Interior Alaska News

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska), today welcomed news that the Alaska Air National Guard (ANG) has been granted an indefinite exemption from the Air National Guard’s “Fulltime Leveling” (FTL) initiative that would have impacted or eliminated nearly 80 Active Guard Reserve positions in Alaska. Major General Duke A. Pirak, acting director of the Air National Guard, delivered the news in a letter to Senator Sullivan on Tuesday. In numerous meetings, calls, and letters, the Alaska congressional delegation strongly pressed Guard leaders to exempt Alaska from the planned cuts, highlighting the many unique missions of the Alaska ANG that are critically important to U.S. homeland defense, including missile warning, aerial refueling, and combat rescue.

“The exceptional men and women of the Alaska Air National Guard—and the families who support them—can rest a bit easier today now that we’ve successfully removed the threat of cuts from D.C. that would’ve negatively impacted their unique mission and their ability to defend our nation,” said Sen. Sullivan. “In my most recent conversations with National Guard Bureau senior leaders, including in Maj. Gen. Pirak’s nomination interview three weeks ago, I demanded that they conduct a thorough analysis of the proposed manning adjustments in Alaska. I commend Maj. Gen. Pirak and his team for doing just that, and for recognizing the detrimental toll these cuts would have on our Alaska-based forces and our national security readiness."

Sullivan continued: "More than any other state in the country, Alaska’s National Guard is fully integrated into some of the nation’s most important 24-7 missions with the Joint Force protecting our country. Alaska’s Air National Guardsmen can now continue to focus on fulfilling their wide array of critical missions: responding to state emergencies, conducting combat search-and-rescue missions, executing air and missile defense missions, supporting space domain awareness, and serving as a critical link in the defense of the American homeland."

“In February," added Sen. Murkowski,"I sat down and had good, open conversation with 20 of the 80 Alaska Guardsmen who were set to lose their jobs as a result of bureaucratic and political maneuvering by the Air National Guard." She recalled how several Guardsmen presented her with their unit patches during this meeting as a gesture for her not to forget them while back in DC.

"I made a commitment right then to fight for them," she stated."Over the last six months, I have worked tirelessly to reverse these dangerous and ill-informed cuts...I was able to secure last minute language in the FY24 Defense Appropriations bill...and funding in FY25 Defense Appropriations for 649 additional positions for ANG."

Murkowski emphasized: "This announcement...is significant for our Air Guard Members and their families...This will fully restore 80 Active Guard Reserve positions at Eielson AFB, Clear SFS,and JBER.The recent encroachment of Chinese and Russian bombers off coast of Alaska made clear United States cannot afford cut corners when it comes our homeland defense mission."

“This is huge news for our state and our national security,” said Rep.Peltola.“Cutting Alaska’s Air National Guard would have damaged our country’s ability project power Far North,reduced vital search rescue capabilities,and pushed Alaskans who want serve out service state country.I proud work alongside senators protect these critical positions.”

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