First Friday briefing [June 4, 2004]

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First Friday Briefing for June 2004
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In this issue:
GA Summit Puts Guard in World's Spotlight Nesbitt to Lead G8 Task Force
Searcy To Ends Career Following G8 878th Returns Following Deployment Iraq Deployment Doesn't Deter Education of One Georgian
781st Schedules Job Fair YCA Cadets Get 'A Taste of Korea' GSDF Takes On 3-Training Course; Aids Homeless Veterans' Project 116th Operations Group Welcomes New Commander Former Assistant Adjutant General, Army, BG Mees Dies Zachman Takes Maintenance Command at 116th Florida Manager Wins Georgia Award

G8 Summit Puts Georgia Guard in World's Spotlight

Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen will play a significant security role over the next two weeks as the United States, and President George W. Bush, plays host to the world's most powerful economic nations during the G8 Summit at Sea Island, Ga.

Unique to this mission is that all military elements, active and National Guard, will be brought together under a single unified Joint Task Force commanded by Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, commanding general, Georgia Army National Guard. In addition to Georgia Guard assets, Nesbitt's command will include active Army, Air Force and Navy units. (See related story below).

Georgia Air National Guard Sr. Airman Nathan Flowers, of Baxley, helps build a floor for a communications tent Wednesday June 2, 2004. Flowers is a 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron satellite communications repairman. The Air National Guard unit, based in Brunswick, is helping with the Global Eight Economic Conference. (Georgia National Guard photo by Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Guardsmen from around the state began converging on southeast Georgia this week in preparation for the Summit. The three-day event begins next week, but preparations by the Georgia DOD and National Guard have been ongoing for months.
Advanced parties, along with some units, arrived at Fort Stewart, Savannah, Brunswick and Atlanta throughout this past week, with main elements expected to arrive today (Friday). Although the exact number of Georgia Guard members has not been released because of operational security concerns, the presence of the Guard in support of the G8 is significant. Nearly every Army and Air Guard unit in the state is involved in the mission, with the Georgia State Defense Force also contributing.
Georgia Guard members arriving this week for the G8 mission reported to Movement Control Centers, or MCCs, where they were processed onto duty and picked up credentials and safety items. Many began duties immediately by setting up communications links or operations centers.

As the event nears and activity increases over the weekend, Georgia Guardsmen will conduct a number of operations in support of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Missions are expected to include security presence patrols, checkpoint operations and air support. Some Guard members will work alongside state law enforcement in forming reaction teams to respond in the event protesters get out of hand.

The G8 brings together the heads of state from the world's most powerful nations to discuss economic and political issues. In addition to the U.S., the meeting will draw the heads of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, Russia and the European Union. The meeting rotates among the eight nations. This year's host, President Bush, selected Sea Island as the site of this year's meeting.

Nesbitt to Command G8 Force
Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt has been appointed overall commander of active duty and reserve military forces providing security for the G8 Summit scheduled for coastal Georgia in early June.
This is the first time a National Guard commander has been placed in command of active-duty Soldiers for such an event.
Read the complete Army Times Story.
Maj. Gen. Searcy To Retire Following G8
Major General William N. Searcy, Commander, Georgia Air National Guard will retire in June, but not before his final assignment as the Air Commander for the G-8 Summit at Sea Island.
Retirement ceremonies for the 36-year Air Guard Commander will take place on Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 10 a.m. at the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah.
Searcy has commanded the nine units of the 3,000-member Georgia Air National

Guard since 2000. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in Sept 2001. He has served in a number of positions in the Air Guard to include chief, airlift command post, operations group commander, and director of operations prior to assuming the position of wing commander of the 165 Airlift Wing. Searcy is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours.
Gen Searcy will command all air operations for the G-8 Summit which will include both rotor and fixed wing aircraft from both the Army and Air National Guard.
As part of a weekend of events surrounding the retirement of Searcy, a golf tournament is planned for Friday, June 25, in Rincon GA.. Those interested in participating in the golf tournament should contact Lt Col Don Pallone at (912) 9668146 or DSN 860-8146.
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878th Returns Following Iraq Deployment
Two hundred and ninety (290) Georgia Army National Guardsmen assigned to the 878th Engineer Battalion are scheduled to return home to Fort Stewart from more than one year of service in Iraq on Friday, June 4, 2004. The returning soldiers are from units located in Metter, Lyons, Swainsboro, Sandersville, and Augusta. More than 100 members of the 878th returned home in mid-May.
Welcoming ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, June 4th at the Newman Gymnasium at Fort Stewart.
More than 530 Guardsmen of the 878th were initially mobilized in March 2003 and later deployed to Fort Stewart prior to their move to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom..
The 878th Engineering Battalion is a combat engineering unit and was used for a variety of construction operations while in the combat zone. Following training at Fort Stewart, the battalion deployed to several locations in Iraq.
Returning Soldiers will be released from active duty following out-process administrative duties at Fort Stewart.

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Guard LTC Earns Doctorate While Deployed

While other doctoral students are working in the library or on their computers at home, Lt. Col. Peter VanAmburgh was completing the final statistical analysis for his doctoral dissertation in a destroyed building at the Baghdad airport in Iraq.

Georgia National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Gabriel, with Company B, 878th Engineer Battalion, hugs his daughters Savannah, rear, and Taylor, front, Friday June 4, 2004. The battalion returned from a 15thmonth deployment in the Middle East. (Georgia National Guard photo by Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 124th
Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Earning an advanced degree and maintaining a full time job can be a daunting task for anyone. Read The Full Story
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781st Slates Job Fair
The 781st Troop Command and the Georgia Department of Labor have teamed together to present a job fair FOR RETURNING GUARDSMEN. Our goal is to ensure all returning warriors are employed.

17 July 2004 : The Department of Labor will present two Transitional Assistance Programs (TAP) at the Kennesaw Armory, 1901 McCollum Parkway, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144. TAP participants receive valuable training and information that gives them an edge over other applicants. Session One is 0830 to 1230 hours and Session Two is 1330 to 1730 hours. 781st Troop Command soldiers will be paid one UTA (unit training assembly) to complete one of the sessions; this will be a split assembly from the AUG drill period. Meals will NOT be furnished for this event. EACH session is limited to 150 participants!

07 August 2004 : Instructional Workshops will be conducted at Kennesaw State University's KSU Center . Several Workshops are planned; such as: Getting Organized; Dressing For Success; Resume Preparation; Interviewing Skills; etc. Soldiers attend workshops of choice based on information gained during TAP. 781st soldiers will attend in MUTA 2 status as a part of the AUG drill. Soldiers may return to the armory for meals or lunch on their own at no cost to the government.

11 SEP 2004 (Patriot's Day): JOB FAIR for returning warriors conducted at the Cobb Civic Center . 781st soldiers attend in MUTA 2 status as a part of the SEP drill. Soldiers may return to the armory for meals or lunch on their on at no cost to the government.

YCA Cadets Get A Taste of Korea
A sword routine demonstrated for YCA cadets

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One of the lessons instructors with the Youth Challenge program hope their cadets learn is how diversity makes the world go around. That lesson and the one that anything is possible if a person tries was emphasized, in late May when Atlanta businessman and native South Korean, Sunny Park and members of his Good Neighbor Campaign visited the YCA campus at Fort Stewart near Savannah. Read full story on the web
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SDF Undergoes 3-Day Training Session; aids homeless Vets in Annual Salute

SDF members march out for land navigation training
More Pictures, Click here

Thirty GSDF Support Group Personnel attended a three-day training session at Camp Rogers, the Ranger Training Facility located at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Under the command of Colonel Richard Lockert, the GSDF staff was trained and housed at the facility. They did an extensive Land Navigation Class, search and rescue, compass course and other skills training while at the facility. All training was conducted by US Army Rangers.
Homeless Veterans Salute
The State Defense Force also assisted in an annual statewide program to aid homeless veterans. The SDF helped distribute food, boots and food for veterans who have fallen on hard times.

Major Daniel Rado, 1st Brigade, GSDF issues boots to Veteran Alvin Tench, who served in
Vietnam from 1966-67.

WO1 Russell at his post at the recent Homeless Veterans Salute. Supported by the VA some 150 homeless soldiers were provided with clothing, food, health screening, dental referrals, and other services including referrals to social service providers. Some 20 GSDF volunteers assisted in all aspects of the event

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116th Operations Group Welcomes New Commander
Col. Kimberly Corcoran took command of the 116th Operations Group, from Col. James Jones during a change of command ceremony at the multi-purpose hangar at Robins AFB, Ga., May 24. Colonel Corcoran was the deputy commander of the 3rd Mission Support Group at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, before taking command of the 116th OG. Colonel Jones was the commander from October 2002-May 2004. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mary Smith
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Brig. Gen. Donald E. Mees, Former Asst. AG, Army, 1st GMI Commandant
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Donald E. Mees, 88, who served as Assistant Adjutant General, Army, under Governor Jimmy Carter, and who was the first commandant of the Georgia Military Institute (GMI) (now Regional Training Institute) has died. A memorial service will be held at The First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville, Saturday June 5, 2004, 395 West Crogan Street, at 2 p.m. Mees, a veteran of World War II, began his military career as an enlisted soldier with the Georgia Guard in 1937. In 1941, Mees, along with other members of the 101st Separate Coast Artillery, was inducted into federal service. By February 1942, the unit, aboard the Queen Mary, was sailing for Australia, then on to New Guinea where they aided the defense of the island against the Japanese. In an interview with Guard historians in the early 1990s, Mees said that had he and his unit been confronted with surrender during those days "I would have elected to go up into the hills" and fight.

The General is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosemary, three sons, and two daughters as well as brother and sister.
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Zachman Takes Command of 116th Maintenance Unit
At left 116th Air Control Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Tom Lynn (far left) hands the 116th Maintenance Group flag to Col. Dan Zachman. Colonel Zachman took command of the 116th MXG from Col. Terry Kinney May 4 in the 116th's multi-purpose hangar. Colonel Zachman was the 116th MXG deputy commander before taking full command.
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State of Florida Manager Receives Georgia Patriotic Award

From left to right (in uniform) Capt Cheryl Walters, Lt Col Bill Collins, and Major Raymond Silli of the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron in Brunswick presents the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award to Mike Sole, Director of the Florida Division of Waste Management. The Patriotic Employer Award recognizes employers who protect liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America's National Guard and Reserve forces. The Division was nominated by employee Cheryl Walters. The 224th recently completed a 24-month deployment to the Middle East.

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

April 2, 2007 Time: 3:00 pm Security Notice

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 |

State Defense Force Read the latest news from the Georgia State Defense Force.
GADOD News | Governor Inspects Guard During Inauguration Ceremony | |Final YCA Graduation of 2006 Held | Guard Acquires NAS Atlanta property | 138 Graduate from YCA | 23 Earn Public Employee Recognition Honors | Governor Addresses YCA Grads | Employess Earn Faithful Service Awards |

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Guardsman to head G-8 security
Special permission from president allows unique command at summit
Story Courtesy Army Times Publishing Co.
By Jason Sherman
Army Times staff writer
A National Guard commander will be put in charge of active-duty troops for the first time when the annual Group of Eight summit takes place June 8-10.
This unique arrangement is to support security for the meeting, and defense officials say it could set a precedent as the Pentagon considers the military's role in homeland defense.
Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt of the Georgia Army National Guard is set to oversee Joint Task Force G-8, more than 5,000 active-duty and Guard troops mobilizing for the meeting near Savannah, Ga., of the leaders of the world's major industrialized nations.
Unusual command arrangement
Lt. Gen. Steve Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, called the unusual command arrangement "unprecedented."
National Guard personnel operate in one of three conditions, and in only one at a time: for a state governor; for the Defense Department under Title 10 when called to active duty; or for the state governor under Title 32 when the federal government foots the bill.
National Guardsmen operating under Title 32, where allegiance is to their state governor, are not supposed to command troops operating under Title 10, whose allegiance is to the federal government.
Congress made a narrow exception in the 2004 Defense Authorization Act to permit a National Guard officer to command a blend of active-duty and National Guard personnel in the 116th Air Control Wing, which operates the Air Forces Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar Systems (Joint STARS).
This unit, based at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the first to activate under the Air Force's Future Total Force concept, which will eventually combine all active and reserve components.
However, the Georgia unit has yet to implement the new legal authority to put a Guardsman in charge of active-duty troops.
Officials planning security for the Georgia meeting of heads of state from Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States thought this command arrangement recently approved by Congress might be useful to replicate.
"In the discussions about the G-8 summit security mission, it became apparent to a number of people that [putting a guardsman in charge of active-duty units] was a good construct for just this kind of eventdriven task force," said Air National Guard Maj. Gen. David Poythress, Georgia's adjutant general.
He said the concept makes sense because the Guard commander "is already on the ground and knows the local sheriff and knows the local fire chief and we, the Guard, have been planning with these people

for months ... and we all know each other very well."
At the behest of Poythress and U.S. Northern Command chief Air Force Gen. Ralph Eberhart, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on April 16 asked President Bush to place a National Guardsman in a dual-hatted role -- overseeing both Title 32 and Title 10 troops.
Bush determined the G-8 summit to be an international special-security mission, more than just a state mission, and granted the request, which Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is carrying out.
Nesbitt will be "honoring the authorities and prerogatives of the governor, allowing Defense Department personnel and equipment to remain under the command and control of the governor, yet paid for by the federal government," Blum said.
Joint Task Force G-8 will include Georgia Air and Army National guardsmen, a number of active-duty units and elements of the Coast Guard, which operate under Title 14. Active-duty troops include specialized elements such as ordnance disposal units and dog units. Some Guardsmen from other states will operate under Title 32 and others under Title 10.
In addition to the military, Georgia plans to provide 5,000 state law-enforcement personnel. The number of federal law-enforcement personnel is expected to be as high as 10,000.
Nesbitt has met with all the active-duty and National Guard commanders who will serve under him.
"We think it's worked out pretty well," Poythress said.
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It's Doctor Van Amburgh Now!
Guard Colonel Earns Degree While Deployed In Iraq

By Argosy University Staff

While other doctoral students are working in the library or on their computers at home, Lt. Col. Peter VanAmburgh was completing the final statistical analysis for his doctoral dissertation in a destroyed building at the Baghdad airport in Iraq.

ARGOSY UNIVERSITY/SARASOTA

Earning an advanced degree and

maintaining a full time job can be a

Lt. Col. Peter VanAmburgh Doctorate in Business Administration

daunting task for anyone. But for Peter C. VanAmburgh, the decision

"Most were very surprised I brought my educational pursuits to the Gulf operation with me.

to complete a doctoral dissertation in education from Argosy University/ Sarasota, while being stationed in the deserts of Iraq, was perhaps the

Even after a hard day's work, I was known to dust off (-literally!-) my dissertation project to make some

biggest feat of all in fulfilling one student's desire for a higher education. VanAmburgh is a

progress on it during downtime."

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) with the

Georgia Army National Guard

Van Amburgh notes that combat

whose National Guard Unit was

operations have periods of 20-24 hour days, but after a few weeks there were many peaks and valleys

mobilized to the war in Iraq in February 2004.

of activity, "and when I had an opportunity, I'd feverishly work to

Argosy University offers the

meet aggressive deadlines I had set

Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.)

for myself," he explains.

program in an accelerated format,

giving students the option for

students to complete coursework

online, in the classroom, or a hybrid

of both methods. For LTC

VanAmburgh, this flexibility became a critical factor in allowing him to continue his studies. At the time of

LTC VanAmburgh's combat deployment, he was in the dissertation phase of his doctoral studies. When

his unit was called up, LTC VanAmburgh's explains, "I loaded all my data and dissertation items on my

unclassified laptop in the event that I was to find some time while engaged to finish the project and not

fall too far behind."

He credits Argosy's flexible doctoral committee with allowing him the opportunity to finish his degree in a rather unorthodox fashion. Says Dr. Celia Edmundson, department head of the Organizational Leadership program in the School of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Argosy University/ Sarasota, "as educators, our priority is helping our students achieve their academic goals. In this case, we were more than happy to accommodate Peter's desire to complete his degree under what had to be challenging, if not often frightening circumstances." "Peter has shown, as a student and as a leader, that life is to be lived with dedication, integrity and courage." According to LTC VanAmburgh, he chose his course of study, Organizational Leadership (OL), because "I have been able to apply the lessons to the challenges of Army transformation, for example, building the objective force for CI/Human Intelligence forces of the future, teaching ROTC students, commanding battalion-level organizations, and organizing

and directing combat operations."
From March to August 2004, LTC VanAmburgh moved frequently between Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. LTC VanAmburgh describes this as a chaotic time, where he and his team were responsible for a wide variety of intelligence operations. As for the challenges of concentrating on writing a dissertation on a laptop while traveling regularly in military vehicles to and from different locations, LTC VanAmburgh jokes that his fellow soldiers often looked at him with "shock and awe." Now that Captain LTC VanAmburgh (who was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his contributions to CI and security missions throughout the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan), is home in Roswell, Georgia with his wife and two daughters, he's had more time to reflect on his experience in Iraq. He describes a "high sense of personal and professional accomplishment" among his fellow soldiers for the role they played in the liberation of Iraq. "It was incredible to witness the poverty imposed upon some classes of Iraqi people while others lived in lavish palaces."
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SDF Undergoes Three Day Training Course
Beginning the field exercise taking compass readings at the recent GSDF Support Group Training at Camp Benning.
Below right: A class in map reading.
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