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an edition of ALASKAthe POST The Interior Military News Connection Vol. 12, No. 4 , February 5, 2021 Fort Greely senior leaders set standard by receiving COVID-19 vaccine Angela J. Glass priority-based vaccine distri- integrity was compromised, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, bution plan initially focusing or that short-cuts were made. Fort Greely Public Affairs on those providing direct care, The DOD has full confidence those maintaining mission es- in the safety, efficiency and U.S. Army Garrison Alas- sential functions and those at transparency of vaccine infor- ka, Fort Greely senior leaders highest risk for developing se- mation. received the initial dose of the vere illness due to COVID-19. “Although getting vacci- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine The distribution plan began nated is completely voluntary, provided by the Department of Jan. 14 and has been a re- I encourage all of our garri- Defense and administered by sounding success. son to get immunized,” said Bassett Army Community Hos- “The COVID-19 vaccina- Fromm. “Even if you do not pital personnel Jan. 14 and 28. tion is an essential tool in the view yourself as high risk due Garrison commander Lt. fight against the virus,” said to teleworking or quarantin- Col. Joel Johnson and deputy Johnson. “This isn’t just about ing, those measures will not to the garrison commander me. Getting immunized not remain in effect forever. We Richard Fromm received the only helps protect myself, but need to do our part in the ef- vaccine in an effort to protect it helps protect our force who fort to return to the normalcy Soldiers, Civilians, contractors protect our nation.” we so deserve.” and their families. Some individuals might not For more information The Food and Drug Admin- be in a rush to get immunized regarding the Moderna istration under Emergency due to numerous reasons, COVID-19 vaccine, please go to U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, Fort Greely deputy to Use Authorization has autho- however both Johnson and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavi- the garrison commander, Richard Fromm receives rized the use of a COVID-19 Fromm encourage all person- rus/2019-ncov/vaccines/differ- the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 28 vaccine after careful and nel on Fort Greely to receive ent-vaccines/Moderna.html. at the Fort Greely Clinic. The Food and Drug Ad- rigorous testing and trials. the vaccine when it becomes Fort Greely serves as the ministration, under Emergency Use Authoriza- Drugs and vaccines have to be available, or to at least fully re- home of the nation’s Ground tion, has authorized the use of a COVID-19 vac- approved by the FDA to ensure search the facts before making Midcourse Defense anti-ballis- cine after careful and rigorous testing and trials. that only safe and effective a uniformed decision. tic missile system and is locat- The Department of Defense has full confidence products are available to the According to the Center for ed about 100 miles southeast in the safety and efficiency of the vaccine and although receiving it is completely voluntary, the American public. of Fairbanks, Alaska. It is also Disease Control, none of the command team at Fort Greely highly encourages The Fort Greely vaccination factors that contributed to the home of the Cold Regions becoming a recipient to protect your health, your rollout effort, in accordance the accelerated development Test Center. It is named in family and our surrounding community. (Photo by with the Department of De- of a COVID-19 vaccine imply honor of Major General Adol- Angela Glass, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, Fort fense, contained a phased, that safety, scientific or ethical phus Greely. Greely Public Affairs) Stryker brigades targeted for the Army’s Integrated Tactical Network Kathryn Bailey communications systems. PEO C3T Public Affairs Adding mounted ITN capa- bilities allows commanders Following the successful to maintain battalion-wide integration of its new more terrestrial voice and data flexible and expeditionary network and enables Sol- network capability into diers to operate over the dismounted units, the Army Secure But Unclassified is now focused on deliver- enclave while transitioning ing the same capabilities between dismounted and to Stryker brigade combat mounted operations. teams. “SBU continues to be the To produce uniform game-changing capability equipment packages for enabled by the ITN,” Baer these Integrated Tactical said. “It allows data to be Network components across categorized according to its multiple Stryker variants, classification, which will the Army has been conduct- be just as critical for our ing a Capability Set 21 ITN mounted units because data Stryker characterization at battalion and below is effort with the 2nd Cavalry often perishable and unclas- Regiment, since April 2020. sified.” The effort will support the To execute the CS21 iterative modification of ITN Stryker characteriza- integrated ITN component tion, personnel from the designs into these vehicle U.S. Army Sgt. Eustorgio Muniz, Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment ground HAMMR team are collabo- platforms. guides a Stryker 30mm Infantry Carrier Vehicle – Dragoon during the squadron’s Stryker crew rating with engineers and gunnery at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 26, On the current time- technicians from the U.S. 2019. The 2/CR will be the first Stryker brigade combat team equipped with Capability Set 21 In- line, the characterization tegrated Tactical Network capabilities. (Photo by Gertrud Zach, Training Support Activity Europe) Army Combat Capabilities will conclude in fiscal year Development Command at 2022, making 2/CR the first the C5ISR Center Proto- next ITN fielding set for ties,” said Lt. Col. Brandon injects new commercial Stryker unit equipped par- type Integration Facility, the 173rd Airborne Division Baer, product manager for components and network tially with CS21 ITN. at APG. With Strykers at this month. Helicopter and Multi Mis- transport capabilities into The Army first fielded hand in the integration bay, “We are excited to move sion Radios, assigned to the the Army’s tactical network CS21 ITN to the 1st Infan- the team will identify the to this next phase of CS21, Program Executive Office environment to provide try Brigade Combat Team, most effective use of the 82nd Airborne Division which will enhance mount- for Command, Control, maneuver brigades and in October 2020, with the ed, on-the-move and at-the- Communications-Tactical. below with smaller, lighter, quick-halt ITN capabili- The ITN approach faster and more flexible See STRYKER on page 2

Army’s official face mask to be issued to new Soldiers in 2021 Kinsey Kiriakos largely provided disposable or AUB, Army officials said that reusable, solid color masks to the Defense Logistics Agency The official Army-designed, Soldiers who have also been will begin issuing two CCFCs -tested, and -refined face permitted to use neck gaiters to each new Soldier during the mask – the Combat Cloth Face and other cloth items, such as second quarter of FY2021. The Covering – will be provided to bandanas and scarves, as face CCFCs will likely be available new Soldiers during the second coverings. This past summer, for purchase at the Army and quarter of FY2021. This was the Army Uniform Board rec- Air Force Exchange Service one of the updates provided ommended and General James uniform stores later in FY2021. to the Army Uniform Board C. McConville, the U.S. Army (Note: Existing guidance on during its 152nd meeting, Chief of Staff, approved issuing face coverings for current The Army’s Combat Cloth Face Covering will be a which occurred on Nov. 18. CCFCs to Soldiers at Initial Soldiers remains unchanged two-ply cloth covering made of 57 percent cotton and In response to the cur- Entry Training as part of their 43 percent nylon. It will have a pliable nose bridge rent pandemic, the Army has clothing bag. At the 152nd See MASK on page 3 and drawstring with a barrel lock. (U.S. Army)

WEEKEND WEATHER IN BRIEF Friday Saturday Sunday Super Bowl at the Warrior Zone: February 7 Doors open at Noon, Kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Watch the big game at the Warrior Zone and get the Mostly sunny, with a A chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a chance to win prizes! COVID parameters in place. Must be high near -14. Low High near -6. Low high near -13. Low 18+ to enter. Must be 21+ to purchase & consume alcohol. near -26. near -24 around -27. Warrior Zone, Bldg 3205 Call 353-1087, reservations encouraged 2 NEWS February 5, 2021 Nutrition Corner: Stress and eating Everyone has stressors known as cortisol, is elevat- Why is that? Well, sugary Therefore, a constantly mood and sleep. Not to in life, but how they are ed in times of stress. While and fatty foods are usually stressed person who isn’t mention, exercise helps pre- handled varies from person cortisol is responsible for more delicious and satisfy- sleeping well may continu- vent weight gain that may to person. a variety of functions, it ing in the moment. They ously feel hungry all day. be a result of stress eating. Some people go for a run can initially decrease the also help the brain release Some individuals also If you find yourself to clear their mind while appetite. feel-good chemicals. destress with alcohol. chronically stressed, talk others may find themselves When humans are ex- Some studies suggest A combination of these with your doctor about snacking. Believe it or posed to a stressful situa- that these foods block activ- factors can quickly lead to ways to manage. Stress can not, the body has its own tion over the long term, cor- ity in parts of the brain that unwanted weight gain. lead to weight gain, which response driving the idea tisol actually increases the produce and process stress. Exercise is usually the is related to many other behind stress eating. There appetite. Those who have There is a reason the cate- first thing to be set aside health issues including is a biological reason that a stressful work or home gory comfort food exists. when life is busy and an heart disease and diabetes. people reach for a candy bar life may find that hunger is Stress can also cause individual is sleep de- Be mindful of food choices or bag of chips when feeling constantly bugging them no poor sleep, which can then prived, but it is one of the when stressed. overwhelmed. matter how much they eat. lead to increased hunger best ways to de-stress the Remember, the body may The body is full of hor- Many studies have shown during the day. Hunger body. be producing hormones to mones that send messages that people tend to reach signals in the body change Working out increases convince you to eat a cer- throughout the various for foods high in fat or sug- when a person is sleep-de- feel-good chemicals in the tain way, but you still have systems. One hormone, ar during episodes of stress. prived. brain and can improve a conscious choice. Weekly Tips: Recovering from the holidays Holiday debt affects done and helps you to create anxiety, but pre- cut costs. Use these to this first card to the probably best to cut almost all of us. While be motivated to see vent credit card ther- funds to pay down next smallest balance down on pleasure and you may be shocked things through. With- apy by putting your your debt. or interest rate card. entertainment until and even a little out a deadline, it’s cards away. Charging • Focus your This method is more you can recover from depressed to see your easy to put things off more will only add efforts. If your holiday effective at reducing your holiday spending. post-holiday credit and promise yourself more stress and take purchases spanned your debt, then paying Pursue less expensive card bills, don’t let it that you’ll do it next long to pay off. multiple credit cards, a little bit extra on all activities instead. It keep you down. With week or month. • Return what you prioritize to snowball your credit cards. may take only a couple a few steps you can • Create a budget. don’t need or want. your debt by putting • Look for ways to of months to get back begin recovery. Figuring out a starting Rather than holding any extra money to- earn extra money. Jan- on track, if you stick to point that includes on to duplicate gifts wards your debt. The uary is a great time to your plan. • Don’t ignore the all your income and or unwanted gifts, ex- more you put towards clear out clutter from bills. As appealing expenses. Review change these gifts for your balances, the our homes, so why not Open up a Christ- as this may appear, your bank statements, items you need now faster you’ll pay them look for things that mas club savings ac- it only makes things pay stubs and other or in the near future. off and the less inter- you can sell at the count. This may sound worse. Taking respon- income documents to Or consider returning est you will pay. This same time? Consider old fashioned, but it’s sibility for your debt ensure the budgets are them for cash and pay means making larger using Craigslist, eBay, a simple way to save will give you a sense of accurate. Consider us- down your credit card payments to one credit Amazon and free ads for next Christmas. control. ing one of the follow- bills. card while continuing in local papers/web- You set up to have • Make a firm and ing FREE sites to help • Put a cap on en- to make minimum sites to make it easy to the bank take out an specific plan to repay you: www.mint.com or tertainment expenses. payments to the rest of sell your stuff. amount you specify, as your debt. A specific www.budgetpulse.com. Consider reducing eat- your cards. Then once • Spend within your often as you like. This goal with a deadline • Don’t add more ing out, movies, DVD the first card is paid means. While it’s good will help you avoid lets you see exact- debt. Seeing your cred- rentals, and other off, send the payment to give yourself a treat overspending next ly what needs to be it card statements can entertainment to help that you use to make once in a while, it’s year. STRYKER: ITN MEDDAC Minute Continued from page 1 mounts, cabling, hardware and Important Phone Numbers beneficiaries no matter where it is installation instructions, and will received. While there may be a cost limited space inside the vehicles, be adaptable to integrate into Emergency: 911 based on your plan for an office vis- and then design and build the other 2CR tactical vehicles such 24 Hour Nurse Advice Line: it, the vaccine itself is free. To learn streamlined hardware required as High Mobility Multipurpose 1-800-874-2273 Opt. 1 more, www.tricare.mil/COVIDVac- to integrate the ITN kits into the Wheeled Vehicles, medium tacti- Appointment Line: 361-4000 cine. vehicles. cal vehicles and the MTV replace- Behavioral Health: 361-6059 To ensure realistic operational ment, the Joint Light Tactical Benefits Advisor: 361-5656 requirements the PIF Team is Vehicle, if available,” he said. Immunizations: 361-5456 Pharmacy hours directly collaborating with 2/CR, The most recent video confer- Information Desk: 361-5172 Please note the pharmacy is now currently via video conferences ence user jury with the 2CR fea- Patient Advocate: 361-5291 open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon- due to COVID-19 travel restric- tured the team’s final proposed Pharmacy Refills: 361-5803 day through Friday and 10 a.m. to tions. component designs and recom- MEDDAC-AK Website: 2 p.m. Saturday. “We have been conducting user mendations on where to place www.bassett-wainwright.tricare.mil juries remotely, which allowed the them in the vehicles’ available MHS Patient Portal: 2/CR Soldiers to show us their space, Leary said. https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/ Patient Family vehicle space restrictions, and in “Our last review was mostly Health Net: turn allows us to show them how Partnership Council favorable,” Leary said. “Next we www.tricare-west.com, much space our proposed designs Are you interested in hav- will send PIF-produced 3D mod- 1-844-8676-9378 will claim,” said Jim Leary, C5ISR els of the kits to the 2/CR so that ing input into the operations at PIF project engineer. they can confirm the space we’re MEDDAC-AK? We are looking for The 2/CR conducts missions claiming is accurate or provide COVID vaccination Soldiers, Family members and re- tirees who are interested in having using multiple commander and an alternate location for unique Medical Department Activi- a voice by sitting on the Patient infantry carrier Stryker variants, vehicle configurations.” ty-Alaska is following guidance Family Partnership Council. Appli- with infantry carrier configura- Following a verification and from the Defense Health Agency cants can call the patient advocate tions most prevalent. validation effort to systematically for administering the COVID-19 at 361-5291. “Each vehicle within the 2/CR assess each component’s per- vaccine. As of today, we continue may require something unique to formance, and provided COVID to vaccinate healthcare personnel perform its mission, but our goal travel restrictions are lifted, and first responders. As we open Patient Advocate is to design a one-kit-fits-all vari- PM TR and PIF personnel will to different populations we will The MEDDAC-AK Patient Ad- ant approach,” Leary said. travel to the 2/CR in Germany to post information to our FB page, vocate acts on behalf of all patients The characterization led to integrate CS21 ITN into Strykers website and here in the MEDDAC and the commander to resolve the production of two unique from May through August. Minute. ITN equipment kits. Kit one will The entire characterization problems and implement necessary be populated in almost every effort will culminate with a corrections. Beneficiaries needing Stryker variant and features the squadron-level exercise in Sep- TRICARE covers assistance, or who have questions mobile broadband kit for 4G LTE tember 2021, which will lead about the care received at MED- network capabilities, 2nd Gener- to the formal evaluation of the COVID vaccine DAC-AK, can contact our Patient ation Manpack radio, a mounted next capability set, CS23, in FY TRICARE will cover the cost of Advocate at 361-5291. two-channel leader radio and a 2022. unique power distribution box, “Our goal is always to build Leary said. a design that repeats itself over Kit two, slated for only the and over again as opposed to Command Vehicle Stryker vari- making a unique design for every ant, includes a Tactical Server vehicle,” Leary said. “In doing so Infrastructure computer, a Silvus we save money, reduce the logis- ALASKA POST radio, a Tactical Radio Integra- tics footprint across multiple ve- The Interior Military News Connection tion Kit box, tactical cross domain hicle types, but most importantly, solution and a power distribution we make it as easy as possible EDITORIAL STAFF The ALASKA POST is authorized by Army Regulation 360-1 and is published by the unit, Leary said. for integration efforts across the Garrison Commander Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, a private firm in “Both kits will include various entire force.” no way connected with the U.S. Army, and is Col. Christopher Ruga under exclusive written contract. Contents of the ALASKA POST are not necessarily the official Fort Wainwright PAO views of, or endorsed by, the Department of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is Grant Sattler the responsibility of the U.S. Army Garrison Ft. Wainwright Public Affairs Office. The ALASKA Command Information/ POST welcomes responsible comments from its readers and will publish letters, articles or photos submitted at least one week prior to the next New Media publication. The ALASKA POST reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. All submitted Brady Gross material will become official Army property unless otherwise indicated. To advertise call (907) 459- Community Relations/ 7548 Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or Media Relations patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, Eve Baker physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Staff Writer/Editor The Editorial office is located on Ft. Wainwright in Building 1047 #1; Mailing address is Public Affairs Daniel Nelson Office, 1060 Gaffney Road, 5900, Ft. Wainwright, AK 99703. Call 353-6779 or 353-6760, or send Staff Writer emails to usarmy.wainwright.imcom-pacific.list. [email protected] Brian Schlumbohm 3 February 5, 2021 NEWS The Chaplain’s Corner