Notes From the Commander - Fort Wainwright, AK - U.S. Army

V olume 4 I s s u e 4 D euce Four
Greetings from KAF,
Alpha Company - Ares
P a ge 4
Wow! What a month! I hope everyone back in Alaska had a wonderful and relaxing 4 th of July weekend.
We were able to take a few minutes on the 4 th to relax, but it wasn‘t the same as going to Pioneer Park or a day on
the Chena River. I‘m sure most of Soldiers including myself spent the day thinking of all our loved ones at home.
I won‘t be in command next year on the 4 th of July, but I can only hope we could all get together and enjoy the 4 th
together.
The big news for this month is without a doubt our new relationship we‘ve developed with the Soldiers
and Leaders of the Brigade Support Medical Company (BSMC). Through our partnership, we‘ve developed a
Female Engagement Team (FET) capability that has proven to be very effective in our Area of Operation (AO).
The BSMC has attached a group of female medics, healthcare providers, and other medical specialists to our
company to support us in a variety of missions. We‘ve conducted everything from water testing, dental outreach
training, and female outreach training with their support. By employing them within our patrols, we have been able
to engage a whole population of female Afghans that until this point were mainly left untouched. It‘s my hope that
by building on this training and by using their technical expertise We can further accelerate the quality of life for
the people in our AO, and hopefully set the conditions for transition within the next couple of years. CPT Jessica
Milloy and her Soldiers have made a tremendous impact over the last month working with us, and we are both
lucky and proud to have them on board.
Lastly, last month I gave everyone some hints about what to send to us.
This month, I‘d like to add some things to the list. The two main focus
groups for the Company continue to be the women and children. If possible
over the next month or so, while you‘re conducting spring/summer
cleaning. Please keep your eyes open for clothing, school supplies, and
any excess fabric you might have lying around your home. Believe me,
anything you send will find its way to either a needy child or mother.
Thank You.
Till Next Month, ARES 6