PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #3071Syracuse, NY

Volume 14, Number 5 September- October 2005

69th Infantry comes Home, page 4 138th Public Affairs in OIF, page 7

Army and Air Guardjoin Historical DisasterRelief Efforts

Soldiers wait at the Albany International Airport Sept. 5 to load a Humvee on a 105th Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxydestined for Hurricane Katrina relief operations. The flight was part of the New York National Guard's joint forcesdisaster relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi this fall. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

GUARD NOTESNew York Military Kids Website is Up

The Youth Program website, www.proudnymilitarykids.org, is now up and running,Shelly Aiken, Youth Program coordinator, said. “We are still looking for ideas tomake this web site better,” Aiken said. “The web site is a work in progress andwhatever ideas readers have let us know and we will be glad to add them to the site.”

The New York National Guard Youth Program is additionally looking to form ayouth council. The council would come together to speak on behalf of the youth andthe entire National Guard Youth Program. Aiken said their mission is to have teen/peer educators who are here to help and incorporate youth into all National Guardactivities. The council will be comprised of 10 members of equal status regardlessof military or nonmilitary affiliation. The council is a non-governing board and willconduct business by discussion and consensus.

Contact Shelly Aiken, NYNG Youth Program at 914-788-7405 or emailShelly.m.aiken@ny.ngb.army.mil.

Wellness Support Program AnnouncedThe Department of Defense announced today the recent implementation of a post

deployment health reassessment program that reaches out to servicemembers threeto six months after returning from deployment.

The new commanders’ program complements health assessments currently beingconducted for servicemembers before, and immediately upon return, from deployment.

“Our number one priority is the health and wellness of our servicemembers,” Dr.William Winkenwerder, Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said.

Winkenwerder’s department realizes deployments, especially to combat operations,may result in health or adjustment difficulties for some servicemembers. Many ofthese conditions and concerns take several months to become apparent following aservicemember’s return home.

“As part of DoD’s comprehensive medical readiness efforts, this new programhelps ensure servicemembers are attuned to their health and have access to the healthcare and community-based services they need to serve strong and live long healthylives,” Winkenwerder said.

The new assessment program will provide additional health education toservicemembers on deployment-related health problems and treatment resources.

“Commanders will use this tool to offer servicemembers and their families anyadditional support they may need,” Ellen P. Embrey, deputy assistant secretary ofdefense for force health protection and readiness, said.

For more information about post deployment health reassessment visit https://fhp.osd.mil/pdhrainfo.

EANYNG Urges 'zero DWIs' this HolidayThe Enlisted Association of the New York National Guard reminds all Soldiers,

Airmen, Militia and New York Guard members to find a ride, don’t drink and drive,this Holiday season and throughout the New Year. Look out for friends, family andfellow Guard members. Volunteer to be the designated driver. Remember, don’t everdrink and drive or ride with anyone else that has been drinking alcohol. Every injuryand death caused by a drunken driver is totally preventable. Its all about your enlistedcore values!

Happy Holidays from the EANYNG.

Language Courses AvailableThe Army recently announced a $4.2 million dollar contract with a language

technologies company to provide foreign-language training, at no cost to active ArmyNational Guard, Reservists and Department of the Army civilian personnel worldwidethrough Army e-Learning: www.dls.army.mil.

The contracted company will provide the Army 26 state-of-the-art languagecourses through Army e-Learning, including Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French,Farsi, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean,Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Turkish,Vietnamese and Welsh. These web-based training courses teach reading, writing,speaking and listening with immersion and completely without translation.

Guard Times2

TTTTThe he he he he AdjutantAdjutantAdjutantAdjutantAdjutantGenerGenerGenerGenerGeneral ral ral ral ral retiretiretiretiretiresesesesesNew York State, Nationhonor General Maguirein retirement ceremony

Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, Chief of the National GuardBureau, left, presents Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire,Jr., an award during his retirement ceremony. Photoby Michael O'Halloran, 105AW Multi Media.

By Lt. Col. Robert E. BullockNYANG Public Affairs Officer

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARDBASE, Newburgh — More than 1,000members of the New York military forces,adjutants general from neighboring states,distinguished guests, and family andfriends gathered here, Nov. 5, to bidfarewell to retired Adjutant General ofthe State of New York Maj. Gen. ThomasP. Maguire, Jr., as he brought to a close adistinguished military career.

During the ceremony, General Maguirewas lauded for his extraordinaryachievement during one of the mostchallenging periods for the state militaryforces during the past 100 years.Throughout his tenure, New York’sforces, both Air and Army, served on thefront lines in conflicts in the Balkans andSouthwest Asia.

In a citation read during the presentationof the general’s Distinguished ServiceMedal and New York State ConspicuousService Medal, two of the nation andstate’s highest decorations, specialemphasis was placed on the general’sleadership following the attack on NewYork’s World Trade Center. Over thecourse of the several months immediatelyfollowing 9/11, it was noted, more than3,000 New York military forces weredeployed in and around New York City toprovide critical security, command andcontrol, and other support functions.

The military retirement ceremony waspresided over by Chief of the NationalGuard Bureau Lt. Gen. H Steven Blumand featured the participation of NewYork State Director of State OperationsWilliam Howard, representing GovernorGeorge E. Pataki. The Storm King BrassQuintet from the nearby U.S. MilitaryAcademy at West Point provided music.

In his remarks, General Maguire thankedhis wife Debbie and his family who hadbeen by his side throughout his time inservice. He also placed special emphasison the sacrifices being made inAfghanistan and Iraq by members of theNew York Army National Guard. Duringhis tenure as adjutant general, as much astwenty-five percent of the New YorkArmy National Guard’s approximately10,000 members have been deployed atone time.

“Major General Tom Maguire has been

a vital member of our team and one of themost capable leaders New York’smilitary forces have ever had,” GovernorPataki said. “Throughout his distinguishedmilitary career, General Maguire hasserved his State and nation with greathonor and dedication. He skillfully leadNew York State’s organized militiafollowing the devastating attacks onSeptember 11th and has worked tirelesslyto help save New York’s militaryinstallations from the base closingrecommendations contained in the 2005Base Closure and RealignmentCommission report.”

“It is both an honor and a privilege torecognize Maj. Gen. Maguire today,” Lt.Gen. Blum said. “During his tenure asAdjutant General, the New York NationalGuard has excelled in their service toboth state and nation. Whether it wasresponding on 9/11, deploying highlytrained troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, ormyriad support to civil authorities, theNew York National Guard has been‘always ready, always there’. And TomMaguire led these Citizen Soldiers andAirmen with courage and selflessservice.”

“As Adjutant General, he providedstrategic and visionary leadership for thelargest and most sustained period ofNational Guard activations in decades foroperations within New York State, theUnited States, and overseas,” GovernorPataki said. “On behalf of all NewYorkers, I thank him for his exemplaryleadership and unyielding commitment tothe residents of our State.”

General Maguire served as the AdjutantGeneral for the State of New York fromAug. 9, 2001 to Oct. 31, 2005. ❏

Guard Times 3

Recently retired Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire, Jr., left, congratulates Maj. Gen.Robert P. Knauff on his promotion to Major General and appointment as Commander, New York AirNational Guard. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

By Kent KisselbrackPublic Affairs Director

JOINT FORCES HEADQUARTERS,Latham — On behalf of Governor GeorgeE. Pataki, Army Brig. Gen.F David Sheppard, Acting AdjutantGeneral of the State of New York,announced that Maj. Gen. Robert A.Knauff assumed command of the NewYork Air National Guard, Nov. 1.

Major General Knauff’s appointmentfollows the recent retirement of Maj. Gen.Thomas P. Maguire, Jr., who held theposition for five years and officiallyended 36 years of military service onOctober 31.

Knauff was additionally promoted to therank of Major General before a gatheringof Airmen, Soldiers, family and friends ina November ceremony here. Prior to thisassignment, Knauff served as the Chief of

New Commander forAir Guard Headquarters

Staff and the Vice Commander of theNYANG.

“Major General Knauff has brought awealth of experience and knowhow toNew York State’s Air National Guard,”Brig. Gen. Sheppard said. “We areconfident that his selection to thisimportant assignment will continue tobenefit the Air Force, the New YorkNational Guard and the people of NewYork.”

As commander of the NYANG, Maj.Gen. Knauff directs the activities of theHeadquarters New York Air NationalGuard and is the primary advisor to theAdjutant General on all Air Guardmatters.

“New York State has been my home fornearly 10 years and I couldn’t be moreproud of the men and women in the NewYork National Guard,” Knauff said. “Fromdeployments in support of the Global Waron Terror to helping provide neededhumanitarian assistance when naturaldisasters strike around our nation and theglobe, New York’s National Guard standsready and able to meet every challengehead-on.”

Major General Knauff, a command pilot,is combat qualified in the F-16 FightingFalcon, F-15 Eagle, F-106 Delta Dart, andthe OV-10 Bronco with more than 3,900flying hours. His military career began in1975 when he graduated from the UnitedStates Air Force Academy with aBachelor of Science degree inAeronautical Engineering. Throughout hismore than 30 years as an officer in the Air

Maj. Gen. Robert A.Knauff Leads the NewYork Air National Guard

By Jeannine M. MannarinoEnlisted Association

LATHAM — The Enlisted Association of the NewYork National Guard will be kicking off a majorrecruiting drive January 2006. January 1 throughMarch 31 any enlisted association member E-7 andbelow, will have an opportunity to win a trip to the35th Annual Enlisted Associations National ConferenceAugust 20-23 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Grand Prize winner will be recognized at theNational Conference for their outstanding contributionto the New York Enlisted Association before theirenlisted peers. The second runner up will receive anApple Ipod Nano 2GB, and the third prize will be aThumb Drive and Enlisted Association T-shirt.

The Association is challenging all Guard members tocompete for this prestigious grand prize not onlybecause, the winner will have a great time at theNational Conference the campaign will ultimatelybenefit all our Soldiers and Airmen. The EnlistedAssociation works for Guard members, their familiesand the retired members for greater benefits, readinessissues and changes for a better stronger Guard. Allcompetitors will be able to track their progress bygoing to www.eanyng.org which is the Association’s

newly revised and updated website. The ground rulesand applications for the competition will be posted onthe website as well. If you need assistance Tech. Sgt.Ann Miller, (518) 786-4850 membership committeechairwoman will be happy to help you in theapplication process.

Since 9/11 New York’s members of the EnlistedAssociation have depleted due to inconsistencies andmultiple 18-month deployments among our forces. Theleaders of the executive board were among the forcesthat were called out. Although the Association’smembership is growing steadily, since June,membership has increased by 68 new members, theExecutive board is at 100 percent, and Committeechairs and Zone representatives have increased by 30percent. Power is in the numbers when it comes tolobbying in Washington, DC and at our local officialslevel. Last April, the Enlisted Association of the NewYork National Guard had 589 members that werecurrent. The availability of New York’s enlistedmembers is greater than 14,000 not including NationalGuard retirees.

This past month the Enlisted Associations Web Site

Committee redesigned the website and willcontinuously update the web site for legislative newsalerts and current efforts of the Association. Allmembers of the National Guard can access the website. The Web Site Committee is working on amember’s only link, which will have chat rooms,where members will be able to log on and askquestions that a representative from the Associationwill respond to.

The board is ready, willing, and prepared to makeour move to increase membership by asking allenlisted members to step up to make the EnlistedAssociation of the New York National Guard one ofthe strongest in the Nation.

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of theUnited States was formally organized in 1972 with thegoal of increasing the voice of enlisted personnel in theNational Guard. Beginning with twenty-three states,EANGUS now represents all 54 states and territories,totaling more than 70,000 members. Headquartered inAlexandria, Va., just outside Washington, EANGUSmaintains a full-time staff to represent our interests inthe Pentagon and on Capital Hill. EANGUS is anonprofit association.

EANGUS speaks with your U.S. Representatives inthe House and Senate on a daily basis. Our agendafocuses on you – members of the Army and AirNational Guard. However, we can’t do it all alone.EANGUS needs you to contact your respectiveCongressmen and Senators to voice your opinions andconcerns on issues that affect your National Guardcareers and benefits. This legislative section of ourwebsite www.eangus.org offers you an insight intotopics that we are currently pursuing, and it alerts youto actions you can take to help us while we help you inthese efforts. ❏

Enlisted Association ofthe National Guardrecruits Guardmembers for tomorrow

Force, Maj. Gen. Knauff has served as anaircraft commander, an instructor pilot, aforward air controller and a staff officer.Prior to becoming the NYANG Chief ofStaff in 2003, he served as the wingcommander of the 174th Fighter Wing,Syracuse, from March 1996 - May 2003.

Born and raised in Pasadena, Calif.,Maj. Gen. Knauff now resides in Manliuswith his wife Kathy. ❏

Guard Times4

By Lt. Col. Paul FanningGuard Times Staff

LEXINGTON AVENUE ARMORY,Manhattan– After nearly 18 months offederal active duty, including an intensefull year in a combat zone, New York’sfamed “Fighting 69th Infantry” has comehome.

From Ground Zero to theSunni Triangle and HomeTask Force Wolfhoundreturns from OperationIraqi Freedom

Hundreds of Soldiers returned to homearmories and communities across thestate during September, thus ending anodyssey of duty that began on 9/11 in thewake of the worst attack on America inhistory.

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. GeoffSlack ordered that his Soldiers fullycomplete out-processing from activeduty at Ft. Dix, N.J., and be released totheir families as soon as possible. Therewould be no formal ceremonies to adddelays. They were to be released assoon as they were ready. So they wenthome aboard charter busses or werepicked up by anxious families whodrove down to recover their Soldier inperson.

Federally activated for Operation IraqiFreedom III on May 17, 2004, the 1st

Battalion 69th Infantry had not beendeployed to combat since World War IIand is the second New York NationalGuard infantry organization ordered tofederal active duty for overseas service.

At the time of its call up, the Fighting69th was assigned to the N.Y.-basedThird Brigade of the 42nd InfantryDivision (Mechanized) and wasorganized as a mechanized infantry unit.Following its activation and arrival atFt. Hood, Texas, the battalion underwentreorganization, training and conversionin order to deploy as a reinforcedmotorized infantry battalion with theLouisiana National Guard’s 256th

Separate Infantry Brigade. Eventually,Soldiers from 17 different armories –more than 700 hundred Soldiers total(including two units of the 101st CavalryRegiment) from across the state andnearly 60 troops from up to 14 otherstates were organized into what wasdubbed “Task Force Wolfhound” fordeployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ground Zero DutyOn 9/11, New York’s Fighting 69th

was among the original units to respondto the terrorist attacks on the WorldTrade Center. Unit members beganstreaming to the armory as the towersburned. Many members, who were alsoNew York City police, fire andemergency personnel, were alreadyresponding to the attacks. 1st Lt. GerardBaptiste, a fireman assigned to Ladder 9became the Fighting 69th’s first casualtyin the opening moment of the GlobalWar on Terror when Tower 1 camedown as he and other firemen wereattempting to evacuate employees fromthe building.

The 69th moved to what became knownas Ground Zero and immediately joinedthe throngs of police, fire and otherrescue personnel in attempting toremove debris by hand and search forpossible survivors.

The next day, on order, the 69th andother units of the New York ArmyNational Guard established a securityperimeter around the entire World TradeCenter site and then cleared the pile ofall personnel. The Chief of New YorkCity’s fire department had ordered thatthe pile be cleared so that specializedsearch and rescue teams could enter thearea and in the interest of safety, gain

control of the site. Members of the 69th

continued to perform security andrecovery support for two weeks on StateActive Duty.

In the wake of the towers’ collapse,New York City officials designated thearmory at Lexington Avenue and 25th

Street as a reception center for thefamilies of the missing for the first twoweeks following the attacks. Familiesdecorated the armory with photos,posters, letters, and mementos of themissing. Grieving family memberssearching for missing relatives regularlyapproached Fighting 69th Soldiers onsecurity detail for assistance.

Operation Noble Eagle Duty –Homeland Defense

At the conclusion of two weeks ofState Active Duty in New York City, theFighting 69th was called to FederalActive Duty to provide security at theU.S. Military Academy at West Point.The 69th was assigned perimetersecurity at West Point and provided 24-hour coverage for the entire campus forsix months. At the conclusion of thisassignment, responsibility for themission was transferred to the 1st

Battalion 258th Field Artillery, but manymembers of the 69th volunteered toextend their service for an additional sixmonth tour.

Spc. Steven J. Byerwalters is greeted by his familyat Joint Forces Headquarters, Latham Sept. 14upon his return from Iraq with the 69th Infantry.Photos by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

Sgt. Efrain M. Diaz displays the 1stBattalion 69th Infantry Headquarters'guidon outside the Lexington AvenueArmory Sept. 12 upon his return from Iraq.

1st Battalion 69th Infantry Soldiers havereturned home after nearly 18 months of federal active duty,including an full year in a combat zone. Photo by Spc. Jason Garcia.

Guard Times 5

The leadership of the 69th tookcommand of a task force of New YorkArmy National Guard personnelproviding ongoing security support toNew York City civil authorities byproviding troops at bus and trainstations and New York City crossingpoints into Manhattan. Following manymonths of service, responsibility for thismission was transferred to the NewYork National Guard's 27th SeparateInfantry Brigade.

Activation for Operation IraqiFreedom

On order, the Fighting 69th wasmobilized and organized with additionalunits in May 2004 and immediatelybegan pre-mobilization training at Ft.Hood, Texas.

Headquarters and Headquarters

Company – Lexington Avenue Armory,Manhattan

Company A – Lexington AvenueArmory, Manhattan

Company B – Bayshore Armory, LongIsland

Company D, 1st Battalion 101st

Cavalry, NewburghTroop E, 101st Cavalry, GenevaThe combined task force strength was

approximately 700 troops and includedSoldiers from across the state – LongIsland, New York City, the HudsonValley, the Capital District, fromBuffalo and Jamestown.

Service in IraqThe Fighting 69th deployed to Iraq in

October 2004 with the 256th InfantryBrigade and together they initially cameunder the command of the U.S. Army’s1st Cavalry Division. The Headquartersof the 3rd Infantry Division laterreplaced the 1st Cavalry Divisionheadquarters in command of Task ForceBaghdad. The Fighting 69th was based atCamp Liberty near Baghdad in one of themost dangerous areas inside the SunniTriangle. Fighting 69th Soldiersperformed a variety of missions togetherwith attached elements of the LouisianaNational Guard’s 256th Brigade. Theseincluded area security, patrols, raids andoffensive operations. In addition, TaskForce Wolfhound troops capturednumerous weapons caches, helped trainnew Iraqi National Guard members,provided medical, logistical and civilsupport to Iraqi villages, schools,mosques and families, and workedclosely with Iraqi police and militaryofficials as they were being prepared totake on increased responsibilities for thedefense and security of their homeland.

The Fighting 69th's Lexington Avenue Armory wasthe closest armory to Ground Zero, and its Soldierswere among those in the famous "bucket brigade"clearing rubble on 9/11. Photo by Sgt. Peter Touse.

LossesEleven members of the battalion plus

eight Louisiana National Guard Soldiersgave the ultimate sacrifice to the nationwhile serving together in Task ForceWolfhound. Numerous members of thebattalion have been awarded the PurpleHeart Medal for combat wounds.Following are those members of theFighting 69th who were lost:

Nov. 29, 2004Sgt. Christian P. Engeldrum – Bronx1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentSpc. Wilfredo F. Urbina – Baldwin1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentDec. 1, 2004SGT David M. Fisher – Green Island1st Battalion, 101st Cavalry RegimentDec. 3, 2004Staff Sgt. Henry E. Irizarry – Bronx1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentJan. 6, 2005

Sgt. Kenneth G. VonRonn –Bloomingburg

1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentJan. 16, 2005Spc. Alain Kamolvathin – South

Ozone Park1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentJan. 17, 2005Pfc. Francis C. Obaji – Queens

Village1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentMarch 2, 2005Spc. Azhar Ali – Flushing1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentSpc. Wai P. Lwin – Queens1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentAug. 8, 2005Spc. Anthony N. Kalladeen –

Purchase1st Battalion, 69th Infantry RegimentPfc. Hernando Rios – Queens1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment ❏

Fighting 69th Soldiers patrol an Iraq neighborhood during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Photo by Spc. Jason Garcia.

A 69th Infantry Soldier uses a metal detector tocheck an Iraqi for weapons.

The Fighting 69th wasbased at Camp Libertynear Baghdad in one of themost dangerous areasinside the Sunni Triangle.

Guard Times6

Lt. Col. Paul FanningGuard Times Staff

ARMY AVIATION FLIGHTFACILITY#2, Rochester – Nearly 90members of the 249th Air AmbulanceCompany, NYARNG were honored in midOctober during a Freedom SaluteCeremony at the unit’s home base facilityin Rochester.

Family members and local and stateofficials turned out to recognize theSoldiers’ nearly 18 months federal servicefor Operation Noble Eagle.

The 249th operates UH-1V Iroquois(Huey) helicopters designed to conduct air

Air AmbulanceCompany holdsFreedom Salute

medical evacuations. The unit wasformed in September 2002 following theinactivation of New York’s attackhelicopter battalion and is comprisedmostly of Western N.Y.-based aviatorsand support staff. The unit was called upin November 2003 to provide emergencymedical evacuation support at U.S. baseswhere active duty, National Guard andArmy Reserve units were conductingtraining prior to forward deployment.During their tour of duty, which ended inMay 2005, the Soldiers flew more than4,100 flight hours through more than2,700 sorties and executed 175 lifesaving rescues .

In addition, more than 30 members of theunit were called for duty as part ofHurricane Katrina relief efforts inSeptember and deployed to Mississippifor nearly two weeks.

The commanding general of the NewYork Army National Guard, Brig. Gen.Mike Swezey praised unit members fortheir warrior ethos and for exemplifying

the modern “Citizen Soldier”.“We are here to say thank you,” Swezey

said, noting that many of the 249th’s pilotsare also civilian medical evacuation pilotsand fly missions for local hospitals whennot serving with the Guard. “You have avery dangerous mission,” the generaladded.

Also honored during the ceremony weremembers of the unit’s family readinessgroup for the support rendered to thetroops and military families.

The Freedom Salute campaign is one ofthe largest Army National Guardrecognition programs ever established bythe National Guard Bureau. The programrecognizes Soldiers who were ordered tofederal active duty for Operations NobleEagle (homeland defense) EnduringFreedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom.During the ceremony Soldiers received anencased American Flag, commemorativecoins, a certificate of appreciation andother items. The program includes lapelinsignia for the Soldier to present to his orher loved one for their support and there isa special footlocker kit and board gamefor young children of deployed unitmembers. ❏

A Soldier with the 249th Air Ambulance reviewshis awards with a family member.

Soldiers hold their Freedom Salute awards, which include an encased American Flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation. Photos by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning.

Guard Times 7

By Guard Times Staff

FORT DIX, NJ – More than 5,000 membersof the New York Army National Guard havebeen called to federal active duty forOperation Iraqi Freedom since February2003. Many of these Soldiers have alsoexperienced State Active Duty at GroundZero following the terrorist attacks on theWorld Trade Center on 9/11. Among thelatest units called up is the Latham-based138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment – aspecialized unit with the mission ofdocumenting and reporting militaryoperations in the combat zone and facilitatingcivilian media coverage.

The 138th Mobile Public AffairsDetachment left its Latham home Sept. 12 forFort Dix, N.J. with 15 members for an intenseperiod of post-mobilization training beforebeing deployed over seas. The 138th isearmarked to augment the Army’s 101stAirborne Division in Iraq as part of TaskForce “Band of Brothers.” The Headquartersof the 101st took over command in Tikrit,Iraq from New York’s Headquarters 42nd

Infantry Division Nov. 1.“Members of the 138th deployed to New

York city on 9/11 and shot photos and videofootage of New York’s Fighting 69th Infantryand other units at Ground Zero that has sincebeen used by various network and localnews organizations and have even foundtheir way into History Channel

138th MPAD Marches on with historic first Deploymentsdocumentaries,” Sgt. 1st Class StevenPetibone, 138th broadcast section supervisor,said.

Within a few days after arriving at FortDix, the 138th was assigned two additionalbroadcast journalists from the Ohio andWashington National Guard to help bring theunit to its “battle” posture. A week later, the138th moved into the field to Fort Dix’sForward Operating Base Tiger, which isdesigned to simulate the surroundings thedetachment’s Soldiers will operate in oncethey arrive in Iraq.

The 138th underwent three weeks ofstructured tactical field training, includingweapons qualification. This includedfamiliarizing with the M-249 SquadAutomatic Weapon, or “SAW”, which is nota weapon indigenous to an Army publicaffairs unit.

“Qualifying on the SAW was quite theexperience,” Pfc. Christopher Campbell,photojournalist, said. “It has a high rate offire.”

Other mandatory training included convoyoperations, military operations in urbanterrain and reacting to improvised explosivedevices.

After completing their field training, thedetachment produced a training video forFort Dix, which will guide other unitsundergoing similar combat training in thefuture.

“We were thrilled to get a chance to make

that production,” Petibone said. “We recentlyreceived all new digital-video camera gearfor the deployment, and this production gaveus a chance to train on and test the new gear.”

Sergeant First Class David Benamati saidthat the detachment’s photojournalists alsogained from the experience in that theygenerated still digital images that wereadditionally used in the video.

The detachment’s last stage of training wasmission specific: A mobile training teamfrom the Defense Information School, Fort

Meade, Md. held refresher training here onjournalism, public affairs and layout anddesign for field newspapers and establishingand maintaining a web site.

“Getting back to and stressing the basicswas the most valuable part for me,” Sgt.Dennis Gravelle, photojournalist, said.“Once we complete DINFOS’ JournalistCourse and returned to part-time trainingwith our unit, over time … it’s easy to losethe edge we developed. This training taughtus how to get that back.” ❏

Spc. Timothy Tamburello, a photojournalist with the 138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Latham,conducts an on-camera interview at Fort Dix with Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Stump, a public affairs andjournalism instructor with the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md. Photo by the 138th MPAD.

By Maj. Kathy SweeneyGuard Times Staff

LATHAM — Staff Sgt. Stanley B. Dake, Jr., 26, waskilled Sept. 3 as a result of injuries sustained in a motorvehicle collision while on his way to report for duty,here, in support of the New York Army National Guard’sHurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The accident occurred on Middle Line Road in the townof Milton when another car veered into his lane.

Dake was assigned to Charlie-company of the 142nd

Combat Support Aviation Battalion, Flight Facility #3.His fellow NYARNG Soldiers responding to HurricaneKatrina renamed their task force “Task Force Dake” inhis memory.

Dake was specifically assigned to maintain the FireHawk helicopter, which is a modified UH-60 BlackHawk with firefighting capabilities. Dake had to undergospecial training to be part of this elite helicopter team.There are only four Fire Hawks in the United States.

For the relief mission, Dake was tasked withconfiguring the Fire Hawk back to a UH-60 Black Hawk,which requires extensive mechanical adjustments. Hisduties encompassed evaluating and remedying helicopter

Soldier tragicallyKilled in motorvehicle accident

maintenance issues while preparing for their reliefmission.

Starting his military career before graduating fromSaratoga Springs High School in 1998, Dake joined theNew York Army National Guard in March of 1997. Afterbasic training and Army technical school, he developedinto an experienced UH-60 Black Hawk mechanic whileassigned to the Flight Facility’s Echo-company. He waspromoted to Sergeant in 2002. During that year Dakedeployed to Eagle Base, Bosnia where he spent sevenmonths as a helicopter mechanic for Task Force Talon.He was one of three mechanics assigned to the AviationUnit Maintenance Company there. His maintenance teamkept Task Force Talon’s eight UH-60 Black Hawks flyingmore than 2,700 hours during their mission.

Dake was then assigned as a facility MaintenanceSection Sergeant. During his tenure, he was responsiblefor sustaining a high readiness rate on facility helicopters.Dake finally earned Technical Inspector in the facility’sQuality Control Section.

“Sergeant Dake could always be counted on to give 110percent for any mission without ever being asked,” 1st

Sgt. Chris Imbarrato said. “He took time to mentor andhelp new mechanics.” Imbarrato went on to say thatDake’s selflessness included his family. He workednights at a local retail chain to ensure his younger brother,presently in college, had funds for tuition, books andgroceries.

“The tragic loss of this exceptional Soldier andcompassionate man has left an immense void that willnever be filled,” Imbarrato said.

