11 november 11

The monthly magazine of the Texas Military Forces November 2011

Texas Military Forces

perform at the World Series

Guard aviators pioneer defense training

Mild mannered weathermen or thrill junkies?

Orient Shield TXMF at the World Series

In the Dispatch: 4

Water survival training- always trust the pilot!

5

Start of Orient Shield 2011

6

Japan and Texas lift off for training

7

A visit back in time- WWII medic visits Swift

8

Guard aviators pioneer new defense training

10 TXMF perform during the World Series

Water survival

WWII medic visit

12 Mild mannered weathermen, or thrill junkies?

14 Reflections on a star-filled night 15 Band of Bloggers- Wings Over Iraq 17 Draft of Gulf War task force study released 18 News briefs 19 Texas Military History- Veterans Day

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On a starry night Cover- Soldiers with Detachment 1, F Co., 1-171 General Support Aviation Bn. conduct Common Missile Warning System training at Yankee Range in McMullen County, Texas, November 1, 2011. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Griego, 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

The Bulletin Board Army Training Earns Promotion Points

Soldiers can now earn up to 16 promotion points for completing language instruction with the Headstart2 language training program. Soldiers must register for an Army Training Requirements and Resources System account (ATTRS) to earn points in any of those target languages. For an average user, the language program takes between 80 and 100 hours of self-directed study. The language programs can be accessed online through the Defense Language Institute (DLI) website or through service-specific portals, like Army Knowledge Online. The software can either be downloaded and installed on a computer or used online. Soldiers in a remote location, without access to a high-speed network, can also order the disks directly from DLI.

More Vets Seeking Mental Healthcare

The number of veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq receiving mental healthcare from the Veterans Affairs Department climbed more than 300% in the five years through 2010, to 139,000 veterans, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). A summary and access to the full report is available on the Government Accountability Office website at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-12.

No Tuition Assistance Cuts in 2012

The same week the Marine Corps backed off their decision to gut their tuition assistance program, the DoD’s American Forces Press Service released an article saying the DoD will not reduce Tuition Assistance payment rates in 2012. A DoD official stated that “if any changes are made to the tuition assistance policy, they will be instituted in a deliberate, thoughtful manner maintaining the integrity of a joint uniform policy for all service members.”

Gulf War Draft Report Released

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force has completed the draft of a comprehensive report that will outline how VA addresses the concerns of veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. The public notice and instructions on how to submit comments are available on the Regulations.gov website. The draft report will be open for comment for 30 days. VA has also created a public discussion board on the seven recommendations in the report. You can review the report without making recommendations at www.va.gov/opa/publications/draft_2011_GWVI-TF_Report.pdf.

Army Scam Warning

Special agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) are once again warning the American public, as well as citizens from other nations, to be extra vigilant and not to fall prey to Internet scams or impersonation fraud -- especially scams that promise true love, but only end up breaking hearts and bank accounts. CID continues to receive hundreds of reports of various scams involving persons pretending to be U.S. Soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. For more information, read the press release on the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command website. Report any online theft to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and any ID theft to the Federal Trade Commission or telephone 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261.

Vol. 6, No. 11 November 2011

Governor Gov. Rick Perry

The Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols

Director of Public Affairs Col. William Meehan Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Amy Cook Public Affairs Deputy Maj. Deborah Molnar Public Affairs NCOIC Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon Public Affairs Staff Staff Sgt. Jennifer Atkinson Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson Spc. Maria Moy John Thibodeau Laura Lopez Managing Editor Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon Design and Copy Editor Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Contributing Writers and Photographers Maj. Steven Keihl Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Griego Sgt. Charlie Helmholt Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson Sgt. Stephen Stutsman Spc. Jason Dorsey Airman Jada Kent Laura Lopez * The Dispatch is an authorized publication for members of the Texas Military Forces and the Department of Defense. Contents of the Dispatch are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the National Guard Bureau, the State of Texas, the Adjutant General’s Department of Texas, or the Texas Military Forces. * The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Officer. * Printed by Kinko’s, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Government under exclusive written contract with the Texas Military Forces. * The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or Kinko’s. * Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. * Content is edited, prepared and provided by the Texas Joint Military Forces Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 10, 2200 W. 35th Street, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 78703.

Water survival training- When in doubt trust the pilot Story by Airman Jada Kent 136th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NAS FORT WORTH JRB, Texas—A fear of flying is not an illness, it is a phobia. Is it surprising that more than 35 percent of passengers on most flights are afraid of flying? So what about those who fly the plane? Do they ever have that tiny bit of doubt?

Airmen of the 181st Airlift Squadron leave no room for doubt as they prepare for worst case scenarios during water survival currency training at Lake Worth Aug. 27, 2011.

“In this scenario we have egressed from the aircraft and we’re going over how to use equipment, preserve food and water and be able to give signals for rescue,” said Master Sgt. Dustin Pennington, 181 AS aircrew flight equipment NCO in charge.

