alaska post · 2015. 7. 10. · fairbanks daily news-miner, a private firm in no way connected with...

July 10, 2015Vol. 6, No. 27 Fort Wainwright, Alaska

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SundayMostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs

expected in the mid 70s and lows in the mid 50s.

AT A GLANCE

WEEKEND WEATHER

BRIEF

Cooler temperatures and rains have assist-ed firefighting efforts. However, for a state-wide perspective on the current fire situation and fire restrictions, visit the Alaska Inter-agency Coordination Center website at fire.ak.blm.gov/ or akfirein-fo.com/. Information is also available by calling the Alaska Interagency Joint Information Cen-ter at (907) 356-5511. For the most recent air quality index, visit co.fairbanks.ak.us/air-quality/.

Where there is smoke...

SaturdayPartly cloudy with a high of 76 and low of

56.

FridayPartly cloudy with a high of 76 and low of

56.

Nurse joins Army Re-serve to serve country, broaden skills and further education

Alaska 10-Miler Teams to respresent USARAK in Washington D.C.

MEDDAC Minute

National Park Service offers programs for Fam-ilies new to camping

Joint training exercise, Northern Edge 2015, wraps up

Enjoying Seward Military Resort

Troops training troops

Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow Drums into Fairbanks

Open house for Talkeet-na archeological culture camp

Traditional dance at Denali Music Festival

Calendars and News Briefs for Fort Wain-wright and Eielson AFB

ONLINE

Check www.facebook.com/FortWainwright-PAO for the latest information.

World Eskimo-Indian Olympics comes to Carlson Center July 15 through 18Elizabeth A. CookUSAG FWA Cultural Resources Manager

Athletes, young and old, from around the state — and sometimes Can-ada or Greenland — are convening to compete in the annual World Eski-mo-Indian Olympics July 15 through 18 at the Carl-son Center. The good-na-tured athletic competi-tion, featuring feats of strength and endurance, are designed to showcase skills needed in a subsis-tence lifestyle. Physical strength, agility and men-tal toughness are traits needed for life in Alaska’s severe environment and today’s Olympic Games are a cultural connection

to those everyday charac-teristics of Alaska’s Native ancestors.

Events include practi-cal skills like fish-cutting and distance running, but also include other skills that mimic those used by hunters and gathering people from eons. The ear pull tests the endurance of pain similar to frostbite. The four-man carry imi-tates carrying a big game animal out of the woods. The toe kick exhibits the agility needed to jump across ice floes in order to get back to shore.

Alaska Native dance groups from around the state perform nightly. A Miss WEIO pageant occurs Wednesday and Thursday with coronation

on Friday. A Native rega-lia contest and parade is Friday. Demonstrations of important, traditional Native skills that are not yet competition games are interspersed throughout the schedule. Also at the event, visitors can enjoy one of the largest Native craft shows in the state. The public is welcomed to this family-friendly event. The WEIO web-page has full descriptions of all the events. For a full schedule, visit weio.org/a n n o u n c e m e n t s . p h p . Admission to the games is free before 6 p.m. and a nominal fee is charged after that time with spe-cial rates for the military community. Opening ceremony at the 2014 World Es-

kimo-Indian Olympics. (File photo)

Paratroopers return from Kosovo USARAK PAO

U.S. Army Alaska wel-

comes home hundreds of airborne soldiers from a nine-month deployment this week.

The paratroopers from the headquarters element of the 4th In-fantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division and the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment have served as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force, specifically Multination-al Battle Group-East, since last October. Their mission was ensuring the continuance of a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for the people of Kosovo.

While operating as part of MNBG-E, Spar-tan paratroopers served daily alongside NATO personnel from allied and partnered nations such as Armenia, Ger-many, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Turkey as well as local and regional partners from the Koso-vo Police, Kosovo Border Police and the Serbian Armed Forces.

Over the course of the deployment, the brigade conducted multiple large-scale crowd riot control training exercises with NATO allies and part-ners in preparation for any potential violent ri-ots in major population centers. Additionally, the brigade conducted numerous joint patrols along the Administrative Boundary Line between Kosovo and Serbia, with either the Kosovo Border Police or Serbian Armed Forces, in an effort to deter smuggling efforts across and illegal activity along the ABL.

The soldiers served as the 19th U.S. Army rota-tion to Kosovo since NA-TO’s entry there in 1999 and were officially relieved by the 30th Armored Bri-gade Combat Team from the North Carolina Army National Guard on July 9.

Iceman Pride ends LGBT month with community picnicSenior Airman Ashley Nicole Taylor354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Weather, plagued by smoke, cleared as heavy rains drenched the sur-rounding Fairbanks com-munity Saturday, but that didn’t stop members of the military and local communities from cele-brating Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender Pride month.

One day after the Su-preme Court ruled same-sex marriage a constitu-

tional right, members of the Iceman Pride hosted a Picnic in the Park event at Nussbaumer Park in Fair-banks to bring together members of the commu-nity for an afternoon of games, food and music.

“I wanted to get the community together and thought people would come together for food,” said 1st Lt. Shaina Thomp-son, the 354th Fighter Wing chief of protocol. “Major Jordan had the idea to host the event off-

A rainbow flag is placed in the ground for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month during the Picnic in the Park at Nussbaumer Park, June 27, in Fairbanks. More than 200 flags were handed out to members of the 354th Fighter Wing and members of the local community. (Photo by Senior Airman Ashley Nicole Taylor)

Dr. Christine Altendorf, director of U.S. Army Installation Mangement Command Pacific, passes the Fort Wainwright garrison guidon to the new garrison Commander, Col. Sean Williams, July 7. Stay tuned for more information on and from the GC. (Photo by Sherman Hogue, Fort Wainwright PAO)

Change of Command

With new report, senior raters may identify just 24 percent ‘most qualified’C. Todd Lopez Army News Service

New policy for the non-commissioned officer eval-uation report, or NCOER, due out in January, includes a limit on how many “most qualified” ratings can be handed out by a Soldier’s se-

nior rater.Under the new system, a

senior rater may rate only as many as 24 percent as being most qualified. That limit ap-plies when those being rated are in the rank of staff sergeant through sergeant major. The expectation will be to make the rating of “highly qualified”

as the “new norm,” said Sgt. Maj. Stephen McDermid, the evaluations branch sergeant major for the Adjutant Gen-eral Directorate, Human Re-sources Command.

