First Friday briefing [Aug. 1, 2003]

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First Friday Briefing for August, 2003
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In this issue: Georgians continue to serve at home and abroad
Some citizen-soldiers begin return trips home Georgia Guardsman's memory honored In memorial service in Baghdad
Georgia's 148th Air Ambulance; Saving Lives, Helping People Citizen-soldier aiming for win at annual shooting competition 117th ACS member retires; Is first Black female to reach 30 Years Air Guard service Guard, Reserve get show of support from Home Depot, other employers
SDF volunteer awarded state medal for saving child's life Education Information Offered
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Georgians continue to serve at home and abroad; Some citizen-soldiers begin return trips home
More than 3,600 Georgia Guardsmen remain mobilized in support of the nations' war on terrorism. But the end is in sight for at least some...
q Most of the 22-member 3rd Infantry Detachment returned home in recent weeks. The unit was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, and was one of the initial units crossing into Iraq at the beginning of major combat operations in March
q This week two aircraft and crews are expected to return to Savannah from the 165th Airlift Wing. The Air Guard unit has flown more than 3,000 sorties across Europe and the Middle East.
q Members of HHC, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion are beginning their journeys home. Advance parties are expected to return to Georgia as early as this weekend. The remainder of the battalion continues to serve and will redeploy in coming weeks and months.
Guardsman's memory honored In Baghdad memorial service
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Sgt. 1st Class Christopher R. Willoughby, known as the embodiment of a Ranger by the Band of Brothers in his unit, Company H, 121st Infantry (Airborne) (Long Range Surveillance), was honored with a sunrise memorial service at Baghdad International Airport July 23. Willoughby died July 20 in a vehicle rollover accident near Baghdad. He is thought to be the first Georgia

Army Guardsman to die in a combat operation since World War II. Full Story
Georgia Guard, State, local agencies Join in major homeland defense drill
The Georgia National Guard, in coordination with more than a dozen other federal and state emergency agencies and local first responders, conducted a major statewide homeland defense exercise on Saturday, July 12, 2003.
While the most visible portion of the drill was at the Port of Savannah's Ocean Terminal, National Guard soldiers also responded nuclear Plants Hatch and Vogtle, as well as a number of other locations around Georgia.
The operation, which represented one of the largest combined homeland defense exercises conducted in the state, took place over several hours on Saturday morning and concluded early Saturday afternoon. The purpose of the exercise was to refine, rehearse and validate homeland security plans for providing military support for civil authorities. Full Story
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Georgia's 148th Air Ambulance; Saving lives, helping people
Since their deployment to Fort Hood in February the aircraft and crews of Winder's 148th Air Ambulance Company have flown more than 100 Medevac and search-and-rescue missions at Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Sill and Fort Carson.
Flying its missions out of Fort Hood Army Airfield, the 148th will be deployed for up to a year. It's replacing the post's active-duty Black Hawk air ambulance company, which is on duty in the Middle East.
Around the clock, at least one of the unit's UH1-N "Huey" helicopters and flight crew, including paramedics, are on-call to respond to anything from training mishaps motor vehicle
accidents - both on and off-post. Full Story
Citizen-soldier aiming for win At annual shooting competition
When Georgia Army National Guard Spc. David Ubriaco looks downrange through the sights of an AR-15 rifle this month he'll be targeting for his first win at the National Rifle Association's Service Rifle Championship.

