Georgia guardsman [Vol. 1, no. 1 (Summer 1999)]

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Summer 19

Georgia
Guardsman
Summer 1999, Vol 1. No. 1
FEATURES
TAG Says Goodbye
5 Maj. Gen. William P. Bland Jr., retires after a career ofservice to the Georgia Guard. Y2K Is Almost Here
6 The Georgia DOD and National Guard prepares to take on the first "bug"ofthe new millennium.
8 Going to Pieces The Army Guard's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit returns from a successful deployment thanks to some intense training 'Camp Swampy'
10 It's that time again . . . when Georgia Army Guardsmen gather at Fort Stewart, Ga., for annual training.
18 Coronet Oak ends The l 65th AirIift Wing bids farewell to its Panana mission

DEPARTMENTS

2 National News 20 In Brief

3 Feedback

24 Last Word

Spc Jefferson C. Werts, a member ofCompany H, 121st Infantry (LRSC) hikes back from a drop zone after ajump dwing annual training. Story on pages 12-13. (Photo by Spc. JeffLowry, 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
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Georgia

1

Guardsman

Summer 1999, Vol 1. No. 1

National News Military Anthrax Program Taking Shape

The Georgia Guardsman is published quarterly under the provisions ofAR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Directorate of Communications, Georgia Department of Defense. The views and opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Anny and Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman 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. Roy E. Barnes Jr.
Adjutant General of Geor gia
Maj . Gen. David B.Poythress Director of Communications
Jim. Driscoll Editor
B. I. Diamond Air National Guard
Correspondent Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Baldowski
Army National Guard C o rr esponden ts
124'11 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Unit Public Affairs Representatives
Editorial Assistants Wanda W. Nichols Leigh Burchfield Send comments, articles, photo suggestions or contributions to: The Georgia Guardsman, c/o Directorate of Communications, Georgia Department of Defense P.O. Box 17965, Atlanta, GA. 30316-0965 E-Mail Comments or
Suggestions to: diamondbi@dod.ga.state. us
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It's blamed for the Egyptian plague that killed more than 200,000 people around 1500 B.C. Cattle herds across Europe were nearly destroyed by i~ during the Middle Ages. More recently, a 1979 human outbreak was officially denied by the Russian government, and in 1980, inspection teams discovered that Iraq had successfully produced 8,000 liters of the substance, enough to kill every man, woman and child on earth. The killing disease is anthrax. Anthrax is highly infectious and almost always deadly and we know that our potential adversaries can develop it and use it.
The military is tak ing aggressive steps to protect its service members from anthrax by instituting a plan to vaccinate all U.S. service members for anthrax. The vaccinations will serve as one of the primary defenses against the use of biological warfare by rogue nations.
Between now and 2003, the entire force including all new recruits will begin receiving the sixshot series of anthrax vaccinations based upon a phased inoculation program.
Phase 1: Forces assigned now or rotating to high threat areas in Southwest Asia and Korea. Phase 2: Early deploying forces into high threat areas Phase 3: Remainder ofthe force and new recruits The first three shots are given in two-week intervals. The following three shots are administered at 6, 12, and 18 months. The program also includes an annual booster. A three-year study found that vaccination was the safest way to protect a highly mobile military against a threat from anthrax spores that are 99 percent lethal for unprotected persons. The vaccine has had an excellent safety record for the past 28 years.
4.8 Pay Increase Moves to Committee
Both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees approved their versions ofthe Defense Authorization Bill, calling for a 4.8 percent across the board military and civilian pay raises and pay table reform for mid-career noncommissioned officers, warrants and commissioned officers.
There are some differences in the repeal of the 40 percent formula for retirement that must be worked out in conference
HF Radio Networks Passes Y2K Test
The possibility of problems caused by the Y2K syndrome was the driving force behind Higher Focus, a Guard-wide high frequency radio communications exercise recently conducted from the Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Arlington, Va.
T he 28-hour test was the first of its kind for the 8-year-old high frequency network. It also illustrated the Guard's resolve to help the American people from Puerto Rico to Guam deal with any crisis resulting from computer-driven systems that fail to function early into the new millennium.
The National Guard is said to be ahead of the game because it has a core of veteran people who worked the system before computers. (See Georgia~ preparations for Y2K ou pages 6-7)
Cold War Certificates Available
Up to 22 million former and current service members and DoD civilians can stait applying for certificates honoring them for their role in winning the Cold War.
Those qualifying for the certificates can apply via the Internet at http://coldwar.army.mil, e-mail at cwrs@ fairfax- mh I.army.mil, or fax at (703) 275-6749. Applicants can also mail requests to:
Cold War Recognition 4035 Ridge Top Road, Suite 400 Fai1fax,VA 22030
Applicants must present proof of service. Army officials caution applicants not to send original documents because they cannot be returned.

Command Focus
Major General David Poythress, The Adjutant General

A New Mission, A Thank You, and A Look Ahead

Editor 's Note: As we prepared to go to press with this first issue of the redesigned Georgia Guardsman Magazine, Governor Roy Barnes announced the appointment of Major
General David Poythress as Georgia s
new Adjutant General. He replaces Brigadier General Walter Corish who has been acting Adjutant General since the retirement ofMajor General William P Bland, J1: in Janua1y.
A native of Macon, General Poythress has had a long and distinguished career that has included military service, public service and private law practice. He ati.ended EmOly University where he received his law degree with honors in 1967. He was commissioned through the ROTC program at Emory and servedfour years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force as ajudge advocate office1: His active duty service included a tour in the Republic ofSouth Vietnam.
Upon returning to civilian l~(e, General Poythress remained in the Air Force Reserve. As the senior reserve legal officer attached to the 9th Air Force, he was called to active duty during Operations Desert Storm/Shield. General Poythress retired ji-om the Air Force Reserve in 1998.
General Poythress, who most recently practiced law in Atlanta, has spent much of his civilian career in public service. He has served as Deputy State Revenue Commissione1; Secretwy ofState and Commissioner ofLabm:
The General and his wife Elizabeth have three grown children and three grandchildren. He is a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and has served on the board ofdirectors ofWesley Homes and the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women. He also served two terms as Chairman of the Board ofthe State YMCA ofGeorgia.

A s you are undoubtedly aware, on June 31 , Governor Roy Barnes appointed me to serve as Georgia's Adjutant General. I am deeply honored by the governor's confidence. The United States military has been an important part ofmy life for more than 30 years, and I look forward eagerly to serving with you in the Georgia
National Guard. In this initial column I want to share
some of my thoughts about the roles we play and the future we face. Historically, citizensoldiers have been a part of every direct military action in which our nation has been involved . We sha ll continue that noble tradition of ensuring peace through our strength, and we shall do it with pride and professiona lis m .
As we continue to perform our trad itional missions, the re are also new missions on the horizon. In the past, our state mission has charged us with maintaining order in times of natural disaster and civil unrest. But today there is also a strong body of opinion that the Guard's mission should include protection of our frag ile national infrastructure - power grids, water supplies, oil and gas distribution systems-which in our open and pluralistic society, lie vulnerable to terrorist attacks. I take this to be a serious matter and I predict it will become an important part of the National Guard's mission in coming decades.
I cannot discuss the future of the Georgia Departme nt of Defense without mention ofthe Headquarters 2 1initiative. The redesign of our organization is another step to achieving jointness of command in the Georgia National Guard. We all know that HQ21 is still a work-in-progress and much work remains to be done. But certain ly at the conceptual level, I intend to pursue the implementation ofjoint command and control within the Georgia Department ofDefense.
I have every confidence that the men

and women of the Georgia National Guard,
the State Defense Force and the Georgia Department of Defense, will accept the challenges of the new century, overcome its problems and carry on in our time honored tradition that dates to 1733 and the founding of our great state.
I want to express my deep appreciation to Major General Bland for the leadership, dedication and patriotism he provided during the eight years he served as Adjutant General and the more than forty years he served in uniform in service to his country. He led the Georgia Department of Defense during some ofthe most dramatic periods in o ur h istory. And he has positioned our organization for success as we move into the new millenium. Most important, he left this organization better than he found it and his impact will be felt for a very long time indeed.
I also want to thank Brigadier General Walter Corish for his outstanding leadership during the past six months. General Corish stepped up to take the reigns ofcommand at g reat personal sacrifice to himself. I know I speak for all the members ofour organization in expressing deep appreciation to General Corish for his untiring efforts and selfsacrifice. And on a personal note, I especiall y appreciate his efforts to ensure a smooth transition in The Adjutant General's office.
As I travel to visit our units and annories over the coming months, I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can. I have a great deal to learn and I look forward to the challenges that this new job offe rs. We have a vibrant, fast moving organization that has served proudly in the past and wi ll, when called upon, do so again in the future. To a ll of us our core values of "ln.tegrity first; Service before self; and Excellence in a ll we do" are more than just words; they represent our way oflife.

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Feedback

Soldier is Concerned With Changing Times

An area of interest to me is the subject of"Servicc Before Self." Wh ile this is an integral concept of leadersh ip, and a pa1t of the NCO Creed, I find it somewhat difficult a subject to sell in light ofthe present down scaling of resources and up scaling of responsibilities. This is especially true in this time of economic health coupled with hostility or ambivalence toward the military mission and life style.
It is my observation that little apprec iation is shown to our customers once they have been enlisted and assigned. Recruiting is difficult enough in a poor
'I believe that we, ofthe DOD, must provide educational be11ejits, which will ellha11ce
the individual's value to both the military and the civilian sectors which vie for the customer's skill and labor.'
economy, but with the present economy it is most difficult. Retention too is difficult in light ofthe fact that many ofour soldiercustomers are losing income for the privilege of selfless service in the National Guard. This coupled with employers who are at best indifferent to the mission and personnel of military persuasion complicated retention.
I believe that we of the DOD, must provide educational benefits, which will enhance the individual's value to both the milita1y and the civilian sectors which vie for the customer's skill and labor. This education must be directed at the technological revolution in which we are currently embroiled. Our soldier-customers are inept in the area of our current techno logy, especia lly in the area of communications ski ll s. This includes technologies affecting radio, GPS, computers, and other assigned TOE equipment. Unless we are willing to redirect our resources into building skills which are valued by both the military and the civilian sectors, nothing short ofa military draft will motivate people to serve.
We must aggressively (for truly we arc

behind the power curve) advance our efforts to bring our customers up to speed, or even beyond the norm , in the areas of communications technology. At the same time we must develop our customers in other areas ofexpertise which will increase their value to the civilian work force. Unless we increase the intrinsic value of the soldier, the civilian industry will hold them with a vise-like grip. We must overcome that appeal by offering the would-be soldier va luable and usefu l ski lls whi ch are translatable to civi lian li fe.
StaffSgt, Donald Saxton Supply Sergeant
Company C, I.. Battalion 1081h Armor Dalton
1/121 NCO Pays Tribute To Fellow Guardmembers
Th e following essay was written by Sgt. First Class Allen W. Johnson, HHC, I " Battalion 121" Jnfc111try, Winder as a tribute to the Army National Guard.
T he Army National G uard
We are the Guard - volunteers all. For more than 200 years we have had to leave our homes; ourjobs; and our families to go to wars riots and disasters
We give up our free time to work and train on the days that others can play or rest. Ifour pay covers our travel and other expenses we are fortunate. If you saw our tax-eroded paychecks you would understand. Ifyou saw our benefit package you might wonder why they even bothered.
When emergencies and disasters strike you' II see us quickly and in strength, always doing the difficult work - the jobs nobody e lse wants. Whether gladly carrying children through waist deep floodwaters or deflecting bricks and bottles hurled by protesters, we don ' t mind - we are use to hardship and if you could observe our annual training you would understand.
We know no time clocks, quitting times or vacations. We stay until the job is finished and working around the clock is

normal-that's why our timepieces have 24 hour dials instead of 12. Our "weekend" drills often start on Thursdays or Fridays we arc the taxpayers' rare bargain.
W hen training conditions are horrible we press on because we don ' t have the luxury of coming back when conditions improve. lfyou see us in 100 degree weather working in full uniform you will understand.
Our camp quarters are often crude, crowded and spartan. lf criminal inmates saw our barracks they would pity us and be thankfu l that they have a nice jail to stay in.
When wars break out we go wherever the action is. From Yorktown to Desert Storm we served and defended. When Olympics were threatened we provided the security so that the games could continue. We calmed the fears of an anxious world and a jittery nation.
We arc easy to recognize because we sta nd stra ight, look neat and behave responsibly. We are tested constantly as to physical tra1111ng and enduran ce; marksmanship and combat skills.
We teach - we train - we lead. We are patriots and proud to serve because freedom and liberty depend on us as it has for more than two centuries.
EDITOR'S NOTE: "Feedbackfrom the Field" is an opportunity for members ofour organization to share information or to sound-offon cm issue regarding the Georgic1 Department ofDefense, the Georgia National G11c1rd or the State Defense Force. This is your page, readers, and we look forward to hearingfrom you. Our policy: anonymous letters won' t be published, but na mes can be withheld upon request.

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'Retiring' Bland Steps Into Next 'Phase' of Life

By Sgt. Ist C lass Toby M oore l24'h Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
During his eight years as The Adjutant General ofthe Georgia National Guard, Maj. Gen. William P. Bland, Jr., presided over a force of men and women tested both by events occurring continents away, as well as man-made and natural disasters erupting only miles from Guard annories.
Bland, who retired last December after two terms as the Adjutant General, reflected on his tenure and the challenges he faced in an interview prior to his retirement. Among the challenges was overseeing the largest contingent of National Guardsmen ever deployed domestically for the 1996 Atlanta Centennia l Olympic Games; the early 1990s downsizing ofthe Georgia National Guard following Desert Storm; and the massive reliefefforts during the 1993 North Georgia blizzard and the devastating 1994 floods in Southwest Georgia.
Perhaps as significant, Bland headed the effort to revitalize and reorganize the Georgia Department of Defense and National Guard so that both are ready for the twenty-first century.
But as he readied for the start of what he called "Phase two of Bill Bland's life," the General noted that his "job" as Adjutant General was only supposed to be temporary. Bland was appointed in 1990 as the assistant Adjutant General, Air National Guard, and stayed on following the appointment of Brigadier General Jerry Sanders as The Adjutant General in 1990. But just four months into Sanders' term he resigned and Bland literally got the Governor's call.
"I was in (the late) Col. Harry Heath 's (GA DOD public affairs officer) office," Bland said. "When I picked up the phone to talk to the governor, I dropped it. When he told me, (I had been

appointed) I almost dropped it again." His task was clear-cut. " My job as
acting AG was to keep the train on the track," he said. "Then we started moving forward. And it's been a fast-moving trai n ever since."
The route to the top, however, was long and circuitous. Bland began his career in 1958 as a traditional guardsman. A student at Georgia Tech with an interest in fl ying, he enlisted in the Georgia Air National Guard and was trained as a fire-control systems technician on the old F-86L fighter.
He applied and was chosen for pilot training, and in 1961 was commissioned. He earned hi wings at Moody Air Force base in Valdosta, Ga.
Bland soon made the switch from fighters to transport aircraft. During his career he accumulated 8,300 flight hours, piloting nearly every cargo plane in the inventory - C-97s, C-l 24s, DC-3s and C130s.
'It was only supposed to be temporary'
Maj . Gen. William P. Bland, Jr.
When the Air Force needed transport help during the Vietnam Conflict, Bland flew countless missions ferrying troops and supplies into Southeast Asia.
Bland also began his civilian career as a temp. " I took a temporary job as a military technician in 1964, and it's been temporary ever since," he laughed. He retired as a technician after 26 years before taking on the job as top man for the Georgia Air National Guard .
A native of Statesboro, Bland 's career has been one of change. "When I joined, we (the Air National Guard) had just begun drilling on the weekend, and

had started transitioning into what we are today. In my 40 years of service, I have seen the Air Guard change from a Monday-night flying club into a fully integrated part of the Air Force. We have gone from hand-me-clowns to state-of-the-art equipment. That's a heck of a lot ofchange, more than I even realized."
For Bland, both the high and low points of his career came during the Olympics. The Guard played a pivotal role in the security of the games, and he was its front man. " Had we (in the state and federal government) not had the experience ofworking together, we wou ld not have been able to provide the support, safety and security of the games," he said. " It really worked well. There weren't any strangers. It was a team effort of dedicated, outstanding people."
But when the infamous bomb exploded in Centennial Park, Bland's euphoria came crashing down with the shrapnel. " I don't think I slept for 48 hours" after the explosion, he said.
Bland leaves, he says, with few regrets. " I would like to have started much earlier on leadership development, both at the entry level ofNCOs and officers," he said. "I would strengthen that from top to bottom. It was clear that people weren't being taken care of by their leaders and they weren't being held accountable. We could've done a better job on that. I hope my successor will pick up and move forward. People skills need to be developed."
For now, Bland will enjoy his children and grandchi ldren - his family. " I' II work on my farm, renovate my house, and do what 1 want to do for the remaining days," he said. "And I hope there are a lot of them."
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W ith little more than six months. before the calendar fl ips to a new year and a new millennium, will the Georgia National Guard and Georgia Depaitment ofDefense (Ga DOD) successfully stave offthe "Y2K bug," theYear 2000 problem that could disrupt systems throughout the agency? Yes, if LTC Clint Perkins, Chiefofthe Information Technology Division (ITO), and his staff have any say in the matter.
The threat is that when the date rolls over at midnight January I, 2000, computers and other electronic equipment will read only the last 2 digits of the year and " think" it is January I, 1900. Computers, elevators, videocassette recorders, telephones, aircraft navigation instruments, in fact, the "bug" could affect any piece of electronic equipment worldwide that uses computer technology.
LTC Perkins and CPT Jessica Saylers, formerly Perkins' Y2K manager, devoted enormous time to preparing the Georgia DOD and National G uard to continue its mission without disruption rega rd less of the year or century.
New computerized systems are being put to use in armories statewide. Offices and field units as well, are receiving new telephone

systems with voice mail, computers, routers, and servers, all ofwhich ITD is directly responsible for making sure are Y2K-compliant, said Perkins.
Brigadier General Walter Corish, Acting Adjutant General, has set Oct. 3 1, 1999, as the date on which the "GaDOD must be confident that the business of supporting soldiers and airmen will continue without avoidable interruptions." Moreover, wrote General Corish, "the potential problem directly impacts all Guardmembers and our ability to quickly respond to any emergency."
Colonel Perkins noted that the Guard is vigorously working to ensure that both the GaDOD and the Guard are ready for 2000. "The Reserve Component Automated System (RCAS) is help ing immensely so that all systems are Y2K-compliant, but we're not taking that at face value. We wi ll run a Y2K compliance test on every system," according to Perkins. Existing computers, in the field have already been upgraded, to include hardware and software, and compliance tests run in the past six months to ensure that they will not fail when the new year begins, the colonel added.
"We're to the point," said Perkins, "that there probably will be

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no catastrophic failure on January I, but we can't promise that there

won't be any small bugs."

But that's only half the story for the

Georgia DOD and Guard's Y2K preparations.

Along with CPT Salyers, the IDT team has

established a Y2K compliance timeline for the agency and established a Y2K working group to ensure that the Georgia Department or Defense is adequately prepared to meet the

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Y2K threat head on. The group is comprised

of representatives from State and Federal

finance and personnel, joint operations, as

well as communications, transportation and

logistics divisions. Since its initial meeting

in the winter 1999, members have

aggressively worked to identify critical

business processes and supporting systems.

" More importantly," said Salyers, "the group has initiated

contingency planning to 'work around' problems that the ' bug'

might cause." For example, said Salyers, ifcomputers fail in finance,

they might have to go back to "paper and pencil" for a short time, or the personnel office's "computerized" scanning of
records might be delayed until Year 2000 compliant equipment is in place.
In add ition to automation, the group is responsible for the inventory of all Air and Army facilities. To carry out this mission, the Construction and Facilities Management Office (CFMO) has received state funds to inventory and assess state DOD buildings. Full infrastructure assessment is proj ected for completion by June 1999. Facilities and systems not in compliance will be prioritized and sites most critical to command and control will be evaluated and remedied as quickly as possible.
Might there be "bugs" in the GA DOD's Y2K plan? Both Salyers and Perkins admit it's possible, but then no one will know until the calendar page turns and the clock ticks over on a new century.

'Turkey

Shoot' Draws

Flying

Sharpshooters

As nightly news reports detailed the effects of allied bombings in Kosovo, a select group ofVJPs, employers and media recently gazed skyward to watch waveaftcr-wave of combat fighter aircraft fine tune individual bombing and strafing ski lls at Georgia's Townsend Range.
The 2nd Annual "Turkey Shoot" sponsored by the Governor's Military Affairs Coordinating Committee and the Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah brought together active, reserve and Guard combat fighter/bomber aircraft for a day of intense competition that has 'real-world' significance. The annual event at the Georgia Air National Guard's Townsend Range saw a number of high performance aircraft including F-16 Falcons, F-18 Hornets, Harrier aircraft and the B-1 B take aim on static targets. Lining up on targets from well over a mile out, combat pilots targeted their 25-lb inert ordnance to hit within inches of static targets. Once aircraft made three drops at the target, flights would regroup to strafe enormous "bulls-eye" targets positioned

A B-1B scores a hit at the "Turkey Shoot"

500 yards from the grandstands. Georgia's Townsend Range is one ofonly
three Air Guard operated bombing ranges in the U.S. 'The Turkey Shoot is an excellent means in which to show employers and other guests the high degree of training wh ich today's fighter pi lots must go through to hone their bombing and gunnery skills," said Coy Short, MACC coordinator. "Jt is especially appropriate now with the situation in the Balkans." "The bombing practice taking place here is very similar to actions which took place overseas," said 13rig. Gen. Walter Corish, Acting Adjutant General. "The real di ffcrcncc is, at Townsend Range aircraft are attacking targets from tree-top levels."
The I87th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard took top honors for a second time in this annual event. The F- 16

unit also won best tactical perfonnance, best overall individual perfonnancc, and best individual strafing score. Georgia's 8-1 s !Tom the I 16th Bomb Wing also scored well in the competition.

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The military is not known for automotive work, especially when it comes to modifying coupes into convertibles. Yet for one Georgia Army National Guard unit, this is just another creative, yet important, training opportunity, that proved
useful during a recent mission. The 202nd Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
based at Fort Gillem, returned in mid-March from a two-week deployment to Panama where the unit cleared small am1s and artillery ranges of unexploded ammunition and scrap metal in preparation for the return of the Panama Cana l to the Panamanian government at the end of the year. Sixteen members of the Fort Gillem-based unit participated in the deployment.
"Ourjob is to render safe unexploded ordnance by one, defusing it, and two, making it go offwhen we want it to," said Sgt. Ist Class Ralph W. Farrow, senior noncommissioned officer for the 202nd Ordnance Co. Farrow, a full-time employee of the Georgia Army National Guard, is a resident of Dallas, Ga.
To accomplish thi s mission, the unit recently practiced demolition procedures at the Atlanta Police Department firing range. The unit first practiced safety procedures with blasting caps and detonation cord, or "det cord," to the soldiers. The guardsmen then practiced destroying anti-tank mines and munitions.
After lunch, the unit turned their attention to making automotive alterations to a broken-down 1970s coupe. The demolition team carefully placed charges and explosives throughout the car. In a few smoking seconds, the hardtop became a convertible. "Anytime we can get our hands on explosives and come out to a range it a lways he lps with our training," said Staff Sgt. Angel Soto, team leader.
"This keeps us ready. The National Guard only gets two days a month to train, so anytime we can get training at the range, it helps

us keep our readiness up," said Soto, a Savannah police officer. With this type oftraining, the unit members were well prepared
for its mission in Panama. The unit's performance and readiness, according to Capt. Beverly A. Kodak, commander of the 202nd Ordnance Co, is on par with active duty EOD units.
" We had an evaluator at our last Annual Training at Fort McClellan, AI., and he commented that we are just as well-prepared to do our job as any active duty EOD unit," said Kodak, a drama teacher at Eagle's Landing Middle School in McDonough, Ga.
Additiona lly, the unit used their time to train new members. This training provided Sgt. Cliff Broughton, with his first hands-on experience with explosives. "It's exciting, it's nice adrenal ine rush," said Broughton. " It's something different than being an MP or a policeman." Broughton, of Woodstock, was previously a military policeman and is currently a Cherokee County deputy sheriff.
But above all, safety is paramount for all unit members. " We are probably the most safety-conscious unit in the Guard," said Farrow. " It is forbidden for anybody to get hurt."
Even though they weren't blowing up coupes in Panama, the unit successfully disposed of unexploded ordnance on ranges sur rounding the Panama Canal Zone.

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Above right, the convertible after a n EOO makeover. Below right, Capt. Beverly A. Kodak (facing camera). Below Spc. J ason Mitchell examines a la nd mine after "render safe procedures"
Story a11d Photos by Spc. Beth Holland a11d Spc. J.M. Lowry 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachme11t
9

Army Guardsmen Tackle Yearly 'Rite of Summer'

By Staff Sgt. Elliott M inor 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachm ent
Spc. Frank Fortner is concerned and outraged at the barbarism taking place in the Balkans.
Before traveling to Fort Stewart for two weeks of training in May with the Georgia Army National Guard, Fortner watched TV reports showing hordes ofweary, anguished refugees fleeing from the Yugoslav army in Kosovo. He read newspaper accounts ofthe alleged atrocities in Kosovo.
"Ifsomebody was running my family out of there, even if it's on the other side of the world, I hope somebody would put a stop to it," said the Gainesville mechanical engineer.
Fortner and 2,700 other members of the Georgia guard's 48th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) began their two weeks of annual training just a few days before the Pentagon announced the call-up of 33,000 reservists and guard members.
Other units undergoing annual training at Fort Stewart included Ist Battalion, 2 I4th
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Field Artillery, the I22nd Long Range Surveillance Company, elements ofthe 151 st Medical Evacuation Battalion and aviation support e lements of the Ist Aviation Group.
No Georgia Army Guard units were mobilized, but Fortner and his buddies in Company C , I st BattaIion, 121 st Infantry, said they are prepared to go, if called. Company C is based in Gainesville, a poult1y production center in northeastern Georgia.
Lt. Col. Allen Carr, executive officer ofthe 48th Infantry Brigade said events in the Balkans highIight the seriousness of the guard 's mission. Guard and reserve units make up 51 percent ofthe nation's total military force.
" The individual soldier out there listening to the news may say, 'I need to dig my foxhole deeper," ' said Carr, a veteran guardsman from Gray, north of Macon.
Most of the 4,000 members of the 48'11 Brigade spent the bulk oftheir time

at Fo1t Stewart in the field, fighting mock battles in remote areas.
About 500 soldiers of the Ohio National Guard were also at Fort Stewart. They played the role of enemy soldiers during battles with the brigade.
StaffSgt. Ralph Lovett, a high school art teacher in Milledgeville, said he was ready for a rumble. Lovett is the leader ofan artillery forward observer team for the battalion. His team travels in a boxy armored vehicle known as a "Fist-V" that uses computers and a laser to pinpoint targets. The team supported an infantry company at Fort Stewart. "Ifthey run into other artillery, if they run into heavy armor, or if they run into obstacles, we can help them out with heavy artillery," Lovett said.
Staff Sgt. Gordon Spears, a Bradley commander in Gainesville's Company C, Ist Battalion, 121 st Infantry, said "The biggest thrill is using my skills and my experience to help new soldiers who just came out of school."

'Small Arms'
Doesn't Mean
'Small Guns'
By Spc. J .M. Lowry I24th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
After rainy and cool days the sun came out for various National Guard Companies in 2nd Battalion, 12 1st Infantry Regiment. The sunshine came at the right time, because these guardsmen had to qualify with va rious medium sized weapons, like the M-60 machine gun, the M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon, the .50 caliber machine gun, and the AT-4, a self-propelled rocket launcher.
Guardsmen fired these weapons which they haven 't fired in years, due to new standards for their respective units . Training and qualifying on these weapons is just one of the jobs these guardsmen came to do. These weapons are important because they can support at least a squad, I0 to 12 soldiers.
"These weapons can fire at armored

vehicles like tanks or at helicopters close to land," said StaffSgt. Henry L. Preston, of Eastman and an infantryman with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 121 st In fantry Regiment.
At each firing range, safety is an impo11ant issue.
"I won't let you go out there without knowing mi sfi re procedures and the f~unctions check," said StaffSgt. Jackie E. Bracewell , of Ocecsella, who was the safety officer in charge at the .50 caliber range.
"One round is enough to bum a hole through an APC (armored personnel carrier)," he said, ofthe .50 caliber round, which is about a 12 millimeter round.
The soldiers heeded the warnings of the safety sergeant in charge, but they still looked forward to firing the ".50 cal."
"It's been about eight years since I fired one; so I' ll feel a little bit of a rush today," said Spc. Nathaniel Williams, of Camilla and a petroleum specialist with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 121 st Infantry Regiment.
Other 1lcadquartcrs Company soldiers feel the same way, but for different reason s.
" It 's fun , loud, and it's a durable weapon," said Staff Sgt. Alfred 8. Lewis, of Sylvester and section sergeant. When soldiers fired the 50 cal's loud c laps of thunder rained over the range. Other 2nd Battalion companies fired di ffcrent weapons. At the M-249 and M-60 range the crack of5.56 millimeter and 7.62 millimeter bullets down range filled the sky.
At left with bandoliers of .SOcali ber rounds draped across t heir shoulders, Spc. Nathaniel Williams, of Camilla, Pfc. J ohn A. Sammons, of Tifton a nd Spc. David L. Bell, also of Camilla, wait their turn to fire. (Photo by Spc. J . M. Lowry, 124th MPAD)

48thJoins
Reflaged
24th Division
Georgia 's 48'h Infantry Brigade (Mech) made history in early June as it officially became part of the first of two Active Component/National Guard Integrated Divisions in the U.S. Army.
The Macon-headquartered 4,000mcmber infantry brigade will be one of three enhanced National Guard infantry brigades to form the nucleus of the reactivated 24th Integrated Division to be located at Fort Riley, Kans.
Ceremonies for the official activation of the 24'11 Integrated Division took place in early June at Fort Riley, Kan.
The 48th Brigade has units located in 70 communities statewide.
The two integrated divisions will be commanded by an active component Major General and each will be comprised of three Am1y National Guard enhanced brigades.
The Army National Guard enhanced brigades are the principal Reserve Component ground combat maneuver forces of the United States Army.
The term "enhanced" refers to increased resources and manning priorities with the improved training strategies during pre-mobilization that ensures their ability to be ready to deploy by 90 days after call up. The brigades will be organized, equipped and sustained to be doctrinally employable, command and control compatible and logistically supportable by any US Army corps or division.
The 48'11 was affiliated with the 24'11 Infantry Division until the division was inactivated at Fort Stewart, Ga. in 1996 as the Army downsized to I0 divisions.
When reactivated the 24th will consist ofthe 30'h lnfant1y Brigade (Mechanized), N.C., the 2 I8'h Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), S.C., and the 48'h Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), Ga. A forward element of this division will be located at Fort Jackson, S.C.
11

Another Day At The Office
Story and Photos by SPC J effLowry and James C. Slterril/
A early morning, misty fog enveloped a convoy of humvces and transport vehicles en route from the National Guard Training Center to the Galahad drop one, hidden among the pines and palmettos of this Southeast Georgia Army reservation. As the convoy arrived at the desolate field some minutes later, a deep-throated airborne " Hooah!" could be heard as soldiers ofH Company, Ist Battalion, 121st In fantry, the Guard's Long-Range Surveillance Company (LRSC), piled out of the camouflaged vehicles and began preparing for a rare chance to parachute from a helicopter.
The Georgia Army National Guard's LRSC soldiers were engaged in intensive combat training during their two weeks of annual training here.
The soldiers of the Newnan-based LRSC, whose mission is to infiltrate beh ind enemy lines and gather intelligence, are no strangers to the rigors ofjumping from aircraft. In the past six months they've jumped in Germany, Fort Bragg, Fort Benning and Tunisia, where they earned their Tunisian jump wings.
Despite their experience, leaders conducted a pre-jump practice session to ensure safe landings.
"Get rcady...prepare to land... land," shouted Ist Lt. Robert S. Lazenby of Macon, an Army Ranger and an experienced jumper. One by one soldiers hopped about three feet from the tailgate of a humvee and rolled to a stop on the sandy earth, being sure to keep their knees bent and together to prevent injury.
After Lazenby felt comfortable with the troops' practice landings, it was time for the soldiers to strap on their gear required for the jump - main parachute, reserve ' chute, full pack, helmet, two canteens of water, and an M- I6 rifle in a padded case.
Using the time-honored buddy system, the soldiers helped each other pile on the more than I00 pounds of equipment.
"No, no it's got to go under," said one, as he assisted his fellow soldier in attaching the baggage. "Thar's your left leg strap."
At right Cpl. Joe F. Shirer, ofAtlanta, floats to earth on one of his two jumps oft he day; below 1st Lt. Robert S. Lazenby of Macon ensures his soliders remember all the right moves during a pre-jump practice session (photos by Spc. James Sherrill, 124th MPAO)

After Lazenby was certain the gear was fastened properly, he gave each troop a reassuring pat on the back. The jumpers lay in the dewy grass to ease some of the strain while they waited for the mission to unfold.
"Now I know what a pack mule feels like," said Sgt. Dwight McLeod, a radio operator from Norcross and a veteran of 23 jumps.
Soon the order came to move out. The weather was overcast and cool, but humid. The best part was little or no wind.
The CH-47 Chinook, a large tandem-rotor helicopter that is the Army's heavy-payload workhorse, stood ready as the guardsmen shuffled out to it. Like a blessing from above, the sun made a briefappearance to cut the early-morning chill.
The Chinook shuddered as the pilot engaged the rotors and increased the torque ofthe engine. The flight engineer stood on the lowered deck to the rear of the chopper and communicated with the pilots through a microphone in his helmet. He dragged a long umbilical cord behind him that connected his helmet radio to a jack on the bulkhead - his lifeline to communicate with the pilots.
The line ofequipment-laden soldiers boarding the helicopter looked as ifthey were walking in to a giant bird's gaping mouth.. As they reached the ramp and began to climb aboard, the flight engineer strained to help them on, giving each a tug on the arm.
The troops sat facing each other in two rows ofseven, backs against the bulkheads. When the pilot pushed the throttle, loose grass, sand and debris swirled on the dry field.
The bird quickly climbed to l ,300 feet, the altitude of the jump. The pilot made a pass over the drop zone to give the jumpers a look at the layout ofthe terrain out ofthe open end of the aircraft, then circled back for the jump run.
The jumpmaster, unable to give verbal commands to the jumpers, gave a swift hand signal to "stand up and hook up." The anxious troops quickly obeyed, stood and clipped their

static lines to a cable stretching at eye-level half the length of the interior of the helicopter.
The jumpmaster held up his index finger to indicate they were one minute away from the drop zone. When a tiny light near the rear deck switched from red to green, the first soldier exited the aircraft as though he was stepping off of his front porch.
One by one, the others followed and seemed to blossom into olive drab flowers as they floated towards earth.
Although the soldiers might have felt like pack mules, they glided down like eagles attacking their prey.
"I came down like a feather," said Sgt. Dale M. Coggin, a team leader from Newnan and a veteran of more than 80 jumps. "I lost count after 80," said Coggin, who has about 20 jumps from a Chinook.
"Today I had a great opening, no tangles (in the lines) and the winds were perfect," Coggin said.
Most of the other soldiers had seemingly flawless jumps too. " I had excellent jumps," said Sgt. Ande L. Gibbs of Atlanta, a team leader and jumpmaster, who had two jumps for the day. Although some aspects were good, there were some minor annoyances. "It was a good jump and a long walk," said Cpl. Randall W. Gravett, a radio operator from Dallas, Ga. After landing, the jumpers rolled up their parachutes, packed their gear and hiked back to the spot where the Chinook had landed. If the soldi ers hurried, they could jump again , because they were doing " elevator training." "It's a continuous momentum_ of jumping, running back and getting another parachute to jump again," said 1st Sgt. David E. Reyes, company first sergeant. " It's very demanding physically and mentally," said Reyes, who lives in Jonesboro. "The weather was perfect, the winds were calm and nobody got hurt," said Gibbs. This was a little different however, especially for some of the
Continued on next page

Unit 'Jumps' At The Chance to Go Airborne

newer soldiers in the unit who had never jumped from a helicopter before.
"I like jumping out ofthese a lot better because sometimes your body twists around when you jump from a C-130 and your lines get tangled. But the helicopter rotor blows you straight down and your 'chute opens quickly," said Pfc. Travis R. Moore ofNewnan, one of three soldiers making their first helicopter jump.
The LRSC has more helicopter jumps slated for the near future. One will include a Chinook ride !Tom Fort Stewart to Fort Benning, near Columbus where they will land on a yet another drop zone. They hope the weather there will bejust as nice.

Above Sgt. Bradford F. Peterson of Stone Mountain, LRSC administration sergeant, watches closely as his fellow soliders prepare for their j ump. Below, members of Company H, LRSC

on the move prior to their first jump of the day. (photos by Spc. J a mes Sher r ill, 124th MPAO)

14

Interrogators Play Mind Games, Not War Games
By Officer Candidate Thomas C. Meeks 124 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Bom bs, laser-guided missiles and ar tillery rounds a re important weapons the Army uses to persuade the enemy to surrender. But without proper intelligence the explosions may not be enough.
Sgt. Stuart Jolmson, a prisoner of war interrogator for the Georgia Army National Guard's 248th Military Intelligence Company, spent his two weeks of annual training conducting mock interrogations on other soldiers playing the role of prisoners. An Ohio Army National Guard unit joined in the war games.
Johnson, 36, a Statesboro native, is the only trained interrogator in his unit, which is based at Fort Gillem, near Atlanta. He is trained in the skills required to elicit important information from captured enemy soldiers.
The Anny follows strict guidelines in handling POWs, which conform to the Geneva Convention.
Once captured, military police soldiers search prisoners to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
"The MPs will search everything they have, looking for maps, weapons and they'll even go through all of their personal belongings," sa id Sgt. 1st Class James Pyle, an Ml evaluator with the Southeast Army Reserve Intelligence Support Center at Fort Gillem. "We want to get information about where they've been, where they're going, and pinpoint their objectives. It's this type of information that helps higher (headquarters) know what the enemy is up to," said Johnson.
With the help ofa dozen Ohio National Guard soldiers posing as the opposing force, or OPFOR, Johnson got down to business using a makeshift interrogation table in a wooded area near a helicopter landing area. The first step was a screening to identi fy POWs who may have valuable intelligence information.
"The interview process is to simply find out who they are, what their rank is and make a determination if they are willing to talk to us. We want to make them comfortable. If they're cold, we get them warm, ifthey miss their family, we assure them they'll be all right," Johnson said.
Pyle said the prisoners arc rated on a scale of 1 to 5 during the interview, 5 being the best, those most likely to provide valuable infonnation.
A ftcr interviewing and determining which prisoners are going to be the "free-speakers" comes the hard part. Johnson has the tough task of drawing out accurate information from the POWs.
Some may think the interrogation process is nothing but pa in and torture. Unlike the image portrayed in war movies, prisoners must be treated humanely according to the rules of the Geneva Convention.
"It's against the Geneva Convention to torture the prisoners,'' Johnson said. "We would never torture anyone. We use nothing but mind games. Ifyou torture people, the infonnation you get will most likely not be accurate. They'll just tell you what you want to
hear."

Sgt. Stuart Johnson, left. questions Sgt. Ist Class James Pyle during a mock interrogation. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Elliott Mi1101; I 24th MPAD)

The Brew that Makes the Guard Percolate

What makes Gainesville's Guardsmen so quick and

energetic? More than likely it's

the gounnet coffee they drink.

With a coffee salesman in

the bunch, they had a steady

supply of the peppy brew

while training around the clock

recently at Fort Stewart, Ga.,

with the Georgia Army

National Guard

But is it really surprising

that Sgt. Jeff"Bear" Martin

comes to camp bearing coffee packets in the cargo pockets

Martin and " brew"

of his battle dress uniform? The answer is no.

Coffee salesmen bring coffee beans, usually ground. Vidalia

onion growers spread goodwill with sweet, juicy onions. And

watermelon farmers roll in with lucious watermelons.

"The National Guard knows a quality cup ofcoffee," said

Martin, the north Georgia representative for St. Ives coffee,

which has a coffee shop in his hometown ofGainesville.

Martin is a Bradley fighting vehicle gunner with

Gainesville's Company C, I st Battalion, I21st Infantry. The

Gainesville Guardsmen completed their preparations for going

to the field faster than some other units. That gave them time

for a refreshing cup of coffee.

15

By Spc. Molly L. Jones
124thMPAO
T he smell of campfires and authentic fry bread wafted through the air as the sharp crowing of roosters echoed. Women dressed in billowing hoop skirts, and sunbonnets sauntered from tent to tent, stopping here and there to chat and flirt with soldiers. The young men, dressed in blue and grey, checked their rifles and kit and prepared for the coming battle. Cavalry troopers checked their mounts, securing
cinches and quieting nervous horses.
At one side of the encampment, 12 cadets of Macon 's Regional Training Institute (RTI), dressed as their 1860s counterparts marched double- fil e, rifles balanced on their shou lders, into position.
While the blue and grey uniforms, the hoop skirts and bonnets looked and felt like 1864, it was 1999 and the players had convened at the Resaca Battlefield, north of Kennesaw Mountain , Ga. , to commemorate the 135'h anniversa ry of the battle fought there May 14-15, 1864.
At the Battle of Resaca a century ago, cadets of the Georgia Military Institute (GMI) were ca lled from their classes in Marietta as reinforcements as Union forces mounted their final assault on the South.
"The cadets are wearing replica dress unifom1s which include replica buttons and crests that cadets wore in 1865," said Ist Lt. Cynthia M. Gaston, a leadership instructor for the Officer Candidate School. Cadets also said they were proud to di splay "a piece ofhistory" and commemorate the only battle in wh ich GM I cand idates participated. "I really like the cadet uniform. Iteach history, so it gave me a lot of pride," said Officer Candidate E li zabeth W. Hai ght of Dahlonega, a history teacher at Lumpkin County High School.
Capt. Kenneth D. Kirk , the senior instructor of the OCS class, wal kcd around the campsite to each cadet, inspecting and correcting uni forms, from boots to the plumes on the hats. Cadets wore dress uni forms during the battle because they were called to fi ght on a moment's notice and did not have time to change unifonns, according to Kirk.
"Fall in!" yelled Kirk. The cadets fonned the ranks in front of Kirk. "This is an emotional moment for me, ... " he said to the candidates.
Kirk was excited about hav ing the opportunity to participate in a piece of

Officer Candidates Mark Battlefield's Anniversary

history in the making.This was the lirst time a Georgia Army National Guard OCS class has pa1ticipated in a reenactment, he said.
The cadets marched from their wood line encampment to the open field where they faced the onrushing Union cavalry and advancing infantry. Following the first volley from the cadets' rifles, riders fell from their mounts, but union infantry continued their advance.
To counter the in fantry's nankin g motion , Maj. Mark London, the state commander for OCS reenacting the part of Maj. Capers, commandant ofGM I, split his forces into two groups, one to fire on the infantry, and the other to continue firin g on the charging cavalry.
In the end, just as it happened in 1864,

the cadets' first volley downed and fatally wounded the colonel leading the Union cavahy charge, and turned back the cavalry; but as was the case 135 years ago, the cadets were forced to withdraw without casualty in the face of the overwhelming adva nce of the Union infantry.
The battle was soon over. The reenactment was a success. Kirk was pleased at how well the cadets perfonncd. "That (cadets taking part in a battle) hasn't happened in more than 135 years ... since Resaca! That (the reenactment by the cadets) wasn' t bad at all for a couple of green folks," he said.
Taking part in events such as the reenactment promotes recruitment, and lets the pubIic know that "GMI did not die with the war," Kirk said. London echoed Kirk's sentiments, saying "I was worried initially, but they did a super job."
At top OC Thomas C. Meeks in period uniform; below, cadets fire a volley at Resaca Battlefield reenactment. (Photo by Spc. J .M. Lowry)

16

116th B-ls Test North American Aerospace Defense S

The nation's most relied upon early warning system was put to the test in November when crews of the 116'11 Bomb Wing attempted to penetrate the intricate radar defenses of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Seven airc raft and more than 250 Guardsmen of the Robins-based 116'11 Bomb Wing deployed to Eielson Air Force Base in A laska for ten days of war exercises. During the period, B-1 s posed as enemy bombers flying more than 17 missions in an attempt to evade NORAD radar.
"Word from NORAD was they really liked our act," said Lt Col Tom Jordan, commander of the 11 6'11 while in A laska. "Generally, they did a good job finding and tracking us. We did get a couple of bombers through, but they probably don't want us talking about that."
The B-1 s entered the controlled ai rspaces often at treetop level, wings fully swept back and reaching supersonic speeds. Once

NORAD detected the intruding bombers, F-15 fighters were scrambled to intercept them in all but only a few missions.
Conditions at Eielson AFB, one of the most northern ofall A ir Force Bases located 26 miles from Fairbanks, were especially harsh on the Georgia bombers and crews. Temperatures ranged from 0-28 degrees and snow was on the ground during most of the deployment. B-1 crews flew more than a dozen missions before the NORAD exercise began to get the aircraft acclimated to the weather.
"We experienced some problems," said Jordan. It takes a while to get these airplanes acclimated to such extreme temperatures. Most effected by the conditions were the B- 1's hydraulic systems and electronic equipment." While NORAD continued to prove itself thoughout the exercise, it gives reason to think what would be the rea l world consequences of just one enemy bomber simila r to the B-1 escaping the ever vigalent eyes that guard the northern corridors
of the hemisphere.

Coronet Oak, the exercise which many Georgia Air Guardsmen from the l6S1hAirlift Wing ofthe Georgia Air National Guard came to know as rhe Panama Rotation ended on February 17"' at official ceremoni es conducted at Howard Air Force Base in the Republic ofPanama. The closing ofthe Coronet Oak mission is part ofa series ofevents over the year in which the Republic of Panama will take possession ofall former U.S. military bases and the Panama Canal.
" We have known that this moment was coming since the treaty was signed in 1977," said Col Ed Wexler, Commander ofLogistics for the Savannah-based airlift unit. Savannah aircrews and maintenance personnel have been flying the rugged C-130 into Panama and out into countries through the region since 1978. "We have flown countless missions into the remote and often unimproved airstrips often carrying relief and humanitarian aid", continued Wexler.
Forty-five members of the I6Yh were on the last rotation to Howard AFB. During this rotation, crews flew supplies to Nicaragua and Honduras for earthquake relief and delivered supplies to U.S. embassies across Central and South America. The l 65AW began flying to Panama in 1978 soon after the treaty was signed between the US and Panama.
According to Lt Col Pete Kehoe, commander of the 241h Expeditionary Airlift Squadron which oversees the Coronet Oak operations at Howard AFB, Air Guard units from across the United States rotate through the air base every two weeks to keep the mission going. At the closing ceremonies for Coronet Oak, Guard personnel from Tennessee, Wyoming, Maryland and Texas joined Savannah's I65AW for the solemn ceremony.

Until the close ofHoward AFB later this year, the United States will use Howard's superior location as a launch pad for missions to Central and South America. Everyday, National Guard F- I6s are scrambled to intercept suspected drug smugglers, and P-3 search and rescue aircraft roam the skies searching for drug traffickers trying to sneak through the area.
Although the Coronet Oak exercises will close at Howard, current plans call for operations to relocate to U.S. military insta llations in Florida or Puerto Rico. Once the base closes, the 24'" Wing, which commands operations at Howard will no longer ex ist. Airmen will be reassigned and civilian employees will have to find new jobs in the local economy.
A container ship transits Gaillard C ut, the narrowest portion of the Panama Canal. Photo courtesy ofthe Panama Canal Commission.

18

Col. Pete Kehoe (facing), commander of the 24th Expeditionary Ai rlift Squadron furls the squadron flag as Howard AB, Panama closes.

Final salute to Howard AB, a nd the 24th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron by members ofSavannah's
t 65th Airlift Win g.

19

Air Guardsman Headed for Naval War College
Lt. Col. Cynthia Tslin has been selected to attend the nine-month College ofNaval Warfare at Newpo11, Rhode Island. Tslin is one ofonly two Air National Guard members ofthe 285 selectees from all services to attend the prestigious course that begins in August. Islin is the I I6'h Bomb Wing's Logistics Squadron Commander.
State Legislature, Georgia Power Support Youth Challenge
Georgia legislators during the 1999 Legislative session approved $297,000 in continuing support for the National Guard's Youth Challenge Academy.
The program is shifting to a 70 percent federal and 30 percent state matching program in the year2000 budget.
The Georgia Power Company again showed its suppo1t to the Fort Stewart-based program by presenting a check for $10,000.
Fred Williams, SeniorVice President for the Georgia Power Company made the presentation to YCA director Lt. Col. Frank Williams and Brig. Gen. Walter C. Corish, Jr, the acting Adj utant General ofGeorgia during a recent v isit to the YCA.
This is the second corporate contribution that the giant utility has presented to YCA in as many years.
20

In Brief

277th Ends Deployment to Germany

The old Augusta Armory
Barnes Pledges
Facilities Funding
The 1999 Georgia Legislature wrappedup its 1999 sess ion approving Governor Roy Barnes' budget, which increased funding for repa ir and maintenance of Georgia Oepa11ment ofDefense facilities .
The Fiscal Year 2000 budget took steps to reverse the trend of decreasing maintenance funding for National Guard armories in Georgia.
The Governor's FY-2000 budget recommended that $300,000 be added to the agency's adjusted state base. By making this adjustment, the Governor not only added $300,000 to the budget, he also added $300,000 to future DoD budgets; a move that should go a long way toward helping the agency start to recover from years of decreased funding.
The Governor also addressed the need for additional funding to suppo1t new Air Guard facilities at Robins Air Force Base and in Savannah. Some $60,000 in state funds were added to match $180,000 in federal dollars to cover increases in operating costs.
In other news from this year's legislative session:

Members of the Army Guard 's 277'h Maintenance Company completed a threeweek deployment to Germany in April. Some 150 members of the Kennesaw-based unit augmented repa ir and maintenance operations to vehicles at U.S. Army Theatre Maintenance Operations in Europe.
The 277'" deployed to Kaiserslautern, approximately one hundred miles from Wiesbaden, at the U.S. Army Equipment Maintenance Center Europe. This is the first deployment of a Georgia Army National Guard unit to the European Maintenance Center.
" Our goal for this was to maintain the h ighest maintenance production leve ls possible in support of the U.S. Army Theater-wide maintenance mission in Europe," said CPT Perry A. Carter, the 277'"'s commander, shortly before leaving earlier this month. Vehicles from throughout Europe, including the war-torn Balkan region, are cycled through the Equipment Maintenance Center for major maintenance, repair and rebuilding.

The House and Senate approved $297,000 to support the Youth Challenge Academy. This program is shifting to a 70 percentfederal/30 percent-state matching program in the year 2000 budget.

The state legislature funded the Georgia National Guard student cancelable loan at $100,000, the same amount as last year.
Two issues regarding the State Defense Force were carried over 111 committee until next year's session.

SDF 'Blossoms'
Jn late Spring, Georgia's State Defense Force took part in the annua l C herry Blossom Festival held in Macon, Georgia. Above, State Defense Force members, their bus in the backgr ound, begin r ecruiting efforts at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

In Brief

Georgia Guardsmen Key Coastal ASCIETExercise

Georgia Air and Army National Guard units were key players in the All Service Combat Identification Evaluation Team (ASCIET) exercise held recently in coastal Georgia. This combat identification evaluation drew more than 5,000 troops !Tom more than 55 different military units to Georgia between March 1-12.
The annual DOD evaluation evaluates a broad spectrum of combat identification areas including doctrine, tactics,

techniques, procedures and combat systems.
Georgia's Combat Readiness Training Center in Garden City was the epicenter for the twelve-day exercise. Flying units used the sophisticated Air Combat Maneuver Instrumentation system (ACMI) as well as the Center's housing and mess facilities. Aircraft from all services used the resources of the Townsend Bombing Range, operated by the Georgia National Guard, for a series

of ground munitions delivery operations. The Georgia Air National Guard's 117'" Air Control Squadron and I651h ASOS are also involved. Several B-1 B bombers flying from the l l 61h Bomb Wing in Warner Robins participated in the exercise.
ASCIET 99 brought together more than 70 current combat identification systems and 30 government-sponsored developing technologies to be integrated and evaluated in the joint environment.

Georgia Engineers

Communications

Build Schools in

Booklets, Pamphlets

Storm Ravaged

Explain GA DOD's Role

Dominican Republic

Distributed via email most workdays.

The 878'11 Engineer Combat Heavy Battalion was a major participant in "Operation Caribbean Castle-99" in the Dominican Republic th is spring.
The battalion 's mission was to build three schools desperately needed in the wake of Hurricane Georges that swept the island nation last year.
Involving more than 500 Georgia eng in eers , the overseas deployment consisted of three 15-day rotations. Units ofthe 878'11 Eng Bn that participated included Company A, headquartered in Swainsboro and Sandersvi ll e; Company B, from Augusta; and Company C !Tom Lyons.
The operation was supported by members of Headquarters Company, 878'h En. Bn., including several individuals who were part ofthe "duration force" throughout the operation. In add ition to the Georgia Guardsmen, "Operation Caribbean Castle99" also included members of the 877'11 Engineer Battalion from the Alabama National Guard.

Do you want to know more about our organization or do you want to be better able to tell our story? The Directorate of Communications has a wide range of resources available to help members of our organization better understand the National Guard and the Georgia
Department of Defense. Here's just a few:
The Speakers Resource Kit: Includes a copy of the latest command briefing in slide or Powerpoint format, plus tips and resources for making presentations about the Georgia DoD and National Guard. Available as a complete packet, or visit the "Virtual Speakers Resource Center" on the Web at http:// www2.state.ga.us/gadod/ news/speak.html
F irst F riday Briefing: A news-
digest update of key stories designed to keep you up to date on issues affecting our organization. Published the first Friday of every month and distributed by email and fax.
Up to the Minute: a daily scan of
news media stories of interest to the Georgia DoD and National Guard.

A G uide to Under standing the
'New' Georgia DoD: An easy-read guide to understanding the changes we've made in uur urganizatiun and how they've made the Georgia Department of Defense a better organization.
Who to Call: A state-wide
directory of units and key depa1tments in the Georgia DoD, Army National Guard, Air National Guard and State Defense Force. It includes all units and hometowns in a quick-reference format.
The Annual Report: A review of
the Georgia DoD in 1998 including significant events, an overview of our structure, a look at our financial impact, and a review ofour personnel makeup. Available in hardcopy or on the Web at http://www2.state.ga.us/ gadod/ news/ an nualreport.html
If you 'd like to request a copy or subscribe to any of the products above, call (404) 624-6060 (DSN: 338:6060) or email burchfieldlee@dod.state.ga.us. Or check out the Georgia DoD Web Site which features news, photos, publications, bios, background material and more at www.news.dod.state.ga.us or http://www2.state.ga.us/gadod/ news/ index .html.
21

In Brief

Georgia Guardsmen Dismantle Same Radar Erected 30 Years Earlier

It was thirty-years ago when Georgia Air Guardsmen of the 20211d Engineering Installation Squadron built a 200-foot radar tower at Punta Salinas Air Base in Puerto Rico as the 'eyes and ears' of the Guard's southern watch. Late last year, the same Georgia Air Guard unit returned to the island to remove the old radar system and replace it with state-of-the-art tracking and surveillance equipment.
Few members of the 202"" today

Ai r G uardsmenofth e 202nddismantle the radartower

remember the earlier efforts of their forefathers to construct radar antenna and install the electronic support equipment. At the time the tower was constructed, it debuted some of the most sophisticated radar equipment used by the Air Force.
Eight members of the 20211d spent two weeks in temperatures approaching over 110 degrees dismantling the antiquated system that had been used for the Guard's counterdrug operations in a large part of the Caribbean.

Britt takes reins of MI Battalion
1st Female Army Guard Officer To Command Battalion

History was made June 6, 1999 when the Georgia Army National Guard appointed its first female battalion commander. Lieutenant Colonel Maria L. Britt assumed command ofthe 400-member 221 " Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Gillem, Ga.
A native ofAmsterdam, NewYork, Britt is a seventeen-year Army veteran. A graduate of the U nited States Military

Academy at West Point, Lt. Col. Britt graduated in 1983 with a degree in Engineering.
Britt joined the Georgia Army National Guard in September 1991 as an Inte lligence Officer. In 1993,she became a full-time military technician and served in a variety of posts including headquarters assignments and the 48th Infantry Brigade (Mech). "The Georgia National Guard has come a long way in

accepting women and minorities in leadership roles," said Lt. Col. Britt. "I don't see myse lf as the first female battalion commander, but as a qualified officer who's privileged to command a battalion."

Georgia Units Haul MLRSPods During 'Golden Cargo'

Imagine transporting nearly 5,000 tons ofMultiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) pods from Tllinois to Texas. That's the
mission completed by the uoh Corps
Support Battalion during the unit's annual training in May and June. Dubbed "Golden Cargo 99," the operation involved moving more than 231 truck loads ofthe ammunition, made up ofmore than 11,000 MLRS rockets, from the Savannah Army Ammunition Depot in northern Illinois to the Lone Star Ammunition Plant in eastern Texas. The 903-mile j ourney also included routes through Missouri and Arkansas with overnight stops in Cape Girardeau,
Mo. The 1OOhCSB, which is headquartered

in Columbus, was the task force headqua1ters for the four-week operation that included more than 600 personnel
from seven National Guard units. Units of the 11 0111 CSB that participated were the 1177'h Transportation Company from Barnesville and LaGrange, the 11481h Transportation Company from Thomasville and the 1230'hTransportation Company from Bainbridge. In its role as task force
headquarters, the 11 oh CSB also provided
command and control for the 1486 Truck Company from Ashland, Ohio and the 1157'" Truck Company from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, along with elements of the Missouri National Guard which provided maintenance and support.

22

Benefits

Commissary Privileges Increasing for Guardsmen

By Bonnie Powell Special to the A merican For ces
Press Ser vice
FORT LEE, Va.-Reservists who do not have their Commissary Privilege Card yet may be spending up to 30 percent too much for their groceries. Congress voted last fall to double to 24 the number of commissary visits reserve component members and "gray-area" retirees can make each year. But you still need the Commissary Privilege Card to get in the door. Guard and Reserve units issue the cards to their members. Gray-area reserve retirees arc those under age 60 who will be eligible for retired pay when they hit that magic number. The shopping privilege also applies to the dependents of reserve component and Retired Reserve personnel. "Service in the National Guard and Reserve is now more challenging and more difficult then ever before," sa id Char les L. Cragin, acting ass istant secretary of defense for reserve affairs. "Doubling the commissary access for reservists and their families helps to level the playing field and improve their quality oflife."
According to Col. James Scott of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, "many reservists feel it's a significant entitlement. The problem is lack of awareness-the reservists don't always know about the benefit or take advantage of it." John Gannon, a retired sergeant major who is a key volunteer with reserve and family support groups, agrees. During his travels, he talks to thousands of reservists and many of them don't understand the significant money they can save at the commissary. " How do you know you can't save money ifyou don'tgo?" he asks them. "It's a major benefit to reservists. They might not see it now, but ifthey don't start using it now, one day they will wake up and their biggest benefit will be gone!" " We encourage all Guard and Reserve personnel to use their shopping privilege," said Bill Ri tz, a commissary management speciali st who oversees the Defense Commissary Agency's Guard and Reserve s hoppin g po li cy. "Th ey w ill e nj oy

shopping for groceries in modem stores and get great value in the bargain." For calendar 1999, the services indicate they will issue two 12-visit cards to authorized reserve component and Retired Reserve members. The calendar 2000 card will contain 24 blocks. To shop the commissary, reservists (or immediate family) need a valid ID card and a current Commissary Privilege Card that entitles them to 24 shopping days. Cards, usually obtained from the Reserve or Guard unit administrator, are stamped or initialed at each store visit. Reserve and Guard personnel on active duty are entitled to un limited commissary visits and do not have to present their cards. Gray-area reserve retirees usually get their cards by mail, but "judging from some of the phone calls I've gotten, it's not automatic," said reserve affairs spokesman Lt. Col. Terry Jones. "Often when they were processed out, no one told them about the benefit." Scott said retirees who want "into

the system" should obtain a card by mail by contacting their regional personnel support team.
Reservists need ing a privilege card should contact their unit administrator or call: Army Reserve, 1-800-325-1869; Navy Reserve, 1-800 535-2699, ext. 5500 or (504) 678-5500; Marine Corps Reserve, (703) 7849317; or Air Force Reserve, 1-800-525-0 I02, ext. 227 The new DOD policy also allows National Guard members on state active duty for federally declared disaster operations (and their dependents) to use commissary stores during the period of their active service. The required documentation is a military order stating that the National Guard member is serving in support of a federally declared disaster. Internet-connected reservists can obtain information on commissary shopping and the privilege card at http://www.army.mil/usar/a r-perscom/ pasd.htm.

'Sailors ReliefAct'Applies to Mobilized Guardsmen

WASHINGTON - If you're one of the thousands of reserve component service members called to active duty in support of Operation Allied Force - or any other operation - you're protected by a law that can save you so me headaches - and possibly more than just a few dollars.
Under provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' ReliefAct of 1940, you may qualify for any or all of the following:
Reduced interest rate on mortgage payments.
Reduced interest rate on credit card debt.
Protection from eviction ifyour rent is $1,200 or less.
Delay ofall civil courts actions, such as bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings.
"Service members in general just don't understand the depth of protection and their

rights under this act," said Air Force Maj. Amy Griese, assistant director for legal policy in DoD's office of personnel and readiness.
In addition to the protections involving debt payments and civil litigation, the act guarantees service members the right to vote in the state of their home of record and protects them from paying taxes in two different states.
Most provisions ofthe act are automatic, but Griese emphasized that those involving debt payments are not. Under the act, service members on active duty can have mortgage and cred it card interest rates reduced to a fixed rate of6 percent.
Service members who encounter personal financial or legal problems should contact their unit or installation legal assistance office to see if they' re protected by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Act of
1940.

23

Last Word

by CPT Spencer Price

The Guard's Presidential Connection Is No Surprise

aders of hometown newspapers around the state have gained a unique nsight into the roles and traditions of the Georgia National Guard thanks to series of monthly articles written by Captain Spencer Price ofthe 48th Brigade's 2nd Battalion, 121 st Infantry. Cpt. Price's columns appear in more than 30 pubIications and have helped folks across Georgia better understand the role of the citizen-soldier. A member ofthe Georgia Guard since 1994, Cpt. Price grew up in Upson County where he was influenced toward military service by his father who served in the National Guard in the South Pacific during World War II. He attended Mercer University earning degrees in business administration and biology. Later, he graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine and is serving his residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. Cpt.. Price is currently assigned as battalion surgeon for the 2-121 Infantry. His column will be a regu lar feature of the Georgia Guardsman.

A ll three served as President of the United States, and all three are immortalized (along with Thomas Jefferson) on Mount Rushmore.
However, other than these well-known facts, what do George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt have in common?
The answer - all three served as citizen-soldiers before being elected president. In fact, at least 15 former presidents have risen from the ranks of America's citizen-soldiers.
Early in grammar school , most of us learned of Washington 's exploits during America's struggle for independence. However, few ofus learned ofhis success as commander ofa Virginia militia unit prior to the Revolutionary War.
Washington fought alongside British forces during the French and Indian War ( 1753-1759), earning a reputation as a skillful and daring military leader.
Due to his militia experience, the Continental Congress sought Col. Washington as the logical choice to command the Continental Army in the war against the British.
Much is known about Abraham Lincoln's contributions to numerous pivotal events in American history. Less is known about the pivotal events early in his life that shaped the future president's thinking.
Lincoln is known to have valued his experiences as a captain in an Illinois militia unit organized to fight against Chief Black

Hawk in 1832. Lincoln later said that he had no
success in life that gave him so much satisfaction as his experience with the mi litia unit.
On July I, 1898, Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, along with members ofthe 1st U.S. Volunteer Calvary, charged up a hill and went down in history.
With a smashing victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill, the gregarious Roosevelt and hi s courageous "Rough Riders" became famous throughout the world.
Rooseve lt's involvement in the Spanish-American War ( 1898) is described in numerous written accounts. However, rarely mentioned is his involvement with the National Guard prior to the war.
In 1882, Roosevelt was appointed second lieutenant in Company B, Eighth Regiment New York National Guard. Having risen to the rank of captain, he resigned his commission in 1886. He later described the experience as "invaluable."
In a message to the U.S Congress, Roosevelt called for a "thorough military education" for both Regulars and officers of the Guard "and others in civil life who desire intelligently to fit themselves for possible military duty."
Roosevelt also stated, " I believe no other great country has such fine natural materials for volunteer soldiers as we have, and it is the obvious duty of the nation and the states to make such provision as will enable the volunteer soldiery to be

24

organized with all possible rapidity and efficiency in time ofwar, and furthermore to help in every way the National Guard in time of peace."
Although not immortalized in stone on Mount Rushmore, Harry S. Truman remains one of America's most famous citizensoldiers.
During World War I, Truman assumed command ofBattery D, I29th Field Artillery, 35th Division, Missouri National Guard at Brittany, France on July 11 , 1918.
He proved to be an effective leader who was fiercely dedicated to his troops. He once said, "I want to tell you this, too, fellows. Right now I'm where I want to be - in command of this battery. I'd rather be here than president of the United States."
Other presidents who served as citizen-soldiers include Maj. W illiam McKinley, 23rd Ohio Volunteers; Brig. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 70'11 Indiana Infantry; Brig. Gen., Chester A Arthur, New York State Militia; Maj. Gen. James A. Garfield, 42nd Ohio Infantry; Maj. Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes, 23rd Ohio Infantry; Lt. Gen.Ulysses S. Grant, 21st 1llinois Volunteers; Pvt. James Buchanan, cavalry unit local to Lancaster, Pa.; Brig. Gen. Franklin Pierce, New Hampshire militia; Maj. James K. Polk, Maury County (Tenn .) militia; Capt. John Tyler, Charles City Rifles (Va.); and Maj. Gen. William H. Harrison, Virginia militia.
Undoubtedly, their early experiences as citizen-soldiers proved invaluable to these men in later discharging their duties as pres ident.
However, one need not serve as president to make good use of lessons learned while servi ng America as a citizen-soldier.
The principles ofdiscipline, leadership, and teamwork, emphasized at all levels throughout the National Guard, can be applied to almost any job or situatio n.
Now, some of us may wonder, "Will a future president of the United States rise from the ranks ofAmerica's citizen soldiers?" If so, considering the National Guard 's presidential past, it should come as no s u r pri se.

Getting The Big Guns Ready!
Spc Ted Yrizarry of Atlanta, lashes a line from a laser firing device attached to the barrel of his Ml-Al tank gun during annual training at Fort Stewart. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Elliot Minor, 124th MPAD)
Annual Training features start on page 10

Georgia
Guardsman
C/O Directorate of Commuications Georiga Department ofDefense P.O. Box 17965 Atlanta, GA 30316-0965