Photo By Airman 1st Class Cynthia Yang | U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineer...... read more read more
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Milwaukee, WI - Among the snow-capped mountains and flora-covered hilltops, Seward, Alaska, was the home base for Airmen from the 128th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineer Squadron, during their mission to renovate the Seward Military Resort, June 17-29, 2024.
As part of the Seward Military Resort Renovation mission, Airmen from the 128th ARW CES accomplished various jobs on the resort project site to improve and enhance the experiences of service members and patrons during their excursions in Alaska.
Originally part of the U.S. Army Post Fort Raymond in World War II, the Seward Military Resort is a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation facility that serves military members and their families during trips and activities in Alaska. By providing amenities that include fish cleaning and packing houses, discounted prices for recreation, rental equipment and tours, the Seward Military Resort supports the well-being of service members and their families through ease of trip planning with lodging and various activities.
“The Seward Military Resort opened in 1996 as the facility that you see today,” said Jewel A. Williams, Seward Military Resort General Manager. “As a tourist destination, it can get very expensive and it helps our military members have a cheaper option coming to Seward.”
Throughout their stay at the Seward Military Resort, the 128th ARW CES team completed renovations for the fish cleaning and packing houses that included the installation of doors and windows, electrical and lighting upgrades, resizing of tables, epoxying floors, painting the internal wood structure, and more. In addition, the 128th ARW laid down a concrete pad for the creation of a fire pit, built a rooftop over the resort freezer, and reconstructed a log cabin.
“Having the opportunity to work on this resort is outstanding,” said Capt. Brian J. Schrader, 128th ARW Operations Group Commander. “It is awesome to come into a place that is helping military members to relax and I am very proud to be a part of this project to make it a safer and cleaner environment.”
In collaboration with the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Wing, and the Kentucky Air National Guard 123rd Airlift Wing, the 128th ARW was the second of the project site rotation team to work on the resort.
“Collaborating with all the different wings to ultimately get the work done that the Seward Resort is asking for is the most important,” said Chief Master Sgt. Kyle J. Fugar, 128th ARW Civil Engineer Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader. “The end-user getting what they need and multiple wings getting specific AFSC training is a win-win for both. In the long-term, it is great to build the relationship for future projects like this between all locations.”
Following the 128th ARW’s departure, the 123rd AW will arrive in the following weeks to finish the project.
“We have a great unit and being able to collaborate with different entities, resorts, and guard wings have done a lot for the opportunities that we have had,” said Schrader. “Having this be a truly successful one where our members got a lot of training and fun goes a long way. These opportunities are amazing to see our Airmen step up and take charge to be better, build relationships, and improve our unit.”
In addition to the reconstruction of the Seward Military Resort, Airmen were encouraged to travel and partake in Alaskan recreational activities; many of those activities included fishing for salmon and halibut, kayaking along the coastal bays, zip-lining across scenic mountain-tops, and hiking along water trails to venture the Alaskan landscape. For many, Seward was one more than just a mission, but an opportunity to build camaraderie and enhance Airmen experiences while exploring America’s last frontier.
“I took full advantage of the opportunities that Alaska has to offer,” said Senior Airman Owen T. Heinz, Engineer Assistant, assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineer Squadron. “I participated in hikes that brought me to the top of mountains like Mount Alice while also getting to explore the water. I went on a fishing charter that helped me reel in a few halibut and rockfish. This experience has been wonderful and has thoroughly convinced me to add Alaska as a vacation destination for me and my family.”
As the 128th ARW wraps up their work of renovations, the Seward Military Resort hopes to open the new amenities in August 2024.
“I would like to express my thanks that we have been able to create this relationship and I am so thankful,” said Williams. “Everyone has just been amazing. I am still in shock about all the amount of work we are getting done in the amount of time that we have. It has been amazing and I hope that this relationship continues for years to come.”
For more information of the Seward Military Resort, please visit: https://www.sewardmilitaryresort.com/
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2024 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 475997 |
| Location: | WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 423 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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