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NEWS | Sept. 3, 2024

Anchored in service: Celebrating 40 years of the Alaska Naval Militia

By Balinda O'Neal Alaska National Guard

On September 5, 1984, former Alaska Governor Bill Sheffield declared the day as Naval Militia Day, recognizing the Alaska Naval Militia’s crucial role in the state's defense and emergency response.

This year marks four decades since that proclamation, highlighting the Alaska Naval Militia as a key part of Alaska's defense and emergency response efforts.

“Over the past few decades, the Alaska Naval Militia has built a legacy of dedication and service,” said ANM Chief of Staff, Cmdr. (AK) Dave Allen. “Our members have consistently shown their commitment to the safety and well-being of Alaskans, whether through disaster response, community support, or national defense.”

Recognized under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and Title 26 of the Alaska State Statute, the ANM is one of seven Naval Militias across the U.S., and includes Navy and Marine reservists and a small number of retirees who volunteer to serve Alaskans.
 
Like the National Guard, the ANM can be activated by the governor to support state and local authorities during natural disasters or other emergencies. The organization is aligned under the Alaska Department of Military & Veterans Affairs for state administrative support. 

The ANM initially began on March 20, 1970, but soon disbanded in March 1972.  Since being re-established in 1984, its members have volunteered in numerous responses, training events, and exercises.

“ANM members participate in joint exercises such as Vigilant Guard 2024, designed to test military operational capabilities in coordination with state and city efforts during major disasters,” said Allen. “Floods, fires, avalanches, landslides, typhoons, oil spills, pandemics – you name it, we have responded.”

Recently, 63 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, including one from the ANM, responded to assist Juneau with disaster debris removal following the August 6, 2024, glacial outburst flood. In 2022, the ANM joined fellow AKOM members in responding to the Bear Mountain Landslide near Seward and Typhoon Merbok in western Alaska. They also supported the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting with traffic control at testing sites in Anchorage and harbor operations in Kodiak.
 
Other noteworthy contributions include assisting with the 2019 Swan Lake Fire response on the Kenai Peninsula, participating in recovery efforts after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, supporting Alaska’s Arctic Care operations and participating in the Alaska National Guard’s annual Operation Santa Claus.  The unit also maintains honor guard teams to provide military funeral honors for Navy veterans across Alaska.   
 
“Our deep integration within local communities is one of our greatest strengths,” said Allen. “Our members understand Alaska's unique challenges and needs, and they know the coastline, waterways, and people who live and work here.”
 
While state missions differ from active-duty tasks, overlapping areas include inshore boat operations, maritime patrol, port security, harbor defense, surveillance, medical services, and emergency construction.
 
“We enhance maritime and port security in Alaska, but our training covers various areas, from navigation to military medicine,” said Allen. “The ANM can help safeguard ports, coastal regions, and waterways against threats and rapidly deploy in times of crisis, whether it’s search and rescue, disaster relief, or medical support.”
 
According to Allen, the ANM prides itself on being a ready force able to assist Alaskans on their worst day. 
 
“ANM is well-prepared to respond promptly and effectively, working hand in hand with state and local authorities to protect Alaskans,” said Allen. “In an ever-changing world where emergencies can arise unexpectedly, the Alaska Naval Militia remains a versatile and invaluable asset, ready to meet the state’s diverse needs.”
 
Alaska Army National Guard stations Black Hawk helicopter in Juneau
September 20, 2024
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Alaska Army and Air Guard rescue four hunters in back-to-back, same-day missions
September 17, 2024
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Alaska Air National Guard rescues 8 in 5 Labor Day Weekend missions
September 6, 2024
Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Dan Warren (right), 212th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer, and Master Sgt. Harry Bromley, 212th RQS pararescueman, evacuate an injured airplane pilot Aug. 30, 2024, about 50 miles southwest of Tok to a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk. Warren and Bromley jumped from a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II to quickly reach the injured pilot.

Anchored in service: Celebrating 40 years of the Alaska Naval Militia
September 3, 2024
Service members with the Alaska Air, Army National Guard, and Naval Militia clear debris off the road while assisting local authorities and tribal emergency operations personnel in the Mendenhall Valley, Juneau, Alaska, Aug. 14, 2024.

Alaska Organized Militia mobilizes six in response to Ketchikan landslide
August 28, 2024
Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Omar Matos, the Ketchikan armory attendant, confers with members of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Aug. 28, 2024, following a major landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, two days earlier. Four Alaska Army National Guardsmen and two members of the Alaska State Defense Force mobilized on State Active Duty to assist with response and recovery efforts.

All Guard Marathon Team visits Alaska, showcases life as a Guard athlete
August 20, 2024
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National Guard Bureau awards Alaska National Guard with excellence in diversity award
August 15, 2024
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Alaska Army Guard helicopter crew rescues rafter on Goodnews River
August 13, 2024
Alaska Army National Guard aviators with Alpha Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, operating a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter out of Bethel, Alaska, helped rescue an overdue rafter in the vicinity of Goodnews Lake.

Welcome home: Bison Company Army Guardsmen returns from Kuwait
August 11, 2024
Approximately 100 Soldiers of “Bison” Company, as they are affectionally known, returned after a nine-month deployment to Kuwait as part of Operation Spartan Shield.

20 additional Alaska Organized Militia members bound for Juneau
August 10, 2024
Alaska Army Guardsmen with Joint Task Force – Juneau meet with Department of Transportation personnel prior to assisting Juneau residents with recovery and cleanup efforts Aug. 10, 2024, following recent flooding after the Mendenhall Glacier’s Suicide Basin released.