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Volume 50 No. 5 Serving the Kansas Army and Air National Guard, Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Homeland Security and Civil Air Patrol June 2007 Adjutant General’s Department responds to F-5 tornado

The town of Greensburg, Kan., was almost totally destroyed by an F-5 tornado that ripped through several counties the night of May 4. (Photo by Sharon Watson) Town destroyed; Governor President Bush tours declares State of Disaster scenes of destruction Emergency for Greensburg By 1st Lt. Sean T. Linn, UPAR President George W. Bush spent several State and local agencies and volunteer donations center, a social services center hours in Greensburg on Wednesday, May 9, organizations responded to the devastation and a distribution center in Haviland. The arriving by helicopter to assess the damage. in Greensburg, Kan., caused by a tornado Salvation Army also established three can- The President’s first stop was the John that struck the community at approximately teens in Greensburg to feed storm victims Deere dealership to view the smashed and 10 p.m. on Friday, May 4, damaging or and rescue workers. overturned combines, tractors and imple- destroying 95 percent of the buildings in the The Kansas Division of Emergency ments. Several of these heavy machines town of approximately 1,500. Governor Management coordinated the response and had been picked up by the massive tornado Kathleen Sebelius declared a State of recovery operations of various state and and thrown across Highway 54. Disaster Emergency for Kiowa County. local agencies. Soldiers and Airmen from The president’s inspection tour included “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kansas National Guard assisted with the south end of town, where he saw those who are dealing with the devastating security, communications, debris removal Soldiers of the 891st Engineer Battalion in loss this storm has brought,” said Sebelius. and shelter missions. Guard units respond- action. Soldiers of the 242nd Engineer The tornado was tracked through ing were: the 287th Sustainment Brigade; Company, Coffeyville and Winfield, were Comanche, Kiowa, Edwards, Stafford, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery; 891st busy clearing debris from the easements Pratt and Barton Counties. Engineer Battalion; 1st Battalion, 108th when the president’s motorcade pulled up. Eight people were killed by the storm in Aviation; 137th Transportation Company; Bush stepped out of his car to visit with Greensburg and two others died later from 731st Transportation Company; 778th the Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Barry storm-related injuries. The storm also Transportation Company; 105th Mobile Manley, and thank the Soldiers working at killed one person in Stafford county and Public Affairs Detachment; 190th Civil this location. one in Pratt County. Numerous injuries Engineering Squadron; 184th Civil “Manley, show me what your Soldiers President George Bush tests a chain were reported. Engineering Squadron and 184th Security are doing,” said Bush. saw while visiting Soldiers of the 891st The American Red Cross established Forces. Manley explained that the Soldiers were Engineer Battalion on state active duty two shelters in Haviland and one in The 134th Air Control Squadron sup- removing the debris from easements to in Greensburg. (Photo by 1st Lt. Sean Mullinville. The Salvation Army set up a (Continued on Page 2) (Continued on Page 3) Linn) Page 2 Plains Guardian • June 2007 New Incident Response Vehicle proves itself in Greensburg By 1st Sgt. Carl Mar, 105th MPAD weather reports and the latest real-time Greensburg, Kan. -- In the first morning information coming from Greensburg. after a deadly tornado leveled Greensburg, “Everything that anyone sees in the Joint Kan., on the night of May 4, around 50 Operations Center in the Topeka EOC Kansas National Guard troops had already comes from here,” said Sgt. First Class arrived at ground zero to provide security Anita Istas, the C2V noncommissioned offi- and aid. By the second day the number of cer in charge. “The ACU-1000 is state-of- troops had doubled and by the third day the-art equipment. It utilizes satellite to give the number had doubled again. On the us wireless internet capability, video trans- fourth day, over 500 Kansas Guard mission and conferencing. It allows us to Soldiers and Airmen were at the scene convert different radio band frequencies so assisting with recovery efforts. that hand-held communication devices can Helping to coordinate the large-scale talk with one another. It enables us to set up mobilization of troops, their equipment, a phone system.” and other state resources was the ACU- Completely self-contained, the C2V 1000, a hybrid piece of electronics about draws power from a set of four generators; the size of a small refrigerator. Housed in if one stops working, there is a back-up. a trailer-sized van known as the C2V There are computers and wall monitors to Mobile Incident Response Vehicle, the also receive information from anywhere in equipment was also among the first the world. Divided into several compart- Kansas Guard assets to arrive the morning ments, the van has a work area with sever- after the disaster. al workstations built around the ACU- “This was the first time that the C2V has 1000, a briefing/conference room, sleeping been fielded,” said Sgt. John Staiert, and storage areas for the team members. Network Operations noncommissioned Stocked on board are dozens of cell The Adjutant General’s Department’s Command and Control Mobile Incident officer for the vehicle. Adding to that dis- phones, wi-fi notebook computers, hand- Response Vehicle is deployed for the first time, May 5, to provide communications tinction is the fact that Kansas was also the held radios and over 2,000 feet of LAN capabilities in Greensburg after the city was destroyed by a deadly F5 tornado. first state to have one, he explained. cable for creating a secure communication (Photo by 1st Sgt. Carl Mar, 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) “After Katrina with its host of problems network in the field. the lost cell phone connections and incom- have something like this,” said Staiert. weeks ago, we did our first joint-operation The multiple generators proved them- patible radio equipment, the federal gov- “The Kansas National Guard took delivery simulation exercise with it at Pratt and selves handy on the first day. One began ernment mandated that every state should of its C2V in early April. About four coordinated disaster response with the failing during the first evening and Staiert 184th Air Refueling Wing at McConnell was able to keep the van’s equipment Town destroyed; Governor AFB in Wichita.” working continuously by switching on It was propitious that the five-person another one. He also used one of the spare declares Disaster Emergency team assigned to the C2V had the training generators to provide power to the general Continued from Page 1 Wichita Search and Rescue dispatched and was prepared. area of the EOC when one used by the plied two 120 kW generators to assist in several teams to assist with search and res- “We all got called at three o’clock in the Incident Manager Command Post stopped search and rescue operations and 1,500 cue operations and Sedgwick County morning and by four o’clock we were in working. gallons of water. The Pratt Kansas Public Health Emergency Team sent staff, the van and on the road,” said Staiert. “Having the C2V next to the Incident National Guard armory has opened as a consumable supplies and durable equip- Charged with establishing network com- Commander’s command post was very staging area for logistic support. ment, including two generators. munications on the ACU-1000, he said “I beneficial,” said Capt. Joe Dessenberger, The 911 emergency system was out, so Sedgwick County sent a search and res- had the system up and running 10 minutes Wichita Police Department and operations the Kansas Department of Transportation cue crew to the city to assist in evacuation after we arrived.” commander for the law enforcement entity communications on wheels vehicle was efforts at the local hospital, which was Parked in front of the Greensburg court- in Greensburg. “We used it to keep in sent to Greensburg in the hours immediate- damaged by the tornado. Approximately house, which was one of the few struc- touch with Wichita and stay abreast of the ly following the storm. KDOT also provid- 30 people were rescued from the hospital tures to remain standing in the city, the situation on the ground here. It was espe- ed roadblocks and signage and was with minor injuries. Emergency crews C2V was among the first of many such cially handy on Saturday night when the involved in clearing debris from highways from surrounding counties also assisted vehicles to arrive. It was distinguished by lights went out. They were the only people so rescue vehicles could get into the affect- with medical response. the large presence of personnel, both mili- to have power and shared it.” ed areas. The State Fire Marshal investi- The Urban Search and Rescue Team from tary and civilian. Parked next to it is the The C2V and its ACU-1000 has proven gated hazardous materials reports. Nebraska also searched for victims through- FEMA command post with its own trailers itself as a reliable system, one that has Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy out Greensburg and numerous local agen- and alongside in a tent is the Incident benefited not only the citizens of Praeger contacted all major property insur- cies responded with a variety of assistance. Manager Command Post. Stretching out- Greensburg in the first days after their ance companies in Kansas. The Civil Air Patrol conducted several ward from them and surrounding two calamity, but also for similar Guard mis- Power outages were reported throughout air reconnaissance flights to survey dam- sides of the courthouse is a host of other sions in the future. Kiowa and surrounding counties. Cell ages in coordination with flights by the support agencies. “The C2V and its equipment have per- phones and land line communications were Kansas Highway Patrol. Altogether the various entities form the formed up to – maybe exceeded -- its also severely impacted. The Kansas “The outpouring of emergency response Emergency Operations Center in expectations,” said Maj. Gen. Tod National Guard mobile incident command from state and local agencies and volun- Greensburg. In Topeka, the EOC is mir- Bunting, the adjutant general. “We expect- vehicle was deployed to Greensburg, and teers is just tremendous,” said Sebelius. rored at the State Defense Building where ed some bumps and design tweaks in its the Kansas Highway Patrol also sent its “We, as Kansans, are pulling together, as these same agencies have representatives deployment, but it’s proven itself here in command and communications vehicle to we always do in times of crisis and adver- eyeing video feeds, news broadcasts, Greensburg. assist in restoration of communication sys- sity and that’s something we should all be tems. proud of.”

Pfc. Georgia Schafer performs an adjustment on the ACU-1000 as she explains its communication capabilities to Tech. Sgt. Matt McCoy, a photographer with the Governor Kathleen Sebelius inspected the damage in Greensburg in the company of 184th Air Refueling Wing. (Photo by 1st Sgt. Carl Mar, 105th Mobile Public Affairs Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general. (Photo by Master Sgt. Angel Acosta) Detachment) June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 3 Greensburg tornado changes life for Kansas Guard family By 1st Sgt. Carl Mar, 105th MPAD blocked by fallen lumber. Returning to the It had taken almost two days of work other side of the basement they found a by a dozen people to clear the debris of broken window, and one by one crawled what was once a garage away from the out onto the lawn. They found that the pickup truck buried underneath. To the neighborhood they once knew no longer joy of onlookers, Rodney A. Prosser existed, but was piled into a jagged, unrec- turned the key in the ignition, pressed ognizable landscape. steeply on the gas pedal and gunned the “I saw a flashlight,” said Laura. “The vehicle over more debris while kicking neighbor from across the street had also up a cloud of dust. come out about that time and came over to Bought new less than three weeks ago, see if we were all right. Thankfully, she had the mangled truck’s return to life seemed a cell phone which I used to call Rodney.” to symbolize the hopes of the Prosser fam- Unaware to her, help was already on the ily to rebuild their own lives after experi- way. encing the devastation of the Greensburg “I was worried,” said Rodney. “I called tornado. The category F5 tornado, measur- my friend Don in Pratt and asked him to ing 1.7 miles in diameter, cut a trail of check on my family. He was already on destruction 22 miles long, flattened the the outskirts of Greensburg when Laura town of Greensburg, population 1,500, and called.” killed 10 people. “When I spoke with her -- knew that she Four days earlier, Rodney Prosser, who and the kids were safe -- I was okay.” is first sergeant of Battery A, 1st Battalion, Leaving Fort Riley at midnight, Rodney 161st Field Artillery, from Dodge City, arrived in Pratt at 3:30 a.m., where his was at Fort Riley with his unit participat- friend Don Voss had brought Laura and ing in a field exercise amid heavy winds the children for shelter. and rains. He knew from weather updates “We cried in each other’s arms for that severe storms were peppering the awhile, talked for a long time,” said Laura. Laura and Rodney Prosser with their daughter Heidi, 11, and son Keith, 13, sit in western two-thirds of Kansas and that tor- “We laid down for maybe a half hour, but front of what remains of their Greensburg, Kan., home after it was destroyed by a nadoes had been spotted in the vicinity of couldn’t sleep. At dawn, after there was category F5 tornado, May 4, 2007. (Photo by 1st Sgt. Carl Mar) his hometown, located 200 miles to the light outside, Rodney and I drove back to disaster weighed heavily on Rodney’s family and friends to sift through the rub- southwest. His wife, Laura, had called him Greensburg.” mind and he asked to be relieved from ble for personal belongings and memen- earlier in the evening to reassure him that At the edge of town, the couple found duty and focus on the damage to his own tos. Their new truck, dug out from the she and their two children Keith, 13, and that Battery E, 161st Field Artillery, Great home. Leaving the checkpoint, he and his debris – although heavily damaged – was Heidi, 11, were safe. Bend, had mobilized overnight and estab- wife tried to find their way back home. a happy find. Other neighbors’ vehicles Around 9 p.m. that evening, another lished security checkpoints into the city. “The city wasn’t anything we remem- were totally mangled. Another happy find Soldier told Prosser the news media were Still in uniform, Prosser volunteered for bered. Most of the familiar landmarks for Laura was a watch pendant necklace, broadcasting that Greensburg had been hit state active duty to help lead search and were swiped clean. We couldn’t tell what found lying out in the open on the cleanly by a tornado. Apprehensive, he phoned his rescue efforts in the countryside north of street we were on. Only a few buildings swept flooring. wife – and got no answer. the town. While he was gone, Laura slept had enough structure left to know what “This was a gift I received when the “When the sirens sounded,” said Laura, in their truck, parked across the street from they used to be. Using them, we counted kids were babies. I’d hold them in my “I immediately herded the kids down into the checkpoint. the blocks to determine where we needed arms while humming lullabies and clinch the basement and we huddled together in “My team cleared four farm homes and to go,” he said. the pendant between my teeth,” she said. the corner. The sirens continued for long found light damage, but no injuries,” said Eventually the two found their home With their home totally destroyed and time it seemed and then they stopped. Rodney. “But there was terrific damage to again, but it didn’t look like the home they their lives turned upside down, the Then the lights went out and we could the pasture fencing. Cattle were scattered remembered. Except for a few feet of inte- Prossers have come to a crossroad in their hear glass breaking all around us.” in groups everywhere and one farmer, who rior wall sticking out above the first level, lives. Laura says they’ll remain in When the clatter stopped, Laura and the had 600 head of cattle, couldn’t find any everything else had vanished above the Greensburg and rebuild. children tried to get back upstairs, but of his own nearby.” foundation. The front stoop of the house, “Our lives are here, our jobs are here,” found that the basement stairs were By midday, however, the extent of the formed of concrete, was the only part of she said. She teaches first-grade at the the house which appeared unchanged. local elementary school and Rodney works Everything else had been demolished by as a mechanic environmentalist for the tornado or ruined by three feet of rain Panhandle Eastern Oil Company, located water which had accumulated in the base- in Greensburg. ment. Exhausted they returned to Pratt. “Yes, we’ll rebuild,” said Rodney. “I Two days later, after the street debris don’t know what, or when. But one thing had been pushed aside and it was safe is for sure. We made a pact with our enough for citizens to travel through the neighbors – Rob and Wanda Booth – that town, Rodney and Laura returned with no matter what, we’d remain neighbors.” Volunteers abound

