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@ease ExpressMay-June 2011 Click here to find out about the recent Vigilant Guard exercise. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Spec. Alyson Swanke @ease this is only a TEST Members 4 of the 434th Chemical Company, Minnesota National Guard, state and National Guard xpress CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, E Nuclear and High Explosives) Emergency Response Force Package, provide aid to a role- player posing as an injured victim 2010 NGB Media Contest winner during a Vigilant Guard event at Volk Field on May 16. CERFP teams provide immediate response capablities to large contaminations. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Spc. Alyson Swanke local agencies respond in real 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson Called Vigilant Guard ‘11, the exercise adjutant general of Wisconsin. “This was other federal disaster exercises concerning Wisconsin National Guard is a dress rehearsal for disaster that tested an extraordinary event — it stressed our a notional earthquake along the San how well the Wisconsin National Guard system and strengthened our relationships Madrid fault. Senior Wisconsin National Guard responds to calls for assistance from local with local and federal partners.” Lt. Col. Steven Sherrod, exercise May-June 2011 leaders are pleased with the results of a communities. Nearly 3,000 participants representing director for Vigilant Guard, was happy massive disaster response exercise — “This type of exercise — the homeland up to 48 federal, state, county, volunteer with the end results. including scenarios of tornadoes, flooding, mission, the types of disasters that and private agencies — including 12 “I believe we produced the largest, chemical spills, power outages due to have happened here — this is what the Wisconsin National Guard units, two most complex Vigilant Guard as far as cyber attacks, earthquake evacuees, and National Guard is about, in addition to Minnesota National Guard units and one number of different activities and an encounter with an armed drug-running our warrior role with the Army and the Ohio National Guard unit — took part in Volume 3, Issue 3 boat — which wrapped up May 19. Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, the exercise, which coincided with two time to mock disasters on the cover Official Newsletter of the Members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard 115th Fighter Wing assist in the setup of medical http://dma.wi.gov BEST in the triage lanes during a Vigilant Guard event at Volk Field on May 16. For more information, see the story The Adjutant General: MIDWEST n Wisconsin Army National Guard sweeps regional Best Warrior competition on Page 4. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar Spc. Cassandra Monroe Iowa Army National Guard 10 Two Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers from the same infantry battalion took top honors at the Region IV Best photo by Spc. Alyson Swanke Warrior Competition May 9-12 at Camp Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers Dodge, Iowa, and will now advance to Deputy Adjutant General Army: compete against the best Soldiers across the National Guard for national honors in August. “Another first for the great state of Wisconsin,” said Wisconsin Army National Guard State Command Sgt. Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson Major George Stopper. Thirteen Soldiers from Iowa, Illinois, FROM THE TAG Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and 3 Wisconsin competed in events such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, combat water survival test, M-9 pistol and M-4 rifle qualification, day and night advance to NGB Best Warrior land navigation, confidence course, a nine-mile road march with a 35-pound Deputy Adjutant General Air: backpack, an essay and an appearance NICARAGUANS OBSERVE VIGILANT GUARD board in dress uniform. 7 Sgt. Steven Dahl of Oconto, a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry in Menomonee, Wis., Brig. Gen. John McCoy bested six other competitors in the Sgt. Brandon Swanson low crawls beneath a bridge of barbed wire May 11. Soldier category at the Best Warrior Swanson and 12 other Soldiers ran the course as part of the Region IV Best Competition. He was a specialist when Warrior Competition held at the Iowa National Guard’s Joint Maneuver Training 115TH FW TAKES PART IN NATO EXERCISE Center, Camp Dodge, Iowa. Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chad D. Nelson Competition 8 Director of Public Affairs: GOVERNOR THANKS GUARD MEMBERS Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie 12 WISCONSIN’S FIRST V.I.P. CLASS GRADUATES At Ease Editor: 13 Vaughn R. Larson 15 DRILL SERGEANTS IN THE NATIONAL Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs GUARD? Abbab Taj Mousa recites the oath of allegiance administered by Lt. Col. Julie Gerety during a ceremony held at Milwaukee’s Military Entrance Processing Station June COMMUNICATION EXERCISE A SUCCESS 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 3. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photos by Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez 14 16 From Baghdad to Badgerland: Opportunity translates into 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team New Soldier enlists in Wisconsin National Guard HANGER EXPANSION AT 128TH ARW Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez to in America,” Mousa said. “I chose to 17 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment enlist in Wisconsin because of the friends I already have in the Wisconsin Guard.” One of the newest Wisconsin Army Becoming a Wisconsin Guardsman National Guard enlistees already has took nearly three months. “The process Public Affairs served overseas with one of its units. was frustrating at times because I’m Abbab Taj Mousa — affectionately not yet a citizen,” Mousa said. “The SECOND TAKE-BACK EVENT BETTER THAN known as “Cowboy” — recited the oath of interpreter job I was hoping for was allegiance during a June 3 ceremony at the closed, so I had to explore other options. 18 Military Entrance Processing Station in Once I get my citizenship, I plan to go to downtown Milwaukee. But the Baghdad officer candidate school.” enlistment for Iraqi interpreter native worked as an interpreter with Mousa is scheduled to leave for basic Abbab Taj Mousa — known as “Cowboy” — finalizes his training in Fort Jackson, S.C. in November. enlistment process into Wisconsin’s National Guard by signing members of the Wisconsin Army National 157th Maneuver Enhancement Guard’s 332nd Rear Operations Center After learning the basic Soldiering a contract June 3 at Milwaukee’s Military Entrance Processing skills, he will continue on to become an FIRST during the unit’s 2007 deployment to Iraq. Station. Mousa is scheduled to leave for basic training in Fort automated logistical specialist where he Jackson, S.C. in November and will become an automated After obtaining a visa from the U.S. will handle the distribution of nearly every logistical specialist with Company A, 257th Brigade Support Embassy, Mousa came to the United type of supply. He will then join the ranks Battalion in Whitewater. States in August 2009 to be with family. of Company A, 257th Brigade Support Brigade Public Affairs “Wisconsin was the first place I came Battalion in Whitewater. A VISIT WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 19 22 TAKING ON THE BOSTON MARATHON Wisconsin Army National Guard combat medics transport Sgt. Tiffany Addair 128th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs a mannequin via litter as part of a training event at the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Wisconsin Military Academy on May 21. 157th Maneuver Public Affairs Enhancement Brigade photo by Sgt. Tiffany Addair Crawling on their bellies under barbed wire, while moving a patient strapped to a WISCONSIN WINS GUARD MARATHON litter. Applying a tourniquet to a battlefield amputation in the dirt and grime of the 23 field. Saving a life while getting everyone Volk Field Combat Readiness back to safety in one piece — just part of a recent weekend training event for more than 150 Wisconsin Army National Guard medical professionals. The Wisconsin Army National TOP TROOPS AWARDED AT ESGR BANQUET Guard’s third Army Medical Department Training Center Public Affairs (AMEDD) conference, held May 20-22 at 24 Fort McCoy, gave medical professionals — those assigned to medical units as well as those assigned as medics or medical professionals in non-medical units — the opportunity to brush up on medical skills, train with new and familiar equipment and WISCONSIN GUARD TAKES THE GOLD network with other people in the medical community around the state. “The focus of the training was to 25 How to Reach Us get down to basics,” said Capt. Shawn Murphy, physician’s assistant with the 20 Wisconsin Medical Detachment — the organization tasked with providing medical readiness support to all Wisconsin Army National Guard units. “It is UNIFORM CHANGES ANNOUNCED E-mail: [email protected] important to always build on the basics. Medical conference allows for You add more skill sets and equipment 26 at every level, but the fundamentals are always the same.” Through the Wisconsin Military Academy, the Wisconsin National Guard Phone: (608) 242-3056 Fax: (608) 242-3051 training facility housed at Fort McCoy, the 68 whiskeys (combat medics), medical MERITORIOUS SERVICE professionals and other medical military occupational specialties were able to 27 receive valuable training in a field where Department of Military Affairs; continuing education is paramount. The training was designed to be very realistic, helping Soldiers prepare for hands-on training opportunity scenarios they may face in the future. “It is really easy to be overwhelmed VETERANS, FAMILIES, RETIREES with a casualty,” said Sgt. 1st Class Clint Attn: Vaughn R. Larson Vervoren, senior combat medic and 28 training noncommissioned officer-in- charge with the 426th Regiment, based at 2400 Wright Street; Madison, WI 53708-8111 Going back to basics WMA. “The lanes were designed to put a Submissions: For photo or story submissions, The Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard’s At Ease Express newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense.