An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NEWS | April 12, 2022

Commander of Alaska Army National Guard relinquishes command, retires after 35 years of service

By Spc. Grace Nechanicky 134th Public Affairs Detachment

Brig. Gen. Charles Lee Knowles relinquished command of the Alaska Army National Guard to Col. James Palembas during a change of command ceremony April 9. Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, presided over the ceremony.
 
“This has been an incredible run you’ve had,” Saxe said to Knowles. “You’ve been an awesome commander. It’s been a challenging timeline on many levels but you will be missed.”
 
Palembas, the new assistant adjutant general-Army, enlisted in the Alaska Army National Guard in 1990 and graduated officer candidate school in 1994, receiving his commission as second lieutenant in the ordnance corps. He served in many roles including detachment, company and battalion commander positions within several units. He also served as the deputy chief of staff for logistics.
 
Coming from his most recent assignment as chief of staff for the Alaska Army National Guard, he was chosen to lead and take on the increased responsibility of being the Alaska Army Guard’s top leader.
 
In his capacity as ATAG and commander, Palembas is responsible for the development and implementation of strategy, policy, plans, and initiatives for the Alaska Army National Guard. He will ensure over 1,630 Army Guardsmen in the Joint Forces Headquarters Army staff and the two brigades, 297th Regional Support Group and 38th Troop Command, are organized, trained, and equipped to support state and federal missions.
 
“Soldiers, I look forward to serving you as the commander,” said Palembas. “We will continue to build a ready force; ready for Soldiers and ready for families.”
 
“Brig. Gen. Knowles and I think much alike,” he continued. “I will carry that torch on for many initiatives that he started. Your hard work, your sacrifices are not lost on me.”
 
Knowles has served much of his time in the Alaska Army National Guard alongside Palembas. A born and raised Alaskan, Knowles joined in 1987 and received his commission as an infantry officer in 1995. He served many years in the 297th Infantry Battalion, and went on to serve as the chief of staff for the AKARNG, commander of the Alaska Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion and commander of the 297th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.
 
Knowles retired April 10 after 35 years of military service within the organization.
 
During his time as the commander of the AKARNG, Knowles responded to federal and domestic missions such as a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the busiest fire season in Alaska over the last 20 years, a global pandemic and frequent deployments of units overseas.
 
“I leave command knowing our people and our organization are in good hands,” said Knowles. “Thank you all for putting our people first and working to meet their needs.”
 
176th Wing firefighters protect Nenana from wildfires
August 21, 2023
176th Wing firefighters protect Nenana from wildfires

Alaska Army National Guard rescues two hunters after plane crashes near Merrill Pass
August 18, 2023
HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with the Alaska Army National Guard Golf Company, 2-211th, General Support Aviation Battalion

Navy celebrates Sol Atkinson for legacy of service to country, Alaskan veterans, community
August 10, 2023
Retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer 4 Solomon Atkinson, center, is greeted by Verdie Bowen, right, the director of the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs, and escorted by son-in-law Franklin Hayward before receiving the Alaska Governor’s Veteran Advocacy Award during a ceremony in Metlakatla, Alaska, Dec. 10, 2018.

207th Engineer Utilities Detachment retires the colors
August 8, 2023
Alaska Army National Guardsmen with the 207th Engineer Utilities Detachment salute as the national anthem plays during the unit’s deactivation ceremony at the Camp Carroll flagpole on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2023.

Alaska National Guardsmen assist with Interior Alaska wildland fires
August 7, 2023
An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to 207th Aviation Troop Command operates near Ladd Army Airfield Aug. 3., 2023 in support of wildland fire suppression across Interior Alaska. During fire suppression operations, the UH-60 employs a Bambi Bucket filled with approximately 630 gallons of water from a nearby lake. The Alaska Army National Guard deployed the UH-60 and air crew July 31, 2023 after receiving a resource request from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection routed through the State Emergency Operations Center.

176th Air Defense Squadron surveillance technician competes in arctic triathlon
August 2, 2023
176th Air Defense Squadron surveillance technician competes in arctic triathlon

Alaska Military Youth Academy starts 22-week program
August 2, 2023
Alaska Military Youth Academy

Alaska National Guard command sergeant major soars into retirement
August 1, 2023
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grunst parachutes into his retirement ceremony July 21, 2023, at Camp Carroll on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Grunst joined the Alaska Army National Guard in 1989 and finished his 34-year career as the G3 operations sergeant major for the AKARNG.

Tangirnaq Native, local hero memorialized at Kodiak Readiness Center
August 1, 2023
Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of 
the Alaska National Guard and commissioner 
of the Department of Military and Veterans 
Affairs, stands with friends and brothers in 
arms of Specialist Four Harmon in front of the 
new Kodiak Reediness Center sign July 27, 
2023, in Kodiak, Alaska.

Alaska National Guard kicks off IRT project in support of Shepard Point oil spill response site
July 27, 2023
Alaska National Guard kicks off IRT project in support of Shepard Point oil spill response site