Preparing for the Worst through Practice: Exercise Arctic Chinook 2016

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks with pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, while she visits a patient reception area at the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in Kotzebue, Alaska, Aug. 24, during exercise Arctic Chinook. Arctic Chinook is a joint U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Northern Command sponsored exercise which focuses on multinational search and rescue readiness to respond to a mass rescue operation requirement in the Arctic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt, Edward Eagerton/released)

176th Wing conducts capabilities exercise, celebrates family day

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Wing members and their families celebrate Wing Family Day 2016 at Bryant Army Airfield here Aug. 6. Family Day is an annual celebration providing family members and guests the opportunity to come to base and observe military demonstrations in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

More than 100 Alaska Air Guard operators, maintainers return from possible last C-130 deployment

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- More than 100 Alaska Air Guard members from the 144th Airlift Squadron, 176th Maintenance Group and support units returned here July 5 and 6, 2016, from a four-month deployment in Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Their focus was to support the C-130H "Hercules" tactical-airlift mission. Due to a proposal at the national level to divest the 176th Wing of its C-130H aircraft, this may be the last deployment for the 144th Airlift Squadron in its current form. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. N. Alicia Halla/Released)

Alaska Air Guardsmen test responses in surveillance over skies

Staff Sgt. Richard Cole, a tracking technician with the 176th Air Defense Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, evaluates radar data during exercise Fencing Rice on JBER, Alaska, June 14, 2016. Fencing Rice is a local exercise designed to test the unit’s Air Defense response. The 176 ADS employs surveillance, identification, weapons control and data links in support of the Alaskan NORAD region’s 24/7/365 mission to watch and protect the skies over 1.3 million square miles of Alaskan airspace. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Eagerton/released)

Transition assistance here for guardsmen throughout career

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Roy Strawderman, a Veterans Affairs contractor, briefs recently deployed 176th Wing members coming off active-duty orders. The briefing was one of a five-day series in the Transition Assistance Program ensuring members were educated to take advantage of their benefits. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. N. Alicia Halla.)

Alaska Air Guard C-17 crews and guardian angels train in Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- 249th Airlift Squadron loadmasters prepare cargo to be released from a C-17 Globemaster III here Feb. 23, 2016, off the coast of Oahu. Almost 50 Alaska Air Guardsman of the 249th Airlift Squadron, 212th Rescue Squadron and 176th Wing support units participated in a search and rescue exercise in the Pacific Air Forces' warmer waters of Honolulu, Hawaii. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. N. Alicia Halla)