First Friday briefing [Oct. 6, 2006]

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First Friday Briefing for October 2006
Deployment Update

Air Guard Units Get New Commanders
Two new commanders have taken charge at Brunswick's 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron and Savannah's 117th Air Control Squadron. Full Story

Georgia Army Guard Strength
Tops 10,000
The Georgia Army National Guard topped over 10,000 Soldiers in 2006 making it one of the top three states in the nation for recruiting in the past year, and jumping Georgia into the top-10 states in terms of total Army Guard size. The state recruited 2,768 news Soldiers in 2006, and finished the fiscal year with an end-strength of 10,076 Army Guardsmen, which represented a total increase of nearly 900 over the past year. Lt. Col. Pete Vanamburgh, who commanded the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, said the increase jumped Georgia into the category of the "large" National Guard states which translates into more resources including training funds and full time manpower. Read More.

Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt (in ACUs), Georgia Army Guard commander, looks on while Sgt. Marcus Hursey (right) receives his Combat Recognition Pin from Boeing representatives Carl Trincia and Cathy Anthony. (Contributed photo)

Sergeant Claudia Kokasm kisses and hugs her sons Mark and Charles as they welcome their mother home. (Georgia
National Guard photo by Spc. Amanda Luksic)
221st Military Intelligence Unit Returns From Deployment
FORT GILLEM, Ellenwood, Sept. 22, 2006 Sounds of jubilant celebration filled the gym of Neal Fitness Center, but it wasn't enthusiastic sports fans cheering on their favorite basketball team that stood shouting and waving banners from the stands. The noise that reverberated throughout the building this day was came from more than 200 families, friends and fellow Soldiers welcoming home Georgia's 221st Military (MI) Intelligence Battalion. The unit returned mid afternoon from its second deployment in two year's time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Full Story

Aviation Regiment Earns
Boeing Award
Detachment 1, Company F, 131st Aviation Regiment in Savannah was spotlighted during the BOEING Helicopter Company's Combat Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler. Full Story

Exercise Tests Military, Civilian
Medical Preparedness
A Category 3 hurricane crashing in on Savannah and the Coastal Empire was the frightening, yet eerily reminiscent, Katrina-style scenario that more than 150 Air National Guard medical personnel from eight southeastern states, including those from Georgia, faced recently at Garden City's Combat Readiness Training Center. Full Story

Brig. Gen. Robert V. Taylor, Chairman NGAUS, Lt. Gen. Poythress and Col. Steve Joyce with Georgia's 100 percent Membership Award.
Georgia Guard Earns Praise At NGAUS Conference There was a distinctive Georgia flair at the 128th NGAUS Annual Conference in Albuquerque in September when a number of Georgians, Georgia Guardsmen, and Georgia National Guard units received Conference recognition before the more than 4,200 attendees. Full Story

Historical Society Conference To Feature Deployment Panel
The Historical Society of the Georgia National

Cross Country Walkers Find
Support In Georgia's 1148th
As members of the Georgia National Guard continue supporting the U.S. Mexico border mission in New Mexico, Soldiers of Thomasville's 1148th Transportation Company took up a border mission of their own along the GeorgiaFlorida state line. Full Story

Receiving the NGAUS Air National Guard Mission Support Award are Col. Floyd Harbin (left), commander, CRTC and General Bruce Carlson, commander Air Materiel command.
CRTC Earns Mission Support Honor
Savannah's Combat Readiness Training Center received the Air National Guard Mission Support Award, an honor equivalent to the Distinguished Flying Plaque, at the 128th General NGAUS Conference recently in Albuquerque, N. M. Full Story

Guard will conduct its 13th Annual Historical Conference in Macon, GA on November 4, 2006 at the Macon Conference Center
adjacent to the Holiday Hotel at 3590 Riverside Drive and I-75. The half-day conference entitled, "The Georgia Guard Deploys for War" features discussions from eight Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen who have recently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The $20 conference fee includes a luncheon buffet and reservations are requested. For more information contact John Hardwick at 678-569-6451 or john.hardwick@ga.ngb.army.mil. Read More
A look at what happened in October in Georgia National Guard history:...

Brig. Gen. Rodeheaver delivers first pitch
Guard Helps Braves Commemorate '9/11' Fifth Anniversary Georgia National Guardsmen and aircraft were prominent in helping the Atlanta Braves commemorate the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. More Pictures, Story

Guardsmen, Families Eligible For
State Sponsored College Aid
Georgians who are members of the Guard and Reserve can now get education assistance for themselves and their family members through a new statesponsored plan.

Medical Command Gets New Chief
The Georgia Army National Guard's Medical Command welcomed a new commanding officer, while paying tribute to the service of a Soldier who held that position for nine years. Accepting the unit guidon was Lt. Col. Kirk O. Austin who previously was the Medical Command deputy commander. Full Story

Help through The Georgia HERO Scholar and GAcollege 411 is only a "click away" for those wanting to better themselves. Click Here for Information

'Demorest Doc' Joins Guard
Edwin Hendricks, 57, a Demorest, Ga., family physician decided its time for him to follow the late President John F. Kennedy's philosophy of "Ask not what your country can do for you...ask what you can do for your country." And in this

118th Gets New Commander
Lieutenant Col. Craig M. McGalliard, took command of First Battalion,118th Field Artillery, 48th Brigade Combat Team in mid-September. McGalliard served in Iraq with the 122nd Rear Operations Command during 2005. Full Story

1940 General Order No. 29, dated 1 Oct., converted Georgia's 108th Cavalry units into coast artillery batteries. Troops A (Georgia Hussars) and B (Liberty Independent Troop) became batteries A and B, 101st Separate Coast Artillery Battalion. Machine Gun Troop (Governor's Horse Guard) became Battery C of the 101st. The state's new artillery battalion had a headquarters, a medical detachment and a new unit, Battery D, in Bainbridge.
1955 Georgia Air National Guardsmen participated in a nationwide "surprise" practice alert, code name "Operation Stopwatch." Brigadier Gen. Homer Flynn, Georgia's Assistant Adjutant General for Air, noted at the time that of the 73 Air Guard fighter-interceptor squadrons nationwide scrambling for the exercise, four were from Georgia. Squadron commanders were alerted when the operation began and then unit members were contacted. Within an hour of the alert, Georgia pilots were flying their F-84D Thunderjets from Marietta and Savannah toward Oak Ridge, Tenn. Their practice mission was to protect Oak Ridge's Y12 atomic energy plant from enemy bombers.
1986 The new 244th Aviation Battalion, comprised of Detachment 1, Headquarters, and Det. 1, Company D, and an aviation company, Company B, drilled for the first time in Winder. The 244th replaced Company A, 158th Military Intelligence Battalion, which moved to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta. Also drilling for the first time in Winder was the aviation section, previously stationed at Dobbins, of the 265th Engineer Group. Both units flew the UH-1 "Huey" helicopter. The 265th also flew the OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation helicopter.
Complied by Gail Parnelle, GaARNG Historical Section

case, also for one's state. Full Story
Joint Customer Service Team Kicks Off October 2-6 is International Customer Service Week and the Georgia Department of Defense honored the event with the inaugural meeting of Joint Customer Service Team (JCST). The effort is in response to the request by Governor Sonny Perdue to have all 42 of his state agencies to become faster, friendlier, and easier. His vision is that Georgia will have the best customer service of any state in the nation. The Governor's Office of Customer Service was created and funded by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2006 session to assist state agencies. Customer Service Page

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

April 5, 2007 Time: 12:26 pm Security Notice

Army National Guard FAQ The latest news from the Georgia Army National Guard. | It's Now Colonel King | CST, 202nd Participate in Disaster Drill | 2007 NCO, soldier Named | 1230th Deploys Again | CERF-P Conducts Initial Exercise | Hurricane Exercise Tests Readines | Guard Deploys to Americus To Aid Relief Effort | GRAP Pays Off for Guardsman |

Air National Guard FAQ The latest news from the Georgia Air National Guard. | Col. Moore Assumes Command of the 116th | 202nd Helps Byron | Doehling Retires as 116th ViceCmdr | Cotter Tapped to Attend Air, Space School | New Positions Follow 165th Change | Smart to Lead 165th |

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 |

2007 NCO, Soldier of the Year Named Click Here Hurricane Exercise Tests Guard Readiness Click Here
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48th BCT In Iraq

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Lt. Col. Joe Ferrero (right) accepts guidon at the 117th.