Break up and the giant ground squirrel Chaplain (Maj.) Tony Cech squirrels roaming around be born and a time to die, a Sometimes life feels like U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, when it’s warm. Here we time to plant and a time to it has come to a standstill. Fort Wainwright Community expect, critters that hiber- uproot, a time to kill and a Sometimes we’d like to just Pastor nate, will stay that way for time to heal. A time to tear crawl into a hole, burrow a couple more months. down and a time to build, a in, retreat and not have to Every February in the We expect months more time to weep and a time to stick out our heads for a lower 48 people look to the of snow and cold and winter laugh, a time to mourn and long time. But remember, groundhog to predict if an before break-up and spring. a time to dance… (Ecclesi- spring comes and so does early spring is coming or But my question for you astes 3:1-4). summer; break up happens, if they think we’ll have a is how many of us would Boiled down he is saying and the critters come and longer winter. love to just curl back up, life has lots of change; days stay out of their holes. For those unfamiliar crawl into a hole and hiber- are good, some bad, some in Life changes and so do with the lore, if the ground- nate for six more weeks or the middle. Can you relate? our circumstances. What hog comes out of its hole six more months because of Truth told we expe- feels dark and hopeless now and doesn’t see its shadow the season of life we’re in? rience different feelings can and will blossom if you and so stays above ground As human beings we go with the different seasons: let it in time. it might mean an early through different seasons sometimes happiness and Whatever season in life spring. On the other hand Chaplain (Maj.) Tony Cech of life. Sometimes it feels sometimes sadness? At you are in, remember it will if it sees its shadow and dark like winter: long, cold, some point the tears turn change. makes a quick retreat the classified as a giant ground and hard; but other times it to laughter. And sometimes Remember the grace God expectation is six more squirrel, to predict “wheth- feels like sunshine, spring sickness into health and joy. has given and keep hold- weeks of winter. Essentially er” we think it’s almost and summer. All these things are like ing on to him. Run to him the little critter goes back spring or more months of When we look at the seasons, they come and go and let him cover over you to bed! winter wonderland. pages of scripture we see and change. The Bible tells because it might be time to Well, how crazy when Here in Alaska we don’t people have good times and us the world we live in is come out of the hole. Spring you think about it, to look put much stock in Ground- bad. Solomon said ‘there is broken. It says our world will come, break up will at a rodent, something in hog Day even if we have a time for everything, and a groans for and longs for a come but so will the flowers the marmot family and lots of these giant ground season for every activity un- change to come (See Ro- and the sunshine and all something technically der the heavens; a time to mans 3:23 and 8:19-25). the things that are green.

MASK: New design Worship Services on Fort Wainwright Good Shepherd Catholic Community Continued from page 1 The AUB also discussed addi- Mass: Sundays, 9 a.m., SLC tional clothing articles, includ- Holy Hour Adoration: Thursdays, 6 p.m., SLC and can be found at the end of this ing items for new and expecting Catholic Women of the Chapel: Wednesdays, 9 a.m., SLC article.) mothers. More information will be St. George Anglican Parish The CCFC was designed, devel- provided about these discussions in oped, and produced along an expe- Holy Communion: Sundays, 11 a.m., SLC 2021 after Senior Leader decisions Mid-Week Holy Communion: Wednesdays, noon, BACH dited timeline. It normally takes are made. 18 – 24 months for DLA to have the Cornerstone Protestant Community item available for order once the Worship Service: Sundays, 11 a.m., NLC technical description, design, and Existing face covering Protestant Women of the Chapel, Wednesdays, 6 p.m., NLC components are approved and sub- Cornerstone Youth, Sundays, 1 p.m., NLC mitted. The CCFC, from inception guidance: Soldiers are authorized to wear Congregación Protestante Piedra Angular to issuance, is slated to take less the neck gaiter and other cloth Servicio de adoración: Domingos, 1 p.m., SLC than one year. items, such as bandanas and Northern Lights Chapel Nov. 22, 2020 The AUB also received updates scarves, as face masks. To protect Fort Wainwright Religious Support Office, 353-6112 on the implementation status of the facial area, the cloth item must 1051 Gaffney, Unit 10 four other uniform changes from cover the mouth and nose and Southern Lights Chapel (SLC), 8th St & Neely Rd. the 151st AUB, which took place extend to the chin or below as well Northern Lights Chapel (NLC), Luzon & Rhineland Avenues in June 2020. A summary of these as to the sides of the face. The item follow: must also be secured or fastened • Improved Hot Weather Com- to the face in a manner that allows bat Uniform-Female: Expected the soldier to breathe while also to be added to the clothing bag in preventing disease exposure or the fourth quarter of FY2021 and Temperatures are warming up in Alaska, so it's contamination. available for purchase in the second important to be prepared for when you exercise outside! Be Soldiers will not wear masks that quarter of FY2022. cautious of the ice and snow that is still on the ground. Make have printed wording, profanity, sure you have the appropriate layers to stay warm while • Hot Weather Army Combat racist, demeaning or derogatory exercising outside. Boot-Improved: Expected to transi- logos, script or imagery. Soldiers tion to DLA Troop Support for new must not attempt to cut up cloth- contracting action in the second ing materials such as army combat quarter of FY2021 and be available uniforms to use for face masks as for purchase by FY2024. these may have been treated with • Black Athletic Socks: DLA es- chemicals. If available, cloth colors timates the sock will be available in should be subdued and conform the clothing bag in second quarter to the uniform. Leaders should of FY2022. approach this as a force protection • Army Physical Fitness Uni- issue; they are asked to use their form-Maternity: Prototypes are in best judgment regarding the cloth development. The Army is working color and design of face masks and with the Air Force and Marines must also check for the serviceabil- on their past maternity uniform ity of face-shielding materials. Sol- efforts in order to expedite pattern diers should replace items that development. Form, fit, and func- become soiled, damaged, or difficult tion evaluations are expected to oc- to breathe through. cur in the third quarter of FY2021.

