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Volume 57 No. 4 Serving the Kansas Army and Air National Guard, Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Homeland Security and Civil Air Patrol August 2013 Kansas Guardsman/Miss Kansas takes on America at pageant By Spc. Brandon Jacobs traditionally compete, Vail chose a different 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment route. Sgt. Theresa Vail, Manhattan, loves to “I played male-dominated sports and it take on challenges. made me feel better,” said Vail. In the Miss “It gives me a powerful feeling,” said Kansas Pageant, she became an advocate Vail, “and that’s what I want to give to for empowering women through participat- other women.” ing, as she did, in male-dominated sports Tackling challenges led Vail into sports, such as boxing and bow hunting. joining the Kansas National Guard, and Since winning the Miss Kansas title, Vail most recently, entering – and winning – the receives numerous messages from young Miss Kansas Pageant. women that look up to her, many writing, “I Growing up in a military family fueled want to be you.” Vail’s desire to serve and mentor others and “Don’t be me, be you,” Vail counters. acted as a springboard to joining the “Do what you want to do. Be what you Kansas National Guard, which in turn want to be.” eventually led her to enter the Miss Kansas In the interest of building confidence in Pageant. An officer told her she had the tal- the young women who reached out to her, ent and ability to be a role model for young Vail created the Empowerment Project. The women. Vail decided pageantry was an project involves drawing on the experi- ideal way to become that role model. ences of 100 women, and at its core pro- As part of the pageant, entrants must vides advice and confidence to younger choose a platform to promote. Vail wanted women. a platform to enable young women to gain The program, which is still evolving, confidence and better themselves and re- asks participants to use their life experi- called her own experiences as a youth, Sgt. Theresa Vail, Manhattan, a dental technician in the Kansas Army National ences to write letters of advice to their 22- when she was bullied in school. For her, Guard Medical Detachment, is crowned Miss Kansas 2013 at the conclusion of the year-old selves. sports became an ideal outlet. Not content, state pageant held at Pratt County Community College in Pratt, Kan., June 8. (Photo “I want to share their experiences with however, with those sports where women used with permission, Miss Kansas organization) (Continued on Page 2) Wing receives Distinguished Medal of Honor ceremony Flying unit for third time brings family legacy alive for By Tech. Sgt. Emily F. Alley of work the wing has done,” said Maj. 190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Brandi Staniec, who wrote the nomination Kansas Soldier and Airman The National Guard Bureau recently an- packet. Staniec compiled examples of the By Steve Larson seven months of imprisonment. But in nounced the 190th Air Refueling Wing as wing’s work during the award period, Janu- Public Affairs Office those months, Kapaun, a Catholic priest, the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Fly- ary to December 2012. For example, she 1st Lt. Kristina Kapaun and her brother, performed numerous acts of heroism and ing Unit Award. Every flying unit in the found that, over about the past two years, Spc. David Kapaun, visited the White self-sacrifice. Stories of those acts became country is eligible to apply, but this is the the total deployed days for the wing adds House April 11 to witness a ceremony hon- part of the Kapaun family history. third year out of the past five the 190th up to about 70 years. oring a man they had never met, a man who “What I knew about him was the stories, ARW won. “That deployment schedule was daunt- died decades before either was born, but a that he was in the Army and that he was re- “The award is based on the culmination ing,” said Lt. Col. Chuck Remboldt, a pilot man of whom both were immensely proud. ally brave and that he did a lot of amazing who was tasked to command a detachment During the ceremony, President Barack things while he was captured in the Korean during a deployment in the Pacific region Obama presented a posthumous Medal of War,” recalled Kristina, air battle manager in late 2012. He helped supervise the Honor to their great-uncle, Chaplain (Capt.) with the 134th Air Control Squadron, largest presence of bomber and tanker air- Emil Kapaun, who died in a North Korean Kansas Air National Guard. “It was one of craft in Guam in 15 years. PAID prisoner of war camp May 23, 1951, after (Continued on Page 2)

PRSRT STD PRSRT In addition to work in the Pacific, as well SALEM, OR U.S. POSTAGE

PERMIT NO. 178 PERMIT as flights supporting operations in the Mid- dle East, aircrews from the 190th ARW ac- complished daily flying missions in Kansas. “I can’t remember since I’ve been here, a time when we’ve had numerous and drasti- cally different flying missions going on at the same time,” said Remboldt, who has been a member of the unit for 29 years. “We just did it. To do that many things, without failure, that’s significant.” While both Remboldt and Staniec, as members of the Operations Squadron, re- flected on flying missions, they recognize it took accomplishments from the entire wing to win the award. “I think putting together an award like this opens your eyes to the work everyone did,” said Staniec. “It’s not just flying air- planes. It’s so much more.” Staniec was impressed with the Medical Group, which scored a 96.6 percent on an inspection in 2012, and the Command Post, which scored an outstanding on an assess- 2800 Topeka Blvd. 2800 Topeka

OFFICIAL BUSINESS OFFICIAL ment. Adjutant General of Kansas Topeka, Kansas 66611-1287 Topeka, Penalty For Private Use, $300 Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun celebrates Mass during the Korean War using the

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY THE OF DEPARTMENT While Staniec emphasized the Distin- NATIONAL GUARD OF KANSAS GUARD OF NATIONAL guished Flying Unit Award represents the hood of a jeep as his altar, Oct. 7, 1950. Less than a month later, Kapaun would, hard work of the Airmen of the 190th ARW, without regard for his own life, save a fellow Soldier from certain death. (Courtesy

DEPARTMENT AND AIR OF THE ARMY FORCE DEPARTMENT (Continued on Page 14) photo by Col. Raymond Skeehan) Page 2 Plains Guardian • August 2013 Kansas Guardsman/Miss Kansas takes on America at pageant Continued from Page 1 During the pageant, she was asked why Vail has learned to confront her prob- younger women and teach them to be fear- she would make a good representative for lems head-on from her time in the service less,” said Vail. the state of Kansas. and her childhood growing up around the Vail learned fearlessness, as well as dedi- “I’ve been a representative of my state military. cation and confidence, from watching her for six years as a Guardsman,” said Vail. “It She likes breaking people’s perceptions father serve in the Army as a dentist for 33 doesn’t get any more real than that.” of women in the military. years. Being a self-described Army brat has Outside of serving in the military and as “When you are around military guys, as a taught Vail to adapt and overcome as well Miss Kansas, Vail is a student at Kansas woman you have to hold yourself up as be confident and outgoing. State University, studying chemistry and stronger,” said Vail. “It’s a great feeling “When you move around a lot, you have Chinese, while focusing on the pre-dental knowing you can hang with the guys and to be the one to approach other people,” program. break their perceptions and stereotypes.” said Vail. “You have to be the one to make “Somebody told me Chinese was the In the coming weeks, Vail will travel friends.” hardest language to learn, so I did,” said around the state making appearances as Vail also got her drive to join the military Vail. Miss Kansas, promoting her Empowerment from her dad’s example. She also finds the time to mentor young Project and her website www.Missoutdoor- “I saw the dedication and benefits of my women, including her neighbor. She uses girl.com. More recently she partnered with dad’s service,” said Vail. “Serving our archery to teach not only marksmanship but the Kansas Department of Wildlife and country made him happy and it makes me life skills as well. Parks to encourage young women to get happy.” “I teach her how to shoot, but we also outdoors and enjoy nature. From an early age, Vail wanted to join work on communication and confidence,” All of Vail’s experiences and efforts are the military. By the age of six she already said Vail. Sgt. Theresa Vail, Manhattan, a dental leading her to the Miss America Pageant in had her own battle dress uniform. Vail, now Communication is an important part of technician in the Kansas National Guard Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 15. With continu- with six years of service in the Kansas Vail’s platform. and Miss Kansas 2013, sports her Modu- ing effort and a little bit of luck she will be Army National Guard, is a dental techni- “I discovered, by moving around a lot, lar Lightweight Load-carrying Equip- able to add a new title to her resume: Miss cian in the Medical Detachment, headquar- that too many girls are encouraged to hide ment, known as a MOLLE pack, as she America. tered in Lenexa, Kan. their feelings and gossip behind each leaves the Miss Kansas Pageant at Pratt “I’m hoping my uniqueness will inspire “The Guard has given me leadership and other’s backs. They do this rather than go County Community College in Pratt, people, and hopefully, that will bode well at life experience, which help out in the real directly to the person they are having a Kan., June 8. (Photo used with permis- Miss America,” said Vail. “I like to shock world,” said Vail. problem with,” said Vail. sion, Miss Kansas organization) people.” Kansas participates in Armenia National Response Plan Workshop Sharon Watson officials with Armenia to exchange ideas on many common Public Affairs Office challenges, including the best way to respond to and re- Participants from the Kansas National Guard’s State cover from disasters in their respective countries. Partnership Program and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers “We are not as different as you may think,” said Cait Pur- traveled this summer to Yerevan, Armenia, for a National inton, Kansas Division of Emergency Management state ex- Response Plan Workshop and Table Top Exercise involving ercise officer. “This was my first visit to Armenia, so I didn’t more than 100 people. know what to expect. It was reassuring that so many of our The event was the fourth major exercise of its kind in Ar- processes are similar, which makes it easier to exchange menia designed to test the country’s National Response ideas and lessons learned between our governments.” Plan. The exercise featured a disaster scenario involving The disaster preparedness event involved participants the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. from more than 18 Armenian government agencies and or- Representatives from the corps’ Civil Military Emer- ganizations, including the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. gency Preparedness Program assisted the Armenian govern- “This was a good opportunity to share our experiences at ment in designing the exercise, while representatives from Wolf Creek in developing and executing emergency plan the Kansas National Guard, Kansas Division of Emergency drills with another country and I am appreciative the state Management, Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and Cait Purinton, state exercise officer for the Kansas Di- of Kansas and the Army Corps of Engineers invited me to Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Burlington, Kan., vision of Emergency Management, answers questions participate,” said Russell Smith, Wolf Creek Nuclear Gen- provided presentations and input throughout the three-day from Armenian television reporters during an interview erating Station. “I was excited by all the questions and par- event. The Kansas National Guard is routinely involved in July 10 about the Armenia National Response Plan ticipation during my presentation on the emergency these types of events through the National Guard Bureau’s Workshop held in Yerevan, Armenia, July 9-11. (Photo planning process here in Kansas, and it was very evident State Partnership Program, which pairs Kansas government by Sharon Watson, Public Affairs Office) (Continued on Page 10) Medal of Honor ceremony brings family legacy alive for Kansas Soldier and Airman Continued from Page 1 with a mission in mind to take his Soldier those things where you grow up with it back. He just pushes the enemy out of the being there.” way and picks up and carries a wounded “Every year at Pilsen, Kansas, they have Soldier with no reason other than ‘That’s a dedication for him,” she continued. my Soldier and you’re not taking him.’” “There, they would always tell stories “We listened to Herb tell it first-hand,” about what he did. They called him the said David. “It just sends chills down your ‘Good Thief,’ they’d call him a hero. He spine.” rescued people and he also helped steal Along with Miller, Kristina and David food to help feed them (because) everyone got to meet several other men who had was starving in camp.” lived with Kapaun and were saved through “He would break out of his side of the his efforts. camp – they separated the officers from the “They actually didn’t like to talk about enlisted – then he would break into the en- themselves,” Kristina said, “but about Fa- listed side,” said David, a member of the ther Kapaun. They’ll talk about him all day Kansas Army National Guard’s 35th Mili- long, about what he did. By talking about tary Police Company. “The whole time he’s what he did they were, in a way, talking scavenging for food or materials to make about what they went through. Going pans or pots to boil the water.” through Father Kapaun was a safer way for Ray Kapaun accepts the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama on behalf of “It was kind of like the Robin Hood them to share about that experience they his uncle, the late U.S. Army Capt. Emil J. Kapaun, during a ceremony April 11 at story,” said Kristina. “He was doing it to went through, which was unimaginable.” the White House. Capt. Kapaun, a chaplain who served with the 3rd Battalion, 8th help save his fellow prisoners. He didn’t It was through the efforts of such men that Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was recognized for his actions during com- take it for himself, he took it for other peo- Kapaun was awarded the Medal of Honor. bat operations in the Korean War. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade) ple. So I always thought that was really “From what I understood (from the cere- amazing as an example of putting other mony) they were trying to work on it as ably one of the best parts of it. That made it “It did affect how I knew I wanted to try people before yourself, no matter how bad soon as the Soldiers came back from real. Growing up, you heard the stories, but to aspire to be in the military,” she ex- the situation is.” Korea,” said Kristina. “They were wanting then we actually met the people who were plained. “He was a very brave person and “Growing up it was like ‘Wow! Not only him to receive the Medal of Honor.” there with him. It brought it home.” not only was he brave, he was kind and are you breaking out of one camp, but you’re After 60 years of writing letters, talking David said he felt “Just immense pride, gentle person to everyone he ever met. So breaking into another, knowing the whole to members of Congress and spreading the when you think of everything that my great- that was something I tried to aspire to. I time if you get caught you’re going to be story about Kapaun, that richly-deserved uncle had done and to be a part of the fam- have a long way to go, but he’s somebody punished,’” said David. “Just to serve your honor became a reality. Proudly wearing ily, and part of the legacy. To be still serving who’s amazing to look up to as an example men like that, what drives a man to do that?” their Kansas National Guard uniforms, the in the Kansas Army National Guard and to of how to be in the military.” David said his favorite story was “when Kapauns traveled to Washington, D.C., in be there in uniform, to be among some of David echoed her sentiment. “I’ve always he picked up Herb Miller.” April to attend the ceremony. the greatest men that have received the had the desire to serve,” he said. “Knowing “Here was a U.S. Soldier in a ditch, get- “The ceremony was amazing,” Kristina Medal, it was just an amazing event.” that my great-uncle had served… you just ting ready to be executed by the enemy be- said. “It was a lot more emotional than I ex- Kristina said the stories about her great- kind of hope to live up to the name. It’s more cause he couldn’t walk,” said David, “and pected it to be. Meeting the prisoners of war uncle had an indirect affect on her decision of an honor that I get to serve in the military my great-uncle just walks over, calmly, that actually knew my great-uncle was prob- to join the Guard. with the same last name.” August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 3 Regional Training Site changes Tech Savvy up training techniques Information Technology Updates By Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy L. Gray to accomplish their mission they are better Kansas Regional Training Site – Maintenance prepared to react to and overcome different By Col. Christopher Stratmann The Regional Training Site – Mainte- challenges. State Chief Information Officer nance for Kansas is using different tech- One area where this can be highlighted is Changes in both the Joint Force Headquarters staff and Army network organization niques for training ordnance Soldiers. One in building a step-by-step troubleshooting gave the Directorate of Information Management staff the opportunity to reconsider of these techniques is called Skills Based methodology. In electrical troubleshooting, some of our traditional roles and terminology. Training. The purpose of the SBT process Soldiers use the process of elimination to From DOIM to DOIT is developing critical thinking skills for determine where the problem may be. This For the Department of the Army the term DOIM, Directorate of Information Man- Soldiers to use in various areas of their mil- step is the first in building Soldiers’ foun- agement, has been replaced with Network Enterprise Center or NEC. Army NECs will itary training and field experiences. The dation in electrical troubleshooting. They continue to handle the traditional services typically provided by G6 staff. During re- purpose of training Soldiers in their Mili- will make strides from being a parts re- cent staff redesign discussions, it was decided to retain the term “Directorate” for each tary Occupation Specialty is to work in placement person to a diagnostician. individual J-staff function. Replacing “Information Management” with “Information areas that make the military a self-con- The ultimate goal of many ordnance in- Technology” more accurately described the directorate’s role in the organization and tained organization. structors is to have students leave their area helped differentiate it from functions such as knowledge management. It will likely The basic principles for SBT include crit- of training with a mental tool kit. This tool take some time for the change to permeate and take hold, but from this point forward ical thinking, repeating methodologies and kit should contain basic mechanical knowl- the section will be known as the Directorate of Information Technology, or DOIT. understanding the broad areas and scope edge, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic AKO-DISA Migration that are common throughout areas of troubleshooting principles, critical thinking Kansas, along with the rest of the Army National Guard community, has recently MOSs. It is necessary for Soldiers to think and the ability to step back and diagnose completed migration from AKO e-mail to DISA Enterprise Email. Under our previous quickly and be adaptable in their operating the situation. These tools are essential for architecture, all users had AKO accounts that were forwarded to the Kansas National environments. If we teach Soldiers the skill (Continued on Page 18) Guard domain where the DOIT had local control and administration over its own Ex- change (email) server. DOIT created accounts for and managed all of its own users. This is no longer the case. With DISA EE, all new account and change requests go to DISA for implementation. This significantly affects turnaround time for requests. In addition, it adversely affects the ability to troubleshoot issues since DOIT does not have direct access to many areas of the system. Areas DOIT no longer has direct ac- cess to include Exchange, Blackberry Enterprise Server and the Global Address Book. Issues for these areas now either go through the DOIT Help Desk then to DISA, or need to be handled by the users themselves through milConnect/DMDC. DISA ac- counts are now directly tied to information in DMDC. AKO traditional Soldier accounts migrated to DISA separately from the full-time ac- counts. That migration was completed at the end of March. Those AKO users should have received information and guidance directly from AKO regarding the transition. Some users may have chosen to be deferred from migration for various reasons includ- ing lack of access to computers and/or Common Access Card readers. The Kansas DOIT should be receiving a list of those deferred users soon so that we may identify how to remedy their issues. This will include issuing CAC readers where necessary. How all of this affects the future of AKO itself is yet to be seen. While e-mail has migrated, DOIT has seen no hard evidence regarding the longevity of AKO itself. For the time being, AKO accounts (not AKO email) remain. Several sites still use AKO ac- count authentication for access. We will have to wait and see where this goes. Defense Knowledge Online ended May 31 and all data on it was deleted. Non- Army users who had AKO access via DKO, will need to secure an Army sponsor to AKO. Mobile Device Integration Although DoD acknowledges that mobile device integration is the way of the future, Students at the Kansas Regional Training Site – Maintenance learn repair skills on a application has been slow, primarily due to security concerns. Several states had al- Mobile Integrated Remains Collection System trainer using the Skills Based Training ready made significant investment into mobile device integration prior to the DISA mi- process. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy L. Gray, Kansas Regional Training Site – gration and have been forced to take a step backward awaiting DISA implementation. Maintenance) A pilot program exists that should commence soon, allowing specific Apple iOS, Android and Windows devices on the .mil network. These devices will be government- furnished equipment and will be provided to the participating states by NGB. Kansas is Kansas Guardsmen compete in NGB a participant in this pilot and will receive a limited number of devices for the trial. DoD has also acknowledged that a “Bring Your Own Device” architecture is likely Region V Best Warrior Competition inevitable. However, it may be quite some time before that is employed. Kansas will continue to deploy mobile devices (tablets, etc.) on a limited basis where solid value to the mission can be demonstrated and connectivity to the .mil domain is not required. Traditional Soldier Connectivity Several efforts are being made to improve connectivity for traditional Soldiers at Kansas armories. More than 200 computers dedicated to traditional Soldier use were de- ployed across the state. These machines have been set up to allow Internet access without a Kansas domain account. National Guard Bureau has implemented a “guest user” capability for these pur- poses. Although some users have experienced spotty reliability with this, DOIT will continue to work with NGB to improve its performance. Additionally, DOIT has recently completed the deployment of nearly 100 Wireless Ac- cess Points to armories across the state. These access points provide managed access to commercial Internet, allowing traditional Soldiers to complete many Internet-based train- ing activities on their personal devices. DOIT will be exploring deploying PCoIP or “thin client” machines to the field. This capability has already been tested in the State Emer- Sgt. Stephen Levins (with rucksack), a cannon crewmember of Battery B, 1st gency Operations Center. These machines operate in a virtual environment and will even- Battalion, 161st Field Artillery and Kansas Army National Guard NCO of the Year, tually replace the PCs mentioned above. The PCoIP machines will allow for users to log runs to the finish line in an eight-mile road march with the support of (left to right) in to their own personal virtual “desktop” regardless of which physical machine they hap- Staff Sgt. Justin Zimmerman, a regional evaluator and member of the Kansas pen to be on. This capability can effectively provide every traditional Soldier in the state Army National Guard Pre-mobilization Training Assistance and Evaluation Team their own computing environment without requiring 5000+ computers in the inventory. and 242nd Engineer Company; Command Sgt. Maj. James Moberly, Joint Forces Windows 7 Headquarters Kansas - Land Component command sergeant major; and Com- Beginning in May, the DOIT began an Army-mandated migration to the Windows 7 mand Sgt. Maj. Scott Haworth, state command sergeant major fo the Kansas Na- operating system. The update requires a new computer image be installed on every ma- tional Guard. The ruck march was part of the National Guard Bureau Region V chine and will take place in phases by functional area and/or geographic location. The Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Swift, near Bastrop, Texas, May 7-9. Help Desk will be issuing information and instructions regarding the change. Fourteen Army National Guardsmen from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, DOIT will also be utilizing a recently developed user checklist for machine re-imag- Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas competed in this year’s competition, ing intended to capture all data and applications a user wishes to be retained. Thorough hosted by the Texas National Guard. completion of the checklist will help ensure customer expectations are met. The competitors consisted of the overall noncommissioned officer and junior en- Help Desk listed winners from each state’s respective competitions. They were each tested on Over the past several years, DOIT has implemented numerous changes to the Help combat lifesaving, land navigation, marksmanship and other warrior-tasks skills. Desk Process that hopefully have resulted in improved customer service. DOIT has fo- Additionally, they had an appearance board where they were tested on Army cused on reducing the number of dropped calls and the length of time of each individ- knowledge, and wrote an essay on how they, as a leader, can help prevent suicide. ual call. Spc. Joshua Joynt, an infantryman of Company A, 2nd Combined Arms Bat- The current Help Desk software utilized has reached end-of-life and DOIT is explor- talion, 137th Infantry Regiment and Kansas Army National Guard Soldier of ing new options. One possibility would consolidate DOIT and Public Works Help the Year competed as the Kansas junior enlisted. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Malcolm Desk/call center functions. This course of action has many positive attributes and McClendon) DOIT and Public Works are actively working it. Page 4 Plainly Speaking Plains Guardian • August 2013 Strength, character and courage needed to overcome future difficulties By Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli of Defense budget. As you can see, these our 778th Transportation Company assisted represent our great state at the national level Adjutant General are financially challenging times, with no a stabbing victim in Junction City Aug.10. when she competes for the title of Miss Our organization is made up of amazing indication of improvement in the federal Sgt. Ace Thompson and Sgt. Monty America. Her commitment and dedication as people who must routinely take actions that budget situation. The difficulties ahead will McWilliams had completed the Combat Life a student, Soldier and a contestant are paying affect lives, take strength, character and courage as we Saver course and utilized their skills to help off for her as she strives to serve as a role whether on the bat- must make tough choices about our agency. save the individual while also trying to pre- model for females across our state and nation tlefield, in disaster At the same time, we must balance these vent a further attack. In a separate incident, with her platform of empowering women. response, in train- decisions with our organization’s role of Staff Sgt. Matthew Crawford, with the 190th Vail has also agreed to assist the department ing or in the office. serving our state and country. Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron, in recruiting prospective Guard members. The work we do Our success depends greatly on individual risked his life to save a child who was We wish her the best in her competition and here in the military, character and integrity, both of which have gravely injured in Topeka. Crawford came know she will represent the Kansas National in emergency man- been explained as doing what is right even upon an accident involving the child and a Guard well in her endeavors. agement and in when no one is looking. We should each ask car May 6. He rendered aid to the child by Our 184th Intelligence Wing recently homeland security ourselves if we are doing this. There is a lot at controlling severe bleeding from her badly made an impact through its efforts as sev- requires a desire to stake. Reputations of individuals and organi- injured leg. Last winter, Tech. Sgt. Shawn eral personnel with the medical group con- serve and protect, zations take years to build, but can be brought Rucker, with the 184th Intelligence Wing, ducted clinics for the Maj. Gen. and demonstrate down in a day with one wrong decision. helped save the life of an individual whose medically-underserved in Hawaii this sum- Lee Tafanelli acts of selflessness. Fortunately, we have many examples of home was on fire. A resident was still asleep mer, and the wing’s Civil Engineering Fortunately, we have many great people right choices and right actions in our ranks in the basement when Rucker went in and Squadron deployed to New Mexico and who understand this and live it daily. and it’s important we don’t overlook some carried her to safety. It is selfless acts like Arizona to build homes and install sewer It’s not easy, though, especially in diffi- of these accomplishments. For example, these we must continue to recognize and and water systems for local Native Ameri- cult times like we have recently experi- our 190th Air Refueling Wing deserves honor. Please join me in congratulating and cans. It is projects like these that make a enced with furloughs of our military congratulations for the hard work and dedi- thanking these four individuals for their difference in the lives of those we serve. technicians and federal civilians, and the cation that resulted in the 2013 Distin- bravery and heroic actions. Despite all the good we are doing, unfor- layoffs of state employees at our Readiness guished Flying Unit Award, an award the In addition, I would like to call attention tunately, funding reductions continue to Sustainment Maintenance Sites. Fortu- unit has won three times. to the hard work of Lt. Col. Judith Martin, make it more difficult to do our jobs as we nately, the furloughs have ended, but we Four Kansas National Guardsmen deserve our first female brigade commander in the once did. We recognize the challenges this can’t be sure they won’t be brought back as recognition for recent actions they took to Kansas National Guard. Martin recently presents and are committed to doing what a future way to cut the federal Department save the lives of Kansans. Two Soldiers with took command of the 235th Regiment, we can to minimize the impacts of future which instructs the officer candidates and budget cuts. We will continue to look for Warrant Office Candidate Schools as well ways to improve our agency’s situation, Practice safe water activities as courses in many occupational specialties. while protecting our employees as much as By Chief Warrant Officer 4 Marvin Terhune are usually a requirement for children. Congratulations are also in order for Sgt. possible from budget challenges, and at the Safety Officer Everyone that is skiing or tubing is re- Theresa Vail, a dental technician in the Med- same time commit to searching for efficient As temperatures rise, people migrate to quired to wear a personal flotation device. ical Detachment in Lenexa, who was and effective ways to serve our state and lakes and local swimming pools. It shocks If you are a weak or non-swimmer or even crowned Miss Kansas recently and will now country. me whenever I read if you are a good swimmer, it is a good the paper and see habit to wear a PFD whenever you are out Warrior to Warrior that someone has on the water. drowned. Two fac- One of the best things that you can ever do tors that concern for your children is to ensure they learn how Living by the NCO Creed me are alcohol and to swim. I have known families where the By Command Sgt. Maj. Ricky Matticks creed in 1985. The creed is made up of knowing how to parents did not know how to swim and were 235th Regiment three paragraphs with each paragraph be- swim. Both of afraid of the water so they did not want their When deployed to Africa, I was re- ginning with a different letter; N – C – O. these factors are children around water. This is a cycle that is minded of the importance of the noncom- The creed talks about professionalism, preventable and easily broken by something as simple as en- missioned officer tradition and integrity. Professionalism easy to fix. rolling your children in swimming lessons. in today’s Army. isn’t just about how you act; it is more Approach water Chief Warrant Officer The earlier in life your children learn We have worked about how you think. Do you live the activities as you 4 Marvin Terhune how to swim the more comfortable you hard to develop Army values or do you use the Army val- would if operating will feel about letting them be around the best NCO ues when it is convenient? It is easy to