THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GUARD VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 • WINTER

Click here to find out about an all-female Black Hawk flight crew in the Wisconsin .Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs photo by Vaughn R. Larson TAKING

n 97th ROOTAgribusiness Development Team engaged in dynamic mission The members of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 97th Agribusiness Development Team have already reached a couple of milestones in their deployment to Kunar Province, Afghanistan — they have taken the place 6 2012 NGB Media Contest winner of Wisconsin’s first agribusiness team, the82nd ADT, and they have been officially authorized to wear 101st Airborne combat patches signifying at least 30 straight days in country. Capt. Bill Barthen, officer in charge of the 97th ADT — which functions as part of the Kunar Provincial 97th ADT begins mission 2012 Keith L. Ware Awards winner Reconstruction Team — said the team has transitioned well. “The 82nd ADT did a great job showing us exactly how they did missions,” Barthen said in a March 1 e-mail. “Each ag team member walked their replacement through project development, the mission request, how to conduct key leader engagements, and how to complete Capt. Bill Barthen, the officer in charge of the agriculture section of Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) closing reports following missions.” Kunar, No Slack Battalion 2/327 (Official), 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Bastogne, and Tech Sgt. Those missions involve talking with provincial Chontelle Southworth, 97th Agribusiness Development Team, conduct an assessment of Kunar University Winter 2013 officials with the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation Greenhouses with university staff. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Vradenburg, PRT Kunar Move your cursor over during dynamic time in Af- and Livestock (DAIL) as well as district extension agents this photo to see another image. regarding best practices for sustainable and profitable farming, as well as how to apply for funding from live, work and go to school.” their government by improving delivery of DAIL services Afghanistan’s national government. Continuing changes in the overall scope of the U.S. to rural farmers and herders. He said that provincial Barthen said the best part of the deployment for him mission in Afghanistan may translate into different agencies are seeing success in requesting and receiving Volume 5, Issue 1 thus far has been interacting with representatives of the mission expectations for the 97th ADT. Barthen said he funding for specific projects from national government Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. is concerned about how these dynamics may impact the agencies. on the cover “I enjoy hearing their personal goals for the families mission the 97th was sent to accomplish — increasing “Our team is motivated to get out and work,” Barthen — personal, professional and educational,” Barthen said. agricultural productivity by improving farmer access said. “As long as we are over here, we’ll be pushing for “Overall, Afghans are quite similar to us. They have to key services, linking farmers with markets and trade the opportunity to get out with the people and make sure similar goals like having a happy, healthy family with a corridors, rehabilitating watersheds and improving ghanistan Official Newsletter of the good education, good employment and safety where they irrigation, and increasing Afghan farmer confidence in Sgt. Cassandra Weiss gives the “thumbs Wisconsin Army and up” sign as the Wisconsin Army National

Soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 135th Medical Company, 641st Troop Command, conducted an air evacuation exercise at Battle Creek Guard’s first all-female Black Hawk http://dma.wi.gov Air Field in Oconomowoc March 2. Operation Arial Badger was an exercise organized by the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s West Bend aviation units involving civilian emergency response organizations, local hospitals, and the , with several disaster scenarios throughout southeastern Wisconsin. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Sgt. Tyler Lasure medevac crew takes flight Feb. 1 at Army The Adjutant General: Aviation Support Facility #1 in West Bend. Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar The lack of female crew chiefs in the past Deputy Adjutant General Army: 15 meant that all-female crews were not Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson MEDEVAC! possible in the Wisconsin Army National Deputy Adjutant General Air: Guard medics train with Guard. scenario that tested the Guard’s medical Knuppel, 112th Aviation commander. “We I am coming from, and just not forget [the n Guard, civil agencies fly evacuation capabilities. get to know their capabilities, they get to basics] as I move on and learn new and The exercise, dubbed Operation Aerial know our capabilities, and so hopefully more exciting, high-speed things.” Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben together for joint training Badger, combined an array of Wisconsin together we can support the state This scenario also required Stalewski Sgt. Megan Burnham medical and aviation units to include emergency mission.” to call for aerial support to have the and Sgt. Tyler Lasure elements of the 248th Aviation Support One of the scenarios, conducted at the victim transported to a nearby hospital. FROM THE TAG 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Battalion, 112th Aviation, 135th Aviation, Flight for Life facility in Fond du Lac, A flight operation crew of the 112th civilians for domestic 3 238th Aviation, 135th Medical Company, involved Sgt. Philip Stalewski, a new Aviation received the call and dispatched Wisconsin National Guard aviators and and cadets from the Civil Air Patrol. flight medic with the 112th Aviation, a UH-72 Lakota helicopter, the newest Director, Joint Staff: medics, along with civilian emergency Civilian emergency management agencies assessing the numerous injuries on a medical evacuation aircraft supporting the management agencies, participated in a included area hospitals and a Fond du mannequin victim and providing the Wisconsin National Guard. joint training natural disaster exercise Lac-based Flight for Life crew from Air necessary medical aid. Sgt. 1st Class Michael Barrera, 112th 82nd ADT RETURNS FROM spanning all of southeastern Wisconsin. Methods, Inc. “This is great to do this kind of Aviation senior medic, served as the non- 4 For the first time in five years, civilian “Working with Air Methods and Civil integrated training with the flight unit commissioned officer in charge for the agencies and National Guard aviation Air Patrol also helps us with our state having only just recently joined the flight exercise. Brig. Gen. Scott Legwold units worked together in a joint exercise emergency mission for the Governor,” facility myself,” Stalewski said. “This is a March 2 to react to a mass flooding said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike great way to remember my basics, where operation readiness AFGHANISTAN Director of Public Affairs: Maj. Paul Rickert 8 115th FW RETURNS FROM AFRICA At Ease Editor: 9 1157th ROAD TRIP ENDS IN WISCONSIN Vaughn R. Larson 10 HIMARS UNIT READY FOR MISSIONS 104TH SFAAT PREPARING FOR CHANGE Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs 12 13 MAIDEN FLIGHT OF ALL-FEMALE CREW 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 35 14 64th, 332nd ROCS CLOSE UP SHOP 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team YEAR IN REVIEW A look back at the 17 EMERGENCY PLANNING IN NICARAGUA Public Affairs 18 HUGE FIRE MISSION FOR 426Tth RTI 157th Maneuver Enhancement Wisconsin National 19 MILESTONE FOR MRT TRAINING Brigade Public Affairs Guard in 2012 20 VIRTUAL TRAINING FOR ROTC CADETS Public Affairs 21 FINDING THE HEART OF FALLEN HERO 22 NEW COMMAND AT VOLK FIELD Public Affairs The on-line, interactive @ease offers many features you 23 BG EBBEN HEADS WISCONSIN AIR Volk Field Combat Readiness may not be aware of. Follow the to see ad- GUARD Training Center Public Affairs red caption text 24 SHIELDS TAKES OVER AS STATE CSM ditional photos and videos. Click on the blue text to open 25 105th CAV FLAG AT INAUGURATION How to Reach Us related sites or to to view the stories as they appeared on 26 JOB SUMMIT EYES RESERVE CONCERNS E-mail: [email protected] dma.wi.gov. Click on the teasers above to go directly to that 27 USAA, ESGR SALUTES Phone: (608) 242-3056 Fax: (608) 242-3051 28 SPOUSE SUPPORT EARNS PATRIOT NOD Department of Military Affairs; page. Attn: Vaughn R. Larson The pages are designed to print out at 8.5-by-11 inches, 29 MERITORIOUS SERVICE 2400 Wright Street; Madison, WI 53708-8111 giving you the option of reading @ease off-line. 31 VETERANS, FAMILIES, RETIREES Submissions: For photo or story submissions, The Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard’s At Ease newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of At Ease please call (608)242-3056 are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army or Air Force. 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@ease 2 Winter 2013 From the TAG n “The Tempest,” Shakespeare is to preserve national security during wrote, “What’s past is prologue” — fiscally challenging times. It’s not Ior what has happened before sets the clear what decisions our elected officials stage for important things to come. will make, but one thing is clear. For us, midway through fiscal Unlike previous challenges, the year 2013, the elephant in the room has a national treasure is fiscal. The nation’s debt exceeds to hedge the national security risk. $17 trillion and we continue to run That treasure is the National Guard substantial deficits. Our elected — the most experienced, relevant, leaders have been unable to manage accessible and highly skilled National the spending imbalance and, failing Guard in our nation’s history. Given a compromise, agreed on mandatory the efficiency and extraordinary value cuts — known as sequestration. of the National Guard, it is highly The idea was simple — set up likely that we will be asked to do more something so distasteful that Congress — to remain an operational force, to and the President would find a way Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar continue our high level of readiness, to compromise rather than allow The Adjutant General and be prepared to respond locally, mandatory cuts to occur. Recently, cut flying hours, military training, requesting another BRAC (Base regionally and nationally for domestic the “unthinkable” happened — military education, TDYs, conference Realignment and Closure) round and emergencies and be prepared to sequestration occurred and our elected attendance, and so on. We may be reviewing the existing ratio between deploy for unforeseen contingencies. leaders now appear set on allowing forced to cut personnel costs by the active duty and the National Guard The next few years will be very these mandatory cuts to proceed. furloughing civilian technicians for and federal Reserve. Our military is challenging, but we are uniquely What does that mean? $1.2 trillion up to 14 days between now and the also recalibrating our national defense positioned to be an important part of in spending cuts over 10 years — 50 end of Fiscal 2013. While military strategy to ensure we can meet the solution. We remain always ready percent of which will come out of personnel are exempt, this furlough objectives given the cuts in military and always there. It’s a privilege to military spending. may affect dual-status technicians — spending. serve with you. This will affect us near-term even though they wear the uniform That certainly is grim, but past is and long-term. In the near term, and are the backbone of our National prologue. Our nation has been through our current operations accounts are Guard readiness. difficult times before and we will find being severely restricted. This will Long term, the military is a positive way forward. The challenge

William Shakespeare once wrote, “A rose by any decided to transition the publication from print to are returning to this publication’s original name other name would smell as sweet,” suggesting that online format, the name at ease Express was kept, — albeit, keeping the @ to acknowledge that we a name is less important than that which the name with one small modification — to signal its online remain a web-based publication. Our publication describes. presence, at ease became @ease. will remain interactive, and relevant. We are also The wisdom of the bard partially applies to this But even though the way we present @ease to our resuming our traditional quarterly publication publication. You may have noticed that the word readers changed, the mission has not. We still strive schedule, with issues scheduled to be published at “Express” is missing from this issue’s title. A brief to tell the incredible story of the more than 10,000 the end of March, June, September and December. explanation: Prior to at ease releasing its final men and women of the Wisconsin National Guard While @ease by any other name — or format — print edition in 2009, a smaller on-line issue was to the best of our ability — a tradition that began would still be @ease, names do have significance. posted under the name at ease Express. When the decades ago. We are proud to return the traditional name to this

from the editor Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office Recognizing that tradition, with this issue we award-winning publication.

@ease 3 Winter 2013 82nd ADT Raising

HOPE1st Lt. Joe Trovato Wisconsin National Guard

After a yearlong mobilization to Afghanistan, the last remaining members of the 82nd Agribusiness Development Team (ADT) arrived safely back in Wisconsin Feb. 22, leaving behind lessons to help Afghans build a sustainable agricultural infrastructure. Assembled from the ranks of farmers, soil scientists and science teachers, the 82nd ADT deployed to Afghanistan in April 2012 as members of the International Security Assistance Force to connect with Afghan farmers in Kunar Province. The team originally consisted of 48 Soldiers and Airmen, but a slew of Wisconsin Army National Guard Maj. Sarah Bammel and nearby more effective ways at cultivating crops, as subsis- mission changes resulted in 35 Guardsmen Master Sgt. Kentin Bauercheck out crops inside of a green- tence farming makes up the majority of products created returning home in September 2012. The house at the Khas Kunar Demo Farm June 7, 2012. The Pro- within Afghanistan. The PRT works alongside with local gov- remaining 13 stayed in Kunar where they vincial Reconstruction Team Kunar agricultural section as- ernance to connect the people of Afghanistan with their gov- became the agricultural component of sists the Demo Farm to show the farmers and other locals ernment. U.S. Army photo Kunar’s provincial reconstruction team. “The main theme of our deployment understanding of agriculture, fostered center for livestock and fostering a found success with most of its enterprises. has been flexibility,” Master Sgt. Kenton early stages of agribusiness, and promoted partnership between the University The unit left a strong legacy in place for Bauer, the unit’s agronomist, said from a wide-range of training that is now of Wisconsin-River Falls and Said its replacement, the 97th ADT, a unit also Afghanistan in January. delivered by district extension agents, and Jamaluddin Afghani University. The unit comprised of Wisconsin Guardsmen. Before the 35 Soldiers and Airmen their staff,” explained Bauer, a science also took on a key role in an effort to When the unit left Afghanistan in from the original unit were sent home, teacher from Sparta. increase saffron production while slowing February, the government was much more the unit’s focus was on connecting local The unit’s personnel worked closely the region’s poppy production. active in funding agricultural projects than Afghan farmers with local government with civilians from the U.S. State Maj. Sarah Bammel, who holds a it was at the beginning of the ADT’s tour and using demonstration farms to teach Department, the U.S. Department of bachelors degree in meteorology and when most of the funding came from the agricultural techniques. Eventually their Agriculture, and other entities to advance served as the officer in charge of the coalition’s provincial reconstruction team. focus shifted to the provincial level. agricultural initiatives in the region. agriculture section, said the unit’s mission But the constant theme throughout “The relationships we developed with Among the 82nd ADT’s key projects was frustrated at times by a lack of funding these districts has allowed an improved was establishing an artificial insemination for specific projects and initiatives, but it Continued on Page 5

@ease 4 Winter 2013 82nd ADT plants seeds of hope for Afghan farming industry Continued from Page 4 wasn’t quite what we thought it would be going over. We got split up, especially once the deployment was change and the unit’s we went to the provincial reconstruction ability to adapt. Staff Sgt. Kyle Wickert of team. Just the way they adapted shows Iron Ridge spent the first two months of every Soldier brings a lot of skills to the his deployment as a squad leader for the table, and they definitely excelled.” ADT’s security force. He eventually led a After demobilizing at Camp Atterbury, quick reaction force squad in Kabul before Ind., for several days, the ADT was met by returning to Kunar Province and the ADT their families, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, as a force protection non-commissioned and fellow Soldiers and Airmen at the officer. Despite the changes, he realized his Armed Forces Reserve Center in Madison. unit’s impact. Brenda Sessler of Milton jokingly “Helping to rebuild, reshape, and try said she was looking forward to having and put Afghanistan’s best foot forward her son, Staff Sgt. Dylan Sessler, shovel to better their country and way of life was the driveway when he got home. More part of being deployed to this country,” importantly, she looked forward to the he wrote in an e-mail from Afghanistan. normalcy his return would provide. “That in itself is the greatest of all “It’s great,” she said. “I’m very proud accomplishments that we did as a team.” of him and all of the Soldiers and what By the time they returned to Wisconsin they’ve accomplished, but it’s nice to have Feb. 22, the unit had conducted more them home.” than 200 combat patrols and made more Waiting to greet Master Sgt. Kenton than 500 engagements with key local Bauer of Sparta were his wife, Heidi, and leaders in 13 of Kunar’s 15 districts. They his three-year-old daughter Sarah. also supported more than 40 medical evacuations on their forward operating “It feels rather surreal,” Heidi Bauer base and managed more than $12 million said upon reuniting with her husband. worth of construction projects. “I’ve been kind of numb for the past year.” The unit’s members collectively earned “This is great being home,” Master five Bronze Star Medals, nine Army Sgt. Bauer said. “It doesn’t seem real yet, Commendation Medals — including one because the whole time that we were going for valor, eight Navy Achievement Medals, through the de-mobilization process was and one Purple Heart. on Camp Atterbury, and you walked “As far as the projects and everything around other people wearing uniforms. else that the team worked on, they had an Other than eating lunch today, this is our impact on over 200,000 Afghans in the first chance to be outside of somebody’s Kunar Province,” Maj. Fred Oehler, the fence.” ADT’s officer in charge, said shortly after Speaking at the unit’s homecoming landing in the U.S. from Afghanistan “I was ceremony, Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, the real proud of them. They did an excellent deputy adjutant general for Army, said, job and adapted to everything. They pretty “Thank you for your service, for what you much set the standards out there.” have done really in demonstrating the true The ADT’s noncommissioned officer in capability of the Wisconsin Army National charge, Sgt. Maj. Greg Millard, lauded the Guard, demonstrating the adaptability and ADT’s flexibility as its missions evolved. the flexibility as you transitioned from one Master Sgt. Kenton Bauer embraces his 3-year-old daugher Sarah and wife Heidi “I was just very impressed with all of mission, to another mission, to another as the remaining members of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 82nd Agribusiness them,” the Tomah native said. “I think mission throughout the course of the last Development Team returned to Wisconsin Feb. 22 for a brief ceremony at the they gave 100 percent the entire year. I 12 months while you’ve been deployed.” Armed Forces Reserve Center in Madison. Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs was most impressed with their ability to • Complete stories online photo by Vaughn R. Larson stick through all the changes. The mission • Additional photos

@ease 5 Winter 2013 TAKING n 97th ROOTAgribusiness Development Team engaged in dynamic mission The members of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 97th Agribusiness Development Team (ADT) have already reached a couple of milestones in their deployment to Kunar Province, Afghanistan — they have taken the place of Wisconsin’s first agribusiness team, the 82nd ADT, and they have been officially authorized to wear 101st Airborne combat patches signifying at least 30 straight days in country. Capt. Bill Barthen, officer in charge of the 97th ADT — which functions as part of the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team — said the team has transitioned well. “The 82nd ADT did a great job showing us exactly how they did missions,” Barthen said in a March 1 e-mail. “Each ag team member walked their replacement through project development, the mission request, how to conduct key leader engagements, and how to complete closing reports following missions.” Those missions involve talking with provincial officials with the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) as well as district extension agents regarding best practices for sustainable and profitable farming, as well as how to apply for funding from live, work and go to school.” their government by improving delivery of DAIL services Afghanistan’s national government. Continuing changes in the overall scope of the U.S. to rural farmers and herders. He said that provincial Barthen said the best part of the deployment for him mission in Afghanistan may translate into different agencies are seeing success in requesting and receiving thus far has been interacting with representatives of the mission expectations for the 97th ADT. Barthen said he funding for specific projects from national government Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. is concerned about how these dynamics may impact the agencies. “I enjoy hearing their personal goals for the families mission the 97th was sent to accomplish — increasing “Our team is motivated to get out and work,” Barthen — personal, professional and educational,” Barthen said. agricultural productivity by improving farmer access said. “As long as we are over here, we’ll be pushing for the “Overall, Afghans are quite similar to us. They have to key services, linking farmers with markets and trade opportunity to get out with the people and make sure similar goals like having a happy, healthy family with a corridors, rehabilitating watersheds and improving good education, good employment and safety where they irrigation, and increasing Afghan farmer confidence in Continued on Page 7

@ease 6 Winter 2013 97th ADT engaged in dynamic mission Continued from Page 6 there is continuity in projects and sustainability in areas we work.” Sgt. Michelle Rothaug of Baraboo is the unit’s veterinary technician. She employed “outside-the-box” thinking to prepare for this deployment. “I actually went to the zoo in Madison and talked to them specifically regarding camels as a potential different animal that I haven’t necessarily worked with previously,” she said. “Other than that, there isn’t a whole lot of difference from what I have handled before. Large animals — typically your sheep, goats and cows, horses, donkeys — they’re relatively the same and I’ve had experience with t h at .” Rothaug said she expects to work with Afghan farmers and officials on improved techniques for artificial insemination and other animal care issues. The 97th ADT left Wisconsin Jan. 3 following a sendoff ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters. Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, praised the ADT for volunteering to take on such a complex mission. “To take American fighting Soldiers and Airmen and put them in a situation where they are mentoring Above, Gov. Scott Walker Afghanistan’s citizens and farmers and teaching them a speaks with 97th Agribusiness better way of life — what an incredible challenge for these Development Team commander folks to be the ambassadors for our country and teach Capt. Craig Giese during a Jan. these farmers a better way in addition to the responsibility 3 sendoff ceremony at Joint of being a Soldier or an Airman in the place where they’re Forces Headquarters in Madison. going,” he said. Wisconsin National Guard photo by “It is exceptional. I think it’s quintessentially what the 1st Lt. Joe Trovato National Guard is all about — citizen Soldiers, citizen Airmen answering the call and not only doing the stuff Left, Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, that you would expect, but taking on the difficult missions assistant adjutant general for that they’re going find themselves in.” Army, speaks with officers of Gov. Scott Walker likened the ADT’s mission in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Afghanistan to planting strong roots for agriculture in 97th Agribusiness Development that country. Team Jan. 14 while the unit was “Certainly when you think of agriculture, we think of conducting mobilization training one of the important things for a good harvest is having at Camp Atterbury, Ind. Wisconsin deep, thick roots,” the governor said. “Certainly from an National Guard Public Affairs photo agricultural standpoint in Afghanistan, you’ll be helping by Vaughn R. Larson people understand that, but in a very real sense, those roots aren’t just about growing things. They’re about • Complete stories online growing a nation.” • Additional photos

@ease 7 Winter 2013 Wisconsin Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar and Gov. Scott Walker welcome home nearly 200 115th FW back from deployment members of the Wisconsin Air OUT OF AFRICA: National Guard’s 115th Fighter 1st Lt. Stephen Montgomery Wing commander, thanked both the Wing March 11. 115th Fighter 115th Fighter Wing fighter wing members for their hard work Wing photos by Master Sgt. Paul and their families for their continued Gorman The Wisconsin Air National Guard’s support. 115th Fighter Wing welcomed home some “I’m very proud of the men and of its fellow Airmen following a two- women of the fighter wing,” Wiegand month deployment to Africa March 11. said. “Welcome home — enjoy your well- The Airmen returned to a packed deserved time off.” hanger at Truax Field in Madison, where “There is no finer unit for a mission they were welcomed by Gov. Scott Walker, like this than for the men and women the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s top of the Wisconsin National Guard,” leadership, friends, and loved ones. Walker said. “You continue the legacy of “This is an outstanding group of those great Americans that came from Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Brian Parker, the Wisconsin that knew when duty called, deployed detachment commander. “We you answer that call.” met 100 percent of our taskings and Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant executed our mission flawlessly.” general of Wisconsin, thanked the families Parker presented Walker with a of the just-returned Airmen for their Wisconsin flag that had flown over the support — “I know firsthand how difficult deployment camp and in an F-16 on a it can be to say good-bye to your loved combat support mission, as a thank-you to ones, whether it’s for a day or a couple of the governor for his support. months like this deployment,” he said — All told, the 115th Fighter Wing flew and noted that troop support comes from more than 550 hours, completed more beyond the family nucleus. than 275 sorties and participated in more “I want to ask the Airmen, when you than 25 sorties with French air-to-air and go back to your job, please — on my air-to-ground fighter integration. behalf, on your behalf, on behalf of the Air Col. Jeffrey Wiegand, the 115th Fighter National Guard — thank your employer,” Dunbar said. “Because just like your families, without the support of your employers the National Guard just could not do what it does so well for our nation.” While 60 days may not be considered a long deployment to some, many families present couldn’t wait to welcome home their loved ones. “I’ve done this many times before,” said Joy Seibel, whose husband Master Sgt. Peter Seibel has deployed four times previously. This deployment was more difficult for their children, however. “This is the first time they’ve been able to understand it,” Joy explained. This is the fourth Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) deployment in the last seven years for the 115th Fighter Wing. The unit previously deployed to Iraq in 2006, 2008 and 2009. • Story online • Additional photos

@ease 8 Winter 2013 1157th TC returns from nine-month Afghanistan road trip 1st Lt. Joe Trovato Wisconsin National Guard

After more than 1.8 million miles, 128 missions, 40 Combat Action Badges, nine Bronze Stars, 105 Army Commendation medals, 12 Army Achievement medals and five Purple Hearts, the 1157th Transportation Company completed its Afghanistan deployment and returned to Wisconsin Jan. 18. “They never hesitated with any mission that came up,” said Capt. Christian Menden, the unit’s commander, upon the unit’s Jan. 7 return to the United States. “They accomplished every single mission that was given to our unit and did it successfully. We were the top transportation unit within our battalion. They would lean on us to get the missions done, and it showed with our Midwestern work ethic that the Wisconsin National Guard is alive and strong.” 1st Sgt. Tom Krueck, of Waukesha, praised the 123 Soldiers of the 1157th for their hard work throughout the deployment. “I think they’re very resilient,” Krueck said. “Just bouncing back from changes and different things that happened throughout the tour. They just never gave up. I’m very proud of what they’ve done and what they’ve accomplished.” Capt. Roger Miller, a platoon leader in the 1157th, explained that the unit conducted operations in northern, eastern, and central Afghanistan, providing convoy security on some of Afghanistan’s most dangerous roads for equipment and personnel leaving Afghanistan. “No mission was too hard. No mission was too dangerous. The 1157th’s dedication to mission accomplishment earned them 40 combat action badges A Soldier from the 1157th Transportation Company greets his son during a Jan. 18 homecoming ceremony at and five purple hearts,” Miller said. “Soldiers are often the EAA in Oshkosh. The unit returned to Wisconsin after a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. Wisconsin thanked for their service, and they’re thanked for their National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Joe Trovato sacrifice. Nobody’s more appreciative, and nobody knows The state’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar The 1157th first reported to Camp Shelby in February that sacrifice more acutely than our family members. said, “It takes something special in our world to have 2012 for mobilization training before arriving in “Thank you for being strong and for working hard enough courage and commitment to this country to put a Afghanistan in April. The past year’s deployment was through all the adversity,” Miller added. “The state of uniform on and endure the rigor of hard training, and then the fifth since 1990 for the unit. The unit mobilized and Wisconsin and the American people should be real proud when your country calls on you, to go into combat, go served overseas during Operations Desert Shield and of you. I’m real proud of you.” forth and complete that mission. You are in a rare, very Desert Storm in 1990, and it provided transportation Gov. Scott Walker thanked the members of the 1157th select breed. I hope that you are proud of what you’ve support in 2002 to Army Special Operations Support for the dedication, representing Wisconsin, and serving accomplished. I want you to know that I am incredibly Command and other units at Fort Bragg, N.C., for 11 the nation. He also promised the state’s assistance in proud of what you’ve accomplished.” months. In September 2005, the unit was ordered to finding jobs for the returning Soldiers. Dunbar also recognized the sacrifices of families active duty to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in “There should be no man or woman coming back from during a deployment. Louisiana, and in 2006, it deployed to Iraq where it logged serving our country on a deployment who doesn’t have “To the families, I know a year is a long time. Your more than 300,000 miles hauling fuel and other cargo. an opportunity for a job once you get back to Wisconsin,” commitment is no less than your Soldier’s to the defense • Complete stories online Walker said. of this country.” • Additional photos

@ease 9 Winter 2013 Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, presents a challenge coin to Spc. Michael Black of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery during the unit’s mobilization training Jan. 6 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Black, a combat medic, performed life-saving measures on a car accident victim the morning of Jan. 5 near the unit’s field training site. Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office photo by Fired up for Afghanistan Vaughn R. Larson A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery sends reduced range practice rounds (RPPR) downrange during certification training Jan. 7 at Fort Bliss, Guard members save woman’s life Texas. The unit is conducting fire support missions in Afghanistan.Wisconsin Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Sean Huolihan 1st Lt. Joseph Trovato Wisconsin National Guard Vaughn R. Larson of snow, which curtailed some aspects of the training Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs schedule. But Bravo leadership worked with field artillery Three Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers subject matter experts from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field who came across an accident scene near White FORT BLISS, Texas — Revolutionary. Artillery from Joint Base Lewis-McChord — working Sands Missile Range, N.M., saved a woman’s life That is how Capt. Matthew Mangerson, commander from a hotel in nearby El Paso, Texas — to develop a on Jan. 5. of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s Battery B, 1st virtual operational theater environment, using available The Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, Battalion, 121st Field Artillery, described the training Army online training tools. 121st Field Artillery were mobilized to Fort his unit received here in preparation for its fire support “Adversity, which is something we’ve had a lot of [due Bliss, Texas, in December in preparation for mission in Afghanistan. to the winter storm], builds character,” said Battery B their deployment to Afghanistan. The day of the “I haven’t seen every training exercise in the Army, but 1st Sgt. Steve Czekala. “Adversity separates the wheat accident, they were driving to Dona Ana, N.M., to this is pretty unique,” Mangerson said. “It’s neat to be a from the chaff. It makes you learn to adapt. Everybody conduct training. part of it.” knows during a time of war, you need to adapt. It actually According to The Fort Bliss Monitor, the To prepare the Plymouth-based unit to be the first became a valuable training tool.” Soldiers discovered the one-vehicle crash and Army National Guard unit to conduct a field artillery Master Sgt. Adam Wallander, a master gunner and pulled over to see how they could assist before mission in Afghanistan, active duty field artillery supervisor for the unit’s mission liaison section, suggested emergency crews arrived. They found a female brigades from Fort Bliss and Joint Base Lewis-McChord that the mobilization training was nearly perfect. passenger pinned inside the vehicle with an open joined forces with a 1st Army training brigade and two “The [5th Battalion, 3rd FA] has supported us fracture of her right femur. The male driver was additional National Guard units to develop a dynamic immensely and built a program for us that is to the ‘T’ walking outside the vehicle. Two other individuals training environment. This environment also provided what we’re going to be doing in Afghanistan,” Wallander training opportunities for the active duty components as said. Continued on Page 11 well as a chance to innovate. A winter storm blanketed Fort Bliss in up to five inches Continued on Page 11

