Georgia Department of Defense First Friday, April 2001

Georgia Air Guard Opens

$60-Million in Facilities at Robins

Today is a red-letter day for the 116^th Bomb Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard as the Robins AFB-based Wing opens new facilities valued at over $60 million. These improvements represent Phase I of a three-phase project valued at over $100-million for the middle Georgia Air Force Base. It also represents the largest facilities improvement contract in the history of the Air National Guard.

Phase One improvements at the 116^th Bomb Wing include a $5.8 million aircraft site beddown area, a $9.4 million Consolidated Aircraft Support System and Fuel Complex, and $8.8 million worth improvements to the aircraft parking apron and taxiway. A new double bay hangar, single-bay hangar and engine shop costing $20.9 million are among the largest hangar and maintenance facilities on the base. Other improvements to be opened are an Aircraft Ground Equipment and Munitions Trailer Maintenance area ($2.8 million), Operations Group and Security forces buildings ($5.3 million), a Munitions Maintenance shop ($.5 million), and a T-9 Engine Noise Suppressor ($1 million).

The 116^th Bomb Wing moved to Robins AFB in 1995 from Atlanta and since that time has occupied 33 temporary facilities throughout Robins Air Force Base.

Phase II valued at more than $11.8 million will include a weapons release/load crew training facility and munitions maintenance and training area. Completion is anticipated in 2002. Phase III, yet unfunded, includes a new wing headquarters, communications flight and services flight facility, a vehicle maintenance and avionics Test station, and a supply and civil engineering complex.

Army Recognizes Dobbins Guardsman as “Hero”

Staff Sergeant Vincenzo Battaglia of the Dobbins-headquartered 1/171th Aviation Group may not describe himself as a hero but to fellow Georgia Guardsman, Shawn Meaders and to the U.S. Army, he fits the bill perfectly. SSG Battaglia, an 18-year veteran of the Georgia Army National Guard, was among three “military heroes” recently honored by the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) for personal displays of courage and heroism.

In the late afternoon of May 1, 2000, Specialist Shawn Meaders, a member of Winder’s Company D, 3/126 Aviation Regiment, had just left the Winder airport after completing the duty while on annual training. Approaching a blind railroad crossing just a mile and a half from the airport, Meaders apparently failed to notice an approaching train until it was too late. The impact carried his car some 200 feet down the track totally destroying the vehicle and severely injuring Meaders.

Battaglia, a Georgia Army National Guard flight paramedic instructor, was still at the unit when he received word of the accident. Rushing to the scene, Battaglia recognized his fellow Guardsman was unconscious and that his airway was completely obstructed. He immediately began to open the airway and render additional emergency medical assistance. Battaglia was eventually able to stabilize Meaders’ condition before emergency medical service arrived. Medical personnel later acknowledged Battaglia’s skills as having saved Meaders’ life.

For his actions, Battaglia was presented a commemorative plague from the FORSCOM Commander and the Georgia Army National Guard. He also received an watch and a savings bond.

202nd Awarded 4th Outstanding Unit Award;

Day Assumes Command of Unit

The 202d Engineering Installation Squadron was presented its fourth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award at ceremonies held on March 25 at the Air Museum adjacent to Robins AFB. Major General David B. Poythress, Georgia’s djutant General, was on hand to applaud the accomplishments of the Macon-based unit and to attach the ceremonial streamer to the 202^nd guideon. Only two E.I.S. units in the Air Force were selected for the prestigious unit award and the 202nd is the only Georgia Air National Guard unit to receive the AFOUA this year.

The awarding of the AFOUA was followed by an official change of command ceremony for the Macon-based Air Guard squadron when Maj. William E. Day III replaced Lt.Col. Mark C. Thomas as the unit’s commander.

Maj. William Day is a15-year veteran of the Georgia Air National Guard. He is a systems engineer working for Lockheed Martin Corporation at the U.S. Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

Maj Day served on active duty with the Army from 1972 until his separation in 1979. He received his commission in May 1981 and was assigned as an aerospace instrumentation engineer at the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. In October of 1985, he joined the Georgia Air National Guard’s 129^th Tactical Control Squadron in Kennesaw, GA. where he was an air weapons controller until 1996. Major Day transferred to the 202d Engineering and Installation Squadron as chief of the Engineering Branch prior to his selection as the unit’s commander

Lt. Col. Mark C. Thomas who served as 202 EIS commander since March 15, 1998 is being reassigned to the Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard as the state C4I officer.

Beierschmitt Takes Command of

National Guard Intelligence Unit

Major Albert P. (Skip) Beierschmitt, III of Evans, GA took command of the 221^st Military Intelligence Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard at ceremonies held recently at Fort Gillem. Beierschmitt, a 22-year veteran of the Army National Guard, was formerly the executive officer of the 400-person unit.

Beierschmitt assumed command of the 221^st from LTC Maria Britt who served as the battalion’s commander since 1999. She has been assigned as recruiting and retention manager for the Georgia Department of Defense.

A native of St. Louis, Beierschmitt enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard in April 1981 and was commissioned a second lieutenant after graduation from the New Jersey Military Academy. During his career he has served as company commander of two forward support battalions and as the assistant Support Operations Officer. He also served in the US Army Reserves as the plans and training officer for the 345^th Military Intelligence Battalion and later supply officer for the 505^th Military Intelligence Group. He was also the Arabic host nation support team chief of the 345^th Military Intelligence Battalion.

Beierschmitt transferred to the Georgia Army National Guard in September 1999. He holds an associate of art degree from Los Angeles City College and a bachelor of science degree from the University of the State of New York. Beierschmitt is employed by the Department of the Army for the 513^th Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Gordon.

Strategic Management Board

Updates DoD’s Strategic Plan

A team of Georgia Department of Defense senior leaders met for an intense weekend in March to review and update the organization’s strategic plan. Along with it came a redefining of the department’s Mission, Vision and Values. An updated plan will be distributed in the coming weeks, but here are the highlights:

The Strategic Management Board refined the Georgia DOD’s Mission to read: The mission of the Georgia Department of Defense is to provide an organized militia (the military force required by the Georgia Constitution): trained, disciplined and motivated to serve, protect and defend the State of Georgia and the United States.

The revised Vision is: An organization of excellence dedicated to defend and serve the nation, state and community.

And the Values of the Georgia Department of Defense remain as:

· Integrity… first

· Service… before self

· Excellence… in all we do

In addition, the board re-defined our four Strategic Directions as:

· Mission Readiness (state and federal)

· People (recruiting, retention and diversity)

· Resources (facilities and information technology)

· Customers (identifying our customers and measuring their satisfaction)

Three Air Guardsmen Receive First Sergeant Diamonds

Three Georgia Air National Guardsmen completed First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell AFB and can now wear the distinctive first sergeant diamond attached to their chevrons. Master Sergeant Larry D. Winner of the 530th Air Force Band, along with Master Sergeants Randy R. Dart and Robert J. Holden of the 165th Airlift Wing were among thirty-four graduates of the two-week school.

The Maxwell AFB-First Sergeant Academy graduates five classes each year numbering more than 175 Guardsmen.

Recent additions to the 530th Air Force Band manning document permitted the addition of a unit first sergeant. Master Sergeant Randy R. Dart is the first sergeant with the 165th Medical Services Squadron and Master Sergeant Robert J. Holden is the first sergeant for the 165th Aircraft Generation Squadron.

Graduates and guests to the First Sergeant Academy graduation ceremony heard from Chief Master Sergeant (ret.) Edwin B. Brown, former senior enlisted advisor for Headquarters, Air National Guard. Brown began his National Guard career in the Georgia Air National Guard.

Counterdrug Task Force Helps

Law Enforcement Agencies Across the State

Last year GaNG Counterdrug Task Force member’s SFC David Payton and SGT Rick Bearden drove two GSA leased tractor-trailer rigs more than 47,741 miles while transporting equipment worth $6,564,050.88 to Atlanta for Georgia’s law enforcement agencies. The Georgia Department of Public Safety Excess Property Program supports all Georgia law enforcement agencies by recycling excess military equipment. The excess equipment obtained from DoD Defense Reutilization Marketing Offices throughout the southeastern United States is transported back to the DPS Excess Property Distribution Center in Atlanta and issued to law enforcement agencies at no cost to them. Big ticket items such as vehicles and an occasional helicopter have also been issued to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Georgia Guard Aviation Community

Comes to the Rescue of Ft. Rucker School

Kudos are going out to Georgia Army National Guard aviation maintenance personnel as the Georgia Guard has come to the rescue of the flight school at Ft. Rucker.

When the school had maintenance problems with their CH-47 Chinook helicopters and needed temporary replacement aircraft, they looked to the National Guard to help-and Georgia was one of the only states that had enough flyable helicopters available. Within a matter of days, two CH-47s were on their way to Ft. Rucker from Detachment 1, Co F, 131st Aviation Regiment, based at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah. When the call came, the Georgia unit had six of its eight aircraft operational, compared with only three flyable CH-47s out of more than 25 at the school. Additionally, while several states were asked to help out, Georgia was one of only two with enough operational aircraft to be able to provide replacements.

“We've got the best team, and our readiness rate reflects it,” said Major Steve Joyce, commander of Army Aviation Support Facility III. “More important, this is another great example of us being ambassadors for the “One Army” concept.”

State Defense Force

To Hold A.T. in Savannah This Weekend

The 300 volunteer members of the Georgia State Defense Force are slated to deploy to Savannah this weekend to conduct annual training at the Georgia Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center in Garden City.

The three-day deployment will focus on training events such as crowd and traffic control, and the prevention and fighting of fires. The GSDF will also train on how to plan for and respond to hurricanes and other natural disasters as part of a combined Army and Air National Guard and Georgia State Defense Force taskforce. Representatives from Chatham County and Savannah Police Departments and the Air National Guard’s 165^th Airlift Wing will conduct training.

2001 JACC is scheduled for

27-29 April in Peachtree City

Senior leaders throughout the Georgia Department of Defense are preparing for the 2001 Joint Annual Commanders’ Conference scheduled for April 27-29. This year’s meeting will be held at Wyndham Peachtee Conference Center in Peachtree City with the opening session scheduled to begin on Friday afternoon, April 27. Attendance at the annual conference is by invitation and include all commanders (battalion/GSU and higher) administrative officers (battalion and higher), primary staff officers at the Army, Air and SDF state headquarters, Georgia DOD directors, CW5’s and other senior leaders. All Sergeants Major (Army and SDF) and Chief Master Sergeants (Air) have also been invited and will attend a joint E-9 conference in conjunction with the JACC. For information, contact the Directorate of Communications at (404) 624-6060.

Georgia DoD - A Clean Air Partner!

The summer is approaching, and smog, ozone, and pollution will return to the Atlanta headlines. The Adjutant General has announced that the Georgia Department of Defense will once again do its part in helping decrease Air Pollution through the summer.

Georgia Army National Guard Earth Day 2001

Earth Day, April 22 , 2001 is an international event that demonstrates concern and initiates support for the environment. Army Earth Day represents the dedication of the Army to sustain and maintain the environment for its soldiers, families and local communities. The Georgia Army National Guard is displaying our commitment to the environment throughout the state of Georgia.

The GAARNG along with other Army entities is sponsoring Earth Day at Zoo Atlanta on April 27 - 28, 2001. The Guard will have a booth at the Zoo as well as give aways and Sgt Tentpeg. Below is the schedule of events for those interested in attending

Schedule of Events

Expo Setup & Exhibitor Munch 7:00 - 9:30

Zoo Gates Open to Public 9:30

Expo Exhibits Open 9:30

Kickoff with Keynote Speakers 10:00

George Carellas, DoD Regional Coordinator

Dr. Maple, Zoo CEO and President

Special Guest

Unveiling of Children’s Conservation Mural

FORSCOM Army Band 10:30-3:00

Southern Belles Clogging Group 10:30, 12:30 & 1:30

World Music 11:00 - 3:00

Conservation Storyteller 12:00, 1:00 & 2:30

Animal Feedings and Training All Day

Expo Exhibits Close 4:00

Zoo Gates Close 5:30

Kickoff on Friday, April 27^th only

Please note: Schedule subject to change.

FAA Is Finalizing Details On Coastal MOA

The Georgia Air National Guard has been notified that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now ready to continue processing the Coastal Military Operations Area proposal. The FAA, which delayed the process due to personnel shortages, will send out information on the Georgia Air National Guard’s proposed Coastal MOA to local aviation concerns within the next few weeks. This information primarily concerns how the MOAs will be charted. The ANG agrees with the FAA that one final opportunity to receive valid aeronautical comments from the public is needed.

It is important to acknowledge the following local aviation community for their involvement in this process, particularly Mr. Patrick Graham, Director of the Savannah IAP; Mr. Tom Denny, Savannah IAP Control Tower; Mr. Steve Brian, Glynn County Airport Manger; and Mr. Larry Wade, Manager of Golden Isles Aviation in Brunswick. The involvement by these local aviation concerns and the flying public have allowed the Georgia ANG and the FAA to make many changes to the proposal in order to minimize the impact of the proposal on the National Airway System.

The Georgia Air National Guard is committed to working with the FAA and the aviation community to provide our military pilots with adequate airspace to conduct their training and to managing the utilization of the airspace as efficiently as possible for all aviation.

Certain operational details may not be included in the information distributed by the FAA. A toll free number (800-229-2839) is now available for the public to inquire about the scheduled or current status of the airspace.

First Friday Briefing is published monthly for the soldiers, airmen and employees of the Georgia Department of Defense, Georgia Army National Guard, Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia State Defense Force. If you’d like to be added to our subscription list and have the First Friday Briefing faxed or emailed, or you have comments or story submission, call the Directorate of Communications at (404) 624-6060 or DSN 338-6060. Or email Leigh.Burchfield@ga.ngb.army.mil

| Back | News Home | GaDOD Home |