ANCHORAGE, Alaska - March 5, 2021 - The Alaska Air National Guard is uniting the diverse mission sets of the 176th Wing under a new brand known as the Arctic Guardians. They are an elite force of more than 1,500 highly trained and professional airmen stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage.

The Arctic Guardians stand behind the motto, "Defend, Lift, Save, Serve," and the vision, "Arctic Experts: Right Effects, Right Place, Right Time."

The new brand encompasses the 144th Airlift Squadron, 210th Rescue Squadron, 211th Rescue Squadron, 212th Rescue Squadron, and the 176th Air Defense Squadron, as well as the 11th Rescue Coordination Center and the 176th Force Support Flight/Military Personnel Section. "Defend, Lift, Save, Serve" incorporates the specialist combat, strategic airlift, and search and rescue capabilities of each team while honoring their individual histories and shared legacy.

"We are the arctic experts, dedicated to the safety and defense of the residents of Alaska and the citizens of the United States," said BG Anthony Stratton, Commander of the Arctic Guardians. "We stand sentry for a region that is becoming increasingly important to our allies and adversaries alike as the polar ice melts and opens up sea lanes to commercial and military activity."

The 176th Wing was founded in 1952 by Col Lars Johnson, who started with a pioneering team of 11 enlisted airmen and five officers, including himself. It is now a powerful team of teams.

"We stand on the strong shoulders of those Arctic Guardians who came before us and who built the unit brick-by-brick from a squadron smaller than the flight to the busiest wing in the Air National Guard," said Lt Col Matthew Kirby, the organization's new executive officer.

"The first time I saw the new logo I was amazed by how beautifully it pulled together the rich heritage of the 176th Wing while simultaneously capturing our culture. It includes all our mission sets, and everyone it takes to accomplish these mission sets. I also love how it reflects the Arctic, which is such a critical domain for our state and nation," he continued.

This re-brand comes with a fresh logo that unites the Arctic Guardians with rich symbolism.
It features a radial engine that represents the 211th Rescue Squadron, wings shaped like stator blades representing the 144th Airlift Squadron, and strutted skis representing the 210th Rescue Squadron. The circle around the center resembles a radar screen, representing the 176th Air Defense Squadron, while the four stars surrounding Polaris represent the Wing's four groups.

The Arctic Guardians are standing ready to protect the north from the threats of tomorrow.

Learn More:
https://www.176wg.ang.af.mil/

Contact
Lt. Col. Matthew Kirby