Wilkening takes command of Guard National Guard, with 2,300 mem- Former Air Guard bers at state headquarters and commander is Truax Field in Madison, Mitchell Field in Milwaukee, and Volk Field states’s 29th AG near Camp Douglas; and a civil- ian workforce including the By Tim Donovan state’s Emergency Management At Ease Staff division. “It is an honor and privilege Gov. Scott McCallum passed to serve you and the men and the flag of the Wisconsin National women of the Wisconsin National Guard to a new commander in a Guard as the next adjutant gen- ceremony at the state headquar- eral,” Wilkening told the gover- ters Aug. 9, making Brig. Gen. Al nor before a standing-room-only Wilkening the state’s 29th adju- audience at the state headquar- tant general. ters armory. Wilkening succeeds Maj. “You have exhibited extraor- Gen. James G. Blaney, who held dinary leadership during some of the state’s top military spot for the most dynamic and demanding five years. times in our nation’s history and I “As I wish Jim Blaney well in look forward to engaging the chal- a long and happy retirement,” lenges that lie ahead,” Wilkening McCallum said. “I also look for- said. “I also look forward to serv- ward to working with Al ing in this new capacity with great Wilkening, who will continue the confidence because I am assum- strong leadership that makes our ing command of the very best mili- Brig. Gen. Al Wilkening is promoted to the rank of major general during the change of Wisconsin National Guard the tary organization in the nation.” command ceremony for the adjutant general of Wisconsin. Pinning second stars on the best in the nation. Gen. Wilkening Wilkening began his military new adjutant general’s uniform are Gov. Scott McCallum and Wilkening’s wife, Pat. brings a solid blend of military and career in 1968 with five years on Wisconsin Army National Guard photo by Larry Sommers. private-sector experience to this active duty in the U.S. Air Force, position, and he is widely re- where he served as an instructor deputy adjutant general for Air spected throughout the Wiscon- pilot. Following active duty he and commander of the Wisconsin sin National Guard and in military joined the Wisconsin Air National Air National Guard. Wilkening is circles nationwide.” Guard at Madison’s Truax Field a Massapequa, N.Y., native and a As adjutant general, in August, 1973. current resident of Brooklyn, Wis. Wilkening will serve in the While serving at Truax Field, Addressing more than 400 governor’s cabinet and head the Wilkening flew O-2A, AO-37 and Guard members in the audience, Celebrating 25 years of service to Wisconsin Department of Mili- A-10 aircraft, with assignments Wilkening called them “an assem- tary Affairs, which includes the leading up to 176th Tactical bly of proud warriors —profes- members of the Wisconsin Army and Wisconsin Army National Guard, Fighter Squadron commander and sionals in every sense of the word Air National Guard and their families with about 7,700 members as- deputy commander for operations — who are committed to their pro- signed to 100 units in 67 state in the 128th Tactical Fighter Wing. September 2002 communities; the Wisconsin Air In December 1990, he became See ‘New TAG’ page 20 Three Army Guard units return from active duty Missions completed for 829th Engineers, 32nd Military Police and 147th Aviation By Tim Donovan improve and maintain the sprawling U.S. base At Ease Staff camp established at the Afghan air base. Returning to Fort McCoy, soldiers were Summer brought an end to lengthy ac- greeted by their families before completing tive duty missions for three Wisconsin Army outprocessing from active duty and a final National Guard units trip to the Richland called up to support sepa- 500-plus other Guard Center armory. In rate U.S. contingency op- members still on duty, more Richland Center, unit erations overseas. mobilizations coming. members received a For 12 members of formal welcome from Richland Center’s 829th See editorial on page 2. hometown officials, Engineer Detachment, legislators, reporters homecoming from a deployment to Afghani- and senior National Guard commanders. stan was June 12. The engineers were or- dered to active duty in November, shipped 32nd Military Police Company overseas to an undisclosed location in Cen- Operation ENDURING FREEDOM was not tral Asia in December, then eventually served the only overseas military operation experi- for about four months in Kandahar, Afghani- enced by Wisconsin Army Guard troops Sgt. Nick Grob, 829th Engineer Detachment, is greeted by girlfriend stan. during the past year. Shannon Amos and daughter Raven, 3, upon his return to Fort McCoy As part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, after six months of service in Central Asia. Photo by Mike Gourlie. the unit’s plumbers and electricians helped See ‘Homecomings’ page 3 Chontales duration staff comes home By Mike Gourlie and the ravages inflicted by Hur- At Ease Staff ricane Mitch in 1998. The exercise resulted in the They are now back home, all 52 construction of four schools, six of them — memories in place, sou- medical clinics, four wells and venirs of a grateful citizenry in hand three composting latrines. The and written accolades from the U.S. doctors, physician assistants, ambassador — testaments to the nurses, dentists and optometrists five arduous months these soldiers participating performed almost spent leading a humanitarian effort 32,000 medical procedures for the in Nicaragua. local inhabitants, many of whom All are Wisconsin Army Na- had never before received medi- tional Guard members who made cal care. In addition, military vet- up the majority of the ‘duration’ erinarians performed over 18,000 soldiers that helped move 2,400 medical procedures on local ani- other reservists in and out of this mals. Central American country to build The exercise included all four clinics and schools and to provide U.S. military services — Army, Air medical, dental and veterinary care. Force, Navy and Marines — ac- Joint Task Force Chontales tive, reserve and National Guard. Spc. Christopher Gans, a concrete finisher with Detachment 1, Company C, 724th Engineer provided relief in a region suffer- The training benefits and Battalion, Rhinelander, lays a floor for the El Coral Medical Clinic. This clinic was one of ing from the political turmoil that six constructed by engineers as part of Joint Task Force Chontales, an exercise led by tore the country apart in the 1980s See ‘Chontales’ page 7 the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Page 2 Editorial : TWENTY YEARS AGO... A globally engaged and From the Summer 1982 edition: Combat support can be deadly, noisy and able National Guard earthshaking, especially when it comes As At Ease went to press at the end of August, 945 from 107 mm mortar rounds delivered by members of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard the Combat Support Company, 2-127. In a had been called to service in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001 direct support role, the unit gets firing — and up to 200 additional Army Guard members’ orders and target acquisitions to destroy mobilizations were imminent. the enemy or targets in its sector. The job What does this mean for the National Guard? And, is more difficult at night because unit what does this say for us? members must keep noise and light to a The meaning is quite clear: the United States reli- minimum, and use artificial light to correct ance on the 1.25 million men and women of the military the guns, according to 1st Lt. Dale reserve components — including 10,000 Wisconsin Peterson, a unit platoon leader. Army and Air National Guard members — continues to grow in this dangerous world. That reliance will likely Other news from 20 years ago: continue to grow as new missions for homeland de- fense and security evolve, and as the Guard’s robust The men and women of the 426th capabilities are required to support U.S. military opera- Engineer Battalion spent Annual tions around the world. Training making improvements to the What does it say about us? It clearly demonstrates Air Guard’s Volk Field, including the that the Guard is a reliable and competent force. The renovation of an abandoned runway. missions undertaken by men and women of the Na- The project, once completed, will tional Guard are no less important than the security of provide a 3,000-foot assault runway our nation, because that is exactly what our members perfect for tactical landings and are insuring with their active duty assignments. It has takeoffs for the Air Guard and regular always been so, of course, but it is good for America to Air Force C130s. know this again as the nation faces unprecedented Photo by Lee Jenkins challenges the Guard will continue to meet. Since Sept. 11, Wisconsin Guard members have patrolled America’s skies, protected her airports, stood alert at two airfields, kept watch over upper Midwest Column left...CLICK! airspace, maintained air bridges required for global mobility, secured airbases in hostile lands, and per- formed dozens of other missions important to our nation’s ongoing military operations at home and abroad. Nearly five hundred men and women of the Wis- consin Guard remain on duty this very day, and they will continue to serve all of us proudly and well. Hail and Farewell The Wisconsin National Guard welcomed Maj. Gen. Al Wilkening as the new adjutant general Aug. 9 and bid farewell Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney, who held the state’s highest military office for the past five years. Gen. Blaney was approaching 42 years of military service at the time of his retirement and was the last active member of the Wisconsin National Guard called up with the 32nd Division during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. Serving first as an enlisted soldier in the Wis- consin Army Guard in 1960, he went on to receive a commission from the Wisconsin Military Academy, then held positions ranging from platoon leader in a cavalry troop to commander of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard. Along the way, Gen. Blaney touched the lives and careers of thousands of sol- diers and airmen. From Gen. Blaney, we learned important lessons about accountability and on which side the telephone rings (both sides, by the way). And under Gen. Blaney’s leadership we met standards — not National Guard standards, but the standards established by the U.S. Army and Air Force. General Blaney’s positive influence on the Wis- consin National Guard will be lasting, and we wish him well in a long, happy and healthy retirement. By Kelly Pensinger Job,” women describe their jobs, From Great Lakes to Greece to And to General Wilkening, we look forward to At Ease Staff such as surface warfare officer, Guantanamo Bay, find out what your the leadership you will to the Wisconsin Guard’s top parachute rigger and inflight deployment will be like in “What’s spot. Welcome aboard! Advice, discussions, personal refueler boom operator. And you It Like Where You’re Stationed?” stories and information pertaining to can click on the link “A Day in the Other hot topics highlighted on women in the military are available at Life of a Military Woman” for per- this website were: “Harassment, Dis- www.militarywoman.org. Click on sonal diary entries. crimination and Domestic Violence [email protected] the “Enter Military Woman Retirees and veterans may want to Issues”, “Women In Combat”, At Ease is an official publication authorized under the provi- Homepage” link and you will see a check out “Advice/Comments from “Pregnancy in the Military”, “Men- sions of AR 360-1, and is published quarterly by the Depart- ment of Military Affairs, State of Wisconsin. It is distributed vast array of topics. Retirees” for news and information on tors for Military Women” and “Wear- without charge to the members of the Wisconsin Army and In the “Military Woman Message benefits, “Reunion Announcements,” ing the Abaya when stationed in Air National Guard. All material submitted for publication Centers,” view “Disabled Saudi Arabia.” should be addressed to: Editor, At Ease, P.O. Box 8111, Madi- discussions orga- Women Some of the most helpful sec- son, WI 53708-8111, telephone (608) 242-3055, DSN 724- Vets” and a tions are for military families. Ad- 3055, or by E-Mail to: [email protected]. Opinions nized by branch of Rated Items expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the service or under (scale of 1-5, 5 being highest): new section, vice and articles about single par- Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs nor those of the “TRICARE ents and childcare are found under certain topics, Website content: Departments of the Army and Air Force. and other the links “Single Parents in the Mili- such as “Insur- Ease of use: Method of Reproduction — Offset, Circulation — 17,000 health re- tary” and “Military Life and ance Issues” , Download speed: Maj. Gen. (WI) Al Wilkening...... The Adjutant General lated news.” Childcare.” The most touching sto- “Single Parents” Interactive features: Lt. Col. Tim Donovan...... State Public Affairs Officer Testimo- ries were under “Married Military Lt. Col. Mike Gourlie...... STARC PAO and “Women in Relevant to Guard: nials and Couples,” “From Parents and For Kelly Pensinger...... Publications Editor Combat.” There Total Rating: Larry Sommers...... Photo and Copy Editor are also restricted essays are Parents of Military Women,” and Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Tom Doherty...... Historian access message wanted from “From the ‘Other Half’.” Contributing staff writers and photojournalists: Maj. Bob centers for active-duty personnel, “Women Who Served in Hot This web site is geared toward Giblin, Capt. Gary Thompson, Capt. Gina Marie Williams, Guard and Reserve members, retirees Zones” and “Women Who Served women in the military, but it could also Master Sgt. Steve Olson, Sgt. 1st Class Julie Friedman, Staff and veterans. in War.” benefit military men as well as the Sgt. Tom Michele, Staff Sgt. Cory Newmann, Sgt. Keith Fenske, Sgt. Brian Jopek, Spc. Lisa Munson, Spc. Adam Bra- You can join a live chat room by click- In “Thinking About Joining?” spouses and parents of service mem- dley, Spc. Jim Wagner, Spc. Ronald Minnick, Pvt. 1st Class ing on “Live Conferences.” Real life sto- women post questions and experi- bers. Although Mary Flynn, Pvt. 1st Class Sara Roeske, Pvt. Gretel Sharpee, ries are posted from military women in ences and tell stories of determina- www.militarywoman.org has been put Mike Callen. “Vignettes” , “Laughter in the Military” tion. You can also read up on “Boot together with substandard design Air Guard Contributors: Maj. Chris Rodel, Master Sgt. Larry and “Memorable Moments.” Camp Stories and Advice” and graphics, it does offer plenty of useful Rush, Tech. Sgt. Wayne Rodriguez, Tech. Sgt. Paul Gorman. In “Tell Us About Your Military “Leadership Development Skills.” information, resources and advice. Page 3 Homecomings Continued from Page 1 For 33 members of the 32nd Military Police Company of Mil- waukee and Madison, active duty was in support of the 32-nation sta- bilization force to maintain peace in Bosnia. The MPs were ordered to active duty in a Presidential Selec- tive Reserve Call-up in mid-Febru- ary. They served six months in Taszar, Hungary. During the deployment, the MPs provided base camp security and convoy escorts to other U.S. troops travelling into Bosnia. What was originally planned as two three-month rotations for about 60 troops was turned into a single long-haul deployment for the 33 Members of the 829th Engineer Detachment got a warm military police soldiers. The change welcome home in Richland Center June 14. In addition to came because of shortages of mili- flowers, each received a resolution of appreciation from tary police assets Army-wide — and the Wisconsin state legislature. Photo by Kelly Pensinger. a possibility the remaining members of the MP company might be needed elsewhere. As family members waited out- side a security checkpoint at Gen. Mitchell International Airport Aug. 25, the MPs who had left for Europe expecting a three-month stay re- turned to Milwaukee having com- pleted more than six months over- Staff Sgt. Wade Hallett, 32nd Military Police Company, gets seas service. three big hugs at the Milwaukee airport as he returns from Their mission was finally over. six months active duty in Hungary Aug. 25. Photo by Tim 147th Aviation Donovan. The longest Army Guard de- ployment during the past year was by members of 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation. Beginning in July 2001, more than 120 members of the Madison-based Black Hawk heli- copter unit have been deploying to and from Kuwait in approxi- mately 100-day rotations. The aviators’ last rotation ended in early August, but it took more than two weeks to get every- one home. First to arrive in Madison were 28 soldiers who returned Aug. 11. They were followed a week later by five more troops and two UH- 60 helicopters, but one final rede- ployment of troops and aircraft tested everybody’s patience as a C-5 transport lumbered its way toward Madison, turning back for mechanical problems, and forcing delay after delay until finally land- LEFT: The second of two UH-60 Black Hawks is pulled from the cargo bay of the C-5 Galaxy transport that brought the ing at Truax Field just before 3 a.m. 147th Aviation’s remaining troops and aircraft home. RIGHT: Sgt. 1st Class Dan Sukenik muscles the last Black Hawk on Aug. 27. from the C-5. Photos by Tim Donovan. Guard troops called up after Ladysmith tornado Story and Photos neer Battalion brought dump calls from other soldiers and by Kelly Pensinger trucks, front-end loaders and units volunteering to help with At Ease Staff other support vehicles to help the cleanup,” said Lt. Col. Jim clear away debris. Downed Lewis, Deputy Commander of Thirty-two Guardmembers branches, snapped-off basket- the 264th Engineer Group. were called up for five days af- ball hoops, chards of glass and Thirty-seven people were ter a tornado hit the town of sections of roofing littered the treated for injuries ranging from Ladysmith on Sept. 2. streets. lacerations to broken legs. Members of the 724th Engi- “There was an outpouring of Still, the most amazing figure to some residents was the num- ber of deaths — zero. Authorities estimated the La- bor Day tornado damaged 130 to 150 buildings in Rusk County, destroyed 26 businesses and at least 17 homes. The tornado carved a path about 14 blocks long by four blocks wide through Ladysmith. It leveled a Baptist church and bent flag poles at 90-degree angles. Wind reached speeds of up to 206 mph in the center of town, the National Weather Service said. City officials estimated the damage at $20.8 million. Maj. Gen. (WI) Al Wilkening stands on the front-end loader “People walked up to shake as he greets members of the 264th Engineer Group while our soldiers’ hands and pat them A house along main street displays a sign of thanks to all they help clear debris after the tornado that hit Ladysmith on the back,” Lewis said. “They the volunteers and Guardmembers who descended upon on Labor Day. Thirty-two Guardmembers were activated really appreciated the National Ladysmith after a tornado caused an estimated $20.8 million for five days. Guard’s help.” damage. Page 4 Top Badger Guard members receive award for military achievements One hundred Wisconsin members receive the award — but tary response to terrorism. or Reserve unit in Wisconsin, Janelle K. Clark, Sgt. Sarah R. military men and women paused last year’s ceremony, originally The Wisconsin Military and must meet exceptionally Cleveland, Spc. Wendy S. Crary, in their national defense duties scheduled for October 2001, was Achievement Awards program high standards including profi- Sgt. Robert L. Cutts, Spc. Mel- Sunday, August 4 to accept postponed due to the events of started in 1964. More than 1,900 ciency in their military assign- issa G. Dams, Spc. Heather L. thanks from their fellow citizens. Sept. 11. The 2001 and 2002 award enlisted members of the reserve ment, leadership ability, military Denman, Sgt. Steven J. Ehrlich, Top performers from the en- winners shared the honors in a components in the state have appearance and public service. Spc. Andrea D. Gebhardt, Mas- listed ranks of the seven reserve doubled ceremony this year. been honored since the program Awardees are nominated by the ter Sgt. August C. Hohl, Jr., Sgt. components — Army and Air Na- Since Sept. 11, more than 1,000 began. commanders and selected by Ryan S. Lindberg, Spc. Michael tional Guard, Army Reserve, Air Wisconsin members of the National This year’s program was military boards from their re- P. Madden, Staff Sgt. Richard D. Force Reserve, Naval Reserve, Guard and Reserve have been or- made possible by a grant from the spective component. Meyer, Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Marine Corps Reserve and Coast dered to active duty to support Wisconsin State Committee for Winners from the National B. Millard, Sgt. Roger A. Miller, Guard Reserve — received the Wis- homeland security and overseas Employee Support of the Guard Guard are shown as they received Sgt. Chad A. Olson, Spc. James consin Military Achievement military operations. Nationally, and Reserve. their awards. M. Schmitz, Master Sgt. Dawn Award in a ceremony at the state nearly 80,000 members of the Guard To qualify for the award, the Not pictured are Staff Sgt. J. Strassman, and Staff Sgt. Capitol. and Reserve are now serving on enlisted service member must Thomas K. Brehmer, Sgt. 1st Timothy M. Tippett. Lori Prieur In a normal year, fifty service active duty as part of the U.S. mili- be assigned to a National Guard Class Scot W. Cameron, Sgt. accepted the award for her hus- band, Sgt. Kenneth V. Prieur.

Tech. Sgt. Kip Sgt. 1st Class Staff Sgt. Brian Sgt. Georgett Sgt. Jeremy R. Sgt. William P. Staff Sgt. Richard A. Arity Jennifer A. Barker D. Benzing Bronk Buenning Frederick P. Gerard

Spc. Anthony Spc. Jill Staff Sgt. Charles Master Sgt. Timothy Sgt. 1st Class Rory Master Sgt. Daniel Senior Airman J. Golner M. Hamm W. Huilman R. Ingraham R. Kempf L. Meneguin James N. Michaels

Tech. Sgt. Don Staff Sgt. Jb Sgt. Jason Staff Sgt. Lisa Senior Master Sgt. Cpl. David Sgt. Michelle E. Milbach D. Moody M. Nolet N. Organ Teddy T. Ostrowski A. Pena L. Reines

Cpl. Shane Tech. Sgt. Richard Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Master Sgt. Spc. Christopher Sgt. Jeffrey Sgt. Brent W. Reines R. Rolland R. Rosemore Michael H. Skaer M. Theis S. Todd W. Voelker And so the story goes... Guardmembers called to active duty recognized The Department of Defense active duty, regardless of dura- announced that tion, except for certain categories. servicemembers on active duty While no closing date has on or after Sept. 11, 2001 are eli- been established eligible gible to receive the National servicemembers can receive the Defense Service Medal. award immediately. “The sacrifices and contri- The National Defense Ser- butions made by the Armed vice Medal was first established Forces in direct response to the by President Eisenhower in terrorism attacks on the United 1953, and was subsequently States and to the long-term reso- awarded for honorable active lution of terrorism merit special service for any period between recognition,” said Deputy Sec- June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, Capt. Greg Senn, 147th Command Aviation Battalion, Wisconsin Army National Guard, retary of Defense Paul between Jan. 1, 1961 and Aug. reads “Lost in the Lost and Found” to Mrs. Fujikawa’s third grade class at Emerson School Wolfowitz. 14, 1974 and between Aug. 2, in Madison. The school’s third-grade classes held a “read-in” for TV Turnoff Week, April The National Defense Service 1990 and Nov. 30, 1995. The Na- 22-28. Students spent the day doing various literacy activities —reading, sharing books, Medal may also be awarded to tional Defense Service Medal is and listening to “Mystery Guest Readers,” including Senn and Col. Jerry Olesen of members of the Reserve compo- on the web at www- Headquarters, Wisconsin Air National Guard. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Callen. nents who are ordered to federal perscom.army.mil. Page 5 Noble Badger participants honored with medals By Larry Sommers regular airport security personnel Video Services was honored by At Ease Staff and local police at nine commer- the Committee for Employer Sup- cial airports in Appleton, Green port of the Guard and Reserve. The Wisconsin National Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwau- Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Chapa, who Guard closed out its airport secu- kee, Mosinee, Oshkosh, Eau served at the Milwaukee airport, rity operation, Task Force Noble Claire, and Rhinelander. received a military coin from Com- Badger, with a May 31 luncheon Three soldiers received the mand Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Mellinger and ceremony in Lake Delton Meritorious Service Medal, 11 of 1st Army. honoring 96 state Guard members were awarded the Army Commen- Receiving the Meritorious who participated. dation Medal, and 82 received the Service Medal were Lt. Col. Todd Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney, the Army Achievement Medal. In Nehls, Task Force Noble Badger’s adjutant general, addressed the addition, all will receive the Na- commander; Maj. Brad Anderson, troops, thanking them for their tional Defense Service Medal. operations officer; and Command efforts, and presented medals to In appreciation of the Guard’s Sgt. Maj. Fred Emery, the com- recognize their contributions. services, Daniel Jensen, manager mand sergeant major. The 96, volunteers from of the Dane County Regional Air- Recipients of the Army Com- throughout the Wisconsin Army port, presented a plaque from the mendation Medal were Maj. Daniel Jensen, manager of the Dane County Regional and Air Guard, received training Wisconsin Airport Managers As- David Boisen, Staff Sgt. Don Airport, holds a plaque from the Wisconsin Airport Managers in the airport security mission and sociation to Lt. Col. Todd Nehls, Eggert, Lt. Col. Frederick Falk, Sgt. Association in appreciation of the contributions of Task took over on Oct. 11 for members task force commander. A Dane 1st Class Patrick Fredrickson, Force Noble Badger. With Jensen are, from left, Brig. Gen. of the 32nd Military Police Com- County Board resolution of Staff Sgt. Terry Glysch, Master James P. Daley, assistant adjutant general for readiness thanks was presented to Blaney Sgt. Carolyn Guzman, Sgt. 1st pany who were initially activated and training; Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney, the adjutant by Staff Sgt. Don Eggert, the Class Michael Komorowski Jr., 1st by Gov. Scott McCallum’s Sept. general; and Brig. Gen. Albert H. Wilkening, deputy adjutant 27 call for troops. Their duties in- Noble Badger administrative Sgt. William Nedd Jr., Capt. Will- general for Air. Photo by Larry Sommers. cluded patrolling and assisting NCO. Gene Symons of Deluxe iam Potterton, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schnell, and Sgt. 1st Sgt. Duane Dahlgren, Spc. Craig Miller, Sgt. Timothy Morris; Sgt. Class Steven Wightman. Doman, Sgt. James Doran, Staff 1st Class Ronald Noffke; Sgt. The Army Achievement Sgt. John Dungan; Spc. Jason Renee Olafson, Sgt. Chad Olson, Medal was awarded to Sgt. Jerome Enstrom, Staff Sgt. Dennis Esser; Spc. Andrew Osegard, Pfc. Aurelio Austin, Spc. Steven Austin; Spc. Pfc. Daryl Fluker, Spc. Kirby Otero Jr.; Spc. Brian Pagliaroni, Theresa Baerenwald, Cpl. Jeremy Frank, Sgt. Keith Garbe, Sgt. Bryan Sgt. Rodney Pastorius, Spc. Vic- Bates, Sgt. Robert Bauer, Spc. An- Gehrett, Staff Sgt. Demetrius tor Pollak, Staff Sgt. Carl Pregel drew Belflower, Cpl. Timothy Ben- Gillyard, Spc. Matthew Jr.; Cpl. Richard Regalado Jr., Sgt. jamin, Sgt. Warren Berg Jr., Sgt. Gliszczinski, Spc. Adam Graser, Joshua Riemer, Spc. Jason Rife, Craig Bernarde, Pfc. Philip Spc. Jason Grube, Spc. Joseph Staff Sgt. Eric Risley, Cpl. Eric Betzhold, Spc. Ethan Bolstad, Sgt. Gudleske; Cpl. Victor Hackbarth, Robers; Spc. James Ruffalo, Spc. Joseph Bonilla, Spc. Marty Brill, Sgt. Colin Hackney, Staff Sgt. Scott Victor Schlagenhaft, Spc. Robert Staff Sgt. Nels Brown, Sgt. Taje Hale, Spc. Nicholas Harrison; Sgt. Schroeder, Cpl. Rupert Serrano, Burrows, Staff Sgt. John Bush, John Jarvey; Spc. Shaun Kelly, Spc. Jeffrey Shimon, Spc. Robert Cpl. Charles Carerros, Sgt. Keith Cpl. Jason Kluka; Spc. Artis Sumner; Sgt. Merlin Teidt, Cpl. Casselbury, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Landon, Cpl. Peter Leguizamon, Mark Turkiewicz; Sgt. Brent Chapa, Spc. Anthony Chavez, Staff Sgt. Gary Leichtman, Staff Voelker, Spc. Jeffrey Vorpahl; Spc. Staff Sgt. Don Eggert, right, administrative NCO, advises Staff Sgt. Joseph Ciulla, Spc. Sa- Sgt. Warren Litza;, Staff Sgt. Henry Adam Wallander, Sgt. Jason Staff Sgt. Joseph Ciulla during Noble Badger out- rah Cleveland, Spc. Michael Marion, Sgt. Skye Mathaler, Staff Wiesner; and Staff Sgt. Michael processing. Photo by Larry Sommers. Cotrell Jr., Cpl. Jamie Cruz; Staff Sgt. Jason Meyers, Spc. Scott Zimmermann. Challenged anglers get assist from Guard By Mike Gourlie teers donated their services and the boat after breaking his leg. The first At Ease Staff use of more than 100 boats to make event was held in 1988 on the the outing possible. Guard mem- Chippewa Flowage near Hayward. More than 50 Wisconsin Na- bers assisted with a pier launching Fourteen events are scheduled na- tional Guard volunteers partici- Friday night and offered medical tionwide in 2002. pated in the 2002 edition of the support, tent set-up, drinking wa- FHNB has relied on Wiscon- Fishing Has No Boundaries ter and assistance to anglers get- sin National Guard volunteers in (FHNB, Inc.) outing at Governor ting in and out of the boats. each of the 8 years the event has Nelson State Park near Madison the FHNB is a Wisconsin-based taken place at Governor Nelson weekend of July 12-14. organization with 14 chapters in State Park. The event, in its eighth year in eight states. Its origins go back to “I don’t know how we could Madison, offered fishing opportu- 1986 when Hayward resident manage without their assistance,” nities for over 90 disabled Madi- Bobby Cammack experienced the said Anthonette Gilpatrick, co-chair- son-area residents. Local volun- frustrations of trying to fish from a person of the Madison chapter.

Master Sgt. Mary Jo Naglus hoists from behind while Staff Sgt. James Valley lifts from the front to help a Fishing Has No Boundaries participant onto his boat during the annual event at Governor Nelson State Park the weekend of July 13-14. Both soldier volunteers serve with state Army Guard headquarters in Madison.

ABOVE: Cpl. Heather Jones, a signal systems support specialist with the 1st Battalion, 147th Command Aviation, assists another FHNB volunteer in helping a disabled angler onto a pontoon boat Saturday at Governor Nelson State Park. RIGHT: More than 90 disabled anglers tried to land the elusive one during a sunny July weekend on Lake Mendota in Madison. More than 50 Guard volunteers assisted Fishing Has No Boundaries. Page 6 Guard hero rescues Minnesota family By Larry Sommers Volk Field’s 128th Air Control Squadron. Yukon on foot. A man, Michael Perez, to lift the car off the child. At Ease Staff As he drove eastbound on Interstate 94 injured and in shock, was “walking around “We were able to jack the roof up near the Millston, Wis., exit about 6:40 screaming,” according to Fremstad, and about a foot,” he said in a later written Infinity nearly came to an abrupt end a.m., he saw a westbound sport utility holding a 1-month infant, Chloe, in his report. “We then carefully pulled the April 1 — and would have, without the vehicle swerve sharply off the road, roll arms. Neither the man nor the child had child out. quick action of a Wisconsin Air National down an embankment, and come to rest life-threatening injuries, but the airman saw “The child looked bad. She had blood Guard member. on its roof. a pair of legs sticking out from under the coming out of her nose and her eyes were It happened on April Fool’s Day, but Fremstad dialed 911 on his cell phone vehicle’s hood. starting to roll back into her head. Her it’s no joke. as he made for the accident site. While Fremstad — wearing military BDUs, body was completely limp.” Staff Sgt. Jon Fremstad, 29, was describing the scene for the 911 dispatcher, his usual work outfit — crawled under Neither Fremstad nor the assisting mo- headed to his job as a radar mechanic at he approached the upside-down 1995 GMC the Yukon and found that the legs were torist could find a definite pulse, and In- attached to a woman, Ruthie Hopkins, finity did not seem to be breathing. So the 21, of St. Cloud, Minn., who was pinned airman started cardiopulmonary resuscita- by the hood. He ran to his own car for a tion (CPR). It was “better than looking at jack, returned and jacked up the front of her and feeling helpless,” he said. the SUV to get it off the woman. Just then, Wisconsin State Trooper With the aid of a second motorist who George Riedel arrived on the scene. had stopped to help, Fremstad pulled Making eye contact with the laboring Hopkins from under the car. Hopkins, Fremstad, he came over immediately, and screaming in pain, was later found to the two worked as a team, with Riedel have a broken pelvis. doing chest compressions and Fremstad “There was gasoline leaking from the giving mouth-to-mouth breaths. After a car, freon and all kinds of things,” while, they switched roles. By the time Fremstad said. “Ideally, you would leave paramedics arrived, the child had a her in position, but we knew we had to strong heartbeat but was still not breath- get her out of there.” ing on her own. The paramedics, with Both Hopkins and Perez were shout- oxygen equipment, took over at that ing about their other children. Fremstad point. quickly found 1-year-old Melvin, stand- Riedel and Sheriff’s deputies helped ing on the ceiling inside the overturned Fremstad clean himself up as he briefed vehicle. He seemed to be okay except them on the sequence of events. He then for some bleeding near one eye. continued his drive and reported to work But Perez, still holding baby Chloe, about an hour late, feeling glad he had kept shouting, “Fini! Fini!” This turned been able to help, but fearing his help out to be Infinity, the couple’s 3-year- would not be enough to save Infinity. old daughter. “I grew up on a farm, and I’ve seen a Fremstad began a swift search for lot of dead things,” he later told the Infinity. LaCrosse Tribune’s Randy Erickson. Another motorist had stopped to “She was dead.” help, and the Air Guard NCO directed the Maybe so, but true to her name, In- two of them to search the area around finity just wouldn’t quit. the car, thinking the little girl may have Three days after the accident, been thrown clear of the wreckage. When Fremstad and Trooper Riedel paid a call the two civilians returned with nothing on Infinity and her family at the to report, it dawned on Fremstad that In- Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in finity must be directly under the Yukon’s LaCrosse. The little girl was sore and roof. had suffered a concussion; she had no “At that point,” he said, “I thought memory of the accident. But she was we were going to find the little girl dead, awake, lively, and definitely on the mend. and there was no way the man (Perez) “She’s quite a little character,” said should be allowed to see that. So I had Fremstad. one of the two helpers talk to him and “That made my day,” Riedel told the keep him occupied while we looked for reporter. “That was the first time I’d got the girl.” a heart beating. The sergeant made it all Ruthie Hopkins and her 3-year-old daughter, Infinity, meet the men who They found the child’s location by possible.” saved Infinity’s life after a car crash, Wisconsin State Trooper George spotting a small hand and part of a sleeve Both men drew the same lesson from Riedel, left, and Wisconsin Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jon Fremstad, at protruding from under the roof. Lower- the event: Buckle up. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse. LaCrosse Tribune photo ing the jacked-up front portion of the car, “Use your seat belts, use your child by Dick Riniker, used by permission. Fremstad retrieved his jack and used it restraints,” Riedel said. “They work.” Red Arrow comes Guard members always ready out of the woods By Larry Sommers Scott McCallum awarded men and a 3-year-old girl from At Ease Staff Voelker the Wisconsin Commen- the swirling waters of the dation Medal in recognition of Chippewa River. Guard heroes are made, not his action. The common theme: Wis- born. In July 2001, Tech. Sgt. consin National Guard members, Staff Sgt. Jon Fremstad is the Keith Atkins, an F-16 crew chief when faced with a crisis, acted latest in a long line of soldiers with the 115th, pulled an elderly immediately and took charge and airmen who knew what to driver from a burning car, sav- where needed, to steer a team do in life-threatening situations ing him from immediate death al- effort to a happy outcome. because of Guard training in though the man later died of his These military qualities of ini- first aid, cardiopulmonary resus- injuries. tiative and leadership come from citation (CPR), accident re- The previous winter, two their National Guard training sponse and leadership. For ex- 115th Fighter Wing airmen — and experience. ample: Staff Sgt. Steven French and Wisconsin Guard members In January, Master Sgt. Tech. Sgt. Daniel Bryant — re- get frequent training in first aid Michael Post, an accessories el- ceived the Air Force Achieve- and other lifesaving skills, and ement supervisor with the 115th ment Medal for assisting with many take part in mock disaster Fighter Wing, rescued an un- the rescue of a young drowning drills to gain experience with conscious driver from a burning victim while they were deployed emergency situations. car and then calmed a passen- to the Caribbean island of “I’ve worked exercises on ger who remained trapped in the Curacao. major accident response,” vehicle until help arrived. Chief Warrant Officer Fremstad said, “where the em- “Post’s actions were not only Scott Lundeberg, a logistics of- phasis is on triage. And that’s selfless and courageous, but ficer in Army Guard state head- primarily what this accident was reflected the finest traditions of quarters, was honored by the — triage.” citizen-soldier service to the American Red Cross for aiding Upon arriving at the scene, public,” said retired Navy Capt. a heart attack victim in a Sun Fremstad quickly assessed who Donald Bach, who also offered Prairie supermarket checkout was in most urgent need of care. assistance at the scene. line. “Now I know why I keep His search led him to Ruthie In October 2001, Sgt. the CPR up,” Lundeberg said. Hopkins, pinned in the wreck- After 10 days of living, sleeping, eating and training in Brent W. Voelker, a member of “It’s great to have saved a life.” age, and, shortly afterwards, to the woods of Fort McCoy, the members of 1st Battalion, Headquarters Company, 2nd Staff Sgt. Mark Peterson, her daughter Infinity, who was 128th Infantry, 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade, end their Battalion, 127th Infantry, a member of Company B, 173rd trapped under the vehicle. annual training with a 15-mile road march back to their stepped in to save a toddler who Engineer Battalion, received the “I just kept saying, ‘Is there Soldier’s Medal for the May anybody else? Am I overlook- buildings. Photo by CPT Jacqueline Guthrie. was choking on a piece of candy at the Green Bay airport. Gov. 1997 swimming rescue of two ing anybody?’” Page 7 Chontales Continued from Page 1 the military,” Gallagher said, “all primarily due to past experiences. goodwill will last for years, ac- “The initial reaction was, cording to the task force com- ‘Why are you here?’” Even after mander, Lt. Col. Patrick Gallagher, community meetings explaining Superior. “Our primary military the missions and intent of the ex- objective,” Gallagher said, “was ercise, “it took several weeks to to offer 2,400 soldiers the oppor- secure the trust that the humani- tunity to perform real world mis- tarian missions were not a cover- sions in an austere environment. up for some other type of sinister “This training included the objective,” Gallagher said. logistical challenges of moving The U.S. ambassador to Nica- personnel and equipment outside ragua, Oliver P. Garza, wrote, in a the United States and experienc- letter to the task force, that “the ing the cultural diversity of ser- results of your work will have a vice in a foreign land,” he said. lasting impact on the direction and At the same time these soldiers, success of our relations with the primarily engineers and medical Nicaraguan government.” professionals, “performed tasks Garza also expressed optimism similar to those they would per- that the efforts will result in the form during war.” “official full implementation of the “It’s one of those rare win-win- State Partnership Program be- win situations,” Gallagher said. tween the State of Wisconsin and Specialist Daniel Cummings, a Colorado Army National Guard medic, and a In addition to the humanitar- the Nicaraguan government.” Nicaraguan soldier help an elderly woman get assistance at the La Gateada Medical ian missions and the realistic train- That partnership opens the Readiness Training Exercise. The woman says she is 107 years old. ing, the third “win” was the fact door for future relations between the U.S. military forces worked the Wisconsin Army National sponsive to civilian authority and tion of donated clothing and pared most of us for just about hand-in-hand with the Nicaraguan Guard and Nicaragua. Program instituting humanitarian values. equipment to local inhabitants. anything that could be thrown at military, according to Gallagher. objectives include promotion of The task force also was able “I cannot believe there could us and increased our readiness to “Initially, there was a high democratic institutions, fostering to assist the Wisconsin/Nicara- be more of a professional chal- respond to all missions, humani- level of distrust between the ci- open market economies, promot- gua Partners, a non-governmen- lenge than this one ever again in tarian or military, we may be called vilian populace and members of ing the concept of a military re- tal organization, with the distribu- my career,” Gallagher said. “It pre- on to perform.”

