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Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Keith Rowan, an air refueling boom operator at the 168th Wing, volunteers as a dog handler, assisting the mushers in moving their teams to the start line of the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Fairbanks, Alaska. The mushers departed Fairbanks, with teams leaving in two-minute intervals, signaling the official start of the grueling race. The 2025 Iditarod, an enduring symbol of Alaska’s resilience and adventurous spirit, saw 33 mushers and their teams embark on the longest trail in Iditarod history, spanning 1,128 miles from Fairbanks to Nome. During the historical restart in Fairbanks, Airmen from the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing volunteered to support and strengthen bonds in the tight-knit Alaskan community by serving as dog handlers, security guards, and traffic coordinators. The Iditarod is an endurance race, and the 168th WG shows that true service is about commitment to the mission and the people it serves. The wing's dedication to local support highlights the unity and strength of the Alaskan people. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)