JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Approximately 80 Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 297th Military Police Company returned home Dec. 11, following a nine-month deployment to Kuwait.
As Soldiers in 297th MP Co. were transported on busses to the Guard armory from the airport, their family members eagerly waited to be reunited with their spouses, parents and children – while one father and son were about to meet for the first time.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The Alaska National Guard has a tradition of serving communities throughout Alaska during the holidays, delivering Christmas gifts and a variety of delights to children during Operation Santa Claus. In its 63rd year, two small Native villages along the Kuskokwim River in Western Alaska were selected for a visit this season.
Santa and his elves visited Tuntutuliak Nov. 25 and Napakiak Dec. 3, traveling in an Army National Guard C-12 Huron twin-engine turbo prop aircraft from here to Bethel, then in an Army Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to access the small villages, which don't have airfields to accommodate the C-12 landing.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard and commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, was promoted in a ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Oct. 22.
The Alaska National Guard's commander-in-chief, Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy, presided over the promotion ceremony, which was widely attended by key military and political leaders, Guardsmen, retirees and veterans, and members of the local community.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The Alaska National Guard's commander-in-chief, Governor Michael J. Dunleavy, will preside over the promotion ceremony for Alaska's adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Torrence Saxe, Oct. 22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Saxe, who holds a dual-hatted role, also serves as commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — The 168th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard will conduct a change of command ceremony for Col. Rich Adams at Eielson Air Force Base on October 20 at 2 p.m.
Adams assumes command of the 168th Wing following his tenure as commander of the 168th Operations Group, Eielson Air Force Base. As 168th Operations Group commander, Adams was responsible for the 213th Space Warning Squadron, 168th Air Refueling Squadron, and the 168th Operations Support Squadron. His previous assignments include nearly 30 years of active and Guard component service.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued a pilot and passenger of a crashed Stinson 108 single-engine aircraft seven miles northwest of the mouth of McArthur River, late last night, Sept. 25.
According to Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Evan Budd, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center superintendent, the mission opened following a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers. The pilot of the crashed aircraft notified AST of the crash using a satellite phone.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Aircrew with the Alaska Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment provided medical evacuation for two men in Haines yesterday, ensuring they were able to get the emergency care needed as quickly as possible.
A civilian medevac unit was unable to reach Haines due to inclement weather, and the United States Coast Guard Sector Juneau—the primary military search and rescue asset for Southeast Alaska—was already conducting a SAR mission.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Scott Howard was promoted at a ceremony Sept. 18 in the National Guard armory on JBER, after holding the rank of colonel for three years.
Howard is commander of the Alaska Air National Guard and assistant adjutant general-Air for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Brig. Gen. Torrence Saxe, the Alaska National Guard adjutant general, presided over the promotion of Col. Matthew Komatsu, incoming director of plans and strategy on the Joint Staff, during a ceremony here Sept. 4.
The ceremony marked the first time an Alaska Air National Guard combat rescue officer donned the silver eagle insignia.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued the pilot of a PA-18 aircraft and a passenger Sept. 1 after the plane crashed in vicinity of the Beluga bench about 28 miles northwest of Tyonek.
According to Alaska Air National Guard Capt. Wes Ladd, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the mission was opened following a receipt of the 406 Emergency Locator Transmitter beacon signal from a previously destroyed Cessna 207. Despite the confusion, the AKRCC tasked the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons to respond.