Lt. Col. Richard Austin prepares to accept command at the 224th JCSS

Air Guard Units Get New Commanders
Two new commanders have taken charge at Brunswick's 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron and Savannah's 117th Air Control Squadron.
Lieutenant Col. Richard Austin, former commander of the 117th ACS, assumed command of the 224th, with Lt. Col. Joe Ferrero replacing Austin as head of the 117th. Ferrero had been the air control squadron's director of operations.
Austin, a 21-year Air Guard veteran, praised the key role continually played by the 224th in providing, what he called "superior communications capabilities" for field commanders and task forces engaged in The Global War on Terror around the world. Brunswick's joint communications support squadron is one of two Air Force communications units the report directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Austin recently returned from a six-month deployment to Iraq with the 117th. The squadron is the only Air Guard unit to have had sole responsibility for the control of all air operations inside the more than 200,000 miles of airspace that covers northern and central Iraq.
Commissioned through Officer Training School in 1980, Austin served on active duty as a missile launch officer with the 44th Strategic Missile Wing at Ellsworth, Air Base, S.D. Leaving active duty in 1985, he joined the Tennessee Air National Guard, and later joined Savannah's 117th ACS in 1991. In 2002, Austin was named unit commander.
When not in uniform, he is employed by Chenega Technology Service as an analyst supporting Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Ferrero, who's spent 17 years with the Air Guard, takes command of the 117th following the unit's deployment to Iraq. He received a regular commission in 1983 as an Air Force officer after graduation from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Ferrero served on active duty from 1983-1989 as a missile launch officer and wing staff officer. He then transferred to the Georgia Air Guard in 1989, serving in several air battle manager roles from weapons controller to director of operations. Ferrero has been recalled to active duty for Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and for several homeland defense missions in the U.S.
In his civilian job, he is general counsel for the Georgia Office of Homeland Security providing legal counsel to the directors of homeland security and Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
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'Det. 1, Co. F' Enduring Freedom Performance Earns Accolades
Detachment 1, Company F, 131st Aviation Regiment in Savannah was spot-lighted during the BOEING Helicopter Company's Combat Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler.
More than 100 Georgia Army Guard Soldiers stationed at Hunter Army Airfield arrived at the ceremony aboard Company F CH-47D Chinook helicopters. The Guardsmen and their unit were celebrated for their superb combat performance in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia Army Guard commander, and Col. Brent Bracewell, 1st Aviation Group commander, attended the ceremony.
Besides receiving Boeing's Combat Recognition Pin, the unit presented a 10,000 flying hour award. Corporation officials also recognized Company F's performance during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts last year, and presented each Soldier with Boeing Rescue certificates and pins. Several soldiers also received the Combat Action Badge, signifying their direct participation in combat actions during their deployment.
Maj. Gen. Nesbitt pins CAB on Sergeant 1st Class Jeff Earhart, a Ch-47D crewman and promotes Sgt. Christine See to staff sergeant.
Detachment 1, Company F, supported Operation Enduring Freedom from January 2004 to April 2005. The unit provided direct heavy lift combat helicopter support to the Army's 10th Mountain Division, 25th Infantry Division and 12th Aviation Brigade. Company F Soldiers paired up with members from their sister unit based in Birmingham, Ala., to fly more than 7,500 combat hours without the loss of life or aircraft. It's a feat not achieved by their predecessors or successors. Not only these Soldiers fly assault missions throughout the arid and dusty mountainous regions of Afghanistan, they supported U.S. nation building efforts and humanitarian relief operations, and then were essential in the support of the Afghanistan elections, allowing for the free election of Afghanistan's first president Hamid Karzai.
Upon return to the United States, the unit's soldiers were immediately re-deployed in support of the Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma relief efforts. During their relief support, these soldiers flew over 100 hours of relief missions rescuing and evacuating over 2500 residents of Louisiana and Mississippi. The unit's helicopter crews delivered over two million pounds of supplies and materials throughout the disaster area.
Detachment 1, commanded by Maj. Edwin Laster, soon will be re-flagged under 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, but will remain at Hunter Army Airfield.
Also during the ceremony, Sgt. Christine See was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, and 21 Detachment 1 Soldiers were awarded the Army's Combat Infantry Badge in recognition of their 12 months in war-torn Afghanistan.
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Georgia Army Guard's Strength Tops 10,000
The Georgia Army National Guard topped over 10,000 Soldiers in 2006 making it one of the top three states in the nation for recruiting in the past year, and jumping Georgia into the top-10 states in terms of total Army Guard size.
The state recruited 2,768 news Soldiers in 2006, and finished the fiscal year with an end-strength of 10,076 Army Guardsmen, which represented a total increase of nearly 900 over the past year.
Lt. Col. Pete Vanamburgh, who commanded the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, said the increase jumped Georgia into the category of the "large" National Guard states which translates into more resources including training funds and full time manpower.
The recruiting success in 2006 far surpassed the National Guard Bureau's goal for Georgia of 9,350 new accessions. Even more remarkable, it exceeded the "stretch goal" of 10,000 set by Army Guard leadership.
Vanamburgh credits the hard work of the NCO's in the recruiting force for the successes in 2006, as well as the business practices throughout the Georgia Army Guard.
"We're also fortunate to be in the great state of Georgia which is supportive of the military and a great recruiting environment," he added.
The Georgia Army National Guard has seen steady increases in end-strength in the past five years. In 2001, the end-strength was 8,600.The recruiting success comes at a time when all military services nationally have been struggling to meet their quotas.
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A simulated casualty during hurricane exercise
Exercise Tests Military, Civilian Medical Preparedness
A Category 3 hurricane crashing in on Savannah and the Coastal Empire was the frightening, yet eerily reminiscent, Katrina-style scenario that more than 150 Air National Guard medical personnel from eight southeastern states, including those from Georgia, faced recently at Garden City's Combat Readiness Training Center.
Exercise "Hurricane Savannah" was played out for four days as Air Guardsmen from North Carolina and South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi, members of the Georgia State Defense Force, and several local, state, and federal agencies and volunteers deployed throughout the region and Chatham County just as they would if the real thing had happened.
"Once every five years, similar medical exercises involving massive death and injuries are conducted in the U.S.," said Col. Jill Hendra, North Carolina's air surgeon and this year's exercise director.
This Air Guard, FEMA Region IV Medical Exercise had been in the planning for more than two years, Hendra explained. The eight medical units involved exercised their abilities to deploy, assess the level of medical care needed, coordinate military resources and respond to massive injuries and casualties, he said. The idea is to set the scenario so that medical resources are stressed beyond their usual capacity as would happen during an actual crisis, Hendra concluded.
"The doctors, nurses and medical technicians who take part in this exercise are faced with every medical emergency we could throw their way," said Lt. Col. Alan Peaselee, 116th Medical Group commander and operations director for the exercise. Medical personnel responded to everything from massive casualties resulting from a building collapse, to exposure to toxic gas emissions, to train derailments and traffic accidents, Peaselee said. Also, under the pressure of caring for injured and dying patients, medical personnel were subjected to simulated sniper attacks, fire and toxic gas which forced them into MOP gear.
"A handful of exercise coordinators and senior medical personnel carefully designed the number, intensity and frequency of the more than 40 medical emergencies that fell to the first responders and medical personnel performing in the exercise."
Mass casualties resulting from Hurricane Savannah were brought to Air Guard medical personnel at a 25bed Expeditionary Medical Support Hospital (EMEDS) set up at CRTC. Normally used to provide medical care in combat theaters, such as Iraq, the hospital is a "high-tech concept" of the former Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.
This year's exercise also involved communications technicians provided with Brunswick's the 283rd Joint Communications Support Squadron and Savannah's 117th Air Control Squadron. Also North Carolina's 145th Airlift Wing provided C-130 aircraft and the 156th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, mortuary affairs personnel, chaplains, and Members of Georgia Joint Task Force and

the Georgia State Defense Force also planned a role in the four-day exercise.
As participants in Hurricane Savannah played out their roles, they also played host to eight international observers from Slovakia and the Republic Georgia, to include Deputy Prime Minister Jambul Bakvradze.
Civilian players in the four-day emergency exercise included the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Savannah and Chatham County Fire and Police, Savannah and Chatham County Public Works, Coastal Plains Public Health, and the Georgia Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Also involved were the Memorial Medical Center and Chandler and St. Josephs' hospitals in Savannah, Tift Region Medical Center in Tifton, and the Safety Assessment Volunteers and HAM radio network.
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221st MI Returns To Cheering Families

Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office

Story by Spc. Amanda Luksic

FORT GILLEM, Ellenwood, Sept. 22, 2006 Sounds of jubilant celebration filled the gym of Neal Fitness Center, but it wasn't enthusiastic sports fans cheering on their favorite basketball team that stood shouting and waving banners from the stands.

The noise that reverberated throughout the building this day was came from more than 200 families, friends and fellow Soldiers welcoming home Georgia's 221st Military (MI) Intelligence Battalion. The unit returned mid afternoon from its second deployment in two year's time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"What an exceptional group of Soldiers," said Lt. Col. John Rudio, who commands the battalion. "Never have I been so honored, so privileged to lead such dedicated and committed individuals as these.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hurndon echoed that sentiment, saying that unit members out did themselves in accomplishing their mission and then returning safely home.

"They are outstanding men and women who remain humble in their service to their state and country, and they greatly deserve the praise bestowed upon them today," he said.

Miller and daughter: Specialist Steven Miller looks with wonder how his six-month-old daughter Mayven has grown since he left home

a year ago. (Georgia National Guard photo by

For Georgia's 221st MI, this latest deployment was its second. The first Spc. Amanda Luksic)

occurred from February 2003 to March 2004 not only for Operation Iraqi

Freedom, but also to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The battalion mobilized in July 2005 and moved to Fort Dix, N.J., for its train-up for Iraq. Three months later, the 221st was back in country, this time as Task Force Battle Boar, and with the mission of providing tactical human intelligence and long-range surveillance to Multi National Corps Iraq. During their year in that war-torn country, the 19 tactical intelligence teams of the 221st submitted more than 2,000 intelligence reports and supported the operations of Task Force Phantom, the first ever intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance task force. The combined efforts of the two task forces successfully identified insurgent smuggling routes and facilitation cells throughout Iraq's western deserts. They also performed critical infrastructure surveillance missions in northern Iraq, and they trained battalion-size elements of the Iraqi Security Force.

And this, Hurndon said, is only a small part of what the 221st did during its year back in Iraq. "We did it all, and we did it with the pride and professionalism that comes from being members of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Now that the battalion is back home, its Soldiers only want to think about the time they'll spend making up the year they've been away from loved ones.

There'll be time for reflection of lessons learned, said Sgt. Claudia Kokasm, a supply specialist for the 221st. "Right now, right here, the only thing I want to think about for awhile is how I'm going to spend time with my boys." Reaching over and holding her sons Mark and Charles close, it was obvious that she would have no trouble doing that.

At left, soldiers of the 221st pass the banner waving, cheering as the ceremony welcoming the unit home begins. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Amanda

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Luksic)

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Georgia's Guard Earns Praise at 128th NGAUS Confab
There was a distinctive Georgia flair at the 128th NGAUS Annual Conference in Albuquerque in September when a number of Georgians, Georgia Guardsmen, and Georgia National Guard units received Conference recognition before the more than 4,200 attendees.
Maj Gen David Poythress was elected to the NGAUS Board of Directors as Vice Chair Air. In this powerful leadership position, the Georgia TAG will have a prominent voice in issues impacting the both members of the Air National Guard and the entire National Guard.
Nine Georgians, including Governor Sonny Perdue, received various NGAUS leadership awards. The Governor received the coveted Charles Dick Medalof Merit for his contributions to the National Guard as an elected official.
Two Georgia Air National Guard units, the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) and the 116th Air Control Wing were recognized by NGAUS for outstanding mission performance. Both the CRTC in Savannah and the 116th Communications Squadron at Robins AFB was awarded the prestigious Air National Guard Mission Support Award, the non-aviation equivalent to the Distinguished Flying plaque.
Two officers of the 48th BCT received a standing ovation by Conference participants for their presentation on Georgia's 48th Brigade's historic deployment to Iraq.
Col. Steve Joyce, GA DOD Director of Human Resources and Lt. Col. Murray Hansen, Executive Support Officer at HQ GA ANG were elected as Army and Air Representatives for Area III, and Capt Terri Prosperie of the 116th ACW was elected as the Air Company Grade reprehensive for Area III.
Brig. Gen. Marshall Kennemer, Director, NGAGA commented that Conference participants heard from Secretary Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, Major General Paul Sullivan, Chief of Staff, U.S. Northern Command and Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, Chief NGB.
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Historical Society '06 Theme: 'Georgia Guard Deploys For War'
The Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard will conduct its 13th Annual Historical Conference in Macon, GA on November 4, 2006 at the Macon Conference Center adjacent to the Holiday Hotel at 3590 Riverside Drive and I-75.
The half-day conference entitled, "The Georgia Guard Deploys for War" features discussions from eight Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen who have recently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Dale Russell, FOX 5 award-winning Investigative Reporter will moderate the discussion. Russell visited Georgia's 48th Brigade in Baghdad in October 2005 and was later awarded a TV Emmy Award for his series of reports from Iraq.
Representatives of the 48th Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard and the 116th Air Control Wing and 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron of the Georgia Air National Guard will participate in the discussion. Also participating will be representatives of Georgia's Family Readiness Program and the Chaplain of the Georgia Army National Guard.
The public is cordially invited to attend this Conference. The $20 conference fee includes a luncheon buffet and reservations are requested. For more information contact John Hardwick at 678-569-6451 or john. hardwick@ga.ngb.army.mil.
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'Cross Country Walkers' Find Support In the 1148th

As members of the Georgia National Guard continue supporting the U.S. Mexico border mission in New Mexico, Soldiers of Thomasville's 1148th Transportation Company took up a border mission of their own along the Georgia-Florida state line.

The five Guardsmen, Sgt. 1st Class Harris Cody, sergeants Nathaniel Tyler, Sheryl Murphy and John Adison, and Spc. Demitrius Stringer greeted two Clearwater, Fla., residents walking cross-country as part of the Pittsburg, Pa.,-based Operation Troop Appreciation.

Adam Goodrich and Christopher Tapp began their fourmonth, 3,500 mile trek in July, starting from Seattle, Wa. Their reaching the Georgia-Florida border recently brings them closer to the end of their walk in Tallahassee, Fla.

Word of what Goodrich and Tapp are doing reached the 1148th Soldiers by way of their parent unit, Newnan's 201st Service and Support Battalion, and Guard officials in Atlanta.

"There was no hesitation on our part about meeting

Member of the 1148th with Goodrich and Tapp

these guys and showing our support of them," Cody said speaking for his fellow Soldiers. "If they're making

the effort to do all that walking just to show us and our brothers-in-arms how much they appreciate what we do,

it's least we could do for them."

When Cody, Tyler, Murphy, Adison and Stringer met the walkers at the state line, all shook hands, passed along gifts and posed for a group picture. A short time later, Goodrich and Tapp said their goodbyes, turned south and headed off for Tallahassee, leaving the Georgians feeling even prouder of themselves, their fellow service members and their country, than they already did, Murphy said.

Operation Troop Appreciation was founded March 2004 by Pittsburg resident Kristen Holloway, because she felt that she and the country weren't doing enough to recognize the sacrifice being made by the nation's military men and women. Participants of Operation Troop Appreciation continue to write letters, send care packages and provide necessities to the nation's Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines around the world.

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BG Stewart Rodeheaver Throws Out the "the first pitch"
Guard Helps Braves Commemorate 9-11
Georgia National Guardsmen and aircraft were prominent in helping the Atlanta Braves commemorate the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
Col. Larry Dudney (above) greet the umps Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, who commanded the 48th BCT during its year-long deployment to Iraq, threw out the first pitch at a game between the Braves and Cubs while Col. Larry Dudney, the general's executive

officer and who now commands the brigade, served as the honorary team captain. Tech Sgt. William Bancroft and Cpl. Tom Carlysle, of the Georgia State Defense Force, played taps to honor the fallen. A fly over by three Blackhawk helicopters assigned to Georgia's 1st Aviation Group home stationed at Marietta's Dobbins Air Reserve Base followed the singing of the National Anthem. Tech Sgt. William Bancroft of the Georgia State Defense Force, plays taps to honor the fallen.
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Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia Army Guard commander, administers the oath to Lt. Col. Edwin P. Hendricks Jr. at Hendricks' enlistment ceremony Sunday. With them is Hendricks' wife Nancy. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean)
At 57, Demorest Physican Enlists to 'Do' For His Country, State
By Spc. Amanda Luksic Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office
JOINT FORCES HEADQUARTERS, Ellenwood, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006 A Demorest family physician has decided its time for him to follow the late John Kennedy's philosophy of "Ask not what your country can do for you...ask what you can do for your country."
And in this case, also for one's state.
Edwin Hendricks, 57, was officially sworn into the Georgia National Guard by Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia Army Guard commander, before an audience of family, friends and members of his new unit, the Georgia Medical Command.
Hendricks, who will work as an occupational health officer, also received a direct commission to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He will, at some point, attend medical officer's basic training course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
In his civilian job, he is with Habersham County's Demorest Family Practice.
The soft-spoken family practitioner said that trading his white lab coat for the Army Combat Uniform, even if it's on a part-time basis, is something he's wanted to do for a long time. Serving however eluded him, he said.
Hendricks explained that, when he was a young man, he was among the millions drafted for service in Vietnam. But when he showed up for the physical he was turned away because he had flat feet.
He tried several times down through the years to enlist, but it never seemed to work out, and eventually becoming a doctor and establishing a practice would take up most of his time, he said. When the opportunity finally presented its self, he wasn't about to pass it up.
"I want to be able to take care of the Soldiers as much as I can," said Hendricks. "Having a strong, ready military means keeping the folks who fill its ranks healthy.
"And I want more than anything to be a part of that." While he had no reservations about what he wanted to do, many among his family were a little unsure of his decision.
His wife Nancy was not one of those.
"He's going to do what he wants, and I, we will support him now just as we always have."

