JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska –
The Alaska Organized Militia is supporting the State Emergency Operation Center’s ongoing response to the 2025 West Coast Storm following Governor Mike Dunleavy’s disaster declaration on October 9.
One Alaska Army National Guard Soldier and one Alaska State Defense Force member residing in Kotzebue have been activated under state active-duty orders to support local emergency response efforts in coordination with the SEOC and local officials.
Initial assignments are expected to include reconnaissance and reporting of storm damage, support to sheltering and mass care operations, distribution of disaster supplies, debris removal, and assistance to local emergency operations centers.
An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command and stationed in Nome, transported two SEOC Emergency Management Specialists from Nome to Kotzebue to assist with on-the-ground coordination and assessments in the community.
The Alaska National Guard Joint Operations Center is coordinating the activation of additional personnel and equipment to support the ongoing response. These additional teams are expected to deploy to Kotzebue next week, pending a safe weather window for operations.
The Alaska National Guard remains in close coordination with the SEOC and the Incident Commander as communities across Western Alaska continue to assess impacts and identify needs resulting from the ongoing storm system.
The Alaska Organized Militia, which includes the Alaska National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and Alaska State Defense Force, stands ready to support Alaskans impacted by the storm as response operations continue.