The Hornet - July 2015 edition

ANNUAL TRAINING 2015 Air Guard Prepares for fire season Pg. 20 Apache Battalion conducts live-fire exercise Pg. 24 N.C. Guard partners with Dupont State Forest Pg. 40

North Carolina National Guard Quartely Issue

July 2015 www.nc.ngb.army.mil

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Content

Director of Public Affairs Lt. Col. Robert Bumgardner robert.h.bumgardner.mil@mail. mil

Deputy Director of Public Affairs Lt. Col. Matthew DeVivo matthew.r.devivo.mil@mail.mil

Visual Information

N.C. National Guard Appreciation Day Pg. 14 N.C. General Assembly hosts Guard Appreciation day to honor and recognize the service and sacrifices of N.C. Guardsmen.

U.S. Forest Service And Air National Guard Prepare For Fire Season Pg. 20 N.C. and Wyoming Air National Guard Airment conduct annual Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systmes (MAFFS) training.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Rey joseph.e.rey.mil@mail.mil

Apache Battalion Conducts Second Live-Fire Gunnery Of The Year Pg. 24

Media Relations

1-130th Attack Recon Battalion conducts 24-hour operations for two weeks readying for any real-world missions that may come their way.

Capt. Matthew Boyle matthew.i.boyle.mil@mail.mil

Community Relations Capt. Michael Wilber michael.j.wilber2.mil@mail.mil

Writers/Photographers Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan robert.b.jordan2.mil@mail.mil

Army Logistics Community & National Guard Increase Readiness Pg. 30 Operation Patriot Bandoleer brings teams of Reserve, National Guard, and Active Duty logistics experts together for real-world mission training.

Gear Up! Pg. 34 Firefighters Gauge Their Skills During Annual Training.

Armed Forces To Protect And Serve Pg. 36 House Bill 595 is signed recognizing military experience for the purpose of law enforcement certification.

Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens brendan.p.stephens.mil@mail. mil

1000th Hired Pg. 40

Staff Sgt. Mary Junell mary.e.junell.mil@mail.mil

N.C. Guard Partners With N.C. Forest Service At Dupont State Recreational Forest Pg. 42

Sgt. Leticia Samuels leticia.m.samuels.mil@mail.mil

875th Engineer Company helps build a service road at the state park.

NCNG Education and Employment Center celebrates their 999th and 1000th Service Members hired.

Tarheel Challenge: Overcoming Obstacles Pg. 44 105 cadets graduate the 22-week resident TarHeel Challenge Program.

The Hornet magazine is an authorized publication for members of the North Carolina National Guard. Contents of this publication are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the NCNG, United States Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of the NCNG. General comments and suggestions should be addressed to NCNGPAO@gmail.com or call 984-664-6847. Layout and design by Sgt. Odaliska Almonte

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Katrina 10 Year Remembrance Pg. 48

10 years ago NCNG Soldier and Airmen were some of the first National Guard units on the scene in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the region.

On the Cover Cover is a compilation of pictures taken by Unit Public Affairs Representatives during this year’s Annual Training Season. Our Citizen Soldiers and Airmen are working hard sharpening their wartime and domestic operations skills to remain relevant and ready when the mission calls.

Greetings from North Carolina National Guard’s Public Affairs Office.

The summer is here, bringing with it the heat, humidity and for the majority of our NCNG commands, annual training. We encourage you to follow your Guard at one or all of our social media sites. We regularly post stories, videos, command information, NCNG supported community outreach events and much more to these sites.

We welcome your ideas for future stories and Guard topics to make this publication and communication with our service members and the public more informative and enjoyable.

Send your ideas to: NCNGPAO@GMAIL.COM Always Ready, Ready Team –Lt. Col. Matt DeVivo, editor.

JOIN, FOLLOW, READ, AND WATCH YOUR NC NATIONAL GUARD AT:

www.facebook.com/ NCNationalGuard

www.nc.ngb.army.mil www.youtube.com/user/ NorthCarolinaGuard www.dvidshub.net /unit/NCNG

www.twitter.com/ NCNationalGuard

https://www.flickr.com/ photos/ncngpao

We Want Your Submissions!

Are you an artist, writer, photographer or comic creator?

We want you to send us your work for consideration in our future issues. Send submissions to ncngpao@gmail.com with “Magazine Submission” in the subject line. Make sure to include your contact information with name and unit.

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News From Around @NCNationalGuard

240th Army Birthday Celebration

Col. Marc D. Axelberg retires after a 28-year active duty career with eight deployments.

Comrades from nearly three decades joined friends and family to celebrate Axelberg’s dedication to our country at his retirement held June 12, 2015.

Axelberg’s 28-year active duty career ends as the Senior Army Advisor to the NCNG’s Adjutant General.

On June 12, 2, 2015 the N.C. National Guard commemorated the Army’s birthday with a ceremonial cake cutting by the youngest and oldest currently serving NCNG Soldiers.

N.C. serves as the first host state for the NCFA and provided a venue for interaction with National Guard Soldiers as well as fact-finding by commission members.

The purpose of this initial engagement opportunity was to educate and inform commission members that the National Guard is affordable, accessible, ready, and a leader in domestic operations while providing strategic depth as th as the combat reserve of the Army.

National Commission on the Future of the Army (NCFA) visits N.C. National Guard JFHQs. www.facebook.com/ NCNationalGuard

The Hornet’s Nest After over 27 years of service Col. Gary R. Allen retired on June 5, 2015.

“I have been fortunate to have a career doing what I love, while simultaneously having the opportunity to serve my state and country.” said Col. Allen.

Allen retires as the Director of Logistics for the North Carolina National Guard .

National Guard Cyber Protection Teams, National Cyber Protection Teams, & various private sector organizations, participate in a grueling week of Cyber warfare against a very determined Cyber opposing force.

N.C National Guard Cyber Protection Team participates in Cyber Guard 2015.

Check us out on:

www.youtube.com/user/ NorthCarolinaGuard

After 29 years of military service, 14 of which serving as a chaplain, CH (Lt. Col.) Steven King retires.

Ch Chaplain K King served as the first fulltime Support Chaplain for the National Guard in Raleigh, N.C. He has supported hundreds of Soldiers, Airmen and families across the entire state.

Visit our

collection https://www.flickr.com/ photos/ncngpao

“Old Hickory” The “H” in this monogram stands for “Hickory” The “O” in this monogram stands for “Old” The “XXX” is the roman numeral for the number 30.

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The 30th Division was created on July 18, 1917, and was formally activated into federal service in August 1917 at Camp Sevier, South Carolina. The 30th Division was composed of National Guard units from North and South Carolina and Tennessee.

The Division was named after the famed citizen soldier and President, Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson.

Jackson was born near the North/South Carolina border, rising to fame in Tennessee, where he provided some regional flavor to the tightly knit group of soldiers that he led there during the Indian Wars of the early 1800’s and War of 1812.

The unit naturally took its nickname of “Old Hickory” from President Andrew Jackson, whom each of these states claimed as a native son. Jackson was given the nickname because of his toughness in combat. The 30th Division would extol that same toughness on battlefields across the world.

Historical summary provided by Lt. Col. Wes Morrison Thee Hornet Th Horn Ho rnet et

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Raleigh, N.C. Over 300 North Carolina Army National Guard soldiers from Headquarters Company, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Headquarters Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 252nd Armored Regiment and Alpha Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 252nd Armored Regiment, gather to prepare for mobilization and deployment to Kosovo in support of the Kosovo Force, April 30, 2015. As the 20th rotation of soldiers in support of Kosovo Force, the service members will ensure safety and order by coordinating the international humanitarian effort.

(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Lisa Vines/Released)

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Raleigh N.C. Firefighters, police officers, scientists, business owners, lawyers, students, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, North Carolina National Guard Soldiers all, deploy at Holland’s United Methodist Church to cheers, applause, hugs and many tears at their mobilization ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina, 11 April, 2015. Families and friends filled the pews for nearly 40 Soldiers of the 30th Brigade Special Troops Battalion as they answered the nation’s call for service in Kuwait.

(U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan / Released)

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The Formidable

Hornet’s Nest

Inside look at our history

The “Hornet and Hornets’ Nest” Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was established in 1953 for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment NCNG, and later in 1994 for 60th Troop Command.

It symbolizes the strength, sacrifice and tenacity of the North Carolina Militia during the American Revolution and was bore on the first N.C. state flag.

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n 26 Sept. 1780 the Revolutionary War battle at Charlotte pitted the British troops of Lord Charles Cornwallis against a greatly outnumbered but surprisingly combative force of North Carolina Patriots.

The Battle of Charlotte itself was not decisive, but the stubborn resistance of the outnumbered Americans symbolized the resolve of the people of Mecklenburg County and led to the region receiving a famous new nickname.

Lord Cornwallis, after 16 humiliating days in the Charlotte area, was heard to say as he prepared to depart: "Let's get out of here; this is a a dammed hornet’s nest of rebellion."

“Let’s get out of here, this is a dammed hornet’s nest of rebellion.”

Cornwallis’s redcoats tried to occupy the city and were driven out by local militias, during the battles of Charlotte (September 26, 1780) and McIntrye’s Farm (October 3, 1780). Cornwallis’s short-lived and illfated occupation of Charlotte was harassed constantly, “being stung by the militia”, creating problems and even more distractions for his ill-fated Southern campaign.

The first flag of North Carolina, June 1775, bore a hornets’ nest, thus the hornets’ nest of North Carolina predates the Flag of the United States and has been a steadfast symbol of North Carolina’s brave, tenacious and independent spirit since our state and nation’s founding.

Source: http://ncpedia.org/charlotte-battle Thee Hornet Th Horn Ho rneett

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Story by: Sgt. Leticia Samuels Photos by: Sgt. Leticia Samuels and Sgt. Odaliska Almonte

RALEIGH, N.C. - The North Carolina General Assembly hosted the Guard Appreciation Day, at the Halifax Mall, May 27, 2015, to honor and recognize the service and sacrifices of North Carolina Guardsmen and woman.

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National Guard Appretiation Day honors hometown Citizen Soldiers andBeach Airmen with a Kure permanent display of the N.C. North Carolina National Guard colors from all major commands at the North Carolina General Assembly.

Onlookers, citizens, and employees in the General Assembly were invited to the outdoor Guard Appreciation Day event. A short ceremony began the day with state legislators stating their appreciation and their support of the NCNG. “We couldn’t do what we do in that building behind you unless you guys do what you do and that’s the way this is built,” said Representative Mike Hager, North Carolina House Majority Leader.

Army Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, North Carolina National Guard’s Adjutant General, spoke to the legislators, service members, and citizens’ about the sacrifices the NCNG has made for the last 352 years.

“As I look out into the crowd, I’m just going to call your attention to a few things that are obvious. You see a lot of men and women in uniform, a lot of them wearing army and air uniforms. Just know that

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behind them are almost 12,000 men and women that serve in the North Carolina National Guard” said Lusk. “Besides the 12,000 men and women, I also remind you that each service member has a family, has a friend, and has a network of supporters.”

Also attending the event were members of the Tarheel Challenge Academy, a military-style program for at-risk school dropouts. Tarheel Challenge Academy is sponsored by the North Carolina National Guard. The Academy’s mission is to give youth a second chance and redirect them while educating them on life skills to become productive citizens in their communities.

NCNG service members from each command presented a flag with their command’s crest.

The flag display will be on permanent display in the General Assembly building.

“I get a lot of satisfaction out of that, out of helping guardsmen who have had to try to balance family, balance a job and also balance service” said State Representative Tim Moore, North Carolina Speaker of the House.

“We appreciate what you do, we understand what you do. I want you to know on behalf of the house, and I’m sure for the Senate as well, that if there is any time that we can be of service to you we stand ready for you.” ~Tim Moore, North Carolina Speaker of the House.

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Maj. Gen. Lusk Honors Veterans at Memorial Day Ceremony WILMINGTON, N.C. -- VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIET NAM, GULF WAR AND THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, GATHERED WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, SERVING MILITARY OF EVERY BRANCH, NATIONAL GUARD, RESERVE AND ACTIVE DUTY, TO HONOR THOSE SERVICE MEMBERS WHO GAVE “THE LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION” AT THE 50TH MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE HELD AT THE BATTLESHIP NORTH CAROLINA, IN WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, MAY 25, 2015.

(U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY SGT. 1ST CLASS ROBERT JORDAN / RELEASED)

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Story by Capt. Matthew Boyle Photos by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens

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Airmen from the North Carolina and Wyoming Air National Guard conducted annual Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) training along with their partners from the U.S. Forest Service here, during the week of May 4, 2015.

Col. Tom Brown, a MAFFS navigator and director of operations of the Air National Guard Office at the North Carolina National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters explained the well-established relationship between the 145th Airlift Wing, the 153rd Airlift Wing of Wyoming and the U.S. Forest Service.

“We have been training with our sister unit the 153rd long enough now that we can operate with mixed air and ground crews and function safely at the high operating levels necessary to accomplish the MAFFS mission,” said Brown.

The Air National Guard and the U.S. Forest Service began training with modified C-130s in the 1970s.

MAFFS is a highly effective firefighting system that is installed into C-130 aircraft and is capable of releasing 3,000 gallons of fire retardant on a fire at a time.

During this training, aircrews were practicing up to 15 flights a day over four sites in various national forests in the Carolinas and in Georgia. Training also included 22

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classroom and flight training for aircrews, civilian lead plane pilots, support personnel and the ground crews.

Kim Christensen, the deputy assistant director of operations with the U.S. Forest Service is a veteran fire fighter with over 35 years of experience. “The MAFFS concept and the relationship between its partners are stable, this week is about us getting ready for fire season and reinforcing the tactics and strategies that we know work,” said Christensen.

Each day of training air and ground crews from the Air National Guard and U.S. Forest Service worked in a seamless choreography of taking off, releasing water over the training sites, landing and refilling the MAFFS. “This has been another successful training event and the 145th and the153rd are ready to support the U.S. Forest Service whenever we are called upon,” said Brown.

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NCNG’s 677th Fire Fighting Team from Morrisville, N.C. and the 430th Fire Fighting Team from Salisbury come together to train as one force to combat a simulated aircraft fire. This training took place at North Carolina Air National Guard’s burn pit in Charlotte, Feb. 7, 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens 382nd Public Story and photos by Affairs Detachment) Lt. Col. Matthew DeVivo 24

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Rotor blades quicken their rotation as an AH-64 Longbow Apache Helicopter’s engines come to life during the North Carolina Army National Guard’s, 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion’s first day of annual training, here April 13, 2015. This is the unit’s second gunnery of the year with a third planned in August.

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tremendous team effort is required to enable the most lethal helicopter in our nation’s inventory to fly. Nearly the entire battalion deployed for Apache live-fire gunnery; over 300 personnel, 13 Apaches and tons of resources and equipment to sustain the unit for 11 days in the field.

“I love this job to death,” said Sgt. Brent Snow, an Apache crew chief. “My dad was an Army Aviator. I always wanted to be around them.”

A 150-foot range tower overlooks the entire range and the unit’s forward base of operations. From the tower, veteran aviators, brand new ones, and instructor pilots choreograph the flight of each Apache. Each Apache team will fly six or seven gunnery tables. Each table or “training lane” requires Apache pilots to execute specific aerial maneuvers while firing at targets. The tables become more challenging as the gunnery exercise progresses.

“Nothing is rushed during live-fire,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rex Swetnam, a combat veteran aviator who deployed with the 1-130th to Afghanistan in 2002, and is the unit’s safety officer. “We train to the standard here, not to time and I’m confident we’ll accomplish our goals in a safe manner.”

Radios crackled as leaders planned and controlled flight missions from the tactical operations center and range tower.

Training scenarios from the tower are radioed to a hovering Apache: The enemy has been spotted in a building two kilometers from the Apache’s location and they are cleared to engage with rockets and their 30mm gun. The Apache climbs and rolls left, speeding towards its target. With a roar, rockets launch. The Apache follows up with four bursts (approx. 100 rounds) from its 30mm gun. The target is destroyed and the Apache returns to base.

"Simulations are great, but nothing beats real world live-fire," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kurt Cunningham, a 1-130th combat veteran and instructor pilot.

It takes more than Apache pilots though to make livefire gunnery a reality and successful training event.

A collection of tents, vehicles, and storage containers lined the woods near the Apaches forward operations base. The unit will run 24-hour operations for two weeks. Every company has their job to do.

"Simulations are great, but nothing beats real world live-fire."

At the forward area refueling point, next to the flight line, fuel handlers of Echo Company ensure every helicopter, vehicle, and generator is ready.

“Our team must accurately determine fuel requirements for the battalion,” said Echo Company 1st Sgt. Stephen Caldwell. “If we screw up, the battalion doesn’t move and the Apaches don’t fly.”

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Armament specialists arm a Longbow Apache Helicopter with flechette rockets during annual training.

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Further along the flight line, a platoon of armament specialist, also from Echo Company, move from aircraft to aircraft like bees in a rose garden safely loading each Apache with live rockets and 30mm rounds. Before this training is through, they will load over 20,400 30mm rounds and over 900 rockets.

At the base of the range tower, the 1-130th‘s flight operations center was busy providing aviators arriving at the range all the information they needed to prepare for their flight tables. There is even an around the clock weather station on site manned by North Carolina Air National Guard’s 156th Weather Flight Team.

Before and after each flight, aviation mechanics take data from the Apaches and record and analyze it for any errors requiring maintenance. Aviation mechanic are not the only “wrench-turners” working hard at the forward base. A team of ground mechanics are just as busy fixing anything that has a diesel motor and four wheels.

"Everyone works together as an always ready and responsive team during annual training and live-fire gunnery,” said Lt. Col. Joe Bishop, commander of the 1-130th. “It’s a big operation and we train just like our active duty counterparts. In fact, with three live-fire gunnery exercises planned for this year and having decades of experienced combat aviators and ground crews in this battalion, I can confidently state that the 1-130th is ready for any real-world mission it gets ordered to do.”

Between the range tower and the flight line, the battalion’s 677th Firefighting Team stands ready with its state of the art fire truck and team of certified firefighters, emergency medical technicians and specialized equipment to extract aviators from a crashed helicopter. Located next to the firefighters is the unit’s medical station prepared to respond.

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In 1986, the 1-130th was the first reserve unit to receive the Apache Helicopter for service. The unit has mobilized for multiple real-world deployments prior to Sept. 11th, 2001, and was the first reserve Apache battalion to deploy to Afghanistan in 2003 and to Iraq in 2009.

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAPT. MATTHEW BOYLE

ARMY LOGISTICS COMMUNITY & NATIONAL GUARD INCREASE READINESS Operation Patriot Bandoleer brings teams of Reserve, National Guard and active duty logistics experts together for real-world mission training.

SOUTHPORT, N.C. – National Guard Soldiers from six states participated in Operation Patriot Bandoleer this spring to provide the operational mission support to Army Materiel Command, moving Army Preposition Stocks to various military installations throughout the country.

Operation Patriot Bandoleer is a collaboration between Army Materiel Command, Army Sustainment Command, Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and the National Guard Bureau to create a process for National Guard units to participate in real world sustainment missions transporting munitions throughout the continental United States.

Maj. Gen. Beth Austin, the Assistant Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard, Army Material Command facilitated the coordination between the commands.

Soldiers from Georgia, Connecticut, 30

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This is a great opportunity for National Guard units to exercise their personnel, equipment and validate mission essential tasks while providing support to the Army and the nation’s strategic reserves,” said Austin.

Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma and North Carolina all brought mission ready heavy equipment and years of experience to the Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point to receive their payload.

Once at Sunny Point, the guardsmen are met by a team of active duty, reservist and contractors all working together efficiently and effectively moving large quantities of ammunition and explosive ordinance safely from ship to a staging area and lastly onto the vehicles.

Operation Patriot Bandoleer is the largest Army Guard, Reserve and Active Duty logistics event of its kind supporting Army Materiel Command.

Leaders and logistician from all parties involved expect this event to become an Operation Mission Support Program that will continue for years to come.

“Operation Patriot Bandoleer will support future movements of our War Reserve Secondary Items,” said Tim Fore, the Director for Army Prepositioned Stocks and Sustainment Operations at Army Sustainment Command.

ARMY MAJ. GEN. BETH AUSTIN, CENTER, THE ASSISTANT DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, ARMY MATERIEL COMMAND, IS BRIEFED ON OPERATION PATRIOT BANDOLEER AT MILITARY OCEAN TERMINAL SUNNY POINT NEAR SOUTHPORT, N.C., MARCH 17, 2015.

Upon its completion this spring, Operation Patriot Bandoleer will move hundreds of containers and thousands of tons of munitions and repair parts.

“This is a strong concept and I encourage leaders and planners in every state to consider this support mission as an option for your logistics professional to have an opportunity to be involved in a real world mission while stateside,” said Austin.

“This is a strong concept and I encourage leaders and planners in every state to consider this support mission as an option for your logistics professional to have an opportunity to be involved in a real world mission while stateside,” said Austin.

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2015 N.C. National Guard Minuteman Muster 32

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RALEIGH, N.C. - The third annual Minuteman Muster brought together nearly 500 runners of all ages Saturday, May 17. Racers competed in a 5-kilometer run and 8-kilometer run with an optional 4-members teams competing for the

Chief C

of Joint Staff Challenge.

The race, hosted by the NC National Guard, benefits the North Carolina National Guard Association’s Educational Foundation providing equal opportunity for quality college education for Soldiers and Airmen of all ranks and their family members.

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GEAR UP: FORT A.P. HILL, Va –

Firefighters gauge their skills during annual training

Beginning a new day of training, the North Carolina Army National Guard’s 677th Firefighting Team held a joint training exercise involving the Fort A.P. Hill Fire Department here on April 22, 2015.

Assistant Chief Mark Dodson, with the Fort A.P. Hill Fire Department began the training exercise by taking the Soldiers and crew around the exterior and interior of a downed C-130 aircraft.

“The purpose of the training is to instruct them of standard egressing procedures, overall hazards and shut down procedures for a C-130 aircraft,” said Dodson.

“Egress training does not involve any firefighting,” said Staff Sgt. James Graf with the 677th Fire Fighting Team.

“It is how the aircraft operates, how rescuers need to approach the aircraft, evacuate passengers and take control of the aircraft,” said Graf.

During a normal drill weekend, the 677 Fire Fighting Team does not have access to training props such as a downed C-130 to walk through and practice evacuating passengers who may or may not be trapped inside the aircraft.

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“Being a fire fighter is about helping people and having a job where things are different every day,”

“We may have pictures and power points on drill weekend, but now we can actually apply it,” said Graf.

Sgt. William Capps assigned to the 677th Fire Fighting Team.

“We train to complete the mission quickly and efficiently.”

Annual training periods allows the fire- fighting team to collectively prepare to react to a real world incident or accident as well as hone their emergency response techniques.

The Soldier’s limits were tested during an air-consumption training where they were instructed to put on their fire fight suits with oxygen breathing apparatus and perform many strenuous activities, which included carrying two pieces of heavy equipment, lifting and positioning a ladder, climbing several flights of stairs and dragging a dummy several feet before restarting the course until running out of oxygen in order to test each Soldier’s performance time.

The 677th Fire Fighting Team arrived at Fort A.P. Hill on April 11, 2015 and since then they have conducted confined space training, air-consumption, vehicle fires and vehicle extraction.

“All of us are certified in confined space rescues where we rescue victims from a confined “Being a fire fighter is about hazardous environment,” said helping people and having a job

where things are different every day,” said Dodson.

“Where you can go from sitting behind a desk, to responding to sirens and being prepared to accomplish that mission.”

Although the firefighting team consists of only nine Soldiers, each member is a full-time emergency responder in the civilian work force.

“We have to meet the same standards as any fire department,” said Graf, “The only difference is that we’re green.

Story and Photos by Spc. Kelly Widner, 382 Public Affairs Detachment (Story abbreviated for this issue)

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Armed Forces to Protect and Serve U.S. Army National Guard Story and photos by Sgt. Leticia Samuels

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aleigh, N.C. – North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signs Representative Chris Whitmire’s House Bill 595 into law, providing Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen with military police experience to transition into law enforcement, at the Capitol building here, June 3, 2015.

This act recognizes experience as military police officers for the purpose of law enforcement certification and also increases the size of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

“North Carolina is on its way to becoming the most veteran-friendly state in the nation,” said McCrory.

Bill 595 allows fully qualified military police officers who have been honorably discharged from service to apply for this process and fall into one of two accelerated programs. In the first, the Commission requires applicants to complete its 96 hour Legal Unit, 24 hours of Civil Process, all background and psychological checks, and accomplish the state Basic Law Enforcement Test Evaluation. These requirements can be accomplished before employment or during a one year probationary certification.

Applicants will also have to have been awarded a military police occupational specialty rating and been fully qualified, performed a minimum of two years of military police duties within five years of application, meet all standards for law enforcement, and possess combined training and experience that meet or exceed expectations needed for employment as a law enforcement officer.

Service members who do not possess enough combined training and experience are required to complete a more extensive program to include all requirements deemed for members with experience and any supplementary high-liability training, as deemed necessary by the Commission, not to exceed 180 hours. Individuals in this category must complete these requirements first and are not eligible for the one year probationary period of employment.

“This law will make it easier for our veterans to provide here in our local communites the same safety and security they proudly provide for our country,” said McCrory.

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In Other State News:

In-State Tuition for Veterans The North Carolina National Guard was invited to the Governor’s Executive Mansion on June 24, 2015, to witness the signing of a key piece of legislation that will bring North Carolina into compliance with Section 702 of the Choice Act. This section of the Choice Act requires public institutions of higher learning to grant in-state tuition status to veterans under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill beginning on July 1, 2015.

The NCNG Museum Needs Your Artifact Donations!

The North Carolina National Guard Museum needs your artifact donations in order to tell the story of your service with the proud history and traditions of the North Carolina National Guard.

The new museum is seeking artifacts from all eras, including: uniforms, insignia and awards, weapons,

accoutrements, gear, photographs, and even captured enemy relics. The museum already has a very small collection, much of which is currently on display in the atrium at Joint Force Headquarters, but much more is needed in order to tell the story of Our North Carolina National Guard.

To donate artifacts of any kind, please contact: Sgt. Gary Spencer Acting Command Historian Office Phone: 919-664-6214 E-mail: gary.c.spencer2.mil@mail (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Spc. Lisa Vines/Released) The Hornet

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1000th Hired Story and photos by: Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan

RALEIGH, N.C. - The North Carolina National Guard will provide everything a Soldier or Airmen needs in war; weapon, check, training, check, leadership, check, but what about a job and a different kind of check when they get back. The NCNG Education and Employment Center took that mission to help any service member find a job and celebrated their 999th and 1,000th hire at a ceremony held at NCNG Headquarters, April 30, 2015.

“It is the employers who are willing to hire North Carolina National Guard members and veterans that make this work,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer Five Richard D. Comer, NCNG’s state command chief warrant officer.

Jones and Miller are the newest success stories for the center that provides career opportunities to NCNG members by building relationships with North Carolina employers.

They help Soldiers and Airmen translate their hard earned Guard training, experience and education into opportunities with employers who need dependable, enthusiastic and dedicated employees.

Left to right - Command Chief Warrant Officer Richard Comer, Lauren Mauldin a manager with Nationwide Insurance, retired active duty Air Force Master Sgt. Jody Miller and Command Sergeant Major John H. Swart

“They [the center] always looked out for me,” said Spc. Franklin Jones, a NCNG Soldier with E Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion and a recent hire for Kelly Services.

Jones and his new boss, Koren Losack of Kelly Services, joined retired active duty Air Force Master Sgt. Jody Miller and his new boss Lauren Mauldin, a manager with Nationwide Insurance, at the ceremony. Miller and Jones are the 999th and 1,000 hire facilitated by NCNG’s Education and Employment Center. Guard leaders thanked the employers for helping the center achieve 1,000 hires since opening in July 2013.

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“It is a team effort. Service members have the skills we need and when employers hire them they stay in the Guard,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Swart, North Carolina National Guard senior enlisted leader.

(Story abbreviated for this issue)

Left to right - Command Chief Warrant Officer Richard Comer, Koren Losack of Kelly Services, Spc. Franklin Jones, and Command Sergeant Major John H. Swart.

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NC Guard Partners with NC Forest Service at DuPont State Recreational Forest Story by: Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Rey and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan Photos by: Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Rey

CEDAR MOUNTAIN, N.C. -- How do you build a road in forest so beautiful that the movies ‘Last of the Mohicans’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ were filmed there, with professional expertise and minimal ecological impact? Why, you call out the Guard.

“We are very happy to have the Guard,” said Jason Guidry, DuPont State Recreational Forest supervisor.

North Carolina National Guard Soldiers with North Carolina Forest Service partners transformed a tangle of roots and mud into a soon to be finished service road at DuPont State Recreational Forest, located in Cedar Mountain, North Carolina.

“The capabilities of the North Carolina National Guard sets the standard as an agency partner,” said Guidry.

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“The improvements mean more and better parking, ease of movement and better safety so the public can enjoy these natural wonders,”

The 875th Engineer Company, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, with a detachment in Lexington, brought bulldozers, backhoes and other heavy equipment and years of experience the mission this April. Leaders carefully supervised the construction. They planed the movement of some of the largest vehicles in the Guard while maintaining the smallest possible footprint in one of the most beautiful areas of North Carolina visited by more than 300,000 people per year.

“We wanted to stay inconspicuous and out of the public’s way,” said Army 1st Sgt. Timothy Ashley, a senior leader with the unit.

The 1,000-foot road snakes uphill through the thick forest. Soldiers carefully leveled and graded the ground preparing it for the hundreds of tons of gravel needed. Large drainage pipes are hauled into place and buried beneath the road to control erosion and prevent damaging runoff. Young Soldiers drive eight-wheel drive diesel-powered

Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks carrying everything needed at a modern construction site along a dirt road just inches wider than the truck.

“The Soldiers got a lot of hands on training and showed the public how we give back to the community,” said Army Sgt. Michael Roach, a horizontal construction sergeant with the unit.

When finished, the gravel road will improve parking for nearly 80,000 visitors per year, traffic flow and public safety providing a safer route for large vehicles away from the many visitors to the park for years to come.

“The improvements mean more and better parking, ease of movement and better safety so the public can enjoy these natural wonders,” said Ashley.

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NC Guard supports

Tarheel Challenge graduation: Overcoming obstacles Story and Photos by Sgt. Leticia Samuels

CLINTON, N.C. - One hundred and five graduates of Class 44 completed the 22week resident Tar Heel Challenge Academy program and celebrated joyously during their graduation ceremony at the Sampson County Agri-Exposition Center here, June 12, 2015.

“This is the happiest day of my life every time my parents told me they were proud of me, I never really believed it until now,” said Nathaniel Wilson, Class 44 Tar Heel Challenge Academy honor graduate. “I felt like I would never accomplish something, now I have something to be proud of.”

During the 22-week course, cadets obtain a wide range of skills and obtain certifications that will be used in the next chapter of their life.

During this particular class, 43 cadets earned their General Educational Development (GED), 31 took their Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), 55 earned their Career Readiness Certificates, a portable credential that demonstrates achievement and a certain level of workplace employability skills. Class 44 completed 8,303 hours of community service in various fundraisers and campaigns, and 100 percent of cadets improved their overall academic achievement by at least one level.

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“Every last cadet that I have encountered in my experience, are all survivors,” said Retired Col. Edward Timmons, director of Tar Heel Challenge Academy. “There is no one else that has an academy of this magnitude or structure in order to do that and I believe our 21 years of service speaks to the record and speaks volumes to others.”

The Tar Heel Challenge Academy has existed for 21 years and is sponsored by the North Carolina National Guard. Its unique quasimilitary structure instills at risk teens with life skills while focusing on academics, physical training, self-discipline, teamwork, leadership, team building, work ethics, service to community, respect for others, self-esteem, loyalty and integrity.

“The mission of Tar heel Challenge is to train, teach, educate, and graduate 16-to-18-yearolds within the state of North Carolina and help

“W

e must stand strong and resist the temptation to fall back into the darkness that led us here,” said Wilson.

“We have conquered a true challenge, the Tar heel Challenge!”

them redirect their lives and ultimately provide a second chance or second opportunity,” said Timmons.

confidence, character and arms cadets with the tools needed to battle everyday pressures that youth face today.

Parents observed in the audience as Timmons and guest speaker Dr. Paul Hutchins gave words of inspiration describing the path they etched out for themselves and illustrated to the parents how hard their children strived to complete this program.

“I suffered from a lot of depression and anxiety and bullying in high school and eventually I just stopped going,” said Wilson “I have gained so much, I gained my GED, I’ve got a scholarship to college, and I’ve lost 64 pounds.”

“We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way, we cannot change the inevitable, the only thing we can do is to play that one string that we have and that string is our attitude,” said Hutchins.

“I am convinced that life is 10 percent of what happens to me and 90 percent of how I react.”

Once students finish the 22-week resident course, a 12-month mentoring phase begins.

During this phase of the program, graduates are assigned a volunteer mentor whose primary role is to assist the graduate in continuing on the path they started in the residence phase. The mentor also provides advice, companionship, and guidance on seeking employment or enrolling into college.

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operation support our own

YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. - “Leave it cleaner than you found it,” is one of the oldest sayings in the military. For 11 North Carolina National Guard Soldiers in Youngsville, it was more than an order this April 18, 2015, it was a privilege as they put years of military muscle, training and discipline into ‘Operation Support Our Own’.

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NC Guard Soldiers Volunteer for Recovering Chaplain Story and photos by: Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan

The excavator rumbled, mowers kept a steady roar, axes slashed, dirt flew by the shovel full and many, many, sweetgum ball filled rakes were cursed as the members of the NCNG Ordnance Association, Austin – Bouton-Cardwell Chapter, took as their first mission as an association volunteering for Maj. Melissa Culbreth, a NCNG chaplain who is recovering from treatment for cancer.

“The association called me the day after I found out I would have to have five weeks of radiation treatment and concurrent chemo and said they wanted to help,” said Culbreth.

This project transforms Culbreth’s yard from spring growth into a manicured lawn, stacked firewood, a weeded back porch, repaired fences and pruned trees.

“I am on disability so without them it could not have been done,” said Culbreth.

It changed more than just property. Smiles, hugs, handshakes, old war stories and other tales turned work into a celebration for a friend, battle buddy, mentor, adviser and leader.

About two hours of labor combined with chainsaws, axes, shovels, drills and more than a little sweat made quick work of rocks, weeds, long grass, clogged gutters, a several hundred-pound tree “My Guard stump and a more than 40-foot tall tree threatening gutters family stepped and power lines. An easy task up and it is amazing for experienced ordnance to have this kind of Soldiers with multiple combat and state active duty support,” said deployments.

Culbreth.

“Part of ordnance is maintenance,” said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Parker, a NCNG maintenance technician and president of the chapter.

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KATRINA NCNG Soldier and Airmen were some of the first National Guard units on the scene in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the region devastating towns across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

The 145th Airlift Wing delivers supplies and guardsmen to Louisiana two days after landfall.

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Over 250 Soldiers from NCNG’s 113th Field Artillery Regiment’s Quick Reaction Force (a brand new concept in 2005) made up of military police, artillerymen, personnel specialists, medical specialists, and other units with domestic operations skills deployed and were on the scene within 2-3 days after landfall.

10 YEAR REMEMBRANCE

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GUARD 2 BEACH RIDE NCNG taking care of our own Story and Photos by Sgt. Leticia Samuels

NORTH CAROLINA - Armed forces members from every branch of military, active and retired, participated in the Guard 2 Beach ride sponsored by the Warrior Ride non-profit organization, starting at the North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, May 22, 2015.

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3, Bob Racine, Founder of the Warrior ride and 26 year veteran, motivated the crowd by initiating a small “hooah” contest between service members that attended the initial see off and the riders in the race. Col. Cliff Wilkins, NCNG Chief of the Joint Staff, also spoke about the importance of Memorial Day and encouraged cyclists to have fun.

Racine is a retired Special Forces Operations Detachment-Delta “Delta Force” officer which is now known as the combat applications group. After

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meeting a veteran who was wounded in the war in Iraq, Racine was inspired to work with many different organizations that supported combat injured veterans.

“Bob is a great guy and he goes above and beyond with everything he does and a lot of it is him volunteering his own time,” said Master Sgt. Bobby Wheeler, North Carolina National Guard Digital Training Management Systems and Annual Training manager.

“He really advocates for us and gets civilian businesses to help out and helps us build relationships with the community” The Warrior Ride supports every generation of war and is open to men and women, civilians, active and retired, officers and enlisted alike. Service members also receive clothing to keep and have in the past been given bicycles to keep as well.

NCARNG Most Improved State Story by Maj. Dale Cowan On 23 June 2015, HQ DA awarded the North Carolina Army National Guard (NCARNG) the National Guard’s “Most Improved” state for its Army Communities of Excellence (ACOE) submission during a ceremony in the Pentagon Auditorium. The NCARNG participates annually in the ACOE Program and achieved 3rd Place, Silver Division, for its submission (7th out of 54 states and territories). This recognition is a direct result of the extraordinary efforts put forth by our Category Champions and Writing Team Members.

Category Champions are current leaders in the organization who carefully selected Writing Team Members to mentor and educate as future leaders in the NCARNG. Category champions were COL Jeffrey Copeland, COL Cliff Wilkins, LTC Cristina Moore, LTC Maury Williams, LTC Michael Marciniak, LTC David Raynor, LTC Brent Orr, and Maj Dale Cowan. Writing team members were LTC Tim Aiken, MAJ Jonathan Hearn, MAJ Bobby Lumsden, Capt Russell Niemyer,

LTC John Ebbighausen, CPT Mark Boyle, Ms. Odaliska Almonte, CSM Michael Pisano, MAJ Brian McIlvaine, Mr. Tony Middleton, LT Brandon Green, CW3 Richard Shipp, CW2 Linda Horton, MAJ Jeremy Shellhammer, and MAJ David Walliser.

The NCARNG implemented, for the first time, an examiner review of its ACOE packet. Trained, voluntary ACOE examiners, LTC Matt Chytka, LTC Miriam Gray, CW3 Jeffrey Ragone, LTC Cristina Moore, MAJ Brian McIlvaine and Mr. Tony Middleton provided a thorough review of the packet along with feedback to make improvements.

This review provided corrections and recommended changes to the submission in order to put the best and most accurate product forward to represent the NCARNG at the National Guard Bureau level. The results speak for themselves! The NCNARNG improved its ACOE process to earn recognition by HQ DA as the “Most Improved” National Guard State!

The U.S. Army Installation Management Command and Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, LTG David D. Halverson presents N.C. “Most Improved” National Guard state award. (Left to right: LTC Brent Orr, former Deputy J5; LTC Halverson; COL Jeffrey Copeland, J5; Maj Dale Cowan, J5 ACOE Program Manager; CW5 Ronald Williams, 449 TAB Safety Officer)

ThMr. e Hornet 51 (U.S. Army photos by Leroy Council, AMVID/Released)

4th annual EDM4USTroops Golf Tournament N.C. National Guard Soldiers joined nearly 240 other golfers, volunteers, staff and fans at 4th annual EDM4USTroops Golf Tournament raising money for NCNG Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, Inc. (SAAF), Enable America, Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina and wounded veterans at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, June 8, 2015. “It is probably the largest military golf tournament on the East Coast,� said retired Sgt. Maj. Dennis Roach, a leader with SAAF.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan 52

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2015 Valor Games

Local colleges and park hosted disabled veteran athletes, May 19-21.

Disabled members of U.S. Armed Forces & Veterans competed at the games organized by Bridge II Sports a non-profit. “They have been there, they served, even family do not understand,� said North Carolina National Guard Iraq veteran with the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade Charles Turrentine.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan The Hornet

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