The Hornet - July 2016 Edition

NCNG Tank Crew Named Best in the Army Pg. 19

Operation Vigilant Seahawk prepares NCNG for Hurricane Response Pg. 33

North Carolina National Guard Quartely Issue

July 2016 www.nc.ngb.army.mil

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Director of Public Affairs Lt. Col. Matthew DeVivo matthew.r.devivo.mil@mail.mil

Content

Media Relations

42nd Civil Support Team on the Scene Pg. 11

Capt. Matthew Boyle matthew.i.boyle.mil@mail.mil

NCNG Soldiers show off their skills during their evaluation that occurs every 18 months to test their response readiness.

Community Relations

Anakonda 16 Training Exercise Pg. 13

Capt. Michael Wilber michael.j.wilber2.mil@mail.mil

Soldiers with the NCNG’s 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment travel to Poland for a joint training exercise.

Visual Information Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens brendan.p.stephens.mil@mail. mil

145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Master Sgt. Patti Moran patricia.moran@ang.af.mil

Writers/Photographers Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan robert.b.jordan2.mil@mail.mil Staff Sgt. Mary Junell mary.e.junell.mil@mail.mil Sgt. Lisa Vines lisa.w.vines.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 NCNGPAO@gmail.com or call 984-664-6847. Layout and design by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell

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NCNG Tank Crew Wins Sullivan Cup Pg. 19 C Company, 252nd Armored Regiment Tank crew named the best in a competition that featured 16 crews from the Army, Marines and Canadian Forces.

449th Trains Across the Nation Pg. 23 The 449th Theater Aviation Brigade train is states accross the country during their annual training.

N.C. Veteran Receives New Home Pg. 25 Sgt. Jimmion Clayton and his family were honored with a new home in Fuqay-Varina, N.C. from Operation Coming Home.

Swift Water Rescue Training Pg. 29 Soldiers with 252nd Armored Regiment train to become fast water rescue certified at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C.

Operation Vigilant Seahawk Pg. 33 The North Carolina National Guard prepares for Hurricane Season and shows their readiness to respond to natural disasters.

On the Cover Army Pfc. Phillip Hill, with the North Carolina Army National Guard’s C Company, 1st Battalion, 252nd Armored Regiment, hoists a training round above his head during the Gen. Gordon Sullivan Cup best tank crew competition at Fort Benning, Ga., Sunday, May 1, 2016.

The competition tests tank crews on everything from gunnery to mounted land navigation, maintenance and combat casualty care to determine the Army’s best tank crew. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)

Greetings from the North Carolina National Guard’s Public Affairs Office.

The Hornet magazine’s purpose is to highlight the stories and accomplishments about you from across the North Carolina National Guard. Over the last quarter the NCNG has been engaged here at home, across the country and the world. In this edition we covered Operation Vigilant Seahawk, the Sullivan Cup Winners from C Company, 252 AR and Operation Anakonda 16. These are the top notes but there are many more stories and great photos in this edition of the Hornet.

This issue also continues the “Where’s Sgt. 1st Class Jordan” picture hunt somewhere inside the pages of this issue. See if you can find the picture of one of NCNG’s most beloved and passionate photojournalists as he covers the Always Ready, Ready Team of Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen.

Please continue to make this publication great and submit your stories, ideas and suggestions to the Public Affairs Office at ncngpao@gmail. com. Enjoy your magazine: The Hornet Always Ready, Ready Team - Capt. Matthew Boyle

We Want Your Submissions!

Are you an artist, writer, photographer or comic creator? We want you to send us your work for consideration in our future issues.

Send submissions to ncngpao@ gmail.com with “Magazine Submission” in the subject line.

Make sure to include your contact information with name and unit.

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News From Around T NC Air Guard Leader Promoted to Colonel @NCNationalGuard

NC Guard Soldiers Support Special Olympics at UNC- Pembroke

Soldiers of B and C Co., 120th Combined Arms Battalion joined other volunteers and staff April 15, 2016, to host the Robeson County games held on the campus.

“We are a volunteer driven organization and it is fantastic seeing their hard work,” said Special Olympics Regional Director Wendy Miller.

SSenior en North Carolina Air National Guard leaders welcomed 24-year veteran G. Scott Nall as a new peer at his promotion ceremony to Colonel held at NCNG headquarters, in Raleigh, North Carolina, May 15, 2016.

Nall currently serves as the Deputy Commander of the 245th Civil Engineer Flight of the 145th Airlift Wing Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Soldiers, families and retirees came together to commemorate the inauguration of the North Carolina National Guard’s Austin-Bouton-Cardwell chapter of the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Association during the chapter signing ceremony at the Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 17, 2016.

NCNG Establishes New Chapter of the Ordnance Association www.facebook.com/ 4 NCNationalGuard

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The Hornet’s Nest Check us out on:

Timothy D. Aiken honored during his pinning ceremony to Colonel

www.youtube.com/user/ NorthCarolinaGuard

NCNG Family Programs receives Award from the American Red Cross

NCNG’s Timothy D. Aiken was honored during his pinning ceremony to Colonel at the Asheville Readiness Center on May 27.

Aiken has served more than 31 years with the NCNG.

Soldiers with the North Carolina National Guard’s 105th Engineer Battalion spent the day learning advanced chainsaw techniques in the woods near Angier, North Carolina June 15, 2016.

The class was led by professionals from Arbormax Tree Service.

The skills the Soldiers learned will help them during domestic operations like hurricanes and flood relief efforts.

The NCNG’s Family Readiness Program was honored with the Service to the Armed Forces Partner of the Year Award from the Triangle Chapter of the American Red Cross, June 23, 2016.

NC Guardsmen learn advanced chainsaw skills

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collection The Hornet

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Charlotte, N.C. Soldiers and Airmen with the North Carolina National Guard participated in pre-race activities during NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. on May 28, 2016.

The Guardsmen displayed vehicles and interacted with race fans and pit-crew members near pit row, showing them various vehicles the NCNG operates and answering questions about their military service. Later the vehicles led the parade of drivers around the track as they were introduced to race fans. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell) 6

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Wallace, N.C. 8

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After 55 years of service to the NC Guard, the keys to the Wallace armory were officially given to the Mayor of Wallace and became property of the town, after a brief ceremony, June 29, 2016. The transfer of

the armory to the town saves the Guard money by not having to operate an under utilized facility and provides the town a new building that will support its citizens for decades to come.

The 13,400 square foot building will serve the town as offices for public works employees, as a supply warehouse and storage and maintenance area for city vehicles and equipment.

(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan) The Hornet 9

Raleigh, N.C. Service members from the Army to the Marine Corps, law enforcement, and civilians rallied at the start line to begin their bicycle journey to Carolina Beach in support of the second annual Guard 2 Beach Ride at Joint Force Headquarters from May 20 to 21, 2016. The Warrior Ride, a nonprofit organization for wounded veterans, also joined and supported the 150-mile ride. It is designed to motivate injured service members to participate in a physical sport, while giving riders an opportunity to cultivate relationships with other wounded veterans from every branch.

(Photo by Sgt. Leticia Samuels) 10

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42nd Civil Support Team on the Scene Photo and Story by Sgt. Leticia Samuels

North Carolina Na onal Guard soldiers assigned to the 42nd Civil Support Team simulated an emergency deployment to support Forsyth law enforcement responding to a vehicle connected to criminals suspected of synthesizing a possible ricin toxin here, April 13, 2016.

This set the stage for a scenario orchestrated by the NCNG opera ons sec on (J37) and evaluators from U.S. Army North (Fi h Army), to test the skills of the 42nd CST; skills that are evaluated every 18 months.

“It’s our valida on exercise on whether we are able to respond to a weapons-of-mass-destruc on event in the state or the na on, and so far the team is doing great,” said U.S. Army Maj. Joel Eberly, the 42nd CST commander. “It looks like we are going to get a go.”

The scenario started in Danville, North Carolina. A ci zen spo ed suspicious ac vity near a prison and alerted the local authori es. The game warden discovered a laboratory within the prison being used to manufacture hazardous material. The suspects were apprehended and a “Be On the Look Out” call was issued for a vehicle owned by the suspects. The 42nd CST was then called on to survey and analyze material found in the lab and vehicle.

“We try to make the scenarios make sense, so that they are real world, but they are also focused on what we are looking at,” said Sco Boatman, a senior survey evalua on analyst for U.S. Army North.

The scenario moved to Winston-Salem where the vehicle, which was owned by suspects, was found in the parking lot of an abandoned day care center. The Forsyth Emergency Opera ons Center was no fied a er officials found possible hazardous material. State authori es no fied the 42nd CST again to examine and verify that evidence.

The primary mission of the CST is to respond to any possible terrorist a acks and disasters, while analyzing devices and materials that could be used as weapons-

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of-mass-destruc on. This requires members to train on and operate various types of equipment.

“They have air monitoring equipment they use to monitor oxygen and explosive limits,” said Boatman. “They have equipment that can monitor for radia on, equipment that can monitor for the pH levels if it’s acidic or corrosive. Finally, they have a device that can detect for W.M.D. chemicals.”

Survey teams wear the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus or the Draeger BG-4 underneath orange HAZMAT-like suits. This allows teams to survey a site for up to four hours safely without being exposed to or inhaling poten al hazardous material.

A er the ini al characteriza on process is completed by the CST, all of the informa on gathered is examined and analyzed. The confirmed informa on is communicated to the incident commander and the CST commander.

This allows civil and military leadership to base their next steps of determining which samples of hazardous material to collect that will be analyzed at the onsite laboratory.

“We have five or six different ac vi es going on all at once, so I have to conglomerate all of that informa on and provide that to the incident commander and the commander,” said U.S Army Capt. Danny Fitzpatrick, the 42nd CST opera ons officer. “The biggest piece that is unique for us is that we have a mobile laboratory that can do on-scene sampling and tes ng for things down range; otherwise they would have to take it somewhere locally. It could take a couple of days or some mes it can be done in 12 to 18 hours.”

The 42nd CST has supported recent events like the Boston Marathon, Super Bowl 50, the Democra c Na onal Conven on and USPGA Women’s and Men’s Tournament at Southern Pines.

The U.S. Northern Command is a unified combatant command with an

A survey team systematically document and photograph a v

area of responsibility covering the U.S., Alaska, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico that are responsible for defending the U.S. homeland and coordina ng defense support of civil authori es. The CST falls under NORTHCOM and was first established a er the catastrophic events of 9-11.

“The government saw a need for an immediate response to hazardous materials and W.M.D. and the CST is the answer,” said Boatman. “They have a sophis cated lab that they can tell are biological chemical agents.”

With their capabili es the Civil Support Team is a valuable and unique military asset.

Sgt Odaliska Almonte

vehicle suspected of being tied to a possible act of terror.

Members of the 42nd Civil Support Team departed 12 June, 2016 aboard N.C. Air National Guard’s C-130 Hercules for the U.S. Virgin Islands for a joint training exercise.

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NC GUARD AND POLISH ARTILLERY SOLDIERS BRING OUT THE BIG GUNS (AND ROCKETS TOO)

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Photos and Story by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan

North Carolina Army National Guard’s Griffin Battalion Soldiers met, learned and shared their artillery knowledge with their Polish army counterparts at Jaworze Training Area, Poland during Exercise Anakonda 16 June 5, 2016.

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The Polish army invited the 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, Soldiers to get a first-hand experience with their weapon systems as well as the Polish army to get a first-hand experience with the Griffin battalion’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

“It was outstanding seeing what an ally uses as a weapons system and learning about their tactics and techniques,” said U.S. Army Maj. Chris Rosehart, the 5-113th FAR Operations Officer.

The day began preparing to convoy the light multiple rocket launchers on a six-wheeled, armored 23-foot-long U.S. Army medium tactical vehicle. The launcher chief, the crew and vehicle commander, stands out the hatch allowing maximum visibility guiding the team safely.

The 333-horsepower engines roar down the road, like the battalion’s mascot, as the massive vehicle travel to

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the training area.

Their destination, Jaworze Training Area (JTA), is a base in the Polish countryside, where their hosts have several of their own heavy weapons on weapons on display including a 152mm AHS DANA, a self-propelled artillery vehicle, and a 122mm WR-40 Langusta selfpropelled multiple rocket launcher.

The convoy thundered beside the Polish vehicles.

Language barriers dissolved quickly as Griffin Soldiers climbed aboard the giant Polish weapons systems.

Guard Soldiers shared years of combat experience, from supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom as well as stateside training, with their Polish counterparts. Polish Soldiers with several combat deployments, supporting OEF and other NATO supported operations, returned the favor assisting the NCNG Soldiers with aiming or simulated loading of the

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan | Spc. Martin Fender, assigned to the 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), North Carolina Army National Guard, aims a 122mm WR-40 Langusta self-propelled multiple rocket launcher with the sighting mechanism at the Jaworze Training Area, Poland, during Exercise Anakonda 16 June 5, 2016.

Polish soldiers examine the drive train of a 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), resupply vehicle at the Jaworze Training Area, Poland, during Exercise Anakonda 16 June 5, 2016.

huge Polish heavy artillery.

Dozens of Polish Soldiers swarm the 5-113th FAR’s prime piece of equipment, the HIMARS. Interpreters were swamped with questions about range, aiming, command and control, lethality and interoperability. Griffin Soldiers simulated the loading, aiming and firing the six telephone-pole-sized rockets in a few minutes.

“It was great to be around other nation’s soldiers, most people never get a chance to experience that,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Phillip Hughes, a truck driver with the 5-113th FAR. As midday arrived, the Poles invited their new comrades to share a meal at their field dining facility.

Several unit shoulder insignias and challenge coins, a small coin or medallion bearing an insignia or emblem carried by an organization’s members or presented to

distinguished visitors, are shared and numerous vigorous embraces were given.

This meeting is the beginning step of the continuous communication and coordination needed for a successful live fire exercise during AN16, and if needed, real-world cooperation during a future operation.

“Integration is incredibly important! Each (of us) has different practices and we found (out) we had many similarities, but small differences can lead to big complications,” U.S. Army 1st Lt. Earle Pope, the 5-113th FAR Fires Direction Officer.

AN16 is a premier multinational training exercise seeking to train, exercise, and integrate the Polish national command and force structure into a joint multinational environment.

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NCNG Survivors’ Outreach Event Photo and Story by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan

Families at the North Carolina National Guard Survivors’ Outreach Event light candles in honor of their loved ones during the memorial service honoring the fallen.

Family; noun; a group of people bound by blood.

For families at the North Carolina National Guard Survivors’ Outreach Event held May 21 – 22, 2016, the meaning of family is personal as they shared stories, love, grief and loss of a loved one at home or overseas while in service to state and nation.

“It doesn’t matter who it is, if you wear the uniform you are family,” said Staff Sgt. Keisha Owens, a unit representative escorting family members of Pfc. Keilah Smallwood, a Soldier with E Co. 230th Brigade Support Battalion who died Dec. 15, 2015.

The weekend event, hosted at the Courtyard Raleigh-Durham Airport at Briar Creek, included a memorial service, workshops, and youth activities. The group also took trips to the Got To Be NC Festival at the NC

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State Fairgrounds, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

The festival trip began with a flag line by Patriot Guard Riders while Families filed out to a waiting bus that was escorted to the fairgrounds

by Police cars and Patriot Guard motorcycles.

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and Sheriff Donnie Harrison welcome the families.

“Even though it is sad, we are honored for this day, thanks to the military for making us part of their family and treating us like kings and queens today,” said Terri Robinson mother of Pfc. Keilah Smallwood.

Many veteran organizations, charities, civic groups’ representatives and councilors shared the latest information and services available.

“To the North Carolina National Guard those men and women are still part of the Guard family,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Shook, a leader with the NCNG’s Survivor Outreach Services.

The event culminated with a memorial ceremony. Families gathered in a large meeting room where tables held dozens of candles, roses, pens and writing paper.

Army Chaplain Capt. Doug Windley with the NCNG’s 60th Troop Command began the ceremony encouraging the families to write letters and light a candle in honor of the fallen. Families filed slowly past the tables lighting candles and leaving letters of love.

“Pour out your hearts and we will grieve and heal together,” said Windley.

A small child rose in response, “Amen.”

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The Sullivan Cup

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy 20

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C Compnay, 252nd Armored Regiment Tank crew named best in the Army

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The competition featured 16 crews from the Army, Marines and Canadian Forces that battled it out on gunnery, maintenance tasks, mounted land navigation and other events, all focused on the tank crew’s combat mission.

The winning crew from the 252nd AR was made up of 1st Lt. John Dupre,

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the tank commander, Sgt. Curtis Bowen, the gunner, Spc. Brandon Sinor, the loader, and Spc. Phillip Hill, the driver.

“It takes a lot of heart.

It takes a lot of strength.

It takes a lot of mental agility,” Sinor said. “You can’t just go in here. You have to study, study, study, as well as do a lot of physical fitness work.”

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449th Theater Aviation Brigade Annual Training

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All units from 449th Theater Aviation Brigade conducted annual training in states across the country. From flight training and border protection to maintenance and gunnery ranges, Army Aviation ensures readiness at all echelons.

