56th Theater Information Operations Group
2020 Annual Report
Commander's Message Dear Friends,
Thank you for taking the time to review the many accomplishments of our Special Operations, Military Intelligence and Information Operations units and their professionals. I would also like to thank all those who worked behind the scenes to make it happen.
Fiscal Year 2020 was another busy year for the 56th Theater Information Operations Group (TIOG). Missions were conducted throughout the year around the globe supporting Cyber, Intelligence, Contingency and Theater Security Operations. From Hawaii to Afghanistan and from Germany to our homeland, our Citizen Soldiers were there. Over the past years our professionals have readied themselves to answer the call of duty domestically, and FY20 surely asked – we supported our great state and nation on multiple fronts. The contingent COVID-19 pandemic and large-scale civilian unrest missions, will forever be a highlight of the contribution and challenges our Citizen Soldiers face. These events coupled with the largest wildland firefighting season in Washington history surely attest to the dedication of and the benefits of our formation to our neighbors and country.
Looking ahead, in 2021 our mission continues. Our Soldiers will remain ready, responsive and extremely relevant. Today's competition in a variety of domains requires relevance, and we're proud to be a part of evolving dynamics to help the national gain today's operational advantages with the myriad talents our members offer. Lastly, a special thanks this year goes out to the families and employers of our Traditional Soldiers. Without their support, our Soldiers would not be able to succeed in their training and operational requirements. These requirements are critical to both our nation's defense and also for those times when the State of Washington needs us most.
COL Gerald E. DezsĂśfi Commander
Table Of Contents
3
56th Theater Information Operations Group History
5
Unit Breakdown
9
2018 Year in Review Engagements, Deployments and Trainings
21
Contact Information
22
2018 Retirees
2
History of the 56th Theater Information Operations Group When you think of Army Information Operations, you rarely think of Infantry, Artillery nor Ordnance, but that is where the 56th TIOG started its path 100 years ago.
On September 30, 1918, Company D, 3d Infantry was organized and federally recognized in Seattle, Wash. The short lived Infantry
Company was converted to Field Artillery in May 1921, under the flag of Battery D, 146th Field Artillery Regiment.
As tensions grew in the European and Pacific Theater during World War II, Battery D was called into federal service on February 16, 1940 for mobilization training in Seattle. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the unit conducted outreach to the community, preparing them for a possible attack in the Puget Sound area all while preparing to mobilize.
In February 1942, Battery D, was reorganized for mobilization to New Guinea at Battery A, 167th Field Artillery, under the 41st Infantry Division. From 1942 to December 1945, the men of Battery A would fight in Luzon, Southern Philippines and travel to Japan for inactivation and demobilization back home. After returning home, the unit moved from Seattle to Vancouver and continued to serve at Battery A until a consolidation in April 1959. Battery A joined with Service Battery to create Company A in the newly developed 241st Signal Battalion with a focus on communications. As part of the 41st Infantry Division the unit worked alongside other Washington National Guard units; 1st Battalion 161st Infantry and 2nd Battalion 146th Field Artillery.
The 1960s saw a lot of changes for the unit, as it would undergo multiple reorganizations, consolidations and moves. In October 1971 the unit saw one of its most important consolidations when it joined together with 115th Transportation Group, to become the 116th Support Center, stationed in Olympia before moving to Camp Murray. In August 1990, the world saw a new threat emerging in the Middle East, as Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi military invaded Kuwait, causing a reaction by the United States to mobilize more than 700,000 troops for Operation Desert Shield from January 17, 1991
to February 28, 1991. Eight members of the 116th Support Center (Rear Area Operations) traveled to the Middle East on a 90-day tour in August 1991. As tensions on the Iraq, Saudi Arabia border heighted, the entire 80 member unit was mobilized on December 6, 1990 for a six-month tour in the Middle East. On June 24, 1991, all members would return home to Camp Murray. The unit was relocated to the Ellensburg armory in September 1992. One more consolidation in September 2006 prepared the unit for its future reorganization as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th TIOG, which was federally recognized in January 28, 2009, under the 96th Troop Command.
