Sergeant majorhead of the class

at academyPage 8

Southernborder

deployment:Tough but

fruitful missionPage 12

Airman rapperfinds YouTube

successPage 18

Eligible bachelors with ideas ofasking Sgt. Buri on a date mightwant to think twice. She has threebrothers serving with 1/221stCavalry. They’re very protective.For complete coverage, turn topage 11.

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 1

In accordance with Department of Defense Instruction5120.4, Battle Born is an authorized, unofficial publication ofthe Nevada National Guard. Content is not necessarily theofficial view of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. government, theDepartment of Defense, the Nevada National Guard or thestate of Nevada. It is published by AQP Publishing, Inc., aprivate firm in no way connected with, but under exclusivewritten contract with, the Nevada National Guard.

The advertising in this publication, including inserts orsupplements, does not constitute endorsement by the state ofNevada or the Nevada National Guard of the products orservices advertised. Everything advertised in the publicationshall be made available for purchase, use, or patronagewithout regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or anyother nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a

violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by anadvertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to printadvertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

Battle Born is published quarterly for all current civilianemployees, military members, National Guard retirees,government leaders in the state of Nevada, and civilianemployers of Nevada Guard members. Battle Born isdistributed free of charge via mail and is available atwww.nevadaguard.com.

Comments and ContributionsLetters to the editor must be signed and include the

writer’s full name and mailing address. Letters should be briefand are subject to editing. Other print and visual submissions ofgeneral interest to our diverse civilian employees, NevadaNational Guard military members, retirees and families are

invited and encouraged. Please send articles and photos withname, phone number, e-mail and complete mailing address andcomments to:

Battle Born MagazineState Public Affairs OfficeNevada National Guard2460 Fairview DriveCarson City, NV 89701

Or e-mail to NGNV-StatePublicAffairs@ng.army.mil

Publication of material is determined by available space andreader interest. The staff reserves the right to edit all material.

From Senior Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Drop Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Deployment Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Sports News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Promotions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Retirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Accessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Event Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Features:

Battle BeautyON THE COVER: Sgt. Aileen Buri, after claiming the MissLas Vegas and Little Miss Nevada Talent Supremetitles within the past year, won the Miss NevadaState contest in March to add a third jewel to herpageant tiara. For complete coverage turn to page 11.Photo by Wayne Wallace, Wayne Wallace Photography

Governor Brian SandovalCommander in Chief

Nevada

Brigadier General Bill BurksThe Adjutant GeneralNevada National Guard

Bob Ulin, PublisherMarie Lundstrom, Editor

Gloria Schein, Graphic DesignerDarrell George, Advertising Sales

Toll Free: (866) 562-9300 • Fax: (907) 562-9311www.AQPpublishing.com

www.nevadaguard.com

GovernorBrian Sandoval

The Adjutant GeneralBrig. Gen. Bill Burks

Managing Editor/State Public Affairs OfficerMaj. April Conway

EditorSgt. 1st Class Frank Marquez

Staff Writer/PhotographerSgt. Mike Getten

ContributorsLt. Col. Terry Conder

Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Maj. Jeffrey JohnsonJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Sgt. 1st Class Erick StudenickaJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Sgt. 1st Class Jim GreenhillNational Guard Bureau

Master Sgt. Gloria Odion152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Spc. Grant Larson69th Public Affairs Detachment

Departments:

Afghanistan produces all kinds of heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Nevada Leaders seek to make diversity part of National Guard’s DNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Nevada Soldier is head of the class at Sergeants Major Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

New Solider brings fix-it skills to Guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Quartermaster Soldier reigns with triple crown of Nevada beauty pageants . . . . . . . . . . 11

Nevada Guard Soldiers keep watch on southern border . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Nevada Air Guard opens its doors to the public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Southern Nevada assistance center is home base for family readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Air Guard rapper’s educational video becomes Internet success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Summer 2012

More than 10 years of persistent conflicthas drastically changed the nature anddisposition of our force. Our military operatesin largely unconventional, asymmetriccombat environments. We fight in failednation states against non-state terroristgroups and insurgent organizations, castingus into non-typical roles performing uncon-ventional missions that were unheard of twodecades ago. Employing the diverse back-grounds and personal experiences of ourfighting men and women has played a keyrole in our military’s ability to prevail inthese new and ever-evolving mission sets.

Force diversification directly contributedto our nation’s success in reconstructionefforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan.Drawing on the diverse capabilities of theSoldiers and Airmen within the NevadaAgribusiness Development Team played acrucial role in the team’s success that farexceeded the performance and effective-ness of other ADTs in theater.

Exceptional service members such asArmy Captains Liz Gabriel and DenisseRamos, Sgt. Christina Gonzales and AirGuard Staff Sgt. Lera Masini employedtheir unique backgrounds to build criticalrelationships. Their ethnic and genderdiversity brought different perspectives tobear in solving complex problems thathelped build Afghan governmental capacityand measurable development in local anddistrict farming sectors. Their actionssupported key counterinsurgency effortswithin the ADT’s battlespace.

Organizational diversity is much morethan just “feel good” awards or an aware-ness program. It is really about establishinga climate and sustaining an inclusiveenvironment that reaches out to ourcommunities to recruit and retain the bestand brightest from all walks of life Nevadahas to offer. It is about building and main-taining clear and transparent organizationalcareer pathways so that all can see

and progress through, participate in, andcontribute to our great organization. It isabout getting everyone in the fight toensure success, accomplish our mission,and achieve our individual aspirations. It isabout working within our organization andour communities to seek out and include afull and broad range of perspectives,experiences and rich cultural backgrounds.Organizational diversity is a critical forcemultiplier that brings all of the organiza-tional and individual attributes to resolvecomplex problem solving and missionaccomplishment.

On the home front, these same keyattributes are sought in our Guardsmen andour communities to form a central role intransforming the Nevada Guard for the

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 3

FROM SENIOR LEADERSHIPCol. Johnny Isaak, Nevada Army Guard Chief of Staff

future, and to set the conditions for missionaccomplishment. It is through our diversebackgrounds and unique personal experi-ences that we will be able to meet thechallenges ahead. We must work togetherto identify and mitigate barriers to inclusion.And from our diverse pool of military menand women, we must build core strengthfrom which to protect our nation and ourfellow citizens.

Get in the game. Bring your experiencesand abilities to the team and help us defendthis great organization and our great nation.Your unique background and experiencesare what we need. There is a great careeropportunity ahead of you in the NevadaGuard. What are you waiting for? Get inthe fight. �

Get in the game:Organizational diversity not justanother awareness program

4 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

By Sgt. 1st Class Frank MarquezJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

“Welcome home, heroes!”Upon return from my recent one-

year deployment to Afghanistan,supporters of American troops linedthe airport concourses to convey theirsupport. They clapped and wavedflags and signs. They shook my hand.

It felt strange to be referred to as a hero.To me, heroes were those I saluted as they passed in caskets

draped with American flags on Disney Road on Bagram Air Field.Those Soldiers put their lives on the line and made the ultimatesacrifice for their nation.

After jet lag faded and memories of the hundreds of high-fivesI received became more distant, I pondered the most prevalentquestions: Was it all worth it? Was I a hero?

Often, friends’ and family members’ eyes would glaze over asI described battling boredom while traveling across the dusty,mountainous roads of Afghanistan, the excitement of flying inhelicopters in the middle of the night and the mental impact ofinterviewing combatants who lived with the threat of constant attack.

But I was not one of the trigger pullers on combat patrols.Instead, as a historian, I experienced one of the most uniquepositions on the battlefield. By recording Soldiers’ personalnarratives, I heard the most amazing and tragic war stories.

During deployment, my job entailed determining the resultsof what our American troops accomplished and died for inAfghanistan.

Afghanistan produces all kinds of heroes“What was value added?” my Army historian mentor would ask.This remains a struggle today. Commanders wish to measure

success with tangible elements of heroism. Is success the numberof missions performed, the targets captured or the schools built?

There were many Soldiers who tutored Afghan children. Therewere commanders who coordinated water well and schoolconstruction. There was a memorable first sergeant, the kind whocracked raunchy jokes with his troops to maintain morale, whosobbed uncontrollably when he cradled an injured Afghan boy.

There were memorable tales of fixed-wing and rotary pilotswho tirelessly shuttled Soldiers, supplies and bombs back andforth across the battlefield. There were unforgettable anecdotesinvolving clerks, cooks and medics.

Some of my interview subjects smiled, some cried, but thecommon denominator among them was the weapon on their back.

During a recent lunch in Carson City, a gray-bearded veteranshared with me his experience as a Navy corpsman in Vietnam.He had noticed the ‘Screaming Eagle’ patch on my right shoulder,the iconic emblem for 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division.It’s a combat patch that is both an honor and privilege to wear,considering the division’s reputation in World War II and Vietnam.

Veterans rarely talk about the honor of doing our part in warbut proudly call each other brothers and sisters. We’ll alwaysremember our experiences and some parts of us will remainforever changed.

Six months after returning to Nevada, I realize there are manyvariations of heroes. I had the courage to volunteer, to leave myhome and participate in a war on behalf of my nation. If that makesme a hero, then so be it. �

By Sgt. 1st Class Jim GreenhillNational Guard Bureau

RENO – Diversity is essential to theNational Guard’s success, senior leaders saidto about 500 people at the 2012 NationalGuard Diversity Conference held May 23-24.

“We all posses individuality,” said AirForce Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of theNational Guard Bureau, as he describeddiversity’s key characteristics at theconference hosted by the Nevada NationalGuard. “We encourage it; we don’t wantto destroy it.”

As chief, McKinley has reinvigoratedthe National Guard’s diversity program.Among other initiatives he has promoted:

• A national level Joint ExecutiveDiversity Council.

• Joint diversity councils in each of the54 states and territories and theDistrict of Columbia.

• A cargo-pocket-size “Leader’s Guideto Diversity” available to every Guardmember.

• Virtual diversity conferences thatGuard members can join at the clickof a mouse.

• Strengthened relationships withaffinity groups.

• An agreement with the Defense EqualOpportunity Management Institute toprovide diversity training for risingleaders.

“We are well on our way to implementingall the tools,” McKinley said. “We need tocreate more passion in our hearts for thisprogram. We’ve got the science. We’ve gotthe way ahead in terms of numeric achieve-ments, and goals. We’ve got metrics. We’vegot handbooks. This has got to be aprogram, a project, a mission, a journeythat’s embedded deeply in our hearts.”

In 2011, Diversity Executive magazineprofiled McKinley’s evolution in diversity,outlining his involvement in the ’60s CivilRights movement; his education as anequal opportunity and treatment officer; hisexperiences during that assignment and hisdecision as chief to appoint a special assis-tant for diversity and push the messagethrough the ranks from the top down.

“We don’t have time to wait for thesystem to bring results that we know anddesire we can produce in our hearts,”McKinley said. “Take the opportunity tolook at the process. Make sure it is fair.Make sure it brings up the best andbrightest. And, when you have a chance, liftup a person who needs just a chance toshow what he or she is made of. Resultsspeak for themselves.”

Col. Ondra Berry, a Nevada AirGuardsman and special assistant fordiversity and a special adviser to McKinley,spoke about some of the related chal-lenges. “One challenge will be connectingattitude with action. Leadership is a key,”he said. “Another of the biggest challengesis recruiting a work force that representsthe communities we serve. This is whereyou build the bench. We have to askourselves: Do we have cultures of excel-lence? Do we have a strong communitypartnership?”

Berry added that winning hearts andminds will help leadership convey theprinciples of diversity to the core of theGuard. “What separates this year’s confer-ence from others is teaching people tohave hope, bring back someone who waslost, and to push and encourage youngAirmen and Soldiers,” he said. “This is aheart conference. On any initiative, youmust have your heart in the effort. Thisconference reaches inside of each person,and challenges them to ask: ‘Where must Ibe better?’ Leaders will define their ownlegacy, and how they reach out to others.”

Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt, directorof the Air National Guard, imagined a timewhen events such as the conference andReno-based meeting of the Joint ExecutiveDiversity Council will not be needed. “Oneof these days, diversity will be such a partof our culture,” he said, “we won’t needdiversity councils because it will just be away of life. It will be part of our DNA.” �

Nevada leadersseek tomakeNevada leadersseek tomakepart of National Guard’s DNA

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 5

6 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

RENO – The Air Guard’s Lt. Col. Jo Meacham andTech. Sgt. Colleen Glynn met with Troop 125 topick up Girl Scout cookies sold for the NevadaProject on April 18. The girls wrote cards andletters and made bookmarks for the troops, whichwere placed in the box with the cookies. Theboxes were mailed to two members of the NevadaAir Guard, one member of the Nevada Army Guardand one member of the active duty Army, whosebrother works at Nevada Energy. As a thank-youfor their time, energy and effort, the girls weregiven a care package with gifts from NV Energy,the Nevada Air Guard and the Veterans GuestHouse.

RENO – Maj. Todd Hudson and Master Sgt.Terry Marshall of the 152nd Airlift Wing play anational anthem horn duet at the start of theReno Aces Military Appreciation Day on June 1.The Aces beat the Tacoma Rainiers, 8-7.

LAS VEGAS – Lt. Col. Michael Glynn assumed command of the 1/221stCavalry during a change of command ceremony at the Clark CountyArmory on June 3. Glynn took over from Lt. Col. Kurt Neddenriep, whoserved as the unit’s commander since Sept. 10, 2010.

“This is the best unit in the Nevada Army National Guard. It has agood reputation and storied history. I am honored to begin commandof this unit,” Glynn said. “I am filling some big shoes for Lt. Col. KurtNeddenriep, but this unit has historically grown good officers. I amhumbled to join their ranks.”

Glynn now commands about 520 Soldiers. The unit was designatedthe 1st Squadron, 221st Armored Reconnaissance Cavalry inSeptember 2009, with India, Kilo, Headquarters Troops and the 777thForward Support Company located in Las Vegas, and Lima Troop inYerington. The unit is composed primarily of armored scouts andemploys M-2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M-120 mortar guns andM-1151 armored humvees.

Sgt. 1st Class Frank Marquez, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Master Sgt. Paula Clark, 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Courtesy photo

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 7

LINCOLN, Neb. – Staff Sgt. Paul Duncan, arecruiter for the Nevada Army National Guard inLas Vegas, runs in the 35th Annual LincolnNational Guard Marathon and Half-Marathon onMay 6. He crossed the finish line at 3:32:17, afull 47 minutes faster than the overall raceaverage. Duncan placed 85th in a field of 1,171runners overall, and 79th among 685 malecompetitors.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Sgt. Justin Strong climbsa vertical rope ladder to board a large ship aspart of maritime law enforcement training by the92nd and 9th Civil Support teams, the U.S. CoastGuard and other local first responders at the Portof Los Angeles in early March. The sessionsmarked the first time that the Las Vegas-based92nd CST trained with the U.S. Coast Guard.The 9th CST is from Los Angeles. The NationalGuard CSTs assist first responders duringchemical, biological, radiological, nuclear andexplosive incidents.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Sgt. Nate Fox of the Nevada Guard’s 1/189th GeneralSupport Aviation Battalion checks progress on a transmission repair for a CH-47 Chinook helicopterat the Mustang Ramp on June 11. Fox, a resident of Sparks, is one of just two 1/189th Soldiersbased at KAF; the majority of Nevada's aviation Soldiers are serving out of Forward OperatingBase Shank in Logar Province. The battalion arrived in Afghanistan on April 30 and will returnto Nevada in spring 2013.

HOLBROOK JUNCTION, Nev. – More than a dozen Soldiers from the Nevada Army NationalGuard’s 1/168th MEDEVAC help battle a wildfire south of Gardnerville on May 22. The fast-moving blaze near the Nevada-California line destroyed two homes and 17 outbuildings,burned an estimated 6,750 acres and sent up huge plumes of black smoke. The flamesmoved away from residential areas north of Topaz Lake the next day as winds subsided alongthe Sierra’s eastern front. At one time, between 100 and 200 homes were threatened in theTopaz Ranch Estates, about 50 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe. The Topaz Ranch Estates Fireis the fourth wildfire in seven months the Nevada Guard has battled. The Caughlin Firedestroyed homes and property in central Reno in November 2011, and the Washoe Fire wasresponsible for the death of one person and dozens of animals in Washoe Valley south ofReno in January, the same month that fires broke out near Elko.

Courtesy photo

Spc. Tyler Meister, 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Hawaii Guard

Courtesy of 92nd Civil Support TeamSgt. Mike Getten, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

8 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

By Maj. Jeffrey JohnsonJoint Force HeadquartersPublic Affairs

RENO – His militaryrank remains sergeant major, but his newnickname could be “professor.”

Nevada Guard Command Sgt. Maj. JaredKopacki is one of the newest instructors atthe U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy inFort Bliss, Texas. According to StateCommand Sgt. Maj. Daryl Keithley, Kopackiis the first Nevada Guard Soldier to land aninstructor position at the Army’s esteemedsenior enlisted schoolhouse.

“Only two or three Nevada GuardSoldiers, including Kopacki, have attendedthe resident course,” Keithley said. “Hisposition at Fort Bliss makes him a great rolemodel for Nevada Soldiers, and his teachingability is a tremendous asset for the Army.”

The academy’s mission is to preparemaster sergeants and first sergeants forpositions in staff and command sergeantmajor positions at brigade and higherechelons. Only a small corps of elitenoncommissioned officers are consideredfor instructor positions at the academy.

Kopacki said he learned about theteaching opportunity from one of his prioracademy classmates. Kopacki originallysought to become a guest instructor for thenonresident course but landed a position asa full-fledged instructor.

“The whole situation is a great lesson foreveryone on the importance of networkingand building professional relationships,”said Kopacki, who applied for the positionlast year while deployed with the NevadaGuard’s Agriculture Development Team inAfghanistan.

Soldiers enrolled in the sergeants majorcourse have two attendance options. Theycan either attend a nine-month residentcourse at Fort Bliss or participate in anonresident course that includes two yearsof online classes and a two-week residencephase in Texas.

Keithley said enrollment in the academyis a prerequisite to acquiring E-9 status.

“Senior enlisted Soldiers cannot becomesergeant majors unless they’ve enrolled inthe sergeants major course,” Keithley said.

Kopacki’s path to Fort Bliss began with astint on active duty as a military policeman.He then joined the Nevada Army Guard in1997 and became a truck driver for the1864th Medium Truck Company. Afterseveral years of gaining experience andhoning his leadership skills, he deployed toIraq with the 1864th in 2005 as its firstsergeant.

Kopacki’s military occupation mirrorshis civilian occupation as a truck driver.

Kopacki enjoys being an instructorbecause of his enthusiastic students andthe favorable learning environment at the

academy. Instructors at the academy act asfacilitators for experience- and lesson-sharing among students. After a decade ofwar, the students have plenty of material toshare.

“A lot of the curriculum mirrors theofficers’ intermediate level educationcourses,” Kopacki said.

Kopacki’s counsel to sergeants andprivates is simple.

“My advice to young Soldiers is to takestock of where you are in your career andask some easy questions,” Kopacki said.“For example: What is your fitness level?To be a leader, you must lead from the frontand display that you can pass the fitnesstest easily at any time.

“Also, analyze your military and civilianeducational levels and decide if they arecommensurate with your current or nexthigher grade. Everyone should know howto professionally conduct training on drillweekends. Finally, strive to attain positionsthat will improve the organization andyourself.”

The Sergeants Major Academy wasestablished in 1972 and graduated its firstclass of 105 sergeants major in 1973. Someof the academy’s responsibilities includedeveloping leadership training for all of theArmy’s basic and advanced noncommis-sioned officer courses and the productionof the magazine “NCO Journal.” �

Nevada Soldier is head of the classat Sergeants Major Academy

Sgt. Maj. Jared Kopacki stands front and center among a group of instructors at the U.S. Army SergeantsMajor Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas. His advice to young troops: “Take stock of where you are in yourcareer.”

Kopacki’sadvice forSoldiers, Airmen• Stay in shape• Seek out professionaldevelopment courses

• Pursue civilian educationopportunities

• Seek out a variety ofmilitary occupations andpositions

• Don’t let combat skillsdeteriorate

• Keep your civilianemployer informed aboutyour military activity

Courtesy photo

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 9

Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Frank MarquezJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

LAS VEGAS – “They are really tight,like family. Everyone really made me feelwelcome.”

Those were Pvt. Steven Thompson’simpressions about his first drill weekendin May. A brand new wheeled vehiclemechanic in the maintenance shop of the17th Sustainment Brigade at the Las VegasReadiness Center, he thought he’d beturning the wrench on some five-ton truckor Humvee, but like any first day on the job,he didn’t really know what to expect. “I wasnervous to see how it would actually be,”Thompson said.

On the second day, he found himselfheading out to the firing range. Fighting offknots in his stomach on the 30-minute busride to a patch of sizzling desert near theFloyd Edsall Training Center on the northside of Las Vegas, he joined the firing orderwith just his M-16 rifle. “Where’s yourgear?” asked the range supervisor. Withinseconds, a fellow Soldier had producedhelmet, eye protection and web gear.

That Soldier was the brigade’s seniorsupply sergeant, who noted the fresh-faced, wiry Thompson was so new to theunit that his equipment had yet to arrive.“It’s for the love of Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1stClass Damon Gray about loaning his gear toThompson. “I’ll gladly give what I have toSoldiers in a heartbeat.”

Thompson joined the National Guard afew months after graduating from ShadowRidge High School in June 2011. He playedfootball and wrestled for the Mustangs at135 pounds. Since swearing in at theMilitary Entrance Processing Station onSept. 9, he’s a changed man, weighingnearly a buck-fifty, thanks to Army chow.

“I went to all the recruiters and wantedto know what would benefit me most,”Thompson said. “I wanted to specialize indiesel mechanics mostly, because of myhobby. I think about college, too. So, Ilooked at the different military occupationalspecialties and saw this as a chance toadvance. Signing up with the NationalGuard, I felt I had more opportunity.”

After attending basic training at FortJackson, S.C., and advanced individualtraining for becoming a mechanic at FortLee, Va., Thompson says, “If it has wheels,then we can fix it.”

And fixing rolling stock isn’t anythingnew to Thompson. His hobby is restoring

old cars. His family owns and operatesRomprey Classic Cars near the Las VegasMotor Speedway. What started in his step-dad’s garage when Thompson was only 15years old is now a thriving business.

Thompson estimates that the shop hasrestored between 175 and 200 classic cars.These days, Thompson drives a ’77Chevrolet Camaro that he bought from hisstepdad for $1,300. He figures it’s worthabout $12,000, maybe a little more. “MyCamaro was made when there was a gasshortage,” said Thompson, proud to rattleoff a little history about his passion.“Chevrolet and other automakers madeengine blocks with bigger combustionchambers, which meant less horse power.So, muscle cars weren’t that popular.”

Thompson turned 19 this past summer,as he joined a crop of young Soldiers,representing the next generation for theNevada Army National Guard. “I’m reallythe first person in my family to join themilitary,” he said. “My stepdad’s dad wasin the Air Force. That’s it.”

Other than that, Thompson’s only otherconnection with military is just as distant.His mother, whose family hails fromTonapah, Nev., attended high school withChief Warrant Officer Lloyd Allen, a NevadaGuard Soldier who travelled a similar route,taking initial training at Fort Jackson, S.C.,and working as a wheeled vehiclemechanic most of his career.

“I have mentored many young Soldierslike Thompson, bringing them up from thejunior ranks. One of them became awarrant officer,” said Allen, who is now themotor officer for the 17th Special TroopsBattalion. “I believe most young Soldierscome in motivated and eager to learn. Withgood leadership, they’ll continue down theright path.”

Thompson’s enlistment coincides witha brigade still less than a year old. Whilesome of the unit’s Soldiers retire, otherstransfer in from the Nevada Guard’s otherunits, or show up fresh from Armyadvanced individual training. Feeling part ofthe family, Thompson is already taking aribbing from some older Soldiers in themaintenance shop as they share the talesof various initiation rites.

“There was one new guy who we toldto jump-start a Humvee,” said Spc. AndreHines, a veteran maintenance Soldier ofeight years. The young Guardsman clearlydidn’t understand how to do that, Hinessaid, so he started pushing up and down onthe hood of the vehicle thinking, maybepraying, the engine was going to turn over.

“Now, that story is out,” Hines laughed.“We’ll have to try something else”

Looking forward to drills and turningwrenches, Thompson’s off to a good startmaking friends and getting some triggertime. And to top off a happy beginning, hequalified expert at the firing range. �

New Soldier brings fix-it skills to Guard

Pvt. Steven Thompson, 19, served his first drill in the maintenance shop of the 17thSustainment Brigade at the Las Vegas Readiness Center on May 31. The wheeled vehiclemechanic brings his talent of restoring classic cars to the Nevada National Guard. His 1977Chevrolet Camaro is one of more than 175 vehicles brought back to life at his family’s autorestoration business.

By Lt. Col. Terry ConderJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

LAS VEGAS – In the arena of Nevadabeauty pageants, Sgt. Aileen Buri holds thetriple crown.

After claiming the Miss Las Vegas andLittle Miss Nevada Talent Supreme titleswithin the past year, Buri won the MissNevada State contest in March to add athird jewel to her pageant tiara.

“It’s great to show people anotheraspect of military service members,” saidBuri, a water treatment sergeant in the 100thQuartermaster Company headquarteredhere.

Buri began competing in beauty pageantsjust last year. She’s been in the NevadaArmy Guard four years.

“I enjoy performing community serviceand raising money for charities,” she said.“I discovered that when you show up at acasino wearing a sash and a crown, peopleare more willing to give.”

Buri said being a Soldier in the NevadaGuard has contributed to her success in thepageants.

“Competing in a pageant is competitive,just like much of what we do in the Army,”she said. “I learned in basic training toalways finish what I start. I also learnedhow to prepare myself both mentally andphysically. I find myself doing the samethings getting ready for a pageant.

“Being in the Guard has taught me thatI can do so much more than what I initiallybelieved I could do.”

Buri won her most recent crown, MissNevada State, based on her results in threeportions of the event including evening

gown, talent and open-choice competitions.“I performed a Tahitian dance for the

talent section, and for open-choice I did asalute to the military by wearing a 1950sstyle Class A uniform,” she said.

In her civilian occupation, Buri is anassistant hotel manager at the Vdara Hoteland Spa.

“I love being in the Guard, and I love myunit,” Buri said. “We have especially goodleadership – they take good care of us.”

Buri has two years remaining on herenlistment, and she hopes to achieve therank of staff sergeant soon. As she

approaches the end of her enlistment, Burisaid the feeling is “bittersweet.”

“A lot of people say they can’t wait toget out, but when the time comes, theyalmost always reenlist,” Buri said. “There’snothing like being in the Guard. There’snothing like going to drill and feeling thepride associated with wearing your uniform.

“I believe if I reenlist, I’d like to try tobecome an officer.”

Buri said she’s likely “done for now” inregard to beauty pageants.

“But after I get married, I think I’d like totry for Mrs. America,” she quickly added. �

QuartermasterSoldier reigns withtriple crown of

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 11

Courtesy photo

Sgt. Aileen Buri donned a vintage-style uniform for the Miss Nevada State competition inLas Vegas.

Nevadabeautypageants

Aviation Regiment, arrived at Silver BellArmy Heliport in Tucson to provide aviationsupport on March 1; they are due to windup their tour Dec. 31. Chief warrant officersRob McAfee and Cort McAllister, bothpilots, have combined for 500 drugcaptures out of 1,721 in just three months.Combined patrols along the Southwestborder netted almost 4.1 million pounds ofnarcotics in 2010, according to the CBP.

“These Soldiers are on the front lines,”said Brig. Gen. Bill Burks, the AdjutantGeneral of Nevada. “They are stemming theflow of people and narcotics. Anything thatis stopped here won’t make it to Nevada.Secondly, anything these Soldiers learnhere, they can bring back to teach otherSoldiers back in our state.”

McAfee, 40, who has flown drug inter-diction missions for Nevada since 2006,says, “It’s different flying over the desert.Pilots from other states either love it orhate it.” He shares his experiences withother crews and cautions them about the

high winds and the hazards of the uniqueterrain and foliage.

He also described the challenges ofspotting fresh footprints in washes, illegalshugging trees to avoid being seen from theair, and the hundreds of thousands of illegalsfrom Mexico and other Latin Americancountries that risk their lives to make itacross the border. “Some of them carry 40-pound drug loads over hundreds of miles ofbarren and mountainous terrain. Some ofthese guys are in pretty good shape.”

McAllister, 38, brings his own uniqueexperiences to the table. He flew with the12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Grafenwohr,Germany, on active duty and served as thecontract officer at the maintenance facilityin Daggett, Calif., which is part of FortIrwin, home of the National Training Center.

“I have had to rely a lot on my pastexperiences,” McAllister said. “But there’sa lot that’s different about this mission thatmakes it a challenge. In a sense, we’researching for people carrying drugs, and

12 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

KEEP WATCH ON SOUTHERN BORDERStory and photos by Sgt.1st Class Frank MarquezJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

PHOENIX – Doing their part to stemillegal activity along the Mexican border,three Nevada Guardsmen joined the ranksof 82 Guardsmen from several states tosupport the Department of HomelandSecurity mission.

The operation is headed by the U.S.Border Patrol who ramps up its numbers atthe Tucson Sector to seal the border againstdrug traffickers and illegals. About 2,900agents currently patrol the sector thatcovers the southwest corner of Arizona. It’sjust one of nine sectors that cover 1,969miles of fence line from California to Texas.

The Tucson Sector stretches from theYuma County line to New Mexico. It coversa total of 262 border miles and is thebusiest sector in the nation in both illegalscaptures and marijuana seizures.

The Nevada Soldiers, two OH-58 Kiowapilots and one crew chief from 3/140th

looking for vehicles in the middle of thedesert. At times, they are hard to spot.”

Crew chief Pfc. Tevin Wright, 19, volun-teered for the job with just 14 months inthe Army and was assigned to 3/140thAviation Regiment, based at Stead. “Ourcommander asked who wanted to go tothe border, and I raised my hand,” he said.“I’ve learned a lot in a short time, andMr. McAfee has taught me a lot in how totake care of the log books. I have to checkoff on everything. And it’s just like the Armyteaches you, about attention to detail.Without the log books, there’s no mission.We don’t fly.”

About 30 Guard volunteers have joinedthe 52 from Arizona to support the missionin the Tucson Sector, according to Maj. BillKarlage, operations officer for the Joint TaskForce in Arizona. These Soldiers and Airmenserve as analysts or in support of aviation.California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texaslead current operations along other sectorsof the Southwest border. �

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 13

A simple fence marks the border betweenthe United States and Mexico along theCasa Grande region of the Tucson Sector.Illegals and drug traffickers walk along themiles of washes heading to points north,including Nevada.

�

Pfc. Tevin Wright, a Nevada National Guard crew chief, prepares the Kiowa for Chief WarrantOfficer Rob McAfee, who scans the Tucson Sector in support of U.S. Border Patrol agents.Patrols aim to prevent entry of illegals and drug traffickers.

Story by Master Sgt. Gloria Odion152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Frank MarquezJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

RENO – For the first time in 15 years,the Nevada Air National Guard opened itsgates to the community on June 9. The AirGuard wanted to show its appreciation forthe community’s support, and showcasethe military’s hardware and the servicemembers who use it.

In spite of cool, breezy weather, thou-sands flocked to the Grand Sierra Resort toboard buses that took them to the NevadaAir National Guard Base in Reno for activitiesat the Air Guard’s open house.

“I thought this show had an excellentturnout and great aircraft display,” saidretired Capt. Richard Lamb of Carson City.Lamb, a Vietnam veteran, came to the openhouse because he is an avid fan of aircraftand aviation history. “All the militarypersonnel, especially those by the aircraft,

were very helpful and answered all myquestions.”

There was something for everyone atthe base. Hundreds of children waited inline for the climbing wall manned by AirGuard recruiters. A variety of aircraftdisplays sat along the flight line andhangars. Visitors marveled at the P-51Mustang, which is part of the Nevada AirNational Guard’s roots, and the MQ9A-Reaper, one of the Nevada Air Guard’s mostrecent additions. The two planes were

among more than a dozen on display fromaround the country.

“The Reaper is my favorite display sofar,” said Chris Seifert, son of Master Sgt.William Seifert of Reno.

Because of its sheer size, many weredrawn to the C-5 Galaxy from Travis Air

14 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

OPENS ITSDOORS TOTHE PUBLIC

NEVADA AIR GUARD

Hundreds of visitors stand in line to board the C-5 Galaxy cargo plane from Travis Air ForceBase, Calif.

Brendan Steelman and Lucas Reccelle, both 13-year-old students at Sierra Nevada CharterSchool, check out their reflections in the nose propeller of the Pilatus Business Aircraft, PC-12.

Air Force First Lt. Addison Harding, aninstructor pilot at Laughlin Air Base, Texas,explains the controls in the cockpit of a T-6ATexan II to Leah Olsen, 8, of Reno.

Force Base, Calif. The steady crowd waitedpatiently in line to board the aircraft andstand on its flight deck and take in themagnificent 360-degree view. Othersenjoyed walking through and around thegiant cargo plane that stands five stories tall.

Various groups from the Air NationalGuard staffed several interactive exhibits.

I think I am going to come and work heresomeday,” said CJ Malone, 7, a resident ofSacramento.

The 192nd Airlift Squadron CombatSurvival Training Group displayed variousrafts and floats on which the childrenbounced up and down.A host of other youngexplorers wanted to be part of the Nevada

Air Guard firefighters as they looked in andaround the unit’s emergency vehicles.

Nevada Department of Public Safetyofficers flashed the lights of patrol vehiclesparked along the flight line. The 152ndAirlift Wing’s Chief Master Sgt. Chuck Allenand fellow officers offered guests a closerlook, helping them into a patrol helicopterand trucks.

The Nevada Guard Family Programsoffice provided handouts that informedguests about some of the services providedto Guard members and their families. The152nd Security Forces Squadron gavevisitors a chance to hold some of theweapons they use.

The 152nd Medical Group showed anambulatory patient care setup featuring theChemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclearand Explosive Enhanced Response ForcePackage or CERFP.

In the fuel cell hangar, different groupseducated visitors on their functions inrelation to the National Guard. Theseincluded the Key Volunteers, Sparks PoliceExplorers, the Civil Air Patrol, the 152ndAirlift Wing First Sergeant’s Council, theCompany Grade Officer Council and theHeritage Foundation. �

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 15

Senior Airman Christian Cattell, a C-130 loadmaster for Nevada’s 192nd Airlift Squadron,explains the engines on the aircraft to Sherry and Don Moorehouse of Reno. Sherry, whosefather was a retired Army lieutenant colonel, said she loves the military. “I appreciate theirlevel of patriotism. We don’t get this opportunity every day.” Cattell has served with the Guardfor three years and hopes to one day pilot the cargo plane.

Air Guard recruiter Tech. Sgt. Christina Millerassists one of the hundreds of children witha safety harness as they attempt to scalethe portable climbing wall.

Master Sgt. Ben Clary, a flight engineer at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., talks with PrimoQuarisa, a veteran of the Army’s 101st Air Assault Division, about the C-5 Galaxy cargo plane.Clary has logged more than 10,000 hours of flight time in missions to Iraq and Afghanistan.The giant aircraft has the capacity to carry two M-1 tanks or 400 tons of cargo.

Story and photo by Lt. Col. Terry ConderJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

LAS VEGAS – The blockbuster movie“Act of Valor” begins with a commanderinforming his men that they’ve been taskedwith an important mission. The commandertells his troops to get things right withtheir families, because if things are notgood at home, they won’t be at their beston the mission.

The old cliché “If the military wantedSoldiers and Airmen to have wives orhusbands, it would have issued them” islong gone. It’s no secret the strength of aGuardsman’s family relationships is a keyfactor in how well a Soldier or Airman willperform on a deployment.

The Department of Defense is also wellaware of that fact. That’s why DelanaCardenas, Yvette Weigold and Joe Pratthave some of the most vital jobs withinthe Nevada National Guard: ensuring readi-

ness by helping Guard members and theirfamilies.

Cardenas, Weigold and Pratt comprisethe staff at the Family Assistance Center atthe Floyd Edsall Training Center (aka ClarkCounty Armory), 6400 Range Road, inLas Vegas.

Several other organizations and officialsare also housed in the center, including theYellow Ribbon manager and event coordi-nator, the state youth coordinator, theemployment enhancement program, anEmployer Support of the Guard and Reserveoffice, the survivor outreach services office,a director of psychological health, a masterresilience trainer and an identificationcard station.

The Family Assistance Center has sixprimary areas of focus, according toWeigold.

“We help with the Defense EnrollmentEligibility Reporting System, military identi-fication acquisition, legal resources, TRICAREand other medical insurance issues, financial

resource referrals, notary services andcrisis intervention,” she said

“Regardless of the issue, we will do ourbest to help locate a resource to resolve it,”said Cardenas, the child and youth programdirector.

One service the center can’t provide ismonetary assistance.

“The office does not have any cashavailable,” Cardenas said. “But we do haveconnections to organizations in the commu-nity that may be able to financially assistSoldiers, Airmen and families.”

Weigold said civilians and even charityorganizations often have misconceptionsabout the National Guard.

“Many civilians believe that NationalGuardsmen have the same pay and benefitsas active duty service members,” Weigoldsaid. “They don’t realize that our troopsare part-timers who only receive full-timepay and medical benefits when onactive duty.”

16 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

Southern Nevada assistance centeris home base for family readiness

The dynamic duo of Delana Cardenas,left, and Yvette Weigold are ready toattempt to resolve any issue Nevadaservice members and theirdependents may encounter.They both work at the FamilyAssistance Center at theFloyd Edsall Training Center,6400 Range Road, in Las Vegas.

The part-time employment aspect of theNational Guard is one of the most prevalenttopics the center deals with continually.

“One would think most of the problemswe deal with are deployment related,” saidWeigold. “In reality, the biggest issue ourGuardsmen face is returning from a deploy-ment with no set job. Finances – that’s atthe top of the list.”

Cardenas added that pre-deploymentemployment among Guardsmen remains ahuge issue, mirroring the poor job environ-ment that exists throughout the state.

Fortunately, Cardenas, Weigold and Pratthave good relationships with a number ofcommunity organizations that continuallystep forward to support service memberswho need help.

“Operation Home Front, Los Vaqueros(a group of local businessmen) and United

Way are especially helpful,” Weigold said.Dealing with families in crisis, financial

difficulties and domestic problems can bestressful, but Weigold and Cardenas saidworking in the Family Assistance Centergives them plenty of satisfaction.

“I’ve spent a lot of sleepless nightsthinking, ‘How am I going to help thisfamily?’” Weigold said. “But I also get a lotof satisfaction working here. The best thingis when we actually fix a problem and notjust put a Band-Aid on something.”

Cardenas said it’s her goal to resolveissues rather than settling for temporaryquick fixes.

“I recently heard from a family that hadbeen struggling,” Cardenas said. “They toldme, ‘You started the ball rolling in the rightdirection, and we’re still moving in theright direction.’ I thought that was a neat

way to say we were on the way to lastingsolutions.”

John Strahan, the Nevada Guard’s statefamily program director, said the familyassistance team in Las Vegas isn’t thebiggest, but is among the best.

“The Family Assistance Center in LasVegas is staffed by knowledgeable profes-sionals who’ve proved their dedication toserving the needs of National Guard familiestime and time again,” Strahan said.

The Family Assistance Center is on thesecond floor of the Clark County Armory.Services are available to all National Guard,reserve and active duty service membersfrom every military branch. Office hoursare Tuesday through Friday from 6:30 a.m.to 5 p.m.

The toll free phone number for assis-tance at any time is (866) 699-3128. �

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 17

MILITARY & FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES – SOUTHFLOYD EDSALL TRAINING CENTER (CLARK COUNTY ARMORY)

6400 Range Road, Las Vegas, NV 89115 • Fax - (702) 632-0540

PHONE CELL

YELLOW RIBBON COORDINATORStaff Sgt. Annie Emprima (702) 632-0387 (702) 498-4215

FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER TOLL FREE 1-866-699-3128 (702) 290-0685Yvette Weigold – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (702) 632-0513Delana Cardenas – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (702) 632-0517Joe Pratt – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (702) 632-0512

STATE YOUTH COORDINATORMonica Brown (702) 632-0511 (702) 235-8803

NEVADA GUARD EMPLOYMENT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMToni Giddens– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (702) 632-0559 (702) 290-8549

EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVEPaul Bessette (702) 632-0332 (702) 561-7265

NATIONAL GUARD SURVIVOR OUTREACH SERVICESVito Valdez– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (702) 632-0556 (775) 315-9957

DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH PROGRAMGeorgene Rea (702) 224-4991

MILITARY DEERS/IDENTIFICATION CARDSHours of operation: Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. – – – – – – – – – – – – – (702) 856-4810

By Sgt. 1st Class Frank MarquezJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

CARSON CITY – An educational videoproduced by Nevada Air Guard Staff Sgt.Demurtus Brown has become a YouTubesensation with his classmates at hismedical technician course at Fort SamHouston in San Antonio, Texas.

Brown produced his video, completewith poetry and songs, to help his fellowstudents pass the course.

Brown, 30, said it was a no-brainer toput his musical talents as a rap artist togood use and create the educational video.His rapper nickname is, not coincidentally,“Sergeant Murk.”

“I always found it easier to rememberthings when I made them rhyme or madesongs,” Brown said. “With my music putaside to focus on tech school, I thought Icould still hone my skills and learn at thesame time by making songs using thereading material.”

Brown, the class’s leader, said hebelieved students would grasp the informa-tion quickly if the chapters were presentedin a fun and creative manner.

“I would read through the text anddevise ways to rhyme important facts,” hesaid. “I realized the material would be easierto understand if I had a visual as well.”

It took him just two days to record andpost the educational video on YouTube.

The video proved to be a hit, even withsubsequent medical technician classes.Many of the students viewed the video to

study for tests, and instructors evenshowed the educational and entertainingvideo to classes.

“If I am able to help others learn easier,it makes all the work I put into my projectsworthwhile,” Brown said.

Although the video hasn’t gone viralnationwide, the video did catch the attentionof Nathan Hox, an emergency medicaltechnician instructor in Florida who replaysthe video during his civilian EMT classes.

“The video lightens the atmosphere inthe classroom,” Hox said. “Sometimes it’sdifficult to keep students engaged in thetopic, so videos like the one Murk producedreally help out.”

Brown, who serves with the 152ndMedical Support Group in Reno, began hismusical career while deployed to Mosul,Iraq, in 2004 with the 248th Air TrafficControl Squadron. While riding in the backof “deuce-and-a-half” trucks deliveringsupplies, he would scribble rhymes in anotebook.

“One day, I misplaced my compositionbook. I was pretty upset about it,” said

Brown, who joined the Mississippi AirGuard just two days before 9/11. “But mymother said to pray about it, and a weeklater an Army troop showed up at my doorwith the book. I took it as a sign that Ishould keep writing.”

After a six-month deployment in Iraq,he landed in Las Vegas and worked withsecurity forces. He eventually wound hisway back Meridian, Miss., only to be metby the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.

In the wake of the catastrophe, Brownsaw the opportunity for a fresh start. Hereturned to Las Vegas and joined the NevadaAir Guard to work in health servicesadministration. At the same time, he alsosaw a chance to pursue his music career.

After six years in administration, theself-proclaimed career Airman developedenough of an interest in health care tobegin training as a medical technician.

Brown graduated from his medicaltechnician course in late May.

“Joining the Nevada Air Guard is one ofthe best decisions I’ve made in my life,”Brown said. �

Nevada Air Guard Staff Sgt. Demurtus Brown, aka Sergeant Murk, performs during

the “Artists for Obama” event in Las Vegas just before the 2008 presidential

election. Brown recently produced an educational video that’s become an internet

sensation among medical students at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Link to the video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXssBU4JTv0&feature=relmfu.

18 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

Courtesy of Staff Sgt. Demurtus Brown

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 19

Devine takes commandof 422nd Signal

LAS VEGAS – Lt. Col. Mary Devineassumed command of the 422ndExpeditionary Signal Battalion during achange of command ceremony at the LasVegas Readiness Center on April 15.

Devine took over from Lt. Col. JeffreyHanson, who recently returned with the unitfrom a year-long deployment in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom at KandaharAirfield, Afghanistan. Hanson transferredto the logistics section of Joint ForceHeadquarters in Carson City.

During the ceremony, Devine said she isproud of the opportunity to take commandof such an outstanding unit and will ensurethat the unit continues to succeed.

She now commands about 400 SignalSoldiers who engineer, install and maintaintactical and strategic communicationnetworks to deliver information from the fieldto almost anywhere in the world. Hansondescribed the battalion as the “AT&T of thebattlefield” during his last deployment.

The 422nd ESB maintains units inReno, Las Vegas and Arizona.

Air Guard recruiter winsnational honor

CARSON CITY – Nevada Air NationalGuard’s Master Sgt. Clinton Dudley took tophonors as the recruiting office supervisorfor 2011 at a ceremony and RetentionTraining Conference in New Orleans onMarch 20. It was an event that recognizedtop Air Guard recruiters across the nation.

“I am humbled to receive this award,”said Dudley, a Nashville native who hasserved 16 years in the Nevada Air Guard.Dudley is currently assigned to the AirNational Guard Headquarters recruitingoffice in Carson City.

The 38-year-old senior NCO earneddistinction in 2011 by achieving 150 percentof his recruiting goal, thus gaining distinc-tion in Region 1 and earning the prestigiousAir National Guard Gold Recruiting Badge.Boosting his success, he recruited 17 Airmenand 19 officers into the Nevada Air NationalGuard. And for that, after taking regional

honors, his name was automaticallyentered into the national competition.

Construction on NevadaGuard maintenanceshop begins

LAS VEGAS – Brig. Gen. Bill Burks, theadjutant general for Nevada, hosted aground-breaking ceremony on April 13 thatmarked the beginning of construction onthe state-of-the-art Nevada Army GuardLas Vegas Field Maintenance Shop.

The Las Vegas FMS, adjacent to theLas Vegas Readiness Center, is located at4500 W. Silverado Ranch Boulevard. Theshop will replace the Nevada Guard’scurrent shop in Henderson that has stoodsince 1971.

When completed, the field maintenanceshop will provide field and sustainmentsupport for more than 10 southern NevadaArmy Guard units. It will conduct mainte-nance on a variety of wheeled and trackedvehicles, small arms equipment, andcommunications and electronics devices.

Most of the $23 million budget for theshop comes from federal money. Whencompleted, the approximately 67,000-square-foot facility will include vehiclemaintenance bays, tool shops, storagerooms, administrative offices, a breakroom, a locker room and additional militarysupport space.

Three Nevada employersup for Freedom Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Employer Supportof the Guard and Reserve, a Department ofDefense agency, announced on April 19that three Nevada employers have beenselected as semifinalists for the 2012Secretary of Defense Employer SupportFreedom Award. The award is the highestrecognition given by the DoD to employersfor exceptional support of their Guard andReserve employees.

This year, 133 semifinalists nationwidestood out among an impressive pool of3,236 nominees. The Nevada employersnamed semifinalists are GE Measurement &Control Solutions, Carson City; the Nevada

Department of Transportation, Carson City;and THOR Construction, Las Vegas.

Air Guard graduates threewith associate degrees

CARSON CITY – Three High Rollersgraduated with four associate degreesfrom the Community College of the AirForce during a ceremony at the Nevada AirGuard Base in Reno on June 3.

The college is one of several federallychartered degree-granting institutions butis the only two-year institution exclusivelyserving enlisted personnel. The collegeoffers more than 2,000 mission-relatedcourses, and nearly 6,000 instructors teachCCAF courses at affiliate schools worldwide.

This year, the college awarded thefollowing degrees to Nevada Air Guardservice members: Master Sgt. JasonBarlow, 152nd Intelligence Squadron, forCommunications Application Technologyand Multimedia Production Services; Tech.Sgt. Nicole Stoudt, 192nd Airlift Squadron,for Aviation Operations; and Senior AirmanBartley O’Toole, 192nd Airlift Squadron, forSurvival Equipment.

Since issuing its first degree in 1977, thecollege has awarded more than 362,000associate in applied science degrees.

– Compiled from JFHQ Public Affairs reports

News BriefsNEWS BRIEFS

20 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

DEPLOYMENT ROUNDUP

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class ErickStudenicka, Joint Force HeadquartersPublic Affairs

FALLON – During the next nine months,the Soldiers in the Nevada Army Guard’s593rd Transportation Company will resembleBrink’s armored transportation corporationemployees in multi-cam uniforms.

Driving mine-resistant, armor-protectedvehicles, the 593rd Soldiers began shuttlinga variety of valuables among the forwardoperating bases in the Regional Command-Capital area of Afghanistan last month. Thevaluables include supplies, materiel and,most important, U.S. service members.

“It’s going to be a challenging deploy-ment,” said company commander Capt.Curtis Kolvet. “We have a versatile groupof Soldiers who will provide convoysecurity as well as run numerous tripstransporting supplies and personnel tooutlying FOBs.”

The company has detachments in Reno,Winnemucca, Elko and Las Vegas andincludes about 120 drivers, maintainers andrecovery specialists. The 593rd markedthe beginning of its deployment with aceremony in Reno on May 26. The unit then

trained at Fort Hood, Texas, for severalweeks before traveling to Afghanistan.

The 593rd is the first Nevada ArmyGuard unit to serve in both combat theaterssince the Global War on Terrorism began.About a dozen 593rd Soldiers will be ableto say they served in both Iraq andAfghanistan with the unit when the missionconcludes next year.

“Many of the current staff sergeantsdeployed as privates years ago with theunit,” said 1st Sgt. Harry Schroeder. “A lot of

Pfc. Edward Trujillo, left, a gunner in the593rd Transportation Company, receivesinstructions on how to complete a Mark 19combat check from Staff Sgt. Wes Brockmannduring predeployment training in April.

593rd Transportation Company: Brink’s of Afghanistan

young volunteers have stepped up to fillpositions in the 593rd. They know it’s timefor them to do their part in the conflict.”

Schroeder said a wide variety of NevadaSoldiers, including signal corps, cavalry,engineers and military policemen, volun-teered to join the 593rd on its deployment.

“With our varied backgrounds, we’ll dowell at our transportation mission and alsobe ready for anything else that comes ourway,” said Sgt. Michael Xavier, who himselfvolunteered to become a motor transportoperator with the 593rd after beginninghis career as a maintenance specialistwith the 150th Maintenance Company inCarson City.

In 2005-2006, the 593rd was deployedin Iraq and conducted combat logisticalpatrols. During that deployment, the unitdrove truck tractors and pulled trailersprepositioned in Iraq.

On this deployment, the company willtransport goods and personnel usingMRAP-all terrain vehicles (M-ATVs), RG-33MRAPs and MaxxPro MRAPs.

To help the unit’s drivers transition fromtheir usual M915A3 truck tractors to theMRAPs, more than 50 of the 593rd Soldiersattended MRAP University at Red RiverArmy Depot in Texas last spring to learn thevehicles’ capabilities and traits. The entireunit then conducted pre-deployment trainingin conjunction with its annual training in April.

“It’s a good group of Soldiers to gowith,” Kolvet said. “The unit has compe-tent, capable, experienced and motivatedSoldiers.” �

Sgt. Terry Gamble, left, guides Staff Sgt. Curtis Terry through the M-9 pistol qualification rangeduring the 593rd Transportation Company’s predeployment training in April. The company’smore than 120 Soldiers are now in Afghanistan transporting cargo and personnel amongforward operating bases.

Capt. Curtis Kolvet, company commander forthe 593rd Transportation Company, spendstime with his daughter, Cora, after thedeployment ceremony at Wooster HighSchool on May 26. Kolvet’s cousin, Capt.Robert Kolvet, commands the 485th MilitaryPolice Company, also serving in Afghanistan.

By Sgt. 1st Class Frank Marquez,Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

CARSON CITY – The Nevada ArmyGuard’s 485th Military Police Companyarrived home to Nevada July 25 withhundreds of family and friends by their sidesin Reno and Las Vegas. About 20 Soldierstouched down at McCarran InternationalAirport in Las Vegas and another 90 arrivedat Atlantic Aviation in Reno about 8:30 inthe evening. A handful of others returnedhome to neighboring states.

More than 400 friends and family wereon hand at Atlantic at the Reno-TahoeInternational Airport to welcome home theirSoldiers. Gene Kuhfuss was waiting on theflightline to welcome home his son, StaffSgt. Matthew Kuhfuss. “We’ve been waitinga long time for him to come home,” theformer Marine said. “This is a good day.”

In Las Vegas, Soldiers returned homepiecemeal on several flights throughout theday. At each arrival, though, volunteers fromthe USO cheered and encouraged passersbyto join in.

“It’s exciting to be back,” said Sgt.Jeremy Murphy. “It’s nice to see everythingand everyone. I’m going for some authenticMexican food – I need some enchiladas.”

Murphy’s advice to families coping withSoldiers down range included, “Just bethere for them, and if you’re having a hardtime, don’t be afraid to tell them and tosupport one another.”

For family members, the deploymentmeant coping with the absence of theirSoldiers and thoughts about their safety.

“It’s been very long, and just a lot ofprayers,” said Denise Haney, Murphy’smother. “Not knowing if he was inside thebase, outside the base, what he was doing.You never knew. We missed his birthdaywhich was in early July, and I didn’t sendhim packages because I was afraid theywould cross. So, we’re going to do abirthday celebration today.”

“Glad to have my son back on friendlyground,” said Willette Espinoza, Staff Sgt.Mike Espinoza’s mother. “I have to say thatSkype is the most awesome thing. He gotto see the birth of his Damian while he wasover there. He was born on June 2nd, oneday before Mike’s birthday. In Afghanistanit was already June 3rd. So, they got tocelebrate their birthdays together.”

“I’m excited and nervous, too, becausethings have changed,” said Espinoza’swife, Daniela. “I’m so used to being bymyself all the time. He had served twotours almost back to back. In between, hewas only home for three months. It was sadwhen Damian was born because he wasthe one person I wanted to be here.”

The 485th Military Police Companyserved at Bagram,Afghanistan, and provided

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 21

485thMilitaryPolice unitarrives home tocheers,hugs,kisses

Spc. Nickolas Farriolo and his girlfriend,Silvana, savor the moment at his home-coming in Las Vegas.

Hundreds of guests were on hand towelcome home the Soldiers of the 485th.

Families and friends in Reno catch the first glimpse of the aircraft bringing home Soldiers ofthe 485th Military Police Company.

security at the Parwan Province DetainmentFacility administered by Regional Command– East. Nevada Guard Soldiers wereassigned to Combined Joint InteragencyTask Force-435, the detention facilitylocated at Camp Sabalu-Harrison. Duringtheir tour, the Guardsmen helped securea detainee population of up to 2,400individuals. The Reno-based unit is led byCapt. Robert Kolvet and 1st Sgt. SteveLawrence. �

Sgt. 1st Class Frank Marquez, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Maj. April Conway Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Maj. April Conway Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Story and photos by Spc. Grant Larson69th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. –Battling to become the best warrior, 15National Guard gladiators tested their skillsduring four tough days beginning April 22at the 2012 Army National Guard Region VIICompetition.

Nevada Guard Soldiers Spc. Julian Batz,29, a cavalry scout with Kilo Troop, 1/221stArmored Reconnaissance Cavalry, provedhis mettle as best Soldier, and Staff Sgt.Larry Harlan, a human resources specialistwith the 17th Sustainment Brigade,finished second among NCOs. Harlan wasedged by Staff Sgt. Eugene Patton, 37, ofthe Colorado Army National Guard’s 117thSpace Battalion. If Patton for some reasoncannot compete at the next level, Harlanwill go. If not, Harlan will coach Batz at thenational level.

The California Army National Guardplayed host to eight NCOs and sevenSoldiers representing Arizona, California,Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico,Utah and Guam. These 15 troopers sluggedit out first at their respective local levels toearn a berth in regional competition.

“I gave it a halfhearted attempt last year.I didn’t make it past the squadron level.

This year, I was asked by my unit to dobetter. And, honestly, I don’t like losing,”Batz said. “This kind of competition raisesthe bar for Soldiers that want to reachbeyond the state level. They have thechance to meet other high caliber Soldiersfrom around the country. I gained valuableexperience and a new perspective thatwill one day translate into higher qualityleadership when I reach the NCO ranks. Ifeel if I am able to look my competitor inthe eye, I compete at a much higher level.That motivates me.”

Soldiers, aware of the 16-hour daysahead, took advantage of a good night’s restfor action on Day 1. Early in the morning onDay 1, competitors charged through therevamped physical fitness tests for combatand readiness. The day’s other eventsincluded day and night land navigation,water survival, and a road march set at anunknown distance.

Later, the Soldiers engaged targets ina combat scenario, wound through anobstacle course and went head to head ina combatives tournament. Batz bested hiscombatives foes while Harlan finished firstin the distance run. Harlan boasted apersonal best time of 20 minutes in thetwo-mile rucksack run, but finished 20points behind Patton.

“There was no chance to rest betweenevents, and organizers extended thecompetition from three days to four,”Harlan said. “We were moving nonstopfrom one event to the next. That was thetoughest part. Our days would start at6 a.m. and go until 11 p.m.”

Competitors began Day 2 in theswimming pool. As part of water skillssurvival, competitors retrieved color-codedcanteens, treaded water for five minutes,and then hauled a 30-pound rucksackand rubber rifle the length of the pool.Competitors were required to keep theirears above water and their feet frompushing off the walls.

After their aquatic adventure, theSoldiers started the foot march not knowinghow far they would have to go. They carrieda rifle and 35 pounds or more in rucksacks.

Utah’s Staff Sgt. Craig Pace, 37, finishedthe six-mile route in 1:24, one minuteahead of Batz.

By afternoon, Soldiers displayed theircombat skills in military operations onurban terrain, tossing grenades, clearing abuilding to rescue a casualty, requesting a

22 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

Staff Sgt. Larry Harlan nears the end of theroad march. The distance was a mystery tothe Soldiers, who had only 15 minutes tochange clothing after completing the swimevent during the Army National Guard’sRegion VII competition held at San LuisObispo, Calif., in April.

Spc. Julian Batz shakes the hand of a fellow opponent during a match in which he wasawarded a win by submission. Batz earned second place in the combatives tournament duringthe Army National Guard’s Region VII competition held at San Luis Obispo, Calif., in April.

Cav trooper region’s topwarrior

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 23

medical evacuation and firing paint roundsfrom the M-320 grenade launcher.

On Day 3, competitors ran through anobstacle course. They weaved through atiered crossbeam structure up 10 feet, anddescended into a sandpit during the timedevent in which Soldiers were not allowedto watch their rivals. During the secondphase of obstacles, troops crawled under achain-link fence, dragged a 135-pounddummy through sand and under barbedwire, then climbed a 20-foot rope, and lastly,pulled a 175-pound litter skid 50 yards.

In the finale of the day, gladiators meton the mat in a round-robin combativestournament. California’s Staff Sgt. DemetriusMcCowan, 28, a sheet metal worker withCompany A, 1106th Theatre Aviation SupportMaintenance Group, and Batz, stood asrespective champions.

On Day 4, Soldiers put pen to paper fora written exam, role-played in interacting

with media and appeared before a boardof three sergeants major. It was a stagein which standings could hinge on onequestion. On the last night, the warriorsgathered for the awards ceremony andresults announcement.

Brig. Gen. Keith Jones, the post commanderfor the training center at Camp Roberts,Calif., presents the Army CommendationMedal to Spc. Julian Batz for his victory asbest Soldier in the Army National Guard’sRegion VII competition held at San LuisObispo, Calif., in April.

Region VII Results

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS:

Spc. Julian Batz, Nevada, Army Physical Readiness Test and Combat Readiness Test

Staff Sgt. Eugene Patton, Colorado, Day and Night Land Navigation,MOUT, Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills

Staff Sgt. Brian Bower, Arizona, Water Survival and Obstacle Course

Staff Sgt. Craig Pace, Utah, Foot March

Spc. Joshua Vazquez, Utah, M9/M4 Fire

Staff Sgt. Larry Harlan, Nevada, Distance Run

Staff Sgt. Demetrius McCowan, California, Combatives

Patton and Batz competed for nationalbragging rights for four days in late July atFort Benning, Ga. Results were unavailablebefore press time.

“There is nothing like knowing you arerepresenting your state against the otherstates,” said Harlan, who added that itbuilds esprit de corps. “You are the best ofthe best, mentally and physically tough.Anyone can be good at one event. But towin you need to be great at everything. Thebest part was watching Spc. Batz win. He isthe future of our organization and it was agreat honor to train with him.”

Batz, awarded an Army CommendationMedal, also hopes for a reserved parkingspace at the Clark County Armory. “I expectto see all of the same events plus at thenational level, but faster times, and ahigher level of competition,” he said. “And Idon't think winning is a big deal, but I thinkwinning will allow me the opportunity toaccomplish something that is a big deal.” �

Sgt. 1st Class Frank Marquez, Joint ForceHeadquarters Public Affairs, contributed to thisstory.

By Sgt. Mike Getten, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

CARSON CITY – Ten Nevada Guard members and employeeswho logged 880 miles in five days as participants finished firstin the Corporate Challenge Bike to Work Week, which kicked offon May 14.

The team, which dubbed themselves the Nevada GuardRough Riders, took first place and rode 255 miles more than thesecond place defending champions, the Nevada Department ofTransportation. The Guard team also notched a first with 161 totaltrips. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection teamfinished second with 133 trips.

Warrant officers Roy Hellen and Tom Mc Elroy, Jeff Resler andWard Patrick accepted the award plaques on behalf of the RoughRiders on May 18 at the Firkin & Fox in Carson City. Otherteam members included Staff Sgt. Vince Carlese, Sgt. MikeGetten, Dave Grech, 1st Lt. Joe Lamprecht, Sgt. 1st Class FrankMarquez and Maj. Dan Theilen.

Fellow team member Lt. Col. Jeff Hansen was hurt when hisbicycle collided with a car a few days before the week started.Lamprecht stepped in the morning of the first day of competition.

Hanson said it was his protective gear, especially his helmet,that saved him from more serious injury. �

NEVADA GUARD TEAM RACKS UP DUAL TITLES

Staff Sgt. Larry Harlan answers interviewquestions on the military’s policy for don’task don’t tell during the role-play event ininteracting with the media during the ArmyNational Guard’s Region VII competition heldat San Luis Obispo, Calif. Harlan finishedsecond in the competition among NCOs.

Legion of Merit

COL Alan Butson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

Meritorious Service Medal

CPT Paul Adcox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSFC Oswald Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavCPT Phillip Gingrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavLTC Kurt Neddenriep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavCPT Michael Schiemer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavCSM Robert Boldry . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 17th Sust BdeSSG Christian Gonzalez . . . . . . . . . HHC, 17th Sust BdeCPT Derek Imig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 17th Sust BdeMSG Michael Spaulding . . . . . . . . HHC, 17th Sust BdeLTC Jeffrey Hansen . . . . . . . . . 422nd Exped Signal BnSFC Frederick Bartalomy . . 757th Combat Sust Spt BnSFC Shauna Reese. . . . . . . 757th Combat Sust Spt BnCOL Brenda Griffith . . . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop CmdMSG Edward Rael . . . . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop CmdMAJ Wilson Dasilva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Jeremiah Mock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

SFC Wade Mendenhall. . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetCMSgt Robert Benton . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnCMSgt Nereo Pecson . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnMaj Justin Galli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Jessica Bean . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpSMSgt James Morgan . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpTSgt Kelly Bitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpCapt Rachel Creger . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpCMSgt Mark Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpLt Col Beth Boschee . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical Grp2nd Lt Jennifer James. . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical Grp

Army Commendation Medal

SGT Mark Bright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSFC John George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSFC Ronald Hague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSSG Lawrence Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSGT Pamela Commins . . . . 757th Combat Sust Spt BnSSG Roberto Caceres . . . . . . 92nd Civil Support Team1lT Carlito Rayos . . . . . . . . . . 92nd Civil Support TeamSFC Leon Ferran . . . . . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop CmdSSG Aaron Brockway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Autumn Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Robin Kinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGT Caitlin Koffarnus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMSG Thomas Sauls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Robert Jester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NV Counter DrugSSG Harry English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSSG Derek Fore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/Ret

Air Force Commendation Medal

1st Lt Leslie Mays . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpA1C Nephtali Barrera . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical Grp

Army Achievement Medal

SGT Curt Cummings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSSG Francis Macale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavCPL Darren Obarr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSPC Matthew Scarine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSPC Monica Marks. . . . . . . 757th Combat Sust Spt Bn1LT Dillon Sauer . . . . . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop Cmd2LT Zack Taylor-Warren . . . . 991st Aviation Troop CmdSSG Scott Taylor . . . . . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop CmdSSG Rebecca Kleinendorst. . 991st Aviation Troop Cmd

Air Force Achievement Medal

SSgt Clifford Maxfield . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpTSgt Joseph Cacciatore . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical Grp

Superior Civilian Service Award

Randall Seeber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ ArmyAlex Talmant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ Army

Nevada Medal of Merit

Stephan Arzoian . . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnLawrence Smith . . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer Sqdn

Nevada State Commendation Medal

SPC Jacob Fair . . . . . . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop CmdLTC Christopher Patterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQJoseph Tucker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

Nevada Humanitarian Service Ribbon

SSgt Brandon Upton . . . . . . . . 232nd Operations SqdnSSgt Jawann Wilson . . . . . . . . 232nd Operations SqdnSSgt Ronald Zaragoza . . . . . . 232nd Operations Sqdn

Adjutant General’s OutstandingGraduate Award

SSG Elizabeth Zamora-Lechuga . . HHC, 17th Sust BdeSSG Jennifer Palomino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTISFC Yesenia Dyer . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Exped Signal BnSPC Allison Mangosing . . . . . . 422nd Exped Signal Bn

Nevada Overseas Deployment Ribbon

MSgt Jason Barlow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnTSgt Rexford Barton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSSgt William Boekenoogen . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSSgt Jon Cumings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSrA Michael Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSMSgt Craig Madole . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSSgt Desaree Pesina. . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSrA Jeffrey Stelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSrA Adam Willett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnSrA Sean Brown . . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnLtCol Russell Earle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCMSgt James Ross. . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSrA Garrett Gonzales . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSrA Otis Hawkins . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnMaj Brenda Lienke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQCol Mitchell Sperling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSgt Bryce Miller . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnA1C Joe Franzen. . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness Sqdn

24 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 201224 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

AWARDS•PROMOTIONS•RETIREMENTSMoving Up and Moving On • March, April, May 2012

AWARDS

Summer 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 25

TSgt Jeannine Rainey . . . . . . . . 152nd Comptroller FltTSgt Daniel O’Hara . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Comptroller FltLtCol Russell Earle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSSgt Kevin Sidley . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnSrA Benjamin Berg. . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSrA Wesley Falconer . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSSgt Katie Rimbey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnMsgt Shawn Marston . . . . . . . . 152nd Mission Spt GrpSMSgt Gilberto Carrera . . . . . . 232nd Operations SqdnSSgt Kenneth Fitzgerald . . . . . 232nd Operations SqdnA1C Ryan Burkhart . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSSgt Bartley O’Toole . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Brian Moynihan . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnTSgt Michelle Cochran . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnMaj Michael-David Komorous . 232nd Operations Sqdn

Nevada First Sergeant Ribbon

1SG David Pectol . . . . . . . . . . 92nd Civil Support Team

Nevada Honor Guard Ribbon

Maj Todd Hudson. . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Operations GrpCapt Melissa Beauchamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

Nevada Recruiting Ribbon

SrA Anthony Hinen . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSSgt John Lopez. . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint Sqdn

26 / BATTLE BORN / Summer 2012

LTC/Lt ColAmadeo Flores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQBryan Ricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift Sqdn

MAJ/MajKristoffer Pfalmer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnBrian Gunderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intel SqdnOmar Nava . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med Det

CPT/CaptRobert Kolvet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485th MP CoJohn Atkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92nd Civil Support TeamCarlito Rayos . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92nd Civil Support TeamMarco Furlan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHT, 1/221st CavMichael Moya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHT, 1/221st Cav

1LT/1st LtDavid Paxton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609th Engineer CoEric Mangino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHT, 1/221st CavEasy Bearden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I Troop, 1/221st Cav

2LT/2nd LtRyan Waller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoJake Gillman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoRobert Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240th Engineer CoAmanda Willis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485th MP CoAdam Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593rd Transp CoTyler Wistisen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHT, 1/221st Cav

PROMOTIONS

CW4Aaron Southerland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVAC

CW2David Bouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 17th Sust BdeErick Willrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

WO1Jeffrey Steere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/189th Aviation

CSM/SGM/CMSgtMichael Ariztia . . . . . . . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop Cmd

1SG/MSG/SMSgtEdward Franco . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Co, 422nd Signal BnAngela Ash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Airlift WingJames Lindsay . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqClayton Brown . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnJustin Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnJennifer Harrell . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnPaula Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Communications FltNemiah Rutledge . . . . . . . . 152nd Force Support SqdnRichard Brant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnKevin Horsch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint Sqdn

SFC/MSgtGregory Heischman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

SSG/TSgtAdam Dubois . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277th Engineer PlatoonRyan Carlile . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnKevin Sidley . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnKristy Lazaro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnTimothy Schweppe . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnChristopher Sipes . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Operations SqdnKimberly Wadsworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593rd Transp Co

SGT/SSgtJonathan Lanier . . . . . . . . . . . 277th Engineer PlatoonJohn Jakus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Co, 422nd Signal BnJacob Kenneston . . . . . . . . . . . B Co, 422nd Signal BnBenjamin Antone . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Signal BnSteven Davidson. . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Signal BnCrader Geil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Signal BnKristy Reynolds. . . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Signal BnJoed Ruth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Signal BnMichael Xavier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593rd Transp CoPaul Jarrett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoChristopher Flanagan . . . . . . . . . . I Troop, 1/221st CavJoel Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K Troop, 1/221st CavDustin Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K Troop, 1/221st CavJakob Camarena . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavNicholis Diltz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavAllen Marshall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavRobert Randall . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Communications FltDion Richardson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GrpJeremy Esteban . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Operations SqdnAndrew McGriff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavJason Paculba. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavBenjamin Pesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavRobert Pulley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavThomas Royal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavDavid Upton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavCody Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L Troop, 1/221st CavRory Townley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

RETIREMENTS

CW4 David Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . B Co, 3/140thCW5 Robert Bagnato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGM John Bersalona . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSFC Bradley Bock . . . . . . . . B Co, 422nd Signal BnSPC Arlyn Cook. . . . . . . . . . B Co, 422nd Signal BnSrA Warren Creamer . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnCW4 Anthony Foley . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACCW2 Michael Girdler . . . . . . . . . . . . B Co, 3/140thSSG Jeffrey Hacker . . . 757th Combat Sust Spt BnCW4 Brandon Hose . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Co, 3/140thMAJ Lawrence Irwin . . . . . . . . HHC, 17th Sust BdeSGT John Jordan. . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetMSgt Gina Kohl . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnCMSgt Nereo Pecson . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSFC Ronald Pitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMSG Edward Rael . . . . . 991st Aviation Troop CmdSGT Roy Randall . . . . . . . . . . . . 609th Engineer CoSSG Christopher Spinney. . 100th Quartermaster Co

Nicholas Lieberman. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACMathew Corey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACChristina Harvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACVictor Ansotegui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACSamantha Shawver . . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoElizateth Thomas . . . . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoKristina Atia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoKyle Spang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100th Quarterma