JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013

January-February 2013

Atlanta Falcons in Divisional Playoffs Georgia Guardsmen honored to assist with flag ceremony

Georgia State Capitol Honors National Guard

Atlanta Braves Visit Georgia’s Citizen-Soldiers

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19 Table of Contents 15 20 1 | The Georgia Guardsman

Georgia DoD, labor reps sign new contract

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NCO Notepad

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Georgia paratrooper and son are part of airborne tradition

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560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade changes command

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Guard CST, Georgia State University work with local agencies

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From McAllister to Maine: The strange career of the U.S. Montauk

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Atlanta Braves visit Georgia National Guard

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116th ACW receives 16th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

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Professional Development Bookshelf

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Multiple DoD agencies pull together to resurrect historic Remagen

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JSTARS food service pros support 57th Presidential Inauguration

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Georgia Guard’s ADT III departs for Afghanistan

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JSTARS expands missions across the globe

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Atlanta celebrates ‘Guard Day’ at the Capitol

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Around the Guard

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Commander-in-Chief: Gov. Nathan Deal Adjutant General of Georgia: Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth State Public Affairs Director: Ms. Mary Therese Tebbe Operations NCO: Sgt. 1st Class Gerard Brown Managing Editor Mr. Seth G. Stuck Layout and Design: Mr. Steven Welch Contributing Ga. DoD Organizations: 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs Office, Army National Guard Unit Public Affairs Representatives, Air National Guard Wing Public Affairs Representatives, Georgia State Defense Force Public Affairs.

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The Georgia Guardsman is published monthly under the provisions of AR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Georgia Department of Defense Public Affairs Office. The views and opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Army, Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman is distributed free-of-charge to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, State Defense Force and other interested persons upon request.

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January-February 2013 | 2

Georgia DoD, labor reps sign new contract Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Feb. 8, 2013 – Major Gen. Jim Butterworth, Georgia’s Adjutant General, signed a new labor contract with the organization that represents the more than 1,200 full-time federal technicians across the state who work for the Georgia Department of Defense (Ga. DoD). By doing so, Butterworth officially ended nearly 18-months of negotiation between the Ga. DoD and the Orange Park, Florida-based Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) that first got underway in the fall of 2011.

“Both sides have worked hard to bring this effort to fruition in such a way that it benefits our technicians and the DoD,” Butterworth told representatives of the technicians and management. “We are committed to having a solid relationship with labor, and always keeping the lines of communication open.”

Reinecke, chief negotiator for the ACT-Southeast, added that with any contract negotiation the process is a long one, that there were times there were differences that had to be worked out, but in the end the two sides came

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together, settled those differences and pushed forward on coming up with a document that – in the end – works for both sides.

“While we [labor and management] may not agree on everything, we know we can sit down, talk things out and come up with an agreement for the betterment of everyone involved,” Reinecke said.

According to Georgia Air National Guard Col. Rainer Gomez, commander of Savannah’s 165th Airlift Wing and chief negotiator for management, the contract that covers technicians working for Georgia DoD comes up for re-negotiation every four years. Sometime in 2015, both sides will sit down and go over items in the contract to determine what has worked and what may need to be given a second look.

Modifications to the old contract came about because of changes in federal law governing federal technicians – for example, how jobs are advertised – that have occurred over the past couple of years.

“Repeating something General Butterworth said earlier, what we’ve accomplished here today provides a path to making our organization better than it already is,” Gomez said. “It serves as a more equitable way of serving the interests of both sides as we move forward in our work here at the Georgia DoD.”

NCO Notepad

By Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield State Command Sergeant Major Georgia Department of Defense

updated information. My goal here is to continue preparing Guard families to be mentally, physically and spiritually healthy so they are able to support their service members.

Only a team effort will allow us to be successful.

As for you, my fellow Guardsmen, you must continue to develop yourselves by staying tactically and technically proficient in your areas of expertise. The way to become proficient is by completing your highest level of NCOES and civilian education. When you accomplish this, you will continue to have upward mobility in your military and civilian occupations.

Our Soldiers must be duty MOS qualified, which General Jarrad and I consider a priority. I expect you to attend duty MOS schools and NCOES schools rather than attending annual training, even if only one can be attended in this fiscal year.

In closing, I would ask that each of you always stay prayerful of your fellow Guardsmen, their families, and your brothers and sisters in arms who are out there serving their country around the globe and in harm’s way.

Patriot 7… out.

G

reetings and Happy New Year, It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected the eighth Army Guard command sergeant major for this great state of Georgia.

Over the last few months, I have been going through a transitional stage as I become more familiar with my new position. Among the many things I am learning are the directorates and staff of this great organization and the functions of each one.

Brigadier Gen. Joe Jarrard, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, and I have developed ways ahead and established priorities that he and I want to sustain. We have also looked at what we can improve on during my three year tenure.

In this month’s column, I want to commend all our Citizen-Soldiers and family members on their great accomplishments. Our warriors and family members have made many sacrifices over the past 10 years.

You need to know, I am dedicated to continue being a leader that is concerned and committed to mentoring our Soldiers for ongoing success in their professional and personal growth.

Most importantly, we will continue to support our families with education, counseling and continuously

January-February 2013 | 4

Georgia paratrooper and son are part of airborne tradition Story and photos by 1st Lt. William Carraway Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga. Feb. 6, 2013 – For Capt. Jason Royal and fellow paratroopers of the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BFSB), February 6 was not just another day in the office. Royal, the incoming commander of the 165th Quartermaster Company (165th QC), of the 560th BFSB completed his first jump in two years following graduation from airborne school at Fort Benning.

“I told myself not to think about it,” said Royal, “But I woke up at 3 a.m. and my first thought was about the jump.”

Seven hours later, the former Paulding County High School teacher joined 23 other Georgia Army Guard paratroopers on the tarmac of Paulding County Airport. While they waited for the twin-engine C-23 Sherpa that would carry them to their jump height of 1,500 feet, the Soldiers practiced parachute landing falls (PLF) and completed their pre-jump inspections. Specially trained parachute riggers and jump masters performed meticulous inspections, while pathfinder teams monitored wind, weather and communications for the dropzone.

Upon arrival of the aircraft, the paratroopers boarded in reverse jump order. The plane would make two lifts, of 12 paratroopers each dropping four paratroopers on each pass over the dropzone. Royal described his anticipation of the jump.

“I have never jumped from a Sherpa,” said Royal. “Plus, this is my first jump outside of school so I am a little nervous, but looking forward to it.”

As the plane climbed, the paratroopers performed a final equipment check. Then the rear door of the Sherpa opened to reveal the Paulding County forests below.

“When that door opens it is like a giant flat screen TV,” said Royal. “Your brain says ‘don’t go that way’ but then you just go. Airborne school trains you so thoroughly to deal with the unnatural terror of jumping out of an airplane, that you just react and your training takes over.”

It took less than five seconds for paratroopers to exit the plane. All of the jumpers landed safely on the dropzone.

Sergeant Jason Cromier of the 3-108th Cavalry came perilously close to a sharp ravine but was able to steer himself

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to safety.

“I saw the terrain and I was able to turn my chute,” said Cromier, an insurance salesman from Macon.

The jumps were witnessed by Cpl. Donald Boatwright, a WWII paratrooper who earned a Bronze Star for valor.

Boatwright trained with the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa, Ga. Also watching the jump was Hector Royal, Capt. Royals’ son, who will follow in his father’s footsteps as a Georgia Guard paratrooper and rigger with the 165th QC. Hector leaves for basic training and airborne school in July. Captain Royal described the feeling of being linked to airborne history and future.

“What a rare opportunity to speak to one of our WWII paratroopers,” said Royal. “I was honored to shake his hand. The airborne program began with his [Boatwright’s] generation, it continued with mine and now it passes to my son’s generation.”

560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade changes command

Story and photo by 1st Lt. Jasmine Griggs 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade Georgia Army National Guard

OGLETHORPE ARMORY, Ellenwood, Ga., Jan. 13, 2013 – The 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BFSB) held a Change of Command and Change of Responsibility ceremony today at the Oglethorpe Armory. The Soldiers paused from their training schedules to say ‘goodbye’ to their outgoing leadership and welcome the incoming leadership.

“I believe that Col. Carden’s biggest influence on the brigade was his personal example. He sets the example for those he leads and holds Soldiers to standards. He motivates those who need to improve while helping them along the way. To me, he was one of those who was born to be a Soldier and is very good at it,” said Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Georgia’s Assistant Adjutant General – Army.

Colonel Thomas Carden, the outgoing commander, came to the podium and spoke about his tenure as the commander of the 560th BSFB. “This is a day to say thank you. I directly link any success that I may have played a small role in to the Soldiers and leaders of this brigade. I am proud of the formation that will be lead by the new command team that is coming in,” said Carden.

The incoming commander, Lt. Col. (P) Ray Bossert, said, “I have big shoes to fill. I will do all I can do to lead, train, and mentor these great men and women of the 560th. I expect all warriors of the 560th to live by these watch words: be professional, be ready, be relevant, be to the point. Focus on these four points, and we will meet the commander’s intent and be successful.”

Jarrard also spoke of Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield, who is the outgoing Senior Enlisted Leader of the 560th BFSB. “Colonel Carden had a pretty good battle buddy who helped him accomplish all he did while in command; so good that I pulled him up to be my battle buddy,” said Jarrard, referencing Stringfield’s new position as the Command Sergeant Major of the Georgia Army National Guard.

“I would like to thank my wife of 30 years and to thank the Soldiers for what you’ve done for the past two years,” said Stringfield. “I was told that you are not selected as

the Senior Enlisted Leader, Soldiers make you the Senior Enlisted Leader. Soldiers do this for me, Be to the point, hold the line, always ready, always there and always on target. HOOAH!” Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Marchert, incoming Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 560th, also spoke and wanted to send a ‘thank you’ to everyone in attendance. “Soldiers of the 560th,” he said, “you are the Brigade. Trust, listen to and follow your Officers and NCOs. Heed this simple advice and you and your unit will succeed-we’ll all succeed.”

Pictured below, Col. Thomas Carden relinquishes his successful command to Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard who will then bestow the responsibility on Lt. Col. Ray Bossert. Since its inception on Oct. 1, 2007, the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade’s mission has been to provide command and control of reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence operations in support of a division, corps, or joint task force.

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Guard CST, Georgia State University

work with local agencies to strengthen emergency radiation response Story and photos by 1st Lt. Mike Thompson 78th Homeland Response Force Georgia Army National Guard CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Jan. 12, 2013 – Every day, National Guard and civilian emergency responders across the country are training to better respond when crises of any kind threaten local communities. Recently, the Georgia National Guard’s 4th Civil Support Team (CST) teamed up with the faculty at Georgia State University’s (GSU) Petite Science Center in Atlanta to conduct an emergency response drill to an incident involving a radiological source.

Working alongside the GSU team, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Police and Fire departments, the 7 | The Georgia Guardsman

4th CST refined emergency response plans, validated emergency management systems, identified fundamental policy issues and worked out how to maintain up-todate personnel references on who to call in when a real emergency occurs.

“Every state in the nation has a CST team, and with that it gives the state unique capability,” said Col. Michael Scholes, the 78th Homeland Response Force commander. The 78th is the civil support team’s higher headquarters. “The CST has worked quite closely with fire departments and the inter-agency community at the local, state and federal level. Through that work, the unit has gained a really solid reputation for advising first responders.”

As part of the drill, GSU scientists provided a safe radiological isotope which the 4th CST and first

responders could detect and react to accordingly.

Universities typically have radiological sources for science experiments, instrument calibration and cosmic research, but it is so limited so that any exposure would be less than a normal day in the sun. According to the Health Physics Society, colleges may even use radiological sources that are so minute that, after they are no longer needed, a source can be disposed of in the regular trash.

“One of the research projects we do here at Georgia State is to develop sensors to detect cosmic radiation,” said Xiaochun He, a GSU department of physics and astronomy professor. “The detectors are multi-functional.

Not only can they monitor cosmic radiation variances, but they’re also used for predicting weather patterns and climate studies.”

“In the long run,” he added, “the university hopes to develop portable, more accurate and cost effective sensors to use in homeland security.”

For this particular exercise, the 4th CST flew an initial team in by Black Hawk helicopter to pin-point the source and determine where to stage with first responders. Once on the ground, role-players and GSU officials worked through stages of the response, and watched the CST team demonstrate its capabilities to the incident commander.

“I have to say, the training is great; it’s almost like it is real world,” said Anthony Coleman, a GSU police major

and acting incident commander for the drill. “While we’ve had some training in radiological incidents, we don’t do it every day. Having the 4th CST come in and assist us has been excellent.”

The 4th CST’s 22 personnel provide support to civil authorities at domestic chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents by offering identification and assessment of potential or suspected hazardous materials. They also advise on, and facilitate, the arrival of follow-on military forces during emergencies. The unit is one of nine civil support teams in FEMA Region IV. Georgia’s 4th CST is active across the state, training with first responders at Cobb County Safety Village and providing vital support for events at the Georgia Dome. Its members have provided technical assistance for Secret Service appointed National Special Security Event (NSSE) with Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) for the National Democratic Convention, support of other national level exercises and was called upon for six real-world responses in 2012.

“By doing events such as these, we get to meet the different agencies that would be in play,” said Jenny Matte, the senior research safety specialist at GSU. “In this way we get to know each other better, which makes it a lot easier to operate as a team should there ever be a major incident.”

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From McAllister to Maine:

The strange career of the USS Montauk By 1st. Lt. William Carraway Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense

T

he American Civil War is replete with curious turns and connections. People, places and events intersect in ways unpredictable to the participants at the time. But in retrospect those chance circumstances move inexorably as if drawn by imperceptible chains to an inevitable conclusion.

The wayward career of the Union monitor Montauk links historic battles, Georgia plantations, the Lincoln assassination and ultimately naval reserve service during the Spanish-American War There was nothing unusual about the Montauk itself.

One of more than 60 ironclad warships constructed by the Union, the Montauk wallowed low in the water from the weight of its iron armor. Its single round turret echoed the design of the original USS Monitor which had been described as “a Yankee cheese box on a raft.” The Montauk was armed with two smooth bore cannon of 380 mm and 280 mm caliber. The Montauk was captained by Cmdr. John Worden, a spectacularly bearded naval veteran who had commanded the USS Monitor in its historic battle at Hampton Roads with the CSS Merrimack. The March 9, 1862 battle marked the first engagement between two iron ships.

Worden had been wounded and partially blinded in that engagement and was forced to relinquish command.

Following his convalescence he was assigned to command the newly commissioned Montauk in December 1862.

Sailing forth from New York harbor, the Montauk took nearly a month to reach the blockading fleet off the coast of Port Royal, S.C. With the arrival of the Montauk, blockade squadron commander Rear Adm. Samuel DuPont determined to launch an attack on Confederate Fort McAllister located on the south bank of the Ogeechee River near the present town of Richmond Hill in Bryan County, Ga. Built by Soldiers of the 1st Georgia Infantry, the fort had been designed by army engineers to absorb the energy of naval bombardment.

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As the shattered ceramic walls of Fort Pulaski had confirmed, brick and mortar were no match for the long range artillery in use by the U.S. Navy.

Fort McAllister protected the approach to Savannah approximately as well as the fertile rice fields and strategic railroad bridge within the range of its ten guns.

In addition to a company of the 1st Georgia Infantry, commanded by Georgia Military Institute graduate 1st Lt. Alfred Hartridge, the fort was garrisoned by Georgia cavalrymen under command of Capt. Joseph McAllister for whom the fort is named.

By the time the Montauk’s boilers set steam Ft. McAllister had already been under naval fire four times.

By January 27, 1863 the 1st Georgia had been replaced by the Emmett Rifles. Command of the fort had also passed to Maj. John Gallie, a Scotsman turned Savannah merchant turned Confederate officer. Gallie and his garrison watched as the Union flotilla steamed within firing range of the fort’s guns. The Montauk initiated the engagement with a blast from its 380 mm cannon.

Gallie’s artillery struck back and over the next five hours the earthen fort would exchange fire with the floating iron ships. The Montauk was struck fifteen times by McAllister’s guns but suffered no serious damage. The battle concluded when the Union flotilla expended its ammunition and withdrew.

After resupplying, the iron fleet again sallied forth against the fort. In the early morning of February 1, 1863, the Montauk closed on Fort McAllister and unleashed a blistering fusillade. Supported by the ships that made the assault on January 27, the Montauk poured a constant fire into the fort. During the desperate fire Maj. Gallie was fatally struck in the head by one of the Montauk’s shells. Due to falling tides, the Montauk was unable to continue the assault and once again was forced to retire.

Despite being hit by nearly 50 Confederate shells, the Montauk was again undamaged.

The Montauk continued its quixotic attacks against Fort McAllister. On February 28, the Montauk, sailing up the Ogeechee sighted theConfederate blockade runner Rattlesnake afloat near the fort. Worden ordered the Montauk to engage The Rattlesnake was destroyed

when a shell impacted her powder magazine. Before the crew of the Montauk could celebrate, the ship struck a torpedo. Crippled, the Montauk limped away to effect repairs.

February 28th represented the Montauk’s last action against Fort McAllister. The Fort would not be taken by sea but would eventually fall when Sherman’s Armies reached Savannah.

Returning to coastal blockade duty off the coast of S.C. the Montauk participated in actions in Charleston Harbor in the spring of 1863. In July, the Montauk shelled Fort Wagner - the fort depicted in the climactic assault by the 54th Massachusetts in the motion picture Glory.

The Montauk continued blockade operations in South Carolina until transferred to North Carolina in the final months of the war. With the fall of the Confederacy, the Montauk steamed to the Washington Navy Yard where it

received an unexpected visitor. The body of John Wilkes Booth was brought to the deck of the Montauk on April 27, 1865 for autopsy. Booth had been killed in a skirmish with Union Soldiers while hiding in a barn at Garret’s Farm in Virginia following his assassination of President Lincoln. The Montauk would subsequently serve as a make-shift prison for Booth’s conspirators.

The Montauk was decommissioned from military service in Philadelphia in late 1865. John Worden, her former commander, would serve as superintendent of the Naval Academy and end his career as a Rear Adm. The Montauk would return to service in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Crewed by Naval Reservists, the Montauk guarded the harbor of Portland, Maine for nearly a year. The Montauk was sold for scrap at the dawn of the 20th century. It was one of the last five Civil War monitors remaining.

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Atlanta Braves visit Georgia National Guard Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Holdridge 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Georgia Army National Guard CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER Marietta Ga., Jan. 31, 2013 – The Atlanta Braves Caravan visited the Clay National Guard Center on Thursday. Four players, and general manager Frank Wren, manager Fredi Gonzales and bench coach Carlos Tosca spent time visiting with the Soldiers, Airmen, civilian employees and family members of the Georgia Department of Defense.

The Atlanta Braves entourage answered questions and signed autographs for the more than 200 people who filled the drill hall at Joint Force Headquarters with excitement and anticipation for nearly two-and-a-half hours.

Even Homer, the Braves mascot, got in on the act, greeting event-goers and having his picture taken with them while the 116th Army Guard Band played “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and the Braves “Tomahawk Chop” rally cry.

“Now I know what the University of Georgia feels like having their own band,” Wren said.

“Your contributions to [the Georgia Guard] and its people, significantly enhances the morale of so many who greatly sacrifice many things for their state and their nation,” Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, Georgia’s Adjutant General told the visiting Braves.

Before the ceremony, the visiting Braves received a “sneak peek” at the Georgia Guard’s joint operations center (JOC), where Guardsmen were busy just a day earlier monitoring the tornadoes that hit North Georgia. Featuring more than a dozen video screens, the JOC allows Ga. DoD officials keep to tabs on different television stations and internet reports 24/7.

Heyward, who lives in the Cumberland area, says he

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appreciates the work the Guard does, which also includes deploying Guardsmen in support of the warfight.

“There’s a lot going on, and it’s kind of more than meets the eye,” Heyward told the Marietta Daily Journal. “It’s also comforting, to me being a Georgia native, that we have the assurance of knowing the Guard has an eye on us.”

“We very much appreciate all the Atlanta Braves do in supporting the Georgia National Guard,” Butterworth added after presenting Frank Wren with an honorary plaque.

Among the Braves taking part in the event was outfielder Jason Heyward, who has been a fan-favorite in Atlanta since his arrival in 2010. During his rookie season, Heyward made an all-star appearance, and led the team to its first postseason berth since 2005. With him was B.J. Upton, who recently transferred to the Braves from the Tampa Bay Rays. Upton will be the opening day centerfielder, playing alongside his brother – leftfielder Justin Upton.

Mike Minor, who had an outstanding 2012 season, will lead a solid starting rotation this year that is considered one of the best in baseball, according to Wren.

Eric O’Flaherty also made the trip, and will be a key setup man for what some experts say is an already solid bullpen.

The Braves are looking to bounce back from last season when they were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals in a one-game playoff.

This will also be the first season since 1993 the team will not have Chipper Jones. The Braves will open up the regular season at Turner Field on April 1 against their National League East rival Philadelphia Phillies.

Several members of the audience asked Gonzales what he expects from the team this season.

“I think our lineup has improved, so I feel really great about this club, “ Gonzalez said, “You can’t play this game on paper, you have to go out and execute your strategy if you want to win.

Atlanta Braves mascot “Homer� spends some time hanging out with the son of a Georgia Guardsmen during a visit to Clay National Guard Center in Marietta. The visit was part of a caravan tour of Braves players, coaches and the famous mascot.

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116th ACW awarded 16th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Story by Tech. Sgt. Regina Young 116th Air Control Wing Georgia Air National Guard ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Warner Robins, Ga., Jan. 28, 2013 – National Guard Bureau officials recognized the 116th Air Control Wing among the very best, awarding the unit the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period of Oct. 1, 2010 to Sep. 30, 2012.

The AFOUA is given to units that perform exceptional meritorious service, accomplish specific acts of outstanding achievement, excel in combat operations against an armed enemy of the U.S., or distinctly conduct military operations involving conflict with, or exposure to a hostile action by any opposing foreign force.

The award is the 16th of its kind the wing has received.

“The competition is extremely keen and the dedication and commitment of the members enable the Air National Guard to fulfill its commitment to the missions of peacekeeping, humanitarian relief, domestic improvement, and most important of all - defense of America,” stated Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, director, Air National Guard.

In 2012, Team JSTARS flew in support of six combatant commands, performing C2-ISR missions across the spectrum of conflict: homeland defense missions, counter

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insurgency support, theater-level conflict in Libya, crisisresponse ISR and maritime domain awareness missions.

Accruing more than 82,000 combat hours, Team JSTARS has been on a continuous deployment cycle for more than 10 years supporting operations such as Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector.

“I see the dedication on the faces of the Airmen of the 116th ACW whether they are supporting real-world missions or participating in a major inspection,” said Col. Kevin Clotfelter, commander 116th ACW. “And, to the families who provide us unending support; this award is yours too.”

Team JSTARS has earned a 95.8 percent mission effectiveness rate on a fleet of aircraft that averages 44 years old.

In 2002, the 116th ACW was established as the first joint Air National Guard/United States Air Force unit. The joint unit was inactivated Sept. 30, 2011 and the 116th ACW was returned to the sole jurisdiction of the Georgia Air National Guard.

The 116th is the only unit in the Air National Guard operating the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, an advanced ground surveillance and battle management system providing C2-ISR and combat support forces to meet state and national objectives.

Professional Development Bookshelf:

Reviews of books

that teach us about our craft

By Maj. John Lowe J7 Joint Training & Doctrine Georgia Army National Guard

T

he Patton Mind is an excellent account of Patton’s professional self-education through his acquisition and reading of military books. Patton’s study was for the most part a daily habit complete with notes in the margins of many of his books as well as file cards that he created to further his development and thinking on leadership, tactics, strategy, and the organization of the military.

Over the course of 10 chapters, author Roger Nye takes the reader from Patton’s early schooling and family life all the way to his crowning glory in World War II and his untimely death shortly thereafter. Through these chapters in Patton’s life the author provides a litany of examples of how Patton’s active reading and self-study molded him into a military genius.

During his last year at West Point, Patton wrote in one of his notebooks: “I believe that in order for a man to become a great Soldier... it is necessary for him to be so thoroughly conversant with all sorts of military possibilities that whenever an occasion arises he has at hand without effort on his part a parallel...

To attain this end I think it is necessary for a man to begin to read military history in its earliest and hence crudest form and to follow it down in natural sequence permitting

his mind to grow with his subject until he can grasp without effort the most abstruse question of the science of war because he is already permeated with all its elements.”

Only the student of military history could react best to the battles of the future. Through his reading and study Patton taught himself that the commander would never have a clear picture of the battlefield and therefore he must make decisions lacking complete information. His study also taught him that situations would arise in the future that would not be able to be foreseen and the commander who is the most creative and quickest with a response will be the one who prevails.

Nye believes that “perhaps the greatest legacy that Patton derived from his two decades of reading the history, theory, and practice of cavalry operations was his conviction that battles are won by those who take risks.”

Mr. Nye argues that Patton’s greatest lesson for future commanders is that they “prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the unforeseeable and the unpredictable.”

This book provides the reader with a fascinating look into how Patton’s views were shaped by his voracious appetite for studying the profession of arms. In addition, it exposes how his reading and study played a significant part in creating one of the finest military minds the world has ever known.It is also reminds us even the great Patton had to study. Even Patton was a leader made, not just born. We all have the responsibility to use history to prepare us for the future.

January-February 2013 | 14

Multiple DoD agencies pull

together to resurrect historic Remagen Drop Zone

National Guard Red Horse Civil Engineers from New Mexico operate heavy equipment across the wide expanse of the Remagen DZ at Fort Stewart, GA, bringing the vital assault landing strip back to life.

Allied Forces were attempting the final push across the Rhine River - the last geographic obstacle to Germany’s heartland. Knowing all of the bridges over the Rhine had been ordered to be “blown” by Adolf Hitler in an effort to slow the advance, the men of the 27th AIB were amazed COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Savannah, Jan. 30, to crest the hill and see the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen 2013 – Thanks to the cooperation and hard work of multiple still standing.

U.S. military organizations – and, especially, the New An immediate attack was launched as they could see Mexico National Guard – a resurrected Remagen Drop German Army engineers preparing to blow the bridge.

Zone (DZ) will be fully operational for Global Guardian Before the bridge could be completely destroyed, it was 2013. The DZ will play host to heavy equipment drops, secured by the heroic efforts of the 27th AIB. The war paratroopers, and C-130s creating huge dust clouds as they ended just two months later, thanks in part to what Supreme land and take-off from the historic Fort Stewart drop zone. Allied Commander General Dwight Eisenhower called the One of the real miracles of World War II­­­ occurred “Miracle of Remagen.” when lead elements of General William Hoge’s 27th Ever mindful of the U S Army’s rich history, Fort Armored Infantry Battalion (AIB), Combat Command B, Stewart, Ga., named one of its first drop zones after US 9th Armored Division, topped the hills overlooking the Remagen. The drop zone has seen more heavy equipment German town of Remagen. It was March 7, 1945. and paratroopers dropped there over its many years than Story and photo Master Sgt. Bucky Burnsed Combat Readiness Training Center Georgia Air National Guard

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could ever be counted. Originally the drop zone was designed as a short field, assault landing site for helicopters and the C-130 Hercules.

While helicopters enjoy the luxury of setting down in just about any large clearing, large military cargo aircraft typically land and take-off from paved runways especially designed to accommodate the extreme weight of the aircraft.

The C-130 differs from most military heavy lifters in the fact that they are designed to land and take off on exceptionally short dirt runways.

However, over many years, the landing strip at Remagen DZ has fallen into disrepair. While the area is basically a large, hard-packed Georgia red clay field and the Army continued to use the field for paratroop drops from helos, C-130’s had actually not attempted assault landings in the area for many years. The surface had become severely

rutted from weather, rain and its runoff.

Enter Global Guardian, the nation’s largest National Guard exercise, scheduled for March and set to take place in Savannah.

The commanders responsible for planning and implementing the exercise, comprised of elements across all military services, saw the obvious need for an area where C-130s could perform this tactical activity, thus enhancing the exercise’s overall mission.

Savannah’s Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC), Georgia Air National Guard, served as Grand Central Station for Global Guardian, as it does for many military exercises throughout the year.

The idea soon emerged of resurrecting Remagen DZ as a fully functional landing strip for C-130s or even the emerging new, smaller C-27s. However, today’s shrinking military budgets cast a pall over the possibility.

Still, Col. Todd Freesemann, the CRTCs commander, accepted the challenge and commissioned the unit’s operations personnel with the task.

Led by Ops Group Commander Lt. Col. Christopher Rachael, and Global Guardian liaison officer, Lt. Col. David Spisso, they began reaching out to the Army and the National Guard Bureau to find resources to pull it off. Working together, all agreed everyone would benefit from the project.

As a C-130 aircraft commander, Lt. Col. Spisso fully appreciates a nearby assault landing zone, “Training to land and take-off on these short dirt airstrips is critical for C-130 pilots as we maneuver the aircraft into the field at very precise angles of attack and at speeds that could produce a great deal of fear in the untrained. But the very act creates an exceptional strategic and tactical advantage.”

CRTC’s operations personnel further identified the 210th Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron, a joint Air and Army National Guard unit, from the New Mexico National Guard with the right skills to come in and quickly resurface and remediate the old Remagen DZ. This highly energized unit hit the ground running in midJanuary, and in less than three weeks’ time, using all types of heavy equipment borrowed from Fort Stewart, the CRTC and its Townsend Bombing Range, has successfully resurrected the historic DZ and assault strip. Working from very early in the morning until “dark thirty,” the Airmen and Soldiers of the 219th removed large obstructions, moved thousands of pounds of dirt, and completely resurfaced the hard-packed red clay runway.

Colonel Todd Freesemann, speaking from his own West Point engineering background said, “I have to admit, realizing the scope of the work, I was not optimistic this project could be completed considering today’s budget restraints. But this accomplishment serves as a strong testimony to how much can be accomplished when all of the military services work together to achieve a common goal.”

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JSTARS food service pros support 57th Presidential Inauguration Story and photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons 116th Air Control Wing Georgia Air National Guard ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Warner Robins, Ga., Jan. 21, 2013 – While many Americans tuned in to the 57th Presidential Inauguration from the comfort of their homes, a team of Georgia Guardsmen from the 116th Air Control Wing, packed up a field kitchen and travelled from Robins Air Force Base to our nation’s capital to provide food service as a part of the District of Columbia Joint Task Force.

With more than 6,000 National Guard troops from 32 states and territories - providing traffic control, crowd management, transportation, communication, medical and logistical support - the job of feeding the troops rested in the hands of the food service experts from Air National Guard units across the country.

When the call for support went out, the Joint STARS 116th Force Support Squadron was quick to offer a team of experienced services personnel along with a single pallet expeditionary kitchen.

“This is a unique opportunity that most individuals in the service don’t get,” said Air National Guard Maj. Bryan Brown, commander of the 116th FSS. “Our team might not have been in the spotlight, but they filled the vital role of feeding the troops who were supporting the events surrounding the inauguration.”

During their five-day deployment to the National Capitol Region, the team - consisting entirely of part-time ‘Traditional Guardsmen’ - set up and operated a mobile field kitchen just blocks from the Capital at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

Arriving Friday evening, they were fully functional within hours and successfully met every Joint Task Force requirement throughout the deployment. Daily short notice schedule changes and the magnitude of the operation required round the clock attention to food preparation.

At any given time, the number of troops they were scheduled to feed would change by more than 100 people.

“Without fail, they switched gears, went with the flow and

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displayed the flexibility required to meet the mission,” said Master Sgt. Patrick McMahon, troop commander for the trip.

“Even though our folks are all part-time Guardsmen, many have multiple deployments under their belts and a number of us did this same type of mission in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.”

The trip held special significance for McMahon as it was his first trip with his younger brother, Senior Airman Daniel McMahon, a services journeyman with the unit. For both it was their first trip to D.C. “I think it’s awesome to go on this trip with my brother,” said the younger McMahon. “My brother and I are really close so it’s like going on a trip with my best friend.”

For the 116th FSS and every member of the team, this was the first time they deployed to support a presidential inauguration.

When the opportunity presented itself there was no shortage of volunteers, according to the squadron’s leadership.

When Tech. Sgt. Terrance Woods learned of the opportunity, he signed up right away. Four years ago during President Barrack Obama’s first inauguration, Woods was attending Airman Leadership School while his mother attended the inauguration.

“I was not able to attend the last inauguration with my mother and she burned up my phone with text messages about how excited she was,” said Woods. “This time it was my turn to be a part of the inauguration.”

Each time the doors opened to the Kennedy Recreation Center with hungry Soldiers and Airmen, all the hard work paid off. The Services personnel were able to offer nourishment with a little southern hospitality while representing the wing and the state of Georgia with honor.

“I am proud to say that the Georgia National Guard’s very own 116th FSS was a vital component in the events surrounding the 57th Presidential Inauguration,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard. “The Inaugural Ceremony’s theme this year was ‘Faith in America’s Future’, and with men and women like those who serve in the Georgia National Guard leading from the front, I have just that - faith that our great nation will continue to be unparalleled in the world.”

Georgia Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team III departs for Afghanistan Story and photo by 1st Lt. Michael Thompson 78th Homeland Response Force Georgia Army National Guard CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Jan. 4, 2013 – The Georgia National Guard’s 201st Regional Support Group (RSG) held a departure ceremony at Fort Gordon Friday morning as the unit prepares for a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan as an Agribusiness Development Team (ADT).

Friends and family gathered in a small gym on post to give last-minute hugs, kisses and goodbyes before the unit departed for Camp Atterbury Joint Mobilization Training Center in Indiana.

“The unique military and civilian skills possessed by these Soldiers will open the eyes of the Afghan people, giving a door of opportunity for peace and democracy to a land that had no hope or future,” said Col. Michael Scholes, the 78th Homeland Response Force commander – the higher headquarters to the 201st RSG. Just before Christmas, the ADT III completed premobilization training at Fort Stewart, earning the second highest grade in the state at 97 percent.

Earlier last year, selected personnel attended an agriculture boot camp at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga., hosted by the University of Georgia’s College of

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). ABAC’s expertise in different agriculture sciences allowed for the Soldiers to gain knowledge in bee keeping, seed types, soil types, greenhouses, watershed management, dairy and cattle management, and other farming techniques.

“I was very impressed with this group,” said Steve Brown, Associate Dean for Extension with the UGA CAES. “We put them through a pretty tough week of intense agriculture training. I have to give our scientists credit, they really dug in and found out as much as they could about crops being grown, soil, and the climate in Afghanistan so we could give them the best training that they could use on their mission.”

The ADT will also undertake projects to improve the expertise of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock employees and the general knowledge of local farmers in the area. Specific areas of expertise and experience for the ADT members include agriculture (traditional farming), horticulture (orchards and vineyards), pest management, irrigation, animal husbandry, food processing, marketing, agricultural engineering, soil science, ice production, and storage.

The Georgia National Guard has made a three-year commitment to provide ADTs in Afghanistan. The first of these deployed for Southeastern Afghanistan in the spring of 2011.

This is the third ADT from Georgia to deploy. The majority of the service members come from the 201st Regional Support Group and the 265th Regional Support Group.

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JSTARS expands missions across the globe Story filed by 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs Office Georgia Air National Guard ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Warner Robins, Ga., Jan. 7, 2013 – During November, Team Joint STARS epanded its mission by flying in five unified combatant commands within 13 days.

The Homeland Defense, Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency, and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions-strategically planned at the national level-served customers in all military branches with the Coast Guard, law enforcement agencies, and coalition partners.

“Flying this many operational missions in such a short time period is not the norm,” said Col. Dean Worley, commander, 461st Air Control Wing. “This combination can only be done with extremely well-trained operations and maintenance personnel.”

The men and women of JSTARS logged more than 80,000 combat hours in support of Operations Enduring Freedom,

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Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector, in preparation for November’s broad mission set.

“As Team JSTARS continues to excel, combatant commanders around the globe have taken notice and recognized the value of the weapons platform.” Worley said.

“With budget constraints being felt throughout the military, the Air Force’s premier command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset is being called more often to more locations because we give American taxpayers more bang for the buck.”

While maintaining an aging fleet of 16 Boeing 707-300 aircraft, the JSTARS team comprised of Airmen and Soldiers are poised to continue providing a ready and relevant military force to combatant commanders around the globe.

“Our maintainers from 116th and 461st Maintenance Groups have a tremendous sense of pride, dedication, and commitment, which I’ve witnessed time and time again,” said Col. Mike Gaspar, 116th Maintenance Group commander.

“The successes of Team JSTARS are a direct result of those men and women ensuring we launch every tasked mission.”

Atlanta celebrates, honors state’s Citizen-Soldiers for ‘Guard Day’ at the Capitol

Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense

ATLANTA, Jan. 29, 2013 – Georgia Department of Defense Guardsmen, civilian employees, and Georgia State Defense Force members were honored by the State General Assembly as both chambers declared today National Guard Day. Every year, members of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives pay tribute to the men and women of the Georgia Army and Air Guard, the civilian employees of the Georgia Department of Defense and the Georgia State Defense Force for all they do, and the sacrifices they and their families make in support of their communities, their state and the nation.

“The presence of our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, and members of the State Defense Force in the gallery today greatly honors us. You are extraordinary people, doing extraordinary things, and we thank you for what you do,”

said Lieutenant Governor and president of the Georgia Senate Casey Cagle (at the podium). “I also congratulate the Guard for making great strides in improving the lives of Georgia’s young people through the Youth ChalleNGe Program, many of whom are also with us today.”

In the Senate, and later in the House, Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, Georgia’s Adjutant General, would step to the podium and accept the proclamation declaring this day as National Guard Day. While in the Senate, he would also turn over the floor to Col. Craig McGalliard, commander of the Georgia Army Guard’s Agricultural Business Development Team II, who addressed the chamber by video teleconference from Afghanistan.

“We have a tremendous organization doing incredible things, here at home and around the world, as you can see,” Butterworth said motioning toward the screen from which McGalliard spoke. “You [Georgia] have an incredible team, dedicated to service and committed to excellence in everything it does as it represents this great state and the American people here at home and around the world.”

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Around the Georgia Guard 179th MP Company First Lt. Kevin Smith and Cpl. John Mcewaney of 4th Platoon (Gravediggers) patrol during a snow flurry in Afghanistan.

‘Christmas Kids’ with Sen. Isakson Clark Howard broadcasts “live” on WSB Radio while speaking with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson about Clark’s Kids. “I am always happy to lend my support to Clark’s Kids because it is a great organization with a very special cause,” said Sen. Isakson. “All children deserve to experience the giving spirit of Christmas.

I commend the Georgia State Defense Force and the Georgia National Guard for their generous volunteerism, and I thank Christmas Kids and the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services for their important work to make Christmas possible for the many children who otherwise would not have had a Christmas.”

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Governor Deal holds press conference Governor Deal, GEMA Director Charley English, Georgia State Patrol Col. Mark McDonough and others hold a press conference to discuss the emergency declaration for Bartow and Gordon counties and traffic issues along the I-75 corridor. Deal also extends his condolences to the families affected by today’s storm and strongly urges Georgians to continue to exercise caution on the roads as the storm passes.

WSB-TV airs special on Georgia Guard’s efforts to secure nation’s border WSB-TV’s Mark Winne recently put together a special on the Georgia National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force - namely the 78th Aviation Troop Command - and its efforts to help protect our international borders from illicit drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and other homeland security threats.

Guardsmen help display flag at falcon’s NFC Divisional game More than 100 Soldiers with the Georgia Army National Guard marched onto the field carrying a U.S. Flag during the event.

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Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense 1000 Halsey Ave. Bldg. 447 Marietta, Ga. 30060