First Friday briefing [May 2, 2008]

Online at www.dod.state.ga.us
Vigilant Guard:

May 2008

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward E. Snyder
Members of the Georgia's 877th Engineer Company from Augusta, receive high-angle extraction rescue techniques at the Burton Township Fire Department in Beaufort County, S. C., Andy Lancaster, a member of the Response International Group team from Oklahoma City, is the exercise coordinator. This scenario, in support of the Vigilant Guard 2008 exercise, was conducted from April 21-24 2008 in Beaufort County, S.C. Army and Air National Guard personnel from Georgia, South Carolina and various other states were conducting an earthquake response exercise in coordination with local, state, and federal emergency agencies.
See VIGILANT GUARD page 6

121st Soldiers Train in Germany

Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO
HOHENFELS, Germany (Joint Multinational Readiness Center) `Full-on' would be a good way to describe the approach to training Soldiers of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have taken since arriving in Germany.

"We are light infantry now," Private First Class David N. Creech said as he takes his position behind his M240 machine gun. He enjoys the opportunity to ride while he can. Looking at the hilly terrain of `the box' Creech verbalized what everyone already knew. "Once we get to our next mission we hump it."
Creech is in training with 150 of

his battle buddies from 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment in Hohenfel's Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC). The two week readiness mission is part of plans and training preparations for the Volunteer Brigade's upcoming combat mission to Afghanistan.
See GERMANY page 10

Georgia Soldier lives on through foundation, donations to Iraqi school

The memory of a Georgia Army Guardsman killed nearly three years ago during Operation Iraqi Freedom continues to live on through the efforts of the foundation that bears his name and by those of the Soldiers now at the base where he served.
Students and teachers had looks of joy and bewilderment as Soldiers of the 101st Airborne at Patrol Base Yusifiyah handed out school supplies and toys at Mullah Fayad School in Yusifiyah, Iraq, on March 27.
Children grinned from ear-to-ear as they looked over the treasure bestowed on them. When teachers asked who had sent the truckload of goods, they were surprised by the answer. Everything had been donated in the name of Sgt. Michael Stokely, who died Aug. 16,

2005, in Mullah Fayad.

Stokely, who lived in Sharps-

burg, served at the time with

Georgia's 48th Infantry Brigade

Combat Team. He died from

wounds suffered after an explo-

sive device exploded near him

during a combat patrol. After his

death, his father began the Mike

Stokely Foundation. The orga-

nization put together a shipment

of school supplies for citizens of the communities where Stokely served and died. It took an Army five-ton truck to deliver those

Contributed photo
A Soldier with 101st Airborne's 3rd Brigade
Combat Team gives donated school supplies
to an Iraqi girl.

supplies. Captain Michael Starz, a Pittsburgh
native and commander of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,

101st Airborne Division, coordinated with Stokely's father so the donations reached the most destitute people in Mullah Fayad.
See STOKELY, page 12

From the Editor ...
To our readers:
As the world continues to change we strive to make sure that we can keep up with the changing times. As we take some new steps, we want to take you along with us. In an effort to improve and increase our readership you will notice some significant changes in First Friday over the coming months.
Initially, we've added a new printable PDF version, making the publication easier to print and distribute to those who normally do not receive the email-only version.
In coming months you'll see a redesign of our web-based edition that will make the First Friday more reader-friendly and modern. We're also improving our email distribution process that will give readers the ability to "subscribe" to the publication for automatic delivery -- even those not on our internal email address lists.
The next step includes a redesign of our website so that will make it more reader friendly and modern.
These changes are being made so that we can better achieve our mission -- to reach every Georgia Army and Air Guardsman and State Defense Force member with the news and information you need to accomplish your mission.
We appreciate your patience and feedback as we launch these modifications.
--The Editors--

The First Friday is published monthly under the provisions of AR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Directorate of Communications, Georgia Department of Defense. The views and opinions expressed in the First Friday are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Army and Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The First Friday is distributed free to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, State Defense Force and other interested persons at their request.
Commander-In-Chief Gov. Sonny Perdue
Adjutant General of Georgia Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt
Director of Communications Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jim Driscoll
Associate Publisher Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Baldowski
Managing Editor Staff Sgt. Roy Henry
Assistant Editor Spc. Amanda Kenny
National Guard Correspondents 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Unit Public Affairs Officers Unit Public Affairs Reprsentatives

Send comments, suggestions, articles photo or contributions to: The First Friday
doc@ga.ngb.army.mil

2 The First Friday Briefing

Georgia Soldiers still winners despite regional competition loss
By Staff Sgt. Roy Henry Public Affairs Office

