Maj. Gen. Palumbo - Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Band visits schools, Page B-1 

Volume 2, No. 12 www.jber.af.mil/news 

March 25, 2011 

Antiterrorism awareness 

ip of the week: Rental and privately-owned vehicles 

• Select a plain car, avoid “luxury” appearance. 

• Consider not using a marked government 

vehicle off post. 

• Do not display decals with unit or branch 

affiliation or display gear or equipment in 

plain view. 

• Perform auto maintenance. 

• Keep the vehicle in good repair. 

• Keep the gas tank at least half full and locked. 

• Call JBER Security Forces at 552-3421, 384- 

0823 or for Emergency, dial 911. 

Avoid flashy cars. (Courtesy photo) 

Youth baseball 

kicks off with 

clinic, Page B-11 

3rd Wing lands first C-17 in Sendai relief 

By Senior Airman Michael J. Veloz 

Air Force News Service 

YOKOTAAIR BASE, Japan — A C-17 

Globemaster III from Joint Base Elmendorf- 

Richardson, landed in Sendai Sunday as part 

of Operation Tomodachi, the relief support 

mission here. 

Members of the 517th Airlift Squadron, 

3rd Wing, delivered an all-terrain forklift to 

download supplies, including four pallets of 

water and six pallets of blankets and food 

from Samaritan’s Purse in partnership with 

the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 

Japan Mission Center in Osaka and other 

church partners in Japan. Military aircraft 

began to touch down in Sendai, March 11. 

“Being first isn’t as important as getting 

there,” said Air Force Capt. Charles Morris, 

517th AS pilot. “Opening Sendai to C-17’s 

is a must for Japan and to demonstrate our 

resolve and commitment to the Japanese.” 

Flight crews were quick to highlight that 

the mission would not have been successful 

without the help of a team of combat 

controllers from the 320th Special Tactics 

Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, 

as well as Japanese emergency management 

organizations. Members of the 517th AS 

spent time clearing a section of the runway 

and re-established the control tower to direct 

flights in and out of the airfield. 

“The crews on the ground have worked 

hard to clear a runway large enough for a 

big airlift,” Morris added. “We need more 

C-17’s in there (Sendai) now.” 

Over the coming weeks, the ability to 

rapidly deliver more than 90,000 pounds 

of equipment and supplies into some of the 

hardest hit disaster areas will prove useful 

to humanitarian airlift operations centralized 

at Yokota Air Base, officials said. 

Commander of U. S. Special Operations Command, Admiral Eric T. Olson, pins rank 

insignia on newly promoted Maj. Gen. Raymond Palumbo, U.S. Army Alaska commander, 

March 18. (Photo by Army Master Sgt. Eric Reinhardt/USARAK PAO) 

Maj. Gen. Palumbo 

USARAK PAO 

News release 

U.S. Army Alaska’s commanding general 

earned his second star in a ceremony at 

4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th 

Infantry Division headquarters, March 18. 

Admiral Eric T. Olson, commander of 

U. S. Special Operations Command, Mac- 

Dill Air Force Base, Fla., conducted the 

ceremony. 

Maj. Gen. Raymond P. Palumbo, who 

was a brigadier general when he assumed 

command of U.S.ArmyAlaska in July 2010, 

credited his family, fellow service members 

and mentors for his success. 

“A smart man once said we’re probably 

all just the average of the five people we 

hang around with the most, and I’d like to 

think that’s true,” Palumbo said. “There are 

so many people that have influenced me, 

from the time I was a little guy, until today. 

I’m the average of all of that.” 

Air Force loadmaster Staff Sgt. Adam Koerner, 517th Airlift Squadron, 3rd Wing, marshals rolling stock from a C-17 Globemaster 

III aircraft Sunday at the Sendai, Japan airport in support of Operation Tomodachi. The 517th AS cargo plane was the first C-17 

to land at the airport since the tsunami. (Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Leahy/JBER PAO) 

The general is a 1981 graduate of the U. 

S. Military Academy at West Point with a 

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. 

Palumbo has a Master of Science degree in 

administration from Central Michigan University, 

a Master of Strategic Studies degree 

from the U. S. Army War College and is a 

graduate of the British High Command and 

Staff College. 

He has commanded at the company, 

battalion, and brigade levels and served in 

numerous aviation and special operations 

assignments. 

Prior to his arrival in Alaska he served 

at Fort Bragg, N. C., as the assistant commanding 

general of the Joint Special Operations 

Command and then as the deputy 

commanding general of U. S. Army Special 

Operations Command. Palumbo is a native 

of Windber, Pa. 

He is married to the former Alice Sweet 

of El Paso, Texas, and has four grown children 

and two grand children. 

3rd Component Maintenance 

Squadron earns DoD award 

By Chris McCann 

JBER PAO 

The 3rd Component Maintenance 

Squadron was recently awarded the 

2010 Secretary of Defense’s Field-Level 

Maintenance Award for Small Organizations. 

To recognize this achievement and 

take back lessons for other Department 

of Defense organizations, John B. Johns, 

the deputy assistant secretary of defense 

for maintenance policy and programs, 

visited Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson 

March 9 through 11. 

“(The squadron) is among the very 

best,” Johns said, and explained the 

unit’s commitment to innovation was the 

biggest factor. 

“They’re always looking for ways 

to improve and make themselves better 

… more than any piece of equipment is 

the attitude of innovation. That’s exportable,” 

he said. 

“There’s a culture of leadership at 

every level, from the commander all the 

way down to the junior Airmen,” Johns 

continued. “They all talked very articulately 

about what they do and why they 

do it. They’re committed to getting the 

job done, and there’s a lot of innovation; 

they’re not sitting around waiting for 

someone else to fix the problems, they’re 

fixing them themselves. That’s their job, 

and they know it.” 

During 2009, the squadron helped 

the 3rd Wing support 480 F-15 and F-22 

combat loads and launch 131 sorties 

intercepting aircraft. 

The wing supported six major deployments, 

and achieved the best F-22 

mission-capable rating in the Combat 

Air Forces – 20 percent higher than any 

other wing. 

The squadron also resolved a previously-undetected 

safety issue which 

resulted in Air Force-wide changes to 

the flight manual. 

It also was a year of major changes 

and some flights moved to new facilities, 

and through it all, they maintained a high 

standard. 

Technical Sgt. Christopher Covert, a native 

of Missoula, Mont., works in the “Hush 

House,” testing aircraft engines after repairs. 

Covert explained to Johns what the section 

had done during 2009, including replacing 

the Cold War-era sodium lights with fluorescent 

lights and painting the floor to make 

leaks more visible, increasing the shop’s 

efficiency, and in turn, the confidence the 

Airmen have in their work. 

“When I sign my name to a document, 

there’s not a shadow of a doubt in my mind 

or in the pilot’s mind that the engine is good,” 

Covert said. 

Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Hamon 

serves as the Propulsion Flight supervisor. 

A native of Richland, Wash., he said that 

while the award was unexpected, it wasn’t 

surprising either. 

“I’ve been in the Air Force for 18 years, 

and no kidding, this is the best unit I’ve ever 

been in,” Hamon said. 

“The level of professionalism and the 

maintenance of standards are incredibly 

high,” Hamon continued. “We do things the 

right way, and I’m proud of that.” 

The flight is responsible for checking 

the linings of engines, and keeping up with 

supply could be difficult because linings are 

used by a few different sections, in different 

locations around base. 

The flight created a database – the first of 

its kind in the DoD – to track liner wear and 

use across the base, so there is a constantly 

updated inventory. 

“It’s a parts-forecasting tool,” Hamon 

explained. “It’s the only operational one 

out there – we’re sharing it, but so far we’re 

unique.” 

The innovation doesn’t stop with the 

Propulsion Flight. 

In the egress section, Airmen work on 

the pilot-ejection systems. 

See 3rd CMS, Page A-3 

Inside this week’s Arctic Warrior: 

Page A-2, Commentary: 

Airlift shows its might in Japan 

earthquake and tsunami 

relief 

Page A-3, 3rd Equipment 

Maintenance Squadron 

earns Air Force award 

Page A-5, Air Force launches 

family accountability site; 

Commuters save in vanpool 

Page A-6, Briefs 

Page A-8, 176th Wing 

deploys civil engineers

A-2 Arctic Warrior March 25, 2011 

Word on the street 

By Luke Waack 

What safety tip do you have for 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson? 

“The winter isn’t over 

yet, there are still icy 

spots; watch out.” 

Joe Hatton, 

retired military 

“Always stretch before 

you work out.” 

Tech. Sgt. Elwood Witt, 

3rd Maintenance 

Operations Squadron 

“Adhere to the speed 

limits, especially with 

the roads the way they 

are now.” 

Bob Jones, 


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Alaskan Command/ 

11th Air Force 

Commanding General 

Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins (USAF) 

U.S. Army Alaska 

Commanding General 

Brig. Gen. Raymond P. Palumbo (USA) 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson/ 

673d Air Base Wing Commander 

Col. Robert D. Evans (USAF) 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson/ 

673d Air Base Wing vice Commander 

Col. Timothy R. Prior (USA) 

“Drink plenty of water 

and take care of your 

body.” 

Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Craig Matta, 

Air Force Band of the Pacific 

“Anchorage has 

wonderful trails, 

enough to do a full 

marathon on, in winter 

or summer. People 

need to pay attention 

on them.” 

Bill Kane, 


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Luke Waack - senior editor 

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Jeremy Larlee - sports editor 

David Bedard, Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua 

Garcia andAirman 1st Class Jack Sanders 

Editorial & Opinion 

Senior Airman Stanley Dennis, 730th Air Mobility Squadron, marshals a 517th Airlift Squadron, 3rd Wing, 

C-17 Globemaster III March 17. The C-17 holds Japan Grand Self Defense Force’s troops and vehicles 

from Okinawa to support Operation Tomodachi. (Photo by Osakabe Yasuo) 

Airlift shows value in Japan disaster 

Commentary by David Bedard 

JBER PAO 

“Humanitarian airlift operations 

are of greatest and most direct 

benefit to the individual victims of 

disaster or emergency. For them, 

the rapid movement of cargo or 

personnel can make a life-or-death 

difference. But humanitarian airlift 

operations also benefit, as a whole, 

the countries to which they are 

directed. They allow foreign states 

to retain economic and political 

stability in the face of sudden challenge.” 

— Daniel Haulman, Air 

Force Historical Research Agency 

On a cloudy summer day in 

June 1948, a formation of U.S. 

Air Force C-47 Skytrains touched 

down at West Berlin’s Tempelhof 

Airport carrying milk, flour and 

medicine to a city encircled by Soviet 

forces intent on strangling the 

community through the deprivation 

of supplies. 

Nearly 72 years later, a 517th 

Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster 

III landed at Yokota Air Base, 

Japan, disembarking Japan Ground 

Self-Defense Force troops and 

vehicles in support of Operation 

Tomodachi, the effort to bring 

humanitarian aid to a country recently 

stricken by a 9.0-magnitude 

earthquake. 

In the seven decades dividing 

the Berlin Airlift and Operation 

Tomodachi, U.S. military airlift has 

been asked to support dozens of humanitarian 

efforts worldwide, and 

airframe technology has improved 

by several orders of magnitude. 

C-47s ferrying supplies to West 

Berlin were motivated by two 

piston-driven propeller engines 

and could carry three tons of cargo. 

By contrast, a C-17 flies under 

the power of four jet engines, carries 

85 tons of cargo and is piloted 

using a digital “glass” cockpit. 

The C-17s belonging to the 

517th Airlift Squadron are well 

placed to support military and humanitarian 

operations throughout 

the northern hemisphere. 

