Fort Wainwright, Alaska March 13, 2015 Battle Dawgs carry ... · Fort Wainwright, Alaska March 13, 2015 Home of the Arctic Warriors. ALASKA POST RECYCLED Recycled material is used

March 13, 2015Vol. 6, No. 10 Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Home of the Arctic WarriorsALASKA POST RECYCLED

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WEEKEND WEATHER BRIEFS

Women’s History Month Shamrock Strongman

FridayMostly cloudy. Highs around 5 below. Light winds.

SaturdayMostly cloudy. Highs around zero.

SundayPartly cloudy. Lows around 10 below. Highs 5 to 20 above.

The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team will host a Women’s History month Cere-mony at the Last Frontier Community Ac-tivity Center March 18 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and a Women’s History Exhibit March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Sgt. 1st Class John Bandy at 353-6628.

Stop by to cheer on fellow Soldiers, retirees and spouses doing classic Strongman events at Fort Wainwright’s first Shamrock Strong-man (and woman) Throw-down tomorrow, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Melaven Gym. For more information or to enter, call 353-1999/1994.

Teresa White Fort Wainwright PAO

Weather condi-tions were perfect for the 2015 Iditarod re-start on Monday. This marked the second time in a 42-year his-tory that “The Last Great Race” started in Fairbanks.

Though the ceremo-nial start was in An-chorage March 7, the race traditionally be-gins 70 miles north in Willow, Alaska. How-ever, a mild Alaskan winter with low snow-fall left sections of the more than 1,000-mile trail to Nome on the west coast of Alaska unsafe for sled dogs and their mushers. Similar conditions are what brought the race to the Interior in 2003. Pike’s Water-front Lodge served as

the new headquarters for this year’s official start.

Icy roads and neg-ative temperatures didn’t keep event park-ing from filling quickly that snowy morning. Hundreds of specta-tors, locals and tour-ists alike, bundled up to get an up-close look at Alaska’s state sport, dog mushing, during one of its most exciting times of year.

Seventy-eight mush-ers, made up of rookies and former champions, are competing for the $70,000 purse. The money is not easily won, however. Not only is this the first time that the dogs have run this new route, but this trail includes challeng-es like miles of river ice

Battle Dawgs carry their musher and his message to Nome

Hundreds gather for the 2015 Iditarod restart on Monday at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. Seventy-eight mushers and their teams of 16 canine athletes are traversing more than 1,000 miles of rugged Alaskan terrain for love of sport, bragging rights and the $70,000 purse.

See IDITAROD on page 4

Commanding General presents awards to community leaders

Althea St. Martin (left) was presented with the Department of the Army Com-mander’s Award for Public Service by Maj. Gen. Michael H. Shields, U.S. Army Alaska commanding general, during Fort Wainwright’s monthly Community Action Council meeting, March 4. Col. Cape Zemp (not pictured), U.S. Army Garrison Fort Wainwright commander, praised St. Martin as a long-stand-ing member of the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Com-mittee and her many contributions to the advancement of military interests in the Interior. A great supporter of the military, St. Martin coordinated and participated in many key events, including the Military Appreciation Banquet, Community Partnership Day, Salute to Our Military Parade and Messer Sum-mer Garden Events. A staunch advocate for Soldiers and their Families, she attended every Soldier/Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter luncheon and, as Special Assistant to Senator Lisa Murkowski, coordinated meetings between Family members and the Senator. (Photo by Brian Schlumbohm, Fort Wainwright PAO)

Nadine Winters, executive director of North Pole Economic Development Corporation, and Jim Dodson, president/CEO of Fairbanks Economic Devel-opment Corporation, received special appreciation from Fort Wainwright and Maj. Gen. Michael H. Shields, U.S. Army Alaska commanding general. Their work in organizing the community-led Army Force Structure and Stationing Listening Session for Fort Wainwright was superior in its management and very well-attended by the public. Their support over the years continues to be a significant contribution to both the Army and Interior Alaska. (Photo by Brian Schlumbohm, Fort Wainwright PAO)

Sgt. Brian RaginUSARAK PAO

Paratroopers with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Di-vision and paratroopers with the Canadian army celebrat-ed a recent partnership jump with a wing exchange ceremony Feb. 26, at Joint Base Elmen-dorf-Richardson.

The unique opportunity pro-vided invaluable insight into partnership airborne operations for both armies.

“I find this training very en-riching,” said Master Corporal Leander Volz, a jumpmaster with the Princess Patricia’s Ca-

nadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), Canadian army. “It is a treat to see how the American Army does business.”