FORT GORDON, Ga. Georgia's Spc. Anthony Garay and Staff Sgt. Donne Cook will always be winners to Georgia Army Guard officials, even though they will not go on to the next round of Soldier and Noncomissioned Officer of the Year competition. Two Soldiers from Georgia's sister states, Tennessee and Florida, will go on to represent the Southeast region in the national competition.
They agreed it would have been great to have gone on to find out who is the best Soldier and NCO in nation. At the same time, those chosen to that certainly deserve the honor they've earned.
Garay, who lives in Dalton, is an aviation operations specialist with the 171st Aviation Group's Headquarters Company at Marietta's Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Cook, who lives in Savannah, is the administrative NCO for Detachment No. 2, Company B, 935th Direct Aviation Support Battalion. The detachment, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter outfit, is based at Savannah's Hunter Army Air Field.
They were two of 16 Soldiers from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Puerto Rico to spend three long, grueling days finding out just who would be the Region 8 Soldier and NCO of the Year.
"I have to say that, while competition at the state level was tough, it was even tougher here," Cook said. "There was no one, and I mean no one, who didn't push themselves beyond what they believed they were capable of doing.
"Everybody wanted to be here, and everyone wanted to win," he added. "And the Soldiers who won, they proved they have what it takes to make it...as competitors and as leaders."
Garay continued that sentiment, saying he's quite proud to have been among some of the best Soldiers he's ever known. "I mean, these people really showed they have what it takes to be winners, to do what it takes, and go beyond that to be successful," he explained. "Not everyone has that kind of drive, but we didn't see that here."
And yet, it wasn't just the competitive spirit that was present, Cook continued. There was also an atmosphere of team work and camaraderie.
Often times, he said, people no matter who they are have only one thing on their minds; winning no matter what it takes. That sentiment never reared its ugly head.
"Every time you turned around, Soldier was helping Soldier. The desire to win was there. It never left any of us," Cook said. "But it didn't keep any of us from remembering who we are and that we work better as a team.
"You saw it time and again, throughout the competition," Garay added. "And every time you saw it, it made you that much prouder of being a Soldier. It certainly did me."

Photo by Staff Sgt. Roy Henry
Specialist Anthony Garay, 171st Aviation Group and Staff Sgt. Donne Cook, Detachment No. 2, Company B, 935th Direct Aviation Support Battalion, kid each other about their performance after completing a six-mile road march during the regional Soldier and NCO of the Year competition at Fort Gordon.
Although Cook and Garay agreed that they enjoyed competing for NCO and Soldier of the Year, this would be the last time for them.
Cook said such events are for the younger Soldier...moving from a six-mile road march directly into weapons qualification and then straight into doing the required warrior tasks proved that to him. He plans to shed his stripes and replace them with officer's rank. "I leave myself open to mentoring any Soldier who wants to compete, but I've seen my last competition," he said.
Garay said he's moving to concentrate more on his goal of leaving the enlisted ranks and becoming an officer as well. "I've got a lot to get accomplished before that happens, but I've proven to myself that I'm ready to make that move," he said.
Georgia hosts regional competition
FORT GORDON, Ga. The Georgia Army Guard played host April 27 to April 30 to the annual Southwest, Region 8 Soldier and NCO of the Year competition. Last year's competition was hosted by the Florida Guard. Next Year's event will move to Kentucky.
Here for the right to be called the best and to go on to compete at the national level are 16 Soldiers and NCOs from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.
"It's our greatest honor to have each Soldier and NCO, along with their respective command sergeants major, sergeants major or first sergeant, here," said Georgia's state command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Russell.

The First Friday Briefing 3

Hidden Treasures:

Olympic hopeful among staff of USPFO

Story by Spc. Amanda Kenny

discus and shot-put. "With my build, I

Public Affairs Office

couldn't be a distance runner," she said,

ATLANTA, Ga. In the halls of even though in middle school she did

the United States Property and Fiscal everything from running to throwing.

Office you may find a future Olympic She continued to throw the discus in

medalist. Katie Corner a technician pay college at Michigan's Calvin State Uni-

specialist is an Olympic hopeful who versity, where she worked with coach

spends her off hours practicing the an- Norm Zylstra. In 2007, Corner moved

cient art of discus throwing.

to Georgia after Zylstra encouraged her

Corner said she practices four to five to work with Judge in order to better

days a week, lifting weights and throw- herself and get ready for the trials.

ing the discus. "Right now my coach Corner, when not practicing, coach-

(Mike Judge of Throw 1 Deep in Mari- es young throwers at the Lovett School

etta) and I are working on lifting less and has been with them for two years

and throwing lighter and further. I am now. She has been throwing discus for

constantly going to meets," she said. more than 12 years.

"My first goal is to get to the trials," The USPFO office has been try-

said Corner. "Everyone needs some ing to help Corner get to the trials and

reason to work that hard for something has been holding bake sales and other

and I want to make sure it's worth it." events to raise money to help her get

The Olympic trials are slated for there.

Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon,

in June. The trials test

athletes from across the

nation in track and field

events. In order to make

it to the trials, Corner

had to compete in an of-

ficial meet. The top three

at the trials will go on to

the Olympics.

"It's a lot of hard work

and sacrifice," said Cor-

ner. "It's hard to keep

your end goal in mind

but as long as you stay

focused it's easier to

do."

The Michigan native

started throwing the dis-

cus in 8th grade because

"we were really bad at

softball," she laughed.

"When you stink at

something you might as

well try something else."

Corner started to throw the discus more in high school, than later began specializing in just

Photo by Spc. Amanda Kenny
Olympic hopeful Katie Corner, a technitian pay specialist, works on the weeks payroll. Corner is a discus
thrower hoping to make it to Bejing for the Olympics.

