First Friday briefing [Sept. 5, 2008]

Online at www.dod.state.ga.us
"Train Hard. Fight Easy."

September 2008
2 News Briefs
The latest in Guard news at a glance. Full stories available on the DoD website and the online breifing.

4 Annual Enlisted Conference
National Guard enlisted association officials lauded the numbers attending mid-August's annual conference in Savannah as the largest in that organization's history.

7 118th Field Artillary heads to Scotland
48th IBCT Soldiers prepare for a two week training exercise in Scotland. The group with work with Scotish military on infantry tactics and weapons familiarizaion.

Photo by Sgt. Tracy Smith
Weapons familiarization and infantry tactics were a part of the day-to-day training during the mission to Devon, England in 2007. Here a 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldier with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry works with a British Army weapons instruction to master the 5.56mm SA-80 rifle. The 188th Field Artillary left Friday, August 5 to speend two weeks in Scotland for this annual exercise.
Complete coverage, page7

12 48th IBCT in Georgia
Members of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are using exercise Patriot '08 to prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The National Guardsponsored training exercise has brought together Army and Air National Guard elements, active duty and reserve units, and Canadian, British and Dutch forces.

News Briefs: the latest news at a glance

Photo by Amanda Kenny
Guard, SDF learn dignitary protection techniques
Marietta, Ga. -- National Guard Soldiers and State Defense Force personnel were taught the finer points of protecting and escorting a dignitary in multiple situations during a training course in mid-August at Naval Air station-Atlanta.
The National Guard collaborated with Law Enforcement Consultants, an organization focused on training and consulting law enforcement and government agencies on dignitary protection. The curriculum included topics ranging from dress and appearance to the history of assassination.

A family welcomes home a deployed 116th Air Control Wing member. The wing received the 2007 Outstanding Family Readiness and Support award for programs aimed at supporting 116th families.
Full stories for all news breifs can be found on the Georgia Department of Defense website at http://www.dod.state.ga.us/
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

Historian/Editor Dr. Beryl Diamond

Managing Editor Amanda Kenny

Assistant Editor Sergeant 1st Class Roy Henry

Contributed photo
Sergeant 1st Class Deidre Perry accepts a check on behalf of the Army Aviation Support Facility at Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah from Lt. Col. Vernon Atkinson, HAAF commander. Perry wrote the winning essay on recycling, and how AASF 3 participates in the Hunter Army Airfield Recycling Program. The award was given after a thorough inspection from Installation Recycling Program Directors.

National Guard Correspondents 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Unit Public Affairs Officers and Reprsentatives Georgia Air National Guard Public Affairs Representatives
Send comments, suggestions, articles photo or contributions to:
The First Friday doc@ga.ngb.army.mil

2 The First Friday Briefing

Family Support Foundation News

6th Annual Top Gun motorcycle ride for children

The Georgia National Guard

Family Support Foundation

was selected as the military

support organization to receive

funds from the 6th Annual

Top Gun Ride for Children

sponsored by The Center for

Children and Young Adults in

Marietta, Ga.

In August, the Center pre-

sented a generous check to the Foundation in the amount of $6,337.70. This is the second year that the Foundation

Worley, Committee Chairman for the Top Gun Ride for Children, presents a check to Col Jay Peno, Foundation President, at The Center for Children and Young Adults in Marietta, Ga.

has been the recipient of this

event.

who were able to participate in this fun

The Center provides facilities and and worthwhile event.

support programs for abused, neglected The 6th Annual Top Gun Ride for

and abandoned children in the Metro- Children was held in Kennesaw, Ga.,

politan area of Atlanta.

on April 19, 2008. The Cobb County

The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) orga- Police Motorcycle Unit led the ride

nization and provides statewide emer- through a one hour escorted tour of

gency relief assistance to members Kennesaw before arriving at the main

and families of the Georgia National gates of McCollum Field to the Flight-

Guard.

works hangar.

Both organizations depend on pri- The GA National Guard provided a

vate and public donations for support UH-1 Huey Helicopter as a static dis-

and extend heartfelt appreciation to all play at the Flightworks hangar.

Savannah Armed Forces Festival on River Street Benefits Ga NGF
Command Chief Master Sergeant the activities and man booths selling Steve Thornton, 165th Airlift Wing, bottled water, snow cones, pop corn and presents a check for $4000 to Foun- soft drinks. They benefit from sales by dation Board Member Frank Baker. the crafters and other vendors as well. These funds were the results of the It is a great event and the Foundation Sixth Annual Armed Forces Memorial extends our sincere appreciation to all Day Festival on River Street, put on involved for their continuing support! by the 165th Airlift Wing and the City of Savannah, on May 24-25, 2008.
For the past six years the Wing has taken the Memorial Day weekend as a major fund raising project. The Festival includes music, crafters, food and beverage sales, and military demonstrations. Members of the unit, as well as family members and retirees coordinate all of

The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, INC. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1994 to provide emergency relief assistance during times of financial crisis to the members and families of the Georgia National Guard, our State's reservists and qualified active duty service members in the State of Georgia. The Foundation, although not a military organization, is recognized as an official support organization of the Georgia National Guard.
In November 2005, Georgia Chamber President & CEO, George Israel, announced with David Ratcliffe, Chairman, President & CEO, Southern Company, and 2005 Chair of the Georgia Chamber, Governor Sonny Perdue's initiative to raise ONE million dollars to support Georgiabased troops and their families through the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation.
Through the generous support of donors, both large and small, the Foundation was able to reach that goal by the end of 2006. We received $1 in cash in an unmarked envelope as well as a $100,000.00 check with an Atlanta Journal donation coupon.
As a result of these contributions, we have been able to help hundreds of families, both traditional and deployed soldiers and airmen, with emergency relief assistance. In 2006, we were able to provide over $252,000.00 in financial aid. In 2007, that amount was increased to over $25,000.00 and our projections for 2008 are about $400,000.00.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO DO MORE.
www.georgiaguardfamily.org
The First Friday Briefing 3

Annual enlisted conference leaves

mark on Savannah, Guardsmen

By Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry

The association had expected around dors with booths at that city's conven-

124th MPAD

1,700 people to register for this year's tion center, Hagan said. This year the

SAVANNAH With the opening of conference, said Hagan, a retired Mon- exhibitors number about 140.

the 2008 Enlisted Association of the tana Air National Guard chief master "That's a 25 percent increase over

National Guard of the United States sergeant. By Saturday, Aug. 16, that the previous year, Hagan said. "The na-

conference in mid-August in this his- many had already registered online, tional committee is quite surprised, and

toric city's trade and convention center, and they continued to come in. As of pleased, that so many vendors chose to

officials are touting this as the largest noon today, registrations had exceeded be with us this year."

conference the association has ever the 2,000 mark and were rising.

