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Governor
Edward G. Rendell
The Adjutant General
l\4aj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright
Executive Editor/State Public Affairs
Lt. Col. Christopher Cleaver
Managing Editor
Sgt. Matthew E. Jones
State Public Affairs Staff
lVlaj. Cory Angell
Capt. Jay 0strich
Staff Sgt. Ted Nichols
Sgt. Damian Smith
Joan Nissley
State Public Affairs Office
Pennsylvania National Guard
Fort Indiantown Gap
Building B-41
Annville, PA 1 7003
www,dmva.state.pa.us
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seven days a week through conversations and connections with pennsylvania'r
members, veterans, families and
citizens.
On.Apr]l 1, I posted my first "tweet" as the commander
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Pennsylvania Cuard are also
using Twitter to communicate.
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of the Pennsylvania National Guard. The DMVA and the
Additionally, it is now possible for friends, family, fans and followers of the Pennsylvania National Guard
to view pNG
photos on Flickr and videos on YouTirbe. Our Facebook page helps tie those programs together
and acts as a host for
discussions about current Guard events.
DMVA employees, PNG troops, family, friends and
Join Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, the
members of the general public also had an opportunity to
Pennsylvania National Guard, and the Deparlment
interact with senior staff and me at our first online Vrtual
of Military and Veterans Affairs online.
Town Hall March 30.
This is an exciting new time for the Department of
PA National Guard:
Military and Veterans Affairs, as well as the pennsylvania
Twitter - www.twitter. corn/panational guard
National Guard. Technology is helping us to reach a
Facebook - wwwfacebook. ccmlpanaticnal guard
broader audience, connect more easily with the public,
Fl ickr - www.f lickr.com/panationalguard
and be more responsive to their questions. pleaie join us.
YouTu
be
-
www.youtube.comlpanationalguard
DMVA:
Twitter
-
wwwtwitter. com/padmva
Maj. Gen. Jessica
Twitter
-
[. Wright:
www.twitter.conr/tagpng
Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, PAARNG
The Adjutant General
Join us for the next Virtual Town Hall, scheduled for Tuesday,
June 22,2010, from 3 to 4 p.m. at www.dmva.state.pa.us.
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By Maj. Cory Angell and Sgt. Doug Roles
Leaders of the U.S. Army's eight National Guard divisions
gathered at Fort Indiantown Gap Jan. 30 to discuss the way ahead
for the Citizen-Soldier force
as
it balances the dual missions of
state. emergency preparedness and committing troops to global
contingency operations.
Commanders also reviewed the scheduling of recurring
9l*d training exercises in foreign countries during ttre ZdtO
Division Commanders Conference, hosted by penniylvania,s
28th Infantry Division. The annual get-together allows
commanding generals to buitd cooperation by sharing insight
into Guard capabilities.
. "The purpose is to continue the positive relationship between
the eight divisions so we have unity of effort,,, said Maj. Gen.
Randall Marchi, 28th ID commander. *Each state and each
division has been very busy over the last year.,'
National Guard Bureau officials talked at length with Guard
commanders about the new Domestic All-Hazards Response
€emg*tr&&€e
Team mission. The DARI mission designates two Guard divisions,
every two years, as planners and command-and-control in the
event of an emergency in the United States.
DART planning helps Guard leaders know what military
resources are available in one state to assist with emergency
relief in another. Marchi said a state's adjutant generai decides
what state resources are available.
."The adjutants general of the affecied states request the
assistance," Marchi said, adding that the AG of theitate
receiving the request for aid would authorize the movement
of resources.
As one of the first divisions to take on the DART mission, the
28th will have the task ofbuilding standard operating procedures
that succeeding DART mission holders will use.
New York's 42nd Infantry Division is slated to take over the
DART mission in October. The east mission encompasses
26
states and two U.S. territories.
(Continued on page 4)
Summer 2010
/ GUARDTANS / 3
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Guard Bureau has already established
the east and west, 22-man DART planning
teams, composed of Army Guard and Air
Guard personnel.
"If an event happens east of the
Mississippi, the primary division is the 28th,"
said Col. Hank Amato, Army National
Guard chief of operations division. "Our
intent is to have a primary division east
and west of the Mississippi."
"When it's needed. we have access
sooner because we know who is available
sooner," said Brig. Gen. Daniel Nelan,
special assistant to the Department of
Defense, Army National Guard.
Officials said DARI would impact
the planning of state level emergency
management agency officials in a
positive way.
Nelan told the gathering of general
officers that it's important to remember
"what DART is and what it is not."
"It isn't something that's going to come
into your state uninvited," Nelan said.
Maj. Gen. Wayne Pierson, commander
of the Kansas Nationai Guard, concurred,
saying a state's AG is the one "to pull the
trigger" on DARL
"The DART does not come in to your
state and take over," he said. "The DART
comes in to say, 'OK, adjutant generai,
you asked for help, we're available."'
"Ifyou have a robust state with robust
assets, that's fine; this is just another asset,"
Marchi said.
DART was a major focus of the
conference, but the meeting also provided
a chance to synchronize the availability of
divisional assets across the Army National
Guard. Officials discussed the need to
fiil warrant officer slots in military
intelligence units and aviation units but
said much progress has been made in
updating equipment.
"Although modernization of specific
equipment, such as truck and helicopter
4
/ GUARDIANS /
Summer 2010
Leaders of the eight divisions in the National Guard met at Fort lndiantown Gap Jan. 30 to talk about
issues common to the division commands and the way ahead for the future.
fleets, remains a long-term challenge, for
the past two fiscal years the Army National
Guard has received $10 billion of new
equipment," said Col. Michael Fortune,
Guard Bureau's chief of the material
programs division.
Col. Mark Strong, chief of force
managemeni division at the National
Guard Bureau, presented an overview of
the new division headquarters structure
that was approved by the Headquarters
Department of the Army Jan. 11, 2010.
"The Army did a complete relook of
every single organization type to gain
efficiencies and pay down some personnel
bills in the process," said Strong.
The new Division 9.1 design headquarters will convert from a three-unit
organization with three separate unit
identifier codes, including the division
tactical action center and special troops
battalion, to one with only one UIC, the
division headquarters. Although there
will be 50 percent fewer tactical wheeled
vehicles, the new division headquarters
will maintain its full mobility and will
modernize much of its communications
equipment, Strong said. The new division
HQ will also lose about 100 personnel
spaces but will gain 31 new military
occupational specialties.
"So there may be a need for about
128 of the 730 total division Soldiers to
reclassily or retrain for new MOSs,"
Strong said.
Additional division capabilities will
include knowledge management, red team,
electronic warfare, information operations, civil affairs, personnel recovery and
others. The 35th ID has already been
converted, while conversion of the 34th
and 40th Divisions will take effect in
FY 10. Conversion of the 28th, 38th and
42nd Divisions takes effect in FY 11, and
the 29th and 36th Division's conversions
will occur in FY 12, said Strong.
Deployments of division headquarters
were also discussed at the council
meeting. Nelan presented the current
deployment plan or "patch chart" to the
commanders, describing the requirements
for division headquarters to deploy to
support Operltion Iraqi Freedom,
Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring
Freedom and Kosovo Force support.
Unit deployment selections are determined based on a variety of factors
inciuding their "dwell time" or time they
have been at home station between
deployments, their personnel availability
based on current unit status reporting,
and training and equipment levels.
Division headquarters will not normally
be deployable, said Nelan, if their dwell
time is less than 24 months, if they have a
brigade combat team or if more than 50
percent of the state's forces are deployed.
Nelan was quick to point out that there
are exceptions to these rules that are
made on a case,by-case basis.
Additionally, units currently assigned
the DART mission wiil not be deployable
to enable them to respond ifneeded. The
patch chart showed the deployment neecls
over the next five fiscal years and that all
of the division headquarters are either
already slated or are available for some
type of deployment in their futures.
Fort Indiantown Gap installation
commander Lt. Col. Samuel Hayes briefed
the visiting generals and command
sergeants major on the training assets of
the central Pennsylvania post.