Pvt. Jhakeem A. Chambers
Georgia Soldier in Active First Program
A Georgia Army National Guardsman is one of two Soldiers to graduate as a cannon crewmember and become the first Active First Program participants to successfully complete artillery training at Fort Sill, Okla.
"It's an honor and a privilege for me. I'm very proud of who I am and what I have accomplished," said Pvt. Jhakeem A. Chambers of Springfield. "Once my active tour is done, and I return to the Guard, I'll start going to college."
He looks forward to the experience he'll gain as an active duty Soldier, which will help him in his career as a Guardsman.
Chambers, 18, is home for two weeks of hometown recruiting. He later reports to Fort Hood, Texas, for assignment as an artilleryman with the active Army's 4th Infantry Division. Most of the 4th Infantry is deployed to Iraq.
Chambers, who initially enlisted with Springfield-based Battery A, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery, signed up for Active First to serve with the regular Army for four years. He then spends another four years with the 118th.
See ACTIVE, page 12

4 The First Friday Briefing

This Month in History

May 1974 Georgia Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 158th Military Intelligence unit at Winder participated in exercise Solid Shield. The exercise was designed to test this nation's readiness under realistic combat conditions. Crewmen, flying OV-1 Mohawk, a propeller driven, twin engine aircraft featuring sophisticated side looking airborne radar (SLAR), sent data back to its ground station for interpretation. The onboard infrared cameras with "strobe lights," also allowed the "aircraft to literally see in the dark," and photos could be later be read by Image Interpreters on the ground.
May 1973 The all male ranks of the Georgia Army National Guard opened May 17 to welcome the first female member in the State's history. Mrs. Gail Wagner of Lithonia was sworn in by Major General Joel B. Paris, III, Adjutant General of Georgia. Asked about her enlistment, Mrs. Wagner said, "They [Guard officials] are hoping more women will join up so that we can all start basic training together. I guess I did it [enlisted] mostly out of curiosity, the challenge of being first at something."
May 1960 The Georgia Army Guard welcomed it newest unit when the 124th Information Detachment was activated. The unit's mission was to promote the National Guard in the "eyes of the public." Detachment commander, Lt. Roderick Morrison and two information specialists, Sp4 Clifford Mehearg and Sp5 Everett L. Millican, Jr., comprise the unit.
May 1959 The May issue of Air Reservist Magazine cited Col. William H. Kelley, ANG base detachment commander at Savannah's Travis Field for his work in promoting the 165th Fighter Group's relationship with the city. In the article the unit and Kelley were cited as an example of "grass roots" public relations. Kelly was honored with an Outstanding Citizen Award for his work in the Savannah community.

Photo by Emily Goldman/Effingham Now
169th Chinooks land at high school
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Sparks, a flight engineer with the Georgia Guard's 169th Aviation Regiment from Hunter Army Airfield, give Efffinham County students a tour of the unit's CH-47 Chinook helicopter after the aircraft touched down at Effingham County High School. The demonstration was given to Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps classes as well as to other elementary and high school grad students.

Joyce Departs HRT, Peno Takes Reins

Colonel Steve Joyce concluded his final meeting at the ing challenge in the recruitment of Army officers and sug-

helm of the Georgia Department of Defense Human Rela- gested that the team consider new and innovative ways to

tions Team (HRT) at Callaway Gardens, April 26-27 by fi- remedy the shortfall.

nalizing elements of the HRT's Strategic Plan. Joyce, who The general also took the opportunity to recall her rise

serves as J-1 (Director of Personnel and Administration), has through the ranks of the military and the Guard. Britt sees

chaired the HRT for the past two years. He passes the reins today's military as more comfortable with diversity than

of the team to Lt. Col. Jay Peno, Human Re-

when she began her career as a cadet at West Point.

sources Officer for Georgia.

During the two-day meeting, team members fo-

Highlighting the two day quarterly confer-

cused on continued development of an HRT Stra-

ence was a presentation by Brig. Gen. Maria

tegic Plan. Ultimately, the HRT plan will be incor-

Britt who carefully detailed the current demo-

porated into the overall strategic priorities of the

graphics of the Georgia Army Guard. She ap-

Human Resources Officer and the GA DoD Joint

plauded the continuing high recruiting figures

Strategic Plan.

enjoyed by the Army Guard noting that Geor-

Peno, a founding member of the GA DOD HRT,

gia is among the leaders in the nation.

has guided much of its development over the years.

Britt, however, did acknowledge a continu- Lt. Col. Jay Peno

See HRT page 12

The First Friday Briefing 5

There's been a huge earthquake and a pile of rubble stands before you, there are people trapped inside, what do you do?
Vigilant Guard tests Emergency Responders

Nearly 500 Georgia Army and Air National Guard members took part in Vigilant Guard '08 in April. The massive exercise in South Carolina brought together thousands of military, law enforcement, and emergency personnel who responded to a mock major earthquake which caused devastating damage and loss of life across the state.
"The National Guard brings trained personnel from around the country who are able to support a community that has suffered a disaster, explained Brig. Gen. Les Eisner, commander of troops for the exercise. "Vigilant Guard allows is to test our capability and develop relationships with the local and state agencies we will be working with."
The epicenter of the response effort was near Beaufort, S.C., where members of the 781st Troop Command Battalion (CERF-P) took advantage of the realistic scenarios to prepare for domestic operations. Continued on next page

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp
Sgt. Michael Wright, of the 877th Company, 781st Battalion, right, assesses the physical condition of simulated earthquake victim Spc. Christopher Freeman, from the S.C. Recruiting and Retention offices, who is laying on a mock earthquake rubble pile April 22, Beaufort, S.C. The rubble pile has been constructed to simulate buildings that have been destroyed by earthquakes, such as the scenario being used in National Guard exercise Vigilant Guard 2008.

