Official Magazine of the National Guard Counterdrug Program Winter
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the CatalystOfficial magazine of the National Guard Counterdrug Program winter 2011 hief’s Corner ‘Actions speak louder than words’ may be a well-worn phrase, but it is no less true. Lofty words don’t serve the needs of the community, but tangible results do. In this issue, you will see the results and efforts of our Counterdrug personnel throughout the country. This magazine highlights what is happening Air National Guard locally in your communities and how partnerships with federal, state, local, law Col. William Carle, Chief, National Guard Bureau, enforcement, community based organizations and schools truly make a difference. J32 Counterdrug Division As my time as Director of the National Guard Counterdrug Program comes to an end, I am filled with pride in the accomplishments of the incredible men and women of the National Guard Counterdrug Program, and humbleness in having had the opportunity to serve with each of you. I have been enriched personally and professionally by all the Counterdrug personnel I’ve come in contact with. Time and tenure aside, I believe this to be the perfect occasion for a new voice and a fresh perspective. I am deeply grateful to the Counterdrug Family and to each of you for your innovative work, your dedication, your warm collegiality, and for everything you’ve helped me learn. I salute Col. Tracy Settle and the rest of the new leadership team, and I look forward to applauding all of you as the new strategy brings new success. I leave Counterdrug with great confidence in the people here, knowing that they are capable of overcoming any hurdle that will arise, singularly, and more importantly, together. We have managed to assemble a very competent and pragmatic group that provides excellent support to the management team. This provides me with a sense of pride and gratitude that is indescribable. This past year has been more challenging than any other, but I have hope that the sacrifices we have made this past year will help us to be even better in the future. Our ability to adapt to future challenges is uncanny. We are a growing innovative team filled with dedication and optimism in everything we do. During this challenging time in our nation’s history, your contributions to the Counterdrug Program have helped immeasurably by defending the homeland. Performing your jobs with great distinction all the while protecting those who threaten the values we hold so dear, means a great deal. Enjoy this issue, and I encourage you to continue to submit your photos and stories. 2 The Catalyst THE CATALYST This Army and Air Force funded quarterly magazine is an authorized publication for the members of the U.S. military services. Contents of The Catalyst are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Departments of the Army and Air Force or the National Guard Bureau. All content and submissions are edited and prepared in accordance with AR 360-1 and AFI 35-101 by the Counterdrug Public Affairs staff. NGB J32-CD Chief Air Guard - Col. William Carle Editor Army Guard - Sgt. Lalita Laksbergs Contact Information Photo submitted by Master Sgt. Curtis Hanock, National Guard Bureau Drug Demand Reduction Non Commissioned Officer in Charge NGB J32-CDFO The Missouri National Guard Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) program was awarded the Suite 7200 Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)’s Outstanding State DDR Program for 2010 1411 Jefferson Davis Hwy during the 2011 CADCA Annual National Leadership Forum, Feb. 10. Arlington, VA 22202 (left to right) Arthur T. Dean, CADCA Chairman and CEO; Lt. Col. David Shaul, Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Coordinator; Sgt. Alis Brasen, DDR Coordinator; Staff Sgt. Sarah Cummings, Commercial 703-607-5406 DDR Coordinator; and Capt. Benjamin Bruening, DDR Administrator. DSN 327-5406 E-mail [email protected] Inside this issue... To unsubscribe/change subscription preferences, forward information to the Are you a CATALYST? - New Feature Section 4 above noted contact. FL - Drug Demand Reduction Program ‘tells it like it is’ Submissions 5 Articles: FL - MCTFT Critical to Law Enforcement Training • Include first and last names, rank and/or 6 title, and verify spelling of all names of personnel in the story. NE - Stay on Track Graduation Equals Fun for Students • Spell out acronyms, abbreviations and 7 full unit designations. • If there is a public affairs officer assigned to your unit or at state level, ensure TX - Operation Fallen Hero/Operation Bombardier 7 that person reviews the article prior to submission. • Send article and accompanying photo(s) FL - RC-26B Critical for Law Enforcement Success 8-9 separately. Photographs: CA - Collaborates with WV on RC-26B Mission • Make sure photo has been reviewed 9 and approved for release (OPSEC). • Highest resolution possible. TX - STATE SPOTLIGHT • NO retouched photos. 10 • Cutline (caption): must include who is pictured, what is happening and date of the photo, where the event takes place. MT - Youth Attend CADCA Leadership Institute 11 Be sure to include rank, title, unit. • Byline: who took the photo. NE - Ground Recon Instrumental in Felony Arrests 13 Email submissions to: [email protected] CA - Drug Demand Reduction Programs Statewide 14 Cover A crew chief from the Florida Photo National Guard Counterdrug aviation unit, Aerial Reconnaissance Team (ART), based out of Cecil Field in KS - Received First Ever ‘Hero Award’ 15 Jacksonville, Fla., prepared for a training mission. Over the years, the ART has grown to meet ever- increasing demands for counterdrug IA - MCTC Employees Play Critical Roles missions and currently flies UH-72A 15 Lakota helicopters. Photo by Sgt. Lalita Laksbergs, National Guard Counterdrug Public Affairs. WINTER 2011 3 cat·a·lyst \ˈka-tə-ləst\ noun Are YOU a... : an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action Drug Demand Reduction, Intelligence Analysis, Interdiction, Aviation, Youth Camps, LEA Training, and on and on. What motivates you to go to work every day? What makes you proud to work in Counterdrug and/or with Counterdrug? Why is what we do important to you? As a new feature within The Catalyst, we want to hear about the true Catalysts within our midsts. We want to hear about those people who are passionate about our mission and why it is so important to our communities and our country’s safety. Personal summary and photos submitted by Maj. Donna Jones, Louisiana National Guard, Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator Working in the Drug Demand Reduction Director, and Linda McIntyre, the Prevention (DDR) field for almost 18 years has taught me Systems Committee Chair, were instrumental many things, but one of the biggest lessons in embracing the Louisiana National Guard I have learned is that growth is a process. In Counterdrug Task Force as one of the partners order to have prevention impact that effects at the state leadership drug prevention table. change, “you need to dig in for a while Along with all the other committee members, and remain as persistent as the problem.” we worked side by side to introduce new policies, As the DDRA for Louisiana, I had the programs, and practices in Louisiana which would honor and the privilege to be part of a team eventually be the adhesive material that held our at both the state and community levels. The Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug DDR Program is proud of its recent Stay on Track (SOT) success in reaching 5,238 students. The program went from reaching “Yesterday, I was in a very drug infested 430 students last year to an additional 4,808 school doing post surveys all day in students. Our recent success is paving the way Lafayette. The instructor gave all these for other communities to emulate our efforts. Our efforts are more than just a students the presentation on how much program. I agree that strategic planning we care (resource officers, coaches, is important, but I believe relationship coalition etc.) and that Lafayette is and partnership cultivation is the paving the way for great things to happen “magic” that makes it all happen. When I reflect on our recent progress, all over our state. Don’t you know that a I don’t necessarily see program numbers. student wrote on a post survey that they Rather I see the organizational and liked the program ‘because we care.’ So community groundwork that was laid to simple but they got the message.” launch a viable and essential drug prevention program called SOT. I think about all the faces that made it happen and the countless hours that went into shaping the landscape. prevention efforts together. This was not an easy The most important aspect I would process and it took many months and even years like for all prevention leadership to to see the state and community alignment that know is that this type of success everyone worked so hard towards achieving. doesn’t happen overnight. It takes Lafayette parish is a perfect example of a group of dedicated, committed how community systems thrive when this individuals to keep the vision prevention alignment comes to fruition. and ‘press the fight’ long term Lafayette Parish was one of the 10 while also overcoming barriers. In targeted SPF-SIG Parishes that was awarded doing so, I believe it is important to grant money to address underage drinking in recognize one of our first partners in this Louisiana. The Guard’s DDR Program was also process which is the Governor’s Drug Policy asked to participate in Lafayette’s community Board’s Prevention Systems Committee. coalition at its inception. As I reflect, I realize As the La. Guard’s DDRA, I was asked to just how instrumental the Knowledge Effect serve at the inception of this committee.