Her only concern was whether the family practice would suffer if and when her husband is deployed. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Simon said he assured her it wouldn't. Simons is special branch officer strength manager for headquarters' Recruiting and Retention Division.
"When doctors deploy, they do what is called `Boots on the Ground,'" he explained. "A physician only deploy for 90 days, and then another takes his place. This practice keeps such Soldiers from losing their practices because of long deployments."
Nancy Hendricks said her husband has been talking about getting into uniform for the past year. "He loves anything dealing with the military, and talks about it all the time," she said with a smile, her arm in his. "You have to admire his persistence and desire to become part of something that's so important to our country."
Nancy Hendricks added she believes, that she hopes, others will take notice of her husband's actions, and that what he's done sends a positive message to the younger generation. "When someone wants something as bad as he's wanted this, he's going to get it."
Nesbitt, in his remarks after administering the oath to Hendricks, said, "I admire and appreciate Hendricks for volunteering to serve. We appreciate his perseverance in wanting to serve.
"And we surely thank him for what he's already done," Nesbitt concluded.
Hendricks' enlistment puts the Georgia Guard at 110 percent when it comes to the number of medical officers it its ranks. It makes him number 19 out of 17, Simon said.
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CRTC Earns Mission Support Honor From NGAUS

Savannah's Combat Readiness Training Center received the Air National Guard Mission Support Award, an honor equivalent to the Distinguished Flying Plaque, at the 128th General NGAUS Conference recently in Albuquerque, N.M..

The Mission Support Plaque presented to the training center recognizes outstanding Air National Guard units that play a mission support role. The award is presented to five of the highest rated non-flying units.

Receiving the NAGAUS Air National Guard Mission Support Award are from left to right Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief ANG, Senior Master Sgt William W. Kaberle, Townsend Range NCOIC; Lt Col. Jim O'Brien, Townsend Range commander, Col. Floyd Harbin, CRTC commander; ; Gen. Bruce Carlson and Maj Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General.

Each unit is judged on the basis of it overall operation readiness during the reporting years, and its performance is compared to all other Air National Guar non-flying units. Selection is based on operational readiness inspections; special missions, deployments and exercises; outstanding accomplishments; unit manning levels, attendance, retention; and skill levels qualifications.
Savannah-based CRTC hosted more than 179 units and other customers at its Travis Field facilities over the past two years. These include the Aerial Port University, Langley, Va.'s 71st Fighter Squadron, several regional FEMA exercises and three unit operational readiness inspections.

In an effort to make the CRTC one of the most important training centers in the nation, unit officials initiated more than $16.3 million of new construction projects at Travis Field and at Townsend Bombing Range. The center also established a new Military Operating Area (MOA) and opened two new military training routes that increase the availability of military airspace for training.

The award was presented by Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander Air Material Command, and Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, director Air National Guard. Receiving the award was CRTC commander, Col. Floyd Harbin. Accompanying Harbin were Lt. Col. Jim O'Brien, Townsend Range commander; Senior Master Sgt William W. Kaberle, Townsend Range NCOIC; and General Poythress.

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Lt. Col. Austin Assumes Medical Command; Kias Ends Term As State Surgeon

Story by Pfc. Adam Dean 124th MPAD

JOINT FORCES HEADQUARTERS, Ellenwood, Sunday, Sep.10, 2006 The Georgia Army National Guard's Medical Command welcomed a new commanding officer, while paying tribute to the service of a Soldier who held that position for nine years.

Accepting the unit guidon was Lt. Col. Kirk O. Austin who previously was the Medical Command deputy commander. In his civilian capacity, Austin is a hospitalist and chief of specialty and ancillary services at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin.

He replaces Lt. Col. Thomas N. Kias, who is set to shortly leave the Guard after 25 years. Kias continues in private practice in his hometown of Athens, and also holds the title of clinical associate professor of medicine at the Medical College of Georgia.

Austin has taken time out of his civilian schedule twice in recent years for deployments to Iraq. Most recently, he supported Forsyth's Headquarters Company, 148th Forward Support Battalion, in Baghdad, reporting for that mission in May 2005. Before that he mobilized to support Marietta's Company B, 161st Medical Battalion in southern Iraq in October 2003.

"Thank you for the opportunity to oversee the Medical Command and to serve as state surgeon," said Austin. "I look forward to providing leadership to meet the challenges we face, both the ones we know and the ones we've yet to take on."

His military career began in 1970 when he enlisted in the Air Force with the 388th Combat Support Group based in Syracuse, N.Y. It was with the 388th that he saw service in Thailand during the Vietnam War.

Austin received his first commission in the Georgia Guard in 1986 as a Warrant Officer 1, working as a physician assistant with what was then Atlanta's 138th Medical Company.

Above: Incoming Medical Command commander,Lt. Col. Kirk Austin

In 1990 he was promoted and assigned to the Guard's Medical Service Corps as a second lieutenant. A year later he was promoted to captain and attached to Savannah's Headquarters Battery, 118th Field Artillery.

Austin later was transferred in 1997 to what was then known as the Georgia Medical Detachment.

His military education includes the Army Medical Department officer basic and advanced courses, the pre-command course, and the medical review officer course.

