Archive of: In Service

Deployment, change shape military

Events in Afghanistan dominated military coverage in 2012, as a 3,500-member brigade spent much of the year in hostile territory. That group returned to Alaska in October. The year’s other big news on base came in May, when Gen. Michael Garrett took over command of the U.S. Army Alaska from Gen. Raymond Palumbo.

MATT TUNSETH

C-130s help support radar sites

Many would say they haven’t used half the math skills they learned in school Why would they? In today’s computer age, most don’t need to.

TECH SGT. BRIAN FERGUSON

Spartans welcome new commander

Col. Matthew W. McFarlane assumed command of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division from outgoing commander Col. Morris T. Goins during a change of command ceremony held Dec. 5 at Hangar One, here.

STAFF SGT. JEFFREY S. SMITH

ER’s Novak wins statewide award

Eagle River’s Suellyn Wright Novak, a longtime advocate for veterans issues who currently serves as executive director of the Alaska Veterans Museum, was awarded the Governor’s Veterans Advocacy Award during a ceremony on Veterans Day.

Star staff report

Spartan brigade changes of command are in progress

The Army’s 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, is in the process of holding change of command ceremonies for the brigades six battalions. The ceremonies began Nov. 27 and continue through Nov. 30, followed by a brigade change of command ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Star staff report

Guardsmen recount dramatic rescue

Jumping from the tail of an HC-130 into the dark frigid night, two elite pararescuemen of the Alaska Air National Guard felt their parachutes deploy, before descending safely to frozen ground 160-miles north of the Arctic Circle.

AIR FORCE MAJ. GUY HAYES

‘Spartan’ brigade honors its fallen

Described as a “soldier’s soldier” by a member of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Private 1st Class Vincent Ellis was killed in action protecting his fellow “Spartans.”

MIKE NESPER

Wounded warriors head north to Alaska

The Alaskan mid-October weather is surprisingly nice as a man stands face to face with a moose. In most cases, such a situation could easily become dangerous. Both appear introverted and timid, keeping some distance. The man turns his back on the large animal, which then approaches him. It rests its head on his shoulder and the invisible barrier between them breaks.

AIR FORCE STAFF SGT. ROBERT BARNETT

Navy Seaman Mitchell P. Boehlen

Navy Seaman Mitchell P. Boehlen, a 2012 graduate of Chugiak High, was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Army Pfc. Joseph M. Van Den Berg

Army Pfc. Joseph M. Van Den Berg, a 2011 graduate of Eagle River High, has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla.