Alaska National Guard

The Alaska National Guard includes both Army and Air National Guard units across the state. Its roots lie in the Alaska Territorial Guard, formed in 1942 after Japan invaded several Aleutian Islands.[1]

Origins in the Alaska Territorial Guard

The Guard began before statehood with the Alaska Territorial Guard, formed in 1942 in response to the Japanese invasion of several Aleutian Islands. It drew on Alaska’s indigenous and immigrant population and was charged with protecting the coastline and the American end of the Lend-Lease air route to Russia, which ran from Montana through Whitehorse, Canada, and Ladd Field to Nome. The Eskimo Scouts grew out of that force and marked the start of the Alaska Army National Guard.[1]

Alaska Air National Guard

In early 1952 Colonel Lars Johnson, the adjutant general, proposed an Air National Guard component, supported by Governor Ernest Gruening. It was organised on September 15, 1952, as the 8114th Air Base Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, with five officers and 11 enlisted members at the first unit training assembly. It received its first aircraft, a T-6G trainer, in February 1953, and on July 1, 1953, gained federal recognition and was redesignated the 144th Fighter-Bomber Squadron.[1]

Today

The Alaska National Guard includes Army and Air National Guard units across the state. The history page does not give current personnel figures or the founding date of the Army component.[1]

FAQs

What did the Alaska National Guard grow from? The Alaska Territorial Guard of 1942.

When was the Air Guard organised? September 15, 1952.

Where was the first Air Guard unit based? Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Sources

1. Alaska National Guard: History

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue