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MINUTEMAN<br />
U T A H<br />
Utah Air and Army National Guard<br />
Volume XII No. 1 Spring 2012<br />
222nd FA Returns Six Months Early<br />
SGT Guy Mellor Wins U.S. Army Noncommissioned<br />
Officer of the Year<br />
1-211th ARB Deploys to Afghanistan
Photo by Greg Cullis<br />
The Adjutant General<br />
Major General<br />
Brian L. Tarbet<br />
DRAPER, Utah — It has been an extraordinary few weeks<br />
in the history of the National Guard. The Congress recently<br />
approved, and the President signed, the National Guard<br />
Empowerment Act. Among many other important items, it<br />
placed the Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a member<br />
in full of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This will give the states an<br />
important voice, which has been long missing, in the conduct<br />
of our most important mission—protecting the homeland of the<br />
United States. Although this has been for many years the primary<br />
mission of our national defense strategy, it has been given short<br />
shrift by the Department of Defense in terms of manpower and<br />
equipment. Now the voice of those with that as their primary<br />
mission will be heard.<br />
During the month of December, we took a few moments<br />
to commemorate the 375th Anniversary of the first muster<br />
of the National Guard at Salem, Mass., on Dec. 13, 1636. It<br />
has been a long and proud tradition of service to the Nation,<br />
rendered by millions of men and women who have affiliated<br />
with the National Guard over the decades. From protecting the<br />
infant Colonies, through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, to<br />
the major conflicts of the last century, the Guard has been there<br />
for our people, forging a proud tradition of service and sacrifice<br />
as Citizen-Soldiers. Now more than ever, our contribution as<br />
Guardmembers will be needed. In times of fiscal difficulty, the<br />
Guard can play a larger role in the defense of our Nation as we<br />
represent the most efficient and trained fighting force among all<br />
the Services and components.<br />
We will confront many challenges over the coming years<br />
as budgets tighten and resources become scarce. We will meet<br />
the challenges by anticipating and preparing for change, being<br />
nimble and innovative, and by concentrating on the basics—our<br />
primary mission being to find, train and equip the best of the<br />
best. With our dual mission of defending the Nation at home<br />
and abroad, we will continue to evolve as the face of the military<br />
in America: the Troops our citizens see, touch and support in<br />
their own neighborhoods. That we will meet that challenge with<br />
distinction is my earnest hope for our future.<br />
The Adjutant<br />
General’s Corner<br />
Utah Governor Gary Herbert, left, speaks with MG Brian<br />
Tarbet, the adjutant general, at a temporary dump site in<br />
Kaysville, Utah, Dec. 4. The site was set up to assist residents<br />
of Davis County remove debris after hurricane force winds<br />
caused considerable damage to the area.<br />
LTC Gregory Hartvigsen, commander of 1st Battalion,<br />
211th Aviation Regiment, speaks to his Soldiers while<br />
Utah National Guard senior leaders and Rep. Jim<br />
Matheson, D-Utah, listen to his words of encouragement<br />
during their deployment ceremony at the Army Aviation<br />
Support Facility in West Jordan, Utah, Jan. 16.<br />
Utah Minuteman 3
The Adjutant General<br />
MG Brian L. Tarbet<br />
Editor<br />
State Public Affairs Officer<br />
MAJ Bruce Roberts<br />
Producer / Designer<br />
Ileen Kennedy<br />
Editing Staff<br />
Patti Griffith<br />
Writers<br />
MG Brian Tarbet<br />
CSM Bruce Summers<br />
CW5 Heber Hyde<br />
SSG Whitney Houston<br />
CPT Andi Hahn<br />
SSG DaleAnn Maxwell<br />
SGT Rebecca Hansen<br />
SGT Quentin Hendricksen<br />
SPC Ariel Solomon<br />
SFC April Rylander<br />
1LT Ryan Sutherland<br />
SSG Jim Greenhill<br />
MAJ Bruce Roberts<br />
SrA Lillian Harnden<br />
LTC Tyler Smith<br />
CPT Choli Ence<br />
A1C Emily Hulse<br />
Ileen Kennedy<br />
SGT Nicolas Cloward<br />
CPT Penny Matthews<br />
SSG Shana Hutchins<br />
Publisher<br />
Bob Ulin<br />
Commander 128th MPAD<br />
MAJ Wencke Tate<br />
Utah Minuteman is a commercial-enterprise<br />
publication, produced in partnership, thrice yearly,<br />
by the Utah National Guard and AQP Publishing,<br />
Inc. Views and opinions expressed herein are<br />
not necessarily the official views of, nor are they<br />
endorsed by, the Departments of the Army and Air<br />
Force, nor the State of Utah. All photos are Utah<br />
National Guard photos unless otherwise credited.<br />
Distribution: The Utah Minuteman is an<br />
unofficial publication of the Utah National Guard.<br />
It is published by the Utah National Guard Public<br />
Affairs Office, Draper, Utah. It is distributed, free of<br />
charge, via mail for all current Utah National Guard<br />
Soldiers and Airmen and their families. It is also<br />
available on our Web site: www.ut.ngb.army.mil.<br />
4 Spring 2012<br />
Advertising Sales<br />
Chris Kersbergen<br />
8537 Corbin Dr., Anchorage, AK 99507<br />
(907) 562-9300 . (866) 562-9300<br />
MINUTEMAN<br />
Thrice-yearly magazine for members of the Utah National Guard<br />
Contents:<br />
The Adjutant General’s Corner ................................................................................................. 3<br />
Joint Forces and Army Enlisted Comments .............................................................................. 5<br />
Command Chief Warrant Officer Comments ............................................................................ 5<br />
222nd Field Artillery Returns Safe and Sound ......................................................................... 6<br />
Uncle Extends Nephew in Guard While Deployed .................................................................. 7<br />
Utah Air Guard Gets New Commander .................................................................................... 8<br />
Blanding Armory Rededication Honors SFC James E. Thode ................................................. 9<br />
Injured Soldiers Honored ........................................................................................................ 10<br />
Purple Heart Recipients Recognized at BYU Football Game ................................................ 11<br />
Guard Celebrates 375 Years of Service ................................................................................... 12<br />
211th Aviation Deploys to Afghanistan .................................................................................. 14<br />
85th CST Supports Two-Alarm Fire in Sandy ........................................................................ 16<br />
Utah National Guard Soldier is U.S. Army’s NCO of the Year .............................................. 18<br />
640th RTI Grants Military Occupational Specialty with a BOOM! ....................................... 20<br />
Utah National Guard is Activated for Operation Windstorm .................................................. 22<br />
Units Team Up to Maintain Proficiency ................................................................................. 24<br />
151st MDG Train for Deployment in EMEDS Mass-Casualty Exercise ............................... 26<br />
Family Assistance Centers ...................................................................................................... 27<br />
Governor’s Day Returns to Camp Williams ........................................................................... 28<br />
Soldiers Learn Vital Skills for Deployment ............................................................................ 30<br />
General Retires after 38 Years of Service ............................................................................... 31<br />
Charitable Trust Awards Ceremony ........................................................................................ 32<br />
School Donates $10,700 to the Utah National Guard Charitable Trust .................................. 33<br />
Recruiting and Retention Battalion Maintains High Rank Among Other States .................... 34<br />
ESGR Contractor and Former Air Guardsmen Rescue Children from Icy River ................... 35<br />
Veterans Day Concert Honors a Decade of Service ................................................................ 36<br />
Army Medic’s Training Saves Professor’s Life ...................................................................... 38<br />
Former Wing Commander Retires After 32 Years .................................................................. 39<br />
Education Benefits: GoArmyEd ............................................................................................. 41<br />
A Day of Remembrance .......................................................................................................... 42<br />
Colonel Receives Legion of Merit Award Posthumously ....................................................... 44<br />
Air Promotions ........................................................................................................................ 44<br />
Army Promotions .................................................................................................................... 44<br />
Read additional stories at www.ut.ngb.army.mil<br />
View additional photos at www.flickr.com/photos/utahnationalguard/sets<br />
Submissions: The Utah Minuteman welcomes<br />
contributions from Utah Guard members, their families<br />
and Veterans but reserves the right to edit as necessary.<br />
Please send letters, articles and photos with name,<br />
phone number, E-mail and complete mailing address to:<br />
Utah Minuteman<br />
Utah National Guard Public Affairs Office<br />
12953 S. Minuteman Drive<br />
Draper, Utah 84020-9286<br />
or E-mail to ileen.kennedy@us.army.mil<br />
For coverage of major events of statewide significance,<br />
contact LTC Hank McIntire at (801) 432-4407 or Ileen<br />
Kennedy at (801) 432-4229.<br />
U T A H<br />
Cover Photo: SPC Oscar Cuevas, 197th Special Troops<br />
Company (Airborne), performs a proper parachute landing at<br />
Fairfield, Utah, Nov. 9, 2011. Photo by SrA Devin Doskey
Enlisted Comments<br />
Bruce D. Summers<br />
Command Sergeant Major<br />
Utah Army National Guard<br />
Photo by Greg Cullis Joint Forces and Army<br />
DRAPER, Utah — Another year is now upon us, and as we<br />
look back and realize the accomplishments of this organization<br />
over the last 10 years, we can be extremely grateful for the<br />
Soldiers and Airmen that fill our ranks.<br />
The president called for the removal of all U.S. forces<br />
from Iraq by the end of 2011. One of the final units to leave<br />
Iraq was 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery, headquartered in<br />
Cedar City. As we welcome them home, we are reminded of<br />
our other unit currently serving in Afghanistan: 2nd Battalion,<br />
211th Aviation Regiment. Later this spring, 1st Battalion,<br />
211th Aviation Regiment, will also be in Afghanistan. Other<br />
Army and Air units will also be called upon to provide their<br />
skills as we roll into this new year.<br />
Our success over the last 10 years can only be attributed to<br />
quality leadership, both from the officer and non-commissioned<br />
officer (NCO) corps. I have watched as this new generation<br />
of leaders has stepped up to a challenge that has never been<br />
faced before. Multiple deployments for many units and<br />
Servicemembers and their families have caused strain on them<br />
but for the most part they have endured these trials, making<br />
us a stronger and more professional Guard than I can ever<br />
remember.<br />
We are looking at a time in our history where we will be<br />
asked to do more with fewer resources than we ever have.<br />
NCOs at all levels must step up to the challenge and train our<br />
Soldiers and Airmen to continue to accomplish the missions<br />
required of us. I am very proud of the heritage you have made<br />
for the Utah National Guard and know you will continue to<br />
lead the way.<br />
God Bless.<br />
Officer Comments<br />
Heber Hyde<br />
Command Chief Warrant Officer<br />
Utah Army National Guard<br />
Photo by SFC Stacey Berg Command Chief Warrant<br />
DRAPER, Utah — As the fourth command chief warrant<br />
officer for the Utah Army National Guard, I’d like to give you<br />
the definition of the warrant officer and ask for your assistance<br />
in filling our warrant officer vacancies with qualified Soldiers<br />
and NCOs.<br />
“The Army warrant officer (WO) is a self–aware and<br />
adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer and advisor.<br />
Through progressive levels of expertise in assignments, training<br />
and education, the WO administers, manages, maintains,<br />
operates and integrates Army systems and equipment across<br />
the full spectrum of Army operations. Warrant officers are<br />
competent and confident warriors, innovative integrators of<br />
emerging technologies, dynamic teachers and developers<br />
of specialized teams of Soldiers. They support a wide range<br />
of Army missions throughout their career. Warrant officers<br />
in the Army are assessed with specific levels of technical<br />
ability. They refine their technical expertise and develop their<br />
leadership and management skills through tiered, progressive<br />
assignments and education.” (DA Pamphlet 600-3, p. 3-9)<br />
Currently, 87 percent of our authorized slots are filled.<br />
We are looking for the best NCOs and Soldiers to fill these<br />
positions. We have open positions in Special Forces, Field<br />
Artillery, Military Intelligence, Chemical Corps, Adjutant<br />
General Corps, Quartermaster, Ordnance, Signal Corps and<br />
Transportation Corps. If you are interested in becoming a<br />
warrant officer contact:<br />
CW3 Thayne Turgeon<br />
Office: 801-432-4900<br />
Cell: 801-558-2494<br />
Email: thayne.r.turgeon@us.army.mil<br />
Utah Minuteman 5
222nd Field Artillery Returns Safe and Sound<br />
Story and photos by SSG Whitney Houston<br />
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Eager family, loved ones and friends<br />
gathered early at Cedar City Regional Airport Dec. 8, to meet<br />
their beloved Soldiers serving with 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field<br />
Artillery Regiment, on a deployment to Iraq.<br />
The 222nd, or “Triple Deuce,” served a six-month<br />
deployment, which is their third since 2003. Their missions<br />
have been varied and have served them in becoming an adaptive<br />
and versatile unit.<br />
“Working on different missions and with different units<br />
has made them a more well-rounded unit,” said COL Richard<br />
Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff, G1 Personnel Officer, Utah<br />
National Guard. “They develop skill sets, which make them<br />
better leaders in all different kinds of environments.”<br />
This deployment, the field artillery unit went as a support<br />
element to assist in the handover of operations to Iraqi<br />
authorities. This was a complex process, and the 222nd was<br />
tasked with a lot of different responsibilities.<br />
“Our batteries got split up to do different missions such as<br />
the mayor’s cell, base operations, as well as force protection<br />
with the Special Forces,” said Operations Sgt. Major, Tyler<br />
Cowan.<br />
“We were the Baghdad Transit Authority. That entailed<br />
moving 3,500 personnel over three months to and from the<br />
International Zone to Sather Air Base, and the Victory Base<br />
Compound,” said 1SG Lance Jensen.<br />
Through these deployments, the 222nd has been able to see<br />
Operation Iraqi Freedom come full circle: from destroying a<br />
tyrannical government to handing over a viable and sovereign<br />
government.<br />
“We did what we went there to do,” Jensen said. “We got<br />
rid of a horrible dictator, set up a baseline for a government, an<br />
army, a police force and other forms of infrastructure that would<br />
allow them to operate as a cohesive country.”<br />
6 Spring 2012<br />
2-222nd FA Soldiers return from Iraq after their yearlong deployment<br />
was cut to six months, bringing them home in time for Christmas.<br />
“It makes me feel good. It feels like we’ve been able to<br />
accomplish a lot of good things. The people of Iraq were<br />
certainly ready for us to leave, but I feel like all in all it was a<br />
success.”<br />
The 222nd left Iraq without losing any personnel, which<br />
made for a more enjoyable homecoming.<br />
“It’s a good day,” said Miller. “Any time you take a unit and<br />
deploy them for a period of time, whether it’s six months or 18<br />
months, and you bring them home safely, it’s a win.”<br />
The 222nd is composed of Soldiers from many small<br />
communities throughout southern Utah, and have centers of<br />
operations in St. George, Cedar City, Beaver, Richfield and<br />
Fillmore. These communities, as well as many others, showed a<br />
laudable presence of support at the homecoming.<br />
“As you can see today, the outpouring of support from the<br />
surrounding communities is remarkable,” Miller said. “You<br />
can see the happiness that the Soldiers feel from being so<br />
well respected, and we’re so lucky to be able to be a part of a<br />
community like this.”<br />
The 222nd’s continued versatility throughout the Iraq War<br />
is a demonstration of the heart and patriotism that small town<br />
America has to offer.<br />
“It’s amazing how outstanding and versatile the Soldiers<br />
of the Triple Deuce are,” Jensen said. “They’ve taken infantry<br />
missions, they’ve taken MP (Military Police) missions, they’ve<br />
taken engineer missions, and they’ve done it just as well if not<br />
better than the people who do it every day. They are just an<br />
outstanding bunch of guys, and they have insurmountable selfrespect<br />
and honor.”<br />
May all troops have such sustainment from their community,<br />
and an inclination to perform their duty as the 222nd have<br />
throughout the nation’s conflicts.
Uncle Extends Nephew in<br />
Guard While Deployed<br />
Story and photos by CPT Andi Hahn<br />
BAGHDAD, Iraq — It’s not every day family members deploy together to Iraq. It’s<br />
not every day family members get to see each other while deployed together in Iraq. And<br />
it’s not every day an uncle gets to administer the oath of reenlistment to his nephew<br />
while deployed together in Iraq.<br />
COL James Brown of Morgan, Utah, swore in his nephew, SGT Shea Esplin, of<br />
Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 25 while they were stationed in Baghdad, Iraq.<br />
Brown and Esplin mobilized together with the Utah National Guard’s 2nd Battalion,<br />
222nd Field Artillery, back in June at Camp Atterbury, Ind., in preparation for their<br />
upcoming deployment to Iraq but lost touch once they hit boots on the ground.<br />
“We were supposed to be on the same mission in country, but things changed when<br />
we got on the ground, and elements of the battalion got scattered all over the country,”<br />
said Brown, the garrison deputy commander for Victory Base Complex in Iraq. “I wasn’t<br />
sure where he had been remissioned to.”<br />
COL James Brown, (right) swears his nephew SGT Shea Esplin into the Utah<br />
National Guard while both were deployed and stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, Sept. 25.<br />
When Esplin was given the opportunity to reenlist during his deployment, he<br />
immediately contacted his uncle and asked him to do the honors.<br />
“I received an email from him asking if I’d extend him in the Guard, and I said ‘Yes!<br />
I will fly anywhere you are to do this for you,’ and it turned out we were at the same<br />
location,” Brown said.<br />
Esplin and his uncle met at the Joint Visitors Bureau at Camp Victory, where he<br />
raised his right hand and recited the oath to extend his Guard tour another six years.<br />
“It was really cool to have my uncle do this for me while we were both here,” said<br />
Esplin. “He was able to take me on a quick tour of the area and I saw some pretty neat<br />
places. Most people don’t get to have a palace in Iraq behind them when they reenlist.”<br />
Esplin said it is nice to know when he goes home he will have family that was<br />
deployed the same time and the same place as he was who can better understand what<br />
happened here.<br />
“It’s an awesome thing to think that someday when my kid is in history and they talk<br />
about the war in Iraq, I can say I was there,” Esplin said. “I will get to share stories with<br />
him that the textbooks won’t be able to, and I look forward to that.”<br />
Utah Minuteman 7
Story by SrA Lillian Harnden<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — The<br />
highest-ranking position in the<br />
Utah Air National Guard changed<br />
hands during a ceremony on base<br />
Dec. 3.<br />
During the change-ofcommand<br />
ceremony, Brig Gen<br />
Wayne Lee officially relinquished<br />
command as Assistant Adjutant<br />
General for Air, commander of the<br />
Utah Air National Guard, to Brig<br />
Gen David Fountain.<br />
As a show of gratitude for<br />
Lee’s service, and to welcome<br />
Fountain as Utah ANG’s new<br />
general, Gov. Gary Herbert and<br />
more than 1,000 Guardmembers<br />
attended the ceremony.<br />
The Adjutant General of Utah, MG Brian Tarbet, said he<br />
was thrilled to have Fountain’s experience on the leadership<br />
team.<br />
“He comes wonderfully prepared to do exactly what we<br />
need to do now,” said Tarbet. “He started out enlisted, he got a<br />
commission, he has Wing experience, flown thousands of hours<br />
and he’s worked at the national level. He has a wonderful feel<br />
for the kind of environment and the importance that the states<br />
participate in nationally. I feel very, very blessed to have him.”<br />
Fountain was promoted from colonel to brigadier general<br />
in August 2011 and now assumes command of more than 1,400<br />
Airmen in the Utah ANG. Prior to his current position, Fountain<br />
served as the ANG advisor to the commander at Air Mobility<br />
Command Headquarters, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Fountain<br />
began his career as an aircraft maintenance journeyman prior<br />
to his commissioning and awarding of his pilot wings. He has<br />
served as command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours in a<br />
variety of aircraft, flying both the C-130 Hercules and the C-17<br />
Globemaster. His most recent operational experiences were in<br />
support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.<br />
During the ceremony, Fountain directed attention to the<br />
Utah ANG’s rich history and quoted a plaque he found while<br />
walking down Patriot Way near the state headquarters building.<br />
“A few years from now, ‘A time of conflict and change<br />
1950-1959,’ could easily read, ‘A time of conflict and change<br />
2001-2012,’” said Fountain. “We have some very interesting<br />
and challenging times in front of us. I have every intention<br />
8 Spring 2012<br />
Utah Air Guard Gets New Commander<br />
Utah National Guard Adjutant General, MG<br />
Brian Tarbet, (left) passes the colors to the<br />
incoming Assistant Adjutant General for the<br />
Utah Air National Guard, Brig Gen David<br />
Fountain. During the change-of-command<br />
ceremony, Brig Gen Wayne Lee officially<br />
relinquished command as Assistant Adjutant<br />
General for Air to Brig Gen David Fountain.<br />
Photo by TSgt Kelly Collett<br />
of using any and all resources<br />
available, and I look to the previous<br />
leadership as a significant asset as<br />
we prepare for the future.”<br />
In addition to the Global War<br />
on Terrorism, Fountain explained<br />
some of the challenges the Utah<br />
ANG faces.<br />
“As we are all aware, the fiscal<br />
constraints that our nation is facing<br />
will have significant impacts on<br />
every aspect of our federal, state<br />
and local governments. I have<br />
made a commitment to the TAG,<br />
and I am now making the same<br />
commitment to all of you, that<br />
we will work diligently to ensure<br />
all levels of government fully understand what the Utah ANG<br />
brings to bear. We need to be engaged at all levels. You will see<br />
more opportunities published for both officers and enlisted to<br />
support short- and long-term tours.”<br />
Fountain also described a recent meeting with Utah senators<br />
and congressmen.<br />
“I feel the meetings were successful in that folks in<br />
Washington, D.C., can now put a name with the face. They<br />
understand that we are ready and willing to engage. We left<br />
them with updates on each organization, to include a snapshot<br />
of all your accomplishments supporting both federal and state<br />
missions.”<br />
Fountain explained there are attributes that leadership<br />
considers “key to future positions” for Air Guardmembers.<br />
“We are looking for people that have a willingness to take<br />
intelligent calculated risks, who have self-confidence, loyalty<br />
to the institution, who are innovative and creative and able to<br />
effect change, to name a few,” said Fountain. “Folks, we are<br />
building a bench with breadth and depth of experience.”<br />
Fountain thanked Tarbet for his trust and the opportunity to<br />
be a part of the leadership team in Utah. Fountain also expressed<br />
appreciation for the team that he will be working with and the<br />
clean slate that Lee left him to start with.<br />
Fountain is a second-generation Air Guardsman, and he<br />
also has a son enlisted in the Guard. He currently resides in<br />
Illinois with his wife, Terry, but said they are trying to sell their<br />
home so they can move to Utah.
Blanding Armory<br />
Rededication Honors<br />
SFC James E. Thode<br />
Story and photos by SSG DaleAnne Maxwell<br />
Members of the color guard uncover a<br />
rendering of a monument that will be placed<br />
in front of the Armory in honor of SFC Thode.<br />
Blanding City Mayor Toni Turk gives an award<br />
to Carla Thode, wife of SFC James Thode, during<br />
the renaming and rededication ceremony, Carla<br />
Thode views the plaque placed in the armory<br />
entrance honoring her husband Dec. 9.<br />
BLANDING, Utah — The Blanding Armory was renamed and<br />
rededicated as the Sergeant First Class James E. Thode Armory,<br />
Blanding Readiness Center, during a ceremony Dec. 9. The renaming<br />
ceremony was held in honor of Sergeant First Class James E. Thode,<br />
who was killed in action in December 2011 in Khost, Afghanistan,<br />
when insurgents attacked his unit, the 118th Sapper Company, 1457th<br />
Engineer Battalion, with an improvised explosive device.<br />
Throughout the ceremony, several speakers praised Thode as a<br />
husband, father, Soldier and friend, and how he is missed every day.<br />
The renaming of the armory is one way for his legacy to continue.<br />
“His (Thode’s) legacy will always be in our hearts,” said 1SG<br />
Charles Barkey, first sergeant for the 118th Sapper Company during<br />
the deployment. “His name outside will be there, for those who will<br />
walk through these halls, who will join the Guard, and when you<br />
youngsters grow up and hear his name, his legacy will be kept alive<br />
by our telling his story.”<br />
Thode’s wife, Carla, and their children, Ashley and Thomas,<br />
were among those in attendance.<br />
Blanding City Mayor Toni Turk expressed his gratitude to<br />
Thode’s family.<br />
“Although he was not a resident of Blanding, he was a member<br />
of the community. He took our sons to war so that they would not<br />
have to go without an experienced warrior to lead them,” said Turk.<br />
“The city of Blanding has commissioned a special medallion<br />
that is to be given to the loved ones of our heroes making the ultimate<br />
sacrifice to our country,” said Turk. “This is a special token of our<br />
appreciation for the service rendered and the sacrifice made. I would<br />
like to present the city’s special medallion for his ultimate sacrifice to<br />
his widow, and to extend our heartfelt appreciation for his devotion<br />
to duty, country and community. God bless you.”<br />
As part of the renaming ceremony, a plaque was placed inside<br />
the armory entrance, and in the spring, a monument will be built and<br />
placed outside honoring SFC Thode.<br />
The plaque reads, “This building is dedicated to the memory and<br />
legacy of our comrade, SFC James (Doc) Thode, KIA 2 December<br />
2010 in Khost, Afghanistan. It’s undoubtedly appropriate and proper<br />
for a memorial of this stature and purpose to pay tribute to one of<br />
the finest noncommissioned officers to have ever served our great<br />
state and nation.”<br />
The monument will read: SFC<br />
James E. Thode (Sept. 27, 1965 – Dec.<br />
2, 2010) 118th Engineer Company,<br />
1457th Engineer Battalion, 204th<br />
Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Utah<br />
Army National Guard. Died Dec. 2,<br />
2010, in Sabari District, Khost Province,<br />
Afghanistan, from wounds suffered<br />
when insurgents attacked his unit with an<br />
improvised explosive device. Thank you for your bravery, patriotism<br />
and commitment to our nation. You will not be forgotten, for the<br />
memory of your tenacious spirit will live on in each patriot.<br />
Utah Minuteman 9
Purple Hearts were awarded to 14 members<br />
of the 118th Sappers Company at a special<br />
awards ceremony at the Salt Lake Airport<br />
Hilton Hotel Sept. 17. Six of the recipients<br />
were awarded two Purple Hearts.<br />
10 Spring 2012<br />
Injured Soldiers Honored<br />
Story and photos by SGT Rebecca Hansen<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — As the audience of Soldiers and their<br />
families filled the room, the mood was one of joy. The Soldiers<br />
and their families were happy they were home and alive, but it<br />
wasn’t without sacrifice.<br />
“Pound for pound, this unit has been through more than any<br />
unit we have deployed from Utah in 10 years,” said MG Brian<br />
Tarbet, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard.<br />
A ceremony was held for 18 Soldiers from the 118th Engineer<br />
Sapper Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion. Each was awarded a<br />
Purple Heart during the ceremony Sept. 17 at the Salt Lake Airport<br />
Hilton Hotel. Awards were presented for injuries sustained during<br />
the Soldiers’ deployment to Afghanistan.<br />
The 118th Engineer Sapper Company was formerly Bravo<br />
Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion, but was organized into<br />
an engineer “Sapper” company in October 2008 during the<br />
transformation of the total Army force structure. A few months<br />
after this transformation, they received the official alert order to<br />
begin deployment preparations for a mission in Afghanistan as<br />
a route-clearance company. They arrived in Afghanistan in July<br />
2010 and went right to work.<br />
“Route clearance is a lot of planning, figuring out the enemy’s<br />
tactics, trying to understand the areas that they’re operating in and<br />
going into that area with the ability to counter what they would<br />
try to do to us. We were very successful at that,” said Purple Heart<br />
recipient SFC Michael Seifert, a combat engineer with the 118th,<br />
who before his deployment worked as an instructor for the 640th<br />
Regional Training Institute.<br />
During its deployment, the unit cleared about 18,000 miles of<br />
road and completed 672 combat missions.<br />
“Our missions were done very slowly and methodically. We<br />
would drive about 15 mph, and usually we would find one or two<br />
IEDs every mission,” said Purple Heart recipient SPC Sterling<br />
Juarez, also a combat engineer with the 118th, who before his<br />
deployment was a college student and worked as a loan officer.<br />
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world<br />
still in use today and was the first American award made available<br />
to the common Soldier. Its first name was the Badge of Military<br />
Merit and was created early in America’s history by General<br />
George Washington. The award order includes the phrase:<br />
“Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the<br />
Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland<br />
and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen.”<br />
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed<br />
Forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands<br />
of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of<br />
those who die from the wounds received in action.<br />
“It happened the day we were out conducting route clearance,”<br />
said Seifert as he recalled the day of his injury. “We drove into an<br />
area, clearing roads. As my vehicle was stopped, we were engaged
in a complex attack, and immediately my vehicle was struck<br />
by an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade), and we were disabled.<br />
From there, my lieutenant in a vehicle behind me tried to push<br />
my vehicle with his, out of the kill zone, and his vehicle was<br />
then struck as well and was disabled. The other vehicles pushed<br />
us out of the kill zone for roughly a mile before we stopped<br />
when we were no longer engaged by the enemy.”<br />
Tarbet reminded everyone at the ceremony that not all the<br />
people in their unit who received a Purple Heart were so lucky<br />
as to be alive. He reminded everyone of the great sacrifice of<br />
SFC James E. Thode, a combat engineer with the 118th, who<br />
gave the ultimate sacrifice Dec. 2, 2010, and lost his life to<br />
an IED. His wife and children received his Purple Heart in<br />
December 2010. Tarbet expressed gratitude that no one else in<br />
the unit had to make that sacrifice.<br />
“The fact that they are here and that they are home is a<br />
blessing,” said Tarbet. “We heard about it every day, that<br />
they were getting knocked around, and I am grateful for the<br />
technology that kept them alive, but it also took great leadership<br />
and all you Soldiers who cared for one another.”<br />
The ceremony was held to honor those 18 who received<br />
the Purple Heart. They were all called onto the stage one by<br />
one, while the dates of their injuries were announced in front<br />
of their fellow Soldiers, family and friends. Tarbet and CSM<br />
Bruce Summers presented each of the 18 Soldiers with the<br />
Purple Heart<br />
Recipients Recognized<br />
at BYU Football Game<br />
Story and photos by SGT Quentin Hendricksen<br />
PROVO, Utah — Eleven Purple Heart recipients from the<br />
118th Engineer Sapper Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion,<br />
received a round of applause and a standing ovation from<br />
thousands of fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium Nov. 12. The<br />
Soldiers were introduced to the crowd from the center of the<br />
field shortly before an evening football game between Brigham<br />
Young University and the University of Idaho.<br />
Soldiers were then escorted to a corner of the stadium<br />
where they met Cosmo, the BYU mascot, and lined the path<br />
of the players’ entrance. As the BYU football players charged<br />
onto the field, the Soldiers exchanged high fives with them.<br />
The Soldiers were invited to stay for the duration of the<br />
game.<br />
Top down: Purple Heart recipients from the 118th Sapper<br />
Company meet BYU mascot Cosmo prior to the BYU vs. Idaho<br />
football game. Soldiers line the football field entrance as the<br />
BYU players run onto the field Nov. 12.<br />
award while thanking them for their service.<br />
Despite the severity of the sacrifices they made on<br />
their deployment, the recipients expressed gratitude for the<br />
recognition they received with the awards.<br />
“It definitely shows the respect and reverence to us for the<br />
job we have done,” said Seifert. “I definitely appreciate this<br />
ceremony.”<br />
Those who received a Purple Heart during the ceremony<br />
are as follows:<br />
SGT Colton Shakespear, for wounds received Dec. 2,<br />
2010, and another award for wounds received April 11, 2011.<br />
SSG Travis Pharmer, for wounds received Dec. 9, 2010,<br />
and another award for wounds received May 31, 2011.<br />
SSG Kyle Bowler, for wounds received Dec. 24, 2010.<br />
SPC Jose Munoz, for wounds received March 19, 2011.<br />
SPC Abraham Butler, for wounds received April 11, 2011.<br />
SGT Kevin Dimond, SPC Jeremiah Barnett, SPC Sterling<br />
Juarez and SPC Somsak Kendricks, for wounds received<br />
May 9, 2011. They were also awarded another award for<br />
wounds received May 17, 2011.<br />
SPC Hyrum Chamberlain, for wounds received May 31,<br />
2011.<br />
SFC Michael Seifert, SPC Mathew Ellenberger, SPC<br />
Anthony Gonzales, SPC Zachary Rinck, for wounds received<br />
June 11, 2011.<br />
Utah Minuteman 11
Guard Celebrates<br />
375 Years of Service<br />
Story and photos by SPC Ariel Solomon<br />
WEST JORDAN, Utah — On Dec. 13, 1636, the<br />
Massachusetts Bay Colony set in motion 375 years of Citizen-<br />
Soldiers protecting their communities from disaster and attack.<br />
On Dec. 13, 2011, in drill halls all over the state, Utah National<br />
Guard Soldiers gathered to celebrate the 375th commemoration<br />
of the First Muster of the National Guard.<br />
At the West Jordan armory, speakers addressed Soldiers<br />
attending about the heritage of service as Citizen-Soldiers and<br />
cut a cake commemorating the National Guard’s service to the<br />
state and nation.<br />
“The title of Citizen-Soldier is not something to be taken<br />
lightly,” said retired Army COL Stephen Jackson. “The average<br />
citizen, when they see a person in uniform, they see someone<br />
who is honorable, who can be trusted.”<br />
The colonists of early America adopted the English militia<br />
system that obligated all males between the ages of 16 to 60 to<br />
possess arms and defend their community. The colonial militia<br />
drilled once a week and provided guards to sound the alarm in<br />
case of attack.<br />
The year 1636 was a dangerous time for the colony. The<br />
threat of the Pequot Indians led to the need for the militia to be<br />
ready at a moment’s notice to defend the Massachusetts Bay<br />
Colony. Exactly when the first muster was called is unknown,<br />
but the East Regiment gathered first in Salem, Mass.<br />
“I didn’t realize [the Guard’s] been around that long,” said<br />
Courtney Gonzalez, who joined the National Guard weeks<br />
before the Guard’s 375th birthday.<br />
According to nationalguard.com, the Guard’s mission is<br />
to answer the call at home and abroad. The Guard responds<br />
to domestic emergencies, combat missions, counterdrug and<br />
reconstruction missions. After 375 years, the Guard stands<br />
ready to answer the call to defend and serve.<br />
12 Spring 2012<br />
Retired Army Col. Stephen Jackson and Courtney Gonzalez, a<br />
new recruit to the Utah National Guard, cut a cake celebrating<br />
the National Guard’s 375th birthday, Dec. 13, 2011.<br />
Utah National Guard Soldiers gather in the West Jordan<br />
armory to celebrate the National Guard’s 375th birthday<br />
Dec. 13. Soldiers watched presentations about the National<br />
Guard and about avionics in the Utah Guard.