Canadian and U.S. paratroop-er partnerships date back to World War II when both forces trained together at Fort Ben-ning, Ga., and in England be-fore jumping into Normandy on D-Day. Now, nearly 71 years lat-er, Volz and his Canadian jump-master team strengthened the partnership between Canadian and U.S. paratroopers as they pinned Canadian jump wings onto the chests of more than 140 U.S. paratroopers.

Lt. Col. George Walter, com-mander of the 6th Brigade En-

gineer Battalion (Airborne), 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, presented American jump wings to the jumpmasters from Canada.

The ceremony culminated a two-day long exercise in which Spartan Brigade’s paratroopers and the Canadian army worked side-by-side to conduct com-bined airborne training opera-tions.

On Feb. 23, the Canadians participated in airborne sustain-ment training with the 6th BEB as they prepared for an airborne operation held the next day.

“The drills are quite similar to ours and the equipment and

Spartans fly high with northern neighbors

Jumpmasters with the Princess Patricia’s Canadi-an Light Infantry (PPCLI), Canadian army, present Canadian jump wings to a paratrooper from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th In-fantry Division during a wing- exchange ceremony Feb. 26, 2015, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Also during the ceremony, Canadians were presented American jump wings earned by their partnership jump on Feb. 24. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Ragin, USARAK PAO)See SPARTANS on page 3

2March 13, 2015

Commentary by Col. Michael J. Forsyth Alaskan Command

I hear it often stated that today’s generation is nothing but slackers only concerned about gratifying themselves. I remember as a younger man that my parent’s gen-eration said the same thing about my generation and I suspect that my grandpar-ents made similar state-ments about my parents. My grandparents sprang from the so-called “Greatest Generation” whose moni-ker was popularized by Tom Brokaw’s book chronicling the sacrifices made during World War II. While I hold the “Greatest Generation” in high esteem – which in-cludes multiple relatives who served overseas in World War II – the latest generation is proving that it deserves respect and rec-ognition for enormous sac-rifices in current conflicts. Today’s service members, I believe, represent America’s new “Greatest Generation.”

Since 9/11, almost 14 years ago, more than 1 mil-lion young Americans have volunteered to serve their country in a time of war. When the war began in Oc-tober 2001, resulting in the toppling of the Taliban, there were more than 2 mil-lion personnel serving in all components of the armed forces. A large number of these subsequently served and sacrificed in harm’s way at some point over the last

13 years, which is very com-mendable. However, all of those who have volunteered to serve since 9/11 have done so with the knowledge that they will most likely deploy into combat to Iraq, Afghan-istan, or both. With this lev-el of volunteerism in a vol-atile world, is it justifiable to say that this generation of Americans is any less de-serving of esteem than pre-vious generations?

The plight of today’s ser-vice member is better than that of one from the 1940s. In World War II, there were no Gortex jackets for warmth, air-conditioned barracks, or text messaging to stay in contact with fam-ily. Further, once inducted into service, a young person from that generation would probably not see their family for years in many cases. But today’s generation has its own unique set of challeng-es to overcome, including a cycle of multiple one-year deployments, hard training between each deployment, and combat in extreme envi-ronments in Asia. The young people who volunteer to do this are certainly special because they do so with the knowledge that such hard-ships are part of their imme-diate future.

Most of today’s volunteers are under the age of 29 and they come from every demo-graphic of American soci-ety. They come from all 50 states and our territories, and at home were either former high school athletes

or couch potatoes playing video games. But regardless of where they came from or what they did at home, they volunteered to serve in a time of war. The moti-vation behind volunteering might have been to have an adventure, earn college money, see the world, or to do something above satisfy-ing self. Whatever the case, they came forward when the nation needed them and have offered themselves as potential sacrifices to meet those needs. Volunteering in

today’s armed services is an act deserving the highest or-der of respect.

One of these fine young people served in my battal-ion in Afghanistan in 2009. Sgt. Elijah J. Rao volun-teered to serve in the Army in 2004. His mother told me that he did this to en-sure that the events of 9/11 would never again occur on American soil. Rao became a field artillery meteorological crew member in a field ar-tillery battalion and served a 15-month tour of duty in

Iraq after enlisting. In 2008, our battalion began prepa-rations for a deployment to Afghanistan only weeks af-ter the unit returned from Iraq. This training took Rao away from his wife and child for weeks at a time as we readied for the Afghan bat-tlefield. The training includ-ed turning communicators, cooks, artillerymen, and me-teorological crewmen into infantrymen. The battalion deployed in June 2009 and,

ALASKA POSTHome of the Arctic WarriorsEDITORIAL STAFF

Garrison CommanderCol. S.C. Zemp

Fort Wainwright Acting PAO Brian Schlumbohm

Community-Media Relations Officer/Editor

Allen ShawStaff writer/Assistant editor

Teresa WhiteContributors

Sgt. Brian Ragin/USARAK PAO Col. Michael J. Forsyth/Alaskan Command

L. Amber Phillippe/Landscape HistorianSarah Chapman/Fire Inspector

The ALASKA POST is authorized by Army Regulation 360-1 and is published by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Army, and is under exclusive written contract. Contents of the ALASKA POST are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the Department of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the U.S. Army Garrison Ft. Wainwright Public Affairs Office. The ALASKA POST welcomes responsible comments from its readers and will publish letters, articles or photos submitted at least one week prior to the next publication. The ALASKA POST reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. All submitted material will become official Army property unless otherwise indicated. To advertise call (907) 459-7548 Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. The Editorial office is located on Ft. Wainwright in Building 1047 #1; Mailing address is Public Affairs Office, 1060 Gaffney Road, 5900, Ft. Wainwright, AK 99703. Call 353-6779 or 353-6701, or send emails to [email protected]

The ALASKA POST – Home of the Arctic Warriors

26 Week Health Challenge Enhance health with sleep, activ-

ity and nutrition by taking the Per-formance Triad 26 Week Challenge. Think about what motivates you to live a healthier lifestyle.

Week 19: Sleep – Are you getting enough

sleep? Did you know that driving while fatigued is as dangerous as drunk driving?

Activity – Shake up your exercise routine by doing a mix of moderate and vigorous activities.

Nutrition – If you’re craving sweets, prepare a dish with fruit as the main ingredient.

Save the DateBassett ACH is hosting the 3rd

Annual Easter Jamboree from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 4. Open to all military beneficiaries, the event will offer pictures with the Easter bunny. There will also be fire truck displays, an egg hunt, face painting, door priz-es and more.

No-Shows In January, more than 400 Bas-

sett ACH beneficiaries missed their appointment without canceling. An appointment missed by you is an ap-pointment missed by two. Help us to increase access to care by cancelling as soon as possible, if you cannot keep your scheduled appointment. To cancel an appointment, call 361-4000.

Save Time and Travel with Secure Messaging

Want instant access to your health care team? Request an appointment, check labs, ask questions, get forms filled out and more.

Scan the QR link or go to https://app.relayhealth.com/Patients/Reg-istration.aspx to register. You will have access to your team within one business day.

Army Medicine’s Ambassador Program

Subject matter experts from MEDDAC-AK are available to speak to Family Readiness Groups, units, organizations or clubs. To sched-ule a speaker on health care topics or programs offered through MED-DAC-AK, call 361-5091.

Nutrition Month March is National Nutrition

month and MEDDAC-AK has a reg-istered dietician on board to help you meet your nutrition goals. To schedule an appointment, talk to your PCM for a referral by using Secure Messaging or scheduling an appointment at 361-4000.

Stay in the KnowFor health tips, information on

changes to operations, and hospital information, follow us on Twitter @MEDDACAlaska or like us on Face-book at https://www.facebook.com/BassettACH.

MEDDAC Minute

NEWSAmerica’s new ‘Greatest Generation’

U.S. Army Sgt. Elijah Rao, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, meets with Afghan children at a school in Laghman Province, Afghanistan in 2009. Rao was killed-in-action by an improvised explosive device Dec. 5, 2009. He was part of the generation of Americans that Col. Michael Forsyth, former 2-77 Field Artillery commander, believes is America’s new “Great-est Generation” – a generation that has continuously volunteered for military service post 9/11 during a time of war. (U.S. Army photo/Capt. Matthew Frye)

See GREATEST on page 3

A United Way of the Tanana Valley Member Agency

Providing care for seniors with Alzheimer’s

Brandy OstanikMEDDAC-AK PAO

“United in Safety” is more than just a catch-phrase for 2015 Patient Safety Awareness Week; it encourages patients and their family members to become more involved and informed with their health care by becoming partners with their health care team.

The Journal of Patient Safe-ty from 2013 reports as many as 400,000 preventable deaths occur every year in the United States in civilian hospitals, and medical professionals agree that patient safety has to be at the heart of health care.

According to Elise Shahan, pa-tient safety manager for Medical Department Activity – Alaska, one way MEDDAC-AK is working to eliminate preventable harm and to facilitate a team mentality between the health care provid-er and patient is by adopting the “Ask me Three” and “Speak Up” programs designed by the Joint Commission.

