Winter Storm D i eg o North Carolina National Guard Quarterly Issue
January 2019 www.nc.ng.mil
Director of Public Affairs Lt. Col. Matthew DeVivo matthew.r.devivo.mil@mail.mil
Inside this Issue:
Media Relations Maj. Matthew Boyle matthew.i.boyle.mil@mail.mil
Community Relations Maj. Michael Wilber michael.j.wilber2.mil@mail.mil
Visual Information Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens brendan.p.stephens.mil@mail.mil
145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Tech. Sgt. Nathan Clark nathan.t.clark.mil@mail.mil
Writers/Photographers Staff Sgt. Mary Junell mary.e.junell.mil@mail.mil Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels leticia.m.samuels.mil@mail.mil Sgt. Joe Roudabush joe.f.roudabush.mil@mail.mil
Social Media Sgt. Odaliska Almonte ncngpao@gmail.com
The Hornet magazine is an authorized publication for members of the North Carolina National Guard. Contents of this publication are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the NCNG, United States Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of the NCNG. General comments and suggestions should be addressed to Mary.E.Junell.mil@mail.mil or call 984-664-6590. Layout and design 1 by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
On The Cover:
Soldiers assigned to the 690th Brigade Support Battalion assisted North Carolina Department of Transportation recover snowplows during Winter Storm Diego, December 9, 2018. 175 NCNG Soldiers were strategically placed across NC to augment DOT, NC Emergency Management and local first responders during Winter Storm recovery operations. (Photo by Sgt. Joe Roudabush)
NCNG Soldiers Travel to France, Pg. 9 NCNG Soldiers travel to France in honor of the 100th Anniversary of WWI.
TCA Graduation, Pg. 13
Class 51 graduates from the Tarheel Challenge Academy, a program that rehabilitates at-risk teens and prepares them for a brighter future.
145 AW Hits new Milestone, Pg. 19
NCNG Airmen continue training for the new C-17 mission.
Winter Storm Diego, Pg. 21
NCNG Soldiers were placed on State Active Duty to support recovery efforts during Winter Storm Diego.
Also in This Issue: News From The Nest, Pg. 3 What it Means to be a Veteran, Pg. 11 505th Engineers Return Home, Pg.15 449th TAB Welcomed Home, Pg. 16 NCNG Honored by Governor, Pg. 18 Sec. Hooks Visits Training, Pg. 20 Honoring our Fallen, Pg. 25 Click to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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Nearly 50 veterans gathered for the 2018 Veterans Breakfast held at the North Carolina National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Nov. 9, 2018. They joined representatives from Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Raleigh Veterans Center, Durham VA Medical Center, other veteran service providers and Congressman David Price to learn more about programs and benefits for veterans in North Carolina. Photos by Sgt. Joe Roudabush
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, North Carolina National Guard Soldiers, and leaders from the North Carolina Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) joined together in the State Capitol’s Old House Chamber Dec. 5, 2018, to sign a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve. Photos by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
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Family, friends, and colleagues gathered together for the retirement ceremony of Col. Peter Versfeld, at the North Carolina National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, Nov. 30, 2018. Versfeld began his career with the NCNG as a 2nd Lt. in July 1987. Photos by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
Current and former service members come together for the annual Tarheel Homecoming celebration at the North Carolina National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters Dec. 13, 2018. Retirees and prior service members learned about ongoing NCNG operations and retiree benefits available to them as well as enjoy camaraderie with fellow service members. Photos by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
News From
The North Carolina National Guard continues to rename readiness centers in honor of its fallen Service Members. The Stem, N.C. center was renamed in honor of Staff Sgt. Paul Brooks and the East Flat Rock center was renamed in honor of Sgt. Thomas Ray. Photos by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
Family, friends and soldiers from the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) celebrate Halloween with the Boo Bash, hosted by NCNG Family Programs and the USO, October 26, 2018 at Joint Force Headquarters, Raleigh NC. Photos by Sgt. Joe Roudabush
Family, friends and fellow North Carolina National Guard Soldiers gather to say farewell to the Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery during a ceremony at the Canterbury School in Greensboro, North Carolina January 5, 2019. The unit is scheduled to deploy to later in January to provide support in Southwest Asia. Photos by Sgt. Wayne Becton
Around the Nest
The North Carolina National Guard hosted a welcome home ceremony honoring the return home of the 112th Finance Detachment at their armory in Siler City, North Carolina December 16, 2018. The unit provided financial support for US military forces, US government contractors, local nationals, and joint coalition forces while deployed to Qatar in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Photos by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
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North Carolina
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Soldiers with the 690th Brigade Support Battalion assisted North Carolina Department of Transportation to recover snowplows during Winter Storm Diego, December 9, 2018. 175 NCNG Soldiers were activated NC to augment Department of transportation, NC Emergency Management and first responders in Winter Storm recovery operations. (Photo by Sgt. Joe Roudabush)
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North Carolina
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North Carolina National Guard service members participated in a joint color guard prior to the start of the Carolina Panther’s football game December 17, 2018. The NCNG was represented by Spc. Spencer Deal, with C. Co., 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 252nd Armored Regiment, carrying the Army flag, Spc. Darren Harris, with the 1451st Transportation Co., carrying the South Carolina flag and Air Force Master Sgt. Lonnie Brooks, with the 145th Airlift Wing, carrying the Air Force Flag. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell)
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From left to right, Sgt. Gary Spencer, 2nd Lt. Grant Methany, Capt. David McDonald,Spc. Samuel Cabrera, Lt. Col. Larry Coleman, Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Anderson, Staff Sgt. Ian Taylor, and 1st Lt. Brian Hedrick stand at the grave site of Pfc. John Wesley Melton, Battery E, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, at the MeuseArgonne American Cemetery, Sept. 2018. Pfc. John Wesley was killed in action Oct. 3, 2018. The North Carolina National Guard Soldiers traveled to France to commemorate the 113th FAR’s involvement in WWI.
NCNG Soldiers Travel to France in honor of the 100th Anniversary of WWI
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ight North Carolina National Guard Soldiers traveled to northeastern France in September 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 113th Field Artillery Regiment’s participation in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives during World War I. During WWI the 113th FAR was part of the 55th Field Artillery Brigade 9
which fell under the 30th Infantry Division, also known as the Old Hickory brigade. “The primary objective of the trip was to give honor to those that came before and to those who gave all in the defense of freedom,” said retired Lt. Col. Larry Coleman, Executive Director of the North Carolina National Guard Association and President of 113th Field Artillery Regiment Association.
The Soldiers honored the memory of the artillerymen who they share a lineage with by retracing their steps and telling stories of those whose footsteps they followed. The storytelling also gave an opportunity to teach the history of the 113th FAR to Soldiers who could take it back to their units. “Armed with knowledge and passion gleaned from the experience, the participants will be able to
convey what it truly means to be a soldier in the 113th Field Artillery Regiment and the pride that springs eternal by that association,� Coleman said. The NCNG soldiers selected to represent the 113th Field Artillery Regiment (FAR) on the trip were members of the 1-113th FA, headquartered in Charlotte, 5-113th FA headquartered in Louisburg, and the N.C. National Guard Museum.
Once in France, the delegation walked the battlefields to see the land from the perspective of their regimental predecessors. They also visited local museums, the Montsec Monument on the St. Mihiel battlefield and the Montfaucon Monument on the Meuse-Argonne battlefield. “Even after 100 years, the land on which these battles were fought still bear the scars of war with trenches,
bunkers and artillery shrapnel littering the fields,� Coleman said. In a solemn tribute, the soldiers also paid their respects to those members of the 113th who made the ultimate sacrifice by conducting a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Pfc. John Wesley Melton, Battery E, 113th FAR, who was killed in action on October 3, 1918, and laid to rest at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. 10
What it means to be a Veteran Two North Carolina National Guard Veterans reflect on what the holiday means to them.
November 11, formally celebrated as Armistice Day has been known as Veterans Day since 1954 when it was renamed. Veterans Day marks the anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918 and honors those who served in the armed forces. Even decades before the end of WWI, President Abraham Lincoln used part of his second inaugural address to call upon the American "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan." To those who served, Veterans Day is more than just a holiday, for some, it is a time of reflection on their years of service. "It's not just about the free meals you get," said Tammy Fowler, who retired from the North Carolina National
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Guard as a Staff Sergeant after 20 years of service. "It's a time to reflect on my past years in the military." Fowler, who deployed to Iraq with the NCNG's 694th Maintenance Co. in 2005, said there were good years and bad year, but she is proud of her service in the Guard. "I wouldn't change a thing about it," she said. "I've met so many wonderful people who have become my best friends, my family. Obviously, I still want to be part of that community because I'm still here working and helping Soldiers." Fowler, a Regional Support Specialist with the NCNG's Employment Center, works with other Veterans to help translate their military skills into civilian job opportunities. "To retire and become a civilian and still be able to
give back to a community that gave so much to me is a great feeling. It's a passion of mine now to work with veterans and their families and just to help. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life than working with those who served." By definition, a military veteran is a person who has served and is no longer serving in the armed forces and is commonly referring to those who have served in combat, but for those still serving, it can be more nuanced than a dictionary definition. "In my opinion, a Veteran is someone who has served our nation and represents the less than one percent of the population who have chosen to put on a uniform to serve and protect," said Capt. Sean Daily, who has been serving in the NCNG for almost 10 years. "It's not just the front-
line troops that are out there making it happen, it's all the support troops behind them that also get the job done." Daily, a combat veteran himself deployed to the Middle East in 2015 with the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team's Military Engagement Team. He said that in the past he has had to work on Veterans Day or just spent some time at home with his family, but this year he had other plans. "Some of my friends that are also in the NCNG and I are going fishing for Veterans Day," Daily said. Daily also said he is looking forward to spending the day with people who have similar experiences and "drinking some cold beverages and telling war stories," while spending some time in nature.
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Class 51 The next generation graduates from TCA
Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels
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umming of excited, anticipating parents filled the auditorium as they waited patiently for their reconstructed young adults to walk across the stage and accept their diplomas. Class 51 filed in a single line, waiting behind the stage curtain for their name to be called, signifying the successful completion of the Tarheel Challenge Academy (TCA) during their graduation ceremony at the Sampson County AgriCenter, Dec. 7, 2018. TCA is a North Carolina National Guard program. Since its founding 25 years ago, the program has graduated over 4,850 teenagers. TCA provides at-risk teens with a second opportunity to change the direction of their life. The quasi-military program instills discipline, structure and values, similar to what soldiers experience going through basic training. “One hundred and fifty-three days ago we started on a collectivity and individual journey,” said Cadet Michelle De Leon Resendiz. “A journey that few of us were prepared to encounter, but we accepted the challenge; sometimes halfheartedly, sometimes begrudgingly to become better disciplined young adults.” Cadets undergo a rigorous 22week resident course exposing them to cultural awareness, conflict resolution, self-building exercises, life skills, and teamwork. Graduates also work toward attaining their General Education Development and have the opportunity to take the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery exam, the Scholastic Assessment Test and participate in
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community service and fundraisers. “Every activity at TCA is designed to create a synergy that makes us greater than the sum of our individual parts,” Resendiz said. “Experiences of the North Carolina Justice Academy, practicing drill and ceremony and other activities too
numerous to name taught us to put our differences to the side and come together as a team, as an academy, as one.” Following the TCA resident course, a 12-month postresidential phase begins at the cadet’s home of record where mentors from the cadet’s community establish
a relationship and maintain a positive environment. Graduates move toward their next life chapter through continuing their education, joining the workforce or even going on to join the military. North Carolina National Guard’s Tarheel Challenge Academy has a sister location in
New London that has been in operation for three years. “To the most important group here, and the reason we're here; graduates I am proud of you,” said retired Col. Edward Timmons, director of Tarheel Challenge Academy. “You should be proud of yourself. Do not hide your pride, let it show.”
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505th Engineer Combat Battalion Completes Historic Deployment Story by Capt. Thomas Murry Photos by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens
After a nine-month deployment, the Soldiers and families of the 505th Engineer Combat Battalion are finally reunited. Operating in the Central Command area of operations and organized as Task Force Havoc, the 505th ECB completed its mission and continued its reputation as a premier engineer battalion. Task Force Havoc, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Frank W. Poovey and Command Sgt. Major Jason A. Zike, conducted vertical and horizontal engineering operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt. In addition to the organic Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Forward Support Companies, Task Force Havoc was comprised of units from the Alabama, Louisiana, and Minnesota Army National Guards, as well as Army Reserve companies from Washington and Texas. The 505th ECB was
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subordinate to the 35th Engineer Brigade from the Missouri Army National Guard and supported Operations Freedom Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, and Spartan Shield. The 505th operations for Task Force Spartan fell under the 28th Infantry Division, of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, the oldest continuously operating division in the US Army. Task Force Spartan conducted theater security cooperation throughout the area of responsibility and built and sustained unit readiness, in order to deter, disrupt, and prevent regional aggression. "The 505th has done a great job providing theater engineer support in multiple nations," said Maj. Gen. Andrew Schafer, 28th Infantry Division and Task Force Spartan commander. "An excellent accomplishment for a battalion size element.” “The 505th ECB maintained
a high operational tempo across the numerous countries and regions. As a result, the unit’s Soldiers completed 115 projects, totaling $53 million in overall construction.” “Absolutely spectacular performance from the 505th Engineer Battalion,” said Col. Anthony Adrian, 35th Engineer Brigade -Task Force Muleskinner commander. “Their ability to manage multiple, simultaneous construction projects spread across seven countries throughout the theater, along with all the logistical and personnel challenges involved, had a direct and significant impact on the ability of the U.S. Military to achieve national strategic objectives.” The 505th ECB’s leadership was instrumental in the success of the Engineer Task Force Afghanistan (ETF-A), based out of Bagram Airfield. ETF-A had Soldiers from the 1020th Engineer Company, Louisiana
Army National Guard, based out of Marksville, La., the 659th Engineer Company, U.S. Army Reserve, based out of Spokane, Wash., the 186th Engineer Company (Horizontal), Alabama Army National Guard Unit, based out of Dothan, Ala., and Soldiers from the 306th Engineer Company (Vertical), U.S. Army Reserve Unit, based out of Farmingdale, N.Y. Engineers of the 186th and 306th were assigned the daunting task of increasing the force protection of Bagram Airfield, the primary allied base on the outskirts of Kabul. Soldiers from these companies worked in partnership with engineers from U.S. Forces Afghanistan to complete a soak yard, national Afghanistan truck yard, and a major entry control point. These projects are extremely important for providing security measures and precautions to Bagram Airfield. Their hard work, provided
Capt. Ben Reeves adresses the crowd during a welcome home ceremony for the 505th Engineer Battalion at the Bethlehem Church in Gastonia, N.C. on Nov. 30, 2018.
Bagram with the capability to increase the delivery capacity in and out of Bagram, to support forward operating bases throughout the theater. ETF-A conducted engineering operations at over eight locations in Afghanistan. In partnership with Task Force Southeast and the command team of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), the primary mission for TF Havoc was to help the first SFAB get up and running. The SFAB concept is a key priority of Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, with an SFAB mission to institutionalize the concept of the advise and assist within dedicated force structure. “The engineers and Soldiers of the 505th Engineer Battalion helped Task Force Southeast expand to support additional advisors from the 1st SFAB at Advisory Platform Lightning and Camp Dahlke," said Brig. Gen. Richard Johnson, Task Force Southeast commander. “No matter what we asked of them, the engineers responded with great work time and time again.” At Camp Dahlke, TF Havoc engineers from the 659th expanded basic life support capacity to house and feed Soldiers from the 1st SFAB, including expanding the base footprint and facilities by over 50 percent.
In March 2018, 1st SFAB Soldiers moved into force provider facilities at Camp Dahlke, built by TF Havoc engineers. “As the 1st SFAB deployed to Afghanistan to bring combat advising to a lower tactical level, our Soldiers spread out to a number of bases that had become smaller over the last several years,” said Col. Scott Jackson, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade commander. “The 505th did an outstanding job constructing living and working facilities for our advisors at forward operating bases like Tarin Kowt, Gamberi, Dahlke and more." The 505th ECB also maintained a presence at Kandahar Airfield for engineer operations in southern Afghanistan. The 505th has engineers also conducted mission is Jordan. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is one of the key partners of the U.S. in the Middle East. Soldiers from the 186th and the 306th operated missions on the Syrian border at several locations, and assisted with the move into a New Joint Training Center (NJTC) outside Amman, Jordan. The 505th engineer combat Battalion returned home to North Carolina on August 31, 2018.
