Anchorage Daily News

Military says helicopter fatality not combat related

An Army pilot from Fort Wainwright killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq spent about two years at the Fallon Naval Air Station, Nev., where he was remembered Tuesday as a "funny, nice guy" who loved to fly.

Pilots bring hope, help to veterans in Alaska

A national veteran's group report released last month highlighted health-care struggles facing Alaska Army National Guard members returning from deployments to rural villages. But news of under-served Bush veterans came as no surprise to Maurice "Mo" Bailey, a Wasilla flight instructor who served as a helicopter flight engineer with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Alaska Guardsman wins honor award for service in Iraq

An Alaska National Guard colonel who spent a year in Iraq helping to stabilize the fledgling government has received the U.S. Department of State's Superior Honor Award for his service, the Guard said Monday.

Two Wainwright soldiers killed in Iraq

Two soldiers based at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks were killed in Iraq over the weekend when their helicopter crashed.

Missile defense site bolsters economy

A new study says missile defense operations in Alaska last year had an economic impact of $246 million.

Fort Wainwright soldiers injured in Iraq explosion

Three Fort Wainwright soldiers serving in Iraq were injured Sunday when they entered a booby-trapped house, according to a report in Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper.

Commander died of self-inflicted gunshot wound

A military investigation into the death of Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley has concluded that the former commander of the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base died this summer of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

Fort Wainwright mourns death of soldier

At first some might have seen Pfc. Cody Eggleston as shy, but his superior officers soon got to know a man who was caring and ambitious.

Fallen soldiers gallery

Defense commander resigns after complaints

Brig. Gen. Thomas Westall has stepped down as commander of the Alaska State Defense Force after an official investigation into complaints about his conduct.

Westall has been accused of abuse of power in earlier jobs

Fort Wainwright soldier dies days after attack

A soldier from Fort Wainwright has died from combat injuries received in Iraq.

Fallen soldiers gallery

Fort Wainwright soldier killed in Iraq

A 21-year-old Army soldier assigned to a Fort Wainwright unit is being remembered by friends and former teachers as someone who could be counted on and loved his job.

Fallen soldiers gallery

Fort Wainwright soldier killed in Iraq

Pfc. Heath K. Pickard, 21, of Palestine, Texas, died Thursday in Balad of wounds suffered from indirect fire in Baquaba.

Alaska National Guard commander slams critics

The commander of the Alaska National Guard swung back Monday at a report critical of his department, saying its claims were an unfounded, partisan attempt at making Gov. Sarah Palin appear inept in the final weeks of the presidential campaign.

Anchorage Marine dies in Afghanistan

More than 100 soldiers from Alaska - or stationed in Alaska - have died at war over the past five years. Cpl. Jason A. Karella was killed in a vehicle accident Thursday in the Farah province.

Anchorage Marine dies in Afghanistan

A 20-year-old Marine from Anchorage has died while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed.

Ordnance unit will deploy next month

Soldiers from the 716th Ordnance Company will deploy for a one-year tour in the Middle East next month, the U.S. Army said Tuesday.

Alaska Air Guardsmen return from hurricane mission

Members of the Alaska Air National Guard who deployed to the Gulf of Mexico Coast to rescue hurricane victims returned Wednesday after two weeks of saving people and pets.

Engineer battalion will be reactivated

A historic engineer battalion is to be reactivated on Fort Richardson this week, according to the U.S. Army.

General retires from position at Sunday ceremony

Brig. Gen. Craig Christensen retired from his position as the assistant adjutant general of the 49th Space and Missile Defense Battalion at a ceremony Sunday afternoon at Camp Denali.

Airman to lose rank, get jail for child porn

A Fairbanks airman has pleaded guilty to a count of possessing child pornography, according to the Alaska Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Alaska soldiers leave for Afghanistan

Fifteen Alaska Army National Guard members are deploying to Afghanistan for one year to embed with the Afghan National Army, according to the guard. They are scheduled to leave Alaska today and train for two months at Fort Riley, Kan., before getting to Afghanistan, the guard said.