January 2016

January 2016

best of

2015 A year in review

Plus: Trees for Troops | Youth ChalleNGe Academy Graduation | And So Much More

Contents ISSUE: January 2016

cover story

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

Features 03| Best of 2015 Overview

A month by month summary of the best stories.

05|Best of February 2015

The Air Dominance Center hosts Sentry Savannah 15-1.

07| Best of May 2015 Operation Patriot Bandoleer.

09| Best of October 2015-1

Georgia Guardsmen respond to Hurricane Joaquin.

11|Best of October 2015-2

Georgia Guard conducts live-fire exercise.

13|Best of August 2015

Colonel Thomas Carden gets promoted to Brig.

Gen.

17|Best of Summer 2015

Georgia National Guard Soldiers conduct annual training.

20|Best of March 2015

Georgia National Guardsmen participate in Operation Vigilant Guard.

25|Best of April 2015

Georgia Guardsmen win Regional Best Warrior Competition.

News

12

29| Best of October 2015 -3

Georgia Air Guardsmen train to fight fires.

16| Going InSide the CDTF

Understaing the mission of the Counterdrug Task Force.

23| Trees for Troops

Tifton Christmas tree farm donates trees to Georgia Guardsmen.

24| Challenge Acepted

Youth ChalleNGe Academy conducts graduation ceremony.

31| Food Drive Ruck-march

Georgia National Guard Soldiers complete a five-mile ruck-march for a canned-food drive.

columns

07

28|Best of May 2015

14| The Chaplain’s Corner

33|Best of November 2015

15| NCO Notepad

Darkness or light?

Counterdrug Task Force assists city of Atlanta.

Combat jobs open to all women in the Armed Forces.

Georgia National Guard Soldiers participate in Exercise Didgori.

27| Book Review

“Killing Pablo” by Mark Bowden.

1 | The Georgia Guardsman

25

17 13

35| Blast From the PAst Operation Christmas Star.

37| Around the Guard

Georgia National Guard Commander-in-Chief Gov. Nathan Deal Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard State Public Affairs Director Lt. Col. Thomas Lesnieski State Public Affairs Officer Capt. William Carraway Operations NCO Master Sgt. Gerard Brown Editorial Staff Managing Editor Desiree Bamba Contributors 1st Lt. Jeffrey Bezore Master Sgt. Gerard Brown Master Sgt. Charles Burnsed Capt. William Carraway Pvt. Alexander Davidson Master Sgt. Jon LaDue Sgt. Shye Stallings Sgt. Chris Stephens Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield Chaplain Capt. Jon Pirtle Contributing DOD Organizations 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs Office, Army National Guard Unit Public Affairs Representatives, Air National Guard Wing Public Affairs Representatives, Georgia State Defense Force Public Affairs.

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Disclaimer The Georgia Guardsman is published monthly under the provisions of AR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Georgia Department of Defense Public Affairs Office. The views and opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Army, Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman is distributed free-of-charge to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, State Defense Force and other interested persons upon request.

January 2016 | 2

J a nuary Februa r y M a r c h A p r i l M a ySu m m e r Au g u stSe p te m b e r Octo b e r N ovember

Best of 2015 This special two-month edition of the Georgia Guardsman magazine features stories of the Georgia National Guard from December and January as well as the best of the best from 2015. The articles and images depict the great things our Guardsmen accomplished and the capability of the Georgia Guard in the era of persistent conflict. “...It is a proud privilege to be a Soldier – a good Soldier … [with] discipline, self-respect, pride in his unit and his country, a high sense of duty and obligation to comrades and to his superiors, and a self confidence born of demonstrated ability.”

― George S. Patton Jr.

T he G e org i a Ar my National Guard completed more t h an 1 4 m ont hs of aerial detection and monitoring support to the U.S. Border Patrol on Dec. 10, 2014 along the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) surrounding Harlingen, Texas.

The skies along the southeastern coast may look and sound a little different as more than 1,400 s e r v i c e m e mb e r s begin a large-scale aerial training exercise.

January February 3 | The Georgia Guardsman

During Exercise Vigilant Guard 2015, a simulated categoryfour hurricane devastated the coast of South Carolina causing the state to reach out for assistance across state b orders. When our sister-state is in need, the Georgia National Guard answers the call.

March

Georgia Army National Guard Sgt. Samuel Shuler and Spc. John Pettas claimed the title of Best Warrior at the National Guard Region III Best Warrior Competition, held in the U.S. Virgin Islands April 20-23, 2015.

April

The mission, Operation Patriot Bandoleer (OPB), involved more than 700 Guard service members and spanned most of the spring, beginning mid-March and ending mid-May.

May

Summer

As they have for more than 60 years, units of the Georgia Army National Guard converge d on For t Stewar t for annual training during the hot summer months.

August September October

Colonel Thomas Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony before friends, fellow service members and family at the headquarters of the Georgia National Guard.

As the heat and humidity ro s e i n t h e n or t hw e s t Atlanta English Avenue c o m mu n i t y, a v a c a nt , dilapidated, graffiti-scarred structure came crashing down under the weight of a Georgia Guard hydraulic excavator.

Two hundred Georgia Guardsmen, State Defense Force Volunteers and Yout h C ha l lenge Academy Cadets labored for nine hours to f ill thousands of sandbags for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in the wake of heavy rains from Hurricane Joachin.

November

Amidst a pouring rain, military and government officials from the Country of Georgia, Georgia Army National Guardsmen and U.S. Army personnel gathered together at the Krtsanisi Training Center for the official opening c e r e m o ny o f t h e 2 0 1 5 Didgori Exercise, the latest joint training endeavor between the U.S. and the Country of Georgia.

January 2016 | 4

Air Dominance Center Hosts Sentry Savannah By: Master Sgt. Jon LaDue | 115th Fighter Wing | Wisconsin National Guard

Best of February 2015

T

he skies along the southeastern coast may look and sound a little different this week as more than 1,400 service members begin a large-scale aerial training exercise.

Exercise Sentry Savannah 15-1 will test the mettle of pilots from the Air Force, Air National Guard and Marines during the two-week, joint training exercise being held at Savannah’s Air Dominance Center (ADC) Feb. 9 -20.

“It’s going to be something to behold -- if you live on the coast, you’re going to be seeing fighters all up and down the coast,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Moore, commander of the Georgia Air National Guard. “They’re going to be cool, they’re going to be fast and they’re going to be loud so be prepared.”

The exercise includes nearly 80 aircraft consisting mostly of fighters, tankers, and trainers. It’s old school versus new school in a way as the fourth generation F-15 and F-16 will fly with and against fifth generation fighters in the F-22 and F-35 in an exhibition the Air Dominance Center proudly dubs as “Fighter Integration” training.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to work with other airplanes, both in the Air National Guard and the Marines and other assets that the military has to offer,” said Lt. Col. Curt Grayson, 148th Detachment commander out of Duluth, Minnesota. “Obviously, up North it’s hard to get guys to come up there in the winter time so we usually

5 | The Georgia Guardsman

come down to the southern states to fly and enjoy the weather and use the good weather to our advantage.”

In addition to warmer weather, the pilots operating from the Air Dominance Center can reach a vast airspace over the Atlantic Ocean in a matter of minutes where pilots can maneuver and travel at supersonic speeds up to an altitude of 60,000 feet.

The Air Dominance Center is also an ideal location for large-scale Fighter Integration training because it can include participants from other aviation units stationed along the East Coast.

“Within about one hundred miles of Savannah there’s about 15 other fighter squadrons that fly indigenously ... so when one fighter unit comes in here they can coordinate and do dissimilar air combat training with all of those units that fly around here on a daily basis,” said Maj. Merrick Baroni, ADC director of operations.

Sentry Savannah 15-1 consists of Air National Guard F-16 flying squadrons from Minnesota, South Carolina and the District of Columbia, an F-15 unit from the Florida Air National Guard, T-38 and F-22 aircraft from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and Marine F/A-18 and F-35s from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.

Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored event hosted by the Georgia Air National Guard’s revamped and newly-named Air Dominance Center. Officials from NGB expect to conduct at least three of these exercises per Photos by: Master Sgt. Charles Burnsed | 1 6 5 th AW | Georgia Air National Guard

It’s a great opportunity for us to work with other airplanes, both in the Air National Guard and the Marines and other assets that the military has to offer. year as part of the Regional Exercise program which aims to provide traditional Guard pilots with much of their wartime readiness training in a matter of two weeks.

The program has the support of Air Combat Command as well as those who contributed to the ADC’s new operations building that sits adjacent to a new parking ramp as well.

Previously named the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, the amenities to host such a large exercise remain as the ADC is able to provide economical and

logistical support to pilots, maintainers and other exercise support personnel.

This allows Sentry Savannah 15-1 participants to focus on the task at hand which includes a projected 750 sorties over the two-week exercise.

“I’m really proud of the guys and gals that have done this and I think this is going to be a world class event,” Moore said. “It’s a big feather in the cap for the Georgia Air National Guard and for the Georgia Air Dominance Center.”

January January 2016 2016 || 66

Best of May 2015

Operation Patriot Bandoleer Story by: Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Wright | Army Sustainment Command Public Affairs

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he U.S. Army Sustainment C ommand par tnered with the Army National Guard Directorate u n it i ng Gu ard u n it s from six states and el e me nt s of t he U. S .

Army Reserve and Active Army at Military Ocean Terminal -- Sunny Point (MOTSU) to offload equipment and munitions from the Army Motor Vessel, Lt. Col. John U.D. Page. The cargo was then distributed to six Joint Munitions Command (JMC) depots across the United States for storage and maintenance.

The mission, Op eration Patriot Bandoleer (OPB), involved more than 700 Guard service members and spanned most of the spring, beginning mid-March and ending mid-May. “The overall activities are in support of the Motor Vessel Page’s maintenance cycle, both in terms of on-the-ground operations to prepare the material for reload to the ship, as well as to move retrograded

7 | The Georgia Guardsman

material from here to the depots,” said Richard Harris, project manager for Class V (ammunition) operations at Army Strategic Logistics Activity-Charleston (ASLAC).

“That’s the part the National Guard is playing. They’re moving the material from MOTSU to the depots.”

Under the direction of MOTSU marine cargo specialists, contracted stevedores and Army Reserve units offloaded more than 2,500 containers of equipment and munitions from the Page, of which 833 containers were for OPB. The containers were then placed on trucks and moved to storage pads to await disposition. With the help of Army Reserve Soldiers, Guard transportation units from Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, Florida, Oklahoma and Connecticut picked them up for transport to the depots.

The 110th C ombat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), GeorgiaArmy National Guard, assisted in planning the operation and served as command and control.

“This is important because we’re all here for the same fight,” said Capt. Janna Hoeg, OPB planner, 110th CSSB. “We need to know that we can work together; we can accomplish the mission successfully with all those different organizations; the different cultures and the different personalities.”

The planning for and execution of OPB required coordination with MOTSU operations personnel, ASC Army Prepositioned Stocks (APS) planners, ASLAC, JMC and their depots, as well as the six states with units hauling the cargo and every state they travelled through.

“A concern we understood was the movement across the states,” said Hoeg.

“Each state has their own restrictions and their own laws, and we needed to get permits to do this type of movement.” According to planners, OPB’s added bonus was the realworld training the Guard Soldiers received while simultaneously satisfying an ASC operational requirement.

“From the National Guard perspective, the main thing, of course, is the real-world

Photo by: Sgt. 1 st Class Gerard Brown | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

training,” said Hoeg. “The morale you get by doing real-world situations like this; it changes how the Soldiers treat the mission, the morale during the mission and the overall success of the mission.”

The furthest destination was Tooele Army Depot in Utah, about 2,300 miles from MOTSU. “It is an awesome experience physically witnessing the excitement in the Soldiers’ eyes and the energy in their body language as they prepare for and execute the initial movements of the two-month training event,” said Timothy Fore, APS director.

Staff Sgt. Justin Bailey, a military truck driver assigned to the 1230th Transportation Company, Georgia National Guard, said he and his Soldiers had been ready for this mission “since they got the word.”

“They’re actually behind the trucks, and they’re feeling good about it,” he said.

“We’re truck drivers, and this is what we’re trained for. This is boosting morale a lot, and the Soldiers are ready to go.”

The Georgia National Guard began the

exercise, moving 137 containers 530 miles through North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia to Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. “ This was a great operation and excellent teamwork by the Georgia National Guard Soldiers and ‘Team Anniston’,” said Lt. Col. Shayne Moore, Anniston Munitions Center commander.

Major Gen. Elizabeth Austin, assistant deputy commanding general, Army National Guard, Army Materiel Command, s a i d O P B w a s n o t on l y a t r a i n i n g opportunity for the Guard Soldiers but an opportunity to partner with other Army elements. “ This is working on building relationships with AMC and the National Guard and Army Reserve,” she said. “After 12 years of war, we don’t want our reserve components to lose the skills they have sharpened. So, missions like this are perfect opportunities for them to keep those skills at the level they have them now.”

About halfway through the exercise,

the Gaurd units were able to support the movement of an additional 517 pieces of equipment from MOTSU to ASLAC in Goose Creek, South Carolina. According to OPB planners, the efficiency of the initial push allowed for the additional mission requirement and afforded an extended training opportunity for the units involved.

Army Prepositioned Stocks, an ASC program, manages stores of strategically positioned equipment and munitions, both on land and at sea, making it available when and where needed for contingency operations and humanitarian relief efforts.

Military Ocean Terminal -- Sunny Poi nt , w h i c h i s a l i g n e d u n d e r t h e Army’s Military Surface Deployment and Distribution C ommand’s 596th Transportation Brigade, is one of SDDC’s two ammunition distribution terminals and the key ammunition shipping point on the Atlantic Coast for the Department of Defense. It is a transfer point between rail, trucks and ships for the overseas movement of military equipment and munitions.

January 2016 | 8

Best of October 2015

Guard Responds to hurricane Joaquin Story by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

T

wo hundred Georgia Guardsmen, State Defense Force Volunteers and Youth Challenge Academy Cadets labored for nine hours to fill thousands of sandbags for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in the wake of heavy rains from Hurricane Joachin. Two thousand of the sandbags were ultimately dispatched to South Carolina to assist the state with its historic flooding. Captain Daryl Oehrlein, commander of the 810th Engineer Company, provided a synopsis of the operation.

“We have 69 Soldiers of the 810th Engineer Company out of Swainsboro, approximately 40 MPs (of the 278th MP Company) out of Fort Gordon along with six engineers of the 878th Engineer Battalion out of Augusta,” said Oehrlein. “There are approximately 20 Youth Challenge Academy cadets that are here and 40 Georgia State Defense Force Volunteers.”

The Guardsmen, cadets and volunteers operating out of a Department of Transportation facility in Hephzibah, Ga. demonstrated the unique capability of the Guard to quickly bring

99 || The Georgia Guardsman The Georgia Guardsman

resources to assist citizens in time of need. With unprecedented levels of precipitation falling on neighboring South Carolina, 40 members of the State Defense Force donated their time to provide crucial manpower to the operation.

Corporal Richard Wilson of the Ga. SDF stood on a mountain of sandbags as a human chain of YCA Cadets passed sandbag after sandbag to him as a light rain fell.

“It’s going to be a day and then some,” said Wilson as he climbed down from a trailer loaded with sandbags. “This is 1,000 bags complete now and we have more volunteers coming in.”

Georgia SDF Capt. Ben White and Spc. David Hughes arrived at 8 a.m. and worked side by side with Georgia Guard Engineers and MPS filling sand bags by hand. When asked how long they would be at work, the SDF volunteers didn’t pause. “We are here for the duration, until they release us,” said Hughes. Hughes and White, along with other SDF Volunteers prepped and filled sandbags by hand while others operated sandbag machines.

Conspicuous in their grey uniforms were members of the

Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Academy. The cadets of the 22-week program feverishly filled sandbags and formed human chains to convey the 30 pound bags to waiting Forestry Commission trucks.

Major Jeffery Helms, commandant of the Fort Gordon YCA described the academy’s role in the operation.

“We brought out 20 cadets from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.. At 12 p.m. we will rotate these cadets out for lunch and another 20 cadets will replace them,” said Helms. “Colonel Steinbrecher (YCA Director) called and asked if we could be here. We said yes sir, the mission will be accomplished.”

The cadets that accompanied Maj. Helms had just started a new training cycle. With only seven days in the program, the cadets have already begun to contribute back to the community.

“This is their first community involvement project, coming out and helping get ready for the storm that is coming,” said Helms.

“They are out here doing their best.”

In addition to the personnel committed and interagency cooperation displayed, the event also showcased the capabilities of the Guard engineers in domestic emergencies.

“Currently we have three sand bag machines that are up and operational,” reported Capt. Oehrlein. “The Forestry commission provided the low-boy trailers and the capability to fill the dump trucks and the sand and the Department of Public Safety is certifying the loads. We have three skid-steer loaders, two are carrying sandbags and one is filling the sand bag machines.”

Oehrlein supervised operations from the portable tactical operations center of the 810th Engineer Company. Earlier in 2015, Photos by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

the 810th had mobilized the portable TOC as part of exercise Vigilant Guard 2015, a hurricane exercise hosted by the South Carolina National Guard. Now, the engineers were using the lessons learned in the South Carolina hurricane exercise during an actual hurricane response.

The team of Guardsmen, SDF Volunteers, cadets and state agencies was successful in their mission, ultimately filling 9,000 sandbags. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency immediately dispatched 2,000 bags to flood ravaged South Carolina.

The sandbags were distributed in Charleston County which had received as much as 18 inches of rain in a week.

While the sandbag operation offered the most current and visible example of the readiness of the Georgia Department of Defense and the ability of the State Defense Force to rapidly assemble, many individuals were also at work behind the scenes. At the earliest sign of possible hurricane effects, The Georgia Guard’s joint operation center, in coordination with GEMA’s state operation center discussed contingencies and prepositioning of equipment and personnel. The proximity of engineer and MP units to Augusta, the ability of the SDF and YCA to rapidly respond, and the unique engineering assets and training allowed the Guard to rapidly provide GEMA with the ability to reduce suffering in Georgia and South Carolina.

Captain Oehrlein perhaps summed up the spirit of the participants best in a comment to Brig. Gen. Thomas Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard.

“All those agencies out here to support us will run out of resources long before we run out of want-to,” said Oehrlein.

January2016 2016 ||10 10 January

Best of October 2015

Live-Fire Exercise

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

Battery C, the newest unit of the 1st Battalion 118th Field Artillery Regiment was officially activated September 24, 2015 during annual training activities at Fort Stewart.

D

uring the activation ceremony Sept.

24, 2015, Battery C’s guidon was officially transferred from Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. David Allen to Battery Commander, Capt. Jared Smith. Present for the activation ceremony was Col. Reginald Neal, commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and a former commander of Battery C, and the 118th FA. In celebration of the activation, Mother Nature brought rain and mist. The Red Legs of the 118th returned the favor five days later by bringing the thunder with their new M777 155 mm towed howitzers.

Background The 1-118 FA contains elements of the oldest and youngest units of the Georgia Guard. With a heritage harkening back to the Chatham Artillery and campaign streamers from the American Revolution and the War of 1812, the 118th FA is steeped in history. While Battery C is the mostrecent unit, to join the venerable battalion, it too has a history dating back nearly 175 years.

Batter y C traces its lineage back to the Irish Jasper Greens, an antebellum militia unit formed in Savannah in 1843. Three years later, as part of the 1st Georgia Volunteer Regiment, the Jaspers were called into federal service for the Mexican War. The unit was again called to serve during the American Civil War where it participated in the defense of Savannah and Atlanta.

As the 1st Georgia Volunteers m the 118th

11 | The Georgia Guardsman

mustered into federal service for the Spanish American War in Griffin, Ga. May 11, 1898, although they did not see combat.

In 1916, when the Georgia Guard was mobilized for Mexican border ser vice, the 1st Georgia ser ved near El Paso, Texas.

Returning from border ser vice, the unit was activated i n 1 9 1 7 for s e r v i c e i n Worl d War I and w as d e s i g nate d for the f irst time as B atter y C, 118th FA S ept. 23, 1917.

F o l l o w i n g t h e w a r, t h e u n i t s e r v e d i n t h e G e o r g i a Guard until activating for World War II ser vice in 1940.

Battery C, and the 118th FA were deactivated at the end of World War II but were reactivated in November 1955 with the conversion of the 48th Infantry Division to an Armored Division.

Batter y C was part of the 1990 activation of the 48th Brigade (mechanized) in support of Operation Desert Shield; however, the brigade did not ultimately deploy overseas.

T he 118t h FA mobi l i z ed t w ice du r i ng t he g loba l wa r on terror. In 2005, the battalion mobilized with the 48th Infantry Br igade C ombat Tea m to Iraq. In 20 09, t he bat ta l ion aga i n mobi l i z e d w it h t he 4 8t h I B C T, t h i s t i me to A f g h a n i s t a n .

Battery C was consolidated with Battery A and B when the 118th Field Artillery deployed to Taji and Al Asad Iraq from January 2005 to June 2006. Shortly af ter returning from Iraq, Batter y C was deactivated in Jesup, Ga. following the reorganization of the battalion. The deactivation was short lived, and on July 28, 2015, Battery C was reorganized and reactivated in Savannah.

Using the precision-guided Excalibur munition, the M777 can drop rounds within 10 meters of a target from a range of 25 miles. That means, if you are within 775 miles of Company C, 118th FA, they can reach you with 155 shell that produces a blast radius of 30 meters.

Thunder and Steel Rain Throughout its history, Charlie Battery has manned numerous artiller y pieces. From its early colonial-era bronze six pound cannons to the towed 105 M101 artillery pieces of World War II, none were as lethal as the M777 155 mm towed howitzer.

The M777 is truly massive. Imagine an artillery piece the size of a comfortable motorhome. At 10.5 meters in length, the howitzer is longer than the LMTV used to tow it into position and the barrel alone is as long as a Cadillac Escalade. Capable of hurling a 100 pound projectile 25 miles using a precision digital-control firing system, the M777 allows Battery C to reach out three times farther than units fielding the 105 mm howitzer.

The M777 replaces the M198. A key advantage of the newer weapon system is its weight. At a svelte 9,800 pounds, the M777 is three tons lighter than the M198 and can be lifted by a CH-47 Helicopter. The M777 can also be brought into service three times faster than the M198.

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

Thunder and Steel Rain The historic first-firing of Battery C’s howitzers was witnessed by the Adjutant General, Deputy Adjut ant G eneral, C ommanding G eneral of the Georgia Army National Guard and Senior Enlisted Advisor on a misty morning September 29, 2015. The howitzers of Battery C, lined up in battery on the range awaited clearance for fire.

“Fire mission!” came the shouted order as gun crews leapt to their positions. In a flurry of activity the cannon crewmembers worked in a symphony of motion to aim and load the M777. Sharp staccato commands echoed over the metallic clink of steel and titanium: “Load!”

“Charge one lima.”

“Charge one lima verify.”

“Load.”

“All clear.”

“Ready prime, ready ram.”

“I see red, breach closed.”

“Ready, prime, stand by, fire!”

