Seventy-nine cadets graduate from Alaska Military Youth Academy

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets stand for applause after receiving awards at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0094

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets stand for applause after receiving awards at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

State of Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks to the audience and cadets at the Alaska Military Youth Academy graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0040

State of Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks to the audience and cadets at the Alaska Military Youth Academy graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets stay seated during the keynote speech at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0039

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets stay seated during the keynote speech at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets stand by to present the colors at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0038

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets stand by to present the colors at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

The Alaska Military Youth Academy's graduation ceremony is held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0037

The Alaska Military Youth Academy's graduation ceremony is held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

David McPhetres, director of the Alaska Military Youth academy makes opening remarks at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0036

David McPhetres, director of the Alaska Military Youth academy makes opening remarks at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

The Alaska Military Youth Academy color guard team presents the colors while the national anthem plays during AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0001

The Alaska Military Youth Academy color guard team presents the colors while the national anthem plays during AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

An Alaska Military Youth Academy cadet embraces his family after AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0748

An Alaska Military Youth Academy cadet embraces his family after AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

An Alaska Military Youth Academy cadet meets his family after AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0725

An Alaska Military Youth Academy cadet meets his family after AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets embrace their families after AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0707

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets embrace their families after AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0561

Family and friends recieve the graduating cadets with applause at the Alaska Military Youth Academy graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0320

Family and friends recieve the graduating cadets with applause at the Alaska Military Youth Academy graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

Alaska Military Youth Academy Cadet Naomi Goodloe, honor graduate, addresses the graduating cadets at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

PHOTO INFORMATION

Download

Details

210618-Z-MK318-0118

Alaska Military Youth Academy Cadet Naomi Goodloe, honor graduate, addresses the graduating cadets at AMYA's graduation ceremony, held at the Bartlett High School Football Field in Anchorage, June 18, 2021. The ceremony featured Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer as the keynote speaker for the 79 graduating cadets and their families. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Military Youth Academy graduated 79 cadets of Class 2021-1 from its National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program during an outdoor ceremony at the Bartlett High School Football Field, Friday, June 18.

Since 1994, AMYA has graduated over 6,178 cadets after successful completion of the program. David McPhetres, director of AMYA, said that Class 2021-1 stands out among the others with over 4,100 hours of community service despite being a smaller class of 79. McPhetres said he fully believes in the difference the program makes in the lives of the cadets.

“It’s a great way for us to reach at-risk youth and teach them skills they will need as adults,” said McPhetres. “The class behind me has learned those skills and more.”

State of Alaska’s Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer attended the graduation and delivered the keynote speech.

“You now possess the tools, values and confidence for meaningful and successful future,” said Meyer. “Not just for yourselves, but for your family, your friends, your parents, your community and your state and country.”

Alaska Organized Militia, multi-agency teams join forces to aid Kotzebue flood recovery
October 28, 2024 — With winter freeze-up just around the corner, Kotzebue residents and responders from across Alaska are racing against time to clean up and recover from a powerful fall storm that flooded the town, displaced more than 80 residents, and damaged dozens of homes. The Alaska Organized Militia, local responders and support teams from across the state joined forces to provide recovery assistance to the community. ... MORE

Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Joint Task Force - Kotzebue assist the Arctic Circle community with recovery efforts, Oct. 26, 2024, following a recent storm that caused severe flooding along Alaska’s West Coast. The 11-member team, including personnel from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the Alaska State Defense Force, was activated by the State Emergency Operations Center to support response and recovery efforts.

Alaska Organized Militia members arrive in Kotzebue to assist with storm response
October 25, 2024 — A team of service members from the Alaska Organized Militia have deployed to Kotzebue to assist with response efforts after the recent West Coast storm which caused major flood damage throughout the community. The team currently includes six members of the Alaska Army National Guard, three members of the Alaska Air National Guard, and one member of the Alaska State Defense Force, with another Air National Guardsman scheduled to arrive this afternoon to further support the team. One local member of the AKARNG has been on the ground assisting the Kotzebue community since Oct. 24. ... MORE

Members of the Alaska Organized Militia assigned to Joint Task Force Kotzebue assess priority-one damaged homes in the Arctic Circle community of Kotzebue, Oct. 26, 2024. The team’s measurements will help local emergency managers determine supplies needed to repair and rebuild structures impacted by severe flooding along Alaska’s West Coast. Many buildings in the area sustained foundation, sub-floor, and insulation damage due to the storm. The 11-member team, including personnel from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the Alaska State Defense Force, was activated by the State Emergency Operations Center to support response and recovery efforts.

Alaska National Guard sending service members to assist with storm response in Kotzebue
October 24, 2024 — In the wake of a West Coast storm causing significant flooding, the Alaska National Guard has received an official resource request from the State Emergency Operations Center to support response and recovery efforts. The SEOC requested the AKNG to assist the community of Kotzebue with damage assessment, distribution of relief supplies and emergency shelter support. ... MORE

1-297th Infantry Battalion changes command, honors Lt. Col. Bushatz
October 21, 2024 — The 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment held a change of command ceremony on Oct. 19 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The ceremony signified the transfer of authority from the outgoing battalion commander Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz to the incoming commander Lt. Col. Christopher Dailey. ... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz, left, outgoing commander for the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, passes the colors to Col. Michele Edwards, the commander of the 297th Regional Support Group, as part of a change of command ceremony on Oct. 20, 2024, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Alaska National Guardsmen no longer required in Florida hurricane response
October 16, 2024 — The Florida National Guard notified the Alaska National Guard, Saturday, Oct. 12, that it no longer required the assistance of the Alaska Guardsmen to provide response and recovery support following Hurricane Milton. The hurricane’s impact was not as severe as anticipated, and Florida’s state, county and local organizations were able to meet the immediate response needs of the impacted residents. As a result, the Florida National Guard’s response requirements were significantly reduced, which in turn cut back the amount of out-of-state Guard support required. ... MORE

Alaska National Guard and State EOC to support hurricane response efforts in Southeastern US
October 11, 2024 — The Alaska National Guard will activate 50 Guardsmen on state active duty to deploy to Florida to assist the Florida National Guard with response and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Milton... MORE

Service after sale: Juneau-based recruiter makes strides in Southeast Alaska
October 8, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – For more than three years, Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Sean Smack has been the only recruiter enlisting Soldiers in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. “There’s something different about the way the sun sets here that gives me an appreciation for places like Juneau and Ketchikan,” said Smack. “It motivates me to talk to people about serving this state with this organization.” Smack travels to high schools and colleges sharing the benefits of the Guard. He said the availability of scholarships and financial aid make attending college possible while serving... MORE

Alaska Army National Guardsmen to deploy to Southwest border to support Customs and Border Protection
October 3, 2024 — A detachment of approximately 20 Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command will deploy in October for approximately 12 months to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of the federal Southwest Border Mission... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard stations Black Hawk helicopter in Juneau
September 20, 2024 — The Alaska Army National Guard’s 207th Aviation Troop Command, headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, stationed a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter in Juneau, Sept. 19, where AKARNG aviators will fulfill federal training requirements across Southeast Alaska... MORE

Alaska Army and Air Guard rescue four hunters in back-to-back, same-day missions
September 17, 2024 — The Alaska National Guard rescued four hunters Sept. 16 in two separate missions at the request of the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Rescue Coordination Center... MORE