The Dispatch: 2012 Year in Review

The magazine of the Texas Military Forces

The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

www.txmf.us

In The Dispatch:

Camp Mabry hosted its annual Texas Military Forces Open House featuring the American Heroes Air Show on April 21st and 22nd in Austin, Texas to celebrate those who serve and sacrifice. The free two-day event featured an opening ceremony, a naturalization ceremony, World War II reenactments, military helicopter demonstrations and other interactive activities to educate the public about the National Guard. This annual event also allows members of the Texas Military Forces to thank the community for continued support. (Photo courtesy of Meena Balakrishnan)

In this special issue: 4

From The Adjutant General: Relevant and ready

5 From the Senior Enlisted Advisor: It’s a great time to be a Soldier or Airman in the Texas Military Forces

6

From the Public Affairs Office

48 Texas remembers the fallen in the Global War on Terror 50 Where to find your Texas Military Forces online 2 The Dispatch End of Year 2012

Photos from 2012 showcase the many missions accomplished by the Texas Military Forces. (Photo collage by Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)

The Dispatch 7

Diversity in the Force Men and women from all over the country and the world call Texas home, and serve honorably in the Texas Military Forces. The leadership of the TXMF proudly supports and celebrates the unique by mentoring Soldiers and Airmen in diversity leadership.

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TXMF history, from the militia to current day Although the Texas Military Forces have been in the spotlight in recent years due to deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism and missions at home helping Texans during fires, flood, and hurricanes, there is a long, proud history of Texans serving; From WWI to Hurricane Celia, from Korea to Hurricane Ike, Texas has always answered the call of the nation and the world.

12 Unit locations Find your local Texas Military Forces Unit! This map shows armories, wings and unit locations by county.

15 Texas Adjutant General’s Department The mission of the State Services is to care for our customers and to provide committed, professional support of our agency’s mission as stewards of the state’s financial and human resources.

18 Texas Army National Guard The Nation’s premier force of well led, Mission-Ready Units, backed by Resilient Families, fully engaged in our communities, unified in purpose and committed to excellence.

Year in Review 2012

Governor Gov. Rick Perry

The Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols

Public Affairs Officer Col. Amy Cook Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Jonathan Pettit Public Affairs Operations NCO Master Sgt. Kenneth Walker Public Affairs Staff 1st Lt. Martha Nigrelle Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Spc. Maria Moy John Thibodeau Laura Lopez Managing Editor Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Contributing Writers and Photographers The Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office would like to thank all the contributing writers and photographers who so generously shared their talent with us this year. Without the hard work and dedication of these Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians, we would not be able to tell YOUR Texas Military Forces story.

26 Texas Air National Guard Be ready to defend the homeland as the Governor’s first responders and decisively take the fight to the enemy abroad with superb Leadership, relevant training, and equipped citizen-Airmen in our Total Force Core Functions.

34 Texas State Guard The Texas State Guard (TXSG) mission as a branch of the Texas Military Forces is to provide mission-ready military forces to assist State and local authorities through Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) and augment the other two branches of the TXMF as force multipliers.

40 Domestic Operations Provide Dual-Status command and control of State Active Duty, Title 32, and Title 10 forces for immediate and long term response to any Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) event at the request of the Governor of Texas.

* 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, or the State of Texas. * The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office. * 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 the Texas Military Forces. * 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.*

The adjutant General

Planning for the future: relevant, ready

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Nov. 8, 2012) – Since taking office last year, I have met with senior leaders across the Texas Military Forces, and our state and federal partners, to discuss the goals and objectives for the Texas Military Forces to and beyond 2035. From these discussions, I have made the following conclusions.

We must put people first by investing in our human capital.

We will put people first – no exceptions. To do this, we have to develop strong leaders who act in the best interest of Soldiers, Airmen, civilian employees and their families.

This means we must develop transparent personnel processes that can be reviewed, tracked and improved.

We will instill a sense of ownership and value in each of our employees. Mental health and family readiness will be priority efforts.

We must be relevant by becoming the force provider of choice. A 2011 Department of Defense (DoD) report states “the Guard and Reserve should be a ‘force of first choice’ for those tasks for which they are particularly well suited, owing to their overall cost effectiveness and the skill sets that they can provide.”

Although DoD recognizes our value, we should not rest on our laurels. We must consistently demonstrate through our performance that we are a future-oriented organization capable of performing state and federal missions in a joint manner.

We must be ready to provide the right forces at the right time.

We are operating in a resource-constrained environment.

As good stewards of the taxpayer dollars we will allocate resources to those programs and activities that keep us ready for our state and federal missions. This requires a comprehensive plan to ensure we have properly equipped the right force structure in the right locations.

We must communicate to get our message out. We cannot afford to take for granted that our constituents and stakeholders understand who we are and what we do. We will proactively engage legislative, state and federal organizations to build mutually beneficial relationships.

Internally, we will strive to improve our information repositories and public websites. The accurate dissemination of information to the lowest level is essential to ensuring that our Soldiers, Airmen, civilian employees and families know their importance to us.

We must partner to build relationships that matter. The

4 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

TXMF does not operate in a bubble. We rely on external support mechanisms and organizations to accomplish our missions.

We will strengthen our existing relationships and look to forge new alliances. Legislative, military and interagency engagement plans will be developed to ensure that we can leverage the expertise, capabilities and benefits of these organizations.

Likewise, we will look to the private sector and civilian population to determine what programs and initiatives we can implement that build trust and confidence in our service to them.

Although I am currently looking out to 2035, I envision our strategic planning as a five-year effort. Our plan should be forward-thinking enough to get us five years out, but with annual reviews that will allow us to refocus our action plans.

We are a premier organization comprised of professional, unsurpassed, mission ready forces. We are “Texans Defending Texas,” and by working together – whether you are Army, Air, State Guard or civilian employee – we will remain a premier organization and strategic partner that our state and federal leaders can count on to effectively serve at home and abroad.

Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols The Adjutant General of Texas

senior enlisted advisor

It’s a great time to be a Soldier and an Airman in the Texas Military Forces.

As we draw back from a decade of war, our Soldiers and Airmen must remain committed to excellence. We must not only be tactically proficient, we must also continually strive to be technically proficient in our core tasks.

To ensure our continued readiness for missions both at home and abroad, I encourage Soldiers and Airmen to participate in their unit proficiency boards, as well as unit-sponsored “Best Warrior” competitions. While these competitions have traditionally focused on the Army, I challenge our Airmen to show off their tactical and technical skills.

We are proud to protect and defend our State and Nation.

Command Sgt. Major Bradley C. Brandt Senior Enlisted Advisor Texas Military Forces The Airman’s Creed I am an American Airman.

I am a warrior.

I have answered my nation’s call.

I am an American Airman.

My mission is to fly, fight, and win.

I am faithful to a proud heritage, A tradition of honor, And a legacy of valor.

I am an American Airman, guardian of freedom and justice, My nation’s sword and shield, Its sentry and avenger.

I defend my country with my life.

I am an American Airman: Wingman, leader, warrior.

I will never leave an Airman behind, I will never falter,and I will not fail.

The Soldier’s Creed I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 5

public affairs office

A Note from your Public Affairs Group…

The Public Affairs Team was honored to tell the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) story in 2012! Thank you for sharing your stories, photographs, memories and triumphs with us. Please continue to share story ideas about your accomplishments or upcoming missions.

In 2013, our goal is to expand coverage and fully represent the diversity of people, jobs, units, missions, and history within the agency by dividing Texas into four regions and focusing quarterly editions of The Dispatch on a different section of the Lone Star State. We will continue highlighting the great partnerships we share with civilian agencies, as well as our close working relationships with Chile and the Czech Republic.

We hope you will continue to share with us all of the great things that illustrate the value that the Texas Military Forces brings to the State of Texas and the Nation.

We look forward to hearing about, or attending some of your upcoming events!

6 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

To submit a story to the Public Affairs Office, share pictures with us, or invite us to one of your events, you can easily contact us by visiting our newly designed public webpage: www.txmf.us, or you can give us feedback or information by following us on Facebook or Twitter. Current pictures and videos are found on our Flickr and YouTube pages with the latest information and events on our Community Calendar and/or our blog: http://texasmilitaryforces.tumblr.com/.

We look forward to your feedback and learning how we can improve representing you through the webpage, our social media presence, and this magazine!

If and when you find yourself at Camp Mabry, please stop by and visit your Public Affairs Office in Building 10 for a cup of coffee, a piece of fine chocolate, or some hands-on training (camera kits available for check out).

We are honored to continue to support our diverse Texas team!

diversity in the force

Encouraging diversity leadership Men and women from all over the country and the world call Texas home, and serve honorably in the Texas Military Forces. The leadership of the TXMF proudly supports and celebrates our unique heritage by mentoring Soldiers and Airmen in diversity leadership.

Successful leaders understand how to lead a diverse team. They establish and sustain the National Guard culture. Leaders appreciate and ultimately leverage the power of diversity within their teams to meet all federal and state mission challenges.

Leaders who Understand Diversity • Recognize their own biases and prejudices • Step outside their personal comfort zone to learn more about others who may be different than themselves • Know and understand the members of their team beyond the obvious name, rank, skill identifier, or military occupational specialty Leaders who Appreciate Diversity • Promote diversity concepts and principles with their teams, units, and organizations • Hold others accountable for their diversity efforts within the team • Foster a leadership climate that respects the uniqueness and potential of everyone on the team Leaders who Leverage Diversity • Create diversity-based teams for special projects and problem-solving teams • Seek council and mentoring from others who are different, in order to grow as a leader • Form subordinate staff and command teams based on diversity so diversity-based leadership permeates throughout the command 2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 7

Texas military forces history 1836-1970

Militia units fight in Texas Revolution.

Texas troops fight in the SpanishAmerican War.

Texas joins in the MexicanAmerican War.

8  The Dispatch  End of Year 2012

Units from Texas and Oklahoma, as part the 36th Infantry Division, leave to fight in France and Germany.

The 36th Inf. Div. lands in Salerno, Italy- the first American combat division to land on the continent of Europe.

One thousand, two hundred members of the Texas State Guard deploy to help quell racial unrest in Beaumont, Texas.

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The Texas Defense Force is renamed the Texas State Guard. A new shoulder patch, a blue shield with a white star and a red T is issued.

Texas troops patrol the southwest border to defend against the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa.

The American Civil War begins. Texas supplies 89,500 troops to the Confederacy, and 2,000 troops to the Union.

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The Texas Military ForcesRelevant and ready yest

The 36th Inf. Div. takes heavy casualties in the Rapido River action, losing the better part of two of its three regiments attmpting to cross the river.

The 36th Inf. Div. returns to Texas.

