Kulis ANGB, Anchorage, AK, USA - 14/042008.

After spending an hour at Ted Stevens Int'l we had an appointment to keep at Kulis ANGB, on the far side of the airport.

Kulis is home to the 210th RQS and the 144th AS, both falling under the banner of the 176th Wg, Alaska Air National Guard.

The 210th RQS (Rescue Squadron) came into being after the then Senator Ted Stevens announced that legislation had been put in place to create a new search and rescue unit for the AK ANG, following the announcement that the 71st ARS, who up until that point had been responsible for the role, would deactivate.

The unit formally stood up on the 11th of August 1990, having taken delivery of its Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters in the months preceding. Lockheed HC-130 aircraft were added to the inventory that winter, bringing an air-to-air refuelling capability as well as additional search functionality to the unit.

Overall responsibility for the 24 hour Alaska Theater overland helicopter Search and Rescue alert was assumed on January 1st 1991, as the 71st ARS bowed out. The Hercules alert commenced in April of that year and 24 hour cover had been established by May.

Since that time the unit has received newer models of the same types of aircraft, with HH-60Gs and HC-130Ns currently on charge.

The wartime mission of the 210th is that of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) - essentially the location and recovery of downed airmen.

The ramp at Kulis is shared with the Lockheed C-130H Hercules of the 144th AS (Airlift Squadron).

The Alaska Air National Guard came into existence on the 15th of September 1952 as the 8144th Air Base Squadron, then located at Elmendorf AFB and operating the T-6 Texan.

Following Federal recognition the unit became known as the 144th Fighter Bomber Squadron.

The first jet aircraft taken on charge was the T-33 Shooting Star, followed six months later by the single seat equivalent, the F-80. The F-86 Sabre was added to the compliment shortly after.

In 1957 the mission of the unit was changed to that of Airlift, and the F-80s were replaced first by C-47 Skytrains, and then later by C-123 Providers.

In 1969 Group status was acknowledged and the 176th Tactical Airlift Group was formed.

1976 signalled the arrival of eight Vietnam-veteran C-130Es, and they soldiered on until 1983 when the unit took delivery of the same number of brand new H-models - the exact same aircraft that are used to this day.

As with the other wonderfully preserved aircraft around the base, it's hoped that this C-130E will be added to the collection before long.

My sincere thanks go to everyone at the Alaska Air National Guard who made this visit possible.