The men, Master Sgt. Matthew Livelsberger and Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who were both killed in the incidents, never served in the ...

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - This week, a group of soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division are in Norway, continuing their arctic warfare training by participating in the Arctic Shock exercise.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with 1st Sgt. Micah Symmonds, a US Army jumpmaster in the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska. It's been edited for length and clarity.