Members of the 181 AS practiced how to get out from under their parachutes after landing in the water, how to deploy and

Above and top right- Members of the 181st Airlift Squadron discuss survival and evasion during the water survival traing at NAS Fort Worth, Aug. 27, 2011. The 20-man life raft is standard equipment on board the C-130 aircraft for water survival. (Photos by Tech. Sgt. Charles Hatton)

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use both their personal and multi-member rafts and reviewed safety tips for how to remain calm under such extreme circumstances.

“We are here to help make sure that the aircrew, in an emergency situation, is able to work as a team and survive together,” said Senior Airman Danielle Skaggs, 181 AS aircrew flight equipment technician.

The Airmen practiced using smoke and water flares to signal potential rescuers during the training and a faint choir of “phew’s” indicated that each of the crew had deployed their bright orange life preserving unit.

When temperatures are in the tripledigits consistently for weeks, the best kind of outdoor training is training in the water.

“The water was nice,” said Senior Airman Mary Lou Oropeza, 181 AS aircrew life support technician, “I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”

While no one wants to get caught in a water survival situation, currency training gives pilots and aircrew of the 181 AS the skills they need to be prepared for even the worst situations.

Ceremony initiates start of Orient Shield 2011 Story by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KITA-FUJI TRAINING AREA, Japan - Soldiers from the Texas National Guard, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment out of Weslaco, Texas, joined with Japanese ground self-defense force, Eastern Army 1st Division, 1st Infantry Regiment in a ceremony that initiated the annual bilateral combined arms training dubbed Orient Shield 2011.

The ceremony began as the Texas soldiers marched to the parade field while members of the JGSDF lined the streets and applauded. Lt. Col. Clarence J. Henderson, commander of the 3rd Bn. 141st Inf. Reg., spoke of the similarities between the two forces.

Both units share a civil support role to our perspective nations in addition to our dedication to combat readiness, said Henderson.

Col. Kazumasa Ishii commander of the JGSDF members expressed his gratitude for the support of the nearby communities, and focused on the mutual benefits of this training.

Henderson concluded the ceremony in saying, “The men of the 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment stand before you today to promote our enduring relationships, goodwill and mutual understanding in order to improve and sustain our bilateral operations.

Thank you for this opportunity, now let’s go train!”

Top right- Col. Kazumasa Ishii speaks to the 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment headquartered out of Weslaco, Texas, and the Japanese ground self-defense forces during the Orient Shield 11 opening ceremony at Kita-Fuji Training Area, Japan, Oct. 11. Since 2000, the bilateral exercise has been annually held between JGSDF and United States Army Japan. (Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Ryan L. Twist) Center- Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment headquartered out of Weslaco, Texas marched onto Kita-Fuji Training Area, Japan, as the Japanese ground self-defense force applauded their entrance to the bilateral Orient Shield exercise between the two forces on Oct. 11. The annual Orient Shield exercise is designed to strengthen military operations and ties between the United States forces and the JGSDF. Bottom left- U.S. Army 1st Lt. Harold H. Fullmer, a native of Alpine, Texas, with G Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment headquartered out of Weslaco, Texas, was introduced to his Japanese ground self-defense force counterpart for the Orient Shield exercise at Kita-Fuji Training Area Oct. 11. The annual exercise is a joint effort between the JGSDF and the United States Army Japan.

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Japan and US lift off,- sights set on serious training Story by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt and Spc. Jason Dorsey 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP KITA-FUJI TRAINING AREA, Japan — Orient Shield 11 progressed through its second day of functional training October 13th. Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, joined members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Eastern Army, 1st Division, 1st Aviation in performing mounted heliborne operations.

JGSDF members provided five UH-1J and one UH-1H helicopters for air support during the mission. U.S. Soldiers rehearsed perimeter security,

mounting and dismounting protocol and chalk safety procedures.

A total of 112 U.S. personnel participated in the training, said 1st Lt. Charles H. Reinhardt the Executive Officer for Company B, 3-141 Inf. Reg. The soldiers are glad to be here, and enjoy sharing tactics with the JGSDF members, said Reinhardt.

“They’re understanding us, we’re understanding them and we have a lot of stuff in common,” said Pfc. Chauncey Scott an infantry soldier with the 3-141 Inf. Reg.

Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, dismount a UH-1 helicopter, which was provided by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Army 1st Division, 1st Aviation during heliborne trraining during Orient Shield 2011 at kita-Fuji training area, Japan October 13.

Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, board a UH-1J helicopter, provided by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Eastern Army, 1st Division, 1st Aviation, at the heliborne tactical training during Orient Shield 2011 at Kita-Fuji Training Area, Japan, Oct. 13, 2011.

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Although it may seem that language or cultural differences may prove a hindrance to training, the two groups executed the training without a hitch and seem genuine in their excitement to be a part of this unique bilateral training experience.

Staff Sgt. Hermilo Rodriguez, a platoon sergeant, with the 3-141, said, “We are all very motivated and happy to be here and to be training with our allies.”

A Visit Back in Time: WWII medic visits Swift Story by Laura Lopez Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

home, as we deal with it ourselves,” said Kost.

Also able to meet with a group of combat medics training at Camp Swift, Uebel was able to share his experiences of being a medic during World War II, answer questions about training in the 1940s, as well as discuss the issues and obstacles he faced in his career. However, while the medical field and that of a combat medic continue to change with the times, one message he hoped to leave behind was clear. “[I would like to] tell my fellow combat medics that they can be proud of the traditions of this fine career,” said Uebel.

CAMP SWIFT, Texas (06 September 2011)- As Americans prepare to honor those who have served or are serving in the military on Veterans Day, a recent trip back to Bastrop, Texas and the Camp Swift training grounds on September 6, 2011, allowed one World War II Veteran to reflect on his own past. “[Back then] Camp Swift had approximately 25,000 soldiers, the weather was hot, morale was high, food was good [and the] comrades were outstanding,” said Winslow Uebel, Combat Medic with the 102nd Division, 405th Regiment, F-Company. “It is now much, much smaller with not as many people around, but the people I met were outstanding.”

In the Army from 1943 to 1946, he was assigned to train at Camp Swift from February to September 1944. A trip initiated by the 102nd Division and made from California, it was the Texas Army National Guard’s Training Centers Command that provided Uebel and his wife a brief tour of Camp Swift and a visit the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry. For Major Phil Kost, Chief of Plans and Operations with the TCC, receiving the opportunity to host Uebel was special.

“We are approaching the day that our World War II veterans will unfortunately be no longer available to us. Every opportunity we World War II veteran Winslow Uebel, Combat Medic with the 102nd Division, 405th get, we need to sit and listen to Regiment, F-Company meets with a combat medic class while touring Camp Swift in their stories, see how they dealt Bastrop, Texas on September 6, 2011. Uebel was assigned to train at Camp Swift in with their war as we deal with ours. 1944 and was in the Army from 1943 to 1946. (Courtesy photo) Learn how they dealt with coming

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Guard aviators pioneer new defense training Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Griego 36th Combat Aviation Brigade

MCMULLEN COUNTY, Texas - Army aviators face unparalleled challenges as they engage ever-evolving enemy forces in combat. From ground combatants to surfaceto-air missiles, the threats air assets face push our warriors to achieve new milestones in realistic training.

For the soldiers of Detachment 1, F Company, 1-171 General Support Aviation Battalion, this means pioneering a new training exercise that will revolutionize aviation safety in the battlefield. On Nov. 1 and 2, the detachment, which is a part of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, traveled to Yankee Range in McMullen County, Texas, to integrate their surface-to-air missile simulator with their reactionary counter-missile systems on the aircraft.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Pfc. Jarrod Bueno, a crew chief with Detachment 1, “to be able to take our results and send to the rest of the Army and see how other [medical evacuation] units will develop their own [standard operating procedures.]”

For this groundbreaking training event, Army aviation representatives were onsite to record the results for distribution throughout all components “We’re going to take the lessons learned here,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tom McClellan, Army aviation chief tactical operations officer, “and the training plan developed, we’re going to refine that, apply that for all Army units, National Guard, active duty and reserve units, Army-wide, to duplicate what we’re doing here today.”

The training integrated the current missile-launching ground simulator with the long-standing helicopter common missile warning system.

“The CMWS system was developed about 10 years ago for Army aircraft to save the air crew from a missile engagement,” said McClellan. “Ideally, we want to stimulate the aircraft, fire the missile up into the air and the aircraft is going to recognize that and then react with its countermeasures appropriately to defend the

Soldiers with Detachment 1, F Co., 1-171 General Support Aviation Battalion conduct Common Missile Warning System training in conjunction with man portable air defense simulators at Yankee Range in McMullen County, Texas, November 1, 2011. The CMWS discharges decoy flares after detecting incoming enemy fire as an automated response in order to protect the crew of the aircraft. This training exercise is the first integration of the two systems, which will serve as the foundation for future aviation missions to further enhance defensive measures on military aircraft.

aircraft from that missile engagement.”

That defense comes in the form of decoy heat flares that attract the missiles away from the aircraft, saving the crew from the threat.

The training event took place at Yankee Range, a Navy-owned facility operated by the Texas Air National Guard. Its vast expanses and open airspaces made it the ideal location for testing these defense systems.

“It will stimulate the aircraft countermeasure systems to automatically fire the flares,” said McClellan.

“This is going to train the air crew on the correct cockpit indications as well as seeing visually what the flares are going to look like.”

