Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Missouri Guard celebrates Operation Alaskan Road's completion By Jamie P. Melchert
                Missouri Army National Guard
 ANNETTE ISLAND, Alaska - Missouri National Guard members, military leaders, legislators and local residents celebrated the transfer of a 14.3-mile road to the Metlakatla Indian Community on Aug. 6. This marks the end of a 10-year Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training project that will provide a lifeline for the Metlakatla through the rugged mountains and wilderness of this remote island. A joint task force project, known officially as Operation Alaskan Road, was designed to utilize reserve and active military component members to construct a roadway to help connect the Metlakatla with a ferry boat dock located on the northern tip of the island. "I am proud that the Missouri National Guard has provided several key leadership positions as well as engineering expertise toward the completion of this project," said Maj. Gen. King E. Sidwell, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, during the transfer ceremony. In addition to providing essential engineering talents, Sidwell noted that Missouri Guard members who were assigned to both rotational and durational duties worked hard during difficult weather conditions to provide vital support operations. Missouri's Citizen-Soldiers prepared hot meals, conducted water purification, provided medical care and maintained heavy equipment to support the project. "The people here are very grateful to the Missouri National Guard," said State Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Gross, who also attended the ceremony." They are also very close to Col. West for his many years of service to this project." "Most people can only dream about being part of something greater than themselves. I am fortunate that I get to reminisce about being part of a dream that is close to becoming a reality," said Missouri Army Guard Col. Jerry West, commander of Joint Force Engineering Component Command. West, who has been a key leader with the Alaskan road project for over eight years, was presented a tribal robe by Metlakatla Indian Community during a celebration that marked the end of the military's role in the project. "When the community of Metlakatla honors a very important person, they present them with a button robe blanket. My blanket has all four clans of the community: Eagle, Raven, Whale and Bear," explained West. "These four clans form a circle that represents a family which cannot be broken. Having all four clans together brings power and strength." First proposed by the Metlakatla Indian Community nearly 60 years ago, the road project started to become reality in 1997 when plans were formulated and the base camp, Camp Wy Wuh, was built, according to project reports. Road construction began in 1998 with clearing the land through the temperate rainforest. That was followed by blasting hillside rock, excavating and hauling away materials to make way for the roadway, installing culverts, building the road surface, and bridge construction. Approximately 12,000 military members served primarily on two-week work rotations to support the project. Navy Seabees and National Guard engineers blasted approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of solid granite. Members of the Active Army, National Guard and Marines hauled away over 3 million cubic yards of material. Progress on the roadway ranged from nearly three miles per year to less than one mile per year. Limitations on construction were mainly attributed to harsh winters, high amounts of rainfall which is common to the region, and safety considerations. "The highlight of this mission other than the obvious success of completing this road is our safety record," said West. "I was very thankful to have other experienced professionals to work with in building the road. Alaska is forest, mountains, muskeg, rain and dangerous waters. In the 10-year history of this project no one sustained an injury resulting in loss of limb or loss of life." West said the task force is slated to lower its flag on Sept. 15, and Alaskan Command will complete the activities on the island." There are many Missouri Guardsmen who have contributed to our success, some retired and some still active," said West." I thank them all for what they have done. I consider myself fortunate to have been given the opportunity to serve while doing something for the service members who benefited in their training while helping make a dream come true for the Metlakatla."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 5 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil