Alaska National Guard

Sean O'Keefe, one of the survivors rescued by the Alaska Air National Guard from a plane crash near Dillingham in August sent along an eagle statue to the Alaska National Guard. The plaque on the statue reads: "To the Men & Women of the Alaska National Guard - With Deep Appreciation for Your Heroic Efforts on August 9-10, 2010, Sean O'Keefe. " O'Keefe was rescued from the crash along with three others: Kevin O'Keefe, Jim Morhard and William Phillips Jr. Four others died in the accident, including former Senator Ted Stevens.

Spc. Michael Ignatius Edwards, a 26-year-old Anchorage native, was killed on Jan. 7, 2006 in a helicopter crash between Mosul and Tal Afar. Edwards served on a helicopter crew as an assistant door gunner and mechanic with the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment and was a member of the Alaska National Guard.

Spc. Jacob Eugene Melson, a 22-year-old Wasilla native, was killed on Jan. 7, 2006, in a helicopter crash between Mosul and Tal Afar. Melson served as a helicopter crew chief with the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment and was a member of the Alaska National Guard.

Chief Warrant Officer Chester William Troxel, a 44-year-old Anchorage native, was killed on Jan. 7, 2006, in a helicopter crash between Mosul and Tal Afar. Troxel served as a helicopter pilot and mechanic with the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment and was a member of the Alaska National Guard.

Jackson, Elaine   Snowmobile Polaris Pro R Switchback 600cc Age: 32 Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Racer Status: Rookie   Biography Elaine is a 10 year resident and has one child Kyle. Elaine is employed by the Alaska National Guard as an Operations NCO for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Elaine enjoys being outdoors camping, fishing, boarding, skydiving and spending time with family.   Hanson, Jeremy   Snowmobile Polaris Pro R Switchback 600cc Age: 33 Hometown: Wasilla, Alaska Racer Status: Rookie   Biography Jeremy is a 6 year resident of Alaska and is married to Kathleen.

by Leyla Santiago Saturday, July 11, 2009 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The resignation of Sarah Palin as Alaska's governor has triggered a big shuffle in state leadership. And with Lt. Gen. Craig Campbell tapped to be the new lieutenant governor after Sean Parnell takes over as governor, attention turns to who will fill Campbell's positions as commissioner of Military and Veterans Affairs and commander of the Alaska National Guard. Campbell says he's already taking steps to make sure the Alaska National Guard is in good hands, but troops still don't know when the game of political musical chairs might produce a new leader.

Alaska National Guard aircraft are searching for a cargo plane reported overdue to Dillingham Friday morning with two people on board, after weather prevented a ground search. Alaska National Guard spokesperson Kalei Rupp says low cloud cover is keeping search planes from examining the site of an emergency locator beacon signal about 20 miles northeast of Dillingham, apparently from the ACE Air Cargo Beech 1900. "We are at the scene, but we can't see the ground," Rupp said. A Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Kodiak failed to find the aircraft and headed back Friday afternoon.

A helicopter pilot was rescued Saturday morning after he crashed near Beluga, according to the Alaska National Guard. Major Guy Hayes says the crash happened near the Beluga power plant. The A-Star helicopter pilot called 911 at 10:30 a.m. and and rescuers arrived at 12:30 p.m. Maj. Hayes says because of the tall pine trees in the area they had to use a hoist to get the pilot out, who they believed had broken his hip.  It took 20 minutes to safely hoist him from the wreckage and he was taken to Providence Hospital for treatment.

With Christmas just a few weeks away, Santa Claus is getting a head start traveling to the farthest reaches of the globe. And thanks to a special sleigh – namely a C-17 from the Alaska National Guard -- Santa is visiting children and families in rural Alaska. Far off the coast of Alaska in the Bering Sea, the people of Saint Paul Island got a special delivery. Santa and Mrs. Claus made an early Christmas visit with help from the Alaska National Guard as part of Operation Santa Claus.

Southeast Alaska searches for two missing people, including a Wrangell Army National Guardsman and a Hyder woman, have been suspended after several days of search efforts. According to Friday Alaska State Troopers dispatches, both a Kikahe River air and ground search for Sgt. Colin Buness, 25, and a Salmon River search for Cathleen Currie, 60, were suspended Friday evening. Troopers thanked Wrangell Search and Rescue, theU.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska National Guard, Sitka Mountain Rescue, SEADOGs, the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad and other volunteers who participated in search efforts.

Alaska National Guard aircraft are searching for a cargo plane reported overdue to Dillingham Friday morning with two people on board, after weather prevented a ground search. Alaska National Guard spokesperson Kalei Rupp says low cloud cover is keeping search planes from examining the site of an emergency locator beacon signal about 20 miles northeast of Dillingham, apparently from the ACE Air Cargo Beech 1900. "We are at the scene, but we can't see the ground," Rupp said. A Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Kodiak failed to find the aircraft and headed back Friday afternoon.

The Alaska National Guard team is set to tackle the trail of the Iron Dog, billed as the “world's longest, toughest snowmobile race,” ready to leave Big Lake Feb. 17 enroute to Nome, then onto Fairbanks in a 2,000-mile race. Warrant Officer Michael Williams and Staff Sgt. Vincent Salzbrun, both of 1-207th Aviation, Alaska Army National Guard, are team 28 and representing the Alaska National Guard, the presenting partner of the Iron Dog since 2009. They have known each other for more than a decade and have been riding together the past three years.

A helicopter pilot was rescued Saturday morning after he crashed near Beluga, according to the Alaska National Guard. Major Guy Hayes says the crash happened near the Beluga power plant. The A-Star helicopter pilot called 911 at 10:30 a.m. and and rescuers arrived at 12:30 p.m. Maj. Hayes says because of the tall pine trees in the area they had to use a hoist to get the pilot out, who they believed had broken his hip.  It took 20 minutes to safely hoist him from the wreckage and he was taken to Providence Hospital for treatment.

Southeast Alaska searches for two missing people, including a Wrangell Army National Guardsman and a Hyder woman, have been suspended after several days of search efforts. According to Friday Alaska State Troopers dispatches, both a Kikahe River air and ground search for Sgt. Colin Buness, 25, and a Salmon River search for Cathleen Currie, 60, were suspended Friday evening. Troopers thanked Wrangell Search and Rescue, theU.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska National Guard, Sitka Mountain Rescue, SEADOGs, the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad and other volunteers who participated in search efforts.

Jackson, Elaine   Snowmobile Polaris Pro R Switchback 600cc Age: 32 Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Racer Status: Rookie   Biography Elaine is a 10 year resident and has one child Kyle. Elaine is employed by the Alaska National Guard as an Operations NCO for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Elaine enjoys being outdoors camping, fishing, boarding, skydiving and spending time with family.   Hanson, Jeremy   Snowmobile Polaris Pro R Switchback 600cc Age: 33 Hometown: Wasilla, Alaska Racer Status: Rookie   Biography Jeremy is a 6 year resident of Alaska and is married to Kathleen.

The Alaska Army National Guard welcomed a new commander, Brig. Gen. Leon M. "Mike" Bridges, during a change of command ceremony Saturday morning.   "I couldn't be a prouder soldier, I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve in a leadership role," Bridges said.   Bridges takes over for Brig. Gen. Julio R. "Randy" Banez, who had commanded the Alaska Army National Guard since November 2009. Banez will retire in February.   "I am leaving a great unit -- bittersweet, but feels good," Banez said.

On Wednesday, two C-130's carrying members of the Alaska Air National Guard 176th wing took off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and headed for Afghanistan for a three month long deployment. 60 men and women left on the flights, 80 additional Air Guardsmen are scheduled to leave on three C-130's in the coming days.  "This is the culmination of a lot of work, and as they make their way across the world they will be in for a lot more work when they arrive," said Brigadier General Chuck Foster, Commander of Alaska' Air National Guard 176th Wing.

The Alaska Air National Guard only helped staff a health clinic in Hayneville, Ala. for a week -- but for patients in the small, rural town it’s made a world of difference. They were beneficiaries of the U.S. Defense Department’s Innovative Readiness Training program, which sends medical professionals to unfamiliar places and pairs them up with people they’ve never worked with before, to simulate what would happen in a real crisis. A total of 70 service members were involved.