“Here at the range,” said Air Force Capt. Eric R. Hoopes, Commander of Detachment 1, 149th Fighter Wing. “Our number one goal and vision is to set up the most realistic training that we can in order to give the troops an at-home training site of what they’re going to see in the theater.”

Deployment of the flares in a training environment represents a key component to the operation, as most aviators use the CMWS for the first time during deployments in a real-life engagement.

The pioneers of this equipment integration have a long history of mission success, including multiple deployments to Iraq and stateside disaster missions such as hurricane relief.

“Exposure is the most common thing that we need in training,” said Staff Sgt. Isaac Soto, a flight medic with Detachment 1. “My first experience with this was in country in Iraq in 2008/2009. It was not a training situation where it’ll go off and everything’s safe. I think this, right here, is the first step.”

“There’s no question,” said Lt. Col. Jim Nugent, full-time officer in charge of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. “The level of tactical proficiency and competence here in this group.”

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Texas Military Forces Story by Laura Lopez Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Texas - With more than 50,000 people in attendance at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas and millions more watching at home, members of the Texas Military Forces joined the Texas Rangers in their battle for the Major League Baseball World Series title, Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23.

Over the course of two games, soldiers and airmen performed on the field and two CH-47 Chinooks flew high above the ballpark displaying both the American and Texas flags. In game three, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Darby Ledbetter, of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion Headquarters, per-

perform during World Series

formed “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch. Texas Air National Guard member Master Sgt. Erika Stevens, of the 531st Band of the Gulf Coast, performed the same song, Sunday, Oct. 23, while the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade conducted a two ship CH-47 helicopter flyover following the conclusion of the national anthem.

“It was a huge honor to be given the opportunity to do this for the Texas Rangers organization and to get the opportunity to represent all of our fellow brothers and sisters in the Texas Army National Guard,” said Lt. Col. James Hardy, Dallas Army Aviation facility commander.

On Oct. 22, Texas Army National Guard member Chief Warrant Officer 3 Darby Ledbetter of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion Headquarters performs "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch of Game 3 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers at Ballpark Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs.)

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With a short lead time to execute the flyover mission for millions to see, it took nine crew members on the aircraft, two soldiers coordinating from inside the stadium and five additional mechanics to prepare the aircraft back at the aviation facility, eight miles away in Grand Prairie. Forced to sharpen their focus and create a plan for execution, this is one mission some Soldiers will soon not forget.

“To be chosen to conduct this mission was a once in a lifetime experience for myself and my crew members,” said Standardization Instructor Pilot with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Doug Phillips. “It was an honor to represent the Dallas Army Aviation Support Facility, 2-149th GSAB (Rough Riders) and the Texas Army National Guard in front of the world!”

After months of firefighting support throughout the state of Texas, one soldier on board the trail aircraft was honored to take part in this terrific and rare experience that allowed her to hear the fans down below.

“When we are usually called for domestic support, it is helping our neighbors in their time

an honor to stand in the uniform representing the soldiers, the National Guard and the United States.”

For Stevens, an elementary school teacher in Dallas, receiving the call 48 hours before the game and given the opportunity to perform for millions of people was not only an honor and a privilege, but allowed her to demonstrate how practice and perseverance can pay off.

On Oct. 23, Texas Air National Guard member Master Sgt. Erika Stevens of the 531st Band of the Gulf Coast performs "God Bless America" during the seventhinning stretch of Game 4 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers at Ballpark Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

of need. This was a great morale-building event for a GSAB that has been deployed, to which we were able to add our mark to a great World Series game,” said Capt. Carisa Kimbro, HHC 2-149th GSAB. While well below the height of the Chinooks’ mission, both Ledbetter and Stevens’ experience performing “God Bless America” near home plate was

one that changed their lives.

A member of the Texas Army National Guard since 2000, Ledbetter jokingly feels he can now check one item off of his bucket list.

“I was humbled to receive the opportunity to sing at the World Series knowing there are so many great performers out there,” said Ledbetter. “Being on that field was so surreal and

“It was a nervous and exciting experience all at the same time, but it helped that I did a sound check around noon on Sunday,” said Stevens. “It was an honor to represent the military, my family and all those rooting for me and I really wanted to conquer my nerves because this is the one performance you prepare years and years for.”

Other members of the Texas Military Forces assisted in the unfurling of the American flag on Saturday alongside members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Find out how YOU can help a deployed Texas servicemember!! visit http://www.uso.org/ ways-to-volunteer.aspx November 2011 THE DISPATCH 11

Mild mannered weathermen or thrill junkies?

Story and photo by Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert 136th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NAS FORT WORTH JRB, Texas—A weatherman is a meteorologist who forecasts weather based on atmospheric and meteorological conditions. One might watch them on television forecasting on the nightly news in a nice air-conditioned environment; but not the Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT) members. They are battle-trained, combat-ready meteorologists jumping out of aircraft and operating under austere conditions, self sustaining for extended periods of time.

“This job gives me an adrenaline rush (jumping out of aircraft),” said Senior Master Sgt. John Hawkins, 181st Special Operations Weather Flight (SOWF), superintendent and qualified jumpmaster. “We’ve become trained ‘thrill junkies’. We like it because it is exhilarating and it is a part of us now.”

Hawkins, a prior Soldier, joined the 136th Airlift Wing with 12 years of jump experience and 50 plus jumps under his belt. He is a seasoned jumper along with the rest of his teammates. Some are former Soldiers and Marines who are qualified jumpmasters, Marine reconnaissance specialists and civilian qualified emergency medical technicians (EMT).

On Aug. 26, 2011, the SOWT arrived before dawn to participate in a tactical exercise using organic (in-house) airlift and ground support with the exception of two Texas Army National Guard parachute riggers.

Ground support included a drop zone control officer, in-house medical (EMT), and 181st Airlift Squadron aircrew.

“This tactical exercise is a first of its kind and the beginning of new a normality. A

historical event for the Wing!” said Lt. Col. Scott Morris, commander, 181 SOWF. Typically, the tactical exercise or real-world scenarios are supported by numerous outside entities from our sister Services and the Army National Guard.

The aircraft was airborne by 11:00 a.m.; on board were the trained ‘thrill junkies’ ready to do another static line jump. Each sat in their seat, fully geared with combat equipment weighing more than 100 pounds.

Sweat poured from their faces as they anticipated their jump.

“One minute!” yelled Hawkins, the acting jumpmaster, as he directed the first three jumpers to the move towards the open ramp of the C-130. He double checks their static lines ensuring proper attachment and their gear securely in place.

“30 seconds!” Hawkins yelled loudly; a preparatory call that gives his team time to mentally and physically prepare to jump out of the aircraft.

Hawkins yells a final time, “Stand By!” This was the queue for the first jumper to start moving towards the edge of the ramp waiting for the green light from the navigator to egress the aircraft.

Special Operations Weather team preparing to egress from the C-130 belonging to the 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas during a tactical exercise, Aug. 26, 2011.

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The final moment of exhilaration, the green light...each jumper took his queue and took the final step that kept them grounded to the aircraft; no more metal, no more hum of the C-130 engines, just wind. One, two, three, in a matter of seconds See THRILL, next page

THRILL, cont. from previous page

they were all airborne with nothing but the sky and a parachute that kept them from plummeting down onto the earth.

tions. They integrate environmental information into the decision-making process at all levels to mitigate and exploit environmental information on operations to maximize combat power.

The medics were the first to jump out of the C-130 and feel the rapid rush wind. With more than 100 pounds of combat gear strapped to their bodies, the SOWT members lunged from the aircraft. They glided to the ground with ease; another successful jump.

The 181 SOWF, comprised of all men (as directed by the Secretary of the Air Force) are highly motivated, physically fit, intelligent ‘thrill junkies’ capable of operating in the six geographic disciplines: mountain, desert, arctic, urban, jungle and water.

A SOWT specialist is qualified in many aspects of special operations including the use of demolitions to create or remove mission hindering obstacles and to tactically prepare combat sites. The SOWT also engage in other activities from counterterrorism to humanitarian assistance and special reconnaissance to advanced force operations.

“They are weather forecasters on ‘steroids,’” continued Morris. “Aside from forecasting weather, jumping out of aircraft and operating under austere conditions, they can also call for aircraft and marshal them in and out on the ground for engine running on/off load (ERO).”

“Roughly 40 percent of SOWT Airmen belong to the Air National Guard,” said Lt. Col. Morris.

“We are privileged to have the elite of the elite in the 136 AW. They are a unique group of men with special qualifications and a special mission.”

A combat weatherman provides tactical-level intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to enable decision superiority and application of airpower across the full spectrum of military opera-

At the conclusion of the tactical exercise at Mineral Wells, Texas, the SOWT called for their evacuation. Within the hour a C-130 from the Wing circled high above them and prepared for landing. Once on the ground, Tech. Sgt. James Henderson, 181 SOWT, marshaled the aircraft for an ERO. He signaled the SOWT to enter the open ramp door of the C-130, while he kept watch for any aggressors. All members evacuated safely for another successful mission.

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Reflections on a star-filled night Story by Maj. Steven Keihl Texas Military Forces Resilience Team

Last night I decided to take my own mental health break. After a long day and some frustrating moments with my four year old daughter, I was feeling a bit stressed and decided a few moments of down time was exactly what the doctor ordered.

So, I sat on my back porch in my jacuzzi and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous Texas night. It was the first really cool night of the season and with no moon to be seen and no clouds to block my sight, I found myself lost in the sky full of beautiful stars. However, instead of enjoying a wonderful and relaxing moment under the stars, my mind raced back to another night I spent under the stars a number of years ago.

