Spring 2015 / Rhode Island National Guard | 1
RI Army National Guard Benefits Institutions Name:
$$$ Value
University of Rhode Island
$12.8K in state $28.8K out
Rhode Island College
$8.2K in State $19.8K out
Community College of Rhode Island
$3.9K in State $11.1K out
RI-Army NG Benefit? (63 training days per yr)
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICES: PROVIDENCE 401-861-1095 WARWICK 401-826-1504 VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: WWW.RIARMYNATIONALGUARD.COM
2 | Ocean State Guardian / Spring 2015
Rhode Island National Guard
The Ocean State Guardian Summer 2015
The Governor of Rhode Island and the Captain General of the Rhode Island National Guard
The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo The Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard
www.ri.ng.mil www.ri.ng.mil
IN THIS ISSUE...
A Message from the Acting Adjutant General
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169th MP Co. Conducts Annual Training
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New Simulator Facility Coming to Quonset
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SAPR Obstacle Course Challenge
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A WWII Vets Long-Awaited Promotion
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Stepping Toward a more Resilient Air Guard
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USPFO Cuts Ribbon for New Facility
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RING Open House & Air Show
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43d MP Brigade Prepares for “Warfighter”
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Director of the Air National Guard Visits RI
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13th CST Hosts Full-Scale Emergency Exercise
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MG Kevin R. McBride Director of Joint Staff Rhode Island National Guard
BG Charles E. Petrarca Jr. Deputy Adjutant General Rhode Island National Guard
Brig. Gen. Marcus Jannitto Assistant Adjutant General for Air Rhode Island National Guard
Brig. Gen. Matthew Dzialo Managing Editor State Public Affairs Officer
LTC Peter Parente Public Affairs Specialists
2LT Megan Burmeister SSG Peter Ramaglia Public Affairs Office (401) 275-4038 Feedback on The OSG content, please email: ngristaffpao@ng.army.mil _____________________________ Like us on Facebook: /RhodeIslandNationalGuard Follow us on Twitter: @RINationalGuard Check out previous issues of The OSG www.issue.com/RIPAO
ON THE COVER A Blue Angel pilot conducts the Blue Angel ground show prior to take off for their headlining performance. (National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Jason Long)
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From the Acting Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard Brigadier General Charles E. Petrarca Jr.
As units plan for and execute annual training, the Open House and Air Show, and the upcoming Leapfest, the Rhode Island National Guard continues to perform at a high level accomplishing its mission, all during a significant period of transition. Transition as defined is the movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, to another resulting in change: The transition I refer to is the recent retirement of MG (ret.) Kevin McBride, who served this organization with unmatched energy and professionalism for thirty five years, culminating as our Commanding General and the Adjutant General. His leadership, vision, and unwavering concern for the men and women who wear the uniform and their families laid the foundation for what has been and will continue to be a smooth transition process for our professional organization. Author John P. Kotter wrote the following regarding organizations facing periods of change: “To survive in any environment, all organizations must maintain a high level of performance during periods of change. To attain 4 | Ocean State Guardian / Spring 2015
this level of performance however, senior leaders or managers must have a firm understanding of the organization’s direction and purpose.” In his book, Leading Change, John P. Kotter states that teams with sufficient trust can be effective in today’s business environment of dramatic change and can sustain their high performance. Kotter insists that teams built on mutual trust and respect can thrive during organizational change if they possess the following characteristics: • shared vision and goals • shared leadership and accountability • continuous learning and development • a customer focus • capability to gather and use feedback and data While most of these attributes seem to be common sense, many teams fail to incorporate them. As a result, minor and major agency changes catch teams off guard, undermine their productivity, and often cause them to question their purpose, feel defensive, or just crumble. (John P. Kotter; Harvard Business School Press, 1996) Through the RI Guard’s Strategic
Planning Process, the framework of our shared vision was built by the senior leaders in our organization. It is easily understood, focused our efforts and is supportable. The establishment of our collective vision will guide the force into the future and serve as a template for future leaders. A shared vision relies upon shared leadership that is born from shared responsibilities. Responsibility of mission success is the result of mutual interest by all team members and the free exchange of ideas for the collective good of the organization. Although there are clear lines of duties and responsibilities, each of our commands and senior staff routinely engage for the best possible solutions, conduct mission analysis, course of action analysis and hold individuals accountable for mission success. Holding individuals accountable starts with education. Every leader at every level must continue to ensure that their soldiers and Airmen are tactically and technically competent in their primary mission. Training and development for our service members is critical. This also includes the need to balance training requirements with schooling requirements so the force does not be-
come stagnant in its knowledge base and career progression. Above all, we must continue to push responsibility down to the levels where it belongs. This will foster pride within the force and set the stage for increased responsibilities for our junior officers and NCOs. A well run organization that is prideful of its accomplishments and attributes is more easily able to associate and partner with outside organizations, and consistently fight for feedback. The RI Guard has multiple strategic partners at the local, state and federal level. To grow as an organization, and to understand the complexities of the environment we operate in, engaging our customers through various platforms on a routine basis has become a priority. It is essential that our customers understand the wide variety of as-
sets and skills that our organization possesses as we enter into a time of dwindling resources, force structure realignments, and potential mission set changes. The feedback received from our customer focus and partners will lead to long term organizational success. To consistently improve, we must continue to review our performance, understand our areas for improvement, communicate corrective measures and prioritize our efforts to ensure we are meeting our established goals and vision. The five characteristics described by the author, John P. Kotter, in his book Leading Change can be summed up by the term, “Mission Command.� Our military doctrine for generations highlighted that Command and Control was the essential ingredient to successfully
accomplish the mission. Although this concept still holds true, the concept of Mission Command extends beyond the top down approach and pushes mission objectives, goals, and vision down to every level, so regardless of who is in charge, every member has a clear understanding of the organization’s direction. Mission Command will be our foundation of success and incorporates all of the ingredients previously discussed. We will be successful during this transition period because of the professionalism of the men and women of the Rhode Island National Guard and their clear understanding of our collective goals and objectives. I thank you for your continued service and the support we receive on a daily basis from our Guard families.
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169th MILITARY POLCE CONDUCT ANNUAL TRAINING
By Capt. Damian Murphy, Commander, 169th Military Police Company
The 169th Military Police Company kicked off their Annual Training (AT) on May 28, 2015 with the preparation and execution of traffic circulation control in support of the 25th Rhode Island National Guard Open House & Air Show in Quonset Point, RI. The unit collectively operated fifteen traffic control points and assisted with the orderly ingress and egress of seven designated parking lots within the area. The Soldiers of the 169th MP Company flawlessly executed the mission resulting in zero traffic accidents or safety incidents involving either civilians or military personnel. Immediately following the Air Show, the unit conducted refit operations in order to prepare for their convoy to Fort Dix New Jersey where they completed the remainder of their AT period. In accordance with the current Army Force Generation model, the training for the 169th MP Company in TY 15 is focused on the team and squad level, with a phased introduction of platoon-level operations throughout the training year. Leaders executed a challenging training 6 | Ocean State Guardian / Spring 2015
plan that included team and squad development based on the company Mission-Essential Task List and our directed National Guard Response Force Mission-Essential Task List in support of civil authorities. While training at Fort Dix, the unit self-sustained at a bivouac site—something that the unit had not done in nearly twelve years. The daily training plan consisted of a rotation among various weapons ranges including: the M9 pistol, M4 zero, qualification, and short-range marksmanship, M249 (SAW) and M240B machine gun qualification, the M2, .50 caliber machine gun, and the MK-19 automatic grenade launcher which was mounted on a M1117 Armored Security Vehicle. Over the past eight months 1st Platoon, has spent the bulk of their available training time getting familiar with the operation and capabilities of the ASV in an effort to better-integrate the platform into MP operations. During the AT, all Soldiers in attendance had the opportunity to fire both of the heavy weapons systems from the ASV. The training period culminated with three days of Law and Order
training comprised of several scenarios including; response to a domestic disturbance, felony or high-risk car stop, disarming a potentially hostile suspect, and active shooter. During the scenarios the Soldiers used simmunition rounds for their weapons which provided a high degree of realism and were instrumental in allowing instructors to drive home critical aspects of the training, especially to the younger Soldiers. Since assuming the role of the National Guard Response Force for RI, the commander has implemented a training plan that reduces focus on strictly combat support operations in order to include tasks that enhance our ability to conduct Defense Support to Civil Authorities operations in the event of state or national emergencies. When not on the ranges or in training areas, Platoon Leaders and Platoon Sergeants conducted platoon-level physical training. Typically, each platoon appointed a junior NCO to run a PT session, therefore, each day, the activity varied from calisthenics, long runs, sprints, personnel sessions at the gym on post, and tactical road marches.
NEW SIMULATOR FACILITY COMING TO QUONSET By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143d Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
A ground breaking ceremony took place to commemorate the beginning of construction on a C-130J Simulator Facility on April 24, 2015 at the Quonset Air National Guard Base in North Kingstown, RI. The building will house a state of the art simulator for the C-130J Super Hercules. 143d Airlift Wing is the first Air National Guard unit to be picked to house such a facility. The ceremony was attended by Major General Kevin McBride, Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, Senator Jack Reed, Congressman James Langevin, Congressman David Cicilline, Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Dan-
Members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, join Major General Kevin R. McBride, and Colonel Daniel Walter, 143d Airlift Wing Commander, during the ceremony ground-breaking on April 24, 2015 for the new simulator facility. (National Guard photo by Army Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia)
iel McKee, RI State Treasurer Seth Magaziner and the men and women of the Rhode Island National Guard. The simulator will also be a remarkable asset in training our aircraft maintainers, particularly for engine run qualification. Also, as the 143d continues to support C-130J Foreign Military Sales (FMS), it is expected that the simulator will be used as a part of the international training program. At some point in
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the future, the 143d also hopes to support conversion of additional ANG C-130H units to the J-model. It’ll be the biggest improvement in the 143d Airlift Wing’s ability to train to challenging situations in the unit’s history. Currently, all 143 AW pilots and loadmasters attend a four day simulator refresher once a year. It focuses on emergency procedures and system knowledge. The simulator they currently attend is
Today marks the capstone of a unit conversion started almost 20 years ago.
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located at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Installing this simulator at Quonset will allow our Airmen to continuously train on these things throughout the year, as well as better recreate the combat environment, without the cost of traveling to another base. The simulator to be installed in the building that the ground breaking ceremony celebrated, “is a combat aviator’s dream,” said Colonel Daniel Walter, 143d Airlift Wing Commander. He added, “By linking into the Air Force’s virtual threat environment we will “fly” with other simulated aircraft at other bases, all connected together.” This will allow Airmen to see large formation airdrops before they have to execute them in conflict for the first time. “In short, we’ll be safer and even more effective combat airlifters,” said Walter. In addition to the training ben-
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efits of the simulator, the construction of the $6 million facility and the sustainment of the equipment will also benefit the state of Rhode Island. The operation and sustainment could bring up to 36 full-time jobs and an associated $2-3 million dollar payroll to the Rhode Island economy each year. “Today marks the capstone of a unit conversion started almost 20 years ago,” said Col Walter, “From the moment we received the C-130J’s we set about using them hard, making sure the American taxpayer got the combat air power they paid for.” The 143d Airlift Wing has flown wounded out of forward areas, dropped “beans and bullets” to soldiers in combat, flown humanitarian missions supporting elections in Iraq, dropped food to Afghani villagers, worked disaster recovery in the US and abroad, and even assumed
the role of instructors, seasoning not only members of the USAF active duty, but training aviators, maintainers, aerial porters, and more in 8 of our partner nations. The ceremony was closed out with a ceremonial ground breaking in the area that the building will be built at Quonset Air National Guard Base and a thank you message from Col Walter, “That all of you that had a hand in supporting this project, particularly the members of our Congressional delegation. We will, as always, prove good for it, and make sue the question “why the 143d?” is always answered before it’s even asked.”
Colonel Daniel Walter, 143d Airlift Wing Commander, delivers a speech during the ceremony ground-breaking on April 24, 2015 for the new simulator facility coming to Quonset, RI. (National Guard photo by Army Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia)
Sexual Assault Prevention And Response Obstacle Course Challenge
A team of two Airmen traverse an obstacle during the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response’s 4th Annual Obstacle Course Challenge on April 5, 2015 at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich, RI. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Terry Rajsombath)
An Airmen traverses an obstacle during the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response’s 4th Annual Obstacle Course Challenge on April 5, 2015 at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich, RI. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Terry Rajsombath)
Airman Sullivan traverses an obstacle during the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response’s 4th Annual Obstacle Course Challenge on April 5, 2015 at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich, RI. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Terry Rajsombath)
(below) Major Michelle Branch presents Master Sgt. Amy Slater with a plaque for her dedication to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program during the 4th Annual Obstacle Course Challenge on April 5, 2015. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia)
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Major General Kevin R. McBride pins Louis Barta as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Rhode Island Unorganized Militia during his promotion ceremony on April 17, 2015. (National Guard photo by Army Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia)
A LONG-AWAITED PROMOTION By 2nd Lt. Megan Burmeister, Rhode Island National Guard, Public Affairs
The members of the Rhode Island National Guard, friends, and family came to honor Louis R. Barta on April 17, 2015 at the Command Readiness Center in Cranston, RI. Maj. Gen. Kevin R. McBride, Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, promoted Louis R. Barta to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Rhode Island Unorganized Militia. Barta was drafted in 1943. He served during World War II and continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years, reaching the rank
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of Major. At the very end of his career the Air Force froze promotions, which prevented Barta from reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Barta reached out multiple times over the years to different local and state government officials in attempts to finally receive his promotion. He even wrote to the president but no one was able to deliver Barta’s promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Fifty years after he left the service; the Rhode Island National Guard, Lt. Gen. (ret.) Reginald A. Centracchio (Emeritus), and State Representative Deborah A.
Mr. Barta, who’s now 90, waited some 50 years for this to happen.
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Fellela worked together to award Barta his long desired promotion, in the RI Unorganized Militia. Centracchio heard of Barta’s difficulties from Representative Fellela and reached out to McBride who received approval for the promotion from the Governor of Rhode Island Gina M. Raimondo. The promotion, while only ceremonial, provided Barta the closure that circumstances prevented for almost a lifetime. Fellela said, “Mr. Barta, who’s now 90, waited some 50 years for this to happen.” “General Centracchio called me about Louis and his unusual circumstance,” said McBride. “I believe promoting him in the unorganized militia was the right thing to do and a way to thank Mr. Barta for his service to our nation.”
Technical Sergeant Luis Torres, a Specialist Flight Expediter and Master Resilience Trainer from the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, teaches a Resilience Training Assistant course to members of the Rhode Island Air National Guard at Quonset Air National Guard Base, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. (U. S. National Guard Photo by Tech Sgt Jason Long)
Stepping toward a more Resilient air guard By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143d Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
During the week of April 6, 2015 the Rhode Island Air National Guard took the initiative to train Resilience Training Assistants (RTA) from each unit within the 143d Airlift Wing, 282d Combat Communications Squadron and 102d Network Warfare Squadron. While typically the Air National Guard does not have RTAs, I, as the Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) for the RIANG, decided that this was the only way the important resilience training would reach all of the Airmen. I attended the Master Resilience Trainer Course at Joint Base Maguire, New Jersey in September of 2014. While I was there I was floored by the quality of the training and realized the importance of relaying the Comprehensive Airman Fitness resilience training to all of the Airmen and families of the Rhode Island Air National Guard. However, there was very little guidance in place as to how a guardsman was supposed to get that done. Not only do we have very little time with our traditional guardsmen but I still have my primary responsibility as
the Public Affairs Superintendent, leaving very little time for me to get the training out to the base populous outside of Wingman Day. At Active Duty Bases there are several MRTs and also RTAs available to ensure that the training is reaching all Airmen all the time. In the Air National Guard we are authorized one MRT with no guidance on RTAs. I did not think that that was acceptable. With the support of Colonel Walter, Commander, 143d Airlift Wing, I contacted a counterpart from the Master Resilience Course I attended at Maguire. Technical Sergeant Luis Torres from the 4th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is, according to Mr. Richard Lambert, Community Support Coordinator for the 4th FW, “one of the 4th Fighter Wing’s most outstanding MRTs!” and was willing to take time from his busy schedule and family to come assist in teaching an RTA course at the 143d. It was unorthodox but we were able to make it work. Volunteers from each of the units of the 143d, 282d,
and 102d were put through a two day crash course of the 11 resilience skills and on the third day of training were asked to teach back to us one of the skills they learned so we knew that they had grasped the concept of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness. We held two, three day courses and trained a total of 26 RTAs. According to the feedback given from the students, even the most skeptical were impressed by the skills and agreed with the importance of mental, physical, social and spiritual resilience for each Airman and their families. And agreed with Mr. Lambert’s assessment of Tech Sgt Torres! The Rhode Island Air National Guard and I personally thank Tech Sgt Torres, the volunteers and their Supervisors and Commanders for making this unprecedented training happen. I am looking forward to the RTAs getting out there and training their first Resilience Skill on the August UTA, sharing the resilience training with our fellow Airmen and training more RTAs in the future.
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USPFO CUTS RIBBON FOR NEW FACILITY By Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia, Rhode Island National Guard, Public Affairs
A Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony was held on May 3, 2015 at Camp Fogarty to mark the official opening of the new United States Property and Fiscal Office of Rhode Island. The mission of the United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO), previously located at Camp Street in Providence, is to serve the Rhode Island National Guard as their primary federal resource to fund training, programs and other federal 12 | Ocean State Guardian / Spring 2015
fiscal requirements. The new facility, constructed by the Maron Construction Company from Providence and designed by Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., cost approximately $20 million and has more than 63,000 square feet of warehouse and administrative space. “This new building will better serve our customers, our employees, and the mission of the Rhode Island National Guard,” said Colonel Paul
R. Leveillee, United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the State of Rhode Island. The USPFO team consists of 5 divisions; Comptroller, Contracting, Internal Review, Logistics and Data Processing. The building will also house the Rhode Island National Guard Inspector General’s Office, and Department of Information Management.
Rhode island National Guard Open house and AIR SHOW By Sgt. Terry Rajsombath, 110th Public Affairs Detachment
The 2015 Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show marks the 25th anniversary of planning the event, with more than 50,000 visitors. Hosted by the 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset, R.I., thousands of guests ventured to the airbase to witness more than a dozen aviation teams from around the world, as well as to meet and interact with the Soldiers and Airmen of the Rhode Island National Guard. This year’s show featured three jet teams, the United States Navy Blue Angels, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and the Breitling Jet Team. Gates to the event opened at 9 a.m. with eager spectators rushing to the flight line to claim a spot for their viewing pleasure. Kicking off the event, an immense crowd stood silent as service members saluted the nation’s flag during the rendition of the National Anthem. Clear skies, warm weather and lemonade made for a beautiful weekend in the Ocean State. Despite forecasted showers for Sunday afternoon, the event continued to attract thousands of visitors throughout the
day. Fortunately Sunday’s rain held off until the Blue Angels, the very last aerial demonstration, finished their amazing performance. The Blue Angels, based in Pensacola, F.L., is the oldest flying aerobatic team in the world. Always a crowd pleaser, fans waved and cheered during their performance for a second year in a row. Making their first appearance in Rhode Island on their debut American Tour, the Breitling Jet Team took to the skies and amazed the crowd with their unique ballet of music and aerobatics. Based out of Dijon, France, the Breitling Jet Team was established in 2003 and is the largest civilian flight team in Europe. Although the main attractions took place in the sky, there was no lack of fun and entertainment on the tarmac. Whether zipping down the engineering tower, or playing un-
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derwater tic-tac-toe at the U.S. Navy dive tank, there was no shortage of fun or adventure. Another crowd pleaser was the Shockwave Jet Truck. It is the world’s only triple engine jet truck, creating 36,000 horsepower, and a record speed of 375 miles per hour. Like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, the jet-powered semi raced down the runway against the Jack Link’s Jet Waco biplane. Making for an exciting match, the Jack Link’s Waco biplane took the lead and looked to be the victor when the Shockwave Jet Truck rocketed past the biplane to win the race. Teeming with excitement, each day presented visitors with sights and sounds similar to a carnival but was entirely unique due to the special interaction between local community members and members of the Rhode Island National Guard. Static displays of military aircraft
The show was awesome. We flew up from Atlanta to attend and we were not disappointed.
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and equipment allowed knowledgeable service members to answer any questions. Soldiers and Airmen were able to interact and share a part of what makes them members of the armed forces. Judging from the positive responses on social-media, it appears that many of the guests are extremely happy with the Open House and Air Show and are already looking forward to next year’s event. Chris MacCullen wrote on the Rhode Island National Guard Air Show Facebook page, “The show was awesome. We flew up from Atlanta to attend and we were not disap-
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pointed. Thanks for putting it on.” Nicole Perry wrote, “Thank you all for such a wonderful event. I enjoyed as a child and now shared with my family....who knows, a little inspiration was triggered, future service woman maybe. My daughter said her cheeks hurt from smiling so much!” Bob Kidd, local photographer and first time Air Show guest said, “Every National Guard Soldier I met was polite and helpful, despite, I imagine, working very long hours to make this event an enjoyable experience for so many. The only regret I had was waiting so long to attend the
Air Show. It was fantastic!” The Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show is nationally renowned and has attracted visitors since 1991. The show is a free event with donations made available to local charities. To date, the Air Show has donated more than $2 million with the Hasbro Children’s Hospital being its largest benefactor. The Open House and Air Show is an annual event with members of the Rhode Island National Guard looking forward to it each and every year.
