Georgia guardsman [Vol. 1, no. 2 (Fall 1999)]

GiA
y4co .AJ.5
r1
G,.tt \
l/1

Georgia
Guardsman
Fall 1999, Vol 1. No. 2
FEATURES
5 Responding to Floyd The Georgia National Guard and State Defense Force respond to the threat ofHurricane Floyd.
The 116th Wins Again
9 The Georgia Air ational Guard Bomb Wing earns an unprecedented 10th Outstanding Unit Award.
10 48th Joins the 24th ... Again Ft. Riley, Kansas hosts the reflagging ceremony of the 24th Infantry Division and members ofthe Brigadejoin the celebration.
15 'Major Mom' Maj. Patricia Ann Pettis is new to the Georgia Air National Guard, and she obviously appreciates big families.

18 'Vietnam revisited' Thomaston's B Company, 121 t Infantry re-enacts a Vietnam drop zone for a Georgia audience.

DEPARTMENTS

2 National News 20 In Brief

24 LastWord

About The Cover
Sgt. Holly Muse, a member of the 4th Military Support Detachment, Georgia National Guard, in her Level A, fully enclosed suit, adorns this issue 's front cover. (Georgia National Guard photo by Maj. Darren Tola, STARC, Public Affairs)

1

Georgia
Guardsman
Fall 1999, Vol 1. No. 2
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 Genera l of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman is di stributed 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 Georgia
Maj. Gen. David Poythress Director ofCommunications
LTC Jim Driscoll Editor
B. I. Diamond Air National Guard
Correspondent Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Baldowski
Army National Guard Correspondents
124'hMobi le 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
2

National News

Medical Experts To Study Anthrax Vaccine Safety

An interagency team of medical experts will coordinate long-term studies on the safety and effectiveness of the anthrax vaccine.
Responding to concerns of some service members and their families, the Army's Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program office established a committee to look closer at the vaccine. The office fa ll s under the Anny Surgeon General, executive agent for the DOD anthrax immunization program.
The committee includes representatives from DOD, the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board. Defense officials described the committee as a "roll-up-your-sleeves working group" intended to define research needs and set up studies to answer questions raised about the vaccine.
A variety of researchers will be used, possibly including ex isting federa l research scientists, contracted civilian universities and independent researchers, officials said.
But even as the Anny looks for problems with the vaccine, DOD will continue requiring service members to receive the shots.
"Anthrax is considered the No. 1 biological threat in the world today," said Lt. Col. John Grabenstein, deputy director of the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program. "It is lethal on the battlefield." Because service members may be vulnerable, it's necessary to continue inoculating them against anthrax whi le the studies are conducted, he said.
The first studies of the anthrax vaccine's safety were reported in the Bulletin of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1958, 12 years before the Food and Drug Administration approved and licensed it for use.
"Of I,700 laboratory workers followed for 10 to 25 or more years after anthrax vaccination, none developed any unexplained symptoms due to repeated doses of anthrax or any other vaccine they received," Grabenstein said.
What hasn 't been decided is what new research the committee will commission, if any. "That's why we are bringing in scientists from the DA, CDC and Armed Forces Ep idemiological Board to give us the nation 's best advice," Grabenstein said.
The studies look for signs that the vaccines may cause more than initial si de effects, such as increased long-term cancer or reproductive health risks. But Grabenstein said there 's no reason to expect they ' ll find anythi ng that so taints the anthrax vaccine that it will cease to be li censed for us e .
For more information about the anthrax vaccine and the DOD anthrax vaccination program, visit the Anthrax Immunization Program Website at http://www.anthrax.osd.mil.

President Signs Defense Authorization Bill

President Clinton signed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000 in a Pentagon

ceremony.

The legislation includes a sweeping 4.8 percent pay raise for all members ofthe military, authorizes

appropriations for much-needed military construction projects and more full -time National Guard

personnel .

The across-the-board pay raise, which goes into effect Jan. 1, is the largest in 18 years since the

14.3 percent increase in 1981. The bill also provides a change in pay scales that will be implemented

next July, which according to the president, "adds up to the biggest increase in mi litary compensation

in a generation."

The National Guard, which receives 4 percent of the total defense budget, saw a 500 percent

increase over the president's budget request for military construction projects, with the Army

Guard receiving $205.4 million and the Air Guard

receiving $253.9 million. There will be at least one military construction project in 41 states.

Our Mistake

The shortage of full-time personnel in the Anny Guard was addressed, providing for 22,430 members of the Active Guard and Reserve program and 23,125 military technicians. The Air Guard received funding for 11 ,157 AGRs and 22,247 military technicians.

Last issue's cover subject was inadvertently identified with the wrong rank. On the cover was Sgt. Jefferson C. Werts, Co. H, 121 st Infantry LRSC.

