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Guardsmen Deliver Food to Alaska Community Hit by Typhoon

Alaska National Guardsmen delivered nearly 14,000 pounds of frozen beef, chicken and pork this month to Toksook Bay, Alaska, helping residents still recovering from losses sustained when Typhoon Merbok flooded thousands of communities in September 2022.

The storm's impact and ensuing power outages caused vital meat stores to spoil. After Typhoon Merbok, Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives and the rural Alaska community action program worked closely with the Nunakauyarmiut Tribe in Toksook Bay to secure funding to aid the recovery process.

That collaborative effort led to the delivery of thousands of pounds of meat.

A group of guardsmen offload boxes of meat from a helicopter while wearing hats and gloves.
Training Mission
Alaska Army National Guardsmen offload boxes of frozen meat from a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter during an innovative readiness training mission at Toksook Bay, Alaska, Nov. 18, 2024.
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount
VIRIN: 241118-Z-SR689-1022
A pair of soldiers sit in the cockpit of a helicopter.
Training Mission
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Colton Bell, left, and Lt. Col. Todd Miller prepare for takeoff for an innovative readiness training mission at Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 18, 2024.
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount
VIRIN: 241118-Z-SR689-1010
A group of guardsmen use a tractor to remove a large pallet of supplies from the cargo of an aircraft.
Offloading Pallet
Alaska Air National Guardsmen and local airport personnel offload a pallet of frozen meat from a Combat King II aircraft during an innovative readiness training mission in Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 15, 2024.
Credit: Alejandro Peña, National Guard
VIRIN: 241115-Z-HY271-1151
The delivery is part of the Defense Department's innovative readiness training program, which connects U.S. communities in need with military units that can provide services and apply training to real-world situations.

The Alaska Air National Guard transported the frozen meat from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to Bethel, Alaska, via an HC-130J Combat King II, the same aircraft that routinely conducts civil search and rescue missions across the state.

A group of airmen offload a large pallet of supplies from an aircraft cargo using a tractor.
Supply Drop
Alaska Air National Guardsmen and local airport personnel offload a pallet of frozen meat from a HC-130J Combat King II during an innovative readiness training mission in Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 15, 2024.
Credit: Alejandro Pena, National Guard
VIRIN: 241115-Z-HY271-1112
A large aircraft nose sits parked on tarmac during the day.
Training Mission
Alaska Air National Guard pilots park an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft at the Bethel Airport flight line in Alaska, Nov. 15, 2024.
Credit: Alejandro Peña, National Guard
VIRIN: 241115-Z-HY271-1217
"The Alaska National Guard is well suited to provide assistance of this kind," Army Maj. James Goddard, the innovative readiness training program manager, said. "We're the only ones in the state that have fixed-wing aircraft and rotary aircraft that can deliver in a timely manner for a need like this."

A service member hugs a civilian while outside wearing hats and coats.
Delivery Greet
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Morgan Osborn, left, a UH-60L Black Hawk pilot greets local resident, Nick Therchik, after delivering thousands of pounds of frozen meat during an innovative readiness training mission at Toksook Bay, Alaska, Nov. 18, 2024.
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount
VIRIN: 241118-Z-SR689-1025A

This was not the only successful delivery in Alaska by DOD's innovative readiness training program. National Guardsmen also have provided aid in the form of medical services, construction, cybersecurity and transportation. 

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