Galena, Alaska

[Workinman]

Hello, I have been stationed at Galena twice in the Air Force. Once in 1971 and again ( volunteer ) in 1982. This place named Galena will never leave my memory I had some wonderful times there and a couple i would rather forget, but all in all,,,, fantastic and would love to go back and take a look around. At the time both in 71 and 82 we could take boats ( 18 foot john boats, 50 horse ) up and down the Yukon river, but they limited the mileage, 50 miles to Nulato ( downstream ) and 50 miles to Ruby ( up steam ). I suppose for gas and safety reasons. The wildlife in that area is unbelievable and the fishing ( i have no words ) out of control . Galena is a small river village that the Air Force and ( Gov ) made larger. It was a wonderful experience to see what happened over that ten year period of my deployments there,,, the changes !!! On my second trip i actually took a lot of pictures back to see if folks there remembered,, sure enough they did,, 10 years later,, funny Ever walk into a club at Galena and have to kiss a bear ( on the wall ) on the mouth to be excepted Just might go back there and look around again someday, I'm sure it's changed again.,,,, but i'll bet that time clock is still on the river for the ice breakup and i'll bet that the locals will still welcome me as they have in the past.

[earls]

I have heard that there are plans to build a nuclear power station nearby.

[mal_flisk]

It's on hold due to the experimental nature of the plant.

[SueToo]

Originally Posted by morwraith

So in about a month I'll be relocating from Michigan to Galena Alaska and I'm looking for some info on the city itself if possible. Where ever I've searched all I seem to find is some survey data. Looking for some more firsthand experience if possible. For example, whats in the town as far as businesses? Any points of interest? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

hi I stayed at Sweetsirs Bed and Breakfast for 3 days Agnes , the owner was so helpful and kind We had a wonderful time in Galena The people were VERY friendly,welcoming and warm Enjoy your stay there

[Jimrob1]

I was stationed at Galena from Jan 72 to Jan 73. I was 21 at the time. I remember it was the most isolated place I have ever been to then or for that matter since. I remember I saved alot of my paycheck there, went fishing on the Yukon River, and had my first ride in a snowmobile. There wasn't much to do there, the movie theater, the NCO club, a little library. They really could of used a good gym there. I worked at the Armed Forces Radio Station in that big hangar down the road from the barracks area. I was glad when my years tour was up there, but I have fond memories of that year and most of the people I met there.

[judy 2009]

hi, most of my relatives are from alaska and huslia, the huntington family, if you talk to any of the huntingtons i thing you will have all the help you need. are you native or white? i am native, athabascan indian from alaska.

[larry hausmann]

Originally Posted by the kpa

Hello, I've lived in Galena for three years. Here is a basic list of town businesses & amenities:

Sweetsir's Store (size of a small convenience store; sells fresh produce & other foods as well as small household items like cleaners & bulbs)

The Liquor Store - same size; half of it is for liquor, the other half is for food stuff. They have more convenience foods there than Sweetsir's

Archie's - a bar and snack bar. this is our one restaurant which offers burgers, fries, onion rings, soups, fish, nachos, pop.

Sweetsir's Bed & Breakfast

Borealis Bed & Breakfast

Huntington's Bed & Breakfast

Sweetsir's Construction

Crowley's (fuel, heating oil, propane)


We don't have a functioning bowling alley. The swimming pool is over by the city school and city offices. The theater is not like a movie theater... it's an auditorium with film capabilities which is actually in one of the boarding school buildings. It is rarely for community use. I've given a couple concerts at the auditorium and I believe the radio station showed two movies there in the last three years. Otherwise, it's school use.

Some residences are hooked up to city water, but with most of the homes, you have to haul water or have it delivered.

We have a radio station, KIYU... they're website has good info about what's happening here: KIYU GALENA

There are two churches, St. John Bergmann Catholic Church and Galena Bible Church.

We have two schools, Sydney Huntington School (K-12) and Galena Interior Learning Academy (9-12 public boarding school).

Next to the pool is a public shower house, the water fill station, the health clinic and the volunteer fire department.

There is a barge landing so that we can get supplies in the summer cheaper than winter when all supplies must come by plane.

Speaking of planes, there are two air services, Warbelow's and Frontier Flying Service. Both can get you to Fairbanks and Frontier also goes to Anchorage.

We're located on the Yukon River where we subsist for salmon and enjoy boat rides. The terrain is fairly flat; the 'mountains' here are really hills. In the fall we get lots of blueberries and cranberries. We also have a good moose hunting season so we can get our meat for the winter.

In October we host the Yukon Jamboree for sobriety. It features live fiddle bands from villages around the state, as well as potlatches.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions about Galena if I can.

Blessings to you.

Great description of Galena GPA. I have lived here since 1970 and it is a very freindly open community, tolerent and accepting. You can buy houses and property and employment can be found by anyone willing to work. This is a small city.
Larry

[RETAIRFORCEMAN]

Originally Posted by webbp

I was stationed at Galena AB in 1992 - 1993. I don't know a lot about the town. However, I know the people are wonderful and welcome incommers! A lot has changed since I have been there. I would really like to take a trip back and stay for a few days to explore the area.

i was stationed there in 1973 1974 with colonel robert andersen, msgt foster, lt sincoff, msgt lafenier, etc
[URL="http://www.militarytimes.com/forum/member.php?u=3572"]CommunityEditor[/URL]
MilitaryTimes.com Community Editor
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Ceremony held to hand over Galena station
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The military held a ceremony to hand over the Air Force station at Galena so that it can be turned into an educational center.

The station was formed in 1943 to assist Russia’s fight against Germany. It brought jobs and people to Galena on the middle Yukon River, but times have changed. On Tuesday, Air Force officials, state government representatives and more than 100 high school students attended the ceremony to hand over the station.

The Galena station was among installations ordered closed in 2005 based on recommendations by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The station sits on land owned by the state and formerly leased to the military.

The Galena Interior Distance Learning Academy, a boarding school now in its 12th year at the station, is a major beneficiary of the former Air Force building.

GILA serves 115 students from more than 40 Alaska villages, many of which had to close schools due to low enrollment. GILA has long hoped to expand, and the new Air Force facilities can house 350 students, said principal Harry White.

Col. Brent Johnson is with the 611th Air Support group at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, and is the installation commander at Galena. He spoke to students gathered in an auditorium, the same students who are expected to benefit from the expansion of their school program into the former military facilities at Galena.

“Galena has represented a place where we have fought tyranny from,” he told the students.

That defense was first launched against the Germans during World War II, when the U.S. sent aircraft support to help Russia.

“Through the Cold War, it served as a place we stood guard over America from,” Johnson said. “Today, I don’t think much has changed. Education serves as a great way to fight tyranny.”


Article: [URL="http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_galena_092408/"]http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/20...galena_092408/[/URL]

[RETAIRFORCEMAN]

I do know that when I was stationed there we went to DEFCON 1 AND WE PACKED UP TO LEAVE THE BASE FOR THE WOODS when Russia was going to invade TURKEY WITH 40,000 AIRBORNE TROOPS. GALENA WAS BUZZED BY TWO MIGS THAT CAME UP THE YUKON RIVER AND OUR F4 PHANTOMS SCAMBLED ON THEM CHASING THEM OUT TO SEA. THEY SPLIT UP BUT ONE DROPPED IN THE DRINK. JUST BEFORE THAT THEY, RUSSIA, TRAPPED ONE OF OUR KC135s over the BERING STRAITS AND ARCTIC CAP and was shot down or forced down. The base commander had a heart attack or stroke or something. IT WASNT A FUN TIME THERE THEN. UNLOADING THE FUEL BARGES IN THE SUMMER WITH THE WINTER FUEL OIL AND THE OLMPIA BEER FOR THE CLUB AND THE INDIAN VILLAGE WAS A BUSY TIME WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK. THE TB RATE WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD THERE FOR SOME REASON. GO FIGURE! I ENDED UP POSTIVE WHEN I LEFT.

[warptman]

DUDE, caps LOCK must BE broken OR something.....