Amended Notice of Availability for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement Addressing Heat and Electrical Upgrades at Fort Wainwright, Alaska Comment Period is December 23, 2020 through February 22, 2021 American College of Sports Medicine

The Department of the Army is issuing this Amended Notice of Availability of the continuing Interested in over-the-phone health availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the environmental planning process to address heat and electrical upgrades at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The coaching sessions? Draft EIS evaluates reasonable alternatives, potential environmental impacts, and key issues of concern. Give the Army Wellness Center a call! 907-361-2234 An electronic copy of the Draft EIS is available online at https://home.army.mil/alaska/ index.php/fort-wainwright/NEPA/HEU-EIS. Copies of the Draft EIS will be available for review at the Noel Wien Library, Fairbanks, AK; Post Library, Fort Wainwright, AK; and Tri- Valley Community Library, Healy, AK if these facilities are open; and upon request. The comment period originally scheduled to end on December 8, 2020 is being reopened for an additional 60 days ending on February 22, 2021. Comments received during the 60- day comment period on the Draft EIS will be fully considered prior to the identification of the Army’s preferred alternative. This preference will be identified when the Final EIS is published.

There are several ways to provide comments during the comment period.

Email: [email protected]

Online Open House: https://home.army.mil/alaska/index.php/fort-wainwright/NEPA/HEU-EIS

Mail: Ms. Laura Sample, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Program Manager Attn: IMFW-PWE (Sample) 1046 Marks Road #4500 Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-4500

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Grant Sattler, Public Affairs Office IMPC–FWA–PAO (Sattler), 1060 Gaffney Road #5900, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703–5900; telephone: (907) 353–6701; email: [email protected].

The U.S. Army complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, and/or special accommodations should contact Grant Sattler or TDD number 711. Requests should be made at least 5 days before the accommodation is needed to make any necessary arrangements. 4 NEWS February 5, 2021 History Snapshot Ladd Field Permanent Pass, 1941 August ‘Augie’ Hiebert was a radio engineer who operated the broadcast facilities of KFAR, which was located about two miles from what is now the University of Alaska Fairbanks and on the grounds of the current Fairbanks Golf Course. Prior to the war, KFAR was a commercial radio station, but following the U.S. entering World War II, it became the Armed Forces Radio Service outlet. KFAR served Ladd Field and Alaska’s distant stations and received national programming that was previously inaccessible to the Fairbanks audience. Augie Hiebert related how the programming was distributed: “We had these big 16-inch transcriptions that were flown up here with NBC’s best programs – Red Skelton, Jack Benny, all that stuff, CBS stuff, Mutual stuff, ABC stuff. And we had a marvelous program service that, of course, the townspeople enjoyed too. Now, these programs didn’t have any commercials in them. All the commercials were deleted because they didn’t want to figure that the government was subsidizing advertising. But it was wonderful programming for both civilians and the military. We did that through the whole war.”

Army to lead new DOD strategy against drone attacks Joseph Lacdan as C-sUAS solutions to Army News Service guide the strategy, each with interoperable components, In the future, drones including the Army’s fixed could threaten U.S. defense site-low, slow, small UAS systems with a swarming integrated defeat system, or capability that uses artificial FS-LIDS, and the Air Force’s intelligence while leveraging negation of improvised non- 5G connectivity, the director state joint aerial system, or of an Army-led joint office NINJA. said Friday. “What you want to To help combat against start with first is to have a these increasing dangers common interoperability presented by adversaries’ with the services so we can small, unmanned aircraft integrate the command and systems, or sUAS, the De- control system through an fense Department unveiled open architecture to where a counter strategy during we then integrate systems a media event Friday. The components into that,” strategy calls for risk-based Gainey said. “So you have a assessments and viewing To help counter against threats by enemy drones, the Department of Defense released its Count- er-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Strategy on Jan. 8, 2021. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Simones) changing, improving, compo- counter-sUAS defense from nentized architecture to keep a joint perspective to rapid- damage interceptor demon- look at the different locations and in ally nations, Thomas up with technology.” ly track, defend and defeat stration focused on technolo- to see what is the risk, where said. FS-LIDS is equipped with drone attacks. gies and systems during the is the vulnerability and then Gainey said each of the air surveillance radar and “We have to be able first week of April. get the appropriate counter- military branches have can detect and defeat low to keep pace with an ev- measures for that particular embarked on individual flying, smaller UAS tar- er-changing threat,” said location.” efforts to defend against the gets, while NINJA can take Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey, direc- Strategic pillars In the second focus area, threat since 2016. But the control or disable a small tor of the Joint C-sUAS Of- The Army, which oversees “Defend the Force,” the JCO approach may not have been UAS. The Navy’s CORIAN, fice. “And to do that we have the JCO, aims to use three looks to create mission-ready the most efficient, as it led to or counter-remote control to leverage things like rapid lines of effort to guide the forces capable of defend- redundancy in the proposed model aircraft integrated air prototyping and middle-ti- strategy. ing against and defeating system. Gainey said the new defense network, can be used er acquisition to be able to The first, “Ready the sUAS threats. The office will enterprise, joint approach to disrupt drone signals. bring these components into Force,” centers on the achieve this through develop- will help the JCO achieve its Gainey added that by hav- our open-architecture system development of innovative ment of doctrine, operational goals more efficiently. ing the Army lead the effort, as we’re seeing changes on solutions using a risk-based concepts and the estab- “You had different efforts the DOD has taken a holistic the battlefield.” approach in the creation of lishment of joint training moving out and it wasn’t a approach that can identify Small UAS capabilities counter capabilities. The standards and refinement of synchronized