Georgia guardsman [Vol. 1, no. 4 (Summer 2000)]

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Georgia. Army Guardsmen pull a ceremonial lanyard to fire the ll8th Field Artillery's

first operational Paladin, a fully tracked, armored 155mm howitzer during a firing a

Fort Stewart. The unit is the first in the 48th Infantry Brigade to utilize the weapon.

Elberton's 214th Field Artillery fielded a similar Paladin last year.

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J

Georgia
Guardsman
Summer 2000, Vol 1. No. 4
FEATURES

4 Bosnian Culture: It's A Different World Food, Sports and Music are just three aspects Georgia Guardsmen will have to adjust to when they deploy to Bosnia.

6 A Second Campus of YCA Is Ready to Open Augusta is chosen to host the second site of Georgia's Youth Challenge.
8 Health Matters in Peru Georgia Air Guardsmen travel to the interior of Peru to bring medical help to a small town.

13 'Top Sarges' Meet the new top enlisted personnel of Georgia's Army and Air Guard.

15 Cool Under Fire Major Thomas Bell earns the nation's third highest medal for

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valor for his actions during Operation Allied Force.

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DEPARTMENTS

13 Other News 14 In Brief

16 Last Page

About The Cover
2nd Lt. Patricia Harkins of the I65th Hospital shared goodwill as she hands out cookies to Peruvian children while on a humanitarian mission to that South American nation.

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Georgia
Guardsman
Summer 2000, Vol 1, No. 4
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 Army and Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman is distributed free to members ofthe 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 B. Poythress Director of Communications
Lt. Col. Jim Driscoll Associate Publisher Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Baldowski
Editor B. I. Diamond Air National Guard Correspondents Public Affairs Officers, I 16th Bomb Wing, 165th Tacitcal Airlift Wing and Geographically Separated Units Army National Guard Correspondents 2nd Lt. Thomas Meeks 124th 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, clo Directorate of Communications Georgia Department of Defense, P.O. Box 17965 Atlanta, GA. 30316-0965 E-Mail Comments or Suggestions to: diamondbi@ga-arng.ngb.army.mil
2

Feedback

CEFMB: 'No Such Badge'

I recently received my first issue of [the) Georgia Guardsman since joining the Guard in April. I have enjoyed the magazine and have found it a good way to learn what other types of units make up the Georgia Guard.
I would however, like to comment on some mis-information presented in the article "EFMB" [Spring 2000, "'EFMB' Setting the Standard for Military Medical Aid" p. 18]. The article mentions a "Combat Expert Field Medical Badge" (CEFMB) and that it can only be awarded to those who have their EFMB.
There is no such badge... I earned the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) and the Combat Medical Badge (CMB) while on active duty as a medic with

the Ist Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment. There is no difference in the type of badge
awarded for combat. Medics who hold the EFMB and serve in combat are awarded the CMB, medics who do not hold the EFMB and serve in combat are awarded the CMB.
Please don't take my comments as "sharpshooting." The idea of CEFMB is actually a common misconception throughout the Army (Active and Guard). Again I enjoyed your magazine and look forward to receiving future issues.
Sincerely,
Capt. Raymond E. Polk Headquarters, and Headquarters Co.
1st Battalion, !21st Infantry

116th Carries on

'Belle' Tradition'
I enjoyed reading the article about the Georgia Air Guard continuing the tradition of the Memphis Belle with one of their B 1Bs [Spring 2000, "Memphis Belle, l 16th Adopts ' Petty's Girl,'" p. 21].
I wonder if the 8th Air Force guys at Barksdale (AFB, Calif.) still have their B52H adorned with similar nose art? I don't think either outfit could have made a better choice.

Send Us A Letter
EDITOR'S NOTE: "Feedbackfrom the field" is an opportunity for members ofour organization to share information or to sound-off on an issue regarding the Georgia Department ofDefense, the Georgia National Guard or the State Defense Force. This is your page and we look forward to hearing from you.

Owen Miller
A Little More on Armor ... Please
I am currently assigned to HHC, 48th Bde HQ in Macon. I started with A Company, 108th Armor in Rome. Although I enjoy your publication, l would like to see more articles and more accurate reporting on the 108th.
Tankers may not be as glamorous as the aviation unit or seem as hoo-ahh as the 1121 or 2-121, but I believe you won't find a more dedicated group of soldiers anywhere.

Send letters orcomments to the Editor, Georgia Guardsman Magazine, C/O the Directorate of Communications, Georgia Department ofDefense, P.O. 17965, Atlanta, GA 30316-0965. Or email your comments to: "diamo11dbi@ga-amg.11gb.army.mil"
Visit the Directorate of Communications Website at: http://www.news.dod.state.ga.usl
Our policy: anonymous letters will not be published, but names can be withheld upon request.

Sgt. Brian K. Green Georgia Army National Guard

Command Focus
Major General David B. Poythress, The Adjutant General

Excellence In All We Do

We understand excellence. It's part of our Georgia Guard culture. As you look through this edition of the Georgia Guardsman, note the scope of that excellence. Our people are engaged in a remarkable range of activities all over the world.
Our people served with great dignity in the memorial services for the late Senator Paul Coverdell. My personal thanks to those involved. The Commander in Chief, Governor Roy Barnes, also sent a personal letter of praise for our folks. Paul had been a friend for almost 30 years. He was a fine, honorable man and a dedicated public servant. I was proud that our organization was there to honor him.
In my last column, I said we were going to take a hard look at our training programs and the effect they have on quality of life in general and retention in particular. This is moving on several fronts: Both the Air and Army commanders' conferences focused on this issue, producing valuable insights and ideas.
You will be receiving a survey document in the near future asking for your ideas on this matter; please give it your best shot. This is not a gripe session; I'm looking for serious, constructive ideas. Finally, an outside contractor will invite a random sample of our folks to participate in focus groups or interviews on this issue. This is the most in-depth study of this kind ever undertaken by anybody.
By the end of this year we will have a clear, detailed, and objective picture of our training programs and concrete recommendations for improvement. Naturally, all of this is anonymous, so please

be candid and serious in your answers. Meantime, the Governor's recruiting
bonus program has kicked-in. We are seeing solid results, and I am optimistic that we wi 11 make our end-strength goals for this year. Many thanks to our recruiters and commanders for their hard work.
Thanks to a huge amount of excellent work by many of our people, Georgia now has a second Youth Challenge Academy at Ft. Gordon. This project went from a standing-start to a full-up operation in less than 75 days! We are now running one of the largest high schools in the state. Special thanks to Governor Barnes, Mike Fowler, LTC Frank Williams and his staff, and all our friends at Ft. Gordon for making this happen.
The ramp-up to the 48th Brigade's SFOR rotation to Bosnia is going well. Annual training at Ft. Stewart was marred by the loss of one of our fine soldiers due to a heart attack, but it was otherwise a very successful tour.
I am working hard to find about $3 million to renovate our faci lities there before training resumes in December. Everyone agrees this is a serious quality of life issue, but our chances are no better than 50/50 at this point.
Meanwhi le, our Family Readiness/ Employer Support "road show" is playing around the state to rave reviews. Great work by Barbara McCaa, Margaret Herring and staff.
Armory renovations are proceeding briskly. By year end we will have completed or committed about $16 million in construction. As I mentioned in my last column, I will be seeking a like amount from the General Assembly this

year, and renovations will continue at least into 2002.
Also, our friends at the Department of Corrections, most notably Assistant Commissioner Joe Ferrero (Major, Georgia Air National Guard), are working with us to provide up to three crews of virtually full-time, skilled craftsmen to he lp with the on-going repair and maintenance of all our facilities statewide.
Our "military construction" projects are also on track. The two air wings received congressional approval for major projects that have been on the drawing boards for some time now, and work should begin soon. I am still committed to building a new state headquarters for the Georgia Department of Defense. This also will require congressional funding, and that is a slow, tough process.
Finally, congratulations to several of our General officers. Major General Robin Hughes has received his second star and is now Assistant Commander of First Army at Ft. Gillem. Brigadier General Robley Rigdon received a star and replaced Major General Hughes as commander of the 48th Brigade. General Rigdon will serve as Assistant Commander of the Third Infantry Division in Bosnia during the Brigade's SFOR rotation. COL Tommy Stewart will serve as the Brigade Taskforce commander in-country at the same time. Brigadier General Wick Searcy received his star and is commander of the Georgia Air National Guard. All of us join in congratulati ng these fine leaders of our organization.
Excellence In All We Do? Absolutely!

3

Culture Shock!
Guardsmen Will Find Bosnian Sports, Food, Music Different

Sp c. J .M. Lowry 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

W hen Georgia's 48th brigade deploys to Bosnia in March, soldiers may be in store for a culture shock. Many cultural differences and few similarities exist between the south Slav nation and the Peach State. Aside from the obvious differences such as language, dissimilarities extend to food, sports and music.
Despite more than four years of American influence, it's not easy to see its impact in the war-torn Balkans. There are few fast food burger restaurants in downtown Zvornik, a town only a few miles from the American Camp Dobol.
Occasionally you might find the ubiquitous pizza parlor in Bosnia, but if you're lucky (or unlucky) enough to try one, don't expect it prepared with tomato sauce. Instead, be prepared to add watery ketchup to your slice. That's the way Bosnians like their pizza.
Bosnians share a love of coffee with most Americans, although here the similruity ends. Bosnians take their coffee very strong, the consistency of espresso, but stronger. They a lso leave the grounds in their cups, containers significantly smaller than your favorite Georgia footba ll mug.
Traditional Bosnian food items include cel'api, a sandwich filled with spiced sausage links and melted cheese; bosa11ski 11011ac, meat and vegetable stew; lokum, a Turkish sweet; hall'a, crushed nuts in honey; burek, spiced lamb and beef wrapped by pastry dough; and finally sed11ica, which is burek, except filled with scrambled eggs instead of meat.
lfyou're lucky enough to drive around the country, you can also expect to see people roasting a pig or a lamb above an open fire.
While Bosnians and Americans both enjoy sports, the degree to which we enjoy them is quite different. Bosnians enjoy football, but their footba ll is a white round ball known in the United States as "soccer."
Basketball, an American invented game, is probably a close second in the hearts of
4



most Bosnians. Although not Bosnians, Toni Kukoc, of Croatia, and Vlade Divac, of Serbia, are two of the Slavic basketball players who have managed to succeed in the National Basketball Association in the United States.
Skiing is a popular recreational spo1t in Bosnia. Before the civil war, Yugoslavia was known for its ski slopes, and Sruajevo was host to the Winter Olympic Games in 1984.
In addition to food and sports, Bosnian

music is quite different from what we enjoy in the United States. Younger Bosnians enjoy rock-and-roll the same as American kids; the big difference is in folk music. Bosnian music played on native instruments is dissonant and screechy and is not really a choice of westerners.
Most Bosnian instruments are derivatives of Turkish instruments and include multi-
Colltillued Oil next page

Frompage4
steel stringed instruments such as the sa-:;, and the sargija. A -:;urna is a double-reeded instrument and is the main horn in Bosnia. (The oboe is a later European descendent of this instrument.) Collectively these instruments are used as accompaniment for sevdalinka, the Bosnian love songs.
Bosnia is also a crossroads of many differenc musical styles. According to musicologists, each town and village in Bosnia has its unique sevdalinka style, with lyrics recaJling the area's culture. folklore and history.
As one observer says, "The intermingling of Slavic, Turkish, Muslim and Gypsy cultures; the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish and Islamic religions; and the ancient traditions of the Bosnian, Croat, Serbian. Turkish and Jewish peoples make BosniaHerzegovina one of the most interesting musical crossroads in the world."
For Georgia Guardsmen, venturing to Bosnia is more than a mission; it showcases a unique and distinctive culture.

