Fighting New Battles - Arkansas National Guard

The Arkansas MinutemanThe Arkansas MinutemanGuard troops rescue “hostage” in dramBy Sgt. Rick Fahr, 119th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentOne hostage saved. Three terrorists killed. Hundreds of area residents impressedNational Guard’s 77th Aviation Brigade and 39th Brigade Combat Team participatedSaturday, Apr. 1, in Prescott, Ark., while area residents lined the streets around the sThe scenario consisted of two UH-1 Huey helicopters ferrying troops from Co. A,site, a “compound” occupied by a small band of “terrorists” who had taken hostagetroops quickly disembarked the helicopters, taking up shielded positions around theA sniper was able to “eliminate” two terrorists with long shots from a concealedstormed the compound, with pyrothechnics and blank rounds giving the exercise thebat. Troops were able to “kill” another terrorist inside of the compound and take sevthe “hostage,” Wendy Ledbetter, a journalist in both the scenario and the real worldLedbetter, editor of the Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times, said that thfor being in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” They hid her away in a small roomWhen the infantry troops stormed the complex, Ledbetter heard gunfi re and knew aLedbetter said seeing the troops up close provided a rare glimpse into training tcomplete their missions successfully. She said that the troops responded quickly toencountered. In addition to serving an important military role, Guard members arecommunities, she said. “You recognize their names. You recognize their faces. Youthat makes it really important because it’s not some Army guy on a billboard,” she efriends, our neighbors, the sons of people we went to school with.The 153rd was part of the 39th’s 18 month mobilization in support of Operationreturned to the state in the spring of 2005. Since returning, the troops have maintavarious types of training.Among those watching were lots of youngsters. Mitchell Zitano and Tyler Oliver,the fi repower on display was fun to watch. Oliver noted that he especially focused othe guard someday,” he said. “My grandpa was in the Green Berets, so that’s someMain photo: Sgt. Nathan Cornish gets into his role as the opposition force commanbetter. (Photo by Sgt. Chris A. Durney.) Top left: Spc. Elvis Nduku of Co. A, 1st of thby helicopter during the hostage situation exercise in Prescott. (Photo by Sgt. Rick Fment.) Left: Spc. Shannon McGough awaits orders to storm the terrorist compoundMobile Public Affairs Detachment.) Bottom left: Prescott and Arkadelphia, Ark., Guwhere the “terrorists” held their “hostage.” (Photo by 1st Sgt. Bob Barnett, 119th Mright: One if by land, two if by sea, 77th if by air. Pilots and crew with the 77th Aviafrom Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, deliver the infantry to the site oSoldiers quickly moved into place to secure the site. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tom GBottom: A 39th CBT Soldier who played the role of one of the terrorists during the eing “taken out” by sniper fi re. Members of the community lined the streets to enjoywith realistic training and gave the public a fi rst hand look at their Soldiers at work.Chris Heathscott, Arkansas National Guard State Public Affairs Offi cer.)Page 20 Summer 2006Page 20 Spring 2006