First Friday briefing [Apr. 7, 2000]

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FIRST FRIDAY BRIEFING April 7, 2000
2000 General Assembly Session Very Successful for Georgia DoD
The 2000 session of the Georgia General Assembly ended on a high note for the Georgia Department of Defense with a number of "victories" for the department and the National Guard. "We received excellent support from Governor Barnes, including very favorable consideration in the Governor's Budget Recommendation to the General Assembly," said Maj. Gen. David Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General.
Here's a summary of some of the key legislation initiatives affecting the Georgia DoD:
The Legislature appropriated state funds to complete over half of the projects in our armory repair and renovation efforts. The budget included over $3.64 million in state funds that will allow us to obtain matching federal funds for a total of over $15 million in renovations that will allow us to significantly improve the quality of our armories.
The General Assembly increased state funding to allow the Youth Challenge academy to expand by 60 percent at its present location at Ft. Stewart. The additional $747,103 in state matching funds will allow us to expand the program from 400 cadets per year to 640 per year. Georgia continues to have one of the most successful YCA programs in the nation and the expansion will allow us to "turn around the lives" of more of our state's at-risk young people.
Lawmakers appropriated $500,000 to design a Joint Readiness Center Headquarters. The funding will be combined with matching federal monies to fund the $2 million design project. The new Readiness Center at Dobbins ARB will put our headquarters in a first-class facility.
The General Assembly passed a workers compensation bill which will cover State Defense Force members on State Active Duty, as well as National Guard members commuting to and from State Active Duty. This legislation is significant because it helps protect our people as they serve our state.

The Legislature doubled the funds (from $100,000 to $200,000) available for Service Cancelable Student Loans for Guardsmen-an incentive which is one of the keys in our recruiting and retention efforts
The General Assembly also approved the basic operating budget for the Department of Defense including additional funding to cover personal services shortfalls, to replace three state vehicles, and to cover the backlog of award ribbons and medals.
Several other pieces of legislation were also passed, including one that will allow the Department of Defense to retain funding derived from the sale of select armories to reinvest in facilities. This is important since the sale of state property normally goes into the State's treasury.
General Poythress pointed out that efforts such as our first ever Open House for the General Assembly Members-which was held in February at Dobbins ARB-- helped pave the way for our success in the legislature. "A lot people in our organization put a lot of effort into that event, and now we are seeing the positive results from that hard work," he said.
The TAG expressed special appreciation for the leadership and support of Lt. Governor Mark Taylor and Speaker Tom Murphy, as well as House Appropriations Chairman Terry Coleman, Senate Appropriations Chairman George Hooks, Defense and Veterans Affairs Chairman Ken Birdsong.
"Much credit goes to Colonel Jack Hill," said General Poythress. In addition to being a member of the Air National Guard, Colonel Hill is a state senator representing Bulloch, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Screven and Tattnall Counties in south Georgia. Colonel Hill, who is the Inspector General at the Air National Guard Headquarters, is also Chairman of the Senate Higher Education Chairman. State Representative Clint Smith is also a member the Air National Guard and a strong supporter of the Georgia DoD efforts.
The TAG also expressed his gratitude to the members and leadership of the National Guard Association of Georgia, the Enlisted National Guard Association of Georgia and the National Guard Insurance Trust for their advice, support, and assistance which was a critical to our success during this year's legislative session.
48th Infantry Brigade Moves Another Step Closer To Deployment to the Balkans
The 48th Infantry Brigade moved another step closer in March toward its deployment to the Balkans when it received its "Alert for Training" message. While the exact force structure of "Task Force Lightning" is still being developed, it looks like the number of deployed soldiers will be in the neighborhood of more than 1,200. Although a portion of the 4,500-member brigade will actually deploy to the Balkans, the mobilization is expected to affect, in one way or another, nearly all of the brigade units across the state, as well as a number of other Georgia Army Guard elements. Here's a look at the primary units that will be involved:

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 48th Brigade, based in Macon, will provide part of the staff for Task Force Eagle headquarters at Tuzla Base. They will be integrated with the staff of the 3rd Infantry Division from Ft. Stewart.
2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry will provide, and command a task force of about 650 soldiers. In addition to elements of the battalion's Headquarter and Headquarters, Company based in Albany and Tifton, Task Force 2-121 will include Company A, from Valdosta and Moultrie; and Company B, from Cordele and Fitzgerald.
Units from the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry will augment Task Force 2-121, including Headquarters and Headquarters Company based in Winder; Company A, from Lawrenceville; Company B, from Thomaston; and Company C from Gainesville.
Soldiers of the Company B, 1st Battalion, 108th Armor, from Canton, will provide the armor portion of Task Force 2-121.
Soldiers from Company C, 648th Engineers, based in Douglas and Waycross, will provide engineering support.
Members of the 148th Forward Support Battalion will provide maintenance and medical support. Units will include Headquarters and Headquarters Company, from Forsyth; Company A, from Dublin; Company B, from Hinesville; and Company C, from Macon.
Personnel from other brigade units will provide volunteers to fill vacancies in order for the deploying forces to be at full strength of qualified soldiers.
Soldiers of the 48th Brigade will face an aggressive timeline to get ready for the deployment. Much of the early planning and preparation has already begun, including ensuring that paperwork is in order, family care plans are in place, and health screenings are complete. In August and September, the brigade will hold a three-week annual training period at Ft. Stewart, to hone warfighting skills. Deploying personnel will begin to transition to active duty in mid-December at Ft. Stewart and after several weeks of train-up, the brigade will travel to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, for a final Mission Readiness Rehearsal. This final exercise that will ensure they are ready to conduct the security operations in the Balkans. Movement to Bosnia will begin in early March, 2001.
Georgia's CST Passes Critical EX EVAL Test at Gillem
Georgia's 4th Civil Support Team (WMD) recently completed and passed its external evaluation conducted by First Army at Fort Gillem in March. This evaluation officially designates the 22-member team as mission-ready. But to the team members, the EX EVAL simply completed the required certification since the Team has been performing the critical WMD mission throughout their six-state area of responsibility since the first of January.
As part of the EX EVAL, the team responded to a fictitious scenario involving a potential terrorist group held up in an old Fort Gillem

barracks that had access to a laboratory for making chemical weapons. Although a simulated event, the abundance of first responders from Clayton County and Forest Park Fire, Police, Rescue added to the air of realism.
"We hope that we never respond to a real world incident," said Lt. Col. Mario Morales, commander of the 22-person team. "But the likelihood is only a matter of time."
Two years ago the Pentagon authorized the creation of ten National Guard teams to combat the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Georgia was selected at the location of one of the ten teams. Last summer, the Georgia team joined with the other ten for intensive training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Last year another seventeen teams were authorized for this mission.
"The idea is that these 27 teams will cover 90 percent of the American population within 250 miles of their home station," said Ron Jones, who oversees the teams at First Army headquarters at Fort Gillem.
According to Morales, the team brings a level of expertise to a crisis that many local law enforcement agencies and first responders can't develop, because they don't have the resources."
Georgia Army Guard's Senior Enlisted Leader Is Honored by FORSCOM Sergeants Major
The Georgia Army National Guard's state sergeant major, CSM John Lane, received one of the highest honors bestowed by his peers at the FORSCOM Sergeants Major Conference in March. With more than 200 sergeants major from across the Army looking on, CSM Lane was presented the Audie Murphy Award. He was one of only three recipients this year, and the only reserve component solider to receive the honor which was presented by General John Hendrix, FORSCOM Commander. Also on hand to for the award presentation were SMA Robert Hall, Sergeant Major of the Army; CSM Benjamin Palacios, FORSCOM sergeant major; and CSM John Leonard, National Guard Bureau Sergeant Major.
A veteran of 33 years of continuous military service, CSM Lane served on active duty until 1976 when he returned to Georgia to become a full-time technician with the Georgia Guard. He has served in a variety of assignments to include infantry, military intelligence and aviation units. He was a unit first sergeant for 11 years, and was command sergeant major for the 151st Military Intelligence Battalion, before being appointed to his current position in 1993.
The Audie Murphy award is named in honor of the World War II hero and Congressional Medal of Honor winner. Murphy was the most decorated soldier in WWII and later was an actor starring in such films as "The Red Badge of Courage" and "To Hell and Back." Murphy died in 1971 at the age of 47.
DeLoach Chosen as New Command Chief for Ga ANG

Brig Gen Wick Searcy has appointed CMsgt Pearson DeLoach as the new Command Chief Master Sergeant replacing Command Chief Frank Murray. The position of Command Chief is the highest enlisted officer in the Air Guard and is responsible for addressing issues of the enlisted ANG force to the Air Guard Commander and senior leadership. DeLoach, a 36-year veteran of the Georgia Air National Guard most recently was the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron at Dobbins.
A native of Savannah, DeLoach is currently the Coordinator of the Leisure Services Bureau for the City of Savannah. He was the Operations Director for the Savannah Civic Center, the Director of Athletics for the City of Savannah and Coordinator of Programming. Actively involved in a number of professional affiliations, DeLoach is currently a member of the Georgia and National Recreations Parks Association and the North Carolina SMM "Chairman's Club.
Command Chief DeLoach was originally a member of the 117th Air Control Flight in 1964 before moving to the 283rd CCS in 1980. He has been involved in more than 24 individual deployments throughout the U.S. and one overseas deployment. He holds the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award among many others.
DeLoach is a member of the Exchange Club of Savannah, the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame, Athletic Sports Council, Softball Hall of Fame, the St Patrick's Day Parade Committee, and the University of Georgia "Bulldog Club".
He is married and the couple has two children and one grandchild.
State Defense Force Active throughout Georgia
The Georgia State Defense Force has maintained a very active schedule during the first quarter of 2000. In addition to a full schedule of training, the all-volunteer force has been active in a number of field training exercises across the state. In Macon, the third brigade again played a significant role in Macon's annual Cherry Blossom Festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators. From road guides to parking assistance, Georgia's SDF has been a part of this annual event. Recently, Savannah's 3rd Brigade was recognized in Savannah for its assistance to the community during Hurricane Floyd. Attending the special recognition were members of the Georgia General Assembly, Chatham County elected officials, and officials of Savannah's emergency management community. SDF volunteers were also active on the streets of Savannah during the annual St. Patrick Day Parade, the second largest St. Patrick Day celebration in the nation. The follow GSDF members received awards for their continue service to the GSDF and the state of Georgia; Lt. Col. William Price, Major Fred Tinkle, MSG Emmett Denerson (Georgia Commendation Medal); Lt. Col. John Gladin, Cpt. Robert Evans, MSG Milton McKinney, SSG Curtis Jordan, SGT Dewey Brummell (State Active Duty Commendation Ribbon); Lt. Col. H. Lamar Faircloth (SDF Medal of Merit).
Guard Responds to Fires in South Georgia

The paucity of rain combined with unusually warm weather and dry conditions to spark another inferno in south Georgia near Valdosta in early March, and Georgia's National Guard responded. Operation Fire Guard 03 went into action early upon the request of Georgia Forestry officials. Helicopters and aircrews from Winder, Hunter AAF and Dobbins were actively involved in dousing the flames that had consumed hundred of acres of South Georgia farmland. Aircrews of Co F, Detachment 1, 131st Aviation flying giant Chinook helicopter and using fire fighting techniques learned from past fire fighting operations, dropped hundreds of thousands of gallons of water from 'bambi bags" slung low beneath the aircraft. In total, more than 228 water drops were completed during the eight days of National Guard involvement.
Family Readiness to Host Workshop
The State Family Readiness Office will host its annual workshop 14-16 April at the Crowne Plaza in Atlanta. If you're planning to attend, but have not registered, turn-in your completed registration form as soon as possible to Mese Finch at (404) 624-6420. Conference attire will be BDUs for military attendees and jeans and tee-shirts for civilians. Personnel coming from the Savannah area should contact MSgt Pam Wozniak at (912) 966-8215 for transportation arrangements.
This year's Family Readiness Conference is being held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week. To help celebrate, National Guard volunteers will visit the Atlanta Veterans Hospital on April 11 for a day of "giving back" to the men and woman who gave so honorably to our country. Everyone is invited to attend, but if you can't volunteer on the 11th, you can help by donating personal and comfort items such as tooth brushes, combs, brushes, disposable razors, lotions, etc. Contact SPC Marcia Roberts at 404-624-6453 if you would like to make a donation.
If you have any questions regarding the conference or the VA Volunteer Day contact CPT Anita Roberts at 404-624-6454 or email robertsa@ga-arng.ngb.army.mil.
Community Events
On April 1 and 2, the 116th Bomb Wing will be providing a static display and a fly-over of a B1-B for the Augusta "Skyfest 2000".
On April 29, Co F, Det 1, 131st Aviation of Savannah will provide a static display of an helicopter at the Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum for their "Military Appreciation Day".
On April 29, the 116th Bomb Wing will provide a fly-over of a B1-B for the "Vidalia Airshow" at the Vidalia Airport.
On April 28- 30, the 116th Bomb Wing will provide a fly-over of a B1-B for the "Naval Air Station Airshow" at Dobbins ARB. Additionally, the 171st Aviation Group (Provisional) will be on hand to support the US Navy Parachute Team, "Leap Frogs".

First Friday Briefing is published monthly for the soldiers, airmen and employees of the Georgia Department of Defense, Georgia Army National Guard, Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia State Defense Force. If you'd like to be added to our subscription list and have the First Friday Briefing faxed or emailed, or you have comments or story submission, call the Directorate of Communications at (404) 624-6060 or DSN 338-6060. Or email lee.burchfield@ga.ngb.army.mil
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