REFERRAL PROGRAM
One Enlistment Earns New Hampshire National Guard Recruiting Ribbon
Two Enlistments Earns An Engraved KA-BAR
Soldier With Most Referrals Earns Choice Of Approved Army School
VOL. 2, NO. 3
NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIONAL GUARD LEADERSHIP
TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE TO THE FORCE: HIGH NOTES
4
NH GUARD ANNOUNCES STATE PARTNERSHIP WITH CABO VERDE
5 6-8 9
SHOOT BETTER PEASE NAMES KC-46 JETS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTIES, TOWNS The Honorable Chris Sununu
Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities
PEASE AIR SHOW A SOARING SUCCESS
10-13
Governor of New Hampshire
Adjutant General of the N.H. National Guard
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARD SNAPSHOTS
14-19
HOW 9/11 CHANGED THE NH NATIONAL GUARD
20-21
Brig. Gen. John LeBlanc Commander of the N.H. Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Jed French Commander of the N.H. Air National Guard
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN MAGAZINE STAFF
RADAR OPERATORS TRAIN AT NORTHERN STRIKE
22
A BETTER FIT
23
Lt. Col. Greg Heilshorn | Director of Public Affairs Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston | Editor CONTRIBUTING UNITS • 114th Public Affairs Detachment, N.H. Army National Guard
Cover Photo: Pvt. Jordan Graham of the NHARNG’s Recruit Sustainment Program prepares for basic training on the obstacle course at the Regional Training Site in Center Strafford last July. Photo by Sgt. Brianna Passi, NHARNG Recruiting and Retention NCO.
• 603d Public Affairs Detachment, N.H. Army National Guard • 197th Field Artillery Brigade Public Affairs, N.H. Army National Guard • 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs, N.H. Air National Guard • Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, N.H. National Guard The New Hampshire Guardsman Magazine is a joint publication for soldiers and airmen serving in the N.H. National Guard, as well as their families and retirees. The New Hampshire Guardsman Magazine is produced by the State Public Affairs Office. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily the official views of the departments of the Army and Air Force, or the State of New Hampshire. All photos are the property of the N.H. National Guard unless otherwise credited.
Your NH Guard Podcast
Facebook.com/ NHMinutemen
@NHNationalGuard
@NHNationalGuard
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 4
MESSAGE TO THE FORCE: HIGH NOTES
To the Soldiers, Airmen, and Civilian Employees of the NHNG, We ended FY 21 on a thunderous note. The Pease air show, the first in a decade, drew a larger crowd than July’s NASCAR weekend at NH Motor Speedway. More than 70,000 visitors attended the two-day spectacle held on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. It was a remarkable feat duly timed to remember the victims and heroes of that tragic day when terrorists struck at the very heart of our democracy. We solidified our connection with local communities by naming each of 157th Air Refueling Wing’s new KC-46 refuelers after the state’s 10 counties, the town of Newington and the city of Portsmouth. The ceremony capped a hugely successful weekend thanks to the Wing and especially show co-chairs Maj. Shannon Van Splunder and Capt. Jake Ricciotti. Six thousand miles away, an infantry team from Mountain Company was temporarily assigned to a security detail at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul while the last of our military departed Afghanistan. The withdrawal officially ended a war ignited by those attacks two decades ago. Our obligation in the Middle East, however, is far from over. Mountain Company is on the final leg of a nine-month security mission in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar where a portion of the unit also assisted in the evacuation of Afghan refugees. They’re joined by more than 100 airmen from the 157th ARW stationed throughout the region to include Djibouti, Iraq, Jordan, Niger, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Eastward, Alpha Company, 1/169th Aviation Regiment continues to support the long-running NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. Closer to home, 11 airmen are stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ helping to in-process Afghan refugees under Operation Allies Refuge. After a year of supporting the Southwest Border Mission, Task Force West Sentinels are scheduled to redeploy later this month. NH looks forward to the return of the 45 soldiers from the 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion, who comprised the task force headquarters, which has been responsible for multiple units operating across a 330-mile stretch of border from California to Arizona. As we begin a new training year, our first priority as an organization is to be 100% vaccinated. Per an August 24 directive from the Secretary of Defense, all service members are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Only two exceptions, medical and religious, will be considered. Beginning with October drill, all unvaccinated soldiers and airmen will be scheduled to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine with a follow-on shot set for November drill. Timelines
and disciplinary action for those who refuse the vaccine vary by service. Specific guidance has been published and shared by the chain of command. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your unit first sergeant. Currently, 72% of the NHANG and 64% of the NHARNG are fully vaccinated. Over the past two years, more has been asked of the Guard than at any other time in our nation’s history. We have risen to every challenge, exceeded all expectations and performed above reproach. The worst of the pandemic seems behind us, but we cannot rest on our laurels. Reported cases of COVID-19 are trending up again, and emerging variants pose a new threat. We need to do everything within our means to protect ourselves and our families so if called upon, we can respond with same professionalism and grace our citizens have come to expect and appreciate. I’ve said this many times before, but it truly has been an honor to serve alongside such an outstanding collection of men and women who remain so focused on the greater good. You represent the best of our state and nation. Thank you for your dedication and commitment. Sincerely, Major General David Mikolaities Adjutant General New Hampshire National Guard
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 5
NH GUARD ANNOUNCES STATE PARTNERSHIP WITH CABO VERDE By Lt. Col. Gregory Heilshorn, NHNG Director of Public Affairs CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire National Guard has been selected as the new state partner for the Republic of Cabo Verde, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa. Under the auspices of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program (SPP), New Hampshire was chosen after a months-long, highly competitive selection process involving several other states. “This is great news for New Hampshire,” Gov. Chris Sununu said. “We are safer as a state and country with strategic partnerships across the globe. Our citizens can rest assured that the men and women of the NHNG are the best of the best, providing leadership, security, and knowledge here and abroad.” Beginning 28 years ago as an initiative to assist countries emerging from behind the Iron Curtain, the SPP now involves 83 or one-third of the world’s countries and the National Guard of every U.S. state and territory. Most of the earliest SPP countries in Europe have become U.S. allies in NATO. Many credit their National Guard state partners with helping make that possible. Cabo Verde, a seven-hour flight from Boston, represents New Hampshire’s second state partnership country. Since 2000, the NHNG and El Salvador have forged one of the program’s most enduring and successful alliances. “We have the experience and knowledge to build a strong partnership with Cabo Verde,” said NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities. “Beyond the shared benefits for Cabo Verde and New Hampshire, we have an opportunity to play a strategic role helping to maintain stability in the region.” NHNG’s application packet for Cabo Verde included letters of support from New Hampshire’s congressional delegation as well as from other key stakeholders. “The National Guard Bureau’s selection of the NHNG to add Cabo Verde in the SPP is deserved recognition of the NHNG’s extraordinary reputation as a leader in the National Guard community,” said U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This new relationship will provide NH guardsmen with valuable experience working with our Cabo Verdean partners to combat transnational organized crime networks and provide unique opportunities to employ the 157th Air Refueling Wing’s new KC-46 tankers. I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen relations between our two countries.” U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) said the SPP “helps build cooperation and capabilities in our interconnected world, a
commonsense, cost-effective program that has helped ensure U.S. readiness at home and abroad.” As former governors, both Shaheen and Hassan were integral in the formation and growth of NH’s state partnership program. “This partnership will help provide for our national defense while continuing to facilitate engagement with partner nations,” Hassan said. “Granite Staters have a proud history of representing our country on the global stage, and this partnership will build on that legacy,” Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) said. “As a state partner, the NHNG will help improve the efficacy of Cabo Verdean Armed Forces while building important bonds of friendship.” “I’m pleased the NHNG will work with the Republic of Cabo Verde as their state partner moving forward,” Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) said. “This strategic partnership will support our national security by building lasting alliances and ensuring our two countries can work alongside each other to counter transnational organized crime operations. I’m grateful for the role the NHNG plays in keeping our communities safe, and look forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring our state.” Cabo Verde, “Green Cape” in Portuguese (the country’s official language), is home to just over a half million people who live on 10 volcanic islands. Located about 300 miles off the coast of Senegal, the archipelago was settled in the 15th century by Portuguese traders. Cabo Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Since the early 1990s, Cabo Verde’s government has been a stable, representative democracy. The country’s economy is mostly service-oriented. Its military, the Cabo Verdean Armed Forces, consists of a National Guard and Coast Guard. Its primary mission has been combating international drug trafficking.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 6
The Other Guys pose with the Remington Centennial Trophy after winning the adjutant general’s annual combat marksmanship “TAG match” held July 8 - 11 at Fort Devens, Mass. The squad bested 14 NHNG teams of soldiers and airmen in various pistol, rifle and shotgun events. From left is Capt. Patrick Randall of the 941st Military Police Battalion; and Staff Sgt. Nathan Huntley, Sgt. Cameron Douglas and Sgt. Matthew Proulx of the 237th Military Police Company. Randall also finished as the match’s top overall shooter.
SHOOT BETTER Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO The New Hampshire National Guard held its annual combat marksmanship match July 8 – 11 at Fort Devens, Mass.
different shooting positions and quick reloads to engage targets for score.
Soldiers and airmen competed in various team and individual small-arms events, undaunted by torrential rain that belted the region as Tropical Storm Elsa passed through.
“The biggest part of this match is for soldiers to build confidence in themselves and their equipment and their ability to engage targets at various distances under stressful conditions,” said Maj. Brooks Hayward, match director.
“This is what it’s about,” said NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities, one of 75 shooters. “It’s a warrior ethos.” Informally known as the adjutant general’s match, it promotes marksmanship proficiency and provides guardsmen the opportunity to test weapons skills in a battle-focused environment. They fired standard-issue M16 rifles or M4 carbines at ranges up to 500 yards. Matches also featured Berretta M9 or SIG M17 pistols at distances up to 30 yards. Combat gear, including Kevlar helmets and load-bearing vests, were required kit. Courses of fire varied. Some required running,
Organizers added a surprise mystery event, which entailed a unique array of weaponry. Competitors peppered targets with Vietnam Era M14s, toppled bowling pins with M26 shotguns and hurled axes at wooden bullseyes. Fourteen teams from units across the state, including Soup, No Friends, Orangutags and the Dust Bunnies blazed through thousands of rounds while vying for top-squad honors. Once barrels cooled, The Other Guys proved victorious and that just like in the Mark Wahlberg comedy film, peacocks can
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 7
indeed fly. The all-military police team included Capt. Patrick Randall of the 941st MP Battalion, and Staff Sgt. Nathan Huntley, Sgt. Cameron Douglas and Sgt. Matthew Proulx of the 237th MP Company. Individual honors went to Randall, who finished as overall champion (open category), and Sgt. Austin Rosende of 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, who finished as top novice. The state’s newest top gun says there’s nothing quite like going head-to-head against the best. “When you’re training on the range, it’s a great way to diagnose deficiencies and find improvements that you need to make,” Randall said. “But competition is the best way to increase your skillset compared to other shooters, so it’s by competing you’ll become a better shooter.” Randall suggested that future competitors try visualization in addition to practicing sound fundamentals. “Learn those courses of fire and study them so you don’t have to focus on listening to the instructions when you’re on the range,” Randall said. “Shoot the course of fire in your head 70 times before you actually shoot it, just like an athlete does.” A lot of work behind the scenes made this year’s match a success. Hayward, Sgt. 1st Class David Musso, Staff Sgt. Wayne Comtois and Staff Sgt. Joseph Wyner headed a crew of about 30 soldiers who worked long hours organizing events, setting up targets, issuing ammunition, tabulating scores and ensuring range safety. “I hope everyone had a good time,” said Wyner, deputy match director. “We put a lot of time into this to give shooters a new look at marksmanship events.” New Hampshire Guardsmen interested in competing are strongly encouraged to attend next year. “It doesn’t matter what your experience level is,” Hayward said, “It doesn’t matter how confident you are. Just come out here and try it. You will have a great time.”
NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities congratulates Capt. Patrick Randall of the 941st Military Police Battalion after his first-place finish in the NHNG’s annual combat marksmanship “TAG match” held July 8 - 11 at Fort Devens, Mass. Randall won several events, including the prestigious Excellence in Competition (EIC) rifle and pistol matches.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 8
Staff Sgt. Dean Van Tassel of A Battery, 3-197th Field Artillery Brigade, fires an M17 pistol during the NHNG annual combat marksmanship competition July 8 at Fort Devens, Mass. Van Tassel finished fourth of 75 competitors, earning the coveted Governor's Twenty tab for the top 20 percent of shooters. His squad of four guardsmen, "Full Send," finished 6th of 14 teams.
NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities hurls a hatchet downrange during the NHNG's annual combat marksmanship competition July 10 at Fort Devens, Mass. The four-day match featured 14 teams and 75 individual marksmen competing in various pistol, rifle, shotgun and even hatchet-throwing events.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 9
PEASE NAMES KC-46 JETS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTIES, TOWNS By Senior Master Sgt. Timm Huffman, 157th ARW Public Affairs Superintendent In a ceremony held during the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show on Sept. 12, the 157th Air Refueling Wing named it’s 12 KC-46A Pegasus aircraft after New Hampshire counties and towns.
The names of the 12 jets are as follows: • Spirit of Coos County
Representatives from the 10 counties and two towns were on hand for the ceremony, after which, they were provided a tour of the aircraft and presented a plaque commemorating the occasion.
• Spirit of Grafton County
Speaking at the ceremony were Maj. Gen. Laurie Farris, the Air National Guard advisor to the Air Mobility Command commander, and Col. John Pogorek, the 157th Air Refueling Wing commander.
• Spirit of Merrimack County
Pease is the first Air National Guard to receive the KC-46 and the first Air Force unit to receive its full complement of airframes. Farris said Pease has been recognized by AMC for leading the way for the Pegasus mission and bringing its unique warfighting capability to bear. She praised the community for their support in making that possible.
• Spirit of Strafford County
“What a big difference this makes to these 12 [aircraft] tails lined up on this ramp with all of your names on them; we wouldn’t be here without you,” Farris said. “You’ve been there every step of the way, and I want to thank you for that.”
• Spirit of Newington
Pogorek also praised the community for the integral role it has played in the wing’s mission as it made the conversion from the KC-135 to the KC-46 over the past several years.
• Spirit of Carroll County • Spirit of Sullivan County
• Spirit of Belknap County
• Spirit of Rockingham County • Spirit of Hillsborough County • Spirit of Portsmouth
• Spirit of Cheshire County The KC-46 is needed to maximize full-spectrum readiness, one of AMC’s strategic priorities, and generate credible capacity to Project the Joint Force anywhere in the world. The KC-46 reached its second Interim Capability Release milestone in August and is certified to refuel a variety of platforms, including the B-52, C-17, F-35, and the F-22.
The 157th Air Refueling Wing names their 12 new KC-46 aircraft in honor of the 10 counties of New Hampshire and the two towns adjacent to the base, at Pease Air National Guard Base on Sept. 12. Col. John Pogorek, 157th Wing Commander, said the citizens of New Hampshire and their continued support and involvement were essential to bring the Air Force’s newest tanker to Pease. Photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Nelson, 157th ARW Public Affairs.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 10
PEASE AIR SHOW A SOARING SUCCESS By Staff Sgt. Courtney Rorick, 114th Public Affairs Detachment NCOIC White smoke streamed from the tails of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as thousands of spectators gazed skyward during the 2021 Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show and Open House, Sept. 11-12. An estimated 81,000 civilians, volunteers and military personnel enjoyed the two-day event that included aerial performances, static displays, and interactive events with New Hampshire’s own National Guard. The event was hosted by the 157th Air Refueling Wing and came to fruition after two years of planning on the part of New Hampshire’s only Air National Guard base and its community partners. Their
goal: bring the community and military members together, while creating an amazing show. “We really appreciate our community and we’re really excited to share this event with them,” said Col. John Pogorek, commander of the 157th ARW. “It’s really great to be able to showcase our military and show our citizens what our Guardsmen do.” The 157th last hosted an air show more than a decade ago, in 2007. “Air shows are here to inspire children to be a part of their community, invest in their community, and we are able to show them that by giving them hands on
Crowds converge on various display aircraft at the 2021 Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base on Sept. 12. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
opportunities here,” said Maj. Shannon Van Splunder, event director. “We get to invite the community through our gates and make personal connections with them.” She added the event would not be possible without community support. Army National Guard, active-duty personnel, reservists, Navy sailors, state police and civilian volunteers worked together to plan and assist with the experience. “The air show grants us the opportunity to connect the citizens of New Hampshire and we are grateful for that,” said Col. Todd Swass, vice wing commander. “This is a true partnership and they support us
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
every day, so it’s nice to be able to host them here.” He added that he feels overwhelming gratitude for the invaluable support the community offers as employers, families, and more, to the Guard. Under crystal-blue, summer skies, attendees were treated to more than 30 static aircraft on display. In the air, they were treated to aerial performances by demonstrators that included both the Air Combat Command F-22A Raptor and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration teams. It was also the first time a KC-46A Pegasus flew at an air show. The crowd cheered as the pilots of each aircraft elegantly displayed their aerial ability throughout the multi-day event. “This show was absolutely awesome,” said Michael Bailey, a native of Richmond, NH. “Seeing how passionate the guys we talk to are about serving is truly impressive.” Bailey attended with his wife and two sons. “We were able to go to one of the planes named after Cheshire County, which is the county we are from, which was very cool,” added Bailey. “The crew was excellent at explaining everything, especially to the kids.”
PAGE 11
The show had more to offer than airplanes. Inside the base’s newly remodeled hangar, a number of community groups displayed interactive STEM exhibits, allowing children and adults the opportunity to explore science and technology careers available in New Hampshire. “This program is exceptionally important to me,” said Pogorek. “I am most excited about this being here and sharing this with everyone.” He added that, with New Hampshire’s population being the second oldest in the country, this program is inherently important to growth and opportunity throughout the state. “When you can introduce the interests that spark that excitement in young people, and tie it in to the base, it’s a winwin,” said Pogorek. “Hearing the hopes and dreams they have is inspiring for us all.” The wing also held two special observances over the course of the weekend. On Saturday, the wing unveiled a stainless steel sculpture of the World Trade Center to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In his remarks during the ceremony, Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities, the adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard, recalled the legacy of the Guard’s response on that day. “We began deploying soldiers and airmen in an unrelenting pursuit of those responsible,” said Mikolaities. “Grief is not the legacy of 9/11, our legacy is how this country responded to adversity. Here at Pease the response was almost immediate. The same night we were supporting combat air patrols in American airspace over what would soon become known as ground zero over New York and Washington D.C.” Following the ceremony, there was an enlistment event, during which a number of new airmen and soldiers completed their oath of enlistment into the military. Officers from the Thunderbirds were on hand to administer the oath. On Sunday morning, a ceremony was held to official name the 157th ARW’s new fleet of KC-46 aircraft. The planes were named after the 10 state counties and the cities of Portsmouth and Newington, New Hampshire, the base’s location. Pogorek spoke at the event and praised the community for the integral role it has played in the Wing’s mission as it made the conversion from the KC-135 to the KC-46 over the past several years. An estimated 80,000 attendees spent time at the base over the course of the weekend. Pogorek said he was pleased with how the event went and was excited the opportunity it provided the base to highlight the many missions, both state and federal, fulfilled by the New Hampshire National Guard. “Our airmen and soldiers are excited to show what they do,” said Pogorek. “They’re proud to serve here, they’re proud to serve overseas, and to share all of that with our fellow citizens is such a wonderful experience.”
PAGE 12
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
THUNDER OVER NEW HAMPSHIRE AIR SHOW On Sept. 11 – 12, an estimated 81,000 people visited Pease Air National Guard Base for a two-day air show hosted by the New Hampshire National Guard.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly above the tail of a 157th Air Refueling Wing KC-46A during the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show Sept. 12 at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire. Photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Nelson, 157th ARW Public Affairs.
The 157th Air Refueling Wing mascot, Pack, calls it a day after a busy weekend hosting the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show on Sept. 11 and 12 at Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington. Courtesy photo.
Tech. Sgt. Sam Mason and Staff Sgt. Leah Gosslin, boom operators for the 157th Air Refueling Wing, lead a tour of the KC-46 Pegasus during the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base on Sept. 11. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
PAGE 13
Spectators watch an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, land at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire on Sept. 11. The F-35s performed a low-level pass at the end of the national anthem, starting the air show for the day. Photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Queen, 157th ARW Public Affairs.
Jaxon Bertrand, a 7-year-old student from Vivian Hussey Elementary School in Berwick, Maine peers through the canopy of an A-10 Warthog during the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base on Sep. 12. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rick Frost, 603rd PAD NCOIC.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 14
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARD SNAPSHOTS ALL-TERRAIN SOLDIER Sgt. Pat McCormack and his father embrace during a graduation ceremony from U. S. Army Ranger School on Sept. 24 at Fort Benning, Georgia. McCormack, a supply sergeant with 54th Troop Command, graduated with Class 9-21, which completed a 61-day course in small-unit infantry combat tactics in woodland, mountain, and swamp operations. Courtesy photo.
MOPP 4 From left, Staff Sgt. Tim Huntley, a survey team chief with the 12th Civil Support Team, supervises Spc. Cordell Drabble of the 941st Military Police Battalion and Spc. Mehmet Tulunbike of the 744th Forward Support Company as they doff personal protective equipment Oct. 15 on Franklin Falls Dam flood-control land. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
HER BEST SHOT Pvt. Kaylynne Lafrance fires a paintball gun to practice aligning her sight picture as Drill Sergeant Cassandra Brown observes the target during Recruit Training Company drill Sept. 18 in Center Strafford. Photo by Sgt. Briana Passi, NHNG R&R Marketing NCO.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 15
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARD SNAPSHOTS
PIT BOSS Staff Sgt. Tom Blythe issues commands as the rifle range “Pit NCO” during the NHNG annual combat marksmanship competition July 8 at Fort Devens, Mass. Blythe was recognized by NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities during a post-match ceremony for his exemplary performance. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 16
100 DEGREES OF SEPARATION NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities and NHARNG State Command Sgt. Maj. William Ferland meet with Mountain Company soldiers during an overseas visit in September to the Middle East. The NHARNG infantrymen from C Company, 3rd of the 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) are deployed in support of ongoing security missions in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait where desert temperatures have been hovering near triple digits. Courtesy photo.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARD SNAPSHOTS
PURE BLISS
TAILGATOR
SMART MAP
Charlie Battery, 1st/103rd Field Artillery Regiment conducts a live fire with a M777 howitzer Sept. 18 at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Vermont. The NHARNG artillery unit fired 90 rounds during the one-day field exercise. It marks the battery’s third live-fire in the last year.
The NHARNG Recruit Training Company held its first Future Leaders TAG Cup on July 17 in Center Strafford. The competition consisted of an obstacle course, leader reaction drills, land navigation, first aid, fire survival and a few physical challenges such as a humvee push as demonstrated by Jay Alicea-Melendez.
Capt. Cory Dix of the 195th Regional Training Institute shows soldiers the route of a four-mile ruck march July 19 at the NHNG training site in Center Strafford. The ruck was part of a prep course for the U.S. Army Air Assault School. It included a two-mile run, obstacle course, knot tying, and sling load training. Twelve NH guardsmen are vied for a seat at the 10-day school, which qualifies soldiers for missions involving multipurpose transportation and assault helicopters.
Photo by Sgt. Mark Hayward, 197th FAB Public Affairs NCOIC.
UNFORGETTABLE HIKE
Photo by Sgt. Brianna Passi, NHARNG R&R Marketing NCO.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
Task Force West Sentinels gather at Eagle Rock along the Pacific Trail Crest in California to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The command and control element, 45 soldiers from the NHARNG’s 3643d Brigade Support Battalion, were deployed for the last year in support of the Southwest Border Mission. Photo courtesy of Sgt. 1st Class Bernard Hudgens, 3643d BSB.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
Airman 1st Class Victoria Moquin of the 157th Security Forces Squadron, New Hampshire Air National Guard, observes incoming visitors at an entry control point to the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show on Sept. 12 at Pease Air National Guard Base. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARD SNAPSHOTS
PEASE DEFENDER
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
ALL GOOD THINGS Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher St. Cyr and Col. Erik Fessenden, outgoing commander of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, display the brigade’s parting gift to Fessenden at his change of command ceremony Aug. 21 at the Edward Cross Training Center in Pembroke. Photo by Sgt. Mark Hayward, 197th FAB PA NCOIC.
ALONG THE BANKS OF THE PEMI Sgt. Lawrence Damour Jr. of the 12th Civil Support Team assists Spc. Cordell Drabble of the 941st Military Police Battalion adjust his personal protective equipment Oct. 15 on Franklin Falls Dam flood-control land. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
GOING OUT WITH A BANG Sgt. 1st Class Tara Wolfe-Fazekas admires a oneof-a-kind guidon presented by Sgt. Maj. Michael Thibodeau during her retirement ceremony Oct. 8 at Joint Force Headquarters in Concord. Wolfe-Fazekas was honored by family, friends and fellow soldiers after a 30-year career in the NHARNG. She served 25 years as an accomplished musician and readiness NCO for the 39th Army Band, and most recently as the senior human resources NCO for the 941st Military Police Battalion. Courtesy photo.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARD
SNAPSHOTS
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARD SNAPSHOTS
FRANKLIN FALLS DAM FIELD EXERCISE From left, Spc. Dusty Anderson and Spc. Jesse Tucker, fire control specialists with B Battery, 3-197th Field Artillery Regiment, erect a ground-based communications antenna Oct. 15 on Franklin Falls Dam flood-control land during annual training. About 200 NH guardsmen bivouacked off the banks of the Pemigewasset River for a 4-day field exercise. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO.
PAGE 19
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 20
HOW 9/11 CHANGED THE NH NATIONAL GUARD by Cassidy Jensen, reprinted courtesy of the Concord Monitor. Twenty years ago, retired Maj. Gen. John Blair was on a morning conference call with Gov. Jeanne Shaheen when the Department of Transportation Commissioner Carol Murray interrupted to tell them that a plane had struck the World Trade Center.
That Tuesday had begun with a Day of Caring at the hangar, as he sent people off to work on United Way projects like painting or mending a fence at a homeless shelter. Then, he declared the highest readiness level on the base.
A few days later, Blair, former adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard, was high above the still-smoking wreckage in a refueling plane piloted by his son, an Air Force Academy graduate.
“Amazingly, and quite proudly, we didn’t call anybody in but pretty soon folks showed up,” Martell said. By 11:30 p.m. that night, activated members of the New Hampshire National Guard were flying over New York City and Washington, D.C., acting as airborne refueling stations for the fighter jets on patrol in the air space.
“We’re over the city of New York. The towers are still burning,” Blair said. The Air Force fighter jets circling the city skies carried live munitions, not the typical training missiles painted blue. “To see ... live antiaircraft weapons hanging from American jets over the United States was really awakening to me. It was surreal.” The New Hampshire National Guard sprang into action immediately after the attacks, refueling fighter jets on patrol over New York City and Washington, D.C., securing important locations in the state and providing airport security. But the role of the Guard has also changed more significantly in the two decades since 9/11, as members take on more frequent and longer overseas deployments in active war zones. “The biggest way the National Guard has changed is we’re no longer a strategic reserve, we’re an operational force,” said Major General David Mikolaities, adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard. “We’re getting the funding now, because of the constant global war on terror and nearcontinuous deployments for the past 20 years, that the active component, you couldn’t do it without the National Guard, both Army and Air.” The country and the state has come to rely more on the National Guard, which acts as a combat reserve force for the U.S. Army and Air Force. The dual mission of National Guard members, the majority of whom are students or work full-time in civilian jobs, means that their skills as cooks, musicians and mechanics are put to use both in New Hampshire and overseas. Guard members train on the weekends and are activated when the state or country calls on them to deal with security threats or natural disasters. “Those same soldiers who are doing a search and rescue in the White Mountain National Forest are deploying every two, twoand-a-half to three years to the Middle East to provide that same kind of support in areas where there’s conflict,” Mikolaities said.
Flying over your own country Retired Colonel Dick Martell was commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease Air National Guard Base on 9/11, and now lives in Kensington. As Martell watched footage of the North Tower in flames, the pilot with decades of flying experience remembers thinking that there was no way that a small propellor plane had accidentally hit the tower, as news anchors were speculating.
Similar to Blair, Martell was on one of those refueling missions a few days later, watching the Towers still smoking down below. He had been a pilot for 20 years, but had never flown like that over his own country. “It just strikes right at your heart,” he said. “It’s your job to protect it. It puts your heart in your throat.” Senior Master Sergeant Alan Beaulieu of Manchester also flew in those refueling missions over New York, Washington D.C. and Boston. Participating in those missions, with some shifts between midnight and 4 a.m, helped Beaulieu channel his confusion and anger after the attacks. “I was in a position where I could do something about this,” he said. “That helped, being able to not just sit on the bench and watch.”
More frequent deployments Before the Sept. 11 attacks, a New Hampshire National Guard member could have a 20-year career without ever deploying overseas. Today, Guard members who have served that long have had at least one or two deployments, Mikolaities said. More than 3,300 N.H. Guardsmen have deployed overseas in support of combat and humanitarian missions since 9/11, said Lt. Col. Greg Heilshorn, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire National Guard. Martell was deployed first to Morón in Spain, where the military sent C17 planes into Kandahar in Afghanistan. “Before 9/11, I had 285 full-time folks and that number swelled to double that. We became, for the next 20 years, a non-stop deploying unit,” Martell said. Blair, who had served in Vietnam before joining the National Guard in the 1970s, said the Guard force he oversaw in 2001 has evolved. “We went from weekend warriors to an operational force that was regularly deployed with the same rotation rate as some active component people,” Blair said. Rotation rate refers to the length of time between deployments, which became shorter following 2001.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 21
A warm gathering of current and retired NH guardsmen share their memories of Sept. 11, 2001. That morning al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners to carry out attacks against the United States. Almost 3,000 people were killed setting in motion an extraordinary resolve from our nation and the world. From left, NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities, Senior Master Sgt. Alan Beaulieu, Col. (R) Dick Martell and Maj. Gen. (R) John Blair were interviewed today by WMUR’s Tim Callery for a special, hour-long report in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. It’s scheduled to air Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. Photo by NHNG Public Affairs.
Beaulieu, who was deployed to Qatar, said having community and employer support during his deployments was essential. “It’s important because when you’re deployed overseas, you’re away from your family. If the furnace breaks, who’s going to fix it?” he said. “You’re on the other side of the world. You can’t be worried about home.” He said he couldn’t go anywhere in uniform without someone buying him a coffee. “The support is a big deal, and it’s appreciated,” he said. National Guard members who served in the Middle East have closely watched the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan this summer. Some say they are disappointed, if not surprised, to see the Taliban takeover of the country. “I’m glad we’re out,” Martell said. “It’s sad, what’s going on, but it’s inevitable. Once we left, a country that’s been at war for decades...I wish it turned out better.” Blair said he is heartbroken and likening the withdrawal to Vietnam, where he served before joining the Guard. “Twenty years was long enough to be there, if they can’t take care of themselves, that’s one thing. But leave honorably,” he said. “There are so many military principles that I held that I was taught that were violated. You don’t leave tools of war to the enemy. If you can’t take them, you destroy them,” he added. The other key principle is getting civilians out before military personnel.
NH National Guard today In the two decades since 2001, the New Hampshire National Guard has responded to floods, ice storms and other disasters, including sending about 500 Guardsmen down to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. More recently, the Guard has spent the last year aiding the state in its response to the coronavirus. At the pandemic’s peak, about 788 soldiers and airmen were activated, performing tasks like contact tracing, vaccinations and helping out at state’s PPE warehouse. Infantrymen trained to dig foxholes tilled vegetable beds at the New Hampshire Food Bank, where the Guard’s cooks made meals for months. The pandemic has represented the longest activation for the New Hampshire Guard in its history for a domestic event, Heilshorn said. Demands on the Guard from the state and federal government have grown alongside public awareness of the Guard’s role in defending the country and fighting its wars. “We’re a Swiss utility knife,” Mikolaities said, useful for a variety of challenges. The modern threats that the New Hampshire National Guard is anticipating in the coming decades include worsening natural disasters, like ice storms and floods, and cyber attacks. “You don’t want to take anything for granted,” Mikolaites said. “It’s our responsibility to just be prepared.”
PAGE 22
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIONAL GUARD RADAR OPERATORS TRAIN AT NORTHERN STRIKE By Master Sgt. David Eichaker, Michigan National Guard Field artillery firefinder radar operators honed their skills to detect enemy fire during Northern Strike 21-2 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Grayling, Mich.
indirect fire and immediately send us a fire mission, giving it to my section who would disseminate it down to the battery that is munitions capable to fire on that target."
"We trained our soldiers with collecting and sending target data from the point of origin of enemy artillery down to the fire direction center," said 1st Lt. Garrett Dupre', platoon leader with the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire Army National Guard. "Fire direction center would take our target information and send that to friendly artillery, who could take out the enemy threat."
Indirect fire can come from beyond the horizon, making it difficult to detect how far away the enemy is. The radar has unique ranges that can help counter that.
The coordination involved networking between multiple units to respond to enemy fire. Radar operators can receive precision grid coordinates for optimal accuracy from an enemy artillery location, send that information digitally to fire control specialists (FCS) belonging to a field artillery unit through the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). The FCS would communicate to the field artillery and counter the enemy's attempt to attack friendly forces. "We operate firefinder radars, and our purpose is target acquisition for counter-battery fire," Dupre' said. "That means when an enemy artillery fires at us, our radar picks it up through the computer on board, calculates the point of origin where it was fired from, and predicts the intended point of impact."
"We can reach out to 50K in a 90-degree fan or a 60K in a narrower fan,” Dupre' said. "It can also do 360 degrees and pick up anything from any direction, but that has a much shorter range." The Michigan National Guard's largest joint forces, multinational exercise enabled units to gain additional training and experience. "A lot of things were learned as our soldiers with us are in new positions," said Childs. "All the leaders are new to the level of leadership they were given, and they were given time with their soldiers to learn how to lead —especially in the technical side of their role. Even to understand proper preparation as far as equipment comes to getting here and being successful."
