First Friday briefing [Nov. 2, 2001]

Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, November 2001
122nd ROC Soldiers Receive Call Up
Twenty-two soldiers of the 122nd Rear Operations Center are the latest Georgia Guard members to be federally mobilized in support of Operations Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom.
The 122nd, which is headquartered in Savannah, is expected to report to Fort McPherson as its mobilization station. The unit's mission has not yet been released.
The ROC's mobilization brings the number of Georgia Guardsmen who have been federalized since Sept. 11 to more than 650. It joins the 190th Military Police Company, along with the Air National Guard's 117th Air Control Squadron and the 224th Joint Combat Communications Squadron, which have also been called to active duty.
Some 150 Army and Air Guard members also continue to support security operations at Georgia's nine commercial airports.
Nationally, more than 41,000 National Guard members are participating in operations in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, including nearly 700 on duty at the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon.
Guard MPs Take Over Duties at Ft. Benning
Members of the 190th Military Police Company based in Kennesaw are at Fort Benning and may be there for up to a year.
The 104 Guardsmen have taken over law enforcement duties from Benning's MPs who have been called to other assignments. They will fill those positions until relieved, said Capt. Thomas Hayes, the 190th's commander.
An estimated 21 soldiers from the 178th Military Police Company in Monroe are with the 190th. They were asked to join the unit's ranks to bolster its manpower.
Soldiers, their families and friends said goodbye at the Kennesaw Armory the morning of Oct. 4. After the tears were wiped away and the last hugs given, unit members got into their vehicle and began their trip to Columbus.

Gen. Terrell Reddick, commander 78th Troop Command, and Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, were among those who stood at the armory's entrance and saluted the soldiers as they left.
Airport Security Mission Continues
Nearly 150 Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen continue to provide security support to the state's nine commercial airports. Their role is to reinforce and monitor existing security in those facilities and to set traveler's minds at ease about their safety.
The mission is in its second month and is expected to last four to six months. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is coordinating their continued assistance.
Nearly 100 soldiers remain at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport with the rest of the detail assigned to airports in Macon, Savannah Columbus and Albany. Guardsmen are also assigned to the Athens, Brunswick, Augusta and Valdosta airports.
Nesbitt is New Army Guard Commander
Brig. Gen. William "Terry" Nesbitt has assumed command of the Georgia Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. Michael L. Seely.
The Oct. 13 ceremony, in which General Nesbitt accepted the Army Guard flag from Seely, was held at Fort McPherson's Hedekin parade field.
General Nesbitt is the former commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade (Rear). He held that position from March until now while much of the brigade was in Bosnia for six months.
General Seely had been the Army Guard commander since 1999.
General Nesbitt, who lives in Kennesaw, is a graduate of New York University. He was commissioned an active Army second lieutenant in June 1967 at Fort Benning's Infantry Officers Candidate School. He served one tour in the Republic of Vietnam where he was assigned to 5th Special Forces Group. During his 34-year career, General Nesbitt has held several key staff and command positions including chief of staff of the Georgia Army National Guard.
Searcy Promotion Set
Congress has confirmed Brig. Gen. William N. Searcy's promotion to the rank of major general. General Searcy is commander of Georgia's 3,100-member Air National Guard. General Searcy, who previously commanded the 165th Airlift Wing based in Savannah, has been the Air Guard commander since 1999.
4th CST searches CNN for Anthrax
With news of terrorist threats dominating the headlines, the Georgia Guard's 4th Civil Support Team has participated in several high-profile missions over the past several weeks.
The 22-member member team was called by the Governor to "sweep" the studios and offices of CNN for possible contamination of Anthrax or other agent the unit was also on duty at Turner Field during the National League Championship Series. Both missions were precautionary, and neither was in response to

a specific threat.
The 4th CST was called Oct. 23 to CNN to conduct a search the news organization's Atlanta headquarters after anthrax contamination was found earlier at television networks in New York.
CST members reported to CNN headquarters around 11:30 p.m. The Guardsmen took air samples and swabbed computers and public surfaces in more than seven newsrooms as well as several executive officers and the network's mailroom. Team members donned protective clothing before examining the mailroom but found nothing during their search.
Air samples from the building were immediately taken to the team's Mobile Analytical Lab (MAL) vehicle outside. When the eight-hour sweep ended at 7:00 a.m., Oct. 24, no anthrax had been found.
"I believe our capabilities to detect anthrax or any other agents during our sweep made the people at CNN 'breathe a little easier,'" said Major Jeffery Allen, the 4th CST's commander.
165th ASOS Personnel Staying Busy
Members of the Air Guard's 165th Air Support Operations Squadron in Brunswick have kept up a steady pace of training in recent weeks to keep themselves "mission ready."
Ten squadron members were recently involved in a close-air support training exercise that took place at Fort Stewart and Townsend Range.
In addition, four of the squadron's enlisted terminal attack controllers (ETAC) participated in operations at Fort Stewart that underscore their rapid response capabilities. The forward air control specialists were inserted and then extracted from Stewart by Black Hawk helicopters as part of their training.
Another 10 ETACs were deployed to Fort Indiantown Gap for air control operations involving an A-10 Thunderbolt squadron. Two other 165th air controllers underwent rigorous mountain training, which involved carrying 60-pound backpacks for more than 16 miles.
In a separate activity, two more air controllers successfully completed TAC upgrade training at Indiantown Gap. Eight 165th personnel also loaded two Humvees aboard a C-130 departing Brunswick for Harrisburg, Pa., as part of their mobility training.
State Defense Force Gets Endorsement From Consumer Advocate Clark Howard
The Georgia State Defense force received high profile attention this week from one of Georgia's most credible spokesmen. Clark Howard, a popular consumer advocate, talk show host and author, endorsed the GSDF on his radio program. He recommended the organization as an alternative for those individuals who want to serve, but may not be eligible for military service because age or health reasons. Information about the GSDF is also available on Clark Howard's web site at www.clarkhoward.com.
In other news regarding the State Defense Force:
State Defense Force members have moved into action to provide support to families of the 190th Military Police Company following the unit's mobilization. The GSDF's 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, which is based in Kennesaw, has set up a Family Assistance Center for the families of deployed Guardsmen.

Officers with the SDF's 4th Brigade assisted staff members of the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion while they inspected armories across the state for force protection measures. While the inspectors were in Waycross and Albany the SDF assisted with ground transportation and other logistical support.
SDF 1st Lt. Cauhlin-Simmons, Sgt. 1st Class Simmons, and Sgt. Warren continue to assist the Selective Service Section with identifying registrars. They are gathering up-to-date information from the registrars in Fulton, Cobb, Pike, Fayette and Coweta county schools.
The Veteran's Stand Down was held Oct. 13-15 and was termed a major success. All elements of the GSDF participated by providing security and traffic control at the Atlanta Veteran Hospital.
Guardsmen Deliver Supplies After Attack
Five days after terrorists toppled the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon, Georgia Guardsmen were in New York handing out badly needed clothing to search and rescue workers.
Sgt. First Class David Payton and Staff Sgt. Gene Milotte, both members of the Georgia Guard's Counterdrug Task Force, drove a truck that delivered 19 pallets of military clothing. The pair drove the supplies to a pier a short distance from Ground Zero, said Reba Ordonez, administrative assistant with the Georgia Department of Public Safety Excess Property Office.
It was the property office that received the initial request to deliver the clothing from the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency's Law Enforcement Support Office in Washington. Among the items taken to New York were 6,500 pairs of cold weather BDU pants, 960 desert camouflage pants and 2,880 boonie hats, said Ms. Ordonez.
"Payton and Milotte told me that the workers who picked up the pants and headgear were overjoyed to see clean clothing," Ordonez said. "Many of the them immediately sought out a place to get out of the dirty, grimy outfits they were wearing."
Not one person went away without shaking their hands and telling them how much they appreciated the support they and other Georgians were giving to the rescue and recovery efforts, she added.
Payton, Milotte, and soldiers with the Guard's Organizational Maintenance Shop No. 1 in Atlanta assisted with preparing the items for shipment. U.S. Marshals met Payton and Milotte at their destination. The Guardsmen and their cargo were escorted to a pier near the World Trade Center site where the clothing could be distributed to rescue workers.
Bomb Wing, Engineers at Fair
Members of the 116th Bomb Wing at Robins Air Force Base and the 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron in Macon recently manned the Air National Guard's exhibit at the National Fair in Perry.
During the 10-day annual event, the airmen set up several exhibits to attract visitors, educate them about the Guard's mission and attract potential enlistees.
Visitors seemed to be fascinated with the 202nd's display of engineering, installation and repair of hi-tech communications equipment. Fair patrons also saw displays set up by the 116th's Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Munitions and Aerospace Ground Equipment elements. Individual's also visited the unit's

recruiting trailer, which includes a simulated aircraft cockpit.
The Guardsmen estimated more than 5,000 people visited the exhibition, and several showed interest in what the Guard has to offer.
HRT Discusses Diversity Plans
Understanding and respecting others is a top priority for members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard and the State Defense Force. To maintain that priority, the Guard's Human Relations Team continues its work on the Georgia Department of Defense Diversity Plan and Diversity Training Program.
More than 25 HRT members met Oct. 26-28 in Savannah to discuss the progress of those two initiatives and how units throughout the state are accomplishing them.
This was the third meeting of the team. HRT was formed earlier this year to develop and administer a comprehensive program of diversity training for the National Guard and SDF. Col Jimmy Davis and Lt Col Charlie Moulton of the Directorate of Workforce Development organized the meeting.
Lt Col Floyd Harbin, commander of the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, kicked off the two-day meeting with his philosophy on motivating people.
Diversity plans from throughout the state have been submitted to HRT. Plans from the 224th, the 202nd Engineering Instillation Squadron and 48th Infantry Brigade were reviewed at the meeting.
The team also did an in-depth statistical review was of state demographics. This provided team members with key information about the impact of diversity planning, and was helpful in showing how the data can be used for planning purposes.
The meeting concluded with a discussion of how to market the DoD's diversity plans throughout the state. HRT's objective is to use posters, news articles, internal information sources and targeted releases as part of an employee information program on how best to disseminate the diversity message.
Human Relations Team members have planned their next meeting for March 2002.
Family Readiness Focus of Workshop
More than 200 Army and Air National Guard representatives, their supporters and family members, braved bad weather to attend the Family Readiness Workshop on Jekyll Island in September.
While remnants of Tropical Storm Gabriel howled outside, workshop participants were inside Jekyll Island Inn learning to be mentally, emotionally and financially ready for a deployment or activation. Among the topics they discussed were basic military terminology and acronyms, and learning to read the Leave and Earnings Statement.
Maj. Rene Kuhn, family readiness director, said Guard families are broken down into family readiness groups by unit or region. Family members can find support and assistance through those groups with emotional, logistical or financial issues that come up while their Guardsmen are away.
Guest speaker at the conference was retired Army Col. Benjamin H. Purcell. Purcell spent five years in a North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp, and was the highest ranking POW to return home from Southeast Asia.

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 burchfieldlee@dod.state.ga.us
| First Friday Home | News Home | GaDOD Home |