Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, January 4, 2002 Guardsmen Continue Service More than 650 Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen continue on federal active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. The latest call-up includes some seven Georgia National Guard members, all members of Detachment 2, Headquarters Company, 93rd Signal Brigade at Fort Gordon. Georgia units called on, so far, include: 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron. 117th Air Control Squadron. 116th Security Police Squadron. 165th Security Police Squadron. 190th Military Police Company. 122nd Rear Operations Center. Individual Army and Air Guardsmen have also been activated because of their particular job specialty. Additionally, more the 180 Georgia Army and Air Guard members continue serving at the state's nine commercial airports as part of operation SkyGuard. Also, 34 soldiers are participating in force protection measures at several state facilities, including the Oglethorpe Armory and the Department of Defense complex on Confederate. Nationally, more than 50,000 National Guard members have been called-up since Sept. 11 in response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. ADA Battery Credits "Dome" Training For Its Success On its one-year anniversary, Battery E, 179th Air Defense Artillery based in Milledgeville boasts one of the best training records in the region among ADA units. The soldiers of Battery E contribute much of their success to the training they frequently conduct at Ft. Stewart in the "dome." Inside the two-story, hollow half-sphere enclosure soldier's fire computerized mock stinger missiles at aircraft projected on the walls of the dome's interior. The dome is an improved moving target simulator, which use to be only a 180-degree quarter-dome. It is similar in concept to the firearms simulator infantry soldiers use to train with the M-16 rifle. "There are multiple scenarios we can come up with for engaging aircraft," said Staff Sgt. Eric Mullenax, a section leader in Battery E's third platoon. "The environment can mimic dusk or dawn, have mountains or water, virtually any real world environment you could want." Battery E, 179th ADA was officially activated October 2000 and stands at nearly 80 percent strength. Guard and Guardsmen in the News Georgia's National Guard has received some high profile, worldwide exposure in recent months thanks to a series of stories aired on CNN about the Guard and its capabilities. In the most recent story, members of Army Aviation and Company H, 121 Infantry (LRSC) were featured during an airborne operation and surveillance mission at the Catoosa training area in northwest Georgia. CNN anchor Kyra Phillips, along with two camera crews followed the Guardsmen through the exercise that included a parachute drop from a CH-47 helicopter, a patrol under night vision goggles and an airmobile extraction by a UH-60 Black Hawk. The five-minute story ran several times on CNN as well as the cable news outlet's other networks. Phillips also did several live reports from a Georgia Guard helicopter during one of several parachute drops. The aviation/LRSC story was the third in a series of features about the Georgia Guard done by Phillips and CNN. Earlier in the fall they did a special report on the training for Operation SkyGuard, the airport security mission. A story on the 4th Civil Support Team during a weapons of mass destruction exercise at Turner Field. In addition to the reports in the field, several Georgia Guardsmen have appeared on CNN as in-studio guests. Maj. Jeff Allen and Sgt. 1st Class Ray Ippolito of the 4th CST were interviewed by Phillips following the story about the weapons of mass destruction exercise. After the Catoosa exercise, Maj. Brock Gaston and Master Sgt. Mike Hurndon of Company H appeared in the CNN studios to talk about the training for the airborne mission. And last week, Chief Warrant Officer 2 San Dawson appeared on CNN as an in-studio guest during a feature on the new movie "Black Hawk Down." Dawson described the training Black Hawk pilots receive during special operations. RTI To Hosts OCS Orientation Georgia's Regional Training Institute in Macon will host an orientation, Saturday, Jan. 5 for Guardsmen interested in applying to the OCS program. This event will provide potential candidates the opportunity to tour the RTI facility, offer them insight to the OCS program and give them assistance with the application process. Although it's not a requirement, potential candidates are encouraged to attend with enough supporting documentation to complete an application packet. Soldiers who attend the orientation should be in a split status until formally accepted into the OCS program. JACC Conference Scheduled for April Senior leaders throughout the Georgia Department of Defense should mark 12 to 14 April on their calendars for the 2002 Joint Annual Commanders' Conference. This year's meeting will be held in the Crowne Plaza-Macon with the opening session scheduled to begin the afternoon of April 12. Attendance at the conference is by invitation and will include all battalion/GSU commanders and higher, and battalion level administrative officers and higher. Primary staff officers of the Army, Air and State Defense Force, Georgia DoD directors, those with State Area Command and other senior leaders will also attend. All Army and SDF sergeants major and Air Guard chief master sergeants are 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 404-624-6066. 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 | First Friday Foto File Inside: 48th units change commanders 124th MPAD ODT in Germany Family Support Awards ....and more Photos by: Directorate of Communications 124th MPAD Georgia Air National Guard Air Defensemen Sgt. David Osborne (left) and Staff Sgt. Joe Baxter both with Battery E, 179th Air Defense Artillery identify enemy aircraft during weekend training. Members of the 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment pose in front of the Grafenwoehr Tower at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The unit spent their twoweek annual training in December covering the 7th Army Training Command and working with American Forces Network. Sgt. First Class Sean Lewis, Company H, 121st Infantry (LRSC), is featured as part of a CNN story while on patrol during an exercise at the Catoosa Training Area. At right, a CH-47 Chinook of Company F, Detachment 1, 131st Aviation, lifts off with paratroops aboard during the CNN story. Sgt. Brian Brakefield, (right) a Troop E, 108th Cavalry soldier, receives a certificate of appreciation from Col. John Gaines, the 48th Brigade deputy commander, during an awards ceremony at the Griffin armory. Lt. Col. W. Alan Dent accepts the flag of command of the 148th Forward Support Battalion from Brig. Gen. Robley Rigdon, 48th Brigade Commander. Dent took command of the battalion in December from Lt. Col. Larry McLendon. The 48th Brigade's infantry battalions changed commanders in December. Lt. Col. Reed Dunn, turned over command of the 1st Battalion to Lt. Col. Scott Carter. The following day, Dunn pictured above accepting the unit colors, took of the 2nd Battalion from Lt. Col. Tim Romine. State Command Sgt. Maj. James Dennis, presents Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress an American flag that flew over Forward Operating Base Conner in Bosnia. Accepting it on behalf of the Adjutant General is John Hardwick, president of the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard The Adjutant General of Georgia, Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress presents a certificate of achievement to Barbara McCaa, of the Directorate of Workforce Development, for her hard work during the 48th Brigade's Bosnian deployment. Gen. Poythress made similar presentations to others on her staff.