Remembering the Bataan Death March 21 Leadership Corner
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July/Aug. 2013 Vol. 8 No. 6 GRIZZLYOfficial Newsmagazine of the California National Guard Fighting the flames CNG’s 146th Airlift Wing takes on the Mountain Fire pg. 5 Remembering the Bataan Death March 21 www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs Leadership Corner A band of brothers and sisters Major General David S. Baldwin Our organization is steeped in history dating to the First Curchin Sgt. Salli Staff by Photo Muster in 1636, and our culture and tradition are among the things that make the National Guard exceptionally Throughout the strong. To maintain and build our strength, however, we must continuously evolve, and one of the biggest, most past decade, women beneficial changes of the past 376 years has been the in- clusion of women in our force — and as of this year, in have shown great every military role. In August we celebrate Women’s Equality Month, and courage, contributed to we can celebrate it in the U.S. Armed Forces this year more wholeheartedly than ever before. the military’s mission Women have played important roles in every conflict in unprecedented ways in U.S. history, including some women who disguised themselves as men so they could serve in combat during and proven their ability the Revolutionary War. Those patriots stood shoulder- to-shoulder with their fellow countrymen, fully com- in a wide variety of mitted to safeguarding our fledgling democracy. Their actions were invaluable to the war effort and laid the roles. Their performance foundation for a steadily increasing role throughout the centuries since. made the DoD’s Despite supporting the military in a variety of positions decision to remove all throughout the years, women were not granted regular status in the Army or any other U.S. military branch until combat restrictions an 1948. Promotion restrictions for women were removed by Congress in 1967, and a female Soldier attained the easy one. rank of general for the first time in 1970. Department of Defense regulations, however, continued - Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin to keep women from filling many combat-oriented jobs, a policy that changed gradually in recent decades and The Adjutant General was finally rescinded fully in January. Women are now eligible to perform any occupation in the Armed Forces, though the details of opening up those positions may not MirthaVillarreal-Younger (CA) courtesy Col. Photo of Lt. be completed until early 2016. Rescinding the combat restriction was more than a move toward equality, but a tactical advancement as well, as the DoD’s goal in the decision was to ensure that each mis- sion is staffed with the best-qualified and most-capable people. Female service members hold some of the highest lead- ership positions in the California National Guard, and as members of the nation’s most frequently deployed National Guard force, our female Soldiers and Airmen have repeatedly deployed into harm’s way since the at- tacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Their remarkable service during that time has shown that no military can achieve its full potential without utilizing the talents and abilities of fe- male citizens. More than 202,000 women currently serve in the U.S. mil- itary, accounting for about 15 percent of the total force. During the past decade, women have deployed more than 280,000 times in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 150 have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation in those theaters. Throughout those conflicts, women have shown great courage, contributed to the military’s mission in unprec- edented ways and proven their ability in a wide variety of roles. Their performance made the Defense Depart- ment’s decision to remove all combat restrictions an easy one. Our female warriors are recognized as equals who can perform any military function and bring pride to this na- tion. We are a stronger, more modern force today than ever before, and we will continue to gain power and ex- pertise as the contributions of our female service mem- bers grow. 2 Grizzly TABLE OF CONTENTS The Official Newsmagazine of Smooth transition New to the fight the California National Guard 4 Injured Soldiers heal at home with their families through the 15 Pvt. Robert DeCosta joined the National Guard for his coun- Community-Based Warrior Transition Unit try and his son Breathless reunion Roadside assistance July/Aug. 5 Company B, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, returned 16 Two recent graduates of the Combat Lifesaver course used from Afghanistan to an emotional homecoming their new skills to save a motorist on a California highway Vol. 8 No. 6 Fighting the flames 349th Soldiers practice ‘buddy aid’ 2013 The 146th Airlift Wing dropped thousands of gallons on the Members of the 349th Quartermaster Company trained to Mountain Fire in Southern California buy time for injured troops Publisher Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin Dirty bomb at Quiet Glow TFW learns tactical site exploitation CNG emergency responders tackled a radioactive emergen- Task Force Warrior instructors picked up new skills on prop- The Adjutant General 6 17 cy during exercise Quiet Glow in Monterey County erly handling and collecting evidence in a combat zone Director of Public Affairs Lt. Col. Thomas Keegan Atropian validation Mix and match 7 The 40th Infantry Division is classified ‘Available’ to do bat- The 349th Quartermasters brought together an array of Editor tle after its performance in the Army’s Warfighter exercise troops from different units for its Afghanistan deployment Brandon Honig Chemical reaction Partners in crime prevention 8 On Day 1 of exercise Determined Defense, the 95th CST dealt 18 The Cal Guard recognized the Los Angeles Police Depart- with a simulated chemical attack in Folsom, Calif. ment for years of cooperation and joint training Submissions Hazardous environment College course 9 The second day of the Determined Defense exercise brought Cal State University police officers traveled to Camp Roberts Articles: a dangerous tanker truck spill to Rancho Cordova, Calif. for marksmanship training with Task Force Warrior Articles range from 350 to 2,000 words. All articles should be accompanied by TASMG weathers the storm Heroes come home multiple high-resolution images. 10 The 1106th TASMG shined after a hail storm that damaged CNG Airmen took time out from fighting an Arizona fire to hundreds of helicopters in Afghanistan transport two fallen firefighters home to California Include first names, last names and mili- tary ranks. Always verify spelling. Some assembly required Healthy Hawaiians Spell out acronyms, abbreviations and The 640th Aviation Support Battalion put together 12 heli- 19 Exercise Tropic Care brought free health services to medi- full unit designations on first reference. copters broken down for shipping for Hawaii Guardsmen cally underserved areas of the 50th state Only submit articles that have been COBRA poses dangerous scenario Drivers ed approved by your unit’s public affairs The 140th Chemical Company benefitted from FEMA’s chem- Three transportation companies cross-trained on each oth- officer. 11 ical, ordnance, biological and radiological (COBRA) training er’s vehicles during their annual training in June 870th MPs train for QRF mission New leader for nation’s top IBCT Photographs: FEMA trained the Northern California Quick Reaction Force 20 Col. Jeffrey Smiley succeeded Col. Mark Malanka as com- Highest resolution possible: MB files, to be prepared for any emergency mander of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team not KB. Grand idea for Grand Canyon State 40th CAB gets a new driver No retouched photos, no special effects. 14 A California transplant brought the state military reserve Lt. Col. Todd Lewis took command of the CNG’s combat avi- Include the photographer’s name and concept to California’s eastern neighbor ation brigade from Col. Laura Yeager rank, and a caption: what is happening in the photo, who is pictured and the date Campy tradition March of history and location. Summer camp is back after a 23-year hiatus for the California 21 The final three surviving Cal Guardsmen who endured the Cadet Corps Bataan Death March passed away this year E-mail submissions and feedback to: Expert instruction Are you ready for some football? [email protected] California State Military Reserve members bring civilian law 22 NFL star Reggie Bush hosted his second annual football enforcement experience to security forces training camp for military children in La Mesa, Calif. 1-184th mixes it up An artist gives back 15 California Army National Guard units represent a true cross- Martial arts expert and Brazil native Pfc. Andre Huebes con- Cover Shot section of the state tributes his skills to the nation he now calls home In Every Leadership At a News & Did You Issue 2 Corner 12 Glance 23 Benefits 23 Know? California National Guard mobilizations as of June 2013 Continental U.S. Air Asia 268 Europe Army Afghanistan Photo by 540 Bahrain Senior Airman Nicholas Carzis Germany Israel Kosovo Kuwait Afghanistan Japan A C-130J from the 146th Airlift Wing in Port 25 103 396 Kuwait Hueneme, Calif., drops fire retardant on the Latvia Mountain Fire west of Palm Springs on July Egypt Other Kyrgyzstan Oman 19. The 146th made 37 drops totaling 111,000 Africa 3 25 gallons during a six-day activation for the fire, Qatar which was 100 percent contained July 30. Air Army United Arab Emirates 112 3 Home is where the healing is Injured reserve component troops reunite with their loved ones and rehabilitate at home through the Community-Based Warrior Transition Unit Photos by Master Sgt. Julie Avey Master Sgt. by Photos By MASTER SGT. JULIE AVEY San Diego Regional Public Affairs “The Warrior Transition In July 2012, Staff Sgt.