First Friday briefing [June 2, 2006]

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First Friday Briefing for June 2006
Deployment Update

117th Returns Following Deployment
Ninety-eight airmen of Savannah's 117th Air Control Squadron returned to Georgia in late May after completing an historic six-month deployment to Iraq. The 117th, along with its sister unit, Puerto Rico's 141st Air Control Squadron, had the unique mission responsibility of controlling all the airspace over war-torn Iraq. Full Story

Gov. Sonny Perdue and Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver display the 48th BCT battle flag presented to the State of Georgia.
48th Presents Battle Flag To State The 48th BCT battle flag that flew over Camp Stryker in Baghdad and during memorial services for the fallen now has a final resting place as part of a display honoring Georgia's military men and women in Georgia's Capitol. Brigadier Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, 48th Brigade Combat Team commander, presented the flag to Governor Sonny Perdue at a Capitol ceremony May 30. Full story

MSG Michael Graham, 122nd ROC, takes a "fishing break" outside his Pontoon Office in Iraq after an early afternoon rain shower.
122nd ROC Continues Aid
As Operation Iraqi Freedom pushes toward the day that Iraqis will take on all responsibility for the running of their country, Soldiers of Georgia's 122nd Rear Operations Center continue helping the country get back on its feet through assistance with projects to rebuild that war-torn nation. Full Story

Maj. Gen. Poythress, Maj. Gen. Hammond, Col. Tom Moore, 165th AW Commander, Col. Floyd Harbin, CRTC Commander and Col. Thomas Dunham, 165th Medical Group Commander, break ground at the CRTC.
Ground Broken On New Medical Facility A ground breaking ceremony was held May 9th in Garden City as construction got underway on significant base improvements slated for the Combat Readiness Training Center and 165th Airlift Wing.

Eight million dollars of new construction was recently approved by Congress for two new facilities. Initial construction focuses on a new Medical Operations and Training Building which will serve as the home for the 165th Medical Group. In addition, an expanded training area will be provided within the new construction for visiting military units from across the nation and around the world. This $6.7 million facility is slated for completion in May 2007.

Changes Ahead for 48th Brigade
As Unit Faces Transformation
Back from its yearlong combat deployment to Iraq, the Georgia Army Guard's 48th Brigade Combat Team will be facing some significant organizational changes. The changes, which have been on the horizon for the past several years, are part of an Armywide transformation affecting a number of active and reserve component units.

124th MPAD Members Brave Sandstorm for 'Photo Op' During a sandstorm roaring in the background, Sergeants Jeff Lowry and Trevor Snyder (far left and right), both with Georgia's 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, pose for a photo with members of the Army Reserve's 206th Broadcast Detachment. The 124th, commanded by Maj. Chris Dockery, is in Iraq running the Coalition Press Information Center in Baghdad's Green Zone. Lowry, Snyder and their fellow Soldiers have been in country since October 2005. Among the MPAD's duties is the day-to-day operations of the CPIC, dealing with civilian media and overseeing daily press briefings and conferences. (Contributed photo)

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165th ASOS Welcomes New Commander The Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Air Support Operations Squadron undergoes a Change of Command in June as Lt. Col. John Haley relinquishes command of the 72-member unit to Lt. Col. Paul G. Havel. Lt. Col. Haley is also scheduled to retire following more than 28 years of commissioned service.
Lt. Col. Paul G. Havel, a 22-year Air Force veteran, is currently the Air Liaison Officer for the Brunswick-based unit. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Havel has accumulated over 2,600 flying hours including 111 combat hours flown during Operations JUST CAUSE, DESERT STORM and CONTINUE HOPE. Full Story

USO Award Presented To 48th BCT Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team led by Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver received the USO's 2006 Patriot Award during the Atlanta Regional Military Affairs Council's 54th annual Military Affairs Luncheon held, again this year, at the Cobb Galleria.
Brig. Gen. Rodeheaver told an audience of more that 500 military and civilian onlookers that "It's an honor and a very humbling experience to accept this award on behalf of the 48th." Full Story

Checkoff Box Nets $84,000 For
Family Support Foundation
Families of Georgia National Guardsmen financially wounded by deployments or other reasons have a new source of assistance thanks to state taxpayers. Full Story

Border Patrol helicopter hovers over desolate area of the southwest
Operation Jump Start' Uses Guard To Tighten Border National Guard troops from four states are now on the US -Mexican border following President Bush's announcement that National Guard forces will help bolster homeland security and border patrol activities along the 1,950-mile border. Read Full Story

A look at what happened in June in Georgia National Guard history:
1917 The 3rd battalion, 2nd Regiment of Infantry, was in Florida on active duty as a result of the entry by the United States into World War I two months earlier. Guarding vital infrastructure such as railroad bridges was one of the War Department's concerns after war was declared. The Florida East Coast Railroad, important to transportation, commerce and military bases, ran all the way south to Key West, and the 3rd Battalion was assigned the duty of protecting the railroad's bridges. One of the battalion's companies was posted in Jacksonville while three other companies were stationed between Miami and Key West.
1958 Margie Dell Pitts and Eleanor Joyce Chapman, the first women in the Georgia Army National Guard, were sworn-in by Lt. Col. John R. Johnson, Army advisor for the Georgia Guard, as first lieutenants in Griffin's 117th Surgical Hospital. The ceremony took place in the office of Maj. Gen. Charlie Camp, Adjutant General of Georgia. A board of four officers had approved the nurse's applications, and it determined Pitts and Chapman were qualified to be granted federal recognition as first lieutenants.
1992 The 111th Tactical Air Control Party Flight was redesignated the 165th Air Control Party Flight. This unit moved to Brunswick from Pennsylvania in 1988, transferring to the Glynco Jetport in late 1988. The unit's wartime mission involved linking up and deploying with designated army maneuver units, and providing liaison on matters concerning tactical air support with the Army.
Complied by Gail Parnelle, GaARNG Historical Section

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

April 5, 2007 Time: 11:58 am 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 |

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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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First Friday Briefing - June 2006
May 31, 2006 09:54AM
In our June episode: - the Air Guards 117th Air Control Squadron is back after controlling the skies over Iraq - the 48th Brigade hands over its battle flag to the Governor - a big Ground breaking for the Combat Readiness Training Center - and more
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First Friday Briefing, the Georgia DoD's monthly online newsletter, is now available in audio format. The First Friday Podcast can be downloaded in . mp3 format and listened to directly on a computer desktop using Media Player or other desktop player software. Listeners can also use RSS technology to "subscribe" to the audio feed, which will allow their computer to automatically download new releases directly to their i-Pods or other portable listening devices. "Podcasting as an exciting new communications tool and we want to begin to take advantage of it," said Jim Driscoll, the Georgia DoD's director of communications. "The Army and Air Force news services are both now sending out podcasts, but Georgia is the first National Guard state to take advantage of the new technology."

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First Friday May 2006 - Listen Now

Description: The May issue of the Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, an audio file with news of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard and the Georgia State Defense Force. This episode's top stories include... -- The 48th Brigade returns home -- The Georgia Army Guard Commander is named the state's new director of Homeland Security... -- The Georgia Air Guard gets its newest General officer -- And a Georgia Guard Black Hawk pilot wins the prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award
First Friday April 2006 - Listen Now

Description: Welcome to the April issue of the Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, an audio file with news of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard and the Georgia State Defense Force. This episode's top stories include... -- Savannahs 165th Airlift Wing deploys to support Enduring Freedom -- The 48th Infantry Brigade in Iraq prepares to head home -- A new Guard program called Well-Being is being launched to help address Guard member's physical, mental and spiritual needs. -- And a third grader in Winder is going above and beyond the call in helping Georgia Guardsmen.
First Friday March 2006 - Listen Now

Description: Welcome to the March issue of the Georgia

Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, an audio file with news of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard and the Georgia State Defense Force. This episode's top stories include... - Georgian's celebrate National Guard Day at State Capitol - Army Guard breaks ground on new $16.5 million hangar facility at Hunter - Air Guard unit receives prestigious Aviation Week Laurels Award
First Friday February 2006 - Listen Now
Description: Welcome to the February issue of the Georgia Department of Defense First Friday Briefing, an audio file with news of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard and the Georgia State Defense Force. This episode's top stories include... - Soldiers from Elberton's 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery depart for training in preparation for their Iraqi deployment. - Georgia Guardsman can collect cash for recruiting - The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation is getting a big financial boost from a painting by renowned Georgia artist Steve Penley.