As a civilian, Austin received a bachelor's in biology from Grand Valley State College, a bachelor's in medicine from Western Michigan University and a doctorate from the Mercer University School of Medicine.

His decorations include the Combat Medical Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Austin lives in Dublin with his wife, Maj. Jacqueline Cheek Austin.

Kias, Austin's predecessor, leaves a position that he has held since 1997.

During the time that Kias has served as the head of Medical Command, he, too, served as state surgeon.

"Georgia is the best Guard," he said. "Good luck to Kirk Austin, who will put his own stamp on this organization."

Kias received his initial commission in 1968 as a lieutenant in the Army Reserve, and served as a captain in Vietnam. He entered the Georgia

Guard in 1981 as a major.
In August 2005, Kias was mobilized to support 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, at Forward Operating Base O'Ryan in Iraq.
"General McArthur told Congress that old soldiers never die, they just fade away," quoted Kias to an exuberant crowd of well-wishers. Referring to himself, he added, "This high-strung, nervous, grouchy old Yankee goat wants to fade away from the Georgia Army National Guard very slowly. That means a few more Soldiers may well have to suffer through one of my fit for duty inquisitions."

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Col. Thomas N. Kias (right) receives a congratulatory handshake from Colonel Stanley Crowder, Georgia Army Guard personnel officer. Kias retired following 25 years with the Guard, nine as state surgeon. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean)

McGalliard Takes Command of the 118th FA

Story by Pfc. Adam Dean 124th MPAD

SAVANNAH, Saturday, Sep. 9, 2006 First Battalion,118th Field Artillery, 48th Brigade Combat Team celebrated the arrival of a new commander, and paid tribute to the service of its outgoing leader at a change-of-command ceremony held at the Seawright Armory on Eisenhower Road.

Lieutenant Col. Craig M. McGalliard, took command of the unit after having recently graduated from the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Before the War College, McGalliard was in Iraq with the 122nd Rear Operations Command during 2005.

"I am quite honored to be taking command of a unit of combat vets and Citizen-Soldiers," said McGalliard, referring to the fact that the 118th returned from deployment in Iraq five months ago.

As a civilian, McGalliard is the coastal region engineering manager with Atlanta Gas Light Company. He lives in Savannah with his wife Lisa and their two children. McGalliard also serves his community as a member of the board of directors of the Savannah Chapter of the American Red Cross.

McGalliard, who has 29 years of service, began his career as an enlisted Soldier in the 118th FA. He was commissioned in 1982 while assigned to Elberton's 2nd Battalion, 214th Field Artillery. When that unit was inactivated, he was assigned to the 265th Combat Engineer Group, eventually becoming its personnel officer.

Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. Don B. Beard, the 118th's outgoing commander, passes the guidon to Col. Lawrence Dudney, deputy commander, 48th BCT. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean)

In 1999 he was reunited with the 214th as executive officer of its 1st Battalion. McGalliard received his civilian education at Atlanta's Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned his civil engineering degree.
Leaving the unit is Lt. Col. Don B. Beard who has headed the artillery unit since April 2002. Beard, a McDonough resident, continues working as plans, operations and training officer for Forces Command at Atlanta's Fort McPherson. He moved into that position shortly after his return from Iraq.

During the ceremony, Beard accepted the Meritorious Service Medal, a plaque displaying the battalion colors, and several other gifts while also being praised for his service with the 118th.

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The 118th's new commander Lt. Col. Craig M. McGalliard addresses his new command. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean)

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Joint Customer Service Team Kicks Off

October 2-6 is International Customer Service Week and the Georgia Department of Defense honored the event with the inaugural meeting of Joint Customer Service Team (JCST).

The effort is in response to the request by Governor Sonny Perdue to have all 42 of his state agencies to become faster, friendlier, and easier. His vision is that Georgia will have the best customer service of any state in the nation. The Governor's Office of Customer Service was created and funded by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2006 session to assist state agencies.
The Governor's customer service initiative will also link to the Georgia DOD's Strategic Goal of customer focus with associated measures on the department's balanced scorecard.
The Georgia DOD's new team will be "change agents," assisting with the implementation of the GA DOD Customer Service Improvement Plan., said Lt Col Jean Specht, director of Organizational Development and the department's "Customer Service Champion."
The JCST will also research, analyze, and recommend customer service improvements across the organization for both internal and external customers.

THE FOUR SERVICE STANDARDS:
Lt. Col. Specht says there are are four service standards that everyone can start doing regardless of the level or section you work in. To be the "Best" we must be consistent and move forward together:

- Greet customers promptly and courteously
- Listen attentively and
understand things from
the customer's perspective - Be helpful - Honor their commitments in a timely
manner.

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