Page 1 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, April 30, 2021

vol. 5, no. 9 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR April 30, 2021

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Nellis leaders, tribal reps visit Native American historical site

by Staff Sgt. Isaiah J. Soliz C o m m a n der s
Nellis AFB, Nev. from the 99th
Air Base Wing,
Commanders from the 99th Air Base 432nd Wing and
Wing, the 432nd Wing, and the Nevada the Nevada Test
Test and Training Range met with six an d Tr ain in g
tribal representatives for an excursion to Range, pose for a
a Native American cultural site within photo with tribal
the NTTR on March 21, 2021. representatives
Nellis AFB initiated its Native American during a site
Program 25 years ago to increase the un- visit to Pintwater
derstanding between base leadership and C av e , in th e
culturally affiliated tribes. Within Nevada NTTR near Indian
and the surrounding states of California, Springs, Nev.,
Utah and Arizona, many tribes maintain March 21, 2021.
strong cultural ties to the NTTR, a 2.9 Pintwater Cave
million-acre area used for Department of is an important
Defense training and research. c ul tur al a n d
The excursion began with a 1.5 mile historic site for
hike to Pintwater Cave. At the Native m a n y N a t i v e
American culturally significant site, Air Force photographs by Staff Sgt. Isaiah J. Soliz Americans.
Richard Arnold, Native American Co-
ordinator to the Nellis Native American tral ties Native Americans have to their mander. “As we enable and support
Program, shared insight about the ances- traditional homelands. Arnold went on world-class training that only happens at
to discuss the importance of preserving the NTTR, we must continue to be great
Native American cultural and historical stewards of the land in close collabora-
sites for the future. tion with our tribal partners.”
Pintwater cave is a large, stratified, The Air Force is committed to
dry cave that is located in the southeast strengthening our understanding be-
corner of the NTTR near Indian Springs, tween Native Americans and military
Nevada. leadership.
“It’s a culturally significant site for all “Together we have been able to rein-
the tribes,” continued Arnold. “In fact, force our strong partnership with the
Southern Paiutes have strong cultural, Air Force by going out and visiting these
historic and religious ties to that area.” important sites,” said Arnold. “Doing so
Richard Arnold, Native American coordinator The land used by the Department of with Air Force leadership proved to be a
Richard Arnold, Native American coordinator to the Nellis Native American Program, Defense belonged to Native Americans very positive experience.”
to the Nellis Native American Program, speaks to Col. Cameron Dadgar, Nevada long before Nellis was established. Many These ongoing interactions are one of
holds a piece of quartz during a site visit Test and Training Range commander, sites within the NTTR are well-preserved the many ways the Air Force and Native
at Pintwater Cave, in the Nevada Test and during a site visit at Pintwater Cave, in the and remain sacred to members of those American Tribes further the preserva-
Training Range near Indian Springs, Nev., NTTR near Indian Springs, Nev., March 21, tribes that once inhabited the area. tion of cultural and historical sites while
March 21, 2021. Many sites within the NTTR 2021. Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases “Reinforcing our partnerships with sustaining a delicate balance between
hold cultural and historical significance to periodically partner with local tribes to visit the tribes remains a high priority,” said the natural and cultural resources and
local tribes that once inhabited the area. cultural and historical sites within the NTTR. Col. Cameron Dadgar, NTTR com- military operations.

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