The memory was a night in Iraq and a moment of profound struggle in my own personal life. I remember walking for quite a bit away from the “civilization” of my little tent city and finding a place of isolation. And much like last night, it was a cool, clear night with a brilliant star filled sky.

However, unlike last night, I was at a low point in life. My life was a mess and my future lacked any sense of clarity. I was extremely depressed and life seemed empty, without purpose or meaning... the truth is, I felt hopeless.

In those dark moments, for the first time in my life, I truly contemplated suicide. I wanted to end the pain and cease what I felt at that moment to be a meaningless and empty existence.

Fortunately, I made the choice not to apply a permanent solution to a temporary problem and decided to pursue other options. However, as I

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reflected on this moment in my past, I found myself curious... how did I get from there (total desperation) to where I am today? And by the way, at this moment in my life I am a very happy, content individual with deep inner peace and a strong sense of purpose on the planet.

I spent a number of moments focusing on the transition... the before and after pictures of my own life. Three people and three critical pieces of advice came to my mind.

These three people shared such sage advice it’s worth sharing with you.

The first advice that led to significant change in my life came from my friend and counselor from the great state of Minnesota. At one point in our honest discussion, she asked me a big question: “How long are you going to attempt to put a square peg into a circle hole?”

Come on, you have all seen those children’s games/puzzles where the goal is to put the right shape into the corresponding hole.

The question hit me and stuck with me.

You see, sometimes we fail to take positive, life-changing steps in our lives because we get stuck doing the same ineffective things over and over again. In fact, we spend (waste) so much time applying strategies that don’t work, we fail to get to things that might. Her point was a simple one... as we evaluate our struggles, both big and small, we can assess our thoughts, our emotions, our behaviors and our reactions. We can ask ourselves a simple question... what is NOT working?

If we are honest with ourselves, we will likely discover some things we are doing that fail to make a positive difference or impede our ability

to move forward. Once we discover these habitual activities of waste, we have a choice. We can, (1) continue to repeat the same ineffective strategies over and over again hoping for a different result, which to be quite frank, is illogical, or, (2) we can stop trying to put the square peg in the round hole. We can abandon and lay down the things we think, say and do that we know are less than helpful.

I had a long list of things in my life that I committed to habit that did not work and I spent a lot of time trying the same thing over and over again with the same result. In order for me to get from the before to the after picture, I had to stop wasting my time and completely abandon thoughts, feelings and behaviors that did not work for me.

The second piece of advice came from a dear friend and battle buddy. During a phone conversation, he said, “Steve, you need to trust your own heart.” Those words were powerful words then and remain so today.

The reality is that for much if not most of my life, I chose to allow other people to make my decisions. It is just plain easier to allow someone else to determine right and wrong or to make life shaping decisions.

It gives us someone else to blame when things don’t work.

Additionally, trusting ourselves requires that we believe in ourselves, that we have confidence in who we are, that we see ourselves as trustworthy. Hmmmmm.... I really wrestled with that advice.

Was it really OK to trust myself with my own life? Seems like a silly question doesn’t it? But how many of us our bound by the expectations See STAR, page 16

wings over iraq Major Crispin Burke is an Army Aviator, qualified in the UH-60 Black Hawk and LUH-72 Lakota helicopters. He currently serves as the lead Observer/Controller for Unmanned Aerial Systems in Hohenfels, Germany. Though Burke had blogged for years, he started “Wings Over Iraq” while deployed in 2008-2009. Burke included musing about strategy, foreign policy, counterinsurgency and military theory along with anecdotes and stories about the deployment, with a dose of sometimes irreverent humor.

Burke also has a Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook page associated with www.wingsoveriraq.com, and looks forward to pursing journalism further.

http://www.wingsoveriraq.com Today, more than ever, Soldiers rely on technology to bring the fight to the front lines.

That technology doesn’t just include high-tech weapons, body armor or Blue Force Tracker. It also included web logs, “blogs,” that allow a more immediate glimpse into military life and history than ever before. Often funny, sometimes painful and poignant, these snippets of opinion, daily life, and commentary on war, the military, and life in general allow more people to see what our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are thinking, experiencing and fighting for.

A view from the front line

band of bloggers http://www.facebook.com/ TexasMilitaryForces

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ texasmilitaryforces/

Check us out on the Internet!

STAR, continued from page 14

and opinions of the world we live in? And, how many of us really, truly look in the mirror and love the person we see there?

My friend’s advice was and is powerful! We need to trust ourselves! We need to search and find the host of positive, wonderful things about who we are and learn to develop self-confidence in ourselves. Trust your own heart!

The final advice I will share with you came from my longtime military mentor. His words and his spirit are much of what I am today. He told me in his most convincing command voice, that I needed to “Stick to my guns” and he warned me that there was “no short cut to success.” More sound advice. Once we learn to drop the ineffective strategies and we learn to trust our own heart, we will develop ideas, plans, objectives and dreams. My mentor was reminding me that we need to pursue our dreams and that we need to continue working to pursue them even when life presses us and obstacles stand in our way. We must press on and continue to pursue the

Most blood donations collected at Ft. Hood are shipped to battlefields in Iraq or Afghanistan within four days of collection.

Over 40 units of blood may be needed for a single injured Soldier.

Your donation may save: -A servicemember injured in action -A child with cancer Donation centers located at Ft. Hood, Ft. Sam Houston, and Lackland Air Force Base.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.militaryblood.dod. mil/donors/default.aspx

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plans and dreams that we know in our hearts to be the right path. And, as my mentor so deftly reminded me, we cannot allow ourselves to settle for some cheap imitation of the real thing. Life-changing dreams require serious effort, focus and perseverance. No vice... not alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sex, food, etc. will ever measure up to the reality of having a real dream come true.

And you know what, all three of my trusted friends were right. So I continue to learn to not waste my time trying to force my own agenda on the world and shove square pegs into circle holes. I slowly learned to appreciate and respect the reflection in my mirror and I took responsibility for my life and learned to trust myself. And, I have stayed consistent pursuing both my personal and professional dreams and avoided the cheap imitation or substitute. Am I perfect? NO!!! However, as I stated earlier, I am happy! I am at peace! I have come a LONG way from that night in the desert nearly seven years ago. My thoughts were interrupted as my beautiful and wonderful soul mate opened the door and joined me in enjoying the cool, crisp night and I smiled as I remembered, the journey, the work, the pursuit... it is really worth it!

VA: Draft Gulf War Task Force Report Is Released Report Redefines How Care and Services Are Provided to Gulf War Veterans WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that the Department’s Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force has completed the draft of a comprehensive report that will outline how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) addresses the concerns of Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.

“This report provides a roadmap for our continued enhancements in our care and services we provide to Gulf War Veterans,” said Shinseki.

“We will be applying lessons learned from this report to Veterans of all eras.”

Notification of the draft written report is published in the Federal Register, and the draft written report addresses seven areas where VA provides services for this group of Veterans.

Over the past year, the task force has examined, evaluated, designated and adjusted the initial roadmap outlined in last year’s report. VA has designated steps to improve care and services to Gulf War I Veterans and these improvements are becoming a part of our culture and operations.

This year’s report focuses on im-

provements in the delivery of health care for Gulf War Veterans. One of the most substantial additions is modifications to clinical care models used for Gulf War Veterans, which is the most critical point of service VA provides. There are better linkages between specialty knowledge and services at the basic point of care.

Clinical research and development is significantly contributing new concepts and methods to clinical practice and clinical education throughout VA. Two new positions were established in the Office of Research and Development for deployment and Desert Shield and Desert Storm health-related issues. Both positions have been filled and are enhancing research efforts for Gulf War Veterans and will continue to do so in the coming years.

VA is also strengthening partnerships and medical surveillance to address the potential health impacts on Veterans from the environmental exposures on today's battlefield. Additionally, VA continues to use social media to improve communication with Gulf War Veterans.

The Chairman of the Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force is John R. Gingrich, chief of staff at VA, a re-

TEX S M I L I TA RY F O R C E S

tired Army officer who also served in the Gulf War. “To ensure we are tracking the needs of our Veterans, we want to get feedback from Gulf War Veterans on this draft report,” said Gingrich. “Their feedback is critical to our efforts to understand and serve their specific needs. Therefore, we hope they take advantage of one of the different opportunities to provide feedback that we have created for them.”

As a first step, VA is seeking public comments on the draft written report before final publication. The public notice and instructions for how to submit electronic and comments via postal mail will be posted at www. regulations.gov, and the draft written report will be open for comment for 30 days. In addition, VA recognizes that a great number of Gulf War Veterans use the Internet on a daily basis to share their ideas and concerns, so VA has also created a public discussion board on the seven recommendations at: http://vagulfwartaskforce. uservoice.com/. To view the report without making recommendations, please visit VA’s website at http:// w w w.va . gov /o p a / p u b l i cat i o n s / Draft_2011_GWVI-TF_Report.pdf.

Celebrate TXMF Recycles Day on Camp Mabry. Come by the lobby of building 8 on Nov. 15 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to be in the running for great prizes!

November 2011 THE DISPATCH 17

News Brief VA Dedicates Fifth Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has dedicated a new Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC) at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) in San Antonio. The state-of-the-art, $66 million inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation center will treat Veterans and active duty Servicemembers with multiple, traumatic injuries. This is VA’s fifth polytrauma center nationwide.

“Today, casualties survive catastrophic injuries that would have been lethal just a few years ago,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, who gave the keynote address during the dedication event in San Antonio.

“More of our wounded are surviving, and more of them are permanently disabled by devastating injuries. They had the will to survive. We owe them the rest of the journey home.”

The cutting-edge Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center will work closely with the Department of Defense to

treat Servicemembers and Veterans with physical, cognitive, psychological or psychosocial impairments and functional disabilities. Examples of polytrauma care include traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputations, burns, fractures, hearing loss and visual impairment.

“Families are important to us,” states Marie Weldon, South Texas Veterans Health Care System director. “We kept them in mind during all project stages of the PRC by not only enhancing Veteran care and expanding services, but also by providing a family-friendly environment.”

VA’s fifth PRC was designed by the architectural joint venture of Smith Group/ Marmon Mok. The PRC will work in conjunction with Brooke Army Medical Center, The Center for the Intrepid, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research.

The PRC will consist of 12 acute care polytrauma rehabilitation inpatient beds;

physical medicine and rehabilitation services; outpatient polytrauma rehabilitation services; and refurbished prosthetic, rehabilitation and office space.

VA’s Polytrauma System of Care consists of five regional TBI/Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers in Richmond, Va.; Tampa, Fla.; Palo Alto, Calif.; Minneapolis, and San Antonio.

The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is comprised of two inpatient campuses: the Audie L. Murphy campus in San Antonio and the Kerrville campus in Kerrville, Texas. The STVHCS serves one of the largest service areas in the nation; last year, STVHCS provided almost a million outpatient visits to area Veterans.

For more information about the PRC in San Antonio, contact the South Texas Veterans Health Care System Office of Public Affairs, at (210) 617-5218, or by email, at STXMedia@va.gov.

Statement on VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Contract “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) conducts its contracting with small businesses in good faith and in the spirit of the “Veterans First” legislation that gives preference to eligible Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). This law gave VA new authority “for purposes of meeting [its] goals” for contracting with these firms, and VA is complying by exceeding those goals. VA will continue to strongly support eligible Veteran-owned small businesses who seek to do business with the federal government.

It is VA’s position that procurement professionals should continue to use the Federal Supply Schedules Program as one of the many contracting vehicles available to meet the needs of the Department. The GAO recommendation does not change how VA will acquire goods and services in support of its mission. VA expects this issue ultimately will be decided by the courts. Since the June 2007 effective date, VA has consistently interpreted the law as a small business set aside program with Veteran small businesses having priority over any other class of small business when conducting full and open competition contracts.

VA again specifically explained that ‘this rule does not apply to Federal Supply Schedule task or delivery orders’ when pro-

18 THE DISPATCH November 2011

mulgating the final rule (74 Federal Register 64619 (December 8, 2009)), implementing the portions of the Veterans Benefits, Healthcare, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 106-491) providing opportunities for SDVOSBs and VOSBs to increase their contracting and subcontracting with VA. ” On October 11, 2011, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a decision upholding a bid protest by an SDVOSB on two solicitations for the purchase of food-preparation equipment. VA has 65 days in which to formally respond to GAO’s recommendations, which are currently under review.

VA, in conjunction with the General Services Administration (GSA), encourages VOSBs and SDVOSBs to consider participating in the FSS Program. The FSS Program is the primary vehicle the Federal Government uses in making purchases for commercially available products and services: medically related products and services at VA, and other products and services through GSA. Both agencies’ FSS Programs are multiple award contracting programs that are open for potential new contractors on a continuing basis. The VA and GSA FSS web portals which can assist potential contractors in determining if this program is right for them can be found at http://www. fss.va.gov/ and http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100611 respectively.

Texas Military History- Veterans Day 1918-- World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities-in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.

1919-- November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.

1920-- On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.

1921-- Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony.

According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.

1926-- Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.

1938-- Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no 'actual' national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.

1941- 1945 and 1950- 1953-- World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day. 1954-- On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day. 1968-- Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran's Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.

1971-1975-- The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming 1975-- Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran's Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.

1978-- Veteran's Day observance reverts to November 11.

A Tomb Sentinal at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C. (Photo by Sgt. Stephen Stutsman)

November 2011 THE DISPATCH 19

Close Assault: 94 Sat & sun

SHOWTIMES: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Rain or Shine

FREE ADMISSION FREE PARKING Watch a recreation of an attack on a German strong-point See a Sherman Tank and M3 Halftrack in action Learn about uniforms and equipment Discover the realities of the front lines of WWII Tour the Texas Military Forces Museum Blank weapons firing demonstrations of some of the most famous small arms of World War II See dozens of tanks, jeeps and armored fighting vehicles from throughout U.S. history Concessions and souvenirs available

Enter via 35th Street.

Photo ID required for admission to post.

Camp MabryAUSTIN, TX WWW.TEXASMILITARYFORCESMUSEUM.ORG 20 THE DISPATCH November 2011