Army expo features northern warfare instructor speech

  • Published
  • By Mary Rall
  • U.S. Army Alaska PAO
WASHINGTON, D.C. --  U.S. Army Northern Warfare Training Center instructor Staff Sgt. Gene MacKenzie introduced attendees of the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 27, to the many professional and personal adventures available to Soldiers in Alaska.

Stationed at Fort Wainwright, MacKenzie was one of a handful of speakers invited to tell their stories at the Department of the Army's "Warriors Corner" forum.

MacKenzie, a U.S. Army Alaska Soldier, used his 50 minutes at the Warriors Corner to explain how the training center not only prepares Soldiers to train and work in an Arctic environment, but also for real world missions in mountainous environments like Afghanistan.

MacKenzie described the USARAK mission and force structure, common misconceptions and facts about the northernmost state and the many recreational opportunities Soldiers and family members can enjoy throughout Alaska.

Among those present during the talk was Director of the Army Staff and former USARAK Commanding General Lt. Gen. William Troy, who had an opportunity to be trained by MacKenzie at NWTC's Cold Weather Orientation Course.

MacKenzie said, the course teaches senior leaders what "right looks like" when training in extreme arctic climates like those found in Alaska.