The Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) , more commonly known as the Eskimo Scouts , was a military reserve force component of the US Army, organized in 1942 in response to attacks on United States soil in Hawaii and occupation of parts of Alaska by Japan during World War II . The ATG operated until 1947. 6,368 volunteers who served without pay were enrolled from 107 communities throughout Alaska in addition to a paid staff of 21, according to an official roster. The ATG brought together for the first time into a joint effort members of these ethnic groups: Aleut , Athabaskan , White , Inupiaq , Haida , Tlingit , Tsimshian , Yupik , and most likely others. In later years, all members of some native units scored expert sharpshooter rankings. Among the 27 or more women members were at least one whose riflery skills exceeded the men. The ages of members at enrollment ranged from 80 years old to as young as twelve (both extremes occurring mostly in sparsely populated areas). As volunteers, the Alaska Territorial Guard members were those who were too young or too old to be eligible for conscription during the World War II.
71-526: One first-hand estimate states that around 20,000 Alaskans participated, officially or otherwise, in ATG reconnaissance or support activities. The ATG served many vital strategic purposes to the entire Allied effort during World War II: In addition to official duties, ATG members are noted for actively and successfully promoting racial integration within US Armed Forces, and racial equality within
142-657: A United States Army Reserve Engineer Company (B-411, whose battalion headquarters are in Hawaii) and a Reserve Hospital. There are no major naval ports in Alaska. The commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, United States Coast Guard , commands U.S. Naval Forces Alaska , accomplishing both the peacetime and wartime naval tasks in the state. Major peacetime responsibilities include search and rescue, law enforcement of territorial waters, maintenance of navigational maritime aides and ensuring maritime safety. Naval Forces Alaska has
213-414: A pontoon bridge for crossing water obstacles. Sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance implies collection and transfer of all data available on sanitary and epidemiological situation of the area of possible deployment and action of armed forces , the same data for the neighboring and enemy armed forces. The aim for the reconnaissance is to clear up the reasons of the specific disease origin- sources of
284-405: A relatively short battle that lasted only 9 days. When referring to reconnaissance, a commander's full intention is to have a vivid picture of his battlespace . The commander organizes the reconnaissance platoon based on: This analysis determines whether the platoon uses single or multiple elements to conduct the reconnaissance, whether it pertains to area , zone , or route reconnaissance ,
355-855: A Field Headquarters in Nome , with the offices of the Commander, Quartermaster, Instructors, Public Relations Officer and Chaplains. Other field staff were located in Anchorage, Koyuk , Selawik and Gambell (on Saint Lawrence Island , where Major Marston first conceived his plan). The Eastern Area was headquartered in Juneau and held the offices of Property Officer (a role filled by the Adjutant General) and Instructors. Field staff were assigned to Glacier Highway , Douglas , Ketchikan , Palmer , Hoonah and Sitka . The Alaska Territorial Guard
426-532: A chartered plane to begin setting up units of the new Alaska Territorial Guard. This included one of the most strategically important sites in all Alaska, a tiny mining town called Platinum —the only source of that strategic metal in all the Western Hemisphere. The enrollment drive continued into early 1943, the organizers travelling in all kinds of weather and by every available mode of transport, including airplane , boat, snowmobile , foot , and
497-420: A network of 18 Air Force radar sites throughout Alaska. When mobilized, the state's Air National Guard becomes an integral part of Pacific Air Forces and Alaskan Command. The Alaska Air National Guard maintains KC-135 Tankers ( 168th Air Refueling Wing ), C-130s and air rescue HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters ( 176th Wing ). Previously known as United States Army Alaska (USARAK), 11th Airborne Division
568-431: A rule. They expect and are prepared to fight to obtain the desired information. Often they assign supplementary tasks to their reconnaissance units, such as sabotage behind enemy lines, harassment, or counter-reconnaissance. Only enough reconnaissance troops are sent on a mission to assure superiority in the area to be reconnoitred. Reserves are kept on hand to be committed when the reconnaissance must be intensified, when
