First Friday Briefing for December  2006

Voso Takes Command of
Calhoun’s 108th Armor
Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 108th Armor stood proudly on the football field at Calhoun High School, banners waving wildly in the mid-afternoon breeze and watched as a new commander officially took over from the man who led them through a year in war-torn Iraq. Major Christopher Voso, who served as the assistant operations officer for the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is the 108th’s new commander. He replaces Lt. Col. John King, who moves on to become the 48th’s executive officer. Voso said he appreciated the senior leadership’s confidence in him to lead the 108th and carry it forward into its future as it begins its transition from a tank unit to a “reconnaissance surveillance targeting acquisition unit.” Full Story

781st Transitions to CERF-P,
Gets New Commander
The 781st Troop Command held a battalion change of command as the leadership of the unit passed from Lt. Col. Beth Thelen to Lt. Col. Jeff Allen.  The change comes at a critical time when the unit is taking on a greater homeland defense role and is transitioning into a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERF-P unit. Lt. Col. Thelen works fulltime as AGR manager in the Human Resources Office. Lt. Col. Allen has been the long-time commander of Georgia’s 4ith Civil Support Team (WMD).

History Confab Examines
Deployment Issues
Topics ranging from the role of the media in war to whether the United States can “win” in Iraq were expressed in early November as a panel Georgia National Guardsmen convened in Macon at the 15th annual Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard Conference. Pictured above were panelists (left to right) Sgt. Maj. Chuck Crews, 265th Engineer Group; Chief Warrant Officer 4 Darrel R. Partee, Joint Forces Headquarters; Chaplain (Col.) John Owings, Jr.; Lt. Col. Deborah J. Nazimiec, commander, 202nd Electronic Installation Squadron; Cpl. Jerry M. Garner, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry; Capt. William Arp, Family Readiness coordinator; and 1st Lt. Selena Owens, public affairs officer, 48th BCT. Full Story

‘Operation One Voice’ Team
Begins 650-Mile Run For Fallen Soldiers
Bad weather did little to dampen the spirit of the moment when the commander who led Georgia’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Iraq met on the steps of the State Capitol with a group of runners involved in raising money to help families of America’s fallen special operations troops. “As a Soldier, and as a commander, I can’t begin to tell you how much I and every member of the Armed Forces appreciate what you’re doing for the loved ones of those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver to the 24 members of Operation One Voice who stood before him. Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office had asked Rodeheaver to meet with the group. Full Story.

Air Guard Units Ace Inspections
Months After OIF/OEF Deployments
As military units return from the rigors of war, one might feel that a unit deserves a little down time to rest and regroup. Not so for two Georgia Air Guard units that returned from Middle East deployments to face critical Air Force inspectors, and what inspectors found were icons of performance excellence tested by the crucible of war. Savannah’s 165th Airlift recently completed an operational readiness inspection conducted in November by the Air Mobility Command's Inspector General and scored an overall “Excellent.” Across town at Hunter Army Airfield, the 117th Air Control Squadron also captured an overall “Excellent” on a recent Standardization/Evaluation Inspection conducted by 8th Air Force examiners. Full Story

Griffin's Troop E Cases Colors
Begins Transition to Infantry
November 19, 2006 marked an end and a beginning; a transition from one tradition to another as Troop E, 108th Cavalry, cased its regimental flag and retired its time-honored red and white guidon. A unit from 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry will be take up residence at Griffin's National Guard Armory as the Georgia Army Guard begins re-stationing units across the state. The Griffin unit will remain part of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. With this transition, Capt. John Alderman, who commanded Troop E, moves to an instructor position at the Guard’s Regional Training Institute in Macon. Command of the new unit is the responsibility of 1st Lt. Don Thompson. Full Story

Georgia Guardsmen Honored
With AJC Awards
Three Georgia Army Guardsmen are among six Soldiers honored with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s annual Army Reserve Component Achievement Award. They, and three members of the Army Reserve, received the award during a ceremony held at Army Reserve Headquarters, Fort McPherson. This year’s Guard recipients are Sgt. 1st Class David D. McElwee, Sgt. Jeremy H. Hartman and Spc. Julian L. Tucker III. Ron Martz, military correspondent for the AJC, made the presentation assisted by Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia’s Adjutant General. Full Story

Family Support Foundation
Inches Closer to $1 Million Goal
The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation is moving ever closer to reaching its goal of raising the $1 million set by Governor Sonny Perdue last year. The latest donation was a $125,000 check presented to Foundation and Guard leadership during a fundraising event in November. The Governor, with the support of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, initiated the campaign last November when he called on all Georgians to open their hearts and their checkbooks to help the men and women protecting this nation's  freedom. Full Story