Articles

Retired Army aviator keeps Wainwright safe

Responsible boating key to seasonal fun, survival

Commanding General issues Memorial Day safety message

Richardson riders plan Motorcycle Mentorship event at Check Point Pride

News Briefs

Wainwright prepares for safety week

Platoon helps get bad guys off the street

Safety Center calls for drivers to 'share the roads'

It's time to share roads with bicycles

Cold-water immersion more than hypothermia

Think before you sink when around water

Drinking and most things don't mix year-round

Proper gear, planning can reduce injuries, save lives

Update addresses to keep TRICARE coverage current

DoD promotes military participation in World No Tobacco Day

Ask the MEDDAC Commander

Year of the Noncommissioned Officer Spotlight NCO

FMWR Events

Fort Wainwright Compass

Fort Richardson Compass

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Keepers of the Northern Watch
(USARAK March Song)

Speak Up

What advice do you give for being safe this summer?

Asked by Jim Hart/Fort Richardson PAO

Sylvester Worthen Plans, Analysis and Integration Office "Plan any trip you plan to take. Allow extra time to get there. If you plan to camp, have all your safety equipment."

Kent Hubert Directorate of Logistics "Don’t drink and drive includes a boat or a plane or an ATV. Your personal floatation devices have to be the right size and in good condition."

Christine Madubuko Directorate of Human Resources "Don’t drink and drive. Don’t forget to call 384-RIDE. Don’t leave food on your grill unattended."

Rodger Stickney Garrison Safety Office "Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. Porches and balconies are not good locations for barbecues."

Joe Lawrence Garrison Plans and Operations "One area people forget is they forget to secure their home – to make sure stuff is unplugged."

Jeanne Bond Education Center "Leave an itinerary (trip plan) with someone so they know where you are when you go off hiking."

A brace of varying police cars lit up Fort Wainwright's south airfield taxiway May 8 as they performed a series of hard-braking, high-speed cornering and reverse j-turn maneuvers as part of a weeklong Emergency Vehicle Operators Course hosted by Fort Wainwright Police and taught by the Fairbanks Police Department.

"These cars are going to need a lot of work," remarked FPD instructor Sgt. Jeromey Lindhag, pointing to worn tires shredded during the course.

Lindhag is a poster-child police officer who handles his Hemi-powered police cruiser with ease, attacking the high-speed portion of the course without breaking a sweat while inducing mind-bending G-forces in the tight corners and braking with enough force to toss any objects that aren't securely buttoned down.

Capt. W. David McKillican, Fort Wainwright Police training officer, said he was contacted by Lindhag to host EVOC training, making for a mutually beneficial event.

"We accommodated them by providing a space to train, and in return we get some training out of it as well," McKillican said. "The Emergency Vehicle Operators Course exposes officers to driving the cars at faster speeds than what they are used to – pursuit driving – giving them the ability to see what their cars are capable of doing."    Full Story

Timothy Mayhak, Fort Wainwright safety and occupational health specialist, is a man of many talents, having served on aircraft carriers in the Navy, flown two major types of helicopter for the Army and worked as a motorcycle mechanic before settling into his current job working for Fort Wainwright Garrison Safety as a Department of the Army civilian.

Born and raised in Fort Collins, Colo., Mayhak grew up watching old grainy news footage of American fighter aces in action flying combat missions over foreign skies.

"The romance of being the guy with the white silk scarf and a desire to fly, being a fighter pilot," drew Mayhak to military aviation, he said.

Mayhak said he originally aspired to become a naval aviator and the Navy recruiter assured him aircraft carrier duty with an aircraft director rating would be a good path to his goal.

Mayhak said he enlisted in the Navy in 1975 with assignment to the USS Midway based from Yokosuka Navy Base, Japan, sailing abroad to Korea, the South China Sea and the Sea of Japan.  Full Story

For many people, the summer is synonymous with boating, which should lead to many happy memories. But not all leisure boating trips have a happy ending.

"In Alaska, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death," said Jeff Johnson, the Boating Law administrator for the Alaska Office of Boating Safety. "Accident statistics reveal that three out of four boating fatalities were the result of capsizing or falling overboard into cold water, where the boater was not wearing a life jacket. Most had not taken a single boating safety course." 

To ensure the safety of Soldiers, family members, retirees and all Department of Defense customers, the folks at Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Outdoor Recreation department offer motor-boats and non-motorized boats for rental with one important pre-requisite:

All renters are required to take a boater certification class before renting a boat.

The class is offered for free on Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright and consists of a classroom portion with several videos. Full Story

Memorial Day is the day we honor the memory of American service members who sacrificed their lives ensuring our privilege of freedom. 

We honor these brave men and women whose sacrifices have made freedom possible.

Memorial Day weekend is the traditional beginning of the summer vacation season. It is a time for summer fun, outdoor recreation and sports, weekend outings and extended vacations.

This long-awaited summer season will present us with an increased likelihood of accidents.

With this in mind, anticipate and plan for an increase in highway traffic and overcrowded recreational areas. 