your vehicle. If you are out in a boat fish- water. Check out the public and private Corps, but our see when someone else is not profes- ing, skiing or tubing or out on a jet ski, pools in your area for availability of les- work is an ongo- sional in their actions. The danger with don’t drink. Observe speed rules and stay sons. Lessons are usually available for all ing process and that is others will accept that behavior as within designated boating lanes. A floating ages and skill levels of swimmers. Learn- we must continue normal and even begin to emulate what or submerged log can cause severe damage ing how to swim and to respect the water to develop and they see. to your watercraft or personal injury. allows families to enjoy the outdoors and train the next Traditions can’t be bought and don’t Personal flotation devices are a must and keep cool during the summer months. generation of happen overnight. They are developed NCOs. How? We Command Sgt. Maj. over time. Every day, when you put on use the NCO Ricky Matticks your uniform and salute the flag, you are Kansas Warrant Corps update Creed as our a part of a tradition that is hundreds of guide. years old. A perfect example of tradition By Chief Warrant Officer 5 Hector Vasquez vise, counsel officers during Phase II: The idea behind the creed was to give is when newly promoted NCOs recite the State Chief Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Smith, NCOs a yardstick by which to measure NCO Creed from memory during their Candidates at our state Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer 4 Stephen Patter- themselves. It was developed by a group promotion. Candidate School completed Phase II son, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mike of NCOs in 1973 who recognized that the You build upon that tradition with your Aug. 18, having completed a five-month Whisler, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ronnie post-Vietnam NCO needed direction and actions and integrity. Think of it this way: course consisting Fankhauser and Chief Warrant Officer 3 guidance to bring the NCO Corps to the all of the countless things you do right on of academic, Brent Campbell. Fankhauser will be at- next level and modernize the training and a daily basis bring credit to the NCO leadership and tending TAC Officer Certification at Fort development for the next generation. The Corps but probably go unnoticed by your teamwork skills. Rucker, Ala., in September and I look Army gave formal recognition to the (Continued on Page 18) The candidates forward to seeing him work with next had to pass two year’s WOCS class. college-style If you are interested in becoming a exams, as well as TAC officer or instructor, please contact PlainsPlains GuardianGuardian a 6.2-mile road Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Smith, The PLAINS GUARDIAN is published under the provisions of AR 360-1 for the personnel of the Kansas National Guard. The editorial content march with a 45- WOCS Battalion course manager, at of this publication is the responsibility of The Adjutant General’s Department Public Affairs Officer. Contents of the PLAINS GUARDIAN are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of the Army or The Adjutant General’s Department. News, pound ruck sack (785) 822-6688 or michael.w.smith293. features, photographs and art materials are solicited from readers; however, utilization is at the discretion of the editorial staff. All photos must be in 90 minutes [email protected], or myself. We are still high resolution and include complete caption information, including photographer’s name and rank. No paid advertisement will be accepted, nor Command Chief will payment be made for contributions. and the Army Warrant Officer 5 looking for male and female chief war- The deadline for all submission is the first Wednesday of the month: February, April, June, August, October and December. Submissions Physical Fitness Hector Vasquez rant officers to assist in this role. For may be e-mailed to Jane Welch ([email protected]). Test. The candi- those of you who are proud of the War- Circulation: Approximately 16,000 Printed under contract with the U.S. Government Printing Office dates also had three projects, which con- rant Officer Corps and looking to partici- Public Affairs Office sisted of their class song, class sign and pate in something that will truly give Commander in Chief Director motto rock, and a humanitarian project. back, this is an excellent opportunity. No Gov. Sam Brownback Sharon Watson 785-274-1192 Adjutant General of Kansas This warrant officer class will begin their one knows the Warrant Officer Corps bet- Assistant Director Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli Stephen D. Larson 785-274-1194 final phase at Camp Atterbury, Ind., ter than those of us who are in it. Being a Editor Public Information Writer which will consist of classroom and field TAC officer enables you to directly affect Sharon Watson Jane Welch 785-274-1190 exercises in which cadets will be tested. the growth of our corps and convey what Production/Graphics/Writer FAX 785-274-1622 e-mail: [email protected] Upon completion the 15-day Phase III, you’ve learned to future warrant officers. Stephen D. Larson Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett Videographer the candidates will graduate from WOCS For any Soldiers interested in becom- 2nd Lt. Matt Lucht 785-274-1195 Production Assistant Sept. 21 and become our newest warrant ing a warrant officer, now is the time to Jane Welch Staff Writer officers. start or finalize your predetermination Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett 785-274-1191 I would like to thank the individuals packets. Completing the predetermination The Plains Guardian can be read online at that served as instructors and teach, ad- (Continued on Page 14) http://www.kansastag.gov For change of address, contact Jane Welch. August 2013 • Plains Guardian Plainly Speaking Page 5 Visual Inspection of Workplaces: Changes come to education Why did they do it? benefits for service members By Chief Warrant Officer 4 Sandra Lashley picture of sexual assault? It has been theo- By Capt. Matt Hapke $1,000 per year towards books. This benefit State Equal Opportunity Officer rized that letting the little incidents of com- Education Services Officer is based on a tier system based on number We recently went through a statewide ments, jokes or inappropriate pictures As a new school year draws near, it is of months of qualifying service. A one-year “Visual Inspection of Workplaces.” We hanging on the walls create an environment important to remember those education deployment for a traditional Guardsman were given a short where this type of conduct is considered benefits that are equates to 60 percent of the benefit. timeline in which ‘okay.’ If that is considered ‘okay’ then why available to you Montgomery GI Bill to accomplish this not take it a step further. If verbal harass- and to know some There are currently no changes to the inspection and ment is not ‘all that bad,’ then just touching of the changes to MGIB-Selected Reserve or MGIB-Active much discussion someone or ‘accidentally’ rubbing up against those programs Duty. Those who paid into this program ei- was generated. them in the hallway is not ‘all that bad.’ The that have been put ther through AGR service or active duty What was the theory is if we don’t stop sexual harassment in place. service will receive monthly payments point? What good it leads to sexual assault. Is it only a theory? Federal Tuition while attending school. These payments will this do? Allowing sexual harassment creates an envi- Assistance can depend on whether the service member Everyone knows ronment where those that would commit Federal Tuition is currently on active-duty orders (to in- not to hang up pic- sexual assault feel safe in doing so. Assistance is still clude AGR tours) and number of credits tures of ‘babes’ and Where do we make the changes if not available for Army taken. MGIB-SR is available to those Chief Warrant Capt. Matt Hapke ‘buff guys.’ Some Officer 4 starting with visual workplace inspections? It National Guards- Guardsmen who sign a six-year service are saying the re- Sandra Lashley is about creating trust and showing respect! men through GoArmyEd.com. It will pay up contract, are a high school graduate or moval of offensive If we have ‘de-humanized’ others when we to $250 per credit hour, with an annual cap of equivalent and complete their basic training material will not change someone who in- treat them as objects it can turn into making $4,500. This can be used for Associate’s, and Military Occupation Specialty-produc- tends harm. it morally okay to mistreat someone because Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Two major ing school. Payment rates for MGIB-AD These questions are valid. So, why would they are not human anyway. changes have come to FTA in the last few are currently $1,564 per month for a full- the Department of Defense, the Department DoD is looking for the behaviors that will months. First, if you are flagged for annual time student. MGIB-SR users can expect of the Army and the National Guard con- help change that attitude. Did they miss the Physical Fitness Test failure or for failing to $356 per month for a full-time student. duct these visual inspections? Is it just a mark with the visual inspections? That may meet height/weight standards, your Reserve Educational Assistance Program show put on for Congress? The question is; be something you will have to decide. There GoArmyEd account will be placed on hold This GI Bill program is available to those where would you start? We know that in the is a need to look at our Army values: loyalty, until the flag is lifted. If you receive a mes- who deployed or were mobilized after Sept. past years incidents of sexual assault have duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity sage from GoArmyEd and you do not have a 11, 2001. This is based on your longest, sin- increased. There are either more cases oc- and personal courage. If we are living the valid flag in your record, please check with gle amount of active duty, not to include curring or individuals are finding it safer to Army values, how can we abuse fellow Sol- your unit administrator to ensure that your AGR service, only deployments. No report the assaults. diers or condone that abuse by others? That record is clear. The second change is you will changes to the program are currently being Where does equal opportunity fit into the may be the bigger question to ask ourselves. now have from 60 days prior to seven days tracked. The current 60 percent payment rate after the class-start date to request FTA. If for REAP for a full-time student is $938.40. you have extenuating circumstances which do Kansas National Guard Educational As- Gen. Frank Grass: National not allow you to make a request within that sistance Program time frame, please create a help desk ticket in State Tuition Assistance is still available Guard is "all in" for deployments GoArmyEd and we will try to assist you. for all National Guardsmen. Army National By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy train and assist mission in Afghanistan and Post 9/11 GI Bill Guardsmen are expected to use any and all National Guard Bureau special operations deployments elsewhere," This program has only had one major available FTA funds before using STA. This The National Guard's policy on provid- said Grass. change implemented recently. As of Aug. 1 program is administered by the Kansas ing forces was made crystal clear in a re- Grass said continued use of the National anyone wanting to transfer their benefits to Board of Regents. The application can be cent memo from Guard as an operational force preserves the their family members will be required to found on our website (see below). It is due the National Guard investment made in the Guard over the past serve four additional years from the date of to your school no later than Sept. 20, 2013. Bureau chief to the 12 years of deployments to Iraq and the transfer request. Prior to that date, all It will pay up to 100 percent of tuition and Army and Air Afghanistan. It also benefits both the active Soldiers and Airmen who were eligible for fees at the participating institutions, which Force chiefs of and reserve components. retirement prior to Aug. 1, 2012, had an op- can be found on the application. staff. In short, the "Doing so allows for increased full-spec- portunity to transfer benefits and serve a Make sure that if you are pursuing higher National Guard is trum focus of the active component and the lesser or no additional service obligation. education that you use the benefits which fully accessible operational pressure necessary for main- Remember that this benefit is available to you have earned. The Education Services and "all in," wrote taining seasoned leadership within National anyone who deployed or served on active Office is available for benefits and educa- Gen. Frank J. Guard units," he explained duty or AGR since Sept. 11, 2001, and who tional counseling and will help you with Grass. Regardless of deployment dwell times, meets the eligibility requirements. It pays any questions or concerns you may have. up to 100 percent of tuition and eligible For a complete list of benefits available and "We commit the Gen. Frank Grass Guard leaders also can be counted upon for Army National no-notice events. fees, up to 100 percent of E-5 Basic Al- contact information for everyone in the of- Guard to boots-on-the-ground deployments "In the event of a national emergency, the lowance for Housing at the with-dependent fice, please see our web page at www. for one year within a three-year cycle pe- National Guard is committed to supporting rate for the zip code of the school, and up to kansastag.gov/NGUARD/asp?PageID=497. riod for unplanned contingency operations all requirements for forces regardless of ro- and one year within a five-year period for tational periods, up to the limits imposed State Chaplain’s Corner longer, steady-state operations," wrote by presidential and congressional author- Grass. ity," said Grass. A similar commitment applies to the Air Grass, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Partners in Care... Saving lives National Guard, with one period of mobi- Staff, is confident National Guard Soldiers By Chaplain (Col.) William Jenkins receive ACE training each year to refresh lization to three periods of dwell time for and Airmen will continue to meet future Kansas National Guard State Chaplain our suicide identification and prevention unplanned operations and a one-to-five commitments, at home and abroad. When death by suicide happens, we sort skills (ASK your buddy; CARE for your ratio for steady-state operations. "The National Guard continually demon- through all the “what-ifs” and “if-onlys” buddy; ESCORT your buddy to help if That commitment of forces is also in line strates its willingness and ability to accom- racking our brains, they are at risk). In addition, we have the with current Air Force and Army force gen- plish all assigned missions," said Grass. trying to figure out two-day Applied Suicide Intervention eration requirements and models, said "Our well-proven ability to achieve the how it might have Skills Training that provides additional Grass, adding that keeping the Guard in the commitments we give today ensures their been prevented. skills to help prevent suicide. These are rotational model for deployments helps worth for the future. The National Guard Suicide may be an excellent programs, but no program can maintain a healthy overall force. remains always ready, always there." individual choice, replace a human relationship that cares "Effective use of the Army (and Air) Na- Presidential authority, as well as those of but it is a choice enough to get involved. tional Guard should enable the active com- the secretary of defense, should be the gov- that we do every- Partners in Care is a new program en- ponent to achieve a deploy-to-dwell ratio erning factor for rotational usage of Guard thing in our power dorsed by Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the ad- necessary to maintain a healthy force," said forces in planning assumptions, said Grass, to prevent. I firmly jutant general, and will be implemented by Grass, who also advocated for use of Guard who cautioned against using other policies believe that it our chaplains. Partners in Care invites forces in ongoing and continued opera- intended to stabilize and provide pre- takes a human re- faith-based and civic or veteran organiza- tional commitments outside of operations dictability. lationship to save Chaplain (Col.) tions to partner with the Kansas National in Afghanistan. "These additional policies and historical a human life. William D. Jenkins Guard to provide additional support to "The Council of Governors, the adjutants voluntary mobilizations should not drive We live in an in- service members that may be at risk. Part- general and I also strongly encourage the hard and fast assumptions about the fu- creasingly disconnected society. Text mes- ners in Care organizations provide another Department of Defense and the (individual) ture," said Grass. "Two-year notice, nine- sages and Facebook postings are no layer of personal relationship and caring services to fully apply (10 USC 12304b) by month boots on ground, 30-day individual substitute to sitting