ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Air National Guard has delayed its plan to downgrade the status of about 80 members of its Alaska unit, a move that would have threatened national security and civilian rescues in the nation’s most remote state.
The Alaska Air National Guard confirmed the delay in an email to The Associated Press on Friday.
Efforts by the state’s politicians and Alaskans “have been instrumental in getting this delay which will allow everyone involved the time to conduct more thorough research and analysis,” wrote Alan Brown, an Alaska guard spokesperson.
The Air National Guard headquarters in Virginia did not respond to emails from the AP seeking comment.
The changes to balance top-earning positions among the other 53 state and territorial units will still be completed by Oct. 1.
Alaska was slated to convert 80 of the highly paid Active Guard and Reserve members — who are essentially the equivalent of full-time active-duty military — to dual status tech positions, a classification with lower wages, less appealing benefits and different duties.
She means business! Rita Ora steps out in chic tailored three
Giants' Snell allows 7 runs over 4 innings against Rays in return to Tropicana Field
Strong earthquake rattles Papua New Guinea, but there is no tsunami alert or reports of damage
Justin Turner gets 3 RBIs, Blue Jays hold Rockies to 2 hits in 5
Nelly Korda 1 shot back through 36 holes at Chevron Championship as she chases 5th straight victory
Tokyo International Film Festival kicks off as China's Zhang Yimou wins lifetime award
G7 comes for Putin, Ayatollah and Xi: Ukraine to receive frozen Russian assets to fund 'game
Pic story: inheritor of Duan inkstone making crafts