First Friday briefing [Mar. 2, 2007]

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First Friday Briefing for March 2007

Deployment Update

Army Officials Announce Significant
Strength Gains In Georgia
Georgia Army Guard officials have announced significant gains in personnel and troop strength. Army Guard strength figures between January 2006 and January 2007 have increase 9.7 percent for a net gain of 892 Soldiers. Full Story

Georgia Guard Solider Reaps $62,000
As G-Rap Recruiter; First In Nation in
Recruiting
Bringing new people into the armed services is no longer the sole dominion of the military recruiter. In 2005, the National Guard unveiled the Guard Recruiting Assistants Program, or G-RAP, an aggressive new recruiting program bringing ordinary Guardsmen into the recruiting effort. One Georgia Army Guardsman is showing the nation how GRAP can be both successful and profitable! Full Story

Staff Sgt. Matthew Miller watches a Bedouin show off his soccer skills (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Edward Stepp)
214th Security Force Soldiers Assist Civil Military Operations Georgia Guardsmen with Elberton's Security Force Company, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery recently assisted a Civil Military Operations mission to further better relations between Coalition forces manning Camp Cedar, Iraq, and the Iraqi nationals who live outside the camp. Full Story

221st MI; 124th MPAD Receive
Freedom Awards for Service in Iraq
Soldiers from the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion and 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment received Freedom Awards in February for their time spent in Iraq. The Freedom Award is presented to Soldiers who deploy to Iraq. The award includes an encased American Flag, a Defender of Freedom coin and lapel pins for both Soldier and spouse for first time deployments; and, a certificate and commemorative ring for Soldiers who have deployed more than once. The 124th MPAD deployed to Iraq in September 2005 and spent a year in Baghdad running the Coalition Press Information Center. The 221st deployed in July 2005 and returned in September 2006. The unit spent a year providing tactical human intelligence and long range surveillance for the MultiNational Corps -- Iraq.

165th Airlift Wing Sees
Numerous Command Changes
Colonel Hank Smart took command of the 900-member 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah in February, succeeding Col. Tom Moore. Because of changes at the commander level of the Wing, several other senior commanders have assumed new positions. - The 165th Operations Group will have a change of command as Colonel Jesse Simmons gives up command to assume the role of wing vice commander and the

Georgia Army Guard Spc. James McLendon of Hinesville's Company B, 148th Forward Support Battalion (background), briefs Brig. Gen. Paul E. Casinelli.
General Visits Georgians on Border Georgia Guardsmen serving on the border were visited in February by Brig. Gen. Paul E. Casinelli, deputy to the assistant U.S. Surgeon General. He and his party inspected the Radar West facility in Deming, where they received a briefing

Air National Guard F-15 Eagle fighters fire a live AIM-7
117th Air Control Squadron Provides Airspace Control Off Georgia Coast Air Controllers of Georgia's 117th Air Control Squadron recently provided air space safety and control for the first firing of AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles at target drones off the coast of Georgia. F15 fighters from the Florida Air National Guard took aim on the Improvised Tactical Air Drones (ITALDs) launched from Marine F-18 Super Hornets. This was the first live fire missile exercise held off the Georgia coast. The fighter pilots looked to the Air Guard controllers for the "air picture" over the target area. The 117th returned in 2006 from four months in Iraq where it controlled more than 300,000 square miles of Iraqi airspace. Read More
Stretcher teams practice moving patients during CERFP exercise.
CERFP Medical Teams Conduct Joint Training A joint training exercise designed to teach Army and Air Guard medical personnel how to transport stretcher-bound patients during an emergency took place in early February at Marietta's 248th Medical Company. More than 90 Army and Air medical personnel joined forces to test one aspect of the join medical arm of Georgia's CERFP organization. This was the first time the two had trained together. Assisting with the day-long exercise was a medical evacuation helicopter team from Georgia's 131st Air Ambulance Company and a Life Flight helicopter from Emory University Hospital. Full Story
Lawmakers and children explore an OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopter
during Family Day at the Capitol.