“It’s important to under-stand that the ‘highly qual-

See RATINGS on page 4

See PRIDE on page 3

2July 10, 2015

U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade

Aric Balahadia’s life is ex-

actly where he wants it. He has a career as an emergency department nurse for a large Veterans Affairs hospital and he has just joined the U.S. Army Reserve.

“I’ve always loved emer-gency medicine,” Balahadia said. “And I wanted to gain experience taking care of a different population of pa-tients,” Balahadia said about joining the Army.

Balahadia attended the College of Staten Island where he earned a two-year degree; he followed that by completing his RN online at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Ariz. He has worked at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia Cam-pus, and the Staten Island University Hospital. Today, Balahadia is a nurse in the Emergency Department at the VA New York Harbor Medical Center, Manhattan Campus.

“I became a nurse be-cause nursing has more au-tonomous duties,” Balahadia added. “Doctors don’t have time for as much interaction. I feel nursing is a big part of care. Working in the ED gives me a chance to work with as

many patients needing acute care as possible. I get to see and do everything. The vari-ation is limitless in the kinds of patients [we see]. We are the first person the patient meets. Lots of times the nurse is the one who makes decisions.”

Joining the military will broaden his horizons Bala-hadia said. He wants to fur-ther his skills in the job he has and the Army offers a lot of classes. Along with taking care of active duty military while in the Army Reserve, Balahadia believes the expe-rience will enhance his un-derstanding of the patients coming into VA. He feels the injuries will become more understandable as he sees them firsthand.

Balahadia said he has al-ways felt a desire to serve his country and last November he decided to try. He filled out the paperwork and found out that he was accepted in April. Balahadia came into the military as a first lieu-tenant.

Along with broadening his nursing skills, Balahadia is looking forward to his time in the military providing travel opportunities.

“I’m looking forward to a humanitarian mission,” Balahadia said. “One of my

dreams is to go to a place like Nepal to represent America.”

Balahadia is waiting for a date to attend the Basic Of-ficer Leadership Course in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He has yet to be assigned to a unit, but expects that he will be part of the 865th Combat Support Hospital in Utica, N.Y. Until then, he will continue to work full-time at his VA job. As far as Balahadia is aware, he is the

only member of the Army Reserve working in the ED.

“Aric is fantastic,” said Cheryl Mackey, RN, MSN, Patient Care Team Coordina-tor, ER & EHU VA New York Harbor Health Care System. “I am very supportive of him joining the U.S. Army Re-serve. It’s great for him as a person to have this military experience and it’s great be-cause the military experience can help him relate to our pa-

tients.”For more information

about working as a health care provider in the Army Reserve, go to www.health-care.goarmy.com and find a health care recruiter near you or call (888) 710-2769.

ALASKA POSTHome of the Arctic WarriorsEDITORIAL STAFF

Garrison CommanderCol. Cape Zemp

Fort Wainwright PAOMel Slater

Command InformationBrian Schlumbohm

Community-Media Relations Allen Shaw

EditorTeresa White

Photojournalist Sherman HogueContributorsMEDDAC-AK PAO

USARAK PAOElizabeth A. Cook, USAG FWA Cultural Resources ManagerMaster Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik, 354th Fighter Wing PAO

Senior Airman Ashley Nicole Taylor, 354th Fighter Wing PAOC. Todd Lopez, Army News ServiceDavid Vergun, Army News Service

U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade National Park Service

Denali National Park and Preserve

The ALASKA POST is authorized by Army Regulation 360-1 and is published by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Army, and is under exclusive written contract. Contents of the ALASKA POST are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the Department of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the U.S. Army Garrison Ft. Wainwright Public Affairs Office. The ALASKA POST welcomes responsible comments from its readers and will publish letters, articles or photos submitted at least one week prior to the next publication. The ALASKA POST reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. All submitted material will become official Army property unless otherwise indicated. To advertise call (907) 459-7548 Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. The Editorial office is located on Ft. Wainwright in Building 1047 #1; Mailing address is Public Affairs Office, 1060 Gaffney Road, 5900, Ft. Wainwright, AK 99703. Call 353-6779 or 353-6701, or send emails to [email protected]

The ALASKA POST – Home of the Arctic Warriors

NEWS

MEDDAC MinuteEmergency: 91124-Hour Nurse Ad-vice Line: (800) 874-2273 Opt. 1Appointment Line: 361-4000Behavioral Health: 361-6059Benefits Advisor: 361-5656Immunizations: 361-5456Information Desk: 361-5172Patient Advocate: 361-5291Pharmacy Refills: 361-5803Tricare Online: www.tricareonline.comUnited Health Care: uhcmilitarywest.com, (877) 988-9378

New Tricare Cov-erage – As of July 1, Tricare covers breast pumps and breast pump supplies with no copay. There are two ways to obtain a breast pump:•Referral – A referral can be placed by the provider. The request will be processed and the pump will be sent directly to the benefi-ciary’s home.

•Prescription – A provider writes a pre-scription for the ben-eficiary to purchase the equipment out-of-pocket and submit a claim to Tricare.

For more information on the new policy, visit www.tricare.mil/cov-eredservices/isitcovered.Sports and School Physicals – Bassett ACH will be running a Sports and School Phys-ical Clinic July 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. for youth three to 18. Bring in any spe-cial school forms and immunizations records. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 361-4000. Anonymous or not – Sometimes being anon-ymous is not a good thing. When filling out Interactive Customer Evaluation forms (ICE) leaving contact informa-tion helps us to better serve our beneficiaries. Many times the issue is something we can easily fix, but without contact information we are not able to remedy the situ-ation. Giving us a name and number allows us to contact the beneficiary

and correct the problem on the spot. Army Medicine’s Ambassador Pro-gram – Subject mat-ter experts from MED-DAC-AK are available to speak to Family Read-iness Groups, units, organizations or clubs. To schedule a speaker on health care topics or programs offered through MEDDAC-AK, call 361-5091.Wellness Center Ap-pointments – The Fort Wainwright Well-ness Center is open for appointments. With health assessments, nutrition information, stress management ser-vices and physical fit-ness programs, benefi-ciaries will find tools to take small but import-ant steps to a healthier future. To make an ap-pointment or to inquire about services, call 361-2234.

Appointments can be made through Central appointments at 361-4000, the Optometry front desk, or Tricare Appointments Online.

U.S. Army Alaska 10-Miler TeamsStaff ReportFort Wainwright PAOCongratulations, runners, and best of luck as you represent U.S. Army Alaska at this year’s U.S. Army 10-Miler in Washington, D.C., October 11.

Team Alaska Men’s Team PrimariesName Unit Installation Capt. Kevin Bennett 6-17th FWA Capt. Timothy Lewin 2-8th FWA Spc. Christopher Bishoff 2-377th JBER Capt. Jon Edwards 725th JBER 1st Lt. Marcus Farris USACE FWA

Team Alaska Men’s Team AlternatesSpc. Tyler Pharez 2-377th JBER 2nd Lt. Tanvir Kalam 5-1st FWA

Team Alaska Mixed Team Primaries Name Unit Installation 1st Lt. Chris Bucci 1-501st JBER 1st Lt. Kevin Bubolz 1-52nd FWAStaff Sgt. Fredrick Valencia 6th BEB JBER 1st Lt. Elizabeth Spangler MEDDAC FWAMaj. Ron Oliver 3rd ASOS FWA

Team Alaska Mixed Team Alternates Spc. Chelsea Scheuerman MEDDAC JBER Spc. Lonny Quarford 3-509th JBER

Army Reserve Emergency Department Nurse: Aric Balahadia

National Park Service Offers Programs for Families New to CampingNational Park Service News Release

Have you ever been tent camping with your children? If not, learn to C.A.M.P. (Camping Adventures with My Parents) with National Park Service rangers this summer. The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is offering two weekend family camp-ing programs in Denali National Park and Pre-serve taking place Fri-day, August 7 through Sunday, August 9 and Friday, August 14 through Sunday, Au-gust 16.

National Park Rangers and Alaska Geographic educa-tion staff will facilitate these fun, educational programs designed to provide participants

with the basic skills and knowledge to camp safely and re-sponsibly in Alaska. Families will get plen-ty of hands-on experi-ence working together on campsite set-up, cooking, wildlife safe-ty preparedness, and more while immersed in the wonders of one of this state’s wild and spectacular National Parks.

Participants (ap-proximately 20 peo-ple) will camp with park rangers in a group campsite at the Savage River Camp-ground, located at ap-proximately Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road.

The Fairbanks Alas-ka Public Lands In-formation Center will provide camping gear for participant use during the weekend

and Alaska Geograph-ic will provide meals and snacks from Fri-day dinner through Sunday lunch. Fami-lies are responsible for driving themselves to and from Denali and for paying the $10.00 per person (age 16 years and older) park entrance fee.

For more infor-mation or to apply, contact Maria Berger, Lead Education Spe-cialist with the Fair-banks Alaska Public Lands Information Center at 459-3731 or [email protected]. Space is limited, so act now to reserve your slot in this low cost, high value out-door learning week-end.

Aric Balahadia (Courtesy photo)

3July 10, 2015

base, so I started scanning the local LGBT Facebook pages to get the word out.”

Thompson said she was surprised to see the positive response from the communi-ty and the generosity of dona-tions from local businesses and event attendees. All were sup-porters of LGBT month and each had their own personal reasoning for recognizing the

importance of the month.“Every member of the

LGBT community puts a lot at risk when they are open up about who they are,” said Senior Airman Ryan Kit-tle, a member of the 354th Contracting Squadron com-mander’s support staff. “I admire the courage that is required of somebody who is openly LGBT - one of the ways I can acknowledge that courage is by standing next to him or her in support.”

Many participants shared their experience, including

Sasha and Andrew Frai-ley-Afanasyev, a couple who has been married for nine months and who recently moved to Fairbanks from Kotzebue, Alaska.

“We’re so happy to cele-brate marriage equality be-cause we had to go to Wash-ington to get married, but luckily Alaska allowed it two weeks after our marriage,” said Sasha Frailey-Afanasy-ev. “Had Alaska not passed the marriage equality law, we would have been illegally married in our own state, so

this is a huge deal to us.”Games were available and

free entertainment was pro-vided by local musician Nick Meurlott, a member of the band Dangerlot.

“I wanted to sing songs for you all about music, love and equality,” Meurlott said before performing an original song, “Cardboard Streams Forever.” “Music is a great way to bring people together and I’m so happy I can share my songs with you,” Meurlott added.

As people slowly left the

picnic, attendees shared their final thoughts on the day and expressed hope for future events that can include the community.

“This picnic was perfect timing with the marriage equality law passing and that made it a great gather-ing,” said Capt. Heather No-vus, the 354th Fighter Wing sexual assault and response coordinator. “Now we have a date that can bring us to-gether for years to come and I hope more get-togethers are scheduled for next year.”

Continued from page 1

Pride

NEWSNorthern Edge 2015, Alaska’s premier joint training exercise wraps upMaster Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik354th Fighter Wing PAO

For two weeks, Eielson Air Force Base hosted a record number of Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Sailors during the Northern Edge 2015 ex-ercise conducted June 15 through 26.

The exercise brought together nearly 6,000 ac-tive-duty, Reserve and Na-tional Guard members from all branches of service, in-cluding the U.S. Coast Guard, to participate in Alaska’s pre-mier joint training exercise designed to practice opera-tions, tactics, techniques and procedures, and enhance interoperability among the services.

“Northern Edge is not RED FLAG-Alaska, and be-cause it is a very difficult animal, it requires a lot of flexibility from aircrew fly-ing,” said Col. Stephen Platt, the 354th Operations Group commander and Northern Edge deployed forces com-mander. “I think they have demonstrated flexibility on a non-standard exercise we haven’t done for four years.”

This exercise involved approximately 200 aircraft, and more sorties were flown out of Eielson AFB by F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon, FA-18D Hornet, EA-6B Prowler, KC-135 Strato-tanker, and KC-10 Extender aircraft compared to a typical RED FLAG-Alaska exercise. Virtual forces operating from simulators tied in from other bases, as well as constructive

forces, enhanced the quality of training for live partici-pants across Alaska.

“[Live, Virtual and Con-structive forces] is one of the few realistic options we have going forward in our re-source-constrained future,” said Platt. “It gives us options to do things we either don’t have forces for or the capa-bilities to execute today. LVC is a window into the future of what our forces are going to face. We are growing and maturing rapidly in our LVC

capabilities, which increase the value of training our war-riors get through LVC.”

Throughout the exercise, approximately 800 aircraft maintainers ensured aircraft were ready for operations at a moment’s notice.

“The exercise has been a huge success,” said Lt. Col. Barton Kenerson, the 354th Maintenance Group com-mander and Northern Edge maintenance commanding of-ficer. “One huge benefit from this type of exercise is the

opportunity for our [Eielson] maintainers to work side-by- side with other Air Force units and sister services gaining a better understanding of each other’s maintenance and lo-gistics doctrine.”

Aside from the sheer num-ber of people and aircraft, and the innovative LVC sys-tem used to incorporate ad-ditional assets into the exer-cise, the terrain and airspace available in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex and the Gulf of Alaska training

areas for forces to operate in provided another unique as-pect to Northern Edge 2015.

“It’s a national treasure to have that amount of space to play in,” explained Platt. “The airspace in both areas is dramatically different. They provided different looks and experience to test ourselves. The distances are significant, but worth the time and cost to do so.”

The opportunity for forc-es to practice interoperability with units they typically only interact with during deployed operations provided North-ern Edge 2015 participants a chance to hone their skills while refining their communi-cation across the services.

“The training that is gained by our maintainers is the cross tell and ability to speak the same language so when we fight our nation’s wars we speak the same language and understand each other’s strengths and capability to be a much more lethal force in the joint environment,” Kenerson explained.

“We’ve made pretty im-pressive strides at under-standing common tactics, techniques and procedures; it’s a challenge anytime we get together jointly,” said Platt. “There’s no option not to get better at this, and we’re continuing to improve. I’m proud of our ability to exe-cute an operations-level ex-ercise like this.”

U.S. Army engineers and combat engineers with the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, jump out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft into Allen Army Airfield at Fort Greely, Alaska, to execute airfield seizure operations as part of Exercise Northern Edge, June 17. Northern Edge 2015 is Alaska’s premier joint training exercise designed to practice operations, tactics, techniques and procedures as well as enhance interoperability among the services. Thousands of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from active-duty, Reserve and National Guard units are involved. (Photo by Master Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik)

Alaskan military resort booms on Independence DayDavid VergunArmy News Service

The 3,500 population of the Alaskan town of Seward exploded to more than 40,000 with visitor influx over Independence Day weekend. July 4 is the most popular time of year at the Seward Military Resort for it’s the day the Mount Mara-thon run takes place. Mount Marathon is right in Seward and racers can be spotted on the summit with a good set of binoculars from the resort, operated by Army Family, Morale, Welfare and Recre-ation.

Getting there Guests arrive from all

over Alaska and the United States, said retired Sgt. 1st Class Scott Bartlett, the re-sort’s general manager. They come via Alaska Railroad, cruise ship, commercial air, bus, space-available mili-tary aircraft to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage, and by car across the Alaska-Canada Highway.

The resort is popular with Soldiers, retirees and Army civilians, he said, especially during the summer fishing months.

Coming to the resort in summer is difficult un-less reservations are made at least a year in advance, Bartlett said. However, any time not between Memorial Day and Labor Day is usu-ally easy to reserve, he said.

It won’t be fishing season, but there are plenty of oth-er things to do, he said, and with the crowds gone, some might enjoy the solitude.

There’s no better place to unwind and relax, Bartlett said. It’s one of the best plac-es in the world to fish, see wildlife and or just enjoy the scenery, he added.

Chaplains from Army posts conduct retreats, aka Strong Bonds, here for cou-ples as well as single Soldiers on a regular basis. Also, 26 Soldiers a week for 14 weeks come on command-spon-sored summer vacations from various Alaska com-mands.

Catching fish sure bet Bartlett said he can’t recall

anyone not catching a fish, and often, the resort’s four ocean-going vessels are filled to capacity with the day’s catch. Each vessel carries 14 passengers, a skipper and two deck hands.

All-day sea-fishing excur-sions are offered and fishing from shore within walking distance of the resort is ex-cellent on Resurrection Riv-er and its tributaries where Red Salmon abound, Bartlett said.

The ocean-going vessels leave Seward early morning and within three hours pass through Resurrection Bay to the Gulf of Alaska, where the big fish are plentiful, he said. The largest are the hal-ibut, averaging 30 pounds.

One lucky fisherman hooked a 147-pounder. Lingcod are also big, weighing a hefty 65 pounds. Other fish include chinook and coho salmon.

During the cruise, voyag-ers can expect to see hump-backs, orcas and grey whales surfacing for air.

Once fishermen return, deck hands help them haul their catch to a fish house for cleaning. The fish are then taken to another building, which has vacuum-packing equipment so the fish can be preserved. Once packed, the fishermen can take their catch home or mail it. The resort has agreements to lower the shipping costs 50 percent.

Occasionally, seas will be too rough for comfort. Such was the case July 4, when seas were running 13 feet on the Gulf of Alaska. Resurrec-tion Bay was as smooth as glass that day so that can be deceptive. Bartlett checks the buoy reports each morning at 4:30 a.m. and makes the call whether to sail or not.

Cancellation is not a total bust, though, as shore fishing along the Resurrection River is really good if one doesn’t mind sharing a fishing spot with brown bears, who also like the taste of salmon. They don’t bother anyone, Bartlett said, advising guests to stay at a respectable distance and not disturb them.

The area is also teaming with moose, black bears and other large carnivores, some

of which wander into Seward. Bald eagles also favor Seward and the surrounding area.

Other activities While fishing is the most

popular activity, there are many other things to do in Seward and the surround-ing area, Bartlett said. The resort organizes dog sled-ding, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snow mobile expeditions as well as glacier hiking.

Hiking on glaciers can be done in the middle of summer and the resort is surrounded by a number of them. Hiking in the moun-tains is popular year-round as well, he said, and there are a number of trails.

The July 4 holiday also featured fireworks and a

number of food and craft vendors had tents set up on streets that were closed to traffic.

The resort features mo-tel rooms, townhouses, log cabins, RV sites, yurts and bring-your-own tents.

Reservations can be made at www.sewardresort.com or calling (800) 770-1858. Cost varies depending on season and category. Costs can be as low as $12 for a tent to $225 for a townhouse with fireplace for an enlisted Soldier.

Seward Military Resort’s fleet of four vessels in the foreground didn’t go out July 4 to the Gulf of Alaska because despite the calm water here, seas are 13 feet, which would toss passen-gers around and make them sick. (Photo by David Vergun, Army News Service)

4July 10, 2015NEWS

Volunteers from 1-25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team and the Northern Warfare Training Center trained several Boy Scouts from North Pole Troop 42 to rock climb and rappel from the Fort Wainwright rappel tow-er on June 20. The event enabled the Boy Scouts to complete achievements associated with the Camping Merit Badge, which is a badge required for earning Eagle Scout. The event also continued Fort Wain-wright’s practice of providing excellent service to the local community. (Courtesy photos)

Just hangin’: Troops training troops

ified’ selection will be the norm and that noncommissioned of-ficers will remain com-petitive for promotion with highly-qualified NCOERs, given they complete their required professional military education,” McDermid said.

The senior rater pro-file is new on the NCO-ER, and similar to what is already being done on officer evaluation reports. Army leaders hope that implemen-tation of a senior rater profile will help reduce

“rating inflation” within the enlisted evaluation system, which makes it difficult for promo-tion boards to select the most qualified for pro-motion.

“It’s hard to use [the NCOER] as a determin-er of success and for potential for promotion when everybody is a 1,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey. “That should be the number one thing we are using to decide pro-motion potential. And unfortunately, because it is so equivalent for everybody, you can’t. You have to go to other things like school re-ports, awards and dec-

orations and all those other things.”

McDermid said the limit of 24 percent is designed to reflect the promotion percentages common across various military occupational specialties within the enlisted ranks. The in-tent is to make it easier for promotion boards to identify those Soldiers, who are most qualified to be promoted.

The decision to set the limit to 24 per-cent was made by the sergeant major of the Army and his senior enlisted council. The recommendation was passed to both the Ar-my’s chief of staff and

Army secretary, who both agreed with the recommendation.

“It’ll give promotion boards the ability to see who actually are the best by using the NCO-ER as a true discrimi-nator of talent - what it’s supposed to do,” Dailey said.

The NCOER in-cludes a block labeled “Senior Rater Overall Potential.” That block includes check box-es where senior raters are asked to compare an NCO’s “overall po-tential” to that of other NCOs of the same grade that the senior NCO has rated in his or her ca-reer. For the NCO be-ing rated, senior raters may select from: “most qualified,” “highly qual-ified,” “qualified,” or “not qualified.” They may choose only one of those ratings, and may rate up to 24 percent of their Soldiers as “most qualified.”

Another change to the NCOER includes the supplementary re-view.

Army leaders have asked for a supplemen-tary review on NCOERs when the senior rater is a sergeant first class, first sergeant, master sergeant, warrant offi-cer one, chief warrant officer two, second lieutenant or first lieu-tenant.

“This supplementa-ry review will be per-formed by a uniformed Army Soldier, senior to the senior rater within the rated NCO’s orga-nization,” McDermid

said. “As designed, the supplementary review-er will monitor evalua-tion practices and pro-vide assistance and/or advice to rating officials as needed.”

COUNSELING RE-QUIRED

With the imple-mentation of the new NCOER, counseling will remain critical in reviewing the Sol-dier’s demonstrated performance and po-tential while focusing on leader development throughout the rating period.

Raters must counsel the rated Soldier initial-ly and quarterly, while the senior rater should counsel the rated NCO twice during the rating period.

“Ideally this will oc-cur within the first 30 days of the rating peri-od and then at the mid-point,” McDermid said. “To account for this, senior raters will have a section on the form to annotate comments from any counseling sessions conducted with the rated NCO.”

The requirement for counseling is also expected to help curb rating inflation, Dai-ley said, because se-nior raters, who in the past have neglected to engage in counseling with an NCO for an en-tire rating period, have been reluctant to rate that Soldier as anything less than the best.

“That’s why they got 1 blocks in the past,” Dai-ley said. “[Senior rat-

ers] didn’t do their job counseling, so they just gave them a 1 block.”

Dailey said that when senior raters hold coun-seling with the Soldiers they senior rate, they are more comfortable providing an honest rating at the end of the year.

“If I tell you all throughout the year in counseling that you are not doing a good job, I have no problem at the end of the year telling you that you are not do-ing a good job,” Dailey said. “But if I haven’t done my job in telling you what you have done wrong ... then we tend to shy away from that when it is performance evaluation time.”

The new NCOER was at one point expected to hit the streets at be-ginning of the new fis-cal year, which is Oct. 1. But Dailey asked the Army’s chief of staff and Army secretary to move the date to Jan. 1. The additional time will allow for a fine-tuning of the process and pro-cedures for tracking se-nior rater profiles to en-sure Soldiers have a fair chance at promotions while also preventing rating inflation.

Continued from page 1Ratings

6July 10, 2015COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Fort WainwrightFriday – 10thKLUTINA RIVER SALMON TRIP, Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

READ TO THE RHYTHM-SUMMER READING PROGRAM, post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.

GROUP CYCLING, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Physical Fitness Center, build-ing 3709. Call 353-7223.

BASIC STRENGTH AND CONDI-TIONING, 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., Melaven Fitness Cen-ter, building 3452. Call 353-1994.

FRIDAY FAMILY NIGHT: ARCHERY, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Outdoor Recre-ation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

LEARN ABOUT ALASKAN BER-RIES, 6 to 8 p.m., Soldier and Fam-ily Assistance Center, building 3414. Call 353-7322.

