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Alaska Air Guardsmen medevac patient from Little Diomede

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Members of the 32-person delegation of soldiers, airmen and civilians from the Alaska National Guard and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs exit an Alaska Air National Guard HC-130J Combat King II aircraft in Gambell, Alaska, under stormy conditions March 28, 2023. The delegation travelled to Gambell for a ceremony honoring 16 Alaska Army National Guard First Scouts for their heroism.

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Sherry Apatiki looks at the Alaska Heroism Medal she accepted on behalf of Sgt. Ralph Apatiki Sr. during the March 28, 2023, ceremony in Gambell, Alaska. Apatiki Sr. was a member of the Alaska National Guard First Scout Battalion that mounted a rescue mission of 11 sailors after their U.S. Navy P2V-5 Neptune plane was shot down on June 22, 1955, by two Russian MiG-15s.

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Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, pins the Alaska Heroism Medal on Cpl. Bruce Boolowon, the only surviving member of the June 22, 1955, rescue team March 28, 2023, in Gambell, Alaska. The Alaska Heroism Medal is the state’s highest award for valor during peacetime.

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Jerome Apatiki, while holding one of his nine grandchildren, takes video during the Alaska Heroism Medal ceremony March 28, 2023, at the John Apangalook Memorial High School gymnasium in Gambell, Alaska. Apatiki received the medal on behalf of Pfc. Holden Apatiki Sr. for his actions during a 1955 rescue mission after two Russian MiG-15s shot down a U.S. Navy P2V-5 Neptune plane flying a routine maritime patrol over the Bering Sea with 11 sailors on board.

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Nine-year-old Donald Ungott sits quietly waiting for the Alaska Heroism Medal ceremony to begin in the Gambell, Alaska, John Apangalook Memorial High School gymnasium March 28, 2023. Ungott was receiving a medal for deceased family member Pfc. Donald Ungott who was a member of the Alaska Army National Guard First Scout Battalion that mounted a rescue mission of 11 sailors who’s U.S. Navy P2V-5 Neptune plane was shot down on June 22, 1955, by two Russian MiG-15s.

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Alaska Heroism Medals sit ready March 28, 2023, for the ceremony at the John Apangalook Memorial High School gymnasium honoring 16 Alaska Army National Guard First Scouts for their heroism during a 1955 rescue mission after two Russian MiG-15s shot down a U.S. Navy P2V-5 Neptune plane flying a routine maritime patrol over the Bering Sea with 11 sailors on board.

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Bethel’s Cama-i weekend a flurry of activity for Alaska National Guard

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Bethel’s Cama-i weekend a flurry of activity for Alaska National Guard

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Bethel’s Cama-i weekend a flurry of activity for Alaska National Guard

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Bethel’s Cama-i weekend a flurry of activity for Alaska National Guard

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Bethel’s Cama-i weekend a flurry of activity for Alaska National Guard

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Alaska Guard, Reserve interoperability aid arctic mobilization proficiency

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Alaska Guard, Reserve interoperability aid arctic mobilization proficiency

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Alaska Guard, Reserve interoperability aid arctic mobilization proficiency

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Alaska Guard, Reserve interoperability aid arctic mobilization proficiency

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Alaska Army National Guard Black Hawk to continue training, operating out of Bethel

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Arctic Guardian overcomes obstacles to join the Alaska Air National Guard

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Arctic Guardian overcomes obstacles to join the Alaska Air National Guard

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176th Wing Guardian Angels jump into Pilot Station to enable medevac

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