ARMY ORGANIZATIONS EXCHANGE
GARRISONS IN GYROSCOPE MOVE
“Operation Gyroscope", the Ar-«
my’s comparatively new system of
transferring entire division-sized
units from one station to another
without jeopardizing preparedness
and troop strength has swung into
high gear in the Fairbanks area.
For the first time in its history
the Territory is the scene of a mass I
switch of troops with the Second ;
Division replacing the 71st Division
in Alaska.
Several thousand troops of the
Second Division’s Ninth Infantry
Regiment have arrived by train,
plane and private automobile from
Fort Lewis, Washington. The men
of the famous Indian Head division
will replace the Fourth Infantry
Regiment that has been responsible
for the ground defense of Ladd and
Eielson Air Force Bases for the past
six years.
Under the Gyroscope system of
transfer Army personnel strength
in the area will not be lowered dur
ing the course of the move because
as parts of the Fourth Infantry
leave they will be replaced by in
coming troops of the Ninth Infan
try Regiment from Fort Lew'is.
Most of the cheechakos made the
long haul from Fort Lewis via ship
from Seattle and then by troop
train from the port of Whittier.
Flights of dependents have been ar
riving at America’s farthest north
air base all week and numerous
families drove from the stateside
post to their new duty stations north
of the Alaskan range.
Nearly Year of Planning
Nearly a year of planning was .
culminated July 16, ^hen the first
main group of Ninth Infantry
troops, the Second Battalion, ar
rived at Eielson. They were met by
the Ninth Army Band from Ladd
and men of the outgoing Fourth In- j
OFFICIAL GREETING
—U. S. Army Photo
Brig. Gen. John F. Ruggles, left, was on hand last week to greet the
9th Infantry's commander, Col. Kenneth Pavey, right. General Rug
gles is commanding general, Yukon Command. The 9th gyroscoped
from Ft. Lewis to Ladd and Eielson air force bases.
fantry lined the tracks to cheer the
new arrivals. That evening the Sec
ond Battalion of the Fourth Infantry
Regiment departed Eielson aboard
the train for Whittier where they
boarded_the ship for Fort Lewis.
Friday evening was the first ma- ;
jor exchange of personnel at Ladd
as the Third Battalion. Ninth In
fantry, unloaded from their north
ward journey aboard the Alaska
Railroad's specially constructed
troop sleeper and a few moments
later the train was bulging with
Fourth Infantrymen returning to
the states for reassignment or dis
charge.
Earlier Friday. Colonel Kenneth
G. Pavey, commanding officer of
the Ninth Infantry, arrived at Ladd
by plane where he was greeted by
(Continued on Page 30)
9th Infantry Regiment Has
Colorful History; Is One j
Of Oldest Organizations
Residents of Fairbanks noticing the absence of the familiar
green and red badge on the uniformed Army citizen of -the com
munity and observing a growing number of men who proudly
uisputy upon men snouiuers ine
famous “Indianhead” patch can be
informed that they are witnessing
a practical assurance that the Ar
my’s “Operation Gyroscope” is well
under way.
“Operation Gyroscope” is the des
ignated Army name for a troop
movement in which two units com
pletely interchange their station as
signments.
The two participants in this mass
movement are the Fourth Infantry
Regiment, who have been serving in
Alaska continuously since 1950, and
the Ninth Infantry Regiment from
Ft. Lewis, Wash.
Small advance parties leit trom both stations early tins year
and the first main troop exchange took place last week when
the 9th Infantry’s Second Battalion arrived at Eielson AFB
to replace the 2nd Battalion of the Fourth Infantry.
L,acm Att^was tne scene oi ine
next phase of the operation when,
on Friday evening, the Third Bat
talion of the 9th arrived, and the
4th's 3rd Battalion began their jour
ney to Ft. Lewis.
‘ Operation Gyroscope” is expect
ed to be completed sometime in Au
gust with the arrival and departure
of supporting units of the two regi
ments. These supporting groups in
clude the tank companies, artillery
companies, engineers, and others.
Colonel Kenneth G. Pavey. who
arrived by plane in Alaska on Fri
day is commanding the 9th Infantry
during its tour of duty in Alaska.
; No green newcomer to the country,
| Colonel Pavey has familiarized him
| self with the locale, having attend
j ed the Army's indoctrination course
at Fort Greely.
94h Is One Of The Oldest
The 9th Infantry Regiment is one
of the oldest active units in the
United States Army. It was origi
nally organized in 1798 when ten
sions had arisen between the United
I States and France and creation of
additional armed forces was deemed
essential to tKe safety and preser
: vation of the Union.
(Continued on Page 28)
A W A RI)
WIN \ IN C
Matanuska Maid
Ice Cream
Welcome...
2nd Division!
4^*
May your stay in Alaska be
a memorable one!
(
•*You Can Taste the Difference**
_\ For sheer taste enjoyment - always insist on
MATANUSKA MAID
• Ice Cream
• Homogenized Milk
• Cottage Cheese
• Half & Half
Chocolate Milk
Buttermilk
Whipping Cream
Trim Maid (Non-fat)
Visitors to our modern plant always welcome!
MATANUSKA CREAMERY
124 Second Ave.
Dial 7766