The Southern Detachment, headquartered in Anchorage, oversees coastal areas of Southeast and Southwest Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, Bristol Bay, and the Bering Sea. Commanded by a Captain and supported by an Administrative Assistant, the Detachment splits into the Southeast and Southwest Regions, each led by Deputy Commanders (Lieutenants) in Kodiak and Juneau.
Southeast Region
Based in Juneau, the Southeast Region of the Southern Detachment is supported by Sergeants in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Petersburg. The Southeast Region spans from Dixon Entrance to Icy Bay, bordered by Canada to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It boasts lush forests, pristine waters, and snow-capped mountains, thriving under a maritime climate. This region includes the significant cities of Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, driving employment in fishing, tourism, government, and logging.
Seventeen commissioned Alaska Wildlife Troopers are stationed throughout Craig, Haines, Hoonah, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Wrangell. They are supported by various patrol equipment, including trucks, ATVs, snowmachines, R-44 helicopter, and patrol vessels like P/V Loyalty, P/V Compliance, and P/V Courage. Civilian staff includes full-time Public Safety Technicians, Boat Officers, and seasonal Public Safety Technicians. The region's civilian support staff consists of three full-time Public Safety Technician IIs, one Boat Officer IV, and one Administrative Assistant. The PSTs are employed during the busy summer months.
Southwest Region
The Southwest Region of the Southern Detachment covers the Islands of Kodiak, Bristol Bay, the Alaska Peninsula, and the Aleutian Islands. Southwest Region headquarters is located in Kodiak with Sergeants in King Salmon and Kodiak to support the region. Posts include Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Dillingham, and King Salmon.
Currently, the region has 12 commissioned Alaska Wildlife Troopers, one Boat Officer IV, two Boat Officer III’s, one Boat Officer II, one Boat Officer I, two Vessel Technicians, two Administrative Assistants, two PST IIs, and two PST I's. This region has enforcement responsibility for commercial salmon, herring, crab, and groundfish fisheries. These fisheries are conducted in some of the nation's richest marine waters, including the Bering Sea crab fishery and Bristol Bay sockeye salmon. In addition to unmatched fishery resources, these waters experience some of the world's most severe weather.
They have an array of vessels and aircraft at their disposal, including patrol vessels such as the P/V Stimson, the P/V Cama’i, and the P/V Audrey Ann. To meet its enforcement responsibilities, a myriad of small watercraft, ATVs, five fixed-wing aircraft, and an R-44 helicopter are needed.
Southern Detachment offers unparalleled wildlife viewing, such as brown bear sightings at McNeil River and Brooks Falls. Hunting includes moose, bears, deer, caribou, and elk, while sport fishing is exceptional with trophy rainbow trout in Bristol Bay and various salmon and halibut around Kodiak Island and Southeast Alaska. Protecting these vital resources is not just a task but a mission of immense importance