First Friday briefing [Feb. 2, 2001]

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FIRST FRIDAY BRIEFING February 2, 2001
Georgia Guardsmen Activate Today Following Training at the JRTC
Twelve hundred National Guard soldiers from across Georgia officially become part of the Active Army during a ceremony today at Fort Stewart, one of the last official steps before departing for a tour of duty in Bosnia.
Governor Roy Barnes will be among those presiding over today's ceremony which will officially transfers the deploying members of the 48th Infantry Brigade to the 3rd Infantry Division.
Recently, the 1,200 Guardsmen spent more than three weeks at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. in mission rehearsal exercises for Balkan mission. All Bosnia-bound soldiers are required to spend time in "the box" at the sprawling Louisiana training facility.
Dispersed throughout the four camps that replicate the actual base camps in-country, the Georgia Guardsmen experienced a wide range of mission-related scenarios. Bosnian-speaking role players added realism to the intensive training and introduced the element of ineffective communications to the situation. Guardsmen were often subjected to public demonstrations with actors portraying protesters demanding entry to the military compounds. At checkpoints throughout "the box" Guardsmen were forced to diplomatically handle highly vocal groups arriving en masse to confront local leaders or administrators. While most scenarios dictated U.S. forces to take a passive security role in demonstrations and activities of civil unrest, Guardsmen used Bosnian interpreters to help mediate potentially explosive situations.
In the base camps that ring the box, giant multi-colored circus tents provided shelter for hundreds of soldiers. Of all the realistic features at the JRTC, returning Bosnian veterans indicate that the huge tents are unlike those to be found at the base camps throughout Bosnia. Conditions in the Bosnia base camps are also less austere that those found at the JRTC. However, these tent cities will form the focal point of all on and off duty activities for soldiers for the duration of the exercises.
"This training is the most realistic and challenging environment to date faced by our soldiers and it provided a valuable experience in the conditions and situations that we may face in Bosnia," said Brig. Gen. Robley Rigdon, commander of the Bosnian bound troops.

National Guard Open House a Success Despite Flag Issue Interference
Despite unexpected activities at the State Capitol surrounding the highly visible state flag issue, Georgia National Guard units from across Georgia still displayed their largest, fastest, and most sophisticated array of modern military equipment to state lawmakers. The annual National Guard Day Open House was held earlier this week at Dobbins ARB.
More than thirty Army and Air units and other DoD operations participated in the event. The open house was extended an extra day to provide legislators a second opportunity to visit Dobbins, following the distractions of Tuesday's high-profile vote.
From the giant B-1B bomber of the 116th Bomb Wing and the C-130 from the 165th Airlift Wing, to the M1-A1 main battle tank of the 108th Armor and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle of the 48th Infantry Brigade, units and modern equipment from across Georgia traveled to Dobbins for the second annual Open House.
Although attendance at Dobbins event was affected by legislative activities at the State Capitol, organizers of the National Guard Open House were extremely pleased at the level of support received from units around the state.
Maj. Gen. Poythress appeared before the House and Senate the day prior to the Open House and received a proclamation from both chambers recognizing Tuesday, January 30 as "National Guard Day in Georgia." He told legislators of renovations being made to armories throughout the state from monies appropriated by the General Assembly last year as well as enhancements made to Georgia's Youth Challenge program including a new campus located in Augusta. He also advised legislators of the deployment of 1,200 Georgia troops to Bosnia and encouraged their continued support, as well as the support of employers for this critical mission.
"While our plans were impacted this year by the historic events in the State Legislature, I continue to believe that our legislators appreciate the experience of seeing the equipment and learning of the capabilities of the Georgia National Guard," said The Adjutant General. "They always welcome the opportunity to talk with the men and women of their districts who serve proudly as Georgia's citizen-soldiers."
Army Guard Pins its Newest General
The Georgia Army Guard pinned its newest General Officer this week when William (Terry) Nesbitt was promoted. More than 200 colleagues, family members and former coworkers packed the Finch Building Auditorium on Tuesday to join General Nesbitt on his special day. General Nesbitt has been selected to command the 48th Infantry Division (Rear) while the unit is involved in the peacekeeping deployment in Bosnia. Most recently he was Chief of Staff for the Georgia Army Guard.
Besides the Chief of Staff, Nesbitt has held many other positions in the Georgia Guard such as the 48th Brigade Deputy Commander, Plans, Operations, and Training Officer, Recruiting and Retention Manager, and Executive Officer for the 108th Armor Battalion. The 108th is where he began his career in the Georgia Army Guard as executive officer for Headquarters Company.

General Nesbitt is also a Vietnam veteran having served one tour with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) from November 1967 to November 1968. He has more than 34 years of service with 33 years as an officer.
Georgia DoD Bids Farewell To Col (R) George Smith
The Georgia Department of Defense bid farewell this week to Colonel (retired) George Smith who left our organization after nearly ten years affiliation in various senior leadership roles. Nearly 50 coworkers, friends and family members gathered last week to honor him and wish him well.
Col. Smith originally came to the Georgia Army National in the early 1990's as the Senior Army Advisor. Upon his retirement from active duty he stayed with the Georgia DoD, first as Executive Assistant to The Adjutant General, and later as Director of Strategic Resource Management. Most recently he was Director of Organizational Development.
A graduate of West Point, Col. Smith had a long and distinguished military career that included two tours in Vietnam, and assignments as brigade commander and chief of staff of the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood. He also commanded the 2/34th Infantry Battalion of the 24th Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart where he worked closely with elements of the 48th Infantry Brigade.
Col. Smith plans to launch his own consulting company specializing in organizational development, strategic planning and meeting facilitation.
"Meth" Lab Busted With Help of Georgia Counterdrug Members
A Georgia National Guardsman from the Counterdrug Task Force provided crucial intelligence analysis that led to the apprehension of drug dealers in Cherokee County. With the Guard's help, Cherokee narcotics agents busted the largest methamphetamine lab in the history of the county.
The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad agents was assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in arresting two men who allegedly were operating the lab in a central Cherokee home.
Agents found a half-pound of methamphetamine along with a large quantity of chemicals used for making the drug. The multi-agency commander estimated the street value of the drug to be about $9,000.
During the arrests, investigators located a receipt for lease for a warehouse storage space. When they searched the area, agents found batteries containing lithium soaking in kerosene, which is an ingredient in the drug. Law enforcement officials say this is the most dangerous type of methamphetamine lab. There were enough chemicals found in the house to make two pounds of "meth."
Also assisting in the investigation were the Appalachian Drug Task Force and the Canton Fire Department.

Some 50 Georgia Guardsmen, members of Georgia's Counterdrug Task Force, support local, state and the federal agencies in the war on drugs. They bring military skills, training, and equipment to support law enforcement agencies battling the war on drugs.
Nation's Top EIS Awards Presented to 202nd Guardsmen
Two Georgia Air Guardsmen from the 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron in Macon were recently awarded the nation's top Engineering Installation awards in ceremonies held in Galveston, Texas. Master Sergeant Glenda Manning was awarded the Outstanding Engineering Installation Support Person of the Year Award for 2000, and Captain Doug Walker received the Outstanding Engineering Installation Officer of the Year Award for 2000. These two awards represent the best of the more than 2,200 Air National Guardsmen who are part of nineteen Engineering Installation Squadrons nationwide.
Presenting the coveted EIS awards was Colonel Larry D. Cannon, NGB, C4 director. Manning, a 24-year veteran of the military is the NCOIC of the Personnel Section of the 202nd. Walker, an engineering officer has more than ten years with the 202nd originally enlisting and later receiving his commission in 1994.
Bomb Wing Maintenance Commander Receives the ANG Marquez Award
Lt. Col. Dan Zachman, 116th Bomb Wing Maintenance Commander, received the coveted Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Outstanding Aircraft Maintenance Field Grade Manager of the Year Award presented by the Air National Guard for the year 1999. This distinctive award goes to the top field grade officer in the aircraft maintenance career field for the 88 flying wings of the Air National Guard.
Through his efforts, Zachman was able to allow the Georgia Air National Guard and the 116th Bomb Wing to keep a lower cost per flying hour and a higher mission capable rate than active duty and Guard counterparts in the B-1 fleet.
"We have emerged as the top B-1B Wing in the fleet (in terms of mission capable rate). I expect this trend to continue, and to even improve as we settle into our new facilities. I think we will increase the number of possessed aircraft from nine to 12, due in large part because we can consistently maintain a lower cost per flying hour and a higher mission capable rate than our active duty counterparts," said Zachman.
This is not the first time Zachman has been recognized for his outstanding leadership. He has received several other top honors including the Air National Guard Transportation Company Grade Officer of the Year for 1990. In 1994, he was honored as the Outstanding Air National Guard Senior Supply Manager of the Year.
Not only did Zachman receive personal honors, his squadron has garnered several significant Air Force Awards including the Air National Guard Supply Effective Award for 1995 and the Air Reserve Component Transportation Activity of the year award the same year.
"The future of the 116th Bomb Wing is especially bright," added Zachman. "I look for us to continue our tradition of excellence into the

future."
In his career with the 116th, Zachman has held various command assignments including Chief of Supply, Service Flight Commander, Logistics Division Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander, and Aircraft Generation Squadron Commander.
KIDS Keep Kids Drug Free
Whether you've seen the critically acclaimed movie "Traffic" recently or not, you probably know what a sobering reality and hardship it is to keep drugs away from children.
It's one thing to have a war on drugs and attack the supply, but as Michael Douglas' character in "Traffic" finds out, you must attack the demand too. That's the mission of Kids In a Drug-Free Society, or KIDS for short, to help adults attack the demand and keep teens drug-free.
Now KIDS is teaming with the Georgia National Guard to instruct 24 Guard members to become workshop leaders and trainers, who will, in turn, teach Guard members throughout the state.
"Parents are the anti-drug," said Alan Friedman, a regional director with KIDS, an organization that teaches adults how to talk children about drugs. "All the research tells us that when we have parents communicate effectively with their children they are 50 percent less likely to ever get involved with drugs," Friedman said.
Guardsmen or their spouses can sign up for the three-day course to become a workshop leader.
Although KIDS usually targets businesses, the Guard seemed a natural fit. "The National Guard has an appreciation of what family values are about and what training is about," said KIDS President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Sconyers, a retired Air Force brigadier general.
The Georgia National Guard already combats the war on drugs through the Drug Demand Reduction program. The organization helps reach youth through the innovative Youth Challenge Academy and the new Starbase program which is set to open soon.
KIDS is a natural extension of what those programs are already doing, said Friedman. "The benefits are many. Not only is keeping children `drug-free' an investment in the future, but it also curtails any problems that may arise in the present." He said.
"Parents don't have to worry about getting calls in the middle of the day from school or worse the police," added Sconyers during a presentation at the Ga ANG Finch Building to introduce the program to the Georgia Guard. "They are more efficient workers because they're not worried about the kids or dragged away from work."
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 Leigh.Burchfield@ga.ngb.army.mil

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