Saturday – 11thKLUTINA RIVER SALMON TRIP, Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

FWA FIREFIGHTERS GOLF TOUR-NAMENT, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chena Bend Golf Course, building 2092. Call 353-6223.

ROCK CLIMBING, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

GROUP CYCLING, 10 to 11 a.m., Physical Fitness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY OPEN LESSONS, $10, Noon to 1 p.m., Chena Bend Golf Course, building 2092. Call 353-6223.

WARRIOR ZONE MONTHLY TEX-AS HOLDEM TOURNAMENT, 7 to 10 p.m., Warrior Zone, building 3205. Call 353-1087.

Sunday – 12thBOARD GAME NIGHT, Warrior Zone, building 3205. Call 353-1087.

KLUTINA RIVER SALMON TRIP, Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

DENALI DAY HIKE, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

INTRO TO STAND UP PADDLE BOARD CLASS, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.


Monday – 13thREAD TO THE RHYTHM-SUMMER READING PROGRAM, post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.

REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR IN-DOOR ARCHERY, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Youth Sports and Fitness, building 1049 #2. Call 353-7482.

BUDDY CLIMB, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

YOUTH SPORTS GOLF CAMP, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Youth Sports and Fitness, building 1049 #2. Call 353-7482.

INSANITY CLASS, 5 to 6 p.m., Phys-ical Fitness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

MONDAY MOVIE MARATHON, 5 to 11 p.m., Warrior Zone, building 3205. Call 353-1087.

ZUMBA, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., Physical Fitness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

Tuesday – 14thREAD TO THE RHYTHM-SUMMER READING PROGRAM, post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.


ROMP AND STOMP PLAY GROUP, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Last Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

YOUTH SPORTS GOLF CAMP, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Youth Sports and

Fitness, building 1049 #2. Call 353-7482.

1-2-3 MAGIC, 6 to 7 p.m., CDC I, building 4024. Call 361-4190.

PARENT ADVISORY BOARD (PAB) MEETING, 6 to 7 p.m., Youth Center, building 4109. Call 361-5437.


TRIVIA TUESDAY, 7 p.m., Warrior Zone, building 3205. Call 353-1087.

Wednesday – 15thREAD TO THE RHYTHM-SUMMER READING PROGRAM, post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.




JUNIORS GOLF OPEN LESSONS, $10, Noon to 1 p.m., Chena Bend Golf Course, building 2092. Call 353-6223.

INSANITY CLASS, 5 to 6 p.m., Phys-ical Fitness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

ZUMBA GROUP EXERCISE, 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., Physical Fitness Center, building 3709. Call 353-7223.

Thursday – 16thREAD TO THE RHYTHM-SUMMER READING PROGRAM, post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.


ROMP AND STOMP PLAY GROUP, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Last Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.



INTRO TO BELAY, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.


Friday – 17thREAD TO THE RHYTHM-SUMMER READING PROGRAM, post library, building 3700. Call 353-2642.

X-BOWLING, Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, building 3702. Call 353-2654.



2015 KIDS BOWL FREE, 3 to 7 p.m., Nugget Lanes Bowling Center, build-ing 3702. Call 353-2654.


BASIC STRENGTH & CONDITION-ING, 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., Melaven Fitness Center, building 3452. Call 353-1994.

NATIONAL ICE CREAM APPRECIA-TION DAY, 5 to 7 p.m., Last Frontier Community Activity Center, building 1044. Call 353-7755.

WOMEN IN THE WILDERNESS: EVENING STANDUP PADDLE BOARDING, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Out-door Recreation, building 4050. Call 361-6349.

JOB OPPORTUNITY EVENTThe Civilian Personnel Advisory Center-Alas-

ka will be hosting, along with the Alaska De-partment of Labor and American Job Center, a recruitment event, Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fairbanks Job Center lobby located at 675 7th Ave, Fairbanks. Many job opportuni-ties on Fort Wainwright will be presented: Li-brary Technician, Paralegal, Cook, Audiovisual Production Specialist, Recreational Assistant, Security Guard, Nurse, Pharmacist and many more. Computer systems and help in applying for jobs will be available for applicants and in-formation such as DD-214 forms and resumes can be brought on removable storage devices. For more information, call 353-7285.

EDUCATION FAIRThursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Fort Wain-wright Education Center will host an Education Fair at building 4391, Neely Road. Representatives from Central Texas College, University of Alaska/ Community & Technical College, Wayland Baptist University and many more, including visiting Dis-tance education and external degree colleges and universities. For more information, call 361-7270.

NEW RAP CARDFort Wainwright will launch an updated ver-

sion of its automated recreational access system, USARTRAK, July 20. The update will require all current recreational access permit cardholders to re-register and obtain a new, free access pass for all recreation activities taking place on military land. After July 20, previously obtained access permits will no longer be valid.

The upgraded system, found at usartrak.is-portsman.net, will have the following benefits for registered users: Faster and more reliable access to online and telephonic users in deter-mining which military lands are accessible to all forms of recreation; provide more areas ac-cessible to recreation in Donnelly Training Area West; communicate training area road closures in real time both online and telephonically and

will allow for training area check-in online, tele-phonically or by smart phone. For more infor-mation, contact the Fort Wainwright Natural Resource Office at (907) 361-9686 during nor-mal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message and they will return your call.

6TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTINGTee off at 9 a.m. for the Fort Wainwright Fire-

fighter’s Association tournament, July 25. Four man best ball longest drive, closest to the hole and other contests. $90 per person or $360 per team. Includes green fees, cart and barbeque after your round. To sign up, call 460-9036 or 590-4161.

NEW FIRE PIT POLICY FOR FORT WAIN-WRIGHT

New policy in place on use of fire pits on post. Requesters can visit the Fire Prevention office, building 1049, apt. 9, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to acquire a permit for fire pit use after receiving a safety briefing. For more infor-mation, call 353-9164 or 353-9166. Find the new policy letter, # 54, online at www.wainwright.army.mil/sites/local/fwa_pages/policyletters.asp.

ARMY HEARING PROGRAMBecause of the potential for exposure to haz-

ardous noise, Garrison Policy 58 has been issued. All Soldiers and Civilians will wear appropriate hearing protection whenever they are exposed to hazardous noise on all ranges, training areas and in all work places. Soldiers will wear an ear plug case attached to the 1st belt loop to the right of center on the ACUs at all times. Commanders and leaders at all levels will ensure Soldiers and Civilians wear appropriate hearing protective devices any time they are exposed to hazardous noise. Find out more on Fort Wainwright’s web-page at www.wainwright.army.mil/sites/local/fwa_pages/policyletters.asp.

MAKING YOUR NEW HOME ALASKALearn to master living in the Interior of Alaska at

the next Newcomer’s Orientation on Wednesday, July 24, at the Last Frontier Community Activity

Center, building 1044. Briefings start at 9 a.m. and last until 4 p.m. Meet the people that help you get moved in, acclimated and take advantage of your new assignment here at Fort Wainwright. Some of the topics covered: pet care, summer and winter activities, cultural awareness, wildlife safety and more. Civilian attire is recommended and spouses are highly encouraged to attend. For more infor-mation, call 353-7298.

ICE CREAM SKEDADDLEFort Wainwright Family and Morale, Welfare

and Recreation are hosting a 5k run, July 18, be-ginning at the Physical Fitness Center parking lot, building 3709. Bib pickup and late registration be-gins at 9:30 a.m., race starts at 10 a.m. For more information on registering and fees, call 353-7223.

IN BRIEF

Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow Drums into FairbanksElizabeth A. Cook USAG FWA Cultural Resources Manager

The Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow begins today through July 12 on the green be-hind the Carlson Cen-ter. In its 13th year, the powwow welcomes residents and visitors to this family-friendly event this evening and all day Saturday and Sunday.

According to the MSIP official website, the mission of the pow-wow is to bring “Alas-ka Natives, American Indians and First Na-tions people of Canada in a powwow setting to share similarities and diversities, to honor the elders and children, and to educate the general public of the heritage of the indigenous people

of North America.”For this year’s event,

the guest drum will be Painted Rock from Oregon. Other drums come from Anchorage and local drum, Soar-ing Eagle, will host the event. Throughout the weekend dancers from many cultures enter the dance circle, a princess and little princess are crowned, and food and craft vendors set up around the event’s pe-rimeter.

A small entry fee is charged with special rates for the military. Information about the schedule, powwow etiquette, and other powwow-related items can be found at www.midnightsunintertrib-alpowwow.com/index.html or on the Midnight Sun Intertribal Pow-wow Facebook page.

7July 10, 2015 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Eielson Air Force BaseFriday – 10thAMERICAN SNIPER (R), 7 p.m., Er-nie Walker Theater, building 3309 Ei-elson AFB, Call 377-2269.

TEEN BREAK, 7 to 10:45 p.m., Youth Center, building 5313 Eielson AFB, Call 377-3194.

THUNDER ALLEY, 7 to 11 p.m., Arc-tic Nite Lanes, building 3301 Eielson AFB, Call 377-1129.

Saturday – 11thFREE BOUNCE, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eielson Community Center, building 3310 Eielson AFB, Call 377-2642.

SUMMER KIDS’ CRAFT, noon to 1 p.m., Arts and Crafts Center, building 3335 Eielson AFB, Call 377-4880.

FIGHT NIGHT, 5 p.m., Yukon Club, building 2225 Eielson AFB, Call 377-5219.

FURIOUS 7 (PG13), 7 p.m., Ernie Walker Theater, building 3309 Eiel-

son AFB, Call 377-2269.


Sunday – 12thCHENA HOT SPRINGS TRIP, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Eielson Community Center, building 3310 Eielson AFB, Call 377-2642.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (PG), 2 p.m., Ernie Walker Theater, building 3309 Eielson AFB, Call 377-2269.

Monday – 13th

Tuesday –14thREINTEGRATION BRIEFINGS, 9:30 a.m., Airman and Family Readiness Center, building 3125 Eielson AFB, Call 377-2178.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS, Noon to 4 p.m., Airman and Family Readiness Center, building 3125 Eielson AFB,

Call 377-2178.

Wednesday – 15thWOBBLE TRAP, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 76392 Eielson AFB, Call 377-1232

TOBACCO CESSATION, Noon to 1 p.m., Fitness Center Health Promo-tions Class, building 3343 Eielson AFB, Call 377-9355.

ANGER MANAGEMENT, 2 to 4 p.m., Mental Health Conference Room, building 3349 Eielson AFB, Call 377-4727.

Thursday – 16thSUMMER KIDS’ CRAFT, noon to 1 p.m., Arts and Crafts Center, building 3335 Eielson AFB, Call 377-4880.

PRE-DEPLOYMENT BRIEFINGS, 1 p.m., Airman and Family Readiness Center, building 3125 Eielson AFB, Call 377-2178.

5-STAND SKEET SHOOT, 5 to 9

p.m., Outdoor Recreation, building 76392 Eielson AFB, Call 377-1232

Friday – 17thHOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2 (R), 7 p.m., Ernie Walker Theater, building 3309 Eielson AFB, Call 377-2269.

TEEN BREAK, 7 to 10:45 p.m., Youth Center, building 5313 Eielson AFB, Call 377-3194.


24-HOUR GYM ACCESSBaker Field House will now allow 24-Hour Fit-

ness Access to DoD CAC card holders, dependents over 18 years old and military retirees. All those who wish to utilize the designated area in the fa-cility after hours will be required to register their CAC/Fitness Access Card and sign a Statement of Understanding/Assumption of Risk Form. De-pendents and retirees will be required to obtain a Fitness Access Card from the Baker Field House in order to gain access through the designated en-trance. Program registration and Fitness Access Cards will be available through the Baker Field House beginning in July. For more information please contact the Baker Field House at 377-1925.

BOWLING ALLEY CONSTRUCTIONThe current bowling alley parking lot will be

closed to thru traffic until further notice. Person-nel will be posted on either side of the delivery route on Wabash Ave to stop traffic when trucks enter and exit the construction site. Delays should be minor but drivers should plan accordingly. The speed limit in truck crossing zones is 10 mph. Con-struction is estimated to be complete September 2016.

CONSTRUCTION SEASONThe construction season for Eielson Air Force

base is upon us. Along with construction sea-son comes additional vehicle traffic through the Hursey Gate. Personnel entering the gate during peak traffic hours in the morning and midday can

expect some delays at the gate. One way to miti-gate delays is for personnel to either show up at the gate earlier or later for their work day. This will help offset some of the increased traffic flow during peak hours. This is an option and if used should first be approved by supervisors and lead-ership. The Security Forces Squadron will use all available resources to maximize the use of avail-able entry lanes. We thank you for your patience and cooperation as we move through another suc-cessful construction season.

EIELSON OUTDOOR RECREATIONDreaming of that summer getaway? Call 377-

1317 or visit Outdoor Recreation.

LEAVE USE/LOSE 2015 UPDATEThis serves as a reminder that Air Force mem-

bers are now authorized to carry a balance of 60 days of leave. For more information, call 353-9405.

EIELSON PHARMACY RECEIVES MED-SAFE

The 354th Medical Group pharmacy has a new way to dispose of expired and unused medications. MedSafe, a blue receptacle near the pharmacy pick up window is a collection point that is secure and meets the requirements of the newly updated DEA Controlled Substance Act. During business hours you can dispose controlled and non-controlled medications in the MedSafe. Removal of patient information is not required. Please try to keep medication in its original container and place liq-uids in a plastic bag. Illegal drugs, liquids over 4 ounces, sharp containers, needles, syringes, bat-teries, aerosol spray cans, trash, medical devic-

es and hazardous chemicals are unauthorized to drop-off . Any questions may be directed to the pharmacy at 377-1462.

NOW PLAYING AT THE ERNIE WALKER THEATER

The Ernie Walker Theater is now open and play-ing movies every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Movies are free to all DoD ID holders! So stop by, grab some popcorn and enjoy a night at the mov-ies, courtesy of the Eielson Force Support Squad-ron. For more information, call 377-2269.

EIELSON CHAPEL SERVICESThe Eielson Air Force Base Chapel team offers

a variety of services. Your Chaplain Corps offers Catholic and Protestant worship services each week and our multi-faith worship center can sup-port the needs of other faith groups. For more in-formation, call us at 377-2130.

Catholic Community:Religious Formation, 9 a.m., SundaysCatholic Mass, 10:30 a.m., SundaysSacrament of Reconciliation by appointment

Protestant Community:Contemporary Service, 9 a.m., SundaysSunday School, 10:30 a.m., SundaysAWANA, 4 – 6 p.m., SundaysLiturgical Service, 7 p.m., WednesdaysJr./Sr. High Youth Service, 7 p.m., Wednesdays

IN BRIEF

Denali National Park and Preserve

The Nenana Native Dancers will perform at the fourth annual Denali Music Festival on Saturday, July 18, in Denali National Park and Preserve.

This will be the first appearance at the fes-tival by the traditional dancers and drummers. The performance will begin at 5 p.m. at the Denali Visitor Center, located at mile 1.5 on the Denali Park Road.

Victor Lord, Second Chief for the Nena-na Native Council, will provide cultural context for each of as many as seven songs.

Dance is an import-ant aspect of Athabas-can culture; it is often the focal point of a potlatch, particularly after the meal. While as many as seven local villages once took part in local gatherings, the current dance group draws from the villag-es of Nenana, Kantish-na, Chena and Minto.

The group of 16 and 17-year-olds has rehearsed together about twice a week for the past 18 months. Their activities are supported largely by a grant from the Nation-al Johnson-O’Malley Association. Tim Mc-Manus, who began

to learn traditional dance himself at age eight or nine, teaches and leads the group.

As part of ongoing “Find Your Park” com-munity outreach goals intended especially for Alaska youth, Na-tional Park Service staff will host a short trip and private picnic for the dancers in the afternoon.

McManus said one of the songs the group plans to perform is about the first trading post in Nenana; it is a local song from 1902. Others songs describe a trapline, anticipation of good times at village gatherings and a warn-ing about alcohol from elders to children. Yet another song, based on the 1950’s dance craze, “The Twist,” explores a time when Atha-bascan children were sent away to boarding schools.

The park has host-ed the Denali Music Festival since 2012 in association with the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. Five events are scheduled for July 18 near the park entrance area; another 14 events are scheduled through-out the community July 11 through 25.

Other park-based events include: presen-tations about World Listening Day and re-

cordings of natural sounds; an afternoon concert and perfor-mance workshop with hands-on kid-sized instruments; and an evening performance by the Denali Chamber Orchestra, featuring pieces by participants in Alaska Geographic’s field camp seminar, “Composing in the Wilderness.”

Learn more at go.nps.gov/DenaliFes-tival.

Program note: Be-ginning at 2 p.m. July 18, the 17-minute park film “Heartbeats of Denali” will screen instead at the Murie Science and Learning Center, located at mile 1.4 on the Denali Park Road, to accommodate festival activities at the Denali Visitor Center.

For more infor-

mation about Dena-li National Park and Preserve, please visit the park’s website at nps.gov/dena or call the park’s informa-tion line at (907) 683-2294, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Traditional dance featured at Denali Music Festival

Open House for Talk-eetna Archaeological Culture CampDenali National Park and Preserve

Denali National Park and Preserve, in part-nership with the Upper Susitna Soil and Wa-ter Conservation District and the University of Alaska Museum of the North, is holding a His-toric Archaeological Culture Camp in Talkeet-na from July 1 to July 16. The participants, all local high school students, will obtain hands-on experience with archaeological excavation and documentation at a site next to the Wal-ter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station known as TAL-157, which dates to the early 1920s. The public, particularly anyone with an inter-est in the cultural history of Talkeetna, is invit-ed to join the archaeologists and students for an Open House tomorrow, July 11 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the downtown Talkeetna excavation site. There will be a mock dig for small children, atlatl throwing and flint knapping demonstra-tions, tours of the site, and viewing of the arti-facts found at the site. For additional information on the Culture Camp and Open House, please contact park ar-chaeologist Phoebe Gilbert at [email protected] or through the Walter Harper Talkeet-na Ranger Station at (907) 733-2231.

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