Fighting Fire
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FREE RECYCLED an edition of the Recycled material is used in the making of our ALASKAHome of the Arctic WarriorsPOST newsprint Vol. 6, No. 26 Fort Wainwright, Alaska July 3, 2015 Innovative system revolutionizes Northern Edge 2015 battlespace, maximizes training capability Master Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik combining with live partic- Matthew Mendenhall, the 354th Fighter Wing PAO ipants, we can now provide 353rd CTS chief of command 10 threats and herds of oth- and control operations. “It High in the skies over the er aircraft waiting to con- allowed us to ensure our Joint Pacific Alaska Range tinue the fight. We’ve added lines of communication were Complex from June 11 to 26 defense and depth to maxi- functioning properly before viewers might see multiple mize the OPFOR [opposition Northern Edge 2015. This contrails circling each other force] piece, which provides is the first exercise to com- in close proximity; these con- a more robust training sce- pletely integrate the various trails are a glimpse into some nario for the blue force.” elements and is the largest of the live action in Northern In this system, virtual LVC integration seen to date Edge 2015, the largest mili- doesn’t mean computer-gen- in any of the services. tary training exercise sched- erated forces; virtual aircraft “Virtual asset pilots will uled in Alaska this year. and various platforms are see the mountains, terrain What most people won’t operated by actual pilots, and features of their sector see are the dozens of addi- battlespace managers, and of the Joint Pacific Alaska tional assets the live pilots controllers participating in Range Complex, and control- and controllers work with in the same airspace as their lers will see the battlespace the virtual and constructive live counterparts. These as- overlay as if they were oper- Live, virtual and constructive (LVC) participants from vari- aspects of the battlespace sets are controlled via sim- ating live in Alaska,” Men- ous U.S. military branches are tracked by the 353rd Combat in large-scale exercises like ulators at the virtual unit’s denhall explained. “Instead Training Squadron as assets move into place in preparation Northern Edge and RED home stations, which are of launching different live for an Exercise Northern Edge scenario, June 25. The LVC FLAG-Alaska. networked into the locations assets, aviators can operate system enables live participants like this U.S. Air Force F-16 “LVC [live, virtual and they will operate in alongside from their simulators.” Fighting Falcon deployed to Alaska to directly engage and constructive training] offers their live counterparts via a The constructive compo- interact with virtual aviators operating from home station a more robust scenario than system called LEXIOS (LVC nent of the LVC system is simulators, and constructive computer-generated forces to sending up 10 Aggressors Experimentation, Integra- where computer-generated provide more robust training scenarios. Northern Edge 2015 for a small skirmish with the tion and Operations Suite) forces expand the scope and is Alaska’s premier joint training exercise designed to prac- blue force,” said Brian Smith, and dedicated networks. create a training environ- tice operations, tactics, techniques and procedures as well the 353rd Combat Training “RED FLAG-Alaska 15-2 ment very similar to what as enhance interoperability among thousands of Airmen, Squadron’s Army and special served as the proof of con- participants would actually Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from ac- operations liaison. “With vir- cept for all the pieces of LVC tive-duty, Reserve and National Guard units. (Photo illustra- tion by Master Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik) tual and constructive assets to come together,” said Capt. See TRAINING on page 3 Fighting Fire Independence UH-60 Black Day Holiday Hawk crew chief SGT Phillip Pe- ter with 1-207th Safety from Aviation, Alaska Army National Guard, leans out for a better view IMCOM-Pacific to guide pilots Christine T. Altendorf, PhD, P.E. to wildfire flare- IMCOM-Pacific Director up areas during water bucket On July 4, In- missions near dependence Day, Tok, June 26, in we commemorate support of the the founding of United States our country and a Bureau of Land time we celebrate Management our freedom and Fire Services. independence. Pri- (Photo by Sher- or to the start of man Hogue, celebrations, take Fort Wainwright the time to reflect PAO) upon the freedoms that we all enjoy and honor the sac- rifices of those who Dr. Christine T. Altendorf have defended and those that continue to defend our freedom. Throughout this holiday, I ask that all do their part to prevent accidents. Personal re- sponsibility