New Mexico Minuteman - Summer 2008 - Keep Trees

Governor
Bill Richardson
Bob Ulin
Publisher
Justin Ritter
Graphic Designer
The Adjutant General
Brig. Gen.
Kenny C. Montoya
Governor
Bill Richardson
The Adjutant General
Brig. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya
Minuteman Staff
Lt. Col. Kenneth Nava
Commander
Sgt. Joseph Vigil
Editor
Staff Sgt. Kim Turner
Photojournalist
Sgt. Anna Doo
Public Affairs Specialist
Spc. Charles Martinez
Photojournalist
Spc. Derek Bridges
Photojournalist
Pfc. Erin Montoya
Photojournalist
Pfc. Lisa Reamer
Broadcast Journalist
200th Public Affairs Detachment
47 Bataan Blvd.
Santa Fe, NM 87508-4695
Susan Harrington
Editor
Darrell George
Advertising Sales
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Published by AQP Publishing, Inc., a private firm in
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SUMMER 2008
C O N T E N T S
Ceremony honors the Battling Bastards of Bataan ▼
Guantanamo honors World War II heros of Bataan 5▼
The Junior Guard of Washington Middle School 6▼
New Mexico celebrates 23rd Annual Tribute to Women in the Military 7▼
150th Fighter Wing aims to continue support to Defense System Evaluation mission 8▼
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New 150th Fighter Wing Commander has beaten all odds
Soldiers represent NMNG well at Regional Soldier and NCO of the year
Bataan veteran Savedra recognized for his World War II service
Schwartz assumes command of the 111th MEB
St. Clair to lead C Company, 140th Aviation Security Support Soldiers
64th Weapons of Mass Destruction
Soldiers’ skills and training put to the test in Afghanistan
No, freedom is not free
Regional Training Institute is first in state to field LHS
History depicts the roots of the New Mexico National Guard
Ray Leyba closes out a distinguished career of service to his country
Future Guardsmen get a taste of the National Experience
www.nm.ngb.army.mil
Que Pasa Briefs
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Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 1
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2 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008

Ceremony
T hey
honors the
Battling
Bastardsof
Bataan
By Spc. Charles Martinez,
200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
once numbered about 1,800 – strong, proud and the best
of New Mexico’s youth. Some were veteran Soldiers, but many
were new recruits. They represented every strata of New
Mexico’s society and every compass point. They were members of
the “Old Guard” of the New Mexico Army National Guard the famed
200th and 515th Coast Artillery Regiments. They answered the call
for volunteers, even as war loomed on the horizon.
Federalized, and sent for additional training at Fort. Bliss, Texas;
they were later sent to the Philippine Islands in order to provide a
wall of defense against the “Rising Sun” of the Japanese Empire.
The same day that Pearl Harbor was attacked – Dec. 7, 1941, (Dec.
8 Philippine time), Clark Air Field and other sites on the Philippine
Islands were also attacked. Immediately, the Soldiers of these two
Coast Artillery Regiments opened up and began firing on the
enemy – these actions earned for these units the accolades of
“First In Spite of Hell” and the “First to Fire” on the Japanese.
About 29 Guardsmen would lose their lives in the opening months
of the war. They would also shoot down 86 enemy aircraft.
Their heroic defense of these islands continued until lack of
food and equipment forced their commander, Brig. Gen. Edward
King, to surrender some of them to the Japanese on April 9, 1942.
The remainder of the forces, fighting on Corregidor, were surrendered
by Maj. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright one month later on
May 6, 1942.
The island defenders would give themselves the name of “The
Battling Bastards of Bataan” – the name they would continue to be
known by to this day. Many would endure what would be known
as the “Bataan Death March,” a grueling 60-mile, forced-march
Bataan Survivors Evans Garcia and Tony Reyna observe the events of the
66th Annual Bataan Memorial Ceremony.
Photo: Spc. Charles Martinez
through the jungle. The days were hot and very humid and nights
were bitterly cold. The Soldiers were further plagued with thirst,
hunger, jungle ailments and fatigue. Those who could not keep up
were killed on the spot. Any civilians who attempted to aid the
Soldiers met a similar fate. Their destination included the prison
camps O’Donnell and Cabanatuan, and numerous smaller ones.
The end of the march was followed by 40 months of unimaginable
conditions such as overcrowding, hunger and disease. One
of the darkest annals of the 20th Century bore witness to the finest
hour of the American fighting man. Their conduct in impossible
conditions epitomized the spirit of the Citizen Soldier.
By the end of the war, about 979 men would leave the camps.
This year, on April 9, the anniversary when they were surrendered
to the Japanese, the Soldiers of the New Mexico National
Guard, the Bataan Military Academy, veterans of every conflict
since World War II, family members and citizens of New Mexico
gathered at the Bataan Memorial in Santa Fe to honor the sacrifice
of ordinary men who did a superior job in extraordinary
circumstances.
Those answering “present” to the day’s muster included Tony
Reyna, Evans Garcia, Bill Overmier, Jack Aldrich, Benjamin
Martinez, Ernest Montoya, John Moseley, Vince Silva, and guest
speaker and fellow Bataan survivor Don Schloat. Those who were
“absent”, having passed away during the last year, included
Roberto Medina, Francis Van Buskirk, Virgil Aimes, Pete Espinosa,
Agapito Silva and 24 of their comrades.
The “striking of the colors” and raising the white flag of surrender
followed in remembrance of the event 66 years before.
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 3

A reading of the stations and a lighting of three candles followed.
Traditionally done by Bataan veterans, this year, it was
done by three current Guardsmen and veterans of the war in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
The gathered crowd then listened to a recording of the poem
“The American Boy.” “God Bless America” was then performed by
the 44th Army Band (NM National Guard). A wreath was placed at
the base of the memorial by the Adjutant General Brig. Gen.
Kenny Montoya and State Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Meyers. A
21-gun salute and “Taps” ended this part of the ceremony.
The commemoration continued at the Bataan Memorial Military
Museum, the former armory through which many Guardsmen
passed on their journey to Bataan. The museum currently honors
the history of the New Mexico National Guard.
After the introduction of the veterans and guests, retired Lt.
Gen. Edward Baca, former Adjutant General of the New Mexico
National Guard and Chief of the National Guard Bureau,
addressed those gathered.
Speaking of the “striking of the colors” and the emotion that it
invoked, Baca said, “I still feel the pain and anguish that they
must have felt when they had to raise that white flag of surrender.
General King in the prison camps told them that they never surrendered.
He took full responsibility for that surrender, and he
said that they were never defeated. That they died facing forward
the enemy.”
Comparing their situation and their surrender due to lack of
food and supplies to the current situation of the National Guard,
he said “We have had the most deployments in any war since the
Second World War. Unlike your situation, these troops that you
see behind you are the best equipped, the best trained and just
as highly motivated as any troops in the world.”
Baca went on to praise the service of the veterans and of the
present members of the Guard. He compared his own service in
Vietnam, and the family he left behind, with that of his own son
who is currently serving in Afghanistan.
Baca then introduced Bataan Veteran Ernest Montoya and
went on to say that “Ernie Montoya exemplifies what the Bataan
Veteran is all about.”
Montoya recalled a dinner recently when someone asked,
“How did you survive?”
He knew it would not be an easy answer, but gave some reasons
why he thought this was made possible. He credited the
hard life of the Depression in which he and other veterans grew
up, values taught by his parents and his faith as some of the
strengths that carried him and others through these impossible
times.
Referring to his comrades who joined him, he said, “These
gentlemen have lived long, hard lives and have contributed greatly
to the progress of these United States of ours, and their survival
was impossible. Now let me ask you all: Do you believe in miracles?
There they are!”
Gov. Bill Richardson signed a proclamation listing their deeds
and declaring April 9, 2008, as “Bataan Remembrance Day”
throughout the state of New Mexico.
Museum curator Rick Padilla introduced the guest speaker,
Don “Doc” Schloat, a Los Angeles native who enlisted in July
4 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
Maj. Bruce Murillo lights a candle during the “reading of the stations” – an annual
tradition of the Bataan Memorial Ceremony.
Photo: Spc. Charles Martinez
1941 and was assigned as a medic. After the war, he worked for
Disney, Hanna-Barbera, Filmation and other studios as an animator.
After retirement, he pursued his hobby of painting. He painted
scenes honoring the victims of the Palawan Island Massacre. The
paintings now hang in the Bataan Memorial Military Museum.
There were 143 victims of this massacre who were forced into
a trench and dowsed with airplane fuel. Set ablaze, those who
tried to escape were bayoneted and machine-gunned. Five of
these victims were from New Mexico. However, one Soldier from
Deming was able to escape.
Those gathered were invited to share a small meal and mingle
with the survivors. They were also invited to view the paintings of
“Doc” Schloat.
Bataan survivor and guest speaker Don “Doc” Schloat addresses those gathered
for the 66th anniversary of the Bataan Ceremony.
Photo: Spc. Charles Martinez

Guantanamo honors World War II heroes of Bataan
By Army Spc. Shanita Simmons, JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba—A solemn mood fell over Windmill
Beach, March 30, when more than 100 Guantanamo residents
joined New Mexico National Guard Troopers to commemorate the
Bataan Death March of 1942.
The march, held annually to honor World War II veterans of the
200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard, memorializes
the infamous 60-mile “Death March” that was characterized by
physical abuse, savagery and murder against more than 75,000
American and Filipino prisoners of war. Although the 26.2-mile
march usually takes place on the White Sands Missile Range in
New Mexico, Troopers here coordinated a 13-mile march so that
Guantanamo residents could take part in this long-standing New
Mexico tradition.
“Tens of thousands of Americans representing the Army, Army
Air Corps, Navy and Marines and Filipino forces fought Japanese
soldiers for four months before they were marched in the scorching
heat through the Philippine jungles to prison camps,” said
Army Maj. Anthony Guerrero of the New Mexico National Guard.
“We want to honor the memory of those veterans who sacrificed
above and beyond the call of duty. Some of them gave the ultimate
sacrifice and died during this effort.”
Runners and walkers wore civilian or military gear as they participated
in the march that began at Windmill Beach and took
Troopers across hilly terrain along the Marine fence line and back.
Troopers, who could sign up as individuals or a team, participated
as a way to say thank you to the veterans who endured excruciating
pain and abuse during the World War II march.
“There is nothing that compares to what those men went
through,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Trahan, JTF Joint
Detention Group command sergeant major. “I have had the honor
and privilege to participate in the Bataan Death March on two separate
occasions. Some of the march’s veterans are at the finish
line waiting to thank those who marched. When they look you in
the face and shake your hand in thanks, what you have done really
hits home.”
Trahan added that although the march here was grueling, it
pales in comparison to what the veterans endured when they
were surrendered to Japanese forces by their commander, Army
Maj. Gen. Edward “Ned” P. King Jr. without the knowledge of his
superior officers.
The battle for Bataan was one of the significant opening battles
of World War II where American forces aided in the defense of the
islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the
Philippines. Approximately 2,000 Soldiers from the 200th CA
helped Filipino forces fight Japanese forces during the four-month
battle that ended when they were surrendered and marched for
days from Mariveles to Camp O’Donnell, a prison camp in the
province of Tarlac in the Philippines.
During the six-day march, POWs moved by foot on dusty roads
without food or water. The march was characterized by wide-ranging
physical abuse, savagery and murder. Deliberate refusal to
allow prisoners food and water and rifle beatings were common
Guantanamo residents joined New Mexico National Guard Troops to
commemorate the Bataan Death March of 1942.
Army Photo: Spc. Shanita Simmons
abuse techniques used by Japanese captors. Some POWs were
even beheaded.
Those who survived the march faced the hardships of prisoner
of war camps where many starved to death or died due to lack of
medical care. Some who survived the march were later wounded
or killed when unmarked enemy ships transporting these POWs
to Japan were sunk by U. S. Air and Naval forces. When the surviving
Americans were rescued by U.S. forces in August 1945,
less than half of the 200th CA Soldiers survived.
Although only a small contingent of New Mexico National
Guardsmen deployed here were able to travel to their home state
to participate in the White Sands Death March, March 31,
Guerrero mentioned that the march here served as a way for
Guantanamo residents to observe an important part of New
Mexico and U.S. history, just like the participants in New Mexico.
“When you cross that finish line, it is something tremendous that
you have accomplished. Not just because it is physically demanding,
but you also realize that you have participated in something
that recognized an important part of our military history,” said
Guerrero. “As civilians along with members of U.S. military units and
foreign armed forces are greeted by survivors of the [White Sands]
Death March, you can feel the camaraderie and a sense of pride to
be a member of the world’s greatest military force.”
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 5

Ordinary to Extraordinary:
The Junior Guard of
Washington Middle School
By Pfc. Lisa Reamer, 200th Public Affairs Detachment, NMNG
Founded in 1923, Washington Middle School is Albuquerque’s
oldest Junior High School in operation. In recent years the school,
located in the southwest quadrant of the city, had experienced
problems with gang violence and drug related issues. In order to
regain the territory for the sake of the students and the community,
Principal Cynthia Challberg-Hale and her faculty joined forces
with the New Mexico Army National Guard.
Taking elements from the community based anti-drug programs
designed by Dr. Morell of Eagle Ridge Middle School, the
coalition forces came up with a game plan called Stay on Track.
The official program, Junior Army Guard, or JAG, was implemented
in the winter of 2007. It teaches 6th, 7th and 8th graders about
drug and alcohol awareness, gang violence and affiliations,
responsibility and accountability and overall leadership skills
through the medium of Army values, traditions and structure. The
mission of JAG is, “Motivating young people to be better citizens.”
Lead instructor and mentorship coordinator, Army National
Guard, Sgt. First Class Will Romero says, “It is vital to teach these
lessons and values at the junior high level. Once young people
reach high school their egos and self expression are more defined
and they are not as open to change.”
Romero and Army National Guard Sgt. Michelle Amaya are a
dynamic duo in mentoring and instructing the students at
Washington Middle School. Not only do they teach the Army values,
drill and ceremony, citizenship and American history, character
and leadership development classes; they also share with the
students stories from their own lives to help the children relate the
curriculum to real life situations.
Eighth graders Alissa Ohlhausen, Erik Aragon and Edgar Plata
are JAG squad leaders. Edgar is relieved. He says, “Fights at
school have decreased and students seem to show more respect
for the teachers.”
These students have been impacted in ways that not only
change their attitudes about learning at school, but they have also
brought the message home. Erik says he shares the anti-drug
message with his siblings and tells them not only that drugs are
bad, but enlightens their minds to the underlying reasons as to
how drugs can negatively affect the body and the mind.
Alissa has found a new way to communicate with her parents.
She shows them respect and they argue less and in turn she is
shown more respect. These students are learning at an early age
the beauty of the law of reciprocation and how to exemplify
integrity, honor, selfless service and personal courage.
During a recent visit with Washington Middle School’s student
body, Adjutant General for the New Mexico National Guard, Brig.
Gen. Kenny Montoya and New Mexico Lieutenant Governor,
Diane Denish, shared life-experience stories describing journeys
of challenges ultimately lead to triumphs. They encouraged stu-
6 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
Junior Army Guard Students stand at parade rest. Photo: Pfc. Lisa Reamer
dents by telling them their dreams could become reality through
hard work and perseverance.
“You can design your own future. You are the architect. We want
to get kids engaged in their communities,” said Denish. She went on
to tell the students of how the coalition forces of the State
Government, the faculty of Washington Middle School and the New
Mexico Army National Guard will provide an environment making
school important to the students, individually and as a collective student
body. Montoya reinforced the beauty of American Freedom.
“You have to take pride in yourselves. It’s a matter of never
quitting. Make your dreams reality,” said Montoya. He told the students
they could be anything they wanted to be in life. He shared
with the children the story of his journey from nomadic college
student to United States Marine. Eventually his path led to law
school and currently serving as Adjutant General for the New
Mexico Army National Guard.
The students were entranced, inspired and infused with a hope
for the future. Denish and Montoya brought to the class a mutual
message of love for their state, a desire to improve education and
a sincere concern for the students and their future as both New
Mexicans and Americans.
“As a longtime champion of children’s health and safety, I think we
need to use every tool in the toolbox to battle against the stresses
and temptations out there. Our National Guard performs extraordinary
services to the state, and this is just one example,” said Denish.
“Besides the nuts-and-bolts information their program delivers about
the consequences of drug and alcohol use, these men and women
serve as positive role models. It’s taking creative ideas and the
efforts of many people to turn Washington Middle School around.
I’m proud that our Guardsmen and women could contribute to that.”
What does the future hold for JAG members? The New Mexico
Army National Guard will sponsor a leadership camp for area
members of the Junior Guard, May 26-30. The students will enjoy
stretching their limits, Santa Fe style, with a whitewater rafting trip,
rappelling and competing in various challenge courses.
These seemingly ordinary students have retired their gang
signs for unit patches and have learned to reach their fullest potential
with the help of some extraordinary mentors—school counselors,
teachers, principals, generals and lieutenant governors.
Whoever said New Mexico wasn’t the Land of Enchantment has
never met the students or staff at Washington Middle School.

New Mexico National Guard
New Mexico celebrates
23rd Annual Tribute to
Women in the Military
By Pfc. Erin M. Montoya, 200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.—Breaking Boundaries
Ordinary Women Doing Amazing Things, was the theme of the 23rd
Annual Tribute to Women in the Military, March 7, at the Mountain
View Club.
This volunteer program began in 1985 and honors active,
reserve, national guard, veteran, and retiree women from all branches
of service.
“The role women are playing in the military today is very different,”
said Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services,
John Garcia, also an Army Vietnam Veteran. “The Tribute to Women
in the Military definitely has set the pace for younger women.”
The tribute incorporated exhibits, a scrapbook display, The
Women Veterans of New Mexico Honor Guard, music from the
Southwest Edition Quartet, a Military trivia contest, educational
seminars, lunch and an awards ceremony.
“Women served as nurses, cooks, telephone operators, administration
officers and human resources in the early years,” said U.S.
Representative, First Congressional District of N.M., Congresswoman
Heather Wilson. “Now, just about every career in the military
is open to women, from military police to fighter pilots and medics.”
The conference offered a choice of two seminars, both of
which provided insight into veteran’s affairs benefits.
“You’ve Left the Military, so Now What? Employment
Opportunities for Veterans”, was presented by Sharon Mitchell,
U.S. Department of Labor, State Director of Veterans Employment
and Training Service, and “Getting the Most Out of Your Pharmacy
Experience”, presented by Anne K. Zetar, registered pharmacist.
“In American history 2.5 million women have served in the military,
and every single one of them has been a volunteer,” said Wilson.
In New Mexico, there are approximately 15,000 women veterans.
These women all broke boundaries as the first women to
succeed in the military. They have laid a path for others to follow.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the Major
Baca and Cathay Williams Awards. These awards are presented
with a plaque, a U.S. savings bond donated by Kirtland Federal
Credit Union, and a U.S. Postal Service stamp pin honoring women
in military service.
The Major Baca award is named in honor of Antoinette Hanna
Baca, the first woman to be commissioned as an officer in the
National Guard.
This award was presented to Lt. Col. Tammie Grevin, an Air Force
Reservist of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Grevin acquired
Retired Air Force Col. Mary Parker presented Mrs. Louise Nottage with the
Cathay Williams award. Nottage has contributed to the New Mexico Veterans
Hospital for 25 years as a volunteer, helping to comfort patients during their stay.
Photo: Pfc. Erin Montoya
funding to develop the infrastructure of the DTRA as a Reserve component
branch. She also serves as a mentor and leader for junior
officers and civilians, assisting women with career planning and networking.
Grevin was one of two women recognized at this event.
The Cathay Williams award represents the first woman to ever
serve in a military unit, who originally enlisted as a cook and trooper
in the 38th U.S. Infantry. In 1866 women were not allowed to serve
as part of a regular military unit, so she enlisted as William Cathy.
This award was presented to Mrs. Louise Nottage, a volunteer for
the Veterans Hospital. With 25 years volunteer experience, Nottage
is known to comfort patients by reading to them, escorting them to
church services, as well as making them blankets for their beds. She
has volunteered at the United Service Organization, the Ronald
McDonald House, is a seven year participant of the New York Senior
Olympics, and a six year participant of the Duke City Olympics.
Some of the most prominent women in the military today follow
in the footsteps of women who gained their experience and
knowledge through an era where women were not always accepted
as equal.
“We learn in the presence of other generations, the old can
teach the young and the young can teach the old,” said the late
singer, song-writer, John Denver, the son of an Air Force officer,
and native New Mexican, born in Roswell, N.M.
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 7

150thFighter Wing aims to continue support
to Defense System Evaluation mission
T
he 150th Fighter Wing (FW), the New Mexico
Air National Guard unit based at Kirtland Air
Force Base has provided unique support to
the U.S. Department of Defense through its Defense
Systems Evaluation (DSE) mission.
Through DSE, which was established in 1971,
the 150th FW has played a key role in the developmental
testing of many critical weapons at White Sands Missile
Range and at other various locals.
Equipped initially with North American F-100 Super Sabers,
then with LTV A-7D/K Corsairs, and currently with the Lockheed
Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons, the DSE pilots of the 150th average
655 sorties each year and have flown more than 18,000 sorties in
the course of the DSE mission. The average DSE pilot has accumulated
2,445 hours of flight time.
During the past three decades, 150th FW pilots have helped test
a number of mission-critical airborne or air-launched defense projects,
including the AN/ALE-38 and -43 chaff dispensing pods, the
AN/ALQ-131 and -184 electronic counter-measures (ECM) pods,
and both the BMQQ-74 subsonic and AQM-37 supersonic air
launched target simulators.
8 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
By Master Sgt. Paula Aragon, 150th Fighter Wing
The unit has also supported the development
of ground-based Army, Navy and Marine Corps
systems and the AEGIS ship borne air defense
system. Since May 1999, the 150th FW has been
instrumental in the develoment of the F-22 Raptor
air dominance fighter’s integrated avionics suite
while acting as “targets” for the F-22 program’s
Boeing 757 Flying Test Bed (FTB).
Over the past few years, the 150th has made 11 deployments
to McChord AFB, Washington, to support FTB missions originating
from Boeing Field outside Seattle.
As of October 31, 2001, the 150th’s DSE jets have flown 232
sorties, accumulating 441 hours of flight time in support of the
FTB. Through the invaluable efforts of the 150th FW, the F-22
Raptor will be the U.S. Air Force’s access, enabler and key participant
in the Global Strike Task Force.
Although the 150th FW has been a vital player for the DSE
mission, the mission ended in 2007. To understand the ending,
we must first understand the beginning. Eglin Air Force
Base was supporting all developmental testing for the Army
systems at White Sands Missile Range out of Holloman AFB,

Photos: Master Sgt. Paula Aragon
New Mexico and due to force restructuring they were closing
down the detachment and the Guard Bureau volunteered to
pick up the mission.
Lt. Col. Wade Daughtery, the Chief of DSE stated “The F-16
was identified as being the best platform to perform the mission
due to its maneuverability, storage capability, the ceiling and the
fuel efficiency and all tied into why it was the top choice.”
“F-16’s were flown as IR targets for Stinger missiles out of the
Fort Bliss area,” said Daughtery. “The New Mexico Air National
Guard has a long history of Air Defense and DSE missions were
instrumental with the development of the Patriot and Hawk systems
which benefited the New Mexico Army Guard.”
With such a long history, the last two missions the 150th FW
flew in support of DSE took place at Point Mugu Naval Air Station,
California and the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kekaha, Hawaii.
Point Mugu Air Station located on the California coast, provides
a perfect balance of land and air. The station has an elaborate
“mission control” center to ensure all of the “players” are in
the right location. It takes several people, both civilian and military,
to ensure everything goes correctly. It is amazing to see all
the parts come together in perfect harmony. Once everyone is in
place, then the testing begins.
“The Navy had three separate AEGIS class cruisers at Point
Mugu going through certifications,” said Daughtery. “The ships
are run through a battery of tests to ensure they are fleet ready to
protect the battleship.”
To do so, they must fire at a target, the AQM-37C. An AQM-
37C missile target is an air launched simulation missile used as a
target by the defense system of a ship. This allows them to check
the systems, so in a real world situation they can destroy the
oncoming missile before it causes damage. To accomplish the
task, an F-16 launches the AQM-37C missile target.
The pilot must be at a certain altitude and speed before he
launches the target. Once launched, the AQM-37C missile target
must obtain a certain altitude and air speed. The ships at sea lock
onto the target and destroy it. In the meantime, personnel behind
the scenes hope the target follows the pre-determined pathway.
During this particular mission, Billy Wilson, Target Operations
Branch Head Chief stated, “The F-16’s launch the target straight,
but if the target would have stayed in line it would have been better.
Other than that, the AQM launch went well.”
This mission in Hawaii had to do with the Japanese. The
Japanese military has an AEGIS class cruiser and needs to have
its systems evaluated so they incur the costs. These types of missions
set up a valuable tool for relations with foreign countries.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Milarch, an Avionics Technician, said;
“Normally we take a few more people, this time they sent me all
by myself, and I am still the new guy around here, so it said a lot
that they trusted me to be out here doing this mission.”
The 150th FW will no longer be supporting the test support
mission. It is coming back full circle with Eglin AFB, located in
Florida, being looked at to support it but they are having a difficult
time,” said Daughtery. “Most likely everything that DSE was
supporting will probably be spread out amongst a number of different
organizations, and no one single organization is going to
pick it up.”
“There is still the possibility because of our experience with all
the different sortes and the pods that DSE flew that the 150th FW
could play a role in it,” said Daughtery, “but it will be a small roll,
and we will not be doing all the support.”
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 9

New 150th Fighter Wing
Commander has beaten all odds
By Capt. Teise Homer,
New Mexico Air National Guard Public Affairs
In 1985, a flight mishap should have ended the flying career of
a young pilot. The pilot, a former USMC F-4 Phantom aviator,
ejected from an A-7 Corsair aircraft during the low-level portion of
a training mission to the bombing range. Ejection injuries were
severe, including the complete fracture of a cervical vertebra. A
broken neck, a destroyed aircraft and months of physical rehabilitation
were ample reasons for anxiety over future flight prospects.
Medical advisors predicted a compromised cervical spine would
never allow him to fly again. While a disappointing prognosis, it
served to ignite the pilot’s determination to return to the cockpit. He
conducted an exhaustive review of the governing medical regulations,
sought expert opinions, and documented medical literature to
support his petition for flight status. But his applications were
denied: twice. All avenues for appeal were unsuccessfully exhausted
when, surprisingly, he received a phone call from the Surgeon
General of the Air Force who approved a return to flight status.
The Surgeon General had been directed to reconsider the case
by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, whose order was in
10 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
Col. Steven Ver Helst, new commander of the 150th Fighter Wing,
poses with his family. Photo: Capt. Teise Homer
response to a persuasive letter he had received from a medical professional
requesting the re-evaluation. That letter was not compelling
on the strength of its medical argument, but upon imploring for
human equity. It was sent not by an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist,
but from a dentist. The dentist was the pilot’s father who had
compassion for his son’s endangered dreams and was not intimidated
by either conventional wisdom or a chain of command from acting
independently for his son’s benefit. A framed copy of that letter
is one of his son’s most valued possessions and reading it still
evokes a flood of emotion.
That tenacious young pilot now has more than 4,000 flying
hours and is the new commander of the 150th Fighter Wing, Col.
Steven J. Ver Helst. He has never forgotten how
lucky he is to be where he is with his military career
and how he got here. When asked about our new
commander, one long-standing member of the
New Mexico Air National Guard stated, “He is a
great man that has never forgotten to take care of
the people around him.”
Ver Helst earned his commission in 1997. He has
served in both the Air Force and Marine Corps. In
1993 he won the FangSmoke competition, naming
him the best bomber in the entire Air National Guard,
and he placed third overall at Gunsmoke, the worldwide
Air Force gunnery competition the same year.
He has had the opportunity to land aircraft on
an aircraft carrier and “lived to talk about it.”
Ver Helst says, “I am wholly convinced the fundamental
essence of our wing is the unreserved
engagement of our people as individual stakeholders
in a unity of effort. Our people are, and will
always remain, the key to our incomparable mission
execution … I pledge my loyalty to you.”
Ver Helst was asked to share his thoughts for
the Airmen he now leads. He continually stressed
one theme: while we focus on the mission, we
must take care of people.
“We cannot accomplish our mission without
healthy, engaged, trained Airmen,” Ver Helst said.
“I believe, support and have trust in this wing.
Rhetoric alone is superficial; let my actions show
what is important to me, who I am and what I
believe in!”

Soldiers represent NMNG
well at Regional Soldier
and NCO NCO of the the year
year
By Master Sgt. Brenda Mallary
The New Mexico Army National Guard sent two soldiers to
compete for the 2008 Region Seven Outstanding Soldier and
NCO of the Year in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2-3. Spc. Suzanna
Dominguez, JFHQ-NM and Sgt. Juan Espinoza-Ochoa, Det. 1,
717th DISTRO Company, competed for Soldier and NCO of Year in
Region Seven and the opportunity to represent the region at the
next level at National Guard Bureau national competition.
Region Seven had eight states compete for this year’s competition.
They were Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii,
New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. This year’s competition was hosted
by the Utah National Guard. All participants competed in eight
events in a two-day time frame. The events were: Army Physical
Fitness Test, Army Warrior Tasks, Land Navigation, Night Land
Navigation, Written Examination (Basic Military Subjects),
Weapons Qualification with an M16 Rifle, Five Mile Ruck March
and a Board Appearance.
During the two-day event, Dominguez scored a 299 for the
APFT, was outstanding during the Five Mile Ruck March, and fin-
Sgt. Juan Espinoza-Ochoa and Spc. Suzanna Dominguez (up-front), start the
Five Mile Ruck March on day two of the competition. Photo: Utah National Guard
ished first among the women with a time of 1:09. Espinoza-Ochoa
scored a 253 on the APFT and 1:05 for the ruck march. Espinoza-
Ochoa finished fourth overall in the ruck march.
“It was a challenging experience and one that every Soldier
should be able to experience,” said Dominguez. “ I am happy that
I was able to compete, but also happy that the competition is over.
It takes a lot of hard work to get ready.”
The competition was very close on all events. The winners of
this year’s 2008 Region Seven Outstanding Soldier and NCO of
the Year were Spc. Jeremy Whipple and Sgt. First Class Jennifer
Butler, both from the Utah Army National Guard.
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 11

Mr. Mahlon Mahlon Love, Love, Civilian Civilian Aide Aide to the Secretary Secretary of the Army; Army; Sardo Sardo
Sanchez, Sanchez, Veterans Veterans Services Services Officer, Officer, Department Department of Veterans Veterans Services; Services;
Alfredo Alfredo Savedra, Savedra, son of Elias Elias Savedra; Savedra; Brig. Brig. Gen. Gen. Kenny Kenny C. Montoya, Montoya,
Adjutant Adjutant General General of NMNG NMNG presented presented Elias Elias Savedra, Savedra, (seated) (seated) with with
long long overdue overdue World World War War ll medals. medals. Savedra Savedra served served with with C Btry, Btry,
200th 200th Coast Coast Artillery. Artillery.
Photo: Photo: Lt. Col. Col. Kenneth Kenneth Nava
Nava
Bataan veteran Savedra recognized for his
World War II service
By Lt. Col. Kenneth Nava, 200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
GRANTS, N.M.—Brig. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya traveled via UH-
60 on April 28 with the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army,
Mahlon Love, and some of his staff to Grants to take care of some
unfinished World War II business.
Montoya was invited by Secretary John Garcia of the
Department of Veterans Services to present Elias Savedra, Btry.
C, 200th Coast Artillery, with the World War II medals in a special
ceremony that was a surprise to Savedra.
Savedra, one of the more silent veterans from the 200th Coast
Artillery, never received his medals after World War II. When he was
approached about a ceremony to receive his long overdue medals,
Savedra said, “I don’t want anything, I don’t want the medals.”
In spite of his sentiments, Savedra’s family, with assistance from
Secretary Garcia and the Department of Veterans Services, orches-
12 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
trated the surprise presentation ceremony for him at his residence.
After departing the aircraft at the Grants Armory, Montoya and
Love traveled to Savedra’s residence in a small convoy escorted
by family, friends and Cibola County Sheriff Johnny Valdez.
After some brief introductions and a warning that Savedra
might not be too happy about the entire affair, Montoya presented
Elias Savedra with his long overdue medals. As Montoya presented
the medals to him, a visibly proud Savedra asked that they be
given to his son Alfredo Savedra.
“I know you know what kind of man Mr. Savedra is,” explained
Montoya to the family. “These men fought harder than anyone will
ever know. They held off the entire Japanese Army for months. I
am honored to be able to present these medals to him.”

