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Resident Lurker
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I am familiar with this battalion. My father-in-law was a member of this unit if I'm not mistaken. I have heard stories. Actually, Dave, you ever hear about a group of Alaskan Native Soldiers who "liberated" an APC, drove it through the woods near a store, loaded it up with beer, drove about 1/2 mile from their AO and ditched the APC? This would have been during the mid to late 60's. All I know is that my father-in-law was a member of an all Native unit and was in the Infantry, I would assume he was talking about the 207th.
As far as calling an Alaskan Native an Eskimo, Dave is absolutly right, you call the wrong native an "Eskimo" and you will probably get punched in the mouth. The term "Eskimo" is a generic term for Alaskan Natives. The only tribe or group of natives you can get away with calling Eskimos are the Athabaskan's. They are from the north around Fairbanks. Actually, the Athabaskan Tribe is pretty large, comprising a good chunk of Alaska. You can usually tell what tribe or part of Alaska a native is from if you have been around them long enough. The more Asian looking (Chinese) then they are from the Alutian Chain, ect...... I tease my wife all the time and call her an Urban Eskimo or Urban Native. This white boy typing knows more about the woods than she does. [ ]
I as well went to basic with an Alaskan Native from th AKNG. Can't remember his name, we called him Chilly Willie. He had a long name and didn't speak English very well, it was very thickly accented. (He was from deep in the bush) He was a real cool guy and could shoot straight as an arrow.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 "Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul; the other for your freedom."
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Masters of Hard Knocks from the University of Gravity
 
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Last Login: Today @ 3:46 PM
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You talk about shooting straight. Let me tell you about crazy. Actually, got to go an a Polar Bear hunt with one of the villages. They hunted the bear with a .22cal long rifle. A group of about 10 natives would go out and track one down. They would then make a circle around it so that it's attention was always being moved from one native to another. Then one would walk up to it and get within 5-10 feet and shoot it right through the eye, killing it instantly. It scared the hell out of me just to watch it. I know that I didn't have the ball (and not afraid to admit it) to walk up to with 10 feet of a pissed off polar bear and try to shoot it.
Another time we were on patrol. Our objective was about 20 clicks from the LOD. We were in nearly a full white out and couldn't see more then 30 or 40 feet in any direction. We had to rope ourselves together so we would get seperated. Well anywah after walking for 12 hours our point man stopped and said that the OBJ was 100 meters to our North. I really questioned it since he never once pulled out a compass during the entire 12 hours. Maps were useless. Anyway 100 meters to our North was the OBJ. Later I asked him how he could navigate 20 clicks without using a compass and be so accurate. He told me all he needed was a watch and the bare skin on his face. See he knew the wind pattens and knew which direction the wind blew from at what time of day. He just kept the wind blowing from the right direction and it led him to the OBJ.
Many of their skills are not transferable outside their own terroritory unfortunately. It's because they grew up in it and know it so well. A comment was made above about haveing them in Astan. Well maybe. But probably not. Their skill set might sound impressive but only in the area they grew up.
"Si Vis Pacum Para Bellum"
If you want peace prepare for war!
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Resident Lurker
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Dave, I hear you about being ballsy and hunting with a .22 cal. My wifes grandmother was from the Village of Beaver, which is close to the Yukon River near Fort Yukon. I believe it's about 150 miles outside Fairbanks. Anyway, she would mush a dogsled all the way to a Native Hospital in Fairbanks, give birth, and on the way home hunt Kodiak Grizzly with a .22 Hornet. She lived since, I believe the 40's with 1/2 a lung due to tuberculosis, and she had breast cancer back in the day. I had the pleasure of meeting her before she passed away. I admire that woman. What a strong person. Alaskan Natives are some of the most fearless people I have ever met.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 "Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul; the other for your freedom."
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