First Friday briefing [Jan. 5, 2001]

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FIRST FRIDAY BRIEFING January 5, 2001
116th Bomb Wing Moves to New Facility
Members of the 116th Bomb Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard moved into a new state-of-the-art $97 million facility at the north end of the Robins Air Force Base, the new home of the Wing and its B-1B bombers. "It will be a while before we really get settled in," said Col Tom Lynn, Wing Commander. December 19th was the last flying day of the year for the Wing so members will have plenty of time to get used to their new surroundings. Using "borrowed facilities" form the base for more than five years, the new complex "gives the Wing a sense of finally belonging," Lynn said. Lt Col Tom Jordan, 116th Bomb Wing Operations Ground Commander admits that the new complex replaces, modernizes and consolidates former facilities that had been scattered in more than 33 locations at opposite ends of the base. According to Jordan, "Our maintenance personnel spent a great deal of time driving across base and making phone calls between the far scattered Wing facilities and shops. Now everything is co-located in a more spacious and highly workable facility." The new complex has its own gate off Highway 247 with a landscaped drive leading up to the imposing hangar called a phase dock that is used for maintenance of the jets in 100-day phases. A tall glass window dominates the faade through which one can see the plane inside the hangar from the highway. Included in the new facility is a double-bay hangar used for corrosion control and fueling, an operation building, security forces building, engine repair building, garages and shops to maintain flightline equipment and a "hush-house" to conduct engine test. Once Congress approves funds, the Wing anticipates building a new headquarters building which has already been designed and is to be located adjacent to the complex. "We are very pleased," Jordan said. "Most of the equipment, furniture and desks were moved nicely and the only problem was minor electronic and communications glitches normally encountered when moving into a new home." The hush-house will provide the surrounding community with a cushion against the thunderous noise from engine tests. Prior to the new facilities, these tests were conducted at the "Christmas tree" ramp where the bomber formerly stood. The powerful engines were serviced by removing them. Serving them at a repair facility miles away, then putting them back on the plane to be tested outside, creating a great deal of noise. Now the engines are serviced in a shop at the hill, trucked next door to the hush house and tested in a contained space with very little noise. In the cavernous phase dock, Jordan points to rails along the ceiling used for cranes for heavy lifting, as well as mobile stands on the

floor that had been customed designed by maintenance workers. "No other B-1 unit has this. The mechanics can walk right up to any part of the plane. It adds to efficiency, " he said. The operation building boasts several briefing rooms, a new auditorium with state-of-the art video and teleconferencing equipment, and a gymnasium to be furnished with equipment taken from the old base gym. It also includes a "Hero Wall" showing pictures of Wing members dating back to 1941 when it was the 128th Observation Squadron. A small park to the left of the main gate will soon house a static display of old aircraft formerly flown by the wing. A dismantled F-15, F-84, F-100, F-105 and F-4 now stands waiting to be placed on pedestals at the entrance to the new facility.
Task Force Lightning readies for Ft. Polk rehearsal;
Mobilization ceremony set for February 2
Task Force Lightning--the contingent of 48th Brigade soldiers deploying to Bosnia--will officially become part of the 3rd Infantry Division during mobilization ceremonies scheduled for February 2nd at Fort Stewart. The ceremony is set for the Cottrell Parade Field the National Guard Training Center at 1530 hours. Among the military, political and civic leaders expected to attend is Governor Roy Barnes. More than 1,200 Georgia Guardsmen are now in the final stages of training for the monumental deployment. Most arrived at Ft. Stewart in early December, with the final elements of the 148th Forward Support Battalion reporting earlier this week. Most of December was spent concentrating on individual, platoon and company level training. The next major event will be the Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRE) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The task force will begin leaving for the Fort Polk from Hunter Army Airfield this weekend and expected to return at the end of the month. February's training will concentrate on gunnery exercises and final preparations, and airlifts to the Balkans will begin in early March.
TAG Announces New Army Guard Task Force,
Changes in Senior Leadership
The Adjutant General has announced several major changes in leadership of the Georgia Army Guard. At the center of the changes is the formation of a special task force that will consist of the portions of the 48th Brigade that will not deploy to Bosnia for SFOR 9 and elements of the Georgia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command. The new task force, which will remain in place until the Brigade is released from active duty at the end of October 2001, will be commanded by COL (P) Terry Nesbitt. "The 48th ESB is currently at 79% of authorized strength and falling," wrote The Adjutant General in announcing the formation of the task force. "The brigade has experienced a net loss of over 600 soldiers (equivalent to a battalion) in the last two years...If we cannot fix the brigade quickly I may be forced to move some of its force structure to another state in order to maintain readiness. This is not a good option. I will make every effort to reverse this negative trend in personnel readiness." Command of the new organization will be a full time assignment for COL (P) Nesbitt. COL Art Bruno, has been named to the Chief of Staff position vacated by COL Nesbitt, and COL Don Venn will be assigned as Military Personnel Officer. Both assignments will be for the duration of this Task Force.
National Guard Day Scheduled for January 30th
The annual National Guard Day Open House for State Legislators is set for January 30, 2001 at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. The event will provide Georgia lawmakers with an up-close look at the weapons and equipment used by the men and women of the Georgia Air and Army National Guard. More than 100 legislators and guests attended National Guard Day last year. "It is our hope that we can build upon the success of last year's event by having more legislators and staffers visit Dobbins during this special day," said LTC Jim Driscoll, Director of Communications. Units from across Georgia will be displaying a variety of sophisticated equipment including M-1A1 battle tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, HUMMVEEs, a giant B-1B bomber, an Air Guard C-130 Hercules airlifter and the Army Guard's Blackhawk, Huey and Chinook helicopters. Also on display will be the sophisticated equipment from the various programs of the Directorate of Joint Operations. For more information, contact the Directorate of Communications at (404) 624-6060 or DSN 338-6060.

