U.S.
GalleryAlaska National Guard provides emergency relief to communities affected by devastating storm
Stars and Stripes
October 15, 2025
Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen offload gear and supplies from a 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III while supporting storm response operations at Bethel, Alaska, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard)
In response to Typhoon Halong’s devastating impact on western Alaska, members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard provided support to severely impacted communities.
The Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing aircrew from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson transported more than 21,000 pounds of gear and supplies to Bethel on Monday.
About 21 members of the Alaska Organized Militia from the Alaska Army National Guard and the Alaska State Defense Force also supported storm response operations in the city.
Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen offload gear and supplies from a 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III while supporting storm response operations at Bethel, Alaska, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard )
Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen offload gear and supplies from a 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III while supporting storm response operations at Bethel, Alaska, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard )
Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen offload gear and supplies from a 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III while supporting storm response operations at Bethel, Alaska, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard )
Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen offload gear and supplies from a 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III while supporting storm response operations at Bethel, Alaska, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard )
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Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen offload gear and supplies from a 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III while supporting storm response operations at Bethel, Alaska, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard )
Alaska Organized Militia members from across the Alaska Army National Guard, and the Alaska State Defense Force, prepare for departure from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as they travel to Bethel, Alaska, while supporting storm response operations, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard )
A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter assigned to Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic, out of Air Station Kodiak, arrives at Bethel, Alaska to provide support for storm response operations, Oct. 13, 2025. (Balinda O’Neal/Alaska National Guard )
As of Sunday, 51 people were through joint rescue operations supporting the communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok —both of which were hit the hardest, according to a service news release.
The Alaska Air National Guard rescued eight people and two dogs; the Alaska Army National Guard rescued nine people; the Coast Guard rescued 34 people; and three people were medically evacuated from Kipnuk to Bethel for a higher level of medical care, according to the release.
Seven aircraft from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and Coast Guard flew approximately 60 hours combined in support of life-saving operations.
At the request of the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center continues to lead the multi-agency search and rescue operations across storm-impacted communities in Western Alaska, according to the release.
Over the weekend, the storm brought high winds and storm surges, displacing more than 1,500 people. At least one person was killed, and two were missing, according to the Associated Press. The Coast Guard rescued two dozen people from their homes after the structures floated out to sea.
Dozens were flown to a shelter set up in the National Guard armory in Bethel, and officials are considering flying evacuees to longer-term shelter or emergency housing in Fairbanks and Anchorage, according to the Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.