639-453: A socio-cultural backdrop. It is information developed from data related to civil areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events, within the civil component of the commander's operational environment that can be processed to increase situational awareness and understanding. The type of civil information that is needed in order to support military operations varies based on the environment and situation. Route reconnaissance
710-414: A specified area; the military commander may utilize his reconnaissance assets to conduct an area reconnaissance to avoid being surprised by unsuitable terrain conditions, or most importantly, unexpected enemy forces. The area could be a town, ridge-line, woods, or another feature that friendly forces intend to occupy, pass through, or avoid. Within an area of operation (AO), area reconnaissance can focus
781-612: Is a mission to obtain information by visual observation or other detection methods, about the activities and resources of an enemy or potential enemy, or about the meteorologic, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area. Reconnaissance (US Army FM 7-92; Chap. 4) The word is derived from the Middle French word reconoissance . Reconnaissance conducted by ground forces includes special reconnaissance , armored reconnaissance , amphibious reconnaissance and civil reconnaissance. Aerial reconnaissance
SECTION 10
#1732787789891852-642: Is a subordinate element of I Corps , headquartered at Joint Base Lewis–McChord . The division's mission is to be prepared to deploy rapidly in the Arctic as well as the Pacific Theater as directed in support of contingency operations, U.S. Pacific Command objectives and United States national interests. 11th Airborne commands two brigade combat teams , an Aviation Task Force, the United States Army garrisons and tenant organizations in Alaska,
923-428: Is assigned to gain detailed information about enemy forces within the zone, or when the enemy situation is vague by which the information concerning cross-country traffic-ability is desired. The reconnaissance provides the commander with a detailed picture of how the enemy has occupied the zone, enabling him to choose the appropriate course-of-action. As the platoon conducts this type of zone reconnaissance, its emphasis
994-402: Is imperative that a scout should know the history, tradition, religion, social customs, and superstitions of whatever country or people he is called on to work in or among. This is almost as necessary as to know the physical character of the country, its climate and products. Certain people will do certain things almost without fail. Certain other things, perfectly feasible, they will not do. There
1065-523: Is no danger of knowing too much of the mental habits of an enemy. One should neither underestimate the enemy nor credit him with superhuman powers. Fear and courage are latent in every human being, though roused into activity by very diverse means. Alaska Command The Alaskan Command ( ALCOM ) is a joint subordinate unified command of the United States Northern Command , responsible for operations in and around
1136-528: Is on determining the enemy's locations, strengths, and weaknesses. This is the most thorough and complete reconnaissance mission and therefore is very time-intensive. A tracker needs to pay close attention to both the environment and the psychology of their enemy. Knowledge of human psychology, sociology, and cultural backgrounds is necessary to know the actions of the enemy and what they will do or where they will go next. Chief of Scouts Frederick Russell Burnham commented on reconnaissance and scouts, saying: It
1207-448: Is oriented on a given route (e.g., a road, a railway, a waterway; i.e., a narrow axis or a general direction of attack) to provide information on route conditions or activities along the route. A military commander relies on information about locations along his determined route: which of those that would provide best cover and concealment; bridge by construction type, dimensions, and classification; or for landing zones or pickup zones, if
1278-743: Is reconnaissance carried out by aircraft (of all types including balloons and uncrewed aircraft). The purpose is to survey weather conditions, map terrain, and may include military purposes such as observing tangible structures, particular areas, and movement of enemy forces. Naval forces use aerial and satellite reconnaissance to observe enemy forces. Navies also undertake hydrographic surveys and intelligence gathering . Reconnaissance satellites provide military commanders with photographs of enemy forces and other intelligence. Military forces also use geographical and meteorological information from Earth observation satellites . Types of reconnaissance: The techniques and objectives are not mutually exclusive; it
1349-543: Is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain , and civil activities in the area of operations . In military jargon, reconnaissance is abbreviated to recce (in British, Canadian, Australian English) and to recon (in American English), both derived from the root word reconnoitre / reconnoitering . The types of reconnaissance include patrolling
1420-530: Is the process of gathering a broad spectrum of civil information about a specific population in support of military operations. It is related to and often performed in conjunction with infrastructure reconnaissance (assessment and survey). Normally the focus of collection in the operational area for civil reconnaissance is collecting civil information relating to the daily interaction between civilians and military forces. Civil information encompasses relational, temporal, geospatial and behavioral information captured in
1491-579: Is up to the commander whether they are carried out separately or by the same unit. Reconnaissance-in-force (RIF) is a type of military operation or military tactic used specifically to probe an enemy's combat ability. While typical reconnaissance forces are small and armed only for self-defense, RIF use considerable (but not decisive) force in order to elicit a strong reaction by the enemy that more accurately reveals its own strength, deployment, preparedness, determination, and other tactical data. The RIF units can then fall back and report this data, or expand
SECTION 20
#17327877898911562-572: The E-3 Sentry , which can direct friendly fighter aircraft to intercept and identify unknown aircraft as they enter U.S. airspace and also augment existing ground-based radar systems by providing a survivable airborne radar platform during hostilities. Remote locations of the 11AF are operated by the PACAF Regional Support Center (PRSC) at Elmendorf. Those locations include Eareckson Air Station on Shemya Island , and
1633-611: The NCO Academy and Reserve Component units: Tenant organizations are located at each of the division's installations and include the USA Medical Department Activity-Alaska, USA Dental Activity-Alaska, a signal battalion, and the Bureau of Land Management . The Reserve Component units located throughout the state include a National Guard Regional Support Group (RSG) and Aviation Battalion, and
1704-569: The Navajo , Comanche and Choctaw Code talkers did elsewhere during World War II. ATG members were also active in promoting racial equality in their communities, insisting on equal treatment for natives and whites alike at movie theaters, restaurants and other public facilities. In 2000 Alaska's senior US Senator , Ted Stevens , sponsored a bill ordering the Secretary of Defense to issue Honorable Discharges to all Americans who served in
1775-661: The North American Aerospace Defense mission. The 354th Fighter Wing uses the F-16 Fighting Falcon to provide close air support and battlefield air interdiction requirements of the 11th Airborne Division and Pacific Air Forces mobility commitments. Military airlift in Alaska is provided by the 3rd Wing's 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf with C-17 Globemaster III and C-12 aircraft. The 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron flies
1846-532: The State of Alaska . Alaskan Command is charged with maintaining air sovereignty, deploying forces for worldwide contingencies as directed by the Commander, US Northern Command, providing support to federal and state authorities during civil emergencies and conducting joint training for the rapid deployment of combat forces. ALCOM combined forces include more than 16,000 Air Force , Army , Navy and Coast Guard personnel, and 3,700 guardsmen and reservists. Recently,
1917-485: The field hospital in Kotzebue , although at least one woman served the ATG's primary mission alongside the men. Laura Beltz Wright of Haycock is also noted for being the best sharpshooter in her company, scoring 98% bulls-eyes. The age of ATG members at enrollment ranged from 80 years old to as young as twelve, even though official regulations put the minimum age at sixteen. All told, there were 6,389 members of
1988-418: The infection in various extreme situations, including local wars and armed conflicts , the ways of the infection transfer and all factors promoting to the infestation . After the armed forces have become stationary during wartime and emergency of peacetime the sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance turns into sanitary and epidemiological surveillance and medical control of vital and communal activity of
2059-700: The ATG stood as a first line of defense for the terrain around the Lend-Lease route from America to the Soviet Union, against an attack by Japan and the Axis Powers . This vital lifeline allowed the US to supply its Russian ally with essential military aircraft. This lifeline had proven to be crucial to Russia's survival during Operation Barbarossa . The Alaska Territorial Guard was organized in June 1942 under
