Operation Palmetto Support Over 550 NCNG Soldiers and Airmen answer the call to support South Carolina
North Carolina National Guard Quartely Issue
January 2016 www.nc.ngb.army.mil
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Director of Public Affairs Lt. Col. Matthew DeVivo matthew.r.devivo.mil@mail.mil
Media Relations Capt. Matthew Boyle matthew.i.boyle.mil@mail.mil
Community Relations
Content Resiliency, Employment & Honoring Service Pg. 8 NCNG Soldiers and Airmen Support Services complete another productive year, providing assistance to service members, family members and veterans.
Hurricane Joaquin: NCNG & First Responders Pg. 10
Capt. Michael Wilber michael.j.wilber2.mil@mail.mil
Over 70 N.C. Guardsmen are activated by Gov. Pat McCroy to assist state Emergency Management in flood relief efforts.
Visual Information
Teamwork In The Wake Of Devastation Pg. 12
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Rey joseph.e.rey.mil@mail.mil
145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Master Sgt. Patti Moran patricia.moran@ang.af.mil
382nd Public Affairs Detachment Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Norton alvin.c.norton.mil@mail.mil
Writers/Photographers Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan robert.b.jordan2.mil@mail.mil Sgt. Leticia Samuels leticia.m.samuels.mil@mail.mil Sgt. Lisa Vines lisa.w.vines.mil@mail.mil 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 NCNGPAO@gmail.com or call 984-664-6847. Layout and design by Odaliska Almonte
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Nearly 500 N.C. Guardsmen deploy to Camp McCrady to assist S.C. National Guard and Emergency Management in response to devastating floods on October 2015.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Pg. 14 NCNG Engineers assist S.C. residents traverse on the flood-damaged areas during severe flooding caused by historic rainfall on October 2015.
Guard Leaders visit Soldiers deployed in support of S.C. Flood Relief Missions Pg. 18 Gen. Frank J. Grass, Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Brush, and other senior leaders visit NCNG Soldiers deployed to support SCNG on flood response missions.
Military Appreciation Day at N.C. State Fair Pg. 26 NCNG plays a big part at military appreciation day at the N.C. State Fair.
235th Air Traffic Controllers Keeping Skies Safe At Home and Abroad Pg. 28 The N.C. Air National Guard 235th Air Traffic Controllers monitor civilian and military aircrafts to prevent accidents.
Globally Engaged, Universally Relevant Pg. 36 The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team serve their state and nation across the globe.
NCNG Legal Assistance Team Recognized for Excellence Pg. 40
NCNG Office of the Staff Judge Advocate receives the Chief of Staff Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance for the third consecutive time.
On the Cover Aerial photo of South Carolina flood damage taken when Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, S.C. Adjutant General, and other dignitaries conducted an aerial survey of several hard-hit areas after South Carolina was hit with recordbreaking rains. (Photo by Sgt. Brad Mincey, South Carolina National Guard, 108th Public Affairs Detachment/Released)
Happy New Year from the NCNG Public Affairs section. The Always Ready, Ready Team finished 2015 with impressive accomplishments, historic firsts and holiday giving. In October, the NCNG mobilized over 500 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen to State Active Duty. Task Force 130 deployed to South Carolina in Operation Palmetto Support to assist that state’s National Guard and Emergency Management during South Carolina’s worst flood disaster in over 100 years. This domestic operation mobilization was the largest by the NCNG since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Enjoy this issue and the many other stories highlighting NCNG’s last few months of 2015. As 2016 progresses and units begin to conduct their annual training, other exercises, and community events we encourage you to follow your Guard at one or all of our social media sites. We regularly post stories, videos, command information, NCNG supported community outreach events and much more to these sites. We welcome your ideas for future stories and Guard topics to make this publication and communication with our service members and the public more informative and enjoyable. Send your ideas to: NCNGPAO@GMAIL.COM Enjoy your magazine: The Hornet Always Ready, Ready Team – Lt. Col. Matthew Devivo JOIN, FOLLOW, READ, AND WATCH YOUR NC NATIONAL GUARD AT:
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News From Around T @NCNationalGuard
2015 N.C. State University Military Appreciation Day
The NCNG Apache, a C-130 30 engine display, an Abrams tank, and a Heavy Equipment Transport truck were on display for tailgaters to see at the NC State’s annual Military Appreciation Day festivities, on Nov. 21. In the arena, Brig. Gen. Kenneth Beard joined other military leaders at the game’s coin toss kickoff.
Master Sgt. Elsa E. Gaver Promotion to Sergeant Major
Master Sgt. Elsa Gaver was promoted to Sergeant Major during a ceremony at JFHQ in Raleigh, on Fri., Nov. 6, 2015. Sergeant Major Elsa Gaver has been instrumental to the success of NCNG 139th Regional Training Institute at Ft. Bragg.
Christmas came a bit early for nearly 140 NCNG Tarheel Challenge Academy Cadets of Class 45 at their graduation ceremony, Dec. 11, 2015. The ceremony culminated a 22week resident quasi-military program at the Salemburg, N.C. campus. The graduates received the gift of a second chance, earned respect and new friends through hard, tough physical and mental tests and trials. m
Tar Heel Challenge Cadets Graduate www.facebook.com/ NCNationalGuard
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CW5 Richard D. Comer Retirement Ceremony
www.youtube.com/user/ NorthCarolinaGuard
After a distinguished career of over 33 years we say farewell to CW5 Richard Comer, NCNG’s former State Command Chief Warrant Officer. He served as the principal Warrant Officer advisor, and was responsible to The Adjutant General for the supervision, training and well-being of the nearly 300 Warrant Officers of the North Carolina Army National Guard.
N.C. Guard’s New London Tarheel Challenge Academy Cadets Train at Camp Butner
A bitter sweet moment for the 42nd Civil Support Team as they bid farewell to their former commander of over four years, Lt. Col. William Moore, and welcome their new commander, Maj. Joel Eberly, at a change of command ceremony in Greenville, N.C. on Dec. 4th, 2015.
Ind Individuals become teams as NCNG Tarheel Challenge Cadets train at Camp Butner, Dec. 2015. The training is part of the education offered by the militarystyle boarding school in New London, N.C.
New commander, same mission: 42nd CST change of command
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collection https://www.flickr.com/ photos/ncngpao
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Resiliency, Employment and Honoring Service Story by Capt. Matthew Boyle and Photos by Sgt. Sgt. Lisa Vines
The North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Support Services has completed another productive year, providing assistance to service members, family members and veterans. In an effort to provide even better service the NCNG Soldiers and Airmen Support Services has consolidated its offices from the Claude T. Bowers Military Center to the Joint Force Headquarters. Soldiers and Airmen Support director Lt. Col. Smith said, “It’s the right thing to do and it supports our mission to increase personnel readiness.” Smith has overseen the consolidation of services at the Joint Force Headquarters and created the Operational Soldier Support System to integrate the support services into the Major Subordinate Commands. “We want commanders to use our services to help readiness, our focus is on resiliency, employment and honoring service,” stated Smith. IBHS has become so Resiliency successful that a recent RAND Corporation study The Integrated Behavior Health System’s (IBHS) mission is declared that it is the primary to assess service members and their families for immediate behavioral health resource for behavioral health needs, offer therapeutic support, provide case all service members in management and provide referrals to federal, state and local North Carolina. resources. IBHS is successful with the help of twelve licensed behavioral health who h clinicians l h operate the 24 hour a day call in line, 1-855-322-3848, and are placed in armories thorough the state providing regular integration with our service members and the ability to be more responsive to needs at all levels of the organization. 8
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During the fiscal year 2015, IBHS fielded 1,200 calls resulting in 415 clinical assessments, 1,772 resource referrals and 785 consultations, 36 cases required immediate clinical intervention due to suicidal, homicidal or psychotic threat. “Only when we address an individual’s problem holistically can we reduce the recidivistic nature of crisis,” stated Nissen.
“The success of our system is that we render clinical resources and continue to support and address “non-clinical needs” that impact mental health and crisis - employment, housing, and food.” said Stephanie Nissen, Director of the NCNG IBHS.
Employment / Education Since its creation in 2013 the Education and Employment Center (EEC) has been actively establishing relationships with employers and placing guard members into positions that help them reach career goals. The EEC has facilitated 1,293 hires of North Carolina National Guardsmen and has built relationships with 175 employers and currently have 441 active cases. NCNG Tuition Assistance Program has been successful as well working with thousands of soldiers, airmen and family members on the application process for both federal and state tuition assistance, the G.I. bill and standardized testing.
Honoring Service The North Carolina Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors’ (MFH) mission is to render professional and dignified Military Funeral Honors in service tradition, to all eligible Service Members, Retirees, and Veterans when requested by an authorized family member or representative. In fiscal year 2014, this program conducted 2,940 funeral honors in over 80 counties in North Carolina. NCNG’s MFH ranks in the top fifteen Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors programs in the nation. Sgt. 1st Class Richard Bagley, non-commissioned officer in charge of MFH said, “We are very proud of the level of service provided this year and we are humbled by the lives that we touch while honoring veteran’s service.” The Hornet
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Hurricane Joaquin: NCNG & First Responders Over 70 members of the North Carolina Army National Guard were activated, by the Governor Pat McCrory, and staged across the state to assist state emergency services in preparing storm and flood relief efforts. These photos were provided by our Citizen Soldiers out in the field conducting missions during Hurricane Joaquin on Oct. 2015.
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“Ever Dependable” Inside look at our history
Scarlet and white are the colors used for Engineer organizations. The crossbeams of the truss further simulate the Roman numerals for “30” thereby alluding to the previous numerical designation of the organization.
The tower, the traditional symbol used for Engineering, together with the construction truss symbolize the former mission of the Brigade.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the 30th Engineer Brigade in 30 July 1974. It was amended to correct the dimensions in the description in 31 Jan. 1975. It was redesignated in 2006, for the 130th Combat Support Brigade (Maneuver Enhancement) with the description and symbolism updated in 2007, and redesignated for the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2008. Thee H Th Ho Hornet orn neett
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Story by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan and Sgt. Ason Forsyth
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ASTOVER, S.C. – Over 500 North Carolina National Guardsmen arrive at Camp McCrady Training Center to begin the reception and onward integration process. They are given food, lodging, thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and parking for hundreds of military vehicles that will support South Carolina National Guard and Emergency Management Division in response to the devastating floods here, Oct. 10, 2015. Convoy after convoy rolled in as NCNG Soldiers and Airmen called up from civilian jobs deploy across South Carolina. Subordinate units in the 505th Engineer Battalion received orders as vehicles are checked and rechecked. Leaders make last minute changes to plans and they and their Soldiers move out. “I am pretty excited, it is what I signed up for,” said Army Pvt. Brandon Estridge of Rockingham, North Carolina, a heavy equipment operator with the 881st.
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in the wake of devastation South Carolina National Guard experts carefully guided the new arrivals to refueling points where vehicles are topped off with fuel and inspected for safety and mission capability. The posts roads are filled as Humvees, tractor trailers loaded with bulldozers, skid steer loaders, backhoes and other heavy engineering equipment, medium and light tactical vehicles stuffed with supplies, eight-wheeled palletized load system trucks, 10 and 20-ton dump trucks make their way past the modern training sites, forests and fields of the center. There is an endless rumble of engines as buses, trucks and Humvees bring the NCNG Soldiers to SCNG medical technicians and doctors who check medical records and administer inoculations as needed to the hundreds of in-processing NCNG Soldiers and Airmen.
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“It is awesome how they accommodated us” said Spc. Donna Hyson, of Hope Mills, North Carolina, a heavy equipment operator with the NCNG’s 881st Engineer Company, headquartered in Rockingham, North Carolina. The NCNG deployed under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact on order from the Governor of North Carolina. These Soldiers joined thousands of previously deployed SCNG Soldiers for around-the-clock response efforts statewide.
Neighbors T Helping Neighbors
he historic rainfall caused severe flooding in South Carolina, devastating lives, cities, and infrastructure, the examples witnessed across the state and in Eastover, are neighbors helping neighbors.
Story and pictures by Sgt. Brian Godette
“This is our neighboring state, and we should want to help everybody,” said Spc. Yazmaine Chand-Singh, assigned to the Forward Support Company, 505th Engineer Battalion. “If somebody needs help, that’s what we are here for.”
There are 2,541 National Guard assets on the ground, which includes National Guard engineer support from North Carolina. Soldiers from the NCNG 505th Engineer Battalion took to local roads to begin assisting residents traverse the flood-damaged areas.
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“All the roads have washed out due to the significant amount of rainfall that the area has received, so we are doing a hasty road repair so residents can at least get in and out of their homes until the D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) can get out here and fix it,” said Staff Sgt. Jack Gray, noncommissioned officer in-charge, assigned to the 882nd Engineer Company (Vertical), 505th Engineer Battalion. The call to assist South Carolina, and the SCNG, who are humbled by the aid, was an easy call for Gray. Gray found himself in familiar territory working on the roads in South Carolina, and used his experience to impact the Soldiers in the field with him on this important mission.
“WE ALL SIGNED UP TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND OUR COUNTRY, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN SUPPORT OUR COUNTRY,” GRAY SAID.
“I myself am a 15-year veteran of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, so this is the type of work I do for a living, and in turn I try to pass that knowledge down to my Soldiers,” Gray said. The gravity of helping those at home, working together with local authorities was held with great significance to the citizen-Soldiers of the National Guard, who can at any time find themselves on the other end of a natural disaster.
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“THIS IS THE EIGHTH OR NINTH STATE ACTIVE DUTY I’VE DONE, AND EVERY TIME WE’VE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT,” GRAY SAID. “THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND DOT, CAN BECOME OVERWHELMED, SO WE TRY TO DO THE BEST WE CAN.” The engineers arrived to an intersection in Eastover where the roads were crumbling and huge craters created no way of passing travel. One home just off one of the roads belonged to a family who happened to be outside when the engineers arrived with their equipment, standing near a 20 foot-long ditch that used to be their driveway. “That first night it started and things got really bad, the damaged to my driveway happened,” said Marcus Bostic, a resident of Eastover and firefighter with the city of Columbia. “Thankfully my wife woke me up, and I was able to move all my cars back to the farther end of the property, and as I got closer that’s when I realized there was a gigantic trench going through my driveway,” Bostic said. Gray assured the family his team would do what they can to help the Bostic family with their driveway before the day was over. “When the dirt gets here we can start doing the actual repairs on the wash-out areas, like this gentleman’s driveway, so they can be more mobile,” Gray said. As Mr. Bostic looked on as the engineers began work on the nearby road, he began to recount the days during the flooding, from the standpoint of a local first responder. “It was bad,” Bostic said. “It was just so much at one time, you’re just asking yourself, what do you do first?” 16
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The historic flooding which devastated South Carolina proved to be a far different scenario. “A natural disaster affects everybody, and you look at it and go, now who’s going to help me?” Bostic said. “Now that you guys are out here, it’s good to see some reciprocation. You give, give, give, so actually it’s a real good feeling.” As Mr. Bostic spoke, 10-ton dump trucks rumbled down the road. The dirt was dumped and a Case Skid Steer Loader, similar to a small bulldozer, was used to push it across the road and compact it, smoothing out the rough road. “We haven’t been able to drive our cars out since that happened,” Bostic said. “It’s been over a week since I’ve drove my car.” With the help of the engineers from the NCNG 505th Engineer Battalion, Bostic and his family will have use of their driveway again. The image of neighbors from the North, companions on the road to help others, was clear in South Carolina.
“I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO,” BOSTIC SAID. “AS A FIREFIGHTER, PEOPLE ALWAYS LOOK UP TO ME, SO WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME OUT, I GIVE THE SAME APPRECIATION I GET.”
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Guard leaders visit Soldiers deployed in support of S.C. Flood Relief Missions Story by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan Photos by Sgt. Ason Forsyth and Sgt. Brian Godette
Command Chief Warrant Officer Change of Responsibility Story and photos by Sgt Leticia Samuels
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EASTOVER, S.C. -- Senior Guard leaders descended on South Carolina between Oct. 14 and Oct.18 as the Chief of National Guard Bureau, Gen. Frank J. Grass, with Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Brush, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau and other National Guard Leaders met North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) Soldiers deployed to support the thousands of South Carolina National Guard (SCNG) Soldiers on flood response missions.
Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, the adjutant general of the NCNG, meets Soldiers deployed to Eastover, S.C.
“We could not be more proud of you, you leave your jobs, your family to serve when called,” said Grass. Other Guard leaders including SCNG Commander Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr., the adjutant general of South Carolina, SCNG State Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. Robert H. Brickley, NCNG Commander Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, the adjutant general of the North Carolina, Army Brig. Gen. John A. Byrd, assistant adjutant generaldomestic operations and Army Brig. Gen. James C. Ernst, NCNG assistant adjutant general-maneuver visited NCNG Soldiers deployed to Columbia and Eastover, South Carolina.
Brig. Gen. James C. Ernst, NC NG assist. adjutant g eneralmaneuver, lea about Sold rns more iers suppo rt of SCNG.
Brig. Gen. James C. Ernst, meets with Soldiers deployed to South Carolina
“The South Carolina adjutant general told me to tell you that ‘he would like to thank each one of you individually and shake each hand,’” said Lusk. Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr., the adjutant general of SCNG meets NCNG Soldiers deployed to McCrady Training Center, Eastover, S.C.
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The leaders chatted with 505th Engineer Battalion Soldiers about their home, family and mission.
Gen. Frank J. Grass, Chief, National Guard Bureau, speaks with NCNG Soldiers from the 505th Engineer Battalion
At construction zones and washed out roads across the county Soldiers hopped out of truck and bulldozer cabs and got a chance to speak with some of the highest ranking officers in the Guard.
Soldiers stand anxiously as the leaders approach. Tension turned to smiles after a quick handshake or slap on the back. The visits are not just morale building for the deployed NCNG Soldiers but an opportunity to find out more on relief operations.
Gen. Greg Lusk, learns more about Soldiers support of SCNG and other state and federal agencies.
SCNG State command sergeant major Command Sgt. Maj. Robert H. Brickley, right, meets NCNG Soldiers deployed to McCrady Training Center
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Several NCNG experts brief many of the leaders during a visit to the SCNG’s McCrady Training Center on the operations covering eight counties in the center of the state. The leaders studied maps showing the road, dam and canal reconstruction projects requested by local authorities.
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Operation: Coming Home Honors National Guard Veteran Sgt. Kyle Snyder
Operation Co Sgt. S
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oming Home: Snyder Soldiers, friends, town and state officials and sponsors from Operation Coming Home gathered in the Traditions neighborhood of Wake Forest, N.C., Oct. 27, 2015 to honor Army National Guard Sgt. Kyle Snyder and his family for the key ceremony to their new home. Operation Coming Home (OCH) aids wounded veterans by fulfilling his or her desire of home ownership. The Snyder home is the eleventh completed house since OCH began in 2008. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Lisa Vines) The Hornet 23
NCNG Soldiers ‘Dash for Cash’ around the world When more than 1,200 runners took off on the annual Reindeer Dash for Cash 5K and 10-mile races, held Dec. 6 in Greenville, North Carolina, they were joined in spirit by groups of North Carolina National Guard Soldiers running shadow races across the globe. Narrative by Sgt. Gina Russell - Multinational Battle Group - East (KFOR)
GREENVILLE, N.C North Carolina National Guard officers assigned to the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team stand ready to complete the rigorous 10-mile Reindeer Dash for Cash race, held Dec. 6, 2015, in Greenville, N.C. The annual race is held in honor of Capt. Christopher Cash, who was killed in action while serving on the 30th ABCT’s deployment to Iraq in 2004. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ason Forsyth, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team)
CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO Multinational Battle Group-East Soldiers take off running at the start of the Reindeer Dash for Cash shadow run, held Dec. 6, 2015, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, in honor of Capt. Christopher S. Cash. The 30th ABCT, which is currently serving as the MNBG-E headquarters, also organized shadow races for its elements in Kuwait and Jordan in order to mirror the official race in Greenville, N.C. (U.S Army photo by Sgt. Gina Russell, Multinational Battle Group-East)
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Military Appreciation Day at the N.C. State Fair Narrative and photos by Sgt. Lisa Vines
The North Carolina National Guard played a big part at Military Appreciation Day at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 21, 2015. Events at Military Appreciation Day included a parade featuring past and present service members, interactive displays and performances from the 440th Army Band. 26
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235th Air Trafﾏ進c Controllers keeping skies safe at home and abroad U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by: Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran, 145th Public Affairs
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NEW LONDON, N.C. – Every day, civilian and military aircraft take off and land at Stanly County Airport in New London, N.C. It is the job of North Carolina Air National Guard’s, 235th Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to monitor these aircraft in order to prevent accidents. It takes a decisive, straightforward and confident person to handle the responsibilities of an Air Traffic Control Specialist. The position deserves all the grandeur it gets for its role in keeping everyone safe. It’s not an occupation that everyone can handle. Air traffic controllers have one of the most stressful jobs in the Air Force. Being in charge of an airfield’s takeoffs and landings can 30
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often involve making life or death decisions under extreme pressure. In these positions, there is no margin for error. “Safety is the number one priority in this job and we take it very seriously,” said Senior Airman Justin Condon, an Air Traffic Controller who works full time at Stanly County Control Tower.
The mission of the 235th ATC team is twofold. First, these Airmen must be trained and ready to deploy within 72 hours to provide air traffic control support for any wartime contingency. ATCs direct the movement of aircraft into and out of military airfields all over the world and track aircraft by radar and voice instructions by radio. Not only is the 235th ATC squadron equipped with deployable personnel, but they possess the kind of tactical equipment needed to stand-up air traffic control operations at a bare base, austere landing environment. Within the Air Force, the bulk of the air traffic control missions fall to the Air National Guard. Second, these Airmen are trained to provide air traffic control support for the Stanly County Airport. Master Sgt. Tony Parker, Tower Watch Supervisor for the 235th enjoys the diversity that his position provides. “It is a great feeling to be able to support the
community and the military by providing a safe environment for all aircraft to refine their skills. Since 2003, when I joined the 235th, I have seen many changes here at Stanly County Airport. For one thing, there’s been a huge increase in Army units who use our drop zone for parachute operations training. We have also changed our tower operating hours so that we can support the community by having the tower operational on Saturdays for civilian pilots who fly in from all over the country, to conduct training for air shows. There are aerobatics
aircraft organizations and pilots who train for air shows that can now use this airfield,” said Parker. Because of the support the 235th provides, Pressley Aviation was able to open a flight school in Sept. 2012. Many of the local residents in Stanly County attend this flight school. “The Airmen that work in the tower are essential to our success,” said Roger Mabry, a local resident and a student pilot of Pressley Aviation. “They know us, they know our voices, our individual flying patterns and help us out in many ways. They
work with us and help us with our training like making sure that our radio conversations are on target. You wouldn’t get that support at a larger airport.” As Mr. Mabry climbs into the pilot seat of his Cessna, he points to the tower and states, “They are the Air National Guard. Not only do they serve our state and our country, but having them here in Stanly County and supporting us year round is a great example of how they serve their community as well. We are very grateful for their service.”
