Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Representative Mary Sattler Peltola, have expressed approval for the decision to delay the implementation of full-time leveling actions by the Air National Guard in Alaska. This move would have impacted nearly 80 Active Guard Reserve positions and potentially threatened homeland defense operations in Alaska.

The planned changes, initially set for October 1, 2024, will now be postponed until September 30, 2025. This extension allows the Air National Guard more time to assess the potential effects on critical missions in Alaska and reconsider whether these changes should proceed. The delay offers temporary relief to members involved in essential operations such as missile warning, air refueling, and combat rescue.

Senator Murkowski had previously met with Air National Guard members to discuss how these proposed cuts could affect their lives. "While I am very encouraged by today’s news, this entire exercise was unacceptable," she stated. She emphasized that delaying these directives is beneficial but stressed that such a situation should not have arisen.

Senator Sullivan also voiced his concerns after learning about the proposed cuts. "When I heard about the National Guard’s proposed, ill-advised cuts, my team and I demanded meetings with National Guard Bureau senior leadership," he said. He highlighted Alaska's strategic importance and the unique demands placed on its National Guard members due to their role in state emergencies and national defense.

Representative Peltola underscored the significance of Alaska's Air National Guard in defending both local communities and national interests. "This proposal would damage the United States’ ability to project power in the Far North," she remarked while expressing her commitment to working towards a permanent solution alongside her Senate colleagues.