The match is held annually at Camp Perry, and some of the best Army and Marine Corps marksman will be competing against each other for first-place and the notoriety of being the top rifleman in the country.
Ubriaco is a dismounted infantryman with Winder's Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, and one of three freshmen from North Georgia State College and University in Dahlonega who will be attending the match. Full Story
117th ACS member retires; Is first Black female to reach 30 Years Air Guard service
Staff Sergeant Martha Beckett of the 117th Air Control Squadron has made Georgia Air National Guard history recently as the first Black female to retire with over thirty years of military service.
Beckett was recognized for her distinctive military career and service to the 117th Air Control Squadron during retirement ceremonies in June at Hunter Army Airfield. At her retirement ceremonies, Beckett was presented the Meritorious Service Medal by Lt Col Byron King, acting Commander of the 117th ACS.
The Savannah native began her long career in June 1973 as a Food Service Craftsman and later Services Journeyman at the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah where she was responsible for preparing meals for more than 800 guardsmen each month. Sergeant Beckett was the senior food systems specialist for the 117th throughout the unit many transitions of location food preparation systems. In spite of the where the unit moved or deployed, Guardsmen of Savannah's 117 ACS could be secure in the fact that the dining hall would be the best that Ssgt Beckett could make. Full Story
Guard, Reserve get show of support From Home Depot, other employers
Georgia Guardsmen and Reservists employed by The Home Depot Corp. received renewed support recently from the company for their service at home and abroad in the U.S.-led war on terrorism.
The Atlanta-based company joined other major corporations in signing an ESGR "statement of support."
Robert Nardelli, Home Depot's chief executive officer, chairman and president, publicly reinforced the organization's ongoing commitment to those employees during a ceremony at the corporation's Atlanta headquarters. Nardelli said he "proudly credits these individuals with being instrumental in making the home improvement retailer a success." Full Story
SDF volunteer awarded state medal For saving child's life
Georgia State Defense Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Spavone was presented the Georgia Medal for Valor

for an act of heroism that saved the life of a child in March while on duty at Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival.
Spavone, who is with the operations and training section of the SDF's 2nd Brigade, received the medal from Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, during a ceremony at the state Department of Defense complex. Spavone, a tall and unassuming orthopedic technician from Newnan, gave a humbled smile and said, "I just did what any one of us would have done, sir," as he saluted General Poythress. Full Story
Education Information Offered
Everyone knows that a good education can be an advantage to the person willing to put forth the effort to go after it. However, an education, like other things in life cost money and paying for school isn't always easy, or at least until now.
Lt. Col. Matt Shannon, the Georgia Army National Guard's education officer said there are several ways for Guardsmen and their family members to afford schooling. Shannon can be contacted for more information by calling 404-675-5302 or by e-mail at matt.shannon@ga. ngb.army.mil
More information about educational benefits
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Georgia Guardsman's memory honored In memorial service in Baghdad
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Conrad College, 372nd MPAD
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Sgt. 1st Class Christopher R. Willoughby, known as the embodiment of a Ranger by the Band of Brothers in his unit, Company H, 121st Infantry (Airborne) (Long Range Surveillance), was honored with a sunrise memorial service at Baghdad International Airport July 23.
Willoughby died July 20 in a vehicle rollover accident near Baghdad. He is thought to be the first Georgia Army Guardsman to die in a combat operation since World War II, and the first Georgia Guardsman killed since the Korean War when three pilots of the Air Guard's 158th Fighter Squadron were lost.
The approximately 150 soldiers of Company H were joined for the memorial service by another unit, the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, based in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. The 203rd is a multi-component unit, being comprised of both Army Reserve and active duty soldiers.
As Willoughby himself had done so many times, the soldiers of both units were up before dawn and were standing in formation, ready to do their duty before the sun slipped up over the horizon.
Willoughby, known in his unit as the ultimate Ranger, had served as a U.S. Army Ranger on active duty for eight years with the 75th Ranger Regiment, based in Fort Lewis, Wash. First he was in the 2nd Ranger Battalion, part of the 75th Ranger Regiment, for five years.
Later he was selected for duty with the 75th Ranger Regiment's Reconnaissance Detachment where he served for three more years. During that period, he served on numerous overseas deployments, including Operation Restore Hope in Haiti in 1994.
Besides completing the Ranger course and the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) course, Willoughby had also completed many Special Forces courses, ranging from Special Forces HALO Jumpmaster School to the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course.
In 2000, Willoughby separated from active duty to enroll at Auburn University, and went on to complete his bachelor's degree in accounting at Auburn, while also serving in the Georgia Army National Guard.
In the memorial service in Baghdad, five soldiers spoke from the podium of their personal experiences with Willoughby. First, his company commander, Capt. Matthew Smith, said, "Men, I cannot describe the pride I feel each and every time I stand in front of you but Sergeant Willoughby could. His pride as a leader of this company and the United States Army was palpable. And we are all better off because his impact on us is equally palpable. Each of us will feel and experience the smile, the technical expertise, the courage of Chris Willoughby for the rest of our lives."
Then Sgt. 1st Class Colin Thompson stepped up to the podium and said, "He was the kind of guy who was instantly likeable. His friendly demeanor belied his knowledge and abilities."