Soldiers from North Carolina Army National Guard, Company C, 1-131 Aviation, conduct “fast-rope” insertion training from UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
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NC Air Guard Makes History Promoting Its 1st African American General
RALEIGH, N.C. Friends, family, N.C. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen witness history as Clarence Ervin was promoted the rank of brigadier general becoming the first African American general officer in the N.C. Air Guard’s 67-year history at a ceremony at the NCNG Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. “I am a blessed man, I want to thank God and all those here who helped me,” said Ervin. In his new role, Brig. Gen. Ervin will serve as the NCANG chief of staff preparing Airmen for continued deployments and missions across, state, nation and world. (photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan) 32
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Inside look at our history
The arrow represents the Group’s mobilization ability. The Globe reflects the worldwide scope of the unit’s mission. The Wright flyer suggests both the location of the Group and its status as an Air National Guard unit.
Blue and Yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air force personnel.
The 145th Airlift Wing (145 AW) is a unit of the North Carolina Air National Guard, stationed at Charlotte Air National Guard Base, at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. If activated to federal service within the United States Air Force, the wing is operationally gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC). The 145th is also one of four units in the Air Force that is equipped with MAFFS or the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System. This system has played an integral role in firefighting missions since 1985. The Ho H Hornet orn rnet et
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Sgt Michael Beck receives new adapted home from Home For Our Troops
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Our Troops: Beck
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. Family, friends, neighbors, state officials, and fellow service members from North Carolina National Guard's 1132nd Military Police Company were all present on December 5, 2015 to show their support for fellow Soldier Sgt. Michael Beck and his family who were the proud recipients of a new house from Home For Our Troops. The new home is fully adapted to meet Sgt. Beck's needs as a double amputee. Beck stated previously, “having a home that is accessible will help make my daily life so much easier. Just knowing that I won’t trip or fall on a regular basis will make things better for all of us. I want to thank everybody for making this dream come true for me and my family . . . and for so many other injured veterans. We are so grateful.” "Home For Our Troops has changed our lives. You have given a new beginning to our kids where they're going to grow up to become great human beings. Thank you will never be enough," said Sgt. Beck's wife, Nadia, at the end of the Ceremony. (Army National Guard Photos by SGT Odaliska Almonte, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs) The Hornet
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Globally Engaged, Universally Relevant: 'Old Hickory' serves its state, nation Story by Capt. David Chace
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Erick Yates, Multinational Battle Group-East)
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In many complex ways, 2015 has been a busy and memorable year for North Carolina’s 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team.