Hayes reported that 2,100 Soldiers,
technicians, state employers and contractors work at the post on a daily
basis. Fort Indiantown Gap's National
Guard Tiaining Center is one of the
busiest in the country and boasts over
137,000 all-service users in fiscal year 08.
Hayes described the installation's many
ranges, training sites and very busy airfield * the heliport is the second largest
in the nation, behind Fort Rucker's
flight school - and made an obvious
pitch to entice the divisions to use the
Gap training center.
Bliq Gen
Daniel Nelan, special assistant to the Department of Defense, Army National Guard, tatks to
division leaders about the issues they face in their commantls.
"We were very proud to host this
conference," Marchi said. "This conference has enabled us all to exchange ideas,
identiiy challenges, and discuss resolutions
we face as division commanders in the
National Guard through the perspective
and experience of leaders from eight
great divisions and states as we move
forward and better
serr,/e
our states and
our nation."
The next Commanders' Council
meeting will be in late May in New York
City and will be hosted by the 42nd
Infantry Division. 1.
"It's convenient for you to come to
FIG for training," said Hayes. "you,ll fincl
we are a very unit-friendly training center.
If you need it, you can get it here."
The Gap's new 1,500-meter machine
gun and .50-caliber sniper ranges, the very
challenging lnfantry Squad Battle Course
and the soon-to-open live-fire breach
facility offering dynamic entry using
explosives, shotguns and other breaching
tools are among many of the facility,s
state-of-the-arr training sites on post.
The post also provides numerous simulations including a connex village that will
be converted for sub-munitions live fire
and a large battle command training
center that supported the 56th Stryker
Brigade Combat Team's Warfighter
exercise just prior to their deployment to
Iraq last year.
"Fort Indiantown Gap was the fourth
busiest National Guard Tlaining center in
training year 2009," Hayes said, aclding
that the Gap's Muir Airfield is the sixth
busiest airfield in the state.
New facilities at Fort Indiantown Gap
include a combined arms collective
training facility, an urban assault course,
a live-fire shoot house and two new
machine gun ranges.
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By Sgt. Tom Bourke
Piloting the 35,000-pound Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
vehicle up a creek bed embankment, Pfc. Matthew Randall's
pulse raced as the five-truck convoy headed back toward Fotward
Operating Base Gardez April 8. Minutes earlier, his unit had
received mortar fire while on a mission in Afghanistan's
to Afghanistan's Hindu Kush Mountains in early March.
The unit has been conducting mounted combat patrols in
Zormat district.
Earlier in the day, while inspecting a school being built in
the district, a pillar of smoke and debris engulfed his MRAP as
an improvised explosivc device detonated beneath the 10,000
pound mine rolier attached to the front of his vehicle. The mine
roller, which resembles a cement roiler, was torn apart as pieces
Ilew a hundred leet in thc air.
'As soon as the blast hit, I felt like I was floating," said Randall,
of Jamestown, Pa. "I kept the throttle down and pushed for-ward
until I saw sunlight streaking through the cloud of smoke."
As a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktya,
Randall and the rest of First Platoon, Charlie Company, 1/110th
Infantry, deployed from their headquarters in Connellsvilie, Pa.,
governance, development, security and agriculture. The PRT
has approximately 30 ongoing development projects at any one
time designed to help the Afghans rebuild their infrastructure.
Roads, schools, ciinics, district centers and other structures
are all requested, prioritized and built by Afghans for Afghans,
under the guidance and funding of the PRT and its government
partners.
"The mission to see this particuiar school was vital," said
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chuck Douglass, commander of the
PRI "The area where this school is being built has little to no
infrastructure or governance by the Afghan government.
Getting this school established is a step toward connecting these
people to their elected government that is here to help them."
6
/ GUARDIANS /
Summer 2010
Paktya Province nearly every day since.
The PRT mission is to secure the populace and connect
the government to its people through assisting the Afghans with
A member of Provincial Reconstruction Team
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mission in Afghanistan's Zormat province.
As the security .1"-"r, f".,h. Ai.
Force and civilian civil engineers, the unit
embarked on a mission the morning of
April 8 to inspect construction progress at
a primary school. Shortly after arriving at
the walled compound. Sgt. Sam Wills, ol
Somerset, Pa., observed frantic activiW
among the local populace.
"I saw people running around while
men herded the women and chilclren awav
from us," said Wills, who was up in the
gun turret of the fourth MRAp manning
the M-2 .50-caliber machine gun. ,,The
first mortar impacted less than 100 meters
from my vehicle. They must have been a
skilled mortar team to get their first shot
so close."
Then Wills saw a plume of smoke as
the enemy launched a second mortar
round from a dry stream bed. Luckily for
the PRT, rhe second mortar round iailecl
to detonate on impact. Responding
quickly, the Soldiers in the MRAp gun
turrets returned fire with their automatic
weapons as the vehicles and dismounted
troops got on line and moved to assault
the enemy position.
As the Soldiers advanced, the enemy
retreated without causing any casualties.
'At that point, we thought the action was
over," said Sgt. George Blouse, of york.
Pa. "We got lhe vehicles hack on the road
and started heading home.,,
Blouse manned the M-2408 machine
gun in the lead MRAp driven by Randall.
Standing in the turret, he was in the most
r,ulnerable position as the IED destroyed
the mine roller on the first r ehicle.
"In an instant, everything went black,
and I felt the concussion of the blast.,, he
said. "Then, everyone started yelling
over the radio to keep moving and push
through the kill zone. That,s when we
started to receive small arms fire.,,
Once again, Blouse and the other
gunners returned fire as the other MRAps
"circled the wagons,, around the damaged
vehicie, which had moved several hundied
yards out of the kill zone. In the distance.
the Soldiers sporled an individual video_
taping the incident and several local men
dancing in celebration of the attack.
"They may have been dancing, but the
victory was ours because no one was hurt
in either attack," Blouse said. ,,The mine
roller equipment did its job ancl probably
saved my iife. Also, the guys, training
Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktya went to Afghanistan's
Zlrnat district in earty April
t0 inspect a school being built there. While doing a quatity chick
of the school's clnstructiln, the pRT
was attacked by nearby insurgents. The attack was unsiccessful,
as no one was iilurea, and the
team returned safely to Forward 1perating Base Gardez. photo: lst
Lt. Michaer Bromley
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kicked in and they reacted quickly to
danger." N.
Summer 2010
/ GUARDTANS / Z
Competitors in the first All-Guard Sniper Tryouts dress in ghillie suits as
paft of the competition at ForI Indiantown Gap. Pholo
Pfc. Ashley Heckard
Sgt. Joseph C. McGowan Jr., 2/1 1 2th lnfantry,
and other competitors perlorm the roadmarch portion of the tryouts at Fort
lndiantown Gap. McGowan finished the mountainous 7.8 mile march in just over two hours.
Photo: Pfc. Ashley Heckard
Competitors look downrange on the morning of
March 23 at Fort lndiantown Gap.
Photo: Pfc. Ashley Heckard
fransmission Accomnlisheil:
l93r d co mpletes Operation
Unified Response mission
By
Airman lst Class Claire
Behney
Editor's note: The individuals intewiewetl for the story asked
t9 Ae-1lerytfed only by first names due to the sensitive niture of
the l93rd Special Operation Wing,s mission.
When the Haitians'world shook, the 193rd Special Operations
Wing responded.
After the magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated southern
Haiti, three aircraft and more than 50 Airmen of the 193rd
deployed on a humanitarian mission in support of Operation
Unified Response.
Two C-130J Slicks and one EC-130J Commando Solo
deployed in support of this mission. Staged outside the devastation area, the aircraft flew for a combined total of 50g.7 flying
hours while deployed from Jan. 14 to March 15.
"Our first flight in there (Haiti) was just a few days after it
-happened,
so we were pretf
much there at the forefiont when
everything first started," said Matthew, a C-130J pilot.
The C-130Js delivered relief supplies to the people of Haiti.
The aircraft loaded supplies at their staged locaiiorand flew
into the.local airport of Haiti. Once the aircraft landed, supplies
were unloaded, and aircraft and crew then departed to reloid
and continue with the cycle. This cycle led to ihe delivery of
118.5 tons of cargo.
"We took supplies ranging from water to Humvees to
extension cords, as well as some personnel,,, said Matthew, who
was deployed for three weeks in support of Operation Unified
Response. "Over the whole trip we probably iauled about 250
Americans back to the States.,,
Matthew said the Americans he helped transport had a great
appreciation for what the Wing was doing.
"They said that it was pretty backed up getting out of Haiti
and that they waited in line for hours,,, said trrtatthew. ,,Some
people were even turned away and told to come back at a later
date, so they were thankful for the ride.,'
While the mission of the C-130Js was to transport supplies
and personnel, the mission of the Commando Soio was ali about
information transmission.
The Commando Solo's mission was to fly over the devastation
area broadcasting information regarding relief efforts to the
peop_le of Haiti through FM and AM radio frequencies.
"We did what's called a real-time relay,', said Aaron, an
airborne communications system operatoi. ,,Voice of America
broadcasts out of the United States from multiple locations,
primarily the east coast and southeast coast of the U.S.
We receive it on the airplane and then rebroadcast it on the
different frequencies."
Commando Solo broadcast the VOA messages on five
llffe1ent frequencies in French Creole, the native language of
Haiti, Aaron said.
The Haitian government had oversight of the messages that
werebroadcast to their people. The messages primarily regarded
health concerns, information on where to iind water and non_
interference messages, which advised Haitians not to interfere
with the help coming to them, said Aaron.
Airmen of the Commando Solo's electronic communication systens team
lperate kgl qlgces of equipment to provide informative messages t0 the
pelple 0f Haiti. The Connando Soto and its crew flew missions ranging
from five to 1 4 hours. photo: Tech. Sgt. Victoria Meyer
This mission marks the first time the Commando Solo
provided direct support of humanitarian aid.
"It's a great opportunity to get in and do what we can to
help since it is a very versatile platform as far as what we are
capable of doing," said Aaron. ,,It,s also a great testament to
the unit that we are able to go down there ind help the people
out when they need it."
The Solo's milestone of involvement had a significant impact
in the Operation Unified Response mission.
"Radio had a huge impact; it was the only way they were
getting information," Aaron said. ,.I think it'i very important
that we were up there doing what we were doing just to get some
information to the people so they would know what to io, what
to expect and where to go to get what they need to survive.',
Whether supplies were being delivered or information
was being broadcast, the Wing worked diligently to answer the
call and provide help to the people of Haiti by bringing its
unique capabilities to the relief efforts of Operation UnitieC
Response.
*
Summer 2010
/ GUARDIANS / t j
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Members of B Battery calibrate the M777A2 in traq in March
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cobwebs" by familiarizing themselves with the Howitzer
Photo: Capt. Ed Shank
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, A Pennsylvania field artillery battalion is collecting awards
for the state's National Guard the way Michael phelpi won gold
medals for the U.S. Olympic team.
The 1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery, headquartered in
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., has won five prestigioui awardi in the last
- a remarkable achievement. The Hamilton Award for best
field artillery battery in the National Guard, the General Douglas
MacArthur Leadership Award for top company grade officei
(trvo recipients), the Brig. Gen. Williim Bilo L-eidership Award
for top field artillery officer in the National Guard, and
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldier of the year _ all
were awards bestowed on the 109th and its Soldiers.
Battalion commander Lt. Col. Kevin Miller points to several
reasons the 109th has been so successful. ,,We aie a close_knit
organization with tremendous leadership and a community that
backs us 100 percent in everything we do.,,
Miller further boils it down to the trinity of community,
geography and Soldiers. ,,We have been pait of the Wyoming
Valley. for nearly 235 years, and generation after geneiation Lu,
served in our ranks with pride.,,
Spc. Jonathan Hontz is the pennsylvania National Guard,s
2009 Soldier of the Year. The 23-year-old combat medic,s great_
grandfather served in the 109th.
When asked about his accomplishment, Hontz simply stated,
"I like what I do, and I do my best.,, His efforts have puit.O
him to the top of one the largest enlisted forces in the nation.
Capt. Joseph Ruotolo is a two-tour combat veteran and the
commander of the Nanticoke-based Battery B. His father
commanded the battalion from 1994 Io 1996. Ruotolo recently
received the 2009 MacArthur Award an award that goes to
the.top 26 company grade officers in the entire Army, 5oth active
year
and reserve component. This makes back-to-back MacArthur
Awards for the battalion. Capt. Cliff Morales, current
Headquarters Battery commander and full-time training officer
for the battalion, received the 2008 award last vear.
"When you look at the accomplishments of the other
recipients, it is very humbling to be associated with those officers,
said Ruotolo.
The battalion commander bridges the gap of success from
community to Soldiers with the emphasis on-geography.
The bridge is as much literal as it is figurative. Ciosiing the
Susquehanna River and connecting several northeastern
Pennsylvania communities near its units is the 109th Field
Artillery Bridge. "No unit is more than 10 minutes travel from
the others," said Miller. "This helps us in everything we do,
from calling troops out for state active duty, to resourcing our
forces to go to war to perhaps most imporiantly, building-the
camaraderie and esprit de corps of ouiSoldieri, families and
units." The battalion is composed of four units: Headquarters
Battery in Wilkes-Barre; Battery A in plymouth; Battery B in
Nanticoke; and Company G,22gth Support Battalion, also in
Wilkes-Barre.
Rounding out Miller,s trinity of success is the unit,s enlisted
force. "Our staff sergeants manage operations that officers
20 years ago would control, and when you are talking about
hy:l1ne_l100-pound projectile 18 milei and hitting atarget
within 50 meters of where you,re aiming, that sayJvolunies
about the abilities and character of these leaderi,,, said Miller.
Ruotolo attributes his MacArthur Award directly to his
enlisted members. 'Awards are largely the recognition of the
unit collectively, and this award is the direct retlection on the
tremendous NCO corps within this battery. The field artillery
staff sergeant is the one who makes the call on whether o. noi *"
are lethal on the battlefield - without them there is no success.',
Capt. Neil Ravitz, the recent recipient of the Bilo Award,
sums it up best. "The Soldiers of this battalion are simply
fantastic people - salt of the earth - dedicated to the principles
of hard work, family and service. And although it was a greit
hon-or to be recognized, as a leader you can onty tut" so much
credit for the great work your Soldiers do.,' *
Summer 2010
/GUARDTANS / 13
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When asked during the panel interview
for Tops in Blue how she would handle
a diva, Airman 1st Class LisaWeiss
answered, "Flatter the diva."
"Doesn't that get old?" they asked.
"For me, yes. But for the diva, no,"
she replied.
"They actually laughed at my response,,,
said Weiss, a Pennsylvania Air Guardsman,
who was ultimately chosen for one of 35
slots on the 2010 Tops in Blue tour, which
began in May.
A food services technician with the
171st Mission Support Flight, Weiss was
one of '74 contestants in the Air Force
Worldwide Thlent Search held at Lackland
Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas,
Jan 17-23.
They were broken up into six groups,
and Weiss was assigned to a group of i1
people for the entire week.
They were given a schedule of activities
filled with auditions, performances and
stage support, but Weiss and her group
were challenged with constant last-
minute changes.
"They told us they will keep us on
crazy sleep schedules to get us used to life
on the road," she said. "It's not the show
that's tiring - that actually gives you energy
- it's the travel, set up and tear-down of
the sets that wears you out."
Weiss began her experience watching
a Tops
in Blue performance and rcalizing
'Just how big of a deal this is." Her excitement grew even more.
"My vocal audition went well. They
had me sing just about every song. Then
they checked my range with a keyboard
and did ear training exercises like
harmonizing and intervals," said Weiss.
"Finally, I had to take the microphone
and lip sync to Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance.,',
But Weiss had more to offer than just
her outstanding vocal skills. She can also
play the saxophone.
"We did basic keyboard skills, such as
scales and music theory knowledge; then
they had me play the saxophone. I sight
read - thank you Mr. Faldo, my high
school band teacher. for preparing me
played something from memory and
Airman l st Class Lisa Weiss sings "Heart af the
Matter" with a live band in front of an audience
during one of her vocal competitions during the
Air Force World Wide Talent Show Jan. lZ-25 at
the Bob Hope Theater at Lackland Air Force
Base, Texas. Photo: Maj. Chris Burch
displayed some dynamics and range
abilities," said Weiss, describing her
instrument audition.
After these individual events, Weiss
still had to rehearse performances with
her group. They did skits, a capella
singing, dance routines, singing with a
band and gave a final performance at the
end of the week with costumes, hair and
makeup.
Weiss and her group also participated
in a Tops in Blue Give Back performance
singing an a capella number at the Child
Development Center at Lackland for
four pre-school classes.
The week ended with an awards
banquet where Tops in Blue performed,
and Weiss was selected to sing in the choir.
Weiss said the experience exceeded
her expectations. "I was impressed with the
level of talent in the Air Force and how
much time and emphasis they put into
production value," she said. "It is a worldclass production taken very seriously.,'
"Going into this competition, I
thought it was just a singing contest, but
':f:
e .i
I was amazed at how much more was
involved."
.ffi
Airman 1st class weiss is ha.viq
3.9oo! time -with her Atpha Team group members posing in a silly
photo during the Air Force Woild Wide
Talent Show Jan. i r-zs at tacxtind Air Force Base, Texas.
Photo:
lst
Lt. John Early
Weiss said she learned that Tops in
Blue is all about entertaining others.
"You are here as an ambassador for the
Air Force," said Weiss. "Music touches
people's lives ... it brings them hope.,, *
Summer 2010
/ GUARDTANS / 15
By Cathryn Mahoney
The Pennsylvania National Guard has
devoted so much time and energy into
serving America overseas it might be easy
to overlook that its citizen-Soldiers and
Airmen have long been responsible for
coming to the aid of the commonwealth.
Since 1875, the very first time that
Keystone Guardsmen were activated for
a State Active Duty mission, the
Pennsylvania National Guard has participated in more than 120 missions to help
protect and serve the people of this
state. Some missions, particularly more
recent ones, may seem more familiar to
Pennsylvania citizens than others.
During the snow storms of February
2010, for instance, Guardsmen blazed
through the harsh wind and snow to bring
food and water to those stranded in theii
cars and homes. They joined with medical
crews to help those who could not make
it to the hospital on their own. By transporting snowbound citizens to ambulances
and delivering vital medical supplies,
several lives may have been saved.
feborY
14'2010
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while this mission is still fairly fresh in the hearts and minds of commonwealth citizens, especially for those people helped by the troops, there are
some missions that few might know about and whici would surprise many.
State Active Duty missions can vary greatly, from searching for
..
kidnapp.e-rs to_searching for plane crash survivors; from provif,ing
security
to providing food and water. While the fype of mission may chaige, the
goal of protecting and serving the public never does.
following missions reveal a great dear about the flexibility of
- _ Th"
National Guard members. Even while fighting a war or performing
p_eacekeeping missions in distant countries, the pennsylvania
Nati6nal
Guard is always prepared to rally its citizen-Soldiers when the
commonwealth calls.
$triking ignites eoal-mining industryn
Guardsmen help extinguish
The first recorded State Active Duty mission of the
Pennsylvania National Guard took place in 1g75, during a time of
heavy civil unrest. This event was sb incredible that it Jven reached
the silver screen in 1970. However, this story began long before
Guardsmen became involved.
In the 1860s and 70s, unrest was commonplace in the mining
industry. Coal mines and railroads *er" o*n.d by large financiil
syndicates that were very reluctant to give workers any rights.
The Workingmen's Benevolent Association, the
primary union for miners, spent years fighting for
better wages for mine workers, and until 1875,
had, to a certain extent, succeeded.
Inlate I874, the president of the Philadelphia
.and Reading Railroads, Franklin Gowen, managed
to gain complete control over anthracite mines
in central and eastern Pennsylvania, thus destroying all wage agreements the union had secured.
During this time, the coal workers were becoming
increasingly disgruntled, leading to the formation
of the Molly Maguires, an Irish band of miners
located in the coal region of Lackawanna,
llift;llt tdlfilA
';
ltl\i
lA.
Ltzerne, Columbia, Schuylkitl, Carbon and
Northumberland counties.
The Molly Maguires primarily focused on the
use of intimidation and violence to achieve their
goals, which caused Gowen to view them as a gang
of unruly workers who needed to be eliminated.
As tensions grew, Gowen made the mistake of
instituting a20 percett pay cut for all coal operators
2001 Operation March Lion (N4arch 4-6)
2002 Operation lce Melt (Dec. 1 1 )
2007 Operation Winter Freeze l/il (Feb. 1 3-1 7)
Flood Duty
'1
1 936 Floods (lvlarch
7-30)
1 940 Floods (lvlarch 31 - April 1 1
)
1 950 Floods (Nov. 26-20)
1 955 Hurricane Diane (Aug, 1 9-29)
97 1 Floods (Sept.
4-1 6, Sept.
0ther
1973 Food Distribution (July 12-13)
1977 Eneryy Crisis (Jan. 26-Feb. 19)
'1978 lndian
Encampment (June 27-aug.29l
1979 Three Mile lsland Nuclear Crisis ([4arch 30-April S)
1986 0peration Haylift (Aug. g-Sept. 2)
8-1 9, Sept. 20-26)
1 972 Hurricane Agnes (June 22-Aug. 6)
1975 Hurricane Eloise (Sept. 26-0ct. 3)
1977 Johnstown Flood (Aug. 18)
1979 Susquehanna River Basin Flood (N4arch 6-7)
1981 Oil City Flood (June g-1 1)
1
1
1
983 0peration High Water (Dec, 1 4-1 5)
'1
984 0peration Clearwater (March 29-N4ay
1994 Operation Rolling Fuet (Jan.1-31)
997 Operation Tioga Hazmit (Feb. 7)
1997 Operation Limerick (Oct. 10)
1
1
1
'1
5)
'1984
Operation Rampage (Aug, 1 1 -14)
'1985 Hurricane
Gloria (Sept. 27-30)
1985 operation Overflow (Nov. s-Dec. 1 3)
'1986
operation Pine Creek (N4ay 30-June 14)
1 996 Operation Blizzardilvlettdown 96 (Jan. 7-Feb.
1 996 Operatjon Flash Flood (June 1 9)
1996 Operation Thunder Head (Juty 19-3j)
1996 0peration Tropical Deluge (Sept. 6-oct. 24)
1999 N4cKean County Ftood (Sept. 8)
'I
999 Tropical Storm Floyd (Sept. 1 6-20)
2002 0perati0n Angry Bear (N4ay 28-29)
2004 Hurricane lsabel (Sept. 18-20)
2004 Operation Aqua Night (Sept. 1 7-30)
2006 Hurricane Katrina/Rita (Aug. S-Sept. S)
2006 0peration Wash out (June 27-July 7)
2007 Operation Spring Fury (Aprit 1 3- 1 7)
Winter Storms
1 956 Heavy Snows (Nov. 23-26)
1974 Snow Emergency (Dec. 1-10)
1978 Snow Emergency (Feb. 3-8)
1 993 Operation Winter Storm 93 (March 1 3-20)
1994 0peration Winter Storm 94 (Jan. 1 -31)
'I
994 Salt Hauling (Jan. 1 -31 )
1 994 lce Emergency (Feb. 1 -28)
1 994 Winter Storm (March 1 -31)
1 995 operation White Christmas (Dec. I 9-21
)
1997 0peration Arctic Hammer (lvlarch 31 -April Z)
1 997 Polar Voftex (Dec. 5-6)
1999 operation lce Pack (Jan. 14-15)
1999 Severe Snow Storm (March 14)
2000 0peration White Hammer (Jan. 25-26)
2000 0peration Snow Bowl (Jan. 30-31)
2000 0peration Fizzle (Dec. 29-30)
1
3)
999 Allentown Explosion (Feb. 1 9-20)
2000 0peration lvlon sweilo (Feb. 19-20)
2000 Operation Arbor (June 5-30)
2000 Water Transport (Nov, 22-23)
2002 0perati0n Shartlesville Shutfle ([4arch g-1 7)
2002 Water Trailer Support (Aug. 1 5-23)
2003 0peration Libefty Shield (March 20-24)
2003 TMI Exercise (April 22)
Strike Duty
1875 Mine Labor Strikes (June 3-14)
877 Railroad Strikes (Juty 22-Aug. 1 0)
1 891 Mine Labor Strikes (Aprit 2-18)
1892 Mine Labor Strikes (Juty 10-28)
1 894 [4ine Labor Strikes (June 21 -Juty 3)
1 897 lvline Labor Strikes (July 1 1 -Sept. 28)
'1900
Anthracite Strikes (Sept. 22-oct. 29)
1 902 Anthracite Strikes (July 30-Nov. 2)
1967 Trucker Strikes (Oct. 3-4, 0ct. 7-8)
1970 Trucker Strikes (May 2-3, N4ay 16-17)
't
1 974 Trucker Strike (Feb.
-1 0)
1
Security 0perations
970 Armory Security (Sept, 3-9)
1971 Armory Security (Auq. 24-25)
1 972 Armory Security (May 1 0-1 4)
'1972 Security
Patrols (Dec. 17-18)
1977 United Nations (June i0-l3)
'1991
Gov. Casey 2nd lnaugural (Jan. 15)
1998 FrlG Security (Dec,1-31)
1999 Governols Ball (Jan,19-20)
2001 America Under Attack (Sept. 1 1 -Nov. 3)
2003 Operation Clenched Fist (Nov. 3-June 4)
2004 Operation Clenched Fist lt
(Dec. 22, 2003-Feb. 6, 2004)
2004 0peration Clenched Fist ttt (Juty 2-6)
1
Conference Support
978 Adjutant Generals Association Conference
(May 5-1 1)
1 978 National Association of State Directors of Veterans
Affairs Conference (Aug. 28-29)
1980 Governors' Conlerence (Nov. 1 5-18)
2000 National Governor's Association Conference
(July s-12)
2000 Republican National Convention (July S-Auq. 31)
2009 G-20 Conference (Sept. 17-26)
1
Civil UnresvRiot Control
1922 Civil Unrest (July 20-27)
1968 Civil Unrest (Aprit 6-13)
1969 Civil Unrest (July 22-28)
1972 Harrisburg Unrest (March 26-Aprit 1)
1 972 Civil Unrest (N4ay 1 0-1 1
)
1 989 Camp Hill Prison Riot (0c1, 26-Nov. 3)
Drought Emergency
1991 Drought (July 24-May 1l
1 995 Drought (Sept. 1 -Dec. 8)
'1998
Drought (Nov. 25-Jan. 1)
2000 0peration Provide Water (Sept. 28-0ct. I 3)
2002 Mercer County Water Emergency (Nov. 4-8)
Airplane Crash
'1925
LostAircraft (0c1. 6-9)
1 966 Airplane Crash (lvtay 9-1 0)
'1994
United Flight 427 Crash (Sept.
8-j7)
Fire Emergency
'1966 Mine
Fires (Nov.24-Jan. 18)
1987 Operation Toxic Ctoud (March 24)
1 999 Tobyhanna Fire Suppoft (Aug. 5-t 5)
Tornado
1 985 0peration Touchdown (June 1 -1 0)
1 998 Operation Vortex Viper (June 4-1 5)
2003 operation Lights out (Juty 22)
Mine Disaster
'1963
Mine Disaster (Aug. 23-27)
1982 Scranton Area Mine Collapse \May 24-25\
Kidnapping
1 966 lvlanhunt for Kidnapper (May 1 8)
2000 Operation Abduction Quest (Oct. 28)
0il Spill
1988 Operation 0il River (Jan. 4-13)
1990 Operation Buckeye (April 1-11)
in the area. At the end of1874, he put the pay cut into effect,
which was the last straw for miners.
On Jan. I, 1875, the first strikes began, led by the Molly
Maguires. Gowen had little tolerance for unrest among workers,
so he led a campaign to snuff out every last striker. Along with
the police forces owned by the corporation, Gowen hired an
armed gang known as the Modocs, who were known for their
frequent skirmishes with the Molly Maguires. The Modocs, Iike
the Molly Maguires, preferred to use violence to get the job done,
which meant that many striking miners were beaten and shot.
As the fighting grew in intensify, Gowen resorted to hiring
an agent from the Pinkerton Detective Agency, James
McParlan, who infiltrated the Molly Maguires and later testified
against them in a massive trial that ended with many of the
Molly Maguires being convicted and executed. The close of the
trial meant the end of the striking as the majority of the Molly
Maguires had been either killed or forced to flee the area.
In the first recorded state active duty mission, the National
Guard was called in to assist with riot control and security following a plea from the mayor of Scranton for help. They were needed
to protect the community and remaining mine workers from any
acts of retribution the Molly Maguires might have tried to commit.
Several weeks and a handful of skirmishes later, things had quieted
down enough that the National Guard was able to return home.
Guard goes on manhunt following central
Pennsylania kidnappang
In May 1966, Peggy Ann Bradnick was kidnapped by William
Diller Hollenbaugh, a criminally insane hermit from Shade Gap,
in Huntingdon Counfy. Hollenbaugh had committed a series oi
other crimes, including firing his rifle at a mother and infant,
shooting a man's leg off, and shooting a woman in the hand and
then attempting to rape her, before he turned to kidnapping.
On the day of her kidnapping, Peggy Ann was returning
home from school with her five brothers and sisters, when
Hollenbaugh stepped out from behind brush cover toting a rifle,
and grabbed her. Her brother ran home to tell his parents what
happened. Peggy Ann's father, Eugene Bradnick, immediately
went out to find her, but after several hours of fruitless
18
/ GUARDIANS / Summer 2010
searching, he went into town to notify police of her kidnapping.
massive search commenced, with more than 1,000 federal,
state and local officials involved.
The National Guard was called in to assist with the manhunt.
They brought armored personnel carriers with them; however,
due to the rough conditions of the woods, they were ineffective,
so troops assisted with the search on foot.
After five days of searching, neither had been found and
hopes were dwindling. As one day drew to a close and daylight
began to fade, an FBI agent saw one of Hollenbaugh,s dogs and
followed it into the woods. The agent was caught off guard
when he ran into Hollenbaugh, who shot and killed him.
However, it was the break that the officials needed to find
Hollenbaugh's hiding spot. Hollenbaugh took off with peggy
Ann, but the search party knew his general location. Deciding
to wait until the light of morning to apprehend him, search
crews camped out for the night. Early the following morning,
Sheriff Francis Sharpe, who had spent the night sleeping in a
hunting lodge, was shot in the stomach by Hollenbaugh, who
A
was trying to steal the officer's car.
Hollenbaugh then forced Sharpe, along with peggy Ann,
into the sheriff's vehicle. He ordered Sharpe to drive toward the
highway, but their way was blocked by a cattle gate. After
opening the gate, Sharpe yelled to some nearby officers that
Hollenbaugh was in the vehicle with him.
A short shootout commenced, with Hollenbaugh barely
escaping. The officers notified State Tioopers of the situation
and they quickly closed in on the suspicious vehicle. In a last
ditch effort, Hollenbaugh fired on the officers. They returned
fire and Hollenbaugh was shot in the neck and killed. peggy
Aln quickly exited the car after Hollenbaugh was shot and ran
into the arms of a bystander. She was hospitalized for
exhaustion, but soon recovered.
Floods of Guardslnen come to the rescue
after l{urricane Agnes
Hurricane Agnes hit the East Coast early in the summer of
\972. The largest contingent of Army and Air National Guard
troops in the history ofthe Pennsylvania
Guard were activated to help with relief
operations.
?oops were deployed for more than
two months to assist disaster relief crews
with evacuations, search and rescue,
clearing of debris, securiqr, traffic control,
food and water distribution, and medical
care in 117 communities.
Rivers flooded, causing entire towns
to evacuate. Tioops used Chinook and
Huey helicopters to transport people to
higher ground and bring medical supplies
to hospitals in the affected areas. Due to
the speed with which the storm hit, sandbagging was attempted, but was not very
useful. Once the storm subsided, troops
and emergency officials worked to clear
up roads and damaged buildings. Several
cemeteries had been destroyed as well, so
efforts were put together to recover lost
bodies and caskets.
The storm resulted in $2.1 billion of
damage and 48 deaths. Parts of
Pennsylvania received up to 19 inches of
rain, destroying 68,000 homes and 3,000
businesses. It was the most damaging
storm Pennsylvania has ever experienced.
emergency response team members put
together a large enough force that they
were able to regain control over the
prison. By that evening, inmates were
back in their cells. However, guards did
not listen when inmates threatened that
it would happen again..
Following a press conference Oct. 26,
in which the superintendent informed the
public that everything was under control,
prisoners unleashed an even larger
attack on the prison. Inmates set several
from the exercise stockade. As other
inmates took notice of the situation, they
began to join in. Some 1,200 inmates
terrorized the guards, took hostages and
gained control over several buildings in
the compound. Police and correctional
"This progrflrct is fnntastic
brrouse of ttrc
frffinzing support that Durluesne Lhxiaersity nnd staff
pr oa ide milit nry ?ne?nb er s an d zu arkin g pr afessi anals.,,
-
JASON
ts.
,\4ANOITI, 2LI, PAARNC
Enhance your career opportunities
by eaming a degree fiom Duquesne
University. Ask about opportunities
to earn credits for military and
oiher experience. Special military
tuition rates and Yellow Ribbon
Frogram participant.
1989 Camp Hill Frlson Riot
In October
1989, prisoners at Camp
Hill State Prison rioted against the staff
because of frustration over food quality,
inoperative showers, inadequate educa-
tional/vocational opportunities, limited
law library privileges and overcrowding.
It began Oct. 25 wirh one inmare
attacking a guard as prisoners returned
Summer 2010
/ GUARDTANS i
i
9
buildings on fire and as retired Maj. Jim Hazen of the State
Police recalled, 'As I was going up Slate Hill Road, I looked
over to the left and the whole place was on fire.',
Inmates were successful with starting the first attack
because they caught officials off guard. The second attack was
successful because damages that had been sustained in the first
attack had not been fixed yet. This included doors not being
properly locked and cells not being properly secured. By the
next morning, the majority of the prison had been overrun.
State Police gathered two large assault teams that went
in and after almost an hour, managed to regain control.
Gov. Robert Casey activated the National Guard to assist with
increased security measures, to ensure that inmates would not
be able to attempt another attack. Guardsmen were placed
around the outer edges ofthe compound as an additional show
of force. Over 1,200 of the inmates were moved to other
facilities to relieve the overcrowding issue.
By the end of the rioting, 123 guards and inmates were injured,
and the prison suffered $17 miltion in damages. Many inmates
claimed that another attack was imminent, so extra security
remained on the premises for several months following the riots.
Overcrowding of the prison was the main reason for rioting.
At the time, there were over 2,600 inmates, while only 300
officers staffed the prison.
20
/ GUARDIANS I Summer 2010
9/ll
Response, Operation Glenched Fist:
Following the devastating attacks of Sept. 11, pennsylvania,s
National Guard was activated to assist with missions to New
York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset, pa.
Tioops going to New York used Chinooks, Black Hawks and
Huey helicopters to transport tents, shelf-stable meals and
concrete barriers. Several units were also sent to Washington to
provide communications, security, and canine search-and-rescue
support. Twelve National Guard chaplains were sent to both
New York City and Washington to provide spiritual support for
citizens and emergency workers. In Somerset County, pi.,
troops went to the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 to
provide medical supplies and support to rescue officials.
For almost two months Guardsmen worked at each site.
When they returned home, Gov. Tom Ridge authorized
Operation Clenched Fist, a mission that would send troops to
16 airports and several power plants around the state to assist
securify officials and state police.
Military police also took over security at several military
installations in Pennsylvania, including Fort Indiantown Gap.
Operation Clenched Fist remained in effect until 2004. .i.
lifestyle'
We support a healthy & active
We support recreational
activities
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creating and mainta,-,*- Trr;rF*
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II
I
By Pfc. Zane Craig
"One Soldier left, no Soldier left behind," said officer candidate
Juston Jones, as he and another classmate turned around to walk the
last leg of the road march with the last Soldier.
Five officer candidates had two and a half hours to complete a
seven-mile road march on Service Road at Fort Indiantown Gap.
The officer candidates were enrolled in the Pennsylvania Army
National Guard's Officer Candidate School Tiaditional Program, a
three-phase program that runs throughout the year.
The first phase is a two-week training course that focuses on
land navigation.
According to officer candidate Barry Wood, this is the "shockand-awe phase," which focuses on details and forming a proper
mindset. This is the phase where people drop out. The second phase
takes place over a year's worth of drill weekends. The third phase is
also a two-week course. In one class, the five who were left from the
original eight were in the second phase and were slated to graduate
Sept. 26.
"I came to OCS here at Fort Indiantown Gap. It fit my lifestyle,
fit what I needed, and they were able to work with me as an individual
and as a team member," said officer candidate Eric Jackson.
Wood said the best part of the training here is the attention he
gets from the TAC officers, or teaching assessment counselors.
Officer candidate John Cale of West Virginia said he wanted to
become an officer to be the same kind of quality mentor to younger
Soldiers that he had as he rose through the enlisted ranks to
22
/ GUA;PDIANS / Summer 2010
Two officer candidates walk along Service Road during a seven-mile
r1ad march as the sun rises over Foft lndiantown Gap March 7.
Photo: Sgt. Shawn Miller
sergeant. Cale said a major part of the
program here is learning about trust.
''The Soldiers here accepted me as
part of the group and made me feel
welcome," said Cale, the onlv out-of-state
candidate in his class.
In addition to the traditional option,
potential officer candidates have the
option of choosing the accelerated plan
where the three phases are compreised
into a continuous nine weeks. Jones said
he chose the traditional option because
it fit betrer with his tif. a;J his ;;;"responsibili ties.
Before entering OCS, potential officer
candidates need to have a high score on
the Graduate Management iA.irrion
Test and have top scores on the annual
physical fitness test. The candidate must
also be willing to go the distance to exceed
standards in general.
"This is for the strong, not for the
weah" said Jackson, adding that strength
of mind and body are necessary to
complete this training and become a
good officer.
The Officer Candidate School of the
Pennsylvania Army National Guard here
has what ir takes to develop, as Cale said,
"all assets of becoming a leader.''
*
K,eerufit $xnstain*memt progr&xm
By Spc. Coltin Heller
leaving for basic training many Sordiers who join the pennsylvania
Army
- BeforeGuard
National
drill with the Recruit suitainment progiam, which giv'es the new
-"
recruits a head start on the training they will receive wf,en
they r"u€
"It's not what I expected," said pvt. cliff parsons, who was'surprised
at the
o.f the training. "The training between the classroom
and the field was
,lu.ali8
balanced out well."
At the age of 30, Parsons was the oldest person in his Recruit Sustainment
_
Detachment. He joined the National Guardior an adventure
and to see where it
might lead him. "I wanted to do something different and worthwhile.
This was really
the best choice for me," said parsons.
For Parsons and his fellow Soldiers, one weekend brought a variety
of lessons.
First, there was a lesson on. how to properly secure and seaich
a detainee or enemy
prisoner of war. After lunch the Soldiers were given instruction
on driving Humvees,
and then applied the instructions as they droveihem. physical
training was conducted
on both mornings, readying them for the road marches ind
other pnlsicat activities
that are common at basic training.
are given by the RSD to enhance the Sordiers, readiness
.Many_classes
for basic
training' Basic military skilrs such as drilr and ceremony, customs
and courtesies, the
phonetic alphabet, first aid, and weapon assembly and creaning
are some of the
-
many skills taught.
_ The training is also open for future Soldiers, as visitors are welcome to attend
the training, experiencing how Army training actually is conducted.
sixteln-year-oto
Ryan Topper is one such person.
"I always wanted to be in the Army," said Topper. He is rooking forward to April
w,ne1 hy turns 17.and is planning to enlist in the
Army. "I like the 8turr"r, and the
physical training is a big help,,' he said.
"I just wanted to join and do my part, you know? I want to
do my duty.,, i.
Transforming
recruits into
Soldiers and
officers
When a Pennsylvania Army National
Guard recruit signs the dotted line
of an enlistment contract, it might
seem like taking a huge leap. But
it's probabty not the biggest step
the future Soldier will take in their
military career.
Before they complete their lnitial
Entry Training, National Guard
members in the Recruit Sustainment
Program work hard to become great
Soldiers. Some Soldiers will go bn
to answer the call to leadership by
training at Officer Candidate School.
These are just two of the programs
the Pennsylvania National Guard
offers to ensure that Soldiers never
stop taking steps toward self
improvement.
*
Sgldigrs from the Pennsylvania National Guard's Recruit
Sustainment Detachnent 43re led in
physical training by their drill sergeant, Sgt.lst
Ctass Edward Zink at Fort tndiantoin vqv
Gap trtulvll
March r7'
pfc.
Photo:
Davjd
strayer
Summer 2010
/ GUARDTANS / 23
ursr Easle Award given to $trylren $oldien fsn
senuice in lnaq
Story and photo courtes! ofthe Pennsylvania
Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars
During the Pennsylvania Department
of Veterans of Foreign Wars Midwinter
Conference, more than 700 VFW leaders
and members rose to their feet to salute
the Pennsylvania Army National Guard,s
Sgt. 1st Class Roger E Daub, who was
given a PA VFW Eagle Award and certificate in honor of his outstanding service
with the Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade
Combat Team in Iraq.
The Department presents this award
to recognize significant contributions of
Pennsylvania Guard troops in global
contingency operations.
"We were proud to honor Sgt. lst Ciass
Daub as one of this state's finest Soldiers.
His efforts, and that of his comrades in the
56th SBCT and other Guard elements who
have deployed, have further strengthened
Pennsylvania's outstanding military history
of always being on the forefront of
defending freedom," said PA VFW state
commander Frank Mills, who noted that
Pennsylvania has the only National Guard
Stryker unit. "Sgt. 1st Class Daub's excellent record of planning and implementing
protection of command leadership and
VIPs is a shining example of why many
have commented that PA Guard units rank
among the best elements in America's
entire military. We're proud to call Sgt. 1st
Class Daub and all PA Guardians our
comrades as combat veterans in the VFW,,
Daub, who looks forward to becoming
active with the Palmyra VFW Post, served
as a
platoon sergeant of the Protective
Services Platoon for the 56th SBCT
command group. Daub was selected over
15 of his peers to setve as the patrol
sergeant for the Brigade Personal Security
Detachment. He led more than 200 combat
patrols, driving more than 8,000 miles
through the brigade and Multi-National
Division-Baghdad operational environment
in eight months. He planned, coordinated
and executed every mission for the brigade
commander and accompanied him on
every mounted and dismounted patrol.
Daub's leadership and expertise were
vital in transforming a 42-Soldier section
into a cohesive security section. During
the initial phases of integrating, he trained
all drivers and vehicle commanders on
navigation routes and ensured that they
were aware of all significant activities and
trends throughout the brigade's operational environment. On down days, Daub
incorporated training for the Soldiers
Pennsylvania National Guard commander Maj. Gen. Jessica L. wright, sgt. lst class Roger Daub, and
Pennsylvania VFW state commander Frank Mitls pose after Daub was piesented with the pA VFW
Eagle Award in honor
of
his service in lraq.
on weapons qualification and operational
environment familiarization. He was an
irreplaceable asset to the platoon, establishing platoon tactical procedures and
continuity books.
"I am deeply honored to stand in this
room with you and on behalf of members
of the 56th Stryker Brigade and the
Pennsylvania National Guard," Daub said
at the conference in Getfysburg. "Our lives
would be incomplete without people like
you, and we stand on your shoulders in
everything we do. When our unit flew back
from sewice in Iraq, we were welcomed by
Pennsyivania's adjutant general, other
command staff and members of the VFW
just 40 feet off of the plane. What a
fantastic testimony to the men and women
who serue in the VFW as a tribute to those
who serve in the military. I am humbled
to stand before you as a brother. I will
never forget this."
Daub, who began his military seruice
in the Marines, joined the Pennsylvania
National Guard in part because he
missed the camaraderie he enjoyed with
his fellow troops. He looks forward to
becoming part of the VFW family.
"There is a special bond that VFW
members and their families share with
each other and with today's troops and
Lheir lamilies." said Mills.
"Our members and their entire
families know what it is like to endure
deployments, so we welcome veterans
from modern war service and their loved
ones into our ranks because we have much
to offer in camaraderie and support," said
Mills. "That's why the VFW is often
present when military troops depart for
training and deployment, and we are
there to welcome them home."
Consisting of 112,000 members in 520
local posts, Pennsylvania is the largest state
department of the VFW Many VFW posts
have adopted Pennsylvania National
Guard's Army and Air components to provide troops and their families with support
before, during and after deployments.
Thousands of Guard troops and
younger veterans from other branches
have joined the VFW after serr,zing in the
Global War on Terror. In fact. veterans
under the age of 45 represent the fastest
growing segment of the VFW's national
membership. A growing number of female
veterans are also joining the VFW and
some no\ry serve in leadership positions at
the post and state levels.
The VFW has many special programs
designed to help military families endure
the hardships of deployments including
Operation Uplink, which allows troops
overseas to call home for free every
month. The VfW Unmet Needs initiative
provides emergency grants for military
families facing financial difficulties, while
the Adopt-a-Unit program encourages
VFW posts to take iocal military units
under their wing to help troops transition
into and out of deployments.
For more information on the VFW's
troop support and other programs,
contact VFW state adjutant John Brenner
at (717) 234-7927 or e-mail him ar
adjutant@vfupahq.org.
*
-1
'Facilitating'a historic era of GonstFuetion
Comnander of the Pennsylvania Natilnat Guard, Maj. Gen. Jessica wright, and others cut the ilbbon at the chambersburg
Readiness center March I L
Although many of the centers were complete before then, Chambersburg was the first to celebrate its opening after
the return of the 56th Stryker Bigade
from its deployment t0 lraq.pholo: Sgt. tvlatt Jones
By Lt. Col. Chris Cleaver
If the Pennsylvania National Guard
sold shares in the stock market, it would
definitely be a great buy for wise investors.
The state is witnessing a construction
boom unparalleled in its history.
Easily outpacing all other state Guards,
there are 45 completed or ongoing military
construction projects across the commonwealth - a $362 million investment.
The program leading the construction
bonanza is the 56th Stryker Brigade. From
near the Ohio border to the shores of the
Delaware River, new readiness centers and
refurbished armories dot the landscape.
"There is no state in the nation that
comes close to Pennsylvania's construction
program," said Doug Patterson, facilities
management engineer, National Guard
Bureau. He added, "It is the Stryker
Brigade that makes the big difference.,'
Stryker fielding also made an indelible
mark on Fort Indiantown Gap. Home to
the Joint Forces Headquarters, "the Gap',
is the primary training site for Stryker and
other Keystone State units. Today, new
ranges, facilities and programs abound on
the ground and in the air', some directly
the result of Stryker, and others the
product of providing high-quality training.
Overhead this central Pennsylvania
facility, Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles
26
/ GUARDIANS /
Summer 2010
The first phase of this inpressive S7-acre facitity at Fort tndiantown Gap was finished in March 200g.
The
Combined Arms Collective Training Facitity consists of 11 concrete buildings that simulate an lraqi vilage.
Complete with a church, police station, gas station and dormitory, military personnel train to engage tie
enemy under numerous scenarios and all under the watchfut eye of 80 caneras. phase twi ii a
$1 4
million addition that will enhance the training environment to include facilities and structures that units
would likely encounter in Afghanistan. Construction for phase twl is sett0 begin in 2012. photo: RobertSmith
share the skl with the Army's latest
helicopter, the Lakota, along with Black
Hawks, Chinooks and Apache helicopters.
The Gap is home to the Eastern Army
National Guard Aviation Tiaining Site,
which was awarded the entire Lakota
training program. This will eventually
lead to some 18 light utility helicopters
stationed here.
On the ground, Soldiers train on stateof-the-art ranges, inciuding sniper field
fire range, multi-purpose machine gun
and grenade rangesl live-fire shoot house,
and battalion training complex, among
others. During the last several years more
than $150 million was allocated to new
programs
-
easily the largest invs5lmsnl
in the Gap since World War II.
"It took a tremendous team effort to
make all these facilities and ranges a
reality," said Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright,
Pennsylvania National Guard commander.
"These projects make Fort Indiantown
Gap and our facilities across the common,
wealth viable now and vital for future
roles and missions."
While it is easy to bask in the glow of
the numerous ribbon-cuttins ceremonies
planned for the next several months,
behind the scenes engineers, facility
speciaiists, construction managers,
planners, contractors, lawyers and legislative liaison made it all happen.
"These projects have greatly enhanced
our capabilities on a number of fronts,"
said Lt. Col. John Buffington, Pennsylvania
National Guard's construction and
facilities management officer. "Future
generations will look back on this
period and see that it was by far the most
significant construction period in our
entire history."
*
UPERAIII]IG TROM ARM||RITS
I0 RtAillttss GHtItR$
s&0@PMMtilrys
M@
. Bradford Readiness Center
. Butler Readiness Center
. Carlisle Readiness Center
and Field Maintenance Shop
. Chambersburg Readiness Center
. Coatesville Readiness Center
. Danville Readiness Center
. Easton Readiness Center
and Field Maintenance Shop
. Elizabethtown Readiness Center
and Field Maintenance Shop
. Graterford Field Maintenance Shop
. Hanover Readiness Center
. Hazelton Readiness Center
. Hollidaysburg Readiness Center
. Huntingdon Readiness Center
. Kutztown Readiness Center
. Lebanon Readiness Center
. Lewistown Readiness Center
. Punxsutawney Readiness Center
. Reading Readiness Center
. Scranton Readiness Center
. Southampton Readiness Center
and Field Maintenance Shop
. South Mountain Readiness Center
. Waynesburg Readiness Center
. Willow Grove Readiness Center
Summer 2010
/ GUARDIANS / 27
-l
PA Guard
adjutant general swears
in son, continues family tradition
of Army aviation
The commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard,
Maj.-Gen. Jessica Wright, recently swore her son Mike Wright
into her ranks.
Mike Wright, a Reserve Officer Tiaining Corps cadet at
King's College, was sworn into the pennsvlvania Armv National
Guard at a ceremony held in March at the Kingston Armory in
Wilkes-Barre. Cadet Wright joined rhe 2/l04thbeneral Support
Aviation Battalion at Fort Indiantown Gap, continuing a farnily
tradition in Army Aviation.
Commander of the Pennsylvania Nationat Guard, Maj. Gen. Jessica L.
Wright, swears her son Mike into her ranks at the Kingston Armory in
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. photos: Courtesy of The Citizens Voice
Cadet Mike Wright poses with his father and mother after officiaily joining
the Pennsylvania National Guard at the Kngston Armory in Witkei_'Barre,- pa.
As a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Maj. Gen.
Wright became the first female Army National Guard aviator.
She also became the Army's first female maneuver brigacle
commander while commanding the 28th Infantry Division,s
Combat Aviation brigade.
Cadet Wright's father, Chuck Wright, is a retired lieutenant
colonel and a former Army aviator. *
Brig. Gen. Joseph DePaul, deputy
division conmandet 28th lnfantry
Division, speaks April 1 8, 2010, at
the annual wreath laying at the
grave of President James
Buchanan. The 32\th Brigade
Support Battalion presided over this
year s event. Buchanan's buriat site
is located at the Woodward Hill
Cenetery, Chesapeake Street, in
Lancaster. The annual White Housedirected cerenony recognizes the
birth and achievements of President
Buchanan, the only president from
Pennsylvania, who served as a
citizen Soldier in the Pennsylvania
Militia during the War of 1812.
Buchanan assisted in resisting the
British advance on Baltinore by
volunteering for secret raids to
supply the nilitia with horses.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Ted Nichots
28
/ GUARDIANS I Summer 2010
The Pennsylvania National Guard celebrated Eafth Day April 17 at Forr lndiantown Gap. Numerous
famity activities, tours and displays featu1ng recyctpg,
f1restly, wildlife' energy conservation and archeology lessons and activities were made availabte
tnroujnout tni aay. The civit Air patrol and tocat B\y sc[ut
and Girl Scout Troops parlicipated as well. photo: Joe Hovis
0r. Srian Xalk
Majc1U.S. Marine Corps {8et}
.t987*
?007
University ol Mary
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Arnska's Leadcrsl$p lJnia ersilg
Summer 2010
/ GUARDIANS / 29
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@
... Light plane units were also active
during the famous Battle oI the Bulge,
dropping emergency supplies including
maps. pigeons. food. first aid and ammu-
nition. According to one report, when the
besieged garrison at Bastogne radioed
that it had more than 500 casualties, many
of whom faced imminent death unless
they received immecliate aid. Lt. Kenneth
B. Schley oi Far Hills. N.J.. a 28rh Inlantry
Division artillery observation pilot. on
Christmas Eve voluntarilv risked his life
to fly a suppiy of life-saving penicillin into
a beleaguered city.
"To do so." the report stated. "he
defied darkness. jntense enemy lire. an
unknown and possibly nonexistent landing
strip, and an official order not to leave
lhe ground. but he insisted on carrying
the precious Christmas gift to the
entrapped men.
"In response to Bastogne's urgent
mcssage that many ol its wounded were
on the verge of death because of lack
of medical supplies, a large stock of
penicillin was rushed from the south to
the airstrip from which the pilots of the
28th Division's Air OP were making their
reguiar flights as artillery observers]The
situation was hastily expiained, the night
was dark. lhere was hear,ry enemy flak.
there were no lights, and while landing
strips were known to exist in the vicinity,
When
th* h,esieged garrison at
Fast*gne radiocd that it had
msr6 then 500 casualties,
many of whCIm faeed imminent
death unless they received
immediate aid,
Lt. Kcnneth B. Schley af
Far Hilis, N"J., a 28th lnfantry
Division adillery observatian
pilot, on Chrictmas Fv*
voluntarily risked his life to fly
a $upply of life-saving p€niCIillin
into a beleaguerod eity.
32
/ GUARDIANS i
Summer 2010
there was every possibility that German
artillery had made them useless: but the
mission was vital.
"When volunteers were callecl lor,
every pilot stepped forward. But Lt. Schley
insisted loudest and longest on being
allowed to go.
"Before taking off, he cut off his radio
contact with his command post because
he was afraid someone might try to cail
him back.
'At the same lime. his commanding
officer, Maj. Mncent McFadden of
Lexington, Ky., sent word, to be relayed
through higher headquarters. to prepare
some sort of landing strip.
"Twelve minutes alter Schlev had
taken off, a hasty message was iushed
to the field from headquarters: 'Do not
let pilot take off. Impossible to get
through tonight.'
"But Schley was on his way. Flying
his Cub plane by compass, over unknown
terrain, he ran into 'everything Jerry
could throw at me.' but he kept on. After
a hot half hour of dodging bullets and
shells, he was over Bastogne, but there
was not a light to be seen, and no sign of
a landing strip. 'I buzzed the town several
times,' he said, 'dipping down over the
housetops so they'd hear my motor. But
not a light showed up. I was just getting
ready to crash land when a double row of
hand flashlights snapped on marking out
a landing strip * as welcome a sight as
T've seen in a long time.'
"His Christmas gift of penicillin safely
delivered, Schley hid in cellars that night
as the Germans pounded the town with
artillery. Next morning, despite the advice
of higher authorities, he insisted on flying
back to his home strip."
- Source of the above arlicle is unknown
This is the 27th in a sefies of hisrotical
photographs of Pennsylvania Natiornl
Guardsmen of the past, submirted b' Charles
Oellig, curator of the Pennsyh,cnia National
Guard Militarr. Museum at Fott Indiantotun
Gap. The museum is open Mondat's and
Fiday; fiom l0 a.m. to 4:30 p.nt., or other
days by appointment. Call (717) 861-2102 or
visit www,pngmilitarymuseum. org for more
information or to schetltrle nn appctintnenr.
The musettm is closed on major holidays.