Command Focus
~~~~~~~~-
Major General David 8. Poythress, The Adjutant General

90 Days of Achievement

0 ur organization has accomplished a good bit in the last 90 days. A quick recap is in order, and as I have in past issues of the Georgia Guardsman, I wi ll use this forum , as well as our "First Friday" statewide e- mail briefing, and individual e-mail messages to continue to update our folks on matters of interest in the Georgia Department of Defense.
In that regard, I invite every member ofthe Georgia National Guard and Georgia DOD to get on my e-mai l distribution list. Just e-mail your address to burchfieldlee@dod.state.ga.us at the Directorate of Communications. As an organization, we really must have instant access to one another.
Our armory repair and renovation project is off and running. By mid-October we already had about $3 million under contract for new roofs on 19 armories. These are completely new "standing seam" (i.e. not flat) roofs that will stop the leaks and improve the appearance of our armories. By the end of the calendar year, we'll have as much as $2 million more committed to firing range decontamination and other renovation work.
In January, I' ll request an additional $6 million in state appropriations for further renovations. This can leverage about $18 million in federal funds, which will cover the costs to clean up and refurbish all of our armories . We will also impress upon the members of the General Assembly that substantial, ongoing outlays are required to maintain our armori es in good repair. To "make our case" for both state and federal funds , we have prepared the Armory Book which graphically illustrates to legislators the current condition of our armories.
One ofthe high points of the past several months was our response to Hurricane Floyd . Our mobilization received overwhelmingly positive response from the public, the press, and many elected officials including Governor Roy Barnes. We have conducted a lessons-learned "hot wash,"

and I am confident that we will be even better prepared next time the public needs us.
It was also my pleasure in my first 90 days as TAG to host the National Guard Association of the Un ited States (NGAUS) national conference. It was, by all accounts, a smashing success! The consistent theme of comments from all over the country was "the Georgia Guard has set the standard for a ll future conferences ." Great job by everybody involved!
Another highlight ofmy first few months on the job was to present to the I 16th Bomb Wing its TENTH Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. So far as anyone can tell , the I 16th is the only unit ever to receive ten such awards. The AFOUA is much coveted and extremely difficult to attain. Kudos to the I 16th!
We are now looking to make some dental insurance options available to our traditional guardsmen. In the GulfWar, dental problems among deploying troops was a huge issue. Thi s is especially important in light of possible future dep loyments .of the 48'h Infantry Brigade and other units . Most fo lks would agree it is preferable to have teeth cleaned and fi lled now, rather than pulled on M-day!
We also have a task force working in Military Personnel to correct the longstanding problems in the ARNG retirement point accounting system. This problem didn't develop overnight, and resolution is going to take some time. We will correct this problem.
Finally, our Strategic Management Board (commanders and directors) met recently in Augusta and dealt frankly and honestly with the tough issues facing our Guard and our nation. The problems are varied and none has an easy so lution. These leaders came with tough-minded analysis and sensible recommendations . I continue to be impressed with the character and leadership of the men and women in our organization. We're headed in the right direction.

Brigade To Deploy
to Balkans
As the Georgia Guardsman went to press, Pentagon officials confirmed that elements of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) would deploy to southeast Europe to participate in the peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia. The Georgia units will be mobilized under a Presidential Selective Reserve callup and are expected to serve ninemonths on active duty beginning early in 2001 .
The announcement did not identify wh ich of those units will participate, but the deployment is expected to affect between 1,500 and 2,000 Georgia Army National Guard members.
'The Department of the Defense, the U.S. Army and the United States are demonstrating their confidence in the 48th Brigade and the Georgia National Guard by selecting these units to lead the way for National Guard participation in support of this mission," said Major General David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General. "Whi le other National Guard units have participated in the Bosnia operations in the past, it will be among the first National Guard combat units of this size and capability to take over such a large portion of this mission."
Brigadier General Robin Hughes, commander ofthe 48th Brigade, which is headquartered in Macon, said this mission is a key element in our national defense strategy. "Th is i an opportunity for the state of Georgia to do its part in supporting vital United States interests," he said.
3

Members ofthe 878th Engineers at work in the Dominican Republic

T he 878th Engineer Combat Heavy Battalion was a major participant in "Operation Caribbean Castle-99" r
ARMY, MAY GOl)
tB~lStSSISBLYEOFUO.RPYROOUVIDTOEDHElTLP'SUS
11: NEED RCLRSSROOM FOR O
- IStMOOL RNp FINISH CHURCH ..

in the Dominican Republic this spring. The battalion 's mission was to build three schools desperately needed in the wake of Hurricane Georges that swept over the island nation last year.
Involving more than 500 Georgia engineers, the overseas deployment consisted of three 15-day rotations. Units of the 878th Engineer Battalion participated. They included Company A, headquartered in Swainsboro and Sandersville; Company B, from Augusta; and Company C from Lyons.
The operation was supported by members ofHeadquarters Company, 878th Engineer Battalion, as well as several
individuals who served as part of the "duration force" throughout the operation. In addition to the Georgia Guardsmen, "Operation Caribbean Castle-99" also included .members of the

877th Engineer Battalion from the Alabama National Guard.
At far left a "sign ofthe times" greets the soldiers ofthe 878th Engineer Battalion. (Inset) A new school goes up and above soldiers sift sand to make concrete. (Photos by 2nd Lt. Thomas Meeks, GA ARNG)

4

By Spc. J.M. Lowry 124thMPAD
L ieutenant Colonel John "Butch" Barn es s urveye d hi s troops direc tin g traffic in downtown Savannah. "This is the type of mi ssion that brings us a lot of satisfaction. We can see immediate results of helping the community." Barnes and more than 1,000 other Georgia National Guardsmen and women, and State Defense Force (SDF) vo lunteers were mobili zed in early September in the face ofHurricane Floyd, a storm the size of Texas, which was churning off the eastern seaboard. If the storm had come ashore near Savannah, as earl y predictions indi cated, the li ves and the livelihoods of Georgians would have been severely disrupted.
Governor Ro y Barn es, following consultation with Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, the Adjutant General of Georgia, authorized the mobilization of almost 800 airmen and soldiers and SDF volunteers. Among the callups was Barnes' 2nd Battalion, 12 1st Infantry

headquartered in Albany, and the l 90th and l 78th Military Police companies stat ion ed in Kennesaw and Monroe respectively. Also mobilized were Statesboro's 648th Engineers, and units of Savannah's I65th Airlift Wing, which also provided the Command and Control element for Task Force 165 .
Volunteers ofthe SDF manned phones in the e me rge ncy operations ce nter, providing liaison between National Guard and emergency management officials. Under Task Force 165 was Task Force 2121 which helped in the Savannah area. The task force consisted of four companies from 2nd Battalion, 12l st Infantry Regiment; two military police companies, the I90th and the I78th, and Company C from the 648th Engineer Battalion .
'This was truly a joint effort," said Colonel Willi a m N. " Wi ck" Searcy, commander of Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing and commander of the joint task force that responded to the emergency. "We had members of both the Army and Air National Guard, as well as the State

Defense Force and State Headquarters all working together as one team . Everyone worked together to accomplish the mi ss ion. "
Because "Floyd," a category four storm as it approached the Georgia coast, packed winds of at least 140 mph , the governor ordered the evacuation of the Georgia coast. The interstate hi ghways from Savannah east to Macon and north to Atlanta were clogged with automobiles. As other states along Floyd's path also ordered evacuations, residents of coastal areas rushed inland, generating what some federal officials termed the largest ever peacetim e evac uat ion of the nation 's coastal area.
But the Guard's job was to ensure the security of property and provide assistance in search and rescue and other mi ssions determined by officials.
And in fact, as Floyd veered away from Georgia's coast, eventual ly maki ng landfall near Wilmington , .C. Georgians began streaming back to the coast and with help from loca l authorities, Guardsmen continued on page 6
5

from page 5 made sure everyone arrived safely home . Traffic was steady and constant but nothing like the evacuation gridlock.
"If the traffic gets heavy we'll turn the lights to flashing and direct traffic," said Spc.T. J. Jordan, from Decatur, watching a stream of cars pass. Jordan , a military policeman with Kennesaw's 190th MP Company was stationed at a traffic control point with Bobby Stewart, a police officer with the Chatham County Police Department.
The Guardsman and the police officer directed traffic at the intersection of Highway 204 and Veterans Parkway. They worked together as a synchronized pair. "We were like a team working as one," said Stewart. "We worked well out there this morning." For Stewart working with Guardsmen was a new experience. "It's the first time I've worked with the Guard, but it's been very enjoyable," said Stewart.
For other law enforcement officers, working with or for the Guard was old hat.
Lt. Jimmy Johnson, a police officer with the city of Douglas, is a former Guardsman. According to Johnson, Coffee County and the city of Douglas provided shelter for more than 5,000 evacuees in local schoo ls and churches. The Douglas armory housed the military policemen and "Sappers," an Army term for combat engineers, for an evening before deploying to Travis Field near Savannah.
Along with other Douglas police officers, Johnson helped in escorting the military policemen and the Sappers out of town and towards Savannah.
Police escorts were routine as Guard convoys drove east from county to county.
As Guardsmen traveled toward the Atlantic Ocean and closer to Floyd, they saw fast food restaurants closed and boarded up. Some grocery stores advertising they are open 24 hours, seven days a week were closed.
The only vehicles on the road eastward were the convoys, some civilian cars and 18 wheel trucks carrying generators.
"What we did here was a natural extension of what we train to do," said Barnes, Task Force 2-121 commander. "Our military police conducted traffic and security operations, and our infantry companies were able to plan and execute a support operation."
Georgia Guardsmen and SDF members were demobilized three days after their activation.
Above a convoy ofGeorgia Army National Guard engineers move toward the coast. (Photo by Spc. JeffLowry, 124th MPAD)
At right a Georgia National Guardsman assists an evacuee returning to the Savannah Civic Center after Hurricane Floyd had passed. (Photo courtesy Savannah Morning News/John Carrington.)
6

Members of the 190th Military Police Co., "tis-sen up" as they prepare to move out

Bobby Stewart (left) an officer with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office and Spc T. J. Jordan of Kennesaw's 190th MP Co., "were like a team working as one."

Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress (left), The Adjutant General, Savannah newscaster Doug Whethers and Col. Willliam N. "Wick" Searcy, commander ofthe 165th Airlift Wing discuss the operation on Savannah television.

...... .

On the move. A convoy of Guard vehicles head for the coast
to assist local authorities.

Maj. Gen. David Poythress meets with a Salvation Army representative and a representative of the Savannah Police Department.

Georgia State Defense Force Col. Mick McGuinn looks on as Lt. Col. Barbara Hurst-Cushing, deputy chiefof staff, checks information at the Emergency Operations Center in Atlanta.
7

Royal International Air Tattoo Welcomes Georgia's 165th Airlift Wing

Captain David C. Simons 165th AW Public A ffairs Offi cer
In July 1999, Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing was invited to attend the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Great Britain. RAF Fairford is located about 70 miles outside London and served as the launch point for U.S. 8-52 bombers during the Kosovo situation. The invitation was a direct result of the Savannah unit's ability and dedication to
serve as the lead unit on Operation Joint Forge 't 1 the previous year. With its heady 97 percent
completion rate on all missions during the threemonth deployment, the ability of the l65th AW was clearly established.
The Royal International Air Tattoo, affectionately called RlAT, is considered the world's largest air show. Its static aircraft display includes most of the world's top military aircraft including planes such the U.S. Air Force's highly classified Stealth Bomber and Russian MlG fighters. In fact, more than 400 aircraft made the journey to England. The air show also featured an eight-hour nonstop flying display with many military air teams and individual aircraft performing. More than 29 countries and 50 military organizations provided aircraft and performances for the tattoo.
Captain Jim Marren, who won the prestigious honor ofGeorgia Air Force Association's 1999 "Airlifter of the Year," spearheaded the Wing's mission to RIAT. Hundreds of visitors received a warm welcome from the "Guard Dawg" aircrew as they patiently "queued up" for a chance to see the world-famous C-130 Hercules up close and personal. Many children were delighted to sit in the commander's seat inside the Hercules' cockpit and were rewarded with a photo of the unit's aircraft.
The airshow was hosted by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Enterprises and the show's profits go to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Development Trust. This year's theme celebrated the 50th anniversary of NATO and the 75th anniversary of Britain's Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
More than 4,000 volunteers helped make this year's RIAT a success.
8

Visitors to the Royal Air International Tattoo "queue up" for a look at the C-130.

Attaching another stream er to the 116th Flag are (left to right) Col. Tom Lynn, commander I 16th Bomb Wing, Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress , T he Adjutant Gener al of G eorgia, a nd Brig. Gen.Walter C. C or ish, Jr., Commander of the Georgia Air National G uard. Also p ictured is Brig. Gen. David Kemme!, Brig G en. John Oldfield, Vice C omma nd er, Georgia Air G uard, and Command C hiefMSgt. Don Camp.
116th Earns 10th Outstanding Unit Award

The I 16th Bomb Wing made history again as it was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) at ceremonies at Robins Air Force Base in August. The award is the tenth AFOUA that the Wing has received, making it the only Air Force Reserve or Air arional Guard unit ever to receive ten of the prestigious Air Force unit awards.
Col. Tom Lynn, Commander ofthe I, I00-
member unit accepted the award at formal military award ceremonies that included representatives from Air Combat Command,

the National Guard Bureau, and the Georgia Air National Guard. Maj. Gen. David 8. Poythress, Georg ia's adjutant general presented the prestigious award to the unit.
The award is given to the Wing in recognition of its successful transition from the F-15 Eagle fighter to the B-1 B Lancer bomber a nd the unit 's relocation from Dobbins Air Reserve Base near Atlanta, to Robins Air Force Base.
The Wing was ci ted for maintaining a " maximum degree ofwar readiness" during the three years of unit transition.

The move from Dobbins to Robins and the tra nsiti on fro m fi ghter to strategic bombers rep resented the la rgest unit transition in National Guard history. In spite of the challenges presented by this move, the l I 6BW met the USAF's initial operational capability date in December 1997.
The move ofthe unit to Robins ushered
in a $100 million military construction project schedu led for com pletion in 200 I.

Bl-B Lancer Shows Its Power at 'Dixie' Air Show

A Georgia Air National Guard B 1-B bomber ofthe I 16th Bomb Wing, located at Robins AFB, Ga., th rilled audiences
recently at the " Wings Over Dixie '99"

airshow in Peachtree City, Ga.
More than 60,000 persons attended the
annual event, one of the largest airshows in the South.

The B 1-B, which is the backbo ne of America's bomber force, was uti lized during the recent Kosovo crisis. (Photo by Roy Henry, 124th MPAD)

~-

-

"''

-

~~ .......:..~.,~ -- -- -r

~. , .
TH:'. ..-

.~ ~ --~~~--._~ ~ ~~ ~

9

Peeling Away the Pieces ofthe 'Reflagged' 24th Infantry Division

A lmost three years after being cut loose by the inactivation ofthe 24'h Infantry Division, Georgia's 48'h Infantry Brigade is again calling the 24'h its parent division. In a ceremony held recently at Cavalry Parade Field, Fort Riley, Kansas, the colors of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) were once again unfurled. The 24h, composed ofthe 48th and the 2 1st

Separate In fa ntry Bri gade fr om South Carolina and 30th Separate Infantry Bri gade from orth Carolina, moved to the forefront of a new Army concept of integrated active and reserve component forces.
"In front ofus is the unveiling ofa very historic event, the building ofour Army of

the future, a reorganization of the Army as you see it," said Gen. Thomas Schwartz, the commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, headquartered al Fort

10

McPherson, Ga., just 90 minutes driving time north of the 481h's headquarters in Macon. Approximately 12,000 soldiers arc assigned to the three brigades. More than a hundred active-duty so ldiers will be stationed permanently at Fort Riley.
The ceremony was witnessed by almost 2,000 former members of the Division. They watched as Lt. Gen. (Rct.) Joseph E. DcFrancisco, who commanded the division when it was inactivated in 1996 at Fort Stewart, Ga., uncased the division colors.
LTC (Rct.) James F. Hill, former president of the 24th In fantry Division Association, who fought in the Korean War with the division's Taro Leaf patch on his shoulder, traveled to Kansas from Georgia to see the division reactivated. Hill said he was elated to see the "victory division flag again waving." Warren Avery ofConnecticut, also a Korean War veteran of the 24th, said he's glad that the division is back serving the country again.

BG Michael Seely (left), Commanding Gener al, Georgia Army National Guard, BG Robert S. Hughes (right), 48th Infa ntry Brigade commander, discuss the reflagged 24th Infantry Division with Gen. Thomas A. Schwartz (with back to camera).

At left top,Gen.(Ret.) Barry R. McCaffrey, former commander ofthe 24th; below left Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Joseph Defrancisco bolds the uncased colors of the 24th Infantry Division. DeFrancisco was the division commander when the 24th was inactivated. At top right, Ge n. Thomas A. cbwartz, Commander, U.S. Forces Command.
Photos by Spc. James C. Sherrill
124th MPAD
and
Ft. Riley Public Affairs O ffi ce
11

Clad in blue and yellow plastic suits, Georgia Guardsman lumbered like cartoon figures on the concrete tarmac

at Dobbins ARB, Ga. But there was no funny

business attached to these Guardsmen. They

were training for a mission that could take them

into the heart of any domestic terrorist incident.

The mission of the 4th Mi litary Support

Detachment (RAID) is to assist civilian

authorities and rapidly react to potential

Weapons of Mass Destruction terrorist incidents.

While some might run the other way when it

comes to responding to an unknown nuclear,

chemical, biological or radiological incident, both

Army and Air National Guard troops who

comprise specialized units have taken on the

mission. During the summer 220 Guardsmen from

across the nation, including the 22 Georgians

who comprise the 4th, conducted final equipment

and procedural training at Fort Leonard Wood,

Mo. In Missouri, Guardsmen eagerly soaked up

the knowledge they will need to quickl y and

safely react to potentially catastrophic di sasters.

Despite the dangerous job descriptions,

citizen-soldiers and airmen comprise 10 Rapid

Assessment Initial Detection (RAID)

detachments based along Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA) regional

boundaries. Locating the units along FEMA

regions will enable them to quickly react to acts

of terrorism within their own state and other

neighboring states. The detachments will

possess an initial-operational capability by the

end of this year. At the same time, they will be

trained in nuclear, biological, chemical and

radiological sampling, detection, decontamination,

air re-breather and protective wear functions,

emergency communications, medical , and other

civil-military coordination operations.

Piecing Togelhet

At Ft. Leonard Wood, detachment members trained with civilian subject matter experts and were under the watchful eyes of observers and

controllers with the First and Fifth Army. Also,

lhe eapon1 of a11 . officials with the Consequence Management Program Integration Office based at the Pentagon

in Arlington, Va., observed the training, a long

De1l1uclion i11ion

with other Department of Defense agencies. "The Military Support Detachments are
equipped with chemical, biological and radiological

protective and monitoring equipment, along with

advanced communications and automation

By Sgt. 1" Class Eric Wedeking - National Guard Bureau
Public Affairs Support Element

equipment to provide assistance and augmentation for the (first-responding) incident commander on the ground," said Maj. Tammy Miracle, Weapons of Mass Destruction public

affairs officer with National Guard Bureau

headquartered in Arlington, Va.

Besides the experts, Mi li tary Support

continued on page 14

12

SFC Cady and StaffSgt. Miller in their level B suits prepare for decontamination.
Detachment member demonstrates working with tools in a Level A suit. Above, a National Guardsman thoroughly cleans the outer protective suit of another member ofthe Military Support Detachment after exiting a contaminated environment simulation during training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Below, Maj. Patti Pettis ofGeorgia's 4th Military Support Detachment briefs Congressman Johnny Isakson on Rapid Assessment Initial Detection (RAID) medical operations.
Team member sprays a d econtaminate on colleague. Below CPT Jeff Allen studies a database ofnuclear and biological hazards.
13

From page 12
Detachment citizen-soldiers and airmen are convinced that preparedness for such incidents is the only answer.
Georgia Army National Guard Capt. JeffAllen, a survey team leader for the 4'h, said the detachments are literally brimming with subject-matter experts in nuclear, biological, chemical and radiologica l issues, with others holding both civilian and military-acquired skills relating to homeland defense.
"This equipment we use is high-speed, low-drag stuff so we have to have quality people in this unit," said Allen, who resides in Atlanta and gave up a top government position as a senior scientist with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to join the Peach State's newly established detachment.
" I left a good j ob on the civilian side to be on the team," Allen added. " But this is something I really wanted to do. The training has been good, and we're looking forward to getting our equipment, and doing our individual and collective training on it at home station." Allen said he was excited by the prospect of "getting together with the first responders - the police and fire departments - and working with them - letting them know what we' re capable of."
"We have a huge reach-back capability," Allen noted, referring to the National Guard's ability to quickly tap into extensive National Guard military assets when different terrorism or disaster scenarios require more assets in people and equipment. Also, the I0 Military Support Detachments are co-located with Air National Guard wings or squadrons so they can quickly deploy troops and equipment via airlift within their respective FEMA boundaries on literally a moment's notice.

"We don't get involved in intelligence gathering or chasing after suspected terrorist groups. That would be illegal" said Allen, because the National Guard and other military branches are subj ect to Posse Comitatus laws. "What we train our people to be are analytical thinkers. We don't train them to bust down doors."
Most Mil itary Support Detachment team members are somberly aware that they could easily be called upon to work in life-threatening conditions involving nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological conditions.
During their fina l 25 days ofintensive training on millions ofdollars ofhighly specialized and computerized equipment, c ivi lian trainers said the citizen-soldiers and airmen were intensely following their training regimen. That was understandable, considering the troops are entering what could potentially be an extremely risky career field. Despite their seriousness, trainers with Prime Vendor reported the National Guard troops still brought a unique enthusiasm to mission.
"They have been great. They seem to be enjoying the training and they're enthusiastic," said Robert Mayhew, an instructor with Stafford, Ya., based Prime Vendor.
"They looked for soldiers who are mentally and physically ready to handle this," Mayhew added. "They weren't just pulling people off the streets and putting them in slots. There was a strict selection process."
"We have NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) NCOs (noncommissioned officers) we picked up from the active Army (and the National Guard), we also have medical people, physician's assistants, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), and people who worked at fire departments as first responders or EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians)," Gerrity said.
14

At top r ight members of the Detachment's survey tea m, clad in Level A Suits prepare to enter a suspect building. Center, unit member s prepare to exit suspect building. Above, Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, The Adjutant General, briefs Congressman Johnny Isakson prior to their tour of the 4th Military Support Detachment.

'l\1cl/a zr. l\ 1a11i ) v
'7 Clites a zi Hlg l~lz1iiiJ')
Ht~~ J\ 1 {s"~"laz1 ~

By MSgt. Bob Haskell National Guard Bureau Maj. Patricia Ann Pettis is new to the Georgia Air ational Guard, and she obviously appreciates big families. She and her husband Daryl have three daughters and two sons, ages 6-14, who have ettled into the family's Acworth, Ga., home a few miles north ofAtlanta. She acquired another, considerably larger family on June 15. The 40-year-old woman became the medical team leader for Georgia's new 20-member military support detachment formed to deal with weapons of mass destruction. They call her "Major P," and she mothers her extended family with all ofthe care that she gives her five children. That is important because members ofher Guard family might someday have to put on air tanks and cumbersome chemical suits and walk into an area contaminated with nuclear, biological or chemical agents-where no mother would want her children to go. " I love the military, and I love this kind of work," said Penis as she checked the blood pressure and other vital signs of Georgia's half-dozen citizen-soldiers who would soon enter a building where simulated chemicals had been discovered in a second-story bathtub. "The worst thing that can happen is

Above Maj. Pettis briefs Maj. Gen. David Poythress during a tour of RAID training.

one ofmy team members going down," she years before joining the Georgia detachment

observed while calmly asking the survey in June.

team members how they were feeling, ifthey

"I am so flattered to be on this elite team;

had slept soundly, and if all was well back home.
The training itself can be hazardous because the temperature inside a confined chemical suit can reach 120 degrees on a hot day. The citizen-soldiers can stay in them for only so long.
It could be much more complicated should they respond to a real crisis. Pettis would have to monitor her Guard people working in a hot zone and advise the local

beamed Pettis during August's second Saturday.
It's an important mission, she said, "because terrorism isn't going away, and we need to be ready for it. I want to provide the best defense I can for this homeland."
She knows how to put people at ease. Two small stufTed animals attached to her stethoscope arc intended to calm her patients and gain their trust, Pettis said. She gives team members candy to sustain their energy,

incident commander about the effects that any dangerous materials they discover could pose for unsuspecting people.
Taking care ofher military family is her way of "doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people," she explained.
The woman from Detroit is a pediatrics nurse with a master's degree from Boston College. She wa an Air Force nurse for nine

and she listens to them carefully enough to know if they arc having a good or a bad day. She has clearly earned their confidence.
"She knows more about us than we know about ourselves," sa id Army Guard Sgt. Holly Muse, a survey team leader.
Meanwhile, Pettis remained attuned to her own children.
"My two oldest are holding down the fort. They understand what I'm doing

rt;=~ At left, Maj. Pettus briefs Geo r gia C ongre ss m a n Johnny Isakson.

because they know what happened at Columbine IIigh School," said Pettis of last April's ma acre in Colorado. "I just don't talk about how dangerous this job might be."
Her husband is also in her corner. "Daryl works close enough to our home so he can check on them a couple of times a day," added Pettis. " Ile's been my sol id support system."
That enabled Maj. Patricia Ann Pettis to support her new Georgia ational Guard family through five weeks ofquality training

at Fort Leonard Wood before returning to Acworth in mid-August to spend quality time with her own family.

15

Fall is here and the hot summer is gone. With the cold coming on, Guardsman photographers look back at some "images of 1999." During the summer Army Guardsmen of Co. H, 12 l st Infantry LRSC practiced water operations as part of their training. While at left, participants in Camp Eagle, sponsored by Strength Management (Recruiting and Retention) gather at the base of a repelling tower. Almost 800 rising high school juniors and seniors from across the state participated in this year's program where basic military and people skills are taught. At lower right, the summer was a lso a time for family days, such as the one held at the Air Guard's I 16th Bomb Wing, where kids of all ages seemed mystified and entertained by a clown-
{Photos by members of the 124th MPAD, and Senior Master Sgt. Betsy Winn, I 16th Bomb Wing)
16

They were lined up resemblin~ a row ~fsleeping elep~ants; rail cars oftracked armor vehicles. Like slumbenng giants they were awaiting tank crews from the Georgia Army

National Guard (GAARNG) to awaken them. More than a dozen tanks and three support vehicles rumbled
to life with a belch ofwhite smoke and a roar from their mighty engines. Armored support at Camp Atterbury, Indiana

'AfteFbury'

had arrived! The 15 tanks wi ll provide heavy

mechanized protection to the 76th Infantry Brigade

(Separate) train-up for a Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotation in the year 2000 at Ft. Polk, La.

Armor, Infant

Approximately 250 members of the 148th Support Maintenance Battalion, GAAR G, headquartered at Ft. Stewart,

Test A New Concept

Ga., applied their skills as mechanics

as they tended to the Abrams and

Bradley tanks. Although this was /

the first time these soldiers have

worked together, it won't be the

last. "All ofthese people that we

brought will go with the 76th

Brigade to JRTC," said Chief

Tadlock. " It will be a plus in

their arena so when they get

on the ground at Ft. Polk,

they'll know what they've

got and what they can do

with it."

A new dimen sion of

training for these infantry

soldiers was now lumbering

off the flat railcars like a

column of circus elephants:

trunk to tail , trunk to tail.

According to Chief Warrant

Officer 4 Robert Tadlock,

(GAA RNG ), it was an

opportunity for the No11h and

South to come together and

work side by side.

" It's going to give them (the

76th Brigade) a concept of a

joint-type effort ... what a support

element can do for them that

they' re not accustomed to. They

are light infantry and we are heavy

engagement. That is a portion of the

pie they aren't used to. It will give us

all a new depth or another way to look at

the opposition forces," he said.

The purpose of the exercise and the

ultimate goal ofJRTC is to provide the brigade

Battalion,

with an experience that will test the proficiency

Georgia Army

of every soldier, leader, procedure, and system.

National Gaurd,

The simulated battlefield joins the types of units from the armed forces that would work together under actual combat conditions practicing procedures they must know to fight together as a team.

~
"-._

----

directs an M-32A
Br adley Fighting Vehicle as
it rolls off a railca r at Camp Atterbu ry, I n d.

17

Guard Re-Enacts Vietnam-Era Drop

By Spc. Molly L. J ones and
Sgt. Roy Henry 124th MPAD
After several gut-wrenching fly-bys by a Bl- B bomber, nine members of the Georgia Anny National Guard brought the Vietnam War to an estimated 60,000 spectators who attended Wings Over Dixie '99 recently in Peachtree City.
The guardsmen, members of Thomaston's B Company, !st Battalion, 121 st Infantry, performed an air assault from a UH- I helicopter.
They dropped into a "hot landing zone" to knock out three North Vietnamese Army soldiers hidden in the wood line just off the airport runway. The six-man American strike team was dressed in Vietnam-era jungle fatigues and combat equipment, while the three "enemy"

soldiers wore uniforms like those ofNorth Vietnamese regulars.
The volunteers ofthe air assault show usually train on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, but jumped at the chance to do something outside their normal training routine. Spc. Douglas Fowler ofJackson, Cpl. Chester Hofer, also of Jackson, and Sgt. Robert Harris of LaGrange made up the three-man NVA reenactment team that assaulted the airfield.
"We wanted to do this because we knew we could have some fun," Fowler said.
" It got us out rompin' and stompin' in the woods in a way that's pretty unique for us. It was really great to get to participate," Hofer stated. Sgt. Ist Class Greg Bennett agreed with his fellow soldiers.
"It was a unique opportunity to get

on a helicopter and do training we would otherwise not do. Also, it's a lot offun for our guys to get training we don't usually get to do," he said. Sgt. Vincent Anderson of LaFayette said taking part in the demonstration brought back fond memories ofhis days as a full-time solider. Anderson said he spent e ight years on active duty with a light infantry brigade.
"I absolutely love it. The reenactment gave people an idea of what it is light infantry does in the field," he said. "It was really great to be part ofwhat took place."
A highlight of the air show were the low-l evel passes made by the B 1-B bomber flown by pilots ofthe Georgia Air National Guard 's I 16th Bomb Wing stationed at Robins Air Base. During the demonstration of its many capabilities, the plane's crew simulated a bomb drop on the far side ofthe airport's flight line.

North VietnameseArmy (NVA) re-enactors Sp c. Douglas L. Fowler (left), Cpl. C hester R. Hofer a nd Sgt. Robert Harris prepare for the attack (Photo by Sgt. Roy Henry, 124th MPAD)
18

Spc. R yan Abrams (center) fires his M-60 machine gun as he prepar es to drop to cover with the r est ofhis strike team. (Photo by Sgt. Roy Henry, 124th MPAD)

'Giving Columbus Hail'
Conference Looks at Confederate Navy, Wilson's Raid

T alk of woolens, wooden boats, ironclads, and horses punctuated the eighth Annual Conference of the Hi storical Society of the Georgia
ational Guard, Oct. 9, 1999 in Columbu , Ga. The theme for this year's event was "Georgia's Civil War Past."
Open to the public, the conference featured presentations by Bob Holcombe, curator of the Port Columbus Civi l War Naval Center, Prof. John Cope ofColumbus State University, and E. Joseph Segui n, vice-president of the Historical Society. Maj . Gen. David B. Poythress, The Adjutant General of Georgia, opened the conference with a televised address in which he stressed the importance of examining Georgia's military heritage and preserving it for future generations.
In conjunct ion with the Society's Conference, a Unit Historian's Workshop was held Oct. 8, 1999 at Fort Benning. Frank Hanner, Director ofthe Fort Benning Infantry Museum, discussing "The Importance ofPreserving Military History", made the featured presentation. Chief Warrant Oflicer4 Rich Elwell, Georgia Army
ational Guard Command Historian, StafT Sergeant Gai l Parnell- Roach, of the Historian 's Office, and Seguin also gave prese ntations.
Holcombe's presentation, entitled 'The Confederate avy on the Chattahoochee," examined the importance of Georgia's waterways, and the naval activity which occurred on them. He augmented his presentation with slides illustrating the con truction, and utilization of the Confederate avy's first boat on the river, the "Chattahoochee," which was a wooden vessel built on the banks ofColumbus and went into service in January 1863. Also among his slides were photographs and drawings of naval vessels used along the river, early Columbus and some ofthe many artifacts vi itors may see at the aval Center. The museum is scheduled to move into a new $6 million facility late next year.
Professo r Cope focused hi s pre entation on the events of "Union General James H. Wilson's Raid Through Alabama and Georgia," the largest cavalry

operation ofthe war, with between 14,000 and 25,000 horsemen moving through Alabama and Georgia. Using a large map to show tbe line ofmovement, Cope described the Union forces under Wilson's command and their journey through Selma, Alabama toward Columbus, then on to Macon,Georgia. He also explained the methodology ofcavalry troops leading to the end ofthe War. Significant, said Cope, was that Wilson's men destroyed little private property, concentrating instead on war materiel. The Union Cavalry was said to have marched out of Colu mbus singing " hail Columbia" and boasting that they gave "Columbus hail."
Seguin gave a very informative and interesting presentation on "A Soldier In The War Between The States," using the I2fh Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment uniform as his example. Describing not only the details ofthis uniform made ofspun woolen and worn year-round, he also demonstrated how rifle cartridges were made. He also put on display an impressive collection of authentic and replica confederate civil war equipment.
Throughout the morning, various officers and committee members gave status reports on some ofthe current projects ofthe Society. Included among the topics was a status report on the painting of the" wheels" of the Napoleon 12-pounder cannon; and a report on the restoration of the French 75MM

E. J oseph Seguin exhibits a pa ir of shoes worn by Confederate soldfors Howitzer which the Society owns. Other reports included an update on the Georgia Archives Grant recently awarded to the Society, the on-going History Book Project, the Journal, and the Society's web page.
A guided tour of the Fort Benning lnfantry..Museum was scheduled for those interested following the-conference meeting, as well as a tour of the Confederate aval Center.


Pro(essor J ohn Cope of Columbus Sta te U ni v'C'tls ity
points f6 the route of
Gw_ti-al J a mes Wilson 's Cavalr y invasio n thro ug h Alabama a nd later into Georgia.
~/( I

19

In Brief

Balloon line up and await take off at Callaway Gardens Fest

State Defense Force
Assists Callaway
Gardens Balloon Fest
Early September drew members of the Georgia State Defense Force to Callaway Gardens, Ga., Balloon Fest. Members ofthe 2nd Brigade, commanded by Maj. Willie Garner, assisted Fe t officials with security, and crowd control during the one-day event that drew hundreds of spectators and many brightly colored hot-air balloons.

Lt. Adams (left) and OC Coughlin outside ofthe SDF equipment shed.

Davis, Kimes Retirement 'A First' for 202ndEIS

The retirement of Master Sgt Judy Davis and StaffSgt Sherry Kimes from 202nd EIS marked a major milestone for the unit, the Georgia Air National Guard, and for the two pioneering women who were the first females to retire in the 47-ycar history ofthe Macon unit. Both retire with combined service of more than 50 years.
Davis, who worked in the 202nd's Infonnation Management scction,joined the Air Force in 1979 at a time when women first began to assume administrative positions in

EI ~ the Air Force. She laterjoined the 202nd
ofAir National Guard in 1988. Unlike Davis, StaffSgt Kimes began her military career in the Anny Reserves and the Anny National Guard before joining the Air ational Guard in 1979.
On hand for the special retirement ceremony was Lt Col Sandra Curran, the first woman to join the 202nd. Lt Col Curran is currently the l 53'd Logistics Squadron Commander, Wyoming Air National Guard.
I

Chambliss Gets Closer Look at Bl-B 'Lancer'

U.S. Representati ve Saxby Chambliss whose district includes the giant Robins Air Force Base/ ALC complex took control ofa B-1 bomber ofthe I 16th Bomb Wing ofthe Georgia Air NationalGuard on a half-

hour training mission in mid-August. Chambliss who is a member of the House Anned Services Committee took the flight in the Georgia- based bomber to observe training and see that taxpayer dollars are

Congressman Saxby Chambliss, center in flight suit, flanked by Col.Tom Lyon, commander ofthe I 16th Bomb Wing. (Ga.Air National Guard P~oto by Master Sgt. Tom McKenzie)
20

being pent properly. "For me to come here and see this first
hand, gives me a great fee ling about the fact that we are doing the right thing with taxpayers' money," said Chambliss.
The fli ght for Congressman Chambliss coincided with the Georgia Air ational Guard unit receiving its I0th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, an unprecedented honor for any active or Guard unit.
While the congressman was not sure what to expect before the flight, Chambliss sa id that the bomber " li ved up to everything l thought it would be."
Chambliss recognized the B-1 's role in the 78-day Kosovo bombing campaign as being "a very vital weapon system" for the Air Force and a mainstay of the U.S. bomber fleet as it is upgraded to carry precision guided munitions.
Chambliss, who has flown the F-15 and F-16, took control ofthe giant bomber in a simulated bombing run over a power plant in Alabama. " Th e airplane is jus t unbelievable," said the Congressman.

In Brief

North Georgia Details Military Scholarships

11 OCS Graduates Earn Commissions in Army Guard

Eleven members of OCS Class 38 graduated in early August during a ceremony in Marietta, Ga. The class, which once numbered 38, pinned on the gold bar of a second lieutenant in the Georgia Anny Nationa l Guard.
Major General David B. Poythress, the Adjutant General ofGeorgia,advised graduates, in his commencement address, to strive for excell ence throughout their

careers and to always "put integrity, and service to nation ahead ofpersonal interests."
Members graduating were: 2nd Lt. Charles Barrett, 2nd Lt. Thomas Daly, 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Haight, 2nd Lt. David Henderson, 2nd Lt. Robert Hites, 2nd Lt. Thomas Meeks, 2nd Lt. Charles Morris, 2nd Lt. Wade Poovey, 2nd Lt. Do na ld J. Thomp on, 2nd Lt. Nasmine Valadi and 2nd Lt. Gregory P. Worden.

Georgian Earns '99 Recruiting Honor

Master Sgt. Kelly Smith

Georgia Air National Guard Recruiter Master Sergeant Kelly Smith of Brunswick was se lected as the National NCO Recruiter of the Year. Smith was previously elected for Recruiting and Retention NCO of the Year for the Southeast Region . For thi s honor, Smith was invited to di scuss recruiting and retention strategies with William Cohen, Secretary of Defense and the four Service Secretaries.

Georgia's Class of 2000 high school graduates interested in a military career may wish to pursue two scholarship programs offered by the Georgia Student Finance Commi ss ion, GSFC Exec uti ve Director Glenn Newsome said today.
The scholarships are funded by the General Assembly and are designed for graduates "who are interested in a first class education as they prepare to serve in America's armed forces," Newsome said.
The two scholarships are: I. The four-year orth Georgia College and State University Military Scholarship. The application deadline is January 3, 2000. 2. The two-year Georgia Military College State Service Scholarship. The application deadline is February 1, 2000. Both scholarships cover full tuition costs, fees , housi ng, meals, books and suppli es. Both programs offer 33 scholarships-three each from Georgia 's 11 Congressiona l Di stricts- and require a commitment upon graduation of service in the Georgia National Guard. To be considered for a Georgia Military Scholarship, a student must be nominated by a member ofthe General Assembly who represe nts a district with in the U .S. Congress ional di strict where the applicant res ides. Award of the military scholarship at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega also requires: 1. A 3.0 grade point average upon graduation fro m high school, and a 1010 combined SAT score (minimum score of 480 on verbal and 440 on the Math section). 2. Successfully meeting the mental and physica l hea lth standards required for enli stment in the Georgia National Guard. For more detai ls and Georgia Military Scholarship applications, students may write: North Georgia Co llege and State University, Price Memorial, Dahlonega, GA 30597; Fax: 706-864-1365 ; Phone: 706-864-1884 or 1-800-498-9581 ; e-mai l: JFJarrard @ ngcs u.edu

21

In Brief

Townsend Range Employs Unique Tool to Aide Pilots

Georgia's Townsend Range, one of only three National Guard operated bombing ranges in the country recently acquired the Large Scale Target Sensor System (LSTSS), a unique training tool providing fighter pilots with the latest techno logy in scoring bombing and strafing missions.
The laser sensors a re strategically located around the range and determine and reco rd the pos ition of the exploded

ordnance. The position oflasers throughout th e range are presented as an anim ated symbol (small white box) on the system display, showing spot position on the target as well as pointing error from target center. It records "wander error" from a specified target and determine more accurate the trajectory of the ordnance.
Seven targets positioned in a convoy fas hion are avai lable for laser operations at

Townsend Range. The acquisition of the sophisticated LSTSS is a result of a joint effort by the Navy, Air Combat Command and the Air National Guard .
The system can also provide a complete replay ofthe mission with appropriate debrief software at a remote location for convenient debrief of participants. With this software, pilots will be able to view the laser record of their mission at their homestation.

Legislators Praise Air Guard Pilots;

View Mid-Air Refueling Mission

Shumate at his retirement ceremony. (GAANG photo)
Chief Shumate Bids Farewell to Ga. Air Guard
Chief Master Sgt. Edward (Glenn) Shumate retired in September following 31 years of military service in the Georgia National Guard.
Shumate, Supply Management Superintendent at HQ GA ANG also served as HQ First Sergeant for more than thirteen years. Chi ef Shumate en) isted in the l I6'h Tactical Fighter Wing, Georgia Air National Guard in September 1968 and eventua lly rose to the rank ofFirst Sergeant ofthe I 16th Resource Management Squadron.
As First Sergeant to HQ GA ANG, Shumate has worked for four different Adj utants General and Assistant Adjutant Genera l, Air. Chief Shumate is a board member of the Georgia National Guard Insurance Trust and will remain active activities of the Enli sted Association of the US and the Air Force Sergeants Association.
22

Seven members of the Veterans Affairs Committees of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate were guests of the Adjutant General and the I 16th Bomb Wing for an aerial refueling mission of the B- 1B bomber.
With the support ofKC- 135 tankers from the l 34th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard, the legis lators were given an ' up close ' look at the intricate maneuvers involved in an aerial refueling mission.
Taking off from Robins Air Force Base on the morning ofOct. 15, the KC- 135 tanker with the legislators aboard climbed to an altitude of 20,000 feet high above Chattanooga to conduct refueling oftwo B 1B bombers. Legislators were permitted to climb down beside the tanker's boom operator

to observe the approach, linking, and refueling operations. Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Ken Birdsong of Gray, Ga ., later praised the skill and professionali sm exhibited both by the crew of the Bl-Band the crew of the KC-135 .
According to Major Murray Hansen of the !28th Bomb Squadron who flew aboard the tanker to acquaint the state legislators to the mi ss ion , "aerial refueling is a requirement of each B-1 aircrew and is involved in almost all B-1 missions flying out of Robins Air Force Base." Georgia legislators aboard the refueling flight were State Representatives Ken Birdsong, Gene Callaway, Bill Hembree, Bobby Reese and Mary Squires. State Senators involved included. Senator Donzella James and Senator Carol Jackson.

Benefits

DOD Sponsors 1st Reserve Co01ponent

Fa01ily Strategic Readiness Conferenee

Developing a long-range strategic plan to carry out Reserve and National Guard fami ly support initiatives was the focus of the fir t Reserve Component Fami ly Readi ness Strategic Planning Conference, held Sept. 21-23, at the Army
ationa l Guard Readi ness Center in Arlington , Ya . The co nfere nce was sponsored by the principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Personnel Support, Families and Education.
During the three-day conference, participants conducted an ex haustive examination of every aspect of fa mily readiness to ensure that all areas of support were being addressed.
'Thi s was the first-ever gathering of all of the stakeho lders involved in
ational Guard and Reserve family

readiness issues," said Charles L. Cragin, principal deputy ass istant secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. The conference brought "together servicemembers, family members, family program managers, community support leaders and employers who will help us chart a comprehensive blueprint of fa mily support for the 21st century," said Cragin.
In addition to spouses ofjunior and senior officer and enlisted personne l, community organizations such as the American Red Cross, and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve were represented .
" Since implementing the Department of Defense Reserve component fami ly readiness directive a few years ago, we have continued to emphasize the need for Total Force family readiness planning and support," said Cragin.
In conjunction with the strategic planning

conference, a survey is being mailed to spouses of all of the 1,700 Reserve and National Guard personnel currently deployed under the three presidential Selected Reserve call-ups, which include Bosnia, Kosovo and Southwest Asia.
"The survey will provide us with some excellent, real-time feedback from family members who are currently li ving through the stresses of a deployment," said Cragin. "It will provide a perspective of how they feel they are bei ng treated, as they seek the services to which they are entitled."
For more information, news media representatives may call Lt. Col. Terry Jones, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (OASD/RA) at (703) 6953620. Department of Defense personnel, military officia ls and family members may call Col. James Scott, OASD/RA , at (703) 6937490.

GaDOD Employees 'Earn More Than A Paycheck'

A state employee's total compensation package is much g reater than their paycheck. One of the most va luable benefits offered to Georgia Department of Defense employees is protection against significant financial loss when employee or their dependents need medical care for an illness or injury. The Standard and High Options of the State Health Benefits Plan are self-insured programs admini stered by the newly created Department of
Guard-Toons

Community Health. Although employees are required to pay a premium to participate in the plan, DOD currently contributes 75 percent of the cost of providing the basic (Standard Option) benefits. Ifemployees live or work in HMO-approved serv ice areas, they have the option of choosing from up to four different providers at a significant savings on premium costs and out-of-pocket expenses.
Other benefits include options for accidental death and di s memberment
z

insurance, additional life in surance and dependent life insurance, short- and longterm disability insurance, dental in urance, lega l insurance, and spending account options. In addition, full-time employees enjoy a generous leave benefits program, allowing them up to 3 weeks of vacation a year, in addition to twelve paid holidays annually!
Finally, the deferred compensation program, an important part of our overall benefits package, is a voluntary program that allows employees to put aside a portion of their current sa lari es into a 40 I (k) Plan or a Section 457 Plan before state and federa l income taxes are deducted. This deferred salary is invested in one or more of the many investment options under the program plan. The deferred compensation, and any investment earnings from it, i not taxed as income until actual di stribution in the future, usually when an employee retires or leaves state employment. This program allows employees to build financial security, especially for retirement, beyond what their pension from the Employees ' Retirement System may provide.
23

Last Word

I by CPT Spencer Price

National Guard History Is 'Our History'

F or those of you fascinated by American history, the fo llowing paragraphs shou ld prove quite interesting. But first, before reading further, ask yourse lf this question , "what is the oldest military organization in the United States?" If your answer is the "Army," you are right, partially. Actually, the correct answer is the "Army National Guard." To some of you, this may come as a surprise. However, the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Here's why.
The origin of the Army National Guard can be traced to 1636 with the formation of the Old North, South, and East Regiments of Massachusetts - units formed originally to defend against Native Americans and, later, against the French and British armies. The first reference to the current title appeared in 1825 when a New York militia unit was renamed the "National Guard" in honor of General Marie Joseph (Marquis de) Lafayette, the Revolutionary War hero and commander of France's famed Garde Nationale.
By the turn of this century, the majority of units throughout the country had adopted the designation. The National Defense Act ofJune 3, 1916 officially established the title "National Guard" for the organized militia and directed these units to conform to standards maintained by the regular Army.
Numerous modem Army National Guard

units in the Eastern U.S. descended from units which fought alongside British troops in the French and Indian War. Later, many of these same units fought against the British during the American War for Independence. In fact, Army National Guard units have fought in every war and major conflict since America gained its independence from England.
During World War I, the Army National Guard provided more than 380,000 soldiers in 17 divisions. These units received credit for numerous military accomplishments, including piercing the Hindenburg Line, crushing the St. Mihiel salient, and destroying the enemy during the push through the Meuse-Argonne. In fact, these units endured more days in actual combat than regular Army divisions.
During World War II , between September 1940 and October 1941 , the Army National Guard provided more than 300,000 soldiers from various units. From December 1941 through August 1945 , these units participated in 34' separate campaigns and seven assault landings.
Initial hostilities in the Korean War commenced on July 27, 1950. By June 30, 1951 , 183,000 Army National Guard soldiers from 1,457 units were on active duty.
On October 15,1961, the Berlin mobilization brought into federal service 44,350 Army National Guard soldiers from

two divisions and 140 non-divisional units. Subsequent to the Pueblo incident, the
mobilization of May 13, 1968, brought into federal service 12,234 Army guardsmen, with 7,000 eventually deploying to the combat zone.
During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 398 Army National Guard units, totaling 62,411 soldiers, were called to active duty between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991.
And that is only part of the story. Most of us have seen images on television, and many of us have see n in person , Army National Guard soldiers responding to state and federal emergencies. Hurricane Andrew, the L.A. riots, the recent floods in the Midwest, and Georgia's own "Great Flood of 1994" are but a few of the many events in which Army National Guard soldiers "responded to the call."
Now, ask yourself this question, "what military organization has the richest and most significant hi story in the United States?" If your answer is the "Army National Guard," you are right, completely. For history buffs and non-history buffs alike, the history of the Army National Guard is fascinating . We should be proud of this hi story for, as Americans, Army National Guard history is "our history."

Write Us
Captain Price's columns appear in more than 30 publications and have helped folks across Georgia better understand the role of the citizen-soldier. CPT Price is currently assigned as battalion surgeon for the 2-121 Infantry. His column is a regular feature ofthe Georgia Guardsman. To comment on CPT Price's article write The Georgia Guardsman , c/o the Directorate of Communications, Georgia Department ofDefense, Atlanata, GA, 30316; or e-mail: diamondbi@dod.state.ga.us.

24

l
StaffSgt Rodgers and Master Sgt Huggins ofthe 116th Bomb Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, do radar training during Global Patriot '99.
(Photo by TSgL Tom McKenzie, I 16th Bomb Wing)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- - - - - - - - -------~~-

Guardsmen hit the ground running
(Photo by 2nd. Lt. Thomas Meeks)
Georgia
Guardsman
C/O Directorate of Communications Georgia Department ofDefense PO. Box 17965 Atlanta, GA 30316-0965

In an effort to improve the Georgia Department of Defense, the Office of Strategic Management and

Innovation is providing this form for submitting comments and suggestions.

1. Are You A Satisfied Member ofthe Georgia Department ofDefense?

D D Yes

Somewhat

D D No

No Opinion

2. Are You

D 0 Full-time

Traditional

National

Guardsman

D State
Employee

0 State
Defense

Guard

Force

D Other

3. What Are Your Suggestions for Improving the Georgia Department ofDefense?

Name Unit

OPTIONAL INFORMATION

OFFICIAL BUSINESS
BUSINESS REPLY MAIL
FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 18097 ATLANTA, GA POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE
GEORGIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD CAREER OPPORTUNITIES P 0BOX17965 ATLANTA GA 30316-9801

NO POSTAGE NECESSARY
IF MAILED INTHE
UNITED STATES

l11ll1ll11111ll1111ll 1ll11l1l1 1l11l 1ll111111lll1l11I