Thompson said, "As an E-7 he was my peer, as a soldier he was a mentor, as a human being, he was my friend. I trusted him implicitly and loved him like the brother I never had. Though I am not a religious man, forever I will look to the night sky and know that one of those rising stars is Christopher Willoughby. I miss you already, brother. We'll see you on the high ground."
Sgt. 1st Class Carl Anderson spoke next. In part, he said, "Will, I remember the day the first sergeant came to me and asked who I recommended out of the third platoon to take over second platoon. I couldn't think of anyone more capable of the job than you. That is until I told you and you panicked like I had just told you that you were going to the NCO of the year board in 10 minutes. But you took the ball and ran with it further and faster than anyone could have asked. I'm proud of you, brother, and I appreciate everything you did for all of us. Love you man."
Staff Sgt. John Gilliland was the fourth speaker. He said that Willoughby and he had been planning a big golf game at a certain course upon returning home. "I'll have a hard time playing on that course now, when the time comes" Gilliland said, "but you better bet that first tee off will be for that Ultimate Ranger in the sky.
"And all of you, when the phrase Ranger in the sky is mentioned, better think first of Sgt. 1st Class Willoughby. He is the embodiment of a Ranger, setting the example for the honorable task assigned to anybody tough enough to earn the right to be called a Ranger. He is in a much better place now. He along with God will be watching over us.
"Remember to take the time to say a prayer for his family, again and again. His children and wife especially," Gilliland said.
Then Chaplain (Maj.) Eduardo Docampo gave a short meditation followed by the first sergeant's remarks.
1st Sgt. Michael Hurndon, said, "We, the Company H Band of Brothers have lost a brother from our sight. That is tragic. A monumental loss it is and it hurts deeply.
"However, we have been incredibly fortunate by knowing Sgt. 1st Class Willoughby. Blessed we have been to have served, for however long, with Sgt. 1st Class Will. He is the Giant in so many aspects. Will set the bar high for us all, and high it remains. This has made us all better. Our time with Will has made us better soldiers, sergeants, Rangers and human beings."
1st Sgt Hurndon concluded, "None finer than the Will."
Willoughby lived in Phenix, Ala., where, in his civilian role, he was employed by Robinson, Grimes and Co. He is survived by: his wife, Jeannine and their two sons, 9-year-old Blake and 16-month-old Collin; his father, Robert Willoughby of Greenville, S.C.; his mother, JoAnn Hudson of Grants Pass, Ore.; and his sister, Sandy Willoughby of Grants Pass.
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A member of the Georgia Guard's 4th Civil Support Team checks his protective gear before surveying a part of the Port of Savannah for a potential weapon of mass destruction. The 4th CST responded during
the statewide Homeland Security exercise on July 12.

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A convoy of Guardsmen arrives at the Port of Savannah during the statewide Homeland Security training exercise Saturday July 12, 2033. (Photo by Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 124th MPAD)

