Alaska National Guard commander visits Nome
A delegation from the Alaska National Guard visited Nome last week to rebuild ties with rural Alaska.
Maj. General Torrence Saxe, Alaska National Guard commander and adjutant general, brought a team that included representatives from the state Office of Veterans Affairs, Air and Army Guard recruiters, members of the joint staff and the Alaska Military Youth Academy, Counterdrug Support Program, and the Alaska State Defense Force.
General Saxe said he wants to ensure readiness and capability in Nome and better understand the region’s unique needs for emergency management and response. “The one thing I don’t want to do is introduce ourselves for the first time in a crisis, so that’s in part why we are here,” said Saxe.
“We want to get back to having strong relationships in the community, have more folks from this area who are serving in the Guard, and prepositioned to respond to emergencies and natural disasters when called upon to assist,” said Saxe. “And in order to help the community respond as quickly as possible, we need Guardsmen already in place.”
The delegation met with Nome Mayor Richard Beneville and other community leaders and said Department of Military and Veterans Affairs personnel will visit Nome on a regular rotation. “We’re looking to hire local, and to have folks work local, here in Nome,” said Saxe.
“I want the Guard to be for all Alaskans, and if you recruit from all areas of Alaska, you’re going to have a Guard that reflects the state, so that is my sincere intention,” he said. The Guard recently recognized that rural Alaskans have a skill set which is useful to operations away from the road system.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Thomas is the Guard’s full-time recruiter in
Nome since last May. He just finished teaching a leadership and citizenship class at Nome-Beltz Jr./Sr.
High School and next semester he will be substitute teaching at the school.