Arctic Reservists begin work on Boy Scout Jamboree site

Published May 22, 2011
By Capt. Ashley Conner
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

BECKLEY, W. Va. -- Arctic Reservists assigned to the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron recently arrived in Beckley, W. Va. to begin work on a 10,600 acre National Scout Jamboree site as a part of Joint Task Force Summit.

Over the next two weeks, 22 Reserve civil engineers will clear trees and install silt fences on the site that will also serve as the location for a summer camp, high-adventure base, and leadership training center in addition to the permanent home of the National Boy Scout Jamboree when construction is complete in 2013.

This project, which was made possible by a $50 million gift from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation to the Boy Scouts, not only gives Reservists a chance to give back to the community but it also provides valuable training.

"This annual tour enabled CE troops from other career fields - electricians, carpenters, engineers -- to become qualified on heavy equipment use," said Senior Master Sgt. Brede Emtman, 477th CES, Engineering Superintendent. "But it also enables us to give back to the youth of this country."

JTF Summit officer in charge, Army Capt. Leonard Nida said in 2011 JTF Summit is anticipating over 500 service members from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines to complete this joint project.

All but two of the Reserve Airmen assigned to the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron are Traditional Reservists, meaning they have full-time civilian employment and train one weekend a month and two weeks a year with the Reserve unit here.

"My employer has been awesome and super supportive of my work with the Reserves," said Emtman, who works is a Service Operations Supervisor with Siemens in Anchorage, Alaska.

The 477th Civil Engineer Squadron takes advantage of the annual tour requirement to train together and build unit cohesion.

"In 2009 our squadron deployed to Iraq for six months," said Emtman. "That deployment and our yearly annual tours ensure that our folks maintain currency and bring us together as a unit."

The West Virginia site, in the New River Gorge Area, was chosen from 80 proposals in 28 states during a more than 18 month long process. The location borders more than 70,000 acres of National Park Service property, meaning Boy Scouts will have more trails to hike, more rocks to climb and more whitewater to paddle.

"We'll be bringing thousands of young people to West Virginia to have their lives changed forever by these wonderful mountains and these wonderful people," said Boy Scouts of America Chief Scout Executive Robert Mazzuca when speaking to Metro News reporter Glen Jean.