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 Army National Guard conducts MEDEVAC mission from Skagway to Juneau
June 4, 2025 — A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Alpha Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, transported a patient from Skagway to Juneau June 3, following a medical evacuation request from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. The mission, flown by an Alaska Army National Guard aircrew based out of the Army Aviation Operating Facility in Juneau, involved a round-trip flight of approximately 140 miles. ... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion conducts flight operations over Southeast Alaska near Juneau, Jan. 24, 2025.

Alaska Army Guard leads, supports statewide cadet leadership events
June 3, 2025 — The Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion played a key role in developing the next generation of leaders through its support of the Junior ROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge program, held in two locations across the state from May 27–31. The AKARNG RRB hosted the southcentral event at Camp Carroll on JBER, delivering hands-on leadership development and team-based challenges to cadets from multiple high schools. Simultaneously, Guard Soldiers from across the state participated in and supported the northern JCLC event in Fairbanks providing mentorship, aviation familiarization, and career pathway discussions to cadets attending from Interior communities. ... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Spc. Katlyn Olexa, a recruiter assistant assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, leads a morning physical fitness session for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Dimond, Bartlett, Service, East, Colony and the Bethel Regional high schools at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 29, 2025. The PT session was part of the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge camp, designed to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and military discipline among the cadets. Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion personnel served as safety observers and mentors, providing guidance, and sharing their expertise to enhance the cadets’ training experience.

Alaska Rescue Coordination Center directs 10 saves during start of rescue season
May 30, 2025 — Alaska Air and Army National Guard, U.S. Army and Civil Air Patrol units responded to six requests for assistance, primarily in support of the Alaska State Troopers and local hospitals May 24-28, 2025... MORE

AKARNG Best Warrior Competition highlights excellence, partnership
May 22, 2025 — Fifteen competitors, including thirteen from the Alaska Army National Guard and two from the Mongolian Armed Forces, competed in the 2025 AKARNG Best Warrior Competition, held May 19–22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. After four days of intense physical and mental challenges, Sgt. Dylan Hennessey, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, was named the AKARNG’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Pfc. David Badke, Alpha Company, 1-297th, earned the title of Soldier of the Year... MORE

Fifteen competitors, including thirteen from the Alaska Army National Guard and two from the Mongolian Armed Forces, competed in the 2025 AKARNG Best Warrior Competition, held May 19–22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Alaska Army National Guard aviators rescue four stranded boaters near Kotlik
May 21, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard aviators with Alpha Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, operating a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter out of Bethel, rescued four stranded boaters near Kotlik, May 20, 2025. The crew responded to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers, routed through the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The boaters were reported overdue in a remote area approximately 160 miles northwest of Bethel. ... MORE

The AKARNG's 207th Multi-Functional Training Regiment conducts Infantry Advanced Leader Course
April 23, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guardsmen from the 207th Multi-Functional Training Regiment conducted an Infantry Advanced Leader Course for 23 active duty, Reserve, and Alaska Army National Guard infantry sergeants at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska from April 9 to April 23, 2025... MORE

Pararescue, airlift Alaska Air National Guardsmen parachute jump into Kodiak
April 10, 2025 — Alaska Air National Guardsmen pararescuemen assigned to the 212th Rescue Squadron executed a low-level airborne jump and water rescue training at Chiniak Bay near Kodiak, Alaska, April 10, 2025... MORE

Alaska Army Guardsmen rescue injured skier near Mt. Spurr volcano
April 2, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers with G Co., 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion rescued an injured skier, March 27, in the Tordrillo Mountains at the base of Mount Torbert located 10 miles north of Mount Spurr... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard rescues 3 plane crash victims on glacial lake near Soldotna
March 26, 2025 — Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers with G Co., 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion rescued three people March 24 from the wreckage of a crashed PA-12 Super Cruiser aircraft that was partially submerged in glacial ice on a lake located approximately 40 miles southeast of Soldotna near Tustumena Lake. ... MORE

New state Tuition Reimbursement Program (TRP) expands education opportunities for servicemembers
March 24, 2025 — The Alaska National Guard education services recently rolled out its newest education benefit, the Alaska State Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program. This benefit is available to Alaska Air and Army Guardsmen and members of the Alaska Naval Militia and offers expanded benefits for students interested in attending academic institutions in Alaska... MORE