base's weekday commander. He will be replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Keith Edenfield. - Lieutenant Colonel Steve Melton is giving up command of the 158th Airlift Squadron, the flying section of the 165th AW. He will be replaced as commander by Lieutenant Colonel Jim Grandy. Lieutenant Colonel Melton will become the new director of operations for the Georgia Air National Guard. - Lieutenant Colonel Rainer "Speedy" Gomez is stepping down as the 165th Operations Support Fight commander to become chief of staff of the 165th Airlift Wing while Lieutenant Colonel Don Pallone becomes the new 165th OSF commander.
Georgia Air Guard Officer is First To Attend Air Force School A Georgia Air National Guardsman has become the first National Guardsman selected to attend the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SSAS) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Major. Patrick Cotter, assigned as a planning and policy analyst for strategic Issues and communication for the office, Director Air National Guard, said the selection was an honor. "I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time," said Cotter. "It is a real privilege and I'm looking forward to it." Full Story
First Army's Honore To Address Annual Family Conference Lieutenant General Russell Honore, commander U.S. First Army at Fort Gillem, will be among this year's guest speakers at the Georgia Guard's annual Family Readiness Conference set for April 13-15. This year's event takes place at the Marriott Augusta Hotel and Suites in Augusta. Honore is scheduled to speak to assembled guests during the conference's second day. Training sessions for members of unit family readiness groups from around the state will be held throughout the conference. Each session will provide participants with knowledge for improving the assistance they offer to the families of Georgia's Army and Air Guardsmen. Full Story

on how the monitoring mission is carried out. Casinelli and his group also visited the forward operating base or FOB there to review the Georgians living environment
PA Unit Seeks Officers to Boost its Ranks Georgia's 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment has positions available for qualified officers seeking a second branch. Home stationed in Atlanta at the Georgia Department of Defense Complex on Confederate Avenue, the 124th is looking for two first lieutenants promotable to the rank of captain or two captains to become officers-in-charge of the unit's Broadcast and Print sections respectively. Full Story
A look at what happened in March in Georgia National Guard history:...
1952: Major Gen. Ernest Vandiver, Georgia's Adjutant General, issued orders placing Brig. Gen. Joseph B. Fraser of Hinesville in command of the Georgia-Florida 48th Infantry Division. Fraser first joined the Georgia National Guard in 1920 as a member of Troop B, Georgia Cavalry. Major Gen. Joseph C. Hutchinson, the 48th's previous commander, retired from the Florida National Guard, and as a result, the command rotated back to Georgia.
1977: The Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Tactical Fighter Wing received an "excellent" rating on its annual Management Effectiveness Inspection. It was the highest rating ever bestowed by a Tactical Air Force Inspection team on any active Tactical Air Command Air Force or Air National Guard flying unit. The inspection evaluated the Wing's command and control, training, administration, logistics and flying safety.
1977: The Georgia Army National Guard's 122nd Support Center, then stationed in Decatur, provided rear area security and area damage control planning and coordination for the 7th United States Corps rear areas during Wintex 77, an annual exercise held in Germany. The 122nd was deployed somewhere between Stuttgart and the East German border for the tactical combat exercise which also involved NATO units.
Complied by Gail Parnelle, GaARNG Historical Section

Lawmakers' Families See Equipment, Learn About Guard Capabilities

Members of the Georgia General Assembly had a unique look at the Georgia Guard's equipment and capabilities in February during a legislative family day at the State Capitol. Guard displays included representatives and equipment from Recruiting and Retention, Aviation and the Counter Drug Task Force.

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

April 5, 2007 Time: 12:44 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

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48th BCT In Iraq

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Brig. Gen. Larry H. Ross, commander 78th Troop Command, administers the oath of enlistment to 35 new Soldiers and four re-enlistees in the North Tundra of the Georgia state capitol building in Atlanta.
Army Guard Reports Significant Strength Increase In Georgia
Georgia Army Guard officials have announced significant gains in personnel and troop strength. Army Guard strength figures between January 2006 and January 2007 have increase 9.7 percent for a net gain of 892 Soldiers. "We are currently ranked as the No.1 state in three key categories associated with End Strength, mission and "Quality Boots , said Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Commander, Georgia Army National Guard. According to Lt.Col Pete VanAmburgh, personnel officer, Georgia Army National Guard, "Our strength posture will yield relevant and highly sought after force structure as well as additional fulltime manning. We are likely to see the biggest one year increase in fulltime manning if we stay in the top ranks for `Quality Boots' through September 2007." Lt. Gen. David Poythress applauded the manpower report saying it is the critical element of our organization's continued success.
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221st MI; 124th MPAD Receive Freedom Awards for Service in Iraq
Soldiers from the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion and 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment received Freedom Awards in February for their time spent in Iraq. The Freedom Award is awarded to Soldiers who deploy to Iraq and includes and encased American Flag, a Defender of Freedom coin and lapel pins for both Soldier and spouse for first time deployments and a Certificate and commemorative ring for Soldiers who have deployed more than once. The 124th MPAD deployed in September 2005 and spent a year in Baghdad running the Coalition Press Information Center. The 221st deployed in July 2005 and returned October 2006 and spent a year providing tactical human intelligence and long range surveillance for the Multi-National Corps -- Iraq. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Amanda Luksic)
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Sgt. Dana Kline displays his check for $62,000
G-RAP Profitable For Guard NCO, Army
Bringing new people into the armed services is no longer the sole dominion of the military recruiter. In 2005, the National Guard unveiled the Guard Recruiting Assistants Program, or G-RAP, an aggressive new recruiting program bringing ordinary Guardsmen into the recruiting effort. One Georgia Army Guardsman is showing the nation how G-RAP can be both successful and profitable! Georgia Army Guard Sgt. Dana Kline, an infantryman and assistant training noncommissioned officer for Headquarters Company, 48th Infantry Combat Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, has enthusiastically endorsed the program and, as a result, has pocketed more than $62,000 through the G-RAP program. Kline ranks number one in the nation for the most successful nonrecruiting Guardsman in the nation. Sgt Kline, a resident of Macon, GA, has been in the Guard for only 16 months, but has been recruiting new Soldiers since March 2006. He has tallied up a total of 47 new prospects, 38 contracts and 26 recruits who have gone on to basic training. According the G-RAP officials, "The Guard launched the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) to establish a position of strength from which the Guard can achieve its accession mission and increase the number of Military Occupational Specialty qualified Soldiers." The program allows traditional Army and Air Guardsmen to earn $2,000 for each soldier who signs a contract and heads off to basic training. Kline, like many other participating Guardsmen, became involved in the G-RAP program because he saw it as a "golden opportunity to talk about the Guard to interested young people, and for the money." "I like to recruit," says the former Marine recruiter, "and to help guide young people's careers. I love to tell them about my experiences and the opportunities available in the Guard and let them decide for themselves." Kline routinely sets a monthly goal for himself and does what's needed to reach it. In January, his goal was to talk to 3 people. He easily met his goal. February was a similar story. Kline is now considering becoming a full time recruiter for the Georgia National Guard. For his efforts, Kline was awarded the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, together with a plaque from the G-RAP program for his significant personal achievement.

All active National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and retirees with 20-plus years of service are eligible to participate in the G-RAP program.
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New Positons Follow 165th Change of Command
Savannah, Feb. 11, 2007 -- Col. Hank Smart took command of the 900-member 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah on Feb 11 succeeding Col. Tom Moore.
Because of senior command changes at the commander level of the Wing, several other senior commanders have assumed new positions.
The 165th Operations Group will have a change of command as Colonel Jesse Simmons gives up command to assume the role of Wing Vice Commander and the base's weekday commander. He will be replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Keith Edenfield.
Lt. Col. Steve Melton is giving up command of the 158th Airlift Squadron, the flying section of the 165th AW. He will be replaced as commander by Lt. Col. Jim Grandy. Lt. Col. Melton will become the new Director of Operations for the Georgia Air National Guard.
Finally, Lt. Col. Rainer "Speedy" Gomez is stepping down as the 165th Operations Support Fight commander to become Chief of Staff of the 165th Airlift Wing while Lt. Col. Don Pallone becomes the new 165th OSF Commander.
| Back | GaDOD Home |

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Camp Cedar soldiers and Bedouins in front of tent they jointly erected. Photo by Sgt. Gary Heffner
214th Soldiers Assist With Goodwill Mission
Georgia Guardsmen with Elberton's Security Force Company, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery recently assisted a Civil Military Operations mission to further better relations between Coalition forces manning Camp Cedar, Iraq, and the Iraqi nationals who live outside the camp. Those Soldiers taking part in the mission were Staff Sgt. Matthew Miller; Sergeants William Thomas, Tyson Thibault, John Herne, Joseph Leeks, and Gary Heffner; Specialists Wesley Willingham, William Haney and Winifred Byrd; and Pfc. Travis Nephew. Because of efforts by past and present commanders and mayors, a mutual relationship of trust has resulted in the camp's Bedouin neighbors seeing the forces at Camp Cedar an allied tribe. As such, the two help each other when ever they can. Sheikh Hazim, who oversees the tribes who live outside the camp, has provided an unprecedented peace to the area. And according to Bedouin traditions, when one tribe helps another, something is expected in return. To "place something in the hand" of the sheik, the 258th Rear Area Operations Center, which makes up Camp Cedar's mayor's cell, and another unit provided two large tents to a group of Bedouin families. Other 214th Soldiers provided security throughout the day. The traditional taking of tea and meeting with the sheikh by members of the Security Force Company and the mayor's cell that ended with Hazim's thanks for the tents and his pledge of continued cooperation. Aided by the men of the Bedouin camp, the Soldiers began the job of getting at least one of the two tents in place and erected. Working side-by-side with the Bedouins, it took about two hours for the 214th's volunteers and their fellow Soldiers to get the first tent up. Because of group's limited time, erecting the second tent was left to the Bedouins. Before returning to Camp Cedar, the security force and their counterparts passed out toys, treats, soccer balls and water to Sheikh Hazim's people.
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117th Air Control Squadron Provides Airspace Control Off Georgia Coast
Florida Air National Guard F-15 Eagle jetfighters fire live AIM-7 air-to-air missiles against airborne drones as Fort Stewart-based 117th Air Control Squadron assure airspace control. This is the first live fire missile exercise held off Georgia's Southeast coast. The fighters looked to the Georgia controllers to provide the "air picture" to shoot down Improvised Tactical Air Launched Drones (ITALDs) launched from Marine F-18A Super Hornets. Air Controllers also provided for airspace safety and control for the target area. The 117th returned last year from four-months in Iraq where it controlled the more than 300,000 square miles of Iraqi airspace. (Contributed photo)
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CERFP Medical Teams Conduct Joint Training

One may have expected to see Hawkeye Pierce or Trapper John of the TV series "M.A.S. H." on scene as National Guard medical personnel rushed to and from a med-evac helicopter delivering simulated wounded to waiting emergency rooms.

The training exercise in early February at Marietta's 248th Medical Company involved

more than 90 Georgia Army and Air National Guard medical personnel training on

transporting stretcher bound patients. The joint training involved Soldiers of the 248th and

More than 90 Army and Air National Airmen of the 116th Medical Group based at Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins.

Guard medical personnel train

together in stretcher bearing techniques at the 248th Medical Company in Marietta as part of the

Both units are part of Georgia's newly formed CERFP medical organization. This was the first time the two units had trained together.

newly organized medical arm of Georgia CERFP capability.

For most of the afternoon, Army and Air stretcher bearing teams hustled patients from ambulances to waiting medical evacuation helicopters under the watchful eyes of several

instructors. All participants received instructions in proper stretcher loading and carrying

techniques and had the opportunity to test their abilities by loading a UH-1 Huey helicopter from Georgia's 131st Air Ambulance

Company. Also on hand for the exercise was a Life Flight helicopter from Emory University Hospital which provided different

equipment that may be expected in a disaster scenario.

The joint CERFP (Chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear and high explosive) Response Force Package, is composed of the 781st CERFP Battalion, elements of the 878th Engineers, 4th Civil Support Team, 202nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal as well as Army and Air Guard medical personnel.
In the event of a disaster or emergency situation occurring anywhere within the seven Southeastern states, Georgia's CERFP would deploy within hours. It would carry with it all the critical capabilities, resources, equipment and skills needed to provide immediate assistance to local emergency first responders.

"What we're doing is quite new," said Lt. Col. Jeff Allen, Joint Task Force 781st CERFP commander. "Jointness is what CERFP is about. Georgia's first joint response organization draws upon the strengths and capabilities of both services." said Allen, who recently took command of the 781st, brings to the position extensive joint experience as commander of the 4th CST.

Colonel John David Mullins, the Georgia Air Guard's flight surgeon, echoed the importance of CERFP's joint medical arm.

"We've learned many lessons from responding to Hurricane Katrina and other similar disaster situations," Mullins explained. "And that's what we are trying to incorporate into these joint Army/Air medical exercises. "We've learned that that our medical personnel must work together to recognize the inherent skills and capabilities of one another as well as to understand the local medical capabilities in the areas they where they will be called to serve.
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Georgia Airman is First Guardsman To Attend Air Force School
By Senior Airman Paul Ross 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs Office
A Georgia Air National officer recently a opened new door for National Guardsmen when he was selected to attend the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SSAS) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
Major Patrick Cotter of the Planning and Policy Analyst for Strategic Issues and Communication for the Office, Director Air National Guard, is the first Guardsman selected to attend the course.
Being the first Air National Guardsman to be selected for the school is an honor and a choice happening for the major.
"I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time," said Maj. Cotter. "It is a real privilege and I'm looking forward to it." Cotter will use the school as a chance to show his active duty counterparts the kind of issues the Guard deals with daily.
"There's never been a Guardsman to attend the school, and the majority of those who will be going through the class will be the future leaders of the Air Force," he explained. "They haven't dealt with some of the issues on a daily basis that we have as Guardsmen such like drill, part-timers, unit training assemblies and healthcare. "
Such issues are transparent to someone on active duty, so bringing that perspective as a Guardsman, I believe, will be a big plus," he added. Cotter said the school will certainly be an opportunity for him to gain a valuable education and to get together with the active duty members.
"There's a ton of learning that I'm going to do," he said. "The thing I'm looking forward to is the opportunity to interact with my active duty counterparts, and letting them know how the Air National Guard works.
"They've all flown with us and been overseas with us, but they've never really dealt with the Guard on a dayto-day basis so that's the part I'm looking forward to," he said With his selection to the school, Cotter said he hopes it will bring more opportunities to Guard members.
"There's a couple of things to we all need to realize. The Air Force, for one, has gotten a lot smaller. The active duty component has gone from about 640,000 people in 1974 down to around 315, 000," Cotter said. "The Air National Guard, on the other hand has stayed relatively constant between 90,000 and 106,000 people roughly. So it's going to be important that the Air National Guard deals with the Active duty component more consistently.
"This will give us an opportunity as guardsmen to open a door and put Guardsmen in these positions so that we learn from each other," he added.
The school's website, www.au.af.mil/au/saass/mission.htm, states "The mission of the SAASS is to educate strategists in the art and science of aerospace warfare, thereby enhancing the Air Force's capacity to defend the U.S. through the control and exploitation of air and space."
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First Army's Honore To Speak At Annual Guard Conference

Lieutenant Gen. Russell Honore, commander U.S. First Army at Fort Gillem, is among this year's guest speakers at the Georgia Guard's annual Family Readiness Conference set for April 13 to 15.

This year's event takes place at the Marriott Augusta Hotel and Suites in Augusta. Honore is scheduled to speak to assembled guests during the conference's second day.

Training sessions for members of unit family readiness groups from around the state will be held throughout the conference. Each session will provide participants with knowledge for improving the assistance they offer to the families of Georgia's Army and Air Guardsmen.

Family Readiness Conference April 13-15, 2007

During the conference's annual banquet scheduled for the night of April 14, awards for Volunteer of the Year and other. More than 20 nominations have so far been submitted, said staff at the Family Readiness Office.

The annual Outstanding Family Readiness and Support Award acknowledges outstanding contributions of eligible nominees who have provided exceptional family readiness support. Three award recipients are selected annually, one from the Army National Guard, one Air National Guard and one Army or Air unit.

Also presented is the Special Appreciation Award. It's given to individuals who may not meet the criteria for the Outstanding Volunteer Award, but who should be recognized for their contributions to the Family Readiness Program.

Award nominees for outstanding volunteer or special appreciation awardees must be National Guard members, family members, National Guard Retiree, Family Readiness and Support Group volunteers, or a specific unit of the Georgia Army or Air National Guard. Candidates may be nominated for significant outstanding contributions, which improved the quality of life and provided exceptional support to Family Readiness in your National Guard unit or local community.

All nomination must include a narrative statement, not to exceed 800 words, describing how the candidate's work or contribution benefited Army or Air Quality of Life programs, and has provided exceptional support to Family Readiness in your National Guard unit or local community.

Nominations must be turned into Altamese Finch by March 12, and they must have a commander's approval attached. All awards will be presented at the Family Readiness Conference.

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PA Unit Seeks Officers to Boost Its Ranks
Georgia's 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment has positions available for qualified officers seeking a second branch. Home stationed in Atlanta at the Georgia Department of Defense Complex on Confederate Avenue, the 124th is looking for two first lieutenants promotable to the rank of captain or two captains to become officers-in-charge of the unit's Broadcast and Print sections respectively. Education or job experience in marketing, public relations, radio, television or print media is preferred, but not necessary. An interview with the MPAD commander is mandatory for filling either position. Once accepted, and attached to the unit, the successful applicants must attend the 9-week Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course at Fort Mead, Md. During the course, the individual will receive instruction in the theory, concepts, policies and principles of community relations. They also will learn public affairs specific to each service, public affairs responsibilities applicable to the unified and specific military command, media relations, and on-camera training and requirements of the public affairs officer in wartime. To find out more, interested applicants should contact the MPAD commander, Maj. Christopher D. Dockery by telephone at 706-8644853, 706-265-0804 or 678-7257277. He also can be reach by e-mail at chris.dockery@gmail.com or chris.dockery@us.army.mil
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