“The programs are education-al and designed to improve com-munication between patients and health care providers, as well as encourage patients to become united with their health care team to promote improved health outcomes,” says Shahan.

“The most important step a pa-tient can do to promote their own safety is to maintain good com-munication with their provider,” said Shahan.

The “Ask me Three” program encourages patients to ask their health care providers three ques-tions:

What is the main problem?What do I need to do?Why do I need to do it?These three questions serve as

a stepping stone to an open dia-logue with the provider.

Like “Ask me Three,” “Speak Up” encourages patients to en-gage with their provider and ask questions if something doesn’t seem right.

Shahan also stresses the impor-tance of bringing pertinent docu-

mentation and all medications to appointments.

Providers understand how overwhelming an appointment can be for patients as there is a lot of information given in a short amount of time. Shahan offers several suggestions for patients when they come to an appoint-ment.

She said, “Patients should al-ways ask questions about every part of their care until they feel they can understand exactly what is happening and can make in-formed decisions.”

“It can help for patients to write down information from the provider so it can be reviewed at a later time, or to bring someone to the appointment if they are feeling particularly sick or over-whelmed.”

Another means for patients to keep an open line of communi-cation with their provider is by signing up for Secure Messaging through RelayHealth. This sys-tem allows patients to talk se-curely over email with the health care team and is a great way to have questions answered in a short period of time.

MEDDAC-AK also has a robust patient safety program to raise patient awareness of pertinent safety issues and facilitates.

According to Shahan, staff at MEDDAC-AK is constantly look-ing for ways to improve patient safety and to create a culture of safety within the organization.

Uniting staff members, no matter rank or position, so they feel empowered to speak up when they see something or have con-cerns, is a large piece of ensuring patient safety.

“This week we will celebrate the successes of the patient safety program and look forward to the accomplishments that are still to be made,” said Shahan.

National Patient Safety Week is a national observance sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation as an education and awareness campaign to improve patient safety at the local level.

Team mentality designed to facilitate better health care program

3March 13, 2015

air frames they use here are really good,” said Sgt. John Prior, a jump master and para-chute instructor from PPCLI, the Canadian army. “This is actual-ly the fourth or fifth time I’ve jumped with Americans and I abso-lutely love it!”

“We are learning from each other, so for instance with the C-17 training here, we

are going to be doing Canadian jump com-mands and American drills,” said Volz.” It’s very different, but we can make it happen be-cause we’re jumpmas-ters!”

Putting on the fin-ishing touches at the wing-exchange cer-emony, Walter ex-changed gifts with the Canadian team, commemorating and honoring their time together during the ex-ercise.

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NEWS

SPARTANS Continued from page 1

GREATEST Continued from page 2

within the first sever-al weeks, was engaged in firefights on mul-tiple occasions with the Taliban. On Dec. 5, 2009, Rao made the ultimate sacrifice in keeping our na-tion safe when he was killed by an impro-vised explosive device while patrolling with his platoon in western Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. This sac-rifice is worthy of the greatest honor and it has been replayed more than 6,000 times during the course of this conflict. Thus, Sgt. Rao is representa-tive of the new “Great-est Generation.”

Today’s generation is a reflection of our society and services from generations past. I remember in the 1980s having many Vietnam veter-ans who trained and mentored me as I be-gan my service to the nation. These men were in turn trained by the heroes of World War II and Korea, and they inculcated a sense of duty in the next generation who wanted to emulate the liberators of Europe and the Pacific. But the “Greatest Gener-ation” also had men-tors who sprang from a generation of dough-boys that burst on the scene in Europe to end the tragedy of the Great War. Before them was a generation of Civil War veterans who saved the Union in the mid-19th cen-tury. This thread of tradition, service, and sacrifice traces all the way back to the roots of our nation during the American Revo-lution. Here a ragtag band of young people with a desire for free-dom came together to inaugurate a new na-tion. With their sacri-fices began a long line of future generations that answered the call in war and performed with dignity and hon-or. Today’s generation is their legacy and that legacy has passed through each suc-ceeding generation to maintain service tra-

ditions and preserve our great nation. Thus, today’s service member is a reflection from a distant mirror of great Americans.

This generation of American service members will pass on the precious legacy they received to yet another new genera-tion. That generation, I am quite sure, will have ill words spoken of it denigrating their values, work ethic, and dedication just as each previous gener-ation. Nevertheless, from today’s service members and that fu-ture generation will come tomorrow’s teachers, civic leaders, youth coaches, entre-preneurs and states-men. Inculcated with the values passed on from previous genera-tions, they will ensure that America remains the greatest nation on earth because it is a place of freedom with responsibility. Our charter as the “older” generation is to pass on the values and tra-ditions – i.e. the lega-cy – of our forebears so that they can carry America forward.

Today’s young peo-ple are probably about the same as all previ-ous generations; they are immature and full of energy channeled in various directions as we would expect all young people to be. Volunteering for ser-vice to the nation is a crucible by which this and every other gen-eration proves its met-tle. Today’s service members have proven that they are worthy of praise as much as any from the past. They will take the mantle of leadership and become the standard bear-ers of tomorrow. We must mentor them to reach their full poten-tial for a bright future rather than berating them for shortcom-ings. If we do, then based on the example of service that today’s young men and wom-en have demonstrat-ed, they will earn the sobriquet of America’s new “Greatest Gener-ation.”

L. Amber PhillippeLandscape Historian, DPW Environmental Division

In a letter to her family, Phyl-lis Walseth, wife of Ladd Field’s Post Adjutant, gushed about her new apartment, “Nothing I can say can possibly tell you how nice [these apartments] are for Alaska.”

The Walseths were one of the seven lucky families who were able to move into officer’s accommodations within the bounds of Ladd Field shortly af-ter the buildings were complet-ed in the spring of 1941. In her letter home, Mrs. Walseth went on to describe her apartment’s beautiful hardwood floors, new electrical appliances, spacious arrangement of rooms and shiny stainless steel kitchen sink.

The upper arc of Ladd Field’s horseshoe was originally con-ceived as an officer’s housing suite to support the efficient operation of the installation. Pragmatically, Ladd Field’s ini-tial mission as a cold weather testing facility largely dictated its footprint on the landscape and its design.

Buildings 1045, 1047, 1048, 1049, and 1051 were all con-structed from plans provided by the architectural and engi-neering firm, The Austin Com-pany, of Cleveland, Ohio and approved by the Construction

Division Office of the Quarter-master General.

At this point in the Construc-tion Quartermaster’s history, they were beginning to shy away from standardized plans amid criticism that officer hous-ing was frequently constructed without regard to the climate or regional design aesthetics of the building’s location.

This criticism did not apply to Ladd Field’s building plans though; the apartments and Commander’s Quarters pro-vided comfortable, high-quality living spaces for the officers for-tunate enough to be placed in them. Aside from the modern conveniences the apartments afforded, they were also roomy. Building 1047’s units had, for example, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large living/dining room. Most of the apart-ments came partially furnished and shared facilities for laundry and storage.

As much as Mrs. Walseth loved her new apartment, her stay in it would have been very short. Once the United States entered World War II, all mili-tary dependents were ordered to leave the Alaska Territory for their own safety. Buildings 1045, 1047, 1049, and 1051 re-mained officer’s quarters and, during the war, building 1051 additionally served as housing for the Russian pilots and me-

chanics participating in Lend-Lease Operations.

The housing suite remained so until the early 1960s. By this time, Soldier billeting had been moved away from North Post and the apartments of 1045, 1047, 1049, and 1051 were all converted to office space. The renovated offices still mostly retain their original floor plans despite their new function. Building 1048, the Command-er’s Quarters, is the only build-ing that has retained its origi-nal function.

The housing suite is an origi-nal facet of the Ladd Field Cold Weather Testing Facility plan and was smartly designed. By efficiently and compactly clus-tering the housing, administra-tion and operations buildings into a small space, the original designers of Ladd Field made precise use of hard-to-come-by resources such as wood, metal pipe and concrete.

As permanently construct-ed buildings, 1045, 1047, 1048, 1049, and 1051 demonstrate what was possible in an era that saw an evolution in mil-itary housing. As such, each building is a vital component to the Ladd Field National His-toric Landmark and serves as a lasting example of the Army’s commitment to providing our servicemen and women with quality housing.

Snapshots in Time: Did You Know?Ladd Field Housing Suite

This is an installment of a weekly series that looks back at historic photographs of Ladd Field and analyzes some of the more interesting goings-on depicted in the photo. (USAF)

Sarah ChapmanFire Inspector

Recently we have received a large amount of snow. This creates a potential hazard for our community. When a fire hydrant is blocked by snow or ice, the fire deparment loses precious minutes that can make a big difference in our response to the emergency.

Please remember to maintain a 3 foot clear space around fire hydrants throughout the year. Access should be maintained at all times to building fire department connections. It is the responsibility of the building occupants to keep snow clear from fire hydrants, fire depart-ment connections and walkways within 50 feet of the facility.