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117th Returns After Completing Historic Mission
Ninety-eight airmen of Savannah's 117th Air Control Squadron returned to Georgia in late May after completing an historic six-month deployment to Iraq. The 117th, along with its sister unit, Puerto Rico's 141st Air Control Squadron, had the unique mission responsibility of controlling all the airspace over war-torn Iraq. The 117th ACS deployed to Iraq in January as an integral component of Air Expeditionary Force 9 and AEF 10. This marks second time the Savannah-based unit has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the past five years. This was the first time that an Air National Guard air control squadron had complete control over all air resources fighter, tankers and airlift in the country. The 117th, radar control and identification specialists were responsible for identifying and tracking every aircraft flying through Iraq's 270,000 square mile airspace. "We were honored to be selected for this mission, and we've done it as well as anyone who's been there," said Lt. Col. Richard Austin, the 117th's commander. "As commander, I can't tell you how proud I am of the unit," he added. Three Georgia Air Guard teams, numbering more than 130 people, and a smaller contingent, were positioned at three locations throughout Iraq. "At any one time, we may have 20 or 30 aircraft talking to our people on a
single frequency," Austin said. "That's extremely congested." Return to First Friday Briefing

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Maj. Gen. Poythress, Maj. Gen. Hammond, Col. Tom Moore, 165th AW Commander and Col. Thomas Dunham, 165th Meical Group Commander, break ground at the CRTC.
Ground Broken On New Medical Facility at 165th
A ground breaking ceremony was held May 9th in Garden City as construction got underway on significant base improvements slated for the Combat Readiness Training Center and 165th Airlift Wing. Eight million dollars of new construction was recently approved by Congress for two new facilities. Initial construction focuses on a new Medical Operations and Training Building which will serve as the home for the 165th Medical Group. In addition, a training area will be provided within the new construction for visiting military units from across the nation and around the world. This $6.7 million facility is slated for completion in May 2007.
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Above: Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver presents flag to Gov. Sonny Perdue. At Right, the General and the Governor display the flag (National Guard Photos)
48th Battle Flag Returns To Georgia
The 48th BCT battle flag that flew over Camp Stryker in Baghdad and during memorial services for the fallen now has a final resting place as part of a display honoring Georgia's military men and women in Georgia's Capitol. Brigadier Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, 48th Brigade Combat Team commander, presented the flag to Governor Sonny Perdue at a Capitol ceremony May 30. Rodeheaver told an audience of more than 100 Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen and state and local officials, that in bringing the 48th's battle standard to the Capitol, he was fulfilling a request Gov. Perdue made of him shortly before the brigade deployed in May 2005 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. "I have carried this flag in my backpack for 18 months, so I did shake the dirt and dust off and washed it before bringing it here today," said Rodeheaver, as he stood and held the carefully folded, navy blue and red standard bearing the brigade's lighting bolt patch close to him. "I will tell you that we flew it when we first got to Iraq over Victory Base (Baghdad). Then, when we were assigned the mission of securing Camp Stryker, we proudly flew it there. We also flew it in the Triangle of Death," he continued. The infamous Triangle of Death is the area south of Baghdad made up of the towns and villages of Mahmudiyah, Lutufiyah and Yusufiyah. The flag also flew during at the memorial services for each of the 26 Soldiers the 48th lost during its deployment, the general added. Turning to Gov. Perdue, Rodeheaver said, "The 48th Brigade Combat Team has all people back from Iraq, all its equipment is accounted for. And with that, Sir, I present this battle flag to you on behalf of the Soldiers of the 48th BCT and all of the soldiers of the Army National Guard. "We are mission complete and I return this battle flag to you." Stepping forward, Perdue accepted the banner declaring that "It is with great happiness and pride," that I accept this flag on behalf of the people of Georgia. It will become part of the state's flag collection and will be displayed in our Hall of Valor for all Georgians to see and appreciate." That collection includes an American flag, the Georgia state flag, a Blue Star banner "representing the hope and pride of our servicemen and women serving overseas," Perdue said, and a Gold Star banner "that signifies the sacrifice that our brave men and women make for our freedom and liberty," he added. Moving to the podium the governor recalled the pride -- and the sadness -- he felt the day he said farewell to the 48th last year at Fort Stewart. "I've never liked tail lights," said an emotional Perdue. "And I didn't like the tail lights then. To see you all go affected me like nothing before, but I love the reunion and having you back." But as much as this was an emotional reunion for Perdue, it also was a proud moment as he went on to

list the brigade's accomplishments during its deployment.
He concluded saying, "Job well done, I'm proud of you. We are grateful for those of you present today, but we hold dear in our hearts and prayers the families who lost a loved one in service. Those who have fallen paid the ultimate sacrifice in freedom's name."
"While we can never fully understand their grief," he continued. "We will not allow them to grieve alone. For it is our solemn duty to never, never forget those who dies so that we may be free."
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The 48th will use up-armored HUMVEES in the new structure
Changes Ahead for 48th Brigade As Unit Faces Transformation
Back from its yearlong combat deployment to Iraq, the Georgia Army Guard's 48th Brigade Combat Team will be facing some significant organizational changes. The changes, which have been on the horizon for the past several years, are part of an Army-wide transformation affecting a number of active and reserve component units. The brigade will transform from a "heavy mechanized" force into a lighter, but still very lethal structure. Gone will be the mechanized vehicles like Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M-1 Abrams Tanks and Paladin Artillery pieces. The new structure will be more centered on "motorized" operations using armored Humvees, helicopters, and dismounted tactics. The new configuration of the Brigade will be closer to the Brigade's structure during the deployment to Iraq, said Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard. The unit's new look will be lighter, more mobile, and modular with its mission geared more for urban warfare while retaining some of the traditional battlefield maneuvers. "The bread and butter of the Army is going to be light" said Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, who explained that the heavier configuration was much more suited to the Cold-War era battlefield. "Today's missions require a lighter, more versatile structure," he said. Here's an overview of the changes: - The 1st and 2nd Battalions, 121st Infantry will convert from heavy mechanized to light infantry. - The 108th Armor Battalion will lose its M-1 Abrams tanks and restructure into a RiSTA squadron (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting and Acquisition). - The 118th Field Artillery Battalion will trade its self-propelled Paladins to 105 mm towed Howitzers. - The 148th Support Battalion will increase in size. - The 648th Engineer Battalion will deactivate but the brigade will add a new battalion that will combine engineering, intelligence and communications elements. It will take several years to restructure the brigade and to complete training on the new equipment. Guard officials stress that no Georgia National Guard members will be forced to leave the Guard because of this transformation. Units will work with affected soldiers to give them opportunities to retrain into new military occupational specialties. In some cases, Soldiers may be given the option to move to other units in order to keep their military specialties.
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Members of the 122nd ROC following a morning run
ROC Oversees Iraqi Reconstruction Projects
As Operation Iraqi Freedom pushes toward the day that Iraqis will take on all responsibility for the running of their country, Soldiers of Georgia's 122nd Rear Operations Center continue helping the country get back on its feet through assistance with projects to rebuild that war-torn nation. Part of the mission of "The ROC" is to oversee reconstruction projects such as the one that brought safe drinking water to residents of Airport Village, a community not far from Baghdad International Airport. The project, begun in July 2005 by Hawaii's 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, saw completion of the project's first phase in April by Soldiers Oklahoma's 17th Field Artillery Brigade, said Maj. John Gentry, Victory Base Defense Operations Center Effects coordinator and a member of the 122nd. Phase one of the project saw the completion of a tower and pipeline. Phase two will see the replacement of the inner water network within the village. Georgia's 122nd ROC is in its 11th month of a one year deployment. This is the unit's second deployment in the Global War on Terror, its first was a year long deployment with the Military-Civilian Joint Operations Task Force in Afghanistan early in the war as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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Lt. Col. Havel To Command 165th ASOS
The Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Air Support Operations Squadron undergoes a Change of Command in June as Lt. Col. John Haley relinquishes command of the 72-member unit to Lt. Col. Paul G. Havel. Lt. Col. Haley is also scheduled to retire following more than 28 years of commissioned service.
Lt. Col. Paul G. Havel, a 22-year Air Force veteran, is currently the Air Liaison Officer for the Brunswickbased unit. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Havel has accumulated over 2,600 flying hours including 111 combat hours flown in support of during Operations JUST CAUSE, DESERT STORM and CONTINUE HOPE. As an AC-130 Gunship pilot, he has held numerous ratings and qualifications to include aircraft commander, instructor pilot, and flight examiner. He was also the first Ranger Gunship Liaison Officer to support the 75th Ranger Regiment and 3rd Ranger Battalion. As the Air Force Special Operations Command's Flight Commander for Fixed-Wing Flight Test, he directly supervised all operational test and tactics development for the entire command's C-130 fleet.
Following his separation from the Air Force in 1998, Lt Col Havel joined the 165th ASOS and assumed various squadron duties including Assistant Director of Operations, Flight Commander, Air Liaison Officer, Range Control Officer, and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (Evaluator/Instructor). He also served tours of duty with the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Joint Close Air Support and the National Guard Bureau. In 2005, he served as an Air Liaison Officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller directly supporting Army ground combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Lt. Col. John Haley commanded the 165th ASOS since June 2003. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978, Haley became a Naval Flight Officer, amassing more than 2,900 hours in the A6 Intruder. He flew numerous combat missions during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He joined the Air National Guard in 1997 as Operations Officer and Standardization and Evaluation Officer for the 165th ASOS. While serving as commander of the Brunswick-based unit, Guardsmen of the 165th ASOS have repeatedly deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and have earned 16 Bronze Stars and 31 Army Commendation Medals. The unit was also earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 2003.
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Taxpayers Push Family Foundation Toward Goal
Families of Georgia National Guardsmen financially affected by deployments or other reasons have a new source of assistance thanks to state taxpayers. Officials with Georgia's Department of Revenue said state taxpayers inaugurated a new tax check off box on their tax returns this year, which provided donations to the National Guard Family Foundation totaling almost $84,000. Col. (Ret.) Ed Wexler, GA ANG, past president of the Foundation, said donations usually come "from our own people. We were barely able in the past to keep up the demand." Faced with the prospect of overwhelming requests because of the deployment of Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team and the continuing hardships of the Army and Air Guard, the small foundation sought legislative help. In 2005, the General Assembly approved a check off box on state income tax forms that allowed taxpayers to donate a portion of their return, or add a donation to their return for the foundation. The box appeared for the first time this year. Because of those contributions and appeals for donations, the once strapped fund now totals an estimated $650,000, said Wexler. Revenue department officials said that not all returns have been counted, hence the total collected may well increase. The National Guard Family Foundation, a 12-year-old non-profit group, provides financial aid to guardsmen and their families from assisting with housing and utility bills to helping with the cost of illness or tragedies. The foundation has set a year-end fund-raising goal of $1 million.
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Soldiers of Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team and the USO get together for a group photo. From the left in the front row is Sgt. Kenneth Autry, Cpl. Elijah Carroll, Cpl. Tobias Swan, Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver (holding this year's Patriot Award), Spc. Sean Long, USO representative Mary Lou Austin and Staff Sgt. Jacob Long (no relation to Sean). Behind them is USO representative Mike Watson. (Georgia National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Roy Henry)
48th BCT Earns 2006 USO Patriot Award
Story by Staff Sgt. Roy Henry Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office
ATLANTA, Monday, May 22, 2006 Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team led by Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, received the USO's 2006 Patriot Award during the Atlanta Regional Military Affairs Council's 54th annual Military Affairs Luncheon held, again this year, at the Cobb Galleria.
Brig. Gen. Rodeheaver told an audience of more that 500 military and civilian onlookers that "It's an honor and a very humbling experience to accept this award on behalf of the 48th. It's been said that `it takes generals to win battles, but it takes Soldiers to win wars, and for 18 months I had the privilege of leading some of the best warriors we have."
"From them, and from me, we say `thank you' from the bottom of our hearts for your support and for honoring us in this way."
Mike Watson, chairman USO Council of Georgia, said that, historically the Patriot Award is presented to, that single outstanding Georgian and American, who displays extraordinary leadership and unwavering support for the nation.
"The men and women who make up the 48th Brigade Combat Team exemplify as a whole what the Patriot Award stands for, and so we decided that it would be appropriate, considering all the brigade has done, to name the 48th this year's recipient," he said.
Watson went on to outline some of the unit's operational successes during it's nearly year and a half-long deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also took time to honor the brigade's 26 fallen who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.
"How could I not have done so, in light of what they did," he added.
Out in the audience, Spc. Sean Long, Cpl. Elijah Carroll and Sgt. Kenneth Autry, all members of Griffin's Troop E, 108th Cavalry, sat quietly as guests of the USO listening to Watson and Rodeheaver. Also out in the audience representing the brigade was Staff Sgt. Jacob Long of Gainesville's Company C, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry. It was Company C, that discovered and helped Baby Noor reach the U.S. and receive badly needed medical support in her fight against spina bifida.