449th TAB Welcomed Home From Deployment Photos by Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels
North Carolina National Guard leaders, families and support staff welcomed home Soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade during their Yellow Ribbon event at the Millennium Hotel Dec. 1 in Durham, NC. Soldiers aviation operations supporting theaters of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield in Southwest Asia.
The North Carolina Army National Guard hosts a welcome home ceremony for the 505th Engineer Battalion at the Bethlehem Church in Gastonia, N.C. on Nov. 30, 2018.
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North Carolina National Guard Recognized for Selfless Service Photo and Story by Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels
Senior leaders assigned to the North Carolina Army and Air National gathered at the Executive Mansion to be recognized for their selfless service in response to hurricane Florence Oct. 22, 2018.
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ov. Roy Cooper expressed his gratitude to senior leaders and service members of the North Carolina Army and Air National Guard during a gathering at the Executive Mansion Oct. 22, 2018. Cooper carved time out of his schedule to speak with Soldiers and Airmen about their experiences in response to Hurricane Florence. He also thanked each service member for their service to the community. “We live in an amazing state with great people,” said Cooper. “North Carolinians are permanent. The National Guard has been at the forefront of that leadership for decades and decades. I know the work that you do every day and first let me say thank you to your families. They take that great risk of having you go out there when you are deployed. I am grateful
for them.” Numerous Guardsmen put their knowledge and experience to work for the community resulting in the delivery of over 3 million pounds of supplies to affected counties, and completing 346 missions, including swift water rescues, high-water truck support, aviation operations, animal rescue and hasty road repair. Service members also worked hand in hand supporting entities of the North Carolina Emergency Management. “I was nested in with Diane Curtis,” said Sgt 1st Class Elliot Westbrook, the liaison to NCEM – Eastern branch. “I served as a conduit between her team and the Joint Task Force. The true pleasure of my experience was getting to articulate the buffet of skill-sets the National Guard brought to the fight. There were 2,800 NC National Guard Soldiers and
Airmen activated to support hurricane Florence disaster recovery, fulfilling the dual role of a citizen soldier helping its community. “When this storm was coming, I talked with the secretary, the general and the emergency management director Mr. Sprayberry,” said Cooper. “We knew that the National Guard would be an integral part of our response, but we didn’t know how much.” Cooper later said he traveled throughout the state after the storm subsided to ask NC natives, volunteers and personnel from emergency management about their well-being. “Almost in variable, the Guard would come up,” said Cooper. “I can’t even sit here and list all of the things that you did. Your mere presence settled people. They felt comforted and secure knowing that you were there.”
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Members of the 145th Airlift Wing’s 156th Airlift Squadron participate in the 2018 Joint Forcible Entry Exercise with simulated Airlift Operations at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2018. The JFE is an annual large scale air drop and land mobility mission, that simulates a contested battlefield scenario as a way of testing and training units for the dangerous air drop situations that can occur while deployed. (Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeremy Reich)
Milestone Marked for the 145th Airlift Wing
Story by Tech. Sgt. Nathan Clark
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very major milestone begins with a first step, for the 145th Airlift Wing, 2018 and the arrival of the C-17 aircraft has prompted quite a number of them. The most recent step includes the units participation in this year’s Joint Forcible Entry Exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2018. The Joint Forcible Entry Exercise is an annual largescale airdrop and land mobility mission that simulates a contested battlefield scenario as a way of training units for the dangerous airdrop situations that can occur while deployed. The massive aerial formation consists of more than 99 aircraft, including C-130 Hercules, C-130 J’s, and C-17 Globemasters, from all over the country. The planes meet up in the air at different points, dropping scores of paratroopers
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and military combat equipment over a drop zone near Nellis. “The Joint Forcible Entry is one of the most important capabilities the United States has within its armed forces,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Reich, the director of operations for the 156th Airlift Squadron of the 145th Airlift Wing. “It’s also one of the most difficult and complicated, [as it] consists of large multielement formations and airdrop operations, command and control integration, blue force integration, complex threat mitigation, and semi-prepared dirt runway operations.” Participating in the Joint Forcible Entry (JFE) Exercise is particularly special for the 145th Airlift Wing, not just because it was the first time they participated in an airdrop
formation flight, but specifically because their North Carolina based C-17 Globemaster III one of only two Air National Guard tails in the formation. “The Charlotte airdrop aircraft was number 13 out of 16 and was the 2nd aircraft in the formation to simulate static line personnel, simulating the airdrop of 100 paratroopers,” Reich said. At the moment, the 145th Airlift Wing is working towards becoming one of only three airdrop capable C-17 Globemaster III units within the entire Air National Guard. This process requires a myriad of analysis and testing to become reality, making this proof of concept with Joint Forcible Entry (JFE) Exercises invaluable to leaders of the 145th Airlift Wing. For Reich, the historical significance pales in comparison
to the value of cultivating the skills of himself and his team. “As a crew we had the opportunity to train with over 100 aircraft and 100 thousand dollars worth of actual and simulated threats. We seldom get the chance to participate in exercises with this many aircraft, so to get that exposure is quite valuable for our aircrew,” said Reich. The 145th Airlift Wing began building its eight tail C-17 fleet nine months ago, currently hosting four while the remainder are on loan awaiting the expansion of the flightline over the coming years. So while conversion is naturally a long and slow process, it hasn’t stopped the unit from working towards their vision of being a world class organization preeminent in all they do.
