Snowfall tests AKOM crews, but mission to aid Alaskans presses on > Alaska National Guard > News

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Alaska Organized Militia members, assigned to Task Force Bethel, clean up debris at Tuntutuliak, Alaska, during post-storm recovery efforts for Operation Halong Response, Oct. 25, 2025. AKOM members, including Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen and members of the Alaska Naval Militia and Alaska State Defense Force, continue coordinated response operations in support of the State Emergency Operations Center following Typhoon Halong. (Alaska National Guard photo by Capt. Balinda O’Neal)

BETHEL, Alaska – 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.

Aviation crews are monitoring weather conditions closely to determine when it will be safe to resume flying teams to outlying villages. Task Force Bethel helicopters require a minimum ceiling of 750 feet and two miles of visibility before takeoff.

“Right now, we’re sitting at about 500 feet and one mile visibility,” said Capt. Cody McKinney, Army aviation coordinator with Task Force Bethel. “Safety is our primary concern.”

As weather set in, Task Force Bethel teams coordinated with the Alaska Division of Forestry to travel by boat to nearby villages to continue debris removal, perform general labor, and conduct damage assessments while aircraft remain grounded. Alaska National Guard aviation crews remain ready to launch when weather allows.

“Alaska weather always tests our operations, but it doesn’t slow us down,” said Lt. Col. Daniel White, Task Force Bethel operations coordinator. “We continue to prepare, and when the weather breaks — we’re ready to load and go.”

Cooperation between AKOM and state agencies is allowing recovery efforts to safely continue. Transportation with the Alaska Division of Forestry allowed teams to conduct damage assessments and continue debris removal in affected communities. The National Weather Service reports a continued chance of snow over the next several days, with winds between 15 and 20 mph. Even as winter sets in, AKOM missions continue assisting communities until recovery is complete.

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