J-STARS aircraft are aerial command and control aircraft that provide surveillance and information to battlefield managers. A typical J-STARS crew is comprised of 20 battle managers. 

The first deployment of the Georgia J-STARS aircraft, crews and maintenance personnel took place in early January followed by a second deployment in March. While in theater, the 116th flew more than 100 combat sorties, with missions lasting up to 17 hours. Their mission is to orbit the battlefield and provide real-time data for the commanders on the ground, deemed critical in Iraq because of the sandstorms. Dust, sand and weather didn't obstruct the JSTARS' ability to see enemy movement, and the unit was able to provide critical support to our troops as they moved. JSTARS orbits moved forward into Iraq as the threat allowed and on two occasions aircraft remained on-station with one engine out to maintain support for ground troops.

 - The 3rd Infantry Detachment (Hinesville) is attached to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and has been at the "tip of the spear" in Iraq. On the days before the ground war began, the Georgia National Guard unit was the most forward deployed unit in the US Army (other than Special Forces units operating inside Iraq). They controlled the Army units when they breached the berm and the crossed the obstacles and minefields entering Iraq. Currently, the 3rd Infantry Detachment is operating just outside of Baghdad.

- When Pfc Jessica Lynch was taken to Ramstein, Germany after her heroic rescue, it was a Georgia National Guard member who escorted her. Sergeant Amberly Dawn Boyle from Company B, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion (Ft. Gillem) was one of the soldiers who carried Pfc Lynch from the plane in Germany while millions of people around the world watched. The 221st has more than 350 soldiers in Kuwait and Iraq. Among the missions the unit performs is translation of critical documents and providing translators for Iraqi prisoners of war.

-The 165th Airlift Wing (Savannah) is operating out of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The wing has flown 500 sorties across Europe and the Middle East. It’s not unusual for the aircrews to work 18-20 hour days. Other Georgia Air Guard units are operating in-theater. 

The 224th JCSS has been deployed in-theater since 9/11 and Georgia's 165th ASOS has individuals deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

-Also in-theater are Company B, 161st Medical, 1148th Transportation Company, 265th Engineer Group, 277th Maintenance Company, and other elements of the Georgia National Guard. Also mobilized, and awaiting transportation is the 878th Engineer Battalion.

Even at home, mobilized Georgia Guardsmen are providing key support. In Ft. Hood Texas and at five other Army posts in the southwest, the 148th Medical Company – Air Ambulance (Winder) is "filling-in" for units deployed to the Middle East. The unit flies the UH-1 "Huey" helicopters and in the past two months has flown over 20, real-world, life saving medivac missions, transporting critically injured automobile victims, and soldiers injured in training accidents.

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214th Field Artillery Poised
for Overseas Duty

Less than six weeks after a resounding send-off from their hometowns in Northeast Georgia, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery has received validation for its wartime mission. It has readied its equipment for shipping and is waiting for transportation overseas.

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Customer Satisfaction Survey Available

The Georgia Department of Defense Organizational Development office has released an internet-based survey with which to determine how satisfied its customers are with its services. No paper surveys will be distributed this year.

The survey came out May 1 and will be available through July 17.  This is Organizational Development’s first internet-hosted survey. Officials with the office state that commanders and supervisors should ensure their employees have access to the internet for maximum participation.

An e-mail memorandum from Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress was recently sent which detailed how to obtain the survey.

Historical Society Briefed on State History Museum

Rough economic times are a part of Georgia’s history and will be a part of the State’s history museum now in the planning, according to the director of Georgia’s Capitol Museum, Mrs. Dorothy Olsen.

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Perdue, General Assembly Honor Guard

Gov. Sonny Perdue and Georgia's General Assembly honored members of the State Department of Defense in mid-April. Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress also appeared before the State House of Representatives and the Senate to thank each chamber for its support of the men and women of Georgia's National Guard. Each passed resolutions honoring the Georgia National Guard and Guardsmen who are serving in Southwest Asia and across the country.  

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Haley Takes Command of 165th ASOS

Lt. Col. John M. Haley, a six-year veteran of the Georgia Air National Guard took command of Brunswick’s 75-member, 165th Air Support Operations Squadron in April, succeeding Lt. Col. James B. Pack, who commanded the squadron for more than 12 years.

Haley is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a graduate of the Navy’s Flight Training program. He has more than 6,000 hours of flying time as a naval fighter pilot. Haley also attended basic Marine Infantry training. In 1997, Haley joined the 165th ASOS as a tactical air control officer.

Georgia’s 165th Air Support Operations Squadron provides air assets and air control capabilities to Army combat brigades. The unit has had individuals called to active duty and deployed in support of the war on terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001.

Retirees are reminded they must submit a written application for payment of the Georgia Military Pension.  They are also reminded that retroactive payments are not authorized.

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Annual Military Affairs Luncheon Set

The Atlanta Regional Military Affairs Council’s 51st annual luncheon is May 12 at Cobb Galleria Center on Cobb Parkway in Marietta. This year’s event is sponsored by Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems in partnership with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Cost is $30 per seat, $300 for a table for 10. Registration takes place at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon at noon. Those planning to attend should fill out the attached registration form and return it to the chamber of commerce as soon as possible.

Aviation, Recruiting Work with Rome JROTC

Assets of Marietta’s 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation and the Georgia Army National Guard’s Demonstration and Recruiting Team (DART) met April 29 with members of Rome High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) in an effort to educate the Corps’ 58 cadets about the National Guard and its mission.

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