168th Wing

🎯This week, the 354th Security Forces Squadron hosted an Excellence in Competition Pistol Match in recognition of National Police Week. Members of the 168th Wing also took part in the competition, strengthening partnerships and camaraderie through friendly competition. Events like this strengthen readiness, build camaraderie and highlight the warrior ethos of our defenders. #NationalPoliceWeek #SecurityForces #168thwing #eielsonafb #alaskaairnationalguard

Members of Business Executives for National Security tour a KC-135 Stratotanker during a visit to the 168th Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 2026. The visit provided BENS members an opportunity to learn about the wing’s air refueling mission, Arctic operations, and the Air National Guard’s role in supporting national defense. Business Executives for National Security is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that connects private-sector business leaders with military and national security professionals to provide innovative solutions and strategic expertise in support of U.S. national security missions. #168thwing #guardiansofthelastfrontier

Celebrating Military Spouse Appreciation Day! You’re the heroes who keep us mission-ready every day. Thank you to all our wonderful military spouses! #168thWing #MilitarySpouseAppreciationDay #ourspousesrock #guardiansofthelastfrontier

Aircrew readiness goes beyond the aircraft. Alaska Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew members assigned to the 168th Wing sharpened their survival skills during a water-survival refresher training at Eielson Air Force Base. This hands-on, required training ensures our aircrew remain prepared to survive, adapt, and operate in any environment. /image/9623807/168th-wing-kc-135-stratotanker-aircrew-train-water-survival #168thwing #guardiansofthelastfrontier #alaskaairnationalguard

168th Wing Receives Four New KC-135 Stratotankers, Expanding Strategic Global Reach and Arctic Air Refueling EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing received four additional KC-135 Stratotankers as part of a Total Force Integration (TFI) initiative, significantly expanding aerial refueling capabilities to project airpower, increase lethality, and sustain operations in the Arctic and around the globe. The 168th Wing, known as “Guardians of the Last Frontier,” is the United States’ only Arctic region air refueling unit. Currently operating a fleet of eight KC-135 Stratotankers primarily supporting active-duty aircraft engaged in federal operations, while also providing critical refueling for training missions and large-scale exercises. Read all about it here: /news/562508/168th-wing-receives-four-new-kc-135-stratotankers-expanding-strategic-global-reach-and-arctic-air-refueling?fbclid=IwRlRTSARIbGdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe0MCxUIJxUBua9OKi545g-qw8Ek3F-Ofub-gFX8WU1_6-RyyIeWoEuqCC1CY_aem__7syMFJ4jC1NDbWRrzrfrw #168thwing #guardiansofthelastfrontier #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere #alaskaairnationalguard #alaskaairguard

Happy National Therapy Animal Day to our very own Bolt of the 168th Wing and Alaska Air National Guard Bolt’s mission is to support, comfort, and brighten the day of every Airman he meets. His official Air Force photo may look serious, but everyone here knows he’s all heart. Thank you, Bolt, for being a steady source of joy and strength for our team. From boosting morale to making his rounds for treats, Bolt keeps the 168th Wing smiling. He’s known for popping into offices, checking the trash for “snacks,” attending meetings, showing up at ceremonies, visiting Airmen, and lifting spirits! National Therapy Animal Day is important as it recognizes the vital role therapy animals play in enhancing human health and well-being! Check out his official portraits! Read more about our Bolt, our Wingman here: /news/564059/bolt-four-legged-wingman-168th-wing #168thwing #guardiansofthelastfrontier #nationaltherapyanimalday #AlaskaAirNationalGuard #alaskaairguard @bolt_thetherapydog

Today is Denim Day, recognized on the last Wednesday in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Airmen with the 168th Wing joined others across Alaska and around the world by wearing denim to stand in solidarity with survivors —raising awareness and building a stronger, safer community. #DenimDayAK #DenimDay #168thWing #alaskaairguard Denim Day began in 1999 after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction, reasoning that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped remove them, implying consent. In protest of that decision and the harmful victim-blaming it represented, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work in solidarity with the victim. That act sparked what has grown into a worldwide movement to challenge myths about sexual violence and support survivors. Sexual assault has a profound and lasting impact on victims, their families, and the communities around them. No one has the right to force, threaten, or manipulate anyone into sexual activity. Every person deserves to live free from harm and the fear of sexual violence. Today, and every day, we encourage survivors (and those who know someone who may need help) to reach out for support. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. Even if there is pressure from family, friends, or others to stay quiet, help and support are available, and we can help connect you with those resources. By wearing denim today, we stand together to speak out against victim-blaming and to promote a culture of respect, safety, and support for survivors.

That’s a wrap on a busy April drill weekend! 🐻‍❄️✈️💪💪🏿🇺🇸 From sunrise to sign-off, our Airmen showed what it means to be Always Ready, Always There. Maintenance teams kept aircraft mission-capable, while Aircrew and Ops sharpened skills alongside our expert crew chiefs. Crew Chiefs kept our aircraft mission-capable, turning wrenches and putting in the work. Filling our KC-135 Stratotankers up with oil and gas. Ops gained valuable insight from our expert crew chiefs; you could say they were schooled. While Avionics and Aircraft Electrical & Environmental (E&E) specialists ensured every system was inspected, tested, and ready for flight. Of course, it wasn’t all work, there were moments that reminded us why we serve. From reconnecting with friends, sharing laughs between tasks, to a little 80’s “spinning right round” in the gym 🎶, and Ops accomplishing survival training with a little fun in the pool, this weekend had it all. With leadership briefs and State of the Squadron updates, keeping everyone informed and aligned. We kept the cargo moving with all hands on deck, and the PA studio was full of smiles during official portraits. We proudly celebrated promotions to Col. and Capt., honoring the dedication and achievements of our wingmen. We kicked off the tour season with Fairbanks Trail Life USA, visiting our Civil Engineering, Security Forces, and Operations, and on board our KC-135s. And yes… our beloved KC-135 Stratotanker got the full “scrub-a-dub” treatment from our MXS ✨ In between the hard work, we made time for what matters most—our people. Reconnecting with friends, sharing laughs, spinning “right round” in the gym together, and enjoying those moments that make this wing a family. Mission-ready. Team-driven. Always proud. #guardiansofthelastfrontier #168thWing #AlaskaAirNationalGuard #eielsonafb @airnationalguard #alwaysreadyalwaysthere

Forty years ago, the 168th Wing began its journey with a small group of Airmen and a big mission. Today, we celebrate four decades of heritage, teamwork, and readiness built by generations who wore the patch with pride and carried the mission forward. Operating from the Arctic, the 168th Wing’s air refueling mission provides unmatched reach and strategic advantage in a region critical to national defense. Serving for over four decades, the 168th Wing’s Arctic mission stands as a testament to the Airmen who laid the foundation and those who carry it forward today. Throwback time! Check it out! This poster takes us back to the very beginning of the 168th Wing, highlighting the first squadron photo, the first drill, the activation ceremony, and the press conference announcing the 168th Air Refueling Squadron’s activation. The activation was formally announced alongside Senator Ted Stevens, Maj. Gen. Pagano, then Adjutant General in 1986, and Maj. Gen. John Conway, director of the Air National Guard, marking the beginning of a mission that continues today as a strategically vital Arctic air refueling force today. #Celebrating40yearsofthe168thwing #168thWing #AlaskaAirNationalGuard #AlwaysReadyalwaysthere #guardiansofthelastfrontier

Chief connects with People as an Airman and Tattoo Artist Chief Master Sgt. George Bender serves as a Chief in the 168th Wing, 168th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, and during his off-duty hours away from the unit, he delves into his love and passion for art as a professional tattoo artist in Fairbanks, Alaska. Over the years, Bender has drawn and developed designs for the KC-135 Stratotanker nose art, unit patches, and various projects for unit organizations such as Top 3. His art is currently displayed on the Maintenance Group unit patch worn on the shoulder of all the MXG members, representing their pride in their maintenance craftsmanship. Bender likes to draw for people. When asked about his favorite part of tattooing, he said, “The People – seeing their faces, especially when the design means something. When their dog dies, they ask you to tattoo their paw prints, and it really means something. People are fun to talk to, and then you see their faces knowing you did a cool piece.” Read the story here: /news/462676/chief-connects-with-people-airman-and-tattoo-artist #168thWing #airmanartist #Goldenheartcity #guardiansofthelastfrontier #alaskaairnationalguard

Drill weekend at the 168th Wing was all about readiness, teamwork, and esprit de corps. 🐻‍❄️🏒🫎✈️❄️🚜 Across the installation, units executed critical training to ensure warfighting capability and preparedness in any environment. Civil Engineering Airmen conducted snow removal operations at the base ski lodge, leveraging real-world conditions to enhance proficiency on heavy equipment and support installation sustainment. Security Forces defenders sharpened their tactical response through taser certification training, reinforcing their ability to protect and defend personnel and resources. The Medical teams advanced readiness requirements, ensuring they remain postured to deliver life-saving care in deployed and contingency operations. Senior Enlisted Leaders and Commanders kicked off each day with greetings at the gate. Even a local moose made an appearance—proving that in Alaska, you never quite know who might stop by during drill weekend. The potluck for the commuters was a success, including Polar Bear cookies! In the middle of all the training, the USO delivered snacks and smiles, providing a welcome morale boost and a reminder of the strong support network behind our Airmen. Family readiness also remained a key focus, ensuring Airmen and their loved ones are informed because mission success starts at home. ❤️ The weekend even included the 168th Wing facing off against the 354th Fighter Wing in a morale hockey game, bringing some friendly rivalry between Guard and active duty, while reminding us that we’re all wingmen on and off the ice. #168thwing #guardiansofthelastfrontier #alaskaairnationalguard #drillweekend #eielsonafb

A look into our January drill! 👀 Another successful drill weekend in the books at the 168th Wing! ✈️ 🐻‍❄️ Our Vehicle Maintenance, Aircraft Maintenance, and Communications Airmen stayed mission-ready— training hard, inspecting, turning wrenches, troubleshooting systems, and ensuring we’re prepared to answer the call anytime, anywhere. This weekend also gave us the chance to pause and recognize excellence across the wing. We honored a retirement marking the close of a distinguished career, celebrated medal presentations, and recognized Airmen whose dedication and performance continue to raise the bar. Our Operations Group commander greeted Airmen at the gate alongside our outstanding Eielson Security Forces, welcoming the team and reinforcing what makes this wing strong— our people. Also, a little fun with our wingmen as we work hard and play hard! #168thwing #guardiansofthelastfrontier #alaskaairnationalguard #eielsonafb