At home, keep all doors and walkways clear of snow and make sure gates are easily opera-ble. Our firefighters have had families trapped in their backyards after their houses caught fire because the snow was not shoveled and they couldn’t get their gate open.

While the Fire Department did get the fami-lies to safety, it delayed fire fighting operations and increased damages.

Please help our firefighters by ensuring they have good access to your home or place of busi-ness. In the event of any emergency, dial 9-1-1. For any questions, please contact the Fire Pre-vention Office at 353-9140.

Remove snow and ice from around fire hydrants

4March 13, 2015

to navigate. Each team is made up of 16 dogs and one musher, all finely-tuned athletes who must be able to withstand brutal tem-peratures and uncer-tain, often rugged and sometimes treacherous terrain for the more than 100 miles that they will cover each day before the average nine to 10-day finish. Several checkpoints with supplies are set-up along the way to aid in their success.

This race is about more than just sport to six-time Iditarod musher Rick Casillo. “My wife, Jennifer, and I own and operate Bat-tle Dawgs Racing,” he said. “We renamed our kennel several years ago, train and run in support of the real war-riors, our heroes – our veterans.”

Described as some-thing he and his wife, who has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan herself, have “always wanted to do” and are very “passionate” about, Battle Dawgs Racing is a profession-al sled dog racing ken-nel out of Big Lake, Alaska, that partners with Alaska’s Heal-ing Hearts (AHH), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round outdoor re-habilitative programs for Alaska’s battle wounded and weary military and their Fam-ilies; activities through AHH include mushing, fishing, hunting, ski-ing, camping, rafting

and more. The Casillos offer

their kennel in the winter and glacier dog sled tours through the kennel’s summer tour business, Aurora He-li-Expeditions, at no cost. A minimum of 25

percent of donations and sponsorship money given to Battle Dawgs Racing go toward their programs offered to AHH’s veterans. Any additional proceeds at the end of the race sea-son go directly to AHH.

Casillo included Fort Wainwright Soldiers in this year’s start. “We just want to thank you for your service. It means a lot to have you here,” said Casillo.

As thanks for the opportunity and ac-

knowledgement of the endeavors to better the lives of veterans and their Families, Com-mand Sgt. Maj. David Perkins, United States Army Garrison Fort Wainwright command sergeant major, pre-sented Casillo with the Garrison Command coin.

Though dozens of Soldier volunteers as-sisted at the Iditarod, a few were trained to be dog handlers. They led and held back the excited and immensely strong sled dogs all the way to the starting line in true military style – in cadence—with the struck-out “22” embla-zoned on Casillo’s jack-et, guidon and sled.

According to the VA, an estimated 22 vet-erans commit suicide every day. The Battle Dawgs’ racing cam-paign this season is to raise awareness of that tragedy and the fact that something can and must be done about it; the Battle Dawgs and AHH have stepped up to that challenge.

When asked what Casillo, number 52, was feeling a mere hour before he embarked on what many would con-sider a crazy journey, he responded, “I’m excited. A little ner-vous, of course. But I’m ready to take the field. You train so long that you’re just ready to go. It’s such a relief once you take off. Your focus for the next nine days is just on the 16 team-mates in front of you. There’s nothing else, no other rush, like it.”

Considering Alaska’s unique environment and sheer size (as wide as the lower 48 states and bigger than Texas, California and Mon-tana combined), which adds to its remoteness, it’s no surprise why dog mushing has been a reliable form of trans-portation for Alaskans over the centuries.

The Iditarod was ac-tually inspired by the “Serum Run” of 1925 where a relay race of sled dogs and mushers across Alaska saved the city of Nome from a diphtheria outbreak. The teams travelled 674 miles from Nena-na, a town just south of Fairbanks, to bring medicine to the ill be-cause the two available planes were both dis-mantled and had never flown in the winter, and the train did not reach Nome.

The rescue mission took five days. One of the lead dogs, Balto, was later immortal-ized with a bronze stat-ue that still stands in Central Park near the Tisch Children’s Zoo in New York City today.

For more informa-tion on the Iditarod or to track your favorite mushers during the race, go to iditarod.com.

For more informa-tion or to show your support for Battle Dawgs Racing and Alaska Healing Hearts, go to www.battle-dawgsracing.com or www.alaskashealing-hearts.com respective-ly.

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Battle Dawgs Racing owner, operator and six-time Iditarod musher, Rick Casillo, #52, partners with sponsor Alaska’s Healing Hearts (AHH) to provide year-round outdoor rehabilitative programs for Alaska’s battle wounded and weary military and their Families.