Lt. Col. Pat Gallagher, Superior, Joint Task Force Chontales Aerial view of an engineer base camp in Nicaragua, part of Joint Task Force Chontales. commander and a member of the Wisconsin Army National Wisconsin Army National Guard photo. Guard, talks about the five-month humanitarian exercise he led in Nicaragua. The deployment resulted in the construction of four schools, six medical clinics and four All in the family wells, and the performance of over 32,000 medical procedures for the local inhabitants. Stay in good standing to keep tuition grant By Larry Sommers training assemblies will be re- At Ease Staff quired to pay back the tuition grant. The same requirement If you fail to maintain a “C” would be imposed on a Guard average or are separated from member who earned less than a the Guard for misconduct — 2.0 or “C” average during the such as skipping training as- semester for which reimburse- semblies — you can expect to ment was paid. repay the amount of your Wis- Soldiers and airmen using consin National Guard Tuition the program should also be Grant, according to a recent fine aware that the school must be tuning of the program by the one which qualifies under fed- state legislature. eral regulations; that application “Wisconsin continues to of- for the grant must be made fer an excellent 100 percent tu- within 90 days after completion ition grant program,” said Maj. of the course; and that a sepa- Gen. James G. Blaney, the adju- rate application, on Department tant general. “It’s only natural of Military Affairs (DMA) Form Temporary assignments brought together three fighter-pilot Kensick brothers — one that the taxpayers expect our 189, must be submitted for each Air Guard, one active-Air Force, one Navy — on a training mission over the Florida troops who use this benefit to semester of work completed. Gulf Coast in June. Capt. Dave Kensick flies an F-16 Falcon for the Wisconsin Air hit the books and also meet their Any questions about the Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing, Capt. Mike Kensick is an F-15 Eagle pilot for the 71st obligations as Guard members.” administration of these grants Fighter Sqaudron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Navy Lt. Steve Kensick flies Under the changes, a Guard may be directed to Karen F-18 Hornets for VFA-22 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. Photo by Tech. Sgt. member who is absent without Behling, grant specialist, at 608- Michael Ammons, courtesy of National Guard magazine. leave from more than nine unit 242-3159. Page 8 Well, actually...it IS rocket science! Story and photos at Annual Training. In this by Tom Michele summer’s AT, soldiers got into At Ease Staff Phase Two of their training, to complete Military Ocupational Nearly 400 soldiers stood, in Specialty (MOS) reclassification. full-battalion formation, in a Soldiers who had been in MOS parking lot off a tank trail at Fort 13B (crewman) retrained to 13M McCoy on June 8. Three new (launcher crewmember); and 13C Multiple Launch Rocket System and 13E computer operators be- (MLRS) tracked launchers rolled came 13P fire direction center crew in and parked herringbone-fash- members, working with different ion right smack in front of the software. entire assembly. They were The 2002 AT included trailed by three Heavy Expanded hands-on instruction. The 13M Mobility Tactical Trucks trainees spent two weeks in (HEMTTs), which serve as classroom and in the motor pool refuelers, ammo carriers and with the launchers. The 13P wreckers for the system. trainees spent three weeks in Although the 1st Battalion, classroom training learning the 121st Field Artillery troops have fire direction system Version 2 been preparing for the conver- computer program that will op- sion from M-109A5 self-pro- erate on currently-fielded light- pelled howitzers for two years, weight computer units. for many of the soldiers it was “The majority of our soldiers the first glance at the new are not MOS-qualified,” Sherrod equipment. said in June. “That 13 series train- Launcher operators elevated ing and schooling that will be and rotated the rocket tube cas- conducted in July and August is ing. It was a reminder of the im- our main goal this AT.” One of the MLRS launchers assigned to 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery, pulls up in ages seen on CNN during Op- Also during this period, bat- front of the battalion formation at Fort McCoy. eration Desert Storm, this time tery commanders, platoon lead- live and in person. Some sol- ers, first sergeants and battalion tinue to train to maintain this level communications sections.” The because it’s a chance to learn diers managed to get up close, staff attended a 10-day cadre of proficiency.” battalion also has its headquar- actual skills and teach new sol- to kick the tires — or rather, course to learn MLRS tactics and For individual soldiers, the ters and headquarters service diers. I was very proud to have tracks — sit in the cab and com- techniques. Other soldiers are at- MLRS conversion means a poten- (HHS) battery. HHS and Battery been battle-ready in the active ment about their new tools. tending schools nation-wide to tial for a higher operations tempo, A are in Milwaukee, Battery B Army. So, this is all a lot of mo- “We began checking in the reclassify to MLRS-oriented main- more full-time job openings, more in Plymouth with a detachment tivation for me, and a chance to first nine MLRS launchers deliv- tenance MOSs. M-day opportunities annually and in Two Rivers, and Battery C in meet new people.” A resident ered for the battalion’s conversion “During the monthly drills of possible training at the National Sussex. of the Milwaukee suburb of in May,” said Capt. Steven 2002-03 we will be trained by a Training Center, Sherrod said. “Any time you can get better Brown Deer, Shurilla is a student Sherrod, battalion administrative visiting MLRS team,” Sherrod “We have nine launchers technology you will be better and also a landscaper. He had officer. said. “The team will be working and are getting nine more,” said off,” Clark said. “I am happy with two years active Army service, The battalion completed with our soldiers to prepare them Lt. Col. Jeff Clark, battalion com- the modernization from howitzers took a five-month separation, Phase One of its soldier training for platoon certification lanes at mander. “There will be six as- to rockets.” then joined the Wisconsin on the new equipment by dis- 2003 Annual Training. At the con- signed to each of three batter- The importance of the con- Guard last November. tance learning, CD-ROM and clusion of that AT, the soldiers, ies, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie. version, he said, is that MLRS Sgt. Jason Wiesner said, “I had internet technology (see story sections and platoons will be Each firing battery also has its “provides the maneuver com- four years active duty and have below). The unit’s first live fire qualified to perform their wartime associated ammunition, mainte- mander with a great deal more been in the Guard four years. I like of the system is set for June 2003 mission and the battalion will con- nance, food service, supply and firepower.” the camaraderie, being a soldier and The MLRS includes two serving our country.” As a civil- types of rockets and launchers. ian, Wiesner, Manitowoc, is a truck One launcher can carry 12 rock- driver for Conveyance, a general ets, each with a payload of gre- freight hauler. nades that are hurled 30-40 kilo- Pvt. Branden Enright, a meters. The other version carries launcher driver, said, “I like the two larger rockets of the Army entire Army experience. I’ve only Tactical Missile (ATACM) sys- been in one-and-a-half years.” tem, capable of flying about 150 Enright, Cedar Grove, has been kilometers. The ATACMs are po- in the ammo section and is now tentially able to carry heat-seek- converting to launcher driver. He ing projectiles. is a nursing student at Lakeshore Several battalion soldiers at- Technical College. tending the June 8-9 drill assem- “It’s taking some getting used bly expressed their pleasure with to,” Cpl. Chad Spitz, Waldo, said the conversion. — “but I’m happy with the tech- “I enjoy being part of the nological upgrade. It is requiring new MLRS,” said Spc. Kelly us to take on more knowledge. I An MLRS launcher rolls into a parking lot near cantonment at Fort McCoy June 8. Shurilla, a gunner. “I like my job love the Guard.” MLRS troops learn new trade in distance labs By Bob Giblin was a live-feed, on-screen training pro- had a backup plan. “All of the presenta- Sgt. 1st Class Steven Czekala, a platoon At Ease Staff gram, linked to instructors at Fort Sill. The tion materials were here, on computer sergeant with 18 years of Guard service. live feed could accommodate Powerpoint disks,” Preder said, “and if necessary, we Czekala last visited Fort Sill in 1984, for ar- Training for the conversion from 155 presentations and video feeds, live con- could run the presentation materials here tillery advanced individual training. mm self-propelled howitzers to Multiple versations, and text messages. During this and conduct the live training via confer- “It’s nice to have face-to-face time with Launch Rocket Systems began with a key- part of the training, soldiers could interact ence call.” instructors, but that’s not always pos- stroke, not a bang, for Guard soldiers from with the instructors and ask questions us- His only criticism was downtime. As sible,” he said. “It’s a great idea to con- the 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery. ing a live audio link. one or two classes were taking live instruc- duct training this way — bringing Fort Sill Howitzer crews and fire direction con- Then soldiers reviewed each training tion or working through the self-paced CD- to us via computer, versus bringing the unit trol specialists began training for their new module, working at their own speed, using ROM program, one class was on “admin” to Fort Sill. mission and equipment in March and April, CD-ROMs at individual computer stations. time. Unlike a regular classroom, where a “The CD-ROMs were excellent, and I using computer laboratories at the Richards The third exposure was a test or quiz taken class size of 20 or so soldiers is optimum like the ability to go through them at your Street armory in Milwaukee and at at the computer stations. Results of the for live instruction, Preder felt that the dis- own pace. Some were able to click straight Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland, tests were available immediately; and if tance learning classrooms may not have through, and others could review the ma- Wis. necessary, soldiers could review the in- required such tight limits. terial over and over again until they got it. According to Sgt. 1st Class Jamie struction and take the tests again. 1st Lt. Jeremy Feucht agreed with The training modules are very complete, Preder, a platoon sergeant with Battery B, Battery B conducted its training at Preder’s assessments. and presented at a good level.” the distance learning approach saves the Lakeshore Technical College, while other “It’s pretty slick,” Feucht said. “It Phase II of the training, which includes unit time, money and hassles, compared batteries trained at the Richards Street gets the job done. The first phase is re- hands-on exposure to the MLRS, was con- with the traditional approach — sending armory. ally for familiarization, and as far as that ducted at Fort McCoy as part of the unit’s soldiers to the artillery “school house” at “This was the first time we’ve con- goes, it couldn’t be much more efficient. annual training (see above story). In Phase Fort Sill, Okla. ducted training this way,” Preder said, “and Given the time constraints that we all III, instructors from Fort Sill will visit the The first phase of retraining focused it has gone smoothly. Because of the band- feel, it was good to conduct this training batteries during monthly drills to conduct on equipment familiarization, Preder ex- width, we had no delays.” here, on drill weekends, rather than send- platoon certification. The unit probably plained Soldiers were exposed to the train- One risk of distance learning is the po- ing the entire unit to Fort Sill.” won’t have an opportunity to live fire until ing material at least three times. The first tential for lost communications, but the unit “So far, so good,” was the reaction of Annual Training in 2003. Page 9 Red Arrow Brigade lightens up Story and Photos every unit performed extremely still a work in progress. Eventu- By Jim Wagner well despite the difficulties of the ally, all vehicle requests will go At Ease Staff transition.. through one point of contact, us- Two of the biggest difficulties, ing a digitized computer request In what may have been the he said, were units operating un- process. Although officials will most important Wisconsin Army der the new guidelines of a light not be able to make the purchases National Guard annual training infantry unit and soldiers not yet until Sept. 1, when the 32nd is of- period in years, soldiers from qualified to perform the mission. ficially recognized as a light infan- the 32nd Brigade began the de- Many did not participate at an- try brigade, every unit is autho- manding transition from mecha- nual training this year because rized to have its own laptop or PC nized to light infantry at Fort they used their time to attend to make real-time requests and get McCoy June 8-22. schooling. real-time feedback. The changing face of modern The goal of this year’s train- As individual sections get warfare, from the massive two- ing — introducing units to their their operations in order, units can front wartime scenarios of the new missions — was just the first expect the bar to be raised to pro- Cold War era to regional conflicts step in the continuing transition vide realistic training. Standards such as Bosnia and Afghanistan, to light infantry. will be tougher next year with the prompted the change in mission. Perhaps the biggest change addition of training tailored to the According to experts, the wars of for units participating in this new mission. One issue under tomorrow won’t be fought by tank year’s exercise was in how troops consideration by commanders, divisions and massive artillery are moved from point A to point which may produce a groan from pieces on large battlefields, but B. In going light infantry, Wis- some soldiers, is the requirement by foot soldiers and light vehicles consin units lost their armored to wear armored flak vests on Fort personnel carriers and tanks, the McCoy’s ranges. Spc. John Brueske, 28, a combat engineer with the 32nd in confined areas such as city primary troop transports. In all, Studies show injuries caused Engineer Company, takes aim with a .50-caliber machine streets and houses. Tanks and other heavy arma- the brigade lost 475 tracked ve- by enemy artillery fire are signifi- gun. All units that are part of a light infantry brigade, ments are expected to have little hicles, representing $320 million cantly reduced when soldiers including engineer companies, will need to hone infantry place in the planning process of in transportation assets. wear flak vests. The heavy, sti- warfighting skills. future wars. That was not good “The biggest challenge was fling vests are also standard is- news for the Wisconsin Army Na- the management of our assets and sue on any deployment overseas. tional Guard, which was based to make sure they were mission “It’s better that people get used upon the M-1A1 Abrams tank and capable,” said Maj. Richard to it now,” Daley said. 155 mm howitzers in support of a Zierath, 32nd Brigade logistics of- “This is only a start, it’s go- mechanized infantry unit, the ficer. “Before, we provided our ing to get more challenging next 32nd Infantry Brigade. Therefore, own transportation, but now year,” Daley said. “This is a tough- two years ago, the state’s top troops were relying on other ening process, to the way the in- Guard leaders decided the 32nd people to move them.” fantry should be.” Brigade must evolve before be- Now, brigade elements all co- The end result, Daley said, will coming extinct. ordinate their movements through be a better-trained, mobile fight- Last year, units throughout Company A, 132nd Support Bat- ing force that defies the negative Wisconsin took part in a major re- talion. This added layer of liaison stereotype of the infantryman and organization to abandon tanks created some initial confusion, but will keep and bring in more people and other tracked vehicles in fa- brigade transportation officials to the infantry ranks. vor of a more traditional mode of said that was worked out after the “I get snickers, but an infan- transportation — foot power. first week. tryman needs to be a smart guy,” The switch requires a com- One of the early challenges he said. “It takes someone with pletely different mindset in opera- last year, when the brigade was courage and fortitude. We’re go- tions for everyone involved, from reorganized, was the far-flung lo- ing to lose some people because battalion commanders down to in- cation of the 27 five-ton trucks it’s going to be a lot tougher, but fantry squad members. Units with used for troop and equipment we have a standard to keep. one specific mission now have to transport. Now, the vehicles have “And you know what? We’re incorporate the additional duties been moved to three regional ar- going to get people who come in of light infantry. During annual mories (in Waupaca, Eau Claire because this is what they want to training, the work in progress was and Janesville) serving geo- do. It happens every time: The Brig. Gen. James Daley, left, assistant adjutant general for evident on Fort McCoy’s ranges. graphic areas of the brigade. soldier will complain to his friends readiness and training, goes through infantry movement According to Brig. Gen. Centralizing the vehicle sup- about all the stuff he had to do, scenarios with Maj. Tim Lawson, 2nd Battalion, 127th James Daley, assistant adjutant port also led to streamlining the and next month he brings in a Infantry executive officer. general for readiness and training, vehicle request process, which is friend to share in his misery.” Koehler, ex-57th CSM, ‘Just try it, Osama!’ will head Retiree Council By Larry Sommers 4. To offer assistance to National Guard At Ease Staff units in developing and maintaining rapport with their local communities. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Lowell The council sponsors a biennial Retiree Koehler, Sun Prairie, will head the Wiscon- Appreciation Day at Fort McCoy, featuring sin National Guard Retiree Council begin- seminars and exhibits on retiree benefits, in- ning Oct. 1. Koehler, former senior enlisted cluding Social Security and military health advisor for the 57th Field Artillery Brigade, insurance programs such as CHAMPUS, will take over from retired Air Tri-Care and Tri-Care for Life. Guard Col. Kenneth Sweet, The appreciation day also president of the council for provides an opportunity for the past five years. social interaction and gives “We want to continue to retirees and spouses an do an excellent job of com- easy way to update their ID municating with the retiree cards. The next Retiree Ap- population of the Wisconsin preciation Day is scheduled Guard,” Koehler said, “to for October 10-11, 2003. make sure they are getting all Once a year the council the benefits they deserve and also sends a general mailing all the rewards of their ser- to Wisconsin National vice.” Guard retirees with informa- The council’s objectives, Koehler tion on the appreciation day according to its bylaws, are: and other council programs. 1. To advise, support and assist the “We all share the concern that our Guard Adjutant General . . . in maintaining a strong retirees and their families should receive all Wisconsin National Guard. the benefits they have earned by serving 2. To provide a channel for interaction their fellow citizens,” said Brig. Gen. Al between active members, retired members Wilkening, Wisconsin’s new adjutant gen- and surviving spouses of the Wisconsin Na- eral. “These folks are among our greatest tional Guard. assets in continuing to make the Wisconsin Showing the Flag — A deployed squad of the 128th Security Forces 3. To provide a focal point for contact National Guard responsive to the needs of Squadron from Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport between organizations with retiree concerns, the state and nation, and the Retiree Council stands ready to defend U.S. interests at an undisclosed location. the Wisconsin National Guard retired com- plays a vital role in keeping them informed Wisconsin Air National Guard photo. munity and the Adjutant General’s Office. and well-served.” Page 10 At Ease tops in Guard Changes... Leadership of two Army Guard major commands (but you knew already, right?) and three battal- ions changed dur- By At Ease Staff his editorial in the November 2001 issue. The third place prize in Photojournalism ing the past sev- eral months. Results of the 2001 National Guard Bu- was awarded to Steve Olson for “229th Col. Arthur reau Media contest are in, and At Ease has engineers reshape Wisconsin terrain” from won first place among large Army-funded the November 2001 issue. Zuleger took com- mand of the newspapers. At Ease staffmembers also The Secretary of the Army spon- Chippewa Falls- won specific awards. Tom Doherty, a re- sors this competition annually. The tired At Ease staffer, won first place in the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs based 264th Engi- neer Group in Story Series category for Wisconsin Guard conducts judging with a goal of en- May. Zuleger, Zuleger Roth Neumann history articles republished as “The Way suring the best internal information We Were.” (see p. 12, this issue) In the efforts receive recognition for profes- who will continue his full-time assignment as director of Feature Article category Mike Callen re- sional excellence and outstanding at Fort McCoy in April. Donovan suc- personnel and administration in the state ceived second place for “Guard engineer achievement. The competition is also ceeded Lt. Col. Ramona Kane-Blaney, headquarters, succeeds Col. Michael helps Indochina, builds bridges to region’s designed for professional develop- who was promoted to the rank of colo- future,” Spring 2001. Larry Sommers took ment, with constructive feedback flow- Williams, who retired. nel and assigned as deputy commander Col. James Roth became the new com- 2nd place in the Commentary category for ing from the judges to the participants. of the 13th Medical and Dental Detach- mander of 64th Troop Command, Madi- ment in Madison. Kane-Blaney suc- son, in June. Roth succeeded Col. Terry ceeds Col. Kathy Carlson, who will be Bortz, who is now assigned to Headquar- assigned to the state headquarters. ters, State Area Command where he will Another change put Lt. Col. Darrel continue his position as director of hu- Feucht in command of the 64th Rear Op- man resources. erations Center in Monroe. Feucht suc- Three Wisconsin Army National ceeded Lt. Col. Keith Kunkel, who is now Guard battalions have new commanders: assigned to 64th Troop Command as ex- Lt. Col. Peter Seaholm assumed com- ecutive officer. mand of 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artil- Five Wisconsin Army Guard officers lery, Wisconsin Rapids, in July. Seaholm were recently promoted to the rank of succeeded Lt. Col. Mark Mathwig, who colonel in their current positions: Col. will become full-time administrative officer Thomas Gregar is director of surface for 64th Troop Command in Madison. Lt. maintenance; Col. Timothy Pfrang is Col. Kevin Greenwood, who had been the state training officer; Col. Scott Legwold troop command administrative officer, will is director of information management; be reassigned as state recruiting and re- Col. Bryan Much is director of plans, tention manager in October. The current operations, training and intelligence in recruiting force commander, Lt. Col. Rob- the state headquarters; and Col. Steven ert Ronge, will become deputy director of Beyer is assistant chief of staff for the personnel and administration. Wisconsin Army National Guard. Lt. Col. Kenneth Koon is the new Two Wisconsin Air Guard officers commander of 1st Battalion, 426th Regi- have also been promoted to the rank of ment at Fort McCoy, succeeding Lt. Col. colonel. Cols. Gunther Neumann and Joseph McGrath. Koon also became full- James Malenke were promoted to their time administrative officer at the Wiscon- present ranks in April. Neumann is as- Kelly Pensinger, publications editor, examines a copy of At Ease, sin Military Academy. McGrath is now signed as commander of Volk Field Com- first place award-winning paper in the 2001 National Guard Bureau assigned to Headquarters, State Area bat Readiness Training Center and media contest. Looking over her shoulder are individual award Command. Malenke is operations group commander winners, from left, Mike Callen, Tom Doherty, Steve Olson and Larry Lt. Col. Tim Donovan took com- for the Milwaukee-based 128th Air Re- Sommers. Photo by Tim Donovan. mand of 2nd Battalion, 426th Regiment fueling Wing. Wisconsin Guard legend gets honorary promotion to colonel the wartime 32nd Division was Herb Smith pins on exemplary. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by order of Gen. Douglas eagles for 99th birthday MacArthur for heroism in action at Buna. By Tim Donovan the 128th Infantry Regiment’s In 1990, Gov. Tommy At Ease Staff Service Company. Thompson awarded him the When the 32nd Division Wisconsin National Guard Retired Lt. Col. Herbert M. was mobilized on Oct. 15, 1940, Distinguished Service Medal. Smith, Neillsville, was promoted Smith entered active duty and, Smith was promoted to the to the rank of full colonel in the in April 1942, shipped overseas honorary rank of full colonel in Wisconsin Army National Guard with most of the division to the Wisconsin Army National May 9 in a ceremony at the Australia. Guard by Maj. Gen. James G. Neillsville National Guard Armory. In October 1942, then-Maj. Blaney, the adjutant general of What made the promotion Smith was assigned commander Wisconsin. different from most is that Smith of 2nd Battalion, 126th Infantry In honor of Smith’s promotion, has been retired from military as the unit was beginning a Gov. Scott McCallum issued a service for nearly 60 years and grueling, 100-mile march over proclamation to make May 9, 2002 that this promotion took place on Papua New Guinea’s Owen- “Colonel Herbert M. Smith his 99th birthday. Stanley Mountains into the Battle Recognition Day” in the state of Smith was only 16 years old of Buna. There, his battalion and Wisconsin. The proclamation when he enlisted into the other 32nd Division elements noted that Smith held his previous Wisconsin State Guard on June 12, fought the first U.S. Army rank for the past 59 years and four 1919, while the Wisconsin Guard’s offensive operation in the months — “far too long to be a 32nd Division was still on active Southwest Pacific. One week into lieutenant colonel.” duty as part of the occupation force the battle, Smith was wounded in In the proclamation, in post-World War I Germany. action and evacuated. McCallum encouraged all past When the 32nd Division was Smith was promoted to the and present members of the reconstituted in Wisconsin later in rank of lieutenant colonel on Wisconsin National Guard “to 1919, Smith continued his service Jan. 7, 1943, but because of his recognize Col. Smith for the in the Neillsville-based Guard rifle wounds he was separated from many achievements of his Herb Smith holds a 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry coin company until 1926, when he was the service the following year. distinguished military career presented to him following his promotion to the honorary commissioned a second lieutenant Smith’s service both in the and to wish him good health and rank of full colonel in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and assigned as a supply officer in peacetime National Guard and best wishes for the future.” in May. Photo by Eric Young of the Marshfield News-Herald. Page 11 Ten added to Wisconsin Army Guard Hall of Honor By Larry Sommers Col. Donald A. Anderson, a key officer gram in the 1980s; Chief Warrant Officer William A. Reiter At Ease Staff with the 32nd Division during its activation Col. Arthur J. Kessenich, deceased, a Jr., deceased, who served for decades in his for the 1961 Berlin crisis; veteran staff officer in World War II, the Ber- hometown Guard unit in Chippewa Falls and Ten outstanding soldiers joined the Wis- Maj. Gen. Waldemar “Fritz” Breidster, lin crisis of 1961, and afterwards; was mobilized both for World War II and the consin Army National Guard Hall of Honor deceased, a West Point graduate who had Maj. Gen. Raymond A. Matera, a Marine Berlin crisis; in a ceremony at the state Capitol on Sun- wide-ranging responsibilities in the China- aerial gunner and infantryman in World War Sgt. Maj. Wayne W. Sedgwick, who day, April 7. Burma-India theater in World War II and later II and Air Force fighter pilot in Korea, who served with special distinction developing The second annual induction ceremony commanded the 32nd Division; fostered the interests of the Wisconsin Army and teaching training courses over a 41-year included remarks by Lt. Gov. Margaret Far- Chief Warrant Officer Robert J. DeGroot, Guard while serving as the state’s adjutant Guard career; and row and music by the 132nd Army Band. one of the few to rise to both the top enlisted general in the 1980s; Brig. Gen. Barry W. Young, an armor bat- Awards were presented by Maj. Gen. James and top warrant officer ranks; Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence W. talion commander who became deputy adju- G. Blaney, the adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Chief Warrant Officer Patricia A. Murray, a veteran noncommissioned officer tant general and fought for important new Kerry G. Denson, deputy adjutant general Gundlach, who was the first coordinator of who held the top enlisted post in the 32nd facilities and training opportunities for the for Army. This year’s inductees were: the Wisconsin National Guard Family Pro- “Red Arrow” Brigade; Wisconsin Army National Guard.

Donald A. Anderson Waldemar F. Breidster Robert J. DeGroot Patricia A. Gundlach Arthur J.Kessenich

Raymond A. Matera Lawrence W. Murray William A. ReiterJr. Wayne W. Sedgwick Barry W. Young WMA Hall of Fame inducts four more By Tom Michele pushed them further physically and logistical arena transformed the At Ease Staff mentally than at any time in their academy’s supply function from a lives and was the most rewarding challenged area to an area of There are four new members of course they ever took. Maj. Joseph strength, according to Pintarro. He the Wisconsin Military Academy Pintarro, WMA training site admin- also implemented improved testing (WMA) Hall of Fame. istrator, serving as master of cer- and security procedures. Brig. Gen. Roger Greenwood, emonies, said Greenwood was a Meister became a pillar of the Lt. Col. Charles Cornils, Chief War- role model for others to emulate academy staff during OCS annual rant Officer Charles Ludeking and through his leadership, military training periods from 1967 to 1987. He Command Sgt. Maj. Donald bearing and total dedication to ser- led the aggressor force; he and his Meister, all retired, were inducted vice and country. team were experts in guerrilla tactics. by Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney, the Cornils, who served as assis- According to Pintarro, he was an out- adjutant general, in a ceremony tant commandant from 1977 to 1981, standing mentor to young soldiers, June 9 at Fort McCoy. They join 14 was instrumental in increasing the many of whom said they learned more inductees from previous years. WMA staff with a 10-soldier cell of about tactics and soldiering in 15 days Greenwood served as the Noncommissioned Officer Educa- with him than they had in their previ- tenth WMA commandant from tion System (NCOES) personnel. ous military careers. August 1987 to March 1990. He Cornils also worked at upgrading “Over the past 44 years, the was responsible for starting two the Officer Candidate School (OCS) WMA has been richly blessed to new programs — the professional program and added winter training have the caliber of individuals rep- development course for officers and water survival training to it. resented by our inductees,” said Four new inductees were welcomed into the Wisconsin and warrant officers receiving di- Ludeking was WMA’s supply Col. James Olson, commander of the Military Hall of Fame June 9 at Fort McCoy. From left are rect commissions or appointments, sergeant from 1970 to 1978. He then 426th Regiment. “They have Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney, the adjutant general; inductees and the winter survival course. became assistant operations ser- served, and continue to serve, as Roger Greenwood, Charles Cornils, Charles Ludeking, and Many students and staff members geant until 1981. His energy, abil- models of leadership, dedication Donald Meister; and Col. James Olson, commander, 426th said the winter survival course ity and overall knowledge in the and a soldier-caring ethic.” Regiment. Photo by Tom Michele. Volk Training Complex now open By Mike Callen The lodging section has 232 beds in At Ease Staff 120 dormitory-style rooms. It also has laundry facilities, lounges, meeting Lieutenant Governor Margaret Far- rooms and office space. The attached row and Maj. Gen. James Blaney opened conference room can be configured to a new $7.6 million lodging and meeting hold up to 300 people or be subdivided center at the Volk Field Combat Readi- into four smaller rooms, each equipped ness Training Center on May 4. with the latest audiovisual equipment The complex, which combines the and training aids. functions of several old buildings in a “Our training areas — ranges, flight single new building, was funded by the line and other flight training areas — Air Force Quality of Life Program to bet- have been among the best in the Air ter serve the personnel who deploy to Force for many years, ” said Neumann, the Volk Field each year. “and we can now provide our customers “This complex will provide visiting with lodging and training facilities that units with a top-notch training facility are second to none.” that sets the standard for support of Flying and non-flying units from all deployed units,” said Col. Gunther branches and components of the armed Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow, Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney and other military Neumann, commander of the Combat services, as well as other state and fed- officials cut a ribbon to open the new Volk Training Complex. Photo Readiness Training Center. eral agencies, use Volk Field for training. courtesy of Joe Oliva. Page 12

Janesville tankers rumble towards B By Tom Doherty called it — a fatalistic holdout until a New tanks At Ease Historian great naval effort could be mounted Newer tanks introduced in the late from the mainland to break through 1930s were not armed with cannons In 1918, Maj. Gen. William Haan with fresh forces. with which to kill other tanks but with led the 32nd Infantry Division (Wis- These plans envisioned a de- machine guns to rout enemy machine consin/Michigan National Guard) fense only of Luzon, the main island, gunners and artillerymen. into battle on the Western Front. But with forces falling back as invaders A writer described these tactics be- in 1907, he was a major struggling to poured ashore at widely scattered ing practiced by the Janesville tankers complete the Army’s after-action re- beachheads. Ultimately, the defend- during Annual Training at Camp Will- port on the San Fran- ers would retreat into iams in 1927. The old Renault was still cisco earthquake and to the jungles of the equipped with a cannon which, he wrap up the duty for Bataan peninsula, wrote, “is the favorite piece on the which he had been sent which was to be con- range. It is this piece that silences ‘pill- west in the first place — verted into a bastion boxes’ and wipes out salients as the an evaluation of coastal capable of holding out tank platoon moves out over the top, defenses. for six months. All of some 50 paces in advance of the first That evaluation fore- which eventually hap- infantry wave, while the other three cast World War II events pened pretty much ac- tanks of the five concentrate upon vis- that would have a dras- cording to script — ible personnel with machine guns.” Haan tic impact on a Wiscon- with two exceptions. In unit photographs from annual sin National Guard unit. Tom Doherty As U.S. forces re- training, tank troops grin proudly un- In letters to Gen. treated into Bataan der the brims of old-style cavalry hats W.W. Wotherspoon of the General early in 1942, supplies began to give while wives and girlfriends in stylish Staff in Washington, Haan expressed out almost immediately, especially flapper outfits sit with legs crossed, alarm about the potential threat to food. After three months of fierce high on the decks of the prehistoric- installations posed by communities resistance they could hold out no looking Renault “Flivvers.” The girls of Japanese up and down the coast. longer. look fresh from the company’s 1926 However, Wotherspoon was dis- As for relief from home, the Charleston contest. tressed by an even more complicated United States was still ill-prepared to If experience in a tank was hard to problem, “an intraservice dispute” fight anywhere, yet found itself at war come by, good times were not. In Tank over plans to develop a base in the on two fronts. Many of its best ships Company, two social clubs had Philippines. had been sent to the bottom at Pearl evolved. One — the semi-official Idle “On this question the Army and Harbor. For the starving, exhausted Hours Club — took the high road, spon- Navy have split wide open, and we American and Filipino soldiers on soring recruitment drives, holiday ban- will have to fight it out,” he wrote to Bataan there would be no mighty fleet quets, dances, and other events that Haan. “The more I consider this ques- to come steaming to their rescue. looked good on the society page. The tion of naval bases in the Pacific, the Limited training other was a less widely known group more evident it is to me that it would called the Scorpion Club. It took a de- be the worst kind of policy to build Throughout the 1920s and 30s in cidedly low road. According to Forrest up a great naval base with dry docks, Janesville, however, young men lured Knox, a member of Tank Company, it shops, etc., way out in the Philip- to the drill floor by the promise of was an after-hours drinking group, and pines where we are almost sure to actually sitting at the controls of a the only requirement for membership lose it in the beginning of a war.” battle tank and bringing the beast to was that a man hold his liquor without These comments are woven life could not have cared less about turning mean. among anguished reflections upon the War Department’s plans for the By the late 1930s there was an ad- the Army-Navy game and gracious Philippine islands. ditional attraction — the Army’s new requests to be remembered to the The 32nd Tank Company was a light tank, the M-2A2, which had other man’s wife. Army had lost the natural for Janesville. There were two started to come off the production line game that year, and it also lost its other National Guard outfits in town, at the Rock Island Arsenal in 1935. The fight with the Navy over bases in the a band and a quartermaster company, M-2A2 was a light, quick, thin-skinned Philippines. But it never lost a real- but Tank Company reflected the model of the type desired by the infan- istic sense of the difficulties its forces community’s new industrial base. try. Called the “Mae West” because of there would face if cut off from re- Old Janesville — before 1920 — its twin turrets, it could make 35 mph “In Louisiana, Company A turned in their M-2 tanks and supply and reinforcement, as they had been shady streets, commerce, on the open road. It mounted four were bound to be if the Japanese and great gingerbread mansions drew M-3s. The M-3 evolved out of the M-2A2, and its driving machine guns, .33-caliber and .50-cali- struck without warning. Any army overlooking the Rock River. Early characteristics were essentially the same. However, it . . . ber. It also was sturdy enough to keep 7,000 miles from home would quickly Janesville with its tavern, lumber mill, had one turret mounted with a 37 mm cannon and a going as long as fuel trucks could keep wither and die. stagecoaches and riverboats had up with it. Two of the new tanks ar- machine gun. So that the cannon could function in the The plan for the defense of the been a trading center in the midst of tight confines of a tank turret, its recoil was stiffened . . . rived at Janesville in February 1937. Philippines that evolved through the rich, black farmland. The old Renaults had been in “cold which meant the whole tank rocked when the gun was years embodied a “citadel type de- Modern Janesville was row fired.” Diagram courtesy Tom Doherty. storage” for three years. During that fense,” as Gen. Douglas MacArthur houses and factory whistles and blue time Tank Company had been without collar workers from across the nation. any tanks at all; and so to be blessed In 1920, the year Tank Company was with this newest of the new, the top of organized, General Motors had the line, was a heady experience for moved in with a Fisher Body plant newcomers and old-timers alike. A pho- and a Chevrolet plant. tographer from the Janesville Gazette Until 1934, Tank Company had caught the first of the new tanks parked eight American-made Renault tanks, at curbside before a backdrop of Cape of Great War vintage, and a revolv- Cod bungalows and lawns covered ing population of between 60 and 70 with last fall’s leaves. Members of Tank men vying for driving experience. Company dressed in Saturday morn- Inevitably, the humdrum of close or- ing civvies are climbing all over this der drill, military courtesy, and lec- dark war machine, checking it out as tures on hygiene and the care of they would a neighbor’s new Packard. clothing and equipment took up more of a young soldier’s Monday night Plugging the gap drills than actual hands-on experi- By the summer of 1940, with Eu- ence with a 37 mm cannon, a machine rope lost to the Germans and England gun, or the control levers of a tank. bracing for invasion, mobilization of the Tanks were driven only about National Guard was just a matter of three months of the year and time. Everyone understood that. What through the 1920s spent much of was less clear to the tankers was just each year in storage at the Rock how they would be employed. Their County fairgrounds. strength had been increased and now The job of an infantry stood at 112 enlisted men. Some of division’s tank company in 1931 these newcomers were still students in was to “accompany infantry,” add- Janesville High School. At least two ing firepower and close support, were barely into their junior year. On and to lead massed assaults, Nov. 25, the tankers were sworn into crushing defenses and rushing to the Army. No longer the 32nd Tank enemy artillery. Company, they had become Company It was the old Great war concept A, 192nd Tank Battalion. Sgt. John Bushaw, who was to die in Japanese captivity, supervises the loading of an M- — a handful of tanks moving forward Fort Knox, Ky., where the tank sol- 2A2 being sent back to the Rock Island Arsenal for overhaul. Photo courtesy Tom Doherty. with attacking infantry units. diers were welcomed by an Army band, Page 13 e towards Bataan destiny had spent two decades in the dol- best available. At the time the entire drums — but now it was coming Army had only slightly more than back to life in honor of the new citi- 400 tanks. zen Army of 1940. From the wide- At Fort Knox, there were road spread mud rose framework skel- marches and some tactical problems etons of new barracks and classroom over terrain that had not yet been buildings that were going up liter- converted to a simulated combat ally overnight. The construction was zone — with opposing forces, battle- to accommodate a great new armored field noise, firing courses, and so on. force, of the type armor advocates A year or so later, such training had been seeking almost since the would be standard for tank soldiers; end of the last war. but in early 1941, the troops of the Germany’s blitzkrieg successes 192nd had all they could do to get over the past year had demonstrated their tanks moving and into the field. how right these visionaries were, Here, in Knox’s words, is how to and how far this nation had to go drive the M-2A2: “These things had before it could hope to defeat the an old sliding transmission, like on German armor. New tanks by the tens a tractor. As you went up in gears of thousands, highly trained soldiers you picked up speed. To shift you by the hundreds of thousands — all had to overwind it, like up to 2400 this would take years. rpms. There was a tachometer, but Meanwhile, the press of events basically you learned to do it by around the world created the need sound. Once you got the hang of it, for an interim armor force able to hold synchronizing the speed, you could the line until our new citizen Army just flip the stick, and there was noth- “Two of the new tanks arrived at Janesville in February 1937. . . . A photographer from the was ready to go on the offensive. ing to it. There was a helluva roar Janesville Gazette caught the first of the new tanks parked at curbside before a backdrop of That interim armor force would be from the aircraft engine. It was a Cape Cod bungalows and lawns covered with last fall’s leaves. Members of Tank Company composed of National Guard tank seven cylinder Continental radial. companies gathered in new general There was a great big propeller in dressed in Saturday morning civvies are climbing all over this dark war machine, checking it headquarters battalions. front of the engine that sucked air out as they would a neighbor’s new Packard.” Photo courtesy Tom Doherty. It was a classic role for the Na- through the combat compartment. tankers and many thousand others model M-3s (54 altogether, plus half- final roll call on a San Francisco tional Guard: preparing to rush into We did everything with a simplified with their most extensive exposure tracks and other vehicles). dock, then hauled their gear aboard the gap, incompletely trained and in- hand signal or touch system. There to life in the field and on the run, The M-3 evolved out of the M- the troop transport Hugh L. Scott. adequately equipped, but ready to was no speech whatsoever when including a month-long stretch in- 2A2, and its driving characteristics Meanwhile, in the Gazette, a Ho- buy time for the great new army that you drove one of those things. volving movement among 35 differ- were essentially the same. However, nolulu-based correspondent de- would follow along in years to come. “In front of you was a peep ent locations. it was very different in one respect. scribed the coming and going of In two adjacent, unpainted bar- slot. Your crash helmet had a rub- Such moves typically took place Instead of two turrets each mount- “black-hulled Army transports” racks, the Janesville men got accus- ber cushion on it. You’d shove at night to avoid detection by en- ing a machine gun, the M-3 had one and “continuous flights of long tomed to life stripped down to basics. that tight up against the steel, and emy warplanes. This proved to be turret mounted with a 37 mm cannon range Navy bombers” and “thou- Having reported for duty more that anchored your head. You good practice for what was to come. and a machine gun. So that the can- sands of civilian workers . . . rush- fully manned and better equipped could see straight ahead, but you Moving out on short notice with- non could function in the tight con- ing at top speed to complete con- than the other companies of the 192nd couldn’t see either track.” out sleep or a sense of the big pic- fines of a tank turret, its recoil was struction of bases on our Pacific Battalion, they were disproportion- “There were no brakes. You had ture became routine. In the middle stiffened: The normal 20-inch blow- islands.” The convoy zigzagged ately levied for transfers into the to downshift in order to brake. There of God-knows-where, tents went up back was reduced to eight, which to Honolulu, then to Guam and fi- battalion’s headquarters company, were steering clutches. Any time and came down, latrines were dug meant the whole tank rocked when nally to Manila, arriving Nov. 20, which was just being organized. you started to run you had to pour and filled, a little green portable head- the gun was fired. The M-3 also car- Thanksgiving Day. Thirty-five Janesville men were the coal on because the slack in the quarters was laid out, then folded ried a total of five .30-caliber machine The mystery and urgency that transferred into Headquarters Com- track would automatically wind up away again. guns, including one on the turret for surrounded the dispatch of the pany. The 192nd also included com- at the trailing idler if you let off on The usual three squares, warm anti-aircraft fire. 192nd and other forces sprang panies from Maywood, Ill.; Port the gas. If you poured the power showers and predictable routine be- from profound change of heart Clinton, Ohio; and Harrodsburg, Ky. on, the front drive sprockets would came distant memories — replaced “Sealed orders” within the War Department toward pull all the slack right up front. So if by a tribal community of tanks and The Janesville Gazette had closely the defense of the Philippines. “Old junk tanks” you kept the power on anytime you half-tracks in a world of scrub pines, followed the fortunes of its hometown With the appointment of Gen. The battalion was assigned a to- was turning you was fine. You kept bugs and red dust everywhere, of tankers. But with a blanket of secrecy Douglas MacArthur to supreme tal of 24 M-2A2s. However, half were your track snug. But if you jerked fuel trucks lumbering to keep up, and settling over their movements, its sto- command of the new U.S. Army in such rough shape they had to be your foot off the gas all the slack always of an anticipation of trouble ries turned portentous. It spoke of Forces Far East Command sent back to the Rock Island Arse- popped to the back and off she ahead. Home was the droning of en- “the thrill of ‘sealed orders’” - al- (USAFFE) in July 1941, hope be- nal for reconditioning. plopped.” gines and a grubby stink of sweat, though the 192nd’s destination was gan to replace fatalism. A charis- Forrest Knox believed that the 1st gas, and sun-baked steel. an open secret among members of the matic leader with an aggressive Armored Division handed over only Louisiana maneuvers In early October, they found battalion. plan; new weapons like the B-17 “old junk tanks. Our maintenance sec- In August, the 192nd gathered themselves at Fort Polk, an infantry From soldier husbands or sons and the submarine, with the poten- tion had an absolute beast of a time with other forces in Louisiana to em- training camp in Louisiana, where came vaguely worded “good-bye” tial to destroy an invasion force keeping these things running.” bark upon the most ambitious peace- they turned in their M-2s and drew telegrams, and on Oct. 27, the In fact, they were probably the time maneuvers ever, providing the over twice as many of the newer battalion’s 588 men went through a See ‘Tanks’ next page

Members of the Janesville Tank Company in front of their armory, 1938. Photo courtesy Tom Doherty. Page 14 Janesville tanks Continued from page 13 borne invasion. ers arrived as the field was crowded with chance against the Zeroes that came in low While working on their tanks, or load- B- 17s lined up as if for destruction and by after the bombers were gone, and a tanker before it reached the beaches; many such ing machine gun belts, or watching the pursuit planes just readying for take-off. from Company B was credited with shoot- factors came together to generate a sense sky, soldiers traded rumors — that Ma- In half an hour several waves of bomb- ing one down. of new possibilities. With reinforcement, rines in China had seen Japanese sol- ers followed by low-flying Zeroes suc- It was small consolation given the price perhaps the Philippines could be held. diers gathering to ship off for the Philip- ceeded in destroying or damaging over half paid in dead and wounded, destroyed pines; that Jap planes were making the Army’s far eastern fleet of B-17s — the planes, and damage to the U.S. strategic po- The cat jumps “dummy runs” on the Philippines; that a largest concentration of heavy bombers in sition in the Philippines in just half an hour. The new arrivals set up housekeeping Japanese invasion convoy was circling the U.S. arsenal. Also lost were many of Not until the main invasion force was in pyramidal tents at Fort Stotsenburg, 65 in the China Sea. There were nightly the Army’s P-40s and other aircraft. spotted off the shore of Lingayen Gulf miles north of Manila. Stotsenburg, in the black-outs, and according to one wit- Planes, hangars, warehouses, even the two weeks later were most of the tanks words of Donald Schutt, seemed “exactly ness, “the night sky was lit by an ‘Au- surrounding fields were ablaze. alerted for action. By then, the Japanese what Hollywood might conjure up as a typi- rora Borealis’ of searchlights.” soldiers had been transformed in cal small tropical Army post. Located next Finally, in the early hours of Dec. 8 (Dec. Gazing at planes Wainwright’s mind into an altogether dif- door to Clark Field and surrounded by palm 7 at Pearl Harbor), Gen. Jonathan Wain- At about 12:20, the tank soldiers were ferent creature: “The rat was in the trees and bamboo, the post contained the wright called his aide to announce, “The scattered in and around their tanks, eat- house,” he wrote. characteristic parade grounds, hospital, cat has jumped.” ing lunch and gazing with dreamy admi- Just after midnight on Dec. 22, or- post exchange, and a few permanent one- Throughout that Sunday morning as ration at aircraft approaching in neat V ders came down sending three compa- story barracks constructed of bamboo with Manila radio repeated bulletins from Pearl formations. nies of the 192nd racing north to meet grass roofs.” Harbor, everyone at American installations Seconds later, they were blazing away, the Japanese landing. In early December, the 192nd’s tanks on Luzon watched the sky. If the Japs had eagerly but uselessly, as exploding bombs were dispersed around Clark Field and hit Pearl, could Clark Field be far behind? marched over runways, planes, mess halls Next Issue: Engaging the Japanese at Fort Stotsenburg to guard against air- By a freak of timing, the Japanese bomb- and fields. Machine gunners at least had a Bataan. 120th learns new gun on its own By Lisa Munson around the battalion about which At Ease Staff battery gets him.” The 120th’s training team in- A long-planned equipment cluded 10 people, only six of conversion presented an unex- whom had prior experience with pected challenge to 1st Battalion, the new weapon. The team’s mis- 120th Field Artillery, at this year’s sion was to teach the entire bat- Annual Training, and the howit- talion maintenance, parts, ammu- zer unit rose to the occasion by nition, advance parties, gun providing its own internal train- guides, march and laying proce- ing team. dures, and occupying the site. The gunners of the 120th Only after that training did the turned in their M-109 self-pro- soldiers get their chance to fire live pelled howitzers last year and re- rounds. ceived the first six of 18 M-119 The unit was converted from towed howitzers that will replace M-109s to M-119s to make it more them. Normally, the Army would agile and relevant to the Army’s send in a new equipment training needs in this era of transforma- team to brief the battalion’s sol- tion. The new weapon requires diers on the weapon’s proper op- fewer crew members — a plus eration and safety procedures. when looking at the demograph- For the 120th, however, this ics of Clintonville, Stevens Point, would not be the case. Wisconsin Rapids and Enter Cpl. Bryan Hughes, a Marshfield, and past strength lev- section leader in Battery A. Hav- els in those cities. Experienced gunners of 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, demonstrate proper fire ing spent two-and-a-half years on “For the first time,” Beyer said, preparations on an M-119 towed howitzer during Annual Training at Fort McCoy in June. active duty with the 320th Field “most of our batteries are now close Photos by Adam Bradley. Artillery, 101st Airborne Division, to 100 percent strength. Thus, we’re LEFT: Cpl. Bryan Hughes, at Fort Campbell, Ky., Hughes more likely to be deployed.” left, section chief in Battery knows the M-119 inside-out. He “I think most troops will be A, teaches procedures for even knows how to sling-load it excited with the change,” said the M-119 towed howitzer to for helicopter transport. Hughes. “We’re going to be a lot “We’ve known about the more mobile, be able to provide members of 1st Battalion, weapons system change for over close infantry support and defi- 120th Field Artillery, during a year, but we just got our hands nitely be more involved. After the Annual Training in June at on the six weapons about two re-learning of their weapons, I Fort McCoy. The unit was weeks before Annual Training,” believe they will really like it.” converting to the M-119 from said Sgt. 1st Class Duane Beyer, The 120th received the six the M-109 self-propelled battalion master gunner. “Corpo- howitzers from the New York Na- howitzer in order to be more ral Hughes has been invaluable tional Guard’s 27th Brigade, which relevant to the needs of the in teaching the training team is disbanding. The unit expects 21st-century Army. proper weapons procedures. In to receive 12 more when the 27th fact, there is an inside joke going is totally disbanded.

Sgts. 1st Class Mark Heidemann, center right, and Leonard Hurst, left, instruct Staff Sgt. Rodney Kerksieck and Spc. Daniel Gurgel in proper bore sighting procedures FOR THE 120th, new M-119 towed howitzer. Page 15 DART assesses downed Huey in hot zone Story and photos ahead of the DART to secure the Huey by Brian Jopek and establish a defensive perimeter. At Ease Staff Dropped by another Huey in a field approximately 150 yards from the downed Recovering a piece of military hardware aircraft, Cadwell’s team fanned out and like a UH-1 helicopter from enemy territory slowly approached. Positioning his people can be a dangerous job, so rehearsing that at the nose, tail and left side of the aircraft, task was a priority for the 832nd Medical Cadwell did an initial check of the aircraft Company (Air Ambulance) at annual train- for booby traps. He then radioed that the ing in June. aircraft was secure and took up a position Chief Warrant Officer 3 Steve Rogers, on the perimeter to the aircraft’s right. Germantown, supervised the downed air- The Huey that had dropped off Cadwell craft recovery training at Volk Field. “The and his team then returned with the DART concept of the training was ‘crawl, walk, and their gear. run’ because we don’t do this type of train- “In a combat situation,” said Rogers, ing very often,” he said. “the downed aircraft checklist (information According to the exercise scenario, a obtained from the pilot and crew) helps us Huey had been downed by enemy small prepare ahead of time. That way we mini- arms fire, and its crew had been rescued mize time in the combat zone.” with no casualties. However, with sensi- For this exercise, the simulated battle tive radios and avionics gear aboard the damage included a bullet hole in the main aircraft, it had to be retrieved from hostile rotor blade and loss of transmission oil territory or destroyed before it fell into en- pressure. While the DART went through emy hands. the steps of troubleshooting the aircraft, That’s where the Downed Aircraft Rogers watched them, observing how Recovery Team (DART) came in. The they diagnosed the problems and the team is made up of four people from the steps the team would take to make ap- 832nd’s maintenance section, including propriate repairs. His job was to make a technical inspector, two mechanics and sure the DART leader, Staff Sgt. Ted a maintenance test pilot. Their mission Corsi, Green Bay, and his crew under- was to get the aircraft back in flying con- stood what needed to be done. dition and out of hostile territory using “My job is to assess the damage to the basic maintenance procedures. The aircraft,” said Corsi. “Once the mechanics Huey would then be flown back to a make the repairs, I sign off on them and maintenance collection point where more take care of paperwork.” permanent repairs could be performed, In this exercise, the simulated battle or it would be destroyed. damage to the Huey was repaired and Capt. Matt Strub, Sparta, the 832nd’s the aircraft was successfully flown out flight operations officer, said the team’s time of the area. The second Huey returned, on the ground depends on enemy activity. and under the watchful eyes of Cadwell’s “The team will make the call as to whether reaction team, the DART climbed aboard. or not to destroy the aircraft.” Cadwell’s team then climbed on and the A four-person reaction team, led by Huey flew out of the hostile zone, mis- Sgt. Eric Cadwell of Sheboygan, goes in sion completed.

After securing the helicopter and establishing a perimeter around it, reaction team leader Sgt. Eric Cadwell radioes that all is clear.

At the downed aircraft, the recovery team prepares to go into action.

Sgt. Tim Quinn, Crystal Lake, Ill., opens a cover on the Huey so he can look for a transmission oil leak. Pvt. Josh Ingerwen, Milwaukee, examines damage to a main rotor blade. Page 16 32nd Engineers well-grounded at air show By Fred Minnick neuverability. But perhaps the At Ease Staff most anticipated flight was that of the supersonic CF-18 flown For Father’s Day, 32nd En- by Canadian Forces, which can gineer Company commander reach speeds of Mach 1.8. Capt. Paul Liethen received a “This show, year in and year satchel of his favorite beef jerky, out, has a very well-rounded a king-sized Snicker’s bar, and group of pilots and planes,” said an 83-degree day with aesthetic Pat Smith, public relations co- white clouds and mild winds. ordinator of the event. On this perfect day his two It also has a well-rounded sons, Jessie and Andrew, were representation of the U.S. Armed by his side after watching Wis- Forces, with recruiting tents consin Army National Guard en- from the major branches dis- gineers perform an assault dem- persed among the displayed onstration at the Fifth Annual planes and concession stands. Airfest in LaCrosse. The largest showing this year “It’s really cool to see what represented the Wisconsin Dad does when he goes to drill,” Army National Guard. noted 10-year-old Jessie. “I al- With his entire company on ways thought he just built annual training at nearby Fort bridges.” McCoy during the three-day air During normal training for the show, Liethen had the luxury of unit’s combat mission, Liethen rotating soldiers through the re- and his soldiers would build cruiting tent. bridges, roads and berms to sup- “Every day I had different port the infantry. But on this day, soldiers conducting the ground Spc. Sadie Catania, a combat engineer with the 32nd Engineer Company, shows Avery they put on a show for some 5,000 assault or watching the recruit- Valentine, 6, how to prepare for combat with the application of camouflage facepaint, spectators, to kick off the day’s ing booth, while the rest of the during the June 16 La Crosse Air Fest. Photo by Spc. Jim Wagner. events at the air show. company was at the armory,” he Simulating an enemy as- said. “They were given four- sault, 20 soldiers stowed away hour breaks to spend with their in three humvees and drove to- family at the air show, so this ward the enemy. Upon coming mission was an MWR (Morale, across a strip of concertina wire, Welfare and Recreation) day as the engineers used bangalore well.” torpedoes to breach the ob- Liethen’s soldiers answered stacle. Audience members were the crowd’s questions about their in awe as Liethen’s soldiers displays of M-249 SAWs (Squad conducted flawless 3-5 second Automatic Weapons), .50-caliber rushes and skillfully suppressed machine guns, M-60 machine rapid fire from the opposing guns, SEE (Small Emplacement forces, which were actually fel- Excavating) trucks, 5-ton dump low soldiers from their unit. trucks and bulldozers. “It was a great opportunity “Most of the people asking to show our local residents the questions were little kids,” said capabilities our unit has,” said Spec. Nate Christianson. “This Liethen, whose armory is just is a great opportunity for us, be- minutes from the LaCrosse Air- cause kids are beginning to re- port in Onalaska. spect and look up to soldiers a The ground exercise was lot more with everything going also a perfect segue to an acro- on in the world.” batic show of cloud-cutting air- One example of this is the planes and fighter jets. Liethen boys. Both Andrew and The flight show began with Jessie want to continue their low, wild and seemingly out-of- family’s military legacy, but un- control moves from double bi- til they’re old enough to swear planes. The “oohs and ahs” in they’ll live their military heri- echoed and fingers pointed to tage through their father. the sky as each pilot “nearly “The best thing about hav- Capt. Paul Liethen, 32nd Engineering Company commander, and his two sons Jessie, crashed” several times. The ing your dad in the Army is tell- left, and Andrew, look at one of the aircraft on display at the LaCrosse Air Fest. The U.S. Air Force’s presence was ing all your friends — they have airshow was an opportunity for engineers and their families to get together during the felt with the F-15 Eagle’s amaz- a lot more respect for you,” said two-week annual training exercise held at Fort McCoy June 8-22. Photo by Jim Wagner. ing acceleration and crafty ma- Andrew, age 12. 1st Air Force boss lauds 115th response By Staff Sgt. Michael Coller ber 01. Your supportive actions as 115 FW Public Affairs a unit are truly outstanding — you were willing and ready to serve Maj. Gen. Larry K. Arnold, com- when your country called.” mander of 1st Air Force and the Arnold, who has commanded Continental United States North 1st Air Force since December American Aerospace Defense 1997, is responsible for the orga- Command (NORAD) Region, paid nization, equipment and opera- a visit to the 115th Fighter Wing on tion of air defense forces. 1st Air June 5-6, to meet with wing leaders Force, headquartered at Tyndall and discuss the wing’s support of Air Force Base, Fla., is one of four Operation Noble Eagle, the home- numbered air forces assigned to land defense operation launched Air Combat Command and has after the Sept. 11 attacks. responsibility for continental air Arnold toured the 115th’s defense. It is the first numbered Truax Field base and attended a air force to consist primarily of citi- briefing by Brig. Gen. Fred Sloan, zen airmen. A combined 1st Air the wing’s commander. Sloan Force command post and Conti- briefed Arnold on the past and nental United States Regions Air future role of the 115th in home- Operations Center control the land defense and the unit’s plans NORAD air sovereignty mission for meeting its recurring overseas for homeland defense. taskings under the Air Expedition- “I always knew it was pos- ary Force (AEF) concept. sible,” Arnold said, “but it was “I feel very comfortable with amazing to see it really happen. the presence of the 115th Fighter The 115th Fighter Wing and other Wing in protecting America’s air- Air National Guard units like your- space,” Arnold said. “In particular, self are making a significant con- I am impressed with the rapid re- tribution. I am awed by the dedi- sponse of the 115th Fighter Wing cation and professionalism of our Brig. Gen. Fred Sloan, left, presents a unit coin to Maj. Gen. Larry Arnold. Photo by following the tragedy of 11 Septem- men and women.” Tech. Sgt. Paul Gorman, 115th Fighter Wing. Page 17 Artillery soldiers have a barn raising By Staff Sgt. Christopher a-half days to complete the Guard,” said Elaine Vanderhoof, M. Donovan project. The Guard members were playground chairperson. “We 1st Battalion, 120th on unpaid volunteer status. Some were proud to work alongside Field Artillery Guard members drove more than these men and gained a further three hours from their homes to respect for them. They helped in Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 120th take part. every way possible from the very Field Artillery, helped a rural com- The farm theme of the park beginning to the very end with munity in central Wisconsin build celebrates Stratford’s farming hard working, cooperative spirit. a new playground for their chil- heritage. The new playground The National Guard has left an dren July 18-20. replaces old metal swings and extremely positive impression on The farm-themed playground slides that were in need of re- our town.” features simulated barns, silos, pair and had given rise to safety Vanderhoof led the commu- hayloft and John Deere tractor, concerns. It took only one year nity project after a similar play- among other attractions. It was for the community to raise the ground build was completed in constructed in Stratford, a village funds necessary to build the nearby Marshfield. Soldiers from of 1,500 north of Marshfield, by project. Donors of funds to 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery local citizens and Guard members. build the park have their names also helped build that playground. Learning Structures, a company engraved on a picket fence “I helped out on the play- from New Hampshire that special- which surrounds the park. ground in Marshfield,” said Staff izes in community-built play- Three structures within the park Sgt. Don Hederer of Battery A. grounds, designed the park and were donated by families in “When Staff Sergeant (Chris) supervised its construction. memory of loved ones. Donovan asked if I’d help with Fourteen Guard soldiers, some “It’s doubtful our community this one I didn’t hesitate. It’s re- Members of 1st Battalion, 120th FA begin to hoist one of from each of the battalion’s four playground build would have had warding to bring your children to the silos, part of the farm theme playground in Stratford, batteries, worked side by side with the same success if it hadn’t been a playground and tell them daddy Wis. Guardmembers volunteered their time to help with community members for two-and- for the dedication of the National helped build it.” the project. 2-127th Infantry sets a trap during AT Story and photos by formed by soldiers of the 2nd Bat- tactical intelligence officer. Spc. Scott Tyner talion, 127th Infantry, 32nd Sepa- The change from mechanized 211th Mobile Public Affairs rate Infantry Brigade (Light), who to light infantry not only meant a Detachment, U.S. Army Reserve practiced light infantry ambush tac- change in tactics, it also meant a tics during their Annual Training. change in equipment. Concealed troops, their hel- Because the battalion had pre- The conversion “means we mets hung with greenery, watched viously been a mechanized infan- lost our armor battalion,” said 1st as the “enemy” approached in a try unit, the overall mission was Sgt. David Christianson, Company humvee, bouncing around like to train soldiers in light infantry C. “We also lost a bunch of other stones in a coffee can while try- tactics, said Capt. Jackie Guthrie, different assets” in the ing to watch the surrounding tree 32nd Brigade public affairs officer. changeover, and soldiers had to line. Before the opposing force “This is the first annual go through the infantry military (OPFOR) soldiers could round the training for many guys doing occupational school, he added. corner, a hail of gunfire ripped light infantry missions” since Despite the unit’s having to through the air, forcing them to the brigade began its transfor- make major adjustments, Aderman stop their vehicle, jump out and mation from a mechanized infan- said he has been very impressed defend themselves. try in October 2001, said 2nd Lt. and pleased with progress since This was just one exercise per- Brion Aderman, the battalion’s the change.

