Alaska National Guard sending service members to assist with storm response in Kotzebue > Alaska National Guard > News

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – 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.

Currently there is one local member of the Alaska Army National Guard on the ground assisting the SEOC division supervisor in Kotzebue. The Guard is preparing to deploy additional personnel in the coming days.

On October 22, 2024, Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster emergency in response to the storm.

Kotzebue has suffered the most significant damage, with numerous residences severely impacted. The storm also forced a multi-day closure of the Kotzebue airport due to flooding and ice accumulation on the runway.

Additional information about the Alaska National Guard response will be provided as the situation evolves and recovery efforts continue.

Alaska Naval Militia sailor provides crucial aviation coordination for Operation Halong Response
November 20, 2025 — Bethel is 56 miles from the mouth of the Kuskokwim River and the adjoining salt water of the Kuskokwim Bay and the Bering Sea. The Western Alaska hub city is 1,136 miles from the small but crucial Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility at Ketchikan and is 1,762 miles from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, the closest major Navy installation... MORE

AKOM’s communication team launches critical connectivity during disaster
November 17, 2025 — Following severe storms that struck Western Alaska earlier this month, members of the Alaska Organized Militia’s Communications and Information Systems Directorate, known as J6, deployed new handheld satellite tracking devices called SHOUT Nanos to maintain critical communication links with response teams operating in isolated communities... MORE

Alaska Organized Militia continues recovery support across Western Alaska
November 4, 2025 — Members of the Alaska Organized Militia continue to assist communities across Western Alaska following the devastating storms that struck the region in early October. Since activation, more than 150 Alaska Organized Militia service members have supported 13 communities through debris removal, infrastructure repair, residential assessments, and evacuation support in coordination with the State Emergency Operations Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. ... MORE

Alaska Organized Milita delivers food to isolated Nunapitchuk school
October 31, 2025 — BETHEL, Alaska — Alaska Organized Milita (AKOM) members delivered six pallets of food to a school in Nunapitchuk, a village about 25 miles northwest of Bethel on the Kuskokwim River, via an Alaska Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter Oct. 28... MORE

Snowfall tests AKOM crews, but mission to aid Alaskans presses on
October 23, 2025 — Snow moved into western Alaska early Oct. 22, 2025, bringing new challenges to Alaska Organized Militia (AKOM) response operations. Despite the conditions, AKOM crews remain steadfast in their mission to assist fellow Alaskans. ... MORE

Alaska Organized Militia races against winter in Western Alaska
October 22, 2025 — It is a race against time as winter closes in on communities impacted by Western Alaska Storm 2025. Alaska Organized Militia (AKOM) members were rapidly deployed as soon as conditions allowed to support rescue efforts, assess damage, and begin early recovery operations... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard rescues two individuals from aircraft crash in Denali National Park
October 21, 2025 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen with the 176th Wing rescued two individuals involved in a plane crash near Ruth Glacier, on Oct. 19. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to a request from the National Park Service to rescue two uninjured individuals involved in a plane crash near Ruth Glacier within the Denali National Park. The Denali National Park encompasses an area of over 7,400 square miles. ... MORE

Alaska Organized Militia builds on historic evacuation as focus turns to community sustainment
October 19, 2025 — The Alaska Organized Militia continues coordinated response operations in support of the State Emergency Operation Center following the 2025 West Coast Storm as the mission focus, pursuant to Governor Dunleavy’s declaration of disaster, shifts from lifesaving to life sustainment and stabilization of communities and survivors. ... MORE

State and Alaska Organized Militia expand evacuation, sheltering operations for West Coast Storm survivors
October 15, 2025 — The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), Alaska Organized Militia (AKOM), and multiple state and volunteer agencies continue coordinated response operations following the severe storm that struck Alaska’s West Coast late last week, causing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and community displacement across the region... MORE

AKRCC supporting ongoing Search and Rescue mission in western Alaska
October 13, 2025 — At the request of the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center continues to lead the multi-agency search and rescue operations across storm-impacted communities in Western Alaska... MORE