First Friday briefing [Mar. 2, 2001]

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FIRST FRIDAY BRIEFING March 2, 2001
Georgia Guard Members Greet New Commander in Chief
Georgia National Guard members had two occasions to "rub shoulders" with the new Commander in Chief in the past month. President George W. Bush made two trips to Georgia and the National Guard played a role in both.
On February 15, the President visited Ft. Stewart, the first of a series of visits to military bases. More than 200 members of the 48th Infantry Brigade participated in the formation to welcome the Chief Executive. During his address, the President acknowledged the brigade several times and spoke of the unit's imminent deployment to Bosnia. Bush's visit was important because it was his first trip outside of D.C. and his speech was carried live on a number of TV news networks. In addition to the formation, several hundred Guard members and families joined the large Ft. Stewart crowd who gathered to see and hear the new president.
The President also made a swing through Atlanta this week and ten Army and Air Guard members were invited to join him on the stage during his speech at Fernbank Museum.
202nd EIS Awarded AFOUA
The 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard has been awarded its fourth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. This distinctive honor acknowledges the superior performance of the men and women of this unit over a two-year period as compared to other Engineering Installation (EI) units in the Air Force.
A number of factors contributed to the 202nd's selection for this award including: Successfully managing the deployment of all EI personnel for the first Air Expeditionary Force (AEF 7/8)

Being the lead unit for the first EI Contingency Operation in Southwest Asia And receiving an 'excellent' rating on the first Operational Compliance Inspection from the Electronics System Center.
Additionally, the 202nd was recognized for providing all EI support for the ASDCIET-99 Exercise in Savannah, supporting the Georgia Joint Air Disaster Exercise (JADE), and providing logistics support and facilities for the White House Communication Agency during a recent Vice Presidential trip to Macon.
The 202nd is one of only two EI Squadrons in the nation to be chosen to receive the AFOUA.
The formal presentation of the AFOUA to the 202nd EIS and the official change of command ceremony will be on Sunday, March 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Museum of Aviation, Hangar One, Robins AFB.
It's Official!! Brigade Joins Regular Army
More than 1,200 members of the 48th Separate Infantry Brigade took a short break from training in early February as they joined forces with the active Army's 3rd Infantry Division.
The official transfer onto active duty status came amid the pomp and ceremony of a full brigade formation on Ft. Stewart's Cotrell Field. Governor Roy Barnes. Maj. Gen. David Poythress, the Adjutant General; and Brig. Gen. Robley Rigdon, the brigade's commander presided over the ceremony and reviewed the troops. The ceremony included the reading of official orders calling the unit to duty in Bosnia for peacekeeping.
"Today we see first hand the One-Army concept," said Brig. Gen. Joseph Peterson, Assistant Division Commander for the 3rd ID. "We welcome the Old Gray Bonnet Regiment to our ranks."
Gov. Barnes saluted the brigade and wished them success in Bosnia. "Your absence will be felt across the state of Georgia. We know you can get the job done well," he said.
While the ceremony marked an important moment in the history of the Brigade, most of the deploying Georgia Guard members had been at Ft. Stewart since early December training for the mission. "This is a formality. We've been training so long you can't tell a difference," said Maj. Steve Haynes, the Brigade's S-1. "This was just another step in the process."
First Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Class Graduates on Saturday in Macon
The first class of the National Guard's Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon will graduate on Saturday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the

Macon City Auditorium in Macon. Ninety-six students will graduate with most receiving their adult high school and General Education Development diplomas (GED). Major General David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General will be the commencement speaker.
Fort Gordon is the second location in the state for Georgia's Youth Challenge Academy. The first campus located at Fort Stewart near Savannah began operations in 1993 and has to date graduated more than 2,500 students.
The Fort Gordon campus opened in September 2000 and occupies 19 buildings on the Southeast Georgia Army post. Officials at Fort Gordon and the Georgia Department of Corrections made the campus ready for YCA's first class in less than three months.
Georgia is only the second state to have two National Guard-sponsored Youth Challenge Academy campuses. It ranks among the highest of the 27 YCA programs in the country in the number of students graduating.
Brown Is New 1/78th Commander
Major Dennis T. Brown, of Cumming, is the new commander of 1st Battalion, 78th Troop Command headquartered in Kennesaw. Lt. Col. Gregory B. Edwards relinquished command after nearly a year-and-a-half in that position. The Change of Command ceremony took place February 3, a day short of Brown's 21st Anniversary in the military.
"I accept this position with duty and humility, and look forward to keeping up the good leadership traits inherent in the battalion," said Brown in his speech before his troops and distinguished guests.
Brown, born in Austell, entered the military as a private first class in the Army Reserve in February 1980. He completed basic training at Fort Knox and advanced training at Fort Benjamin Harrison. He then was commissioned in 1982 as a Distinguished Military Graduate through the University of Alabama Reserve Officer Training Corps. He served on active duty for four years.
Upon release from active duty Brown joined the Georgia Army National Guard in 1986, where he served as a UH-1 helicopter pilot with Company B, 244th Aviation. He served as the operations officer for the 151st Military Intelligence Battalion. He also served as the patient administration officer with the 117th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. His most recent command assignment was for Company B, 161st Medical Battalion.
He has received numerous medals including the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal among others.
Brown and his wife, Suzanne, have two children, Lucia and Louie.
Georgia Army Guard Recruiter Wins

National Recruiter of Excellence Award
Sergeant First Class Donnie Lucas, a Georgia Army National Guard recruiter was awarded the Recruiter of Excellence Award presented by the Chief of Staff and the Sergeant Majors of the Army. Lucas traveled to Washington earlier this month to receive this award. Lucas was previously selected as Recruiter of the Year for Georgia, Recruiter of the Year for the Southeastern United States and Recruiter of the Year for the United States.
Counterdrug Task Force Officers Honored
Two Georgia National Guard members have been selected to be honored when the Georgia Commission on Women recognizes "Georgia Women in Public Safety" in March. Captains April Asher and Geri Curry will be among those honored as part of the celebration of Georgia Women's History Month at a March event.
CPT Asher is the Commander of the 118th Personnel Services Company and the Administrative/Logistical Officer for the Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CPT Curry is a detailed inspector general for the Georgia National Guard and the Field Operations Officer for the Counterdrug Task Force. Both officers have served in a variety of positions during their tenure in the Task Force. Each has served with such agencies as the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
"Both of these officers set an example for all women in public safety to emulate," said MAJ Stan Crowder, Counterdrug Coordinator, who submitted the nominations.
Brigadier General Oldfield Retires
Brigadier General John Oldfield, Chief of Staff of the Georgia Air National Guard retires on Sunday, March 4 at 2:30 p.m. at ceremonies at the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah. Oldfield, a 28-year veteran of the Georgia Air National Guard served numerous command positions with the 165th Airlift Group to include Group Commander. He moved to Headquarters, Georgia Air Guard as Vice Commander and later Chief of Staff. In 1997 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General .
Oldfield will be succeeded as Chief of Staff by Col. Scott Hammond, currently Director of Operations for Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard.
State Defense Force News
The Georgia State Defense Force has begun its 2001 Schools Program. The training will include basic and advanced NCO schools, officer candidate and advance school, and command and general staff courses.

In other SDF news, the 2d & 5th Brigades will be participating in CPR Saturday in Locust Grove during March; and the 1st Brigade will participate with the 190th Military Police Company's field training exercise at Fort McClellan, 2-4 March.
Georgia National Guard is in the Movies
The Georgia Army National Guard is scheduled to have a role in the production of the feature film We were Soldiers once...and Young. Starring Mel Gibson, the movie will be in production at Fort Benning through the month of March.
The Georgia Army National Guard is providing four UH-1 helicopters for the Vietnam-era film. The movie, which is based upon Lieutenant General (Ret) Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway's novel entitled, recreates the 1965 battle of the la Drang Valley. The release date of this movie has not been scheduled.
In addition to the helicopters, Guard members are likely to appear in the film in background shots. Taking part in the production will be Master Sgt. Keith Cavegn, Sgt. 1st Class Stephens Smith, Sgt. Arthur Hansinger, and Pvt. 1st Class Jeremiah J. Sutherland.
Spring Means High Visibility For Georgia Guard Units
Springtime is upon us and the requests for the Georgia National Guard to participate in community events is in full swing. A dramatic fly-over of a B-1 Bomber by the 128th Bomb Squadron, 116th Bomb Wing, will open the "Cracker Barrel 500" on Sunday, March 11 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton. And the 116th Army Band will perform in the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 17, in Buckhead. Other high-profile community events in the coming weeks include:
A fly-over of a B-1 Bomber at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon by the 128th Bomb Squadron, March 18. Displays at the Robins Air Force Base Airshow and Open House by the 116th Bomb Wing, Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29. A fly-over of two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at the Veterans Memorial Service hosted by the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association by the 1/171st Aviation Battalion, Lenox Road and Peachtree Street on Thursday, May 24. The opportunities to help celebrate with our local communities will continue through the summer. On July 4, the 116th Army Band will perform for the "Salute 2 America" parade in Atlanta.
If your unit has been asked by the local community leaders to participate in an event, call Wanda Nichols, Community Relations Program Manager for the Georgia National Guard at DSN 338-6119 or (404) 624-6119.
RTI Begins Training Officer Candidates in March

This month, Georgia's Regional Training Institute (RTI) will be doing its part to help solve our shortage of qualified junior officers. On March 17th, the 41st Officer Candidate School class will begin.
In an effort to ensure the OCS program gets appropriate support, BG Seely, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, has directed each commander to send at least one soldier from his or her unit/detachment/battery to the March drill at RTI in Macon.
Full-time administrators need assistance completing the application packets should contact SSG Delores Thomas or LTC John Gaines, (912) 751-6346.
Support Your Family Support Foundation
The Georgia National Guard Support Foundation has now been listed in the Atlanta Metro Combined Federal Campaign. Also, through the efforts of several dedicated and committed employees, more than $21,000 was raised for the Foundation.
The Foundation, organized in 1994, provides charitable support to Georgia Department of Defense employees during times of crisis. It's other missions include improving communications between units and families, broadening Guard families' knowledge of the Georgia Guard, serving as a liaison between military and civilian organizations involved in the State's Family Support program, and promoting the interests and welfare of the Georgia National Guard.
Board Members are: Command Sgt. Maj. James Dennis Manning - President Col Lois Schmidt - Vice President Capt.. Tanya Brinkley - Treasurer Ms. Altamese Finch - Secretary Retired Col. Edward Chamberlain Col. Ed Wexler Maj. Joe Hoffman Maj. Rene Kuhn Maj. Steven Thornton Chief Command Sgt. Maj. Pearson DeLoach Sgt. 1st Class Bernice Ryles Ms. Venus Askew Ms. Janice Christophe Ms. Sandi Milotte
Call the Family Readiness Office a 1-800-625-5843 for an application. Application will also available on the Department of Defense Website at

a later date.
Georgia's National Guard Associations Schedule Conferences
The Georgia Guard's two professional organizations are both planning their annual meetings for the weekend of June 8-10. The Enlisted Association of the Georgia National Guard will host its annual meeting at the Columbus Hilton in Columbus. For additional information contact MSG Jackie McKennie at (404) 576-5323. On that same weekend, members of the National Guard Association of Georgia will be meeting on the other side of the state. The NGAUS conference is scheduled for Clarion Hotel on Jekyll Island. For registration information contact Col (Ret) Marshall Kenemer at 912-369-6138.
The Grand Old Guard
Georgia Department of Defense retirees can keep up to date on retirement issues through The Grand Old Guard newsletter published by Mr. John Hardwick, Retirement Services Manager (DOWD). Georgia Guard retirees who are not receiving this excellent publication can be placed on the free subscription mailing list by contacting Mr. Hardwick at (404) 624-6451.
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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