Alaska Naval Militia

The Alaska Naval Militia (AKNM) is the official naval militia of the state of Alaska. The Alaska Naval Militia falls under control of the State of Alaska. The legal basis for the naval militia comes from both federal and state law.

History
The Alaska Naval Militia was originally established in 1970, but was retracted for nearly a decade until it was reestablished in 1984. In 1989, the AKNM was deployed to assist in recovery operations after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. In 2019, members of the Alaska Naval Militia were deployed to help fight the Swan Lake Fire in southern Alaska. In March 2020, the Alaska Naval Militia was called to action in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

In 1968, the US Navy was to stand down from Alaska and Arctic Operations. The 13th Naval District and Kodiak Naval Station were slated for closure. NAS Adak will be moved to caretaker status.

The US was enacting a 200-mile Offshore Zone; continued foreign fishery incursions into Alaska fishing waters occurred.

To address these challenges, Governor Hickel tasked Major General C.F Necrason, The Adjutant General, to provide a feasibility assessment of commissioning an Alaska Naval Milita.

Several other States operated active naval militias at the time. The oldest continuous operating state naval militia was in New York. New York Naval Militia leadership suggested contacting the US Navy to secure Title 10 recognition for an Alaska Naval Militia.

Inquiries to the 17th Naval District, then responsible for Navy Reserve operations in the northwest, determined that to receive Title 10 recognition, the militia would be required to be 95% Navy or Marine Corp reservists. As Alaska had no organized Navy Reserve program at the time, Title 10 recognition would not be forthcoming.

The Alaska legislature considered CSSB 248 and enacted AS 26.05.010 establishing the Alaska Militia as part of the Alaska Militia.

In February 1968, there was correspondence from Alaska US Senator Ernst Gruening contacting the Secretary of Navy Paul H. Ignatius. The inquiry asked about establishing a Naval Reserve Program in Alaska.

On September 5, 1969, The CNO directed 17th Naval District to establish Naval Reserve Facility Anchorage.

On March 20, 1970, the Alaska Naval Militia was established. LT W. Shoemaker was appointed commanding officer.

The New Naval Reserve Facility OIC replied to the adjutant general declining to man the Alaska Naval Militia.

In March 1972, the Alaska Department of Military Affairs disestablished the Alaska Naval Militia.

In September 1984, Governor Bill Sheffield directed adjutant general Major General Edward Pagano to establish the Alaska Naval Militia. September 05, 1984, was proclaimed Naval Militia Day. Commissioning ceremonies were held at Kulis ANG Base. Captain Dan Ketchum was appointed commander. ANM members included US Naval Reserve and US Machine Corp Reserve personnel.

The sources for the above are ANM vertical files and correspondence.

Alaska Naval Militia milestones
1980: Alaska Naval Militia Membership on July 01, 1980, qualifies for Alaska Naval Militia Retirement

1984: $2500 ANM signing bonus authorized; $2500 educational benefit established.

1986:
 * Navy Conducts home port study for Alaska ports. ANM supports DMVA effort, providing a liaison.
 * ANM supports USS Alaska (SSB-732) visit Seward on
 * Liaison translates Navy to Alaska Guard and English. “Why does the Navy list Camels as a need on the LOGREQ for visiting ships?”
 * Long Term SAD provides PAO support to DMVA. SK2 Frank Shaffer, ANM and later SK3 Carol Hovanic called to extended State Service.
 * CAPT Michele Stickney called to extended SAD to support DMVA.
 * ANM Supports Montana Creek Flood response and Operation Santa Claus.

1989: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill ANM respond on site in Valdez, providing Communicators.

1996: Millers Reach Fire. 8 ANM called for SAD in various roles.

1998: CAPT Thomas Straugh appointed to RADM AK as Commander ANM.

1999: Turnagain Pass Avalanche. 6 Killed, 3 injured, 5 dusted. 6 ANM members travel via the Alaska Railroad to Girdwood, then proceed by bus to the Pass as part of the recovery team. Avalanche victims include 28-year-old SGT Chris Scott USMCR and ANM member.

2003L ANM members complete Alaska Constabulary training with ASDF.

Duties
The AKNM has focused on four mission areas:


 * Medical: Comprehensive medical support, provided by medical, nursing, and paramedical personnel.
 * Explosive outload team: Specialized cargo handling, with an emphasis on ordnance, provided by trained stevedores, cargo handlers, and safety officers.
 * Reconnaissance: Route reconnaissance and port security, provided by Marines trained in SOF skills and associated field corpsmen.
 * Naval construction: Tactical construction, security support, and basic services operations, provided by construction personnel and engineers.

Membership


Unlike state defense forces, naval militias are partially regulated and equipped by the federal government, and as such, membership requirements are in part dictated by federal rules. Under 10 U.S. Code § 8904, in order to be eligible for federal aid, at least 95% of members of the naval militia must also be members of the United States Navy Reserve or the United States Marine Corps Reserve. As such, Alaska law requires that membership be limited to members of the United States Naval Reserve or the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Equipment
Under federal law, the naval militias of each state may be loaned or given vessels, arms, and equipment from the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and have use of facilities made available to the Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy.

Legal protection
Employers in Alaska are required by law to grant an unpaid leave of absence to any employee who is a member of the Alaska Naval Militia, and who is activated to perform active state service. The employer must also guarantee the employee's right to return to his or her employment position upon that employee's return from deployment.