"We can get down to a 10-digit grid coordinate, find the size of the projectile being fired, and project the type of weapon system that's firing it — a motor, a cannon or a rocket," he added. During Northern Strike, National Guard units integrated and enhanced digital communication with each other. The New Hampshire Guard members worked with soldiers from the West Virginia Army National Guard, who supported the AFATDS piece. "We came up here as guests with the 201st Field Artillery Battalion, West Virginia National Guard," said Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Childs, platoon sergeant with the 197th. "They never worked with us before, and we learned a lot from each other." "The Michigan National Guard contacted us to get digital communications running so the radar could talk to the AFATDS - FDC (fire direction center)," he said. This type of communications technology is beneficial in realworld situations. "Our systems coordinate fires digitally across the battalion," said Army Capt. Tyler La Vay, battalion field direction officer 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment, West Virginia Army National Guard. "In war, radar operators would see direct or
Soldiers with the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire Army National Guard, set up their AN/TPQ-53 Firefinder Radar during Northern Strike 21, Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 8. Photo by 1st Lt. Garrett Dupre’, 197th Field Artillery Brigade.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
PAGE 23
A BETTER FIT Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO For New Hampshire Army Guardsmen, physical fitness isn’t an option. Soldiers must train year-round for annual strength, cardiorespiratory and bodyweight tests to ensure operational readiness. But for those needing extra help with their regimen, a little expert advice can’t hurt. Enter Heather Taylor, a civilian dietician with the state’s wellness program. She was hired a year ago this month to help the NHARNG address readiness and retention issues with guardsmen who struggle to meet the Army’s strict height/weight standards. “I’m basically here to educate and help people work on their goals for meeting their weight requirements,” Taylor said. Additionally, Guard leadership hopes Taylor’s expertise will help soldiers pass the new Army Combat Fitness Test—a demanding combination of events which includes deadlifts, pushups, running and weighted sled drags. “Nutrition is a key component to a soldier’s overall health, readiness, and ability to sustain the fight,” said Col. Richard Oberman, program director. “You put the right type of fuel in your vehicle to ensure it runs and does not leave you on the side of the road, so everyone should reach out to Ms. Taylor to understand the right mix of food to fuel their bodies for maximum performance.” At Taylor’s disposal is a cutting-edge body composition scanner, a faster and more efficient method than a hand-held measuring tape. The 3D imager enables clients to compare changes from visit to visit. “Seeing [body] composition change is encouraging,” Taylor said.
“Heather is approachable, knowledgeable, compassionate, openminded, funny, and most importantly, non-judgmental,” Maxner said. “This is someone who genuinely wants to help every soldier she can, so why not let her help you?” Like she helped Staff Sgt. Steve Prewitt of the 941st Military Police Battalion. “Heather helped me to understand that I needed my family involved and aware of my fitness goals,” said Prewitt, down 17 pounds in five months. “She has even met with my spouse to discuss our meal planning and dietary needs.” Taylor’s dietary advice helped Prewitt complete the Norwegian Foot March, a grueling 18.6-mile fitness event, to earn the coveted foreign award. But Taylor is just a guide. Real change begins and ends with each individual. “You have to come up with your solutions and your own ideas, and we’ll see if that’s really matching what your goal is,” Taylor said. “That’s kind of my approach. Some people are like, ‘I just need structure.’ I don’t give you structure. But eventually at the end of the day, you need to be able to do it yourself. You need to put on your big girl or big boy pants and be able to plan out a day for yourself.” The dietician’s services are available for all NHNG soldiers. Based at the state military reservation in Concord, Taylor can be reached at 603-227-1519. “I love doing nutrition counseling, because I feel wholeheartedly that nutrition can literally save people,” Taylor said. “There’s just something about the magic in food that can really help people change the way they feel, and it’s just a really cool thing to see.”
Taylor also advises soldiers on how to recover from injury as well as address other health concerns such as hypertension, cholesterol, and even digestive issues. To date, more than 500 soldiers have sought Taylor’s services. One of her many success stories includes Staff Sgt. Ashley Maxner, a North Country recruiter. “The plan was to incorporate changes into my diet and exercise regimen that were sustainable,” Maxner said. “It was about making small changes that would have a big and long-lasting impact.” With Taylor’s tutelage, a custom nutrition routine was tailored around Maxner’s specific needs and goals. “The results are definitely proof that it’s working,” Maxner said. “I’m down 30 pounds since January.” She raves about her weight-loss journey and how others can benefit from Taylor’s services.
From left, Heather Taylor and Pfc. Kayla Abele of the state wellness program provide a demonstration of a hightech FIT3D Full Body Scanner on Oct. 5 at the state military reservation in Concord. Taylor says the machine is a more accurate means of measuring fat and lean body mass percentages than calculating it with tape measures.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN NHNG Public Affairs Office 1 Minuteman Way Concord, NH 03301