877th Engineers train for high-angle rescue

By Spc. Erica Knight National Guard Bureau
BEAUFORT, S.C. - Standing on top of an 18 foot tower, the soldiers of the 877th Engineer Company from Augusta, Ga. lower a woman to safety at the Vigilant Guard 2008 exercise in Beaufort, S.C., April 21 24.
A high angle extraction utilizes a tripod with pulleys and ropes to lift and lower victims. The Response International Group (RIG) from Oklahoma City sets up training sites for the National Guard and local emergency response teams to learn the most effective techniques to meet the varied circumstances. RIG also evaluates the soldiers as they go through the course. RIG has training areas set up in Oklahoma and at Fort Gruber, Okla.
"Helping the military is a way I can contribute," said Andy Lancaster, the exercise controller and President of RIG. "Kids come into class and after a while you can see the light bulb go on."
"These techniques can be used in an earthquake, hurricane, or tornado," said Lancaster. "It works for any highrise building."

In this scenario the engineer team records their entry time and enters the structure. As they move along the tunnels, they call in on the radio every few minutes to update their position. When they encounter trapped victims, the team calls back and gives a brief assessment of each victim.
When they are able to move the victims to an area where they can exit the building the team sets up a tripod. The tripod has a pulley in the center to make it easier to move the victims.
The first victim was conscious and walking. One soldier placed her in a harness while others set up the pulley and attached her. She leaned off the edge of the structure and, with the assistance of a three-person team on the ground, was lowered down. The next victims were "unconscious" or had "severe injuries" and had to be lowered in a basket.
"The team encountered problems and they solved them," Lancaster said. "There is no text book on this."
The National Guard trains for these situations to better prepare to assist local authorities as first responders after a disaster.

6 The First Friday Briefing

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward E. Snyder
Sergeant Peter Fontejon of the Georgia Army Guard's 877th Engineer Company from Augusta, secures a safety rope used to lower survivors from a three story tower.
VIGILANT GUARD, from previous page
Much of the training took place at a unique location called the "rubble pile" that simulated the remnants of a collapsed reinforced cement building. The "pile," which was built especially for the exercise from more than 2,000 tons of concrete, steel reinforcement and other debris, gave members of Augusta's 877th Engineer Co. and other units, the opportunity to do realistic search and recovery operations.
Nearby, at Hilton Head Island Municipal Airport, aircrews of Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing made history when they landed a C-130 Hercules to evacuate victims. The four-engine, propeller driven cargo plane was the largest ever to land there and as a result, the airport which features the nation's shortest commercial runway is now certified to handle military aircraft of that size.
At Port Royal harbor, Georgia's 4th Civil Support Team joined more than 100 local law enforcement and first responders in a scenario that involved a terrorist organization hijacking a local ferry and using it as a platform for deploying a "dirty bomb."
Unit personnel, supported by local law enforcement personnel, used the scenario to practiced sniffing out the bomb, the boarding the ferry, and overcoming the "terrorists" before they

could use "the bomb". "The exercise gives us a chance to
work with local responders" said Lt. Alan Hammond, deputy commander of the 4th CST. "They learn how to contact us and give us the chance to improve our skills to support our mission.
"It also gives us an opportunity to exercise waterborne operations, something we don't get a lot of practice doing," he added.
Georgia Air Guard medical units provided personnel to the Air Guard's Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) operations. EMEDS is a modular, scalable, rapid response medical package that can be used in humanitarian relief, wartime contingencies and disaster response operations.
The victims in the mass casualty exercise sustained simulated injuries that ranged from severe anxiety to life-threatening cases requiring airlift evacuation. About two dozen persons were airlifted by National Guard OH58 Kiowa and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, some flown by members of the Georgia Guard's Company C, 2nd

battalion,151st Supply and Service Battalion from Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
Vigilant Guard `08, which was the National Guard Bureau's 11th such annual exercise, was designed to test the Guard's ability to work with local emergency responders, and it set the new "gold standard in disaster training," said Maj. Gen. Steven D. Saunders, director, joint doctrine, training and force development, at NGB. Saunders' office oversees the development of Vigilant Guard exercises.
"We expect continuous improvement," the general said, standing at the Hilton Head airport, moments before the 165th's historic C-130 landing. "This exercise brings together a great number of units from different states and puts them together with the local first responders."
"Watching all these people," Saunders said, peering out over the airport, "all of them wearing a variety of uniforms, working together, not getting in people's hair, but working cooperatively together that's pretty powerful stuff."

165th aircraft makes historic landing during Vigilant Guard `08
Captain Brian Zwicker, of Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing, stands by C-130 Hercules aircraft that he just piloted to a landing on the runway at Hilton Head Island Municipal Airport, S.C. The landing was historic as it marked the largest airplane to land at the Hilton Head airport, and as a result, the airport is now certified to handle military aircraft of that size. The 165th flew into Hilton Head as part of Vigilant Guard `08 and airlifted simulated earthquake victims from the island to Beaufort, S.C.

The First Friday Briefing 7

The new face of personnel
Georgia Army National Guardsmen will soon be able to check their leave, or pay using a one-stop, high tech system that the Army calls DIMRS or Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System.
DIMHRS is a secure, self-service web based systems that will give Soldiers 24/7 access to personnel data and the ability to update and review key personal and family information without seeing a personnel specialists. Here's what you need to know...

Command Changes
Upcoming: 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation and 935th Aviation Detachments' change of command. Incoming: 1st Lt. Louis Williams Outgoing: Maj. Edwin Laster

What is DIMHRS? Defense Integrated Military Human
Resources System.... a revolutionary new, web-based human resource system that gives Soldiers 24/7 access to your personnel files. Now you have the ability and responsibility to update and review key personal information WITHOUT seeing a personnel specialist!
Is DIMHRS going to affect me? You bet, and in a very significant
way. Every Soldier's personnel records will be on DIMHRS. You will now have the capability to access your own files through one easy database that will avoid traditional written, or verbal

processes that can be time consuming and costly.
What do I need to prepare for DIMHRS?
Do you have a working CAC card and a personalized PIN? You MUST have both a CAC and PIN to have access to the numerous personnel resources soon available to you through DIMHRS. Don't have a CAC or PIN? Ask your Readiness NCO and begin the registration process IMMEDIATELY!

Don't see your units change of command? E-mail Spc. Amanda Kenny at amanda.luksic@ga.ngb.army.mil or Staff Sgt. Roy Henry at roy.henry@ga.ngb. army.mil

Governor Plans for State Memorial Day Ceremony

Georgia National Guard members who have fallen in the line of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom will be remembered at a State Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by Governor Sonny Perdue. The event will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2008, at Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta.
"Georgia's courageous and dedicated servicemen and women continue to answer the call to defend America's freedom around the globe," said Perdue.

"This ceremony will pay tribute to our fallen soldiers, Marines, sailors, and
airmen, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of others. I hope that every Georgian will join with us in honoring these brave men and women."
The program will include a solemn tribute to honor the Georgia servicemen and women who have fallen in Af-

ghanistan and Iraq during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Besides remarks by Perdue, the keynote address will be given by Lt. General (Ret.) Russel L. Honor, United States Army. Honor retired in January following nearly 37 years of military service, most recently as Commanding General, First U.S.Army, headquartered at Ft. Gillem, Ga.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony. Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) will stream video of the ceremony on its website at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 22, 2008. GPB will also broadcast the ceremony on television at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 25, 2008.

8 The First Friday Briefing

News from the 48th IBCT

148th BSB Celebrates CSM, Change of Responsibility

Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO

FORSYTH, Ga. Com-

mand Sergeant Major Barry

Smallwood, ceremoniously

accepted responsibility

as Command Sgt. Maj. to

148th Brigade Support

Battalion Soldiers Sunday,

April 14, from departing

Command Sgt. Maj. John

E. Smiley at the BSB ar-

mory in Forsyth. Smiley is on deck as the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team rear detachment's Operation

Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith
Command Sgt. Maj. Barry Smallwood, accepts responsibility as senior enlisted leader from departing Command Sgt. Maj. John

Enduring Freedom senior E. Smiley at the BSB armory in

enlisted leader.

Forsyth.

The Soldier's appointments are part of a leadership strategic

transition initiative in preparation for the 48th IBCT(L)'s de-

ployment to Afghanistan in 2009.

Colonel Lee Durham, 48th IBCT (L) commanding officer,

validated his confidence in the combat experience the Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans brought to their new appointments and expounded on the need for confident leadership at home.
"Managing the needs of a brigade is no easy task," Durham said. "We leave behind the need for sustainment as we go forward in the war on terror. The seed has been planted and we continue to watch the acorn grow into an oak that will reinforce a strong foundation."
Smiley spoke of purpose, thanking the Soldiers of the battalion for their support and promised his continued best to them and to the families that the will leave behind.
"It is an honor to serve in such a strategic position and I will be able to do the job because I have learned along side you." Emotionally Smiley saluted the troops and ended with a final call of "Wish Master 7, out."
Smallwood served as 1st Sergeant for Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during OIF 3.5.
He reassured those in attendance of his intent to do what was expected of a leader of Warfighters; to set the standard.

Simmons takes command of Georgia's 108th Cavalry Regiment

Spc. Tracy J. Smith
48th IBCT PAO
CALHOUN, Ga. The change in leadership, April 21, for the Troops of 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment (RTSA) offered a chance to reflect on challenges overcome during the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's transformation from mechanized to light infantry. The occasion also reminded those assembled that there was much more opportunity ahead as they honored the battlefield tradition of the Georgia Volunteer Soldier.
"I've found the challenge of training with you hard-charging individuals, refreshing," Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Voso said to the attending guests and Troops formed. Voso, outgoing commander for the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition squadron, found humility in what had been accomplished alongside these Soldiers. "Your unwavering support during this transformation has been unparallel and it has been an honor to

grow with you."

ment to their accomplishments citing

Redesignated from Armor to Cav- a comparison to the storied "Spalding

alry in October, 2007, the squadron Grays".

took an aggressive training posture in "You all have shown a Hero's cour-

preparation for the brigade's upcoming age in the face of change," Simmons

mission in Afghanistan.

said in his address to his new charges.

Subjected to humid, mosquito infest- "I am looking forward to the next chap-

ed terrain in Tullahoma, Tn. and sad- ter as we take on Operation enduring

dling up with deploying Special Forces Freedom."

Soldiers in Fort Polk, La.,

the Soldiers dug-in-their-

heels to earn an opportunity

to again prove the tenacity

of the Citizen-Soldier.

"Let them train hard!

They like it and need it,"

Voso stated directly to the

men he led through the initial

stages of the transformation.

