Alaska Army National Guard Maj. John “Chad” Smyre, Alaskan Command J5 strategy plans and policy officer, explains dog mushing Feb. 23, 2024, to Lt. Gen. David Nahom, then ALCOM commander, and other ALCOM staff members at JBER. Smyre’s assignment to the active component command is part of the National Guard Assistant Program. (Alaska Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Donald Hudson)