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Sled dogs excitedly wait at the start line in anticipation of the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Fairbanks to Nome, Alaska. The courageous dogs of the Iditarod, renowned for their strength, resilience, and unwavering determination, have been central to the race's history. The race's roots go back to 1925, when sled dogs saved the town of Nome from a diphtheria outbreak by transporting life-saving medicine across treacherous Alaskan terrain. The Fairbanks community hosts the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Restart, and thousands of spectators attend. 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. Their assignments ranged from dog handling to security and traffic coordination. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)