With North Carolina’s winter weather on its way, the brigade’s multifunctional force packages of personnel and equipment are ready for With units and Soldiers serving their state and missions like supply transportation and highnation across the globe, 'Old Hickory' leaders said water rescue—just as they were ready this past they’re proud of the professionalism, resilience October when more than 100 30th ABCT Soldiers and partnership these forces have displayed. responded to the effects of Hurricane Joaquin in eastern North Carolina, said Lt. Col. Wes The 30th ABCT, an Army National Guard unit Morrison, the 30th ABCT’s executive officer headquartered out of Clinton, North Carolina, overseeing those units that have not deployed. has elements supporting unique missions in Europe and the Middle East. Additionally, “We put our Soldiers on a 12-hour recall,” approximately 2,800 30th ABCT citizen-Soldiers Morrison said. “Soldiers from the 1-120th and remain back in their home-state, ready to support 1-252nd had LMTVs, Humvees and swift-water their communities and neighbors in the event of a rescue kits, and some deployed to Hyde County domestic emergency. to help rescue families threatened by high water.” Another team of Soldiers was based out “The 30th ABCT is globally engaged and of Kinston as a command and control element universally relevant, and I think that still holds for the NCNG’s hurricane response, working true,” said Col. Vernon Simpson, the 30th ABCT around the clock to manage ongoing and future Commander who is currently leading the brigade operations alongside North Carolina Emergency headquarters in Kosovo. “In the last six months, Management personnel. the brigade has been working around the globe.” Simpson, who has spent his entire 27-year Joining the brigade’s headquarters in Kosovo military career as a member of the 30th ABCT, is the Fayetteville-based 1st Combined Arms said the National Guard’s dual mission to its state Battalion, 252nd Armor Regiment, serving and nation is one of his favorite things about as the Forward Command Post to Simpson’s serving in the NCNG. Multinational Battle Group-East. Additionally, 30th units who have spent most of the year in the “The Guard was formed out of the first militias, U.S. Central Command’s part of the globe include it was literally for people to take up arms and defend their friends and relatives back home,” “WHAT’S UNIQUE IS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO Simpson said. “We’ve not strayed from that DEPLOY THESE UNITS AND STILL MAINTAIN over time. Our citizen-Soldiers have jobs in the OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE HOMELAND,” community—teachers, lawyers, police officers— SIMPSON SAID. “WE WERE ABLE TO MANAGE but when our interests are threatened or when THIS COMPLEX SITUATION AND STILL our nation calls, they are there to defend our state KEEP ENOUGH STRUCTURE AT HOME TO BE and nation.” RELEVANT TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN NORTH CAROLINA.” “Not only do we serve the commander in chief of the United States and the governor in North elements of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, Carolina, but we also serve the people of the 120th Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 113th United States and the people of our own states Field Artillery Regiment; and a 30th ABCT back home,” he said. “It gives us the opportunity Military Engagement Team. to be relevant in the global context but also be relevant at home.” The homeland missions cover a The Hornet
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“full suite” of threats, Simpson said, from foreign enemies to natural disasters. “Those are the things that make the National Guard unique, because we have Soldiers with
has sent aviators to fight fires in Kosovo’s mountains, and participated in community and youth education programs in order to build relationships with the people they serve. The 30th ABCT and its fellow KFOR Army National Guard units from Alabama, Connecticut, Texas and West Virginia, have brought a National Guard flavor to their partnerships with Kosovo institutions and multinational partners. Just as the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, highlighted their airborne training in the previous KFOR rotation, the 30th ABCT has been emphasizing partnership and civil response operations during its training events.
those specific skills who help us prepare for those types of emergencies,” Simpson said. The 30th ABCT and MNBG-E mission in Kosovo follows a similar model, where the U.S. and NATO forces serving within Kosovo Force are available to support Kosovo’s institutions and civil authorities. “The mission here is much like a civil support mission,” Simpson said. “We’re here to provide a safe and secure environment, and freedom of movement, but the overall purpose is to allow Kosovo’s political processes to flourish.” “It’s not unlike what we do at home—we’re not in charge of the situation, we are in support of other agencies, and it really is pretty seamless,” he said. KFOR, which began in 1999 as NATO’s response to conflict in the Balkans, serves now as a secondor third-response agency behind the Kosovo Police and European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. In the event of multiple or exceptionally large riots in Kosovo, KFOR’s multinational forces are available to support local law enforcement. In addition—much like the National Guard’s mission at home—the current KFOR rotation 38
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“Past exercises have focused on crowd riot control techniques, but we’ve found that the Kosovo Police are more than capable of dealing with almost any large crowd riot crisis,” Simpson said, referencing his rotation’s two major combined training exercises: Operations Stonewall and Silver Sabre, held this October and November, respectively. “We saw an opportunity to work with our partners on the challenge of mission command—when you have an incident, how do you accept additional forces into the scene, and how do you incorporate them into whatever the crisis might be? We focused our efforts not only on crowd riot control, but also mission command throughout a crowd riot event.” The brigade headquarters’ deployment to Kosovo has helped underscore its Soldiers’
ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with NATO partners and integrate with them throughout an operation, Simpson said. The brigade’s headquarters includes liaisons from Armenia, Germany, Poland and Turkey, and the 1-252nd headquarters oversees company-level forces from Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia, as well as its own Williamston-based Alpha Company. KFOR’s multinational flavor has allowed the NCNG Soldiers to learn from their partner nations’ strengths.
Morrison said the upcoming event will incorporate 30th ABCT cavalry scouts from the 1-120th and 1-252nd, as well as West Virginia’s 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, and South Carolina’s 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment. “Almost 80 percent of the brigade’s combat power is still here in North Carolina, and there’s a real effective training program being run for them,” Morrison said, emphasizing that the 30th ABCT’s state-side Soldiers aren’t taking a backseat to its forward-deployed elements.
