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GuardArkansasVol. 26, No. 6, Summer 2004Operation Iraqi Freedom II39th Brigade Combat Team TimelinePages 16-17

A Message from The Adjutant GeneralIwant to speak for a momentto the families of our soldierswho have deployed, andespecially to those whose loved onesare in the combat areas.We knew when the call to dutycame that it could lead to the loss ofsome of our Guard members. Wehoped that wouldn’t happen, butthose who dedicate their lives topreserving freedom by being professionalSoldiers and Airmen know thatsometimes the ultimate sacrifice mustbe made for our mission to succeed.I cannot think of anything moredevastating than to have a familymember in uniform deployed overseasin battle and not knowing if they areall right or not.For the families who have alreadylost a loved one, we offer our deepestsympathy and the gratitude of agrateful nation. Their loved ones willbe remembered as heroes, as family,and as friends.The remainder of our time inOperation Iraqi Freedom, EnduringFreedom and Noble Eagle will be atime of extreme vigilence and an evenstronger dedication to ensuring ourGuard members are being cared for,and everything possible is being doneto protect their safety until they areback home safe in the arms of theirloved ones.We have remained in contact withour units and their commanders toensure our people have eveythingthey need to complete the missionwe’ve been tasked to perform, and todo it with honor and concern for ourpeople.It may be difficult for some of youto understand why we are at war. Wedo not question that. The UnitedStates is a strong country. We havefaith in our leadership and we are, inmost cases, the only bridge betweenIn MemoriamMaj. Gen. Charles W. Harrissurvival and subjugation by thosewho would use and abuse their ownpeople.We believe in what we are doing.I hope you believe in it, too.Your strong support of yourloved ones, the difficulties you endureat home, often in silence because youdo not want to add to your spouse’sworries, are commendable actions onyour part.I know how difficult things can befor those who are left behind. To thisextent, we have tried to help our Guardfamilies through Family Supportprograms and the Arkansas ReserveComponents Emergency Relief Fund.I take this moment to encourageyou to hold on until our mission iscomplete. But you don’t have to holdon alone. If we can help you in anyway, please contact us and let usknow what problems you are havingand how we can help.I pledge our support to you.Whatever is within our power to do,we will do for you.Don C. MorrowMajor GeneralThe Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen. Charles W. Harris,former Arkansas Air National Guardcommander, and the last major generalauthorized for the AR ANG, diedMarch 4, 2004.General Harris was born andraised in the Fort Smith area and wasa graduate of the University of Arkansaswith a degree in electrical engineering.He served in the Navy andthe Air Force. His military flying careercovered 35 years. He commandedthe 188th Fighter Wing from 1977 to1984, then took command of the ArkansasAir National Guard from 1985until his retirement in 1989.He is survived by his widow,Karlene, of Corpus Christi, Texas; adaughter, Judy Parks of Atlanta, Ga.; astepdaughter, Debra Wade of Brick,N.J.; three sons, Wayne Harris ofFreeport, Fla., and John D. Harris andJoe Harris, both of Van buren; abrother, Jim Harris of Richmond, Va.;nine grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.Arkansas Guard - Summer 20042 Arkansas Guard - Summer 20042

ArkansasGuardAbout the Cover:The 39th Brigade Combat Team maintains a steadyvigil as it faces the the enemy in the struggle to returna country to a government where basic humanrights are foremost in the minds of its leaders. Photoscourtesy of 39th BCT, composite illustration createdby Brandie Mikesell.C o n t e n t sF e a t u r e sA Different View of Iraq............................14Aviation unit keeps its eyes open.39th Brigade Combat Team....................16Timeline from the war zone.Flying Razorbacks...........................18Arkansas’ F-16s help test new F/A-22 warbird.Guatemalan delegates visit....................20Arkansas National Guard in state partnership program.GITMO!............................................22Public Affairs tells the story.216th Military Police Co............................24Guarding prisoners in Cuba.223rd Combat Comm Squadron................26Trains on new equipment.New Uniforms.....................................31Army unveils combat duds; Air Force has new PT uniform.D e p a r t m e n t sSalute.........................................................7ESGR..........................................................30200 Years in Arkansas...............Back CoverOperation Iraqi Freedom II39th Brigade Combat Team TimelinePublication StaffMaj. Gen. Don C. MorrowThe Adjutant GeneralCapt. Kristine M. MunnState Public Affairs OfficerBuddy GarrettEditorState Information OfficerBrandie MikesellPublic Affairs SpecialistSpc. Chris DurneyPublic Affairs SpecialistMaj. Keith MooreArkansas Air National GuardPublic Affairs OfficerCapt. Anissa Fondren188th Fighter Wing (ACC)Public Affairs OfficerMaj. Brenda Barker189th Airlift Wing (ACC)Public Affairs Officer1st Lt. Chris Heathscott39th Infantry Brigade (Sep)Public Affairs Officer1st Lt. Brent SarverDet 1, 70th Mobile PADCommanderLt. Col. Saundra K. LaneNGMTU Public Affairs OfficeArkansas Guard is an unofficial publication publishedquarterly under the provisions of AR 360-1, AFR 35-101,and the Arkansas Military Department. It is distributed freeto all members of the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard.The magazine is edited and published by the Public AffairsOffice, Arkansas National Guard. It is designed to provideGuard members and their families with timely and factualinformation on policies, plans, operations and technical developmentsof the Arkansas National Guard. Views expressedherein are not necessarily those of any state or federal governmentagency. Stories and photos are solicited. Publicationis based on available space and reader interest. ThePublic Affairs Office reserves the right to edit all submissions.Unit Public Affairs Representatives may email storiesand photos to:Buddy.Garrett@ar.ngb.army.mil or send ondisk to: Editor, Arkansas Guard, Camp Robinson, NorthLittle Rock, AR 72199-9600. Telephone 212-5022 or DSN962-5022. Deadline: First Monday of March, June, Septemberand December. Method of reproduction: Offset. Circulation:14,500.Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004 3

39th Infantry Soldierfirst AR ARNG wartimecasualty since KoreaSgt. 1st Class William Labadie 45,died April 7, 2004, as the result of hostileenemy action in support of OperationIraqi Freedom with the 39th InfantryBrigade in Baghdad, Iraq.Labadie, of Bauxite, was a 22-yearmilitary veteran. He served in the U.S.Marine Corps from July 5, 1977 – May24, 1985. He then served in the OklahomaArmy National Guard from Nov.19, 1988 – Nov. 8, 2001. He joined theArkansas Army National Guard, Jan. 3,2003.He was assigned to Troop E, 151stCavalry, 39th Infantry Brigade. The39th Infantry is attached to the U.S.Army’s 1st Cavalry Division.Reconds indicate that Labadie isthe first Arkansas Army National Guardmember to be killed in combat since theKorean War. Capt. Douglas E. Morrow,of Rogers, commanding officer ofBattery C, 936th Field Artillery Battalion,was killed in Korea on Oct. 8, 1951.Labadie is survived by his widow,Sunnie, and son, Bryan, of Del City,Okla.; and his parents, Carl and CherylWinters of Bauxite.“We are deeply saddened by theloss of Sgt. 1st Class Labadie,” saidMaj. Gen. Don C. Morrow, adjutant generalof Arkansas. “Our hearts, thoughts,prayers and support go out to his family,friends and fellow Soldiers duringthis time of grief and pain.”“The 39th Brigade Combat Teamsincerely mourns the loss of our fallencomrade, Sgt. 1st Class William Labadie,to hostile fire,” said Lt. Col. Mark A.Lumpkin, rear detachment commanderfor the 39th Brigade Combat Team. “Despitethis tragic loss, the 39th BCT remainsresolved and resolute in our missionand our obligations to the Americanpeople, our Soldiers, our allies andour friends. Our loss reminds us this isserious business, and we will strive todo our best to defend our nation, carryforward our orders and accomplish thetask at hand.”ConnecticutSoldierloses life;attached toTroop E,151st CavSgt. Felix M. Delgreco,22, of Simsbury, Conn., diedApril 9, in Baghdad, Iraq,when an improvised explosivedevice and small armsfire struck his mounted patrol.Delgreco’s vehicle wasambushed near the gate toCamp Cooke.Delgreco, a member ofthe Army National Guard’s1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry,at New Haven, Conn., was attachedto Troop E, 151st Cavalry,39th Brigade CombatTeam at the time of his death.“Sgt. Felix Delgreco was anexample of the professionalismof our Soldiers,” said Col. MikeRoss, 39th BCT deputy commandingofficer.Seven more Arkansas Soldiers die in IraqSeven more Arkansas Army NationalGuard Soldiers supporting OperationIraqi Freedom have lost theirlives.Four members of the ArkansasArmy National Guard’s 39th SupportBattalion, 39th Brigade Combat Team,1st Cavalry Division, Hazen, Ark., werekilled, April 24, in Taji, Iraq. Capt.Arthur L. Felder, 36, of Louisville, Ark.,Chief Warrant 4 Patrick W. Kordsmeier,49, of North Little Rock, Ark., StaffSgt. Billy J. Orton, 41, of Humnoke, Ark.,and Staff Sgt. Stacey C. Brandon, 35,of Hazen, Ark., died as a result of hostilefire when mortar rounds hit theircamp.Spec. Kenneth A. Melton, Detachment1, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 153rdInfantry, Camden, Ark., died, April 25,near Sardr City, Iraq, when his militaryvehicle was hit by an improvised explosivedevice and small arms fire.Staff Sgt. Hesley Box, Jr., 24, ofNashville, Ark., died May 6 in Baghdad,Iraq, when a car bomb detonated nearhis guard post. Box was assigned to1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th BrigadeCombat Team, 1st Cavalry Division,Arkansas National Guard,Texarkana, Ark.Sgt. 1st Class Troy L. Miranda, 44,of DeQueen, Ark, died May 20, onHipha Street in Baghdad, Iraq, when agrenade was thrown near his foot patrol.Miranda was assigned to C Company,1 st Battalion, 153 rd Infantry Regiment,39 th Brigade Combat Team, ArkansasArmy National Guard, assigned tothe 1 st Cavalry Division.“We are extremely saddened at theloss of our Soldiers, and our deepestsympathies go out to their families,” saidMaj. Gen. Don C. Morrow, adjutant generalof Arkansas. “They were doingtheir duty. Our country called uponthem for their service and they answeredthat call. They are an outstandingexample of what makes this countrygreat. They were true patriots.”“It’s never easy to lose a fellowSoldier,” said Col. Mike Ross, deputycommanding officer for the 39th BrigadeCombat Team. “Our Soldiers are doinga tremendous job and the folksback home need to know that.”The 39th Brigade Combat Team isattached to the Army’s 1st Cavalry Divisionand is based at Camp Cooke inIraq. The team is comprised of 4,200Soldiers from 10 states. Nearly 2,800Soldiers are from the Arkansas ArmyNational Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade.4Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

