The Alaska Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, supports the McKinley Fire suppression mission Aug. 19, 2019, with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The helicopters dropped more than 100,000 gallons of water during a total of 9.5 flight hours in support of this mission. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Cody McKinney)
ANCHORAGE, AK, UNITED STATES
08.25.2019
Story by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead
Alaska National Guard Public Affairs
Three Air National Guardsmen and one member of the Alaska State Defense Force assigned to Swan Lake Fire traffic control points were involved in a vehicle accident early Saturday morning on the Sterling Highway when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. All suffered minor injuries and the vehicle was totaled.
The personnel were back-filled with additional Air Guardsmen, in place by late Saturday afternoon.
The Alaska Army and Air National Guard have been assisting the Division of Forestry with McKinley and Swan Lake Fires since August 18.
The National Guard is providing traffic management support for both fires, and is on stand-by to assist with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter water bucket drops as requested. They are also preparing to assist local authorities if Cooper Landing receives an evacuation order.
Traffic control points are essential to the safety of individuals passing through the area because they allow better flow of traffic and accountability of personnel in hazardous areas.
The Guardsmen and ASDF Soldiers are on duty 24/7, rotating shifts in order to maintain proper flow of traffic in the areas.
Two Black Hawk helicopters were deployed from Bryant Army Air Field August 19 in support of fire suppression at the McKinley Fire. They dropped over 100,000 gallons of water along fire lines and hotspots. They remained on call through the week and are prepared to support upon request as needed.
The Alaska National Guard has responded to the call from civil authorities to support wildfire response efforts since July 1. The Guard has assisted at eight different fires this summer, in an area that spans over 90-thousand square miles. In addition to the McKinley and Swan Lake Fires, Alaska Guardsmen responded to fires in East Anchorage, Montana Creek, Malaspina, Klutina, Rampart, and Rainbow 2.
There are nearly four thousand Airmen and Soldiers in the National Guard who live, work and train in communities throughout Alaska. They are equipped and ready to respond as needed for the nation and state. During domestic response operations, the Guard partners with state and federal agencies to assist with resources, personnel, equipment and capabilities as requested.