Growing up, I remember tracing 

my finger across the classic 

Mercator projection map of the 

world, which unravels our globular 

world and flattens it for ease of 

viewing. 

The problem was, the map 

gave me the impression Alaska 

was close only to the former Soviet 

Union and the North Pole. 

But if you take a globe and turn 

it so Alaska sits at the top, you will 

see the state is centrally located 

between East Asia, Europe and the 

Middle East. 

This phenomenon, identified 

by airpower pioneer Billy Mitchell 

in 1935, is what makes Joint Base 

Elmendorf-Richardson so valuable 

as a base for airlift operations north 

of the equator. The C-17 is the best 

airframe in the world to support 

JBER’s location advantage. 

Developed from a 1980s project 

aimed at finding a replacement 

for the C-130 Hercules which 

could carry large cargo – like an 

M-1 Abrams Tank – and land on 

short, unimproved airstrips, the 

C-17 bridged the gap between 

the the C-130 and the large C-5 

Galaxy. 

Though the C-5 Galaxy carries 

more cargo than a C-17, it cannot 

land on austere runways, forcing a 

C-5 crew to transload its cargo to 

a C-130 for movement to forward 

locations. The C-17 offers a cradle 

to grave air transport solution unmatched 

in any other airframe. It 

has the range to deploy to remote 

overseas locations and the short 

takeoff and landing capability to 

get supplies where they are needed 

the most. 

This is a capability which 

cannot be replicated by civilian 

aircraft, often used by U.S. Transportation 

Command to augment 

military airlift operations. 

Take for instance the Boeing 

747-400 jumbo cargo jet. Though 

it has a cargo capacity of more 

than 120 tons, it doesn’t have the 

capability to land on short airfields 

nor does it sit close to the ground 

like a C-17 does, requiring special 

load handling equipment to extract 

cargo from the 747’s swinging nose 

door – a handy feature not found on 

most civilian aircraft. 

Though designed primarily to 

deliver military cargo and to drop 

dozens of paratroopers from the 

sky, the C-17 is nonetheless wellsuited 

for supporting humanitarian 

missions in Japan. 

No doubt as a result of the 

earthquake and the tsunami, much 

of Japan’s formidable ground and 

sea transportation network is destroyed, 

damaged or temporarily 

disabled. 

JSDF, U.S. and allied military 

airlift will continue to be crucial in 

getting supplies to Japanese who 

need them to weather the country’s 

greatest crisis since World War II. 

It is no surprise a 517th Airlift 

Squadron C-17 was the first Globemaster 

on the ground supporting 

Operation Tamodachi, considering 

JBER’s strategic location and the 

readiness of 3rd Wing Airmen to 

support full-spectrum operations 

worldwide. 

Additionally, the recent move 

of the Alaska National Guard’s 

144th Airlift Squadron from Kulis 

Air National Guard Base to JBER 

brings National Guard C-130s to 

the base with their capability to offer 

airlift support to remote Alaska 

locations and for contingency 

operations anywhere in the world. 

(Editor’s note: David Bedard 

has three years’ experience working 

in military transportation and 

deployments.) 

No better time to give to charities 

Commentary by Luke Waack 

JBER PAO 

U.S. service members stationed 

in Japan are busy helping the 

people there in countless ways as 

the island nation works to recover 

from the 9.0 magnitude earthquake 

and the ensuing tsunami, March 11. 

They are working long hours 

in Operation Tomodachi with little 

time for rest in situations and circumstances 

those of us who aren’t 

there simply cannot imagine. 

News reports have come in of 

survivors pulled from the wreckage 

after more than a week trapped 

under broken homes leveled by 

the largest earthquake in decades. 

Then there were the elderly 

residents of the House of Blessings 

and Longevity, a nursing home on 

Japan’s northeast coast who made 

it safely out of the path of the tsunami 

as the alarm sounded and the 

sad tale of their fellow residents too 

sick or immobile to flee who were 

drowned in the flood. 

These are just a few of the human 

tragedies our military family 

have witnessed close up, and the 

job isn’t done. 

It was like a Technical Knockout 

– earthquake, tsunami and 

nuclear reactor danger – but the 

Japanese aren’t giving up the fight. 

The people there are getting 

back on their feet with help from 

our men and women in uniform. 

Air Force Master Sgt. Stephen Mallory, 517th Airlift Squadron, marshals 

10KAT forklifts to offload 47,000 lbs of water for humanitarian 

relief efforts off a C-17 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 14. (Photo 

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Leahy) 

As our brothers and sisters 

in arms help the Japanese Self- 

Defense Force provide supplies to 

the country, everyone is working 

in high gear. 

As they display their strength 

and courage over there, it’s time 

for us safe here in the States to give 

what we can to Army Emergency 

Relief and theAir ForceAssistance 

Fund. 

Troops are still having personal 

emergencies as they support Japan 

during its national one. Life doesn’t 

stop in the lives of those with helping 

hands. 

Even a small one-time gift can 

help, but a long lasting payroll 

deduction would be even better. 

As our heroes give their all 

to the Japanese, let us give to the 

organizations which give back to 

them; AFAF and AER. 

Each military unit on Joint Base 

Elmendorf-Richardson has anAER 

or AFAF representative. 

Adonation to your unit’sAFAF 

or AER fund will go into a larger 

pool which will no doubt be helping 

Airmen and Soldiers in Japan 

with emergency assistance. 

Contact your unit representative 

today if you feel inspired to 

give.

March 25, 2011 Arctic Warrior A-3 

3rd EMS earns Air Force maintenance effectiveness award 

By David Bedard 

JBER PAO 

The Department of the Air 

Force recently announced 3rd 

Equipment Maintenance Squadron, 

3rd Maintenance Group, 

3rd Wing as the winner of the 

Maintenance EffectivenessAward, 

Category II: Medium Aircraft 

Maintenance. 

Chief Master Sgt. Rodney 

Miller, 3rd EMS superintendent, 

aid he credits the unit’s diverse 

roles in supporting a composite 

wing in a subarctic environment. 

The superintendent also cites 

the squadron’s culture of innovation 

which is driven by maintainers 

on the floor and is supported by 

leaders at the squadron, group and 

wing levels. 

“It’s the sheer size and scope 

of what the individuals are doing 

out there, the number of airframes 

hey’re touching, the different 

types of airframes they’re touching, 

the associated units throughout 

he world, so they have a huge 

mount of impact,” Miller said. “I 

think the biggest thing that sets us 

part is how the flights, the sections 

nd the individuals proactively 

anage their processes.” 

Anthony Hannula, Aerospace 

Ground Equipment Flight chief, 

said the squadron convened an 

ir Force Smart Operations for 

he 21st Century committee last 

ear. Section chiefs, civilians and 

irmen identified processes they 

hought required too much time or 

manpower, resulting in 32 initiatives 

during the award period. 

“The technicians on the floor 

are identifying ways we can improve 

lagging indicators, what they 

need to better accomplish their job, 

ow they’re going to save manning 

… money … and downtime on 

equipment or aircraft,” Hannula 

said. “So the ideas are coming from 

the troops on the floor.” 

One such idea involved an air 

cart deficiency, which prevented 

auxiliary power units from consistently 

starting F-22 Raptor fighters. 

“We worked with Boeing, and 

we devised a $50 fix to recirculate 

the oxygen that was being released 

from the exhaust,” Hannula explained. 

“We recaptured that and 

e brought an oxygen line going 

rom the exhaust to the intake 

o we could recirculate that pure 

3rd CMS 

From Page A-1 

Senior Airman Christina 

Falkenburg, a native of Cochranton, 

Penn., explained that Airmen 

in the unit discovered corrosion on 

a critical part. 

“There was corrosion on the 

clevis rod that keeps tension on 

the handle – what keeps the seat 

from popping out,” Falkenburg 

said. “That could affect lives. It 

was only on a few planes, and we 

were the only base that was affected 

by it.” 

She explained that the climate 

may be to blame – the planes fly 

from JBER to Guam and Japan, 

which can be a massive temperature 

difference – but so far there’s 

no definitive answer as to the 

cause. 

The usual fix would be to 

remove the seats to check for corrosion. 

That’s difficult, given space 

and time restrictions, but it can’t 

be ignored; if the rod failed, the 

pilot could be ejected without 

warning. 

The unit overcame that challenge 

by using bore scopes, which 

necessitated much less disassembly 

of the planes and minimized 

the downtime while still permitting 

detailed inspection to ensure the 

rods are in good condition. 

Air Force maintenance manuals 

were changed to reflect the 

necessity of checking the clevises 

– but without the keen work of 

the 3rd CMS, it might have gone 

unnoticed. 

Johns awarded coins toAirmen 

of the squadron for a job well done, 

and pointed out the phoenix on the 

back, nestled among the symbols 

of each branch of service. 

“That phoenix symbolizes the 

rebirth of readiness due to maintenance,” 

Johns told a gathered 

group in Hangar 19. 

“That’s the most important 

part,” Johns said 

Johns will take his findings 

back to Washington, D.C. 

“They’re definitely among the 

best,” Johns said. “They’re well 

deserving of the award. I can see 

why they won. 

(Editor’s note: for photos of the 

visit go to the JBER Flickr page 

and click on 3rd CMS.) 

Airman 1st Class Derek Johnson, 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron, ignites his torch to begin 

the process of repairing air-ground equipment. 3rd EMS won the Dept. of the Air Force Maintenance 

Effectiveness Award for medium aircraft. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders/JBER PAO) 

oxygen, and that allowed us to 

maintain the oxygen content at (the 

required) 20.9 percent or higher.” 

The solution eliminated F-22 

null starts in 3rd Wing and was 

disseminated as a best practice 

throughout the Combat Air Force. 

Hannula said the AGE Flight 

devised a way to save theAir Force 

millions of dollars through the refurbishment 

of ground equipment. 

“They look at (defense reutilization 

management organizations) 

Air Force wide and they find 

AGE equipment that’s been turned 

in unserviceable or condemned,” 

Hannula said. “They’ll order it free 

of charge and they’ll bring it back, 

bench check it and completely 

refurbish that unit and we’ll put it 

back in service or send it to another 

base in (PacificAir Forces) that has 

a requirement for it. 

“If it’s a unit that we can’t totally 

repair, we’ll pull items off of 

it and rebuild them and put them 

back in the base supply system, 

and that gives all the other bases 

visibility of that asset if they have 

a requirement for it.” 

Hannula said the AGE Flight 

isn’t the only organization counted 

on by other PACAF installations. 

The Fabrication Flight’s Metal 

Technology Shop manufactured 

526 aircraft parts during the award 

period. 

By Sgt. Tamika Dillard 

3rd MEB PAO 

Service members, family and 

friends of the 23rd Engineer Company 

(Sapper) gathered at the 

Buckner Physical Fitness Center 

March 17 to witness the uncasing 

of the company’s guidon, signifying 

the completion of its yearlong 

mission in Afghanistan. 

Despite the harsh operating 

environment, 100-degree temperatures, 

and enemy threats, the 

sappers sustained relatively minor 

injuries, with all Soldiers returning 

home safely, said Army Lt. Col. 

Marc Hoffmeister, 6th Engineer 

Battalion commander. 

“They met every mission and, 

without question, the dangerous 

work they conducted to keep IEDs 

clear of the roads saved many lives, 

both U.S. and Afghan,” Hoffmeister 

said. “We are in awe of what 

this company achieved over the 

last year.” 

They did so during a critical 

period in the Afghan conflict, 

when the Afghan government 

stood on the brink of securing 

its control over former Taliban 

strongholds. 

“The sappers of the 23rd spearheaded 

coalition advances into 

Taliban controlled areas once 

thought impenetrable,” said Army 

Capt. Ryan Hintz, 23rd Engineer 

Company commander. “They did 

so with professionalism and bravery; 

and they earned the respect of 

every unit they worked alongside. 

It is a direct reflection of the caliber 

of Paratroopers and leaders standing 

before you that they were able 

to accomplish so much.” 

Hintz listed some of the unit’s 

achievements, including: 450 route 

clearance missions; clearing more 

than 16,000 kilometers of road and 

finding and clearing 54 roadside 

bombs. 

“As a 100-man airborne sapper 

company, we maintained three 

route clearance platoons when 

every company of equal size in 

the entire theater manned only 

two,” Hintz said. “All this was 

accomplished by the men standing 

before you now. All this was 

“They are contacted by Kadena 

(Air Base, Japan), Osan (Air Base, 

Republic of Korea) and several 

other bases in (PACAF) to manufacture 

parts for them, so we send 

people TDY to Hickam (Air Force 

Base, Hawaii) to manufacture all of 

their special tooling for the F-22s 

that they bedded down,” Hannula 

said. “Based on their knowledge 

and their advanced technology and 

innovation, we’re like the one-stop 

shop for the command as far as 

manufacturing parts.” 

Miller said he was especially 

proud of the efforts of Maintenance 

Flight’s crash recovery section, 

which recovered a 517th Airlift 

Squadron C-17 Globemaster III 

lost July 28, 2010, and a 525th 

Fighter Squadron F-22 lost Nov. 

16, 2010. 

“They’re the best in the Air 

Force, obviously, based upon local 

demands we placed upon them 

with the two aircraft incidents,” 

Miller said. “They’re the ones who 

go out and recover the aircraft. 

They safe it. They do all of the 

flight controls, all of the rigging. 

So basically, they’re crew chiefs 

with a lot more training.” 

Miller said because the C-17 

was the first total loss of the 

Globemaster III, the Maintenance 

Flight established procedures for 

recovering the aircraft type, clean- 

possible because of these men are 

not average; they are paratroopers, 

and they are exceptional.” 

The Arctic Sappers received 

three Combat Medic badges, six 

Purple Hearts, six Army Commendation 

Medals for Valor, three Joint 

Service Commendation medals, 16 

Bronze Star medals, 72 Combat 

Action and 88 Army Commendation 

medals. 

The company’s guidon now 

bears a combat action streamer as 

a result. 

Army Capt. Ryan Hintz, the 

23rd Engineer Company commander, 

was awarded the Corps 

of Engineers’ Steel Order of the 

De Fleury Medal during the deployment 

for his inspirational 

leadership. 

Hoffmeister praised the unit’s 

rear detachment and family readiness 

group for their support on the 

home front. 

“Capt. Cassandra Parks set the 

standard for success as the rear 

detachment commander, executing 

her mission flawlessly and en- 

ing up the wreckage in 23 days. 

The F-22 was recovered in subzero 

temperatures at a remote location 

in rugged terrain. 

Despite having the lowest 

manning in CAF, Miller said the 

3rd EMS Low Observable Composite 

Repair Facility is the best 

of its type and is responsible for 

maintaining the F-22’s capability 

to remain invisible to enemy radar 

and other detection systems. 

The superintendent said the 

LOCRF’s secret to success stems 

from their attitude that LO is not 

merely an aircraft component. 

“You’ve got to treat LO as a 

system, and you have to schedule 

the aircraft down and proactively 

work it,” Miller said. “Because if 

you don’t have good LO, you don’t 

have an aircraft. That aircraft might 

be able to fly, but it can’t complete 

its mission.” 

Airmen in the Maintenance 

Flight are responsible for performing 

scheduled maintenance which 

is beyond the daily maintenance 

performed by aircraft crew chiefs. 

“We have to tear that aircraft 

apart and we have to inspect it 

internally and externally,” he said. 

Miller said the Munitions 

Flight is the largest in PACAF and 

maintained a $160 million missile 

stockpile at a 98 percent serviceability 

rate. During the award 

abling the command team forward 

to remain focused on their mission 

at hand,” Hoffmeister said. “The 

Family Readiness Group, led by 

Ashley Hintz and Jami Bahmer, set 

the standard for family care, creating 

a tight knit, cohesive readiness 

group that together managed the 

everyday challenges of the home 

front during their Soldiers deployment 

and their safe return.” 

“Thank you to all the spouses 

for their command support and 

dedication,” said Hoffmeister. 

“Without your support, the 23rd 

Sappers would never have performed 

so well.” 

“I was deployed to Pakistan 

for six months while my husband 

was deployed,” said Spc. Sarah 

Segarra, medic assigned to the 3rd 

Maneuver Enhancement Brigade 

and spouse of Spc. Joel Segarra. 

“It kept me busy for a little while, 

but I never stop thinking about 

my husband. I missed him so 

much while he was gone, but I 

have him home now and I plan 

to spend as much time with him 

period, the flight underwent a 

Department of Defense Explosive 

Safety Board inspection with a 100 

percent review and no findings. 

The Armament Flight accomplished 

over 1,400 inspections on 

F-22 weapons release equipment 

valued at over $31 million. They 

established a F-22 “Golden Gun” 

which enabled AMXS weapons 

technicians to save 48 hours of 

aircraft downtime per replacement. 

“Armament’s flawless maintenance 

practices were integral 

to aircrew training and 3rd Wing 

securing a 100 percent weapons 

release rate,” Miller said. 

Miller said Squadron de-icers 

service an average of 1,200 aircraft 

annually, and must be familiar with 

procedures to de-ice a large variety 

of military and civilian aircraft. 

“(De-icing) is really critical for 

aircraft sortie generation,” he said. 

“Because, if they’re not de-iced, 

they’re not getting off the ground.” 

Miller said the entire squadron 

has to be familiar with all military 

airframes, because JBER is a major 

hub between the United States and 

Asia. Last week, the organization 

was required to repair a C-5 Galaxy 

which isn’t a part of 3rd Wing’s 

inventory. 

Miller said the honors of the 

squadron winning the award was 

fully expected by him and 3rd EMS 

command. 

During the award period, Miller 

said the flight led the F-22 fleet 

in eight out of 10 performance 

indicators. 

Additionally, the flight led 

CAF in five out of 10 maintenance 

performance metrics for the F-15 

Eagle, which were recently transferred 

out of JBER. 

“It’s no surprise to me,” he 

said. “It’s validation to the individuals 

out there in the sections 

and flightline that they are the best. 

They already knew it.” 

The superintendent said, despite 

the achievement, the Airmen 

and civilians of 3rd EMS will not 

make the mistake of becoming 

complacent. 

“It doesn’t matter what you 

did yesterday,” Miller warned. 

“It’s what you’re doing today and 

tomorrow.” 

Miller and Hannula said the 

squadron will next compete for the 

Secretary of Defense Maintenance 

Award. 

Arctic Sappers unfurl guidon 

Army Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister, 6th Engineer Battalion commander, places a combat action streamer 

on the 23rd Engineer Company (Sapper) guidon, March 17, during a redeployment ceremony at the 

Buckner Physical Fitness Center. (Photo by Sgt. Tamika Dillard/3rd MEB PAO) 

as possible. 

The Arctic Sappers are moving 

steadily through the reintegration 

and reset process. 

“It is evident how the Soldiers 

have grown together and become 

part of a much larger team over the 

last year,” 23rd Engineer Co. 1st 

Sgt. Troy Whitcome said. “They 

have bonded and matured while 

dealing with the stresses of the 

deployment. They really relied on 

each other, and trusted their leaders 

without question, and came out 

better because of it.” 

The 23rd Engineer Company, 

6th Engineer Battalion (Airborne), 

3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade 

was welcomed home recently 

from a yearlong deployment at the 

Buckner Physical Fitness Center, 

where family and friends greeted 

them with big hugs, wide smiles 

and joyful tears. 

“It is great to have the company 

back on the ground and to have the 

battalion complete for the first time 

since its activation,” Hoffmeister 

said.

March 25, 2011 Arctic Warrior A-5 

Air Force launches tracking system for Japan personnel 

Air Force Personnel, Services 

and Manpower 

Public Affairs 

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE 

BASE, Texas — Air Force officials 

have activated the Air Force 

Personnel Accountability and Assessment 

System, or AFPAAS, to 

monitor the status and location of 

all personnel and dependents residing 

on the island of Honshu, Japan. 

Officials are asking commanders 

and their commander representatives 

to report individual and 

family member status of those assigned 

or transiting to the affected 

rea by logging into AFPAAS at 

ttps://afpaas.af.mil. 

This requirement applies to 

active-duty Airmen, selected Reserve 

members, Department of the 

Air Force and non-appropriatedund 

civilian employees, Air Force 

ontractors, and family members 

affected by the events in Japan. 

While most of the accountability 

requirements affect only those 

currently in Japan or those family 

members who have already relocated, 

officials said it is imperative 

commanders around the Air Force 

know if family members may be in 

the affected area. 

“All Airmen have a responsibility 

to let their commanders 

know if they have dependents in 

Luke Waack 

JBER PAO 

Many service members and civilians 

working on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson 

can use a local municipality program to 

keep miles off privately owned vehicles as 

well as save money on gasoline. 

Anchorage Share-A-Ride is a division 

of People Mover within the Municipality of 

nchorage’s Public Transportation Department, 

according to Paula Kangis, Share-A- 

Ride manager. 

“People Mover has been providing fixed 

bus service since 1974; carpooling was 

added in the late 1970s and vanpooling in 

1995,” Kangis said. “We maintain a database 

f commuters interested in carpooling or 

anpooling and create matchlists for people 

raveling to work the same way and time.” 

The city of Anchorage started the Share- 

A-Ride program when officials saw the need 

for carpool matching services in the late 

970s, Kangis said. Vanpooling was added 

n 1995 to help relieve the traffic congestion 

long the Glenn Highway. 

“Now, approximately 30 percent of the 

Wasilla workforce commute to Anchorage,” 

angis said. 

Commuters within the Anchorage and 

Airmen and family members displaced from their home stations because of a natural disaster or crisis 

should log into or call the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to help leaders 

and personnel readiness managers account for their personnel and provide immediate assistance to 

those in need. (U.S. Air Force graphic) 

Japan,” said Kevin White, the chief 

of the readiness operations branch 

at the air expeditionary force and 

personnel operations directorate. 

“It is important for members in 

Japan to let us know where their 

dependents are. If they departed 

the island of Honshu, Japan, we 

need that information updated in 

AFPAAS.” 

In addition to the accountability 

portion in AFPAAS, those 

affected members should complete 

a short needs-assessment survey. 

This assessment informs officials 

if the member requires any 

assistance. 

If assigned personnel do not 

have access to a computer, the 

member will need to contact his 

unit control center and they will 

account for them, and if requested, 

complete the needs-assessment 

survey in AFPAAS. 

Those members not having 

access to a computer or are unable 

to contact their UCC or COR need 

to contact the Air Force Personnel 

Center Personnel Readiness Cell 

at (800) 435-9941. 

AFPAAS can also be accessed 

from the Air Force Portal, AF.mil 

and the Air Force Personnel Center 

website (www.afpc.randolph. 

af.mil) or by calling the AFPC 

Personnel Readiness Cell. 

AFPAAS allows commanders 

and units to account, assess, 

manage and monitor the recovery 

and reconstitution process for personnel 

and their families affected 

or scattered by a wide-spread 

catastrophic event, every step of 

the way. 

