Alaska

Alaskan Command Director of Operations killed in plane crash

Published

7 months ago

June 22, 2024

Alaskan Command Director of Operations killed in plane crash

An Air Force officer who served as operations director for Alaskan Command was one of two people killed when their small two-person plane crashed into a lake in the state this week. The plane was recovered on Thursday, June 20 and authorities confirmed the identities of the deceased on June 21.

Col. Mark “Tyson” Sletten was killed along with Paul Kondrat after their civilian aircraft went down during an instructional flight. The small plane crashed into the waters at Crescent Lake, part of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Sletten, who had served in the Air Force for more than two decades as a fighter pilot and later director of operations for Alaskan Command, was 46.

“The news has been devastating for all of us here at Alaskan Command and the loss of Tyson is being felt throughout our community,” Lt. Gen. David Nahom, head of Alaskan Command and the 11th Air Force, said in a statement. “Right now, our priority is taking care of his family and our teammates that were close to Tyson.”

The civilian plane was operated by Alaska Float Ratings and Kondrat, 41, was a certified flight instructor for Alaska Float Ratings.

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The plane, a Piper PA-18 two-seater, crashed the afternoon of June 18 near Moose Pass at Crescent Lake. Hikers spotted the plane going down and alerted state troopers, law enforcement said. Debris from the plane was visible in the area. Authorities sent an Alaska Air National Guard rescue team to the area shortly after the crash, but no bodies were found. The two men were only located on June 20. Air National Guardsmen as well as members from the Alaska Dive Search, Rescue and Recovery Team were able to find the crashed plane nearly 200 feet under the surface of the lake. They recovered the plane and moved it back to land. Both occupants were found deceased inside. The bodies have been removed from the plane and transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office to undergo autopsies, the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. There is no immediate indication of what caused the PA-18 to go down.

Sletten served in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot and instructor, training others on the F-16, before he was assigned to Alaska. As director of operations for Alaskan Command (itself part of Northern Command), Sletten oversaw daily activities and major training exercises for the thousands of U.S. troops in the state, among other duties. He had served in the role since May 2021.

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Alaska

Raised In Alaska Spotting Moose And Grizzly On Trail Cameras

Published

8 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Raised In Alaska Spotting Moose And Grizzly On Trail Cameras

We’re sharing some of the Last Frontier adventures of the popular YouTube account Raised In Alaska. This week: Moose and grizzly trail camera shots.

YouTube screenshot/Raised In Alaska

Subscribe to Raised In Alaska on YouTube. Follow on X, formerly known as Twitter (@akkingon).

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Alaska

Fatal vehicle collision left one dead, two injured at mile 91 of Seward Highway, APD says

Published

16 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Fatal vehicle collision left one dead, two injured at mile 91 of Seward Highway, APD says

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – On Thursday, a vehicle collision at mile 91 of the Seward Highway left one dead and two injured, according to an update from APD.

The collision involved two vehicles — a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle.

The Girdwood Fire Department responded at about 8:41 p.m. and pronounced the male driver of the vehicle dead at the scene.

APD says a male and female were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At the time of publication, the southbound and northbound lanes of the Seward Highway remain closed.

APD is currently investigating the circumstances of the collision and the victim’s identity will be released once they have completed next-of-kin procedures.

Original Story: An incident involving two vehicles at mile 91 of Seward Highway leaves two injured, according to Anchorage Police Department (APD).

APD is responding to the scene and travelers should expect closures at mile 91 for both northbound and southbound lanes of the Seward Highway for at least the next 3 to 4 hours.

Updates will be made as they become available.

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Alaska

Strong winds destroy deer shelter at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Strong winds destroy deer shelter at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Strong winds in the Portage area on Monday destroyed a shelter building at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center that was used to house Sitka deer. The conservation center says 80 mph winds swept through Portage Valley.

The conservation center says no animals were injured, but they are quickly raising money to rebuild. Their goal is $30,000, and as of Thursday morning, they have already fundraised over $26,000.

Sales & Marketing Director Nicole Geils said, “The shelter was in their habitat. It was essential for providing them a safe Haven during harsh weather. It’s a really useful area for when we’re feeding and doing enrichment with the deer and it’s also a safe space for recovery after medical procedures when needed.”

Executive Director Sarah Howard described how she learned about the damage.

“We had a staff member that radioed, ‘The shelter’s gone!’ And a couple of us were at least able to make a little light of the situation. Like, did it go to Oz? And thankfully, it didn’t go too far, and the deer were okay,” Howard said.

The conservation center is still accepting donations through their website.

Strong winds destroy deer shelter at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center(Courtesy Nicole Geils)