Guard joins war on terror Missions range from airport security mission, expected to last up to six months, is performed airport security to under state control by authority of Operation ‘Enduring Title 32 U.S. Code. OCT. 1: Approximately 50 mem- Freedom’ support bers of the 128th Security Forces Squadron, Milwaukee, were or- By Tim Donovan dered to active duty. At Ease Staff OCT. 4: Approximately 50 mem- bers of the 115th Security Forces The Wisconsin National Squadron, Madison, were ordered Guard was involved in our to active duty. nation’s response to Sept. 11 OCT. 7: U.S.-led air strikes within minutes of the World Trade against Al Qaeda terrorist camps Center incident that signaled the and military targets of the Taliban attack’s beginning. regime in Afghanistan began at ap- After taking immediate steps to proximately 11:30 a.m. Central time. prevent any harm to Wisconsin Security at Wisconsin Army Guard personnel and facilities, the and Air National Guard installa- Wisconsin National Guard pre- tions was increased to Force Pro- pared for its inevitable involvement tection Condition Charlie shortly af- in military operations. ter air strikes began. Two military operations were OCT. 8: Aircraft from the 115th established in response to Sept. 11: Fighter Wing, Madison, con- Operation NOBLE EAGLE, for home- The most visible Guard support could be seen at nine Wisconsin airports, where troops ducted a mission for the North American Aerospace Defense land defense; and Operation EN- have supplemented security since Sept. 27. Pictured are members of the 32nd Military DURING FREEDOM, the war on terror- Command (NORAD) following a Police Company on duty outside Dane County Regional Airport in Madison. ism overseas. request from the Federal Aviation As At Ease went to press at Guard leaders consulted with Gov. crews flew as volunteers to sup- at 422 airports nationwide. Administration. the end of November, the Wiscon- Scott McCallum on security is- port Air Force-tasked homeland de- The seven Wisconsin airports OCT. 13: Members of the 32nd sin National Guard had more than sues in Wisconsin related to the fense missions. were General Mitchell International Military Police Company who made 650 members engaged on both terrorist SEPT. 14: Airport in Milwaukee, Dane County the initial response to supplement fronts. attacks. “As commander-in-chief of the President Regional Airport in Madison, Aus- airport security were relieved by Chronology S EPT. Wisconsin National Guard, I am Bush signed tin Straubel Airport in Green Bay, troops from other Wisconsin Na- 12: Air proud that our state will make an executive Central Wisconsin Airport in tional Guard units. SEPT. 11: Attack on America crews and an important contribution...” order autho- Mosinee, La Crosse Municipal Air- OCT. 17: Approximately 75 mem- began approximately 7:45 a.m. KC-135 air- rizing up to port, Outagamie County Regional bers of the 128th Air Refueling Central time. craft from — Gov. Scott McCallum 50,000 mem- Airport in Appleton, and Wittman The Wisconsin National the 128th bers of the Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The See ‘Terrorism’ page 5 Guard immediately increased level Air Refueling Wing flew three fed- Guard and reserve to be called up of security at all Army and Air eral missions from the wing’s base under a partial mobilization. Guard installations statewide. at Mitchell Field, Milwaukee. The SEPT. 20: Members of the 128th Air Refueling Wing de- ployed to an undisclosed over- seas location to support U.S. mili- tary operations. Participating members of the 128th Air Refueling Wing were on active duty as volunteers and Celebrating 24 years of service to were not part of the partial mobi- members of the Wisconsin Army and lization. Air National Guard and their families SEPT. 27: Members of the 32nd Military Police Company, Milwau- November 2001 kee and Madison, were ordered to supplement airport security op- erations at seven Wisconsin air- ports. The airport security mission A simple gesture was directed by Gov. Scott Mc- Members of the 128th Air Refueling Wing push a fuel cell Callum following President into a KC-135 Stratotanker while serving at an undisclosed of appreciation Bush’s request to all the nation’s location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo governors to place Guard troops by Staff Sgt. Pamela Farlin. Americans have expressed mory one morning after the at- their feelings about the Sept. 11 tacks, members of the 724th En- terrorist attacks in many ways gineer Battalion headquarters Adjutant general praises Guard’s since the first found a small chilling images bouquet of quick, effective response to Sept. 11 filled our TV flowers leaning By Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney Brig. Gen. Al Wilkening was making screens and our against the The Adjutant General the first of three visits to the Capitol that thoughts on that building. day to consult with Gov. McCallum. second Tues- Attached Like every American, I will never The Guard was also taking fast ac- day of Septem- to the flowers forget exactly what I was doing the tion to protect our own personnel and ber. was an anony- morning of Sept. 11, when our nation facilities: within minutes of the sec- An entire This unsigned note was left mous note of was the target of an unbelievably evil ond airliner’s impact in lower Man- nation mourned at the Hayward armory. support for the series of attacks that ended more than hattan, all Wisconsin Guard armories for the victims, most hoped for Guard soldiers who drill there 4,000 innocent lives, shocked the world, and air bases were put on Threatcon swift justice, and many others and who represent the U.S. and attempted to destroy our way of life (Threat Condition) Bravo; when the looked for military action against armed forces in this northern forever. Pentagon was hit a half hour later se- the people responsible for the at- Wisconsin community. As American Airlines Flight 11 curity was increased to Threatcon tacks. The note told the Hayward smashed into the north tower of the Charlie; and by noon we had imple- In Hayward, Wis., at least soldiers that someone was think- World Trade Center, it was 7:45 a.m. in Maj. Gen. Blaney mented our highest security level of one person had another feeling ing of them while they serve — Wisconsin and I was at St. Mary’s Hos- Threatcon Delta. to express. and it ended with a simple pital in Madison, where I was scheduled to have knee And all across Wisconsin, men and women of the Arriving at the Hayward ar- “Thank you all.” surgery that morning. When a second airliner, this National Guard stood ready to do anything they were time United Flight 175, slammed into the WTC’s south asked to do in response to the terrorist attack on tower 21 minutes later it became apparent we were America. witnessing an unbelievable act of terrorism rather than By the time I could return to my duties two weeks a tragic accident. later the Wisconsin National Guard was involved: The Although I would rather have personally directed 128th Air Refueling Wing supported military opera- the Wisconsin Guard’s response to the terrorist attacks tions both at home and abroad, and the 115th Fighter over the next two weeks, I knew the Wisconsin Guard Wing was supporting the North American Aerospace had two outstanding deputy adjutants general, a su- Defense Command. perb staff, experienced commanders — and nearly More Guard involvement would follow and more 10,000 of the finest men and women in Wisconsin. still may be ahead. I knew the state’s National Guard was in good As I think back to the events of Sept. 11, my hands so I was not the least bit surprised as I watched thoughts fill with the same shock and horror all Ameri- A small bouquet of flowers, left at the Hayward armory, how professionally and effectively the Guard per- cans experienced that terrible day. But my thoughts greeted soldiers of the 724th Engineer Battalion a few formed in the first uncertain weeks that followed are also filled with pride in the men and women who days following Sept. 11. Sept. 11. serve in the Wisconsin National Guard and who al- As I was wheeled into a hospital operating room, ways accomplish every mission that comes their way. Page 2 Editorial : TWENTY YEARS AGO... From the Fall 1981 edition: “We know about the fog of war. Now we learn about the war of fog.” The Wisconsin Air National Guard received 18 A-10 “tank killer” aircraft to replace the former — Maureen Dowd, New York Times OA-37 observation planes. Climbing the ladder “This is the first war of the 21st century.” is Brig. Gen. David Hoff, commander of the 128th Tactical Support Wing at Truax Field in Madison. — U.S. President George W. Bush Other news from 20 years ago: “No one can tell where this will end.” The 128th Tactical Control Flight of the — Stephen J. Forsberg, Army Times Wisconsin Air National Guard at Mitchell Field In the sobering weeks since the shocking im- in Milwaukee participated in a joint United ages of death and terror splashed across our TV States, Great Britain and Canadian training exercise, Maple Flag VII. During the month- screens, we have come to know that the world long exercise, the 128th controlled 1,800 is changed. sorties. Missions included combat rescue Everyone agrees we are at war. But what and recovery, low level surveillance and kind of war? How can it be fought? What are exercise airspace control, plus flying 85,000 the rules of engagement? Who is the enemy? pounds of equipment for use in the exercise. How will we know when we have won? Into the puzzlement rising from the attacks Monroe’s 1158th Transportation Company spent its annual training in West Germany, on New York and Washington — the pundits have working directly with an active Army poured an ocean of comment. A brittle ice of Photo by Randy Kostroski transportation company. normalcy has formed across the pond of our dis- quiet. But we sense that even our leaders are feeling their way forward — making it up as they go along. Column left...CLICK! There is no book for this war. Nor is it a purely military task: Law enforce- ment, intelligence agencies, the diplomatic com- munity, and America’s financial wizards have all signed up to fight alongside soldiers, sailors, air- men, Marines and Coast Guardsmen — and be- hind all of them stand the people, more united now than we have ever been. Still, the question haunts: How can the armed forces operate in this new, untried environment of asymmetric and unconventional warfare? Just now — with the world turned upside down — is precisely the time when America can place its trust in the National Guard. All experience is not obsolete; not every les- son learned since 1636 can be forgotten. Today’s crisis requires the same readiness to fight and the same willingness to sacrifice that Guard members have always shown. The prob- lems of prying up terrorist networks will be solved by enduring habits of patience and resolve that served our country at Bennington and at Gettysburg; in Papua New Guinea in World War II, where Wisconsin Guardsmen slogged along At Ease staff jungle trails towards victory at Buna; and in the skies near Kosovo, where Badger State Air If you might be thinking about a Guard members kept NATO’s planes aloft with career with the U.S. Air Force — or even if you just like airplanes and fast-paced timely refueling. computer games — check out Warriors of the Wisconsin Army and Air Na- www.airforce.com. tional Guard are as ready now to be called out This official Web site is slick, well- “upon a minute’s notice” as were the farmers of designed and, naturally, Air Force blue. Lexington and Concord in 1775. The animated front page, with all Above all, the mission is the same: To de- the sophisticated come-ons of a tightly-designed magazine cover, also fend freedom from the enemies of freedom. gives you plenty of utility. A row of Calm down, America… your Guard is up. seven buttons links you with a catalog of possible Air Force careers, a site de- voted to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration The Present section includes a media on “Future” and go to “Flight Plan,” team, a cartoon adventure story fea- gallery and a hangarful of aircraft cur- you can get acquainted with recent [email protected] turing a futuristic team of zoomies rently in the inventory, plus other use- Air Force recruits, like Susan Powell, At Ease is an official publication authorized under the provi- known as “Stealth Force,” plus infor- ful information on today’s Air Force. shown here explaining why she joined sions of AR 360-1, and is published quarterly by the Depart- mation on education, health profes- The Future section has buttons about the Air Force. You can also click the ment of Military Affairs, State of Wisconsin, in cooperation sions and Air Force events, and a sign- space, technology and “tomorrow’s vi- “Build Your Flight Plan” button, which with Detachment 1 of the 139th Public Affairs Detachment, up sheet to request information from Wisconsin Army National Guard. It is distributed without sion.” opens up a questionnaire to help guide charge to the members of the Wisconsin Army and Air Na- your local recruiter. Each of the three time-based sec- you in planning a potential Air Force tional Guard. All material submitted for publication should be Or simply click on the big “ENTER” tions also has a button marked “Flight career. addressed to: Editor, At Ease, P.O. Box 8111, Madison, WI graphic, and you Plan.” In this If by now you’re getting bored with 53708-8111, telephone (608) 242-3055, DSN 724-3055, or are whisked Rated Items Web site, all this high-concept, career-oriented by E-Mail to: [email protected]. Opinions expressed (scale of 1-5, 5 being highest): herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Wisconsin away, by means “flight plan” is a stuff, navigate in two clicks to the “Air Department of Military Affairs nor those of the Departments of a cockpit dis- Website content: code word refer- Force Arcade” button in the “Present” of the Army and Air Force. play-styled ani- Ease of use: ring to an section, and voilà! six breathtaking Method of Reproduction — Offset mation, to the Download speed: individual’s Air fighter-jock games to keep your eyes, Circulation — 17,000 “real” home Interactive features: force career. In hands and brain busy for a while. Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney...... The Adjutant General Lt. Col. Tim Donovan...... State Public Affairs Officer page. Relevant to Guard: the Past sec- Navigation is swift and easy at Kelly Pensinger...... Publications Editor Click on one Total Rating: tion, the flight www.airforce.com. One word of cau- Larry Sommers...... Photo and Copy Editor of three areas — plans are tion, however: If you are accessing this Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Tom Doherty...... Historian Contributing staff writers and photojournalists: Master Sgt. Steve Past, Present, or Future — and you can thumbnail biographies of Air Force he- site from a dial-up connection, some of Olson, Maj. Bob Giblin, Capt. Gary Thompson, Lt. Gina Marie use a row of button links to explore vari- roes such as actor/pilot Jimmy Stewart the fancy animations might take awhile Williams, Staff Sgt. Julie Friedman, Staff Sgt. Tom Michele, ous topics. For example, in the Past and Maj. Gen. Dick Catledge, founder to load. On a cable, DSL, or other high- Sgt. Keith Fenske, Spc. Lisa Munson, Spc. Adam Bradley, Spc section, you can play a nifty Air Force Jim Wagner, Spc. Angela Milan, Pvt. Sara Roeske, Mike Callen. of the Thunderbirds. bandwidth connection, wait times are trivia game or unroll an animated The Present section shows flight no problem. Air Guard Contributors: Maj. Chris Rodel, Master Sgt. Larry timeline of significant events in the his- plans of several real-life airmen, male Overall, this Web site is a great am- Rush, Tech. Sgt. Wayne Rodriguez. tory of aviation, among other choices. and female, in mid-career. If you click bassador for the U.S. Air Force. Page 3 Tuition stays at 100 percent ment in our Guard members,” Blaney Top Guard said. “The tuition program is criti- cal to our ability to attract and re- benefit saved tain the best young men and women in Wisconsin.” by governor, Blaney noted that appropriat- ing $1.5 million needed to fund the legislature tuition grant program from a tight state budget was especially difficult At Ease Staff and was a strong showing of sup- port for the Guard. Gov. Scott McCallum answered “Since September 11, we’ve the question of whether the Wis- quite rightly seen renewed appre- consin National Guard’s tuition ciation and gratitude for all those grant program would be kept at 100 who serve in the military and Na- percent at a standing-room-only bill tional Guard,” McCallum said. signing ceremony at the Guard “That appreciation is reflected in the state headquarters auditorium Nov. bills I am proud to sign today.” 29. The answer was “yes.” Besides the tuition bill, Gov. Mc- Although the tuition program’s Callum signed four additional 100 percent level was included in Guard-related bills into law: McCallum’s budget proposal, the
Assembly Bill 558 designates Legislature’s conference committee military veterans of this current time reduced tuition grants to 85 percent. period as Operation Enduring Free- A McCallum line-item veto re- dom veterans, entitling families of Flanking Gov. McCallum as he signed five National Guard-related bills into law Nov. 29 stored the grant to 100 percent, but these individuals to veterans ben- were Maj. Gen. James Blaney, left, and Veterans Affairs Sec. Raymond G. Boland. Several funding was insufficient to pay for efits. The bill also entitles Guard legislators who sponsored the bills were also present for the ceremony. Shown standing it until Assembly Bill 509 passed 98- members to extensions on profes- behind McCallum are Rep. Sheryl Albers, Rep. Terry Musser and Sen. Rod Moen. 0 in the Assembly and by a voice sional or occupational licenses for vote in the Senate. McCallum’s sig- 90 days following discharge from
Assembly Bill 571 provides called into service. Under federal doms here in Wisconsin and nature was the final step in a pro- active duty, and allows them to ei- the same benefits to National Guard law, certain re-employment rights throughout the United States,” Gov. cess that Guard officials had been ther withdraw or complete course members called into service to the and benefits are provided to indi- McCallum said. “This legislation watching closely all year. work at universities and technical state as those benefits provided by viduals who are absent from work will help ensure that you are never Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney, who colleges without paying additional federal law to individuals called into because of service in the armed penalized for serving your country.” worked closely with the governor tuition and fees. active duty. The benefits include forces or National Guard. This bill McCallum also signed bills and legislators to preserve the tu-
Assembly Bill 560 eliminates placing a 6 percent interest rate cap covers individuals not included in designating April 9 as “Prisoners ition program, said he was delighted the interest ordinarily due on pay- on obligations incurred before en- the federal law. of War Remembrance Day,” and with the outcome. ments from income tax returns filed try into the armed forces and pro- “On behalf of the state of Wis- adding one representative of the “I can’t tell you how happy I am under an extension by members of tection from eviction. consin, let me thank you again for Wisconsin chapter of the Para- that Gov. McCallum and our Legis- the armed forces who are participat-
Assembly Bill 572 establishes everything you are doing to pro- lyzed Veterans of America to the lature made this important invest- ing in Operation Enduring Freedom. re-employment rights to those tect citizens and preserve our free- Council on Veterans Programs. 147th Aviation deploys to Kuwait By Steve Olson aviation task force that includes a Utah Army But this one is the first since our daughter to acknowledge the important sacrifices this At Ease Staff National Guard unit, which flies AH-64 was born, so it will be different.” mobilization brings to your families and your Apache attack helicopters. His wife, Jill, remarked, “It won’t be easy, employers. Without strong support from your Wisconsin National Guard soldiers from The task force’s mission is to demonstrate but I’m sure we’ll get through it OK. I just families and employers, it simply would not 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation, switched from U.S. resolve in the Persian Gulf region, deter hope the time goes quickly for both of us.” be possible for the Guard to assume an im- woodland green to sandy brown BDUs as aggression, and if deterrence fails, defend Gov. Scott McCallum, addressing the portant worldwide mission like this one. they left Wisconsin for a one-year mission in Kuwait, according to Army Guard officials. deploying Guard troops, noted the impor- Thank you for standing behind the troops an arid kingdom where temperatures typically Preparation for the deployment started tance of support on the home front: “I want and supporting them while they serve.” exceed 115 degrees. more than a year ago and included field train- On July 26, the 147th began the first of ing in the Utah desert. four rotations, each lasting approximately 90 With the Utah training and other realistic days, as part of Operation Desert Spring in mission simulations under their belts, the Kuwait. departing 147th soldiers were quietly confi- The Madison-based unit has 14 UH-60 dent as they awaited their long flight on a C- Black Hawk helicopters and about 250 sol- 5 Galaxy transport from Madison’s Truax diers. The battalion also has a company, with Field. seven helicopters, that is part of the Indiana “We’re pretty upbeat and anxious to get National Guard. started,” said Sgt. Johnny Simmons of West For the first rotation, from August Bend, who is a 147th crew chief. through October, the 147th deployed approxi- Understandably, his enthusiasm was tem- mately 20 Wisconsin soldiers and three air- pered by the anticipation of a three-month- craft while the Indiana company provided long separation from his family. Simmons said, about 10 soldiers and one Black Hawk. “While I was on active duty, my wife got used The 147th contingent is now part of an to my being gone from home on deployments.

ABOVE: One of four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 147th is loaded onto a C-5 Galaxy in July for the journey to Kuwait. RIGHT: Sgt. Johnny Simmons, a 147th crew chief, and his wife, Jill, along with their two-year-old daughter, Jordan, get ready to tour a giant C-5 transport before the 147th’s departure for Kuwait. Photos by Steve Olson. Page 4 632nd fires up M-1s for last time By Keith Fenske clean the gun tubes. Then came that could have been more re- opportunities for our soldiers,” some high-speed missions with At Ease Staff the final journey to the vehicle warding. I’m going to miss it.” said Smith. “Learning our new our new unit. We are the ones wash racks before the tanks were It has been known for quite mission will keep our soldiers mo- who go out and scout the enemy. It was a still, cool, dark early handed over to the Guard’s main- some time that this day would tivated and allow them to function It will be great to begin our new morning Aug. 17. Soldiers of 1st tenance facility. come — a day when they would as the tightly-knit unit that they unit training.” Battalion, 632nd Armor, packed “It’s one thing to carry your shed their armor and take on a currently are. Although the soldiers of their equipment and mounted their weapon into battle, but as a tanker, whole new mission. For the “One of the downfalls of be- Company A have a whole new M-1IP main battle tanks for the your weapon carries you,” said Merrill-based Company A, the ing an armor unit was that we mission awaiting them, they will last time. Spc. Andrew Marvin of Company transition will take the unit back spent a lot of travel time to Fort never forget the thrill of being The tankers made a night A. “You had a secure environ- to its beginnings. McCoy for our training. As a cav- tankers. movement from their South Post ment to operate and fight from. “Our unit will become Troop alry unit, we can do less traveling “We all loved our tanks. assembly area at Fort McCoy to The way a tanker sees things, if E, 105th Cavalry,” said 1st Sgt. and more training right at our There is no other weapon like it,” the crossing at Highway 21, a you are walking, you are in a Greg Smith, the unit’s top ser- home station. That fact alone will said Smith. “When we move, the once common event — but this world of hurt.” geant. “The Merrill unit was save us countless hours of valu- earth shakes. Our presence scares time would be their last ever. There is a special sense of pride originally a cavalry unit 100 years able drill time.” the heck out of the enemy. In pa- The decommissioning of the among the tankers, many of whom ago. Of course, back then, the For Frederick, the cavalry rades, people would point to us armor battalion has created mixed would travel great distances on drill troops rode horses. But it is in- and armor missions go hand-in- and take our pictures. We gener- reactions from its soldiers, many weekends for the privilege of be- teresting how history swings full- hand. “We are very lucky to be ated a lot of curiosity and excite- of whom are sad to see their tanks ing a member of an armor unit. circle after 100 years,” he added. going cavalry,” he said. “Cav- ment because our tanks are such go away. “We have soldiers that would “The switch to cavalry will alry and armor are like brother an awesome and dominating “You hold your breath, hop- drive more than three hours to get also provide many educational and sister. We’ll be performing piece of weaponry.” ing it’s not going to happen,” said to drill,” said Sgt. Bill Frederick, Sgt. Robert Johnson of Headquar- also of Company A. “They did this ters Company. “Now that the de- because they had a unique oppor- cision has been made, we have to tunity — to work with tanks. It’s move on with our lives and learn unlike any other job in the Army.” a new trade.” “You can never do a job like The armored vehicles and this in the civilian world, “ said their crews assembled in the can- Marvin. “I’ve been a tanker for tonment area to turn in their basic more than nine years and can’t individual issue equipment and think of another Army position State News Briefs Wisconsin veterans can get 6.8 percent home mortgage loans The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) now has $24.9 million available for home mortgage loans with an inter- est rate of 6.8 percent, WDVA Secretary Raymond G. Boland said. In addition to the low interest rate, WDVA home mortgage loans offer several advantages to Wisconsin veterans, such as no discount points, no funding fee, no requirement for private mortgage insur- ance, and a fixed rate of interest for the 30-year term. “The monthly payments on a WDVA home loan may be sub- stantially lower than a conventional loan. Beside the attractive in- terest rate, there is no requirement for mortgage insurance, which is a significant savings.” Boland said. The loan must be used to buy or build the veteran’s principal residence. It may not be used to refinance an existing mortgage. WDVA requires at least a 5 percent down payment. WDVA home mortgage loans no longer have maximum income Sgt. Bill Frederick, a tank gunner for Company A, 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor, receives limits, so higher income veterans may qualify. However, the amount orders from his tank commander before the unit’s final crossing of Highway 21 on of the WDVA home mortgage loan may not exceed $278,750. August 17th. WDVA also offers home improvements loans with a 7.45 per- cent interest rate. Veterans may borrow up to $25,000 with 15 years to repay for a variety of alterations, construction and repairs of their principal residence, including garage construction. Veterans now Green Bay airport security may have more than one WDVA home improvement loan if they have sufficient equity and can repay multiple loans. To obtain WDVA home loans, veterans must meet military ser- guard saves toddler’s life vice and state residency requirements set by the Wisconsin Legisla- By Larry Sommers ture. At Ease Staff “WDVA home loans are funded though the sale of general obli- gation bonds,” Boland said. “Unfortunately, the state was set to sell A Wisconsin Army National the bonds for the home loan program on Sept. 11, the day that ter- Guard member on security duty rorists struck and shut down financial markets in New York. The at Austin Straubel International state was not able to set up another sale until Sept. 28. However, Airport in Green Bay saved a tod- WDVA now has the funds required to continue to provide home dler from choking on a piece of loans.” candy. For more information about WDVA home mortgage and home Sgt. Brent W. Voelker, improvement loans, contact a county veterans service office. More Bonduel, a member of the Head- information is also available on the WDVA Web site at http:// quarters Company, 2nd Battalion, dva.state.wi.us. 127th Infantry, was in conversa- tion with an elderly couple when Retirees can choose to end state Trisha Ellis, Iron Mountain, tax withholding on pensions Mich., called for his help, accord- ing to a statement given to the The state biennial budget, signed recently by Gov. Scott McCal- Brown County Sheriff’s Depart- lum, exempts military retirement pay from state income taxes be- ment. ginning January 2002. This exemption will provide more than $8 Ellis’ daughter Ashlin, ap- million in savings to military retirees and surviving spouses in Wis- proximately two years old, was consin. As a result of the new exemption, veterans and surviving struggling for breath and begin- spouses who receive military retirement pensions may decide to ning to turn blue. At first her air- end the state tax withholding on their monthly checks beginning in way was only partly obstructed, 2002. said Voelker, but after trying to Those who wish to end the withholding of state taxes from their get the child to cough up the ob- Sgt. Brent Voelker patrols Austin Straubel International retirement pay should contact one of the following agencies: struction, her airway closed com- Airport in Green Bay on security duty. He is credited with Retired members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force pletely. (active and reserve components): Phone, fax or write no late than saving the life of a toddler choking on a piece of candy. “I then picked her up,” Photo by Julie Friedman. Nov. 15, 2001. Include your name, Social Security number, and a Voelker reported, “cupped her request to stop state withholding effective January 2002. chin with my left hand and admin- “After the fourth cycle, upon Ashlin’s life. Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland/ROCAD istered four back blows and four observing the mouth I saw a piece Voelker was awarded the P.O. Box 99191 chest thrusts. I then checked in- of candy.” Voelker then dis- Wisconsin Commendation Cleveland, OH 44199 side the infant’s mouth and saw lodged the candy with his finger. Medal by Gov. McCallum Oct. Toll free: 1-800-321-1080 or Fax: 1-800-469-6559 nothing. I continued this cycle The mother, Trisha Ellis, 28 at an Armed Forces Salute three more times. thanked Voelker for saving in Wausau. Page 5 Engineers prepare to aid Nicaragua in 2002 By Bob Giblin projects and medical care, the op- At Ease Staff eration provides the military with critical mobilization, deployment While a military buildup to and joint readiness training,” says wage war against terrorism domi- Lt. Col. Patrick Gallagher, the Wis- nates much of the nation’s consin Army National Guard com- thoughts, words and deeds, the bat engineer commanding the task Wisconsin Army National Guard is force. leading another effort — one fo- This exercise is especially chal- cused on peace, friendship and lenging, he says, because of the nation-building. tremendous logistical issues in- Wisconsin Guard combat en- volved. The exercise involves nine gineers are spearheading a joint two-week rotations, each with as task force that will build or repair many as 650 military personnel. In schools and clinics, install water addition, military equipment and wells, and provide medical and vet- supplies will move by rail from Fort erinary care, in rural Nicaragua. The McCoy and other locations to U.S. operation will involve more than 41 sea ports for shipping to Nicara- military units from 20 states and will gua. From the receiving port in Nica- draw from both active and reserve ragua, equipment and supplies will components of the U.S. Army, Air be transported by barges up-river, Force, Navy and Marines, as well deep into Nicaragua. as Nicaraguan military forces. The exercise kicks off in Janu- An advance team inspects a clinic site at Rancho Alegre, Nicaragua. Wisconsin Army Joint Task Force Chontales, ary 2002. Early-arriving soldiers will named for the Nicaraguan depart- conduct port operations, establish National Guard photo. ment — or region — where the a base camp and begin rebuilding
Rancho Alegre School: Build Many of the projects also will very hard. This has involved a lot operation will take place, has been or reinforcing roads leading to the a new two-room school adjacent to require construction or rehabilita- of coordination with our STARC in the intensive planning and project sites. an existing school. tion of access roads, drilling new Wisconsin staff, FORSCOM preparation stage since January Engineering projects to be
Los Millones School: Reno- wells and building new latrines. (United States Army Forces Com- 2001. However, the operation is completed between January and vate an existing two-room school In addition to the engineering mand), 1st Army, U.S. Army South, part of a series of exercises, under May include: and build a new two-room school. projects, medical and dental per- U.S. Army Southern Command, the the New Horizons program, that
La Gateada Clinic: Build three
Muhan Clinic: Build a new sonnel will treat up to 500 patients National Guard Bureau, the host have been providing humanitarian clinics. clinic adjacent to an existing clinic. per day. nation, and all branches of the ser- and civic assistance to Central and
El Coral Clinic: Build two clin-
Quinama School: Build a new Gallagher says that so far, the vice. It has been a tremendous South America for several years. ics. two-room school. experience has been fast paced, learning experience for me person- “While the people of Nicara-
Los Canales School: Build a
Sebaco: Building repairs and exciting and very interesting. “Our ally and for all of the members of gua benefit from the engineering new two-room school. upgrades (three locations). full-time staff has been working the task force planning staff.” Volk Field trains active-duty unit for humanitarian response assignment Maj. Bryan Spalla erty. tarian assistance missions for a set Volk Field This real-world situation be- three-month period. The unit de- came the basis for an April deploy- cided to enlist the expertise of the Kosovo was probably beauti- ment of the 22nd Air Refueling Readiness Safeguard instructor ful once, but does anyone remem- Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, cadre at Volk Field. ber when? Kansas, to Volk Field Combat Readi- Tailoring exercises to closely All major buildings and facili- ness Training Center (CRTC). The mimic real deployment situations is ties have structural damage. Elec- Kansas unit immersed itself in Op- what cadre members do best. They trical service, once intermittent, is eration Swift Response, a six-day produced a coordinated, written now almost nonexistent, and no Air Mobility Command Humanitar- exercise plan designed to task the one can say when it will be re- ian Assistance Response Training unit with several real-world sce- stored. Ruptured water and sew- (HUMRO) exercise. narios. The plan included a site age lines have contaminated all “This was the first HUMRO survey, advance party arrival, unit drinking water, and pestilence from exercise conducted where the par- deployment, force bed-down, com- the unsanitary conditions could ticipants were exposed to the haz- mand and control set-up, establish- reach biblical proportions. Authori- ards and problems that will occur ing perimeter defense and internal ties at the airport have abandoned when deploying to devastated ar- security, providing just-in-time all operations until a full-scale op- eas,” said Lt. Col. Terry Meissner, training, and conducting daily op- erational reassessment can be chief of contingency plans and erations for an undetermined length made. Residents have fled, some operations. “We were pleased to of time. Security Forces protect and secure the area surrounding a banding together in the surround- assist Air Mobility Command in Members of the wing arrived truck explosion during a HUMRO exercise conducted by ing countryside and others going designing and executing this exer- at Volk Field ready to perform and Volk Field CRTC. Photo by Master Sgt. Neal Hoffoss. south to cross into Macedonia and cise.” were immediately tested by the team is sent to provide aid. Para- eling Wing was compressed and Albania. It is a society disrupted The unit was introduced to training plan. Some of the sce- site exposure causes a minor epi- intense. The exercise required ex- by warring factions, murder, theft, HUMRO in January 2000, when it narios in the plan: A local airport demic. Vandals break into the com- tensive research and coordination and constant minor incidents of became one of five active-duty official arrives and wants to know pound and try to steal a number of in the preparation phase and atten- violence against people and prop- units tasked to stand by for humani- why the unit is on his field. An items. Finance and contracting re- tion to detail in the execution. orphanage contacts the deployed ceive more requests than they have “The Volk cadre did an out- commander with a request for sup- funds for. Military members exhibit standing job presenting us with plies for refugees. Numerous stress-related symptoms. On a trip extremely realistic events that are downed trees block any passage to purchase goods, a contractor is likely to happen when we deploy,” on roads, immediately tasking unit overtaken and robbed. And the list said Col. Mark Anderson, com- civil engineers. A number of civil- goes on. mander of the 22nd Air Refueling ians are shot at a local village and a Training for the 22nd Air Refu- Wing’s Volk Field deployment. Terrorism Continued from Page 1

