Photo By Maj. Matthew Baldwin | Families, friends and Soldiers of the U.S. Army Alaska Aviation Task Force provided...... read more read more
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – Families, friends and Soldiers of the U.S. Army Alaska Aviation Task Force provided kid-friendly Halloween fun at Fort Wainwright’s Hangar 5, Oct. 24, 2014.
In Fairbanks, with Alaska temperatures on average falling below 20ºF, the Haunted Hangar has become a yearly tradition for the Arctic Warriors assigned to aviation units. This year, kids of all ages enjoyed coming in from the cold for more than just candy and costumes.
"I think it's a great opportunity to let the kids run around and have fun,” said Capt. Devin Bright, 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment rear-detachment commander and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilot. “Especially with the colder weather coming."
Their main body is assigned to the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, while currently deployed on a nine-month rotation to Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Members of the Rear Detachment took part in setting up the Haunted Hangar, providing scares and serving as escorts for the alert children and brave adults who entered.
"What made this year's gathering particularly fun was the wide range of activities. The chili cook-off, the children’s maze, bouncy houses and a legitimately-scary zombie run. Everyone could find something they enjoyed,” Bright said.
The 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment is approaching the successful end of a nine-month deployment. Though many continue supporting the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade in Operation Enduring Freedom, Soldiers who have recently returned from Afghanistan joined the Rear Detachment in giving support to the Aviation Task Force. B Company decorated an elaborate Christmas-themed Humvee, and F Company transformed their air traffic control vehicle into a pirate’s ship, complete with a sail.
“This kind of event is important for families, especially for those children whose parents are in units that have deployed,” said Maj. Shawn W. Rummel, the rear detachment commander, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment. “They are dealing with the challenges of a deployment, and we wanted them to enjoy a safe environment, providing them with an event that is fun, and warm,” Rummel said.
The UATF Headquarters charmed comments from everyone with the Viking Longboat, and towards the end of the event the UATF Commander, Col. Nick Snelson, shared many details of the large event. He mentioned that the kid’s physical fitness test was tied by two children, ages 5 and 7, who did 50 situps, and a 13-year-old boy did 70 pushups.
“And these were quality pushups,” Snelson said.
As the monsters, the witches and the pirates of every possible size and shape gathered together at the end of the event, a few more facts were shared. For example, someone named, Mike, guessed 1,560 jelly beans were in the jar, and he was only 21 beans off the actual number of 1,581. Another number, 20,000, was mentioned as being the number of pieces of candy given out that night by the Soldiers at the ten “Trunk-or-Treat” vehicles decorated by the units.
The winner of the hottest chili contest was Capt. Michael Thomas, UATF Headquarters administration officer. Judges for this contest included the commander of Bassett Army Community Hospital (MEDDAC-Alaska), Col. Lisa A. Toven, and the Commander of Dental Activity Alaska (DENTAC), Col. Simuel L. Jamison. Special recognition was given to Carol Alterpeter, the UATF Military Family Life Counselor, who helped as a judge for the chili contest as well.
A final emphasis was made on being grateful for those who put in so much hard work, the amazing creativity exhibited by the Soldiers and their spouses.
“This was a combined effort,” Snelson said. “From the inception at the beginning, the Family Readiness Groups and Soldiers of UATF HQ, of 1-52 Aviation and of 6-17 Cavalry, who continually worked to make whatever they were doing better and better. We accomplished what we sought out to do, by providing a fun event for families while both units were deployed.”
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2014 03:28 |
| Story ID: | 146398 |
| Location: | FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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