Rodney Prosser (left), first sergeant of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Dodge City, examines tornado damage to his new truck with his cousin Brad Prosser. (Photo by 1st Sgt. Carl Mar, 105th MPAD) President tours Greensburg Continued from Page 1 down into manageable pieces and picked allow the utilities companies to begin restor- up one of the chainsaws. He felt to see if ing the town’s infrastructure – first dragging the chain was sharp, gave the cord a quick the debris to the curb, then segregating it tug and the chainsaw fired up. into three piles consisting of organics, metal After his visit with the Soldiers of the and construction material. At the curbside, 891st, he continued to drive through what Soldiers cut trees into manageable pieces for was left of the town to comfort the citizens the hydraulic excavators and loaders to lift still rummaging through the remains of into the beds of dump trucks. The dump their home looking for mementos and any- There has been no shortage of volunteers in Greensburg, such as these six volun- truck drivers then made trips to one of the thing of value not destroyed or carried off teers, ranging in age from 16 to 18, from the Weaverland Mennonite Church, two dump sites located near the town. by the storm. Memphis, Mo., who helped to clean up a residential neighborhood. (Photo by Bush walked over to the curb where the The Soldiers of the 891st went back to Gerald Hay) Soldiers were quickly whittling a large tree work. Page 4 Plainly Speaking Plains Guardian • June 2007 Editorial Disasters and deployments keeping Kansas Guard busy By Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting mately 170 troops with the 35th Military ture and federal government have approved As we celebrate our nation’s history this Police Company on June 12, heading to Just as we did on New additional funds to provide for significant July 4, I want to Iraq. And approximately 200 Soldiers with costs associated with the devastation in thank all of the the 35 Infantry Division will deploy to Year’s Eve, when a winter Kansas as well as the sustainment of opera- Kansas National Kosovo in July. storm overwhelmed the tions in Greensburg. I want to thank the Guard troops both While more than 1,000 of our Kansas legislators and federal leaders for assisting deployed and at National Guard troops are deployed in Iraq western half of the state, Kansas in some unprecedented ways to help home, from the and Afghanistan, more than 500 of our the Kansas National our state recover. bottom of my troops have been deployed to Greensburg, Guard responded within a I can’t end my thoughts here without heart, for the sacri- Kansas during the past two months, help- asking, what if Greensburg had been your fices you make ing the town to recover after it was virtual- few hours of the May 4 town and an EF5 tornado had destroyed and are willing to ly destroyed by a tornado. Greensburg tornado, pro- nearly everything you see each day? make in the future. Just as we did on New Year’s Eve, when Would you have heeded the warning of the You have taken a a winter storm overwhelmed the western viding security, generators siren? And those of you in counties with- path less chosen, to Maj. Gen. half of the state, the Kansas National Guard and eventually significant out sirens, what if it had hit at 2 a.m.? Tod M. Bunting serve your country responded within a few hours of the May 4 support for debris Would you have heard the warning on in wartime and peace, at home and abroad, Greensburg tornado, providing security, your NOAA weather radio or do you still where ever the need. You make tremendous generators and eventually significant sup- removal, and numerous need to purchase one? Do you have a fam- sacrifices to keep our land the home of the port for debris removal, and numerous other missions. ily plan where everyone knows where to free and the brave. May God bless you and other missions. The 184th Air Refueling go or how to connect when there is no your families richly. Wing in Wichita was commander of the phone service of any kind and no opera- Recently, we have welcomed home sev- deployment, which grew from approximate- government, as well as federal resources. tional vehicle in sight? eral of our troops and said goodbye for ly 40 troops the first weekend following the Long after the work appears to be done, It could have happened anywhere in now to several more. As the war in Iraq tornado, to more than 500 the following KDEM staff will be working to ensure the Kansas. Take the steps you need to protect and Afghanistan wages on, we never get week. Both Army and Air Guard personnel proper reimbursements have been paid so your family today. Have an emergency used to sending troops to war, but we are have proudly served and continue to do so the town and its people can stand tall again. preparedness kit with a NOAA weather confident our men and women are ready as needed. We appreciate the work these I am very thankful for the sacrifices of the radio, food, water, flashlights, blankets, a for the mission at hand. We welcomed troops are doing to help this town thrive KDEM staff. first aid kit and a family plan. It only takes home 25 troops from the 3rd Platoon, again, as we know it someday will. Never before has our state been hit so a few minutes now to do what can make Battery B, 1st Battalion, 161st Field The Kansas Division of Emergency hard by storms in a single year. In addition the difference to save your life and the life Artillery on June 9. The remainder of the Management led and directed the entire to the winter storm and the Greensburg tor- of your loved ones. battery will return in July. The 635th Greensburg response and recovery opera- nado, numerous counties have had severe We never know when or where the next Regional Support Group returns in late tions and continues in this effort organizing flooding resulting in the need for additional disaster will strike. Be ready. It’s a great June. Meanwhile, we deployed approxi- resources for the town from state and local state and federal support. The state legisla- gift to yourself and your family. Soldier to Soldier Kansas selects Noncommissioned Officer, Soldier of the Year By Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Haworth Army Achievement Award for his achieve- tors are required to locate three points in a The next Soldier and Noncommissioned The Soldier of ment. Taylor is currently attending limited time frame. Day 3 starts with the Officer of the Year selection board (compe- the Year and the Highland Community College and residing competitors taking a 25 question written tition) for 2008 will be held the weekend of Noncommissioned in Topeka, Kan. examine (common core type questions) the Nov. 2-4, 2007 at KSRTI in Salina. Officer of the Year Both Furrey and Taylor traveled to followed by a board appearance where To be selected as either the Soldier of the are two of the top Camp Dodge along with their sponsors to each competitor is graded on his/her Year or Noncommissioned Officer of the awards an enlisted compete in the Region 5 level Soldier of appearance, how well they conduct them- Year is truly a prestigious honor and I soldier could be the Year/Noncommissioned Officer of the selves in front of the board as well as how encourage all Soldiers and noncommis- selected for at not Year competition in April where they per- well they answer the 20 questions from sioned officers to step up and take the chal- just the state level, formed in an outstanding fashion, repre- pre-selected topics taken from the Army lenge by representing their units throughout but at all levels of senting the state of Kansas exceptionally. Study Guide. the different levels of this competition. the competition. There were both Soldiers and noncommis- On the weekend of Command Sgt. Maj. sioned officers competing from Arkansas, Jan. 19-21, 2007, Scott W. Haworth Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, we held the Kansas Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Army National Guard State competition to The Soldier of the select both the Soldier of the Year and Year/Noncommissioned Officer of the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for Year competition (formerly known as the the state. Each competitor goes through a Best Individual Soldier and Best selection process starting at the Noncommissioned of the Year) has company/battery level through the battal- evolved from what was only once an ion and then on to a brigade level competi- appearance board (with minimum packet tion to then be selected to compete at the requirements) to now not only the appear- state level. Each brigade, including the ance board, but also tests their physical fit- 35th Division and Joint Forces ness with the Army Physical Fitness Test Headquarters, are represented at this level. (APFT), a test of marksmanship skills with The 2007 Kansas Army National an individual weapons qualification event Guard’s Non-Commissioned Officer and (first zeroing an unfamiliar weapon), a test Soldier of The Year are Sgt. Dustin L. on map reading and land navigation skills Furrey and Spc. Taylor A. Chase. (both day and night) and a test of knowl- Furrey is currently assigned to the 235th edge of the warrior tasks by a hands-on Regiment (KSRTI) of Salina, Kan., with test on four randomly selected tasks five years of service. He attended Infantry rounding up the events for the competition PlainsPlains GuarGuardiandian

Basic course at Fort Benning, Ga. as well with a test of military common core The PLAINS GUARDIAN is published under the provisions of AR 360-1 for the personnel of the Kansas National Guard. The editorial content as the 42L MOS course at KSRTI where knowledge through a written test. of this publication is the responsibility of The Adjutant General’s Department PA Officer. Contents of the PLAINS GUARDIAN are not neces- sarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of the Army or The Adjutant General’s Department. News, fea- he graduated as an honor graduate for both The competition takes about three days tures, photographs and art materials are solicited from readers; however, utilization is at the discretion of the editorial staff. All photos must be high resolution and include complete caption information, including photographer’s name and rank. No paid advertisement will be accepted, nor phases. Furrey’s other military education to complete with day one starting with the will payment be made for contributions. includes the Basic Noncommissioned in-processing and weigh-in followed by an The deadline for all submission is the first Wednesday of the month: February, April, June, August, October and December. Officer Course (Phase I), the Primary APFT. Day 2 starts with zeroing an unfa- Submissions may be e-mailed to Jane Welch ([email protected]). Leadership Development Course and the miliar weapon and then an individual Circulation: Approximately 15,500 Standard Army Training Course. Furrey is weapons qualification. Once completing Printed under contract with the U.S. Government Printing Office Commander-in-Chief Public Affairs Office currently attending Kansas State the weapons qualification the competitors Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Director University. Furrey, his wife, Jennifer, and move to the land navigation course where Adjutant General of Kansas Sharon Watson 785-274-1192 Maj. Gen. Tod M. Bunting son, Benjamin, reside in Manhattan, Kan. they navigate through the course trying to Assistant Director Stephen D. Larson 785-274-1194 Taylor is currently assigned to Company locate five points with a limited time Editor Sharon Watson A, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry of frame. After they have completed the land Administrative Assistant Lawrence, Kan. He has two years of ser- navigation course they are next tested on Production/Graphics/Writer Jane Welch 785-274-1190 Stephen D. Larson FAX 785-274-1622 vice. Taylor attended the Infantry Basic four hands-on warrior tasks (randomly e-mail: [email protected] Production Assistant Course at Fort Benning, Ga., graduating selected). Once completing the warrior Jane Welch with honors and was selected to attend tasks, Day 2 ends with yet another night The Plains Guardian may be read online at Airborne school as well as receiving an land navigation course where the competi- http://www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral/Library/Plains Guardian current issue.pdf June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 5 Tornado response a joint Army and Air Guard operation By Maj. DeAnn Barr Within four hours of the deadly tornado “We were fully opera- that struck Greensburg on May 5, Kansas tional within 12 minutes Guardsmen were called to duty to bring relief to their devastated neighbors. of arriving and had on Before the sun rose to clearly see the board computers, phones, extent of damage, 15 security forces per- satellite internet, UHF, sonnel from the Kansas Air National VHF, HF and 800 MHz Guard in Wichita were on the scene pro- viding law enforcement assistance to local radios.” authorities. Sgt. John Staiert “We arrived to utter devastation,” said Joint Forces Master Sgt. Frank Cook, one of the first Headquarters Kansas wave responders with the 184th Security Forces Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base. “We worked to make a difference resources. and protect what little property these peo- In response to numerous national and ple have left.” local media flocking to the area, the 184th The Air Guard security forces were Wing also sent a four-person public affairs joined by roughly 30 military police from team. They assisted with press conferences Battery E, 161st Field Artillery, Great Bend. by Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Maj. Gen. The state’s new C2V Mobile Incident Tod Bunting and other elected officials. Response Vehicle was mobilized early “Kansans are resilient,” the governor Saturday morning and placed next to the said as she toured the area Sunday Greensburg Courthouse, one of the few evening. “I am so thankful for the prayers buildings in the town left standing. Maj. of not only Kansans, but from people Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general and Power generation for emergency services was just one of the missions performed by across the nation.” the director of Kansas Emergency Kansas National Guard personnel in the aftermath of the Greensburg tornado. Senior Airman Shane Clarke, Derby, has Management, was on site in the early (Photo by Tech. Sgt. John Vstecka) been a Security Forces troop for four hours of Saturday morning setting the Staiert, Joint Forces Headquarters Kansas, order, they established a command center years, but this was the first disaster he was stage for timely communication response Topeka. complete with power, phones, video and called to serve in. in support of local authorities. Also among the first wave of responders teleconferencing capabilities. Generators, “I got the initial phone call at 3 a.m. “We were fully operational within 12 from the Kansas National Guard was the lights, water, fuel, a wrecker and heavy and, at first, I was nervous because I didn’t minutes of arriving and had on board com- 134th Air Control Squadron, Wichita. equipment operators were also on site. know exactly what was going on. Once I puters, phones, satellite internet, UHF, Their 15 personnel arrived on the scene “The connection, coordination, and went in and learned the full situation, I VHF, HF and 800 MHz radios. Emergency during the wee hours following the EF-5 communication between the Air Guard and was eager to lend a hand. I want to help management personnel and the highway tornado that hit Greensburg at 9:45 p.m. our Army counterparts have been fantas- these people who must feel helpless and a patrol utilized the vehicle extensively Friday night, bringing with them many tic,” said Maj. Tim Smith, 134th ACS and little desperate. I want to let them know throughout the recovery,” said Sgt. John mobile communication assets. In short on-site commander for the Kansas Guard we care.” Kansas National Guard engineers pave the way for Greensburg recovery By Sgt. Heather Wright, 105th MPAD that cover roadways and utility access Fetid humidity and a morass of tree buried beneath the easements that border limbs, steel, glass and other debris that private property. The Kansas Department used to be the town of Greensburg greeted of Transportation assists by transporting the Combat Engineers of the 772nd the debris to an established landfill. Once Mobile Augmentation Company of the debris is removed, utility companies Pittsburg, the 242nd Engineer Company of can come in to assess and repair the storm Coffeyville, engineers from the 184th Air damage. This is the first step on the road Refueling Wing and the 891st Engineer to recovery. Battalion from Winfield. Despite the over- Sgt. Brian Blandemer, a heavy equip- whelming scope of the catastrophe, they ment operator with the 242nd Engineer weren’t deterred. They were on a mission. Company was stunned by the amount of On May 4, an F5 tornado hit Greensburg damage, but determined to help with with 200-mile per hour winds and a 1.7 recovery. mile diameter funnel that leveled most of “The mission is going very well,” said the town. After establishing resident safety Blandemer. “We’re getting things moving and an operations center, the Kansas along. There’s a lot of work to be done National Guard was tasked to send yet, but I think we’re doing a good job.” Soldiers and Airmen to help restore order Staff Sgt. Calvin Hicks, an equipment and begin recovery efforts in Greensburg. operator supervisor with the 891st, agrees With a disaster of such extent, restoring with the Blandemer’s assessment. He road access and establishing control of would like to see more heavy equipment in utilities was essential. The engineers’ first use, but until the soil dries out, he will mission was to help Greensburg regain have to rely on smaller tools. control by removing the piles of debris “The mission is going pretty good. Engineers from the Kansas Army National Guard and the Kansas Department of Transportation work together to restore order to Greensburg. (Photo by Sgt. Heather Wright, 105th MPAD) We’re working with what we’ve got,” he and once you get here, you feel terrible.” said. “Everybody is working together and Once the shock wears off, determination we’re getting as much done as we can.” to help sets in. Spc. James Hensley, a com- Many of the engineers have experience bat engineer with the 772nd expressed a responding to natural disasters, but hadn’t common reaction to the disaster. experienced anything approaching the “I was shocked,” Hensley said. “After level of devastation in Greensburg. Spc. that settled in, I felt really bad for the peo- Justin Noble Zimmerman, a heavy equip- ple and was really motivated to help out ment operator with the 242nd Engineers, any way I could.” first experienced nature’s force with the The positive reaction from Greensburg 1998 flood in Augusta, Kan. residents helps to shore that determination. “This is a lot worse than anything I’ve “People are smiling and seem happy that ever seen,” said Noble. “In Augusta, there we’re here,” said Beckman. “Everybody were actually houses left. Here there’s waves at us as they go by and gives us absolutely nothing.” water, oranges and stuff. I think we’re Spc. Adam Joseph Beckman, a combat doing a good job.” engineer with 772nd, remembers the small Sgt. Randall McMillan, a heavy equip- structure damage and tree limbs of the ice ment operator with 772nd, smiled as he storm in Chanute, Kan., but wasn’t pre- recalled how happy a resident was to pared for Greensburg. receive the “Welcome” sign that he found “I was devastated,” he said, “I couldn’t among the debris. believe that something like this would hap- Blandemer put it succinctly. Members of the 184th Civil Engineering Squadron remove debris from Greensburg pen. You know, you don’t realize what “We’re happy to be here to help the peo- High School. (Photo by Sgt. Heather Wright, 105th MPAD) you’re going to run into until you get here ple of Greensburg.” Page 6 Plains Guardian • June 2007 Local, national media tell the Greensburg story to the world By Sharon Watson response with a team providing planning, On the night of May 4, 2007 most news logistics and financial support). reporters outside of western Kansas hadn’t Initial command operations and media heard of Greensburg, unless they were briefings were on the east side of familiar with the town’s most popular dis- Greensburg near Davis Park along U.S. 54. tinction: home of the world’s largest hand On Saturday only local media had arrived, dug well. But by 10:30 p.m. news stations but by late afternoon national media began around the globe were beginning to learn arriving. Local law enforcement, the about this small town of nearly 1,500 peo- Greensburg city administrator, Kansas ple which was almost destroyed by an EF Highway Patrol, Maj. Gen. Bunting and 5 tornado. later Congressional staff conducted media Coordination of information started at interviews on site on a regular basis. Public the Kansas Adjutant General’s Department affairs staff from several state agencies in the State Emergency Operations Center assisted in getting news releases out from in Topeka. I was contacted by SEOC staff the SEOC in Topeka, while on site media informing me the early reports indicated as demands continued to increase. much as 75 percent of the town was gone, National media phone calls came to me if not more. consistently from Canada, Britain, Japan, Between 11 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS net- Saturday, I received calls from Wichita works, as well as from Kansas media and media and other local reporters requesting new stations in other states. Associated live and recorded interviews by phone. Press and Reuters news service were my Soon national news calls came in from primary contacts for providing updates CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS request- quickly since they could provide ing general information on the tornado Greensburg information worldwide to News media from all over the United States and some foreign nations converged on damage. At 6 a.m., I traveled to many media affiliates. KHP trooper Ron Greensburg, eager to capture a story about the tornado-stricken town. (Photo by Greensburg with Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Knoefel assisted local officials with on site Sharon Watson) Kansas adjutant general and director of media interviews Saturday and Sunday, Guard would assist with media escorts to cerns about National Guard equipment Kansas Emergency Management. Our while I continued phone interviews with ensure reporters were able to tell the shortages. This resulted in a new focus on Black Hawk flight into Greensburg local and national media throughout this town’s story while remaining safe and Tuesday by both local and national media showed damage as much as 20 miles north time. ensuring the residents’ privacy. Overall, requesting more interviews on Guard of town and quickly revealed only a small The incident commander and local offi- news media responded very well to the equipment from Maj. Gen. Bunting. He number of buildings and homes were left cials determined they would allow media idea of escorts and clearly understood the responded to the specific questions about standing on each side of town in to move into town Sunday, but they asked dangers the town posed to them such as whether the Guard had enough equipment Greensburg. that the media stay in one specific area. live power lines on the ground, broken and explained the shortage of trailers to The SEOC staff had requested an inci- Reporters and the numerous satellite glass and hazardous chemicals including a haul heavy equipment to Greensburg had dent management team travel to trucks were stationed several blocks north leaking tank containing anhydrous ammo- raised concerns, but noted the equipment Greensburg to establish response opera- of the courthouse where the incident com- nia. (No hazardous levels of anhydrous had arrived after some repeat trips to get it tions. (The incident commander is in mand operations were established. ammonia were released). there. (The equipment was needed primari- charge of managing all on site disaster It was determined the Kansas National Regular media briefings were held three ly for debris removal). times daily in the street where the media On Tuesday, I worked with the were stationed for the first week. With no Greensburg mayor and the school superin- buildings and no power, that meant media tendent to provide new information to the briefings were all outside and verbal. media regarding local response and the News releases were produced in the SEOC future of the town. These were very posi- in Topeka and sent to media outlets tive interviews and shifted the focus off of statewide. the death toll and Guard equipment, and The focus of initial media briefings on provided stories of hope for rebuilding the Sunday and Monday was on damage, town and schools. search and rescue efforts and residents Three members of the 105th Military being allowed back into the area for the Public Affairs Detachment arrived Monday first time. Media reports addressed securi- and assisted with media needs on site, ty of the area including a few incidents of including gathering information for media, looting from a local store, and the collec- getting information out to the public via a tion of resident’s guns by local law mobile radio transmitter, media escorts and enforcement to ensure the safekeeping of media calls. the weapons. National Guard Bureau offered public The 184th Air Refueling Wing in affairs assistance Tuesday, sending three McConnell was directing Guard response staff. This came as media interest in operations on site and provided staff for Greensburg continued to grow and also public affairs assistance to support the just prior to President George W. Bush’s growing number of news media coming in planned visit. At this time the focus on on Sunday. Guard equipment shortages grew and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius eventually resulted in comments from the Television trucks from a number of Kansas stations, as well as out of state media, addressed the media Sunday and again on White House spokesman. broadcast live and taped reports nationwide. (Photo by Sharon Watson) Monday, at which time she expressed con- (Continued on Page 7)

Sharon Watson (left), director of Public Affairs for The Adjutant General’s Technical Trooper Ron Knoefel, Kansas Highway Patrol, was the first of several Department, and Maj. DeAnn Barr, 184th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office, public affairs spokemen who rotated duties in Greensburg, providing information provide information to a reporter in the early hours after the tornado. (Photo by for the public. (Photo by Master Sgt. Angel Acosta) Master Sgt. Angel Acosta) June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 7 Greensburg courthouse a hub for interagency operations

Disaster response operations were established around the Greensburg Courthouse following the May 4 tornado. With no inhabitable buildings available for response use, mobile trailers were initially set up by FEMA, the Kansas Adjutant General's Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol. Eventually the number of trailers need- ed grew to include additional federal and state government agencies, local law enforcement, county and city government operations and numerous disaster relief organi- zations. In addition, a base camp was set up on the east side of Greensburg at Davis Park to provide daily food, showers and tents for the thousands of responders in Greensburg. (Photo provided) 226th Engineers use their skills to help restore Greensburg By 2nd Lt. Ryan Lynch the 226th Engineer Company with the Soldiers from the 226th Engineer opportunity to work in conjunction with Company of the Kansas Army National various local, state and federal agencies Guard were sent to assist the city of such as the Kansas Department of Greensburg following the deadly tornado Transportation, FEMA, and the EPA. The that struck on the evening of May 4. unit also worked with officials from Kiowa Arriving on the scene shortly after the County and the City of Greensburg, as well disaster occurred, the Soldiers immediately as state and local law enforcement organi- began clearing debris and conducting haul- zations. In the early days of the mission, a ing missions in support of the ongoing joint operation was conducted with Airmen search and rescue operation. Teams of from the Kansas Air National Guard with chainsaw operators were dispatched to great success. The combined force worked reduce fallen trees into manageable por- quickly to clear debris from an area the size tions that could be loaded into their dump of a city block that could be used as a stag- trucks and removed from the city. ing area for rescue workers and equipment. The clearing missions undertaken by “To me, this deployment is what it is all approximately 50 Soldiers from the 226th about as a Soldier in the National Guard,” Engineers were accomplished using vari- said 1st Sgt. John Short, 226th Engineer ous dual-use vehicles and equipment from Company. their assigned inventory. Since the begin- “We are what the title says, The ning of the operation, the Soldiers of the National Guard. We are defenders of our 226th have hauled away more than 2,000 nation in all factions,” said Short. loads of storm-related debris using eight 5- “Whether we respond to national disasters ton series dump trucks. such as tornadoes, hurricanes and floods or The company also used five 2½-ton and we are protecting the country overseas in Soldiers from the 226th Engineer Company construct a deck and an access ramp to 5-ton cargo vehicles and three Bobcat skid- Iraq and Afghanistan. We answer the call the temporary buildings that will house the Kiowa County administrators in steer loaders in support of the mission. at home or abroad.” Greensburg, Kansas. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Ryan Lynn) The magnitude of the disaster provided Since a majority of their equipment was in the city and their annual two-week train- Medical Support System (EMEDS), which ing was to begin in June, the unit had the is being used by the Kiowa County News media tell Greensburg story opportunity to continue their mission in Memorial Hospital staff to provide med- Greensburg rather than transfer the compa- ical services to the community. Continued from Page 6 the information needs of Greensburg and ny to the previously scheduled location. The gazebo in front of the county court- By Wednesday, President Bush’s arrival to provide relief to those who had served This allowed the 226th to apply their con- house, the site of many community func- was the main focus of local and national since the tornado hit. struction skills in a real-world setting on a tions and weddings, was reconstructed by media. The president took only a small Relief support came from state public number of projects that would benefit the the unit’s carpenters with the help of their number of Greensburg media with him as information officers including the Kansas community during their rebuilding effort. Soldiers that have been trained as electri- he toured the town talking to local and Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Because most of the city and county cians. The plumbers of the 226th also had state officials and meeting with residents Corrections/Juvenile Justice Authority and agencies were displaced from their offices the opportunity to put their training to and disaster responders. Kansas Department of Health and by the storm, modular buildings were work alongside the carpenters when they National media left Greensburg immedi- Environment. Members of the Kansas brought in to serve as temporary locations. rebuilt a restroom structure at the Kiowa ately following the president’s departure as Association of Public Information Officers The entrances to most of these buildings County State Park. did many local media. (includes city, county and state public are three feet off of the ground and “The bottom line to this deployment is With the focus of the disaster shifting information staff) also assisted in support- required stairs and wheelchair-accessible that it is a Soldier’s honor to help the peo- from search and rescue and response to ing the Greensburg media relations needs. ramps to be constructed before they could ple of Greensburg in their time of recovery by mid week, the role of public This public affairs support continued in be occupied. Soldiers with carpentry train- tragedy,” said Short. affairs shifted to community messages the Greensburg throughout June. ing were tasked with constructing a ramp The 226th Engineer Company, with local residents needed, such as what to do By late June, the incident management to the offices of the Kiowa County Sheriff headquarters in Augusta and detachments with debris, where to get donations and teams and public affairs staff working in and one for the county administrators. The in Pittsburg and Cherryvale, is the vertical how to claim lost pets. Greensburg went home as city and county 226th also built ramps for use by gurneys construction component of the 891st Requests for help from other public staff began resuming control of these and wheelchairs to the entrances of the Engineer Battalion of the Kansas Army affairs staff in county and city govern- duties. Ongoing state support will continue Kansas National Guard’s Expeditionary National Guard. ments were made to continue supporting to be available to the local community as Page 8 Plains Guardian • June 2007 Annual Training turns into real event for Soldiers of Battery E By Sgt. Michael H. Mathewson, UPAR Sunday evening the unit was back in On the night of April 18, 1775, two Greensburg. With the search and clear mis- lights in a Boston church tower started a sion completed, they resumed conducting midnight ride with a cry to every their around the clock security mission on Middlesex village and farm. By dawn’s the access roads to Greensburg. light, Citizen-Soldiers responded to the By Monday, the Soldiers of the 772 foreign threat to their homes and families. Engineering Company, 891st Engineering It was 21 minutes past midnight on May Battalion, had cleared the Greensburg 5, a little more than 232 years later, when High School football field. The home of a signal in the form of a phone call from the “Rangers” became the National Guard the Joint Operations Center in Topeka staging area. Taking the east end zone, E alerted a new generation of Citizen- TAB erected their frame tents and contin- Soldiers. This time the threat was not a ued their security mission. foreign power, but the extremes of nature: Sanko, an instructor at Pratt Community a tornado had struck the town of College, made arrangements for his Greensburg, Kan. Soldiers to be shuttled there for showers. For the Soldiers of Battery E, Target When Col. Victor Braden, commander, Acquisition, (E TAB) 161st Field Artillery, 69th Troop Command, visited E TAB on May 4 had been a long training day. The May 10, the unit was in good spirits and Soldiers had just completed the first day of well into their routine of around the clock their scheduled three-day weekend drill. operations. The training scheduled for the weekend Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper John L. was convoy operations. By the time the Bertram, Troop E, Greensburg, said “The storms began to move across southwestern Guard was great in helping the city.” Kansas that Friday evening, the unit’s “I personally did not need the Guard’s Pvt. 2 Travis Mayer and Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schmidt man a checkpoint on a vehicle had been loaded, fueled and help, but I am sure glad they are here for the road into Greensburg. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Shuey) ordered for the next day’s training. people who did need it,” said Daryl Urlich, Reacting to the recall, Soldiers started clear and 2) security, to relieve state and and thanked us for being there for them.” Greensburg, a former U.S. Navy corpsman. assembling in the Great Bend armory local civilian law enforcement.” By late Saturday afternoon, the authori- On May 12, E TAB was released from around 2 a.m. They readied their gear and E TAB sent two humvees to visit outly- ties released E TAB. The unit returned to their State Mission. They packed gear and equipment until first accountability forma- ing farms to check for people in trouble. Great Bend. However, by the time the folded tents and loaded their trucks. It was tion was called at 3:30 a.m. With much of Staff Sgt. Joe Shuey, Great Bend, said Soldiers had refueled their trucks and bed- getting dark when they arrived back in Great Bend still asleep, the first vehicle of “KDOT gave us a strip map of the areas ded down in the Armory, their absence had Great Bend. The E TAB Soldiers put away E TAB’s convoy rolled out of the armory we were to check out. 1st Sgt. Ploss, who been felt and they were directed to return their equipment and refueled their vehi- at 5:08 a.m. The headlights from E TABs lives in Greensburg, was in my humvee. to Greensburg. They were requested back, cles. Only then could they say “Mission trucks cut through the dark as thunder- His knowledge of the local area was at first in small numbers, but before Complete.” storms were still raging across the Kansas important in our finding the remote homes countryside. They would be plagued by and farms.” 184th Security Forces rushed storms through much of their mission. The Soldiers pulled their 5 ton trucks At 7:45 a.m., just over six hours after across roads to block access into to help “manage the chaos” notification, the 32 Soldiers of E TAB Greensburg. reached a staging area established by the “Our mission was to only allow emer- By 1st Lt. Alyson Stockton ian law enforcement. Kansas Department of Transportation just gency personnel into the town,” said The sound of tornado sirens was still Although Foster had worked the east of Greensburg. Chief Warrant Officer Shuey. “Live power lines were down fresh in Greensburg residents’ ears when Haysville tornado recovery in a civilian 2 Jerry Sanko, Great Bend, Commander E everywhere. There were natural gas leaks Lt. Col. Lin Dehning’s phone rang shortly law enforcement capacity in 2000, he said TAB, continued on to the Greensburg and reports of ammonia hydroxide leaking after 1 a.m. on May 5. the destruction was far worse than he had Courthouse to coordinate with other emer- from a damaged railroad tank car. Some of Two hours later, after making calls down anticipated. One of the biggest challenges, gency agencies. On his return Sanko said the residents were upset at first, but later the chain of command en route, the 184th he said, was having no equipment or infra- “The unit has two missions: 1) search and they understood it was for their own safety Security Forces Squadron commander structure left to work with. arrived in the tornado-racked town with 15 “Everything had to be brought in from of his troops close behind. somewhere else. Equipment-wise, every- The first thing he did was establish con- thing was gone,” he said. “It was basically tact with the incident command element a logistical nightmare.” and local senior law enforcement officers. Even with the initial sense of panic, The first few hours were spent determining everyone was on the same page and knew what to do, coming up with a plan and exactly what the priority was on day three: “just trying to manage the chaos,” Dehning move the debris. Both military and civilian said. groups worked together to bring in all Senior Master Sgt. Bill Foster, 184th required equipment, with 184th personnel SFS Raven program manager and chief of contributing water, generators, lighting and the Air National Guard’s Raven program, communications at first, and later, food arrived at 6 a.m. with the other 14 security service and medical support. forces personnel. Overcoming communication problems “It was extremely chaotic with numer- was the biggest issue since different agen- ous public safety agencies on scene, and cies speak in different languages, and in trying to get everyone coordinated into a this case, they spoke them over different joint effort took a little time,” he said. radio frequencies. Foster had to carry two Of the 86 airmen assigned to the 184th radios, one to talk to the military and SFS, more than half were unavailable due another to talk to law enforcement. to deployments, temporary duty and feder- Effective communication was crucial for Staff Sgt. Donald Johnson, Sgt. James Jackson and Spc. John Sims confer with a al activation. From a pool of 40 personnel, rumor control and communicating priori- local resident and two officers of the Kansas Highway Patrol at a checkpoint lead- they organized into two 15-man teams ties down the chain of command. ing into Greensburg. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Shuey) made up of full-time and traditional Foster thinks the lessons learned from Guardsmen. They worked 12-hour shifts to this experience will contribute to readiness provide additional security and assist civil- for the next disaster response. “Royal” visitors bring hope, support to Greensburg By 1st Lt. Joe Blubaugh The Royals brought more than goodwill The residents of Greensburg were host to Greensburg, they were also there to pre- to some “royal” visitors during their recov- sent a $25,000 check to Heart to Heart ery efforts following the May 4 tornado International, a relief organization that flies that devastated the majority of the commu- missions all over the world offering medical nity. A contingent from the Kansas City supplies and services to rescue workers and Royals visited the community on May 15 residents in disaster areas. The money was as a show of support to the residents. collected from fans at two Royals games. The group included General Manager The Royals’ alumni association plans to Dayton Moore, former players Frank continue to raise money to help replace Two members of Battery E, 161st Field Artillery, set up a tent on the Greensburg White and Brian McRae and broadcaster baseball equipment and possibly rehabili- High School football field. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Shuey) Fred White. tate the baseball facilities in Greensburg. June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 9 Expeditionary Medical Support System a boon to Greensburg

The Kansas National Guard’s Expeditionary Medical Support System was set up in Greensburg by the 190th Air Refueling Wing for medical services. (Photo by Sharon Watson) “It’s been a God-send.” ing Hurricane Katrina. That is Kiowa County Memorial “While we always hope that disasters Hospital administrator Mary Sweet’s opin- like the Greensburg tornado never happen, ion of the Kansas National Guard’s the reality is that they do. This is why the Expeditionary Medical Support System 190th’s EMEDS mission is so vitally hospital sent to the town of Greensburg to important to our state and nation,” said provide space and equipment for medical Col. Gregg Burden, 190th Air Refueling services to the tornado-ravaged town. Wing Commander. The EMEDS opened in Greensburg May The emergency room is currently the 21 to begin treating the first patients. The primary section of the hospital that is EMEDS arrived in the town May 12 and operational. was established on Highway 54 across from “It’s been about 40 percent work-related the Greensburg John Deere dealership. injuries,” said Vanessa Kirk, nursing Sweet said good medical care is vital to supervisor. “About 40 percent have been the support of a town and she credits the in for cough and congestion and about 20 EMEDS facility with providing stability to percent have been for major medical rea- the community and helping it to rebound sons, such as heart attacks and accidents.” so quickly. Kirk said the hospital’s clinic is sched- “I have 99 employees at the hospital,” uled to open July 1 and the laboratory said Sweet. “Probably a third of them are facility is also being prepared. medical professionals that would not be Because the facility will be used long- able find work elsewhere in the communi- term until a new hospital can be built, ty. This facility allows them to stay in Sweet said that the hospital employees are Greensburg.” “making it their own.” In the days following the May 4 torna- “We can’t say ‘Thank you’ enough to do, the community leaders and citizens The Emergency Room of the Expeditionary Medical Support System, set up in the National Guard for providing this,” discussed their options – whether to stay Greensburg, Kan., to replace the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, which was said Sweet. and rebuild the town or move on. “How do destroyed by a tornado May 4. (Photo by Maj. Tim Stevens) The EMEDS is based out of the 190th we go forward?” said Sweet. “That was saw the needs in Greensburg we deter- were able to help people in need with the Air Refueling Wing in Topeka. The 190th the question. This (EMEDS) was a big mined this was a perfect place to use this EMEDS as well as debris removal, securi- ARW is the only organization in the coun- step forward for a lot of people in deciding tremendous National Guard resource,” said ty, generators and other resources.” try currently with an EMEDS dedicated to to stay and rebuild.” Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant gener- This is the second time the Kansas homeland security and will be the central “Kansas is currently the only state in the al. “While we never want something like EMEDS has been used in a U.S. disaster location for all EMEDS logistic support country to have a homeland security this to happen to any community, it’s grati- response. It was also deployed to assist in throughout the United States. deployable EMEDS facility and when we fying to know that our Guard members the response and recovery efforts follow-

Hospital staff are making the EMEDS tents more inviting for community members by Part of the EMEDS facility has been transformed into a day-care center for the adding plants, carpeting and other “home-like” touches. (Photo by Maj. Tim Stevens) children of hospital staff members. (Photo by Jane Welch) Page 10 Plains Guardian • June 2007 Greensburg: Kansans respond to a t

Debris removal from public roads was one of the high priority missions assigned to the Kansas National Guard’s 891st Engineer Battalion. (Photo by Sharon Watson)

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius visited Greensburg May 6 for a first-hand look at the storm Tech. Sgt. Jarrod DeLong, 134th Air Control Squadron, uses a chainsaw to cut a damage. (Photo by Master Sgt. Neil Fogg) large tree into smaller pieces. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt McCoy)

Sgt. Jeffrey Richardson, Sgt. Robert Wells and Spc. William Smith, 226th Engineer Members of the 134th Air Control Squadron prepare to tow a vehicle. (Photo by Company, repair the town gazebo in front of the courthouse. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Ryan Lynch) Master Sgt. Neil Fogg) June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 11 town beaten down, but not defeated

Maj. Rick Peat, 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, (center) works with Kansas Highway Patrol troopers to update daily radio messages on the Kansas Kansas National Guardsmen prepare to tackle the debris at Greensburg’s premier Department of Transportation’s mobile transmitter. (Photo by Cait Purinton, KHP) tourist attraction, the World’s Largest Hand-dug Well. (Photo by Sharon Watson)

The American Red Cross was one of several volunteer organizations helping the residents Even in the midst of the destruction, the people of Greensburg still retained a sense and emergency responders in Greensburg. (Photo by Sgt. Michael Mathewson, UPAR) of humor. (Photo by Sgt. Michael Mathewson, UPAR)

Where was once a quiet Greensburg neighborhood, there is now nothing but twisted trees and rubble. (Photo by Sharon Watson) Page 12 Plains Guardian • June 2007 Guardsmen use helicopter to go “shark hunting” By Sgt. Michael Mathewson driftwood choked Kansas River between Following the heavy rains and flooding Fort Riley and Manhattan, near Stagg Hill of early May, an 800 pound shark went Golf Course just south of the Manhattan missing from its location on the Smoky Hill Airport. It was recovered by a UH-60 River. Gone for over a week, it was discov- Black Hawk helicopter from Company C, ered 15 miles away in the Kansas River. 1st Battalion, 171st General Support On May 16, the Kansas Army National Aviation Battalion, Topeka. The helicopter Guard launched a UH-60 Black Hawk was piloted by Chief Warrant Officer 5 helicopter in an effort to recover the run- Robert Good, Topeka, and Chief Warrant away creature. Officer 4 John Alexander, Topeka, and The bridge shark is a device placed into a crewed by Staff Sgt. J. T. Smith, Lebo, and river upstream of a bridge to keep debris Sgt. Thomas Baker, Burlingame. from building up around the piers during The pilots brought the helicopter close periods of high waters. Looking something enough to allow Smith to step directly onto like a washing machine agitator, the shark is the MOABS. “It was the only way we could mounted on a 12 inch shell (round) pile. In see to get on top of the nine foot, six inch the water, it freely spins in the current tall MOAB,” Smith explained. deflecting debris away from the bridge sup- Smith’s job was to rig the MOAB for ports. Howard W. Reece, District Two main- lifting. He had a great deal of trouble hold- tenance superintendent, Kansas Department ing onto the plastic sides of the MOAB of Transportation in Salina, called the under the helicopter rotors down wash $30,000 version of the bridge shark a until it moved away. MOABS – Mother Of All Bridge Sharks. “I just hooked it up to the existing eye- “The MOAB was placed on the east bolts and hunkered down while the heli- bound I-70 bridge over the Smoky Hill copter hovered over me,” said Smith. River,” said Reece. “It was working great Once the MOABS was attached to the until the overwhelming current tilted the cargo hook and Smith was safely back Staff Sgt. J.T. Smith rigs the MOABS for sling loading. (Photo by Sgt. Kenneth pile allowing the flood waters to float the inside the helicopter, the UH-60 lifted the DeWalt) MOAB off of its mounting.” MOABS from the river for the short flight were waiting with ground handling equip- back into the river,” said Reece. “I cannot The lost MOABS was stranded in the to a nearby road. There, members of KDOT ment to take charge of their missing shark. say enough good things about the Guards’ “We will replace its mount and put it performance today.” MLRS battery competes successful annual training By Maj. Paul Schneider ful in battle. Soldiers of Headquarters and These Kansas Soldiers undertook a Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd wide variety of training, including Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas Artillery Section Training, Crew Served National Guard, returned to Kansas in Weapons firing and Mounted Convoy June from two weeks of training in Live Firing. They culminated their train- Camp Guernsey, Wyo. ing in safely firing 72 Multiple Launch The Soldiers made the nearly 1,400 Rocket System rockets. mile round trip to train on the unit’s The battalion is headquartered in artillery mission to deliver general sup- Hiawatha, with units in Abilene, port rocket and missile fires accurately, Atchison, Burlington, Concordia, Fort timely and in sufficient volume to ensure Riley, Horton, Marysville, Ottawa, that the supported commander is success- Sabetha, Salina and Troy.

The MOABS turns in the wind as it rides under the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (Photo by Sgt. Kenneth DeWalt) New facility expands training opportunities in Salina A 1,950-square-foot Range Control In addition to the EST 2000, the newest Facility and an Engagement Skills Trainer improvement to the KSTC is a Range highlight new offerings at the Kansas Control Facility. The new Range Control Training Center in Salina. Facility has the capability to conduct 24- The facility for the EST 2000, which is a hour operations and monitor live weather. weapons engagement simulator, is near In addition, the facility will provide better completion and is slated to be available communication between Range Control beginning in June 2007. The EST 2000 and the using unit. A range safety briefing provides an indoor, multi-purpose and room and garage area for fire fighting multi-lane trainer for individual small equipment also are available. arms, crew served weapons and individual The Kansas Training Center has ranges anti-tank training. available for combat pistol, multi-purpose There are three modes of training avail- machine gun, M16 qualification and more. A Multiple Launch Rocket System crew of the Kansas National Guard’s 2nd able with the EST 2000, including marks- Units training at the Kansas Training Battalion, 130th Field Artillery loads live rockets in preparation for a live fire manship, collective and shoot/don’t-shoot. Center have the advantage of conducting exercise (below) during annual training at Camp Guernsey, Wyo. (Photos by “The EST 2000 allows units to train in a several types of training in one location. Staff Sgt. Kevin Abel, Wyoming National Guard) controlled environment without live “When you come to Salina to use our ammunition or wear and tear on tactical range facilities, take the opportunity to try weapons,” said Lt. Col Kevin R. Schenker, out the EST 2000, Virtual Convoy Trainer Training Site commander. and Simulation Center. You will get more Weapons simulators available include training out of your valuable training M2 machine gun, M4 carbine, M9 pistol, time,” said Schenker. M16A2 rifle, MK19 grenade launcher, The Kansas Training Center is a collec- M203/M4 rifle/grenade launcher, M240B tive training center. All training facilities machine gun, M249 Squad Automatic and equipment are available to any Active, Weapon and M1200 shotgun. Reserve or Guard components. “The EST 2000 allows a unit to train To schedule training or for more infor- more cost effectively with instant feedback mation contact Master Sgt. Thomas to the Soldier, increasing his or her confi- Hawks, (785) 822-3297; dence and unit proficiency,” Schenker said [email protected]. June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 13 Training helps Black Hawks load up on the go By Sgt. Michael Mathewson, UPAR Whether delivering hay to a snow stranded cattle herd in western Kansas or moving artillery on the battlefield, the job rests on the ability of the UH-60 Black Hawk heli- copter to sling load cargo. This ability not only requires trained pilots and crew members, but an experienced ground crew to rig the load, direct the helicopter and attach the load. On June 3, three members of Company C, 1-171 General Support Aviation Battalion, conducted ground sling-load training at Forbes Field, Topeka. Standing in the knee high grass of the sling-load training area, Staff Sgt. Douglas Bailey, Lawrence, described the “reach pen- dant,” the device he would use to connect the load to the Black Hawk. For this day’s training, the load was a con- crete filled 55 gallon drum. Bailey said a helicopter generates a great deal of static electricity and prior to the insulated reach pendant, a ground crew member had to ground the helicopters cargo hook before the load could safely be attached. “When you get hit with static electricity you really feel it,” said Bailey. “The loop is rubber covered nylon and the shaft is made of fiberglass,” he continued. “These materials are non conductive and serve as an insulator against the static electricity generated by the helicopter.” With Staff Sgt. Shawn Perkins, Green Valley, Mo., serv- ing as the ground controller, the Black Hawk made five sling load pickup and drop-off circuits. The controller, along with the crew chief, serves as the eyes for the pilot. Staff Sgt. Doug Bailey hooks a sling load to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. (Photo by The pilots lose sight of the load as the helicopter moves Sgt. Michael Mathewson, UPAR) into position. The mission of the controller is safety. He When the Black Hawk is delivering a load, the controller how to brace for the impact of the rotor wash. directs the pilots over the load, communicating with the will signal the crew when it is safe to release the load. As the UH-60 Black Hawk approached, Albert put on crew through the use of arm and hand signals. If he per- In addition to his own training, Bailey was training Spc. the flight helmet and gloves Bailey provided. During the ceives any possible danger, the controller will abort the Magen Albert, Company D, 108th Aviation, Topeka, on the missions, Bailey stood behind Albert, bracing her as the attempt and the helicopter will clear the area. procedures for hooking up a sling load. Before the Black helicopter hovered over head. After Albert completed two In the loading area the controller positions himself Hawk arrived, Bailey explained how the pendant is capable hookups, she said “You cannot believe how intense it was upwind, close enough to see the load and the hook man, yet of holding up to 11,000 pounds. He also instructed Albert standing under the helicopter with the wind trying to blow far enough away that he can easily be seen by the pilots. on how the pendant is attached to the helicopter’s hook and me away.” Rollover! Guardsmen train Topeka Harley Davidson shows for emergency evacuations strong support for Kansas Guard By Sgt. Amy R. Bellerive, UPAR simulators to carry for the drill. Two safety On June 12, the 731st Medium Truck belts, one across the chest and one lap belt Company participated in the Humvee Egress were fastened and the Soldiers were ready to Assistance Trainer program at Fort Carson, begin. In addition to the safety belts, there Colo., as part of their annual training. was also a panic button located in the center The training is a program developed to of the vehicle that any occupant could reach teach Soldiers how to exit an up-armored in the event that they were hurt or needed to humvee in the event of a rollover. The exit the vehicle immediately. Microphones training involves how to operate the safety and speakers inside of the humvee and at the mechanisms, such as seat belts and combat control station allowed the trainers and door latches when Soldiers are in difficult trainees to communicate. positions. First, the simulator was tilted to 30 Staff Sgt. Kyle Tillery and Staff Sgt. degrees, the angle at which a standard Marlin Hogie received training on how to humvee will roll over. It was brought back operate the simulator and conduct training. to center and then angled to 25 degrees, After a safety briefing and a briefing by which is the angle at which an up-armored their team leaders on what to do in the humvee will roll. Back to center and the fun event of a rollover, Soldiers proceeded in began. The simulator was turned upside groups to the simulator. down. After direction from the trainers, the Kevlar helmets and flak vests were worn Soldiers were commanded to “Egress.” along with eye protection during the train- Exiting the upside down simulator began ing. Soldiers were given rubber M16 rifle (Continued on Page 17)

Recent Kansas National Guard recruit Jesse Poe hopes to become a helicopter mechanic. He has worked at Topeka Harley Davidson for more than three years. (Photo by Sharon Watson) By Sharon Watson You might not know it by looking, but “They’re all good kids, Topeka Harley-Davidson isn’t just a tradi- hard workers with good tional stop for bikers in the area. It’s defi- nitely that, but it’s also quite a popular morals.” spot if you’re in the Kansas National Rick Evans, Guard. That’s not just because many local Shop foreman, Guardsmen shop there or stop in for lunch. It’s because four of Topeka Harley’s Topeka Harley-Davidson employees have joined the Kansas National Guard. Two work for the Air 137th Infantry, which no longer exists but Guard and two for the Army Guard. was under the 69th Infantry Brigade. “This is really the first time we’ve had Rick Evans, the shop foreman, has anyone in the Guard in the 10 years I’ve worked for Topeka Harley for more than been here,” said Ray Moorhead, general 14 years and doesn’t recall having any manager. “We support them in any way Guard employees until recently. we can.” “They’re all good kids, hard workers Moorhead understands exactly what it’s with good morals.” Members of the 731st Medium Truck Company exit a rollover simulator at Fort like for these four employees. He served in Airman First Class Joey Sterbenz has Carson, Colo. (Photo by 1st Lt. Christopher Sanders) the Kansas Guard in the 3rd Battalion, (Continued on Page 17) Page 14 Plains Guardian • June 2007 “Hey, were home…” Field trip a little out of the norm for fifth grade class By Stephen D. Larson Roger Krull, MATES commander. Field trips. They’re an American end- “Maj. Krull’s daughter, Ashley, was a of-school-year tradition, with students all student in my class last year,” said Doris over the country visiting museums, zoos, Rauhut, another teacher and organizer of state capitals and other educationally the trip. “We wanted to bring the stu- “fun” sites. dents to somewhere different, so we However, the 5th grade classes at West hooked up with Major Krull and Elementary School in Wamego visited a arranged a trip.” little different sort of site this year – the Rauhut said that approximately 96 stu- Kansas National Guard’s Maneuver and dents and 15 adults took part last year. Training Equipment Site at Fort Riley. So successful was the first visit, they Instead of dinosaur bones, elephants or arranged a second trip for this year. marbled halls, they got close-up looks at Rauhut and Woodyard had high praise mechanic’s bays, truck engines, machine for the tour and MATES personnel. guns and rifles, mobile howitzers, tanks “We’ve always had such a warm wel- and missile launchers. come here,” said Rauhut. And they loved it. In addition to the tour of the MATES “The kids just have a blast,” said Mrs. facility, the students and their escorts Cathy Woodyard, a fifth grade teacher at were presented with personalized mili- the school as she watched students scal- tary ID tags, visited the stables and saw ing a massive piece of military hardware. the Fort Riley mounted color guard per- Capt. Robert Melton passes out hugs and kisses to his family after the return cere- In the armory, Sgt. 1st Class Stacy form. Rauhut noted that the appeal is dif- mony for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 130th Field Artillery Brigade. Beougher displayed to a wide-eyed audi- ferent for boys and girls. The battery served a one-year tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. ence a .50 caliber machine gun, automatic “The guns,” said Rauhut. “The boys (Photo by Sgt. Gilbert Gonzales, 105th MPAD) grenade launcher and other pieces of mili- love the guns. I think the girls like the tary ordnance. Across the compound, Sgt. horses. But they all like climbing on the By Sgt. Gilbert Gonzales, 105th MPAD “We were married on June 4, 2006 and Jason Jenkins and Sgt. Jason DeWitt gave equipment.” A quick glance at the On Saturday, June 9, 50 members of the he left for Iraq on June 9, said Pederson. “It a brief overview of engine repair. In swarms of students surrounding, on top Kansas Army National Guard’s was a long year, but a great experience.” another area, tour guide Sgt. Rick Christie of and inside the various military vehi- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, During the 30 minute ceremony Col. showed students two Willys jeeps and a cles confirmed Rauhut’s assessment. 130th Field Artillery Brigade, returned Alex Duckworth thanked all the family half-track that the MATES personnel were Rauhut said that a number of students from a year-long deployment in support of members for their support. restoring to prisitine condition for the have family members in the military, Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Hey, were home, were home… 10 toes, Museum of the Kansas National Guard. some of whom are deployed to Iraq. The 130th began its journey overseas on 10 fingers, were all whole,” said This was the second year for such a Rauhut said the tour helps the students April 2, 2006, with a departure ceremony Duckworth. visit by the school. have a better understanding of the mili- honoring their call to active duty. The unit He also thanked the Patriot Guard, who “We’d been trying for a few years to tary, what they do and why their job is reported to Fort McCoy, Wis., for pre- received a standing ovation and cheers arrange a visit with a school,” said Maj. mobilization and familiarization equipment from the crowd. (Continued on Page 15) training in preparation for their mission of “Thank you… you guys are great!” Force Protection and support of active Duckworth said. duty elements. The 130th FA has a long history of sup- The familiar, welcome rumble of the porting federal active duty assignments Patriot Guard motorcycles escorting the from the European theater in 1917, the returning troops through the colonnade of Aleutian Islands during World War II and American flags marked the final destina- in Vietnam. The 130th FA consists of units tion of the troop’s long journey home to across the state from Hiawatha to Salina. family and loved ones anxiously awaiting “The patch of Task Force Tornado is the return of their Soldier. known to and worn by many sailors, Natalie Windham, daughter of Col. Ugandans and Iraqi generals.” Robert Windham expressed her gratitude These members of the 130th made up that her dad was now home and safe. what was known as Task Force Tornado, “School was no distraction, but I became during their time in Iraq. Its responsibility pretty concerned when we lost e-mail con- consisted of supporting 1,600 active duty tact for a couple of weeks,” said Windham. Soldiers, 380 Ugandan troops and 138 Sandra Kinzie of the Fort Leavenworth sailors at Camp Victory. Army and Air Force Exchange Services, During the closing remarks to the troops, was present to hand out gift packs from the Duckworth reminded everyone that things AAFES to wives and loved ones of will be different in returning home and it Soldiers in appreciation of their sacrifices may present some challenges. and support. Kinzie was also awaiting the “I know it will be different for me to go return of her husband, Capt. Russ Kinzie. to church tomorrow without carrying my Deneen Pederson, wife of Lt. Col. Kirk sidearm,” said Duckworth. “It may take Pederson, was glad that 130th’s tour of some time to get readjusted, but there is Fifth grade students from West Elementary in Wamego discover that a Paladin duty was over, as well, and that her hus- plenty of time and resources for you. If howitzer is better than a jungle gym. (Photo by Stephen D. Larson) band was home. you need help, please get it.”

Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 130th Field Artillery Brigade Sgt. Jason Jenkins and Sgt. Jason DeWitt show students an engine they are rendered a salute before being dismissed. (Photo by Sgt. Gilbert Gonzales, 105th rebuilding. (Photo by Stephen D. Larson) MPAD) June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 15 Kansas Guardsmen keep convoys rolling in Iraq

Spc. Donald Cunningham of Towanda, Kan., a gunner with 2nd Platoon, 731st Transportation Company, assembles his .50 caliber machine gun with the help of his vehicle commander, Sgt. Gary Wenke of Wichita, Kan (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte) By Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte eral different states. One of those compo- “Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; pro- nents is the 731st Transportation Company tect me from men of violence, who devise from the Kansas National Guard. evil plans in their hearts and stir up war Spc. Donald Cunningham, Towanda, every day ... who plan to trip my feet.” Kan., a gunner with 2nd Platoon, was - Convoy prayer about a week into the mission when a rock LSA ADDER, Iraq – Sgt. Jasmine J. the size of a cement block was thrown Jaheeb, a chaplain’s assistant with the 11th from an overpass and struck him in the Transportation Battalion, handed out back of his helmet. Although he was later prayer cards as the Soldiers put on their diagnosed as receiving a concussion, he armor for the long drive ahead. She said dismissed it as not being that serious. some Soldiers stick the card in their win- “It was a little bit of a wakeup call,” dows – a reminder that even if they don’t Cunningham said. “Complacency is a big always have control over a situation, it’s issue for some … It certainly made me still under control by someone. more aware of the environment.” “It’s good to know that something as His vehicle commander, Sgt. Gary small as a little card can get you through,” Wenke, Wichita, Kan., said one of the dif- Jaheeb said. ferences between his training and his expe- The 11th Transportation Battalion from riences guarding convoys is how fast a sit- Virginia Beach, Va., officially began its uation can change. Wenke said an IED convoy protection mission in March, a missed on one trip may be used against newcomer to the desert of southern Iraq you the next trip. and its dangerous roads. “You just have to stay on top of every- The unit, which has already come under thing,” said Wenke. small arms fire and multiple improvised The civilian convoys they protect travel At center with notebook, Staff Sgt. Gerold Gibson of Wetmore, Kan., an assistant explosive device attacks, is a mix of active to bases throughout southern Iraq, but also convoy commander with 3rd Platoon, 731st Transportation Company, shows mem- duty and National Guard Soldiers from sev- go west to places such as Al Taqueddum bers of his team alerts and descriptions of suspected insurgents. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte) Fifth grade field trip to MATES and north to locations such as Logisitcal of finding improvised explosive devices is Continued from Page 14 with mugs, pencils and other goodies, sou- Support Area Anaconda. The distances already on par with the 1st Brigade so important. venirs of their visit, along with an invita- mean long hours on the road. Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, the As they boarded buses to return home, tion to come again next year. Wenke, for one, is used to traveling. In battalion’s higher command. Krull and his team presented the teachers “It looks like this is going to be an annu- civilian life, he works as a transport driver, She said she has also pushed her staff and sponsoring parents with bags filled al event,” said Woodyard. hauling tractor trailer loads on regular 500- members to ride with the convoys, since mile round trips. He said one advantage to the experience will result in better service the convoy security work is how the for the Soldiers who regularly handle secu- Soldiers keep each other alert through con- rity escort duties. stant communication, which also helps the “The battalion isn’t just sitting back in time pass more quickly. their air conditioned offices,” Pettit said. “We’ve got a lot of good people we’re “It’s important for them to understand working with,” he said. what these guys are going through.” The Soldiers joked with each other as Maj. Ralph A. Lounsbrough, the battalion they prepared their vehicles for the next executive officer, said he’s been impressed trip, playing songs such as “I’m a Fobbit” by the network of organizations out on the while they assembled and checked their roads supporting the convoy mission – per- heavy machine guns. sonnel ranging from route clearance units to Spc. Christopher Leech of Minneapolis, Iraqi Police securing checkpoints. Kan., who works as the gunner for another “It’s pretty impressive. You’re never vehicle, said the platoon has bonded from alone,” Lounsbrough said. “There’s always the start. someone else out there helping you do your “It makes missions run a lot smoother,” job. It’s nice to know you aren’t out there all he said. by yourself trying to find this stuff.” Lt. Col. Tammie J. Pettit, the commander The battalion, which is trained to run of the 11th Trans. Bn., said many of her cargo transfer operations by air, sea, land Soldiers have shown themselves to be natur- and rail, found out its mission would be al leaders, regardless of their rank and what exclusively convoy protection in June 2006. they were doing prior to the deployment. “We had plenty of time to change “I’m pleasantly surprised at how well gears,” Lounsbrough said. “It really wasn’t the units are doing,” she said. “They’re all that big of a transition for us.” just pulling together.” The Soldiers continue to pick up lessons Sgt. Jesse Henson stands ready to give assistance as students try out the driver’s Pettit noted that the companies’ record (Continued on Page 19) seat of an M1A1 Abrams tank. (Photo by Stephen D. Larson) Page 16 In Recognition Plains Guardian • June 2007

Sgt. Michael D. Hunsaker, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Sgt. Timothy A. Hedman, 35th MP Co, Topeka Topeka Spc. Steven R.Grueb, 35th MP Co, Topeka Awards and Decorations Sgt. Mark W. Mulkey, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Pvt. 2 Joseph N. Nicolay, 35th MP Co, Topeka Kansas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Samuel H. Day 73rd CST, Topeka Topeka, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster Pvt. Glenn J. Carter, 35th MP Co, Topeka Staff Sgt. Francisca Jimenez, 73rd CST, Topeka Sgt. Steven B. Rhodd, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL Staff Sgt. Edwin A. Johnson, Det 1, 24th Med Co (AA), th Topeka KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE MEDAL Maj. Gen. Lloyd “Gene” Krase, HHC, 35 ID, Fort Topeka Sgt. Timothy W. Stock, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Terry D. Patton, Det 3, 170th Maint Leavenworth Staff Sgt. Jeffrey R. Joiner, 137th Trans Co (PLS), Olathe, Topeka, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster Co, Russell 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Alvin J. Avila, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Donald E. Gilmore, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, LEGION OF MERIT Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Lucas, 73rd CST, Topeka Spc. Willie L. Braden Jr., Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Russell Col. Henry Martin Jr., JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Nelson, Det 1, Co B, 40th FSB, Clay Topeka, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. Jimmy L. Jarvis, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Col. Gregg L. Riley, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Center Spc. John T. Carlson, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Topeka Staff Sgt. Rolando C. Nabua, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Lt. Col. Curtis R. Burns, HQ, 235th Rgt, Salina Staff Sgt. David A. Newacheck, 287th STB, Hays Spc. David M. Kollstedt, HHC, 35th ID, Fort Leavenworth Sgt. Duane S. Griffin, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Lt. Col. Michael G. Davison, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka Staff Sgt. Paul A. Purdham, 137th Trans Co (PLS), Olathe, Spc. Terrance A. Lovchik, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Sgt. Dale L. Harwood, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Lt. Col. Jane I. Harris JFHQKS-LC, Topeka 1st Silver Oak Leaf Topeka Sgt. Ronald C. Osborn, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Lt. Col. Darrell D. Loyd, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka Staff Sgt. John G. Sheehan, Det 1, HSC, 891st Eng Bn, Spc. Primitivo L. Fuentes, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Lt. Col. Michael A. Thornbro, 69th TC, Wichita Garnett, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster MILITARY OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER Spc. Amanda S. Gruber, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Lt. Col. Stanley D. Wagstaff, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka Staff Sgt. Craig J. Wellnitz, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell SERVICE MEDAL Spc. Wayne A. Rohleder, Det 3, 170th Maint Co, Russell Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steven D. Evans, 35th ID, Fort Staff Sgt. Thomas J. West, HQ, 235th Rgt, Salina, 4th Oak Maj. Kyle G. Ferlemann, HHD, STARC, Topeka Leavenworth Leaf Cluster th Capt. Cheryl L. Whelan, Det 6, KSARNG, Topeka COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cal D. McDole, Co A, 1st Bn, 108th Sgt. John D. Alderson, 35 MP, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class John W. Birdsong Jr., R&R Cmd, Topeka Lt. Col. Mike Slusher, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Avn, Topeka Sgt. Charles A. Barger, HSC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola, 1st Oak Sgt. 1st Class Francis R. Gay, R&R Cmd, Topeka 1st Sgt. Gregory Kober, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ronald E. Mullinax, JFHQKS-LC, Leaf Cluster Sgt. 1st Class Carline D. Long Jr., Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Sgt. Douglas Plummer, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Topeka Sgt. Melinda S. Barnes, 287th BTB, Hays Garden City Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael W. Shipman, HHS, 2nd Bn, Sgt. Danielle Burke, 73rd CST, Topeka Staff Sgt. Bradley M. Bretton, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, COMBAT MEDICAL BADGE 130th FA, Hiawatha Sgt. Timmy D. Farmer, HSC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola, 1st Oak Garden City Maj. Andy Price, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Command Sgt. Maj. Jana L. Harrison, HHD, 169th CSB, Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. James A. Brown, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Garden Capt. Brian Komar, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Olathe Sgt. Jeremy L. Gray, 995th Maint Co, Smith Center City Command Sgt. Maj. Dale L. Putman, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Ronald D. Green, HSC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola, 1st Oak Staff Sgt. Aniello J. Burr, 35th MP Co, Topeka COMBAT ACTION BADGE Command Sgt. Maj. George E. Stevens, 287th Sustainment Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. William L. Witzke, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Maj. Ronald Peery, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Bde, Wichita Sgt. Lyndell D. Hanson, 995th Maint Co, Smith Center Garden City Capt. Timothy Burkett, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Command Sgt. Maj. David L. Wright, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Christopher G. Jones, 995th Maint Co, Smith Center Sgt. Travis S. Bachman, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Garden Staff Sgt. John Cunningham, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Sgt. Maj. Norman R. Joy, HHB, 35th Div Arty, Hutchinson Sgt. Myra D. Kennedy, Det 2, 170th Maint Co, Colby City Spc. Duston Hansen, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Sgt. Maj. Jerry D. Nichols, R&R Cmd, Topeka Sgt. Benjamin M. Lewellyn, 137th Trans Co (PLS), Olathe, Sgt. Leon Stegman, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Garden City Sgt. Maj. Bradford W. Stauffer, HHB, 130th FA Bde, Topeka 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Joseph D. Hopkins, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Garden AVIATION BADGE Master Sgt. William L. Beeman, R&R Cmd, Topeka Sgt. Joseph O. Nave, 102nd MHD, Topeka City Master Sgt. Keith J. Price II, HHB(-), 35th DivArty, Fort Master Sgt. Ralph D. Figgers, BCTC, Fort Leavenworth Sgt. James M. Peterson, Btry F, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Salina Spc. Daniel J. McNasby, Btry B, 1st Bn, 127th FA, Lenexa Leavenworth Master Sgt. Johnnie A. McGee, R&R Cmd, Topeka Sgt. James M. Schriever, Det 1, 995th Maint Co., Mankato Spc. Aaron J. Seal, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Garden City Master Sgt. James J. Zeller, R&R Cmd, Topeka Spc. Gordon L. Clark, Det 1, HHB, 1st Bn, 144th FA, Kansas Air National Guard Awards Topeka ARMED FORCES RESERVE MEDAL BRONZE STAR MEDAL Spc. Eric Clay, Co A, 1st Bn, 635th Ar, Emporia Capt. Troy M. Price, HHB, 35th DivArty, Hutchinson, MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL Lt. Col. Mike Slusher, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Spc. John M. Doty, HHB, 1st Bn, 127th FA, Ottawa Bronze Hourglass Device Col. William Parsel Jr., 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Andy Price, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Spc. Chadley Kuker, Btry B, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Dodge City Lt. Col. Scott Dold, 73rd CST, Topeka Capt. Troy Danderson, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Spc. Larry F. Nigh, HHB, 130th FA Bde, Topeka RESERVE COMPONENTS OVERSEAS Lt. Col. Robert Morse, 190th ARW, Topeka Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Putman, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Spc. Christopher A. Riggs, Co A, 1st Bn, 635th Ar, Emporia TRAINING RIBBON Lt. Col. Derek Rogers, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Topeka Spc. Justin P. Shreve, Det 1, 24th Med Co (AA), Topeka th st Maj. Karla O. Langland, HHC, 35 ID, Fort Leavenworth Cluster 1 Sgt. Gregory Kober, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Master Sgt. Merrill G. Rowell, HHC, 35th ID, Fort Lt. Col. Christopher Stratmann, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Spc. Dale Hansen, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL th Leavenworth Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. Broaderick Johnson Udohnkana, 287 Spc. Adam L. Whitling, HQ, 35th ID, Fort Leavenworth Lt. Col. Michael J. Tokarz, 184th ARW, Wichita, 2nd Oak MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL Sustainment Bde, Wichita, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster st st Leaf Cluster Maj. Steven Blount, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Sgt. Preston Blackburn, Btry B, 1 Bn, 161 FA, Dodge KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Maj. Jarrod Frantz, 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Jeffrey Mataruso, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka City, 4th Oak Leaf Cluster st st DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL Maj. Shon A. Gerber, 184th ARW, Wichita Capt. Timothy Burkett, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Sgt. Jose D. Carrillo, Svc Btry, 1 Bn, 161 FA, Hutchinson Maj. Gen. James R. Mason, HHC, 35th ID, Fort Maj. Lincoln D. Schroeder, 184th ARW, Wichita Capt. Dean Knauss, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Sgt. John Kilpatrick, R&R Cmd, Topeka Leavenworth Chief Master Sgt. Larry Aldridge, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. John Cunningham, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Spc. Ray Baker, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Lt. Col. Kyle Ferlemann, HHC, 35th ID, Fort Leavenworth Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Montgomery, 190th ARW, Topeka, Sgt. Johnnie K. Franks, Det 1, 24th Med Co (AA), Topeka Spc. Javier Cabral, Svc Btry, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Hutchinson st st th st st Sgt. 1 James P. Fenton, 1 Bn, 144 FA, Topeka 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Douglas Plummer, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Spc. Anthony R. Herman, Btry A, 1 Bn, 161 FA, Garden Staff Sgt. Harrison W. McWhorter, Jr., HQ, 235th Rgt Chief Master Sgt. Ronald H. Sageser, 184th ARW, Wichita, City (KSRTI), Salina 1st Oak Leaf Cluster ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL Spc. Robert Ortiz, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Garden City st st Chief Master Sgt. Robert Shows, 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Norman D. Childs, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Hendrick J. Rijfkogel, Btry A, 1 Bn, 161 FA, Garden KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Graves, 190th ARW, Topeka Cluster City st st MERITORIOUS SERVICE RIBBON Senior Master Sgt. Johnnie Johnson, 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Scott Davis, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka Spc. Matthew Schmitt, Btry B, 1 Bn, 161 FA, Dodge Lt. Col. Laura J. McKnight, HQ, 235th Rgt (RTI), Salina Senior Master Sgt. Donald G. Lee, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Maj. Steven H. Ferrell, 287th Sustainment Bde, Wichita, 1st City, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster th st st Maj. Kyle Ferlemann, HHC, 35 ID (Mech), Fort Oak Leaf Cluster Oak Leaf Cluster Pfc. Maxwell J. Goodman, Svc Btry, 1 Bn, 161 FA, Leavenworth Senior Master Sgt. Paul McCartney, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Maj. Ronald Peery, ETT #1, JFHQKS, Topeka Hutchinson, with Silver Device th st st Maj. Eric McGraw, HQ, 35 ID, Fort Leavenworth Oak Leaf Cluster Maj. Daniel P. Ruiz, 73rd CST, Topeka Pfc. Keith McMillan, Btry A, 1 Bn, 161 FA, Garden City Maj. Anthony Mohatt, HHC, 35th ID (Mech), Fort Senior Master Sgt. Curtiss L. Nagel, 184th ARW, Wichita Capt. Kyle T. Chansler, 73rd CST, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Leavenworth Master Sgt. Twonett Alexander, 184th ARW, Wichita Cluster AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Breaden, HQ, 35th ID, Fort Master Sgt. Susan M. Ballard, 184th ARW, Wichita Capt. Thomas Dysinger, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka 1st Lt. Charles E. Jones, HHD, 169th CSSB, Topeka Leavenworth Master Sgt. Michael Chandler, 190th ARW, Topeka Capt. John Hemingway, 73rd CST, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Jones, HHC, 35th ID (Mech), Fort Master Sgt. Donald Coash, 190th ARW, Topeka Cluster ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL st nd Leavenworth Master Sgt. Jeffrey R. Durocher, 184th ARW, Wichita 1st Lt. David Stuever, 102nd MHD, Topeka Master Sgt. William D. Buck, HHC, 891 Eng Bn, Iola, 2 Master Sgt. Gary Filkins, 190th ARW, Topeka 2nd Lt. Todd M. Lavery, 73rd CST, Topeka Oak Leaf Cluster st st th KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Master Sgt. Clark Hansen, 190th ARW, Topeka 1st Sgt. Clayton L. Staton, Co D, 1st Bn, 114th Avn, Salina, Sgt. 1 Class James P. Fenton, Det 1, HHB, 1 Bn, 144 COMMENDATION RIBBON Master Sgt. Bernard Kaiser, 190th ARW, Topeka 1st Oak Leaf Cluster FA, Topeka 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster th st st rd Lt. Col. Tony D. Divish, 287 Sustainment Bde, Wichita Master Sgt. Steven Lewis, 190th ARW, Topeka 1st Sgt. Carlo Vassalle, 731st Trans Co, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. 1 Class Sean T. Linn, HQ, 891 Eng Bn, Iola, 3 Oak Maj. Craig M. Brenton, 287th Sustainment Bde, Hays Master Sgt. Dennis Miller, 190th ARW, Topeka Cluster Leaf Cluster th st st Maj. Brian Garbee, HQ, 35 ID (Mech), Fort Leavenworth Master Sgt. James C. Miller, 184th ARW, Wichita Master Sgt. Lyle E. Babcock, HHD, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka, Sgt. 1 Class Richard H. Wheeler, HHC, 891 Eng Bn, Iola Capt. Erica M. Christie, 287th Sustainment Bde, Hays Master Sgt. Thomas J. Nestor, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster th th nd Capt. Daniel E. Evasco, HQ, 35 ID (Mech), Fort Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Willie F. Carter, 73rd CST, Topeka Staff Sgt. Patrick E. Hewitt, 170 Maint Co, Norton, 2 Leavenworth Master Sgt. Robert D. Noland, 184th ARW, Wichita Sgt. 1st Class James A. Brown, 287th Sustainment Bde, Oak Leaf Cluster th th th Capt. Darby T. Prine, 287 Sustainment Bde, Hays Master Sgt. James L. Pence, 184th ARW, Wichita Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. William P. Neff, 170 Maint Co, Norton, 4 Oak Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Harris, HQ, 35th ID Master Sgt. William Putnam, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class John M. Burns, 73rd CST, Topeka, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster (Mech), Fort Leavenworth Master Sgt. Debra K. Quade, 184th ARW, Wichita Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. Thomas N. Sprague, 226th Eng Co, Augusta st th st nd Sgt. 1 Class Bernard C. Hennis, HQ, 35 ID (Mech), Fort Master Sgt. Phillip Ramirez, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class David L. Chance, HHD, 635th RSG, Staff Sgt. Tracy L. Thompson, HQ, 891 Eng Bn, Iola, 2 Leavenworth Master Sgt. John Sanders, 190th ARW, Topeka Hutchinson Oak Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. Melissa Stupka, 287th Sustainment Bde, Hays Master Sgt. Grayling Vine, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Ralph A. Coy, R&R Cmd, Topeka, 4th Oak Sgt. Ross Hawk II, HHB(-), 35th DivArty, Hutchinson nd th nd th Spc. Thomas L. Buskirk, Co B, 2 Bn, 137 Inf, Wichita Master Sgt. Jessie L. Wolfe, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Meredith V. Vaughn, 242 Eng Co, Wichita, 5 Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. 1st Class Billie J. Hancock, R&R Cmd, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Tech. Sgt. Joseph A. Bullard, 73rd CST, Topeka Leaf Cluster STRENGTH MANAGEMENT RIBBON Tech. Sgt. Robert Campos, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Cathy D. Johnson, HSC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola, RESERVE COMPONENTS ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL th st st th Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Herrman, 287 BTB, Hays Tech. Sgt. Kristine A. Henderson, 184th ARW, Wichita 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. 1 Class James P. Fenton, Det 1, HHB, 1 Bn, 144 Tech. Sgt. Michael Molter, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Gregory L. Johnson, 73rd CST, Topeka FA, Topeka st st th KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Tech. Sgt. Lawrence Rye, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Craig J. Rohleder, 287th Sustainment Bde, Sgt. 1 Class Gerry C. Morse, Det 1, HHB, 1 Bn, 144 ACHIEVEMENT RIBBON Tech. Sgt. Michael L. Thurston, 184th ARW, Wichita Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster FA, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster th st th Maj. Russell Richardson, HHC, 35 ID, Fort Leavenworth Tech. Sgt. Robin P. Willson, 184th ARW, Wichita Sgt. 1st Class Herbert C. Wischnack, 73rd CST, Topeka, 4th Staff Sgt. Perry A. Reed, Det 1, HHB, 1 Bn, 144 FA, Capt. Stephen J. Shank, HHC, 35th ID, Fort Leavenworth Oak Leaf Cluster Topeka, 4th Oak Leaf Cluster st th st th Sgt. 1 Class Timothy Jones, HHC, 35 ID (Mech), Fort ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL Staff Sgt. Samual C. Bonham, R&R Cmd, Topeka Staff Sgt. Jason E. Withrich, Det 1, HHB, 1 Bn, 144 FA, Leavenworth Col. Adam King, JFHQKS-AC, Topeka Staff Sgt. Martin E. Byrne, R&R Cmd, Topeka, 2nd Oak Topeka th st th Staff Sgt. James F. Finneran, HHB, 35 DivArty, Lt. Col. Albert R. Bandy, 190th ARW, Topeka Leaf Cluster Sgt. Brian L. DeWitt, Det 1, HHB, 1 Bn, 144 FA, Topeka, Hutchinson Staff Sgt. Jerry E. Daniels, HSC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (Continued on Page 17)

Retired Brig. Gen. Raymond V. Palmer the Regional Training Site-Maintenance, He retired with over 39 years of service. We Remember... Retired Brig. Gen. Raymond V. Palmer, Salina. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. 85, Wichita, died April 22, 2007. He retired with over 20 years of service. Retired Sgt. 1st Class Eric Lee Moats He was born Aug. 2, 1921. Robert E. Bellinder Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Lee Palmer was a member of the Kansas Retired Sgt. 1st Class Robert E. Ross Knitter Moats, 57, Liberty, Mo., died July 1, Air National Guard where he was a gen- Bellinder, 71, Topeka, died May 28, 2007. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Ross 2006. eral officer assigned to Headquarters, He was born April 28, 1936, at Knitter, 69, died March 30, 2007. He was born Jan. 16, 1949. Kansas Air National Guard, Topeka. Wamego. He was born Aug. 11, 1937. Moats was a member of the Kansas He retired with over 39 years of service. Bellinder was a member of the Kansas Knitter was a member of the Kansas Army National Guard where he was an Army National Guard where he was an Spc. William ‘Bill’ James Fullerton Army National Guard where he was a infantryman supervisor assigned to administrative specialist and a journalist Spc. William ‘Bill’ James Fullerton, 27, command sergeant major assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, assigned to Headquarters Detachment Mankato, died April 3, 2007. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort State Area Command (-), Topeka. He was born Sept. 28, 1979. 35th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He retired with over 32 years of service. Fullerton was a member of the Kansas Leavenworth, Kan. He retired with over 21 years of ser- Army National Guard where he was a He retired with over 35 years of ser- vice. Retired 1st Sgt. Dennis Bunker wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to vice. Retired 1st Sgt. Dennis Bunker, 69, Retired Lt. Col. Herbert A. Traulsen Detachment 1, 995th Maintenance died May 13, 2007. Retired Col. Merle D. Stone Retired Lt. Col. Herbert A. Traulsen, Company, Mankato. He was born Jan. 30, 1938. Retired Col. Merle D. Stone, 75, died 78, died April 9, 2006. Bunker was a member of the Kansas Retired Sgt. 1st Class Gary Ray Jaquis Jan. 21, 2007. He was born April 8, 1928 at Salina. Army National Guard where he was a Retired Sgt. 1st Class Gary Ray Jaquis, He was born Sept. 19, 1931. Traulsen was a member of the Kansas field artillery senior sergeant assigned to 43, died April 1, 2007. Stone was a member of the Kansas Air National Guard where he was a navi- Battery E (TA), 161st Field Artillery, He was born Sept. 13, 1963. Army National Guard where he was a gator assigned to the 117th Bomb Tactical Larned. Jaquis was a member of Kansas Army cannon field artillery officer assigned to Squadron, Topeka. He retired with 27 years of service. National Guard where he was a special Headquarters, State Area Command (-), He retired with over 23 years of service. purpose equipment repairer assigned to Topeka. June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 17 Topeka Harley Davidson shows strong support for Kansas Guard Continued from Page 13 school in the Army Guard. And she wants to worked for Topeka Harley since May 2005 get her own motorcycle in the near future. and joined the Air Guard Nov. 22, 2005. Jesse Poe also joined the Army Guard He was influenced by his grandfather, earlier this year. He has worked for Topeka retired Senior Master Sgt. Lowell Harley for more than three years. Poe Seymour, who was in the Air National drove past the Guard recruiting office fre- Guard for 20 years. quently to and from work and one day “I’ve always been interested in planes,” decided to check into it. Sterbenz said. “What I really want to do is “I’ve always wanted to join the military. eventually get into boom school and It’s a chance to experience something dif- become a boomer.” ferent from the same thing everyday,” he The 190th Air Refueling Wing could said. “Once I learned about (the opportuni- provide him just such an opportunity as ty to) work on helicopters in the Army the KC-135 refueling planes require an Guard, it increased my interest.” operator to connect the fuel boom to “The bike shop is easy to work with on another plane for refueling. schedules,” Poe added. “I like my job here Airman Logan Glenn has worked for so I figured that way I could still stay here Topeka Harley for a year and a half and in town, have my work here, my family.” joined the Air Guard in February 2007. And for Topeka Harley, keeping work “I wanted to join a branch of the mili- and family together is important. In fact, tary, but wanted to stay here in Topeka, so the business has been in the same family I joined the Air Guard.” The Topeka Harley Davidson dealership employs four members of the Kansas for more than 50 years. Henry “Pat” The newest Guard recruit working on National Guard. From left to right are: Ray Moorhead, general manager, Topeka Patterson purchased the shop in 1949 and bikes at the Harley shop is Stevie Lynn Harley Davidson; Sgt. Maj. John Birdsong, KSNG Recruitment and Retention his son Dennis joined the business in the Apple, the first woman to work in the Office; Airman 1st Class Joey Sterbenz, Kansas Air National Guard; Jesse Poe, 1970s. Then Mike, Pat’s grandson, and shop. Apple had been working as a Kansas Army National Guard; Staff Sgt. Justinn Doby, KSNG recruiter; Logan Dennis’ nephew joined the family business mechanic at an automotive shop in town Glenn, Kansas Air National Guard; Stevie Lynn Apple, Kansas Army National in the 1980s. All three celebrated the until April, but had a desire to work on Guard; Staff Sgt. Amos Bazil, recruiter; and Rick Evans, shop foreman, Topeka store’s 50-year anniversary in 1999 and motorcycles. Harley Davidson. (Photo by Sharon Watson) recently the family opened a new location “I’ve always been into bikes and I was some help, so I applied and got the job.” woman working in the shop. in Lawrence. talking with a friend and heard they needed And she doesn’t mind being the only “It’s really good actually, that I can do Although it’s certainly not a requirement something different. The guys are all really to have a motorcycle while working at nice and really helpful.” Topeka Harley, most of the employees do. Retirements She knows some may second-guess a Poe and Glenn both own bikes, and Kansas Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel Mathias, HHB, 1st Bn, 127th FA, Ottawa woman being in this role, but says no one Sterbenz decided he had to have one, too. Maj. Paul Graves, JFHQKS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Michael Reever, Co B, 1st Bn, 635th Ar, Junction City Chief Warrant Officer 4 John Pearce, HHC, 1st Bn, 108th Spc. Edward Fringer, 995th Maint Co. (-), Smith Center has made an issue of it. “I’ve always liked motorcycles. My new AVN, Topeka Spc. Terry Triplett, Det 1, 242nd Engr Co, Coffeyville Apple is considering diesel mechanic one is showing up today,” he said smiling. 1st Sgt. Michael Petersen, HHC(-), 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, Kansas City Kansas Air National Guard Master Sgt. Lonny Greer, 287th Sustainment Bde, Wichita Brig. Gen. Edward McIlhenny, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Jimmie Kirby, HHD, 635th RSG, Hutchinson Col. Dennis Lawlor, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Travis Rudd, R&R Cmd, Topeka Lt. Col. Michael C. Hall, 184th ARW, Wichita Rollover training Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Ahrens, HHS (-), 2nd Bn, 130th Lt. Col. Frank R. Molnar Jr., 184th ARW, Wichita FA, Hiawatha Lt. Col. Dean F. Taylor, 184th ARW, Wichita Sgt. 1st Class James Bauer, Det 1, Co A, 2nd Bn, 137th Lt. Col. Mark S. Welte, 184th ARW, Wichita Continued from Page 13 Inf, Kansas City Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Young, 184th ARW, Wichita with all Soldiers releasing the combat locks “Oh, that’s going to Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Gantner, HHC, 1st Bn, 635th Ar, Maj. James A. Price, 184th ARW, Wichita Manhattan Maj. Michelle Sweeney, 190th ARW, Topeka on their doors and attempting to open them. leave a mark!” Sgt. 1st Class Michael Hulgan, HHC(-), 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, 1st Lt. Kyle J. Dill, 184th ARW, Wichita “Most people don’t think about all the Kansas City Chief Master Sgt. Robert Wilhelm, 190th ARW, Topeka Spc. Brandy Hudgins Sgt. 1st Class Eric Meyer, Btry C (-), 2nd Bn, 130th FA, Senior Master Sgt. Donald Coash, 190th ARW, Topeka subtle nuances that are required in a Abilene Senior Master Sgt. Tammy R. Duncan, 184th ARW, rollover,” said Staff Sgt. Troy Hamilton. Sgt. 1st Class Claude Paulsen, FSC(-), 891st Eng Bn, Iola Wichita Sgt. 1st Class JoAnn Roberts, BCTS, Fort Leavenworth Senior Master Sgt. Dennis A. Mosier, 184th ARW, Wichita “Communication is key to being success- reactions from the training area could be Sgt. 1st Class Craig Rohleder, Det 1, 287th Sustainment Master Sgt. Christopher Bertels, 190th ARW, Topeka ful in this training.” heard outside as the Soldiers laughed and Bde, Hays Master Sgt. Larry Breuninger, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Michael Tupa, R&R Cmd, Topeka Master Sgt. Bart Brown, 184th ARW, Wichita When any Soldier got their door open shouted throughout the exercise. Staff Sgt. Charles Bryant II, HHC(-), 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, Master Sgt. Robert L. Davis, 184th ARW, Wichita they were to yell “Door! Door! Door!” so 1st Lt. Chris Sanders, officer-in-charge, Kansas City Master Sgt. Kenneth E. Mauler, 184th ARW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Dan Carl, 137th Chaplain Det, Topeka Master Sgt. John F. Runyan, 184th ARW, Wichita that all members could exit the vehicle as said survivability and team building are Staff Sgt. Charlie Dean III, Co A(-), 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, Master Sgt. Harry T. Stamps, 184th ARW, Wichita quickly as possible. important parts of a well-rounded training Lawrence Master Sgt. Kelly A. Turner, 184th ARW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Merritt Essig, FSC(-), 891st Eng Bn, Iola Master Sgt. John V. Welsby, 184th ARW, Wichita “Oh, that’s going to leave a mark,” schedule. “The training was engaging and Staff Sgt. Richard Grant, 772nd Eng Co, Pittsburg Tech. Sgt. John M. Bishop Jr., 184th ARW, Wichita laughed Spc. Brandy Hudgins as she valuable,” he said. Staff Sgt. Robert Gregory, HHC(-), 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, Tech. Sgt. Philip R. Catlett, 184th ARW, Wichita Kansas City Tech. Sgt. Christyna C. Durham, 184th ARW, Wichita braced herself with her arms and released “We are on the road a lot so it was good Staff Sgt. Daniel Jones, 137th Trans Co (-), Olathe Tech. Sgt. Timothy P. Fergus, 184th ARW, Wichita her safety belts, hitting the steering column training. It was fun, but it taught the safety Staff Sgt. Evelyn Kimbrough, HHD, 169th CSB Bn, Tech. Sgt. Kristine Henderson, 184th ARW, Wichita Olathe Tech. Sgt. David J. Lopez, 184th ARW, Wichita as she maneuvered herself upright. The standards needed in a rollover.” said Sgt. Staff Sgt. Ryon Knop, 242nd Eng Co, Coffeyville Tech. Sgt. Russell A Shane, 184th ARW, Wichita Soldiers then collected their weapons, exit- William Faison. “It makes you think about Staff Sgt. Daniel Ledesma, HQ, 235th Rgt (RTI), Salina Tech. Sgt. Montese S. Sonnier, 184th ARW, Wichita Staff Sgt. John Sheehan, Det 1, HSC, 891st Eng Bn, Tech. Sgt. David G. Weide, 184th ARW, Wichita ed the simulator, went to the rally point safety. I think everyone is better prepared Garnett Staff Sgt. Michael S. Cahill, 184th ARW, Wichita and pulled security. in the event that this happens to them.” Staff Sgt. James Strandberg, Det 2, 778th Trans Co, Staff Sgt. Devon J. Edwards, 184th ARW, Wichita Wichita Staff Sgt. Donald P. Johnson, 184th ARW, Wichita Different scenarios were worked “I think that I am better prepared in the Sgt. Robert Armour, Det 1, 170th Maint Co, Norton Staff Sgt. Brian K. Sauer, 184th ARW, Wichita throughout the day. A humvee lying on its event that this happens, so it was good,” Sgt. Jimmy Campion, HHD, 169th CSB Bn, Olathe Staff Sgt. Christopher Schmidt, 184th ARW, Wichita Sgt. Roy Ekstein Jr., Det 1, HHC, 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, Staff Sgt. Mark W. Sokolski, 184th ARW, Wichita side and blackout were completed and said Pfc. Roseland Schroeder. “And it was Wichita everyone really enjoyed the training. The really fun.”

Capt. David R. Young, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Francis Heiman, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Senior Master Sgt. John E. Dock, 184th ARW, Wichita Cluster Awards and Decorations Senior Master Sgt. Lynn M. McConnell, JFHQKS-AC, Staff Sgt. Brett Higginbotham, 190th ARW, Topeka Continued from Page 16 4th Oak Leaf Cluster Topeka Staff Sgt. Justin P. Jacobs, 184th ARW, Wichita Chief Master Sgt. Paul Wirtz Jr., 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Master Sgt. David S. Gogian, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Sean Kesler, 190th ARW, Topeka, 2nd Oak Leaf Lt. Col. Scott A. Dold, 73rd CST, Topeka Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Jean Hager, 190th ARW, Topeka Cluster Lt. Col. Joe A. Knowles, JFHQKS-AC, Topeka Senior Master Sgt. Mark A. Angelini, 184th ARW, Wichita, Master Sgt. Scott M. Moser, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Jacob King, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Maj. Kimberly L. Smith, JFHQKS-AC, Topeka 4th Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Mark M. Moulden, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Cluster Capt. Shelly L. Bausch, 73rd CST, Topeka Senior Master Sgt. Johnnie Johnson, 190th ARW, Topeka Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. Evan T. Mahoney, 184th ARW, Wichita Chief Master Sgt. David C. Purling, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Master Sgt. John Thomason, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. John W. Willey IV, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Scott C. Ragan, 184th ARW, WichitaStaff Sgt. Master Sgt. Zach L. Bottenberg, 73rd CST, Topeka Master Sgt. Angel D. Acosta, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Chad J. Bellquist, 190th ARW, Topeka Christopher Reese, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Lee Buttel, 184th ARW, Wichita Master Sgt. Charles W. Ballard, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Steven B. Henderson, JFHQKS-AC, Topeka Staff Sgt. Michelle Stewart, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Mark M. Moulden, JFHQKS-AC, Topeka Master Sgt. Neil H. Fogg, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Tammy L. Wells, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Edison F. Zorn, 184th ARW, Wichita Master Sgt. Marvin M. Stadler, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Robert G. Frey, 184th ARW, Wichita Staff Sgt. David Costales, 73rd CST, Topeka Senior Airman James Elliott III, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Zachary L. Bottenberg, 73rd CST, Topeka Master Sgt. Brad Murray, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Jose H. Salcido, 184th ARW, Wichita Senior Airman Jared Falk, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Staff Sgt. David Costales, 73rd CST, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Master Sgt. Robert Tomko, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Josh A. Falk, 190th ARW, Topeka Cluster Cluster Master Sgt. Christina Wickline, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Jacob King, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Ashley A. Fournier, 184th ARW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Anthony Morehead, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Stanly Wilch, 190th ARW, Topeka Senior Airman Jamie K. McGill, 73rd CST, Topeka Senior Airman Patrick Heptinstall, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Cook, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak Senior Airman Sarah Mendez, 190th ARW, Topeka AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL Leaf Cluster AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL Senior Airman Gary Williams, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Lt. Col. Ruston Curtis, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Ernest Kahle Jr., 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Peter G. Bailey, 184th ARW, Wichita Leaf Cluster Lt. Col. Jeffery Miller, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Thomas E. Link, 184th ARW, Wichita Capt. Trenton Shepherd, 190th ARW, Topeka, 2nd Oak Leaf Maj. Stephen Burk, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Matthew M. McCoy, 184th ARW, Wichita Cluster KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Maj. Lee Grunberger, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. John E. Vsetecka, 184th ARW, Wichita 1st Lt. Wendi Mason, 190th ARW, Topeka MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE Maj. Robin Hicks, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Steven P. Blowers, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak Master Sgt. Casey Batterton, 190th ARW, Topeka Col. Don S. Jackson Jr., 184th ARW, Wichita Maj. Bradley Hinkle, 190th ARW, Topeka Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Sherry Hertlein, 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Robert Williams, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Westely Broxterman, 184th ARW, Wichita Master Sgt. Kelly Innes, 190th ARW, Topeka KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Maj. Terry L. Williams, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Staff Sgt. Chad A. Daniels, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Meghan Dickinson, 190th ARW, Topeka MERITORIOUS SERVICE RIBBON Cluster Staff Sgt. Kareem L. Grim, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Brian Geske, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Lt. Col. Claude L. Lovell III, JFHQKS-AC, Topeka Capt. Joe A. Dessenberger, 184th ARW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Hulse, 184th ARW, Wichita Cluster Janet Wisdom, JFHQKS, Topeka Capt. Toby Foster, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Justin L. Nichols, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Sean Hall, 190th ARW, Topeka Capt. Kevin D. Olson, 184th ARW, Wichita Staff Sgt. David A. Olds, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Janet Peterson, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD Capt. Phillip Stadler, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Pamela Y. Russell, 184th ARW, Wichita Cluster RECRUITING RIBBON Capt. Bret Ulrich, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Brandie R. Schulte, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Mark Peterson, 190th ARW, Topeka Master Sgt. Mark E. Post, 184th ARW, Wichita 1st Lt. Craig M. Cooper, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Senior Airman John M. Molstad, 184th ARW, Wichita Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Rabb, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey A. Johansen, 190th ARW, Topeka Cluster Senior Airman Orlando Saucedo, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Brian Williams, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Archie H. Johnson, 190th ARW, Topeka 1st Lt. Michael L. Ehrstein, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak Staff Sgt. Melanie Chavez, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Steven A. Juhl, 184th ARW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Leaf Cluster ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Coonts, 184th ARW, Wichita Device 2nd Lt. Brandon J. Rozario, 184th ARW, Wichita Maj. Mark Green, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Jeffery Corlis, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. William C. Smith, 184th ARW, Wichita Chief Master Sgt. Howard Steanson, 190th ARW, Topeka, Maj. Timothy Stevens, JFHQKS-AC, Topeka Staff Sgt. Michael J. Eilert, 184th ARW, Wichita Page 18 Plains Guardian • June 2007 Tradition keeps families going while their Soldiers are deployed By Sgt. Michael H. Mathewson, UPAR By Double Digit Midgets, explained Traditions are an important part of mili- Kristiant, are the young teenagers who tary life. Dating back thousands of years, were assuming responsibility within the the hand salute is rendered countless times group and assisting with a wide range per day. Family traditions are equally activities. important. These traditions create a struc- This year’s picnic was larger than past ture that binds family members together in events. Beginning at 9 a.m. to take advan- times of stress or joy, even if separated by tage of the cool of the morning, one of the time and distance. Maintaining a tradition unit aircraft hangers had been turned into a is what the military family of the 1st carnival. There was a rock climbing wall, Battalion 108th Aviation Regiment a moon bounce, bungee run, cup cake achieved on June 23. walk, fishing pond, putting green, face A long standing tradition with the 108th painting and several other activities. is to host a picnic for the members of the “This is so great; the girls are loving it,” unit and their families on the final day of said Amanda Weissbeck, wife of Spc. annual training. In 2006, the unit had just Bradley Weissbeck, as she watched her deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, daughters Page, 4, and Kailey 15 months, removing the desire of the collective mili- running from event to event. tary family to celebrate. Along the flight line, a UH-60 Black A year has now gone by and the Family Hawk helicopter was open for exploration Readiness Group worked hard to build a by would-be pilots, crew chiefs and in- sense of togetherness among the families on flight medics. Next to the helicopter, the home front. This included the spouses, Guard members helped visitors try on children, parents, good friends and other flight crew equipment. At 11 a.m., 20 Guard members. They realized the tradition- Guard members divided into five teams The annual 108th Aviation’s Family Readiness Group picnic included a hamburg- al picnic at the end of this year’s two weeks and ran a relay obstacle course devised by er/hot dog lunch with all the fixings. (Photo by Jane Welch) of training would be a good tool to help the FRG. strengthen the families until their loved ones At noon, traditional fare of hamburgers, the Kansas National Guard Recruiting and Heather Parrack, 17 and Amber Lewis, 14. return. Janet Kristiant, wife of Sgt. James hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and Retention Detachment. Carnival items were Parrack, who attends Washburn Rural, will Kristiant, Company A, volunteered to be the lemonade was served with cookies and provided by the American Cancer Society in be joining the Kansas Army National event organizer. cup cakes for dessert. exchange for the FRG volunteering to help Guard this summer. She will attend week- “The event just started to take on a life “I liked the helicopter,” said 2-year-old during the Society’s Relay For Life. end drills during her senior year and, fol- of its own,” said Kristiant. “As so many of Anthony Joye, son of Spc. Max Joye, Operating many of the carnival events lowing her graduation, will attend Basic our events have been for the adults, we Company E, between bites of his cupcake. were 12 cadets from Topeka West’s Army Training and Advanced Individual wanted this to be about the kids. When the All the food was prepared by Sgt. 1st JROTC program headed by Maj. Charles Training as a medical technician. As a idea of a carnival came up, we decided to Class Brad Puff and Spc. James Davis of Wright. The cadets allowed all the mem- fully qualified member of the Guard, she go with it. We especially wanted to do the battalion’s mess section. bers of the Readiness Group to enjoy will then be able to use her educational something for the Double Digit Midgets.” The rock climbing wall was provided by themselves. Two of the volunteers were benefits for her college education.

Amanda Weissbeck entertains 15-month-old Kaily while sister Page, 4, gets her face No picnic/carnival would be complete without its share of competitive events. painted at the 108th Family Readiness Group annual picnic. (Photo by Jane Welch) (Photo by Jane Welch) “The Great Air Race” becomes a reality for Kansas Guardsman By Sgt. Michael H. Mathewson, UPAR flying is a Citabria built by Bellanca In 1965, Twentieth Century-Fox released Aircraft. The Citabria is a high wing, two- the movie “Those Magnificent Men in person, single engine general aviation air- Their Flying Machines.” This fall, viewers craft certified for aerobatics. will be able to watch “The Great Air Race,” “We will need to be in Atlanta by August a reality television show in which 100 3rd,” said Summers. “On the 5th we will pilots from the 50 states will fly 10,000 take off, heading southwest along the south- miles. Spc. Billy Summers, Company E, 1st ern border until we reach the Pacific. From Battalion, 108th Aviation, has been selected there will fly north to the Canadian border.” as one of the hundred. “From Washington state, we head east Summers is a licensed pilot, commercial along the northern tier of States to Bangor, pilot with single and multi engine (land), Maine,” he continued. “Then we head certified flight instructor, certified flight south along the Atlantic coast, ending in instrument instructor, in addition to being Melbourne, Fla. Weather permitting, that a certified ground and instrument ground should take 12 days. On the 13th and final instructor. Out of uniform, Summers is the day, no one will know the final leg until manager of Fort Leavenworth’s Morale, just before takeoff.” Recreation and Welfare Flying Club, Summers went on to explain, “Each air- where he is also a flight instructor. plane will be handicapped; that way it will Through the flying club, Summers be the skill of the pilots and not the speed received a fax recruiting pilots for “The of the airplane that will be the deciding Great Air Race” television show. Summers factor. The pilots must find the right alti- and Jim Getty, Parkville, Mo., his co-pilot tude for the best air speed and fuel con- and owner of the airplane they will be fly- sumption. Hitting the check points on time ing, submitted their application. Somewhat is going to win the race.” Kansas National Guardsmen Spc. Billy Summers has been selected to take part in a to their surprise, they were selected. “All flights will also be under Visual new reality program called “The Great Air Race.” (Photo by Sgt. Michael H. The plane Summers and Getty will be (Continued on Page 19) Mathewson) June 2007 • Plains Guardian Page 19 Guardsmen facilitate repairs Access Control Operations – to airport power plant the first layer of base defense By 1st Lt. Shannon Terry the Airport back-up power,” said Pederson, By 1st Lt. Shannon Terry Throughout the course of their one-year “We are now taking a position of training “Security is not a convenience,” said “Security is not deployment, the 130th Field Artillery the Iraqis that will empower them to own Sgt. 1st Class Randy Rice, enrollment non- Brigade has made strides in the economic the upkeep and management of the equip- commissioned officer in charge. a convenience.” development of local Iraqi communities. ment. They are very much interested in Access control is one of the many layers Sgt. 1st Class Randy Rice Recently, members of this Topeka-based learning the systems and how to repair the of the multi-faceted base defense opera- Kansas National Guard unit have been systems in place.” tions on Victory Base Complex in Iraq. facilitating repairs to the Baghdad This project could have significant The access control office, otherwise cards) and passports looking for fakes. International Airport (BIAP) Power Plant. implications. known as badging, authorizes entry to Personal interaction with locals and con- The brigade, lead by Civil Affairs “Exploitation of this plan will place the VBC for thousands of people per month, tracted employees from other nations, such Officer Lt. Col Kirk Pederson, has been ownership of maintenance and sustainabil- providing the first line of defense against as India and the Philippines, is an integral working concurrently with Iraqi contrac- ity on the government of Iraq,” said potential insurgent infiltration. This opera- part of the job. tors, BIAP power plant staff and airport Pederson. tion is a Force Protection entity operated “It’s great to meet the locals,” said management to help facilitate and design a “The Iraq airport having a reliable by the 130th Field Artillery Brigade. Master Sgt. Brian Anderson. “We have a “way ahead” that is not just about money. power source will be a great asset to the Badging operations are a collective good relationship.” Instead, the goal is addressing and correct- country’s international commerce,” effort of civilian and military entities. A “One of the highlights of this operation ing the deficiencies of the power plant, Pederson continued. “This project is just seven-Soldier military team, lead by 2nd for me personally was getting to badge one training employees to conduct equipment another positive step in the way ahead for Lt. Jason Ragsdale and Master Sgt. Brian of the authors of the Iraqi Constitution,” maintenance and ensuring sustainment of the country of Iraq.” Anderson, work with eight civilian con- said Rice. Over the course of the deploy- the power plant independent of the U.S. Current assessments have indicated a tractor enrollers. Together, they badge an ment the Badging Office has met several military. need for minor repairs to the existing back average of 100 people per day. high-ranking international officials, former “In the past, money and equipment have up generators, operator training, and syn- “Landmarks in the deployment seem prisoners of war and a countless number of been provided for upgrading capacity for chronization of three separate systems. long in the past because we’re so busy,” Iraqi citizens that will be the future success said Rice. of this country. Organization is a critical part of the Compliance checks are another compo- access control operation. Sgt. 1st Class nent of the access control operation. Terry Townsend is responsible for manag- Certain privileges, such as dining facilities, ing a database of more than 18,000 entries, gym and Post Exchange access, exist only a tedious, but effective way to manage the for the benefit of Soldiers and selected massive amount of information of the life- individuals. network of VBC. Another organizational “Dining facility privileges, for example, feature of the Badging Office is the daily cost around $36,000 a year per individ- count of the hard-copy applications. ual,” said Ragsdale, “Fiscal responsibility “Applications serve multiple purposes – is part of the contract.” criminal investigations, intelligence reports Guards at the High Occupancy Facilities and military police included,” said and PXs are on their A-game: Sharp at Ragsdale. picking out individuals that don’t belong. Sgt. First Class Ray Ott has done a stel- But after long shifts of checking several lar job reorganizing the operations. The hundred badges, the smallest details can be whole office has made a lasting impact of overlooked. That is where the badgers the success of their follow-on unit by come in. They frequently monitor High almost single handedly digitizing the entire Occupancy Facilities looking for expired operation. badges, etc. Challenges include correct information “Breaking the rules for access is the on paperwork. In the local area, many same as taking away from the Soldiers and applicants have similar sounding names. individuals who have earned those,” said This presents a lesson in cultural under- Sgt. First Class Randy Rice. standing for the members of the badging The access control office is located at A Soldier of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade conducts an assessment of the power office. If an enroller, for example, makes a one of the entry control points, an eventful plant at Baghdad International Airport. (Photo by 1st Lt. Shannon Terry) small error entering a fairly common local place to work. As the largest access point name, the result could change that person’s for Iraqi local nationals, it is a hub of entire identity. activity. It is not uncommon for this entry “The Great Air Race” “You get the opportunity down here to control point to see enemy activity, as Continued from Page 18 learn a lot about the local populace,” said well. Incoming small arms rounds have Flight Rules,” said Summers, “taking away “I am planning on coming Spc. Jonathan Hopkins. left the office trailers littered with bullet any advantage of the larger planes with home on a new plane or at The badgers give careful attention to holes. Indirect fire attacks impacting the better equipped instrument packages. No least a Lincoln Navigator.” detail when processing applications. area also have left the Soldiers with a last- one will be voted off the island, but there are Spc. Bill Summers “Individuals trying to gain access into ing impression. bound to be crews with mechanical prob- the VBC are getting smarter in their meth- “With this job comes a large sense of lems that will not make the take off time.” ods,” said Rice, accustomed to careful responsibility,” said Spc. Jonathan Hopkins. University, Salina flight program. He left There will be rewards for good perfor- inspection of Ginseas (Iraqi identification “I get to learn a lot from experience.” mance and penalties for poor performance. the Guard after his graduation. For a good leg, the crew might win a new “As a new instructor I was flying with car. For a bad leg, the crew might end up students every weekend,” Summers said. spending the night on a cot in the back of a “That did not leave much time for the Fixed Base Operator’s hanger. Guard. Now that I am the boss, I can “There is over $1,000,000 in prizes,” schedule free weekends, allowing time for said Summers, “and I am planning on the Guard. Also, the bonus the Guard coming home on a new plane or at least a offered helped make my decision.” Lincoln Navigator.” Following the race, Summers is planning Summers first joined the Guard in 1987 to apply for the Army National Guard war- to help pay his way through Kansas State rant officer flight training program. Kansas Guardsmen keep convoys rolling in Iraq Continued from Page 15 remember. with every mission they conduct. “There are no safe zones,” Gibson said. During one recent pre-mission briefing for Afterwards, Spc. Marce N. Collier of the 731st Transportation Company, Staff Sandusky, Ohio, who is a driver with 3rd Sgt. Gerold Gibson of Wetmore, Kan., assis- Platoon, shrugged her individual body tant convoy commander, gave members of armor on. She was reactivated from the 3rd Platoon the most recent intelligence Individual Ready Reserve for this deploy- information, ranging from locations of IED ment and is still getting used to the weight attacks the night before to suspect vehicles of her protective gear. they should be on the lookout for. The convoy preparing to leave would be He noted the importance of communica- her second mission outside the wire. tion checks, proper escalation of force pro- “It’s still fresh and new,” she said. “I’m Sgt. 1st Class Ray Ott issues ID badges to two Iraqi civilians. (Photo by 1st Lt. cedures, and added a warning for them to trying to learn all I can.” Shannon Terry) Artist bringsbeautytoIraq Plains Guar on apositivenote.” to givethemsomethingbegintheirday son tolookup,”saidSprawka,“Iwanted their headhangingbecausethereisnorea- her deployment. seems sodark,”saidSprawka. with herwork. inspiring bothSoldiersandcontractors enhancing thebackdropoflivingareas, multi-faceted artist,Sprawkahasbeen deployed inIraqforalmostayear. A Sprawka, Manhattan,Kan.,hasbeen massive colorfulmurals.Sgt.Carol Complex bydecoratingthesebarrierswith aesthetic pleasuretothe Victory Base small armsfireechoinginthebackground. tection andasseparationbarriersfromthe These concretewallsareusedasblastpro- riers havereplacedgrovesofpalmtrees. wartime conditions:Massiveconcretebar- serves asableakreminderofthecurrent depressing. The oncedesertoasisnow impression ofthe VBC desolate and mate andputridairmakestheoverall desert terraincoupledwiththeharshcli- Iraq, isassociatedwithbeauty. The muted Victory BaseComplex(VBC)inBaghdad, By 1stLt.Shannon Terry (Photo bySgt. Carol Sprawka) “Gone toIraq” paintingbothhumorsand inspires spectatorsinBaghdad, Iraq. (Photo bySgt.JustinRogers) paints amuralonconcrete barriersatthe Victory BaseComplexinBaghdad,Iraq. Sgt. Carol Sprawka,130thField Artillery Brigade,Kansas Army NationalGuard, Plains Guar “It isarareoccurrenceinthisplace, “I noticedthatpeoplewouldwalkwith She beganpaintinginIraqearlyon “It’s upliftingtoseecolorinaplacethat One Soldierisdoingherparttobring It’s notoftenthatthelandscapeof said Sprawka the peoplethatwillbehereafterward,” different mediumstogether.” ing societyformedin2002. able andlikedthemall.” I triedeverymediumthatwasmadeavail- Kansas State University. young age,butflourishedwhileattending said Sprawka. something extra. belong, whichgivestheviewerthatlittle in suchasaflowerwhereitdoesn’t There’s alwaysalittleextrahumoradded bright colorsandartist’s signaturestyle. They areallthematicallyconnectedby expression absentfromaregularphoto. be messy.” ing givesmoreroomandexcuseto reach,” saidSprawka.“Large scalepaint- paintings, allaboutfourbysixfeet. on hermotivationtoundertakethisproject. scenery,” continuedSprawkaelaborating are forasplitsecondandjustenjoythe ugly conditions)youcanforget whereyou when youseesomethingbeautiful(insuch “I dothisforthepeopleherenowand “My favoritechallengeismarryingthe She wasalsothepresidentofpaint- “In collegeIstartedmetalsculpturetoo. Her appreciationforartbeganata “Painting doesn’t havetobe correct,” The paintingscaptureasenseofartistic “The paintingsextendasfaryoucan Her collectionpresentlyconsistsoffive dian dian vate tourofthePentagonandSenate. National Guard. Young wasalsogivenapri- readiness andmoraleintheKansas Army and answersessiononthestateoffamily Inouey (Democrat-Hawaii)foraquestion with MedalofHonorrecipientSen.Daniel Sen. PatrickLahey(Democrat-Vermont) and Blum. Followingthehearing Young met hearing ontheNationalGuardbudgetwith D. Gipeandvarioussenators. Guard Bureau;CommandSgt.Maj.John H. Steven Blum,chiefofthe National receive thehonorofmeetingwithLt.Gen. selected fromhundredsofSoldiersto Washington D.C. April 9-12. Young was sented theKansas Army NationalGuardin Battalion, 137thInfantryproudlyrepre- By Sgt.KevinFarlow, UPAR selected fortriptoWashington D.C. Kansas Army NationalGuardSoldier Shipman receivesLegionofMerit deployments. Shipmanresides inSabethawithhiswife,Peggy. (Photoprovided) the battalionandledsuccessfullythrough twoseparatewartime provided experienceandleadership thatdevelopedthelongtermexcellenceof increasing responsibility, culminatingasbattalionmaintenanceofficer. Shipman ofthebattalion,servinginpositions Shipman wasalong-standingmember Annual St. Barbara’s DiningOutofthe2ndBattalion,130thField Artillery. 39meritoriousyearsofserviceduringthe over with theLegionofMeritfor 4MichaelShipman presents retired Chief Warrant Officer Lt. Col.JohnRueger Young attendedaSenatesubcommittee Staff Sgt.Mark Young, CompanyC,2nd DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE PRSRT STD NATIONAL GUARD OF KANSAS U.S. Postage Adjutant General of Kansas PAID 2800 Topeka Blvd. Augusta, Kansas Topeka, Kansas 66611-1287 Permit No. 1 ______

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFFICIAL BUSINESS Penalty For Private Use, $300 Nicholaus, 16andonedaughterZoie,15. Institute inSalina. Young alsohasoneson, as aninstructorattheRegional Training Kansas Army NationalGuardandserves Kimberly, isafirstlieutenantinthe Artic ServiceMedal. the UnitedStates MarineCorps andan Badge, twoCombat Action ribbonsfrom the BronzeStar, theCombatInfantry awards, citationsanddecorationsincluding vice, Young hasbeenawardednumerous for anoperationalsecurityteaminIraq. East, whereheservedasplatoonsergeant returned fromadeploymenttotheMiddle 137th Infantry, in Wichita. Young recently officer forCompanyC,2nd Battalion, serves asthetrainingnoncommissioned Young residesin Wichita. Young’s wife, Throughout his21yearsofmilitaryser- Young isafull-timeGuardmemberand