Wing, Milwaukee, were ordered to OCT. 30: The Department of called up under the partial mobili- active duty to continue the unit’s Defense announced that 73 mem- zation. Unit members were active support of military operations be- bers of the 115th Fighter Wing had duty the same day. They would gun on a volunteer status Sept. 20. been called up under the partial eventually deploy to an undis- OCT. 19: About 30 members of mobilization. The wing, which is closed location in support of Op- 128th Air Refueling Wing, Mil- supporting Operation NOBLE eration ENDURING FREEDOM. waukee, returned from a de- EAGLE homeland defense opera- NOV. 21: Two Wisconsin air- ployed location where they had tions, already had a significant ports, in Eau Claire and been supporting Operation EN- number of its personnel on active Rhinelander, were added by the DURING FREEDOM since Sept. 20. duty as volunteers. FAA to receive security from the OCT. 24: Members of the 128th NOV. 8: The Department of De- National Guard. The Guard pres- “Protestors” are taken into custody by Security Forces Air Control Squadron began set- fense announced that 12 mem- ence at nine airports was ordered during a HUMRO exercise conducted by Volk Field CRTC. ting up a mobile radar site in bers of the 829th Engineer Detach- expanded by 25 percent through Photo by Master Sgt. Neal Hoffoss. McHenry County, Ill. ment, Richland Center, had been the holidays. Page 6 229th engineers reshape Wisconsin terrain

Story and photos by through the 229th’s field site Steve Olson and brought the unit to the brink At Ease staff of evacuation. “Our severe weather plan Whether it’s halfway around calls for everyone to grab their the world or just the other end weapon and immediately get on of the state, if there’s a need to the deuce-and-a-halves, so we dig, haul, grade and level mas- can move them to the local high sive amounts of earth, the 229th school,” said 1st Lt. Robert Engineer Company continually Pruitt, commander of the proves it can handle the mis- Platteville detachment and com- sion. pany executive officer. During this year’s annual Fortunately, the storm sub- training in June, the 229th, from sided with no damage to the Platteville and Prairie du Chien, camp. built a runway extension for a “I’ve got to hand it to our small airport in the Jefferson maintenance section,” said Sgt. County community of Palmyra. 1st Class Richard Stelpflug. The engineers also constructed “They had the trucks ready to three gravel parking lots and an go and in place just in case.” access road in the Kettle Mo- The 229th’s camp — next raine State Forest, near Eagle, to the local graveyard — did not at the request of the Department go unnoticed by the residents of of Natural Resources. the area. The engineers and Sgt. Anthony Farmer, left, and Spc. John Schwanbeck repair a telescoping light pole at Despite heavy rains in early their construction projects were the 229th’s field site next to the Palmyra airport. Farmer is a physical education teacher June, the engineers did their front-page news in the local pa- best to plow through the result- pers. at Dodgeville High School and Schwanbeck is a sheet metal worker from Baraboo. ing mud with their dozers, grad- In addition to their construc- members in defensive fighting ers, scrapers and dump trucks. tion projects, the engineers got positions. Although the wet weather a chance to practice combat ma- Along with the combat ex- did not hamper their work, it did neuvers. On June 9, before ercise, the construction experi- lead to one particularly long and more than 100 spectators, in- ence gained in this year’s annual sleepless night. On the evening cluding soldiers’ family mem- training projects increased the of June 11, a severe storm that bers, they staged a simulated unit’s proficiency in its mission- wreaked havoc in Oshkosh and assault, with 229th soldiers on essential task list (METL). The other areas of the state whipped the attack against fellow unit 229th is part of the Force Sup- port Package (FSP), which means it has to be able to de- ploy anywhere in the world on short notice. As a result, all training opportunities are criti- cally important. “Our mission is to open and construct com- bat roads and trails, so these projects are definitely in line with our METL,” said Pruitt. Of course, the unit’s projects also greatly benefited the local communities. Palmyra Airport Manager Don Agen said, “These guys are doing a great job. We couldn’t have done the runway expansion without the A bulldozer and scraper from the 229th Engineer Company Guard.” of Prairie du Chien and Platteville build a gravel parking lot Last year, the 229th built in the Kettle Moraine State Forest near Eagle. roads along the border between California and Mexico for the Immigration and Naturalization Service . Next year, it will participate in a large humanitarian-aid project in Nicaragua called Task Force Chontales involving many Wisconsin Guard engi- neer units. So it’s no exaggeration to say that — in state, out of state, at home or abroad — the ser- vices of the 229th are in demand Guard engineers from the 229th fix a lightpole used to all around the world. illuminate construction sites.

Spc. Tony Steinhart positions the laser surveying system rod during the Kettle Moraine project. Steinhart is a UW- Spc. Phil Budden of the 229th compacts soil with a “vibe-roller” as part of the Kettle Platteville student and lives in Platteville. Moraine project. Budden lives in Platteville. Page 7 Q’s and A’s of black berets As the U.S. Army transforms the ends of the adjusting ribbon his Aug. 18 memo. assigned to Air Assault coded po- A: “A lot of the Wisconsin itself to meet the challenges of the and secure the ribbon knot in- “When soldiers perform activi- sitions, are authorized to wear Army National Guard soldiers I’ve 21st century, it has adopted the side the edge binding at the back ties where the beret would become bloused boots with the class A and talked to like the new black berets,” black beret as official headgear for of the beret. When worn prop- soiled, damaged, or where it is just B uniforms.” (Denson Aug. 18 said Hauschildt. “Our soldiers take all soldiers. How does this affect erly, the beret is form fitting to not appropriate, the commander of memo.) a lot of pride in wearing the Army the soldiers of the Wisconsin Army the head; therefore, soldiers the unit can direct wear of the BDU Q: How are Wisconsin uniform, and they want to look National Guard? may not wear hairstyles that cap,” said Master Sgt. Kittie Guard members adjusting? good in it.” The At Ease staff, working from cause distortion of the beret.” Messman, Army uniform policy a number of sources, pulled to- “It takes a little bit of forming officer, Office of the Deputy Chief gether the information most Wis- to make sure the beret is level on of Staff for Personnel, according to consin Army Guard members need the head,” noted Command Sgt. a July 6 article from the Army News to know about this prominent uni- Maj. John Hauschildt, senior en- Service. form change. Findings are pre- listed advisor for the Wisconsin Commanders of major com- sented below, in question-and-an- Army National Guard. mands and separate units will swer format. Q: How is insignia to be establish local policy for wear worn on the beret? of the beret during weekend and A: “Officers and warrant of- annual training periods, and the Q: When will the black be- ficers wear non-subdued grade in- state surface maintenance man- ret become official wear for the signia centered on the beret flash,” ager and director of aviation Wisconsin Army National said the Denson memo, “and chap- will make the same decisions Guard? lains wear their branch insignia. for employees in their mainte- A: It already has. The Wis- Enlisted personnel wear their dis- nance shops, according to the consin Army National Guard tinctive unit insignia (DUI) cen- Denson memo. transitioned to the black beret on tered on the beret flash.” The patrol cap will also be Sept. 1, 2001, according to an Au- Q: How should the beret be worn by “personnel in initial gust 18 memorandum from Brig. cared for? training categories who are not is- Gen. Kerry G. Denson, deputy ad- A: Berets may be dry-cleaned sued or who do not wear the black jutant general for Army. only, according to Hauschildt. It beret.” The same categories of Q: How should the beret be should not be laundered in a regu- soldiers will wear the garrison worn? lar washing machine, primarily cap with the Class A and B uni- A: According to the memo, because its wool fabric is subject forms. “The beret is worn so that the to shrinkage. The service or “saucer” cap headband (edge binding) is Q: What other uniform appears to be a thing of the past straight across the forehead, 1 headgear is prescribed, and on — except that, as noted in the July inch above the eyebrows. No what occasions? 6 article, “blue and white service hair may be visible on the fore- A: “The Patrol cap (formerly caps will still be worn with the head beneath the headband. called the BDU cap) is worn with dress blues and white uniforms The flash is positioned over the the BDU in field environments and respectively.” left eye, and the excess mate- on deployments when the Kevlar Q: Anything else to keep in rial is draped over to the right helmet is not worn; on work details; mind? ear, to at least the top of the ear, or when the commander deter- A: Yes: “Only those person- and no lower than the middle of mines that the wear of the beret is nel authorized to wear the tan, Command Sgt. Major John Hauschildt adjusts Sgt. Keith the ear. Personnel will cut off impractical,” Denson directed in green, and maroon berets, or those Fenske’s beret. Photo by Tom Michele. Wisconsin salutes American West Bend medevac unit spirit at September ceremony spends AT on ground Story and photos by Steve ing period, the Army grounded Lt. Jill Hjelsand, an 832nd pilot. Olson Huey helicopters with masts that The 832nd’s one operable At Ease Staff exceeded 400 flying hours since Huey was a workhorse for both new. Cracks had been detected in daytime and night-vision goggle The UH-1 Huey helicopter pi- some Huey masts, which connect flight training by the aviators. For lots, crew chiefs and the transmission the unit’s maintenance section flight medics in the with the rotor training, a grounded Huey was 832nd Medical blades. Obtaining transported to Fort McCoy, Company (Air Am- new masts nor- Hjelsand said. bulance) operated at mally would not be The lack of helicopters did not an unfamiliar alti- a problem. The deter the 832nd, which seized the tude during annual Army, however, is opportunity to train its soldiers in training —namely, replacing its aging an array of field operations in ad- ground level. Hueys with UH-60 dition to weapons qualifications Typically during Black Hawks. As a and other tasks. annual training, the result, new Huey “We’re keeping everyone 832nd, of West masts are hard to very busy, and no one is com- Bend, flies air am- obtain from the plaining about being bored,” bulance missions manufacturer. Hjelsand said. Jill Hjelsand supporting the The air ambu- With this year’s annual training troops training at Fort McCoy and lance company had only one Huey experience, the next time the 832nd other locations. This year’s annual mast available during annual train- helicopter crews soar over Fort training, however, was not typical. ing that did not exceed the speci- McCoy, they’ll know exactly Before the unit’s annual train- fied flying hours, according to 1st what’s down there.

