First Friday briefing [Mar. 1, 2002]

Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, March 2002
178th Called to Active Duty
One hundred fifty nine (159) members of Georgia's 178th Military Police Company of the Georgia Army National Guard deployed in February bringing the number to over 750 Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen now on duty for America's war on terrorism.
The 178th mobilized to Fort Benning. Its sister unit, the 190th Military Police Company was activated in November and remains on duty-also at Fort Benning.
The latest call-up includes The 178th Military Police Company from Monroe, GA that was called to active duty in February. Georgia units on active duty include:
224th Joint Communications Support Squadron. 117th Air Control Squadron. 116th Security Police Squadron. 165th Security Police Squadron. 190th Military Police Company. 22nd Rear Operations Center. 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron Detachment 2, Headquarters Company 93rd Signal Brigade at Fort Gordon.
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.
Guard Helicopters Help With Search in Walker County
Assets of the Georgia Army National Guard are being used to help in the gruesome task of searching for remains at the Crematory in Walker County.
A OH-58 Kiowa helicopter belonging to Georgia's Counter drug Operations (RAID) has been used to help ground search teams identify land that may have

been disturbed around the 16-acre site. Specifically the helicopter carries the sophisticated Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) System, which is able to detect changes in temperature as small as one degree.
"The FLIR detects changes in temperature. So sensitive is the FLIR that we can often identify land that has been disturbed in some cases for over a year," said Brock Gaston, of the 1st Aviation Group.
Searchers have called in the service of the RAID on several occasions for reconnaissance operations using the FLIR equipment.
While the National Guard is not the only state agency having the FLIR equipment, the RAID Detachment is regularly called upon to conduct such surveillance operations.
The FLIR is normally used by the National Guard as part of the its counterdrug operations and as a resource for local law enforcement.
More than 330 bodies have been located on and around the site of the Tri-State Crematorium.
Senior DOD Official to Give Commencement Address for Youth Challenge Graduation in Macon
Craig W. Duehring, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs will be the commencement speaker for the twentieth graduation class of the National Guard-sponsored Youth Challenge Academy taking place at the Macon Auditorium on Sunday, March 3, at 3 p.m.
Deputy Secretary Duehring is awaiting Senate confirmation, but is currently serving in this position with the responsibility for formulating reserve policy for all U.S. reserve forces.
Duehring will address the twentieth graduation class of the National Guard-sponsored Youth Challenge Academy. Georgia was one of the first states to organize a Youth Challenge Academy in 1993 and today ranks at the top in the number of students successfully completing the program. Currently, twenty-five states operate National Guard Youth Challenge programs.
One hundred fifty one students from across Georgia will receive their high school diplomas or GEDs at the commencement ceremonies in Macon. This class will be the third class to graduate from the newest Youth Challenge campus located at Fort Gordon near Augusta.
Turkey Shoot Date Changes, Planning Continues
Planning has begun for the 5th Annual Turkey Shoot, recently rescheduled to May 16, 2002 at the Townsend Bombing Range in Townsend, which is operated by the Georgia Air Guards CRTC.
The Turkey Shoot is a one-day event where pilots from the National Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Reserves compete in a bombing and strafing contest.
"This year we want to honor our employers, especially those who have gone above and beyond to help support the military," said Barbara McCaa, of the Directorate of the Workforce Development.

Attendees will be flown via military aircraft to the Townsend Bombing Range and a minimal charge will be assessed to cover refreshments and lunch.

Service members are encouraged to invite their employers by requesting invitations by March 15, 2002 from Ms. McCaa at 404-624-6709 or email barbara.mccaa@ga.ngb.army.mil:

Invitations will be sent directly to each employer. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Barbara McCaa at 404-624-6709. More details will be provided on the Georgia National Guard web site as the planning continues.

Georgia's Armory Renovations Continue at Brisk Pace

Renovations to many of the state's 1950-era armories continue at a brisk pace with fourteen armories scheduled for completion by June 14th. To date, more than $6 million in state funds have been earmarked for armory renovation that translates into approximately $24 million factoring in the four-to-one matched federal funds. This year the state has appropriated another two million in the current legislative session. The following are the fourteen armories currently under renovation and the anticipated completion dates:

Albany 22 June 02 Americus 4 Mar 02 Canton 14 June 02 Cedartown 14 June 02 Cordele 1 Mar 02 Eastman 28 Feb 02 Griffin 5 Feb 02

Hawkinsville 23 may 02 Jesup 31 Mar 02 Marietta 1 Jun 02 Montezuma 31 Mar 02 Rome 14 Jun 02 Toccoa 20 Feb 02 Valdosta 3 Mar 02

Retired Georgia Guardsman is "Survivor" Contestant
Sixteen Americans including retired Georgia Air National Guard Colonel Paschal English, are stranded on the remote island of Nuku Huva one of the Marquesas Islands near Tahiti on the fourth installment of the CBS adventure series, "Survivor."
English, a Superior Court Judge in the Griffin Judicial Circuit retired from Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard in 1998 after more than thirty years of service.
To survive, English and his fellow contestants must form a cooperative society, building shelters, gathering and catching food, and competing in various challenges. The contestants will have to forage for every single nibble of food they could find on the remote island.
English was selected for the hit series from literally thousands of entries. He had to complete a round of intensive interviews and tests before he was notified of his selection.
The series was taped last year so the series-ending episode remains unknown. English is prohibited from divulging who will be the winning contestant.
"Survivor: Marquesas" debuted on Thursday, February 28 on CBS-TV.

NGTC New Barracks
Officials at Fort Stewart's National Guard Training Center will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, March 8, as the post opens it's new suite-style barracks.
Instead of the shotgun style, open bay barracks where company grade officers and lower enlisted have stayed in the past, they will be able to enjoy semi-private, suite-style rooms.
"We're trying to get away from the military look. We want this to be a home away from home for our military family," said NGTC Housing Director, Doris Chavis.
"The rooms will be furnished with two beds, wardrobes, table, desk, microwave oven, nightstand, telephone and cable television," said Chavis.
The single level, green roofed buildings replaced World War II era wooden buildings, and will be able to hold 240 Guardsmen.
The new barracks are scheduled to receive its first guests April 1.
Aerial Surveillance Seminar Takes Place in Cobb County
The Georgia National Guard Raid Detachment, of Georgia's Counter drug Task Force, Cobb County Police and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) conducted the Airborne Counter drug Operations Training Program.
"This course was a collaborative effort aimed at providing information to state and local law enforcement on the availability of aircraft used in the war of drugs," said Lt. Col. Stan Crowder, Coordinator of the Counter drug Taskforce.
The program was developed by FLETC and made possible by the cooperation and assistance of the Joint Operations Directorate.
The classroom portion of the seminar was held at the Cobb County Police/Fire Superstation adjacent to Cobb County's McCollum Field.
Subjects during the course included aerial imagery, aerial surveillance, aviation resources, aerial reconnaissance and mission planning. Six aircraft provided by the National Guard Counter drug Task Force and the Georgia department of Public Safety were used.
"Georgia's Counter drug Task Force was a huge contribution," said FLETC Program Director Ron Dionne.
Nominations Close Today for State Employee Recognition Award
Give a State Employee a pat on the back by nominating him or her for the 2001 Georgia Public Employee Recognition Award. The final day to make a nomination is Friday, March 1, 2002.
For more information, nomination forms and eligibility criteria call the Georgia DOD State Personnel office, 404-624-6045; or Email

Sandra.Bruce@ga.ngb.army.mil.
The program is designed to recognize state employees who demonstrate a high level of performance or innovation that makes a significant or unique contribution to a State agency and to the citizens of Georgia.
Awards are made in a number of areas including Customer Service, Community Service, Innovation, Safety, Heroism, and Leadership. Department of Defense employees will be recognized by the agency, and State winners will be recognized at a Capitol ceremony in May.
A committee of State employees will meet the week of March 4, to consider the nominations and select agency winners. Agency winners will then go on to a statewide competition.
Army Times "Soldier of the Year" Honoring the "Exceptional" Soldier in the Military
The Army Times has announced its second annual Army Times Soldier of the Year Award. In association with AT&T and Fisher House, Army Times will honor the soldier who best embodies the finest qualities of the men and women serving in today's U.S. Army.
The award is designed to recognize a special soldier who has shown unusual or heretofore unrecognized honor, valor and dedication to fellow soldiers and the community during 2001.
The Army Times Soldier of the Year Award is particularly meaningful because the winner is selected from the nominations of Soldiers themselves, the readers of Army Times.
Nomination details and ads are available online at www.armytimes.com/soldier
2002 Historical Society Membership Drive Underway
Today's Georgia Guard involvement in the current conflict abroad and security deployment at home is tomorrow's history.
That history, part of the 270 years of Georgia Guard history, ranges from the founding of Georgia through Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. It is conserved, maintained and exhibited by the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of all branches of the Georgia National Guard.
Membership in the society is open to anyone. The "loyalty fund" fee is tax deductible. Annual membership is $30 per individual or $40 for a joint membership; persons 55 or older qualify for a senior membership fee of $20. Interested persons can also call Mr. John Hardwick, 2002 president of the society at 404-624-6451.
For more information on the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard, its programs, publications and conferences check out the Society's website at http://www.hsgng.org/

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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First Friday Foto File March 2002

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Photos by: Directorate of Communications 124th MPAD Georgia Air National Guard

left click or press space bar to proceed to the next slide

Spc. Michael Banister (left), engineer administrative assistant, and Spc. Lucas Hynes, operations communications specialist, (right) stand with Pvt. Frosty Snowman (center), both with the 122nd Rear Operations Center. Banister and Hynes are assigned to the Coalition Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force in Afghanistan.

Col. C.J. Nutter (far right), commander of the 122nd ROC, talks with the Dr. Yadgari (center), the Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs University of Kabul during a tour of its campus. With the university scheduled to open in March, Nutter offered to help with getting the school's water system up and running. A University of Kabul staff member appears behind them.

1st Lt. Pervis Brown, a platoon leader with the 178th Military Police Company, bows his head in prayer during the unit's departure ceremony as Evan Meade, a fellow Guardsman's son, watches. Nearly 160 Guardsmen of the 178th left their armory in Monroe as part of their mobilization in support of Operation Noble Eagle. The unit could be deployed up to a year.

Monroe townspeople show their support and wave goodbye to a 178th MP convoy as it leaves town.

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Scapperotti with the 116th Security Forces Squadron pins a security badge at the graduation for his son, Airman 1st Class James Scapperotti. Chief Scapperotti was guest speaker at the graduating class of security police.

Georgia Army National Guard Spc. Lee Roberts, an infantryman with Company H, 121st Infantry Company, stops a car at Confederate Avenue complex. Force protection measures continue following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Master Sgt. Anthony Davis, first sergeant of the 202d Engineering Installation Squadron based in Macon, coordinates the unit`s newcomers briefing with Jennie Jacobs, president of the 202d Family Support Program. During the annual Engineering Installation Awards Banquet in Chattanooga, Davis was selected as "E & I First Sergeant of the Year." The award is given annually to the top First Sergeant selected from all 19 E & I Squadron First Sergeants' worldwide.

Pictured above are the Georgia Air National Guard 2001 recipients of the Airman, Non-Commissioned Officer, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. From left to right are Senior Airman Joi G. Green, 165th Support Group, Services Flight; Staff Sgt Ivan R. Dickson, 116th Logistics Support Flight; and Senior Master Sgt. Damon S. Wallace, 116th Logistics Support Flight.

Lt. Col. Andrew Durden, the 110th Corp Support Battalion commander and the President of the Mess at the sixth annual 78th Troop Command dining out, watches Lt. Col. John Heath speak during the festivities. The money in Heath's hand is the start of the collection for next year's dining out.

Maj. Gen.David Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, joins other state and community representatives during the Georgia's Arbor Day Ceremony in Milledgeville. Pictured left to right are State Rep. Kenneth Birdsong; Commissioner Pete Wheeler, Georgia Department of Veterans Service; General Poythress; State Sen. Faye Smith; veterans Johnny Banks, and Don Norris; and Fred Allen, the Georgia Forestry Commission Director. Trees were planted in memory of Georgia's Veterans.