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Volume 61 No. 4 Serving the Kansas Army and Air National Guard, Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Homeland Security and Civil Air Patrol December 2017 242nd Engineers put their skills to work in Puerto Rico By Spc. Kaitlin Jessip 242nd Engineer Company UPAR “This is why we joined.” That was the sentiment expressed by Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard’s 242nd Engineer Company as they deployed Nov. 7 in support of hu- As of Nov. 25, the manitarian efforts in Puerto Rico, fol- Kansas soldiers con- lowing Hurricane tributed 3,861 hours of Maria. As recovery op- labor, hauling material erations began to rebuild key infrastruc- across the island, ture and clearing 990 personnel mobi- lized from local tons of debris from agencies and Na- Puerto Rican roadways. tional Guard units throughout the country. When the call for help reached Kansas, soldiers from the 891st Engineer Battalion volunteered to serve on short notice with few details about the challenges to follow. Upon arrival in Puerto Rico, the unit set up its base of op- erations at Vega Baja, where it joined the local 130th Engi- neer Battalion and Task Force North in efforts to restore Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard’s 242nd Engineer Company put their heavy equipment skills to good roadway accessibility in the north and west of the island. use clearing a roadway in Puerto Rico. The Soldiers deployed to the island in November to assist local author- The unit’s first mission tasked 16 Soldiers skilled in ities with recovery operations following Hurricane Maria. (Photo by Spc. Kaitlin Jessip, 242nd Engineer heavy hauling to support operations in the town of Company UPAR) Aguadilla on the western coast. Heavy rains during the hurricane caused water to overflow Guajataca Lake Dam dam and return the reservoir to service. lines, and undermined roads. The 242nd engineers used and washed out the bottom of the earthen structure. Their The remaining personnel began clearing the roadways in heavy equipment to push debris off roadways, remove dan- mission, coordinated by the United States Army Corps of the mountainous region near Utuado and Aricebo. Rainfall gerous overhangs, and clear passage for locals and agencies Engineers, moved rock from a nearby quarry to repair the and high winds caused mudslides, downed trees and power (Continued on Page 3) Williams selected as the senior enlisted leader for the Kansas National Guard Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant replaces Command Chief Master Sgt. olina National Guard. airmen as their command senior enlisted general, announced the selection of Com- James Brown, who is leaving the position “This position carries great responsibil- leader for the Kansas Guard,” said Brown. mand Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. to become the command senior enlisted ity,” said Tafanelli, “and I am confident “It is comforting to know I am leaving our Williams as the state command senior en- leader for Joint Force Civil Support, Joint that he is the right person to join our team.” most valuable assets, our enlisted warriors, listed leader for Joint Forces Headquarters, Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. “I am looking forward to serving the citi- in the capable hands of this tremendous Kansas National Guard, Topeka. Williams Williams was sworn in during a brief cere- zens, Airmen and Soldiers of the state of Airmen, Chief Master Sgt. Maurice mony at Joint Forces Headquarters Oct. 30. Kansas,” said Williams. “Chief Master Sgt. Williams.” In this role, Williams will be the primary James Brown has laid a great foundation for Williams entered the North Carolina Air advisor to the adjutant general on all mat- the enlisted Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard in 1987 and graduated from ters pertaining to the enlisted force. Prior to Kansas National Guard and I look forward to the Air Transportation Specialist course at accepting this position, Williams served as the opportunity of building upon his legacy.” Shepard Air Force Base, Texas, in 1988.

PAID the state command chief master sergeant “It has been my absolute honor to serve During his career, he has served in a number PRSRT STD PRSRT SALEM, OR

U.S. POSTAGE for Joint Forces Headquarters, North Car- the citizens of Kansas and the soldiers and of command positions in North Carolina, PERMIT NO. 178 PERMIT South Carolina, Texas, Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. His military education includes the Non- commissioned Officer Prep Course, Non- commissioned Officer Leadership Course, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Acad- emy Course, Air National Guard Chief Ex- ecutive Course, Chief Leadership Course, Command Chief Orientation Course, Sen- ior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, and numerous other professional courses. Williams earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice, and bachelor’s and mas- ter’s degrees in businesses administration from Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Alabama. Williams’ military awards and decora- tions include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achieve- ment Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal,

2800 Topeka Blvd. 2800 Topeka North Carolina National Guard Meritorious OFFICIAL BUSINESS OFFICIAL Adjutant General of Kansas Topeka, Kansas 66611-1287 Topeka, Unit Citation, North Carolina Adjutant Penalty For Private Use, $300 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY THE OF DEPARTMENT

NATIONAL GUARD OF KANSAS GUARD OF NATIONAL General’s Meritorious Achievement Service Command Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams addresses members of the Ribbon and North Carolina National Guard Kansas National Guard following his swearing in as the new state senior enlisted State Service Ribbon. DEPARTMENT AND AIR OF THE ARMY FORCE DEPARTMENT leader Oct. 30. (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) Page 2 Plains Guardian • December 2017 Battery B honored during deployment ceremony in Lenexa By Sgt. Dakota Helvie tion of selfless service. 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment “I, along with the rest of the Kansas A large crowd of distinguished guests, Guard leadership, am very proud of the families, and friends gathered Aug. 18 at a men and women of Bravo Battery and the departure ceremony at St. James Academy, 2-130th,” said Tafanelli. “I have every con- Lenexa, to honor Soldiers of Battery B, 2nd fidence that these Soldiers are trained and Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas ready to perform the mission that they have Army National Guard, as they prepared to been asked to carry out in the defense of deploy overseas. our great nation. “Service in the military is one of the “Over the past 10 months, these Soldiers most important contributions an American have diligently been preparing for this mis- can make to their country,” wrote Gov. sion, overcoming each and every challenge Sam Brownback in a statement to the that has come their way, becoming better troops. “I want to extend my personal prepared to accomplish the demanding tasks thank you here today. Your skills, strength required of them while mobilized,” contin- of character and dedication are to be com- ued Tafanelli. “This small, but lethal, unit mended and I stand with my fellow has accomplished all premobilization tasks Kansans and honor your bravery.” and are ready for the challenges ahead.” The soldiers deployed to Afghanistan for During the ceremony, Tafanelli presented Operation Freedom Sentinel to provide 1st Lt. Curtis Parkhurst, battery com- rocket and missile fire in support of the mander, with a Kansas flag that had flown combatant commander in the Central Com- above the Kansas Statehouse to fly over the mand area of responsibility. unit’s headquarters during their deploy- Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant ment. The American Legion Riders also general of Kansas, thanked the Soldiers for presented a “We Support Our troops” flag, their unwavering commitment to the state signed by Lenexa area residents. Soldiers of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas Army National of Kansas and the nation, and their dedica- “Thank you for taking the time to be here Guard, stand in formation during their deployment ceremony held at St. James Academy in Lenexa Aug. 18. (Photo by Sgt. Dakota Helvie, 105th Mobile Public Af- fairs Detachment) 35th Infantry Division today, your continued support for the Sol- get the job done than the Soldiers in Bravo diers and our troops is what made our train- Battery.” conducts patching ceremony ing a success,” said Parkhurst. “We have The prospect of a long separation from been training more frequently and for more their families and friends was a sacrifice By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Milnes congratulating their Soldiers’ hard work hours than normal for preparation of this the Soldiers were willing to make for the Soldiers with 35th Infantry Division and dedication. deployment. I would like to extend my ap- sake of their state and nation. Headquarters and Task Force Spartan “The team has performed beyond ex- preciation for that support. Friends and “Being adaptable for my family and bat- currently serving in support of Opera- pectation,” said Rueger. “Our Soldiers family are the reason we are able to accom- tery is the best thing I can do,” said Sgt. tion Spartan Shield conducted their have worked extremely hard leading up plish the mission set before us. Shawn Burns. “The support I receive from patching ceremony Aug. 5. to this point with several training “The road to here has been a long one,” [my family] is something that will keep my The day marked the 100th anniversary events.” continued Parkhurst. “Thank you for your morale up while I am away from them. of the 35th Infantry Division’s activation The 35th Infantry Division was acti- perseverance and ability to adjust to any Sacrifices are made when they need to be for federal service during World War I. vated for federal service Aug. 5, 1917, new challenges that arose. I’ve never wit- and my daughter will be proud of my serv- Maj. Gen. Victor Braden, division and organized at Camp Doniphan, Okla- nessed a group of Soldiers more eager to ice when she is older.” commander, and Brig. Gen. John homa, as a unit of the National Guard Rueger, deputy commander, presided with Soldiers from Kansas and Missouri. over the ceremony, where the combat The division fought in both World War I Kansas warrant officer candi- patch was placed on each Soldier’s right and World War II, as well as missions in shoulder. Bosnia, Kosovo, and now the Arabian “Not since World War II has the entire Gulf and the Levant. dates graduate from Phase III division headquarters deployed as a two- The Santa Fe cross, a symbol used to By Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Lockhart training; tactical operation center set-up star command and earned the right to identify the Santa Fe Trail, where the 1st Battalion, 235th Regiment and operation; quick reaction force, warrior wear the 35th combat patch,” said unit initially trained, was designated as Warrant officer candidates from the task and battle drills; and military opera- Rueger. “It is an honor to wear the 35th an identifying device for the unit by Kansas Army National Guard and Okla- tions on urban terrain exercise. Training patch, which was worn by so many from Headquarters, 35th Division General homa Army National Guard attending War- was also conducted in the improvised ex- the greatest generation. Many serving in Order 25, dated March 27, 1918. rant Officer Candidate School at the Kansas plosive device battle drill and reconfig- the 35th from World War I made the ul- “I, like anyone in the Division, am Regional Training Institute graduated from urable vehicle tactical trainer. timate sacrifice and we are deeply proud proud to be part of an organization that the two-week final phase of training at In addition to the physical and mental to wear this patch.” has stood the test of time and is still rel- Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Sept. 23. challenges of the WOC curriculum, the Braden awarded Rueger his combat evant 100 years later,” said Rueger. The two-week training, the final of three candidates took on the responsibility of patch, followed by Command Sgt. Maj. “When the Division was formed, it was phases in the program, included classroom giving back to the community. They were Timothy Newton, the division command the calling of the time for that genera- academics, the Army Physical Fitness Test, charged with taking on planning and exe- sergeant major, and Command Sgt. Maj. tion that fought in World War I. Fast for- a staff ride and culminated in a seven-day cuting a project that benefited the local Terrence Hankerson. ward to 2017, and times have changed, field training exercise. The field exercise Salina community. Rueger and Hankerson worked their but this is the calling of our generation. consisted of a Leadership Reaction Course, They chose to help out at the Rebecca A. way through the formation, patching and We are glad to be a part of it.” which evaluated skills at receiving an oper- Morrison House, a non-profit hospitality ational order and leading a squad through a home for those living outside of Salina mission; land navigation; situational train- who have a loved one as a patient at Salina ing exercise lanes; forward operating base Regional Health Center, Salina Surgical occupation, including entry control point Hospital or Tammy Walker Cancer Center.

Give an Hour provides free mental health services to help heal the invisible wounds. Brig. Gen. John Rueger, 35th Infantry Division deputy commanding general, To receive services or join our network of patches 35th ID Soldiers serving in Southwest Asia Aug. 5. Soldiers of the divi- sion received their combat patch (inset) on the 100th anniversary of the division being activated for federal service for World War I. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer volunteer providers, visit www.giveanhour.org. Milnes, 35th Infantry Division) December 2017 • Plains Guardian Page 3 ATEAM operations keep Army’s Abrams up and running By Sgt. Dakota Helvie their issues, which is a huge impact on readi- 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment ness,” said Nivens. “Everything relates to Walking into to the Advanced Turbine En- readiness. If we can assist the active compo- gine Army Maintenance facility, you are re- nents, getting their tank engines up and save minded of working in a garage. The smells them some days, that is what we are about. and sounds of tools against metal bring mem- “That’s what we do when we go to an- ories of working on a car in the summer. nual trainings for the state’s tank, as well,” This reaction is only natural, since the Nivens said. “We send technicians out in ATEAM’s mission is to rebuild the turbine the field with the field-level mechanics and engines that run the U.S. Army’s main bat- the crews, lending that knowledge and ex- tle tank to manufacturer’s standards. perience.” “Overall, I am in charge of 57 techni- The level of camaraderie is high at the cians and contractors and oversee the re- ATEAM with many employees talking build of the AGT 1500 Engine, X1100 about the importance of their job, not just transmission and full-up power packs for for themselves, but for the Soldiers who both our customers in the National Guard work with those tanks. Bureau and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “Annual training is all about the gunner- foreign military sales program,” said Capt. ies,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Gannon, a Dallas Nivens, ATEAM shop foreman. tanker crewman with Company A, 2nd “Supporting all the tank states that have Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry now been realigned into (Armored Brigade Regiment, and a machinist and welder at the Combat Teams). The ABCTs have a fleet of ATEAM, “preparing for gunneries, gunnery tanks that we support with material, as well tasks. It’s a big part of the military, espe- as supporting their annual training events.” cially since we are getting ready to deploy.” Nivens said the ATEAM also has a work- Gannon said working on the very en- Retired Sgt. 1st Class Barry Munger, a field service representative and lead me- ing relationship with the active components. gines that run the tanks he will deploy with chanic at the Advanced Turbine Engine Army Maintenance, Fort Riley, works on “We do lend a lot of expertise, experience at a later date gives him a sense of accom- part of a turbine engine. (Photo by Sgt. Dakota Helvie, 105th Mobile Public Affairs and knowledge and help them trouble shoot plishment. Detachment) Another key part of quality offered at the it is within standards. ATEAM is the dynamometer. It takes a day “You are making the standards so tight 242nd Engineer Company to thoroughly test the engine after it has and perfect for the Soldier that you want the been put together. The engine is hooked up best for him or her,” said Lucas Herman, a (Continued from Page 1) ture and clearing 990 tons of debris from to the dynamometer and is run through a quality inspector and dynamometer opera- providing service to remote areas. Puerto Rican roadways. series of tests checking the fuel, oil flow, tor. “You want them to be as safe as you can The hard work of the Soldiers from “We helped remove debris and clean a temp and vibrations of the engine to ensure so your quality here has to be fine-tuned.” Kansas has helped the local populace re- local school playground in Vega Baja,” said gain access to previously underserved Capt. Kevin Hubbard, commander, 242nd areas, and reinforced a key water source for Engineer Company. “To see a child playing the island. As of Nov. 25, the Kansas sol- there again, that would make my day.” Soldiers conduct joint training diers contributed 3,861 hours of labor, Additional stories on hurricane relief ef- hauling material to rebuild key infrastruc- forts are on pages 7 and 12 with four-legged troops

Task Force Wraith Soldiers escort military working dogs and their U.S. Marine han- dlers away from an UH-60M aeromedical evacuation helicopter during joint training on Sept. 2 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo) By Maj. Jeremy Duffy Aviation, on assignment with Task Force Task Force Wraith Wraith. “We also pick up coalition forces, Soldiers from the 29th Combat Aviation wounded enemies and even working dogs.” Brigade’s Task Force Wraith conducted The training not only allowed for the joint tactical training with the U.S. Marines dogs to become comfortable around air- from Area Support Group - Kuwait’s Di- craft, but also gives medics from Task rectorate of Emergency Services at Camp Force Wraith the opportunity to become fa- Buehring, Kuwait, in early September. This miliar with the military working dogs and event afforded 29th Combat Aviation their possible medical needs in the event Brigade Soldiers an opportunity to work one may need medical evacuation. with U.S. Marines and their nine military “The best part of the training was inte- working dogs, as well as Soldiers of a grating on-site Army veterinarians to teach Kansas National Guard helicopter unit. IV access and wound management,” said “Any time you get to integrate other Reynolds. branches of service, in this case Marine K- For many of the working dogs and their 9 handlers and U.S. Army aviators, it is a handlers, this isn’t their first flight. Most success,” said Sgt. Michael Reynolds, a have at least three prior training experiences flight medic with Task Force Wraith. with other aircraft. The military working The intent of the training was to get the dogs are trained to perform various tasks to dogs comfortable around aircraft. In the include individual attacks, building event their handlers become injured, the searches, and searching for explosives. handlers could be medically evacuated “Operating with military working dogs with their military working dogs. in the aviation environment could help in “The medevac mission does not just en- real life situations and it helps knowing tail American Soldiers,” said Chief Warrant how to handle the dogs in a situation that Soldiers of the 242nd Engineer Company, Coffeyville, clean up a local park in Vega Officer 2 Joshua Ward, an aeromedical might intimidate them,” said Spc. Alec Baja, Puerto Rico, that was devastated by Hurricane Maria. (Photo taken by Spc. evacuation pilot with the Kansas National Brewer, a crew chief assigned to Task Kaitlin Jessip, 242nd Engineer Company UPAR) Guard’s Company G, 1st Battalion, 111th Force Wraith. Page 4 Plains Guardian • December 2017 Senior Kansas leadership visits deployed troops On Nov. 30, Maj. Gen. Lee In Jordan, the command team met ship flew from Arifjan to Camp briefings on accomplishments and Tafanelli, the adjutant general; with members of the 35th Infantry Buehring to meet with Soldiers current challenges facing them dur- Brig. Gen. Anthony Mohatt, com- Division assigned to Combined Joint from Company A, 2nd Battalion, ing this deployment. mander of the Kansas Army Na- Operations Center-Jordan at King 130th Field Artillery; the 35th In- On the final day of the trip, the tional Guard; and Command Chief Abdullah II Special Operations fantry Division; and Company G, team flew from Camp Arifjan to Al Master Sgt. Maurice Williams, Training Center. Brig. Gen. John 1st Battalion, 111th General Service Dhafra, United Arab Emirates, to state command senior enlisted Rueger, deputy commander of the Aviation Battalion. visit with members of the Kansas leader for the Kansas National 35th ID, met the leadership and fa- At Camp Arifjan, the leadership Air National Guard. Upon arrival, Guard, departed Kansas for the cilitated a two-day tour of their head- met with Soldiers and leaders of the the visit included a brief tour of the Middle East to visit deployed serv- quarters and the new Joint Training 35th Infantry Division, 635th Re- facilities, visits with Security ice members. The trip itinerary in- Center in Az-Zarqa, Jordan. gional Support Group and the Forces, fire fighters and the civil en- cluded stops in Jordan, Kuwait and After Jordan, the team moved to 1979th Contracting Team. At each gineers. the United Arab Emirates. Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The leader- location, the leadership received In November, Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, Brig. Gen. Anthony Mohatt, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Maurice Williams visited deployed Soldiers from the 35th Infantry Divi- son and Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery. The senior leaders answered questions and were briefed on the units’ current operations.

PlainsPlains GuardianGuardian

The PLAINS GUARDIAN is published under the provisions of AR 360-1 for the personnel of the Kansas National Guard. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of The Adjutant General’s Department PA Officer. Contents of the PLAINS GUARDIAN are not necessar- ily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of the Army or The Adjutant General’s Department. News, features, photographs and art materials are solicited from readers; however, utilization is at the discretion of the editorial staff. All photos must be high res- olution and include complete caption information, including photographer’s name and rank. No paid advertisement will be accepted, nor will pay- ment be made for contributions.

The deadline for all submission is the first Wednesday of the month: February, April, June, August, October and December. Submissions may be e-mailed to Jane Welch ([email protected]).

Circulation: Approximately 15,500 Printed under contract with the U.S. Government Printing Office

Commander-in-Chief Public Affairs Office Gov. Sam Brownback Director Adjutant General of Kansas Katie Horner 785-646-1192 Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli Deputy Director - Administrative Publisher Jane Welch 785-646-1190 Katie Horner FAX 785-646-1622 e-mail: [email protected] Production/Graphics/Writer Stephen D. Larson Deputy Director - Communications Capt. Matt Lucht 785-646-1195 Production Assistant Jane Welch Chief Editor and Writer Stephen D. Larson 785-646-1194 Command Historian Master Sgt. Jeremy Byers 785-646-1197 The Plains Guardian may be read online at http://kansastag.gov For change of address, contact Jane Welch. December 2017 • Plains Guardian Page 5 Donated school supplies brings communities together By Capt. Margaret Ziffer 35th Infantry Division “It is critical that kids have When you think “back to school,” a lot the opportunity to go to of things may come to mind, like shopping school anywhere in the for new clothes, packing school lunches and juggling extracurricular activities. world. School supplies alone However, getting an opportunity for may not give that to them, community relationship-building is likely but any incentive helps.” not one of them. But that was exactly the focus for a Maj. Dena Goble group of U.S. service members and soldiers Civil Liaison Detachment of the Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army Team 59 when they decided to get together for a community-service project with a school supplies theme near a military training cen- from both the U.S. and the JAF turned out ter outside of Amman, Jordan, Aug. 18. to meet with the community and deliver It all started when Brig. Gen. John the school supplies to the neighboring Rueger, deputy commanding general of the community. 35th Infantry Division, and Brig. Gen. “I think, despite any cultural differences, Ahmad Kaiber, commanding officer and everyone loves their kids,” said 2nd Lt. Ty general director of King Abdullah II Special Roberts, 35th Infantry Division. “So having Operations Training Centre, decided they the opportunity to hand those school sup- wanted to get the troops involved in giving plies out allows us to show the parents that back to a local Jordanian community. we care about their kids, too. The community that resides just outside “It was hugely special just to see their 2nd Lt. Ty Roberts, 35th Infantry Division, helps hand out school supplies and candy of the special operations training center faces light up when you handed them to children of the Khalileh Tribe during a community engagement event near the seemed like a good place to start. something,” said Roberts. “It was great to King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre Aug. 18. The project, a cooper- “We can be very noisy neighbors,” said be able to do something nice that they ap- ation between U.S. service members in Jordan and the Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Ayman Masri, law enforcement training preciated and to have an opportunity to en- Army, is aimed at building strong relationships between the armed forces and local manager at KASOTC. “KASOTC is a gage in dialogue with that community. community members. (Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Margaret Ziffer) training facility and live fire is being used. “It was great to interact with children. I So the local community is the recipient of Masri agreed that cooperation between the gins with having the basic necessities to think they enjoyed it, but I really enjoyed all that noise. We wanted to show our ap- two militaries was an important initiative. participate in the educational experience.” it, too. The look on their faces was thank preciation to them for all their patience.” “It is his majesty’s vision to build rela- The day of the event, representatives you enough.” “We knew we wanted to partner with a tionships with allied forces,” said Masri. community outside of a Jordanian military “The U.S. forces in Jordan are here to sup- facility,” agreed Maj. Dena Goble, Civil Li- port Jordan. Doing things like this helps us Tech college, Guard career aison Detachment Team 59, one of the pri- show that U.S. forces here are part of a mary coordinators of the event. “Military coalition that works very closely with Jor- communities often have to tolerate annoy- dan Armed Forces.” make a perfect match ances like increased noise from aircraft or After the school supplies were delivered By Steve Larson training they’re looking for to get the certi- ranges as soldiers train. Additionally, the to KASOTC, U.S. and JAF service mem- Public Affairs Office fications, to get the job knowledge that local communities are the eyes and ears of bers had a chance to interact as they spent It’s a question that most people face at they can use for a civilian career or possi- the training center and can provide security an evening together stuffing the backpacks one time in their lives: Now that I’ve got bly looking at full-time employment at our feedback. with supplies in preparation for handing an education, what do I do with it? base, as well.” “Because they live there, they know them out to the children. To answer that question, Washburn Uni- Norbury said that many of the courses when there is someone there who doesn’t The second goal of the project was versity Technical Institute in Topeka hosted taught at Washburn Tech mesh well with belong, and they will report that informa- about strengthening relationships within a fall open house Oct. 26 to give local em- National Guard careers. tion,” said Goble. the community. ployers the chance to tell prospective em- “The Guard has just about every career And so the U.S. and Jordanian forces put “Doing things like this shows that we all ployees about the opportunities they offer. field you could want,” said Norbury. “Our their live-fire training on hold to focus on a have the same concerns for the welfare of “Today, we have all of our programs diesel program is very connected with the new target: providing school supplies to the children,” said Goble. doing different demos,” said Kerry Nor- National Guard; we work closely with children of the local community that lives That concern for the welfare of children bury, associate director of admissions for them on that. Our welding works with outside the training center gates. also helps explain why “back to school” Washburn Tech. “We’re going to have them, our heavy equipment, CDL, so all of “We have a large community that lives was chosen as the theme of the project. about eleven hundred students on campus those programs work very closely with our on the eastern side of KASOTC, called the “There are great benefits to helping pro- today and that doesn’t count the teachers, National Guard partners. Khalileh Tribe, who have been very sup- vide school supplies,” said Goble. “It is counselors, parents.” “Things that you can learn in the Na- portive of KASOTC since its creation,” critical that kids have the opportunity to go Included in the many employers repre- tional Guard, like being a mechanic, being said Masri “The tribe is very well-known in to school anywhere in the world. School sented at the open house were personnel a cook are things that can help you in tech the area. We agreed that the kids would be supplies alone may not give that to them, from one of the largest employers in the school,” said Staff Sgt. Jesse Smith, heavy a good beneficiary of such a project.” but any incentive helps. state, the Kansas National Guard. mobile mechanic equipment leader with To get the project off the ground, the “In this situation we have vulnerable “We are out here talking to high school the KSNG Advance Turbine Engine Army event coordinators reached out to Spirit of children who are at risk for becoming part students, prospective graduates about the Maintenance program. “Washburn Tech America, a nonprofit organization dedicated of a lost generation when it comes to edu- opportunities we can afford them as they’re also teaches culinary arts, light and heavy to supporting the safety and success of cation based on the population growth and looking at schools like Washburn Tech,” wheel mechanics, body work. All those Americans serving abroad, and the local the overwhelmed school system,” Goble said Tech. Sgt. Drew Egnoske, recruiter, things you can actually learn in the Guard people and partners they seek to assist. They said. 190th Air Refueling Wing. “If they’re look- you can apply to your college career.” asked assistance to help fund donations of Goble emphasized facilitating access to ing for a technical career field, we can “So, there are some pretty good opportuni- school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, education is essential to mitigating those show them that, #1, we can pay for them to ties for them,” said Egnoske. “We’re actually rulers and backpacks for 200 children. risks. go to a technical school, but we’re also teaching job-life skills that you can use on “The project hit on two key factors,” said “It is about developing critical thinking showing them that we will send them to the the outside that are very beneficial to you.” Goble. “One is the relationship building skills necessary to question right from and strengthening the partnership between wrong and giving them options and oppor- the U.S. and Jordanian militaries.” tunities to thrive,” said Goble. “This all be-

Tech. Sgt. Drew Egnoske, recruiter, 190th Air Refueling Wing, talks with students at- tending the Washburn Tech open house Oct. 26 about the benefits of a career in the National Guard. (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) Page 6 Plains Guardian • December 2017 Joint exercises build emergency response skills, trust and respect By Steve Larson execute to go to the prison and insert the Public Affairs Office team, which depends on each individual On a brisk, windy morning, a team of prison and the environment at the prison.” black-clad men stand in a grassy field at the The training exercises not only build pro- Salina airport and hook themselves to a cedural skills, they help each group see the thick, 120-foot rope by means of metal clips issues the other side faces. that attach to a special harness. As each man “We hope to be able to better understand is secured, he raises his thumb as a signal to what the air crews have to deal with,” said the crew of a waiting Black Hawk helicopter. Castro. “That way when we have to deal Once all men have signaled “ready,” the with a real situation, we can actually work Black Hawk begins to lift off. One by one, together a lot better. the black-clad men are lifted from the As the exercise progresses, it becomes ground until all are suspended in the air. apparent that the members of the SORT Then, the chopper climbs higher and be- team and the Kansas Guardsmen have also gins to circle the field, its passengers fly- developed a high level of trust and respect. ing like superheroes through the overcast “We enjoy working with them,” said September sky. Castro. “We’ve actually landed into El Do- The men in black are members of the Spe- rado Correctional Facility about a year ago cial Operations Response Team from and we’ve trained with them on various oc- Ellsworth Correctional Facility; the Black casions. They’re very easy to work with Hawk is flown by Soldiers of the Kansas Na- and hopefully we’ll continue to work with tional Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation them in the future.” from Salina. The purpose of the exercise was “We have great rapport with the Depart- to practice getting the prison’s special secu- “Thumbs up” is the signal that the Special Operations Response Team from ment of Corrections,” said Garr. “This team rity team wherever they need to be in the Ellsworth Correctional Facility is ready for lift-off during a Sept. 26 training exer- is located just 15 miles from our flight fa- event of an emergency at the facility. cise with Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation out of cility and that allows us to work together “Once we’re hooked up, we’re able to be Salina. (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) quite often. Over those years we’ve devel- dropped off into a landing area or into a fa- The exercise was the latest in a long- sponse team members,” said Murrell. “That oped a good relationship out of mutual re- cility whether it’s to deal with riots or dis- standing partnership between the Kansas was the start of something new that no one spect for each other’s challenges.” turbances within any facility,” explained National Guard and the Kansas Department figured could or would exist.” It’s a mutual respect that harks back to Capt. Jerry Castro, commander of the Spe- of Corrections. The two organizations have conducted the very beginning of the partnership. Mur- cial Operations Response Team at “Initially, the concept of the operation several joint training exercises over the years rell said he recalls the first meeting very Ellsworth. “There are actually two ways was that the special operations team needed to prepare for whatever comes their way. clearly, especially an exchange with Chief we can do it. The helicopter can actually to get to the prisons across the state of “One of the things we do is train for dif- Warrant Officer 3 Dennis Weems. land or it can hover while we dismount.” Kansas much more rapidly,” said Garr. ferent scenarios,” said Castro. “Once we’re “I had one question for him,” said Mur- As easy as the officers and air crews “They came up with the idea of using heli- in the air or we land, it doesn’t matter how rell, “and I asked it. ‘If my staff were make it look, an exercise of this nature copters to transport them.” well a plan is put out, there are always vari- trapped in the prison under duress on a roof, doesn’t happen on the spur of the moment. “Col. Robert Dalton (then KSARNG di- ables, so we always have to adjust. We try could he get them out?’ Weems’ answer was “It takes a lot of planning and coordina- rector of Plans, Operations and Military Sup- to train to that aspect.” clear and to the point. ‘Sir, I was a Vietnam tion,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jason port) and I started a discussion into “We have some standard operating pro- medivac pilot and I would do whatever it Garr, Black Hawk pilot. “It begins with emergency preparedness for the state of cedures we’ve coordinated where we takes to get your people out.’ very specific waivers for us to conduct this Kansas in 1993,” said Maj. Robert Murrell, would get the alert that there’s an issue,” “That,” said Murrell, “is how brother- operation, coming from the National Guard chief of security, Ellsworth Correctional Fa- said Garr. “Then we would coordinate and hood and trust was earned to support this Bureau. It takes approval from the state, cility. After much discussion and planning, come up with which plan we were going to long-lasting relationship.” both on the Kansas Department of Correc- the first joint exercise took place in 1994. tions and the National Guard side.” “There were five chalks totaling 39 re- Medical education lectures bring partner nations closer By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Milnes vision surgeon, was one of Nawaf’s profes- 35th Infantry Division Public Affairs sors when he attended school at Virginia Dr. (Col.) Nawaf Jandoul Al-Dousari, Commonwealth University. Koertge Kuwaiti Land Force director of Military brought this connection to the attention of Medical Complex (North), welcomed doc- the medical support staff at Area Support tors and nurses from the 35th Infantry Di- Group – Kuwait. The 29th and the ASG- vision and the 86th Combat Support KU began building a partnership between Hospital stationed at Camp Arifjan, the medical staff of the U.S. military and Kuwait, to his facilities Oct. 5. the Kuwaiti Land Forces. After several “Consider us to be colleagues, friends constructive meetings, the two forces and family,” said Dr. Nawaf. began hosting a lecture series where guest This unique medical partnership started speakers from both U.S. and KLF mili- while the 29th Infantry Division was de- taries could share the knowledge in their ployed to Camp Arifjan, prior to the arrival respective fields of study. of the 35th Infantry Division. During the most recent visit, Nawaf gave Col. Thomas Koertge, 29th Infantry Di- (Continued on Page 10)

Dr. Nawaf Jandoul Al-Dousari, director at the Military Medical Complex (North) in Members of the Special Operations Response Team from Ellsworth Correctional Fa- Kuwait, explains his plans for future expansions of the complex Oct. 5. (Photo by cility take a ride beneath a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flown by Soldiers of the 1st U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer Milnes) Battalion, 108th Aviation in Salina. (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) December 2017 • Plains Guardian Page 7 184th Intelligence Wing supports Texas hurricane relief mission By Master Sgt. Matt McCoy might be. We are more focused on getting 184th Public Affairs the regional assets to those people.” Airmen assigned to the 184th Intelli- Airports were the main priority of the day. gence Wing reported to McConnell Air “We’re doing some flood analysis prod- Force Base Aug. 31 to assist in the ongoing ucts for some of the regional airports in and relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey around the Houston area,” said Olds. in southeast Texas. As the National Guard and other agen- The Category 4 hurricane reached its full cies bring personnel, supplies and vehi- intensity as it made landfall Aug. 25 near cles, finding a runway that isn’t flooded Rockport, Texas. Four days of concentrated becomes significant. rainfall caused catastrophic flooding in the Regional airports were also being used as region, engulfing thousands of homes and evacuation hubs. causing massive evacuations. “That’s important because right now As a result, Texas Governor Greg Abbott they’re taking a lot of evacuees to these air- activated the Texas National Guard for ports and then taking them via [medical search and rescue, recovery, and clean-up evacuation] or ground transport to hospitals operations. Other states, including Kansas, if they need help,” said Olds. “They’re joined those efforts at the request of Texas. kind of a consolidation point for those peo- “In response to their request, the Air Na- ple that have been rescued.” tional Guard stood up the 10 different un- The PAD is a program that was devel- classified Processing Analysis and oped over that last few years. Kansas is no Dissemination sites around the country to stranger to devastating storms, and support- provide support here,” said Maj. Dave ing emergency management agencies is Olds, officer in charge of the 184th Intelli- one of the key focuses of the 184th Intelli- gence Wing Processing Analysis and Dis- gence Wing. Staff Sgt. Luke Vanderpool, 161st Intelligence Squadron, Kansas Air National semination cell. “We’ve built this capability up over the Guard, uses commercial satellite imagery to find routes that are clear for first re- The PAD sites receive video footage and past several years as an enterprise,” said sponders to travel through. Vanderpool was activated in response to Hurricane Har- imagery of the area and make products that Olds. “However, this is really the first mas- vey, a Category 4 storm that flooded Houston and the surrounding area in late are used by civilian and military personnel sive-scale event that they’ve used incident August. (Photo by Master Sgt. Matt McCoy, 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs) making decisions on the ground. Products awareness and assessment.” include maps and images, aerial video The hard work seemed to pay off, though clips, lists of blocked roadways, and more. the real reward was the opportunity to serve. Thanks for your support While other Air National Guard units “It’s an amazing opportunity for our ana- were locating people, these Airmen were lysts here to get this experience,” said playing a different role. Olds. “It’s really humbling to be part of and keep up the good work “The search and rescue phase of the op- this, but this is what we do as Guardsmen.” By Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Smith eration is going to last probably another 24 “I don’t personally know anybody on the Command Chief Warrant Officer We are a small, but powerful to 72 hours,” said Olds. “There are units ground that’s been affected by this but, I hope every Soldier and their families community, making up much like ours here that are out doing that they might as well be my neighbors,” said are looking forward to Christmas and around two percent of today’s right now; looking for people that are Olds. “It means a lot to us to be able to pro- New Year. Please remember those men modern Army, so let’s con- stranded on rooftops or whatever the case vide good support to them.” and women who are away from their loved ones this tinue to excel at being the holiday season leaders, mentors, and subject 127th Cyber Operations protecting this matter experts that our com- great nation of ours. The best of manders rely on us to be. Squadron open for business all gifts is the By Senior Master Sgt. Leland Weathers members cross trained into cyber maintainer presence of fam- boards no longer require Soldiers to ap- and Tech. Sgt. Ben Johnston roles to provide mission support. ily. As Soldiers, pear, it is more important than ever to 127th Cyber Operations Squadron “The biggest challenge was transitioning we inherently ensure that your records are correct and On April 1, 2016, the 127th Cyberspace from the training pipeline into a new have at least two up to date. I have received several noti- Operations Squadron faced a challenge to squadron that was rapidly creating quality families, so let’s fications of warrant officers who are delinquent in various categories such as find 71 qualified personnel to establish a technical processes while executing onsite not forget either Chief Warrant APFT, height/weight, and security clear- new squadron, many of whom needed to missions,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Trembly. and make an ef- Officer 5 ance renewal. cross train into new career fields. The Once trained and stood-up, 127th Cyber- fort to be thank- Michael Smith squadron activation was only 12 months space Operations Squadron took up the ful to both. Although we, as warrant officers, have away and required 20 of those Airmen to 856th Cyber Protection Team mantle in As 2017 comes to a close, I would like been relatively safe from retention boards operate a Cyber Protection Team, ready to April 2017. During the six-month activation, to thank everyone for your support and for many years, it appears we may be at a defend key Air Force weapon systems and 20 mobilized operators from the 127th COS assistance improving the Kansas Warrant point where we might not have time to other cyber assets. During the stand-up were tasked with five planning and assess- Officer Cohort. Currently, the Kansas correct deficiencies in our records before process, the squadron was also tasked with ment missions. Army National Guard’s warrant officer it’s too late. Therefore, please make every establishing traditional programs required “We really had to come together to tacti- adjusted strength sits at 86 percent; rank- effort to keep yourself out of this cate- for new units. cally plan and accomplish the missions,” ing us among the top five states. We re- gory by thoroughly and routinely review- Under the direction of the United States said 2nd Lt. T.J. Tasker. “This mobilization duced our vacancies and continued to ing your records and making Cyber Command, the Air Force fielded 20 wouldn’t have succeeded without everyone increase our strength and readiness. Hit- updates/corrections in a timely manner. Cyber Protection Teams charged with sur- working together as a team.” ting these landmarks, we must not relax With strength such a critical topic in the veying, securing and protecting national CPT missions include onsite visits for and remember that we still have a lot of forecasting of future force structure, we critical infrastructure, combatant command planning and coordination, interviews with work to do. So please keep an eye out for simply cannot afford to lose warrant offi- Area of Responsibilities and missions. U.S. operations and maintenance personnel, and Soldiers within your ranks that appear to cers because they’re being lazy. Cyber Command is shifting focus from technical data collection. Analysis of the be a good fit for the Warrant Officer Co- Finally, all of us who wear warrant of- simply defending computer networks to de- data collected occurs at home station and re- hort and get them in contact with me at ficer rank are looked at as subject matter fending missions, such as the refueling sults in reports on how the local cyber de- [email protected] or call experts, so it is important to not only missions of the KC-135s and KC-46s at fenders can increase the cybersecurity 785-646-1903. maintain, but to also grow within your re- McConnell Air Force Base. posture of the network in the short term, and Please continue to keep fit during the spective career fields. I challenge all of In preparation for the 127th COS activa- how to operate and manage security and en- winter months since it’s a well-known you to continue to progress within your tion, 16 members from various back- sure mission assurance over the long-term. fact that the holiday season characteristi- personal and professional education. The grounds, including intelligence, medical and A team of five led by 2nd Lt. Katherine cally brings with it additional pounds. We warrant officer rank is very difficult to communications maintainers, completed Cornwell spent two weeks on-site at the all know that it’s a lot easier to maintain achieve, and many good Soldiers fall over eight months of training to become De- mission partner location gathering network physical fitness than to start an exercises short. We are a small, but powerful com- fensive Cyberspace Operators. They would traffic and analyzing vulnerabilities for the program all over again, so please ensure munity, making up around two percent of go on to complete additional specialized Executive Airlift Communications Network, that you take some time to keep up your today’s modern Army, so let’s continue to training to become mission qualified so they a system that provides critical command physical fitness. Remember, every pound excel at being the leaders, mentors, and could operate the Cyberspace Vulnerability and control services to senior leadership. you put on this winter, you’ll have to take subject matter experts that our command- Assessment/Hunter weapon system. These Following the on-site data collection, the off in the spring. And as you well know, ers rely on us to be. A warrant officer operators are trained in network analysis, team spent another four weeks analyzing the older we get the harder it is to lose should not be the problem; we should be host forensics on a variety of operating sys- the collected data to produce a Risk Mitiga- those extra inches and pounds. the solution to the problem. tems, and malware analysis. Additional tion Plan and a Mission Defense Plan. As the New Year approaches, this is al- Again, thank you all for the support and ways a good time to review and update dedication that you give to not only the your military bio and IPERMS. Every Warrant Officer Cohort, but the Kansas Soldier is inherently responsible for Army National Guard. I ask that each of FYI: Cyber- comes from “cybernetic.” The Greek word is maintaining his or her own records, so if you help us to grow our WO cohort by ac- kubernetes, which means “governor” and is derived from you don’t take care of your records, then tively seeking Soldiers to join our team, the root word kubernan – “to govern.” no one else will either. and I look forward to working with all of Since warrant officer promotion you throughout this coming year. Page 8 Plains Guardian • December 2017 Kansas Division of Emergency Management

Emergency Management 101 Disaster response doesn’t wait until calamity happens By Steve Larson center preparation plan, which outlines the threat, po- Public Affairs Office tential impacts, and activation triggers. This article is the second in a series on the roles and re- York explained the state emergency operations center sponsibilities of the Kansas Division of Emergency Man- preparation plan, which is distributed to emergency man- agement. agement stakeholders at the local and state levels of gov- When a disaster strikes – a tornado, a blizzard, a flood – ernment, provides an overview of impending events and the natural response for many people is to want someone to makes state agencies involved in emergency support func- “do something.” tions aware that the state emergency operations center may In such events, the Kansas Division of Emergency Man- activate to coordinate state assistance in support of local agement generally begins to “do something” well before response and recovery actions. anything has actually happened. However, he said, the state does not take control from “Response actions can begin before an event occurs the local authorities. when something is imminent, such as the threat for severe “All incidents begin and end at the local level of govern- weather, or immediately after an incident occurs,” said ment,” said York. “By statute, the senior elected official of Jonathan York, Response and Recovery branch director of a jurisdiction is responsible for ensuring the safety and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. “The re- well-being of their citizens, as well as providing initial re- sponse phase starts when a jurisdiction begins to take sponse, within their capabilities during emergency and dis- emergency protective actions that focus on life safety, life aster events. In most situations, local governments will be sustainment, incident stabilization, and protection of prop- the first and primary responders.” erty and the environment.” York said there are five triggers for a county to receive The Response and Recovery branch is responsible for resource assistance from the state: monitoring significant events that have or may affect the 1. Capability does not exist within the affected county or state where lives and/or property have been or may be sub- region; ject to an emergency or disaster beyond the capability of a 2. The county has exhausted all local resources within local jurisdiction to respond. Kansas Division of Emer- its jurisdictional boundaries; gency Management begins pre-planning initiatives when 3. The county has exhausted all mutual aid resources an event is imminent, such as a forecast of severe thunder- across the state; storms that may be accompanied by a significant threat of 4. The county has exhausted all contractor support; and Jonathan York answers a call in the State Emergency tornadoes, or torrential rainfall that could result in wide- 5. The county has made verbal or written county disaster Operations Center in Topeka. York is the director of spread flooding, or a severe winter storm with the potential declaration. the Response and Recovery branch for the Kansas for blizzard-like conditions. These initiatives include: “When the resources of local and county governments Division of Emergency Management. (Archive photo) • Outreach to the National Weather Service, county are exhausted, or when a needed capability does not exist, state level means providing technical assistance, support, emergency managers, and state and federal emer- assistance may be requested from the state,” he said. “State and augmentation of resources to support actions that are gency management stakeholders, as needed. assistance to local jurisdictions is coordinated through occurring at the local level of government.” • The development of a state emergency operations county emergency management agencies. Response at a York said the state’s emergency response activities are coordinated from the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka. “The State Emergency Operations Center is the central locale where interagency coordination and executive deci- sion-making occurs to support incident management at the local level of government,” said York. “The state emer- gency operations center is responsible for gathering, main- taining, and disseminating incident-related information; establish priorities; facilitating resource support and re- source tracking; and coordinating interagency and inter- governmental issues regarding incident management policies, priorities, and strategies.” York said that even though disaster response is the re- sponsibility of local jurisdictions with support from the state, Kansans have a responsibility of their own. “Personal preparedness is always vital,” said York. “Due to the nature of many disasters, there may be brief lag in time for resources to reach someone after an incident has occurred because of travel time, weather conditions, and other considerations. That’s why we always recommended everyone have a home emergency kit with a minimum of three days of food, water, and other essentials per person.” York said the state’s response efforts continue as long as the disaster is in progress. In the event of a disaster such as a blizzard or flooding, this response could last several days, even weeks. The state’s disaster response and recovery operations are coordinated from the State Emergency Operations “There isn’t a defined timeline for how long the response Center at the State Defense Building in Topeka. (Archive photo) phase lasts,” said York. “Impacted jurisdictions transition from response to recovery once life safety missions are completed and there is no longer an immediate threat to health and human safety.” York said the recovery phase involves the actions that a jurisdiction takes to return a community back to normal or as close to normal as possible. During this phase, efforts are made to complete debris removal, repair and replace damaged infrastructure, housing, and businesses affected by the emergency or disaster. “Recovery can last years,” said York, “and in some cases life never returns completely to what it was before the dis- aster. Although much of a community may rebuild, there may be components of a community that don’t return. “For instance, residents that had homes damaged to the point that they were no longer habitable and had to relocate to a neighboring community may decide not to repair or re- build. Business owners that sustained damages to the point that they had to close to restore their business or relocate components of their business operations temporarily may not reopen. “During all recoveries, much effort is given to assist sur- vivors and governmental entities to rebuild through disas- ter assistance programs and volunteer organizations,” said Soldiers of a Stranded Motorist Assistance and Recovery Team assist a motorist stuck on a Kansas highway York. “Adapting to changes in the landscape of a commu- during a winter storm. The Kansas National Guard is one of many resources the state coordinates for disaster nity may be what residents have to deal with when creating response within the state. (Archive photo) a new normal in these instances.” December 2017 • Plains Guardian Page 9 Kansas Division of Emergency Management Technical Rescue Conference hones skills and forges working relationships By Steve Larson big deal. They respond to the scene, evalu- Public Affairs Office ate the scene, they problem solve this here Emergency responders from across at Crisis City, so they can effect a real live Kansas met Oct. 4-6 at Crisis City near rescue back home.” Salina to test and hone the skills they hope “It’s a blast!” said Jaso. “It’s fun. We get they never have to use. to practice what we love to do, get hands The annual Technical Rescue Conference on, get our hands dirty, just be ready for gives first responders the chance to get anything that comes our way in the real their hands dirty as they train with people world. We’ve got the tools and the scenar- that may live in another city or even an- ios and the things to do it here.” other county. “With everybody here being from differ- “It’s a blast! It’s fun. We ent departments, we all don’t know what level of experience they have,” said Capt. get to practice what we Bill Schneider, Olathe Fire Department, love to do...” who was one of the instructors for the con- Capt. Guillermo Jaso ference. “But by coming here, we level the playing field on the learning grounds, so Sedgwick Co. Fire District #1 they can go home and teach their people back home how to do the same thing or say It’s also a chance to build relationships ‘Hey, we did this out at Crisis City. Maybe with first responders from other areas, rela- we could try that back home before we tionships that have already paid off. have to go on a real deal.’ Because we “The fact of it is, the guys that did re- never know what’s going to come our way spond down at Harvey,” said Shneider. “A in five minutes, five hours or five days.” A search and rescue team practices using hydraulic rescue tools to cut into a lot of them already knew each other be- Schneider watched as rescue team mem- wrecked vehicle during the annual Technical Rescue Conference at Crisis City Oct. cause of coming from the conferences in bers drawn from several different regions 5. Crisis City is a multivenue training area operated by the Kansas Division of Emer- years past. So it wasn’t a ‘Hey, I don’t worked on saving a simulated victim trapped gency Management (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) know who this guy is. I don’t know what at the bottom of a vertical concrete tube. had somebody fall into a tube – we don’t Before the actual rescue, the team first his abilities are,’ they’d already made those “This is something we came up with a know why they got there, but we were had to figure out who’s in charge and de- contacts in prior training so they could couple of weeks ago,” said Schneider. “We asked to go get them out.” vise a way to carry out their mission. work together as one big unit.” “Usually, a leader arises out of the group Participants in the conference included and starts making some suggestions,” ex- personnel from K9 Task Force, Task Force plained Capt. Guillermo Jaso, Sedgwick 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8; Almena Fire Depart- County Fire District #1. “We come up with ment; Bonner Springs Fire Department; a rough sketch of what we’re trying to do. Branson Fire-Rescue; Butler County EMA; We send guys to gather the supplies and Caney Fire Department; Chanute Fire De- just start building it. partment; Coffeyville, Fire Department; “We built a bipod system with paratechs, Consolidated Fire Department #2; Derby raised me up with a raising system, tilted Fire Department; Dodge City Fire Depart- the bipod system over the concrete tube ment; Emporia Fire Department; Ford and lowered me in,” said Jaso. “I’m the County Fire and EMS; Fort Riley Fire De- smallest guy on the team, so that’s why I partment; Garden City Fire Department; was chosen to go down in the tube. I have Hays Fire Department; Hillsboro Fire De- more room to work.” partment; Hutchinson Fire Department; In- “It’s very much problem solving,” said dependence Fire/EMS; Junction City Fire Schneider. “We have a ton of equipment out Department; Lawrence-Douglas County here from all the task forces and by having Fire Medical; Leavenworth County Fire that ability to have those resources, we can Department #1; Manhattan Fire Depart- use different tools to effect a rescue that they ment; Mission Township Fire Department; probably wouldn’t be able to do at home.” Mitchell County Rescue Squad; Newton Elsewhere in the Crisis City compound, Fire Department; Neodesha Fire Depart- other teams worked on rappelling down a ment; Neosho Memorial Regional Medical vertical shaft to rescue victims, while other Center; Olathe Fire Department; Osage first responders used the jaws of life and County Fire Department; Overland Park cutting tools to break open jammed doors Fire Department; Pittsburg Fire Depart- Teamwork by members of a search and rescue task force lift an emergency respon- on wrecked vehicles. ment; Salina Fire Department; Saline der from the bottom of a vertical shaft in the technical rescue tower at Crisis City. “Crisis City is great for us,” said Schnei- County Mounted Patrol; Sedgwick County (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) der. “It’s a venue that’s not like anything Fire Department #1; Shawnee Fire Depart- we have in our home towns. So, by having ment; Shawnee County Fire Department these props and the ability to make differ- #4; Soldier Township Fire Department; VanPatten receives 2017 William C. ent scenarios… What it comes down to is, Topeka Fire Department; and Winfield Fire Brubaker Memorial Award when they come upon these rescues, it’s no Department. Scott VanPatten was named recipient efforts in Kansas. of the 2017 William C. Brubaker Memo- This award provides recognition in a rial Award. The award was presented at variety of areas related to search and res- the 2017 Technical Rescue Conference at cue, including significant lifesaving ef- Crisis City Oct. 4. forts on a rescue scene or disaster VanPatten, an instructor in Emergency response, training or program develop- Rescue and Confined Space rescue at ment, or any other significant effort that Butler County Community College, was contributes to the furtherance of the nominated for the annual award by Dona search and rescue in Kansas. Larimer of the school’s Fire Science De- The award was created in memory of partment. In her nomination letter, long-time KDEM employee, Bill Larimer cited VanPatten’s extensive Brubaker, who passed away unexpectedly training he received over the past year, while deployed to Elwood, Kansas, dur- training he passed on to his students at ing the 2011 Missouri River floods. the college and to community search and Brubaker served the citizens of Kansas in rescue professionals. Larimer also noted the areas of public safety and emergency VanPatten’s work in forming partnerships management for more than 40 years, with local businesses to make training most recently as a regional coordinator scenarios more realistic and for his organ- for the Kansas Division of Emergency ization efforts for a rescue swimmer tech- Management. One of his responsibilities nician course for emergency responders. was the development of deployable re- The award is presented annually by the sources in the state, which included Kansas Search and Rescue Working search and rescue. Brubaker’s efforts and Group and the Kansas Division of Emer- support for disaster preparedness, re- gency Management to recognize an indi- sponse and training were instrumental in vidual, team or organization that the initial development of a statewide Emergency responders practice their shoring techniques inside a connex during the promotes and supports search and rescue search and rescue capability in Kansas. Technical Rescue Conference at Crisis City Oct. 6. (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) Page 10 Plains Guardian • December 2017 Awards and Decorations

KANSAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD leaf clusters Staff Sgt. Aaron Rowley, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Logan Means, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Joseph Kitchen, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Colton Smith, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Fabian Medrano, 190th ARW, Topeka Legion of Merit Master Sgt. William Mesmer, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Evan Sprague, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Ryan Morton, 184th IW, Wichita Master Sgt. Robert Morris, 190th ARW, Topeka, with oak leaf Staff Sgt. Karlee Stallbaumer, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Malachi Nemitz, 184th IW, Wichita cluster Staff Sgt. Tina Touchton, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Andrew Powell, 184th IW, Wichita Col. Michael Erwin, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Master Sgt. Jason Parker, 190th ARW, Topeka, with two oak Staff Sgt. James Villegas, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three oak Senior Airman Oliver Price, 184th IW, Wichita leaf clusters leaf clusters Senior Airman Zachary Pruett, 190th ARW, Topeka Meritorious Service Medal Master Sgt. Andrew Raney, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Corey Weyand, 190th ARW, Topeka, with oak leaf Senior Airman Mercer Rachel, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Matthew Copeland, 190th ARW, Topeka cluster Senior Airman Amber Remboldt, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Evan Daman, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Routh Whitford, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Diego Rodriguez, 184th IW, Wichita Lt. Col. Steve Denney, 69th TC, Topeka, with two oak leaf Tech. Sgt. William Davis, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Aaron Williams, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman David Salinas, 184th IW, Wichita clusters Tech. Sgt. Chad Ewertz, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Danny Yi, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Brannon Schmitz, 184th IW, Wichita Lt. Col. Michelle Hannah, 2nd Bn, 235th Regt, Salina, with Tech. Sgt. Mark Hobson, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Micah Allee, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Trenton Seipel, 190th ARW, Topeka three oak leaf clusters Tech. Sgt. Troy Jones, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Jesse Baker, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Amanda Spies, 184th IW, Wichita Lt. Col. Thomas Powers, HHB, 2nd Bn, 130th FA, Hiawatha Tech. Sgt. Sarah Marsh, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Marie Baldessari, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Warren Storie, 184th IW, Wichita Maj. Brian Flint, HQ, 235th Regt, Salina, with oak leaf cluster Tech. Sgt. Quentin Morris, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Daniel Bequillard, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Clarke Stringham, 184th IW, Wichita Maj. Adam Pawlosky, KSARNG Training Center, Salina Tech. Sgt. Matthew Otte, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Steven Bohling, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Elise Terrell, 184th IW, Wichita Maj. Terresa Riedel, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka, with two oak leaf Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Pollard, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Brittany Burns, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Alexander Woodson, 184th IW, Wichita clusters Sgt. Zachary Sheely, 105th MPAD, Topeka Senior Airman Skylar Caldwell, 190th ARW, Topeka Airman 1st Class Morgan Brown, 190th ARW, Topeka Capt. Kraig Buffington, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Kansas City Staff Sgt. Samuel Boxberger, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Josiah Degrado, 184th IW, Wichita Airman 1st Class Abbey Evans, 184th IW, Wichita Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Ross, 170th Maint Co, Staff Sgt. Robert McNabb, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Benjamin Forsberg, 184th IW, Wichita Airman 1st Class Ryan Ewing, 190th ARW, Topeka Wichita, with oak leaf cluster Staff Sgt. Lauren Penney, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Steven Garcia, 184th IW, Wichita Airman 1st Class Kaila Fowler, 184th IW, Wichita Chief Warrant Officer 3 Martin Anschutz, HSC, 997th BSB, Staff Sgt. Aaron Rowley, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Brandon Gochenour, 184th IW, Wichita Airman 1st Class Aaron Kill, 184th IW, Wichita Hays, with oak leaf cluster Staff Sgt. Marianela Sargent, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Antonio Hernandez, 190th ARW, Topeka Airman 1st Class Daryl Martin, 190th ARW, Topeka Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brent Campbell, Co C (Ord), 2nd Bn, Staff Sgt. Matthew Schneider, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Benjamin Hoffman, 184th IW, Wichita Airman 1st Class Bryce Pacchelli, 184th IW, Wichita 235th Regt, Salina, with oak leaf cluster Staff Sgt. Scott Trembly, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Jett Jurgens, 184th IW, Wichita Airman 1st Class Christian Porrasfrias, 190th ARW, Topeka Chief Warrant Officer 3 Climerteen Ceazer, JFHQ KS-LC, Senior Airman Steven Clark, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Airman Braden Mclarty, 184th IW, Wichita Airman 1st Class Benjamin Reding, 184th IW, Wichita Topeka, with oak leaf cluster Chief Warrant Officer 3 Abra Cloyd, HQ, 235th Regt, Salina, Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Posch, 997th BSB, Hays, with oak Servicemembers Group Life Insur- leaf cluster Lt. Col. Deborah Balentine, 184th IW, Wichita 1st Sgt. John Duerr, HQ, 235th Regt, Salina, with oak leaf Lt. Col. Shane Kessler, 190th ARW, Topeka, with five oak cluster leaf clusters ance management goes online 1st Sgt. Travis Eichhorn, 772 Eng Co, Pittsburg, with oak leaf Maj. Jeffrey Dickman, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three oak cluster leaf clusters Active-duty, Army National Guard and rollment and management quicker, more Sgt. Nicolette Bostick, 130th FAB, Manhattan Maj. Marjorie Norton, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three oak U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers are now able efficient, reduce errors, and reduce costs. Sgt. Zach Sheely, 105th MPAD, Topeka leaf clusters Sgt. 1st Class Magen Albert, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Kansas Capt. Keith House, 190th ARW, Topeka to go online to manage their Servicemem- The new system also: City Capt. Andrew Jamerson, 184th IW, Wichita bers Group Life Insurance account. • Automates the process to elect benefi- Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Hernandez, HHD, 635th RSG, Topeka Capt. Charles Robertson, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Clair Hoesing, Co A, Rec & Ret, Topeka 1st Lt. Aaron Farris, 184th IW, Wichita The SGLI Online Enrollment System be- ciaries and coverage amount. Sgt. 1st Class Gordon Lamb, 2nd Bn, 235th Regt, Salina 1st Lt. Timothy Priest, 190th ARW, Topeka came available Oct. 1 and replaces paper • Makes the DoD milConnect portal and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Sterling, 69th TC, Topeka Senior Master Sgt. Tracy Vanstory, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Jill Weems, 2nd Bn, 235th Regt, Salina, with Master Sgt. Daniel Davies, 190th ARW, Topeka, with five oak forms SGLV 8286 and SGLV 8286a and available 24/7 oak leaf cluster leaf clusters the SGLV portion of eMILPO. The system • Initiates spousal notifications as re- Staff Sgt. Dale Burton, HHD, 635th RSG, Topeka Master Sgt. Shad England, 190th ARW, Topeka, with four oak Staff Sgt. Richard Luvender, Det 1, HSC, 997th BSB, Colby, leaf clusters is available to all service members with quired by law. with oak leaf cluster Master Sgt. Benjamin Fulton, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three full-time coverage, including Active Duty • Provide Casualty Assistance Offices Spc. Todd Gibson, Co C, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Wichita oak leaf clusters Master Sgt. Mark Moulden, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three members, Army National Guard, and with on-demand access to the most Army Commendation Medal oak leaf clusters United States Army Reserve members as- up-to-date coverage and beneficiary Master Sgt. Mark Mulanax, 190th ARW, Topeka, with five oak leaf clusters signed to a unit and scheduled to drill 12 information. Staff Sgt. Timothy Cottingham, 226th Eng Co, Augusta, with Master Sgt. Paul Owens, 190th ARW, Topeka, with six oak times or more per year. • Is pre-populated with information two oak leaf clusters leaf clusters Sgt. Kevin Tooley, 635th RSG, Topeka, with oak leaf cluster Master Sgt. Bradley Roberts, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three The new online system allows Soldiers to: from the Defense Enrollment Eligibil- oak leaf clusters • Increase, reduce or cancel SGLI and ity Reporting System. Kansas Distinguished Service Medal Master Sgt. Shawn Rucker, 184th IW, Wichita Master Sgt. Macario Torrez, 190th ARW, Topeka, with two FSGLI coverage Soldiers can take online self-service ap- oak leaf clusters • Add a beneficiary or edit SGLI bene- plication training online at Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Smith, JFHQ KS-LC, Master Sgt. Stephanie Willis, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three Topeka oak leaf clusters ficiary information http://benefits.va.gov/insurance/training/ Tech. Sgt. Benedict-Joseph Axman, 184th IW, Wichita • View, save, print or email a SGLI SOES/SOES.htm KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD Tech. Sgt. Gerald Baker, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Holly Baker, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three oak Coverage Certificate To access SOES, go to https://www. Meritorious Service Medal leaf clusters SOES was designed to make SGLI en- dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect Tech. Sgt. Austin Bowman, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Angeline Burks, 184th IW, Wichita Lt. Col. Johnnie Adam, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Matthew Copeland, 190th ARW, Topeka, with two Lt. Col. Joanna Hupp, 184th IW, Wichita oak leaf clusters New system will integrate Army pay, Lt. Col. Lincoln Schroeder, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Matthew Crawford, 190th ARW, Topeka Lt. Col. Jesse Sojka, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Blake Elliott, 184th IW, Wichita Lt. Col. Ingrid Trevino-Garrison, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Everardo Lopez, 184th IW, Wichita personnel and talent management Maj. Janell Blaufuss, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Josua Manning, 184th IW, Wichita Maj. Megan Enns, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Justin McDaniel, 190th ARW, Topeka, with two Beginning in August of next year, inating more than 300 interfaces. All Sol- Maj. Marci Solander, JFHQ KS-AC, Topeka, with two oak oak leaf clusters Kansas Army National Guardsmen will diers will receive a one-hour distance leaf clusters Tech. Sgt. Ryan Miller, 190th ARW, Topeka, with two oak Capt. Darral Garner, 184th IW, Wichita leaf clusters have a new tool to help them with their learning session to learn how to access the Capt. Keith Marshall, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Chase Muninger, 184th IW, Wichita personnel records. system and update their records. Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bellquist, 190th ARW, Topeka, with Tech. Sgt. PJ Paschal, 184th IW, Wichita oak leaf cluster Tech. Sgt. Kevin Pullum, 184th IW, Wichita The Integrated Personnel and Pay Sys- Initially, IPPS-A, which replaces the Senior Master Sgt. Darin Brun, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Ramirez, 190th ARW, Topeka tem – Army, set to go online in August Standard Installation and Division Person- Senior Master Sgt. Caron Carlile, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Jason Sebring, 190th ARW, Topeka, with two oak Senior Master Sgt. Melanie Graber, 184th IW, Wichita leaf clusters 2018, will integrate personnel, pay and tal- nel Reporting System, will allow Soldiers Senior Master Sgt. Rico Henley, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Self, 184th IW, Wichita ent management capabilities into a single to update their own personnel records with Senior Master Sgt. Cornelius Hulum, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Jonathon Sills, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Master Sgt. Jason Lacoss, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Jeremiah Sutton, 190th ARW, Topeka system available to all U.S. active-duty and near real-time 24/7 global access. In the Senior Master Sgt. Leland Weathers, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Dylan Swearingen, 190th ARW, Topeka reserve component Soldiers. The Army Na- following years, IPPS-A will expand its ca- Master Sgt. Jeffrey Christen, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Robert Taylor, 184th IW, Wichita Master Sgt. Scott Goodnite, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Tyler Vaughn, 190th ARW, Topeka tional Guard will be the first component to pabilities to include pay and evaluation and Master Sgt. Michael Kline, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Matthew Williams, 184th IW, Wichita implement the system. Active-duty and retention management. Master Sgt. Bonita Lumpkins, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Sebastian Adame, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Christopher Pabor, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Phillip Cummings, 190th ARW, Topeka Army Reserve Soldiers will be able to ac- The latter function will track a Soldier’s Master Sgt. Wendy Taylor, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Jessica Dains, 190th ARW, Topeka cess IPPS-A beginning in fiscal year 2019. education, training, experience and training Master Sgt. Timothy Trapp, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Thomas Dater, 184th IW, Wichita Master Sgt. Tammy Wells-Switzer, JFHQ KS-AC, Topeka, Staff Sgt. Matthew Dillon, 190th ARW, Topeka The new system is auditable and de- and analyze abilities, intelligence, prefer- with two oak leaf clusters Staff Sgt. Christopher Faunce, 184th IW, Wichita signed to integrate more than 30 current ences and background with the goal of Master Sgt. Andy Wolfe, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Michael Freeland, 184th IW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Jeremiah Kvas, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Daniel George, 184th IW, Wichita pay and recordkeeping systems while elim- matching Soldiers to the right job. Tech. Sgt. Aaron Rausch, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Shana Hagedorn, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three Staff Sgt. Abbie Moreno, 190th ARW, Topeka oak leaf clusters Staff Sgt. David Hinton, 190th ARW, Topeka Air Force Commendation Medal Staff Sgt. Lyle Johnson, 190th ARW, Topeka Medical education lectures Staff Sgt. Michael Kleymann, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. James Kyle, 184th IW, Wichita (Continued from Page 6) Nawaf ended the tour of the facilities by Lt. Col. Joe Dessenberger, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Tyler Luke, 184th IW, Wichita his guests a tour of the complex. showing his guests his plans for expansion. Maj. Kevin Dark, 190th ARW, Topeka, with oak leaf cluster Staff Sgt. Jordan Maxwell, 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Thayne Heusi, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Rachel Mohr, 184th IW, Wichita “This is my fourth visit to the complex,” With the 2018 and 2019 budgets approved, Capt. Justin Moody, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Grant Myers, 190th ARW, Topeka said Maj. Laura Webb, nurse practitioner, he has his plans for a three-stage expansion Capt. Daniel Radford, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Joseph Oakes, 184th IW, Wichita Capt. Joshua Thomas, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Elizabeth O’Brien, 184th IW, Wichita 35th Infantry Division. “We enjoy sharing already drafted. 2nd Lt. Katherine Cornwell, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Danal Palmer, 184th IW, Wichita our medical experiences and learning from “The first stage is a horizontal expan- 2nd Lt. TJ Tasker, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Travis Perkins, 184th IW, Wichita Senior Master Sgt. Richard Hines, 190th ARW, Topeka, with Staff Sgt. Bryan Pirrone, 184th IW, Wichita each other. It’s an incredible opportunity to sion, followed by vertical, and finally, dor- oak leaf cluster Staff Sgt. Logan Priebe, 184th IW, Wichita work with our host nation.” mitories for staff, military and patients,” Master Sgt. Sara Butcher, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Kevin Reese, 184th IW, Wichita Master Sgt. John Calton, 190th ARW, Topeka, with three oak Staff Sgt. Daniel Robinson-Lopez, 190th ARW, Topeka Capt. Austin Folley, emergency medical Nawaf explained. physician for the 86th CSH, shared his Some of the plans include a gym, a pool, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dancinger, 35th ID Band, Olathe knowledge on high yield emergency medi- and basketball and other athletic courts. Staff Sgt. James Griffin, Det 1, 997th BSB, Colby Retirements Staff Sgt. Lonnie Hermann, KSARNG Med Det, Lenexa cine and symptoms to look for whether it “The facilities are for staff and patients Staff Sgt. William Lang, 772nd Eng Co, Pittsburg be ocular, head or cardiovascular traumas. alike,” said Nawaf. “While employees are Kansas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Richard Luvender, Det 1, 997th BSB, Colby Staff Sgt. Jason Riddle, Det 1, 1161st FSC, Wichita Following Folley’s lecture, Dr. Khaled at work, military and patients can work Col. Michael Erwin, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Brian Cannon, 170th Maint Co, Wichita Sheta, head of emergency medicine at the out. It’s not just for healing; it’s preventa- Col. David Leger, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Dennis Ross, 137th Trans Co (-), Olathe Lt. Col. Roger Krull, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Vernon Valentine, FSC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola Armed Forces Hospital, discussed shock tive, as well.” Lt. Col. Jerry Sanko, 35th ID, Fort Leavenworth Sgt. Duaine Williams Jr., Det 1, 1161st FSC, Wichita management, symptoms and treatment. Nawaf hopes to do a larger training event Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steven Hood, Co G, 111th Avn Bn, Spc. Ronald Bausby Jr., Co G, 106th BSB, Manhattan Topeka Spc. Todd Gibson, Co C, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Wichita Dr. Alhuwail, an assistant professor in in- with their U.S. partners in the future. Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Ross, 170th Maint Co, Wichita formatics and the final speaker of the day, “I would like to eventually cross-train on Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clayton Staton, 35th ID, Fort Leav- Kansas Air National Guard enworth gave his lecture on health informatics. He mass casualties,” Nawaf said. “We need to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Climerteen Ceazer, JFHQ KS-LC, Lt. Col. Lincoln Schroeder, 184th IW, Wichita talked of applications and opportunities for be mentally ready and educated. Collabo- Topeka Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Bullington, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Doreen Neumann, HHC, 169th CSSB, Olathe Chief Master Sgt. Donald Schafer, 184th IW, Wichita Kuwait’s healthcare system, to include data rating on possible scenarios is important Sgt. 1st Class Sean Knowles, 35th ID, Fort Leavenworth Senior Master Sgt. Jessie Wolfe, 190th ARW, Topeka and cybersecurity and moving forward in for the nursing staff as well, since this com- Sgt. 1st Class Troy Rall, Det 1, 997th BSB, Colby Master Sgt. Phinnakhon (Mike) Bouddhara, 184th IW, Staff Sgt. James Bartee Jr., Det 1, 778th Trans Co, Manhattan Wichita the advancements of technology with pa- plex is the first line of treatment for our tient information. land forces. December 2017 • Plains Guardian Page 11 Airman’s National Guard enlistment was a dance with destiny

By Staff Sgt. Lauren Penney duced me to the top judges in the country so 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs I could continue my training,” Bohling said. Twenty years ago, Senior Airman Steven Swick found Bohling’s first professional Bohling fell from a three-story building, partner and trained them together. Bohling breaking his back. drove to Oklahoma City about every week “I struggled receiving therapy or any- and worked four hours. He met with his thing rehabilitative to get back to how I partner other days at the YMCA in Ponca was before,” said Bohling, cyber systems City, Oklahoma, and drove back to teach operations, 184th Intelligence Squadron. classes in the evenings. “The best thing to help heal and mitigate In 2006, Bohling opened his solely- the pain was a corset that helped stabilize owned studio, and continued to teach and me. At best, I was getting around with a compete, working through the challenges cane.” that arise when running a small business. During those years, he gained weight, “For me, the hardest thing about opening lost mobility and he was searching for a a small business was wearing too many way to get back into shape. With weight- hats. I was teaching, I was competing, I lifting and running off the table, he decided was paying the bills and I was cleaning the to try a ballroom dancing class. toilets,” said Bohling. “I’ve heard that an “It was the first time I’d been asked to entrepreneur will work 16 hours a day for articulate my spine in new ways,” said themselves, so they don’t have to work Bohling. “I realized pretty quickly that ro- eight hours a day for someone else.” tational energy, where the muscles work Bohling’s studio, Care to Dance, is against each other, rotated my spine and downtown in Wichita’s Delano district with moved my spine in ways that I hadn’t been students ranging from eight to 80. able to, and the pain was reduced, so I kept “I’ve taught bus mechanics and a NASA Senior Airman Steven Bohling leads a dance class in his Wichita studio. Bohling with it.” rocket scientist. I taught a blind man and used dancing as a way to rehabilitate himself after a back injury and turned dance Fast forward three years to 2001. deaf woman and people who didn’t speak into a hobby, then a career. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Penney, 184th Intelligence Bohling started teaching dance at his first English,” said Bohling. “In a way, dancing Wing Public Affairs) studio. He toured around the country, enter- is kind of another language.” doubts, however, thinking he wouldn’t be I’m just as passionate about it as I am ing 32 national competitions, from Savan- In 2014, Bohling reached a level of suc- let in because he was too old and had suf- about dancing,” Bohling said. “There’s the nah, Georgia, to San Francisco, California. cess in the dance studio where it could be fered a broken back. other side of me that’s analytical and logi- “I think we’re all creative, that’s a part of run without as much hands-on work from His wife then suggested the Air National cal and wants to do great things as a team who we are,” said Bohling. “We will all himself, with 16 people on staff and 400 Guard, since he would be able to remain in member, and the Guard allows me to do eventually find... an expression of creativity. students a week. Wichita and could work in the intelligence that in a way that dancing never did.” For me it was dancing.” “Two things were occurring in my life at division, and that the cut-off age to join “I know we can all get really focused on Bohling trained with some of the top that time,” said Bohling. “I wanted to focus without prior service is 39. one aspect of our lives, be it family or coaches in the U.S. and also competed with one, more on my family, have more time With medical clearing from an orthope- some other hobby, but if we truly want to them, dancers from shows such as “So You with my wife and daughter. And two, I dic surgeon and two months before his be more well-rounded individuals, we need Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with wondered if the studio was the only thing I 40th birthday, Bohling enlisted. to pay attention to both parts of human, the the Stars.” was going to do for the rest of my life.” He went on to be successful in basic analytical and the artistic,” said Bohling. John Swick, a four-time national cham- His wife suggested enlisting in the Air training, finishing as an honor graduate. “The Guard satisfies a completely different pion out of Oklahoma City, became his Force, since he would come back and read Dancing had kept him and his back in ex- need in my life. It’s a family-based busi- main mentor. about it all the time, getting his mind on cellent shape over the years. ness that provides my family security and “He took me under his wing and intro- something other than dance. He had his “I’ve found that with being in the Guard, benefits, and that really matters.” Three inducted into Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame Retired Brig. Gen. (Kansas) Charles M. a partner in a farm mortgage business in braska, assigned to the hospital. tionary Wing, leading a team of active Baier Jr., Brig. Gen. Wilder S. Metcalf, and Lawrence. In 1888, he enlisted as a private In April 1994, the 190th leadership re- duty, National Guard, and civilians into retired Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose were in- in Company H, 1st Kansas Infantry at quested she fill a critical leadership posi- Afyon, Turkey. She remained there until ducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall Lawrence, rising in rank to colonel over the tion as the Services Flight Commander, the beginning of the war. of Fame Nov. 5 during a ceremony at the next nine years. leaving the professional corps for a line po- In 2004, Rose became the vice wing Ramada Inn, Topeka. He was colonel of the regiment in 1898 sition. Rose transferred from her full-time commander of the 190th Air Refueling Retired Brig. Gen. (Kansas) when the Spanish American War broke out. position at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Med- Wing, where she remained until her promo- Charles M. Baier Jr. He was commissioned a major in the 20th ical Center in 1996 to become the Logistics tion to brigadier general in 2007, the first Retired Brig. Gen. (Kansas) Charles M. Kansas Infantry under Col. Frederick Fun- Squadron commander. woman in the Kansas National Guard to at- Baier was born in Larned, Kansas, in 1942 ston. The 20th Kansas was mustered for In 2000, she became the Aircraft Mainte- tain that rank, and was named director of and grew up on a farm near Seward. After federal service on May 9, 1898, and was nance Squadron commander. Rose was se- the Joint Staff, Joint Forces Headquarters- high school, Baier attended Fort Hays State sent to Manila in the Philippines. The 20th lected as the Mission Support Group Kansas. College. Kansas was ordered to the front in early commander in October 2001, and in April Rose was assigned in a dual-hat position in In early 1963 the Kansas Air National 1899 and was the first to enter Caloocan on 2002, became the first female colonel in November 2010 as the Air National Guard assis- Guard was recruiting pilots for the 190th Feb. 10. In March, the regiment swam the the Kansas National Guard. tant to the commander of the 17th Air Force, the Tactical Reconnaissance Group at the Tuliahan River, captured a blockhouse, and Rose was activated in February 2003 to Air Force component of the United States Hutchinson Air National Guard base. He was involved in the engagements of Mal- become the deployed Mission Support African Command. Rose retired in September was commissioned as a second lieutenant inta and Maycuayan. Upon Funston’s pro- Group commander for the 171st Expedi- 2011, having served more than 28 years. in 1963. He trained in the Air Force Under- motion to brigadier general, Metcalf was graduate Pilot training program at Moody elected colonel of the 20th Kansas. He was Air Force Base, Georgia, and received his awarded the Order of Purple Heart in wings on March 28, 1966. recognition of being wounded twice. He returned to Kansas and qualified as a Upon his return to Lawrence in 1899, he pilot flying the Martin RB-57A. In 1972, again became the colonel of the 1st Kansas the 190th Tactical Reconnaissance Group Infantry, where he served until 1915. Met- received new aircraft and a new mission as calf was appointed a brigadier general of the 190th Tactical Bombardment Group. the National Army on Aug. 22, 1917, and In 1977, the unit became the 190th Air Re- honorably discharged on May 24, 1918. He fueling Group. Baier was named commander was promoted to brigadier general in the of the 117th Air Refueling Squadron in 1980 Kansas National Guard on Feb. 24, 1919. and became the director of operations at In 1909 he was appointed by the Secre- Kansas State Headquarters in 1984. tary of War as a member of the National The 190th was mobilized for Operation Militia Board. In 1916, he was elected for a Desert Storm in January 1991 and returned seat in the Kansas Senate. home in March. During that time, Baier Retired Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose personally flew several refueling missions. Retired Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose entered He was promoted to brigadier general in military service with a direct commission the Kansas National Guard on Aug. 2, into the United States Air Force Nurse Corps 1992. Baier retired in 1993 after 30 years in March 1983, and was assigned to the of service. 184th Tactical Fighter Group. She trans- Brig. Gen. Wilder S. Metcalf ferred to the 190th Clinic in December 1985. Brig. Gen. Wilder S. Metcalf was born at In October 1990, Rose deployed to Jed- Milo, Maine, in 1855. He joined Company dah, Saudi Arabia, where she served in an Retired Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose (right) receives her induction certificate into the G, 5th Ohio National Guard Infantry on Air Transportable Hospital during Desert Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame from Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli (center), the ad- May 6, 1884, at the age of 29. Shield. She was activated in February 1991 jutant general, and retired Col. Mike Erwin. (Photo provided by the 105th Mobile In 1887, he came to Kansas and became and deployed to Offutt Air Force Base, Ne- Public Affairs Detachment) Page 12 Plains Guardian • December 2017 PlainsPlains GuardianGuardian 35th ID, KLF conduct Desert 190th Air Refueling Wing Observer after action review supports emergency operations to Puerto Rico

By Steve Larson The mission pilot and ground crews take Public Affairs Office a final walk around the plane to make sure Airmen of the 190th Air Refueling Wing everything is set for takeoff. in Topeka took off Oct. 1 on a mission to Typically, the KC-135R air refueling bring help to the people of Puerto Rico as tanker is tasked to refuel U.S. military and they try to recover from the devastation allied aircraft as they support U.S. mis- caused by Hurricane Maria. sions. But not always. “We’ve been watching the news and see- “The KC 135 is a very versatile aircraft,” ing the disaster from Hurricane Maria that said Frantz. “We can haul roughly 50 per- took its toll on Puerto Rico,” said Col. Jar- sonnel, we can configure it to haul cargo. rod Frantz, wing commander, 190th ARW. We can put patient litters on there and do “We’ve had crews and aircraft on call for aeromedical evacuation missions. We cur- the last week, ready to respond when that rently have a mission going on over in the time comes. The situation on the ground Pacific right now doing aeromedical evacu- there is pretty desperate. The ability to get ation. We have jets and crews over in the resources in and get them distributed Middle East right now supporting opera- across the island has been very difficult. tions against ISIS in Afghanistan, Iraq and “Now they have most of the airports Syria.” opened up and they have most of the light- Frantz said that his Airmen engage in a ing, approach systems in there so they can variety of missions on a regular basis and actually get planes in. Air Mobility Com- that being a Kansas National Guardsmen Members of the Kuwaiti Land Forces and 35th Infantry Division Soldiers partici- mand has been flying about 50 missions a presents some great career opportunities. pated in an after action review Oct. 19. The AAR was conducted to share informa- day getting relief supplies in. “The fact that a senior in high school, can tion between the forces after completing the Desert Observer exercise at Camp “That’s what our crews and our aircraft join this organization, get money for col- Buehring, Kuwait. The KLF and 35th ID use the AAR results to increase interoper- are doing today,” said Frantz. “They are lege, participate in these major operations ability to continue improving the planning processes for upcoming exercises. (Photo flying down to New Orleans. They will de- around the world and actually earn a pretty by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Milnes) part with 40 Army National Guard person- good living doing it is an amazing experi- nel and they will take them down to Puerto ence,” said Frantz, “and we’re always look- Rico to provide relief.” ing for new members to join the team. Campbell receives award from Kansas Council for Workforce Education Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brent Campbell diers to earn credit from Salina Tech has received a Leadership Outside the for military training Field award from the Kansas Council for • Was crucial in coordinating the Workforce Education. Kansas National Guard and Salina Campbell was nominated for the award Tech Synchronized Training for Aca- by Greg Nichols, president of Salina Area demic Credit (STAC) Technical College, for his work in develop- • Facilitated the formalization of the ing a program that allows Soldiers to re- STAC partnership between Kansas ceive college credit from Salina Tech for National Guard and Salina Area Tech- training they receive from the Kansas Na- nical College. tional Guard. He received the award during “Our partnership started when a staff the KCWE fall conference Oct. 27 at But- member of Salina Area Technical College ler Community College in El Dorado. reached out to us in 2016 asking for assis- “It came as a surprise to me as I was not tance to celebrate Veterans Day with aware of the award,” said Campbell, them,” said Campbell. “Our staff and stu- “much less the nomination by President dents provided a flag detail to honor all Greg Nichols.” veterans and from that event our partner- This award is designed to recognize an ship has evolved over this past year.” individual who has contributed to the field Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant of career and technical education, but who general, signed a memorandum of Under- is not an employee of a technical standing with Nichols during a ceremony A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka prepares school/college or community college. Sept. 15 in Salina. for takeoff at Forbes Field. The crew flew to Louisiana to transport Louisiana Na- Campbell was cited for his excellence in “We anticipate that our first participant tional Guardsmen to Puerto Rico to support hurricane relief efforts. (Photo by leadership in that he: will be enrolled in our January Advanced Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) • Envisioned a partnership to allow Sol- Leadership Course,” said Campbell. New shooting ranges opened Olathe employer receives ESGR Patriot Award Kelly English, associate vice presi- residential treatment facility in January dent, KidsTLC, was presented with the 2015 as a direct care staff. Kelly’s com- Employer Support of the Guard and Re- mitment to caring for her employees was serve Patriot Award in recognition of her immediately evident, as she took the time outstanding support of a member of the to observe my work and get to know me Kansas Army National Guard. as a person. While working at KidsTLC, I The award presentation was made began graduate school to purse a master’s Nov. 16, at KidsTLC in Olathe. in counseling and became a company English was nominated for the award commander. Despite an always busy work by 1st Lt. Callie Wheeler, company schedule, Kelly remained flexible and commander, Headquarters and Head- supported my time being gone.” quarters Detachment, 69th Troop Com- Wheeler left KidsTLC in June 2017 to mand, Topeka. Wheeler credits English take a full-time position with the Kansas with going above and beyond the duties National Guard, but remains involved as of a supervisor by offering mentorship an intern with their Intensive Outpatient and support of Wheeler’s military, civil- Program with English as her supervisor. ian, and educational goals. The ESGR Patriot Award reflects the “I nominated Kelly for the Patriot efforts made by an individual to support Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general of Kansas, addresses the audience at Award because of her willingness to rec- citizen warriors through a wide-range of the grand opening ceremony for two new shooting ranges at the Kansas National ognize my potential, and provide uncon- measures including flexible schedules, Guard Training Center Range near Salina Sept. 15. The new live-fire ranges will ditional support to help me reach the time off prior to and after deployment, provide additional firearms training space for Kansas National Guardsmen and goals I’d set for myself,” said Wheeler. “I caring for families, and granting leaves area law enforcement agencies (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Newell) started working at KidsTLC’s psychiatric of absence, if needed.