AFPAAS provides valuable 

accountability at all levels of the 

Air Force chain of command, enhancing 

the commanders’ability to 

make strategic decisions. 

For all other personnel issues 

please contact the Total Force 

Service Center at 800-525-0102 or 

DSN 665-5000, or go to the AFPC 

Personnel Services website at 

https://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil. 

Anchorage Share-A-Ride helps base workers save fuel costs 

A Share-A-Ride van sits in a parking lot. 

Share-A-Ride van passengers load up at an Anchorage office. (Courtesy photos) 

Mat-Su Borough areas, which includes Big 

Lake, Palmer, Wasilla, Eagle River, Chugiak, 

Anchorage and Girdwood are eligible 

to ride a van and federal employees, including 

service members, can receive vouchers 

to cut the cost of the service. 

“I have taken advantage of the Share- 

A-Ride program since its inception,” said 

Debra Davis, an Air Force civilian who 

works on JBER and has ridden on a Share- 

A-Ride van since 1996. “I love the savings 

I enjoy by riding the van, it is like a huge 

pay raise. I easily save over $10, 000 a year 

by riding our van.” 

Each van is equipped with individual 

overhead reading lights, individually controlled 

heat and air vents and high back 

reclining seats. 

Transit Tax benefits enable employers to 

provide low-cost or even no-cost benefits to 

employees, Kangis said. 

Currently, the average cost for vanpoolers 

without Transit Tax benefits (traveling 

100 miles roundtrip daily) is approximately 

$130 to $140 per month. 

With the Transit Tax benefit JBER service 

members and civilian employees are eligible 

for, the cost drops to zero, Kangis said. 

All fuel, operating, maintenance and 

insurance costs are paid for JBER riders. 

As of March 11, 1,028 people were 

commuting in 55 vans. Of those, 24 transport 

JBER service members and civilian 

employees. Pick up and drop off points vary, 

but most vans traveling to JBER locations 

with Soldiers, Airmen and civilians start the 

day at park and ride lots or retail stores in 

the Valley. 

Parking at retail establishments requires 

advance authorization from the retailer’s 

management, Kangis said. Commuters 

interested in vanpooling must first register 

online at http://ShareARide.muni.org or by 

calling 562.7665. 

Using work hours and home and work 

addresses, Share-A-Ride managers run a 

check to see if any existing vanpools match 

an applicant’s information. 

“If not, we’ll encourage you to start a 

new vanpool, which requires at least eight 

riders for the 13-passenger van,” Kangis 

said. “This number includes on primary 

driver and two alternate drivers.” 

The program has a plenty of room for 

new commuters. 

“Share-A-Ride has more than a dozen 

new vans ready for new groups,” Kangis 

said. “With recent program changes, there’s 

never been a better time to start vanpooling. 

Through Try-A-Ride, commuters can try 

vanpooling up to three times before committing. 

Commuters experiencing a qualified 

emergency now have an Emergency Ride 

Home.” 

It’s easy to figure out how much vanpooling 

can save a person, Kangis said. 

“We encourage people to use our driving 

cost calculator at http://webapps1. 

muni.org/peoplemover/drivingcost.cfm to 

see how much money they could be saving 

over the cost of driving alone,” Kangis 

said. “Additional benefits include arriving to 

work relaxed without the stress of driving, 

reducing wear and tear on personal vehicle, 

its flexibility and reduction of one’s carbon 

footprint.” 

Noncommissioned Officer Academy announces latest grads 

The following Soldiers graduated 

from the U.S. Army Alaska 

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher R. Brevard 

Noncommissioned Officer 

Academy Warrior Leader Course 

as part of Class 06-11, March 18. 

Graduates included: Sgt. Justin 

E. Adkins, Medical Department 

Activity-Alaska; Sgt. Alfred 

Alaniz, MEDDAC; Spc. Ivan J 

Alberti-Sierra, B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 

377th Parachute FieldArtillery 

Regiment; Spc. Christopher R. 

Borja, D Company, 1st Battalion, 

52nd Aviation Regiment; Spc. 

Howard F. Connors, 545th Military 

Police Company;Army Cpl. Corey 

L. Coxwell, B Company, 1st Battalion, 

501st Infantry Regiment 

(Airborne) and Spc. Steven D. 

Cramer, Headquarters and Headquarters 

Company, 1-52nd. 

The class also included: Spc. 

Colton D. Crowell, E Company, 

1-52nd; Cpl. James L. Daoust, 

Headquarters and Headquarters 

Company, 3rd Battalion, 509th 

Infantry Regiment (Airborne); 

Spc. Ryan S. Dugan, B Company, 

1-501st; Spc. Wilson N. Efem, 


Battery, 2-377th PFAR; Spc. Geoffrey 

B. Felts, 545th MP; Spc. Paul 

C Flaks, Headquarters and Headquarters 

Company, 3rd Maneuver 

Enhancement Brigade; Spc. Jesus 

M Gomez, 4th Quartermaster Detachment 

(Airborne); Spc. Alan 

L Gower, D Company, 1-52nd; 

Spc. Jason M. Grant, MEDDAC 

and Sgt. Jay D Grutzmacher, D 

Company, 3-509th. 

Spc. James T. Hand, E Company, 

725th Brigade Support 

attalion; Spc. Joe C. Harvey, D 

Company, 1-52nd; Spc. Adam J. 

Hawkins, 84th Engineer Support 

Company (Airborne), 17th Combat 

Sustainment Support Battalion; 

Cpl. Kyle P. Hooe, C Company, 

123rdAviation Intermediate Maintenance; 

Spc. Lawrence D. Hyde, 


ABOVE: Army 1st Sgt. Jerome 

Jones takes over as the new 

commandant of the U.S. Army 

Alaska Sgt. 1st Class Christopher 

R. Brevard Noncommissioned 

Officer Academy immediately 

after graduating 57 new 

future leaders March 18 at Joint 

Base Elmendorf-Richardson. 

LEFT: Spc. Melody R. Wright, 

793rd Military Police Battalion 

earned the Iron Award in WLC 

Class 06-11. (Photos by Sgt. 

Tamika Dillard/3rd MEB PAO) 

Company, 6th Engineer Battalion; 

Spc. Brian Ivory, D Company, 

725th BSB; Spc. Louie R. Jaramillo, 

56th Engineer Company 

(Vertical); Spc. Rogan A. Jewel, 

472nd Military Police Company 

and Spc. Carl J. Lindsey, E Company, 

1-52nd graduated March 18. 

Other graduates included: Spc. 

Courtney P. Johnson, 95th Chemical 

Company, 17th CSSB; Spc. 

Elzavon K. Maxie, E Company, 

725th BSB; Spc. Sean D. McDowell, 

4th QM, 17th CSSB; Spc. Alan 

M. Mellen, C Company, 1-501st; 

Sgt. William H. Oligher, D Company, 

3-509th; Spc. KrystalA. Olson, 

C/123rd; Spc. Jesse L. Parker, 84th 

Eng., 17th CSSB; Cpl. Marquitta N 

Pelaez, HHC, 3rd MEB; Sgt. Elie 

M Piha, HHC, 3-509th; Sgt. Pablo 

Prada Montenegro, D/123rd; Spc. 

Dylan B. Quenneville, 545th MP; 

Sgt. Tayon S. Reid, MEDDAC; 

Spc. Jill E. Salway, MEDDAC; 

Spc. Daniel J Santiago, 545th 

MP; Spc. Daniel B. Scheck, 84th 

Eng., 17th CSSB; Spc. Archibald 

O. Simangan, 84th Eng., 17th 

CSSB; Spc. Kyle C. Slade, 472nd 

MP and Spc. Curtis A. Slater, 


Troop, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 

40th Cavalry Regiment; Sgt. Joel 

E. Sobers, A/725th BSB; Spc. 

Colin L. Stallings, C Company, 

1-501st; Spc. Kirsten L. Storie, E 

Company, 1-52nd; Spc. Jarron A. 

Tait, 84th Eng., 17th CSSB; Spc. 

Annie M. Taylor, C/123rd; Spc. 

Joshua E. Tyson, 545th MP; Sgt. 

Eric Ure, C/3-509th; Spc. Danny 

G. Vasquez, C/123rd; Sgt. Aaron 

S. Vaughn, G/725th; Spc. Ronda R. 

Veneno, 95th Chem., 17th CSSB; 

Spc. Henry J. Wasser, B Company, 

1-501st; Spc. Melody R. Wright, 

472nd MP, and Spc. Dan Xie, 

C/123rd.


Commissary closure 

The Joint Base Elmendorf- 

Richardson Commissary will be 

closed for inventory Monday. 

Tax offices 

The U.S. Army Alaska Tax 

Center is open to provide tax 

preparation and advice to service 

members, retirees, family members, 

and eligible members of the 

Reserve through April 18. 

The center is in Room 306, 

Building 600. Hours are Monday 

to Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.–5 

p.m. and Thursday, 1–8 p.m. For 

more information, call 384-1040. 

The 673d Air Base Wing Tax 

Office is next to Customer Service 

on the first floor of Building 8517, 

in the People Center, and remain 

open through April 18. 

Hours are Monday to Friday 

from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Tax preparation 

is free of charge, but limited 

to valid military ID card holders. 

Customers should bring Social 

Security cards or a statement from 

the Social Security Administration 

bearing their Social Security Number 

to the Tax Center. 

AER scholarships 

The Maj. Gen. James Ursano 

Scholarship Program helps 

Army families with undergraduate 

college expenses for their 

dependent children. 

The 2011-2012 scholarship 

application and requirement information 

are available at www. 

aerhq.org. 

The deadline for submissions 

is April 1. For more information, 

call 384-7478. 

Voting poster contest 

Entries are now being accepted 

for the Federal Voting Assistance 

Program poster and slogan contest. 

The contest is open to U.S. citizens 

worldwide, via challenge.gov. 

Contests should use ideas 

from fvap.gov to inspire members 

of the military, their families and 

U.S. citizens residing overseas to 

participate in elections while away 

from home. 

More information can be found 

at fvap.gov or http://challenge.gov/ 

dod/115-absentee-voting-slogancontest. 

Winners will receive 

a trip to Washington D.C., to 

participate. 

Briefs and Announcements 

Graduation ceremony 

The Army Education Center 

will hold its 14th Annual Graduation 

Ceremony May 6. Department 

of Defense ID cardholders 

who have completed a college 

degree or earned a GED here or 

elsewhere, the Army Education 

Center would like to acknowledge 

the accomplishment. To participate 

call the Army Education Center at 

384-0970, no later than April 29. 

Noise advisory 

Anchorage, Eagle River and 

Chugiak area residents can expect 

an increase of noise from Joint 

Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s firing 

ranges. 

The Army’s 2nd Battalion, 

377th Parachute Field Artillery 

Regiment, are scheduled to fire 

105-mm artillery rounds during 

the hours of 8 a.m. to midnight, 

Tuesday to Thursday. 

Individuals who would like 

more specific information or who 

wish to be placed on a notification 

roster can contact Erin Eaton, 

JBER Public Affairs, at erin.eaton@elmendorf.af.mil. 

Furnishings management 

The Furnishings Management 

Office offers 90-day loaner furniture 

for Airmen arriving at or 

leaving JBER-Elmendorf. 

The FMO also has appliances 

for Airmen residing off base, for 

long term use. Delivery and pickup 

is provided for 90-day loaner 

furniture and appliances. The FMO 

also has longterm furniture for 

ranks E-1 through E-5. 

These items are available on 

a first-come first-serve-basis. The 

service member is responsible 

for transporting these furnishings. 