@ease 10 Winter 2013 Bravo Battery makes most of training challenges at Fort Bliss Continued from Page 10 Anderson said the favorable impression Battery B has made reflects on the young Czekala also praised the physical leadership within the organization. environment at Fort Bliss. “When dealt with some difficulty or a “The amount of real estate we have is complex issue, they were flexible enough incredible,” he said — important when and agile enough to come up with an even the reduced range rockets used innovative way to continue forward with for training travel several kilometers. the mission,” Anderson said. The unpredictable desert weather — Czekala agreed. sandstorms, snowstorms, high winds, rain, 80-degree high temperatures and “I know it’s the first sergeant’s job to 20-degree low temperatures — and beat their chest and toot their horn about mountainous backdrop also aided in the unit, but I am 100 percent convinced training. we will go out and do great things,” he “There are only so many HIMARS said. “We have all the key personnel in units in the country, but I’ll bet there’s place. We’re a very mature battery as far even a smaller percentage of them that as age is concerned and as far as rank can say they’ve fired rockets in 70-mph is concerned, which makes my life a lot crosswinds,” Mangerson said. easier. About 60 percent of the battery Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, assistant have deployed before.” adjutant general for Army and himself “I know that probably any commander a field artillery officer, was pleased with Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, would tell you that when they’re getting what he saw during a Jan. 6 visit to Fort assistant adjutant general for Army, and state Command Sgt. Maj. George Stopper ready to go to war, but I don’t know how Bliss. speak with Capt. Matthew Mangerson and 1st Sgt. Steve Czekala of Battery B, to express it more honestly — that’s exactly “Everything that the battery is doing 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Jan. 6 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Wisconsin National how I feel,” Mangerson added. “There’s no indicates to me that the training they Guard Public Affairs Office photo by Vaughn R. Larson question in my mind that [our Soldiers conducted back here at home station in technical prowess as artillerymen, the homeowners. are] ready to do what they need to do.” preparation for their mobilization was Soldiers bring civilian skill sets to the “What that does is it not only validates “The HIMARS world definitely knows spot on,” Anderson said. mission from experiences as carpenters, our unit, but it validates the National who Bravo 121 is,” Czekala said. Czekala said that beyond the unit’s electricians, engineers, farmers and Guard as a whole,” Mangerson said. Entire story online Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers save woman’s life at mobilization training site Continued from Page 10 the patient, threw a tourniquet on there,” he said. life. When crews arrived approximately 30 minutes “Medical evac was already en route.” after the accident, they were able to free the victim had arrived shortly before the Soldiers, called 911 and As Black, a student at UW-Whitewater, treated the from the vehicle and transport her to a local hospital. used a belt as a makeshift tourniquet until the Soldiers woman, Richter helped stabilize her head to prevent a According to the Monitor, the woman sustained two arrived with one of their own. neck injury. He also stayed in contact with emergency broken legs, four cracked ribs, and a cracked sternum. The three Wisconsin Guardsmen — Sgt. 1st Class crews en route to the accident scene. Meanwhile, The Monitor quoted the driver saying, “God put Todd Richter of Sheboygan, Spc. Michael Black of Spc. Aprill helped direct traffic and clear the road of them in our path, because had they not been there and Brookfield, and Spc. Joshua Aprill of Oconto Falls — debris so emergency vehicles could access the scene helped us out the way they did, I don’t think she [the acted quickly as Black, a combat medic, grabbed his unencumbered. passenger] would be with us.” medical aid bag and began treating the woman. “It was a surprise, to say the least,” Black said. “We The three men were each recommended for awards “It was an open fracture and bleeding pretty well. did what we had to do.” as a result. I grabbed my medical bag out of the vehicle, assessed What they did was save the El Paso, Texas, woman’s Story online

@ease 11 Winter 2013 104th SFAAT part of transition process in Afghanistan 1st Lt. Joe Trovato Wisconsin National Guard HERAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — After arriving in Afghanistan earlier this year, 16 Wisconsin Guardsmen are already helping to transition responsibility for the nation’s security back to Afghan hands. The Wisconsin National Guard’s 104th Security Force Advise and Assist Team (SFAAT) deployed to Afghanistan as a key element of the U.S. military’s overall exit strategy for Afghanistan. The strategy depends on establishing an Afghan government, military and police force capable of standing on its own after U.S. forces leave the country in 2014. Working from a remote outpost within an Afghan border police base, the SFAAT has so far adjusted well to life in Afghanistan, according to Lt. Col. David Larson, the unit’s commander. “Our day-to-day varies, but we have established a good battle rhythm and all are adjusting well to it,” he wrote in an e-mail from Afghanistan. “Our team has really come together, and already many have established life-long bonds.” Larson said the SFAAT travels frequently throughout the region in which it operates — conducting weekly logistics runs to acquire food, water, supplies and mail from home. The unit has also worked heavily in the Afghan border regions, assisting its Afghan counterparts in improving border security. “We interact with our Afghan counterparts daily, and The 104th Security have established a great rapport with them,” Larson Force Advise and wrote. “Our mission is to advise and assist the regional Assist Team deployed border police to improve their capability for self- to Afghanistan in sustained operations in order to control and secure the January as a key region.” element of the overall The significance of the unit’s duties is not lost on U.S. exit strategy. The the commander, who recognizes the importance of 16-member Wisconsin transitioning the security mission to the Afghans. National Guard team “This is an important piece of the overall national works with Afghan strategy of turning over security responsibility to the counterparts to Afghan forces with the drawdown and withdrawal transition security of coalition forces from Afghanistan by 2014,” the responsibility to the Baraboo native wrote. “It is a consistent theme here of Afghan government. assessing the Afghans’ status and readiness to operate 104th SFAAT photos independently.” Formed last year out of an all-volunteer group, the 104th trained at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Polk, La., before deploying to Afghanistan in January. Story online

@ease 12 Winter 2013 MAIDENflight Vaughn R. Larson Until now, the three aviation units Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs based at West Bend have lacked the right combination of crewmembers to staff WEST BEND — Capt. Luella an all-female flight. Dooley-Menet said Dooley-Menet’s last flight as a Black that crew chiefs — a maintenance section Hawk medevac helicopter pilot with the member who flies with the aircraft and Wisconsin Army National Guard was troubleshoots any maintenance issues also the first such flight with an all-female during the mission — have usually been crew. males, until this flight. “It’s important to me personally to have Sgt. Cassandra Weiss of West Bend, a my last flight be all females,” said Dooley- crew chief with Detachment 1, Company Menet, who is ending her military service C, 2nd Battalion, 135th Forward after 13 years. “When I first started, I was Support, said she chose to be in aircraft always flying only with males.” maintenance because it was something she While the Feb. 1 flight was special for had never done before. She enjoyed the Dooley-Menet, of , a member all-female flight. of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 238th “It didn’t seem like a big deal at Aviation Regiment, she emphasized that it first, but then coming back [you’re] was not significant strategically. thinking about who you’re flying with, “The aircraft doesn’t know what gender especially that it’s Capt. Dooley-Menet’s you are,” she explained. “It’s one of those last flight,” Weiss said. “It was just nice moments worth noting. Yay for me and to hear another female. It was a sense of yay for women, but really, we’re just going empowerment for me because I’ve never to fly an aircraft. It’s no big deal.” flown with two females before. I don’t While this marks the first all-female think they’ve had a crew chief in the back crew for a Black Hawk medevac flight in who was a female, either.” the Wisconsin Army National Guard, it Dooley-Menet said she was told in is not the organization’s first female-only flight school — incorrectly, she notes — Capt. Luella Dooley-Menet checks flight. In the 1990s Lt. Col. Tammy Gross that she could not fly a Black Hawk with Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rachel the engine compartment prior and Col. Joane Mathews co-piloted a Black another female pilot. To see more female Simeth inspects the tail rotor to the Wisconsin Army National Hawk helicopter with the Madison-based helicopter pilots, and now more female assembly prior to the Wisconsin Guard’s first all-female Black 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, crew chiefs, means that the playing field is Army National Guard’s first all- Hawk medevac crew flight Feb. but did not have an in-flight crew chief. becoming more level, she said. female Black Hawk medevac crew 1 at the Army Aviation Support The flight was a routine 90-minute Weiss agreed. flight Feb. 1 at the Army Aviation Facility #1 in West Bend. continuation training to maintain the “It’s nice to see that females are getting Support Facility #1. Wisconsin Wisconsin National Guard Public required number of flight hours for more opportunities to more jobs,” Weiss National Guard Public Affairs photo Affairs photo by Vaughn R. Larson certification. Chief Warrant Officer 2 said. “It’s up to us now what we do [with by Vaughn R. Larson Rachel Simeth of Shiocton shared piloting that opportunity].” duties with Dooley-Menet. Story online

@ease 13 Winter 2013 Sgt. Maj. Curt Patrouille, left, and Lt. Col. Jacqueline Guthrie, right, of the 64th Rear Lt. Col. John Morgan and Sgt. 1st Class Kirby Frank fold the Berlin-based 332nd Operations Center, case the unit colors during a Jan. 26 inactivation ceremony. Rear Operations Center guidon for the final time during the unit’s inactivation Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs photo by Vaughn R. Larson ceremony on Feb. 9. Wisconsin National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Brian Faltinson By Vaughn R. Larson and is also a member of the Wisconsin and 1st Lt. Brian Faltinson Army National Guard. When asked by Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Morgan about the ROC, Mousa told him that the “332nd ROC was the only Each military unit is represented unit that made him feel like he was part by some type of banner, be it a small of a family,” and that the unit “was truly pennant-like guidon or a large flag. FINAL FORMATION invested in each other and in him, and it Referred to as organizational colors, Wisconsin Army National Guard’s massive ROC’s readiness noncommissioned changed his life for the better.” they indicate what unit is at a particular reorganization in 1967, and known then officer since 2004, was sad to see the unit The 64th ROC has deployed three times location. Casing a unit’s colors — that as the 64th Rear Area Operations Center. inactivated. over the years to support Operation Joint is, rolling the banner around its staff In the mid-1990s the 64th RAOC became “I had many opportunities to Guard in Bosnia from December 1996 and sliding it into a canvas sheath — has two distinct units, one of which became experience missions that most units don’t to September 1997, Fort Bragg, N.C., to traditionally signaled that the unit has the 64th ROC. get to attend,” Tynan said. “And with a support the global war on terrorism from successfully completed its mission. The 332nd ROC was constituted in small unit there is a family-type bond that September 2002 to September 2003, and When this ceremony is performed at 1971 in Milwaukee as the 64th Support develops that is different from the larger as part of the Hurricane Katrina response a forward or contingency operating base Center. The unit relocated to Hartford in line-type units.” from Sept. 1-18, 2005. Over the years, overseas, it is a welcome harbinger of the 1985 and, in 1992, was redesignated the The 332nd deployed two times — first the 64th ROC has also participated in end of a deployment and a flight home. 332nd Rear Support Center. It moved to to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan from exercises in numerous states and nations When performed at an armory, however, Berlin in 1995, and held its inactivation December 2002 to August 2003, and then including Germany, Nicaragua, Hungary, it often punctuates the final chapter of a ceremony Feb. 9. to Iraq from June 2007 to August 2008. It South Korea and Japan. unit’s history. A rear operations center was also supported military exercises across Lt. Col. Jacqueline Guthrie, the final Such was the case when two Wisconsin responsible for the administrative the nation as well as in Japan and South commander of the 64th ROC, charged her Army National Guard units — the 64th framework behind the front lines Korea. Soldiers to carry the unit’s history and the Rear Operations Center and the 332nd and oversaw the essential life support Lt. Col. John Morgan, commander of skills they learned to other units in the Rear Operations Center — cased their functions that supported the forward the 332nd ROC, praised the Soldiers and Wisconsin National Guard. Patrouille said colors as part of a formal ceremony units. As the nature of combat changed the unit’s impact on others during the the unit has spent the past several months during their final weekend drills before from Cold War tactics to asymmetrical ceremony by telling the story of Abbas helping its Soldiers find new homes in inactivation. warfare, rear operation centers adapted Mousa, an Iraqi man with whom unit other units. “It’s a bittersweet day, but there’s a lot of how they conducted their missions. While members regularly interacted during the “Their skills are still valuable to the celebration going on here today,” Sgt. Maj. the duties of a rear operations center are ROC’s Iraq deployment. Mousa and his Wisconsin National Guard, to our state Curt Patrouille, the 64th ROC’s senior still required today, a changing military sister were interpreters at the ROC’s base and to our nation,” Guthrie said. enlisted member, said Jan. 26. “There’s a dictates that those tasks and assets migrate for several years before both gained U.S. • Complete 64th ROC story online great heritage, a great history to the unit.” to other units. citizenship. Today, Mousa is a student at • Complete 332nd ROC story online The unit originated following the Sgt. 1st Class John Tynan, the 332nd the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee • Additional photos

@ease 14 Winter 2013 Soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 135th Medical Company, 641st Troop Command, conducted an air evacuation exercise at Battle Creek Air Field in Oconomowoc on March 2. Operation Arial Badger was an exercise organized by the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s West Bend aviation units involving civilian emergency response organizations, local hospitals, and the Civil Air Patrol, with several disaster scenarios throughout southeastern Wisconsin. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Sgt. Tyler Lasure MEDEVAC!

scenario that tested the Guard’s medical 112th Aviation commander. “We get to am coming from, and just not forget [the n Guard, civil agencies fly evacuation capabilities. know their capabilities, they get to know basics] as I move on and learn new and The exercise, dubbed Operation Aerial our capabilities, and so hopefully together more exciting, high-speed things.” together for joint training Badger, combined an array of Wisconsin we can support the state emergency This scenario also required Stalewski Sgt. Megan Burnham medical and aviation units to include mission.” to call for aerial support to have the and Sgt. Tyler Lasure elements of the 248th Aviation Support One of the scenarios, conducted at victim transported to a nearby hospital. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Battalion, 112th Aviation, 135th Aviation, the Flight for Life facility in Fond du Lac, A flight operation crew of the 112th 238th Aviation, 135th Medical Company, involved Sgt. Philip Stalewski, a new flight Aviation received the call and dispatched Wisconsin National Guard aviators and and cadets from the Civil Air Patrol. medic with the 112th Aviation, assessing a UH-72 Lakota helicopter, the newest medics, along with civilian emergency Civilian emergency management agencies the numerous injuries on a mannequin medical evacuation aircraft supporting the management agencies, participated in included area hospitals and a Fond du victim and providing the necessary Wisconsin National Guard. a joint training natural disaster exercise Lac-based Flight for Life crew from Air medical aid. Sgt. 1st Class Michael Barrera, 112th spanning all of southeastern Wisconsin. Methods, Inc. “This is great to do this kind of Aviation senior medic, served as the non- For the first time in five years, civilian “Working with Air Methods and Civil integrated training with the flight unit commissioned officer in charge for the agencies and National Guard aviation Air Patrol also helps us with our state having only just recently joined the flight exercise. units worked together in a joint exercise emergency mission for the Governor,” said facility myself,” Stalewski said. “This is a March 2 to react to a mass flooding Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Knuppel, great way to remember my basics, where I Continued on Page 16

@ease 15 Winter 2013 Continued from Page 15 realistic training is important for all Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers, “I wanted to ensure that the ground and in particular, Soldiers charged with medic on scene was going to be able providing life-saving care to wounded to apply all of his skills needed,” he Soldiers. said. “[Stalewski] was able to perform While all the medics in the unit are well- outstanding. He did a great job, was able versed in combat procedures, providing to stabilize and take care of what needed to medical care in peacetime operations has happen.” its own special requirements. Soldiers The training also provided an normally learn procedures for air opportunity for the Soldiers to interact medical evacuation requests in a combat with the Fond du Lac Flight for Life crew environment. During peacetime, or natural to learn how they operate and become disasters, the requirements differ, requiring familiar with each other’s equipment. If Soldiers to adapt to the unique situation an actual domestic disaster occurred, the presented to them. two entities would work together to keep Many Soldiers train with individuals Wisconsin citizens safe. in their own unit, but rarely with other “I think the best part, and the most units. For operations requiring good unexpected part, of this training that I’m communications between two units – like taking is actually the civilian input from medics and the aviation support they need the Flight for Life folks here,” commented to get the Soldier to medical treatment Stalewski. “They have a lot of great things facilities, joint exercises like the one to say, and [I’ve learned] a lot in the last conducted March 2 are vital. few hours here.” “The Soldiers need to have realistic Meanwhile in Oconomowoc, Soldiers training,” said 1st Lt. Angela Becker- of the 135th Medical Company conducted Bradley. “This is something they wanted mass casualty evacuation training at Battle and needed, especially working with sister Creek Airfield. This training scenario units. I hope they got a good hands-on feel allowed for Soldiers to practice evacuating for what should be happening and what injured persons by air. their jobs are.” The training allowed Soldiers to Throughout the frigid morning Soldiers experience what evacuees feel as they are trained on treating casualties, providing transferred by helicopter. In the scenario, triage care, transporting casualties, Soldiers acted as simulated casualties and requesting air evacuation, setting up experienced what it’s like to be a patient. a landing zone for air evacuation, and “[In the exercise] I was going into preparing and loading casualties for air hypothermia, so we got treated and put evacuation. onto the chopper and got to take an “I have never had any opportunity to awesome ride,” said Spc. Tamara Eng, a work with a helicopter before,” said Spc. medic with the 135th. Mike Glime, a medic with the 135th. “That Getting the opportunity to conduct is something that if you are deployed you will be doing and that is something that all Soldiers from the Wisconsin Army medics should have the chance to do.” National Guard’s 135th Medical The training reinforced the Guard’s Company conducted an air evacuation readiness to respond to emergencies exercise at Battle Creek Air Field in statewide in partnership with civilian Oconomowoc on March 2. 112th Mobile authorities. Public Affairs Detachment photo by Sgt. • Story online Tyler Lasure • Related photos

@ease 16 Winter 2013 Wisconsin Guard MET visits Nicaragua to plan disaster relief responses 1st Lt. Joe Trovato Wisconsin National Guard

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA — There’s a world of difference between tornadoes and winter storms, the natural disasters typical to Wisconsin, and the earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions more common to Nicaragua. But the planning and preparation needed to respond effectively is a similar process, whether in the Dairy State or a Central American nation. With that in mind, seven members of the Wisconsin National Guard’s Military Engagement Team (MET) — representing MET’s communications, logistics and operations teams — collaborated on disaster response with officials from the Nicaraguan army’s civil defense authority Jan. 28-31. “Even though they have disasters that we don’t experience in Wisconsin, there is a process that takes place,” said Lt. Col. Robert Buettner, the MET’s officer in charge. “Hopefully we can show them better ways to operate and take what they currently have and improve their communication.” As the conference began, Capt. Joshua Porter, the officer in charge of the MET’s operations section, said, “I expect to learn just as much from them as I hope they learn from us.” Armed with lessons from past experiences, the Soldiers from both Capt. Joshua Porter (right) and Lt. Col. Robert Buettner, both Jan. 28-Feb. 1 to plan its future visits to assist officials nations began exchanging ideas and members of the Wisconsin National Guard’s MET, discuss from the Nicaraguan Army’s Civil Defense in planning and sharing practices. Wisconsin’s Guardsmen, operations strategies with their Nicaraguan counterparts at preparing for natural disasters. Wisconsin National Guard fresh off their activation for a major winter a planning conference on Jan. 29. The MET visited Nicaragua photo by 1st Lt. Joe Trovato storm that blanketed the state with up to Nicaragua, and it provided valuable insight “So anytime you have two governmental partnership going forward. I think it’s a 20 inches of snow in December, shared the into how the nation’s civil defense operates agencies working together, there is always win-win for both countries.” process by which they coordinated their in the event of emergencies. Working a lot of extra coordination that needs to The MET will return to Nicaragua for response. at the site were civil defense personnel take place. There are communications approximately one month in February “We have a lot of similarities in how and humanitarian rescue teams from the breakdowns because of how civilians run and March. During that visit, each of its support to domestic responses works in Nicaraguan army and Managua police. operations compared to military.” three sections will have an opportunity both of our countries,” Maj. Dan Statz, “There are different agencies that are Davis relished the opportunity to learn to work directly with their Nicaraguan the Wisconsin National Guard’s chief of working collectively — the civilian and from the Nicaraguans as well. counterparts in planning and preparing future operations, said while briefing the the military,” said Maj. Myron Davis, the “I think it’s a great opportunity,” he for natural disaster responses. Nicaraguan leadership. MET’s logistics officer, who noted the said of the developing partnership. “I • Complete story online The visit served as a capstone for similarities to how the National Guard think there is a good opportunity to really • Related photos the MET leadership’s three-day trip to works with civilian agencies in Wisconsin. share lessons learned and have a good • Related blog

@ease 17 Winter 2013 Deploying California Guard unit targets 426th RTI for training 1st Lt. Joseph Trovato days learning about the M777 and how it Wisconsin National Guard differed from the M119s with which they were familiar. The training culminated FORT McCOY — Artillerymen from with a Feb. 12 live-fire exercise. the California Army National Guard spent “It’s good learning more artillery pieces two weeks braving freezing temperatures to make us more proficient at our job,” here to learn from a group of Wisconsin said Sgt. Michael Bones of Bakersfield, Soldiers. The training represented a rare Calif. “What I’m taking from this is a lot of opportunity for Wisconsin instructors good training. It’s good preparedness for to train a battery heading off on a our impending mission, but I’m trying to deployment. get acclimated [to the weather],” he added About a dozen Soldiers from the with a laugh. Wisconsin National Guard’s 1st Battalion, Pvt. Sam Mabanta, of Fresno, Calif., 426th RTI, Field Artillery and the 32nd said even though he is a snowboarder, he Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s 1st had never been in such cold temperatures. Battalion 120th Field Artillery trained He also said the unit previously considered Soldiers from the about 45 members of the Bakersfield, a 60-degree day to be a cold day in the California Army National Calif.-based Battery B, 1st Battalion, field. Guard’s Battery B, 1st 143rd Field Artillery. During the first two “It’s a good time though,” he said. “I’m a Battalion, 143rd Field weeks of February the California Soldiers big fan of cold weather. Some of these guys Artillery conducted got hands-on experience with the M777 don’t like it, but I love it. live fire training at howitzer, the weapons system they will use “It’s been good training. The [426th the Wisconsin Army in Afghanistan. RTI] staff is phenomenal, and we just National Guard’s 426th While training individual artillerymen can’t wait to shoot these rounds,” Mabanta Regional Training in their military occupation specialty is continued. “It’s a great experience Institute Feb. 12 at Fort routine for the 426th, it has been three because being in Afghanistan with the McCoy. The California years since the RTI trained a unit — and cold weather and all, this will train us unit requested to train even longer since the RTI hosted one at to acclimate to the weather and the with the 426th RTI, Fort McCoy. conditions.” which last year was “This is the first time we’ve actually Just as training the artillery battery was certified as an Institute trained up a whole unit going on a a milestone for the 426th instructors, the of Excellence. Wisconsin deployment, so it’s a bit of a big deal for California unit’s mission is a milestone for National Guard photo by us,” said 426th instructor Sgt. 1st Class the California National Guard. 1st Lt. Joe Trovato George McConville. “And we know “This will be the first time in their it’s a big deal for them, because they’re history going into combat actually firing going to be shooting it downrange [on field artillery, and it will be the first time deployment].” that the California National Guard has The California Soldiers are slated to fired artillery since the Korean War,” deploy to Afghanistan in June. The 143rd explained Sgt. 1st Class Todd Hunt, a was traditionally trained to fire the M119 platoon sergeant in the unit. “So these howitzer, which shoots a 105-mm round, guys are actually making history, and they but in Afghanistan they will use the M777, are extremely stoked about it.” which fires a 155-mm round. Maj. Dale Swanson, the officer in The 426th RTI offers one of the few charge of the training, highlighted the M777 training opportunities within the personal and professional relationships National Guard. After a bit of networking that facilitated the training and described between officers from each state, the the two-week course as a “win-win for California Guardsmen were on their everybody.” way to Wisconsin, where they spent 15 Complete story online

@ease 18 Winter 2013 GOING n MRTSOLO Center setting the standard for National Guard resilience training 1st Lt. Joe Trovato Wisconsin National Guard Students and staff of the National Guard Master Resilience independently with its own instructor. It is the only self- Training Center’s first solo course. The class, which ran sufficient resilience training center in the National Guard. FORT McCOY — The Wisconsin March 4–14 at Fort McCoy, was the first course taught Wisconsin National Guard photo Army National Guard concluded its first master resilience trainer [MRT] course headquartered. The 426th is in the process of training There were no National Guard slots without the aid of external primary The opportunity came about as a result additional primary instructors from for the course, however. Guardsmen who instructors March 14 at the Wisconsin of Maj. Sylvia Lopez’s completion of the Wisconsin. wanted to take the course had to get an Military Academy. MRT level four primary instructor course “I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Lt. active duty slot at either Fort Jackson or at Going solo in teaching the course for in January. She is the only member of Col. Andrew Ratzlaff, the commander the University of Pennsylvania. the first time, Wisconsin’s Guard became the National Guard certified to teach the of the second battalion, 426th RTI, said When Lopez and others like Capt. the only Reserve Component organization course. of Lopez. “The bigger point is she got Kristin Boustany returned from the first in the nation to certify MRTs on its own. It “It’s just a sense of accomplishment,” to where she is at through the hard work course, they became believers, and the is only the second to do so Army-wide. said Lopez, who served as the inaugural and efforts of that entire staff up there. idea to start the first National Guard Now dubbed the National Guard course’s primary instructor. “I guess that So there is a reason why she is there, resilience course was born. Master Resilience Training Center, is the best way to describe it, because and that’s because of the teamwork of Wisconsin began to build a staff and Wisconsin’s 426th Regiment Regional we’ve worked really hard to get to this everyone.” add MRTs. Training Institute [RTI] began running place. Everybody has sacrificed so much Arriving at this point was an “They’re a great group,” said Lopez. MRT courses in summer 2011 at the to get to this point, and we believe in the accomplishment several years in the “They are really living the skills. Wisconsin Military Academy, but the mission.” making for the 426th. In 2009, Lopez and course’s primary instructor always came “We believe in what we do,” she said. a handful of other officers were asked to “They epitomize the skills, and that’s from the University of Pennsylvania, “We see how MRT transforms lives, and attend the Army’s new training program why we’re here.” where the Army’s resilience program was how it affects so many people.” aimed at building the resilience of its Wisconsin has taken a leadership role first developed. Though Wisconsin MRTs Lopez immediately credited the hard force through positive thinking. in the Army’s overall resilience training ran much of the course, the university’s work of her team at the 426th. There “The National Guard Bureau sees the initiative. Having the first solo National primary instructor was always there to were 20 Guardsmen on orders to run the fact that soldiers are coming back with Guard MRT course only cemented its oversee the program. course, which began March 4. It was the issues they need to deal with, and while reputation. Instructors from Wisconsin Now Wisconsin is on its own, 20th iteration of the MRT course at Fort this is not a suicide prevention program, not only teach at the Wisconsin Military becoming only the second self-sufficient McCoy, which has now trained nearly it does help soldiers avoid negative Academy, but they have also travelled course in the nation. The only other 1,100 students from the National Guard, situations and how to think their way out to other states and most major Army solo MRT course is at Fort Jackson, Reserve, active duty and family program of it rather than act their way out of it,” installations to teach their techniques. S.C., where the active duty course is civilians. said Ratzlaff. Story online

@ease 19 Winter 2013 Wisconsin Guard ROTC cadets part of innovative virtual training exercise Vaughn R. Larson and hungry. [Cadets] can focus more on Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs their leadership ability while indoors in a controlled environment, and be able to see Twenty-seven young Soldiers it on a screen.” completed their pre-combat checks and One key benefit to the VBS2 program inspections as they awaited the command is the ability to replay the exercise to allow to move out toward their objective. The participants to see how they performed. order came in short, terse statements. Third-year ROTC cadet Cody Rubiego “Alpha is on my left, Bravo is on my of Delafield, also a Wisconsin National right,” the squad leader said. “Move in a Guard Soldier, served as a team leader in wedge formation — movement to contact, the first scenario and was preparing to people. Are we ready? Let’s go.” take on the role of squad leader. “Roger that, roger that, roger that,” a “It’s pretty good,” he said of the virtual team leader replied. training. “It makes you use everything you “Bravo, you move through first — would do in a real scenario. Alpha has security,” the squad leader “The first one was kind of a rough run directed. “Heads on a swivel here, let’s go because we were still getting used to the — it’s an open area.” controls and everything,” he continued. Even though the Soldiers were “I think you learn a lot from people going advancing through terrain at Joint Base before you, the squad leaders, what they Lewis-McChord in Washington State, did and what they didn’t do.” in reality they were seated somewhat Fellow Wisconsin National Guardsman comfortably in two rooms on the second Spencer Burns, also a third-year ROTC floor of the University of Wisconsin- cadet, led two teams as a squad leader in Whitewater’s University Center building. the first virtual training exercise. The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps “It was pretty good training,” Burns students — which include many said. “I don’t really play video games, but Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers from what I saw, everything was pretty assigned to Company A, 257th Brigade real-life. We can do all of the movements Support Battalion in Whitewater — — the arm and hand signals — [and] we were among a handful of ROTC cadets can communicate with our headsets. It nationwide to engage in the Virtual guys, take those operation orders and the Fischer, military science instructor at UW- was pretty spot-on. Being the first squad Battlespace 2 training program. The Fort Lewis terrain map model and gave it to Whitewater. “I had maps from last year’s to go through, we really didn’t know what realistic virtual environment includes such the VBS2 guys to recreate these scenarios training area that we sent up to [the VBS2] to expect with the equipment itself. I think ambience touches as buzzing mosquitoes in a virtual context so that we could crew, and they took the maps and built the as we get more fluent with it, the lanes will and the sound of helicopters approaching actually train when the weather is inclement [virtual] terrain area.” run more smoothly.” or departing. and we can’t get outside and train.” Danielle Sternberg of Green Bay, a Burns indicated that this training “We’ve coordinated with the Army’s The VBS2 program allows cadets to fourth-year ROTC cadet who monitored would “help us be successful. Keeping Virtual Battlespace team at Fort McCoy develop critical leadership skills in tactical the exercise as an observer-controller, said that confidence in being able to lead your to simulate the squad and platoon environments during the winter months, this type of training would have been troops, make sure they know you have [situational training exercise] ROTC without the expense of traveling to Fort valuable last year before she took part in confidence in what you’re doing so the cadets go through out at Fort Lewis, McCoy. The four 90-minute training LDAC. mission can get done.” Wash., at LDAC (Leadership Development scenarios were designed to mirror those “Overall, it’s just a great learning tool, Meredith said that planning for the and Assessment Course) each summer,” that third-year ROTC cadets will face at something that ROTC programs across the virtual training exercise began in late explained Lt. Col. Carl Meredith, military Lewis-McChord this summer, right down country haven’t had the opportunity to use October, and was an extension of what his science professor at UW-Whitewater and to the same map coordinates. yet,” the Wisconsin Army National Guard predecessor, Lt. Col. Brian Wolhaupter, head of the ROTC program there. “What “The scenarios they’re using right now Soldier said. “I think it’s a great alternative sought to do by incorporating technology we’ve done is set up a training program are really the scenarios they used last year, to being out in the snow for six hours, into cadet training. for our candidates and worked with these so they’re relatively fresh,” said Charlie crawling around and everybody freezing Complete story online

@ease 20 Winter 2013 From back-filling stateside in combat. active component units that Wisconsin National Guard Wisconsin National Guard support OIF: 10deployed YEARS in the buildup to LATERfor OIF began before combat operations Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or commenced. The West Bend-based 832nd seeking weapons of mass destruction involved in OIF from start to finish Medical Company — an air ambulance in the early days of the ground of Wisconsin National Guard members company — deployed to Fort Lewis, campaign to closing down forward included in each deployment, so Guard Wash., in January 2003 to backfill the 54th operating bases and turning them over members who deployed more than once Medical Company, which was providing to the Iraqi government, thousands of are counted more than once. medical evacuation support in Iraq. Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers and But supporting Operation Iraqi Another Army aviation unit, the Airmen played key roles in the conflict Freedom did not come without cost, Madison-based 1st Battalion, 147th that began 10 years ago on March 20. beyond the sacrifice of time and safety. Command Aviation, was ordered to active Of the more than 11,000 Wisconsin Nine of the 10 Wisconsin National duty Jan. 26, 2003 and given six days National Guard members to deploy since Guard Soldiers who lost their lives while to report to Fort McCoy, Wis. The unit Sept. 11, 2001, roughly 80 percent — more deployed since Sept. 11, 2001 died in Iraq deployed to Kuwait on March 22, than 8,800 — deployed in support of OIF. — including Spc. Michelle Witmer, the That number is based on the number first female National Guard Soldier to die Continued on Page 22

An F-16C Fighter Aircraft from the 332nd Expeditionary Wing, Balad Airbase, Iraq performs an afterburner takeoff on its way to fly a combat mission in the skies over Iraq. Wisconsin Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Dan Richardson

@ease 21 Winter 2013 Wisconsin National Guard supported OIF from the start

Continued from Page 21 one day after the ground campaign began in Iraq. Their mission included supporting the 75th Exploitation Task Force with finding evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, flying forensic teams to investigate mass grave sites, pipeline survey teams to inspect sabotaged oil lines, and transporting general officers and dignitaries. The 147th was familiar with the environment, having completed more than 300 missions in the region between July 2001 and August 2002. The 229th Engineer Company, a horizontal construction unit, received its alert notice and mobilization order within minutes of each other on Feb. 4. The 829th Engineer Detachment, which had sent 12 members to Afghanistan in 2001, was mobilized Feb. 6 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Richland Center-based unit deployed to Iraq May 30. The Ashland-based 106th Engineer Detachment was also called to active duty on Feb. 6, but major combat operations in Iraq ended so quickly that the 54-member quarry team was redirected to Fort Lewis, Wash., to provide engineer support for the Army’s ROTC Advanced Camp. The 500-member 724th Engineer Battalion on March 1, 2003 became the largest Wisconsin National Guard A member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, unit mobilized since 1961. The 32nd Military Police 127th Infantry, above, prepares for a convoy escort mission Company of Milwaukee and Madison, and the 1158th in the turret of an uparmored Humvee May 2, 2006. At left, Transportation Company in Tomah, Beloit and Black Michelle Witmer (far left) with her sisters Rachel and Charity in River Falls were also mobilized March 1 and called to Iraq in 2004. Michelle and Rachel were both in the 32nd Military active duty March 15. Police Company, while Charity deployed with Company B, 118th “We expect to conduct convoy and critical site security, Medical Battalion. as well as law and order operations,” said then-Capt. Scott Southworth, commander of the 32nd MP Company. victory in Iraq reduced the need for hauling heavy 128th Infantry, was killed in Baghdad June 26, 2005 by “We may even get the chance to work directly with Iraqi military equipment in theater. The remainder of the unit an improvised explosive device. The 1st Battalion, 120th civilian police officials.” found itself reassigned to stateside missions at Fort Irwin, Field Artillery and the 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry The Wisconsin Air National Guard also was called Calif., and Fort Knox, Ky. reported for active duty in August. Both battalions up in the early months to support OIF, but deployments Spc. Michelle Witmer of the 32nd MP Company was mobilized at Camp Shelby, Miss., and weathered were typically shorter in duration and did not require the killed April 9, 2004 during a firefight in Baghdad. She was Hurricane Katrina later that month. entire unit. About 60 members of the 128th Air Refueling the first Wisconsin National Guard casualty in the global Spc. Michael Wendling and Sgt. Andrew Wallace, Wing returned May 9-10 from an overseas deployment war on terror and the first female combat casualty in the members of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approximately entire National Guard. The 32nd MP Companyreturned were killed Sept. 26, 2005 in Safwan, Iraq during a convoy a dozen Security Forces members of the 128th Air to Wisconsin in late July, after 14 months in Iraq,having escort mission. Refueling Wing returned May 29 from an overseas suffered 23 hostile action injuries — more than any Spc. Stephen Castner of Company C, 1st Battalion, deployment supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Wisconsin National Guard unit since World War II. 121st Field Artillery was killed July 24, 2006 by an Enduring Freedom. Seventeen members of the 115th 2004 closed on a somber note when Staff Sgt. Todd improvised explosive device near Tallil, Iraq on his first Security Forces Squadron Wing returned June 17 from Olson of Detachment 1, Company C, 1st Battalion, 128th convoy mission. The 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery an overseas deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Infantry died Dec. 27 in Tikrit, Iraq from wounds suffered was replacing the 1st Battalion, 127th Infantry, and Freedom. Dec. 26 by an improvised explosive device in Samarra, performed convoy escort missions during the “troop About 140 members of the 1158th Transportation Iraq. Company began demobilizing in June, after the swift Spc. Charles Kaufman of Company C, 1st Battalion, Continued on Page 23

@ease 22 Winter 2013 LEFT: Staff Sgt. Jason Klingbiel, a member of the 115th Fighter Wing deployed R11 fuel truck July 20, 2009. CENTER: The 724th Engineer Battalion prepared a with the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution op- “shout-out” video for the 2011 Rose Bowl game. RIGHT: Staff Sgt. Dan Dorst of erator, connects a fuel hose from an R14 fuel unit to the bottom loader of his the 1158th Transportation Company in Mosul, Iraq on Sept. 11, 2005. Roughly 80 percent of Wisconsin National Guard deployments supported OIF Continued from Page 22 Army National Guard for a mission inside Iraq. increasing mission load when it deployed to Iraq in late Wisconsin National Guard units continued to deploy summer 2010. On Sept. 1, 2010, Operation Iraq Freedom surge” in the first half of 2007. in support of OIF as the operation advanced to its final officially became Operation New Dawn, signaling the end Sgt. Ryan Jopek, serving with Company A, 2nd days. The 3,200-member 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat of combat operations by U.S. forces in Iraq. Later that Battalion, 127th Infantry, was killed Aug. 2, 2006 by an Team deployed to Iraq in 2009 — the Wisconsin National year, approximately 30 Soldiers from three West Bend- improvised explosive device in Tikrit, Iraq on his final Guard’s largest troop deployment since World War II based aviation units would mobilize for the Wisconsin scheduled convoy mission before the 127th returned — where its subordinate units were assigned all across National Guard’s final Iraq deployment in 2011. home. Presidential candidate Barack Obama would Iraq to perform base security, detainee operations and Gov.-Elect Scott Walker addressed members of wear a bracelet with Ryan Jopek’s name during the 2008 administrative functions in Baghdad’s International Task Force Badger in Iraq Jan. 1, 2011 via satellite link campaign. Jopek’s father, Staff Sgt. Brian Jopek, was Zone. During this time the 32nd Brigade handled the during halftime of the Rose Bowl. The unit returned to also a Wisconsin Army National Guard member and responsible transfer of U.S. contingency bases to the Iraqi Wisconsin Feb. 18. had deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2004-05 as a member of government. Meanwhile, the 732nd Combat Sustainment The 30 Soldiers from three West Bend-based aviation Detachment 1, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. Support Battalion processed equipment and materiel for units returned to Wisconsin Nov. 19, 2011, following a Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, then chief of the National Guard return to the U.S. or to Afghanistan as part of the forces nine-month deployment conducting medevac missions in Bureau, met Sept. 1, 2006 with Mr. Stephen Castner, drawdown in Iraq. northern Iraq — and closing down military bases in the father of Spc. Stephen W. Castner who was killed July Sgt. 1st Class Brian Naseman, of the 108th Forward process. 24 near Tallil, Iraq. The meeting was to fulfill Blum’s Support Company, died May 21, 2009 in Taji, Iraq “We were the last ones out of northern Iraq,” said Staff commitment to Mr. Castner and Gov. Jim Doyle to review from injuries sustained in a non-combat incident while Sgt. Craig Hoffman, a flight medic. “We actually shut off the quality of training at Camp Shelby, Miss., and theater deployed with the 32nd Brigade. He would be the the lights.” equipment. In letters home, Spc. Castner was critical of Wisconsin National Guard’s last OIF fatality. “We got out of there and did something that’s never the mobilization training at Camp Shelby. The 724th Engineer Battalion deployed to Iraq in 2010 been done before — closing down Iraq,” said Capt. Staff Sgt. Robert Basham of the 1st Battalion, 128th where it would inherit a growing engineering mission as Randall Ramm, officer in charge. Infantry, died April 14, 2007 in a non-combat incident Task Force Badger during the responsible force reduction • Story online in Qatar. Basham deployed to Kuwait in support of OIF there. That drawdown would send 23 Wisconsin National • Related photos with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry in 2005 Guard Soldiers home early in July 2010. • Statement from Secretary of Defense Chuck and volunteered for another tour of duty with the Kansas The 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation would also gain an Hagel

@ease 23 Winter 2013 Guard member returns memento of fallen WWII hero 1st Lt. Joe Trovato Sgt. 1st Class Wisconsin National Guard Alan Foss, of the Wisconsin A Sun Prairie Veterans of Foreign Wars post got a Army National priceless piece of history Feb. 28 thanks to a member of Guard, the Wisconsin Army National Guard. and Ralph The Klubertanz-Trapp VFW Post 9362 received the Brandenburg, Purple Heart awarded to one of its namesakes after commander Sgt. 1st Class Alan Foss donated the medal, which he of Klubertanz- purchased at a garage sale in the late 1990s. Trapp VFW Foss, a retiree records manager in the Wisconsin Army Post 9362 in National Guard, purchased the medal for $3 at a garage Sun Prairie, sale in Walworth County. Engraved with the name, “Otto pose with A. Trapp,” Foss began researching the medal. It sat in his Staff Sgt. Otto basement in the interim, and even survived a tornado that A. Trapp’s partially destroyed his house in 2005. Purple Heart His search ultimately proved fruitless until February Feb. 28. The 2013, when a chance conversation with a fellow VFW post Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs employee led is named him to the Sun Prairie VFW post bearing Trapp’s name. in honor of When Foss called the VFW post Feb. 26, its Trapp, who commander, Ralph Brandenburg, could not believe what was killed he was hearing. Foss dropped off the medal two days later, in action in and the VFW post could not have been happier. 1944. Photos “To have this, this is like a miracle happening out of courtesy Alan the sky,” Brandenburg said. “Where has it been for this Foss many years? All of a sudden it’s like a boomerang, and it’s coming back to us.” According to a certificate furnished to Foss, Otto A. Trapp, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, was killed near France over the Mediterranean Sea on Aug. 24, 1944. He was a member of the 441st squadron, 320th Bomb Group, and he had participated in the Normandy invasion just a few months before his passing. Foss’s research suggested that Trapp, originally of task for both Foss and the VFW. Foss made several phone Sun Prairie, served as a crew chief on a B-26 Marauder. calls when he first acquired the medal, but he found no His body was never recovered, but a gravestone success linking up with a member of the Trapp family. commemorates his legacy at an American military Trapp had no known children, and his parents have long cemetery in France. since passed away. Foss also had no way of knowing Sun Prairie’s VFW post was founded in 1947, but it whether Trapp had any siblings. never had anything to commemorate Trapp until now, The VFW is planning to have a ceremony at the post to nearly 70 years after his death. commemorate the return of Trapp’s Purple Heart, though “Being that he is one of the namesakes of the post, it a date has not yet been set. The post hopes to find a means a lot to have it here,” said former VFW Post 9362 member of the Trapp family with knowledge of Otto and commander Phil Gerg. his medal and invite them to that ceremony. Gerg said he hoped Trapp’s family would someday “Really what we want to do is donate it to the VFW for have the medal. display, so everyone can enjoy it,” Foss said. But tracking down family members has proven a tall Story online

@ease 24 Winter 2013 New leadership takes charge at Volk Field Vaughn R. Larson Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs

Col. Dave Romuald, of Cottage Grove, formally became the 10th commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s Volk Field Air Base during a Jan. 3 ceremony. “We are blessed in the Wisconsin Air National Guard with an incredibly deep bench,” Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, said during the ceremony. “But nobody is ready for this assignment more than the man sitting right here, Col. Dave Romuald.” Romuald joined the U.S. Air Force in 1981 and the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1997. He was working as a commercial pilot when Brig. Gen. John McCoy, former assistant adjutant general for Air, contacted him about taking command at Volk Field. Col. David Romuald is congratulated after he officially “I was thrilled when Brig. Gen. McCoy called me and took command of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s asked if I would consider coming out here to Volk Field,” Volk Field during a formal ceremony Jan. 3. Romuald Romuald said. “[Then-Col. Ebben] assured me that Volk was preceded in command by Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben, Field was full of very high-caliber people. I was really put who is now the assistant adjutant general for Air, at ease about taking this job. Wisconsin Air National Guard. “That’s not to say that there won’t be some challenges,” Romuald continued. “You know that there are some namesake 1st Lt. Jerome Volk. serious financial challenges for our country, and therefore “I’ve been very blessed in my career to have many great to the Department of Defense.” assignments,” Ebben said. “This ranks right up there at the Among those challenges: a 25 percent funding cut top. For an aviation guy to come up here and you don’t to Combat Readiness Training Centers, of which one is get to fly, that’s saying something. It’s been an extremely located at Volk Field. Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben, the former rewarding tour, an honor and a privilege.” commander at Volk Field and the new assistant adjutant Dunbar acknowledged the vision and efforts of retired general for Air, outlined a plan with Romuald that would generals Fred Sloan and Albert Wilkening, who expanded structure the funding cuts in such a way as to lessen Volk Field’s vision and capabilities, and praised Ebben for the impact at Volk Field. Romuald also cited Defense his leadership at Volk Field. Secretary Leon Panetta’s recent emphasis on prioritizing “Brig. Gen. Ebben, in his tenure here, has done an readiness in the defense budget. exceptional job,” Dunbar said. “He continued to develop “I think we have a bright future ahead of us,” Romuald the relationships that we need, and quietly working said. “I am confident we have the right people in place.” with the National Guard Bureau and the United States Ebben recalled some of the significant events during Air Force, setting in place the kinds of procedures and his time at the helm for Volk Field, including the NATO initiatives we need to be relevant in the 21st century. It exercise Ramstein Rover and a memorial service for base takes a very special leader to do what Brig. Gen. Ebben has done.” Col. David Romuald receives the flag of command Romuald agreed. from Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of “I stand before you today very humbled, following in Wisconsin, signifying his taking command of the the footsteps of Brig. Gen. Ebben,” he said. “I know I have Wisconsin Air National Guard’s Volk Field during a a huge responsibility and reputation to uphold. I will give formal ceremony Jan. 3. Wisconsin National Guard it my best effort.” Public Affairs Office photos by Vaughn R. Larson Story online

@ease 25 Winter 2013 Brig. Gen. Ebbens assumes authority of Wisconsin Air National Guard 1st Lt. Joe Trovato leading Volk Field will be a great tradition Wisconsin National Guard followed by [McCoy’s] leadership up until this point. The man responsible for leading “And we know that on behalf of all the Wisconsin’s 2,300-strong Air National men and women of the Air National Guard, Guard force for the last five years formally we’re in good hands here in the State of handed over control to his successor Wisconsin.” during a Jan. 4 ceremony at Joint Forces In his own remarks, Maj. Gen. Dunbar Headquarters in Madison. thanked McCoy for his years of service and Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben, the former positive attitude. commander of Volk Field in Camp “Not every day when you are the deputy Douglas, took over as the state’s assistant adjutant general for air in Wisconsin is the adjutant general for Air. He replaced Brig. kind of day when the sun is always shining,” Gen. John McCoy, who had held the post he said. “There are some challenges. But since 2008. McCoy will continue to serve as with Brig. Gen. McCoy, there is always a the chief of staff for Air. smile. Brig. Gen. McCoy’s calm, steady Speaking for the last time as the deputy leadership had a profound and lasting adjutant general, McCoy thanked Gov. Scott impact on the Wisconsin Air National Walker, Wisconsin’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gu ard .” Gen. Donald Dunbar, the men and women The adjutant general credited Ebben, a of the Air National Guard, and his family former A-10 and RC-26 pilot, with building for their support during his tenure as the the legacy of the 115th Fighter Wing as vice Air National Guard’s top officer. wing commander. He also commended him He also expressed his confidence in for his leadership while at Volk Field. Ebben. “When we choose a new leader for this “If you have to be replaced, this is the National Guard, it is very, very important,” guy to be replaced by — Gary Ebben,” Dunbar said. “It is not inconsequential. McCoy said. “I truly appreciate your We have to choose the right person. I am friendship and your support.” confident we have done just that.” Walker offered words of praise for both Following the formal change of authority general officers and pointed out that McCoy ceremony, Ebben addressed the assembled presided over a period of time in which the audience of senior National Guard leaders National Guard mobilized at its greatest rate for the first time as the deputy adjutant Command Chief Master since World War II. general for air. He thanked his family Sergeant Gregory Cullen “So that underlines exactly just how and was quick to praise McCoy for his passes the colors to significant this timeframe of leadership leadership and for encouraging him to outgoing Assistant has been both in the Air National Guard step out of his comfort zone and seek Adjutant General for Air and the Army National Guard in terms challenging positions. Brig. Gen. John McCoy of the tremendously well-trained, well- “I’m greatly blessed. The Air National during a Jan. 4 change of experienced men and women of our Guard has got some challenges. The country authority ceremony at Joint Wisconsin National Guard,” Walker said. is recognizing some fiscal challenges,” Forces Headquarters in Of Ebben, the governor said, “We know Ebben said. “Recapitalization is an issue, Madison. McCoy formally that just as [McCoy] has brought his talents and these are serious issues. Some are going yielded his position to Brig. from the 128th [Air Refueling Wing in to be immediate issues, and there are going Gen. Gary Ebben, above Milwaukee], we know your experience to be some longer term impacts, but it is a during the ceremony. as a command pilot and working your dynamic time in the Air National Guard.” Wisconsin National Guard way through the 115th [Fighter Wing in photos by 1st Lt. Joe Trovato Madison] and particularly, most recently, • Story online your outstanding award-winning leadership • Related photos

@ease 26 Winter 2013 Shields becomes state’s top senior enlisted Soldier 1st Lt. Joseph Trovato “In no small part, that is due to your Wisconsin National Guard commitment to our Soldiers, to our families, and an unwavering commitment The Wisconsin Army National Guard to the standards. Your legacy will live on in welcomed its next state command sergeant the 7,500 Soldiers that will lead this great major in a Feb. 9 change of responsibility organization after we are all long retired.” ceremony in Madison. It also bid farewell Anderson, the top-ranking officer in to the man who held the job since 2007. the Wisconsin Army National Guard, When retiring Command Sgt. Maj. called Stopper and his successor, “two of George Stopper formally handed over the finest, professional, noncommissioned Command Sgt. the noncommissioned officer saber to officers I have had the honor of serving Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Shields, it Maj. Bradley with in my 30 years in uniform.” Shields returns a marked the beginning of a new chapter In his 34 years of service in the National in the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s saber as part of Guard, Stopper served in a variety of roles a formal transfer long history. Shields became Wisconsin’s and units. He spent time in an engineer seventh state command sergeant major, of responsibility battalion, an infantry battalion, and as the ceremony Feb. assuming responsibility from Stopper, who command sergeant major for the Madison- led the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 9 at Joint Force based 64th Troop Command. He also Headquarters in enlisted Soldiers for the past six years. served in Iraq in 2005-06. Stopper was the state’s top enlisted Madison. Shields Soldier during a tumultuous time that saw Shields, of Menomonee Falls, has 40 was installed as the National Guard maintain its highest years of military service to his credit. A the Wisconsin Army operations tempo since World War II. graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior National Guard’s The retiring command sergeant major High School, Shields enlisted in 1972. He state senior enlisted from Baraboo began his distinguished career entered active duty before transferring to advisor, replacing in 1979 as a cavalry scout in the 105th the Wisconsin Army National Guard in Command Sgt. Maj. Cavalry Squadron before ascending to the 1979. During his long career, he deployed George Stopper (inset, role of the state’s senior enlisted advisor. to Korea, Iraq, and most recently to below), who is retiring “Your energy, dedication, strategic Kosovo, where he served as the command from military service. vision, commitment, and leadership sergeant major for the Milwaukee-based 112th Mobile Public during the highest operations tempo 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Affairs Detachment period that the Wisconsin Army National Stressing the importance of photo by 1st Lt. Joe Guard has seen since World War II has maintaining continuity but also Trovato been nothing short of phenomenal,” inviting change, Shields highlighted the Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, assistant significance of mentorship and leadership adjutant general for Army, said. “And as development within the force. He also we transition from your leadership to discussed the challenges Guardsmen face that of Command Sgt. Maj. Shields, it’s in balancing civilian employment, family, important that our Soldiers know just how and the military. significant of an impact you have had on “The traditional citizen Soldier makes the Wisconsin Army National Guard. a tremendous commitment as a leader “You leave your post with the in our organization, balancing family, Wisconsin Army National Guard civilian employment, the National Guard, having achieved unprecedented levels and friends,” he said. “Our operational of personnel, training, and equipment tempo over the past 11 years added to that readiness and recognition as a state that challenge. As a traditional Guardsman will always answer the call with some of since 1979, I understand those challenges, the best-led, best-equipped, best-trained, because I have lived them as well.” • Complete story online 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and modern and ready Soldiers the photo by Pfc. Chris Enderle Army has to offer,” Anderson continued. • Related photos

@ease 27 Winter 2013 Local volunteer carries cavalry association colors in presidential inauguration parade 1st Lt. Joseph Trovato Staff Sgt. Dan Killam Wisconsin National Guard (left) and 105th Cavalry Squadron One of the only representatives of commander Lt. Col. Wisconsin in January’s inauguration Alston with Paulette parade carried a poignant symbol of the Stelpflug, of Cottage Wisconsin Army National Guard and its Grove. Stelpflug rode cavalry troopers. in the presidential Amid the pomp and circumstance of inauguration parade the inauguration parade was a Cottage carrying the colors Grove woman on horseback flanked by for the Light Horse two other riders. The trio carried the Cavalry Association of U.S. flag, the Wisconsin flag and the Wisconsin. Submitted flag of Wisconsin’s Light Horse Cavalry photo Association — the state’s chapter of the United States Cavalry and Armor Association. Stetsons loaned from members of the Light Horse Cavalry Association, many of whose members hail from the ranks of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 105th Cavalry Squadron, adorned their heads. The woman at the center — Paulette Stelpflug, who, along with wounded Vietnam War veteran Ted Schluter, began the At Ease for Veterans program two years ago at Freedom Stables on Schluter’s the sense of hyper-vigilance that comes fellow Light Horse Cavalry Association for the 105th Cavalry Squadron. property in Deerfield. The program aims with a deployment. members last summer, who were looking To illustrate the relationship between to help wounded veterans, their families, “They’ll just plain tell me, ‘When I’m for an equestrian connection to augment the association and Freedom Stables, and those struggling with adjusting back out here, I’m not always worried about their outreach programs with other Stelpflug carried the organization’s colors to the civilian world by connecting them where the doors are at,’” Stelpflug said. “So volunteer organizations. After Staff Sgt. during the inauguration. The flag, a with horses and other veterans. they’ll give me mental feedback on that, Dan Killam and 105th Cavalry Squadron brilliant yellow with three-foot streamers “One of the things that becomes which has helped me understand a little commander Lt. Col. Jeff Alston visited representing the Wisconsin National difficult is coming home and having that better to some extent where their thinking Freedom Stables for themselves, a Guard, the American Legion, the Veterans tangible thing to have as a connection with is from.” relationship was born. of Foreign Wars, and other affiliated family members,” Stelpflug said. “We’re Their work earned the respect of Freedom Stables now has a partnership organizations, was perhaps the only kind of hoping to fill that or at least offer the president, as Stelpflug was chosen to work directly with the Light Horse parade entrant from the Badger State. that choice. Say a returning Soldier wants from 3,000 applicants to ride in the Cavalry Association and the families of “For the president of the Cav to come out and work with the horses, inauguration parade for President Barack its Soldiers. A few of their horses even Association [Lt. Col. Alston] to say, ‘we’d and in the meantime, while they were Obama on Jan. 21. It also attracted the showed up at an association formal at be honored to have you carry our colors deployed, their family members could attention of the Wisconsin Army National Monona Terrace in Madison last fall. as one of the member organizations of come out and work with the horses. So Guard’s Madison-based 105th Cavalry “When you bring in people who the Cavalry Association,’ they’re quite they’ve got something to share that’s in Squadron, whose historical roots lie in genuinely love Soldiers and genuinely love touched,” Killam said of the stables common.” horse cavalry. the families of Soldiers and really have no carrying the flag. At Ease for Veterans is an all-volunteer Many of the unit’s Soldiers are other connection to the military except “I’m hoping this is an opportunity for program, and its founders provide the members of the Light Horse Cavalry for that and they bring horses and want to people to learn about Freedom Stables equine therapy at no charge for Soldiers Association of Wisconsin. Vietnam play equine soccer … that reinvigorates and what they do for my families and my and veterans. Veteran and association member Dennis things in a way that we don’t have in-house Soldiers,” Killam said. Many of her clients come to Freedom Landen originally heard about the At Ease resources to do,” said Killam, a member of Stables trying to unwind from combat and program and began discussing it with the association and the career counselor Story online

@ease 28 Winter 2013 Employment brokers convene for job summit in Madison 1st Lt. Joe Trovato they’re working just to make ends meet.” Wisconsin National Guard For Soldiers and Airmen returning from deployment, unemployment is as high as 25 Midwestern military employment to 30 percent. assistance leaders met at the Armed Forces With stakes so high, the employment Reserve Center in Madison March 7 to share assistance leaders gathered to collaborate and strategies aimed at increasing employment share ideas to reduce those numbers. Each for members of the National Guard and state shared about their individual programs Reserve. while also discussing how to work with Representatives from employment employers and across state lines to ensure programs in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, every service member is prepared to enter the Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin market for a job. participated in the employment summit, They also discussed the importance of where they discussed best practices to get addressing a growing skills gap nationwide, more service members hired. in which employment shortages are projected Unemployment within the ranks of the in skilled manufacturing, information Reserve Component of the U.S. military technology, and medical fields. Strategies has gotten the attention of the highest for working with employers to train service levels of the military and at the White members to fill those jobs was a key point of House. Unemployment is a readiness the discussion. issue, according to Frank O’Laughlin, the Ledger and WERC organized the summit, marketing and operations director for the which is the first regional summit of its Capt. Joseph Ledger, above, the Wisconsin Employment Resource Connection National Guard Bureau. The issue affects kind on employment assistance. Individual program manager, speaks during an employment assistance summit held at resilience, retention, and ultimately a service states have collaborated with other states, the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Madison March 7. Below, Lt. Col. Tim member’s ability to deploy as an effective but never in a regional summit with multiple Franklin, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program director member of the military. states. Ledger had high expectations as the for Illinois, and Bob Labadie, the Heroes to Hired program director from Ohio, “If we can help them with their civilian conference began. join the discussion on reducing unemployment among reserve component side of the house and keeping them healthy “I’m hoping people come and are open service members. Wisconsin National Guard photos by 1st Lt. Joe Trovato over there, then they’re going to be healthy about different programs,” Ledger said. “I on the military side of the house and we’re hope we all leave with lessons learned, so we going to have fewer issues with our Soldiers,” can better our states. Obviously every state O’Laughlin said before the summit began. is different. What works in Wisconsin might Capt. Joseph Ledger, the Wisconsin not work in Iowa, which might not work in Employment Resource Connection Michigan.” (WERC) program manager, agreed. He said “There is not a cookie cutter answer for unemployed service members are often each one of the states,” added O’Laughlin. not mission ready because of the stress “Each state is going to be different, but there unemployment can put on relationships. are some best practices.” “The people I talk to in [a traditional Lt. Col. Tim Franklin, the Employer National Guard] status, their employment Support of the Guard and Reserve program affects their relationships with their spouse, director for Illinois, hoped summits like the their family, their kids, and it can really lead one held in Madison could continue in the to an at-risk service member,” he said. future. According to Ledger, nine percent of “The big value is that there is no one Wisconsin’s Army National Guard force and right way, but if each of us can take away seven percent of the Air National Guard is something that we like from the other states unemployed. that they’re doing to bring to our state, that’ll “That is just the unemployed,” said help us do a better job of finding jobs for our Ledger. “That is not the underemployed or Guard members and their families,” he said. individuals that have two or three jobs that Story online

@ease 29 Winter 2013 Service members representing all branches look on as Gov. Scott Walker signs a statement of support pledging to hire members of the National Guard and Reserve during a March 11 ceremony at the state capitol in Madison. Courtesy photo

Gov. Walker, cabinet show support for ESGR Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers before the Green Bay Packers’ football 1st Lt. Joe Trovato game Nov. 4, 2012 at Lambeau Field. Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs photo Wisconsin National Guard by Vaughn R. Larson Gov. Scott Walker and his cabinet secretaries signed employer statements of support for the National Guard and Reserve in a March 11 ceremony at the Million Fan Salute benefits Wisconsin Guard state capitol in Madison. Walker and his cabinet joined Dick Vallin, chair of the Wisconsin Thanks to National Football League fans Anderson, assistant adjutant general Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) in signing and USAA, the Wisconsin Army National for Army. “The additional recreational the documents that pledge support for hiring members of the National Guard Guard will be even more fit for duty. equipment supported by USAA directly and Reserve. Wisconsin became the first state to have its governor and cabinet During November’s “Salute to Service” benefits all our service members and is sign the documents. campaign hosted by the NFL and greatly appreciated. We thank USAA for The formal statements of support pledge employers to recognize and sponsored by USAA, fans were asked to their continued support of the National enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights visit www.millionfansalute.com to create Gu ard .” Act (USERRA) and effectively manage employees serving in the National a digital salute for the military on behalf The Detroit Lions and Houston Texans Guard and Reserve. Employers who sign a statement of support also promise of their favorite NFL team. The three joined the Packers in the top three. The to appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring NFL cities to tally the most salutes would USAA will reward the Michigan National to the workforce and encourage the hiring of Guardsmen, Reservists, and earn rewards for their selected military Guard with equipment upgrades at Camp veterans. community. Grayling’s fitness center, and the Texas “This is not just about signing something that goes up on a wall,” Walker The Green Bay Packers were among Air National Guard by helping construct said. “This is in line with our employers. It is us, together, recognizing that we the top three finishers, resulting in fitness a jogging trail at Ellington Field Joint will go out of our way to support our service members.” equipment upgrades at a number of Reserve Base in Houston. “Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and Wisconsin Army National Guard armories Don Clark, USAA executive director readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units,” Vallin said. “I am across the state. of sports sponsorships and events, asking all Wisconsin employers to review and amend their current human “We are honored to have such a congratulated all three winners. resources policies to ensure compliance with USERRA.” close relationship with the Green Bay “This program underscores that USAA Complete story online Packers, and their support of our Soldiers and the entire NFL community actively and Airmen has been nothing short stands behind all those who have served,” of phenomenal,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Clark said.

@ease 30 Winter 2013 ESGR honors employer for support of Wisconsin National Guard spouse Sometimes it’s the little things that Security mean the most. Health Plan When Racheale Ward’s husband Blair, in Marshfield, a major with the Wisconsin Army National received the Guard’s 157th Maneuver Enhancement Employer Support Brigade, was preparing to deploy to Kosovo of the Guard and in 2011, she informed her supervisors at Reserve’s “My Security Health Plan in Marshfield. Boss is a Patriot “It was immediately, ‘what can we do Award” March 14 to help support you?’ knowing she had a for its support of young child at home,” said Ginger Wolf, military spouse then one of Racheale’s supervisors. They Racheale Ward reduced her work schedule from 40 to 32 (holding daughter hours per week, allowing her more time Jocelyn), whose to manage duties at home. “Our human husband, resources department made it very easy Wisconsin Army for us to work with her to do that.” National Guard “It really was the employer effort — Maj. Blair Ward, we’re just instruments of the employer,” deployed to added Chris Bruni, another of Racheale’s Kosovo in late supervisors at the time. “We work for a 2011. Also great employer that really recognizes the pictured: Ginger service of our military and the needs of Wolf (left), Chris the families that are staying behind.” Bruni, and Brig. “Throughout the year they were Gen. Scott so supportive,” Racheale said of her legwold, director supervisors. “My husband mentioned of the Wisconsin the Patriot Award when he returned from National Guard Kosovo and I jumped at the chance — I Joint Staff. wanted to do something to thank them for Wisconsin supporting me, and they were pleasantly National Guard surprised.” Public Affairs And so, Wolf and Bruni received photo by Vaughn “My Boss is a Patriot” awards from the R. Larson Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard had concerns because working five days “We had a 2-1/2-year-old daughter and ready. and Reserve (ESGR) at the company a week and adjusting to be a good mom, I she seemed to take most of our time when “We represent the citizenry of the headquarters March 14. didn’t know how I would do that. it was the three of us,” Blair said. “When nation,” Legwold said. “When Congress “It’s really humbling for me,” Bruni “I had a full day to really take care of Racheale told me that her employer was calls, when the president calls, we go said of the award. “We don’t feel we’ve things, household matters, regroup and be going to reduce her work schedule, that on your behalf and we go execute the done anything. Blair’s the one who’s done a good mom,” she continued. “It allowed gave me significant peace of mind — not nation’s will wherever it’s required.” everything, and Racheale taking care of me the time to take care of things I just when she told me but throughout my According to Tim Flatley, an employer the family at home. They’re the ones that probably would not have been able to take deployment because I was better able support specialist with the Wisconsin have put forth the effort.” care of — doing the grocery shopping for to focus on my mission versus thinking ESGR, the “My Boss is a Patriot” Racheale said that the support she the week, paying the bills, taking care of about what was going on back home.” award was expanded in 2011 to include received from her employers made that appointments.” Brig. Gen. Scott Legwold, director employers of military spouses. Six of the effort much easier. Her husband Blair, who supported of the Wisconsin National Guard’s Joint 68 ESGR Patriot awards presented so far “At the time Jocelyn was two-and-a- Multinational Battle Group-East as Staff, explained that employer support is this year have been to military spouse half years old — I had concerns because a command judge advocate, said the essential to keeping the Army National employers, and last year accounted for 12 our family members live between two prospect of being away from his family Guard and U.S. Army Reserve — which of the 216 Patriot awards. and three hours away,” Racheale said. “I was an “indescribable feeling.” account for one-half of the U.S. Army — Story online

@ease 31 Winter 2013 Meritorious service Michie promoted to rank of brigadier general The Wisconsin Army National Guard’s moment, will be a brigadier general, assistant adjutant general for readiness taking that next leadership step forward,” and training was formally promoted to the Walker said. rank of brigadier general during a Feb. 28 Michie, a resident of Harshaw, thanked ceremony in the Senate Chamber of the Walker and Dunbar for their trust and state capitol. confidence, and said he looked forward to Moments after Brig. Gen. Mark Michie’s this new opportunity. In his new role, he children Brandon and Alex fastened his one- will assist Dunbar and Brig. Gen. Mark star shoulder boards to his uniform, Gov. Anderson, assistant adjutant general for Scott Walker administered the oath of office Army, in providing an Army National before a gathering of family, friends and Guard capable of meeting state and senior Wisconsin National Guard colleagues. federal missions. He will be responsible Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, adjutant for the training and readiness of all general of Wisconsin, noted that Michie’s Wisconsin Army National Guard units, career as a traditional National Guard and will serve as needed as a liaison Soldier — part-time as opposed to full- between the Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, time — is an example of the Wisconsin state and local officials and associations. National Guard’s diversity. “I’m proud to serve with such fine, “We don’t worry about if you’re full- dedicated officers and Soldiers that we time with us or not, we worry about your have here in the Wisconsin National contribution in uniform, and we select the Guard,” Michie said. “It’s unequaled best officers to rise to this rank,” Dunbar anywhere in this country. To be able to Gov. Scott Walker administers the oath of office to Brig. Gen. Mark Michie upon said. serve with you at this level is truly an his promotion, as his wife Barb Michie holds a Bible as part of a formal pinning “Today we’re adding to the ranks honor, and it’s a great challenge.” ceremony Feb. 28 in the Senate Chamber of the Wisconsin Capitol building in someone who has already been an • Complete story online Madison. Michie is the assistant adjutant general for readiness and training. accomplished leader and now, in a • Additional photos Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs photo by Vaughn R. Larson

Wisconsin Army National Guard names Military Order of St. Barbara honorees Eleven Wisconsin Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class John Hensley, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Barbara for her conversion to Christianity, and was artillerymen and five others were honored at the Feb. Schumacher, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Buenning and struck down by lightning in divine retribution. She 23 St. Barbara’s celebration in Wisconsin Rapids. Staff Sgt. Mark Turkiewicz. The Honorable Order became regarded as a patron saint for protection Col. Kenneth Koon, Wisconsin Army National of St. Barbara recognizes the highest standards of against thunderstorms, fires and sudden death, and later Guard chief of staff, and retired Col. David Gapinski integrity, moral character, professional competence and as the patron saint for early artillerymen who served on were inducted into the Ancient Order of St. Barbara, selflessness, and promotion of the field artillery. unreliable cannons. the more distinguished of the two levels of the Five women were inducted into the Artillery Molly Pitcher is the nickname generally attributed Military Society of St. Barbara. The Ancient Order is Order of Molly Pitcher, which recognizes those who to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, who is believed to reserved for those whose careers have embodied the have voluntarily contributed significantly to the have replaced her injured husband, Revolutionary War spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment improvement of the field artillery community. They are artilleryman William Hays, swabbing and loading a epitomized by St. Barbara. Melissa Grawvunder, Lisa Fickel, Theresa Klemme, cannon during the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. The Nine Soldiers became members of the Honorable Joyce Turkiewicz and Heidi Leahy. nickname refers to what would have been her normal Order of St. Barbara, including Maj. Paul Gellerup, St. Barbara is the patron saint of artillery and an duty during battles — bringing pitchers of water to Capt. Harvey Hubbard, 1st Sgt. Mike Seefeld, Master early Christian martyr. Legend holds that her father, cannoneers. Sgt. Derek Crowley, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Bowen, a wealthy Roman aristocrat, tortured and executed Story online

@ease 32 Winter 2013 Wisconsin’s Mannel named country’s best Army National Guard recruiter Wisconsin Guard members recognized for PA work 1st Lt. Joseph Trovato Wisconsin National Guard Wisconsin National Guard public affairs professionals garnered a total of 16 top Wisconsin’s top Army National Guard awards in this year’s National Guard Media recruiter is now officially the best in the Contest. nation. Wisconsin Air National Guard Airmen Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mannel, a earned 11 awards for work published Wisconsin Army National Guard recruiter in 2012, including the top spots for from New Richmond, advanced to the Outstanding New Writer and Broadcast national competition for the National Journalist of the Year. Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Senior Airman Andrea Liechti of the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year 115th Fighter Wing took first place in the award in Nashville. He brought home the Outstanding New Writer category, followed ultimate prize. by second-place winner Staff Sgt. Jenna After advancing to regional Hildebrand of the 128th Air Refueling competition, which included the top Wing. Tech. Sgt. James Michaels of the recruiters from Wisconsin, Illinois, 128th Air Refueling Wing took first in the Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and Military Broadcast Journalist of the Year. Minnesota, Mannel was named one of the Michaels also earned three second-place nation’s Expert 7, a distinction reserved awards in the Television Spot Production, for the top recruiting noncommissioned Television News Report and Television officer in each of the nation’s seven Sports Report. He received a third-place recruiting regions. award in the Video Documentary category. When he arrived in Nashville for the Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mannel (center) poses with leadership after the National 2nd. Lt. Nathan Wallin garnered two Jan. 15 board, he was well-prepared. Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer of the Year second-place awards, in the Illustrative “I felt confident, because I’d been there competition in Nashville on Jan. 15. Mannel went on to win the competition. Photo Photography and Military Photographer of before, and I did the regional one. But you courtesy Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mannel the Year categories, and third in Sports. never know what they are going to ask Staff Sgt. Christopher Wenzel of the you,” he said. “You don’t know if they’re He was named as the region’s top recruitment and seeing his new Soldiers 128th Air Refueling Wing earned a second- going to throw you a curveball, so I was noncommissioned officer in charge. through their training is a reflection of place award in the Outstanding News touching up on the [noncommissioned Their hard work paid off in the end as not only his professionalism, but the type Broadcaster category. officer] creed, the Soldier’s creed and all Mannel cruised to victory in Nashville. of Soldier and noncommissioned officers The Wisconsin National Guard Public the questions they’ve asked in the past He had advanced to the national we have in the Wisconsin Army National Affairs Office received two first-place and just trying to stay proficient on some competition once before in 2010 and Guard.” awards — for the web-based publication @ questions I thought they might ask.” came up short of the ultimate prize. That Each competitor was judged based ease Express, and for the command blog Mannel’s wife, Jill, quizzed him on experience set the stage for his victorious on their performance before a board of WisGuard Live. potential board questions each night return trip, where he became the first command sergeants major representing Vaughn R. Larson took first place in the before the couple went to bed, and National Guard Recruiting and Retention each recruiting region. The judges also news article category and second place in Master Sgt. Jason Meyers, Mannel’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year assessed each candidate based on a review the human interest feature article category. platoon sergeant in the Eau Claire-based from Wisconsin in recent memory. of their backgrounds, their recruiting 1st Lt. Joe Trovato of the 112th Mobile Detachment 1, Company A of Wisconsin’s “It’s a big accomplishment just to prowess, and the total Soldier concept. Public Affairs Detachment was awarded Recruiting and Retention Battalion, setup know that Wisconsin can do it, and it just Each candidate was judged on the number second place in the news feature article a mock board with command sergeants paid off – all the hard work over the last of recruits they signed and the number category. major from Wisconsin to help prepare three or four years,” Mannel said after the that made it through the Army’s training @ease Express and the news article him for the board he’d face in the national competition. pipeline. also placed first in the Army-level Keith competition. “We are extremely proud of his Mannel was judged to be the best. L. Ware contest, and advance to the Meyers is an award-winning accomplishment,” remarked Brig. Gen. He will be formally recognized as the Department of Defense-level Thomas noncommissioned officer himself. He Mark Anderson, Wisconsin’s deputy nation’s top National Guard recruiter at an Jefferson Awards. and Mannel became the first duo from adjutant general for Army. “We recognize awards ceremony in Washington D.C. in First-place winners in the Air National the same state in recent history to win that this honor is the result of a lot of April. Guard contest advanced to the Air Force both major recruiting command awards. hard work on his part. His success in Story online Public Affairs competition.

@ease 33 Winter 2013 Veterans, Families, Retirees Coping with deployment Assistance centers available for military families Tricare changes outlined When a loved one is deployed, the member is deployed. The new copayments for prescription course offered entire community of family members, The Military FACs provide information drugs covered by Tricare went into effect The American Red Cross believes it friends and neighbors is affected. We sources for a variety of services which the Feb. 1. The fiscal year 2013 National is important to prepare family members at the Military Family Assistance Cen- service members and their families may Defense Authorization Act requires Tri- to deal with the challenges of serving at ter are here to help. We understand that utilize before, during, and following a care to increase copays on brand name home while their loved one is deployed. uncertainty and separation can create high deployment. and non-formulary medications that are Coping with Deployments: Psycho- levels of stress and anxiety. Services are available to all service not filled at military clinics or hospitals. logical First Aid for Military Families was The Military Family Assistance Cen- members called to active duty and their There is no increase to copays for generic developed out of the Red Cross’ con- ters (FACs) focus is to provide family families. No military personnel or fam- medications. tinuing commitment to serving military members information on entitlements and ily member will be turned away from a For fiscal 2014 and beyond, the new families wherever they reside. This course benefits available to them through refer- Military FAC regardless of their branch of law directs that copays increase annually provides useful information on how to rals for assistance. service. by only the same percentage as retiree strengthen your ability to respond to the The Military FACs were formed to If you need help, you can call 24/7 – cost of living adjustments. In years when challenges you may encounter throughout assist families of service members with 1-(800)-292-9464. (Option 3). The Military a COLA increase would total less than the deployment cycle. It was designed issues that may arise while the service FAC staff is bound by confidentiality. a dollar, it will be delayed a year and specifically for the spouses, parents, older combined with the next adjustment so children, siblings and significant others of Retiree Activities Office continues to serve increases will always be $1 or more. service members, as well as for military Tricare Pharmacy copays vary based members who may take the course with The Retiree Activities Office (RAO) communities, on the class of drug and where beneficia- their family. Veterans and their family is located in the Office of The Adjutant keep retirees ries choose to fill their prescriptions. The members are also eligible. General at 2400 Wright Street, Room 160, and widows of copay for generic medications stays at $5 Madison, Wis., 53704. The office is open retirees (all ranks when a prescription is filled at a network This excellent course offers guidelines Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30-11:30 a.m., and services) pharmacy. There is no co-pay when ge- for increasing resiliency in ourselves and except on holidays. informed on neric prescriptions are filled through Tri- our children and also provides information Our phone number is (608) 242-3115, matters related care Home Delivery. The new copay for a on how to provide psychological first aid our toll free number is 1-800-335-5147, to their military 30-day supply of a brand name medication to others experiencing stressful feelings or ext 3115; DSN number is 724-3115. status, provide purchased at a retail network pharmacy events. It can also serve as a useful link to If you call at a time when the office is appropriate will be $17, up from the current $12. connect you with other military families in closed, please leave a message on our information and services as necessary Beneficiaries using Tricare Home Deliv- your community. voice mail. Please be sure to leave your including TRICARE, Military ID Cards, ery will pay $13 for brand name drugs, Coping with Deployments is available name and phone number. Our e-mail ad- Survivor Benefits, Death Reporting and up from $9. However, the Home Delivery in both English and Spanish as an instruc- dress is: [email protected] more. The RAO also maintains a list of toll- price is for a 90-day supply. tor-led course or an online course through The RAO mission is to act as an inter- free phone numbers, Web sites and e-mail Tricare Prime, the military’s managed- the Red Cross Learning Center. There face between the active duty and retired addresses for additional information. care option, will end Oct. 1, 2013, for is no charge for the course. Call your retirees, their family members and for local Red Cross to schedule this training military survivors who reside more than for your Family Readiness Group (FRG), Needs of military children addressed 40 miles from a military treatment facility spouses’ club or other group or to find out Are you looking for Living in the New Normal Institute in or from a base closure site, Tricare Man- if a course is being taught in your area. ways to create a unique Madison is what you need. agement Activity announced. If you are interested in completing home-front plan to ad- Participants will learn to differentiate Most of these 171,400 beneficiaries the course on-line please visit https:// dress the needs of mili- affective aspects of children dealing with will need to shift health coverage from classes.redcross.org/Saba/Web/Main. tary children? Would change. They will learn to recognize how Prime to Tricare Standard, the military’s First time users will need to register for a you like to learn about a family member’s military experience fee-for-service health insurance option. free account. For additional information national, military and affects the child and formulate methods For beneficiaries who use more than please refer to http://www.redcross.org/ community resources that build resilience and maximizes the preventive health care during the year, the find-help/military-families/deployment- currently in place to support military natural strengths of children. Visit www. shift will mean higher out-of-pocket costs. services/coping-deployment-course or call children? If your answer is yes, then militarychild.org and click on the Training Defense officials expect the move to save your local Red Cross for assistance. the Military Child Education Coalition’s tab to register. up to $55 million a year.

@ease 34 Winter 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

@ease 35 Winter 2013 JANUARY n The 1st Battalion, 147th t The 115th Aviation Regiment’s Family Fighter Wing Readiness Group was named completed two best in the Army National weeks of joint Guard for 2011. training with the U.S. Marine Corps n The 115th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station received the Air Force Out- Key West, Fla., Jan. standing Unit Award for the 7-21. third time in six years, rec- ognizing the Wing’s achieve- ments from Nov. 1, 2009 through Oct. 31, 2011. n The Wisconsin National Guard takes part in the Na- tional Guard Bureau’s first Virtual Diversity Conference Jan. 18. n A portion of the 82nd Agri- business Development Team spent three weeks in Afghani- stan’s Kunar Province on a pre-deployment site survey in advance of the unit’s March p Wisconsin native PGA golfers deployment. Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker took part in an orientation flight aboard n The 332nd Rear Opera- a 128th Air Refueling Wing’s KC- tions Center was part of the 135 Stratotanker Jan. 25. multinational exercise Yama Sakura 61 in Osaka, Japan Jan. 23-Feb. 5. Lt. Gov. t Command Rebecca Chief Master Kleefisch and Sgt. Christopher senior military E. Muncy, the Air officials cut National Guard’s the ribbon top enlisted Jan. 7 for the member, visited $24 million the 128th Air Armed Forces Refueling Wing, Reserve Center 115th Fighter — the first Wing, 128th Air such facility in Control Squadron Wisconsin — on and Volk Field Madison’s east Combat Training side. u Readiness Center Jan. 6-8.

@ease 36 Winter 2013 FEBRUARY n Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center was one of eight units nationwide to earn the Air Force Organizational Ex- cellence Award. This was the CRTC’s second con- secutive award and fourth in unit history. n Wisconsin was among 31 states and territories to be affected by the Air Force’s force structure realignment plan as part of a 10-year, $487 billion defense budget cut. While the Wisconsin Air National p The 1157th Transportation held Guard will lose two KC- a sendoff ceremony Feb. 4 at the 135 Stratotankers and EAA in advance of its deployment to the RC-26, the impact on Afghanistan, where the unit will conduct manpower was not imme- convoy escort missions. diately known. n The 82nd Agribusiness Development The Wisconsin Air Na- Team — the Wisconsin National Guard’s tional Guard announced first such unit — also held a sendoff cer- its Airmen of the Year. emony Feb. 4 in Hartford. The unit left n The National Guard MRT for mobilization training at Camp Atter- Training Center — located bury, Ind., at the end of the month. q at the Wisconsin Military p President Barack Academy — graduated its Obama’s Feb. 15 1,000th National Guard Milwaukee visit master resilience trainer began and ended at Feb. 13. the 128th Air Refu- n The 1st Battalion, eling Wing. 147th Aviation Regi- ment’s Family Readiness t Tech. Sgt. Cris- Group received an award tian Bennett of the as the best in the Army 115th Fighter Wing National Guard during a Security Forces Feb. 17 ceremony in the Squadron was Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. among 78 service members attend- n Wisconsin Army Nation- ing a Feb. 29 White al Guard recruiters used House dinner honor- social media to maximize ing Iraq veterans. its partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment during a Feb. 19 promo- tional event in Milwaukee.

@ease 37 Winter 2013 MARCH

Legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre visited the 1157th Transportation Company March 26 while the unit was mobilizing at Camp Shelby, Miss.

n The Wisconsin Army National Guard learned it was named the Overall Winner in its category for the Army Chief of Staff Army Communities of Ex- cellence Award for 2011. n State legislation signed into law March 5 would make it easier for military veterans to translate military education, training and experiences into professional credentials. n The Wisconsin Air National Guard learned March 6 that it could lose 114 manpower positions — in- cluding 16 full-time — as part of the Air Force’s proposed force structure realignment plan. The p The first Wisconsin reduction amounts to about 5 percent of the Wis- National Guard Business consin Air National Guard, and would go into effect Summit sought to educate Oct. 1. employers about the value n Four female Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers of hiring military veterans returned from Afghanistan where they helped Army during a March 30 event Rangers and Special Forces Teams interact with at Lambeau Field in Green Afghan citizens. Bay. n For the first time in recent memory, Wisconsin t Twenty Wisconsin Na- National Guard recruiters hosted an event on the tional Guard Soldiers de- University of Wisconsin campus March 11, draw- ployed in Kosovo honored ing more than 230 and generating nearly 600 Bataan Death March vic- qualified leads. tims in a memorial endur- n Five Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers ance event March 26. were among the top finishers in an annual one-day military skills competition in Winnipeg, Manitoba March 17.

@ease 38 Winter 2013 APRIL n Wisconsin native PGA golf- 1st Lt. Nicholas Plocar, left, was one of ers Steve Stricker and Jerry seven Army National Guard Soldiers to Kelly visited the 426th Regional take part in the grueling 60-hour Best Training Institute April 17 as Ranger Competition April 14-16 at Fort part of a Community Center of Benning, Ga. Plocar finished in the top 10. Influence event. n Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, visited deployed Wisconsin Na- tional Guard Soldiers in Kosovo April 19-23. n The Wisconsin National Guard’s Drug Control Program helped collect more than 18 tons of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs during a one-day national take- back initiative April 28. n The Wisconsin Air National Guard’s STARBASE program — designed to improve student skills and experience in sci- ence, technology, engineering and math — graduated its first class April 30.

p The 82nd Agribusiness Development Team formally p The Wisconsin Army National Guard named its Sol- p The 1157th Transportation Company assumed took over the mission of helping Afghan farmers in Ku- dier of the Year and NCO of the Year April 22 following a its convoy escort mission in Afghanistan. nar Province, Afghanistan April 10 grueling three-day competition.

@ease 39 Winter 2013 MAY

p The Wisconsin Army National Guard receives the top award in the Army Communities of Excellence competition during a May 1 ceremony at the Pentagon.

n Four retired officers wereinducted May 5 into the Wisconsin Army Na- tional Guard Hall of Honor. n Wisconsin Army National Guard Maj. Dave Brown, Jr., and his wife Rachel p Approximately returned to Wisconsin May 7 as the 200 combat med- winners of the CBS reality show “The ics take part in Amazing Race.”May 7-18. realistic training n The 82nd Agribusiness Development lanes May 19-20 at Team conducts its last mission May Fort McCoy. 9 before the agribusiness specialists join the Kunar Provincial Reconstruc- The 32nd Infantry tion Team and the remainder of the Brigade Combat unit joins a joint task force in Kabul. Team takes part in n Gov. Scott Walker thanked Wiscon- a joint Warfighter sin National Guard members for their Exercise at Fort commitment to the state and nation McCoy May 7-18. May 18, the eve of Armed Forces Day. u n Capt. Nils Henderson was one of seven Army National Guard officers to receive the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award May 24 at the Pen- tagon.

@ease 40 Winter 2013 JUNE n Six Red Arrow Soldiers re- n Local employers encouraged to turned to Wisconsin June 6 hire veterans during an employer ini- following a deployment to Af- tiative sponsored by Panther Racing ghanistan where they operated and the Wisconsin National Guard the RQ-7 Shadow 200 unmanned June 16 at the Milwaukee Mile. aerial vehicle. n State, local and Wisconsin Na- n More than 100 at-risk teens tional Guard officialscut the ribbon graduated from the Challenge June 18 for STARBASE Wisconsin, Academy June 9. which opened two months earlier in Milwaukee. n Wisconsin Employment Re- source Connection (WERC) n Lt. Col. Robyn Blader was named visited deployed National Guard Wisconsin Law Journal’s Woman of members in Kosovo June 11-15 the Year June 21. n The Wisconsin National n Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard’s Soldier of the Year was Guard units conducted joint rescue honored as a Hometown Hero operations on Lake Michigan with June 16 at the Milwaukee Mile. Milwaukee Fire and Rescue person- nel. n Col. Tim Lawson took command of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Com- bat Team June 24. No Wisconsin National Guard n Wisconsin National Guard Joint Soldiers were injured during a Staff and CERFP representatives June 1 skirmish in Rudare, Koso- gleaned homeland defense strate- vo when unidentified individuals gies from New York National Guard’s fired upon a roadblock removal Joint Task Force Empire Shield June operation. u 27-28.

p Approximately 2,500 people attended the Volk p The Wisconsin National Guard’s CBRNE Enhanced The Wisconsin National Guard engaged the commu- Field Open House June 2. Response Force Package (CERFP) was certified for nity at Rhythm and Booms June 30. duty June 15.

@ease 41 Winter 2013 JULY n Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar reappointed July 3 as Adju- tant General of Wisconsin.

n The 115th Fighter Wing was deemed mission ready following a demanding Op- erational Readiness Inspec- tion July 13-18.

t The National Guard Bu- reau’s annual PATRIOT exer- cise was held July 17-19 at Volk Field.

t The 97th Agribusi- ness Development Team wrapped up a five-day “Ag- riculture 101” crash course July 23-27 through the UW College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

n Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, the military’s top enlisted leader and advi- sor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with Wisconsin National Guard members about top Defense Department goals July 25 at Volk Field.

t Sgt. Zachary Henningsen sings the National Anthem at a July 26 Milwaukee Brewers game.

p Volk Field held a memorial service July 11 for its namesake, 1st Lt. Jerome Volk, a Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot shot down Nov. 7, 1951 during a sortie against communist forces in the Korean War. His remains were never recovered.

@ease 42 Winter 2013 AUGUST

p Four Wisconsin National Guard female Sol- diers were honored at Miller Park Aug. 25 for their service supporting Army Rangers and Special Operations Teams in Afghanistan.

n 1st Lt. Nicholas Plocar was recognized Aug. 22 as one of the best National Guard Soldiers in the nation during the 2012 Out- standing Soldier and Airmen of the Year ban- quet in Washington, D.C. n Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers sup- porting Ulchi Freedom Guardian in South Ko- rea were in little danger as Typhoon Bolaven brushed the peninsula Aug. 27-28. n The 426th Regional Training Institute re- ceived its third certification as an Institution of Excellence Aug. 31. p The 1st Battalion, 105th Cavalry t Nearly Squadron kicked off its inaugural Spur 150 Soldiers Ride Aug. 4-5 at Fort McCoy. from the 15 Wisconsin 229th Engi- National Guard neer Com- Soldiers — mem- pany and bers of the 112th 106th Quarry MPAD, Judge Ad- Detachment vocate Office and held a send- the state support off ceremony chaplain — headed Aug. 25 in to South Korea advance of Aug. 14 to support their Afghan- Ulchi Freedom istan deploy- Guardian. u ment.

@ease 43 Winter 2013 SEPTEMBER n Task Force Talon, the Multinational Battle Group East aviation unit that included West Bend- based aviation Soldiers, transferred authority for its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo Sept. 1. n Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, was named the new vice-chairman-Air for the National Guard Association of the United States’ board of directors during the annual gen- eral conference and exhibition Sept. 9-12. n The Wisconsin National Guard Military Engage- ment Team traveled to Puerto Rico for a two- week language immersion class beginning Sept. 9. n West Bend-based aviation Soldiers returned to Wisconsin Sept. 13 as part of the first wave of Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers returning from Kosovo. n The 115th Fighter Wing helped two Wisconsin volunteer organizations deliver more than 19 tons of humanitarian supplies to foreign countries t Wisconsin National Guard combat engineers validated for Afghanistan mission during late- September training at Fort Bliss, Texas. n Approximately 125 Soldiers returned to Wis- consin Sept. 27 from a 10-month peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. n Brig. Gen. Margaret Bair, the Wisconsin Air Na- tional Guard’s first female general officer, retired Sept. 30 after 32 years of military service.

Gov. Scott Walker and Maj. Gen. Donald Dun- bar, adjutant general of t Approximately Wisconsin, vis- 35 members of the ited deployed 82nd Agribusiness Wisconsin Development Team National Guard returned to Wis- Soldiers in consin earlier than Kosovo Sept. u originally expected 6. Sept. 11.

@ease 44 Winter 2013 OCTOBER t The 104th Security Force Advise and Assist Team held a sendoff ceremony Oct. 1 in advance of a deployment to help Af- ghans take greater responsibility for their national security.

n The Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame inducted retired Command Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Yapundich during an Oct. 13 ceremony. n Col. Jeffrey Wiegand assumed command of the 115th Fighter Wing during an Oct. 14 ceremony. n Lt. Col. Douglas Fleischfresser was named new state chaplain for the Wiscon- sin National Guard. n Two Wisconsin Army National Guard recruiters won top honors Oct. 15 during a regional recruiting and retention council at Fort McCoy. n U.S. Rep. Ron Kind visited members of the 1157th Transportation Company in Af- ghanistan Oct. 17. n Five Wisconsin National Guard members competed in the Army 10-Miler Oct. 21 in Washington D.C.

t Wisconsin De- partment of Public Col. Joane Mathews Instruction Superin- was named the tendent Tony Evers Wisconsin National visited the Chal- Guard’s first female lenge Academy at brigade commander Fort McCoy Oct. 4. Oct. 7 when she took command of the 64th Troop Com- mand. u

@ease 45 Winter 2013 NOVEMBER Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel, vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, spoke to senior Wisconsin Na- tional Guard lead- ers at Volk Field during a Nov. 30 conference. u n The 128th Air Control Squadron held a sendoff ceremony Nov. 11 at Volk Field prior to a deployment supporting the 727th Expedition- ary Air Control Squadron. p Sgt. 1st Class n Mike Murphy, a Don Grundy was Wisconsin Army awarded the Thom- National Guard as E. Wortham lieutenant colo- IV Achievement nel, became the Award during half- new director of time ceremonies the Wisconsin Na- Nov. 4 at Lambeau tional Guard Chal- Field. lenge Academy t Lambeau Field Nov. 19. and USAA saluted Wisconsin National Guard veterans during pregame ceremonies Nov. 4.

Sgt. Luis Cortes- Avila of the 1157th Transpor- tation Company became an Ameri- can citizen Nov. 2 in Afghanistan. u

@ease 46 Winter 2013 DECEMBER n Staff Sgt. Timothy Donnan of the 115th Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sus- tained in Afghanistan in January during a Dec. 3 ceremony. n The Wisconsin National Guard hosted regional National Guard leaders, officials from the 9th U.S. Coast Guard District, state and federal officials and representa- tives of the Canadian military for a Great Lakes region emergency response plan- ning session Dec. 7. n The 128th Air Refueling Wing held its 28th annual Flight to the North Pole for families of children with life-threatening illnesses Dec. 8. n Ninety-nine cadets graduated from the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Acad- emy Dec. 15.

p Battery B, 1st Bat- t The Wis- talion, 121st Field Ar- consin Na- tillery held a sendoff tional Guard ceremony Dec. 3 in staged advance of its deploy- more than ment to Afghanistan, 100 Sol- where the unit is to diers and conduct fire support Airmen to missions. respond if Gov. Scott Walker pro- needed dur- moted Col. Gary Ebben ing a winter to the rank of brigadier storm Dec. general during a Dec. 19-21. 5 ceremony at the state capitol. Ebben is the assistant adjutant general for Air. u

@ease 47 Winter 2013 Parting shot Members of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 104th Security Force Advise and Assist Team (SFAAT) conduct a patrol in Afghanistan’s rugged terrain in February. For more information on the 104th SFAAT, see the story on Page 12. 104th SFAAT courtesy photo

@ease 48 Winter 2013