V31, No 5

24 Pages·2007·1.47 MB·English

GUARDLIFE
Vol. 31, NO. 5
3 TAG's Message
4 It's The New Jersey Cavalry To The Rescue
6 Hurricane Katrina Photos
8 108th ARW Command Chief's Message
GUARDLIFE STAFF
9 Brigade Holds Combined AT
10 177th Med Group Deploys To Alpena Editors
Lt. Col. Roberta Niedt
11 50th MSB Members Rack Up The Miles Capt. Yvonne Mays
Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven
12 NJARNG Says Farewell To Units
Staff Sgt. Beth Pritchard
14 NJNG's Role In Homeland Security Assistant Editor-Production
Tech. Sgt. Mark C. Olsen
15 108th SF Assist Hurricane Katrina Victims
Staff Photographer
16 News Guard Families Can Use
Staff Sgt. Barbara Harbison
17 Guardsmen To The Rescue Staff Writer
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stephenson
18 Freedom Salutes Around The State
19 Community Based Recruiting GUARDLIFE is published bi-monthly us-
ing federal funds under provisions of AR
20 Short Rounds 360-1 and AFI 35-101 by the Public
Affairs Office of the New Jersey De-
23 Army And Air Enlisted Promotions partment of Military and Veterans Af-
fairs for all members of the New Jersey
24 Last Round: School Days
Army and Air National Guard. The views
and opinions expressed herein are not
Family Assistance Centers (Army and Air) necessarily those of the Department of
Jersey City Armory Teaneck Armory Defense, the Army, the Air Force or the
678 Montgomery Street Teaneck & Liberty Roads National Guard Bureau. Letters may be
Jersey City, NJ 07306-2208 Teaneck NJ 07666-0687 sent to: GUARDLIFE, Public Affairs Of-
POC: Sheilah Kelley POC: Staff Sgt. Sarah Loureiro fice, P.O. Box 340, NJDMAVA, Trenton,
[email protected] [email protected] NJ, 08625-0340. E-mail at: pao@
njdmava.state.nj.us
Lawrenceville Armory Toms River Armory
151 Eggert Crossing Road (Armory) 1200 Whitesville Road Cover
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-2897 Toms River, NJ 08753 Water, Water Everywhere
POC: Jane Hackbarth POC: Mike Hughes Master Sergeants’ Jeff Redrup (left),
[email protected] [email protected] 108th Air Refueling Wing and Pedro
Rodriguez (right), 177th Fighter Wing,
Morristown Armory Woodbury Armory
prepare donated water for shipment from
430 Jockey Hollow Road 120 Progress Avenue
108th ARW, McGuire Air Force Base to
Morristown, NJ 07960-0499 Woodbury, NJ 08096
POC: Sgt. Fred Giberson POC: Heather Altman Belle Chasse Naval Air Station New Or-
[email protected] [email protected] leans. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen,
NJDMAVA/PA.
Somerset Armory 108th Air Refueling Wing
1060 Hamilton Street 3327 Charles Blvd. Inside Cover
Somerset, NJ 08873 McGuire AFB, NJ 08641 Security Arrives
POC: John A. Hales POC: Tiffany Colby [phone] Members of the 108th Air Refueling Wing
[email protected] [email protected] Security Forces arrive at Belle Chasse
Naval Air Station New Orleans as part of
State Office – Fort Dix Joint FAC 177th Fighter Wing
New Jersey's response to Hurricane
3650 Saylors Pond Rd. 400 Langley Rd.
Fort Dix, NJ 08640 Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 Katrina. For more on New Jersey's aid
POC: CW4 Ralph Cwieka [phone] POC: Joan F. Searfoss [phone] to New Orleans turn to page 5. Photo by
[email protected] [email protected] Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stephenson,
NJDMAVA/PA.
For More Information Call Our Toll Free Number 1-888-859-0352
G U A R D L I F E
2
TAG's Message - The Tradition Continues
By Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General - New Jersey
before-self. From WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert
Storm to today - we have returned to our traditional
mission of defending the homeland. Today’s focus
has been defending against the terrorist threat.
The Minutemen of our National Guard, however,
were not content just to save the world from disaster.
We responded to local emergencies within the Garden
State and as we now are doing in the Gulf Coast region,
assisting our fellow citizens devastated by natural
disasters. We mobilized Soldiers and Airmen to New
Orleans to assist local law enforcement in patrolling
the grief-stricken areas. We collected 3.5 million
bottles of water for the residents of the impacted areas.
Acting Governor Richard J. Codey (right) and Maj. Gen. Glenn
K. Rieth address New Jersey National Guard members prior Our Soldiers operated a Movement Control Cell at
to deployment to New Orleans in support of Hurricane Katrina Naval Air Station New Orleans – one of the busiest
relief efforts. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA. transportation hubs in the area following the hurricane.
And our Civil Engineers from the 108th ARW and 177th
O FW are providing much needed support in Gulfport.
ur National Guard is derived from the Colonial These are New Jersey’s finest citizens!
militias of the new world colonies. The first
small units were comprised of Citizen-Soldiers ready Here in New Jersey we assist local communities by
and willing to put down their plows, grab their muskets bringing drinking water to areas where supply may be
and band together in the common defense of their interrupted; we transport patients with medical
community. During the War for Independence, these emergencies to hospitals for dialysis and other life-
“minutemen” formed an important part of the American saving treatment; assist in the rescue and recovery
Army and despite adversity, poor supplies, and no efforts; install temporary bridges over key roadways;
pay, time and again, proved themselves in battle provide emergency generators during power outages;
against much better equipped mercenaries and the help fight forest fires in the Pinelands; evacuate people
professional soldiers in the British Army. stranded by floods; open our armories for various
community events; provide our young people with
Our original purpose was to defend and protect recreation facilities; support drug education / prevention
against hostile natives, renegades, an occasional programs; work with various law enforcement agencies
attack from the French (in the days long before the in the ongoing war on drugs; helped plan and conduct
Revolutionary War), and in 1812, an attempt by the the Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebrations, World
British to reclaim their lost colony. The threat often Cup Soccer, Op Sail, and the Inaugural ceremonies for
changed, but the response was always the same … do our Governor every four years.
whatever was necessary to protect families and
neighbors and, after independence, to preserve the Like the many unique challenges that faced our
fledgling democracy. Due in no small part to the predecessors, the threat keeps changing. From
contributions of the National Guard, America grew Homeland Defense to Homeland Security; from
and prospered and soon established itself as a beacon Emergency Operations to Community Assistance...in
of hope to oppressed peoples around the world. the glorious tradition of our forefathers...we keep
responding. Thank you for your service. Thank you
Unlike the military in many other countries so often for your continued sacrifice. Thank you for keeping
used to oppress and control civilian populations, our alive the indomitable spirit of the Citizen-Soldier.
heritage reflects only the highest ideals of service-
G U A R D L I F E
3
It’s The New Jersey Cava
By retired Warrant Officer Roman M. Martyniuk, NJDMAVA/PA
W
hile tens of thousands of National Guardsmen weeks assisting local law enforcement personnel restore
are deployed overseas to fight the Global War and maintain order. Twenty-five soldiers of the 3rd Battal-
On Terrorism, thousands more Citizen-Soldiers ion, 112th Field Artillery spent three days setting up a Life
are responding to the threats to citizens here at home. Support Area for a Law Enforcement Task Force from New
Once again, it’s the Cavalry to the rescue with equal Jersey that sent State Police and other emergency ser-
support from Field Artillery, Armor and Infantry units and a vices personnel to the devastated region (also as part of the
big assist from the Air National Guard. The New Jersey state’s EMAC agreement with Louisiana.)
National Guard has deployed hundreds of personnel, ve- On Sept. 21, a contingent of 12 New Jersey Army
hicles and equipment in response to the unprecedented National Guard Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field
devastation and destruction left in the aftermath of Hurri- Artillery, 50th Main Support Battalion, and Joint Force
canes Katrina and Rita to assist victims of the two worst Headquarters departed from McGuire Air Force Base des-
storms to hit the United States in the last century. tined for Belle Chasse Naval Air Station New Orleans to
Following the announcement by LTG H. Steven Blum, relieve their counterparts in the Louisiana National Guard
Chief, National Guard Bureau on Aug. 31 authorizing who have been on duty at the military flight facility since
respective state National Guards to provide whatever man- Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast more than three
power or equipment support they had to assist in the weeks prior.
monumental relief effort, New Jersey Air National Guard The Garden State Guardsmen, who all volunteered to
crews and their KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft from the answer the call to fulfill this latest mission, served as a
108th Air Refueling Wing were mobilized to deliver desper- “movement control cell” directing the hundreds of aircraft
ately needed bottled drinking water to the areas affected by and vehicles bringing desperately needed relief supplies to
the ravages of Katrina’s 135 mph winds and 20-foot storm the storm stricken area. The Jersey troops were tasked for
surge. this special mission as part of the Emergency Manage-
New Jersey citizens, corporations and private organi- ment Assistance Compact (EMAC) that provides authority
zations donated 3.5 million 16-ounce bottles of water over for Guard units from other than their home state to provide
a five-day period. New Jersey Army National Guard personnel and equipment in the event of an emergency.
personnel from the 250th Forward Support Battalion head- The troops were stationed at Belle Chasse where they
quartered in Sea Girt and other personnel at National Guard helped coordinate arrivals and departures of the numerous
armories throughout the state also were called into service daily flights of military and other relief aircraft that are
to package and provide ground transportation for the do- bringing additional troops, equipment, and supplies to aid
nated water. in the ongoing national relief and recovery effort.
Thirty-five Security Forces Airmen of the 108th Air Lt. Col. Eric Anderson, Joint Force Headquarters-New
Refueling Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, spent two Jersey, commanded this group of Guardsmen. “As a
G U A R D L I F E
4
avalry To The Rescue
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Moore, JFHQ-NJ/PA
Guardsman I’m happy to be able to help our fellow Ameri- Artillery; 110th Engineer Detachment; 50th Personnel
cans in the aftermath of this terrible disaster. As a husband Services Batallion; Joint Force Headquarters - New Jersey
and father, I can only imagine what these families have had and a command and control element from Joint Training and
to endure these past weeks.” Training Development Center. Medics, mechanics, drivers,
The current relief effort differs somewhat from previous and fuel handlers formed the 53-vehicle convoy, which
emergency assistance missions in the Garden State fol- included HUMMV’s, tractor-trailers, pallet loading sys-
lowing Hurricanes' Floyd and Andrew and the local flood tems, HMMT cargo, wreckers, and tankers, and an ambu-
emergencies in Somerset County a few years back. The lance for the three-day motor march to Louisiana while the
areas of the Gulf Coast have been so severely damaged that bulk of the infantry troops traveled by commercial bus.
numerous new challenges have been introduced. The "My intent was to provide a professional military unit to
virtual absence of communications, electricity, housing, the city of New Orleans, that was able to assist with
fuel, food, and potable water required rescue personnel not security and stabilization operations," said Col. James
only to bring relief supplies to assist the victims of the Grant, Commander, Task Force Garden State. "Prepared-
Hurricane, but also to be completely self supporting. ness, perception and professionalism have been the focus
Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New of this command since day one. I can report today that my
Jersey, who along with Acting Governor Richard J. Codey, intent was met and expectations exceeded. I am proud of
Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard each and every Soldiers’ performance on this mission."
accompanied the troops during their flight to New Orleans, Katrina support didn't stop there. In addition to the
described the Guard’s role in emergencies. “These Guards- numerous Soldiers and Airmen mentioned earlier, 20 mem-
men all volunteered. Their willingness to put service to state bers of the 177th Medical Group deployed to both New
and nation before service to self has always been the Orleans and Gulfport, Miss., for anywhere from two to four
hallmark of the Citizen-Soldier.” weeks to provide aid. On Oct. 14, 43 civil engineers and
On Sept. 28, an additional 300 troops from the New other support personnel for the 108th ARW and the 177th
Jersey National Guard began their 30-day mission of FW deployed to Gulfport to help maintain and improve a life
providing security, bringing supplies, equipment and addi- support area for volunteers.
tional personnel to support Task Force Santa Fe. The “The Guard is family," said General Rieth. "Whatever
Soldiers were drawn from a variety of units to include the 1st resources we have...whatever resources we can muster
Battalion, 114th Infantry; the 2nd Battalion 102nd Armor; now will be directed to assisting our extended National
the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry: a beefed-up Transporta- Guard family and other storm victims in the Gulf Coast
tion Platoon from the 250th Forward Support Battalion: the region.”
50th Main Support Battalion; the 253rd Transportation
Company; members of the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field
G U A R D L I F E
5
NJNG's Response To
Hurricane Katrina In
Pictures
G U A R D L I F E
6
G U A R D L I F E
7
108th ARW Command Chief: Teamwork
By Command Chief Master Sgt. Joe Ortu
I
n any organization, effective The first aircraft departing McGuire
Teamwork allows goals and ob- transported members of the 108th
jectives to be accomplished suc- Security Forces Squadron. As al-
cessfully. In the Profession of Arms, ways, they were prepared to do
these goals and objectives equate whatever was required, although
to mission accomplishment. unsure of their final destination or
As the National Guard evolves, assignment.
our military relationships have ex- The Naval Air Station New Or-
panded and Teamwork crosses unit leans ramp was packed with Air
and service lines more frequently Guard aircraft from the 108th, Kan-
than ever before. sas, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire,
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita im- California, Utah and Wisconsin. All
pacted Americans in several states. had the same mission objective and
The New Jersey National Guard's shared the sense of urgency. Get in
response to these disasters has with the cargo, get it downloaded
been exceptional, unselfish and a safely and get off the ground as soon
great example of Teamwork. Soon as possible.
after Katrina, it was determined that Over the course of the 10-day
our mission would be to bring emer- operation at the 108th, the morale,
gency shipments of water to the esprit de corps and Teamwork was
New Orleans area. Basically, the plan Atlantic City joined the team at the fantastic. During the entire time,
was to accept donations of bottled 108th, while Soldiers were busy man- Guardsmen could be seen pitching in
water from businesses and private ning the collection sites. to help the Team in any way possible.
citizens throughout the state. We would Local radio stations advertised Recurring comments included: “Glad
then transport that water, utilizing air- the initiative and the water started to help out”, “Happy to pitch in” “Wish
lift to the New Orleans area. The flowing in. The Army National Guard I could do more to help”, and “It's the
positive Teamwork that was displayed utilized its community-based armor- least we can do”.
by citizens, commercial establish- ies to accept donated bottled water. Rest assured, that teamwork will
ments and, most of all, the members The armories are easily accessible to continue, as it always has. While
of the New Jersey National Guard in the general public and our generous writing this article, Army and Air units
the days that followed was exem- citizens brought thousands of cases were deploying to the Gulf region to
plary. to these armories. Soldiers collected further assist in operations. The 108th
The Joint Operations Center in water, palletized it and loaded it into and 177th Civil Engineers have de-
Lawrenceville coordinated the activi- trucks for delivery to a cargo staging ployed to Gulfport, Miss., where they
ties of both Army and Air compo- area at McGuire AFB. Commercial will work restoring base facilities.
nents. The plan moved forward rapidly establishments delivered tractor-trailer Whatever your role in this task
and encompassed many areas. It loads of water directly to the 108th. I may have been, you made a valuable
took teamwork to execute the plan met a passenger in a tractor-trailer contribution. Vehicle operators, me-
and make things happen. While the loaded with water and as I thanked chanics, logisticians, aircrew and su-
basic plan sounds simple, it was not him for his delivery, he thanked us for pervisors all worked as one Team.
an easy task. Teamwork was re- our efforts. He was the president of New Jersey Guardsmen can and
quired to execute each phase of the the company supplying the water and should be proud of their accomplish-
plan. Labor Day weekend proved not just wanted to do his part to help his ments in response to Katrina. Our
to be an obstacle as volunteers sacri- fellow Americans. Teamwork enabled us to deliver mil-
ficed their personal and family time to At the marshalling area, the water lions of bottles of water where it was
meet the needs of the mission. For was downloaded from the trucks and needed and we know once again the
this mission, like all others, the Guard palletized. The aircraft pallets must New Jersey National Guard has made
stepped up to the challenge. Volun- be “built” according to the aircraft they a difference. Great job!
teers from the 177th Fighter Wing in will be loaded on.
G U A R D L I F E
8
Brigade Holds Combined Annual Training
By Spc. Marimer Navarrete, 444 MPAD
A
smaller but much more experienced
group of citizen Soldiers successfully
completed Annual Training (AT) at Fort
Indiantown Gap, Pa.
This year’s AT was the first time in recent
memory where members of the 1st Battalion,
113th Infantry; 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry;
2nd Battalion, 102nd Armor; 3rd Battalion,
112th Field Artillery and the 5th Squadron,
117th Cavalry had the opportunity to train with
each other simultaneously.
Many of these units’ members recently
returned from active duty tours in the Sinai,
Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and Iraq, where some
obtained valuable combat experience and others
new skills and training techniques that they
were able to share with each other.
Even though Soldiers returning from recent
Pfc. Jeffrey Avetria, 1st Battalion, 113th Infantry, descends from the repelling
deployments were not required to attend this
tower. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stephenson, NJDMAVA/PA.
year’s AT, Brigade Commander, Col. Frank
Caruso, said that the ones who did come had
the opportunity to do combined training with soldiers of were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
other units. “We’ve never really experienced being associated with
“All of our ranges and some of the exercises were open the Infantry firing mortars,” said the battalion’s Command
to more than one battalion. So for instance, if one battalion Sgt. Mayor Tom Slowenski. “We sent some guys to the
was running a range, that range was open and everybody rappel tower who would never have had the opportunity to
participated, they just had the responsibility to run it. Some do that and the Infantry had it laid on and invited us to come
of the lanes we interchanged, too,” explained Caruso. out and train with them. We haven’t fired cannons in two and
Of those who benefited from the combined training were a half years, so just to get out here and do something
13 Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery who different was real good experience.”
Besides the live mortar fire exercises, the Brigade
trained with various weapons, such as the M-9 pistol,
M-16A4/A2 rifle, M249-SAW, M250, threw hand
grenades, and fired anti-tank AT-4 rockets.
They also had the opportunity to conduct Infantry
maneuver lanes, mounted route reconnaissance
across several wooded miles of FIG terrain, and
conducted counter insurgency weapons training.
Reflecting on all their accomplishments, Caruso
said that this AT helped the Brigade to grow stronger
as redeployed Soldiers brought their real-life
experiences to the training.
“As these units deployed to different locations
they brought a little piece of that (knowledge) back
with them. They’ve used that knowledge to make the
Pvt. Daniel Botero, Pfc. John Law, and Spc. Phillip Purnell (L-R), of units stronger. We are looking forward to building a
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 50th Brigade, operate great force and I think this was the first step to
communication equipment. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven, building a solid, energetic, trained force.”
444 MPAD.
G U A R D L I F E
9
177th Med Group Deploys To Alpena
Story by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, 177FW/PA; photo by Tech. Sgt. Kelly Deitloff, 161ARW/CF
nel for training in a variety of combat and emergency
scenarios.
The Airmen received specialized training in the opera-
tion of Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) – the Air
Force’s new medical and dental field hospital - which
replaces air transportable clinics. EMEDS includes an
emergency and operating rooms, x-ray capability and a 25-
bed ward. The Airmen trained in disease prevention,
combat stress, self aid and buddy care/wound manage-
ment, litter loading for ambulance and C-130 Hercules
aircraft. They also trained with a human patient simulator
- a training device that looks like and responds in the same
way a person does when a doctor and staff works on it.
The training scenarios included emergency and oper-
ating rooms, a mass casualty exercise, and a “bug out” -
Lt. Col. Albert Assad (right) and 1st Lt. Jason Winterbottom (left)
a term many will recognize from the TV series MASH -
operate on a patient.
which means to pull up stakes and relocate operations.
F The 177th Services Flight Airmen received special recogni-
rom August 1 through 5, Airmen from the 177th tion in the final report. “The Food Services personnel were
Medical Group along with 177th Services Flight considered outstanding by everyone," stated Col. Patrick
combined forces with 110th, 115th, 161st and the D. Aiello, Commander, 161st Medical Group, 161st Air
162nd Medical Groups for annual training at the Combat Refueling Wing, Phoenix, Ariz. “They were on time every
Readiness Training Center at Alpena, Mich. day, had outstanding attitudes and served great food.”
The training was geared toward deployment under bare “We truly didn't have a weak link,” summarized Lt. Col.
base conditions anywhere in the world. The Guardsmen, Gerald Iuliucci, 177th Medical Services Corps. “The patient
who spent their entire deployment in a tent city at Camp retrieval team members’ response was highly focused. The
Collins, represented a complete cross-section of medical ER team accomplished the most rapid and efficient through-
skills present during the deployment. Everyone from put of patients. The OR team did more procedures than ever
physicians and flight surgeons to optometrists, nurses and before for this type of exercise. All personnel consistently
medical service corps officers joined forces with adminis- showed high levels of enthusiasm and professionalism.”
trative, medical equipment repair and public health person-
Air Show
Highlights Wing
And Air Guard
Chief Master Sgt. Donald Martenz,
177th Fighter Wing Maintenance
Operations Flight, coordinates main-
tenance support during the 2005
Atlantic City Air Show Aug. 30. The
177th provided everything from
flightline maintenance and fuel, to
ramp space and traffic control. Plan-
ning for next year's has already
begun. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark
Olsen, 177FW/PA.
G U A R D L I F E
10