CAMP WY WUH ANNETTE ISLAND, Alaska -- A small contingent of Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 deployed here Aug. 26 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of Operation Alaskan Road.
The joint military- and community-based project began in 1998 with the goal of constructing a 14.5 mile, two-lane gravel road providing a link between the Metlakatlan and Ketchikan road systems in Alaska.
The Iwakuni-based Marines have joined the Joint Forces Engineer Component Command in its endeavor to complete the road by its projected date of 2007.
"This operation will provide a great training environment for the Marines involved," said 2nd Lt. James Lagasca, MWSS-171 detachment officer-in-charge. "The Marines will conduct horizontal construction, road construction and installation of culverts, all of which will better their proficiency in their jobs."
According to Lagasca, working in the Alaskan environment will definitely be enough to test the Marines' abilities.
"The terrain is mountainous with rocky, steep edges on both sides of the ledges," he added. "The temperature should not be a factor this time of year, but accountability and lower-rank leadership is paramount in the success and safety of our operation."
Although OAR makes for a great training evolution, another factor pushes the Marines of MWSS-171 to strive for the best.
"The Indian community has been dreaming about this for 50 years. When the road is finally completed the Metlakatlan Indians will benefit greatly, both economically as well as conveniently," said Lt. Col. Jerry West, JFECC commanding officer.
All the same, MWSS-171 Marines know they are a part of something special.
"Just knowing we are a part of increasing the quality of life for an entire community is a pretty nice feeling," said Lance Cpl. Mario Gonzalez, MWSS-171 engineer specialist. "We are just planning on doing the best job we can, and we hope we can make the Metlakatlan Indians proud."
The detachment will only have two weeks to show what they can do by working long, hard days.
"I know the Marines are excited to let everyone know just what MWSS-171 is all about," said Lagasca.