Dake was buried at Saratoga National Cemetery withfull military honors. His medals include the Army Service

Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious ServiceMedal, Aircrew Member Badge, NATO Medal, NationalDefense Service Medal, Global War on TerrorismMedal, Army Commendation Medal, Army ReserveComponent Achievement Medal, Armed ForcesExpeditionary Medal and the New York Long andFaithful Service Medal.

Dake is survived by his parents Stanley and Catherine,by his stepmother, Brenda, by his brother, Robert and byhis two sisters Charlene and Lana. ❏

Staff Sgt. Stanley B. Dake, Jr. File photo.

Guard Times8

By 2nd Lt. Amy FiresGuard Times Staff

TROY—Pulling the cover off twoshining new road signs here, NewYork Army National GuardSoldiers and the RensselaerCounty Legislature renamedGlenmore Road, where the 42nd

Infantry Division’s Headquartersand Headquarters CompanyArmory is located, as “RainbowWay” at an Oct. 14 dedicationceremony.

Attendees gathered around acovered street sign and unveiledthe street’s new name to a roundapplause.

The road will maintain itsofficial “Glenmore Road” name,but the new road signs will remain,

Rainbow readies for troops’return, unveils new road sign

and those at the ceremony took anopportunity to honor and anticipatethe long-awaited return of thedivision’s Soldiers serving in Iraqby inviting guest speakers fromvarious dignitaries and thedivision’s rear detachment.

Many family readiness groupsupporters have held fund-raisers,meetings and welcome homeevents anticipating the Soldiers’and families’ reunions. The FRGfor the 4th Personnel ServicesDetachment, Latham, whoseSoldiers are attached to thedivision’s 29th PSD in Buffalo,raised funds for families travelingto homecomings, which will covertheir hotel and bus costs. ManyFRG members said they werescrambling to make homecoming

preparations sooner thananticipated.

[Our challenge became] “gettingthe division’s families to attendour reunion briefings,” EllenBurke, an FRG Coordinatorattending the unveiling, said. “Andseveral families are planning tohave welcome home parties fortheir Soldiers.”

Burke said she plans to give herson “the biggest hug everimagined." “I’ll leave him be for afew days, but then [he’s] mine,”Burke said.

“We’re going to thank God andour guardian angels for watchingover us and bringing him homesafely. We will have a lot to bethankful for this Thanksgiving,”Burke said. ❏

Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey, Commander of the New York Army National Guard,unveils a road sign with 42nd ID supporters. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

By Maj. Richard Goldenburg42nd Infantry Division Public Affairs

TIKRIT, Iraq — Soldiers from TaskForce Liberty spoke with PresidentGeorge W. Bush Oct. 13 to express theirconfidence in the preparations for thereferendum vote in North Central Iraq.

The Soldiers, from across all thedivision’s headquarters and brigadecombat teams, provided the Presidentwith their perspectives on the progress ofIraqi Security Forces and security effortsto safeguard the referendum vote onOctober 15th.

“I want to thank the members of the42nd Infantry Division and Task ForceLiberty for serving our country with suchdistinction and honor,” the President toldthe Soldiers in Tikrit. “I want you toknow that the mission you are on is vitalto achieving peace and to protectingAmerica.”

All but two Soldiers representedmembers of Task Force Liberty’sMilitary Transition Teams, those forwardelements of the division partnered withIraqi army battalions and brigades inNorth Central Iraq.

Representing the 42nd Infantry Divisionwas Capt. Brent Kennedy, the moderatorfor the teleconference based on hisexperience as an operations officer forthe division staff, and Master Sgt. CorineLombardo, Scotia, the division publicaffairs operations chief.

Capt. David Williams and Sgt. DavidSmith-Barry represented the Soldiers of

Rainbow message to President: 'Good to Go'

the 1st Brigade Combat Team. Joiningthem in a partnership with the Iraqiarmy’s 4th Division were Capt. StephenPratt and Sgt. Dustin Giesbrecht of the116th Brigade Combat Team.

Capt. David Smith and Sgt. 1st ClassJerry Munoz from the 3rd BrigadeCombat Team and 1st Lt. Gregg Murphyand Sgt. Ronald Long of the 278thRegimental Combat Team represented thepartners of the Iraqi army’s 5th Division.

In addition, Sgt. Maj. Akheel ShakerNassir, an operations senior trainer fromthe 5th Iraqi Division joined the group tospeak with the President.

The Soldiers gathered one day prior

from across Diyala, Salah Ad Din andKirkuk Provinces to setup a videoteleconference from the division maincommand post on Forward OperatingBase Danger in Tikrit.

“I would have packed better,” said Sgt.1st Class Jerry Munoz of the 3rd BrigadeCombat Team. “I had something like tenminutes to pack a combat pack and jumpon a helo.”

The Soldiers knew the topic ofreferendum preparations and Iraqi armyprogress would be foremost on thePresident’s agenda and each was asked toprovide their own personal assessmentbased on their own experiences over

some 10-11 months of service in NorthCentral Iraq.

“This was such a great opportunity,”said 1st Lt. Gregg Murphy from the 278thRegimental Combat Team following thePresident’s remarks. “I didn’t know thefull reason for coming together until Iarrived in Tikrit. But when I found outwe’d be speaking to the President, Iwanted to be sure he heard a realassessment from what I’ve seenfirsthand.”

The Soldiers returned to their units Oct.14 in time to support the referendum votethe following day alongside their Iraqiarmy partners. ❏

Sgt. Teresa Coble, center, operates a video camera during a live teleconference between Task Force Liberty Soldiers and the President of the United States,via satellite link, about up coming Iraqi elections. The video feed was broadcast on the Pentagon Channel. Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Acosta.

Guard Times 9

By Spc. Spencer Case207th MPAD

TALLIL, Iraq – For the Soldiers of the New York ArmyNational Guard’s 145th Maintenance Company, successin Iraq has required both perspiration and inspiration.

Since January, the Bronx-based unit of about 200Soldiers has played an integral part of coalition efforts atsix key installations throughout southern Iraq.

Their tasks include routine and emergency vehiclemaintenance, armoring vehicles for U.S., Iraqi and othercoalition troops and teaching vehicle familiarizationclasses to non-U.S. troops.

“Anytime a vehicle is down, it affects the mission,”Capt. Robert Zizolfo, the commander of the 145th, said.“Operating in a field environment is quite a challenge, butmy Soldiers, they’re very resourceful, they’re verycreative.”

In order to adapt to the new challenges, 145th Soldiershave to make the best use of what’s available. One way todo this is practicing controlled exchange, said Staff Sgt.Paul Bieron, the NCOIC of the maintenance team at CampEcho. If three vehicles are not mission capable, themechanics are often able to salvage two of the vehiclesby using parts from a third, so the unit has two of threevehicles until parts to fix the third arrive.

The 145th maintenance team in Camp Charlie, a Polish-controlled installation near the Iraqi city of Al Hillah,found a way to get the equipment they needed quicker andsave tax dollars as a bonus. Often when mechanicsreplaced tires, the rim assembly is still in good shape.Instead of ordering whole assemblies, as most units do,the 145th Soldiers ordered the tires alone and used a littleelbow grease to put the tires on existing rims.

Since the entire assembly costs $850 and the tire alonecosts only $300, each individually ordered tire saves theArmy about $550. Over the course of the deployment, thesavings add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars,Zizolfo said.

The hard work of the 145th has paid off directly insaving the lives of Iraqi soldiers of the 2nd MotorizedTransportation Regiment. To date, the 145th providedarmor for at least 70 percent of the 2nd MTR’s fleet,while a local Iraqi contractor provided the remainder ofthe armor, wrote Maj. David Motes, a U.S. advisor to the2nd MTR in an email.

“As a force protection measure, armoring the 2ndMTR’s vehicles has already saved the lives of Soldierson four different occasions when the MTR’s vehicleswere ambushed by enemy forces [both IED and smallarms fire],” Motes said. He added, “providing armoredprotection for the Iraqi soldiers is a key element inbuilding up their confidence. In addition, this helps pavethe way for securing the departure of U.S. forces fromIraq.”

The 145th’s performance is further exemplified by thesuccess of their team at Camp Charlie, where a team ofless than 10 individuals provides support to coalitiontroops from nine countries. More than half of their

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Coalition vehicles were deadlined, not mission capable,when the team arrived in June. Since then, the team gaveclasses on emergency recovery, preventative maintenanceand driver’s training for humvees.

Sgt. Josue Carrasquillo, the Camp Charlie maintenancesupport team leader, said the classes have had anoticeable impact on the way other Coalition memberstreat their vehicles.

“They put more care into their equipment,” Carrasquillosaid.

Combat Support Center Scania, a small installation thatmost often serves as a stop for combat logistics patrolsmoving from Kuwait to Baghdad, is another post thatdemands hard work. It’s not uncommon for themaintenance team to be working at 4:00 a.m.

“Every major convoy that comes through here, we takecare of,” said Spc. Eddie Figueron, a mechanic for the145th.

As usual, the 145th troops at Scania have been on top oftheir game. In July, a combat logistics patrol came in withsix gun trucks that could not get up to speed and goingabout 35 miles an hour. The vehicles rolled in at 9:30a.m. The mechanics discovered there was somethingwrong with the transmission wiring and had the vehicles

ready to go again by midnight.“They were excellent,” said Sgt. 1st Class Angel

Huertas, an advisor to the Iraqi 2nd MotorizedTransportation Company, who brings vehicles to the145th in Scania when they require maintenance. “Everytime we have a vehicle that breaks down, we bring ithere.” Zizolfo credits the success of the unit to the skill ofhis Soldiers.

“One of the competencies of a National Guard unit isthat some of our Soldiers have been mechanics for 10 or15 years,” Zizolfo said. “We’ve been able to save a lot ofmoney in repair parts, but also time, which ... in a combatzone ... is more important than money.” ❏

Spc. Jason Slate, mechanic, 145th Maintenance Co., greases the wheels of a humvee at Camp Charlie. Photo by Spc. Spencer Case.

“We’ve been able to save a lot ofmoney in repair parts, but alsotime, which ... in a combat zone ...is more important than money.”

—Capt. Robert ZizolfoCommander, 145th Maintenance Company

Guard Times10

By Maj. Nahaku McFaddenNational Guard Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — Far from the brightlights of Times Square and Broadway aneven brighter light shines inside the EmpireState and resides within the New YorkNational Guard’s ground breaking“Brainstorm” program. This same bright lightthat reaches 9,000 third and fourth graderswith critical antidrug information alsogarnered its Counterdrug Task Forcerecognition as the best Drug DemandReduction program in the National Guard.

The Annual Secretary of DefenseCommunity Drug Awareness Awardsceremony Oct. 24 at the Pentagon kicked-off“Red Ribbon Week,” an annual week-longnational awards celebration that focuses onkeeping kids off drugs.

Thomas W. O’Connell, assistant secretaryof defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict and the event’s host, saidRed Robin Week was created 15 years agoto promote excellence in the Department ofDefense’s antidrug organizations and toencourage volunteer efforts byservicemembers.

“These awards recognize best demand-reduction program in each service, includingthe National Guard and the defense agencies,”O’Connell said.

New York’s “Brainstorm” programreceived the top award for its unique way of

Joint Forces' ‘Brainstorm’ earns DoD awardreaching out to children: the brainstormprogram shows school children what drugsdo to their brain and highlights the fact thatjust one use of drugs can cause addiction.

Tech. Sgt. Marlene C. Frankovic, anadministrator with the program for nineyears, accepted the DoD award on behalf ofall 30 fellow Task Force members.

“I can’t describe the feeling,” she said ofthe award. “[We] enjoy making a differencewith the kids.”

Frankovic said the four-part program warnskids of the dangers and effects of alcoholand marijuana on the brain. Each time theymeet with the students, they receive newpractical exercises and watch a video.

“The unique aspect of this program is thatwe see the same third and fourth graders onfour different occasions,” Frankovic added,“This allows us to establish relationships.After a few times, if the children see us onthe streets, they come up to us and say‘Hello.’”

Each program is broken down into one-hour blocks of instruction: Your Brain:What’s going on in there?; CommunicationBreakdown; The Good, the Bad and theUgly; and Brain Drain.

A question and answer session followseach program, allowing the students to applywhat they have learned to their own personalexperiences.

“This program is very effective. We areseeing kids who have participated in the

program that wake up their parents and peersto the dangers of drugs,” Frankovic stated.“If you know the dangers of drugs, you won’tdo them.”

Red Ribbon Week serves as a tribute to thelife of Drug Enforcement AdministrationSpecial Agent Enrique S. “Kiki” Camarena,who was kidnapped, tortured and murderedby drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.

Citizens in Camarena’s hometown ofCalexico, Calif., began wearing red ribbons

to remember him and honor his sacrifice.The antidrug message spread quickly and isnow the most far-reaching and well-knowndrug prevention event. Now the red ribbonsymbolizes a continued commitment toreducing the demand for illegal drugs throughprevention and education programs.

Frankovic insists that New York’s CD taskforce is committed to spreading the antidrugmessage and keeping Kiki Camarena’s spiritalive. ❏

New York Counter Drug Task Force representatives receive their program award in Washington, leftto right, Col. Anthony Risica, Lt. Col. Vance Bateman, Tech. Sgt. Marlene Frankovic, Mr. EnriqueCamarena Jr, Staff Sgt. Candace Lundin, Staff Sgt. Craig Burleigh, Staff Sgt. Katherine Quinones, Sgt.Steven Watt. Photo courtesy of the NYNG Counter Drug Task Force.

By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – DefenseSecretary Donald H. Rumsfeldannounced Nov. 7 the next majorunits to deploy to Iraq in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom. Heemphasized that rotation planningremains flexible and will be basedon conditions on the ground, notpolitical pressures or artificialtimetables.

The announcement affects about92,000 servicemembers — morethan 65,000 from the activecomponent and 26,000 from theGuard and Reserve — who willbegin their scheduled rotation inmid-2006, according to Army Lt.Col. Barry Venable, a DefenseDepartment spokesman.

Major units to deploy include:Division Headquarters and 3rdBrigade, 25th Infantry Division,Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 13thCorps Support Command, FortHood, Texas; 1st Brigade, 34th

Operation Iraqi Freedomrotations announced

Infantry Division, Minnesota ArmyNational Guard; 2nd Brigade, 1stInfantry Division, Schweinfurt,Germany; 3rd Brigade, 2nd InfantryDivision, Fort Lewis, Wash.; 3rdBrigade, 82nd Airborne Division,Fort Bragg, N. C.; and 2nd Brigade,10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum.

Individual services will announcesmaller, supporting units to deployfor the upcoming rotation, officialsannounced.

In other deployment news, the 1stInfantry Division’s 1st Brigade,based at Fort Riley, Kan., will notdeploy before Dec. 31, officialssaid. Brigade soldiers had plannedto deploy in early December.

Force rotations ensure that thecombatant commander has theforces needed to support OperationIraqi Freedom while DoDcontinues to meet its worldwidecommitments, Venable said. At thesame time, rotation planning helpsensure a degree of predictabilityfor troops, their families, their

Courtesy of the American ForcesPress ServiceDepartment of Labor news release

WASHINGTON – About 300,000wallet-sized cards and key fobswith critical employment and job-training information will bedistributed to military personneland veterans over the next sixmonths, the U. S. Department ofLabor announced Nov. 10 at itsannual pre-Veterans Day salute.

The department also unveiled theRecovery and EmploymentAssistance Lifelines Advisor. Thisnew online tool provides valuableinformation and resources to helpreturning wounded and injuredveterans successfully transition intocivilian employment, LaborDepartment officials said.

“The ‘Key To Career Success’cards and REALifelines onlineadvisor are part of our outreach

Labor DepartmentLaunches Veterans'Employment Program

efforts to help veterans andreturning soldiers access good jobopportunities and develop newcareer pathways,” Labor SecretaryElaine L. Chao said. “We want todo everything we can to welcomethem home and facilitate theirreintegration into civilian life.”

The Key to Career Success cardwill be attached to a brochure fordemobilizing and transitioningservicemembers as they go throughthe joint DOL, Department ofVeterans Affairs, and Departmentof Defense Transition AssistanceProgram. For veterans who havealready made the transition,additional information andprofessional staff guidance will beavailable at the nearly 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide.

The card will help veteransaccess local One-Stop CareerCenter services connecting them toemployers seeking men and women

with the unique skill sets andexperience characterized bymilitary service. It will alsohighlight veterans’ special statusso that, upon arrival at One-StopCareer Centers, they will receivepriority service as required underthe Jobs for Veterans Act.

The back of the Key to CareerSuccess card and key fob featuresa toll-free phone number, (877)US2-JOBS (TTY: 877-889-5627),and Web link,www.servicelocator.org, to helpveterans speak with a servicerepresentative or locate the nearestOne-Stop Career Center anddownload a map and drivingdirections.

A key feature of the REALifelinesAdvisor is that it offers one-on-one assistance through thedepartment’s state directors forDOL’s Veterans’ Employment andTraining Service. These directorshelp the veteran find meaningfulemployment through the One-StopCareer Centers.

The REALifelines Advisor is oneof a series of online tools called“elaws” providing informationabout major federal employmentlaws and issues. ❏ See ROTATIONS, page 19

Guard Times 11

By 2nd Lt. Amy FiresGuard Times Staff

SCHENECTADY – The end of summermarked the beginning of transformationhere.

The 105th Infantry was one of a few NewYork Army National Guard units that aretransferring their colors to become a newtype of unit under the Army’s forcestructure change. Many units across thestate will perform these inactivations.They will case their colors and willactivate new units throughout the comingmonths.

The 105th is transforming into the 501st

Explosive Ordnance Battalion, and it’scarrying over and retraining nearly 60Soldiers.

The 501st Explosive Ordnance Battalionis the newest EOD unit in the NationalGuard. This Battalion will control fourEOD Companies, which will be located inMichigan, West Virginia andMassachusetts. Each EOD Company is asmall and highly proficient unit ofapproximately 25 people. Most of itsmissions are performed in teams of two orthree.

The Soldiers of the 501st carry on aproud military history that reaches as farback as the French and Indian Wars. The105th Infantry Regiment was officiallyorganized April 27, 1898, as the 2nd New

105th Infantry says ‘Good-bye’ then ‘Hello’ to 501st OrdnanceYork Infantry. Elements of the regimentcan be traced back to the French andIndian Wars, the Revolutionary War atGettysburg and the Civil War at Antietam.The regiment’s nickname as the “Apple-knockers”, comes from the Civil War era;the Soldiers would march off to war withmuskets on their shoulders and, with themuskets being long, they would knockapples off of the trees as they marched,hence the term.

In October 2003 the 105th wasmobilized and deployed to Iraq in supportof Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Its Soldiersaugmented the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry.

“[It is thought that] when infantrymendeploy and return as combat vets, theyhave reached the pinnacle of their[military] careers, and now many arelooking to experience new challenges,” 1st

Lt. Doug Baker, Logistics Officer, said.World War II veteran Soldiers from the

July 7, 1944, battle of Saipan werepresent for the 105th’s deactivation aswell as a ceremony posthumouslyawarding the Congressional Medal ofHonor to three WWII Soldiers.

“Were proud to be recognized for ourhard work, to know we were a part of thisnation’s history, but [we] are lookingforward to future challenges,” Bakeradded.

Now, Soldiers who have the combatinfantryman’s badge will attend Army

school to obtain the explosive ordnancedisposal badge. One of the difficultiesthey must now face is after deploying for ayear they will leave their families, again,to earn their EOD qualification.

This retraining speaks to the caliber ofthe Soldiers in the newly formed 501st

Explosive Ordnance Battalion, Baker said.“The Soldiers will do well and willcontinue to make the sacrifices they needto step up,” Baker explained.

Phase One of EOD training providesknowledge in basic electronics,explosives safety, firing devices,hazardous waste and munitionsidentification, which is held at RedstoneArsenal, Ala., for 10 weeks. Next, thesecond and final phase of EOD training islocated at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.,which lasts for six months. There, theSoldiers will learn the core fundamentals:demolition study, tools and methods,biological and chemical, ground and airordnance, improvised explosive devicesand nuclear ordnance. All EOD Soldiersmust be physically fit and must go throughrigorous eligibility standards.

“Soldiers can get up to $15,000 if theyenlist in the 501st EOD Battalion,” Sgt.First Class Maurice Catel said. “It is avery mentally and physically challengingbut very rewarding job field with high jobsatisfaction,” Catel said. He said hebelieves that EOD provides for a strong

marketable skill and allows for a strongcareer path. We will be on the cuttingedge of Homeland Security which is whatEOD offers with missions in Croatia,Bosnia and the Middle East, Catel said.

For more information on the ExplosiveOrdnance Battalion, contact your localrecruiter, or visit http://501st-eod.com. ❏

501st Explosive Ordnance Battalion Soldiersreceive their new colors during the unit's activationceremony. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin E. Greagan.

By Capt. Steve AlvarezAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Although theArmy only began its transformationin 2002, the process has beenongoing and decades in the making,the military deputy to the assistantsecretary of the Army foracquisition, logistics andtechnology said here Nov. 29.

Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Yakovac saidthat when he entered the service inthe early 1970s, the soldier was a“cheap instrument of war” outfittedat roughly $2,000 per soldier. “Itwas a very simplistic Army,” hesaid.

Yakovac was the keynote militaryspeaker at the opening ceremonyfor the Interservice/IndustryTraining, Simulation and EducationConference.

The general offered anecdotesfrom his time as a young officer. He

recalled that during field exercises,opposing-force vehicles would bemarked with numbers. Friendlyforces would engage the opposingforces by telling an exercise refereethat they could see a particularvehicle, they would offer thevehicle number, and a grid location,and then explain how they wouldattack the vehicle. Yakovac alsorecalled using pneumatic mortarrounds, instead of the usualexplosive type, to train his soldiersin front of the barracks.

“The revolution in training in the’80s and ’90s . . . makes us the bestArmy on the face of the planet,”Yakovac said. He added that thetransformation of U. S. forceswould not be a destination, but acontinual evolution.

Part of the training revolution ofpast decades, Yakovac said,includes the application of lessonslearned to forces still in theater.

Deployed soldiers currently trainbetween operations and missions,and they train as scenarios changein theater. They adapt to themissions much faster these days, henoted.

An example of this, Yakovac said,is a convoy trainer, a mobile deviceused by more than 100,000 soldiersdeploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.In essence, it replicates what asoldier has seen on the battlefieldand brings it to the training field.

But the systems, Yakovac said,are also critical in maintainingskills that tend to erode duringdeployments. Ultimately, thesoldier retains and hones his coreskills, but also is able to operate inthe unique environment of hismission.

“Training has gone (from) aninstrument used at home station to afully integrated capability,”Yakovac said. Some platoonleaders now in Iraq are beingdebriefed by a computerapplication that asks leaders abouttheir operations when they return totheir bases, Yakovac said. Theinformation and data are thensubmitted into a network sharedwith other forces for training. ❏

Army’s ongoingtransformation wasdecades in the making By Samantha L. Quigley

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Combatveterans dealing with readjustmentissues as they return home have aplace to turn, thanks to a Departmentof Veterans Affairs initiative.

The Vet Center Program providesreturning veterans with someoneto talk to who can relate to theirexperiences.

Former Army Cpl. Rafiq Raza ofOrlando, Fla., is one of about 100“global war on terror outreachtechnicians” working for the VetCenter program. Like hiscolleagues, he is a combat veteran,which gives him an edge in his job,he said.

A table detailing eligibility canbe found on the Vet Center’s Website, www.va.gov/rcs. Vet Centerwith outreach programs are in all50 states, the District of Columbia,Guam, Puerto Rico and the VirginIslands. Exact locations and contactinformation are on the Vet Center

Centers offer VeteransDistinct Assistance

Web site or by calling the VeteransAffairs Department directly at toll-free (800) 827-1000.

Raza said his two tours inAfghanistan as an intelligenceanalyst with the 10th MountainDivision make him credible. “It’sone thing to send a stranger in frontof a group of troops who havecome back from Iraq or Afghanistanand let them know about servicesavailable,” he said. “It’s reallydifferent when you actually havesomeone who’s been there and putthe boots on.”

The technicians are charged withfinding returning combat veteransin their communities and lettingthem know they have someplace togo if they need help readjusting tolife after the war.

“I … let them know that there’shelp out there for them if they needit. There’s a place within thecommunity that they can go that’skind of outside the official walls of

See CENTERS, page 19

Guard Times12

Bringing it SouthArmy and Air Guard join historical disaster relief efforts

By Maj. Kathy D. SweeneyGuard Times Staff

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. — At the end oftheir mission they accounted for 160different landing zones. Each zone varied insize, shape, amount of debris, degree-of-slope and hardness of landing surface, whichmade their aircrew coordination essential.Their helicopters were landing at roadintersections, yards, hospitals, parking lotsand interstates.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Charles Rodda,New York Army National Guard safetyofficer, said that adapting to an ever-changing mission was a major challenge foraircrews during their recent HurricaneKatrina Deployment.

In total, NYARNG aircrews spent 10 daysflying relief missions and transported nearly300,000 pounds of food, water and ice,75,000 pounds of baby formula and morethan 400 passengers.

The call for help came in early Septemberand after Hurricane Katrina had delivered adevastating blow to the Gulf Coast and itsresidents.

Sixteen Army helicopters were called intoaction. The aviation task force was dubbed“Task Force Dake” after Staff Sgt. StanleyB. Dake, a full time technician aircraftmechanic who was killed in a motor vehicleaccident Sept. 3 while on his way to supportrelief efforts at the Latham flight facility. Thehelicopters in TFD consisted of six UH-1VMedevac Hueys and two CH-47 Chinooksfrom Rochester, four UH-60 Black Hawksfrom Albany and four UH-60 Black Hawksfrom Islip. Aircrews included pilots, crewchiefs, mechanics and flight medics. Twoadditional crewmembers were added to eachhelicopter to load and unload passengers,equipment and supplies.

“I’m extremely proud of our NYARNGAviation soldier’s ability to alert, mobilizeand safely deploy over 1000 miles 65 hoursafter notification and then commence flightoperations upon arrival,” said Col. MichaelBobeck, State Army Aviation Officer andTask Force Dake commander.

Assisting in the deployment was the 105th

Airlift Wing and their C-5A Galaxy. Theaircraft carried maintenance equipment,fuel trucks and support personnel enablingthe task force to be self-sufficient duringthe operation.

All of their helicopters were originallyslotted to base at Gulfport, Miss., but theair base ran out of space, so they operatedfrom Camp Shelby’s Hagler Army AirField, 60 miles North of Mississippi’scoastline; the UH-1V Hueys were staged atGulfport, though, to cover medicalevacuations in southern Mississippi and ineastern Louisiana. Rescue and resupplyunits were staged there, too, facilitating theadvancement of relief assets into thedisaster areas.

“The devastation was widespreadencompassing the entire coast ofMississippi, in some cases more than 60miles inland,” Rodda said.

Aviation missions, Rodda said, weregenerated from a variety of sources, andmany agencies were involved.

“It was a joint effort by all the agencies,”Rodda said.

Mississippi Army National GuardSoldiers shared their knowledge of thegeographic area, its infrastructure and itsresidents’ limitations. They were, Roddasaid, paramount in providing a betterunderstanding of the disaster area.

Residents’ assistance needs varied andincluded medications, medicalevacuations, food, potable water and ice.

“Seeing the overall devastation, firsthand, provided a sense of urgency,” Capt.Kevin Ferreira, Alpha-companyCommander, said. “After we interactedwith those in need, we were overwhelmedwith a sense of accomplishment.”

Before aid-distribution centers wereestablished, Ferreira said, the helicopterswould approach landing zones, andresidents would pour into the area lookingfor aid, which made the helicopterstemporary distribution centers.

Members of the Army Corps of Engineersand Mississippi’s State Surgeon Office

Aviators confrontHurricane’s wrath

were flown to assess infrastructure damageand its potential impact to human health andhealth services. Reports of debris blockingroadways, downed power lines or signs ofdistress were relayed to their CommandPost and implemented into the followingdays’ missions.

“The crews were ecstatic to be a part ofsuch an operation,” Chief Warrant Officer4 Bruce Hoffman, Acting Bravo-companyCommander, said. “Their enthusiasm toassist these victims proved instrumental toour success,” he said. “People were sothankful for the most basic necessities. Onegentleman stated he’d ‘never throw awayhis leftover ice in his [fast-food] cupagain’.”

“This mission truly demonstrated thecapabilities of Army Guard Aviation tosupport critical home land security andsupport missions whether in New York oracross the nation,” Bobeck said. ❏

One of two Army CH-47 Chinooks from Det. 1, B-Co. 3/126 GSAB, Rochester is loaded with reliefsupplies during Task Force Dake in Glufport,Miss. Photo courtesy of Task Force Dake.

New York Army National Guard Soldiers load aArmy CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Mississippiduring their Task Force Dake deployment. Photocourtesy of Task Force Dake.

Guard Times 13

By Staff Sgt John Gassler105th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARDBASE, Newburgh — From tornadoes andtsunamis to ice storms and hurricanes the105th Airlift Wing has a 20-year proventrack record of answering their call to duty.In light of Hurricane Katrina and themassive damage left behind, the men andwomen of the 105AW once again played avital role in providing support, this time tothe Gulf Coast region.

“Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabamaneed to be reconstructed. There is certainlyno clear sign how long that process mighttake. However, New York State and theHudson Valley can say with confidence the105th Airlift Wing is doing everything itcan to help. In order to bounce back fromKatrina, teamwork is needed on a national

105th Airlift Wing delivers aidscale. We are doing our part,” Brig. Gen.Dana B. Demand, 105th Airlift WingCommander, said.

As of October, the 105th Airlift Wing hasflown 57 sorties with its C-5 Galaxyaircraft, transported roughly 750passengers and delivered more than 2.5million pounds of cargo to the Gulf Coastregion. Some of the items already sentincluded 40,000 lbs water purificationsystems, military vehicles and desperatelyneeded rescue equipment.

“Our mission is to provide support, be ittransporting firefighters or delivering food

By 2nd Lt. Amy FiresGuard Times Staff

LATHAM — Weeks after HurricaneKatrina, Guard members of the 101st SignalBattalion and the Directorate ofInformation Management, here, deployed toNew Orleans Sept. 27 with high-speedArmy communications equipment called“ISISCS”, or, Interim SatelliteCommunications Incident SiteCommunications Set.

Their mission — to bring functionalcommunication systems to the disaster area— kept them at Bellchase, La., just outsideof New Orleans, until Oct. 25.

The team and equipment were loadedaboard two 109th Airlift Wing C-130Hercules and airlifted from the Stratton AirNational Guard Base, Scotia. The nearlyseven-hour flight brought the operators andtheir equipment directly to the Bellchaseflightline.

“It’s hot there,” Guadalupe said, “[And]unlike the wet conditions New York [was]seeing at the time.”

“It was an exceptional mission and I am

honored to have worked with such anexcellent team,” Lt. Col. Dana Whaley,ISISCS officer, said.

Their Army equipment was designed forsuch missions. Enclosed in unmarked, gloss-white utility trailers, and pulled by similarlooking trucks, the ISISCS rolling stock andits operators provide high-techcommunication systems where none exist.

ISISCS’ mobile set of communicationshardware and support equipment provideon-site communications capabilities forenhanced command and control and sharedsituational awareness among first respondersincluding State and Federal authorities.When deployed, the ISISCS system has threeprimary functions: Its “interoperability”capability connects diverse voicecommunications networks and devices usedby response agencies; “reach-back” missionprovides support to state and federalNational Guard networks and organizationswith managing incident responsibilities;“command post integration” mission helpsincorporate an on-scene command-post

N.Y. deploys high techCommunications Team

See 105AW, page 15

See ICICIS, page 15

Soldiers and Airman unload bags of ice from a New York Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopterduring hurricane Katrina relief operations in Mississippi. Photo courtesy of Task Force Dake.

Above, Soldiers of NYARNG's 101st Signal Battalionand the Directorate of Information Management drivetowards relief helicopters at Bellchase, La. Photocourtesy of the 101st Signal Battalion.Right, a C-5 Galaxy lifts off from Albany InternationalAirport, Latham, N.Y., on its way to transport suppliesand equipment to Mississippi. Photo by Staff Sgt.Mike R. Smith.

Staff Sgt. Lance Mitchell, a UH-60 Black Hawkcrew chief, walks across the Latham Aviation FlightFacility # 3 hanger to a group of helicoptersdeparting for hurricane Katrina relief missions.Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

Guard Times14

By Staff Sgt. Mike R. SmithGuard Times Staff

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARDBASE, Scotia, N.Y. — Early Septemberbrought unscheduled airlift missions forthe 109th Airlift Wing nearly one monthbefore the 2005 Antarctic flying season ashurricane Katrina crippled the nation’sGulf Coast region.

Governor George E. Pataki mobilizedthe New York National Guard withinhours of the disaster, and up to seven C-130 Hercules aircraft and aircrew alongwith 35 Airmen from Security Forces,Chaplains, Aerial Port and theAeromedical Evacuation Squadron wereoperating under his mobilization. TheseAirmen fended through a storm of jointrelief operations in New Orleans,Mississippi and Texas safely, and withteam action.

On Sept. 9, two 139th Air Squadronaircrews airlifted Connecticut AirNational Guard security forces personneland their gear from Bradley Air NationalGuard Base, Conn., to Louisiana’s NavalAir Station Joint Reserve Air Base, a 20minute drive from the flooded areas ofdowntown New Orleans.

The airlift was part of the 139AS’ongoing Katrina relief support in whichthey transported more than 520,000pounds of cargo, flew over 90 sorties andcarried 480 personnel to storm damagedareas.

Two C-130 Hercules aircrews workedwith the CANG’s Airmen to load air cargoat Bradley International Airport and madea quick turnaround for NAS JRB NewOrleans. The air base’s operations tempo

left no doubts on the community’s need forsupport and the U.S. military’soverwhelming response. A jambalaya offixed and rotary winged aircraft, vehiclesand personnel, operating inside andoutside of the station, dwarfed 139ASaircrews and aircraft, there.

“You should see [the operations] atnight,” Tech. Sgt. Ronald Jemmott, aircraftmechanic, said. Jemmott said thatoperating safely in such crowded airspacerequires skill and teamwork. “In reliefmissions, you can’t be on the ground longthere is no space or maintenance support,”Jemmott said.

Tech Sgt. Michael Cousineau,loadmaster, said that 139AS aircrews aretrained and experienced in all kinds ofmissions, including State relief missions;as a loadmaster, Cousineau, along withSenior Airman Patrick Bornt, managed theair cargo and passengers on aircraft # 488.

“We [transport air cargo and passengers]year round and work from a flyingcalendar,” Cousineau said. “It’s nice to goand perform [this] mission and help out.”

The day’s airlift was not without itschallenges: a minor maintenance problemput Jemmott and flight engineer, SeniorMaster Sgt. Mark O’Lena, to workevaluating and replacing an engine ignitionrelay on aircraft # 488 at the NAS JRBflightline, but they arrived home that nightwith little delay.

He [Jemmott] was the hero today,Cousineau said referring to Jemmott’smechanical ability and effort to get theaircraft repaired and the aircrew home.

The Airmen had completed the round triprelief mission, spanning more than 3000miles, in nearly twelve hours. ❏

By Staff Sgt. Mike R. SmithGuard Times Staff

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARDBASE, Scotia — Just after HurricaneKatrina lined up in the Atlantic Ocean topulverize the Gulf Coast with its wind,rain and tidal flooding, New York’sSecurity Forces Airmen made their ownlineup for New Orleans Sept. 3 to protectand serve the rescue and relief operations.

Master Sgt. Timothy Kane, Master Sgt.Harry Johnson, Master Sgt. ChristopherShort, Tech. Sgt. Patrick Hart, Staff Sgt.Thomas Feeley and Staff Sgt. DamonGeorge, from the 109th Airlift Wing’sSecurity Forces Squadron, returned fromthose operations Sept. 20. Over the courseof nearly three weeks, they teamed up withconvoys transporting supplies throughoutthe city, they flew on CH-47 Chinookmissions with Bravo Company of the159th Aviation Regiment’s 5th Battalion,Virginia Army National Guard, and they

109th Airlift Wing keepsdisaster relief moving

Air Guard Security Forcesline up for storm victims

maintained the New York NationalGuard’s team player reputation byworking with fellow SFS professionalsfrom New York’s 174th Fighter WingSecurity Forces Squadron and othersecurity units, whatever the mission.

“On a lot of our missions we were a[joint] team of two Army MilitaryPolicemen and two Air Force SecurityPolicemen,” said Master Sgt. HarryJohnson. “So, we got to see how [theArmy National Guard] worked, and it wasa learning process for both.”

Johnson said that their missiondeveloped along with operations at NavalAir Station Joint Reserve Air Base NewOrleans and its Bellchase, La., hurricanerelief operations.

“We were [initially] assigned asBellchase security with Soldiers from the32nd Military Police Company, [WisconsinArmy National Guard],” Johnson said.

Air National Guard security forces fly aboard a 109th Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules enroute to New Orleansand the hurricane Katrina relief operations there. Photos by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith. See SECURITY, page 19

An Airman with the 139th Airlift Squadron grabs a bag from a security forces Airman at Bradley AirNational Guard Base, Conn., during hurricane Katrina airlift operations.

Guard Times 15

and water,” Demand said. “Several 105thMedical Group and 213th EngineeringInstallation Squadron personnel arecurrently in Louisiana and they’re doing anexcellent job. We will stay and we willfly missions until directed otherwise,” hesaid.

What exactly is a hurricane? Accordingto the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency website at www.fema.gov ahurricane is “…a tropical storm withwinds that have reached a constant speedof 74 m.p.h. or greater.” The Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale, used to definehurricane classes, is broken down intofive sections. Hurricane Katrina started asa category five with winds over 155m.p.h., but it hit landfall as a high-endcategory four.

Tech. Sgt. Michael O’Halloran from the105th Multimedia Department deployed toGulfport, Miss. Sept. 5 to capture videoand footage of the destruction for the

National Guard Bureau. What hewitnessed, he said, was “inconceivable.”

“Entire communities were washedaway. Debris was strewn miles inland.Boats were swept by wind andfloodwater onto roads nowhere near thecoastline. I couldn’t imagine the samething happening in New York. The levelof devastation was unbelievable. It waslike a wrecking ball pummeled the entirecoast of Mississippi and spared nothing inits path,” O’Halloran said.

Despite the chaos he witnessed from theair, O’Halloran said relief operations inthe area seemed to be running smoothly.“Gulfport reminded me of an oldVietnam-era movie, whereby helicoptersand pallets of cargo cluttered the air fieldand the traffic and commotion neverstopped. I was happy to see Guardsmenparticipating in recovery operations. Itmade me feel proud to wear the uniform,”he said.

Before Katrina, the last major hurricaneto impact the southern U.S. was aHurricane Andrew in August 1992.According to FEMA that hurricane causedapproximately $27 billion in damages toFlorida and Louisiana. It further claimedthe lives of 58 people.

“America has a long road to recoveryand it’s going to take time before citizenscan return to their homes and back to anormal life. In the wake or hurricaneKatrina and the turmoil the storm caused,all I can say is we are glad to be a part ofthe healing process,” Demand said. ❏

communications into a single power.“Other States’ National Guard units have

these [systems] too,” Staff Sgt. WalterPahucki, ISISCS Guard member, said.

Pahucki explained that some states boasttwo systems, which consist of a tent,generator, trailer and the communicationsequipment needed to provide satellitelinks for secure transmissions, print, copy,faxing capabilities and more.

The ISISCS system allows users voiceand data communications and access totelephone systems through radios, defensemessaging systems and videoconferencing. Following natural disasterslike Katrina, this access can be criticalbecause it allows emergency managerssuch as a State’s Governor, the FederalEmergency Management Agency, theDepartment of Defense, State Guard unitsand other relief agencies, communicationswith each other.

At Bellchase, the ISISCS team providedradio communications for security forcesoperating inside and outside of the JointForces’ Air Reserve Station, Staff Sgt.Enrique Guadalupe, ISISCS team membersaid. The ISISCS team additionallyprovided a computer network for the localoperations center, and its operators set upa morale welfare and recreation area thatallowed Soldiers and civilians telephoneand internet access. Furthermore, theISISCS system assisted in the area’sSingle Channel Ground and AirborneRadio System, securing its capabilitybetween distances.

“The world of [the Army] signal [corps]is changing, and we all have to stay sharpon new technologies,” Pahucki said.“People today want more than just ‘fieldphones’.” ❏

ISISCS, from page 13

Above, Lt. Col. Dana Whaley observes the ISISCSteam as they setup mobile communicationsequipment at Bellchase, La.Right, an ISISCS team member connectscommunication wires during relief operations.Photos courtesy of the 101st Signal Battalion.

"In order to bounce backfrom Katrina, teamworkis needed on a nationalscale. We are doing ourpart."

—Brig. Gen. Dana B. Demand 105th Airlift Wing Commander

Collecting clothing for the displaced, volunteers at the Jamaica Armory, Queens, organize thousands of pounds ofclothing donations for victims of hurricane Katrina in September. The drive blossomed into an installation-wide fund-raiser with a growing group ofvolunteers, and the group raised nearly $5,000. Photo by Sfc. Victor Lopez.

105AW, from page 13

Army Promotions16

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Commissioner's honor: Robert Pouch, left, Executive Director, Board of Commissioners of Pilots and NavalMilitia member presents a lithograph of the Pilot Boat N.Y. and the USS New York to Acting Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. F DavidSheppard and an accompanying citation from the Commissioners in the Adjutant General's reception area Sept. 7. The items honorNew York National Guard members for their service to State and Nation. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

Army Promotions 17

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Army Reenlistments

101 AR BN 01 CO D REARSSG DAVIES THOMAS FRANCIS

102 MAINT COSGT BEIRMAN CHARLES ERNESTSGT MERRY ROBERT ALAN

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27TH INF (BCT)SFC BRENNAN RONALD CHARLES

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29TH PERSONNEL SERVICE DETSPC BUCCILLI CORINNA ANN

2ND CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM (WMD)SGT CAUTELA SALVATORE JOSEPH

37TH FINANCE DETSGT RIOS FELIXSPC VILLACRESZOMORA ALFONSO MAR

42 HHC HVY DIV FWDSGM HIGGITT PAUL JEROME JRSSG SECOR LISA M

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442D MILITARY POLICE COSGT AHAMAD KIRON ANTHONYSSG MENDEZ ALFREDOSGT ROSS PETER BRUCESGT VILLAR SANTOSPC WATKINS MARCUS LEROY

466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SUPPORTSPC COLLINS JOHN MICHAELSSG DAWKINS EARL ANTHONYSPC KENYON KELLY MARIE

642 CS BN HSC FWDSGT ARROYO SANTIAGO RITOSSG GARCIA DAVIS FRANCIS

642 CS BN HSC FWD 3SPC BROWN ROYCE JENNIFERSGT CRUZ PEDRO JULIO

642 CS BN HSC REARSFC VANBUSKIRK MICHAEL LYNN

642 MI BN HHC FWD 3MSG SCOTT HARRY RICHARD

69 IN BN 01 CO B REARSPC ROMERO EDGAR ADOLFO

69 IN BN 01 DET 1 HHC REARSPC BEACH KEEGAN JACOB

69 IN BN 01 HHC REARSGT CAMPANA CESAR ASGT MACY WILLIAM CRAIG

719 TRANS CO (MDM TRK CGO)SSG PAULINO TOMAS FSPC RAMOS LUIS ANGELSSG RAMOS TONY

727TH MP DET LAW AND ORDERSPC HERNANDEZ JAMES GREGORYSPC SANTOSKY DEANA MARIESPC SIRETT EDISON AUSBERTOSGT TOMPKINS DANIEL SCOTT

7TH FINANCE DETSFC PERRY EDWARD BURKLEY

BATTERY A 1-258TH FASSG DIGESO MICHELEPFC FISHER DARRYL DEAN

BATTERY B 1-258TH FASPC ALMONTE JOSE IGNACIOSGT CANCEL WILLIAMSGT FOULKES GEORGE LSGT JOHNSON ERIC RONALDSGT RODRIGUEZ CARLOS B

Army Reenlistments18

SPC SANTIAGO GEORGE DAVISSPC SAUNDERS THOMAS

CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITESGT MATAMOROS FERNANDOSGT ROBERTO MARIA HELENASGT SHAKES EDWARD GEORGE JR

CO A (DISTRO) 427TH BSBSPC ADLE JAE WILLIAMSSG ALLISON TIMOTHY MICHAELSGT KENDALL JOHNATHAN RONALDSSG STANLEY JERRY

CO A 1-101ST CAVALRYSPC PERSAUD VINCENT JAMES

CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)SPC CONDE DAVID ANTHONYSPC DIAZ SERVIO JRSPC MEHNERT DARRYL JASONSSG MENDENHALL STANFORD

CO A 2-108TH INFANTRYSGT TUCKER JOHN JAMES JR

CO A 3-142D AVIATIONSPC CATEL MAURICE GEORGE IV

CO A(-) 204 ENGR BNSGT FRISBEE MICHAEL HUGHSPC HARDER ROBERT BURNETTE IVSPC MORROW DAVID SCOTTSPC SEARFOSS JAMES HOWARD

CO B (-) 2-108TH INFANTRYSPC HOLMES SHANE ALANSFC STONE ARNOLD ALBERT JR

CO B (MAINT) 427TH BSBSPC BEAVER CHRISTOPHER DENNISSPC BROOKS BRYAN KEITHSGT JOHNSON IRA JOSEPH

CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)SGT DAVIDSON MATTHEW MICHAELSPC FLAHIVE SHANNON DONALDSSG WIWCZAR TIMOTHY VICTOR

CO B 101ST SIGNAL BNSSG NEGRON HECTOR MSPC WATSON ERIC EDWARD

CO B 204 ENGR BNSPC CONNELLY CHRISTOPHER BSPC JOHNSON BRANDY NICOLESSG MEIN SCOTT MATTHEWSPC RUTER ZACHARIAS JOHNSPC STONE ROGER LEE

CO B 3-142D AVIATIONSPC KLOBUS CARREY ANN

CO B(-) 642D SUPPORT BNSPC BAEZ LAUREN PATRICKSSG COREANO JORGESFC COVINGTON ODESSA ASPC DAVIS MARIO GSFC HILL JOHN WSPC KELLY ROBERT LEESGT LERCH JOHN PHILIPSSG RUIZ JOSEPH KENNETHSPC RYAN JASON GARY

CO C (-) 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)SPC CECKANOWICZ DARREN JUSTINPFC GUEVARA MILTON HENRYSSG VELAZQUEZ ERNESTO

CO C (-) 2-108TH INFANTRYSGT AMEZQUITA ALVINSSG BARSALLO LUIS ENRIQUESSG HARROLD THOMAS WILLIAM1SG KROPP THOMAS JOHN

CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNSPC GAITHER KENNETH DAVIDSGT HEADLEY GAVIN LLOYDSPC NUNEZ JOSE DANILOSPC PETERSON JOHN EDWARD

CO C 1-105 INFSSG GOODRIDGE SEAN RAPHAEL

CO C 101ST SIGNAL BNSPC HANNIFORD MARCELLA ALBERTHASGT SANTANGELO RICHARD

CO C 3-142D AVIATIONSSG PUGLIESE ROBERT JOSEPH

CO C(-) 638 SPT BNSGT COLON MICHAELSPC PENA PABLO

CO D (FSC RSTA) 427TH BSBSPC RODRIGUES RAFAEL JR

CO D 2-108TH INFANTRYSSG DUNN BRIAN MANSFIELD

CO E (FSC INF) 427TH BSBSFC BELL DOUGLAS PSGT JAMES GEORGE STEVENSGT LOBALBO GREG ALFREDSPC SHELANSKEY KEVIN DREW JRSPC SMITH CHARLES ROBERTSPC GOLDHECHT DAVID YEHOSHUASGT LESANE CRAIG MARCSPC MCGUIRE PHILIP

DET 1 272D CHEMICAL COSPC DACOSTAGOMEZ HENRY THOMASSPC ELLISON JOSEPH P JR

DET 1 CO A 204 ENGR BNSGT DUNN BERNARD

DET 1 CO C 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)SGT LEARNIHAN JAMES MICHAEL

DET 1 CO C 2-108TH INFANTRYSPC HUDSPATH BRIAN JUDESGT MCLEAN ARTURIO

DET 1 HHB 42 DIVARTYSGT LESLIE JUSTIN MATTHEW

DET 1 HHC 1-69TH INF (M)SPC BROWN MATTHEW SCOTTSGT JOHNSON NORRIS JSGT MARTHIA SAMUEL EMSG STEWART GARY L

DET 1 HHC 107TH SUPPORT GROUPMSG ARBOLEDA AMABLESPC GUEVARA SANDRACPL SMITH MARIOSSG VARGAS MARTIN B

DET 1 HHC 2-108TH INFANTRYSPC BRIDGE PETER GORDON JRSSG PERUSSE DONALD FRANCIS JR

DET 1 HHC BSTB 27TH IN BDE BCTSGT WALRATH STEPHEN TRAVIS

DET 2 HHC/MMC 42ND DISCOMSPC SMALLING RAYMOND GEORGE

DET 4 42D MP COSPC GORDON NJERI KAIMSG RAYMOND DONALD VINCENT

H & S CO 204 ENGR BNSPC BELFIORE JAMES JOSEPHSGT CASSIDY KYLE THOMASMSG DOLLINGER LESLIE ASGT HEGGIE PETER JAMES JRSSG KUNTZLEMAN KIRK LARMOND

SSG RHINEVAULT NEIL JON JR

HHB 1-258TH FIELD ARTILLERYSSG DAVIS RANDOLPHSPC DELICES CAMILLESGT RHODES KENNETH ELLIS JRCPL SINGH DEO

HHC (-) 2-108 INFANTRYSPC NARBON JEFFREY SCOTTSSG OLLERENSHAW FRANCIS SSPC SCALISE VINCENT PETER

HHC (-) BSTB 27TH IN BDE (BCT)SGT NOSBISCH LINDA RUTH

HHC 1-101ST CAVALRYSGT CHING MICHAEL IVANSPC LETOHIC JAMES RAYMONDSGT PERALTA SAMUEL ENRIQUE

HHC 101ST SIGNAL BN1SG JUAREZ ELIZABETH ASSG MORALES MARIASGM SPRINGHORN WALTON S

HHC 107TH SUPPORT GROUP (-)SFC PESSO ANN PATRICIA

HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPSSG RAY SHANNON M

HHC 3/142 AVN FWD 5SGT BAGROWSKI STANLEY JOE

HHC 3RD BDE 42ND ID (M)SFC RATKA DANIEL J1SG YOHN WILLIAM E

HHC 42 IN DIV(-)SGT AYCOTT FREDERICK CSGT BAILEY DAVID ALANSSG BROWN REGINA AMELIASPC BURDICK MICHAEL JEFFREYSGT CWIKLINSKI KEVIN MARKSSG DRAKE CHRISTOPHERSSG GRZELEWSKI COLLEEN ANNSFC MULLIGAN PAUL ASFC PEARSON DAVID MICHAELSFC ROBERSON AUGUSTUS IIISSG RODRIGUEZ JUAN ANTHONYSGT SHOEMAKER COREY HARRYSGT SMITH TAMARA LYNNSFC SPANTON RONALD WILLIAM JRSFC SYLVAN OSCAR ANTHONYSSG TORRES WILFREDOSSG TOWSE PETER KENNETHSSG WINDLEY TRACEY TERRANCE

HHC 427 BSBMSG MALLET DEBORA FAYESGT RUPERT REBECCA MARIE

HHC 642D MI BATTALIONSSG BRADT DOUGLAS MARTINSPC BROCKWAY JASONSGT BROWN ERIC DAVIDSGT CRYSLER CHRISTOPHER RICHARDSGT CULLINAN CHRISTINE MARGARETSSG HALL GORDON HSPC HILL ERIC LYLESPC MACLIN MICHAEL JRSSG MAHONEY THOMAS PATRICKSSG MILLER ROBERT CHESTERSGT MOLIK JONATHON TRAVISSGT RAY PAUL SPENCERSPC RUE JEREMY RICHARDSGT SAVOIE LEO JOHN JRSPC TOTH JOSEPH LSPC WONG JEREMIAH CHARLES

HHC AVN BDE 42 IN DIVMSG BARNES HARTLEY ANTHONYSPC BUSCAGLIA JASON ROBERTSGT CABRERA KRYSTAL LEE

SGT ELVINGTON EDWIN FORRESTSPC GRIECO CHRISTOPHERSGT VEIHDEFFER MICHAEL SCOTT

HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)SPC CASTRO ROBERTSGT CEVALLOSGOMEZ ALEX RODRIGOSPC CHAPILLIQUENGALLARDO ASPC CORDOVA WILFREDO IISSG HAYES WILLIAM RSGT JOHNSON RICHARD DAVIDSGT MEDEROS VICTOR JRCPL MONTEZUMA LEONCIO RAULSGT WILSON GREGORY

HHC(-) 3-142D AVIATIONSSG AMBERGER NICHOLAS FREDERICKSSG CLARK JAMES ALLENCSM MALIZIA ANTHONYSGT MCNAB STUART JAMES

HHD 104TH MILITARY POLICE BNSSG BLASS MICHAEL JOSEPHSFC HAWORTH ANDREW JASONSGT MASSARO JERID ALAN JOSEPHSGT MORRISSEY CHRISTOPHER JOHNPFC SHEEHY PATRICK ANTHONY

HHD 27TH FINANCE BNSPC DISEN JUAN CARLOS

HHD 369TH CORPS SPT BNSFC MARTINEZ JACQUELINE

HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDSGT FLICK KATRINA ELISABETHSGT MARSHALL BRANDON EUGENESGT SMITH REBECCA LYNN

HHT 2-101 CAV (RSTA)SGT KNEUT CHRISTOPHER MICHAELSGT TUCKER MICHAEL LYNN

HQ 53D TRP CMDSSG JOHNSON PRISCILLA LYNNETTE

HQS 106TH REGIMENT (RTI)SFC DONOVAN ANDREW JOSEPH

HSC 642D SUPPORT BNMSG DEJESUS TIBURCIOSSG FORMAN ARTHUR SSGT REDFERN RONNIESPC SWARTZENBERG ERIC JOHNSGT WANAT CHRISTOPHER KAZIMIR

MEDICAL COMMANDSGT BIBEAU NICOLLE RENEESGT PROVOST WILLIAM JOHN

NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCE HQSPC HAMMOND JOHN JAMESMSG MISERICORDIA MARC JSGT MORRIS CHRISTOPHER PAUL

RECRUITING AND RETENTION CMDMSG ABBATOY JAMES MSSG CASEY RICHARD MARTINSSG CLARK PATRICK MICHAELSFC OLEARY JOSEPH RICHARD JRSSG SCARLETT JOHN DALTONSGT SILVA GARYSGT WALSH RICHARD SEAN

TROOP B 2-101 CAV (RSTA)SGT FORTNER DOUGLAS LYMANSSG GARRIS RONALD EUGENE JRSFC CANELLA JOSEPH PAUL

TROOP E 101ST CAVALRYSGT ELDER STEPHEN TUANSFC FORD DAVID DOUGLASSPC MCANN DAVID HAROLD JRSGT POTTER CHAD JSPC ROSE WILLIAM JOHN

Guard Times 19

communities and, in the case of Guard andReserve forces, their civilian employers, hesaid.

The upcoming rotation continues the Army’s12 months “boots-on-the-ground” policy goalfor the more than 79,000 Soldiers affectedand will not increase the mobilization periodfor the reserve forces, Venable said.

More than 5,000 Marines to be affectedwill maintain their seven-month deploymentcycle, he said.

The ultimate goal is for these forces, aspart of Multinational Force Iraq, to helpmaintain the security environment until Iraq’ssecurity forces are capable of assuming full

Rotations, from page 10

Centers, from page 10

Johnson and his colleagues performedsecurity duties there and escorted groundconvoys of medical personnel,distinguished visitors, and equipment andsupplies entering the city.

“We initially thought [Bellchase] wouldbe a setup point for evacuees,” MasterSgt. Timothy Kane said. But the evacueesdid not show, and the Airmen concentratedon the staging area where joint forcesgathered relief supplies including MREsand drinking water for transport.

A high point in the State humanitarianmission came when they were asked toprovide CH-47 Chinook air security onflights transporting search and rescueteams. Johnson explained that they securedthe 159th’s landing sites and assisted withwhatever its aircrews needed. Then theywere asked to help out when the BravoCompany flyers picked up evacuees at theNew Orleans Convention Center andtransported them to the internationalairport.

“The aircraft commander saw how usefulwe were helping the evacuees, so herequested us to fly along on [additional]missions,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Kane described the peoplewho had ridden out the storm and were

Security, from page 13

responsibility, Venable explained. Goodprogress is being made in that effort, he said,noting that more than 210,000 Iraqi securityforces are now trained and equipped.

One Iraqi army division, four brigades and23 battalions currently have the operationallead in their areas, Venable said. Anotherdivision, nine brigades and about 50battalions are expected to be ready to assumelead responsibility by January.

As they increase in numbers and capability,Iraq’s security forces are demonstrating solidprofessional performance, Venable said. Hecited their solid contribution to recent combatoperations in Tal Afar and the westernEuphrates River Valley and during the Oct.15 constitutional referendum. ❏

helped into the helicopter’s confined cabinfor a rescue from the city: “Some werepraying, some were crying, some staredstraight ahead,” Kane said. One little girl,Johnson said, said “thank you” to them.

“I’ll won’t forget that,” Johnson said.“They had lost everything, but they werethe friendliest people … they wanted toshake our hands and thank us for beingthere.”

“The medevacs were very rewarding,we saw we were accomplishing somethingthere,” Kane said.

Back at Bellchase, Kane said the aircraftwere delivering cargo to the airfield, oneafter another. “The helicopters wereeverywhere,” Kane said. “The aircrews,the pilots and loadmasters, were workingvery hard.”

To integrate operational riskmanagement, the Airmen said they werebriefed on the proper rules of engagementbefore every operation, including how tohandle situations that might arise duringthe course of the mission. They kepthydrated in the oppressive heat, which,Kane said, dissipated with an occasional,but welcomed, breeze.

“One of our main challenges was thateveryone was armed, including civilians,”Johnson said. “I can’t say I blame them,they were trying to protect themselves and

the Department of Veterans [Affairs] and theclinical side of the VA,” Raza said.

He called the center “a safe, friendlyenvironment located within the community.”

“It’s a good place to be,” Raza explained,“and your counselor knows exactly whatyou’re going through, because most of yourcounselors are combat vets.”

Those hesitant to talk about readjustmentissues – emotional trauma or familyproblems, for example – for fear ofjeopardizing training or promotionopportunities shouldn’t worry, he said. TheVet centers don’t share records with anyone.So what is said stays between the veteranand the counselor, Raza emphasized.

Originally established in 1979 to assist

Vietnam veterans, the centers are user-friendly, said Charlie Flora, associateddirectory of the Vet Center program’sreadjustment counseling service.

“They are integrated into the community,”he said. “We have no waiting lists to seepeople, (and) we provide communityoutreach, education, case management,referral services and professionalcounseling.”

The centers also provide psychotherapyfor war trauma and social, family andeconomic readjustment problems, Flora said.But outreach is key to veterans discoveringany of these services.

While most veterans that Raza has talked totend to be from reserve components, he said,the program is available to all combatveterans, including active duty, for life.

“If a vet needs somebody to talk to, thenthat’s what we’re here for,” Raza said. “Youcan tell if someone has something that theyneed to talk about just by looking in theireyes. Those people, we kind of try to

encourage them to seek some kind of, anykind of, help.”

To date, the readjustment counseling servicehas seen about 45,000 global war on terrorveterans and their families, Flora said. ❏

their families.”At night, the New Yorkers gathered at

their berthing in an aircraft hanger andshared the day’s experiences. Johnson andKane said New York’s 139th AirSquadron provided cots for them sleep onalong with any gear and equipment theyneeded or requested.

“We appreciated the 109AW’s support,

and the 139th went above and beyond toget us what we needed,” Kane said. “Thehelicopter unit was good to us as well.”

We couldn’t have done it without Capt.Anna Villanueva’s [109AW SecurityForces Commander] and the Wings’ help,Johnson said. For their own efforts,Security Forces Airmen may have passedthat help in ways we will never know. ❏

New York Army National Guard Soldiers can earn up to $2,000for every person they refer to a Recruiter who enlists into the NewYork Army National Guard.

Upon enlistment the Recruiter Assistants will receive an initial $1,000payment. The subsequent $1,000 payment will occur upon completion of AITfor non-prior service recruits or after the Soldier completes a prerequisitenumber of drills for prior service Soldiers. Any M-day, New York ArmyGuardsmen can choose to participate in this program by becoming a part-timeRecruiter Assistant. Active Guard Reserve, Federal Technicians or those onADSW orders are currently not eligible.

For more details and to register,visit www.guardrecruitingassistant.com

with the Guard Recruiting Assistance ProgramG-RAP some $$$

THINK WARRANT OFFICER ... THINK TECHNICAL EXPERT

It'sno Secret!Warrant Officers are in demand.

The New York Army National Guard islooking for applicants into its warrantofficer program.

Affiliation and appointment bonuses upto $6000 are available for manyvacancies throughout New York.

Discover why manyGuard membersare choosing theNYARNG warrantofficer program forits career options!

WarrantOfficer 1rankinsignia

Call for information:Contact Warrant Officer 3Jacqueline O'Keefe518-786-6822

Army National Guard

Air Guard Promotions20

LIEUTENANT COLONELALDEN, JOHN M JR 109AWARCATE, JOSEPH E 105AWBARZAC, VALENTINE G 174FWBEDORE, KURT M 109AWBRETON, PAUL A 109AWCAREY, BARTHOLOMEW J JR 106RWDECKER, DOUGLAS A 174FWDEWEY, WADE F 174FWELVIN, PERRY K 105AWKENNY, EDWARD P 105AWKILGORE, ROBERT G 107ARWKOBIERSKI, TADEUSZ E 109AWLASELLA, PATRICK F 105AWOFARRELL, THOMAS K 105AWSTUART, MARIANNE J 174FWTOWNSEND, FRANCIS L 106RW

MAJORBARROWS, JONATHAN S 109AWKOCH, ERIC J 107ARWTRACY, KEVIN P 174FW

CAPTAINARMS, MICHAEL P 109AWBAKER, STEVEN B 105AWBARRIOS, DONNA M 105AWHALL, KELLY M 174FWPAUL, WESLEY J 174FW

1ST LIEUTENANTBAKER, CHRISTOPHER J 106RWHUGGINS, MICHAEL M 106RWSALA, MATTHEW J 109AWSWEENEY, JEFFREY M 105AWTAYLOR, JASON B 174FWZIELINSKI, DAVID L 109AW

2ND LIEUTENANTABBOTT, RYAN M 174FWCHAN, MICHAEL 107ARWCORNER, JEREMY M 107ARWMARCHEGIANI, DANIEL E 109AWROARK, MICHAEL E JR 174FWSHEEHAN, PATRICE L 109AWTHOMAS, WILLIAM G 107ARW

CHIEF MASTER SERGEANTADICKES, PETER K E 106RWCLARK, ALLEN L 107ARWJEFFERS, EDWARD L III 107ARW

SENIOR MASTER SERGEANTBUCHWALD, STEVEN J 107ARWDEYO, DAVID N 174FWDITRO, JOHN F 174FWGRAHAM, MARK D 174FWMORRELL, DONALD R JR 109AWPROIETTI, DEODATO A 109AWSOMMERLAD, SUSAN D 105AW

MASTER SERGEANTBABCOCK, JAMES G JR 105AWBASHER, RICHARD R 107ARWBEHANY, THOMAS O 105AWDEFAZIO, FRANCIS E 105AWDELAURA, ANTONIO A 105AWDEVOE, CLIFFORD A 109AWFREDENBURG, DOUGLAS A 109AWGATT, PAUL J 105AWGIORDANO, CARLO T 106RWHARTZ, HOWARD J JR 107ARWHARWOOD, JEFFREY D 109AWHILL, MICHAEL R 109AWMEADE, SCOTT D 174FWPADDOCK, DAVID F 174FWPECK, GREGORY M 109AWPERKINS, GARY D 106RWPITCHER, DENNIS S 105AWRITOSA, DENIS J 105AWRIVERA, ROGELIO R JR 105AWWILLIAMS, DARYL D SR 174FW

TECHNICAL SERGEANTCHEVERE, JOSE A 105AWCONNOLLY, WILLIAM P 106RWCSABON, LOUIS G JR 106RWDEAN, JAMES H 106RWDEJESUS, JASON 106RWFINN, KEVIN R 109AW

FLANDERS, GLEN P 174FWGALANE, GEORGE 106RWGIVENS, WILLIAM J III 105AWGRIFFIN, TIMOTHY D 107ARWHANLEY, KIM S 105AWHAYGOOD, DEANNA L 105AWHUEGEL, GLEN L 174FWHUNT, VICTORIA 106RWKEARNEY, PATRICK T 106RWKIRBY, JACQUELINE M 105AWLECLAIR, DAVID E 174FWLEE, JAMES Y 106RWLEWIS, JOSEPH D 107ARWMICARI, BRIAN S 106RWMILLER, YOLANDA D 105AWPAPASSO, MICHAEL F 109AWQUINN, JOHN P 105AWSKONBERG, JASON E 105AWSPADAVECCHIA, JOSEPH A 106RWSPIESS, THEODORE F 105AWVALLSDELOSREYES, FRANK V 109AWVARELA, SEAN P 106RWWALKER, SCOTT D 174FWWALSH, JAMES F 105AWWHALEN, MATTHEW P 174FW

STAFF SERGEANTACOSTA, VICTORIANO 106RWBALDASSARI, ANASTASIA MARYA 105AWBALDWIN, SARAH 105AWBASKIEWICZ, KRZYSZTOF J 105AWBASS, CARROLL L 109AWBLACK, STEPHEN J 109AW

BRUCCULERI, JAMES A 106RWBUCCI, LYNETTE M 109AWCINCOTTA, JOHN A 106RWDASCOMB, MARK J 107ARWDELVECCHIO, CHRISTOPHER A 109AWDIXON, WILLIAM A 107ARWFLEMING, JAMES R 174FWGLINSKI, PAUL B 107ARWGONSOWSKI, JOSEPH R 107ARWGRAZIANO, CHRISTOPHER A 174FWGU, WEI 105AWHAMBSCH, JEFFREY C 106RWHASSELL, ERROL F JR 105AWHULLSIEK, JONATHAN C 174FWJACOBS, JEFFREY D 105AWKAMBIC, NATHAN F 174FWKREFT, MICHAEL JB 174FWLARUE, STEVEN C 174FWLEWIS, BENJAMIN W 174FWLEWIS, TOMMY LEE JR 174FWLOFARO, CHRISTOPHER P 105AWLOFTUS, SHAWN M 105AWLOUGEE, RANDY A 174FWPIERCE, MATTHEW D 109AWRAGUSO, CHRISTOPHER J 106RWREICH, THOMAS G 105AWROGERS, KATHLEEN 109AWROUGEUX, PATRICK M 105AWSANDERS, BRUCE L 106RWSCHWEIZER, REBECCA L 174FWSFERRAZZA, SALVATORE JR 106RWTERRY, DAWN M 174FWTIBBETTS, MICHAEL A 105AW

In remembrance of 9/11, an American Flag waves over Ground Zero on the fourth anniversary of the World TradeCenter Attacks in Manhattan. Photo by Lester Milman.

Guard Times 21

WARNER, SHANE W 109AWWRIGHT, DANIEL L 174FW

SENIOR AIRMANBARTLEY, JASON C 105AWBRANNIGAN, JOHN A JR 109AWCERUTTI, BENJAMIN R 105AWCOSTANDI, JOSEPH N 109AWCURLEY, ANTHONY K 107ARWFRANK, ANDREW P 105AWGARRISON, ALISA A 105AWGOMES, GREGORY FRANCIS 105AWGRAFER, KEVIN J 105AWHARRIES, FRED H 105AWKEEGAN, TRAVIS A 174FWLAVIN, SHAWN A 109AWMADISON, ROBERT J 109AWMCGRATH, JOLI M 174FWMCMULLEN, GREGORY M 109AWMENZIES, JOSHUA D 109AWPACENZA, MICHAEL E JR 105AWREAGAN III, EARL E 105AWRYDER, LUKE B 109AWSORRENTINO, ROBERT 106RW

JOINT FORCES HEADQUARTERS, Latham --Thefollowing is a list of courses that 106th Regiment, here, isoffering for fiscal year 2006. All of the courses are listed onat www.dmna.state.ny.us/arng/starc.html. If you areinterested in one of the following courses and meet theprerequisites to enroll, speak with your supervisor andtraining noncommissioned officer at your unit, and requestto be enrolled. If you have specific questions in regards toany of the courses please contact: Master Sgt. Tracey Krom,914-788-7333; or 1st Lt. Lona Edgecombe, 914-788-7342;or Lt. Col. Brian DeReamer, 914-788-7429.

Officer Candidate School- FY 07 Traditional ProgramSchool Code: 1006Course Number: OCSClass # 001Phase 0Location: Camp SmithDates: IDT Apr. 29 – 30, 2006; June 3 – 4, 2006Phase 1Location: Camp Rell, Conn.Dates: ADT July 15 – 29, 2006Phase 2Location: Camp SmithDates: IDT Aug. 2006 – May 2007 – All MUTA fiveweekendsPhase 3Location: Fort Benning, Ga. – Annual TrainingDates: ADT June 2007

Accelerated Officer Candidate SchoolSchool Code: 974Course Number: OCSClass # 001Location: Fort McClelland, Ala. – Active Duty TrainingIn-processing: Nov. 19 – 20 and Dec. 10 – 11 2005 at CampSmithDates: ADT Jan. 14, 2006 – Mar. 11, 2006Class # 002Location: Fort McClelland, Ala. – Active Duty TrainingIn-processing Apr. 29 -30 and Jun. 3 – 4, at Camp SmithDates: ADT June 10, 2006 – Aug. 5 2006

Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course: Common CoreSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 600-BNCOCClass # 002Location: Camp SmithDates: ADT May 7 – 21, 2006

Basic Military Police ReclassificationSchool Code: A191Course Number: 191-31B10(R)Class # 001Location: Camp SmithDates: ADT Mar. 29 – Apr. 9, 2006

Cavalry Scout (HMMWV) ReclassificationSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 171-19D10Class # 001 – 19DPhase 1Location: Camp SmithDates: ADT Mar. 31 – Apr. 9, 2006Class # 002-19DPhase 1Location: Fort DrumDates: ADT Aug. 6 – 16, 2006Phase 2Location: Fort DrumDates: ADT Aug. 16 – 30, 2006

Armor Crewman (M1/M1A1) ReclassificationSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 171-19K10Class # 001 – 19KPhase 1Location: Camp SmithDates: ADT Mar. 31 – Apr. 9, 2006Class # 002-19KPhase 1Location: Fort DrumDates: ADT Aug. 6 – 16, 2006Phase 2Location: Fort DrumDates: ADT Aug. 16 – 30, 2006

Total Army Instructor TrainingSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 131-TAITCClass # 002Location: Camp SmithDates: IDT Mar. 17 – 19, 2006, Apr. 21 – 23, 2006Class # 003

Location: Camp SmithDates: IDT June 2 – 4, 2006, June 9 – 11, 2006

Small Group Instruction TrainingSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 131-F13Class # 002Location: Camp SmithDates: ADT Mar. 6 – 10, 2006

TAC Officer Qualification CourseSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 964-TQCClass # 001Location: Camp SmithDates: ADT Apr. 19 – 23, 2006

Company Level Pre-Command CourseSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 964-CLPCCClass # 001Location: Queensbury Hotel, Glens FallsDates: IDT Apr. 21 – 23, 2006, May 19 – 21, 2006

Combat Lifesaver CourseSchool Code: 1006Course Number: CLC-06Class # 002Location: Camp SmithDates: IDT Mar. 17 – 19, 2006, Apr. 21 – 23, 2006

Combat Lifesaver Course RecertificationNOTE: Recertification soldiers are only required to attendthe last day of the Combat Lifesaver Course.Year: FY06School Code: 1006Course Number: 964-CLC (S)Class# 002Location: Camp SmithDates: IDT Apr. 23, 2006

TATS Health Care Specialist, EMT Basic – TRANSNOTE: First step in 91W transitionSchool Code: 1006Course Number: 081-91W (EMT-B) (T)Class # 001Location: Connecticut Street, BuffaloDate: ADT Jan. 13 – Feb. 3, 2006Class # 002Location: Warren Street, Glens FallsDate: ADT Jun. 02 – 23, 2006 ❏

106th TrainingRegiment offers2006 courses

SWANSON, LISA D 105AWTORRES, CHRISTOPHER E 105AWWOLF, RYAN A 109AW

AIRMAN FIRST CLASSALVAREZ, MICHELLE V 109AWBADOLATO, MICHAEL J 107ARWBIVIANO, BRIAN A 174FWBOATMAN, STEPHEN C JR 174FWBUCKMAN, TERRENCE W 174FWBUSSE, NICOLE M 106RWCALKINS, RUTH A 174FWELLINGER, ERIC L 174FWFERRY, JORDAN E 107ARWGILLETTE, BRIAN F 174FWJANES, CRAIG W 105AWJANUSZKA, TRACEY A 174FWKEOHANE, ZACHARY T 174FWKOWALCZYK, SARAH C 107ARWLEE, MICHAEL R 109AWMANG, RYAN A 107ARWMARKEL, NATHAN E 107ARWMERRILL, ANDREW P 174FWMEYER, TYLER L 174FW

MITER, JUSTIN T 109AWMORSE, JOSHUA D 174FWNEWTON, ANNA J 109AWOAKEY, JOSHUA D 109AWOLIVER, EMILY K 174FWPASSAGE, JOSHUA K 174FWRECKNER, JENNIFER L 109AWRUBINO, JOHN A III 107ARWSILVA, PHILLIP M 105AWSTRAUB, JOSEPH D 174FWTOTH, RYAN R 105AWWALLACE, MICHAEL R 109AWWATT, BRIAN S 109AWWIGDORSKI, BRIAN M 107ARW

AIRMANMATHEWSON, BRADLEY A 174FWSALCE, ALCIDE 106RW

AIRMAN BASICBAYLOR, JOHN A 107ARWGINAVAN, CHARLES P 107ARWHERNANDEZ, LYDIA E II 107ARWTHUMAN, BRYAN M 107ARW

Guard Times22

By Maj. Kathy M. SweeneyGuard Times Staff

LATHAM — The role of New York’sMilitary Forces Honor Guard is rapidlyexpanding to meet growing demands, saysDonald Roy, a retired Army MasterSergeant who took over as MFHG’sProgram Director in 2003.

During Roy’s tenure the honor guardprogram has undergone a totalreorganization with sweeping changes.From two “Detail” offices servicing all ofNew York the program has expanded tosix offices statewide, including their mainoffice, here. Additionally, the MFHG isnow outfitted with state-of-the-artcomputer systems and cell phones, it hasits own fleet of 19 government vehicles —with three more on order, and their budgethas more than doubled in the past yearwith their projected budget nearly $2.5million.

Why such an increase in equipment,manning and funding? Because, says Roy,our nation’s veterans are aging. Onaverage, the United States is losing 1,500veterans per day, and the National GuardBureau has predicted a steady rise in thatfigure until a projected peak in 2008.

Every veteran with an HonorableDischarge is entitled to military funeralhonors at no cost to their family. Thesehonors include the playing of taps and aflag folding/presentation to next of kin.Full military honors, which include theaddition of military pallbearers, a firingparty and a color-guard detail, areprovided to Medal of Honor veterans andto veterans who died on Active Duty.

Since its establishment by Governor

New York's Military ForcesHonor those who Served

George E. Pataki in 1999, the MFHG hasgrown to provide Military Funeral Honorsfor more than 500 veterans each month.Last year’s total was 6,006 details. Thismeans that on any given day, there were atleast 50 Soldiers on duty, but that numbercan go as high as 80 Soldiers on duty withthirty-seven funerals in one day as the mostdetails preformed to date.

The schedule is always full, says Roywho admitted that, currently, there are notenough trained Honor Guard Soldiers toperform full military honors and providehonors for regular veterans. But the ActingAdjutant General, Brig. Gen. F DavidSheppard, recently approved anadditional full-time detail, consisting of 30Soldiers, to keep up with increasingdemands. For this new detail each HonorGuard Soldier is issued a dress blueuniform and the equipment needed toperform full military honors. All HonorGuard details are equipped withceremonial bugles for TAPS.

For more information on New York’sMilitary Forces Honor Guard or to join adetail, email Mr. Donald Roy:donald.roy@ny.ngb.army.mil, or call (518)786-4906. ❏

The Military Forces Honor Guard provides New York State Veterans with appropriate honors at burial. They also instructveteran service organizations, who assist the military in performing burial ceremonies. Documentation for all veterans’records of service is required, which includes a Report of Separation form DD-214 for Active Duty and Reserve veteransand form NGB-22 for National Guard veterans. For all funeral honors, please call one of the following offices:Army & National Guard Veterans: Albany (518) 274-4711; Buffalo (716) 888-5693; New York City (718) 329-3926x10; Rochester (585) 783-5356; Syracuse (315) 438-3015. Air Force Veterans: (518) 344-2586. Marine CorpsVeterans: (866) 826-3628. Navy Veterans: (860) 694-3475. Coast Guard Veterans: (617) 223-3485.

Who to Call for Veterans' Honors?

Why Join, Volunteer for theMilitary Forces Honor Guard?

Beyond having the satisfaction of honoring those who came before us andthe gratitude of family members, you’ll have the opportunity to earnretirement points and drill pay. Retirees are also eligible to be teammembers.

Each month, more than 500 deceased veterans receive honors. This is oneway of saying "thank you" for their service to our nation.

If you have what it takes and want the privilege, you too may be able to bea member of the New York Honor Guard. If you are a Soldier or Airman whotakes pride in the military and your appearance, are willing to learn how toperform these ceremonies and have a Class A uniform— dress uniforms areprovided — and can be available on weekends and some weekdays, callDon Roy, Director, Military Forces Honor Guard Program at 518-786-4906or email Donald.Roy@ny.ngb.army.mil.

A New York Military Forces Honor Guard detail. Photos by Sgt. Dennis Gravell.

Guard Times 23

Every veteran withan HonorableDischarge isentitled to militaryfuneral honors atno cost to theirfamily. Thesehonors include theplaying of taps anda flag folding andpresentation tonext of kin.

There are no official lyrics to TAPS. Thereare several variations of the lyrics in usetoday. The below are some them:Version 1: “Fading light dims the sight,And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.From afar drawing nigh — Falls the night.Version 2: “Day is done, gone thesun,From the lake, from the hills, from thesky. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.”Version 3: “Then good night, peacefulnight, Till the light of the dawn shinethbright, God is near, do not fear - Friend,good night.”

What are thewords to ‘Taps’?

Why 12 Folds for theAmerican Flag?

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the

eternal life.The third fold is made in honor and

remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks.The fourth fold represents our weaker nature,

for as American citizens trusting in God, it is toHim we turn in times of peace as well as in timesof war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country.The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is

with our heart that we pledge allegiance to theflag of the United States of America.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our ArmedForces, for it is through the Armed Forces thatwe protect our country and our flag against allher enemies.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one whoentered in to the valley of the shadow of death,that we might see the light of day, and to honormother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; forit has been through their faith, love, loyalty anddevotion that the character of the men andwomen who have made this country great havebeen molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too,has given his sons and daughters for the defenseof our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrewcitizen, represents the lower portion of the sealof King David and King Solomon, and glorifies,in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, andJacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christiancitizen, represents an emblem of eternity andglorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son,and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the starsare uppermost, reminding us of our nationalmotto: “In God we Trust".

A New York Honor Guard Soldier plays taps during military funeral honors.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Lynch presents a folded American flag to the family member of a deceased Army veteran.

About Guard Times

The Guard Times is published bimonthly usingfederal funds authorized under provisions of AR360-1 and AFI 35-101 by the New York StateDivision of Military and Naval Affairs and the NewYork Army and Air National Guard Public AffairsOffice. Views which appear in this publication arenot necessarily those of the Department ofDefense, the Army, the Air Force or the NationalGuard Bureau.

The Guard Times has a circulation of 25,000and is distributed free to members of the NewYork State Militia Force and employees of theDivision of Military and Naval Affairs.

Governor George E. Pataki, Commander in ChiefBrig. Gen. F David Sheppard, Acting Adjutant GeneralKent Kisselbrack, Director of Public AffairsLt. Col. Paul A. Fanning, NYARNG , EditorStaff Sgt. Mike R. Smith, NYANG, Assistant Editor

Articles, photos and letters are welcome. Pleaseprovide article submissions on a computer diskwith a hard print out and a name and telephonenumber for a point of contact. We prefer storiessaved in Microsoft Word or ASCII text.Submission deadlines are February 15, April 15,June 15, August 15, October 15 and December15. Send submissions to:

Guard TimesDMNA-MNPA

330 Old Niskayuna RoadLatham, New York 12110-2224

(518) 786-4581 FAX (518) 786-4649or

michael.smith@ny.ngb.army.mil

Guard Times Address ChangesChanged your address recently?Is the Guard Times still coming to an old address?If so, it may be time to check with your unitadministrator. Chances are, the old address isstill listed at the unit.Computerized shipping labels are produced forGuard Times at state headquarters from theelectronic data base. This information is updatedthrough periodic submissions from the field. Theunit, SIDPERS, the Personnel Services Branchand military pay all need to have a documentsupplied by the soldier to change the homeaddress.Before writing us at the Guard Times about youraddress change, start with your unit. It takesabout two months before the change hits thesystem, but, guess what! The Guard Timescomes out every two months. So if you haveverified the unit has the correct information andthe Guard Times still came to the old address, bepatient. The next issue should come to the newaddress.Reminder. It is the Soldier’s responsibility tosubmit address changes in a prompt manner.

Complimentary or Back IssuesComplimentary or back issues of the GuardTimes are available. Contact us at the addressabove.

Guard Times

By 2nd Lt. Amy McCrackenGuard Times Staff

EMPIRE STATE PLAZA, Albany — SergeantChristian Engeldrum will be remembered for serving hiscountry both as a New York City fireman and as a Soldierin the New York Army National Guard. He was atGround Zero with his fellow firemen of Ladder 61 whentragedy struck on 9/11. In fact, he can be seen holding aladder in a photograph that became a symbol of theunwavering American spirit there; it was the photo offiremen hanging the American Flag above the rubble.

Specialist Wilfredo Urbina also served his nation asboth a fireman, and as a Soldier in the NYARNG.Urbina, a fireman for the Baldwin Fire Department, wastruly excited to be serving in the war as an infantryman,his fellow Soldiers said.

Tragically, it was while serving their country in Iraq asSoldiers of A-Company, 1st Battalion, 69th InfantryRegiment, when they were killed in action on Nov. 29,2004.

Engeldrum and Urbina were two out of 10 firefightershonored Oct. 10 during the Eighth Annual FallenFirefighters Memorial Ceremony in Albany. Theceremony, which occurs during New York’s FirePrevention Week, recognizes the courage and sacrificesof those lost in the line of duty and of all members of thefire service, “who perform heroic acts every day,”Governor George E. Pataki said.

Their names were added to the New York State FallenFirefighters' Memorial wall, here, now inscribed with2,293 names dating back to 1811.

Governor Pataki dedicated the memorial in 1998. Its 54-foot by 15-foot gray granite wall stands on the northeastside of the Empire State Plaza. In front of the wall standsa 10-foot high dark bronze sculpture of two firefightersrescuing an injured colleague.

This year’s official ceremony opened with the posting ofthe Colors by the Albany County Fire Department HonorGuard and the New York City Fire Department EmeraldSociety Pipe and Drum. FDNY Firefighter Andrew T.Wittman, III, sang the National Anthem. Following a

Soldiers, Firefighters memorializedprayer and tributes by Governor Pataki and otherdignitaries, the names of the fallen firefighters were read,and bells were rung in their memory. Governor Patakiand representatives of major fire organizations thenplaced wreaths at the base of the memorial as the“Firefighters’ Creed” — a song written to specificallyhonor the memorialized — was sung. After a moment ofsilence and a benediction, members of the West AlbanyFire Department performed “Taps”. A fly-over by theNew York State Police Aviation Unit followed, and theceremony concluded with the retiring of the colors andthe singing of “America the Beautiful”.

As firefighters and as citizen soldiers in the New YorkNational Guard, Sergeant Engeldrum and Sergeant Urbinaembodied the spirit that makes our nation great, GovernorPataki said. ❏

Governor George E. Pataki, State Firefighters, Soldiers and others honor fallen firefighters at the Eighth Annual Fallen Firefighters MemorialCeremony, Empire State Plaza, Albany. Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office.