First Friday briefing [Apr. 3, 2009]

FFirrsidt ay Serving the National Guard and State Defense Force of Georgia
48th begins deployments CERF-P trains with region 4 responders Army, Air match up at Philips Arena

April 2009 Online at www.dod.state.ga.us

4 Brigade Soldiers win state NCO, Soldier
competition

4

6 Honoring our Soldiers

7 Ross selected to top NGB post

8 Georgia unit, others enhance disaster
response during Region 4 `integrated' 8 training exercise
9 Guardsman places thrid in Ranger Run

13 12 History 13 Governor lauds Guard at `09 Guard Day

14 Army-Air Guard faceoff at Philips with
14 Hawks

16 Deployment family gude debuts in Statesboro
17 Long road to Afghanistan begins for Georgia's
Soldiers

18 Douglas engineers back from second
18 deployment
21 Georgia's `First Foot' begins journey to
Afghanistan

22 SDF Soldiers train with Army Aviation

21

23 Guard prepares for 2009 Hurricane season

22

First Friday
Commander-In-Chief Gov. Sonny Perdue
Adjutant General of Georgia Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt
Publisher Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kenneth R. Baldowski
Historian/Editor Dr. Beryl Diamond
Managing Editor Amanda Kenny
Assistant Editor Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry
Contributing writers Sgt. Tracy Smith Spc. Adam Dean Spc. Mike Perry
National Guard Correspondents 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office
Unit Public Affairs Officers and Representatives
Georgia Air National Guard Public Affairs Representatives
Send comments, suggestions, articles, photo or contributions
to: The First Friday doc@ga.ngb.army.mil
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.

3
Letter from the Editor A new name...a new look...a greater frequency The Georgia Guardsman is coming First Friday is changing. It's a new look and a new layout and more opportunities to get your unit's stories published. Plus, it will be published more often twice as often as First Friday. Beginning April 17, look for The Georgia Guardsman. For more than half century The Georgia Guardsman brought news and information to Georgia National Guardsmen. It was the official publication for news, stories, features, commentary and much more pertaining to the Georgia Guard and your career in the National Guard. Now a new generation of Georgia Guardsmen will be introduced to this venerable news publication. The 2009 Georgia Guardsman will, unlike its predecessor, be published every two weeks in both electronic and e-mail versions. We will be including more stories and many more photos. We'll also introduce a few new media features, such as embedded audio and video stories. Why is First Friday changing? The answer is simple...to provide more room for more stories and photos from more units and individuals. And here's where you come in. We solicit your stories and pictures, videos and audio files. Two issues a month gives us twice the opportunity to tell the interesting stories of the Georgia National Guard. And, with more space, we can better cover deployments as well as the many other Guard activities throughout the state The Georgia Guardsman will regularly be archived on the Georgia Department of Defense Website at http://www.dod.state.ga.us together with past editions of First Friday. The editor and staff hope you enjoy the new Georgia Guardsman. We welcome your comments and opinions. Please send your letters or comments to doc@ga.ngb.army.mil
Thank you,
Amanda Kenny
Managing Editor amanda.kenny@ga.ngb.army.mil

4

FORT STEWART As Georgia's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team continues its mobilization and train-up for Operation Enduring Freedom, two of its Soldiers have done the Macon-based unit proud

by winning this year's Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year competition held March 19 to 21, 2009, at the Guard Garrison Training Center Command.
For one of them, it's the second time she's participated, and won.
Named the Army Guard NCO and Soldier of the Year for 2009 are Staff Sgt. Heather D. VanKampen of Calhoun and Spc. James V. Bowels of Atlanta. Both were awarded the Georgia Commendation Medal along with NCO and Soldier of the Year

Soldier of the Year
Specialist James Bowels (left) and his mentor, Sgt. Jody Vieau, lead the way during the 5-mile road march out to Charlie Small Arms Range.

Brigade Soldiers win state NCO, Soldier

plaques and statues during ceremonies hosted by the GGTC staff.
Also competing for this year's titles were Sgt. 1st Class Arthur J. Harris and Spc. Justin K. Stowe, 78th Troop Command in Decatur; Staff Sgt. Dennis J. Jones and Spc. Bobby G. Bowlin, 78th Aviation Troop Command in Marietta; Staff Sgt. Jonathan W. Ward and Spc. Andrew T. Francis, 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade in Ellenwood; and Sgt. Sterrenzo D. Cummings, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Columbus.
VanKampen was with Fulton County's 265th Engineer Group now a regional support group, when she took the NCO of the Year title in 2007. Duty and other responsibilities apparently kept her from seeking a second consecutive win last year.
"The NCOs I competed against this time, were just as tough, and just as deserving of the title, as my competitors from two years ago," the intelligence analyst with the 48th's Macon-based Headquarters Company said shortly after the awards ceremony. "And now as then, I appreciate having been chosen, but I also know that anyone of them could have walked away with this."
In the end, VanKampen said, its makes no difference who won, because the other four are just as deserving of the honor as she.
For Bowels, it's the first time he's tried for Soldier of the

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry *Video requires Quicktime to play, click on video to view.*

5

Year. And like VanKampen's competitors, his fellow Soldiers gave him a run for his money, yet he took every opportunity to offer support and encouragement.
"We drove each other intensely to give our very best, but also looked out for one another," said the fire team leader with Lawrenceville's, Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry. "That's what Soldiers do, and I'm proud to have
competition

competed with them and against them."

With the state level behind them, VanKampen

and Bowels go on to compete in the Region 3

competition set for April 26 to 30 at Kentucky's

Regional Training Center in Greenville. During

those four days, they'll put their skills and

expertise up against NCOs and Soldiers from

Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, North and South

Carolina, and Puerto Rico. Win or lose, though, that's apparently where

NCO of the Year

the competition ends for them. Attending the national competition scheduled for October

Staff Sgt. Heather VanKampen disassembles an M249B machinegun, one of seven warrior tasks she and her fellow Soldiers for NCO of the

in Washington, D.C., is most likely out of the

Year had to complete on the second day of competition.

question, VanKampen said, since the 48th will be

into the first part of its yearlong mission in Afghanistan.

Support for this year's NCO and Soldier of the Year

competition was provided, as it has in past years, by the

staff of Georgia's Regional Training Institute. While

previous contests were held at the RTI facilities in Macon,

the institute's move to Naval Air Station Atlanta in Marietta

made it necessary to hold it at the training center.

"The RTI staff does a tremendous job, just as they

always have, in preparing for and overseeing the event,"

said Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Russell, the Army Guard's

state command sergeant major. FF

6

Honoring our Soldiers

Story and photos by Chief Warent Officer 4 Randy Jones, GGTC Public Affairs Representative
Cliett honored for service

The National Guard Effect
GGTC Soldier personifies `National Guard Effect'
FORT STEWART -- Taking the skills of the civilian world and applying them to a military mission, or applying military talent to solve civilian world problems can be called the "National Guard Effect." In both cases, the military mission and civilian organization benefit.
The distinguished achievements of Sgt. 1st Class Carolyn Ross brought the National Guard Effect to the Georgia Garrison Training Center (GGTC).
Ross was an important member of the team responsible for the transformation of the Fort Stewart National Guard Training Center into the GGTC. Ross, the non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of the newly formed Directorate of Personnel and Community Affairs (DPCA), reorganized assigned Soldiers to work within the revamped framework of the Army Garrison Directorate by establishing and implementing new standard operating procedures requiring vision and unique skill sets from her civilian world.
For her work at the GGTC, Ross was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, March 8, 2009
In civilian life, she is employed by Concessions International and works with their Human Resources program. Concessions International has a reputation for delivering superior products and services within airports and providing an innovative mix of experience, skills, people and service.
As the NCOIC of the Directorate of Personnel and Community Affairs, Ross has been an innovator as well. While managing the comprehensive array of human resource management programs and services that maintain the readiness of Soldiers their families of the GGTC, she earned the respect of her peers, the subordinates Ross manages and the training center's leadership. FF

FORT STEWART -- Sergeant Angelyn Cliett of the Georgia Garrison Training Center (GGTC) was awarded the Army Commendation Medal on March 7, 2009. The honor was presented to Cliett for her outstanding service while supporting the training center where she is assigned as a full-time human resource technician.
She has been a member of the Georgia Army National Guard for seven years and resides in Hinesville.
Cliett is an important member of the team responsible for the transformation of the former National Guard Training Center into the GGTC.
She oversees the human resource management programs and services that maintain the Soldier's readiness at the GGTC.
Cliett is a powerhouse of positive energy. Her zeal for taking care of Soldiers along with a commitment to technical proficiency makes her the embodiment of the GGTC motto: "To serve the best by being the best." FF
Saying Thank You

7
Dear General Nesbitt:
I want to thank you for your leadership and service to the Guardsmen of Georgia during one of the most challenging and dynamic periods in the Guard's 372-year history. It has been a privilege to serve with you during my three years with the army. And I thank you and your fellow Adjutants General for honoring me with the iconic "Concord Minuteman." That is something I will treasure always.
During these challenging times, you and your Guardsmen have been called upon to make many personal sacrifices to ensure the defense of our Nation and to respond to homeland contingencies. You and your men and women have met these challenges with determination and professionalism. Please pass along my thanks to your Guardsmen for all they do for our Nation. Our country needs them at home and abroad and they are greatly appreciated by the American people.
Thank you for all you do to help keep our military strong. Best regards.
Sincerely,

Pete Green

Ross named to top NGB post

ATLANTA - Major Gen. Lawrence H. Ross has been selected to serve as Director, manpower and personnel (J-1), National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., effective May 1, 2009. A Georgia National Guardsman, Ross will temporarily continue his tenure as director of the Joint Staff for Georgia's Department of Defense to provide continuity in that capacity.
The National Guard Bureau position entails primary responsibility to provide overall human resource strategic planning, integration, analysis, manpower and personnel policy, and oversight for the Chief, National Guard Bureau in order to enhance National Guard Bureau and Joint Force Headquarters initiatives, personnel readiness, operational capabilities and sustainment of the National Guard community.
Ross said he welcomes the opportunity to serve in the J-1 position saying, "I am very excited at the chance to serve

Army and Air National Guardsmen and their families Guard-wide. I look forward to taking my years of experience here in Georgia to a National Guard Bureau position."
With combined Marine Corps Reserve and Army National Guard experience since 1970, Ross was commissioned in the Georgia Army National Guard in January, 1980. He served early in his career with the Georgia Military Institute (GMI). He also served as platoon leader, company executive officer, company commander, personnel officer, intelligence officer, and battalion executive officer in the 1st Balltion, 122nd Infantry (TLAT) in Covington and Winder. Ross commanded the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry in Winder. Ross assumed command of the 78th Troop Command January 2004, and was appointed assistant adjutant general for Defense Support of Civil Authorities in January 2008, before taking the position as the Director of the Joint Staff, Georgia Department of Defense.

8

Moving Bodies
A member of Georgia's CERFP decontamination team (right) is assisted by a Marine and a Navy Corpsman with the Marine Corps' CBIRF in transferring a disaster victim from a load-bearing sled to a backboard before beginning the decontamination process.
Georgia unit, others enha during Region 4 `integrate

Evaluate
Airmen with the Georgia CERFP's medical section assess a "casualty" that's been received from the decontamination station.

CAMP BLANDING, Florida Georgia's CBRNE Enhanced Response Package (CERF-P), along with similar military and civilian units from across FEMA Region 4 and the eastern U.S., came together for three days in March to test their disaster response time, and their ability to work together, at the Florida National Guard's Joint Training Center just west of Jacksonville.
During Operation Integration, the more than 200 members of the Kennesaw-based unit worked alongside 200-plus Soldiers and Airmen from Florida's CERF-P; Marines and Sailors of the Corps' active duty Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF); FEMA's Indiana Task Force 1; the Joint Interagency Training and Education Training Center-East; and the Response International Group.
"We're all in the business of saving lives in the wake of chemi-

9

Search
A member of the CERFP recovery team moves rock and concrete from in front of a culvert so others from the team can enter and inspect it for possible victims.

Transport
Members of the CERFP transport the body of a simulated casualty from the Humvee that brought it, and others, from the disaster site just down the road from the staging area.

ance disaster response

ed' training exercise

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry and Spc. Mike Perry
cal, biological or nuclear incident accidental or otherwise and we all use the same doctrine to accomplish that mission," said Georgia Air Guard Capt. Phillip Plourde, and the Georgia CERFP's deputy commander. "But we carry out that doctrine in slightly different ways."
Should a disaster happen in one of the eight Southeastern states that make up Region 4, or even overseas, he said, his unit and one or all of the unit's that participate in Operation Integration will be at the same scene, dealing with its aftermath.
"Through this exercise, which we intend to be an ongoing event, we see first-hand just how we each do the job," Plourde explained. "The goal is to compare and test the techniques and equipment we use, and then determine how our organizations can best combine our expertise into a better response to the real

Gearing Up
Airman assigned to the CERFP dons a hard hat before moving with her team to inspect the "pile" used for the mock disaster drill that tested the unit's reaction times and skills.

10

Wash Down
Role players get a preliminary "wash-down" before being escorted to decontamination and medical stations.

thing...that we hope never happens."

Over a three-day training period, medical and decontam-

ination, search and rescue, and fatality and recovery teams,

as well as command and control, and communications ele-

ments were pushed to their limits. No individual section, no

one person, no one skill or piece of gear was left untested.

From a staging area in the northwestern section of this

installation, search and rescue and extraction teams moved

in and out "the piles," two massive heaps of broken con-

crete and construction materials, pulling living and dead

simulated casualties from among what could have been any

building in any city, any where.

The scenario was all too real...at the height of rush hour

in a busy city, several bombings topple buildings and cause

Pr

massive casualties among the population. The explosions

cripple infrastructure, communications and emergency ser-

vices, brining a once thriving metropolis to a grinding halt.

Role players gave an even greater sense of realism to the

training as they lay among the rubble, crying out to their

rescuers for help.

Just the kind of thing Georgia's CERF-P and its sister

units would respond to, but their people, again, hope will

never happen.

"If we do, though, our response to the call, our actions at

the scene, will be the right ones," said Spc. Lillian Morgan,

while donning decontamination equipment before her team

moved into the damage area.

Morgan, who lives in Albany, is a supply specialist with

Digging
CERFP's 878th Engineers bring excavating equipment to the "pile" so loose rock and dirt can be removed more easily.

11

repare
Members of Augusta's 878th Engineers suit up before moving forward into the "disaster zone" some 200 meters down range from the CERFP staging area.

Augusta's 877th Engineer Company. The 877th is one of several elements of Georgia's CERF-P.
"I wouldn't trade the opportunity to be here for anything," she added as she hopped into the back of a waiting Humvee. "What we learn here is going to help us provide an even better response when, and if, the call does come."
At one point in the training, Georgia's medical and decontamination personnel stepped back and let their CBIRF counterparts take over. While some observed how the Marines and Sailors worked the various stations, others among the Soldiers and Airmen went back into the training to gain hands-on experience.

That's one of the great things about exercises like this," said Marine Sgt. Anthony Musto. "We each bring different things `to the table,' and by being here and seeing those differences first-hand, we promote a greater understanding among our selves of how those differences can be an advantage to our response when answering that call for help."
In today's world, the possibility needing the skills and expertise of units like Georgia's CERF-P is inevitable. Through constant testing and improvement on what they already know, they will be ready to do what they do best... save lives. FF

12

Georgia National GuardHistory
A look at what happened in 1954:
"Operation Opportunity", a Georgia Air National Guard program to acquaint Savannah's young men with opportunities in the organization, had a spectacular beginning when between 15,000-20,000 persons traveled to Travis Field for an open house and aerial and static display sponsored by the 158th Fighter Bomber Squadron and the 117th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, both GaANG units. During the afternoon session, the 158th demonstrated formation flying first, then put on an aerial show. GaANG pilots Maj. Donald Smith and Capt Phillips Hamilton excited the gathered citizenry as they demonstrated the F-84's capabilities and performed maneuvers that included plunges, rolls and loops.
The air show also included a blimp from Glynco Naval Base that was stationed in Brunswick as well as Air Force participation.
An infantry company with eleven officers and 131 men was authorized for Sandersville, Ga. The new unit, Company B, 286th Infantry Regt. began seeking members in the early spring, advertising that membership of men between 17 and 35 years of age would be accepted any night at company headquarters in the old school building on Haynes St.
The company commander was Capt. W.B. Ouzts, Jr.; the first man to enlist was Willard Jordan.
In 1954, the Georgia National Guard acquired the first helicopter in the organization's history. It was a H-13G Reconnaissance and Evacuation type and was assigned to the 48th Division Artillery Air Section in Savannah. The three-seater, flown from Ft. Bragg, NC by Lt. James Strickland, operations and maintenance supervisor of the air section, and Sgt. Rodney E. Larisey, helicopter mechanic in the air section, was capable of carrying two litters. It was used soon after by the Guard at annual training for artillery observation. The Guard later displayed it in the large Armed Forces Day Parade in downtown Savannah.

Compiled by Mrs. Gail Parnell

560th Battlefield Surveillance Battalion pins on new patch

Story by 1st Lt. Michelle Jackson
The 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade commemorated its newly approved Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) with a Change-ofPatch Ceremony March 11, 2009.
The new SSI represents the importance of the brigade's operations to the overall warfight as being at the "tip of the spear." This mentality is reinforced through the brigade's motto: "To the Point." The ceremony was another first for the newly established 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade commanded by Col. Peter C. Van Amburgh.
The command climate within the 560th encourages all personnel to continue to

prosper and develop their individual and unit's potential, adhering to the phrase, "If we aren't getting better, we are getting worse," which is a catch phrase within the unit. The unit's command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Lance Rygmyr, summed up the day stating, "The importance of this ceremony goes far past the symbolism of the new SSI. In life, both Army and civilian, we only have one chance to make a first impression. The impression we make on everyone that sees us wearing the new SSI must be a positive one. Our professionalism and proficiency will define the lasting image other Soldiers have of our organization." FF

12 The First Friday Briefing

13

Governor lauds Guard at `09 Guard Day

Story by Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski & photos by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry

The State of Georgia formerly recognized the more than

14,000 men and women who make up the Georgia National

Guard at formal ceremonies held Wednesday, March 11,

2009, in the State Capitol's rotunda. More than 150 Georgia

Air and Army Guardsmen were in attendance for the morn-

ing ceremony, which featured Governor Sonny Perdue read-

ing a proclamation to the Georgia Guard.

In remarks to the audience, which included several leg-

islators and agency heads, and families and friends of the

National Guard, the governor recognized the role played by

Georgia's citizen-soldiers in the Global War on Terror. He

indicated that virtually every unit of the Army and Air Guard

has been mobilized with many being deployed for their sec-

ond and third times. Perdue acknowledged the leadership

provided by Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant

General, in structuring an organization that is well suited to the needs of the state during times of emergency.

Family Support

The governor and revenue commission Bart Graham also presented Nesbitt with a ceremonial check amounting to more than $104,000 for the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation. These donations were received from Georgia Taxpayers who "checked the box" on their Georgia State Tax Return forms giving one dollar to the foundation. Since 2005, the foundation has received more than $1

Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt (left), Georgia's Adjutant General, accepts a $104,000 check for Georgia National Guard Family Foundation during National Guard Day, from Gov. Sonny Perdue and Georgia Department of Revenue commissioner Bart Graham (right). With them, between Perdue and Graham, is Georgia Department of Veterans Service commissioner Pete Wheeler.

million to help Guardsmen and their

families in time of hardship.

More than 100 Army and Air

Guardsmen and members of Geor-

gia's Youth Challenge Academy were

aligned on the stairway during the

Perdue's remarks and remained following the ceremony for pictures. FF

Right: Governor Sonny Perdue (right) presents the document proclaiming March 11, 2009, as National Guard Day, Perdue praised the dedication and professionalism of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, to Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant General, during ceremonies marking the occasion in the state capitol's north rotunda.

Proclamation

The First Friday Briefing 13

14

ARMY GUARD TEAM
Staff Sgt. Rickey Gulley, Company C, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Staff Sgt. Jason Flores, 230th BSC Sergeant Cami Gibson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 560th BFSB Second Lt. Samantha Frazier, HHC 648th MEB Sergeant 1st Class Guy Burnette, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Sergeant Mykel Godbolt, Joint Forces Headquarters Sergeant 1st Class Tracey Turner, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Sergeant 1st Class Benjamin Thomas, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Sergeant D'juan Welton, Joint Forces Headquarters

Army, Air Guard faceof Story by Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski
ATLANTA - Neither of these two teams will ever be in the "Final Four"... other than to buy tickets outside the gate.
And don't count on either team challenging the likes of the Celtics or Lakers... or, for that matter, the Hahira Hawks of of Lowndes County.
And not a single player of either of the teams, towers much over 6 feet- 3 inches ... most have reached their maximum of 5 feet-11 inches and appear to be shrinking.
But what they lack in talent, experience, height and ability is easily exceeded by their individual desire to capture the "bragging rights" for their particular service in the Georgia National Guard.
The event is the first Army versus Air National Guard charity basketball game scheduled for April 10, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. in Philips Arena. This interservice matchup is only part of a day in which the Atlanta Hawks pay tribute to the men and women of the Georgia National Guard who are set to deploy in 2009.
The Air-Army matchup takes place prior to the regularly scheduled NBA game between the Hawks and the Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m. during which the National Guard will be honored.
"It's purely for bragging rights in the state," said Air Guard coach and player, Col. Robert Shannon, vice commander, Georgia Air National Guard, "You bet there's a lot at stake here, and we don't intend to give it away." His power players come from all over Georgia, and aim to take the fight straight to the enemy in green.
However, in reality Shannon's "airborne warriors" have only been together long enough to acknowledge that they need all the practice they can muster between now and the event. The Air team is slim on numbers, admits Shannon, so there'll be mighty few substitutions from the bench.
"But it's nothing that a few dozen oxygen bottles

15

ff at Philips with Hawks

on the bench can't remedy,"added Shannon. The Army Guard team under the coaching of Sgt. 1st Class Ben-
jamin Thomas, recruiting and retention NCO for the Douglasville Recruiting Office, has been in practice for several months preparing for the big game on the hardcourt at Philips. Many of his players are coming off intrasquad championships at Fort Gillem, Thomas boasted.
"We have a group of excellent players who have played this game for quite a few years," confided Thomas who has few illusions about his "ground pounders" sticking it to the Air.
"We'll mount a full court press, and the `boys in blue' will see a few dazzling aerial maneuvers that will make even a fighter pilot
nauseous." Although there is a fierce desire to play and win, the goal
held by all for this day is to pay tribute to the Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Georgia National Guard destined for deployment. At the beginning of the Hawks-Pacers matchup, members of the 15 units scheduled to deploy this year will be officially recognized. Also, Hawks management will present a check from proceeds of the game to Maj Gen Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant
General, on behalf of the Georgia National Guard Family Foundation.
Georgia Guardsmen and their families are invited to view this historic All-Guard matchup at
1:30 p.m. at Philips Arena, and later to enjoy the exciting Hawks and their special tribute to the Georgia National Guard.
Discounted tickets are available for National Guard members and their families.
Service reputations are on the line for this National Guard charity event in which everyone benefits. Tickets are still available. Contact Tammy McEver at 678-569-6025 or email her at tammy.mcever@us.army.mil. FF

AIR GUARD TEAM
Colonel Robert Shannon, Air National Guard Joint force Headquarters Senior Master Sgt. Courtland Hold, 116th Operations Support Squadron Captain Mike Roy, 330th Combat Training Squadron Captain Billy Carter, 128th Airborne Ccomand and Control Squadron Master Sgt. James Gatlin, 202nd Egineering Installation Squadron Captain Cyrus Champagne, 202nd Egineering Installation Squadron Staff Sgt. Sacrial Howard, 283rd Combat Communications Squadron

16

Deployment family guide debuts in Statesboro

Story by Pamela Corley, Yellow Ribbon Support Specialist producing this new program for the spouses," Ellison added.

"You have provided avenues that will help me in this de-

STATESBORO - Georgia Family Readiness groups ployment, and I look forward to sharing with others some

and members of the Georgia's Yellow Ribbon Team came ways to ease deployment anxieties over the next year."

together with families of the 48th Brigade Special Troops Volunteers and contributors helped make these seminars

Battalion to debut an exciting new family readiness program helpful for the families and Soldiers of the Georgia National

to help families facing the challenges of deployment. The Guard. The Yellow Ribbon and Family Readiness teams

event took place at the Springhill Marriott and attracted more recognized Jennifer Nunn of the Springhill Marriott for her

than 50 people to introduce the "Family Guide to Surviving cooperation in securing an appropriate venue for the first

Deployment."

"Family Guide to Surviving Deployment" seminar. FF

The program focuses on a support system designed

for the families of deployed Guardsmen, which specifi-

cally asked the important questions about how to survive

a spouse's deployment. The program's introduction led

many family members to admit that they were unaware

such help existed for families.

"The real significance of this program," said Pamela

Conley, yellow ribbon support specialist. "Is that many

of these families have been through the reality of deploy-

ments before, and they are prepared to offer valuable cop-

ing tips for families new to the process."

Patrice Ellison, wife of Sgt. Ricky L. Ellison, of the

48th Brigade Special Troops Battalion remarked, "Dur-

ing our first deployment, I didn't have the connections

needed to help buffer the rigors of separation from my

husband when he departed for Iraq." Ellison recalled that

the first deployment was "very unsettling with new ba-

bies, and a new house and it seemed as if my spouse had

been plucked right out from beneath us."

The series of pre-deployment briefings, jointly orga-

nized by the Family Programs Office and the Yellow Rib-

bon Committee, helped to provide necessary personal and

financial information needed by families. Additionally,

it reinforces that the Guard's Family Readiness Group is

there to assist families throughout the long separations.

"We realize that they (the Family Program Office) are

there for us," said Ellison. "Never had I experienced such

a caring group of people, and I feel like this team is put-

ting into action what they preach."

From the time families stepped through the doors, the

sessions were well organized and coordinated, suggested

Ellison. Staff members were knowledgeable and caring, and even helped to calm an upset two-year-old going through separation anxiety.
"It was apparent that lots of time and effort went into

Sendoff
Children and staff from Barrow County Head Start cheer as the last five 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, and Company E, 148th Brigade Support B to mobilization training for Operation Enduring Freedom.

17

Long road to Afghanistan begins for Georgia's Soldiers

Story by Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski
CALHOUN - The convoy of buses carrying more than 2,000 Georgia National Guard Soldiers to the first stop in their year-long deployment to Afghanistan began rolling from the Calhoun armory on March 1, and the steady departures of Georgia's combat ready troops are anticipated to continue through late April.
The deploying units are part of the second largest deployment of Army Guardsmen since World War II, the first being the 2005, 2006 deployment to Iraq in support of Operation

Iraqi Freedom. This deployment takes Georgia's 48th Brigade Combat Team back to Southwest Asia, but in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Subordinate units of the 48th from throughout Georgia will prepare for Afghanistan at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Camp Atterbury, Ind. The Soldiers are anticipated to spend six weeks sharpening the skills needed for the mission of training the Afghan army and national security forces.
When it departs, the 48th will be part of the 11,000 member Joint Task Force Phoenix, headquartered in Kabul. The task force is comprised of the brigade and the Army's 4th Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division as well as members of the Navy, Marines Corps and Air Force, and several coalition countries.
Elements of the 48th Brigade began mobilizing for OEF on March 1, with 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting and Acquisition (RSTA) Squadron, Headquartered in Calhoun. Other RSTA units left from Rome, Canton, Dalton and Cedartown. The 108th was followed by 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, which deployed March 27 through March 30. First Battalion consists of units from Winder, Statesboro, Lawrenceville, Covington, Gainesville, Milledgeville, Savannah, Eastman, and Macon.
Headquarters elements of Task Force Phoenix and the 48th Brigade, including 1st Battalion 118th Field Artillery in Savannah and the 148th Brigade Support Battalion of Forsyth deploy later this year. All units should be in Afghanistan by mid-year.
Training the Afghan forces is a good fit for the many Guardsmen who performed similar mentorship roles during the Brigade's Iraq deployment, according to the Guard's task force commander.
"Afghanistan is not Iraq, but our Soldiers have an appreciation of mentoring," said Brig. Gen. Lawrence E. Dudney, who will command Joint Task Force Phoenix. "They understand it, and it's something they enjoy doing."
Dudney, confident in the ability of his Soldiers also said, "We bring unique skill sets in the Guard that will lead to the success of the mission." FF

e buses carrying Soldiers from Winder-based Headquarters Company, Battalion, head off to Camp Shelby, Miss., Monday, March 30, 2009, and

18
Douglas engineers back from second deployment
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry & Photos by Spc. Mike Perry
Honoring our Heroes
Major Gen. William T. Nesbitt (at the podium), Georgia's Adjutant General, thanks, and praises, the Soldiers and family members of Douglas' 848th Engineer Company on a successful deployment during their Freedom Salute ceremony at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum, in Pooler, March 30, 2009. The unit returned late March from a yearlong deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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GARDEN CITY Members of

for having done so, by the Army

Douglas' 848th Engineer Company

During the 848th's 2008-2009

Guard leadership.

made true the statement by Maj. Gen.

deployment, statistics provided by

Those second, third and fourth-

Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant

its leadership show that the unit:

time deployments also have

General, a year ago that, "You cannot

Conducted 1,425 road clearings

earned the Soldiers a Freedom

get back until you get

along more than 90,000 kilometers

Ring. Any among the group who

there."

of roadway.

are married also received a Free-

The more than 200

Spent more than 8,702 hours in

dom Salute clock for their spouse.

Soldiers who deployed "harm's way."

To all the Soldiers, Nesbitt said,

last March in support

Discovered, and rendered safe,

"You defend values of our nation,

of Operation Iraqi

more than 4,577 improvised

while you continue to live our (the

Freedom, many of

explosive devices.

Army) values."

whom were with the

Outlining those values of "in-

unit during its 2005-

tegrity first, service before self,

2006 OIF deployment with Macon's 48th excellence in all you do," he told the formation before him,

Infantry Brigade Combat Team, arrived

"You are great ambassadors for our state, and our nation.

by commercial charter flight at the Air

Be proud of who you are and what you have done."

Guard's Combat Readiness Training Cen-

Recognizing the families, friends and employers who

ter here Friday, March 27, 2009. Over the continue their steadfast support to the 848th, Nesbitt ap-

next two days, the unit left its active duty plauded their dedication and commitment.

status and moved back under the commad

"Each of you is a great part of our Soldier's success," he

of the Georgia Army Guard.

said. "Without you, they could not do what they do.

A Freedom Awards ceremony was held

"Without the support of families, friends and employers

March 30, in the main foyer of Pooler's such as them, the Soldiers assembled before them could not

Mighty Eight Air Force Museum to honor serve. You, all of you, are patriots as well," Nesbitt said. FF

the 848th's Citizen-Soldiers and their sup-

porters. They now have an estimated 180

days in which to wind down and "get their

lives back to normal."

During the ceremony, those who'd com-

pleted their first deployment, received an

encased American flag; an Army National

Guard coin" lapel pin set each denoting the "Defender of

Freedom" and "National Guard Team" logos; and Defender

of Freedom certificate signed by Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn,

Army National Guard director, and others Guard officials.

Also given them was the National Guard Team honorary

insignia that they can pass on to family, friends or employ-

ers who supported them throughout the deployment. To commemorate the "unwavering willingness to en-

Awards

dure, and to serve faithfully," Soldiers who'd deployed

The Freedom Salute Campaign is the one of the largest Army

before were recognized through the Freedom Salute Campaign. Each was presented a certificate lauding their successive mobilizations, and their "honor, courage and duty,"

National Guard recognition endeavors in history, designed to publicly acknowledge Army Guard Soldiers and those who supported them during the President's call to duty for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

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Saying Goodbye
Specialist Brandon Henderson, a paralegal with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, hold his wife Misty close before he and his fellow Soldiers from the Winder-based unit, and those of Company E, 148th Brigade Support Battalion, board the buses taking them to Camp Shelby, Miss., and the first leg of their yearlong mission to train the Afghan Army and National Security Police. It's the Henderson's first deployment.

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G rgi 's `F r F ' eg s

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry
rn t Afgh st

NORTHEAST GEORGIA her husband, and his fellow Soldiers, `been there, and done that,' they can

Across this section of the state, late going in harm's way. "I have no illu- believe that their units, the brigade and

March found Soldiers of Georgia's 1st sions about what's going on over there, our trainers are going to do all they can

Battalion, 121st Infantry saying their about Brian's ability to do his job or to accomplish the mission and get back

goodbyes to family, friends and fellow that of the people he's trusting to get home again."

Guardsmen, climbing aboard buses him there and back," Misty said, hold- In Winder, as in other cities where

outside their armories and starting the ing him tightly as they said goodbye. elements of the 121st are home sta-

first leg of their mobilization and even- "Taking all that into account, still tioned, residents lined the streets, car-

tual deployment to Afghanistan.

doesn't make his leaving, and being rying signs, waving flags and cheering

The units are one part of the more gone so long, any easier."

the Soldiers as they moved out for the

than 2,000 members of the Army Staff Sgt. Michael Betzhold of Law- journey to their training sites. A won-

Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade

Combat Team who are descending

on training sites like Camp Shel-

by, Miss., and Camp Atterbury,

Ind. The Soldiers spend six weeks

sharpening the skills needed for

training the Afghan Army and Na-

tional Security Force.

Once the train-up is complete,

they'll join Joint Task Force Phoe-

nix, and spend a year supporting

Operation Enduring Freedom.

Among those to "hit the road"

were the estimated 200 members

of first battalion's Headquarters

Company and Company E, 148th

Brigade Support Battalion, which

provides logistical support to the

121st.

For many of the Citizen-Soldiers, like Spc. Brian Henderson of

Boarding Buses

Blairsville and his wife, Misty, it's their first deployment. "I've done all I can to reassure her that we all know our jobs," said Henderson, a

Soldiers with Winder's Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry; Company
E, 148th Brigade Support Battalion; and their family members begin moving to the buses
taking the Guardsmen from their armory to Camp Shelby, Miss., and the first leg of their yearlong deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

paralegal with Headquarters Company. renceville, and a vehicle mechanic with derful sight, said Pfc. Starks of Bethle-

"I have every confidence that the train- Company E, is one of those who went hem, a food service specialist for Com-

ing we're going to receive, and the ex- to Iraq, and was with the 48th when pany E.

periences of those who went to Iraq in it supported the NATO peacekeeping It makes one proud, she said, as

2005, 2006 will see us through.

mission in Bosnia in 2001, 2002. He she watched folks line up along May-

"These things, and the trust I have in understands the feeling first timers like nard Street, from the armory to Atlanta

my leadership are going to get us there the Hendersons have.

Road, before the buses pulled out. Such

and back, safely," he said.

"If they didn't feel the way they do, shows of support, Starks said, reinforce

His wife, though comforted by that there'd be something wrong with them, her pride in being a Georgia Soldier.

fact, still found her self nervous about in my opinion," he said. "But having FF

22

SDF Soldiers train with Army Aviation

Story by Sgt. Patrick Slaughter FORSYTH - Elements of the 1st and 2nd Battalions,
5th Brigade, conducted helicopter medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, March 22, 2009.
Primary classroom instruction was conducted by the 2nd Battalion training noncommissioned officer, and covered all facets of performing medical evacuations with rotary winged aircraft. Topics included landing zone (LZ) selection and preparation, guiding aircraft with hand and arm signals, and personnel and aircraft safety. State Defense Force troopers also were instructed on the how to approach an aircraft, and to identify the danger zones around helicopters.
What the Soldiers learned in the classroom was put to good use during several practical exercises. In what one hopes is a positive sign for future cooperation and training,

the Georgia Army National Guard provided a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, with which the SDF Soldiers applied their newly acquired knowledge.
The flight medics gave further instruction on the UH-60, including litter configuration and maximum casualty load. Troops were given a walk-around of the aircraft, and then practiced casualty evacuation, involving patient tie down on a litter, the four-man litter carry and simulated loading of litters onto a helicopter. Litter teams also practiced coordinating their movement using only hand and arm signals.
The highlight for many was the familiarization flight in the Blackhawk given at the end of the training day. The 10 minute flight at an estimated 500 feet left no doubt in anyone's mind about the Blackhawk's capabilities or the State Defense Force's ability to work hand-in-hand with its National Guard counterparts during a crisis. FF

Below: State Defense Force Soldiers on a four-man litter team, carry a fallen Soldier to a waiting Blackhawk helicopter as part of medical evacuation training. The Army National Guard's 171st Aviation Battalion provided the Blackhawks, and helped conduct the training.
Litter Team

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DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Marietta Hurricane season for the eastern U.S. is June 1 to Nov. 30. In recent years, hurricanes have caused substantial loss of life and tens of billions of dollars in damages to states such as Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.
Although Georgia has a short coastline, and usually avoids serious damage, the state still takes hurricane preparation very seriously. The Georgia Department of Defense is the only state agency with a large part-time work force. Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) depend heavily on the National Guard for assistance during hurricane season.
To prepare for hurricane season, the Georgia Guard updates its hurricane operations plan, and conducts one or more hurricane exercises. This planning process is especially important this year because of the Guard's reorganization.
On Feb. 1, 2009, as part of this reorganization, the Georgia Guard created a separate Joint Staff to handle hurricanes and other domestic emergencies. Major Gen. Larry Ross is directs the Joint Staff. Colonel Dan Zachman assists Ross as chief of the Joint Staff.
One of the advantages of a largely separate Joint Staff is that it can head up joint task force in the event of a hurricane or other event.
This task force, known as Joint Task Force-Georgia, is

Interagency Group. When the JTF is activated, Army and Air Guard units are
assigned to it. The Georgia State Defense Force augments those units and the staff. Although any Guard unit can be attached to JTF-GA, the major subordinate unit for task force is Columbus' 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, commanded by Col. Keith Knowlton.
To test this concept, the Georgia Guard conducted a "table-top exercise" here at Dobbins on March 14 and 15.
The exercise does not require the participation of military units. Instead, commanders and their staffs discuss how they would respond to various events that occur before, during and after a hurricane.
For this exercise, in particular, the Guard contracted with IFF Data Solutions to manage the process because IFF Data Solutions employs several military retirees with hurricane response experience. United States Northern Command representatives also attended since NORTH-COM is

Story by Lt. Col. Joe Hale, Deputy Director, Joint Future Operations and Planning
Guard prepares for 2009 hurricane season

responsible for conducting hurricane relief operations in the state General Ross serves as task force commander when a hurricane threatens Georgia and JTF-GA is activated.
When that happens, the Joint Staff become the staff for JTF-GA and forms three working groups under the Adaptive Battle Staff concept. These three groups are the Joint Operations Group, Joint Support Group and Joint
Hurricane Ready
More than sixty Joint Force Headquarts members and subject matter experts were involved in a four day Adaptive Battlestaff training and exercise which helped to fine-tune Georgia's response to a hurricane situation.

responsible for federal military assistance in the event of a hurricane.
During the exercise, a fictitious hurricane made landfall in Savannah, and then moved across the state, through Macon and then Atlanta.
Based on the exercise results, the Joint Staff can refine the 2009 hurricane plan, and then conduct a larger exercise on June 11 at Jekyll Island. That event will use a "Rock Drill" format, a term derived from the military's use of sand tables or crude diagrams drawn in the dirt to plan small unit operations.
During such drills, pebbles or small rocks are used to represent units moving around the battlefield. For this particular rock drill, a 30 foot by 40 foot map of Georgia will be spread out on the floor of the Jekyll Island Convention Center for units diagram their movements during each phase of hurricane response operations.
Over all, experience has shown that a state's successful response to a hurricane is directly related to how well it prepares. The Georgia National Guard's cycle of plans and exercises is meant to ensure that the state is ready in 2009. FF

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