A member of 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, stands over a 127th Infantry troops move in to check bodies for weapons and intelligence after an ambush captured member of the opposing force. tactics drill during Annual Training at Fort McCoy in June 2002. New Urban Assault Complex provides good training By Capt. Jacqueline Guthrie includes several buildings and a simulated 32nd Infantry Brigade underground urban sewer system, Hoff said. Public Affairs Officer Almost as impressive as the course itself is the time in which the complex (Sgt. Robert R. Ramon of the 211th Public was built. Affairs Detachment, United States Army “Sixteen months!” exulted Col. Michael Reserve, contributed to this article.) R. Staszak, Fort McCoy’s installation com- mander. “Sixteen months from an idea to After running into the building, the sol- standing here today—unparalleled in the diers quickly engaged targets and cleared Army. In the military construction world it’s each room. They were training at Fort usually about five years from start to finish, McCoy’s new Urban Assault Complex and it usually takes longer and it costs more (UAC), which officially opened in a ribbon- money. This one cost less money and it got cutting ceremony June 12. done faster. That’s pretty impressive! This “It’s a good facility,” said Staff Sgt. Todd is a total team effort.” Tilken after completing one of the stations. Joining Staszak in cutting the ceremo- Tilken is an infantry squad leader with Com- nial ribbon were Maj. Gen. James Blaney, the pany B, 1st Battalion, 127th Infantry. “It adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. William C. gives us an opportunity to clear buildings in Kirkland, commander of the Army Reserve’s the right setting,” he said. 88th Regional Support Group. The facility will provide good training “We are thrilled to be able to be putting opportunities for engineer, military police and this out here today,” said Staszak. “This is a infantry soldiers, according to Terry Hoff, a great facility!” range specialist at Fort McCoy. The ceremony took place at the foot of The UAC is an advanced Army range the UAC’s offense/defense building as life- that offers individual, team, squad and pla- like “enemy” mannequins watched from the Evaluators observe Spc. Kirby Frank as he emerges from one of the tunnels toon level training opportunities on urban windows above. Approximately 100 com- that make up the new Urban Assault Complex. Frank is an infantryman in assault tactics. It features pop-up targets as manders and staff members of the 32nd Bri- Company C, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry. Wisconsin Army National Guard well as targets in buildings. The complex gade were also on hand for the ceremony. photo by Staff Sgt. Jay Graff. Page 18 New simulator puts BANG! in small arms training Story and Photo by reduce shooting problems more Master Sgt. Larry Rush efficiently than training on a live- 115th Fighter Wing fire range. Housed in Building 503 Public Affairs at Truax Field, the FATS classroom is ideally located for the training use Air Guard weapons training of the squadron and wing. qualification comes at specific in- This writer greatly benefited tervals, and airmen are required to from the opportunity to use the maintain qualification and profi- classroom. The electronic system ciency with the weapon assigned. identified my skill deficiencies and The reason for the training is that gave me immediate feedback, with you must know how to handle fire- an expert instructor’s interpreta- arms safely and effectively in the tion, on my performance. FATS is event of war or civil disturbance. an excellent training device. In recent years, many small FATS can provide instruction arms ranges and National Guard ranging from individual marksman- facilities have been closed due to ship to collective training under funding and, in some cases, envi- battlefield conditions. The simu- ronmental concerns. Just complet- lated M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol pro- ing training has become a problem. vided in the FATS classroom are “People need to practice their modeled after the actual weapons marksmanship to maintain skills and in form, fit, function and physical demonstrate proficiency. Coming to characteristics — including the the range every three years leaves BANG! Tech. Sgts. Chris Lane training enables instructors to provide simulated, interactive, individual basic and some individuals without required Halverson and Dave Busse, marks- advanced marksmanship training, with immediate results, feedback and performance skills,” said Tech. Sgt. Daniel manship instructors, get valuable analysis for the trainee. Pictured above from front to back, Tech. Sgt. Daniel Knettle, diagnostic information from the Knettle, 115th Security Forces Tech. Sgt. Dave Busse, Master Sgt. Kert Hanson and Master Sgt. Larry Rush. Squadron combat arms training system and pass it along to the manager. trainee as individual instruction. threat area for contingency deploy- dial firearms training is allowed. Its opportunity to improve. Enter the Firearms Training FATS is not recognized by the ment must be live-fire qualified on purpose is to correct individual “Most students meet stan- System (FATS), a computer-driven Air Force as meeting fire qualifica- weapons they will be armed with. shooting errors. Remedial training dards when given individual atten- laser-tracking marksmanship simu- tions for overseas deployment. All As we all know from our expe- is intended to focus on specific tion,” said Knettle. lation classroom that helps people personnel deploying to a critical rience on the live-fire range, reme- problems and affords the trainee an One by one, Rockwells feel Guard’s pull Story and photos by vice to the country. Not present at the three different times in the 1970s. join the Guard, the benefits of being in the Capt. Jacqueline Guthrie gathering was former Spc. Bill Rockwell, Fred hung up his uniform in 1985, but Guard eventually attracted young Dan 32nd Brigade Public Affairs Officer another son of Fred, who also spent 10 he still wears the 32nd Brigade insignia — Rockwell. years with the brigade. the famous Red Arrow — as a lifetime mem- “No way was I ever going to join the They didn’t come for a family reunion, Fred joined the military in the mid-1940s ber and active participant in the 32nd Old Army,” Dan said. That stance changed but three generations of Rockwells con- and retired in 1985. After a brief active duty Timers organization. when he learned how much college would gregated at Fort McCoy in June to swap tour, Fred felt compelled to join the Guard — Despite Fred’s long and challenging cost. Dan plans to attend Winona State military stories, share a meal and just enjoy “just for the action and excitement,” he said. military career, the only family member he University in Minnesota to pursue a mar- some family time. “I did 35 years, 1 month and 11 personally persuaded to join the Guard was keting and business management degree. Retired Sgt. 1st Class W. Fred days,” including one active duty tour his son Bill. His drill pay, GI Bill and the Student Loan Rockwell; his son, Sgt. 1st Class Pete during the Berlin Crisis of 1961-1962, Fred “Dad tried to get me to join during Viet- Repayment Program will help him with col- Rockwell; and his grandson, Pfc. Dan said. “I was called to State Active Duty nam,” Pete said, “but I didn’t have an in- lege expenses. Rockwell, are all current or former mem- five times,” he added. As a member of terest.” This unit armorer, like his father a mem- bers of Wisconsin’s “Red Arrow” unit, the Eau Claire-based 1st Battalion, 128th Despite his original reluctance to join, ber of 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry, has no currently designated as the 32nd Sepa- Infantry, Fred helped Wisconsin resi- Pete is now a citizen soldier and works full- immediate goals for military advancement rate Infantry Brigade (Light). They have dents recover from a tornado and a flood, time for the Guard. He is currently a per- but said he may look into the Reserve Of- approximately 52 years of combined ser- and he helped control civil disturbances sonnel sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 128th ficer Training Corps program when he gets Infantry, in Madison. to Winona State. “When I joined I was 33 and didn’t “You would be a good ROTC cadet,” a have a retirement plan,” he said. The Guard proud grandfather chimed in. offered that benefit, but Pete soon learned While grandpa Fred admits he had little that it offered a lot more. “At some point influence on his son and grandson in join- my view changed; I like the Guard,” Pete ing the Guard, that doesn’t stop him from said, noting that now he has only seven mentoring them. years until he is eligible for retirement. “Stick with it,” he said. “Get as much His biggest challenge is to keep up with education as you can, and do what your the younger soldiers. “I’ve always been superiors tell you. And like the old Red on the older side of the power curve,” he Arrow flag says: Rise up that ladder.” Some explained. day Pete and Dan may also be active Old Although Pete, like his father, was not Timer members and continue to wear the initially successful in recruiting his son to Red Arrow proudly.

Pfc. Dan Rockwell, left, his father, Sgt. 1st Class Pete Rockwell, and grandfather, retired Sgt. 1st Class W. Fred Rockwell, in civilian clothes, line up for chow at Annual Training. The three Rockwells have breakfast together at Fort McCoy. Page 19 Old Timers bring seasoned outlook to training Story and Photos by Tom Michele At Ease Staff

Every year they return, most of them anyway, except those who have reported to duty with the Supreme Commander. They did again this year: Al- most 100 members of the 32nd Division Old Timers spent the week touring Fort McCoy and the surrounding area. For 17 who had never had an orientation flight on a Black Hawk helicopter, the 147th Command Aviation Battalion pro- vided a 15-minute ride over the post and the range areas, doing hedgehopping maneuvers most of the route. One highlight of the tour was the World War II Commemorative Museum. The Old Timers also viewed a TOW missile live-fire demonstration from the Range 29 control tower and an infantry squad assaulting a bunker occu- pied by opposing forces. Simu- lated artillery shells and blank am- munition fired from the soldiers’ Darryl Rindall is all smiles as he deplanes from a Blackhawk M-16 rifles greatly enhanced the helicopter that had just given him and 16 other 32nd latter demonstration. Division Old Timers a flight over Fort McCoy June 17. Behind But what sparked the feelings Old Timers observe a simulated assault on an enemy him is crew chief Sgt. Dustin Orth, of the 147th Command of most Old Timers was talking bunker by Company C, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry. Aviation Battalion, Wisconsin Army National Guard. about the United States Flag and The demonstration was conducted at Fort McCoy’s its meaning. To them it means free- Infantry Battle Drill Course. dom and history. As Desert Storm veteran Paul per ride. I’ve flown helicopters Everybody should have that, it Brush, Oshkosh, said, “Cutting many times, never in combat. Vis- would be healthy. It’s sad to see across the Saudi and Iraqi sands, iting the museum is very enlight- those people who don’t have that with the U.S. flag flying from our ening, it is very patriotic — here feeling. The Flag belongs to the vehicles, gave us a great feeling, to show past, present and future people of the United States. I see a relief. We thank God we have generations of the support the a lot of pride and honor and love the home that we do, and we don’t country gave. I hope it continues for God and country in the flag. I want to lose it. The flag repre- to encourage people to be more believe in freedom of religion, the sents the unity of our country and patriotic.” backbone of our country. That’s our soldiers on foreign land. It is Brush served three years in why our country was founded.” something for them to come home the active Army, then 21 years in Along with his Old Timers in- to, and to enjoy the freedoms we the Wisconsin National Guard. volvement, Skaug is also active have. His first unit was Company C, 2nd with the Oshkosh Veterans of For- “A lot of people haven’t been Battalion, 127th Infantry, in eign Wars Post, marching in the in the military,” he said, “so they Oshkosh. He then went to the color guard in parades and “fight- don’t know what is involved and 1157th Transportation Company ing for the benefits for those who don’t care. Everything we have, in the same city, retiring as a ser- served.” they have, is thanks to the people geant first class. He also had four While standing in the middle in the military. I fly the flag on my brothers and one sister in the Bad- of the McCoy Museum area, front lawn 24 hours a day, with a ger Guard and a brother in the LeRoy Albright noted, “It brings light on it at night. After having regular Army. back a lot of good memories. I been to foreign countries and see- “There was a lot of love among was with the 32nd’s tank battal- ing their flags, coming home and us,” Brush concluded. “We ion from 1957 to 1962. I was also Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 127th seeing ours is a super feeling.” prayed to the Lord that things with the group that was called to Infantry, explains the radio on his load-bearing vest to Old As for the Old Timers, Brush would go good and all of us would Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1961. Timers Don White, left, of Madison, and Chuck Michaels of said, “I enjoy the camaraderie of make it out. That happened.” Those were the lucky years; I Fountain City. the members of the Old Timers, Tom Skaug, also of Oshkosh never got out of the states. The and of the soldiers we meet, and and also a former member of the Wisconsin guys introduced pizza talk about old times and reflect on 1157th, said, “The U.S. flag is a and beer to the Washington past experiences, and the chop- symbol of pride and heritage. people.”

