An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
Leadership
ABOUT US PACOM
History
Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
Components
Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance
MILOPS 2026
MILOPS 2025
MILOPS 2024
Indo-Pacific health alliance for security - IPhas
Women, Peace and Security
PMTEC
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
FOIA FAQS
About US PACOM
MEDIA
News
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
2025 Banner Photos
2024 Banner Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Media
RESOURCES
Newcomers
Wellness Resources
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Quality of Life
Join the Team
Useful Links
Resources
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
Contact
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia - News
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia YAP Infrastructure
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia
Search
Home
Media
News
Home
Media
News
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT US PACOM
History
Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
Components
Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance
MILOPS 2026
MILOPS 2025
MILOPS 2024
Indo-Pacific health alliance for security - IPhas
Women, Peace and Security
PMTEC
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
FOIA FAQS
MEDIA
News
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
2025 Banner Photos
2024 Banner Photos
Speeches / Testimony
RESOURCES
Newcomers
Wellness Resources
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Quality of Life
Join the Team
Useful Links
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia - News
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia YAP Infrastructure
JTF-Micronesia Contact
260725-M-WT188-1266
Jul 28 2026
260722-N-BR246-1098
Jul 28 2026
AT SEA, Pacific Ocean
Jul 27 2026
OKINAWA, Japan
Jul 27 2026
260721-N-FW808-1117
Jul 24 2026
260722-N-JF950-1883
Jul 24 2026
260722-N-NR343-1141
Jul 23 2026
260718-A-EH901-1006
Jul 22 2026
260721-A-PI875-2028
Jul 22 2026
260625-A-LG865-1241
Jul 21 2026
260714-N-MJ302-1630
Jul 20 2026
260606-A-IP596-8508
Jul 20 2026
260712-M-BX561-1320
Jul 17 2026
260713-N-VX022-1150
Jul 16 2026
260704-O-SM381-9411
Jul 14 2026
260709-N-MS286-2717
Jul 14 2026
260711-N-VT352-1111
Jul 13 2026
260713-A-GN639-1029
Jul 13 2026
260629-F-GA355-1286
Jul 13 2026
260708-O-N0842-2232
Jul 10 2026
260704-F-PM645-1293
Jul 08 2026
260708-N-RW505-1275.
Jul 08 2026
260704-N-OV586-1716
Jul 06 2026
260627-F-XP318-1303
Jul 02 2026
260702-N-NE252-113
Jul 02 2026
260630-A-PJ082-1002
Jul 01 2026
260628-F-NX702-1002
Jun 30 2026
260627-N-OV586-1747
Jun 29 2026
PHILIPPINE SEA
Jun 29 2026
260627-F-NS874-1102
Jun 29 2026
260621-N-UC201-1210
Jun 26 2026
260623-M-FP389-2044
Jun 25 2026
260623-F-MU566-1287
Jun 25 2026
260623-N-NE252-1288
Jun 24 2026
260621-N-UM953-1420
Jun 23 2026
260622-N-BR246-1154
Jun 23 2026
260610-G-G0020-3487
Jun 18 2026
260613-M-KL381-1737
Jun 17 2026
260612-N-FG645-1326
Jun 16 2026
260612-N-NP484-1290
Jun 16 2026
260612-M-FP389-3334
Jun 15 2026
260608-N-DR102-1067
Jun 12 2026
260610-M-KL381-2293
Jun 11 2026
260606-M-TI498-2180
Jun 10 2026
260602-M-FP389-3014
Jun 08 2026
260605-M-KL381-1192
Jun 08 2026
260602-A-PJ082-1481
Jun 05 2026
260603-N-NG657-2011
Jun 04 2026
260603-N-AN301-1223
Jun 04 2026
260529-M-MO098-1086
Jun 02 2026
260530-N-OV586-1226
Jun 01 2026
260528-A-AQ215-7080
Jun 01 2026
260526-G-BB085-1003
May 30 2026
Fort Magsaysay. Philippines
May 28 2026
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
May 27 2026
LAOAG, LUZON, Philippines
May 26 2026
260525-N-PA209-1240
May 26 2026
260519-A-FU572-9722
May 22 2026
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines
May 20 2026
260517-A-KP914-1148
May 19 2026
More news from the AOR
Building Relationships in Remote Alaska
07 October 2014
From Capt. Anastasia Wasem
Traveling to locations only accessible by plane or boat, Alaskan Command leadership was able to gain insight on the life and challenges of Alaska Native Tribes as well as build relationships during a trip to several remote villages Oct. 1 to 2.
Lt. Gen. Russ Handy, Alaskan Command commander, Col. Patrick Miller, 11th Air Force vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Moore, 11th Air Force command chief, and Dr. Jerome Montague, Alaskan Command Native Affairs and Natural Resource advisor, toured and met with the residents of the native villages of Wales and Shishmaref as well as the Nome Eskimo Community.
"Alaska Natives often live around the places where our military operate and in many cases we're operating adjacent to or on lands important to them. So it's invaluable to visit the Tribal Elders and residents and learn more about their communities and some of the issues they're dealing with," said Handy.
In many locations around the state, including in Wales and Shishmaref, the Alaska Native still rely on subsistence living such as picking greens in the spring, gathering berries in the fall and hunting whales and seals off the coast.
"We learned from our parents how to predict the weather three to five days out for hunts," said Frank Oxereok, a resident of the 160-person village of Wales. "The whaling captain and I have noticed that the winds have changed in the last 10 years. We have prevailing winds from the north and south now preventing good predictions, making the hunts more dangerous and changing the patterns of the animals."
As activity in the Arctic evolves, the need or desire for the Department of Defense in Alaska may change. With a greater capacity to support civil authorities and communities during disasters, it is increasingly important for the military within Alaska to better understand the environment in which they operate.
"We have wonderful people out there living very traditional lives," said Handy about the visit. "As the Arctic environment evolves, however that may be, we'll need to adjust our capabilities commensurate with that. When we have a disaster, like a flood or earthquake, as military members we get called on to help these communities; being able to get out here, walk around the villages and meet with the residents first-hand gives me insight in case we do need to do that sort of mission."
In addition to preserving her native culture despite environmental changes, Anna Oxereok, Native Village of Wales president, also tries to improve life in the village through various town projects and programs. This past summer, she initiated a cleanup of the village landfill as well as implemented a new recycling program in order to keep the land clean for the children of the village.
"It's beneficial for the general to see our way of life here and how close we are to the Air Force's Tin City radar site," stated Anna Oxereok. "We have a very good relationship with the workers at the site. Last year they even helped us repair potholes on our main street."
With villages such as Shishmaref at the forefront of climate change as the land surrounding the town continues to erode, it is vital that Alaska's military and DoD representatives understand the changes and how issues such as security could be effected.
"Anytime we look at DoD activity in the state, we need to be sensitive in anything we consider doing and include the Alaska Natives in the decision process," stated Handy. "So by having met them on this trip, knowing them and building two-way trust is very helpful. And that way, if we do desire to do something in the vicinity, those lines of communication are already open."
Search Articles
News Archive
2026 (326)
2025 (750)
2024 (956)
2023 (807)
2022 (1167)
2021 (1044)
2020 (1072)
2019 (1152)
2018 (1102)
2017 (1338)
2016 (1447)
2015 (1383)
2014 (892)
2013 (32)
2012 (4)
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon