Thank you for your interest in becoming a pilot and an officer in the Alaska Air National Guard!  

Every year, we host a single combined UPT Selection Board for both the 176^th Wing (located at JB Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage) and the 168^th Wing (located at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks).  The combined Selection Board normally meets at JBER in the fall each year to interview selected applicants.

2026 UPT applications will be accepted until 30 June 2026. Applications must be received no later than close of business 30 June 2026 to be considered.

*Late and/or incomplete packages will not be considered.  
*Please follow the updated application instructions below.

2026 UPT Selection Board dates: 19-23 October 2026.  The first day will be a meet-and-greet, followed by approximately four days of interviews.  Applicants selected for an interview will be given the exact itinerary asap.  The location for the UPT Selection Board will be the 176th Wing at JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, AK.  Please note, all expenses including travel and meals are the responsibility of the applicant.

Application Instructions

Your application package should include these items in the following order:

1. Cover Letter 
2. Resume
3. AF Form 24^{1, 2}
4. AF Form 2030²
5. Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) scores³
6. TBAS & PCSM Scores³
7. One consolidated college transcript (unofficial OK)
8. Private pilot's license (highly recommended, but not mandatory)
9. Copy of last page of log book
10. Department of Motor Vehicles driver's record
11. Current letters of recommendation (5 maximum)
12. Electronic copy of application ⁴

 In addition, applications from prior/current military members should also include:

1. DD Form 214 for prior military
2. Last 5 OPRs/EPRs as applicable
3. Personnel Report (RIP) or equivalent

¹ Complete AF Form 24 blocks: 3-8, 10-12, 14, 17-29, 31, 33 (if required), and signature/date

² Forms available at http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/

³ Contact your local Air Force/Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Recruiting office for information on testing

⁴ Electronic copy format: ONE SINGLE FILE PDF  

Submit applications via email to 176Wing.PilotHiring@gmail.com 

Application process:  Submitted applications will be used to determine if the applicant meets the minimum criteria to meet and interview with Selection Board.  (Applications become the property of the Alaska Air National Guard to be retained or properly disposed of at our discretion.) 

The top applicants will be invited to meet the combined UPT Selection Board for a formal interview. The UPT Selection Board will then select applicants to attend UPT as primary candidates, as well as at least one alternate candidate, for each aircraft within the AKANG (HC-130J, C-17, KC-135 & HH-60).   

Candidates should expect pilot training to begin two fiscal years beyond the selection board year, to account for the amount of time it takes to join the AKANG and complete the prerequisites.  (I.e. in general, the upcoming 2026 Board will select for UPT training slots in fiscal year 2027.)   

If a primary candidate becomes unable or ineligible to attend UPT, then an alternate candidate will be offered the slot.  If the alternate candidate has not been offered a slot prior to the next year’s selection board, then he/she will need to apply again to be considered for the next year. 

CONTACT INFO:

Please direct all questions/correspondence to:  

176Wing.PilotHiring@gmail.com and/or 168thpilothiring@gmail.com