Members of Wisconsin’s military marched toward the State Capital grounds Sept. 16 for the “Wisconsin Salute to America’s Spirit” ceremony. Members of the armed forces, fire fighters and police officers were among those honored by Gov. McCallum and other state ROTC Cadet Bill Kalich of the 832nd Medical Company guards the unit’s tactical operations officials. Photo by Spc. Carl Hackbarth. center during annual training at Fort McCoy in June. Kalich is a former active-duty Army medic with the 10th Mountain Division. Page 8 Realistic armor battle caps 632nd’s final summer By Jim Wagner Attackers were the first to suffer sion went so well. were a rarity for anyone training in the At Ease Staff “losses” in the battle: simulated TOW “The first mission went pretty well, Army National Guard, and one that soldiers (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wired- even though we lost half of our people,” should relish. Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor, guided) missile attacks by anti-tank ele- Engebretson said. Funding problems and issues of ar- scrimmaged in an armor-on-armor match ments on the south flank of the field took “That first time around, it came to a lack mored mobility have kept the 632nd from at Fort McCoy during their August annual out maneuvering attackers. But defender of communication, as we coordinated participating in a joint arms exercise like training. casualties mounted when a simulated ar- movements with different elements in the this since the unit first got its M-1s. For the first time, the unit was able to tillery shell took out two tank crews who battle. But that’s what training is for — “When you take a situation like the one train with anti-tank and artillery units in a failed to button down their hatches. working out the kinks in operations like we had today and put it together, it’s really joint training exercise. Tank crews fought From there, the fierce scrimmage came this. In the next battle, we got through with- amazing when you pull it off,” said in two consecutive combat missions to test down to a battle of inches. After laying out losing anyone.” Mistlebauer . “It’s a credit to the soldiers their skills on the battlefield. down concealing smoke, the aggressor Capt. Shaun Mistlebauer, Commander of the Army National Guard that they could Rainy weather was a good omen for the forces used TOW missiles to destroy anti- of Company A, says the missions executed put it together and make it work so well.” tank battles. For the first time since annual armor elements of the defense hidden in training began, tank commanders didn’t the tall pines on the right side of the field. have to worry about a 100-foot-tall plume This, in turn, allowed the tanks to ad- of dust giving away their position. Now, vance on the south flank, through a series with a good coating of rain packing down of leapfrog movements. the dust and making visibility easier, at- Meanwhile, a strong push up the north tacking tankers could focus on stealth to flank put the aggressors closer to their ob- move forward under concealment. jective. The move came at a price, as first The scenario pitted advancing armored one, then the other, of two M-1IP tanks aggressors against armor and anti-armor providing cover from the center were elements defending a location. picked off by TOW-firing defenders. The “Our objective was to attack the defend- flanking moves, however, allowed the ag- ers’ position and overtake them, then to se- gressors to seize the objective. cure the area,” said Sgt. Gene Engebretson, The second mission was even better for an armor crewman from Company A. the aggressors. Normally, an attacking As a steady drizzle came down, smoke- force is at the mercy of a better-entrenched filled artillery shells exploded on either side defensive force. A combination of supe- of the battlefield to cover the flanking rior firepower and more experience, sol- movements of M-1 tanks. diers said, was the reason the second mis-

After a series of challenging missions in the field, soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor clean their M-1 tanks for the last time.

A parting shot in one of the 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor’s final tank-on- tank scrimmages, an M-1 fires through concealing smoke. On the offensive, an M-1 heads into battle near Fort McCoy’s Badger Drop Zone. Heave-ho!

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor, furl the unit’s colors prior to casing them during its deactivation ceremony at Fort McCoy Aug. 23. The tank battalion, a mainstay of the 32nd Infantry Brigade since 1971, was equipped Children of Wisconsin National Guard members take part in a tug-of- with M-60A3 and later with M-1 tanks. In the brigade’s reorganization as a war at this year’s Youth Camp, held June 29 through July 1 at Fort separate light infantry brigade, heavy armor is not needed. A light McCoy. The camp is for children between the ages of 8 and 17. reconnaissance unit, Troop E, 105th Cavalry, is being reactivated in Merrill Other activities included a compass course, rappelling, river crossing and Antigo, two of the former armored unit’s cities. The other three 632nd via rope bridge, tie-dyeing, volleyball, swimming, dancing, and Armor cities — Wausau, Mosinee and Marinette — will host the brigade confidence and ropes courses. Children learn teambuilding, respect headquarters detachment, an artillery headquarters battery detachment, and discipline and build friendships with fellow campers. Wisconsin and a company of the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, respectively. Photo by National Guard Family Program photo. Jim Wagner. Page 9 Litening II targeting system zeroes in bomb strikes for 115th Fighter Wing By Master Sgt. Larry Rush geographical-political issues challenge 115th Fighter Wing the skills of their pilots, who are required to drop bombs only in hostile areas. Madison’s F-16s are now more accurate Electronic/laser sensor systems placed and deadly than ever, thanks to a new elec- on their aircraft have helped them to con- tronic targeting system, the Litening II. centrate munitions on small targets, with According to its manufacturer, minimum risk to innocent lives. Northrop Grumman Corporation, “The The 115th Fighter Wing began re- Litening II combines night and day tar- ceiving the Litening II system in August. geting and navigation capabilities in a It features a sensor pod placed on the single, low-cost, high-performance pod. right front side of the F-16. The sensor’s It enables the F-16 to detect and iden- job is to provide reliable target acquisi- tify ground targets for extremely accu- tion and tracking for air-to-ground day rate delivery of both conventional and or night strikes. Northrop Grumman ad- precision guided weapons.” (Quoted vertises the system as easy to install and from company Web site.) maintain, with a good pipeline of manu- Accuracy in bombing a target is one facturer support. of the primary aims of a pilot, and pre- “It will definitely help the pilots get cision bombing technology has been bombs to the target,” said 2nd Lt. Bart around for a while. The Israeli Air Force VanRoo, 176th Fighter Squadron pilot, The Litening II targeting pod from Northrop Grumman Corporation is has successfully used such systems for “and this targeting system is less risky installed snugly along the belly of a 115th Fighter Wing F-16. Wisconsin years. Israel’s tight air space and unique to the pilot and aircraft.” Air National Guard photo by Randy Kostroski. Tankers go afoot on light infantry course By Jim Wagner list. Crews are more concerned about de- At Ease Staff veloping arm strength to load the heavy shells found in most tanks, he said. There are some things you just don’t Sending the company to the infantry con- expect to see together in this world: Refrig- fidence course was intended as a morale- erators in the Arctic, snow in Brazil, rain in booster and motivator now that the unit no the Sahara desert. But tank crews partici- longer has an armor mission. Delta pating in a light infantry conditioning course? Company’s last days as a tank unit were dur- That’s exactly what tankers from Com- ing the two-week annual training exercise in pany D, 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor, did — August. After washing and turning in their tackling the many obstacles designed to test Abrams tanks at the end of annual training, the skill, coordination and determination of crews were to cross-train into other military infantry soldiers training at Fort McCoy. occupational specialties. The tankers approached the course with Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Charneski, a a healthy dose of good-natured teasing and Stevens Point native who works at the encouragement. For many, the last obstacle Army National Guard Organizational course they’d seen was at basic training years Maintenance Shop 13, said activities like ago. the confidence course, planned for the last “I’m too out of shape for this kind of days of annual training, are a “last hurrah” stuff; the last time I did any of this I was 19,” to say goodbye to the unit they’ve trained said Cpl. Mike Altman, a tank gunner in in for years. Delta Company and a loss prevention spe- “There’s a lot of disheartenment that cialist at Shopko in his home town of River the 632nd is going away,” Charneski said. Pfcs. Craig Manecke, left, and Jason Seubert, tankers with Delta Company, Falls. “But it’s a good challenge.” “Many of us have been together for years. 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor in Mosinee, take time out from training exercises The “Weaver,” an obstacle that calls for This is something fun for everybody to do at Fort McCoy to run through the light infantry conditioning course. Both soldiers to wend over and under an incline together, even though we’re going to take Edgar, Wis., natives, Manecke, a construction worker at Manecke of planks, proved especially challenging. it easy because we’re taking our Army Construction, and Seubert, who is a grounds maintenance worker at North Making and repeating such movements, said Physical Fitness Test on the last day of Central Health Care, took part in two weeks of training exercises designed Altman, is not high on the tanker’s priority annual training.” to improve their unit’s effectiveness under combat conditions. Training the trainers: instructors gear up for DL Story and Photos by long “train-the-trainer” session. tor from Fort Sill, Okla. Williams Kelly Pensinger They had already completed the monitored the WMA cadre and At Ease Staff training course to become accred- tested their skills on the last day. ited instructors and were now learn- “Distance Learning will save Learning field artillery skills on ing to use the DL equipment at the Army a lot of money,” said a TV screen? Is this the newest WMA. The soldiers learned how Master Sgt. Gregory Wendt, a Nintendo game? No, this is the lat- to demonstrate skills and proce- WMA and member of the 1st Bat- est Distance Learning (DL) course, dures on camera, as well as con- talion, 126th Field Artillery. “It soon to be offered to soldiers in the trolling and reading Powerpoint won’t work on all classes, but Wisconsin National Guard. presentations. some.” Last July, a handful of Wiscon- “We have a lot of interaction WMA will soon begin using the sin Military Academy (WMA) in- and everyone is very enthused,” DL technology to teach its field ar- structors came together for a week- said Randy Williams, a DL instruc- tillery courses.

Master Sgt. Gregory Wendt and Sgt. 1st Class Michael Perl demonstrate push-ups live on camera at the Wisconsin Sgt. 1st Class William Reins (seated) gets computer assistance from Staff Sgt. Jerald Military Academy’s Distance Learning classroom. Zahn. Both participated in Distance Learning training at the Wisconsin Military Academy. Page 10

Axis threat looms over By Tom Doherty water and thundering overhead. At Ease Staff Historian They took no comfort from the real- ization that their boat had become In August 1940, while British an impromptu target. and German fighters were maneu- Planes were gathering from all vering each other points, heavy B- into the English 17s from California Channel and the and Louisiana, Home Guard was lighter B-18s and C- digging in on the 34s from Washing- East Anglian penin- ton and New York, sula to await the nearly two dozen P- German invasion, a 36 pursuit planes quarter-million Na- from all over. For tional Guardsmen three days, V- were gathered at shaped formations camps across the circled over Madi- United States, wip- Tom Doherty son as the Air ing the sleep from Corps assembled at their eyes, waking up to a taste of the municipal airport. mid-20th Century warfare. Newspapers treated the airmen In Wisconsin, the first two like movie stars. The East High gym- weeks of the 2nd Army maneuvers nasium, where they were billeted, “Cavalry officers on steaming mounts... appeared... on a dozen roads far from anything served as a prelude to the Battle of took on the glamour of Beverly Hills. significant... muttering over and over, ‘Where the hell are we?’” A troop of mounted Wisconsin, a massive showdown The papers detailed their hobbies, infantrymen patrols a dirt road near a rural gas station, potent symbol of the coming age of between two armies of 30,000 men hometowns, daily routines, even mechanization. Photos courtesy of the Wisconsin National Guard Museum. each. the menus at the cafeteria. It was a In theory, the Reds — under great coup for the Air Corps recruit- Wisconsin’s Gen. Fish — were ing program, then in hot competi- moving out of Iowa to defend tion with the Navy and Marines. against the aggressor Blues. The The VFW expected to make a Blues, in theory, were attacking killing from its parking concession northwest from their staging area at the airport, where 40,000 spec- near Milwaukee. tators were expected next weekend. In fact, however, the maneuver- The problem was the rain. It had ing was confined to a north-south started about the time the bombers line destined to shimmy back and roared over the riverboat, and it forth over much of central Wiscon- continued throughout the first few sin, including virtually the whole of days of maneuver and probe along four counties: Juneau, Wood, Jack- the front. It continued throughout son and Monroe. the night that infantrymen of the A thousand square miles. 128th Regiment were pulled from The decisive factor was rain. A the line and sent on a long looping solid week of rain. train ride over the Mississippi and back. A gathering of eagles That weekend the VFW men On Tuesday, August 20, 1940, staffing the parking concession in passengers aboard the riverboat Madison found themselves virtually Blackhawk, headed down the Mis- alone in a vast wet field. A few sissippi to Prairie du Chien, puzzled flights made it to the battle zone over the antics of Army Air Corps both days, but the massed waves of pilots who peeled their bombers out aircraft that the schedule called for Swooping like a hussar of old, a Wisconsin horse soldier at full gallop discharges his pistol of formation and swooped down never materialized. Rain and fog on a silhouette target at Fort McCoy. one by one, coming low over the had grounded the Air Corps. In Rock County, bridges were washed out. Across the state, veg- etables rotted on the vine. Heavy corn stalks were about to collapse in the soupy ground. Still, Red and Blue ground forces continued to slug it out, For each side seeking an opening for a killer blow. At the northern tip of the ma- neuver area, the 5th Regular Army placement Division and elements of the 32nd and 33rd Guard divisions were coiled for a massive, armor-tipped assault that would slice southeast- only ward, severing the Blue’s advance forces from the main body. Meanwhile, Blue armor had found a weakness in Wisconsin lines, which had been thinned to concentrate troops in the north. The Blues hastily prepared a mecha- nized column to break through the Red defenses. By mid-day Monday, 60,000 chilled, exhausted, thoroughly soaked men, strung out over parts of a half-dozen counties, were poised for Armageddon — when suddenly it was all over. Distant commanders had huddled one last time, and the “cease fire” went out. The battle was called on account of rain. Post-game critique If, in the grip of a kind of post- game euphoria, some Guardsmen felt they had proven themselves worthy for any bully then strutting the globe, the 2nd Army command- Two Army mules provide solid transportation for a Signal Corps sergeant and his wood-coffined radio gear. ing general’s critique of the maneu- Page 11 war game vers set them straight. Lt. Gen. Ford spared no one. While he praised what he called the “high spirits” of men and offic- ers, he criticized commanders for lack of competence, and troops for a refusal to follow. After detailing specific short- comings of officers, he concluded with the ominous understatement that “Some officers were not equal to the demands made upon them.” He then zeroed in on the enlisted men, claiming that their physical condition was poor and their dis- cipline even worse. In Louisiana, Gen. Brees was even more blunt in his criticism of the 50,000 Guardsmen there: “You are out of training. Your physical condition is poor. You drink too much water. You don’t eat regularly and you fail to fol- low instructions.” More than 800 men had been hospitalized during the maneuvers in Louisiana, most for heat prostration. But the most extensive — and most demanding — criticisms were never released to the press or the Guardsmen. After his appointment as Chief of Staff of the Army in 1939, Gen. George Marshall knew his first ma- jor task would be to manage a sud- “Elements of the 32nd and 33rd Guard divisions were coiled for a massive, armor-tipped assault....” Two of the Red Arrow den, massive expansion of the Division’s new light tanks, at the head of a column of trucks, wait for the mock battle to begin. Army. In the spring of 1940 he or- dered Gen. Leslie McNair to orga- deployment into defensive roles or meet the demands of a modern army? pounds of butter — a gift from the ing headlong toward destruction on nize a new headquarters to assess into specialized training. McNair But if the public and Congress city, occasioned by the shortage of a muddy road at night. And they the training needs of units slated took his stand early and dug in to were undecided about the proper dairy foods at the maneuvers. got a feel for the randomness of it all for mobilization and to prepare the defend it. role for the U.S. in the war, and the Like the other Wisconsin troops, when an umpire breezily pronounced standing Army to deliver that train- What was needed, he de- ability to succeed in whatever role the Marshfield men took the short- them wounded by shrapnel or dead ing. clared, was a “sound, methodical cast in, President Franklin Roosevelt age personally. The gift was a moral from machine gun fire. From McNair’s point of view, the program of basic and general and the generals never lost sight of victory, a slap in the face to those nationwide August maneuvers were training.” The troops must first who the enemy was, what his capa- distant menu planners who sought Strike North, Strike South? important primarily as instruments master fundamentals on the indi- bilities were and what it would take to inflict dry bread and canned milk All through the last weeks of sum- for measuring the strengths and vidual and small unit levels. Then to bring him down. upon Wisconsin men in their home mer and into the fall, Guardsmen weaknesses of the Guard, and only they would engage in combined The enemy was Germany. To state. across the state bided their time, wait- secondarily as training exercises. training as “combat teams” — in- beat Germany the U.S. had to fight Some men would remember com- ing for orders from Washington. As As reports from the field arrived fantry, armor and artillery acting Germany’s kind of war on Germany’s bat as a series of fraternity pranks. leaves colored and drifted down, they at his desk in the Army War College in close coordination. territory. Therefore, that was the war One night during the final battle, tried to imagine winter in Louisiana. on the Potomac, he realized just how Finally, they would participate the U.S. Army would be trained and men of the 128th from Beloit and Rumor had it they would be head- big his job would be. in “smooth and coordinated large equipped to fight. nearby towns heaped barracks bags ing there soon. Meanwhile, the front The list of National Guard defi- unit training.” Though no one could have in a road, took to the woods, then pages in Eau Claire and Marshfield, ciencies compiled by NcNair and his In his speech to the officers at known it at the time, all four Guard ambushed and captured a column Appleton and Milwaukee continued staff included: Camp McCoy, Gen. Ford had said, divisions training in central Wiscon- of Blue reconnaissance vehicles to detail the piecemeal destruction “1. Obviously deficient training “There is nothing too difficult for sin were destined to fight a very dif- halted by the roadblock. of London by Nazi dive bombers, of small units and in minor tactics. the American soldier. There is no ferent kind of war in a very different The same men later scattered which now were coming at night. “2. Faulty employment of the sacrifice too great.” part of the world. paper plates in the path of enemy But, on the other side of the infantry division and of its combat Congress and the American armor and vehemently insisted to a world, history was being made that tactics. people were not so sure. In the sum- Worm’s-eye view nearby umpire the plates were in fact never reached the newspapers. For “3. Failure fully to appreciate the mer of 1940, Americans wanted to The big picture was lost upon mines. The tankers insisted the decades, two factions within the purpose of motor vehicles and ex- save Great Britain and to crush the the young Guardsmen packing up plates were garbage. The rattled Japanese military had each been vy- ploit their capabilities. Nazis, but they did not want their for the trip home. Many had enlisted umpire ruled in favor of the infan- ing to impress its plan for strategic “4. Inadequate reconnaissance soldiers to do the fighting. They within the past year after authorized trymen. expansion upon the other. and lack of contact between adja- wanted a share strength levels On another occasion, confronted That Japan would continue to cent units. of the defense “...Americans wanted to had been raised. with an enemy officer who refused to use its growing military power to “5. Inadequate support of infan- contracts and save Great Britain and to This was their be captured, infantrymen kidnapped dominate Asia was a foregone con- try by division artillery. of the good life crush the Nazis, but they first taste of him, drove off in his station wagon, clusion. All that remained to be de- “6. Faulty signal communica- those contracts didn’t want their soldiers Army life out- deposited him on the road miles away cided was the schedule of con- tions….” could bring to to do the fighting.” side of the ar- and drove back to battle. quests. The Strike North group ad- The list went on. their home- mory. Their view Throughout the final battle, vocated use of conquered Chinese Clearly the Depression had left towns, but they did not want local of the mock war was fragmentary troops heard reports of two cavalry and Manchurian territory as a stag- its mark on the Guard as it had on men forced into the Army those con- and chaotic. officers on steaming mounts who, ing area for war against Russia. The the Regular Army — the skimpy tracts were equipping. The experiences they were most night after night, appeared in the rain Strike South group wanted to seize budgets, the climate of isolationism, Some doubted the United States likely to remember seldom had to do on a dozen roads far from anything the Asian colonies of the western the slackness that sets in when had the character to take on the Na- with battles, which, from their significant, huddling over a democracies. there is no sense of an urgent mis- zis. In a Sunday newspaper article, worm’s-eye view, were incompre- roadmap with a flashlight and mut- In September 1940, the emperor sion. Catch-up measures in the late one popular interpreter of psycho- hensible anyway. Men of tering over and over, “Where the decided. On the 19th, he signed the 1930s had helped, but not enough. logical theory lamented that the Marshfield’s Company C, 128th In- hell are we?” Tripartite Pact, allying his nation to Unites States’ social evolution had fantry, were more likely to remember There also was that last soldier Germany and Italy. The pact granted “A sound, methodical turned American men soft and the day a low grade dysentery lounging on a street corner in Sparta Japan control of any lands in Asia program” “feminized.” Have the U.S. men lost swept through their ranks. who declined the offer of a ride back that it could take with its own power. Now McNair was confronted the savage reflexes needed for their While most of their regiment was to camp, telling the driver, “They In turn, Germany and Italy were with the task of readying under- own defense? he asked. fiercely engaged in whipping the don’t need me, I’m dead.” assured of Japanese pressure on the strength, under-equipped, poorly On a more practical level, experts Michigan troops at the La Crosse At one time or another, all of the British fleet. Within weeks Japanese trained, inadequately led state mili- worried about the technical de- River, Company C was held in re- dazzled young amateurs became fa- infantry divisions were swarming tias to take the field against one or mands of modern warfare. To serve and glad of it. They attributed miliar with that peculiar combination into French Indochina, where they more of the most modern, efficient achieve mastery over exotic and de- their disability to an excess of of boredom and anxiety that settles met token resistance from Vichy and thoroughly professional armies manding machines under the grim- chokecherries, which they had the upon soldiers when they sweat forces. in the world. mest and most threatening condi- mixed fortune to find in abundance away the hours in ignorance, wait- Soon they were deep in the He knew that he would be pres- tion, millions of men would have to around their camp. ing for events to explode upon them. rainforests of Thailand, Vietnam and sured to distribute these forces as know a lot more than simply how to On the brighter side, a week later They felt the exhilaration and ter- Laos, training intensively for jungle soon as they were activated. Voices march and shoot. Did the U.S. have the mayor of their city showed up in ror of the outside man on an ice- warfare. within the War Department and enough time and enough bright, person to deliver 10 gallons of ice skaters’ whip: A general miles away The emperor had chosen to Congress would call for their early technically savvy young men to cream, 50 pounds of cheese and 75 flicks his wrist, and they go plung- strike south. Page 12 Engineers blast fire break in McCoy woods Story and photos by Army combat engineer. ducted the day before to determine Keith Fenske This was business as usual for exact placement of explosive At Ease Staff members of Company B, 173rd En- charges for maximum impact. The gineer Battalion, who detonated 155 engineers also detonated a small test All is quiet along a sandstone pounds of high explosives con- charge to help calculate the dam- ridge at Fort McCoy’s Range 7. structing firebreak at annual train- age an explosion would cause to the Several hundred feet away, a group ing. sandstone. of soldiers huddles behind an ar- “The demolition mission was The early morning rain didn’t mored personnel carrier. A light rain required to clear large quantities of keep the engineers from nearly three washes nearby leaves. sandstone from a portion of the im- hours of preparation. Soldiers “You may fire when ready,” pact area’s firebreak so our exca- wielding pickaxes and shovels dug says a sergeant. The troops peer to- vating equipment could navigate it,” holes six inches deep and two feet ward the ridgeline, waiting. said Sgt. 1st Class Neil Schauer of wide and inserted the C-4 charges. “Fire in the hole! Fire in the Spencer, Wis. “We used Composi- The holes were then packed with hole! Fire in the hole!” shouts a sol- tion 4 (C-4) explosives to remove dirt and covered with sandbags to dier. Everyone ducks for cover. the impeding sandstone.” help force the energy of the blast A huge flash of light flares from The firebreak, which surrounds downward at the rock being re- the ridge, a thunderous boom the north impact area, consists of a moved. pierces the silence, and debris and 60-foot clearing between wooded Detonation cord linked the C-4 smoke billow into the air. areas. Most of the work on this fire- charges so they would all blow at “That’s what I call a fireworks break had been done; the engineers’ one time. One long strand of deto- display!” cheers a soldier as the dust mission during annual training was nation cord was run to a safe dis- settles. to complete it. tance from the blast area. Welcome to the world of the A blast area survey was con- “Safety is the number one con- cern out here,” said Spc. Jim Hoade, Chippewa Falls. “We take many precautions when handling explo- sives. There is absolutely no room for error.” With everyone a safe distance from the blast area, the engineers issued a warning to Range Control and received clearance to proceed with the mission. After a safety briefing, it was time to finish the job. Everyone got into a safe posi- tion and the igniter was pulled. The explosion took only one second but accomplished the desired result. Although the finale is brief, it is worth all the preparatory effort that goes into a demolition mission, ac- cording to Company B soldiers. “I’ve been doing this for a lot of years and I enjoy the work,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Crawford, Eau Claire. “It’s fun working with this unit and the great soldiers that are a part of it. It’s also fun per- forming a real mission like this, A cloud of smoke and debris rises from a ridgeline on versus blowing up dirt on a Range 7 following the detonation of C-4 high explosives range.” A soldier with the 173rd Engineer Battalion, runs M-13 Aug. 15 by engineers of Company B, 173rd Engineer “This is what being an engineer flash tube wire down the hill in preparation for the Battalion. is all about” he said. demolition. That’s a wrap: 1158th stars in HEMTT video Story and Photos by the HEMTT’s cab to make rain. U.S. Army Tank Automotive-arma- Larry Sommers Spc. Patrick W. Palmer, clinging to ments Command — commissioned At Ease Staff the truck’s side, rocks up and down the 20-minute video. Ron to impart a lurching motion. Stand- Papiernik, TACOM’s civilian man- CLOSEUP: A soldier under a ing on a concrete stanchion in front ager in charge of the project, se- kevlar helmet, seen through a rain- of the stationary vehicle, a camera- lected Kevin Irwin, a veteran Balti- streaked windshield, jolts sideways man, his lens zoomed in tight, more videographer and producer, to behind the steering wheel as he shoots through the windshield at script, shoot and edit the tape. drives a Heavy Expanded-Mobility Staff Sgt. Darrell W. DeBoer, who Papiernik and Irwin turned to Tactical Truck (HEMTT). pretends to drive the vehicle. the 1158th Transportation Com- Welcome to Hollywood East, They were videotaping a new pany, Wisconsin Army National Fort McCoy, USA: At the wash Army-wide training tape: Guard, for professional help in rack, an assistant sprays water over “HEMTT Safety.” TACOM — the showing the right way to drive and maintain the workhorse tactical trucks. Videographer Kevin Irwin follows a Heavy Expanded- “It’s going to help 18-to-20- Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) as it attempts a slalom year-olds, who may have never course of highway cones at the Fort McCoy wash rack driven anything larger than a pas- during the videotaping of an Army safety video. The slalom senger car,” said DeBoer of run at 15 miles per hour was designed to demonstrate the Edgerton, a senior mechanic in the limits of maneuverability of the massive army truck. The Beloit-based Detachment 1, HEMTT and drivers were provided for the video by the 1158th Transportation Company. 1158th Transportation Company. “They will see (the HEMTT) is massive — the truck alone, empty, viously used drivers from the ing, the principals were impressed weighs 40,000 pounds. 1158th in a TACOM safety video with their skills and attitude. “I’ve seen videos like this my- on the M-1070 Heavy Equipment “We knew we could count on self, but often they are old and out- Transport (HET), which they shot Capt. Quist,” Papiernik said, “to of-date. TACOM has taken the time in May 2000 at Arizona’s Yuma provide us with troops that look and money to re-shoot this ‘in the Proving Grounds. Capt. Kevin sharp, are enthusiastic, and know now,’ and new soldiers will see this Quist, battalion training officer for what they’re doing.” Spc. Patrick W. Palmer, left, a mechanic with the 1158th is not some old video but is up-to- the unit’s parent organization, the “Younger troops,” explained Transportation Company, uses his body weight to rock the date.” 732nd Maintenance Battalion, Palmer — “if you just give them cab of a Heavy Expanded-Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) Irwin confirmed that the was the go-between who arranged a manual and turn them loose with with Staff Sgt. Darrell DeBoer at the wheel, as Tom Zoukis, video’s main purpose is to show for Wisconsin Guard troops and a truck, and you say, ‘Read this a production assistant for Sharpshooters Video, Inc., of young soldiers that the HEMTT trucks to be used. DeBoer and book, follow the book’ — Baltimore, Md., sprays water to create the effect of rain on is much different from their Palmer, who were put on orders someone’s going to get injured. the truck’s windshield. The Army training video, shot at Fort father’s station wagon and must be for one week in October 2001 to This will be the visual that shows McCoy in October, was on the subject of safety, and featured approached with a whole differ- shoot the new HEMTT video, had them what the book tells them.” members of the 1158th because of their professionalism ent driving style. not been a part of the previous ef- Added DeBoer: “It’s a visual and military appearance. Papiernik and Irwin had pre- fort; but after four days of shoot- they can relate to.” Page 13 Chaplain corps keeps packing spirit Infantry, and other Wisconsin units. job to be promoted. This causes a va- “I’m assigned to the 1st Battalion, cancy in the chaplain’s assistant position 632nd Armor, and this year I’m (also) act- and a new soldier has to be recruited and ing 32nd Infantry Brigade Chaplain,” said trained. Hoogland. “Our mission is to provide When not working for the Guard, leadership in moral, ethical and spiritual Farley does marriage intervention for guidance.” couples on the verge of divorce and par- During annual training exercises, chap- ticipates in various outreach programs. lains have to be available 24 hours a day However, wearing a uniform does have for emergencies that are called in to the a certain impact. Brigade Emergency Operations Center. “I very much enjoy interaction with The emergencies range from death in a soldiers,” said Farley. “I wear the same soldier’s family to attempted suicides, ac- uniform they do and when you approach cidents, or simply problems coping with them, there’s a connectedness that opens stress of deployment. doors which otherwise would not be open. Chaplains also have to be field-expe- They normally wouldn’t talk to a pastor, dient, moving services to quiet or safe lo- but when one’s standing right in front of cations in the field as circumstances dic- them they open right up.” tate. From a priest’s perspective, Farley “There’s a chaplain’s kit in the truck noted there is little difference between ci- but I prefer just a Bible,” Hoogland said. vilians and soldiers. “I like to go ‘light,’ that way I can do a “They all have issues,” said Farley. service anywhere.” “The personal issues are all the same and “In my unit we have no chaplain’s as- the biggest challenge is time. There’s not sistant. Other units have chaplains assis- enough time to do the ministry you want tants and no chaplains,” Hoogland said. to do.” “Some units have no chaplains and no Chaplain services are important for chaplains’ assistants.” maintaining troop morale, according to Soldiers of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, gather Finding qualified candidates to Cpl. Brian Blahnik, Stevens Point. around chaplain assistant Staff Sgt. Jeffrey L. Miller (left) and Chaplain strengthen the Chaplains Corps is a chal- “It helps to keep the soldiers moti- (Maj.) Kevin J. Hoogland for a field expedient prayer service. lenge. vated,” said Blahnik. “They may attend “There is a shortage of priests in the services regularly at home and during an- Story and photo by Gina Williams took advantage of worship services outside world,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Dan nual training they may not have the op- At Ease Staff whenever they could. H. Farley, a Roman Catholic priest who portunity to attend and that could impact For soldiers like Spc. Tony D. Fritcher, serves four civilian churches and is chap- negatively. In the military, especially the Sunday morning is a time of comfort Appleton, an infantryman with Headquar- lain of the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artil- reserve side, you’re taking civilians, and for most people, who have the luxury of ters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bat- lery. “We live in a modern, materialistic taking a lot of freedoms away, and asking sitting inside a large house of worship talion, 127th Infantry, prayer services are society, where there are too many options them to make sacrifices. Religious beliefs with padded pews. But for America’s a chance to spend some time coping with and people don’t hear the call to minis- are the last thing they’re going to sacri- warriors, “church is whenever the chap- certain stresses of the field. try.” fice.” lain arrives,” according to Lt. Col. “I needed an attitude adjustment, and Farley explained that he has one sol- “When you have chapel services, it’s Terrance L. Stratton, Wisconsin State God always seems to put me in the right dier training to be a chaplain’s assistant, always something you look forward to,” Area Command chaplain. Faced with a place,” said Fritcher. Chaplain (Maj.) but there’s not a lot of room for advance- Blahnik said. “It’s a kick of motivation. shortage of chaplains for this year’s an- Kevin J. Hoogland, of Merrill, Wis., led ment. A soldier must move out of the When you don’t have it, it’s just another nual training, the soldiers in the field prayer services for 2nd Battalion, 127th chaplain’s assistant position into another day in the field.” Grabbing the sky hook: gusty, dusty and dicey By Lisa Munson Growley and two other sling load in- At Ease Staff spectors trained soldiers from several bat- talions on sling load procedures and safety Standing less than two feet under a precautions during annual training at Fort hovering, 22,000-pound aircraft: Nor- McCoy in August. mally, not recommended. Not something The soldiers first learned hand signals that most people would even consider — to direct the incoming helicopter to the except, perhaps, when time is short and place where the load is waiting to be air- the alternatives may be even more danger- lifted. They then learned how to properly ous. attach the sling load harness around the “When time is a critical aspect of the object, which could be as heavy as a mission, we’re going to opt for the route Humvee. that takes five minutes to complete instead After the harness is on, a three-soldier of 40 minutes,” said Staff Sgt. Derek team hooks the load onto the hovering air- Growley, a supply sergeant for the 1st Bat- craft: One watches for possible safety vio- talion, 120th Field Artillery. lations, one hooks the load, and one stead- The time-saver is sling loading — at- ies the soldier hooking the load. taching thousands of pounds of supplies “You would be amazed at the wind or equipment to a hovering helicopter. force coming from the helicopters,” said While the procedure itself takes less than Staff Sgt. Christopher Donovan, a sling two minutes, it also knocks a lot of time load inspector. “Without that support, off the clock and may be, in the long run, the soldier would be blown all over the the safest transportation option. “Sling place.” loading may prevent me from driving my Safety goggles, face scarves, helmets, hefty deuce-and-a-half through enemy and tucked in BDU blouses are standard Maintenance troops from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 128th territory,” Growley pointed out. wind protection for sling loading. Infantry, get ready to hook a water trailer to a UH-60 Black Hawk. Two great peoples divided by a common tongue: Brits ‘tub their kits’ while Yanks lug rucksacks Lisa Munson how the other nation trains its distances on foot while carrying of my own survival.” worldwide travel. At Ease Staff troops. one’s life-belongings on one’s Another thing Cuttle had to “When I heard about all the “I’ve been having a wonder- back. adjust to was the handy size of money available to these kids “I don’t drink coffee,” said ful time here,” said Cuttle. “The “The rank structure and of- the Army-issued rucksack. In the fresh out of high school, I Capt. Fraser Cuttle. “I prefer Wisconsin National Guard really ficer-enlisted relationship is British Army, rucksacks, called couldn’t believe it. If Great Brit- my Russian packed tea, thank knows how to treat their sol- also very similar,” says Cuttle. “kits,” are the size of the Ameri- ain were to offer such benefits, you.” diers.” “The biggest difference is can duffel bags. On every road there would be a waiting list to Not your typical American Cuttle says the National equipment availability. I asked march, all soldiers are required to join. It’s absolutely incredible,” GI: A Brit, in fact. Guard is comparable to the Ter- a soldier here how they would carry one. said Cuttle. Cuttle and two other soldiers ritorial Army in Britain. survive if one of their humvees Another difference is that After his two weeks in Wis- from the United Kingdom trained “The dedication of the sol- broke down. He told me they’d there are fewer incentives to consin, Cuttle headed home. with 2nd Battalion, 127th Infan- diers is on the same level. We just get another one from fleet. join the Territorial Army. Where Capt. Michael Hanson, com- try, as part of a soldier exchange do physical fitness and eat three Back in Britain, we’d be tub- the National Guard offers exten- mander of Company C, 2nd Bat- program during annual training at square meals a day. Also, we bing it back to camp.” sive college benefits, great re- talion, 127th Infantry, went home Fort McCoy in August. ‘tub’ it every chance we get,” “I don’t know about the whole tirement pensions and numer- with Capt. Cuttle to observe Brit- In the exchange program, said Cuttle. “Tub” is British fleet abundance of vehicles,” said ous opportunities to travel, the ish Territorial Army training in soldiers from each nation learn Army slang for moving long Cuttle. “I prefer to be in control Territorial Army can only offer Cheshire, England. Page 14 13th Medical Dental Detachment enjoys serving state residents at free clinics Story and photos by sealed, and she and her husband plete physical exam, including an Julie Friedman had to pay the entire cost them- electrocardiogram and a cholesterol At Ease Staff selves. screening. “When I saw the article in the “I have to admit that I put this The soldiers of the 13th Medi- paper about this clinic,” she said, off for a long time,” she said, “be- cal Dental Detachment (MEDD) “I realized right away what a great cause I’m normally so intimidated made friends in two more commu- opportunity this would be for my by doctors — but this is such a nities this year while conducting other children.” nice group of people. They’re very their annual GuardCare exercise in Carlson said she was especially professional but they make you feel Gillett and Marinette in northeast- pleased by how friendly the Guard so relaxed.” ern Wisconsin. soldiers were For the soldiers of the 13th Since 1995 the and how well MEDD, the exercises are good exercises have her youngest training for actual deployments. served 17 different daughter Amber, The two detachments from Madi- counties. This year age 8, behaved son and Marshfield get to work a total of 963 people for them. together in a real-life scenario took advantage of “She’s usu- where they move to an area, set the clinics held ally not very co- up a clinic, and start providing ser- Aug. 13-17 in coop- operative, but vices within 24 hours. eration with the she did really “It’s good for us to work as a Oconto County good here,” team with the Madison detach- and Marinette Carlson said. ment,” said Pvt. Jason Manning, County health de- In addition a dental technician in the partments. to the dental Marshfield detachment. “It’s also The free clin- sealants, the nice to help out the people who ics, which are set up Amber Carlson, 8, is all clinics offered need it.” in local schools, smiles before having Head Start exams “This is a lot more rewarding provide basic dental sealants applied. for children ages than just going to Fort McCoy,” health screening 3-6, sports said Sgt. Wendy Hawley, a dental services and health education for physicals for school-aged youths, technician. “You feel a lot of pride residents who lack insurance cov- and physical exams for adults in- because you know you’re doing erage. Many who do have insur- cluding vision screenings, glau- something worthwhile.” Hawley ance bring their children specifically coma tests, and vaccinations for has participated in four GuardCare for dental sealants, because many tetanus and hepatitis B. Smoking exercises in her seven years with Sgt. Wendy Hawley watches as 8-year-old Donald Perrault insurance carriers do not cover the cessation counseling was also the 13th MEDD. of Adams brushes his teeth before getting dental sealants expensive preventive treatment. available, with free nicotine patch Spec. Kathryn “Coty” applied during GuardCare 2001 in August. One parent who really appre- kits provided by the University of Hutchens is a dental assistant in ciated the free sealants was Ruth Wisconsin Medical School’s Cen- civilian life who joined the 13th Carlson of Suring, who brought ter for Tobacco Research and In- MEDD three years ago. “I just love three of her four children to the tervention. these exercises,” she said. “I wait clinic in Gillett. Several years ago Barb Martin of Oconto came to every year for this. That’s why I her oldest son had his teeth the clinic in Gillett and got a com- joined the Guard.”

ABOVE: Spec. Heather Schutt entertains 2-year-old Tiffany Johnson of Suring while the toddler’s older sisters get dental sealants. RIGHT: Amber Carlson proudly shows off her new dental sealants to her mother, Ruth. Officer Candidate School graduates 32 By Gary Thompson At Ease Staff

“All the way!” shouted 32 of- ficer candidates upon their gradu- ation from the 426th Regiment’s Officer Candidate School Class 43. Of the graduates, 21 Wiscon- sin Army National Guard soldiers and one United States Army Re- serve soldier accepted their com- missions as second lieutenants. Class president 2nd Lt. Scott Kulla received the Erickson Tro- phy for distinguished leadership and academic achievement. The Erickson Trophy is a replica of the Sons of Liberty bowl designed by Paul Revere during the Revolution- ary War. From left to right, back row- Tony Steinhoff, Chad Simandl, Thomas Hay, Matthew Cronin, Jeremy O’Leary, Michael Graduates who postponed Fuchsel, Keith Curran, Courtney Boehme, Alice Holmes, LeaAnn Kavalauskas, Rhonda Klink, Nathaniel Bailey, Jason commissions received certificates Leistiko, Henry Blust, Will Myers, Douglas Denson, Andre Cieslicki, Scott Kulla. Front row- Paul Mitchell, Brian Lund, of eligibility and will assume their Daniel Albaugh, James Cavanaugh, Mark Bailey, Steven O’Keefe, Jared Shryock, Douglas Kolb, Daniel Pipgras, Don roles as second lieutenants within Porschien, Andrew Weiler, Charles Crowley, Paul Gellerup. Missing from photo: Angela Oconnell. Photo courtesy of two years. Distinctive Images. Page 15 1157th picks up Fighter Wing commander logs 6,000 hours aloft By Master Sgt. Larry Rush “Although many would look after Mother Nature 115th Fighter Wing at this as a personal achieve- ment, I think it speaks more to Story and photo by about half of them in the city of from the 1157th Transportation When Brig. Gen. Fred R. the tremendous quality of Larry Sommers Oshkosh. Heavy rains also caused Company, Oshkosh, were called to Sloan, commander of the 115th people who have served, and are At Ease Staff localized flooding. state active duty for three days. Fighter Wing, taxied serving today main- The Wisconsin Army Na- Soldiers, working by hand, back to the ramp in taining and flying Fifty members of the 1157th tional Guard quickly provided wa- loaded tons of tree limbs onto his F-16 Fighting our aircraft.” Sloan Transportation Company helped ter trailers to Portage, Winnebago trucks and carted them away to city- Falcon after a train- said. Oshkosh and surrounding commu- and Wood counties to provide approved landfills. Spirits were ing flight July 25, he “The standards nities recover after severe thunder- water to those affected by electri- high among Guard members as they found a crowd wait- for excellence I was storms ravaged the area June 11 cal outages. helped local citizens recover from ing for him. taught early in my with 90-mph winds, heavy rains, Gov. Scott McCallum declared the effects of the storm. Wisconsin Na- career by the people large hail and lightning. a state of emergency and, as piled- “This is our mission — it’s tional Guard state who built this orga- The strong winds felled many up debris began to pose health and what we do,” said Cpl. Rob headquarters per- nization into what it trees and downed power lines, safety hazards, called in the Guard Linberg, New London. “We’re sonnel joined mem- is today, and the leaving more than 43,000 residents to assist with the cleanup. here and we’re happy to be help- bers of the 115th to people who con- without electricity for several days, Fifty soldiers and 18 trucks ing out.” welcome the general Brig. Gen. Sloan tinue that tradition, back to earth after make flying for this completion of his 6,000th flying unit a privilege.” hour. Sloan is a command pilot. Accumulating 6,000 hours of Since receiving his wings in Au- flying time as a pilot gets gust 1972, he has flown the T- people’s attention. Few aviators 33, T-37, T-38, F-102, O-2A, A- accumulate that much experience 37, A-10, and C-131 aircraft, and and training in the air, especially he is combat-ready in the F-16C. in jet fighters, where Sloan has He has been commander of the logged most of his time. 115th Fighter Wing since 1989. Changes... Wisconsin Air National Guard the Army Guard’s state headquar- Lt. Col. Gunther Neumann is the ters in Madison. new commander of Volk Field Com- The Wisconsin Army Guard’s bat Readiness Training Center. newest battalion commander is Lt. Neumann assumed command Col. Paul Russell. at Volk in October, succeeding Col. Russell took command of 2nd Jim McMurry. McMurry, who had Battalion, 128th Infantry when it commanded Volk Field since 1994, was established in Madison in Sep- retired after nearly 30 years of mili- tember as part of the 32nd Brigade’s tary service in the U.S. Air Force conversion from mechanized to and the Air National Guard. light infantry. One of the Wisconsin Army Lt. Col. Todd Nehls, com- Guard’s major commands is also mander of 2nd Battalion, 127th In- under new leadership. fantry in Appleton, was named to Col. David Gapinski took com- head Task Force Noble Badger — Spcs. Dan Lipinski, left, and Jon Butzlaff, of the 1157th Transportation Company, Wisconsin mand of the Milwaukee-based 57th the Wisconsin Guard’s airport se- Army National Guard, use a web strap to tie down tons of brush and timber on an Army 5- Field Artillery Brigade in Septem- curity operation. ton cargo truck. The two were among 50 members of the unit activated June 15-17, 2001, ber. Gapinski succeeded Col. James Nehls will continue to com- to clear debris from the streets of Oshkosh after a windstorm ravaged the city. Schiller, who is now assigned to mand the infantry battalion. Bosses visit AT 128th security troops arrest water damage By Master Sgt. Wayne Rodriguez 128th Air Refueling Wing Security personnel of the 128th Air Refueling Wing are trained to respond to any threat to the wing and its resources. On Wednesday, July 18, that threat came from thousands of gallons of water when a water line broke right under the weapons armory. When the line broke, water began to come through the concrete floor of the armory. As Master Sgt. Jim Larson, a flight sergeant with the Security Forces Squadron, was walking past the armory at around 1:00 p.m., he heard the sound of running water. Opening the door to investigate, he saw the armory floor was already covered with 3 to 4 inches of dirty brown water. Larson immediately notified the wing’s civil engineers, who in turn notified the base fire department. Master Sgt. Joe Parlato, assistant installation chief, security forces, credited the quick response by Security Forces troops with preventing thousands Sgt. Carl Abendroth, of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 120th of dollars in equipment losses and, Field Artillery, briefs civilian employers during an most importantly, the loss of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) mission capabilities. Boss Lift to Fort McCoy Aug. 18. More than 100 “The outstanding combined employers from across Wisconsin spent a day with the efforts of many people and soldiers to learn first hand what they do during weekend organizations on base led to a Master Sgt. Joe Parlato uses a snow shovel to scoop water drills and annual training. Photo by Keith Fenske. quick solution to the emergency,” out of the 128th Security Forces Squadron armory. Parlato said. Wisconsin Air National Guard photo. Page 16 Live ammo adds z-z-zing! to training By Jim Wagner Company B was only the 16th ing challenge to any infantryman. At Ease Staff unit to use the live-fire lanes at Staff Sgt. Mark Ball, a Bravo Range 6, a forested and hilly Company squad leader who lives Practicing infantry skills in range that lends itself well to in New Richmond and works at the back woods of Fort McCoy training exercises like ambushes, Frontier Communications as a is one thing, but using live am- bunker removal and anti-tank telephone and cable technician, munition is another. movements. thinks the new lane is a good start Soldiers of Company B, 1st Starting from a location but still needs some work. Battalion, 128th Infantry, New roughly a half-mile away, Bravo “It’s realistic, but a lot more Richmond, found out what live- Company set out to remove a filtered than what regular lanes fire movement is all about dur- bunker manned by an undeter- training has been like,” Ball said. ing this summer’s annual training mined number of enemies, ac- “The feedback we give on this August 11-25. For many, it was cording to the script. Once con- lane, though, will be used by the the first time they carried their tact was initiated by the “enemy,” range control guys who I’m sure loaded weapons outside of a represented in this case by loud- will make improvements.” qualification range. speakers blaring out gunfire Another feature of the exer- It’s more daunting than you sounds, the company broke down cise, the strict structure of the might think. into a support fire group and lanes training, has many infantry- “Oh, yeah, I was very con- flanking fire team. men itching for more original in- scious of carrying a loaded While the support fire team put into the script. Using “hot” weapon,” said Spec. Mick laid down a suppressing stream weapons for lanes training, range Raymis. of fire into the bunker areas, the officials said, is too new to allow Raymis, a Turtle Lake native flanking team’s wedge circled to such ad lib movements. Officials and student at the University of the right. A quickly-thrown expect that to change as soldiers Wisconsin-Stout, says a loaded smoke grenade was the signal to get more experience. Every step is measured as soldiers from Company B, 1st weapon makes a soldier much the support fire team to divert fire “We realize we’re spoon feed- Battalion, 128th Infantry move through the woods with more aware of moving through a away from the bunker so the ing the mission to the guys,” said heavily-wooded lane, with all its flanking team could advance. A Staff Sgt. Charles Anderson of live ammunition at Fort McCoy. snags and potholes. All it takes two-soldier crew from the flank- Company C, 2nd Battalion, 128th is one misstep for an accidental ing team moved up to the bunker Infantry. Anderson, a foreman at discharge — something that and lobbed a grenade. Amsco in Birchwood and one of could seriously injure, even kill, So a bunch of soldiers are just the observer/controllers in the a fellow soldier. chewing up the landscape and a exercise, said the live fire is a mix “Actually, I was more nervous bunker with live rounds, you say. of challenging training and ob- about the guy behind me,” Where’s the training in that, out- serving safety precautions. Raymis said, only half-jokingly. side of making people nervous “We want to make it challeng- That added edge of danger, about carrying their weapon? ing but give them a chance to hit they say, is what made this year’s The real value of live-fire the target,” Anderson said. “Of training at the Fort McCoy ranges training comes with the big-bud- course, there’s a lot of changes even better than before. get pop-up targets scattered that will need to be made, but Multiple Integrated Laser En- throughout the range. These tar- that’s why the range control folks gagement System (MILES) gear, gets simulate the enemy, which let us on the range in the first the laser tag-like gear used for need to be taken out by squads place – to proof it and come up simulated battles, doesn’t give before advancing. with suggestions. troops that added situational There are even moving pop- “Overall, this range is a fan- awareness that is a critical part of up targets for added realism, in- tastic idea,” Anderson continued. any military operation. In fact, cluding a moving tank for anti- “(Range control) has obviously the gear could reinforce bad hab- armor missions. If you look put a lot of time and finances into its like not treating the weapon se- closely at one of the bunkers, making this range such a success. riously, something that can en- you’ll see a pristine target that’s Eventually, this will be a beauti- danger soldiers in the field. never been hit by round, a glar- ful lane.”

The intensity level skyrockets when moving through infantry lanes with live ammunition. A Bravo Company soldier clears a bunker using grenade simulators and live ammunition.

For many soldiers, loading live rounds into their rifles only happens at the rifle range. The live-fire training provided Bravo Company a chance to get the feel of Soldiers from Bravo company also acted as an opposing force (OPFOR) for other 1st moving tactically while using real bullets. Battalion, 128th Infantry units. ‘Fun stuff’ dominates final training day By Lisa Munson “This is definitely one of the tell people interested in the Guard wanted to could participate. “The most terrifying aspect of At Ease Staff coolest things I’ve done in the the benefits such as these.” “We got about 600 soldiers to rappelling is that initial step onto Guard,” said Pfc. Danny Keck of “After these soldiers work for get up on these flights,” said Gill. the wall. It feels like you’re throw- After almost two weeks of bust- Company A, 1st Battalion, 128th two weeks straight, they deserve “I’d say about 90 percent of them ing yourself to your death,” said ing their humps in hot, humid Infantry, after his flight. “The ex- something for a job well done,” have never flown before.” Pfc. Brian Lambert of Company D. weather, all the soldiers participat- perience has been very memo- said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Paul Company D, 1st Battalion, “Days like these are impor- ing in annual training had a chance rable.” Gill of 2nd Battalion, 128th Infan- 632nd Armor was in charge of tant,” said Capt. John Meier, Com- to have a go at the fun stuff. Any- “After working hard, it’s nice try. “I would say these are the teaching soldiers how to rappel. pany D commander, “because it one who wanted to could rappel off to be able to relax and do some- things that convince their friends After a ten-minute class on how to gives soldiers a chance to do a 55-foot tower and go on an ori- thing fun,” said Spc. Adam to join the Guard.” tie a “seat,” soldiers practiced something like rappelling, which entation flight in a UH-60 Black Schneider, also of Company A. The rappelling and helicopter rappelling off a 30-foot building. is fun but also a good soldier skill Hawk or UH-1 Huey helicopter. “It’s a good reward, and I would rides lasted all day so anybody who Then it was on to the 55-footer. to know.” Page 17 106th Quarry Team ‘rocks on’ Story and photos by Steve Olson things right along with them is certainly At Ease Staff the best part of the job,” says Oppelt, who’s been in the Guard 15 years. If your knowledge of quarry operations Because he’s the only soldier with consists of old cartoons depicting Fred ample experience operating a crusher, Sgt. Flintstone at work, you’d certainly be Duane Garz, a construction worker from amazed by a new engineer unit’s ability to Washburn, has been a valuable mentor to turn big rocks into little ones. the other soldiers. “This crusher is pretty The mission of the 106th Engineer much the same as the ones I use in my ci- Team (Quarry) of Ashland is to meet the vilian job. So I get asked a lot of ques- almost insatiable demand for gravel by tions, which I enjoy. Everyone in the unit Army road-building units. And since the is picking things up very fast.” Army does not always build roads in ar- One of the first, and most important, eas where this precious commodity is lessons in crushing rock is avoiding acci- readily available from civilian sources, dents and injuries. “We always stress quarry units are needed. safety,” Oppelt explains.” We make sure The 106th came into existence in Sep- there’s no loose clothing that can get tember 2000. In June, the unit deployed caught in the crusher. We always wear for annual training for the first time. safety equipment, including respirators so For their initial AT, the engineers set up we don’t breathe dust, while working on Pfc. Deanna Hughes, Barnes, Wis., guides a dump truck through the quarry their quarry site in the Chequamegon Na- the machine. One of our biggest safety site while other members of the 106th Quarry Team operate the crusher. tional Forest near Iron River, Wis., about half- points is to stay alert and aware of where way between Ashland and Superior. In ex- you are at all times. There are trucks and change for use of the site, the Forest Service other heavy equipment moving around the received the gravel produced by the 106th. site. And because of the noise from the The centerpiece of the unit’s quarry op- crusher, you can’t always hear something eration is the crusher. Consisting of a pri- coming at you. So you have to be aware mary jaw crusher combined with a second- of what’s going on around you.” ary roll crusher, the apparatus produces The 106th is striving to expand on the about 75 tons of gravel per hour. When it’s success of its first annual training. On operating at maximum capacity, the crusher some future projects, the quarry team may can produce twice that amount. Although operate jointly with the 829th Engineer well maintained, the 106th’s crusher was Company of Richland Center, which spe- manufactured in 1968, so it is much older cializes in carpentry, masonry and other than most of the unit’s members. building trades. Young soldiers in a brand-new unit can When it tackles future assignments, the present some interesting challenges. But 106th might have the benefit of even more the enthusiasm of soldiers who are learn- rock-pulverizing muscle. Next June, the ing new skills is tremendously rewarding unit is scheduled to get a new crusher ap- for the leadership, says Staff Sgt. Julie proximately three times the size of the cur- Oppelt, a quarry supervisor and the unit’s rent one. full-time training NCO. And with a bigger and better crusher, “There’s so much to learn because this the old 1968 model will finally be a relic is new for almost everyone. But working of the past, just like the dinosaurs in Fred with young soldiers and learning new Flintstone’s quarry.

The 106th Quarry Team’s crusher is the backbone of the operation during Pfc. Abby Hiser, Park Falls, Wis., operates the generator for the crusher. the unit’s annual training at the Chequamegon National Forest in June. Off-duty F-16 crew chief pulls driver from blazing car By Larry Sommers ready in flames. Pulling the burning man At Ease Staff out by his legs, he dragged him to the grass nearby, which itself caught fire. His An off-duty Wisconsin Air National wife, Jean Atkins, brought a garden hose Guard member was hailed and they sprayed the man as a hero for reaching into and the lawn with water to a burning automobile to extinguish the fire. save its elderly driver from Medics transported the certain death. driver, 88-year-old Claire Tech. Sgt. Keith Vesterdahl, by helicopter Atkins, an F-16 crew chief to the University of Wis- with the 115th Fighter consin Hospital in Madi- Wing, was working in his son, where he died of his garage in Stoughton, Wis., injuries the next day. on a Sunday afternoon, The car was completely July 15, when he heard a gutted by fire before police neighbor shouting, “Get and fire personnel arrived out of there! Get out of at the scene. “By the time there!” we got here, he would have Emerging into the been dead,” said Stoughton Tech. Sgt. Keith Atkins, an F-16 maintenance crew chief with the 115th street, Atkins saw a car on Police Sgt. Brian Gowan. Keith Atkins Fighter Wing, pulled a driver out of this car, which was ablaze near fire, the passenger com- Atkins expressed the Atkin’s house in Stoughton, Wis. Though Atkins and his wife quickly put partment almost fully engulfed in flames hope that he would not be confronted and the driver still in his seat. again with a similar situation. “This was out the flames enveloping his body, 88-year-old Claire Vesterdahl died Without hesitating, Atkins ran to as- too much excitement for a Sunday,” he the next day at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. Photo sist the driver, whose upper body was al- told a local news reporter. by Larry Sommers. Page 18 Artillery unit slims down, still packs mean whallop Story and photos By where the rounds should land. Adam Bradley “With an accurate gun loca- At Ease Staff tion, target location, observation point location, weather data and Combat-ready, mission ca- ammunition data, we can put a pable and equipped to blast high round into a garbage can from any explosives miles into the targeted practical distance,” said Capt. location, ground-trembling how- Mark Kukulka, commander of itzers make a great combination. Battery C. Although the 1st Battalion, After a gun fires its shell, a 120th Field Artillery is losing its team of forward observers, who M-109A5 self-propelled howit- are hidden but can see the target zers, it’s also gaining the more area, record the position of the mobile M-102 howitzer to con- shell’s impact and its distance tinue the legacy of one of from the targeted location. By us- Wisconsin’s proud field artillery ing simple geometry, the battery units. then can dial in the correction and It takes more than 320 skilled pinpoint the target for more shell- soldiers to perform the 120th’s ing. job. The job? Blow up stuff — a “It’s great being up on the hill job almost every soldier would looking over the impact area and love. Even with the battalion’s basically controlling the guns,” change to light field artillery, the said Pfc. Jim Goodenough, a for- 120th still will fire powerful how- ward observer for Battery C. itzers in the same fashion with the Spc. Steven Koth, fire direc- same experienced soldiers. tion control support specialist “You wish you could stay with with headquarters battery, who (the M-109), because we know it helps to plot the grid coordinates, already — but we are looking for- said, “It’s a lot of work, but the Sgt. 1st Class Duane Beyer, left, of Shawano goes over maintenance paperwork with ward to the new guns and the work’s a lot of fun.” Spc. Chris Walport, Stevens Point. change of pace,” said Spc. Allen One of the greatest advan- Rosenow, ammunition team chief tages that comes along with the for Battery B. 18 new howitzers is the chance “It will be a challenge,” said to blow up more stuff, or what Spc. Scott Vehrenkam, a cannon- the 120th calls “training oppor- eer from Battery C. “People get tunities.” The M-102 howit- attached to their guns, but in the zers, which are towed on end everyone will like it better.” wheels, require less mainte- Firing long-range weapons nance than a self-propelled toward a target miles away isn’t howitzer on tracks, which as easy as “point and shoot,” re- equates to more time and money gardless of which earth-shaking for training. The new guns can gun is fired. be used for year-round training, “There are a lot of things to said Sgt. Jodi Young, Battery B take into consideration, such as howitzer section chief, whereas wind, heat, weight and even the the battalion usually fired its rotation of the earth,” said Staff self-propelled howitzers only Sgt. Ed McKenna, fire direction about four months out of the center chief from the Headquar- year. ters and Headquarters Battery. It “It will put more guns on the takes a lot of practice. field,” said Young. “Change is Throughout the battalion’s good, we’re always willing to five batteries, there are many dif- learn new things.” ferent jobs that must be com- Overall, spirits are still high pleted for a successful mission. in the unit. Soldiers agree the Whether it’s the M-109 or M- thunderous power of these new 102, a lot of skill is required. Di- weapons will continue the thrill rections for when and where to and pride of being in the 1st move each battery come from the Battalion, 120th Field Artillery. Tactical Operations Center. Com- “It’s a great unit. They take Cannoneers from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, load an M-109 self- manders also decide whether to good care of you, and give you propelled howitzer during annual training at Fort McCoy. bombard the target by coordinat- great help when needed,” said LEFT: Members of Battery ing the batteries to fire at the same Pfc. Chou Vang, a medic from A, 1st Battalion, 120th Field time or to pass the mission to in- headquarters battery. Artillery place antennas dividual batteries, said McKenna. Spc. Kevin Wall, fire direc- atop their command and Each battery must then figure tion specialist from Battery B, control center during out, with help from the fire direc- said, “I love it. It’s a good time annual training at Fort tion center and forward observ- and a great chance to get away McCoy in August. ers, the exact map coordinates from everything.”

An M-109 self-propelled 155-mm howitzer fires a round into the impact area at Fort McCoy during annual training for Battery A, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery. Page 19 National News Briefs 127th infantry moves out By Jim Wagner probably could not have reached Somehow, we manage to pull it Servicemember’s Group Life At Ease Staff the scene of a forest fire in time out. I don’t know how it hap- to prevent an outbreak. pens, but every time we get the plan now includes family It was getting late, and events Battling the summer heat, the troops out and the exercise is a The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance plan will also seemed to be getting ahead of the troops packed their rucks and success.” cover troops’ spouses and eligible children beginning Nov. 1, best efforts of mission planners donned their helmets, an en- As the time for deployment 2001. from 2nd Battalion, 127th Infan- semble that weighs close to 100 neared, the sun shone and the tem- The Veterans’ Opportunities Act of 2001, signed by Presi- try. pounds. perature dropped into the low 70s. In less than 15 hours, battal- Given the conditions, the Soldiers started arriving at the dent Bush last spring, allows for up to $100,000 coverage for ion troops would be air-inserted changes and the new mission, helipad for their air-insertion mis- military spouses and $10,000 coverage for each child. into a simulated combat zone, no- questions and concerns flew sion. If the service member has SGLI coverage of $100,000 or tionally an area somewhere in about the TOC. The conversa- The airlift, as Nehls predicted, more, maximum coverage for the spouse will be automatic, and Kuwait. tions may have sounded like in- went off without a hitch. premiums will be deducted along with the member’s premium With seemingly thousands of tense confusion, but rapid ex- “I was pretty happy with the from each month’s pay. If the service member carries less than last-minute details to address, change of information always is deployment,” said Maj. Tim $100,000 coverage , however, the spouse’s coverage can be no there was no guarantee of a suc- critical in conducting a mission Lawson, the battalion’s executive higher than the member’s, Navy Capt. Chris Kopang explained. cessful deployment. safely and on time. officer. “We don’t get together “For instance, if the member only had $50,000 in coverage In the stifling environs of the Lt. Col. Todd Nehls, the bat- as a battalion too often. Many on himself, he can only get $50,000 for his spouse,” said battalion’s Tactical Operations talion commander, addressed times, we’ll come as separate Kopang, Department of Defense director of compensation. Center (TOC), without even a fan his staff: “It seems that every companies to Fort McCoy to He added that spouse coverage must be elected in $10,000 to move the thick August air, the year before we start an exercise, train. Despite that fact, every- increments. Premiums will be based on amount of coverage battalion’s leaders gathered to re- it doesn’t look like (the deploy- body pulled together well and got elected and the spouse’s age. view the details and to make de- ment) is going to work out. the job done.” cisions that would mean success Spouse’s AgeRate per $1,000 Max Monthly Premiums or failure. At stake were the repu- Under 35 $.09 $9.00 tation of the Appleton-based bat- 35-44 $.13 $13.00 talion as a battle-ready unit and 45-49 $.20 $20.00 the safety of hundreds of soldiers. 50-54 $.32 $32.00 In addition, the soldiers were 55+ $.55 $55.00 training for the first time as a light infantry unit, one battalion of the Coverage for children up to age 18, or 23 if a fulltime stu- 32nd Infantry Brigade’s new con- dent, is free and automatic, so long as the member is partici- figuration as light — no longer pating in SGLI, Kopang said. Eligible Reserve component mem- mechanized — infantry. The con- bers will receive the same family-member coverage with premi- version is intended to make the ums being deducted from their drill pay, he said. 32nd more relevant in the lighter Service members will be able to decline or reduce spousal Army of the 21st century. coverage, but officials are still working out the details. “Opt For members of the 127th, the conversion required giving up out” procedures and updates will be posted to the SGLI web their M-113 armored personnel site at www.insurance.va.gov/sglivgli/sglifam.htm. carriers in favor of “leather per- Kopang cautioned service members to think carefully be- sonnel carriers” — infantry lingo fore opting out. “Members may sometimes feel they don’t need for “boots.” For mission planners, life insurance for a spouse, especially if the spouse doesn’t the conversion changed the way work outside the home,” he said. “However, look at the cost of they’ve done business: UH-60 providing childcare, a nanny perhaps, or other things that con- Black Hawk helicopters replaced tribute to maintaining the home. These are costs service mem- ground transport as a means to get bers don’t always realize they’ll have.” soldiers to the fight. Eligibility for spouse and children’s coverage would end if Conditions this year were the the member terminates coverage, separates, retires, dies, or if exact opposite of last year’s an- the couple divorces. However, spouse coverage will extend nual training, said 32nd Brigade 120 days past the date eligibility ends. officials, making for a challeng- “That will give the spouse the opportunity to convert their ing training environment. Last policy to a commercial policy.” Kopang said. year, the battalion was slogging Spouse coverage can be converted to commercial policies through rain-drenched fields, when the service member separates from the military, but can- humvees bogging down in the not be converted to the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance plan. fields and on the roads. This year, soldiers hoped for even a hint of rain to cool the stifling heat. Maj. Gen. James new Air It was so dry that headlights National Guard director were needed to see through the thick clouds of dust on the ranges. President George W. Bush has nominated Maj. Gen. Daniel Engineers felled trees around the James III to become the 11th director of the Air National Guard. north impact area, building a fire- Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, secure an LZ James, 56, has been the adjutant general of Texas since break in case of flying sparks from (landing zone) at Fort McCoy, as a UH-60 Black Hawk Nov. 1995. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be promoted incoming rounds. Fire fighters helicopter descends to pick them up. to lieutenant general and would succeed Maj. Gen. Paul Weaver Jr. who has been the Air Guard’s director since Jan. 1998. James is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in fighter and trainer aircraft. He flew over 300 combat missions in Vietnam, and he completed two tours of active duty in South- west Asia where he served as a forward air controller and F-4 Phantom aircraft commander. Tricare for Life bill passed Congress recently passed and the President signed a bill that fulfills the promise of lifetime medical care that was made to all servicemembers upon enlistment. The program is called TRICARE for Life and became effective Oct. 1, 2001. A companion program called TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program (TSSP) covers prescription drugs and was effective April 1, 2001. There are no enrollment fees or registration procedures for either; while there are some co-pays and deductions for the pharmacy program, the TRICARE for Life program does not appear to have any additional costs. These programs will be essentially cost free for some people and may cost less than the present health care programs for others. Under the old rules, TRICARE, which replaced CHAMPUS around 1998, was not available to anyone after they reached the age of 65. The Fiscal Year 2001 National Defense Authori- zation Act eliminated that restriction and TRICARE now cov- ers retirees from age 60 to 65 and then becomes secondary to Medicare, Parts A and B for the rest of your life. It pays the deductibles and additional charges that Medicare does not pay. With TRICARE you do not need a Medicare supplement. A squad of 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, moves along a street at Fort McCoy during annual training. Departments of the Army and Air Force National Guard of Wisconsin PRESORTED STANDARD Office of the Adjutant General U.S. POSTAGE PAID P.O. Box 8111, Madison, WI 53708-8111 PERMIT NO. 33 Official Business CEDARBURG, WI 53012 Penalty for private use $300

Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Charneski, a tanker with Company D, 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor, Wausau, takes time away from his M-1 to run through the light infantry conditioning course at Fort McCoy, Wis. Charneski is a military technician at Organizational Maintenance Shop 13 in Wausau. See “Tankers go afoot” on page 9. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Photo by Jim Wagner.