Unit mourns fallen Soldiers39th BCT prepares againstfuture attacks by rebelsBy 1st Lt. Christopher Heathscott39th BCT Public Affairs OfficerTAJI, Iraq — “This is a time andevent that I prayed I would never havethe responsibility for as a commander.But due to a violent strike by a cowardlyenemy…that time has come.”For Lt. Col. Allen Hargis, commanderof the 39th Brigade CombatTeam’s Support Battalion, these werevery difficult words to say. For the hundredsof Soldiers in his presence, theywere just as difficult to hear.Three days earlier, just after fiveo’clock on Saturday, the morning of theApril 24, rockets rained down on CampCooke, Iraq, killing four Soldiers underHargis’ command.Five 57 mm rockets had landed onthe base before Hargis and other leadersin the battalion began to exit thebunkers to get accountability of theirSoldiers and make sure everyone wasall right. After walking five or six stepsoutside of his bunker, two 80 mm rocketsdropped from the sky, one landingjust a few meters from him, killing fourof his Soldiers.Capt. Arthur ‘Bo’ Felder, of Louisville,Ark., Staff Sgt. Billy Orton, ofHumnoke, Ark., and Staff Sgt. StaceyBrandon, of Hazen, Ark., died on thescene of Saturday’s attack. Chief WarrantOfficer 3 Patrick Kordsmeier, ofNorth Little Rock, later died of woundswhile on a MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation)Flight to a nearby medical facility.“It’s a tremendous loss that we’vesustained at the hand of an enemy thatwe don’t always understand,” Hargissaid. “Our hearts and our support goout to the families.”The Support Battalion, headquarteredin Hazen, Ark., had six Soldiersseriously wounded from the attack aswell. Luckily, the battalion supports thebrigade with a medical unit, C Company,better known as ‘Charlie Med.’ CCompany’s aid station was only 50meters away from the point of impact.And with the Brigade’s large numbersof trained Combat Lifesavers, help wason the scene fast.“They were there immediately,”Hargis said. “We have 160 combat lifesaversin the battalion. They respondedprior to C Med getting there. We wereable to get them down to level 1 treatmentwithin a matter of minutes.”“Any time there’s casualties, my CCompany does the casualty assistance.We actually took the casualties in theattack and more than likely, as a resultof their actions saved some of the livesof the six soldiers that were injured,”he continued.“There were a lot of heroes todayduring this tragic attack and I was veryimpressed with how everyone from thelowest ranking Soldiers remained calmand focused on taking care of ourwounded,” said Col. Mike Ross, deputycommanding officer of the 39th BCT.“Our combat lifesavers, medical personneland chaplains on the scene providedexcellent care to our wounded Soldiers.Seeing them in action helps strengthenour Soldier’s confidence and allowsthem to stay focused on their missionof eliminating the threat elements thatwere responsible for these attacks. Allof these Soldiers make me extremelyproud to be a member of this brigade.”Hargis said some of his Soldiershave commented on feeling bad aboutnot being able to fire back on a mortarattack, but he assured them, “the brigadeis firing back for us.”“Our mission is to support the brigadeand the brigade is supporting usby returning fire on the mortars,” hesaid. “As a matter of fact the individualsthat shot the mortars that took thelives of my Soldiers…two of them werekilled and five were captured as a resultof that incident.”The Brigade also confiscated theevidence, homemade launch tubessparked with a motorcycle battery.Along with the 1st Battalion,206th Field Artillery focusing effortson continual improvements in basesecurity, Hargis said his Soldiers arecurrently working on building uppeace of mind through security improvementsin their living areas.“We’re continuing to improve theforce protection around our sleep areasand were also going to continueto improve the force protectionaround our work areas to ensure thesafety of our Soldiers,” said Hargis.“There is a lot of good thought goingin to making sure our Soldiers are protected.”While Saturday dealt the SupportBattalion its first losses, it was notthe first contact.On April 19th, while under escortby the Military Police (MP) from theBrigade’s Headquarters and HeadquartersCompany from Little Rock,the Support Battalion was hit by anIED while transporting two Iraqis detainedfor possession of illegal weapons.“The trucks that got hit were mine,”said Hargis. “We had no injuries at all.An MP was injured slightly and returnedto duty, but my Soldiers made itthrough without a scratch.”The detainees, however, were notso lucky. While one was severely injured,the second detainee died in theblast.The majority of the SupportBattalion’s movements have come withoutcontact, but the Soldiers haveproven their abilities by reacting quicklyto any contact they do receive.“The training that we received inthe six months prior to coming here, I’mconvinced, has saved a lot of our soldierslives,” Hargis said. “They haveperformed in a manner that is far abovemy expectations.”Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004 5

189th AW earns ‘Excellent’ in ORIAfter seven days under the AirEducation and Training CommandInspector General magnifyingglass, the 189th Airlift Wingemerged from under the watchfuleyes of inspectors with an overall‘Excellent’ rating, the second highestrating in the five-tiered ratingsystem.“They came in here and gaveus a very in-depth look,” said Col.Dwight Balch, 189th Airlift Wingcommander. “It took a team effortto pull out an ‘Excellent’ rating, andour Guard members were up to thetask.” The grading scale is Unsatisfactory,Marginal, Satisfactory,Excellent and Outstanding.The IG team looked at each unitin the wing, contingency operationsand special interest items, assigninga grade on the scale to each.“Big picture, I saw a lot of verydedicated Guardsmen who are verycommitted to getting the missiondone,” said Col. Jeff Ray, the IGteam chief.For the wing, it’s back to businesstraining aircrew members.“As with any inspection, the IGteam identified things we need tofix, and we’ll get right on it,” saidBalch. “I’m so proud of our folks.They do great work day in and dayout, and this inspection validatestheir efforts.”The report lists 170 strengthsand four “best practices” that couldbe used around the Air Force.Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th Presidentof the United States, died June 5,2004.At the end of his two terms in office,Reagan viewed with satisfaction theachievements of his innovative programknown as the Reagan Revolution, whichaimed to reinvigorate the Americanpeople and reduce their reliance upongovernment. He felt he had fulfilled hiscampaign pledge of 1980 to restore “thegreat, confident roar of Americanprogress and growth and optimism.”Reagan was born Feb. 6, 1911, toNelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois.He attended high school in nearbyDixon and then worked his way throughEureka College. There, he studied economicsand sociology, played on thefootball team, and acted in school plays.Upon graduation, he became a radiosports announcer. A screen test in 1937won him a contract in Hollywood. Duringthe next two decades he appearedin 53 films.From his first marriage to actressJane Wyman, he had two children,Maureen and Michael. Maureen passedaway in 2001. In 1952 he married NancyDavis, who was also an actress, and theyhad two children, Patricia Ann andRonald Prescott.Reagan won the Republican Presidentialnomination in 1980 and choseas his running mate former Texas Congressmanand United Nations AmbassadorGeorge Bush. Voters troubled byinflation and by the year-long confinementof Americans in Iran swept theRepublican ticket into office. Reaganwon 489 electoral votes to 49 for PresidentJimmy Carter.On Jan. 20, 1981, Reagan took office.Only 69 days later he was shot bya would-be assassin, but quickly recoveredand returned to duty. His grace andwit during the dangerous incidentcaused his popularity to soar.In foreign policy, Reagan soughtto achieve “peace through strength.”During his two terms he increased defensespending 35 percent, but soughtto improve relations with the SovietUnion. In dramatic meetings with Sovietleader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiateda treaty that would eliminateintermediate-range nuclear missiles.Reagan declared war against internationalterrorism, sending Americanbombers against Libya after evidencecame out that Libya was involved in anattack on American soldiers in a WestBerlin nightclub.Continued on Page 13Three fromOregon dieon dutywith 39thThree Oregon National GuardSoldiers, assigned to ArkansasArmy National Guard’s 39th BrigadeCombat Team, 1st Cavalry Division,died in Iraq on June 4 when theycame under attack while on patrol inBaghdad.Insurgents detonated improvisedexplosive devices in the Soldiers’patrol area and launchedrocket propelled grenades as U.S.forces established a security perimeter.Two Soldiers died during theattack. A third Soldier died later frominjuries sustained in the attack.The Soldiers killed in action are1st Lt. Erik S. McCrae, 25, of Portland,Ore; Sgt. Justin Eyerly, 23, ofSalem, Ore.; and Spec. Justin Linden,23, of Portland, Ore.The soldiers were assigned toD Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry.Originally, assigned dutystation was E Company, 82nd Cavalrybased out of Woodburn, Ore.“This is a very, very sad dayfor the Oregon National Guard family,”said Brig. Gen. Raymond C.Byrne Jr., acting adjutant general ofthe Oregon National Guard. “Thesesoldiers were doing their duty, attemptingto bring security to theIraqi people.”6Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

142nd Field Artillery mobilizesMore than 120 Soldiers from theArkansas Army National Guard’s 1stBattalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigademobilized under federal activeduty orders, March 13, in supportof Operation Noble Eagle IV.The Soldiers, from Harrison,performed home-station trainingbefore moving to their mobilizationstation at Fort Riley, Kan., whereBy Cpl. Benjamin Cossel122 nd Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentChaplains of the 39th BrigadeCombat Team of the 1st Cavalry Divisionvisited orphanages in the Rusafaand Aadhymia districts of Baghdad,April 21. With the 39th BCT’s recentarrival in theater, this was the first ofmany visits their chaplains will make tothe orphanages over the course of OperationIraq Freedom II.“We went out to those locationstoday to meet the people running them,to put faces to names and to get an ideaof how we can help them and it’s justas important that (orphanage adminis-they received additional training inpreparation for their mission.Operation Noble Eagle is thename given to the stateside missionof homeland defense.Members of the 142nd are performingsecurity duties at the PineBluff Arsenal and will remain onactive duty for a period of up to oneyear.Chaplains visit Iraqi orphanagestrators) know who the ‘new guys’ are,”said 39th BCT Chaplain, Lt. Col. CoyseMcLemore.Walking through the Al-Najjat orphanage,McLemore and 1st Lt. ChanCho, the battalion chaplain for 3rd Battalion,153rd Infantry, identified areasthat would benefit the most from theirassistance.“(Chaplains) can’t directly supportthese facilities with money and such,”Cho said. “So what we do is act as aliaison between the orphanages andgroups such as Civil Affairs, [non-governmentalorganizations] and others toget them the money and resources theyneed.”Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow,adjutant general of Arkansas,thanks the 84th GeneralAssembly for its Senateresolution expressingsincere appreciation to thesoldiers and airmen of theArkansas National Guard.Senate Resolution #1 waspresented by SenatorJack Critcher (right).Photo by Lt. Col. Saundra K. Lane, MTU PASBC Arkansas photographer NelsonChenault takes a photo of a Guard family atRicks Readiness Center in Little Rock asSBC spokesman Ted Wagnon and AR ARNGFamily Readiness coordinator Penny Bakerobserve. The Arkansas National Guard andSBC Arkansas helped military families fromacross the state send an e-mail with a digitalphoto to their family members who hadbeen activated for federal duty.Staff Photo by Buddy GarrettArkansas National Guardsalutes ...Little Rock, Ark.Population: 182,274Arkansas’ capital city has the Arkansas Arts Center, the CentralHigh School National Historic Site, the River Market entertainmentdistrict, a world renown zoo and historic Ray Winder Field,an old-fashioned ballpark.HQ 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate)Comprising nearly one-third of the Arkansas National Guard'stotal strength, the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was mobilized,effective Oct. 12, 2003 to serve on active duty in Iraq. EmployerSupport information is available by calling (501) 212-4025.... Little Rock, Ark.Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004 7

First unit ofAR ARNGSoldiersreturnsfrom IraqMore than 100 Soldiersfrom the Arkansas Army NationalGuard’s 296th MedicalCompany, based in Charlestonand North Little Rock, returnedhome after a one-yeartour of duty in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom.Members of the 296thMedical Company arrived inAlexandria, La., Feb. 9, andremained at Fort Polk, La., forapproximately one week tocomplete the Army’s demobilizationprocess.“Words almost can’t expressthe tremendous senseof pride and gratification weall share as we welcomed ourSoldiers back to Americansoil,” said Maj. Gen. Don C.Morrow, the adjutant generalof Arkansas. “We are trulygrateful for their service andwere delighted to be able towelcome all of them backhome.”The 296th Medical Company,a ground ambulanceunit comprised of medics andambulance drivers, was mobilizedFeb. 10, 2003. Theirmission was to evacuate andtransport casualties fromforward battle areas to medicaltreatment facilities.The 296th was the firstArkansas Army NationalGuard unit mobilized in supportof Operation Iraqi Freedom.212th Signal Battalionreturns to ArkansasThe 212th Signal Battalion, ArkansasArmy National Guard, returned toNorth Little Rock, Jan. 31. Nearly 200soldiers from the 212th were mobilizedin June 2003 in support of OperationNoble Eagle.The battalion, headquartered inNorth Little Rock along with its CompanyD, has units in three other Arkansascities: Company A in Hot Springs;Company B in Benton; and Company Cin Pine Bluff.“The 212th has performed its missionwell,” said Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow,adjutant general of Arkansas.“We’re proud of their service to ourcountry and delighted to have themback at home.”Operation Noble Eagle is the namegiven to homeland defense missions.The 212th was assigned to Fort SamHouston, Texas with primary duty assecurity guards at the post’s main gate.Newsbriefs189th Airlift Wingnames C-130sfor Arkansas citiesThe cities of Morrilton, Searcyand Cabot are flying high over Arkansasthanks to an Arkansas AirNational Guard program designed tohighlight cities around the state.Morrilton, Searcy and Cabot arethe first three cities to have their citynames and school logos emblazonedover crew entrance doors oftwo of the 189th Airlift Wing’s C-130 cargo aircraft.More Arkansas cities will jointheir ranks as planes roll out of routineinspections. Eventually, eachplane in the wing’s fleet will showcasean Arkansas city.Each city will be represented forone year, then be swapped out witha new city.1123rd Transportation Company returnsfrom duty in Operation Iraqi FreedomAbout 25 families were on hand, April 20, at Fort Polk, La., to welcomeback 106 Arkansas Army National Guard Soldiers returning stateside fromsupporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.The Soldiers, members of the 1123rd Transportation Company basedat Marked Tree with its Detachment 1, 1123rd Trans. Co., out of Blytheville,arrived at Alexandria, La., and were bused to Fort Polk to complete a shortin-processing before being released on military passes to spend time withtheir families.”We are extremely happy to have more of our soldiers come home,”said Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow, adjutant general of Arkansas. “They performedtheir mission in an outstanding manner, as we knew they would.Now they will be able to return to their families and to the communitieswhere they live.”About 10 Soldiers remained behind to secure unit equipment and seethat it arrived home safely. Those Soldiers have now returned home.A welcome home parade was held May 8, in Blytheville and a welcomehome celebration was held at the Marked Tree High School football stadium.The 1123rd received its mobilization order, Feb. 10, 2003, and deployedfrom Fort Polk for its overseas mission on April 16, 2003.8Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

