Please ensure widest distribution of this publication Georgia DOD Home First Friday Briefing, the Georgia DoD's monthly online newsletter, is now available in audio format. Listen now or download to your personal audio player. Subscribe using RSS First Friday Briefing for September 2006 Deployment Update Governor Visits Troops in Southwest; Praises Their Accomplishments Georgia National Guardsmen deployed along the Mexican border in New Mexico are making a significant dent in the number of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country. That was the message that Border Patrol agents told Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue when he visited the Soldiers recently. "I wanted to make sure our National Guard troops are making a difference," said Governor Perdue during his visit. "And based on the Border Patrol agents in the sector and based on the Adjutant General of New Mexico, they are making a difference." Full Story JSTARs Hits Milestone, Saves Lives A routine mission for a 16th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron aircrew turned into history as they helped the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System platform pass the 20,000-combathour milestone recently. The sortie was the 1,756th combat mission flown by the JSTARS crews who have been rotating to southwest Asia from the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base. "The milestone is a fitting tribute to the outstanding performance, dedication and attention to detail demonstrated by all the JSTARS crews that have taken to the skies of Afghanistan and Iraq over the past four years," said Lt. Col. Laszlo Veres, 16th EACCS director of operations. Full Story 116th Air Control Wing Security Airmen Return Home Families and friends of 116th Air Control Wing security force troops were on hand at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in early September to welcome home their heroes. The Airmen spent seven months in Iraq manning sentry towers and gates, providing mobile patrols and off-base combat patrols both on foot and in vehicles. Full Story Newest OCS Graduates Join Officer Ranks Thirteen Georgia Army Guard enlisted Soldiers recently joined the organization's officer ranks. Members of Officer Candidate classes 45 and 46 stood proud and tall before a large, exuberant crowd of family, friends and fellow Guardsmen during ceremonies at Atlanta's Grand Hyatt hotel. "You have worked hard for this moment, for this day," Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, told the graduates. "You have certainly earned the right to feel proud of who you are and what you have accomplished." List of new officers and full story Lt. Col. Fisher Assumes 148th FSB Command Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. George Fisher assumed command of the 148th Forward Support Battalion from Lt. Col. Jeffery Edge. The ceremony took place at the 148th's Armory before a large audience of friends, family and fellow Guardsmen. Fisher previously was logistics officer for Headquarters Company, 48th Brigade Combat Team in Macon. Edge, the out going commander, now takes on duties as the mobilization readiness officer at Joint Force Headquarters in Ellenwood near Atlanta. 221st MI Awards Purple Hearts During Iraqi Deployment Specialist Eugene Bachman from the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion, receives his Purple Heart award during ceremonies in Iraq recently from Lt. Col. John Rudio, the unit's commander. Bachman was injured in July during an IED explosion near Al Asad. More than 125 soldiers of the 221st, which is headquartered at Fort Gillem, are expected to return home later this year. Full Story Georgia Jumpers Attend Annual Competition Past and present members of Georgia's Long Range Surveillance Company recently took to the air and participated in the Rhode Island National Guard's annual Leapfest parachute competition. The fourman team was among the more than 52 national and foreign teams who filled the New England skies above Kingston, R.I., and jumped into a postage stamp-size drop zone. The Georgians placed 15th in the competition. A special operations team from Germany took first place. Full Story North Georgia's 'Deployed Cadets' Welcomed Home by Governor North Georgia College and State University students deployed with the Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Brigade Combat Team were honored at a welcome home ceremony on the campus in Dahlonega. More than 60 members of the school's Corps of Cadets served in Iraq and returned home in May. A majority of them re-enrolled in classes, which began Aug. 23. "To our returning veterans, we thank you for upholding the grand tradition of service to the nation that has characterized North Georgia for more than 130 years," said NGCSU president David Potter. "We're delighted you are back. All of us hope to learn from your experience." Full Story Program Aims to Strengthen Family Bonds The final renewal of wedding vows were made, spouses kissed and couples left the final Georgia National Guard Stronger Bonds retreat in Savannah, Ga., August 13, with tools to help them to better communicate and strengthen their relationships. The retreat, sponsored by the Guard's Chaplain's detachment, was aimed at helping families of Guard members who recently returned from deployments as they made their transition from full-time. Full Story Georgia Teams Take Honors In Air Guard Softball Tourney Team Georgia took the championship recently in three divisions at the 41st Air National Guard National Softball Tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. The men's open division "number one" team dominated New Jersey with 42 runs in the championship game. Team One went undefeated through the bracket to bring home their fourth championship since 2001. The co-ed team also went undefeated for its first ever title in the division by beating the defending champs from Arkansas. Full Story 138 Graduate From Ft. Gordon YCA The Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon held its fall graduation ceremony at the Augusta Bell Auditorium for 138 cadets who finished YCA's 22-week program in August. The cadets were first honored at a morning awards ceremony prior to the commencement. Among the awards given were those for participation in organized sports, community service and military exercises as well as academic and physical fitness achievement. Full Story A look at what happened in September in Georgia National Guard history:... 1944 - The 179th Field Artillery, a Georgia National Guard regiment federalized for WWII, was attached to the active Army's 4th Armored Division in the European theatre. The following account by John W. Meeler, a member of the regiment, is of the 179th's action in France during September, 1944: "After taking Nancy, the enemy was pushed into prepared positions along the Delme Ridge overlooking the small village of Fresnes-EnSaulnois. The 179th fired mission after mission on many targets for several days. Just after the break of light on the morning of the second day, in a dense fog, the sergeant of the 2nd Gun Section, "B" battery, lit the gas stove placed on the trail of his gun to start cooking breakfast for the section. This gave just enough light for a Panzer tank that had come up on the reverse slope of the ridge during the night to fire one round. At the sound of the gun, the sergeant and the stove hit the ground as the round exploded just in front of his piece. The one round, however, was just a prelude to the continuous firing which the unit endured thereafter. For five days the German gunners bombarded the 179th's position. All batteries sent their machine gun and bazooka sections to the ridge to await the anticipated enemy attack. A request was made for an air strike, but the overcast conditions gave little hope for it. The enemy continued to shell, to mass and to prepare for an attack, then as expected they began to move toward us, rumbling and roaring as they came. Suddenly the clouded sky opened and a squadron of P-47 Thunderbolts poured through strafing and bombing the Panzers as our guns also roared away at the Germans. Soon the Panzers were destroyed and the 179th was relieved." 1950 - Governor Herman Talmadge announced that Georgia Air National Guards units were being alerted for a call to active duty in October for the Korean War. Airmen in these units were advised not to quit their civilian jobs until after taking the Armed Forces physical exam. Georgia's units were among the nation's first Air National Guard elements to be called to active dutyons. Complied by Gail Parnelle, GaARNG Historical Section Family Support Foundation Gets Big Help from AT&T Georgia's National Guard Family Support Foundation, which assists Georgia-based troops and their families in times of need, recently got a boost from a national benefactor. Harriet Morgan, foundation administrator, announced that the AT&T Foundation, philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc., is contributing an estimated $50 thousand to the cause. The grant supports a campaign initiated by Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce to raise $1 million to support Georgia Guardsmen and their loved ones. 108th's King Receives Prestigious Award from El Salvador Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. John King was recently presented the El Salvador armed forces gold medal for distinguished service. "It was a great honor to receive such recognition," he said. "But I accept it on behalf of the entire battalion. It wasn't an individual effort, but what all our Soldiers did that brought this award to us." The award was given to King, who commands the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor, in recognition of a partnership between his unit and the Cuscatlan Battalion, an El Salvadoran unit that served alongside his during six months of joint operations in Iraq. Full Story Historical Society Conference To Feature Deployment Panel A forum examining the good, the bad and the ugly of deployments will be the featured presentation at the 2006 annual conference of the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard. Slated for Nov. 4, at the Macon Conference Center at the Holiday Hotel at Riverside Drive and I-75, the forum will feature Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen in a round-table discussion on topics ranging from public affairs, air and ground operations, to family issues. Cost of this year's conference, which includes a catered lunch, is $20. For more information contact: John Hardwick or B. I. Diamond. Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress The Adjutant General of Georgia April 5, 2007 Time: 12:22 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 Need the IG? Click Here About GADOD ESGR YCA Fort Stewart YCA Fort Gordon Facilities Inspector General Jobs Family Readiness Organizational Development Strategic Plan Agency Biographies Annual Report Command Briefing First Friday History Ga Air Guard Boarstale HRO Joint Customer Service Team Joint Operations Jobs Money National Guard Foundation National Guard Assoc. of Georgia National Guard Bureau Photo Gallery (on "gadod.net") Photo Gallery Retirements, Awards Requesting Com. 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Unauthorized attempts to deny service, upload information, change information, or to attempt to access a non-public site from this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under Title 18 of the U.S. Code to include the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1987 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act. Georgia DOD First Friday First Friday Briefing - S... Comments (0) Email episode Copy to your web page Tell me when new episodes come out: Go > Copy link for this episode: http://gadod.podOmatic.com/entry/2006-09-08T12_54_56-07_00 Return to First Friday Briefing Governor Visits Guard Along the Border Praises their Accomplishment Georgia National Guardsmen deployed along the Mexican border in New Mexico are making a significant dent in the number of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country. That was the message that Border Patrol agents told Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue when he visited the Soldiers recently. Some 150 volunteer Georgia Army and Air National Guard members deployed to New Mexico in early July as part of Operation Jump Start. They are expected to serve at least a year in the southwest. Private First Class Jeremy Smith from Company B, 148th Support Battalion, helps Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue attach a Georgia state flag to the antenna of a Assistant Border Patrol agent in charge of the Deming area told Governor Perdue and reporters that the Georgia Guard's presence is having an impact. "The smugglers are saying, `Don't go in the Humvee along the New Mexican border. The Deming area because there are too many Border Patrol and Governor visited the 150 Georgia National Guard,'" he said. "The border crossings have dried up Guardsmen deployed to New Mexico support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection around here since the Georgia folks arrived." Agency in securing America's border with Mexico. Since the mission began, Georgia Guard troops have assisted in about 200 apprehensions and more than 280 "turnbacks." "I wanted to make sure our National Guard troops are making a difference," said Governor Perdue during his visit. "And based on the Border Patrol agents in the sector and based on the Adjutant General of New Mexico, they are making a difference." Georgia Guard Soldiers are formed into Entry Identification Teams (EIT's) and man seven skyboxes that cover more than 50 miles of the New Mexico border. The boxes are equipped with high tech equipment including forward looking infrared (FLIR) equipment which allows them to see for long distances in the dark. National Guardsmen assigned along the border cannot arrest border violators, but instead act as the "eyes and ears" for the Border Patrol. The Governor said he was impressed with the effectiveness of the Georgia Guard's operation and the integration with other agencies. "I saw this in Iraq where the Guard troops integrated with the active duty troops and the Iraqi people and it thrilled me there. But the integration with the Border Patrol and the New Mexico National Guard has been seamless and they've been welcomed in the community. "It's been wonderful to see our representatives from Georgia, our National Guard, go around the world or the southwest and being welcomed because they are doing a good professional job," added the Governor. Operation Jump Start was announced by President Bush in May and includes about 6,000 National Guard members. Return to First Friday Briefing Return to First Friday Briefing Newest OCS Graduates Join Officer Ranks Thirteen Georgia Army Guard enlisted Soldiers recently joined the organization's officer ranks. Members of Officer Candidate classes 45 and 46 stood proud and tall before a large, exuberant crowd of family, friends and fellow Guardsmen during ceremonies at Atlanta's Grand Hyatt hotel. "You have worked hard for this moment, for this day," Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, told the graduates. "You have certainly earned the right to feel proud of who you are and what you have accomplished. "But remember this...all the people, all the time, will be watching you. They see what you do, they learn from it and they judge you by it, right or wrong," he added. "Set the example, always, and never, ever, forget that you are officers of the United States military." Poythress then relinquished the floor to the 13 graduates who moved from their seats to the stage to receive their diplomas, officer's handbook and congratulations from seniors such as Lt. Col. Randall Carter, RTI's regimental commander; Lt. Col. Gary Sobel, the institute's general studies commander; and Maj. Bob Shelton, Officer Candidate Company commander. Facing the audience, raising their right hands and speaking in unison, the group was sworn-in by Col. Maria Britt, Georgia Army Guard chief-of-staff. Then one by one, the former candidates traversed to center stage to receive their hard-earned second lieutenants bars from proud, smiling family members. Second Lt. Michael Thompson, his rank pinned by his father John, mother Mary and fiveyear-old son Nathaniel, reveled in his new found status as an officer. Yet, he seemed humbled by who has now become. Thompson, who is with Lawrenceville's Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, works as self-employed professional photographer. "There's nothing I have wanted more in my professional life as this," he said smiling as he held his son. "I have much to look forward to, and much to offer the Guard as an officer. "It's my desire to be the best, to learn from the best and pass that dedication and commitment onto those I lead now and in the future.". The Georgia Army National Guard's newest second lieutenants: David Bidot Kevin Black Lyle Brackin Michael Chism Malik Douglas Shawn Henderson James Jackson Tilman Johnson Brantley Lockhart Zenie Noon Darryl Oehrelein Albert Roberts Michael Thompson Return to First Friday Briefing JSTARs Hits Milestone, Saves Lives By Senior Amn Tim Bazar SOUTHWEST ASIA - A routine mission for a 16th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron aircrew turned into history as they helped the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System platform pass the 20,000-combat-hour milestone Tuesday. The sortie was the 1,756th combat mission flown by the 16th, 12th and 128th EACCS JSTARS crews who rotate deploying here from the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. "The milestone is a fitting tribute to the outstanding performance, dedication and attention to detail demonstrated by all the JSTARS crews that have taken to the skies of Afghanistan and Iraq over the past four years," said Lt. Col. Laszlo Veres, 16th EACCS director of operations. Although the crew passed the 20,000-hour mark, a more important event happened on the moonlit mission. They helped save four lives after a helicopter carrying coalition forces crashed into a lake. While flying on a familiarization ride over the skies of Iraq, a helicopter crashed into a lake with its blades in the water and wheels up. Soon after, the JSTARS crew who were more than 30,000 feet overhead began receiving "mayday" calls from the stranded troops who were standing on the belly of the overturned helo. The JSTARS team called for first responders, who Staff Sgt. Bruce Klima, a 16th Expeditionary Air Command and Control sped to the scene of the crash and rescued four Squadron flight engineer, prepares for a surveillance and coalition forces from the overturned helicopter. reconnaissance mission over Iraq Tuesday night. (USAF Photo by Senior Airman Tim Bazar) "If we hadn't been out here at the right time, those guys may not have been saved for a long time," said Capt. Matthew Amig, aircraft commander. "When we give the Army and Marines on the ground a little piece of mind, it makes the long missions worth it. Those four guys will be going home now." "Since they began rotating to the AOR in 2002, many of the squadron members have been deployed to AUAB for more than a year," said Colonel Veres. "Despite the extended time away from home, Airmen of the 16th EACCS remain dedicated to the squadron's mission, the importance of the effort they support in Iraq and the knowledge that their long sorties are saving lives every day." The E-8C JSTARS is an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. Its primary mission is to provide theater ground and air commanders with ground surveillance to support attack operations and targeting to delay, disrupt or destroy enemy forces. "One of CENTCOMs highest priorities is to ensure the safety of the population of Baghdad and protect key infrastructure that ensures the security of the Iraqi nation," said Colonel Veres. "Known as Operation TOGETHER FORWARD, it is a combined effort between the Iraqi National Police, the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and (Multi-National Division-Baghdad) to reduce the level of murders, kidnappings, assassinations, terrorism and sectarian violence in the city and to reinforce the Iraqi government's control of Baghdad. JSTARS sorties are flown in direct support of this mission, providing planners and commanders in the field with near-real time information of vehicular movement in the Baghdad area. The computers on the E-8C can gather and display detailed battlefield information on ground forces and relay it in near-real time to ground stations below. The 24-foot antenna mounted on the belly of the aircraft can develop a 120-degree field of view that covers more than 19,000 square miles. The capabilities allow the aircraft to detect targets more than 250 kilometers away. "For the past four years, JSTARS has been the number one collector of moving-target information for counter- (improvised-explosive device), counter-mortar and target development purposes in support of coalition forces employed in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM," said the colonel. "Our current surveillance and battle management effort is employed to assist in the defeat of Al-Qaida and associated movements, monitoring key infrastructure and protecting lines of communication in Iraq, and protecting coalition forces against IEDs and suicide bombers." Capt. Christina Hodsden, 16th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron navigator, Crew members on the 20,000hour mission included: Maj. makes adjustments during a night mission over the skies of Iraq. During the sortie Tuesday, the JSTARS crew celebrated their 20,000th combat hour and saved four lives after a helicopter crashed into a lake. (USAF Photo by Senior Airman Tim Bazar) Tracey Murchison, mission crew commander; Maj. Derrick Smits, deputy mission crew commander; Capt. Adam Acock, senior director; Capt. Matthew Amig, pilot; Capt. Christina Hodsden, navigator; Capt. Stuart Williamson, senior management officer; 1st Lt. Christopher Babcock, air intelligence officer; 1st Lt. Donald Camp, copilot; 1st Lt. Herbert Cranford, air weapons officer; 1st Lt. Sammy Stover, air weapons officer; Senior Master Sgt. George Benson, communications support technician; Army Sergeant 1st Class Dwayne Deweerd, airborne targeting surveillance supervisor; Staff Sgt. Bruce Klima, flight engineer; Army Sgt. Frances Stiles, airborne targeting surveillance supervisor; Staff Sgt. Russell Ticer, senior director technician; Senior Airman Hugh Hermes, communications support technician; Senior Airman Benjamin Rusch, airborne mission systems specialist; Senior Airman John Terry, air operations technician; Airman 1st Class Steven Green, airborne mission systems specialist; and Airman 1st Class Raymond McLeod, air operations technician. | Back | GaDOD Home | LTC Fisher Assumes 148th FSB Command Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office FORSYTH, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006 Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. George Fisher assumed command of the 148th Forward Support Battalion from Army Guard Lt. Col. Jeffery Edge. The ceremony took place at the 148th's Armory before a large audience of friends, family and fellow Guardsmen. Fisher previously was logistics officer for Headquarters Company, 48th Brigade Combat Team in Macon. Edge, the out going commander, now takes on duties as the mobilization readiness officer at Joint Force Headquarters in Ellenwood near Atlanta. "I'm quite honored that command [Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, commander 48th BCT] has such confidence in me that it's placed me in this position," said Fisher after the ceremony. "I plan to take the 148th to new heights by leaving it better then I found it." One way he intends to do that, he said, is by reorganizing the battalion and adding four companies to the four it already has. For Edge, leading the battalion was a great undertaking in his military career, and one he has never regretted, he said. "The biggest, and greatest accomplishment this unit has had is its yearlong tour in Iraq," Edge said. "I would like them to remember be as a commander that did everything he could for his troops." Fisher Accepts Command: Incoming commander Lt. Col. George L. Fisher (facing camera) accepts the 148th Forward Support Fisher, a Macon resident, has been Georgia Battalion's guidon from Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodheaver. The battle Guardsman since graduating high school in 1980. hand off ceremony is one of the oldest continuous ceremonies in the He received his commission in 1982 through the Army. (Georgia National Guard photo by Officer Candidate Ike ROTC program at Macon's Mercer University. Fisher holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Umunnah) business administration from Madison University in Gulfport, Miss. A graduate of the basic and advanced infantry courses, Fisher is also a graduate of Army Command and General Staff College. His assignments over the past several years have either been with the 148th FSB; the Guard's 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry; Georgia's Joint Forces Headquarters and the 110th Corps Support Battalion in Columbus. Among his awards are the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Fisher most recently spent a year in war-torn Iraq with the 48th Brigade and has earned such awards as the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Award. | News Home | GADOD Home Return to First Friday Briefing 116th Security Forces troops receive warm homecoming By A1C Paul R. Ross 116th Air Control Wing Emmett Whitten's family could not have been happier when he arrived at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on September 3.The technical sergeant was one of 18 security forces troops from the 116th Air Control Wing who were met by family, friends and community members when they returned home after spending seven months in Iraq. "It's great to be home," said Tech. Sgt. Whitten. "Seven months is a long time to be away from your family." Families and friends of the members of116th Air Control Wing security forces troops gather at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to welcome home their heroes. "That was quite a shock." Being gone for a long period of time means you might come home to some changes." "My middle son has grown 7 inches," said the Perry, Ga. native. Tech. Sgt. Whitten knows how necessary his tasking in Iraq was. "We provided security for a regional air base," he explained. "Our job consisted of manning sentry towers and gates, providing mobile patrols and off-base combat patrols both on foot and in vehicles." Part of the reason the troops were able to maintain a high level of morale was the support from home. "The support back at our home unit really helped us," said Tech. Sgt. Whitten. "Heather McCullough (the 116th Security Forces commander's wife) went out of her way. She more made sure family members were informed." Tech. Sgt. Whitten found the deployment a great time to mentor his younger troops. "The best thing from my time in Iraq was sharing lessons about leadership and life with the younger troops," he said. As for any deployment it is always a success when everyone returns home safe. "Nobody got hurt," said Tech. Sgt. Whitten. "For most of the troops this was their first deployment. It was a very good deployment." Return to First Friday Briefing Return to First Friday Briefing Georgia Jumpers Attend Annual Competition Past and present members of Georgia's Long Range Surveillance Company recently took to the air and participated in the Rhode Island National Guard's annual Leapfest parachute competition. The four-man, one alternate team was among the more than 52 national and foreign teams who filled the New England skies above Kingston, R.I., and jumped into a postage stamp-size drop zone on a farm about one mile from the University of Rhode Island, which plays host to the competitors during their three-day stay. The Georgia team included Maj. Matthew Smith, 2nd Lt. Aaron Anderson, Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Walker, Cpl. Devin Shaner and Cpl. Billy Ward. The team placed 15th in the competition. A special operations team from Germany took first place. "Competition, as always, is stiff," Anderson said. "These are some of the best military jumpers from around the world. "We took second place in 2000, but it was no easy task," he added. "These folks make you work for your win every year, and believe me, that makes the competition worth working for." During the competition, jumpers make a total of three jumps each from CH-47 Chinook helicopters at 1,500 feet. Time starts from the moment the jumper touches down and ends when he reaches a red disk in the center of the drop zone. "We all did pretty well in regard to our time," Anderson recalled. "The only problem we ran into was the late release from the aircraft on our second jump." This year's Leapfest is the 16th time that members of Georgia's LRSC, past and present have competed. The only year in which they didn't attend was 2003 when Company H, 121st Infantry homestationed at Fort Gillem deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom." Return to First Friday Briefing The longest married couple and the youngest married couple light the unity candle together during a renewal of wedding vows ceremony during the final Stronger Bonds Retreat August 13, 2006, in Savannah, Ga. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Amanda Luksic) Program Aims to Strengthen Family Bonds By Spc. Amanda Luksic Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office SAVANNAH, Ga. The final renewal of wedding vows were made, spouses kissed and couples left the final Georgia National Guard Stronger Bonds retreat in Savannah, Ga., August 13, 2006, with tools to help them to better communicate and strengthen their relationships. The retreat, sponsored by the Guard's Chaplain's detachment, was aimed at helping families of Georgia's 48th Brigade as they made their transition from full-time Soldier to full-time dad and husband or mother and wife. It also focused on unmarried soldiers. During the weekend retreat married couples learned how to communicate better as well as ways to strengthen their relationship with their spouse and children. The weekend concluded,with a ceremony to renew wedding vows. More than 160 couples took part in all four events. Single Soldiers learned how to measure what they are looking for in a partner and according to one adviser "how not to marry a jerk." The four Strong Bonds retreats, the first two in Atlanta and the second two in Savannah, were the first of its kind in the nation, said Col. John Owings, state chaplain. "No other state has even attempted this." A couple shares a kiss as they renewed their wedding vows August 13, 2006 at the fourth Stronger Bonds retreat in Savannah, Ga. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Amanda Luksic) "This training is mission critical," said Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia Adjutant General. "Keeping our service members' families strong is mission essential because if things are not right at home, the Soldiers mind is not on the mission." "There are three principle dynamic in a Guardsman's life," he continued. "His (or her) spouse, job and the guard and the first two have to be balanced for the third to function as it should." Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Russell, state command sergeant major, sounded a similar note. "Families are important because when you reenlist the Soldier, you reenlist the family as well. I encourage you to take this knowledge home and share it with those who can not be here," he said. During the opening ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. James Nelson, 48th Brigade command sergeant major, said he never was able to thank the spouses of his soldiers and had them all stand so he could do just that. More then 300 couples and 30 single soldiers attended the retreat in Savannah bringing the total number who attended all four retreats to more than 600 couples and 80 single Soldiers. | News Home | GADOD Home | Strong Bonds Retreat Aims At 'Strong' Relationships By Spc. Amanda Luksic 124th MPAD ATLANTA, Ga., -- "Soldiers do what they do because of the support of their families," said Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Russell, state command sergeant major, at the opening of the Strong Bonds Marriage Retreat July 8, 2006. "We appreciate what families do and we couldn't do it without them." The three-day retreat which drew 70 couples and eight single soldiers to the Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta, revolved around making families stronger and helping Soldiers to make the transition from warrior to dad or husband. "'Strong Bonds' is a Georgia National Guard Chaplaincy Program designed to "help soldiers develop the life skills needed to build strong relationships," said Col. John Owings, state chaplain. "These `Strong Bonds' will enable Soldiers and those who are significant in their lives to work on problem-solving and relationship skills." The four-part program ends in mid August. Each portion of the "Strong Bonds" program is voluntary and free to Guardsmen and their spouses. "Whether you are married, dating or working with others," he added, "everyone needs to be heard and appreciated for their ability to address each other in a healthy and supportive manner. It's all about creating the strong bonds which will support us in our military life." Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, stressed the significance of the retreat, noting that "I saw scores of marriages fall apart during Vietnam.. Even 30 year marriages, all because they could not handle the stress of deployments. This is a very serious business," Poythress emphasized. "Families are fundamental to the way we live our lives." Elizabeth Poythress, wife of General Poythress, also urged Soldiers and their families to take seriously the "preciousness of time." "You have to be open to change," she said. "Take little steps at a time and advance . . . don't linger on what you can't change. Learn and be closer to each other." The initial weekend consisted of training to help Soldiers and their spouses learn to communicate. The approach focused on "speaker-listener" a method in which one person speaks and the other paraphrases in order to develop communication skills as well as the ability to reach a compromise or solution. There was also a session aimed at teaching single Soldiers how to survive in a relationship. The last day of the retreat included worship services and a renewal of wedding vows ceremony for the married couples. The first retreat of this kind was held in Savannah in 2004 with approximately 150 to 200 couples in attendance. | News Home | GADOD Home Cadets in the Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon receive their diplomas at the Augusta Bell Auditorium Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, after completion of the 22-week program. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean) 'It Changed My Life' YCA Graduates 138 August Graduation Story by Pfc. Adam Dean 124th MPAD AUGUSTA, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006 The Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon held its fall graduation ceremony at the Augusta Bell Auditorium for 138 cadets who finished YCA's 22-week program Friday. The cadets were first honored at a 10 a.m. awards ceremony prior to the commencement at 3 p.m. Among the awards given were those for participation in organized sports, community service and military exercises as well as academic and physical fitness achievement. As the graduation ceremony began, the cadets moved in one long procession to their seats, then stood for the presentation of the colors by the academy's Challenge Color Guard. Cadet Dorothy Asher then performed the National Anthem, and Cadet Jerome Cobb administered a special invocation. Retired Georgia Army Guard Lt. Col. Janet A. Zimmerman, who oversees the Fort Gordon campus, welcomed families and friends, and recognized the volunteers who helped make the program possible. After an introduction by Col. Frank Williams, director, Georgia Army National Guard Youth Programs, Brig. Gen. Charles S. Rodeheaver, commander 48th Brigade Combat Team, honored those cadets who have enlisted in the military. Several students were awarded scholarships to pursue post-secondary education before the graduates were presented with their diplomas. Class president Cadet Jaime Altamirano addressed the assembly, thanking administrators, teachers, cadre and family members for their guidance and support. Altamirano also had some words of advice for her fellow graduates, reflecting on the life lessons that the program sought to instill in them. "Keep in mind never to settle for the mediocre things in life. Always have high standards because you deserve the best. Never look back," she said. As an outreach to teens who've had disciplinary problems in the past and have dropped out of school, Youth Challenge gives them a chance to earn their GED and develop a sense of military discipline to help turn their lives around. "It changed my life completely," said Cadet Shawn Salters. "Before YCA I had a lot of problems, but this set me on the right track." Salters, who said he lacked direction and opportunity before, claimed that being introduced to military structure has made a big difference in his life. "I plan on going into military intelligence," he said. YCA is a voluntary program sponsored by the Georgia National Guard and other private contributors. | GaDOD Home | Class president Cadet Jaime Altamirano delivers a speech at the Augusta Bell Auditorium during a commencement ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, for class 2006-03 of the Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean.) Cadet Jenna Simmons of Milledgeville shakes hands with Gov. Sonny Perdue. (Contributed photo) North Georgia's 'Deployed Cadets' Get Welcome Home From Governor, Cadet Corps DAHLONEGA, Aug. 28, 2006 North Georgia College and State University students deployed with the Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Brigade Combat Team were honored at a welcome home ceremony on the campus here. More than 60 members of the school's Corps of Cadets served in Iraq and returned home in May. A majority of them re-enrolled in classes, which began Aug. 23. More than 40 of those soldiers stood together on the university drill field Monday afternoon during the military parade held in their honor. "To our returning veterans, we thank you for upholding the grand tradition of service to the nation that has characterized North Georgia for more than 130 years," said NGCSU president David Potter. "We're delighted you have back. All of us hope to learn from your experience. "We know our Corps of Cadets will be enriched by your knowledge and your service," he added. Governor Sonny Perdue, Dahlonega mayor Gary McCullough and Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, commander 48th BCT, also passed on their praises of those who spent the past year supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cadet Alyce Haldi, of Alpharetta served as a combat medic with the 48th BCT during its yearlong deployment. Haldi developed a passion for her work while in Iraq and is now part of college's nursing program. (Contributed photo) Rodeheaver made it clear he never had reason to question what the cadets did when it came to getting the mission accomplished. Returning members of North Georgia College & State University's Corps of Cadets are honored by a military parade on campus drill field. (Contributed photo) "The soldiers who served with me from North Georgia College, never gave me cause to hesitate when they made a decision," he explained. "I knew those decisions were tactically proficient, and they were made with dignity and with respect for the Iraqi people." Toward the end of the ceremony, McCullough declared Aug. 28, 2006, as "48th Brigade Day" in Dahlonega and Lumpkin County. This, he said, will enshrine the service and the sacrifice of not only the cadets who served and came home, but also those who did not." North Georgia has 675 military students in its Corps of Cadets, which is part of a total student body of 4,800 undergraduate and graduate students. An estimated 40 percent of the cadets are military reservists, and many are combat veterans. | News Home | GADOD Home Return to First Friday Briefing Georgia Teams Take Honors In Air Guard Softball Tourney Team Georgia took the championship recently in three divisions at the 41st Air National Guard National Softball Tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. The men's open division No. 1 team dominated New Jersey with 42 runs in the championship game. Team 1 went undefeated through the bracket to bring home their fourth championship since 2001. The co-ed team went undefeated for its first ever title in the division by beating the defending champs of the Arkansas ANG. Team Georgia defeated the defending "over 35" division champion Texas ANG team in two of three games to take its second championship Team Georgia's Senior Master Sgt. in four years. Leonard Quinton "slaps" the cover off the ball as he and his teammates defeat Texas two out of three games in the over 35 division. (Georgia National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Detra Mason) In the men's open division, Team 2 placed 7th despite an early win over defending champion Texas. They lost to 2nd place New Jersey. Team 3, which played the men's open, worked its way through the consolation bracket to meet Georgia's Team 2 in the first ever Georgia versus Georgia match-up. Team 2, turned out to be the better and won. Team Georgia consists of active duty and Air National Guard members from Warner Robins' 116th Air Control Wing, Macon's 202nd Engineering and Installation Squadron and Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing. Members of Georgia's softball team show off their hard earned awards shortly after competing in the 41st National Guard Softball Tournament. (Georgia National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Detra Mason) Return to First Friday Briefing Return to First Friday Briefing 108th's King Receives Prestigious Award from El Salvador By Pfc. Adam Dean Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office CALHOUN, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006 Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. John King was recently presented the El Salvador armed forces gold medal for distinguished service in a ceremony held at the National Guard armory here. "It was a great honor to receive such recognition," he said. "But I accept it on behalf of the entire battalion. It wasn't an individual effort, but what all our Soldiers did that brought this award to us." Lieutenant Col. John King, 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, displays his Gold Medal for Distinguished Service presented to him by the armed forces of El Salvador during drill on Aug. 19, 2006, at the battalion's armory in Calhoun. The award was given to King, who commands the Guard's 1st Battalion, 108th Armor, in recognition of a partnership between his unit and the Cuscatlan Battalion, an El Salvadoran unit that served alongside his during six months of joint operations in Iraq. King and 108th Armor, part of Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team, returned in May from a yearlong deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The medal is embossed with El Salvador's national emblem, a blue triangle and a burning torch, which hangs from a ribbon featuring the nation's colors, blue and white. King also received a certificate signed by the president of El Salvador, a trophy and a special scarf. The trophy is a knife stuck into a round stump of wood. Engraved on the knife's blade are the dates during which the two units worked together. King said the scarf is dark green and features the Cuscatlan Battalion's unit symbol. This, he said, was given to him because he's been named an honorary member of the unit. In describing the Salvadoran unit, King said it's comprised of an anti-terror special forces element and a combat engineer contingent. "They don't have a lot of fancy equipment. They're meat and potatoes infantrymen, and very effective," he explained. "The Iraqis had a lot of respect for them because they were just tough. "They also know how to sell democracy," King added. He went on to say he believes that because of the war that lasted nearly 10 years in El Salvador, the Salvadorans relate rather well to the Iraqis and what they are going through. He also explained that Salvadoran forces had to take care of insurgencies within the borders of their own country during and after their country's conflict. Because of this, King said, it makes the Salvadorans invaluable to the goal of winning Iraqi hearts and minds. "We have a lot to learn from them," said King. "They are true masters of fighting insurgency." Cuscatlan also knows how to deal with rebuilding infrastructure and supplying basic human needs in the wake of a destructive insurgency, he continued. "These soldiers are experts in dealing with insurgency operations," added King. During its time in Iraq, the Cuscatlan Battalion worked with the 108th out of Camp Scania in the Babel province and in the south of Bagdad. The 108th operated as an armor task force there, bringing tanks and rifles to bear against insurgents. Having grown up in Mexico, Spanish was King's first language. He said that not having a communication barrier helped him to get close to the Salvadoran soldiers during their time together. In his civilian life, King is Doraville's chief-of-police He is a 23-year veteran of the Georgia Army Guard. He began his career as a private and later received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1985. During his near quarter-century of service, King has deployed for the first Gulf War, and also served as chief of operations for the active Army's 3rd Infantry Division during its deployment to in Bosnia in 200. Return to First Friday Briefing