Guardlife Staff

EDITORS Capt. April Doolittle 2nd Lt. Amanda Batiz Chief Warrant Offi cer 2 Patrick Daugherty EDITOR-PRODUCTION Mark C. Olsen STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez (NJANG) Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley (NJARNG) 444th MPAD, NJARNG Guardlife is published using federal funds under provisions of AR 360-1 and AFI 35-101 by the Public Affairs Offi ce of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for all members of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard, their families, retirees and civilian employees. The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense, the Army, the Air Force or the National Guard Bureau. Letters may be sent to: Guardlife, Public Affairs Offi ce, P.O. Box 340, NJDMAVA, Trenton, NJ, 08625-0340. E-mail at: [email protected] Cover: Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira was killed in ac- tion in Yahya Khel, Paktika Province, Afghan- istan when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device on October 19, 2011. (Graphic by Mark C. Olsen, DMA- VA Public Affairs) Inside cover: The Competition Staff Sgt. Jeffery J. Raine,left, a weapons loader with the 177th Fighter Wing, holds the nose of a GBU-12 Paveway II, 500-pound laser-guided weapon while load crew team chief Tech. Sgt. Keith R. Williams attaches the connecting bolts during the annual Load Crew competition at the 177th on June 12. This is the 30th year the Wing has held the competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing)

G u a r d l i f e 2 Guardlife Index 4 An American hero 5 Staff Sgt. Oliveira: A fallen hero 6 New Jersey National Guard honors Staff Sgt. Oliveira 7 Neighbors helping Neighbors 9 New Jersey Guard serving New Jersey's communities 12 Financiers hailed 13 Airmen deploy in support of New Dawn 14 New Jersey remembers 15 Military life: it's a family affair 16 Aviation delivers 17 Wing holds ribbon cutting ceremony 18 NJNG prepares Croatians for Deployment 19 Guardsman connects with family roots on deployment 20 The ORI 22 Airman fi nds luck on her 'unlucky day' 23 I am an Airman 24 108th receives "Excellent" 25 Soldier gets helping hand 26 New Jersey-Albanian partnership yields combat-ready team 28 N.J. Guard tests GREM 29 Taggart chosen top First Sergeant 30 Keeping the sand out of their eyes 31 PRT Soldier earns U.S. citizenship 32 Decorating his way to "Cake Boss" status 33 New Jersey Guard serving New Jersey 34 New Jersey Guard Wrap-Up 35 News Guard Families Can Use 36 Short Rounds 38 Army and Air Enlisted Promotions 40 Last Round: I see you Dad

G u a r d l i f e 3 Staff Sgt. Oliveira By Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General - New Jersey

In April, I travelled to Camp tanamo Bay, Cuba in Atterbury, Ind. to spend some 2004, in response to time with the Security Forces Hurricane Katrina in Platoon of the 113th Infan- New Orleans the fol- try before they deployed for a lowing year and de- challenging mission in Afghan- ployed to Iraq with istan. the 50th Infantry Bri- I’ve made dozens of these gade Combat Team in visits in my time as The Adjutant 2008-2009. General, but they never get any Last year, when easier. The men and women I it became clear that meet are about to go into harm’s operations in Afghani- way and when I look into their stan required a New eyes, I want to know they are go- Jersey Army Guard ing to take care of each other. Security Forces pla- I got the reassurance I need- Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, right, The Adjutant General of New Jer- toon for a sensitive ed when I met Staff Sgt. Jorge sey, shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira during the Yel- mission assisting a Oliveira. He was one of the low Ribbon Ceremony at the Lawrencevile Armory on March 6. provincial reconstruc- most seasoned and experienced (Photo by Mark C. Olsen, DMAVA Public Affairs) tion team, Oliveira NCOs on the deployment and volunteered. when he told me he would look after the younger Sol- Oliveira had been scheduled for leave at Christmas. diers, I knew he would. In a conversation with his mother the day before he died, Oliveira was a great leader, a great role model, a Oliveira, who was not married, told her he had given his great Soldier and a great American. leave slot to another Soldier who has young children. He died on Oct. 19 while conducting route recon- In that conversation with his mother, Oliveira had naissance operations in Afghanistan. He died as he talked about why he served. served, leading from the front, putting the safety of his “Ma, this country has given us so much, I got to give troops ahead of his own. something back,” he told her. For those of you were unable to attend Oliveira’s funeral, I can assure you it was an appropriate tribute to a Soldier who was simply an American hero. Gov. Christie, who spoke at Oliveira’s funeral, may have put it best when he said simply: “He gave it all.” The Oliveira family emigrated from Portugal when the staff sergeant was 7. The family settled in the Iron- bound Section of Newark. Oliveira learned English in less than six months, his family said. Oliveira joined the Army in 1997 as an infantry- man, serving three years with the 101st Airborne Divi- sion. When he returned to New Jersey after his three- year enlistment, Oliveira took the civil service exam to become a law enforcement officer and scored so well he was flooded with job offers. He chose to become an Soldiers of the New Jersey Army National Guard Funeral Detail Essex County Sheriff’s officer. In 2003, Oliveira joined prepare to carry the casket of Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira at the the New Jersey National Guard family. Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Oct. 28 as Gov. Chris In his time in the National Guard, Oliveira simply did Christie, right, and Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, second from right it all. observe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th He served on a detainee operations mission to Guan- Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 4 STAFF SGT. OLIVEIRA: A FALLEN HERO New Jersey National Guard Soldier remembered as an outstanding NCO By Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira died at YahyaYahya ArmyArmy MilitMilitaryary MountaineerMountaineer badgebadge in early 2011 for complet- Khel, Paktika Province, Afghanistan wwhenhen inging the winterwinte phase of the Mountain- insurgents attacked his unit with ann im- eeringe Course in Jericho, provised explosive device. The Soldierdier Vermont.V In March of 2011, was dismounted and conducting a routeoute OliveiraO along with the other reconnaissance when the explosive dde-e- membersm of the 2nd Bat- vice detonated. taliontta 113th Infantry Security Oliveira spent three years on Army ac-ac- ForcesFFo Platoon entered the tive duty with the 101st Airborne Divisionon mobilizationmmo phase of their de- before joining the National Guard in 2003.3. ploymentpploy in Camp Atterbury, In Afghanistan, Oliveira’s unit is as-s- Indiana.IIndia Upon completing mo- signed to the Sharana Provincial Recon-- bilizationbbiliza training, Oliveira with struction Team (PRT), which is assisting thetthe oother members of his pla- the Afghan government establish the toonttoon deployed to Afghanistan rule of law and sustainable economic ini JuneJun 2011 where he served and social development in the region. asa a SSquad Leader in a Security In April, Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, ForcesFForces Platoon attached to the the New Jersey Adjutant General, met Oliveiraliveira ProvincialPProvinc Reconstruction Team. and other members of the unit during theirheir pre-deploymentpre-deployment HisHis awards and decorations training at Camp Atterbury, Ind. includeildthB the Bronze Star St MedalM dl (Posthumous),( the Purple Rieth said Oliveira was one of the most seasoned non- Heart Medal (Posthumous), Army Achievement Medal, Army commissioned offi cers on the deployment, having served on Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achieve- a detainee operations mission to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in ment Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Armed Forces 2004, in response ttoo HHurricaneurr Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq KatrinaKatrin in Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on NewNew Or- Terrorism Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserved Medal leansleans the with “M” Device (3rd Award), Non-commissioned Offi cer followingfollo Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, yearyear and NATO Medal with ISAF Clasp, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert a yyearlongea Infantry Badge, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ram’s combatcom Head Device. tourt o u in IraqIraq with thethe 50th InfantryInf BrigadeBr Com-C batb TeamT inin 22008-2009.008-2 OliveiraOliveira hadhad recordedrecorded a litanylitany ofof achievementsachieveme in his time in uniform. He had been awarded the Expert Infantry Badge; the Air Assault Badge; the Airborne Badge; and the Army Military Mountaineer Badge. He had completed the Primary Leadership Development Course; the Infantry Light Leader’s Course; and the Combat Tracker Course and the winter in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Oliveira was awarded the

G u a r d dlif l i f e 5 More than 1,600 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard NNewew JJerseyersey NationalNational crowded the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to pay their last respects to Staff Sgt. GGuarduard HHonorsonors Jorge M. Oliveira on Oct. 28. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mas- ter Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th SStafftaff SSgt.gt. OOliveiraliveira Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 6 Hurricane Irene did not spare Sgt. 1st Class Mar- co Chavez. The rising fl oodwaters swept into the New Jersey Army National Guard Soldier’s home in Fairfi eld, causing massive damage and forcing the evacuation of his family. But when the storm hit, Chavez was among the nearly 2,400 Citizen Soldiers and Airmen who re- ported for duty to protect the property, safety and lives of their fellow New Jerseyeans. When Gov. Chris Christie met Chavez several days later, the 46-year-old Iraq veteran – and his 20-year-old son, Pfc. Angel Chavez – were still with the mission to help friends and neighbors recover from the devas- tating storm. When asked why, Chavez simply re- plied: “This is what we do. This is where we need to be right now.” The most remarkable thing about the National Guard’s largest domestic mobilization in more than 30 years was that Chavez’s story is not uncommon Pfc. James H. Campell at all. Scores of Soldiers and Airmen from Cape May provides assistance to to Riverdale left their homes and families in a time Lawrenceville residents of crisis. They are part of an all-volunteer force that refl exively puts the needs of their communities’ be- from fl ooding areas on fore their own. Aug. 28. Several areas in Countless examples of selfl ess sacrifi ce formed Lawrenceville have fl ood- the backbone of the New Jersey National Guard’s ed because of the heavy unprecedented response to a storm Gov. Christie rains and winds caused by described as a 100 year event. the passing of Hurricane As the state’s military fi rst responders, Soldiers Irene. (U.S. Air Force pho- and Airmen rescued 543 residents imperiled by ris- to by Master Sgt. Mark C. ing water and conducted hundreds of missions in Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing direct support of civilian authorities on assignments Public Affairs) ranging from rescues, to safeguarding property to transporting relief supplies. Young men and women logged thousands of miles in high-wheeled vehicles on treacherous roads with few incidents and no in- juries. Helicopter pilots and crews fl ew dozens of missions to gauge where to best marshal resources. Soldiers and Airmen also played key roles in the op- Continued on page 8

G u a r d l i f e 7 Neighbors helping Neighbors

Continued from page 7 eration of the state’s emergency evacuation shelters. To get a fuller appreciation of the National Guard response to the storm, remember that as devastat- ing as this storm was, the initial predictions called for Category II hurricane packing 115 mile winds to make landfall at Cape May and to head due north through the center of the state. Preparations for that possibility required the redis- tribution of more than 300 pieces of equipment from armories across the state to both safeguard those items from storm damage and to ensure the broadest statewide distribution of National Guard assets for rap- id response. Although the New Jersey National Guard Gov. Chris Christie, right, thanks Sgt. 1st Class Marco Chavez, ultimately called up 2,400 troops, contingency plans 113th Infantry, for aiding New Jerseyeans affected by the fl ooding allowed for the activation of double that number had on Aug. 30. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley, 444th they been needed. In addition, thanks to an agreement Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) between Gov. Christie and the U.S. Department of De- fense, Brig. Gen. James J. Grant, Director of the Joint Staff, was empowered to command federal active-duty were posted on a social networking site and received troops had they been needed here for additional di- coverage from some news outlets. saster relief. A commanders’ inquiry and safety investigation In the hours after the storm made landfall, it be- was undertaken in response. came clear Hurricane Irene’s greatest threat would not But in that case, as in all the hundreds of other mis- be destructive winds, but epic flooding in Central and sions successfully completed by the National Guard, Northern New Jersey. the Soldiers and Airmen made an aggressive push in The National Guard responded to the shifting response to one of the nastiest storms in memory in threat by rapidly reconsolidating Soldiers, Airmen and a determined effort to save lives and protect property. equipment in Somerset, Passaic, Essex and Bergen Let’s remember two other things that happened counties before the hurricane officially exited New Jer- during Hurricane Irene that didn’t make the news. sey and long before rivers reached flood stage. From The first came less than 72 hours after the storm there, it was a textbook example of the National Guard landed, when a large group of Soldiers demonstrated responding to requests for assistance from its partners the versatility of today’s National Guard, boarding a at the Office of Emergency Management and the State plane at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to begin a Police. one-year deployment in Iraq and Kuwait. They joined As the floodwaters receded, the National Guard more than 15,000 other New Jersey National Guard began its drawdown at a pace commensurate with the troops who have contributed to our nation’s defense remaining threat. The rationale was simple. The overall by serving under combatant commanders around the government emergency response required by storms globe over the past decade. of that magnitude is expensive. Although the Soldiers The second came later that day, in Manville, when and Airmen of the National Guard are already a great a number of Soldiers joined Gov. Christie at a town value to the taxpayer because of their part-time pay hall event at a VFW Post surrounded by waist-high structure, the National Guard leadership team under- water. When this gathering of residents, emergency stood the need to be good financial stewards. workers and elected officials spotted the uniforms, a The National Guard’s response to Hurricane Irene spontaneous chant broke out. It was: “National Guard, required intricate planning, preparation for multiple National Guard.” contingencies and a complicated analysis and reac- Folks in that VFW Hall that day recognized that the tion to an emerging threat. New Jersey National Guard is the Hometown Team. Even though Soldiers and Airmen drove thou- They are their friends and neighbors who volunteered sands of miles without incident, the chaotic nature of to serve and can be counted on to step up when they the storm and an aggressive push by Soldiers led to are needed most. an incident in which two vehicles became stranded in floodwaters in Manville. Video images of this episode

G u a r d l i f e 8 NNewew JJersey'sersey's GuardGuard servingserving NNewew JJersey'sersey's communitiescommunities

Photo top: Spc. Andy De- Leon, left, and Pfc. James H. Campell provide assis- tance to Lawrenceville, authorities as they evacu- ate residents from fl ood areas on Aug. 28. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mas- ter Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Pub- lic Affairs) Photo bottom: Tech. Sgt. Todd Butcher (right) and Staff Sgt. Mark Naughton, both with the 177th Civil Engineering Squadron, remove alu- minum trim from a facility damaged by Hurricane Irene's winds at the 177th Fighter Wing on Aug. 27. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 9 Sgt. Sarah Zadoyko, left, and Sgt. 1st Class Yashica Carver, both with the 57th Troop Com- mand, at Task Force South Command Center at Warren Grove Range on Aug. 27. More than 2,400 New Jersey Army and Air National Guard troops were mobilized to as- sist civilian authorities re- sponding to Hurricane Irene. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mas- ter Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

Gov. Chris Christie, right, thanks Spc. John Patino of the 250th Bri- gade Support Battalion for providing evacu- ation and patrol sup- port hours after after tropical storm Irene hit Manville on Aug. 29. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Landis Andrews, 444th Mobile Public Af- fairs Detachment)

G u a r d l i f e 10 Spc. Rickey Piazza, 250th Brigade Special Senior Airman Kane Lawlor, Tac- Troops Battalion, works tical Air Control Party member with Lawrenceville au- from the 227th Air Support Op- thorities as they evacu- erations Squadron, 177th Fighter ate residents from fl ood- Wing stands next to a dog that ing areas on Aug. 28. he is preparing to transport to a (U.S. Air Force photo shelter after Hurricane Irene on by Master Sgt. Mark C. Aug. 28. (U.S. Air Force photo Olsen, 177th Fighter by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht, 177th Wing, Public Affairs) Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

Spc. Andy DeLeon navigates a fl ooded portion of Law- renceville in a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle on Aug. 28. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mas- ter Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 11 FINANCIERS HAILED By Sgt. Landis Andrews 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Friends, family and local offi cials attended a farewell ceremony for the 250th Finance De- tachment at the Flemington Armory on July 9. The community turned out to support the more than two dozen Soldiers as they prepared to spend a year in Kuwait where they will be per- forming disbursement operations, commercial vending services, military pay, travel and internal control functions. “Today we’re here to recognize their service and say thanks to each and every one of these Soldiers and their families,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey. Rieth is certain the 250th is well-trained and well-equipped for the mission at hand. “The fi nance community has done phenom- enal work and there is no question that these Sol- diers will continue the same effort,” said Rieth. U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th Dist.) echoed that with his admiration for the unit. “I have every confi dence in the duties you will perform,” Lance said. “We have the best army in the world.”

G u a r d l i f e 12 Airmen deploy in support of New Dawn By Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez, 108th Wing Public Affairs Photos by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Senior Airman Heather Perez, 108th Se- curity Forces Squadron, climbs aboard a 108th Wing KC-135R Stratotanker on July 12 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

More than 25 Airmen from the 108th Wing’s Security serves in the military and these are some of them.” Force Squadron deployed July 12, for a six-month tour During their deployment, the Airmen will conduct air in Southwest Asia in support of Operation New Dawn. base ground defense missions, which may include perim- Amid family members and senior leadership from the eter patrols, fl ight line security, vehicle searches, and pro- 108th Wing and New Jersey Air National Guard, the 108th cessing personnel at base entry points. Airmen said goodbye to their loved ones during a farewell ceremony held at the Wing’s conference room here. Senior Airman Omar J. Navarro, a Newark resident and recent college graduate, said he was a little nervous about the deployment, but he was also excited at the opportunity. “My sister and mother have both been deployed to Af- ghanistan and Iraq and they told me I would be alright,” said Navarro. “My father is a nervous wreck, though.” After a couple of weeks of training in Nevada to hone their security forces skills, the Airmen will deploy to South- west Asia to commence the mission. The 108th Airmen are well-equipped and well-prepared to accomplish their mission, said Col. Robert A. Meyer, 108th Wing vice commander. Maj. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, told family members that they Senior Airmen Omar J. Navarro, right, and Lauren Drennan listen should be proud of their Airmen for serving in the military. as Maj. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, commander of the New Jersey “They are American heroes,” said Falca-Dodson. “Less Air National Guard, addresses the deploying Security Forces Air- than one percent of the population in the United States men and their families.

G u a r d l i f e 13 NNewew JerseyJersey remembersremembers

The New Jersey National Guard Col- or Guard, left to right, Sgt. 1st Class Louis Tuck, Senior Airman Dominoe Strong, Senior Airman Sally Pizzo and Staff Sgt. Jerone Scott practice prior to the dedication ceremony for New Jersey Empty Sky Memorial at Liberty State Park, Jersey City on Sept. 10. The Memorial, which is di- rectly across the Hudson River from New York City and frames the location of the World Trade Center towers, is dedicated to the 746 New Jerseyeans who were killed in the Sept., 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 14 Military life: It’s a family affair By Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez, 108th Wing Public Affairs

The military is known for developing a sense of cama- raderie within their service members. For Andre, Tiara, Paula and Mecca the sense of family and camaraderie is much stronger. And that’s because all four serve in the same unit within New Jersey’s Air National Guard, and they are all related. Master Sgt. Andre Williamson, a chaplain assistant with the 108th Wing, was recently deployed to the Combat Readiness Training Center at Volk Field, Wis., preparing for the Wing’s operational readiness exercise there. And there with him were his daughter, Airman 1st Class Tiara William- son, and his niece, Airman Paula Daniels. Another niece, Airman Mecca Jennings, stayed behind during the exercise, which was held from March 21 – 25. Left to right, Airman Paula Daniels, Airman Mecca Jennings, Airman The Williamson siblings come from a long and rich military 1st Class Tiara Williamson and Master Sgt. Andre Williamson pose in tradition that was started by Andre Williamson. He enlisted into front of the 108th Wing shield. The Williamsons, Daniels and Jennings the Army 24 years ago, and today he serves with the 108th. are blood relatives that serve together with the 108th Wing. (U.S. Air “I grew up a military brat,” said Tiara Williamson, a pub- Force photo by Airman Kellyann Novak, 108th Wing Public Affairs) lic health technician at the 108th Medical Group. So making the choice to also join the Air National Guard Although they are all in different sections within the was not diffi cult for Tiara Williamson. Aside from the education- 108th and don’t see each other much during the day on drill al and other benefi ts she would receive from the military, she weekend, they continue the family bond that has brought also wanted to make her father proud, Tiara Williamson said. them together. And what better way than to serve with the same unit “I have the camaraderie of the military, but I also have that her Dad is currently serving in. the family bond,” said Tiara Williamson. “She made us proud when she made the decision to join this great unit,” continued Andre Williamson. Today, Tiara Williamson is a student at Essex County Community College in Newark studying Biology and pre- med. She plans on transferring to Rutgers University after she completes her associate’s degree. As if having his daughter serve in the same unit with him wasn’t enough, right behind Tiara Williamson’s enlistment into the 108th Wing was her fi rst-cousins, Daniels and Jennings. “It’s a family affair,” said Tiara Williamson. Although her interest for the military was started by re- cruiters, having family and familiar faces at the unit is a plus, said Daniels. She thought it would feel weird to be around her family at the unit, said Tiara Williamson, but now she is happy and looks forward to spending more time with her family while training for the upcoming operational readiness inspection. 350th350th rreturnseturns fromfrom BosniaBosnia “It’s great having my dad give me encouragement and Staff Sgt. Dewey Johnson, left, holds his daughter Ariann, age two, pointers during a training class,” said Tiara Williamson. and fellow Soldier Sgt. Kenneth Colon has 22-month old Jadyn in The same can be said for Daniels, since she now has a his arms. Returning from deployment in Bosnia the 11 Guardsmen dual role with her uncle; an Airman and a niece. of the 350th Finance Company greeted their family members at “I address him as Master Sgt. Williamson,” said Daniels. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on April 4. (U.S. Army photo by “But once in a while, out of habit I’ll call him Uncle Andre.” Sgt. 1st Class Kryn P. Westhoven, Joint Force Headquarters - New Jersey Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 15 AVIATION DELIVERS

Crew chief Sgt. Ralph Foy of the 1-150th As- sault Helicopter Battal- ion, watches as water is released from a bambi bucket suspended be- low a UH-60A Black- hawk to extinguish a mock fi re in support of Exercise Eagle Flag on Aug. 16. Eagle Flag is designed for develop- ing, testing and rehears- ing the expeditionary combat support capa- bilities of a traditional air base opening, irreg- ular warfare, humanitar- ian operations and oth- er contingencies faced by the United States and its allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. De- Noris A. Mickle)

G u a r d l i f e 16 Wing holds ribbon cutting ceremony Story and photos by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

“It’s a big day for the New Jersey National Guard, spe- Above, from left to right, State Senator James Whelan, Rep. cifi cally the New Jersey Air Guard and the 177th Fighter Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.), U.S. Senator Robert Menen- Wing,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant Gen- dez, Col. Robert C. Bolton, commander, 177th Fighter Wing, eral of New Jersey. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey Federal and state offi cials joined senior New Jersey and Maj. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, commander, New Jersey National Guard commanders and 177th Airmen in a rib- Air National Guard, cut the ribbon in front of the wing's new bon cutting ceremony for the wing’s new Headquarters headquarters on Aug. 11. Photo below: Staff Sgt. Melissa Cor- and 227th Air Support Operations Squadron buildings tez recites the Airman's Creed to a crowd of more than 100 at on Aug. 11. the conclusion of the ribbon cutting ceremony. “This is one of the good news stories,” said Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.). “This is the premiere homeland security base in the entire United States of America. No one else can lay claim to that; you do it magnifi cently.” The headquarters provides space for the commander and staff, conference rooms, and a training classroom, while the 227th facility has offi ces for fl ight operations, mission planning, along with maintenance and other storage areas. The 227th is assigned to support to the 50th Brigade Combat Team and Pennsylvania National Guard’s 2/28th Brigade Combat Team. “These facilities are a symbol of the future and the Guard is America’s future,” said Wing Commander Col. Robert C. Bolton. “This is one cut we’ll all look forward to."

G u a r d l i f e 17 NJNG PREPARES CROATIANS FOR DEPLOYMENT Story and photo by 1st Sgt. David Moore, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ZAGREB, Croatia — Twenty-fi ve Soldiers from the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team trained with the Croatian Army at a command post ex- ercise here called Immediate Response 2011. Serving as the higher headquarters for the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 2nd Combat Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry, the Soldiers from the 50th IBCT trained at the Croatian Armed Forces Leader and Staff Simulation Center from June 4 – 19. The exercise, which included a fi eld training ex- ercise at Slun, is a multinational operation hosted by the Croatian military that includes more than 1,000 participants from U.S. Army Europe; Minne- sota, New Jersey, Texas and Utah National Guards; the United States Air Force and service members from Croatia, Montenegro, Germany, Albania, Bos- nia, Macedonia and Serbia. The two-week exercise is primarily focused on company level training aimed at improving U.S. in- CutCut ththee cacake,kek leleftft ttoo riright,ght CCroatianroatian Col.Col DrazenDrazen Bartolac,Bartollac commandercommander ofo thethe Simu- teroperability with allied and NATO forces and help- lations Training Center, Col., Kenneth Schecter, 50th IBCT commander, Chaplain ing Croatian forces prepare for deployment. (Maj.) Jerome Fehn, and Spc. Gabriel Beaufeaux, both of the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry, celebrate the Army’s Birthday June 14, in Zagreb, Croatia, “This is the fi rst time we conducted an exercise during Immediate Response 11. The chaplain and specialist represent the oldest like this overseas,” said Col. Kenneth Schechter, and youngest Soldier in the ranks for the ceremony of the Army’s 236th Birthday. the 50th IBCT commander. “While our mission was to exercise the Minnesota around the battle space. battalion and work with our Croatian counterparts, the by- “It was a very good experience and a pleasure to work product of what we did was to exercise our own staff,” said with people with so much experience,” said Skovrlj. “It was Schechter. interesting to watch American military doctrine.” The exercise was based on counterinsurgency opera- Capt. Stren Lea, a brigade battle captain, worked di- tions in an Afghanistan province using both military forces rectly with a Croatian counterpart during the training event. and civic actions in order to defeat the enemy. The exercise “We are very fortunate to be able to share our training used the Joint Confl ict and Tactical Simulation system, which experience with our coalition partners,” said Lea. is used for command level training. Laptops and desktop During the exercise, many Soldiers held two positions computers fi lled brigade and battalion headquarters tacti- while serving as a higher headquarters for the battalion. cal operations centers. Other systems worked within the One of the Soldiers, Spc. Matthew Ziegler, served in op- exercise included the Command Post of the Future and the erations and communications. And during the preparation Blue Force Tracking systems, which allowed some real-time phase of the exercise, the young Soldier set up or moved training for U.S. and Croatian Soldiers. computers for the event. Consequently, Ziegler became the Croatian Army 1st Lt. Marko Skovrlj served in two go-to guy for technical support during the exercise. roles during the exercise. The fi rst was as a Civil Military Ziegler said he was most impressed with the training Cooperation offi cer with the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, an and working in a tactical operations center. Army Reserve unit from Kaiserslautern, Germany. Within “It was a good experience for those Soldiers who have this role, Skovrlj served as a liaison between the military never worked in a TOC,” said Ziegler. “The overall scenari- and non-military community leaders and nongovernmental os used for the training were very realistic.” agencies coordinating humanitarian efforts in the simulat- “Working in a multinational military force is very inter- ed war-torn province. The second was to serve as a pub- esting because they learn from us and we learn from them,” lic affairs offi cer and track newsworthy events happening concluded Ziegler.

G u a r d l i f e 18 Guardsman connects family roots on deployment By 1st Sgt. David Moore, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

A patrol notebook containing foreign addresses, social media, and two Croatian Army offi cers led this New Jer- sey National Guard Soldier down the road to a family reunion during his Annual Training in Croatia. Sgt. Eugene Butkovic travelled to Zagreb, Croatia as part of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s participation in the multinational exercise known as Immediate Response. Butkovic said his grandfather, Eugene Gvozdenovich, who is now in his 80s, was a Croatian merchant marine from the coastal Dalmatia region as a young man. But when the country was a republic under the former socialist Yugo- slavia, the grandfather left in the 1950s because he wanted the opportunity offered in America. “My grandfather is always talking about the beauty of the country and how the water is so clear,” Butkovic said. “When my Sgt. Eugene Butkovic meets with his second cousin Nikolina Hob- grandfather found out I might be going to Croatia, he wrote down jak for the fi rst time in downtown Zagreb, Croatia. Photo courtesy all our Croatian family members' addresses in my notebook.” Sgt. Eugene Butkovic. He did know one cousin, Kathi Butkovic, an American now teaching at an American international school. He last with him about it. The American sergeant told his story to saw her when he was a teen-ager. But the challenge would Croatian Army Lt. Col. Mario Zabetovasky, about having be reaching out to another cousin,Nikolina Hobjak. He didn’t family in the country. even know if she spoke English. “I was really nervous,” Butkovic said. “I didn’t even know When Butkovic arrived at the Croatian Armed Forces if I would have time to see some of the family.” Training Doctrine Command’s Simulation Center on June 6, Butkovic, who operated the Joint Confl ict and Tactical the Croatian Chief of Tactical Operations at the simulation Simulation System during the Immediate Response exer- center noticed Butkovic’s name and started a conversation cise, said Lt. Col. Zebetovsky called the family on his behalf and the reunion started coming together. A few days later, Croatian Air Force Maj. Danijel Majsec provided transporta- tion so Butkovic could meet Nikolina in downtown Zagreb. “She spoke perfect English,” he said. Lt. Col. Zabetovasky said helping the American Soldier was the least he could do. “He is a Soldier and his family is here and that is the important thing,” Zebetovsky said. “We help one another because we are friends with his family roots in Croatia.” During a professional development day, Butkovic attended a family barbeque in the village of Kebel. “The Croatian offi cers jumped through hoops for me to make this happen. The efforts they put in to help me was pretty awesome,” he said. “Everyone I talked to in my chain of command was helpful. It seemed liked they felt it was re- ally important for me to see my family.” Along the way to meeting his Croatian family, he also found out there were other family members in the country and is fi nding them on Facebook. Lt. Col. Mario Zabetovasky, left, Croatian Army Chief of Tactical Opera- “Zagreb is beautiful city. The country is beautiful. It was a tions, stands with Sgt. Eugene Butkovic after the two talked of a family great experience and I plan on going back hopefully to see the barbeque in Kebel, Croatia. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Sgt. David Moore) rest of my family,” he added.

G u a r d l i f e 19 Story and photos by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen THHEE OORIRI 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

March drill is here and the PDF is fi nally functioning the way it is sup- posed to – Airmen are moving through the deployment line and while it is working, they still can’t beat the clock. Maintenance has achieved great things; the aircraft are in the best shape since they rolled off the assem- bly line. The double shifts have paid off and maintenance feels the love. Senior Airman Nate Harris, po- The ORI sitions his MJ-1 lift truck as a F-16 Fighting Falcon passes Saturday, April 16, dawns with behind him at "Base X". clouds and rain by noon. Mainte- nance, logistics and security will not be spared from the weather. By 2 o’clock Personnel Superintendent Chief Master Sgt. George it is raining. P. Gulya stares across the Personnel Deployment On the fl ightline, maintainers, crew chiefs and weapons Function area, and focuses on the digital clock - large loaders are preparing the aircraft for the inspectors. De- enough that it can be seen anywhere in the open han- spite the rain, everyone remains focused; no one wants to gar - counting down the time the group of departing do this again. Airmen must clear the area. In the PDF, the chalk of deploying Airmen moves in. The ability of the 177th Fighter Wing Personnel team to The group is a mix of maintainers, crew chiefs, weapons process them through the deployment line and on the bus loaders and security forces troops. Each one gets wanded will determine whether the Wing passes the Operational like they are going through an airport checkpoint. Readiness Inspection. Judging by the expression on Gu- Once the group is fi nished getting wanded, Gulya steps lya’s face, he will personally stuff each of those Airmen on in front of the microphone and in a rehearsed speech, tells the bus to make that time. them what to expect as they go through the line. The 3 P’s – Planning, Preparing and Practicing After the Airmen are processed, Himley steps in front of The Air Combat Command inspectors will examine a them and announces that they are leaving. As they head variety of areas including the deploying personnel and their out to the buses, Himley turns around and watches; every- paperwork, the PDF, logistics, and aircraft generation and thing is going smoothly. More importantly, everything is on regeneration. time. The last time the Wing has gone through a Phase I In- Gulya watches as the last Airman leaves the hangar. spection was in 1996; it is September 2010 - the ORI is He fi nally cracks a smile. scheduled for April 2011. A major part of the inspection involves delivering to the Chief Master Sgt. George P. inspectors “perfect” aircraft – something that is diffi cult to Gulya addresses a group of achieve in the real world. What is testing the crewchiefs and Airmen during the ORI. the maintainers’ patience is that the Wing has just swapped out their old aircraft for 18 “pre-loved”, aircraft. And while these aircraft have more fl ying hours left on them, they also need a lot of wrench turning and sweat to get them to that “perfect” status. As the rest of the base goes home at the end of the day, they pass the second maintenance shift coming in. Mainte- nance is not feeling a lot of love right now. The date of the ORI creeps closer. Countdown

G u a r d l i f e 20 Left: Weapons Loader Staff Sgt. Sheila Velez-Avila installs a Chaff Module used to counter act radar guided missiles. Be- low: Lt. Col. Neal A. Snetsky fl ashes the Devil sign after land- ing his F-16 Fighting Falcon at "Base X".

Sunday, April 17, at Base X, the “deployed” maintain- ers, crew chiefs and weapons loaders check out tools, fuel their MJ-1 lift trucks, or “jammers” – the vehicles used to load weapons on F-16s – and prepare for the arrival of the The IG grades the inspection Outstanding, Excellent, aircraft. Satisfactory, Marginal or Unsatisfactory. Satisfactory is The F-16s arrive and taxi past the crews and pull into passing but it is also like getting a C. their parking spots. Each location has a white square with The ACC inspector begins by making a joke. the Jersey Devil logo in black spray-painted on the tarmac “You got a Sat.” marking the stopping point for the aircraft. The joke falls fl at; crickets chirp. F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Neal A. Snetsky taxis past and fl ash- He recovers and says the Wing got an Excellent. He es the devil horn symbols. All the aircraft have arrived. then breaks the inspection down hitting the highlights. The results The list of sections receiving an Outstanding rating is Everyone fi les in the main hangar; all evidence that the long as is the list of individual superior performers - a record PDF was there is gone. The Wing is joined by the New 45. Several of the wing's sections are cited as the best Jersey Air National Guard leadership. So much hinges on seen in the Air Force. this inspection and solidarity is shown from the top down. Overall, an incredible team effort says the Inspector.

RED FLAG!

Airmen of the 177th Fighter Wing participated in Red Flag Alas- ka 11-2, an air combat training exercise sponsored by the Unit- ed States Pacifi c Air Forces and held at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska July 7-22. The exercise was part of the wing's training prior to deploying to Afghanistan this year. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs.

G u a r d l i f e 21 Airman fi nds luck on her ‘unlucky day’ Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley, DMAVA Public Affairs

It was a Friday the 13th, a day many consider unlucky. But Airman 1st Class Olivia Roberts believes it was her most fortunate day. She sur- vived a horrifi c car crash. And then two fellow Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehu- rst employees risked their own safety in a mad scram- ble to pull her out from an overturned car. “It was my luckiest unlucky day,” said Roberts, an Airman with the 87th Logistical Readi- ness Squadron. “What they did Airman 1st Class Olivia Roberts, center, poses with rescuers Tech. Sgt. Anthony Winfi eld and John for me is beyond amazing.” Buckley in front of the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy building at Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst. Roberts was driving home from a dentist appointment on May 13, when she lost control The afternoon sky was of her vehicle on Route 537 in North Hanover Township. cloudless as Roberts made her way down Route 537 in Hanover Township on the way OK and I believed them.” home from the dentist on May 13. Tech. Sgt. Anthony Win- The ambulance arrived. Buckley, now sure Roberts was fi eld, an Airman with the 421st Combat Training Squadron, going to be OK, left for his daughter’s game. Winfi eld rode was on an outing with his wife and son, heading the oppo- with Roberts in the ambulance to the hospital. Roberts’s fi - site direction on Route 537. He saw Roberts’s car make a ancé, Senior Airman Sean Watkins of the 87th Logistic Sup- sudden, sickening swerve, leave the road, go over a small port Squadron, met her at the hospital. hill and end up several hundred yards away on its side on Roberts’s uniform was covered in blood. It wasn’t hers. Buck- Sykesville Road, just off the intersection with Route 537. ley and Winfi eld had cut themselves tearing open the sunroof. John Buckley, a registered nurse with the New Jer- “We were going on adrenaline,” Winfi eld said. “We even sey Youth ChalleNGe program, was making his way down tried to push the car back to its tires before going for the sunroof.” Sykesville Road, on his way to his daughter’s high school Roberts was not found at fault for the crash. Although lacrosse game when he came across Roberts’s 2007 Day- she was behind the wheel of a muscle car, she wasn’t driv- tona Challenger with the driver’s side down. Winfi eld had ing it like one. just called 9-1-1 and was inspecting the car. Police accident investigators calculated her speed at “One of the tires was still spinning,” Buckley said. He the time she left Route 537 to be between 41 and 43 mph – pulled over and both men began tearing at the Challenger’s well below the 50 mph limit. sunroof, Roberts was still buckled up and motionless inside. Although a medical evaluation continues, doctors told In an explosion of glass, the roof gave way. Buckley climbed Roberts it’s likely she lost consciousness due to a drop in inside. From the way Roberts’s head was turned, it was blood sugar. She had major dental work done 10 days be- unclear if she was breathing. fore the crash and had been unable to eat much. She re- Buckley realized two things. The fi rst -- If Roberts need- turned to duty four days after the crash. ed CPR, he couldn’t deliver it in the car. The second: If Although she loved car, which was totaled, Roberts she was still alive, she might not stay that way if she was knows that’s not what matters. not moved. Buckley undid her seatbelt, and he and Winfi eld “What matters is that I’m alive,” she said. “And people carefully pulled Roberts through the sunroof opening. helped me when I needed it most.” Roberts regained consciousness almost immediately Buckley said his fi rst thought when he saw Roberts’s face after being pulled from the car. was that she bears a striking resemblance to his oldest daughter. “I had no idea where I was or what happened,” Roberts “Every parent hopes that if their kid is in the same situ- said. “All I knew is that these guys kept telling me I would be ation, somebody stops to help,” he said.

G u a r d l i f e 22 I AM AN AIRMAN Senior Airman Courtney Beard low-crawls through a mud pit on Victory Base Complex, Iraq. Beard, a 108th Wing Airman, became the fi rst fe- male Airman to ever complete the Army's 18-hour Spur Ride after completing a series of physical and mental tests held by III Corps, Task Force Phantom, Victory Base Complex, Iraq. The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition but is open to any service member that serves with a Cavalry unit. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kelly K. Morehouse)

G u a r d l i f e 23 108th receives "Excellent" Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez, 108th Wing Public Affairs

Amid wild applause, cheers and high- fi ves, the 108th Wing learned on June 14 they had received an “Excellent” rating from the Inspector General’s Offi ce of Air Mobility Command during their read- iness inspections at JB MDL. Present at the IG out briefi ng were Maj. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard; Navy Capt. Andrew Butterfi eld, deputy com- mander of JBMDL; Brig. Gen. Michael Cun- niff, commander of the 108th Wing; com- manders from the 108th Wing groups and various Wing Airmen and their families. During the tough but fair inspection, they found that very strong leadership and team- work were clearly evident at all levels in the 108th Wing, said the team of inspectors. With a tough mission to support opera- Col. Andrew Molnar, team chief for the Air Mobility Command Inspector General, briefs tion Odyssey Dawn, and other deployments 108th Wing personnel about the Wing's performance during the Operational Readiness around the globe, the 108th Wing prepared Inspection at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst theater on June 14. The 108th Wing for two years to undergo the IG inspection. was inspected by the AMC IG team from June 8 through June 12. “Team Air National Guard New Jersey; yourself,” continued Molnar as he described his overall ob- team joint base. I don’t know what to call you, except I know servation of the 108th Wing during the inspection. to call you ‘Excellent!’”, said the IG team chief, Col. Andrew Cunniff thanked the IG team for their professionalism Molnar, as he announced the overall grade of the inspection and fairness during the inspection. to the 108th Wing personnel. “This is the best inspection In addition, Cunniff said he was proud of the Airmen of I’ve ever witnessed and you can take that to the bank.” the 108th Wing for their hard work and excellent attitude “’Brave and undisciplined will always lose or be killed by throughout the inspection, and told his Airmen to thank their valor with discipline’, and that is exactly what I saw in the Air families for the sacrifi ces they made during preparations National Guard,” said Molnar. and deployments throughout the year as the Wing got ready “Teamwork from the joint base with you, and a discipline for the inspection. in every step of the operation at every rank, Airmen, NCO, “I am extremely proud to be your commander,” said offi cer, senior offi cer, leadership, a round of applause for Cunniff. The ability to survive

Airmen of the 108th Wing partici- pate in Ability to Survive and Oper- ate (ATSO) rodeo on June 11, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst during the wing's Operational Readiness In- spection. ATSO prepares Airmen for real world operations by grounding them in everything from contamination avoidance, basic lifesaving, explosive ordnance reconnaissance and decon- tamination procedures. (U.S. Air Force by Senior Airman Adrian Rowan, 108th Wing Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 24 Soldier gets a helping hand By Sgt. Bill Addison, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

It’s been a rough few years for Sgt. Mi- chael Suplee, a network support techni- cian at Joint Force Headquarters. A cancer survivor with mounting medi- cal bills, Suplee has been struggling to support his family- a wife suffering from Lupus and a young daughter. His main vehicle, a 1993 Ford Thun- derbird, had fallen into such disrepair it was no longer safe to drive between his hometown of Maple Shade and Fort Dix. Suplee was praying for a miracle. Little did he know, just down the hall Sgt. First Class Jorge Vazquez, informa- tion technology specialist for JFHQ was working to make those prayers come true. Vazquez had seen the condition of Su- Sgt. 1st Class Jorge Vazquez, left, and Sgt. Michael Suplee inspect the engine of plee’s vehicle a few weeks prior, and was Suplee’s 1993 Ford Thunderbird. Vazquez successfully nominated Suplee to the Ad- concerned for his safety. vanced Auto Parts Makeover Contest for more than $3,000 worth of repairs on his vehicle, which now allows him to safely travel back and forth to work. (U.S. Army photo “I remember walking into the offi ce and by Spc. Robert Neill, Joint Forces Headquarters-New Jersey Public Affairs) saying I think somebody abandoned a car in the back,” he said. Now repaired, Suplee said the car runs better than it ever It was Suplee’s fi rst week working in the shop, and he has, and he’s certain the owner of the repair shop Jim and Vazquez talked about the car, and quickly bonded over Loringers put in more than the $3000 worth of work al- Suplee’s story. Vazquez felt a connection with the younger located for the winner. troop and wanted to help. “He must have put about $4,000 to $5,000 worth of re- “I was feeling his pain, I went through that. My fi rst wife pairs into it,” he said. “I was extremely ecstatic. I had no passed away in 2008 from cancer,” he said. idea how we were going to get that car fi xed.” Recently remarried, Vazquez and his wife Maria wrote And while Suplee is thankful to the men and women of into the Advanced Auto Parts Makeover Contest on behalf Advanced Auto Parts as well as Loringers for the work he of Suplee. put into his car, he is exceptionally grateful to the man who Vazquez, a Browns Mills resident, used his prior experi- made it all happen. ence as a mechanic to detail everything the Thunderbird “I would defi nitely say Sergeant Vazquez is a special required in the essay, as well as outlining Suplee’s struggles guy. I would also say that being in the Guard plays a lot into over the past few years. In all, he estimated Suplee’s ve- it as well,” he said. “We learn leadership traits and to look hicle needed approximately $3000 in repairs. after each other like brothers and sisters in uniform.” It wasn’t long after that Suplee was notifi ed he was one And the Vazquez family wasn’t quite fi nished in their of the 10 winners of the contest. According to a release efforts to help Suplee and his family. In December, Su- from Advanced Auto Parts, the company recognized Suplee plee was notifi ed that his family would be the benefi ciary as a dedicated husband, father, veteran and cancer survi- of the proceeds from 2011’s Nutter Run. Once again it was vor whose family car was badly in need of service to return Vazquez and his wife who nominated him. it to safe driving conditions. “I’ve been praying and it seems like doors are opening “We are so happy to be able to recognize Michael and up,” said Suplee. “This was a complete shock to me and it’s his family and we hope that this car makeover helps ease a great honor to be associated with the Nutter Run.” the burden and improves their daily lives,” said Morgan “I can only imagine the stress he’s under, with bills, and Schafer, Regional Vice-President for Advanced Auto Parts. keeping food on the table and his wife’s medical problems,” Advance Auto Parts commercial accounts manager said Vazquez. “It feels good to help. That’s what we’re here Kevin McClain then made arrangements for the work. for- to take care of each other.”

G u a r d l i f e 25 FROM JERSEY TO ALBANIA AND ON TO AFGHANISTAN NEW JERSEY-ALBANIAN PARTNERSHIP YIELDS COMBAT-READY TRAINING TEAM Photos and story by Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Members of the New Jersey-Albanian Operational Men- tor and Liaison Team gather at the Albanian Ministry of Defense and are joined by top offi cials including, from left, Maj. Gen. Maksim Malaj, Chief of Albania’s Defense Forces; Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey; Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha; U.S. Alexander A. Arvizu, U.S. Ambassador to Albania; and in blue suit, Arben Imami, Albanian Minister of Defense.

TIRANA, Albania -- The New Jersey National Guard is – the fi rst such pairing since the New Jersey National Guard and poised to make history in Albania – again. Albania launched its partnership more than 15 years ago. A delegation of senior military leaders from New Jersey “This is a historic deployment and a testament to the and Albania joined that nation’s prime minister and the U.S. cooperation between New Jersey and Albania,” U.S. Am- ambassador at a departure ceremony for a combined team bassador Alexander A. Arvizu said at the ceremony at the of more than two dozen American and Albanian Soldiers Albanian Ministry of Defense. who will deploy to Afghanistan later this month. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General, said The Soldiers will serve as an Operational Mentor and Liaison that National Guard team and their Albanian counterparts Team (OMLT) and will be paired with an Afghan Army battalion to made the most of the pre-deployment training they received train its troops on everything from logistics to combat operations at Fort Polk, La., Germany and in Albania.

G u a r d l i f e 26 Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, right, and U.S. Ambassador Alexander A. Arvizu promote Operational Mentor and Liaison Team Team Member Eric Heislter to sergeant following the unit’s sendoff ceremony in Tirana, Albania.

“The training and team building has been a success The joint team will be led by an Albanian lieutenant colonel and the team is ready,” Rieth said. “It will be a very chal- and includes an Albanian offi cer who graduated from the Unit- lenging mission.” ed States Military Academy at West Point as well as the Alba- Members of the OMLT said the joint training helped nian Army’s top non-commissioned offi cer. New Jersey Army build trust and overcome any minor communication barriers National Guard Maj. Keith Mackey is the executive offi cer. between the Soldiers from the partner nations. In addition to the sendoff for the OMLT, the New Jer- “It was a little challenging at fi rst, but we now feel like sey delegation visited key training facilities and met with Al- one unifi ed unit and I think together we’re going to hit the banian counterparts who have become friends during the ground running and provide the Afghans some good train- years the two countries have been participants in the State ing,” said team member Sgt. 1st Class Luis Morales. Partnership Program.

G u a r d l i f e 27 N.J. GUARD TESTS GREM Story and photos by 1st Lt. Greg McElwain, Joint Forces Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard

Featured on the Discovery Channel’s “Future Weap- ons,” the Grenade, Rifl e, Entry Munition, or GREM is an exciting new weapon that changes the dynamic of the urban breach. And on May 15, the Soldiers of Alpha Company, 50th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, had the privilege of be- ing the fi rst guard unit to fi re the GREM at National Guard Training Center at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Giving the platoon a standoff distance of up to 40 meters away, the GREM is a rifl e grenade that works with 5.56mm rifl es such as the M-16 and M-4. It uses the momentum of the ball or tracer round to project the grenade into the door. GREM makes it's presence known. Alpha Company Soldiers test- In a hostile combat environment, the breach has tradition- ed the new breaching system at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. ally been done with mechanical breaching tools, shotguns, or (most commonly) a well-placed kick. A successful breach is push through the door, but he did not expect the explosion quick and powerful and allows the platoon to insert themselves to be so precise. into the room instantly. Soldiers being trained for deployment “It cuts down on the equipment we have to carry for a know that the breech is a critical moment. If the door does not mission,” said Vidal. “It is good to know that I will have my give way immediately, the element of surprise is lost. hands on my weapon the whole time.” Company Commander Capt. Jason Mull recognized the importance of this event. “Training on the GREM is making them more versatile in Urban Breaching environments,” said Mull. When asked how diffi cult it was to fi eld this new weapon, Sgt. Jacque Mignot of Headquarters and Headquarters Com- pany, Pennsylvania Army National Guard Training Center said “It was almost too easy. Capt. Mull went the extra mile to re- search the weapon system and properly prepare his troops.” Alpha Company has found cost effective ways to prac- tice breaching including creating an adjustable and mobile steel door jamb that can securely hold different sized doors that have been donated by local contractors. ”I envision the GREM becoming an integral part of our Urban Breaching toolkit,” said Mull. “Having the GREM as a weapon system provides us with additional options.”

Capt. Jason Mull prepares to fi re an inert GREM round. Waiting at the ready line, the Alpha Company combat en- gineers are set to fi re the weapon system. Their enthusiasm is not surprising; very few National Guard units have had the op- portunity to train on the GREM. In fact, the New Jersey Guards- men are the fi rst to fi re the GREM at Fort Indiantown Gap. The round is fi red and the door splinters into pieces; the Soldiers instantly see the GREM's importance. “We thought the inert round was cool, but this surprised us,” said Pfc. Rogelio Vidal. Vidal knew the round would Soldiers of Alpha Company, 50th Brigade Special Troops Battalion surveying damage and preparing to fi t a new door for next round.

G u a r d l i f e 28 Taggart chosen top First Sergeant

By Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Photo courtesy Master Sgt. Christopher R. Taggart

CCombatombat seemsseems toto forgeforge exceptionalexceptional NNon-Commissionedon-Commissioned OfOffi cerscers atat tthehe 1177th77th FighterFighter Wing.Wing.

For the second time in four years, a 177th First Sergeant at the 177th Fighter Wing. was chosen as the Air National Guard’s First Sergeant of the For 13 hours after the attack, Taggart stayed on duty Year. And like the previous recipient – Master Sgt. Daniel moving food and water to 106 Security Forces posts to sus- Mitchell Jr. – served with the 177th Security Forces and had tain operations. also served in Afghanistan. Lt. Gen. Gilmary M. Hostage III, the commander of Unit- Yet nearly a year ago, awards and honors were the fur- ed States Air Force Central Command would later assess thest things from Master Sgt. Christopher R. Taggart’s mind. the assault as “the largest attack on an Air Force defended As the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron base in 40 years.” First Sergeant, Taggart had been dealing with various types The 455th Expeditionary Security Force Squadron was of issues, ranging from handling emergency leave requests, named Air Force Central Command's 2010 Outstanding to managing the convoy operations for a visit between Pres- Large Expeditionary Security Forces Unit and Taggart re- ident Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. ceived a Meritorious Service Medal for his service. Two months into his tour at Bagram Airfi eld, on the It did not end there. morning of May 19, Taggart found himself in the middle of a It almost seems fi tting that the last 177th First Sergeant major coordinated attack by insurgents. to be chosen as the ANG’s First Sergeant put together the The attack began like most others, with indirect fi re – package nominating Taggart for the prestigious 2011 Air Na- rocket propelled grenades and mortars, which quickly es- tional Guard Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year Award calated into small arms fi re with the insurgents attacking – quite an honor considering he was competing against fi rst various points of the base’s perimeter. sergeants from every Air Guard unit in the United States While under enemy fi re, Taggart transported more than and its possessions. 200 Airmen to the fi ght. In the ensuing hours, Taggart led On April 22, Lt. Gen. Harry A. Wyatt III, Director of the a group of Airmen in transporting nine armored vehicles to Air National Guard, announced the awardees – Taggart the base defenders. was chosen. “Taggart’s quick and decisive actions were instrumental “These Air National Guard outstanding Airmen epito- in eliminating enemy forces and defending the base,” said mize the concept of ‘Citizen Airmen’ and are role models for Maj. Jan J. Burgess, Taggart’s Security Forces Commander peers and subordinates alike,” said Wyatt.

G u a r d l i f e 29 Keeping the sand out of their eyes Story and photo by Spc. Sherwood T. Goodenough, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

For military decision-makers, managing the details of a battalion at war can quickly become like counting grains of sand in a sandstorm. In war, a fl at tire chang- es plans, communications, intelligence reports, supply chains. And each second that passes exposes warriors on the battlefi eld to danger. Col. Thomas Hallowell is the leader of the team that teaches units how to keep the sand out of their eyes. As director of simulations for the Battle Command Group (BCG) section at the Joint Training and Training De- velopment Center (JT2DC), Hallowell leads a team of expe- rienced Soldiers who help train battalion staff on the art and science of controlling chaos. During a BCG Simulation Exercise held at the JT2DC on June 11, the battalion staff conducted a capstone exer- Range offi cer 2nd Lt. Kevin Kuo, left, visually inspects the weapon cise that began six months ago for the senior staff of the 1st of Spc. Douglas Hinds weapon during the 1-114 Infantry live-fi re Battalion, 114th Infantry. exercise on the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's shotgun range. While Soldiers in the fi eld trained on fi ring high explo- sive M203 grenades, the 1-114th tactical operations center always seek new ways to make the training more effective trained on the details that make them a more effective nerve during his tenure as director. center for the unit. “These are not just little icons on the screens. They’re Hallowell said the primary goal of the exercise is in- Soldiers,” he said. Each of the fatalities he experience while creasing the unit’s profi ciency at information management. deployed remain tattooed at the front of his mind, he said. “Communications has to go up, sideways and down,” “If I’m leading a battalion of Soldiers I can help 700,” Hallowell said. “I’m going to ask them a million times, ‘Who Hallowell said. “But if I can push through a battalion of Sol- else needs to know?’ ” diers a quarter while I’m here, I can help thousands.” This training is not unique to New Jersey. Large scale training operations like this are routinely conducted at plac- es such as the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., or the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La. But these exercises cost millions of dollars and take years to prepare. However the simulation exercises at the JT2DC costs nothing more than the regular cost of a unit’s monthly battle assembly, Hallowell said. This approach allows the units that train with the BCG to work on the often-grueling methodology of the Military De- cision Making Process in an environment that encourages creative thinking and cooperation. The cost-effectiveness and improved outcomes the BCG has achieved have led to partnerships with organizations outside of the military, Hal- lowell explained. Civilian Law enforcement have used the resources at the BCG to train on hostage situations; school districts have trained on how to handle shooting incidents; TyingT i iit allll togetherh and plans are being developed to model Super Bowl opera- Spc. Chris Hall-McRae, left, Spc. Richard Schaber and Sgt. Kyle tions at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. McNeill, 102nd Troop Command, work together on the battalion Though this one-of-a-kind facility sets the bar for train- node of the Warfi ghter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) on- ing simulations in the Army, Hallowell shared his urgency to line during an exercise at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on March 19. (Photo by Kryn P. Westhoven, DMAVA Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 30 PPRTRT SOOLDIERLDIER EEARNSARNS UU.S..S. CCITIZENSHIPITIZENSHIP BByy 11stst LLt.t. RRyanyan DDeCamp,eCamp, PaktikaPaktika ProvincialProvincial ReconstructionReconstruction TeamTeam PublicPublic AffairsAffairs

Pfc. Cardon Edwards, right, says the oath of renunciation and al- BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - When Cardon Ed- legience during a naturalization ceremony on Sept. 28. (U.S. Air wards came to the United States with his mother from Force photo by Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang, Paktika Provincial Re- Jamaica, the 13-year-old couldn’t imagine he would construction Team Public Affairs) fi ght for the country he was heading to. Seven years later, the now 20-year-old is doing much better jobs, schools and universities,” he said. “When the more than that. Not only is he a private fi rst class in the U.S. deployment is over I’ll head back to school using the G.I. Bill Army, he now has a much greater title – American. to continue working on an associates in accounting. Then Edwards joined 44 other U.S. Soldiers and Marines I’ll move on to a bachelor’s degree.” from 25 countries in a naturalization ceremony to become His platoon leader had nothing but good things to say American citizens at Bagram Airfi eld on Sept. 28. about one of his most junior soldiers, who was promoted to “It’s a relief, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t,” Edwards said. private fi rst class just six months ago. “My parents are happy to see the steps I’ve taken and the road “I have never seen his motivation, his trust in his fellow sol- I’ve come down, in joining the Army and becoming a citizen.” diers or his will to fi ght for his country waiver,” Cossolini said. His family knows what he’s going through. His mother If anyone had doubt before, that’s gone. America is Ed- earned her citizenship two years ago. He couldn’t go through wards’ country. the same process because he had already turned 18, he said. The ceremony comes during Edwards’ fi rst deployment. The infantryman from the 2nd Battalion 113th Infantry Regi- ment, is now deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team. The PRT’s main job is to help bring the different levels of government and the province’s 400,000 residents togeth- er. This way, their futures involve peaceful leadership and development, not insurgency under groups like the Taliban. Edwards and the rest of his security team make sure the meetings that help move the governance process can happen safely for coalition members and Afghans. “I have worked with Private 1st Class Edwards since August 2010 to train for this deployment and what I’ve seen Guard serving the community is that though he’s a younger soldier, he has the maturity Saw dust fl ies as Pfc. Hector De La Cruz, above, cuts out a win- of a seasoned non-commissioned offi cer,” said 1st Lt. John dow with a reciprocating saw while on assignment with the New Cossolini, 2-113 platoon leader. “He’s mentally strong and Jersey Army National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program. He physically tough. He has unlimited potential and I see him was among 15 Soldiers who helped rehabilitate two houses in As- becoming one of our steadfast NCOs very soon.” bury Park for Coastal Habitat for Humanity on March 19. (Photos “There’s more opportunities in the U.S. of course, with by Kryn P. Westhoven, DMAVA Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 31 Decorating his way to "Cake Boss" status Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez, 108th Wing Public Affairs

“In my senior year of high Robinson was well aware of the opportunities that an school, I had a commer- internship at the “Cake Boss” would open to him. Thus, cial baking class,” said armed with his portfolio, he met with Buddy’s right-hand 21 year-old Rashawn man, Mauro “Chef Mario” Castano, and was given a tryout, Robinson. “The fi rst day which he passed with fl ying colors. of class I picked up the Consequently, he was offered a 30-day trial period to spatula and started dec- bake for the show and displayed his decorating skills. orating cakes.” During his internship, he was able to network with dif- And for the past three ferent people and meet new friends, said Robinson. “The years he has been mas- experience alone is an amazing opportunity.” tering the art of cake dec- “The environment in the show is really fun, and a little orating in his civilian life crazy with cameras everywhere and people screaming all and during drill weekends as a senior airman with the 108th the time,” said Robinson. “My friends bombard me with a Force Support Squadron at the 108th Wing. million questions about the show, and I gladly answer them “You can defi nitely tell he takes pride and enjoys what with a smile on my face.” he does,” said Master Sgt. Lauren Holba, base service “We keep looking for him on TV,” said Holba. manager at the 108th Wing, and Robinson’s supervisor. Cake decorating was not originally in his career plans, With the use of icing, frosting and other edible deco- said Robinson. “I never went to culinary art school.” rative elements to make otherwise plain cakes more visu- But Robinson said he always listened to what his par- ally interesting, the art of cake decorating has become very ents had to say. “My mother and father have always been popular in this reality-TV driven culture. supportive of what I decide to do. They always say ‘just do There’s the show “Ace of Cakes” on the Food Network; what you love and everything else will follow’.” “Amazing Wedding Cakes” on WeTV and New Jersey’s And now he fi nds himself on television and having his own “Cake Boss” on the cable network TLC. work displayed for the world to see.

SharingSharing a llifeife storystory Tuskegee Airman retired Tech. Sgt. George Watson Sr. shares his experiences with New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy cadets BattalionBattalion ttrainsrains wwithith nnewew howitzershowitzers during the New Jersey National Guard's annual Unity day on June A gunner from the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery fi res a 105 16. The New Jersey National Guard observed their 13th Annual mm round from an M119A2 Towed Howitzer during a training exer- Unity Day Celebration at Joint Force Headquarters at Joint Base cise at Camp Grayling, Mich., from June 11 – 25. This was the fi rst McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Through food sampling, music, entertain- time the Soldiers had conducted fi eld artillery training since August ment, educational displays, contests and giveaways, the NJNG 2007. The battalion was able to certify their howitzer sections on celebrated the ethnic and cultural diversity of the organization. the new artillery weapons. (Photo courtesy 3-112th Field Artillery) (Photo by Mark C. Olsen, DMAVA Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 32 New Jersey Guard serving New Jersey

Pfc. Andrew Chretien, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry assists As Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, left, watches, Gov. Chris Christie, 87-year-old Kathryn McDonnell as she gets off a New Jersey second from left, congratulates Staff Sgt. Jonathan Yont, right, 2nd Army National Guard 5-ton truck that moments earlier had as- Battalion,113th Infantry, for his efforts in helping New Jerseyeans sisted the Lincoln Park Fire Department in evacuating her from affected by the fl ooding on March 11. Also in the photo are, start- her house, which was encircled by rising floodwaters on March ing from Yont’s right Spc. Kirk Kirlew, Sgt. Michael Onembo, Spc. 11. Photo by Sgt. Wayne Woolley, Department of Military and Gerardo Guizar and Sgt. Curvey Purkett. (U.S. Air Force photo by Veterans Affairs Public Affairs Office) Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

HAITI – A YEAR LATER By Master Sgt. Donald Clarke, NJARNG Recruiting and Retention Command

It has been a year since I witnessed the destruction and devastation of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that took the lives of more than 250,000 Haitians and left the country in distress. I returned to Haiti a year after the earthquake on a dif- ferent mission. When I was there in 2010 with a group of volunteers it was an aid and rescue mission, and now we were returning to support the rebuilding mission. Our mission this time around was to put in a playground and basketball court for a village where displaced Haitians had ended up after the quake. The sponsors had already built more than 350 homes and were in the process of construct- ing another 150. In between building the playground, placing the basketball court in and conducting numerous food and toy drops; we assisted in the building of some of the homes. opportunity that I have been given to assist the country of During the eight days we delivered food to more than Haiti and I would go back in a minute if asked. 1,000 people; we built the playground, and put in the bas- The mission in Haiti is not over and it will take many ketball court; we have been told that it is used every day more years to get the country back on its feet. The question until the sun goes down. I am extremely humbled by the I ask of you is: Will you help?

G u a r d l i f e 33 NNewew JJerseyersey GuardGuard Wrap-UpWrap-Up

Devery to command Battle Lab 254th gets new Commander Col. Dennis W. Devery, left, receives the colors of the Joint Training and Brig. Gen. James J. Grant, right, Chief of the Joint Staff, passes the Training Development Center from Brig. Gen. James J. Grant, Chief of colors of the 254th Regiment (Combat Arms) to Col. James F. Stenson the Joint Staff, during a Change of Command ceremony at Joint Base during a Change of Command ceremony at the National Guard Train- McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on March 6. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert ing Center at Sea Girt on April 3. (U.S. Army photo by Photo by Spc. Neill, Joint Force Headquarters - New Jersey Public Affairs) Robert Neill, Joint Force Headquarters - New Jersey Public Affairs)

177th177th AAirmani earns CChiefhi f ’’s AAwardd 50th gets new CSM Chief Master Sgt. Michael Allen, right,177th Fighter Wing, re- ceives the Major General Richard “Craig” Cosgrave Chief’s Command Sgt. Maj. Michael V. Rigby, left, receives the colors of the Award from former New Jersey Air National Guard commander, 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during the Change of Respon- retired Maj. Gen. Richard C. Cosgrave, on July 7. The award was sibility ceremony on March 20 at the National Guard Armory in Law- developed to honor outstanding chief master sergeants in the renceville. Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy D. Marvian, right, relinquished New Jersey Air National Guard who demonstrated superior per- the position as the senior Non-Commissioned Offi cer of the largest formance, community service, professionalism and leadership in unit in the state. Rigby will oversee nearly 2,800 Citizen-Soldiers that the highest standard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matt drill in armories across the state. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kryn P. Hecht, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs) Westhoven, Joint Force Headquarters - New Jersey Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 34 NEEWSWS GUUARDARD FAAMILIESMILIES CAANN USSEE CCompiledompiled bbyy tthehe GGuardlifeuardlife SStafftaff

Healers and Heroes: Connecting Guardsmen with military doctors Story by Mark C. Olsen, DMAVA Public Affairs

New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen now Guardsmen will be able to speak confi dentially to phy- have a place to turn when deployment medical issues sicians about their health care issues and in turn the doc- threaten to overwhelm them. tors will be able to direct the Soldier or Airman to the proper The Healers and Heroes Program, also known as 2H, resource to address their problems. was unveiled by the Medical Society of New Jersey and While the goal of the program is to address any medi- the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Af- cal issue the service member is suffering from, one area fairs during a news conference at the State House in Tren- that is receiving special attention is post-traumatic stress ton on April 5. disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The idea is simple, create a network of New Jersey According to the National Center for PTSD website, physicians who are in or have served in the military and PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic have them be available to returning service members. event, but they may not happen until months or years later. “By using physicians with military experience, the Sol- They also may come and go over many years. diers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard will be Often referred to as the “invisible wounds”, a RAND reassured their doctor understands their needs,” said Maj. Corporation Center for Military Health Policy study indi- Gen. Glenn K. Rieth. cates that approximately 20 percent of returning service That shared experience of being in the military can members suffer from PTSD and another 18.5 percent are serve as the bridge between the service member and the affected by some form of TBI. medical community.

FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTERS FRC increases grants The New Jersey National Guard State Fam- 108TH WING POMONA NJNG FAC 3327 Charles Blvd. 400 Langley Road ily Readiness Council has increased the McGuire AFB, NJ 08641 Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 amounts of family and business grants up POC: Douglas Ridgway Air POC: Jean Perry to $5,000 and $10,000, respectively. Both (609) 754-4479 (609) 645-6248 grants are known as TIER I grants. [email protected] [email protected] TIER II family grants are also available to JERSEY CITY ARMORY Army POC: Michael Hughes New Jersey Army and Air National Guard non- 678 Montgomery Street (609) 272-6546 deployed servicemembers who served on State Jersey City, NJ 07306-2208 [email protected] ActiveA Duty POC: Bernard Sims TOMS RIVER ARMORY or State Mis- (201) 915-3589 1200 Whitesville Road sions (e.g., [email protected] Toms River, NJ 08753 hurricanes, LAWRENCEVILLE ARMORY POC: Maria Morro floods, bor- 151 Eggert Crossing Road (732) 341-9102 extension 13 der missions) Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-2897 [email protected] for more than POC: Jane Hackbarth WOODBURY ARMORY 20 consecu- (609) 671-6681 658 North Evergreen Avenue tive days. [email protected] Woodbury, NJ 08096 Servicemem- SOMERSET ARMORY POC: Michele Daisey bers meeting (856) 251-6893 1060 Hamilton Street these criteria are eligible to apply for a fi nancial [email protected] Somerset, NJ 08873 hardship grant up to $1,500. POC: John Hales or call Applications are available at all Family (732) 937-6290 1-888-859-0352 Assistance Centers. [email protected]

G u a r d dlif l i f e 35 CD dumps six tons of drugs Staff Sgt. Jennifer Sbarro, New Jersey National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, pitches a box containing part of the 12,464 pounds of unwanted or expired medications collected during Op- eration Take Back New Jersey 2011. Law enforcement agencies across the state set up collection points on April 30 where New Jerseyans could drop-off unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal. The drugs were taken to an incinera- tor where they were destroyed. The Operation is an initiative of the Jersey division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, The New Jersey Offi ce of the Attorney General, the New York/ New Jersey High Intensity Drug Traffi cking Area, The New Jer- sey State Association of Chiefs of Police, and the New Jersey National Guard. Nationwide, Americans turned in more than 376,593 pounds of medications. According to the DEA, more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined. (Photo by Mark C. Olsen, DMAVA Public Affairs)

G u a r d l i f e 36 Eyes on target Spc. Joseph Bar- bato, left kneeling, spots shot patterns for Spc. Johnny Sanchez while qual- ifying on the M240B rifl e at Camp At- terbury, Ind., April 12. In preparation for an upcoming deployment, these Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion 113th Infantry Regiment qualify on several crew-served weap- ons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang)

DARE-ing to make a difference Staff Sgt. Nicholas Young, Visual Information Audio Systems Supervisor, assists Allison Prieto, daughter of New Jersey Army National Guardsman Master Sgt. Joe Prieto, with an M-16A2 on the Engagement Skills Trainer at the Joint Training and Training Development Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on July 13. NJARNG Soldiers led 139 students from 100 schools, ages 11-12, from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education/Counter Drug Leadership Camp through the Center's various training lanes. The Camp, which is in its twelfth year, is a New Jer- sey unique program. The program’s concept is to build leadership and confi dence skills in the students so that they can serve as role models when they return to their communities. (Photo by Mark C. Olsen, DMAVA Public Affairs)

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G u a r d l i f e 37 ARMY AND AIR ENL NEW JERSEY ARMY Frank L. Damiani Brad D. Boehly David L. Washington Laurie A. Josephsen Sydni C. Watkins NATIONAL GUARD Jibreel B. Damisa James K. Bolek John M. Wei Marlana M. Kehler Michael A. Webber Joseph M. Deantonio Jr. Bryant N. Borges James W. Wicks III Thomas M. Keiper Jr. Ryan R. Weiss To Command Sergeant Joseph G. Delusant Jack A. Brady Kevin A. Wolfe Kevin S. Kim Larry L. Welch Jr. Major (E-9): Zelene E. Diaz Timothy C. Brining Jiunn Y. Wu Danny D. Kim Cheron J. Wesley John R. Hicks Larceric M. Diaz Tarance Bryant James M. Zoladz Andrew Koniecko John M. Wilkinson Edward Santiago Americo F. Diprinzio Mark A. Camara Kevin S. Konopka Shawn J. Williams Charles L. Dixsoin Johnny Cao To Specialist (E-4): Adam J. Kraus Cameron K. Williams To Sergeant Major (E-9): Kyle P. Dunham Ana R. Castilloramos Julio C. Abreu Jr. Michael J. Krusieski Nicole Witherspoon Myles A. Cappiello Dennis Dutton Victor P. Colon Martin A. Altemose Daniel J. Kubik Gregory C. Yetman Mark A. Leonard Michael R. Dyson Alexis Colon Gabrielle C. Anderson Christina T. Laclaire Keila N. Yont Terrence D. Taylor Mark D. Edgell Sean M. Conroy Charmaine R.N. Aquino Nicholas M. Lane Daniel D. Young Lavona A. Toplyn Delroy A. Escoffery Brian J. Costigan Esteban Arias Cheston I. Lawrence Konrad Uldschmidt Nicholas P. Faria Jossie Cruzalegui Hector R. Arrazola Jr. James C. Lewis Jr. To Private First Class Gregory Ferguson II Adam R. Cutaiar Jessica M. Arway Blake G. Lichtenberger (E-3): To First Sergeant (E-8): Gregory K. Field Zulay Davila Johnny Aviles Stephanie M. Lopez Kyle W. Abbott Thomas W. Christiani Adae G. Fonseca Justin S. Davis Hector A. Ayala-Rodriguez Abraham Lugo Joseph C. Africano Gary M. Davidson Steven N. Fuquay James J. Diana Jim P. Bacon Joshua M. Luis Daniela A. Agudelogarces Carmen Giamporcaro Juana E. Garrett Matthew Dickson III Jonathan L. Baez Bengie Luyando Zorangelys Alvardo Steven Katkics Jr. Joseph S. Genovese Mamadou Dosso Brian T. Baker Oscar Maldonado Stephanie A. Alvarez Marco Paredes Douglas A. Gentle John W. Evans Mark W. Baptiste Jeus K. Martell Stephen Alvear John A. Payan Michael V. Giglio Justin R. Eyet Joshua M. Barber Karen M. Massey Bruno M. Alves Stephen G. Stephen James R. Glading Orlando Faria Jr. Stephen S. Barnard Joseph M. McCarthy Kevin M. Andreotta Brian K. Townsend Francisco M. Gonzalez Elliott H. Figueroa Alan B. Barsamian Gregory K. McPherson Rosa M. Andujar David W. Thurston Daniel E. Gonzalez Ralph C. Foy Jessie L. Beekhuysen Keith Meadows Eris N. Aparicio Jr. Louis J. Wiersma Jr. Lisa M. Gorgas Proculo F. Fuentes Joseph D. Benson Kenneth S. Meisner Jose G. Arroyo Earnest Williams Jr. Wentworth R. Grayman Stephen F. Gadaleta Nochus H. Berry Matthew T. Merklinger Christopher J. Ashley Sean D. Grenz Carol A. Galofaro Krista A. Best Michael D. Milan Robert D. Au III To Master Sergeant (E-8): Jason Hawthorne Matthew T. Gambale Kareema M. Black Michael R. Miller Marcus B. Auvil Ronald M. Ambrose Jr. Yomaira Henao Dianneliz Garcia Steven L. Bordi Jr. Michael Miranda Johnny Aviles Jr. Edward C. Camp Carrie A. Henderson Ronald K. Goepel Jr. Ludmila Bortzova Michael Miranda Joshua E. Avilleira Joseph Dicola Franklin Hernandez Luis Gomez Sandro C. Braga Ellen H. Modica Joseph Avola Jr. Ricardo J. Garcia Michael S. Hutchinson Criado C.A. Gonzales James W. Brennan Thomas J. Monahan Esteban Babilonia Jr. Edward A. Gacsi Victor M. Jimenez Jacob J. Gowdy Thomas D. Brown II Anthony P. Monte Sebastian M. Barbiero Todd J. Geweke Joel E. Jones Evan P. Graham Tu T. Bui Andy A. Mora Matthew J. Barnes John J. Hegyi Mark P. Keenan Jermaine M. Grant Alvin Bui Kathleen P. Mora Jeffrey Barthelemy Harrington D. Henry Samuel B. King Anthony T. Greto Raymond A. Burgos Ramos H.A. Mosquera Austin J. Basco Delroy F. McKay Erich W. Lingelbach Daniel Guadalupe Anthony Caballero Jr. Corey A. Mulford Alex Basile Douglas W. McNeil Michael A. Linsalata Bryan M. Gwilliam Kervin E. Calderon Renee L. Nash Shalan P. Bates Anthony Padin Amaury Lopez Darren M. Harrington Thomas A. Calvo Jaime Navaezcotto Alberto L. Bayron Michael L. Peterson Oscar D. Lopez Jeffrey R. Heine Kelene N. Campbell Jesus D. Nolasco Shonell N. Bender Mark R. Rizzo Ehrl T. Macasadia Eric A. Heisler Benjamin J. Carter Jason F. Northedge Jorge J Betancourt Jr. William A. Stuart David F. Mahaffey Jr. Randy J. Hernandez Luis C. Castanoramirez Joseph E. Nygard Yamesha T. Bethea Kayleigh A. Maklary Sean P. Hickey Nelson R. Cespedes Samuel A. Obasanya Williams A. Biesecker To Sergeant First Class Omayra Maldonado Dwight L. Hicks Andrew M. Chan Noam D. Opitz David N. Bigelow (E-7): Marcial B. Martinez Nicholas R. Hill Jason J. Chandler Alexander J. Orban John M. Boland Brandin A. Benson Arturo Martinez Eric W. Hoffman Gaetano Chirichiello Jr. Angel L. Otero Timothy B. Bombace John K. Blagojevich Richard J. Maxie Jr. Glenn B. Holcombe Brandon A. Chislom Maria S. Ouckama Justin G. Brandon Paul I. Carradine Ian D. May Jamar A. Howard Michael A. Colaianni Spenser T. Paige Rachel N. Brinkley Sandy N. Caul Darryl J. Mendillo Roger W. Imhoff Jr. Jason M. Colon Tramar L. Parker IVan M. Brito Karl E. Cheney Jenilee I. Mendoza Terry W. Jordan Jr. Christopher M. Colon Javier E. Perezalvarez Hector J. Brown Daemion A. Clarke Randolph P. Mojica Asad U. Khaqan Michael P. Comoroto David J. Popick Pierre Buchaillot Richard A. Corte Stephen T. Moore Se H. Kim Rincon P. Coy David J. Priebs Andrew J. Bunn Fernando Covagomez Melissa A. Moreno Lauren A. Knoble David A. Cruz Vito P. Quattrocchi Donald B. Calamusa Robert T. Coyle Jr. Anthony A. Moretti Adam K. Korsnes Robert M. Czech Catherine E. Quinn Steven Cano George H. Dudley Rafael M. Moura Alan M. Lada Theodore A. Dalley Ruben Ramirez Kevin D. Carbone II Donju T. Frazier Jeremy J. Muller Teresa Laporte Jacob J. Daly Raymond Ramos Stephen L. Carrington Jr. Cesar O. Fuentes Christopher J. Murarik Kenneth F. Leposa Christopher T. Dambrosio Nancy S. Reid Erica L. Caruso Nikeisha K. Gayle Najib K. Nabi Miguel A. Lopez Janice Davila Johnathan L. Ressor Mark T. Caruso Fred A. Giberson Robert J. Nieratko Melquisedec G. Lourido Aryel H. Deandrade Joshua F. Richards Eduardo L. Carvente Terrick Grace David Orozco Rafael Lozada Mark Decker Jr. Jermaine D. Richardson Daniel S. Castimore Joseph F. Graham Akinwande A. Oshodi Maria H. Luna Roberto M. Dela Cruz Jose A. Rivera Marcelo P. Caxias Edison F. Guerrero Yetzabel Palma Frank S. Macgregor Estevanez O. Delgado Victor O. Rivera Jr. Luis C. Cedeno Daniel Guzman Vincent Pastore Nathanael P. Mahoney Johns F. Derienzoparks Alexander L. Rodriguez Kadeem I. Charles Christopher R. Howe Hiran G. Patel David D. Maldonado Jr. Catherine A. Dietsche Raymond E. Royce Austin L. Charles Jeffrey N. Johnson Enrique M. Peralta Kyle J. Marr Justin L. Divenuta Brian S. Ruiz Sonia C. Chen Jeffrey J. Kennedy David B. Pereda Eris C. Martinezestevez Deshawn Edmonds Marc A. Saavedra Louis M. Chevere Jr. Luis A. Layme Daniel T. Pevarnik Jr. Andrew J.C. Masin Brian P. Eromenok Jr. Samir A. Saba Jr. Ruben Cintron Dharam Manka Joseph J. Quigley Jr. William H.M. McGrath William G. Essien Sandra M. Sampson Antonio J. Clemons Vincent E. Mankowski Robert V. Rehill Matthew T. Meade Portia A. Evans Joseph M. Sams Shannon M. Cobb William E. McCabe Roger J. Roberts Edwin G. Medina Quacy S. Evelyn Christopher Sanchez Travis P. Collins Luis A. Morales David C. Robertson Alejandro J. Merinosampas Ijeoma J. Ezenwuba Alexandre J. Santos Horace A. Colon Zbigniew Mroczkowski Geraldo J. Rodriguez Michael R. Molawka Jesse L. Fatcher Mercedes P. Santos Diana Coloncarr Gregory A. Murphy Alexis Rodriguez Desiree Morales Steven G. Felter Kwasi Sarfo Francisco R. Concha Peter T. Murphy Jr. Tanner A. Romanishan Christopher J. Morgan Jacob A. Fenlon Christopher J. Schiavo Joseph Condito III Fernando Ospina Michael J. Rooney Khalid Muhammad Samuel D. Foster John O. Scott Erick O. Corporanvargas Benjamin G. Ouckama David Rosa Wilfredo Ortiz III Brian J. Frangione Timothy W. Scott Jennifer N. Cortes Marlon Palma Jorge M. Rosales Andrew J. Park Henry J. Fuller Brian G. Scott II Sean M. Crawford Thomas J. Patterson Aaron Scolnick Dawn J. Pasquale Diego Galvis Jovante D. Searles Glen R. Crawford Lisandro Peralta Michael L. Seggel John A. Pastor Jason M. Garcia Oscar M. Segui Juan M. Crespo III Xavier N. Ramirez Donald E. Seymour Randy J. Pearce John S S. Gebbia IV Kyle R. Shorter Michael P. Crowley Jr. Joel Reyes Dennis M. Shanahan Jr. Ronald S. Pniak Victor M. Geraldo Justin A. Signer Lamod A. Darby Ercilia C. Riordan Timothy L. Shay Antonio C. Potts Daniel S S. Giammanco Christopher J. Sippel Francis J. Davis Peter Sarni III Brian S. Shubsda Richard J. Pretto Jim J. Gil Christopher S. Sladky Kyle Y. Davis Richard W. Schlack Luis M. Silva Jose M. Quintero Scott W. Gilchrist Dyron D. Snipe Daniel R. Dean Brian C. Tarquinio OlIVer J. Sims Jr. Elvin Quirindongo Jr. Eric R. Golubiewski Kenneth J. Soule Andre R. Debrito Luis A. Unda Javier M. Sojos Saul Ramirez Sebastian Gomez Brian W. Southrey Hector J. Delacruz Mauricio R. Vega Ryan A. Sova Richard Ramos Carlos D. Gonzalez Gregory S. Stevens Daniel R. Diaz Daniel Wilson Samuel Spencer III Elia C. Rasponi Johnathan F. Gordon Robert F. Stjohn Adam J. Dick Monte C. Wilson Paul W. Summerfi eld Robert S. Reilly Matthew M. Gounaris Luke Syrek Johnny A. Dominguez Glenn R. Sweeten Jr. Marc N. Reinecker Naphese J. Govan Richard J. Tabor Ross A. Dominianni To Staff Sergeant (E-6): Peter L. Taburas Efrain E. Reyes Stephen J. Graham Louis P. Tarquino Thor G. Draper Jr. Guenson P. Adolphe Lloyd B. Terry Daniel Rivera Carlos H. Granados Robert C. Teetsell Jr. Harvey W. Drayton Jr. Eugeneia L. Aikens Ian J. Todd Preston D. Robinson Benjamin Grandinetti Jason D. Terrill Courtney F. Drinks Kurt A. Allen Orlando S. Tronco Emmitt T. Robinson Jr. Jessica M. Granzen Roger F. Then Ariel L. Dryer Samuel S. Arnowitz Scott M. Vanneman Jeffrey R. Rodriguez Zachariah C. Grear Richard D. Thomas Robert F. Eckert Jeffrey B. Avetria Wendy C. Varner Regina L. Rogers Douglas A. Green William P. Trageser Jared A. Edmonds Robert E. Baker Trident G. Villanueva Saul E. Rosa Jr. Laura M. Green Teneka M. Tum Cardon J. Edwards Michael J. Barreca Richard J. Webekind Jr. Steven Rosales Michael A. Gregory Robert G. Upfi eld II Richard Escobar Allain V. Batong Christopher M. Wood Melissa A. Ruggeri James D. Griggs Joshua D. Urbano Michael D. Farrell Jacob Benkovski Wayne R. Woolley Abraham Ruiz Eliza Grodzki Julio R. Urena Jude Faustin Amy M. Berry Gordon T. Schneider Katherine Grodzki Tony M. Vangi Vincent M. Ferreira Ryan A. Blackman To Sergeant (E-5): Michael D. Sheridan Marcus F. Guest Gloria E. Vargas William A. Fey Quincy M. Bloxom Jaime S. Abril Joseph Simonetti Gerardo Guizar deVaughan Joseph K. Fiorito Christopher R. Bock William F. Acunayupanqui Derek A. Smith Justin T T. Harrisbennett Alfonso L. Vasquez Naima Flores Edward D. Bosland Fredrick J. Adams Julio C. Soberalgarcia Jamie R. Healt Analissa Veiga Joseph Flynn Jr. James K. Brant Daniel L. Aiello Andrew Sobolewski Kevin P. Heaney Alex N. Velazquez- Jermaine A. Forbes Rene C. Burrows Javed Akhtar Amy L. Stolberg Eric W. Heide Rodriguez Gaetano F. Foti Joseph B. Butler III Germaine B. Alfi nez Vincent M. SullIVan Patrick W. Helms Franco A. Vergaraburgos Samuel D. Frank William J. Camp Jr. Manuel Alvarado-Febres Jason D. Sutterlin Jhan C. Hernandezgrullon Stephen R. Vergilio Jr. Erica S. Furlongue Nicholas V. Caruso Jr. Harrison Andujar Raymond H. Swem Matthew T. Holland Rogelio W. Vidal Gabriel Garciarobles Louis W. Cataldo Andrew R. Applegate Girard J. Tell Matthew A. Hopkins Jesse J. Violante Claire C. Garrison Katie E. Cataldo Crystal D. Arthur Seth C. Todd Devin G. Hourin Dorian J. Walace Dennis J. Gentile Frank A. Cocciolillo Robert Ashton Alcibiades S. Torres Christopher S. Howells Jonathan A. Menitza Gil Javier D. Colquicocha Peter J.B. Ashwell David G. Tuckerman Jia Y. Huang Walterocardozo Parker B. Goins Marcia Conti Cynthia J. Bengel Wilson T. Utman Jonathan S. Hunke Tony H. Warren Andrew M. Gonzales Kelly A. Cotto Mitrah Bhimdass Thomas H. Vickers Jr. Scott A. Jelleyman Lekebie Washington Luilly J. Gonzalez Daniel E. Cunningham Stefanie L. Bobko Terrill Walker Jonathan D. Jonathan Gabriel K. Washington Daniel J. Gonzalez

G u a r d l i f e 38 LISTED PROMOTIONS Lawrence E. Grandpierre Thomas F. Rodgers Raymond Castro Joseph R. Morales NEW JERSEY AIR Michael D. Demarco Louis Green Clarence M. Rouse Richard K. Cedeno Andres A. Morell NATIONAL GUARD Jason T. Dever Lamar J. Greenwood Anthony N. Rubert Jessica A. Chica Rohan R. Morgan Carl I. Dickey Matthew L. Gruber Darwin R. Rubio Joshua J. Chocolas Kyle D. Morris To Chief Master Sergeant Lauren E. Drennan Sean W. Hanley Timothy P. Ryan Andre L. Clark Michael R. Mosca (E-9): Thomas E. Early Clarence B. Harris Luis E. Sabatini Jonathan A. Clark Sabrya L. Mosley Bonnie L. Gaskell Kelly M. Eilenberg Christopher R. Hartmann Zachary R. Salerno John S. Cline Tuscan R. Murphy Jr. Randall T. Mason Clint A. Ellis Courtley R. Hayden Jr. Axel D. Sanchez-Castillo Rafael Colin Antoine M. Nelson David F. Whalen Testertroy D. Emerson Joshua R. Headley Christopher J. Santangello Jason P. Concoy Christopher M. Newell Brittany A. Eure Gregory J J. Herbert Luis M. Santiago James A. Correa Makayla S. Newkirk To Senior Master Sergeant Emanuel Figueroa Benjamin R. Hill Dean A. Saporito Humberto Cortazadel- Binh T. Nguyen (E-8): Gabriel Gutierrez Edward P. Hofferica Ebenezer K. Sarpeh castillo Ruben J. Nieves James V. Granato Onaje K. Hilliard William S Holland Raymond J. Scarpa III Glauciene Couto Natalie S. Nieves Francis A. Spence Misti Y. Klesser Joshua S. Holt Jeremiah A. Schenerman Astrid Y. Cruz Ahmad A. Nimrouzi John A. White Andrew D. Lee Janhannah M. Huelgas Michael A. Sclafani David R. Daneils Jonathan A. Nixon Vincent M. Loglisci Stephanie C. Immendorf Robert C. Seay Taleek D. Daniels Jonathan S. Norton To Master Sergeant (E-7): Kellen N. Mazure Giuli M. Iommazzo Joshua A. Seguine Marco A. Dasilva Daniel J. Nowak Keith A. Abate Errol McCalla Tierre L. Jackson Dylan W. Seip Denis M. Dasilva Ray V. Ortiz Samuel D. Arlia Ruby Jean T. Minoza Saywrayne C. James F. Servais Joshua C. Davila Justin Ortiz Dennis A. Barnes Jeffrey D. Montemurro Jacksonpope Trevor R. Sherba Desmond A. Davis James S. Ortiz Stephan Q. Clanton Stephen J. Moore Darshan C. Jha Jong K. Shin Jacob E. Davis Joshua OrtizRivera Carmine Giangeruso Bryan P. North Jose M. Jimenezbaez Johnathan G. Sierra Kelsey R. Dejesus Donald A. Owens Jr. Lauren M. Holba Arnold I. Oakman Kayla C. Johnson Gary A. Silver Alexander Dejesus Jr. Markus L. Pabon Jeremy J. Maupin Victor T. Pascale Devin R. Johnson Aaron C. Simon Louis J. Delvecchio Purnell B. Pagan John J. O’Keeffe Cody R. Passaro Alisha S. Jones Jessica A. Simpson Donald D. Dennis III Rolando Pared Jr. Joseph E. Pomphrey Felix A. Perez Heung J. Kang Steven R. Smith Michael A. Deptula Michael J J. Parmigiano Jr. Kirk E. Sherry Denery Phillips Ioannis V. Karazoupis Evan G. Smith Ray K. Deschler Frank A. Patierno Michael A. Thompson Sally B. Pizzo John C. Kayanan Laura I. Sosaaldana Rodolpho L. Desouza Christa A. Pearsall Joseph Rice Kelsey E E. Kean James C. Spain Jonathan Diaz Adrian A. Penafi el To Technical Sergeant Naomi Rodriguez Robert J. Keil III Anthony W. Steiner III Jason T. Dorsey Joselito M. Perez (E-6): Thomas J. Sapio Adam S. Knight Andrew C. Stern Erik L. Dunne Israel R R. Perezmachado Chris Anastasiou Ruby Jean M. Scharon Kelsey L. Knoeller Michael R. Storms Lora K.A. Duran Richard P. Philip Michael R. Baber Dean C. Schwaner Anthony L. Lallone Roy M. Sundstrom Alex Duszkiewicz Anghine N. Picault Heather M. Bartlett Katrina M. Shukaitis Cesar L. Larco Michael D. Szalay Aaron G. Elliot Seneca J. Pickett Paul W. Blazewick Joseph M. Walsh Ryan C. Lee Michael A. Taynor Joel Espiritusanto Danielina Pimentel Brian T. Bramhall Casey D. Weber Joohyeng Lee Gabriel Z. Thibault Maria I. Estradasuarez Rajeev Popli Rasha A. Burton Jasmyne C. Westbrook- Melissa D. Lee Sequana D. Thompson Javier Fandino Mackenson Previl Tabitha G. Carl Petersonn Gabriel Leon Hamilton G. Tobararias Ishana F. Faried Anna M. Price Nicholas J. Celentano Neron K. Lewis Kyrillos A. Tofi les Rosa M. Feliciano Jason M. Pustizzi Howard M. Chattley To Airman First Class Kyle P. Lewis Jessica M. Torrandell Kevin J. Fernandez Victoria A. Rago Valorie N. Chiola (E-3): Santiago D.P. Lewis Nicholas Torres William Fernandez Hasan M. Ramadan Erick A. Contreras Bernabe Acefeaguero Jonathan A. Lindquist Patrick L. Troy Kyle A. Fernandez Cristina M. Rey Theron A. Cropper Eric A. Aranguiz Ashley L. Lisboa Brandon L. Ulllman Joseph A. Figarelli Paul B. Richter II Scott L. Cupples Wayne A. Bettis Christopher L. Lobello John G. Valencia Angel M. Figueroa Ariella A. Rinaldi Jason T. Feibisch Ian A. Brenner Jacquelyn S. Lomberk Charles Vega Kevin J. Fleschner Joseph A. Rios Brian J. Franzosi Raymond J. Buckno Elizabeth C. Londono Joseph P. Vescio Joshua C. Fortuna Jamie L. Rivera Christopher M. Gable Josue Cintron-Torres Melissa A. Long Raymund N. Vidal Marquise L. Frasier Rosario C. Robles Philip A. Geppi Ross E. Cundey Saony Lopez Roman Vidrevich William C. Fritts Nicholas Robles Lucas G. Gunther Thomas M. Ewald Marcelo A. Lopezvasco Amanda E. Viehl Ruby Fuentes Travis J. Rodgers Valorie N. Haines Brian J. Ferraro Ryan B. Lubanski Bezaleel Villacorta Sebastian Gallego Julian A. Rodriguez Bryan W. Hicken Ryan V. Flavell Peter J. Magsalin Andrea M. Villarroel Frank D. Gara Silfredo Rodriguez Knalidi V. Hinkson Karen E. Foulds Joseph N. Margeotes Tony Vo Joel A. Garcia Mark A. Rogow Jamal J. Hogan Kylepaul E. Gibson Nathalie I. Martinez Louis E. Wallace Louis C. Gelsomini III James T. Roman Sheila D. Holman Brian J. Gluck Dangelo M. Martins Mark Washel Ariane V. Glenn Luis F. Rosado Shevaughn T. Jorsling Lavone D. Graham Patrick Q. Marvin Carlos A. Watson Paris G. Glover Lennon Ross III Raymond P. Mansfi eld Carol K. Green Thomas S. Marvin Michael R. Weaver Wellington Godoi Andrew Russo Michael J. Mastrangelo Elizabeth H. Hansbury Robin M. McCray Kathleen N. Weinstock Gabriel J. Gonzalez Nino R.T. Sanchez David A. McDonald John M. Havey Samantha A. McGovern Suksha V. White Conester Gore Lawrence S. Sanford Manuel J. Montiel Danny D. Hernandez Miranda L. Meador Matthew C. White Jessica Greenleaf Michael Santiago Tabitha G. Moran Ashley N. Iuliucci Christopher P. Menendez Resheena D. Whittington Stephen P. Gross Nina C. Santos Sean M. Nitahara Joshua J. Joyce Thomas J. Menendez Yolanda B. Williams Jeffrey A. Guilbe Giorgio G. Scarpitta Michael F. Ortu Jr. Shawn R. Kaminski Douglas J. Meyer Norman A. Williams Zachary T. Gumble Gregory P. Schlechter Stephen K. Ritter Kevin D. Klingaman Victor H. Meza Vincent E. Williams Jr. Wilson Guo Christopher L. Schultz Michael A. Robinson Laura C. Lemay Meghan A. Miklas Deshaun Q. Williams- Julian F. Gutierrez Amanda M. Schwegel Luz I. Rosario Matthew P. Lopinto Rachelle L. Miller Tolson Megan T. Habins Marley L. Selfridge Japera L.K. Talib-Moore Alethia J. Martinez William Z. Mineo Nicole E. Wilson Traulant Halilaj Masallah Sema Jared L. Whalen Joseph W. McCaffery Joshua D. Miro Thomas E. Wilson Herbert H. Hamlin Jr. Mohammed S. Shah Heyward D. Wiggins Anthony G. Meluso Hilario J. Mix Lydia D. Wilson Ahmon A. Hardy Kevin Shanahan Brandon C. Wood Moriah J. Merritt Zachary A. Moninghoff Sean K K. Wrafter Paul A. Haskin Bryan A. Sheehan Arnold C. Young Andrew A. Orenyo Emmanuel Moreno Leonard G. Wright II Mark P. Heaton Jr. Brandy J. Siciensky Alexander M. Petrella Ryan A. Moroz Paul C. Zeballos Jake R. Hecht Justin M. Sidney To Staff Sergeant (E-5): Ashley O. Reardon Eric Moschberger Stephanie K. Zeman Matthew R. Hedges Henderson A. Silva Erica Aybarmorillo Zachary A. Riseden Cristian Munoz Luke Zhang Scott D. Helwig Jr. Derek T. Silver Joshua C. Bone Taina Rosario Dijon D. Murdaugh Paul M. Zinskie Henry S. Hernandez- Philip M. Simone Joshua P. Bronson Veronika Y. Sheldon Gabriella M. Nazario Zambrano Hector L. Soto III Rosendo Catala Bruno A. Silie Matthew P. Negron To Private (E-2): James M. Hoover Victor C. Sotosantana Andrew M. Constantine Nicholas R. Smith Cody C. Nelson Richard P. Acosta Christian C. Hoppe Edward R. Sperling Brian T. Cooke Keith A. Stanton Christina C. Nieves Louis A. Alcantaranarvaez Dennis R. Huergo Richard M. Standish Bernard O. Cortes Jacquelyn E. Vasvaritoke Mageline Noelvil Jean R. Alectice Simone S. Hunter Jerry Stsurin Kevin M. Costa Jonathan W. Womble Angelia M. Normandia Jimmy I. Alford David P. Hynes Jr. Jonathan N. Suarez Saywonza N. Cuevas Yeudy R. Nova James A. Allick Alfared K. Inzar Miles R. Tarricone Ralph M. Dilossi To Airman (E-2): Kenneth E. Novak II Leonard J. Almeida Anthony J. Irby Stephanie P. Teves Patrocinio Domingo Manuel A. Delgado Wayne D. Okeefe Jr. Alexander Alvarez Luz V. Irizarry Ian M. Thorpe Richard A. Elliott Bradley O. Caruso Nancy A. Olango Steven T. Ambrosino Raymond A. Jachowski Daniel C. Tinsley II Jonathan S. Fernandez Paula T. Daniels Tatiana Oleynik Nicholas J. Andersen Samanta Jeanpierre Joseph T. Tomb Thomas M. Foulds Domenique L. Golden William M. Omrod Shawn A. Anderson Manley S.L. Jennings Jacob T. Torres Ada A. Grafals Joseph A. Paladino John M. Ondish Denis D. Antunes Aseonnia I. Johnson Jessica M. Torres Adrienne A. Guagenti Jose R. Petthyng Lemuel A. Orta Francisco J. Aragon Monthy C. Johnson Steven Torres Omar S. Holt Laura I. Piper Juan P. Ortega Jr. Stojan Arangelov Isaiah C. Jones Michael A. Torres Brandon M. Johnson Brianna M. Sims Matthew P. Ortiz Benjair Asmat Eboni N. Jones Miguel R. Valdera Michael C. Jones Marcedes A. Spence Sun Park Tishawna A. Bailey Joseph M. Kanniard Brian W. Vanbuskirk Ada A. King Sean J. Parker Catherine B. Balino Felicia S. Karcher Allen J. Vanfl eet Christopher L. Krampitz New Airman: Elvis Paulino Anthony P. Balon Andrew R. Kerwin Paulino J. Vargas Jamen A. Lomonaco Andy M. U. Amakihe Elijah K. Payton John E.M. Barandica Patrick C. Kiesow Mark H. Veech Mike McBride Joshua S. Coleman Sahsha M. Pena Thiango V. Barion Jonathan T. Klos Jonathan O. Velez Brian J. Monga Brandon L. Coley Jonathan M. Pennisi Jennifer Barrios Edward K. Kosso Marco A. Velez Ying J. Pang Jahi E. Davis Jorge U. Pereirascarpitta Robert T. Berencsi Lashunte S. Lantz Damian S. Velez Anthony M. Parillo Shaun M. Ferguson Alexander P. Perez Michael A. Binder Christopher D. Lawler Francesca D. Vollaro Hari M. Sangha Brody D. Frye Steven A. Perez Barry B. Bing Juan C. Lazo Christopher S. Walker Robert W. Spiegel Kerece L. Gopiesaleem Giovanne R. Perez Ralph D. Bird III Brian K. Leadley Jr. Timothy J. Walker Latoya M. Taylor Francisco Moran Pablo N. Perez Christina M. Bishop Nikki A. Lencewicz Dominic L. Webb Robert F. Taylor Korie M. Osvald Josse X. Perez Christopher M. Bishop Alexander J. Leone Steven J J. Weiseman Jr. Michael P. Walsh Stacey B. Pareene Alexis J. Pichardo Jordan L. Botvinik Gabriella I. Llaguna Dandre J. Whitley Saywonza N. Whiting Maurice I. Poole Anthony E. Pierce Oscar A. Bravo Adriana F. Longa Terrence L. Williams John R. Wilson Manuel N. Prados Donald C. Pierce Sean P. Brenner Jamie M. Lugiano Kyle C. Wilson Sebastian Zelazny Amanda L. Richter Ricky L. Pierce Jr. William Bron III Felix Ma Jennifer M. Winton Heather J. Zweiback Brittany Robinson Julio C. Pinedo Deja T. Brown Amanda R. Mack Sequoia C. Wise Kelvin E. Rodriguez Ryan R. Polny Lucas R. Budz Hannah J. Mackay Justin R. Wojcik To Senior Airman (E-4): Vincent E. Stokes Justin M. Potenski Vincent A. Buono Edwin Mancera Tavon O. Wright Jeffrey D. Montemurro Nelson G. Thivierge Michael P. Prifold Daniel P. Cahill Christopher J. Masin Andres A. Wynter Jr. Kathleen M. Barton Steve T. Woo Michael D. Purcell Justin L. Caldwell Jr. Carolin F. Mateomercado Jane Yang Joshua F. Blaney Edgar M. Quinto Anthony J. Cardone IV Pritpaul S. Matharu Patrick W. Yun David J. Bouthot Congratulations To All! Francisco A. Ramirez Kaio V. Cardoza Afungang T. Mboumbo Baruch C. Zepeda Christian Campaniolo Compiled by Staff Sgt. Kevin P. Rant Manuel A. Carpiopena John J. McLean III Cristin T. Campos Kimberly Hankins (Army Grace E. Renz Christopher C. Carr Jr. Mecca C. McMillan Misti Y. Cazimero Guard promotions) Walter P. Ribeiro Melissa Carrero Gerard C. Miller Timothy C. Chambers and Master Sgt. Victor A. Rivera Luis M. Casablanca Jesse N. Montalvo Kristopher P. Colley Paul B. Thompson Jr. Anthony S. Rocco Maria A. Castellanos Walter E.M. Moore Beau O. Deleon (Air Guard promotions)

G u a r d l i f e 39 Last Round: I see you Dad

Sgt. Walner Garcia, 250th Finance Detachment, hugs his son Ju- fi cials attended the farewell ceremony for the more than two dozen lian after the Salute to Troops ceremony at the National Guard Soldiers prior to their deployment to Kuwait. (U.S. Air Force photo Armory in Flemington on July 9. Families, friends and elected of- by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)