Critical rescue missions could be drastically curtailed as personnel changes take an outsize toll in a state more than twice the size of Texas, Guard leaders and members say.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Kristin Paniptchuk’s water broke on Christmas Eve at her home in the western Alaska Inupiat village of Shaktoolik, and then she began to bleed profusely.
“I’m just really thankful that they were able to come and get me,” she said. “Who knows what would have happened if they didn’t?”The Alaska Air National Guard conducted 159 such missions last year in largely roadless Alaska, many during vicious storms. In one instance, a military helicopter flew nearly 660 miles to pick up a from an Alaska island 2 miles from Russia’s waters.
FILE - In this June 16, 2020, image released by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a Russian Tu-95 bomber, top, is intercepted by a U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter off the coast of Alaska. Personnel changes proposed to take effect Oct. 1, 2024, at the national level may hinder the Alaska Air National Guard's ability to refuel U.S. and Canadian fighter jets when they scramble to escort Russian bombers nearing North American air space.
In past statements, Guard officials have said they attempt to address staffing imbalances where some National Air Guard units have more of the highly paid Active Guard and Reserve members than others. Alaska has spent years adding these personnel to support its work.Rather than take a pay cut, more than 80% of the 80 Alaska members whose jobs are being converted to tech positions have indicated they will leave the Guard, some for private sector jobs.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Air National Guard changes in Alaska could affect national security, civilian rescuesThe Alaska Air National Guard flew 159 civilian SAR missions last year, often during vicious storms that kept air ambulances grounded.
Les mer »
Air National Guard changes in Alaska could affect national security, civilian rescues, staffers sayThe Alaska Air National Guard's rescues could be curtailed due to personnel changes; this comes as part of a nationwide move to balance the number of the Air National Guard's top-earning positions.
Les mer »
Air National Guard changes in Alaska could affect national security, civilian rescues, staffers sayThe Alaska Air National Guard flew 159 civilian search-and-rescue missions last year in the nation's largest state, often during vicious storms that prevented air ambulances from taking off.
Les mer »
Air National Guard changes in Alaska could affect national security, civilian rescues, staffers sayThe Alaska Air National Guard flew 159 civilian search-and-rescue missions last year in the nation's largest state, often during vicious storms that prevented air ambulances from taking off
Les mer »
Air National Guard changes in Alaska could affect national security, civilian rescues, staffers sayThe Alaska Air National Guard flew 159 civilian search-and-rescue missions last year in the nation's largest state, often during vicious storms that prevented air ambulances from taking off.
Les mer »
Air National Guard changes in Alaska could affect national security, civilian rescues, staffers sayThe Alaska Air National Guard flew 159 civilian search-and-rescue missions last year in the nation's largest state, often during vicious storms that prevented air ambulances from taking off.
Les mer »