Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, August 2002 MPs Settle in as Mission Continues Life on the front lines in the war on terrorism has settled into something of a routine for Monroe's 178th Military Police Company as it continues its six-month deployment at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. The Georgia Guardsmen have been aboard the naval base for six weeks now, and their daily routine is circumscribed largely by work, eating, sleeping, exercising and thinking of home. But the work for these citizen-soldiers is anything but routine. The 127 members of the 178th are among 500 soldiers responsible for guarding Taliban and al-Qaida fighters captured in Afghanistan and brought here for indefinite detention. Their duties potentially are among the riskiest of any of the units brought to this hot and dusty 45-square-mile base perched on the southeastern tip of Cuba. The 178th usually work five days on duty and two days off, with three eight-hour shifts of escort teams each day. During their duty hours, the Guardsmen enter unarmed into the cells of the detainees, considered by many in the Bush administration to be among the most dangerous terrorists in the world. Their mission seems relatively simple: Shackle selected detainees' hand and foot with steel chains known as a "three-piece suit" and accompany them to small rooms for interrogation by the FBI, CIA or other intelligence agencies. After the questioning, the soldiers escort the detainees back to their cells. The 178th's executive officer, 1st Lt. John Adams said his soldiers were concerned when they first arrived at Guantanamo about how the captives might react to them. "In all the briefings, we heard the detainees did not like us and the detainees were going to hurt us," he said. "We heard that at Camp X-Ray they would do things like taunt the guards and throw things at them. [But] most of them I've seen are pretty cooperative." Capt. Jeff Carlyle, the 178th's commander, said none of his troops has had to use force to get the captives to do what they wanted, but officials constantly warn against soldiers getting complacent in their jobs. The 178th is part of Joint Task Force-160. The task force is made up of military police, medical personnel, construction units, marine patrol units and headquarters personnel all of whom are responsible for the captives. It is separate from other activities at the naval base. Currently, 564 detainees from 40 countries are housed in Camp Delta, a complex of 600 wire mesh cells, cyclone fencing, guard towers and concertina wire just a stone's throw from the Caribbean Sea. The Navy is expanding Camp Delta by 204 cells. This new and larger facility replaced Camp X-Ray. -- Portions of the information for this news brief was taken from a story filed July 31 with the Atlanta Journal Constitution by its reporter Ron Martz. Savannah-based Airmen are Back Members of the 165th Airlift Wing have returned from their two-week deployment to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in support of Operation Coronet Oak. Coronet Oak is a continuing mission in which Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command C-130 aircraft, aircrews and support personnel deploy to Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico from the United States. From Muniz, Air Guard, Reserve and active duty Air Force assets provide airlift support for U.S. Southern Command throughout Central and South America. Maj. Gen. William Searcy, commander Air National Guard, and more than 20 civic leaders and civilian news media representatives visited the 165th during its deployment. Air and Army Guard officials involved in Operation Coronet Oak briefed the group, which included State Rep. Ann Purcell. Civic leaders and the media then had the opportunity to speak with unit members about their work. Operation Coronet Oak has been a continuing operation since 1962. Elements of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve took over the Coronet Oak mission in October 1977 from the active Air Force. 48th Brigade Completes Annual Training Members of the Georgia Army Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade are back at home and at work after completing two weeks of annual training at Ft. Stewart. It marked the first time since its Bosnia deployment in 2001 that the brigade trained together as a total force. More than 1,200 of the unit's soldiers from the brigade were part of the NATO peacekeeping mission. This year's training emphasized gunnery skills as well as patrol and reconnaissance skills. The main focus of Annual Training 2002 was to ready the 48th for training in 2005 at the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. SDF Attends Annual Training at CRTC More than 325 members of the Georgia State Defense Force participated in annual training, July 12-14, at the Georgia Air Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah. During their training, Defense Force members were housed and fed by the Air Guard's 165th Airlift Wing. With the help of 165th firefighters, the volunteers sharpened their fire fighting and fire suppression techniques. The highlight of this year's A.T. for SDF members was the civil disturbance and crowd control training they received from the Savannah Police Department's mounted unit. Savannah police lieutenant George Walker provided specialized instruction to the volunteers on how to assist horse-mounted officers with controlling and dispersing crowds. Besides the work with the horse patrol, SDF members such as Maj. Jim Carsten, a former Gwinnett County sheriff, taught the volunteers unarmed self-defense and how to avoid conflict. In addition to annual training, the SDF's headquarters staff and the staff from the organizations' five brigades participated in a statewide hurricane preparedness exercise. The headquarters medical detachment also conducted medical exams and immunized airmen from the 165th. 118th Top Guns Named Gun crews assigned to 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery, placed first, second and third in Top Gun competition during Annual Training 2002 at Fort Stewart. Named this year's Top Gun is Battery B's Warrior-13 led by Staff Sgt. Amos Edwards. Working with Edwards was Cpl. Tyrone Patterson, Cpl. Alexander Dabson, Spc. Jose Sanchez, Pvt. Bennie Braxton and Spc. Aaron Eason. Battery A's Viper-12, led by Staff Sgt. Ronnie Perryman, dropped from its first place position gained this past year to second place. His crew consists of his brother Spc. Ricky Perryman, Cpl. Brad Colbert and his brother Pfc. Travis Colbert. Taking third place was Battery C's Steel-12 led by Staff Sgt. Willie Warren. To be named "Top Gun," involves more than just "pulling the lanyard and putting the round on target." Each crew must move its Paladin toward an objective, occupy a position by setting the sight picture on its 155mm cannon with digital land navigation and then fire three rounds down range with a two-minute time period. Capt. Reginald Neal, the 118th's full-time training officer, the competing gun crews must also perform events such as breaking down the 155's breach and putting it back together and conduct navigation updates during the competition. How much damage the round does to its target when it impacts the ground is also scored, Neal said. Maj. Don Beard, who took command of the unit in June, said the Top Gun competition began in 1998. It gives the Paladin crews the chance to demonstrate and improve their gunnery skills and helps build confidence among crewmembers. Crack House Taken Down in Tallapoosa Another crack house, this time in Tallapoosa near the Georgia-Alabama border, met destruction July 25 at the hands of Army Guardsmen with 878th Engineer Battalion. This was the fourth time the engineers had assisted in ridding a Georgia community of an abandoned and condemned structure often occupied by vagrants, drug users and other undesirables. The last time the 878th "brought down the house" was in June when it destroyed a derelict single story home in Atlanta's Vine City community. In addition to providing a service to the community, the unit receives valuable training in preparing for its wartime mission. This type of assignment is also taken on by the 878th to provide valuable training for its soldiers in their various military job skills. Among the dignitaries who came to watch the engineers at work in Tallapoosa were Speaker of the House Tom Murphy and State Rep. Nathan Dean. The 878th's assistance in clearing away derelict buildings that present a safety hazard to Georgia neighborhoods and residents is a coordinated effort through the Counterdrug Task Force, area civic leaders and the U.S. Attorneys General Office in Atlanta. Guard Touts New Youth Program Peach State Starbase, one of the Georgia National Guard's newest programs, is getting ready to kick-off its first full academic year. Located on Dobbins Air Reserve Base, this innovative course is designed to reinforce math and science skills for elementary age students by introducing them to aviation and space exploration. Fifth graders from selected Cobb County schools will attend the course at the program's new facility for a full day each week for five weeks. During the course students will take part in hands on experiments and simulations, as well as go on field trips to see the various Air Force and Army aviation facilities and equipment at Dobbins. "We expose our students to real world applications of math and science through experimental learning, and simulations in aviation and space-related fields," explained John McKay, lead teacher for the program. "We also address issues concerning substance abuse, health, self-esteem and life skills." An Open House to introduce Dobbins personnel to Starbase will be held Friday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours of the facility, the simulation lab and refreshments will be provided. Starbase is actively seeking volunteer instructors and base-wide support for this project. For more information, call 678-655-4667. Peach State Starbase I spart of the Georgia Department of Defense Directorate of Joint Operations. Georgia is one of 16 states sponsoring a Starbase program. Annual Conference to Focus on Civil War Two prominent historians of the Civil War in Georgia will participate in the annual conference of the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard, Oct. 26. The conference will take place at Milledgeville's Georgia College and State University. Dr. Anne Bailey, author of The Chessboard of War: Sherman and Hood in Autumn Campaigns of 1864 (University of Nebraska Press, 2000) and editor of the Georgia Historical Quarterly will be one of the featured speakers. The other will be William Bragg, author of Griswoldville (Mercer University Press, 2000). A third speaker, Johnny Mack Nickel of Macon will also address the conference. A luncheon and other events are being planned. Cost to attend the conference, which includes lunch, is $20. Family Readiness Workshop Set The Georgia National Guard Family Readiness Office will hold its annual training workshop is Sept. 13-15 at the Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place in Duluth. Registration begins 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. 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. Two Join DOWD Family Sgt. William Phillips and Spc. Jillian Benoit have joined the Department of Workforce Development at the Department of Defense complex on Confederate Avenue. Phillips is the new public affairs specialist for the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve office. Benoit becomes the new social services assistant with the Family Readiness staff. Barbara McCaa, state manager-employer support/family readiness said each brings a host of qualifications and experience to assist with the task of taking care of service members and their families. Phillips assists the ESGR staff as it provides solutions to employee/employer issues that often arise with reserve component service members. As a social services assistant, Benoit will help Lt. Col. Rene Kuhn of the Family Readiness office provide service and support to Guardsmen and their families. WWII Airmen Extend Invitation Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. has extended an invitation to members of the Georgia National Guard to attend the organization's national conference set for Aug. 12-18 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Atlanta. More details can be found on the organization's web site (http://www.taiconvention.com). 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 | News Home | First Friday Home | First Friday Foto File Aug 2002 IInnssiiddee:: SSaavvaannnnaahh aawwaarrddss SSkkyy GGuuaarrddss SSDDFF''ss aannnnuuaall ttrraaiinniinngg COVER PHOTO: 1LT Charles Carter greets a new Youth Challenge Academy student as he steps off a bus to begin his first day at the Fort Stewart campus. Carter is Deputy Director of the Ft. Stewart campus. Photo by Lt. Col. Jim Driscoll, DOC 4488tthh BBrriiggaaddee aannnnuuaall ttrraaiinniinngg ........aanndd mmoorree Left click or press space bar to proceed to the next slide Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Ron Jetton, 165th AW Tech. Sgt. Clayton Holloway of the 165th Airlift Wing, receives a certificate of appreciation from Savannah Mayor Floyd Adams for his participation in Operation Sky Guard at Savannah International Airport from September through May. Other awardees were Master Sgt. Daniel Thomas, Tech. Sgt. Roland Gibbs, Staff Sgt. Derek Head and Staff Sgt. Thomas Hoover. Members of the Georgia State Defense Force receive instruction in crowd control techniques from Savannah police lieutenant George Walker at the Georgia Air Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah. Nearly 350 SDF volunteers were at CRTC for annual training. contributed photo 1st Sgt. Flim Thomas (left), first sergeant for the new 165th Quartermaster Company in Brunswick, re-enlists for six more years. Capt. Cynthia Wilkerson, the 165th commander, administers the oath of enlistment. Thomas is the first soldier in the unit to re-up. Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC Emily Howland and Herschel Kirkland III, a Tallapoosa resident, watch as soldiers of the 878th Engineer Battalion tear down a derelict house in Tallapoosa. The project allowed the unit to get realistic training while helping the local community. Photo by Staff Sgt. Faith Lawrence, 116th BW Capt. Fred Massey, new commander of the 116th Communications Flight the flight's, receives the unit's guidon from Col. Lois Schmidt, during a change of command ceremony. Massey assumed command from Lt. Ron Greer. contributed photo Members of the Georgia State Defense Force move in formation to their security posts shortly before the July 4 Peachtree Road Race. SDF personnel also helped with security at the Fourth of July celebration in Dalton. "He winds up, and there's the pitch..." Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bob Gerard throws out the first ball at a Macon Braves game during 116th Bomb Wing Night. Gerard recently retired after 42 years in the military. Photo by Staff Sgt. Tim Neville, 116th BW contributed photo Fifth Graders from Belmont Hills Elementary School in Cobb County learn the basics of flying an airplane during the flight simulation portion of the Georgia Guard's Peach State Starbase Program. The program helps strengthen the students' math and science skills by introducing them to aviation and space exploration. Photo by Spc. Heath Stone, 124th MPAD Staff Sgt. Ronnie Perryman, a battery section chief, monitors a control panel on an M-109 Paladin during annual training at Fort Stewart. His gunner, Cpl. Brad Colbert, awaits orders to insert a round into the Paladin's 155mm cannon. Perryman and Colbert are with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery. Photo by Spc. Roy Henry, 124th MPAD Spc. Mike Perez, an M-249 gunner, receives instructions from Staff Sgt. Pat Eaton during a tactical exercise at Fort Stewart. Perez and Eaton are infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. The 121st and other elements of the 48th Infantry Brigade were at Fort Stewart conducting annual training. Photograph by Master Sgt. Wm. Darrell Harvey, 165th AW VIP's and the media pose for a group photo during their visit to the 165th Airlift Wing during the unit's participation in Operation Coronet Oak at the Muniz Air Base in Puerto Rico. Photo by Spc. Jeff Lowry, DOC Ted Childers, Director of Military Support, is pinned by his wife and Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General. Childers was recently promoted to Colonel.