By the end of WWII, the 36th spent 400 days in combat, won seven battle streamers for exceptional performance in combat, accepted the surrender of German Field Marshal Hermann Goering, and taken part in two assault landings. Fourteen members of the division earned the Medal of Honor.

Texas military forces history 1836-1970

The 182nd FighterInterceptor Squadron is formed in the Texas Air National Guard.

The 136th Fighter Group, originally the 368th Fighter Group, is transferred to the newly-established Texas Air National Guard.

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The 111th is expanded and flagged as the 147th FighterInterceptor Group.

The 147th is re-designated as the 111th Combat Crew Training Squadron. The 111th trains pilots on the F-102 fighter, the F-4 Phantom and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The 136th Fighter Group deploys to Korea. The 136th is the first Air National Guard unit to enter combat in any theater.

Members of the Texas State Guard deploy to Texas City, Texas when the city is placed under martial law after a freighter ship explodes. The explosion kills almost 400 people and injures nearly 4,000 more.

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Federal legislation authorizing the Texas State Guard expires and the TXSG is disbanded. The colors are cases and all members are placed on the Inactive list.

The 111th FighterInterceptor Squadron is formed in the Texas Air National Guard.

The 36th Inf. Div. becomes part of the Texas National Guard.

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terday, today and tomorrow

The 149t h Fighter Group is established out of the 182nd Fighter-Interceptor Group.

Legislation re-authorizing the Texas State Guard passes.

End of Year 2012  The Dispatch  9

Texas military foces history 1973-2012

The 49th Armored Division is activated, and the lineage of the 36t Inf. Div. is transferred to the 36th Brigade, under the 49th.

The Texas State Guard is organized into the current regimental structure. Currently, the TXSG includes six Army regiments; two air Wings, the Medical Brigade and the Maritime Regiment

The 136th reflags to the 136th Tactical Airlift Wing. From 1978 to 2012, over 6,000 Airmen have deployed with the 136th during Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Horizons.

The 149th receives F-16 Fighting Falcons.

10  The Dispatch  2012 Year in Review

After the attacks on Sept. 11, four fighters from the 111th escort Air Force One as President George W. Bush travels from Florida to Louisiana, Nebraska and finally to Washington D.C.

The 149th becomes a formal training unit for Air Force F-16 pilots, a mission it continues to this day.

Soldiers from the 36th Inf. Div. deploy to Bosnia for Enduring Mission 3

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The Texas Military ForcesRelevant and ready yeste

Over 3,000 troops from the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Inf. Div. deploy to Iraq. It is the largest deployment of Texas troops since WWII.

The 49th Armored Div. is reflagged as the 36th Inf. Div.

Airmen from the 147th Fighter Wing deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraq Freedom.

The unit flies 462 sorties in two months with a perfect maintenance record.

C-130 cargo planes from the 136th are some of the first aircraft to arrive in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, bringing relief supplies and workers.

Texas military forces history 1973-2012

The 147th Fighter Wing receives MQ-1 Predator drones and is renamed the 147th Reconnaissance Wing.

The TXSG travels to Eagle Pass, Texas to contribute to tornado relief efforts, and to Marble Falls, Texas to assist in flood relief

Airmen from the 147th deploy to Iraq. Pilots complete 348 planned missions, six no-notice close air support missions, and four alert launches.

Soldiers and Airmen from all three components of the Texas Military Forces deploy in support of civil authorities during Atlantic hurricane season. Four hurricanes, Dolly, Edouard, Gustav and Ike impact Texas.

56th IBCT sends 3.000 Soldiers to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

3rd Battalion, 144th Inf. Reg., 36th Inf. Div. mobilizes for Operation Iraqi Freedom. as Task Force Panther.

The 36th Inf. Div. deploys to Basrah, Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

The 36th is one of the last American combat units to leave Iraq.

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Members of the Texas State Guard travel to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina relief operations.

1st Squadron, 124th Cav. Reg., 36th Inf. Div. are the first Cavalry unit to serve as peacekeeping forces in the Sinai Desert for the Multinational Force and Observers.

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erday, today and tomorrow

Texas Governor Rick Perry emphasizes the need for the 136th C-130s in Texas for Gulf Coast emergency relief. Since 2005, the 136th has flown over 400 missions.

With over 560 hours of flight time, the 136th has transported more than 3,000 passengers and delivered 939 tons of emergency supplies.

Over 450 Soldiers from various units of the Texas Army National Guard deploy to Afghanistan as Security Force Assist Teams. Each SFAT will train and mentor small units of Afghan military forces.

End2012 of Year Year2012 in Review The DTispatch he Dispatch 11 11

Where we are - facilities TEXAS MILITARY TEXAS MILITARYFORCES FORCES MAIN ASSETTS MAIN and FACILITIES GEOGRAPHICand DISTRIBUTION With Texas Disaster Districts GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

AMARILLO AFRC

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WELLINGTON R.C.

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LUBBOCK AFRC FMS #20

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CAMP BULLIS - UTES CAMP BULLIS R.C. CAMP BULLIS AFRC

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24 61 Readiness Centers (Armories) 33 Maintenance Facilities 4 Army Aviation Support Facilities --------------------------------------------------------------------98 TOTAL

19 Armed Forces Reserve Centers (AFRC) 5 TXARNG Hosted: ABIA, Lubbock, NW Houston, Dyess AFB, Ft Bliss 14 USAR Hosted 4 Major Training Centers 3 Air Wings and 4 Geographically Separated Units Last Update: December 2012 Please Contact CFMO-GIS Office for updates and additional copies

12 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

LAREDO R.C. FMS #6

F R F

Where we are - facilities GRAND PRAIRIE (DNAS) FMS #16 AASF LEWISVILLE AFRC

GRAND PRAIRIE AFRC FMS #10 DALLAS - C. CROSSING R.C.

DENTON R.C.

DALLAS - RED BIRD R.C. FMS # 8

ARLINGTON R.C. FT WORTH - COBB PARK R.C.

DENISON R.C.

SAGINAW CSMS#1 EAGLE MOUNTAIN LAKE

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BRENHAM R.C.

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BRAC AFRCs

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2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 13

PT AL’S DE T GENER ADJUTAN

Davis n e b o Ms. R

14 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

Mr. Duane Waddill

Adjutant General’s Department

State agency bridges gaps in Joint Force Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Jan. 12, 2012)—Diligently working Waddill discussed the value his agency provides the at Texas Guard facilities throughout the Lone Star State is a state, from a fiscal standpoint. cadre of state employees that aid and support the activities "For a $10 to $12 million annual investment from the of the Texas Military Forces (TXMF), which are collectively Texas Legislature [for the Adjutant General's Department], comprised of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air the state receives over $1 billion of benefit, in terms of ecoNational Guard, and the volunteer Texas State Guard. nomic impact from our activities," said Waddill.

Initially established under the Republic of Texas, the The Adjutant General of Texas, Maj. Gen. John F. Adjutant General's Department (AGD) continued operaNichols, recently held an appreciation breakfast with the tions after Texas entered the Union in 1845, and is currently Command Group for AGD maintenance professionals on the state agency responsible for "building repairs, grounds Camp Mabry, the state military's headquarters in Austin. maintenance, environmental oversight and protection of the At the event, Nichols expressed his gratitude, and thanked state and federal installations that house our National Guard the workers for their years of service, noting that some have members," according to the Adjutant General's Department served over thirty years on behalf of the state.

Strategic Plan 2011-2015.

While the civilian employees of the Adjutant General's Duane Waddill, the agency's executive director, exDepartment often operate in the shadows of the uniformed plained their interconnectivity with the Joint Forces. personnel that permeate the state's military units, the essenThe civilian professionals help administratively facilitate tial work they perform does not go unnoticed. the domestic response when the state's forces are activated by the governor, and perform functions that range from facility management and security to state payroll and human resources.

A twenty-year veteran of Texas state government, Waddill likened the agency he now manages to weatherizing caulk, in that it has the ability to provide a cohesive seal for TXMF activities.

"Our flexible structure allows us to bridge gaps," Waddill said. "We can help fill in the cracks that naturally occur when the Army, Air, and [Texas] State Guard can't cross functions."

Additionally, AGD activities include cooperative partnerships with the National Guard to rebuild trucks for units across the United States, help educate at-risk teens through the ChalleNGe program, as well as excite young minds to math and science through Officer Ian McPherson, a shift supervisor with the Adjutant General’s the STARBASE program.

Department’s security forces, verifies the credentials of a visitor to Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas.

Find out how YOU can help a deployed Texas servicemember!! visit http://www.uso.org/waysto-volunteer.aspx 2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 15

Adjutant General’s department National Guard launches 2nd Texas STARBASE Academy Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

CAMP MABRY, Texas (May 3, 2012)— Uniformed and civilian members of the Texas Military Forces celebrated the opening of a new STARBASE academy at Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas, on May 1, 2012. This is the 2nd site in the state overseen by the National Guard, and builds upon the program that was organized in 1994 at Houston's Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base.

Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, the Adjutant General of Texas, and Gail Whittemore-Smith, Texas STARBASE's state director, were on-hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed with the welcoming of the inaugural class at the Central Texas location.

STARBASE is a U.S. Department of Defense funded youth program that is principally directed toward at-risk youth. The initiative provides practical application to math and science problems and opens the world of science and technological-based careerfields to students through hands-on, simulation and experimental activities.

The newly created program in the state's capital city is available to area 5th grade students through partnerships with local educators. During

the month of May, 240 students from Del Valle and Austin's independent school districts are expected to participate in initial orientation courses, called "A Taste of STARBASE," with more robust coursework to follow during the next school year.

The program's state director described Texas STARBASE as "a rigorous academic training experience that supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills."

She further explained that the curriculum has been developed to enhance the learning experience in a way that supports state and national education standards.

In addition to the ribbon-cutting, and day of classes, attendees witnessed an aerial demonstration by a Texas Army National Guard UH-72 Lakota, a light utility helicopter, and had the opportunity to interact with its pilot.

"We are a program that technically collapses the walls of the traditional classroom, gets the kids out into an area that normally is not provided in a normal traditional classroom," Whittemore-Smith said. "It allows the students to study the STEM concepts and skills, then apply that in some way, with either hypothesizing, experimenting, simulating, then talk

to real-world experts that are in the STEM workplace."

Jennifer Garcia, a certified science teacher with Del Valle ISD's Gilbert Elementary School, was excited to have her students participate in the Austin location's inaugural class.

"It provides students an opportunity to see new things; from new technologies and critical thinking techniques to helping prepare the students for STAAR testing next year," Garcia said. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) examination is legislatively-mandated, and includes sections on math and science knowledge.

Discussing the program, the state's senior National Guard officer and trained fighter pilot said, "it's academically oriented, its high-tech, and allows them to see what they can do.

Then it shows them hands-on what actually happens."

"I see the light in the kid's eyes," Nichols said. "It gives them a spark, and as elementary kids it can many times carry over to their high school time and gives them a different idea of what they can do."

You can view additional photos at the Texas Military Forces Flickr page http://bit.ly/J9EWOm.

Left: Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, the Adjutant General of Texas, and Gail Whittemore-Smith, Texas STARBASE's state director, participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for Austin's STARBASE program alongside Monica Diaz, Texas STARBASE's deputy state director, and John Harris, a training specialist for the Austin STARBASE, at Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas, on May 1, 2012.

Right: Shannon Estapinal, deputy director of the STARBASE program at Houston’s Ellington Field, assists Jesus Alvarez, a 5th grade student at Del Valle Independent School District’s Gilbert Elementary, during a flight simulation exercise.

16 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

adjutant General’s department Texas, Wisconsin units recognized for top family readiness programs Story and photo by Sgt. Darron Salzer National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. (Feb. 3, 2012)—Texas and Wisconsin National Guard units were among several from the reserve components recognized Friday, Feb. 2 at the 2012 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards ceremony, here, at the Pentagon.

Representing the Army and Air National Guards, respectively, were 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, and the 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard.

Edith Pond, Family Readiness Group program manager of the 1/147th, said representing the Army National Guard was an incredible honor.

“To have the opportunity to receive support from our community, as well as provide support for our community has been just wonderful overall … having an opportunity to come together due to the sacrifices of the soldiers of the 147th … and to also serve in our way.”

Pond said pre-deployment programs and support from local clubs and organizations that helped set the soldiers and family members of the 147th up for success.

“In return, we gave back to those that supported us by hosting blood drives and a water station for the American Legion at their national convention; we also did the same for the Madison Mini-Marathon in support of our soldiers,” Pond said.

Other programs that set the 147th FRG apart were their scheduling of guest speakers to present topics such as post-traumatic stress and the way in which they used technology to host meetings via phone bridges – seamlessly integrating and supporting members from the Michigan National Guard that were attached to the 147th.

“On behalf of Lt. Col. Marty Pond and the soldiers of the 147th, we just want our FRG to know how much they meant to us and how their support, taking care of our families and the camaraderie they built to help each other get through the mobilization

was appreciated by us,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Troy Kleinheinz, military point-of-contact for the 147th FRG. “We would not have gotten through it without their support and what they did to assure us that when we got home, everything was going to be OK. We had an amazing FRG.” The hard work and dedication of FRG members to ensure that families are taken care of back home can ensure that soldiers and airmen are focused on the mission.

“You can take my best C-130 pilot, with the most years of experience and the most combat time, and put him in the skies over Afghanistan on a critical mission,” said Air Force Col. David M. McMinn, commander of the 136th AW. “If he just got a call from his wife that [the] refrigerator isn’t working … right before he takes off, that guy is now useless.”

He’s no longer focused on the mission because he’s 4,000 miles away from home and unable to do his job as a husband, McMinn said.

“We really want our members to keep their head on and we want them [to know] that we will handle the families and work with the families,” said Laura Wedel, the 136th FRG leader.

Some of the key elements that set the 136th FRG apart were their events held during deployments, which included back-to-school parties and “powderpuff” football events and their involvement in a local council that consisted of FRG members from all of the other service branches, allowing them to build cross-component integration.

McMinn said the recognition by the DoD was “a testimony to the men and women that we have in our family readiness group and how hard they work.”

“A robust family readiness group back home, taking care of our families’ needs, helps us be effective when we deploy – that is the meat of why these folks are being recognized here today.”

Members of the Texas and Wisconsin family readiness groups. Both units were recognized for outstanding FRG activity and leadership at the 2012 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards ceremony on Feb. 17.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 17

L GUARD RMY NAT TEXAS A

MG Joyce L. Stevens

CSM Richarch M 18 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

ilford

36th ID: return to duty, new commander Story and photos by Sgt. Josiah Pugh 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Jan. 23, 2012)– The 36th Infantry Division celebrated a successful deployment and welcomed a new commander during a ceremony held Saturday, Jan. 21, at Camp Mabry in Austin.

After three years in command and an historic deployment to Iraq, Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin handed the division’s colors to newly promoted Maj. Gen. James K. “Red” Brown. Brown served as rear detachment commander for the division headquarters during its deployment, and as the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander during a deployment to Iraq in 2005.

“I am proud to stand beside you,” Brown said to his troops. “Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”

The 36th Div. headquarters is comprised of more than 700 Texas National Guard Soldiers. In December 2010 they deployed to Basrah, Iraq, where they provided command and control of approximately

8,000 active-duty troops in support of Operation New Dawn.

The headquarters worked hand-in-hand with Iraqi leadership in an effort to improve the security, safety, stability, and economic viability of Iraq’s nine southern provinces. With the Iraqi Security Forces, the unit conducted 570 tactical operations that resulted in the discovery of 127 weapon caches, the elimination of 200 roadside bombs, and the arrest of 465 suspected terrorists.

“This time in command has certainly flown by quickly,” said Spurgin. “It seems like just yesterday I was sitting where General Brown is sitting now, preparing to take over the reigns of this great division.”

“As commanders, we learn very quickly how bittersweet it can be to let go of a command, especially when they have been blessed, as I have been blessed, with outstanding Soldiers and a great staff.”

Above- Former 36th Infantry Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin and Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson L. Early unfurled their unit’s colors during an uncasing ceremony at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012.

The ceremony marked the end of the historic deployment for the division.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 19

Texas Army National Guard

Community gathers to say Godspeed

Clockwise from top left- The color guard stands at attention during the Security Forces Advise and Assist Team deployment ceremony at Manor New Tech High School in Manor, Texas, on July 31, 2012. Forty seven teams, comprised of almost 450 Soldiers from units all across Texas will advise and train the Afghan National Security Forces counterparts, building trust and positive working relationships.

Top right- Soldiers render honors during the playing of the National Anthem.

Middle right- Col. Anthony Woods and Command Sgt. Maj. Darrell Clendennen case the Task Force Arrowhead colors, signifying the SFAAT’s transition from home station to training, and from there, deploiyment.Bottom right- Capt. William C. Willett takes a moment with his son, Chance, 6, after the SFAAT deployment ceremony.

Middle left- Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, Texas Adjutant General, addresses the Soldiers, families and community during the SFAAT deployment ceremony.

(All photos by Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs.)

20 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

Texas Army national Guard Security force teams ensure mission safety and accomplishment Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marasky Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Aug. 7, 2012)–As Kiowa scout helicopters and soldiers from both the 1st Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment and Afghan National Army provide outer security, members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar’s engineering section conduct quality assurance checks at the Shigal Girl’s School.

But the real security, both at the school and at the numerous other places that the PRT conducts its mission on a daily basis, falls to the team’s security force element, composed of soldiers from A Company, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry (Airborne) out of Austin, Texas.

The unique unit, the only airborne battalion in the National Guard, brings special mission capabilities and skillsets to the security mission of the PRT, according to Army National Guard Capt.

Jeffrey Preston, A Company commander.

“What’s unique about our unit is the way our mandate was created, we’re very airborne ranger centric in those we bring into leadership roles,” he said. “This is a factor out here in Kunar specifically, because we’re seeing more traditional stand-off engagements and ambushes, and our guys are trained to conduct and counter those types of engagements.”

A key factor in the team’s success has been meeting the tactical directives set forth by the International Security Assistance Force commander, specifically using the appropriate amount of force to combat the enemy, an area in which the team has excelled, according to Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jason Broyles, the team’s platoon sergeant.

“It comes right down to the scope of their duties and how they are conducting themselves, which has been exceptional,” he said. “At no point have they been over-aggressive or underaggressive, it’s a very fine line that a soldier has to walk, and our guys have done an extremely good job of walking that path.”

The good work done by the security force element has been noted by the PRT

leadership as well, as U.S. Navy Cmdr.

Michael Yesunas, PRT Kunar commander, complimented them on their professionalism and military bearing.

“They have allowed us to safely continue our mission with confidence, poise and professionalism,” he said. “They always use the amount of force necessary to take the fight to the enemy and protect the people of Afghanistan at the same time.”

Fortunately for the PRT, the engagements with the enemy have been few and far between, which provides its own challenges for the combat ready security force element according to Preston.

“There aren’t a lot of dynamic missions within the PRTs, we’re not conducting raids or providing cordons, our intent is non-lethal, it’s all about governance and stability,” he said. “What we’re getting from across all of the provinces is that our guys aren’t giving in to the boredom and complacency that can come from this stable mission set. They remain focused and ready, so that if a threat does present itself, they aren’t caught off guard.”

That professionalism is visible not only in the way the security forces

conduct themselves, but in the way the engineers, agricultural specialists and civil affairs personnel, as well as key leaders within the PRT and local governance conduct their missions without fear thanks to the efforts of the soldiers, said Yesunas.

“The nature of the PRT mission is heavy with meetings with local leaders, and speaking to them and using what they’re giving you to help them with a way forward with their country,” he said. “When I’m in these meetings I can’t concentrate on my security, but I have absolute confidence that we’re safe and the guys outside are watching over us.”

“I don’t have to worry about if they’ll do the right thing or not, I know they will, and they’ll keep us all safe,” said Yesunas. “I think we have the best platoon in Afghanistan, and I’d put our guys against any enemy, and I know they’d come out as good or better than anyone else.”

The day at the school ended quietly, with the engineers conducting their assessment and heading back home without incident, but confident that if needed, the team’s Security Force element would be there to protect them.

Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar’s Security Force Element wear the “Texas T” patch to show they are assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry (Airborne) out of Austin, Texas.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 21

Texas army national Guard

Texas Medics share knowledge Story and photos by Spc. Heidi Krueger Nebraska National Guard

VYSKOV, Czech Republic (July 15, 2012)—Texas Army National Guard medical personnel traveled to the Czech Republic, July 9-13, to share their knowledge with the country’s military medical personnel while building relationships they believe will enhance global security, understanding and cooperation through the National Guard’s state partnership program.

The Texas Army National Guard medical personnel conducted subject matter expert classes and training on advanced trauma care with the Czech Republic Armed Forces medical personnel.

Involved in the training were the Texas National Guard’s Capt. Angela Todd, physician assistant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-149th Aviation 36th Combat Aviation Brigade; Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Phillips, special forces medical sergeant with Company C., 5-19th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Staff Sgt. Robert Harris, health care specialist with Texas Medical Command;

and Spc. Conrad Krueger, health care specialist with 627th Heavy Dive Team.

While in the Czech Republic, the four Texas Guardsmen, who have a wide range of medical knowledge, were able to teach and give handson-training to approximately a dozen Czech Republic Armed Forces medical personnel. The Czech medical personnel, who included enlisted, warrant officers and officers, ranged from a combat lifesaver truck driver to family physicians and even a surgeon.

They mostly wanted to learn about all the advanced life saving innovations we knew and used, said Krueger.

Throughout their time in the Czech Republic, the Texas Guardsmen were able to teach and share advice on such things as advanced airway, intubation, needle chest decompression, hemorrhage and much more. They also shared stories from their experiences in the medical field.

22 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

“There were some tips or tricks from sergeant (Sgt. 1st Class Arthur) Phillips that helped me improve my knowledge,” said Warrant Officer 1st Class Jari Duchon, military vice president of Czech Association of Combat Medics, “like how to treat a patient with small amount of materials.”

The education wasn’t one-sided, either. The Czech medical personnel were also able to pass on medical experience and information to the Texas medics. According to the Texans, this enabled them to return home with a better understanding of the Czech’s medical system along with knowledge and tips they could use in their own practices.

“They taught us little techniques that they used to quickly find the second intercostal space for putting

Texas Army National Guard

e, friendship in Czech Republic in a needle chest decompression,” said Krueger, “little techniques that medical personnel pass along to each other after being in different situations in your career.”

During one of the classes, the Texas medics not only used mannequins to create lifelike scenarios, but also pork ribs to help the Czech medical personnel better visualize the techniques the American Guardsmen use to do needle chest decompressions.

“It was great,” said Duchon. “It’s always a great experience to share knowledge. It doesn’t matter what it is, (combat lifesaver) or just training for medics and doctors, it’s always something new we can learn and we can share because everyone has some experience.”

For the Texans, the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences with another culture was something they will never forget.

“It’s a great experience cooperating with a different country,” said Krueger. “Medical collation between countries on the battle field leads to a sense of interchangeable healthcare easily recognized at a higher level of care in the field.”

The Texas National Guard members also saw the exchange as a way to give back and do their part.

“It’s rewarding to know that if our Soldiers were ever treated on the battle field by these Czech medical professionals that it would be as if one of my fellow medics or myself were performing the treatment,” said Krueger. “I hope that we hear of or even get the chance to be a part of many more missions like this one.”

The Czech participants agreed.

“I think the cooperation was good,” said Duchon. “It was great because we meet each other during military deployments to Afghanistan and we complement each other, especially like medics, they are close to each other.”

“We must know how you treat a patient and how we treat a patient,” said Duchon about the importance of the training exchange. “The sharing of information improves

Opposite page, left- Staff Sgt. Robert Harris, a health care specialist with Texas Medical Command, demonstrates on Spc. Conrad Krueger, a health care specialist with 627th Heavy Dive Team, how to properly stop blood from an open wound to a group of Czech Republic Army medical personnel in Vyskov, Czech Republic on July 12.

Opposite page, right- Warrant Officer 1st Class Jari Duchon, military vice president of Czech Association of Combat Medics, practices proper care of a wound on Spc. Conrad Krueger, a health care specialist with 627th Heavy Dive Team, in Vyskov, Czech Republic on July 12.

Top right- Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Phillips, special forces medical sergeant with Company C., 5-19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), ensures proper placement when a Czech Republic Soldier demonstrates different medical procedures to his fellow Soldiers after Texas National Guard Soldiers gave classes on Advanced Trauma Care in Vyskov, Czech Republic on July 12.

the treatment because the only goal for medics is to save the lives.”

Both groups say they hope it isn’t the last time they have the opportunity to exchange information, either.

“We want to share information in the future,” said Duchon, “not only with the Czech medics, but also internationally.”

The Texas National Guard members also saw this exchange and teaching of medical practices as a way to give back and do their part.

“It’s rewarding to know that if our Soldiers were ever treated on the battle field by these Czech medical professionals that it would be as if one of my fellow medics or myself were performing the treatment,” said Krueger. “I hope that we hear of or even get the chance to be a part of many more missions like this one.”

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 23

Texas Army National Guard

Perry honors Texas Guardsman for combat valor Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 1, 2012) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry presented a Texas National Guardsman with the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with “V” Device for acts of heroism and the Combat Medical Badge during a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Nov. 1, 2012. Perry, commander-in-chief of the Texas National Guard, honored the service member's sacrifice, as well as the numerous Texans and Americans who have served during the past decade.

“The young men and women of this generation have been asked to perform on battlefields in Iraq, and Afghanistan, standing up against the forces of terror at home and abroad,” Perry said. “Without their willingness to give their all, if required, America would be nothing but a sad footnote in history, a place that held great promise, once upon a time.”

Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Rogers, Jr., of Galveston, Texas, a flight medic assigned to the Texas Army National Guard’s Austin-based 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, received the citations from Perry, on behalf of the U.S. Army, for his actions this past June and July while he was assigned to the U.S. Army’s Task Force Wolfpack, a subcomponent of the 4th Platoon at Forward Operating Base Salerno in the province of Khowst, in southeastern Afghanistan, which is near the country’s border with Pakistan.

“Today, we are honoring a particularly brave individual,” Perry said. “Staff Sgt. Patrick Rogers not only served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan, he also served as medic, which means he didn’t really get involved until

things had gone really bad.”

After sustaining injuries during an attack that damaged FOB Salerno’s dining facility in June, Rogers is credited with rescuing several soldiers and a local national from the building and then setting up a triage station to evaluate and initiate treatment for additional injured personnel.

It wasn’t until he was ordered to stop tending to the wounded that he finally relented and allowed other medics to take care of his own injuries,” said Perry.

Then, in July, Rogers was involved in an aerial rescue operation near FOB Salerno while being exposed to gunfire from enemy combatants, according to Capt. Joshua C. Aronson, the aeromedical evacuation officer for Task Force Wolfpack, who wrote the recommendation for Rogers to receive the Air Medal with “V” Device.

Rogers was lowered by a hoist and a steel cable from inside a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and helped with the extraction of two soldiers from a narrow ledge on a mountainside.

For his actions under fire, Rogers was also presented the Combat Medical Badge, which is conferred upon military medical personnel that face combat conditions. The badge was first awarded to American combat medics during World War II. Perry said he was humbled and privileged to present Rogers with the awards.

24 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

The feeling between the Governor and the Citizen-Soldier appeared to be mutual.

“It was definitely an honor,” Rogers said of receiving his awards from the state's chief executive, “this is something I will never forget.”

Rogers said he has to undergo further physical therapy and treatments for his combat injuries, but that he will soon head back to Galveston to continue life, go back to work and raise his children.

“Everything after combat is great,” Rogers said. “Everything else is easy."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry finishes placing the Purple Heart onto the uniform of Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Rogers, Jr., a flight medic and member of the Texas Army National Guard, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Nov. 1, 2012. Perry is the commander-in-chief of the Texas Military Forces, which includes the Texas Army National Guard. Rogers received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in Afghanistan.

Texas Army National Guard

Family, friends, gather to mourn, say goodbye to Soldier Story and photo Staff. Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

TYLER, Texas (Dec. 23, 2012)—Friends, family and coworkers filled the chapel of the Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas on Dec. 23 to say goodbye to Sgt. 1st Class Nelson David Trent, of Whitehouse, Texas. Trent was killed in Afghanistan on December 13, 2012, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle..

Born in Tyler, Texas, Trent grew up in Whitehouse, Texas, a small community near Tyler, and graduated high school in 1993. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1999, as a signal support systems specialist, and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Trent joined the Texas National Guard in 2006 and served on the Texas Border Security Mission through 2008.

In 2010, Trent accepted a full-time position with the Texas Military Forces as a communications non-commissioned officer, first with the 6th Civil Support Team and then with Joint Task Force 71. During his time at JTF 71, he was recognized as the brigade NCO of the Year for his outstanding performance, military knowledge and bearing.

In May of 2012, Trent moved to the 56th IBCT and deployed as a member of Task Force Arrowhead, a group of approximately 400 Soldiers deployed to advise, train and assist the Afghani security forces.

Teaching Soldiers was another task Trent excelled at. During his memorial service in Afghanistan, Major Kenneth Walker, SFC Trent’s Team Leader, remembered Trent “as a good teacher. He always reflected patience and ability in teaching the most difficult tasks to Soldiers.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Darrell Clendennen, command sergeant major of TF Arrowhead, sent remarks emphasizing Trent’s ability to teach others. The remarks, read by Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson Early, 36th Inf. Div. Command Sgt. Maj., also reflected the dedication Trent brought to his calling in the military.

“As exceptionally painful as it is to lose someone so close to you, it is at these times you really understand what you have.

Sgt. 1st Class Trent gave a lot to all of us,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Darrell Clendennen, Task Force Arrowhead. “He dedicated his life to training, and mentoring us on surviving and taking care of each other. Even though he is not physically here with us, his teaching will go on forever. I had the privilege of knowing this outstanding Soldier, I loved Trent, and I’m truly going to miss him.”

“Trent was a man who possessed a warrior spirit and a leader who would never accept defeat,” said Col. Anthony Woods, Commander of Task Force Arrowhead . “Heroes such as he are remembered for their contributions to life. His legacy will live forever in his children and in the pages of history. We grieve because of the loss of this warrior has left and empty place in our hearts. He will continue to be a shining example in the midst of danger. “

Although friends and family knew Trent as an exemplary Soldier, his sense of humor and desire to make other people smile were also widely remembered during his memorial services, both in Texas, and in Afghanistan. “He was a loveable guy,” said Walker. “He was that guy that would make you laugh when times were bad or randomly jump out from behind something with his bald head.”

Gen. James K. “Red” Brown, commander of the 36th Infantry Division, held Trent up as “a great example to all of us, in how he lived, and what he did in the service of this great nation.”

“Every day he served, as you’ve heard his friends say today, he made a difference to them individually,” said Brown. “His life was full, he was a wonderful father, caring and loving husband, a wonderful son and brother and an outstanding Soldier.”

Brown’s closing words emphasized Trent’s affect on the lives he touched. “We are so very proud of him, so very proud of what he did for us, we are proud of how he served, and we’re proud of how he lived,” said Brown. “He truly made a difference. Our words are inadequate to express what this man did. Thank you for your son, for your husband, for your father and for your brother. He is an absolute hero and a wonderful American.”

Sgt. 1st Class Trent is survived by his wife, April; son David; daughter Camryn; parents Nelson and Fritzi; sister Traci Trent and brother Brian Trent. He is interred among other valiant Americans in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

Maj. Gen. James K. “Red” Brown salutes Mrs. April Trent after presenting the memorial flag during Sgt. 1st Class Nelson D. Trent’s internment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Jan. 8, 2013.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 25

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26 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wis

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Texas Air National Guard 149FW Det. 1 facilitates joint training, hosts Texas Red Flag Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

YANKEE RANGE, Texas (June 4, 2012)—For over a quarter of a century, Detachment 1, a subcomponent of the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing, has managed Yankee Range, the northern of two ranges that comprise the McMullen Target Complex, which is part of Naval Air Station Kingsville. The nearly 3,000-acre remote location in McMullen County, Texas, is situated between San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

Yankee Range is primarily used for practice bomb and gun-strafing operations to enable the Air National Guard unit to accomplish its primary federal mission to train combat-ready F-16 pilots for worldwide operations. In addition to being able to accept air-launched munitions from fighter aircraft, the location has the capability to accomplish numerous state training missions as well.

