Combined, seven aircraft from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard flew approximately 60 hours in support of life-saving operations following the devastating impacts of Typhoon Halong across western Alaska.
Alaska National Guard photo by Capt. Balinda O’Neal.
Story by Dana Rosso, Alaska National Guard
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska. – The SEOC, AKOM and multiple state and volunteer agencies continue coordinated response operations following the Alaska’s West Coast Storm late last week, causing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and community displacement across the region. [State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), Alaska Organized Militia (AKOM)].
Mark Roberts, SEOC incident commander, said the priority has shifted from life safety to life sustainment and shelter operations.
“We’ve confirmed that a number of homes cannot be reoccupied, even with emergency repairs, and that infrastructure has been compromised in several communities,” Roberts said. “Our focus now is making sure people are safe, warm, and cared for while we work with our partners to restore essential services.”
Sheltering operations have expanded beyond the regional hub of Bethel, where capacity is reaching its limit. Hundreds of survivors are being relocated to safe, warm shelters outside the region in coordination with local communities, tribal organizations, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and the Association of Village Council Presidents.
Alaska Army National Guard helicopter aircrews, with the 207th ATC, pulled residents from hard-hit Alaskan communities and transported them to Bethel for follow-on travel to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson via AKANG C-17.
Following the devastating Typhoon Halong that struck the West Coast of Alaska late last week, the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management continues to work with the Alaska Organized Militia and the U.S. Coast Guard during ongoing recovery operations.
Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon.
The Alaska National Guard is supporting state-led evacuation, supply delivery, and community sustainment operations:
- Two UH-60L Black Hawk, one HH-60M Black Hawk, and one CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the Alaska Army National Guard evacuated residents from Kipnuk to Bethel on Tuesday and Wednesday
- A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter assigned to Sector Western Alaska and Coast Guard Arctic District, out of Air Station Kodiak, arrives at Bethel, Alaska to provide support for storm response operations.
- A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 176th Wing transported sanitation supplies, tents, heaters, Meals Ready to Eat, and a transport truck to Bethel and Kotzebue
- Three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters and one CH-47F Chinook were launched to continue evacuations from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok
- Approximately 35 Alaska Organized Militia members was deployed to Kotzebue, Nome, and Bethel to assist with shelter operations, supply distribution, and community assessments, bringing total deployed personnel to about 75 across affected areas.
The large-scale evacuation operation conducted on Wednesday represents one of the most significant airlift efforts in recent Alaska disaster response history.
Evacuees were transported aboard an Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III from Bethel to JBER, where the SEOC, Alaska National Guard, and the American Red Cross of Alaska are coordinating ground transportation to sheltering, food service, and medical care.
The Municipality of Anchorage, Department of Health and Social Services, and local volunteer organizations are providing additional support to ensure evacuees receive assistance, comfort, and information about next steps.
“Our Guardsmen, Alaska State Defense Force, and Alaska Naval Militia members are fully engaged across the affected region, conducting evacuations, delivering critical supplies, and helping restore basic services,” said Col. Christen Brewer, AKNG’s Joint Staff operations officer. “We’re working hand-in-hand with the SEOC and local partners to ensure every Alaskan impacted by this storm has access to shelter, food, and care. This is an all-hands effort, and our commitment is to stay as long as we’re needed.”
The AKOM and SEOC are also working with state and tribal partners to deliver food, fuel, and other essential supplies to multiple impacted communities.
Roberts emphasized the human toll of the disaster and the importance of coordinated recovery. “These families have experienced the worst days of their lives and are now moving away from their homes, schools, and neighbors,” Roberts said. “We’re doing everything we can to help them recover and to make sure they are welcomed and supported.”
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