2130-723: The ATG were instrumental in achieving Alaska Statehood. In 1958 three of the eleven members of the Alaska Statehood Committee were former ATG members. Seven delegates to the Alaska Constitutional Committee had served with the ATG. Both are listed below under Noted ATG Members. The ATG actively and successfully promoted racial integration in the US Army by proving the worth of native Americans as soldiers within US military forces much as
2201-663: The Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG). Stevens was himself a World War II veteran, flying with the Army Air Corps in China. The bill was signed into law by President Bill Clinton that August. Because of disagreement as to whose responsibility it was to seek the ATG veterans out to inform them of the new law, and because of the advanced age and geographic isolation of many of the veterans, a temporary position, filled by retired colonel Robert A "Bob" Goodman ,
Alaska Territorial Guard - Misplaced Pages Continue
2272-546: The Alaska Territorial Guard, according to an official roster. Alongside those who served in the ATG, many others worked to support them, including food service, providing equipment and supplies to the Quartermaster, repair work, etc. Major Marston put the estimate at 20,000 Alaskans who materially participated in ATG activities, in his Western Area alone. All ATG members except the 21 staff officers served without pay, and had to perform their new ATG duties in addition to
2343-655: The Command Representative for Missile Defense position was created to be the focal point for all issues related to Ground-Based Midcourse Defense in Alaska, in support of Alaskan Command, the Alaska NORAD Region , and the Eleventh Air Force . ALCOM is headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage . The command is made up of the following military forces: ALCOM also conducts close cooperation and training with
2414-607: The Eleventh Air Force are the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf and the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base , near Fairbanks . The 3d Wing provides air defense and air superiority in Alaska, and supports Pacific Air Forces during contingencies in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility. The 3rd Wing is equipped with the F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter. The wing's Raptor fighters stand active air defense alert 24-hours-a-day, year-round in support of
2485-667: The Joint Forces Headquarters, Alaska National Guard , headquartered at Camp Denali, part of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage . ALCOM was established 1 January 1947, as a unified command reporting to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . The command was founded based on lessons learned during World War II , when a lack of unity of command hampered operations to drive the Japanese from
2556-599: The Office of Veterans Affairs, State of Alaska, PO Box 5800, Ft. Richardson, AK 99505-5800, (907) 428-6016. Before World War II, Alaska was regarded by US military decision makers as too distant from the contiguous United States to effectively protect, and of little strategic importance. "...the mainland of Alaska is so remote from the strategic areas of the Pacific that it is difficult to conceive of circumstances in which air operations therefrom would contribute materially to
2627-488: The Pacific by putting all military forces in the state of Alaska and under the leadership of one commander. The Eleventh Air Force provides forces to maintain air superiority in Alaska and support Alaska-based ground forces, and combat-ready air forces for employment by unified commanders to preserve the national sovereignty of the United States and defend U.S. interests overseas. The largest subordinate units in
2698-649: The US entry into World War II, several WPA artists took work with the War Department . A few of these artists made their way to Alaska to help document the Aleutian Campaign and other Alaskan military operations, including the new Alaska Territorial Guard. Some of their work was featured nationwide on a number of wartime posters . The artists included: Other artists, born in Alaska and already well-known, gained further exposure through contact with ATG members and artists: Several former members of
2769-561: The United States." – General James F Hollingsworth , Commanding General, United States Army Alaska (USARAL), February 1971 True to the earlier viewpoint, the US Army reassigned all Alaska National Guard units out of Alaska to Washington state in August 1941. Alaska was now without military reserves or any form of Home Guard . In the face of an encroaching enemy, the defense of nearly 34,000 miles (55,000 km) of US coastline
2840-417: The armed forces. Area reconnaissance refers to the observation, and information obtained, about a specified location and the area around it; it may be terrain-oriented and/or force-oriented. Ideally, a reconnaissance platoon, or team, would use surveillance or vantage (static) points around the objective to observe, and the surrounding area. This methodology focuses mainly prior to moving forces into or near