As conflicts around the world changed, a greater need for synchronizing the non-kinetic battlefield began to take shape. Unit commanders were asking more from non-traditional warfighters, like public affairs, civil affairs and psychological operations. The Army noticed that Information Operations was becoming as important to the combatant commanders as traditional means. During a major transformation in July 2015, the Washington Army
National Guard found the perfect opportunity to stand up the 56th TIOG as a Brigade-sized element. “Placing units with similar missions in the same MSC provide better opportunities to support one another,” said Col. (Ret) Curt Simonson, former commander, 56th TIOG in 2016. “This benefits our soldiers, the Washington Army National Guard and the commanders we support in the Pacific Theater.”
The 56th TIOG, would now combined specialized units under one umbrella. Soldiers in the Military Intelligence, Special Operations and Information Operations career fields would work together for better collaboration and planning while completing their individual missions. “Another commonality of these units is engagement in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Simonson. “A significant portion of the Washington Army National Guard’s participation in this region comes from special forces, military intelligence and information operations units. Bringing them together will make it easier to synchronize efforts in support of commanders in the Pacific.”
56th Theater Information Operations Group 56th Theater Information Operations Group Federal Mission: On order, the 56th Theater Information Operations Group (TIOG) will deploy trained and ready units and tailorable force packages to meet Combatant Commander requirements across all phases of the operation.
Location: JBLM COL Gerald Dezsรถfi CSM Tim Harris
State Mission: On order, the 56th Theater Information Operations Group (TIOG) deploys a Geographic Task Force to Homeland Security Region 1 and Homeland Security Region 2 in order to support local responders and mitigate loss of life.
110th Information Operations Battalion
Federal Mission: 110th Information Operations Battalion Provide trained, deployable, culturally aware, andregionally focused Information Operations Teams, including cyber, in direct support at all echelons to perform tactical through theater/ strategic IO tasks. Organized under the 56th TIOG (TIOG),which is under 2nd Army/ Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER).
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
LTC Kristie Roy CSM Joseph Yeglic
State Mission: 110th Information Operations Battalion Be prepared to conduct limited, approved Information Operations (including Defensive Cyberspace Operations-Internal Defense Measures (DCO-IDM)) tasks ISO state and local authorities during governor-declared state emergencies. Administratively placed under the 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade (eMIB).
156th Information Operations Battalion
Federal Mission: On order, the 156th Information Operations Battalion (IOBN) provides trained, deployable, culturally aware, and regionally focused IO units in direct support (DS) from Army Service Component Commands (ASCC) to Brigade Combat Team (BCT) echelons to perform tactical through strategic-theater IO tasks.
Location: JBLM LTC Nick Parker CSM Amy Patterson
State Mission: On order, the 156th Information Operations Battalion (IOBN) provides a regional response Taskforce (TF) to the 56th TIOG n accordance with Joint Force Headquarters requirements, augments the 56th TIOG for Joint Task Force staff support, and provides support to State cyber mission requirements.
Unit Breakdown and Information 341st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist)
Federal Mission: On order, the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion (L) provides intelligence capabilities and assets to include foreign language support, prisoner-of-war interrogation, CI, HUMINT, and SIGINT for all Army echelons and serves as a center for language management.
Location: JBLM
LTC Teresa Wenner CSM Larry Weidinger
State Mission: On order, the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion(L) provides National Guard Civil Support to State and local civil authorities in response to a natural or man-made disaster or emergency. Civil Support tasks include, but are not limited to, providing general disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, armory support, civil liaison, security and traffic control, firefighting, and incident analysis and assessment.
Alpha Co. 1st Battalion/ 19th Special Forces Group (A)
Federal Mission: A/1-19th Special Forces Group (A) prepares for and conducts Special Operations in support of USSOCOM, USASFC, Theater Special Operations command (TSOC) Commanders, United States Ambassadors and other agencies as directed, in any operational environment worldwide.
Location: Buckley, Wash.
MAJ Dan Barrow SGM Tyr Symank
State Mission: On order, A/1-19th Special Forces Group (A) as the SAR-TF provides command and control, and liaison elements in the counduct of search and rescue operations as ordered in support of State operations. Be prepared to conduct flat water rescue, ground mobility rescue, and high angle rescue, while fully leveraging organic communications systems.
Special Operations Detachment - Pacific Federal Mission: Special Operations Detachment - Pacific (SOD-P) provides trained, prepared, and equipped augmentation to the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and the Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC). On order, conduct command and control, staff integration, and synchronization of joint special operations forces as a unit or as individual augmentees as determined by USASOC and SOCPAC.
Location: JBLM LTC David Coughran CSM Erik Clarkson
State Mission: Special Operations Detachment – Pacific (SOD-P) deploys to augment Joint Force Headquarters and conduct interagency coordination as directed in support of Domestic Operations (DOMOPS). Be prepared to serve as the Geographic Task Force 2 Headquarters (GTF 2 HQ), in support of Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties.
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Information Operations Readiness Center Broke Ground - October 24, 2013 Ribbon cutting - Sept. 29, 2015 Cost - $27 million Builder - Burns McDonnell
This 127,100-square-foot facility provides administrative, operations and specialized telecommunications spaces to serve as the headquarters of the 56th TIOG for the Washington Army National Guard. Designed for LEED Silver certification, the new facility features specialized administrative, planning, briefing and support areas to support the five operational units who occupy the facility. The work areas contain a mixture of command suites with self-contained private offices for each unit and large, open-plan workstation areas configured for a collaborative work environment. The facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord reflects the character of the historic red brick facilities in the Old Fort District. The project was designed under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District in collaboration with small business subconsultants Helix Design Group and AHBL. The project received a Seattle Society of American Military Engineers Project of Excellence Award and an Excellence in Masonry Award from the Masonry Institute of Washington.
"This year's addition of the INDOPACOM Mezzanine highlights the TIOG's work in the Pacific.�
- Col. Gerald DezsĂśfi
Strategically Aligned to accomplish the mission
Army Cyber Command Fort Belvoir, VA 56th Theater Information Operations Group JBLM, WA
Special Operations Detachment - Pacific JBLM, WA
110th Information Operations Battalion Annapolis, MD
156th Information Operations Battalion JBLM, WA
A Co. 1/19th Special Forces Group Buckley, WA
341st Military Intelligence Battalion JBLM, WA
1/19th Special Forces Group Utah National Guard
300th Military Intelligence Brigade Utah National Guard
161st Rigger Det. JBLM, WA
58th Expeditionary MI Brigade - Maryland National Guard
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Year in Review
NorthCom Washington Utah Maryland Washington D.C. Alaska
"Missions were conducted throughout the year around the globe supporting Cyber, Intelligence, Contingency and Theater Security Operations. From Hawaii to Afghanistan and from Germany to our homeland, our Citizen Soldiers were there.� - Col. Gerald DezsÜfi
EuCom Germany Ukraine
2020 Areas of Operations
CentCom Kuwait Iraq Syria Jordan Afghanistan
AfriCom Horn of Africa
IndoPaCom Kingdom of Thailand Malaysia South Korea Japan Hawaii
2020 Year In Review Federal Mission The 56th Theater Information Operations Group continues to work with our active duty partners to provide quality support to the warfight overseas and build everlasting partnerships across the globe. Through a busy 2020, two field support teams from the 156th Information Operations Battalion deployed in support of Special Operations Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. During the last year, the team has been busy supporting the operations to remove ISIS from the region. At the beginning of FY 2020, Special Operations Detachment - Pacific was already in Afghanistan supporting operations in the country. Military Intelligence professionals continued to support operations in Korea, Ukraine, Germany, Jordan, Afghanistan, Japan as well as working here in the states to support the Federated Intelligence Program. Soldiers from the Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group continued to deploy overseas in support of operations in eastern Europe.
Above: Col. Paul Sellars, previous commander of Special Operations Detachment - Pacific, briefs Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House in Afghanistan. (Courtesy Photo) Far Left: Soldiers from Special Forces Detachment - Pacific fire off mortars while deployed to Afghanistan in early 2020. (Courtesy Photo)
Top Right: Soldiers from the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion deployed to Jordan supporting Operations Spartan Shield. (Courtesy Photo) Right: MAJ Drew Nevins holds an American Flag while depployed in support of Special Forces Joint Task Force -Operation Inherent Resolve. (Courtesy Photo)
Engagements, Training and Deployments
2020 Year In Review State Mission For many, 2020 has been a trying year with some many things happening all at one time while dealing with a worldwide pandemic.
As the world began to learn about COVID-19, the 341st was working in support of the Washington Emergency Management Division on safety messaging in 12 different languages.
In March soldiers from the Group joined Guardsmen from across the country in response to the COVID-19 response, supporting food bank missions across Washington state. Following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis civil unrest erupted around the world leading to the activation of more than 1,500 Guardsmen to support the Seattle Police Department in June. More than 100 members of the TIOG deployed to join the effort. In June the 56th TIOG also sent soldiers to train on the state's enduring mission of responding to wildfires.
Left: A local Seattleite stopo to chat and take a picture with members of the 194th Wing, Washington Air National Guard, as they stand ready to protect people and property in support of Operation Seattle Peace, near the East Precinct, June 6, 2020. Guard members mobilized on May 30, at the request of the Goverenor, to protect Washingtonians, as they exercise thier first Amendment rights to peacefully protest. (photo by Sgt.Alec Dionne) Right: Guardsmen from the 56th Theater Information Operations Group support food bank operations in Pierce County during the COVID-19 repsonse. Below: Soldiers from the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion conduct language translations in Feburary in support of the Washington Emergency Management Division.
Engagements, Training and Deployments
2020 Year In Review
110th Information Operations Battalion In 2020, the 110th Information Operations Battalion deployed two teams in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. The 110th Information Operations Battalion was able to continue to provide seamless Information Operations support within the J39 at CJTF-HOA in its efforts within the Global Power Competition. Additionally, the unit deployed to United States Cyber Command as the first ever National Guard unit to support these efforts in the Information Operations Enterprise. The 110th Information Operations Battalion participated in numerous Overseas Deployment Training events throughout INDOPACOM, including Hawaii and Japan. This year’s state support consisted of the 110th Information Operations Battalion also supporting the State of Maryland’s COVID-19 response by providing an adaptive Battle Staff at the Task Force, G-Staff, and Joint Staff levels. The Battalion continues to remain prepared to be engaged on a Global Level. “Attack the Network” - LTC Kirstie Roy
156th Information Operations Battalion The 156th Information Operations Battalion maintained its historically fast-paced OPTEMPO in 2020. Our Information Operations professionals deployed in support of the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, supported INDOPACOM exercises across the Pacific and set the standard for CONUS training with our quarterly STX schedule. This year the Battalion was able to capitalize on its digital capabilities to maintain an aggressive training program in spite of COVID associated shut downs and still support the WAARNG DOMOPS mission. As focus shifts to the MultiDomain Battlefield and demand for IO grows, our commitment to developing our Soldiers ensures we will be ready and able to deliver the IO effects our nation needs.
"Seize. Dominate. Control. We own the narrative!" - Boomslang 6, LTC Nick Parker
Alpha Co. 1st Battalion/ 19th Special Forces Group At the end of 2019, A/1-19th began preparing ODA 9111 for mobilization through a robust pre-mission training and validation at Camp Williams, UT. ODA 9111 mobilized and deployed December 2019 to the Black Sea. Other A Co. Detachments conducted intensive training throughout the year in preparation for a JRTC rotation and an overseas Balance Torch Mission with our Thailand partners. This training included a Cold Weather Leaders Course where our Mountaineering ODA trained on various tactical mountain cold weather survivability task. Other ODA's attended the Orchard Combat Training Center, ID to train on Direct Action tasks that included mission planning, C-IED training, Close Air Support and full mission profile. A Co. 1-19th SFG(A) remains flexible going into the 2021 year and will be prepared to - MAJ Dan Barrow
Commanders' Messages
341st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist) FY20 was dominated by the domestic operations missions within the state of Washington. 341st Soldiers and leaders participated in multiple missions as we met the challenges associated with a global pandemic and civil unrest. Our linguists supported the mission by translating health and safety information in support of EMD’s Limited English Proficiency program. Additionally the 341st was part of the largest State Active Duty mission in the Washington National Guard activating our entire battalion in response to civil unrest. Our Soldiers met the challenge of this mission and performed with distinction and honor. Their ability to respond to and succeed in a no-notice call out was a testament to their proficiency in Soldier skills, and defined the pillar of brilliance in the basics. COVID-19 changed how we operated in FY20, but it did not change our focus. We continued to prove real-world intelligence and language training and ensured the 341st was mission ready at all times. Our Federated Intelligence Program (FIP) and Command Language Program (CLP) continued to improve on the success of last year supporting missions for USARPAC, NSA- Hawaii, and CYBERCOM. Additionally, we were once again recognized as the CLP of the Year and the Linguist of the Year at the annual Language Conference in Utah. In 2020 we welcomed Soldiers home from missions in Jordan, Afghanistan, and Germany. Here at home station we conducted Panther Strike Lite FTX. It was the first field training exercise completed by the 341st since 2015 and began our road to Panther Strike 2021. FY21 promises to be another exciting year as well as the 341st prepares for multiple mobilizations in support of on-going contingency operations. –Vigilance and Valor
- LTC Teresa Wenner
Special Operations Detachment - Pacific SOD-P was deployed to Afghanistan and served as the core of the Combined Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom’s Resolute Support Mission tasked with the Train, Advise, Assist and Mentor (TAAM) mission working with the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC) across the breadth of the country during a challenging and dynamic period that include the post-Eid surge, Afghan fighting season, national elections, winterization and peace talks with the Taliban.
Since returning home in February, SOD-P will re-orient towards the INDOPACOM Area of responsibility and continue to cultivate relationships with key stakeholders in the region.” - LTC David Coughran
2020 Year In Review
Combined Joint Task Force Horn Of Africa
Orient Shield Sagamihara, Japan
Cold Weather Training Washington
Members of the 110th Information Operations Battalion from Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (Teams 12 and 13) at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti conduct their transition in August 2020.
The 110th Information Operations (IO) Battalion (BN) participated in the Orient Shield Exercise in Japan during the month of September.
SSFOD-A 9114 trained on various tactical mountain traversing techniques to include downhill skiing, uphill skinning, and skijoring. SOPs were developed for small unit tactics on snow machines and RAZR platforms. Individual cold weather survivability and sustainability methods were trained on in snow conditions. Instruction was given on how to analyze weather and snow-pack conditions to determine level of avalanche dangers and mission permissibility. Avalanche rescue training practical exercises were conducted, enhancing team survivability.
This INDOPACOM Exercise conducted between the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the United States Military enhances bilateral combat effectiveness within the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF). The 110th IO BN provided an Information Operations Officer to execute Special Technical Operations in order to support nonlethal targeting with the Intelligence, Information, Cyberspace, Electronic Warfare, and Space (I2CEWS) elements in Japan. In the picture above, US Army and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) gather for lunch at the Sagami Lounge, Sagami Depot in Sagamihara, Japan on September 14th, 2019.
TTP’s for cold weather mission planning consideration were developed, improving the ODA’s readiness in a winter environment. SFOD-A 9114 conducted cold weather training in a winter environment to solidify small unit tactics and gain individual survival skills to enhance team readiness and combat lethality.
Engagements, Training and Deployment
Cobra Gold 2020 Thailand
Soldiers from SOD-P and 156th IO BN participated in Cobra Gold ’20 (CG20) from 7 Feb to 7 Mar 2020 and supported SOCPAC during both the Bi-Lateral Training Exercise and the Cobra Gold Multi-national STAFFEX.
During the one week Bi-Lat MAJ Brian Hartigan from SOD-P, along with SOCPAC and JSOU personnel, trained 17 Thai Special Forces Officers and NCOs from the Thai 1st Special Force Regiment. This training focused on the Joint Planning Process and Special Operations operational planning courses to enhance Thai capabilities and prepare them for the Multi-National STAFFEX. These Thai Officers and NCOs then joined a joint staff comprised of Special Operations partners from six other nations: South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bali and the United States. This team served as the CJSOTF for the Multi-National force during a two week STAFFEX. LTC Vince Kuchar served as the Chief of Staff and Operations office for the CJSOTF and helped to train the multi-national staff in conducting joint planning in an exercise environment.
FST Team 7 SOJTF - OIR
FST Team 8 SOJTF-OIR
Team 7, led by LTC Daniel Wojciechowski, began the year with a running start. The team completed SOJTF Orientation, Joint Information Operations Planners' Course, Special Technical Operations Planner Course, Army Information Operations Planners' Course, and participated in in the FST STX all within the first month of the new fiscal year.
In October 2019, IO FST Team 8 formed. MAJ Joseph Trudeau led his team of six through vigorous theater and mission essential training in order to prepare his team in support of SOJTFOIR.
Team 7 continued to charge head on in completing their theater and mission required training, culminating on 16 January 2020. LTC Wojciechowski took the team to Ft. Bliss to start mobilization on 20 January 2020 and headed into theater in February 2020. Team 7 is currently located in several different location within CENTCOM in support of SOJTF-OIR and is set to return to home station in the beginning of FY2021.
Over the course of 12 months, the team completed over 20 courses and training events to include FA30, Tactical Information Operations Planners' Course, Joint Information Operations Planners' Course, Space Cadre Course, and Special Technical Operations Planner Course. The team also participated in all four STX as well as taking first place at the annual FST Olympics. Team 8 concluded their training on 17 September 2020 and mobilized to Ft. Bliss, TX on 22 September 2020 for final validation before heading into theater to replace Team 7.
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2020 Year In Review
56th Annual FST Olympics Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
China Disaster Management Engagement Hawaii
Atlantic Resolve Germany
The Soldiers of the 156th IO BN took part in the 2nd annual FST Olympics on JBLM from July 10-12, 2020. The scenario based FST Olympics consisted of 12 stations testing each FST in all aspects of IO, army basic skills, physical fitness, problem solving, and cultural understanding. Nine teams of six soldiers competed in the competition with FST Team 8, led by MAJ Trudeau, taking first place overall. The event ended with an awards ceremony and celebration at the IORC. The annual FST Olympics continued to enhance and build esprit de corps throughout the Battalion
In November 2019, 341st participated in the US-China Disaster Management Exchange as part of our training alignment with the 500th MIB-T and USARPAC. The event is the only annual security coordination event conducted between the US military and the Chinese People's Liberation Army and provides a significant opportunity for leaders of both organizations to train and work together.
In 2020 the 341st continued and expanded our support to Operation Atlantic Resolve ISO 10th SFG, SOCEUR. Previous teams supported the mission in linguist capacities, participating in key leader engagements, assisting with contract support, translation, and language and cultural advisor support. This year the mission transitioned from a linguist mission to a CI/HUMINT mission. 341st intelligence professionals supported missions throughout SOCEURs AOR including 51 independent countries throughout the European continent. Our Soldiers were assigned to the J2X TF-10 HOC where they conducted mission pre-briefs and debriefs as well as mission analysis in support of both HUMINT and CI mission sets. Our soldiers developed their skillsets and perfected their craft as intelligence professionals as part of this real-world mission.
The event requires linguists capable of interpreting and translating at a general officer level and Soldiers chosen for this opportunity were required to demonstrate a 3/3 level proficiency. The 341st sent three linguists including one Soldier from C/341 located in Chicago, Illinois. This was a great opportunity for our Soldiers to grow and learn as well as support our partners in the 500th.
Engagements, Training and Deployment
300th Language Conference and Polyglot Games Utah
Black Sea - ODA 9111 Ukraine
In March 2020, the 341st participated in the annual language conference in Draper, Utah. This is the leading language event across the National Guard and the DoD. The conference includes the Polyglot Games, a series of language skill events designed to challenge and validate a linguist’s functional and operational capabilities in their target language. Each year the conference recognizes the outstanding Command Language Program (CLP) and Linguist across the 300th. The 341st took both honors in 2020.
ODA 9110 Mission was to train, advise and assist the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Qualification Course (UKRSOFQC) and to mentor the 142nd Training Command and UKRSOF Instructors to evolve Ukrainian Spetnaz into NATO inter-operable Special Operations Forces SOF.
Distinguished guests and presenters discussed a series of concerns and opportunities in the language community. Speakers included MG Gary Johnston, Commander, INSCOM; MG Laura Potter, Commander, USARMY ICoE BG Michael Turley, Utah’s ATAG; and the 300th MI BDE (L) Commander, Shahram Takmili. The conference was attended by over 800 participants and 31 vendors.
They achieved Mission Success by revising the UKRSOFQC and standardizing events for timed distances, equipment weights, and GO/ NO GO standards to create quantifiable historical data to produced quality numbers. When COVID-19 became a global pandemic the Soldiers from 9111 never faltered or wavered in their dedication to the mission. Selection, training, and mentoring the UKRSOFQC proceeded at full steam and for months, 9111 was THE ONLY operational element continuing mission with updates briefed to SOCEUR and EUCOM.
Full Metal Profile Orchard CTC, Boise, Idaho
SFOD-A 9116, 9115, and 9113 established tactical SOPs for Direct Action and conduced abbreviated planning. Detachments conducted Ground Assault Forces (GAF) with live-fly CAS to accomplish Ground Force Commanders intent and rehearse battle drills. The detachments then incorporated gathered intelligence and OPFOR actions into a targeting cycle to drive further operations. Teams incorporated OPFOR, enablers, and CAS to provide a realistic, dynamic environment.
The training at OCTC Range provided SFODA’s an opportunity to internally validate standard operating procedures in a joint, dryfire environment; Detachments are prepared to progress in the Collective Training Cycle; a glide path to Regimental validation and mobilization.
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56th Theater Information Operations Group - Families Dear families, On behalf of our unit and the Washington Army National Guard, thank you for the continued support and the sacrifice while your family member was away from home this year, helping protect and support our communities. As a part-time guardsman myself, I know having a family member away, during times such as these, for even a short duration, can sometimes create a hardship.
Many of your families have experienced the tribulations of deployment this year, some first time and others as seasoned veterans. Your Soldier’s contributions to this nation are tremendous with worldwide impact. Our children, neighbors, and future generations can sleep better knowing our soldiers have and continue to make an impact in keeping our homeland secure. Since early this year, we continue our battle against an unprecedented pandemic, which affects us all, and still requires an unparalleled response. Members of the National Guard have ensured thousands of families remain fed and have supported the Department of Health in its efforts to slow the spread of the virus.
We’ve also been called to protect our communities during periods of civil unrest. We augmented local law enforcement to ensure our neighbors were able to exercise their constitutional rights of free speech and freedom of assembly.
We’ve continued to support local authorities during the wildland fire seasons. This historical year, the largest season to date, our guardsman provided vital support to the state to protect life and property. All this possible because of your resolute support. Thank you for being part of our National Guard family – your commitment and sacrifice are recognized. Please know that your Soldier was and continues to be critical to ensuring the safety of our communities and their efforts would not be possible without the unwavering support of families, such as yours. Sincerely,
COL Gerald Dezsőfi 56th TIOG Commander
56th Theater Information Operations Group - Employers
Command Sergeant Major's Message The past year has seen a nearly unprecedented involvement of National Guard Soldiers in State and Federal Missions - 2020 has been quite a year. By July, more than 120,000 National Guardsmen had been mobilized in support of combatant commands, COVID-19 response, and civil authorities in the face of unrest. In Washington, the 56th TIOG has done its share to reinforce these very lines of effort, providing support to global operations, supporting food banks, augmenting the State’s Employment Security Department, COVID mapping, support to law enforcement in the wake of riots, and countless individual tasks and projects which contribute to the success of other organizations. The Soldiers of the 56th are truly living up to the role of the “Swiss Army knife” of the U.S. military, providing our State and our Nation with trained and capable troops on a moment’s notice. We are indispensable to our country’s National Security. BG Dent has put titles to leadership values that many in the 56th TIOG already held true; giving them titles and making them part of his command priorities has helped normalize them. The units in the 56th TIOG strive to exemplify the 6 Tenets: Soldier First, Soldier Centric, Brilliance in the Basics, Leader Development, Disciplined Initiative within Intent, and Build Winning Units. One need not look further than the efforts alreadydescribed, but in addition, the Commander and I witness evidence of Soldiers living up to these tenets every IDT weekend, at every training event and even in the work being done during the off-time between drills. To put an IO spin on this, we in the 56th have synchronized our words, actions, and images in support of the 6 Tenets.
The demand signal for the skill sets within the units of the 56th TIOG will not decrease. We have demonstrated our flexibility, innovation, capabilities, and professionalism and have become a force provider of choice for the Pacific Theater and beyond. This is a good time to recognize the legacy that COL Dezsofi has built upon, as he wraps up his tenure as the second TIOG commander and prepares for retirement after over 30 years of dedicated service. Look back and reflect on the year of accomplishments, but also look forward and adhere to the principle of “improving the foxhole”. Thanks to all of the Soldiers and Families of the 56th TIOG, and here’s to more great things to come in 2021.
CSM Timothy W. Harris
56th Theater Information Operations Group - 2020 Retirees LTC Adam Brake 28 Years LTC Adam Dewinne 17 Years MAJ David Redman 25 Years MAJ Robert Zadak 20 Years MAJ Jeff Pelton 21 Years CW2 Lewis Jernigan 21 Years CSM Steven Strand 33 Years SGM Stephanie Kettlewell 30 Years MSG Jacob Wear 21 Years MSG Scott Borkin 28 Years SFC Ryan Lemmers 21 Years SFC Daniel Walwark 20 Years SFC Jeffrey Beck 23 Years SSG Nathan Watt 20 Years
We want to say thank you to for your service. We also want to our thank employers, families and friends for their endless support to our Guardsmen.
Contact Information 56th Theater Information Operations Group , 6205 Pendleton Ave. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. 98433 Phone: 253-983-7337 Command Team
Website: https://www.mil.wa.gov/national-guard/army-guard/56th-information-operations-brigade Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/56thTIOG/
Commander - COL Gerald E. Dezsรถfi Deputy Commander - LTC Adam Suyat Command Sergeant Major - CSM Timothy Harris Staff
S1 - MAJ Johnny Walker S2 - LTC Michael Camerota S3 - LTC Adam Rodgers S4 - CPT Robin Skaff S6 - MAJ Andres Bohman Chaplain - LTC David Hatheway JAG - CPT Brian Baker OPS SGM - SGM JD Sander
Dress to Impress - Mercury Merchandise
56th Theater Information Operations Group ~ Defending Mercury ~ 110th Information Operations
156th Information Operations
341st Military Intelligence
Special Operations Det. - Pacific
Alpha 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces