If activated to federal service, components of the Wing are gained by several United States Air Force Major Commands.

In the early 1970s, the mission of the 176th TAG was primarily the logistical support of the Alaskan Air Command Aircraft Control and Warning (Radar) Sites, all of which were in remote areas with rough gravel runways.

The C-123Js were equipped with wingtip mounted J-44 jet engines and could handle heavy payloads and also helped offset the drag of the ski modification added to give the aircraft the capability to be operated off frozen runways and icy surfaces.

With its new C-130s, the 176th Group began participating in the Total Force almost immediately, flying to Panama, West Germany, South Korea and elsewhere to support U.S. military and humanitarian missions.

It also began taking on greater responsibilities in the annual Brim Frost joint force exercises, and took part in the "Red Flag" war games program at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

All this new activity would require a stronger support infrastructure, and in 1977 Alaska Air National Guard kicked off one of its largest construction projects ever.

Evidently they were very persuasive, because the new unit was staffed by 16 officers and 65 enlisted personnel by September, when its first planes, four renovated KC-135E Stratotankers, arrived.

Obtained from the Arkansas Air National Guard over vociferous objections from local politicians, the KC-135Es were hand-me-downs, and the 168th's other facilities were antiquated.

On 1 July 1990, the 168th was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 168th Air Refueling Wing was established by the National Guard Bureau.

In particular, firefighters from the 176 Civil Engineer Squadron provided crash response and fire protection for the Valdez airport, where traffic had increased from 14 or so flights per day to well over 400.

The 210th ARS was bestowed the lineage, history, honors and colors of the 10th Air Rescue Group, which was formed at Elmendorf Field on 1 April 1946 and was mostly operated by Alaskans.

The 210th took delivery of its new Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopters between June and August 1990 and new Lockheed HC-130 search/tanker aircraft in November and December 1990.

On 1 October 2004, the 611th ACS was officially inactivated and the Alaska ANG 176th Air Control Squadron was federally recognized and activated.

The unit also participated in Operation Full Accounting, an effort to bring back remains of Americans from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.