The search and rescue airmen of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing at Kulis ANG Base are handling rescue missions in the Interior Alaska normally covered by the Alaska Army National Guard’s Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic unit, reports the News-Miner. According to the newspaper, the Army’s MAST, which has deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months, supported Alaska State Troopers when they fell short of resources or lacked the right equipment.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.