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 | June 7, 2022

National Guard Bureau assessment team recognizes AKNG’s SAPR program for best practices

By Victoria Granado , Alaska National Guard Public Affairs

This year the Alaska National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program underwent a Site Assessment and Assistance Visit for the first time, May 23 – 26.
 
Still relatively new, the SAAV consists of officials from the National Guard Bureau’s Compliance and Accountability Branch who visit each SAPR program of the National Guard in the 54 states and territories. The officials have on-site discussions with SAPR staff identifying best practices as well as areas for continued improvement.
 
Ashley Shelton, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for JFHQ, has worked in the SAPR program space for nine years, and she described the visit as a basis for discourse rather than a graded inspection.
 
“The SAAV gives our program a fresh set of eyes and perspectives we can incorporate,” said Shelton. “They look at what we’re doing well, where can we improve, and what we can share in the field with other SAPR programs.”
 
During this visit, the AKNG staff highlighted some of the more innovative methods within the program, such as an interactive QR code that brings the user to a comprehensive list of resources. The staff was also recognized for their collaboration with the Department of Psychological Health, the agency that receives the victim’s clinical safety assessment.
 
“The SAAV did a great job of letting us know what works,” Shelton said of their best practices. “We have been working really hard towards expanding our reach and being more and more effective.”
 
Throughout the visit the NGB officials assessed the capabilities of the program and, in turn, the AKNG staff capitalized on the opportunity to establish professional relationships within the field.

“Being able to talk and learn from each other is critical in what we do,” said Shelton. “It takes a lot of communication and things like the SAAV continues to strengthen our network. Instead of being something to stress about we see it as another resource for our program.”
 
At the conclusion of the visit, the program received both positive and constructive feedback for staff to incorporate into their program moving forward. 
 
“It was a great opportunity to share our knowledge and also learn the latest in how to be most effective in our mission,” said Loren Dinolfo, Victim Advocate Coordinator for JFHQ. “Overall, we did very well during the SAAV, and the more we can communicate with the NGB and other programs, the more effective we can be for our Airmen and Soldiers.”
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.