First Friday briefing [June 6, 2003]

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First Friday Briefing for June, 2003
In this issue:
q Georgia Guardsmen Continue to Support Iraqi Freedom, War on Terror - More Georgia Guard Units Mobilize - 277th Soldier Enjoys Family Reunion in Kuwait - 165th Airlift Wing Gets Some Unusual Patriotic Support - Georgia Guard Mechanic Helps Keep the 'Lights On' in Baghdad
q Augusta Engineers Head for Middle East q JCSS Airmen Return From 2-Year "Enduring Freedom" Mission q Countdown Begins on 48th Brigade - NTC Showdown q Army Guard Names Soldier and NCO of the Year q Baker Selected As Top State Employee q Guard, Lockheed Martin "Link Up" On New STARBASE Tech Center q Flag, Workshop, Conference Mark History Society's Calendar q Historical Society Fires Restored Field Gun q Drug Demand Task Force Holds Botvin Life Skills Training q DoD Employee Customer Survey Underway q Make Sure You're On-track For Georgia Military Pension q Poppell Named ESSO For Georgia Air National Guard
Photo Gallery
q Governor Perdue Swears-in new SDF members q State Defense Force Holds Mass Casualty Exercise q 1177 Transportation on Duty at Robins Air Force Base
Georgia Guardsmen Continue to Support Iraqi Freedom, War on Terror
More than 4,000 Georgia Army and Air National Guard members remain mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and other operations on the US War on Terror. That number includes more than 3,000 deployed to the Middle East. Here's a brief look at some of the events of the past several weeks....
More Georgia Guard Units Mobilize
Some 210 Georgia Army Guard members are the latest to mobilize in support the US War on Terror. The units include the 110th Combat Support Bn. (Columbus), 82nd Maintenance Co. (Columbus), and the 166th Maintenance Co. (Jackson). In addition 150 soldiers of the 165th POL Co. (Brunswick) will mobilize in early June. After post-mobilization training at Ft. Stewart, the units will support Operation Noble Eagle and will be assigned to support force protection measures at military facilities in Washington D.C. and in the southeast.
277th Soldier Has Family Reunion in Kuwait
Camp Doha is a long way from their Ohio home, but for Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Mackim of the 277th Maintenance Co. and his brother Capt. Mark Mackim the camp was as good as place as any for a small family reunion. Brother Mark is assigned to the 1st Armored Division. Their mother helped arrange for their meeting, said Sgt. 1st Class Mackim,

who works fulltime at the Guard's Calibration Shop at the CSMS in Atlanta. As part of the 277th, he is a telephonic communications system supervisor. "I knew he was coming down to Kuwait when I was at Fort Benning (Ga.)," he said. "I called my mom and she relayed a message to him and we were able to link up here."
165th Airlift Wing Gets Some Unusual Patriotic Support
One day before the Georgia Guard's 165th Airlift Wing left for the Persian Gulf, Lt. Col. Stephen Melton and his fellow airmen took their families to the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Pooler. After breakfast, Melton planned to find a flag that his crew would carry the next day to the Persian Gulf. He never expected he would find one before he even left the restaurant.
During breakfast, he noticed the American flag on display in the Cracker Barrel dining room. With some encouragement from his companions, he asked Associate Manager Mike Killeen if the 165th could "borrow" this flag. Killeen immediately responded "yes!" He said Cracker Barrel would be honored to help. Following an impromptu presentation ceremony, the soldiers left Cracker Barrel proudly holding the flag. The airmen with the 165th have raised what they call the "Cracker Barrel Flag" in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Oman. Full Story Read more on the Cracker Barrel Web Site
277th Mechanic Helps Keep the 'Lights On' in Baghdad
In the true tradition of the citizen-soldier, Sgt Joe Harner of the Georgia Guard's 277th Maintenance Co. played a key role in getting the power restored to wartorn Baghdad. In his civilian life, Sgt. Harner is a power plant engineer and he is a generator mechanic for the 277th . Shortly after arriving in Kuwait during a mealtime conversation he explained to a fellow soldier the logic and sequence of starting a gas turbine generated power plant. It turned out that he had the exact knowledge and experience the Army needed to restore power in Baghdad. Within two weeks of his initial conversation he was drafted to help. He was sent to several high level briefings and eventually to Iraq's capital city to help restore and stabilize the city's electrical grid. Since his arrival, the power situation has improved dramatically..
Augusta Engineers Head for Middle East
The Georgia Guard's 878th Engineer Battalion left this past week for assignment to the Middle East and to assist in the reconstruction phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lt. Col. John Heath, the battalion commander, said his soldiers have been ready for weeks to get their deployment underway.
"We've trained hard, going over tasks we expect to be given when the unit arrives, and done repeated training on individual soldier skills to help our troops adjust to the kind of environment they may find when they arrive `in country," Heath said. "Our people have trained and retrained to be ready and we're glad to finally be on our and to start contributing to the mission." Full Story
More JCSS Airmen to Return from War on Terrorism
Brunswick's 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron will rotate more than 30 members of its airmen home from an undisclosed location in the Middle East, squadron officials recently said.
The 224th JCSS provides communications for the Special Operations community. Its 22 members returned this past week to Glynco Jetport in Glynn County. Their return signals the end of the unit's overseas mission.
Members of the 224th have served continuously in Operation Enduring Freedom -- America's war on terrorism -- since their federal activation just days after Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, the airmen

participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the past two years, members of the unit have served in eight countries around the world.

48th Brigade and STARC Annual Training Underway
It's dress rehearsal leading to the big event for the 4,000 men and women of the 48th Infantry Brigade currently undergoing annual training at Fort Stewart near Savannah. Over the next two weeks, Georgia's enhanced brigade will be preparing to meet the enemy at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., in 2005.
In the two year roadmap leading to the NTC, the 48th will make a stopover at Fort Riley, Kan., in 2004 to further hone its combat skills.
"This is an important time for the brigade," said Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the Georgia Army Guard commander. "What makes it so important is that the 48th will replace an active Army brigade while the Army brigade `stands down' and goes through transformation" into a lighter, more mobile force. Full Story
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Army Guard Names Soldier and NCO of the Year

The Georgia Georgia Army National Guard has announced the 2003 Soldier and NCO of the Year.

Spec. Wendell R. Kestle, Jr. was selected as Soldier of the Year. He's a member of the 277th Maintenance Co, 78th Troop Command and is currently deployed with his unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Infantry Brigade.

The 2003 NCO of the Year is Sgt. Nicole McKenzie of Company C, 148th Forward Support Bn., 48th

"These soldiers are to be commended for their outstanding achievement," said State CSM James Dennis, in announcing this year's recipients. "Their professionalism and hard work have enabled them to achieve this high honor."

Baker Awarded State Employee of the Year Award
Frank Baker, Family Readiness Coordinator for Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing, was selected as the State Employee of the Year for Georgia for 2002. Baker, a veteran of the Georgia Air National Guard, was presented the award at ceremonies in Atlanta attended by Governor and Mrs. Sonny Perdue. Baker was recognized for his important contributions in the category of community service, one of seven categories for the state honor. Nominated by co-workers, as Family Readiness Coordinator Baker is instrumental in assisting families of Georgia National Guardsmen deployed around the world. Full Story

Guard, Lockheed Martin Dedicate New Technology Center
The Georgia National Guard teamed with Lockheed Martin in Marietta and the Peach State STARBASE, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base to bring the excitement of aviation, math, and science to area students by dedicating the Lockheed Martin Technology Center.
STARBASE is a National Guard youth program serving at-risk fifth grade students in the Cobb and Marietta School districts. Lockheed Martin's $25,000 donation to the center