2911-538: The authority of the office of the territorial governor, Ernest Gruening, who served as Commander-In-Chief. All members took an oath to obey the Governor's orders. The governor was directly supported by the ATG Adjutant General , J. P. Williams . Headquarters was in the territorial capital, Juneau . The mission of the ATG was to play a defensive role for the entire coast of Alaska. Offensive action
Alaska Territorial Guard - Misplaced Pages Continue
2982-487: The communities they protected. Several former members of the ATG were instrumental in achieving Alaska Statehood in 1959, as members of the Alaska Statehood Committee and/or delegates to the Alaska Constitutional Convention . In 2000 all ATG members were granted US veteran status by law, acknowledging the contribution of the ATG, some of whose members are still living. But efforts to find
3053-435: The conflict into a full engagement if enemy weaknesses are revealed. Other methods consist of hit-and-run tactics using rapid mobility, and in some cases light-armored vehicles for added fire superiority, as the need arises. Maintaining active RIF can be used to limit, or even deny, enemy reconnaissance. Nazi Germany's reconnaissance during World War II is described in the following way: The purpose of reconnaissance and
3124-425: The enemy force to reveal their location by moving or by returning fire. Reconnaissance-pull is a tactic that is applied at the regiment to division level and defined as locating and rapidly exploiting enemy weaknesses. It is the ability to determine enemy positions and create exploitable gaps through which friendly forces can pass while avoiding obstacles and strong points. A textbook example of reconnaissance-pull
3195-737: The fate of the locals he'd met. Marston's proposal finally met with favor when word of it got to Alaska territorial governor Ernest Gruening . Gruening had sought to organize a new guard for Alaska, including every able man and boy, since he got word that the US Army would reassign the Alaska National Guard. Motivated by the recent Dutch Harbor attack, the Alaska Command assigned Major Marston and Captain Carl Schreibner within days to serve as military aides to Governor Gruening. Shortly after, Gruening and Marston flew
3266-422: The following techniques may be used as long as the fundamentals of reconnaissance are applied. Scouts may also have different tasks to perform for their commanders of higher echelons, for example: the engineer reconnaissance detachments will try to identify difficult terrain in the path of their formation, and attempt to reduce the time it takes to transit the terrain using specialist engineering equipment such as
3337-599: The force from becoming surprised. It is paramount to obtain information about the available space in which a force can maneuver without being forced to bunch up due to obstacles. Terrain-oriented route reconnaissance allows the commander to obtain information and capabilities about the adjacent terrain for maneuvering his forces, to include, any obstacles (minefields, barriers, steep ravines, marshy areas, or chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear contamination) that may obstruct vehicle movement—on routes to, and in, his assigned area of operations. This requirement includes
3408-482: The local area of operations and long-range reconnaissance patrols , which are tasks usually realized in the United States of America by U.S. Army Rangers , cavalry scouts , and military intelligence specialists, using navy ships and submarines , reconnaissance aircraft , satellites to collect raw intelligence; and establishing observation posts . Moreover, espionage is different from reconnaissance, because spies work as civilians in enemy territory. Reconnaissance
3479-613: The local economy. Enemy aircraft and submarine sightings were common, inspiring great fear among the locals, and culminating in the raid on Dutch Harbor and the occupation of the Aleutian Islands of Attu , Kiska and Adak that June. By the time of the Dutch Harbor bombing, Major Marvin R Marston had submitted a new plan to defend the entire Alaska coast by enlisting the local citizens. He had conceived this plan while visiting Saint Lawrence Island and contemplating
3550-681: The majority of naval forces in Alaska for the defense of the state's 33,000 miles (53,000 km) of shoreline. Due to budget constraints and warming relations with former adversaries, the Adak Naval Air Station was closed in March 1997. Prior to the deactivation, Adak's mission had shifted from providing support to air operations for antisubmarine warfare forces to one of providing short term support of transiting aircraft and ships. The island's population had shrunk to approximately five hundred unaccompanied personnel residents – down from