2001 JACC is scheduled for
27-29 April in Peachtree City
Senior leaders throughout the Georgia Department of Defense should mark their calendars for 27-29 April for the 2001 Joint Annual Commanders' Conference. This year's meeting will be held at Wyndham Peachtee Conference Center in Peachtree City with the opening session scheduled to begin on Friday afternoon, April 27. Attendance at the annual conference is by invitation and will include all commanders (battalion/GSU and higher) administrative officers (battalion and higher), primary staff officers at the Army, Air and SDF state headquarters, Georgia DOD directors, and other senior leaders. All Sergeants Major (Army and SDF) and Chief Master Sergeants (Air) are also invited and will attend a joint E-9 conference in conjunction with the JACC. More details will follow in the coming weeks. For information, contact the Directorate of Communications at (404) 624-6060.
Governor Barnes lends support to Bosnian Deployment
Through statewide television and radio announcements
Georgia Governor Roy Barnes is lending his support to the 48th Brigade Bosnian deployment through a series of public services announcements that are being distributed to television and radio stations across the state. Several versions of the PSAs were produced. In one, the Governor explains the importance of the mission, accompanied by video of American soldiers performing the peacekeeping mission in the Balkans. The Bosnian footage was shot by members of the 124th MPAD when they were deployed there in 1997-98. In a second, longer announcement, the Governor's comments are accompanied by excerpts of interviews with deploying soldiers. In his message, Governor Barnes asks communities, employers and all Georgians to join him in supporting the deploying Guardsmen. The Governor made his comments during a special filming session in his office in December.
STARC Quarterly Retirement Ceremony
To Honor 11 Long-time Guard members
Eleven long-time Georgia Army National Guard members will be honored this weekend as coworkers, families and friends gather to celebrate their retirements. Combined, the 11 boast a total of more than 220 years of experience with the Georgia Guard and include six full-time DoD employees. The STARC quarterly retirement ceremony will be Saturday at 1300 hrs at Oglethorpe Armory, with a keynote address by The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress and music provided by the 116th Army Band. This quarter's retirees are: Col. Levi H. Perry, DCS-PA; Col. Charles R. Webb, COS office; Lt. Col. James Vaught, DJOPS; Chief Warrant Officer Gordon Elwell, DCS-PA Historical Section; Sgt. Maj. Joseph Neely, DCS-PA; Master Sgt. Danny Meadows, DCS-OPS Mobilization Readiness; Master Sgt. Michael Goethals, HD, STARC; Sgt. 1st Class Phylllis Moreno; DCS-OPS Training; Sgt. 1st Class Janet Calloway, 118th Personnel Services Company; Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Tapia-Rivera, HD, STARC and Sgt. Raymond Hinton, DCS-PA. 122nd ROC Collects Toys for Holidays Thanks to the efforts of the 122nd Rear Operations Center of the Georgia Army National Guard, 50 children received gifts from Santa this Holiday Season. The 122nd Rear Operations Center presented donated toys to the Salvation Army in Savannah. The unit's efforts would not have been as successful without the cooperation of local employers who gave their Guard members time off from civilian jobs to support the gift giving. "It was a chance to bring the citizen out of the `citizen-soldier,'" said Maj. Anthony Abbott, when asked about the day's events. Abbott is the unit's operations officer. The 122nd ROC is a National Guard Theater Level ROC located in Savannah. Most of the unit members live and work in the local community. The unit collected toys during November and December drills and presented them to Linda James of the Salvation Army.
Counterdrug Task Force's help enriches Reidsville youth
On December 7 an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony took place for the new Reidsville Family Enrichment Center. The Center is

used for after-school activities that include the tutoring and care of thirty-five children. It could not have opened without the help of the Georgia National Guard's Counterdrug Task Force and other state agencies. The property, formerly known as Lawson's Club, is located across the street from Reidsville Elementary School and had been the target of narcotics investigations by the task force and the Reidsville Police Department since 1993. Numerous undercover drug purchases were made on the property, and the investigation ultimately culminated in six arrests as well as the seizure of the property and over $100,000 in cash. Other agencies involved in the investigation include the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.
DOC Unveils New Web Site for Reporters
The Georgia Department of Defense is unveiling a new information resource designed to "tell our story" to media outlets in the state. This month, the Directorate of Communications is unveiling a new web site that will give newspaper, television and radio reporters instant access to news releases, photos and information papers. Initially the site is featuring information about the 48th Brigade's Bosnian deployment, but it will also be used to distribute media alerts and releases about all Army and Air Guard and State Defense Force activities. "This web site gives us the ability to instantly post news releases and media updates so that the reporters can have immediate access," explained LTC Jim Driscoll, Director of Communications. "Reporters and editors will also be able to download high resolution photographs and broadcast-quality radio stories whenever they want." While the site is designed specifically for the news media, Georgia DoD members and employees can preview it at: www.dod.state.ga.us/newscenter.html
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: burchfieldl@ga-arng.ngb.army.mil | Back | Home | GaDOD Home |