will help the youth program purchase new equipment, software and technical training aids.
"We teamed with the Peach State STARBASE because we share the same commitment to inspire community youth to improve math and science skills," said Lee Rhyant, vice president and site manager for Lockheed Martin. "The best investment we can make is in our youth, and we are proud of this partnership with the Department of Defense, Dobbins ARB, the Cobb County Schools, and Marietta City schools." Full Story
Flag, Workshop, Conference Mark Historical Society Calendar
A flag presentation, an annual workshop and conference have been keeping the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard Inc., quite busy in the past month.
Society members recently presented the Georgia Capitol Museum with the flag one flown by 1st Battalion, Georgia Volunteers. The flag is in such fragile condition that the society decided it should be placed with the museum's flag collection. Dottie Olson, museum director, and her assistants proudly accepted the flag and immediately began taking steps toward conserving and restoring the flag. Full Story
Historical Society Fires Restored Field Gun
A World War I French 75mm Field Gun, found in ruins at Anniston, Ala., Army Depot in 1999, and restored by the Historical Society, was rolled out onto the fields at Picketts Mill in early May looking just as if it was rolling onto a battlefield in 1917. Re-enactors clad in World War I uniforms surrounded the piece and fired a blank round to prove that its restoration had been completed.
Total cost of the restoration, made possible by members of the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard Inc., is estimated at more than $8,000. The French 75 will ultimately be displayed at Headquarters, Georgia Army National Guard, in Ellenwood. Full Story
Task Force Holds Botvin Life Skills Training
Georgia's Drug Demand Reduction Task Force this past semester provided instruction in Botvin Life Skills Training to students of New Manchester Elementary School. Task force members conducted a graduation ceremony for the school's 3rd grade classes, which consisted of 72 students.
Instructors for the course were Master Sgt. Antonio Ray and Sgt. 1st Class Theresa Terrell.
Drug Demand Reduction also gained three people this past month to replace 1st Sgt. Mike Hurndon, Staff Sgt. Keith White and Staff Sgt. Eugene Marlow. All three were recently called to active duty in support of the war on terrorism. Sgt. Andrew Keene, Spc. John Bush and Spc. Idae Jones are their temporary replacements.
Georgia DoD Customer Survey Underway
In a continuing effort to improve the Georgia Department of Defense, the Organizational Development office is conducting an internet-based survey at http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/12894/2003GADODSURVEY.htm to determine the level of satisfaction among DoD employees and members.
The office want to know how satisfied the family is, and it needs your candid replies to this survey. The survey was released May 1 and is available through July 17. This is Organizational Development's first internet-hosted survey. Officials state they need commanders and supervisors to make sure their people have access to the Internet for maximum participation.
The survey measures only a person's opinion and perceptions. There are no right or wrong answers. Survey data will be compiled as a group. Full-time employees/members should answer the questions based on their fulltime experiences.

Make Sure You're On-track For Georgia Military Pension
Georgia National Guard members planning an upcoming retirement need to be aware of what they need to do to ensure their state Georgia Military Pension. Here's an update.
Poppell Selected as Air Guard's New ESSO
LTC Rick Poppell formerly with the 165th Airlift Wing has been selected by Maj. Gen. Wick Searcy to succeed Col. Lou Burson as the Executive Support Staff Officer (ESSO) for the GaANG. He assumes the position in August upon the retirement of Col. Burson.
Read LTC Poppell's Bio.

Photo Spotlight

Six new members of the Georgia State Defense Force were sworn in by the commander-in-chief, Sonny Perdue in May. The Governor performed the ceremony while visiting Jesup. The allvolunteer Georgia State Defense Force has grown to nearly 900 members. The photo above appeared in the local newspaper.

Members of Georgia's State Defense Force practice mass casualty exercises during their units' annual training period. More than 100 troopers participated in search and rescue, land navigation, medical evacuation, and helicopter operations. The four southern brigades of the SDF held their annual training in Cochran. (Click on photo for larger image)

Staff Sgt. Miles Hawkins, of Macon, talks to a Robins Air Force Base employee. Hawkins is a truck driver with the LaGrange based 1177th Transportation Company, which supports base security. The unit has been deployed to the middle Georgia air base since January as part of Operation Noble Eagle. "It takes me back to my days as a police officer in Macon," he said about his base security job. (Click on photo for larger image)

Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress The Adjutant General of Georgia

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165th Airlift Wing Gets Some Unusual Support
On the morning of March 5, one day before the Georgia Guard's 165th Airlift Wing left for the Persian Gulf, Lt. Col. Stephen Melton and his fellow airmen took their families to the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Pooler, Ga. After breakfast, Melton planned to find a flag that his crew would carry the next day to the Persian Gulf. He never expected he would find one before he even left the restaurant.
During breakfast, he noticed an American flag on display in the Cracker Barrel dining room. With some encouragement from his companions, he asked Associate Manager Mike Killeen if the 165th could "borrow" the flag. Killeen immediately responded "yes!" and declared that Cracker Barrel would be honored to help.
Killeen personally thanked all 13 airmen for their willingness to serve the nation. (He also picked up the check!) Following an impromptu presentation ceremony, the soldiers left Cracker Barrel proudly holding the flag.
The Guardsmen said the decision helped their morale. "It meant a lot to us and I will never forget Mike's gesture of support," said Melton.
The following day elements of the 165th took off for the Persian Gulf. As the first plane headed for the runway, Major Brad Cousar, a 165th pilot, popped out of the hatch and unfurled the flag that the airmen received from Cracker Barrel. The families standing on the tarmac cheered. Scott Bryant, a photographer with the Savannah Morning News, snapped a photo that captured the intensity of the moment.
Melton's mother-in-law, Xandra Beard, said she's amazed at how much impact this Cracker Barrel donation has made. "As I stood there on March 6th, sad and yet so proud, and watched Brad wave that flag with such fierce pride, I marveled again at how one act could make such an emotional time seem a little better," said Xandra.
The airmen with the 165th have raised what they call the "Cracker Barrel Flag" in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Oman. A highlight was unfurling it at the Baghdad International Airport -- formerly Saddam Hussein International -where they took dramatic photos using night vision goggles.
The airmen are already making plans for a ceremony at the Pooler Cracker Barrel location when they bring the flag home.
Read more on the Cracker Barrel Web Site
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A roller operated by Spc. Josh Derriso, a heavy equipment operator with Lyons' Company C, 878th Engineer Battalion smoothes new sand on the National Guard Training Center running track at Fort Stewart.

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Augusta Engineers Head for Middle East
The Georgia Guard's 878th Engineer Battalion left this past week for assignment to the Middle East and to assist in the reconstruction phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lt. Col. John Heath, the battalion commander, said his soldiers have been ready for weeks to get their deployment underway.
"We've trained hard, going over tasks we expect to be given when the unit arrives, and done repeated training on individual soldier skills to help our troops adjust to the kind of environment they may find when they arrive `in country,'" Heath said. "Our people have trained and retrained to be ready and we're glad to finally be on our way and to start contributing to the mission."
The 878th Engineers were alerted for mobilization early in the year. The unit received its mobilization orders in February and then activated during the first weeks of March. By mid-March the 878th had packed up, said goodbye to family and friends and made its way to Fort Stewart near Savannah.
While training for their deployment, unit members assisted the National Guard Training Center at Stewart with several construction projects such as the repair of the NGTC athletic track and related facilities.
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MSgt. Gary Stasierowski of the 224th JCCS receives a welcome home hug from wife Kim and daughter Kimberly. Members of the 224th have served continuously in Operation Enduring Freedom -- America's war on terrorism -- since their federal activation just days after Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, the airmen participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the past two years, members of the unit have served in eight countries around the world.

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48th Brigade and STARC Annual Training Underway
It's dress rehearsal leading to the big event for the 4,000 men and women of the 48th Infantry Brigade currently undergoing annual training at Fort Stewart near Savannah. Over the next two weeks, Georgia's enhanced brigade will be preparing to meet the enemy at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., in 2005.
In the two year roadmap leading to the NTC, the 48th will make a stopover at Fort Riley, Kan., in 2004 to further hone its combat skills.
Besides the usual elements of the Georgia Guard providing support to the 48th, there also are selected Army National Guard and Army Reserve units from other states that make up a Multi-State Task Force here to provide assistance.
"This is an important time for the brigade," said Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the Georgia Army Guard commander. "What makes it so important is that the 48th will replace an active Army brigade while the Army brigade `stands down' and goes through transformation" into a lighter, more mobile force.
"Only a few guard units have been selected for this important mission," Nesbitt said. "The 48th was among those chosen because of its reputation for excellence."
That means all eyes will be on the brigade to see how well it will do, now and during the next two years, he added.
Throughout the weekend, soldiers from 27 armories across the state moved into barracks, unpacked their gear, and got themselves ready to face an intense two weeks of field training, come rain or shine.
Specialist Troy Sawyers, a medic with Calhoun's Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 108th Armor, is one of the 48th Brigade's estimated 1,200 soldiers here for AT 2003. Sawyers, a sales associate from Dalton, said he has looked forward to his two weeks here.
"This has been really good training," Sawyers said, while checking his equipment for the third time. "We've had quite a bit to do and much more to accomplish before training ends."
Fellow medic Spc. Jeremy Combs of Ellijay, also with Headquarters Company, added that while the training has been good, it's also been hard.
"There's a lot we must do to get ourselves ready for the NTC, and that requires an extra effort on everyone's part to make sure every task is accomplished," he said. "Hard work, however, never hurt anyone."
Brig. Gen. Robley S. Rigdon, the 48th's commander, said that elements of the brigade will spend 10 consecutive days in the field. Included among them are soldiers from the 121st Infantry, 108th Armor and 148th Heavy Support Battalion.
First Battalion, 121st Infantry has units in Winder, Lawrenceville, Thomaston, and Gainesville. Elements of the 121st's second battalion are at Albany, Tifton, Valdosta, Cordele, Fitzgerald and Americus. The 108th Armor has soldiers at Calhoun, Rome, Dalton and Douglasville.
The 148th Forward Support Battalion has elements at Forsyth, Dublin, Hinesville and Macon.

Rigdon said that brigade leaders will focus on taking the soldiering skills of the individual guardsman and incorporating them into training at the platoon level, or the larger company level. Combat arms units, such as the infantry and armor, will concentrate on small-unit training, while the support and service units will focus on training as larger units, Rigdon explained.
"There are going to be long days and plenty of hard work between now and June 14 when our citizensoldiers return to their home stations," he said. "But I'm confident the 48th Brigade will demonstrate the professionalism and dedication for which it's known."
While a successful annual training may be measured by how well units perform the tasks they are given, it's also gauged by the how safely the soldiers complete their assigned missions, Rigdon said.
"Safety, as always, is paramount," he said. "We want Annual Training 2003 to be a success but we also want our soldiers to be healthy and injury free.
"Every unit commander within the 48th, every NCO from the most senior to the most junior understands the importance safety plays in the accomplishing the mission," Rigdon added. "I know they will see to it that their soldiers have a great AT and return to their families safe and sound."
Between now and its rotation to the NTC, the 48th will travel in 2004 to Fort Riley, Kan., and where it will continue sharpening its combat skills.
Riley, known as America's warfighting center, is near Manhattan, Kan. With 100,656 acres, it will offer the 48th an excellent location in which to hone its combat capabilities.
When the 48th Brigade does arrive to Fort Irwin, it will come up against one of the best opposition forces the Army has. During two weeks of force-on-force combat against this highly trained unit, elements of the 48th will "shoot and move" through the hills and mountains of the Mojave Desert in hopes of soundly beating the active Army force at its own game. The advantage, however, goes to the opposing force, since Irwin is its home ground.
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Frank Baker, Family Readiness Coordinator for Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing was selected as the State Employee of the Year for Georgia for 2002. Baker was presented the award by Governor and Mrs. Sonny Perdue at official ceremonies held recently in Atlanta. Accompanying Baker at the award presentation was Major General David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, Major General William Searcy, Commander of the Georgia Air National Guard, Brigadier General Terry Nesbitt, Commander of the Georgia Army National Guard and Colonel Steven Westgate, Commander of the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah. Baker was recognized for his contributions in the category of community service, one of seven categories for the State honor. Nominated by co-workers, Baker, as Family Readiness Coordinator is instrumental in assisting families of Georgia National Guardsmen deployed around the world.

