Big Month for a Little Town

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METLAKATLA, Alaska --  August marked a big month for a little town in Alaska. The military will officially finish the Operation Alaskan Road project in Metlakatla Aug. 31 after ten years of construction, training and partnership building. 

The road will connect the Metlakatla Indian Community to a closer ferry terminal that allows easier transport to and from Ketchikan. It will provide safer and more efficient access to the larger community, where medical specialists, education, and economic opportunities are available. The military, in partnership with the MIC, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Highway Administration, built the road as a Joint Task Force project. 

OAR began in 1997 with planning and camp construction. The road construction involved clearing decomposing vegetation called muskeg, and blasting rock to cut lanes along steep mountain sides. The majority of the road was built with shot-rock from the blasting and brought to a sub grade, two-lane, 14.3-mile road. 

Due to harsh winter climates, the project was only operated during summer months, with the exception of the winter of 2006-2007 season. The project continued through the winter to maintain scheduling. 

Under the support of the Individual Readiness Training program, OAR has provided operational training to approximately 12,000 military servicemembers during its tenure. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force, active and reserve, have come from all over the country, with varying skills and diverse backgrounds to make a cohesive team. 

"I am very thankful and fortunate in being part of making a dream of many, become a reality," said Army Col. Frederick West, Joint Force Engineering Component Command commander. Colonel West has been a part of OAR since 1997 and the Commanding Officer for the last eight years. "This road could not have been built without the motivation of the servicemembers from all branches who had the opportunity to train in coordination with the outstanding support of our partners. It has truly been a joint task force operation." 

The (MIC) hosted a dedication ceremony Aug. 6 honoring the military for their commitment to build the road. The ceremony began with a traditional greeting from the town with Alaska native dancing and song. After the official opening of the road, the community wrapped their arms around the military and thanked them with local cuisine, gifts, dance and song. 

The Metlakatla children's choir sang "O Beautiful." Children of all ages were dressed in full regalia of Button robes. They were joined by the Killer Whale, Eagle, Raven and Wolf native dancers from the different clans. 

"Working with the military has been very good; before we started the project, we had an understanding that we would get together to discuss any problems and work them out," said Mayor Victor Wellington of Metlakatla. "It wasn't me; it was we." 

Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser, Alaskan Command commander, described the OAR project as a "partnership." 

"This is a unique partnership between local, state and federal governments. We are doing the same thing here in Metlakatla as we are doing to Iraq and Afghanistan everyday; all working towards the same goal," he said. 

Beginning Sept. 1, Alaskan Command will begin redeploying personnel and equipment to finalize clean up efforts on the island. Clean up is expected to end by Aug. 2008. 

(Contributing to this story is Capt. Candice Miller, Alaskan Command Public Affairs and Petty Officer 1st Class Mass Communications Specialist Kim Mclendon, Fleet Public Affairs Center South West, Operation Alaskan Road)