‘Eyes of the North’ steady as AF moves mission to Guard

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) --  Defending the homeland is one of the key missions of the Air National Guard, and Oct. 1, the Alaska Air National Guard will officially assume operations of the Air Force’s regional air operation center here.

The center’s mission is to provide ready teams to operate and maintain North American Aerospace Defense Command’s regional air operations center, officials said.

“This represents a significant move forward on the part of our Air Force and the Alaska Air National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Tim Scott, Alaska ANG commander.

“We’re very proud of our partnership with the 611th Air Control Squadron, and their willingness to make the transformation and transition of this mission from the active-duty forces to the Air National Guard. This is [the] key element in defending our homeland,” General Scott said.

“We’ll witness the deactivation of the 11th Air Force’s 611th ACS and celebrate the activation of the 176th Air Control Squadron as a significant mission and component of the Alaska Air National Guard,” he said.

The turnover from the active-duty component to the Alaska ANG is a positive step, said Col. Eugene O’Nale, 611th Air Operations Group commander.

“The Air National Guard is a force multiplier and vital component of our Air Force,” he said. “This transition to Alaska Air National Guard is crucial for ensuring continuity in the air sovereignty mission by providing experts who will continue to live and work in Alaska.”

During the past several years, both active-duty and Alaska Air National Guard Airmen have migrated into the unit to prepare for the change to an all-Guard unit, officials said. The new 176th ACS, with support from Canadian forces, will continue 24-hour monitoring of air space ensuring air sovereignty and theater air control operations.