Photos by Sgt. Lisa Vines

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Coming Home Photos and Story by Sta Sgt. Mary Junell

For many, part of the American dream is owning a home. Thanks to the non-profit organization Operation Coming Home, one Veteran of the North Carolina National Guard can now realize that same dream.

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Jimmion Clayton, a former Sergeant in the North Carolina National Guard, wipes tears from his wife’s face, moments before receiving the keys to their new home during a ceremony May 20, 2016, in FuquayVarina, North Carolina.

Soldiers with the North Carolina National Guard congratulate Jimmion Clayton, a former sergeant in the NCNG, and his wife, Tempestt Spencer moments after receiving the keys to their new house during a ceremony May 20, 2016 in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.

Jimmion Clayton, a former sergeant with the NCNG received the keys to his new home in a ceremony held in his honor May 20, 2016 in Fuquay-Varina.

Clayton, received the home as part of Operation Coming Home’s ongoing mission to aid local military service members who were severely wounded in combat, by fulfilling the desire to live the American Dream of home ownership.

“It’s overwhelming and very emotional,” said Clayton who wiped tears from his wife’s face as they received the keys for the house. “It still feels surreal, but to see everybody here today, it’s kind of coming together to be reality.”

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Clayton was wounded by a suicide bomber while serving with the NCNG’s 514th Military Police Company in Afghanistan, in 2012.

Out of the 14 Hero Homes that OCH have built in North Carolina, this is the second home built for a North Carolina National Guard Soldier.

“I’m so excited that we’re able to recognize our National Guard because I think sometimes people do not realize that the Guard deploys as often as they do,” said Tim Minton, a board member and past president of Operation Coming Home. “We’re proud not only that he is coming back home, but that he was part of our home previously.”

Minton, who works for the North Carolina

Home Builders Association said OCH was created when they were looking for a way to give back to local Veterans.

“We wanted to give injured veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan a start as they were trying to integrate back into the community,” he said. “What better way, being part of the Home Builders Association, than to provide a home.”

Minton said that more than 70 companies come together to make the hero homes possible.

The street in front of Clayton’s new home was filled with community leaders, friends, family and fellow service members as he was gifted with money to buy furniture, a tribute motorcycle that

Soldiers had signed for him, memorabilia for his hero room and other items to make his family more comfortable in their new home.

“It’s a very humbling experience,” said his wife, Tempestt Spencer. “We never imagined something like this would happen to us.”

During the ceremony many spoke of what a home means to them. Clayton can now start to determine what it means for him and his family.

“We’ve moved different places but we never put that kind of energy into a home as if it’s our secure place,” he said. “We just have an energy now as far as us, our unification. It’s a different feeling coming to the home, it actually feels like a home.”

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NC Guardsmen learn swift water rescue techniques Photo and Story by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell

Soldiers with the North Carolina Na onal Guard’s 105th Engineer Ba alion spent part of their annual training learning how to perform swi water rescue at the U.S. Na onal Whitewater Center in Charlo e, North Carolina June 12-13 and 14-15, 2016.

The two day-long course prepared the guardsmen for situa ons they might face should they be called up to support hurricane or flood relief efforts.

“With North Carolina being one of several southeastern states that are suscep ble to hurricanes and other dangerous storms, we must maintain a high state of readiness in order to service our communi es in the event of high water level situa on,” said Lt. Col. 30

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Rodney Newton, commander of the 105th En. Bn. The 105th has been designated a Mul -Func onal Force Package and are equipped to support domes c opera ons with a mul tude of engineer capabili es including swi water rescue.

The Soldiers spent me in and out of the water learning how to safely rescue a vic m while minimizing the risk to themselves.

“Most deaths you see from hurricanes are actually from inland flooding,” said Aaron Peeler, the outdoor school director at the U.S. Na onal Whitewater Center, who runs the center’s swi water rescue programs. “So they [the Soldiers] are learning all different types of varia ons of rescue

techniques for the river that they could poten ally come across in an urban flood rescue or in a river in the middle of the wilderness.”

This is the first me N.C. Guardsmen have been offered the opportunity to learn this skill, and the Soldiers par cipa ng saw the benefit that this training will bring to the communi es they serve.

As Soldiers of the Guard of North Carolina, I think it’s very important for us to be able to have a team like this,” said Sgt. 1st Class Bobby Silvers, with the 105th En. Bn. “With all the Hurricanes the state is impacted by, having people qualified to do swi water rescue will benefit not only the Guard, but also the ci zens of North Carolina.”

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NCNG Museum Recieves Rare Artifacts Story by Sgt. Gary Spencer Earlier this year, retired Brig.

Gen. Chuck Gibson came knocking on the door of the museum office.

Met by the curator, Sgt. Gary Spencer, he brought several items to donate to the museum. Among these items were some very rare books on the 30th Infantry Division in WWI &II, early 30th Division reunion programs, an original Signal Corps photo of Maj. Gen. Leland Hobbs receiving the oak leaf cluster to the Silver Star Medal from Maj. Gen. Charles Corlett, Commander of the XIX Corps.

Despite the importance of these amazing artifacts, there was one item that stood out above the others because of its intense significance to the State of North Carolina, and the North Carolina National Guard.

Throughout history, some of the most famous and lasting nicknames that become a vestige of honor, are those given by one’s enemy. Much like the 30th Infantry Division’s nickname “Roosevelt’s SS” given to them by the German propagandist radio announcer, “Axis Sally,” North Carolina as a whole, has one of similar significance that will forever remain a source of immense pride.

Back in 1780, during the American Revolution, Lord Cornwallis, flush from his victory in Camden, SC decided to move his troops into North Carolina, and easily whip the colony into submission. Despite a “stinging” defeat of his forces at King’s Mountain, in which the Red Coat commander, Major Ferguson was killed, Cornwallis attempted to occupy Charlotte. He stayed only 32

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sixteen days.

His small army was driven out of the area by the staunch resistance put up by militia men at the battles of Charlotte and McIntyre’s Farm.

Because of the rough reception he received, he was quoted as calling the area “a hornet’s nest of rebellion.” The name stuck, and even today, remains a great source of pride for the City of Charlotte, the State of North Carolina, and the North Carolina National Guard.

Dec. 27,1924, the War Department approved an artist’s drawing of a Hornet’s Nest with thirteen bees as the coat of arms for the North Carolina National Guard. This design has since been incorporated into the unit crest for the State Headquarters and HQ Detachment, as well as the shoulder sleeve insignia for the 60th Troop Command.

This original drawing, with the original signature of the Army’s Quartermaster Corps representative was one of the items donated by Gibson.

In addition, it also came with the artist’s working sketch shown in the adjacent picture. These two impressively drawn and preserved artifacts are now considered the centerpieces of the North Carolina National Guard Museum. They represent everything that the NCNG

Guard and the State of N.C. represent and are priceless to our history as an organization and a people.

Gibson was the last general officer to command the 60th Troop Command, and has played an active role in helping the NCNG Museum. Not only has he donated several significant items like the Hornet’s Nest Crest, and a WWI grouping to a 30th Division farrier in the artillery, but has also provided many supplies essential to our mission of preserving our history.

Additionally, he has enlisted the help of several notable N.C Guardsmen like Maj. Gen. Rudy Rudisill, Brig. Gen. Roscoe Lindsay, Col. Bobby Dowless, and Col. Jeff Triplette. Each of them providing sizeable donations to our non-profit organization.

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NCNG Prepares For Hurricane Response:

Story by SGT Odaliska Almonte

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WILMINGTON, W ILM N.C. – A category catego 3 hurricane, with winds over 120 mph, has ravaged the North Caroli Carolina coastline compromising the security of iits ports at Wilmington, Morehead City and Mi Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point. This scenario is the basis of an exercise called Operation Vigilant Seahaw Seahawk. A natural disaster scenario that could very well affect our state at any given moment during hurricane season and this is why the NC Guard G and state and federal agencies are conducting this training.

Operation Vigilant Seahawk (OVS) is a regional domestic operations op and homeland security/defense exercise from June 13-22, 2016, with multiple missions up and down the coast of North Carolina. The exercise will improve communication aand coordination with state and operations. federal partners during disaster response and recovery operation National Weather Service “We are working with NC Emergency Management, the Coast Guard, Gu enforcement,” said Maj. Bill Dudley, in Wilmington, NC Port Authority and municipal law enforceme Fort Fisher. “Real world, if we have officer in charge of the NC Guard tactical operations center at Fo a hurricane, we will be better prepared because we have worked together and have built solid relationships.”

