First Friday briefing [Mar. 4, 2005]

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First Friday Briefing for March 2005

Deployment Update Company F, 131st Aviation

Company H, 171st Aviation Home
After Flying Sherpas in Iraq
Despite delays caused by bad weather and aircraft maintenance problems, 30 members of Georgia's Company H, 171st Aviation arrived in February to a rousing hero's welcome by family members at Fort Stewart's Caro Gym. It was December, 2003, when the unit was mobilized for the War on Terror. In March 2004, the Soldiers headed to Iraq where they and their C-23 Sherpa fixed-wing aircraft spent nearly a year ferrying troops and supplies across the skies of that war-torn country. More

116th ACW Member Receives
Airman's Medal for Risking Life
Picture this ... You are strolling down the coastline of a Florida beach. You hear the seagulls in the distance and the waves flirting with the shore. It is an ordinary day. Suddenly, you see arms flailing in the water and you hear screams for help. You have to act, but what do you do? Capt. Kenneth Ebi, 128th Airborne Combat and Control Squadron assistant flight commander, was awarded the Airman's Medal for Heroism March 1 because when the same situation arose in May 2003 he put his own life at risk and knew exactly what to do. More

Operation Bear Paw Staff Sgt. Joey Barnard loads a pallet of humanitarian supplies onto a helicopter for distribution to snowbound villages in southeastern Afghanistan, Feb. 16, 2005. Barnard is a member of Company F, 131st Aviation Regiment, Georgia National Guard. His unit is an integral part of Operation Bear's Paw, which is bringing relief to villages hit hard by heavy snow and rainfall. (U.S. Army photo
by Spc. Claudia K. Bullard)

48th Brigade Training Moves
Into High Gear at Ft. Stewart
With Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team in its twelfth week of training at Fort Stewart near Savannah, the more than 4,000 Soldiers who'll be going to Iraq are in the final stage of collective training. As that part of the process comes to a close, the brigade continues its preparation for moving to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California in April. There, the 48th will have its warfighter abilities validated by active Army trainers. Once that's completed, it will move back to Fort Stewart and get ready for that day when it will board the aircraft that will take it to Iraq. More

165th Airlift Wing
Flies Missions to Uzbekistan
Pictured above, pilots and Navigators belonging to the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, conduct pre-flight briefings in preparation for their return to Karshi-Khanabad (K2), Uzbekistan as part of their continuing support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The 165th AW was ordered to a forward deployed location in Southwest Asia to help with missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Operation Bear Paw Georgia Guardsmen assigned to Company F, 131st Aviation, unload humanitarian aid from a Chinook helicopter at a village in Zabol Province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16, 2005. The relief effort, Operation Bear's Paw, is bringing aid to villages hit hard by heavy snow and rainfall that has trapped many villagers inside their homes. The operation, a combined effort of Coalition forces, non-governmental organizations and the Afghan government, is ongoing and will deliver approximately 257 tons of supplies to 11 districts in the province. U.
S. Army photo by Spc. Claudia K. Bullard
165th Airlift Wing

Lt.

118th Field Artillery Gets City Flag
To Fly During Deployment
When the Soldiers of Savannah's 118th Field Artillery step off the plane and onto the hot, sand filled landscape that is Iraq, one of the banners they will unfurl in that war-torn country is that city's official flag. In a short ceremony before Savannah City Council, Thursday, March 3, the 118th's commander, Lt. Col. Don Beard, accepted the flag on behalf of the unit from Mayor Otis Johnson.

State Defense Force Honors Legislators
At Annual Dining Out
Georgia State Defense Force honored lawmakers, and supporters in February at a formal officers' dining out. Honorees included U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland, State Senator John Douglas, and State Representative Steve Davis. Consumer advocate and radio/TV personality Clark Howard, who has been a member of the Georgia State Defense Force since 2001, presented each of the legislators with engraved plaques of appreciation recognizing their continuing support of the GSDF. More

GSDF Trains For Bridge Inspection
Following Floods, Disasters
Elements of the Georgia State Defense Force have completed a 16-hour training program with the Georgia Department of Transportation in emergency flood response bridge inspection. The purpose of the training was to prepare GSDF members to assist the members of the GDOT bridge inspection team during emergency like the flooding in 1994. More

Confederate Avenue Monument
Salutes Deployed Guardsmen
Georgia Department of Defense employees at the State Headquarters in Atlanta unveiled a granite memorial in February honoring Army and Air Guardsmen deployed for the Global War on Terror. Doyce Henry (pictured left) of the Facilities Management Office, developed the idea for the monument, which is mounted in front of Building 21 on the Confederate Avenue complex. Master Sgt. Joseph Stevens (pictured right) of the Directorate of Workforce Development, was instrumental in getting the plaque designed and installed. More

165th Crew Meets With USCENTAF Commander General Buck Buchanan, commander of USCENTAF, talks with Staff Sgt. Brian Beck and Staff Sgt. Chris Zeigler of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, at a forward deployed location in Southwest Asia. Buchanan controls all Air Force Assets in Southwest Asia including Iraq and Afghanistan
A look at what happened in March in Georgia National Guard history:
Women's History Month
The month of March is designated as Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions of women to our society. The armed forces honor their military service to our country.
The desire of women to serve their country has found many avenues during conflicts and peacetime. Early in the 20th century, Congress established an Army Nurse Corps in the Regular Army and following WWI the nurses were given rank second lieutenant through major, though they were denied the same status as Regular officers.
WWII was a dramatic turning point in the history of military service by women. Service in the Army & Army Air Force came into being then. Public Law (PL) 77-554 was signed into law creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in May 1942. The WAAC set standards and was a solid success, exceeding its initial recruiting goals. Later in November 1942, the WAAC's began to draw the same pay and allowances as members of the Regular Army serving in corresponding grades.
Read more history about women in the military and the Georgia Guard
Complied by Staff Sgt. Gail Parnelle, GaARNG Historical Section

Actor McConaughey Visits 116th,
Thanks Them For 'Hard Work'
Actor Matthew McConaughey, (center with sunglasses) best known for his roles in "A Time to Kill" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," made a special stop at the 116th Air Control Wing during a promotional tour for his new movie "Sahara." Robins was his first military stop on the promotional tour, he thanked the troops for all their hard work. More

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

April 3, 2007 Time: 1:53 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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Sergeant Matthew Muse embraces his wife Tiffany in Caro Gym after being separated from her for nearly a year while he and his fellow Soldiers supported coalition forces in Iraq. (Georgia National Guard photo by Sgt. Roy Henry)
Bad Weather, Maintenance Problems Fail to Deter 171st Mission: 'Come Home!'
Story by Sgt. Roy Henry Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office
Despite delays caused by bad weather and aircraft maintenance problems, 30 members of Georgia's Company H, 171st Aviation arrived late Tuesday evening to a rousing hero's welcome by family members at Fort Stewart's Caro Gym.
It was December, 2003, when the unit, whose pilots and aircrews are from Georgia, Florida, Kentucky and Texas, were mobilized for the War on Terror. In March 2004, the Army Airmen headed to Iraq where they and their C-23 Sherpa fixed-wing aircraft spent nearly a year ferrying troops and supplies across the skies of that war-torn country.
"It seemed as if the `powers to be' were throwing as many obstacles in the way of our getting home as they could find," said Staff Sgt. Jeff Trigg, a flight engineer from Cleveland, as he held his 7-year-old daughter Alexi close after Tuesday's ceremony. "Still, I think we all knew that eventually we'd be in the arms of the ones we've been missing for so long, and that's all that mattered."
Company H's ordeal began when the Air Force C-5 Galaxy on which it was riding was diverted to Charleston because of bad weather. Originally, the aircraft was to touch down at Savannah's Hunter Army Airfield around 9 a.m. However, heavy fog in Savannah and the surrounded area made visibility bad, and the situation didn't change until early after.
The fog eventually lifted, but that didn't get the group of Army Aviators and aircrews any closer to the homecoming with their families. At some point in the process of getting to Hunter Airfield the aircraft suffered mechanical difficulties and its takeoff was delayed, said Col. Dannis Livingston who commands Georgia Army National Guard Aviation.
"Apparently problems occurred with the aircraft's electrical generator, which caused the aircrew to decide that the safest thing to do was stay on the ground and get the problems fixed," Livingston said.
Back at Fort Stewart's Caro Gym, families waited patiently throughout the day and into the night for their Soldiers to arrive. Anxious, but understanding of the need to put safety first, wives like Tiffany Muse of Kennesaw said the waiting did put a bit of a strain on them. Many of them, she explained had been at the gym all day hoping to look out the door and see the buses carrying their husbands pull up.
"We'd all expected to have them with us earlier in the day, but we're also Army wives and we know things happen that are beyond anyone's control," Muse said shortly before the buses carrying her husband aviation life support specialist Sgt. Matthew Muse and his fellow flyers pulled up outside Caro.
For the Muses it would be an exceptionally happy homecoming because the sergeant, it seems, didn't know his wife would be there to welcome him. Muse said she had told him she would see him the day he was ready to come home because she had no one to watch their two children. When he realized his wife was out in the crowd, it really made his day, Muse added.

"I couldn't believe it," he said with a great smile between the hugs and kisses. "I was totally, totally surprised." It was around 7:45 p.m. when the C-5 carrying Company H finally made it to Hunter, and it was 9 p.m. before the buses that brought the Soldiers to Fort Stewart pulled up outside the gym. When the group entered the gym, the shouts, cheers and cries of "welcome home, we love you" could probably be for blocks around. There may have been only 30 families, but there definitely was no shortage of lungpower for the occassion, said Karen Bergfield of Davenport, Fla. Her husband is Florida Army National Guard Sgt. Gene Bergfield, a flight engineer with 171st Aviation at Brooksville, Fla. After a short welcome back by Livingston and Lt. Col. Michael Hogan, Fort Stewart's deputy garrison commander for mobilization and reserve affairs, families rushed the gym floor in search of their Soldiers. "I'm tickled to death that he's back, that they're all back," said Mary Trigg after she and Alexi stopped embracing Trigg's husband. "It's like Christmas only a whole lot better." Alexi, who clung to her dad's neck, simply smiled and said, "I missed him so much. In the end, the Soldiers and families of Company H had to wait, at least, five more days, to be together, while the unit moved from active duty status back to its status as a National Guard unit. And yet, said Dena Walker of Brooksville, Fla., and the wife of Florida Army Guard Staff Sgt. John Walker, that time would go by swiftly. After all, she explained, she and all the other families had waited and prayed for a year for their Soldiers to come home. Waiting five more days, she said, doesn't matter "now that the guys are back on home ground."
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48th Brigade Training Continues at Fort Stewart

With Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team in its twelfth week of training at Fort Stewart near Savannah, the more than 4,000 Soldiers who'll be going to Iraq are in the final stage of collective training.

As that part of the process comes to a close, the brigade continues its preparation for moving to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. There, the 48th will have its warfighter abilities validated by active Army trainers.

Once that's completed, it will move back to Fort Stewart and get ready for that day when it will board the aircraft that will take it to Iraq and the missions the brigade will perform, which is expected to be in mid-May.

A two-day festival and formal send-off ceremony is being planned for

May 13 and 14 at Fort Stewart.
A Soldier of the 48th Brigade Combat

Team raises his M4 rifle toward a possible target during a training

Brigade officials said that the training brigade has received has been

patrol. (Georgia National Guard photo nothing short of phenomenal, especially when one considers that

by Sgt.Roy Henry)

there's been so much to do and only a short time to in which to do it.

Three months may seem like a long time to some, but the days seem

to fly by for everyone from the senior leadership down to the individual Soldier.

Brigadier General Stewart Rodeheaver, commander of the 48th Brigade Combat Team, said the esprit de corps and the dedication with which the brigade has approached this train-up has been nothing short of superb."

That includes those Soldiers who have come to the 48th from other

states, Rodeheaver added.

Since the brigade's arrival in January at Fort Stewart, fellow

Guardsmen from Illinois, Missouri, Alabama. Puerto Rico and

Maryland have joined the 48th's ranks. The integration of these

Specialists Michael Astuto (left) and

troops has been seamless and each unit brings with it a whole new Reginald Whimbush conduct pre-fire

set of skills that have enhanced those already possessed by the

checks on the .50 caliber machinegun

48th..

atop a Humvee assigned to 1st Battalion,

108th Armor. Astuto and Whimbush are

As training progresses, the Soldiers are being rewarded for their hard work and long hours with time off with their families. Several

scouts with the 108th's Headquarters Company.

elements of the 48th recently returned to Fort Stewart after having spent three days with their loved ones,

and other units are getting ready to trade the long days, lonely nights and noisy field problems for civilian

clothes, nights close to loved ones and some quiet time at home.

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Captain Keeps Cool, Controls Situation
116th ACW member receives Airman's Medal for risking life
By: Airman Paul R. Ross 116th ACW Public Affairs
Picture this ... You are strolling down the coastline of a Florida beach. You hear the seagulls in the distance and the waves flirting with the shore. It is an ordinary day. Suddenly, you see arms flailing in the water and you hear screams for help. You have to act, but what do you do?
Capt. Kenneth Ebi, 128th Airborne Combat and Control Squadron assistant flight commander, was awarded the Airman's Medal for Heroism March 1 because when the same situation arose in May Capt. Ebi received the Airman's Medal for 2003 he put his own life at risk and knew exactly what to do.
Heroism, for actions in May 2003 while at
Tyndall Air Force Base on temporary duty. When the Oregon native heard screams for help while on the beach at Tyndall Air Force Base he proceeded into the ocean to perform the required actions to preserve another man's life.
"The current and the waves were too strong for me to pull him back in. I tried to keep him afloat while I reassured him help was on the way," said Captain Ebi.
Although initially human instinct may take over a person's actions in the back of a person's mind their Air Force training is there. Performing under stress is a key factor in being successful in the military.
"All of us (Air Force members) are put under stressful situations in training. We basically learn how to react on instinct on doing the right thing," the Captain said."
If Captain Ebi wouldn't have reacted in the nature that he did a man might not be breathing today. A mother and father may have lost a son.
The Airman's Medal is the ninth most prestigious medal the Air Force awards. It is awarded to someone who puts their own life at risk to save another's.
"I feel honored. At first I didn't really feel like I deserved it, I just went out and did what I was supposed to. I feel privileged to be considered for an honor like this." said Captain Ebi.
When a person is in the process of saving another's life, their minds are most likely free from thoughts of medals and recognition deserved. They are probably thinking of the next step that is needed to make sure this person's life stays intact.
"To receive a medal that has requirements of someone performing a heroic act while putting their life in danger is awesome as well as humbling...so many people are doing things overseas that are more heroic then me jumping in the water, but I feel honored that the leadership put me in for this," said Captain Ebi.
When a situation arises that is life threatening the Air Force core values come to mind. Integrity, service and excellence are traits that were shown by the captain that day on the beach. They are traits that most Air Force members hold because they are trained to possess them.
"I know the types of people that are in the Air Force and none of them would have sat around, they would have taken action, it is just a characteristic of the people in my squadron and in the Air Force in general," said Captain Ebi.
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165th Airlift Wing Flies Missions to Uzbekistan
Pictured above, pilots and Navigators belonging to the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, conduct pre-flight briefings in preparation for their return to Karshi-Khanabad (K2), Uzbekistan as part of their continuing support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The 165th AW was ordered to a forward deployed location in Southwest Asia to help with missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the 165th AW have been actively engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom since 2003. Pictured left to right are Lt. Col. Kenny Weaver, Maj. Mark Brothers, Lt. Col. Bobby Calhoun, Lt. Ryan Decker, Lt. Col. Hal Davis and Capt. Chris Davis
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118th Field Artillery Gets City Flag To Fly During Deployment

When the Soldiers of Savannah's 118th Field Artillery step off the plane and onto the hot, sand filled landscape that is Iraq, one of the banners they will unfurl in that war-torn country is that city's official flag.

In a short ceremony before Savannah City Council, Thursday, March 3, the 118th's commander, Lt. Col. Don Beard, accepted the flag on behalf of the unit from Mayor Otis Johnson.

Joining Beard were the 118th's executive officer Maj. Randall

Simmons; the unit's chaplain Maj. David Anderson; Capt. Jimmy

Lt. Col. Con Beard, commander of the 118th Field Artillery Battalion, accepts the city flag from Savannah mayor Otis

Boan, Headquarters Battery commander; 1st Sgt. Timothy Jones, the battery's senior enlisted Soldier; and Spc. Alfred Baker, an artilleryman who is part of the 118th's rear detachment.

Johnson. (Georgia National Guard photo

by Sgt. Roy Henry)

"I know I speak for all the members of the 118th when I say, `we

graciously accept this flag, and we pledge to honor this council's request and return it to these chambers

when we bring all our Soldiers safely home a year from now," Beard said after stepping forward and taking

the uncased red, black and white standard Johnson offered.

Outside Council chambers, Beard handed the flag to Boan and Jones for safe keeping while the 118th is at Fort Stewart getting ready for Iraq with the rest of Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team. After leaving Savannah City Hall the pair stopped a short distance away in front of the Washington's Guns monument where two Revolutionary War cannon given to the Chatham Artillery, the 118th's predecessor, in 1791 by President George Washington are displayed.

"It's a great honor to have this in our hands," Boan said as he Jones stood looking over the monument. "We'll take great care of it while it's with us.'

"It'll always fly with pride," Jones said. "There'll never be a day that we won't be reminded of the trust and honor the citizens of this city have placed upon us while we're away."
Savannah's flag came the 118th through the efforts of Jones and City Councilman Tony Thomas. Thomas represents the city's District 6, which includes the National Guard armory that houses the 118th's headquarters and Hunter Army Airfield.

History buff and artilleryman Spc. Alfred Baker contacted Councilman Tony Thomas about the 118th carrying the Savannah City flag into the war zone. (Georgia National Guard photo by Sgt. Roy Henry)

Jones, a history buff a fourth generation resident of Savannah, said pride in his unit, pride as a Soldier, was the guiding force behind his efforts to contact Thomas and request that the city present its flag to the 118th's. Carrying Savannah's colors to war has been a long-standing tradition with the unit, and what would be more appropriate than to keep that tradition alive by having those colors fill the skies above whatever forward observation base the 118th would call home during its time in the Middle East, he said.

Thomas said it only took a moment for him to consider and then set the wheels in motion to get the council and the 118th together for the presentation.

"From the American Revolution to World War II to this war on terrorism, this city has had a long-standing, positive relationship with the military," Thomas said. "What better way to display our pride in what our men and women in uniform do for us and our country, than to have them carry our flag to the front lines."

In approving the request, City Council and its mayor had only one stipulation, Thomas said. That its flag be returned to the council once the 118th and all its Soldiers returned safely home.

That, Beard said, would be no problem. It is a pledge, he added, that he is more than happy to fulfill.

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GSDF Trains For Bridge Inspection Following Floods, Disasters

Elements of the Georgia State Defense Force have completed a 16-hour training program with the Georgia Department of Transportation in emergency flood response bridge inspection. The purpose of the training was to prepare GSDF members to assist the members of the GDOT bridge inspection team during emergency like the flooding in 1994. More

Some 24 State Defense Force troopers were instructed by Bridge

Maintenance Staff from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

This will give the GDOT the benefits of additional staff during

emergencies for bridge inspection and disaster reconnaissance

Georgia State Defense Force members receive instruction from t he Georgia

during major flooding events or when a state of emergency is declared by the Governor.

Department of Transportation in

emergency flood response bridge inspection.

The Georgia State Defense Support Group and elements of the 1st and 5th Brigade received extensive classroom and field training on

procedures and practices for performing bridge inspections following natural and man-made disasters or at

other times requested. This enhances the skill set that the SDF can offer State and Local agencies and civil

authorities. All State Defense Force personnel who attended the GDOT training successfully completed the

2-day course and received a certificate after passing a written exam.

Support Group Commander Noah Bambrough commented the training provides high-value, professional training at no cost to the State Defense Force and will support GDOT's ability to provide assistance to Georgia communities and citizens.

The instruction was provided by professional engineers from the GDOT. The classroom portion was conducted at Confederate Avenue, with the hands on portion of the training conducted at a study bridge over Shoal Creek on Columbia Ave., Dekalb County.

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MConaughey Visits 116th, Thanks Them For 'Hard Work', 'Commitment'
Actor Matthew McConaughey, (center with sunglasses) best know for his roles in "A Time to Kill" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," made a special stop at Robins AFB GA, Feb 23 during a promotional tour for his new movie "Sahara." Robins was his first military stop on the promotional tour, he thanked the troops for all their hard work. "Thank you all for doing what you do and for the commitment to what you do," he said to a large audience at the Enlisted Club Ballroom. "As a civilian I can only imagine what kind of commitment it takes and what you and the men and women on the line in the middle of it are going through, but we thank you."
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State Defense Force Honors Legislators At Annual Dining Out

Georgia State Defense Force honored lawmakers, and supporters in February at a formal officers' dining out.

Captain Clark Howard Presents Plaque of Appreciation to US Congressman Lynn Westmoreland at the GSDF Dining Out on February 26, 2005

The honorees at the event included U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland, State Senator John Douglas, and State Representative Steve Davis. Rep. Westmoreland commended the members of the Georgia State Defense Force for their service to fellow Georgians, and challenged the state legislature to increase the GSDF's funding, which presently totals only $5,000 annually. "We need to ensure that the State Defense Force has the ability to protect us," Westmoreland said while speaking at the event. The congressman recalled his surprise when he first learned last year that the members of the GSDF "actually pay for their own uniforms, equipment and travel."

Rep. Westmoreland also expressed his support for a bill pending in the U.S. House, the State Defense Force Improvement Act of 2003, which is designed to improve the readiness of state defense forces and to increase military coordination for homeland security between the states and the Department of Defense. "I look forward to becoming a co-sponsor of HR 2797," Westmoreland said. The bill, first introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, has been in House Committee on Armed Services since July of 2003.

State Senator John Douglas, Chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, echoed Westmoreland's praise of the State Defense Force. "On behalf of the Governor of Georgia and the State Senate we express our appreciation for the sacrifices you make," Sen. Douglas said. "We've got the message that the GSDF needs more budget resources," Douglas continued, noting that the support role of the GSDF in protecting the state will significantly increase when Georgia's 48th Infantry Brigade the single largest National Guard unit in the state deploys to Iraq in May for a 12 month tour of duty.

Consumer advocate and radio/TV personality Clark Howard, who has been a member of the Georgia State Defense Force since 2001, presented each of the legislators with engraved plaques of appreciation recognizing their continuing support of the GSDF, the Georgia National Guard, and the Georgia Department of Defense.

Brigadier General Ross, Commander of the 78th Troop Command, also spoke and commended the GSDF on their valuable contribution to the State of Georgia. He stated that Adjutant General David Poythress "supports the GSDF 110 percent" and said he planned to utilize the GSDF more in meeting the mission of the 3,000 members of the 78th Troop Command.