“This deployment has also helped the 30th ABCT for when we go back home,” Simpson said. “If Morrison, a 22-year NCNG veteran, deployed on we’re required to respond to a domestic threat, we the 30th ABCT’s previous now have a whole new box two Iraq deployments “I THINK IT’S A REAL TESTAMENT of tools in our toolkit on since 9/11, in 2004 as a TO THE TYPE OF SOLDIERS WE how to deal with complex company commander and HAVE IN THE 30TH ABCT, THAT civil support issues.” in 2009 as the 1-120th WE GET SUCH GREAT FEEDBACK executive officer. In both FROM THEIR ACTIVE-DUTY The National Guard’s State of those deployments, the HEADQUARTERS,” MORRISON Partnership Program has brigade deployed with its SAID. “IT REALLY SAYS SOMETHING also played a prominent subordinate units to focus role in the 30th ABCT’s ABOUT THE TYPES OF CITIZENon one mission together. ability to nurture SOLDIERS WE HAVE. WHATEVER multinational relationships. MISSION THEY’RE HANDED, THEY “[This round of Moldova, which is one of CONSISTENTLY KNOCK IT OUT OF deployments] was a culture North Carolina’s two state THE BALLPARK.” change for us,” Morrison partners, also contributes said. “We’ve deployed the forces to the KFOR mission. brigade twice before, but we had not deployed While the two forces have enjoyed a habitual elements of the brigade separately. It’s been training relationship for more than a decade, challenging, but a great learning experience, 2015 marks the first time NCNG and Moldovan to develop parallel training plans—one for forces have served together in an operational mobilization, and one to maintain the readiness environment. of those who didn’t deploy.” “It’s nice to see some of the fruits of our relationship—which we’ve developed over a decade—working together on the ground in Kosovo,” Simpson said. State-side 30th ABCT elements will continue the NCNG’s relationship with Moldova in 2016, planning to follow up 2015’s mortar platoon exchange training with a Bradley Fighting Vehicle event in Moldova this spring.
These training plans and the various 30th ABCT operations around the world have been successful, Morrison said. Old Hickory’s deployed elements will return to North Carolina throughout 2016, ready to tackle a new set of challenges while always ready to support its state and nation—at home, and abroad. The Hornet
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NCNG Legal Assistance Team recognized for Excellence Story and Picture by: Sgt. Leticia Samuels
RALEIGH, N.C. – It is said that the ‘third’ time is a charm, that is the case with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate North Carolina Army National Guard (NCNG), who have received the Chief of Staff Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance for the third consecutive time at the NCNG Joint Force Headquarters, here, on Oct. 2, 2015.
lies and retirees, regardless of branch of service. The program goal is to support the command while improving morale, readiness, and effectiveness.
“We are extremely proud to again be selected for this award. It validates the hard work that our staff puts into providing the best possible legal services to our eligible clients,” said Capt. Robert Hogarth, North Carolina National Guard attorney adviser.
The legal team targets the military community and in 2014 provided over 650 clients received free consultations to discuss legal issues saving over $295,000 in attorney fees.
The legal assistance program provides effective legal assistance to all eligible service members, their fami-
The office is also an IRS certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site providing free tax return preparation and electronic filing.
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“Access to these free legal services relieves Soldiers of the burden of civil legal matters and allows them to focus on their war fighting mission,” said Hogarth.
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NC National Guard Celebrates the Holidays The spirit of the holiday season spread across the globe 42
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Christmas in Kosovo The 1-252nd Armor Regiment took some time to come together and enjoy a holiday meal in Kosovo.
N.C. National Guard’s 42nd Civil Support Team hosts the ‘Great Toy Take Away’
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The Wakefield’s Senior Men’s Golf Association (WSMGA) hosted the third annual “WE CARE,” Golf Classic, Oct. 6, 2015. The tournament benefits North Carolina current and former military and their families. The proceeds raised at the event were donated to the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund of N.C., the USO of N.C. (RDU), and the WSMGA Scholarship fund. Approximately $50k donated to NCNG Programs.
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The N.C. National Guard Museum Needs Your Artifact Donations! The North Carolina National Guard Museum needs your artifact donations in order to tell the story of your service with the proud history and traditions of the North Carolina National Guard. The new museum is seeking artifacts from all eras, including: uniforms, insignia and awards, weapons, accoutrements,
gear, photographs, and even captured enemy relics. The museum already has a very small collection, much of which is currently on display in the atrium at Joint Force Headquarters, but much more is needed in order to tell the story of Our North Carolina National Guard.
To donate artifacts of any kind, please contact:
Sgt. Gary Spencer Acting Command Historian Office Phone: 984-664-6199 E-mail: gary.c.spencer2.mil@mail
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