First Friday Briefing for October  2004

148th Support Battalion Assists
Florida Guard in Hurricane Cleanup
More than 400 members of the Georgia National Guard's 148th Support Battalion spent nearly two weeks in the Ocala, Fl, area assisting in the clean-up in the aftermath of Hurricanes Frances and Charlie. The unit deployed to help the Florida Guard under an agreement that Georgia has signed with neighboring states to share assets in times of emergency.

MPs Mark September 11
With Commemorative Parade
Soldiers of Monroe's 178th Military Police Company marched along the city's main thoroughfare, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, to mark the third anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon. More than 500 area residents, city and county officials came out to show their support for the victims of 9/11, their families as well as the 178th and troops involved in operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom.

Major Changes Enhance Army Guard's Recruiting and Retention
The Georgia Army National Guard's Recruiting & Retention detachment has been redesignated as Recruiting & Retention Battalion (RRB). The change is part of a nationwide change announced in July Lt. Gen Roger Shultz, director of the Army National Guard at National Guard Bureau.

McLendon Promoted to Colonel
Larry McLendon, a 30-year veteran of the Georgia Army National and longtime Macon resident, was promoted to the rank of Colonel in September during ceremonies at the National Guard’s Regional Training Institute in Macon where he serves as Deputy Commander. He was pinned to his new rank by his father, Brig. Gen. James “Dutch” Mclendon, who was also served a stellar career in the Georgia Army National Guard, including an assignment as 48th Infantry Brigade commander.

Hughes Retires After 37 Years Service
Georgia Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Robin Hughes said goodbye to fellow Soldiers and friends in late September during a retirement ceremony at Fort Gillem ’s First Army Headquarters. General Hughes who has more than 37 years in uniform, was joined by his wife Elizabeth who was also honored for her contributions by Lt. Gen. Russell L. Honore’, commander First Army. Hughe's long career with the Georgia Guard included a number of distinguished positions including commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade, before serving at First Army.

Understanding Your Rights
Regarding Political Activities
With the Presidential campaign entering its final weeks, Soldiers and Airmen, as well as DOD civilian employees, should understand their rights, as well as restrictions, applying to election-related activities. The Hatch Act governs political activities for Federal employees and a recent DOD Directive outlines the basic policy regarding the Armed Forces. Additionally, a recent Washington Times news story illustrates the concern over transmitting partisan messages over Government email systems.. 

118th Personnel Services Soldiers
Prep for OIF Three
Soldiers of Georgia ’s 118th Personnel Services Detachment are gearing up for Operation Iraqi Freedom III where it will perform primary mission of providing personnel services to American coalition units. Eight Soldiers leave Monday for training at Fort Benning , while the unit’s main body continues getting ready to depart for Benning Oct. 25. It may be our first deployment but I’m confident in the skills and abilities of our Soldiers to get us there [in country], accomplish the mission and get us all home again,” said Capt. J.D. Collie, the 118th’s commander.

Upgraded Bronze Stars for Valor
Given to Two Air Guardsman
Being awarded the prestigious Bronze Star is an exclusive honor reserved for military personnel who served with distinction in military operations against an enemy.   However, to have America’s third highest honor upgraded from meritorious achievement to valor is quite significant.  This is what happened to two Georgia Air National Guardsmen from Brunswick’s 165th Air Support Operations Squadron recently when Staff Sgt. Trevor Kerns and Master Sgt. David Wilburn and was presented an upgraded Bronze Star for valor for individual heroism in Afghanistan during 2002.

202nd Conducts First ‘Top Three’ Induction Ceremony
The 202nd EIS in Macon conducted its first Non-commissioned Officer “Top Three” Induction ceremony in September recognizing the leadership, dedication to duty and professionalism of selected non -commissioned officers. Six veteran 202nd NCOs were inducted. "Induction into the Top Three signifies that the NCO has proven himself or herself capable of carrying the banner of the enlisted force,” said Lt Col Debra Naziemic, Commander of the Macon-based unit. 

Republic of Georgia Official
Visits U.S, and Georgia Guard
The Minister of Defense for Georgia's partnership country, the Republic of Georgia, visited the U.S. in September to visit National Guard facilities and U.S. defense officials. Maj. Gen. David Poythress, The Adjutant General, hosted Giorgi Baramidze at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, and accompanied him on tours of Joint Operations and the Aviation Flight Facility, as well as the Marietta and Kennesaw armories. While Baramidze visited the U.S., a team from the Georgia National Guard was in Tiblisi assisting the nation with it's rotary-wing aviation program, part of the ongoing State Partnership Program. Read the AJC story about the minister's visit.

Georgia ESGR Committee To Salute
National Guardsmen and Employers
The Georgia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, will salute Georgia National Guardsmen, Reservists and their supportive employers at on October 18, at the Georgia International Convention Center. Maj Gen. Tom Wessels, USAR (Ret), Georgia ESGR State Chairman, is encouraging all  Atlanta area employers to attend the event where they can sign a Statement of Support for Georgia’s National Guardsmen and Reservists, who like the Minutemen before them have answered their nation’s call to defend our way of life.

Deployment Update Georgia Army and Air Guard Cross Paths in Iraq Staff Sgt. Jeff Trigg, from Company H, 171st Aviation Regiment,  of the Georgia Army Guard recently crossed paths with the Georgia Air Guard's Major Kevin Berkman from the 116th Operations Support Squadron, 116th Air Control Wing. The two met at a forward deployed location in central Iraq. Staff Sgt. Trigg is assigned as a C-23 Flight Engineer at Balad Air Base conducting a wide range of Army Theater Airlift missions across Iraq. Maj Berkman is serving as the Executive Officer to the Multi-National Force - Iraq Spokesperson and Director of Strategic Communications in Baghdad.

Westgate Named Air Guard
Chief of Staff
Colonel Steven Westgate of Savannah, a 35-year veteran of the Georgia Air National Guard and former commander of Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing has been appointed Chief of Staff of the 3,300-member Georgia Air National Guard. The announcement was made in September by Brigadier General Scott A. Hammond, Commander of the Georgia Air National Guard.

History Society Announces
Date, Topic of Annual Conference
Members of the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard hold their annual conference Oct. 23, with the War Between the States as this year's theme. Guest speakers will address subjects such as the Battle Kennesaw, its impact on the Battle of Atlanta and talk of Black confederates. Also, conference goers will hear a report on the Georgia National Guard's participation in the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion during World War II.

Federal and State Charitable Programs are Underway! 2004 Combined Federal Campaign The 2004 Combined Federal Campaign is underway with a theme of "Changing Lives One Donation At A Time." There will be prize drawings and more. More details. State Charitable Contributions Campaign The 2004 State Charitable Contributions Campaign is “Make a World of Difference – Give from the Heart.” Our goal is to increase participation among all our state employees by asking that each give a minimum of $3 per month.  More details.

Federally Employed Women Chapter
Is Looking for Charter MembersThe Greater Atlanta Chapter of FEW (Federally Employed Women) is looking for charter members to join and attend its first meeting on Tuesday, 12 Oct. Membership is open to all Federal Government employees (men and women) and was formed in 1969 to support and compliment the Federal Women’s Program (FWP).