rd 53 Troop Scoop

SUMMER 2012 Brig. Gen. Michael C. Swezey rd Commander, 53rd Troop Command Troop Scoop Capt. Alvin Phillips 53 PAO, 53rd Troop Command/ Commander, 138th PAD Troop Scoop Staff: Sgt.1st Class Thomas W. Wheeler PA Operations NCO/ Editor Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone Journalist Staff Sgt. Micheal Davis Jr. Journalist Sgt.. Trisha Pinczes NYARNG Engineers working on old Erie Canal 6-7 Journalist Spc. Brian Godette Journalist NYARNG Medics on the Job in Hohenfels, Germany 8 Sgt. Jonathan Monfiletto Journalist

About the 53rd Troop Scoop The 53rd Troop Scoop is published to the web quarterly as approved by the 53rd Troop Command, New York Army National Guard, and New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Views that appear in this publication are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense, the Army or the National Guard. Submissions Articles and photos are welcome. Please provide articles in Microsoft Word format along with high resolu- tion digital (jpg.) photos by e-mail to [email protected]. Sub- mission deadlines are as follows: Winter Edition- January15 Spring Edition- April 15 Summer Edition- July 15 Fall Edition- October 15

(FRONT/ BACK COVER) STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURGH NY -- More than 450 New York Army National Guard Soldiers of the 101st Expe- ditionary Signal Battalion- based in Yonkers, Orange- burg and Peekskill-- say goodbye to their families and depart for post-mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas at Stewart Air National Guard Base here on Sunday, Au- gust 19. The Soldiers are schedule to deploy to Afghani- stan. Command Corner bill. mirror the structure of the active Change and variety. There was an- duty. He wants to maintain readiness other item with this weekend that was through the use of predictable, rota- different and that was the schedule ... tional deployments for operational a MUTA-8. I know that many units needs, as well as constructive combat within the Troop Command drilled training center tours. He wants us to the first weekend after Labor Day in recommit to the basics of personnel September ... many utilizing MU- readiness through focusing on im- TA-8’s and MUTA-6’s. There are provement of USR metrics and Unit definite training advantages to using Manning Roster management. We an extended drill weekend. A lot can are our Nation’s homeland security be accomplished on a well planned force prepared to rapidly respond to weekend with three to four training the need of our Governor and citizens. days. It is an activity that I am sure Lastly, General Ingram looks to main- NYARNG Medics on the Job in Hohenfels, Germany 8 we will see more and more units em- tain the trust of our Soldiers, Families, brace as we move forward. I encour- Employers and Communities by liv- I had the pleasure of spending part age it, as long as our Soldiers have ing and emulating the Army Values. of my September drill with the 369th been given plenty of notice that it is I ask all of you to be safe. I also Special Troops Battalion during their coming so that civilian work and fam- ask you to follow the credo of “ACE” MUTA-8 at Ft Indiantown Gap in ily obligations can be rearranged. when it comes to helping your fel- Pennsylvania. Indiantown Gap has As many of you know, we have a low Soldier. “Ask, Care and Escort”. some great weapons ranges and I new Director of the Army National “Ask” your buddy if they need help. would encourage all units to look at Guard - LTG William E. Ingram. “Care” for that buddy and “Escort” it as a training location other than Ft General Ingram has just published a them to get help. Best of luck to the Drum or Ft Dix. I believe that Sol- document outlining his “Strategic Im- 101 Signal Battalion as they begin diers like change and variety in their peratives” for the future. their deployment to Afghanistan. training and Indiantown Gap fits the He wants a force that continues to

What are the basics of discipline? Is it lead- through sponsorship. The first drill is impor- NCO, I realize that I am a member of a time ing from the front? Noncommissioned Of- tant because first impressions are lasting im- honored Corps, which is known as the “The ficers (NCOs) operate in an environment pressions. Backbone of the Army.” where the sparks fly. Of all the grades of the • Provide for continued growth of all Soldiers NCO, the Sergeant has the greatest impact on through career development, counseling, and the lower ranking Soldiers. productive training programs. I would like to see more NCO’s lead from • Respond to potential loss situations such the front, set and enforce the standard, not to as excessive absences, pay, supply, training, pick and choose. I think we need to get back employment conflicts, family pressure, and to some of the basics. We have been an Army educational demands. at war for over ten years. We have gone from • Take a positive rather than a negative ap- the things I had to do when I initially came in. proach to the term “counseling.” The term Strength and leadership have never been counseling should be used to “listen to, coach, more important in the Army than today. As and develop Soldiers at all levels.” we continue to move forward, the Army Na- The NCO corps must help maintain a tional Guard is expected to perform a large, proper balance between the needs of the or- more dedicated mission for the defense of our ganization (mission, Soldier, and equipment), Nation and State. Our units need to be full Family, work, and leisure. NCO’s must keep strength, well trained, and prepared for mobi- a sense of how their Soldiers feel toward the lization in a time of war or national disaster. unit’s demands, advise commanders on these NCO’s are crucial to Soldiers’ perceptions of feelings, and maintain a strong readiness pos- service, and therefore must take an active role ture. in personnel management. As NCO’s, no one is more professional than • Ensure new Soldiers are oriented to the unit I. I am a NCO, a leader of Soldiers. As an Mother/Daughter team eploying to Afghanistan Story and photo by Capt. Alvin Phillips, 138th PAD CAMP SMITH, New York --”Like father, like son” is the more popu- lar expression used in the English language, but “like mother, like daughter” is the phrase Soldiers in the New York Army National Guard’s 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion will use this August. For Spc. Alexandra Lippi, and her mother Sgt. Maj. Gina Lippi, service in the National Guard is a family thing. The two will deploy to Afghanistan this year with the Yonkers-based 101st Signal. “I don’t know exactly what ’it’ is, but ’it’ is in my blood,” said Spc. Lippi, a newly trained signal CAMP SMITH, New York-- Specialist Alexandra Lippi, left, and her mother Sgt. Soldier in Alpha Company, 101st Major Gina Lippi will deploy to Afghanistan later this year with the New York Army ESB when asked why she decided National Guard’s 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion. to enlist in the New York National tary over 32 years ago. A lot of when dealing with Soldiers in the Guard like her mother did over 30 things have changed since then and S3 team is productive and enlight- years ago. definitely for the better, she said. ening, never divisive,” said Capt. Spc. Lippi, who was previously As the Operations Sergeant Frank Quintano, the 101st’s opera- assigned to the New York Army Major, Sgt. Maj. Lippi is the tions officer. National Guard’s 466th Area overall non-commissioned officer She would never show favoritism Medical Company, said her mom in charge of Tactical Operations to any Soldier, daughter or not, he inspired her to join the National Center. added. Guard. Now she is looking forward She is responsible for account- “My primary focus is and has al- to working with satellite communi- ability and maintenance of the ways been to take care of Soldiers, cations equipment in the same unit command post, and supervises it’s something that I have been as her mother. pre-combat checks and pre-combat doing for three decades and the She’s looking forward to the inspections. Additionally, she best way to take care of Soldiers challenges of her new job, Lippi monitors and records messages and is to uphold standards and those said, and she’s also looking for- operational overlays, and assists standards apply to all wearing the ward to facing them with her the Battle Captain in all his duties. uniform, especially my daughter,” mother around. “The circumstances of 9/11 led to Sgt. Maj. Lippi said. It’s good to know that somebody a more versatile force and Soldiers However, those standards who knows her well will be de- are more experienced than ever be- shouldn’t be a problem at all when ployed with her, Spec. Lippi said. fore at understanding the changes referring or discussing the younger For Sgt. Major Gina Lippi, there of the world,” Sgt. Maj. Lippi said. Lippi. is no greater way to serve than to “I respect her and this organiza- “Spc. Lippi absolutely exempli- know she inspired her daughter to tion so much and do not want it to fies what it takes to be a Soldier serve too. appear that just because my mother deploying to Afghanistan with this The two Lippi’s resemble each is a Sergeant Major I should re- unit,” said Company A, 101 ESB other and possess the same man- ceive special exceptions or take Plans and Operations NCO, Sgt. nerisms, same hair, same laugh and short cuts,” she added. 1st Class Tracy Ann Stewart. will both be on their first deploy- [Sgt. Maj. Lippi] is stern, to the She reflects great ambition, mili- ment. point, but always respectful and tary bearing and respect for others, Sgt. Maj. Lippi joined the mili- courteous. Her style and approach all great traits and potential for being a leader, plus she wants to Maj. Lippi said. group of individuals I have served prove herself she added. “Definitely there is something with, no exaggeration. I have had Sgt. Maj. Lippi’s son and Spc. special when you return to a unit a phenomenal career, what more Lippi’s brother George also is in that you joined with and now de- could I ask for,” Sgt. Maj. Lippi the New York National Guard. He ploy with at the end of your career, added. serves in the 442 Military Police Sgt. Maj. . Lippi said. “I am so grateful I have this op- Company. “My daughter is an incredible portunity so early in my career and The 101st Signal Battalion was Soldier and I have had a phenom- all I have to do is apply everything where she began her National enal career, what more could I ask I have been taught and make it sec- Guard career, and it may be the unit for,” she said. ond nature,” Spc. Lippi, said. she would like to retire from, Sgt. “I am deploying with the finest 138th Public Affairs Det. is Guantanamo Bay bound Story and pictures by Sgt. Jona- detainee operations exercises on States Army Sergeants Major than Monfiletto, 138th PAD Thursday and will head to Parwan Academy at Fort Bliss, while an- FORT BLISS, Texas – Eight sol- Detention Facility, while the 101st other group covered a news con- diers from the 138th Public Affairs practiced counter-improvised ex- ference and a concert given by the Detachment of the New York Army plosive device movements and will pop duo Karmin. National Guard are here preparing head to Kandahar. On Saturday, soldiers of the for their deployment to Guantana- During those training exercises, 138th continued their training with mo Bay, Cuba, by cover- more photography, vid- ing other units training eography and interviews for their own missions. with soldiers of the 101st The Soldiers are cur- working in their tactical rently stationed at Fort operations center. Bliss awaiting the start The 138th received its of their nine-month tour training under the guid- of duty at Naval Sta- ance of Task Force Red- tion Guantanamo Bay, hawk of 5th Armored and in the meantime are Brigade and 1st Army conducting public affairs Division West. missions while other The 138th will head units conduct missions to Guantanamo Bay in to prepare them for support of Joint Task deployments to Afghani- Force Guantanamo, in stan. which they will be re- Seven members of the porting, photographing First Lt. Jon Santana, Alpha Company commander for the 101st 138th spent Thursday Expeditionary Signal Battalion, answers questions from Sgt. Tri- and Video-graphing for morning and afternoon sha Pinczes, public affairs specialist with the 138th Public Affairs their own media, as well at Camp McGregor, Detachment, during a training exercise at Camp McGregor, N.M., as facilitating media Thursday afternoon. N.M., interviewing, relations and escorting photographing and independent journalists. video-graphing the 488th Military the 138th underwent training of its More specifically, the 138th will Police Company of the Maine Na- own as Soldiers worked as media help publish *The Wire*, the week- tional Guard and the 101st escorts, interviewed soldiers from ly Guantanamo Bay newspaper, Expeditionary Signal Battalion, the other units and took photo- while also supporting press brief- also of the New York National graphs and video footage of the ings, responding to media inquiries, Guard. exercises. writing hometown news releases Both units are training at Camp Later that day, a couple of sol- and releasing photos for military McGregor before they ship out to diers also interviewed and photo- and civilian publications. Afghanistan. The 488th performed graphed officials from the United NYARNG Engineers working on the old Erie Canal Story by Eric Durr COHOES, N.Y.--A quarter mile of the 19th century Erie Canal here in this old textile city north of Albany is being turned into a town park and walking path thanks to 30 members of the New York Army National Guard’s 204th Engineer Battalion. The soldiers -- assigned to the 1156th Engineer Company from Kingston, N.Y., and the 152nd Engineer Company from Buffalo -- are spending half of their two week annual training cutting down trees, trimming weeds, and leveling COHOES, N.Y. - Soldiers from New York Army National Guard’s 1156th Engineer the ground between locks number Battalion and 152nd Engineer Company leveled trees and removed tons of under- brush in the ruins of the Erie Canal located in the center of the City of Cohoes on 14 and 15 of the 19th century canal June 11 as part of a trail-clearing process. The Soldiers were conducting innova- bed. tive readiness training as part of their Annual Training (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class They’re staying at a local Hil- Steven Petibone, New York Army National Guard). ton Hotel (instead of tents at Fort Drum), working from 7 a.m. to 5 the direction of the work and they saw. “It is all about giving back p.m., using chain saws, skid steer go right at it,” said Weed, a 28-year to the community and at the same loaders, an armored “back hoe on military veteran from Gardner, N.Y. time having a little fun,” he added. steroids” called a High Mobility “It’s great training and we are “We like it because, not only is Engineer Excavator (HMEE), and helping out the City of Cohoes,” it a helping to advance the city’s having a great time , said Staff Sgt. said Spec. Charles Adams from agenda, it is a sound opportunity Howard Weed, the project Non- Fishkill, NY, for our troops to have good train- commissioned officer in charge. ing,” said Cohoes Mayor John “I point them in McDonald. The Cohoes project is one of four innovative readiness training opportunities the 204th Engineers are taking advantage of during their 2012 Annual Training period, said Lt. Col. Jim Freehart, the battalion commander. One team is working on ranges at the New York National Guard’s Camp Smith Training Site in the Hudson Valley, a second team is upgrading drainage at Niagara County’s Bond Lake Park on the other side of the state, while still another training mission is taking who place in a quarry where the unit is was operating a chain running rock crushing equipment. Army National Guard and Army Reserve units can conduct com- ticing skills like righting a rolled “This builds a lot of teamwork,” munity projects when the work armored vehicle. Then, the bat- Pember added. “We are together involves the unit’s combat tasks talion’s elements convoyed to their every day on these two weeks and the job is not something the work locations across the state to of AT and we municipal workforce or a private begin the second phase learn a lot about company would ordinarily be able of the AT. one another.” to do. Spc. Radoslaw At another quarry near Mosiej, a Rye- Niagara Falls the Na- brook, N.Y., tional Guard engineers resident, said are also getting a chance he always to train on heavy rollers, appreciates big scrapers and graders the chance and other road building to put his equipment. “What we have engineer out there is a big sandbox skills to and we have been invited work in to bring all our toys into it,” the com- Freehart said. munity. Because engineers are tasked “A couple of years to work on a number of projects back we did a renovating project at once, both overseas and when Spc. John at the Boys and Girls Club (in responding to emergencies in Pember, an engineer Binghamton, N.Y.) which was very New York, this kind of dispersed from Brunswick, N.Y., said he ap- rewarding,” he said. “I went home training is realistic and builds lead- preciated the opportunity to work with my chest puffed out,” the Pol- ership skills at the company level, in the community. ish immigrant said. Freehart said. “It is a ton of real life experi- The 204th began working on the The battalion spent its ence,” said Pember, a home-builder Cohoes project during the battal- first and contractor in civilian life. “ A ion’s 2011 Annual Training. The lot of us have some type of battalion spent a week doing the construc- initial clearing on the old canal bed-- unused since 1911-- that runs above the Mohawk River. This year the team will continue clearing out the brush and addition- al work in 2013 should complete tion the project, Freehart said. jobs For Adams the combination so of military skills training at Fort get- Drum, and working in the com- ting munity is the best possible way to to do spend Annual Training. this is “It’s the best of both worlds,” fantas- he said. “We are not just sitting at tic and a post and doing the same things applies over and over. We are using our week of Annual the skills skills.” Training from June 1 to June 9 at we have Fort Drum firing on the rain, going in everyday life and the through drivers training, and prac- training we have in the military.” NYARNG Medics on the Job in Hohenfels, Germany Story and photo by: Spc. Rachel one clinic, Sanzo - 42nd Infantry Division meaning Public Affairs that we can HOHENFELS, GERMANY-- Sev- perform mi- en New York Army National Guard nor surgical medics traveled 4,000 miles for to operations,” help care for patients at the Joint said Maj. Pe- Multinational Readiness Center ter N. Fish, a (JMRC) here. Staten Island The Soldiers with the 466th resident and Area Support Medical Company the officer (ASMC) from Queensbury, NY, lo- in charge of cated at the edge of the Adirondack the 466th Mountains, arrived August 13 to ASMC team. provide medical support for Sol- “Most of our diers deploying to Kosovo. They patients will will be on the job until Sept. 3. probably be The New York Guard Soldiers treated for are filling in for Reservists from the respiratory 4203rd United States Army Hospi- infections, tal Unit from Nashville, T.N. Those orthope- medics will deploy to Kosovo with dic issues, the 218th Maneuver Enhancement and minor Brigade, South Carolina National fractures. If Guard in September. The deploy- they require ing medics are currently receiving any treat- additional medical training in other ment beyond areas of Germany. that, we will HOHENFELS, GERMANY -- New York Army National Guard Sgt. When the Reserve medics identi- refer them 1st Class William C. Vincent and Sgt. Michael P. Boulerice, medics fied their need for help, the 466th and provide with the 466th Area Support Medical Company from Queensbury, ASMC was happy to provide their administer an IV to a patient at the Joint Multinational Readiness transporta- Center medical clinic here, August 22, 2012. assistance. tion to a “We’re really excited to be help- local civilian diers of the JMRC medical clinic ing out here in Germany,” said Sgt. hospital.” to depart Hohenfels and head back 1st Class William C. Vincent, a Fortunately for the 466th ASMC, home, the 4203rd Tennessee Queensbury resident and a medic their medics and physician assis- Reserve Soldiers will be head- with the 466th ASMC . “I’m glad tants have only had to treat a hand- ing to Kosovo for the start of that our unit was the one they ful of Soldiers for minimal injuries their deployment. called, and that they trusted us and ailments since they arrived in “We’re glad we’ve had the op- enough to take over for them.” Hohenfels. portunity to help out these Sol- The temporary medical clinic “The less action that happens in diers,” said Maj. Warren Sheprow, staff is composed of three physi- our medical clinic, the better,” Fish a physician assistant who lives in cian assistants and four medics, said. “As long as we’re bored, it Queensbury. “We’re happy to have and contains enough troop medi- means that our Soldiers are healthy met them and sincerely hope they cal clinic sets to treat between 500 and well cared for. We will train return home safely.” to 700 patients, depending on the and learn how to treat Soldiers the amount of treatment they require. best we can in our down time.” “Our clinic is what we call a level When it comes time for the Sol- NYARNG Soldiers lay foundations in Germany Story and photo by: Spec Rachel for logistical facilities that Sanzo - 42nd Infantry Division future units deployed to Public Affairs Hohenfels will build upon HOHENFELS, GERMANY--- and integrate into upcom- The crunch of ten-ton vehicles on ing training missions. gravel and the din of voices over “All of our projects are radio calls can be heard as New supporting units who will York Army National Guard Sol- deploy,” Clark said. “We’re diers carry out their annual training creating buildings for them at the Joint Multinational Readi- to utilize, and improving ness Center (JMRC) here. the landing pad that they Seventy-eight Soldiers with the will utilize during their pre- 827th and 152nd Engineer Compa- mobilization training.” nies from New York’s 204th Engi- Although the members of neer Battalion from Walten, trav- the 204th Engineer Bat- eled to Hohenfels to assist and chip talion will only remain in away at troop construction projects Hohenfels for a couple of (TCPs) August 4 to 25, 2012. weeks, the projects they “Our mission here in Hohenels is are undertaking are ongo- to aid in TCPs in order to improve ing and will involve many the realism of training areas for more hours of manpower Soldiers participating in overseas before they are completed. HOHENFELS, GERMANY-- Lt. Col. James deployment training,” said Capt. Additional units will be Freehart, the commander of the 204th Engineer Chad Clark, the commander of the sent to Hohenfels for up to Battalion from Bighamton, N.Y. is briefed by Lt. 827th from Chester, N.Y. two years before the HLZ John Scott, the officer in charge of construction with the 827 Engineer Company from Chester, At the JMRC in Hohenfels, units and buildings are finished. N.Y. at the JMRC here August 15, 2012. 78 New conduct pre-deployment training in “The work we’re doing York Army National Guard Soldiers with the authentic environments that mirror here is laying the footprint 827th and 152nd Engineer Companies from the 204th Engineer Battalion traveled to Hohenfels the setting and culture of Soldiers’ so future units that come in as part of their annual training August 4-25 to aid deployment destinations. Features will have a good idea of the in troop construction projects on the base’s pre- of the Center include a helicopter work that we’ve done, and deployment training area. landing zone to transport Soldiers the work that still needs to they’ve jumped right in and have to and from training areas within be done,” said Lt. John Scott, the made great strides in getting it to Hohenfels, realistic villages occu- officer in charge of construction where we want it to be.” pied by experienced actors imi- with the 827th from Albany. When it comes time for the engi- tating citizens, and various other According to Scott, the progress neer Soldiers to depart Hohenfels logistical facilities. on the landing zone and logistical and head back home, their time One of the goals of the two en- facilities should be 33 percent com- spent overseas will definitely be a gineer companies throughout the plete by the time the engineer com- time to remember. duration of their training involves panies depart Hohenfels, thanks to “It’s definitely been a plus to be building upon the site’s preexisting the work of the current engineers doing our annual training away helicopter landing zone (HLZ). The on site and those who came before from the drill shed floor at home,” Soldiers will work to raise the el- them. said Pvt. Jean Thompson, an equip- evation of the HLZ two and a half “Our sponsors and advisors have ment specialist with the 827th from meters, in accordance with training been ecstatic with the work we’ve Almond, N.Y. “But we, like many needs. done,” said Clark. “They say that other units that will come in after Additionally, the 827th and we’ve really embraced the concept us, are just here to chip in a little 152nd will work to lay foundations of this pad. And as for our guys, bit until the project is done.” NY MP unit heads home from Guantanamo Bay Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class to find his mother crying. This brought experience vital to Kryn Westhoven, JTF-GTMO Nepton, with several of his train the younger soldiers to excel PAO friends, are in the group of young in the mission’s responsibilities. GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — service members that raised their The hard work and long hours As the troopers of the 107th Mili- right hand because of the events on did not go unnoticed as Lt. Col. tary Police Company concluded 9/11. Christopher Wynder, commander of their Joint Task Force Guantanamo “Most coming out of school the 525th Military Police Battalion, mission, these New York Army wanted to go to Iraq or Afghani- called them “superb performers.” National Guard members took with stan,” noted Cardenas, who had The 107th served under the 525th them pride in a job well done. The to explain that they were on the MP Bn.’s umbrella of military citizen soldiers completed a one- frontlines for the country. “You are police companies and “in order to year deployment as the external dealing with the enemy every day capitalize on their unmatched work security force. on another level.” ethic” the unit was given increased The historic importance of being Cardenas lead a core of senior responsibilities, according to Wyn- at Guantanamo during the tenth an- enlisted who have served on prior der. niversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, deployments and several worked “They realized the importance 2001 will always be a large feature in law enforcement in civilian life. of what they do being from New of their deployment. Also, having York,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Miller, the start of the military commission 107th MP commander, talking for the five alleged co-conspirators about the unit’s sense of pride in brought a sense of closure to some the mission. Miller, a New Hart- of the New Yorkers. ford, N.Y. police officer encouraged “Closing that circle in the whole his soldiers to continually improve process,” said 1st Sgt. Fabio Carde- the operating procedures. nas, who wears a New York State “We significantly raised the bar Police uniform when he is not the for other companies to follow,” unit’s senior non-commissioned noted Miller. officer. Before the soldiers faced the The attacks on 9/11 have kept challenges of sometimes repetitive this unit busy for the past decade. and mundane work on long shifts, The 107th MPs, headquartered in the unit needed to come together Utica, N.Y., were one of the first as a team. This was a difficult task Empire State Guard units to be in to accomplish in the preceding New York City at Ground Zero. year, as the citizen soldiers lived The following year began the first in 35 different New York counties, of two mobilizations to Fort Drum, spending drill weekend at four ar- NY, then a pair of Iraq deployments mories located in upstate New York before arriving at JTF Guantanamo. down to Fort Hamilton in New That tempo for the unit post-9/11 Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Ruffin (left) lead York City. the team of New York Army National has lead to a change in the age of Guard soldiers, including Spc. Gregg “They were phenomenal, ab- the group, averaging 22 years old. Gerber, who designed and built a rep- solutely phenomenal. I couldn’t This is the generation that watched lica of the World Trade Center towers ask for a better group of soldiers on a five sided base to represent the the World Trade Center crumble on Pentagon in honor of all the 107th Mili- to work with,” said Sgt. 1st Class TV in elementary or high school, tary Police Company members past and Dennis Mower. like Cpl. Edward Nepton. He present who served in the unit since One young trooper said to Sgt. Sept. 11, 2001. The New York citizen- remembers watching the events soldiers completed a nearly one-year 1st Class Thomas Ruffin that unfold in his typing class and not deployment to Joint Task Force-Guan- “never in a million years” he would having it affect him until got home tanamo this month. have thought that during the trial of the 9-11 co-conspirators he would started as soon as 107th got on the Seabee construction team, the be handling security outside the island. The replica of the World monument towers over the other courtroom. Trade Center towers is set into a tributes to units who have complet- For Ruffin it was a “surreal mo- five-sided base, which represents ed a Joint Task Force Guantanamo ment” to be at Guantanamo Bay for the Pentagon. The towers are 9 feet tour of duty. the tenth anniversary of 9/11. “It tall, and 1x1 foot in diameter. The A plaque dedicates the memo- has a lot of meaning to me,” added north tower’s antenna is represent- rial to all who perished in the 9/11 Ruffin, who led the team to design ed with a piece of metal rebar. attacks: a fitting honor of all the and build a lasting monument to With material donations from 107th MP Company members, their unit’s deployment. Guantanamo Bay Naval Station past and present, who served from The idea for the monument contractors and help from the Navy Ground Zero to Guantanamo Bay. NYANRG Engineers Restore Historic Fire Tower Story and Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Wheeler, 138th PAD BEACON, NY-- Trekking up the 1600 feet of rugged, unforgiving terrain of Mount Beacon, “citizen Soldiers” of the New York Army National Guard’s 1156th Engineer Company spent two weeks sharp- ening their skills, as well as learn- ing new ones refurbishing the fire observation tower located at its summit. “The project request started out as a complete overhaul for the tower to include painting, adjust- ing handrail heights, adding fenc- ing, and rebuilding the cabin atop the tower,” said Cpt. Daniel L. Colomb, commander of the 1156th BEACON, NY -- Soldiers assigned to the 1156th Engineer Company, New York Army National Guard, refurbish the historic Mount Beacon fire observation tower, Sep- Engineer Company. tember 7, 2012. “We are basically trying to make it safer,” said Spc. Osse Jean- toric site that showcases the beauty History aside, this project has Pierre, a carpenter assigned to the and heritage of the Mid- Hudson gotten the community involved and 1156th who also performs part-time Valley,” said Colomb. “Thousands excited about this project. general maintenance in his civil- of people walk the trails around “I’ve heard stories from hikers ian job. “We replaced some rails, Mount Beacon each year. Some and local residents that describe changed all the top panels, and use the trails for exercise and some their excitement in getting to finally painted it so it won’t rust.” simply enjoy a nice hike or picnic go to the top and visit the tower Built in 1931 and added to the with family and friends.” after all these years,” Colomb said. National Register of Historic Places Mount Beacon, located near the “One gentleman even told me how in 2005, the Mount Beacon Fire City of Beacon, is the highest point excited he was to take his father Observation Tower requires seri- in the Hudson Highlands chain of up the mountain to see the tower ous repairs and updates to modern hills. The Mount Beacon fire tower, that he hasn’t seen since he was his building codes before it can be used until 1975 for fire watching son’s age.” approved public use by state engi- duties, commands a 75-mile view “We have a retired Sgt. 1st Class neers. of the Hudson Valley and Connecti- that comes up here every day,” said “It’s all about preserving a his- cut. 1st Sgt. Gregory Sinclair. “He is very excited about getting up there the military. “We’ve done quite a few projects just for the view.” “When we do something at Camp this year,” said Sinclair. “Throw Colomb also added that the Smith ( New York’s state training in our response to Tropical Storm community at large is happy to facility) who sees it? Not many, Irene and Lee in Greene and see progress come from the many but when we do something like this Schoharie counties (in August and donations made to the historical thousands of people will be able to September. 2011) , our part in the society and specifically the Beacon use it and enjoy it,” added Sinclair. Homeland Response Force (HRF) Fire Observation Tower restoration The project helped the engineer and CERFP (CBRNE Enhanced project. Soldiers learn to adapt, which helps Response Force Packages), and it’s Community support notwith- prepare them to respond to state been a busy year.” standing, projects like these benefit emergencies or challenges on ac- Sinclair also added that in the the Soldiers, both personally and tive duty, Colomb said. past year the 1156th has completed professionally. “Training piece aside the big- Phase II of the Cohoes, NY, Erie “These community based projects gest thing these projects provide Canal cleanup and Restoration are priceless training opportunities my Soldiers is critical thinking Project, constructed new ranges for my Soldiers,” said Colomb. and problem solving skills,” said and barracks bathrooms at Camp “Not only Smith are they Train- able to ing Area, train and Cortlandt exercise Manor, their MOS NY, suc- (Military cessfully Occupa- completed tional Spe- a HRF cialties) validation skills, but exercise at they are the New also able York State to do it in Prepared- a ‘real life’ ness Train- environ- ing Center ment.” in Oris- “I get kany, NY, a feeling and as- of ac- sisted their complish- BEACON, NY -- Staff Sgt. Marco Padilla and Spc Osse Jean-Pierre, Soldiers assigned to the Puerto ment and 1156th Engineer Company, New York Army National Guard, repair and replace railings on the Rican Mount Beacon fire observation tower, September 7, 2012. feel good National because Guard we are doing something good for Colomb. “There is no great way to search and extraction counterparts the community,” said Jean-Pierre. train a Soldier to react to the many in a “Go” on their CERFP valida- “Personally I love doing things to situations they may encounter tion exercise. help other people, especially some- in a natural disaster or war-time thing I can use at my civilian job.” situation. These projects give my “The biggest thing about this Soldiers that ability.” project is that it’s something dif- No strangers to serving both the ferent,” Sinclair said . “It’s nice for military and civilian communities, these guys and for the unit to do the Soldiers of the 1156th have had something for someone other than a busy year, he added. 101 Signal Battalion trains for deployed to Afghanistan Story by Sgt. Trisha Pinczes, 138th infantry and any other Soldier in who is available they can always PAD the Army,” added Santana. get the job done, Sgt. 1st Class CAMP MCGREGOR, New Mex- Having previously deployed to Ramon Anderson, 2nd Platoon Sgt. ico – With the temperature at 94 both Iraq and Kuwait, Staff Sgt. and team supervisor, said. degrees, conditions reflect that of Delia Medrano, a communications “Unit cohesion and teamwork the upcoming battlefield. Soldiers specialist with the 101st ESB, be- have been important so if some- endure through the dry heat to hone lieves the training is similar to what thing goes down and someone isn’t their skills and ensure their own they will experience in country. around, another Soldier can actual- success. “Training in this temperature, ly step up and use the equipment,” Soldiers with the 101st Expe- with the equipment is what it will he said. “It is something they have ditionary Signal Battalion (ESB) be like in Afghanistan,” she said. been doing since they got out here complete deployment training 28 “As signal Soldiers we don’t get to so it has been very good and posi- miles into the dessert at Camp Mc- do the hands-on training that much tive throughout.” Gregor in preparation for deploy- and it’s important for where we are “They are used to working ment. going.” together as a unit, so now they are Although the 101st ESB is a Essential equipment testing is going to be trained by other people signal battalion and their mission conducted along with a culminating from here and learning new tricks is to supply communications to field exercise in order to accurately of the trade,” Anderson Said. What Regional Command South, the bat- they learn from here and what they talion is tasked to complete signal A soldier from the 101st Expedition- are going to learn from the people ary Signal Battalion pulls security in a equipment training as well as what 360-degree formation with other Sol- in Afghanistan will give them more is often referred to as infantry train- diers from the unit, after the sighting of knowledge and they’ll be more ing. an improvised explosive device, during productive as a unit. “ a counter-IED training exercise at Camp The 101st ESB is being trained McGregor, N.M. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan The training required at Camp by Task Force Redhawk, part of the Monfiletto, 138th PAD). McGregor is both Soldier training 5th Armored Brigade, who trains and Signal training. This gives a units that are deploying overseas. different perspective to something They ensure that no Soldier make sure all their communication they have already been trained on leaves home without the proper gear is set for the upcoming mis- in order to expound the capabilities training and knowledge that is cru- sion. of the 101st ESB as they serve in cial to having them return safely to “We made sure that all of our Kandahar, Afghanistan in support their family and loved ones. equipment is in working order,” of Operation Enduring Freedom. “We do have Soldiers that will be Santana said. “We will later take going out with other units in teams it out to a location in the field, set of three, five, or ten going out in it up and communicate with the support of MP (military police) and equipment, tear it down and bring infantry units,” 1st Lt. Jon Santana, it back in.” Alpha Company Commander of the The importance of being prepared 101st ESB said. and trained on the equipment was Santana said he feels it is im- stressed by Medrano as well. portant for his Soldiers to train “Having our equipment ready on basic combat skills as a signal means we can go over there and battalion. serve everybody,” she said. “We “Their main mission is signal can fix all of our mistakes here communications but they have to so we don’t make them when it be prepared to defend their position counts.” if need be, and so this training is Individual Soldiers are learning critical for our Soldiers as well as everyone else’s job, so no matter