- Alaska State Defense Force
The Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) is the State Defense Force of
Alaska . It is one of 25 such forces in theU.S. state s.The Alaska State Defense Force is the successor of the
Alaska Territorial Guard founded duringWorld War II . After the war ended and Alaska became a state in 1959, the Territorial Guard was disbanded but was replaced by a statemilitia established by state statute. In 1984, the Alaska State Guard was formed; it was renamed in 1987 as the Alaska State Defense Force. In 2004, the name 49th Military Police Brigade (49th MP BDE) was also adopted for it, but it is still mainly known as the Alaska State Defense Force.The Alaska State Defense Force is administered under the state Department of Veterans Affairs, but is headed by a commander who reports directly to the
governor of Alaska , who acts ascommander-in-chief of the state defense force.Mission
The mission of the Alaska State Defense Force is to maintain an organized, trained military force capable of timely and effective response to state emergencies, or, on other occasions deemed appropriate by the Governor, to provide military assistance to civil and military authorities in the preservation of life, property, and
public safety . [ [http://www.ak-prepared.com/asdf/Acrobat_Docs/49th%20MP%20BDE%20handout.pdf ASDF 49th Military Police Brigade handout] ]They are currently constituted in cadre strength made up largely of
military police units. The units operate with mostly state certifiedconstable s under the Alaska Police Standards Council. By statue, the Alaska State Defense Force must be made up of no less than 90 percent former military personnel.ASDF has conducted joint operations with local city and state agencies as well as federal entities, including the U.S. military as well as
government agencies such as theFederal Bureau of Investigation ,United States Department of Homeland Security , and theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives .The unit wears
United States Army uniforms in accordance with the AR 670-1. [ [http://alaskastar.com/stories/032306/mil_20060323039.shtml State Defense Force relies on members' life experience] ]The
battalion s below theHeadquarters Element include a medicaldetachment , waterborne operators, and an aviation detachment.The ASDF has its own academy in which individuals are brought up to State training standards to be Constables. The head gear worn varies on mission requirements.
Unlike most of the state defense forces in the United States, the soldiers train and certify with firearms showing proficiency to carry firearms when activated. [ [http://www.freedomfoundation.us/homeland_security USFF Homeland Security Articles] ]
The unit missions to date have included Operation Winter Talon,
avalanche rescue,Kenai floods, and the Big Lake fire. ASDF members have worked at theIditarod restarts. Some members have been detailed to work with therailroad police as well as local police departments.Government support
The ASDF is a prime example of an organization run according to its charter, but this is not the case in general among SDFs. Issues of funding, mission and the bearing of arms are listed among common complaints and stumbling blocks associated with unit effectiveness. [ [http://www.ndu.edu/inss/press/jfq_pages/editions/i43/%209%20JFQ43%20Bankus.pdf Volunteer Military Organizations - An Overlooked Asset] ]
Notes
External links
* [http://www.ak-prepared.com/asdf/ Alaska State Defense Force homepage]
* [http://www.akguard.com/ Alaska National Guard homepage]
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