The primary focus of OVS is on NC Port Security Operations aat Wilmington, Morehead City and Guardsmen training from Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point (MOTSU). OVS has 1,000 1 Morehead City south to Sunny Point (over a 140 mile area). They will validated their domestic assessment, security patrols, operation skills through different tasks/scenarios such as: damage dam military injuries, support to state and react to threats, liaison operations, react to civilian and milita federal emergency response partners and validate the NCNG rapid reaction force.

“In our company we’ve always been ready for combat, to deploy dep overseas and support our nation and allies,” said Sgt. Leandra Oxedine, a military police officcer with the 514th MP company, based operations supporting our state in Winterville. “But in this training, we are focused on domestic dome and fellow citizens. This helps keep us sharp in those responsibilities.” respon OVS will ensure the NCNG is always ready and always there to respond to a natural disaster like a hurricane. deputy task force commander and “We are learning a lot from our partners,” said Col. Tim Aiken, Ai Brigade, based in Charlotte. “We are getting to commander of the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade know people, which in an emergency mergency it really helps to know kno who to go to, points of contacts, and understanding each other capabilities.”

The North Carolina National Guard, and the National Guard as a whole, is a unique military force charged with a dual-mission; ready to serve the governor or the president on a moment’s notice.

Operation vigilant Seahawk keeps the Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the NCNG ready to do just that.

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Operation Vigilant Seahawk focused on NC Port Security Operations at Wilmington, Morehead City and Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point (MOTSU) with 1,000 Guardsmen training to validate their domestic operation skills through different tasks/scenarios such as: damage assessment, security patrols, react to threats, liaison operations, react to civilian and military injuries, support to state and federal emergency response partners.

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145th Airlift Wing loadmaster receives Mishap-Free Flying Hour Milestone Award

Story and Photo by Staff Sgt. Julianne M. Showalter The 145th Operations Group members gathered here June 4, for the awarding of the 12,500 Mishap-Free Flying Hour Milestone Award to the units chief loadmaster.

Col. Marshall C. Collins, 145th Airlift Wing commander presented Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Huneycutt with the award, an achievement few loadmasters attain.

"It's an accomplishment to get a few thousand flight hours," said Col. Joseph Stepp, IV, 145th OG commander.

"So to fly 12,500 is truly outstanding."

Huneycutt is a Charlotte, N.C., native, and has served in the North Carolina Air National Guard for 36 years.

He walked into the recruiter's office to enlist in January of 1980. His entire career has been spent as a loadmaster on the C-130 Hercules aircraft.

He attributes his accomplishment to learning something new every day, and striving for excellence through aircrew education and hands on experience.

"When you're first getting started it's like drinking out of a fire hose, and as you get more experience your abilities improve," said Huneycutt.

Those who fly with Huneycutt know this award is well deserved, and consider him a true expert.

"He is a pleasure to fly with, and his level of experience gives you a sense of security that everything is taken care of in the back of the aircraft," said Stepp who flew with Huneycutt during combat missions in 2002.

Attaining the flight hours alone is an accomplishment, but the label of mishap-free is what makes this award a greater display of excellence.

Dating back to the World War II era when the U.S. Air Force was the U.S. Army Air Corps, an average of 1,170

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aircraft training accidents occurred monthly which is nearly 40 per day according a published figure by the Army Air Force Statistical Digest.

"If we had that kind of loss in the Air Force today, we'd be out of planes in about four months," said Lt. Col. E.G. Shuler, III, 145th AW chief safety officer. "The Air Force has made significant milestones in improving aviation safety since then, so to reach a 12,500 milestone in a 30 plus year career is highly significant. Very few people reach that in their careers."

Shuler also said, "He's very professional, by the book, and he's one of those guys you just look up to. If I need advice on something going on, he's the guy I turn to."

Huneycutt is resolute in following standards and adherence to procedures.

"When you keep your eyes on safety, and everyone on the flight crew backs up one another using aircrew resource management and operational risk management, the flight runs well," said Huneycutt. "You need to know your job as well as a little bit about everyone else's job. It helps to foresee a mishap before it happens."

The 12,500 Mishap-Free Flying Hour Milestone Award is a landmark, but the members of the 145th Operations Group and the 145th Airlift Wing already knew the excellence displayed by Huneycutt.

"He started flying before a lot of the other loadmasters in his unit were even born." said Shuler. " His mentorship and knowledge base is a big deal for others to look up to.

It's been an honor to fly with Andy, he's in the top five of people I've ever flown with if not the top."

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