There are two types of flying officer (i.e. “rated”) career fields in the AKANG: pilots and combat systems officers (CSO). Both of these demanding career fields require high levels of training, dedication and grit. But the rewards are infinite … there is nowhere else in the world where you can fly surrounded by the magnificence of Alaska’s beauty AND have an immediate and meaningful impact on the great Americans/Alaskans you will be serving.
The 176th Wing, located at JB Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, has three operational flying squadrons, which each fly different types of military weapons systems: the 144th Airlift Squadron flies the C-17A Globemaster III, the 211th Rescue Squadron flies the HC-130J Combat King II, and the 210th Rescue Squadron flies the HH-60G Pave Hawk. The 168th Wing, located at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, has one operational flying squadron, the 168th Air Refueling Squadron, and flies the KC-135 Stratotanker.
As a pilot, you will be at the controls of one of these aircraft, as well as directing the flight crew to meet mission objectives. As a CSO, you will control supporting systems on the HC-130 as an integral member of the flight crew. Additionally, you will be commissioned as a military officer and therefore will be leaders on your flight crews, in your squadrons, and within your wing. You will be given world-class training and opportunities to grow and lead the AKANG into the future.
The AKANG hosts two annual hiring boards for flying officers. The first hiring board is a combined pilot board for both the 176th Wing and the 168th Wing and usually meets in early fall to hire pilot candidates to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). The second hiring board is for the 176th Wing to hire HC-130 CSO candidates to attend Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT), and is usually hosted soon after the pilot board. Both boards convene in Anchorage.
(If you are already a rated military pilot/nav and are inquiring about joining the AKANG, we recommend you contact the individual squadrons directly, as they each have their own separate hiring process; however we can also forward your inquiry.)
Click on the following links for information about the hiring boards, and the aircraft and missions of the AKANG. You may contact us at: 176Wing.PilotHiring@gmail.com or 211RQS.CSOhiring@gmail.com.