Airmen should take a copy of PCS 

orders to the Government Housing 

Office at 6346Arctic Warrior Dr. to 

schedule furniture delivery. 

Call 552-2740 for any questions 

regarding the FMO program. 

Hours of operation are Monday 

through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Soldiers can call 384-0092 for 

the JBER-Richardson FMO. 

Official Mail Center 

The Official Mail Center is 

unable to send personal items, to 

include care packages. 

To ship official mail via FedEx, 

pieces need a memo for record attached 

explaining: 

1) “To” address 

2) “From” address 

3) Time of transportation (twoday 

service or overnight) 

If a customer requests or would 

like an e-mail notification with the 

tracking number and estimated arrival 

date, an e-mail address needs 

to be provided in the memo. 

If overnight service is required, 

the memo needs to be signed by an 

E-7 or higher, due to the expensive 

nature of two-day service. 

The package can be a box, 

without any writing on it. If it has 

writing, it needs to be covered 

up by brown shipping paper. 

The weight limit for boxes is 35 

pounds. Packages will be weighed 

prior to acceptance by mail center 

workers. 

Any package over 35 pounds 

will be immediately returned 

to sender. Packages should be 

brought to the Official Mail 

Center located at the south entrance 

of Building 10437, Kuter 

Ave. 

Care packages can be sent 

through the U.S. Postal Service 

Office, at the north entrance of 

Building 10437 Kuter Ave. Call 

552-4622 for more info. 

Thrift Shops 

The Thrift Shop, Building 724, 

Quartermaster Road, Door 8, is 

open Tuesday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 

Wednesday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 

Thursday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The 

Thrift Shop is also open the first 

and third Saturday of each month, 

11 a.m.–2 p.m. 

The Bargain Shop, 8515 SavilleAve., 

is open Tuesday, Wednesday, 

and Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 

The Airman’s Attic is open 

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 

10 a.m.–2 p.m. The attic is 

looking for volunteers. Call 580- 

3120 for more information. 

Direct Access clinic 

The Direct Access Acute Care 

Physical and Occupational Therapy 

Clinic at the Joint DoD/VA 

Hospital is open to active duty 

service members without appointment 

or referral, Monday, Tuesday 

and Thursday, 7–9 a.m. 

Call 580-1701 for more information. 

Government Hill Gate 

Monday to April 1, the Government 

Hill Gate will open 30 

minutes earlier than normal. The 

gate will open at 5:30 a.m. instead 

of 6 a.m. 

This will be a test to see if the 

gate’s standard hours should be 

changed. 

State fair scholarships 

The Alaska State Fair is currently 

accepting applications for its 

2011 scholarship program, which 

is open to all Alaska high school 

seniors. 

Three $1,000 cash scholarships 

will be awarded. 

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m., 

April 22. 

Scholarship recipients will be 

announced by May 2. 

For more information, call 

746-7164 or send e-mail to marketing@alaskastatefair.org, 

or visit 

alaskastatefair.org. 

in special events and tours. 

Poison control 

The State of Alaska is offering 

free poison prevention packs to all 

Alaskans. 

The packs include stickers and 

magnets with the (800) 222-1222 

poison hotline number, a poison 

first-aid guide, tip sheets and 

more. 

To request a poison prevention 

pack, call 465-4170, or go onlinle 

to www.poisoncontrol.alaska.gov. 

Supplies are limited but the program 

will distribute them all. 

Disposition of effects 

Anyone having claims against 

or who is indebted to the estate 

of Sgt. Michael M. McCloskey, 

84th Engineer Support Company 

(Airborne), 6th Engineer Battalion 

(Airborne), may contact 1st Lt. 

Megan Hedman, at the 84th ESC, 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, 

Alaska, 99505, or by phone at 

384-1269. 

Spice briefings 


invites family members to 

awareness briefings of the illegality 

and dangers of Spice, or synthetic 

marijuana, Monday, from 6–8 p.m., 

in the JBER-Richardson Theater 

and Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to noon 

in the JBER-Elmendorf Theater. 

‘Stop Loss’ 

pay claim 

deadline 

extended 

American Forces 

Press Service 

News release 

The deadline for eligible 

service members, veterans 

and their beneficiaries to apply 

for special retroactive 

pay as compensation for involuntary 

extensions of their 

military service contracts has 

been extended to April 8, 

Defense Department officials 

announced Monday. 

The deadline extension 

is included in the continuing 

resolution President Barack 

Obama signed March 18 that 

provided funding for government 

operations through 

April 8. 

The Retroactive Stop Loss 

Special Pay was established to 

compensate for the hardships 

military members encountered 

when their service was 

involuntarily extended under 

Stop Loss authority between 

Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 

2009. 

Eligible members or their 

beneficiaries may submit 

a claim to their respective 

military services to receive the 

benefit of $500 for each full or 

partial month served in a Stop 

Loss status. 

When the special pay 

program began on Oct. 21, 

2009, the services estimated 

145,000 service members, 

veterans and beneficiaries 

were eligible for this benefit. 

Because the majority of 

those eligible had separated 

from the military, the services 

have engaged in extensive and 

persistent outreach efforts to 

reach them and remind them 

to apply, officials said. 

To apply for Stop Loss 

pay or for more information, 

including submission requirements 

and service-specific 

links, go to www.defense.gov/ 

stoploss.


76th Wing Airmen hone civil engineer skills 

y Air Guard Staff Sgt. 

. Alicia Goldberger 

76th Wing Public Affairs 

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, 

alif. — Approximately 30 memers 

of the Alaska Air National 

uard’s 176th Civil Engineer 

quadron arrived March 11, at 

his remote island off the coast of 

outhern California for two weeks 

f building, pouring, repairing and 

weating. 

This type of mission is called 

Deployment For Training and 

llows Air National Guard civil 

ngineer squadron members to 

harpen their construction skills 

nd meet real-world needs at the 

ame time. 

The training keeps Airmen 

ission-ready in the event they are 

alled overseas. 

“The DFT program is an inaluable 

tool for training oportunities 

not available at home 

tation,” said Senior Master Sgt. 

eith Wilson, the operations suerintendent 

of the mission. 

During previous deployments, 

quadron members built a schoolouse 

in Ecuador; raised an aircraft 

helter in Israel; and upgraded 

oads and other infrastructure 

long the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Through the DFT program, 

nits – like Naval Special Warare 

Group One, stationed at San 

lemente Island – request assisance 

with civil engineering projcts, 

from construction to wiring, 

The 176th Civil Engineer Squadron, part of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing, deployed to San Clemente Island for two weeks 

in March to train and work on a variety of infrastructure projects. (Photos by Air Guard Staff Sgt. N. Alicia Goldberger/176th Wing PAO) 

plumbing and masonry. 

“It’s a win-win situation for us 

and the host,” Wilson said. 

Civil engineer units across the 

Air National Guard request a tasking 

to accomplish training. 

The National Guard Bureau 

then matches these units with or- 

ganizations that need work. Work 

assignments are based on the skill 

levels and training needed by 

guardsmen. Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Abigail Olivares is excited about 

learning on this trip, she said. 

Olivares’job recently got combined 

with that of a similar civil 

engineer, and she said she wants 

to get this training. 

These taskings are designed to 

exercise skills and attitudes needed 

in wartime deployment through 

real-world, peacetime requirements, 

according to Air National 

Guard guidance. 

“These trips are great because 

not only do they train Airmen, 

they boost morale and give great 

value to the United States by providing 

cost-effective construction 

services to other units,” said Air 

Force Lt. Col. Ed Soto, 176th CES 

commander. 

Members of the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron check out a work site at San Clemente Island, Calif., before beginning a construction project, March 11. The 176th CES deployed 

to the remote island off the coast of southern California for two weeks to train and work on a variety of infrastructure projects. 

4th Quartermaster Detachment, Alaska Army National Guard slingload 

A 207th Aviation Regiment, Alaska Army National Guard, UH-60 Black Hawk lifts off during slingload training with the 4th Quartermaster Detachment, 17th Combat Sustainment 

Support Battalion, at Landing Zone Ranger, March 10. Dozens of Soldiers were familiarized with establishing a helicopter landing zone and basic sling load operations, 

which included hand and arm signals, hookup and release procedures, and preparation of an A-22 Cargo Bag for sling load utilizing a 10,000 pound sling set and a 5,000 

pound cargo net. As an aerial delivery unit, parachute riggers of the 4th Quartermaster Detachment stand ready to rig 50 short tons of supplies or equipment within 24 

hours, as well as supporting light pack operations. (Photo by Percy Jones/JBER PAO)

Volume 2, No. 12 

Band of the 

Pacific brings 

music to 

Trailside 

By David Bedard 

JBER PAO 

The face of Staff Sgt. Tom 

Salyers, U.S. Air Force Band of 

the Pacific Northern Lights Brass, 

beamed beat red as he belted out Al 

Hirt’s frenetic “Green Hornet.” 

JBER 

youth hone 

ballplaying 

skills at free 

weekly clinic, 

Page B-4 

The Airman masterfully breathed out the 

theme song’s staccato, almost machine gun, 

rhythm to the delight of hundreds of Trailside 

Elementary School children huddled in the 

school’s general purpose room to hear the 

band’s Music In Our Schools performance. 

“Every superhero needs to have three 

things before they can really be a superhero,” 

said band member Staff Sgt. Jeff Dahlseng,of 

the Pittsburgh trumpeter. “First of all you 

gotta have some theme music, and Tom 

is pretty lucky because he plays his own 

theme music. 

“Every superhero needs a trusty sidekick 

and Tom has (Tech. Sgt.) Mike (Van 

Arsdale),” he continued, pointing out the 

saxophonist from Akron, Ohio. “And every 

superhero needs a villain … this is (Master 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Tom Salyers, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacifc, originally from 

Pittsburgh, plays trumpet during a March 17 Music In Our Schools performance at 

Trailside Elementary School in Anchorage. (Photo by David Bedard/JBER PAO) 

By Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson 

3rd MEB PAO 

From their beginnings as a competition for the citizens 

of ancient Greece and surrounding countries, the Olympic 

Games have developed into a worldwide event. 

On Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the Soldiers of the 

6th Engineer Battalion (Airborne) have taken the spirit of the 

original games to create their own athletic championship: 

the Arctic Sapper Winter Olympic Games. 

Taking their inspiration from Olympic pageantry, the 

battalion’s color bearer led the company guidon bearers 

towards a pyre which they lit with a torch, symbolizing the 

opening of the games March 14 behind the Buckner Physical 

Fitness Center. 

To the Arctic Sappers, the flame represents the strength of 

will to battle enemies in the world’s harshest environments. 

The flame stands as a symbol of strength, a solitary source 

of heat in an otherwise barren, arctic landscape. 

The Arctic Sapper Winter Olympic Games is a two-week 

series of competitive and family-friendly winter events for 

the Arctic Sappers and their families. 

The events include an Ahkio sled pull, 10-man tent setup, 

a biathlon, a 10-kilometer snowshoe march and a two-week 

combatives tournament. The events that include family members 

are slalom ski and snowboarding, arctic orienteering, 

broom ball, snowshoe softball, snowman building, a snow 

tube race, cross-country skiing, and a alpine touring race. 

“I’d say the best reason for having the opening ceremony 

like this is really to build some excitement with the families 

and the Soldiers,” said Army Capt. Dave Frehulfer of the 

6th Engineer Battalion operations section, and host of the 

ceremony. “They see it on paper, they hear it briefed, but 

www.jber.af.mil/news 

Sgt.) Brian Jenner.” 

He gestured toward the Yukon, Okla., 

native’s massive baritone saxophone to the 

gasp of the students. 

