Alaska National Guard

The Alaska National Guard is Alaska's component of the United States National Guard and comprises the Alaska Army National Guard and the Alaska Air National Guard. Current strength is 1,972 army guardsmen and 2,309 air guardsmen. [ [http://gov.state.ak.us/omb/results/view_details.php?p=190 State of Alaska] Office of the Governor, National Guard Military Headquarters, accessed October 2, 2008 ]

tructure

The Governor may call individuals or units of the Alaska National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which lend themselves to use of the National Guard. The state mission assigned to the National Guard is "To provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as otherwise provided by state law." This order was called in to question when Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin repeatedly cited her foreign policy experience was that she was the "commander in chief of Alaska's National Guard.""The Huffington Post" article: " [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/31/alaska-national-guard-gen_n_122860.html Alaska National Guard General: Palin Plays No Role In National Defense Activities Even When They Involve The Alaska National Guard] ".] On August 31, 2008, Major General Craig Campbell of the Alaskan National Guard said in an interview that Palin has no command or say over the millitary entity: "The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.""Anchorage Daily News" article: " [http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/515499.html Palin's military command limited] ".]

Operations

The Alaska National Guard operates a launch site for a US anti-missile system at Fort Greely, about 100 miles south of Fairbanks. The Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) is a military entity authorized by both the State Code of Alaska and Executive Order. The State Defense Force (SDF) is the state's authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Alaska National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized. It is separate from the National Guard and reports to the Governor of Alaska as ex offico commander. The SDF is composed of retired active and reserve military personnel and selected professional persons who volunteer their time and talents in further service to their state.

References

External Links

* [http://www.akguard.com/ Official Website]
* [http://akwarriors.aqppublishing.com Alaska National Guard - Warriors Magazine] Printed by [http://www.aqppublishing.com AQP Publishing, Inc.]