Other elements contributing to this

hosted.

An exact count won't be known un- year's growth include:

The conference, which runs for four til after the conference ends.

Nearly 400 junior noncommis-

days, officially began Monday, Aug. 18, Hotels along the Savannah River sioned officers participating in EAN-

with a ribbon cutting cer-

GUS professional devel-

emony outside the conven-

opment programs. Only

tion center's main exhibit

225 attended the program

hall. It ends Thursday, Aug.

in Oklahoma.

21, with a banquet recogniz-

Growth in EANGUS

ing the attending states and

membership, which at

territories, and the District

90,000 has doubled.

of Columbia, and an awards

Membership at one time

program in the center's

was around 40,000. Hagan

Chatham Ballroom.

attributed the increase to

"This is without a doubt

the Global War on Terror-

the largest conference

ism and the larger role the

we've ever hosted," said

Guard and Reserve play

Ron Hagan, EANGUS vice president. "It's quite an amazing thing."

Photo by Spc. Adam Dean
Enlisted Soldiers, Airmen, and spouses from across the nation fill the hallway outside the Savannah Trade and Convention Center exhibition hall to register during the first day of the Enlisted As-

in fighting the war. The attraction of
more than 275 command

Command Sgt. Maj. sociation of the National Guard annual conference.

sergeants major and state

James Dennis, co-chair of

adjutants general who've

the Georgia committee and the senior and on the convention center site across come to see whether their Soldier and

enlisted Soldier for the National Guard from historic Bay Street and the Riv- NCO will be chosen Soldier and NCO

Training Center at Fort Stewart near erwalk show that, with so many folks of the Year and named as the confer-

Hinesville, said he and the committee attending the conference, more than ence's Best Warrior.

hope they had a hand in the success the 5,400 room nights have been booked Hagan said the national committee

conference has had so far.

for the week, Hagan said.

hopes the growth that's taken place

"You can be sure the city and its gra- "It came to the point that the three continues, and rolls over into next

cious people, the convention center and hotels we're using were so full that we year's conference in Rochester, Minn.

staffed played a very important part had to pick up seven more to handle the "What all this tells us is that more

in making this conference a success," overflow...that's certainly a good thing, folks within the National Guard and

Dennis added. "Most certainly the sup- a great thing to have happen, not just Washington are that much more aware

port of the 100-plus Georgia Army for us, but for Savannah," he added. of the needs of our Soldiers and Airmen,

and Air Guardsmen and Georgia State The number of exhibitors, who at- their families and our Guard veteran,"

Defense Force personnel has played a tended and put everything from edu- she added. "it's through such growth

huge role in that."

cation and training opportunities to and participation that our organization

Dennis said he's quite proud of that the newest tactical gear and logisti- can better work for keeping the benefits

support and the professionalism the cal equipment on display, has also in- Guardsmen now have, and moving for-

Georgia Guard and State Defense Force creased. During the 2007 conference ward toward obtaining new and better

continue to show.

in Oklahoma City, there were 124 ven- benefits for everyone."

4 The First Friday Briefing

Area training center a hi-tech `Top Gun'
By Pamela E. Walck
Military Editor
Savannah Morning News

In the movie "Top Gun," Maverick and Iceman had

to watch amber-dotted bogeys during debriefing ses-

sions after heart-stopping training exercises.

Up until recently, U.S. military technology wasn't

too far advanced from those 1986 movie days.

Not so any more - at least not on this side of the

Mississippi.

With the infusion of some $13.4 million in new

technology, unveiled during a special cable-cutting

ceremony Tuesday at the Georgia Air National Guard's

Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, those

amber images are a thing of the past.

(l-to-r) Congressman Jack Kingston of Savannah joins Maj. Gen.

Instead, trainers can review or watch live exercises (ret.) Wick Searcy, former commander of the Georgia Air National

in multiple formats using the new P5 Combat Training System and LINK 16, a network of computers that read information from civilian and military aircraft alike. The information can be compiled into a three-

Guard; Maj. Gen. (ret.) William P. Bland, former Adjutant General of Georgia; and Col. Floyd Harbin, commander of the Combat Readiness Training Center in cutting a symbolic cable to debut several high tech improvements to Georgia's Townsend Bombing Range.

dimensional format from Wilmington, N.C., to Titus-

ly - using satellite links - with pilots in Texas before hitting

ville, Fla. - and all points in between.

the "sandbox."

Maj. Chris Rachael, the Savannah center's operational "When you hear a familiar voice on the radio in bad-guy

flight commander, demonstrated the systems' high-tech ca- land, it is such a comfort," Williams said, "especially if that

pacities Tuesday to an audience of military brass and gov- person understands how you fly ... or (because of training)

ernment officials.

you know what to expect of them when things get crazy."

Better than `Top Gun'

Multi-tasking technology

There's the old-school "Space Invaders" version - with Similarly, the technology transcends military branches.

pink, blue, yellow and green planes representing everything Marine pilots based in Beaufort, S.C., already tap into the

from friendly aircraft to enemy aviators, called bogeys.

system.

Or the "stadium setting" view, with its 3-D images of the Moreover, Rachael said that going forward, the Army

planes in flight that rivals the high-definition of the latest also could utilize the technology during training exercises

PlayStation 3 game.

at nearby Fort Stewart. For example, the technology could

There's the "God's eye view" of the battlefield, including assist Apache or Black Hawk helicopter pilots working with

dimensional land typography.

ground troops.

With the flip of a switch, the view changes to inside the "The possibilities are endless," Rachael said.

cockpit, seeing move-for-move what any given pilot can see U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., who attended the ribbon-

in the heat of the moment.

cutting, said earmarking money for the center has been a

And that's just the beginning.

worthwhile effort.

"It's the same as `Top Gun' technology, only better," said "Everyone wants us to stop using earmarks because they

Col. Scott Williams, commander of the 169th Fighter Wing say it's pork," Kingston said. "But this is not pork."

based at McEntire Air National Guard Base outside Colum- Kingston praised U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., who has

bia, S.C. "We are way ahead of the rest of the Air Force. And been instrumental in gaining defense funds for additional

from our point of view, it's long overdue."

dormitories at the installation as well.

Williams said that until the Department of Defense started "Look at your numbers: 62,000 visitors over the last four

funding this technology, Air National Guard pilots across the years and 10,000 missions," Kingston said. "This is good for

nation were training on dated programs for combat in high- all of us.

tech war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

"(CRTC) has grown to become a major part of the Depart-

Because of the new high-tech equipment, Williams said, ment of Defense's picture, and it's right here in our back-

his men can utilize the nearby Townsend Bombing Range, yard."

communicate through the Savannah center, and work direct-

The First Friday Briefing 5

GWOT milestone reached in aircraft named for 9/11

by Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin

tify areas on which unmanned aerial ve- the contractors that helped us keep the

379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Office

hicles should focus. Because what they planes going. It takes a large component provide is so important to units on the of maintenance folks on the ground to

Southwest Asia -- A unit deployed ground, the aircraft normally includes keep these planes fixed."

from the 116th Air Control Wing at three Army crewmembers.

The colonel said the airplanes are 40

Robins Air Force Base, Ga. recently "I'm very proud to be a part of this years old and require regular mainte-

reached 40,000 flight hours in support because I know how important this nance, especially on the engines. The

of the Global War on Terror fittingly in platform is to the theater," said Army aircraft flown for the milestone mission

an aircraft named for the attacks which Lt. Col. Darryl Verrett, deputy mission had been used as a civilian passenger

began the war. The 7th Expeditionary crew commander for the flight. "To be plane for 15 years when the Air Force

Air Command and Control Squadron here for this milestone is a very proud purchased it in 1982. It was used as

reached the milestone Sept. 2 in E-8C moment for everyone who is a flyer." an Advanced Range Instrumentation

Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar The Army colonel said he has logged Aircraft until being reconfigured as a

System aircraft 02-9111.

more than 600 hours with the Air Force JSTARS after 9/11 and renamed for the

"It's a pretty big event," said Lt. supporting the mission in the AOR.

event.

Col. William Gould, 7 EACCS com- "Working hand-in-hand with the Air "This jet would never get off the

mander. "It has taken us quite a while Force is very special," said the El Paso ground without the hard work of all our

to get to this. We've been here since the , Texas , native. "You

people," said Staff Sgt.

beginning of the GWOT flying these develop a great appreci-

Frank Grimm, an air-

missions and supporting the folks on ation for your sister ser-

craft electrician from

the ground." The unit provides air-to- vice members once you

Millersport , Ohio . "I

ground surveillance to theater ground see them hard at work.

think we do a good job.

and air component commanders. The You understand exactly

I think the numbers

milestone capped more than 3,650 mis- what they bring to the

speak for themselves."

sions for the unit whose service here fight."

Senior Airman

started just two months after 9/11.

Members of the

Mike Albreti, another

"The Army depends on us for ground Georgia Air National

crew chief with the

coverage so it's very important to me Guard are also part of

unit called the aircraft

to know we've been supporting them that fight.

maintenance friendly.

for 40,000 hours," said Capt. Karen "I've been in the

"I think the aircraft

Everman, a surveillance officer from Georgia Air National

works great, flies great

Syracuse , N.Y. , who was part of the Guard for 23 years," crew on the milestone mission. "I was said Tech. Sgt. Eli

and is really easy to
Photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II
work on," said the Tur-

at Robins the day this aircraft was de- Lines, crew chief assigned to the 379th lock , Calif. , native. "I really like the

livered and I actually flew on its first Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance mission of these aircraft. It gives me a

mission there. It's kind of like a home Squadron. "To deploy with this unit quick thrill knowing I'm doing some-

coming to fly such a significant mission and meet this milestone is for me per- thing important. This is not practice.

on this jet."

sonally a big event because I'm helping This is real life. Knowing that and hav-

The milestone marks years of unique another country gain their freedom by ing the aircraft go up and do its mission

support to the area of operations.

coming over here and crewing a jet al- makes you feel good."

"We actually bring a huge menu of lowing the unit to fight the fight."

From maintainers to flight and mis-

capabilities," said Colonel Gould. "We The Marietta , Ga. , native said he sion crews the unit has come together

are the only platform in the world that was passionate about helping the unit to make its 40,000 hour contribution to

provides wide-area surveillance for accomplish each and every mission. the GWOT, according to Colonel Ver-

ground moving target indication. Also, That attitude among maintainers has rett.

we have a huge suite of battle manage- helped the unit maintain a 99.6 per- "It makes you realize that we, as a

ment specialists who can control other cent launch rate throughout the 40,000 unit, have put in a lot of work for a long

aircraft if we need to, move around the hours.

time," he said. "It's taken years to reach

battlespace, support [troops in contact], "I attribute this success to the hard this milestone. It makes you proud that

or support a downed aircraft if neces- work of the maintainers on the ground you can put in your part. When you

sary."

and the aircrew flying it," said Colonel look at the big picture, you can see that

The Charlotte , N.C. , native said the Gould. "It was definitely a group effort everybody has pulled together to get to

JSTARS can provide data to help iden- and it includes Northrop Grumman, this milestone."

6 The First Friday Briefing

Citizen Soldiers partner with British
Territorial Army reservist in Scotland
By Sgt. Tracy Smith 48th IBCT PAO

ATLANTA, Georgia

With the 48th Infantry Bri-

gade Combat Team's upcom-

ing Afghanistan mission in the

`crosshairs' of the Volunteers

next deployment, going down-

range means taking to the hills

in preparation.

Headquarters and Head-

quarters Battery, 118th Field

Artillery in Savannah will train

alongside the British Army's

4th Battalion, The Yorkshire

Regiment, for two-weeks in

Barry Buddon, Scotland. The

mission is an extension of the

on-going reciprocal UK-US

infantry training partnership.

Elements of the 4 Yorks Terri-

torial Army, British Army Na-

tional Guard component, were

hosted by the 48th IBCT during the multi-national, multireserve force-in-readiness Exercise Patriot '08 in July.
The Regiment, whose his-

Photo by Sgt. Tracy Smith
48th IBCT (L) Soldiers prepare to fly-out to a British `bivvy' camp courtesy of the Royal Navy in Devon, England 2007. This year, HHB, 118th FA Soldiers will train in Barry Buddon, Scotland with the British 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment as an extension of the ongoing reciprocal UK-US training partnership in the global war on terror.

tory dates back to 1751 as the

tions in Afghanistan. The 2,300 acre Barry Buddon training

Georgia Militia in the District of Savannah, focus will be to facility, spans the East coast, and is one of the British Forces

"train for the race" according to the British Ministry of De- finest infantry training centers. It also boasts the largest rifle

fence, Regimental Sergeant Major of Infantry (RSM), Harry range complex with 20 varying range scenarios. This range

French.

circuit will challenge the company as they familiarize with

"Fundamentally the advantage of our training to the 48th the British Army's 5.56mm SA-80 rifle and enhance indi-

Brigade Soldier, as it relates to this Territorial Army/Reserve vidual and team confidence with high intensity qualification

piece, is the (British) Army have a more adaptive concept of in individual and team live-fire sequences.

training for THE War, whether it is in Iraq or Afghanistan," The affirming of camaraderie is what Captain Kevin M.

explains WO1 French who is familiar with the Lightning Nicklay, commanding officer for HHB, 118th FA, knows

Brigade and its combat tactics. As the RSM for the Kings will be invaluable as the deployment date nears.

Own Border Regiment in 2005, he and his Soldiers arrived "Motivation and comprehension is the key to driving

in An Nasiriyah at the same time as 48th IBCT. "Of greater our mission with our coalition partners," Captain Kevin M.

significance is the ability to do training that allows the indi- Nicklay, HHB, 118th FA company commander said. "My

vidual (combat) flexibility in making snap decisions during expectations, as it relates to our Soldiers' preparedness, re-

those crucial moments and give the Soldier an edge in adapt- main consistent. We realize this (mission in Afghanistan)

ing to the environment."

requires our being constant in the approach to staying in-

While this concept will allow the Soldier, British or step with the physical and mental preparedness to continue

American, autonomy when it counts the environmental and to win. Our job, for the next two weeks, is specifically to

atmospheric aspects of the training may be the most daunting learn their tactics and share ours so that once we are down

as the variable temperatures and terrain are similar to condi- range we move as one unit."

The First Friday Briefing 7

JSTARS trains with 961st AACS

by Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon

18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AB, Japan -- The 16th Expe-

ditionary Airborne Command and Control

Squadron from Robins Air Force Base, Ga.,

deployed to Kadena Air Base for 30 days

to train with the 961st Airborne Air Control

Squadron and participate in an operational

readiness exercise on the Korean Peninsula.

The unit is flying its E-8C Joint Surveil-

lance Target Attack Radar System aircraft

alongside the E-3 Airborne Warning and

Control System, operated by the 961s Air-

borne Air Control Squadron here.

"We have a great opportunity to share tactics and training opportunities with the 961st AACS as we fly together over the Republic of Korea during the ORE," said Lt. Col. Doug-

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
The weapon's section of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar Sys-
tem aircraft voices targeted information to the fighter and bomber aircraft
during their exercises in the Korean Peninsula area July 29.

las Kugler, 16th EACCS detachment commander.

on the ground situation as fighter aircraft launch sorties. The

The E-8C is a Command and Control, Intelligence, Sur- E-8C crew will pass critical ground data to the E-3 Sentry

veillance and Reconnaissance asset that provides ground crew and other units like common ground stations from the

surveillance data to ground and air commanders in a theater Army's 2nd Infantry Division and the 3rd Marine Expedi-

of operations.

tionary Force. In turn, the AWACS will share the air picture,

"The Joint STARS aircraft contributes in a lot of ways; enhancing situational awareness for JSTARS crews.

from developing targets of opportunity for attack operations, AWACS and JSTARS crews coordinate with friendly

to supporting personnel recovery operations," said Colonel aircraft to expedite identification of targets of opportunity.

Kugler. "We use a crew normally consisting of 21 Air Force Training opportunities available during this visit offer both

and Army personnel to detect, track, report and target enemy units a chance to improve critical coordination skills and re-

ground movement while employing various radar modes, duce the amount of time it takes to coordinate air-to-ground

computer subsystems and an extensive communications targets.

suite."

"When you start putting these two pictures together,

While training in this exercise, JSTARS will train its eyes

See JSTARS, page

Fourteen Air Guardsmen Return from Deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan

Fourteen members of the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron (JCSS) of the Georgia Air National Guard returned home to Brunswick, GA on August 27, 2008 completing a 105-day deployment in support of OIF/ OEF. The team deployed with the 2d Joint Communications Squadron (JCS) of the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), MacDill AFB, Fla., to locations in Qatar, Iraq and Afghanistan providing communications for Combatant Commanders of the Joint Coalition Forces.
The team of communications technicians were responsible for operating and maintaining secure and non-secure voice, data and video communications

equipment. Leuitentant Col. Nazimiec, 224
JCSS Commander, received a letter from General David H. Petraeus, Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq specifically recognizing Master Sgt. Ricky Dickens, of Deleon Springs, Fla., Staff Sgt. Jesse Widvey, of Aiken, S.C., and Senior Airman Anthoney Anders, of Woodbine, Ga., of the 224 JCSS for their outstanding professionalism and performance for providing communications and audio/ visual support for the

"Friends of Iraq Conference." Recognizing these Guardsmen, Lt.
Col. Debra Nazimiec said, "This is just one example of the many outstanding achievements made by these dedicated outstanding Airman while deployed in support of coalition forces.

