TAG Update Fall 2009 COMMAND INFORMATION for the PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT of MILITARY and VETERANS AFFAIRS
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TAG Update Fall 2009 COMMAND INFORMATION FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS From The Adjutant General Two more milestone missions and their associated achievements are now in the Pennsylvania National Guard record book. The 56th Stryker Brigade’s deployment to Iraq and our support of the G-20 Conference in Pittsburgh were missions completed to the highest standard. The Stryker Brigade performed superbly in a difficult combat environment. Very few Army units have assembled, equipped, trained and deployed at such a rapid pace. Further adding to this accomplishment is that the majority of our force is comprised of citizen soldiers and this performance is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The 56th Independence Brigade proved to the Army that fielding the Stryker in the Pennsylvania National Guard was the right investment for our nation. While juggling the return of the 4,000-member Stryker force, another 2,500 Soldiers and Airmen deployed as a joint task force to support the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. With the eyes of the world on G-20 leaders, Pennsylvania National Guard personnel ensured a safe and secure environment by working closely with local, state and federal agencies. While visiting Pittsburgh, I was so impressed with not only our troop’s professionalism, but also the community’s outpouring of support and encouragement. Our strength has always been that we are a community-based force – and once again – that was proven in Pittsburgh. Two more tremendous accomplishments are now added to our long and distinguished lineage. Good work and well done! Sincerely, JESSICA L. WRIGHT MG, PAARNG The Adjutant General 1 Air Guard Updates 171st Air Refueling Wing Deployments Col. Mark Van Kooten, the 171st ARW maintenance group commander, returned from a 70-day deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq. Twenty-eight members of a 40-member security forces team that deployed in February to Sather Air Base, Iraq, and returned in mid August. Their support directly contributed to operations in Iraq. The group was divided into three teams responsible for the security of crucial military base infrastructure and assets. Lt. Col. Steve Painter served as commander. Orientation flights/community relations The orientation flight program has provided a firsthand experience of the wing’s mission to over 140 people. These flights included air traffic controllers, educators, law enforcement personnel and employers. The wing is proud to continue this tradition and provide this experience to the community. Six wing members and members of the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and 911th Airlift Wing took part in the Honorary Commanders Association event on Aug. 13. The HCA and military members boarded a C-130 at the 911th, then flew to Baltimore and toured the Army’s naval facility in Baltimore. The HCA members were awed at the abilities and logistical mastery of the Army and their naval vessels. The wing continued its relationship with the Pittsburgh Pirates by having unit members record “shout outs” to their family and friends. These contain videos of unit members in uniform, saying hello to family and friends and yelling “Let’s Go Bucs!” One “shout out” is then played during the opening ceremonies of every Pirate home game. As of the end of August, over 50 unit members have recorded the spots. Events The wing celebrated its 26th annual dining out event on Aug. 21. More than 300 people gathered to celebrate the unit’s accomplishments throughout 2009 and recognized individuals who exceeded their commander’s expectations. Airman 1st Class Lisa Weiss sang the national anthem as the base honor guard proudly posted the colors to begin the ceremony. The president of Robert Morris University, Gregory Dell‘Omo, was guest speaker. He explained the role of the university in the community and the importance of tradition in both the military and education. 111th Fighter Wing Change of Command The former 111th Maintenance Group Commander, Col. Anthony Carrelli, assumed command of the 111th Fighter Wing in a change of command ceremony at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station on Aug. 2. Col. Paul Comtois, outgoing commander, retired from his military career to pursue other endeavors. A highly respected and dynamic leader, Col. Comtois was the driving force behind the post-BRAC vision to turn the base at Willow Grove into a joint interagency installation, an essential step in supporting important national defense, homeland security and emergency preparedness missions. 2 Miscellaneous Guardsmen from the 111th FW participated in the Bicentennial Festival in Philadelphia July 2-5. The four-day event honored President Lincoln’s life, legacy and strong personal and political connection to Philadelphia. The 103rd Fighter Squadron performed two, three-ship flybys during the Independence Day Celebration in downtown Philadelphia on July 4. They first flew over the Southampton Parade and then over Independence Hall. Volunteers from the wing unfurled a giant American flag during the July 4 Phillies game opening ceremony while Tech. Sgt. Jody Johnson from the 111th Medical Group sang the National Anthem. The 111th FW and its members received praise for receiving a 96 percent compliant rating for a unit compliance inspection that occurred from July 9-14. Senior Master Sergeants Harley Delp (111th Communications Flight), Thomas Hickey (111th Communications Flight) and Alice Jenkins (111th Force Support Squadron) were promoted to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant on July 12. The wing sent a four-member public affairs team to support Patriot 2009 at Volk Field, Wis., from July 17-24. In a combined recruiting effort with Clear Channel Outdoors Inc., the 201st RED HORSE Squadron, Det.1, unveiled a billboard next to Interstate 95 in Southampton, Pa., Aug. 8. Sixteen members of the 111th Maintenance Group deployed during the first week of August to a forward operating location at Fort Drum, N.Y., in support of the103rd Fighter Squadron. 193rd Special Operations Wing Red Horse The Red Horse is on the road again, with 115 members deploying for seven months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This is their third major deployment since Sept. 11, 2001. The Red Horse also deployed 44 members to Guam recently for two week rotations. 211th Engineering Installation Squadron The EIS was recently notified that it received the prestigious Combat Communications Safety Award. Additional unit type code requirements were recently added to the rotation increasing our personnel requirement by 30 percent. Also, the squadron recently completed the Patriot 09 exercise in Bangor, Maine, and is currently in the midst of installing the protected distribution system at the 193rd’s Middletown base. The 211th also completed the first phase of the Ellsworth Air Force Base survey project, where it discovered and corrected numerous deficiencies with the base cable labeling and infrastructure blueprint. 271st Combat Communications Squadron The 271st was recently notified that it won the Brig. Gen. John E. Nolan Award for outstanding combat communications group unit of the year. The unit also deployed four personnel to southwest Asia in support of OEF and OIF and 92 personnel, seven pallets, and four pieces of rolling stock to Camp Dawson on a ten day annual field training operation readiness exercise. Most recently, the squadron supported the Red Rose IV exercise with personnel and communications equipment. Schoolhouse The Air National Guard Schoolhouse trained 1,800 students in Fiscal Year 2009. More than 100 classes were offered in civil engineering and engineering installations, while the Services Regional Training Site 3 trained six services flights and the Regional Equipment Operators Training Site trained 12 civil engineer units. 112th Air Operations Squadron Unit personnel deployed in support of the Central Command Combined Air Operations Center and Special Operations Center and also at the 611th Air Operations Center, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The unit also celebrated its 60th anniversary with a gathering of 70 alumni. Miscellaneous The 203rd Weather Flight and the 148th Air Support Operations squadron deployed in support of the 56th Stryker Brigade. The 553rd Band did a phenomenal job again this quarter, playing 16 performances throughout Pennsylvania during the summer. The 193rd Medical Group had an excellent summer, with three of their members receiving Army Commendation Medals and three receiving Army Achievement Medals for their support of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Indiantown Gap. Two other members received an Army Commendation Medal and Joint Service Achievement Medal for their respective work in Operation Enduring Freedom and in Honduras. Eight group members also participated in the recent Red Rose IV exercise at the Gap. The Operations Maintenance and Support groups had approximately 70 people deployed on a rotating basis since April, flying Commando Solo missions in the Central Command Area of Responsibility. Within the support group, 13 members of the Services Flight deployed in support of the Air Expeditionary Force on Sept. 10. Also noteworthy was the group’s recent notification that the Services Flight received the Air National Guard Services Flight of the Year Award for 2008. The wing experienced another excellent quarter with notification that it was the recipient of its 13th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The wing also scored high on its fourth unit compliance inspection for the year. As the Bollen Range closed out the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2009, it supported some 3,000 sorties (the average is 2,000 per year), resulting in 78,000 rounds strafe; 4,850 BDU-33s; 500 rockets; and 600 surface to air missiles being fired. Stryker Brigade Combat Team Independence Brigade completes mission The 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, has completed its mission in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The first wave of returning soldiers began arriving at Fort Dix, N.J., in late August and additional soldiers returned to Fort Dix in September before returning to Pennsylvania.