Big month for small Alaskan town

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METLAKATLA, Alaska (AFPN) --  August marked a big month for the citizens of a little town in Alaska as military members will finish the Operation Alaskan Road project Aug. 31 in Metlakatla, Alaska.

The Metlakatla Indian Community hosted a dedication ceremony Aug. 6 honoring the military for their commitment to complete the project after 10 years of construction, training and partnership building.

The project was to build a road to connect the Metlakatla Indiana 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 Metlakatla Indiana Community, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Highway Administration, built the road as a joint task force project. 

The Metlakatla Indiana Community 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 M. Fraser, the commander of Alaskan Command, described the Operation Alaskan Road project as a "partnership."

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

Operation Alaskan Road 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 only could be worked on 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, Operation Alaskan Road has provided operational training to approximately 12,000 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, the commander of Joint Force Engineering Component Command. Colonel West has been a part of Operation Alaskan Road 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," he said. "It has truly been a joint task force operation." 

Starting Sept. 1, Alaskan Command will begin redeploying people and equipment to finalize cleanup efforts on the island. Cleanup is expected to end by August 2008.

(Capt. Candice Miller of Alaskan Command Public Affairs and Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kim Mclendon of Fleet Public Affairs Center Southwest contributed to the story)

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