Bringing the
Thunder The “Granite” Batallion’s annual traning
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CONTENTS ISSUE: april 2016
ga.ng.mil
columns 14| The Chaplain’s Corner Darkness or light?
15| NCO Notepad
Combat jobs open to all women in the Armed Forces.
27| Book Review
“Killing Pablo” by Mark Bowden.
Features
35| Blast From the PAst Operation Christmas Star’.
07|Operation Skyfall
Cover Story
Members of the National Guard, Army Reserves, German, Canadian and United Kingdom armies participate in Operation Skyfall
News 05| 265th Inactivation
Understaing the mission of the Counterdrug Task Force.
13| 230th Deactivation
Tifton Christmas tree farm donates trees to Georgia Guardsmen.
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21| Around the Guard
Georgia National Guard Commander-in-Chief Gov. Nathan Deal Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard State Public Affairs Director Lt. Col. Thomas Lesnieski State Public Affairs Officer Capt. Charles Emmons Operations NCO Master Sgt. Gerard Brown Editorial Staff Managing Editor Desiree Bamba Contributors 1st Lt. Jeffrey Bezore Master Sgt. Gerard Brown Capt. William Carraway Sgt. Shye Stallings
Chief Master Sgt. Reginald McPherson
Contributing DOD Organizations 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs Office, Army National Guard Unit Public Affairs Representatives, Air National Guard Wing Public Affairs Representatives, Georgia State Defense Force Public Affairs.
Disclaimer The Georgia Guardsman is published monthly under the provisions of AR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Georgia Department of Defense Public Affairs Office. The views and opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Army, Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman is distributed free-of-charge to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, State Defense Force and other interested persons upon request. April 2016 | 2
Bringing the Thunder
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he 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery Regiment brought the thunder to Fort Stewart Ga. during their first week of annual training March 11-18, 2016. The “Granite” Battalion is the only Georgia Army National Guard unit to field the massive M109A6 Paladin 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. These behemoths can fire a 97 pound projectile with deadly accuracy at a range of up to 30 km for a maximum rate of fire of up to eight rounds per minute. Each Paladin can operate independently with a range of more than 200 miles. Smoke and dust rose into the air from each cacophonous blast as the gun crews of the 1-214th FA conducted day and night live-fire missions. For the four-person gun crews of the 1-214 FA, the live-fire training was a chance to hone the skills that make artillery the “King of Battle.” During gunnery tables, the crews received fire missions from the fire-direction center. Upon receipt of a fire mission, the crews followed instructions on the ammunition type, fuse setting and propelling charge. Bearing, elevation and method of adjustment also varied by fire mission. Each round fired into the impact area was observed by forward observers of Headquarters Company 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry. These forward observers reported the effects of each round and called in fire adjustments or new fire missions. Based in Elberton, the 1-214th is commanded by Lt. Col. Robert Evans. In addition to a headquarters battery in Elberton, the Granite Battalion has batteries in Hartwell, Thomson and Waynesboro and a forward support company in Washington, Ga. The Granite Battalion mobilized 452 Soldiers in 2003 as part of Operation Noble Eagle and more than 320 Soldiers to Iraq from 2006 to 2008. In 2013, the 1-214th deployed to Afghanistan where they were responsible for the security force mission at Shindand Air Base in Regional Command West. During their Afghanistan deployment, the units of Task Force Granite completed over 750 combat missions directly securing the local population and coalition forces. For their efforts, the Soldiers of the Granite Battalion received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the latest accolade for a unit with a history of accomplishment. April 2016 | 4
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265th Inactivation
he 265th Regional Support Group and Headquarters Company, 265th RSG cased their colors during a deactivation ceremony held at the Oglethorpe Armory. The 265th RSG’s deactivation followed a 54 year history of service in the Georgia Army National Guard. “I hope this ceremony is celebrated not as a solemn ceremony focused on the loss of Georgia Army National Guard force structure, but rather as a celebration of the honorable service of the finest Soldiers privileged to train under the regimental colors of the 265th RSG,” said Col. Jeffery Edge, commander of the 265th RSG. The 265th RSG began its history as Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion (Construction); organized in Atlanta, in 1962. The following year, the 878th converted and was re-designated as the 548th Administrative Company, part of the 48th Armor Division. On Jan. 1, 1968, the unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 265th Engineer Group (Combat). The 265th Engineer Group was called to state active duty mul5 | The Georgia Guardsman
tiple times, notably following the assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The blizzard of 1993 and Operation Crested River in 1994 also prompted activation of the 265th and its engineer equipment was critical in these civil support missions. Guardsmen of the 265th provided command and control of National Guard support forces during the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games of 1996 and were also activated in support of Operation Vigilant Relief following Hurricane Katrina. In addition to support to state operations, the 265th had an active role in Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror. Following the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the 265th deployed to Saudi Arabia. Guardsmen of the 265th Engineer Group crossed into Iraq the following year as part of Operation Desert Storm in support of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized). The 265th was again called into federal service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In September 2007 the unit was reorganized from an Engineer Group to a Regional Support Group and moved from Atlanta to Metter, Ga. In 2012, the 265th RSG deployed Guardsmen to Logar and Wardak Provinces in Afghanistan as the Georgia Agribusiness Development Team II. Following its return from Afghanistan, the 265th RSG relocated to the Georgia Garrison Training Center, its final duty station. The casing of the 265th RSG colors was witnessed by current and former members of the 265th. At the conclusion of the deactivation ceremony, the colors were entrusted to the state historian for preservation. Throughout its history, the 265th underwent conversion and station changes, so while the deactivation ceremony marked a new chapter in the history of the unit, it does not necessarily mark the end of the unit’s long record of service. Reflecting on the ceremony and the history of the 265th, Command Sgt. Major Randall Parker sounded an optimistic note. “Georgia always finds a way to fulfill the mission”, said Parker. “Though losing a huge unit like the RSG impacts our organization greatly, I know Georgia will overcome this and go forward and do greater things.” April 2016 | 6
FOLLOW US
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Professional Development
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reviews that develop our profession of arms
he United States military has been operating in Afghanistan for nearly 15 years. This war is now the longest war in U.S. history. From the beginning of the war to the present, U.S. service members have faced countless battles while upholding the values and integrity of the nation. Eric Blehm’s work “The Only Thing Worth Dying For: How Eleven Green Berets Fought for a New Afghanistan,” follows the story of Operational Detachment Alpha 574’s mission in the early days of the war. Blehm constructs the story of ODA 574 by telling the story of their mission, from beginning to end. He uses personal journals, letters, photos, notes and interviews from the team members. The surviving members agreed to participate in numerous interviews with Blehm in an effort to make sure their story was “set straight for the history books.” This book follows the mission of ODA 574, which was to provoke a tribal revolt, with the then exiled Hamid Karzai, and force the Taliban to surrender. The narrative jumps around seamlessly with the stories from the operators themselves along with everyone involved in the mission including Karzai. At times you will be in the mountains of Afghanistan and then a moment later you will be
in Fort Campbell, Ky. The transitions never feel forced and you feel like you are in an action thriller. This book is both a good historical reference as well as great tool in the study of the profession of arms. The author does a great job of painting the picture of America in 2001 and sets the context for the book and mission. Prior to 9/11 very few Americans could point out Afghanistan on a world map. It is a testament to the professionalism of our service members at how quickly and how much information they learned about this country and culture prior to their deployment. In fact there was so little information on Afghanistan that all the books that were available were bought up very quickly, and the ODA team as well as other service members had to contact the publishing companies to print more copies for them. One of the biggest themes in this book that benefits our study in the profession of arms is trust. These members not only had to trust one another with their lives, they had to trust the Pashtun tribes as well. Because of the nature of the unit, each member had to trust that the other member was doing their job. There was no room for doubt when 11 people are behind enemy lines surrounded by thousands of Taliban fighters. I highly recommend this book to any member of the Georgia Department of Defense and feel that all can benefit from its lessons.
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Karzai walked me to the door, shook my hand and said, “Ple as e s end my regards to Jason and his team. I will never forget those men. April 2016 | 8
Blast from the Past:
Letters to Home Stor y by : Capt. William Carraway | Militar y Historian | Georgia Army National Guard This is the first installment in a series society 100 years ago. recalling the experiences of a Georgia Guardsman during the Mexico expedition of 1916 and the World War I mobilization that followed. Robert Gober Burton was born June 29, 1898 in Monroe Georgia. He enlisted as a private in Company H, 2nd Georgia Infantry and would rise to the rank of sergeant before the end of the Great War. A college student at the University of Georgia, Burton wrote prolifically of his experiences in the Georgia Army National Guard, from his mobilization to the Mexican Border in 1916 to his service in World War I. Burton’s correspondence to his mother, father, brother Frank and aunt provide a rich historical record not only of the experience of a Georgia Guardsman, but also of Georgia 9 | The Georgia Guardsman
June 29, 1916 Mobilization Camp Macon, Ga.
My Dearest Mama, We had the physical examination this morning have just come back from the field hospital. I stood the examination perfectly and was vaccinated and took the typhoid inoculation. Most of the boys in our company came through O.K. All of the town boys did. I am having the biggest time of my life. I always did like this kind of life and I am not disappointed in the real part. Write me some time. With lots of love and a kiss I am, Your Devoted Son, Gober Ps did you know this was my birthday?
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July 20, 1916 Mobilization Camp, Macon, Ga.
My dearest Mama and Papa: I would have written but our company has been in quarantine for the past four days and I just did not have time to write. It is nothing serious about our being isolated. We will be turned loose tomorrow. We took the third and last shot of the typhoid inoculation this morning and naturally my arm is a little sore. Got a letter from Frank the other day. My vaccination did not take so I am not nursing a sore arm. How do you like my write ups in the Walton News? Aren’t you proud of your son? We surely have had the rain down here. It has rained every day since we have been in camp I think. Write soon as I am looking for a letter. Write me some of the gossip that is going the rounds now. Write the news. Another reason I have not written is because I could not buy postage to send it with. Tell Papa the reason I do not write him is that I think that he reads the letters I write to you. Ed Williamson was a little sick this morning and yesterday but he is up and better. Your son Gober PS Letter: How about baking or having Ethel to send me a cake or two and send them to me by mail. All of the boys have received three and four boxes and I only one. I surely do feel slighted. Fried chicken spoils by the time we get it. Bake two cakes. 11 | The Georgia Guardsman
July 26, 1916 Phoenix Hotel, Waycross, Ga.
Dear Gober, I trust you are getting along nicely. I notice you are still in Macon. I guess this rain is pretty disagreeable to you boys. Do you want to go to Mexico as bad as you thought far in the beginning? I notice where your company has been in quarantine. Have you gotten out yet? I have not heard from home in two weeks. John and Edna had been there for two weeks on a visit. Mama wrote that she sure enjoyed it. I guess they are getting on fine. Do not worry mama by writing home for money. If you are compelled to have it write me, and I will see what I can do for you. I sent you $5.00 some two weeks ago. Did you receive it? Now be sure and keep good companions. We have been having so much rain that the roads and bridges are all washed away and it is almost impossible to travel. I am about four weeks behind and business is on the blink in this section. I am sure tired out with so much rain. Well I can think of nothing else interesting to write you so will close. Write me and let me know how you are doing. Your Bro, Frank Spent Friday with my girl in Fitzgerald. Sure enjoyed it. They entertained me at their home. April 2016 | 12
230th Deactivation
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eorgia’s Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard and Col. Jeffery Dickerson, commander of the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade joined the Soldiers and family members of the 230th Brigade Support Company for the deactivation ceremony of the 230th BSC at the Cumming Regional Readiness Center April 2, 2016. During the ceremony, Maj. Mark Brown, commander of the 230th BSC and 1st Sgt. Demond Lowery presented awards to company personnel and were themselves decorated by Col. Dickerson. Mrs. Toni Brown was also recognized for her support of the 230th BSC with a presentation of the
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Georgia Commendation Medal by her husband, Maj. Brown. With past actions and deeds recognized, Maj. Brown requested and received permission to case the colors from Col. Dickerson. As Soldiers and family members looked on, Maj. Brown and 1st Sgt. Lowery slowly and reverently cased the unit guidon and the 230th BSC was officially deactivated. For nearly eight years, the 230th BSC provided logistical, transportation and maintenance support to the 560th BFSB. Beginning in March 2008, The 230th BSC assumed its critical support role and within six months
“Some of the most impressive things I have seen in my 30 years in the military was what you all did during the past annual training.” was conducting missions in support of the 560th. The 560th BFSB has supported a number of overseas training missions during its existence and the 230th BSC played critical roles in these exercises. In 2009, personnel of the 230th BSC supported Operation Yama Sakura in Washington state as well as Operation Natural Fire in Uganda. Contributing to the Georgia National Guard’s 20 year partnership with the Country of Georgia, the 230th BSC has provided maintenance support to state partnership program exercises. In addition to supporting overseas training operations, members of the 230th BSC were called to support emergency operations in their home state. Following Winter Storms Pax and Leon in January and February 2014, the 230th April 2016 | 14
BSC provided the fueling and maintenance support necessary to keep Task Force 560th operating in North Georgia. In 2015, the 230th supported the 560th BFSB and subordinate units during annual training at Fort Stewart Ga. In addition to providing fueling, maintenance, transportation and field kitchen operations at Camp Oliver, the 230th BSC supported the 165th Quartermaster Company which became the first unit in the Army National Guard to successfully complete a heavy drop. “Some of the most impressive things I have seen in my 30 years in the military was what you all did during the past annual training, said Dickerson reflecting on the experience. Dickerson, addressing the Soldiers and families of the 230th BSC, noted the support the company provided during the Brigade’s eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise rotation in 2012. “It was the first time the brigade had ever gone to the field as a brigade and you took care of them,” said Dickerson. “You got them fed and you got them fixed.” In closing, Dickerson urged the Soldiers to keep the 560th patch in their pocket as a memento of their time and hard work in the brigade. “It’s a bittersweet day, because it is such a great unit. You sustained the brigade. As you go forth from here, know that the 230th continued to carry the load as the 560th was deactivating. The 230th was here helping the brigade with its mission to the end.”
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It’s a bittersweet day, because it is such a great unit. You sustained the brigade. As you go forth from here, know that the 230th continued to carry the load as the 560th was deactivating. The 230th was here helping the brigade with its mission to the end.
Chief Master Sgt. Reginald McPherson State Command Chief Joint Force Headquarters
NCO Notepad Words of wisdom from one to another
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pril is an important month within the Department of Defense and offers us a chance to speak about one of the most critical subjects we face in our Armed Forces. In the Georgia Department of Defense we participate in the Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign and take the opportunity to further educate and train our Guardsmen on how to be proactive in the prevention of crimes of a sexual nature, as well as how to recognize and assist a victim in the event an assault occurs. It is a crime and has no place in our military. That is why it is so important that we instill the commitment to foster an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Our Airmen and Soldiers regardless of rank are empowered to take action when faced with a situation that involves sexual assault, harassment and any inappropriate behavior of any kind. As State Command Chief, I can tell you that our leadership takes this subject very seriously and will facilitate the care and healing of any individual assaulted. We will also push for the prosecution of the individuals responsible. Perpetrators are ultimately responsible for the offenses they commit and preventing perpetration is the only guarantee to stop violence from ever occurring. Appropriately holding perpetrators accountable for sexual assault is critical to enforce acceptable standards of behavior for our service members and prevent recurrence. Furthermore, retaliation of any kind toward a victim of sexual assault is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within the Georgia Department of Defense. Fear of retaliation can decrease victim trust and confidence in the SAPR program, which in turns reduces the number of victims willing to report and receive restorative care. Not all retaliation is criminal but it can add to a victim’s feelings of alienation and complicate recovery. The Ga. DoD is committed to eliminating retaliation against victims of this crime and empowering those who respond by strengthening policies and programs. Finally, our leadership must be the guiding light and lead our Airmen and Soldiers within these cultural issues. It starts with good leaders doing the right things and creating an non-permissive environment by conducting complete and total independent investigations and holding offenders accountable. If you or someone you know is experiencing or suffering from any of these issues, please talk to your supervisor or SAPR victim advocate. You can also call the Ga. DoD SARC at (404) 823-3618 or the state of Georgia 24-hour helpline at 800-33-HAVEN (800-334-2836). April 2016 | 16
M Operation Skyfall 17 | The Georgia Guardsman
ore than 100 Soldiers participated in Operation Sky Fall in Fort Gordon, Ga. on April 11, 2016. Members of the National Guard, Army Reserves, German, Canadian and United Kingdom armies were represented. This year featured two German jump masters, Sgt. 1st Class Julian Koch and Master Sgt. Alex Reiter, who gave jump commands to all Soldiers in German. “Without a joint effort this operation would have never happened,” said Maj. Christopher Murphy, commander of the 982nd Combat Camera Company. “And without Julian and Alex we wouldn’t have been able to complete a German jump, it was truly a joint operation.” The day before the jump, all jump masters had to be validated while inspecting a parachute. Lieutenant Colonel John Till, Georgia National Guard safety officer who was also the flight safety officer for this operation, conducted the validations. Upon completion, all airborne Soldiers performed ‘mock door’ drills consisting of walking through all commands given from the German jump masters. Soldiers then moved to an open field where they performed all exercises to avoid injuries by going through steering the parachute and proper jumping and landing. “Airborne operations can be very dangerous and all jump masters must pay close attention to every move the Soldiers make during these exercises,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Shirer. “If a discrepancy is found the Soldier must go through again before being approved to jump.”
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The day of the jump, Soldiers paired up and assisted each other to put on their parachute packs. Before being allowed to the flight line, jump masters inspected each Soldier’s parachute for proper wear and proper loading. As Soldiers sat on the flight line, the CH47D Chinook helicopter came in to land and prepare for the first chalk. The first chalk included Georgia National Guard service members and German Soldiers. Once the aircraft was above the drop zone the jump master gave the countdown followed by the commands to jump. Six successful rotations and the jump operation was complete. Then began the pinning ceremony of the German Jump Wings. These wings were awarded to the American Soldiers, pinning each Soldier was the Commander of the Airborne German Army, Capt. Voelker. Cadet David Alder from Company H, Long Range Surveillance was awarded his first
“Airborne operations can be very dangerous and all jump masters must pay close attention to every move the Soldiers make during these exercises.” German Jump Wings. “I am so thankful and honored to have been able to jump with foreign nations. Not many people in the world can say they have these wings,” said Adler. April 2016 | 20
Around the Georgia Guard 348TH BSB ANNUAL TRAINING Georgia Army National Guard Pfc. Michael Murphy operates a plasma cutter during a metal fabrication project. Murphy and other Guardsmen of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion conducted annual training at Fort Stewart April 16-30, 2016.
878TH ANNUAL TRAINING The engineers of the 878th Engineer Battalion conduct annual training at Fort Stewart.
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PRESENTING THE PURPLE HEART Brigadier General Jesse T. Simmons, Jr., Assistant Adjutant General of Georgia Department of Defense and Commander of the Georgia Air National Guard presented the Purple Heart to the family of 1st Lt. Franklyn Lewis Snyder for his courageous works during WWII.
PRE-EXEVAL Senior Airman Jaquaisia Johnson, Staff Sgt. Ivon Palacios-Araujo, and Airman 1st Class Kayla Martin conduct proper use of the Stokes Basket rescue stretcher training during Pre-EXEVAL.
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JRTC Training 48th IBCT Trains with Active Army
Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense 1000 Halsey Ave. Bldg. 447 Marietta, Ga. 30060