effort,” Gain- potential individual service provide U.S. adversaries with strategy focuses on utilizing existing training. The JCO ey said. “So essentially you problems and strengthen maneuverable assets capable systems with a common will then deliver joint capa- created this scene where you interoperability across the of intelligence, reconnais- architecture. bilities that are synchronized had the acquisition commu- joint force. sance and lethal attacks at a Risk assessments will be across the force. nity just rapidly developing “How do we create some- low cost for the enemy. performed at each DOD loca- Finally, the last pillar, stuff, but with no framework thing that’s going to meet The DOD plans to counter tion to evaluate the impact of “Build the Team,” the JCO around that.” our future architecture and the threat with rapid inno- potential sUAS threats. The will strengthen itself by common operating picture? vation, synchronization with assessments will cover a wide stressing partnership in That’s what we focus on,” materiel and non-materiel range of threats, from violent national security innovation Interoperability is Gainey said. “That’s where solutions, and by leveraging extremist organizations to with federal and non-federal we all want to go as a de- relationships with allied near-peer adversaries. key organizations while priori- Gainey added that in- partment in the future: any nations and partners. “We can’t put every tizing interoperability. The teroperability will be critical sensor, any shooter has that As part of those efforts, defensive measure at every leveraging of partner rela- toward carrying out the common operating picture to the Joint C-sUAS Office, or DOD location,” said Nicole tionships will help the joint C-sUAS strategy. be able to make rapid deci- JCO, with service support, is Thomas, the joint office’s force maximize its C-sUAS Last year, the Army sions based off of the growth slated to host a low-collateral division chief for strategy effectiveness domestically that we’re seeing.” and policy. “So we have to selected 10 interim systems 5 February 5, 2021 NEWS World War II veteran recalls fighting in Battle of the Bulge Staff Sgt. David Lietz the edge of the foxhole and 416th Theater Engineer bandaged me up,” said Command Idstein. “After I was shot I gave away my overcoat to a A poster hangs on the Soldier I shared the foxhole wall of Richard Idstein’s with.” home on this quiet street Idstein was driven in a in a northwest Chicago Jeep to a first aid station in suburb. It says Bataille Verviers, Belgium and then Des Ardennes in bold black to Liege, Belgium. letters with the years 1944 “The bullet was taken and 1994 below it. In the out of my back. I still have hallway, near the front the bullet. It’s hanging up door, is a picture frame with my purple heart,” he holding a Purple Heart, said. bullet and Army medals. Idstein would be moved It’s the home of a World to Paris, France where he War II Soldier who remem- spent New Year’s Eve in a bers the day the Battle of hospital recovering from the Bulge started. trench foot. He went to a As he shared, the Sol- hospital in Sutton, England diers of the 106th Infantry to complete his recovery Division, Company C ate before rejoining Company breakfast quickly. They C in late March, 1945, for fall out with full packs and “mopping up” operations in overcoats. But they are France. given the order to change “You find the other into light packs and jack- towns the Germans have ets on this early December captured. We attacked them morning. and nine times out of ten Their mission: move to they surrendered because the front lines to assist they were cut off,” said “B” Company and provide Idstein. reinforcements for Cannon A few months later companies already posi- in August, 1945, Idstein tioned in front line bun- boarded a liberty ship with kers. other Soldiers heading to 19-year-old Pfc. Richard the . They Idstein is assigned to an would go on furlough and intelligence and reconnais- then train for the invasion sance squad. He leaves be- of Japan. hind the candy he received “We were coming back in a Christmas package and were two days out of from home. But keeps his New York when the first overcoat. Only a few Sol- atomic bomb was dropped. diers have one. The battle When the first bomb was took place in one of the dropped none of the Sol- coldest winters ever record- diers believed a bomb could ed in Europe. His platoon do that much damage. moves by truck and on foot When they dropped the through the thick woods Pfc. Richard Idstein in his U.S. Army uniform during World War Two. The Chicago native served second atomic bomb we of the Ardennes region of in an intelligence and reconnaissance squad with the 106th Infantry Division at the Battle of the became believers,” said Belgium. Then the German Bulge. The battle started December 16th, 1944 and ended January 25th, 1945. Soldiers endured Idstein. Army attacked. record-breaking cold weather and suffered from cold weather injuries including frostbite and trench There would be no inva- “We ran into the German foot. According to the Department of Defense approximately 19,000 Soldiers were killed, 47, 500 sion of Japan. infantry. They had machine wounded and over 23,000 listed as missing in action. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David Lietz, 416th The- Fireboats welcomed the guns, pistols and rifles,” ater Engineer Command) Soldiers on the liberty ship explained the 95-year-old when it entered the New retired elementary school fried line,” reported Associ- Soldiers in his platoon were know where the Germans York harbor. teacher, recalling his first ated Press Correspondent killed. were. We had no idea where Idstein traveled from day of fighting at the Battle E.D. Ball who traveled with Idstein was part of an they would pop up.” New York back to Fort of the Bulge during World the 106th Infantry Division. action to rescue an entire The platoon increased Sheridan in Illinois in the War Two. “The cannons were firing company of fellow 106th from 50 to 55 Soldiers but fall. He was discharged German war planners at us. I was in the first Infantry Division Soldiers now they were behind ene- January 6, 1946. called it ‘Operation Watch squad of the 1st platoon. that were captured by Ger- my lines. The retired teacher on the Rhine’. Adolph Hit- When the Germans heard man forces. On the morning of De- reflected on his service in ler’s final Counteroffensive us coming they formed an “The Germans caught cember 21st, Idstein and what British Prime Min- to divide the American and upside down U formation. those Soldiers completely another Soldier were doing ister Winston Churchill British forces and capture Machine gun and rifle bul- unprepared and captured a reconnaissance mission called “the greatest Ameri- the allied port in Antwerp, lets came from in front and them,” said Idstein. “They on a bridge. can battle of the war”. Belgium. The six week bat- mortar shells were explod- were not expecting the Ger- “In order to move we had “It was the German’s tle began December 16th, ing among the trees to the mans to attack.” to see if we could cross a last big attack” said Idstein. 1944 and ended January rear,” said Idstein. “When But help was on the way. creek. We had to see if the “They had to be stopped 25th, 1945. the mortar shells hit the “My first platoon went bridge was being held by or they would have gone A wire service reporter trees they caused the trees forward and shot our way the Germans. The bullets all the way to the English described the initial attack. to burst and the shrapnel through the Germans and came flying. That’s when Channel. The Germans “The attack against the rained down on us. Two of rescued about 35 Soldiers they shot me, “said Idstein. wanted to get there and 106th started in the foggy the men in my squad were from Cannon Company. It “The Germans were guard- they never made it. It was dawn of December 16th badly hurt.” took three days to get back ing the bridge.” quite a battle.” with a tremendous artillery Idstein’s platoon leader, to our headquarters at St. He was hit in the left (Special thanks to Greg barrage against their line 2nd Lt. McKay, ordered the Vith,” said Idstein. “After shoulder by a bullet fired Padovani and Andrew that curved northward from Soldiers to attack. They we rescued the Soldiers from a German machine Woods, a Research Histori- the center of the Schnee pushed forward to front from Cannon Company we pistol and crawled back to an with First Division Mu- Eifel, a rocky wooded ridge line bunkers originally held were even more careful. his foxhole. An officer pro- seum at Cantigny Park, for ten miles long and two by German Soldiers and That’s why it took three vided basic medical care to their time and assistance miles wide against the Sieg- captured ten of them. But days to get back to the his wound. with this story.) it came with a cost. Seven American lines. We didn’t “2nd Lt. McKay sat on 6 1 April 15, 2016 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Fort Wainwright Family & MWR

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@WainwrightMWR #WainwrightMWR 7 February 5, 2021 NEWS Army-funded smart fabric collects space dust on International Space Station U.S. Army DEVCOM Army environment of Low Earth ground facilities to detect Research Laboratory Orbit on the International and measure impact regard- Public Affairs Space Station. less of where the space dust For this initial launch, impacted the surface of the An Army-funded smart the research team worked fabric.” fiber being tested on the with the Japan Aerospace The white surface of the International Space Station Exploration Agency and International Space Sta- could be used to develop Japanese company Space tion is actually a protective space dust telescopes and BD to send a 10 cm by 10 fabric material called Beta allow astronauts to feel cm sample of the high-tech cloth, a Teflon-impregnated through their pressurized fabric to the International fiberglass designed to shield suits. Space Station, where it was spacecraft and spacesuits Researchers at the Ar- Researchers at the Army’s Institute for Soldier Nanotechnolo- installed on an exterior from the severity of the ele- my’s Institute for Soldier gies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology develop an wall, exposed to the rigors ments more than 250 miles Nanotechnologies at the acoustic fabric being tested on the International Space Station of space. The fabric sample, above the Earth’s surface. Massachusetts Institute of could be used to develop space dust telescopes and allow astro- unpowered for now, will The research team Technology developed an nauts to feel through their pressurized suits. (Space BD / JAXA remain on the orbiting labo- believes the acoustic fabric acoustic fabric so sensitive - image composite by Juliana Cherston, MIT) ratory for one year, in order could lead to large-area to vibrations that it can to determine how well these fabrics that accurately detect impacts from micro- from foundational science is trical Engineering at MIT. materials survive the harsh measure the impulse on scopic high velocity space always one of our main pri- “This is a great example environment of low Earth spacecraft of micromete- particles. A more earthly orities, and the opportunity of how ISN projects allow orbit. oroids and space debris application of these fabrics to collect data from space us to be highly responsive The team is also sched- travelling at kilometers per could be for blast detection dust using a fiber sensor as to opportunities and meet uled for an electrically second. The smart fabrics and in the future act as a key building block of the challenges far beyond what powered deployment of the may also help provide astro- sensitive microphones for system is truly exciting.” we initially imagined.” fabric through sponsorship nauts with a sense of touch directional gunshot detec- The U.S. Army estab- MIT graduate student of the International Space through their pressurized tion. lished the ISN in 2002 as an Juliana Cherston, the proj- Station U.S. National Labo- suits by providing sensory The fabric system con- interdisciplinary research ect’s leader, applied another ratory in late 2021 or early data from the exterior of tains thermally drawn center devoted to dramat- piece of ISN technology — 2022. The International the suit and then mapping vibration-sensitive fibers ically improving the pro- the Laser-induced Particle Space Station U.S. National that data to haptic actua- that are capable of convert- tection, survivability, and Impact Test array, which Laboratory works in co- tors on the wearer’s skin. ing mechanical vibration mission capabilities of the uses lasers to accelerate operative agreement with In one year, these sam- energy into electric energy. Soldier and Soldier-support- tiny particles to supersonic NASA to fully utilize the ples will return to Earth When micrometeoroids or ing platforms and systems. or even hypersonic speeds, orbiting platform to bring for post-flight analysis. The space debris hit the fabric, The acoustic fiber was and allows researchers to value to our nation through researchers will measure the fabric vibrates, and the developed through ISN image and analyze their im- space-based research and any erosion from atomic acoustic fiber generates an projects aimed at building pact on target materials—to enable a low Earth orbit oxygen, discoloration from electrical signal. next-generation fibers and demonstrate that the fabric economy. ultraviolet radiation, and “This is an exquisite fabrics for Soldier uniforms system could accurately “Thermally drawn changes to fiber sensor example of harnessing and battle gear that could measure the impulse of multi-material fibers have performance after one year nanoscience for technology detect a variety of physio- small particles travelling been developed by our of thermal cycling. development that bridges logical parameters such as at hundreds of meters per research group at MIT for “It’s easy to assume that the physical and digital heart rate and respiration second. more than 20 years,” said