84 Proceedings Fall 2025 the necessary expertise, prompting these reservists to volunteer or be assigned to fill critical gaps in person- nel and capability. These distances present significant logistical challenges, especially during Alaska’s harsh winter months when travel becomes more difficult and expensive. With the high cost of travel and the impact of winter conditions on readiness, maintaining operational capability remains a constant challenge for the unit. However, these challenges also offer unique oppor- tunities. Reservists are directly involved in high-profile Arctic operations that offer valuable hands-on experi- ences and are exposed to a diverse range of mission sets that aren’t necessary in other areas of the Coast Guard. This includes enforcement of laws vital to the state’s economy, particularly the commercial fishing industry, and operating in remote Arctic communities. Augmentation to Expand Operational Capacity Despite the size of Sector Western Alaska’s Reserve team, its contributions are significant and provide invaluable support to various Coast Guard operations. On a yearly basis, all 26 currently assigned reservists are required to complete 24 training days and two weeks of active-duty orders in support of various missions, totaling 936 per- son-days. According to internal administrative reports, 40% of this reservist team volunteered for additional orders in 2024, accumulating a total of 2,229 person-days of support—equivalent to 6.1 full-time employees. These personnel augment the Coast Guard’s ability to main- tain security, enforce maritime regulations, and respond to emergencies in some of the most remote areas of the country. Station Valdez and Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security Reservists bolster station operations by conducting law I n Alaska’s vast, challenging environment, reservists assigned to Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic play a critical role in supporting the operations of the Coast Guard’s Arctic District. They balance local mission demands with national response efforts, augmenting the Coast Guard’s readiness posture and supporting the service’s ability to respond to the diverse needs through- out this geographically expansive and remote region. Despite being a small contingent within the unit, Sector Western Alaska’s reservists are integral to maintaining maritime safety, security, and environmental protection in one of the world’s most dynamic and hazardous oper- ational environments. The sector exemplifies the successful integration of active duty and Reserve components ensuring mission success in its geographically diverse area of responsibil- ity (AOR). This AOR spans the economically vital ports of Alaska and Valdez, the North Slope, Aleutian Island chain, Bering Sea, and the geopolitically strategic Arctic region. The sector is billeted for 318 active duty and 27 Reserve personnel, yet despite the ongoing difficulties filling Reserve billets in remote Alaska, the unit man- ages to maintain 97% billet coverage, a remarkable feat considering the challenges in the region. Challenges and Opportunities for Reservists in Alaska Unlike Reserve units in the continental United States, reservists from Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic face distinct challenges due to the region’s extreme dis- tances, unpredictable weather, and logistical hurdles. Reservists are dispersed across Alaska in cities like Kodiak, Homer, Fairbanks, and Kenai, as well as resid- ing outside the state, including Washington, Texas, and Wisconsin. Many of those living outside Alaska do so because the state has a limited pool of individuals with The Coast Guard Reserve in the Last Frontier Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic reservists’ role across the Arctic District by lt aimee valenCia Department Head Reserve Emergency Management Force Readiness Sector Western Alaska & U.S. Arctic U.S. Coast Guard Cwo2 samantha fisheR Department Head Reserve Response Sector Western Alaska & U.S. Arctic U.S. Coast Guard
