First Friday briefing [July 5, 2002]

Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, July 2002
178th On The Ground at Guantanamo
Eighty-nine members of Monroe's 178th Military Police Company are three weeks into their six-month deployment at Guantanamo Naval Station in Cuba as part of Joint Task Force 160.
The group said goodbye to their families and friends June 9 at the Monroe Armory. They left Fort Benning June 14 and arrived June 16 at Guantanamo to replace elements of Benning's 988th Military Police Company.
Capt. Jeff Carlyle, the 178th's commander, and executive officer, 1st Lt. John Adams lead the Cuba detachment. "Our unit traditionally performs law enforcement missions," said Carlyle. "Being here at Guantanamo has given us the opportunity to experience the corrections side of our profession."
Their mission while in Cuba is to escort the more than 300 al Qaeda and Taliban detainees at Camp Delta to and from interrogation sessions with intelligence officials. These citizen-soldiers also protect interrogators during the sessions.
Before beginning their duties, the MPs with through intensive indoctrination. Included was a class on Islam taught by a Navy Muslim chaplain. The orientation provided the soldiers a better understanding of the Islamic religion, which will keep them from violating the detainees' rights.
Prior to the Cuba deployment, the 178th MPs were assigned to Ft. Benning augmenting the 988th since early February.
The 178th MPs have been at Benning augmenting the 988th since early February. Previously, they were conducting force protection operations at state military and government facilities across Georgia.
Bomb Wing Makes Final B-1 Flight
June 22 marked the end of an era at the 116th Bomb Wing as crews flew the final flights of the B-1 from Robins Air Force Base. On the horizon for the 1,100 men and women of the 116th is a new JSTARS mission and a new aircraft scheduled to be fully implemented in October 2002.
"We really didn't want to come down," admitted Col Tom Lynn, 116th Commander who flew his final mission in the supersonic bomber. The Robins-based Wing was one of only two Air National Guard units to fly the B-1 and garnered its eleventh Air Force Outstanding Unit Award during its time with the aircraft.

Before the final touch down, the two B-1s made several low-level, high speed passes above a crowd of several hundred 116th Guardsmen and their families who were gathered in front of the hangar for the significant occasion. In a final tribute to the B-1, a few Guardsmen saluted the final pass of the aircraft.
"This was a tough one, " said Major John Smithies, who piloted one of the B-1s. "I was fine until we taxied in and saw all the people here. Yeah, is was a really sad day."
As the B-1 is moves to the active duty inventory, the 116th's new Joint STARS mission continues to take shape. Replacing the bomber will be the E-8C battlefield surveillance jet being currently flown by the 93rd Air Control Wing, which shares the flightline with the 116th at Robins. The new unit will be composed of both active duty and Air National Guard members, and is the first of its kind for the Air Force. The two units will eventually be blended together into the 116th Air Control Wing which will be the largest unit in the Air National Guard. Manning for the new unit is expected to almost double with Col Tom Lynn designated the unit's commander.
122nd RAOC Returns
Members of the Georgia Army Guard's 122nd Rear Operations Command are back on home soil after an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan.
The 122nd, commanded by Col. C.J. Nutter, was part of the Third Army/Army Central Command's Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force. While inside Afghanistan, JCMOTF personnel assisted with humanitarian missions that included, building schools hospitals, roads and bridges.
"I was quite excited about having been part of the effort to help the Afghan people," said Sgt. Paul Tremblay, who was among the returning Guardsmen. "At the same time, being there helped me to better appreciate what I have as an American citizen."
Maj. Anthony Abbott, said that being involved in the rebuilding of a nation was something he will always remember. "It's a very rewarding experience to see Afghanistan move ever-closer to becoming a viable country in the world community."
While they agreed their participation in the war on terrorism was memorable, the Georgia Guardsmen said they were glad to be home.
Staff Sgt. Ed Schaffer was one of several soldiers welcomed back by family members and friends at the Savannah Armory on June 20. Schaffer said he really missed his family and his home, after having spent so much time away from them.
Gathering his wife, two daughters and young son in his arms, he turned his attention from the excitement going on around him to family he hadn't seen for eight months. "They've grown a little bit since I left," Schaffer said of his children as he hugged them. Then putting his arm around his wife, he said with affection that "I know my "honey do" list has also grown."
Organizers of Georgia's 5th annual Turkey Shoot said it was the largest and most well-attended of any in the past.
During this yearly spring competition, the nation's top active duty, Guard and Reserve combat fighter pilots descended on Townsend Bomb Range near Dairen on May 15 to see who had the best bombing and gunnery skills. It also brought together more than 450 civic leaders, elected officials, employers, and guests to watch the excitement and see these "knights of the air" in action.
More than 40 combat aircraft from as far away as Colorado and Connecticut participated in this one-day, non-stop event. Their pilots use the same aerial

skills as those being used by American flyers patrolling the skies over Afghanistan.
For the more than 450 people on the ground, the Turkey Shoot was the opportunity for a first-hand look at the combat capabilities of America's air forces. The Turkey Shoot also allowed employers of National Guard members view the role of the National Guard in the nation's defense and the varied jobs performed by their employees.
"We are extremely pleased with this annual event since it not only shows the enormous capabilities of the nation's fighter pilots but also demonstrates to our friends the skills and professionalism of our men and women who wear the uniform," said Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General.
Georgia's Turkey Shoot is one of several fighter competitions staged by the Air National Guard around the country. During this year's competition, the 103rd Fighter Wing F-16s of the Connecticut Air National Guard won the team trophy for combined highest score for bombing and gunnery accuracy and individual trophies for best individual bomber and shooter scoring.
Annual Training In Full Swing
Members of the Georgia Army Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade are conducting their 2002 annual training this month at Ft. Stewart. It marks the first time since the Bosnia deployment last year that unit has trained together. More than 1,200 of the unit's soldiers from the brigade were part of the NATO peacekeeping mission.
This year's training is focusing mostly on gunnery skills. Instruction is also being conducted to keep patrol and reconnaissance skills sharp.
Elements of the 48th, including the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 121st Infantry Regiment are conducting live fire while the 118th Field Artillery is looking down range for targets of opportunity as it carries out its own live fire training. It will also be watching to see which of gun crews are will earn Top Gun honors.
While the 121st and 118th are "banging away" on one side of the training area, the tankers of 108th Armor are on the other conducting gunnery practice with their M-1 Abrams.
But live fire exercises aren't the only thing on the training agenda.
Scouts with 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry are going house to house while they practice close-quarter combat tactics at Stewart's MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain) site. Meanwhile, 2nd Battalion's scouts are being put through their paces on the training area's obstacle course.
Savannah Airmen Deploy to Puerto Rico
Airmen with the 165th Airlift Wing have deployed for two weeks to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in support of Operation Coronet Oak.
Coronet Oak is a continuing mission involving Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard C-130 aircraft, aircrews and support personnel deployed to Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico to provide airlift support for U.S. Southern Command.
Accompanying the 165th on the Coronet Oak mission will be the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Wick Searcy, commander Air National Guard, and more than 20 civic leaders and news media representatives from the Savannah area. During the two day visit, the guests will receive several briefings on the Coronet

Oak mission by Army and Air Guard officials from Southern Command. The guests will also have the opportunity to speak with the Savannah Guardsmen about their duties while in Puerto Rico.
Elements of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve took over the Coronet Oak mission in October 1977 from the active Air Force. Coronet Oak has been a continuing operation since 1962.
The program is also available to Army National Guard recruiters to sponsor new recruits or transitioning active duty soldiers to the Georgia Guard.
Georgia Army Guard leaders are committed to helping Guardsmen and their families. The JOB program is built on the belief that company, community, country and the Guard are linked in producing a stronger America.
Guard Shows Off Capabilities During Independence Day Celebrations
Decked-out in red, white and blue, thousands of Georgians waved tiny American flags and thanked National Guardsmen, along with other military services, during celebrations across the state this Fourth of July. The holiday also gave the Guard plenty of opportunities to show off its capabilities.
The day started early in Atlanta where members of the Georgia State Defense Force volunteered their services to the Peachtree Road Race. The SDF members helped with crowd control near the finish line. It was an especially important role this year because construction in Piedmont Park forced a number of changes for the runners. The SDF also supported other events including the celebration in Dalton.
Later in the day, the Georgia Guard played a major role in the annual Salute-2-America parade in downtown Atlanta. After a fly-over by three Black Hawks of the 1st Aviation Group, spectators cheered and waved as soldiers and vehicles made their way down Peachtree Street. Not only was the parade televised locally, but it also was carried to troops around the world on American Forces Network. The Georgia Guard participation included:
The 116h Army Band A marching formation of 74 soldiers from the 48th Brigade's Bosnia mission. They were led by Brig. Gen. Robley Rigdon, commander of 48th Bde, and the Brigade Staff. Recruiting and Retention's "Orange Crush" and "Patriot" recruiting HMMWVs A Bradley Fighting Vehicle from the 1/108th Armor An M109 Paladin from the 1/214th Field Artillery A maintenance vehicle provided by the 78th Troop Command
Later in the day Turner Field was the site of static displays including a UH-60 Black Hawk, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and the recruiting HMMVWs.
The day was capped-off at Lennox Square Mall where Maj. Gen. David Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, welcomed the television crowd while a three-ship formation of UH-60 Black Hawks flew over the mall to open the patriotic show.
118th Takes Field Under New Commander
As the 118th Field Artillery takes to the gunnery ranges at Fort Stewart for annual training this month, it does so under the guidance of a new commander.

Maj. Don Beard, the unit's former executive officer, will be leading his first AT as commander since taking over the reigns of command from Lt. Col. Kenneth Lee.
Part of the 118th's training this year has involved establishing digital and voice commands among the crews of its M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, conducting deliberate occupation of a firing area, and establishing its "ready to fire" capability. The 118th also worked on the delivery of fire and overall soldier combat readiness.
Live fire training missions, like the ones the unit is conducting at Stewart, are always exciting, Beard said. That doesn't mean they don't make him feel, at times, as if he has butterflies in his stomach, he added.
"As a 'Red Leg,' if you are not just a tad bit nervous on any and all such missions, you don't fully understand the power of the field artillery," Beard said. "Every time we go out to fire, we are doing it for real, just as we would during combat.
At the same time, I don't believe there has been any added pressure on me for one reason: I have full confidence in this battalion that it can do its job, do it right and do it safely," he said.
SDF Chaplain Participates In Annual Exercise
Chaplain (Maj.) Jeff Burnsed of Georgia State Defense Force Chaplains Corps took his ministry northward June 8 to 22 to serve the needs of more than 200 Army Reserve and active duty soldiers from across the nation who participated in Golden Medic at Fort McCoy, Wis.
Burnsed, who pastors Coral Ridge Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., is public affairs officer for the Reserve's 345th Combat Support Hospital, based in that city. Besides carrying out his duties of getting the word out to civilian media about the 345th and Golden Medic he also operated a tent from which he saw to the morale and welfare of troops taking part in the exercise.
He and his staff, for example, provided movies, magazines and other sundries for soldiers to pass the time with when not on duty. They distributed copies of the New Testament to troops wanting to take care of their spiritual well being.
Other support to the soldiers was in the form of 26 cases of food that included beef jerky, energy bars and fruit. Members of Burnsed's Coral Ridge congregation and his co-pastor Anthony Fox put these together for distribution the exercise.
When Fox is not assisting Burnsed with the church, he works as the Defense Force deputy chief of chaplains.
The Chaplains Corps' 22 members serve the needs of SDF volunteers, but also Guard, Reserve and active duty military personnel. Its members, for example, are seeing to the need of soldiers with the 345th while the unit's chaplains are deployed overseas in the war on terrorism.
Aviation Crimes Subject of Special Course
Master Sgt. Scotty Bates, with Counterdrug Task Force, and Chief Master Sgt. Tom Bloomberg of the 116th Bomb Wing recently conducted an Air Smuggling course to 70 local, state and federal law enforcement officials.
Members of the Kentucky State Police, DEA, FBI, U. S. Marshall's Service and the U.S. Forestry Service, attended the two-day course at the U.S. Forestry

facility in London, KY. Several members of the Kentucky and West Virginia Counterdrug programs also participated.
Since the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon this past year, aviation related crimes including terrorism and drugs, has been a high priority for the nation's law enforcement agencies. The Air Smuggling course is a cooperative effort between the Federal Aviation Administration and the Georgia Guard's Counterdrug program to emphasize the law enforcement community's commitment to a safe and crime-free aviation society.
Anyone who knows of a law enforcement agency that may be interested in this course should contact Bates or Bloomberg at the Federal Aviation Administration by calling 404-305-6782 or 404-305-6819.
HRT Team Had Full Agenda
Georgia DoD's Human Relations Team met at facilities of the 93rd Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base on June 29 and 30 to review progress made in the development of the agency's diversity plan. This is the third meeting this year of the Team which composed of both Army and Air Guard representatives.
Members carefully reviewed drafts of diversity plans of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron and Headquarters STARC. Each unit in the Georgia National Guard has prepared and is implementing individual diversity plans.
Col. Jimmy Davis, coordinator for the HRT, announced that Georgia's diversity plan is one of two such plans being considered by the National Guard Bureau as a model for future diversity programs throughout the Guard. The team has also nominated Master Sgt. Percy Freeman, diversity NCO for the 116 Bomb Wing, for NGB's Excellence in Diversity Award-Individual Category.
The meeting also saw the debut of the new Human Relations Team coin designed last year by Team members. Davis presented each team member a copy of the coin and provided them with coins they can present to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to diversity in the Guard.
Highlighting the two-day meeting was a briefing by Col Dave Faddock, Commander of the 93rd Air Control Wing who presented the history and mission of the Robins-based active duty unit. The 93rd will be combining with the 116th Bomb Wing in the fall to form the first blended active duty/Guard wing in the Air Force. The HRT had the opportunity to tour the sophisticated E-8C aircraft the unit flies while at the unit.
Ten-Miler Team Chosen to Represent Georgia Guard
Six Georgia Army Guardsmen will join a field of about 18,000 runners from across the United States as they compete in the 2002 Army Ten-Miler in Washington this October.
Master Sgt. Grady Gayton of 1st Battalion, 78th Troop Command in Kennesaw, is one of the six.
"This is the first time in five years the Georgia Guard has been represented in this event," said Gayton, who has been a coach and involved in events such as the winter and summer National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship and the National Guard Marathon.
"Last year's race was postponed because of the events on Sept. 11," he explained. "So this year's Ten-Miler is going to be a memorial those who lost their lives, at tribute to those who continue to the fight against terrorism and a means by which we show others that we will stand together."

Joining Gayton outside the Pentagon for this year's race are Spc. Michael Bail of the 171st Aviation Regiment at Dobbins Air Reserve Base; Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Bender and Maj. Susan Shield, both of 78th Troop Command in Decatur; 1st Sgt. Mike Hurndon of Company H, 121st Infantry Regiment at Fort Gillem; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joanna Williamson of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 26th Aviation Regiment in Winder.
Tryouts for the Georgia team were held in June at the Kennesaw Battlefield visitor's center. Each of the team's members finished the ten-mile course used for the tryouts with running times that varied from six minutes to seven minutes.
"We have a good group that's motivated and dedicated to running a great race and showing the rest of the field what the Georgia Guard is made of," Gayton said.
Family Readiness Workshop Set
Sept. 3-15 is the date set for the Georgia National Guard Family Readiness Office's annual training workshop at the Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place in Duluth.
Pre-registration forms for the workshop must be completed and returned to this office no later than July 15. All fees must accompany registration forms. Registration the day of the workshop will begin at noon, Sept. 13, with the day's seminars starting at 2 p.m.
Exceptional family readiness volunteers will be honored during a banquet planned for 6 p.m., Sept. 14. The workshop will conclude at noon Sept. 15.
Each unit is encouraged to send two volunteers to the workshop. The Family Readiness Office also encourages commanders and military family readiness representatives to attend with their volunteers. This year's workshop will provide participants the necessary tools for maintaining family readiness groups. Several new classes have been added and a variety of topics will be offered.
The workshop's final agenda will be placed on the state Department of Defense Web site (www.dod.state.ga.us) with a link to Family Readiness. Click on Family Assistance Workshop to find the agenda.
For more information contact Maj. Rene Kuhn at 404-624-6454 or DSN: 338-6454 or Altamese Finch at 404-624-6420 or DSN: 338-6420.
Employers List on JOB Link Increases
Georgia Army Guardsmen and their family members using the Georgia Jobs link at www.virtualarmory.com will find that the number of employers has grown to more than 600.
Among the Georgia businesses now part of the Job Opportunity Bank program are the Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia State Patrol, Gwinnett County Government, Chatham County Government, Savannah City Government, United Parcel Service and The Home Depot.
As times goes on more and more employers who support the Georgia National Guard will be added to provide Guardsmen and their family members with even more employment opportunities, said 1st Sgt. Cliff Mashburn of the Georgia Army Guard's Strength Maintenance Office.
The JOB link was officially added to Virtual Armory May 27. Georgia is the first state to have its employers post listings on the site. California will be the next, Mashburn said.

Individuals who haven't visited the site yet can do so by logging onto the Virtual Armory Web site and clicking on the Georgia Jobs banner or clicking on "Georgia Jobs" in the site index. Once the JOB link opens, visitors can build a personal profile, post a resume and then begin searching for the job that best fits their needs.
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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COVER PHOTO: Sgt. 1st Class Shane Harper, of the 178th Military Police Company, hugs his son, Jonathan before leaving for Guantanomo Bay ,Cuba. Nearly 90 members of the unit said goodbye to their families at the Monroe armory before departing for in June. (Photo by Pfc. Heather McLemore, 124th MPAD)

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

Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC
Staff Sgt. Ed Schaffer, with the 122nd Rear Operations Center, answers questions after returning from an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan. With him are his children - from left to right - Maggie, Jeb, and Jennifer. The 122nd helped with humanitarian efforts in the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC
Maj. Anthony Abbott, the 122nd Rear Operations Command operations officer, kisses his wife, Tammy, after returning from an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Faith Lawrence, 116th BW
Col. Tom Lynn, the 116th Bomb Wing commander, receives a wet welcome home after completing the last training flight of the Wing's B1s at Robins AFB.

July 4 celebrations offered opportunities to show the National Guard and State Defense Force capabilities to the community. Above, a contingent of the 48th Brigade's Bosnia task force marches down Peachtree in Atlanta's Salute 2 America Parade.

At right, Recruiting and Retention's "Orange Crush" leads the tactical
vehicles by the reviewing stand during the Independence Day celebration in Atlanta.

Photos by LTC Jim Driscoll, DOC

Photo by Staff Sgt. Faith Lawrence, 116th BW

Sgt. Gregory Carpenter, a 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery gunner, prepares a round for firing during the unit's live fire exercise at Ft. Stewart during a train-up for annual training.
Photo by Capt. Sam Gibson, 48th Infantry Brigade PAO

1st Lt. Mamnka Tskrialashvili of the Republic of Georgia inspects an M-203 as 1st Lt. Shalva Mindiashvili watches. The officers from the former Soviet republic spent several days training with the Georgia Guard's Company H, 121st Infantry Regiment. The The visit was part of the Georgia National Guard's State Partnership Program with the eastern European country.
Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC

Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, 124th MPAD
Georgia's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress and retired Chief Warrant Officer O.B. Patterson cut a ribbon rededicating the Toccoa Armory. The armory, named after Patterson, was among the first armories across the state to undergo a major renovation. Holding the ribbon are Capt. Eric Norris (far left), commander of the Service Battery, 1/214th Field Artillery and Command Sgt. Maj. James Dennis (far right), state command sergeant major. Watching are Patterson's wife, Ann, in yellow, and state representative Jeanette Jamieson.

4th Civil Support Team members drive vehicles onto a C-5 during an exercise in June. The team loaded all of its vehicles and equipment onto the massive airlifter, before deploying to Florida for a simulated weapons of mass destruction attack.
Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC

Members of the Georgia DoD's Human Resources Team took a break during their meeting at Robins Air Force Base to tour a JSTARS aircraft. The team met for two days in June to address human resource and diversity issues
Photo by Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski, DOC

Georgia's 116th Army Band plays with a local band at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. The performance was one in a series of concerts during the 116th's annual training in June.
Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC

Lt. Col. Bill Williams III receives the 110th Corps Support Battalion guidon from Brig. Gen. Terrell T. Reddick, 78th Troop Command commander, during the unit's change of command ceremony in Columbus. Williams replaced Lt. Col. Andy Durden.
Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, 124th MPAD

Army Gen. Larry R. Ellis, Forces Command commander (with back to camera), swears-in National Guard recruits, including Pvt. Curtis Devoe (front right), of McDonough who plans to be a military intelligence specialist. FORSCOM and the Georgia Army National Guard helped celebrate the Army's 277th birthday in Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park.
Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC