First Friday briefing [Apr. 2, 2004]

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First Friday Briefing for April 2004
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In this issue: 221st MI Companies Return From Deployment
Mobilized CH-47 Unit Leaves for Overseas
Mobilization Update Ch 47 Unit Leaves for Overseas 283rd CBCS in Afghanistan and UAE
Lynn Pinned In Robins Ceremony Rodeheaver Joins 48th's Parade of 'Stars' New Townsend Range Tower Dedicated Smith, Dryden Earn NCO, Soldier of the Year Honors Governor, General Assembly Laud Guard During '2004 Day' at State Capitol Lieutenants Earn Gold Bars Through Accelerated OCS Program Georgia Air Guardsmen Receive Bronze Stars At State Capitol Ceremony Scholarship Winners Headed For Georgia National Guard
117th ACS Plays Host to Active Airmen Historical Society Finds Home for French 75mm at Army Guard HQ
Women's Military Roles Highlighted In Oglethorpe Ceremony Clyde Fulton, Former 202nd Commander Dies
This Month in Georgia Guard History

221st MI Companies Return From Deployment

More than eighty

Georgia Army National

Guardsmen of

Companies A and B of

the 221st Military

Intelligence Battalion

returned home after

over twelve months of

duty in Iraq,

Afghanistan and

Staff Sgt. Brian Parsons, a counter intelligence agent with Company B, 221st Military Intelligence battalion, hugs his wife, Lisa Wednesday March 24, 2004. Photo Gallery

Kuwait. The troops received a thunderous welcome from hundreds of family and friends who gathered in

the Neal Fitness Center at Fort Gillem on Thursday March 24, 2004 .

Companies A and B of the 221st represents the Georgia National Guard's counterintelligence agents, interrogators and linguists. The 221st MI Battalion was among the first Georgia Army National Guard units to deploy in February 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Last August sixty members of the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion returned home from duty in Iraq and again in October more than 120 members returned home.
In remarks before the troops and families, Maj Gen David Poythress said, "You will always remember that you were a part of America's war on terrorism and you have served this nation well. We are delighted to have you back with us."

Mobilization Updates

CH-47 Unit Leaves for Overseas

Members of Savannah's Detachment 1, 131st Aviation departed Columbus on Monday, March 29 for their deployment to Afghanistan. The unit mobilized in January and has been training at Fort Benning in preparation for their mission in support of the War on Terrorism. The 94 members of the Georgia Guard unit merged with 114 soldiers from the unit's headquarters from Birmingham, Ala. This is the first federal mobilization in the unit's history. In Afghanistan, the unit's Chinooks will support a number of missions including hauling troops and cargo. The twin-rotor helicopter can carry up to 30 troops dressed in full combat gear or up to 23,000 pounds of equipment and supplies.

283rd in Afghanistan and UAE

Twenty Georgia

Air National

Guardsmen

from Dobbins'

283rd Combat

Communications

Squadron are

now in

Afghanistan and

United Arab

Emirates in

support of

missions in

support of

Five Air Guardsmen of the 283rd CBCS stand before a satellite van at a classified location in Afghanistan. Larger photo

America's war on Terror and the Air Expeditionary

Force

operations. A team of five Georgia Air Guardsmen of the 283rd is on a classified

communications mission assigned to the 125th Signal Battalion currently located in

Afghanistan.

Eighteen airmen of the 283rd CBCS are also assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Dhafra AB, UAE as part of the Air Expeditionary Force. Their role for the next 90 days is to provide reliable communications throughout AOR in support to OEF and OIF operations. They support the direct flying mission of the 380th AEW by providing NIPR and SIPR network communications, DSN, and a myriad of other communications capabilities. Additionally, the Dobbins-based Air Guardsmen are responsibility for communications for six based in the AOR and local coalition forces providing satellite and wideband equipment, radio and cell phones services.

List of Mobilized Units

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Lynn Pinned In Robins Ceremony

Colonel Tom Lynn,

Commander of the

116th Air Control Wing

was promoted to the

rank of Brigadier

General in the Georgia

Air National Guard on

Friday, March 12, 2004

Brigadier General Tom Lynn gets his star pinned on by wife Joy (left) and his mother Betty, while his son Bill looks on.

at military ceremonies held at Robins AFB. Major General David Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General

conducted the promotion ceremony before several hundred 116th Guardsmen, Air Force

colleagues, family and friends.

Lynn commands the first Total Force wing in the Air Force, comprised of both active duty and Georgia Air National Guardsmen. The wing flies the sophisticated E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft. Lynn, who joined the Georgia Air National Guard in September 1979 assumed command of the 116th Bomb Wing at Robins AFB on June 1998 and later took command of the 116th Air Control Squadron in September 2002.

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Rodeheaver Joins 48th's Parade of 'Stars'

Stewart Rodeheaver

became the Georgia

National Guard's

newest general officer

Saturday, March 27,

when he was promoted

to the rank of Brigadier

General. Rodeheaver

commands the Georgia

Guard's 48th Infantry

Brigadier General Stewart Rodheaver is pinned to his new rank

Brigade, which is made up of more than 4,000

by representatives of the Georgia National Guard's enlisted corps. On the left is Cmd. Sgt. Maj. James Nelson, the senior enlisted member of the 48th Brigade and on the right

National Guard soldiers drilling in 28 hometown armories across the state.

is Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Mark Bender,

command sergeant major of the Georgia National Guard's Troop Command.

"Stewart is the right man at the right time for the leadership of the

48th Infantry Brigade," said Major General Terry Nesbitt, Commander of the Georgia Army

National Guard. "During his command tenure, this brigade will undergo a change that is

unparalleled in its history as it changes its structure to a modular brigade combat team that

will deploy very rapidly and plug-into any situation throughout the world.
"It will be a significant change and I can't think of anybody I would rather have than Stewart to lead the 48th Brigade through that change," added Nesbitt. Read full story
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New Townsend Range Tower Dedicated

It stands more than eighty feet off the low country bottom land of South Georgia . Only the occasional Department of Natural Resources fire tower equals the height of the new control tower built at Georgia 's Townsend Bombing range located near Brunswick . Climbing the more than 150 steps to the red and white-checkered Control Tower, squeamish visitors are urged to look straight ahead or up, never down. The eighty-foot tower commands a panoramic view high above the treetops of McIntosh County and provides a superior vantage point to direct hundreds of fighter aircraft that use the range annually.

training available in the United States.

The new 80-foot high control tower is the first phase of many improvement projects for the twenty-two year old range that Air Guard officials say will soon be the finest air-to-ground weapons

"With the new tower combined with our every-increasing array of threat emitters and realistic (Joint Munitions Ground Targets), we are well on our way to becoming the leading Air National Guard range in the nation," said Lt. Col Jim O'Brien, Commander of the Townsend Range. Read full story

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Smith, Dryden Earn NCO, Soldier of the Year Honors
On left, Spec. Rachel Dryden is congratulated by Col. Harold Kerkoff, RTI commander, on her Soldier of the Year honor. On right, Sgt. James Smith, the Georgia Army Guard's NCO of the Year.
Year for 2003.

Story by Sgt. Roy Henry Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office
Two Georgia Army National Guardsmen have been named the organization's Soldier of the Year and Noncommissioned Officer of the

Guardsmen Spc. Rachel Dryden and Sgt. James Smith were honored in a ceremony held, Saturday, March 13, at the Guard's Regional Training Institute in Macon. Both go on to compete in the active Army's Forces Command Soldier of the Year competition later this year. Should they win in their respective categories, Dryden and Smith will then vie for the Army Soldier and NCO of the Year awards. Read full story
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Governor, General Assembly Laud Guard During '2004 Day' at State Capitol

Governor Sonny

Perdue and the

Georgia General

Assembly

proclaimed March

12, 2004 as

"National Guard Day

in Georgia"

recognizing the more

Governor Sonny Perdue signs a proclamation and lauds the Georgia National Guard during the annual "National Guard Day" at the State Capitol Photo

than 11,000 Georgia National Guard citizen soldiers currently serving in the Georgia Army

and Air National Guard, State Defense Force, and DoD. The Governor and the General

Assembly specifically acknowledged the more than 4,000 Georgia National Guardsmen who

were involved the nation's war on terrorism over the past year.

On the steps of the Capitol's north wing, Perdue read a proclamation to the Georgia National Guard recognizing the historic involvement of Georgia's citizen soldiers in actions in Southwest Asia.

Appearing before the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, Maj. Gen. David Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, lauded the professionalism, duty and devotion of Georgia's citizen-Soldiers. His remarks and his introduction of the Georgia Guardsmen in attendance received a standing ovation in each chamber.

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Lieutenants Earn Gold Bars Through Accelerated OCS Program
Four new Georgia Army National Guard officers were sworn in recently during a ceremony at the Alabama National Guard Training Center at Fort McClellan in Anniston, while smiles beamed from the faces of their families and friends.

Georgia Army National Guard's newest second lieutenants take the oath of office Saturday March 27. From left to right are 2nd Lt. Timothy Williams of Lithia Springs and the 166th Maintenance Company; 2nd Lt. Donald Venn III, Norcross and the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion; and 2nd Lt. Edward Meztista, of Mobile, a member of the 1-171st Aviation Regiment.
and Reserve position for a second lieutenant can be found for him.

The Army Guard's newest second lieutenants are Edward Meztista, 22, a Mobile, Ala., native; Donald Venn III, 34, of Norcross; and Timothy Williams, 39, of Lithia Springs. Staff Sgt Jeremy Hill, 25, an Army Guard recruiters, is the fourth member of the group. Hill, who lives in Conyers, will wait to pin on his gold bar until an Active Guard

"Always remember your soldiers are volunteers," Lt. Col. Bruce Chick, commander of 3rd Battalion, 122nd Regiment the Regional Training Center in Macon, told the graduating new lieutenants. "You need them more than they need you and always, always lead from the front, they will follow." Read full story

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Georgia Air Guardsmen Receive Bronze Stars At State Capitol Ceremony

Ten Georgia Air National

Guardsmen were

presented Bronze Stars

by the Governor Sonny

Perdue during the

"National Guard Day in

Georgia" ceremony in

March. The awardees

earned the honors while

Governor Sonny Perdue awards one of the 10 Bronze Stars to

deployed in support of Global War on

Georgia Guardsmen during ceremonies at the State Capitol

Terrorism.

Photo Gallery

Receiving the distinctive

honor were Lt. Col.

Rainer Gomez of the 165 Airlift Wing, Major George Cooper, Major Steve Turner, Technical

Sgt. Alvin Freshwater, Staff Sgt. Kevin McManus, Staff Sgt. Ryan Baker, Staff Sgt. Brent

Kernes, Staff Sgt. Trevor Kernes, Master Sgt. David Wilburn and Chief Master Sgt. Chris

Cooke, all of the 165th Air Operations Support Squadron in Brunswick.

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Scholarship Winners Headed For Georgia National Guard

Thirty-nine students bound for North Georgia College & State University were honored at the Georgia Capitol on March 24 for receiving the Georgia Military Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to students who commit to serve in the Georgia Army National Guard while in college and serve four years as a National Guard officer after receiving a degree. It pays the full cost of education for four years.

Gov. Sonny Perdue individually congratulated

the future university students, who will enter

Ashley Beard, daughter of Lt. Col. Don Beard, commander of the 118th Field Artillery Bn., is

NGCSU in August. State legislators were also on hand to meet with the students they nominated for the scholarship.

one of 39 Georgia Military

Scholarship winners. Photo gallery

The recipients and their families attended a luncheon in their honor where Brig. Gen.

William Nesbitt, commander of the Georgia

Army National Guard spoke, along with NGCSU President Nathaniel Hansford. Full Story and

complete list on winners

117th ACS Plays Host to Active Airmen
The Georgia Air National Guard's Savannah-based 117th Air Control Squadron played host in late March to members of the 325th Training Squadron stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The group of 10 active-duty airmen were at the 117th conducting Ground Tactical Air Control System (GTACS) and Modular Control System (MCE) familiarization. Officials with the Georgia squadron said the group is on its first assignment, assisting in the training of new air battle managers. Members of the 117th helped their active-duty counterparts familiarize themselves with the types of equipment and operations they can expect when they travel to their next duty assignments.

Historical Society Finds Home for French 75mm at Army Guard HQ
After

Then and now - At left is how the French 75 looked when it was found at Anniston Army Depot. On the right is the restored cannon now on display at Oglethorpe Armory.
several years and several thousands of dollars, a French 75mm, painted in colors used by Georgia soldiers on the Western front in 1917-1918, went on permanent display in Oglethorpe Armory in early March. The Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard, Inc., claimed the shambles of the almost unrecognizable gun from Anniston Army Depot in the late 1990s.
Members of the Society, with help from Georgia Guardsmen on weekend drill helped position

the gun on a pedestal in its new home. Displays depicting the history of the gun and Georgians in the World War will eventually be installed to enhance the piece More about the the French 75mm cannon

Skycrane Receives Second Life After a Decade of Obscurity
A new lease on life has been gained for an aging CH-54A Skycrane once belonging to the Georgia Army National Guard. The helicopter which was once used in transporting equipment of the Georgia's 117th Air Control Squadron in a deployment to Norway in 1992 and then `stashed away' waiting a second chance on life for more than a decade.
The aircraft has been redeemed from its once permanent resting-place at the 117th ACS at Hunter Army Airfield. The huge Skycrane helicopter, known to many as the `praying mantis,' was purchased recently by Evergreen Helicopter, Inc. of McMinnville, Oregon. The company plans for the oddly-shaped aircraft to be used in fire-fighting operations in the nation's northwest. Maintenance personnel arrived at Hunter on March 24 to begin to dismantle the aircraft and on March 26, the aircraft was loaded onto the back of a flatbed semi tractor trailer for the road trip to its new home in Oregon.
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Women's Military Roles Highlighted In Oglethorpe Ceremony

State Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas and Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt are joined by several women Citizen-Soldiers for a group photo shortly after Thomas' rousing speech during the Guard's Women's History Month and women in uniform program. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Heather McLemore)
7.

State Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas of Atlanta joined soldiers at State Area Command Headquarters (STARC) in Ellenwood in honoring the women of the Georgia National Guard as part of National Women's History Month, Sunday, March

The theme of this year's celebration is "Women...Inspiring Hope and Possibility."

Standing before an audience of about 100 Guardsmen, Thomas said that, "women have waited for so long to be recognized for the important contributions they continue to make to the world around them."
"To you," she said with a sweeping motion of her left hand across the audience, "the women who wear the uniform, I salute you for your commitment to your country, to your communities and to your families." Read full story
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Clyde Fulton, Former 202nd Commander Dies

at the funeral home.

Lt Col Clyde E. Fulton, former commander of the Macon 's 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron, passed away Saturday, March 27 at his home in Macon . Fulton battled cancer for the last five years of his life. Fulton commanded the Georgia Air National Guard unit from 1993 - 1998 and was the Detachment Commander for the 202nd from 19751998. During this period, Fulton led the unit to three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. A memorial service will be on Tuesday, April 6 at 2pm at McCullough Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 1pm

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A look at what happened in April in Georgia National Guard history:
April 2, 1836: Five companies of Georgia militia commanded by Maj. Mark Cooper are ordered to set up defense for the care of the sick and wounded and to hold the position at Holathlikaha Lake during he campaign against the Seminoles in Florida. They withstood a siege by the Seminoles until April 18th when Relief Troops arrive.
April 11, 1872: The Macon Volunteers are reorganized into a militia company. They were disbanded on April 10, 1865 following the Civil War and could not organize again until 1872 because of reconstruction laws.
April 30, 1897: The Armory of the Macon Volunteers is damaged by fire. Their weekly drills after the fire are "street drills," weather permitting.
April 27, 1922: Elements of the first field artillery are resdesignated the 118th Field Artillery Regiment. Georgia's historic Chatham Artillery is now the 118th Field Artillery. The Chatham Artillery is Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Battery A and Battery C of the Second Battalion.
Complied by Staff Sgt. Gail Parnelle, GaARNG Historical Section
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Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress The Adjutant General of Georgia

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Army National Guard FAQ The latest news from the Georgia Army National Guard. | 2007 NCO, soldier Named | Hurricane Exercise Tests Readines | Guard Deploys to Americus to Aid Relief Effort | G-RAP Pays Off for Guardsman | CERFP Unit Ramps Up With Joint Training Exercise | Lt. Col. Wood Earns Bronze Star | 4th CST Welcomes New commander | Warren Promoted | 221st Welcomes New Commander | Gober Earns Eagles | Artillerymen Honored During Saint Barbara Day Celebration | Calhoun Resident Receives Medals... 60 Years Late |

Air National Guard FAQ The latest news from the Georgia Air National Guard. | Col. Moore Assumes Command of the 116th |Doehling Retires as 116th Vice-Cmdr | Cotter Tapped to Attend Air, Space School | New Positions Follow 165th Change | Smart to Lead 165th | 116th's Thetford lands at State's Airfields | 116th ACW Brings Cheer to Area Families | 283rd Earns Air Force Honor | Basketball Life Pays Off for 116th Officer | 138th MIC Gets New Commander |

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Companies A & B 221st MI Return 24Mar04

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Georgia National Guard Support to Operations Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom
Iraqi Freedom
As of: March 29, 2004
Total Georgia National Guardsmen Mobilized or Alerted: Approx 3,500
(Includes Army and Air National Guard mobilized since Sept 11 2001, including those returned from service)
Army Guard (numbers are approximate):
q 2,320 currently mobilized q 1,450 are overseas (Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom) q 870 remain in CONUS for Homeland Security q 1,000 have returned q Mobilized and projected units drill in 29 hometowns across Georgia
Army Guard Units Mobilized
Units deployed overseas (Part of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom)
q 265th Engineer Group Decatur q 277th Maintenance Company Kennesaw q Company B, 161st Medical Battalion Marietta q 1148th Transportation Company Thomasville and Moultrie q 878th Engineer Battalion Augusta, Swainsboro, Sandersville, Lyons and Metter q Company H, 171st Aviation Dobbins Air Reserve Base q 171st Combat Aviation Support Battalion - Dobbins Air Reserve Base
Units serving in US (Part of Operation Noble Eagle)
q 202nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment Kennesaw q 1177th Transportation Company - LaGrange and Cedartown q 75th Engineer Detachment - Ft Stewart q 1230th Transportation Company Bainbridge and Columbus q 178th Military Police Company (Monroe) q 110th Corps Support Battalion Headquarters - Columbus q 166th Maintenance Company Jackson q 82nd Maintenance Company Columbus q 165th Quartermaster Company Brunswick
Units returned from active duty
q 3rd Infantry Detachment Ft. Stewart q 221st Military Intelligence Battalion Fort Gillem q 1/214th Field Artillery Elberton, Hartwell, Athens, Thomson, Washington, Waynesboro, Toccoa q 190th Military Police Company Kennesaw q 148th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) Winder
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 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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Rodeheaver Joins 48th's Parade of 'Stars'

Stewart Rodeheaver became the

Georgia National Guard's newest

general officer Saturday, March

27, when he was promoted to the

rank of Brigadier General.

Rodeheaver commands the

Georgia Guard's 48th Infantry

Brigade, which is made up of more

than 4,000 National Guard

soldiers drilling in 28 hometown

Brigadier General Stewart

armories across the state.

Rodheaver is pinned to his new

rank by representatives of the Georgia National Guard's enlisted corps. On the left is Cmd. Sgt. Maj.

"Stewart is the right man at the right time for the leadership of the

James Nelson, the senior enlisted

48th Infantry Brigade," said Major

member of the 48th Brigade and on the right is Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Mark Bender, command sergeant major of the Georgia National Guard's Troop Command.

General Terry Nesbitt, Commander of the Georgia Army National Guard. "During his command tenure, this brigade will

undergo a change that is

unparalleled in its history as it changes its structure to a modular brigade combat team that will deploy

very rapidly and plug-into any situation throughout the world.

"It will be a significant change and I can't think of anybody I would rather have than Stewart to lead the 48th Brigade through that change," added Nesbitt.

Rodeheaver, a 29-year veteran of the Georgia National Guard, assumed command of the 48th Infantry Brigade in February.

In a unique twist, Rodeheaver elected to be pinned to his new rank by representatives from the Georgia National Guard's enlisted corps, including Command Sergeant Major James Nelson, the senior enlisted member of the 48th Brigade and Command Sergeant Major Mark Bender, command sergeant major of the Georgia National Guard's Troop Command.

"I asked Sergeant Major Bender to pin the star on my left collar to remind me of the state team that I support and the NCO's throughout the state that I work for," the new General explained. "Sergeant Major Nelson pinned my right collar to remind the 48th Brigade NCO's and the leadership of the NCO corps and what they do for us every day."

Rodeheaver also invited Sergeant James Smith, the Georgia National Guard's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, to pin the star on his beret to honor the enlisted members of the Georgia National Guard.

"I promise the three of you that I will not forget those commitments I've made to the enlisted corps," he added.

In civilian life, General Rodeheaver is employed by the Southern Company as manager of Economic Development, and he took time during the ceremony to thank his employer and his coworkers who attended. "These are my bosses, my mentors, my coaches, but most of all they are my friends and I appreciated them coming today," he said.

"Many times we hear the expression that someone is `a soldier's soldier,'" Major General David B. Poythress, Georgia 's Adjutant General told the crowd assembled for the ceremony. "But I have never heard it said more consistently about anybody than about Stewart Rodeheaver."
Throughout his long career with the Georgia Army National Guard, Rodeheaver has served in a number of key leadership positions. He enlisted in the National Guard in October 1971 and was commissioned at the Georgia Military Institute in Milledgeville in 1974 as an Honor Graduate. He has served in command positions with the 148th Forward Support Battalion in Forsyth; 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry in Albany ; and Headquarters Company 48th Brigade in Macon .
In 1993, he was selected as battalion commander of the 108th Armor Battalion where he served a threeyear tour that included a rotation to the National Training Center in California , and an assignment as the senior observer controller for Operation Bright Star in Egypt .
He also was deputy director, Joint Operations, Georgia Department of Defense, and later served in command positions with the 78th Troop Command and as commander, Regional Training Institute in Macon.
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New Townsend Range Tower Dedicated

It stands more than eighty feet off the low country bottom land of South Georgia . Only the occasional Department of Natural Resources fire tower equals the height of the new control tower built at Georgia 's Townsend Bombing range located near Brunswick . Climbing the more than 150 steps to the red and white-checkered Control Tower, squeamish visitors are urged to look straight ahead or up, never down. The eighty-foot tower commands a panoramic view high above the treetops of McIntosh County and provides a superior vantage point to direct hundreds of fighter aircraft that use the range annually.

The new 80-foot high control tower is the first phase of many improvement projects for the twenty-two year old range that Air Guard officials say will soon be the finest air-to-ground weapons training available in the United States.

(Photo by: CMSgt Ron Jetton)

"With the new tower combined with our every-increasing

array of threat emitters and realistic (Joint Munitions Ground

Targets), we are well on our way to becoming the leading Air National Guard range in the nation," said

Lt. Col Jim O'Brien, Commander of the Townsend Range .

The new Tower essentially doubles the height of it's the original tower in when the range opened on October 1, 1981 .

"It was little more than a box on stilts when we first started," says O'Brien. "Since its beginning the dedicated and creative airmen assigned to this range have continually improved it and transformed it into a highly capable Air Operations Center that integrates all the critical systems at one point."

Inside the box high atop the tower are a myriad of communications and electronics systems that provide constant contact with aircraft and pilots entering the range airspace. The ubiquitous field glasses, once the mainstay of the air traffic controller, only goes to confirm what a bank of highly sophisticated radar and sensing devices continuously relays back to the controller. From the tower, realistic threat simulators called `smoky sams' hidden amongst the high grass and rusting military hulks can be fired near the aircraft simulating counter offensive actions from ground forces.

Cutting the ribbon for the new Towsend Range tower are (L to R): Lt Col Todd Freesemann, 165 Civil Engineers Squadron; Maj Gen William Searcy, Commander, Georgia Air National Guard; Maj Gen David Poythress, The Adjutant General of Georgia; and, Lt Col Jim Obrien, Range OIC at Townsend Range. (Photo by: CMSgt Ron Jetton)

"We no longer have to wait for a flight to clear the tall pine trees before visually identifying them," said O'Brien, "we will be able to visually pick them up on the horizon and direct them in on the target."

Major General David Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General cut the ribbon on the new tower and went on to emphasize the important role played by Georgia's Townsend Range in providing realistic training for today's combat fighter pilots.

"Our goal with this new tower and with the schedule of improvements which are coming to the Range is to make this site the premier "one-stop" joint training range of the future. We will be able to provide an

intense and robust electronic threat environment, advanced crew debriefing methods and customer service beyond belief," said O'Brien.
Each year hundreds of aircraft from every military service utilize the range to hone their bombing and strafing skills.
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Smith, Dryden Earn NCO, Soldier of the Year Honors

Story by Sgt. Roy Henry Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office

Two Georgia Army

National Guardsmen have

been named the

organization's Soldier of

the Year and

Noncommissioned Officer

of the Year for 2003.

On left, Spec. Rachel Dryden is congratulated

by Col. Harold Kerkoff, RTI commander, on her Soldier of the Year honor. On right, Sgt. James Smith, the Georgia Army Guard's NCO of the Year.

Guardsmen Spc. Rachel Dryden and Sgt. James Smith were honored in a

ceremony held, Saturday,

March 13, at the Guard's Regional Training Institute in Macon. Both go on to compete in the active

Army's Forces Command Soldier of the Year competition later this year. Should they win in their

respective categories, Dryden and Smith will then vie for the Army Soldier and NCO of the Year awards.

Dryden, a paralegal specialist with Newnan's 201st Supply and Service Battalion, was one of four nominees named to compete for Soldier of the Year. They were Spc. Frankie Smith, a cannon crewman with Springfield's Battery A, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery; Spc. Christopher Hickox with Training Site Detachment Headquarters STARC in Ellenwood; and Spc. Leslie G. Thomas, who also works with the Training Site Detachment and Joint Forces Headquarters STARC.

A fifth Soldier of the Year nominee, Spc. Janelle Thomas of the Guard's 171st Aviation Group, was unable to participate in the competition. The Group is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In the civilian world, Dryden, who lives in Columbus, is a machine operator with that city's Total Systems Inc.

Being chosen really did take me by surprise," she said. "I nearly fell over when I heard my name announced...it's quite an honor."

Smith, an infantry team leader with Thomaston's Company B, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, had three competitors for NCO of the Year. They were Sgt. Michael Neal of Ellenwood's Company H, 121st Infantry Regiment; Sgt. 1st Class Theresa Terrell with Joint Headquarters STARC; and Sgt. Stanley Posey also of Joint Headquarters and the Training Site Detachment. Two other NCOs, Sgt. Rico Green with 171st Aviation Group, and Sgt. Jeffery Holley were unable to compete. Green has deployed with his unit to Iraq and Holley was ill.

Although Smith drills with the 121st Infantry, he works full-time as state service scholarships coordinator for Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. His job, he said, is similar to that of a unit readiness NCO in that he assists Guardsmen attending the college with their pay and personnel issues. He also acts as a liaison between the Army National Guard and the college in regard to the four-year scholarships the Guard offers through the school.

"I was excited, surprised and humbled all at the same time," Smith said, one arm around his wife Roni, the other holding their 8-week-old son James Michael II. "The competition has been hard in getting here and not one person that I've competed with has been less than exceptional.

"I'm not only appreciative of that fact that I was chosen, but I'm also proud of my fellow Soldiers for their hard work and for their professionalism throughout the selection process."
Roni Smith smiled and said of her husband, "I'm proud of he is and what he's done, and that makes me proud to be a Soldier's wife."
Competing for Soldier of the Year or NCO of the Year is no easy task, Dryden and Smith agreed. There are pages upon pages of special study guides that require several hours a day of the Soldier's attention. Both said they found it necessary to break away from studying from time to time but it never really left their thoughts.
"I know that I would stay away from studying on weekends so I balance that with time with my family," Smith said, "but I still found my self running possible questions the board might ask me through my mind.
"And yet when it came down to it," Dryden added, "all that studying and preparation you get at the unit level has paid off."
Besides preparation for the boards there are countless hours of training on basic Soldier skills that must be accomplished so the Guardsman can nearly do the steps in those tasks with their eyes closed. No one knows what basic skills they will be asked to perform so it's necessary to test on as many of the basic skills as possible.
During this year's competition all the Soldiers were evaluated on maintaining an M16 rifle, evaluating a casualty, preventing shock and protecting themselves against biological injury and contamination. One task, writing and issuing a warning order was added for those competing for NCO of the Year.
"The tasks change from year to year," said Sgt. 1st Class Gary Cato, the primary evaluator for Soldier Common Task portion of the competition. "That keeps the Soldiers on their toes and ready for whatever task we assign them.
"If the Soldiers and their units have done their jobs, the individual who compete for the honor of Soldier and NCO of the year will have no problems," he said.
For the Soldier who may want to compete in next year's competition, Dryden and Smith offered a bit of advice.
Don't believe, they agreed, that this is an easy thing to do. If it were, Dryden said, it wouldn't be worth going after. Take it seriously, Smith added, because everyone involved is certainly serious.
Follow through on everything you do, the two agreed.
"Be prepared, work hard and be dedicated to following through with the commitment you make," Dryden said.
"The time and effort you put into this, whether you win or not, is worth it because, I believe, helps make you a better Soldier," Smith said.
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Lieutenants Earn Gold Bars Through Accelerated OCS Program

Four new Georgia Army National Guard officers were sworn in recently during a ceremony at the Alabama National Guard Training Center at Fort McClellan in Anniston, while smiles beamed from the faces of their families and friends.

Georgia Army National Guard's newest second lieutenants take the oath of

The Army Guard's newest

office Saturday March 27. From left to right are 2nd Lt. Timothy Williams of Lithia Springs and the 166th Maintenance Company; 2nd Lt. Donald Venn III, Norcross and the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion; and 2nd

second lieutenants are Edward Meztista, 22, a Mobile, Ala., native; Donald Venn III, 34, of Norcross; and Timothy Williams, 39, of Lithia Springs.

Lt. Edward Meztista, of Mobile, a member of the 1-171st Aviation Regiment.

Staff Sgt Jeremy Hill, 25, an Army Guard recruiters, is the fourth member of the group.

Hill, who lives in Conyers, will

wait to pin on his gold bar until an Active Guard and Reserve position for a second lieutenant can be

found for him.

"Always remember your soldiers are volunteers," Lt. Col. Bruce Chick, commander of 3rd Battalion, 122nd Regiment the Regional Training Center in Macon, told the graduating new lieutenants. "You need them more than they need you and always, always lead from the front, they will follow."

The Accelerated or "fast-track" Officer Candidate School is structured into three phases totaling eight weeks. The school's winter class runs from January to March, while the summer class is June to August.

Phase I, conducted at Fort McClellan, instructs candidates in the basic leadership skills required of a commissioned officer. Each student is faced with physical and mental challenges designed to develop and evaluate their personal determination and desire to excel. An Army physical training test and land navigation test are the highlights of this phase.

Phase II takes place at Fort Indian Gap, Pa., and it takes candidates out of the noncommissioned officer mindset. It teaches them to think on their feet, to improvise adapt and overcome any situation. During their four weeks in central Pennsylvania, candidates are instructed and tested on leadership, communication, combat service support, military intelligence, the "Objective Force," field artillery and tactics.

Each candidate is also evaluated by his peers and his instructors on how he does in the classroom and in the field. It is a demanding time, with days starting at 4:45 a.m. and going virtually non-stop to 10:30 p. m.

During phase three, the candidates return to Fort McClellan where all of the skills they have learned are put to the test in a field environment. As a phase three candidate, the Soldiers are tested on their leadership abilities and their ability to work as a team. It is an intense 15-day training mission that hones the skills learned during the first two phases.

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Guard Day 2004 12Mar04

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North Georgia Scholarships 24Mar04

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Scholarship Winners Headed For Georgia National Guard

Thirty-nine students bound for North Georgia College & State University were honored at the Georgia Capitol on March 24 for receiving the Georgia Military Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to students who commit to serve in the Georgia Army National Guard while in college and serve four years as a National Guard officer after receiving a degree. It pays the full cost of education for four years.

Gov. Sonny Perdue individually congratulated the future university students, who will enter NGCSU in August. State legislators were also on hand to meet with the students they nominated for the scholarship.

The recipients and their families attended a luncheon in their honor where Brig. Gen. William Nesbitt, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard spoke, along with NGCSU President Nathaniel Hansford.
The all-inclusive state scholarship covers all college costs - room, board, tuition, and fees - and is the only such scholarship in Georgia. Army benefits the scholarship recipients receive include the Montgomery G.I. Bill, National Guard duty pay and officer contract pay.
For more information on the Georgia Military Scholarship, contact NGCSU at 706/867-2804.
The following students are recipients of the 2004 Georgia Military Scholarship. Each recipient is listed with the Georgia General Assembly member who nominated him or her for the scholarship:

STUDENTS ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY COUNTY:

NAME

CITY

COUNTY

NOMITATED BY:

Ashlie Robert Eric Kelly Jeremy

Shrewsberry Peche Poe Wyatt Nixon

Taylorsville Cochran Statesboro Ft. Oglethorpe Canton

Bartow Bleckley Bulloch Catoosa Cherokee

Mr. Bill Cummings Mr. Terry Coleman Mr. Jack Hill Mr. Ronald Forster Mr. J. Calvin Hill

Jason Richard Jamie Larry Lauren Daniel Dustin Brittany Brandon Alyce Amanda Ian Chris Alan Michael Nathaniel Darrell Ashley Jared Nicholas Alan Dillon Michael Brian Gregory Travis Matthew Trevoris

Vogt McElwain Stevenson Freeman Johnson Morgan Ayers Hitt Watkins Haldi Leming Lewis O'Neil Putnam Turner Atkinson Ingram Beard Calloway Parr Schmitz Jarrett Rudio Palen Smith Bullock Parker Jefferson

Athens Smyrna Smyrna Grovetown Atlanta Douglasville Elberton Elberton Senoia Suwanee Lawrenceville Norcross Duluth Duluth Duluth Gainesville Breman McDonough Stockbridge McDonough Warner Robins Commerce Maysville Dublin Dublin Columbus Covington Augusta

Clarke Cobb Cobb Columbia Dekalb Douglas Elbert Elbert Fayette Gwinnett Gwinnett Gwinnett Gwinnett Gwinnett Gwinnett Hall Haralson Henry Henry Henry Houston Jackson Jackson Laurens Laurens Muscogee Newton Richmond

Ms. M. Louise McBee Mr. Doug Stoner Ms. Ginger Collins Mr. Ben Harbin Ms. Nadine Thomas Mr. Bill Hamrick Mr. Tom McCall Mr. Tom McCall Mr. Mitch Seabaugh Mr. Sam Zamarrippa Mr. John Heard Mr. Sam Zamarrippa Mr. Brooks Coleman Mr. David Shafer Mr. David Shafer Ms. Carol Jackson Mr. Bill Heath Ms. Nadine Thomas Mr. Stan Watson Mr. John Lunsford Mr. Larry O'Neil Mr. Chris Elrod Mr. Chris Elrod Mr. DuBose Porter Mr. DuBose Porter Mr. Ed Harbinson Ms. Faye Smith Mr. Donald Cheeks

Lea Brooks Robert Justin Carlton Elizabeth

Ross Harrison Harrison Smith Sparks Williams

Hephzibah Sylvania Toccoa Parrott Blairsville Loganville

Richmond Screven Stephens Terrell Union Walton

Mr. Randy Hall Mr. Jack Hill Ms. Jeanette Jamieson Mr. Bob Hanner Ms. Carol Jackson Mr. Len Walker

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THE FRENCH 75:
A New Gun for a New Century
updated March 2004 Click Here for Photogallery
The French 75mm, found in ruins at Anniston Army Depot in 1999, and restored by the Historical Society, was placed on permanent display at Georgia Army Guard Headquarters in Ellenwood, Ga., in early March. Society members and Guardsmen rolled the piece, painted in French Camouflage on to its pedestal after a brief struggle to get the more than 1,000 pound artillery piece through the Oglethorpe Armory doors.
In May last year, the French 75mm was rolled out on a sunny day on the fields at Picketts Mill looking just as if it was rolling onto a battlefield in 1917. Reenactors clad in World War I uniforms surrounded the piece and fired a blank round to prove that its restoration was complete.
Total cost of the restoration borne soley by contriubtion by memebers of the Historical Society came to more than $8,000.
The 75mm's History
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 UP.S. 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.
One National Guard artillery unit to use the French 75 during "the Great War" was commanded by a future U. S. President. Captain Harry S. Truman commanded Battery D, 129th Field Artillery Regiment, 35th Division, Kansas and Missouri National Guards. The 35th Division arrived in France in May 1918 and was assigned along with its artillery to take part in the offensive, which marked the combat debut of the U.S. First Army.
As the time ticked off to begin the massive preparation that would herald the offensive, Captain Truman stood by the guns of Battery D. Truman told his men that he would, ". . . rather be right here than be President of the United States." When the order to commence firing was given, the guns hurled their 75 millimeter shells at the German positions at the rate of 30 rounds per minute. The fire was so rapid that wet blankets had to be wrapped around the gun barrels for ten minutes each hour to cool them off. After the barrage, Captain Truman said that ". . . it was as quiet as a church," although he could hear the rattle of machine guns firing in the distance. The 35th Division gained more than six kilometers of ground on the 26th of September and the Argonne offensive was so successful that Germany sued for peace on

November 11, 1918.
After the gun served so well in combat and later as a training weapon, most of the 17,000 French 75s built were scrapped. Artillery purists are saddened that so few remain, as the 75 mm Field Gun, Model of 1897 (French), with its sweet recoil system, fathered numerous other modern systems which are served by artillerymen the world over.
When and Where the Society Found the French 75mm
The Georgia National Guard found the French 75 and the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard acquired it from the U.S. Army's Center of Military History. The 106-inch tube, the breech and the trail were intact and in excellent condition. The wooden wheels had deteriorated, although some of the wood was salvaged to retain its original appearance and historical accuracy. The gun was brought home to Georgia and the restoration process begun.
The first part of the restoration phase required repair of the wheels which required at least $5,000 to restore.
The French 75 is the first gun displayed for the Georgia National Guard in what is envisioned as part of an 'Armaments Row'. Very few museums or National Guard armories can claim that their displays include the famous French 75--the staple of National Guard artillery for more than 40 years and the pride of our 33rd President.
Photographs:

As we found the French 75 at Anniston

SFC Albert Mays and CW3 Rich Elwell prepare the wheels for their return to Georgia.

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Women's Military Roles Highlighted In Oglethorpe Ceremony

State Rep. "Able" Mable

Thomas of Atlanta joined

soldiers at State Area

Command Headquarters

(STARC) in Ellenwood in

honoring the women of the

Georgia National Guard as

part of National Women's

History Month, Sunday,

State Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas

March 7.

and Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt are joined by several women CitizenSoldiers for a group photo shortly after Thomas' rousing speech during the Guard's Women's

The theme of this year's celebration is "Women... Inspiring Hope and Possibility."

History Month and women in uniform program. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Heather McLemore)

Standing before an audience of about 100 Guardsmen, Thomas said that, "women have waited

for so long to be

recognized for the important contributions they continue to make to the world around them."

"To you," she said with a sweeping motion of her left hand across the audience, "the women who wear the uniform, I salute you for your commitment to your country, to your communities and to your families."

Looking out into the crowd and making eye contact with each person seated before her, Thomas said she believes the world is experiencing spiritual warfare, and there must be a spiritual rebirth. It will be the wisdom of women, she said, that will move society into a new world, that it's women who have the power to heal the planet.

They, she said, should be, they must be acknowledged for their successes, for they have always made a difference in their communities. And women have always used what they have when it comes to using money and keeping a tight budget.

Moving closer to the audience and pointing toward several women among the gather Soldiers, said, "Women...you are the leaders you have been waiting for. Stay strong, fight for peace and be inspired."

Among the female Citizen-Soldiers honored during Sunday's Women's History program were Col. Laura Strange, Col. Maria Britt, Col. Iva Wilson-Burke, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Beverly Pack, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Diane Ryan, Sgt. Maj. Jackie McKinney and retired Sgt. Maj. Judy Cole.

Strange, who is with Georgia 's Medical Command, was the first woman to reach the rank of colonel. Britt was the first woman to command a battalion (the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion), while WilsonBurke was the first African American battalion commander (STARC). Pack is the first woman to obtain the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 and Ryan is the first female band leader.

"It's interesting to note," Strange said, "that it wasn't until 1956 that female officers were integrated into the National Guard, and that it would be 11 more years before women were allowed to enlist in the Guard.

"We may have gotten off to a slow start, but we've come a long way, and we continue to make significant strides as women in the military," she added. "Ours is a proud history of important contributions to our organization, to our nation, and we'll be making even more as time goes on."
On the enlisted side, McKinney is the first African American sergeant major, while the distinction of being the first female sergeant major belongs to Cole.
Strange and McKinney were given additional honors by being presented with the 2004 Women of Excellence Award by Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's Army Guard commander. Nesbitt pointed out that McKinney also is the first female elected president of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Georgia, while Britt will this summer be named president of the National Guard Association of Georgia, which represents the Georgia National Guard's officer Corps.
"These fellow Soldiers that we honor here today, are among the 200,000 women in uniform who make up over 15 percent of our armed forces," Nesbitt explained.
"They aren't just role models for the young women in our organization, in Georgia and across the nation," he said, "but for everyone who comes in contact with them. And in the end, the defense of our country wouldn't be what it is without the contributions and the sacrifice of these great Americans."
With this year's theme being Women...Inspiring Hope and Possibility, Spc Joc'Quelyn E. Rollins felt inspired to offer her definition of the word "hope." Rollins is the Georgia National Guard's Equal Employment office assistant and coordinator for the Special Emphasis Committee.
The "H," she said, stands for honor "For we are worthy to be recognized," while the "O" stands for "obbligato" "We are not to be left out; for we are indispensable.
"The `P" stands for precious `For we are just like diamonds and pearls, rare and valuable,'" Rollins went on. "The `E' stands for equality `For we want equality for all mankind. For with hope we have so many possibilities.'"
Inspiration, hope and possibility, she concluded, will help a person achieve anything.
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