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Confederate Avenue Monument Salutes Deployed Guardsmen
Georgia Department of Defense employees at the State Headquarters on Confederate unveiled a granite memorial in February honoring Army and Air Guardsmen deployed for the Global War on Terror. Doyce Henry (pictured left) of the Facilities Management Office, developed the idea for the monument, which is mounted in front of Building 21 on the Confederate Avenue complex. Master Sgt. Joseph Stevens (pictured right) was instrumental in getting the plaque designed and installed. At right, Maj. Gen. David Poythress, The Adjutant General, and other senior leaders admire the monument shortly following its unveiling.
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Women's History Month:
A Special Look at Women in the Military And the Georgia Guard
The month of March is designated as Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions of women to our society. The armed forces honor their military service to our country.
The desire of women to serve their country has found many avenues during conflicts and peacetime. Early in the 20th century, Congress established an Army Nurse Corps in the Regular Army and following World War I the nurses were given rank second Lieutenant through major, though they were denied the same status as Regular officers.
World War II was a dramatic turning point in the history of military service by women. Service in the Army and Army Air Force came into being then. Public Law 77-554 was signed into law creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in May 1942. The WAAC set standards and was a solid success, exceeding its initial recruiting goals. Later in November 1942, the WAAC's began to draw the same pay and allowances as members of the Regular Army serving in corresponding grades.
Within a short time it became clear that it would be more efficient and the country would be better served if the these military women were part of the Army organization and governed by Army regulations. As a result, in July of 1943, PL 78-110 establishing the Women's Army Corps (WAC) was signed into law.
The next public law milestone was PL 80-625, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. President Truman signed it into law in June 1948 after a year of debate and maneuvering in Congress. It allowed women to join the Regular Army, Air Force and Army Reserve among other provisions. The Air Force, a new organization, readily accepted applications from women with previous commissioned service in any of the armed services, one of its primary pools of talents being the 2,000 WAC officers who had served in the Army Air Forces.
Following this were two milestone laws affecting the recruitment of women into the National Guard and Reserves. PL 84-845 signed into law in July 1956 authorized female Reserve officers of the Army and Air Force to be appointed as nurses or women medical specialists of the Army and Air National Guard of the United States. In November 1967 women other than medical personnel were permitted to join the Reserve components in PL 90-130.
Because of the many changes to laws regarding women's military service, the WAC as a separate corps of the Army was disestablished in October of 1978.
Women in the Georgia Guard
Who were the Georgia National Guard's earliest members? Lieutenant Ellen L. Jones became the Georgia Guard's first women. She was sworn into the 116th Tactical Hospital unit, Georgia Air National Guard at Dobbins Air Force Base on November 16, 1956. Lieutenant Jones, a nurse at Georgia Baptist Hospital, had been attached to our air guard since 1955 as a Reserve officer.
Less than a year later in June 1957, two more nurses, Betty Silas and Jane Flake, were commissioned into the Georgia Air Guard as second lieutenants. After flight training, Flake would become one of the first flight nurses in the Georgia Air Guard
Nurses were also the first members of the Georgia Army Guard. On June 25, 1958, two nurses at GriffinSpalding County Hospital were sworn into the 117th Surgical Hospital (Mobile Army) unit. The two nurses were 1st Lt. Margie Dell Pitts and 1st Lt. Eleanor Joyce Chapman.
The next round of firsts followed in the path of the 1967 law. Gail Wagner enlisted in the GaARNG in May 1973. Pfc. Patricia A. Leverston, the Georgia Army Guard's first black women, joined the 170th Military Police Battalion at the end of 1973. Another early Georgia Guard member, Anne Sandler, had worked at the USPFO as a payroll clerk since 1960. Later in her career she was to be the first women with the Georgia Army National Guard to earn the rank of Master Sergeant or E8.
On the air side, the first enlisted women, Diane S. Irons, was sworn into the 116th Military Airlift Wing in her former grade with the Air Force of Sergeant E4 in February 1970 and the 158th Military Airlift Squadron enlisted the first black women, Sharon G. Benjamin, in the Georgia National Guard in 1973.
More recently, the year 2000 was notable because of the promotions of two members Laura Strange, who overseas all nursing activities in the Georgia Army Guard, made history in March as the first women promoted to Colonel in the entire Georgia National Guard. The next month Lois Schmidt made history as the first female colonel in the Georgia Air National Guard.
There are many other women who currently belong or have belonged to the Georgia National Guard with

credentials of being the first. Their names will be a part of its history.
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