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who are at least 17 years of age, and who are eligible for military service under the laws of the United States or this state ." The ASDF is constituted as a cadre of experienced officers and enlisted personnel which is ready to organize the entire population, if need be. The ASDF benefits from the experience of its personnel. Many of them have technical skills in such areas as medicine, communications and logistics. It is a volunteer force which contains the skills necessary for operations in time of disaster.
50:
85:
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Employers in Alaska are required by law to grant an unpaid leave of absence to any employee who is a member of the Alaska State
Defense Force, and who is activated to perform active state service. The employer must also guarantee the employee's right to return to their employment position upon that
260:
Unlike most of the state defense forces in the United States, Alaska State
Guardsmen trained and certified with firearms in order to achieve proficiency to carry firearms when activated. However, in 2008, following an investigation of the leadership of Brigadier General Thomas Westall, then serving
488:
in
Wasilla. Since then, the Alaska State Defense Force has been pressed more with less limitations as well as capabilities, equipment, and activations. With the recent reliefs of command, starting in 2016, of the high-ranking officers of the Alaska National Guard including the Adjutant General (MG
400:
Alaska state statute AS 26.05.010 established the Alaska
Militia. It declares: "The militia of the state consists of all able-bodied citizens of the United States and all other able-bodied persons who have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, who reside in the state ,
329:
The mission of the Alaska State
Defense Force (ASDF) is to maintain an organized, trained military force capable of timely and effective response to state emergencies, or, on other occasions deemed appropriate by the Governor, to provide military assistance to civil and military authorities in the
291:, and creating a signal detachment. On 14 January 2016, the Alaska State Defense Force activated the 2nd Signal Detachment, a component of the 49th Brigade. On 15 September, 2017, the Alaska State Defense Force activated a Scout Detachment in the Native Village of
437:). The 2nd Special Troops Battalion consists of four companies (a military police company, a signal company, an engineer company, and a forward support company), with each company having detachments throughout the central and eastern portions of the state.
268:
ordered the ASDF to disarm. The current structure of the ASDF is as a
Readiness Brigade composed of readiness battalions. The military police (MP) function is in abeyance until needed by the Adjutant General for Alaska.
489:
Thomas Katkus) who was against the expansion of the State
Defense Force, there is a possibility that the ASDF will be able to re-obtain previous capabilities and more as the new Command is supportive of them.
480:, was careful to never utilize federal resources to accomplish its mission. In 2009, the Brigade Headquarters and 2 of its battalion headquarters were relocated from the National Guard Headquarters on
404:
295:. In 2017, Alaska State Defense Force members, in their first ever deployment outside of the state, provided support to relief efforts in Puerto Rico alongside Alaska National Guardsmen after
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Issues of funding, mission and the bearing of arms are listed among common complaints and stumbling blocks associated with unit effectiveness. ASDF, when colocated with the
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109:
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195:. The Alaska State Defense Force is administered under the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, but is headed by a commander who reports directly to the
458:
The AK SDF has its own academy in which individuals are brought up to State training standards to be
Constables. The headgear worn varies on mission requirements.'
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673:
287:
announced his intention to reform the Alaska State
Defense Force by expanding it further into rural Alaska, bringing the level of training closer to that of the
359:
303:
caused extensive damage to the island. State and
National Guardsmen provided communications support at a Joint Incident Site Communications Capability system.
429:
The 49th Readiness Brigade Alaska State Defense Force consists of a Brigade Headquarters, and two regional Battalions (2nd Scout Battalion - headquartered in
853:
250:
under the Alaska Police Standards Council. By statute, the Alaska State Defense Force must be made up of no less than 75 percent former military personnel.
321:
and putting them into loads for shipment. Members also helped distribute declaration forms for people entering the state who must quarantine themselves.
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306:
In March 2018, the Alaska State Defense Force took part in an international training exercise, working directly with their Canadian counterparts, the
532:
408:
Brig. Gen. (Alaska) Roger Holl, commander of the Alaska State Defense Force, speaks at a stand-up ceremony establishing the Bethel-based ASDF unit.
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219:. With the conclusion of the war and Alaska's inauguration as a state in 1959, the Territorial Guard was disbanded but soon replaced by a state
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338:, traffic control after a Valdez-area landslide, and safeguarding flooded homes in Houston against looters. ASDF has conducted joint
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317:. Members worked at an Anchorage warehouse to help organize personal protective equipment and other supplies from the
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In April 2020, members of the Alaska State Defense Force were activated to assist in Alaska's response to the
235:) was also adopted for it. A later realignment of the command's structure has utilized the new designation of
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433:(with detachments throughout western Alaska), and the 2nd Special Troops Battalion - headquartered in
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334:. Previous missions assigned to the ASDF have included manning a security checkpoint on the
307:
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389:
386:
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243:
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Alaska State Defense Force, Alaska National Guard, and Alaska Troopers man a checkpoint.
227:
was formed; it was renamed in 1987 as the Alaska State Defense Force. In 2004, the name
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257:, the ASDF was tasked with guarding critical oil infrastructure against attack.
445:
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554:
Homeland Defense Forces for Homeland Defense and Homeland Defense Missions
292:
239:, but the unit is still mainly known as the Alaska State Defense Force.
748:"Alaska National Guard calls up members for state coronavirus response"
220:
888:
722:"Alaska National Guard advances, fortifies arctic emergency response"
188:
123:
73:
670:"Alaska State Defense Force activates signal detachment in Bethel"
644:"In rural Alaska, a plan takes shape to rebuild military presence"
467:
403:
271:
751:
369:
The unit missions to date have included Operation Winter Talon,
925:
134:
911:
385:
restarts. Some members have been detailed to work with the
885:"Leave and reemployment rights of the organized militia"
854:"Volunteer Military Organizations - An Overlooked Asset"
829:"State Defense Force relies on members' life experience"
211:
The Alaska State Defense Force is the successor of the
246:
units. The units operated with mostly state certified
456:, waterborne operators, and an aviation detachment.
1120:
1084:
968:
696:"Alaska Guardsmen support Caribbean relief efforts"
572:Tulak, Arthur N.; Kraft, Robert W.; Silbaugh, Don.
364:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
159:
146:
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105:
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61:
43:
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110:Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
310:, in a combined domain awareness capacity drill.
674:Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
342:with local city and state agencies as well as
937:
808:The Alaska State Legislature Official Website
360:United States Department of Homeland Security
242:The ASDF structure was primarily composed of
8:
804:"Sec. 26.05.010. Alaska militia established"
613:"Defense commander resigns after complaints"
574:"State Defense Forces and Homeland Security"
533:"Alaska State Defense Force changes command"
276:An Alaska State Guardsman directing traffic.
773:"ASDF 49th Military Police Brigade handout"
223:established by state statute. In 1984, the
944:
930:
922:
668:O'Neal Dresel, Balinda (15 January 2016).
421:uniforms in accordance with the AR 670-1.
1369:State defense forces of the United States
1374:State law enforcement agencies of Alaska
523:
30:The Alaska State Defense Force Insignia
535:. Alaska National Guard Public Affairs
381:fire. ASDF members have worked at the
15:
606:
604:
531:Nechanicky, Grace (17 October 2019).
392:as well as local police departments.
191:. It is one of 18 such forces in the
7:
1288:North Carolina State Defense Militia
694:Lindsay, Marisa (10 November 2017).
330:preservation of life, property, and
1112:Texas State Guard Maritime Regiment
912:Alaska State Defense Force homepage
619:. Anchorage, Alaska. Archived from
498:employee's return from deployment.
611:Hollander, Zaz (28 October 2008).
14:
1233:Massachusetts State Defense Force
237:49th Readiness Brigade (Separate)
952:
83:
66:
48:
24:
642:Demer, Lisa (13 January 2016).
597:USFF Homeland Security Articles
482:Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
356:Federal Bureau of Investigation
120:Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson
1026:New Mexico State Defense Force
917:Alaska National Guard homepage
720:LaCount, Seth (9 March 2018).
486:National Guard Alcantra Armory
19:The Alaska State Defense Force
1:
1379:1984 establishments in Alaska
1343:Wisconsin State Defense Force
746:Grove, Casey (2 April 2020).
1283:North Carolina Naval Militia
1258:Missouri State Defense Force
1143:Colorado State Defense Force
1107:South Carolina Naval Militia
513:Alaska Wing Civil Air Patrol
383:Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
229:49th Military Police Brigade
203:of the state defense force.
1228:Massachusetts Naval Militia
1128:Alabama State Defense Force
1121:Inactive/historical/defunct
996:Georgia State Defense Force
1395:
1313:Rhode Island Naval Militia
1051:South Carolina State Guard
1041:Oregon Civil Defense Force
976:Alaska State Defense Force
700:Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
559:February 27, 2009, at the
452:Element include a medical
177:Alaska State Defense Force
1268:New Hampshire State Guard
1148:Connecticut Naval Militia
261:as the head of the ASDF,
160:State military leadership
23:
1333:Washington Naval Militia
1328:Utah State Defense Force
1323:South Dakota State Guard
1318:Rhode Island State Guard
1303:Pennsylvania State Guard
1273:New Jersey Naval Militia
1188:Illinois Reserve Militia
1173:Hawaii Territorial Guard
1133:Alaska Territorial Guard
346:entities, including the
213:Alaska Territorial Guard
1338:Wisconsin Naval Militia
1243:Minnesota Naval Militia
1213:Louisiana Naval Militia
1208:Kentucky Active Militia
1046:Puerto Rico State Guard
1021:Mississippi State Guard
986:Connecticut State Guard
39:1984–2008, 2016–present
1278:New Jersey State Guard
1253:Missouri Naval Militia
1238:Michigan Naval Militia
1223:Maryland Naval Militia
1183:Illinois Naval Militia
1097:New York Naval Militia
1076:Washington State Guard
1071:Virginia Defense Force
1016:Michigan Defense Force
1011:Maryland Defense Force
981:California State Guard
473:
409:
277:
100:Military reserve force
1248:Minnesota State Guard
1193:Indiana Naval Militia
1163:Georgia Naval Militia
1158:Florida Naval Militia
1056:Tennessee State Guard
1036:Ohio Military Reserve
1006:Louisiana State Guard
1001:Indiana Guard Reserve
478:Alaska National Guard
471:
407:
275:
1298:Oregon Naval Militia
1293:Oklahoma State Guard
1263:Nebraska State Guard
1168:Hawaii Naval Militia
1153:Delaware State Guard
1138:Arkansas State Guard
1092:Alaska Naval Militia
969:State defense forces
958:State defense forces
648:Alaska Dispatch News
617:Anchorage Daily News
508:Alaska Naval Militia
255:September 11 attacks
135:dmva.alaska.gov/asdf
1066:Vermont State Guard
991:Florida State Guard
352:government agencies
185:state defense force
147:Civilian leadership
90:State defense force
1364:Military in Alaska
1203:Kansas State Guard
1102:Ohio Naval Militia
726:United States Army
474:
464:Government support
419:United States Army
410:
319:national stockpile
278:
225:Alaska State Guard
201:commander-in-chief
197:governor of Alaska
1351:
1350:
1308:Pennsylvania Navy
1218:Maine State Guard
1178:Idaho State Guard
1061:Texas State Guard
623:on 3 January 2014
315:COVID-19 pandemic
170:
169:
164:Brigadier General
1386:
1198:Iowa State Guard
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859:. Archived from
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831:. Archived from
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308:Canadian Rangers
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561:Wayback Machine
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417:The unit wears
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387:Alaska Railroad
377:floods and the
375:Kenai Peninsula
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297:Hurricane Maria
244:military police
215:founded during
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1031:New York Guard
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906:External links
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441:In the past...
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336:Dalton Highway
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289:National Guard
253:Following the
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199:, who acts as
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1085:Naval militia
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962:naval militia
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928:
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918:
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913:
910:
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866:on 2008-09-09
862:
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835:on 2011-07-07
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785:on 2008-07-18
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172:Military unit
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154:Mike Dunleavy
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892:. Retrieved
879:
868:. Retrieved
861:the original
848:
837:. Retrieved
833:the original
823:
811:. Retrieved
807:
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787:. Retrieved
780:the original
767:
755:. Retrieved
741:
729:. Retrieved
715:
703:. Retrieved
689:
677:. Retrieved
663:
651:. Retrieved
637:
625:. Retrieved
621:the original
616:
592:
580:. Retrieved
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537:. Retrieved
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450:Headquarters
443:
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425:Organization
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354:such as the
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217:World War II
210:
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106:Part of
894:23 November
705:11 November
582:25 December
350:as well as
285:Bill Walker
266:Sarah Palin
233:49th MP BDE
166:Simon Brown
116:Garrison/HQ
1358:Categories
870:2008-06-09
839:2008-06-09
789:2008-06-09
679:16 January
653:15 January
539:7 November
519:References
454:detachment
448:below the
446:battalions
396:Membership
362:, and the
340:operations
248:constables
142:Commanders
62:Allegiance
813:2 January
627:3 January
371:avalanche
280:In 2016,
183:) is the
731:11 March
557:Archived
502:See also
379:Big Lake
373:rescue,
293:Kwethluk
282:Governor
263:Governor
151:Governor
757:4 April
484:to the
435:Wasilla
413:Uniform
344:federal
221:militia
207:History
130:Website
88:
44:Country
889:Justia
431:Bethel
390:police
325:Duties
189:Alaska
124:Alaska
74:Alaska
71:
53:
36:Active
864:(PDF)
857:(PDF)
783:(PDF)
776:(PDF)
577:(PDF)
960:and
896:2017
815:2014
759:2020
752:KAKM
733:2018
707:2017
681:2016
655:2016
629:2014
584:2013
541:2019
444:The
301:Irma
299:and
181:ASDF
175:The
96:Role
80:Type
187:of
1360::
887:.
806:.
750:.
724:.
698:.
672:.
646:.
615:.
603:^
366:.
358:,
122:,
945:e
938:t
931:v
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817:.
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