M i n u t e m a n
New Mexico
Schwartz assumes command of the 111th MEB
By Pfc. Erin M. Montoya, 200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
RIO RANCHO, N.M.—The 111th Maneuver Enhancement
Brigade took part in a change of command ceremony Sunday,
April 6 at the Rio Rancho Armory to receive Commander Col.
Michael Schwartz.
Col. Richard Clark, outgoing commander of the 111th, will
assume duties as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.
Schwartz joined the Army in 1979, and in 1980 went active as
an armored crewman of the 4th Battalion, 68th Armor, 82nd
Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
In 1987, Schwartz became a commissioned officer for the New
Mexico National Guard serving in the 4th Battalion, 200th Air
Defense Artillery followed by the 111th Air Defense Brigade. Various
assignments include battery commander, recruiting and retention
manager, 93rd Troop Command Operations, 64th Civil Support
Team Commander, 515th Regional Training Institute Commander,
and finally New Mexico Army National Guard Chief of Staff.
Schwartz is a graduate of Air Defense Officer Basic Course, Air
Defense Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff
College and the Army War College.
In 1984, Schwartz graduated from Eastern New Mexico
University, Portales, N.M., with a Bachelor of Science in Biology,
SANTA FE, N.M.—Capt. Billy St. Clair, new commander of C
Company, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Security Support, accepted
his new assignment during a change of command ceremony
May 4 at the Troop Command Building, Onate Complex.
Maj. Christopher Holland bid farewell as commander of 140th.
“The noncommissioned officers are the strength and backbone
of this unit,” said Holland.
Holland will continue his service with the 93rd Brigade, Santa
Fe, N.M., as responsibilities are passed to St. Clair.
First Sgt. Robert Whitmer said, “It’s been a pleasure serving
with Maj. Holland, I appreciate his leadership and patience.”
Accepting the responsibility, care and training of the 71 soldiers
of the 140th, St. Clair said, “This is a great situation to be in,
Maj. Holland stood this unit up.”
In 1991, St. Clair enlisted as an infantry Soldier with the 509th
Parachute Infantry Regiment Airborne Pathfinders for a full active
duty tour. He continued to serve the U.S. military in the Army
Reserves as a truck driver.
In 1998, St. Clair was commissioned though the Reserves
Officers’ Training Corps program at New Mexico State University,
Las Cruces, N.M.
From 1999 to 2007 his assignments involved leadership roles
such as platoon leader and operations officer. In 2007, St. Clair
National Guard
Brig. Gen Kenny Montoya passes the guidon to Col. Michael Schwartz in a
change of command ceremony held for the Soldiers of the 111th Maneuver
Enhancement Brigade. Schwartz takes the command responsibilities from
Col. Richard Clark. Photo: Pfc. Erin Montoya
and went on to complete a Master of Science in Education.
Awards include the New Mexico Distinguished Service Medal,
Army Service Medal, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.
St. Clair to lead C Company, 140th Aviation Security Support Soldiers
By Pfc. Erin M. Montoya, 200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
Capt. Billy St. Clair takes the Guidon, accepting responsibility to
lead the 71 soldiers of C Company, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation
Security Support. Photo: Pfc. Erin Montoya
was assigned to the 140th as a member of the New Mexico
National Guard.
St. Clair has completed various tours of duty including the
National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Schofield Barracks,
Hawaii, Fort Rucker, Ala., and Afghanistan in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
St Clair, a senior Army Aviator, has been awarded a Meritorious
Service Medal, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Lowe said, “To be in command
of a unit marks the ultimate challenge of an officer’s career.”
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 13

Tech Sgt. Jacob Hootton of the CST entry team collects
a contaminated sample used by terrorists in their
attempt to contaminate the Taos water system.
Photo: Sgt. Joseph Vigil
64th 64 Weapons of
Mass Destruction
th Weapons of
Mass Destruction
CST mission is critical to public’s safety
By Sgt. Joseph Joseph Vigil, Vigil, 200th 200th Public Public Affairs Affairs Detachment, Detachment, NMNG NMNG
TAOS, N.M.—They are some of the most dedicated Soldiers
and Airmen of the New Mexico National Guard. In today’s world
where terrorists pose a threat here on our own homeland, their
mission has never been more critical. Yet, the mission of the
64th Weapons of Mass Destruction, Civil Support Team (CST) is
unfamiliar to most.
National Guard Bureau considers the CST a forward
deployed unit right here in our communities. Their unique hazard
materials identification capabilities are vital to the safety of our
citizens and communities.
The CST tested those capabilities on May 7, 8 and 9 in a “real
world response” exercise held here where they worked with
local first responders from the Taos area. The exercise gave the
CST the opportunity to work with many local players from the
Taos Holy Cross Hospital, Taos County Sheriff’s Office, Town of
Taos Police Dept., Taos Fire and EMS, and the New Mexico
State Police.
Taos Water Treatment Facility employees discovered that terrorists
attempted to contaminate the Taos water supply and blow
up the Taos Water Treatment Facility. Local first responders, and
the CST were quickly deployed to the scene. Responders quickly
setup a unified command led by New Mexico State Police.
14 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
Priority was given by the unified command to determine
whether or not the water supply system was contaminated. If
contaminated, the public would need to be notified immediately
through the Emergency Alert Notification System.
The unified command quickly established a prioritized action
plan that included life safety, water contamination determination,
notification to the public, mitigation recommendations and identification
of all other hazards.
The CST mission is to assist, assess, advise and identify
unknown substances for the incident commander. Upon arrival,
the Survey Mobile Operations Center (SMOC) immediately
began to gather and analyze intelligence.
“The SMOC employs the best resources to provide reconnaissance,”
said Master Sgt. Sonny Wiseman, Recon NCO. “We
use binoculars, cameras and computer technology to analyze
site characteristics, layout and target assessment as well as interview
first responders and anyone who is familiar with the site to
gather intel.”
SMOC personnel collected and analyzed a site layout provided
by Jeff Burkett, project manager for CH2M Hill OMI, a contractor
who runs the facility. Burkett pointed out the point of entry
where terrorists draped a saddle blanket over the razor wire

fence that allowed them to breech the facility. They also
identified the locations of the 10,000 gallon anhydrous
ammonia tank, a 3,500 gallon sulfuric acid tank and a
3,500 gallon phosphoric acid tank that terrorists had
planned to sabotage and contaminate the facility with.
While the SMOC gathered intel, the unified command
and the other elements of the CST were simultaneously
carrying out their parts of the mission.
The unified command quickly made a “Hot Zone”
determination and designated a decontamination
(decon) area. The decon station is a wash station for
personnel to wash and rinse themselves and their
equipment upon returning from the field site. There are
a series of wash stations that consist of bleach, soap
and water from either fire hydrant or a fire pumper.
“It takes about 30 minutes to establish a decon line
from start to finish,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Garcia. “We
can establish a “hasty decon” line in five minutes, if
necessary, for strike team purposes or rugged terrain.”
Meanwhile in the MedRec vehicle, Maj. Marcus
Bader was conducting pre-screen vitals for the members
of the dual entry team. OSHA requires and the NMNG insists
that all entry team members vitals are at the proper levels and
members are properly hydrated before suiting up in their gear and
heading downrange.
In the AdVan, wireless communication is set up to keep in touch
with the entry team as well as the incident command, unified site
command, laboratories, etc. Communication to the field is established
through ten laptops, T-1 lines, nipper net and zipper net.
The Analysis Lab System (ALS), a mobile lab on wheels with
level three glove boxes, is prepared to analyze and identify the
chemical, biological or radiation isotope samples collected in the
field by the entry team. The two person team can determine the
material in a few hours, but also sends the collected split sample
to the state lab for further analysis.
“We work with lots of different agencies, state labs and national
labs as well as hospitals and first responders,” says Capt.
James Willis, science officer for the CST. “We are able to identify
in excess of 150,000 chemicals and agents.”
The ALS is able to communicate through satellite with any lab
across the country and they work with them on a regular basis.
They always look to verify their findings with three different pieces
of equipment and cross check multiple times to ensure accuracy.
They are able to provide answers to the Incident Commander
within four to six hours upon arrival at the scene.
All components of the CST work in conjunction to support the
entry team. Life safety is always top priority. If there is a break in
communication with the entry team for more than three minutes,
the red team is immediately sent in to get them.
Entry team members are equipped with protective suits and
gloves. The suits are hot inside and cause you to be drenched in
sweat. Team members lose one pound of water weight after wearing
the suit for one hour. The suits also limit your visibility. Team
members have one hour of supplied air while in the protective
suits, so expediency in performing the mission is of the essence.
The dual entry team suited up in their protective gear and pro-
Staff Sgt. Steven Carrasco, CST medical NCO, works in one of the level three glove boxes
found inside the Advanced Lab System (ALS).
Photo: Sgt. Joseph Vigil
ceeded downrange with their equipment to collect samples and
evidence. Tech Sgt. Jacob Hootton, Spec. Michael Garcia and
State Police Officer Thomas Romero successfully collected samples,
identified the breeched entry point and found two explosive
devices attached to the 10,000 gallon anhydrous ammonia tank.
They completed the mission in under an hour and their training
and expertise was evident in the performance.
“This venue provided the perfect training environment for us
first responders,” said Capt. Robert Aguilar, Trusted Agent for the
CST who set up the scenario. “We appreciate the water treatment
facility giving up their workspace and time in support of this training
opportunity.”
“The exercise provides the CST with opportunity to work with
other first responders and agencies,” continued Aguilar.
“It was impressive to see these agencies take the lead in preparedness,”
said John Nihart, Dept. of Health Emergency
Manager.
The CST participated in 24 exercises of this magnitude or
greater last year, including a non-stop 24 hour evaluation by Army
North. The CST covers the entire state of New Mexico where they
completed more than 200 days of travel and training last year. The
unit can self sustain itself for 72 hours if necessary.
There are currently 56 CST teams established across the country.
They were established by the president of the United States in
1993 after the first attacks on the World Trade Center in order to
increase response capabilities.
“It takes a special person to be a part of the CST,” said Lt. Col.
Bill Shuert, commander of the CST. “The training and physical
requirements are tough, demands on your time are many and the
tempo is so high.”
“CST members are required to report to the unit within 90 minutes
from the time they are paged out and 30 minutes if you are
on the advanced team,” said Capt. Jeffrey Olichwier, deputy commander
of the CST. “We train for the worst possible scenarios and
hope they never happen.”
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 15

Soldiers’ skills and training put to the test in Afghanistan
By 1st Sgt. Jason Riley, New Mexico Light Infantry Embedded Training Team
As a professional Soldier you always wonder if you’ll ever face the
day that you’ll be called on to use all of the skills you’ve acquired
during your career in a no kidding, life or death struggle. For me,
that day occurred here in Afghanistan less than 72 hours ago.
I’m approaching my sixth month here in country and so far,
things have gone exceptionally well. As mentors to an Afghan
National Army (ANA) Infantry Battalion, we are responsible for
providing them with guidance, training and mentorship both in
garrison and in a field environment. I’ve had the great fortune to
work with two different Kandaks (battalions) and will tell you that
they are superb soldiers with quality leadership.
During our time here, we’ve gone on countless operations to
include numerous humanitarian missions and various types of
combat patrols. While we’ve been in combat with the ANA, I honestly
can’t say that we were ever truly “put to the test.” While I was
certainly satisfied with the way everybody handled our previous
encounters, you still wonder how things will play out if and when
you get into the “big one.” For those of you reading this who are
Soldiers, I’m happy to report that all of your training does matter
and in a time of crisis, you will rise to the occasion and do what
you’ve been taught to do. If these events don’t motivate you to
train hard (especially with your body armor on), nothing will.
Several days ago, I was part of an American element working out
of an ANA FOB that is more remote and further into Taliban territory
than the little slice of heaven that we call home. This FOB is home
to a company of Afghan soldiers that live in exceptionally austere
conditions and conduct operations in the most hostile part of our
sector. We have a long and positive history with these soldiers, their
leadership and always look forward to working with them.
Another interesting part of our jobs is that we get to work with
different militaries from the coalition. We have worked with
Germans, Croatians, Norwegians and Latvians so far. While I’ve
enjoyed working with all of them, I’m partial to the Norwegian special
operations troops. Most of them are absolute giants (both in
height and build; think Vikings). As a rather tall bloke myself, it
isn’t often that I literally have to look up to people.
Several hours after we arrived at the FOB, a convoy of
Norwegian and Latvian special operations soldiers rolled in and
after some discussion, we discovered that our mission objectives
were similar. In order to improve everybody’s security, we decided
to partner up and combine our two elements into one for mutual
support. On the first day of operations, we went even deeper into
Talib territory and visited a local Afghan police station in a dusty little
village where enemy activity was reported to be on the rise. From
there, we traveled even deeper into the hinterlands to the site where
a week before, an Afghan police truck (Ford Ranger) had been
blown to pieces and all three occupants killed instantly by an IED.
Nothing will get your attention quicker than looking at the twisted,
16 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
burned wreckage of an utterly destroyed vehicle. IEDs are no joke
and we always take every precaution imaginable to avoid them.
That night we dined on reindeer meat (courtesy of our Viking
brothers) and prepared to head into what is probably the single
most dangerous village in our neck of the woods. We’d been there
twice before with the first visit resulting in an ambush and the second
time resulting in no contact. While our mission was humanitarian
in nature, we knew there was a good chance that we’d
make contact so we took all of our planning and preparations very
seriously. The convoy that departed was well organized, supplied
and of the right frame of mind.
After several hours of hard and rough driving, we arrived at the
outskirts of the village, broke into our assigned groups and made
entry. Our area of Afghanistan looks a lot like New Mexico. The village,
which is the most picturesque of the villages I’ve visited, sits at
the base of the Hindu Kush mountain range and is silhouetted by
gorgeous, tall, snowcapped mountains. There are more trees and
vegetation in and around the village than you normally see in this
arid climate. There is one road that cuts the village in half, traveling
from the entry (north) side and heading south until it dead-ends into
the mountains. The 500 homes in the village are made of mud
(adobe) and they equally split between both sides of the centerline
road. Just outside of the village limits to the east and west, there are
rolling hills that locals plant with wheat/grass and use for grazing.
As we entered the village, it was immediately apparent that
there were very few people “out and about” and that was not a
good sign. After securing both ends of the village, the mission
leadership (to include myself) moved to the village mosque (located
near the middle of the village) and as is customary, waited for
the village leadership (known as the “village elders”) to arrive. The
ANA leadership planned to talk to them about the overall security
situation and to discuss the possibility of the government funding
a civic project in their village (common requests are for us to build
schools, clinics, wells, etc.).
After several minutes of nobody coming out to greet us (another
bad sign), an older gentleman on a motorcycle came down the centerline
road and we engaged him in conversation. As is always the
case, he stated that there were no Talibs around, the villagers support
the government, and everything is peaceful and calm. We
asked him to either go to the village elders homes or to call them
(everybody in Afghanistan has a cell phone) and let them know that
we’d like to hold a meeting with them (known as a “shura”). He
agreed and headed back down the road never to be seen again.
Right about this time, we started receiving reports from the ANA outposts
to the south (by the mountains) that they could see armed
men moving in the hills above them and getting into position.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that we were about
to be engaged by the enemy; so the combined American,

Norwegian, and Afghan leadership element began moving up the
road (uphill) towards the location of the observed enemy activity.
As we were moving up the road, a Talib on our right flank (to the
west) fired an RPG into our midst and the fight was on!
Immediately following that explosion, they unleashed a barrage of
additional RPG rounds, PKM machinegun fire, and 4-5 82mm
mortar shells in quick succession. While the PKM and RPG fire
definitely got my attention, I’d never been under direct indirect (if
that makes any sense!) fire before and the site of the huge explosions
impacting on the ground and throwing up giant clouds of
smoke, debris and shrapnel really got my attention!
Everybody immediately did what they were trained to do and
took cover and began returning fire. At that point, there was a
murderous volume of fire going both directions and you could see
Talibs, coalition and Afghan soldiers running in all directions in an
attempt to gain better cover and more advantageous firing positions.
The Afghan soldiers immediately assessed that the hill that
the original RPG fire came from was the key piece of terrain on the
western side of the village and began organizing an assault on it.
One of my Soldiers, Staff Sgt. John Herbst (a NYNG Soldier and
twice wounded Iraq vet) and I attached ourselves to them and we
all began to leapfrog across the ground towards the enemy held
position. I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I was with how
quickly and bravely the ANA covered that open ground. While
Herbst and I were completely smoked by the heat and 80+
pounds of gear we were carrying, they moved across the open
ground and up the hill like mountain goats.
My other team member, Capt. Joe Minning (another NYNG
Soldier and decorated Iraq vet) stayed on the Hummer turret gun,
suppressed the enemy fire and movement to the east and provided
covering fire for my team that was approaching the dominant
Talib hilltop position to the west.
By the time Herbst and I had dragged our tired butts up the hill,
the ANA had already ejected the Talibs from their well-prepared
fighting position and were raining concentrated fire down on them.
I really didn’t think the Talibs would stay and fight but they gave
back as good as they got and the hilltop fight alone raged for close
to three hours. Herbst and I did our best to assist them by refining
their defensive fires, directly engaging the enemy when appropriate,
and generally reassuring them (while they don’t necessarily
need us, they really gain confidence when we’re around). The
Talibs that we’d driven from the hill quickly took up alternate positions
and continued to fire on us without let-up.
Within an hour or so, a group of Norwegian and Latvian special
forces made their way up the hill and added their much needed
firepower to the fray. Even more importantly, the Norwegians
brought a forward air controller (FAC) and he immediately began
calling for close air support (CAS). Within about 25 minutes, a
German tornado fighter bomber was circling our hilltop as the FAC
talked him into a cluster of caves that the Talibs were firing at us
from. After a relatively lengthy period of time hovering above us (so
the pilot could be sure he knew exactly where the friendlies were),
the command of “bombs away” was shouted out across our little
hilltop stronghold and everybody got as low as they could. Again,
never having called in or been around CAS, I only knew what I’d
read or seen in the movies. At approximately 90 seconds out, you
could hear it begin its screaming descent from the heavens and it
picked up in sound as it fell ever closer to our position. I’m quite
positive that everybody in our position had the same feeling that I
had, which was, “Oh God, I hope the FAC gave them the enemy
coordinates and not ours!” I felt a huge sense of relief as I actually
heard and felt the 2,000-pound bomb pass over our position and
impact on the Talib position. We all immediately sprung up and
looked at the huge mushroom cloud that erupted from the earth
and forever altered the landscape.
At that point, the surviving Talibs in that area all got up and ran like
ants with everybody on our hill pouring fire onto them. While there is
no way to know for sure, I’m relatively confident that several of them
didn’t survive the blistering fusillade. Minning (who by now had
moved up the hill) and I, along with several other coalition and
Afghan soldiers, opened fire on one of them (I could CLEARLY see
him in my scope) as he ran across an open field and watched as our
rounds impacted all around him in an ever-tightening circle. He suddenly
stopped, put his hands up, and turned around to face us (at a
range of about 700-800 meters). At that point, we could see that he
was no longer armed and we stopped shooting. While I’m 99 percent
sure that he was a Talib, he’d already dropped his gun and we
were all concerned that he might have been a farmer that had been
holed up during the shooting and only ran when the air strike came
in. He began walking towards our position but there was a large
ravine between us and him and as we suspected, he never surfaced
from the ravine. I’m at peace with knowing that if he was an “innocent
bystander,” we did the right thing. If he was a Talib that had
wisely dropped his gun before hauling, he was one lucky SOB.
Somewhat surprisingly, within a couple of minutes of the air
strike, we were again taking fire from several Talib positions to our
front. Around this time, the word came over the radio that it was time
for us to come off the hill and prepare to remount our vehicles and
depart the village (as our mission had never been offensive in
nature). There was a real concern that the enemy would be setting
ambushes and possibly IEDs for us on our way out and it was clear
that we’d already been fixed in one location too long. We set up a
system of over-watch positions and by nation, the Afghans leaving
first, followed by the Latvians, Norwegians and lastly the Americans.
We came off the hill and back to the location of our main body.
One of the Afghan soldiers got shot on top of that tiny little hilltop
and actually tried to conceal it from his troops for fear of demoralizing
them. Eventually, one of his soldiers noticed that he was bleeding
(a through-and-through wound on the side) and they quickly carried
him off the hill for treatment (he was eventually medevaced out
by the Norwegian helos and is doing great). I thought that was one
of the most unselfish and brave things that I’d ever heard of.
As we were moving off the hill, I took a moment to reflect on the
day’s activities so far and realized how fortunate we’d all been up to
that point. While we were all tired, hot, dirty and deaf, with the exception
of the one wounded ANA soldier, we were all still in one piece.
When I reached the mountain runoff stream that ran parallel to the
centerline road, I took off my helmet, poured several cupped handfuls
of cold, clear water over my head, and thanked God for our luck.
We then had a quick leader huddle, devised a movement plan to get
us out of the village, and began the next phase of what was going to
be an even longer and more harrowing phase of our day.
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 17

We were probably close to a mile from our northern security position
and the exit point of the village. The plan was to put the unarmored
Norwegian and ANA vehicles in between our gun trucks and
move out of the village as rapidly as possible. However, it didn’t take
the Talibs long to re-occupy the hilltop positions that we’d recently
vacated and we again began to take heavy machinegun and RPG
fire (by now, the aircraft had departed the AO due to low fuel). This
fire caused the ANA soldiers in the back of the pick-ups to dismount
and we walked out of the village while moving from cover to cover
and returning fire when targets presented themselves. Once we’d
linked up with our northern security position personnel where Capt.
Madson and Sgt. First Class Nevarez had bravely been holding
open our exit route and keeping the Talibs from cutting us off, we
had another quick leader huddle, revised the plan as required and
began to convoy out of the village.
As we cleared of the main village area, the fire
actually picked up and the Norwegian vehicles
were hit by several grenades and damaged (broken
windows, shrapnel strikes and a blown tire).
The Vikings leaped from their vehicles and prepared
to storm the house that they believed the
grenades had come from. Unfortunately, this
caused the entire convoy to have to stop and we
were subjected to an even greater volume of
RPG and PKM fire. My team and I were in the last
vehicle in the convoy and we were taking a beating.
Minning was back in the turret and was putting
out a blistering volume of fire (our gun fired
more than 1,500 rounds that day), but sitting still
was definitely not a healthy option. Maj. Ake, the
overall mission commander, exited his vehicle
and “politely asked” the Norwegians to get back in their vehicles
and keep moving. Unfortunately, the “fog of war” thickened and the
Norwegians sent their vehicles ahead and remained there on the
ground. Ake directed them to use our Hummers as cover and we
drove out of the kill zone shielding them from the rain of bullets that
were striking the other side of our vehicles. I have to admit that I was
exceptionally pleased to be inside a vehicle at that time. Fortunately,
we were able to get them safely back to their vehicles and they
mounted up and we pressed on.
We continued to exchange fire with the Talibs for miles with most
of it being relatively ineffective (both directions). At one point, one of
the Norwegian vehicles rolled over and we had to stop the convoy
to get it righted. Fortunately, nobody was injured. Several more miles
down the road, we picked an area that looked clear and stopped
again to allow the Norwegians to change a tire that had been blown
out in the grenade attack (their vehicles don’t have the “run flat” tires
that the American vehicles have) and to redistribute ammo.
While they were changing their tire, the rest of the convoy set up
security and scanned the surrounding hills for enemy activity. At this
point, while we were certainly vigilant, we figured that the fighting was
over for the day (by now, we’d been continuously engaged for almost
five straight hours). My trusty terp (Shakib) and I exited ours and
started walking up the length of the convoy to consult with the ANA
commander. We’d just stopped at the part of the convoy where the
Norwegians were located and were marveling at how truly shot up
18 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
The feeling
of elation,
accomplishment and
brotherhood among
the men in the FOB
that night was electric.
Everybody wanted to
talk, stand around
together and just bask
in the joy of survival
and success.
their vehicles were (miraculously they sustained no casualties) when
all hell broke lose again! The first thing I heard was the sound of an
RPG sailing right over our heads and then general firing all around.
The thing that really sucked about this scenario was that Shakib and
I were several hundred meters from our vehicle and the fire was coming
from both sides of the convoy (so you couldn’t hide behind a
vehicle for fear of exposing yourself to the other side). After taking a
few moments to assess the situation, we started running down the
length of the convoy back to the relative safety of our vehicle.
We finally reached the last vehicle and as I leaped into the front
seat I could see that Shakib wasn’t able to open his door. It took
me about two seconds to realize that this was NOT our vehicle
and that our vehicle had moved out of line to the left to get into a
more advantageous position to return fire. I sheepishly looked at
the astonished crew of that vehicle and exited as
ungracefully as I’d entered (none the worse for
wear but a bit embarrassed). We then ran the
remaining distance through a hail of gunfire to
our vehicle, which was rapidly moving towards
us and dove in with a huge sigh of relief. The
convoy just started moving again when we
heard and felt a huge bang from an RPG round
that exploded a few feet off the left rear bumper
of our Hummer, blowing out our tire and spraying
the vehicle with shrapnel. After a few choice
words and a thank God or two, we continued to
roll with our now flattened tire.
It was during this engagement that Sgt. First
Class Gutierrez, a Texas National Guard Soldier,
calmly and methodically engaged a Talib RPG
gunner until he connected.
This was our last engagement of the day and we sailed back
into our FOB somewhat bloodied, but definitely unbowed! I can’t
begin to describe how incredibly proud I was of everybody’s performance
that day. I didn’t see a single soldier from any country
that didn’t perform his duties to the highest level possible. While
everybody was scared at various times during the day, not a soul
allowed their fear to keep them from accomplishing their mission.
I will never forget watching men dash through direct gunfire to
bring their comrades much needed ammo and water or witnessing
turret gunners staying up and firing their guns even though they
were being pelted with PKM and RPG fire. The feeling of elation,
accomplishment and brotherhood among the men in the FOB that
night was electric. Everybody wanted to talk, stand around together
and just bask in the joy of survival and success.
While I won’t divulge the number of enemy casualties that our
intel sources were able to confirm, I will simply say that they suffered
a substantial number of both KIA and WIA and several of
their key leaders were either permanently or temporarily “removed
from the scene.” The losses on our side were the one previously
mentioned wounded ANA soldier and some minor vehicle damage
in the form of cracked windshields and flat tires, bullet holes
in all of the vehicles, and probably a pair of underwear or two.
I suspect that this day will be the single greatest day of my
entire military career and I will NEVER forget it or the men that I
went through it with.

Ricardo Medina VFW 7688 WWII Veteran South Pacific, Philippines 472nd Anti-aircraft Artillery
Automatic Weapon Battalion and Claudio Rael VFW 7688 Korean War Veteran 250th discuss
the Field of Honors ceremony. Photo: Pfc. Lisa Reamer
QUESTA, N.M.—New Mexico residents gathered in Questa for
Memorial Day weekend to honor American veterans.
Licensed with the National Colonial Flag Foundation, the village
of Questa hosts an annual ceremony at their Field of Honor,
located off of N.M. 522. The display, comprised of 1,000 waving
American flags, is a tribute to the heroism of the American servicemembers
who fought to preserve security and freedom for the
global community.
“On the one-year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy a symbolic
field spontaneously emerged; this event grew into today’s Healing
Field and Field of Honor programs. They are a symbol of freedom,
liberty, honor and respect for the ideals and principles symbolized
by the flag of the United States of America,” said veteran Jeff Carr,
Taos U.S. history teacher.
The master of ceremonies, secretary for the New Mexico
Department of Veteran Services, John Garcia welcomed Mayor
Malaquais Rael, field representative from the office of U.S. Rep. Tom
Udall, Michael Lopez, Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Vickers
and New Mexico National Guard Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Kenny
Montoya as guest speakers for the event.
The words of Montoya rang through the air, “Look at the snowcapped
mountains, the flags behind us ... look into the eyes of the
people who are seated next to you. They each are symbols that
represent the pursuit of happiness, the freedom and the strength
of our great democracy.”
No,
freedom
is not free
By Pfc. Lisa Reamer, 200th Public Affairs Detachment,
New Mexico National Guard
Montoya went on to remind us how the lives of veterans are
those defined by courage, integrity, perseverance and selfless
service. They are the fiber in the fabric of our nation.
The Questa Field of Honor honors those men and women who
gave their lives for the sake of not only our American freedom, but
for the sake of freeing the global community from tyranny. Vickers
fondly refers to the field as “a panorama of patriotism.”
Vickers, a man who represented his country during 30 battles in
World War II, fought in Korea and Vietnam, and battled the Castro
regime during the Cuban missile crisis, claims not the title of “hero.”
“The true heroes are the men and women who did not come
home and the mothers back home who prayed for the safety of
all,” Vickers says.
Many civilians in the audience spoke of being humbled by the
presence of such admirable men and women. They connected
with the words of U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Strong.
“I wondered just how many times that Taps had meant ‘Amen,’
when a flag had draped a coffin, of a brother or a friend,” Strong
said. “I thought of all the children, the mothers and the wives of
the fathers, sons and husbands with interrupted lives. I thought
about the graveyard at the bottom of the sea, of unmarked graves
of Arlington. No, freedom isn’t free.”
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 19

By Staff Sgt. Kim Turner, 200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
A modern Army requires a state-of-theart
transportation system to keep it on the
move and the Heavy Expanded Mobile
Tactical Truck (HEMMT) Load Handling
System (LHS, M1120A2) and Palletized
Load System (PLS, M1074/M1075) provide
this capability.
The vehicle system has the capability to
load and unload its cargo within five minutes
without the need for forklifts or other
material handling equipment.
The cadre of the 88M Re-Classification
Course, located at the Regional Training
Institute (RTI), Santa Fe, N.M., is the first
unit in the New Mexico Army National
Guard to field the LHS system in the state.
Considered a “medium truck,” the LHS
differs from the “heavy truck” PLS in a
number of ways. The PLS has a heavier
cargo carrying capacity, which is reflected
in the extra steerable rear axle, giving it a
10x10 cross-country capability.
20 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
Students from the 88M Course load a container roll on/off platform (CROP) into a container.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Kim Turner
The eight wheeled LHS features an 8cyclinder
turbocharged diesel engine,
front-four steering wheels and 8x8 crosscountry
capability.
Expanded cargo abilities are reflected
in the ability of both the LHS and PLS systems
to load cargo flat racks from the
ground using the vehicles self-contained
hydraulic load system, and with the addition
of the Container Handling Unit (CHU)
the vehicles also have the capability to
load 8x8x20 ft. International Standards
Organization (ISO) containers.
A specially designed 3-axle trailer
(M1076) is used with the LHS/PLS system,
with a 16.5-ton payload capacity that complements
the 33,000 lbs. maximum payload
of the LHS.
There are three types of flat racks available
for use with the LHS/PLS systems: the
M1077, an older style flat rack capable of
handling 33,000 lbs. of cargo; the M1 flat
rack, capable of handling 26,000 lbs.
(31,400 lbs when not loaded on the vehicle);
and the M3 Container Roll-in/Out
(CROP) flat rack, which can be inserted
and removed from an ISO container by
either the LHS or PLS vehicle system.
These designs of these flat racks reflect
current North Atlantic Treaty Organization
agreements that require inter-operability
with other NATO nations.
The adoption of the LHS/PLS systems
have expanded the operational capabilities
of the Transportation Corps, and
instruction in the use of the new system is
now part of the training syllabus being
taught at the 88M Re-Classification Course
in Santa Fe, N.M.

History depicts the roots of the
New Mexico National Guard
By Spc. Charles Martinez, 200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
“The day I was born and christened - it was a clear and flowery one in April - all kinds of colorful ceremonies marked the event alongside
the big swirling river. That morning a formal proclamation was issued, and there was a solemn high Mass with an appropriate sermon.
In the afternoon the militia held a review. Then a stirring drama, which was composed for the occasion by one of the captains, was
staged by some of the men. These things were duly recorded as a matter of course.
“Later on, a long epic poem by another captain recalled the happy occurrence, also relating in vivid detail whatever took place months
before the actual birthday and in those that followed. In short, everyone present knew that this was not only a happy communal celebration,
but a very sacred one as well.
“Actually, I am describing the birth of my people and of their own way of life, the beginnings of the Hispanic inhabitants of New Mexico
and their own particular culture, on that feast of the Ascension of our Lord, the 30th day of April in the year 1598. On that memorable
morning along the banks of the southern Rio Grande, Don Juan de Oñate, adelantado for King Philip II of Spain, or advance leader of
the first permanent colony sent to these parts—which his followers were vocally regarding as a Promised Land—took solemn possession
for God and king of a brand new infant Spain at the outermost edges of the then-known world.”
So begins “My Penitente Land: The Soul Story of Spanish New
Mexico” by Fray Angélico Chávez, a native son and veteran of
World War II and Korea.
Those few paragraphs give the reason the New Mexico
National Guard can lay claim to why it is the oldest militia unit in
the present 50 states.
The year 2008 marks the 410th anniversary of the first permanent
European settlement and the establishment of its militia, ancestor of
the New Mexico National Guard. All of this was carried out under the
leadership of Don Juan de Oñate, a Spanish criollo born in
Zacatecas, Mexico, a city co-founded by his own father, Cristóbal,
who himself was born in the Basque province of Oñati in Spain.
Don Juan de Oñate won his bid to lead the New Mexico expedition
in 1595, but it was delayed and the expedition did not set
out from the mines of Santa Barbara until early 1598. On April 21
they reached San Elizario, south of present day El Paso, Texas,
where they made camp. Preparations were made for La Toma, the
ceremony in which formal possession would be taken of la Nueva
México. This was a reference to the city of Mexico, the former
Tenochtitlán which had been conquered by Cortes, and the capital
of New Spain. The nation we now know as Mexico would not
be born until the revolution in 1821.
The exact number of people who came north was never accurately
tabulated. During several inspections, many of the soldiercolonists
never listed the exact number of members of their families
and servants that came with them. Fray Angélico Chávez
estimated that it was about 400 soldier-colonists and 130 women
and children.
Four days later, on May 4 the whole group crossed the Río
Grande. The spot is marked in El Paso, Texas, at the address of
1720 W. Paisano. The group continued north in a caravan that
was estimated to be a few miles long due to the amount of people,
cattle and property that was being transported. They continued
to endure many of the hardships that had been handed to
them along the way: threats of attacks from hostile Indian tribes,
lack of water, inclement weather and rough terrain, to name a few.
22 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
Travel averaged 1.5 to three leagues per day, according to the
daily record of the journey.
A few of the notable events included:
• May 21, 1598 – Pedro Robledo, native of Carmena, near Toledo,
was buried at the foot of the mountain that bore his name,
Robledo Peak. He was 60 years old and one of the first
colonists to die.
• June 14, 1598 – The caravan stopped at a pueblo and the
inhabitants gave much-needed corn. This sign of help was
commemorated in the name of the pueblo, Our Lady of
Perpetual Help (Socorro).
• July 11, 1598 – The scouting party arrived at its permanent
home in a pueblo and named it San Juan de los Caballeros.
Only recently has the pueblo been renamed with its original
name of Okay Owingeh.
• Aug. 18, 1598 – The rest of the caravan reached San Juan after
enduring seven months of travel.
• Sept. 8, 1598 – Dedication of the new church. A fiesta was held
afterwards, and “Los Moros y Christianos” was performed. This
play on horseback is still performed in some communities.
• Sept. 15, 1598 – the sargento mayor of the expedition set out
with 50 militia soldiers in search for buffalo. The group returned
on November 8 with many provisions for the new settlement.
Who were these people that made up this group of intrepid
individuals? They represented the various strata of society at the
time: farmers, lawyers, secretaries, professional soldiers, medics,
artists, metal-smiths, authors and housewives. They came from
New Spain, Portugal, Greece, Flanders and several other
European and New World countries.
What did they look like, and what equipment did they have?
Luckily, we have reports of what each colonist carried with them
as well as musters. Juan Griego, son of Lázaro Griego, a native of
Negroponte, Greece, was described as: “of good stature, partly
gray bearded, a big gash in his forehead, 32 years of age, with his
arms.” He brought with him one coat of mail, beaver, cuisses, harquebus
and the horse armor necessary for personal use; 13 tame

horses; one sword and two jineta saddles and
six pairs of shoes.
Alférez Juan de Victoria Carvajal was the
son of Juan de Carvajal and was born in the
town of Ayotepel in the area of Oaxaca, Mexico.
He had a chestnut-colored beard and was 37
years old. He was a veteran of a previous exploration
into New Mexico who had taken part in
the expedition led by Antonio de Espejo in
1590, so he was familiar with a lot of this territory.
Because of his experience he had attained
the rank of Alférez, or standard-bearer (more
commonly known as ensign). He carried similar
items to Griego‘s with a few more additions.
The soldiers brought with them horses,
lances, shields, swords, muskets, harquebuses,
pistols and helmets. Other equipment consisted
of mail (flexible armor consisted of interlocked
rings), cuisses (thigh guards), beaver
(chin guards), and two types of saddles: jineta (light) or estradiota
(heavy armored war saddle). Some of their equipment was their
own, passed from generation to generation. Other equipment was
supplied by Oñate himself as part of his contract. Personal equipment
consisted of bells, jewelry, clothing, shoes, medical supplies,
armor supplies, axes, wheel rims, plowshares and other
farm equipment. Their ages ranged from 10 years (Oñate’s own
son, Christóbal) to 69-year old Francisco Martín.
The soldiers would have their first trial by fire before the year
was done. On Dec. 4, 1598, four officers, seven soldiers and two
servants were killed at the pueblo of Ácoma. Four others were
wounded. An offensive foray was immediately executed. Setting
out in mid-January, the group reached Ácoma and started their
attack on the January 23. The stronghold fell to the Spanish by the
end of the January 24.
When the soldiers left for the offensive attack on Ácoma
Pueblo, Oñate immediately set about to ensure that their settlement
at San Juan was not left unprotected. Individuals were chosen
from among the settlers to augment the protection provided
by the professional soldiers. These citizens were provided with
any weapons they were lacking, and were given specific areas to
guard. This was the establishment of the first citizen soldier group
in the present continental United States
Customarily, women were not specifically named in the records.
Sufficient enough was only the name of her husband. There was
one exception to this. Referred to as “Doña Eufemia, La Valerosa”
(Lady Eufemia, the valiant one), she was the wife of Don Francisco
de Sosa Peñalosa, the alférez real (in charge of the royal ensign).
They, along with their family, first joined the expedition in 1595.
After several months of political machinations, the expedition
was put on hold. Many people began abandoning the makeshift
camps and leaving. Doña Eufemia stepped forward to question
the honor and valor of the men. Many were convinced to stay for
a short time, but eventually many left. However, Gapar Pérez de
Villagrá, in his “La Historia de la Nueva México, 1610” (Canto VII)
thought this incident worthy enough to be lauded in prose.
Doña Eufemia was mentioned again in the latter part of
The people of New
Mexico were to move
on, prosper and
continue growing in
this land of
“enchantment.”
The soldiers that protected
this land would
live their story, side-byside
with their families
and the people they
defended.
January 1598, when many of the camp left for
Ácoma, information was received that the camp
at San Juan was going to be attacked. Oñate
gathered and posted soldiers in strategic locations,
maximizing defensibility of the area. In the
commotion, he noticed that armed individuals
were walking on top of the rooftops. After discovering
that it was the women of the expedition led
by Doña Eufemia who had organized those individuals,
he demanded to know what they were
doing there. Doña Eufemia replied that if they
were ordered down, they would comply and
defend “all the town,” if not, they should be left
alone “if they wished to keep safe all that which
they now occupied and held.” After, Oñate congratulated
himself that he had such brave
women in his ranks, women that knew how to
use the weapons available and who were willing
to defend their homeland. He ordered that Doña
Eufemia command those on the rooftops. When this was heard
the women let out shouts of joy and fired off their muskets in salutation.
(Historia de la Nueva Mexico, 1610 – Canto XXVII).
This was such a notable experience, some of these women
based on extant records were Doña Ana Pérez de Bustillo, wife of
Asencio de Archuleta and daughter of Alférez [Ensign] Juan Pérez
de Bustillo; Doña Isabel Holguín, wife of Alférez Juan de Vitoria
Carvajal and daughter of Alférez Juan López Holguín; Doña Luisa
López Robledo, wife of Captain Bartolomé Robledo and daughter
of the late Alférez Pedro Robledo; Doña María de la Cruz, wife of
Alférez Juan Pérez de Bustillo and Doña Pasquala Bernal, wife of
Juan Griego. These women are common ancestors of many people
with New Mexico roots.
The people of New Mexico were to move on, prosper and continue
growing in this land of “enchantment.” The soldiers that protected
this land would live their story, side-by-side with their families
and the people they defended.
• They were to go out on exploratory trips and battle nearby tribes.
• Generations later in 1720, they would battle French soldiers and
Indians on the banks of the La Platte River in Nebraska.
• In 1779, more than 600 of them would go, along with the citizen
soldiers of the Santa Fe Presidio, in search of the Comanche
Chief Cuerno Verde. One soldier from Santa Fe, Francisco
Domingo Anaya, lost his life as a result of a gunshot wound during
this campaign. This battle allowed a peace to be signed with
the Comanches, which eventually allowed southern Colorado
to be settled.
• They could capture Zebulon Pike and go in search of Lewis
and Clark.
• As Texans invaded New Mexico in 1843, they would distinguish
themselves by capturing several flags, cannon and Texans. For
this, many of them would be given brevet promotions and honored
with the highest honor Mexico would bestow: the Escudo
de Honor, or Medal of Honor.
• When America came to settle in 1846, many in the militia would
quickly be absorbed into it. The militia would also acquire several
new names from the Americans coming in: Gabriel Jeantet,
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 23

would enlist as a private in the Company of Jose Maria Valdez,
which would be attached to the command of Captain Samuel A.
Boake, 3rd Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers on June 14,
1848, in San Fernando de Taos, N.M. This was done to counter
much of the unrest due to the new government. Jeantet would
answer the call again in December 1861 when he would be
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. D, 1st Infantry Militia
Regiment (from Mora).
• Several thousand would answer the call for volunteers due to
the raids from Navajos, Apaches and other tribes throughout
the 1800s.
• Several thousand would answer Lincoln’s call to arms for the
Civil War. Battles in Valverde and Glorieta would ensue, thousands
would be killed and wounded before the guns fell silent.
• The militia would again be called up to defend against raiding
tribes, as well as domestic disturbances such as the Lincoln
County War during the 1860s and 1890s.
• The militia would also be asked to escort the government for the
new territory of Arizona to the territorial capital during the winter
of 1863-1864.
• 1898 saw the New Mexico Militia step onto the international
stage. War was declared with Spain on April 25. By May 6, 13
officers and 340 enlisted men had been mustered and sworn in.
Ray Leyba is no stranger to hard work. Leyba, who has served
his country honorably for more than 35 years of federal service,
retired April 11, 2008. Leyba has worked in maintenance at the
Santa Fe National Guard Armory since July 2002.
Leyba also worked at the Santa Fe National Cemetery for 30
years, retiring from there on June 30, 2002, at age 59.
Leyba was drafted into the Army in April of 1967, and spent
four weeks at Fort Bliss, Texas, and another four weeks at Fort Dix,
N.J. After his birthday in October 1967, he was deployed to
Vietnam. He spent 13 months there driving a truck and working in
the shipyards. He came under sniper fire while in convoy during
the Tet Offensive, but was not hit. While working in the shipyard,
he suffered a broken wrist when a crate fell on him.
He married his girlfriend, Vickie Lovato, Nov. 30, 1968, after
returning from Vietnam. Several years later his brother, Cayetano
Leyba, helped him get a job at the Santa Fe National Cemetery
where he worked.
“Working here reminded me of Vietnam at first, but I have
enjoyed the past six years working here,” said Leyba.
Ten years ago, Leyba was diagnosed with sugar diabetes, and
subsequently diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
while being treated for diabetes at the VA hospital in Albuquerque,
N.M. He is still receiving treatment and counseling for both.
Brig. Gen. Kenny Montoya, the Adjutant General of the New
24 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
This ceremony took place in front of the Palace of the Governors
on the plaza in Santa Fe. The amount of volunteers increased
over a short period of time. Officially known as the First United
States Volunteer Cavalry, they would be better known as
“Rough Riders.” In its 300-year existence this was the first
deployment of the New Mexico National Guard to a foreign soil.
The deeds and members of this unit were to gain a legendary
status in the annals of American history. The group was demobilized
on Sept. 15, 1898.
During the 20th century, other units would see service defending
the international border after the raid by Pancho Villa on
Columbus, N.M., as well as service in World War I, World War II,
Korea, Vietnam and other major conflicts. They would also be
called upon for domestic help such as floods, fires and other natural
disasters and peace-keeping missions. The members of the
National Guard would also be called upon for one of the darkest
days of New Mexico history – the February 1980 riot at the New
Mexico State Penitentiary.
The 21st century would see Guardsmen once again step up
when terrorists attacked our homeland and answer the call to arms.
They would provide protection to New Mexico and Washington,
D.C. The Guardsmen of today are continuing to write another chapter
started by their militia forefathers more than 400 years ago.
Ray Leyba closes out a distinguished career of
service to his country
By Spc. Derek Bridges, 200th Public Affairs Det., NMNG
Ray Leyba celebrates his retirement with family and friends.
Photo: Spc. Derek Bridges
Mexico National Guard, and State Command Sgt. Major Kevin
Meyers both praised Leyba for his many years of hard work and
dedication to both the New Mexico National Guard and the country.
Leyba was awarded the New Mexico Medal of Merit, the State
Adjutant General Coin, the State Command Sergeant Major Coin,
and was given a New Mexico state flag at his retirement ceremony.
He plans to take courses through the VA to keep his mind
busy, and he may travel, but mostly he intends to relax and enjoy
his retirement.

Future Guardsmen get a taste
of The Guard Experience By Master Sgt. Michael Vigil
A new program for recruiting future Guardsmen and women is
being tested in New Mexico. The focus of the nationwide tool is to
encourage prospective recruits ages 17-25 to get a firsthand look
at the National Guard. Beginning in February and running through
May, potential recruits spend a day on an installation soaking up
the military culture and being exposed to the training that the
Guard has to offer.
Master Sgt. Michael Vigil, recruiting NCOIC for Team 1 said,
“We should have been doing this program all along, and we will
continue to do so.”
He feels that it is an immense opportunity for recruits and
recruiters. At the close of the pilot program in May, Vigil submitted
an after action report with suggestions for improvement of the
program and also ideas of elements to enhance.
Approximately 20 participants gathered in the RTI multipurpose
room Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. They began the day by
watching the 3 Doors Down music video dedicated to the National
Guard titled “Citizen Soldier” and were privy to behind the scenes
footage of the making of the video.
After introductions and welcoming the participants, Command
Sgt. Maj. Abel Villesca, state recruiting and retention sergeant
major, led the group to the rappel tower to watch
a display of the training available on the Onate
Complex. CAT-C personnel demonstrated the
crawl, walk, run concept adherent to all National
Guard training and the vast resources New
Mexico has for hands-on training opportunities.
Lunch was served next followed by an informational
slide show and one-on-one time for
questions and answers. Booths representing
opportunities in the Guard such as the Medical
Corps and Aviation Flight Medic fields were
available for the participants to peruse and
speak with personnel currently working in those
particular jobs.
The success of the event is evident in the comment
made by attendee Mark Gabaldon, age 17.
He said, “After today, I’ve seen more of the opportunities,
career choices and training available.”
Another participant brought his family along
to also receive the full experience. Tarynce’s
grandmother Geraldine Lujan-Trujillo said of
joining the National Guard, “That would be cool,
if I was young like that, I would join. [In life] you
should do something you can really tackle.”
Events were held through the end of May,
which marked the end of the pilot program. For
more information or to sign up for the next
Guard Experience day, contact the Santa Fe
recruiting office at 505-473-4541.
Jace Childers, 20, and Andrew Herrera, 20, register with Spc. Christine Salazar
for the Guard Experience event held at the RTI in Santa Fe. The event promised
a hands-on experience for potential recruits to get a taste of the National Guard.
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 25

Que Pasa Briefs
Civilian looking for Guardsman hero who saved his life
By Master Sgt. Edward Wittie
Shawn Richesin is looking for a Guardsman to thank him for saving his life. Richesin recently stopped by Lomas Auto
Mall, a store owned by Master Sgt. Edward Wittie, who happened to be in uniform when they began talking.
Wittie noticed a very large 8” scar on the back of Richesin’s neck.
Richesin told Wittie that back in 2005 he was driving home from Santa Fe when he was involved in a serious accident on
La Bajada Hill. He had serious injuries to both his neck and feet.
Richesin began to panic when an unknown New Mexico Guardsman crawled into the vehicle and held his neck stable.
Richesin remembers the Guardsman telling him “Sir, you were in a serious accident. Please calm down. Help is on the way.
Don’t worry, I’m here with you.”
The last thing Richesin remembers is being loaded into the lifeguard helicopter. Later while in the hospital the doctors told him he
had broken the C1 vertebrae in his neck (Same injury as Christopher Reeves). The doctor told him that if the Guard guy hadn’t held
his neck still he would have died or been permanently paralyzed. Shawn has been through many surgeries on both his neck and feet.
He has been unable to work since and has since lost his home and has moved in with his mother.
Although Richesin is struggling financially, he is grateful to be alive. He said the Guardsman did show up where he worked but no
one wrote down his name.
Richesin would really like to thank this unnamed Guardsman hero personally. Our Guard hero can contact Shawn Richesin through
Lomas Auto Mall, 7500 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, business: (505) 275-9999 or cell: (505) 331-9397; or Master Sgt.
Edward Wittie, 111th MEB ,Operations NCO, commercial : (505) 867-7343, DSN: 867-9343, or cell: (505) 259-3987
26 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2008
DOD to phase out full Social Security numbers on ID’s
By Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN)—As a means of combating identity theft, the Defense
Department will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed
onto them, a senior official said here April 3.
The Defense Department cares about protecting personal information as well as
increasing database security, said Mary Dixon, director of the Defense Manpower Data
Center based in Arlington, Va.
Identity theft is a very real problem today, Ms. Dixon explained. Criminals who pilfer
SSN-bearing identity cards can virtually assume someone’s identity through a few computer
keystrokes and clicks of a mouse, she said.
TRICARE, the military services’ health maintenance organization, already has removed
Social Security numbers from its members’ identification cards, Ms. Dixon said.
Plans are to remove the Social Security numbers from identification cards issued to military
family members by the end of this year, Ms. Dixon said, noting that those cards still
would display the sponsor‘s SSN, for now. Between 2009 and 2010, all department-issued
identification cards will feature only the last four digits of a holder’s Social Security number,
she said.
About 3.4 million people now have department-issued common access cards, Ms.
Dixon said. Around two-thirds of those card holders are military members, and some
civilians who deploy overseas, who have full Social Security numbers printed onto the
back of their CACs.
“You might lose that card,” Ms. Dixon pointed out, noting that family members, including
children, could misplace their identification cards, too.
Modern information technology precludes the need to have full social security numbers
printed onto employee and family member ID cards, Ms. Dixon said.
(continued on next page)

“Today, all of our (computer) systems can ‘talk’ to each other, so we
don’t necessarily need to know all of that information printed on your
card,” she said.
New identification cards will be issued as they reach their expiration
dates, Ms. Dixon said.
Earn pay and retirement points through
Military Funeral Honors
Staff Reports compiled by Sgt. First Class Doug Mallary
SANTA FE, N.M.—Members of the New Mexico Army National Guard can earn
extra money and retirement points by providing Military Funeral Honors for eligible
veterans and retirees. Participants are paid the equivalent of one Unit Training
Assembly (UTA) and garner one retirement point for each day they perform a military
funeral.
A notable exception is for junior Soldiers who earn less than $50 for a UTA. In these
cases, the Soldier is automatically guaranteed to be paid a minimum of $50. These
Soldiers still earn the retirement point as well.
Participants can also qualify for free dress blue uniforms when supplies are available
and the member in question has performed the required amount of funerals.
Active or Reserve Component Army retirees may participate in military funerals to
receive a $50 stipend.
Interested personnel should contact their units’ fulltime personnel. Questions can also
be directed to the Military Funeral Honors Program office in Santa Fe by calling Stephen
Barkell at (505) 474-1526 or Spc. Margaret
Wickham at (505) 474-1644.
To request honors for a relative, the standard
procedure is that funeral homes send a request
to the Casualty Assistance Office at Fort Bliss,
Texas, which in turn routes the request to either
our National Guard or the Army Reserve.
Calling all writers, reporters and
photographers
Have an interest in writing or reporting? What
about photography? Have you written for a newspaper
or magazine at any level or have some education/training
in Journalism? Maybe you wrote
for your high school or college newspaper?
The New Mexico National Guard’s Minuteman
Magazine has a great opportunity for you. The
Minuteman is currently seeking writers, reporters
and photographers of all ranks to join our staff.
Writing/reporter experience is helpful, but not
necessary. We are willing to train you in the exciting
field of journalism.
We are also looking for freelance stringers to
provide coverage from your unit of assignment.
Contact Sgt. Joseph Vigil at:
jvigil@sfnewmexican.com
Summer 2008 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 27