Summer 2015

Summer 2015

Annual

Training STArbase Summer Camp

+Engineers

876 Cases Their Colors

Plus: 165th Airlift Wing Deploys | 348th BSB Training | And So Much More

Contents ISSUE: Summer 2015

cover story

w w w. G a d o d . n e t

Features 03| starbase Summer Camp

Military children enjoy summer camp at Peach State STARBASE

05|Best Warrior Competition

Sergeant Samuel Shuler and Spc. John Pettas compete at the national “Best Warrior” competition.

13| Annual Training 2015

17| 348th BSB Annual Training Georgia Guard’s 348th Brigade Support Battallion conduct annual training.

18| 116th SFS Annual Training

12

The 116th Security Forces Squadron conduct annual training in Savannah, Ga.

News

20|165th Airlift Wing Deploys

12| 876th Cases Their Colors

Georgia Air Guardsmen from the 165th Airlift Wing deploy in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Georgia Army National Guardsmen conduct annual training.

Georgia Army National Guard 876th Engineer Company cases their colors and realigns as the 874th Engineer Utility Detachment.

columns

07

07| Blast From the PAst

Georgia Guard Annual Training in 1955.

10| The Chaplain’s Corner People not the activity.

11| NCO Notepad Georgia National Guard Best Warriors.

19| Book Review

1 | The Georgia Guardsman

03

17 13

“Ethics, Nationalism and Just War by Henrik Syse and Gregory M. Reichberg.

21| Around the Guard

Georgia National Guard Commander-in-Chief Gov. Nathan Deal Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard State Public Affairs Director Lt. Col. Thomas Lesnieski State Public Affairs Officer Capt. William Carraway Operations NCO Master Sgt. Gerard Brown Editorial Staff Managing Editor Desiree Bamba Contributors 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Bezore Master Sgt. Gerard Brown Capt. William Carraway Tech. Sgt. Shaeaita Johnson Ashlie Shrewsbury Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons Chaplain Capt. Jon Pirtle Contributing 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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Disclaimer 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.

Summer 2015 | 2

STAR 3 | The Georgia Guardsman

Photo by: Desiree Bamba | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

W Story by: Desiree Bamba Public Affairs Office

Georgia Department of Defense

hat is more fun than getting to build and launch rockets in the summer?

Getting to do so with your friends at summer camp!

Children of the Georgia Army and Air Guard as well as those of reservists and active duty members participated in STARBASE summer camp from June 8, 2015 through June 11. STARBASE, which stands for Science and Technology Academics Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space Education, is conducted at Dobbins Air Reserve Base and sponsored by the Georgia National Guard.

“The program allows the young par ticipants to learn about f light simulation and technology simulation,” said John McKay, director of STARBASE. STARBASE is a premier program dedicated to giving its students true “hands on, minds on learning.” The program provides the 10-11 year-old participants with practical applications of the same science and math courses that they currently learn in schools. Certified instructors demonstrate the uses of science, math and engineering through

BASE “The program allows the young participants to learn about flight simulation and technology simulation.” - John McKay, STARBASE Director

Photos by: Desiree Bamba | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

classes such as Forces of Flight, Rocket Construction, and Engineering Design.

Throughout the course of the regular school year, the principals of each school have to sign their schools up for attendance. STARBASE’s intent is that, after participating schools have been approved, they bring in the 5th grade class from that school. Instead of attending five days in their local school, they are bused to Dobbins ARB, where they are able to get detailed, hands-on learning on the same subjects they would usually study during a normal school day.

During the summer months, parents have an opportunity to sign their kids up for this exciting camp. The kids have the opportunity to learn and experience all STARBASE has to offer. Some of the activities include learning about engineering applications through the Eggbert Project, graphing on an electric circuit board and building and launching a rocket.

STARBASE, which initially consisted of one classroom in Michigan, now has classrooms in over 40 states nationwide.

Founded in 1990, the program has branched out to over 76 locations. Georgia has been involved with the STARBASE program for 10 years. During that period, more than 7,000 students have had the opportunity to experience the uses of science, math and engineering. The camp’s curriculum is established by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and is then coordinated with 4th and 5th grade Georgia performance standards.

Jim Jackson, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt., is the lead instructor at STARBASE, and strives to give the children a unique learning experience. “ We t e a c h t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f engineering by showing them that everything they have, everything they wear, everything they ride in, had to be designed at some point,” said Jackson.

Both John McKay and Jim Jackson note that the Georgia National Guard’s STARBASE program is reaching out to communities and is helping provide a very interesting learning experience for our future mathematicians, scientists and engineers.

Summer 2015 | 4

Story by: Master Sgt. Gerard Brown | Public Affairs Office | Georgia National Guard

5 | The Georgia Guardsman

competition that started eight months ago brought Georgia Army National Guard Sgt. Samuel Shuler and Spc. John Pettas to the hot sands of Utah to compete against the nation’s top Soldiers in the National Guard’s “Best Warrior” competition.

Shuler and Pettas began their journey to the nationals by first competing at the battalion, then the brigade levels before winning the Georgia Guard’s state-wide “Best Warrior” competition in March. A few weeks later, the competitors traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands and declared victory during the Region III competition.

Their win earned them a chance to advance to the nationals in June 2015.

Fourteen of the best Soldiers and non commissioned officers from the Army National Guard’s 350,000 force arrived in Utah to compete for the title of “Best Warrior” and further represent the National Guard in the all-Army “Best Warrior” competition. This year’s national-level competitors came from Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia.

“The most humbling and remarkable aspect is that no matter how difficult or how tired these warriors get, not one will quit,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Miller, state command sergeant major of the Utah National Guard.

After an early-morning Army physical fitness test, competitors were air lifted by a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter and transported to the start point of the grueling range run event on the first day.

During the nine-station range run, competitors ran from station to station through varying terrains extending over a six-mile distance. The run incorporated a machine gun range, shoot and move and M203 grenade launcher range events. At each station, Soldiers engaged targets at varying distances for time and accuracy.

Soldiers were then loaded into a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and flown 30 minutes to an undisclosed location where they would face the competition’s mystery event. The mystery event was a call for fire, but with an added twist. Once the competitors completed the call for fire, two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters flew in and engaged the targets based on the information provided by the competitors. The competitors were then flown to a forward operating base were they bedded down for the night, only to go back out at 2:00 a.m. for night land navigation.

The competition continued after night land navigation and engaged competitors in skill stations and day land navigation. Soldiers plotted their points and moved out to different skill stations including movement to contact, employment of a live Claymore mine and mounted land navigation with the use of the Defense Advanced Global Positioning System Receiver (DAGR).

Photos by: Master Sgt. Gerard Brown | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

Points awarded during the competition remained close until the very last events: the essay and appearance board. After long days of intense training, competitors were asked to write an essay and appear before a board that tested them on their knowledge of the military.

“This was without a doubt an excellent competition because I had the opportunity to do things I may never have a chance to do again,” said Spc. John Pettas, Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “I’m glad that I was able to acquire skills that I can bring back to my unit.”

Georgia represented Region III, and in the end placed second at the national level for both the noncommissioned officer and enlisted categories. Only one point separated first and second place for the national “Best Warrior” NCO. “I feel awesome, this the best training by far that I have ever had,” said Sgt. Shuler, 1st Battalion, 108th Cavalry, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “Anyone interested in competing next year has to start training now and push themselves further than they think they can go.”

In addition to winning second place in the national “Best Warrior Competition”, Shuler also won the range run/weapons skill event, night land navigation event as well as the mystery event. Pettas won the skills station and land navigation events.

“What these Soldiers did here and how they performed during this competition was just amazing,” said Georgia’s State Command Sgt. Major Phillip Stringfield. “They truly represent what we want our Citizen-Soldiers to be.”

The national “Best Warrior” NCO title went to Sgt. Robert Cunningham of the West Virginia National Guard. The Soldier category title went to Spc. Cruser Barnes of the Hawaii National Guard. They will both go on to represent the Army National Guard in the allArmy “Best Warrior” competition later this summer.

Summer 2015 | 6

B l a s t from the past The Georgia National Guard in 1955 By: Capt. William Carraway | 161st Military Historian | Georgia Army National Guard 7 | The Georgia Guardsman

T

he hot summer months are upon us. As they have in years past, Georgia Army National Guard units are travelling about the State and to neighboring states to conduct annual training. The two week training period has long been a part of the National Guard experience. Fourteen years of war has transformed the National Guard and

Color guard of the 121st Infantry Georgia Army National Guard passes before the reviewing stand at Fort McClellan, Ala.

Newnan Guardsmen of Company C, 122nd Infantry provide instructions in landmine placement.

Looking like men from Mars, these G eorgia National Guardsmen of Monte z u ma ; s C omp any B 1 2 1 st Infantr y Regiment shoulder their newest weapon - the Sniper-scope.

48th Infantry Division The largest organization in the Georgia Army National Guard was the 48th Infantry Division which consisted of units from Georgia and Florida. The Georgia contingent of the 48th ID consisted of two Infantry regiments, an infantry battalion, an engineer battalion, tank battalion and division artillery assets.

The Macon-based 121st Infantry Regiment and the Atlanta-based 122nd Infantry Regiment were organized with three battalions each. The 286th Infantry Battalion consisted of a headquarters and two line companies. The primary infantry weapon was the World War II era M-1 Garand which could accommodate an 8 round clip of 30.06 ammunition. The infantrymen could be rapidly transported to the fight by jeep or in their M-75 armored personnel carriers. Each regiment also maintained a tank battalion equipped with the M-47 Patton tank with its 90 mm main-gun. Additionally, the division’s reconnaissance company was equipped with the M-41 Walker Bulldog, a light tank equipped with a 76 mm main-gun.

The Forsyth-based 190th Tank Battalion’s M-47 Patton tanks provided the 48th ID with lethal 90 mm tank fire capability. In 1955, the M-47 was a new addition to the Georgia Guard inventory having just replaced the World War II era M-4 Sherman.

Engineering support for the 48th ID came in the form of the 560th Engineer Battalion. Based in Columbus, the Engineers were capable of bridging operations as well as mine and obstacle emplacement.

Three artillery battalions lent their long range firepower to the 48th ID. The Savannah-based 118th Field Artillery Battalion and 230th Field Artillery Battalion were equipped with 105 mm howitzers while the Atlanta-based 179th Field Artillery Battalion was equipped with the 155 mm howitzer. To assist the artillery with round placement, the 48th ID was assigned an H-13 observation helicopter.

108th AAA Brigade The Winder-based 108th AAA Brigade consisted of the 90 mm guns of the Statesboro-based 101st AAA Battalion, the 250th AAA Battalion’s 90 mm guns in Statesboro and the 950th AAA BN with its 40 mm Bofors guns based out of Elberton. The 108th AAA was commanded by Maj. Gen. George Hearn who concurrently served as Georgia’s Adjutant General.

the rigors of annual training. One may have heard the expression “this is not your grandfather’s National Guard,” but what does this mean? What did the Georgia National Guard of our grandfather’s look like? The Georgia National Guard History Office took a look 60 years back at the organization and annual training of the Georgia National Guard in 1955 to get a sense of the changes that have occurred over three generations of annual training.

Structure The National Guard and Army of Summer 2015 | 8

Annual Training Experience in 1955 A Guardsman attending annual training in 1955 could expect one week of classroom and hands-on training followed by one week’s field training. The Guardsman would sleep in two-person pup tents and bring his mess kit to the field kitchen for hot chow when available. If the kitchen was not operational, the Guardsman would draw a field-expedient C-ration, the culinary ancestor of today’s MRE. Each C Ration weighed more than five pounds and consisted of five varieties of canned wet foot that could be eaten hot or cold.

The “C-Rat” also contained an accessory pack that featured fruit and cigarettes.

Annual Training events culminated with a Governor’s day celebration in which Governor Marvin Griffin and Maj. Gen. George Hearn, Georgia’s Adjutant General presented individual and unit awards. Following the awards ceremony, the Guard units would conduct a pass in review.

Three major annual training events were conducted by the Georgia Army National Guard in 1955. The 108th AAA conducted annual training at Camp Stewart while the 48th Infantry Division traveled to Fort McClellan, with the exception of the armor units which would conduct a separate annual training at Camp Stewart.

July 3-17, 1955 – Flak Riddles the Skies Over Camp Stewart Antiaircraft guns of the Georgia Guard’s 108th AAA braved daily thunderstorms at Camp Stewart to test their capabilities against remote controlled aerial targets and panel targets towed by World War II era B-26 bombers. More than 1,500 Guardsmen trained alongside AAA Guardsmen from four other states.

July 24- August 7, 1955 - Georgia Tanks at Camp Stewart As the nucleus around which the 48th Armored Division would be formed in November 1955, Lt. Col. Wesley D. Willingham’s 190th Tank Battalion conducted training on their M-47 Patton Tanks at Camp Stewart while senior officers of the 48th Infantry Division observed. Joined by regimental tank companies from the 121st and 122nd Infantry as well as the 48th Infantry Division Reconnaissance Company, the tankers consumed 22,000 gallons of gasoline and expended 3,500 rounds of 90 mm ammunition during four days of range firing.

August 14-28, 1955 - 48th Infantry Division Says Goodbye to Fort McClellan While Lt. Col. Willingham’s tankers were grinding the dust of Fort Stewart, the Infantry units of the 48th Infantry Division occupied Fort Stewart for the fourth consecutive year to conduct their annual field maneuvers. Rumbling about Fort McClellan in jeeps and M-75 armored personnel carriers, the infantry men trained in field maneuvers with small arms and mortars and recoilless rifles. Engineers constructed Bailey Bridges and breached obstacles while the ranges roared with the cacophony of artillery fire.

Conversion of the 48th Infantry Division In November, 1955, the Georgia Guard underwent a major reorganization. The 48th Infantry Division converted to an armored division. Infantry and artillery units would receive new equipment and new missions. In the following year, the 48th Armored Division would attend its first annual training at the newly christened Fort Stewart.

View more images at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ georgiaguardhistory

9 | The Georgia Guardsman

1950 largely resembled the WWII era in uniform and equipment. Wool uniforms and steel helmets were still de rigueur as were the ubiquitous M-1 Garand and M-4 Sherman tank. As the decade progressed, the Army would introduce an impressive array of new armor, artillery and aviation assets.

In 1955, The Georgia Army National Guard’s principle units were the 48th Infantry Division and the 108th AntiAircraft Artillery Brigade.

Guarsmen of Douglassville’s Company D 122nd Infantry receive instructions on the 81 mm mortar during their twoweek field training.

Brunswick Guardsmen firing .30 water cooled machine guns on their annual encampment.

Rome Guardsmen of C ompany E, 122nd In f ant r y f i re t h e 5 7 mm recoilless rifle du r i ng t he i r an nu a l encampment at For t McClellan. Left to right: Staff. Sgt. Butler, Pvt. Jerry Terrell, Pvt. Sammy Fuller and Master Sgt. Nick Sunrich.

training

The Chaplain’s Corner

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By: Chaplain Capt. Jon Pirtle | Georgia Army National Guard

“

Ultimately, it’s people we love-not things. It’s other p eople who are capable of loving in return.

“

ometimes the passage of time is less like a river and more like a well-hit line drive to right field. Today as my son and I drove to the baseball park for h i m t o j oi n his teammates for their season debut, familiar sights filled our senses--cheers of wideeyed seven to 12-year old boys; the clink of aluminum bats upon baseballs from games being played on the baseball diamonds below the parking lot; parents and grandparents closing their cars’ trunk lids after they retrieved and/or stowed their coolers, lawn chairs and mosquito repellent; grandfathers dressed with their grandsons’ team mascots; grandmothers leaning into the action, trying to snap photos of their grandsons. The previous night’s thunderstorm had knocked the pollen from the air and the clouds above looked like ground cotton. The wind was easy and soft, carrying faint scents of rain.

After the coach prayed with them to be good sportsmen, the boys took to the field, adjusting their caps, smacking their fists into their gloves in anticipation of catching a pop-up fly ball, their eyes on the batter. One after another, the boys hit, fielded, stopped ground balls, caught pop-ups, hit singles, doubles and even an occasional home run. As they rounded the bases, you could see the red clay spray in tiny arcs from the bottoms of their cleats,

if you paid attention.

After a pitch, the swing and snap of the bat and just like that, all eyes were upon the white baseball in its destined path to right field. All eyes were thereupon, to see what would become of the play. Would the batter make it all the way around? Would the right fielder remember what his coach taught him? Would the boys be able to catch the throw from the field when it came in?

As the hitter rounded the bases, the thoughts of boys from both teams were of themselves, this game, this time. Yet, so much more was happening. Parents cheered and lived through their boys; grandparents were made proud; each coach was filled with pride at his team’s progress, even as he noted what to work on next practice.

Time is often personified as a river, with its slow constant inexorable flow to the ocean. But I think it’s also possible to see time’s passage like that well-hit line drive to right field. It sneaks past us, reminding us that this game is so brief.

If we examined the way we spend our time, might we find that we’ve much more that unites us (love for our families, for our friends, for our peers, for our units, etc.) than divides us? Ultimately, it’s people we love--not things. It’s other people who are capable of loving in return. Our checklists are important, meetings and budgets are important, but ultimately, it’s about people.

Might we do well to invest, first of all, in people? There’s a lot more that took place at my son’s baseball game than just a baseball game.

Summer 2015 | 10

F Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield State Command Sergeant MajorGeorgia Department of Defense

NCO Notepad Words of wisdom from one to another

11 | The Georgia Guardsman

or the first time in Georgia National Guards’ history, we had two soldiers to compete in the National Best Warrior Competition, held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The two silver medalists, Spc. John Pettas and Sgt. Samuel Shuler, exemplified what it means to be a true soldier, representing the state of Georgia from the company level by winning the regional competition in the Virgin Islands, and moving forward to fiercely compete and become the first runner up in each category during the final competition. I credit these two soldiers doing so well to their beliefs in family and The Army Values as well as the outstanding leadership that we have in the Ga. Guard.

It is true that the momentum of the Ga. National Guard is changing. There are cutbacks on personnel as well as funding for the first time since 9/11 and because of that, we have been told that we must do more with less. However, we as leaders need to understand that it does not cost a dime to get back to the basics. Leaders should be focusing on increasing squad level training, enforcing The Army Values and ensuring that our families are being taken care of. These are the things that prepare us to defend our homeland or nation if unexpectedly called up by a combatant commander.

At this time we may feel that we need millions of dollars to complete the mission, but I will tell you that leadership is free. When I look at the dedication and performance of our Best Warrior competitors, I realize that the great leadership skills of their mentor, Sgt. 1st Class Darrell Shelnut, is what led them to victory. He proficiently trained them on land navigation, physical training, preliminary marksmanship instruction for weapons qualification and general knowledge of Army regulations. All of the training that made Spc. Pettas and Sgt. Shuler successful are things that can be done during drill weekends with the minimal training aids and zero dollars.

The two Best Warriors were also greatly supported by their families from beginning to end of the competition.

Family support is imperative and because of that, the Ga. Guard has programs in place to ensure that our families are taken care of. Even though there are very fewer mobilizations right now, family readiness groups are still important to our organization and we must keep them viable. The Military family support branch must continue to ensure that everyone who is a part of the program is properly trained and ready to help families in need. Things like job announcements, scholarships and the Ga. Guard Foundation, all contribute to the total Soldier concept. We cannot accomplish our mission without our families. Their continuous support ensures that our service members can attend drill, annual training events, or be deployed anywhere in the world with the least amount of distractions as possible.

In closing, I am extremely proud of the Best Warrior competition winners. They represented our State very well and their performances will go down in history. We know that change is here and we all fear change, but let’s adapt to this change and remain the best trained and equipped Army and Air National Guard in the nation.

Training keeps Georgia Guardsmen skills relevant at war and home.

O

Story by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard n a sweltering July day, Georgia Guard engineers gathered at their Toccoa armory for the last time as the 876th Engineer Company. In a ceremony held in the venerable armory assembly area, the colors of the 876th Engineer Company were cased and the unit redesignated as the 874th Engineer Utility Detachment. For Capt. Tyler Cook, commander of the 876th, the ceremony was bittersweet.

“I started in this unit, I had my first platoon here, served as an executive officer then took command,” said Cook looking back over five years with the company. “This unit has been a home for me.

But, I’m glad that we had a chance to go out and do our mission in Afghanistan and then come back.”

The 876th Engineer Company, a part of the Columbus-based 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade was federally recognized in January 2008 and immediately made an impact at home and

Photo by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

overseas. In addition to constructing facilities at the Robert E. Knox Boy Scout Camp in Lincolnton, Ga., The 876th lent its vertical construction expertise during overseas deployment training missions to Guyana and Germany. In 2014, the 876th Engineer Company deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom under the leadership of Cook and 1st Sgt. Danny Williamson where they participated in the deconstruction of nearly 450 structures.

Additionally, the Toccoa engineers trained Afghan National Army engineers to further assist the capabilities of an independent Afghanistan during retrograde operations. The 876th Engineer Company returned from Afghanistan Dec. 23, 2014. They were the last Georgia Guard engineer unit deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Standing before the assembled 876th engineers for the final time, Cook and Williamson cased the unit colors.

“Throughout the 876th short history we have made great accomplishments,” said Cook. “One day, this unit will be activated again, and when it is, the new Soldiers of the 876th Company will look back on their legacy and seek to add to that proud legacy.

Through this, our efforts will not be forgotten.”

The ceremony continued with the 876th conversion to the 874th Engineer Utility Detachment. Originally activated in 2007 at Fort Stewart Ga., the 874th, like the 876th, has completed numerous overseas deployment missions. The 874th completed construction projects in Guyana, Germany and recently the Country of Georgia, where the engineers renovated a school for children with disabilities.

First Lt. Nathan Harris, commander of the 874th EUD stood before the assembled engineers as the colors of the 874th were uncased. Harris, like Cook came up through the ranks of the 876th, first as an enlisted member, then platoon leader and finally as executive officer. Returning to Toccoa, Harris brings a new unit designation and a new chapter in the history of the Toccoa unit.

“The 874th will pick up where the 876th left off,” noted Harris in his post ceremony remarks. “The city of Toccoa has shown us the best hospitality. High expectations and unlimited potential is all I see when I look before me.”

Summer 2015 | 12

13 | The Georgia Guardsman

Annual TRAINING

2015

By: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

A

s they have for more than 60 years, units of the Georgia Army National Guard converged on Fort Stewart for annual training during the hot summer months. For three generations these two sun-drenched weeks at Fort Stewart have provided a common frame of experience linking the experiences of Guardsmen present, past and future. Guardsmen young, old and retired have their favorite and least favorite annual training memories involving training, chow, gnats and Fort Stewart heat. Whether infantry, cavalry, intelligence, logistics or military police, Guardsmen have marched the same dusty trails and scanned their lanes for fast Freddy and his range friends.

The following pages present images from units conducting annual training at Fort Stewart in July, 2015.

Photos by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

Summer 2015 | 14

Annual Training 2015 Always REady. Always There.

Georgia Army National Guardsmen of Troop A, 108th Cavalry negotiate an obstacle at the leader’s reaction course.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, Georgia Army National Guard prepare to enter shoothouse B-18 for live ammunition training in room clearing procedures.

15 | The Georgia Guardsman

Soldiers of the 420th Network Signal Company, 560th Battlefield Sur vei l l ance Br igade hand le communications requirements for the 560th BfSB.

A UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion 185th Av i a t i o n R e g i m e n t makes a hard right turn over Fort Stewart, Ga.

A Georgia Army National Guardsmen of Troop C, 108th Cavalry 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducts a react-to-contact drill.

A fire team of Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment negotiates a live-fire room-clearing exercise.

Soldiers of Bravo Company, 348th Brigade Support Battalion conduct custom metal repairs using a welder.

Military Police of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 178th Military Police Company practice civil disturbance response techniques.

Specialist Gentleman Baker of Delta Company 1st Battlion 121st Infantry Regiment orients Col. Thomas Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard to the targets on the M320 grenade launcher range.

During a Physical Readiness Assistance Training scenario, Pfc. Korey Ramos of the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade maneuvers toward enemy contact.

Summer 2015 | 16

348th BSB Conducts Annual Training Story by: Capt. William Carraway | Public affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

I

n June, 2015, more than 75 tactical vehicles of the Ellenwood-based 348th Brigade Support Battalion roared into Fort Stewart to execute complex logistics support missions. Within hours, the BSB had transformed an empty field into a brigade support area complete with maintenance, transportation and command and control facilities sufficient to support a forward-deployed brigade. The movement was remarkable not only for the number of vehicles involved, but for the fact that with so many elements moving simultaneously there were no accidents or

lost material.

“I can’t remember the last time the Guard drove that many tactical vehicles that far without incident,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Meeks, commander of the 348th BSB. “The (BSB) Soldiers planned for the mission, conducted their PMCS, rehearsed and found the faults, then executed. That’s just Soldier’s doing their job.”

For a forward deployed brigade, the BSB is critical. The BSB provides the fuel that drives the brigade forward, the distribution services that delivers supplies and the maintenance capabilities that keep vehicles on the road and vital equipment working.

As the BSB for the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 348th BSB is comprised of a headquarters company, an organic alpha and bravo company, and an attached transportation company.

The headquarters company of the BSB provides mission command for organic and attached units assigned to the BSB. Alpha company, serves as the distribution company and provides transportation and supply support. The company provides fuel, ammunition and supply to the warfighter.

The Hinesville-based Bravo Company serves as the BSB’s

17 | The Georgia Guardsman

maintenance company, providing field-level maintenance support to the 648th MEB and supported units. In the maintenance company is an allied trades section capable of welding and fabricating custom metal work.

The 1160th Transportation Company, based in Rome, Ga. Is attached to the 348th BSB to provide ground transportation for the movement of dry and refrigerated containerized cargo and other bulk cargo requirements. For the past two years, the unit has trained hard including a 21 day overseas deployment training mission to Grafenwoehr, Germany in 2014 and a 21 day mobilization to the Joint Readiness Training Center with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.

After rolling in force to Fort Stewart and establishing the BSA, the 348th BSB executed annual training tasks designed to replicate the BSB role in forward support. While Headquarters Company constructed a battalion tactical operations center, Alpha Company conducted refueling and ammunition control operations. Bravo Company erected a field maintenance tent and conducted maintenance and repairs on vehicles and equipment.

Through high-tempo maintenance and transportation activity, the unit tested its capability to move and recover transportation resources. Alpha Company established an ammunition holding point for the storage, handling and transport of nearly 90,000 rounds of ammunition used during annual weapons qualification.

Additionally, Alpha Company tested its tactical water purification system. Capable of purifying 1,500 gallons of water per hour, the TWPS enables the BSB to provide potable water in support of a forward-deployed brigade.

“I was very happy with the result of the annual training,” said Meeks.

Photo by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

116th ACW Conducts Annual Training

Story by: Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons | 116th ACW | Georgia Air National Guard

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oint Surveillance Targeting and Attack Radar System cops from the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing were guests at Joint Base Savannah, completing 15 days of law enforcement and flightline security training during their annual tour in June.

“Our training scenarios have been designed to get our Airmen out of the mentality of being overseas in places like Iraq and into actively policing on a military installation.” said Master Sgt. Richard Ross, 116th Security Forces Squadron non-commissioned officerin-charge of standards and evaluations. “Being a Guard unit, we are not only responsible for the airbase ground defense posture in a deployed location, but also flightline and law enforcement in a domestic capacity when called upon.”

Security forces from the host unit, the 165th Airlift Wing, stepped aside and offered their base as a training hub.

“This exercise gave us the opportunity to not only support our sister unit but also complete standards and evaluation training crucial in prepping our Airmen to support stateside and combat commanders,” said Chief Master Sgt. William Greenway, 116th Security Forces Squadron manager.

To enhance the training experience, security forces personnel put their acting to the test in role-playing exercises.

As multiple simulated security threats played out, 116th SFS personnel were seen across the base challenging simulated perpetrators unlawfully entering the flightline, performing law enforcement traffic stops, applying use of force procedures to deescalate tense situations with drunken and disorderly individuals, completing suspicious vehicle searches and responding to suspected criminal activities.

Airman 1st Class Devajia Saucier; attending his first annual tour since joining the unit in November, shared his experience after finding himself handcuffed and face down on the concrete for unauthorized entry to the flightline.

Photo by: Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons | 1 1 6 th ACW | Georgia Air National Guard

“I learned that the training we did in technical school was a whole lot slower than the real-world type of events we’ve done here,” said Saucier. “Once our cops guarding the flightline saw me enter the secure area illegally, they were on me quick.” The training here taught me to stay active on my feet, go with the flow and do my best regardless of what’s thrown at me.”

Further enhancing the training, experienced leaders from the unit, acting as evaluators, conducted a hot wash immediately following each scenario.

“During the hot wash, all the players learn what they did right and areas that need improvement,” said Greenway. “They hear from our evaluators and give their input as well so everyone learns from each other during the training events.”

According to Senior Master Sgt. James Miller, the 116th SFS operations superintendent and one of the evaluators, the training scenarios played out exactly the way he expected.

“I knew our folks were prepared and I expected them to excel and they didn’t disappoint us,” said Miller.

Miller shared an approach to training that he attributes to their success.

“Our method of training from the top to bottom provides the experience that enables our junior NCOs and Airmen to step into roles senior to their position in exercise and real-world events,” said Miller.

After two weeks of 24-hour a day operations, with daytime temperatures nearing 100 degrees, the 116th cops wrapped up another successful annual tour with a celebratory burger burn.

The chief also attributed the success of the training event to the hospitality provided by the 165th Airlift Wing and The Air Dominance Center in loaning the use of their base to the 116th SFS. “Joint Base Savannah . . . is smaller than Robins so we were able to conduct more scenarios in less time enabling our people to get more real-world type training opportunities,” said Greenway.

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Professional Development

reviews of books that teach us about our craft

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By: Ashlie Shrewsbury | Public Affairs Office | Georgia National Guard ssessing war in moral terms means asking whether war can ever be rightly fought; if so, why or for what reasons armed force should be used; and finally, how or with what means war may be executed.” This and the question of the “Morality of Killing in War” are topics our Chaplain’s Corps has been dissecting for quite some time. How do you minister to a service member who is struggling with aspects of military service with regard to human cost in war?

How does a chaplain minister to someone who is struggling with taking another human being’s life? An invitation to participate in such training is exactly how I came to own this book, and here are some highlights of why this book is a great resource for our military members and their families.

Assessing war and its toll on society is by no means a new concept, it’s been happening since the time of Christ and even earlier. The language and science used to examine the effects of war on the soldier and his/her family have changed over the millennia, but the idea of reflection there upon hasn’t. So before examining war, killing and any justification for the aforement ione d, Syse and Reichberg first offer the re ader a histor y of warfare and the thought processes to approaching these topics. After all, if you neglect to understand history does it not just repeat itself?

The reader takes a seven c h apt e r j ou r n e y through “The Me d i e v a l R o o t s o f Wa r ” b e f o r e beginning nine chapters of

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“Contemporary Problems of War, Nationalism, and Ethics.” You will start out by “Thinking Morally about War in the Middle Ages and Today,” examine poetry penned by warriors as well as war strategy, ultimately ending on: a look at the protection of noncombatants, defining nationalism vs that of genocide and unchecked ideals. Your last chapter is a discussion of “The Ethical Core of the Nation-State.”

This book identifies “a number of core issues associated with the ethics of war,” (protection of noncombatants & the natural environment, forcible interference, nationalism, defining justice, etc) and while that may sound boring – it is anything but. If you aspire to or are in a position of leadership then questions like “does failure to prevent genocide … amount to complicity?” serve as a great foundation for discussions our battle tested warriors need have with our new recruits. It may not be light dinner conversation, but the ethics of war and killing in war are best discussed between those who have seen war firsthand and those who may be called upon to carry that torch of duty into the next battle.

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Assessing war in moral terms means asking whether war can ever be rightly fought; if so, why or for what reasons armed force should be used; and finally, how or with what means war may be executed.

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165th Airlift Wing Deploys

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Story courtesy of WTOC News | Savannah, Georgia

he 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard deployed out of Savannah for the thirteenth time on June 24, 2015.

WTOC spoke to the commander, who says for the first time he will not be joining them, but that he knows exactly what it is like to be in their shoes.

“Emotionally, you really don’t want to go but you do want to go, because this is what you’ve been training for; this is what your job is, and over there, that’s probably the best flying you can do in the C130” said Brig. Gen. Jesse Simmons, Georgia Air National Guard.

WTOC’S Whitney Harris was there as the military men and women said goodbye to their families and boarded the plane to the Middle East.

Many of the Guardsmen say they have been deployed several times before, but it is never easy leaving their families behind.

“It gets a little bit hard sometimes to leave the family, but as you get more and more comfortable with deploying, the mission itself gets a little bit easier,” said Maj. Robin Ruiz.

In total, about 100 Guardsmen from Savannah’s 165th Airlift Wing will be heading to the Persian Gulf region. They will provide

Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Shelita Johnson | 1 6 5 th Airlift Wing | Georgia Air National Guard

medical, communications and logistics support, as well as flight crews.

“It’s a new, challenging environment out there right now, so it’ll be interesting to see what it’s like out there for us as far as air operations go,” Ruiz said.

Major Robin Ruiz is one of the guardsmen being deployed. He says about a year ago, they were discussing winding down, but that could all change now with new threats from groups like ISIL. “Now with the renewed threats in the Middle East with ISIL coming up, it may change the dynamics of the region. At this point in time, we’re waiting to see what happens,” said Ruiz.

But, whatever happens, all of these Air National Guardsmen hope to complete their mission safely, so they can return home to their families soon.

“My wife really has the hardest job of all of us. When I leave, she has to take care of the whole house and the three children. But, they understand. They understand that this is what I chose to do, and that it takes, sometimes, people to be up on the wall to help keep the country safe.”

Several more Guardsmen will be deployed for the rest of this week and this year.

Summer 2015 | 20

Around the Georgia Guard Peachtree Road Race Members of every branch of the United States military take off quickly at the Peachtree Road Race Men and women from every military branch run to show their support of military children all over the world.

Aviation Annual Training Georgia National Guard’s Task Force 171 conducted multiple eight ship air movements in support of Marne Focus at Fort Stewart Ga. during annual training, June 2015.

21 | The Georgia Guardsman

116th ACW Change of Command The Robins Air Force Honor Guard presents the colors during the 116th Air Control Wing (ACW), Georgia Air National Guard, change of command ceremony, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., July 11, 2015. Colonel Mark Weber assumed command of the 116th ACW from Col. Kevin Clotfelter during a change of command ceremony officiated

by Brig. Gen. Jesse Simmons Jr., commander, Georgia Air National Guard.

AGAUS Conference Brigadier Gen. Joe Jarrad, Georgia’s Adjutant General, welcomes guests from around the country during the opening ceremony of the Adjutants General Association of the United States conference being held at Stone Mountain, Ga.

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National Best Warrior Competition Sergeant Samuel Shuler competes in the “ruck-run�

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