8 The First Friday Briefing

FRG Volunteers honored at 2008 conference

By Sgt. Tracy J. Smith

Nesbit said. "Each day we give more

48th IBCT (L) PAO

of ourselves than we thought we could

ATLANTA, Georgia- Family Read- and provide ways to bring our families

iness Group volunteers were honored and our armories closer."

for giving `the time of their lives' at Heather Williams, a student at the

the 2008 conference. The Crown Plaza University of Georgia, who now calls

Ravinia was an elegant environment to Liberty, Ga. home, has lived the mili-

educate volunteers and unit leadership tary deployment experience. The old-

on programs, literature and resources est of five children she has had to be all

for preparedness during the two day things to her family during separation

event.

and, as a child, began to take on more

In its mission statement the Georgia responsibility at home helping her mom

National Guard FRG handbook outlines as her father was called on numerous

the program's primary responsibility deployments. When she joined the 4-H

to the families of Citizen-Soldiers and co-operative in the 10th grade she dis-

Airmen is promoting `healthy National covered alternatives to the stresses that

Guard families...during both deploy- come with what she deemed `the job.'

ment and peacetime through education, "It was overwhelming at first," outreach services and partnerships....' Heather somberly shared with the audi-

Photo by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith

Partnerships define the sustainment of ence. "There's a lot of waiting...and dinner, the Georgia FRG recognized all

FRG for Georgia focusing beyond the there's a lot of anxiety."

volunteers and named its 2008 volun-

normal scope of the words meaning.

When she learned of the Liberty teer of the year.

Addressing the crowd of volunteers County's local 4-H program, Opera- When his son, Sgt. Michael Stoke-

and their spouses, military leaders and tion: Military Kids, she was able to ly, was killed in August 2005, Rob-

supporting sponsors, the Georgia Na- manage the anxious moments and help ert Stokely never imagined he would

tional Guard Adjutant, Major General her siblings.

be where he was today. He consid-

Terry Nesbitt, thanked attendees for "The 4-H (military program) helped ers himself a humble man who wants

giving of themselves, embodying the me learn how to cope with things bet- to do `right by people.' When he was

mission of the organization and for ter," she said. "And it helped me help asked to be the FRG coordinator for

making the program work.

my mom... prepare my mom, especial- the Company B, 2nd Battalion, 121st

"You understand the military and the ly now that I'm not there."

Infantry Regiment he didn't think he

mission because you have been there. Penny Schneider and Kim Schroed- could make a difference. After all, no

We look out for each other and em- er understood the anxiousness Heather one really knew who he was, nor did

phasize the WE by working together," described.

he have family except for his `kindred

Both have held the title as FRG brethren' who embraced him when

president for Company B, `Black- his son was killed on the battlefield of

sheep,' 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Mahmudiyah, Iraq. It was his son that

Regiment. Penny during the 48th made the final decision for him to take

Infantry Brigade Combat Team's de- on `the job.'

ployment in 2005 and Kim, as the A foundation, organized in his son's

current president, will take the lead honor recently delivered school sup-

during the brigade's Afghanistan de- plies to a small school in the village

ployment.

where Sgt. Stokely was killed. The

"When he, (Penny's husband, Sgt. leaders of the school were so moved

Peter Schneider), left for Iraq the first by the Stokely families kindness that

three weeks felt like three years," Pen- that requested a photo to hang in the

ny explained. "Heading a FRG pro- school.

gram isn't easy but it definitely helps "My son, Mike didn't know a strang-

as an outlet for those times you want er," Stokely explained. "I am living

to wallow and feel sorry for yourself. each day to live up to his standards

The time clock doesn't tick as slowly and want to make sure the picture on

when you have your hands full."

the wall at that school in Iraq will be

Photo by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith

Culminating with a formal awards looked at with pride and purpose."

The First Friday Briefing 9

JSTARS, from page 8
you get a lot of situational awareness of enemy activity for faster operational and tactical level decisions," said Colonel Kugler.
Senior Master Sgt. James Reid, 16th EACCS senior director technician said the information taken from both platforms enables commanders on the ground to make real-time decisions based on realtime data.
The crew aboard JSTARS consists of members from the activeduty Air Force, the Air National Guard as well as the U.S. Army. The 116th Air Control Wing at Robins AFB is the sole unit operating JSTARS with a total of 17 operational aircraft providing worldwide support to combatant commanders.
"Though we [both units] have unique missions, it's the synergistic effect of combining the assets that makes the impact in the battle space," said Sergeant Reid.

This Month in Georgia GuardHistory
September 1950 Members of the 121st Infantry honored their former commander, Brig. Gen. John W. Barnett with a testimonial dinner. Presiding was Col. Roy W. Hogan, current commander of the unit. Mrs. Barnett summed up the evening by telling the assembled guests: "I pray God you may never have to go on the battlefield again, but my prayers and best wishes go with you and the 121st always."
September 1953 The Georgia Air Guard's senior Air Instructor Col. Philip A. Sykes, gave what one Georgia Guardsman magazine writer called "a thought-provoking" speech to annual meeting of the National Guard Association of Georgia. Sykes' address emphasized the new importance the minute man. During his address, the Colonel stressed that "The Air National Guard must be prepared to step between an aggressor and the brightly-lighted cities of America, and do it on the hour. To discharge this responsibility, each Air National Guard unit must bring itself to the minute man standard, ready for instant, effective counter-air action."
September 1954 Georgia Army Guardsmen moved into Eatonton and began the task of piping water to the drought-stricken city's reservoir, which has been dangerously low during the summer. Some 29 Guardsmen of Atlanta's 201st Ordnance Company were deployed and quickly began laying 1300 feet of pipe between the reservoir and a pond 2 miles away. Once a 1500 gallon per minute pump was installed, normal water service was restored within 25 hours.

Soldiers make history in record time

By Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO
VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, Tblisi, Republic of Georgia In the Georgia Army National Guard training schedules are tight. The annual two week horse-blanket, an age-old infantry term used for the unit's training schedule, turns into the proverbial coat-of-many-colors as the required training elements are annotated and punctuated in vivid and pronounced time sequences. There is no question what has to be done when critical lifesaving certifications are on the schedule in preparation for deployment.
"We have certified 110 Soldiers through the crucial paces of combat life saver training in four days," Sergeant Gery Pollack, a combat medic with 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team said. His pride is unmistakable as he visually scans his un-air-conditioned classroom.
Recognizing the significance of this achievement takes a more impressive posture when you realize the instructors could not comprehensively communicate with the students.
"At first it was an issue with that many Georgian Soldiers," Pollack recalls. "It was a little overwhelming."
His smirk only punctuates the determination he and the

other 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (L) Volunteers have in giving the Republic of Georgia Warriors the best possible training.
See CLS, page 16
Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith
It is a history making first for the 48th IBCT (L) Warriors and their fellow Global War on Terror partners as well as a record breaker. Sgt. Gery Pollock and his team trained and certified 110 Soldiers in four days as combat lifesavers!

10 The First Friday Briefing

Chaplain HOOAH By Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO

SETAF Chaplain takes the message to the field training] with them and am beside them in battle and will

VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, A minister for more than 31 years,

be with them in the hospi-

Tbilisi, Georgia- An hour drive from endorsed by the United Method- tal when they need me," he explains.

the Vaziani Military Base in the coun- ist Church, he originally came to the This last thought temporarily erases the

try of Georgia a group of Soldiers take United States Army thinking he would smile from his face as if an unpleasant

a break from training for a Sunday serve for only three years yet, "22 years memory has come to mind. "Most im-

worship service in the field. The small later I'm still here," Smith says.

portant, I pray with them."

pewter cross set carefully atop a box of Smith decided early on to make a Half a world away from the 48th

MREs gets a lot of attention from the commitment to those he was charged Infantry Brigade Combat Team Sol-

Georgian soldiers embedded with the to serve, including doing what they do diers' home of Georgia, (that would be

48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's and being where they are. "What kind the one in the United States), he finds

Company E, 148th Brigade Support of witness would I be if I weren't en- his smile and opens his arms to invite

Company.

thusiastic and being one they can trust the Soldiers from both Georgias to fel-

Colonel David Smith, the presiding to do what they do and be there when lowship and prayer together in an open

chaplain, says there is a sense of awe they need me?"

field.

when they look at

"Look around

the makeshift altar

you," he offers to

in the middle of this

the small gathering.

mountainous ter-

"This is perfect! Se-

rain. His seemingly

renity with no pews

permanent smile en-

or doors, just moun-

courages the Geor-

tains, clear sky and

gian soldiers to ap-

clean air. HE is won-

proach him, albeit

derful."

tentatively, as he is

Heads nod in

an anomaly to them

agreement as Smith

and he is not versed

continues with a

in their language.

sermon on adversi-

"They don't have

ty. Pointing out the

a chaplaincy in their

makeshift showers,

military," Smith ex-

open air tents, sleep-

plains matter-of-

ing cots and the ever-

factly with a pleas-

present biting flies,

ant aura that draws

scorpions, and snakes

you to listen. "They

he encourages the

came by my altar

Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO National Guardsmen

and crossed them- Chaplain (Colonel) David Smith offers fellowship and prayer to 48th IBCT (L) to be content where

selves and one of these soldiers who knew a little English asked if I was a

Soldiers during field services in Tbilisi, Georgia. The 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment traveled to Georgia to train in Immediate Response 2008 with 1000 American and 1000 multinational forces. Smith is the Command Chaplain for Southern European Task Force.

they are. "Life," Smith be-
gins, "is 10 percent what happens to me

priest because they find it different that Smith has six deployments under his and 90 percent of how I react to it. Your

I wear a cross on my uniform."

belt including two combat tours in Iraq attitude can be a poison if it is negative

Smith has worn that cross for 25 and one in Afghanistan. You might or if you allow yourself to feed on the

years and couldn't imagine doing any- want to call him Chaplain HOOAH negativity of another."

thing else. As the Command Chaplain because there is nowhere he won't go Specialist Charles "Chuck" Westrick,

for the Southern European Task Force, and no one he will deny a comforting a mechanic from Lilburn, Ga., is very

he has a strong sense of presence every ear to.

aware of the need for strength when

commander prays will be part of his "I jump out of planes with them, I faced with adversity.

staff.

eat chow with them, I run [physical

See HOOAH, page169

The First Friday Briefing 11

Combatives benefit Georgians preparing for combat

By Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO

Ultimately; however,

VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, the most dominant pos-

Tbilisi, Georgia- It has been said that ture is with the opponent's

the best offense is a good defense - a initial attack. As physical

theory that applies to Brazilian Jujit- altercations will often end

su, the youngest martial art form. The with the combatants wran-

American military adopted this form of gling on the ground it can

hand-to-hand combat because of this give the Soldier an added

edge.

"Believe it or

"This training in patrolling and combative arms will be very useful as we prepare for our
deployment."

not, being defensive gives you more control," says Staff Sgt. Patrick Sampson,

Lieutenant Zurab Gogishvili Sr., the Company

platoon commander E, 148th Brigade

Georgian Army's 4th Brigade. Support Battalion

food service NCO-

IC. "You can get

principle. At the very least basic hand- the advantage early on and

to-hand techniques called `combatives'- are taught to all Soldiers these days. While here in Vaziani to partici-

disable your opponent with a few simple moves."
Another advantage of

Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO
Second Lt. Christopher Edgecomb, a platoon leader
for Company C, 1-121, 48th IBCT instructs Corporal
Alexko Kheladze, a 4th Brigade Georgian soldier, on

pate in an international military exer- the combatives is that great combative maneuvers training. The hand-to-hand

cise, Georgia Army National Guardsmen are sharing their combative train-

agility is not necessary. The methods and moves

contact maneuver training is part of the multinational exercise Immediate Response 2008

ing with their Georgian counterparts. can be performed even

with the protective equipment Israeli method into this new combat

Soldiers wear for patrols.

form. Their willingness to participate

"The combative maneuver is essential to the overall purpose of the

training has two purposes," 2nd joint training mission.

Lt. Christopher Edgecomb ex- "We will use this in our war fight-

plained. Edgecomb is a platoon ing," said Lieutenant Zurab Gogish-

leader and the course training vili a platoon commander for Georgian

instructor. "The first is to teach Army's 4th Brigade. "This training in

them how to deter the enemy patrolling and combative arms will be

when he comes into arm's reach; very useful as we prepare for our de-

the other is to build confidence ployment. The most important thing is

in their ability to fight the en- that we make friends with America and

emy using their hands and body with our fellow Soldiers."

weight."

Edgecomb has a broader appre-

The Georgia Guardsman find ciation for the training. "Besides the

it easy to make an exchange of straight war fighting ability," Edge-

methods and movements with comb begins, wiping a sheet of per-

their Georgian Army counter- spiration from his face, "the Soldiers

Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO
Specialist Bobby J. Thompson (top), a Georgia
Army National Guard wheeled-vehicle mechan-
ic, engages in basic combative maneuvers. He

parts despite the language barrier. The Georgians have previous training in Israeli hand-to-hand

enjoy it and feel more confident than when they came to the mat. Anytime you see a Soldier with increased con-

is partnered with Warrant Officer Johnny Kel- maneuvers and are willing to in- fidence and drive it always gives you

ley, who works as the unit maintenance technician in Calhoun, Ga.

corporate aspects of the storied

a rush."

12 The First Friday Briefing

Caring for the Children

Georgia Soldiers reach across continents to assist children's home

By Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO

the parents are simply unable to afford to give proper care or there are situations where the children may be in vulnerable.

VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, Tbilisi, Georgia- 48th In- Unlike an orphanage, the parents and relatives still have visi-

fantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers and their Georgian tation and no conditions are placed on when they may visit

Army counterparts reached out to the local community at a with them. The parents or relatives may retrieve the children

local children's home, 20 minutes west of Tbilisi, where the at anytime and are often free to visit with family during the

Soldiers united to improve the lives of children who other- summer months.

wise would have nothing

There are situations where Tsilosani and her very ded-

The coalition partners, participants of the multinational icated staff have had greater concern then is typical for a

exercise Immediate Response 2008 in Tbilisi, Georgia, col- child's well-being.

lected more than $600.00 to purchase a new freezer , toys "I remember a young child who was living on the street,"

and school supplies for the Tskneti Children's Home regu- Tsilonsani recalled, her pale brown eyes welling with tears.

lated by the ministry of Education. They rely heavily on the "We took the child in and he was very withdrawn. After two

contributions of U.S. and Western organizations as well as days he left and went back to where his family lived. The

donations by private individuals.

conditions were not good and the child was working, at age

The visit by the Georgia Army National Guard is not the nine years, to support his family. When I found him he was

first. Six years ago the 878th Engineer Battalion of Augusta, ashamed of where he was and I told him he did not need to

Ga., took a break from their training with the Georgian Army be as what he was doing was honorable but he needed to take

and got to work building an elaborate playground and made care of himself as well. He eventually came back to us."

extensive repairs to the offices

Often children in vulnerable

and grounds infrastructure.

situations romanticize about re-

"We have an excellent re-

unions with family and are dis-

lationship with organizations

appointed when the situation is

throughout (the state of) Geor-

not what they desire.

gia," said Manana Tsilosani,

Sergeant Joe Bess, a sup-

who has served as director for

ply sergeant with Company E,

the home to some 115 children

148th Brigade Support Battal-

for 16 years. "We receive do-

ion is aware of how complex

nations from various organi-

the children's situation is. She

zations in Atlanta and enjoy

was taken in by family at an

a wonderful relationship with

early age after living in a group

your National Guard Army Sol-

environment for a short while.

diers."

A thoughtful leader, her Sol-

The children entertained the

diers call her `Lady Hooah' be-

visiting Soldiers with tradi-

cause of her tough veneer. Her

tional songs and games. The

vulnerability comes through as

Soldiers found it easy to attach

she recalls being where these

themselves to the children.

children once were.

"How can you deny such a

"I am blessed to never have

lovely child," said Lt. Zurab

had it as rough as they have,"

Gogishvili, a platoon com-

the Bethlehem, Ga. resident

mander with the Georgian Ar-

and Gwinnett County Deputy

my's 4th Brigade. "I hope to

Sheriff said. "You look at their

one day become a father and I

faces and realize that they have

want to continue to help places such as this."
Many of the children that re-

Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO
Sergeants Eric Vance (kneeling) and Joe Bess entertain children during a visit to the Tskneti Children's Home, 20

the same hopes and dreams I had when I was in their little shoes. Something as simple as

side at Tskneti come from single miles west of Tbilisi, in the country of Georgia. The visit a hug makes a world of differ-

parent households. Oftentimes

to the children's home was part of the joint community outreach with their Georgian Army counterparts.

See CHILDREN, page 13

The First Friday Briefing 13

Georgian, U.S. Military celebrate differences

through leadership commonalities

By Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO

Beam. Beam, visiting Immediate Response

United States and Georgian military 2008, complimented his host, Georgia

senior enlisted leaders took time from Army 4th Brigade, Brigade Command

training during Immediate Response Sergeant Giorgi Dzebisashvili for ac-

2008 at Vaziani Military Base in Tbilisi, commodating the American warriors

Georgia to discuss the role of the senior and maintaining vigilance during the

non-commissioned officer and under- Global War on Terror.

stand their respective military cultures. "Much support and sacrifice has

Introductions to the events and dem- been given to make this training suc-

onstration of capabilities for the Non- cessful," Beam, who had only within

Commissioned Officers Day for the days returned from a visit to Iraq, con-

Georgia and U.S. military senior NCOs tinued. "During my visit to the Wasa

were succinct. Their focus and predom- Province I witnessed the determination

inant responsibility as sergeants major, of the Georgian Army. Your Soldiers

first sergeants and advisors to their re- have brought stability to that province

spective commanders was to strengthen of Iraqand helped to stabilize what was

and mentor the junior ranks.

once a fragile infrastructure."

"It is more important than ever to A formal overview of U.S. and Geor-

have a strong Non-commissioned Offi- gian NCO responsibilities focused on

cers Corps," began United States Army the commonalities and also followed

Europe Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph the evolution of senior enlisted leaders'

responsibilities. Once, senior

NCOs were mainly overseers

of logistics and medical evacu-

ations.

Brigade Command Sgt. Dze-

biasashvili acknowledged the

similarities in the structure and

management of the two armies.

"Personnel characteristics emu-

late those of the American mili-

tary. Significant differences are

only in the look of the rank.

The ultimate similarity is that

NCOs must take care of sub-

ordinates and understand their

needs to grow and be success-

ful."

Moving from the classroom

environment to the field, the

leaders received briefings and

observed demonstrations by the

Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO
Georgia Army 4th Brigade, Brigade Command Sergeant Giorgi Dzebisashvili (right) and Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Beam observes maneu-

Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's 1st Battalion, 121st In-

vers and capability demonstrations explained by a 4th Brigade squad during Immediate Response 2008. The visit was part of the country of Georgia and U. S. Non-Commissioned Officers Day.

fantry Regiment. The Soldiers have been training and mentoring their Georgia Army 4th

Brigade counterparts during Immediate Response 2008 and learning a great deal in the way of cultural exchange and in preparation for their respective missions to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A scripted squad formation had Georgian and U.S. squads explaining each individual's responsibilities within the ranks which only differed by native language and weaponry used.
"First of all, the NCO realizes how important his responsibilities are and takes his responsibilities seriously," said Dzebiasashvili, who will be leading his brigade in combat in Iraq. "He knows how he should react in combat and how to take care of his Soldiers."
Corporal Vincent Nelms is a weapons team leader for Blacksheep Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. The Newnan, Ga., resident aspires to be the leader Dzebiasashvili has become. He cites his mentors as his command sergeant major and his 1st Sgt., Patrick `Pappy' Eaton.
Nelms' squad participated in the activities of the day and later rallied his American and Georgian Soldiers to hydrate and `cool down'. "One thing I have learned from my enlisted leaders is your Soldiers get fixed first," Nelms said. Hs uniform is tattered and discolored from days in the dusty Georgian terrain but his focus is evident. "I would do anything for my Command Sgt. Maj. Wilcox and Pappy. They look after the Joes first. I don't think they sleep! They make sure your training is on-point and won't accept anything less because our lives depend on it. I'm going to follow in their footsteps and make sure I do the same for my guys."
Beam describes Soldiers like Nelms; as an extension of the senior enlisted leadership. "The senior sergeant is like the hand and those junior sergeants his fingers. Through them you touch a lot of Soldiers and with him you can be everywhere if you train them properly."

14 The First Friday Briefing

Chaplain takes services to Soldiers
HOOAH, from page 11
His family suffered a tremendous tragedy days prior to the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment's departure from home station. The command aggressively encouraged him to remain home but Westrick was determined to stay with his other family: his 48th IBCT family.
"I talked to my family back home a couple of days ago," Westrick says, visibly moved by the Chaplain's message. "They are fine but I couldn't think of not being where my Soldiers are as we get ready for our next combat mission."
Westrick also reflected on Smith's metaphor of the boiling water that affects change. The carrot begins as rigid and hard, then turns soft; the pliable egg boils and becomes rigid and hard. His own determination was to be coffee, the one element that changed the water that surrounded it.
"That is what we do as Soldiers," Westrick said. "You carry a weapon and fight when your country needs you but you still serve your military and your God and attend church. Your family is all around you. I think it's great that they took the time to come out to the field and share Sunday with us."
Later, Chaplain Smith embraces the moment to add a final thought.
"Look around you. You are with people that want to be here and experience the Presence! As an active duty Chaplain we make no delineations of Marine, Sailor, Airman, Reserve component, National Guard, or Nationality. I find it a privilege to be in this setting with these fine Soldiers."

Raise your hand, repeat after me
48th Infantry Regiment Soldiers re-enlist in the country of Georgia
By Spc. Tracy J. Smith 48th IBCT PAO
VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, Tbilisi, Georgia Guardsmen of 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment reinforced their commitment to duty by a show of hands in the country of Georgia during Immediate Response 2008. Three Soldiers reenlisted before the days training in front of fellow Soldier of the National Guard as well as the Georgian Army.
Sergeant Nicholas Jelks and Specialists Patrick Parris and Armond Parker, all Blacksheep company infantrymen, reaffirmed their dedication to country, mission and their fellow Warriors.
Colonel Lee Durham, commanding officer of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, gave the oath of reenlistment and commented on the privilege celebrate their commitment. "To do what you are doing is personally motivating. I want to congratulate you all on your going beyond the standard," he said
"This occasion exemplifies our mandate of going beyond the call by training to standard and not to time. Raising your hand to give more before your colleagues from both sides of the continent is another point of excellence as we grow the brotherhood with our coalition partners."
Specialist Armond Parker, an infantryman from Covington, Ga., said his training has been tough but worth it. Seeing how much the Georgian Soldiers appreciated what they were doing led to his decision to reaffirm his commitment to be with them.
"We have to do what is necessary to protect our country and our families," said Parker. "I've made a lot of new friends here and realized how much I can depend on the guys in my company. This was the least I could do to make sure they knew I was going to be there with them."
Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO
Colonel Lee Durham (left) 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commanding officer, reenlists Blacksheep Soldiers at Vaziani Military Base in the country of Georgia. (left to right) Blacksheep Company, 1st Bn. 121st Infantry Regiment Soldiers Sgt. Nicholas Jelks, 3rd platoon squad leader of Decatur, Ga., Spc. Patrick Parris, a college student at North Georgia College and State University and .240 gunner, and Spc. Armond Parker of Covington, Ga. recommitted service to country and their fellow Warrior in a field ceremony at Vaziani Military Base, Tbilisi, Georgia before their company and Georgian Soldiers.
The First Friday Briefing 15

CHILDREN, from page 7 -ence and I have been fortunate to discover that even in the absence of family you can build your own and that's what I try to maintain with my unit, my fellow Soldiers and in my community."
Tsilonsani fully embodies that thought and proudly shows her other Georgia family a continent away. The faded photo of the previous Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers visit begins to show its age around the edges. She looks wistful as she gives her thoughts on the days events and hopes will come.
"In our future I hope to show the memories of today to the next Georgia Army visitors and when I do there will be no need for such a place as this," she continues with a thought she wishes not to utter but manages to accept the reality.. "If there is, I know I can depend on you to work with us to make the lives of these children much improved."

CLS, from page 10
Operation Immediate Response '08 is an inter-operability multi-nation training opportunity with our European partners. The three week training schedule in the former Russian state it was clear they were leading by the tenants of the Soldiers Creed; by example and going beyond the task required check-it-off-the-list stage.
Corporal George Kenkishuili, a machine-gunner from the Dusheti region appreciates the serious tone and approach given his training. It was his first time welding a needle to learn to save a life..
"I was very nervous doing this for the first time," he related through the group's interpreter, "during battle if I need to do any of the procedures I have learned today I will be able to help save a Soldier's life. I will be prepared to do it not only in the military but in my civilian life as well."

Georgia Soldiers assist with Democratic National Convention

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and his wife Jill greet Army National Guard troops from Nebraska and Georgia Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 at Invesco Field in Denver. The troops were in Denver to provide medical and rescue assistance to local and national authorities during the convention.

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., is seen reflected in the sunglasses of Army National Guard 1st Lt. Collin Rader, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, as Biden met with Army National Guard troops from Nebraska and Georgia Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 at Invesco Field in Denver. The troops were in Denver to provide medical and rescue assistance to local and national authorities during the Democratic National Convention.

16 The First Friday Briefing