Sec Hooks visits NCNG Soldiers’ training event Story and Photo by Staff Sgt. Leticia Smauels
U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joel Eberly, far right, the 42nd Civil Support Team commander, explains a scenario to Erik Hooks, far left, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety during a simulated Combat Support Training Exercise in Albemarle Dec. 4, 2018.
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rik Hooks, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Brig. Gen. Todd Hunt, the North Carolina Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General of Maneuver, and other DPS staff visited Soldiers with the 42nd Civil Support Team during their Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) Dec. 4, 2018. The CSTX serves as an opportunity for CST Soldiers to engage in training scenarios simulating realworld missions. This exercise, validated by members of Army North (Fifth Army), gives vital feedback on the responsiveness, preparedness
and the ability to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events as well as an array of other incidents. “The CST is an integral part of our domestic operations footprint in the state,” said Hunt. “We have used them as recently as Hurricane Florence.” The CST’s primary mission is to respond to possible terrorist attacks and disasters while analyzing devices and materials that could be used as weapons-ofmass-destruction. Hooks and the Deputy Commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol Lt. Col. Charles Ward, observed
the Soldiers and had the opportunity to ask questions about their capabilities. “It's always good for me to have the opportunity to not only review the assets but talk to the individuals that are involved because the most significant things that I bring as the Secretary is bringing all those components together,” Hooks said. “I always want to be engaged with the people doing the work and also looking to see where we can have some interoperability across the different divisions and departments.” Hooks went on to say that this is also a great way to look for opportunities to train together on preparedness
before incidents occur. “The dual nature of my role, also having to serve as the homeland security advisor, it is really important that we don’t just look at singular events in a vacuum,” Hooks said. “When there are opportunities for the divisions and the National Guard to work together; they are already familiar with each other, we know how to come together in case there is some larger scale event.” The CST is a state asset under the operational control of the NC Guard and is designed to augment and support emergency first responder functions with their special equipment and expertise.
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Winter Storm Diego Finds NCNG Soldiers Ready to Respond Story by Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels
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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper activated 175 National Guard Soldiers for State Active Duty in preparation for Winter Storm Diego Dec 7, 2018. Guard Soldiers rose to the call working under the direction of Emergency Management branches in the western and central parts of N.C. after Cooper declared all 100 N.C. counties under a state of emergency.
North Carolina National Guard Soldiers from the 690th Brigade Support Battalion assists McDowell County Emergency Management Services recover a vehicle in the western part of the state during Winter Storm Diego.
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Numerous hundreds of responders and about 3,000 N.C. Department of Transportation staff responded to the storm. Altogether, 2,400 trucks with snow plows applied more than 135,000 tons of salt to all major highways prior to the storm blanketing North Carolina.
“North Carolina is gearing up for a major winter storm and we’re taking all steps necessary to have the resources we need in place to respond,” Cooper said during a press conference in the days leading up to the storm. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning anticipating significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice with up to two feet of snow in western N.C. and over 10 inches of snow and freezing rain in central portions of the state. The NCNG deployed 69 tactical vehicles like the M984A4 Recovery truck (Wreckers), the Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) and Humvees to the affected areas of central and western N.C. “The Western Branch of Emergency Management for the state of North Carolina requested nine All Hazard Response Teams (AHRT) from the North Carolina National Guard,” said Lewczyk. “They
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were staged in Charlotte, North Wilkesboro, and Asheville.” Lewzcyk continued to explain that the AHRT is comprised of two HUMVEES and an LMTV in conjunction with wrecker crews that were operating on Interstate 40 and 26. During natural disasters in N.C., NC Emergency Management (NCEM) leads all response efforts and ensures resources get to the counties that need them the most. NCEM also help determine what types of Guard Force Packages are required to assist state and local responders. During WS Diego, NCEM built Hotspot Teams comprised of N.C. Department of Transportation plows and assistance vehicles, NC Highway Patrol Troopers and vehicles and NC Guard AHRTs including wreckers, LMTV and/or Humvees. The Hotspot Teams were staged at known sections of Interstate or state highways where vehicles are guaranteed, during winter storms, to get stuck or slide into ditches. In all, these teams rescued and recovered well over 100 vehicles of all shapes and sizes from large tractor-trailers to two-door sedans, ambulances, and fancy 4WD SUVs. Guardsmen who were deployed throughout the state, completed over 50 missions to include: 46 citizens being
rescued and transported to shelters or local hospitals, over 40 vehicle recoveries and stranded motorist assistance, dozens of health and well fare checks on residents, moving dialysis patients to treatment facilities, supplying residents with water, removing debris from roadways and directing traffic. Soldiers also patrolled local areas searching for stranded motorists, led convoys of first responders to distant locations as a precautionary measure when trying to get to citizens stuck in their homes and marked cars that were abandoned and empty. “We have had a few instances where EMS slid off into a ditch and we had to pull them out or they could only get to a certain point on the road,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adam Huckabee, assigned to the 875th Engineer Company. “We had to assist them getting to a home in our vehicles so they could evaluate the situation of the homeowner.” Soldiers experienced many hours behind the wheels of these massive tactical vehicles during Annual Training and monthly Drill Training periods and it all contributed to them remaining proficient in utilizing their equipment in real-world response scenarios like Winter Storm Diego. “Our personnel go through drivers training to include winter driving, off-road
driving, self-recovery, loading and unloading and recovery with a wrecker,” said Sgt. 1st Class Adam Mahaffey, the 875th Engineer Company Readiness noncommissioned officer. “We try to emphasize safety equipment, proper protective equipment and doing a proper preventative maintenance checks and Service] to make sure the vehicle is safe to drive.” Two days after Diego passed, citizens returned to normal routines while Guardsmen and EM continued to work together clearing roadways and restoring power to citizens. “I am in awe of all the Soldiers that were out there performing these missions,” said Lewczyk. “I’m honored to be apart of the Guard. After reading through the missions that they conducted while they were in these counties. It’s truly amazing; the life-saving measures that they provided while they were out there.” Following the storm, Cooper advised citizens to remain safe and not to chance it driving in dangerous conditions but also thanked service members and all first responders. “I am so thankful for the tireless efforts of our Guard members, troopers first responders, line workers and road crews who are helping dig us out from this storm,” said Cooper.
Missions Completed
Vehicles recovered
Civilians Rescued
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U.S. Army Sgt Joey Rose, assigned to the 690th Brigade Support Battalion, motioned to reel in tow cable during recovery of a stranded snowplow during Winter Storm Diego, December 9, 2018. Photo by Sgt. Joe Roudabush
North Carolina National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 875th Engineer Company Soldiers prepare a convoy during Winter Storm Diego in Wilkesboro, N.C. December 9, 2018. Photo by Sgt. Wayne Becton
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NCNG Fallen Hero: Family, Soldiers, and community leaders gathered at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to render honors and witness the transfer of Sgt. James Slape to a temporary resting place Nov. 9, 2018, before ultimately moving to Arlington Cemetery in the Spring. The memorial service for Sgt. Slape was held at the Glad Tidings Church in Morehead City Nov. 11, 2018. Sgt. Slape supported Operations Resolute Support and Freedom Sentinel in Afghanistan with the 430th Ordnance Company - EOD, 60th Troop Command when he was killed in action October 4, 2018.
Gone but Never Forgotten 25
: Sgt. James Slape
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