The design of the Combat Service ID Badge worn today by personnel in the Alaska Army National Guard (ARNG) Element of the state’s National Guard Joint Force Headquarters (HQ) is the same as that used for the organization’s Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch. That insignia was originally for HQ and HQ Detachment, Alaska National guard on 9 April 1954. In December 1983, the insignia was amended to update its description as it was concurrently redesignated for HQ, State Area Command, Alaska ARNG, a process repeated on 1 October 2003 when it was given its current designation of Alaska ARNG, Joint Force HQ, Alaska National Guard.
Instantly recognizable to even young stargazers, the Big Dipper—a seven-star pattern in Ursa Major, the most prominent constellation in the northern sky—is featured on the insignia to allude to the organization’s allocation in Alaska. It has been used in the heraldry of several units to denote their location in the far norther regions, including the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (now at Joint Base Lewis-McChor), the now-inactivated 172nd Infantry Brigade (based at Fort Wainwright in Alaska until relocated to Germany), and the 404th Support Brigade (Fort Lewis, Washington).
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Alaska ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ Unit Crest (DUI)
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