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Georgia Guard, State, Local Agencies Join in Homeland Defense Drill
The Georgia National Guard, in coordination with more than a dozen other federal and state emergency agencies and local first responders, conducted a major statewide homeland defense exercise on Saturday, July 12, 2003.
While the most visible portion of the drill was at the Port of Savannah's Ocean Terminal, National Guard soldiers also responded nuclear Plants Hatch and Vogtle, as well as a number of other locations around Georgia.
The operation, which represented one of the largest combined homeland defense exercises conducted in the state, took place over several hours on Saturday morning and concluded early Saturday afternoon. The purpose of the exercise was to refine, rehearse and validate homeland security plans for providing military support for civil authorities.
In addition to the Saturday practical exercises, a week long series of interagency activities and planning events led up to the call-out of Guardsmen around the state.
Guard officials also took advantage of the exercise to test the organization's ability to respond to the discovery of suspected explosive devises. In Savannah, a simulated bomb was located in a sea container. Members of the Georgia National Guard's 4th Civil Support Team where charged with locating and determining the nature of the device. In coordination with U.S Customs and Chatham County EOD, the device was located and destroyed without major incident.
"This was an example of excellent cooperation between all federal, state and local agencies, all who have a role in our homeland defense," said Maj Gen David Poythress, Georgia's TAG. "Such exercises help us to identify areas of responsibility and coordinate an effective response when called upon to do so."
Across the State, the Guard worked with other agencies ranging from the Department of Public Safety to the emergency management officials. In Savannah a key participant was the U.S. Coast Guard.
"It's a good opportunity to put names and faces together," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Tim Close, captain of the Savannah port. "In a real incident, these are the same guys we'd work with."
Among those observing the exercise were legislative representatives from Georgia's congressional offices, as well as key state Homeland Defense leaders.
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Since arriving at Forts Hood, Bliss and Carson, members of the 148th Air Ambulance Company have flown more than 100 Medevac and search-and-rescue missions.

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Georgia's 148th Air Ambulance;
Saving Lives, Helping People
Since their deployment to Fort Hood in February the aircraft and crews of Winder's 148th Air Ambulance Company have flown more than 100 Medevac and search- and- rescue missions at Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Sill and Fort Carson.
Flying its missions out of Fort Hood Army Airfield, the 148th will be deployed for up to a year. It's replacing the post's active-duty Black Hawk air ambulance company, which is on duty in the Middle East.
Around the clock, at least one of the unit's UH1-N "Huey" helicopters and flight crew, including paramedics, are on-call to respond to anything from training mishaps motor vehicle accidents - both on and off-post.
"Every mission has its own unique set of circumstances," said Sgt. Kevin Wells, a flight paramedic who works as in the anesthesiology department at the University of Georgia's Veterinary College in Athens. "You can't come away from one and be touched by it in some way."
One such assignment involved a 10-year-old boy who, in mid-May, had been struck by a pickup truck while walking, he said. "From what I understood, the impact was so bad that Killeen firefighters had to remove the child from the truck's front grill," Wells said. He then recounted how he and his crew flew a physician from Hood's Darnell Army Medical Center to Scott and White Medical Center in Temple, Texas, 18 nautical miles from the post. The child, who suffered from severe injuries to his legs abdomen and head, had to have help breathing and blood transfusions during the trip.
Wells recalled that he and the doctor took the boy straight to surgery after arriving at Scott and White, and that the 10-year-old underwent five operations over a 24-hour period.
"It runs through your mind that you hope and pray you've done all you can to give the patient every chance to make it through," he said in a solemn voice. "I know the doctor and I did everything humanly possible for our patient, but I also knew it would be up to the surgical team and God to pull him through."
Wells said he recently heard from the child's mother, who thanked him for helping her son, and told him her son is doing well but has a long road to recovery. He also said the woman told him the boy may lose one of his legs. "Even if that happens, at least he's alive, and I hope his mom is reminding him how lucky he is and how the Lord must be looking out for him," Wells added.
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Citizen-Soldier Aiming for Win At Annual Shooting Competition
When Georgia Army National Guard Spc. David Ubriaco looks downrange through the sights of an AR15 rifle this month he'll be targeting for his first win at the National Rifle Association's Service Rifle Championship.
The match is held annually at Camp Perry, and some of the best Army and Marine Corps marksman will be competing against each other for first-place and the notoriety of being the top rifleman in the country.
Ubriaco, a dismounted infantryman with Winder's Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, is one of three freshmen from North Georgia State College and University in Dahlonega who will be attending the match. The 19-year-old full-time math and Spanish student is also a member of North Georgia's Army ROTC program, which sponsors the school's rifle team.
There's much riding on his and the team's performance, but the stress is something everyone has decided will not interfere with their shooting.
"I and my teammates have trained continuously over the past year for Camp Perry," Ubriaco said. "We all hope to be named the best, but the goal is to give a good representation of our school, the ROTC program and, in my case, the Georgia Army National Guard and my unit.
One way the young infantryman has kept up his range time has been by participating in other shooting matches. Ubriaco, for example, competed July 19 against an estimated 49 shooters from Georgia and across the nation at Fort Benning. The post's rifle and pistol club sponsored the match.
Scoring 710 out of 800 points on targets set from 200 yards to 600 yards in the standing, sitting and prone positions, put him high in the standings, he said. Information taken from the rifle and pistol club's Web site shows Ubricao came in 13th in the master's class. James Youman, club treasurer and match director for the July 19 competition, said Ubriaco was one of the best among the first time shooters in that class.
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117th ACS member retires; Is first Black female to reach 30 Years Air Guard service

Staff Sergeant Martha Beckett of the 117th Air Control Squadron has made Georgia Air National Guard history recently as the first black female to retire with over thirty years of military service.

Beckett was recognized for her distinctive military career and service to the 117th Air Control Squadron during retirement ceremonies in June at Hunter Army Airfield. At her retirement ceremonies, Beckett was presented the Meritorious Service Medal by Lt Col Byron King, acting Commander of the 117th ACS.

Martha K. Beckett, a native of Savannah,

began her long career in June 1973 as a

Food Service Craftsman and later Services Journeyman at the

165th Airlift Wing in Savannah where she was responsible for

preparing meals for more than 800 guardsmen each month.

Sergeant Beckett was the senior food systems specialist for the

117th throughout the unit many transitions of location food

preparation systems. In spite of where the unit moved or deployed,

Guardsmen of Savannah's 117 ACS could be secure in the fact

SSgt Beckett and SSgt Carolyn Bush,

that the dining hall would be the best that Ssgt Beckett could make. NCOIC of Food Service, presenting a unique
"Around the World in 30 Years" picture.

Full size photo
From 1976-1979, while co-located with the 155th Tactical Control

Group, known now as the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron, Beckett prepared meals on

Eisenhower Drive in Savannah and then transported them by truck to the 117th Air Control Squadron at

Hunter Army Airfield.

Beckett is credited with establishing new food preparation procedures for the first dining facility for the 117th ACS in 1979. She also established procedures for the operation of the first Mobile Kitchen Trailer for the unit's use in a field environment.

Ssgt Beckett has deployed with her Mobile Kitchen Trailer with the 117th on four occasions.

Beckett resides in Savannah. She is married to Daryl Beckett. According to Georgia Air National Guard records, Beckett's unique accomplishments in serving more than thirty years establishes a new record for Afro-American females serving in the Georgia Air National Guard.

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Guard, Reserve get show of support From Home Depot, other employers
Georgia Guardsmen and Reservists employed by The Home Depot Corp. received renewed support recently from the company for their service at home and abroad in the U.S.-led war on terrorism.
The Atlanta-based company joined other major corporations in signing an ESGR "statement of support."
Robert Nardelli, Home Depot's chief executive officer, chairman and president, publicly reinforced the organization's ongoing commitment to those employees during a ceremony at the corporation's Atlanta headquarters. Nardelli said he "proudly credits these individuals with being instrumental in making the home improvement retailer a success."
During the ceremony, Georgia military officials and government representatives watched while Nardelli signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve statement. That document, he said, re-declares his support for these model employees.
As Nardelli put pen to paper, a color guard from the Georgia Army National Guard's Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon stood at attention and presented the American Flag and Georgia state flag to the audience.
While The Home Depot's support for the Guard and Reserve has been re-affirmed in ink, confirmation of corporate support is apparent because of the 1,800 individual gold tasseled banners with single blue stars that line the organization's common pathway. Each banner represents a Home Depot "team member" who is, or has been deployed, Nardelli said. He looks forward to being able to "welcome each and every one of these "stars back to the company and back home," he said during the ceremony.
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Georgia State Defense Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Spavone is presented the Georgia Medal for Valor for an act of heroism that saved the life of a child in March. Making the presention is Georgia's Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Poythress.