Former enlisted man top officerin Arkansas Air National GuardA former enlisted Airman becamethe Arkansas Air NationalGuard’s top officer in a ceremony,May 1, at Little Rock AFB.Brig. Gen. Shelby G. Bryant ofCarlisle took command of more than2,000 Arkansas Air National Guardmembers around the state from Brig.Gen. Andrew J. Thompson IV, whoretired from service.Bryant, who began his militarycareer in the Arkansas ANG in 1968as an airman basic, is responsiblefor the tactical employment, administrationand training of the state’sAir National Guard units. ThoseAirmen are assigned to the 189thAirlift Wing, 123rd IntelligenceSquadron and 154th Weather Flighton Little Rock AFB; the 188thFighter Wing in Fort Smith; the223rd Combat CommunicationsSquadron at Hot Springs; and theNational Guard MarksmanshipTraining Unit at Camp Joseph T.Robinson in North Little Rock.Brig. Gen. Shelby G. BryantBryant was born in Beebe, andattended Cabot public schools beforehe graduated with honors fromthe University of Arkansas in May1968.The general is a command pilotwith more than 4,900 hours infighter, tanker and airlift aircraft.Magazine SurveyArkansas Guard recently conducteda readership survey. Half ofthose responding were retirees, 30percent were Arkansas Air NationalGuard, 20 percent Arkansas ArmyNational Guard. Sixty percent weremale. Thirty percent were senior officers,20 percent E-5 to E-7, and 10percent were E-8 to E-9. Fifty percentwere section supervisors or top managers;others did not list their positions.Forty percent were above age56; 20 percent were in the 46-55 agerange; 10 percent in the 26-35 agerange; the remainder did not list theirages. Forty percent said they readevery issue. The most read sectionsof the magazine included news, features,and topical/controversial subjects.The least read category wassports. In terms of importance, readersvoted for news and editorials, followedby features, family and topical/controversial issues. Only one readerwanted more sports. The magazinewas rated very honest by 98 percentof our readers. Category ratings:over-all acceptance was outstanding(98.6 percent). Photos weregood (85.6 percent), writing wasgood (80 percent) and the design wasexcellent (80 percent).Bryant picks Porter as AR ANG’s new chief of staffEast Arkansas Delta native andWest Helena businessman Col. RileyP. Porter has been selected for pro-Brig. Gen. Riley P. Portermotion to the rank of brigadier generaland named chief of staff of theArkansas Air National Guard.The announcement came fromBrig. Gen. Shelby G.. Bryant, newly appointedAR ANG commander, whosaid: “I am extremely proud to makethis announcement. General Porteris ideally suited for the important positionof Air Guard chief of staff. As aformer wing commander, he has theknowledge, leadership, and experienceto serve not only as chief of staffbut also as the Joint Force commander,overseeing eight joint forcedirectorates for the combined ArkansasArmy and Air National Guardstructure.”Porter, a command pilot with morethan 5,700 flying hours in training,tanker, and airlift aircraft, is a 1974graduate of the University of Arkan-sas with a Bachelor of Science degreein business administration and marketingand was commissioned as asecond lieutenant through the AirForce ROTC program at the university.A former mayor of West Helena,he is serving as president of the ArkansasFurniture Association, ispresident of the Phillips CountyChamber of Commerce CommunityDevelopment Board and is also presidentof West Helena Furniture Company,Inc.Porter’s awards and decorationsinclude the Meritorious ServiceMedal with two oak leaf clusters, theCombat Readiness Medal with twooak leaf clusters, the Armed ForcesExpeditionary Medal with two servicestars, and the Global War on TerrorismExpeditionary Medal.Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004 9

Army developspolicy toaddress acts ofsexual assaultPhoto Illustration by Buddy GarrettBy Sgt. 1 st Class Marcia TriggsArmy News ServiceWASHINGTON (Army NewsService, June 3, 2004) – The Armyis devising a policy that will re-emphasizethat all offenses of sexualassault must be reported to theCriminal Investigation Command,officials have announced.A task force spent 90 days conductinga detailed review of theArmy’s current policies and programson sexual assault. One of thefindings was that while all commandershad taken action againstassailants accused of sexual assault,not all were going through theproper investigation channels, saidDarlene Sullivan, a task force member.The task force was assembledfrom various Army organizationsand in February began looking intohow the Army addresses matters ofsexual assault. Acting Secretary ofthe Army Les Brownlee authorizedthe task force.The task force recommendationswere approved by Brownlee,and were briefed to the HouseArmed Services Committee June 3by Reginald J. Brown, the assistantsecretary of the Army for Manpowerand Reserve Affairs.There were nine shortfalls thetask force noted in its 80-page report.One major finding pointed outthat there was no standard way ofhandling sexual assault cases, makingit hard to collect data and keeptrack of what services had beenrendered to victims.There were 24 recommendationsmade to improve the system.One was to develop a sexual assaultpolicy for inclusion in ArmyRegulation 600-20, Army CommandPolicy. The chief of personnel,Army G-1, is responsible for theoverall sexual assault policy.The policy will define sexualassault as alleged offenses of rape,forcible sodomy, assault with intentto commit rape or sodomy, indecentassault or an attempt tocommit any of these offenses,Sullivan said. The definition is thesame one used by the Departmentof Defense in its recent report “Carefor Victims of Sexual Assault.”The roles and responsibilitiesof commanders from major commandto the unit level will be addressedin the new policy and becomea part of AR 600-20, said Lt.Col. John McPhaul of Army G-1.“Commanders must create aclimate where victims feel comfortablereporting acts of sexual assault,”said Sullivan. “Rape is oneof the most unreported crimes nationwide.“As a first sergeant, if youdon’t know your Soldier was attackedor raped, how can you protectthat Soldier? What if you putthat Soldier on guard duty with hisor her attacker?It’s imperative that leadersknow that prevention, training andassistance are a commander’s responsibility.”Company commanders will nolonger have the authority to signthe disciplinary paperwork for Soldierswho are accused of a sexualoffense, when the cases don’t goto court. The battalion commander’ssignature will be required,Sullivan said.Department of the Army Form4833, Commander’s Report of Disciplinaryor Administrative Action,is a permanent record that stateswhat a Soldier was accused of, andwhat action was taken against him.Sullivan said the task forcefound that about 20 percent of thecommanders had not filled out theform because of operational tempo.10Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

Another recommendation of thetask force is to alter the form, sothat instead of stating that administrativeaction was taken against aSoldier, his or her specific punishmentswill be listed on the form.Commanders alone cannotround out a successful program toprevent sexual assault, accordingto the task force. Commandersalone cannot be the judge, juror andprosecutor.In AR 600-20 one of the responsibilitiescommanders will have is toassign a unit victim advocate tosupport victims of sexual assault.It is important to keep the victimand the chain of command informedof all case actions as they occurwith the case. The unit victim advocatewill work to provide emotionalsupport to victims while assistingthem in the step-by-stepprocesses involved, McPhaul said.Other agencies whose roles willbe outlined in the chapter will includeCID, the provost marshal, thesurgeon general, staff judge advocateand assistant chief of staff forinstallation management (Communityand Family Support Center),McPhaul said.“The Army agencies alreadyhave some procedures in place andknow what to do, and are doing it,if an act of sexual assault occurs,”McPhaul said, “but we must developcomprehensive policy ofdealing with sexual assault fromawareness/prevention, to victimsupport and data collection.“We are developing a mechanismthat gets all the agencies inconcert with each other by establishinga policy that deals withsexual assault not only in garrisonbut in a deployed setting as well,”he said.Training requirements will alsobe addressed in the regulation,McPhaul said. Within the next 60 to90 days, new chapters will be addedto the regulation and staffed withthe field, he added.Training and Doctrine Commandis currently devising lessonplans on the prevention of sexualassault to be included in all professionaldevelopment schools, refreshercourses at the unit level andadditional training for law enforcement,medical and legal personnel,Sullivan said.When looking for ways to improvethe Army’s policies and programs,the task force sought advicefrom outside agencies to includeDepartment of Veteran Affairs; NationalOrganization of Victim Assis -tance; Rape, Abuse, and Incest NationalNetwork; The Miles Foundation,Navy, Coast Guard and theUniversity of Arizona and PurdueUniversity in Indiana.Both universities were givengrants from the Department of Justicefor their prevention programs,Sullivan said. The age category forthe Soldiers who report the assaultsand their assailants are in thesame age category as the universitystudents, she added. Nearly 84 percentof alleged perpetrators wereidentified as junior Soldiers, and 95percent of the victims were in therank of staff sergeant and below,according the task force report.Sexual harassmentnot tolerated inArkansasNational GuardAll employees of the Arkansas National Guard are entitled to a work environmentfree from all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment.Sexual harassment is defined as a form of sex discrimination that involvesdeliberate or repeated offensive comments, gestures, or physical contact of asexual nature. Implicit or explicit sexual behavior that creates an intimidating oroffensive work environment, or is used to control, influence, or affect thecareer, pay, grade/rank, or job of an individual will not be tolerated.Sexual harassment impedes an individual’s right to a professional workingenvironment. The workplace can also extend to off-duty hours for militarymembers and to temporary duty functions.Any member of the Arkansas National Guard who engages in sexual harassmentwhile conducting National Guard business with other National Guardmembers, employees of other federal or state agencies, persons employed inthe private sector, or other members of the public is violating the establishedstandards of conduct and this policy.Anyone in a leadership position - especially, first-line supervisors - whofail to correct a situation involving sexual harassment of which he or she knows,or reasonably should have known, contributes to sexual harassment and isengaging in an unlawful employment practice. A complaint is not required fora supervisor to take prompt and corrective action, therefore, all sexual harassmentbehavior, when identified, should be eliminated.Source: TAG Policy LetterArkansas Guard - Summer 2004 11

VA offers overview of Guard/Reserve benefitsThe Veterans Administration, incollaboration with the Department ofDefense, has developed a brief butcomprehensive brochure to describebenefits and health services for NationalGuard and Reserve members.The five panel pamphlet providesan overview of VA health care, disabilitybenefits, education and training,vocational rehabilitation and employmentassistance, VA life insurance,home loan guaranty, and burialbenefits, and lists several key toll-freenumbers and Web sites for more information.EligibilityReservists who served on activeduty establish veteran status and maytherefore be eligible for VA benefits,depending on the length of activemilitary service and the character ofdischarge or release. In addition, reservistswho are never called to activeduty may qualify for some VAbenefits. National Guard members canestablish eligibility only if the presidentactivated them for federal service.Health CareGenerally veterans must be enrolledto receive health care services.National Guard and Reserve membersactivated for federal duty can qualifyfor health care services provided bythe VA. These services include hospital,outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy,prosthetic services, domiciliary,nursing home, community-based residentialcare, sexual trauma counseling,s pecialized health care for womenveterans, health and rehabilitationprograms for homeless veterans, readjustmentcounseling, alcohol anddrug dependency treatment. Also,medical evaluation for military serviceMaterial in this article is from VA News and VABenefits Pamphlet, May 2003. Contributorsinclude Flo Hardmon, staff assistant to thedirector, Health Eligibility Center, and DanPeterson with the Little Rock VA. Additionalinformation may be obtained on-line atwww.insurance.va.gov.exposure, including Gulf War, AgentOrange, Ionizing Radiation and otherenvironmental hazards.The VA has extended health carebenefits for combat veterans. In 1998,the VA was authorized to provide abroad range of health care servicesto U.S. veterans who served on activeduty in a theater of combat operationsduring a period of war afterthe Persian Gulf War or in combatagainst a hostile force during a periodof hostilities after Nov. 11, 1998.Such veterans are eligible for twoyears after leaving the military for VAhospital care, medical services, andnursing home care for any illness,even if there is insufficient medicalevidence to conclude that their illnesswas a result of their combat service.National Guard and Reserve memberswho served on active duty in atheater of combat may be eligible forVA health care under this authority.Veterans with health concernsthat may be related to actual combatare encouraged to seek a medicalevaluation at a local VA medical facility.The families of reservists mayalso be eligible for counseling in theReadjustment Counseling Center Program.Disability BenefitsThe VA administers two disabilityprograms. Both are tax-free.Compensation: The VA paysmonthly benefits for disabilities incurredor aggravated during active dutyand active duty for training, and forheart attack or stroke incurred duringinactive duty for training. Such disabilitiesare considered “service-connected.”Additional benefits for themember and his or her dependents orsurvivors may apply.Pension: This income-based benefitis paid to veterans with honorable wartimeservicemembers who are permanentlyand totally disabled (or age 65 orolder).Selected National Guard and Reservemembers may be entitled to up to36 months of benefits under the MontgomeryGI Bill – Selected Reserve(Chapter 606).To qualify, the participant musthave a six-year obligation to serve inthe National Guard or Selected Reserve(officers must agree to serve six yearsin addition to the original obligation;must have completed initial active dutyfor training, meet the requirements toreceive a high school diploma orequivalency certificate before applyingfor benefits, and remain in good standingwhile serving in a National Guardor Selected Reserve unit).Benefit entitlement ends 10 yearsfrom the date of eligibility for the program,or on the date of separation fromservice. Members whose eligibility beganon or after Oct. 1, 1992, have 14years. If activated under title 10, theeligibility period is extended by the timeon active duty plus four months. Aseparate extension applies for each activation.An extension is not availableif activated under U.S.C. Title 32.Vocational Rehabilitation,Employment AssistanceService-disabled veterans mayqualify for rehabilitation and employmentassistance including: job search,vocational evaluation, career exploration,vocational training, education, andrehabilitation services.If enrolled in an education or trainingprogram, the VA will pay for theparticipant’s tuition, fees, books, tools,and other program expenses as well asprovide a monthly living allowance.Complete information is available at:www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm.VA Life InsuranceNational Guard and Reserve Personnelare eligible to receive Servicemembers’Group Life Insurance, VeteransGroup Life Insurance and FamilyGroup Life Insurance.They may also be eligible for Service-DisabledVeterans Insurance ifcalled to active duty, injured, or have aservice-connected disability.12Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

Absentee ballots to be available to all troopsBy Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, June 2, 2004 - Absenteeballots from service membersoverseas will move faster and withgreater control for the 2004 elections,DoD and U.S. Postal Serviceofficials said today.Charles S. Abell, principaldeputy undersecretary of defensefor personnel and readiness, andPaul Vogel, the Postal Service’s vicepresident for network operationsmanagement, discussed the changesmade in the absentee balloting processfor 2004.“We’ve had a year of gettingready for the upcoming federal election,focusing on how we can helpmilitary personnel, their families andcivilians overseas to exercise theirright to vote,” Abell said during aPentagon interview. “As we havelooked at every sort of situation,problem and impediment and triedto resolve them, we have come toanother resolution to help us moveballots and ballot request materialsfrom the hand of the overseas Soldier,Sailor, Airman, Marine or familymember to their county boards ofelections.”Vogel said USPS has been workingwith the Military Postal ServiceAgency to improve the process, “becauseit is that important-especiallywith a presidential election year comingup. If it’s even as remotely closeas the last election was, every ballotreally counts.”Vogel said the DoD/USPS teamhas put together a process that willexpedite the overseas absentee ballotingmail flow and give greater accountability.The Postal Service has no specialprogram in place for service membersvoting absentee in the UnitedStates.“The Postal Service does a greatjob within the United States,” Abellsaid. “Our problem has always beenmore with the overseas voters.”Essentially, the Postal Servicewill ask local postmasters to contactthe officials in counties that are responsiblefor mailing ballots and towhom completed ballots are returned.“Traditionally, 30 to 45 days inadvance of the elections, the blankballots will be mailed out from thosecounties,” Vogel said.The Postal Service is asking thecounty officials to hold out the militaryballots. Local postmasters will takethose ballots and sort them for threedifferent destinations: San Franciscofor service members based around thePacific Rim, New York for Europe, andthe Middle East and Miami for Centraland South America. The balloting materialswill go to those destinations viathe Postal Service’s Express Mail service,Vogel said.Once at these military mail “gateways,”Postal Service managers will login the Express Mail pieces and sort themto the different military ZIP codes. “Allthe balloting materiel will be sortedfirst,” Vogel said. They will go into speciallymarked mail trays and handedover to the airlines.Airline personnel will recognizethat the trays have voting materials andthose trays will again receive priority.In theater, military postal officials willensure balloting materials are againgiven priority as it travels to the servicemember. Once service membersvote, the reverse process is the same -balloting materials receive priority andballots are placed in specially markedtrays. One change, however, is thatwhen ballots are received at the APOor FPO, mail clerks will put postal cancellationmarks on the envelopes.This gives an accurate measure of thedate and time a ballot is received. Atthe postal gateways, ballots will goback into the normal mail flow in theUnited States that allows for a threedaydelivery, Vogel said.But on Oct. 30, Postal officialswill again segregate balloting materialsand use express mail to send ballotsback to county officials. ElectionDay is Nov. 2, but these special-handlingprocedures will continuethrough Nov. 8, Vogel said. Hepointed out, however, that some ballotsreceived after Election Day maynot be counted, because different jurisdictionshave different voting requirements.To be on the safe side, DoD andthe Postal Service recommend servicemembers and their families follow FederalVoting Assistance Program guidelines.FVAP is designating the weekof Sept. 6 as Get Out the Vote Week.By then, “if service members haven’talready requested their ballots, that’sthe week to do it,” Abell said. Theyare also designating the week beginningOct. 11 as Overseas Voting Week.“If you vote that week, your ballotshould arrive back at your home ...before Election Day, which will qualifyyour ballot to be counted in everystate, county and precinct,” Abellsaid.Traditionally, military membersand their families vote at a higher percentagethan the general population.All administrations have encouragedmilitary members to exercise theirrights to vote. “We don’t care howthey vote, just so long as they do,”Abell said.In MemoriamRememberingPresident ReaganContinued from Page 6By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flowof oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gavesupport to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa.Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal ofpeace through strength seemed to be within grasp.Source: The White HouseArkansas Guard - Summer 2004 13

AdifferentviewfromIraqBy Capt. Kristine M. MunnState Public Affairs OfficerWhile most Arkansans are familiarwith the mobilization of the 39th InfantryBrigade to Iraq, fewer are aware ofanother group of Arkansas Guardsmenand women keeping their eyes openoverlooking the skies in Iraq.Nearly 55 members of the CampRobinson-based Headquarters Company,2nd Battalion, 114th Aviation(Air Traffic Services - ATS) have beenserving in Balad and Baghdad sinceJanuary.Responsible for airspace managementand terminal airspace control,these Soldiers provide command andcontrol for Army rotary wing aircraftand airfield management in support ofArmy rotary and fixed wing aircraft.Averaging more than 50,000 movementsper month, the Soldiers of theHeadquarters Company, 2nd Battalion,114th Aviation (ATS) can boast arecord free of accidents and incidentssince their arrival. That’s no smallfeat in Iraq.Recently, Lt. Col. Mark McMullenspoke about his experience commandingthe Headquarters Company of 2ndBattalion, 114th Aviation (ATS) in Iraq.In fact, Lt. Col. McMullen commandsthree companies of approximately 235Staff photos by Capt. Kristine M. MunnLt. Col. Mark McMullen talks in detail with Sgt. 1st Class Terry Martin ofCompany D, 114th Aviation Battalion (ATS), about the challenges of airspacemanagement and control in a combat zone.personnel (one of which is his oldestson who is a generator mechanic) in fivelocations from 10 different states. He isresponsible for Soldiers from the activeand reserve components as well as adetachment of Air Force personnel.When asked what was most challengingabout his work in Iraq,McMullen said it was the communications,such as telephones and radiosalong with “meeting the basic needsof the Soldier.”“The professionalism of our NCO[noncommissioned officer] corps hasreally pulled us through,” saidMcMullen.He continued, saying that conditionshad greatly improved comparedto when the unit first arrived in theater.“We have an MWR [Morale, Welfareand Recreation] facility, a gym in atent, a movie theater, an indoor pool,and Internet and phone tents with 20lines each. It’s a slow connection butit’s adequate,” said McMullen.The Soldiers are keeping busy,working 12 – 14 hours a day with oneday off every other week. Of the 235personnel under McMullen’s command,approximately 40 have been ableto take advantage of the Army’s Restand Recuperation program which allowsSoldiers to take two weeks of leave duringtheir mobilization.“Regenerating Soldiers back toduty is more difficult than when theyfirst arrived,” explained McMullen.“Probably because we’re more awareof what lies ahead and what to expect.”Speaking candidly about histhoughts on the war, McMullen said,“We are changing people’s lives. We’reteaching them that they can have trustin their fellow man. The American publicneeds to know about the positivethings that are taking place there andthe good things our Soldiers are doing.”McMullen continued saying theexperience was beneficial to the troopsas well.“We’ve learned the true meaningof camaraderie … it’s a gift.”“Lying in bed at night is the toughesttime,” said McMullen. “Self preservationis a basic instinct we’re bornwith but what keeps us going is tryingto keep each other safe.”McMullen praised the supportiveefforts of “the folks back at home.”“Our most successful Soldiers arethose with a strong base of support fromhome,” McMullen explained. “Icouldn’t have been as successful as Ihave been in the military without astrong family support network.”McMullen went on to discuss theimpact and implications of the media reportson Soldiers’ morale.“I don’t think people realize howmuch of an impact the media has on thewar,” he said. “It’s discouraging to see14Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

them reporting all of the negatives andnot highlighting any of the positives… and we’re doing so many goodthings.”McMullen explained that the negativepress is disheartening for the Soldiersand it’s dangerous.Indicating that the insurgents buildtheir war plans, in part, on informationthey receive from media coverage, heBy Spc. Tim GroomsNo matter what job you have inthe military, there are many responsibilitiesinvolved. Some jobs have morethan others. For the Soldiers workingin air traffic control the responsibilityof managing incoming and outgoinghelicopters can be a huge task, requiringdetailed knowledge of the surroundingarea.Armed with a 360-degree view, aradio and a weather computer, the Soldierskeep the airways safe, and monitorand log the incoming and outgoingair traffic.“We have to learn the airfield, visualreporting points [fixed locationsaround the base], clouds, visibility andspecial clearance for weather,” saidSgt. Reunite Johnson, an air traffic controlspecialist with Delta Company, 114thAviation (Air Traffic Services).“We separate the aircraft in the airspaceand try to get the faster ones insaid, “I have no doubt that some of thethings the professional analysts havediscussed have cost Americans theirlives. We’re fighting a smart enemy.They realize they don’t need a bunchof fancy technology, they just need towatch the news.”No matter what the media or thepublic may think, it’s obviousMcMullen believes in what he and hisMonitoring Kosovo’s airspaceMaj. Gen. Don C. Morrow, adjutantgeneral of Arkansas, talks withmembers of Detachment 1, 149thAir Ambulance Company during avisit to Bosnia in July.front of the sloweraircraft,” said Spc.Taylor Withers ofthe unit. “It getstough thoughwhen a lot of aircraftare coming inat once. You haveto be on the balland make sure youdo not send anyonepast anyoneelse’s path. Whenyou have seven toeight aircraft atonce you have toremember wherethey are and wherethey are going.”The Soldiers’Spc. Lee Walker,an air traffic controlspecialist withDelta Company,114th Aviation (AirTraffic Services),speaks to a helicopterpilot priorto the crew’s departure.ability to control air traffic on busy daysis considered one of their beststrengths.With changing meteorological conditions,weather information is an importantpart of air traffic control.“We have a continuous weather updateso we don’t have to call the AirForce all the time for weather,” said Sgt.Ryan Ziemski, an air traffic controllerwith the unit, talking of the weather computerthat was installed last rotation.“The equipment is very precise.”The responsibility of controllingaircraft can get the nerves going whenthe load gets heavy, Withers said.“I enjoy it when it gets busy andmy heart starts to race and I get a littlenervous,” he said.With changing weather conditions,helicopters coming in from all directionsand foreign pilots, the air trafficcontrollers of Bondsteel have theirhands full.They may not be controlling airplanesat a major metropolitan airport,but they are controlling the aircraft doingimportant missions aroundKosovo.Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004 15Photo by Spec. Tim GroomsSoldiers are doing.“If our leaders are going to exposeour kids, our mothers and fathers,sons and daughters, to this,we’re either demented or we believethey will grow, mature and contribute,”he said. “Someone once saidliving in a country that doesn’t haveanything worth fighting for isn’tworth living in. I believe that.”Staff Sgt. Venetta Hammons, ofCompany D, 114th Aviation Battalion(ATS), demonstrates equipmentused to perform air traffic servicesin Kosovo.

39th Reports forMobilizationOct. 12, 2003Soldiers arrive atFt. Hood, TexasNov. 1, 2003Soldiers arrive atFt. Polk, La.Jan. 31, 2004Final soldiers arrive atCamp New York,KuwaitMarch 26, 2004SFC William Labadie KIAApril 7, 2004April 9, 2004April 16, 2004SGT Felix Delgreco(CONN)KIAFinal soldiers arrive aCamp Cooke,IraqPage design by Brandie L. MikesellPhotos by Public Affairs Staff

After 120 days of intense training, the 39th Brigade istransformed from a light infantry brigade to digitized heavy-motorizedenhanced brigade combat team; from citizen soldiers to combatsoldiers.In March, the 39th BCT began putting troops on the ground intheater in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The 39th is conductingcombat operations to defeat destabilizing forces, secure keyterrain, and conduct stability and support operations to create asecure environment.April 24, 2004April 24, 2004CPT Arthur FelderCW4 Patrick KordsmeierSSG Billy OrtonSSG Stacey Brandon KIATransfer of Authority from1st Armored Div. to1st Cavalary Div.SPC Kenneth MeltonKIAApril 25, 2004Although the 39th tragically lost severalmembers as a result of hostileaction while in country, the teamcontinues to work to reconstructparts of Iraq and maintain a secureenvironment while aiding Iraq tobecome a sovereign nation.SSG Hesley Box, JRKIASFC Troy MirandaKIA1LT Erik McCraeSGT Justin EyerlySPC Justin Linden(OR)KIAMay 6, 2004May 20, 2004June 4, 2004SPC Eric McKinley(OR)KIAJune 13, 2004Transfer ofSovereignty to IraqJune 28, 2004

F-16 photos by Capt. Kristine M. MunnCol. J.R. Dallas, 188 th Fighter Wing commander,and several members of the maintenancecrew perform preflight inspections on theaircraft before a mission. The 188 th FighterWing boasts one of the best maintenancerecords in its class, a true testament to the factthat the Guard’s advanced experience levelis a tremendous asset to the total force.Where’d who go???Best Raptor bait seen to dateBy Capt. Kristine MunnState Public Affairs OfficerWhen the Air Force went lookingfor an opponent to fly against theworld’s most advanced weapons system,you might be surprised to find outwho they turned to.Knowing up font that anyadversarial platform would be inferiorto the F/A-22’s sophisticated technology,the challenger needed to excel inskill and proficiency to have any hopeof putting up a fight against the rebelliousRaptor.With more than 130 years of combinedexperience and an average ofmore than 2,500 flying hours apiece,nine of the Arkansas Air NationalGuard’s finest from the 188th FighterWing stepped up to the challenge.As part of the validation syllabusfor the F/A-22, a series of missions arebeing flown to test its capabilities andbring it one step closer to becoming anoperational asset in the arsenal for ournation’s defense. The F-16 unit knownas the 188th Fighter Wing’s Flying Razorbacksfrom Fort Smith, Ark., can nowsay they’ve been part of that effort.“This is a historical event, not onlyfor the 188th, but also for the F/A-22,”said Col. J.R. Dallas, commander of the188th Fighter Wing. “Having been selectedto be the first operational unit tofly against the Raptor says a lot aboutour unit and the Air National Guard.”Lt. Gen. Stephen H. Blum, directorof the National Guard Bureau, has statedthat the Guard must be a ready, reliableand relevant force, and the 188th FighterWing has certainly lived up to that decree.With a Full Mission Capable rateof 83 percent, one of the best in the nation,the maintenance and support functionsof the 188th are just as acclaimedas their pilots.“Most of our guys have a level ofexperience and expertise you only findin your most senior ranks on activeduty,” said Maj. Joe Wilson, commanderof the 188th Maintenance Squadron.“Typically, you’ll see those senior personnelmoved into a supervisory positionwhereas our folks are out on theline putting their experience to work, andthat makes a difference.”Another major contributor, saidWilson, is that his guys are in a unit18Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

An F-16 from the 188 th Fighter Wing taxis by the mountainoussetting that surrounds Nellis AFB, Nev.MSgt. Mike Leding straps inMaj. Ken Griffin in preparationof a mission flight toshow the F/A-22 Raptor crewswhat the Flying Razorbacksare made of.TSgt. Larry Sterling, weapons loader, inspects an AIM-9M heatseeking missile before a mission flight.they chose to be in, doing a job theylove to do.Speaking of a job worth loving,when asked what it was like to fly withthe Raptor, you could feel the atmosphereelectrify as pilot slang and handgestures were used to describe feelingsof awe and amazement at the capabilitiespossessed by the Raptor. Thosecomments were followed soon thereafterby infamous quotes like “where’dwho go…” and roars of laughter as talkof how easily the F/A-22 defeated theF-16’s comparatively antiquated technology.While the technical trouncing wasexpected, the F/A-22 crew had only kudosfor the Arkansas contingent, sayingthe members of the 188th FighterWing were, by far, some of the mostprofessional people they had everworked with.U.S. Air Force photoThe F/A-22 Raptor’s primaryobjective will be to establishair superiority through theconduct of counter air operations.Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004 19

Staff Photo by Brandie MikesellIn March, Arkansas’61 st Civil SupportTeam (WMD) becameone of the first CSTsin the nation to receivethe $1.5 millionAnalytical LaboratorySystem. The new labwill allow the CST toset up more quickly,process a larger numberof samples in ashorter period oftime, and reduce thelikelihood of crosscontamination.MSgt. Barry Witherow (right) andMaj. Stanley Evans (left) preparea test sample in the mobile lab’sglove/containment box.Guatemalan delegates visitArkansas National GuardBy Brandie MikesellPublic Affairs SpecialistA delegation from Guatemala visitedthe Arkansas National Guard inJanuary in support of the State PartnershipProgram between Arkansas andGuatemala.The six Guatemalan delegates visitedthe Directorate of Military Services– including the Counter Drugand Recon Air Interdiction Detachment– the 61st Civil Support Team, and theArkansas Department of EmergencyManagement to learn more about howto better respond to emergencies intheir country.The delegates were able to observethe 61st CST and Pulaski CountyEmergency Management’s responseand mitigation of a Weapons of MassDestruction exercise.The Deputy Director of CONRED,Guatemala’s equivalent of FEMA,Walter Sagastume, said that one of theirgreatest challenges is financing. Theyhave an annual budget of only $2 millionfor the entire country with a populationof 11.5 million people.Compare this to Arkansas with apopulation of 2.7 million and an annualbudget for emergency management ofapproximately $29 million.Beyond budget problems are theissues of language and literacy. Thepopulation speaks 23 Indian languagesas well as Spanish and has an illiteracyrate of 50-55 percent. This makes communicatingemergency education andinformation extremely difficult.Guatemala is plagued with naturaldisasters. There are frequent hurricanes,wildfires, mudslides and volcanoes tocontend with, as well as man-made disasters.Sagastume said he would like tosee emergency management centralizedbut added, “maybe in 100 years it willhappen.” In the meantime, they areworking through the State PartnershipProgram to learn things they can donow to improve their response timesand ways of handling local and nationalemergencies.The State Partnership Program beganin 1993 to link National GuardStates and territories with partner countriesfor the purpose of fostering mutualinterests and establishing longtermrelationships across all levels ofsociety.There are currently 40 partnershipsworldwide. The National Guard wasselected for this unique duty becauseof its ability to address democratic controlof the military, foster civil-militaryrelations, and demonstrate military supportfor civilian authority.Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow, the adjutantgeneral of Arkansas, and membersof the State Partnership Programtraveled to Guatemala in March wherethey visited with the minister of defenseand witnessed a full-scale emergencyresponse exercise.20Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

AR ARNG units receive Freedom SalutesFreedom Salutes recognizeSoldiers for contributions theymade while mobilized in support ofthe global war on terrorism.Recognition has gone to 43Soldiers from Company B, 935thCombat Support Battalion, 50 Soldiersfrom the 25th Rear OperationsCenter, n early 100 Soldiers from theGuard’s Company A, 875th EngineerBattalion, and about 200 Soldiersfrom the 224th Maintenance Company,142nd Field Artillery Brigade.At press time, Arkansas Guardlearned that the 212th SignalBattalion was also on tap to receivea Freedom Salute.Company B, 935th Combat SupportBattalion was mobilized inJanuary 2003 in support of OperationEnduring Freedom. The unitwas demobilized in December 2003.Their mission was to augment existingsecurity forces to strengthenbase defenses and force protection.The 25th ROC was mobilized inFebruary 2003 in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom. Theunit was demobilized in May 2003.Its mission was that of base defenseand force protection.Company A, 875th EngineerBattalion, was federally activated inMarch 2003 in support of OperationEnduring Freedom. After twomonths of training, the unit wascertified by the U.S. Army anddeemed ready for combat. Whenmajor combat operations ended inIraq sooner than expected, CompanyA’s mission changed tosupport homeland defense at theUmatilla Depot, Ore., in support ofOperation Noble Eagle III.The 224th Maintenance Companywas mobilized in February 2003in support of Operation NobleEagle/Enduring Freedom and spenttime at Fort Sill, Okla., providingmultiple levels of maintenancesupport to other Army units. The224th was demobilized in October2003.Nearly 200 soldiers from the212th Signal Battalion were mobilizedin June 2003 in support ofOperation Noble Eagle. The 212thwas assigned to Fort Sam Houston,Texas, with primary duty as securityguards at the post’s main gate.The Freedom Salute Campaignis one of the largest Army NationalGuard recognition endeavors inhistory designed to publiclyacknowledge Army National GuardSoldiers and those who supportedthem during President George W.Bush’s call to duty for OperationsNoble Eagle, Enduring Freedomand Iraqi Freedom.Military Salutepart ofNorthLittle Rock’s100th BirthdaycelebrationNorth Little Rock held a MilitarySalute as part of its 100thbirthday party, May 1, 2004. Callingits centennial celebration the“Party of the Century,” the citypaid homage to the Arkansas Na-Staff Sgt. Janet Schwartz, 106thArmy Band,plays taps for the event.Staff Photo by Buddy Garrett‘Party of the Century’tional Guard and brought in a multitudeof talent to include actorsMary Steenburgeon, husband TedDanson and Joey Lauren Adams.Steenburgeon and Adams are nativeArkansans.The salute also welcomed homemilitary members returning fromfederal missions, including Maj.James Guffy, and Master Sgt.David Oginski, 154th WeatherFlight; 1st Lt. Clint Miller, Staff Sgt.Lance Black, Sgt. Ryan Web, Spc.Joseph Martin, 296th Medical Company;and Tech. Sgt. DonaldBreshears, 123rd Intelligence Squadron.The Honor Guard included StaffSgt. Janet Schwartz, 106th Army Band,Arkansas Army National Guard, whoplayed ‘Taps,’ and members of theHonor Guard firing team: Sgt. 1stClass Brian Davis, 149th Med CoArkansas Guard - Summer 2004 21Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Black1st Lt. Clint Miller is welcomedhome by actress Joey LaurenAdams, a North Little Rock native.(AA); Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Mills,106th Army Band; Sgt. 1st ClassSue Newton, 87th Troop Command;Staff Sgt. Alice Bridges,Staff Sgt. Rita Borecky and StaffSgt. Ray Bradley, all of State AreaCommand; Sgt. Fred Lee, CompanyD, 212th Signal Battalion; Sgt. CharityWebb, State Area Command.

Capt. Tracy Saucy, Spc. Will Ingram and Spc. Rick Fahr (left to right)check the layout of ‘The Wire’ newspaper. ‘The Wire’ is produced by the70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment assigned to the Joint InformationBureau at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.Joint Task Force GuantanamoPublic Affairs provides newsBy SGT Jolene StakerDet 1, 70th Mobile Public AffairsCamp Robinson’s Detachment 1,70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachmentjoined its parent unit from Missouri fora mission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.“Our unit was activated and deployedin August 2003 in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom, and I amproud to say my soldiers performed inan exemplary manner as the Joint TaskForce Guantanamo public affairs team,”said Capt. Tracy Saucy, detachmentcommander. The unit returned homeJuly 1, 2004.The 70th MPAD members producedthe command newspaper, The Wire, escortedcivilian media, maintained the JointTask Force website, marketed stories tooutside media sources, produced videoproducts as well as public service announcements,and DJ’d on the NavalBase radio station.“We were there when training washappening,” Saucy said. “If the JointTask Force personnel were out training,we were there covering it.” PADmembers don’t stay in the office andthey don’t have regular hours. “Theirhours are our hours,” said Saucy. “Wetook all the pictures, put it together inthe paper and we made the videos. Weshowed the world what all Soldiers,Sailors, Marines, Airmen and CoastGuardsmen were doing.”The broadcast section producedthe JTF mission video the “Faces ofFreedom” and had or will produce individualvideos for each unit serving inJTF Guantanamo. Spc. Mickey Millerand Spc. Mark Woodall both receivedrecognition for their work on the video.“I think the best part of my deploymentwas knowing that we put togetherthe best product possible andto see that product make other peoplehappy,” said Woodall.Broadcasters also played a valuablerole in filling in at the Naval Baseradio station. They produced advertisementsas well as filling in for liveshows.Soldiers working on The Wire alsohad many photo assignments in additionto what showed up in the paper. IfSgt. 1st Class Tom Guminisky (left)and Sgt. Joshua Carroll (right) meetwith ABC news anchor PeterJennings.Photos by SGT Jolene StakerSpec. Mark Woodall (standing) andSpec. Mickey Miller check their workto ensure accuracy.it happened in the JTF, chances arethere was someone there from TheWire taking photos.“Our mission was one that gaveus a great chance every week to supportthe men and women here who werepart of Joint Task Force Guantanamo,”said Spc. Rick Fahr, editor. “We providedinformation. and occasionally alittle entertainment, that benefited thefolks we worked with. I know our fellowtroopers appreciated our work, andthat gave us a strong sense of satisfaction.”Perhaps the most behind-thescenesjob in the JTF was the mediarelations escorts. This section was responsiblefor escorting the civilian mediawho visited, and ensured that theyonly take pictures and video that wouldnot compromise operational security.“The media relations sectionworked long hours and had to dealwith difficult situations constantly,”said Sgt. Joshua Carroll. “It wasn’teasy, but I wouldn’t have had it anyother way.”Long work hours, challenging assignmentsand living conditions thatwere much different from what anyoneis used to at home made this deploymentstressful, according to Saucy, butthe lessons learned will follow membersof the detachment throughout theircareers.“As detachment commander, thisdeployment created an excellent arenain which to assess the abilities of mySoldiers,” said Saucy. “I saw unit cohesiongrow and individual Soldier andpublic affairs skills perfected. I knowthat I could take this team of competentprofessionals anywhere in theworld and be confident that they wouldexcel in even the most challenging situations.”22Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

Army poststo growBy Sgt. Lorie JewellArmy News ServiceSgt. 1st Class Steven W. Simmons, schools course manager for the NationalGuard Marksmanship Training Center, shows a student how to handlean M136 AT4, a light weight, anti-armor weapon, used primarily by the infantry.It fires an 84mm projectile with a high explosive warhead at a maximumeffective range of more than 900 feet. Durable for desert warfare, it canoperate in temperatures up to about 140 degrees.Career-minded studentstake Camp Robinson tourSixty students from the North LittleRock High School Business LeadershipAcademy toured Camp Robinson inMarch, seeing firsthand a variety ofoccupations available through the ArkansasNational Guard.“We wanted to emphasize continuingtheir education, showcase the ArkansasNational Guard, and let themhave a little fun away from the classroom,”said Maj. Anita Long, secretaryto the General Staff. Both she and Capt.Shawn Keeter, special projects officerfor the Chief of Staff’s Office, coordinatedthe students’ visit.After a morning welcome by Maj.Gen. Don Morrow, adjutant general ofArkansas, the students were brokeninto two groups, each group visiting theArmy Aviation Services Facility, the Directorateof Military Support , the 61stCivil Support Team (WMD), and theMarksmanship Training Center’s engagementskills trainer where they firedelectronic impulses at a wall-sized screen- the largest electronic shooting rangein Arkansas.Coordinators at each locationhelped provide a positive impact on thestudents.“The visit expanded their knowledgebase and, hopefully, they’ll usethat knowledge to make informed decisionsand right choices for their future,”Long said.Feedback from the school confirmedthe students’ understanding andappreciation of what the Arkansas NationalGuard is all about.“It was amazing how much pridethey took in their work,” said one student.“They were really passionate!”Other students agreed:“I thought all we would see was abunch of soldiers running around sweating,”one student said.“I had no idea that North Little Rockwas so important!”“Everyone was really nice. Evenwhen we were stupid,” another one said.“They were all so smart. And theyreally like to go to school. Did you pickup on all of those jobs? I thought theyjust drove tanks.”Staff Photo by Buddy GarrettWASHINGTON, D.C. (Army NewsService, July 26, 2004) – A number ofArmy installations will grow by severalthousand Soldiers in the nextfew years as a result of decisions onwhere new brigade combat teams(units of action) will be temporarilybased, according to senior Army officials.Permanent locations will be decidedduring the 2005 Base Realignmentand Closure process, also knownas BRAC, the officials said.“It is an operational necessityright now to build these brigade combatteam units of action and get theminto the field as quickly as possible,’’said Brig. Gen. David Ralston, directorof force management in the Army’sG-3, at a media briefing.The Army is transforming from adivision-based force into smaller, morerapidly deployable brigade-basedunits that will provide greater combatpower. Plans call for 43 modular brigadecombat teams to be in place byfiscal 2006, up from 34 brigades theArmy has now. The National Guardwill also transform its current combatforce to 34 modular BCTs, officialssaid.The active Soldiers will be assignedto the new units of actionthrough cross-leveling, PCS moves,and straight out of advanced individualtraining, or AIT. Some willalso be transferred from Korea andother overseas locations, and aftercompleting drill sergeant and recruitingtours. Officials pledged to limitback-to-back combat tours as muchas possible.Once permanently stationed witha new unit of action, the Army willmake every effort to allow Soldiers toremain at an installation for up toseven years.Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004 23

216th Military Police Co.guards prisoners in CubaBy SGT Jolene StakerDet 1, 70th Mobile Public AffairsThe 216th Military Police Companywas in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for itssecond deployment.The West Memphis-based unit wasfirst activated six days after the 9/11 terroristattacks to provide security at CampRobinson, the Arkansas National Guardheadquarters in North Little Rock. Theunit also provided military police forsecurity at the Little Rock National Airportand Arkansas Nuclear One, anuclear plant near Russellville. In October2002, the unit was activated toprovide homeland defense at FortLeonard Wood, Mo. From there its memberswent home for a short leave, trainedat Fort Dix, N.J., and were then forwardmobilized to Guantanamo in August2003. The unit returned to Arkansas onJuly 22, 2004.The majority of the 216th MPs workinside the wire with detainees. Thereare also members who work in food service,maintenance, security and intelligence,and administrative support.Those working with detainees takecare of many of the their needs, and forthose needs they can’t fill MPs ensurethat the correct people are notified. TheMPs make sure the detainees get theirSecurity checks ensure prisonersare kept confined and safe.24recreation time and opportunityto shower.”My responsibility is toensure that each detainee istreated fairly and consistently,”said Spec. Jason Pilkington.MPs were not alwaystreated well on their job, butthey learned to take it instride.“[Detainees] are going to vent theirfrustration and yell and scream at somebody– I don’t take it personally,” saidStaff Sgt. William Trigg. “I make surethey are treated well, they aren’t mistreatedin any way, and their needs aretaken care of. They are people.”“We check on their health and wellbeing,”said Sgt. Chris Chamblis. “Whenthey run out of comfort items we replacethe items as well as ensure they getthree meals a day.”MPs do not make many of the decisionsthat affect daily life for the detainees;they simply make sure that the overallguidelines set by the standard operationprocedure and specific instructionsfor each detainee are followed.“As block sergeant, it is my responsibilityto make sure things runsmoothly and correctly according to theSOP,” said Sgt. Rodney Wade.While the standard operating procedureis designed to ensure that thedetainees are treated humanely, MPsvoiced that they wanted to treat the detaineeswell.“I treat the detainees like I wouldwant to be treated – with humanity,” saidStaff Sgt. Darren Whitaker.MPs find that this respect helpsthem build a rapport with the detaineesthat makes daily operations run moresmoothly. Members of the 216th MPCompany take pride in the fact that detaineessaid that they liked the razorbackpatch.“It’s important to build a rapportwith the detainees which eliminatesproblems,” said Wade.Time for chow. It may not be home cooking,but there’s plenty of it.“It’s not that I cater to them or givethem special privileges that I’m not allowedto, but it’s the simple fact that Igive them respect and they respect meback,” said Cpl. John Harville.“We have a mission here,” saidSgt. Brenda McRay. “I do my part. Imaintain what they are supposed tohave and strive to be fair. I’m glad I’vehad the opportunity to serve.”The mission has been a learning experiencefor MPs. While many came tothe mission with civilian experience,they’ve still found many growth opportunities.Spec. Chris Goss has worked withprisoners both as a corrections officerand police officer. “I look at things witha different perspective now,” he said.“We never really know the specificrewards of our work, because of thenature of the mission,” said Chambliss.“We have to be content knowing thatwe’ve made our mark and served ourcountry.”MPs may not know details of howtheir daily job pays off in the global waron terrorism, but they do know that theyare working a high profile mission andthat they represent America.“The one thing I know about thismission is that America is a great nationand these detainees are treated well,”said Chamblis.Besides taking care of the detaineesit has been important for membersof the 216th to take care of each other.“Keeping soldiers motivated hasbeen the most challenging part of myjob” said Sgt. 1st Class Keith Robinson.“You have to show them that you careand that means being out there withArkansas Guard - Spring/Summer 2004

them and talking with them on a regularbasis.”One of the ways that leadershipshowed soldiers at Guantanamo thatthey cared was to emphasize professionaldevelopment opportunities.Some members of the 216th MP Companyhave had the opportunity to completethe Primary Leadership DevelopmentCourse while at Guantanamo.“We had really good instructors,”said Cpl. Janice Williams. “It couldn’tbe any better.”Perhaps the best benefit for the soldiersis that they get to complete thecourse while already on active duty andaway from home.“I’ve been away from my familyenough,” said Williams. “This is twoweeks that I won’t have to spend awayfrom my family when I get home.”Soldiers will be returning to Arkansaswith invaluable experience andready to attain new goals.“Being on this mission has givenus a chance to bond as a unit,” said Sgt.William Suggs. “And show the militaryand the rest of the world that the 216this a National Guard unit that is totallymission-capable and proud to serve.”“Other than being away from family,I feel good about being down here,”said 2nd Lt. Derrick Williams, 1st platoonleader. “I’m glad I have had theopportunity to serve my country andbe part of history.”As proud as they are to serve, theyare also ready to get back to their lovedones. The unit headquarters sign thatStaff Sgt. Doug Newsom worked on foralmost a month features a razorback thatis headed in a different direction thantheir unit patch, because the razorbackon the building is headed home.“I want to take care of my troops,accomplish the mission and return homesafely,” said Staff Sgt. Tony Robinson,training, plans and operations NCO.“It has been a tremendous honorto serve our great country. Each soldierof the 216th made sacrifices to protectour nation,” said Capt. Betty Anderson,company commander. “We all are veryproud to say the 216th Military PoliceCompany played a significant roleagainst the war on global terrorism.”Class #21 graduatesfrom Youth ChallengeSaturday, Feb. 14, 2004, ArkansasYouth Challenge graduated its 21stclass, with two students receiving tophonors.Cadet Shayna Slaughter receivedthe Academics Award for outstandinggrades, performance and score on theGED. Cadet Charles Maynard receivedthe Distinguished Cadet award for bestin overall leadership, academics and ProgramStandards.The Arkansas Youth ChallengeProgram began in 1994 and ranks in thetop one-third of public schools in Arkansas.Almost 80 percent of graduatesreceive their Arkansas High SchoolDiploma (GED).Of the 1,717 students who havegraduated since 1994, 79 percent are eithercontinuing their education or working,18 percent have joined the military,and 3 percent are either not working orare unaccounted for.The National Guard began theYouth Challenge Program to curb thedropout rates among at-risk teens age16- to 18- years old through legislationin the early 1990s.Congress saw the National Guardas an invaluable community resource to“train, lead, and mentor young peoplein a caring yet disciplined environment.”Students provide almost 10,000 hoursof community service each year. Currently,27 states and Puerto Rico participatein the program.The program is a military basedtraining program with eight core components:Leadership/Followership; ResponsibleCitizenship; Educational Excellence;Job Skills; Life Coping Skills;Health, Sex Education, and Nutrition;Community Service; and Physical Fitnessto aid at-risk youth in becomingproductive members of society.The program is completed in twophases. Phase I is the five month residentialphase and Phase II is the 12month community mentoring phase witha specially trained member from thestudent’s community who helps guidethe student to apply the skills they havelearned.Academics AwardCadet Slaughter had spent twoyears living in a car when she heard ofYouth Challenge. She jumped at thechance to earn money while improvingher life (Students receive $15/week duringthe residential phase and $300/quarterduring the community phase).Slaughter was thrilled with her AcademicsAward. She earned her GED andscored 694 out of 800. She said, “Itproves to the world I’m not an idiot. Ifeel good about myself. I’m not a failure.”She states she would recommendthe program to others who were trulyinterested and dedicated. “Nobody canchange you, you have to change yourself.”Slaughter also took the ACT andscored extremely well. She plans to attendDuke University Medical Schoolwhere she would like to study to be anobstetrician.Distinguished Cadet AwardCadet Maynard was living in ayouth home in Mountain Home when afriend of his father’s told him about theYouth Challenge Program. He joinedYouth Challenge in September 2003.During his five-month stay in the residentialphase, he put in over 190 hoursof community service (40 is required),spoken at Lion’s Meeting, sang in thechoir at the Christmas party and marchedin parades. He has worked on his physicalfitness and said, “one of the greatesthonors I had was meeting adjutant general,Don Morrow.”Cadet Maynard has now moved intothe community phase and was eager toreturn home to his friends. He plans toreturn to his local high school for hisdiploma, although he earned his GEDwhile in the residential phase. Aftergraduation, Maynard hopes to attendthe prestigious U.S. Naval Academy.Senator Blanche Lincoln nominated himto the Academy.Maynard traveled to Washington,D.C. in May to accept an award for Arkansas’Youth Challenge Program.Arkansas Guard - Spring/Summer 2004 25

223rd CBCStrains on‘TheaterDeployment’equipmentforARKLATEX2004Maj. Keith MooreJFHQ-Air Public Affairs26Staff Sgt. Shawn Honea, a telecommunications specialist with the 221stCombat Communications Squadron, checks radio communications fromthe relay site back to base during ARKLATEX 2004.HOT SPRINGS, ARK- - The face of combatcommunications underwent a “makeover” recently as members of four combatcommunications units from threestates deployed here for annual trainingand field implementation of a newtechnology package.The 223rd Combat CommunicationsSquadron (CBCS), Arkansas AirNational Guard, hosted members fromits sister units, the 221st CBCS, the 254thCombat Communications Group, bothof Garland, Texas, and the 236th CBCSof Hammond, La.“We brought these related units togetherfor a two-fold purpose for thisannual training,” said Lt.Col. MarcHuneycutt, commander of the 223rdCBCS at Hot Springs. “First, we all needto get up to speed on the new equipment.Secondly, we train together becauseunder the Air Expeditionary Forceconcept, entire units will not normallydeploy all together. We have to learnand adjust to each other’s methods andapproach to getting the same job done.”The operation, which was dubbed“ARKLATEX 2004” by participants, involvedthe units in “real world” trainingon the new Theater Deployable CommunicationsSystem. The TDCS is amulti-platform voice and data networkcapable of relaying voice communicationssuch as telephone and radio communicationsas well as data streamssuch as computer networks, e-mail andinternet access direct to commanders ortroops located in forward operatingsites. The TDCS is the new standard inmilitary communications to and from thebattlefield. It has been in the field andtested by the Air Force over the last fouryears. Reserve component CBCS unitsare now being fielded with the sameequipment to bring them on par with theactive component units.“This equipment is being fielded inphases to the 34 combat communicationsunits for two purposes,” saidHuneycutt. “First, equipping all theunits will make inter-operability easier,in that everyone will be using the samegear and technology to communicate.Second, it reduces both the assets requiredto deploy a CBCS team, and thenumber of deployments any one unitshould be subject to in a 24-48 monthAir Expeditionary Force rotation.”The TDCS concept improves combatcommunications by taking “off-theshelf”hardware and software and packagingthe voice and data streams of informationinto the military’s transmissionnetwork. The information is, ofcourse, encrypted before transmission,then sent via the most efficient methodfor delivery to the end users - superhigh frequency radio, microwave relayor linked across by satellite.The training plan called for simulatinga deployment situation linking aforward base to a rear operations center,the Air Guard units set up a base ofoperations at the Hot Springs Airportand then deployed two field teams toact as relay point and the end-user base.The deployed teams were sent to amountain top relay point in Hot Springsand to Fort Chaffee, Ark., some 120 milesaway.“What you are seeing is the ‘stateof the art’ in battlefield communications.We can transmit voice and data over asecure network to and from remote locationseither via troposcatter microwaveor satellite. Of course the satelliteallows you greater reach to very remotelocations,” said Senior Amn.Jeffery Shipley a systems technicianworking the network control center forthe exercise. “It works very much likeany business network. We connect oneuser to another – except the informationwe are sending can range frombattle damage assessments to humanitarianassistance information, to basice-mail traffic.”Master Sgt. Barrett McGuire, systemsadministrator for the 236th CBCSfrom Hammond, La., said the TDC fieldingbrought with it several benefits forcombat communications – size and portability.“This technology shift frees usfrom having to deploy one or more tractor-trailersized vans and instead we de-Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004Photos by Maj. Keith Moore, JFHQ-air Public Affairs

ploy one or two pallets of gear and moveit into an air conditioned tent,” he said.“It also frees us to serve almost limitlessnumbers of end users. Under theold system we were limited by the numberof lines one van could tie-in. WithTDC we have a few computers, networkcontroller, switches, router and our encryptionequipment and we can operateanywhere just like a local phone companyor network provider.”As a fully qualified combat communicationsunit used to deploying andworking under “bare base” conditions,the 223rd is expertly trained to meet itsmissions.“Like any Guard unit, we have adual tasking or mission orientation,”Huneycutt said. “We are tasked on thefederal side to provide communicationsin support of up to 1,200 users in an airoperations center. We are also taskedunder the governor to provide supportand assistance in times of disaster forthe people of Arkansas.” He added thatbecause of the austere conditions theunit is trained to work in, they have greatexperience and appropriate assets to getemergency power and communicationslinks into any small town in Arkansas ifneeded.Summarizing the week-long operation,Huneycutt said the four communicationsunits had gained invaluableknowledge and experience in a veryshort time. The members had takenownership of the new technology andgone about the mission of mastering itsapplication with their normal outstandingfocus and dedication.Senior Amn. David Wesser (seated),223rd CBCS and Senior Amn.Brendan Baker, 221st CBCS coordinatealignment of microwave relaysignals via radio-telephone from theirmountain-top relay site in Hot Springsto the forward deployment base inFort Chaffee.Guard/Reserve familieseligible for child careThe Department of the Army is providingfree childcare services during onedrill weekend per month at the ChildrenFirst Childcare Center, Building 68, FortRoots in North Little Rock. Hours ofoperation are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each dayof drill. A recent pilot program wasconducted from January through June2004. The DOA has extended the programthrough at least September 2005.The DOA funded childcare servicesare primarily available to the Army, ArmyNational Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve.Other branches of service: Air Force,Navy, Marines may use the services ona space-available basis. Services arealso available as a Parent’s Day Out forthe parents/legal custodians of childrenof mobilized/deployed troops. The serviceis free to the users with a one-timeregistration fee of $25.The Children First Childcare Centercares for children ages six weeks to12 years of age. Each staff member hasa Child Development Associate certification,and is certified in First Aid andCardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Thecenter is accredited by the National Associationfor the Education of YoungChildren, and has received ArkansasState Quality Approval.The current contract only allowsfor the center to remain open for oneEditor’s Note: Little Rock AFB alsohas child care services for Guard andReserve families on active duty. Thatprogram should not be confused withthe Army’s program at Fort Roots. Tofind out more about the program callLittle Rock AFB, 987-3156.drill weekend per month. Therefore, theschedule will coincide with the JointForce Headquarters drilling cycle whenthe majority of units will be training.Childcare services are currently scheduledfor the following drill weekends:For 2004: Oct. 2-3, Nov. 6-7, and Dec.4-5. For 2005: Jan. 8-9, Feb. 5-6, March5-6, April 2-3, May 14-15, June 4-5, July16-17, Aug. 6-7, and Sept. 10-11.Directions: From the front gate ofCamp Robinson, travel down MilitaryDrive to McArthur and turn left at thelight. At the third stop light, turn rightonto Pershing (McArthur will turn intoPike Ave.) Pershing will take you intothe Scenic Hill area. Pulaski TechnicalCollege is on the right as Pershingcurves to the left. Continue onPershing, then turn right onto CypressStreet. Building 68 is the first buildingon the left. The entrance to the childcarecenter is by the playground with theprivacy fence.Parents/legal custodians that areinterested are welcomed and encouragedto visit the facility during regularhours of operation. Please make arrangementsfor a tour and enrollmentprior to the first day of using the services.For more information, call JuanitaWilliams, center director, at 257-2187 or257-2190 or Maj. Anita Long, secretaryto the general staff at 212-5010.The center also provides childcarefor employees of the Veterans Administationand Pulaski Technical College.The childcare center meets all ofthe requirements set forth by the Departmentof the Army.Tricare offers medical/dental reimbursementsNational Guard and Reserve members who paid their medical and dentalbills and saved their receipts may now seek reimbursement from Tricare, officialsof the military health care system announced July 23.Only those issued “delayed-effective-date active-duty orders” for morethan 30 days in support of a contingency operation, and their families, may beeligible to have medical claims reimbursed. And according to Tricare, onlythose medical expenses incurred during the military member’s “early eligibility”period -up to 60 days prior to reporting to active duty- from Nov. 6, 2003,to the present are eligible for reimbursement.- American Forces Press ServiceArkansas Guard - Summer 2004 27

OCS Hall of Fame honors fiveformer AR ARNG membersFive former Arkansas Army NationalGuard officers were inducted intothe Officer Candidate School Hall ofFame, April 1, at the Professional EducationCenter, Militia Hall, Davis Auditorium.Brig. Gen. Morris Lynn Pippinentered the Arkansas Army NationalGuard on June 28, 1959. He entered theArkansas Military Academy OfficerCandidate School (Class #5) in 1961. Hewas commissioned a second lieutenanton June 24, 1962. Throughout his distinguishedcareer, Pippin served in manypositions within the Arkansas ArmyNational Guard to include battalion commander,455th Transportation Battalion;military support officer, State Area Command(-); civilian personnel officer,STARC (-); chief of staff and deputycommander of State Area Command;and assistant adjutant general. Pippinis a graduate of the Ordnance OfficerBasic Course, Ordnance Officer AdvancedCourse, and the United StatesArmy Command and General Staff College.He also earned a Bachelor of Sciencefrom the University of the State ofNew York. He was promoted to brigadiergeneral on Oct. 25, 1993.He retired on Oct. 25, 1998 with over39 years service.Col. Bobby Armistead entered theUnited States Army on Aug. 19, 1956.He served 21 months in Korea with the1st Cavalry Division. Armistead enteredthe Arkansas Army NationalGuard on Aug. 6, 1958. He attended theOCS Class #5 and was commissioned asecond lieutenant on June 24, 1962.His major assignments include communicationsofficer, HHB 2nd Battalion,142nd Field Artillery; commander of BatteryC, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery;assistant training officer, 142ndField Artillery Group; operations/intelligenceofficer for the 142nd Field ArtilleryBrigade; commander of 2nd Battalion,142nd Field Artillery; and commanderof the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade.Armistead attended the Field ArtilleryOfficer Basic Course, Field ArtilleryOfficer Advanced Course, and theUnited States Army Command GeneralStaff College. He also holds a Bachelorof Arts in Social Sciences from ThomasEdison State College.Armistead separated from the ArkansasArmy National Guard on May10, 1991 with over 34 years service.Col. James R. “Ron” Penningtonentered the Arkansas Army NationalGuard on July 8, 1960 and entered theOCS Class #6 in 1962. He was commissioneda second lieutenant on June 25,1964. Throughout his distinguishedcareer, Pennington served in various positionsto include commander of ServiceBattery, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field ArtilleryBrigade; commander of AlphaBattery, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field ArtilleryBrigade; operations/intelligenceofficer, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade;commander of 1st Battalion, 142nd FieldArtillery Brigade; facilities manager atCamp Joseph T. Robinson; training officerfor the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade;deputy brigade commander, 39thInfantry Brigade (Separate); and commanderof the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade.Pennington is a graduate of theField Artillery Officer’s Basic Course,Field Artillery Officer’s Advance Course,the U.S. Army Command and GeneralStaff College, Nuclear/Chemical TargetAnalyst Course, and the TacticalCommander’s Development Course. Heholds a Bachelor of Science and a Mastersof Science in Civil Engineering. Hewas promoted to colonel on July 8, 1991.Pennington retired from the ArkansasArmy National Guard on July 8, 1996with 36 years of service.Col. Pat Teague entered the ArkansasArmy National Guard on March 21,1960 in the Combat Support Company,1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry. He graduatedfrom OCS Class #5 and was commissioneda second lieutenant on June24, 1962. Teague is a graduate of theInfantry Officer’s Basic Course at FortBenning, Ga., the Infantry School CareerCourse, and the United States ArmyCommand General Staff College. Heholds a Bachelors Degree in Businessand a Masters of History from HardingUniversity. Colonel Teague’s leadershippositions include training officer, 1stBattalion, 153rd Infantry; battalion commander,1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry;brigade training officer, 39th InfantryBrigade (Separate); executive officer,39th Infantry Brigade (Separate); andcommander of the Post MobilizationHeadquarters, State Area Command, ArkansasArmy National Guard.Teague retired from the ArkansasArmy National Guard on Jan. 20,1989 with over 28 years of service.Col. Glenn A. Pearce entered theArkansas Army National Guard on Nov.20, 1957. He entered OCS Class #6 in1962. He was commissioned a secondlieutenant on May 19, 1963. Throughouthis distinguished career, Pearceserved in various positions to includecommander, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry;brigade training officer, 39th InfantryBrigade (Separate); executive officer,39th Infantry Brigade (Separate); directorof logistics for State Area Command;deputy brigade commander, 39th InfantryBrigade (Separate); command logisticsofficer, State Area Command; andcommander, Installation Support Unit.Pearce is a graduate of the InfantryOfficer’s Basic Course, InfantryOfficer’s Advance Course, and theUnited States Army Command and GeneralStaff College. He was promoted tocolonel on Jan. 24, 1989.Pearce retired from the ArkansasArmy National Guard on Jan. 24, 1994with over 36 years service.Also included in the ceremony wasthe recognition of Brig. Gen. John B.Morris who was inducted last year, buthis widow could not attend that ceremony.Morris enlisted in the ArkansasSee Hall of Fame, Page 2928Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

MTC trains Soldiers in IraqBy SSG David SmithPublic Affairs NCONational GuardMarksmanshipTraining CenterThe National Guard MarksmanshipTraining Center is the NationalGuard’s premier marksmanshiptraining facility. With top-notch instructors,state-of-the-art trainingaids, intensive schools and numerousmarksmanship competitions,the center possesses the assets forsuccess.Just like anything else in theworld, you measure your success bythe fruit of your labor. One such resultfor the MTC is found in StaffSgt. Mark Richard, who is stationedat Tallil Air Base just outside of AnNasiriyah, Iraq.Richard, of Kokomo, Ind., hashoned his marksmanship skills asan MTC student and competitor. Ina recent letter to Capt. VictorMarcelle, training officer at theMTC, Richard commented on thebenefit of training he received overthe years.“When we went through themobilization process my skills as ashooter were definitely utilized,” Richardwrote. “I gave PMI (PrimaryMarksmanship Instruction) to ourcompany and it really showed onthe range.”Stationed with the 1st Battalionof the 293rd Infantry, Richard saidonly three soldiers in the companydidn’t qualify on the first try. Afterreviewing some fundamentals, thethree went back and qualified thenext time through.Richard is an All-Guard shooterwho has competed at home andabroad. He’s been to Australia, England,and South Africa, just toname a few. Now his skills and trainingas a competitive shooter comedown to what it’s all about. Combatreadiness.The training Richard was ableto pass on to his fellow soldiersproved valuable. Having a speedyqualification “allowed our unit moretime to train for the live fire exercises,”he wrote. “By doing that,we were the first company to do allour live fires (squad to company)before we finished our AT periodand went on federal orders.”The MTC’s goal is for soldiersand airmen to share what they learnwith their units and use it on thebattlefield, if needed. Richard takesthis to heart.“I taught positions and techniqueswe (competitive marksmen)had learned for combat. This putus way ahead of any company inthe battalion.”Located at Camp Joseph T.Robinson in North Little Rock, youcan contact the center for more informationon competitions orschool offerings by calling (501)212-4500, or by visiting their website at www.arguard.org.DiversityAwarenessThe Arkansas National Guard is committedto providing fair and equitable treatmentto everyone and ensuring a workenvironment free of all forms of discriminationand/or harassment. Understandingthat the Guard is a multi-cultural mixof people, special events are availablethroughout the year to celebrate the differenceswe all share.February: Black History MonthSampling of cuisine at the 2004Black Heritage event enabled visitorsto share in the richness ofdifferent flavors. Food is a commonground among a variety ofcultures.Staff photo by Capt. Kristine M. MunnMarch: Women’s History MonthLate last year, Tech. Sgt. Brenda F. Herringreceived the 2003 Military Heroesof Hampton Roads award. Working manningissues in support of the global waron terrorism earned this Arkansas AirNational Guard member international recognition.File photoMay: Asian-Pacific Heritage MonthThis 2004 celebration, held in LittleRock, was highlighted by a variety ofdances, including this one from India.Also featured was singing, a fashiondisplay and Oriental cuisine.Staff photo by Buddy GarrettOCS Hall of Fame Continued from Page 28Army National Guard in 1928. He wasassigned to Headquarters, 1st Battalion,153rd Infantry.In 1940 he was commissioned a secondlieutenant and assigned to the 153rdInfantry Regiment. Soon following, hewas mobilized and assigned to Alaskawith his regiment.Morris served on active duty until1947 when he returned to the ArkansasArmy National Guard. In 1951, he wasArkansas Guard - Summer 2004named adjutant general of the ArkansasNational Guard and remained at thatpost until 1953. Morris then revertedback to the rank of colonel and continuedto serve the Arkansas Army NationalGuard until 1970. During this spanof time he served as the first commandantof the Arkansas Military Academyin 1957.Morris died on Dec. 15, 1987 inNorth Little Rock, Ark.September: Native American MonthMinuteman Days open house isa time to celebrate Native AmericancultureStaff photo by Buddy GarrettOctober: Hispanic Heritage MonthComing up in October, the HispanicHeritage activities will present an insightinto Arkansas’ fastest growingculture.Staff photo by Buddy Garrett29

ARLINGTON, VA (May 14,2004) – The National Committee forEmployer Support of the Guard andReserve selected 15 businessesfrom across the nation as 2004’sSecretary of Defense FreedomAward recipients.The Department of Defenseand ESGR will formally present theaward to these organizations in aceremony at the Ronald Reagan InternationalTrade Center on Sept.21.This year’s award recipients areWal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville,Ark.; American Express, New YorkCity; Bank One Corp., Chicago; ColtSafety Fire and Rescue, St. Louis;Employer Support ofthe Guard and ReserveCentral Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Systemsigns Statement of Support withrepresentatives from state ESGRLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 14, 2004)– Mr. George H. Gray, Jr., medical centerdirector of the Central Arkansas VeteransHealthcare System, signed aStatement of Support today with theArkansas Employer Support of theGeorge H. Gray, Jr.,medical center director,signs the statement ofsupport as witnessed byMaj. Gen. (Ret) MelvinThrash, State ESGRchair (left); CW4 DanPeterson, ArkansasArmy National Guard,and chief of Human Resources,Central ArkansasVeterans HealthcareSystem (background);and Dr. Nicholas Lang,chief of staff (right).Guard and Reserve.In signing the statement, Gray andthe CAVHS are recognizing the NationalGuard and Reserve as essentialto the strength of the nation and thewell being of Arkansas communities.Coors Brewing Co., Golden, Colo.;General Electric, Fairfield, Conn.;Harley-Davidson, Milwaukee; TheHome Depot, Atlanta; Los AngelesCounty Sheriff’s Department,Monterey Park, Calif.; NorthropGrumman Corp., Los Angeles; FiskCorp./OneSource Building Technologies,Houston; Saints MemorialMedical Center, Lowell, Mass.;Sprint Corp., Overland Park, Kan.;State of Minnesota, St. Paul andStrategic Solutions, Inc., WalnutCreek, Calif.Secretary of Defense WilliamPerry instituted the Employer SupportFreedom Award in 1996 to recognizethe significant contributionsPhoto by Sgt. Leanna Higginbotham, ESGR program specialist.The CAVHS is one of the largestemployers in Arkansas and has wellover 100 employees who are in eitherthe National Guard or Reserves; 36 ofthese men and women are currently activated.Gray said that these individualswill have their jobs and benefitsrestored when they return from activeduty.“Not only is that the law,” he said,“we are grateful for their service.Many of our employees are veteranswhich is very helpful in relating to andfulfilling our VA mission of caring forour nation’s veterans.”“The National Guard and Reserverepresent 37 percent of the forces currentlyserving in Iraq,” said BobHollingsworth, ESGR executive director.“With the increasing need for Guardand Reserve troops, America’s employersare inextricably linked to the nation’sdefense by sharing their most preciousassets, their employees.”ESGR announces 2004 Secretary of DefenseEmployer Support Freedom Award recipientsand sacrifices made by America’semployers of the Guard and Reserve.Previous recipients have includedMiller Brewing, SouthwestAirlines, Tyson Foods, BAE Systems,and The Public Service Co. ofNew Hampshire.As the 1.2 million members ofthe Guard and Reserve continue toperform an increasing number ofunique missions within America’sborders and beyond, ESGR will continueto be the contact agency foreducational programs and servicesthat enhance the relationship betweencivilian employers and theiremployees who serve in the Guardand Reserve.30Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004

ACU worn with the Patrol Cap.Moisture wicking tan T-Shirt.Mandarin collar worn in thedown position.Velcro backed U.S. Army andlast name tape.Elbow pouch with Velcro closure forinternal elbow pad inserts.Zippered front closure, reinforcedwith Velcro which provides a smoothsurface when worn with body armor.Knee pouch with Velcro closure forinternal knee pad inserts.Leg cuff with front closure.The new U.S. Army combat uniformwas designed with major inputby the noncommissioned officercorps and enlisted Soldiers, andtested by Stryker Brigade Soldiers inIraq since October 2003.Three versions have been developed,and more than 10,000 have beenproduced and battle-tested. Evenmore are on American production linesto be issued by April 2005 to Soldiersin deploying units. Current plans callfor fielding to the total Army by December2007, said officials from theProgram Executive Office Soldier,known as PEO Soldier.The bottom pockets on the jacketwere removed and placed on theshoulder sleeves so Soldiers can haveaccess to them while wearing bodyarmor. The pockets were also tiltedforward so that they are easily accessible.Buttons were replaced with zippersthat open from the top and bottomto provide comfort while wearingarmor.In addition to overall pattern and color changes,ACU changes include:1. Mandarin collar that can be worn up or down.2. Rank insignia affixed above right chest pocket.3. Velcro for wearing unit patch, skill tabs and recognition devices.4. Zippered front closure.5. Elbow pouch for internal elbow pad inserts.6. Knee pouch for internal knee pad inserts.7. Elastic leg cuff.8. Tilted chest pockets with Velcro closure.9. Three-slot pen pocket on bottom of sleeve.10. Velcro sleeve cuff closure.11. Shoulder pockets with Velcro.12. Forward tilted cargo pockets.13. Integrated blouse bellows for increased upper body mobility.14. Integrated Friend or Foe Identification Square on both left and rightshoulder pocket flap.15. Bellowed calf storage pocket on left and right leg.16. Moisture-wicking desert tan t-shirt.17. Patrol Cap with double thick bill and internal pocket.18. Improved hot-weather desert boot or temperate-weather desert boot.Air Forceapproves newPT uniformWASHINGTON (June 18, 2004) — TheAir Force’s first physical training uniformwill hit the street later this year.Senior Master Sgt. JacquelineDean of the Air Force Uniform Boardsaid that the new PT uniform has alreadybeen approved by Air ForceChief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumperand will soon be in active service.“We did a wear and fit test fromJanuary through March,” Dean said.“We took all the feedback, and we nowhave established military specifications.”The PT uniform ensemble consistsof dark blue running shorts, agray T-shirt and a dark blue runningsuit — all with reflective safety markings.Dean said the goal was to haveenough PT uniforms by Oct. 1, 2004to supply Airmen scheduled for immediatedeployment. After that requirementis met, the uniforms will be availablefor purchase through Army andAir Force Exchange Service.The PT uniform will have a twotothree-year phase-in period. Deansaid the running suit costs about $100and the shorts and shirt about $25. Officialshave not yet determined if Airmenwill receive a lump sum allotmentin October, an increase in their annualclothing allowance, or a voucher to payfor the initial requirement.Although personal preference isthe rule for PT shoes, Dean said theymust be conservative in design andcolor. Saluting will not be requiredwhile wearing the PT uniform, andjewelry wear will be the same as withother uniforms, so long as safety istaken into consideration.Only active-duty, Air NationalGuard and Air Force Reserve Airmenwill be authorized to purchase the PTuniforms from AAFES until adequatesupplies are available.- Master Sgt. Scott ElliottAir Force Print NewsArkansas Guard - Summer 2004 31

Celebrating 200 Years of Military Service in ArkansasArkansasGuardArkansas National GuardTAG-DZ-PACamp RobinsonNorth Little Rock, AR 72199-9600PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDCapitol Heights, MDPERMIT NO. 441632Arkansas Guard - Summer 2004