“The villain always has the largest instrument 

in the band,” Dahlseng said with 

a satisfied grin. 

The Lowry, Minn., native said the performance 

was part of the band’s efforts to promote 

MIOS throughout the month of March, 

with ensembles Top Cover, the Dixie Band 

and the Brass Quintet performing at schools 

throughout the Anchorage School District. 

“We go into primarily elementary 

schools and middle schools,” Dahlseng 

explained. “We play concerts for the kids to 

expose them to a high level of musicianship 

and also a high level of professionalism that 

they can see in all branches of the military.” 

During the concert, the band played selections 

from everything from “Spongebob 

Squarepants” to Queen’s “Another One Bites 

the Dust.” 

“We try to provide a wide range of various 

musical styles,” Jenner said. “There’ll 

be some jazz. There will be a little military 

march music, some rock and roll and popular 

music.” 

Jenner said the band aims to 

help students who are interested 

in pursuing music to broaden 

their artistic expectations. 

“It gives them a chance to hear what it’s 

really supposed to sound like,” he said. “It 

gives them a chance to hear it in a professional 

setting. I think it’s important to expose 

the children not only to the beginning band 

book and the joy of that, but also what’s out 

there and what (music) might lead to.” 

Jenner and Dahlseng said they both began 

their music careers at age five or six on 

actually having a ceremony puts a face on what we’re trying 

to do here. That’s to get people outside, enjoying late-winter 

sports — and a lot of this stuff we use as arctic sappers,” 

Frehulfer, a Lehighton, Pa. native, said. 

Wayans brothers 

visit JBER service 

members and 

families, 

Page B-6 

March 25, 2011 

the piano at the prompting of their parents, 

but progressed to a brass instrument on their 

own initiative. Dahlseng said he picked up 

the trombone in the fifth grade. 

“Parents often push (music) at a young 

age,” he said. “But at some point – to get 

to where we are – we had to decide that’s 

what we wanted to do.” 

Dahlseng said children are often 

fascinated with the more technical 

aspects of music, with several 

references to special instruments 

and techniques peppered throughout 

the concert. 

“They all know what a trumpet is and 

they all know what a saxophone is, but they 

maybe didn’t know that you could do all of 

the different things that we’re doing on our 

instruments or that there are three different 

types of saxophones,” he elaborated. “They 

probably don’t know the whole range of 

what’s possible on a trumpet, but when they 

hear Tom play, they think ‘Wow, I didn’t 

know the trumpet could go that high, that 

fast or play that many notes.’ 

“It opens their eyes and might light a 

spark for something they might want to follow 

further in the future.” 

Linda Bender, Trailside music teacher, 

said art in general and music in particular are 

critical for the development of elementary 

school children. 

“Studies of brain activity in children 

and learning capacities show that anytime a 

student takes on arts class – be it music, be 

it visual arts – they’re testing higher, they’re 

showing great brain development, and it 

crosses to both sides of the brain,” she said. 

Bender said MIOS also serves to expose 

See Music, page B-2 

6th Engineers host JBER Sapper Winter games 

The reason for the event is twofold, according to Army 

Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister, the battalion commander. “It’s an 

See Olympics, page B-2 

Spc. Christopher Salinas, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, lights the Arctic Sapper Winter 

Olympic Games fire March 14, signifying the start of the games. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson/3rd MEB PAO)

B-2 Arctic Warrior March 25, 2011 

Music 

From page B-1 

students to troops whom she regards as the best in their 

career field. 

“For the band to come in like that – of course they’re 

absolutely outstanding musicians in their own right – and 

for the kids to hear a quality program like that … it makes 

a big impact on them,” she said. “It’s also a great tie-in for 

our military presence here in Anchorage.” 

Jenner said the appreciation goes both ways, because 

he thinks MIOS is one of the most rewarding programs the 

band promotes. 

“It’s nice to be able to do this for a living and provide 

that live music,” he said. “People seem to really enjoy live 

music and we’re happy to be able provide it.” 

Olympics 

From page B-1 

pportunity to celebrate coming out of a 

ong winter as well as practice all of our 

rctic skills by putting them to use them 

n friendly competition,” he said. “It’s also 

great opportunity to welcome back and 

eintegrate the 23rd from their deployent, 

get all the families out with the unit 

haring in some healthy, athletic fun.” 

Army Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister, 

commander of the 6th 

Engineer Battalion (Combat) 

(Airborne) presents Capt. 

Chelsea Frehulfer of the 

battalion’s Headquarters and 

Headquarters Company with 

a gold medal for her firstplace 

finish in the biathlon 

competition. The battalion 

began its Arctic Sappers 

Olympic games on March 14, 

with Soldier skills and family 

fun contests, to celebrate the 

end of winter and the unit’s 

recent retrun from deployment. 

(Photo by Army Staff 

Sgt. Jason Epperson/3rd 

MEB PAO) 

LEFT: Alec Clayton, 11, of the Trailside Elementary School Honor Band, speaks with fellow trombone player Staff Sgt. Jeff 

Dahlseng, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific, following a March 17 ‘Music In Our Schools’ peformance at the school. The 

musicians played a variety of music for the children, demonstrating the versatility of trombones, saxophones and other 

instruments. 

ABOVE: U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific ‘Northern Lights Brass’ members Staff Sgt. Tom Salyers, Staff Sgt. Jeff Dahlseng 

and Master Sgt. Brian Jenner field questions from Trailside Elementary School students following a March 17 ‘Music In 

Our Schools’ concert at the school. The Music in our Schools program brings military band members into local schools to 

increase awareness of musical skills and capabilities and encourage children to get involved with music. (Photo by David 

Bedard/JBER PAO) 

Experience JBER Elmendorf-Richardson 

Jber Annual 

Spring Melt Down 

at Hillberg Ski Area! 

Ski Hotline 552 - 4276 

March 26, Saturday 

UP HILL DOWN HILL RACE 1 P.M. 

Register at the Lesson Center, 11 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. 

ANNUAL BIG AIR COMPETITION 4 P.M. 

Register at the Lesson Center, Noon - 3 p.m. 

This event is open to ages 9 years old and up. Minors need parents to sign a waiver. 

big PrizeS 

For ToP 

CoMPeTiTorS! 

March 27, Sunday 

CC SLED RACE NOON 

Register at the Hillberg Lodge 8:30 a.m. 

Construct duct tape and cardboard vessels for the CC’s to race 

down the slopes of Hillberg. Please supply your own materials. 

TUBING TEAM RELAY RACE 11 A.M. 

Team registration from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

‘SLUSH CUP’ HILLBERG STYLE 2 P.M. 

Register at the Lesson Center 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

Participants will be judged on creative costume, execution of aerial maneuvers, 

and distance traveled over the man-made pond. The more extravagant the 

costume, the more chance you have to win!

March 25, 2011 Arctic Warrior B-3 

Community happenings 

Today - Sunday 

Camino Real 

Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse 

presents Tennessee Williams’ rarely 

performed play, 7 p.m. Thursday–Friday, 

and 3 p.m. Sundays. 

For more information, visit 

www.cyranos.org. 

SaTurday 

Sprint triathlon 

Swim 18 laps, cycle 12 miles 

and run three miles, starting at 9 

a.m., at Buckner Physical Fitness 

Center. 

Call 384-1304 for information. 

Sunday 

Photography workshop 

Professional photographer 

Roy Corral presents a workshop 

designed for beginning digital 

photography enthusiasts interested 

in sharpening their skills, noon–3 

p.m. at the Eagle River Nature 

Center. The workshop is limited to 

the first 20 who sign up. 

Call 694-2108 to register. 

Scared Scriptless Improv 

Alaska’s longest running comedy 

improvisation troupe has been 

bringing the funny to Alaska since 

2000. Second and fourth Saturdays 

of each month at 8 p.m. at the Snow 

Goose Restaurant. 


310-1973. 

Friday-Sunday 

Tebughna Foundation 

Pow-Wow/ Ida’ina 

Gathering 

Tribes from Alaska, Canada, 

and the lower 48 will hold a powwow 

at the Dena’ina Center with 

guest performers such as Little 

Thunder Singers, Lowery Begay, 

and Aaron Letendre. The pow-wow 

events run Friday from 6 p.m. until 

11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. 

until 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. until 

9 p.m. 


www.tebughnafoundation.com. 

Mat-Su Outdoorsman 

Show 

Outdoors and sports vendors 

host a show at the Curtis D. Menard 

Sports Center in Wasilla, Friday 

from noon until 7 p.m., Saturday 

from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday 

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 


www.chinookshows.com. 

Alaska Aces vs. Utah 

Grizzlies 

Alaska’s professional hockey 

team and 2006 Kelly Cup champions 

battle it out with the Utah 

Grizzlies at Sullivan Arena, 7:15 

p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 

2:05 p.m. Sunday. 


258-2237. 

ThurSday – april 3 

Great Alaska Sportsman 

Show 

Alaska’s largest annual sports 

and outdoor show offers everything 

for the sports and outdoor enthusiast 

with demonstrations, clinics, 

the kids’ fishing pond, laser rifle 

range, mobile aquatic classroom 

and more at Sullivan Arena. 

Thursday from 4 p.m. until 9 

p.m., April 1 from noon until 9 

p.m.; April 2 from 10 a.m. until 

9 p.m. and April 3 from 10 a.m. 

until 6 p.m. 

april 1 – april 3 

Fools on Ice Women’s 

Hockey Tournament 

This April Fool’s Day weekend 

tournament is to have fun and promote 

hockey for women of all ages. 

Women 21 and up face off at 

the Subway Sports Centre, April 

1 at 6 p.m. and April 2 and 3 at 9 

a.m. For information, visit www. 

alaskafoolsonice.com. 

april 2 

Gin Blossoms 

The Arizona band is back in 

support of their latest album, “No 

Chocolate Cake,” at the Dena’ina 

Center at 8 p.m. 

april 8 - May 1 

Becky’s New Car 

Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse 

presents a comic cruise through the 

perils of middle-aged longing and 

regret, 7 p.m. Thursday through 

Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sundays. 


www.cyranos.org. 

april 9 

Rage City Roller Derby 

The Sockeye Sallys are back 

and looking to put the Dirty Polli’s 

in their place. 

Roaring Rage is coming to 

the Dena’ina Center on April 9th. 

Doors open at 6 and wheels roll 

at 7. 

For information, visit www. 

ragecityrollergirls.org. 

april 16 

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 

The Anchorage Symphony 

presents a roller coaster ride of 

raw power. 

Gustav Mahler’s monumental 

opus employs expanded wind, 

brass and percussion sections plus 

a chorus nearly 200 strong at the 

Alaska Center for the Performing 

Arts at 8 p.m. 


263-2787. 

ongoing 

Volunteer coaching 

Due to the large number of 

registrations, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson 

Youth Sports Program/Anchorage 

Military Community 

Little League still needs 

45 volunteer coaches for the upcoming 

youth baseball and softball 

season. 

The regular season begins April 

15 and concludes June 30. 

For more information, call 552- 

2266 or 384-1508. 

Ice Age titans 

The Anchorage Museum presents 

Mammoths and Mastodons: 

Titans of the Ice Age. 

Developed by the Field Museum 

of Chicago, this exhibit 

includes life-size replica creatures, 

skeletons, skulls and tusks; and 

includes ancient art contemporary 

to the extinct giants. 

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , 

call 929-9200, or visit www. 

anchoragemuseum.org. 

Cabaret 

The Wild Berry Theater hosts 

Cabaret, one of Broadway’s and 

Hollywood’s most famous musicals, 

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 

p.m, through April 9. 



alaskawildberryproducts.com. 