“We’re 1 of 13 such ranges throughout the country that are managed by the National Guard,” said Capt. Eric Hoopes, commander of Det. 1. “We have maneuver space, are [geographically] positioned to assist with disaster preparedness staging, and have numerous targets and mock villages for both air and ground components to accomplish realistic training.”

From May 30-June 1, 2012, Det. 1 hosted a joint service, multinational event called Texas Red Flag, which allowed for aerial and ground maneuvers involving Texas Air and Army Guard personnel, as well as members of the air force of the Czech Republic, one of Texas’ counterparts within the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

The exercise allowed the Citizen-Airmen and soldiers to sharpen their combat readiness skills and improve capabilities in order to support civil authorities during times of disaster within the state.

During the activities, participants operated alongside each other for close air support operations with Gunfighter F-16s and practiced insertion and extraction maneuvers into a faux village, known as a military operations in urban terrain site, with Texas Army National Guard helicopters from the 449th Aviation Support Battalion assigned to the Martindale Army Airfield, in San Antonio.

Additionally, C-130H tactical aircraft with the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth trained on employing counter-measures to evade ground attack during low-altitude combat support missions.

Tactical Air Control Party and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the Texas Air National Guard’s 147th Air Support Operations Squadron at Houston’s Ellington Field received on-the-ground CAS training.

“We integrate air power into the Army commander’s

ground scheme of maneuver,” said Lt. Col. John Olsen, commander of the 147ASOS. In a real-world situation, Olsen, also an F-16 pilot, explained he would “serve as the senior air liaison to the combatant brigade or battalion commander, and two [TACP’s and JTAC’s] are with each battalion of Army soldiers.”

The role of the TACP’s and JTAC’s is to communicate with the combat pilots from the ground, and “only they are allowed, by law, to clear [the aircraft’s] weapon release when close air support is required in close proximity of friendly forces,” Olsen added. Additionally, they “coordinate with senior leaders, and can add items to the (Air Tasking Order).”

Additionally, members of the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Communications Flight, a part of the 149th Fighter Wing, established a satellite communications link and live video feed from Det. 1 to the state’s National Guard headquarters at Camp Mabry, in Austin.

“This is about facilitating cross-service training, using our money wisely, and increasing efficiencies within the state,” said Col. Thomas Duke, director of operations for the Texas Air National Guard and officer-in-charge of the joint operation. “These activities help coordinate training not only for overseas missions, but here at home.”

The Texas C-130’s can “quickly position personnel and assets throughout the state. In a disaster, the JTACs can use this training to assist with search and rescue,” Duke said.

Members of the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Air Support Operations Squadron aboard a Texas Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter above Yankee Range, the northern of two ranges that comprise the McMullen Target Complex, which is part of Naval Air Station Kingsville, and is managed by Detachment 1, a subcomponent of the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, on May 30, 2012.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 27

Texas Air National Guard 149th Fighter Wing Inaugurates Honorary Commander Program Story by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIOLACKLAND, Texas (Feb. 14, 2012)—The Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing launched the Honorary Commander Program here on Feb. 11, by welcoming executive leaders of the San Antonio Talons professional arena football team as the newest members of the Lone Star Gunfighters team.

munity after relocating from Tulsa, Oklahoma, in December 2011.

The inaugural honorary commanders have been paired with Col. John Kane and Col. Michael Kelley, the 149th Fighter Wing's commander and vice commander, respectively. They will experience first-hand how the 149th operates, from its federal F-16 training mission to humanitarian and disaster relief preparations on behalf of the state of Texas. The Talons and the Lone Star Gunfighters will also team up for various activities throughout the two year honorary commander term.

Jason Lohe, owner and chief executive officer, and Cree Crawford, senior vice president and chief operating officer, both of the Talons organization, were selected to serve as the inaugural honorary commanders of the 149th Fighter Wing.

The kick-off event included a brief ceremony that was modeled

after the military assumption-ofcommand, where the honorary commanders were publicly presented Texas flags with a streamer indicating their new role with the South Texas military unit.

"The Honorary Commander ceremony is based on a time-honored tradition in the military, which visibly assures continuity of command," Kane said. "Today's event illustrates the San Antonio Talons assuming a role as true ambassadors of the 149th Fighter Wing and the Texas Air National Guard."

"We are honored by this recognition and are humbled to be able to partner with the 149th Fighter Wing," Lohe said.

The U.S. Air Force developed the honorary commander program as a community relations initiative to educate those with limited knowledge about Air Force missions, customs, and traditions. Individuals are selected as honorary commanders because of their position or influence in the community, and have the ability to foster awareness and public support for the base.

The 149th Fighter Wing launched its program to forge a relationship with San Antonio's new professional football team. A ten-year old franchise, the San Antonio Talons are a member of the Arena Football League (AFL), and are new to the San Antonio com-

Col. John Kane (left) welcomes Jason Lohe of the San Antonio Talons professional arena football team, as an Honorary Commander of the Texas Air National Guard unit at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Feb. 11, 2012. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson)

28 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

Texas air National Guard

Chilean Air Force trains with Texas Air Guard Story by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - LACKLAND, Texas (Nov. 4, 2012) – About 50 members of the Chilean Air Force participated in a training exercise with the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing here, Oct. 24-26, 2012, as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

The three-day exercise teamed aviators and aircraft maintenance crews from each organization, said Maj. Bryan Carlson, an instructor pilot with the 149th Fighter Wing. The training was designed to enhance the Chilean service members’ expertise in deploying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multirole fighter aircraft, overseas during combat operations.

“Training fighter pilots for aerial combat is not new for the 149th,” said Maj. Carlson.

The primary mission of the 149th Fighter Wing, known as the Lone Star Gunfighters, is to train U.S. active duty military, National Guard and reservists to fly the F-16.

The unit has held its current training mission for nearly 20 years, and was previously a combat deployable fighter unit.

The Chilean Air Force deployed three F-16s and one KC-135 Stratotanker, an aerial refueling military aircraft, to JBSA-Lackland, Texas, for the joint training exercise, said Chilean Col. Leonardo Romanini, air attaché to the United States. This is the first time the Chilean Air Force deployed their F-16s abroad.

“The opportunity to share experiences, and get some

training with pilots who have a lot of experience with the airplane is really, really good,” said Col. Romanini.

The training consisted of air combat, air-to-air and opposed surfaced attack scenarios.

The operation was conducted as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP), which was established in 1991 to build cooperative relationships with nations emerging from the former Soviet Bloc, according to programmatic documents. Since that time, the program has expanded to include 65 global partnerships.

The Chile-Texas partnership was formally established in 2009, Carlson said. In addition to Chile, the state of Texas has been paired with the Czech Republic.

“This partnership offers opportunities for high-level exchanges and cooperation on civic-military activities,” said Col. John F. Kane, commander of the 149th Fighter Wing.

“This visit builds on the foundation of the ongoing, professional relationship developed between the Chilean Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard,” Kane said.

“This relationship will facilitate the continued sharing of information and exchange of ideas long after the visit is over.”

For more on the National Guard’s State Partnership Program: http://www.nationalguard.mil/features/spp/ default.aspx

Left- F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard and 3rd Aviation Group, Chilean Air Force fly together during a joint training exercise at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio, Oct. 24, 2012.

(Photo by Staff Sgt. Agustin Salazar, 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs) Right- Lt. Col. Jorge Vargas, Commander, 3rd Aviation Group, Chilean Air Force accepts a 182nd Fighter Squadron lithograph from Col. John Kane, Commander, 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard at the conclusion of a joint training exercise at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, October 26, 2012. (Photo by Master Sgt. Bill Conner, 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 29

Texas Air National Guard

Texas Military Forces practice hurricane relief dur Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (June 12, 2012)–In preparation for the state’s hurricane season, members of the Texas Military Forces joined other military components, as well as civilian emergency management officials for the Coastal Bend Regional Evacuation Exercise (CBREE) to practice medical evacuation capabilities in and around Corpus Christi, May 14-18, 2012.

“Many agencies came together to work in this case,” said Brig. Gen. Kenneth W. Wisian, Texas’ Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Texas Air National Guard. “The Texas Military Forces are here with our C-130’s and some other capabilities. We’ve got state response forces on the emergency side, aeromedical teams, all together with the local officials to practice a patient evacuation in an emergency.”

The Texas Air Guard commander explained that the weeklong exercise provided an opportunity to demonstrate the capability of the state’s C-130H tactical aircraft assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base.

“The C-130 is a rugged and dependable aircraft,” Wisian said. “They can be used to evacuate people away or bring aid and aid resources for-

ward during a disaster.”

Members of the Texas State Guard, a volunteer component of the Texas Military Forces, assisted with the processing of patients using the Texas Emergency Tracking Network, which utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) wristbands to ensure patients are safely transported from the aeromedical evacuation hub, onto their remote treatment location and back to their medical home.

In addition to the Texas Guard assets, the training event included members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group, based in Louisville, Kentucky, and the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and Aeromedical Staging Squadron, both based at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas.

The military professionals practiced the process of transporting medically needy patients from local hospitals and nursing homes, which would be the most high-risk during an emergency situation.

The Texas C-130s transported mock patients from Corpus Christi to San Antonio and Dallas during the exercise.

Prior to being loaded onto the aircraft, the patients were treated and stabilized in an aeromedi-

Texas Air National Guard

ring Coastal Bend Regional Evacuation Exercise cal staging facility, which was established in an aircraft hanger at the Corpus Christi International Airport.

Significant coordination was required, and the military activities were in support state and local officials, as will be required during an actual disaster situation.

“We’ve been here all week preparing for this exercise and getting ready for this year’s hurricane season,” said Nim Kidd, assistant director of the Texas Department of Public Safety and chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. “We’re continuing to reinforce and test the ties between local government, local emergency management, the state of Texas, the Texas Military Forces and our federal partners.”

The state’s senior emergency management official emphasized the need for this training, and its importance to Texas and the region.

“Since 1953, when FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) started keeping records, Texas is number 1, we lead the nation in the number of disaster declarations,” Kidd said. “This is about making sure that all of the things we’ve taken for granted, the things we always knew how to do, that we can still do [them] with new or in-

terchangeable people, and how that always has to be synchronized with our local and state partners.”

This joint exercise provided the civilian and military officials an opportunity to continue to hone their plans and skills to effectively respond to disaster situations. It can be of critical for local residents and emergency management officials, who are not likely to have adequate resources to respond once a disaster becomes regional.

