Guardians rescue injured ATV rider near Kahiltna Glacier
August 22, 2022 — Arctic Guardians rescue injured ATV rider near Kahiltna Glacier... MORE