Alaska National Guard

• Origins in World War II: The Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG), the predecessor of the Alaska National Guard, was formed in 1942 during World War II to defend Alaska from possible Japanese invasion. • Eskimo Scouts: The ATG was famously known as the "Eskimo Scouts," composed largely of Native Alaskans—Inuit, Aleut, Tlingit, and others—who patrolled the vast and rugged territory. • First Female Guardsmen: The Alaska Territorial Guard included some of the first female members in the US military, with women serving as nurses, radio operators, and in other key roles. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the Alaska National Guard played a strategic role as Alaska was seen as a frontline state due to its proximity to the Soviet Union. • Recognition for Service: In 2000, over 6,000 members of the ATG finally received official veteran status and recognition for their service in World War II. • Disaster Response: The Alaska National Guard has been vital in responding to natural disasters such as the 1964 Good Friday earthquake and numerous wildfires and floods. • Unique Training Environments: Guard units regularly train in some of the harshest climates in the world, conducting exercises in Arctic survival, avalanche rescue, and cold-weather warfare. • International Partnerships: The Alaska National Guard has a long-standing partnership with Mongolia through the State Partnership Program, promoting military and civil cooperation. • Native-Language Communications: During World War II, Native Alaskan languages were used for secure communications, similar to the more well-known Navajo Code Talkers. • Modern Missions: Today, the Alaska National Guard continues to support overseas deployments, homeland defense, emergency response, and community engagement throughout the state and beyond.