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Baker Awarded State Employee of the Year Award
Frank Baker, Family Readiness Coordinator for Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing, was selected as the State Employee of the Year for Georgia for 2002. Baker, a veteran of the Georgia Air National Guard, was presented the award at ceremonies in Atlanta attended by Governor and Mrs. Sonny Perdue. Accompanying Baker was Major General David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, Major General William Searcy, Commander of the Georgia Air National Guard, Brigadier General Terry Nesbitt, Commander of the Georgia Army National Guard and Colonel Steven Westgate, Commander of the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah.
Baker was recognized for his important contributions in the category of community service, one of seven categories for the state honor. Nominated by co-workers, Baker, as Family Readiness Coordinator is instrumental in assisting families of Georgia National Guardsmen deployed around the world.
A Savannah native, Baker was the public affairs officer for the 165th Airlift Wing for seven years prior to moving to Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard at Dobbins. He retired as a colonel in 1998. He remains active in many Savannah civic clubs and organizations.
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Lee Rhyant, a Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company vice president, cuts a ribbon dedicating the Lockheed Martin Technology Center at the Peach State STARBASE as Maj. Gen. David B. Poythess, Georgia's Adjutant General watches Tuesday May 27, 2003. STARBASE, located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, is a National Guard youth program helping fifth-grade students with math science, aviation and technology.

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Guard, Lockheed Martin Dedicate New STARBASE Technology Center
The Georgia National Guard teamed with Lockheed Martin in Marietta and the Peach State STARBASE, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base to bring the excitement of aviation, math, and science to area students by dedicating the Lockheed Martin Technology Center.
STARBASE is a National Guard youth program serving at-risk fifth grade students in the Cobb and Marietta School districts. Lockheed Martin's $25,000 donation to the center will help the youth program purchase new equipment, software and technical training aids.
"We teamed with the Peach State STARBASE because we share the same commitment to inspire community youth to improve math and science skills," said Lee Rhyant, vice president and site manager for Lockheed Martin. "The best investment we can make is in our youth, and we are proud of this partnership with the Department of Defense, Dobbins ARB, the Cobb County Schools, and Marietta City schools."
During a five-day academy, the program exposes students and their teachers to real world applications of math, science, aviation and technology, while addressing positive life skills, character building, drug abuse prevention and teamwork. After learning about the principles of flight in a classroom environment, students move into the Lockheed Martin Technology Center where they can apply the lesson they've learned on the simulators.
"We are training the next generation of aviators and space pioneers," said Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General. "STARBASE does this by exposing them to not only math and science but also to teamwork and lifelong learning strategies."
Peach State STARBASE opened its doors in April 2002 and has graduated 798 students. "We believe that this program is broadening horizons and instilling new goals in the youth of Cobb County, " said retired General Joe Redden, superintendent of Cobb County Schools. "After graduating from STARBASE, our students can't stop talking about it and often carry the lessons that they learned back into the regular classrooms."
Brig. Gen. William Kane, who commands the air reserve base, worries that too many students have been shying away from entering fields in math and science. "We, as a nation, need to remind children how much fun math and science can be," said Kane. "Allowing students to fly aircraft simulators and launch rockets, while learning the scientific principles behind the magic, demonstrates how their classroom experiences lend to practical applications in the future."
Lockheed Martin's local plant contributes more than $400,000 annually to kindergarten through college educational initiatives that are focused around science math and aeronautics.
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Flag, Workshop, Conference Mark Society Calendar
A flag presentation, an annual workshop and conference have been keeping the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard Inc., busy in the past month.
Society members recently presented the Georgia Capitol Museum with a flag once flown by 1st Battalion, Georgia Volunteers. The flag is in such fragile condition that the society decided it should be placed with the museum's flag collection. Dorothy Olson, museum director, and her assistants proudly accepted the flag and immediately began taking steps toward conserving the flag.
Although no one is sure how old the flag is, it has 45 stars and bears the inscription "1st Battalion Infantry, Georgia Volunteers" on its stripes. A section of flag following the word "Volunteers" appears to have been cut away rather than torn suggesting that the flag was used during the Spanish American War era - 1898-1902. Two time periods help in determining the era: Georgia changed from "Georgia Volunteers" to "Georgia State Troops" in December 1899 and the 45th star was added for Utah in July 1896, the 46th star for Oklahoma was added in July 1908.
Historical files maintained by the society show the Savannah Volunteer Guards likely used the flag because they were designated 1st Battalion of Infantry on Feb. 19, 1894, and retained that designation until Oct. 18, 1899.
The flag issue may be resolved, but society members remain busy planning for the annual Georgia National Guard Historians Workshop and annual Conference scheduled for Oct.24 25, in Forysth. The theme of this year's conference is "The Georgia Guard in World War II." Conference speakers will include former Guardsmen who were called to active duty and served in the World War. Historians from Georgia Army and Air Guard units are encouraged to attend.
Conference planners have said a panel of former Georgia Guardsman, including Charles Shepard and John W. Meeler, who served in the Georgia Guard prior to, or with Guard units during the war and saw service in the European theater, will deliver addresses about their service in the Guard before, during and following the war. Other prior Guardsmen who served in the Pacific are being sought for the panel, Hardwick said.
Hosting this year's conference is retired BG Paul Jossey. Jossey is mayor of Forsyth and former Army Guard chief of staff.
Events planned for the Saturday conference which normally kicks off in the morning, include a luncheon. The annual conference of the Historical Society is open to the public. Cost and event details will become available as time for the conference draws near, said society president John Hardwick.
The Workshop, held on the Friday before the Saturday conference is especially significant this year, said Staff Sgt. Gail Parnelle, of Georgia's Army Guard History Section. Preserving, recording and maintaining the history of the past year, she noted, is crucial because of the many mobilizations and deployments. "We need to capture that history so that the generations of Guardsmen who come after us will know who we were and what we did," Parnelle added.
The Historians Workshop is the only conference of the year in which historians of all branches can meet and discuss mutual issues and problems.
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Restored Field Gun Fired

A World War I French 75mm Field Gun, found in ruins at Anniston, Ala., Army Depot in 1999, and restored by the Historical Society, was rolled out onto the fields at Picketts Mill in early May looking just as if it was rolling onto a battlefield in 1917. Re-enactors clad in World War I uniforms surrounded the piece and fired a blank round to prove that its restoration had been completed.

Georgia Army National Guard, in Ellenwood.

Total cost of the restoration, made possible by members of the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard Inc., is estimated at more than $8,000. The French 75 will ultimately be displayed at Headquarters,

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Great Britain and France were nearly exhausted from more than three years of fighting and viewed the entry of America as a way to win the war over a weary Germany and Austria. As part of America's mobilization, the National Guard was called to active duty, though its preparedness was a question considering that its artillery units employed guns that had been obsolete for 20 years. Hence, National Guard units were issued French field pieces upon their arrival in France.
The weapon issued to the National Guard was a remarkable piece containing one of the most important developments in field artillery in the 20th century. The gun was called the French 75--officially known as the 75 mm Field Gun, Model of 1897 (French). Its innovative development was its recoil system consisting of two hydraulic cylinders, a floating piston, a connected piston, a head of gas and a reservoir of oil. This made for a soft, smooth operation and the gun was used as late as 1941 in World War II against the Japanese in the Philippines and in North Africa. The Army's Field Artillery School used it for training long after it was rendered obsolete for combat use and some Third World armies used the French 75 into the 1970s.

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Make Sure You're On-track For Georgia Military Pension
Georgia National Guard members planning an upcoming retirement need to be aware of what they should do to ensure they receive a Georgia Military Pension. Here's an update on things to remember...
Retirees must submit a written application for payment of the Georgia Military Pension.
To be eligible for the Georgia Military Pension you must have been in an active drilling status on 1 July 2002 and must meet the following criteria:
q Be age 60 q Must have fifteen (15) years of service in the Georgia National Guard q Must have served the last ten (10) years, before retirement, in the Georgia National Guard q Must receive an honorable discharge q You will receive $50 per month for 20 years' service and $5 for each year over 20 to a maximum of
$100 per month
Applications should be submitted for Air National Guard through the appropriate Wing to Headquarters Air National Guard and for Army National Guard through the G1 EMT or OMT Headquarters Army National Guard. They will forward the application to the Directorate of Workforce Development ATTN: DOWD-CAR for certification and then to the Employee Retirement System for payment.
Retroactive payments are not authorized.
The Georgia Military Pension Fund ARTICLE 6 SECTION 47-24-100(b) states "The effective date of retirement shall be the first day of the month in which the application is received by the board, but such effective date shall not, in any case, be earlier than the first day of the month following the month of the applicant's discharge from the National Guard. Applications for retirement shall not be accepted more than 90 days in advance of the date of discharge."
The pay date will begin from the date the application is received by the Employee's Retirement System. Please ensure that all applications are processed through the appropriate channels at least 90 days prior to the retiree's 60th birthday.
If you have any questions, please call Mr. John Hardwick at (404) 624-6451.
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Poppell Selected as Air Guard's New ESSO
LTC Rick Poppell formerly with the 165th Airlift Wing has been selected by Maj. Gen. Wick Searcy to succeed Col. Lou Burson as the Executive Support Staff Officer (ESSO) for the GaANG. He assumes the position in August upon the retirement of Col. Burson.
A native of Brunswick, GA, Poppell graduated from Glynn Academy in 1970 and immediately joined the 224th Combat Communications Squadron. Upon return from Basic Training and Supply Technical Training, he enrolled in Brunswick Junior College achieving an Associate Degree in 1973. Lt Col Poppell entered Georgia Southern College obtaining his Bachelor degree in 1976.
In May 1977, Poppell entered the full time technician force as a Supply Technician in the 224th obtaining the rank of Technical Sergeant. He transferred to the 117th Tactical Control Squadron in 1982 and became the unit's first Logistics Plans Technician. Lt Col Poppell served in this capacity until 1986 when he attended the Academy of Military Science. Upon his commissioning that year as a Second Lieutenant, Poppell served as the Logistics Plans Officer for the 165th Airlift Wing from 1986 to 1990.
In 1990, he became the Comptroller for the 165th Airlift Wing as well as the Geographically Separated Units. Poppell was the 165th Mission Support Flight Commander in 1997 and later Wing Administrative Officer.
In 2001, Lt Col Poppell was selected to become the Liaison Officer for the Georgia National Guard's Partnership for Peace program with the Republic of Georgia. Returning from this assignment in July 2002, Poppell attended the Air War College in residence where he will graduate in July 2003.
During his 30 years in the Georgia Air National Guard, Poppell has participated in numerous deployments to Norway, Denmark, England, Germany, Korea and Peru. He also served as a Venue Officer during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
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Members of Georgia's State Defense Force practice mass casualty exercises during their units' annual training period. More than 100 troopers participated in search and rescue, land navigation, medical evacuation, and helicopter operations. The four southern brigades of the SDF held their annual training in Cochran.

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Staff Sgt. Miles Hawkins, of Macon, talks to a Robins Air Force Base employee. Hawkins is a truck driver with the LaGrange based 1177th Transportation Company, which supports base security. The unit has been deployed to the middle Georgia air base since January as part of Operation Noble Eagle. "It takes me back to my days as a police officer in Macon," he said about his base security job.