Long, Carroll and Autry had been wounded during the deployment when improvised explosive devices struck the vehicles in which they had been riding. All three had returned home before their unit for further medical treatment. Long, who lives in Lizella; Carroll, who hails from Jackson; and Autry, a Griffin resident, all agreed that the honor bestowed on the 48th deeply touched them. They and Gainesville's Jacob Long made it clear that honor bestowed this day on the brigade, is a testament to the dedication, professionalism and pride of each and every Soldier who served. "It's a bit overwhelming to be here, yet I think I speak for us all when I say, `we certainly served because it was our duty, but we also served because we wanted to,'" said Autry. None of them would have thought to do otherwise, he added.
Georgia Sen. Saxby Chamblis (far left) gets together with Spc. Sean Long, Sgt. Kenneth Autry and Cpl. Elijah Carrol, all of Troop E, 108th Cavalry, shortly before the Military Affairs Luncheon begins. (Georgia National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Roy Henry) | News Home | GADOD Home

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Border Patrol Helicopter hovers over desolate area of the southwest
Guard Troops to Bolster Border Security
National Guard troops from four states are now on the US -Mexican border following President Bush's announcement that National Guard forces will help bolster homeland security and border patrol activities along the 1,950-mile border. No immediate takings have been assigned to the Georgia National Guard for the mission now called, "Operation Jump Start." However, the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas have more than 420 Guardsmen currently working border operations. While no units, dates, or destinations have been suggested for the use of the Georgia National Guard for "Operation Jump Start," Georgia Guard officials maintain that if the state is given requirements, volunteers will be used to the greatest extent possible. They added that members from units returning from deployment will not be tasked directly to support this mission, unless they wish to volunteer, should that become an option. Guard officials say there may also be cases where some Georgia units may support the border security operations as part of regular annual training periods, but no such missions are on the horizon at this point. The plan is to use the National Guard along the border to provide surveillance and reconnaissance, engineering, linguistics and transportation support. National Guard forces will perform these missions under the command and control of the Governors of the affected states, and under the funding of the federal government. Border security is a civilian law enforcement responsibility and the National Guard will play no direct role in apprehension activities.
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