Posted on Oct 15, 2017
SGT Infantryman
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
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I was stationed in Ft Rich 1982-83 as a 11B1P (airborne). We were in the field a LOT in the winter (back when we were the 172d LIB). Each C company in the brigade was airborne. You learn about severe cold VERY fast. If you hunt and fish you will be in paradise. I don't ever remember having a good amount of time off in the summer or any other time but that was the infantry and a long time ago. Wainwright is warmer in the summer and colder in the winter than Ft Rich. The northern lights are absolutely AMAZING!
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
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SSG Jon Hill - LOL. I'm pretty sure I hit every club in Anchorage but have little recollection of their names - just one popular joint had sawdust floors. NWTC was a blast (went to the summer course) and I highly recommend it. Mountain climbing, river ops and glacier climbing. I still have the patch that was never authorized for wear - it likely would have gone the way of Jungle Expert anyway. The northern lights are by far the most incredible thing you'll ever see up there - other than the ANGRY GIANT bull moose that chased me. Thank God for big trees! Had two bear cubs in our hootch one morning because my partner failed to follow trash protocol and stored his in our hootch. They were very little but I knew momma had to be close - thank God they all ran off. I learned more about severe cold weather than I thought possible - most cold casualties were from troops coming from the lower 48 for Brim Frost. On my first airborne jump up there it was -85 below with the wind chill. What a place.
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
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Yes, I recall it is blue and white, about 2" x 2" with mountains on it. There's a latin inscription, something like "We conquer great mountains." If I can find it I'll attach a picture. It was authorized for wear by the cadre only on their wool shirts - the Army declined to approve it for wear on class A's (or anything else for that matter).
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Vonice LarsenBailey
Vonice LarsenBailey
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Ssg Hill The Pines is long gone. It is now a medical place and Starbucks. That was definitely a fun place to go and dance
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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Can't speak for the current OPTEMPO at FWA, but the last BDE CDR had a pretty good mix of work and rest/play. It was not the hunting fishing BDE everyone was used to. The guy that was complaining about the place is off-base in my opinion. I would go back in a heartbeat. I enjoyed my time there. JBER is about to deploy, from what I saw recently. First time since like 2011/2012 that I'm aware of. 4/25 was on the chopping block, not sure if it has officially been saved or if it is extended
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CPT Team Chief
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I’m at Wainwright now, it isn’t too bad. From what I hear it’s more lax than bases that consistently rotate overseas. If you’re getting stationed up here get ready for the cold, and get on a vitamin D regimen sooner rather than later.
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