ISSUE #10
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2| Rhode Island National Guard
Featured
Governor of Rhode Island and Captain General of the Rhode Island National Guard: Gina M. Raimondo Adjutant General and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard: Brig. Gen. Christopher P. Callahan
Welcome Home 143d
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Managing Editor: Col. Peter Parente, State Public Affairs Officer Contributing Editor: 1st Lt. Mark Incze Layout & Design: Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia, Public Affairs Specialist
McGill and McKenna
Canine Search and Rescue
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Also in this issue: WaterFire Providence’s Salute to Veterans Governor’s Annual Tree Lighting Retired State CSM Honored with Patriot Award
Guard Celebrates Birthday at PC Basketball game Operation Holiday Cheer 2016 2017 Open House and Air Show Preview Rhode Island Cyber Range Cyber Workshop CSM Storm to Regional Training Institute Gold Star Teen Sailing Adventure Coastal Cleanup
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COLUMN
THE LINE OF EFFORT WE ALL OWN:
TO PROVIDE READY FORCES A message from Brigadier General Bennett Singer, Land Component Commander, Rhode Island National Guard
By now all Rhode Island National Guard leaders have heard about the ‘Lines of Effort’ used to describe the priorities of our organization. All leaders must internalize them and also realize that of each of them plays a vital role regarding our ability to provide ‘Ready Forces’ to the nation and our state. Our collective efforts to recruit qualified Soldier and Airmen candidates, retain them through realistic training and career opportunities, and then provide them the equipment to perform their mission is the foundation of our organization’s success. Our junior leaders have the most influence in maintaining ready forces through training and retention. When our service members attend drill and annual training, they typically have one common fundamental expectation, the opportunity to train in a realistic and challenging environment. If we assume this is at the top of the list, then we must also ask ourselves “who has the primary responsibility to make this happen?” The answer to this is simple: 4| Rhode Island National Guard
leaders at all levels have the responsibility to train. But it is the leaders within our platoons, flights, companies and squadrons that have the most direct influence over our training activities. There is no such thing as a Training Distractor: We have a tendency to look at some of the annual training requirements as a distraction from mission essential training. It is time to adjust our thinking to recognize that readiness requires the completion of requirements such as the annual medical screenings and our mandatory briefings. Leadership is challenging and requires dedication, tenacity, creativity and planning. Planning requires looking months in advance and giving our NCOs the time they need to plan for quality training activities while incorporating annual requirements designed to ensure readiness. Some might call this hip-pocket training. However you define it, we need
to ensure that we have thought through our training activities well enough in advance to identify gaps that can be effectively utilized. The failure to plan can and will have devastating effects on moral, unit effectiveness and retention. Remember, the yearly training calendar is not intended to limit training activities but rather to define the minimum requirements for that unit assembly. It is incumbent on all leaders to maximize training time and not be confined by accomplishing the minimum requirements. It’s all about the numbers: Leaders at the platoon, flight, company and squadron level need to know their numbers. This means you must know the authorized and assigned strength of your unit. You must also know how many Soldiers or Airmen are present for duty and why some may be missing from your formations. Just over the horizon, the Army reporting requirement called Objective T will emphasize the critical nature of
“Create a Leader Book for quick reference and to prioritize the way forward.”
force management at the junior leader level. Leaders also need to understand that readiness is one of the most important challenges we will face in the coming years. You need to know how many service members in your unit require medical or dental attention and make the necessary arrangements to have their issues addressed. This is your responsibility as a leader. Do not wait for your battalion or squadron commander to tell you that you have a unit members in need of attention. As a leader you should track these key metrics on your own and take the initiative to fix readiness problems within your ranks. Carry a Leader Book and pocket the phone: We live in a digital age where we like to think that everything we need to know can be found on our smart phones. This will only get you so far when managing your team. Create a Leader Book for quick reference and to prioritize the way forward. In addition, use your Leader Book to maintain your statistics on weapons qualifications, APFT status, current schooling completed, driver’s licenses and other vital statistics. You should maintain a roster of your team members for quick reference and communication. This could prove invaluable should the need arise for instant and
immediate accountability. Your Leader Book should also track the upcoming re-enlistment dates and counselling activities. Putting those two points together, you should understand that re-enlistment counselling and ultimately retention of our Soldiers and Airmen is not an event but a process. Track your conversations and interactions so you can identify gaps, challenges and those within your ranks that may need some additional focus. We sometimes assume that everyone gets that same level of attention, but that is not always the case and some might need more development opportunities than others to succeed. Last but not least, your Leader Book should include your training schedules and information on upcoming training events. Review this routinely with other leaders in your formations and plan ahead, looking for ways to improve and maximize time for training and interaction with your team.
“One of the greatest sins of a leader is to show up for a unit training assembly unprepared.”
Do your pre-mission checks: One of the greatest sins of a leader is to show up for a unit training assembly unprepared. You need to have a battle rhythm in place built for success. Arrive ready to train! Know the activities you need to accomplish months in advance and track their completion and level of success. Make sure everyone on the team knows the plan and what their role is in executing the plan. Conduct rehearsals at your pre-drill meetings and make sure everything is in place to maximize training. Check in with key team members in the days before drill to see if there are any last minute changes. Finally, show up with the confidence that you have done everything in your power to ensure training success. It is probably fair to say that our Soldiers and Airmen do not expect perfection from their Leaders. None of us can be perfect or even close to perfect all the time. But our service members have a right to expect that their leaders are striving to do their best on their behalf. If our team members know their leaders care about them and that you are giving it your best, they will rally and help them to succeed.
“... our service members have a right to expect that their leaders are striving to do their best on their behalf.”
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6| Rhode Island National Guard
By Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia, Public Affairs Specialist
WaterFire Providence wrapped up its season with the annual WaterFire Salute to Veterans event on November 5, 2016 at Water Place Park in downtown Providence. The WaterFire Salute to Veterans event is a collaborative, community-wide celebration whose mission is to honor and recognize all United States veterans, active and reserve military personnel and families for their service, sacrifice and contributions to this nation, and to organize, exhibit and highlight the wealth of veteran oriented organizations and services available to them. WateFire Salute to Veterans combines two things that are great about Rhode Island, said Governor Gina Raimondo. One is WaterFire, and the other of course is our veterans. More than 100 veterans marched in a proces-
sion before the Salute to Veterans WaterFire with torches in hand – as their fellow Americans saluted them. It’s always great to salute our veterans from World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Wars on Terror, said Raimondo. As the veterans were encircling the Basin at Water Place Park forming the ring of fire, a joint band comprised of the “Governor’s Own” 88th Army Band from the Rhode Island Army National Guard and the Navy Band out of the Naval Station Newport, played patriotic music as well as service songs. The event was capped off with a concert from the joint band as WaterFire employees in gondolas ignited fire basins on the water.
Photo courtesy of Waterfiresalutetoveterans.org
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GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL
TREE LIGHTING
Story and videos by 1st Lt. Mark Incze, Commander, 110th Public Affairs Detachment
The RI Governor’s Office hosted its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the State House on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Providence, R.I. The annual ceremony was hosted by the Governor’s office to commemorate the various holiday traditions of all Rhode Islanders during the winter holiday season. The ceremony featured music by the RI National Guard’s 88th Army Band, called “The Governor’s Own,” which played familiar holiday tunes
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for the audience before the tree lighting. “The Governor’s Own” also joined Governor Gina Raimondo in the annual tradition of reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The night’s festivities were highlighted by the lighting of the giant holiday tree atop the State House rotunda, followed by the lighting of the Veteran’s Tree, a Rhode Island tradition that honors those service members serving overseas who cannot be with their families for the holidays.
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RETIRED STATE CSM HONORED WITH PATRIOT AWARD By Sage Maker, Rhode Island ESGR Coordinator
Director of Supportive Services John McDonough of Operation Stand Down was presented with a Patriot Award Nov. 28, by Phil Albert, Vice-Chairman of the Rhode Island Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee. McDonough, former Rhode Island National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, received the award for his intense passion in supporting all veterans and accommodating Guard members performing extra military duties. McDonough was nominated by his staff member, Army Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class James Duncanson with the 243d Regimental Training
Institute, Rhode Island. Following the presentation of the award, Eric Wallen Executive Director of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island signed a Statement of Support affirming their commitment to supporting Guard and Reserve members. Wallen stated, “Operation Stand Down Rhode Island lives by the time honored tradition of veterans serving veterans. Supporting our employees and their families who are still serving our State and Country is of the utmost priority to our organization.�
Photo courtesy of the Rhode Island ESGR
10| Rhode Island National Guard
GUARD CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY AT PC MENS BASKETBALL GAME By 1st Lt. Mark Incze, Commander, 110th Public Affairs Detachment
The RI National Guard celebrated the 380th birthday of the Army National Guard at a Providence College Friars basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. The celebration featured recorded messages from Rhode Island Governor, Gina Raimondo, Lt. Governor, Daniel McKee, and Director of Veteran’s Affairs, Kasim Yarn. The halftime ceremony also included the presentation of the “Outstanding Unit Award” by the former governor of the Patriots and Founders organization, Bob Baxter, to the 282d Combat Communications Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. Amalia McCaffery. In 2016, the 282d Combat Communications 11| Rhode Island National Guard
Squadron returned from a six-month deployment, having established critical communications in support of overseas operations in Southwest Asia. Also this year, the unit supported two successful exercise deployments led by our allied partners in the Netherlands and Estonia. The Founders and Patriots’ members are located throughout our nation and can trace their bloodlines back to the Revolutionary War. Each year the Rhode Island chapter marks the National Guard’s birthday by presenting the Rhode Island National Guard’s Outstanding Unit Award. The award was accepted on behalf of Lt. Col. McCaffery by the 282d Combat Communications Squadron Operations Officer, Maj. Bryan Artiaco. Ocean State Guardian |11
Brig. Gen. Christopher Callahan, Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, speaks with Lt. Governor Daniel McKee at Operation Holiday Cheer, held at the Warwick Armory in Warwick, R.I., on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. Operation Holiday Cheer is an annual, collaborative effort between the American Red Cross, the R.I. Office of Lt. Governor, and the Rhode Island National Guard that collects donated items and creates care packages for service members serving overseas during the holiday season. (Photo courtesy of the R.I. Governor’s Office)
OPERATION HOLIDAY CHEER 2016 By Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia, Public Affairs Specialist, Rhode Island National Guard
The 14th annual Operation Holiday Cheer wrapped up on November 20, 2016, after two days of volunteer help preparing and shipping packages to Rhode Island service members overseas. Operation Holiday Cheer is an annual care package initiative for service members serving abroad during the holidays. Approximately 200 volunteers contributed during the 2-day event, to the creation of more than 400 care packages that were shipped to Rhode Island service members around the world. “While deployed it’s nice to get a little taste of home on the holidays,” said Master Sgt. Daniel Delayo of the 43rd Military Police Brigade. All contents of the care packages were comprised of contributions from members of the community as well as corporate sponsors. The event is backed by dozens of Rhode Is12| Rhode Island National Guard
land businesses and organizations. Operation Holiday Cheer is organized by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in partnership with the Rhode Island National Guard’s Family Assistance Center, the Office of Veteran Affairs, the U.S. Postal Service Providence and the Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross. “Operation Holiday Cheer brings Rhode Islanders together,” said Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee speaking from the event. ”From combat veterans to boy scouts, we have people who have been volunteering for seven years and some who joined us for the first time this weekend. It is inspiring to see our state standing by the men and women who do so much for us each and every day. I am proud to carry on this tradition, and I wish all the Rhode Island troops and their families a safe and happy holiday season. Ocean State Guardian |12
The U.S. Uniformed Services
management system: Joint Knowledge Online found at
Leaders Leader Training to Introduce System for the Uniformed Services Course June 2016 Provides leaders a working knowledge of the BRS and the DoD plan to educate the force prior to the date of implementation on January 1, 2018. This course is also available to family members on Military One Source at www.militaryonesource.mil/.
Personal Financial Managers Financial Counselor/Educator Course September 2016 Offers training and resources to equip financial and retirement advisors with the training and resources they need to support commanders, Service members, and families. Additional information will be available to prepare these experts to counsel Service members regarding their options.
.
New Accession
Components
New Accession Course January 2018
Opt-In Course January 2017
All members who enter the Uniformed Services after January 1, 2018 will be educated on the options available under BRS. These members will receive this training during their first year.
Fully educate BRS Opt-In eligible members on the benefits of both the current military retirement system and the BRS. This course allows members to make informed decisions on which retirement plan best suits their financial needs. It will include financial calculators to aid in evaluating financial options.
December 31, 2017: All members of the uniformed services on or before this date will
2016: Leader and Professional Financial Services Training
At a Glance
December 31, 2018: Opt-In enrollment window closes.
Opt-In Window
*All training and education initiates with the release of training resources and will continue on an ongoing basis.
January 2017: Opt-In training for all eligible service members begins.
January 1, 2018: System.
JKO is the DoD online training management system. BRS courses can be found on JKO at www.militaryonesource.mil.
.
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FEATURE ARTICLE
Airmen from the 143d Airlift Wing Operations section shake hands with Rhode Island National Guard and state leadership after returning home in November from a deployment in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt, Jason Long)
WELCOME HOME By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143d Airlift Wing Public Affairs
More than 100 Airmen and several C-130J aircraft from the 143d Airlift Wing returned in November to Quonset Air National Guard Base from a deployment to Southwest Asia in support of operations in Southwest Asia. Family, friends and fellow guardsmen met the Airmen as they returned over the course of four days. The group of deployed Airmen included personnel from a cross-section of operations, support and maintenance specialties. While deployed, the Airmen supported the air mobility operations of rapid global mobility, and sustainment of the combat capability of America’s armed forces, including humanitarian efforts, troop movements and supply missions. Members of the 143d Airlift Wing team also played a significant 14| Rhode Island National Guard
role in flying two C-130 Hercules aircraft into Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq. These aircraft were the first coalition aircraft to land on the airfield since the start of operations. “We are thrilled to welcome our Rhody Airmen safely back home after yet another star performance,” said Colonel Daniel Walter, 143d Airlift Wing Commander, “Having been in the thick of the tactical airlift operations in-theater once again, they just keep proving there’s not a more skilled team anywhere.” The Rhode Island National Guard welcomes these Airmen home to their family and friends just in time for the holidays and thanks them for their continued hard work and dedication.
(Above) An Airmen holds his son after returning home in November from a deployment in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt, Jason Long)
(Above) A family waits as Airmen from the 143d Airlift Wing Operations section deboard the aircraft that carried them home in November after a deployment in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt, Jason Long)
(Left) An Airmen from the 143d Airlift Wing Operations section hugs a child after returning home in November from a deployment to Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt, Jason Long)
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2017 OPEN HOUSE AND AIRSHOW PREVIEW By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143d Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show, sponsored by the National Guard Association of Rhode Island, is excited to welcome back the Canadian Snowbirds to headline the 2017 show. This year’s show marks the 27th year for the RING Open House and Air Show and will be held on May 20-21, 2017 at Quonset Air National Guard Base, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The Open House allows the RI National Guard the opportunity to demonstrate to our neighbors a glimpse of what our Soldiers and Airmen do, while simultaneously treating them to a world class Air Show. In addition to the Canadian Snowbirds, our guests can expect to be wowed by award winning performers such as Sean D. Tucker, Michael Goulian, Rob Holland, and the Shockwave Jet Truck. Additionally we are welcoming Randy Ball and his MiG-17 demonstration to Rhode Island for the first time. Along with 16| Rhode Island National Guard
military jet demos, your Rhode Island National Guard will thrill the audience with the Combined Arms Demonstration featuring pyrotechnics by Firewalkers International Pyro! Each year the National Guard Association of Rhode Island is able to donate money from the show to the Hasbro Children’s Hospital and other local charities to include, Rhode Island Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, Meeting Street School, and more. To date, NGARI has donated over $2 million to these outstanding organizations. The success of the RING Open House and Air Show is owed to the Soldiers and Airmen of the RI National Guard, show staff, countless volunteers, show sponsors, our outstanding performers, support aircraft and show services, and the support received from the state’s elected officials and its citizens. We look forward to seeing you again in May!
RHODE ISLAND CYBER RANGE By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143d Airlift Wing Public Affairs
At a ceremony held at the Community College of Rhode Island Newport Campus, Oct. 28, 2016, RI Governor Gina Raimondo presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony officially launching the RI Cyber Range Initiative. The RI Cyber Range Initiative promotes a hands-on virtual interactive training environment for users on cyber security and cyber hygiene tactics, as well as techniques and procedures for dealing with cyber-attacks in a non-confrontational environment. This initiative will showcase the cyber security capabilities of the state of Rhode Island. It also highlights the collaboration between the Joint Cyber Task Force RI, made up of members from RI Emergency Management Agency, RI State Police, RI National Guard, with the Southeastern New England Defense Industry
Governor Gina M. Raimondo, accompanied by members of state leadership as well as representatives from the Community College of Rhode Island cut a ceremonial ribbon marking the opening of the Rhode Island Cyber Range Initiative. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Janeen Miller)
Alliance and CCRI. The ceremony attendees heard remarks from RIEMA Director Peter Gaynor, CCRI President Dr. Meghan Hughes, Senate President M. Teresa Pavia Weed, R.I. Representative Marvin Abney, and Governor Raimondo. Following the remarks, Governor Raimondo ceremoniously cut a ribbon marking the official opening of the cyber range. Ocean State Guardian |17
FEATURE ARTICLE
Special forces Soldiers stand at attention as memorial attendees pay their respects to First Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna Jr. and Staff Sgt. Timothy Raymond McGill on September 11, 2016 in the Garden of Heroes on the lawn of the Rhode Island State House.
McGILL, McKENNA ADDED TO THE GARDEN OF HEROES By 1st Lt. Mark Incze, Commander, 110th Public Affairs Detachment
Army First Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Jr. of Bristol, R.I. and Staff Sergeant Timothy Raymond McGill of the R.I. National Guard, were added to the R.I. State House Garden of Heroes Memorial in a ceremony honoring the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. Their names were revealed on the stone as the final act in the ceremony, which honors the Rhode Island victims of the attack, as well as the Rhode Island service members who lost their lives in the War on Terror. “Today we take a moment to reflect on the courage and commitment of 1st Sgt. McKenna and Staff Sgt. McGill, two brave men who gave their lives to protect our freedom,” said Lt. Governor McKee. “Our thoughts and hearts are with their families and loved ones. Rhode Island is forever grateful for the service of these two men who are truly American heroes.” 1st Sgt. Peter A. McKenna Jr. was a native of Bristol Rhode Island, and 17-year Army veteran 18| Rhode Island National Guard
who passed away on Aug. 7, 2015 from wounds sustained when his unit came under small arms fire in Kabul, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Timothy Raymond McGill of Ramsey, New Jersey, served with the Rhode Island National Guard and was killed on Sept. 21, 2013 at Forward Operating Base Shank, Paktia Province, Afghanistan, when his unit came under attack. Rhode Island has lost 29 service members since the beginning of the War on Terror. “Every day, right now, there are Rhode Islanders serving in harm’s way overseas,” Governor Gina Raimondo stated at the event. “And we must remember that. We can’t take that for granted. And we must be grateful for them, and for their service. The ceremony was held in the Garden of Heroes, and featured members of the RI National Guard Command Staff, the 88th Army Band, and various veteran’s associations from around Rhode Island.
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Congressman Jim Langevin speaks at a Department of Homeland Security Cyber Disruption Preparedness and Response Planning Workshop on October 18, 2016.
Lieutenant Colonel Alan White addresses those in attendance at a Department of Homeland Security Cyber Disruption Preparedness and Response Planning Workshop on October 18, 2016.
CYBER WORKSHOP By Lt. Col. Alan J. White, Joint Force Headquaters, J3 - Training
The Rhode Island National Guard facilitated and participated in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber Disruption Preparedness and Response Planning Workshop on October 18, 2016, at FM Global Northwoods office complex in Johnston, Rhode Island. This was the first Cyber Disruption Workshop by DHS and the Rhode Island State Police Cyber Crime Unit. Participation included State and local law enforcement, emergency response personnel, local municipality representation, national guard, utility representatives and many Rhode Island based commercial companies. In all attendance were approximately 90 participants, facilitators, observers and planners. The event was a combination of briefings by the town of Middletown and DHS and a scenario based workshop led by Army Lt. Col. Alan White. During the workshop, the attendees would receive a portion of the scenario and then be asked to spend time as a group discussing how they would best prepare and respond to the cyber risk, threat and attack. After a morning and afternoon set of scenario rounds, several discussions were captured on take away actions, learning points, and collective feedback for the State. R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin spoke to the 20| Rhode Island National Guard
attendees on the importance of this type of event, what he is doing to continue to advance cybersecurity legislation and attention, and the relevance of National Cybersecurity Month. Sponsors included the Rhode Island State Police, Rhode Island National Guard, Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, Providence Emergency Management Agency, and several commercial R.I. businesses. Attendees and participants were provided supplemental material that they could leverage in their organizations to look at any gaps they have in their cyber security programs and cyber incident response capabilities. They left with a better understanding of how the state task organizes from the Governor’s office down, in the event of a major cyber incident impacting the state of Rhode Island citizens, communities and businesses. Attendees established an agreement to continue to hold similar training and workshop events in the future. For more information about the cybercrime resources visit the - RI State Police Cyber Crime Unit http://risp.ri.gov/ccu/index.php -RI Emergency Management Agency http://www.riema.ri.gov// cybersecurity/riemacybersecurity/index.php and follow @RhodeIslandEMA on Twitter.
Sgt. Maj. Deborah P. Storm passes the ceremonial NCO sword to Master Sgt. McCarthy to complete the change of responsibility on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Camp Varnum in Narragansett, RI. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia)
CSM STORM TO RTI By 1st Lt. Mark Incze, Commander, 110th Public Affairs Detachment
Sgt. Maj. Deborah P. Storm became the highest-ranking, full-time, female noncommissioned officer in the Rhode Island National Guard during a change of responsibility ceremony for the 243rd Regional Training Institute, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at Camp Varnum, Narragansett, R.I. Storm, a 23-year veteran of the AGR program, has taken responsibility at a time when the Army has recently opened many more roles within its ranks previously closed to women. “This is a big deal,” she said Sunday. “I’m the first active-duty female command sergeant major for the state of Rhode Island. It’s the highest rank of the enlisted corps.” Storm, who lives in Swansea, Mass., with her husband, Henry, and their three children, has two deployments overseas with the Military Police, the first to Bosnia, the second to Guantanamo, Cuba. “Her kids are very proud of her,” Henry Storm said. “She is a strong role model for her children. Her daughters really look up to her.” Storm recommended joining the National Guard to anyone who wants the opportunity to
shape their career. She is also an advocate of the dual-status technician program or the active guard and reserve (AGR) program, for any guard member who wants to take their military career to the next level. “I came in as a private,” she said. “Never in a thousand years would I have imagined reaching this - the highest grade.” Twenty-three years after enlisting, Storm has no regrets about her decisions. “It’s a second family to me,” she said. “We look out for each other. There is a camaraderie you can’t find in any other job.” Storm entered the military during a time of great change for women. Storm said she hopes she can serve as a role model to other women rising through the ranks. “I hope they take away that they can achieve anything they want if they put their hearts and minds into it,” she said. “There were no active duty female sergeants major to look up to when I was young, and I hope I can be that for someone.” Ocean State Guardian |21
FEATURE ARTICLE
1-126th TRAIN WITH CANINE SEARCH AND RESCUE Story and videos by 1st Lt. Mark Incze, Commander, 110th Public Affairs Detachment
The Rhode Island Canine Search and Rescue (RICSAR) teamed up with the 1-126th Aviation Battalion to familiarize the dogs in its training program with the loud sounds and unfamiliar sights associated with a helicopter insertion on the weekend of Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at Quonset Air Base, East Greenwich, R.I. The training continued on Sunday at the Civil Support Team’s base in Coventry, R.I., where the dogs in training were joined by those dogs on the team already certified, and practiced their search and rescue tasks with the added wrinkle of a helicopter insertion. “As part of the Rhode Island State Police’s Task Force 2 response community, it’s important that these dogs become comfortable working with a variety of other organizations and situations,” said Jean Comtois, a Specialist in the Rhode Island National Guard, and probationary member of the RICSAR team. Canines play an important role in the R.I. State Police’s ability to conduct search and 22| Rhode Island National Guard
rescue operations. The speed and endurance advantage a canine has, in addition to their acute hearing, allows a trained canine to cover four to five times more ground than a human searcher. Additionally, their heightened sense of smell allows them to find people that would otherwise be undetectable to a human searcher, such as those buried under leaves or snow, according to Comtois. Certifying a dog in search and rescue often takes years of training, and often starts very early in the dog’s life. “We have a 3 month old German shepherd in our program, and that’s pretty normal. A lot of people start their puppies in training right away,” said Comtois, “how long it takes to train depends on the dog. You find that one and a half to two years old is where most of the training starts to click.” According to their website, the RICSAR program currently has nine dogs fully trained and certified to assist the State Police in search and rescue. Six dogs participated in the training on
scattering scent, or distracting one another,” said Comtois. The members of the RICSAR team are all unpaid volunteers, who pay for the majority of the cost of training and operating their Canine partners out of pocket. “Everyone buys their own dog, raises it, feeds it, and trains it. Everybody pays their own cost to come out and join a search. They do this to give back to their communities,” said Comtois. Saturday and experienced their first helicopter rides. The dogs were outfitted with goggles and hearing plugs to protect them from the intense noise of a Blackhawk in flight. Some members of the team have been in for more than 20 years, and have participated in a number of high profile searches, including the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, and the recent search for a Coventry woman missing in R.I.’s Arcadia Management Area. The number of dogs involved in any search depends on the size of the search and the needs of the State Police. “They try not to have dogs work in too close proximity to one another, just so they aren’t crossing each other’s path,
For more information, or to join the Rhode Island Canine Search and Rescue team, visit their website at www.ricsar.org
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Photo courtesy of Survivor outreach
GOLD STAR TEEN SAILING ADVENTURE By Jessica Bobroff, Survivor Outreach Coordinator
Twelve high school students, who are Gold Star family members, visited Rhode Island, July 30 to Aug. 6, 2016, for an opportunity to sail on Narragansett Bay during an adventure sailing camp organized by the RI Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator and S.A.L.T.Y. and was sponsored by RI National Guard Child & Youth Program and S.A.L.T.Y funded by private donations. Gold Star teens, ages 14-18, are the surviving children of military personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving in Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The camp provided an environment to enhance mentorship, encourage character and develop leadership through team building experiences, learn the basics of sailing and be with other youth who share a similar loss. “It’s all about the healing,” said Gary Mace, Ocean State Gold Star Teen Sailing Adventure volunteer, “the kids come to us as strangers, but leave as family with lasting friendships.” Ocean State Gold Star Teen Adventure is staffed with all volunteers from the active duty community, retired military, and civilians from the business community and the RI Survivor Out24| Rhode Island National Guard
reach Services Coordinator. Camps have been conducted in 2015 with six teens, and 2016 had 12 teens in attendance with room to grow in 2017. The camp is committed to serving and honoring this community of people who sacrificed so much. The students arrived in Rhode Island, July 30, with several staff members and two Gold Star Teen mentors from the previous year’s camp, who served as teen mentors and role models. They are taught different life skills while in a small group environment, where teamwork is important. The camp arranged for lodging aboard the ships, with sailing across Rhode Island every day. During the camp, the teens visited numerous locations in Rhode Island including the Newport Naval Station. They participated in the Full Mission Bridge training simulator, Quonset Point Air National Guard Base, where they also toured C-130 J and Black Hawk helicopters. Participants also had a private polo lesson at Newport Polo, Newport, and a Rhode Island clam bake on a private beach in Jamestown, RI and much, much more!
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Volunteers pose for a picture with various items they’ve cleaned up from the Camp Varnum coastline as part of the 31st International Coastal Cleanup that too place in Septmeber 2016. (Photo provided by the Rhode Island National Guard Environmental Management Office.
COASTAL CLEANUP By Elizabeth Stefanik, Supervisor of Environmental Systems
On September 17th, a small team from the Rhode Island Army National Guard joined more than 2,000 volunteers from across the state to participate in the 31st International Coastal Cleanup. The event is the world’s largest volunteer effort to remove shoreline trash and is supported by an extensive network of private industries, government agencies, and civic organizations. This was the first year of the Guard’s partici-
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pation in the event, and resulted in the removal of 106 pounds of trash from the shoreline along Camp Varnum in Narragansett. Despite being the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island encompasses approximately 400 miles of shoreline, earning it the nickname of “The Ocean State”. The team was proud to participate in the event and to join our local communities as stewards of our shared environmental treasures, Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound.
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