Members of the 43d Military Police Brigade stand at the position of attention as the brigade is turned over to Commander Colonel Javier Reina. (National Guard photo by Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Cordeiro)
43d Military Police Brigade prepares for “warfighter” By Lt. Col. Michael Cote, 43d Military Police Brigade, Operations Officer
The purpose of this year’s annual training (AT) was to prepare the Brigade Headquarters battle staff for its upcoming Army Mission Command Training Center Warfighter (WFX 16-2) exercise. A “warfighter” training event is a simulation war game aimed at exercising a HQ staff in the proper employment of mission command functions over subordinate unit operations. In this case, a Corps-level simulation that is designed to be the National Training Center equivalent for brigade and above headquarters staffs. The focus of the unit’s AT period was a pre-WFX 16-2 training exercise (CPX) conducted at the Fort Dix simulation train-
ing center. This exercise was designed by our fulltime training staff to mirror the scenario to be used in the upcoming warfighter exercise. The CPX was the first time many of our staff members participated in a simulated battle staff operation. This was also the culminating event for the year-long instruction on orders
development and battle staff positional training. Colonel Javier Reina, 43d Military Police Brigade Commander, continually emphasizes that time and resource constraints necessitate a more dynamic approach to talent evaluation. Specifically, the brigade’s experienced senior staff must learn to identify and assess the unique skill sets each member possesses and align these talents with our mission needs. The CPX allowed brigade leadership to assess the inherent strengths and capabilities of our new members. Watching new members excel was one of the great successes of this AT. Private 1st
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Class Shana Pina is one example. Performing as the Intelligence NCO she displayed exceptional analytical and briefing skills. Sgt. Brian McGuire leveraged his State Police expertise in synchronizing the efforts of both the S3 Operations and S2 Intelligence sections of the battle staff. Maj. Dan Smith, an Artillery Officer and ROTC instructor assigned to the S3, dissected the massive WFX 16-2 operations order and produced a mission analysis that rivaled in its detail any collaborative staff effort. Where we once assumed all new brigade members required extensive bottoms-up training, we now find that many already excel in areas that surpass military requirements. This AT also provided us the opportunity to seize upon the commander’s strategic imperatives. Most notable was progress made in meeting the U.S. Army Forces
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Command’s directive for active and reserve component unit partnerships. Representatives from the XVIII Airborne Corps 16th MP BDE (Commander, S3, and Command Sgt. Maj.) visited the 43d command team and together drafted a blueprint for future collaborative training and exercise support. Of particular significance is the combined support the 43d, 16th, and 300th MP Brigades have designed to maximize the training effects of WFX 16-2 and future exercises. As Guardsmen, history is integral to our identity. Using U.S. history as a teaching aid, Capt. Ross Maher led a staff development ride to the Trenton Battlefield and Washington’s Crossing historic sites. Introducing the event with a primer on Mission Command, Maher illustrated how The Continental Army used these principles to achieve pivotal victories
at Trenton and Princeton in 1776. This event helped make Mission Command more understandable to our most junior battle staff members. The 43d accomplished a great deal this AT period and made strides towards our future. Partnering with our active duty counterparts and incorporating new talent into the brigade were key to this year’s success. The unit will now build on these accomplishments as we move towards WFX 16-2 and beyond.
Captain Russ Maher looks on as members of the 43d Military Police Brigade conduct training in preperation for the upcoming “Warfighter” Exercise in 2016. (National Guard photo by Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Cordeiro)
Lieutenant General Stanley Clarke, Director of the Air National Guard is briefed by a member of the 282d Combat Communications Squadron, during his visit to the Rhode Island Air National Guard. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Janeen Miller)
director of the air national guard visits rhode island air guardsmen By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143d Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
The Director of the Air National Guard, Lieutenant General Stanley Clarke, visited the men and women of the Rhode Island Air National Guard on May 14, 2015. The purpose of Clarke’s visit was to get to know the Airmen of the 143d Airlift Wing, 282d Combat Communications Squadron, and the 102d Network Warfare Squadron and their missions. He arrived at Quonset and boarded a Blackhawk flown by the Rhode Island Army National Guard to fly to the 282d CBCS facility at North Smithfield Air National Guard Station. The Director was briefed by Ma-
jor Amalia McCaffrey, Commander, 282d CBCS and several members of the 282d, on the importance of Combat Communications in the Air National Guard and the Air Force. Following his visit with the Airmen of the 282d, Clarke boarded the Blackhawk back to Quonset for a mission brief from the 143d Airlift Wing and lunch with the top performing Airmen from the 143d, 282d, and the 102d provided by the 143d Force Support Squadron. Clarke had the opportunity to speak to the Airmen about the future of the Air National Guard as well as allow them to ask him questions about his perspective from the top.
Clarke briefed the Airmen that the Air National Guard is “Always on Mission,” and that we are the enduring choice for security cooperation, the proven choice for the war fight, and the first choice for homeland defense. Following his lunch with the Airmen and photo opportunities, Clarke visited the 102d Network Warfare Squadron for their mission brief. While the visit was a short one, Lieutenant General Clarke certainly got a chance to experience the Rhody spirit and pride and met some of the outstanding Airmen who make up the Rhode Island Air National Guard.
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Participants of the full-scale emergency exercise prepare to enter a train car while conducting training on May 7, 2015 in the LJM Packaging Company lot in North Kingstown, R.I. (National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Jason Long)
13th CST Hosts Full-scale emergency exercise By Staff Sgt. Peter Ramaglia, Rhode Island National Guard, Public Affairs
The 13th Civil Support Team of the Rhode Island Army National Guard hosted a full-scale emergency exercise on May 7, 2015 that drew support from local, regional, and federal partners. The exercise establishes a learning environment for participating agencies, and to exercise emergency response plans as well as standard operating procedures at the local, state, and federal level during the unlikely event of a hazardous materials incident. Agencies from across the state and region responded to a mock hazardous materials incident staged at LJM Packaging in North Kingstown, RI. “This exercise is evidence of the growing public safety partnership between local, state, and federal jurisdictions regarding the response to the threat of a hazardous materials incident,” said Lieutenant Colonel 18 | Ocean State Guardian / Spring 2015
Lisa Meriwether, Commander, 13th CST. “The exercise will prepare the state for such threats and also aid in the development of interagency coordination that would be required to provide a comprehensive response to insure the safety and well-being of the citizens of Rhode Island.” Agencies that participated in the exercise were: • 1st Civil Support Team – Massachusetts • 2nd Civil Support Team – Albany, New York • 3rd Civil Support Team – Pennsylvania • 12th Civil Support Team – New Hampshire • 14th Civil Support Team – Connecticut • 15th Civil Support Team – Vermont • U.S. Coast Guard – Atlantic Strike Team
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • RI Department of Environmental Management • RI Emergency Management Agency • RI State Police Bomb Squad • Navy EOD • New England CERF-P • Newport Police Department SWAT • West Warwick Police Department SWAT • Coventry Police Department SWAT • Woonsocket HAZMAT • Hopkins Hill Decon Fire Department • East Providence Fire Department • North Smithfield Emergency Management Agency Part of the emergency exercise was to perform dry runs of emergen-
cy plans in order to work out jurisdiction and responsibilities, known as interagency coordination. “It’s a great exercise, and the first time we meet each other shouldn’t be at a real incident,” said Asst. Cumberland Fire Chief Brian Jackavony. “There’s a lot that happens when these incidents unfold, and it takes some real dedication and good interaction between agencies to make this outcome become positive.”
Exercise participants conduct training on May 7, 2015, by searching for simulated hazardous matericals that may have leaked during the full-scale emergency exercise held at the LJM Packaging Company in North Kingstown, R.I. (National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Jason Long)
Exercise participants exercise search for simulated survivors prior to entering a train car on May 7, 2015 in the LJM Packaging Company lot in North Kingstown, R.I. during the 13th CST’s full-scale emergency exercise. (National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Jason Long)
Spring 2015 / Rhode Island National Guard | 19
20 | Ocean State Guardian / Spring 2015