Iditarod: Musher Casillo supports veteransContinued from page 1

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TICK-TOCK TAX CLOCK

The Fort Wainwright Tax Center is serving Active-duty, military re-tirees from all branches and Family members who have simple per-sonal income tax re-turns.

Returns may be filed electronically whether you are getting a refund or you owe taxes. Only taxes prepared by a Fort Wainwright Tax Assis-tant can be electron-ically filed at the Tax Center. The Tax Center is located in building 1051, office number nine, near the law offic-es on the north side of post. Walk-in custom-ers are welcome. The hours of operation are:

Monday to Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thurs-day noon to 7 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 353-2613.

A CHANCE TO WIN AT THE EXCHANGE

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is encouraging shop-pers worldwide to hop to it and take a crack at $3,000 in prizes.

With the Patri-ot Family Easter Egg Hunt Contest, shoppers can search for clues at the Fort Wainwright Exchange and post the correct answers on the Exchange’s Face-book page contest tab at www.facebook.com/AAFES.BX.PX. Shop-pers can pick up a clue map at the Fort Wain-wright Exchange or download one from shopmyexchange.com/patriot-family. Four winners will take home a $500 Exchange gift card, and 10 winners will receive a $100 Ex-change gift card. Win-ners will be randomly selected and notified by email. “While shop-pers are on the hunt for clues, they can fill their baskets with everything they need to celebrate Easter,” said the Fort Wainwright Exchange’s Store Manager, Denice

Langley. “The Fort Wainwright Exchange is stocked with Easter candy, spring attire and more for the holiday.”

The contest runs March 6 through April 3. No purchase is neces-sary to win. Authorized Exchange shoppers can enter; children younger than 18 must have their parents’ consent.

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

The Defense Civil-ian Personnel Advisory Service has released a newsflash regarding a potential scam by a benefits and retirement planning company: Government Employee Services. The scam in-tends to use misinfor-mation as well as fear about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on the Federal Employees Health Ben-efit Program (FEHB) to influence Federal em-ployees to buy their ser-vices. For more infor-mation regarding the potential scam, read the full newsflash at https://www.abc.army.mil/misc/newsflash_qa-.pdf.

You should always beware of calls, mail-ings or emails seeking to “help” you with your Federal benefits. If you receive correspondence

like this, contact your Civilian Personnel Ad-visory Center if you are not sure whether or not the correspondence came from your Agency.

DAY IN THE PARK AT ICE ALASKA

Military personnel from all branches of service will be offered a discounted admis-sion to the 2015 BP World Ice Art Champi-onships this Saturday. North Haven and the Lend Lease Communi-ty Fund are sponsoring a “Day in the Park” in appreciation of the con-tributions made by ser-vice members and their Families. Each Family member over six years of age will receive a $5 discount on a Youth or Adult Day Pass when presenting the North Haven Day in the Park coupon. North Hav-en residents may pick up coupons at their community center. Non-residents may ob-tain them from North Haven’s community center located at 4268 Neely Road on Fort Wainwright. Each fam-ily member will need a coupon to receive the discount, which is only valid on March 14.

This year’s Ice Alas-ka features more than 70 teams from around the world. Ice Alas-ka is held in Fairbanks at George Horner Ice Park, 3030 Phillips Field Road. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

2015 YUKON QUEST WINNER TO VISIT NORTH HAVEN

Musher Brent Sass and his team were first to cross the finish line in Fairbanks, winning the 2015 Yukon Quest by completing the 1,000 mile race in just 9 days, 12 hours and 49 min-utes. Now, Families will have a great opportuni-ty to meet Sass and his team at North Haven’s annual Mush Madness event on March 28 from noon to 5 p.m. at North Haven’s community center located at 4268 Neely Road. Sass, who has been running dogs for nearly a decade, will share his knowledge about the sport and sto-ries from the trail. Dog sled rides are scheduled between 1 and 4 p.m. There will also be fun crafts and door prizes. For more information, call North Haven at 356-7165.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Friday – 13thMARCH MADNESS ALL YOU CAN BOWL $10 SPECIAL, Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654. SPRING LEAGUE SIGN UPS, Nug-get Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.

POLAR CARE, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon, Melaven Fitness Center, building 3452. Call 353-1994.

FA.M.E GROUP EXERCISE, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., Melaven Fitness Center, building 3452. Call 353-1994.

WIN A GAME 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nug-get Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.

AFTER SCHOOL STORY TIME AND CRAFT, 4 to 5 p.m., post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.

RECREATIONAL SKATING, 5:30 to 7:45 p.m., Physical Fitness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223. COSMIC BOWLING 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, build-ing 3702. Call 353-2654.