is the key and that begins with leaders who care about their personnel. Get Celebrating independence on the 4th of July involved, emphasize safety and lead by ex- ample. Prior to the holiday weekend, every Allen Shaw with them and were no longer tee of Five” to draft the document supervisor should provide a safety briefing Fort Wainwright PAO part of the British Empire. It was after receiving resolutions from to their personnel to talk about the hazards the first step to freedom. Virginia and North Carolina on they may encounter and what actions they July 4th is one of those trea- The purpose of the written dec- May 27, 1776. On June 11, 1776, should take to mitigate those hazards. In sured opportunities when the laration was to announce and ex- John Adams, Jefferson, Robert particular, address those hazardous activ- military and civilian communities plain the separation of the Unit- R. Livingston, Roger Sherman ities traditionally associated with the Inde- come together to share a hooah ed States from Britain. People and Benjamin Franklin began the pendence Day holiday period such as driv- moment for America. Indepen- agreed and felt it necessary to put process. No one is sure how it all ing, use of fireworks, water sport activities, dence Day 2014 commemorates certain statements in writing be- came together, but the committee and activities in excessive heat. Privately the 239th anniversary of the day cause brave Soldiers had already most likely discussed the gener- owned vehicle (POV) accidents due to drink- a declaration of independence given their lives for the cause. al outline, Jefferson wrote the ing, fatigue, excessive speed, and failure to was adopted by the congress of They believed all men were creat- first draft, which was reviewed by wear seatbelts continue to be the greatest 56 men representing 13 colo- ed equal and had the unalienable the others and then presented to threat to our personnel. nies. On that hot summer day, rights to life, liberty and the pur- Congress on June 28, 1776. The This is a special holiday and I want each of the foundation for the nation’s suit of happiness. initial document was entitled “A you to enjoy your Families, celebrate smart- most celebrated symbol of lib- Although the Declaration of Declaration by the Representa- ly, and return to work safely. erty was formed. The statement Independence was primarily tives of the United States of Ameri- Have a safe and enjoyable holiday! Do announced to Great Britain that authored by Thomas Jefferson, take a moment to reflect on the true mean- American colonies were at war Congress appointed a “Commit- See 4TH on page 2 ing of this Independence Day celebration. WEEKEND WEATHER BRIEFS Jobs In search of a new job? Visit www.usajobs. gov for a full listing of federal jobs. Check out the new career enhancing tool on page 6. Friday Saturday Sunday Partly cloudy with highs in the Partly cloudy with a high of Partly cloudy with highs reaching low 70s and lows around 52 77 and a low of 56 79 and lows dropping to 58 13513178 GREAT HARVEST BREAD 2 NEWS July 3, 2015 Summertime means the start of skin protection season Molly Francis ing includes a wide-brimmed U.S. Army Public Health hat that shields your face Command and neck from the sun, long sleeves and pants. The Amer- It is finally summertime, ican Cancer Society advises so what better way to cele- that clothes that are dry, dark- brate than by going out and er and have tighter knits are enjoying the summer sun? better at protecting your skin You probably put on sun- from UV rays. However, also screen before going swim- wear sunscreen for ultimate ming or going to the beach protection. because you know that the I: Inside. Avoid being out- sun’s ultraviolet rays, or UV side from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rays, can damage your skin when possible. These are the in just 15 minutes. But wait, peak hours for UV rays. If not so fast! You are in danger you are going to be outside from the sun’s UV rays any during this time of the day, time you are outside. take precautions like staying Ultraviolet radiation is in the shade. defined by the U.S. Centers N: No tanning beds. Tan- for Disease Control and Pre- ning beds produce UV rays vention (CDC) as the “part Even in Alaska and even during winter months sunburn is prevalent. Protect against UVA and just like tanning outside. of sunlight that is an invisi- UVB rays by wearing sunscreen to avoid painful burns, premature aging, skin cancer and Getting a base tan before ble form of radiation.” There other bodily harm. (Photo by Sherman Hogue, Fort Wainwright PAO) going to the beach does not are two types of harmful UV protect your skin from the rays: ultraviolet A (UVA) and harmful effects to your eyes, self, follow these “SUN- sunscreen every time you dry sun while at the beach.