Alaska National Guard responds to earthquake

Photo By Maj. David Bedard | Alaska Air National Guard Lt. Col. Eric Budd, left, commander of the 176th Wing’s 211th Rescue Squadron, and fellow pilot, 1st Lt. Kelly Eisberg, fly over the city of Anchorage via a C-130J "Combat King" aircraft to assess earthquake damage Nov. 30, 2018. Anchorage was hit with a major earthquake about 8:30 a.m. Friday. A broad range of men and women of the Alaska AIr National Guard's 176th Wing -- including pilots, pararescuers, combat systems operators, loadmasters, public affairs specialists and others -- remained on duty to help with the initial response. Non-essential personnel have largely been released to attend to their families and homes as required. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bedard)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

11.30.2018

Story by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead 

Alaska National Guard Public Affairs   

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — A 7.2 magnitude earthquake with significant infrastructure damage struck seven miles northwest of Anchorage at 8:29 a.m. today. The Alaska National Guard is responding, ready to support the needs of the state and to assist the governor and state agencies as requested.

Alaska Governor Bill Walker and Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Laurie Hummel conducted an aerial site survey in an Army Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the vicinity of Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley to assess critical infrastructure damage.

Another Black Hawk is transporting Alaska Department of Transportation personnel for assessment of major roadway arteries in and out of Anchorage. An Alaska Air National Guard HC-130J Combat King III search and rescue aircraft surveyed damage and searched for any possible needs for SAR.

Air Guardsmen in the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center worked in conjunction with the State Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Wing, Civil Air Patrol, to ensure launch of three CAP aircraft to conduct airborne assessment of infrastructure damage in the Anchorage Bowl, Mat-Su areas, Prince William Sound and the Cook Inlet, as far as Seward and Kenai.

Essential personnel are on duty, coordinating with Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management personnel and partner agencies in the Guard’s Joint Operations Center and the State Emergency Operations Center.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the National Guard Armory on JBER with Governor Bill Walker, Lieutenant Governor Valerie Davidson, and Major General Laurie Hummel. Gov. Walker will provide an update in the aftermath of the earthquake. Reporters, please refer to the Governor’s office media advisory for details about meeting time and location onto base.

Press conference will be live streamed at https://livestream.com/accounts/11909061/events/8475187.

Per the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, use your local media for current information, do not call 911. If you smell natural gas, shut it off, but do not attempt to do this if you do not smell it. Continue to check social media and the news media for updated information.

JBER installation personnel are currently conducting damage assessment. JBER Public Affairs may be reached at 908-552-7913 and can provide information regarding the installation.

The Alaska National Guard is ready and prepared to respond to emergencies and disasters as requested by the state. National Guardsmen are trained, equipped, prepared and #alwaysready #alwaysthere.

• Date Taken: 11.30.2018
• Date Posted: 11.30.2018 18:43
• Story ID: 301887
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US