SUMMER 2018
INITIAL ATTACK
Washington National Guard members find themselves on the front lines of wildfires in our state. MIL.WA.GOV VOL III // ISSUE 2 - 1
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CONTENT
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ONE OF A KIND
Chief Warrant Officer Five Teresa Burgess left a lasting impression on everyone she met. After 35 years of service, she looks back on a historic career.
GUARDSMEN ATTACK SHEEP CREEK FIRE
Fires ripped across the western United States in July and August, and the Washington National Guard was on the front line fighting to save lives and property.
Master Sgt. Donald Pierce, 225th Air Defense Squadron air surveillance technician, answers Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, questions during his visit to the Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Aug. 23, 2018. O’Shaughnessy received a tour of the operations floor and met with the WADS crew that provided command and control of the 142nd Fighter Wing’s F-15 intercept of the Aug. 10 stolen Horizon Bombardier Q400 aircraft out of SeaTac International Airport.
TSUNAMI EVACUATION
Emergency Management unveils new Tsunami evacuation refuge for the Shoalwater Tribe.
STATE E911 HONORED
The State’s E911 Coordination Team was honored by the State Auditors Office.
STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE
FInd out what is new with the State Partnership Program as the Washington National Guard continues working with their Malaysia and Thai counterparts.
EMD HELPS WITH HAWAII VOLCANOS
Emergency Management helped coordinate efforts but also learn about the potential dangers we face in the Pacific Northwest.
JOURNEY TO CITIZENSHIP
Pfc. Aquiles Morales started working towards his U.S. citizenship in 2012, his long journey paid off.
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Story by Joseph Siemandel, Photos by SPC Alec Dionne
FOLLOW UP STORY:
GUARDSMEN SAVED LITTLE GIRL’S LIFE Pvt. Gracie Hilinski, Medical Section, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, received an Army Commendation Medal for saving a girl’s life this April, on June 30, 2018, at the National Guard Armory in Olympia. The other members of the team, Spc. Brandon Issacson, Sgt. Richard Schutt and Spc. Mitchell Potter, received the Army Achievement Medal for their assistance. The soldiers were making a routine fuel stop while performing convoy operations when they noticed that something was wrong in a nearby SUV. Hilinski reacted quickly, running to the vehicle to identify the emergency. “You saved my daughter’s life, I will never forget that,” said Ayoub Soulami, the child’s father, during the ceremony. After identifying that the family’s daughter, Lilya Soulami, was not breathing, Hilinski administered CPR. After several compressions, Issacson began to detect a pulse. The soldiers continued CPR while the rest of the team confirmed that civilian first responders had been contacted. “Hilinski’s actions were immediate and confident, showing all the aspects necessary in a competent and effective medic,” said Issacson. “Jumping into a scene that terrifies many new EMTs, her actions saved the life of a child.” Hilinski shared many smiles, awards, and gratitude with the family, Saturday June 30, at the official awards ceremony. Hilinski gave Lilya Soulami a teddy bear as she conversed with her parents about Lilya Soulami’s many healthy, and happy, years to come.
ONE OF A KIND CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FIVE TERESA BURGESS RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS
Command Chief Warrant Officer Teresa Burgess has had quiet the career since joining the Army in December 1982. She flew as a medical evacuation pilot, mobilized to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, deployed to Iraq, and served as the Washington National Guard’s second Command Chief Warrant Officer. She also went back to college, earning an Associate in Technology degree from Pierce College, a feat which recently garnered her distinguished alumni honors earlier this year. That is what made July 14, 2018 so special, as she retired after an amazing 35 years of public serving. “When I reported to Warrant Officer Candidate School there was two other women that I had met,” said Burgess, adding that by the time she graduated, she only knew of one other female warrant officer. “It’ll be a big job to replace her,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Tim Gordon, Headquarters, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, 96th Troop Command, Burgess’ successor. Burgess entered the Army, despite her father having a career in the Air Force, in December 1982 on track to become an aviation warrant officer. She’d go on to serve nine years and nine months on active duty. Despite being new to aviation, Burgess fast tracked into a medical evacuation team. Medevac can be called up to aid military or civilian personnel at any time. This means that medevac pilots are typically required to have more formal experience outside of training. “I was all for it,” Burgess said. “Medevac is the best mission you could have in peace time, because back then we didn’t have civilian medevac here in the state of Washington so we flew all of the missions. We did hoist missions, blood runs, patient transfers, as well as our military missions on Ft. Lewis and Yakima.”
Burgess flew medevac out of JBLM for four years until she was transferred to Korea for a year. After Korea, she transferred back to JBLM for another three years.
“It was not just the air crews themselves, but all of the support staff were female,” said Burgess. “It was quite a feat in itself.”
Because both Burgess and her husband were stationed on JBLM, the switch to the Washington National Guard, in 1993, was a natural next step for Burgess. Drilling as a soldier-aviator in the Washington Army National Guard was the perfect fit for Burgess. It allowed her to advance both her professional career and raise her children.
Part of that mission was a large mail run. They filled their helicopter full of packages, so much so that they almost did not have room for a unit commander, who was also being transported on that mission.
Once she join the Washington National Guard, Burgess was trained as an instructor pilot, establishing her as a leader within the new unit.
“The soldiers were very happy to have packages on Christmas Day,” Burgess said.
On Aug. 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall creating one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Three weeks later, Burgess was mobilized to help with the recovery effort. “One reason that Washington was one of the first units down there was because we had gone to the [National Training Center] with the same unit [from the Louisiana National Guard] in 2000, so we already had those relationships,” Burgess said. Upon landing at Naval Air Station New Orleans, Burgess stepped into the chaos that was the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The aircraft that they had just returned from deployment to Iraq and were in need repairs. Burgess and her unit were much needed relief for the soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard. “Being able to relieve them, because a lot of them had not been home, to see their own homes, because they had been flying for three weeks,” Burgess said. From there, Burgess and her unit learned to navigate a devastated New Orleans without formal maps. With some help from their Louisianan counterparts, they provided humanitarian aid that helped hundreds of people weather the storm. In August, 2007, Burgess deployed to Iraq. There, on Christmas Day, she participated in and led the first all-female combat UH-60 Black Hawk crew.
“People weren’t used to having a warrant officer in the mix in the command group,” Burgess said. “It’s a culture change; they were used to having their warrant officers in their formation for a long time and a lot of them go.” Burgess feels very thankful for her time in the Washington National Guard. “I’ve been very fortunate that the National Guard has given me the opportunity to fly and do missions and become an [Active Guard and Reserve] soldier,” she said. “I never expected to stay in this long.” Photos and Story by Alec Dionne
“[The National Guard soldiers’] service goes beyond just service of the nation, its service of the local community, and that says it all,” Burgess said.
Burgess had been selected for promotion to Chief Warrant Officer 5, but the promotion was delayed due to her deployment. Despite being the second person to hold the Command Chief Warrant Officer position, Burgess still had to work hard to establish the new position.
COVER STORY
Spc. Derek Price, 176th Engineer Company, clears hot spots along the fire line of the Sheep Creek fire Aug. 5, 2018, near Northport, Wash. Price is a member of a 20-person hand crew, that is one of five crews made up of Washington Army and Air National Guardsmen. (Washington Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Tim Chacon)
WASHINGTON GUARD MEMBERS ATTACK SHEEP CREEK FIRE Photos and Story by Tech. Sgt. Tim Chacon
Waiting at the dozer line, Staff Sgt. Eric Delaune said he could feel the heat 100 yards away. Then, there was a huge roar coming right at him – except it wasn’t a plane, it was flames.
town of Northport. The fire began July 30, and within 48 hours the first members of the Washington National Guard were arriving on scene. It is not unusual for Washington Guard members to fight fires, but their quick response and actions on the fire make this notable.
“That flame front that came toward us was 150- to 200-foot flames and sounded like a jet coming straight at us,” said Delaune, of the 141st Maintenance Squadron. “They were calling evacuation orders over the radio for some of the other divisions that were further up, but we were able to By the nature of their service, Guardsmen have varied backgrounds, training and hold our position and immediately after it burned we were able to get in experience, but they all answered the call for support immediately and without there and clean it up and keep it from encroaching into the green.” hesitation. Members of the Washington National Guard are on the front lines of the fires, actively engaging giant flames. For the past few years, Guard soldiers and airmen on the ground had been responsible for mop up and supporting activities. But with so many fires, Brig. Gen. Jeremy Horn, Washington Air National Guard commander, says that soldiers and airmen are needed for a direct attack, fighting the fire. “The foresight that the Legislature had to provide funding to get our folks trained in the preseason is crucial to being able to respond like we did,” Horn said, while in Eastern Washington, checking on members of the Guard. “Training our folks before the season hits is always an important point for us. There is always a need for our support, but by the time the Department of Natural Resources needs us, all their crews are engaged and are not able to take the time to train our folks.” The hand crews battle the fire by clearing out burnable materials in the fire’s path. Using a variety of different hand tools, the soldiers and airmen clear a space in the forest down to bare dirt to deny the fire fuel to spread. The crews are also able to use hoses to attack smaller hot spots along the fire’s line. With the crews being used for initial attack, they have been in the thick of fighting the fire from the beginning. “We were right up close to the fire and we did get to see a pretty nasty flame front,” Delaune said. “We were sitting at a dozer line and they were doing back-burning operations toward us. Our job was to hold the line as the fire came up toward us. We had to guard the unburnt zone and mop up any spot fires that popped up.” Many of the soldiers are fighting what’s being called the Sheep Creek Fire as it burns its way through the steep and densely wooded terrain of Eastern Washington, just 33 miles to the west of the Idaho border, five miles south of the Canada border, along the Columbia River, near the
“Most of the Guardsmen out here are drill status Guardsmen so they had to step away from their families, civilian jobs and regular responsibilities to support something they don’t normally do, with very little notice.” Horn said. All Guardsmen on the fire are trained to fight the fires and some have been on fires in the past, but most do not fight fires on a regular basis in their civilian jobs or even their Guard jobs. “We’ve got college students, electricians, security guards, personal trainers, all kinds of different jobs, but when they come out here they are able to quickly flip that switch and get to work,” said Staff Sgt. Peter Schuldt, fire squad boss for the Washington Army National Guard. The hot weather, difficult terrain, heavy loads of equipment and the physically demanding nature of the job can easily be described as difficult, by most anyone’s standards. Despite all those factors the airmen and soldiers press on day after day because they feel what they are doing has a real impact. “Everybody is feeling it by now,” Schuldt said. “You can’t do what we are doing and not feel it, but everyone’s attitudes have been fantastic and spirits are high. If I was to say, ‘Hey we are going to climb this steep hill for training’ there would be unhappiness, but because there is a reason for it, they just accept it.” More than 350 people are contributing to the firefighting efforts at Sheep Creek and 102 of them are members of the Washington National Guard. Of the 12 hand crews that are directly engaging the fire, nearly half are Army or Air Guard crews. The Department of Natural Resources, which runs the firefighting operations, recognizes and appreciates the Washington National Guard’s contributions.
“Nationally, we are at a level five preparedness, which means we are short on resources across the country,” said Andrew Stenbeck, Sheep Creek fire incident commander. “We could not have got the crews we needed, which would have extended the risk of this fire getting much larger. So, for the [National Guard crews] to come in and have us be able to use them as initial attack was huge. This is a type of fire that hand crews are critical to stopping it.” Stenbeck considers the Guard’s involvement in firefighting operations to be a crucial necessity for the state to adequately battle the yearly fires.
“The [National Guard] training with us and working with us out on the fire line is a huge boost to our ability to fight fires and it benefits the citizens of the state of Washington, because we are here to protect life, property and natural resources, and that’s an important mission,” he said.
SEEING THE FIRE BEFORE IT STARTS Photos and Story by Joseph Siemandel
GOVERNOR CALLS THE GUARD
As traditional resources such as hand crews and helicopters were utilized to support the wildfire fight, a unique Air National Guard asset was utilized to help ground forces as well.
On July 31, 2018, Gov. Jay Inslee signed an emergency proclamation for all 39 counties to ensure the immediate response of firefighting resources to protect people, homes, businesses, and public and private property from the threat of wildfire.
The RC-26 aircraft from the 141st Air Refueling Wing in Spokane supported the National Interagency Fire Center for the third summer in a row to map known wildfires across the Pacific Northwest, detecting potential fires and lightning strikes with infrared camera equipment and providing real-time intelligence to fire crews on the ground.
“Catastrophic fires are burning up and down the West Coast, putting a strain on our firefighting resources,” Inslee said. “This proclamation ensures resources are ready to go at a moment’s notice to help protect our communities from another unprecedented fire season.”
The RC-26 aircraft is a unique piece of equipment operated by the Washington Air National Guard and is in demand not just in Washington state, but Oregon and Idaho, as well. The aircraft travels at 17,000 feet and is not only able to see new fire starts on the ground, but also able to relay that information immediately to a terminal that displays sensor data and video on the ground with fire crews. That allows fire crews to make decisions on where to send in manpower and how to fight a fire right away, said Lt. Col. Jeremy Higgins, 141st Operations Group RC-26 program manager.
With a harsh, hot summer, dangerous fire fuel and weather conditions existed throughout the state. The proclamation allowed for assistance from the Washington National Guard, which routinely trains and certifies soldiers and airmen to fight wildfires. The Department of Natural Resources requested the Washington National Guard the use of aviation assets, as well multiple 20-person hand crews to be deployed to Eastern Washington. Under the proclamation, the Washington State Emergency Operations Center was instructed to coordinate all assistance to areas affected by wildfire. The EOC was also activated to support DNR and the state’s Fire Marshal’s Office, which leads ongoing firefighting efforts.
“Through mapping we have been able to assist with the civilian evacuations,” Higgins said. “Just this year, we were able to help families stay in their homes and not force them to evacuate because we provided information showing the fire was not moving toward them.” The plane can also detect lightning strikes before a fire has even started and get that information to the National Interagency Fire Center in less than 15 minutes, Higgins said. This allows for smoke jump teams to get out and fight the fire before it becomes a massive and dangerous fire. “We have already stopped seven fires just this year from growing into larger fires, saving property and helping keep resources on other fires,” Higgins said. “No one likes fires. This is a great opportunity to help our neighbors.” Story by Joseph Siemandel
Celebrating a new tsunami vertical evacuation refuge for the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe By Steven Friederich
A long planned tsunami vertical evacuation tower in Tokeland received $2.2 million in federal funding on June 26 to help pay for the construction of a safe refuge for hundreds of residents. The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe had long sought ways to help its tribal members evacuate when there could just be 22 minutes of notice that a giant wave is coming following a huge earthquake, said Shoalwater Emergency Management Director Lee Shipman. The effort was amplified six years ago following discussions with the University of Washington and the Washington Emergency Management Division, which looked at the types and locations of safe refuges up and down the outer coast of Washington. These efforts were referred to as Tsunami Project Safe Haven. Shipman said that much of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe’s land have hills that residents can safely evacuate to when a tsunami hits. But the Tokeland area was the most vulnerable. “In the end, this isn’t just about helping our members, but the entire community,” Shipman said. “This is about being a good neighbor. We know that resources are scarce in the area, so we make sure that the surrounding community members are always included and informed of impending Emergency Management issues. We feel strongly that we are all in this together.” The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, as a recognized sovereign nation, applied for the funds directly from FEMA using the federal Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. Still, Shipman said she relied on help from members of the Washington Emergency Management Division to guide her efforts, citing specifically the work of Mitigation Program Manager Tim Cook and Earthquake Program Manager Maximilian Dixon in the crafting of the document with additional support of Human Services Program Manager Casey Broom and Mitigation, Response & Recovery Section Manager Stacey McClain. “We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with our friends at Washington EMD,” Shipman said.
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The Tribe and the members from the surrounding communities have participated together in the Project Safe Haven meetings. Shipman participates in the state’s Tsunami Workgroup meetings along with the other coastal emergency managers like Scott McDougall from Pacific County and Charles Wallace from Grays Harbor County.
This is the first time federal funding from FEMA has gone toward construction of a vertical evacuation structure in Washington state. Previously, the state worked with local jurisdictions in Long Beach and Pacific County Fire District 1 at Ocean Park to do design work toward potential vertical evacuation structures. The first tsunami vertical evacuation structure in North America was unveiled in 2016 at Ocosta Elementary School near Westport. It can accommodate at least 1,000 people. Cook says that school district officials applied for federal funding and were determined to be eligible by FEMA, but didn’t get the funding. Instead, taxpayers voted to foot the entire bill, noting it was critical to protect the kids. “This was an important step, though, because before this, FEMA hadn’t even said these kinds of structures were eligible,” Cook said. “Now, they are, and it opens up an opportunity for local jurisdictions to apply for funding.” In June, officials from Washington Emergency Management Division, the University of Washington’s Project Safehaven project and the Washington Geological Survey met with city officials in Ocean Shores to discuss what it would take to build a new tsunami shelter there. A public forum was also conducted with residents. In August, a similar event is being planned for the city of Aberdeen. Dixon said he’s recently had discussions with the mayor of Aberdeen and the superintendent of the Aberdeen School District, looking at tsunami vertical evacuation structures and strengthening its existing tsunami evacuation plans.
tire state,” Dixon said. “Once built, this would be the second tsunami vertical evacuation structure in our state, following the successful opening of the new building at Ocosta Elementary in 2016, which will save hundreds of lives when a tsunami eventually hits our coast. This is just a start, though, and we need many more of these structures up and down the coast.”
Later this year, the Washington State Emergency Management Division will be publishing a new Roadmap Manual. The manual will help coastal communities better plan for and build tsunami vertical evacuation refuges. The safe refuge platforms being constructed by the Shoalwaters will be two levels, built at 40 and 50 feet above grade, which is greater than the tsunami wave crest height of 32 feet above grade. With a total useable area of 3,400 square feet, it will accommodate the 386 people. The structure will be built of steel with concrete pilings that go down 45 to 50 feet. The structure has been designed by engineering firm Degenkolb, which also designed the structure at Ocosta Elementary. Shipman says a celebratory ceremony is planned for mid-July. “This is exciting not just for the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, but for the en-
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As I look at you and the 18-19 classes that came before you, each of you has greatness in you. Many of the folks who came before you have gone on to fulfill that greatness out and do incredible things.
So stay strong, say yes, don’t quit. You’ve got this, we’ve got this, and I’m going to see you all in a few short months. Be Great.
Brig. Gen. Jeremy “Java” Horn message to cadets during the acclimation graduation
Around the Department Christopher Long, Washington Emergency Management, was selected by the Fulbright Board of Directors to receive the 2018 Partnership award. The U.S. Embassy hosted a reception on August 20, where Ambassador Chuck Cobb, who established the award on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Iceland and the U.S., presented the award. Chris’s association with Iceland search and rescue began in 2003 when he invited a member of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue to the annual Washington State Search and Rescue conference. What has followed from that first meeting has been 15 years of correspondence, visits, exchanges, and collaboration all aimed at expanding and sharing their mutual interest and passion for search and rescue. (Courtesy Photo)
In June 176 Engineer Company members completed construction to reinforce the building structures on the Yakima Training Center. (Photo by Sgt. Kory Heptner)
Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, visits the Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Aug. 23, 2018. O’Shaughnessy met with the WADS operations crew that provided command and control of the 142nd Fighter Wing’s F-15 intercept of the Aug. 10 stolen Horizon Bombardier Q400 aircraft out of SeaTac International Airport. (Photo by Kim Burke
This view from a Washington National Guard Black Hawk helicopter is above the Kelly Mountain Fire near Republic, Wash. The Guard dropped more than 400,000 Gallons of water on fires across the state in August. (Courtesy Photo)
In June airmen from the 141st Civil Engineer Squadron were hard at work replacing concrete on Fairchild Air Force Base. Civil Engineers perform a variety of tasks centering around sustainable construction and maintenance of all facilities; mechanical, electrical and waste disposal systems; hazardous waste management, runways and roads. (Photo by Rose Lust)
Maj. Brian Hartigan, Special Operations Detatchment - Pacific assess, an injuried role player during a disaster exercise in Port Angles, Wash. on June 2, 2018. The SOD-P conducted a parachute jump into the area, while simulating a major earthquake and tsunami response. (Courtesy Photo)
Around the Department In May, Tech. Sgt. Angela Brown, 141st Medical Group as named Greater Spokane Incorporated’s Armed Forces Person of the Year during the annual “Let Freedom Ring” awards. Other Guard awardees - Senior Airmen Caroline Belch & Master Sgt. Andrew Dittman. (Courtesy Photo)
Capt. Kimberly McCarty, the commanding officer of the 319th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company provides a situation report after responding to a simulated chemical attack while providing EOD assitance for the 25th Infantry Division for Exercise Lightning Forge 18 in Oahu HI on July 25, 2018. (Photo by Rory Featherston)
Guardsmen from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group took part in a deployment ceremony at the Information Operations Readiness Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 60 elite citizen-soldiers deployed to southeast Asia to support operations. (Photo by Jason Kriess)
On August 17, Mr. Adam Iwaszuk, Col. Jeff Sabatine and others broke ground on a new barracks building for the 205th Training Regiment on the Yakima Training Center. (Photo by David Carnahan) Washington State Guard members joined up with Ohio State Guard members to take part in a jump school on June 29, 2018. (Courtesy Photo) Sgt. 1st Class Steve Friel with the 133rd Army Band, 96th Troop Command, performs a solo on July 3rd, 2018, Skansie Park, Gig Harbor, Washington. The 133rd Army Band performed arrangements of classical military marches and pop music to celebrate Independence Day. (Photo by Alec Dionne)
Tech. Sgt. Tara Broad, 10th Civil Support Team, travel to Hawaii in June to support the 93rd Civil Support Team, Hawaii Air National Guard, to assist in their response to volcano support. Tara’s main objective as is to provide community air quality monitoring. (Courtesy Photo)
Around the Department Volunteers at the Washington National Guard State Historical Society Museum unveiled newly refurbished carriages for the Spanish cannons on display near building one. (Photo by Jason Kriess)
Washington National Guard members from Camp Murray joined students at Tillicum Elementary for their annual End of Year Field Day on June 8, 2018. The Guard members interacted with the students, played field games and shared smiles and laughs. (Photo by Alec Dionne)
1st Lt. Luis Torres, 96th Troop Command, was honored in June as the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist of the year for Washington state and the International Association of Workforce Professionals Service to Veterans award for his work with Washington Employment Security Department at their annual Veterans Education Summit in Chelan. (Photo by Trish Almond)
Ms. Tammi Trimm was awarded the 2017 National Guard Regional Volunteer of the Year Award for Region 10. This award is presented to one volunteer from each of the regions who demonstrate outstanding and exceptional service to family programs. (Courtesy Photo)
Soldiers with the 506th Military Police Company, 420th Chemical Battalion, 96th Troop Command, prepare to mobilize at their pre-deployment ceremony, Aug. 8, 2018, Camp Murray, Wash. The 506th deployed in 20072008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and again 2012-2013 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by Alec Dionne)
Col. Gent Welsh, commander, 194th Wing surprises Airmen 1st Class Jordan Starks, a new member of the wing by attending his Basic Military Training graduation. Col. Welsh met with Starks family, and coined the newest airman. Starks is a second generation Washington Air National Guard member. His father served in the 143 Combat Communications Squadron. (Courtesy Photo)
State E911 Coordination Office Honored by State Auditor Story by Steven Friederich, Photo by Karina Shagren
The Washington State Auditor’s Office has honored a team in the State E911 Coordination Office with a distinct “stewardship award” for saving the taxpayer’s money and safeguarding the public’s trust. The Auditor’s Office gave the award to just 12 teams after performing more than 2,000 audits across the state. Employees in the E911 program were reviewing the E911 network contracts and monitoring these contracts for the state 911 office, which involved complex goods and services for the massive network that runs all the counties’ 911 systems. With such a massive system, Lotonuu with the assistance of an IT team used lean principles to identify the problems and figure out the unnecessary products that were wasting time and money on the network. “Our networks have so many changes and upgrades to hardware, circuits, mileage, and other requirements and the current need to update to use modern technology that processes needed to be put in place to track that we were paying for the proper services,” said Sharon Lotonuu, the E911 operations manager, who started a thorough inventory back in 2014. In 2016, Lisa Barbier, E911 Statewide Services program manager, continued the process, expanding it to include more data, built a comprehensive tracking database and refined processes.
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“Now, we have an efficient billing process, a monitoring program that tracks our inventory and contract changes, and the appropriate inventory being billed for our network,” Lotonuu said. “Additionally, we were successful in working with a multitude of vendors and receiving reimbursements for the overbilling that occurred and recovering the amount overbilled initially.” The state office has received about $4 million in refunds over the past five years – and the office will save even more money moving forward by getting charges permanently removed from the regular invoices that come in. “Now, we’re not just paying the bills that come in as-is,” Barbier said. “We have systems in place that give us better checks and balances to make sure that if we suddenly get an additional charge, we can identify what it is, what it’s for and dispute it if we need to dispute it.” “The network never stops growing,” Lotonuu added. “There’s always new technologies for the network and now, instead of paying for historic, legacy equipment, we can use the money saved to continue paying for the new ESINet, our Next Generation 911 system. This would not have been possible without a team effort and special kudos goes to the E911 IT team for their assistance providing the knowledge to make this all happen.”
“Everything we do is for the benefit of the public and the counties that depend on us,” Barbier said. The award notes, “presented in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in accountability, transparency and good stewardship of public resources, as we pursue the shared mission of government that works better and earns greater public trust.” The award went to Lotonuu, Barbier, and Kenn Moisey, Teresa Lewis and Andy Leneweaver from the State E911 coordination office. State Auditor Pat McCarthy joined Maj. Gen. Bret D. Daugherty, the adjutant general of the Washington Military Department, to honor the 911 team in August. Last year, Lotonuu was honored separately with an “Extra Mile” award from the Secretary of State’s Office after being nominated by Barbier, Lewis, Moisey and fellow 911 employee Suzette Vik. “I am just so proud of my whole team,” Adam Wasserman, E911 State Coordinator said. “They identified a problem. They fixed the problem and now we’re a better, more efficient operation – and it’s all because they love what they do, and they just want the best for our state.”
Sustainment Dock: Increasing Tanker Reliability By Tech, Sgt. Kayleigh Phillips, 141st Air Refueling Wing
In hangar 1033 a KC-135 Stratotanker undergoes an isochronal inspection as airmen of the 141st and 92nd Maintenance Squadrons start the process of dismantling, inspecting, repairing and sometimes modifying the tanker. Hangar 1033 is home to the sustainment dock where 141st and 92nd Maintenance Groups put the KC-135 sustainment program into practice. According to the memorandum of understanding, the goal of the sustainment program is to provide a dedicated proactive team to repair and enhance an aging KC-135 fleet. This program will produce additional reliable aircraft to Air Mobility Command and National Guard Bureau. “The sustainment program is a guard-owned process that we perform alongside our active duty partners,” said Senior Master Sgt. Robb Schrock, 141st MXS fabrication section supervisor. “This new approach will train and equip the 141st airmen with the knowledge of how to perform maintenance tasks in their entirety.” In the past seven months the sustainment dock personnel have overhauled seven aircraft and have completed over 4,000 maintenance actions. Tankers can undergo hourly post, periodic and 900-hour inspections within the sustainment dock. Personnel in 11 different specialties complete discrepancies on the aircraft requiring repair. The specialties include hydraulics, sheet metal, electronics, fuels, propulsion, crew chiefs, avionics, repair and reclamation, non-destructive inspection and metals technology. “Instead of working in a continuous operation with multiple shift changes, we can work to a point, stop, and then start again the next day,” said Senior Master Sgt. Sky Schultz, 141st Maintenance Squadron inspection section supervisor. “This structure allows us to follow a task through to the end instead of having another airman finish the task that we previously started.” Roughly 25 full-time and drill status Guardsmen pair up to train on tasks while supporting the sustainment program which has been implemented to ensure that the KC135 Stratotanker is still flying until year 2050. “The sustainment dock adds a unique work environment conducive to training that helps to further organize and train airmen for the operational mission and consequently increases productivity, work ethic, and morale,” said Schultz. “Our airmen give 100% and are proud of their end result; a product that they have completed from start to MIL.WA.GOV VOL III // ISSUE 2 - 23 finish.”
Guardsmen and Employers recognized for outstanding work
Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) program, announced May 5 that Central Washington University, was honored with an ESGR Pro Patria Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the Washington Guard and Reserve.
In May 1st. Lt. Shawnta DiFalco, commander, 792 Chemical Company and the director of special programs for the Grandview School District and Spc. Eric Shafer, a middle school teacher honored Grandview School District for their endless support of the Guardsmen. Grandview School District received the ESGR Above and Beyond Award in recognition of the extraordinary support of the School District’s employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Central Washington University was nominated by Washington Army National Guardsman Capt. Andreas Bohman, who also serves as the chief information officer for the University. “Receiving this award is not about me, it is about Central Washington University,” said Bohman. “They are the ones with the policies and framework necessary for me to go on a long deployment and being supportive. Serving our nation and serving an institution like Central is a tremendous privilege.” Central Washington University was recognized for providing pay differential pay for those employees serving in the Guard and Reserve while on long deployments, providing an additional 30 days of paid military leave a year beyond what is required under state law, and continuation of health care while on military duty. “A long military deployment has a lot of strain on families and employers alike and thanks to the work of President Gaudino and Central Washington University I was to my duty and at the same time resume my duties at Central Washington University,” said Bohman. Central Washington University is currently one of 30 nationwide finalists for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The Freedom Award began in 1996 to draw attention to support from the employer community. To date, only 250 employers have the MAGAZINE award. VOL.III // ISSUE 2 24 received - EVERGREEN
In May 1st. Lt. Heather Reed, 898th Brigade Engineer Battalion, had the chance to meet U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis at the annual Tri-Citian of the Year volunteer banquet. Reed, a Signal Officer, and financial manager, joined other service members and veterans as they met with the Secretary during his visit.
Don’t wait for the tsunami siren
to go off
An earthquake hits. The ground shakes. The best course of action is to drop, cover and hold on. Grab your go bag, then, head inland to high ground. Don’t wait for the siren to go off. And wait. Big waves may keep coming for hours. If you’re inside, you may not even hear the siren. Be sure to invest in a NOAA Weather Radio, available at most hardware stores and online. On Oct. 18, at 10:18 a.m., all of the sirens will go off with a wailing sound across the coast. This is just a test, part of the Great Washington ShakeOut. Typically, the sirens are tested using the Westminster Chime on the first Monday of every month. You can be part of ShakeOut, too. Practice earthquake safety with the rest of the state. Learn more survival tips and register at shakeout.org/washington.
Find tsunami inundation maps and evacuation routes at mil.wa.gov/tsunami
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d e r u ct
a r F
Grid
tabletop focuses on recovery after the big one By Steven Friederich
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Dozens of officials from power utilities gathered on Aug. 23 to discuss how they could respond to severe power outages and system failures following a big earthquake. The goal was to strengthen coordination among each other and between government agencies, such as FEMA, the Washington Emergency Management Division, the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy, who were also present for the tabletop. One sobering reality emerged: It could take many, many months for residents to get power back, especially following a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, which is expected to black out all the coastal areas and cause massive damage and deaths all over Western Washington. And line workers and the power industry in general will not be able to respond right away because they’ll be coping with their own losses. “It’s clear we need to build a resiliency of people – whether they’re 2 Weeks Ready or even 30 days ready,” said Robert Ezelle, the director of the Washington Emergency Management Division. “We also need to make sure all our employees take care of their families, especially line workers, who we’ll all be depending on, too.” “Now that we know each other better, we also need to know what our plans and priorities are,” added Mike O’Hare, the FEMA Region X administrator. “I look forward to further discussion. We can’t plan until we understand. And let’s continue our planning together as a team.” During the all-day meeting at the state Legislative Building in Olympia, industry officials prioritized who should get power back first and how power could be restored. They talked about the challenges of getting a distribution network up and running. With most of the region’s power coming from dams, it’s possible there could be some “pockets” of power that could be expanded. But some equipment such as a new transformer could take a whole year to manufacture – and asking ratepayers to stockpile transformers may be a challenge. The question mused by industry officials is how much are ratepayers willing to pay now for an uncertain event? Officials with the state Department of Commerce pointed out that federal funds can be used to help reimburse public utility districts during an emergency, but not private utilities, which take care of the power for 53 percent of the state.
“What items or investments can you make now in your infrastructure to help ensure they’re not going to fail and they’re still going to be there?” questioned Ezelle. “That way we can bring the grid and the system up that much more quickly because, ultimately, resiliency is about trying to bring our power grid and critical services back up, not necessarily preventing failure.” Some of the largest utilities in the state, including Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish County PUD and Tacoma Light, sat at the same table with smaller utilities, such as Centralia City Light. They all shared a common goal of working together, but also shared concerns with a fractured transportation network with dozens of collapsed overpasses over Interstate 5 and landslides likely blocking Interstate 90. There will be a heavy dependence on air and sea resources, which O’Hare says will be deployed to staging areas right away rather than waiting for someone to ask for help. They also expressed concern about being able to communicate with each other and with the wider world if all the power is out, communication systems are down and the real-time ways to identify problems with the power grids don’t work. “It’s like we’ll be transported back to 1950,” one member of Tacoma Light quipped. “Or the dark ages,” someone else added. Some power utilities have satellite phones and radios, although there was a healthy conversation of doing more with HAM radio, which the state and FEMA will both be using. Some utilities in Eastern Washington might be in a better position to take stock of the grid compared to anyone in Western Washington. “A lot of faces are familiar to each other but the more time we spend in a room talking and doing this in an organized fashion, the better,” said Tristan Allen, the private sector program manager for the Washington Emergency Management Division. “I think we got to know each other a little bit more and the challenges we’re dealing with and I think the big thing is what do we do next?” Ezelle said. “How do we put together something from these plans and build that integration with your industry to solve this. Because when Cascadia does happen, it’s going to be our worst day and the worst day of our area and, guess what? Every day after that will be another worst day. We have a tremendous nut to crack here so the big thing is let’s figure out how to do it.”
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t f i l s s o B sts ESGR
o h d r a u G l a n o i t a N r ton Ai
Washing
Experiencing a midair refueling of fighter aircraft during a training mission with the Washington Air National Guard’s 141st Air Refueling Wing was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 60 civilian employers taking part in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Bosslift program June 6-7, 2018.
After the two hour flight, the KC-135 landed back at Joint Base Lewis-McChord where civilian employers had an opportunity to learn more about other Washington Air National Guard missions to include the Western Air Defense Sector and 262nd Cyberspace Operations Squadron.
The employers were shown firsthand how WADS Civilian employers had to lay on their stomachs at guards America’s skies by watching all air traffic the back of the KC-135 tanker aircraft, in order to west of the Mississippi River for any witness the delicate dance as the two planes flew potential threats and their ability to scramble within feet of each other. The two F-15 fighter alert fighter aircraft at a moment’s notice. The pilots from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 262nd Cyberspace Operations Squadron was the 142nd Fighter Wing expertly positioned their first Air National Guard Cyber Protection Team aircraft below the KC-135 while the boom opwhich performs protection missions based on erator lay in a prone position to maneuver the telescoping fuel-carrying boom into place as he connected it to the other fighter aircraft’s fuel receptacle.
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ler, Western y Collett Muel
B
ector
Air Defense S
commander mission priorities. Employers were given a tour of the 262nd COS facility and learned how the unit is assisting domestic critical infrastructure defense. The end of the day culminated with employers being able to interact with personnel and equipment from other military components on Joint Base Lewis-McChord such as the Washington Guard’s 10th Civil Support Team, the 627th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) and Phoenix Ravens, and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. The 10th CST identifies and assesses suspected weapons of mass destruction hazards, advises civilian responders on appropriate actions through on-site testing and expert consultation, and facilitates the arrival of additional state and federal military forces. The team can be en route within three hours to support civil authorities.
CATM personnel are a vital component to keeping airmen trained and qualified on the weapon systems they are issued when providing security on home station or deployed. The Phoenix Raven teams help detect, deter and counter threats to Air Mobility Command aircraft
by performing close-in aircraft security; advising aircrews on force protection measures; conducting airfield assessments; and assisting aircrews in the performance of their duties when not performing their primary security duties.
ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities visit www.ESGR.mil.
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State Partnership
96th Troop Command takes the lead on Exercise Keris Strike 2018 Soldiers with the 96th Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard, took the lead as the primary U.S. administrative element in Keris Strike 2018, July 23 through Aug. 3, 2018. Soldiers from across the 96th Troop Command’s Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 122nd Public Affairs Operation Center, 420th Chemical Battalion and the 56th Theater Information Operations Group participated in a field training exercise, a command post exercise and several live fire exercises during Keris Strike. The 96th Troop Command’s primary effort was a bilateral command post exercise (CPX) that simulated a humanitarian disaster caused by a tsunami. “Our relationship with the Malaysians was good to start with, and it blossomed into something completely unexpected,” said Col. Anthony Lieggi, commander of the 96th Troop Command. “It has gone to a whole new level.” The CPX solidified the lines of communication between the U.S. and Malaysia by familiarizing the 96th Troop Command’s leadership with Malaysian disaster response procedures and communication networks. “Both our organizations discovered some really important aspects of humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery,” Lieggi said. The 96th Troop Command’s participation was key in affirming and building the state partnership between Washington state and Malaysia. While in Malaysia, 96th Troop Command facilitated a subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with Malaysian personnel that involved Washington Army National Guard and active duty elements. They trained on criminal investigation, medical aid, and responses to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear contaminants. The combination between the CPX and the SMEE created a meaningful and lasting experience for both the 96th Troop Command and their Malaysian counterparts, Lieggi said.
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“This is an exercise that if I had an opportunity to repeat three or four times I would absolutely do it again,” said Lieggi. “The learning, the camaraderie, the team work and the common interest make you appreciate how two teams come together to perform for a common goal.”
Washington’s State Partnership Program continues to grow When it comes to learning and improving, some of the best ideas are found outside of your comfort zone. “We are finding value in sharing exchanges with our fellow states,” said Maj. Sebastian Andres, coordinator, Washington National Guard State Partnership Program. “More time with our partner countries is a good thing.” Since 2002, the Washington National Guard has been sharing lessons and information with the Kingdom of Thailand. Last year, the organization added Malaysia as a second partner nation. Washington is one of only a handful of states that is currently managing two active partnerships.
“We have a mutual partnership with the 12th Regiment of the Royal Thai Army,” said Col. Shaun Hodge, commander, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. “We see it as a chance to nurture the relationship and build better friendships.”
“The next big events coming this year include a cyber security exchange with the Malaysian Air Force, Keris Strike Exercise and a Malaysia military senior leader visit,” said Andres. “We do a lot of great work and will hopefully be able to add a third member to our team soon.”
Along with the traditional subject matter exchanges with the partner countries, the 10th Civil Support Team recently conducted a subject matter exchange with eight pacific countries in Hawaii as part of a radiation/decontamination exchange. The Deputy The partnerships have been a success – and reason to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Director of Joint Force Headquarters, Lt. Col. Tammy Brathovde, recently spent a week of the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program this month. Established in Idaho as part of a Homeland Assistance, Disaster response exchange with SPP in 1993 with three Baltic nations after the fall of the Soviet Union, the State Partnership partners from 12 countries, including Malaysia and Thailand. Program now manages 74 security cooperation relationships worldwide. “The State Partnership Program is a small foot print, unique model that provides a high impact, low cost theater engagement for the combatant commands,” said Gen. (Ret) Frank Grass, former Director, National Guard Bureau in 2015. In 2018, the Washington National Guard has seen its partnerships flourish, both overseas and in Washington. Two major exercises, Bersama Warrior (Malaysia) and Cobra Gold (Thailand), brought Guardsmen and their respective counterparts together for staff level exercises. “Exercises like Bersama Warrior and Cobra Gold build familiarization and cooperation between our members and our partners,” said Brig. Gen. Jeremy “Java” Horn, commander, Washington Air National Guard and Director of the Joint Staff. “Training together allows us to create enduring relationships.” Similar to staff exercises, the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team has held numerous subject matter exchanges with their Thai counterparts, including a three day exchange in April that included a day on the range and training observation. Photos by Spc. Alec Dionne, Stories by Spc. Alec Dionne and Mr. Joseph Siemandel
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Washington helping Hawaii’s volcano response Washington IMT
By Steven Friederich
heads to
Hawaii
for volcano response, as
EMD
program coordinator returns
Washington’s volcano program coordinator had the chance to spend five days in Hawaii, observing the erupting Kilauea volcano, just as a new six-person team is being dispatched to continue operations. Brian Terbush, who helps with preparedness activities for Washington Emergency Management Division’s volcano program, said he spent the time working out of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Hawaii.
“Our state has enormous volcanic threats and this was a great opportunity to get handson experience working in an EOC, which is responding to an active volcano threat,” Terbush said. “We have a lot we can learn from this.” On Friday, Washington EMD’s Logistics Division also received a call for more help from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency under the national Emergency Management Assistance Compact. A six-person support team, comprised half of employees from the state Department of Health and half from the state Department of Corrections, have responded to the call for help. The six-person Washington Incident Management team will conduct EOC operations to facilitate continuity of operations, planning and logistics at the Hawaii County Emergency Operations Center in Hilo for the current eruption of the Kilauea Volcano. The team travels June 26, reports to work June 27 and is expected to travel home on July 11. Hawaii is paying for the endeavor. Type 3 teams manage initial action, extended attack, or expanding incidents sometimes until transitional teams can arrive or until completion of the incident. Both the DOC and DOH team members have experience in type 3 events and incidents Washington state has responded in recent years to Emergency Management Assistance Compact requests for assistance in California, responding to wildfires, as well as to the East Coast for states facing hurricane threats. Terbush says he’d love to go back if they need his help again. Terbush said he also worked with staff from the Cascades Volcano Observatory, typically based out of Vancouver, Washington; but who were also on loan in Hawaii. 32 - EVERGREEN MAGAZINE VOL.III // ISSUE 2
“This is such a unique opportunity,” Terbush said. “I received a better idea for how a state EOC responds to a volcanic crisis, how they support the locals and respond to FEMA and work with other groups like USGS and Civil Defense in Hawaii. There’s especially a lot of work for such a geographically isolated event. We have a lot in common despite the different eruption sites. When our volcanoes erupt, there will be the same uncertainty in a timeline and a view from a distance and we’ll have to think about what would happen long into the future.”
Being Volcano Ready
Washington State has five major volcanoes in the Cascade Range – Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. Do you know what to do if one erupts?
All of this is happening as Washington state officials improve their own preparedness level for volcanoes here. Washington state has five major volcanoes in the Cascade Range – Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. On June 27, Terbush is hosting a tabletop exercise at Camp Murray with local, state and federal jurisdictions to talk about what would happen if Mount Rainier were to erupt. “We’re going to make sure all of our standard operating procedures are synced up,” Terbush said, noting that the exercise is about ensuring that not just scientists and first responders are in the loop on eruption notices, but the public at large, too. In October, a five-day, full scale exercise is also planned in Whatcom County involving a hypothetical Mount Baker eruption, which will look at administrative decisions, include a search and rescue exercise, how the area would respond to a lahar (a giant mudflow) and how to deal with recovery planning. The exercise comes on the tails of a similar one last year that looked at cross-border communications between Canada and the U.S. Terbush says if residents are worried about volcanoes in their own backyard, they should first know if their home is in the path of a potential lahar by contacting their local emergency management office or look up their Volcano Hazard Information Map via the state Department of Natural Resources. Residents can also sign up for notifications about their local volcanoes, courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey. More information about preparedness and our state’s volcanoes can be found at https://www.mil. wa.gov/volcano
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LT. COL. MIKE AKE
HOWARD O. SCOTT CITIZEN-SERVICE MEMBER OF THE YEAR While he’s most often seen in his Tacoma Police uniform, it’s his successful military career that earned Lt. Col. Mike Ake the prestigious Howard O. Scott Award. “I want to thank everyone that has been a mentor to me along the way,” said Ake. “It meant a lot to me.”
While building a stellar military career, Ake has served the people of Tacoma for more than 30 years on the police force. Today he is the Assistant Chief of Police, leading the Investigations Bureau, a position he was promoted into that role in late 2010. “No one represents Pierce County better, and the Guard,” said Col. Gerald Dezsofi, commander, 56th Theater Information Operation Group. “He is very engaged in the strategic mission of the Washington Army National Guard, both domestically and internationally.”
Story by Joseph Siema
A graduate of Spanaway High School, Ake has served his state and nation as a member of the military for more than 30 years. In 1987, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve and graduated from the Washington National Guard’s Officer Candidate School in 1995. He has served in a number of roles, and is currently the Joint Forces Headquarters J1 Policy Officer.
ndel
For 37 years the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce has presented a deserving citizen-soldier or airmen from Pierce County the award, named after a man who served the nation when called upon during World War II as part of “America’s Greatest Generation.” Mr. Scott returned to succeed as a banker, giving his time to community service organizations, trusting and enjoying in his belief that doing so is one’s responsibility.
Taking part in the National Guard State Partnership Program, Ake has traveled multiple times to the Kingdom Of Thailand to lead exercises, as well as teach incident command and response to Thai-counterparts. As a member of the Special Operations Detachment – Pacific he deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 and came home to continue both his stellar military and civilian careers. Between 2004 and 2006, he was part of the Department of Justice program, Weed and Seed, focusing on minority communities with the intent to establish trust and create open dialogue between disparaged communities and government services. Several community engagements were conducted, building a foundation to improve relationships by providing education to various demographics including at-risk youth. Through his innovation, a program was developed to reduce street level prostitution, diverting volunteer “Johns” from the court system along with applying their court fees to fund education and housing for prostitutes. From this direct exposure, participants learned how their actions impacted the crime rate in the community. Also, a plank member of the Tacoma Project Peace Initiative, efforts of the initiative led to better conversations and opportunities for the Tacoma Police Department to engage with all aspects of the community, reducing the barriers experienced in similar jurisdictions across the nation. From 2010-2017, Ake helped coordinate with local, regional, state and federal agencies to improve the Tacoma’s Homeland Security posture. He also helped spearhead grant opportunities to fund required equipment and training for these special teams. This included improving Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Marine Services Unit, Explosives Ordinance Detail (Bomb Squad) and other various specialty teams that are part of the Tacoma Police Department. An effective leader who motivates others to be their absolute best, many would say Ake is one of the finest citizen-soldiers in the Washington National Guard. All his endeavors represent his unparalleled dedication to the nation, this state and its citizens, plus those who call Tacoma home. He fully embodies the vision of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s ideal nominee for the Howard O. Scott Citizen Soldier of the Year.
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Malware Alert: tomorrow’s Soldiers educate cyber-security experts A soldier opens his laptop, and the attack begins. Spc. Sunia Laulile, Alpha Company, 156th Information Operations Battalion, 56th Theater Information Operations Group, types efficiently, shutting down the opposing system. Malware is installed, the system is crippled, the mission is a success. This was not a real world attack however, but an exercise at the International Collegiate Cyber Defense Invitational at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington, July 6, 2018. Washington Army National Guard soldiers from the 56th Theater Information Operations Group, Joint Force Headquarters, and Headquarters and Headquarters Compny, 181st Brigade Support Battalion, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, were invited to the exercise to help train the nation’s next generation of cyber security professionals. “Our team did extremely well. They showed how the security flaws in computer systems and networks can be exploited,” said Capt. Sameer Puri, 56th Theater Information Operations Group.
The soldiers acted as the opposing force during the invitational, and students acted as the network’s defenders. Students were graded on how well they protected their computer systems from the soldiers’ cyber-attacks. At the end of each iteration, the soldiers and students came together to discuss how to better improve their response to the attacks.
By Spc. Alec Dionne
This is valuable training for Guard soldiers too. “We have more freedom of execution here,” Laulile said. Events like these give cyber-professional soldiers the operational freedom to practice their skills in real time, similar to a live-fire exercise. They get to break the mold and experiment with new ways to disrupt a computer network. “Cyber Exercises like ICCDI helped to build better cyber resilience and enhances the mutual cooperation between the Washington National Guard and academia in the field of cyber security,” Puri said.
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GUARDSMAN TEST SKILLS AT BEST
As the starting gun goes off, 100 Rangers sprint from the start line to tackle their first objective – a 10-mile run. For the next 60 hours straight, they compete to become one of the U.S. Army’s Best Rangers. Among the competitors is Spc. Jan Wolfisberg, Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment. “I was one of the youngest competitors and just a specialist,” said Wolfisberg. “A lot of the NCOs that competed have 10 to 15 years of experience and I am here with less than a year of experience, it was a great feeling.”
COMPETITION Story by Joseph Siemandel
For 35 years, Rangers from across the Army have traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia, putting their skills to the test against others for the chance to be the very best. In November 2017, an open tryout letter was sent to Infantry units across the country. The goal is to find the best National Guard Rangers to fill teams to compete at the Best Ranger Competition. “I had just returned from airborne school in October and my commander told me to try out,” said Wolfisberg. “I didn’t know if I could make it, but I put my name on the list.” In December, the Lynden, Washington resident and Washington State University alumnus, flew back to Fort Benning and tested for the opportunity to represent the Guard in the Best Ranger Competition. “There were guys more experienced than I was, but in the end I was selected to represent the National Guard,” said Wolfisberg. In January, Wolfisberg joined his fellow selectees to train up for the competition. “It was a great experience,” he said. “We trained every day, non-stop, day after day. We probably shot like 3,000 rounds during the two months, but it was the best training I had ever received.” On April 13, Wolfisberg found himself standing alongside 99 other Rangers, waiting for the start gun to sound. “The competition is so great. Guard, Active Duty, it didn’t matter, we are all on the same level,” he said. Through the first 13 hours of competition, Wolfisberg and his teammate, Sgt. Jordy Brewer, Kentucky National Guard, were 33rd out of 54 teams and facing elimination at the end of the first day. “We knew at the start of the ruck march we had to make up ground because only the top 24 teams advanced to day two,” said Wolfisberg. During the 14-mile ruck march, Wolfisberg and Brewer began chipping away, passing teams in the night on the road. “Every time one of us started to get tired, we pushed the other to keep going,” said Wolfisberg. “We knew we had to keep going.” As the duo crossed the finish line just before 1 a.m., they had made up enough time to be sitting in 18th position and continue competing. “It was such a great feeling,” he said. “The ruck march was the most difficult event of the whole competition.” At the start of the second day, Wolfisberg and Brewer fought through exhaustion and hunger, finishing three events, and remaining in 18th place before the number of contenders were cut down for another round. Wolfisberg and Brewer were the second highest placing National Guard team. Spc. Jan Wolfisberg assigned to the Army National Guard, exit Victory Pond at Fort Benning, during the Victory Pond swim event of the 2018 Best Ranger Competition April 13, 2018. The David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition is an annual event in its 35th iteration to determine the top-performing two-person Ranger team from units across the Army as well as sister services. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick A. Albright)
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From being a recent Ranger school graduate to one of the Army’s best in less than a year, Spc. Wolfisberg remains humble and positive about the future. “I want to try again next year, and recommend anyone that wants to try out to do it,” said Wolfisberg. “The National Guard teams are always looking for great Ranger qualified members to try out and represent the Guard.”
GUARDSMAN COMPLETES JOURNEY TO CITIZENSHIP
“Becoming a citizen is great because it’s going to help me and my family,” Morales said. “I’m also going to be able to vote and have the rights that all Americans have.” Morales, a supply specialist, is part of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Kent. His hard work and initiative immediately drew the attention of his incoming commander, Capt. Jordan Villeneuve. Villeneuve worked a lot with Morales during his change of command inventory and was shocked to learn that he was not yet a U.S. citizen.
“He came across as just another member of the team,” ailing mother, who suffers from arthritis, Morales was still Villeneuve said. “He was doing his part and pulling his own dreaming of returning to finish his degree but was strugweight, which was awesome.” gling with how to pay for it. That’s when he discovered the National Guard. Getting his citizenship puts a cap on a journey that began for Morales in 2012. “I looked at the [regular] Army but they typically decide where you are going to go next. The same thing with the Morales, a Nicaraguan native, was in school to earn a deother active services,” Morales said. gree in construction management and traveled frequently to visit his mother who lives here in Washington. But the But only the Washington National cost of so much travel was proving to be too much. Guard offered him the stability of remaining in the state of “At one point, I said that this is a lot of money going back Washington as well as and forth,” Morales said. “So I decided to stay here and choosing his career – work.” unit supply specialist. After working for a couple years and taking care of his
“That’s what this is all about – being a part of a team regardless of what your background is,” Villeneuve said.
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By Jason Kriess
Standing in a room filled with family, friends and colleagues, 64 people raised their right hands and swore an allegiance to the United States of America to become naturalized citizens at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Seattle, Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Among those was Pfc. Aquiles R. Morales Centeno, a member of the Washington National Guard.
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THE NATION’S BEST Master Sergeant Dawn C. Kloos was selected as the Air National Guard’s 2018 Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year.
Kloos, who served as a first sergeant with the 225th Air Defense Group, Western Air Defense, Washington Air National Guard, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was selected from among the finest of her specially designated counterparts for the award. Her passion for mentoring airmen, fortitude and strength when helping others deal with adversity, critical thinking skills and ability to connect and relate to her airmen has set her apart among her peers. “I absolutely never thought I would receive this honor,” Kloos said. “This honor means so much to me. I’ve always felt like I was a hard worker in my career and in my life. I have dreams and hopes and aspirations of being a chief. That’s something I can use S.M.A.R.T [specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely] goals to attain. Attaining the honor of being OAY is something I never thought I could do.” A warfighting force enabler, Kloos deployed three airmen to two areas of responsibility, providing resources to separated families and contingency operations. Kloos also created a digital tracker for over 45 crucial family care plans covering three separate units increasing Department of Defense compliance by 50 percent. She co-authored the sector’s first ever sexual assault workshop and instructed first sergeant symposiums, authoring and facilitating realistic counseling scenarios for over 60 attendees. “To be completely honest, I’ve worked very hard this year but I don’t believe it’s about me,” Kloos asserted. “I believe that it’s about the team that we have at the Western Defense Sector and the 225th Air Defense Group. I don’t feel that it’s any specific act that I did. It’s about the team and we have a great team.” Kloos has over 20 years of military service under her belt and served as an active duty Airman and a Reservist before joining the Guard. Kloos has served in finance, personnel and as a first sergeant in both the Air Force Reserve and the Guard. She recently cross-trained back into the personnel career field. Kloos has always been intentional about her career path and pulls from her diverse background and experiences to connect with her Airmen. “I consider myself a total force airman,” Kloos said. “I have been in the military for 21 years. Leaving active duty was the hardest decision I have made professionally. I joined the Reserves because we [active duty] play with them all of the time so it was an easy transition.” Her husband is active duty in the United States Army and
Kloos was able to serve in the Reserve component at the units where he was stationed. After relocating from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii and then back to McChord, her command chief at the time suggested she consider the Guard. “I reached out to a past coworker of mine who was in the Guard right here at the 225th Air Defense Group and she just started sending me jobs,” Kloos recalled. “That’s what brought me into the Washington Air National Guard.” Kloos is very adamant that her amazing leadership team and wingmen are the true driver of her success. She credits them for helping her get through the day to day life of a first sergeant. “We have a great leadership team. I have great commanders who I work for, I have a ton of superintendents, additional duty first sergeants and a lot of great of NCO’s and officers who have helped me every single day,” Kloos said, her sincerity apparent in her tone. One example of how Kloos has navigated the stresses of being a first sergeant is when she had the task of coordinating Red Cross emergency notifications for three families, organizing over $900 in grants along with overseas travel and low-cost lodging.
Story by Staff Sgt. Rana Franklin, National Guard Bureau
MASTER SGT DAWN C. KLOOS NAMED AIR NATIONAL GUARD OUTSTANDING FIRST SERGEANT OF THE YEAR “As a first sergeant working here, it’s a lot of work and a lot of stress mentally and emotionally,” Kloos stated. “I couldn’t have gotten through each and every day without my team. I thank them each and every day for helping take care of the members here.” Her sights set on becoming a chief, Kloos is making the most of her newly-broadened access to ANG senior leadership. “I want to go to the conferences and bring back all of the knowledge I gain to Washington state enlisted members,” Kloos said with excitement. “I have a mission I want to accomplish that will have great benefit to everyone.” “Sometimes installations that we are a part of, we see the small, minute part of our installation and our small mission and we don’t see the big issues that are going on within the bases and get to interact with our senior leadership,” she said. Kloos’ career has not been met without adversity. Kloos was a victim of Hurricane Katrina. “I lost everything. The one thing that was very important to me (during Hurricane Katrina) was that I was in the Air Force at that time,” Kloos said. “The Air Force brought in clothes for us to wear, they provided shelter and they provided food. So had I not been in the Air Force at that time I would have had nothing. The Air Force provided that stability for me and my family and took care of me. I’m so grateful for that and for the Air Force for doing that” Kloos pours herself into her airmen and utilizes every aspect of her life and career to help push them towards success. She looked on soberly when reflecting on her experience during Hurricane Katrina. Then she smiled and began to speak on her experiences talking with new enlistees. “That’s the story I tell my airmen, of Katrina,” Kloos reflected. “The Air Force provides for us and we serve them.” MIL.WA.GOV VOL III // ISSUE 2 - 39
Infantrymen from 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry run through an Individual Movement Techniques Lane with a “Storm Trooper” at the 2018 Washington State Toy and Fest at the Puyallup Fairground on July 1, 2018.
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Photo by Sgt David Carnahan