"Randall, you are the right

man to get them through the

next phase of preparation." Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith Lt. Col. Randall V. Lieutenant Col. Randall V. Simmons, Jr.,(L) incom-

Simmons, Jr. the incoming squadron commander brought a historical ele-

ing commander, 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment (RSTA), he passes the standards of the squadron to newly installed Sgt. Maj. Joseph Recker.

The First Friday Briefing 9

121st Infantry trains `Full-on' in Germany

GERMANY, from front page With elevations of nearly 1200 feet
above sea level and 39,000 plus square miles of training grounds designed to mirror the environments the Soldiers will be engaging the enemy and training their Afghani counterparts the base is true to its motto to "Train to Win."
"Our determination is to reinforce safety and the standards that will be taken to the fight," Captain Donald J. Thompson, company commander for the training company explained. Thompson wants to keep in-sync with the fluidity of training while ensuring his Soldiers remain effective in unpredictable situations.
"We are reinforcing the Rules of Engagement, acquainting them with True Simulation Training and offering these men a chance to apply lessons learned, (referencing those who have served in OIF 3.5 during previous deployment), as mentors. They will have the mental tools needed to be in step with the mission."
With Reflexive individual weapons firing drills and Urban Warfare, or MOUT, training predominantly on the units `Horse Blanket," and old army slang term for training schedule, the Soldiers were also being challenged in the classroom. Certification of 120 of the infantrymen as Combat Lifesavers would be achieved as well as the re-

inforcement of basic

Soldier Common Task

Training; all within

fourteen days.

"The key to success

is certification and

that's the responsibility

of the company com-

manders," 48th IBCT

commander Colonel

Lee Durham stressed

to the team during his Photo by 1st Lt. Michael E. Thompson/48th IBCT
visit with the Soldiers. Private 1st Class Brandon R. Loggins maneuvers through

"NCOs need to know a reflexive fire exercise as part of the 1/121 two week traintheir Soldiers and be ing at JMRC in Hohenfels, Germany.

effective on the tools

at their disposal to succeed. We are length of which should be no longer

building combat leaders."

than the distance between the corner of

Command Sergeant Major Calvin the casualty's nose and casualty's ear,

Wilcox agreed.

is used to avoid triggering a gag reflex.

"My Soldiers realize the need to Hunter's reaction to the process might

work as a team, be (adaptive) and take reject that concept. He called it a CLS

the lead when it is necessary as it re- nose job and, as his eyes watered, clear-

lates to our mission," Wilcox added. ly understated the sensation as "slightly

"Here they get outstanding training and uncomfortable."

realistic battlefield experience so that As he walked outside and watched

they can `adjust fire' now. Once we get the sunset highlights over the moun-

out there we don't get a do-over."

tainous hills he and his fellow Volun-

Specialist Matthew "Crow" Hunter, teer Soldiers had taken on just hours

a self described rifleman from Lilburn, before. He took a deep breath.

Ga., knows all about the `No Do-Over' "It's the first time I've been able to

rule. He volunteered to be the `casu- breathe since I've been here," Hunter

alty' for a demonstration of the `J-tube' mused.

replacement; the Nasal Pharyngeal It was his contribution to the team's

Airway (NPA) insertion. The tube, the full-on training.

GaSDF promotion ceremony demonstrates link between units

Seven members of the 911th

Support Command, Georgia State

Defense Force (GSDF), were pro-

moted in April during unique cer-

emonies at Dobbins Air Reserve

Base. The GSDF members were

all pinned by Col. Brent Brace-

well, Commander of the Geor-

gia Army Guard's 78th Aviation

Troop Command.

The event marked the first joint ceremony between support command and the aviation unit since they began drilling and training

Members of the Ga. State Defense Force are promoted during a ceremony at the 171st Aviation Troop Command.

together last fall and reflects the close partnership that the

two units have developed "I was honored to promote these
troops as the GSDF Aviation Support Detachment has truly become a part of our team," said Col. Bracewell, who has been a strong and early supporter of the integration of the two units. "We are able to offer them our experience and training opportunities across the entire aviation spectrum, and in return, they bring skilled and discipline troops that help assure our unit readiness and capability."
See SDF, page 13

10 The First Friday Briefing

1/121 Soldiers Fine-tune their Training
by Training their British Counterparts

Spc. Tracy J. Smith

iarize with the AK47 rifle. Burd served

48th IBCT PAO

as an Iraqi Army training instructor

HOHENFELS, Germany (Joint during the Volunteer Brigade's OIF 3.5

Multinational Readiness Center) The deployment. Under Burd's tutelage,

name Hohenfels literally means `high Stow looked pleased as he got a feel for

rock' or `high cliff' and has played host the `action' on the weapon.

to American and NATO combat infan- "Our goal is to be helpful to them,"

try units preparing for deployment in Burd continued, closely observing

support of the Global War on Terror in Stow's breakdown and reassembling

Afghanistan and Iraq.

process. "It gives them a chance to

For two weeks the JMRC's (Joint learn from our experience."

Multinational Readiness Center) unfa- The two week training mission is in-

miliar terrain served as the platform for tegral to the success of GWOT's multi-

48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team national camaraderie platform as well.

Soldiers to transport to their familiar.

Training at Hohenfels' Joint Multi-

In the midst of `The Box,' (the im- national Readiness Center, JMRC, al-

mersion training area for deploying lows the partnering nations the chance

troops), 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry to learn and live together. It also makes

Regiment Soldiers literally took on them privy to a realistic environment

the role of Iraqi Army trainees to as- that will, ideally, give them insight to

sist their British Army and Air Force each service entities battle rhythm, or

partners in familiarizing themselves for manner by which they work in concert

their upcoming deployment to Iraq. coordinating and executing battlefield

"We have been there," Staff Sergeant mission objectives.

Timothy E. Burd, a 2nd platoon squad Sessions in Counter-Insurgency

leader with company A, 1/121 said as (COIN) Operations, Major Combat

he assisted a British Army team com- Operations (MCO) and Security Op-

mander, Corporal Lloyd Stow, C Coy, erations easily set the tone for full

2nd Royal Anglican Regiment, famil- spectrum combat operations. The ex-

perience reaches beyond

the tactical reiterations and

encourages the Soldiers

to harness and maintain a

`Train to Win' mentality.

"This is invaluable!"

said Command Sergeant

Major John D. Gipe, 8th

CSM of the Army National

Guard. During his visit

to JMRC, Gipe was non-

stop as he engaged senior

staff non-commissioned

officer leadership in can-

did conversations and vis-

ited Soldiers in `The Box.'

Gipe was very encouraged

Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith
Sgt. Jeremy Kamen, A Co. 1/121 Weapons Squad Leader trains British Army Corporal Lloyd Stow, C Coy, 2nd Royal Anglican Team Commander the fundamentals of the AK47 during immersion training in JMRC, Hohenfels, Germany.

by their comments and his personal observations of their motivation.
"They are enthusiastic because (the Soldier) real-

izes there are many facets to being a Guard Soldier. Everything we do (in support of GWOT) is joint; multi-service and multinational. We must have a good base of understanding with our coalition partners," Gipe punctuated. "Here we have an outstanding facility and tremendous opportunity for our (Guardsmen) to fine-tune what we train for. The high elevation, MOUT (urban warfare) facilities, IED/VBIED sites give us a wealth of realistic training and serves as a great retention tool."
By design, the setting also fosters an adaptive training methodology. An idea, according to the British Ministry of Defense's first Regimental Sergeant Major of Infantry (RSM) Harry French, that is a balance for what he calls `training for the race."
French shared his thoughts on the significance of building individual confidence and allowing the Soldier, British or American, autonomy when it counts in a previous interview.
"They have a more adaptive concept of training for the War, whether it is in Iraq or Afghanistan," French said. His familiarity with the 48th IBCT and their combat maneuvers dates back to 2005. As the RSM for the Kings Own Border Regiment, he and his Soldiers arrived in An Nasiriyah, Iraq at the same time as the 48th Soldiers. In 2007 he visited a training company from 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment training with the 4 Yorks British Territorial Army in Okehampton training camp, Devon, England.
"Of greater significance is the ability to do training that allows the individual (combat) flexibility in making snap decisions during those crucial moments giving the Soldier the edge."
That edge is what Private Samuel Moffitt, a C Coy, 2nd Royal Anglican rifleman from North Hampshire has set his sights on. He has two six-month tours under his belt, Northern Ireland and Iraq. He admits the training scenario will be a different experience.

The First Friday Briefing 11

Georgia Soldier one of two to graduate new recruit program

ACTIVE, from page 4
During his graduation from Battery D, 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery, Chambers received the oath of enlistment from Capt. Jonathan W. Craig, Battery D commander, and received applause from 62 of his fellow Soldiers and attending family members.
Chambers said his Army Guard and active duty experiences are working out for the best, and he looks forward to a successful military career.
"This is a historic moment for Fort Sill to graduate its very first Active First Soldiers," said Sgt. Maj. Gregory M. Galloway, reserve component liaison sergeant major.
"Private Chambers and his classmate

should feel proud of what they're doing because the Active First program is only open to the very best candidates, and very few people qualify for entry."
During Fiscal Year 2008, the Army National Guard nationwide has been tasked with enlisting 1,600 recruits in a joint effort with the active Army.
The Guard receives credit for the accession while the active component, which names specific Military Occupational Specialties it needs to fill, adds to its overall end strength.
As of late February, only about 300 slots remained unfilled, according to National Guard Bureau information. The most popular specialties the regular Army seeks to fill include infantry,

artillery, military police, aviation, transportation and heavy-vehicle mechanic.
Georgia, especially, has embraced the program, is third in the nation, overall, in Active First enlistments, said Lt. Col. Thomas Carden, commander Georgia Army Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
"The program offers our recruiters an opportunity to make every Soldier's first military experience a great one," Carden explained, "by providing those recruiters with the same options as the ones their active duty counterparts offer to prospective Soldiers."
Editor's Note: Story and photo were provided by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Wedeking, reserve component liaison NCO, Fort Sill,
Ok.

Peno replaces Joyce as HRO
HRT, from page 5
"The Guard must stay abreast of the dynamic human resource environment in today's workplace," says Peno.
Suggesting that the term "human relations" is becoming dated, and perhaps too narrow for the current direction of the team,. Peno said he may seek to change the team's name to `Human Capital Team,' a much broader and more inclusive term.
Peno said that the change should provide the team with the talent to address and advance programs that will benefit Soldiers and Airmen.
The HRT team structure may also change in the future, said Peno, to one comprised mainly of HR trained personnel who have direct human resources backgrounds.
The team is currently comprised of personnel from various divisions and occupations.

Soldier lives on through Foundation
STOKELY, from page 2
The unit distributed the school supplies along with a sizable donation from Sgt. Nathan Barnes' family and community. Barnes, who also died while serving in the area, served with 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
"Stokely's dad is just a tremendous individual," Starz said. "Mr. Stokely knew how much his son loved the children in the area that he worked with because the sergeant always sent home pictures of himself with kids.
"He thought a lasting tribute to his son would be to do something for the children of the area," Starz continued. "That's just remarkable."
The foundation and the Barnes family donated a lot of stuff, said Hughes, Ark., native Staff Sgt. James Robinson, platoon sergeant for Company C's 3rd Platoon. "It's like the packages just wouldn't stop ... I know a lot of kids in the neighborhood appreciated that," he added.
Teachers received materials as well. Unlike the children, who were happy to get the gifts without asking who they come from, the teachers wanted to know who to thank. They could barely believe their ears when he told them, Starz said.
"They said it's almost too much to imagine," he said. "All the teachers wanted a copy of sergeant Stokely's picture, and they wanted the foundation's name so they could frame it and put it up in their school.
"They say it's something the Quran teaches `The forgiveness of your enemies.' But it's so hard to do ... that it's never actually seen."
Changing Iraqi opinion about Americans is important to winning in insurgent warfare, said Starz. When folks in the States, like the Stokely family, donate materials, it positively impact the abilities of ground forces, he said.
"People send us care packages and things like that and that's fantastic but this is directly relating to our ability to accomplish our mission." Starz said. "It's almost the modern `Rosie the Riveter' type of thing. You're not going to the factories and working, but you're doing something to enable and provide another tool for the combat Soldier on the ground."

12 The First Friday Briefing

Guard, Shriners look to possible partnership

GREENVILLE, S.C. Georgia Guardsmen wounded in action, and other wounded veterans may be able to take advantage of additional rehabilitation help thanks to the Shriners and other civic organizations.
Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant General, and Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, commanding general, Georgia Army Guard visited the Shiners Children's Hospital, April 22, 2008, in Greenville, S.C., to explore an the possibility of a partnering with the civic organization to help wounded combat veterans.
The Shriners, an organization with a worldwide reputation for helping children through a system of twenty-two privately-funded pediatric hospitals would provide out-patient services for wounded veterans.
"The proposed rehabilitation services we have in mind for Georgia Guardsmen," said Roger Wise, National Ambassador, who joined Nesbitt and Britt on the trip, "will be much the same as we provide for our children and the benefits to Guardsman would be convenient, come up for the day, undergo necessary rehabilitation treatments, and return to sleep in their own bed at night."
"I am impressed by the hundreds of children who are helped each year through the vast network of Shrine Hospitals and the generosity of countless Shrine organizations throughout the country," said Nesbitt.
The Greenville hospital was selected because of its recognition as a

leader for "research into mo-

tion" studies and orthopedic

diagnostic care. A staff of

trained technicians and doc-

tors develop prosthetic limbs

using the latest technology

and materials and therapeu-

tic care. While acknowledg-

ing that Georgia Guardsmen

needing prosthetics is "for-

tunately very small," Britt

emphasized that "that there

are benefits for Guardsmen

here."

Hospital administrator,

Gary Fraley, looked be-

yond the physical needs of

Guardsmen, saying "In ad-

ditional to the medical ben-

efits, I see important psycho-

Photo by Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski
Edward Skewes, Director of Prosthetics and Or-

logical benefit as well." Recently, the Atlanta
Yaarab Headquarters ap-

thotics for the Shrine Hospital in Greenville, demonstrates to Maj. Gen. Nesbitt procedures used to create a well-fitting prosthesis for children.

proached the Georgia Na-

"We can do everything for the

tional Guard with the idea of making Soldier that the VA can do, and with-

their state-of-the-art pediatric hospitals out any federal funds or insurance

and rehabilitation services available to companies," said Lou Gaylor, Po-

Georgia National Guardsmen who have tentate of the Atlanta Yaarab Head-

suffered injuries or have lost limbs in quarters. Most wounded veterans

combat.

currently spend months away from

Particulars of a unique arrangement home in rehabilitation therapy at

between the Shrine Greenville Pediat- Army hospitals like Walter Reed, in

ric Hospital and the Georgia Guard are Bethesda, Md., and Fort Sam Hous-

still in the developmental stage, but the ton, in Texas.

new partnership offers an attractive op-

Nesbitt and Britt joined Atlanta

tion for wounded Georgia Guardsmen. Shriners Wise, Gaylor, Costas Sou-

If adopted and successful, similar part- lakos, editor, The Basharat, and

nerships may be established wherever Committee members Harlyn Lund

there is a Shrine Children's hospital and Steve Walker on the fact-finding

throughout the United States.

visit.

SDF, Aviation celebrate partnership, promotions

SDF, from page 10
Enlisted GSDF soldiers Robert Hoffman, Boyd Cox and Chris Lindquist were promoted to Private First Class. Officers Susan Schuetrumpf, Katherine Salone, Mario Cesar and Bill Skeean were promoted to first lieutenant.
Colonel Noel Bambrough, commander of the 911th said that augmenting the Ga. National Guard is a force multiplier. "It is a core part of our mission. We are very

pleased with the results of our integrated drilling and look forward to further strengthening our relationship with 78 ATC and other Guard units," he said.
The 78 Aviation Troop Command is the headquarters for all Army Guard aviation assets in the state of Georgia. It is comprised of several units, all which have either been deployed, are currently deployed, or are preparing for a deployment in the Global War On Terror.

The First Friday Briefing 13