Alaska Air National Guard

Alaska Air National Guard
Unit name	Alaska Air National Guard
Dates	1940–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force, Alaska
Type	Air National Guard
Command structure	Alaska National Guard, Pacific Air Forces, North American Aerospace Defense Command
Garrison	Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Anchorage
Garrison label	Headquarters
Aircraft fighter	F-22A Raptor, F-35A Lightning II
Aircraft helicopter	HH-60G Pave Hawk
Aircraft transport	C-17A Globemaster III, C-130H Hercules

Alaska Air National Guard. It is a combined federal and state military reserve component of the United States Air Force and the Alaska National Guard. Headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, its units are integral to the defense of the state and the nation's northern approaches. Its personnel are trained and equipped to perform both federal missions under Title 10 of the United States Code and state missions under the authority of the Governor of Alaska.

History

The origins trace to the Alaska Territorial Guard and the federal recognition of the 115th Fighter Squadron in 1952. Its early years were defined by the Cold War, with units flying aircraft like the F-80 Shooting Star and F-102 Delta Dagger under the umbrella of the Air Defense Command. A significant reorganization occurred in 1969 with the establishment of the 176th Wing, consolidating various flying and support units. The September 11 attacks and the subsequent creation of NORAD's Operation Noble Eagle brought renewed focus to its homeland defense role. Throughout its existence, it has frequently mobilized for conflicts including the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism.

Organization

It is organized under the dual authority of the Alaska National Guard and the Pacific Air Forces. The primary command is the 176th Wing, a composite wing based at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson. This wing encompasses operations, maintenance, and mission support groups. The 168th Wing, located at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, operates the KC-135 Stratotanker. Both wings report through the state's Adjutant General to the National Guard Bureau in Arlington. For federal missions, operational control often falls under North American Aerospace Defense Command or United States Northern Command.

Missions

Its primary federal mission is air sovereignty and air defense for the state and the Arctic region as part of NORAD. It conducts continuous combat air patrols and aerospace control alert operations. The force provides critical air refueling support to United States Indo-Pacific Command and other global operations. State missions include search and rescue across Alaska's vast terrain, disaster response for events like earthquakes and wildfires, and support to civil authorities. It also engages in State Partnership Program activities with nations like Mongolia and the Republic of Korea.

Aircraft

The fleet includes advanced fighters like the F-22A Raptor operated by the 176th Wing and the newly fielded F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 356th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base. Air mobility is provided by the C-17A Globemaster III and the C-130H Hercules for strategic and tactical airlift. The 168th Wing flies the KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling. Search and rescue missions are conducted using the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.

Major units

The 176th Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson is the largest unit, comprising the 144th Airlift Squadron with C-17s, the 210th Rescue Squadron with HH-60s, and the 249th Airlift Squadron with C-130s. The 168th Wing at Eielson Air Force Base includes the 168th Air Refueling Squadron operating KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. Fighter operations are centered on the 356th Fighter Squadron flying the F-35A and the 302nd Fighter Squadron historically associated with the F-22A.

Notable operations

It played a continuous role in Operation Noble Eagle following the September 11 attacks, scrambling fighters for numerous alert responses. Units deployed extensively for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, providing airlift, refueling, and rescue capabilities. The Good Friday earthquake of 1964 saw extensive state activation for disaster relief. In 2023, its F-35A fighters intercepted Russian aircraft near Alaska airspace in a high-profile NORAD mission. Its HH-60G crews are routinely launched for challenging civilian search and rescue missions in the Alaska Range and along the coast.

Category:Alaska Air National Guard Category:Air National Guard