Paul Brush, an Old Timer from Oshkosh, watches the Former first sergeant George Loew talks with Capt. Jeff Schroeder, commander of landscape go by during a Black Hawk flight June 17 at Company D, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, at a firing range at Fort McCoy where the Old Fort McCoy. Timers observed the live fire of three TOW missiles. Page 20 New TAG Twelve stars and 32 years of TAGs Continued from Page 1 adjutant general, Blaney served as deputy adjutant general for fession in arms. The generals, Army. He has also served as colonels, officers, sergeants ma- commander of the Guard’s 32nd jor, chiefs, soldiers and airmen Infantry Brigade, 64th Troop who serve are simply the best and Command commander, comman- the brightest in uniform today.” dant of the Wisconsin Military Blaney served as adjutant Academy, anti-armor battalion general since his appointment to commander, and in a variety of the post Aug. 8, 1997. At the time other command and staff posi- his five-year term ended, he had tions since he received his com- nearly 42 years of military service. mission as a National Guard of- “The Wisconsin National ficer in 1963. Guard had an outstanding Blaney began his military ser- leader in Gen. Blaney and he has vice when he enlisted into a re- earned our deepest appreciation connaissance squadron of the for his service to our state and Wisconsin National Guard’s nation over more than four de- 105th Cavalry, Sparta, in October, cades,” McCallum said. “As 1960. In 1961, he was ordered to Governor, the safety and secu- nine months active duty with the rity of our people is the heavi- 32nd “Red Arrow” Division dur- est duty I have...and that’s why ing the Berlin Crisis. I have felt so truly blessed by As Blaney prepared to leave the outstanding services, and the state’s top military position, the friendship, of Maj. Gen. Jim he predicted success for his suc- It isn’t often that all six living adjutants general of Wisconsin gather together in one Blaney. cessor. spot, but all six were in attendance at the Wisconsin National Guard change of command “General Blaney, your troops “You will be a great adjutant ceremony Aug. 9. From the back row, left to right, are Maj. Gen. Raymond A. Matera, and I salute you,” McCallum said general,” Blaney told Wilkening. 1979–1989; Maj. Gen. Jerald D. Slack, 1989–1996; Maj. Gen. Jerome J. Berard, 1996– as he turned to render a salute to “You have the all the intelligence, 1997; Maj. Gen. James J. Lison, 1969–1977; Maj. Gen. (WI) Al Wilkening, 2002; and the outgoing adjutant general. knowledge and skills for this im- Maj. Gen. James G. Blaney, 1997–2002. Photo by Larry Sommers. Prior to his appointment as portant position,” he said. Intelligence on loan from Wisconsin Story and Photo by key. With the benefit of work- “Every intel member needs Capt. Sean McKenna ing and deploying together to be organized,” he said. “How 379th Air Expeditionary regularly, the team took little time you store things, how you re- Wing Public Affairs getting acquainted with their search things — those are all surroundings. important parts of the job. You The Air Force Intelligence The team includes Polachek, have to be inquisitive, go be- Badge displays a key of knowl- Capt. John Slack, Capt. Mike yond the obvious answer and edge superimposed on a Garvin, Senior Master Sgt. Gary ask why that piece of informa- globe— a fitting symbol for a Gard, and Tech. Sgts. Mike tion is important to the bigger career field critical to the air ex- Hemberger and Jeff picture.” peditionary concept. Koziczkowski. Besides being eyes and ears Lt. Col. Ed Polachek runs the Today’s intelligence world for the commander, the intel of- intelligence office for the 379th moves at breakneck speed, with fice also works hard to get in- Air Expeditionary Wing at Al information coming in from sun- formation out to all airmen in the Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The six- dry government agencies via se- wing. They have made it a pri- person shop is charged with cure computer networks. ority to visit units around the providing information to com- Polachek’s office breaks down a base and brief airmen on the his- manders to help them make key daily mountain of data and turns tory behind Operation ENDURING decisions in the fight against it into usable chunks for opera- FREEDOM, including the struc- terrorism. tional commanders to digest. ture of al Qaeda forces and “We are trusted to be the “Intel plays an integral part makeup of regional factions. commander’s warning board so in the planning cycle,” Polachek As National Guard members, that he can determine the proper said. “We’re one of many play- the team embodies the Air course of action,” said ers who help figure out how we Force’s Total Force commitment, Polacheck, a 36-year military can safely carry out flying mis- which brings together active- veteran with 26 years in intelli- sions and protect our troops on duty, Guard and Reserve men gence. “We need to make sure the ground and at the base.” and women for all wartime op- the information we give is accu- The job of an intel specialist erations. rate and factual at all times.” is by no means an easy one. Deal- “The Guard and Reserve Polachek and his crew de- ing in the murky world of top-se- have played an incredibly impor- ployed in March from the Madi- cret information is not something tant part in the U.S. military for son-based 115th Fighter Wing, taken lightly, Polachek said. It re- a long time — well before Sep- Tech. Sgt. Jeff Koziczkowski, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Wisconsin Air National Guard. quires checking and rechecking tember 11,” said Victoria Clarke, Intelligence, looks at a map of Southwest Asia. But these guys are no strang- facts to make sure they’re current assistant secretary of defense. Koziczkowski is one of six members in his office, all ers to the Middle East, having and reliable because there are Their participation in Operation deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, from the 115th Fighter previously deployed together to many curveballs throw on any ENDURING FREEDOM, she said, Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard. Photo by Capt. Sean Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Tur- given day. “has been extraordinary.” McKenna, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Support personnel practice field readiness Story and photos by 24-hour security. Julie Friedman After a break for an after-ac- At Ease Staff tion review and weapons mainte- nance, they were ready to move out Most years, the soldiers of the for real during week two. The tents 232nd Personnel Services Detach- went up like clockwork, the com- ment spend their annual training puters were up and running soon behind a desk in some relatively after, and within a day they were cushy office building, but this year doing soldier readiness processing was a welcome exception for them. for the 132nd Support Battalion in For the first time in the last five their field location. years, they moved their entire op- “I was very proud of what they eration to the woods of Fort accomplished,” said Sgt. 1st Class McCoy to live and train near the Ed Spitz, who serves as the units that they normally support detachment’s first sergeant. “I can’t from their home base in Madison. say it enough, because everyone A three-day exercise during exceeded my expectations.” the first week was a practice run The unit also took advan- — a test of their packing, navi- tage of the facilities at Fort gating and tent erecting skills. McCoy to conduct some fun They also trained on operating team-building exercises, includ- a 10K generator, setting up de- ing a confidence course and a From left, Spcs. Jessica Schutz, Chad Larsen, Christina Andersen and Jill Hamm fensive positions and providing dry riverbed crossing. negotiate a rope bridge over a dry riverbed at Fort McCoy. Page 21 Four Wisconsin units participate in warfighter exercise By Col. Dave Gapinski gade in a 3rd Armored Corps With more than 3,000 participants 57th Field Artillery Brigade Warfighter exercise (WFX) at Fort in the exercise, headquarters units Hood, Texas February 22 through of the 3rd Armored Corps estab- The diverse group of artillery March 3, 2002. lished communications links via warfighters assigned to the 57th There is a demand for field ar- digital systems to one another and Field Artillery Brigade arrived in tillery brigades to participate in to their subordinate elements. the country of Blueland at 2330 Warfighter exercises. Though re- Because the 57th Brigade’s hours. As dawn broke, they fell in quired only to take part in one participation in the exercise was on their equipment positioned WFX every two years, the 57th scheduled on relatively short no- well forward in the zone of the U.S. has adopted a “have gun will tice, most of the soldiers repre- 3rd Armored Corps. Within 36 travel” attitude as a result of its senting the brigade at Fort Hood hours Wisconsin’s Iron Brigade participation in three such exer- had not worked together before. and two other field artillery bri- cises in less than two years. Personnel from at least eight sepa- gades of the 3rd Armored Corps These included 5th Corps, 34th rate headquarters rounded out the were committed to battle in sup- Infantry Division, and 3rd Ar- brigade’s contingent in the 3rd port of the 3rd Armored Cavalry mored Corps exercises. The 57th Armored Corps’ exercise. Regiment’s run to the Nam Han will also participate in a 1st Corps The 57th was represented by River. The field artillery adopted Warfighter exercise this fall at Fort a tactical operations center (TOC) the motto of giving the enemy “no Lewis, Wash. Many field artillery staffed by brigade headquarters time to rest, no place to hide and brigade commanders agree that a personnel; and a “simulation cell” multiple ways to die.” corps-level Warfighter is the best of 12 to 15 soldiers per 12-hour Sgt. Moana Fuller updates operations charts during the The above scenario parallels way to train brigade staff. shift, whose job was to simulate the experience of 77 soldiers — The purpose of a corps-level the maneuvers of the brigade’s 3rd Armored Corps Warfighter exercise (WFX) at Fort Hood. from four Wisconsin units and an WFX is to provide unit leaders and three battalions — Wisconsin’s a direct support battalion, the general for Army, and Brig. Gen. Arizona brigade — who repre- staff, as nearly as possible, the 121st and 126th, and Michigan’s 120th, in support of the 32nd In- Harold Nevin, deputy commander sented the 57th Field Artillery Bri- stress and tempo of the battlefield. 182nd. Each notional battalion in fantry Brigade. Muncy, from Ari- of the 34th Infantry Division, the simulation cell consisted of a zona, hoped “to see you in the Gray’s knowledge of the opera- “battle captain” who controlled fall. We always go to the 1st tions map impressed the general the unit, fire control personnel, Corps WFX,” he said. officers. two or three battalion staff mem- In the Operations Section of Sgts. Timothy Larzelere and bers, and a “puckster” who would the brigade’s Tactical Operations Joe Meitzen, members of Head- to move the simulated battalion, Center (TOC), Capt. Michelle quarters Battery, 1st Battalion with its associated air defense, en- Carter, a chemical officer, “came 121st Field Artillery, worked a gineer, infantry and armor assets, for the experience in NBC. In- twelve-hour night shift in the simu- on the computerized field of battle. volvement in an exercise at the lation cell as pucksters. Pucksters The 3rd Armored Corps is a corps level offered a chance to are supervised by battle captains digital corps. Information man- refresh my skills.” and staff officers, but many of agement and command-and-con- Spc. Cara Borchardt and Sgt. their actions require independent trol are fast-paced. Digitization Moana Fuller also came for the quick decisions. The sergeants brings advantages and challenges experience. Borchardt, a tactical were concerned about the tactics, to the warfight. wire installer, functioned in the techniques and procedures re- The systems interface of the exercise as an IFSAS operator. quired for the movement and po- Advanced Field Artillery Tactical “Every Warfighter is different,” sitioning of a field artillery battal- Digital System (AFATDS) with she said. “At the Leavenworth ion. Larzelere and Meitzen agreed the Interim Fire Support Auto- warfighter (34th Infantry Division, with the statement, “Now that I’m mated System (IFSAS) challenged August 2001) I just worked at the a trained puckster, I’d like to do the skills of soldiers as they com- computer. During this warfighter this in the fall.” municated with other units of the I got to see the big picture . . . why The exercise ended approxi- Corps. The experience of Sgt. Eric everything is happening.” mately six and one-half days after Muncy, a fire direction control Fuller, a radio installer, also the soldiers of the 57th were com- (FDC) chief from Arizona’s 153rd worked in the brigade’s simulation mitted to support the 3rd Armored Field Artillery Brigade, comple- cell for the 34th Division’s WFX. Cavalry Regiment. Within 10 hours mented that of Capt. Ryan Brown, “Here, it was extremely different. they re-deployed to Wisconsin, a battery commander from 1st Bat- I never worked in Ops before,” and most were back at their civilian talion, 120th Field Artillery, and said Fuller. jobs within the next 20 hours. Sgt. 1st Class David Reedich, an Spc. Sylvester Gray , a cook The strength of the 57th a FDC instructor with 1st Battal- for Sussex-based Battery C, 1st Field Artillery Brigade reflects ion, 426th Regiment — the Wis- Battalion, 121st Field Artillery, the unique characteristics of its consin Military Academy’s field worked in operations at the soldiers, assigned or attached. artillery school. brigade’s Administrative and Lo- Teams do not let team members For many artillerymen, work- gistics Center. By not being in down. The success of the ing with a field artillery brigade is the kitchen, Gray said, “ I learned 57th’s sojourn to Fort Hood eye opening. “I don’t get to see how war goes. . . . I can see the rested in the ability of soldiers the tactical side by working in the actual picture.” When the TOC to serve as members of cohesive Sgt. Chris Dashiell and Spc. Sylvester Gray update the school house” said Reedich. received a visit from Brig. Gen. teams, teams of winners — part admin/logisitics charts during WFX. Brown’s experience was limited to Kerry Denson, deputy adjutant of America’s Army. Medevac unit picks up after infantry fight By Spc. Scott Tyner Pfc. Clint Vervoren, a medical specialist 211th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, with Charlie Company, was there with his United States Army Reserve squad to assess casualties. “My squad had a mission to take out a Gunfire ripped through the underbrush, bunker,” said Vervoren. “The bunker was cutting down everything in its path, as the set up on a hill, and when we did the mis- squad attacked the enemy bunker. After sion, we took casualties. My job was to fix the smoke cleared, the bunker lay in ruins, them up quick and move them out of the with casualties strewn about in desperate danger zone. We moved them out a little need of help. further and I worked on them a little more. Companies A and C, 2nd Battalion, Then we brought them to the landing zone. 128th Infantry, and aircrews from the 832nd “Our medics have probably done at Medical Company (Air Ambulance) tested least 10 to 12 of these ‘dust-offs,’” said their skills in scenarios like this one during Grochowski. “Every medic that’s attached their annual training at Fort McCoy in June. to a platoon does four, and then the squad “The squad received the order, leaders get the confidence in calling up and planned their mission and then had to talking to the medevac operations. move three to three-and-a-half kilome- “The medevacs are coming into a ters over some very hilly terrain,” ex- strange landing zone, which forces them plained 2nd Lt. John Grochowski, a pla- to adapt more,” Grochowski added. toon leader from the 128th. “When they “This isn’t the first time that we’ve reached the objective, they had to at- worked with the 832nd for training pur- tack and knock out a bunker. After that, poses,” said Grochowski. “This is very any casualties had to be assessed and good training for their medics and ours. moved to a landing zone where the squad This mission has been going really well.” leader called in a medevac.” “Maybe next time we could add a few UH-1 Huey helicopters from the 832nd more stresses to the training to make it a Members of the 832nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) prepare a UH- Medical Company then came in and evacu- little more ‘real world,’” Grochowski added 1 Huey helicopter to evacuate the “injured” during annual training at ated the injured, said Grochowski. with a grin. Fort McCoy in June. Page 22 Guard firefighters in disaster drill By John Charlier, emergency landing, during which Assistant Chief the airliner smashed into a Cessna 128th Air Refueling Wing 172 on the runway. The Cessna Fire Department came to rest on the east side of the airport in the fire training area A fictitious collision be- and began burning. The DC-9 tween a DC-9 passenger jet and ended up on the west ramp, with a small airplane provided the small fires erupting. The scenario dramatic scenario for a full-scale included fatalities as well as trau- airport exercise at Milwaukee’s matic injuries and burns. General Mitchell International 128th firefighters assisted in Airport May 23, and the 128th extinguishing the burning Air Refueling Wing’s fire de- Cessna at the fire training partment played a key role as grounds and then responded to first responders. the DC-9. Crew members helped Milwaukee Air Traffic Control remove victims from the acci- declared a simulated alert. The dent scene and took them to a exercise scenario had the DC-9’s triage area to prepare for trans- pilot reporting a noxious odor in portation to a local hospital. the cabin, followed by symptoms Firefighters from the 128th of difficulty breathing, watering who participated were James eyes, itching and burning sensa- Saler, John Charlier, Richard Matt Dickman and Senior Airman David MacCudden, firefighters from the 128th Air tions on the skin, in the nose and Ludowise, Marc Formolo, Josh Refueling Wing’s fire department, assist mock casualties during the May 23 full-scale mouth among passengers and Hareng, Matt Dickmann and Se- disaster exercise at General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee. Wisconsin Air crew. This led to a hypothetical nior Airman David MacCudden. National Guard photo. Russell is ‘hot shot’ Senior Airman Jason E. M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol, Russell, Madison, a member of passed all performance evalua- the 115th Security Forces tions on the first attempt, has Squadron, received no ad- earned a dis- monitory coun- tinctive recog- seling, and has nition while at- achieved a test tending the Se- average of 97 curity Forces percent. Academy Ap- Fischer, the prentice award’s name- Course at sake, was a se- Lackland Air curity police- Force Base, man killed in ac- Texas. tion at the age of Russell re- 22, while de- ceived the Sgt. Russell fending Tan Louis H. Fischer Award, which Son Nhut Air Base at Hue, Viet- is presented to the student nam, against a well-armed Matt Dickman and Marc Formolo spray foam in the fire training area. Wisconsin Air trainee who has qualified as force of North Vietnamese in National Guard photo. “expert” the first time with the the “Tet offensive” of Janu- ary 31, 1968. Gravel-makers practice minefield survival Story and Photos By and ready to squeeze the trigger. them, just inches above the ist. “It’s good for us to be put in wrong,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph R. Spc. Justin A. Carmack Each soldier wears the same ex- ground. Suddenly the lead mine- this kind of an environment.” Meier Jr., a lane meister for the 350th Mobile Public pression. Every step reflects anxi- sweeper detects metal in the The 106th also practiced stra- 338th. “We ask them what they Affairs Detachment ety and anticipation. They know ground and signals the lines of tegic movements to a predeter- think they did wrong. They talk the enemy could strike at any mo- moving soldiers to stop. They mined point. The soldiers swept in a group and then we offer ad- Two lines of soldiers walk ment. drop to the ground and point their their route for mines before vice on how they could improve.” along opposite sides of a narrow Minesweeping soldiers cau- weapons up in search of the en- searching for signs of the enemy. At the final destination for dirt path, their weapons at the tiously lead the formation, hold- emy. A soldier crawls slowly and They were instructed to con- the 106th, soldiers set up camp ready, their index fingers flexed ing metal detectors in front of cautiously toward the suspected stantly be aware and react to before embarking on a real- area, then carefully probes the OPFOR attacks. The soldiers also world mission that will make a ground with two narrow metal reacted to several challenges, in- lasting improvement at Fort rods. After close examination of cluding a detected minefield, a McCoy. The job included blast- the area, the soldier rises to his chemical environment and an ing, clearing and grubbing a feet: It was a false alarm. OPFOR attack. quarry site in preparation for a This sequence illustrates one After the last challenge was brand new rock crusher the unit type of drill the 106th Quarry Team, overcome, the 106th performed an will field in August of this year. 264th Engineer Group, completed after-action review (AAR). The The 106th will then make aggre- during Annual Training here. AAR, led by evaluators from Fort gate for resurfacing the post’s “It takes more pressure than McCoy’s 338th Training Support roads and other construction one might think to set off one of Battalion, was an opportunity to projects. the mines with the probes,” said inform soldiers what tasks they “We are a fairly new unit,” Pfc. Casey M. Sampson, a quarry needed further practice in per- Hiser said, “started in 1999. Most specialist. “Once the mines are forming. of our soldiers are really young. found, they are then disarmed or “Our job is not to pick apart We really enjoy taking the time to completely avoided.” what these young soldiers did do our job in the field.” The Ashland-based unit came to Fort McCoy to participate in lanes training. As part of their training for the minesweeping mission, the 106th was given a scenario that included intelligence information reflecting the pres- ence of an opposing force (OPFOR) in it’s area of operation. The first assignment tackled by the 106th soldiers was finding their way through a suspected minefield. The soldiers ap- proached this exercise as if they were on a real battlefield. “The more realistic training Spc. David C. Henneman, a quarry specialist with the 106th and experience we get, the better Quarry Team, takes cover during a mine sweeping mission we get at our jobs,” said Spc. Spc. Abby L. Hiser, a quarry specialist with the 106th Quarry at Fort McCoy, Wis. Abby L. Hiser, a quarry special- Team, searches for an OPFOR at Fort McCoy. Page 23 It’s sneak-and-peek for 105th Cav troops Story and photos by get that information back to the “It’s a good learning experi- Adam Bradley main body so the commander can ence, and this new MOS (Military At Ease Staff decide on which way to direct at- Occupational Specialty) really tack.” widens our horizons,” said Staff When one thinks of cavalry, Because this was the first An- Sgt. Scott O’Connell, a platoon often it’s of a bugle-singing, nual Training since the Merrill unit sergeant. “We sneak a peak, sword-swinging, military hero converted from armor to cavalry, gather information and relay it screaming “CHARGE!” from atop classes and training missions fo- back to the commanders.” a gorgeous white horse, but let’s cused on the basics. Unit members “Our best weapon is the ra- think more 21st-century now. trained dismounted, meaning the dio,” said Kuehlman. “If we have The 32nd Infantry Brigade, entire scout element navigated its to use our weapons, we have been Wisconsin Army National Guard, way to the objective point on foot. seen and failed our mission. We is becoming more mobile. Today’s Though some soldiers of the only use our weapons as a defen- cavalry no longer rides in the unit are already qualified mili- sive measure.” saddle. Modern cavalry scouts tary scouts, the entire unit “I love to train and being out creep along enemy lines using needs to be brought to the same in the field — just love it,” said humvees and send valuable infor- level. This was where the ex- Sgt. 1st Class Willie R. Brunson, mation back to the main body by pertise of Army active-duty one of the observer-controllers. radio. scouts came into play. Five ob- Brunson has been a scout for 16 The mission of Troop E, 105th server-controllers from Fort years and was quick to correct any Cavalry, is reconnaissance. Bragg assisted the unit’s tran- slip-up by one of the scouts-in- “We are the eyes and ears for sition by teaching basic scout- training. the main body,” said Sgt. Tim ing procedures and concentrat- “This has been a good AT, Kuehlman, a member of Troop E, ing on what the soldiers will and the unit’s learning curve is Merrill. “We are able to draw up a learn in Advanced Individual through the roof,” said Capt. Kris picture of what is out in front and Training (AIT). N. Stolpa, Troop E commander.

Above: Staff Sgt. Todd Rucinski relays information back to the main body of Troop E, 105th Cavalry, using a small hand-held radio that is now standard equipment for the unit.

Left: Troop E, 105th Cavalry soldiers discuss the plan for a reconnaissance mission during annual training at Fort McCoy. Pictured from left are Staff Sgt. Scott O’Connell, Staff Sgt. Todd Rucinski and Sgt. Timothy Kuehlman. 2-127th Infantry helps Neenah-Menasha Boys’-&-Girls’ Brigade with outdoor skills By Capt. Jacqueline Guthrie Having soldiers fill this role 32nd Brigade Public is a great asset, Donovan said. Affairs Officer The female campers “lit up like light bulbs,” he said, when they When the Neenah-Menasha noticed that one of the helicopter Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade planned its pilots was a woman. annual leadership camp, the plan- “What an awesome experience ners knew it wouldn’t be the same for our girls to see women working without some of Wisconsin Na- in nontraditional roles — it was tional Guard’s best. absolutely priceless,” Donovan “People in the military are out- said. And that was just one example standing leaders,” said Dan of the influence the Guard members Donovan, the leadership camp had on the campers. coordinator. So six infantrymen “We fell in love with them,” from 2nd Battalion, 127th Infan- he said. “It was one of the most try, took a break from Annual professional experiences I’ve had Training June 19 to teach in a long time. We hated to see rappelling and land navigation to them go. approximately 100 boys and girls “But it was fascinating to ev- at Camp Onaway near Waupaca. eryone that they are our neigh- Due to the isolated location bors.” of the camp, the soldiers arrived The headquarters of the 2nd by UH-1 Huey helicopter, wear- Battalion, 127th Infantry, is in ing full military gear. Appleton, and the battalion has “It made everybody’s day,” units in Marinette, Green Bay, Donovan said. The campers and Ripon, Fond du Lac and Waupun. staff had been expecting the sol- “We look forward to doing diers to arrive by humvee, but something with them in the fu- ABOVE: Spec. Steven when he heard the helicopters ture,” Donovan said. Lt. Col. Haugen, Headquarters coming he knew it couldn’t be a Todd Nehls, battalion commander, Company, 2nd coincidence. “The campers were has the same goal. Battalion,127th Infantry, in awe, and it was a real thrill for “The event provided our sol- teaches rappeling to one of everyone.” diers an opportunity to display the Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade The Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade, a their pride, professionalism and campers with the help of United Way Agency, is a nonde- training to a segment of the Ameri- Staff Sgt. Nathan Olson. nominational Christian organiza- can public that we are very inter- tion for boys and girls grades six ested in,” said Nehls. “These are RIGHT: A UH-1 Huey to 12. Its primary purpose is to the future leaders of the Wiscon- helicopter arrives, with provide wholesome activities in sin National Guard. It’s an oppor- soldiers in full military which volunteer adults interact tunity to show the campers what gear, ready to assist at with student members. the Guard has to offer.” Camp Onaway. in military operationssince lastSept.11. PhotobyJoeOliva. Symphony Orchestra’s “1812Overture”grandfinale.Inaddition, aspecialtributetothearmedforces featuredWisconsinNatio Fighter Wing providedan F-16flyover, the132nd Army Bandperformedthroughout theafternoon, and105mmhowitzers accompanied park andbeforealivestatewide televisionaudience.Inaddition tothethree-shipUH-60flyover (photographed fromthethird Madison’s galaIndependence Daycelebrationthisyeargot anotherbigboostfromtheWisconsin NationalGuard-infrontof300 Rhythm andBooms BlackHawks

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 nal Guardinvolvement aircraft), the115th ,000 peopleinthe the Madison

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