since we’re already sending domains,” said James Bur- as well as external sounds Scientists are now using Dr. Wei Yan, postdoc in these materials to space, gess, ISN program manager like gunshots and explo- ISN facilities to test the MIT’s Research Laborato- the technology must be very for the Army Research Of- sions. sensitivity of the acoustic ry of Electronics and the mature,” Cherston said. “In fice, an element of the U.S. “Traditional telescopes fabric for impacts from Department of Materials reality, we are leveraging Army Combat Capabilities use light to learn about micro-particles with similar Science and Engineering. the space environment to Development Command, distant objects; this fabric kinematics as certain types “What makes these acous- complement our important now known as DEVCOM, uses space dust analysis of high velocity space dust. tic fibers special is their ground-testing efforts. Our Army Research Laboratory. to learn about space,” said Simultaneously, researchers exquisite sensitivity to focus is on baselining their “Delivering revolutionary Dr. Yoel Fink, professor of are baselining the fiber sen- mechanical vibrations. The resiliency to the space envi- methodologies that result Materials Science and Elec- sor’s resiliency to the harsh fabric has been shown in ronment.” Army installations set to modernize through 2035 Thomas Brading said Alex A. Beehler, This cultural lic works. in combatting natural surance is resilience,” Army News Service assistant secretary of change is evident in After submitting disasters.” he added. “We need the Army for instal- how the supply-chain the photo, georefer- In addition to de- resilient installations. The Army plans lations, energy and integrity of communi- enced data embedded liberate and directed The great thing is the to modernize its 156 environment, or ASA cations networks from in it would help work- attacks from near-peer same features that you installations through (IE&E). “Installations other countries has ers pinpoint where the competitors and mir- need to protect instal- 2035, as part of a are the platforms from impacted the United repair is required. roring “smart cities,” lations from adversary strategy that aims to which the Army builds States. Even things as military installations actions, also provide improve the quality culture, trains and simple as cell phone Community also exist within a benefits against cli- of life for Soldiers projects power. apps have become po- partnerships natural environment mate change.” and families, combat “The AIS addresses tentially dangerous. But change is only increasingly charac- For instance, if an climate change, and a range of emerging “U.S. adversaries possible with the sup- terized by the effects adversary cuts off deter would-be attacks requirements relat- are deploying prod- port of local communi- of climate change, an installation from by adversaries. ed to multi-domain ucts that spy on our ties, he said. extreme weather, pan- the broader power The Army Installa- operations and the communications in a The majority of demics, and environ- grid that installation tions Strategy, or AIS, Army people and way I never imagined Army installations mental degradation, would still be able to will be a blueprint for modernization strate- possible,” he said. “We were built decades ago, he said. do its mission if it had how the service will gies,” he added. This must assume that some dating back to “The unifying on-site power gen- adopt modernized “will harness the full commercial technolo- the 1800s, and com- theme that connects eration and storage platform capabilities capabilities of installa- gies can be a vector of munities have grown climate change re- as well as a secure to all its installations tions to help the Army attack.” around them. Back sponse and mission as- micro-grid. with technologies compete, deter and In other words, “we then, Kidd said, “bases found in data-driven win in an increasingly need to treat Army were on the frontier “smart cities,” said complex security envi- installations as war- with no settlements Richard G. Kidd IV, ronment.” fighting assets, and for hundreds of miles, deputy assistant sec- look at them in terms but now installations retary of the Army for ‘No longer of the capabilities they are part of a broader strategic integration. a sanctuary’ provide,” he added. network.” Over the next 15 One of those emerg- “Our homeland is no How communities years, AIS will connect ing trends is cyber- longer a sanctuary and upgrade their towns Army installations to security, said Kidd, our installations are will directly impact an enterprise-level of whose role falls under increasingly vulnera- how quickly the Army information needed in ASA (IE&E). As instal- ble.” marches into the 21st multi-domain opera- lations become more century. For example, tions, Kidd said, while connected to the digi- Putting people first things like 5G Wi- also taking advantage tal world, it has come In addition to safety, Fi and autonomous of the latest capabili- with a price. Kidd believes future transportation, are ties found in modern Army personnel, Soldiers and their more attainable where cities around the world including families, families should receive nearby cities have where new infrastruc- are increasingly more the amenities they them. ture has improved the vulnerable to emerg- deserve. In the future, Sol- social, economic, and ing threat vectors like “We must meet the diers could one day environmental wellbe- social media, cyber- changing needs of our commute to work on ing of their communi- attacks, and disinfor- Soldiers and their fam- electric, autonomous ties. mation campaigns. ilies,” he said. “Wheth- buses equipped with Current and emerg- “These new threats er it’s [modernizing] facial recognition ing trends forced have changed the dy- local gymnasiums, technology that checks Army leaders to exam- namic of how installa- community centers, or a rider’s ID and clears ine infrastructure and tions can and should housing,” improving them onto post with- installations “through be viewed,” Kidd said. their quality of life out stopping, Kidd a new lens,” the strat- The overwhelming is the most pressing said. egy said, and “will assumption is many matter. revise doctrine, train- believe Army installa- To do this, officials Battling climate ing, and investments tions are off-limits to plan to use data to change accordingly” based on adversaries. “The big- quickly deliver public The quality of life those shifts. gest challenge we face, goods and services, he benefits are only part “The fence line in terms of the risks said. For example, if a of the bigger picture, is now the frontline against our country is Soldier notices a pot- he stressed. The strat- and emerging trends a cultural one – both hole in the road, the egy also “touches on require the Army to within the Army and repair could be as easy readiness and resil- examine installations as a nation,” he said. as taking a photograph ience, in context to through a new lens,” and sending it to pub- warfighters, but also