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SDF Volunteer Awarded State Medal For Saving Child's Life
Georgia State Defense Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Spavone was presented the Georgia Medal for Valor for an act of heroism that saved the life of a child in March.
Spavone, who is with the operations and training section of the SDF's 2nd Brigade, received the medal from Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, during a ceremony at the state Department of Defense complex. Spavone, a tall and unassuming orthopedic technician from Newnan, gave a humbled smile and said, "I just did what any one of us would have done, sir," as he saluted General Poythress.
On March 22, he and Maj. Ray Sanford, the officer in charge of the 14 SDF soldiers assisting with traffic and crowd control at Macon's annual International Cherry Blossom Festival, were making their rounds when one of the troopers radioed a "man down call."
Spavone said he and Sanford ran to the soldier's location and found a woman standing next to her car, holding a 19-month-old boy and screaming, "my baby, oh my God, my baby someone please help me."
He then gently took the child in his arms to find out if he could determine what was wrong, he said. Retrieving a blanket from the woman's vehicle and laying it on the trunk, Spavone said he put the child down and began making his assessment of its condition. The first thing he noticed, he said, was that the youngster was not breathing and that his skin color had turned from white to black from the lack of oxygen.
He began CPR procedures in an attempt to get the youth's heart beating again, he said. Spavone related that he "puffed and thumped" the boy through one cycle of CPR, all the while relaying information through Sanford to civilian emergency medical technicians trying to make their way through the 50,000-plus crowd to the get to the youth.
"Suddenly the youngster's heart started beating, slowly at first then growing in intensity, and I thought to myself `Thank you God for not taking this child,'" he said.
When the ambulance did arrive, the EMTs quickly put the youngster onto a stretcher, loaded him and his still somewhat hysterical mother into the ambulance and sped away, Spavone said. That was the last he saw of them, he recounted.
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More information about educational benefits
From Lt. Col. Matt Shannon Georgia Education Services Officer...
We need your help in maximizing our support to you and all Georgia Guardsmen. We are combining our Federal Tuition Assistance with our State Program (the Service Cancelable Loan or SCEL*) to better serve you.
We analyzed our financial support, and have found that we could only offer 100% tuition assistance for a small part of the school year, and a limited number of our soldiers. Our goal is to extend the 100% tuition benefit to the Fall and Spring semesters, at the Georgia State schools, to as many as we possibly can.
What we need from you are: a Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Application and FTA Agreement (email LTC Shannon for copies), and an SCEL application, (please download from this site: http://www. gsfc.org/GSFA/SCL/dsp_gngscel.cfm ). Please fill them out - have your commander (or his/her representative) certify the FTA form. This will confirm that you are member in good standing, and return the originals to us, (the address is on the form, as well as at the bottom of this email).
DETAILS:
We have received $120,000 for the year in Service Cancelable Loans, (State assistance). We are expecting $400,000 in Federal Tuition Assistance.
Here are the maximum rates of support available:
SCEL: Annually - $3,643 FTA Annually - $4,000
Example: A soldier's tuition is $1000/semester at a state sponsored school. FTA pays $750. Then the Pell Grant is subtracted, (if applicable) and then the SCEL is applied against the tuition.
First - FTA Then - Pell Then - SCEL
Combining these two programs will enable us to offer you 100% tuition throughout the entire school year**, instead of only for one semester. A word of caution - remember, you are responsible for your education and your grades. These financial aid programs are designed such that you can concentrate on your studies. Please work hard on your education. In the event you do not pass a course, we will recoup the funding for that class.
HOW TO:
q Take your SCEL application to your school's financial aid office - they will fill it in and sign it. q Take your FTA application to your unit, and have your commander (or representative) certify your
good standing in the GaARNG. q KEEP A COPY OF EVERYTHING. q Send the originals to the Education Office, (Applications are due in NLT 30 days prior to the
school starting).
If you are attending a non-Georgia state school, then you need only apply for the FTA, (the maximum rate of 75%).
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