First Friday briefing [Sept. 5, 2003]

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First Friday Briefing for September, 2003
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In this issue: Georgia Guardsmen Begin Returning Home; Nearly 3,000 Remain Mobilized
HHC, 221st MI Returns Home from Iraq; MI unit deployed since February 4th CST Works With Coast Guard
Two 116th Airmen Awarded Bronze Star GMI Class 42, OCS Accelerated; Course Graduates 30
YCA Graduates 139; Plans 10 Year Reunion Family Readiness, Leadership Conference Held
Dobbins Airman Earns NCO Honor Former Adjutant General, BG Alpha A. Fowler, Jr. Dies Historical Society Annual Conference Set For October
SDF Spends Busy Summer Drill Guard Challenged
Recruiters Recognized Next OCS Class Prepares To Start CW5 Maynard Earns Legion of Merit
HRO's Davis Heads for NGB Burson, Mobley Retire From ANG Vehicle Inspection A Guard Specialty
Photo Spotlight
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Georgia Guardsmen begin returning home; Nearly 3,000 Remain Mobilized
Georgia Guardsmen are beginning to return home after deployments in support of the War on Terrorism. Many still remain deployed.
Some 64 members of Headquarters Company, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion returned to loved ones in August (see story below). Members of the battalion's Company H, 121st Infantry (LRSC) are expected to return in coming months.
Nearly 3,000 Georgia Army and Air Guardsmen remain mobilized with close to two-thirds of them deployed to the Persian Gulf. Highlights from units include:
-- Members of the 878th Engineer Battalion have the key responsibility to maintain the major Main Supply

Route (MSR) throughout Iraq. In addition, the unit is supporting civil affairs units to renovate schools. LTC John Heath, the battalion's commander, reports that the temperature and dust is playing havoc on electronic equipment, but the unit is adjusting.
Members of the 227 Maintenance Company got some unusual support from Atlanta radio station The Fish. The station sent the troops t-shirts and posted their photos on the station's website. The unit has soldiers stationed in Iraq, at Camp Doha, and throughout the region.
List of Mobilized Georgia Guard Units
HHC, 221st MI Returns Home from Iraq; MI unit deployed since February
Sixty-four members of Headquarters Company, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard returned to a heroes welcome at Fort Gillem on Friday, August 15, 2003. While most soldiers had previously been reunited with family members when the unit returned to Fort Stewart on Friday, August 8, 2003, several soldiers met with their families for the first time at the Fort Gillem homecoming.
The 221st Military Intelligence Battalion was one of the first Georgia Army National Guard units to be mobilized and the first to deploy for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February, more than 300 members of the Fort Gillem-based unit received their mobilization orders. Full Story
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4th CST Trains With Coast Guard
By Sgt. Jeff Lowry
The Georgia National Guard's 4th Civil Support Team can go just about anywhere on land to check for biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Now, with the help of the Coast Guard, they can even get to boats at sea.
The 4th's survey team members are currently training with the Coast Guard to land on ships should an accident or attack happen with one of the nefarious agents. Full Story.
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Two 116th ACW Airmen Earn Bronze Star

The Macon Telegraph reported recently that two members of the 116th Air Control Wing were awarded Bronze Stars in late August for their role last year in transforming a dilapidated, former Soviet Union air base into a logistics hub for special operations units helping to liberate Afghanistan.
Col. Thomas Moore and Maj. Mark Weber, both Georgia Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 116th at Robins, were credited with rebuilding an Uzbekistan installation located just north of the Afghanistan border. Both Moore and Weber were assigned to the base from August to September of 2002.
The Bronze Star is awarded for meritorious service or achievement against an armed enemy of the United States
Full Story: http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/6572314.htm

GMI Class 42, OCS Accelerated Course Graduates 30
Georgia's Military Institute (GMI) graduated 30 new second lieutenants Saturday during a ceremony in Atlanta.
Georgia Army National Guard commander, Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, was guest speaker and administered the oath of office to the graduates of Class 42 and the summer accelerated OCS graduates. He reminded the new lieutenants to follow the leadership principles, but also to "embrace change."
"We have to be ready for the war on terrorism," he added.
Story and photos on the Web

YCA Graduates 139; Plans 10 Year Reunion

One hundred thirty nine teens took a giant step toward success when they graduated from the Youth Challenge Academy on August 24 at graduation ceremonies held at the Macon Civic Auditorium.
These YCA graduates join more than 600 youth from throughout Georgia to graduate from Georgia's second Youth Challenge Academy campus located at Fort Gordon.

State Representative Ann Purcell of Rincon was the commencement speaker and challenged the youth to grasp this unique opportunity to excel. Representative Purcell has been an avid
supporter of Georgia's Youth Challenge Academy in her position in the state legislature. Full
Story
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Family Readiness, Leadership Conference held
Wheless, 224th JCCSS Take Top Family Support Awards
More than 400 family members representing family support groups of Army and Air Guard units across the state and their Army and Air Guard counterparts attended the Georgia National Guard's annual Family Readiness Conference in mid-August at Atlanta's Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The Guard's annual leadership conference, attended by more than 200 full-time Army and Air Guardsmen took place at the same time. Many of those participating in the Family Readiness Conference spent their time going between the two events taking part in leadership-related workshops. Full Story

Dobbins' Airman is Georgia's Air Guard NCO of Year
Colbert selected from 2,600 Georgia Airmen
Georgia Air National Guard Tech.Sgt. Danyal Colbert of Atlanta was selected that service's Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year from among more than 2,600 fellow airmen. She was honored during award ceremonies held in mid-August at the annual Georgia Department of Defense Family Readiness Conference in Atlanta.
Colbert, a seven-year Air Guard veteran, is a military personnel technician at Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. She was recognized for her superior professional performance and leadership abilities. Full Story.

Former Adjutant General BG Alpha A. Fowler, Jr. Dies

Alpha A. Fowler Jr., who served as Georgia's Adjutant General in the late 1940s, died Sunday, Aug. 10, of complications from a heart attack suffered on Aug. 2. He was 83.

Story

General Fowler was appointed the Adjutant General of Georgia in March 1947 and served through November 1948. He also served as director of the state selective service system and was instrumental in the post-war reorganization of the Georgia National Guard. Full

Historical Society to Hold October Conference

The Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard invites Georgia Army and Air Guardsmen to attend the 2003 conference, Saturday, Oct. 25, in Forsyth.
Cost of the half-day conference is $10. This year's theme is "The Georgia Guard and World War II." The meeting, to be held in the Forsyth City Council chamber in downtown Forsyth, gets underway at 9:30 a.m.
Speakers include John W. Meeler who joined the Georgia Guard in 1936 and served with the 179th Field Artillery in Europe as its chief of the firing sections, Charles Shepherd Jr., who experienced combat in France with the 121st Infantry, and BG (ret.) James "Dutch" McLendon, who began his military career as a member of the Georgia Guard and served in the Pacific with the Army Air Corps.
Forsyth Mayor Paul Jossey, former Army Guard chief of staff, and the city of Forsyth are hosting the event. Lunch, which follows the meeting, is available, on your own, at the Farm House Restaurant, a short walk from the meeting site.
For further information call John Hardwick at 404-624-6451 (E-Mail: john.hardwick@ga.ngb. army.mil) or B. I. Diamond at 404-624-6065 (E-Mail: beryl.diamond@ga.ngb.army.mil).
In other Historical Society news, Robert Burton of Athens has donated letters, papers, photos and other memorabilia belonging to his late father. Burton's father served with the Georgia Guard during the Mexican Border operation and later in World War I with the 151st Machine Gun Battalion. The elder Burton served in combat at the Marne and in other battles. The "Burton Collection" will be cataloged and indexed, and it will eventually made available to the public.
SDF Stayed Busy During Summer Drill
Members of Georgia's State Defense Force were busy during the summer staying involved in several events that placed them at the forefront of missions such homeland security and assisting with the Peachtree Road Race.
To learn more about the SDF, its people and its missions, click on the link to the Georgia State Defense Force Web site: www.gasdf.com
Guardsmen Challenged
Awards Offered for Recruiting Leads
Georgia Army National Guardsmen have been issued a challenge by the National Guard Bureau in Washington...help build the National Guard team and be rewarded for the effort.
All soldiers have to do to accept the bureau's "Victory Challenge" is to log onto the virtual armory Web site (www.virtualarmory.com/challenge) Once on the site they'll find a quick and easy registration form to fill out and the challenge begins.
Guardsmen are asked to "target the best and brightest from within their communities. Talk with them about the Guard. Those who take up the challenge have until Nov. 30 to complete their mission. Soldiers who refer three to five leads are eligible for rewards to...well take a look at the challenge advertisement and find out. Guardsmen make the best recruiters, so step out and step up to Victory Challenge.

Army Guard Recruiters Recognized
Members of the Georgia Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Division were honored Mid-August during the annual Family Readiness, Leadership conference awards banquet for their efforts to bring new enlistments to the organization's ranks while retaining those already in uniform. Full Story.
Candidates for Next OCS Class Start Training Soon
Georgia National Guardsmen who have been accepted into the upcoming Winter Accelerated OCS course are about to start the road toward earning their commissions as second lieutenants. The course will be conducted at the Alabama Army National Guard's Regional Training Institute situated at the state's National Guard Training Center on Fort McClellan in Anniston.
Before they go, Georgia's OCS candidates will be involved in "pre-phase training October through December. Pre-phase involves instruction and training in land navigation, small unit operations and tactics, and leadership.
Dates for training that begins next year are:
q Phase Alabama RTI 31 Jan. 2004 - 14 Feb. 2004 q Phase 15 Feb. 2004 - 12 March 2004 q Phase 3 13 March 2004 - 27 March 2004
Former Aviation Commander Receives Legion of Merit
Georgia Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Edger Maynard, former commander of Marietta's Detachment 9 Operations Support Airlift Command, received the Legion of Merit in August for outstanding military service.
Maynard retired from service with the Guard in mid-April after 37 years of service. Detachment 9's new commander is Chief Warrant Officer 4 Tom McNamara.
According to the citation he received, Maynard distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct from 12 January 1967 to 28 February 2003, while serving in positions of increasing responsibility, which culminated with his job as Det 9's commander. Full Story.
Colonel Davis Goes to Washington
Georgia HRO Appointed Deputy Director of HR for Bureau

Georgia's Col. Jimmy Davis, director of human resources for the Georgia National Guard, has been appointed the National Guard Bureau's deputy director for human resources. He is expected to report to Washington this month.
Many of Davis' friends and colleagues recently honored him during a luncheon at Fort McPherson. Among the many accolades he received was the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal presented by Col (ret) Ed Chamberlain, director of workforce development.
Full Story
Burson, Mobley: Two Retire from Air Guard
Georgia Air Guardsmen Col. Lou Burson and Chief Master Sgt. Bobby L. Mobley decided that it was time to hang up their uniforms and just take it easy.
Burson retired in mid-August as executive staff support officer of Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard. His retirement comes after a career of more than 37 years of military service, more than 25 years of that has been with the National Guard. Full Story.
Vehicle Inspections are Guardsman's Specialty
For decades, the ports at Brunswick had little growth or significant tonnage to mark it as an important point of entry for foreign goods coming into Georgia and the United States. Then in 1987 the ports status changed with the weekly arrival of the Yugoslavian manufactured "Yugo" sedan on Colonel's Island.
From that point on, the ports grew exponentially. In fiscal year 2003, alone, more than 3,000 vehicles arrived.
With the world situation being what it is today, someone has to inspect the vehicles, or as many of them as possible, that come into the ports for illegal drugs and other contraband. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Ralph McCarthy of Georgia's Counterdrug Task Force handles that job.
McCarther said his assignment at Brunswick is the best he's ever had. "My U.S. Customs counterparts are a true team," he said. "They make my job much more interesting and professional."
McCarthy said it's a motorized tidal wave that requires his constant attention. He accomplishes this task, he explained, by getting advance copies of manifest that layout ship's cargoes. McCarthy said he studies each document for possible problems well before a ship arrives at Brunswick.
Privately owned vehicles (POVs), that may be stolen, carrying contraband or even weapons, get the most attention, he said. "It's an ever changing battle to find the `dirty cars' or shippers out there," he said, "but with more than 200,000 stolen cars being shipped out of America each year, and he's the last stop before they go "foreign" and are then probably gone from their rightful owners forever.
Meanwhile, thousands of cars come into the ports from possible "problematic countries" such as new Volkswagens from Mexico, McCarthy said. Even through no narcotics have ever been

found in the new VW's it is still a category of vehicle that he spot-checks regularly. He is also mindful, he said, of the changing trends in international narcotic trafficking in illicit products such as today's club drugs, including ecstasy and MDMA, which are prone to being shipped in vehicles coming from European ports in Holland and Belgium. Used vehicles coming in from those regions, McCarthy said, are looked at closer for separate fuel tanks or new welds on their bodies and frames or even inside a vehicle's tires.
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Members of the 878th Engineer Battalion pose with the Battalion colors while inside Iraq

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The 277th Maintenance Company from the Georgia Army National Guard shows their Fish pride while stationed in Kuwait for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pictured are SPC Teri Greer (Passenger Door), SPC Jonathan Jones (Driver Door), SGT Randy Marston (Hood), and SSG Jody Nelson (Front).

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Georgia National Guard Support to Operations Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom
As of: August 1, 2003
Summary Army Guard (numbers are approximate):
q Total affected so far: 3,025 q 2,925 mobilized q Approximately 1,650 overseas (Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom) q Approximately 1,375 projected to remain in CONUS for Homeland Security
Mobilized and projected units drill in 28 hometowns across Georgia
Army Guard Units Mobilized as of September 1, 2003 Units deployed overseas (Part of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom)
q 3rd Infantry Detachment Ft. Stewart (Returned) q 265th Engineer Group Decatur q 221st Military Intelligence Battalion Fort Gillem (HHC Returned) q 277th Maintenance Company Kennesaw q Company B, 161st Medical Battalion Marietta q 1148th Transportation Company Thomasville and Moultrie q 190th Military Police Company Kennesaw q 878th Engineer Battalion Augusta, Swainsboro, Sandersville, Lyons and Metter
Units serving in US (Part of Operation Noble Eagle)
q 148th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) Winder q 202nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Kennesaw q 1177th Transportation Company - LaGrange and Cedartown q 75th Engineers - Ft Stewart q 1230th Transportation Company Bainbridge and Columbus q 178th Military Police Company (Monroe) q 1/214th Field Artillery Elberton, Hartwell, Athens, Thomson, Washington, Waynesboro and
Toccoa q 110th Corps Support Battalion Headquarters - Columbus q 166th Maintenance Co Jackson q 82nd Maintenance Company Columbus q 165th POL Co - Brunswick
Georgia Air National Guard
The following units have been mobilized in total or in part. Numbers of airmen on duty vary as individuals rotate on and off active duty.
Approximate number deployed: 500
(At the peak of Iraqi Freedom more than 900 were mobilized)
q 116th Air Control Wing Robins AFB q 165th Airlift Wing - Savannah q 165th Air Support Operations Squadron Brunswick q 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron Brunswick q 283rd Communications Squadron Dobbins Air Reserve Base/Marietta

q 116th Security Police Squadron - Robins AFB q 165th Security Police Squadron - Savannah q Combat Readiness Training Center - Savannah
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HHC, 221st MI Returns Home from Iraq; MI unit deployed since February
Sixty-four members of Headquarters Company, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard returned to a heroes welcome at Fort Gillem on Friday, August 15, 2003. While most soldiers had previously been reunited with family members when the unit returned to Fort Stewart on Friday, August 8, 2003, several soldiers met with their families for the first time at the Fort Gillem homecoming.
The 221st Military Intelligence Battalion was one of the first Georgia Army National Guard units to be mobilized and the first to deploy for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February, more than 300 members of the Fort Gillem-based unit received their mobilization orders.
Greeting the troops upon their arrival at Fort Gillem was Brigadier General Terrell Reddick, Commander, 78th Troop Command and LTC Albert P. Beierschmitt, III , Commander of the 221st MI Battalion.
"I cannot be more proud of the performance of these men and women and the job they did for their state, their nation and for their families," said Reddick.
During the homecoming ceremonies, nine Georgia Guardsmen of HHC received the Army Commendation Medal for their service in Iraq and thirty members received the Army Achievement Medal. Major Pete VanAmburgh and First Sergeant Cedric Jones both received the Bronze Star for heroism in the line of duty. Sergeant First Class Colin Thompson received the Purple Heart for wounds received while deployed.
The remaining members of the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion remain deployed.
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4th CST Exercises With Coast Guard
By Sgt. Jeff Lowry
The Georgia National Guard's 4th Civil Support Team can go just about anywhere on land to check for biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Now, with the help of the Coast Guard, they can even get to boats at sea.
The 4th's survey team members are currently training with the Coast Guard to land on ships should an accident or attack happen with one of the nefarious agents.
"It is all real world stuff. You can't actually get out of replacing the water and the training," said Capt. Darrin Smith, the survey team leader.
To accomplish the mission required aerial precision from the Coast Guard pilots and the survey team member rappelling from the helicopters.
"It was good. It was easier than I thought it would be. They got us down there with great precision," said Sgt. William Gent, a survey team member.
The landing area was a 5x10 foot whale deck of a Coast Guard boat. "That's an awfully small target, but we were right on it," Gent said. The target was also a moving one, not only forward or sideways, but also one that is rolling and rocking.
"You learn to get down low, to keep your balance," said Gent, who also had assistance landing from Coast Guard members on deck.
The training has real-world repercussions, but those who took part seemed to relish the high-speed training and new experiences with the Coast Guard. "I thought it was some really great training," said Smith.
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4th CST Coast / drink-3 27Aug03

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Petty Officers 3rd Class Wyatt Hughes and John Schmerber watch as Capt. Darrin Smith, the 4th Civil Support Team survey team leader,
rappels from a helicopter. The CST trained with the Coast Guard should a weapons of mass destruction incident arise at sea

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Maj. Mark Weber, left, and Col. Tom Moore received the Bronze Star for their contributions in Uzbekistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Their efforts helped transform a former Soviet Union air base into a logistics hub for special operations units helping to liberate Afghanistan. Both men were assigned to the base from August to September of 2002.

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From left: Elishe Abray, Alexis Allen, and Natalie Allison celebrate graduating from the Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Academy.

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YCA Graudates 139; Plans 10 Year Reunion
One hundred thirty nine teens took a giant step toward success when they graduated from the Youth Challenge Academy on August 24 at graduation ceremonies held at the Macon Civic Auditorium.
These YCA graduates join more than 600 youth from throughout Georgia to graduate from Georgia's second Youth Challenge Academy campus located at Fort Gordon.
State Representative Ann Purcell of Rincon was the commencement speaker and challenged the youth to grasp this unique opportunity to excel. Representative Purcell has been an avid supporter of Georgia's Youth Challenge Academy in her position in the state legislature.
Saturday, September 6 marks the tenth Anniversary of Georgia's Youth Challenge Academy program. Started in September of 1993 at Fort Stewart, Georgia's Youth Challenge Academy program has graduated more than 3,700 formerly at-risk youth. The program is considered one of the top Youth Challenge Programs in the nation. In 2000, Georgia opened its second Youth Challenge Academy campus at Fort Gordon near Augusta. Georgia is only the second state to have two operational YCA campuses.
"This will be a reunion for all of the more than 3,700 graduates who have completed YCA", says Col Frank Williams, Director of Georgia's YCA program. All former YCA graduates are invited for the daylong festivities at Fort Stewart that will include class meetings, special recognitions, class pictures, and the establishment of a Hall of Fame for past graduates as well as a Memoriam. For more information on the 10th year reunion, contact Ms. Denise Williams YCA at (912) 767-4015.
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Family Readiness, Leadership Conference held
Wheless, 224th JCCSS Take Top Family Support Awards

More than 400 family members representing family support groups of Army and Air Guard units across the state and their Army and Air Guard counterparts attended the Georgia National Guard's annual Family Readiness Conference in mid-August at Atlanta's Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The Guard's annual leadership conference, attended by more than 200 full-time Army and Air Guardsmen took place at the same time. Many of those participating in the Family Readiness Conference spent their time going between the two events taking part in leadership-related workshops.

"We've looked at people and at communication,

during this conference and how we can better

serve the families, soldiers and airmen who are

our National Guard," said Elizabeth Poythress,

From left: Lisa Martin, family readiness representative for Savannah's Battery B, 118th Field Artillery; Belinda Winters, family readiness representative for Winder's Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment; and Command Chief David

wife of Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General. "It's been about sharing, caring and love of country, and it's about you the family support group volunteers who give up their time

Smith, senior NCO for Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing, get direction from Eddie Donald of Atlanta's Performance America in the art of better communications. Donald's class was one of several workshops held during the Georgia National Guard's

and their unselfish efforts to make family support in the Georgia National Guard the success that it is."

annual Family Readiness Conference.

Mrs. Poythress also said there was no way she

could acknowledge what everyone involved with the conference had done.

"I'm honored to be here, to be with you and sharing this time with you," she said. "Each of you are `very important people, to me, to your soldiers and airmen and the organization that they serve."

Among the awards given during the banquet was the Family Readiness Volunteer of the Year Award for 2003 that went to Nicole Wheless, family readiness chairman for Elberton's Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery. Wheless is the wife of Staff Sgt. Trevor Wheless, the unit's training NCO.

Accepting the Air Guard Family Readiness Volunteer of the Year Award (Group) for Brunswick's 224th was JennyTaylor, president of the unit's family readiness group. Taylor's husband, Tech. Sgt. Lorin Taylor is a member of the 224th.

Jenny Taylor (center), president the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron's Family Readiness Group accepts the award for Group Volunteer of the Year during the Georgia National Guard Family Readiness Conference. Presenting the award from left are Lt. Col. Rene Khun; Elizabeth Poythress, wife of The Adjutant General; and Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General. Taylor also accepted the award on behalf of Mary Beach, the group's vice president, and Brenda Crooms, it's secretary-treasurer. Their husbands are all members of the 224th JCSS.

Nicole Wheless (center) is presented the Army Family Readiness Volunteer of the Year Award 2003. From left Lt. Col. Rene Kuhn, director Family Readiness program; Elizabeth Poythress; and Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General.

Among family support volunteers who took home Outstanding Service awards or National Guard Family Support Program awards were Debbie Chumney; Joan Coribtt; Robyn Burgess; Milton Brooks; Belinda Smith; Kay Heard; Kimberly Gavant; Gina Grant; Doreen Worden; Gwendolyn Jackson; Ren White; Samantha Abrams; Susan Babot; Carla Caldwell; Nathaniel Brownlee; Tammy Champan; Brenda Green; Michelle Klumpp; Mary Long; Carissa Rosenberg; Yetive Simmons; Betty Smith; Shearnell Smith; Wendy Strickland; Leanne Varner; Pat Wimpy; Don Aiken; Deborah Castro; Monica Fortson; Sheila Greene; Annette Hodge; Flora Jennings; Deborah Lee, Cheryl Loftis; Russ Nobles; Chris Rudio, Freddie Smith; Dorothy Starin; and Becky Thomas.
Representatives of the Air Guard's 202nd Engineer Installation Squadron in Macon and the Army Guard's 221st Military Intelligence Battalion in Ellenwood took home awards for work done by those unit's family support groups.
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Dobbins' Airman is Georgia's Air Guard NCO of Year
Colbert selected from 2,600 Georgia Airmen
Georgia Air National Guard Tech.Sgt. Danyal Colbert of Atlanta was selected that service's Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year from among more than 2,600 fellow airmen. She was honored during award ceremonies held in mid-August at the annual Georgia Department of Defense Family Readiness Conference in Atlanta.
Colbert, a seven-year Air Guard veteran, is a military personnel technician at Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. She was recognized for her superior professional performance and leadership abilities. Full Story.
Colbert began her military career with the 94th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserves, before joining the Georgia Air Guard. She trained as a medical services journeyman with the 116th Air Control Squadron" Medical Squadron at Robins Air Force Base. Colbert was later assigned to Headquarters, GA Air Guard at Dobbins as an administrative assistant.
During her career, she has distinguished herself with her personal participation in areas of recruiting and retention for the Air National Guard. Colbert assisted area recruiters in the promotion of the Service Cancelable Education Loan Program for Georgia Guardsmen and in Recruiting activities at the Georgia State Fair in Perry as well as the Dobbins Air Show.
Colbert graduated in June from Saint Leo University. She holds associate degree in human resources management and allied health services. Colbert is now enrolled in the Professional Military Education Course at the Air National Guard's NCO Academy.
Among her service awards is the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal. Colbert is a recipient of the Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.
She is involved in community activities such as support of the Atlanta chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation and Welcome All Park T-Ball. A member of Elizabeth Baptist Church of Atlanta, she is a member of St Leo University (Atlanta Chapter) of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Colbert resides with her husband, Christopher, in Atlanta
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Former Adjutant General BG Alpha A. Fowler, Jr. Dies
Alpha A. Fowler Jr., who served as Georgia's Adjutant General in the late 1940s, died Sunday, Aug. 10, of complications from a heart attack suffered on Aug. 2. He was 83.
General Fowler was appointed the Adjutant General of Georgia in March 1947 and served through November 1948. He also served as director of the state selective service system and was instrumental in the post-war reorganization of the Georgia National Guard.
During World War II, he served in Italy as a B-17 pilot and squadron commander in the 483rd Bombardment Group, a predecessor unit of today's 116th Bomb Wing, Georgia Air National Guard located at Robins AFB, Georgia. General Fowler was a native of Douglas County and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1942. He was elected to eight terms in the House of Representatives of the Georgia General Assembly as the representative from Douglas County. He also served one term on the Georgia Public Service Commission and was a former director of the Commercial Bank in Douglasville.
General Fowler is survived by his wife, Mary "Suzie" Hodgson Fowler of Douglasville and sons, Alpha Alsbury Fowler, III, MD of Richmond, Va., Joseph H. Fowler of Douglasville , Raymond L. Fowler, MD of Dallas Tex., Edward M. "Ned" Fowler of Douglasville, two brothers, Oscar S. Fowler, PhD., of Knoxville, Tenn., and James R. Fowler, MD, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Internment was was at Rosehaven Cemetery, Douglasville, Ga.
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When ordered by the Adjutant General, provide an organized, trained, disciplined, rapid response volunteer force to assist state and local government agencies, and civil relief organizations in impending or actual emergencies to assure the welfare and safety of the citizens of Georgia.
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Sgt. Anthony Weeks, right, accept the Recruiting Team of the Year Award for 2003 from rig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the Georgia Army National Guard commander. Weeks and his 10-member team were honored for their recruiting and retention efforts during the Guard's annual Family Readiness, Leadership conference Banquet.
Recruiting and Retention Division Honored
Members of the Georgia Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Division were honored MidAugust during the annual Family Readiness, Leadership conference awards banquet for their efforts to bring new enlistments to the organization's ranks while retaining those already in uniform. Full Story. The 10-member Recruiting and Retention Team 4, headed by Master Sgt. Anthony Weeks, received this year's best team award for its efforts to bolster the Georgia Army National Guard's ranks with new recruits, while retaining those already in uniform. Team 4, one of eight such teams the Army Guard uses for its recruiting efforts, covers the Northwest Georgia area, to include Rome, Dalton and Fort Oglethorpe. Individual awards were presented during the banquet to Sgt. 1st Class Alan Homer; Sgt. 1st Class George Lockhart; Master Sgt. James King; Sgt. 1st Class Mark Daniel; Staff Sgt. Carolyn Hill; Sgt. 1st Class Jovell Vappie; Staff Sgt. Sean Marovich; Sgt. 1st Class Allan Homer; Staff Sgt. Benjamin Waldrop; Staff Sgt. Eric Rochelle; Sgt. 1st Class Howard McCain; Sgt. 1st Class Mable Harvard: Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Kelker; Staff Sgt. Jeremy Hill; Sgt. 1st Class Rebecca Robinson; Sgt. 1st Class William Henderson; and Sgt. 1st Class Gary Folds.
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CW5 Bob Maynard (left) poses with CW4 Tom McNamara. They are the outgoing and incoming commanders of Det. 9, Operations Support Airlift Command. Maynard also received the Legion of Merit.
CW5 Maynard Earns Legion of Merit
Georgia Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Edger Maynard, former commander of Marietta's Detachment 9 Operations Support Airlift Command, received the Legion of Merit in August for outstanding military service. Maynard retired from service with the Guard in mid-April after 37 years of service. Detachment 9's new commander is Chief Warrant Officer 4 Tom McNamara. According to the citation he received, Maynard distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct from 12 January 1967 to 28 February 2003, while serving in positions of increasing responsibility, which culminated with his job as Det 9's commander. "His undeviating example as a soldier, officer and aviator has inspired those who have worked with him to greater performance and superior service," the citation read. "His leadership has been demonstrated in many campaigns and forums, from flying combat missions during the Viet Nam war's Tet Offensive in 1967, to acting as an active duty liaison officer, platoon leader and operations officer for the 1105th Aviation Company, U.S. Army Reserve, during the restructuring period following the war."

The then Captain Maynard, the citation went on to note, assisted and represented Georgia and Army during major accident investigations, during which he was a key member in determining probable causes. His efforts, the citation states, were paramount in assisting the Army in an effort to alleviate future aircraft and personnel losses.
"His efforts were influential in his detachment receiving the Army Award of Excellence in Safety, of which he was the chief standardization instructor pilot for 16 years and the commander for the past three" the citation stated. "Chief Maynard's distinctive accomplishments culminated a distinguished career with countless successful missions and over 7,557 hours flown."
Maynard and his wife live in Marietta. He remains employed with the Federal Aviation Administration as its lead training center manger for the Gulfstream G5 program in Savannah.
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Maj. Jay Peno presents Col Jimmy Davis a caricature of himself leaving Atlanta for a job at NGB.
Col Davis Heads For NGB
Georgia's Col. Jimmy Davis, director of human resources for the Georgia National Guard, has been appointed the National Guard Bureau's deputy director for human resources. He is expected to report to Washington this month. Many of Davis' friends and colleagues recently honored him during a luncheon at Fort McPherson. Among the many accolades he received was the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal presented by Col (ret) Ed Chamberlain, director of workforce development. "I feel very honored and appreciative of this unique opportunity to serve," Davis said in his farewell speech. "This new assignment provides me the opportunity to streamline and improve the human resources processes at the national level, and it permits me to assist my human resource colleagues and friends throughout the United States. "Still, I will truly miss my HRO family and other friends in the Georgia Guard," he added. You have all made a difference in my life." Davis, a 37-year military veteran, has been the Department of Defense director of human resources since October 1996. Under his leadership, the Georgia DoD was awarded the nation's first Diversity Excellence Award in 2002. This recognition is one of the National Guard's highest honors in the human relations field, and it represents the Georgia National Guard's focus on its people. Davis also was instrumental in the successful handling of human resources and manpower issues relating to the formation of the 116th Air Control Wing, the first combined Guard and active-duty wing in the Air Force. He began his military career in January 1966 and was assigned to Marietta's 116th Military Airlift Group. Davis was commissioned as a first lieutenant in 1978 and later became a personnel officer, serving in several human resources directorate positions. He commanded the 116th Fighter Wing Mission Support Squadron for three years. During that time the unit received the Outstanding Unit Award. Davis was military venue commander at the Georgia Dome during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games

in Atlanta. He commanded more than 200 troops, who provided security and other support to the event. Davis continues as chairman of the Georgia DoD human resources team. Under his guidance, the team was honored in 2001 with the Oglethorpe Award for Organizational Excellence.
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Burson

Mobley

Burson, Mobley Retire From Georgia ANG

Georgia Air Guardsmen Col. Lou Burson and Chief Master Sgt. Bobby L. Mobley decided that it was time to hang up their uniforms and just take it easy.

Burson retired in mid-August as executive staff support officer of Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard. His retirement comes after a career of more than 37 years of military service, more than 25 years of that has been with the National Guard. Full Story.

Burson began his full-time job with the Air Guard in 1978 while stationed in Knoxville as a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard. In 1980, he transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard at Colorado Springs where he served as a Radar Electronics Maintenance Officer.

Burson was transferred in 1983 to the Georgia Air Guard, promoted to the rank of major and given the job of base detachment commander for Savannah's 283rd Combat Communications Squadron. He later was selected as administrative officer to the 165th Airlift Wing. Burson served in that position until July 1997 when he was made executive support staff officer at Georgia Air National Guard Headquarters.

Upon Burson's retirement, Major General David Poythress presented him with the Legion of Merit and the Georgia Distinctive Service Medal. Burson and his wife Pam will retire to Mountain View, Arkansas.

Chief Master Sergeant Bobby L. Mobley retired as Air Guard Headquarters' first sergeant. He completes more than forty years of military service, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal. Mobley and his wife Sandra continue to live in Hinesville.

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Col Tom Lynn, right, 116th Air Control Wing commander, presents a wing coin to Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, who visited the Wing in August. He signed
autographs and met with unit members at Coats Hall.

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The #1 men's open team from the 116th at Robins AFB earned first place in their division.