The gunner pulled the lanyard and with a concussive blast the M777 lurched hurling a round down range. White smoke broiled out of the breach as the crew prepared the next fire mission. Forty seconds later, a second round erupted from the cannon. The crews continued their firing drills until all rounds were expended.

The live fire was the culminating event of the 118th Field Artillery’s annual training at Fort Stewart. The following day, the weary artillerists returned to Savannah, as they have since 1751.

From six pound bronze guns to today’s GPS guided artillery, Company C, and the rest of the 1st Battalion 118th FA are a living monument to the history of field artillery in the United States, even predating the nation’s history. It is clear that this historic unit is not done making history yet.

January 2016 | 12

Best of August 2015

Carden promoted to BG

C

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

olonel Thomas Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony before friends, fellow service members and family at the headquarters of the Georgia National Guard. Carden’s wife Charlene, son Kyle and daughter Kendall pinned Carden with his new stars of rank, as did Sgt. 1st Class (Ret) Jimmy Jordan. In 1989, Jordan pinned Carden with his second lieutenant bars following his graduation from the Georgia Military Institute.

“I am honored and humbled to be able to serve the Soldiers and families of the Georgia Army National Guard,” said Carden.

Speaking before the pinning ceremony, Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Georgia’s Adjutant General, praised Carden’s three decades of service to the Georgia Guard.

Today is a great day for the Carden family, said Jarrard. “But it is an even better day for the Georgia Army National Guard.”

As commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Carden is responsible for the directing, coordinating, organizing and stationing the more than 11,000 Soldiers of the Georgia Army

13 | The Georgia Guardsman

National Guard in order to ensure readiness to perform state and national missions.

Brigadier General Carden has held a number of key positions in the Georgia Army National Guard; most recently as the chief of staff and previously as the deputy chief of staff for operations.

Brigadier General Carden commanded the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and the Georgia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion. He has also served as the Georgia Army National Guard deputy chief of staff for personnel, operations officer for the 122nd Rear Operations Center and as the executive officer for the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. Additionally, Brig. Gen. Carden served as the operations officer for the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. While serving in this capacity, he deployed to Bosnia Herzegovina as part Operation Joint Forge. In 2005, Brig. Gen. Carden deployed to Iraq as the effects coordinator for the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Brigadier General Carden’s military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Brigadier General Carden graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus with a Bachelor of Science in History. He later earned a Master of Arts in human resource management from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo. And a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

Photo by: Pvt. Alexander Davidson | Georgia Department of Defense

D

training

The Chaplain’s Corner

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

“

The light of the world came in the f u l l n e s s of time to call people to the light.

arkness or light?

It’s a p o l i t i c a l world and times are changing, but I wonder if we may be in danger of shutting the door on light and the good news and opting instead for darkness and secularism’s woes. When I was growing up in middle Ga. in the 1970s, government offices and public schools let out for Christmas holidays and Easter holidays. Now those times are relabeled winter break and spring break. We used to gather around Christmas trees and swap gifts. Nowadays, secularists want to call them holiday trees.

Darkness or light? To state the obvious, religious affiliation (Christianity in particular) increasingly draws fire from secularists who want to marginalize the Christian message. In the Christian worldview, God sent forth His Son (Jesus— God in the flesh) as the God-Man, fully God and fully man, to redeem sinners. In 54/55 A.D. , Paul wrote to the first century audience about the good news of what God has accomplished: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God,” (Gal. 4:4-7 ESV). The light of the world came in the fullness of time to

call people to the light.

Darkness or light? I wonder if we may be in danger of shutting the door on light and opting instead for darkness. Much of December’s festivities revolve around what millions of Americans celebrate— namely, Christmas. Many practicing Jews, of course, celebrate Hanukkah, and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt. There again, what is involved? Light. They light the menorah.

In the Genesis creation account, guess what unmistakable division God makes? It’s the separation of darkness and light. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness,” (Gen. 1:34a, ESV). In the New Testament, the same motif emerges: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” (John 8:12, ESV).

Darkness or light? The historical origin of “holiday” is holy days. Secularists wish we’d gather around holiday trees, all the while suppressing what holidays are referenced. I wonder if we may be in danger of shutting the door on light and opting instead for darkness and secularism’s woes.

O n e of t h e b e aut i e s of t h e chaplaincy comes in celebrating what our Constitution allows—namely, the practice of our respective faiths. When we gather with family, friends, and peers, will we choose darkness or light? My prayer is for light—the light, in fact, that has come into the world, and is full of grace and truth.

January 2016 | 14

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

NCO Notepad Words of wisdom from one to another

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ince the beginning of time, women have abeen excluded from frontline combat positions. However, the idea of women in combat has been frowned upon in America. Women have be instructed to support the fight from the home soil. As nationwide changes occur, more women feel that it is their right as an American to be able to physically defend this country.

Women feel that they are just as capable at doing any job or executing any task, as men. The decision to open combat Military Occupational Specialty’s to women was tough to make. Most importantly, we have had to evaluate how the major differences between men and women, would affect mission accomplishment. After years of discussion, Defense Secretary Ash Carter has decided to lift all gender-based restrictions within every branch of service.

Although disappointing to some, this decision was a huge accomplishment for women all across the United States. Women’s choices are no longer restricted. They will now be able to serve alongside their male battle buddies in combat arms units. They are now held to the same standards as men. Some do not agree with this decision.

Some suspect women cannot withstand as much pain or agony as men. Future issues are also set to arise in regards to how women will be able to conduct personal hygiene under field conditions for days at a time. Another problem some feel we may face is designated living quarter issues; females and males must be billitted seperately and will have a budgetary impact.

Never-the-less, this is a positive and historic change.

Because of this decision, about 220,000 jobs are now open to women, mostly within the Army and Marine Corps.

Clear evidence of women being able to accomplish major tasks are the two commissioned officers who made history last year, by becoming the first two women to graduate from ranger school. They endured debilitating physical training for weeks without quitting, and met every requirement as the men with whom they trained.

Their success motivated women everywhere! Since the decision to lift all gender-based restrictions had not been made at the time of their pinning ceremony, they did not have the option of applying for the elite special operations force; 75th Ranger Regiment. Now, they are more than welcomed. There is no greater feeling for me, than knowing that they can now be a part of something that they worked so hard for.

Our very own Georgia National Guard is also making history. We have women competing in the Best Warrior Competition in hopes of becoming NCO or Soldier of the year. I hope to see more positive progress throughout our state. I support the decision of the Defense Secretary, 100 percent. I personally feel that there are a lot of issues that could be resolved differently if they can be seen from a woman’s perspective. Women in uniform are now a force to be reckoned with. Now, not only will we incorporate all branches of service in the slogan “one team, one fight”; women are included as well.

Going

inside

the

Counterdrug Task Force Story by: Sgt. Shye Stallings | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

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id you know that the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force assisted in the seizure of $709,536,964 worth of drugs in 2015? Every year the GaNG CDTF provides support to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the detection, interdiction, disruption and curtailment of drug trafficking activities and transnational criminal organizations through the application of unique military skills and resources.

Sitting in the corner of the Cumming Readiness Center listening to the instructors of the Advanced Surveillance Detection Course is like peeking into the world of spies. Each student is being prepared to learn the behaviors and patterns of the “bad guys”. Understanding and getting into the mind of your opponent is a vital tactic to be successful in the counterdrug mission. This course trains this specifically through illegal narcotic surveillance operations, marijuana eradication missions, information and trend analysis, criminal case support analysis and aerial observation and reconnaissance.

“It’s really awesome that the National Guard allows us to take these courses, but the best part of this partnership is the ability to use each other’s assets when needed,” said one of the students. “We go from having one set of resources to having this wide range of support and resources available. It makes cleaning up these streets easier.”

This training partnership between the GaNG CDTF and the local law enforcement is going on 21 years. From providing basic surveillance courses to advanced classes, the GaNG CDTF provides these courses free of charge to local agencies. But how exactly does this impact the National Guard organization?

The GaNG CDTF is comprised of 29 personnel from the Army and Air Force. Their sole mission is to reduce the supply and demand for illegal drugs they do this by creating and fostering relationships with local law enforcement. Lieutenant Colonel McNair, commander of the CDTF, has a background of working in law enforcement and has a clear passion for this work, he was eager to share why this partnership is so important to the National Guard.

“Any time that the Georgia National Guard can effectively support outside agencies, we gain additional credibility,” said Lt. Col. McNair. “As the demand for our capabilities increases, we move into a better position to make an impact in reduction of drug related criminal activity at all levels. We want to be recognized as a contributing member of the law enforcement team whether it be through the application of criminal case support analyst, ground and aerial observation and reconnaissance, or funding that enables an officer to receive additional training that will provide the skills and knowledge to remain one step ahead of the criminals.”

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

In fiscal year 2015, the GaNG GDTF provided 14 training courses, 608 law enforcement officers from 70 different agencies.

This training that would cost nearly $400,000 was provided at no cost to the agencies nor the tax payers. It is funded primarily through the assets forfeiture program.

“Through our participation in the national asset forfeiture program, we are able to use drug related money to provide high quality training to local and state law enforcement, develop a relationship, and strengthen the military to law enforcement coalitions. Without this partnership, this training would not be possible,” said Lt. Col. McNair.

The ability to foster and continue these relationships between the Georgia National Guard and the local agencies throughout the communities, remain the vital key to keep the mission a success.

January 2016 | 16

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Best of summer 2015

Annual TRAINING

2015

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

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

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

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

Summer 2015 | 18

Annual Training 2015 Always REady. Always There.

Georgia Army National Guardsmen of Troop A, 108th Cavalry negotiate an obstacle at the leader’s reaction course during annual training at Fort Stewart, Ga.

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

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

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

A Georgia Army National Guardsmen of Troop C, 108th Cavalry 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducts a react-to-contact drill during annual training at Fort Stewart, Ga.

A fire team of Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment negotiates a live-fire room-clearing exercise during annual training at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Soldiers of Bravo Company, 348th Brigade Support Battalion conduct custom metal repairs using a welder during annual training at Fort Stewart.

Military Police of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 178th Military Police Company practice civil disturbance response techniques during annual training at Fort Benning, Ga.

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

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

January 2016 | 20

Best of March 2015

Operation Vigilant Guard By: Sgt. Chris Stephens | 124th MPAD | Georgia Army National Guard

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he Southeast has seen it before: A hurricane storms ashore, and the National Guard is called to action to assist those impacted by the disaster.

During Exercise Vigilant Guard 2015, a simulated category-four hurricane devastated the coast of South Carolina causing the state to reach out for assistance across state borders.

When our sister-state is in need, the Georgia National Guard answers the call.

“This exercise is important because we don’t practice (interstate coordination) as much as we need to,” said Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Georgia’s adjutant general. “Our units are able to put their training into practice, and when a real disaster happens, they’ll be prepared to act.”

Vigilant Guard is a joint military-civilian regional training exercise that simulates large-scale emergency scenarios in order to test the ability of the National Guard to support operations.

Emergency scenarios included collapsed structures, stranded civilians and public disorder. In addition to the South Carolina

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Guard, National Guard units from Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky took part in the training.

In response to a request by the South Carolina Emergency Management Department, 500 members of the Georgia National Guard’s 201st Regional Support Group mobilized to Florence, S.C. to establish a base of operations. Specialized elements of the 201st were then dispatched to Georgetown, S.C. to respond to a simulated building collapse. The units included the 138th Chemical Company, 179th Military Police Company, 810th Engineer Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 201st Homeland Response Force, and the 116th Medical Company.

The units which comprise the Joint Task Force 781 of the Region 4 Homeland Response Force brought specialized expertise to the scenario: from site decontamination and security, medical support, entry-point security and engineering support.

The Swainsboro-based 810th Engineer Company was responsible for locating and extracting victims from the collapsed structure. Their work called for breaching and shoring walls, cutting

through metal and using ropes to access the building vertically.

“This is the best kind of training our unit can get,” said Staff Sgt. Nick Ives, non-commissioned officer in charge of the company’s operations center. “Any time you can use a real building to put your skills into practice serves to your advantage.”

After the engineers removed the simulated casualties from the rubble pile, live actors assumed the casualty role to test the response of the military police, decontamination teams and medical units.

The actors appeared at the entry-control point with injuries and makeup like that seen in the movies. Soldiers from the Mariettabased 178th MP Company controlled the entry of victims into the triage area where the Georgia Air National Guardsmen from the Warner Robins-based 116th Medical Group assessed patients to prioritize treatment.

“In a significant disaster, we have to be able to decon over 200 people per hour,” said Capt. Randall Boatner, commander of the

138th Chemical Company. “We have three areas that victims can go through—ambulatory, non-ambulatory and technical. Each line is based on what the victims can do, with the ability to also get our own personnel through should something happen to them.”

After decontamination, Georgia Air National Guard doctors from the 116th Medical Group treated the patients’ injuries.

“This is as realistic as it gets,” Boatner said. “We learned a lot of things during the course of this exercise, but we also saw what our Guardsmen could do and are confident that they can put their skills into practice should they ever need to.”

More than 2,000 Guardsmen participated in Vigilant Guard 2015. In addition to the 201st RSG, Air National Guardsmen of the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron and aviation crews of the 2nd Aviation Security and Support Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment represented the Georgia Guard in South Carolina during the exercise.

Photos by: Capt. William Carraway & Sgt. Chris Stephens | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

January2016 2016 || 22 22 January

Trees for troops 2015

Story by: Sgt. Shye Stallings | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

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uring the holidays, Georgia National Guard Soldiers participate in many different events throughout the state to help give back to others. But in Tifton, the joy is being given to the Soldiers.

Thanks to the Trees for Troops program, many military families will receive a free Christmas tree to decorate for the holidays. Trees for Troops is a program founded by Mike Brumby and J.H. White who own and run the Brumby and White Christmas Tree Farm.

For the past nine years, Trees for Troops has given over 1,000 trees to military members and their families throughout the state.

In the past they committed to giving around 120 trees but this year they committed to give 170 trees.

This program would not be successful without the help from the citizens in the community of Tifton. Every year the Brumby and White Christmas Tree Farm relies on the community to

23 | The Georgia Guardsman

help prepare this donation to be delivered to different locations throughout the state.

Volunteers from the community help prepare, bale, package and load the trees for transportation to different pickup locations for military families to receive. Pinecreast Baptist Church and American Legion Post 21 commit yearly to donate and deliver trees specifically to National Guard armories.

The Adjutant General of Georgia, Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard and Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Stringfield attended the event this year and helped Soldiers prepare the trees for transportation to armories and met a few of the people who make this program happen.

“I have been trying to make it out here the last few years,” said Brig. Gen. Jarrard. “It is such a great program and it really makes an impact on our Soldiers, I cannot thank the Brumbys, Whites and the volunteers of the Tifton community enough.”

The huge farm full of Christmas trees is now missing quite a few rows with the help of Soldiers from the 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and 2 Battalion, 121st Infantry.

During this event they cut, packaged and loaded the trees given by the Trees for Troops program.

“Normally these types of trees are around $50 and some Soldiers just can’t afford that this time of year,” said Staff Sgt. Tony Ballew, the supply NCO for 110th CSSB. “We will put these trees in our armory and this weekend at drill I will see Soldiers with them tied to their cars. It is such a good feeling, knowing they have a Christmas tree which they wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Photos by: Sgt. Shye Stallings | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

ChalleNGe Accepted

C

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

hristmas came early for 214 students and their parents as cadets walked across the stage during the Youth ChalleNGe Academy’s (YCA) graduation in Macon, Ga. This day represented the culmination of five and half months of continuous training for the students and the welcoming home by their parents.

“The most challenging part of YCA, was being away from my family,” said Joshua Alvarado, a YCA cadet. “I not only feel proud of my achievements while in the academy, I really feel accomplished about receiving my high school diploma.”

Five and a half months ago, 317 high school drop outs left the comforts of home to embark on a challenge of returning home a better person than when they left. The YCA program uses a military model to guide and instruct its cadets and that is exactly what these students now turned cadets received. The cadets each morning participated in a physical training program, ate in an Army dining facility and lived in Army open-bay barracks while completing assignments to prepare them to pass the tests needed for their GED or high school Diploma. On graduation day, 214 cadets were able to not only say challenge accepted, but were able to confidently say, mission accomplished!

In addition to being taught discipline by the cadre, which consists mainly of former and current military members, cadets also attended classes five days a week receiving instruction from Georgia certified teachers. Many of these cadets were able to increase their grade level, which allowed them the opportunity to earn their GED or high school diploma along with developing skills that will aid them in being productive citizens.

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

During the almost six months of continuous training, students learned eight core components which include; life coping skills, educational excellence, responsible citizenship, skills training, health, hygiene and sex education, physical fitness, leadership and followership and community service.

“The strides these cadets have made in the program are tremendous, but the biggest stride made was the one many months ago when they made the decision to make a change in their lives,” said Col. Steinbrecher, state director of YCA programs. “The pride felt by the parents and grandparents in the room today is only eclipsed by the well-deserved pride felt by the graduates themselves.”

The program not only works on developing young students, but also provides them with a mentor for one year to further assist in the transition after graduation which can include enrolling in college or trade school, starting a career or joining the military.

The focus of Georgia’s Youth ChalleNGe program is to assist in the lives of both young men and women ranging in age from 16 to 18 who are at risk of not finishing high school. Georgia’s first YCA program started at Fort Stewart in 1993, followed by the state’s second program starting in Fort Gordon in 2000 and soon it’s third location will be in Milledgeville. Over the last 23 years, there have been approximately 14,000 cadets that have graduated from the program and almost 13,800 of those cadets received their GED or diploma.

“Seeing the changes in my son, I can say I have great confidence in the program” said Johnathan Alvarado, parent of a YCA cadet.

“I am proud of his academic accomplishments and his new level of confidence and discipline.”

January 2016 | 24

Best of April 2015

Georgia Guard Soldiers Take Home The Win Story by: Sgt. 1st Class Gerard Brown | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

25 | The Georgia Guardsman

Photos by: Sgt. 1 st Class Gerard Brown | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

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eorgia Army National Guard Sgt. Samuel Shuler and Spc. John Pettas claimed the title of Best Warrior at the National Guard Region III Best Warrior Competition, held in the U.S. Virgin Islands April 2023, 2015. Ten National Guard states sent representatives to the Region III Best Warrior Competition.

“Competitions like Best Warrior keep young Soldiers competitive and strong.” said Phillip Stringfield, Command Sgt. Major of the Ga. Army National Guard. “It provides another way to keep their warrior tasks proficient and prepare them to move to the next level.”

The competition began Monday, April 20 at 4:30 a.m. with an Army physical fitness test, consisting of timed pushup, sit-up and run events. Following the APFT, competitors competed in a timed six-mile march, while carrying a 35 pound ruck sack. Competitors began the ruck march on level ground, side by side, but were quickly separated by a steep incline that many of the competitors named “the beast.” Both Pettas and Shuler finished first in the six-mile ruck march.

Pettas finished the ruck march in 1 hour and 44 minutes while Shuler completed the event in 1 hour and 41 minutes.

“I did not expect the ruck march to be that intense, but it was extremely difficult,” said Shuler, a soldier with the Cedartown-based Troop A, 108th Cavalry. “I’m honored to be able to represent my unit and my state, as well as my family name.”

Competitors were evaluated in many areas including: individual weapons qualification, essay writing, weapons reassembly, call-for-fire and land navigation.

Upon completing the land navigation course, the competitors were informed of a surprise event. This “mystery event” turned out to be a triathlon. Soldiers completed a 200 meter swim, one mile run and three-mile bike race without

prior knowledge or practice. Despite the surprise, Shuler and Pettas finished second in the non-commissioned officer and Soldier category, respectively.

After two grueling days of mentally and physically challenging events, the bruised and sore competitors were left with a final event: the appearance board, in which the Soldiers would be judged on military bearing, military knowledge and tactical knowledge. Competition was tight going into the board appearance, and this final event would prove decisive in the overall contest. Pettas described the experience following his board appearance: “This competition pushed me beyond the limits I thought I had,” said Pettas, an infantryman with the Lawrencevillebased Company A 1st Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment.

The performance of Shuler and Pettas in the board event sealed their first place finishes as best non-commissioned officer and best Soldier for Region III Best Warrior. Pettas won best Soldier by 21 points while Shuler’s victory as best non commissioned officer was by a five-point margin. Sgt. Shuler’s father, who attended the competition, described his emotions after witnessing his son’s performance: “I’m very proud of my son, because he always pushes as hard as he can and tries to do his best in everything,” said Sgt. Shuler’s father, Steve Shuler. Colonel Thomas Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard also expressed pride in the accomplishment of Georgia’s Best Warriors.”

“After watching Shuler and Pettas compete in our state competition I was not surprised to see them both win the regional competition. These two soldiers are super examples of the Warrior Ethos,” said Carden.

Shuler and Pettas will travel to Utah in June to represent Georgia and Region III at the National Best Warrior Competition.

January 2016 | 26

Professional Development

reviews of books that teach us about our craft By: 1st Lt. Jeffrey Bezore | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Air National Guard

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ith the recent capture of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Lorea, and the overwhelming popularity of the Netflix show “Narocs,” Pablo Escobar has once again become a popular topic of discussion around the water cooler. Mark Bowden’s book “Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World’s Greatest Outlaw,” examines the life and times of the cocaine kingpin and documents in great detail the U.S. and Colombian governments’ efforts to track down and kill the fugitive.

Bowden’s book is written in six parts: The Rise of El Doctor, The First War, Imprisonment and Escape, Los Pepes, the Kill and Aftermath. Each section highlights significant events in Pablo Escobar’s life, and then blends that narrative with the stories of the many different individuals tasked to bring the fugitive to justice. We get insight into the hunt for, at the time, the most wanted fugitive in the world. The Colombian Government along with the CIA, DEA, Army Intelligence, Delta Force and local vigilantes all contributed to the eventual death of El Patron.

Bowden used several interview transcripts and conducted his own interviews with individuals who worked on the case.

Additionally he spoke with the family members of some of Pablo’s victims to help get a full perspective on the life and times in Colombia during Escobar’s reign. As an investigative journalist B ow d e n w a s a b l e t o ge t pre v i ou s ly classified documents from the CIA, NSA, State Depar tment and other agencies i nvolve d t h rou g h numerous freedom of information act requests. With this detailed information Bowden was able to tell a ver y comprehensive story about the hunt for Es cobar. There is s ome controversy surrounding the ethics used during the hunt for Escobar but that is not the

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aim of the work by Bowden.

This book is a benefit to everyone within the profession of arms. The stories of the men and women who spent years tracking down this fugitive can teach us a lot. These individuals displayed patience, persistence, discipline and many other attributes that we can all benefit from when we are performing our duties. It is also a testament to what team work can accomplish. All these different agencies had to have the same mission and objectives in order to successfully capture Escobar. The varying agencies had to have trust with each other and had to have clear communications in order to successfully accomplish their mission. The units involved also had to continuously re-evaluate the tactics they were using to hunt down the kingpin. Escobar successfully evaded his captors because he was always altering his own tactics. The constant re-evaluation of the process and using after action reports to help find a solution to their problems is something the Georgia National Guard uses as well.

Mark Bowden’s “Killing Pablo,” is a very good read. If you enjoyed the Netflix series “Narcos,” then I would highly recommend reading this book. If you have not seen the show or do not care about the life of Pablo Escobar this is still a good read. You will gain insight into the inner working of some of our government agencies and see how they conduct business together.

“

At his p e a k, he wou ld t h re at e n t o u s u r p t h e Colombian state. Forbes magazine would list him as t he s e vent h-r ichest man in the world in 1989.

His violent reach would make him the most feared terrorist in the world.

Best of september 2015

CDTF Assists City of Atlanta Story By: Capt.William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Gaurd

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s the heat and humidity rose in the nor t hwe st At l ant a E ng l ish Ave nu e community, a vacant, dilapidated, graffitiscarred structure came crashing down under the weight of a Georgia Guard hydraulic excavator. The demolition project represents the latest joint effort between the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the City of Atlanta and the U.S. Attorney’s office to reduce drug activity in the area.

“This is a unique opportunity through the Counter Drug Program for National Guard resources to support the Drug Market Intervention Initiative,” said Lt. Col. James McNair, commander of the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force. “The goal is to rid the community of areas that provide safe havens for criminal activity to take place.”

The DMII is a coalition of state and local law enforcement agencies, community leaders, Federal and Georgia Bureaus of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s office, dedicated to eradicating drug markets and the violence associated with narcotic trafficking.

DMII has worked to target individual drug dealers as well as the areas in which they operate.

The Georgia Guard has assisted the State of Georgia in the effort to control illegal narcotic activity since 1982. Following the formation of the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Suppression, the Georgia Guard participated in missions assisting The U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs as well as State and local law enforcement officials in counter drug efforts.

In 2002, the Georgia National Guard’s Counter Drug Task

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

Force provided demolition services at the request of the City of Atlanta to eradicate derelict structures that were being used for illegal drug activity in Northwest Atlanta. Engineers of the Augustabased 878th Engineer Battalion provided the personnel, equipment and expertise for the project.

On August 19, 2015, the Georgia Guard Counter Drug Task Force, City of Atlanta and U.S. Attorney’s office announced the pending demolition of derelict properties that were being used for illegal drug activity. The homes were identified by DMII officials and community members as hubs for drug related criminal activity.

“There have been repeated flagrant violations of the city code ordnances for these properties,” Said John Horn of the U.S. Attorney’s Atlanta office.”

From Aug. 19 to Sept. 11, 2015, engineers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 877th Engineer Company demolished 15 houses, hauled away more than 1,000 tons of debris, cleared and seeded the problem properties with grass seed to replace blighted property with green space.

“It sends the community a notice that drug activity will not be tolerated,” said McNair.

Through the Counter Drug Task Force, the Georgia Guard can extend engineering support to law enforcement agencies and community organizations for projects that have a counterdrug nexus. Throughout the engineering support to DMII, mission, demolition sites were secured by the City of Atlanta Police Department before the arrival of Georgia Guard engineers and CDTF personnel. The City of Atlanta also provided contract specialists to assess properties for hazards prior to demolition and monitor environmental conditions during demolition.

January 2016 | 28

Best of October 2015

Firefighter Training Story By: 1st Lt. Jeffrey Bezore | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Air National Guard

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embers of the 165th Fire Emergency Services Flight, 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard conducted their annual live-fire training at the Savannah Combat Readiness and Training Center in Garden City on Oct. 03, 2015. The fire training was conducted during their October unit training assembly.

The goal of the 165th FESF is to provide

29 | The Georgia Guardsman

Photos by: 1 st Lt. Jeffrey Bezore| Public Affiars Office | Georgia Air National Guard

quality and timely fire prevention, education and protection.

To accomplish this goal the unit has to maintain all its ratings for not only the U.S. Air Force but also for the Federal Aviation Administration.

“The annual live-fire training is a requirement for all firefighters,” said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy H. Horton, fire chief of the 165th FESF. “We use it so our members can demonstrate proper technique and get practice fighting real fires.”

The facilities the 165th FESF trains at offer a tremendous benefit towards maintaining their ratings. The fire simulator is a unique resource that only a few National Guard units have. Units from around the Guard travel to train at the CRTC fire simulator.

The 165th FESF began their training with a scenario involving an aircraft crash. Two P-19 crash trucks circled around the nose of the plane to combat the flames. The first truck swung in and swept the flames from around the ladder side of the aircraft. The second truck was in position to cover and combat any flames from the offpilot side, pilot side and rescue side. It took the two teams roughly 90 seconds to completely extinguish the flames.

“Our job is constantly evolving and no two fires are ever alike,” said Technical Sgt. John Skinner a firefighter with the 165th FESF. In the second half of the training members practiced using the hand line. This allowed the firefighters to get up close to the flames and practice putting them out. Several four person teams, known as P-Teams, combated flames involving different scenarios. Teams alternated combating simulated fuel fires located off of the nose of the plane. Members then rotated amongst each other so everyone was able to be at the front and train with the nozzle.

The next scenario involved putting out simulated engine fires.

The fire training simulator is able to replicate both a high wing aircraft engine cell as well as a low wing aircraft engine cell. This gives the firefighters valuable experience combating the two most likely engine fires they would encounter.

“We trained for two different types of aircraft, and with that comes applying different firefighting techniques,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jason Copeland, a fire chief at the 165th FESF. After the training members re-hydrated and conducted an informal after action report. Leadership was very encouraged with the member’s techniques and aggression in combating the flames.

“The 165th FESF provides a very critical mission for not only the 165th Airlift Wing, but also for the CRTC, airport tenants at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and the neighboring communities,” said Horton.

Currently the 165th FESF has mutual aid agreements with the South Side Fire Department, Savannah Fire & Emergency Services, the Pooler Fire Department, the Garden City Fire Department and the Port Wentworth Fire Department. In 2014 the 165th FESF responded to 240 emergency response events which included things from structural fire responses to motor vehicle collisions and fires.

This unique partnership displays how National Guard units are ready and equipped to not only respond locally but globally as well.

Currently six members of the 165th FESF are deployed overseas in Southwest Asia.

The 165th FESF has been nationally recognized as one of the premier firefighting units in the country and has received the ANG Fire Chief Association State Award five times in a 12 year span.

January 2016 | 30

Food Drive Ruck-March Story By: Sgt. Shye Stallings | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Gaurd

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n a chilly Saturday morning the Soldiers of Alpha Company, 1st Battallion, 121st Infantry completed a five-mile ruck march from their Lawrenceville armory to the Gwinnett County Salvation Army. This was not the normal ruck march that you would imagine. Instead of gear in their rucksacks all the Soldiers carried food collected during a food drive.

Alpha Company’s participation in community events for Christmas actually dates back to the 1940’s. The unit would volunteer their time to fix broken toys for less fortunate families to provide presents to children.

Today, the only difference is they will give back in a different way. And the Soldiers could not be more excited to give back to the community that has always supported them.

“Last year this idea was brought to me by Staff Sgt. Erick Hunt,” said 1st Sgt. Ryan Cooper. “He felt ruck marching the food rather than simply collecting and donating it would make more of a statement to the community.”

Since November, barrels were placed to receive canned-food donations in various locations throughout Gwinnett County and the turnout of donations was extremely successful.

This being the second time the unit has done this event the commander, Capt. David Bidot said, “The Soldiers just love it. The

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community appreciates and supports it so this will definitely be an annual thing.”

Everywhere you looked in the armory you could see Soldiers stuffing canned foods into their ruck sacks in preparation for this march. The Soldier’s filled their rucksack and stepped into formation outside the armory. Once in formation, the commander took his place in front and addressed them. You could hear the excitement in the commander’s voice. He encouraged the Soldiers as they stepped off to begin the five mile march.

They marched in a column formation as the Commander proudly led the way followed by his guidon bearer. At each intersection they were met by Lawrenceville police officers who stopped traffic allowing them to cross safely. Many friendly honks and waves were heard and seen throughout the five mile stretch.

As they reached the finish line, the Gwinnett County Salvation Army volunteers were ready to receive their donation. The Soldiers filed into the Salvation Army building, unload their ruck sacks, and completely filled a very large closet pantry with the donation.

Private Jared Carrio, who has only been in the unit for two months was honored to do this event and remarked, “It not only makes me appreciate the uniform more to do these events, I think it makes the civilians in the community appreciate those of us in uniform more as well. So I am very proud to be doing this and look forward to doing more of these events.”

Photo by: Sgt. Shye Stallings | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army NationalGuard

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Exercise Didgori 2015

Best of November 2015

A

Story by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard midst a pouring rain, mi lit ar y and government of f icials f rom the Countr y of Georgia, Georgia Army N a t i o n a l Guardsmen and U.S. Army personnel gathered together at the Krtsanisi Training Center for the official opening ceremony of the 2015 Didgori Exercise, the latest joint training endeavor between the U.S. and Country of Georgia. Major

33 | The Georgia Guardsman

General Vakhtang Kapanadze, Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces welcomed Soldiers of the Georgia National Guard, Utah National Guard, 75th Training Command and the Special Warfare Center and School to the Country of Georgia.

Didgori 2015 is a command and staff exercise designed to improve Georgian military and civil agency coordination in times of crisis and war.

The exercise centers on a simulated attack by a fictional country. Over the next nine days, the Georgian military

were presented with realistic scenarios to plan for and react to while testing their ability to communicate and coordinate interagency responses to crises.

Following the opening ceremony, the Georgians conducted a combined arms rehearsal to identify potential planning shortfalls and identify areas where civilian agency coordination is advantageous to minimize impact on civilian populations. Over the next few days, subordinate military units also conducted rehearsals and refined their plans before the initiation of the exercise

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

Georgia National Guard personnel have traveled to the Country of Georgia to share information on U.S. military best practices and ways to increase capacity and capabilities with the Georgian Military and civilian agencies.

Representatives of the Countr y of Georgia have also visited the State of Georgia to observe U.S. military and civilian agencies at work. This investment has paid off in several ways.

For many years, The Country of Georgia was the largest non-NATO contributor of forces to the war in Afghanistan, and Georgia continues to be a significant contributor to overseas contingency operations. In 2014, the Georgia Army National Guard and Soldiers from the Country of Georgia served side by side in Afghanistan.

T h e G e o r g i a A r my Nat i o n a l Guard delegation was composed of veteran Soldiers with multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Guardsmen offered advice to the Georgian OCs based on their decades of experience in unit leadership, logistics, aviation and other capabilities. The Guardsmen worked with Georgia Army personnel at military installations near Tbilisi, Vaziani, Krtsanisi and Senaki, Georgia. More than 500 members of the Georgian Armed Forces and government agencies participated in Didgori 2015.

scenario on Oct. 20, 2015. At the conclusion of the exercise, the Georgians reviewed the observations made in a formal after action review, then implemented the recommendations in order to improve overall performance.

The United States has supported previous iterations of Didgori, and in the current exercise, Georgia Army National Guardsmen, Utah National Guardsmen and Special Forces personnel participated as observers. In previous iterations of Didgori, U.S. Military and contract personnel conducted the

exercise for the Georgians. This year, the exercise was entirely run by Georgians, and specially trained Georgian observer-controllers (OCs) monitored the exercise and provide feedback and suggestions for improvements. The Georgia Guardsmen, and other U.S. military personnel, worked with the Georgian OCs to mentor and assist in the observation process.

T h e G e o r g i a A r my Nat i o n a l Guard has shared a mutually beneficial state partnership with the Country of Georgia since 1994. In the past 21 years,

January 2016 | 34

Blast from the past:

Operation Christmas Star S t o r y b y: C a p t. W i l l i a m C a r r away | M i l i ta r y H i s t o r i a n | G e o r g i a A r m y N at i o n a l G u a r d

Christmas Star

35 | The Georgia Guardsman

Air National Guard Brings Christmas to Troops in Vietnam In November and December, 1965, air crews of the Georgia Air National Guard and citizen Airmen from other states volunteered for a special mission to Vietnam. Nearly 80 Air National Guard aircraft ultimately participated in Operation Christmas Star, a multi-state airlift operation designed to provide service members in Southeast Asia with Christmas gifts contributed by a grateful nation.

As the winter of 1965 approached, Department of Defense officials faced a unique, but fortunate problem.

American citizens had donated so many gifts and baked goods for service members in Vietnam that U.S. Air Force transportation assets were overwhelmed. Operation Christmas Star would resolve the issue by asking for volunteer Air National Guard crews to augment Air Force transport missions. Guardsmen responded by the hundreds and coordinated efforts with local officials and citizen groups for the staging of gifts for transport.

On November 20, 1965, a C-97 of the Tennessee Air National Guard departed Nashville with 4,500 pounds of cargo. Two days later, three aircraft assigned to the 116th Air Transport group departed Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Ga. With Lt. Col. Charles H. Allen at the controls of the first aircraft, the Georgia Air National Guard C-97s began the long journey to Vietnam carrying thousands of pounds of gifts donated by family members of the Fort Benning-based 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), which was then deployed in Vietnam. WRBL-TV Columbus arranged for transport of the goods to the municipal airport with the assistance of Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers of the Columbus-based 560th Engineer Battalion.

From Columbus municipal airport, a C-97 transported the goods to Dobbins The next day, three C-97s of the Savannah-based 165th Air Transport Group launched from Travis Field. At the controls of the first ship was Lt. Col. Charlie Miller. The four-engine C-97 Stratofreighters, with a maximum speed of 375 miles per hour, took 11 days to make the round trip to Vietnam.

Air Guard crews met each other coming and going throughout the vast Pacific. From Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, crews generally flew to Kwajalein Atoll, a missile testing site. The next stop was Guam’s Andersen Air Base, then Manilla in the Philippines. There, the crews received a comprehensive briefing on procedures for entering the combat zone of Vietnam.

Greeting the Georgia Air National Guardsmen at Tan Son Nhut was a fellow Georgian and former Air Guard pilot Capt. Loy Shipp. Crews stayed close to their aircraft and never left the flight line in order to expedite the offloading

of their Stratofreighters.

The Georgia aircrews completed their mission before December 15, 1965. Nearly 49,000 pounds of Christmas gifts and mail were delivered to South Vietnam by the Georgia Guardsmen in addition to 97,000 pounds of Air Force cargo.

Nearly 80 Air National Guard crews flew Christmas Star missions hauling more than 400 tons of gifts. In all, 731 tons of gifts were collected by various groups around the country. So great was the response that 270 tons had to be sent by ship.

The Christmas Star aircraft came from 26 Air National Guard squadrons across the country such as New Hampshire’s 157th Air Transport Group and the 166th Airlift Group of the Delaware Air National Guard. Air National Guard units from Arizona, California, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania also participated in making Operation Christmas Star another spectacular example of the value of the Citizen Airmen.

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Around the Georgia Guard Battlefield History Georgia Army National Guard Capt. William Carraway of the 161st Military History Detachment briefs officer candidates of the Georgia Military Institute’s Officer Candidate School, Class 55 on the battle of Kennesaw Mountain following a six-mile ruck march in December 2015.

Casing the Colors Georgia Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Tommy Long retires the guidon of the 278th Military Police Company during the unit’s deactivation ceremony at Fort Gordon in January 2016.

37 | The Georgia Guardsman

Providing Range Guidance The Georgia Army National Guard Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Thomas Carden instructs a Soldier on how to shoot the most effective way in the prone position during the 781st HHD annual weapons qualification in December 2015.

International Relationships Brigadier Gen. Joe Jarrad, Georgia’s Adjutant General, meets with a member of the Denmark military to discuss state partnership opportunities in December 2015.

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Aviation Annual Training Georgia National Guard aviators conduct annual training

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