Saturday - 14thKARATE ALL AGES SKIESUNLIM-ITED, Murphy Hall basement, build-ing 1045. Call 353-7713.

ICE CLIMBING CLASS, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

WHERE’S THE CAT IN THE HAT? 8 to 9 a.m., post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.

YOUTH SPORTS VOLLEYBALL AND WRESTLING END OF THE SEASON BANQUET, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Youth Sports and Fitness, building 1049 #2. Call 353-7482.

SAINT PATTY DAY (2 HOUR SPIN CLASS), 10 a.m. to noon, Physical Fit-ness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

DOG SLEDDING, noon to 4 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

CHILI COOK OFF, 1 to 3 p.m., Last

Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

RECREATIONAL SKATING, 1:30 to 4 p.m., Physical Fitness Center Ice Rink, building 3709. Call 353-7223. COSMIC BOWLING, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, build-ing 3702. Call 353-2654. THE GREAT BIG BEACH BOWL PARTY 8 to 11:59 p.m., Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.

Sunday - 15thMARCH MADNESS ALL YOU CAN BOWL $10 SPECIAL, Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.

SPRING LEAGUE SIGN UPS, Nug-get Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.


WOMEN IN THE WILDERNESS SNOWMACHINE, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

RECREATIONAL SKATING, 1:30 to 4 p.m., Physical Fitness Center Ice Rink, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

RECREATIONAL HOCKEY, 4:15 to 6 p.m., Physical Fitness Center Ice Rink, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

Monday - 16thPFC RUNNING TRACK closed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cardio areas will re-main open.

KARATE ALL AGES SKIESUNLIM-ITED, Murphy Hall basement, build-ing 1045. Call 353-7713.

SAC SPRING CA.M.P “SCHOOL IS OUT!” 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., School Age Center, building 4166. Call 361-7394.



Tuesday - 17thST. PATRICK’S DAY PFC RUNNING TRACK closed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cardio areas will re-main open.

SAC SPRING CA.M.P “SCHOOL IS OUT!” 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., School Age Center, building 4166. Call 361-7394.

GROUP CYCLING, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., Physical Fit-ness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.


ROMP AND STOMP PLAY GROUP, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Last Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

Wednesday - 18thKARATE ALL AGES SKIESUNLIM-ITED, Murphy Hall basement, build-ing 1045. Call 353-7713.

MARCH MADNESS ALL YOU CAN BOWL $10 SPECIAL, Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.

SPRING LEAGUE SIGN UPS, Nug-get Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.

SAC RECOGNIZES “WOMEN’S HIS-TORY MONTH” AND IRISH-AMER-ICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., School Age Center, building 4166. Call 361-7394.



FAME GROUP EXERCISE, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., Melaven Fitness Center, building 3452. Call 353-1994.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME, 11 to 11:45 a.m., post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.

Thursday - 19thSAC RECOGNIZES “WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH” AND IRISH-

AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., School Age Center, building 4166. Call 361-7394.


BABY SIGNS, 9 to 9:30 a.m., Last Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

MUSIC THERAPY, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Last Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

ROMP AND STOMP, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Last Frontier Community Ac-tivity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

LUNCH TIME STICK HOCKEY, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Physical Fitness Center Ice Rink, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

HOUR OF POWER: GROUP STRENGTH CLASS, noon to 12:45 p.m., Physical Fitness Center, build-ing 3709. Call 353-7223.

FREE BOUNCY HUT NIGHT, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Last Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

ICE CLIMBING CLASS, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

ZUMBA, 6 to 7 p.m., Physical Fitness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

Friday - 20thMARCH MADNESS ALL YOU CAN BOWL $10 SPECIAL, Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.

SAC RECOGNIZES “WOMEN’S HIS-TORY MONTH” AND IRISH-AMER-ICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., School Age Center, building 4166. Call 361-7394.



Fort Wainwright

815 Second Ave., Ste. 201 452-7211

Give. Advocate.Volunteer.LIVE UNITED™

On Feb. 13, a general court-martial con-vened at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, where Staff Sgt. Shareef S. Abdul-lah, United States Army, was convicted of three specifications of aggravated sexual as-sault and one specification of abusive sexual contact in violation of Article 120, UCMJ.

The military judge sentenced Abdullah to be reduced to the grade of E-1, confined for six years, and discharged from the service with a dishonorable discharge.

Court-martial report

7March 13, 2015

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Fort Wainwright, Alaska March 13, 2015 Battle Dawgs carry ... · Fort Wainwright, Alaska March 13, 2015 Home of the Arctic Warriors. ALASKA POST RECYCLED Recycled material is used