The “Big Dipper,” the instantly recognizable asterism (pattern of stars) found in the constellation of Ursa Major, is the only image used for the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia worn by Alaska Army National Guard (ARNG) personnel serving in the Joint Force Headquarters (HQ) of the state’s National Guard.
It is also used for the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, United States Army Pacific (along with Polaris and the Southern Cross), and the now-inactivated 172nd Infantry Brigade (which had been based both Forts Richardson and Wainwright in Alaska).
Often referred to as a unit patch, this Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was first approved for HQ and HQ Detachment, Alaska National Guard on 9 April 1954. It was redesignated once—on 30 April 1983 for the HQ, State Area Command, Alaska ARNG—before being given its current designation (with an updated description) on 1 October 2003.
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