1-211th Aviation Deploys to Afghanistan<br />
Story by SFC April Rylander<br />
WEST JORDAN, Utah — The snowy<br />
weather matched the somber feeling at the<br />
Army Aviation Support Facility in West Jordan,<br />
Utah, where nearly 360 Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 211th<br />
Aviation, prepared to leave for deployment.<br />
“It’s mixed feelings of course,” said CPT Robert<br />
Hyatt, an intelligence officer deploying with the unit. “We<br />
have an important mission. We’re going to be doing a lot<br />
of good things for the Afghan people, but we have to say<br />
goodbye to our families for a year. That’s not always fun.”<br />
Soldiers were joined by more than a thousand family<br />
members and friends at the Aviation Support Facility,<br />
where the majority of Soldiers boarded buses and were<br />
then flown to Fort Hood, Texas, aboard chartered aircraft<br />
Jan. 16. After a brief training period at Fort Hood, the<br />
Battalion will move forward into<br />
Afghanistan to complete a<br />
yearlong deployment.<br />
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah,<br />
delivered words of encouragement<br />
to the Soldiers and their families, as did<br />
MG Brian Tarbet, adjutant general of the Utah<br />
National Guard. Matheson said that he was among<br />
true heroes.<br />
With the snow coming down, flakes burning any<br />
exposed skin, the realization came that the AH-64 Apaches<br />
would not leave the ground that morning.<br />
“I predicted the weather for Jan. 16, 2012, last<br />
November,” said LTC Greg Hartvigsen, commander of<br />
the 1-211th. “The aircraft will follow us to Fort Hood as<br />
weather allows.”<br />
14 Spring 2012<br />
Photos by SFC Stacey Berg and Ileen Kennedy<br />
Pilots took off in their assigned AH-64 Apaches<br />
the following morning under blue skies to join the<br />
rest of the unit in Texas. There they will receive several<br />
weeks of training and be validated as an AH-64D Attack<br />
Battalion. This validation is required due to the battalion’s<br />
transforming from an AH-64A battalion to an AH-64D<br />
battalion.<br />
The 211th will be providing attack and reconnaissance<br />
support to units stationed with Central Command in<br />
Afghanistan.<br />
“First Battalion of the 211th is uniquely qualified<br />
to take this mission because Afghanistan has a similar<br />
geography to Utah,” said MAJ Dante Fontenot, executive<br />
officer of the battalion. “We are used to flying in a<br />
mountainous environment.”<br />
“Our force is so diverse, our pilots come<br />
from civilian airlines, law enforcement and<br />
various other occupations that enhance<br />
our structure. Active duty doesn’t<br />
have that to draw from,” continued<br />
Fontenot. “We can think outside the box<br />
more effectively to accomplish the mission.”<br />
This is the third deployment for the 1-211th in the<br />
past decade. They served in Kuwait in 2001-2002 and<br />
Afghanistan in 2004-2005. For nearly half of the Soldiers<br />
in the unit, this will be their first deployment. Several<br />
Soldiers have already served as many as four tours<br />
since 9/11.<br />
“We will miss our families terribly,” said CW2 Deena<br />
Koon. “But I’m glad we finally get to do the jobs that<br />
we’ve been trained for.”
Utah National Guard 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation, Soldiers say their goodbyes at the West Jordan Army Aviation<br />
Facility on their way to Fort Hood, Texas, for a few months of training before they move forward into Afghanistan<br />
for a yearlong deployment. The majority of Soldiers loaded buses to awaiting chartered aircraft on Jan. 16. Due to<br />
the snowy conditions, the pilots and AH-64D Apaches left the following day, flying out under blue skies.<br />
Utah Minuteman 15
85th CST Supports Two-Alarm Fire in Sandy<br />
Story by Ileen Kennedy Photos by 1SG Ryan Sutherland<br />
SANDY, Utah — The 85th Civil Support Team<br />
of the Utah National Guard was called to assist<br />
at the scene of a two-alarm fire in Sandy, Utah,<br />
Dec. 19.<br />
The fire started at the Fur Breeders<br />
Agricultural Cooperative, 8550 S. 700 W. Fire<br />
departments from Sandy, Murray, West Jordan<br />
and South Jordan responded to the scene, as well<br />
as Unified Fire Authority and the 85th CST.<br />
The 85th CST was called in because of<br />
concerns about anhydrous ammonia tanks on<br />
the west side of the structure. Ammonia is a<br />
component of the refrigeration system used by<br />
Fur Breeders, where initial information indicated<br />
that the fire started in the attic when an employee<br />
attempted to use a blowtorch to thaw frozen pipes.<br />
Some surrounding businesses were evacuated<br />
as a precautionary measure as the fire burned out<br />
16 Spring 2012<br />
of control, and concerns rose over the<br />
possibility that the fire could spread and<br />
compromise the ammonia storage tanks.<br />
According to SFC Brett Campbell, 85th<br />
CST, the volume of ammonia in on-site<br />
storage tanks had the potential to cause<br />
a dangerous inhalation risk to people in<br />
the surrounding area if the tanks had<br />
caught fire.<br />
The 85th CST assisted local<br />
authorities in monitoring air quality<br />
due to the fire and smoke. According<br />
to LTC Ken Verboncoeur, the incident<br />
commander asked the 85th CST to<br />
assist on-scene HAZMAT teams to<br />
monitor the levels of ammonia and<br />
hydrochloric acid being produced as<br />
the fire burned.<br />
Soldiers with the 85th Civil Support Team assist<br />
local authorities in monitoring air quality due to a<br />
fire at the Fur Breeders Agricultural Cooperative.
“The objective of the incident commander was to ensure<br />
that the ammonia and other toxic industrial chemicals being<br />
released in the fire did not reach levels that would require a<br />
broader evacuation of local businesses and homeowners,” said<br />
Verboncoeur.<br />
The 85th CST, comprising both Army and Air Force<br />
personnel, monitored the area for unsafe levels of ammonia<br />
and other chemicals as firefighters worked to put out the blaze.<br />
“It was a great opportunity to work with several fire<br />
departments that we routinely train with,” said Verboncoeur.<br />
In the five weeks preceding the fire, the 85th CST<br />
conducted training events<br />
with both the Sandy and<br />
Murray Fire Departments.<br />
Verboncoeur also noted that<br />
this was a good opportunity to<br />
further develop relationships<br />
between the Utah National<br />
Guard and our first-responder<br />
community.<br />
“These relationships<br />
are an important component<br />
to improving the National<br />
Guard’s ability to support<br />
local communities and the<br />
state of Utah.”<br />
Utah Minuteman 17
Utah National Guard<br />
Soldier is<br />
U.S. Army’s<br />
NCO of the Year<br />
Story by SSG Jim Greenhill<br />
ARLINGTON, Va. — For the second time in three years—<br />
and for only the second time in history—a National Guard<br />
member has been named the U.S. Army’s Non-commissioned<br />
Officer of the Year.<br />
The Utah Army National Guard’s SGT Guy Mellor,<br />
24, chose to take a semester off school to focus solely on<br />
preparing for the 2011 Best Warrior Competition—and his<br />
dedication paid off at the Association of the U.S. Army’s<br />
annual meeting and exposition in Washington.<br />
Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III,<br />
announced that Mellor is the U.S. Army’s NCO of the Year.<br />
“It takes a lot to train for this,” Mellor told the U.S. Army<br />
Public Affairs Midwest office during the 2011 Best Warrior<br />
Competition at Fort Lee, Va.<br />
“It takes a lot of commitment, a lot of dedication, a lot of<br />
hours studying, a lot of hours working out and preparing to<br />
come and compete at this level,” he said.<br />
First nominated by his unit, 1st Battalion, 145th Field<br />
Artillery, in Manti, Utah, Mellor competed at a series of local,<br />
state and regional levels before making it to the Department<br />
of the Army level.<br />
The Fayette, Utah, native said a period working at the<br />
Utah National Guard’s Regional Training Institute helped<br />
him prepare.<br />
He is a traditional Guardmember who took a semester off<br />
from his college civil engineering studies to focus solely on<br />
preparing for the Department of the Army-level competition<br />
after he was named the Army National Guard’s NCO of the<br />
Year in August.<br />
“I’ve enjoyed the process of training and pushing myself<br />
and learning more and acquiring more traits…more military<br />
knowledge, and it’s just helped me become a better, more<br />
rounded, outstanding Soldier,” he said during the Best<br />
Warrior Competition.<br />
The Best Warrior Competition, where Mellor was<br />
competing with active-duty and Reserve Soldiers, included<br />
a physical fitness test, written test, board interview in front<br />
of seven of the Army’s top leaders, land navigation and<br />
shooting and battle drills, Mellor said in an interview with a<br />
local radio station.<br />
18 Spring 2012<br />
SGT Guy Mellor completes some of the required<br />
tasks during the Soldier of the Year competition.
SGT Guy Mellor, 1st Battalion, 145th<br />
Field Artillery, competes and wins the<br />
title of U.S. Army’s Noncommissioned<br />
Officer Soldier of the Year.<br />
Shooting, the obstacle course and<br />
urban operations were among Mellor’s<br />
favorite parts of the competition, he<br />
said. The toughest part? A night landnavigation<br />
event with a rucksack and<br />
gear. “I tried to run the entire time,”<br />
he said.<br />
As a specialist in 2009, Mellor<br />
was named the Army National Guard’s<br />
Soldier of the Year and competed in that<br />
year’s Best Warrior Competition.<br />
Mellor challenged other Soldiers to<br />
seek nomination to the NCO and Soldier<br />
of the Year events.<br />
“Put in the effort,” he said, “because<br />
[you’re] going to improve [yourself] so<br />
much and…be a good asset to [your] unit<br />
and to the entire Army.”<br />
The first Guardmember to receive<br />
the Department of the Army honor was<br />
the Montana Army National Guard’s<br />
SSG Michael Noyce Merino in 2008.<br />
Utah Minuteman 19
640th RTI Grants<br />
Military Occupational<br />
Specialty with a BOOM!<br />
Story by MAJ Bruce Roberts<br />
CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah — In what has become a tradition, the 640th<br />
Regiment Regional Training Institute (RTI) conducted its annual live-fire<br />
exercise from Nov. 4-6, 2011, lighting up Camp Williams. For two-and-ahalf<br />
days, 155 mm rounds from Paladin self-propelled howitzers barked<br />
fire and pounded the impact area as students from the RTI finished their<br />
artillery-transition course by sending more than 300 rounds downrange.<br />
20 Spring 2012<br />
Photos by A1C Allen Stokes and SrA Devin Doskey<br />
Photos top down and opposite page:<br />
SSG James Narramore, 640th Regional Training<br />
Institute, walks away from a Paladin during a<br />
live-fire training exercise held at Camp Williams,<br />
Utah, Nov. 4-6. Soldiers participate in the 640th<br />
RTI’s yearly live-fire exercise to qualify for their<br />
job in heavy artillery. An M-109A6 Paladin<br />
can fire two to four rounds per minute for two<br />
minutes before being reduced to one to two rounds<br />
per minute due to internal barrel temperature.<br />
Soldiers transport M-107 155 mm projectiles to<br />
the Paladin. Supply vehicles for the Paladin store<br />
projectile rounds at Camp Williams. A Paladin<br />
prepares to fire during a live-fire training exercise.
Course manager SFC Robert Brunson elaborated on the<br />
course, “The 13B10 course is an entry-level course focused on<br />
familiarization. The major focuses are teaching proper fuse and<br />
shell combinations, ensuring that all data is correct and safe.<br />
The course also entails maintenance on the M-109A6 Paladin.<br />
The course emphasizes the steps ‘Load, Fire, Clear.’”<br />
Civilians from the surrounding communities, media and<br />
local officials were invited to observe the event and were<br />
briefed on the specifics of the Paladin and its capabilities, all<br />
while the big howitzers continued to fire in the background.<br />
“Field artillery is the only Military Occupational Specialty<br />
(MOS) which requires training with live ammunition. The<br />
reason for this is that the use of live ammunition requires that<br />
Soldiers fully understand their training, and it also helps track<br />
their accuracy. When the rounds are live, the results are live,”<br />
said Brunson.<br />
The three-day exercise was run by the 640th RTI’s 3rd<br />
Battalion, responsible for training the majority of all MOS<br />
training and noncommissioned officer (NCO) technical tracks in<br />
field artillery. The courses includes 13B Cannon Crewmember,<br />
13D Advanced Field Artillery Specialist, 13F Field Support<br />
Specialist and 13S Field Artillery Surveyor.<br />
“We teach 13B10 two times a year, 13B30 two to four<br />
times a year and 13B40 one to two times per year,” explained<br />
Brunson. “The 13B30 skill set is a crew chief. The class sizes<br />
are much smaller and more detailed. They keep busy processing<br />
all the howitzer missions on the computer. Ultimately, they are<br />
responsible for everything that happens in that gun. A skill level<br />
10 is not allowed to do anything without the prior approval of<br />
the skill level 30. They are like a squad leader with much more<br />
responsibility.”<br />
The M-109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer is an<br />
impressive piece of modern weaponry, weighing in at just over<br />
28 tons. With a reach of 24 kilometers, it’s the heavyweight of<br />
the battlefield. It is capable of firing multiple rounds per minute<br />
in any direction and is not limited in its projectile selection.<br />
There are more than a half-dozen different 155 mm rounds for<br />
the howitzer to include laser-guided “smart” rounds and rocketassisted<br />
projectiles that extend its range.<br />
The Utah National Guard’s long history of artillery units<br />
contributes to the fact that Camp Williams continues to be one<br />
of the premier training centers for artillery fire, among other<br />
things. This means Camp Williams’ ranges can support the<br />
many capabilities of the Paladin.<br />
“Camp Williams has a vast training range that is full of<br />
terrain and obstacles that you would see in a combat-zone<br />
situation,” said Bunson. “Also with two artillery battalions in<br />
the state, there are lots of resources for training here.”<br />
Utah Minuteman 21
Utah National Guard is<br />
Activated for Operation<br />
Windstorm<br />
Story and photos by 1LT Ryan Sutherland<br />
A Utah Army National Guard Soldier helps with cleanup efforts<br />
from a windstorm in Davis County, Utah, on Dec. 4.<br />
22 Spring 2012<br />
DAVIS COUNTY, Utah — Governor Gary R. Herbert<br />
activated the Utah National Guard to assist Davis County<br />
residents and local emergency-response officials with debris<br />
removal in anticipation of a major windstorm, Dec. 4.<br />
With local residents already reeling from a hurricaneforce<br />
windstorm that caused considerable damage several<br />
days prior, the governor was concerned that the existing<br />
debris from the previous storm could further threaten<br />
public safety and exacerbate property damage. He also<br />
called on the public to prepare to assist one another in the<br />
coming days.<br />
“Please immediately secure loose material on your<br />
property, home or business,” said Herbert. “Then once the<br />
storm arrives, please remain indoors and off the roads, if<br />
possible. Anticipate further power outages and prepare<br />
accordingly. Lastly, please look out for your neighbors. This<br />
is going to take a team effort.”<br />
After careful planning and assessments of conditions<br />
with state, county, and local officials, Herbert activated the<br />
Utah National Guard, the Department of Public Safety (DPS)<br />
and the Department of Transportation to assist Davis County<br />
residents with debris removal shortly after 8 a.m.<br />
“The governor began his assessments on Saturday,<br />
and we got a call late Saturday evening,” said MAJ<br />
Christopher Caldwell, Director of Military Support for the<br />
Utah National Guard.<br />
“What was determined was that there was a lot of<br />
debris around the cities that had been gathered, and we<br />
had the threat of another potential wind-weather event<br />
coming in on Sunday night, so there was some immediacy<br />
to the needs there,” said Caldwell. “That was really the<br />
primary objective for us as a state agency supporting the<br />
local agencies—to come in and get the debris removed as<br />
quickly as we could.”<br />
During operations, approximately 200 personnel with<br />
70 pieces of heavy equipment from the 1457th Engineer<br />
Battalion, 489th Brigade Support Battalion, 204th Maneuver<br />
Enhancement Brigade, 115th Maintenance Company, 116th<br />
Horizontal Construction Company, 151st Air Refueling<br />
Wing and their tenant units have supported cleanup efforts.<br />
Soldiers and assets came from as far away as the Manti<br />
and Mount Pleasant armories to support the Davis County<br />
operation. Utah National Guard Soldiers and Airmen worked<br />
at the city staging areas to consolidate green and non-green<br />
waste, load it onto the Guard’s dump trucks and then transport<br />
it to the nearest landfills.<br />
SSG Devere Byergo, a member of the 116th Horizontal<br />
Construction Company, helped facilitate the distribution<br />
of Guard assets with local authorities at the Bountiful<br />
staging area.<br />
“The mission we have is to load these trucks and to get<br />
the debris out as fast as possible,” said Byergo. “Our directive
Governor Gary Herbert activated approximately 200 members of the Utah Guard to assist local authorities with debris cleanup and to<br />
prepare for an upcoming storm. More than 25 heavy-equipment vehicles were also dispatched to assist with the efforts.<br />
from the Guard side is to coordinate with the municipality for<br />
the final direction as to where we’re going. It’s humbling to see<br />
what people are actually going through.”<br />
Each municipality faced unique challenges, and the<br />
challenge for the Guard was allocating Guard resources to<br />
locations where they were best needed.<br />
“Our game plan today [Dec. 5] was to reallocate<br />
resources,” said Caldwell. “The priority today was to<br />
determine where those resources were needed the most and<br />
allocate those accordingly. We established those priorities,<br />
allocated the resources to each of those cities, and we’re really<br />
in a steady-state operation right now.”<br />
He added, “the Davis landfill reported 3,100 tons as of<br />
1 p.m. today [Dec. 5]. We have two different dump sites: the<br />
Davis county landfill, and the Bountiful landfill. We are taking<br />
debris to both of those sites. It’s a joint effort, so what they<br />
are counting at the landfill is a combination of local assets and<br />
Guard assets that are coming in and dumping.”<br />
“As Citizen-Soldiers, we really have a vested interest in<br />
the protection of the citizens here in the state,” said Caldwell.<br />
“The coordinated effort between citizens and Soldiers, and<br />
really all of the state and local resources that were there, was<br />
outstanding.”<br />
After five successful days of supporting cleanup efforts<br />
in Davis County, Herbert ordered the Utah National Guard to<br />
stand down operations, allowing time for heavy equipment to<br />
return for service and storage at Utah National Guard facilities.<br />
“This was the best of Utah—an all hands on deck<br />
effort,” said Herbert. “The collaboration and cooperation<br />
of various entities has been excellent, and I thank our local<br />
leaders, National Guard, law enforcement officers and local<br />
volunteers.”<br />
Utah Minuteman 23
Units Team Up To Maintain Proficiency<br />
Story by MAJ Bruce Roberts<br />
Photos by SSgt Scott Aldridge, SSgt Julianne<br />
Showalter and SrA Devin Doskey<br />
FAIRFIELD, Utah — On a frigid, November morning at Global One Training Facility outside<br />
Fairfield, Utah, members of the 197th Special Troops Company (Airborne), and the 19th Special<br />
Forces Group (Airborne) sit quietly in idling vehicles trying to stay warm.<br />
Eventually the time to begin Static Airborne Training arrives, and the bundled-up Soldiers pile<br />
out of vehicles, breathing frosty clouds into the chilly morning air. They exchange greetings, jibes and<br />
handshakes as they gather around the primary jumpmaster to get details about the day’s operation.<br />
The members of these two units know each other well.<br />
“Like a big brother,” analogizes Senior Airdrop Technician SFC Jose Caoili, of the 197th.<br />
The units work together often as they share a common mission and a requirement unique to them<br />
in the Utah National Guard: airborne proficiency. Guard airborne units must maintain the same jump<br />
proficiency as their active-duty counterparts, which means they must conduct an airborne operation to<br />
make at least one parachute jump per quarter, or four times a year.<br />
In order to maintain this proficiency, all airborne units are constantly looking for aircraft of all<br />
types to fulfill this training requirement. Aircraft come from the active Air Force and Army Aviation,<br />
as well as their National Guard counterparts.<br />
Army Aviation units and Air Force crews are required to meet different training requirements<br />
over the course of the year in an effort to maintain proficiency and be exposed to a variety of<br />
mission profiles. Dropping personnel and equipment is typically one of these many requirements.<br />
Collaboration of units supports the Army’s Total Force doctrine, maximizing the use of assets and<br />
exercising the many functions of the Reserve component.<br />
“Working together gives us an opportunity to exercise our full-time mission: supporting Special<br />
Operations forces,” explained Caoili. “When we need help getting aircraft or specific airborne-oriented<br />
training like MC-6 transition or the Jump Master Course, it’s nice to have the 19th here to help us out.<br />
We all pitch in, and everyone gets the training they need.”<br />
The Soldiers have finished their pre-jump training, and some check their watches and scan the<br />
skies to the north on this clear, cold morning.<br />
They hear it before they see it; the whomp-whomp sound of the rotor blades precedes the sight of<br />
the incoming UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Soon enough, fingers are pointing toward the mountains<br />
identifying the low-flying chopper.<br />
The Drop Zone Safety Officer is the on the radio establishing communications with the incoming<br />
bird and relaying landing-zone information. Duties are shared and everyone plays a role.<br />
The Blackhawk belongs to Charlie Company, Detachment 2, 1-171st Aviation Regiment,<br />
another Utah National Guard unit.<br />
“It’s always good training—paradrop missions are precise timing, airspeed, altitude and wind<br />
speeds,” says the pilot, CPT Penny Matthews. “We would like to do more collective training with<br />
other units. It’s always valuable to train with the people you’re going to support.”<br />
Soldiers from the 197th Special Troops Company (Airborne), Utah Army National Guard, jump<br />
from a 211th Aviation UH-60 Blackhawk at Fairfield, Utah, Nov. 9, 2011. A total<br />
of 75 personnel jumped successfully throughout the day. (Bottom right) SFC Thomas Lawrence,<br />
19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah Army National Guard, packs up his chute after doing<br />
a high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) jump Nov. 9.<br />
(Page 25, top down) Soldiers from the 197th Special Troops Company (Airborne) walk to a 211th<br />
Aviation UH-60 Blackhawk for a static-line jump. A Soldier from the 197th gathers his SF-10<br />
parachute after a successful static-line jump.<br />
24 Spring 2012
Utah Minuteman 25
26 Spring 2012<br />
151st MDG Train for<br />
Deployment in<br />
EMEDS Mass-<br />
Casualty Exercise<br />
Story by SrA Lillian Harnden<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — During a mock chlorine-tanker<br />
explosion, 67 personnel from the 151st Medical Group<br />
evacuated and treated 73 patients during an Expeditionary<br />
Medical Support (EMEDS) exercise at the Utah Air National<br />
Guard Base Nov. 5 - 6.<br />
EMEDS is a certification review field exercise and<br />
mobility requirement, which prepares medical personnel for<br />
deployment.<br />
In three field tents, using deployment gear, the 151st<br />
MDG triaged, stabilized and evacuated 39 burn and trauma<br />
patients to hospitals for treatment on Nov. 5. On Nov. 6,<br />
they provided physical-health exams and extended health<br />
care to 34 additional trauma patients.<br />
“The competency of our medical professionals was<br />
evident during the exercise,” said Capt Christine Bringard,<br />
the 151st MDG exercise planner. “This exercise was a<br />
necessary refresher for our personnel, for processing patients<br />
appropriately in an EMEDS facility and in working together<br />
with other base and civilian agencies. This recurring training<br />
is so vital, we don’t want to lose that knowledge—we want<br />
to build on it.”<br />
EMEDS sustainment certification is completed once<br />
every four years. To complete the exercise, the entire<br />
Lt. Andie Cook, physician’s assistant, 151st Medical Group,<br />
stabilizes an injured patient during the Expeditionary Medical<br />
Support exercise at the Utah Air National Guard Base Nov. 5.<br />
Photo by TSgt Jeremy Giacoletto-Stegall
medical team usually travels to either<br />
the Alpena Combat Readiness Training<br />
Center, Mich., or the Volk Field Combat<br />
Readiness Training Center, Wis.<br />
However, due to a new streamlining<br />
program, the 151st MDG was instead<br />
able to bring an Alpena evaluation cadre<br />
here. What otherwise would have been<br />
a weeklong evaluation, now lasts only<br />
two days. Bringard estimates this new<br />
method saved the Utah National Guard<br />
$32,000.<br />
The Alpena cadre, TSgt Robert<br />
Wagster, praised the 151st MDG during<br />
the evaluation.<br />
“For their first time, with a lot of<br />
new people on the team, they were able<br />
to process 20 people within a 15- to<br />
20-minute window. They’re working<br />
together, problem solving, adapting to<br />
what needs to be done and they’re doing<br />
a great job.”<br />
The exercise coincided with the first<br />
major snowstorm of the season, but the<br />
weather wasn’t a factor in getting the<br />
mission accomplished.<br />
“It was cold, dark and snowing for<br />
six hours while we were out there setting<br />
up the tents and equipment, but that didn’t<br />
hinder our capabilities,” said SSgt Laura<br />
Lainez, the 151st MDG administrative<br />
assistant. “You would think it was 100<br />
degrees out there with how smoothly the<br />
staff was working together and focusing<br />
on the patients.”<br />
The 151st MDG utilized the student<br />
flight as patients, applying rubber<br />
wounds, makeup and theatrical blood<br />
according to their assigned injuries.<br />
“They were very efficient when<br />
treating my burns and crushed chest,”<br />
said Cameron Plouzek, a student-flight<br />
patient.<br />
Bringard acknowledged other<br />
units who assisted in accomplishing the<br />
mission.<br />
“I want to thank SSgt Christopher<br />
Gerdes for letting us borrow his student<br />
flight, and the 109th Air Control<br />
Squadron for letting us use their tents,<br />
generators and heaters for the exercise,”<br />
said Bringard. “We couldn’t have done<br />
this without them.”<br />
Family Assistance Centers<br />
By Katrina Rhinehart<br />
DRAPER, Utah — What is a Family Assistance Center?<br />
Family Assistance Centers (FAC) are designed to assist the families of<br />
military Servicemembers during peacetime and during training or mobilization.<br />
Centers are open to all branches of the military (Army Guard, Air Guard,<br />
active-duty Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and all Reserve<br />
Components).<br />
Family Assistance Centers provide one-stop shopping and resources to help<br />
family members cope with any issue they encounter as a military dependent.<br />
Locate your local FAC and contact them today.<br />
For more information, visit us at www.ut.ngb.army.mil/family/index.htm.<br />
What services are provided by a FAC?<br />
Basic services provided by FACs include the following, regardless of location:<br />
• TRICARE/TRICARE dental assistance • Financial assistance/counseling<br />
• Point of contact (POC) for legal and pay issues • ID cards referral<br />
• POC for community support • Emergency-assistance coordination<br />
• Counseling support/referral • Family/household emergencies<br />
• Family care plan information • Site for family communication<br />
• POC for casualty assistance information, referral, follow-up and outreach<br />
• DEERS information (Defense Enrollment and Eligibility System)<br />
• Support FRG programs<br />
Please do not hesitate to contact our FACs for any questions or issues you may<br />
have. We are here to serve you!<br />
Utah FAC Locations<br />
Armory and Family Assistance Center Locations Armory Locations<br />
Region 1 • Logan<br />
(435) 753-3155<br />
Region 2 • Ogden<br />
(801) 476-3811<br />
Region 3 • Riverton<br />
(801) 878-5037<br />
Region 4 • Salt Lake<br />
City (801) 560-0864<br />
Region 5 • Orem<br />
(801) 722-6913<br />
Region 6 • Vernal<br />
(435) 789-3691<br />
Region 7 • Spanish<br />
Fork (801) 794-6011<br />
Region 8 • Cedar City<br />
(435) 867-6513<br />
Region 9 • Manti<br />
(435) 896-4326<br />
Region 10 • Blanding<br />
(435) 678-2008<br />
Region 11 • St. George<br />
(435) 986-6705<br />
BOX ELDER<br />
TOOELE<br />
JUAB<br />
CACHE<br />
RICH<br />
WEBER<br />
DAVIS MORGAN<br />
SUMMIT<br />
SALT LAKE<br />
WASATCH<br />
DUCHESNE<br />
UTAH<br />
SANPETE<br />
MILLARD EMERY<br />
BEAVER<br />
IRON<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
PIUTE<br />
SEVIER<br />
GARFIELD<br />
KANE<br />
CARBON<br />
WAYNE<br />
UTAH<br />
DAGGETT<br />
UINTAH<br />
GRAND<br />
SAN JUAN<br />
Utah Minuteman 27
28 Spring 2012<br />
Governor’s Day<br />
Returns to<br />
Camp Williams<br />
Story by LTC Tyler Smith<br />
CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah — Governor’s Day returned<br />
to Camp Williams this year with an estimated 7,000 people<br />
attending the annual event Sept. 17. After being held at<br />
the University of Utah for the past three years, attendees<br />
commented on how great it was to be home. For many families<br />
and new military members, this year’s event was their first visit<br />
to the installation. For others, it has been a while since they<br />
have been on post, and they quickly noticed that it is not the<br />
same place.<br />
“Camp Williams has never looked better,” said BG<br />
Jefferson Burton.<br />
A lot of work and upgrades have put a new face on many<br />
building and streets. The Construction Facility Management<br />
Office and Utah Training Center-Camp Williams staff have<br />
been tirelessly working in planning and executing projects that<br />
improve the infrastructure of Camp Williams.<br />
With new construction dollars being very scarce, buildings<br />
that were structurally sound received a much-needed facelift<br />
of stucco and stone. The appearance of these newly remodeled<br />
buildings really stood out and is a huge step toward sustaining<br />
Camp Williams as the “Premier Training Center of Choice.”<br />
The Governor’s Day committee collaborated for months<br />
prior to the event to address some unique challenges faced with<br />
bringing Governor’s Day back to Camp Williams. The biggest<br />
obstacle was parking. Without the airstrip, finding enough space<br />
for visitor parking was a problem that took careful planning and<br />
unified effort. Thanks to the Utah Department of Public Safety,<br />
the Emergency Vehicle Operation Training Range, situated<br />
south of Camp Williams, was used for parking. Shuttles were<br />
organized using buses, vans and drivers from the 151st Air<br />
Refueling Wing and 640th Regional Training Institute.<br />
The event epitomizes many long-standing traditions of<br />
military discipline and honor. It provided the governor with a<br />
stage where he could witness the tremendous strength of the<br />
Utah National Guard. Family members beamed with pride<br />
as their Soldier or Airman marched by in perfect step with<br />
their fellow Guardmembers as part of an organization that<br />
brings great credit to themselves, their country and their loved<br />
ones. Flyovers by a KC-135 Stratotanker, AH-64 Apache and<br />
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were visual manifestations of<br />
the incredible assets the Utah National Guard brings to bear in<br />
our nation’s defense. The earth trembled and observers felt a<br />
heightened sense of patriotism as these impressive aircraft and<br />
crews flew over so seemingly low that you could almost see<br />
pilots’ expressions.
Governor Gary Herbert, Utah National Guard senior leaders,<br />
Guardmembers and their families participate in Governor’s<br />
Day held at Camp Williams in September.<br />
During the ceremony, Utah’s governor, Gary R. Herbert,<br />
personally shook hands with the Soldiers/Airmen and NCOs<br />
of the year. In his address to the formation, he praised troops<br />
and their families and commended the many sacrifices Guard<br />
families and their employers make for their country.<br />
At the conclusion of the ceremony, activities such as the<br />
Trolley Trooper, climbing walls, BB-gun shooting range,<br />
and various static displays of Army equipment were open<br />
for public viewing and participation. Family Readiness<br />
volunteers provided a host of food options and souvenirs.<br />
Although construction will continue in the years to come, there<br />
is definitely a different feel, and there is no other preferred<br />
location to host Governor’s Day than at the Utah Training<br />
Center-Camp Williams.<br />
Utah Minuteman 29
Soldiers Learn Vital Skills for Deployment<br />
DRAPER, Utah — It’s rare to hear the words “training” and<br />
“fun” spoken by Soldiers in the same sentence. However, for<br />
Soldiers attending the Individual Antiterrorism Awareness<br />
Course (INTAC) this summer at Global One Resource Group in<br />
Fairfield, Utah, this was the case.<br />
Designed specifically for Soldiers deploying to a high-threat<br />
environment, INTAC includes hands-on training in offensive/<br />
defensive driving, evasive driving, individual protective<br />
measures, surveillance detection, survival shooting and survival<br />
self-defense.<br />
During training, instructors first demonstrate each skill to<br />
the Soldiers. Then each Soldier gets the chance to practice the<br />
skill until they become proficient.<br />
According to SGT Alessandra Jacobson, a human-resource<br />
specialist with HHC, 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,<br />
“Every Soldier should be doing this training.” Additionally,<br />
“We all should be doing more of this type of real-life, hands-on<br />
training.”<br />
Keith Livingston, the training and operations director of<br />
Global One, said Global One began after he retired from law<br />
enforcement and teamed up with individuals who recently<br />
retired from the military.<br />
“For the first three years, we were strictly a mobile-training<br />
team,” eventually obtaining the necessary resources to have<br />
30 Spring 2012<br />
A Soldier tackles an obstacle in a Humvee during the off-road driving course at INTAC in Fairfield, Utah.<br />
Below: A Soldier maneuvers his Humvee through soft dirt during the off-road driving course at INTAC.<br />
Story and photos by CPT Choli Ence<br />
a “contracted, provided facility with equipment,” explained<br />
Livingston.<br />
SGT Allen Crouder, a satellite communications specialist<br />
with 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, said the training<br />
was excellent and overall the best course he has ever attended.<br />
INTAC generally runs between six and 10 days in length<br />
and can be custom tailored to provide the necessary skill sets<br />
determined by the unit or command, said Livingston.<br />
“We at Global One truly care about the Soldiers we are<br />
training,” said Livingston. “Every instructor believes in what<br />
they are doing—giving Soldiers a higher skill set so ultimately<br />
they can make themselves a hard target for the enemy.”
SGT Allen Crouder, a satellite communications specialist with<br />
1st Battalion,19th Special Forces Group, fires his M-16A4 rifle<br />
at a target during the weapons-stress course.<br />
General Retires after<br />
38 Years of Service<br />
Story by A1C Emily Hulse<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — Brig Gen Wayne Lee, assistant<br />
adjutant general for Air, retired Dec. 3 following a change-ofcommand<br />
ceremony for the Utah Air National Guard.<br />
Lee has been a member of the United States Air Force<br />
since 1968. Upon completing basic training, Lee spent part<br />
of his initial enlistment at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South<br />
Vietnam. He earned his commission through the Air National<br />
Guard’s Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson Air<br />
National Guard Base, Tenn., in 1984. Lee served as the<br />
commander of the 106th Air Control Squadron from 1992 to<br />
1995, and commander of the 299th Range Control Squadron<br />
from 1997 to 2004.<br />
Lee said his service has been rewarding, and he said the<br />
last 18 months he served as assistant adjutant general was the<br />
best part of his entire service.<br />
“If someone had told me what was coming and what I<br />
would accomplish in an 18-month period, I would have said<br />
they were crazy,” Lee said during the change of command<br />
ceremony.<br />
The retirement ceremony was attended by Lee’s family,<br />
including his wife, Tweet, and his father, Cecil, and close<br />
friends.<br />
MG Brian Tarbet, the adjutant general for the Utah<br />
National Guard, said Lee’s contributions to the UTANG have<br />
been invaluable to both the Air Force and to himself.<br />
Soldiers perform a pursuit immobilization technique maneuver<br />
during the evasive-driving course. The PIT is a method by which<br />
one car pursuing another forces the pursued vehicle to abruptly<br />
turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop.<br />
Brig Gen Wayne Lee, (left) Assistant Adjutant General for Air,<br />
retired Dec. 3 following a change-of-command ceremony for<br />
the Utah Air National Guard. His wife, Tweet, concluded the<br />
ceremony by giving him a new mission “Code Name: Honey-Do.”<br />
Photo by TSgt Kelly Collett<br />
“I needed to get smarter about the Air Force,” said<br />
Tarbet. “One of the guys that helped me learn about the<br />
Air Force was Wayne Lee. I appreciated that then, and I<br />
appreciate it now.”<br />
Lee said he will never forget the memories he has made<br />
over the course of his military career.<br />
“Thank you for many years of service to your country<br />
and your state,” said Lee. “I can now close this phase of my<br />
life with confidence and gratitude.”<br />
Lee was given a new mission by his wife, Tweet, during<br />
the ceremony, “Code Name: Honey-Do,” which he will begin<br />
immediately.<br />
Utah Minuteman 31
Charitable Trust<br />
Awards Ceremony<br />
Story by Ileen Kennedy<br />
DRAPER, Utah — The Utah National Guard held a special<br />
awards ceremony honoring Utah National Guard Charitable<br />
Trust donors at their Draper headquarters auditorium Nov. 1.<br />
At the event, MG Brian Tarbet, adjutant general of the Utah<br />
National Guard, personally recognized and thanked individuals<br />
and organizations who have contributed funds to benefit the<br />
trust. The Charitable Trust disburses funds to help offset<br />
financial hardships, injuries sustained by Servicemembers or<br />
emergencies incurred by families during deployment.<br />
“One of the great tools we have to help our families<br />
when the bureaucracy can’t is this trust,” said Tarbet. “Kip<br />
[Wadsworth], I want you to know you and those who have<br />
shared of their funds and their time over the years have literally<br />
blessed the lives of hundreds of Guardsmen, and I appreciate<br />
that so much.”<br />
In 2005, Kip Wadsworth, president and CEO of Ralph L.<br />
Wadsworth Corporation, LLC, was the driving force to organize<br />
the Charitable Trust and create an avenue where donations<br />
could be received for the benefit of our Servicemembers.<br />
32 Spring 2012<br />
Corporate and individual donors honored at the ceremony:<br />
Five Star<br />
Four Star<br />
Three Star<br />
Two Star<br />
One Star<br />
EFT Architecture, Inc.<br />
Del Taco<br />
Goldman Sachs<br />
L-3 Communication Systems-West<br />
Ralph L. Wadsworth Corporation<br />
Rio Tinto Stadium<br />
Tri West Health Care Alliance<br />
Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Inc.<br />
Universal Industries Sales, Inc.<br />
Utah Pacific Bridge and Steel<br />
Zions Bank<br />
Friends of Gary Herbert Political Action<br />
Committee<br />
Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah<br />
Suncrest Mountain Race<br />
A-Core Concrete Cutting Specialists<br />
Dale Barton Agency<br />
Hidden Peak Electric Company<br />
Kirton and McConkie<br />
Maurice L. Watts Investment Company<br />
Michael Baker Corp.<br />
Fresh Market<br />
Career Step<br />
Colonel Rickey and Sheri West<br />
Glade and Melody Rupp<br />
Gus Paulos Chevrolet<br />
Johnson Investment Advisory Services<br />
Mitchell & June Morris Foundation<br />
State of Utah DAS employees fundraiser<br />
AMTRAK Safety Committee<br />
Associated Foods<br />
Diversions Customs<br />
FOR-SHOR Company<br />
Gordon Spiker Huber Geotechnical Consultants<br />
In Memory of Charles Lee Dunyon<br />
Industrial Supply<br />
Levy Restaurants<br />
Lowe’s Commercial Sales<br />
M&M Tool<br />
Merit Medical<br />
Miller Motor Sports Park<br />
Michael Baker Jr., Inc.<br />
Mike Morris, Ralph L. Wadsworth Company<br />
Morgan, Stanley, Smith, Barney<br />
Orrin T. Colby<br />
Proindustrial, Inc.<br />
Rasmussen Equipment Company<br />
Rhinehart Oil<br />
Rocky Mountain Mechanical<br />
SMOTJ<br />
Sugar House Awning and Canvas Products<br />
Traffic Safety Rentals<br />
Utah Commercial Contractors, Inc.<br />
Utah National Guard Recruiters Association, LLC
“I wanted to thank the Servicemen,” said Wadsworth.<br />
“That’s what it’s all about—you gentlemen and ladies in<br />
the service that provide the defense and the freedom that we<br />
all enjoy every day as we get up and go to work. You have<br />
obligations that put your life at risk and oftentimes leave your<br />
families at home—your wives, children, husbands and your<br />
work behind—and the sacrifices you make. This little bit that<br />
we do, pales in comparison.”<br />
Donated funds disbursed from the Charitable Trust assists<br />
our men and women in uniform during times of financial need,<br />
unexpected expenses, difficult economic times and injuries.<br />
“I want to thank the donors—all you guys who have year<br />
after year stepped up to the plate, donating your time and<br />
money for this great cause,” said Wadsworth. “I appreciate<br />
that, and I’m honored to be part of it and hope you feel that<br />
same honor.”<br />
The Utah National Guard Charitable Trust was established<br />
in 2005 as a 501(c)3 entity to assist Utah military families<br />
with medical, home, or property emergencies, lost wages,<br />
travel expenses of wounded Soldiers’ families or other<br />
unexpected financial needs.<br />
In 2008, the Trust was chosen as the top entity in<br />
the community development category from among 16<br />
medalists at the 2008 Best of State awards ceremony.<br />
Above right to left: MG Brian Tarbet, Utah National<br />
Guard adjutant general, and Kip Wadsworth, president<br />
and CEO Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company,<br />
present a Five-Star Charitable Trust award to Rob<br />
Brough, executive vice president, Zions Bank, and Brian<br />
Garrett, vice president and director of military relations,<br />
Zions Bank, at the Charitable Trust awards ceremony.<br />
Opposite page top down: Kip Wadsworth, center,<br />
presents a check from his company’s fundraising<br />
efforts for $127,000 to the Charitable Trust. Corporate<br />
and individual donors, along with Utah National<br />
Guardmembers, attended the awards ceremony Nov. 1.<br />
School Donates<br />
$10,700 to the<br />
Utah National Guard<br />
Charitable Trust<br />
Story by MAJ Bruce Roberts<br />
RIVERTON, Utah — For Christmas, students of<br />
South Hills Middle School raised funds for a Sub for<br />
Santa for the families of deployed Soldiers, as well as<br />
care-package stockings for the Soldiers themselves.<br />
The school sent more than 500 stockings to Utah<br />
National Guardmembers overseas, while the fund raiser<br />
for the Utah National Guard Charitable Trust brought in<br />
more than $10,700. Students spent hundreds of hours<br />
soliciting donations from their parents, local businesses<br />
and members of the community.<br />
At an assembly at the school, student body officers<br />
and school administrators presented a check to MG<br />
Brian Tarbet on behalf of the Charitable Trust.<br />
“The student body at South Hills is so proud of the<br />
men and women who selflessly put everything on the<br />
line to serve our country,” said Janette Milano, South<br />
Hills Middle School principal. “This is a cause we all<br />
believe in, as several of our students have parents and<br />
loved ones serving in the military. It is just one small<br />
way we could show our appreciation to them and to<br />
their families for making this sacrifice for all of us back<br />
here at home.”<br />
South Hills Middle School serves nearly 1,200<br />
students who live in the communities of Bluffdale,<br />
Riverton and Herriman, Utah.<br />
Students at South Hills Middle School present a check to<br />
MG Brian Tarbet, right, and CSM Bruce Summers for<br />
the Utah National Guard Charitable Trust.<br />
Photo by SFC Stacey Berg<br />
Utah Minuteman 33
Recruiting and<br />
Retention Battalion<br />
Maintains High Rank<br />
Among Other States<br />
Story and photo by SGT Nicolas Cloward<br />
DRAPER, Utah — The Utah Army National Guard’s<br />
Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) has maintained a<br />
high rank among other states’ recruiting battalions and was<br />
presented with awards for preparing and shipping recruits to<br />
initial-entry training on Dec. 2.<br />
“Our Recruiting Battalion is professional and does not<br />
recruit those individuals who do not meet the strict standards<br />
of the Utah Army National Guard and the U.S. Army as a<br />
whole,” said LTC Michael Turley, commanding officer of<br />
the RRB.<br />
The ranking from state to state is in constant flux.<br />
However, Utah currently ranks in the top five.<br />
“We are consistently in the top 10 throughout the 54 states<br />
and territories,” said Turley.<br />
34 Spring 2012<br />
In 2011, Utah’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion won two<br />
national awards for the Top Recruit Sustainment Program in<br />
Medium States and Top Inactive Duty for Training Ship rate<br />
among Medium States awards.<br />
Turley attended the Director’s Strength Maintenance<br />
awards conference hosted annually for the National Guard<br />
Recruiting and Retention Force. On behalf of the RRB, Turley<br />
was presented with “Top Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP)<br />
in Medium States” award, and “Top IADT Ship-rate among<br />
Medium States” award.<br />
“The awards are based on several<br />
different aspects of recruiting such as<br />
Soldiers who are signed up and have<br />
completed training, the number of Soldiers<br />
who sign up and ship to Basic Training on<br />
time, the number of administrative errors<br />
our Utah Soldiers have in their packets<br />
when they arrive at Basic; and the number<br />
of Soldiers who graduate with honors<br />
during Basic and Advanced Individual<br />
Training,” said Turley.<br />
“I think it speaks to the quality of<br />
the youth and citizenry in Utah as well<br />
as the professionalism and quality of our<br />
recruiters and RSP personnel,” continued<br />
Turley. “Our RSP Soldiers take the time<br />
to train our recruits and prepare them well<br />
for boot camp, and civilian contractors<br />
make sure they have full and complete<br />
packets for shipping before they leave.”<br />
The RRB looks forward to a<br />
successful year.<br />
“We see our force continuing to<br />
pursue our recruiting base aggressively<br />
and ethically,” said Turley. “We continue<br />
to see great recruits coming from our great<br />
state.”
ESGR Contractor and Former Air Guardsmen<br />
Rescue Children from Icy River<br />
Roger Andersen’s car was partially<br />
submerged in the icy Logan River.<br />
Chris Willden, right, and his father,<br />
Bruce Willden, rescued three children<br />
trapped in their submerged car.<br />
Story by 1LT Ryan Sutherland<br />
LOGAN, Utah — Chris Willden<br />
was driving with his father and son<br />
along the winding Highway 89 canyon<br />
road between Garden City and Logan when he spotted a car<br />
submerged in the Logan River.<br />
The driver, Roger Andersen, had lost control of his car<br />
and plunged into the icy river, trapping his nine-year-old<br />
daughter, Mia, and four-year-old son, Baylor, along with their<br />
friend, nine-year-old Kenya Wildman. The car flipped upside<br />
down and quickly became submerged.<br />
“In a second, I was completely off the road and sliding<br />
down the embankment,” Andersen later said at a news<br />
conference. “Within a second, the entire cabin of the vehicle<br />
was full of water.”<br />
“I jumped out of the truck, ran to the bank, and that’s when<br />
I saw Mr. Andersen in the river screaming, ‘My kids, my kids,<br />
my kids!’” said Chris, an administrative support technician<br />
with the ESGR program and a former member of the Utah Air<br />
National Guard’s 151st Security Forces Squadron.<br />
“[The driver] was panicked, doing everything he could to<br />
get in through the doors, but they wouldn’t budge.”<br />
Chris and his father, retired Utah Air National Guard Col<br />
Bruce Willden, rushed into the frigid river to help. The men<br />
tried to open the windows and doors with no success—that’s<br />
when Chris’s training kicked in.<br />
“I reached under the water and felt for the windows, the<br />
windows were all up,” said Chris. “I remember seeing Mr.<br />
Andersen trying to kick out the front passenger side window,<br />
that’s when I pulled out my handgun, shoved it under the<br />
water, and shot out the passenger rear window.”<br />
“I had actually fired handguns underwater. I had a pretty<br />
good idea on the trajectory, what the bullet would do from<br />
that caliber,” he said.<br />
At that time, about seven other rescuers entered the water<br />
and joined in the rescue. Together, they were able to lift<br />
the car up on its side where they could better aid the<br />
trapped children.<br />
Kenya Wildman had found an air pocket, but<br />
was trapped in her seat belt. Chris cut it with a<br />
pocket knife and pulled her out of the vehicle. The<br />
other two children were found unconscious and<br />
underwater.<br />
“I saw Mr. Andersen’s daughter; at first I<br />
thought it was a doll floating in the water, her face<br />
was grayish blue—I didn’t think she was going to<br />
make it,” said Chris. “My dad grabbed onto her,<br />
pulled her out and gave her to someone else.”<br />
Chris then found the four-year-old boy still<br />
strapped in his car seat, also unconscious.<br />
“At first I thought that he was OK because his<br />
eyes were open, and then I realized that they were rolled into<br />
the back of his head,” said Chris. “I pulled out my knife again<br />
and cut the straps away from the little boy, pulled him out, and<br />
put him up on shore.”<br />
While rescuers performed CPR on two of the children,<br />
Chris stripped out of his wet clothes and joined his son in his<br />
truck to warm up.<br />
“I sat there for a second, and I turned to him and said,<br />
‘I think we have two dead little kids out there!’” Chris said<br />
to his son. “Shortly thereafter I looked out to the side where<br />
everyone was standing, and they just started clapping. I knew<br />
that’s where the boy was, so I knew at least the boy was<br />
brought back.”<br />
He would later learn that both the boy and his sister, who<br />
were flown to a hospital in Salt Lake City, had survived. The<br />
family friend also was treated and released.<br />
“This could very easily have been a funeral for four of<br />
us. Without hesitation they just did what they had to do...and<br />
that...for our family, made all the difference,” Andersen said<br />
later at a news conference.<br />
Kenya’s father, Dennis Wildman, called it “a great story<br />
about the human spirit and our desire to help others.”<br />
He said the rescuers who decisively acted that day<br />
“literally brought our children home to us.”<br />
Utah Minuteman 35
Veterans Day Concert<br />
Honors a<br />
Decade of Service<br />
Story by SPC Ariel Solomon<br />
SFC David Krueger honors fallen Soldiers by playing<br />
Taps. Opposite page: Conductor CW2 Denny Saunders<br />
leads the Utah National Guard’s 23rd Army Band during<br />
the Veterans Day concert. Utah National Guard color<br />
guard posts the colors to open the 56th annual Veterans<br />
Day concert. Granite School District high school<br />
combined choirs perform with the 23rd Army Band at the<br />
University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center.<br />
36 Spring 2012<br />
Photos by SFC Stacey Berg<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah National<br />
Guard held its 56th annual Veterans Day concert<br />
at the University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman<br />
Center Nov. 11, 2011.<br />
This year’s concert was titled “Honoring a<br />
Decade of Sacrifice.” As a tribute to Veterans,<br />
selected individuals were spotlighted for their<br />
exemplary service in the post-9/11 era.<br />
Spotlights included Best Warrior<br />
competition and Army NCO of the Year winner,<br />
SGT Guy Mellor, 1st Battalion, 145th Field<br />
Artillery; Air Force MSgt Eric Eberhard, 419th<br />
Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base; Maj Michael<br />
Schoenfeld, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd<br />
Marines, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; Mr.<br />
and Mrs. Sam Day (representing Naval Petty<br />
Officer 1st Class Jared Day); and artist Kaziah<br />
Hancock.<br />
“The concert brings back all the memories<br />
of what it means to be a U.S. citizen,” said<br />
Mellor, “what it means to be a Soldier.”<br />
The concert featured the 23rd Army Band<br />
and the combined Granite School District high<br />
school choirs.<br />
“After serving combat tours, losing a<br />
close friend and having some of my Marines<br />
wounded,” said Schoenfeld, “I don’t know if<br />
there are words to explain what it means to me<br />
now. It’s (Veterans Day) just one of those times<br />
every year that all I can think about are those<br />
families that have given so much.”<br />
As part of the ceremony, Zions Bank made<br />
its annual Veterans Service Award honoring
etired COL Bart Davis, the state benefits<br />
advisor for the State of Utah, for his support<br />
in assisting Veterans and Servicemembers<br />
to cope with the challenges of their chosen<br />
profession. The award is given to a member of<br />
the community who has dedicated himself or<br />
herself to improving the quality of life of our<br />
Veterans and Servicemembers.<br />
There is much to be said about the shared<br />
experience of so many Veterans celebrating<br />
together in such a setting. This is a day where<br />
one can truly feel what it is like to be an<br />
American.<br />
SGT Lorrinda Christensen, 23rd Army<br />
Band, said the concert wasn’t about her, but<br />
about what all Servicemembers have done.<br />
“When the kids are singing, and they<br />
start playing the songs of the Armed Forces<br />
and everyone stands for their Service, you<br />
remember why you did this in the first place,”<br />
said Christensen.<br />
Maj Gen Andrew Busch, commander<br />
of the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air<br />
Force Base, addressed those in attendance.<br />
“When Americans are at their best, it is<br />
when they’re responding to the opportunity of<br />
selfless service and our all-volunteer force is<br />
exactly that,” said Busch.<br />
When the music finished and the audience<br />
filtered out of the arena, those in attendance<br />
were left with the memories of the concert, and<br />
a feeling of honor for a decade of sacrifice from<br />
those who have served.<br />
Utah Minuteman 37
Army Medic’s Training Saves Professor’s Life<br />
Story by SSG Whitney Houston<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to learning and<br />
preparation, an old Apache saying comes to mind: “Repetition<br />
is the mother of learning.”<br />
SGT Natasha Cope, a former combat medic currently<br />
serving as an interrogator with the 141st Military Intelligence<br />
Battalion, Utah Army National Guard, epitomizes this wise<br />
statement.<br />
In November 2011, Cope was on her way to class at the<br />
University of Utah on a shuttle bus.<br />
“I went to school every morning at 7 a.m.,” Cope said, “I<br />
got on the shuttle to go to class, and as we were coming around<br />
President’s Circle, another bus driver got on the dispatch and<br />
was saying, ‘Hey, some guy just got hit by a car; we need to call<br />
an ambulance. There are cars everywhere.’”<br />
Alert to the dispatch, Natasha’s bus rounded the corner<br />
onto President’s Circle, a horseshoe-shaped road on campus,<br />
to display the horrible scene that had just been described over<br />
dispatch.<br />
“We obviously must have been right behind that bus,<br />
because as soon as we turned the corner, I saw him laying in the<br />
road,” Cope said.<br />
As she saw the man in need, her training as a combat medic<br />
took over, and she reacted to the situation.<br />
“I saw him lying there, and there was nobody out there with<br />
him. And there were cars trying to get around him,” Cope said.<br />
“So I asked the bus driver to let me off the bus, and I ran across<br />
the road. By the time I got to him, another guy had gotten to him<br />
and was starting to treat him at his feet, so I started at the head.”<br />
As the duo assessed the man, they found significant injuries<br />
and did their best to keep him awake while waiting for the<br />
ambulance to arrive.<br />
“He had a big head wound, so we put him in the recovery<br />
position, which is like the fetal position,” Cope said. “And we<br />
just tried to keep him conscious by talking to him and asking<br />
him questions. The other guy working on him was trying to<br />
keep his leg in place because he pretty much shattered it.”<br />
Natasha went on to explain that the injured man expressed<br />
that he was cold, so she treated him for shock by donning him in<br />
her coat and mittens.<br />
“If a person is cold, it makes them more susceptible to<br />
shock, and if they go into shock they can die within minutes,”<br />
Cope said.<br />
The Army Combat Medic training teaches students to react<br />
accordingly to medical emergencies as a paramedic would.<br />
38 Spring 2012<br />
SGT Natasha Cope (right) and her husband, SGT<br />
Jeremy Cope, prior to her deployment to Afghanistan.<br />
Natasha used her military training as a combat<br />
medic to save the life of a University of Utah physics<br />
professor after he was struck by a vehicle.<br />
Photo courtesy SGT Natasha Cope<br />
“The course is 16 weeks long,” Cope said. “The first half<br />
of the training you get your civilian EMT license, and in the<br />
second half you learn everything a paramedic learns.”<br />
Cope returned home in 2011 from a yearlong deployment<br />
to Iraq and Afghanistan as an interrogator. She has not served<br />
as a medic for over a year, which clearly demonstrates that she<br />
thoroughly learned her former trade.<br />
“I don’t remember a whole lot; I just remember that he<br />
didn’t have anybody out there with him, and I knew how to help<br />
so I couldn’t just drive on by,” she said. “I didn’t really think too<br />
much about it; my actions were really just second nature.”<br />
Cope went a step further and found out that the man was<br />
a well-liked physics professor at the University of Utah. She<br />
found his department and informed them of what had happened<br />
so his loved ones could be contacted as quickly as possible.<br />
It is of note that Cope did all of this while six months<br />
pregnant. She and her husband, SGT Jeremy Cope, who also<br />
serves as an interrogator in the 141st MI Battalion, are expecting<br />
a baby girl in March 2012.<br />
Through mutual friends, Cope found out that the injured<br />
professor was in critical care for a time, but he is now out and<br />
recovering.
Former Wing Commander<br />
Retires After 32 Years<br />
Story by A1C Emily Hulse<br />
Photo by TSgt Jeremy Giacoletto-Stegall<br />
Col Kelvin Findlay displays a shadow box given to him at his retirement<br />
ceremony at the Utah Air National Guard Base Jan. 7. Findlay served for 32<br />
years in the Utah Air National Guard before retiring from military service.<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — Col Kelvin G.<br />
Findlay, former 151st Air Refueling Wing<br />
commander and chief of staff for the Air<br />
National Guard, retired Jan. 7 after 32 years<br />
of service in the Air National Guard.<br />
Findlay joined the ANG in 1979,<br />
completing the Air National Guard’s Academy<br />
of Military Science program, then going on to<br />
become a pilot through Undergraduate Pilot<br />
Training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, and<br />
Combat Crew Training School, Castle Air<br />
Force Base, Calif., as a KC-135A pilot.<br />
Findlay’s service has always been in the<br />
Utah ANG, beginning as a pilot and instructor<br />
with the 191st Air Refueling Squadron.<br />
“The greatest joy and satisfaction of<br />
Colonel Findlay has been to simply be a team<br />
member of the 151st ARW, and a member of<br />
the Utah Air National Guard,” said Chaplain<br />
(Lt Col) Greg Clark, as he introduced Findlay<br />
at his retirement ceremony.<br />
Findlay influenced many of the ANG’s<br />
current leaders throughout his service,<br />
many of whom made remarks regarding that<br />
influence at the ceremony.<br />
“If there’s one word that describes Kel<br />
Findlay,” said Col Darwin Craig, “the first<br />
thing that came to my mind was legacy.”<br />
The ceremony was also attended by<br />
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor<br />
in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus<br />
Christ of Latter-day Saints, who mentioned<br />
specifically the support Findlay had from his<br />
family.<br />
“The legacy of family is also the legacy<br />
of the National Guard,” said Uchtdorf. “You<br />
represent your own family, but in many ways<br />
you also represent this Air National Guard<br />
family, which I can feel has depth, a feeling of<br />
unity and of love and commitment to country<br />
and God, which is exemplary for so many.”<br />
Findlay concluded the ceremony, saying<br />
that his heart has always been with the Air<br />
National Guard, and he hopes that operations<br />
continue as they have been.<br />
“I want to thank all of the Airmen of<br />
the Air National Guard,” said Findlay. “I<br />
encourage you to keep up the good things<br />
about the Guard. Keep up the family feeling,<br />
to keep the love and the camaraderie that we<br />
have that is so special.”<br />
Utah Minuteman 39
Story by CPT Penny Matthews<br />
Education Benefits: GoArmyEd<br />
DRAPER, Utah — Beginning Oct. 1, 2011, all National<br />
Guard Soldiers transitioned to utilizing GoArmyEd to request<br />
Federal Tuition Assistance. GoArmyEd is an active-duty<br />
program that the Army started using nearly 10 years ago. The<br />
Army Reserve transitioned to GAE, as it is commonly known,<br />
two years ago. AGR and mobilized National Guard Soldiers<br />
have been using GAE for several years.<br />
Here is some important information Soldiers need to know<br />
about GoArmyEd:<br />
1. Soldiers need to set up an account first—this is not an<br />
application for Tuition Assistance (TA).<br />
2. AFTER setting up their account, Soldiers can then APPLY<br />
for TA.<br />
3. Soldiers must have the documents described in paragraphs<br />
4, 5 and 6 uploaded into their eFile, which can be found at the<br />
“My Education Record” tab in GAE, before their TA requests<br />
will be approved.<br />
4. Soldiers will need to upload a completed TA Statement<br />
of Understanding (SOU). The TA SOU must be signed by the<br />
Soldier and their commander (E-6 and below; E7 and above<br />
can sign for the commander). The annual TA SOU is located in<br />
GAE under “Help” and “View Reference Documents.” It is the<br />
third document from the bottom of the list. We also have a form<br />
available that can be digitally signed. If they have difficulty,<br />
they can email the TA Manager, SGT Brenda Thompson, at<br />
brenda.n.thompson@us.army.mil or call (801) 432-4345.<br />
5. The “Student Agreement/Degree Plan” in GoArmyEd is<br />
a personalized document that Soldiers can obtain from their<br />
online student account with their school. For ROTC Soldiers, a<br />
104R can be used as a degree plan. Soldiers can use a “program<br />
evaluation” from WebAdvisor as a degree plan. If their school<br />
does not use WebAdvisor, a Student Agreement should display<br />
the following:<br />
a. Degree program in which the Soldier is enrolled<br />
b. Classes completed and required classes awaiting<br />
completion<br />
c. The school’s name<br />
d. The Soldier’s name<br />
e. The advisor’s name<br />
6. Soldiers must also upload a tuition-cost verification into<br />
their eFile in GoArmyEd. This can simply be a screenshot<br />
of the Soldier’s tuition and fees for the semester. We will not<br />
accept a tuition schedule from the school, as the document is<br />
required to confirm the amount of TA the Soldier is requesting.<br />
7. Soldiers are automatically “capped” at 12 credit hours<br />
when requesting TA. If the Soldier is taking more than 12<br />
credit hours, they can create a help desk case in GAE for a<br />
semester-hour override. Once the Soldier submits their request,<br />
the Education Office will approve the Soldier for an indefinite<br />
semester-hour override, which means the Soldier will not have<br />
to repeat this request every semester or block.<br />
8. The Soldier will not receive a DA Form 2171 via email<br />
as they did in the past under Minuteman. The Soldier must go<br />
to their “TA Request” tab in GAE and pull up their current<br />
coursework. Once their requests have been approved, they can<br />
print their TA approval forms from the TA Request screen. The<br />
forms will not be sent to the school from the Education Office.<br />
9. If a Soldier’s TA request is rejected, they will receive an<br />
email from the Education Office with instructions on what<br />
they need to do to correct the problem. Once the Soldier has<br />
corrected the problem, they can go back into their TA requests<br />
and change the class status from “rejected” back to “pending,”<br />
which will place the requests back into our queue. The Soldier<br />
need not recreate their request. Again, the Soldier will do this<br />
under their TA Request tab in GAE.<br />
10. The school will upload the Soldier’s grades at the end of<br />
the semester in GAE. However, any grades from the past using<br />
the Minuteman program need to be emailed in the form of an<br />
unofficial transcript to utng.education@us.army.mil. Per AR<br />
621-5, grades are required to be submitted to the Education<br />
Office within 45 days of course completion.<br />
11. Soldiers will be required to repay any failing or withdrawn<br />
grades (or incomplete grades after 120 days) in GoArmyEd.<br />
The Soldier’s account will be placed on hold until the Soldier<br />
actions the recoupment. They will not be eligible to receive<br />
further FTA funding until the debt is repaid.<br />
12. Who should a Soldier contact if they have a problem with<br />
GoArmyEd? Soldiers should contact their school, their unit,<br />
and our Utah National Guard Education Office at:<br />
utng.education@us.army.mil<br />
or email TA Manager, SGT Brenda Thompson at:<br />
brenda.n.thompson@us.army.mil<br />
or call (801) 432-4345<br />
Soldiers may also want to visit our Facebook page: Utah<br />
National Guard Education Office, for the latest information on<br />
TA topics to check for answers to their questions. If Soldiers<br />
have an issue that needs to be resolved immediately, they can<br />
call the GoArmyEd helpdesk at 1-800-817-9990 or create a<br />
help desk case at www.goarmyed.com.<br />
Utah Minuteman 41
A Day of Remembrance<br />
Servicemembers of different ages, genders, Services and wars salute the flag<br />
during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl<br />
Harbor, held at the Utah State Capitol rotunda Dec. 7.<br />
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 145th Field Artillery, Utah Army National Guard,<br />
fire a 21-gun salute from three artillery cannons during the 70th anniversary<br />
commemoration ceremony of the attack on Pearl Harbor.<br />
42 Spring 2012<br />
Story and photos by SSG Shana Hutchins<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — Dec. 7, 1941, is a<br />
day that will live in the memories of many<br />
Americans. On that day, our nation was<br />
plunged into war because of a surprise attack<br />
on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.<br />
Utahns who were not even involved in the<br />
attack at Pearl Harbor would eventually find<br />
themselves on far-flung battlefields in North<br />
Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the sandy<br />
beaches of the Pacific islands. Not only were<br />
lives lost on Dec. 7, 1941, but the battleship<br />
USS Utah, the only ship of the U.S. Navy to<br />
be named for the state of Utah, was lost with<br />
54 sailors still trapped inside its hull.<br />
Seventy years later, members of the<br />
community and Veterans of World War II and<br />
other wars came together at the Utah State<br />
Capitol rotunda with the lieutenant governor<br />
of Utah, Greg Bell, on the anniversary of the<br />
attack to honor survivors and to remember the<br />
lives lost that day and those lost on the fields<br />
of battle in the days and years following. The<br />
event was hosted by the Utah Department of<br />
Veterans Affairs.<br />
The Utah National Guard participated in<br />
the ceremony with the assistance of Soldiers<br />
from 1st Battalion, 145th Field Artillery,<br />
who fired a 21-gun salute from three artillery<br />
cannons in front of the capitol. Cannons<br />
were manned by two to three Soldiers and<br />
were directed by master gunner, SFC Shaun<br />
Harris.<br />
The Utah National Guard Military Honors<br />
Team did a ceremonial flag presentation<br />
and presented the flag to the guest speaker,<br />
Jeremy “Bear” Taylor, a retired U.S. Navy<br />
rear admiral, who reminded the audience<br />
that on that terrible day, “We were all called<br />
to war.” The entire nation answered the call<br />
to defend freedom and support the men and<br />
women who left their homes and loved ones<br />
to fight the forces of tyranny and injustice,<br />
he said.<br />
Many veterans from various conflicts<br />
and different ages were in attendance. ROTC<br />
cadets, Vietnam, Korea and World War II<br />
Veterans mingled with each other, sharing<br />
stories and passing advice to willing ears and<br />
open hearts.
A Vietnam Veteran watches the ceremony<br />
commemorating the 70th anniversary of<br />
the attack on Pearl Harbor.<br />
The four survivors of Pearl Harbor from<br />
Utah who were honored were escorted to the<br />
stage before ceremonies began. The honorees<br />
were Ernal Underwood, who was a 20-yearold<br />
petty officer on the USS Helena; Kenneth<br />
Potts, who was a 20-year-old coxswain<br />
on the USS Arizona; Marion Kesler, 21 at<br />
the time of attack, was a mess cook on the<br />
USS Hulbert; and Max Burggraaf, who was<br />
23 years of age on the USS Nevada as an<br />
electrician’s mate.<br />
“I am so proud and happy that these<br />
Veterans get a moment in the sunshine. It is<br />
a comfort they are being recognized for their<br />
great service, and this helps the community<br />
and families remember,” said Terry Schow,<br />
executive director, Utah Department of<br />
Veterans Affairs.<br />
This day of remembrance was a day<br />
to “recognize the greatest generation of<br />
Americans,” said Bell.<br />
Utah Minuteman 43
Colonel Receives<br />
Legion of<br />
Merit Award<br />
Posthumously<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — Brig Gen Wayne Lee presented the<br />
Legion of Merit award in honor of the late Col Bruce C. Evans<br />
to his wife, Connie Evans, and his son, 1st Lt Benjamin Evans.<br />
Col Evans was awarded the Legion of Merit posthumously<br />
for exceptionally meritorious conduct as the state staff judge<br />
advocate with the Utah Air National Guard Headquarters.<br />
Air Promotions<br />
LIEUTENANT COLONEL<br />
Brown Jason C<br />
Tobias Kevin S<br />
MAJOR<br />
Drake Aaron M<br />
CAPTAIN<br />
Holbrook Jason Ryan<br />
Ridgeway Jamie D<br />
FIRST LIEUTENANT<br />
Nitchman Lee A<br />
COLONEL<br />
Taggart Bryce Jay<br />
LIEUTENANT COLONEL<br />
Furuta David Lee<br />
Liberman Adam Ross<br />
Stephens Paul Andrew<br />
Turley Michael James<br />
Warner Christopher Rollin<br />
White Gerald Richard<br />
MAJOR<br />
Adamson Toby Paul<br />
Black Lyle Burton<br />
Blackburn Marcus Kim<br />
Blackhurst Ryan Fraser<br />
44 Spring 2012<br />
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR<br />
Curtis James E<br />
SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT<br />
Loveless Scott M<br />
MASTER SERGEANT<br />
Boyer Patrick D<br />
Love Eric W<br />
Lozano Leonardo Nmn<br />
Northrop Teddy L<br />
Richards Joseph J<br />
Shaffer James Ned<br />
Ward Joshua B<br />
Army Promotions<br />
Chalmers Scott Alan<br />
Cooper Marc Lessor<br />
Gibb David Jaron<br />
Gumucio Darin Roger<br />
Jungheim David Matthias<br />
Nelson Shaun Robert<br />
Owens Andrew James<br />
Ringger Nathan Paul<br />
Smith Kimberly Kay<br />
Wilde Jason Todd<br />
CAPTAIN<br />
Decoite Daniel James<br />
Hodgson Robert Darryn<br />
Jenkins Kevin Ryan<br />
Kattelman Robert Mark<br />
Kroeber Christopher Hall<br />
TECHNICAL SERGEANT<br />
Anderson Garren D<br />
Anjewierden Rebecca A<br />
Dix Fredric Bahey<br />
Hodgkinson Matthew Scott<br />
Howey Chad S<br />
Hurst Luke T<br />
Littlefield Gregory M<br />
Myerhoff Jason Bryant<br />
Olsen Tyler K<br />
Sage William E<br />
Uberti Jeffrey John<br />
Webb Jared Yazzie<br />
White Andrew Jason<br />
Larson Joseph Tait<br />
Lu Andrew Jau Juong<br />
McCarthy Rory Joseph<br />
Patterson Mark Austin<br />
Tarbet Christopher Richard<br />
Thomas Elizabeth Ann<br />
Tukuafu Don Robert Waiono<br />
Wells Jeremy Ray<br />
FIRST LIEUTENANT<br />
Cox Garrett Michael<br />
Grimley Lex Kiyoshi<br />
Johnson Jeremy Jennings<br />
Neville Daniel Aaron<br />
SECOND LIEUTENANT<br />
Anderson Brian James<br />
Carter Scott Richard<br />
Connie Evans, center, with her son, 1st Lt Benjamin<br />
Evans, right, accepts the Legion of Merit award<br />
presented by Brig Gen Wayne Lee in honor of her<br />
husband, the late Col Bruce C. Evans.<br />
Photo by TSgt Jeremy Giacoletto-Stegall<br />
STAFF SERGEANT<br />
Cannon Christopher R<br />
Deppe Anthony Austin<br />
Gale James C<br />
Harrell Ryan C<br />
MacDonald Brianne C<br />
Sambroak Kora Lee<br />
Sutter Dale R<br />
Wilson Kent J<br />
SENIOR AIRMAN<br />
Barry David M<br />
Bodily Dustin E<br />
Johnson Tucker B<br />
Chukwurah Chukwuemeka Weldo<br />
Davis Kellie Anne<br />
Felt Ryan Colby<br />
Nessen Michael Lynn<br />
Rawlinson Kyle Charles<br />
Sampson Kenneth Wesley<br />
Santellan Eugene<br />
Thompson Micah Soren<br />
Torgerson Ken C<br />
Whitaker Jordan Bryan<br />
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4<br />
Harris Travis Laverl<br />
Noble Larry Dean<br />
Scovil Lewis Bryant<br />
Searcy Brian Thomas<br />
Mackay Nathaniel J<br />
Miller Casey J<br />
Moser Tyler D<br />
Palmer Jason L<br />
Ramsay Nathan J<br />
Repp Travis A<br />
Thorson Andrew C<br />
Ward Berkeley A<br />
Willmore Justin D<br />
Yates Kevin T<br />
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 3<br />
Fisher Curtis Harrison<br />
Goldsberry Robert Kent<br />
Hawkes Boyd Burt<br />
Healey Gary Lynn<br />
Hutchings Blair Whimpey<br />
Kreitzer Eric Josef<br />
Lowry Kayce Clark<br />
Middleton John Douglas<br />
Scott Nathan Shinichi<br />
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2<br />
Gardner Christopher<br />
Hammel David Laverne III<br />
Hoepfner Elizabeth Anne<br />
Stanley Jared Wayne<br />
Taylor Martin Buck
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR<br />
Gonzalez Victor Hugo<br />
Josie Ryan Karsten<br />
Rothwell Shane Henry<br />
SERGEANT MAJOR<br />
Josie Troy Raystan<br />
Nielsen Spencer Douglas<br />
Rapich Christopher Scott<br />
Rhinehart Matthew Shane<br />
Turville Jason Kent<br />
West Peter Lynn<br />
MASTER SERGEANT<br />
Bollinger Corey Lee<br />
Butler Jennifer Lea<br />
Carter Richard James<br />
Criswell Rene Henry<br />
Davis Wyatt Darrel<br />
Franklin Michael Edward<br />
Hall Daryl Robert<br />
Harley Richard Robert<br />
Jackson Daryell Elbert<br />
Jensen Robert<br />
Johnson Shane Peter<br />
Lopez Lawrence Fermin<br />
Mietzner Brent Wade<br />
Neal Gary Alan<br />
Porritt Budge Thomas III<br />
Schmidt Charles Brian<br />
Schmolke Joseph Scott T<br />
Trone Robert Allan<br />
Turville Samuel James<br />
Willard Carl Jason<br />
FIRST SERGEANT<br />
Bishop Craig Alan<br />
Coverstone Bart L<br />
Fox Calvin Lloyd<br />
Hicks Byron John<br />
Ibarra William Stanley<br />
Ingledew John Thomas<br />
Leduc Christian Dale<br />
Stene Stephen Edwin<br />
Stephens Robert Eldon<br />
Sudweeks Jose Antonio<br />
Whatcott Garrett H<br />
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS<br />
Bailey Thomas Vincent<br />
Bell Christopher Duvall<br />
Betancourt Delilah<br />
Binns Melissa Lee<br />
Brown Patrick Mark<br />
Buckner Sean Marc<br />
Carlson Jonathon Joseph<br />
Casebolt Tad Lawrence<br />
Cave Steven John<br />
Colqui David Raul<br />
Frandsen Bernard Howard<br />
Fraughton Jason Max<br />
Fries Jason Paul<br />
Harding Michael Brett<br />
Hilton Aaron Ty<br />
Holgreen Sheldon Wayne<br />
Judkins Jeffrey Scott<br />
Lemke Andrew Scott<br />
Long Gregory Michael<br />
Lowery Joshua David<br />
Mathews Michael Dee<br />
McDonald Brady Demille<br />
Mitchell Isaiah John<br />
Nunnelly Shawn Thomas<br />
Parra Gustavo<br />
Roberts Mark Anthony<br />
Schafer Stephanie Renee<br />
Smith Steven Leroy<br />
Stillman Timothy Keith<br />
Tallerico Stephen Michael<br />
Thompson Troy Dean<br />
Vanduren Lorin James<br />
White Heather Noel<br />
Yates Isaac<br />
STAFF SERGEANT<br />
Allen Todd Lawrence<br />
Archibeque Chase Larsen<br />
Ashton Jeffry James<br />
Aubrey Michael Croft<br />
Belliston Michael Christian<br />
Blake Brady Douglas<br />
Blankenstein Cory John<br />
Bradford Christopher Craig<br />
Buffington Michael Paul<br />
Burns Thomas Emmett<br />
Butler Travis Jon<br />
Cahoon Shawn Erwin<br />
Campos Nelson Saul<br />
Cardon Richard Louis<br />
Chamberlain Joel David<br />
Defoer Sean Edward<br />
Dimond Kevin Dwayne<br />
Eastabrook Adam Cody<br />
Edwards Stephen Russell II<br />
Fish Tracy Scott<br />
Good Thomas Brent<br />
Graff Nathan Kit<br />
Green James Montel III<br />
Hawkes Shawn Nickolaus<br />
Hickman Elliot James<br />
Hohosh Robert Charles<br />
Hunt Stephen Lee<br />
Hutchins Shana Renee<br />
Jenkins Hugh Rdell<br />
Jones Bevin Willis<br />
Kennedy Michael Aaron<br />
Kerr Robert Marriner<br />
King Adam Ray<br />
Kinsman Kasey J<br />
Kirkman KC<br />
Kitchen Ryan Stanley<br />
Larsen Kip Henrie<br />
Larsen Shane Justin<br />
Lee Jennifer Ann<br />
Lee Skyler Dane<br />
Lewis Scott Everett<br />
Lloyd Brandon Thomas<br />
Lorenz Ronald Thomas<br />
MacBride Lucin Allen<br />
MacFarlane Brandon Leroy<br />
Madsen Timothy Lewis<br />
Malichanh Chandler Douglas<br />
Mansfield Christopher James<br />
Marshall Tiffany Joann<br />
Massey Lewis Nathan<br />
McArthur Robert Jared<br />
McKenzie Daniel George<br />
Medina Tracy Christopher<br />
Merrill Benjamin Neal<br />
Miller Elijah Mccann<br />
Moser Ryan Arthur<br />
Mullan Kenneth Paul<br />
Nielsen Michael Li<br />
Oliva Tyler Wayne<br />
Quinn Adam Christopher<br />
Reel Micah Paul<br />
Reynolds Brian Charles<br />
Rice Kevin Ira<br />
Sansom Lena Mae<br />
Shepherd Justin Don<br />
Singleton John Eric<br />
Snider William Travis<br />
Spencer Lance England<br />
Spencer Marya Rose<br />
Stewart Dacia Dann<br />
Streeter Mark Alan<br />
Taylor Brady Snow<br />
Thompson Carlisle Allen<br />
Tilton David Wayne<br />
Warren Andrew Glen<br />
Weiler Justin Shayne<br />
Wilkinson William Shane<br />
Williams Mark Todd<br />
Wood Joshua David<br />
Wood Nathan Austin<br />
SERGEANT<br />
Abernathy Adam Chaim<br />
Allred Heather<br />
Arnold Richard Norman<br />
Asberry Joshua J<br />
Baker Sloan Lewis<br />
Barnes Chloe Amanda<br />
Batty Justin Michael<br />
Baza Anthony John Cruz<br />
Belliston Nina Michelle<br />
Berg Joshua James<br />
Black Galen Calder<br />
Blake Robert Joseph Jr<br />
Bond Andrew Lawrence<br />
Bowens Lance Xaver<br />
Bracken Amanda Lynn<br />
Brennan Patrick Simon<br />
Brockbank Jarom Paul<br />
Butler Ronald Mark<br />
Cagle Nycole Ann Brown<br />
Carlson Cody Wayne<br />
Chambers Preston Scott<br />
Clark Joseph Nelson<br />
Cleaveland Richard Howard<br />
Cloward Nicolas Adam<br />
Cross Brittany Chere<br />
Dahl Justin Clint<br />
Deans Joshua Lawrence<br />
Decker Alexander Jonathan<br />
Deis Brett Thomas<br />
Delgado Matthew<br />
Donahue Jacob Seth<br />
Dwelle Eric Joseph<br />
Ecevedo Adam John Samson<br />
Edwards Tyson Merrill<br />
Enkey Dietrich Lon<br />
Erickson Jonathan Odell<br />
Fakhrolmobasheri Abbas<br />
Falcon Marcos Jose<br />
Franco Luis Angel<br />
Freeman Allan Ray<br />
Fugal Eric P<br />
Giese Christopher Robert<br />
Gonzales Lino Anthony<br />
Green Adrian Mackay<br />
Gregory Paul Michael<br />
Gunnerson Christian Harold<br />
Hall Clayton John<br />
Harmon Jesse John<br />
Hatch Stewart Quentin<br />
Hawkley Bleu Marcus<br />
Hendriksen Quentin James<br />
Holden Robert Todd<br />
Hughes Sarah Kathleen<br />
Hunt Shannee June<br />
Irons Lance Earl<br />
Jacobsen Kenneth Reid<br />
Jarvis Jeremy Wilson<br />
Jiles Tyler J<br />
Johansson Charles Erik<br />
Johnson David Ryan<br />
Jones Jakob Michael<br />
Kaaihue Masami Alofipo Kuih<br />
Kennedy Shaun Alexander<br />
Kish Robert Michael<br />
Lamarca Alexander Jameson<br />
Latu Christian Saulala<br />
Liessmann Robert Joseph<br />
Linford Daniel Stephen<br />
Lopez Carlos Adrian Jr<br />
Lunnen Brady Mckay<br />
Malone Aaron Scott<br />
Martin Christian Wade<br />
McKenna Brian Albert<br />
McKinlay Tyler James<br />
McLaughlin Nathan Shawn<br />
Mecham David Justin<br />
Merlette Jeremy Brett<br />
Miller Eric Wayne<br />
Millward Mercedes<br />
Morris Jedediah Scott<br />
Moyers Spencer William<br />
Navarre Michael Patrick<br />
Newkirk Evan Lane<br />
Newton Brian<br />
Nielson Terrance Trevor<br />
Ocana Joe Xavier<br />
Olsen Justin Dean<br />
Owen Sam Daniel<br />
Parker Chason Jonathan<br />
Pittman Thomas Jeffrey<br />
Ralphs Joseph Edward<br />
Richards Eric Sholund<br />
Rivera Jose Alberto<br />
Rogers Frank Anthony<br />
Rondas Robert Jeffery<br />
Rowley Russell Gordon<br />
Salazar Daniel<br />
Sandberg James Darren<br />
Saulnier Charles John<br />
Schrock Colin Thomas<br />
Shaw David William<br />
Smith Bert Deloy<br />
Smith Chelsea<br />
Snarr Trinity Donald<br />
Sneddon Russell Thomas<br />
Snell Jaren Hansen<br />
Spencer Toby Jay<br />
Starks Robert Ikey<br />
Stephenson Robert Benjamin<br />
Stowe Brian Mack<br />
Tapiafernandez Julio Cesar<br />
Taylor Rodger Alan Jr<br />
Taylor Travis Lee<br />
Thompson Ryan Keith<br />
Tuckett Paul Landon<br />
Weissman Michael Edward<br />
Wenzl Christopher Michael<br />
Wilde Daniel Spencer<br />
Winkler Udell Duane<br />
Young Kashea Lynn<br />
Zaccardi Julius James<br />
Zimmerman Zachary Mark<br />
CORPORAL<br />
Acheson Lawrence Wain III<br />
Andersen Clinton Lynn<br />
Atkinson Ian Kristopher<br />
Geary Timothy Paul<br />
Murray Neil James<br />
Staton Eddie Dale Jr<br />
Wallace Tearsha Bralynn<br />
SPECIALIST<br />
Allen Kristen Marie<br />
Atkin Kody John<br />
Bartholomew Daniel Jesse<br />
Bartholomew Tyler James<br />
Baxley Justin Benjamin<br />
Beagley Gavin Scott<br />
Beckstrand Chandler Martin<br />
Bevan Danielle Lee<br />
Black Gregory Adam<br />
Bleazard Paul Thornton<br />
Bonner Thomas Clifford<br />
Booth Charles William<br />
Bowman Tycen Edward<br />
Brown Travis Leany<br />
Buck Clayton Greg<br />
Bumstead Jonathan Roger<br />
Bunjes David Michael<br />
Button Nathan Taylor<br />
Carly Nikolas Brent<br />
Cebrowski John Michael<br />
Cheney Aaron Lewis<br />
Clark Justin Isaac<br />
Clark Sarah Ann<br />
Clements Brock Carlton<br />
Colvin Chase Alexander<br />
Coombs Tyler Colby<br />
Cope Joseph James<br />
Cowley Trevor J<br />
Dambrosio Joseph Thomas<br />
Darley Jonathan David<br />
Decaria Alena Jesse<br />
Diaz Linda Patricia<br />
Dougherty Michael Reid<br />
Dover Elizabeth Jenor<br />
Duncan Brandon Michael<br />
Emfield Jeffrey Steven<br />
Findley Samuel Paul<br />
Fryar Bracken David<br />
Fuchs Andrew Peter<br />
Fullmer Thomas Arthur<br />
Gannon Adam Scott<br />
Gonzalez Luis Brandon<br />
Guzman Santiago Jr<br />
Hagemann Shane Joshua<br />
Hale Gregory Christian<br />
Hansen Benjamin Franklin<br />
Hansen Dustin Gary<br />
Hansen Matthew David<br />
Hardy Benjamin Brian<br />
Haycock Taylor Vance<br />
Hill Diana Marie<br />
Honeycutt Grady Eugene II<br />
Utah Minuteman 45
Houchins James Earl<br />
Hunt Joshua Jackson<br />
Hussein Alan Salah<br />
Hyde Darrin Duane<br />
Ichikawa Makoto<br />
Ingram Jeb Earl<br />
Iverson Corbin Clark<br />
Jacobs Adam Richard<br />
Jones Tarik Nickolai<br />
Josephson Cody Michael<br />
Kawamura Robert Shigeo<br />
Kevern Myles Carl<br />
King Tristin Bret<br />
Koehler Adam Wesley<br />
Krummi Cody Tyler<br />
Larsen Kendall Freeborn<br />
Lawrence Peter<br />
Little Andrew David<br />
Lopez Edward Belen<br />
Luman Seth Charles<br />
Medina Tyson Ross<br />
Meeks Matthew Todd<br />
Miller Stephen Phillip<br />
Mittleider Jason Thomas<br />
Morrell Brandon Lee<br />
Morrison Ty Arling<br />
Moses Bobbi Lynn<br />
Mower Joshua Damon<br />
Muir Kyle Puckett<br />
Mullen James David<br />
Murray Wren Evan<br />
Nacey Joshua Shaun<br />
Nance Curtis Russell<br />
Nandell Douglas Harold<br />
Neeley Robert Scott<br />
Nelson Chase Steven<br />
Nerdin Paul Douglas<br />
Niewiadomski Joshua Ryan<br />
Nordahl Bo James<br />
Olschewski Christopher Beag<br />
Omer Sterling Joseph<br />
Oswald Kyle Bradley<br />
Palmer Alicia Lee<br />
Parga Joshua<br />
Parker Donavan Troy<br />
Perks Jonathan Baikie<br />
Person Timothy Dean<br />
Peterson James Albert<br />
Piccolottimoye Alexander J<br />
Pierce Jeremy I<br />
Ramirez Juan Manuel<br />
Rice Christopher Michael<br />
Riggs Andrew Miles<br />
Roseborough Coleton J<br />
Rosenlund Todd Kevin<br />
Rowley Brian Keith<br />
Salazarrey Noemi Margarita<br />
Schroemges John Quinten<br />
Shamov Maxim<br />
Shelley Joseph Erick<br />
Smart Quinton Milo<br />
Smith Andrew Martin<br />
Smith Austin Nikolas<br />
Smith Colin Clark<br />
Smith Trevor C<br />
Snow Benjamin Charles<br />
Sokolik Benjamin R<br />
Solomon Ariel Jonathan<br />
Starley Andrew Jeffrey<br />
Stein Paul Anthony<br />
Stewart Michael Lawrence<br />
Sullivan Sean Douglas<br />
46 Spring 2012<br />
Turner Gregory Seth<br />
Walker Kyle Dean<br />
Ward Ian David<br />
Webster Britt Austin<br />
Weeks Kelly Charles<br />
Whitaker Nathaniel Paul<br />
White Kalam Cosand<br />
White Shawn Darrell<br />
White Steven Craig<br />
White Zachary Benjamin<br />
Widerburg Jeffrey Brian<br />
Willden Jeramy Dean<br />
Willis Kyle Andrew<br />
Winston Aaron Rey<br />
Yadon Sean Kent<br />
Yazzie Danlee<br />
Young Corina Dawn<br />
Zurligen Larry Albert<br />
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS<br />
Adams Colton James<br />
Adams Jillyan Nicole<br />
Adams Tyson Garn<br />
Albretsen Keith Wade<br />
Anderson Jason Derek<br />
Anderson Shawn Evans<br />
Andrus Joel Ryan<br />
Archbold Lance Michael<br />
Balling Tyson Jack<br />
Batchelor Jacob Matthew<br />
Bautista Jose G<br />
Bissell Matthew Roy<br />
Bitton Vance Jay<br />
Booth Joseph Mark<br />
Bowen Brett Carter<br />
Brasfield Trevor C<br />
Brun Michael Steven<br />
Butler Brian David<br />
Carver Larry Eric<br />
Chatland Spencer Allen<br />
Connor Robert Michael<br />
Crockett Joshua Alan<br />
Davidson Camille Lynne<br />
Degrazio Nicholas John<br />
Deleon Harley Lynn<br />
Dunn Nathan Phillip<br />
Egbert Cameron Lee<br />
Ferguson Braxton Wayne<br />
Garfield Amber<br />
Goodrich Rylee Bruce<br />
Graham Jordan Kenzie<br />
Gregory Brody Mark<br />
Gwilliam Kevin Allen<br />
Halford Sara Raquel<br />
Hall Christopher Larkin<br />
Heap Steven Elliott<br />
Holley Michael Wayne<br />
Hornsby Mason Thomas<br />
Jackson Tyrone Anthony<br />
Jellum Kaelee Ann<br />
Jessop David Ryan<br />
Johnson Adam Craig<br />
Johnson Max Malonerivers<br />
Levet Jordan Michael<br />
Limburg Kees Josef<br />
Lucero Skyeler Eugene<br />
Maher Brandon<br />
Martin Joel Quinn<br />
Maynes Gregory Kurt<br />
McCowin Stuart Ron<br />
McDonald Jason Michael<br />
Messegee Nathan Alan<br />
Miller Jordan Beau<br />
Moos Tyler Austin<br />
Moseley James Lonnie<br />
Nelson Kenneth Eldon<br />
Nelson Kyle Franklin<br />
Orton Kyler Mont<br />
Osborne Aaron Wayne<br />
Palmer Cody Michael<br />
Park Benjamin James<br />
Partain Vincent Robert<br />
Pereyra Steven Jafet<br />
Perry Joseph Scott<br />
Peterson Quinton Michael<br />
Powell Rylan Rex<br />
Prather Glen Jacob<br />
Prince Clinton Scott<br />
Puro Stefanie Tylene<br />
Reese Charles Brent Jr<br />
Richens Jerett Henry<br />
Robertson Sonny Earl<br />
Ruizcortes Martin Jesus<br />
Schnebly Shane Andrew<br />
Slade Benjamin Edward<br />
Smith Jeremiah Lucah<br />
Sorensen Dale Ryan<br />
Steffen Aaron Jeffrey<br />
Steinmiller Dallas Quinn<br />
Stephens Anthony Wade<br />
Stewart Dylan Rex<br />
Stilson Chase Harkness<br />
Stilwell Joshua Christopher<br />
Taylor Kyle Ray<br />
Teto Timothy Matthew<br />
Thurman Jacob Robert<br />
Tolley Kraig Dylan<br />
Topham Jerney Sheldon<br />
Torres Miguel Angel<br />
Veals Mark Casey<br />
Velasquez Nicolas Ray<br />
Vest Peter Steven<br />
Voigt Colten Edward<br />
Whitehead Mitchell Quinn<br />
Williams Kenneth Allen<br />
Williamson David Allen<br />
Wood Dustin Lee<br />
Wygant Nicholas Lee<br />
Young Scott Casey<br />
PRIVATE (PV2)<br />
Aadams Christophertodd<br />
Aiello Austin Scott<br />
Arvig Joseph Anthony<br />
Bird Colton Dewey<br />
Bishop Trevor Don<br />
Brooks Ashlie Danielle<br />
Carter Morgan Landes<br />
Christensen Nathan Victor<br />
Christensen Zane K<br />
Coombs Clint Thomas<br />
Copfer Jesse Wade<br />
Coronado Armando<br />
Dahl Tyler Jay<br />
Day David Douglas<br />
Deangelo Matthew Steven<br />
Elison Ammon Aaron<br />
Ellis Kaleb John<br />
Estrada Christopher Lee<br />
Farmer David Grant II<br />
Gallegos Marcus Amelio<br />
Gatoloai William Tiaina<br />
Harrington Jacob Tyler<br />
Harrison Taylor David<br />
Haws Heber Chester<br />
Heaps Anthony Joseph<br />
Horlacher Devan Phillip<br />
Jensen Joseph Michael<br />
Johnson Adam Kevin<br />
Johnston Kyler Jay<br />
Josie Austin Ryan<br />
Juarez David<br />
Julander Ian Cade<br />
King Preston Palmer<br />
Lindhart Bryce Grant<br />
Lupcho Joshua Bryson<br />
Martin Zachary Terry<br />
McClellan Collin Thomas<br />
McClellan Jennifer Anne<br />
Menlove Tanner James<br />
Nelson Dallin Jase<br />
Norris Dylan Thomas<br />
Odriscoll Dillon Ray<br />
Parrish Bryce Dakota<br />
Parry Hyrum Nathan<br />
Porray Kazeley Skye<br />
Potter Richard Lewis<br />
Quichocho Gerome Paul Debib<br />
Rockhill Konor Sagelafon<br />
Sandoval Thomas Eleazar<br />
Santos Jose Maria<br />
Sargent Timothy Reed<br />
Shipton Shea Alexander<br />
Sok Bobby Serey<br />
Stephens Tyson J<br />
Thomas Wayne Richard<br />
Thompson Jon Theron<br />
Trujillo Alex Joseph<br />
Valdez Anthony Mario<br />
Vasquez Frank Joe<br />
Warr Alexander James<br />
Wasden Kole T<br />
Webb Brayden<br />
Wegener Brandon Jay<br />
Wheiler Justin Scott<br />
Wright Connor Scott<br />
Yefimov Jaimee Cristal Ann<br />
Zavala Jorge Alberto<br />
PRIVATE (PV1)<br />
Alder Ben Holden<br />
Allred David Keith<br />
Anderson Braylee Shaye<br />
Archibald Jordan Keith<br />
Barnhart Adrienne Lawana<br />
Baumgartner Emerson Tarris<br />
Beach Jose Victor<br />
Benson Lewis Randall<br />
Beveridge Jacob Scott<br />
Bishop Tyrell Jeff<br />
Brady Taryn Shay<br />
Brown David Hugh<br />
Brown Vincent Walker<br />
Bytendorp Andrew Seal<br />
Capel Benjamin Jacob<br />
Capel Conrad Jeffrey<br />
Carter Jeremiah Abraham<br />
Catmull Hayden Arthur<br />
Chadwick Shayne Mickel<br />
Christiansen Danny Lee<br />
Collier Quinton Bryce<br />
Cooper Dalton Allen<br />
Cordero Nico Dario<br />
Cracroft Zachary Jordan<br />
Dkhissi Rabab<br />
Downs Jackson John<br />
Durrant Derek Kenneth<br />
England Sarah Marlene<br />
Fairbanks Tyler Grant<br />
Fellows Cory Jake<br />
Fisk Christian Brady<br />
Gannaway Noel Alexander<br />
Gillis Michael Vincent<br />
Gonzalez Courtney Janel<br />
Gordon Justus Martel<br />
Guzman Jonathan Francisco<br />
Hassell Ethan Joel<br />
Hirshfeld Spencer Philip<br />
Hood Christopher John<br />
Irwin Schuyler Lindsay<br />
Ishihara Andrew Christian<br />
Jimenez Jose Antonio<br />
John Marcus<br />
Kaye Christian Dene<br />
Kellum Chelsey Shari N<br />
Kessel Amanda Grace<br />
Leany Kurtis Theron<br />
Liston Brad Paul<br />
Lloyd Robert James<br />
Loving Jerry Nicholas<br />
Lunan Joseph Aaron<br />
Martin Kelsey Laree<br />
McKinlay Bracken Del<br />
Miller Chase Bradley<br />
Morgan Luke Young<br />
Mower Samuel Clark<br />
Nelson Boston Brian<br />
Nielsen Cody Dean<br />
Normand Asialynn Aleena<br />
Opdahl Breanna Jo<br />
Orr Adam Patrick<br />
Parker Sean Anton<br />
Paxton Devin J<br />
Pease Dominic David<br />
Peer Joshua Brian<br />
Penrod Weston Darius<br />
Quezada Drago Javier Rojas<br />
Rakowski Christopher Roger<br />
Rapich Jeremy Steven<br />
Rhinehart Ryan Taylor<br />
Rodriguez Alina Ramos<br />
Ross Todd Lloyd Glen<br />
Ruiz Felix Juan<br />
Scanlon Mataniufeagaimaleat<br />
Sears Carson Ross<br />
Shinkle Russell Albert<br />
Simpson Tanner Wade<br />
Soza Isaiah Andrew<br />
Stassi Taylor Craig<br />
Steedman Tre Anthony<br />
Taylor Kody Don<br />
Thornton Adrian Jonathan<br />
Tingey Nathan Wesley<br />
Tipton Casey Dale<br />
Tisdale Tory Jay<br />
Trujillo Manuel Jr<br />
Verquer Kyle John<br />
Violette Tyler James<br />
Wally Adam Thornton<br />
Warner Shane Keith<br />
Whitaker Kaleb Chad<br />
Williams Matthew Ryan<br />
Wood Baylee Michelle
48 Spring 2012