3621-539: The most reliable means in the region, dogsled . When a promised plane failed to arrive after a week, Major Marston set out by dogsled on an epic 680-mile (1,090 km) trip around the Seward Peninsula , during the coldest winter in 25 years. He survived by foregoing standard military survival training in favor of the native methods of his Eskimo/Scout and Office of Strategic Services member guide, Sammy Mogg . Thanks to Marston and Mogg's heroic effort,
SECTION 50
#17327877898913692-730: The national defense." – General Malin Craig , US Army Chief of Staff, November 1937 This stands in marked contrast to the attitudes of US military leaders during the Cold War immediately after World War II: "...as I continue to correspond and to talk with people throughout the United States and the Department of Defense, they too can see clearly the importance of these two battalions which you make up. The real honest-to-God and real-world first line of defense in Alaska ... nearer our opponent, Communist Russia, than any other armed troops in
3763-429: The need arises. In many cases, the commander may act upon a force-oriented route reconnaissance by which the enemy could influence movement along that route. For the reconnaissance platoons, or squads, stealth and speed—in conjunction with detailed intelligence-reporting—are most important and crucial. The reconnaissance platoon must remain far enough ahead of the maneuver force to assist in early warning and to prevent
3834-573: The often difficult challenges of subsisting in Arctic and extreme marine environments. The ATG trained for and/or actively carried out the following: The ATG received commendations for: In addition, some ATG members performed the following: During the 1930s, as part of FDR 's New Deal programs to ease the country out of Great Depression , the Works Progress Administration (WPA) hired many noted American artists . On
3905-423: The original force meets strong enemy opposition, or when the direction and area to be reconnoitred are changed. The Germans encourage aggressive action against enemy security forces. When their reconnaissance units meet superior enemy forces, they fight a delaying action while other units attempt to flank the enemy. Reconnaissance-by-fire (or speculative fire ) is the act of firing at likely enemy positions to cause
3976-550: The planes from there to the Russian Far East . The Alaska Territorial Guard operated from its inception in June 1942 until it was officially disbanded on 31 March 1947. The Territory of Alaska was divided vertically by the 156th Parallel into Eastern and Western Areas. To the Eastern Area was added Southwest Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, which had been evacuated of non-combatants. The Western Area had
4047-455: The reconnaissance on the specific area that is critical to the commander. This technique of focusing the reconnaissance also permits the mission to be accomplished more quickly. Area reconnaissance can thus be a stand-alone mission or a task to a section or the platoon. The commander analyzes the mission to determine whether the platoon will conduct these types of reconnaissance separately or in conjunction with each other. Civil reconnaissance
4118-729: The size of trees and the density of forests due to their effects on vehicle movement. Route reconnaissance also allows the observation for fields of fire along the route and adjacent terrain. This information assists planners as a supplement to map information. Zone reconnaissance focuses on obtaining detailed information before maneuvering their forces through particular, designated locations. It can be terrain-oriented, force-oriented, or both, as it acquire this information by reconnoitering within—and by maintaining surveillance over—routes, obstacles (to include nuclear-radiological, biological, and chemical contamination), and resources within an assigned location. Also, force-oriented zone reconnaissance
4189-421: The south-west which were more favorable for an amphibious landing. American forces quickly changed their landing location to the northern beaches and planned a small and hasty " deception " operation off the southern beach, which resulted in a complete surprise for the Japanese forces. As a result, American forces were able to fight the Japanese force on land, where they had the advantage, leading to light losses and
4260-506: The surviving ATG members and assist them through the application process are difficult due to lack of written records, oral cultures, lack of trained staff, passage of time, and unclear bureaucracies and advocates. Nevertheless, active correction of the historical record is proceeding through the Alaska Army National Guard , office of Cultural Resources Management and Tribal Liaison ((888) 248-3682 toll-free) as well as
