FREE RECYCLED an edition of the Recycled material is used in the making of our ALASKA POST newsprint The Interior Military News Connection Vol. 8, No. 46 Fort Wainwright, Alaska November 17, 2017 Alaskan jets fly south for the winter Senior Airman Cassandra Whitman 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs The 18th Aggressor Squadron sent approximately 150 personnel and 11 F-16 Fighting Falcon to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to support the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, specifically the F-16 weapons instructor course. “The USAF Weapons Instructor Course was founded as a center of excellence for tactical aviation,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Nudi, the 354th Operations Group deputy commander. “In an effort to provide the most demanding tactical aviation course, the school needs world- class adversary air. The 18th AGRS support this course by partnering with other adversary squadrons to provide the WIC students a premier near-peer adversary to train against.” The 18th AGRS temporary assignment to Nellis directly supports the wing commander’s priority of premier air exercises and adversary support. Lt. Col. Gregory Keller, the 18th AGRS U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on the commander, agrees with Nudi by stating runway Nov. 3, at Nellis AFB, Nev. The Aggressors are currently TDY to Nellis in support of the U. S. Air Force Weapons School, aiding in training U.S. forces in 21st century combat. (Photo by Susan Garcia, 354th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs) See FALCONS on page 4 First lady visits Joint Base Education Center hosts Elmendorf-Richardson Winter Fair and Ribbon Cutting Brady Gross attended by University of Alaska Fort Wainwright Public Affairs Fairbanks/Community & Technical College Dean, Michele Stalder, and Fort Wainwright Education Service Officer, Fort Wainwright’s Education Center Jerri Tuck. Having a National Testing hosted their “Winter Education Fair,” Center located on Fort Wainwright is Nov. 2, with a full day of events and well appreciated as Soldiers had to go to information for the entire community Eielson Air Force Base in the past for all to engage in. A site tour, educational their testing needs. CLEP, DANTES, and videos, counseling workshops and other various tests can now all be handled various program briefs were among in-house at Fort Wainwright. many of the activities planned. “This is just one more way we First Lady Melania Trump speaks with children at the Month of the Military Family Approximately 165 Soldiers, can support our Soldiers and the Fort Celebration event held at the Arctic Oasis on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Family members, DoD civilians and Wainwright community at large,” said Alaska, Nov. 10. (Photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Jasper, Joint Base Elmendorf- community members attended the Tuck. Richardson Public Affairs) event. With over twenty colleges, The event was also attended and universities and other educational supported by Fort Wainwright Garrison organizations that partner with the Commander Col. Sean Fisher and education center were on full display Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Juan with brochures, on-site representatives Cornett, as well as other garrison Shorter hours of sunlight, and plenty of giveaways to attract directorates and staff. interest. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s increased health risks The University of Alaska Fairbanks/ Education Center held coordinated Community Technical College opened activities as well on Nov. 1, with the activities with a “National Testing approximately 200 attendees. deficit. Brandy Ostanik Center Ribbon Cutting Dedication” Medical Department Activity – According to Jennifer Tanner, chief Alaska, Public Affairs of child and family behavioral health at University Medical Department Activity – Alaska, of Alaska one of the first signs of a Vitamin D Fairbanks/ All the signs telling us winter has deficiency from a behavioral health Community arrived are here; snow is on the ground, standpoint is an awareness of feeling & Technical temperatures are dropping and the hours more agitated than normal. College Dean, we see sunlight are getting shorter “Pretty consistently patients come Michele Stalder, and shorter. While all of these facts in saying, ‘this is not how I normally (middle right) can cause stress, especially for those feel, I don’t know what is happening - and Fort experiencing their first Alaskan winter, everything is upsetting me, I’m snapping Wainwright the lack of sunlight can cause real health at my kids and this is not how I normally Education issues that go beyond the complaint of am,’ and these are my first red flags that Service Officer, missing the warmth of the sun. it could be a Vitamin D deficiency,” said Jerri Tuck (right) celebrate the Vitamin D is a hormone produced by Tanner. opening of Fort Tanner tells patients that whatever the skin when exposed to sunlight, and it Wainwright’s plays an important role in both physical their go-to emotion is when life becomes new National and mental health. With prolonged hours difficult, whether it’s anger, sadness or Testing of darkness during the winter, Alaskans irritation, they will go there faster and Center with seldom get enough sunlight to produce a with more intensity over things that are a ceremonial sufficient supply of Vitamin D. less important. ribbon cutting on In fact, according to research by the “When their Vitamin D is low, their Nov. 2. International Osteoporosis Foundation, tolerance, resiliency to the things in (Photo by Brady any population that lives above latitude life that create disharmony, irritation, Gross, Fort 30 degrees isn’t getting the necessary disappointments, frustrations, whatever Wainwright amount of sunlight for obtaining and interrupts the status quo, if your Vitamin Public Affairs) making this essential vitamin in their D is low it’s more intense and the bodies. Fairbanks sits at 65 degrees. Even in the summer, our sunlight is not See DEFICIENCY on page 2 strong enough to make up for the winter WEEKEND WEATHER NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE OBSERVANCE The 70th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and the Fort Friday Saturday Sunday Wainwright Equal Opportunity Office welcome all to the 2017 Fort Wainwright National American Indian Heritage Month Observance program taking place today, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., at the Northern Lights Chapel located at 3430 Rhineland Ave, Fort Wainwright. This special observance celebrates the many historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian heritage to our society. Civilian patrons entering Fort Wainwright that do not have access are Cloudy, highs near Sunny, high of -6. Snow, highs in the required to obtain a post pass from the Visitor’s Center located just before the front gate prior 11. Low near -11. Low of -10. low 20s. Low of 10 to entering the post. Drivers of vehicles must present their Drivers licenses, proof of vehicle degrees. insurance, and vehicle registration. For more information, call (907) 353-6628. 2 NEWS November 17, 2017 Nutrition Corner: Antioxidants Brandy Ostanik implications check out this article by the Harvard We love the crunch Jicama-Pomegranate Salad Medical Department Activity – Alaska, Public School of Public Health: www.hsph.harvard.edu/ delivers with each bite. Jicama-Pomegranate Salad also Affairs nutritionsource/antioxidants/. packs vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with every serving. FEATURED FOOD: Did you know that there are special compounds Pomegranates! You’ve probably seen these fruits YIELD: in certain foods called Antioxidants that can prevent more often in the grocery stores now that it is winter. Serves 6 (serving size: 2/3 cup). Each serving oxidization of cells caused by free radicals in the They’re big, red, and characterized by a leathery skin provides 144 calories and 4.7g of fat, and 107mg body, thereby significantly decreasing the risk of cell that protects hundreds of tiny, succulent, crimson seeds sodium. damage and cancer? These amazing substances can be inside. Although pomegranates tend to be a bit pricey, found in many foods, especially fruits and vegetables. you might be able to snag a good deal while they’re in INGREDIENTS: Leading research shows that individuals who consume season. Even if not, the extra cost is probably worth it 3 cups julienne-cut peeled jicama (about 1 medium) more of these antioxidant-rich foods are less likely to for this super food. In addition to being a great source 1/2 cup pomegranate arils experience disease throughout life. The following list of healthy fiber, potassium, and iron, the seeds of this 1/3 cup vertically sliced red onion includes a few examples of antioxidants, along with delicious fruit are packed with antioxidants. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro common food items that contain them: The pomegranate is thought to have originated 1/4 cup fresh lime juice in Persia and is referenced in many ancient texts as 2 tablespoons olive oil Beta-carotene – Carrots, cantaloupe, being an important part of the culinary palate of the 1 tablespoon agave nectar Lutein – kale and other dark leafy greens past. Today, this fruit continues enjoy great popularity 1/4 teaspoon salt Lycopene – tomatoes and tomato products and it can be used in a variety of preparations, as a 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper Selenium – Brazil nuts, many types of seafood, and complimentary flavor to entrees, a topping for desserts organ meats and salads, or just simply as it is, an enjoyable and PREPARATION: Combine jicama, pomegranate Ascorbic Acid – citrus fruits healthy piece of fresh fruit. arils, onion, and cilantro in a large bowl. Combine Alpha-tocopherol – wheat germ, nuts and seeds lime juice, olive oil, agave nectar, salt, and ground RECIPE SPOTLIGHT: red pepper in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add juice For more information about antioxidants and health Jicama-Pomegranate Salad mixture to jicama mixture; toss gently to coat.