Ice skating 


recently opened a new outdoor 

ice skating rink for winter fun 

and fitness located adjacent to the 

Kashim Club. 

The regulation ice hockey rink 

is lit and is professionally resurfaced 

twice weekly. Outdoor recreation 

rents a variety of ice skates. 


552-2023. 

Free shotgun rentals 

The Joint Base Elmendorf- 

Richardson Skeet and Trap Range 

is offering free shotgun rentals 

during March for new shooters. 

See the 673d Force Support 

Squadron advertisement, Page B-5, 

for more details. 

Kashim Karaoke 

Karaoke for ages 18 and older 

is offered in the Kashim Lounge, 9 

p.m. until 2:30 a.m. 

Night of Discovery 

Discovery is a religious education 

program of the Joint Base 

Elmendorf-Richardson Chapel 

community and meets on Wednesdays 

from 5:45 p.m.until 7:30 p.m. 

through May 4. 

Meals are provided at 5:45 p.m. 

with classes beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

Bible-based classes for children 

K–6 are provided with a nursery 

ministry for pre-school youth. 

At the same time as Discovery, 

the Soldiers’ Chapel hosts Club 

Beyond, an ecumenical youth 

ministry open to all junior and high 

school youth. 

For more information, call 552- 

6480 or 552-0183. 

Wired Cafe 

The Wired Cafe is located at 

7076 Fighter Dr., between Polaris 

and Yukla dormitories. 

The cafe was built to serve 

Airmen who live in the dormitories 

with a home-away-from- 

home atmosphere. 

The cafe has wireless Internet 

and programs throughout the week. 

There are also free homecooked 

meals Thursdays with dinner 

served at 6:30 p.m. 

For information, call 552-4422. 

Commissary Closure 

The JBER Commissary will be closed for annual inventory on Monday. It will re-open Tuesday for 

normal business hours. (Photo by Steve White/JBER PAO) 

Parent support program 

The New Parent Support Program 

hosts several activities for 

families with young children. 


NPSP at 580-5858. 

Planetarium shows 

Through 3-D graphics, surround 

sound and a dome screen, the 

Anchorage Museum’s planetarium 

offers a fascinating way to learn 

about astronomy, the solar system 

and more. 




Native Art 

The Anchorage Museum presents 

(Re) Emergence: Contemporary 

Alaska Native Art and Design, 

exhibiting nearly 50 art works 

created during the past 50 years by 

prominent Native artists. 




Knee-High Naturalists 

This Eagle River Nature Center 

program, through April 9, 

offers nature exploration for preschoolers 

aged 3-5 together with 

a parent starting at 11 a.m. Dress 

for the outdoors, and bring a snack 

or lunch to join fellow Kneehighs 

for a picnic immediately after the 

program. Crafts and toys are available 

for 1/2 hour before program 

start. The program is limited to 

10 children (minimum 5; no walkins). 

Please note that siblings are 

welcome, but they need to register 

and pay (if 2 years or older) in 

order to participate. This program 

is not appropriate for school-aged 

children. 


www.ernc.com. 

Sailing for Salmon: 125 

Years of Commercial 

Fishing in Bristol Bay 

This exhibit features historic 

photographs of commercial fishermen 

who sailed Bristol Bay, the 

hub of the Alaska salmon industry. 

Tuesdays through Saturdays 

from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and 

Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. 

Chapel 

services 

Catholic Mass 

Sunday 

9 a.m. – Soldiers’ Chapel 

10:30 a.m. – Elmendorf 

Chapel 1 

5 p.m. – Soldiers’ Chapel 

(Confession is available 30 

minutes prior to 

Sunday Evening Mass) 

Monday through Friday 

11:40 a.m. – Soldiers’ Chapel 

Monday, Wednesday and 

Friday 

11:30 a.m. – Elmendorf Chapel 

Center 

Thursday 

11:30 a.m. – Hospital Chapel 

Confession 

Sunday 

4:30 p.m. – Soldiers’ Chapel 

Monday though Friday 

Before/after 11:40 Mass – 

Soldiers’ Chapel 

Protestant Sunday 

Services 

Joint Liturgical Service 

9 a.m. – Elmendorf Chapel 2 

Protestant Celebration 

Service 

9 a.m. – Elmendorf Chapel 1 

Collective Protestant Service 

11 a.m. – Soldiers’ Chapel 

Gospel Service 

Noon – Elmendorf Chapel 1 

Contemporary Protestant 

Service 

5 p.m. – Elmendorf Chapel 1 

through May 7. For information, 

visit www.anchoragemuseum.org. 

Storytime at the Zoo 

Pre-school age kids can explore 

the world of animals with their parents 

by listening to an Alaska Zoo 

storyteller, then visit the animals. 

Programs are held in the Coffee 

Shop greenhouse each Wednesday. 

For more information, e-mail klarson@alaskazoo.org. 

Science: 

you be the 

judge 

Tech. Sgt. Scott White, 673d 

Security Forces Squadron, 

reviews the science fair 

project of a student from 

the Northern Lights ABC 

School, March 17. Service 

members are asked annually 

by school officials to come 

and judge the projects. The 

top-placing projects will be 

featured in the Alaska State 

Science fair. (Photo by Air 

Force Staff Sgt. Joshua 

Garcia/JBER PAO)


JBER youth knock off rust at sports clinic 

Baseball, softball players hone skills at free event 

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee 

JBER PAO 

The snow hasn’t quite melted outside yet, but Joint 

Base Elmendorf-Richardson youth have an opportunity 

to dust off their baseball and softball gloves during clinics 

every Saturday at the Kennecott Youth Center. 

The clinics are free and open to children from 5 to 14 

years old. 

Paul Caron, Kennecott Youth Center sports director, 

said this is the second year for the clinics and he feels 

they were extremely beneficial to improving the skills of 

participants last year. 

“This is a great way to knock the rust off the kids and 

get them prepared for the season,” Caron said. “Getting 

them in the mindset early will really raise the level of play 

during the season.” 

There were multiple stations set up in the youth center 

gym for the clinic to help the youth work on the different 

facets of their baseball and softball game. Among the new 

additions this year were a pitching mound and a batting 

cage. There were also drills to work on fielding and base 

running and sliding. 

Air Force Master Sgt. John Pruitt, 673d Civil Engineer 

Group, brought his 10-year-old sons Ostyn and Anthony 

to the clinic. 

“The boys were real excited about coming here today,” 

he said. “It is great that this is available to get them in the 

mindset and to hone their baseball skills.” 

Ostyn Pruitt said his favorite part of the clinic was 

pitching off the new artificial pitching mound. 

“This was a lot of fun and everybody should do it,” 

he said. 

Caron said the clinic was part of the youth sports program’s 

increased focus on baseball and softball. 

He said joint basing has really strengthened the little 

league organization on base. JBER now boasts the third 

largest league in the greater Anchorage area. 

“It allows us to have more teams and venues to play at, 

he said. “It allows us to better balance the teams.” 

Caron said he really enjoys hosting the clinic and he 

likes seeing the youth develop their skills. 

“I just have a blast teaching these kids,” he said. “It’s 

great to see them learn about baseball and softball.” 

Pfc. Emilio Rodriquez, youth sports volunteer, shows Joey Komaki, son of Tech. Sgt. Randal Komaki, how to grip the 

ball March 19, at the basball/softball clinic held at the Kennecott Youth Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. 

(Photos by Steve White/JBER PAO) 

Cara Mitchell, daughter of Sgt. Jake Sims, throws to her 

partner at the basball/softball clinic held at the Kennecott 

Youth Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. 

Ostyn Pruitt, son of Air Force Master Sgt. John Pruitt, 

throws the ball during drills at the basball/softball clinic held 

at the Kennecott Youth Center on Joint Base Elmendorf- 

Richardson. 

Sharp shooters compete in skeet competition 

Tech. Sgt. David Gunn, 354th Security Forces Squadron Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, hits a clay pigeon March 18, during a round of skeet at the range on Joint Base Elmendorf- 

Richardson. Shooting results are tallied weekly for the year-long competition. (Photos by Steve White/JBER PAO) 

Tech. Sgt. David Gunn fires a shot during a round of skeet at the range on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. 

Shotguns are stored in a gun rack between rounds of 

skeet March 18, at the range on Joint Base Elmendorf- 

Richardson.


673d Force Support Squadron s JBER-Richardson Events 

CHeCk ouT 

elmendorf outdoor Recreation, 

Building 7301 

Rifle Cartridge Reloading class 

on April 1 at 5:30 p.m. 

Call 552-2023 for more details. 

BrinG out your inner artiSt toDay. 

CeramiC PourinG 

CertifiCation ClaSS 

SaturDayS at noon. $20 Per PerSon 

BaSiC frame ClaSS 

thurSDayS 6:30 P.m. & SaturDayS 10:30 a.m. 

(BrinG 5X7 PiCture to frame) 

$30 Per PerSon. 

WooD Safety ClaSS 

thurSDayS 6:30 P.m. & SaturDayS 10:30 a.m. 

(muSt have thiS ClaSS Before uSinG WooD ShoP) 

$10 Per PerSon. 

Come in for Scrap Book/Card making anytime only $3 per hour to use our Cricut, 

tools and paper. Pick n’ Paint Ceramics all day, everyday. Pottery Wheels and Dipping 

Glazes are available for use. Kilns available for rent. 

JBER Richardson Arts and Crafts s Building 755 off of D Street s Phone 384 - 3717 

Water Safety Instructor Certification Course 

Buckner Physical Fitness Center Pool 

April 1 & 8 from 3 - 9 p.m. 

April 2 & 9 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Cost is $145 (not including book). Open to all 

authorized users Ages 16 years & older. Mandatory swim test 

required before class begins schedule yours today! 

Call 384-1301 for more details. 

For Singles! 

April 2 

Meet & Greet starts at 6 p.m. 

Bidding starts at 7 p.m. 

Social hour 8 to 10 p.m. 

$2 pints $6 pitchers domestic only. 

How game will be played... 

People bid on individuals for a chance to win partnership in Newbie Game. Winners get 

1/2 hour to talk to partner and learn about each other then play Newlywed style game. 

Three rounds with minute to win it in between. 

The Arctic Chill, Building 655 

Everyone Welcome! 18 years old and older. 

Call 384 - 7619/9023 for more details. 

Enjoy the great outdoors... 

Enroll your 3 - 4 yEars old 

in smart start Baseball. 

Registration Starts: Now - April 22 

Registration Fee: $45 

Season Runs: April 29 - June 10 

Register at Two Rivers Youth Center, Building 297 

or call 384-1508 for more details.


Good wingmen 

spend time 

‘with’ people 

Commentary by Maj. Jason Whittle 

65th Contracting Squadron 

LAJES FIELD, Azores — I have three small children and 

I still haven’t been issued a parenting manual. I’ve changed 

a lot of diapers and still struggle. 

You’ll frequently see my children in mismatched clothes. 

That’s because it was daddy’s turn to dress them. 

When I cook dinner, it looks more like a college kid’s 

menu – a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a banana, a cheese 

stick and some gummy bears. 

When I’m tasked to clean the peanut butter and jelly 

from my kids’ hands, face, ears and hair, you can bet I’ll 

miss most of it (incidentally, PB&J makes great hair gel). 

Momma spends a lot of time fixing what I’ve goofed 

up. But all I have to do is lay on the floor and the kids come 

swarming, excited to jump on daddy. 

Fortunately, their love isn’t based on my skill – whew! 

They just love to be with me. Sometimes I’m the punching 

bag, or trampoline, or even the tackling dummy. Sometimes 

I get to be their pillow too. 

My kids just want to be with me. 

We’re social creatures, hard-wired to spend time with one 

another, help each other, talk, listen and enjoy the company 

of our friends and family. 

Social networking sites help us stay in touch with friends, 

no matter the distance between us. Our cities and towns are 

full of people and we spend our days surrounded by others. 

Yet many people still feel alone, unconnected and dissatisfied. 

We send emails to our family members, who may be 

in the same house. 

Even phone calls have been replaced by easier and 

less personal communication methods. Instead of visiting 

our friends, we text them. We exchange conversation and 

company for a few typed words sent from phone to phone. 

There are countless books on leadership, parenthood and 

even friendship. We’re taught to be good wingmen. 

I’m going to save you some time. There is a foundational 

truth that runs through all of these books and classes: “with.” 

A good leader is “with” his people, talking, listening, 

observing, and simply being there – management by walking 

around. Good parents are “with” their children, playing, 

running, wrestling, and simply being there (even if I often fail 

to completely clean the peanut butter out of my kids’ hair). 

During dark times in my life, through the pain of loss or 

rejection, my friends have comforted me by being “with” me. 

I don’t remember anything they said, but I remember their 

presence when I needed them. And your wingmen, they’re 

by your side; they’ve got your back no matter the situation. 

Put down the laptop, turn off the TV, and go be with 

people. Talk, listen and care. 

“Half the battle is showing up.” 

Sometimes it’s the whole battle. 

Meeting the stars 

Fans take photos with actor Marlon Wayans during the Wayans brothers’ visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson 

March 19. Marlon and Shawn Wayans visited service members for photos and autographs prior to performing a 

stand-up comedy act downtown the next day. (Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia/JBER PAO) 

Bone marrow donations save lives 

Fort Hood donor proud he 

gave, would donate again 

By Perry Jefferies 

Robertson Blood Center, Armed Services Blood Program 

FORT HOOD, Texas — Sgt. Albert M. Cusimano can 

be sure that he saved at least one life. Less than one year 

after registering with the C.W. “Bill” Young Department 

of Defense Marrow Donor Program, Cusimano received 

notice that his marrow was needed. 

Although he now serves with the Army, Cusimano 

was part of the First Marine Division when he registered 

for the bone marrow program in 2003. At the time, 

registration required that a potential donor contribute 

a tube of blood to the program, but the methodology 

has since changed to make the process easier, requiring 

only a few mouth swabs and a single form. 

It was not long after his registration before 

Cusimano was contacted by the program and a 

marrow donation date was set. 

“My command sergeant major and first sergeant 

helped me a lot,” said Cusimano. “After we started the 

process it was canceled when it looked like the recipient 

would respond to oral medicine. 

“Later, they e-mailed me and restarted the process. I 

donated bone marrow to a 21-year-old kid.” 

Cusimano and his wife, Alisha, were flown to Walter 

Reed Military Army Hospital for the procedure. 

Although most marrow donors undergo a more modern 

process, his donation was harvested in an older, surgical 

procedure. 

“I was sore and a bit weak, but still enjoyed myself,” 

said Cusimano. 

Like all marrow donors, Cusimano was given the VIP 

treatment in appreciation of their sacrifice. 

“We toured the House of Representatives and were set 

up like VIPs by the (Department of Defense) program office,” 

he said. 

Now assigned to the 61st Multi-Function Medical Battalion, 

in the 21st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, 

Cusimano did not hesitate when asked if he would consider 

donating again. 

“I’d do it again quicker than you can breathe. I’d be 

there again. I’ve already re-registered and re-swabbed,” 

said Cusimano. 

To learn more about the Department of Defense 

Marrow Donor Program, visit www.dodmarrow.org. 

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood 

Program or to make an appointment, please visit 

www.militaryblood.dod.mil. 

To interact directly with staff or to get the latest 

news, visit www.facebook.com/militaryblood.

March 25, 2011 Arctic Warrior B-7


Cinderellas key to March Madness tournament 

VCU clicks together as a team, makes run for championship title 

y Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee 

BER PAO 

March Madness has arrived again and 

this year’s tournament has been entertaining. 

I have to admit, I’m not a big college 

sports fan. I think it stems from the fact that 

my home state’s Maine Black Bears were 

not power-houses in any sport, unless you 

are talking about hockey. 

There are only two college sporting 

events that grab my attention; bowl season 

in football and March Madness. 

My favorite part of March Madness is 

the underdog team that rises from anonymity 

and ends up making some noise in the tournament. 

I find myself jumping on the bandwagon 

of the team and cheering them on. 

Americans love an underdog story. It is 

a common theme in hundreds of movies, especially 

in sports movies. We love watching 

a person or group overcome seemingly insurmountable 

odds and reach their goal. The 

characters in movies such as “Rocky,” ”The 

Karate Kid” and “Major League” are some 

of movies’ most famous underdog stories. 

Underdog teams in March Madness are 

commonly referred to as Cinderella teams. 

The team slipping on Cinderella’s crystal 

At the movies 

Southern California, Georgetown University 

and Purdue University by more than 10 

points each, VCU is on a winning streak and 

proving the doubters wrong. 

They have clicked as a team and are 

riding a lot of momentum as they enter the 

sweet sixteen. 

Watching a sports team come together 

and play well as a unit is a thing of poetry. 

Talent alone doesn’t always win games in 

basketball. More often than not, the team that 

plays together will beat a team that relies on 

its athletic talent. 

I think a Cinderella team catches our 

imagination so much because it teaches us 

to never quit when the going gets tough. The 

players probably had many opportunities to 

throw in the towel during the rough patch 

they hit in the last month of the season. But 

they persevered and now they are four wins 

away from being national champions. 

In this way, sports once again parallels 

life. We have all had to work in less 

than optimal locations and conditions. On 

deployments especially, you just have to 

force yourself through the difficult times to 

get back to the good. Nothing worth having 

ever comes easy. 

Next up for VCU are the 10th seeded 

Florida State Seminoles. 

For recorded show and movie times, call 428-1200 or visit the Army and Air Force Exchange Services website at www.aafes.com. Movies are subject to change without notice. 

Admission: Adults $4, children $2. Information provided courtesy of AAFES. 

Now playing 

slipper this year is Virginia Commonwealth 

University or VCU for short. 

I had never even heard of the school until 

their run in this year’s tournament. They 

entered the fray as an 11th seed. 

They struggled during the last month of 

THE EAGLE 

Rated: PG-13 (battle sequences and 

some disturbing images) 

Playing: Saturday at 7 p.m. 

Run time: 114 minutes 

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell 

In 140 A.D., 20 years 

after the unexplained disappearance of 

the entire Ninth Legion in Scotland, 

young centurion Marcus Aquila (Tatum) 

arrives from Rome to solve the mystery 

and restore the reputation of his father, 

the commander of the Ninth. 

Accompanied only 

by his British slave Esca (Bell), Marcus 

sets out across Hadrian’s Wall into the 

highlands of Caledonia – to confront 

its savage tribes, make peace with his 

father’s memory, and retrieve the lost 

legion’s precious golden emblem. 

the season and a lot of experts thought they 

had no place in the bracket at all. It is good 

publicity for the school as well. I really doubt 

that I’m the only person who has jumped on 

the Internet to look up the school. 

After rolling through The University of 

Now playing 

THE ROOMATE 

Rated: PG-13 (violence and menace, 

sexual content, some language 

and teen partying) 

Playing: Sunday at 6 p.m. 

Run time: 93 minutes 

Starring: Leighton Meester, Minka 

Kelly 

Sara Matthews (Minka 

Kelly) is starting her freshman year 

of college at ULA. Sara arrives 

back at her dorm late at night and 

meets Rebecca Evans (Leighton 

Meester), her new roommate. 

Initially, the girls begin to 

bond very well as Rebecca learns 

more about Sara’s life. As time 

goes on, though, Rebecca begins to 

become more obsessed with spending 

lots of time with Sara and wants 

to have her all to herself.

March 25, 2011 Arctic Warrior B-9

B-10 Arctic Warrior March 25, 2011


By Elaine Wilson 

American Forces Press Service 

WASHINGTON -- Service members and 

their families have a few tax advantages at 

their disposal, as well as a few extra days 

in which to complete their taxes this year, a 

Defense Department tax expert said. 

Due to Emancipation Day, a holiday 

recognized by the District of Columbia, government 

officials have pushed the nation’s 

tax filing deadline from April 15 to April 18, 

said Army Lt. Col. Evan Stone, the director 

of the Armed Forces Tax Council. 

Along with the filing extension, Stone 

pointed out several new and existing tax 

laws that military members and their spouses 

should keep in mind as the deadline draws 

near. 

To start, people may have noticed an 

increase in their take-home pay, Stone said. 

The government, he explained, reduced 

the Social Security tax from 6.2 percent of 

wages to 4.2 percent solely for the 2011 tax 

year. But while take-home pay is on the rise, 

tax brackets won’t change. 

Congress extended the 2010 tax brackets 

through 2011 and 2012, he said. 

Other tax laws are specific to military 

members and their spouses, Stone said, 

citing the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion as 

an example. 

Under this exclusion, for any day a 

member spends in a combat zone, that entire 

month’s worth of base pay is excluded from 

gross income for income tax purposes, he 

explained. 

There’s no limit to this exclusion for 

enlisted members and warrant officers, but 

officers are limited to $7,714.80, he said. 

“Anything above that would be included 

in the member’s gross income,” he said. 

Deployed service members and their 

spouses also have at least a 180-day extension 

to file or pay taxes from the date they 

leave the combat zone, Stone said. To invoke 

this extension, people should write “combat 

Sharing 

stories 

Air Force Master Sgt. Jamie Gentry 

of the 477th Maintenance Squadron 

answers questions from Dorthy Revell, 

a resident of the Pioneer Home, about 

women in the military today. The home 

has a weekly ladies’ group and invites 

guest speakers. Many of the residents 

served in the military or had immediate 

family members in the military. (Photo 

by Steve White/JBER PAO) 

Tax resources available 

zone” across the top of their return. 

Service members on duty outside 

the U.S. also are entitled to an automatic 

two-month extension, pushing 

the deadline to June 18. 

However, unlike with the Combat 

Zone Tax Exclusion, while they gain 

an extension to file and pay taxes, the 

interest on any taxes owed still will accrue 

from April 18 until taxes are paid, 

Stone said. 

A significant tax break involves 

military allowances, he said. Under 

competitive compensation, housing 

and food allowances are nontaxable 

for income tax purposes, reducing taxable 

income at the end of the year and 

creating a savings of about $2,000 to 

$7,000, depending on salary. 

“This can be significant, with tens 

of thousands of dollars that aren’t taxable,” 

he said. 

People can visit most any installation 

around the world for free, in-person 

tax-preparation assistance through the 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, 

Stone said. 

Service members and their families 

also can take advantage of free, online 

electronic tax filing services through 

Military OneSource. The customized 

program offers free federal filing and 

free filing for up to three states. 

People can access the H&R Block 

at Home program by going to Military 

OneSource at www.militaryonesource. 

com and clicking on “Tax Filing Services.” 

For free tax-related phone consultations, 

people can call the Military 

OneSource Tax Hotline at (800) 730- 

3802, seven days a week from 7 a.m. 

to 11 p.m. Eastern time. 

It is suggested that those using local 

military tax centers bring all relevant 

documents, such as wage and earning 

statements, bank account numbers, and 

social security cards, to appointments.

B-12 Arctic Warrior March 25, 2011

Maj. Gen. Palumbo - Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

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