Women Warriors Female Soldiers Are a Force Multiplier on 40Th CAB’S Deployment to the Middle East Pages 4-5

March-AprilMarch-April20162016 Vol.11Vol.11 No.No. 22

GRIZZLYGRIZZLYOfficialOfficial NewsmagazineNewsmagazine ofof thethe CaliforniaCalifornia NationalNational GuardGuard Women Warriors Female Soldiers are a force multiplier on 40th CAB’s deployment to the Middle East pages 4-5

Cal Guard’s Sgt. Demetri ‘Hank’ Iannios wins ‘Top Shot’ at All Army page 12

www.calguard.ca.gov/pa Leadership Corner Women show the world our strength

Major General David S. Baldwin

Our nation was founded on the idea that all men are cre- itary jobs — about 220,000 slots nationwide — have been Since 9/11, women serving in combat theaters have proven ated equal. When the Minutemen — the precursors to the opened to female candidates. indispensable to our nation’s military strength. More than National Guard — charged into battle to fight for that prin- 280,000 times, female service members have deployed to ciple, they sometimes found themselves side-by-side with With the passage of time, and the benefit of our democratic Iraq and Afghanistan, showing people in that part of the women, who had disguised themselves as men so they too process, we have grown wiser and more inclusive in our world how strong, courageous and talented American could fight for the United States. nation and in the military. Only a few years ago, I also women are. oversaw the Cal Guard’s transition to recruiting openly Those women stood in combat with their countrymen, gay service members, in accordance with the repeal of the With the full integration of women into our military, we can fully committed to safeguarding our fledgling democracy. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Both these changes were travel to those nations as a shining example of the equality Their actions were invaluable to the war effort, but our na- about living up to the ideals this country was created to to which all countries should aspire. When we march into tion was not yet ready to accept their service. embody. battle, we know we have “right” on our side — and that our missions are staffed with the best, most-qualified people in Though women supported the military in a variety of of- These changes also strengthened our military and en- the country. ficial roles, the U.S. Army would not enlist its first female hanced our readiness. Soldier for more than 150 years, and several more decades The U.S. military is a merit-based force, and assignments would pass before women could compete for every mili- Facing today’s global challenges, we can’t afford to leave are based on one’s ability to perform. All other barriers have tary job. any part of our nation’s talent pool untapped. Opening all been removed. positions to women enables our force to gain power and 2016 marks the long overdue conclusion of that evolution expertise as the contributions of our female service mem- I feel prouder as an American, and safer as a nation, because of female military service. Finally the last 10 percent of mil- bers grow. of this historic change.

“[Deployed women show] people in that part of the world how strong, courageous and talented American women are.” - Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin

Empowerment leads to better NCOs

Command Sergeant Major William Clark Jr.

We are at a crossroads. As Soldiers and Airmen return To this end, NCOs develop their subordinates through Be the leader that you would like to follow. Know and be from deployments, they return better trained and prepared teaching, coaching, mentoring and empowering them with proficient in your tasks and drills. Do right by your Sol- to function in their daily duty, and in leadership positions the authority and ability to train and lead. diers and do what is expected of a professional leader. as team leaders, squad leaders and platoon sergeants. Soldiers and Airmen are empowered when they are en- Today’s NCO is like no other before. In today’s current With the drawdown in the Army National Guard, it is more couraged to think, behave, decide and act on their own. operating environment, even the most junior sergeant is important than ever to support and enable our NCO’s to This empowerment does not spring up spontaneously. placed in positions of senior leadership. Our sergeants mentor and lead Soldiers, as well as execute the missions Rather, it must be fostered and instilled by leaders. Only have been the primary charge for training entire battal- they are assigned. We must allow them to make mistakes, when that is done do individuals come to feel genuinely ions of Iraqi and Afghan police and armed forces. Today’s and as good Senior NCO’s, pick them up, mentor them and empowered. This sense allows them to grow in self-confi- squad leader operates at echelons of leadership that can guide them. Let them know that making mistakes at times dence through a process of continuous self-development be directly responsible for the success of entire operations. becomes an opportunity that allows them to continue to remain relevant and sharp. growing, enabling them to lead our forces into the future. In order to establish the specific level of performance that In the profession of arms, power and accountability are will better our force, we must empower our NCOs, our- We as a force are always striving to grow and develop. inextricably linked; the more power and responsibil- selves and our leadership to excel and grow in all aspects With that, the U.S. Armed Forces are developed from ity individuals have, the more they are held accountable. of our professional and personal lives. Every Soldier and within. Senior Leaders are not hired from outside the or- NCOs are the champions for empowerment within their Airmen is entitled to outstanding leadership. You, as an ganization; they rise from within their services over their commands. They ensure that subordinates not only under- NCO will provide that leadership and you will expect that entire careers. Therefore, it is incumbent upon leaders to stand and fully trust in this empowerment, but that they leadership in turn. Only then can we change the culture develop subordinates who will one day be the successors also put it to good use for the benefit of the entire organiza- and foster the environment of professional excellence that to the very leaders who trained them. tion and unit. our service members deserve. “Soldiers and Airmen are empowered when they are encouraged to think, behave, decide and act on their own.” - Command Sgt. Maj. William Clark Jr.

2 Grizzly TABLE OF CONTENTS The Official Newsmagazine of the California National Guard Women warriors Team California heads to All Army 4 Female Soldiers are a big part of the force on the 40th Combat 12 Guard’s Sgt. Demetri “Hank” Iannios named the 2016 All Aviation Brigades current deployment to the Middle East. Army Champion “Top Shot” at Fort Benning, Georgia March - April They occupy every role, from pilot to mechanic to medic Cal Guard top performers honored Soldier/LAPD cop runs for others Eight of the Cal Guard’s most outstanding Soldiers, Airmen Vol. 11 No. 2 6 First Lt. Kristina Tudor serves with the Cal Guard’s 140th 13 and Military Reservists for 2016 were honored at the Soldier Chemical Company. For her day job, she is a police officer and Airmen of the Year Banquet in Long Beach 2016 with the Los Angeles Police Department. She is also an endurance athlete who raises money for victims of crime New Discovery Academy launches Cal Guard leadership join educators and elected officials Publisher for the launch of the Cal Guard’s newest youth academy in Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin 9/11 authors speak at JFHQ 14 Two authors who wrote about female first responders on Stockoton, California The Adjutant General 7 9/11 speak at Joint Force Headquarters in Sacramento as part Director of Public Affairs of a Women’s History Month event Old warhorse Chinook retires Col. Peter B. Cross A storied Cal Guard CH-47D Chinook retires to a place of A dog of war and peace 15 honor at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, Calfiornia Editor Jax is a German Shepherd therapy dog who keeps morale Capt. Jason Sweeney high at the 163rd Attack Wing Go take a hop Capt. Christian Wellisch explains the ins and outs of free 40th ID trains in Germany 16 Space-A flights for National Guard members 8 Thirty-five Soldiers from the Cal Guard’s 40th Infantry Di- vision head to Hohenfels, Germany, to train troops for an Counterdrug Task Force hits the field upcoming mission to Kosovo Counterdrug Task Force members head to Camp Roberts for 17 tactical training Submissions Red Flag over Nevada 9 F-15 Eagle fighter planes and the 144th Fighter Wing head to Counterdrug supports tribal nations Articles: Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada for a combat training exercise Cal Guardsmen from the Counterdrug Task Force team up with Tule River Tribe to tackle tough problems Articles range from 350 to 2,000 words. Legendary fighter pilot visits Fresno All articles should be accompanied by Brig. Gen. (ret.) Robert “Earthquake” Titus visited the 144th IG talks FLAGs multiple high-resolution images. Fighter Wing to share his experience and knowledge with 18 Suspension of Favorable Personnel Action (FLAG) is ex- Include first names, last names and mili- the 144th Fighter Wing plained by the Office of the Inspector General tary ranks. Always verify spelling. Spell out acronyms, abbreviations and In Every Leadership At a News & Did You full unit designations on first reference. Issue 2 Corner 10 Glance 19 Benefits 19 Know? Only submit articles that have been approved by your unit’s public affairs officer. California National Guard troops mobilized as of April 2016 Photographs: Highest resolution possible: MB files, not KB. No retouched photos, no special effects. Include the photographer’s name and rank, and a caption: what is happening in the photo, who is pictured and the date and location.

E-mail submissions and feedback to: U.S. [email protected] 181 Ukraine Kosovo 45 U.S. 29 Kyrgyzstan 74 Europe 2 Iraq Afghanistan GTMO 14 4 1 Kuwait 752 Asia

Horn of Africa 2

Afghanistan Bulgaria Africa Cuba Djibouti Germany Guam Cover photo by Iceland 1st Lt. Gregory Allen Montanio Iraq Italy Kuwait Netherlands Chief Warrant Officer 2 McKayla Dembowski, Qatar a pilot with Company B, 1st Battalion, 140th Air Army South Korea Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation UAE Brigade, deployed with the 40th CAB to Kuwait 106 last December.

3 Capt. Celma Gonzalez is the commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The Fresno, California-resident credits the support of her husband and family for her continuing career in the California National Guard. Photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Kummer Female pilots and mechanics are on the job with 40th CAB Cal Guard female Soldiers are an important part of the force on the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade’s current deployment to Kuwait

By STAFF SGT. IAN KUMMER 40th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Chief Warrant Officer 2 Megan Yanacek, a medevac pilot for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment, shared Dembowski’s longtime dream of joining the military. Three months ago the Army National Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade deployed Throughout Yanacek’s childhood, her grandfather flew helicopters and airplanes as a civil- more than 1,700 Soldiers to the Middle East. Though the 40th CAB is headquartered in Cali- ian pilot. He frequently took Yanacek and other family members along with him on flights. fornia, it includes National Guard Soldiers from nine different states as well as active-duty attachments from around the country. “It all started with me wanting to fly,” Yanacek said.

This aviation task force boasts another layer of diversity. Female Soldiers are integrated into The future pilot didn’t take flight right away. Yanacek joined the Pennsylvania National almost every major job field throughout the brigade, from helicopter cockpit to maintenance Guard as a medic in 2003. In September of 2008 she reenlisted while at Camp Buehring with bays. Male or female, every Soldier in the 40th CAB plays a role in the mission. the 328th Brigade Support Battalion, 56th Stryker Brigade, in preparation for a mission in Iraq. Fresno, California resident Chief Warrant Officer 2 McKayla Dembowski, a pilot and the aviation life support equipment officer for 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, wanted “I didn’t really know what I was going to do yet, just that I wanted to do it in the Army,” to join the military as far back as she can remember. Yanacek said.

“I have always been interested in the military; even as a kid I was a part of the Naval Sea While serving as a medic in Iraq, Yanacek rubbed shoulders with flight medics, and was Cadet Corps,” Dembowski said. entranced by the experience.

After graduating high school, Dembowski certified as an emergency medical technician and “I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” Yanacek said. “We looked up to them. Helicopters attended a fire academy. In 2011, she joined the California Guard as a UH-60 Black Hawk were something new to us too.” helicopter repairer. In November of 2010, Yanacek began flight school at Fort Rucker. She was the only woman When Dembowski completed her job training as a mechanic, she returned to her unit and in her class. applied to be a warrant officer and attend flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. “Female pilots are few and far between,” Yanacek said. “It’s empowering, though. Chicks “I had a friend show me around the hangar one day, and I thought ‘Hey this looks fun,’” can fly helicopters just as well as dudes.” Dembowski said. “I know it sounds funny, but that’s pretty much what made up my mind. I wanted to try something new. I saw an opportunity and I took it. Pendleton, Oregon resident Spc. Samantha Pacheco, an aircraft powertrain repairer in Com- pany D, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, keeps her feet firmly planted on the ground Since then, Dembowski has had no regrets about her decision. for the most part, but that makes her no less important to the mission. Pacheco is able to inspect and repair powertrain systems on any of the 40th CAB’s aircraft. “Since becoming a pilot, it’s only pushed me to be a better person, harder worker and I’ve had a blast,” Dembowski said. continued next page

4 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April ‘CAB’ previous page After graduating high school in 2012, Pacheco began work as a direct support professional times,” Gonzalez said. “My husband was in the Army for 10 years, so it’s great knowing that in group homes for the developmentally disabled. he understands what I’m going through. It does not matter how many times I deploy, it is always hard for my family, but they are very proud of all my accomplishments and support “My mom did it, and I knew I could handle the job too,” Pacheco said. “It was stressful, but everything I do.” rewarding.” After graduating from Fresno State University with a degree in psychology, Gonzalez com- Pacheco enlisted in the Oregon National Guard in 2014. With a grandpa in the Coast Guard, missioned in the California National Guard as a medical service officer. Gonzalez plans to great-uncle in the Air Force and cousins in the Army, Pacheco is only the most recent addi- finish her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Southern California when she tion to her family’s military tradition. returns home. She encourages her Soldiers to maximize the benefits the National Guard has to offer for their own personal growth. “I’ve always wanted to be in the military, and I always wanted to be a mechanic,” Pacheco said. “Take advantage of the opportunities the military gives you and learn as much as you can,” Gonzalez said. “Excel at your job and make the most of every situation.” When she arrived at her first drill weekend in January 2015, Pacheco learned she would be deploying with the unit to Kuwait later that year. While Gonzalez has served in the military since high school, Capt. Elizabeth Mondo, an en route critical care nurse attached to 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, joined the Army “[Deploying] was rough at first; I had to get adjusted to everyone,” Pacheco said. “But now later in life. we have a pretty cool team.” Mondo, a Chicago native, studied to become an attorney and in 2002 graduated from Mar- Pacheco started taking opportunities to go on maintenance flights aboard helicopters. It quette University in Wisconsin with a degree in Criminal Law Studies. However, Mondo didn’t take long for her to decide she wants to apply to be a warrant officer and attend flight wasn’t satisfied. school when she returns from the deployment. “I felt like I wasn’t doing anything to help people,” Mondo said. “I wanted to make an im- “It’s hard to describe,” Pacheco said. “I just love flying.” pact.”

Pacheco said she looks up to her company commander, Capt. Celma Gonzalez, as a positive Mondo returned to school, graduating from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, role model for herself and other Soldiers. with a nursing degree in 2007. A career as a civilian nurse still left Mondo unfulfilled.

“I love being a company commander, especially while deployed,” Gonzalez said. “I try “I wanted to do something a little different, I wanted to work with Soldiers and wounded to set the example for my Soldiers by doing the right thing and conducting myself in a warriors,” Mondo said. professional manner. My Soldiers have made me and the company successful. As long as I do everything I can to enable them to professionally grow and take care of them, they will In 2009 Mondo commissioned and embarked in her new Army medical career at Evans Hos- continue to make the company successful.” pital in Fort Carson, Colorado. Since then, Mondo has actively pursued opportunities to deploy overseas, eventually finding a home with the 40th CAB on its mobilization to the Mid- Gonzalez, a Fresno resident, is no stranger to the challenges of military service. She first dle East last December. She is proud of the opportunity women have to serve their country. enlisted in the Army in 1999 and is on her third deployment. “It is an honor to be a female in the Army; it’s a unique experience,” Mondo said. “I think “My family is the greatest support I have and the reason I have been able to deploy three we’re treated equally, and we’re a part of the evolution in our role in the military.”

ABOVE LEFT: Capt. Elizabeth Mondo is an en route critical care nurse attached to the 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Mondo is an active-duty Soldier from Fort Carson, Colo., who commissioned into the Army out of a desire to make a difference. LOWER LEFT: Spc. Samantha Pacheco is an aircraft powertrain repairer in Company D, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade. Pacheco is a new Soldier on her first deployment who aspires to become a pilot when she returns home.Photos by Staff Sgt. Ian Kummer RIGHT: Chief Warrant Officer 2 McKayla Dembowski is a pilot with Company B, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the battalion aviation life support equipment officer in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The Fresno, Calif., resident deployed with the 40th CAB last December. Photo by 1st Lt. Gregory Allen Montanio

5 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April LAPD, Cal Guard officer runs for a cause

By BRANDON HONIG day. That paled in comparison, terials is fascinating to Tudor, This time around, the mercury California Military Department though, to the $20,000 she raised and even further, “Having a thin only went up to 79 on race day, Public Affairs last year for families of fallen po- piece of plastic separating you and Tudor was pleasantly sur- lice officers, when she ran in her from anthrax is a bit of an adren- prised that carrying her Kevlar Los Angeles criminals take note: Class A uniform (boots and util- aline rush,” she said. “For me, it’s helmet 26.2 miles did not hurt Save your breath. Don’t try to ity belt, but no body armor or perfect.” her neck and spine. The worst outrun this cop. helmet) to support the L.A. Me- part about wearing the tactical morial Police Foundation. Tudor has received excellent gear was the friction burns it When Officer Kristina Tudor training in the Guard, she said, caused on her stomach and arms. puts on her full tactical uniform, “Around that time, there was and her Guard leaders have in- The gear also absorbed sweat, including body armor, helmet a string of officers who passed stilled characteristics in her that making it heavier and heavier as and boots, she carries at least away in the line of duty, so being helped make her a successful of- the race wore on. 35 extra pounds – about 1/3 her able to wear the uniform and rep- ficer in the LAPD as well as in the body weight – but that doesn’t resent fallen officers … there’s no Army. Serving in the Guard is “We were making really good mean she can’t chase you over words to even describe it,” Tudor perfect for Tudor’s lifestyle, she time, but in the last six miles, the that hill. And the next hill. And said. “It had a lot of meaning said, because she has opportuni- weight became a little crushing. I the hill after that. for me to wear the uniform my ties for military training and ca- don’t think I said a single word brothers and sisters have paid maraderie, while also having the [to my support team, which ran An endurance athlete since high the ultimate price in, and mirror freedom to pursue her full-time with me] from mile 20 through school, Tudor has at least a dozen that through a marathon, with career. 24,” said Tudor, who had add- ultra-marathons under her belt – all the ups and downs and chal- ed five pounds of muscle to her that’s anything over 26.2 miles lenges a marathon poses.” One reason she chose the Guard frame in preparation for the race. First Lt. Kristina Tudor, of the 140th – including a 120-mile effort that over the Army Reserve is be- “With the ballistic plate in the Chemical Company, stands atop a took 27 hours of continuous ef- When she’s not cracking down cause there’s a wider range of front of the vest, it was hard to mountain at Camp San Luis Obispo fort. on crime or pushing the limits occupational specialties available breathe, let alone talk. I just de- in June. Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. of endurance, 1st Lt. Tudor is of- to Guard soldiers. One of the cided to stay quiet and focus and Kristina Tudor But at the LA Marathon in Feb- ten learning about deadly nerve specialties that recently opened try to get to the finish.” ruary, Tudor sought out and agents or other dangerous ma- up to female Guard soldiers is Serving in the Army and in the conquered a new challenge: 26.2 terials in her role as a reconnais- Army Ranger, and Tudor said Tudor is going to keep pushing LAPD were not just career choic- miles in full tactical gear. For a sance platoon leader for the Cali- she might go that direction. After herself – “Maybe I’ll pull a po- es for Tudor. When she devoted good cause. fornia Army National Guard’s all, nobody can doubt her endur- lice car with my teeth next time,” herself to serving her community 140th Chemical Company. A ance, dedication or willingness to she joked – and keep supporting and her country, it changed her in “Badge of Heart is a nonprofit soldier for the past seven years, work through pain. worthy causes in her community a way she didn’t expect, bringing that helps families who have Tudor said her Guard role is sim- while wearing the LAPD uni- out aspects of her personality she been victims of crime – good, ilar to her full-time job in that it In 2015, the temperature reached form. We also may see her cover didn’t even know she had. hardworking folks who police of- requires physical and mental en- 92 degrees on the day of the vast distances in her Army uni- ficers come in contact with every durance. LA Marathon, when Tudor was form and gear. “Once you put on that uniform day,” Tudor said. “It’s something decked out in her dark, full- … and you’re a part of that de- that has to be tackled head-on “You’re tackling stuff you can’t length uniform and boots, which “I think doing a 100-mile ruck partment or family for so long, and awareness has to be brought see, and you have to be able lack flexibility and provide mini- march/run would be right up my you get morphed into a person to the issue.” to adapt and fall back on your mal support. By the end of the alley … to raise awareness and you didn’t know was there and training,” she said. “Being able race, Tudor’s back and shoulders funds for epidemics that plague accomplish things you didn’t Tudor established a web page to operate in the field in a stress- were tender, and her feet and the military, specifically home- think you could,” she said. “It where people could support ful condition is something I enjoy ankles were extremely sore. But less veterans,” she said. “Every gets you wondering about other her marathon efforts by donat- doing.” that didn’t stop her from adding little bit helps. You just have to things you can do, and how you ing to Badge of Heart, and more body armor to the challenge in keep chipping away, one issue at can make a difference in other than $5,000 rolled in before race Working with hazardous ma- 2016. a time.” people’s lives.”

Los Angeles Police Officer Kristina Tudor, far right, who is also a lieutenant in the California National Guard’s 140th Chemical Company, nears the finish of the LA Marathon in more than 35 pounds of police gear Feb. 14 alongside LAPD officer Joe Cirrito and Sgt. Patrick Donovan of the Cook County, Ill., Sheriff’s Office. Photo courtesy of LAPD

6 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April Authors discuss book about 9/11 responders The role of 9/11 female first responders discussed at Women’s History Month observance at Joint Force Headquarters in Sacramento By NIKI CHING partment and from the California Emergency Medical California Military Department Human Resources Office Services Authority (EMSA).

Susan Hagen and Mary Carouba, co-authors of “Women After the presentation, attendees of the Women’s His- at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion,” the tory Month observance were invited to visit the cafete- only 9/11 book celebrating gender diversity were guest ria, where Hagen and Carouba sat at an authors’ book speakers at a California Military Department Women’s table. The Sacramento Fire Department, Sacramento Po- History Month observance at Joint Force Headquarters in lice Department, and State Surgeon’s Office also set up Sacramento on March 21. information and display tables. The Disaster Healthcare Volunteers Program, part of the California EMSA, had a Hagen and Carouba shared their story of how they no- display booth, as well. ticed female first responders were excluded from the 9/11 conversation as “firemen,” “policemen,” the “brother- Sgt. Felita Cayabyab showcased creative fruit carvings hood,” were acknowledged and thanked for their heroic with dip and cheese. Other food samplings were provid- service. In response, the two women—with no contacts, ed by two successful women-owned businesses: Nothing press credentials, literary agents, or outside funding—set Bundt Cakes, which donated a variety of miniature bundt out for New York to find and interview female rescue cakes; and Polkadot Dinners with Chef Rachel Griffith, From left, Mary Carouba and Susan Hagen, co-authors workers of 9/11. who made grape tomato marinated mozzarella skewers, of “Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and mini-gouda cheese/pancetta quiche, cheese jalapeno sau- Compassion,”give a talk about their book at Joint Force Head- The result was a collection of first-hand stories from vari- sage bites with pineapple cream and Mexican chocolate quarters in Sacramento on March 21 as part of a Women’s His- ous female firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and brownies. tory Month observance. Photo by Master Sgt. David Loeffler other first responders who risked their lives to help others. The book also includes stories of three uniformed The Women’s History Month observance, one of several The SE program is part of the Adjutant General’s EEO women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of in the Special Emphasis (SE) program, was presented by program. SE programs advocate necessary change to duty on 9/11. the California Military Department Federal and State overcome barriers that restrict equal opportunity for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Departments; the women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Special guests at the presentation included local repre- Human Resources Office and the Federally Employed Educational programming and special observances fall sentatives from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire De- Women program. under the SE program.

Jax, the therapy dog, keeps morale up David Cunningham’s German shepherd makes the rounds at the 163rd Attack Wing as a certified therapy dog

By MASTER SGT. JULIE AVEY Jax has been requested by commanders to come out to San Diego Regional Public Affairs their units. He is making his rounds at the wing’s geo- graphically separated unit (GSU) locations such as the A therapy dog touches the hearts of Airmen as he makes 147th Combat Communications Squadron in San Diego his rounds through the squadron work centers. It is not and Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville. the typical scene you find at work on military bases although it is a welcomed change at the 163rd Attack Wing. “I’m very fortunate as some places you may be able to Jax is a German Shepherd who is completing training as bring therapy dogs on occasion but here Col. Hessheimer a certified therapy dog and belongs to the Wing’s Direc- and Col. Ward have been totally on board with him,” said tor of Psychological Health (DPH). Cunningham. “They both understand the response you can get from animals and how people interact with Jax. “After a veterinarian visit, I happened to bring him out to They understand the impact they can have on people and the unit and the response was incredible just in the short the social well-being.” time he was here,” said David Cunningham, DPH for the 163rd Attack Wing. “We talked about it and spoke to the There is a difference between therapy dog and service command about his coming to the wing as a therapy dog. dog. The service dog provides services to an individual He has two observations left to complete his certifica- depending on their need such as PTSD, seizures, balanc- tion.” ing, retrieval of items etc. A therapy dog serves others and is an outreach in taking care of everyone. Cunningham states “As far as we know, the 163rd is the first unit to have a full-time therapy dog.” Jax is nine years old and was a military service dog. His story is unique as he was found at a shelter by Cunning- Jax has been visiting the unit since October 2015. His vis- ham by mistake. He was retired and his handler had left its are limited to two buildings at a time due to the time it him with a family member while deployed and they put takes for interaction. him up for adoption.

“One, it allows me to engage with them on a one on one “I was petting him and rolled him over to find a tattoo level but it also opens that door for their willingness to on his stomach,” said Cunningham. “I then looked up approach me,” said Cunningham. “If they have some- his handler on the national registry and found his owner thing going on, it increases their awareness of who I am. to learn the story. Jax had once been in training to be Jax is the middle man and a bridge.” Jax is a German Shepherd who is completing training as a cer- a military working dog although did not pass due to a tified therapy dog for the 163rd Attack Wing at March Air Re- huge fear of thunder. His previous owner was close to Jax Once they interact with him they start talking about what serve Base. Jax poses for his official photo in the studio at March although he knew he had a good home.” is going on with their family playing ball this weekend Air Reserve Base. Photo by Master Sgt. Julie Avey and other times there may be something more serious Jax is a hometown hero back in Oklahoma where Cun- going on. It allows me the inside road to let me know to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing pilots to pick up a dona- ningham is from. One night while relaxing in his back- there is something we can address and help keep them tion left there for the chaplains,” Cunningham shared. yard, an intruder hopped the wrong fence and Jax operational. cornered him. “We walked in and everyone looked with stoic faces but, Cunningham finds Jax brings out people from their work when they saw Jax, they were a bunch of kids making a “Turns out Jax had cornered a fugitive for the police and centers. He often finds people who may not necessarily circle with him on the floor. That’s when I realized how still had it in him to be a working dog,” said Cunning- like dogs but they respect Jax and open up to him. much of a big impact he can have as far as interactions ham. “His story can be found online by the local news at and opening those doors for me to access more people KFOR, just type in Jax, police dog, Norman and the video “My favorite day was when the chaplain and I went over and get them to interact with me more frequently.” will come up.”

7 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April Through gray German skies, 40th Infantry Division shines Cal Guard’s 40th ID ramps up for Kosovo mission with pre-deployment training exercise at Hohenfels, Germany By SGT. 1ST CLASS BENJAMIN COSSEL 40 Infantry Division Public Affairs

Somewhere on a cold field at the Joint Mul- tinational Readiness Center, Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard along with their counterparts from the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division are deep in the final stages of their Kosovo pre-deployment training. Helping them ramp up is a complex organization of observers, planners and role-players guiding the scenarios. An integral component of the training team are 35 Soldiers from the California National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division.

Their task less glamorous, their job more tedious, running 24-7 operations, the Cal- Guard Soldiers man the Division Tactical Operation Center (DTOC). From this van- tage point, they portray the role of Head- quarters, Kosovo Forces (KFOR) directing the 2-28 Soldiers through what trainers here call “the worst possible days in Kosovo.”

“We’re here to help prepare the 2-28 Infan- try as they assume their area of responsibil- ity in Kosovo as the incoming Multinational Battle Group-East,” said DTOC operations officer, Lt. Col. Christopher Walter. “By replicating the higher command, we provide a realistic integration with KFOR headquarters.”

Adding an extra dimension to the training, Brig. Gen. Mark Malanka, Assistant Division Commander, Maneuver, 40th ID, is role playing as the Commander, KFOR. Having previously deployed as the brigade operations officer during KFOR11 as well as a deployment to the Bosnia-Herzegovina region adds to the toolkit Malanka is able to bring to the scenario.

“(Malanka’s) ability to accurately portray COMKFOR has given the brigade an in- depth understanding of working with a NATO headquarters.” said Walter. “His deep operational experience in the Balkans and his keen understanding of how to run a command post has been a huge plus for the exercise and will pay dividends to the Multinational Battle Group-East as they go TOP: Soldiers of the Albanian Army partner with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division to prepare to deploy forward.” riot control forces, Feb. 25 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center at Hohenfels, Germany. LEFT: The 40th Infantry Division Assistant Division Commander, Maneuver, Brig.Gen. Mark Malanka sits with operations officer, Lt. Col. Christopher Walter, reviewing plans at the Joint Multinational Walter was also quick to point out the ex- Readiness Center. RIGHT: Surging forward, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry, 4th Infantry Division push a crowd of rioters back during a ceptional integration from the active duty simulated crowd and riot control exercise, Feb. 25 as part of their pre-deployment training for the Kosovo Area of Operations. Photos by Sgt. 1st Soldiers who helped raise the bar on the Class Benjamin Cossel training experience for everyone. many is what we would stand up if we were puter screens, looking for threats from the here and Sgt. 1st Class Cort taught me,” “This is some of the best partnership with activated for a state emergency.” sky. In Hohenfels, Borrayo finds himself in Borrayo said as he displayed an immacu- the active duty component Soldiers I’ve an utterly new role, that of the RTO, radio lately organized binder full of reports. ever seen. The trust they’ve given us has Echoing Cort’s statement, Walter noted telephone operator. been incredible.” said Walter. “The staff running the operation center here prepares “Our battle rhythm here helps our younger here has clearly embraced the total Army members of the Division staff to rapidly re- “I’ve learned to have a bigger view of the troops see how a TOC operates at a higher concept our leaders have adopted.” spond in the event of a state emergency. operation and how to more effectively get level,” said Cort. “They get to practice on information to the people that need it,” Bor- the different mission systems and form a While the focus of the Division TOC in Ger- “The building blocks we’re working are rayo said. better view of the common operating pic- many is preparing Soldiers to deploy to clearly transferable to the task in which we ture.” Kosovo, residents of California also benefit could be called upon,” Walter said. “Exer- In his typical air defense role, Borrayo said from this overseas training. A key compo- cising those skills here better prepares the his focus is on his singular system and he Whether new to their job or seasoned vet- nent of the National Guard’s mission is to division to play whatever role the state didn’t understand the complex relation- erans, Walter was duly impressed with the assist civil authorities in the event of a natu- would need in a civil emergency.” ships between the different information level of expertise demonstrated by his Sol- ral disaster or civil disturbances. As San Di- sources. Under the tutelage of Cort, a sea- diers. mas, Calif., resident Sgt. 1st Class Michael And while the Division sent its A-team to soned command post operator, Borrayo Cort explains, exercising the operations Hohenfels, there are plenty of opportuni- said he now has a better understanding “I think the performance of the team we’ve center is much like going to the gym. ties for younger Soldiers to learn new skills of how to process mission command and brought here has been incredible,” he said. and broaden their horizons. Such is the maintain information. “They came ready to work, ready to learn “If you don’t use these systems over and case with 20-year old, Pfc. Steven Borrayo and have risen to every challenge thrown over again, you will quickly lose those of Huntington Park, Calif. An Air Defense “A lot of the standard forms, how to fill at them. We have lived up to and enhanced skills,” Cort said. “The same sort of com Battle Management Systems Operator, Bor- them out, and how to keep it all organized the 40th ID’s great reputation with U.S. mand and control we establish here in Ger- rayo typically plies his trade watching com- … I didn’t understand that before we got Army in Europe.”

8 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April

F-15F-15 EaglesEagles soarsoar overover NevadaNevada duringduring RedRed FlagFlag 16-116-1 The 144th Fighter Wing participates in multinational exercise at Nellis Air Force Base

ABOVE: An F-15C Eagle with the 144th Fighter Wing, based in Fresno, California, launches at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Feb. 4, as part of Red Flag 16-1. Photo by Master Sgt. David J. Loeffler

By SENIOR AIRMAN KLYNNE PEARL like none other and is the highest level of training is the better training out of the two, also with the allied Air Forces who partici- SERRANO warfare training available." there is still a lot of planning and instruc- pated in Red Flag 16-1. 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs tions that are required to be followed in With two scheduled launches daily, the both Red and Blue Air scenarios. "For Red Flag 16-1, we have with us our The ground shakes while the distinct Nellis AFB runway is busy. partners from the United Kingdom and sound of each aircraft taking off fills the air "The best training is in Blue air, which is Australia," Leestma said. "The Royal Air with loud roars. The atmosphere seems to "We're flying both day and night sorties to what we're focused on here, but airman- Force and Royal Australian Air Force have vibrate--you can feel it all the way down to practice for any real combat environment ship, flight discipline and safety are all key invested into this exercise just as much as your toes. The sounds of freedom, they call and scenario that might creep up--it's a things that we practice each and every time every other unit has. They travelled across it. But it's more than a sound ... it's a feeling rehearsal for combat," said U.S. Air Force we fly--Blue Air or not," Leestma said. the pond to train here with us. They're here of safety and pride. Maj. Ben Leestma, 144th Fighter Wing pilot to learn from us just as much as we're here and Red Flag 16-1 project officer. This exercise has given the 144th Airmen to learn from them." Airmen assigned to the 144th Fighter Wing the opportunity to step up as a unit and out of Fresno Air National Guard Base, Ca- During the Red Flag exercise, the 144th FW learn to work better as a team. The relation- "The crosstalk from all the mission plan- lif. participated in Red Flag 16-1 Jan. 25 to pilots had the opportunity to play different ship between the pilot and the crew chiefs ning, either inside or outside of the vault, Feb. 12 along with approximately 30 other roles: Red Air and Blue Air. has also grown from this experience. to even having a beer at the end of the day- units from the U.S. and allied nations. -we've shared a lot of lessons learned spe- "Red Air replicates a bad guy aircraft," "Developing that relationship with our cific to each sortie, but also just in general, Red Flag is an advanced multinational Leestma said. "Blue Air replicates us, the crew chiefs is super cool," Leestma said. on capabilities that they can bring to the combat training exercise that provides re- good aircraft. The blue air side allows us "Every time we step out to the jets, our fight and how we can mix together to have alistic training in a peacetime environment. to go out and employ the Eagle to its full crew chiefs greet us with a smile and he or synergistic tactics," Leestma said. capability as far as sensors and missiles go. she is so proud to give us their plane. It's "Red Flag provides a unique training op- Typically in an ordinary sortie, the Blue a nice feeling. We're a big family working With more than 3,000 individuals who par- portunity," said U.S. Air Force Col. Derek and Red start at opposite ends of the run- towards the same goal." took in the Red Flag 16-1 exercise, there are France, 325th Fighter Wing commander way, take off and we see who wins." more than 3,000 better trained individuals and Red Flag 16-1 Air Expeditionary com- The 144th Airmen not only developed bet- ready to survive, fight, and win together. mander. "It develops threats and scenarios Though Leestma explained that Blue Air ter relationships amongst each other, but Flying legend Brig. Gen. ‘Earthquake’ Titus visits 144th

By SENIOR AIRMAN KLYNNE PEARL morial Museum, where local community include the Air Force Cross, Silver Star, SERRANO members had the opportunity to ask Titus Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and a panel of veterans questions; and a Medal, Air Medal, and the Air Force Com- heritage presentation held at the Fresno mendation Medal, just to name a few. Brig. Gen. (ret.) Robert “Earthquake” Ti- ANGB, where 144th FW Airmen had the tus visited the 144th Fighter Wing to share opportunity to learn more about their Air “The Mustang was my favorite aircraft his experience and knowledge with 144th Force heritage and listen to Titus’ and his to fly,” Titus said. “Mostly because it’s a Airmen as part of the Third Annual Wing fellow veterans’ personal experiences. magnificent machine, but also because I Heritage Week at the Fresno Air National became one with the machine. The smell Guard Base, March 30 through April 2. Titus also had the opportunity to meet of the glycol and the power and sound of Airmen from various units on base, as the engine made it an exciting airplane to During Titus’ time in the Air Force, he well as sit inside one of 144th FW’s F-15C fly. I think most pilots would agree that the served as the program manager in the Eagles, which is what Titus was looking Mustang would be a great airplane to fly.” concept development of the F-15, which forward to the most. makes for a special connection between Titus, flying legend, simply wanted to him and the 144th FW. “Just talking with the Airmen and pilots, make happy memories with the 144th FW refreshing my association with the Air and share a little of his love for the Air “The F-15 is and remains the finest fighter Force is what’s great,” Titus said. “I spent Force and aviation with the Wing. in the military today because of its perfor- a major portion of my life in the Air Force, mance, capabilities, and the people who so I enjoy communicating with Airmen “It was great to be surrounded by a group make that happen,” Titus said. “When I and finding out what they do and also of professionals,” Titus said. “It’s a fulfill- was sitting in the cockpit on Friday and I what they like and don’t like about it.” ing feeling for me to be in this environ- heard the engines start up, I felt at home. I ment. Again, I was totally at home.” was in a place that was familiar to me and With more than 32 years of service, Titus I felt a sense of belonging.” flew approximately 100 combat missions When asked what his advice is for Airmen, in the F-51D Mustang during the Korean Titus said: To honor Titus, the 144th FW hosted sev- War, was shot down in an F-86, destroyed U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. (ret.) Robert “Earth- eral events on base and in the local com- three MiG-21s in aerial combat, earning “Be proud of being a part of an astounding quake” Titus visits the 144th Fighter Wing at munity to include: a drill competition him multiple Distinguished Flying Cross service “Enjoy the opportunity to experi- the Fresno Air National Guard Base, April 1. put on by Junior Reserve Officer Training awards for his accomplishments during ence the best and drive what you can from Titus was the 144th Fighter Wing’s 3rd An- Corps students from local high schools; the Vietnam, Korean, and Cold Wars, and it to your own benefit and satisfaction. nual Heritage Week honored guest. Photo by a symposium at the Fresno Veterans Me- other military decorations and awards to Senior Airman Klynne Pearl Serrano

9 TOP: Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, load a simulated patient onto an ambulance at a tactical combat casualty care lane at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 23. The 40th Combat Aviation Brigade ran a two-day TCCC course for medics stationed at the camp. MIDDLE RIGHT: Paramedics and firefighters carry a simulated patient to an Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter belonging to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, during a pre-accident plan exercise at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 24. BOTTOM RIGHT: Cal Guard Spc. Wenpei Liang, a radio operator with the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, fires her M-16A2 at a rifle qualification range near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 5. LOWER LEFT: Capt. Celma Gonzalez,commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, poses in a UH-60 Black Hawk in February while deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Photos by Staff Sgt. Ian Kummer

10 At a Glance

LEFT: Attendees at the annual Soldier and Airmen of the Year Banquet at the Garden Grove Hyatt Regency on Feb. 20 stand for the arrival of the colors. A crowd of service members, family, and community leaders honored eight Cal Guard awardees at the banquet. RIGHT: A Cal Guard Color Guard arrives at the annual Soldier and Airmen of the Year Banquet at the Garden Grove Hyatt Regency on Feb. 20. Read the story about this year’s banquet on page 13. Photos by Capt. William Martin

FAR LEFT: Sgt. Bar- bara Kizer, a fueler with 1st Battalion, 168th Task Force Medevac out of Mather, California, prepares to fuel a UH-72 Lakota helicopter during training near Sutter Creek, April 16 during Wild Land Fire Fighting training. LEFT: A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 1st Battalion, 126th Avia- tion Regiment hoists a 2,000-gallon bucket during training near Sutter Creek, California, April 16. The annual Wild Land Fire Fighting training prepares the California Na- tional Guard and CAL FIRE to work together during the upcoming wildfire season. Photos by Sgt. Brianne Roudebush

Sgt. Jordan McElroy, left, and Sgt. Barbara Kizer, of the Cal Guard Biathlon Team compete April 3 in the Tahoe Mountain Sports Biathlon. Photos by Master Sgt. David Loeffler

11 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April Another great showing for Team California at the All Army Team California breaks three-year winning streak at 2016 All Army Team Championship competition at Fort Benning, Georgia; Cal Guard’s Sgt. Demetri ‘Hank’ Iannios wins title of the Army’s ‘Top Shot,’ matching Sgt. 1st Class Geoff Applegate’s 2014 feat

By SGT. 1ST CLASS JOSE GARCIA (RET.) places by virtue of a winning Multigun California Military Department External Affairs performance to finish 7th place in the All Army Overall Team Championship. Team California’s winning streak of three That 7th place team finish was dwarfed by consecutive All Army Team Champion Hank’s 2016 All Army Individual Cham- titles came to an end this year. However, pion win – the Army’s “Top Shot.” the loss was overshadowed by the accom- Who was right behind him? Staff Sgt. plishment of the Cal Guard’s Sgt. Demetri Howell, finishing 2nd. “Hank” Iannios. Iannios finished with 1,430 points and 34 bull’s-eyes; Howell finished with 1,359 Iannios, from the small town of Callahan LEFT: Sgt. Demetri “Hank” Iannios poses for points and 37 bull’s-eyes, just 71 points be- in the most remote northern end of Cali- a picture during a break in competiton. Photo hind Iannios – most of Iannios’s 71 point fornia, shot better than all other competi- by Master Sgt. Jonathan Brizendine ABOVE: lead came in the Multigun. tors to become the 2016 All Army Cham- Members of the Team California seen here pion, the Army’s “Top Shot.” at the U.S. Army Small Arms Championships Other individual scores on Team Califor- at Fort Benning Georgia. From left, Maj. Rick nia: This year, the active-duty Army came Hersam, Air National Guard, 163rd Reconnais- well-prepared to dominate the All Army sance Wing; Sgt. Demetri Iannios, 1-184 Infan- •Applegate finished 25th All Army Over- competition and nearly did. One team try Battalion; Sgt. 1st Class Geoff Applegate, all Individual with 1,179 points and 23 and one NCO from the active component 1-184 Infantry Battalion; and Sgt. Kevin Ontai, bull’s-eyes. were a force throughout the match. The 870th Military Police Company. Team Califor- •Hersam finished 38th All Army Overall team, from the 1st Stryker Brigade Com- nia has dominated the competition for the Individual with 1,115 points and 26 bull’s- bat Team, 25th Infantry Division “Arctic past four years. This year, Iannios was named eyes. Wolves,” competed with great intensity. the event’s “Top Shot.” Photo by Master Sgt. •Ontai finished 51st All Army Overall In- In particular Staff Sgt. Jean-Noel Howell, Jonathan Brizendine dividual with 1,081 points and 20 bull’s- was a breath away from the Cal Guard’s eyes. star performer, Iannios, throughout the Team California won this year’s All Army team championships left to shoot, Team Bullseyes are recorded in the event a tie match. In the end, Iannios’s action shoot- Multigun Team Championship for the California was in 14th place in All Army breaker is needed. ing skills proved to be an awesome dis- fourth consecutive time and placed third Overall Team Champion standings. play of mastery that launched him ahead in All Army Service Pistol Team Champi- Alternate shooter Coffman, whose scores of his competitors. onship and finished 18th in All Army Ser- Multigun or action shooting is the most weren’t part of the total team score, fin- vice Rifle Team Championship. Team Cali- realistic, mission-focused shooting disci- ished in 40th place with 1,093 points and The All Army is a three discipline contest, fornia finished 7th in the All Army Overall pline with many small targets to rapidly 27 bull’s-eyes. The alternate shooter fires with team and individual competitions Team Championship. and accurately engage on the move. Many in all the events, and in the event of an in- in each of the three disciplines. The disci- targets are reactive steel targets – they jury to a team member; the team member plines are: Service Rifle, Service Pistol and The All Army begins with the Service Pis- move or fall when shot. In the Multigun, and his scores would be removed and re- Multigun. tol events. The Cal Guard team consisted shooters must think, shoot, and move at placed by the alternate’s. of Major Richard Hersam of the 163rd Re- the same time – sometimes transitioning There are three events each in both Ser- connaissance Wing; Sergeant First Class from rifle to pistol to shotgun, or knocking For Hersam, Ontai, and alternate Coff- vice Rifle and Service Pistol. The three Geoff Applegate of D company, 1st Battal- out a reload in a second or two. man, this was their first All Army Cham- combined event scores in the Service Rifle ion 184th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry pionship. Normally, a team consists of and Service Pistol determine the All Army Brigade Combat Team (IBCT); Iannios of This year, the U.S. Army Marksmanship four “old” shooters – a shooter who has Service Rifle Champion and the All Army HHC, 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regi- Unit had set a par time of 60 seconds on shot in the All Army before – and one Service Pistol Champion. ment, 79th IBCT; Sgt. Kevin Ontai of the each of the four Multigun events. That new shooter. However, their real-world 185th Military Police Battalion, 49th Mili- meant that any shooting after 60 seconds mission kept top performing old shooters Several teams compete in the All Army for tary Police Brigade; and alternate, Sgt. An- had transpired earned the competitor a Staff Sgt. Leif Devemark of HHC/1st Bat- All Army Service Pistol Team Champion, drew Coffman of A company, 1st Battal- severe penalty. For most it proved to be a talion, 184th Infantry, and Staff Sgt. Oscar All Army Service Rifle Team Champion, ion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 79th IBCT. very tough course of fire. Moreno of HHC/79th IBCT sidelined this All Army Multigun Team Champion and Team California got off to a bumpy start year. All Army Overall Team Champion. The in the Service Pistol event, with Iannios In Multigun, Iannios, a California Depart- team competition is scored by adding up finishing 11th, 18th, and 39th in the three ment of Forestry and Fire Protection fire- The team will have to do very well at the the combined scores of the four individu- Service Pistol events, finishing 15th over- fighter in civilian life who is affectionately National Guard Winston P. Wilson match als on each team, for each discipline, and all. But with similar solid scores from his known as “Hank” by his teammates, put and the MAC VII regional match if it hopes then finally combining them to determine teammates, it was good enough for the on an inspiring performance. He earned to compete in the 2017 All Army. Space is the Overall Team Champion rankings. team to finish 3rd place in the All Army 386 points of a maximum possible score limited to the top teams in the National Service Pistol Team Championship. of 400, placing 2nd in All Army Individual Guard. A 7th place finish isn’t enough to An overall All Army Individual Match Multigun Champion. Applegate delivered get an invitation. Champion or “Top Shot” is determined In the All Army Service Rifle Team Cham- a solid performance, finishing with a hard- by adding a competitor’s combined scores pionship competition things got worse for hitting 300 points and 9th place overall. For Coffman and Ontai, both were able to from Service Rifle, Service Pistol and Mul- the team, finishing 18th. Teammates Hersam and Ontai finished in earn points towards their U.S. Army Dis- tigun. In the same manner, the combined 24th place with 242 points and 36th place tinguished Pistol Badge, with Coffman scores from the four individuals on each But behind that rough performance, Ian- with 233 points respectively, for a team to- earning points in both the Combat Pistol team are added to determine the U.S. nios was rising. In the All Army Individ- tal of 1,161 points, besting 2nd place Mul- Excellence in Competition (EIC) and the Army Small Arms Overall Team Cham- ual Service Rifle Championship, Iannios tigun Team Championship finisher Illinois National Match Pistol EIC event – that’s at pion. finished 3rd overall with a score of 540 by 148 points. least 12 points of the 30 required towards points and 14 bull’s-eyes; but the Arctic his Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge. The The California National Guard won the Wolves’ anchorman, Howell, was right on With solid performances in both Service team’s next competition is at this year’s All Army Team Championship in 2013, his heels in 4th place with 534 points and Rifle and Service Pistol, Team Illinois won National Guard Winston P. Wilson match- 2014, and 2015. The Cal Guard’s Sgt. 1st eight bull’s-eyes. the 2016 All Army Team Championship. es at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. Sgt. Coff- Class Geoff Applegate won the “Top Shot” “Nice to know we beat ‘em at Multigun man could earn his Distinguished Pistol in 2014. Sgt. 1st Class Applegate did not Iannios had an all-time best performance and held onto our All Army Multigun Shot Badge there. compete in 2015. in the Audie Murphy Service Rifle event, Team Champion title for the fourth con- which features a 1.5-mile run with rifle secutive year!” Applegate said. “Our em- In the past five years California has won The events throughout the All Army chal- and equipment, immediately followed by phasis on action shooting is huge for over- nine U.S. Army Distinguished Badges in lenge each competitor’s combat shooting a 100-yard sprint to a firing position to fire all skill. Having two new shooters on the either Rifle or Pistol. skills and physical fitness. 10 shots in 60 seconds from 400 yards. Ian- team was a challenge but in the long run nios finished 2nd in the Audie Murphy. our new guys got the opportunity experi- The team frequently offers performance The 2016 U.S. Army Small Arms Champi- His individual performance rallied his ence the highest level of competition.” developing tips and other media on its onships, better known simply as “The All teammates for the upcoming Multigun Howell and his Arctic Wolves from the Facebook page. To have a chance at mak- Army,” was conducted at Fort Benning, events. 1-5 Infantry “Bobcats” finished 2nd place ing the team, register with your unit to Georgia, hosted by the U.S. Army Marks- in the All Army Overall Team Champion- compete in the 2016 California Combat manship Unit. With only the Multigun individual and ship. Team California jumped up seven Match.

12 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April

Outstanding Soldiers, Airmen and State Reservists recognized Cal Guard honors top performers at Soldier and Airmen of the Year Banquet

ABOVE: From left, Staff Sgt. Tiffany Gill, Spc. Nicholas Maness, Spc. Kenneth Bertram, Tech. Sgt. Timothy Bailey, Sgt. Paul A. South, Senior Master Sgt. Gilbert Sanchez, Master Sgt. Monique Ri- vera and Sgt. (CA) Thomas Fitzgibbons are recognized at the annual Soldier and Airmen of the Year Banquet at the Garden Grove Hyatt Regency on Feb. 20. BELOW: Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, Deputy Adjutant General, left, pins a medal on Maness. Beevers represented the Military Department’s senior leadership in presiding over the ceremonies. Photos by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza

By CAPT. WILLIAM MARTIN stan campaign veteran, Gill represented the 195th Wing California Military Department Public Affairs in several panels of senior NCOs throughout the year. Finally, she competed against the other wings’ best Air- A full military career typically brings plenty of honors. men and emerged as the state’s selection as the top junior But in the end, a warrior’s pride starts and ends with the enlisted Air Guardsman. basics; that is, how well can one shoot, move and commu- nicate. Each year, the leadership of the California National Representing the California State Military Reserve was Guard gathers to honor its top Soldiers, Airmen and state Spc. (CA) Kenneth Bertram, CSMR Soldier of the Year, reservists, those enlisted guardsmen who excelled at dem- and Sgt. (CA) Thomas Fitzgibbon, CSMR NCO of the onstrating those and other essential skills throughout the Year. Attached to the 40th Infantry Division, Bertram year. has been active in training both Army Guard and Army Reserve forces preparing for mobilization at Joint Forces This year, the 2016 Soldier and Airmen of the Year Ban- Training Base, Los Alamitos. Fitzgibbon, who deployed to quet attracted a boisterous crowd of service members, Iraq as an Army Reservist, has served as a cadre member family, and community leaders who donned their finest at the Sunburst Youth ChalleNGe Academy for the past attire and filled the Hyatt Regency auditorium on Feb. 20 few years. in Garden Grove. Each year, units from across the Cal Guard deployed their top members to the Central Coast for a series of contests Serving as keynote speaker at the banquet was Chief Mas- “Tonight we honor an elite group of Soldiers and Airmen,” that tested their core soldiering skills. Spc. Nicholas Ma- ter Sgt. Mitchell Brush, senior enlisted advisor to the Gen. stated Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, California’s adjutant ness, of the 1-18th Infantry Battalion, and Sgt. Paul South, Frank Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau. When general, in a letter to the attendees. “Through rigorous of the 1-144th Field Artillery Battalion, bested their com- Brush addressed the competitors, he was speaking from competition (they) have demonstrated superior technical petitors in contests that included an unknown-distance familiarity, having twice been named Outstanding Air- and tactical abilities … that all should strive to emulate.” ruck march, a battery of marksmanship events, emergen- man of the Year (as NCO and senior NCO) while with the cy medical stations and military knowledge boards. Montana National Guard. The route to earning the award differed for the Cal Guard’s three components. The Army’s Soldier and NCO Senior Airman Tiffany Gill, the Cal Guard’s Airman of the “Your represent the best the National Guard has to offer,” of the Year earned their awards through victory at the Year, traveled her own difficult path to claim her honor. A said Brush. “I congratulate all of you for your commit- Army Guard’s Best Warrior Competition. Network Intelligence Analysis Journeyman and Afghani- ment to such high standards of excellence.”

Army Air Soldier of the Year: Spc. Nicholas Maness, Airman of the Year: 1-18th Infantry Battalion, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Senior Airman Tiffany A. Gill, 195th Wing NCO of the Year: Sgt. Paul A. South, NCO of the Year: 1-144th Field Artillery, 100th Troop Command Tech Sgt. Douglas D. Bailey, 195th Wing Senior NCO of the Year: State Military Reserve Senior Master Sgt. Gilbert E. Sanchez, 163rd Attack Wing Soldier of the Year: Spc. (CA) Kenneth Bertram First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Monique L. Rivera, NCO of the Year: 129th Rescue Wing Sgt. (CA) Thomas Fitzgibbon

13 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April Discovery Academy to offer youth of San Joaquin Valley a second chance

By CAPT. WILLIAM MARTIN California Military Department Public Affairs

Those who know the Cal Guard know it for two things: wildfires and wars. And right- fully so. With millions of gallons and tens of thousands of deployments to its credit, the Cal Guard is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism abroad and fire at home.

But the Cal Guard is also knee-deep in another fight: the effort to transform young lives. ABOVE: A Discovery ChalleNGe Academy On March 11, Cal Guard leadership joined sign is displayed at a ceremony marking the local educators and elected officials at the launch of California’s third National Guard Sharpe Army Depot in Stockton, California, ChalleNGe program on March 11 at the to celebrate the launch of its third National Sharpe Army Depot in Stockton, California. Guard ChalleNGe academy. Like its coun- RIGHT: Sgt. 1st Class (CA) Rebecca Wolken- terparts in Los Alamitos (Sunburst Youth hauer, right, speaks with state Assemblymem- Academy) and San Luis Obispo (Grizzly ber Susan Talamantes Eggman at the launch Youth Academy), the Discovery ChalleNGe of the Discovery ChalleNGe Academy. Egg- Academy program will offer at-risk youth a man wrote the bill that authorized the cre- second chance at academic success when it ation of the academy. Photos by Capt. Wil- opens it doors in early 2017. combined effort involving between local, academy. “It took tireless advocacy and nia’s ChalleNGe programs have served “Engaging our youth has a dramatic effect state and federal leaders. Personnel from the teamwork to deliver this ChalleNGe site for more than 6,000 cadets. on lowering high school drop out rates,” Military Department, San Joaquin County the young people in our region looking to said state Assemblymember Susan Tala- Office of Education, and state and federal earn a second chance.” “What the Cal Guard accomplishes with mantes Eggman, a Navy veteran who wrote legislators banded together to gain authori- its ChalleNGe academies is as important the law that authorized Discovery Chal- zation and funding to bring the academy to There are currently 38 National Guard Chal- as anything we do during wildfire season leNGe Academy. “[It’s] a great opportunity Stockton. leNGe programs across the nation, and Cali- or on the battlefield overseas,” said Maj. to show young adults the importance of fornia’s programs are consistently among Gen. David S. Baldwin, adjutant general for dedication and team work, traits that being “The National Guard’s ChalleNGe pro- those with the highest retention rates. The the California National Guard. “We are a in the Armed Forces instilled in me.” grams have a real record of success when Discovery Academy will serve 150 cadets in community-based force, and offering these it comes to helping at-risk youth turn their its inaugural class, adding to the 400 cadets youths a chance to redirect their lives is criti- Bringing the vision of a third ChalleNGe lives around,” said Rep. Jerry McNerney, served at California’s two other ChalleNGe cal not only to their futures, but to the future academy to reality involved an aggressive, who helped secure critical funding for the academies. Since their inception, Califor- of California’s communities.” Grizzly graduate testifies to positive impact of ChalleNGe programs Andres Delgado was an at-risk youth who became a star student after attending the Grizzly Youth Academy at San Luis Obispo

By CAPT. WILLIAM MARTIN parents I would attend Grizzly.” California Military Department Public Affairs The street-tough youth confessed fear in turning his life over to the Andres Delgado was looking to control of a bunch of combat- score some drugs. tested instructors, but “knew it was something that I had to do.” A regular on the streets of Salinas, After “pushing through” the California, the ragamuffin ado- grueling shakedown in the first lescent had come to personify “at- couple weeks, Delgado started risk” youth. Consistently ditching to come into his own. He began school to drink and smoke with to excel. a pretty rough crowd, he was unmotivated and struggling at “I worked extremely hard and school and home. earned the position of being a platoon guide,” said Delgado. “I wouldn’t listen to them [par- “Throughout the program I ents] and would disrespect them. maintained a 3.9 GPA.” It got so bad that just about half of our conversations were argu- His success at Grizzly translated ments,” Delgado said of his tu- into success at home, as well. Af- multuous household. “I tried to ter graduating, he returned to a avoid talking to them to let things dramatically improved home calm down, but it never worked.” life and today he carries a 4.0 at Salinas High. Rather than scor- His bad marks in school only ing drugs, his goals now involve made family matters worse, but scoring well on college entrance his dad offered a possible fix: exams. Ultimately, he plans to what about attending Grizzly make a career of the military. Youth Academy? Located in San Luis Obispo, the military-style Cadet Graduate Andres Delgado is interviewed at the launch of the Discovery Challenge Academy on March “After getting my degree, I want academy was run by the National 11 in Stockton, California. Delgado graduated from the Grizzly Youth Academy in San Luis Obispo, California. to join the military and become a Guard and had a history of turn- Once considered a youth at risk of dropping out of school, he maintains a 4.0 grade point average at Salinas warrant officer in the field artil- ing around the lives of troubled High School, plans to attend college and a career as an Army warrant officer. Photos by Capt. William Martin lery branch of the United States teens. Army,” he said. “If it wasn’t for to make a drastic U-turn in his curve. ated from an academy called the Grizzly Youth Academy, Delgado agreed to check the place habits quite yet, he figured. Grizzly and that I should check I would have never thought out, probably as much to pacify “I was surprised when he turned it out.” about doing all this for myself. his father as improve his life. In But when he looked up his fa- me down and told me he didn’t Attending this program is defi- the short term, however, he want- vorite dealer to ask what he had do that stuff anymore,” said Del- The coincidence was a tipping nitely the best decision that I ed to score those drugs. No need to offer, he pitched Delgado a gado. “[He said] he just gradu- point for Delgado: “I told my have made in my life.”

14 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April

Still serving: Cal Guard Chinook finds home at Castle Air Museum

By CAPT. WILLIAM MARTIN The Chinook, which saw service in both Iraq and Afghani- California Military Department Public Affairs stan, is also the first Army entry in Castle Air Museum’s no- table collection. Launched in 1981 and operated mostly by When Chief Warrant Officer Doug Jones began his military a team of more than 200 volunteers, the museum is home flying career in 1989, he took the helm of a CH-47 Chinook, to nearly 70 military aircraft, the oldest of which predates the heavy-lifting workhorse of the Army’s aviation fleet. It World War II. seemed fitting, then, that he end his time as a rotary-wing pilot by retiring the last of the Cal Guard’s model D Chi- “It’s a tremendous honor … to finally welcome Army Avia- nooks. tion into the Castle Air Museum collection,” said Joe Pruzzo, CEO of the museum. “We have a tremendous amount of On April 7, Jones and his three-member crew delivered the Army veterans who really need something to rally around.” last CH-47D (the Cal Guard transitioned to the model F in 2015) to the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, just outside Perhaps most enthusiastic about the arrival of the CH-47D Merced. The helicopter was the second Cal Guard contri- helicopter was Chuck Walker, a 95-year-old veteran of bution in the past few months to what is one of the West World War II. Walker, who flew a P-38 Lightning fighter in Coast’s largest air museums. In February, the Cal Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Doug Jones speaks to media in front of the Army Air Corps, was shot down over Hungary and ex- delivered an F-16 fighter jet that was once active in the a Cal Guard CH-47D Chinook on April 7 in Atwater, California. perienced the horrors of three concentration camps before 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. Jones had just finished delivering the last of the Cal Guard’s D finally being released at the end of the war. model Chinook helicopters to nearby Castle Air Museum. The “The aircraft will become a museum piece now, so this is flight was the last Chinook flight for Jones, who began his flying On April 7, with Jones at his arm, Walker made his way to its last flight,” Jones said after landing the Chinook. “I’m career on the aircraft in 1989. Photo by Capt. William Martin the cockpit of the Chinook, fascinated by how aircraft have going back to flying airplanes, so this will be my last Chi- evolved since his time in the pilot’s seat. nook flight… It’s pretty surreal, actually, to shut it down for his first aircraft. and climb out of the cockpit for the last time.” “You better get me out of here,” said Walker, after spending “It looks like a big flying motorhome, but it’s actually very some time observing the cockpit. “You leave me here and I Jones deployed to Iraq as a C-12 pilot, and he’ll return to maneuverable,” he said. Grabbing his 9-month-old grand- might try and fly it.” that airframe moving forward. As he greeted the dozens son who joined his family in welcoming Jones after his last of veterans and museum volunteers surrounding the Chi- Chinook flight, he added, “When he gets a little older, I’ll get For more information on the Castle Air Museum, visit www. nook, however, it was apparent he holds a deep affection to show it to him here on display. It’s pretty special.” castleairmuseum.com. Defending those who defend America The Army National Guard Trial Defense Service gives Soldiers free legal advice and counsel outside their chain of command By BRANDON HONIG Guard’s Joint Forces Training Base Los California Military Department Public Affairs Alamitos in February for an annual training event that brought together 44 legal The law is a “contact sport,” according to professionals from the 13 states of TDS’ Maj. David Lusk, and you need competent, Pacific and West regions. The presenta- dedicated legal representation to ensure tion and exercise topics ranged from the you’re treated fairly in criminal and admin- Army’s Special Victim Counsel program istrative matters. to research tools and the art of cross-exam- ination. That’s why soldiers facing any type of adverse action can receive free advice and “We share our experiences and knowl- counsel – from outside their chain of com- edge, pool our questions, get some feed- mand – through the Army National Guard back and answers, and get to know each Trial Defense Service (TDS). other,” Lusk said.

“We’re going to be there to help them con- That last bit, about getting to know your front the evidence, figure out what’s going colleagues, is the best part of the regional on and defend it properly, [or] work out training meeting, said Sgt. Kristin Marie whatever deals we can to help fix the prob- Anderson Gates, who works for TDS full- lem,” said Lusk, who is based in San Di- time at the Cal Guard’s Joint Force Head- ego as the senior defense counsel for TDS’ quarters in Sacramento. Each state does Lt. Col. Paul Waldron of the Utah National Guard, left, makes a point during an Army National 10-state Pacific region. “A lot of times, it’s things a little differently, she said, and it Guard Trial Defense Service (TDS) annual training workshop for the Pacific and West regions not about punishing the Soldier; it’s about helps to learn things other states have Feb. 26 at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos in Orange County. Photo by Brandon Honig rehabilitating them, especially with some- tried, what worked and what didn’t. thing like AWOL, where if you just start Trial Defense Service - Joint Forces Headquarters coming to drill, maybe we don’t have to do Gates said her office will sometimes reach (916) 854-3496 anything bad to you.” out to NGB when facing a complicated or weird legal issue, and NGB will send out a Trial Defense Service - Okinawa Street Armory Lusk said young Soldiers sometimes don’t mass email to all the states. (916) 854-1236 know how to help themselves through fix- Trial Defense Service - Bell Armory able situations, like the loss of their job re- “Then you start getting pings from all (562) 594-1545/1544 sulting in a lack of transportation to drill. over, like, ‘Yeah, I’ve had something simi- But when TDS gets involved, the Soldier lar, here’s one thing you can do,’” she said. and their command often find another solu- “[Virtually every] issue has happened the country, and they have great leader- work with the Soldier’s civilian lawyer. tion besides separation or reduction in rank. somewhere before, and someone does ship, so we rely on them heavily,” the TDS Covering such a wide range of adverse ac- know what’s going on. … So it’s nice to chief said. “They not only host this annual tions means working for TDS requires a “We represent the Soldier’s interest, and network and get to know these people.” training event, but they’re available to help great deal of dedication, and some unpaid the Soldier’s interest alone … not the com- Every state’s TDS needs a little help every all the other states in the Pacific region and hours, Van Eck said. mand’s,” said Lt. Col. Nelson Van Eck, now and then, but California is fortunate the West region.” the chief of TDS, who is based at National to have one of the largest, with four full- “Clients’ problems don’t only arise on Guard Bureau (NGB) headquarters in Vir- time personnel and 10 M-day, or part-time, Though TDS handles both criminal and drill. They arise seven days a week, and ginia. “Soldiers should know they always Soldiers. And according to Van Eck, the administrative military proceedings for we need to be there for them,” he said. have a TDS attorney a phone call or an Golden State’s staff is also one of the best. Soldiers, it can’t represent a Soldier during “We take our responsibilities seriously and email away.” criminal proceedings in a civilian court, have great passion for our task, because “California is one of the most experienced, but it can help. TDS experts can provide the Soldiers who defend America deserve Van Eck visited the California National professional and highly trained offices in free legal advice to the Soldier and can to be defended.

15 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April Do you want to take a hop to Hawaii? Free ‘Space Available’ air travel is one of the great benefits of military service. But Space-A can be confusing for National Guard members. JAG officer Capt. Christian Wellisch helps clear things up search for interest by keyword. Enter "Space-A" and you should see: and so you may want to subscribe to the "ALL Military (Space-A) Live Schedule Feed" among others. Terminals publish flight schedules 72 hours ahead of time. They also show their roll call reports, showing how many seats were available on past flights, and how many prospective passengers were selected, from which of the 6 categories. You can also navigate to Facebook pages maintained by individual terminals, which often provide helpful information about things such as parking, meals, luggage, etc., in their 'about' or 'notes' sections.

Another helpful link when planning for the somewhat unpredictable world of Space-A travel is AMC's common destinations page, showing to which destinations each passenger terminal commonly has flights. (http://www.amc.af.mil/amctravel/spacealists.asp)

Travel categories By CAPT. CHRISTIAN WELLISCH To make better use of the above information, you should have some understanding of California National Guard Judge Advocate travel categories. The various Categories are defined in Department of Defense Instruc- tion (DoDI) 4515.13. The current version was just issued on 22 January 2016, replacing Are you short on funds, but you have plenty of time on your hands? Or perhaps you are the older DoDI 4515.13-R dated November 1, 1994 (with revisions). At paragraph 4.1 looking for an impromptu vacation, or just have a need to get away? Are you flexible on (b), DoDI 4515.13 states that "transportation opportunities will be provided on an equi- dates or even destinations? Grab your copy of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," jump table basis without regard to rank or grade, military or civilian, or branch of uniformed aboard, and remember: Don't Panic! Space Available travel just might be the right option service." 4.1 (e) provides that travelers fall into one of six categories "based on the trav- for you, if you know how to navigate the ins and outs of the system. eler's status and circumstance." Paragraph 4.7 (c) states that registration information, including "the original date and time of sign-up will be documented and remain with Contrary to what some think, members of the guard can take advantage of this free ben- the traveler until movement to their declared final destination is complete, their leave efit; however, the paperwork differs depending on duty status (M-Day or active duty). terminates, or a maximum of 60 days has passed, whichever occurs first.." C6.1.7.2 ex- Although the process can seem somewhat daunting to the uninitiated, rest assured, plains that "the numerical order of space-available categories indicates the precedence with a little perseverance and guidance you, too can join the club of Space-A hitchhikers. of movement between categories." Thus, category 1 precedes category 2, and so on, and Read on to find out how. within each category, priority is based registration date and time. As an "authorized RC member… traveling in the CONUS" you fall under Category VI, which is the lowest First, you should do a little research. This article can get you on your way, but you may priority. An overview of the categories is as follows: want to look up more specific information pertaining to your Space-A travel goals. You will want to know the flight schedules, terminal locations, required documents, and so Category I: Emergency Leave Funded Travel on, and thankfully all this information is available at your fingertips if you know where Category II: Accompanied EML. to look. Luckily, there are plenty of online resources available at your disposal. Category III: Ordinary Leave, Relatives, House Hunting Permissive TDY, Medal of Honor Holders, and Foreign Military Required Documents Category IV: Unaccompanied EML Start by looking up the Air Mobility Command's (AMC) Space Available Travel site Category V: Permissive TDY (Non-House Hunting), Students, Dependents, Post De- at http://www.amc.af.mil/amctravel/. On the right, there is a list of links to individu- ployment/Mobilization Respite Absence, and Others al AMC passenger terminal pages, grouped as CONUS or OCONUS locations. Scroll Category VI: Retired, Dependents, Reserve, ROTC, NUPOC and Civil Engineer Corps down to 'Travel Information and Documents' where you will find a links to 'Reserve (CEC) Members and Guard Travel' (http://www.amc.af.mil/amctravel/reserveandguardtravel.asp) This page explains that members of the reserve components who are not on active duty may Your Space-A strategy travel within CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, So if you have done everything right and followed the above guidelines, completing and American Samoa. However, dependents may not accompany them. All you need your DD Form 1853 and registering (via email, printing a copy for your records) and is your Military ID card and DD Form 1853: " Authentication of Reserve Status for Trav- you are ready to compete for available seats on a flight you scouted on Facebook. Will el Eligibility." You can download a fillable-PDF DD Form 1853 from the DoD Forms you get to your dream Space-A vacation destination? That depends on a variety of Management website, at: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/eforms/dd1853. factors. As explained above, any available seats will be opened to any category 1, then pdf. This form will need to be completed, then verified by an official with access to the category 2, 3, 4, 5, and finally category 6 passengers in order of registration. If there are Personnel Data System (commander, First Sergeant, etc.) Note that this form states "not more passengers in higher categories or higher priority (based on signup date and time) to exceed six months," thus meeting the documentation requirements for reservists not within category 6 waiting to get on the same flight than there are seats available, you are on active duty orders eligible for Space-A travel for up to six months at a time. On the not going to get on your chosen flight. However, you will retain your priority and are other hand, reservists on active duty (30 days +) will need to provide valid leave autho- free to try again for any other upcoming flights on the same destination. Prospective rization. passengers who register after your signup date will be in line behind you, but those in higher categories will always be ahead of you regardless of their signup time. Registration On the same webpage, you can also download a copy of AMC's Space-A Handbook, a It stands to reason that during times when higher category passengers are likely to be link to which is conveniently located right below the 'Reserve and Guard Travel' link. competing for the same seats (i.e., PCS season or around the holidays) you are not likely Space-A travel works much like standby flights on commercial aircraft: prospective pas- to land a seat. On the other hand, if you are traveling at a less busy time from a loca- sengers must first register and wait to see if there are enough available seats onthe tion that, based on the published 24-hour roll call reports on Facebook, shows plenty of aircraft to get a flight. Passengers 'compete' for available seats based on their time of leftover seats on flights to your chosen destination, your odds are quite good. As a side registration and travel Category. More on that later, but this is what Space-A travel is note, in less frequently used passenger terminals, the staff may never have encountered all about: the chance for a free flight on a standby basis. a reservist flying Space-A and may be unfamiliar with applicable regulations. Such a lack of acquaintance with requirements may present certain opportunities to the crafty In order to be eligible to 'compete' for a seat, you must first register, which brings us Space-A hitchhiker. back to the handy-dandy Space-A Handbook. Paragraph 2 explains that you must first register, and may select up to five destinations. Note that as a reservist, you are limited Space-A travel can range from the fantastically convenient free ride to where you need to CONUS travel (including Alaska and Hawai'i, etc.) as stated above. After register- to be, to the soul-crushing frustration of successive disappointments just when you ing, if selected, you will need to present valid travel documents at the terminal prior to thought you had seen it all. I can attest to both through my own experiences at either boarding. This includes DD Form 1853 or valid leave authorization if on active duty end of the Space-A spectrum. Do not be surprised to fail to get a seat time and again on orders in excess of 30 days, as stated above. You can register in person at the terminal, or successive flights with over 60 open seats to Hawai'i in December. Then again, if you are remotely by fax. email, or mail. For all practical purposes, the only effective method of traveling off-season, from a less popular location, you might just make it to your desti- remote registration among these three is via email. If you choose to register remotely, nation, even Hawai'i. All in all, Space-A travel can be fun and extremely cost effective if it is recommended that you bring a copy of your email to the terminal and keep it with you have the luxury of sacrificing the certainty of travel dates to and from your desired you throughout your travels, as proof of registration, with date and time. destination. If you have done your research and know the odds, you can take advantage of this valuable privilege. Flight information So now that you have completed and verified your DD Form 1853, you want a bit more As a final note, now that you have read through this article, Military One Source has a specific information about available flights. The easiest place to look is Facebook. Luck- great summary of Space-A travel here: http://www.militaryonesource.mil/mwr?content_ ily you can update your newsfeed with some essential information, such as flight sched- id=268596 ules. Click on your 'interests' page on the left sidebar, then click the '+ Add Interests' button in the top center of the screen. This will bring up an input box that allows you to Good luck, and remember: Don't Panic!

16 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April COUNTERDRUG TASK FORCE Out of the office and into the field CDTF admin and headquarters personnel join the ground tactical team for training

By SGT. BRIANNE ROUDEBUSH Counterdrug Task Force Public Affairs

Outfitted in tactical armored vests with M9 handguns secured at their hips, members of the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force conducted a two-week ground tactical certification course at Camp Roberts, March 14-25.

The training, which is an annual requirement for CDTF, focused on small unit tactics, land navigation, weapons qualification, combat shooting drills, combat casualty care, reconnaissance, sling load and short haul operations. This year the training was expanded to include not only members of the ground tactical team, but also case support analysts, administrative specialists and headquarters personnel.

“Having this training helps the administrative team understand how their job feeds into the overall mission of the task force,” Sergeant Major Clinton Lockard, the CDTF senior enlisted advisor, said. “My goal is that they are able to conduct ground tactical missions throughout the year so their training comes full circle.”

Staff Sgt. Cyndi Pearl Auza, the CDTF safety program Staff Sgt. Cyndi Pearl Auza, the safety program manager for CDTF, practices applying a tourniquet during tactical combat casualty manager, was excited to be able to attend the training. care training Mar. 15. Photo by Sgt. Brianne Roudebush she said. “A lot of what we’re doing [as the HRF] is syncing “As a safety program manager, I can’t just plan in a our efforts with the LEAs and fire departments to be able vacuum of my own thoughts on how the program should to augment them and build better relations.” Most of the time, the illicit marijuana grow sites the teams run without actually going out to the field and seeing how eradicate are located in rural or mountainous areas. In the missions are conducted,” Auza said. “My goal is to Both Lockard and Auza commented on the wealth of order to prepare for those missions, the training included mitigate risk and being at headquarters, we’re far from the knowledge available at the training. Many members of shooting drills to increase speed and accuracy, first aid ground, far from the field, but now that I’m certified, I can the ground tactical team have been with the task force for application in the dark, and a land navigation course that actually go out and do the missions and help figure out several years. lasted from 6 a.m. to nearly midnight. best practices for the field.” “The team learns things in the field that they can share “There’s real danger involved in these missions,” Auza Auza, also an operations noncommissioned officer with with the new members,” Lockard said. “And because explained. “The teams hike into illicit grow sites where Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 49th Military everyone is together at Camp Roberts, there’s a wide there might be armed growers trying to defend their Police Brigade, said the training was different from the swath of talents.” gardens in remote locations with no easy access to roads.” training she receives with her unit. The CDTF training covers more infantry skills like small unit tactics and In addition to excellent training, Sgt. Gina Nguyen, an Auza added that she expected the training to be exhausting, incorporates many law enforcement-specific tactics since administrative noncommissioned officer with CDTF, said but was not entirely prepared for how physical it would the task force works so closely with federal, state local and she used the time as an opportunity to bond with members be. tribal law enforcement agencies. of her team. “Sitting in headquarters reading through their reports Since the 49th MP Brigade is currently the Homeland “It makes me appreciate more what [the ground tactical doesn’t portray the intensity of their missions at all,” Auza Response Force, Auza said she is able to take many of the members] do for the program and makes me want to do said. “Reports just show numbers and stats, but there’s so things she learned at this training back to her unit. all I can to help them from my end,” Nguyen said. “Now I much more they go through before even getting to that can put myself in their shoes and really understand where point. I know now how far these teams are pushed.” “I have a better understanding from working at they are coming from.” Counterdrug how our law enforcement agencies operate,” CDTF supports California’s tribal nations By SGT. BRIANNE ROUDEBUSH Mental Health Services Administration, March, they began working on meeting Counterdrug Task Force Public Affairs the current rate of use among Native the requirements to apply for a federal Americans (12.6 percent) is higher than Drug Free Community grant, which California is home to the nation’s largest that of any other race or ethnicity. Alcohol would provide additional funding and Native American population, with abuse is the most common, followed support for the tribe. over 100 federally recognized tribes. by methamphetamine and marijuana. For the past two years, Capt. Sabino Statistics show that one in 10 Native “I’m really appreciative of the efforts and Martinez and Master Sgt. Diana Garcia, American deaths are alcohol-related- positiveness that has come forth with Counterdrug Task Force prevention -more than three times the general this partnership,” Lisa Davis, the Tule specialists in the Central Valley, have population. Martinez and Garcia attend River Prevention Coalition chairperson, made it a priority to support the Tule monthly meetings, provide guidance on said. “I look forward to continuing and Members of the Tule River tribe pose with River Tribe in their anti-drug efforts. creating a strategic prevention plan and seeing the positive outcomes we will Cal Guard Counterdrug Task Force Soldiers. According to the Substance Abuse and garner outside support for the tribe. In reach together.” Photo by Sgt. Brianne Roudebush

17 Grizzly | 2016 | March - April

18 News & Benefits

Capt. Elizabeth Mondo and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Megan Yanacek from Company F, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, finish a mission aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 28. They were part of an all-female round-flight from Camp Buehring to Camp Arifjan. Photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Kummer Cal Guard celebrates Women’s History OMI cadet wins big in triathlon The California National Guard observed Women’s History Month in March. The theme Cadet 1st Lieutenant Dylan Gong, a member of the California Cadet Corps at the Oakland this year was “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service Military Institute (OMI), finished 1st place in the 19U category at the Xterra MTB Triathlon and Government.” Cal Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Baldwin thanked female in Folsom on April 2. The race started with a half-mile swim in Folsom Lake. Competitors service members and civilian employees for their dedicated service and support to the then raced on a 16-mile bike course of single track trails around the lake with mixed ter- state and nation in a memo that went out to all Cal Guard members on March 1. The Cal rain of single track, downhills, climbs, sand, and packed decomposed granite. The race Guard is actively seeking female Soldiers to fill leadership roles in combat arms special- finished with a 4-mile run on a mix of trails and roads. ties, which are now open to women. Gong is in the 9th grade at OMI, but has already made his mark on the campus. Gong has Tricare allows urgent care without referral risen quickly through the cadet ranks and is a straight-A student. He is under consider- ation for a cadet company command next school year. The Army Times reported that Tricare beneficiaries enrolled in Tricare Prime will be able to go to an urgent care clinic without a referral under a new program that starts May 23, All students at OMI are members of the California Cadet Corps. The California Cadet according to the Defense Health Agency. Corps was founded on April 5, 1911 by then Adjutant General of the State of California, Brigadier General Edwin Alexander Forbes. The California High School Cadet Act created An Urgent Care Pilot Program will allow military health beneficiaries in Tricare Prime, a statewide organization for all secondary schools enrolling 40 or more boys in grades Tricare Prime Remote or Tricare Young Adult-Prime to receive care at an urgent care cen- 9-12. The program has existed in nearly every California high school -- public, private, ter without a referral up to two times a fiscal year, with Tricare picking up most of the bill. parochial, military -- at some time since 1911.

Currently, beneficiaries can be seen for acute conditions only by their primary care man- The Oakland Military Institute was founded in 2001 by then-Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, ager or by referral to an urgent care center or other physician. who had a vision for a school with high expectations for cadet achievement, conduct, character, patriotism, and leadership. In June 2016, OMI will graduate its tenth class of National Guard members are eligible for low-cost Tricare healthcare coverage. seniors who are college and career ready. Cal Guard pilot awarded for heroic action DoD Fy17 budget takes the long view Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nathan Champion, a state aviation maintenance officer with the According to an article from DoD News, Defense Secretary Ash Carter requested a de- Cal Guard’s Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, was awarded the fense budget for 2016 that focuses on five threats: Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and California Military Cross at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in violent extremism. Sacramento, California, on April 15. A total of 215 more advisors will be based in Iraq to work with Iraqi security forces. The award is California’s second-highest honor and is the state’s equivalent of is the state equivalent to the federal Distinguished Service Cross. The counter-ISIL effort in Syria will see an additional 250 American personnel working with vetted Syrian groups inside Syria, Carter told the Senate Appropriations defense Champion was awarded for assisting in rescuing eight firefighters who were overrun by subcommittee on April 27. a wildfire. Flying a single-pilot UH-72A Lakota helicopter through smoke and low vis- ibility, Champion used his aviator skills and experience to find the firefighters and help “Now, addressing all of these five challenges requires new investments on our part, new coordinate the rescue. posture in some regions, and also new and enhanced capabilities,” he said.

Read the full story in the next issue of the Grizzly Magazine. He said cyber, electronic warfare and space are increasingly important to national defense.

19 Public Affairs Directorate, California National Guard . 9800 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827-3561

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kirk Adams, an F-15C Eagle pilot assigned to the 194th Fighter Squadron, 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif., makes final preparations prior to a night sortie at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Feb.5, as part of Red Flag 16-1. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise which involves air, space and cyber forces from the U.S. and its allies. Read the story about Red Flag on page 9 of this issue. Photo by Master Sgt. David Loeffler

The Grizzly Newsmagazine

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THE GRIZZLY NEWSMAGAZINE 2016 www.calguard.ca.gov/pa