4331-411: The task force designator Task Force 91. District 17 forces are located at Petersburg , Juneau , Ketchikan , Homer , Seward , Tok , Anchorage , Kenai , Valdez , Nome , St. Paul , and three air stations at Kodiak , Sitka and Cordova (seasonal). The district uses a wide variety of vessels, including tenders, patrol boats and medium endurance cutters. During wartime, Coast Guard forces provide
SECTION 60
#17327877898914402-463: The types of units employed to obtain information are similar in the U.S. and the German Armies. German tactical principles of reconnaissance, however, diverge somewhat from those of the U.S. The Germans stress aggressiveness, attempt to obtain superiority in the area to be reconnoitered, and strive for continuous observation of the enemy. They believe in employing reconnaissance units in force as
4473-541: The western Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands campaign . ALCOM was charged with the defense of Alaska and its surrounding waters, and to furnish humanitarian support during disasters, such as the 1964 Alaska earthquake . The Alaskan Air Command , United States Army Alaska and the Navy's Alaskan Sea Frontier were the three original ALCOM service components. The Alaskan Sea Frontier
4544-717: The work with the help of a small paid and volunteer ATGO staff. To date, they have found and helped obtain an honorable discharge for about 150 ATG members. They estimate there are several hundred more yet to be found. Bob Goodman and the ATGO have pleaded the case of the ATG members and spouses with US senators, two Alaskan governors, most of the state legislature , the Anchorage Assembly , as well as numerous Alaska Native Regional Corporations and other corporations and foundations. Reconnaissance In military operations , military reconnaissance or scouting
4615-448: Was created to replace ALCOM. It was a provisional organization activated in the event of war or disasters by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff . The problem of disjointed command was corrected on 1 October 1989 when a re-activated "Alaskan Command", a subordinate unified command of U.S. Pacific Command , took charge of the defense of Alaska and control of all units stationed there. This new command recognized Alaska's important role in
4686-613: Was created in the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs [2] in 2003, to find and assist as many former ATG members as possible. After the position ended that October, Bob continued the work, on his own and funded out of his own pocket. In support of this effort, he founded the Alaska Territorial Guard Organization (ATGO) , a 501(c)(3) non-profit , in April 2006. He continues
4757-541: Was documented during the Tinian landings of World War II , utilized by the United States Marine Corps 's Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion , from V Amphibious Corps . Aerial photography and the confirmation by the amphibious reconnaissance platoons determined that the Japanese defenders had largely ignored the northern beaches of the island, focusing most of their defensive effort on beaches in
4828-615: Was drawn from 107 communities and from these ethnic groups: Aleut , Athabascan , White , Inupiaq , Haida , Tlingit , Tsimshian , Yup'ik , and probably more. The ATG, being organized by US Army officers, made use of the same US Army rank structure , with these exceptions: The 21 staff officers were all full-time, paid positions (except for the governor, whose ATG duties were in addition to his regular office and without added salary). All other positions were strictly part-time volunteer, without pay. That total includes at least 27 ATG members who were women. Most women served as nurses at
4899-417: Was inactivated in 1971 as part of post- Vietnam War military reductions by President Gerald R. Ford and Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger . Responsibility for the defense of the Aleutian Islands was transferred to U.S. Pacific Command , again creating a lack of unity of command for Alaskan defense. U.S. Army Alaska was inactivated in 1974, and ALCOM followed suit in 1975. Joint Task Force-Alaska
4970-402: Was left to the best efforts of unorganized local citizens and already overworked seasonal laborers. That enemy was demonstrating a definite interest in taking Alaska. In the early months of 1942, a Japanese Navy reconnaissance unit was caught on film making detailed surveys of Alaska coastline. Enemy combatants strode unopposed onto American soil and made inquiries among the populace about
5041-550: Was the responsibility of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas , with North Pacific forces operating from large bases at Dutch Harbor, Cold Bay and Anchorage . Explicit within the ATG mission was that of protecting the terrain around the American terminus of the Lend-Lease air route to Russia on which warplanes were flown from Great Falls, Montana to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada , then to Ladd Field, Alaska (now Fort Wainwright) and on to Nome . Soviet pilots flew
#890109