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 | May 19, 2022

168th Wing refuels Red Flag

By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey , 168th Wing Public Affairs

There is no need to stop for gas when the 168th Wing delivers. Airmen of the 168th Wing led a tanker task force refueling Red Flag-Alaska 22-1, enabling joint and multilateral training.

Red-Flag Alaska is a non-stop flying exercise affording combat readiness training opportunities to approximately 2,200 service members from three nations, maintaining and supporting more than 90 aircraft and over 25 units.

“As Tanker Task Force lead unit, the 168th integrated successfully with collocated KC-46s and geographically separated KC-135s for coordinated air refueling across Alaska’s largest training airspace,” said Lt. Col. Dean Thibodeau, 168th Wing Tanker Task Force lead planner.

Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces exercise flown under simulated air combat conditions over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, providing more than 77,000 square miles of airspace.

 The 168th Wing met up with the aircraft of partners and allies in the skies over Alaska during Red Flag, refueling multinational aircraft in addition to the U.S. Navy, Marines, and Air Force.

“I am incredibly proud of the 168th team and am confident we received and enabled some of the most realistic training available to us and our allies,” said Thibodeau. “Due to the remarkable efforts of our staff, maintainers, and crews, the 168th produced 100% of scheduled missions.”

The 168th Tanker Task Force engaged with partners and allies continuing to build enduring relationships with countries with similar values and interests through combined capabilities paramount to strengthening interoperability.   

“The training conducted with our NATO allies and partners during Red Flag strengthens our capabilities and ability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Thibodeau. “Exercises like Red Flag continue to build strong relationships and global security.”

Airmen of the 168th Wing provided critical support to allies through on-time rapid in-flight refueling generating combat power.

“This Red Flag has provided a unique opportunity for the 168th to demonstrate our capabilities to our active duty and sister-service partners,” said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Carey, 168th Wing Crew Chief.

The multiple units integrating and sharing procedures allow for a high readiness state and ensure agile combat forces.

 “The 168th Wing committed to owning the fuel effort,” said Maj. Jason Erhard, 168th Maintenance Squadron commander. “I couldn’t be prouder of the way our maintainers generated the iron and owned our obligation to fuel Red Flag.”

Red Flag provides valuable training in planning and executing a wide variety of combat missions. The exercise allows the units to define operations and improve combat effectiveness.

 “RF 22-1 is a testament to not only joint interoperability but component interoperability,” said Erhard. “The 354th Fighter Wing developed an outstanding ground refueling plan. “We can’t do our job unless POL is on their game. POL and the other 354th Fighter Wing planners — kudos and job well done.”  

The 168th Wing organizes, trains, and equips warriors to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations across multiple domains. The 168th Wing arctic warrior multi-capable Airmen bring specialized experience to the Wing’s strategically located mission, impacting today’s operations across multiple domains. The 168th premier Arctic Wing provides rapid global reach and vigilance capabilities through air refueling, theater airlift, aeromedical evacuation, missile warning, and space surveillance. The 168th Wing maintains a 24/7 constant watch and commitment for Pacific Air Forces, Northern Command, Space Command, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Alaska Air National Guardsman volunteers as JROTC drill judge
February 22, 2024
Alaska Air National Guardsman volunteers as JROTC drill judge

Bison Company’s cold weather training triumphs in Bethel
February 7, 2024
Bison Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, demonstrated readiness and resilience during their cold weather training in Bethel, Alaska, February 2-4, 2024.
This training marked a significant reunion for the Alaska Army National Guard infantry unit in Bethel, emphasizing the city's importance as a training ground that challenges Soldiers to adapt and excel in real-world scenarios.

Alaska Naval Militia, U.S. Navy Reserve pay tribute to S-26 submariners
January 24, 2024
In a solemn gathering at the U.S. Navy Reserve Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, sailors from the Alaska Naval Militia and U.S. Navy Reserve assembled Jan. 24, to pay homage to their fallen comrades lost 82 years ago.

Aircraft maintenance Airmen critical part of Pave Hawk transport mission
January 11, 2024
Airmen from the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Aircraft Maintenance from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and the active duty 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan, conducted a joint operation to transport an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Bethel to JBER in early January 2024.

Alaska National Guard's Operation Santa Claus spreads holiday cheer to remote communities
December 5, 2023
Alaska Air National Guard pilots 1st Lt. Skylar Caldwell, left, and Capt. Gerren Blair, and loadmaster, Tech Sgt. John Teamer II, enjoy time with Santa and Mrs. Claus while flying the festive couple to Bethel during Operation Santa Claus Nov. 15, 2023.

Alaska Military Youth Academy honored with Gold Pan Award
November 22, 2023
The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce hosted the 66th Annual Gold Pan Awards on Nov. 17, 2023, at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage.

Alaska National Guard's Operation Santa Claus makes a lifesaving detour
November 16, 2023
From the left, Holly Demert and Clifton Dalton, both flight paramedics with LifeMed, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bryan Kruse, Bethel Army Aviation Operating Facility commander, move a critically ill patient from an AKARNG UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to an ambulance during a medical evacuation from Napaskiak to Bethel, Nov. 15, 2023

Cadets soar in Civil Air Patrol search and rescue exercise
November 13, 2023
Civil Air Patrol Lt. Col. Stephen Sammons, left, Alaska Wing emergency services officer, instructs CAP cadets from the Southcentral Region where to find an Emergency Locator Transmitter onboard a Cessna 172 aircraft during a three-day training event Nov. 4, 2023, at the Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, Alaska.

A new set of cross pistols: AKARNG "Wolf Gang" Military Police Company deactivates, ushering in new detachment
November 3, 2023
Alaska Army National Guard Capt. Michael Thrall, left, outgoing commander, and 1st Sgt. Bethany Amarone, outgoing noncommissioned officer in charge, both assigned to the 297th Military Police Company, retire the colors of the unit’s flag as part of a deactivation ceremony for the company at the Alcantra Armory in Wasilla, Alaska, Nov. 2, 2023.

Alaska Army National Guard’s Bison Company set to deploy to Middle East
September 30, 2023
Alaska Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Oliver Meza, Bravo Company first sergeant, shows off his unit’s patch during a deployment ceremony where family members, friends, and fellow Guardsmen came together to pay tribute to Soldiers of B Co., 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Sept. 29, 2023.