Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Low | U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Isabella Roberts, left, salutes U.S. Air Force Lt. Col....... read more read more
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U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. — Cadet Isabella Roberts was awarded the Air and Space Achievement Medal by Special Operations Command North leadership in recognition of her significant contributions to the command’s mission, here, Sept. 3, 2025.
Roberts spent six weeks at SOCNORTH as part of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Summer Research Program, where she focused on researching Special Operations activities within the U.S. Northern Command Area of Responsibility. However, her impact went beyond her research. She played a key role in strengthening SOCNORTH's relationships with Alaska Native leaders and community members in Point Hope and Shishmaref, Alaska.
“My first time traveling to Alaska was an extraordinary experience. I was welcomed into the Native villages of Point Hope and Shishmaref and learned about their culture as part of SOCNORTH’s relationship building mission,” said Roberts. “This opportunity was highly applicable and invaluable to my education as a Military and Strategic Studies Major.”
In Shishmaref, Roberts actively participated in meetings with the Native Village Tribal Government Council, City Council, and the Shishmaref Native Corporation board. In Point Hope, she spearheaded a meeting with high school students, presenting them with opportunities available within the U.S. military.
“She quickly understood SOCNORTH’s mission,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Matson, SOCNORTH’s future operations director. “During her time in Point Hope and Shishmaref, she actively helped move our mission forward in those two Alaska Native communities.”
To support Homeland Defense in Alaska, SOCNORTH strives to cultivate strong, positive relationships with Alaska Native people in rural areas. These relationships are crucial to SOCNORTH's North American Arctic mission.
Matson continued, “Her understanding of SOCNORTH’s Arctic mission allowed her to effectively communicate SOCNORTH's interests and activities in the region. Her strong communication skills inspired enthusiastic support for SOCNORTH’s presence from leaders in both Shishmaref and Point Hope.”
Roberts’ award certificate stated, her “leadership, initiative, and efforts were a key factor in advancing SOCNORTH's mission, and her award underscores the importance of her contributions.”
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2025 15:19 |
| Story ID: | 548741 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USAFA Cadet furthers SOCNORTH mission in Alaska, by Bridget Donovan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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