First Friday briefing [May 3, 2002]

Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, May 2002
161st Medics Return
Members of Marietta-based Company B, 161st Medical Battalion returned from two weeks of providing humanitarian medical assistance to Nicaraguans as part of joint-service training exercise.
The 32 medics were in this Central American country from April 12-28 participating in Operation New Horizons, a year-round operation run by U.S. Army Southern Command. They traveled throughout the state of Chonatles, 130 miles from the capital city of Managua, to remote villages in the region. The group provided routine health and dental care and preventive medicine services to more than 4,000 patients.
Unit members also dispensed about 1,000 pairs of eyeglasses donated by community-service organizations.
"We've had some really great annual training, but this had to be the best A.T., yet," said Pfc. Claudia Dowling, a Marietta-based medic who participated in the mission. "Doing so much good for so many people is the greatest feeling in the world.
"I know we did quite a bit while we were there, and I'm glad to be home, but I also wanted to stay and do so much more," she said.
Operation New Horizons has been in existence since the late 1980s. It uses Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine resources to provide medical and engineering assistance to nations in the U.S. Army South area of operations.
Engineers Involved in Community Projects
Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion based in Swainsboro participated in two community projects as part of Annual Training 2002.
In a high visibility mission and the first of its kind for the Georgia Guard, the engineers were called in to demolish derelict buildings in Atlanta's Vine City and English Avenue communities as part of the city's Operation Crackdown 2002.
Two condemned properties, well-known for drug and crime activities in Atlanta were taken down over a three day period. The Guardsmen used heavy

demolition equipment and dump trucks to remove three buildings. This is the first year the engineers participated in a project such as Operation Crackdown. Their assistance was coordinated by Georgia's Counterdrug Task Force through a request by the Atlanta High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Atlanta Crime Commission to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Company A moved from destruction to construction in its efforts to help make improvements to the Knox Boy Scout Reservation in Lincolnton near Augusta. Soldiers using heavy equipment widening a two-lane road and began clearing away trees and brush for future structures. Over the next four years, the 878th will construct a boat ramp, a rifle range and several cottages, during its weekend drills and annual training, said Sgt. 1st Class John Price Company A's first sergeant.
Pension Fund Bill Passes
Before adjourning in April, Georgia's General Assembly passed legislation authorizing the Georgia Military Pension Fund. Governor Roy Barnes is expected to sign the landmark bill May 15 during a public ceremony at the State Capitol. The legislation provides a pension for retired Georgia National Guard members and becomes effective July 1. It will apply to those individuals who are members of the Georgia Guard on or after that date. The signing ceremony is scheduled in the North Wing of the Capitol building at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Specifics of the Pension Bill . . . To be eligible to for the new state pension, Guard members must meet certain criteria.
Upon the written application to the board, any member of the fund who:
Has attained the age of 60 years.
Has completed 20 or more years of creditable service, at least 15 of which were as a member of the Georgia National Guard.
Served at least ten consecutive years as a member of the Georgia National Guard immediately before discharge.
Has received an honorable discharge from the Georgia National Guard.
Language in the bill states the effective date of retirement shall be the first day of the month in which the application is received by the board. Applications for retirement shall not be accepted more than 90 days in advance of the date of discharge. Upon retirement and upon approval of their written application, retiring Guardsmen will receive a monthly allowance of $50 plus an additional $5 per month