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Bosnian music is not a favorite of westerners.

Rigdon Assumes Command

Of Bosnia-Bound 48th, Earns 'Star'

Robley S. Rigdon officially assumed t11e unit's 4,000 members.

command of the 48th Infantry Brigade in Rigdon, a Deputy Commissioner in the

mid-June at Change of Conunand ceremony Mortgage and Corporate Division of the

in Macon. He succeedes Brigadier General Georgia Department of Banking and

Robert C. Hughes as commander of the Finance, attended No1th Georgia College and

Brigade. At the same occasion the 31-year later graduated from Georgia Southern

National Guard veteran was also promoted College in 1968. He is a 1986 a graduate of

to the rank of Brigadier General in the the Graduate School of Banking at the

Georgia Army National Guard.

University of Wisconsin.

Rigdon takes command ofthe 48th Jnfantry Most recently General Rigdon held the

Brigade ofthe Georgia Army National Guard position of Chief, Training Division, at

on the eve of the unit's deployment to Bosnia headquarters, Georgia Army National

in March of 200 I with more than 1,200 of Guard. In his career General Rigdon has

held numerous

leadership posi-

tions in the Geor-

gia Army Na-

tional Guard, in-

cluding Military

Personnel Officer

for Headquarters,

State Area Com-

mand, Battalion

Commander of 1st

Battalion 230th

Field Artillery,

Operations and

Intell igence Of-

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ficer of the I 18th

Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, The Adjutant General, promotes Field Artillery

Brig. Gen. Robley S. Rigdon, the new commander of the 48th Brigade, and

Infantry Brigade.

Commander, Bat-

tery B, 2nd Battalion. 214th Field Artillery. Rigdon has completed the Army War
College, the US Army's Air Assault Course, and was an honor graduate of the USAF Air Ground Operations School. Battle Staff Course and Joint Firepower Control Course. He has abo attended Command and General Staff College and was a distinguished graduate of the State Officer Candidate School when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in September 1971 .
General Rigdon holds the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Anny Achievement Medal, the Anny Reserve Component Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Air Assault Badge and eight State of Georgia ribbons.
The 48th Infantry Brigade\ deployment to Bosnia i-. the largest reserve component mobili1.ation in support of the Bosnian peacekeeping efforts.
Brigade soldiers will report to duty in midDecembcr for training and will deploy in March. The mobili1.ation will end in October 2000.
While the Brigade's rni'>'>ion i'> '>till being defined. the unit will primarily conduct security and nation-building operations.
5

Augusta Chosen As Site For Youth Challenge Academy Second Campus

The Governor's announcement in July of the opening of a second campus of the Georgia Youth Challenge Academy is a validation of the ideals, effectiveness, and success of the seven-year-old National Guard sponsored program.
The new, second campus located at Fort Gordon near Augusta will be ready for its first class of 140 students in September. As with the original YCA campus at Fort Stewart, the Augusta campus will operate two, 22-week classes each year.
To operate the three platoons that will open the new campus, more than 75 full-time cadre members, administrators, counselors, medical and food service personnel wilJ be hired.
"This YCA expansion was made possible by a lot of hard work and cooperation by the state legislative delegation from Augusta as well as officials at Fort Gordon," said Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General.
The cost of the expansion is $2.4 million, which will be funded by matching state and federal dollars.
6

With the addition of the second campus, Georgia becomes only the second state in the nation to operate two Youth Challenge locations. "The Challenge program at Fort Stewart has been one of the most successful in the country," continued Poythress.
" It is clear that this achievement has contributed greatly to our ability to add a second location."
While physical improvements are occurring at Fort Gordon, the number of students being allowed to attend the Fort Stewart campus has increased to more than 640 cadets each year. To accommodate this increase, Fort Stewart facilities are being renovated and expanded.
Georgia's Youth Challenge Academy has graduated more than 2,000 young people in its seven years of operations.
In its most recent graduation class in June, Class XIV graduated 174 cadets at ceremonies held in Macon.

Above, General Poythress and Lt. Col. Frank Williams, YCA commandant, congratulate a member of YCA's 14th class which graduate in in June.

POW

always guarded, always restricted," Denson said. "You lose your freedom."
Denson contrasted the aspects of being a guard, the MPs normal job, with that of a

Guardsmen Get Taste Of Prison Life In POW Exercise

prisoner, something he said he hopes would never happen.
"Being a guard is a Jot less stressful," he said. "Role playing as a prisoner was very realistic."

''The realism is here," said Hutchison.

Story and Photos by Spc. J.M. Lowry

I90th MP Company commander.

!24th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment From around the country, several MP

companies came together

Behind two razor wire-topped chain link to run the enemy prisoner

fences. wooden guard towers, under the of war camp, known as an

sunny and windy Wisconsin sky, Georgia EPW camp.

Army Guardsmen were treated Ii ke The l 90th represented

prisoners. And it wasn't in retribution for Georgia, and other MP

Andersonville, the notorious Confederate companies represented

prisoner of war camp located in Georgia. Michigan and Illinois.

Members of the I90th Military Police As military policemen

Company spent their annual training as part rotated from their roles as

of a battalion-sized command that ran an camp guard to EPW, they

enemy prisoner of war camp at Fort McCoy, turned their blouses inside

Wis. The military policemen rotated in the out so they wou ld be

unenviable task of role-playing as enemy indentified as prisoners.

prisoners to make the training as realistic ai-. From there it was all down

possible.

hjll.

"It"s important to train like this because Camp guards searched

camps like this are set up in Saudi (Arabia) EPWs for weapons and

and Kosovo," said Capt. Dale Hutchison. contraband, and then es-

corted them into the camp

itself. EPWs entered the

camp through the two,

chain link fences. No more

than one gate was open at

any time.

"Main gate open!" a gate

guard would yell.

"East gate closed!" an-

other gate guard would re-

ply.

This was to insure proper

control of the prisoners.

Once inside, EPWs were escorted to several processing stations including a shower station and a medical screening station.
Although the camp may have seemed like joining the mil itary to some, to

Pvt. Gary Chapman, of Alpharetta, a military policeman with the 190th MP Company based in Kennesaw, searches Sgt. Deric Richardson who is playing the part of an enemy prisoner of war. The 190th was part of a battalion-sized command in charge of an enemy prisoner of war camp. The 190th spent their t wo-week an nual training period at Fort McCoy,Wisconsin.

Guardsmen of the I90th the camp was much

worse.

"No solruer wants to be a prisoner," said

Sentinel stands watch during 190th Military Police POW exercise.

Cpl. Donel! Denson, a l90th MP who was a guard and also a prisoner.
"Inside they treat you like a prisoner;

7

Mercy Mission InThe Andes

l65th Medical Team Aids Peruvians In Need

By Capt. Dave Simons Public Affairs Officer 165th Airlift Wing
Ayacucho, Peru is barely a dot on the map. Nestled in the heart of the Andes Mountains more than 9,000 feet above sea level, the area is rough, remote and desolate. Although only 150 miles from the cosmopolitan capital of

Lima, it's a day's drive over one-lane roads through treacherous mountain passes.
Making their way through this sparsely inhabited area of South America, 40

Below, Staff Sgt. Connie Brown, of the 165th Communications Flight, served as an interpretor on the mission. Above, Maj. Peasley of the 116th Hospital does a thorough eye examination.
doctors, nurses, medical technicians and supply specialists from Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing's Medical Squadron challenged the terrain to carry out a humanitarian mission. In the small Peruvian town ofHuamanguilla, 165th personnel set out to provide medical treatment to an indigenous population that finds health care inaccessible. For the Savannah "docs," the mission was literally a "mission of mercy" at 9,000 feet.
Two C-l30s from the l 58th Airlift Squadron flew the medical personnel and their supplies into the South American nation. Once in Peru, Savannah doctors and medical specialists settled into cramped, four person rooms at a Peruvian military base high in the mountains and surrounded by armed military personnel. The area that would be the home for the Georgia Guardsmen for nine days has a reputation as a location for terrorist activities.
At an altitude of over 9,000 feet, the Savannah physicians set aside a full day to acclimate themselves to the harsh conditions and to prepare for nine days of treating the population of the area.
8

Col. Gary Harvey examines a young girl's ear while 1st Lt. Billie Schanen, comforts her. Both are members of the 165th Airlift Wing's Medical Squadron.

Following a 40-mi le journey higher into the Andes. the Savannah doctors established their first clinic in a school in the small town of Huamanguilla.
In anticipation of a huge influx of patients. the Savannah Guardsmen first arranged a protocol '>ystem for patients suffering with '>pecific ailments. Each villager ..,eeking a medical examination \\ent first through an initial medical screening, received instruction on the use of soap. toothbru<,hes. water purification techniques and other general hygiene practices. Following the initial exam. patients were then directed to one of several physicians including dentists, optometrists, gynecologists and general health. The first day the clinic opened, more than 500 patients lined the walls outside the school for medical treatment. The dental site was the busiest as villagers clamored for exams. Teeth were pulled, toothbrushes provided, and a comfort ing hug was distributed as part of the treatment for hundreds of men, women and children. Women sought pelvic exams from nurse practitioners and the three physicians artended to more acute problems including broken bones. third world diseases and infections and respiratory ailments. Respiratory infectioni. were particularly prevalent in the population and it was not uncommon to find entire families infected with a variety of parasites. The optometry clinic came equipped with 5,000 pairs of glasses, a donation by "Project Cyclops," a program administered by the Wisconsin Air National Guard. The towns Mayor expressed the importance of eyeglasses to the Huamagui Ila villagers when he noted that "once my people loose their

eyesight, they can no longer hold a job." The gift ofa new pair ofeyeglasses to many
villagers returned not only their eyesight, but also a chance to return to work and enhance their quality of life.
A small pharmacy dispensed drugs and medications donated by major pharmaceutical companies. In addition. the pharmaceutical companies furnished general health information pamphlets translated into Spanish. Local Savannah businesses including Kroger Foodstores and Lo-Cost Phannacy also donated supplies for the Peru deployment.
In light of countless exotic ailments being treated by Savannah physicians, the most difficult job of the deployment belonged to the translators who spent their time attempting to break down language barriers to guide the caregivers. Even the team's members who were fluent in Spanish had

difficulty translating the area's unique dialect.
The doctors. nurses and other health care providers spent nine days operating the clinics in some of the most remote areas of the world. During their stay, they established three different field sites, including two in Ayacucho and one in Huamanguilla. Estimates suggest that the Savannah doctors examined more than 6,500 patients during the 9-day deployment.
The Peru deployment was a real world training exercise for the Savannah medical squadron that added to the knowledge. experience and training of the unit. However for most who accompanied the deployment high into the Andes Mountains, it was mission that brought hope and relieved suffering a half a world away from Savannah.

Photos by Senior Master Sgt.
_.._R_o.lln'r Jetton, 165th Airlift Wing
"Ii

---------"""" Convoying up the winding road to Huamanguilla

9

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'Memphis Belle' Joins
Georgia Air Guard

T he " Memphis Belle," the legendary WWII B-17 bomber credited with more than 25 combat missions over Europe now shares its famous name and proud heritage with its 21st century successor, a B-18 bomber ofthe J 16th Bomb Win g of the Georgia National Guard. Georgia's B- 1 " Memphis Belle" was dedicated July 28 at Robi ns Air Force Base.
On this historic occasion, the Georgia B- 1 received not only the name of the famous World War II bomber, but the distinctive noseart design for the "Memphis Belle" a girl dressed in high-heels and bathing suit - which was meticulously reproduced on the B-1. Esquire magazine artist George Petty drew the famous artwork which crewmen of the "Belle" later reproduced on the side of the B-17.
"This was an exciting event for the Bomb Wing as we became linked with the remarkable heritage of this aircraft," said Col. Tom Lynn, I 16th Bomb Wing commander. Col. (Ret.) Robert Morgan, who commanded the original "Memphis Belle" through daring aerial combat missions in Europe, was on hand to dedicate the Georgia Guard's " Memphis Belle."
Highlighting the event was the arrival of a B-17 that was used in the 1991 film, "The Memphis Belle." Both the B- 17 and the giant B-1 aircraft conducted flybys before landing
10

and taxiing into position for the dedication ceremony. Colonel Morgan also presented the I 16th Bomb Wing with a commemorative piece of metal taken from the wing of the original "Memphis Belle" that will be mounted in the cockpit of the Bl bearing its name.
Morgan and the crew of the "Memphis Belle" were the first aircrew and bomber of the 8th Air Force to complete 25 combat missions in Europe between 1942 and 1943. During this period, crewmen on the "Be lle" shot down 80 enemy fighters and possibly damaged or destroyed 17 others. Often bullet-riddled and flak damaged, the "Belle" made it back to its base in England time and again with Morgan at the controls. Morgan and his crew dropped more than 60 tons of bombs over France, Germany and Belgium. Morgan, the crew and the Belle were then sent back to States on a "war bonds" and publicity tour.
In 1944, Col. Morgan flew another fourengine legend, the long range Boeing B-29 "Superfonress" on missions in the Pacific. As commander of the 869th Bombardment Squadron, Morgan and hi s " Dauntless Dotty" crew led the first B-29 raids on Tokyo in November 1944.

Above: Col. Tom Lynn (I), commander of the 116th Bomb Wing, presents Col. (Ret.) Robert Morgan with a commemorative plaque during the festivities marking the dedication of a B-lB bomber as the ''Memphis Belle." Top: the two " Belles" stand together. Below: " Petty's Girls" -- the "noseart" of the Memphis Belle.

Distance Learning (J

Photo and Story by Spc. J.M. Lowry

mand, and a student at a recent unit-clerk

124th Mobile Public Affairs

class. "That's what distance learning is

Detachment

about," she said.

And since the students don't have to travel

In a classroom, a student presses a buuon, as far, or in some cases not out oftheir home-

s peaks into a microphone, and asks a towns, loved ones don' t have to worry as

question. A camera, located at the front, turns much.

and zooms in. More than 500 miles away a "It's nice for people with families; they (the

teacher whom, the

students can see

and hear on a

television

responds with an

answer.

Although the

scene seems like

science fiction, it

is taking place to-

day in the Georgia

National Guard.

Known as dis-

tance learning, the

program saves

money for taxpay-

ers and saves time

for Guardsmen.

"The distance

learning program

is important because it not only improves readiness, but it also reduces time away from work and

- Televised instruction is part of the dista nce learning program

families," said Lt.

Col. Iva Wilson-Burke who oversees the dis- students) don't have travel as much," Burnett

tance-learnfog program. "It saves travel and said.

training dollars too," she said.

The classrooms sites are linked to the

The students also realize the benefits of the teaching site via telephone lines and satel-

new training methods. "In the long run it cuts lites. At the distance-learning site in Macon

back on costs," said Spc. Delia Burnell, a the communication lines are operated by a

clerk with Detachment 2, State Area Com- separate system of computers that stand

nearly six feet tall and are housed in sepa-

rate small room about the size of a walk-in

closet.

The distance-learning classrooms are filled

with televisions, microphones, headphones,

a videocassette recorder fax and printer. Of

course there are computers at each desk.

There are enough desks in each classroom

for 15 people.

The use of the distance-learning program

Spc. David Saunders attends a unit clerk is also growing in other states. For example

class amid computers, and cameras.

at a recent unit clerk class there were Guards-

men from eight states silting in hi-tech classrooms similar to Georgia's. Students from Georgia to Washington and from Texas to North Dakota were

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~

able to ask questions of an instructor located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
One advantage of distance learning is that each class is

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~

relatively small, an aspect

deliberately designed into the

program to take advantage of

national statistics that indicate

students in smaller classes do

better than large student groups.

" I like the sma ll class

environment with only eight

people," said Sgt. Bradford M.

Peterson, a unit clerk with

Company H, 22 1 Military

Intelligence Battalion. "It

allows me to concentrate

because there are fewer

distractions," he said.

Currently there are three

di stance-learning s ites in

Georgia. They' re located at

Fort Discovery in Augusta, Fo11

Stewart, Ga, and the Regional

Training Institute in Macon.
According to Wilson-Burke '-&

two more are scheduled to open )

'-t in 2001. The new sites are" " '
planned for Fort Gillem and V
Dobbins Air Reserve Base. N

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11

Georgia Guardsman Plays

"In the world of Olympic shooting there is no such thing as second gue'>'>ing how a particular firearm may perform," he said. "It

Vital Role In Olympic

has to work the first time, and it must give the athlete the edge he needs to be the one

Sharpshooting Competition

wearing Olympic gold when the match is over
Pilkington.., work with the 2000 learn is

not hi'> fir'>t involvement with firearm

By Sgt. Roy Henry

competition.

I24th Mobile Public

He was gunsmith for the All-Guard

Affairs Detachment

small bore rifle and pistol teams

When the men and women of the

!.tarting in 1986. And beginning in

United States shooting team travel to

1990. he practiced the art of

Sydney. Australia, in September for

gunsmithing for team., competing on

the 2000 Olympic games they will

the international level.

trust the maintenance of the

In 1995 he went with the U.S.

specialized weapons they use to Chief

shooting team to the Pan American

Warrant Officer Scott Pilkington of

Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina,

the Georgia Army National Guard.

and in 1998 to the World

Pilkington, 36, is an armament repair

Championships in Barcelona. Spain.

technician in the logistics division of

This Spring, Pilkington was

Headquarters, State Area Command

gunsmith for the first, and the final

(STA RC) , based al Ellenwood's

Olympic selection matches.

Oglethorpe Armory. When not in

Pilkington began his military career

uniform, he is the owner of

as a member of the Tennessee

Pilkington 's Classic Engraving of

National Guard's 181 st Field

Monteagle. Tenn., specializing in the

Artillery based in Chattanooga. He

engraving of fireanns and knives.

joined the Georgia National Guard

Pilkington said the selection of a

in 1998.

gunsmith for the Olympic shooting

Much of what he has learned over

team is difficult because of the unique

the years about gunsmithing began

nature of the firearm s and airguns

in 1986 when he was assigned to the

used. The weapons are specially Chief Warrant Officer Scott Pilkington, gunsmith for National Guard's Marksmanship

designed match firearms the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team, repairs a Morini stan- Training Unit in Nashville. Tenn. It

manufactured in Germany, Austria or dard .22 caliber sport pistol at an olympic selection wa., there that his experience in

Italy, and are practically useless to match on Camp Creek Road in Atlanta. Photo by Spc. working with Olympic caliber

shooters other than Olympic hopefuls. James C. Sherrill, 124th MPAD.

firearms and athletes began.

Because of the unusual design of

Pil kington credited his interest in

these guns, only a few people have the responsibility to ensure that everything from competition firearms and shooting

qualifications lo repair and maintain them, the team's double-barreled shotguns to its competition to his work with the All-Guard

Pilkington said. Qualified technicians are .177 caliber air rifles and pistol<>, is in the Pistol Team and fellow gunsmiths Chief

found in only two locations across the nation, best possible condition. According to Warrant Officer Dave Mattice and Sgt. Ist

the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) at Fort Pilkington, the air rifles. pistols and the .22 Class Joe Chambers.

Benning, Ga., and the Olympic Training long rifle semiautomatic sport pistols need "I learned quite a lot, especially from Chief

Center in Co lorado Springs, Colo. the most attention.

Mattice because of his having been gunsmith

Pilkington, affiliated the Army's AMU said Air-powered weapons in particular, suffer for the 1984 and 1988 Olympic shooting

that one of the unit's major objectives is the from seals that wear out and springs that have teams," he said. Mattice was abo the U.S.

training of Olympic c;hooter.,. In March he to be constantly adjusted. The .22 team's gunsmith in 1992.

was notified of his selection by the United semiautomatic pistols. he explained. can As this year's team prepared for the trip

States Olympic Committee. "It was quite an malfunction because of low power. "The to Australia, Pilkington's excitement grew.

honor: he beamed.

shotguns and rifles are more reliable and "I have always supported the Olympic idea

"Getting the opportunity to work with need only 'fine tuning' based on the and goals, as well as the men and women

firearms and individuals of this kind is individual athlete's preferences in trigger who take part. To be going with them and

-.omething T really look forward to doing," pull. sighting and handling."

being part of their dreams of Olympic gold.

Pilkington said, smiling. "Even more Shooting team members rel) completel) is something I will always remember:

exciting is the privilege of representing on their gun'>mith to make sure the firearm

Georgia, the National Guard and the U.S. to they use in competition functions flawlessly.

the other countries of the world."

I can make the difference between winning

During the games, it is Pilkin gton's and losing an event, Pilkington said.

12

Other News

Dennis, Deloach Assuine Top Enlisted Posts In Ariny, Air Guard

Command Sergeant Major James H. Dennis, Georgia Army National Guard and Command Chief Master Sergeant Pearson DeLoach. Georgia Air National Guard, have been appointed to the two top enlisted posts in Georgia National Guard. These senior enlisted po'>ition' report directly to the Commander-.. of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard and repre'>Cnt the more than L0.000 enlisted men and \\Omen in the Guard.
Sergeant Major James H. Dennis as..,umed the respon..,ibilities of Command Sergeant
State Command Sergeant Major Dennis

Major at formal military ceremonies at STARC, June 3. Dennis. a 32-year veteran of the Georgia Army National Guard assumesthe position from Command Sergeant Major John Lane.
A full-time employee of the Georgia Army National Guard since 1975, Command Sergeant Major Dennis most recently was the command sergeant major for the 48th Infantry Brigade headquartered in Macon.
He enlisted in the Georgia Am1y National Guard in 1968 and ha.., \erved in all level<> of command ri-.ing to become Brigade Sergeant Major in 1997. A graduate of the
Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer's Course, Dennis has also completed the First Sergeant's course and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
He holds many awards and decorations, most notably the Army Commendation Medal. the Army Achievement Medal. the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal. the ational Defense Medal. the Army Service Ribbon. the Georgia Commendation Medal, and the Georgia Special Operations Medal.
Chief Master Sergeant Pearson Deloach was appointed as the new Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Georgia Air National Guard in June by Brig Gen. William N. Searcy. He ;,,ucceeds Command Chief Frank Murray. DeLoach. a 36-year veteran of the Georgia Air ational Guard was most recently the Senior Enlisted Advisor

Command Chief Master Sergeant Deloach
of the 283rd Combat Communication;,, Squadron located at Dobbins ARB. Ga.
Originally a member of Savannah.., I17th Air Control Squadron, Command Chief DeLoach moved to the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron in 1980. He has participated in more than 24 individual deployment'> throughout the U.S. and one over;,,eas deploymenc. He holds the Mentonou.., Service Medal. the Air Force Commendation Medal and the \tr Force Out\tanding Unit Award among many other-..
A native ofSavannah. DeLoach is currently the Coordinator of the Leisure Services Bureau for the City of Savannah. He was the Operations Director for the Savannah Civic Center, the Director of Athletics and Recreation for the City of Savannah as well as Coordinator of PrograllllTiing. Actively involved in a number of professional affiliation.,, DeLoach is a member of the Georgia and National Recreations Parks As.,ociatton.

Bomb Wing Conducts First B-1 Deployment to Germany
The I 16th Bomb Wing conducted ii... first deployment to Gem1any in July to participate in the multinational exercise "Baron Flag 2000." The exercise represented the first deployment of B- l s to the German homeland and involved a deployment of eighty-seven

Air Guardsmen. Sponsored by the German 7 1st Fighter
Wing, " Richthofen," Wittmund AB Germany. "Baron Flag 2000" involved GRl Tomados and MIG -29s of the German Air Force. Dutch F-16s. and Italian Air Force AMX F-3 aircraft.
The multinational exercise sought to increase the combat capability of Combined Air Operations involving command and control ofair resources from several different countries. Its objective also was to support

maritime operations provided by Tactical Aircraft.
The I16th BW was the first B-1 unit to be u!>ed in ..Baron Flag" exercise. While in Gennany. Georgia s Bls made an appearance at the Nordholz Airshow that attracted more than I00.000 avid aircraft enthusiasts.
13

224th Celebrates SOth; Dedicates 'Starfighter'

In Brief

Brunswick's 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron celebrated 50 years as an Air National Guard unit with an anniversary observance held in June in that south Georgia city.
The weekend celebration began with an invitational golf tournament followed by special family day activities. The day's major event was the dedication of a restored F-104 Lockheed Starfighterwhich was mounted on a pedestal at the unit.
State Rep. Stephen Scarrett presen1ed the unit with a commemorative flag flown over

the state capitol in recognition of 224th members who have served the Georgia Air National Guard unit over the past halfcentury. Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, the

Adjutant General of Georgia, and his wife were special guests for the formal banquet and dance that concluded the gala weekend.

Georgia DoD, Other Agencies Plan Smog Reduction

How did you arrive at work this morning? Have you considered carpooling, or rapid transit, or telecommuting, even bicycling?
These are a few of the options that the Georgia Department of Defense and other state agencies are currently considering to harness the explosive increase in smog in Atlanta and the 13 county Atlanta region.
To promote the effort to reduce emissions, the agency has joined the Partnership for Smog Free Georgia (PSG). Along with other stale and federal agencies and private businesses, PSG is pledging to assist employees with commuting options in order to reduce the number of Single Occupancy vehicles (SOV) on the highways.
An estimated 85,000 vehicles or more use Atlanta's freeways each day accounting for the second worse air quality readings in the nation.
DOD directors and commanders have been given the responsibility for monitoring the commuting patterns of their employees. Each Directorate has designated a PGA ( Partnership for Smog Free Georgia) coordinator who collects and reports daily commuting data from all full time members of the Guard in the metro area. This data is reviewed, analyzed and reported to stale officials on a monthly basis.
The voluntary measures taken by DOD

have been successful, according to agency monitors. The use of single occupancy vehicles by full-time National Guard employees have been reduced by more than 15 percent over the past year. Car-poolers say they

arrive at the office less stressed and ready to begin work. Others note that carpooling allows them to develop or create new friendships. All car-poolers say that they save money on fuel, automobile insurance and maintenance. In fact, according to one agency estimate, the annual cost of gasoline alone for a 25-rnile commute is more than $1,000.
Employees interested in learning about their commuting options can contact "CommuteConnections" at 1-87-RideFind, or on the internet at: http:// www.commuteconnections.com.
"CommunteConnections" is a free service that matches commuters with commuting options. Once interested persons complete a questionnaire on line or over the phone. "CommuteConnections" identifies a ride match and other transit options. The program protects confidentiality and is free.
Commuters that complete the questionnaire are immediately eligible to participate in the "Guaranteed Ride Home" program that funds a taxi or rental car for any high occupancy vehicle commuter stranded because of an emergency.
For more information, contact the PSG office al Confederate Avenue at 404/6246113.

14

In Brief

Distingusihed Flying Cross

116th's Bell Earns
3rd Highest Award
For Kosovo Action
Maj.Thomas A. Bell of the I 16th Bomb Wing was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. America's third highest award for heroism. for actions taken while on a B-1 bomber mission over Kosovo in 1999. Bell, who commands the I 16th's Weapons and Tactics shop and is a Weapons Control Officer instructor for the Wing, was presented the award by Brig. Gen. William N. Searcy, Commander of the Georgia Air National Guard during ceremonies in August at Robins AFB.
Bell earned the award while participating

Maj or Thomas A. Bell (facing) is awarded the OFC d uring a ceremony at Robbins AFB, Ga.

in the first B-1 combat mission nown in support of Operation Allied Force. On an April I. 1999 night, Bell experienced numerous in-night dangers, beginning with a weapons release malfunction on his first bomb run. He corrected the malfunction and completed a second run achieving multiple kills on tanks, armored personnel carriers and forces in the field.
As the weapons system officer, Bell defended the aircraft on two separate occasions against tactical surface-to-air missile launches and completed an unscheduled aerial refueling before returning the B-1 safely to RAF Fairford in England.
Bell, who was assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, 2nd Air Expeditionary Group, Royal Air Force RAF Fairford ultimately flew 15 more combat sorties during the three months in theatre.

202nd Engineers Deploy to Saudi

For 'Operation Southern Watch'

Georgia's 202nd Electronic Installations Squadron (EIS) recently returned from Saudi Arabia after serving more than 60 days in '>upport of operation Southern Watch... Georgia Air Guardsmen served as the installation unit for Air Expeditionary Forces (AEF) Seven and Eight.
More than 50 Georgians deployed in two rotations to the 'desert' to orchestrate the manning for 12 different EI units in the region and had the management

responsibi lity for establishing electronic contingency support operations in the theater of operations.
While participating in "Operation Southern Watch." the 202nd joined forces with four sister units from throughout the US in connecting more than 150 temporary line numbers providing the units of "Southern Watch" with valuable communication enhancements and operational support.
Over the past year. the 202nd provided

Engineering Installation support to seven Wings and more than 21 Geographically Separated Units (GSU) acros'> the country. The 202nd surpassed the Air National Guard mission and production goals by 255 percent for 1999.

,_
..
.'

At left Sta ff Sgt. J ason Gardner of the 202nd works on a trencher. Above, Staff Sgt. Sharon Hines (far left) a nd Staff Sgt. Bill Pounds (with hat) finish work on the 202nd site in Saudi Arabia. (202nd photos)
15

The Last Page

Recruiting Incentive
Program Catching-On
In Georgia
The Governor's National Guard Recruiting Incentive Bonus program, designed to engage all members of the Georgia National Guard in the recruiting effon, has begun to yield impressive results. Some 26 new enlistments have been credited directly to this incentive program.
Begun on July 1, the Recruiunent Incentive Bonus program is intended to help address personnel shonages being experienced both in the Army and Air National Guard. The program authorizes cash payments to current and retired National Guard soldiers, airmen and other DOD personnel who refer qualified personnel to Guard recruite rs and who subsequently enlist into the Army or Air National Guard.
Guardsmen who enlist prior-service or nonprior service candidates are eligible for a payment of $150 per enlistee. A $50 cash payment is available to Guardsmen who successfully recruit prior-service candidates into the "Try-One-In-The-Guard Program," a one-year enlistment trial.
Georgia Guardsmen have earned more than $3,400 in recruiting cash bonuses because of their effons to enlist qualified candidates into the Guard.
Some of the twenty-s ix Georgia Guardsmen who have received checks for their individual recruiting effo11s are PVT. Greg Thomas (Co A 2/121), Sgt. Wayland Keller (HHC 221st Ml), Sgt. Shaun Giddens (Co A 1/12lst ), Spc. C lara Howard (1148tb Trans CO), Staff Sgt. Ricky Todd (Trp E 108th), Spc. LeGregory Dykes and Spc. C larence Ervin (Det 1 Btry C 1/214 FA), Staff Sgt. Benjamin Howard (HHD STARC), Capt. Eric Norris (HHB 1/214FA), Spc. Howard Prisock and SSG Joseph P. Stevens (J/171
AVN Reg), 1st Sgt. David Reyes and Staff
Sgt. Darcy Blow (CO H , 121 IN), Sgt. Ralph Richardson (HHC 1/121 ), S pc. Tanya Simmons (HBC 648th EN), P vt. Brian White (Co A 1/108 AR), Pvt. Kari Tidwell (HHD 148th FSB), Spc. Eval M. Axton (166 Maint Co), Chief Warrant Officer3 Russell T. Waters (Det 1 HQ STARC), Pfc. Bobby Washington and Staff Sgt. Spenser Mock (1230th Trans
16

Co). From the Air G uard Master Sgt. Wayne Saunders and Staff Sgt. Ronnie Whetstone (116BW) Airman 1st C lass C hris Banks, Staff Sgt. Stacee Lewis (224 JCSS) and Leon Martin (ANG retired).
All Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen can take advantage of this new program by referring qualified candidates to their ARNO or ANG Recruiter, Retention Superintendent, or MEPS guidance

Counselor. Bonus checks arc presented to Guardsman in approximately seven days but no later than the following drill period.
As both the Georgia Army and Air National Guard struggle to meet National Guard Bureau's year-end strength and readiness levels, Georgia's program is a new approach to recruiting that aids both the National Guard and the individual Guardsman.

Historical Society Meeting Features Forum on TAG

Mayor Paul Jossey and the City of Forsyth

will host the Historical Society of the

Georgia National Guard's 9th Annual

Conference Saturday, October 14, 2000, at

City Hall in Forsyth, Ga. The conference is

scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

The program features a panel of past

adjutants generals and assistant adjutant

generals of Georgia who will discuss the

policies, successes, and challenges of the

Georgia Air and Army National Guard and

the State Defense Force during their tenure.

Former AGs and assistants scheduled to

participate include Maj. Gen. (Ret) William

P. Bland Jr., (1991-1999); Maj. Gen. (Ret)

Joseph W. Griffin, (I 983-1990); Brig. Gen.

(Ret) Alpha A. Fowl er, Jr. ( 1947-1948); and

Brig. Gen. (Ret) Be n L. Patterson (Asst.

Adjutant General, Air, 1975-1977, 1983-

1990) and Brig. Gen.William K. McDaniel

(1987-1 990).

Participants will view a IO-minute

videotaped inteiview with former Governor,

and two-time

Adjutant

General, S.

Ernest

Vandiver, who

discusses hi s

years as TAG.

Opening the

conference will

be Maj. Gen.

David

B.

Poythress. the Gen. William P. Bland, Jr.

current

Adjutant General ofGeorgia, who will deliver

the keynote address. Col. (Ret.) James R.

Wooten, editorial page editor of the Atlanta

Journal will facilitate the forum.

Open to the public, the conference's $16 regis-tration fee includes a buffet luncheon at the Farm House Restaurant acros-. from the meeting hall. Registration may be paid by check to the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard, Inc., P.O. Box I 7965, Atlanta, GA 303 J6-0965' or at the door.
Conference headquarters will be the Hampton Inn, 520 Holiday C i rcIe , Forsyth, Georgia. Members Gen. Joseph W. Griffin receive a conference rate of $55 per night (excluding state and federal tax). Reservations should be made by calling the Forsyth Hampton Inn and asking for the special Historical Society ofthe Georgia National Guard rate. Telephone the Hampton at 9 12-994-9697.
On Friday evening, October I3, an informal "dinner on your own" is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. at Leland's at the Holiday Inn.
For further information call Or. B. I. Diamond at 404-624-6065, or Mr. John Hardwick, 404-624-6451.

The "Memphis Belles" Fly Together. Foreground, the B-17 "Memphis Belle" flies alongside a Georgia. Air National Guard B-JB "Memphis Belk". (Photo by Maj. Murray Hansen, 116th Bomb Wing)

Georgia
Guardsman
C/O Directorate of Com1111111icatio11.\
Georgia Department of Defense
P. 0. Box I 7965 Atlanta, GA 303 16-0965

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID
ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 7050