Heads Up April 2003

HEADS UP!

E-NEWS FROM THE GEORGIA STATE DEFENSE FORCE Volume One, Issue Two

ON TARGET

WHAT IS METL? See page six...

OPS IN THE FIELD See page two...

TROOPERS IN THE HOT LZ FAMDET UNIT SHOWS THE COLORS

See page three..

TROOPS DEPLOY FROM KENNESAW ARMORY See page four...

Whadya mean it's over....

Hey, I need a Starbucks!

The 1st Brigade, 2nd Battalion, MEDDET Support Unit of GSDF, salute the GaARNG 190Th MP Company, en-route to active duty assignment, 18 March 2003. Deployment at McCollum Field, Kennesaw was supported by GSDF troopers, who then moved to the overpass at I-75 and Windy Hill Rd.,to salute the soldiers' convoy.

The reaction of motorists, particularly truckers, who responded with a cacaphony of horn blasts, was a clear message of support to Georgia's deploying National Guard troops.

The GSDF troops provided security, family assistance, traffic control, crowd control and first aid during the deployment procedure and ceremony at Kennesaw Armory as well as the hanger at McCollum Field.

See more on page four...

NEXT PAGE...

HEADS UP! PAGE TWO

SDF OPS IN THE FIELD The four Southern Brigades of the Georgia State Defense Force held annual training on April 12, 2003 in Cochran, Georgia. Over 100 Troopers participated in search and rescue, land navigation, medivac, and helicopter landing operations along with radio communications and emergency medical response sessions.

SDF Staff from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Brigades attended the session, some troopers coming from as far away as the Georgia-Florida Border.

"Training like this serves two purposes," stated Colonel Willie Garner who commands two of the brigades attending. "It gives our people an opportunity to get out into the field, and to build esprit de corps as we train to prepare to meet any emergency situation."

Company C,171st Aviation Regiment from Dobbins Air Reserve Base assisted by providing a Blackhawk helicopter and crew to assist.The flight crew consisting of Captain Brian Chesser, pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Donald Walker, pilot, and Crew Chief Staff Sergeant Darryl Faison.

Victim carried to triage.

The Blackhawk crew also transported personnel from the SDF Weapons of Mass Destruction Support Team to the site. The WMD team gave SDF brigade troops instruction on helicopter landing site selection, flight operations and medevac proccedeures.

Colonel Mike McGuinn, SDF Chief of Staff, noted that training such as this is even more critical now that half of the Georgia National Guard has been deployed. "The State Defense Force has to look toward accepting far greater responsibility for homeland security issues. This kind of training is one way to build group cohesiveness, and to meet our mandate regarding mission essential tasks."

The committment to the State Defense force was demonstrated by many staff, who took traveled great distances to attend this session.

Some SDF staff, like Captain Ronald Back, went above and beyond the call of duty in serving. Captain Back is a Battalion Commander under Colonel Willie Garner, and he lost an eye and arm in combat operations with the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. This hasn't prevented Captain Back from actively serving and leading his unit and continuing to serve to the extent of his abilities. "We are in the field, recruiting, training, and making people ready for whatever situation might come up next."

Col. Lockert

Colonel Garner stated, "He is one of the most dedicated Battalion Commanders I have."

Brigadier General Seymour, Commander of he Georgia State Defense Force used this training opporunity to meet with staffs of the participating brigades and with local Beckley County Emergency management Agency representatives.

UH60 Blackhawk landing.

HEADS UP! PAGE THREE

AIR OPS TRAINING PUT TROOPERS IN THE HOT LZ

See the story on page five...

WO1 Garrard

WMD TEAM BRIEF ADJUTANT GENERAL The Adjutant General of the State of Georgia, Major General David Poythress, was briefed 9 April by the Georgia State Defense Force Weapons of Mass Destruction Team.

Colonel John Harvey and Major William McShane of the GaSDF WMD Team presented the briefing and covered key SDF support issues for the National Guard.

Major General Poythress

Major Jeffrey Allen, GaArNG Commanding the 4th WMD CST was very complimentary of the contributions provided by the GaSDF team. Major Allen said the Guard used this 10-person group as a "brain trust and resource" because they include high-skill GaSDF personnel ranging from Senior Chemists through Medical Doctors to First Responders."

The Adjutant General asked several questions about capabilities and response options. Other questions were raised centering on mission essential tasks for GaSDF in the WMD area. Training, and additional capabilities for GaSDF were also discussed.

MORE NEXT PAGE...

HEADS UP! PAGE FOUR 18 March Deployment McCollum Field

Cpl. Cpl. Dennis Dennis Brock, Brock, 2BN 2BN GaSDF GaSDF One One of of many many GSDF GSDF soldiers soldiers on on call call to to assist assist families families of of deploying deploying GaARNG GaARNG soldiers soldiers

To the right and below are the faces of the GaARNG families and their GaARNG soldiers who are leaving to be part of the assignment to secure Iraq during the rebirth of that Nation.

If these images seem diminished now that hard combat has ended, keep in mindthe job for these troops is just beginning.

GaARNG 190Th MP Company

HEADS UP! PAGE FIVE

AIR OPS TRAINING PUT TROOPERS IN THE HOT LZ

From Page three...

The Georgia State Defense Force WMD TEAM conducted detailed and interactive helicopter landing-zone operation training at Dobbins ARB, 1 March 2003.

Classroom instruction was given by WO1 Lloyd Garrard, who employed visual support materials and physical demonstration, presenting the large class a comprehensive course on aircraft and operational techiniques.

Company C,171st Aviation Regiment from Dobbins Air Reserve Base assisted by providing a Blackhawk helicopter and crew to assist in the instruction, both in the classroom and during "hands-on" acitivities in the regiment's hangar. GSDF troops were afforded the opportunity to board and evaluate the capabilities of the UH60 Blackhawk.

HEADS UP! PAGE SIX

WHAT IS METL? What is METL? No, its not an award which is pinned to your uniform.

METL stands for Mission Essential Task List, and is the basic set of elements required to accomplish tasks.

The State Defense Force recently revised its METL as follows: GSDF MISSION When ordered by the Adjutant General, provide an organized, trained, disciplined, rapid response volunteer force to assist state and local government agencies, and civil relief organizations in impending or actual emergencies to assure the welfare and safety of the citizens of Georgia.

GSDF MISSION ESSENTIAL TASK LIST (METL)* 1. Support and augment Georgia National Guard forces 2. Provide professional skills to the Georgia Department of Defense 3. Assist Georgia Communities.

METL DERIVED COMMON TASKS* Disaster Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Operations Traffic/Evacuation Control Guard Family Assistance Support Area Isolation/Area Security Base and Field Medical Support

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of "Heads Up." Contributers were: 1LT. J. Nosin, WO1 A. Katz, Dreamtime Systems, design and layout.

Evacuee Shelter Augmentation Crowd Control/Event Security EOC/SOC Augmentation Facilities Security Special Skill Support to GADOD Other Tasks as Authorized * Reflects the GSDF peacetime METL and those Common Tasks derived therefrom that have been authorized for GSDF execution.