Start planning and preparing for this holiday weekend and the summer season in advance.  Safety measures you can use to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident are:    Full Story

Motorcycling has become increasingly popular in the Army, with an ever increasing number of Soldiers purchasing and riding motorcycles resulting in an increase in motorcycle accidents and fatalities.

As accidents increase, leaders must find ways to enhance motorcycle safety within their units. Motorcycling can be dangerous, but with proper training and preparation we can reduce accidents and make riding motorcycles fun rather than fatal. Full Story

• Army launches 2009 summer safety campaign

• Transport pets safely to avoid fines

• Anchorage-area graduations streamed live via Internet

  Full Story

The snow, ice and cold temperatures are behind us, at least for a few months; ahead lie the seasonal safety hazards that prevail as the sun and warmth return.

Fort Wainwright's Safety Awareness Week is from Saturday through May 22, and offers training, workshops and hands-on learning opportunities for the post community.

Soldiers, family members and civilians may attend safety classes in boating, firearms, hiking and the safe operation of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

The weeklong safety observance offers a host of additional displays and demonstrations in fire safety, proper child safety seat installation, drunk driving and other safety issues for preventing injuries and deaths this summer and all year long.

The week's safety festivities begin with a Motorcycle Safety Ride with the post safety office and the American Legion of North Pole. Riders will gather and depart from the movie theater parking lot on Airport Road in Fairbanks at 11 a.m. Saturday.    Full Story

DIYALA, Iraq — Being able to locate and detain those who wish to do harm to innocent people is frequently a difficult task.  The ability to strike at a moment's notice must be mastered in order to be effectively complete this task.

Recon Platoon, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, specializes in time-sensitive targeting in Baqubah. The roughly 30-man platoon must be ready around the clock for the moment when they are given the order to strike.

These time-sensitive targeting missions are often source-driven raids and can range from a high-value target to targets that could pose a threat to the population or to security forces.

The platoon trains and executes missions with its Iraqi counterpart, a Police Emergency Response Force. Recon trains the ERF on advanced tactics allowing the two to function as one entity while conducting raids.    Full Story

FORT RUCKER, Ala. – The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center has joined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other state and national organizations in May to remind motorists and motorcyclists to be extra alert during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Across the nation, motorcycle fatalities have steadily increased over the past decade. In fiscal 2008, the Army lost more Soldiers in motorcycle accidents than any other previous year going back to 1986. Since the beginning of fiscal 2009, there have been 13 motorcycle-related Soldier fatalities and peak riding season is still a few weeks away.

"May is really the beginning of the traditional riding season because, with the weather improving, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads," said Walter Beckman, Safety Center driving task force program manager. "With that in mind, drivers of all vehicles need to be extra attentive and make sure they are sharing the road."   Full Story

One of the problems bicyclists face is motorists who think bikes don't belong on the road. As drivers, we must share roadways safely with all users, and bicyclists have every right to be out there.

Many drivers are not thinking about bicycles and often do not see them. Keep watch for bikes and be wary in places they might be, particularly around intersections. Watch out for riders who ignore traffic signals, make turns on the roadway or change lanes erratically.

Bicyclists get injured or killed riding against traffic. Drivers who are exiting a driveway, side street or parking lot who plan to make a right turn onto the road should look to the right for bicyclists before crossing the sidewalk. Drivers often look only to the left, watching for a break in traffic. A rider coming from the right is often not seen, and the resulting collisions cause many injuries and deaths.   Full Story

Alaska's waters are understandably chilly, and falling into a river, lake or the ocean can have deadly consequences. Cold-water immersion follows four stages.

You need to know how your body will react to cold-water immersion so you can take appropriate action and increase your chances for survival.

    • The initial shock from falling into cold water provokes an immediate gasp reflex of up to two to three quarts of air, or water if your head is submerged.

The cold-shock stage is characterized by hyperventilation and rapid heart rate, which often produces a panic feeling for three to five minutes.     Full Story

FORT RUCKER, Ala. ­— As warmer temperatures draws Alaskans outdoors, the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center is reminding Soldiers to be mindful of the risks associated with water-related activities.

Over the last 10 years, the Army has experienced 95 water-related accidents involving one or more Soldier fatalities. In fiscal 2007, there were 14 Army water-related accidents, resulting in 15 deaths.

With the summer months approaching, many Soldiers will be drawn to some form of water, whether it's a swimming pool, river, pond, lake or ocean. However, before participating in any water-related activity, Soldiers need to take the proper safety precautions and assess the readiness of everyone in their group – especially children.  Full Story

The debilitating effects of alcohol have been documented for centuries.

A passage in an Egyptian papyrus from 1500 B.C., warned that drinking could lead to falls and broken bones. Ancient texts refer to fatal accidents, including fires, falls and drowning, caused by drunkenness.

From antiquity to the present, alcohol abuse has remained a major problem and it's amazing how things haven't changed much over the years.

The main difference now, in alcohol-related accidents, is the physics. At the high speeds offered in modern vehicles, a collision or sudden impact exacts a terrible toll on the human body.    Full Story

As sleds, snowmachines and skis are put away for the season and summer recreation gear is brought out of storage, it's also time to pull out the right safety equipment.

Operating motorcycles and off-road vehicles on post without the proper gear can not only mean more serious injuries in an accident, it can also result in a loss of privileges.

Jerry Russell, Fort Wainwright safety officer, said making certain motorcycles and ORVs are ready for the season and riders have the proper clothing and gear should be priorities.

Riding motorcycles and ORVs require essentially the same type of thinking, Russell said.  Full Story

Some Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright Soldiers and their families are having trouble getting appointments at the Troop Medical Clinic because they are not correctly enrolled in TRICARE.

"This sometimes happens when Soldiers head into harm's way and their families move, or when military children from around the state move to the post to attend the Alaska Military Youth Academy," said TRICARE benefits expert Jenny Hall of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which administers the military's health care plans in Alaska and 20 other western states.

"When addresses are not current in the system, it can affect access to appointments," Hall said.  Full Story

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The last Monday in May is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

Just around the corner from Memorial Day is World No Tobacco Day May 31, sponsored by the World Health Organization.

This year, for the first time, the Department of Defense is endorsing the observance of WNTD by encouraging military personnel to participate.

The effort is part of the DoD's multiyear tobacco cessation campaign, "Quit Tobacco – Make Everyone Proud."   Full Story

Year of the Noncommissioned Officer Spotlight NCO

Summer is the time when children and youth of all ages look forward to engaging in organized sports, whether it is to pass the time during summer vacation or to prepare for and participate in next year's school sports season. To ensure their safety, a sports physical is a requirement for participation in most cases.

Sports physicals are valid for one year, so check your records to ensure your kids have a current physical. If they don't have a current physical, or if it will expire in the next few months, Bassett Army Community Hospital has set aside special appointments and has allocated several providers in its Primary Care clinics on May 29 and June 5 from 1 to 6 p.m. each day to conduct these physicals.

Sports physicals are primarily reserved for beneficiaries between 2 to 18 years of age.

Appointments can be made now by calling 361-4000 and asking the clerk to book a sports physical slot on one of these two days. If you cannot take advantage of one of these dates, you may request to make an appointment on a different day.   Full Story

Sgt. James M. Thompson, the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment Instructor, Medical Simulation Training Center said being a Noncommissioned Officer in the Army means, “setting the example to younger soldiers and striving to excel in all of my duties and responsibilities.”

“I have worked in the staff as a S-3 Air NCO which afforded me the opportunity to see the operations of a battalion,” Thompson said, “and I have been an instructor at the U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School which taught me the importance of attention to detail.”

Thompson said he joined in 1990 and served until 1996; then re-entered the Army in 2000.

Thompson strives to set an example for the young Soldiers around him.  Full Story

Healthy Recipe of the Week | Police memorial | Show your appreciation | Celebrating Asian culture

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	Meet and greet photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter J. Pels/Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific SHUZAYF, Iraq — First Lt. Josh Reed, right, from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, speaks with an Iraqi Army officer and a village elder April 23 at a medical clinic set up by the Ministry of Health. Iraqi medical personnel from the Ministry of Health are providing free medical care and consultations to the residents.
	Hand-to-hand courtesy photo/2nd Lt. Mitchell Casteel Soldiers practice the "break the guard with punches" technique during a drill session at Geronimo Gym April 30. Thirty-seven from the 59th Signal Battalion, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and 6th Engineer Battalion took part in a Modern Army Combatives Program Skill Level II certification course April 20 through May 1. Skill Level II is a two-week course that builds off of the skills introduced in the Basic course. It focuses on more advanced techniques, illuminating why the basic techniques are performed as well as teaching the philosophy and methodology of the combatives program.
	Stellar scholars photo by Priscilla Hammon/Fort Wainwright PAO Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Layfield, U.S. Army Alaska commanding general, congratulates Kelcie Meeks May 6 at the Last Frontier Community Center at Fort Wainwright for receiving a Fort Wainwright Community Spouses’ Club Scholarship worth $400. Kelcie Meeks, the daughter of Mike Meeks, Fort Wainwright’s director of public works, plans to pursue a degree in equine studies. She is a graduating high school senior at West Valley High School, a skilled equestrian and has earned her black belt in karate. Fourteen students received scholarships ranging from $200 to $1,000 to help defray the costs of continuing their education.
	Let’s make a deal photo by John Pennell/Fort Richardson PAO Bargain hunters browse one of dozens of opportunities at Saturday’s Postwide Yard Sale organized by the Fort Richardson housing area mayors. The unseasonably warm and sunny weather made for ideal conditions for yard sales and bargain hunters alike.
	Rite of passage photo by David Bedard/Fort Wainwright PAO As Maj. Glenn Gambrell, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division rear detachment commander officiates, his daughter Lydia, 12, and wife, Beth, pin Infantry Branch second lieutenant rank on the shoulders of son and freshly commissioned 2nd Lt. Jordan Gambrell during Saturday’s University of Alaska Fairbanks ROTC commissioning ceremony. Also commissioned were second lieutenants Kyle Calfina, Jason Garcia and Nathan Recta.