for each year of creditable service over 20 years. Each retiree can draw up to a maximum monthly benefit of $100. All retirement allowances will be paid in monthly payments and will stop in the month in which the death of the member occurs, the bill states.
The bill made its way through the state legislature with support from state representatives Ann Purcell and Ken Birdsong, among others, along with state senators Mike Polak and Jack Hill. It also had the full support of Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor.
Pilot Earns Aviation Honor
Georgia Army Guard pilot Chief Warrant Officer Rickie Barron is the recipient of the Army Aviation Association of America's Silver Order of Saint Michael medal, one of the highest awards an Army aviator can receive.
Barron, an Army flyer for more than 33 years, is the state aviation standardization officer. He is assigned to 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
The Order of Saint Michael recognizes Army aviators who have made significant contributions to the promotion of Army Aviation. It's named after the mythical archangel who wages war against evil.
There are three medals - gold, silver and bronze - presented annually. Each represents an aviator's national contributions to the field of Army Aviation, and the Aviation Association's national director must approve each one.
"Barron has made a significant impact on Army aviation not only in Georgia, but throughout the entire nation," said Col. Dannis Livingston, 1st Aviation Group commander. Livingston presented the Silver Order of Saint Michael to Barron during ceremonies held April 20 at Dobbins.
Barron, a native of New Holland, Ga., who now lives in Gainesville, said he was "quite proud of this special honor since it is an honor recognized by all Army aviators."
Counterdrug Aids in Arrests
Guardsmen with Georgia's Counterdrug Task Force played important roles in several arrests made in April.
From information provided to the Conyers-based East Metro Drug Enforcement Team, law enforcement officers arrested a Conyers man and his companions outside a warehouse in a Conyers industrial park. They seized more than 7,000 pounds of marijuana and 53 pounds of cocaine, EMDET officials said. The alleged drug traffickers were apprehended attempting to unload from a semi tractor-trailer rig.
The information given to the EMDET by a Counterdrug case support analyst also resulted in a warrant being issued for the search of Newton County home and the subsequent seizure of an estimated $1.3 million in denominations of $1 and $100 bills.
In an operation involving a Georgia Counterdrug Task Force case analyst, agents with the Tri-City Circuit Task Force in Claxton arrested more than 150 people on drug, DUI and assault-related charges during the annual Player's Ball in Statesboro. The Player's Ball is similar to Atlanta's annual Freaknik, but on a smaller scale. An estimated 5,000 to 10,000 college students from across the state and the nation attended this year's event.

Volunteers Visit Area Vets
Georgia Army and Air Guardsmen were among 40 military and civilian volunteers who spent time April 24 with area veterans as part of National Volunteer Week April 21-27.
The Group, whose members came from as close as Dobbins Air Reserve Base and as far away as Savannah, visited with patients at Atlanta Veterans Hospital in Decatur. This annual visit to the hospital is coordinated by the State Family Readiness Office in Atlanta and its staff under the direction of Maj. Rene Kuhn, family readiness coordinator.
"This is our third year visiting the hospital, and what better way to participate in this week of volunteerism than honoring those who served our country before us," Kuhn said.
"These men and women have given much to keep our freedom and prosperity secure down through the years," she said. "By spending only a few short hours out of our day with them, we not only fulfill the need to give of ourselves but also let these heroes of our nation know they haven't been forgotten."
During their time together, the volunteers and veterans worked together re-potting and weeding plants in the hospital's Garden of Wellness. Veterans also received more than $500 worth of donated items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries and an assortment of used books.
4th CST Representative to Appear on Homeland Security Panel
Members of the Georgia Guard's 4th Civil Support Team have been invited to participate in a special panel discussing homeland security that's being organized in Cumming by U.S. Rep. Bob Barr for May 11.
Also taking part in the discussion of homeland security will be former U.S. Marine Corps colonel Oliver North. North was head of the National Security Council under the Reagan administration and is now the host of the popular Fox Television production, "War Stories."
The panel being chaired by Barr is part of a town hall meeting. Representatives of other Georgia agencies actively involved in Homeland security will participate.
Guardsmen with the 4th CST will also perform demonstrations of the sophisticated equipment they use.
Dalton Native Promoted
Lt. Col. Robert Cochran of Dalton was recently promoted to the rank of colonel.
Cochran, a 25-year Guard veteran, is the Army Guard's chief, mobilization and readiness. In this role he is responsible for the coordinating Guard units that are federally mobilized. Cochran was previously chief, State Partnership program in which he coordinated military events between the Georgia National Guard and the Republic of Georgia.
A former sailor, he saw duty in Vietnam during 1969 with the Navy's River Boat Force. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1977, he enlisted in

the Guard and served with the 108th Armor Battalion in Calhoun. Cochran attended Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, earning his commission as a second lieutenant in 1980.
Nesbitt to Speak at `Wall Experience'
Brig. Gen. William "Terry" Nesbitt, Georgia's Army Guard commander, will be the keynote speaker at opening ceremonies for The Vietnam Wall Experience, May 24-26, at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park at the intersection of Highway 92 and Cowan Road in Griffin.
Created in 1990 by Service Corporation International, the traveling wall is a 3/4 replica of the Vietnam Memorial on permanent display in Washington. It, too, contains the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or are missing in Vietnam.
Those who visit the wall will find volunteers available around the clock to help them find the names of friends and family. Parchment paper and pencils will be available to visitors who want to take names from the wall's panels.
Individuals, groups or organizations who would like to place a wreath or have some type of program while the wall is in Griffin can reserve time for this by calling 770-229-4994. For additional information call Rev. Gene Turkett at 770-299-4994, Allan B. Imes at 770-228-5227 or the Griffin-Spalding County Chamber of Commerce at 770-228-8200.
Georgia Guardsman Receives Medal
Georgia Army Col. Lawrence Dudney Jr., who is assigned to Headquarters Detachment STARC, is the recipient of the Soldier's Medal for his actions on Sept. 11, 2001, while working at the Pentagon.
He was also a long time member of the 48th Infantry Brigade and at one time commanded the 118th Field Artillery and the 214th Field Artillery.
Dudney was presented the medal from Lt. Gen. Roger C. Schultz, director of the Army National Guard, during a ceremony April 2 at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Va.
On the morning that terrorist crashed a United Airlines jet into the Pentagon, Dudney rescued two co-workers from the wreckage and then went back into the smoke and fume-filled building to search for others. He didn't leave until a senior officer had reassured him that everyone in the office had been accounted for and was safe.
Despite his injuries, Dudney volunteered to re-enter the burning building as a litter team member to rescue additional other personnel.
The Soldier's Medal is awarded to an armed forces service member or the service member of a friendly foreign nation serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, who distinguishes him self or her self by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.
Annual Turkey Shoot Set for May 16
Each day above the mountains of Afghanistan American fighter pilots maintain control the battlefield by employing finely tuned aviation and war fighting skills.

America's active duty, Guard and Reserve fighter pilots at home continue to hone these same skills through the annual Turkey Shoot competition scheduled for May 16 at the Georgia National Guard's Townsend Bombing Range near Darien.
Plans are nearly complete for the staging of the largest Turkey Shoot competition ever conducted in Georgia. An estimated 500 guests are expected to attend the event.
Fighter pilots from across the Southeastern United States will test their flying skills and combat abilities in a daylong contest of bombing and strafing accuracy.
The Georgia Air Guard, the Governor's Military Affairs Coordinating Committee and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve organization sponsor Georgia's annual Turkey Shoot.
During this daylong event, waves of F-16s, F-15s and F-18s fighter aircraft and a B-1 bomber will enter the range controlled by Air National Guard air controllers. Once targets have been identified, the pilots make several passes over the range and drop non-exploding bombs on the targets.
Sophisticated range equipment scores the exact point of each hit.
The closer to the target a pilot's bombs fall, the higher the higher that individual's score. Once the bombing competition is complete, each wave of fighters re-enters the range to strafe giant targets. Individual pilots and units scoring the highest are awarded National Guard honors.
This Year's JACC Considered Success
The 2002 Joint Annual Commanders Conference held in April was considered quite a success with nearly 200 commanders and senior enlisted leaders. Held in Macon, this annual meeting of the Georgia National Guard's leadership is one of the few when commanders gather to address important issues impacting the National Guard.
Unique this year was a combined meeting with the department's Strategic Management Board, a group of about 30 senior leaders who meet semi-annually to map out the DoD's long-term goals and strategies.
The 2002 JACC focused on the topic of Homeland Security with guest speakers providing insight from both the state and national perspectives.
Kathleen E. Toomey, director of Public Health, Department of Human Resources, outlined concerns the State of Georgia faces in protecting the public health of its citizens. Col. Jeff Mathis, chief of homeland security for the National Guard Bureau, who gave attendees a look at the challenges from a broader perspective, followed Toomey.
Another highlight of the three-day event was a "Celebration of Victory" during the Saturday evening dinner, which honored the Georgia DOD's winning of the Georgia Oglethorpe Award for Performance Excellence. Guest speaker for the dinner was U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop who addressed a number of issues that he and other lawmakers are addressing on Capitol Hill that will impact the Guard and the nation's defense.
Savannah to Honor Military

A three-day "Salute to Our Military" festival is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27, along Savannah's historic River Street.
Dedicated to recognizing the military in Georgia, the festival will feature appearances by several special guests and organizations, military flyovers, drill team demonstrations and a number of military displays. Georgia's National Guard Family Support Foundation is sponsoring the festival. Proceeds from the sale of food and beverages will go to each military component's family support activities.
"This is the first "Salute to the Military" festival that we have organized in Savannah, "said event organizer Pearson De Loach, who is also Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Georgia Air Guard. "It's fitting that Savannah should host this special celebration since the area boasts of one of the largest concentrations of military in the state."
Local merchants will set up food and beverage tents for visitors along River Street. The stirring sound of military music from groups such as the 3rd Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne" Band, the 116th Georgia Army Guard Band, the Air Guard's 530th Air Force Band and the Navy Band Southeast from Jacksonville will highlight the festival.
Also appearing will be the Savannah Arts Academy Jazz Band.
Distinctive T-shirts recognizing the contribution of the military since Sept. 11 have been designed and are now available. These will be sold for $10 each prior to and during the festival, with proceeds going to the Georgia Guard Family Readiness program. For more information on the Festival and how to get a T-shirt, call Command Chief Master Sgt. Pearson DeLoach at 1-912-351-3837.
Try-outs Underway for Ten-Miler
The Georgia Army Guard will conduct try-outs June 9 for a team to represent it at the annual Army Ten-miler in Washington Oct. 20.
Army Guard Master Sgt. Grady Gayton with 1st Battalion, 78th Troop Command in Kennesaw, said the plan is to create a team of six to eight runners. Gayton will head the team in its bid to win this year's Ten-miler. The June 9 try-out will be held at the Kennesaw Armory, Gayton said. Goal Pace is seven minutes per mile for males and eight minutes per mile for females.
Those interested in joining the team can call Gayton at 770-528-3906 or contact him by e-mail at grady.gayton@ga.ngb.army.mil Deadline for signing up for the try-out is June 5.
Officer, Enlisted Conference Dates Announced
The 54th annual State Conference for the National Guard Association and the 27th annual State Conference for the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Georgia happen May 31 June 2 at Jekyll Island's Jekyll Inn.
For more information on the National Guard Association Conference call Maj. Murray Hansen at 478-327-5324 or 926-0370. Individuals wanting more information about the enlisted conference should contact Master Sgt. Jackie McKennie at 404-675-5323.

Program Participants Sought
The Troops to Teachers program is an $18 million joint U.S. Department of Defense/Department of Energy venture to assist military personnel who desire to become teachers.
In 2002 the program was opened to Guard and Reserve forces. Soldiers and airmen interested in becoming teachers can qualify for up to $5,000 in federal funding to assist them in meeting state certification requirements.
They can also qualify for a one time amount of up to $10,000 if they agree to teach for three years in a high needs school. Individuals who enter the program, but are not eligible for retirement can incur a three-year service obligation.
For more information contact Bill Kirkland at 404-657-9055.
NGB Web Site has much for Army Guardsmen
Soldiers looking for up-to-date information about benefits, jobs, family readiness, education and other important topics can find everything they need on the National Guard Bureau's Virtual Armory Web Site, said Sgt. 1st Class Scott Riegel, with the Georgia Army Guard's Marketing Office.
"All an individual has to do is go to www.virtualarmory.com and sign up to start getting information that will help guide their careers, find training and education to fit their needs and help them and their families stay abreast of what's happening in the Army Guard," Riegel said.
With all this available at the click of a mouse, only 557 of Georgia's estimated 9,000 Army Guardsmen and only 6 family members have so far logged into the NGB Web site, he said. Those statistics, he explained are from the site's statistics link.
Unlike the active Army's Army Knowledge Online Web page, signing up on Virtual Armory isn't mandatory. That, however, shouldn't be a reason for not taking advantage of something can only be a benefit to each and every soldier who signs into the armory, Riegel said.
He also said a new link where Guardsmen and their family members can find information on civilian job openings will soon be added to Virtual Armory. This will allow individuals to take advantage of job opportunities in the civilian sector, many times without having to go through the usual interview process, Riegel said.
Registration Continues for Officer/Enlisted Golf Tourney
This year's National Guard Officer/Enlisted Golf Tournament is May 31 at Indian Mounds Golf Course. Deadline to register is 24 May. Anyone interested in registering should do so as soon as possible. This way pairings can be made in advance and changes on the day of the tournament will be minimized.
For more information call Lt. Col. Tim Becton at 478-464-3206 or 706-213-9709. Becton can also be reached by e-mail at timbecton@aol.com
Signup Begins for Annual Tournament

Signup is underway for the sixth annual 78th Troop Command Golf Tournament scheduled for June 21. Contact 78th Troop Command in Decatur for more information at 78THTRPCMD@ga.ngb.army.mil
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 May 2002

Inside: 161st in Nicaragua 878th Engineers staying busy ....and more

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

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

Pfc. Claudia Dowling (seated left) works with a Nicaraguan woman wanting medical care for her four-year-old daughter at the preventive medicine clinic outside the village of El Coral. Watching them are Thomas Garza (left), U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, and Jose Adan Guerra, Nicaraguan minister of Defense. Garza and Guerra visited the clinic to get a first-hand look at the work being done by American and Nicaraguan military members attached to Joint Task Force Chontales. Thirtytwo members of Company B, 161st Medical Battalion spent their two-week annual training in Nicaragua.

Capt. Blake Aasgard, a physicians assistant with Company B, 161st Medical Battalion, examines his work after removing a broken, abcessed tooth for this Nicaraguan from the village of El Coral.

Heavy equipment operators from Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion bulldoze and teardown derelict buildings at the abandoned Marcia Apartment complex in Atlanta's Vine City community. The unit, which is conducting its annual training, participated in the city's Operation Crackdown 2002.

Lt. Col. Stan Crowder (left), Georgia Counterdrug Task Force director, answers media questions about the Guard's involvement in Atlanta's Operation Crackdown 2002. On Crowder's right is City Councilman Ivory Young.

Four 116th Bomb Wing B-1s fly in formation over Robins AFB for possibly the last time.

Crew chiefs with the 116th Air Generation Squadron, marshal B-1 Lancer bombers onto the runway at Robins Air Force Base for what may be the last four-ship formation of the B-1s flown by the Air National Guard. The 116th will soon be converting to the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System - JSTARS - air control mission. The Wing's B1s soon will be turned over to the active duty Air Force.

During annual training, Sgt. Raymond Swarmer, a Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion heavy equipment operator, drives a vibratory compacter while helping to construct a road near Lincolnton. The road will be part of a new Georgia-South Carolina Boy Scout Reservation. The Scout camp will take about three to four years to complete. Guardsmen will participate in expanding the reservation on drill weekends and during annual training.

Three soldiers from the 122 Rear Operations Center became fathers while on deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From left, Maj. Charles Crowder who became a father Feb. 19 to Michael Stone Crowder. Capt. Jimmie Hilton who became a father March 18 to Gracie Elizabeth Hilton. Sgt. James Scott who became a father Jan. 23 to Olivia Michelle Scott. Crowder, Hilton and Scott work with the Coalition Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force, in Afghanistan.

Paul Tremblay, a 122nd Rear Operations Command intelligence analyst, is promoted from specialist to the rank of sergeant. The ROC is deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Beverly Cartwright, wife of 116th Bomb Wing member Staff Sgt. Donald Cartwright, observes and questions the boom operator of a Tennessee Air National Guard KC-135 tanker, during an aerial refueling operation. Cartwright took part in the 116th Bomb Wing's annual Spouse's Day.

Col. Dannis Livingston, 1st Aviation Group commander, awards Chief Warrant Officer Rickie Barron, the silver Order of St. Michael Medal awarded to Barron by the Army Aviation Association of America.

Members of the 116th Bomb Wing, the 202d Engineering Installation Squadron, the Air National Guard Recruiting Office and guests pose during a ribbon cutting ceremony which marked the opening of a new Air National Guard Recruiting office in Warner-Robins.

First Sergeant of the Year, Master Sgt. William D. Cutshaw, 116th Bomb Wing Logistics Squadron first sergeant, poses with Air Guard Command Chief Pearson DeLoach during the 2002 JACC. Other enlisted Air Guard 2001 awardees were 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, who won Airman, Non-Commissioned Officer, and Senior NonCommissioned Officer of the Year respectively.

Col. James Bruno, Georgia Army Guard chief of staff, pins Robert Cochran with the rank of colonel. Cochran is the mobilization readiness officer.

U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop speaks at the 2002 Joint Annual Commanders Conference held in Macon. He was the keynote dinner speaker.