Soldier details U.S. Army Northern Warfare Training Center in Warriors Corner

By Mary M. RallOctober 29, 2010

U.S. Army Alaska focus at Warrior Corner
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Northern Warfare Training Center instructor Staff Sgt. Gene MacKenzie discusses some facts about Alaska at a Warriors Corner forum presentation Oct. 27 at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Arctic training
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Northern Warfare Training Center instructor Staff Sgt. Gene MacKenzie discusses the challenges of working and training in an Arctic environment at a Warriors Corner forum presentation Oct. 27 at the Association of the United States Army Ann... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Army Northern Warfare Training Center instructor Staff Sgt. Gene MacKenzie introduced participants of the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition to the many professional and personal adventures of Alaska Oct. 27 in Washington, D.C. Stationed at Fort Wainwright, MacKenzie was one of a handful of speakers invited to tell their story at the Warriors Corner forum.

MacKenzie, a U.S. Army Alaska Soldier, used his 50 minutes at the Warriors Corner to explain how NWTC not only prepares Soldiers to train and work in an Arctic atmosphere, but for real world missions in mountainous environments, such as Afghanistan. Additional information MacKenzie shared included 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 presentation 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 Cold Weather Orientation Course teaches senior leaders what "right looks like" when training in extreme Arctic climates.