Alaskan NORAD Region tracks Santa Claus as he transits Alaska airspace en route to TRACKING delivering presents JOLLY SAINT NICK Story B-1 JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON’S SOURCE FOR NEWS ARCTIC WARRIOR December 19, 2014 www.jber.af.mil Volume 5, No. 50 JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Airman embeds with Marines Florida native copes with the cold north of the Arctic Circle Commentary by Airman 1st Class Kyle Johnson Sgt. Jacob Castuita meets his three-month-old son, Zachary Alekzander, at Buckner Physical Fitness Center Sunday. “It feels JBER Public Affairs good to be home with the family and have the kids with me,” Castuita said. “It’s pretty exciting to meet [my son] for the fi rst time.” (U.S. Air Force photos/Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett) woke up at 0530 and rolled out of bed, awake, but not quite conscious. One I cinnamon roll and a zero-calorie energy Trailblazers drink later, my father (who was visiting for Thanksgiving) and I were on our way to the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Marine Corps Reserve detachment for my fi rst ex- return from tended military mission. Just three months out of tech school and I was going to embed with a team of nine-month Marines above the Arctic Circle where we would conduct arctic survival training and community support. deployment We were going to fl y up north of the Arctic Circle to deliver toys to children by traversing hundreds of miles of frozen water By Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett in subzero temperatures on snowmachines. JBER Public Affairs Not being one for the pursuit of adrena- line, I knew that the bigger issue was going he flight was announced, and to be keeping up with the pack so I didn’t then delayed; announced, and then end up offering support to the local wildlife delayed. Families on Joint Base instead of the local community. Elmendorf-Richardson, waited Tanxiously for their loved ones, members of See EMBED l A-3 the 2d Engineer Brigade Headquarters, to return home from a nine-month deployment. About 70 Soldiers from the fi nal U.S. Army Alaska unit serving in Afghanistan Nurse saves returned to reunite with their friends and families at JBER Sunday. “It feels amazing,” said Army Maj. Kelli lives during Hooke, 2d Engineer Brigade judge advocate general. “It was a long fl ight; we had delays, but we got to watch the [northern lights] and I was just excited to get home.” Afghanistan The families cheered when they arrived. Some were new to deployments; many had been caring for a child while their spouse deployment was away. “I’m really glad, it’s fi nally here,” said Samantha Graziosi, wife of Spc. Charles By Chris McCann Graziosi. “It gives me peace, lots of peace JBER Public Affairs knowing he’s back in the country.” While the couple has been married for The improvised explosive device deto- nearly three years and had been through a nated early – in his hand. deployment before, this was the fi rst for their The 16-year-old Afghan boy was rushed son, Titus, 23 months old. to the Craig Joint Hospital on Bagram Air “It’s more emotional this time with Friends and families wait for the return of their loved ones at BPFC Sunday. Many Field, missing a hand, an eye, and a lot of Titus,” she said. “He’s ready to see his dad. made signs and put up decorations like American fl ags to welcome their military blood. Third-degree burns covered nearly This one’s actually a little better because sponsors home from deployment in Afghanistan. half of his body. the fi rst one was a year. It’s only been nine Air Force Capt. Tania Leonard, an months, but it’s been nine months too long.” it is. If I’m going to be with him, then I’ve The military spouse said there’s been a intensive-care nurse, was ready. Specialist Graziosi has been in the mili- got to be a part of this. “fi rst time” moment they’ve been putting “He was an angry little fellow,” she said. tary for nearly six years, she said. They mar- “The emotional toll it took before [my off until after the family is together again. “But after a while, he became the most polite ried after he joined. Her grandfather served husband] left was really signifi cant. This “We had planned to get [Titus’] hair cut,” kid. I may not have reached the masses in in the Vietnam War, but otherwise she wasn’t time, the only thing we’ve really done is she said. “His hair’s long. My husband made Afghanistan, but I hope in his village, he’ll very familiar with the military, she said. the waiting game. Just sitting and waiting, me promise not to get his hair cut because he tell people how we took care of him.” “I got a rude awakening,” Samantha said. and hoping that he would come home. Now wants to be there for the fi rst haircut. Hope- “It didn’t work out at fi rst, not too well. But there’s lots of happiness; there’s going to be See LEONARD l A-3 I got used to it. I accepted what it is for what a lot of tears shed.” See REUNION l A-3 POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL Publishing Inside Bruckbauer gives holiday greetings A-2 Marines go north Anchorage PAID Air Force senior NCO promotion changes ............. A-2 Marines of D Company, 4th Practice social media safety .................................... A-2 Law Enforcement Battalion, U.S. Postage U.S. Matters of Faith: A moment of humanity .................B-2 Marine Corps Reserve, train in PRSRT-STD Community Happenings community calendar .........B-3 the Arctic, spread holiday cheer ECRWSS Alaska chaplain tapped for leadership role ..............B-5 Story, B-1 CommandA-2 ARCTIC WARRIOR Emphasis December 19, 2014 ‘A season to celebrate’ Bruckbauer encourages rest, relaxation, gratitude this holiday season Editorial by Air Force Col. Brian Bruckbauer be working during the holidays to keep us A good source of information is the JBER volunteer opportunities throughout JBER JBER and 673d ABW commander safe and healthy. Please keep them and their Resiliency Resources page at www.jber. and the community as well. Serving food families in your thoughts, and if you can, af.mil/resiliency. at a local soup kitchen, providing toys for As we reflect on the past year and gear reach out to them and wish them happy This is a time for us all to appreciate what various organizations or being a designated up for the next, Stacye and I want to take holidays. Sometimes even a small gesture we have and perhaps provide for those less driver for Joint Base Against Drunk Driving the time to once again thank the entire JBER goes a long way. fortunate. Volunteering or donating can be are just a few ways to give back. family for everything you do. This is a sea- We also recognize there are many a very rewarding experience for all JBER Finally, have fun. Even without the son to celebrate, to find opportunities to rest stressors and challenges this time of year. personnel, community members and their amount of snow Alaska is used to this time and reset, and it’s well-deserved. Thankfully, there are many resources and families. of year, there are so many winter activities In some cases, finding time to relax is programs available to help. The Health and Charitable campaigns, to include the and so much beauty to enjoy here. easier said than done. There are more than Wellness Center, chaplain community, and Combined Federal Campaign, Air Force However you decide to spend the season, a thousand JBER Airman and Soldiers who key spouse programs are just a few resources Assistance Fund and Army Emergency Re- whether traveling or here, we extend our are deployed to locations around the world that can provide assistance not only dur- lief run throughout the year and are always sincerest wishes to you and yours for a safe this season. Also, many here at home will ing the holidays, but throughout the year. appreciated, but there a variety of other and enjoyable holiday season. Shields issues holiday safety message Editorial by Army Maj. Gen. simple rules of the road we put ourselves the unexpected. that passing the keys to a friend may be the Michael Shields and others at risk. Speeding, not using seat As you get ready to travel this holiday most important decision you make. USARAK commanding general belts, and driving while impaired – whether season, I ask each of you to use the TRiPS As leaders, we must be engaged at every because of fatigue or alcohol – are the three online assessment tool, located at http:// level to influence the mindset that leads to The holiday season is a wonderful time major causes of our off-duty deaths during safety.army.mil/trips. safe behavior and making good decisions. of year to give thanks and visit with family the holidays. Holidays also mean celebrating at home I charge each of you with the mission of and friends, reflect upon the past, and antici- Whether you are traveling or staying in and in the barracks with Family and friends, enforcing standards, sharing and applying pate what the new year will bring. the local area, make sure you dress for suc- and many of these celebrations often involve your safety knowledge, watching out for During the winter holiday season, our cess and consider the changes in the season, alcohol.