Green Mountain Guard Magazine - 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont

27 Pages·2014·9.12 MB·English

GMG
Green Mountain Guard | Spring/Summer 2014
GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 | 1
From The TAG
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Green Mountain Guard | Spring/Summer 2014
O
N
Volume 15, Number 1
T
the summer comes to a close I thought I would update you on a
As
E
few things happening in the Vermont National Guard. In times of
fiscal uncertainty the Green Mountain Boys continue to lead the way for N
8
our state and nation. The 86th Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) deployed
T
to the Joint Readiness Training Center, Ft. Polk, La., for a Decisive Action
Training Rotation where the Vermonters have trained and deployed S
alongside our active component, fought in the same battles and met
and exceeded the same standards as our active duty counterparts. It is
imperative that we continue to maintain that readiness across the Vermont staff
National Guard and vitally important that the Reserve component, the
Army Reserve, the National Guard and Active components stay as ready Adjutant General
as possible. Maj. Gen. Steven Cray
Maj. Gen. Steven Cray Editors
The 158th Fighter Wing continues to prepare for and execute the
The Adjutant General exercises that focus on interoperability with other components. Most Maj. Christopher Gookin
notable working with U.S. Navy F18s for two weeks this July. In August Capt. Dyana Allen
18 30
they will host an open house to showcase the men and women of the Air
Guard. One purpose is to show the community the jobs that their family,
Layout/Design
friends, and neighbors do each and every day.
Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard
As always strength and readiness is the common denominator that allow Staff Writers/Photographers
us to perform our missions, integrate new equipment and Soldiers and
State Public Affairs Staff
Airmen into our organization. Strength in numbers is what provides us the
172nd PAD
opportunity to continue to serve our state and nation. Excellence attracts
158th Fighter Wing PA
excellence and the Vermont National Guard is certainly at the top.
Integrity, Service, Excellence
38
26
features
8 Maintenance Team Saves Base Thousands 28 Biathlon Championships
10 The Elements of Training 30 Somewhere...In The Wood Line
12 Vt. Guardsman First on Scene in Winooski Fire 32 Making The Call
16 VTANG Soars Over Savannah 34 Guerrier Nordique
18 Hanging with the Mortarmen 36 High Ropes, Steep Slopes
20 New Mountain Gear 38 JRTC Stories & Photos
24 Weapons Familiarization 50 Change of Responsibility
26 Best Warrior Competition 52 New Lakota Helicopters
The Green Mountain Guard is an authorized publication of the Vermont Army & Air National Guard. Views, opinions, or accounts expressed herein do not necessarily represent
those of the Vermont Army or Air National Guard, or the Department of the Army or Air Force. Publication of material is the responsibility of the Vermont National Guard’s
Public Affairs Officer. The staff reserves the right to edit all material. Comments may be sent to v or at 802) 338-3479. Visit us on vtguard.com or our Facebook page at facebook.com/
VermontNationalGuard?ref=hl
2 | GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 P V Look for these two logos throughout the magazine. Click on thGemM tGo fi SnPd RlinINksG to/S aUddMitMionEaRl p2h0o1to4s & | v i d3eos!
IN & AROUND: VTANG
LEFT: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Giovanni
Mateus unloads a travel pod after
recovering an F-16 from its flight to the
Savannah Combat Readiness Training
RIGHT: A1C Tiffany Thompson, TSgt
Center, Savannah, Ga. on Jan. 31,
Jacob Mitchell and A1C Kirk Heinchon
2014. Staff Sgt. Mateus is part of the
of the 158th Fighter Wing Command
Total Force Initiative, assigned to the
Post go down a quick reaction checklist
Vermont Air National Guard. (U.S. Air
during a training scenario at the South
National Guard photo by SrA Chelsea
Burlington International Airport, March
Clark)
9, 2014. Relocating to an alternate
Command Post. (U.S. Air National Guard
BELOW: U.S. Air Force Senior Airman
photo by A1C Jon Alderman)
Katie Jacques of the 158th Fighter Wing
Aircrew Flight Equipment Squadron
BELOW: U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class
inspects a parachute used in the ejection
Phillip Clark of the 158th Fighter Wing
seat of a F-16 Fighting Falcon, South
replaces the Environmental Control
Burlington, Vt., March, 9, 2014. Jacques
System boot on a F-16 Fighting Falcon
was checking the body of the parachute
on March 8, 2014, at the Vermont Air
for foreign objects and debris.(U.S.
National Guard base. The ECS boot,
Air National Guard photo by Airman
attached to the high stage bleed air
Jeffrey Tatro)
shut off valve, channels the air off the
F-16 engine to provide the cabin with
air condition. (U.S. Air National Guard
photo by Senior Airman Jon Alderman)
44 | |G MGMG GSP SRPINRIGN/GSU/SMUMMEMRE R20 210414 GGMMGG S SPPRRININGG/S/SUUMMMMEERR 2 2001144 || 5 5
IN & AROUND: VTARNG
LEFT: Spc. Stephen Trombly, attached RIGHT: Pfc. Jamie Chadurjian, Vermont
to A Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Army National Guard, sights in a 60mm
Regiment (Mountain), practices his sniper mortar for a training exercise at Camp
stalking in a winter environment at a Ethan Allen Training Site at Jericho, Vt., Jan.
firing range in Barton, Vt. (U.S. Army 11, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo
National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. by Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard)
Nathan Rivard)
BELOW: U.S. Soldiers with the Army
BELOW: Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Mountain Warfare Mountaineering and
172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Advanced Instructor courses climb
Vermont Army National Guard receive Smugglers’ Notch in Cambridge, Vt.,
the Valorous Unit Award at Norwich Feb. 20, 2014. This is the final tasking
University, Northfield, Vt., January 12, of the students prior to graduation the
2014. The unit was honored with this following day. (U.S. Air National Guard
award for extraordinary heroism in photo by Staff Sarah Mattison)
military operations against an armed
enemy during Operation Enduring
Freedom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo
by Staff Sgt. Sarah Mattison)
6 | GMG SPRING./SUMMER 2014 GGMMGG S PSRPIRNINGG/S/USUMMMMERE R2 021041 4 || 77
electronic. Gone are the days of the
“A while ago we had a sweeper core
Code
backyard mechanic fixing things with
that went down and because of
duct tape, bailing twine, and fence
our mechanics’ training we saved
wire, said Sanborn.
$4,000,” Sanborn said. “We try to
rebuild things if we can but if we have
Back in the 80s when he joined the
Fixes to replace things our men will find
shop, Sanborn had no idea what a
parts from local shops, saving us even
personal computer was much less
more money. On an average year,
an idea it would one day power the
cost savings with the airmen in my
vehicles he repaired. With current
Fire Truck shop is in the tens of thousands of
technology, four to five functions
dollars.”
can be dependent on a single wire, a
concept he said that was sometimes
Saves Base
hard to wrap his mind around.
Written by Staff Sgt. Victoria Greenia, 158FW
As a group they prioritize training and
average six months of in-residence
THOUSANDS training a year, working out to about
30 days per mechanic.
The only way maintainers can meet
Below: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Marshall ABOVE: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Marshall
the demands of their job, he said, is
Coats of the 158th Fighter Wing’s Coats of the 158th Fighter Wing's Vehicle
by continually budgeting for factory-
Bent over a small display inside the Having spent eight years in the Army display and it would say ‘on’ or give Vehicle Maintenance shop shows Maintenance shop shows how the vehicle
training courses. The mechanics
cab of the fire truck, heavy mobile in vehicle maintenance and owning you a number one to let you know the complexity of one of the vehicles display operates with the turret of one of
who go return to share their learned
and special vehicle technician Tech. a strong background of civilian work that when you move the joystick right he works on with a large schematic the crash fire trucks March 7, 2014. The
knowledge with the rest of the shop,
Sgt. Marshall Coats was part of the in this field, Coats is no stranger to that it’s sending the proper signal to March 7, 2014. Coats unrolls a large turret has been malfunctioning requiring
turning the initial costs of training into
vehicle maintenance squad that spent the developing field of electronic the nozzle to move. Have you ever schematic from the factory to show Vehicle Maintenance to troubleshoot the
bulk savings for the base.
hours in mid-December searching vehicular maintenance. But after seen the Matrix? That’s what I’m the advanced nature of the vehicles on board computer. (U.S. Air National
through binary code. Black pixelated a solid week on the phone with the talking about – lines of code moving computer. (U.S. Air National Guard Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Greenia)
numbers streamed across the green help desk, but both he and the down, ones and zeroes.” photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Greenia)
screen as he tried to discover the error representatives were stumped when
with the turret of the truck’s fire all their diagnostic tools kept telling It was time-consuming and arduous,
extinguisher, rendering it immobile. them that the vehicle was operating but after two weeks the mechanics
fine. Adding to frustration, the technical were finally able to fix problem with
Of the three crash fire trucks on base, support also misdiagnosed a few a $900 part. Because they didn’t have to
the 2006 Stricker is the newest and times, which meant VTANG firemen fly in a tech support person, provides
its accessories are electronically were short a vehicle as parts were lodging and meals, and pay their high
powered- a different game compared shipped in, found to be unhelpful, and fees, the group saved the base more
to the hydraulic-powered accessories shipped back out. than $10,000. As a bonus: Now that
on the other, older, base’s trucks. shop is familiar with a different facet
But with complex technology comes Knowing that if another crash truck of troubleshooting.
complex troubleshooting and when were to malfunction it would affect the
one of the turrets on the Stricker refused commercial planes at the Burlington Surprisingly, this high-tech job
to rotate, the members of the vehicle International Airport which VTANG doesn’t fall under the realm of
maintenance group found themselves fire department supports as well as communications or electronics; as a
not using a wrench to attack the the F-16s, Coats persisted until he got vehicle technician, Coats works on
problem or even able to physically touch the engineer of the software on the vehicles with technology unimagined
the issue – they found themselves sifting phone. of thirty years ago.
through thousands of ones and zeroes.
She told him what number sequence “This is not something even three years
“When you have half a million dollar to look for as he operated each function ago we would never have gotten this
truck, the electronics in it are very of the fire truck separately, trying to in-depth over diagnostics,” said Coat’s
advanced – they multiplex,” Coats said isolate the one relay that had gone bad. supervisor, Superintendent Craig
Sanborn. “The way the vehicle fleet is
about the J1939, a communication
“I was able to go in there and actually evolving is fast-paced and intense
network used as an operating system.
pull up the lines of code for the and it’s a struggle to keep our training
“What I mean by that is that everything
software and test out the modules at the same stride.”
communicates using one pathway,
and see if they were talking to this
multiple computers using one path
KAntrak display,” Coats said about New vehicles are being made with a
of communication. It gets pretty
the troubleshooting. “You look at the computerized brain and 90 percent
advanced.”
of the problems maintainers fix are
8 | GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 | 9
Spc. Fredrick Burney, 86th Brigade Special Troops Battalion,
The Elements of Training
Headquarters Headquarters Company, Detachment 1 Military
Police, qualifies with the .50-caliber M2 machine gun with help
from his spotter Sgt. Christopher Wheatley. (U.S. Army National
-Story by Sgt. Ashley Hayes, 86th IBCT (MTN) Guard Photo By Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard)
“Once the weather cooperates when its
CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING on the importance of the weapons level of difficulty during qualifications. warmer they’ll already have a cohesive
SITE, Vt. - Overcoming snow, below training and how it will better prepare This required the gunners to layer up bond and they should train and come
freezing temperatures, and elements them for JRTC. on clothing, which was a blessing, together a lot better,” said Ross.
of a typical Vermont winter was a but also a barrier.
challenge in itself. However, that “It’ll definitely make it easier because The challenges of cold weather, learning
wasn’t the main focus of Saturday’s the crews we use for the mounted “We have gloves on and it’s hard to to work as a team, and overcoming the
training. gunnery are crews that are set once feel,” said Spc. Brandon Woods, a pressures of training requirements are
they get qualified,” said Ross. “They military police officer with the Brigade taken in stride, as they are only part of
The 86th Brigade Special Troops stay as a crew and we don’t swap Special Troops Battalion. what increases the level of preparedness
Battalion came together Feb. 9, 2014 people around. If you qualify as a and realism.
at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site crew, that’s how you stay the rest of Woods said he is from Vermont, so
(CEATS), to zero and qualify on the the training. It gets them to develop he is used to the colder temperatures, “The most realistic training you’re go-
50-caliber machine gun. This was and work collaboratively together as which might be more of a challenge ing to get is if you ever have to go get
another stepping-stone on the road to a team and develop some cohesion for someone from the south. into combat and shoot a weapon,” said
the Joint Readiness Training Center amongst each other.” Ross. “So that’s what you’re training to
Additionally, there is an increased
(JRTC), at Fort Polk, La. There, they do, you’re training to go and fight as a
will participate in a three-week train- Consequently, the frigid temperatures amount of pressure placed on units team. So it’s definitely realistic, and if
ing event. added an element of difficulty to to complete required training before we ever deploy or go somewhere for a
complete training, especially for those going to JRTC. The minimal amount cold weather conflict, the soldiers will
The opportunity to work as a team, who were qualifying for the first time. of days left for training must be used be trained and ready because they’ve
was an important element during the Besides staying warm by a fire, or efficiently, even if that means operat- already been exposed to it.”
drill weekend. sipping on a cup of hot soup, the unit ing in unfavorable conditions.
took the opportunity to conduct cold
“We don’t train with our parent com- weather training. “It’s a lot of training requirements MIDDLE: Pfc. Stephen Miner, goes through clearing
pany, HHC, all the time, so it’s good all at once, you have your individ- procedures on the .50 caliber M2 machine gun
that we can train collaboratively,” said “We were doing some training on ual tasks as well as your gunnery,” during weapons qualification at Camp Ethan Allen
Army Sgt. 1st Class Weiland Ross, a building snow shelters,” said Ross. said Ross. “We have a lot of training Training Site in Jericho, Vt. ( U.S. Army National
Military Police Officer with the 86th “Also, some demonstrations on events that we have to cram into one Guard Photo By Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard)
BSTB. “So it’s good to get all the different types of stoves and things year. Our training schedule is pretty
different elements of the company like that for both cooking and staying packed so we have to take advantage RIGHT: Spc. Zakery Hunt, 86th Brigade Special
together on the same sheet of music.” warm in a cold weather environment. of it while we can.” Troops Battalion Headquarters Headquarters
A lot of guys are new out of training Company, Detachment 1 Military Police, adjust
Furthermore, learning to work on and they’ve never used that before.” On the other hand, working together sites on the .50 caliber M2 machine gun as with
gunner teams is important for future while facing the elements, can add to
help from Sgt. Skyler Genest as he prepares
training and combat. Ross elaborated The low temperatures also posed a the accomplishments of the team.
to zero the weapon before qualification. (U.S. Army
National Guard Photo By Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard)
10 | GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 V GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 | 11
Working
Vt. Guardsman
First on Scene in Winooski Fire
as a
Story by Capt. Dyana Allen, State Public Affairs
WINOOSKI, Vt. - Around 3:30 pm, Senior Airman Garrett opened too quickly, Shepler feared that they could make Guardsmen
Shepler, a weapons loader with the Maintenance Group the situation worse.
at the 158th Fighter Wing, was driving back to his home
Realizing that the developing situation could become
in Plattsburgh, N.Y., when he happened to come upon a
hazardous to bystanders and neighbors,
structure fire on Main Street in Winooski.
Shepler moved his vehicle to the street to block off the
“I remember sitting there in traffic, and all of a sudden driveway when two Winooski Police Department cars
I just looked over, and I saw these two guys standing showed up. The police began shutting down the street,
outside their door, they were looking back inside the while Shepler was doing a walk around the building to
building and looked panicked.” assess the situation further.
Story and Photos By Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard, 172nd PAD
Shepler then said he turned on the blue light bar he has Once the Winooski fire chief got on scene, Shepler briefed
on his Durango because he is a volunteer firefighter in him on what his assessment was explaining that he was a When the smoke cleared and the soldiers were done
It wouldn’t have been a realistic experience if it wasn’t
Cumberland Head Fire Department, in New York. fireman from New York state and offered the chief help if with the mission, it was nothing but smiles in the
raining for his first time with Infantrymen. Vermont’s
he needed it. rainy weather, including one of the biggest smiles
He made his way through traffic and pulled up on a scene Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott took a trip to the Ethan
from Lt. Gov. Scott.
that he describes as a full-blown structure fire. “The chief said, yes, we’re gonna need you,” Shepler Allen Training Site in Jericho to spend the day with
recalled, and he jumped into action, letting out lines, Vermont National Guard Soldiers. On a cold day when ABOVE: Spc. Jacob Mason, Pfc. Seth Augeri and Sgt. 1st
“There were no flames showing, just pitch-black smoke,”
directing the first firefighters on scene with what he knew, the rain and ice shut down Interstate 89 Lt. Gov. Scott Class Thebarge talk to Vermont Lt. Gov. Phil Scott about
he said, “barreling in circles out of the door.”
and the situation progressed, he helped where ever he did exactly what the soldiers were doing, embraced annual servicing they perform on military vehicles and the
Shepler went to go in the building to make sure that no could. the suck. He started the day off by aiming mortars with process used to keep vehicles up to date.
one was left inside, and he said the smoke hit him in the
Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion,
He took out windows for ventilation, started saws, and
face and that it burned to breathe it in.
172nd Infantry Regiment and then took to the mechanics BELOW: Sgt. Evans, Headquarters instructs Vermont Lt.
even helped some of his fellow firefighters with making
“I went to run in, then the smoke hit me and I wasn’t sure their equipment was on and working properly. shed with the soldiers of Echo Company, 186th Brigade Gov. Phil Scott on how to aim an 81mm mortar during a
thinking, so I was taking off my fleece and my blouse while Support Battalion. He finished the day with a foot patrol training exercise.
Shepler says that his instincts as a fireman took over and
yelling to the two men standing outside, ‘who else is in through the ice-covered woods in the downpour of rain
he just wanted to make sure that everyone else got out
there?’ When they said, ‘no one,’ I was relieved.” with the infantrymen.
and, today, he said he is thankful that no one was injured.
Shepler took control of the scene at that point and what
Scott was given a wealth of knowledge when working
Shepler has a heroic story to tell his family and friends
he describes as a very, hot fire at Pecor Auto.
with the 81mm mortars by Pfc. Amnott, Sgt. Evans, and
when he got home, about what he describes, “as just
He asked what the men knew about the fire. He said one another day at work.” Spc. Palermo, Headquarters, Headquarters Company
of the men was really upset and was saying, ‘That’s my 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment. The mortar
shop.’ crew’s lesson would show later in the day how important
they are to help win in a combat scenario.
He told Shepler there were accelerants, such as, propane,
gasoline, oil, and a vehicle still inside the garage, and
The Lt. Governor also got to meet the soldiers of
knowing this information, Shepler worried that there could
Echo Co. 186th Brigade Support Battalion who fix the
be an explosion.
break downs and keep the motor pool running in the
The owner wanted to move his truck and would have mechanic’s shed at the training site. Pfc. Seth Augeri,
had to go back into the burning building to get the keys. Spc. Mason Jacob, and Sgt. 1st Class Thebarge told
Shepler kept him from going back into the building telling Scott about what they do to keep the vehicles going and
the owner that he would not make it back out. stories about their mechanical work on deployments.
“One thing that could have changed the whole situation,
Rounding off the day was a dismounted foot patrol
was the owner wanted to open the garage doors. I had
on the way to an objective that was controlled by the
to explain to him that you could create a back draft by
enemy. Crampons, metal devices wore on feet to grip
increasing the supply of oxygen to the quickly developing
snow and ice, were worn to get some tractions in the
fire.”
nasty conditions. The patrol started by dismounting the
The doors were spring doors, so if the garage were vehicles, maneuvering into the woods and up hills to
get to the objective. Once there, simulated mortar fire
and heavy arms fire bombarded the objective before
the infantrymen and their newest recruit, Lt. Gov. Scott,
pushed through the objective.
12 | GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Rob Trubia) GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 | 13
LEFT: U.S. Air Force Col. David Baczewski
158th Fighter Wing Bids Farewell
relinquishes command of the 158th
Fighter Wing during a change of command
ceremony at the Burlington International
Airport, South Burlington, Vt, Jan. 4, 2014.
Col. Thomas Jackman Jr. follows Col.
Baczewski as the 16th Wing Commander of
the 158th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air National
Guard photo by Airman Jeffrey Tatro)
Story by Airman 1st Class Dana Alyce-Schwarz, 158 FW
ABOVE: U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas W.
Jackman Jr. accepts command of the
The 158th Fighter Wing of the Jackman served as vice commander
158th Fighter Wing during a change of
Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) to the wing alongside Baczewski
command ceremony. Col. Thomas Jackman
welcomed its new wing commander, for the last two years. Jackman’s
Jr. will be the 16th Wing Commander of
Col. Thomas W. Jackman Jr., who excitement was obvious when he
the 158th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air National
succeeded Col. David P. Baczewski spoke on his plans to further develop
Guard photo by Airman Jeffrey Tatro)
Jan. 4th, 2014. the VTANG and he continued to
express his thanks to the Airmen of
“The wing owes you a debt of the VTANG.
gratitude that can never be repaid,”
BELOW: U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas W.
said Jackman to Baczewski at the An emotional Baczewski expressed
Jackman Jr. accepts command of the
change of command ceremony. his gratitude to the base as a whole
158th Fighter Wing during at the change
“Thanks to you the future of our wing and to his family in particular,
of command ceremony. (U.S. Air National
is on a flight path to an amazing thanking his co-workers for
Guard photo by Senior Airman Jon
first, the home of the F-35s. I’m understanding that family comes first
Alderman)
looking forward to fostering ever- and thanking his family for supporting
improving relationships with our him in his career and service.
local community and maintaining the
mission-ready focus that you’ve given “My staff, you always listened when
us.” I talked about my family,” Baczewski
smiled. “And my family, you always
Baczewski’s motto to always ‘be supported my commitment to my
ready’ led the base to a 99 percent service.”
compliance rating on the 2012 Unit
Compliance Inspection and the Overseeing the change of command
positioning of the VTANG as a future was Major General Steven Cray,
site of the F-35 fighter jets. He will be the Adjutant General of Vermont,
missed by the VTANG as he leaves who expressed how Baczewski
for his new role as the executive fully exemplified the Air Force core
officer to the deputy commander values of integrity, service, and
of the United States Northern excellence. As Baczewski moves on,
Command at Peterson Air Force Base however, Cray said the VTANG would
in Colorado. be in good hands and that he had
confidence in Jackman’s ability to
move the wing forward.
14 | GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 | 15
the training was to focus on exercises that we’re not
VTANG
always able to practice at home.”
The location of Sentry Savannah played heavily on the
exercise’s duration and required air training space.
Savannah CRTC facilities were used by the Green
Soars
Mountain Boys, Hawaii ANG, Washington D.C.
ANG, and Tyndall AFB. But these weren’t the only
units in the training, the proximity allowed for three
refueling wings to also take part in the exercise. The
Over Savannah
units from Florida ANG, and the Naval Air Station in
Beaufort, Sc., participated from their home stations.
Throughout the month, over 1,000 personnel used the
facilities of the CRTC for Sentry Savannah.
“It was a good experience to work with airmen from
various units,” said Staff Sgt. Maryjane Palumbo,
an Aviation Resource Manager in Operations who
Tech. Sgt. Corey Burton references technical data while launching
also went on the training deployment. “Other units
an F-16 during Sentry Savannah. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by
SrA Chelsea Clark) handle their equipment differently, so it was a good
opportunity to learn how we can adapt as our unit
More than 200 members of the Vermont Air National
grows.”
Guard (VTANG) went to the Georgia Air National
A continuing goal of the VTANG is to apply what was
Guard’s Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center
learned in Savannah to future work here in Vermont,
(CRTC), Savannah, Ga., to participate in Sentry
being able to conduct similar trainings on a smaller
Savannah, a month long, multi-unit training exercise in
scale.
February.
“We were able to integrate our wing and equipment
Sentry Savannah was the largest ever military training
with other generations of aircraft, such as the F-22
hosted by the Savannah CRTC with over 50 fighter jets
Raptors,” said Gritsavage. “We were extremely
from the Air Force, Marines and Navy participating.
successful in this, and it’s a good sign for any future
The primary focus of the cross generational exercise was
equipment changes here.”
air-to-air combat training in an over-water maritime
operation.
Senior Airman James Charkalis loads practice munitions on
“This is awesome,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Finnegan, 134th an F-16 as part of Sentry Savannah at the Savannah Combat
Readiness Training Center, Savannah, Ga., Feb. 5, 2014. (U.S.
Fighter Squadron Commander, VTANG. “It’s a great
Air National Guard photo by SrA Chelsea Clark)
learning experience…It’s a good deployed location,
plenty of ramp space and the airspace is close and
sizable. It’s been great being integrated with these
different platforms.”
Many of the training exercises involved air-to-air
movements such as refueling, coordinating multiple
aircraft maneuvers, and even ground-to-air engagement
training. Airmen from a range of shops included
Intelligence, Maintenance, and Operations groups
contributed, bringing with them more than a dozen
Written by: Airman 1st Class Dana Alyce-Schwarz, 158th FW 158th Fighter Wing F-16 aircraft.
“In Savannah we were able to work with other units
and different jets and support gear,” said Lt. Col. David
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. William Etter, 1st Air Force Commander, and Senior Airman Marc Robert review technical data while preparing
an F-16 for takeoff. Lt. Gen. Etter flew with the Green Mountain Boys in Sentry Savannah at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Gritsavage, a program manager with VTANG Base
Center, Savannah, Ga., on Feb. 4, 2014. Sentry Savannah is a multi-unit exercise, combining skills in air-to-air missions, air-to-ground Operations who helped lead the mission, “the goal of
training, and in-flight refueling. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SrA Chelsea Clark)
16 | GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 GMG SPRING/SUMMER 2014 | 17
Mortarmen
Hanging With The
Story by Spc. Roy Mercon, 86th IBCT (MTN) BELOW: Spc. Dante Stumpo, a works with fellow
Mortarman Spc. Anthony Grant to ensure the 81mm
JERICHO, Vt. - Like the Seven The classic scene in the movie require much more effort to move and Indeed, missing your mark can have Readiness Training Center. These
Mortar System is level during a live fire exercise.
Dwarfs of fairy tale, or prison ‘Stripes’ comes to mind when set-up,” said Glodgett. disastrous consequences. This is why, soldiers are acutely aware of their
(U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. Heidi Kroll)
chain gangs of old, the soldiers watching these men work. In the before any rounds are fired, a range time limits and are utilizing all the
of Mortar Section, Headquarters, snowy woods of Vermont this With the holes chopped to an safety officer working for Camp Ethan daylight they have at their disposal
Headquarters Company, 3rd weekend, it isn’t bumbling Capt. adequate depth, it’s time to actually Allen Training Site, or CEATS, must be to ensure their abilities and
Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment Stillman coming through to assess set-up the guns. This is something present during the initial round of fire. weapons are ready for whatever
are used to using pickaxes. During his troops. Instead, Brig. Gen. Steve drilled into the minds of these soldiers This RSO ensures that the mortars are comes their way.
their drill weekend this February, the Cray, the adjutant general of the since their initial training and entry aligned correctly, and the rounds aren’t
PHOTOS, LEFT TO RIGHT:
mortarmen prepared their mortar Vermont Guard, and Command Sgt. into the Army, and it is plain to see hurtling toward something or someone
sites by chopping through frozen Maj. Forrest Glodgett, the state’s how well they know their equipment. they shouldn’t. Dirt flies as Cadet James Montgomery
dirt and rock. They are doing this in command sergeant major came to Using Defense Advanced GPS swings a pick axe to chip through the frozen
preparation for their Annual Training ensure the soldiers of this mortar Receivers, called DAGARS, as well As mentioned before, the key aspect of earth to set a 81mm Mortar base plate(U.S.
at Fort Polk, La., later this year. section are working to standard. After as sight poles and scopes, these any mortar section is mobility. When the Army National Guard Photo by Sgt Heidi Kroll)
all, being proficient in the use of this mortars are checked, re-checked, battalion commander requires artillery
“The key is to ensure the base plate is weapon is key when mobile artillery is and checked once more for good support, and time is of the essence, it is Spc. Dante Stumpo attaches the M4 Mortar
properly seated with the ground,” said needed. measure. This is a training mission the mortarman that answers the call. sight to the tube of the mortar so that he
Spc. Anthony Grant a mortarman with and it’s important to ensure the entire
can target the 81mm system for a live fire
“Our inherent ability to be organic
the unit, referring to the main base “Mortars are key in this Infantry section knows how to set the mortars
exercise. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by
and mobile allows us to be wherever
on which the mortar will sit. “That Brigade,” said Glodgett. “To be able properly.
Sgt. Heidi Kroll)
the commander needs us to be,” said
way, we can be sure that our mortars to provide artillery to the battlefield in

are fired in a safe and consistent a quick, mobile fashion is what this “It can’t be overstated how important Adams. We may be part of HHC, but our
Sgt. Ned Davis shows fellow mortarman Sgt.
manner.” section is all about.” proper alignment is when setting assets belong directly to him [battalion
John Mazza how to remove the protective
up these mortars,” said Sgt. commander].”
wrapping from a mortar round. (U.S. Army
Grant, like the rest of these Glodgett knows this from experience. 1st Class Cantrese Adams, the
While some may think the road to the National Guard Photo by Sgt. Heidi Kroll)
mortarmen, considers site A former mortarman himself, Glodgett noncommissioned officer in charge
unit’s Annual Training at Fort Polk, La.
preparation an essential skill to remembers a time when he and his of the mortar section. “In a situation
is six months long, the members of the Sgt. Mike Balch confirms the line of sight is
retain. While it may not be as flashy team would walk miles carrying heavy where you have limited rounds, and
mortar section can only train on drill set in by Spc. Tristan Woodward ensuring
as ‘hanging’ the mortar, making sure components in order to be able to those you are supporting might
weekends. This means, in reality, there that the 81mm Mortar system fires at the
your weapon fires safely and in the provide artillery support. have even less time; accuracy and
is less than a weeks worth of hands- correct target.(U.S. Army National Guard
right direction is one of the most proficiency is everything.”
important parts of the process. “While the larger guns are great, they on training before heading to the Joint Photo by Sgt. Heidi Kroll)
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