Huey leaves Winder for the last time
The last flyable UH-1 'Huey' in the Georgia Guard departed Winder for Temple Texas recently, its fate uncertain and leaving fond memories for many. Full Story

Guard aiding recovery in wake of 'Ike'
Georgia National Guard aviation personnel and aircraft are aiding recovery efforts in Texas and Louisiana as cities and towns in those states continue their recovery from devastation left behind by Hurricane Ike. They were expected to remain on station until Sept. 27 when they'll return to Georgia.   Full Story

Guard joins other groups to donate medical supplies for war-torn Georgia
The State of Georgia has moved aggressively to help refugees of the nation of Georgia who suffered because of the recent hostilities with Russia. Twelve hundred pounds of emergency supplies were packed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, destined for the more than 9,000 permanently displaced refugees living in tents and makeshift shelters in Georgia. Full Story

Students mastering Arabic in a flash
Five volunteers from the U.S. military are enrolled in an intense, four-month course to learn one of the world’s most in-demand foreign languages. The language proficiencies and abilities of the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Gillem may astonish some, but instructor Jabra Ghneim, who helped translate the Book of Mormon into Arabic, expects such accomplishment and more, as thousands of hours have turned out hundreds of productively fluent speakers over the years.   Full Story

139 Intelligence Squadron hosts leadership training seminar
During their September drill, members of the 139th Intelligence Squadron (IS) and the 31st IS (the active duty associate squadron) attended the Mindset of Leadership workshop conducted by Introspect International in Augusta, Ga. A  two day experiential workshop, the training provided practical formulas, tools and models for achieving results while building positive relationships.  Full Story

Recruiting welcomes new commander, meets 2008 goals
Lieutenant Col. Anthony Abbott formally accepted command of the Georgia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion from Lt. Col. Thomas Carden during a ceremony Oct. 1st, at the Oglethorpe Armory. Full Story

Nesbitt lauds service of
'wounded warriors' at Decatur ceremony
Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt lauded the extraordinary health care services received by returning OIF/OEF veterans on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, during the VA’s "Yellow Ribbon Welcome Home" event held at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. The event brought together returning veterans from across Atlanta and helped to underscore the significant work being accomplished by the staff and volunteers at the VA in dealing with the physical and emotional wounds of combat. Full Story

Guard assists Falcons with moral event
Sergeant 1st Class Wendy Barnett (right), a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief for Marietta’s 78th Aviation Troop Command, assists veteran Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Tyson Clabo in leaving her aircraft after it and two other 78th Black Hawks carrying members of the Falcons football team and cheerleading squad landed at Fort Gordon. While at Fort Gordon, the players and cheerleaders met and have lunch with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines stationed attending school there. The 78th Aviation Group, formerly the 171st Aviation Group, has been assisting the Falcons for the past couple of years with their community service project to thank active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel for their service to their state and to their country. “What better way to tell these folks how much we appreciate who they are and what they do,” Clabo said. “Their contributions, their sacrifices are many. We all need to make a better effort in letting them know they are always being thought about and held in high esteem for putting on that uniform and doing what others cannot or will not do when the call to stand up for something bigger than themselves goes out.” (Georgia National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry)
 

GSDF leads second search
for missing Iraq war veteran
More than two years after an initial search by local authorities for a missing two-time Iraq War veteran turned up nothing, members of the Georgia State Defense Force led a second effort, Sept. 20 and 21, in an attempt to determine Jason Roark’s fate. Sergeant Robert Neasmith with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office investigations division said this second search was conducted at the request of the Dallas resident’s parents. It was also at their request that the Georgia State Defense Force became involved.  Full Story

State, local responders get
pointers from CST
Georgia’s 4th Civil Support Team conducted classes and hands-on training, Sept. 16-18, with representatives from several local, state and federal agencies. The Guard’s 202nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and 138th Chemical Company, also took part, along with two Soldiers from Florida’s soon-to-be stood up 48th CST.  Full Story

Governor, TAG join military, civilian leaders in signing 'Covenant
A covenant represents a promise and an obligation, sacred and binding. Govenor Sonny Perdue, Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the Adjutant General of Georgia, and community leaders throughout the state gathered at the state capitol to sign a special covenant pledging to foster a very special relationship that has existed between citizens of the state and its military services for centuries. Full Story

Six Georgians awarded top National Guard Association honors
Six prominent Georgians were honored by the National Guard Association of the United States during the association’s national conference held September 20-24, 2008 in Baltimore. The six received the prestigious Patrick Henry Award, which recognizes local officials and civic leaders who distinguished themselves in outstanding service to the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard, or the National Guard Association of the United States. The six Georgians honored include retired Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress of Atlanta, retired Brig. Gen. Virlyn Slayton of Morrow, Bill Cathcart of Savannah, Milton H. "Woody" Woodside of Brunswick, Michael R. Fowler of Marietta, and Clyde Taylor of Macon.  Full Story
Related: Chambliss earns 2008
top NGAUS award

Leadership program prepares 48th IBCT leadership to ‘train from the front’
The motto of the U. S. Army’s Infantry is “Follow Me!” Two distinct words that when coupled with images of ‘Iron Mike’ majestically standing as sentry at the entrance of the Fort Benning U. S. Army Infantry School, makes any "ground pounder’s" heart race. Brigade and battalion command leaders from Georgia’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (L), rallied at Fort Benning, Ga.to challenge themselves at the Leaders Certification Program at the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center.  Full Story

124th MPAD trains for active hurricane season
Members of Atlanta’s 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, the Georgia Army Guard’s main public affairs unit, spent its drill weekend at this active-duty post fine-tuning their disaster preparedness skills by responding to the fictitious Hurricane Olga during training exercise Ready Elijah, Sept. 6 and 7, 2008. The operation prepares the unit for the challenges its Soldiers may face when called on to respond to such a natural disaster, said Maj. John Alderman, the unit’s commander. Full Story

First Friday goes PDF!
Click here to print the new PDF version.
(Adobe Acrobat Reader required. Get it here)

Strong Bonds for deploying Guardsmen
The JFHQ Chaplain of Georgia Col. John M. Owings along with the commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade will be hosting a Strong Bonds Marriage Enrichment Conference as a three-day event offered for the betterment of it’s soldiers and their spouses. The event will be held in Atlanta, Ga., at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Ashford-Dunwoody Road in Atlanta from November 14-16, 2008. Strong Bonds Marriage Enrichment Training will include group activities, formal instruction in general sessions, and practical exercises in breakout sessions. Training is conducted by certified instructors with the JFHQ Chaplain's Office. Anyone wishing to attend must identify themselves to his or her unit to request permission and provisions of Pay and Allowances. After being approved by the unit to attend training, each Soldier needs to register for the event at www.strongbonds.org. Failure to register will affect the Soldier’s ability to attend the event.