“It’s been proven to save lives in the past.

We had a dry run during Hurricane Ike [in 2008], when we were forced to evacuate people,” said Andy Cardiel, an assistant fire chief and emergency management official with the city of Corpus Christi. “We have to thoroughly understand each other’s capabilities, so that we know exactly what we can and can’t do. It is essential that we continue to work closely, learn and improve our response.”

“It’s essential to Corpus Christi and the people of South Texas,” Cardiel added.

Left and center- Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron load on board a C-130H aircraft assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing as they transport patients during the Coastal Bend Regional Evacuation Exercise (CBREE), a hurricane evacuation exercise in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas Right- A member of the volunteer Texas State Guard (right) and the Air Force Reserve’s 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, Texas (left), position a training mannequin onto a C-130H aircraft assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing.

Texas Air National Guard

Texas leaders defend Gulf Coast Guard C-130s

By Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Texas Military Forces Public Affairs CAMP MABRY, Texas (April 12, 2012) – Gov. Rick Perry, commander-in-chief of the Texas Military Forces, visited with Airmen of the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing, at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, and joined state and federal legislators to discuss the impact of an Air Force proposal to transfer the unit’s C-130s to Montana.

Last month, the U.S. Air Force announced plans to relocate the 8 cargo aircraft from the North Texas unit to a location in Montana, which would leave the states located along the Gulf of Mexico without a National Guard C-130 unit.

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and chairwoman of the committee’s subcommittee on state and foreign operations, was in attendance, and said that the 136th Airlift Wing “responds to all of the natural disasters along the Gulf states,” and that the unit has conducted over 400 missions during the past several years, including operational support of the response to “[Hurricane] Katrina, all the tornadoes the storms, the flooding.”

Additionally, the Fort Worth congresswoman said the operational infrastructure has yet to be constructed in Montana to facilitate the transfer.

“There’s no hangers in Montana to house these planes, and there are no pilots that are trained to fly them,” Granger added. “It will take two years before they have pilots trained in Montana to fly these planes.”

“Today we’re asking the Department of Defense to overturn the Air Force decision to move these critical air assets,”

Perry said during the visit. “At a time when our nation needs to scale back on unnecessary spending, there is absolutely no reason to reinvent the wheel in Montana, at the expense and the safety and the security of the Gulf Coast.”

Perry said that opposition to the proposed move is not just from local leaders, and added that the “entire Texas delegation, both Democrats and Republicans,” are united on this issue.

Granger said she’s been working with her colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate to highlight the issue, and sent a letter, signed by every member of Congress from Texas, including the state’s two United States Senators, to Michael Donley, secretary of the United States Air Force, challenging the decision that’s said to cost taxpayers upwards of $100 million to facilitate.

Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, Texas’ Adjutant General, echoed the safety concerns for the region.

“Without these C-130s, the safety of Texas is put at risk,” Nichols said. “We also support our Gulf neighbors from here all the way to Florida.”

Nichols explained that National Guard assets can be called upon without delay, and that relying on the federal Air Force to move assets could “take a matter of two to two and a half days” to respond to a disaster.

“We’re fighting for our disaster relief all across the Gulf states,” Granger said.

Above left - Gov. Rick Perry along with U.S. Reps. Kay Granger and Joe Barton hold a press conference at the NAS JRB Fort Worth, for the 136th Airlift Wing to fight for the C-130s from leaving Texas. The eight C-130s are proposed to transfer to the Montana Air National Guard as part of the PB 13 proposals.

Above right- Congresswoman Granger speaks to Airmen at the 136th Airlift Wing after the press conference. (Photos by Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert, 136th Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

32 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

Texas Air National Guard

Airman pulls woman from burning car, recognized as hero Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Alicia Lacy 147th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

he returned to his car and continued to the airport. For a few days HOUSTON, Texas (Oct. 14, 2012)—Months after Texas Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Mitchell Corbin rescued Nancy Decker from her burn- following the accident, the identity of the “guardian angel” who saved Decker was unknown. ing car on the Sam Houston Tollway, the 147th Reconnaissance Wing Decker addressed the airmen at the ceremony, giving thanks to and the state recognized his heroic actions.

During a commander’s call ceremony on Oct. 14 at Ellington Field them for their service and training and praising Corbin for his heart that allowed him to stop and save her life.

Joint Reserve Base here, Col. Jack B. Daniel, wing commander, ComDecker said she respects and thanks the troops for their service mand Chief Marlon K. Nation, wing command chief, and Brig. Gen. and training, but it took a special heart to step in and apply that trainKenneth W. Wisian, Texas ANG assistant adjutant general, presented ing to save her life. the aerospace ground equipment technician with the Lone Star MedMembers of Decker’s family also attended the ceremony. al of Honor and a proclamation from Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker Charles Decker, Decker’s husband, said described his reaction as proclaiming Oct. 14, 2012 Staff Sgt. Mitchell Corbin Day in the preshysteria when he learned of his wife’s accident. ence of Decker and her family and members of But now, Charles, who said he took things the wing. The wing also honored for her support for granted, now cherishes all the moments in of the wing with a Texas flag that was flown in an his life.

MQ-1 Predator on a mission and a certificate.

“Because of Mitchell, I’m able to be here On June 1, the aerospace ground equipment today,” she said. “I really, truly believe he was a technician was travelling on the toll way when guardian angel and it took that particular angel he spotted Decker’s overturned car with flames to get me out of the car.” emerging from the engine compartment.

Corbin said he was grateful for the acknowl“I think when we pulled up, I took a deep edgment and hopes it will inspire someone else breath and didn’t see anybody else doing to intervene when a situation arises that can anything,” so Corbin stepped in, evaluated the potentially save another life. situation, and pulled Decker to safety moments “I hope that this moment right here before the car was completely engulfed in Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wisian, Commander, is not just for the recognition I get but to flames.

Corbin was on his way to the airport to Texas Air National Guard, presents The Lone Star inspire somebody else to help,” he said. visit his family in Ohio, and after the ordeal, Medal of Valor to Staff Sgt. Mitchell Corbin.

Wing Chaplain Assistant returns home from Joint Expeditionary Tasking Story by Master Sgt. Dale Hanson 147 Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

ELLINGTON FIELD JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas (Jan. 9, 2012)— Master Sgt. Janet S. O’Keeffe-Hernandez has returned home after a successful deployment as a Joint Expeditionary Tasking airman (JET) to Camp Buehring, Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn.

The 147 RW Chaplain Assistant who volunteered for the JET deployment- served as the Joint Forces Chaplain’s Assistant and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Chaplain Section. A Joint Expeditionary Tasking is the Air Force term used to indicate deployments under the Joint Sourcing Solution program in support of the Army.

O’Keeffe-Hernandez worked for a United States Army Chaplain and also directly reported to the Camp Commander.

O’Keeffe-Hernandez supervised

many chaplain programs as well as all the building, supply and operational details for the Chaplain’s section. “I was the go to person for all things chaplain” she said.

O’Keeffe-Hernandez was praised by her Army supervisors as displaying strong initiative and possessing superior logistician skills. One unnamed superior said of O’Keeffe-Hernandez “She was usually three steps ahead of me and anticipates actions that need to be accomplished well in advance.” In order to be successful she had to learn to communicate “army style.”

O’Keeffe-Hernandez was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for her superior job performance.

She gave required daily briefings to senior leadership and filled in for the chaplain when needed. She also was granted a special title from the Military Diocese for the Catholic Church that of Eucharistic Minister

and Alter server to assist priests during mass. “It was a blessing to serve as a Catholic and serve my brothers and sister in Kuwait. I feel this has been good for my faith, it has given me a sense of renewal.” she said.

Master Sgt. Janet O’Keeffe-Hernandez, 147th Reconnaissance Wing Chaplain Assistant,at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

(U.S. Air Force Photo)

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 33

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34 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

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Texas State Guard

Oral rabies vaccine dropped in South Texas Story and photo by Laura Lopez Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

ZAPATA, Texas (Jan. 20, 2012)– Members of the Texas State Guard joined forces with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the United States Department of Agriculture, as well as other local, state and federal agencies from January 3, 2012 to January 18, 2012 to participate in the 2012 Texas Oral Rabies Vaccination Program.

With 1.8 million doses of the oral rabies vaccine expected to be dropped over portions of South and West Texas, Texas State Guard Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment provided both ground and air crew support that included navigational assistance, the operating and managing of the bait drop and the loading of the baits onto the aircraft. A program the Texas State Guard has actively taken part in since 2007, this is one of the many humanitarian missions they are proud to be a part of.

“The 2012 ORVP mission will be an experience I will not soon forget,” said incident commander 2nd Lt. Stephen Walker, 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment. “I was honored to work alongside fellow members of the TXSG, members of federal and state agencies and to serve the citizens of Texas.

Such a mission truly gives the TXSG members a feeling of giving back to his or her community for such a worthwhile cause.”

Originally initiated in 1995, with the goal of creating zones of vaccinated coyotes and gray foxes along the leading edges of the epizootics, statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services show animal cases of the canine strain of rabies in southern Texas fell from 122 in 1994 to zero in 2000 with

Texas State Guard member, Corporal Paul Petit of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, unloads a bag of bait to be dropped over the South Texas Zapata area during the 2012 Texas Oral Rabies Vaccination Program.

single cases in 2001 and 2004. In addition the fox strain, prevalent in western Texas, dropped from 244 animal cases in 1995 to zero in 2010 and 2011.

A mission Brig. Gen. William L. Smith, Director Joint Staff and Commander, Domestic Operations for Joint Force Headquarters of Texas describes as important to the state of Texas, its citizens and to the Texas economy, he and other representatives from the Texas Military Forces and Department of State Health Services visited the command post in Zapata, Texas on January 6, 2012 for a first-hand look.

This is another example of how we can effectively work together with our partnering agencies and benefit our citizens at a time when no disaster is present,” said Smith.

While the vaccine dose dropped is enclosed in a small packet dipped in fish oil and coated with fish meal crumbles, health services representatives say the baits do not pose any risk to humans and will not become established in the environment, making the Texas Oral Rabies Vaccination Program an exceptionally safe method of controlling rabies.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 35

TExas State Guard

Operation Lone Star: Fourteen Story by Warrant Officer 1 Cary Wintz Texas State Guard

RIO GRANDE VALLY, Texas (July 30, 2012)­—On Monday July 23 six sites in the Rio Grande Valley opened their doors to provide free healthcare services to the people of Texas. The previous Saturday approximately 300 military and federal personnel and 100 from the Department of State Health Services arrived in the Valley to man the operation.

Together with approximately 500 volunteers from local communities they provided the staff for Operation Lone Star (OLS) 2012.

In its 14th year, Operation Lone Star brings health services to this area of South Texas. The program began in the summer of 1999 when the U.S. Navy approached the Texas State Department of Health (now the Department of State Health Services) for an exercise using Navy and Marine Corps reserve personnel to provide health services in an underserved area of the state. Working with the Office of Border Health they set up temporary clinics in local schools, supplying naval medical providers and equipment, as well as developing the general patient flow and basic details of the operation.

From the outset health services were provided to anyone who came to the clinic sites, without concern for nationality or immigration status. In 1999 OLS operated for two weeks at three

36 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

sites, and served about 3,000 clients. Additional sites were established in Hidalgo and Cameron counties in 2001, and the number of clients served rose to 8,000.

initial OLS a key decision was to use public schools for the clinic sites, creating strong ties between the state and military providers and local communities.

As Navy and Marine Corps reserve forces were deployed overseas following 9-11, they were replaced with Texas Military Forces; first the Army and Air National Guard and then the Texas State Guard. In 2006, the decision was made to “jump” from sites in the lower valley to sites in the Laredo area between the first and second weeks of OLS to expand care to more underserved populations.

OLS 2012 represents the current configuration of the operation. The partnership consists of the Department of State Health Services and the county health offices, which serve as the lead agencies, the Texas Army National Guard and Air National Guard, the Texas State Guard, the U.S. Public Health Service and Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, along with volunteers from local agencies, and support from local governmental and school officials. Observers from Texas partner military forces from Chile and the Czech Republic also participated.

Dr. Brian Smith, Department of State Health Services Region 11 Medical Director, participated in the initial OLS and all subsequent ones. He recalls that in organizing the

TExas State Guard

years of partnership and service This year OLS returned to a oneweek format with six sites: Brownsville, Mission, Rio Bravo, Rio Grande City, San Juan, and Zapata. Health services included diabetic screening, blood pressure screening, hearing and vision exams, and general evaluations for clients of all ages. Special services for children included immunizations and school sports physicals. Dental services for both adults and children were available at the Brownsville site, while Rio Grande City provided preventive dental services for children.

Operation Lone Star serves multiple purposes. It is a massive public health program, one of the largest in the country. Over the past 14 years Above- On Thursday, July 26, 2012, residents of Brownsville, Texas visit OLS has provided health services Edward Manzano Middle School to take part in Operation Lone Star; a largeto well over 100,000 clients. In the scale humanitarian mission that provides free medical and dental care to process it has increased health aware- citizens in South Texas.

Opposite page- Operation Lone Star volunteers from South Texas Vocational ness and impacted overall health in College receive hands-on training in taking a blood pressure from a member its targeted communities. Secondly, of the Texas State Guard. One of six sites offering free medical and dental serfor its military and governmental vices to the residents of South Texas, Edward Manzano Middle School is one partners OLS serves as a major train- of the busier sites seeing over 1,600 patients in 2011. (Photos by Laura Lopez, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs) ing activity. Military forces, the Department of State Health Services, partners in the process, they too have developed county health departments, and local governskills in addressing crisis situations. Mayor ment officials who partner for OLS have deRuben Villarreal of Rio Grande City pointed out veloped networks that enable them to function that through his city’s involvement in OLS his effectively together should they have to respond community has the confidence, the resources, to a natural disaster or other crisis situation. and the networks to mobilize and handle local The Texas State Guard (especially the Medical Brigade) and the state and county health agencies have proven experience moving into a community, setting up health care facilities in public spaces, delivering health on a mass scale, and demobilizing and moving out—skills that have application in a number of critical circumstances.

Finally, Operation Lone Star has had a significant impact on the communities it has served. Because these communities are also

disasters such as the Rio Grande River flooding that they experienced in the summer of 2011.

Looking back at OLS and its evolution in the past fourteen years, Smith identified the partnerships that OLS has created as the major accomplishment. “Most remarkable was the ability of OLS to integrate the many different organizations, people, and personalities, who come together, and to focus them on the mission and implement our vision of what can be done to help the people we serve,” he said.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 37

Texas STate Guard With redesigned curriculum, new State Guard OCS class begins Story and photo by Maj. Michael Quinn Sullivan Texas State Guard Public Affairs

AUSTIN, Texas ( Jan. 4, 2012)– With an emphasis on practical leadership development, the Texas State Guard’s redesigned Officer Candidate School (OCS) has begun with 17 soldiers starting their journey to second lieutenant.

“The only person who is going to beat you out of being an officer is you,” OCS Commander Col. Tom Hamilton told the candidates on the first evening. “An officer isn’t what you do, it’s who you are.”

A revised OCS curriculum has been more than 18 months in the making, designed with the specific needs and mission of the TXSG in mind.

“This is an investment in the future of the Guard… We want leaders who will be prepared to handle what they aren’t prepared for,” Hamilton said earlier in the evening, as the candidates processed in Building 32 at Camp Mabry. “There’s always one more thing to do, one more task.”

Being prepared to handle those tasks is what attracted JoAnna Kearns of Leander to pursue the

38 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

challenges presented by OCS. She currently serves as S1 for the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Regiment.

“It seemed to fit,” said Kearns, an insurance broker whose husband is also in the TXSG. “I like to try to keep things going, keep things moving and organized.”

She will have the opportunity for that. Candidates spend two to three days a month at Camp Mabry, through the six-month program, sitting through course lectures, practical exercises and physical training. They also have at-home assignment to be completed in the intervening weeks.

Hamilton said the OCS program developed for the TXSG is fundamentally different than a program for the U.S. Army or National Guard, recognizing that often soldiers going through the program are older with more life experiences under their belt.

“These are all very smart, very mature and capable people,” he said. “We have a pilot, an attorney, folks with multiple advanced degrees. Each one of them is incredibly impressive on their own.”

Maj. Troy Evanovich, the OCS executive officer, clearly agreed with his boss’ assessment. But, he also told the candidates during their in-brief, that the program will require them to “rely on each other.”

“You cannot do this alone,” he said. “Leadership includes recognizing you need the support of those around you.”

Texas State Guard Texas State Guard Changes Command, Rodriguez assumes command from Peters Story by Maj. Michael Sullivan, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Janet Schmelzer and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cary Wintz Texas State Guard CAMP MABRY, Texas (Aug. 22, 2012)—In a change of command ceremony at Camp Mabry on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, Maj. Gen. Manuel “Tony” Rodriguez assumed command of the Texas State Guard (TXSG) from Maj. Gen. Raymond Peters.

The ceremony is a landmark event in the history of the Texas Military Forces and the TXSG to bid farewell to one commander and welcome another. The Texas State Guard, along with the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air Guard, is a major component of Texas Military Forces under the command of the governor.

with the defining moment occurring during the activations in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

“I’ve asked Gen. Rodriguez to take the baton from Gen. Peters and make the organization even better,” said Nichols. “I told him, get ready. Now he’s going to get to work helping Texas.”

The Texas Military Forces are commanded by the state’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols.

Peters was commissioned in July 1965, as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In July 2009, he was promoted to Major General and appointed commander of the Texas State Guard.

Reflecting on his 49 years of uniformed service, Peters said he was honored to see the organization grow and evolve into its present role as a major component of the Texas Military Forces.

“I’m fortunate that I got to serve in the Texas State Guard. I never dreamed I’d go this far,” he said. “To the men and women of the state guard I say, ‘Thank You.’” He is succeeded by Rodriguez, who was commissioned in 1983, as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. During his career, Rodriguez served in Honduras, Germany, Desert Storm, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Iraq.

As part of the change of command ceremony, Rodriguez was promoted to Major General.

Rodriguez said he was honored by the appointment and looked forward to serving the people of Texas in this new role.

Paraphrasing WWII era Gen. Haywood Hansell, RoTop- Maj. Gen. Manuel “Tony” Rodriguez accepts the Texas State Guard driguez concluded his brief remarks by saying, “When guidon from Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, Texas Adjutant General, signifying I’ve done some more work, I’ll do some more talking.” the change of command of the TXSG. Bottom- (L to R) Maj. Gen. Manuel “Tony” Rodriguez, incomeing TXSG com-

Nichols said the TXSG has become a key component mander, Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, Texas Adjutant General and Maj. Gen of the Texas Military Forces over the last two decades, Raymond Peters, outgoing TXSG commander, review the assembled troops during the change of command ceremony.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 39

domestic operations PERATIONS DOMESTIC O

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40 The Dispatch End of Year 2012

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domestic operations

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domestic operations

Texas Guardsmen support local au Story and photos by Spc. Aaron Moreno Joint Task Force 71 Public Affairs

EL CAMPO, Texas (March 6, 2012) — The soldiers of the Joint Task Force 71 received the activation call at 3:45 a.m. following the alleged terrorist incident. Within two hours, the men and women of the Minuteman Brigade reported to their home station, prepared to travel more than 200 miles in response to that threat. Trained and prepared, they exercised their newly certified skill sets to support the citizens and civil agencies of the small town of El Campo.

Although the immediate reaction of this Army National Guard Unit was real, the scenario was simulated. On March 3, 2012, the Austin-

42 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

based JTF 71 participated in the El Campo Memorial Hospital Exercise, a joint, interagency training event testing the alert and response capabilities of the Guard and its civil partners.

"Things have gone remarkable smooth today," said Chief Terry Stanhill of the El Campo Police Department.

"Communications were outstanding; resources rolled in at an unbelievable rate."

The ECMH Exercise included simulations for a hazardous material attack, an explosion and partial hospital collapse and a remote-site suspicious package incident.

"We need to make sure that

everyone understands," said Officer Erik Burse, a state trooper with the Department of Public Safety. "If we don’t do these drills, if we don’t practice to be perfect, then we are not doing what we are supposed to be doing."

In any emergency scenario, the clock begins once the first call alerts the soldiers to action. For the ECMH Exercise, this happened well-before sunrise, far from the incident site.

"This is the first time we did a no-notice training event," said 2nd Lt. Brandon Wells, a platoon leader for 436 Chemical Detachment. "We all received the alert notification at 3:45 a.m. We reported

domestic operations

uthorities for emergency exercise to home station, consolidated there, conducted movement preparations, then got on the road."

The Texas Army National Guard, local first responders, city officials and other state agencies all have a part to play in an emergency.

For the local first responders this is a part of their Emergency Management Drills that are often done to prepare them for a real life incident.

"It's comforting for me to know that we have these resources that can come to El Campo this quickly."

Training events like this afford local departments and National Guard units time to demonstrate their skill sets and share their best practices.

"We work with a multitude of civilian agencies," said Wells, "all the way from TDEM, Texas Department of Emergency Manage-

ment, to the local responders at the fire departments, police departments. Working with them can be challenging in the sense that we are military. We use military vernacular that they may not understand; they use terms and do things that we may not understand, but we try to do these training events with them, collectively, in order to work out some of those kinks, express our capabilities to them as well as learn their capabilities."

With this exercise, the Texas civil authorities and military elements communicate to the public at large that we are prepared to support the community in the event of any natural or man-made threat.

"I think it’s a positive message," said Burse."

I think the community loves it and understands it and we need to do more of it."

Below - Members of Task Force 71 perform various tasks in support of local civil authorities as they jointly respond to a “disaster” in the city of El Campo.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 43

domestic operations

Texas lends a hand at the US-Mexico b Story by Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER (June 06, 2012)­—For the Texas Military Forces, a mission on the border is nothing new. In 1916, members of the Texas Army National Guard, along with Guardsmen from Arizona and New Mexico, were called up to defend the border after a devastating Mexican raid in the Big Bend region of Texas. At the peak of the 1916-1917 border call-ups, Texas provided 3,762 troops stretched across large portions of the Southwest.

More recently, though TXMF members have been deployed in support of other border missions, providing extra eyes and ears to the Customs and Border Protection agency to help curtail both

drug and human trafficking. All three sub-agencies of the CBP, the Border Patrol, the Office of Air and Marine, and the Office of Field Operations have benefitted from the partnership of CBP and TXMF, going back as far as Operation Jump Start.

Operation Jump Start, announced by President George W. Bush in May of 2006, gave the Border Patrol National Guard assistance in strengthening border security and fulfilling non-law enforcement duties while up to 6,000 additional agents were hired and trained. Open-source intelligence work, translation duties and infrastructure work performed by TXMF members

allowed the CPB to focus on training new agents. Ending in July of 2008, the partnership was regarded as a successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the National Guard.

At the ceremony marking the close of the Operation Jump Start mission, David V. Aguilar, then chief of the Border Patrol stressed the pride taken in the relationship between CBP and the National Guard.

“Within law enforcement, there is one word that we put a lot of weight on,” said David V. Aguilar, chief of the Border Patrol. “That is the word ‘partner.’ … Today, I am very, very proud to use that word … with the National Guard, as true partners. ...,” said Aguilar. “Today, I am very proud to call every individual that wears the uniform of the National Guard, has ever worn it or will wear it, or is in any way affiliated with the National Guard … our true partners, and for that we truly thank you.”

CBP officials weren’t the only people who considered the mission a success.

Members of the Customs and Border Protection agency and Joint Task Force Liberty discuss the upcoming flight. Although National Guardsmen do not have any law enforcement powers on the border, they do provide air transportation for CBP agents, allowing them to move farther and faster through rough country side. (Photos by Sgt. Amy Urbina, Joint Task Force Liberty Public Affairs)

44 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

Lt. Col. Paul Hernandez, Texas National Guard commander for the El Paso sector of the mission, harbored no doubt the mission to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agency was successful. “I think the mission was a complete success,” the El Paso sector commander said during an interview in 2008.

domestic operations

border to give agents longer “legs” “I visited with new Border Patrol civilians and officers and reflected on when we first started, wondering how it was going to go.” However, within a short time, he said, “Soldiers and Border Patrol agents fully embraced the mission, with the level of cooperation increasing throughout the nation.”

capacity since March 1, 2012, JTFL has flown over 3000 hours, directly supporting the CBP mission.

JTFL successes include seizing over 16,000 lbs. of marijuana, apprehension of over 5,500 undocumented aliens (UDA), and over 3,000 UDA Turn-Backs back into Mexico.

Overall, more than 176,000 undocumented aliens were apprehended, more than 1,100 vehicles seized, and more than 321,000 pounds of marijuana and cocaine were seized. National Guard pilots logged more than 28,000 hours of flight time for aviation assistance. More than 19 miles of road, 38 miles of fencing and 96 miles of vehicle barriers built and close to 720 miles of road were repaired.

Operation River Watch #2 is the current National Guard and Customs and Border Protection partnership operation focused on southwest border security along the Texas-Mexico border. Unlike Operation Jump Start the current joint border mission is less focused on repairing roads and building fences.

Instead, National Guard members are providing longer “legs,” to allow CBP agents to cover more ground in the course of their duties. Much of the border is rugged terrain, and nimble helicopters allow the Border Patrol agents to get farther, faster than ever before.

The members of Joint Task Force Liberty, a South Carolina led task force comprised of Soldiers & Airmen from 14 states & territories, operate out of Laredo and Harlingen. Two flight companies, using UH-72 Lakota helicopters and a modified observation airplane, support the CBP mission in an “observe and detect” role. The aircraft are fitted with several mission specific devices, including cameras with infrared sensors, a searchlight, mapping capabilities and digital video recorders.

JTFL maintains an aggressive flying hour program over both the Laredo and Rio Grande Valle areas.

Each flight company will spend about 320 hours in the air per month, while the airplane pilots log an additional 200 flight hours.

In the air, CBP agents use various means of detecting suspicious activity, including cameras, searchlights, and digital recorders.

The National Guardsmen allow the agents to roam further afield than in the past.

With cooperative weather, and operating at full 2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 45

domestic operations

Texas Military Forces demonstrate strengt Story and photos by Laura Lopez Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

AUSTIN, Texas (June 1, 2012)As the official first day of the Atlantic Hurricane Season kicked off on Friday, June 1, 2012, members of the Texas Military Forces participated in the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) State Response Activation Exercise and Showcase at the South Terminal of AustinBergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas.

“This is critical. A lot of the state agencies don’t often get a chance to work together,” said Lt. Col. Peyton Randolph, Operations Officers, 2nd Reg., Texas State Guard. “You’ll see on the terminal ramp they are all integrating their communication and emergency operations and actually getting to know each other and work together before the emergency happens.”

An exercise designed to increase public awareness, identify agency capabilities and assets, improve resource and interagency familiarization, as well as identify space utilization for base camp operations, Texas Governor Rick Perry joined Chief Nim Kidd, Assistant Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for a tour and briefing of the various agencies and equipment.

With Perry proclaiming May 27June 2, 2012 as Hurricane Preparedness Week in Texas, it was during his speech that he encouraged all Texans to prepare for an emergency or disaster.

“We are blessed to be coming off a relatively quiet hurricane season,” said Perry “[However], we know that it’s not a matter of if another major hurricane is

Various stations at the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) State Response Activation Exercise.

46 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

going to hit us, it’s a matter of when.”

Members of the Texas State Guard viewed the exercise as an opportunity to employ the Texas Emergency Tracking Network (TxETN); a State-directed evacuee and resource tracking system for emergency response operations that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Through the use of bar-coded wristbands and tags, the State Guard can monitor evacuees and his or her belongings from the time of their enrollment at transportation hubs through their sheltering and the return home, helping to keep families together and easily reconnect if separated.

“It’s exercises like this that allow us to be able to handle what is going to be thrown in our path, whether it be a natural disaster or a man-made disaster,” said Kidd.

A common fixture in the skies, throughout the state, during the massive wildfire season of 2011, the Texas Army National Guard displayed a variety of different helicopters that included the UH60 Blackhawk, CH-47 Chinook and UH -72 Lakota. Other equipment and personnel partaking in the showcase allowed the Army National Guard to highlight some of its communications capabilities and other specialized emergency resources.

One of eight C-130 Hercules aircraft owned by the Texas Air

domestic operations

th at State Response Activation Exercise National Guard was on display at the showcase and has worked over 110 hurricane support missions coordinating movement of over 540 tons of cargo and over 870 passengers since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“Having the ability to move patients and ambulatory individuals very quickly can only be done by those aircraft [referring to the C-130 Hercules in his background] and having them right here in the state of Texas, which is where the vast majority of naturals disasters with broad impact, like a hurricane, are going to be.” said Perry.

As Perry took the time to personally thank many of those emergency responders often in harms way, those hosting the exercise added that in the past five months there has been a State Operations Center (SOC) exercise (not at the center), four regional hurricane workshops, a DPS and TxDot staged a full-scale exercise to contraflow I-37 stressing that a successful response is a threelegged stool.

“It has to be a first responder, a group of local emergency responders dedicated to making good decisions, it has to a media that gets that message to the public and it has to be a public that will trust the media and trust the elected and first responders,” said Kidd.

Representatives from the American Red Cross (ARC), Texas Forest Service (TFS), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), Public Works Response Team (PWRT), Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1), the Salvation Army (TSA), the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and the Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) also participated in the exercise on June 1st.

The 2012 hurricane season officially runs from June 1- November 30, 2012. For more information about disaster preparedness, visit the Texas Prepares website at www.texasprepares.org.

Top- (Left to Right) Brig. Gen. Brian C. Newby, Chief of Staff for the Texas Air National Guard, accompanies Texas Gov. Rick Perry on his tour of the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) State Response Activation Exercise at the South Terminal of Austin Bergstrom International Airport on Friday, June 1, 2012.

Middle left- Texas Gov. Rick Perry shakes hands with Command Chief Master Sgt. Kevin O’Gorman of the Texas Air National Guard.

Middle right- A Texas Army National Guard Chinook helicopter on display at the TDEM State Response Activation Exercise.

Bottom- Texas Governor Rick Perry visits with Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan R. Karlin at the J-6 communications trailer.

2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 47

Texas Remembe

Staff Sgt. Sean (Brady) Berry 1979-2005 Iraq

CW2 Corry A Edwards 1969-2008 Iraq

Sgt. Jaime Gonzalez, Jr. 1967-2008 Afghanistan

Capt. Sean E. Lyerly 1975-2007 Iraq

Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Ever 1981-2005 Iraq

Staff Sgt. Shawn A. Graham 1971-2005 Iraq

Staff Sgt. Anthony (Luke) Mason 1970-2008 Iraq

Sgt. Maj. Julio C. Ordonez 1954-2008 Iraq

Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Staats 1977-2009 Afghanistan

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we

ers Our Fallen

rett

Sgt. 1st Class Tommy Folks, Jr. 1974-2005 Iraq

Sgt. Tomas Garces 1984-2004 Iraq

Sgt. Anthony (Gabe) Green 1981-2009 Afghanistan

Sgt. Steve Morin, Jr. 1971-2005 Iraq

Sgt. Christopher D. Loza 1984-2009 Iraq

Lt. Col. Gordon E. Oglesby, Jr. 1949-2006 Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class Nelson D. Trent 1975-2012 Afghanistan

Capt. Robert Vallejo, II 1980-2008 Iraq

e should thank God that such men lived.‑ Gen. George S. Patton

Where can you Find your Te

Texas Milit

www.tx

flickr www.flickr.com/photos/texasmilitaryforces 50 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

facebook

www.facebook.com/TexasMilitaryForces

exas military forces online?

tary Forces

xmf.us

twitter

www.twitter.com/txmilitaryforce

youtube www.youtube.com/TexasMilitaryForces 2012 Year in Review The Dispatch 51

52 The Dispatch 2012 Year in Review

Texas Military Forces