down and having a support. placing National Guard units into opera- notice, not more than 50 percent of a state's real conversation. From a text message or It takes a relationship to save a human tional use throughout the world against force structure deployed at once and other a posting we may get a sense that some- life. As a person of faith, my relationship long-term, predictable requirements such as policies were helpful over the last decade, thing is not right, but we need to check it with God is foundational, but I also need Kosovo, the Sinai, the Horn of Africa, but they should not govern force planning out with a personal contact. A text mes- people to confide in and provide support Guantanamo Bay, sustained security force assumptions for future contingencies." sage or a posting cannot communicate as to me. Being a battle buddy is one of the effectively as making a phone call, or bet- fundamentals that bind us together as the ter yet, stopping by to check on the per- National Guard. son. Relationships are our strength. As members of the National Guard we Pro Deo Et Patria…For God and Country. Page 6 Plains Guardian • August 2013 First female assumes brigade command in the Kansas Guard By Spc. Nicolas VanWyhe moted to the senior noncommissioned ranks. Public Affairs Office She commissioned as an officer in 1992 at Lt. Col. Judith D. Martin, Topeka, took the Kansas Military Academy in Salina. command of the 235th Regiment, Kansas Her past assignments include battalion Amy National Guard, in a ceremony July commander of the 1st Battalion, 235th Reg- 20 at the Kansas Regional Training Insti- iment (OCS/WOCS); deputy directorate of tute, Salina, Kan. During the ceremony, Joint Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Col. Robert E. Windham, Junction City, re- Forces Headquarters Kansas; deputy chief linquished his command. Martin is the first of staff for Logistics, 377th Theater Sus- woman to command a brigade in the tainment Command (Operation Iraqi Free- Kansas Army National Guard. dom); officer recruiter, Recruiting and The 235th Regiment instructs the Officer Retention Battalion (National Guard Bu- Candidate and Warrant Officer Candidate reau Officer Recruiter of the Year); Drug Schools, and courses in many military oc- Demand Reduction administrator/executive cupational specialties. The regiment pro- officer, Counterdrug Special Operations vides military training to all services. Group; and company commander, 74th “It is my distinct honor to take command Quartermaster Company. of the 235th Regiment,” said Martin. Her civilian education includes a Bache- “Command Sergeant Major Matticks, com- lor’s degree in business administration from manders, noncommissioned officers and the University of Central Texas (National Soldiers of the 235th Regiment, it is my Dean’s List), and a master’s in public ad- privilege to start this command journey ministration at the University of Kansas. with you.” Her military education includes U.S. Army Lt. Col. Judith Martin, incoming commander of the 235th Regiment, fires off a can- Martin’s primary focus will be to prepare War College, Command and General Staff non as a ceremonial symbol of assuming command following the change of command for the triennial accreditation next year and Officer and Advanced Operations Warfight- ceremony at the Great Plains Joint Training Center, Salina, Kan., July 20. (Photo by to stand up the Food Service School. ing School, Combined Arms and Services Sgt. Dustin Furrey, 235th Regiment UPAR) Windham is to be the next assistant divi- Staff School, Ordnance Officer Advanced 130th Field Artillery Brigade; and deputy lege, Norfolk, Va.; and the U.S. Army War sion commander at 35th Infantry Division, Course and the Adjutant General’s Officer commander, Task Force Tornado (Opera- College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. He also at- Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Basic Course. tion Iraqi Freedom). He has also served in tended the Chief of Staff of the Army’s “I give thanks to the men and women of Martin works full time for the Kansas various command and staff positions at the Senior Leader Seminar. the 235th Regiment and their families with Army National Guard as the deputy U.S. battalion and battery level. His civilian education includes a Bachelor whom I have served for a number of years, Property and Fiscal Officer. She is married Windham is a 1986 graduate of the Offi- of Arts degree in management and human re- and who have worked long, hard hours to retired Col. Henry M. Martin, Ph.D. They cer Candidate School at the Kansas Mili- sources, a Master of Arts degree in telecom- and produced magnificent results,” said have five children - Alycia, Anastasia, Mar- tary Academy. munications management, and a Master of Windham. ion, Kristina and Klint. Sgt. 1st Class His military education includes the Com- Arts degree in strategic studies. He has at- Lt. Col. Judith D. Martin Kristina griffin, Staff Sgt. Marion Martin munications – Electronics Staff Officer tended Mid-America Nazarene University, Lt. Col. Judith D. Martin began her mili- and Spc. Klint Williams are all members of Course at Fort Sill, Okla.; Signal Officer the University of Kansas and Webster Uni- tary career in the U.S. Army serving in the Kansas Army National Guard. Basic and Advanced Courses at Fort Gor- versity. He is a graduate of Leavenworth Headquarters, VII Corps, Stuttgart, Ger- Col. Robert E. Windham don, Ga.; Combined Arms and Services High School, Leavenworth, Kan. many, and Headquarters, III Corps, Fort During his career, Col. Robert E. Wind- Staff School and Command and General In his civilian job, Windham serves as the Hood, Texas, from 1980-1984, followed by ham has served as the Joint Forces Head- Staff College at Fort Leavenworth; the director of the Network Enterprise Center, service in the Texas Army National Guard quarters deputy chief of staff for Logistics; Joint Command, Control, Communications, Fort Riley, Kan. His formal civilian educa- for more than five years. Martin transferred commander, Task Force Hurricane (Opera- Computers and Intelligence Staff and Oper- tion includes graduation from the Federal to the Kansas Army National Guard and pro- tion Iraqi Freedom); deputy commander, ations Course at the Joint Forces Staff Col- Executive Institute in Charlottesville, Va. Oldest jet in Air Force returns home to the 190th Air Refueling Wing By Tech. Sgt. Mandy Johnson the assembly line. The 57 means it was built in 1957. The For now, 57-1419 is being granted a little break before 190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs other numbers indicate its order in the assembly line. being placed back on duty, after which it will be refreshed The oldest jet in the U.S. Air Force has returned home to the Roberts started his career as a crew chief in 1991, he was and ready to fly again. 190th Air Refueling Wing after being on loan to the active- assigned to 57-1460, but the 190th had several 56 models duty Air Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. at the time. The KC-135 Stratotanker 57-1419 was located in Southwest “It’s really a source of pride for me,” said pilot Capt. Asia on a 60-day deployment. Tech. Sgt. Michael Tremblay, Emma House. “So many generations of the KC-135 pilots the assistant crew chief, brought 57-1419 home June 3. have flown her.” Regular scheduled maintenance is key to keeping the “I can't even begin to imagine all the places she's been seasoned aircraft airborne, said head crew chief Master Sgt. and the fact I get to fly her on an OEF mission in 2013 is Bradley Roberts. really something special,” she said. “Although the KC-135 came off the assembly line in 1957, The 57-1419 may be the oldest jet in the Air Force, but it it receives a complete overhaul every five years, which is sim- only has 22,300 flight hours, which is much less than most ilar to 1957 Chevy frame restoration,” said Roberts. commercial planes. “It is stripped inside and out, repainted and the engines Its age, however, hasn't hindered its usefulness, nor has it are replaced, if needed. It is also inspected and x-rayed.” dampened its crew's eagerness to throttle up and take to the KC-135 Stratotanker 57-1419, the oldest jet in the Air 57-1419 is the oldest in the Air Force, but it doesn’t have sky. Force, returns home to the 190th Air Refueling Wing too many years ahead of its flight mates. For Roberts, lending 57-1419 to his active-duty counter- headquartered at Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan., after hav- “That 57-1419 is not that much older than the rest of the parts didn’t come without hesitation. ing been on loan to the active duty for Operation En- KC-135s we have,” Roberts said. “It’s like lending out your vehicle. You don’t like to, but during Freedom mission support. (Photo by Master Sgt. The number on the tanker tells the tale of its journey off it is necessary to support the mission,” he said. Allen Pickert, 190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs) Adjutant general announces 35th Infantry Division commander By Steve Larson Navrkal currently serves as the assistant such a great tradition of service to this nation he served as a rifle platoon leader, Com- Public Affairs Office adjutant general for the Nebraska Army Na- and I look forward to serving with the out- pany A, 503rd Infantry at Fort Campbell, Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant tional Guard. He is also the deputy com- standing Soldiers who make up the division.” Ky. In July 1979 he was assigned to Troop general of Kansas, has announced Brig. manding general for operations, First United Navrkal received his commission from B, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Gen. Michael D. States Army Division West and is responsible the Officer Candidate Course at Fort Ben- Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Navrkal to succeed for conducting training readiness oversight ning, Ga., June 5, 1981. He has com- in 1982 became the executive officer for the Maj. Gen. John E. and mobilization of designated Active, Na- manded at the company, battalion and 1st Aviation Battalion at Fort Riley, Kan. Davoren as the tional Guard and Reserve component forces. brigade levels. Navrkal commanded Com- Since joining the Kansas Army National commander of the “It will take a leader of considerable ex- pany A, 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regi- Guard his assignments have included com- 35th Infantry Divi- perience and knowledge to replace Major ment, 67th Infantry Brigade and the 168th mander, Company A, 2nd Combined Arms sion. Davoren is General Davoren,” said Tafanelli. “I am Quartermaster Petroleum Supply Battalion. Battalion, 137th Infantry Battalion; intelli- retiring with 37 confident that Brigadier General Navrkal Navrkal deployed to Iraq as commander of gence officer, 69th Brigade; operations offi- years of military possesses those qualifications and I am cer- the 867th Corps Support Battalion from cer, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf.; commander, 2nd service. tain the division will continue to excel in its 2006-2007, leading an organization of CAB, 137th Inf; commander, 69th Troop The change of missions under his leadership.” 1,700 Soldiers providing logistical support. Command; assistant division commander, command will be “Brigadier General Navrkal brings a wealth Most recently, he served as commander of 35th Infantry Division; commander, Multi- Brig. Gen. Michael held Saturday Oct. of command and leadership experience to this 92nd Troop Command. national Task Force – East (KFOR 9); and D. Navrkal 5 at 1p.m. at the position,” said Maj. Gen. Judd H. Lyons, the Davoren assumed duties as the division assistant adjutant general, Kansas Army main parade field at Fort Leavenworth. adjutant general of Nebraska. “He is an excel- commander in August 2010. He was com- National Guard. Navrkal’s selection was a joint decision of lent choice for the 35th ID commander.” missioned in 1976 from the Reserve Officer The 35th Infantry Division, headquar- the 35th Division Council made up of the ad- “I am honored to be selected as the next Training Corps program at the University tered at Fort Leavenworth, is comprised of jutants general of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri commander of this outstanding unit,” said of Kansas. After completing the Infantry Soldiers from Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Tafanelli chairs the council. Navrkal. “The 35th Infantry Division has Officer Basic Course and Ranger training and Nebraska. August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 7 Helicopter detachment returns from deployment to Afghanistan By Steve Larson were gone,” Peck said. “Being an aviator, I Public Affairs Office know that’s a lot of hours sitting in that seat.” Approximately 20 Kansas National “To all those out there who are ready to Guardsmen received an enthusiastic “Wel- get them back, a couple of messages for come home” from families and friends June you,” Peck continued. “They aren’t really 18 at the Kansas National Guard Army Avi- used to be back in the United States yet, so ation Support Facility #2 in Salina, Kan. take care of them for us.” The Soldiers, members of Detachment 2, “And each one of you, take care of your Company C, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation battle buddy,” he said, addressing the Sol- Regiment (General Support Aviation Bat- diers. “Stay in touch. It is different. It takes talion) returned from a year-long deploy- a while to adjust.” ment to Afghanistan in support of “Enjoy yourselves and the time you have Operation Enduring Freedom. The Kansas off here for a few months, then we’ll look to Soldiers joined an Iowa National Guard getting you right back in the saddle, back in unit under the command of Company C, 2- those UH-60s flying here in Kansas again.” 211th from Utah. In Afghanistan, the helicopter company “First of all, welcome home,” said Brig. provided aeromedical evacuation support; Gen. Eric Peck, assistant adjutant general – rapid movement of patients, medical per- Army and commander of the Kansas Army sonnel and supplies and other support, ever National Guard. “We appreciate you being mindful of the unit’s motto “Not On My back in the state.” Watch.” “I know we talked to you briefly at three Capt. Ryan Bernard (right), commander, and Sgt. 1st Class Shaun Carter, acting “When I took the podium a year ago, we o’clock in the morning last week down at first sergeant of Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, made a promise, a pledge to all the Soldiers Fort Hood,” said Peck, “welcomed you accept a welcome home flag from American Legion Riders Post 62, Kansas Chapter, out there and their families, that when they back to the United States, but welcome on behalf of their unit during their homecoming ceremony from Afghanistan at the were fallen we would come,” said Capt. home to Kansas now,” a statement that was Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Salina, Kan., June 18. (Photo by Jane Welch, Ryan Bernard, detachment commander. whole-heartedly endorsed by the audience. Public Affairs Office) “We never failed. It’s a testament to the “Thanks for a job well-done,” said Peck. vast contributing member to the team and 670 missions as a company with about dedication and devotion of this unit.” “To the families and supporters out there, their success.” 3,200 hours of flying time. Bernard thanked the staff of Joint Forces each and every one of you, you have been a Peck said the company flew more than “That’s quite a few hours for the time you (Continued on Page 9) Field Artillery Soldiers share military experience with employers By Spc. Jessica Haney nity to observe National Guard and Reserve 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment members involved in training exercises. Employers of Guardsmen have a difficult Employers see first-hand the quality of job of balancing their business needs with training and leadership activities their uni- the needs of the National Guard at times. formed employees receive as part of the But on June 22 employers were able to see total force. the other side of their employees’ lives. “It was a pleasure to see the reaction of the During their annual training at Fort Riley, employer's when they were able to actually Kan., Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 130th see their employee doing their jobs in the Field Artillery exhibited a real-life setup of Guard unit,” said Mick Allen, chairman, what they do during deployment, including Kansas Employer Support of the Guard and the firing of the High-Mobility Artillery Reserve Committee. “Employers already Rocket Systems. step up and support our men and women “It is really a great thing to give the em- who serve, but by seeing first-hand what ployers an opportunity to peek into the they do it makes it much easier to understand other side of their employee’s life,” said Lt. the importance of why the service members Col. Chris Burr, 2nd Bn., 130th FA com- need the time to train to do their mission.” mander. “These Soldiers work hard not Boss lifts also provide employers the op- only for their civilian jobs, but for us, as portunity to share their insights on the chal- well, and it was a great opportunity to ex- lenges and benefits of having employees hibit that.” that serve in the Reserve components. Par- The 250th Support Company had also set ticipants are asked about their concerns re- High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems fire during the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field up the operational area to deliver a full ex- garding their employees. They are Artillery's annual training supported by the 250th Foward Support Company at perience for the bosses. encouraged to offer recommendations and Fort Riley, Kan., June 22. The battalion was able to display their job to civilian em- The main player in coordinating this ideas for improving the employer/employee ployers through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s Boss Lift pro- showcase was the Employer Support of the relationship with respect to the conse- gram. (Photo by Spc. Jessica Haney, 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Guard and Reserve. They arranged trans- quences of military service. ployee greeted them it was evident that the in Hiawatha, Kan., with batteries in Abi- portation for employers from Abilene, “When the employer's boarded the Black employer was even more excited to share lene, Holton and Marysville, Kan. The Hays, Kansas City, Marysville, Russell and Hawk helicopters for the trip to Fort Riley, their experience with other employers when 250th Forward Support Company, head- Wichita via the Boss Lift Program. you could see the excitement in their eyes,” they returned home.” quartered in Ottawa, has detachments in A boss lift offers employers an opportu- said Allen. “When we landed and their em- The 2nd Bn., 130th FA is headquartered Hiawatha and Clay Center. 184th Intelligence Wing’s Medical Group takes part in Tropic Care 2013 By Master Sgt. Matt McCoy did so in a very different environment,” 184th Public Affairs said Axman. “It wasn’t a clinic or a hospi- Free medical services were offered to resi- tal, or even a medical tent. It was great to dents of Hawaii in June during Operation see how flexible the medical field can be Tropic Care 2013, a joint operation spanning without proper facilities.” six locations which combined Army, Navy With so many services working together, and Air Force medical personnel, including challenges presented themselves early dur- state and county officials. Forty-two Airmen ing the operation. from the 184th Intelligence Wing, Medical “Everybody came together really Group participated in the operation. quickly under some rather adverse condi- “The other services were very small so tions at first,” said Lt. Col. Chris Mills, di- we really got to talk to them and see their rector of staff. operation work on a small scale,” said Staff During the first night in Hawaii, the group Sgt. Ben Axman, aerospace medical serv- slept on the floor of an elementary school be- ices technician. “We got to see the actual cause of lodging complications. Logistics logistics behind every operation.” also played into the challenges when food The operation also served as a training shipments couldn’t be delivered due to big opportunity for more than 500 military waves preventing ferry boats from docking. doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical “There was really nothing that we could- professionals from active-duty, Guard and n’t overcome,” said Mills. “It was great to reserve forces. The training provided expe- see the resiliency of our people tested and, rience in a rapid deployment scenario in time and time again, watch them come up which military personnel respond to disas- with a way to adapt to the situation.” ters, whether man-made or natural. The mission was conducted under the Airman 1st Class Michael Lane, a member of 184th Intelligence Wing’s Medical “It brought a whole new aspect of train- National Guard Bureau’s Innovative Readi- Group, takes the vital signs of a local resident in Lanai, Hawaii, in support of Tropic ing to the medical group. Not only did we ness Training program, which gave the Care 13. (Photo by Staff Sgt. N. Alicia Goldberger, 176th Wing Public Affairs) get to refresh our typical skill set, but we (Continued on Page 14) Page 8 Plains Guardian •August 2013 Soldiers brave weather to 190th Air Refueling Wing Force qualify on assigned weapons Support Squadron wins food fight By Spc. Lindsey Bogner 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 yards. Once By Tech. Sgt. Emily Alley pick up additional supplies. 995th Support Maintenance Company UPAR a Soldier hits a target, it falls and counts the 190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs “It was awesome,” said Peavler. “The in- Going to the weapons range happens hit for that record. Airmen of the 190th Air Refueling spectors loved us. They saw how we every year for units in the Kansas Army Na- There are three levels of proficiency – Wing’s Force Support Squadron, Sustain- adapted and made it happen.” tional Guard. In Kansas, that drill weekend marksman, sharpshooter and expert. To ment Services Flight, were presented with After their inspection, Master Sgt. Sean may be nice and sunny or cold and blustery. score as a marksman a Soldier must hit 23- the Air National Guard Senior Master Ser- Cochran submitted the award application The 995th Support Maintenance Company, 29 out of the 40 targets, for sharpshooter, geant Kenneth W. Disney Food Services for his flight. Smith Center, and its detachment in Concor- 30-35 and 36-40 for expert. Excellent Award at a ceremony in Chicago “What made me put it in was the great dia, had the latter type during May’s drill. Once finished on the live-fire range, Sol- at the end of May. job the Airmen did,” he said. “They feel The 995th SMC saw temperatures close to diers trained on the Engagement Skills The award followed a challenging in- like they do something that is recognized freezing with 30-40 mph winds and even Trainer 2000. When using the EST 2000, spection. Unit members across the base and valued, even if it’s not glamorous.” some rain at the M16 Training Weapons Soldiers wore a M40 Field Protective Mask showed up to eat at the dining hall to sup- In addition to the flight’s award, Peavler Range at the Great Plains Joint Training during the Chemical, Biological, Radiolog- port the flight during its evaluation. During was recognized as an outstanding performer Center near Salina, Kan., May 3-5. Although ical and Nuclear training and in total dark- that weekend, the dining hall set a new and received the Hennessy Travelers Asso- the weather may not have been the best, the ness without night vision assistance during record of attendees. ciation Award of Excellence to attend a unit’s mission was still accomplished. the night qualification training. “We usually serve about 400 a day,” said culinary course in Napa Valley, Calif. “The weekend was challenging, but The EST 2000 is a laser-based, indoor Capt. Ellisha Jones, Force Support opera- “I hope it helps me get creative and ex- every Soldier stayed motivated and accom- computer simulator. The system displays tions officer. “During Saturday of the in- pand options and recipes,” she said. plished the mission,” said Capt. Wallace targets, terrain and weapons effects in a spection, we served 640.” While she doubts she’ll be able to offer Miller, commander of the 995th SMC. real-time presentation on a screen. The fir- “We’ve never served 600, let alone gone gourmet meal options and soufflés for 500 “Overall, the unit qualified nearly 95 per- ing Soldier experiences an approximation over,” said Tech. Sgt. Danielle Peavler, people, she plans to continue improving cent of those Soldiers who attended indi- of the actual weapon’s sound, weight and kitchen supervisor and meal scheduler. “I services offered by her flight. In the last vidual weapons qualification.” recoil. The system is used for CBRN and planned for 500, but the line was still out eight months, the dining hall has already All Soldiers qualified with the M16A2 rifle; unassisted night qualification training, the door. Captain Jones and Senior Master seen a consistent growth in the use over officers also qualified with the M9 pistol. among other scenarios. Sergeant Mike Akers were in the kitchen drill weekend. Peavler is honored that she Soldiers are required to check out “Soldiers trained using the EST 2000 on making wraps. We ran out of everything.” was personally recognized, but knows she weapons from the vault, zero their rifles unassisted night qualification and CBRN Services Flight used its entire stock of couldn’t have succeeded alone. and qualify on a qualifying range annually. while also familiarizing with other weapon food for drill on the first day. That night, “I want to make sure it stays about the The M16 Training Weapons Range in- systems such as the M240B, M2 and several members went to a grocery store to flight,” she said. “We do this together.” cludes a pop-up range where targets are M249,” said Miller. “I am very pleased with computer controlled to pop up in sequence the dedication and mission-first mentality at timed intervals behind small mounds at shown by the Soldiers of the 995th SMC.”

Sgt. Jonah Stafford, Manhattan, Kan., a member of Detachment 1, 995th Support Staff Sgt. Jason Dolan (right), 190th Air Refueling Wing’s Force Support Squadron, Maintenance Company, Concordia, fires at the M16A2 qualification range at the Sustainment Services Flight, talks with evaluators during an inspection for the Ken- Great Plains Joint Training Center near Salina, Kan., May 4. (Photo by Spc. Lindsey neth W. Disney Food Services Award. (Photo by Master Sgt. Allen Pickert, 190th Air Bogner, 995th Support Maintenance Company UPAR) Refueling Wing Public Affairs) Battery E (Target Acquisition) completes mission and more By Sgt. Jerry Lofland, UPAR 155MM field artillery from the Missouri National Guard ployment to the Horn of Africa in 2011-2012. Battery E (Target Acquisition), 161st Field Artillery UPAR that was scheduled to share the training area. Unit-level “This is just one more example where unrelated units As this year’s round of annual trainings continue for commanders quickly linked up and were able to coordinate have been able to work together to meet shared goals, many units in the state, most units will have fully met their ETAB’s support for the out-of-state unit. which in this case revolved around getting quality train- mission and conducted safe, quality training. Fewer units Leadership from the 1st Bn., 129th FA were appreciative ing,” said Capt. Brian Webb, ETAB commander. “This in- will be able to boast of safely meeting and surpassing their of ETAB’s assistance considering support for their training stance just happened to involve units from different states.” mission with only a portion of the entire unit, while coming was not part of the radar battery’s orig- off of their first year back from a deployment. Battery E inal annual training mission. (Target Acquisition), 161st Field Artillery of Great Bend, “Over the past few years the 1-129th Kan., was able to do just that during their annual training had great difficulty in acquiring assets June 10-24 at Fort Riley, Kan. to provide the battalion with meteoro- ETAB is a small unit with a highly specialized mission to logical data, which is required for ac- conduct counterbattery radar target acquisition. It is the curate predicted fires,” said Capt. only unit of its kind in Kansas and just one of nine in the Thomas White Jr., operations officer entire nation. for the 1st Bn., 129th FA. “During this “In a wartime mission, our job would be to track the loca- AT, the battalion again found itself tion of the enemy based on the trajectory of the artillery they without assets to provide met (meteo- fire” said 1st Sgt. Todd Alsup, first sergeant of ETAB. “We rological information). Once on the then provide those locations as targets for our own field ar- ground at Fort Riley, ETAB graciously tillery to engage. The meteorological and survey support we provided regular met data throughout provide also helps our field artillery fire more accurately.” the remainder of our training, which During this year’s annual training, the unit was able to greatly improved the accuracy of our provide support for two in-state field artillery battalions fires.” they regularly support: their parent battalion, the 1st Battal- Meanwhile, ETAB radar operators ion, 161st Field Artillery headquartered in Wichita, Kan., gained benefits from the agreement firing M109A6 Paladins; and 2nd Battalion, 130th Field since the unit was able to detect and Artillery headquartered in Hiawatha, Kan., firing rockets process rounds fired from the 1st Bn., from their M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System 129th FA. It was training that proved Sgt. John Whistler, Jetmore, a field artillery fire-finder radar operator with launchers. especially valuable since most of the Battery E (Target Acquisition), 161st Field Artillery, makes adjustments to a A relatively short time before annual training began 1st unit’s radar operators had not had the Q-36 Radar Antenna during radar operations while at annual training at Bn., 161st FA leadership became aware of a third unit, the opportunity to detect live field artillery Fort Riley, Kan., June 10-24. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Mead, Battery E 1st Battalion, 129th Field Artillery firing M-777 towed rounds since well before ETAB’s de- [Target Acquisition], 161st Field Artillery) August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 9 Comptroller Flight makes sure Soldiers begin Phase I training the books are balanced at Officer Candidate School By Tech. Sgt. Mandy Johnson By Officer Candidate Denny Tellez, Hawk helicopters provided by the 1st Bat- 190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Kansas Army National Guard, and Offi- talion, 108th Aviation Regiment. Upon suc- The 190th Air Refueling Wing Finance Office is charged with ensuring 190th Airman cer Candidate Jessica Pan, Nebraska cessful completion of all instruction and get paid, but they do much more than just process drill pay. Finance is an essential ele- Army National Guard testing, candidates will return to their re- ment to keeping the 190th mission-capable. One hundred thirteen Soldiers and 120 spective states to begin Phase II training. “Nothing happens without finance,” said Maj. James Wehrli, Comptroller Flight com- staff and cadre, representing Kansas, Mis- Prior to commissioning from the traditional mander. souri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma OCS program, candidates will complete The 13-member Comptroller Flight (finance office) performs three major functions: and Texas, arrived in Salina, Kan., June 8 Phase III at Camp Murray, Joint Base budget, quality assurance and financial services. The office efficiently processes, on aver- to begin Officer Candidate School Phase I. Lewis McChord, Wash., July 2014. age, 3,500 military pay and 600 civilian pay transactions and 400 travel vouchers every Lt. Col. John Clark, commander, 1st The training environment the candidates month. This is in addition to other duties, such as budget monitoring and contract manage- Battalion, 235th Regiment, welcomed the undergo is intense. ment. candidates during the opening ceremony “Phase I is a very fast pace,” said Capt. The finance office has taken their mission of quality financial management to heart. that brought the separate companies to- Charlie Heath, a platoon trainer from the Some of their recent accomplishments include being ranked seventh out of 104 units by gether into one combined battalion for Texas National Guard. “Every second is ac- the National Guard Bureau. This ranking is based on an evaluation of various aspects of training. counted for. It requires staying focused flight operations, including turnaround time in military and travel pay, travel card delin- “Our motto, ‘Molding Tomorrow’s Lead- while battling fatigue. This is the hardest quency rates, budget management and execution, contract management, and travel debts ers’ is not something we take lightly,” said the candidates have been pushed for a sus- and advances. Clark. “Candidates, the training ahead of tained period. Considering time constraints, Capt. Casey Montgomery, budget officer, credits several factors for the ranking. “Accu- you will be difficult. Your cadre will test it is a nice balance of classroom and hands- mulation of training, good work ethic, the right management, and most of all, great people you. Our goal is to develop you into pla- on training.” who take pride in their work,” said Montgomery. toon leaders that will make decisions, that Officer Candidate Travis Wickham from Wehrli said the office has always taken care of the wing’s Airmen. “Even when they will accept responsibility that will take care the Kansas National Guard agreed the were down to a four-person office.” of Soldiers and their families, and most im- training was intense, but called it valuable. “They handled that situation much like they are handling the uncertainty of the future portantly, that will lead by example.” “I was assigned to be the acting platoon budget and 100 percent auditability required by NGB,” he said. “So the finance office The two-week Phase I consists of a five- leader and I was running around trying to must develop a process to handle the uncertainty of the budget world, and they must do mile road march, classroom instruction and get everything done,” said Wickham. “I this with the least amount of impact on the Airman and on the mission.” exams, field training, day and night land learned I had to rely on my platoon ser- navigation, and flight movement on Black geant and my squad leaders.”

Senior Airman Camry Gayer (left), Fiscal Year 2013 second Quarter Airman of the Officer candidates dismount a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Company B, 1st Quarter, and Tech. Sgt. Alyshia Leisure (right), Satellite Noncommissioned Officer Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment upon arrival to the Kansas Army National Academy 190th Top Graduate (2012), help with the 190th Air Refueling Wing’s fi- Guard Range and Field Training Site. They will prepare their sleeping area prior to nances. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mandy Johnson, 190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs) the field portion of Officer Candidate School Phase I June 9-22 in Salina, Kan. Helicopter detachment returns (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jamie J. Baxter - Kansas Army National Guard UPAR) from Afghanistan deployment Continued from Page 7 months. Thank you for your love and sup- Headquarters, 69th Troop Command and port, especially to my wife, thank you. I 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation regiment for could not have done this without you.” their support. Moments later, the “Dismissed” com- “Most importantly,” he continued, “the mand was given and the Soldiers rushed to most critical link to our team is you, the their long-awaited reunion with family and family. I know it’s been a long nine friends.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kristopher LeMaster, a pilot with Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, is greeted by his daughter, Ava, age 7, as he returns home from his deployment to Afghanistan. This was the fourth deploy- ment for LeMaster. The aviation regiment was welcomed home during a ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Salina, Kan., June 18. (Photo by Jane Welch, Public Affairs Office) Page 10 Plains Guardian • August 2013 Soldiers train mock scenario for state civil disturbance response By Spc. Jen Bjorgaard 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment For many Soldiers of the Kansas Army National Guard, a drill weekend may often consist of somewhat boring, but necessary tasks. Mandatory training seminars, equipment inventory and paperwork are only a few of the missions that are a less than exciting reality for today’s Soldiers. However, occasionally they get the opportunity to put their classroom training to practical use and spend drill weekend doing something a little more exciting. During their June drill, Soldiers of the 69th Troop Com- mand, Topeka, Kan., got to do exactly that. From the highest-ranking officer at the brigade level down to the newest private, Soldiers used a mock emergency sce- nario to train for state emergency response. Training took place in Topeka, Manhattan and Fort Riley, Kan., June 7-9. The exercise has been in different stages of planning since January. 69th Troop Command is the parent unit of the 2nd Com- bined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, which acts as the state rapid reaction force. Should it be called into ac- tion, an exercise scenario like this could become a reality in a matter of hours. Capt. Brent Buckley, assistant operations officer of 69th Troop Command feels that it is important for Soldiers to be given an opportunity to practice the roles that they would fill if the governor called the unit into action in emergency A group of 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment Soldiers rehearse movement as an arrest team circumstances. as part of a mock civil disturbance training exercise at Fort Riley, Kan., June 9. (Photo by Spc. Jen Bjorgaard, “We’re doing a dry run, a staff exercise,” said Buckley. 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) “What that does is offer a training environment for the brigade staff and the battalion staff to work on our systems, For the purposes of the exercise, the Tactical Operations found the overall training to be a positive experience. our communications and the products that we would build Center for the brigade was located in Topeka. Their pri- “I think these kinds of training are very helpful,” said for a domestic support type of mission.” mary mission was to organize and disseminate information Folsom. “Recently we’ve done a lot of indoor, sitting at a According to Buckley, this is the first opportunity that to subordinate units such as the 2nd CAB, 137th Inf. computer, briefing-type of training and this actually lets us some staff members have had to practice their roles in an Regt.’s tactical command post in Manhattan. get some real-world experience.” emergency response situation. He believes that a dry run Soldiers there were working hard to ensure that mis- “Instead of talking about the exercises, we’re doing like this is very important so that Soldiers are always pre- sions were being carried out as ordered and communica- them,” said Folsom. “That’s awesome. We should do that pared for the Army National Guard’s main priority, state tion was flowing between troops on the ground at Fort all the time.” assistance. Riley and the brigade staff in Topeka. The information that he has received from the Soldiers “The primary mission of the Kansas National Guard is Sgt. Justin M. Folsom, headquarters staff for 2nd CAB, on the ground at Fort Riley has been encouraging. exactly what we are looking at in this scenario,” said Buck- 137th Inf. Regt., Kansas City, Kan., was one of the non- “The guys that are out in the field right now are having ley. “Even though the scenario might be different, be it a commissioned officers manning the radio in the Manhattan a blast doing this stuff,” said Folsom. “It boosts the morale tornado or a flood, the systems and the functions that we TCP, communicating information to the appropriate chan- of the Soldiers to be able to get out, have fun and do a do are identical.” nels. This was Folsom’s first time acting in this role and he mission.” More than 300 Soldiers from 69th Troop Command were on the ground at Fort Riley to complete their own emergency response training. They were joined by mem- bers of the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard. At Fort Riley, service members teamed up with local law enforcement to rehearse the roles they would fulfill if the Guard were called to assist civilian authorities in the event of a crisis. The training covered tactics such as individual control techniques, movement in a line formation and riot control methods. For Spc. Joshua Joynt, Company A, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf. Regt., Lawrence, the course was a great refresher for training that he completed several years ago. “It’s really good to get away from home station,” said Joynt. “It’s a definitely a motivating course to go through.” Joynt said this event is the first opportunity for many of the service members to participate in this type of training. He feels that because of weekend’s instruction, everyone involved will be better prepared if they are called to duty and will better able to handle any situation that might arise. “We are getting Soldiers prepared in the case the state needs to activate us to neutralize situations that could A group of Soldiers rehearse movement as an “arrest team” as part of a mock civil disturbance training exercise at cause a threat to the community,” said Joynt. “It’s a great Fort Riley, Kan., June 9. (Photo by Spc. Jen Bjorgaard, 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) team-building exercise.” Kansas participates in Armenia National Response Plan Workshop Continued from Page 2 two-way street at the international level,” involvement brings a vital element of conti- lar exercises in previous years in Armenia, that the Armenians are proud of their nu- said Spencer Schargorodski, assistant liai- nuity to the program.” progress is very apparent and relationships clear power facility and take great responsi- son officer to FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of The United Nations Disaster Management have resulted in improved discussions. bility for operating it safely and ensuring Engineers. “While the U.S. delegation as- Team also participated in the disaster re- “During my first trip in 2010, our team the public is protected.” sists and evaluates the participants, we also sponse exercise. Similar exercises involving provided much more input into the exer- “The challenges of emergency prepared- learn from their experiences and different the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the cise,” said Tony Hill, U.S. Army Corps of ness are very much the same and many re- methods to respond and recover from a dis- Kansas National Guard’s State Partnership Engineers. “This year, the (Armenian) lead- volve around communications,” Smith aster. In addition, we work together to build Program are being discussed for Armenia. ership had a plan when we arrived and did continued. “Nuclear power is a complex lasting relationships and institutional The discussion that occurred throughout an excellent job executing the plan and en- technology and communicating to a diverse knowledge.” the exercise revealed an overall desire by gaging all of the exercise participants.” population is challenging to say the least.” “The Corps of Engineers has the right ex- participants to work together to resolve the “Building and sustaining relationships is The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as- pertise in emergency management and geo- challenges presented in the exercise. a critical component of emergency manage- sisted Armenia in a similar disaster response graphic information systems to help the “I believe the open forum and exchange ment,” said Purinton. “The similarities be- exercise in 2008 and has since involved var- Republic of Armenia advance and improve of information that occurred made the exer- tween Kansas and Armenia truly allow us ious scenarios ranging from earthquakes to their emergency response capabilities,” said cise very valuable to the Armenians and to share ideas and lessons learned that are floods to nuclear power plant issues. Each David Schafer, U.S. Army Corps of Engi- helped them to use the exercise as a means applicable to respective programs. Al- exercise brings in similar government agen- neers. “Over the past 15 years or so, the to further their own goals towards improv- though we are very similar, events such as cies and allows participants to improve how CMEP program has done a great deal to ing their response capabilities, which is ex- this also challenge us to think outside of the they work with one another to solve the promote not only the in country capacities, actly what we hope for in all of our CMEP box and step out of our comfort zone from challenges put before them. but also cooperation between countries events,” said Schaefer. the many standardized processes that we “Disaster planning and exercising is a throughout the region. The corps' consistent For those who have participated in simi- have in the U.S.” August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 11 Civil Engineers make a difference with skills Finance Airman By 2nd Lt. Matt Lucht worked on building or remodeling homes, a small crew of 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs four travelled to three homes installing water and sewer takes on power tools The sound of pounding hammers, heavy equipment mov- lines. Some of these homes had gone years without water ing dirt, duct work being placed and pipe wrenches on and sewer. 2nd Lt. Matt Lucht plumbing fixtures are common noises for a construction site. “What surprises me is this is 2013 and a lot of the peo- 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs For more than 30 Airmen of the 184th Intelligence Wing, ple don’t even have running water,” said Shouse. “This Airman 1st Class Elise Terrell usually spends her an- Civil Engineering Squadron, these sounds are music to their house has been here since 2004 without running water. We nual training days processing short orders, long tours ears, because it means hands-on training. and forms. “It is the only way that we learn our job,” Terrell, who works in finance, had a chance to try said Staff Sgt. Brett Shouse, heavy equip- something different this year. She was assigned to a ment operator. “It gives us relevant experi- building crew as part of the 184th Intelligence Wing’s ence. So much of our training is Civil Engineering Squadron. The CES deployed to computer-based and the hands-on stuff is the Gallup, N.M., and Window Rock, Ariz., June 15-29 for only way to learn construction type jobs.” their two-week annual training, where they worked The 184th CES deployed to Gallup, N.M., with the Southwest Indian Foundation building homes, and Window Rock, Ariz., for their two-week remodeling buildings and trenching new sewer and annual training June 15-29. But this training water systems. was a little different than what the squadron “With me being in finance, I never thought that I is used to. The 184th CES worked with the would come out here and build houses,” said Terrell. “It Southwest Indian Foundation as three sepa- is a nice thing to do because it makes me feel more a rate teams, at three sites, building homes, re- part of the Air Force, not just in customer service, but modeling buildings and trenching new sewer actually getting hands-on experience.” and water systems. Every project directly im- At the foundation’s warehouse, houses are built proved the living conditions of local Native from ground up. Terrell helped where she was needed Americans. and gained additional skills that might benefit her out- “When I first found out that it was human- side of the military. itarian work, I thought that it was a great way “She mastered laying floor and taught some of our to come here and show support and do the Senior Airman Chris Ruhlen, electrical technician with the 184th Civil younger Airmen,” said Maj. John Adam, emergency work that they need help with,” said Senior Engineering Squadron, drills a hole to run electrical wire while work- management flight officer. “She is doing great. For her Airman Justin Hoppe, utilities technician. ing at the Southwest Indian Foundation’s warehouse. Ruhlen and 30 and others out here, a lot of these projects are things “We get to use our expertise and skills to other engineers built and remodeled homes for local Native Americans that they can do in their homes.” improve the quality of life for these people,” in Window Rock, Ariz., and Gallup, N.M., for their annual training Being from a different discipline, the engineers said Staff Sgt. John Gee, heating and cooling June 15-29. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Matt Lucht, 184th Intelligence Wing wanted to give Terrell opportunities to operate different systems technician. Public Affairs) tools and machinery. Staff Sgt. Brett Shouse, heavy The Southwest Indian Foundation is a small organization are here to put in water and septic systems for the families equipment operator, showed her how to work and main- that has a big mission. The partnership with the military is that need it.” tain a backhoe and excavator. extremely important in order to get as much accomplished The trenching crew put in three septic systems, 265 lin- “I gave her a grease gun,” said Shouse. “It is one of as they can each year. ear feet of waterlines and 315 linear feet of infiltration sys- the dirtiest jobs that you can do, and she jumped in and tems, all while getting tackled it. She is really eager and she wants to learn.” valuable real-world training Like many other squadrons, CE is made up of differ- with real-world dilemmas. ent trades and career fields. On annual training, Airmen “Every situation is differ- might be pouring concrete, installing HVAC systems, ent, you know,” said Shouse. building structures or all the above. “We hit rock on this project “We typically bring other disciplines with us on our six inches down. We have to annual trainings,” said Adams. “They are curious about do something, so you get a what civil engineers do and I think that it is important jack hammer or dig it out by for others in the wing to learn about our squadron.” hand. You can’t plan for that The 184th CES worked with the Southwest Indian in a textbook. There is only Foundation as three separate teams at three sites, build- one way and that is getting ing homes, remodeling buildings and trenching new dirty out in the field.” sewer and water systems. Every project directly af- The annual training was a fected and improved the living conditions of local Na- great opportunity for all ca- tive Americans. The humanitarian mission was reer fields to get hands-on something that Terrell really enjoyed. training for their specific “I love being a part of something that helps other trades. The 184th CE people,” said Terrell. “I love that it is for the local com- Squadron spent approxi- munity. You actually are getting to see the people that it mately 3,500 hours helping a is going to benefit and which makes it a little more re- Engineers from the 184th Intelligence Wing, Civil Engineering Squadron, dig a community that welcomed warding.” trench for a new sewer and water system to an existing house during their annual them with open arms. training June 15-29 in conjunction with the Southwest Indian Foundation located be- “We are actually working tween the Window Rock, Ariz., and Gallup, N.M., area. Some homes have been with- in the community and they out running water and sewer for more than seven years. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Matt understand why we are here Lucht, 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs) and that we are here to help “We have been doing this for 15 years, having built right them,” said Maj. John Adam, emergency management around 220 homes during that time,” said Jeremy Boucher, flight officer. deputy director of Southwest Indian Foundation. “When the “It’s heartwarming you are actually helping someone military comes during the summer, they provide crucial that needs this,” says Airman 1st Class Kathryn Smith, manpower for us.” structures technician. Building new homes at the Southwest Indian Foundation warehouse for qualified appli- cants was only one work site where the team worked. Air- men spent the majority of the time at Saint Michael’s Asso- ciation for Special Education remodeling and improving three existing buildings. “We have redesigned a HVAC system for a house that didn’t have a heating and cooling system,” said Gee. “They were using a potbelly stove to heat the home during Airman 1st Class Elise Terrell, finance specialist, the winter and had nothing 184th Intelligence Wing, uses a grease gun on a for the summer time.” backhoe during the 184th IW Civil Engineering In addition to installing a Squadron's annual training to Window Rock, Ariz., new HVAC system, windows and Gallup, N.M., June 15-29. Terrell gained valu- were replaced, doors relo- Master Sgt. Steve Cussins, a heavy equipment operator with 184th Intelligence able experience outside of her career field when she cated, complete plumbing Wing, Civil Engineering Squadron, welds an equipment rack for the Southwest In- deployed on the humanitarian mission building, re- systems removed and re- dian Foundation’s warehouse during annual training June 15-29. The Southwest In- habbing and digging water and sewer lines for local placed, and new electrical dian Foundation, located near Window Rock, Ariz., and Gallup, N.M., builds Native Americans. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Matt Lucht, wires and panels installed. approximately 20 houses a year for qualified Native American applicants. (Photo by 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs) While most of the engineers 2nd Lt. Matt Lucht, 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs) Page 12 Plains Guardian • August 2013 Kansas Division of Emergency Management Kansas Division of Emergency Management receives accreditation By Steve Larson willing to do whatever it takes to get the job Public Affairs Office done and this accreditation is well-earned.” The state of Kansas, through the efforts The state began working toward accredi- of the Kansas Division of Emergency Man- tation early in 2012 providing documenta- agement and key partners in emergency tion on how it prepares for and responds to preparedness and response, has received disasters. These documents were uploaded full accreditation through the Emergency to a website for EMAP officials to review Management Accreditation Program. for compliance with EMAP standards. “This accreditation is a significant ‘stamp These standards cover: of approval’ that validates the commitment • Program Management this state has to emergency management • Administration and Finance and protecting the health and safety of • Laws and Authorities Kansans,” said Gov. Sam Brownback. • Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment “Having the best emergency management and Consequence Analysis and preparedness possible is a priority for • Hazard Mitigation us in the state of Kansas. It is a high prior- • Prevention ity because it means saving lives.” • Operational Planning “I congratulate the director of KDEM, • Incident Management Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, and his staff on a • Resource Management and Logistics job well done.” • Mutual Aid KDEM worked jointly with its state part- • Communications and Warning ners, including Kansas Highway Patrol, • Operations and Procedures Health and Environment, Agriculture and • Facilities the Kansas National Guard, and success- On behalf of the state of Kansas and the Kansas Division of Emergency Manage- • Training fully demonstrated compliance with all 104 ment, Deputy Director Angee Morgan accepts a plaque from Gov. Sam Brownback • Exercises, Evaluations and Corrective standards to attain accreditation. for receiving full accreditation during a press conference held in the State Emergency Action EMAP is a voluntary review process for Operations Center at the State Defense Building in Topeka, Kan., July 8. KDEM re- • Crisis Communications, Public Educa- state and local emergency management pro- ceived the accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Pro- tion and Information grams that is a means of demonstrating gram. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett, Public Affairs Office) An on-site assessment was conducted in through self-assessment, documentation that went into receiving this accreditation,” dedication and commitment of our team.” Topeka Dec. 10-14, 2012, to review the and peer review that a program meets na- said Tafanelli, the adjutant general of Angee Morgan, deputy director of documentation. KDEM staff then had 30 tional standards for emergency manage- Kansas and director of the Kansas Division KDEM, led the staff through the nearly days to provide additional information to ment. of Emergency Management. “It was a long year-long process to become accredited. the EMAP council for review and was re- “I am extremely proud of our KDEM and challenging process, but receiving this “I have extremely dedicated people cently notified of the state’s successful team and our state partners for the efforts accreditation is an indicator of the skill, working with me,” said Morgan. “They are completion of the accreditation process. Public safety professionals assemble for combined exercise By Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett give law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical On Memorial Day, more than two dozen homes were af- Public Affairs Office personnel, military and other first responders practical, fected when a tornado touched down in Marshall County More than 230 people came together for a two-day, hands-on training tailored to their professional needs. and Smith County damaging at least 22 homes, followed by large-scale training exercise at Crisis City May 29-30. First "This is a great opportunity for those who have never tornadoes in Nemaha and Ottawa Counties, shared Tafanelli. responders, emergency managers and other members of been to Crisis City to get an up-close look at what it has to “These recent events certainly bring the importance to- public safety professions were invited to observe the exer- offer and start thinking about how our facilities can help gether about what we do with emergency response person- cise and tour the Crisis City training venues. them maximize their training dollars," said Dennis Cols- nel that we have here. When we do have a disaster, we’re Crisis City is a multidisciplinary training facility near den, Kansas Division Emergency Management regional all going to respond together. Crisis City provides us an op- Salina, Kan., operated by the Kansas Division of Emergency emergency management coordinator. portunity to train together before ... a real-world event.” Management. The facility’s training venues are designed to Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general of Kansas During the exercise, participants responded to a simu- and director of Kansas Di- lated, widespread disaster involving a number of the Crisis vision of Emergency Man- City training venues. Paraguayan first responder agement, joined local “It’s an opportunity for some teams that have never been response officials at a media out here to hone those skills before they’re out working a briefing, held the first day, tornado and they aren’t as nervous about their abilities,” said to address the objectives of Traci Rankin, incident commander of the Southwest Inci- the exercise and value of dent Management Team. “Everyone receives the same train- the training for the state. ing statewide. We had teams from all over the state, that we "This facility allows emer- had to pull in to help us and it worked like we were one big gency responders from all team the whole time.” over the state to come to- “I’m the kind of guy that likes to do the search and res- gether and train for a disaster cue. I like to climb around things,” said Bob Owens, inci- exactly as they would respond dent commander of the Community Emergency Response to a real event," said Tafanelli. (Continued on Page 14) 2013 Kansas Technical Rescue Conference set for Sept. 24-26 Search and rescue professionals from across the state will meet in Salina, Kan., Sept. 24-26 for the sixth annual Kansas Technical Rescue Conference sponsored by the Kansas Members of the Emergency Preparedness Area for Kansas Paraguay Partners Search and Rescue Working Group, Kansas Division of Emergency Management, Adju- of the Americas joined public safety professionals in observing the large-scale tant General’s Department, Great Plains Joint Training Center, Crisis City and Kansas Fire training exercise at Crisis City near Salina, Kan., May 29-30. and Rescue Training Institute. Capt. Ramon Grange, a firefighter with the Bomberos Volunteer Fire Com- This is one of only a few times that all seven disaster regions within Kansas collectively pany 7, San Lorenzo, Paraguay, toured the facility’s multiple venues with the train to the same standards. help of his sponsor Steve Richards, chairman for the Emergency Preparedness A vendor appreciation night will be Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in Building 365 Area for Kansas Paraguay Partners of the Americas. at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 2930 Scanlan Ave., Salina. The evening will in- “This is a very good opportunity for them to observe how we manage rescue clude a presentation of the second annual William C. Brubaker Memorial Award. and emergency incidents in Kansas,” said Richards. The remainder of the conference will be conducted at Crisis City, a state-of-the-art first Grange was given an invitation from the United States government and the responder, military and private industry training center located approximately 10 miles state of Kansas to come for emergency preparedness training. One of the many southwest of Salina. Classes will things on his schedule was to visit Crisis City. include Technical Rope Rescue, “I am most interested to see how they assess the damage and what their an- Breach and Break, Shoring Op- swer is or how they will respond,” said Grange. erations, Cut/Burn and Grange is no stranger to major incidents. In 2004, he responded to the Ycau Lift/Move, Technical Search and Balonas supermarket fire in the Paraguayan capitol of Asuncion where more K-9 Search and Rescue. than 400 people died. Information on the course can The mission of Partners of Americas is to create connections between states be found online at www.Contin- and regions in the United States and the Latin America and the Caribbean to de- uingEd.ku.edu/fire or by calling velop mutual understanding and support. (Photo by Sharon Watson, Public Af- toll-free 866-804-8841 or 785- fairs Office) 826-3771 for Tamrya Shea. August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 13 Kansas Division of Emergency Management

New staff at Kansas Division of Emergency Management team By Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett Health and Environment. She was responsible for the de- University of Kansas Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. Public Affairs Office sign, development and implementation of exercise and Purinton resides in Topeka. She enjoys being an aunt to The Kansas Division of Emergency Management re- training components for the public health and hospital pre- her two nieces, Quinlan and Elise, and her nephew, Josh. cently welcomed several new employees to their team. paredness grants from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control In her spare time, Purinton takes pleasure in reading, Jamie Schwartz joined KDEM in July as an environ- and Prevention, the Division of the Strategic National going to concerts and spending time with her family and mental scientist. She will be re- Stockpile and the U.S. Department friends. Purinton is a licensed skydiver and spends most sponsible for the management of Health and Human Services. of her free time at the drop zone. and coordination of the hazardous Purinton is certified as a Master Keith Jeffers is one of the material spill database, conduct- Exercise Practitioner and an in- newest members to Crisis City, ing facility assessments and pro- structor for the Homeland Security Salina, Kan., working as a Pro- viding technical assistance. Exercise and Evaluation Program. gram Consultant II: training and Schwartz joins the team with Purinton joined KDHE July exercise specialist. nine years of experience in the en- 2008 as a contingency planner to Prior to joining the KDEM vironmental field. She began her work with local partners in devel- team, Jeffers worked as the pre- career with an environmental con- oping emergency preparedness paredness director of Bourbon sulting firm and then joined the and response plans. During the County Emergency Management Kansas Department of Health and Jamie Schwartz H1N1 response in 2009, she was Cait Purinton from April 2008 to August 2012. Environment in 2010 in the Bu- activated in KDHE’s Incident Throughout his emergency reau of Environmental Remediation. She provided regula- Command as a planning section chief and a member of management career, Jeffers be- tory oversight of soil and groundwater remedial activities the Community Mitigation Team. Purinton is a graduate came a Kansas certified emer- Keith Jeffers at sites formerly used by the U.S. Department of Defense. of the 2010 Kansas Core Public Health Program and a gency manager; a member of the Schwartz graduated from the University of Kansas with Cycle VIII Fellow in the Kansas Public Health Leadership Kansas Regional Council Coordinating Committee and a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies. Institute. She also served as the Preparedness Program Kansas Strategic Planning Committee; served as a vice- Schwartz resides in Lawrence, Kan., with her husband, representative on KDHE’s Accreditation Team. chairman of the Southeast Kansas Regional Homeland Se- Jeff, and two-year-old son, Jackson. They enjoy spending Prior to joining KDHE, Purinton was a publications curity Council; Chairman of Southeast Kansas Regional their spare time at Clinton Lake. writer at the Kansas Highway Patrol, working in public Council Planning Committee, Geographic Information Cait Purinton is one of KDEM’s newest exercise offi- and legislative affairs from 2005-2008. She had the oppor- Systems Committee and Grants Committees; and served cers. She coordinates the statewide exercise program, tunity to deploy to Greensburg in May 2007 as an assis- on Southeast Kansas Incident Management Team as logis- which includes monitoring compliance of emergency tant public information officer. tics section chief, planning section chief, public informa- management program requirements for exercises, as well Purinton graduated from Kansas State University in 2000 tion officer or liaison officer. as providing technical assistance to local and state part- with a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications Jeffers deployed to Louisiana during Hurricane Gustav ners on developing and conducting exercises. with a minor in cultural anthropology. She has worked in recovery, serving as deputy branch director for Critical In- Purinton came to KDEM with a vast amount of experi- both radio and print journalism, earning awards from the frastructure Planning. He was responsible for transporta- ence having been the exercise and training coordinator in Missouri Press Association and Kansas City Press Club. tion, communications, energy, agriculture and coastal the preparedness program at the Kansas Department of She studied in the Master of Public Health program at the (Continued on Page 14) Crisis City manager eager to share his new “big playground” By Steve Larson week,” he said with a smile), Pruitt has Public Affairs Office plans of how he wants to proceed. Starting a new job can be a little over- “My vision and my goal is to grow Crisis whelming to a lot of people, so it helps to City,” he said. “My intent is to make it a go in with a positive attitude, something common household name. It’s amazing to Joe Pruitt has in spades. me how often you can often say ‘Crisis “I’m enthusiastic about this,” said Pruitt, City’ even in Salina, Kansas and people the new manager for Crisis City. “I’m look- don’t know what you’re talking about.” ing forward to this. As an instructor and “When I told them I was leaving the De- having trained people for close to 20 years partment of Corrections and going to in different venues, whether it’s fire service KDEM to run Crisis City the response was or corrections, it’s like you opened up a big ‘What’s a Crisis City?’,” he continued. playground for me, a big toy box.” “And so we want to push it to first respon- Crisis City is a multidisciplinary training ders and push it to the private sector so that facility near Salina, Kan., operated by the people understand where we’re at and what Kansas Division of Emergency Manage- we do, the services that are available to ment. them. Rather than have a slow, two-lane Born and raised in Ellsworth, Pruitt was entry going in and out of here, we want to an active member of the community, em- see a four-lane where people are coming ceeing high school athletic events, serving from not just Kansas, but from the Midwest on the Cowtown and fireworks committees. in general to utilize the services we have He spent 20 years as a member of the local here.” fire department specializing in fire preven- That goal is not to just concentrate on the tion for elementary and pre-elementary stu- big cities, but to open dialogues with small, dents. From 1987 until recently, he worked rural departments. with the Kansas Department of Corrections. “I’d say ‘Come give us a look. Do you Joe Pruitt, new manager of Crisis City, is eager to hit the road and spread the word “I worked as an investigator and the last have a train where you can practice haz- about the facility to fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency man- seven years I spent running the training ardous materials in your backyard? What’s agers, emergency medical technicians and all other public safety professionals. academy at Ellsworth Correctional Facil- it going to take to get that?’” said Pruitt. (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) ity,” said Pruitt. “They probably can’t do it because they your schedules might be. Training is free to train their staff and maybe work right It was in the latter capacity that Pruitt can’t just shut down a train that’s passing for first responders. There are minimal alongside those entities that they may be had his first exposure to Crisis City. through the community. We have that op- costs for consumables, but there’s nothing working with in an emergency situation so “I was impressed with the facility and the portunity here at Crisis City. We can give we can’t work out. We’ll try to find a way they can work as one unit under whatever venues,” he recalled, “what you can do out them a full venue with a locomotive, over- for your budget to fit you getting out here.” situation they may have.” here. Where we were limited with what we turned cars, derailment, those kind of items “We will set up the training venues for Pruitt cited K-9 teams as just one group could do on our ranges, out here it gave us that they don’t have. With minimal travel, you so you come in and have it all ready to that can make use of multiple venues. the opportunity to do search and rescue, halfway across the state rather than having go,” he continued. “You tell us what kind “We have a K-9 venue where you can building entry and high-angle rappelling to go to clear across the state, you can be in of scenario you want or what you want to certify your dogs with an agility course,” with our Special Operations Response the location and train all day long.” happen in that scenario and we can coordi- said Pruitt. “We have a wooden structure Teams. There were so many venues that Pruitt wants to make using Crisis City as nate those agencies and within ourselves to that’s built out of pallets to give your dogs gave us options that we didn’t have locally.” accommodating as possible for limited make sure the training venue is set up for the opportunity to walk on those kind of “If we wanted to rappel, in Ellsworth the budgets and tight training schedules. Speak- you when you arrive for your exercise. You uneven environments. We also have the highest building has two stories,” he ex- ing from his own experience as an instruc- supply your instructors, we’ll oversee rubble pile for search and rescue teams.” plained. “If you wanted to jump off some- tor, Pruitt said “You’re always looking for safety and keep an eye out for our own in- Pruitt sees few, if any, constraints on thing, the best thing we could do is go the best quality training for your people. tegrity of the facility, but we’ll help you in training possibilities at his new “toy box.” jump off a bridge.” ‘How well is my training going for my any way we can with resources.” “We’re limitless,” he said. “We’re sitting Over time, Pruitt developed a working small-town department? Can I train my peo- Pruitt plans to promote Crisis City to as on 44 acres inside the fence with venues partnership with Crisis City and got to know ple better?’ This gives you your best-quality many entities as he can. that are still in the process of being built. the staff. When word came that Crisis City training for the buck for your people.” “We want to make our doors open so that There are visions down the road for where was seeking a new manager, Pruitt applied “If you want to train on weekends, call we’re serving not only first responders and this place can go and only by bringing peo- and was accepted. Although still somewhat us,” he offered. “We’ll have our doors open those entities, but also private and public ple in and utilizing it can we make those new to the position, (“We’re in my third for you so that you can make it whatever entities as well so that they have the ability things happen.” Page 14 Plains Guardian • August 2013 International officers visit capitol Public safety professionals By Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett by a Native American presentation and a Public Affairs Office tour of the museum. assemble for combined exercise Seventy military officers from 65 nations “It’s just the same as when we visit, we Continued from Page 12 state agencies operated the simulation cell visited Topeka July 18 to learn about state learn about our host country’s cultures and Team. “Today I am managing. So now I providing exercise injects, conducted exer- government and the state judicial system. systems,” said Dold. “Most of the officers kind of know what the manager is up cise evaluations, served as safety officers The international officers, who are students come from very strong allies of ours. This against. I am really learning a bunch about and fulfilled other support functions. at the U.S. Army Command and General interchange is important.” communication. There are 10 people call- Crisis City training venues include a sim- Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Over the years, many of the international ing in at the same time and these girls are ulated rail disaster, collapsed building, high come to Topeka once during their course to officer students have gone on to key posi- taking care of it wonderfully. They are just angle rescue tower, pipeline isolation and learn about state government. tions in their nations. Twenty-six have be- feeding me the information I need. So, repair, active shooter building, K-9 agility The officers arrived at Memorial Hall come heads of state, more than 300 have even if I am not a commander in the next course, urban village and the Crisis City where they were greeted by Brig. Gen. become ministers, ambassadors or repre- scenario or the incident, I have a better feel operations building, which includes class- Scott Dold, chief of the joint staff, Kansas sentatives, approximately 2,300 have be- of what is going on at all levels.” room space and an observation deck that National Guard, followed by a catered come general officers in the armies of the Participants included members of the gives trainers and evaluators an overview breakfast. Dold gave a brief overview of world, while more than 300 have become South Central Incident Management Team, of all the training areas. the Kansas National Guard's history and chiefs of staff of their armed forces. Southwest Incident Management Team, “When I see an airplane fuselage, I can current structure. The tradition of international officers at- Kansas Task Force 5, Kansas Highway Pa- just image what we could do with that,” Shortly after, the officers toured the State tending the General Staff Officer College trol, state Search and Teams and Commu- said Owens. “The train wreck is absolutely Capitol, including the House of Represen- began in 1894. This year marks the 119th nity Emergency Response Teams. fantastic with power lines underneath one tatives and Senate chambers. At the end of year international officers have attended Personnel from the Kansas Division of of the cars. So you can just imagine all the the tour the officers took a photo with Sen. Fort Leavenworth. Since 1894, more than Emergency Management, Kansas State Fire scenarios that they could play.” Jay Emler of the Kansas 35th District at the 7,300 officers from 153 countries have Marshal’s Office, Kansas Department of For information about Crisis City or to rotunda. come for training. Health and Environment, Salina Fire De- book a venue, call Tammy Shea, (785) 826- “We are here learning about the state The nations represented this year were partment, University of Kansas Fire & Res- 3771; email [email protected]. government and to compare it to ours, what Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Australia, cue Training Institute and other local and Crisis City is also on Facebook. we have in our countries,” said Lt. Col. Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia- Mamuka Kavtaradze, of Georgia. “The Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, major difference is that the state has its Burundi, Canada, Columbia, Djibouti, own government and there is a federal gov- Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Geor- ernment also. The sharing of responsibili- gia, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Indonesia, ties and governing, what falls under federal Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, government law and what falls under the Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, state, was very interesting to hear.” Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, The officers walked to the Judicial Build- Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nether- ing, where they heard a presentation by the lands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Kansas court system Chief Judge Thomas Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Saudi E. Malone. Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Before traveling back to Fort Leaven- Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, worth the officers enjoyed a catered lunch Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab at the Kansas History Museum, followed Emirates and United Kingdom.

First responders from the Hutchinson Fire Rescue 4 assess tornado damages during a mock incident. First responders and public safety professionals gathered at Crisis City, Salina, Kan., for a multiple-venue training exercise May 29-30. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett, Public Affairs Office) Wing receives Distinguished Flying unit for third time Continued from Page 1 confidence she gained while in the wing. she did choose to highlight the work of a “I’m not nervous anymore. I jump in State Senator Jay Emler of the Kansas 35th District meets with international offi- few individuals in the packet. there and get things done,” said Douglas. cers, who are students at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Senior Airman Jeni Douglas, who was “I’ve seen a change in myself and, while Leavenworth, Kan., during a tour at the State Capitol in Topeka, Kan., July 18. recognized as the National Guard’s Oph- the award is an honor, it’s because I’ve had (Photo by Spc. Nicolas VanWyhe, Public Affairs Office) thalmic Apprentice of the Year in 2012, really good mentors.” was named in the award. Douglas often If Douglas’ award was a reflection of a managed the wing’s optometry office inde- successful culture within the medical Kansas Warrant Corps update pendently when Col. William Hefner, the group, the Distinguished Flying Unit Continued from Page 4 these perishable skills is important during wing optometrist, was unavailable. While Award recognized the wing as a whole. packet can be a lengthy process; it takes annual training and it also keeps your Sol- Douglas describes herself as a timid Air- After three wins, it’s a culture recognized about three months (on average) for a diers motivated and excited about attending man, she said the award was indicative of for its success. packet to be compiled and approved. The annual training. Kansas Warrant Officer Corps has more Warrant Officer Calls New staff at Kansas Division of than 40 vacancies. If you are interested in I have held two Warrant Officer Calls joining, please contact Chief Warrant Offi- this year, the latest in Salina with aviation cer 2 Sam Bonham, state warrant officer and technical warrants in attendance. The Emergency Management strength manager, at (785) 274-1823, or warrant officer candidates were in atten- Continued from Page 13 [email protected]. dance as well as the warrant officer barriers - emergency support functions, providing relief to Louisiana Planning directors. There will be a Warrant Officer Sympo- strength manager, senior state personnel Jeffers also responded to the Joplin tornado for search and rescue, flooding in sium Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m.– 4 p.m., Bldg. warrant officer and the senior information Doniphan County as the planning chief, two train derailments, hazardous materials spills, 688, Room 231, Armed Forces Reserve technology warrant officers from Okla- four local tornados and other natural and manmade disasters. Center, Gary Ormsby Drive and “J” Street, homa. I plan to have the last WO Call of Jeffers held numerous jobs prior to emergency management including Extension secre- Forbes Field, Topeka. Find out require- the year in Wichita sometime in October. tary for Linn County, a title insurance officer with First American Title Company, techni- ments and what vacancies are currently More information on this call will be sent cal writer for DataTape Incorporated and six years in the U.S. Navy as a submarine sonar available. out when available. technician and supply officer. Annual training visits The WO Call has been increasing in size, Jeffers lives in Solomon, Kan., with his wife, Liz. They have two children, Kyle and The past two months Maj. Gen. Lee allowing great dialog among technical and Graecin. Tafanelli, the adjutant general of Kansas; aviation warrants. The WO Call allows Col. James Nickolas, inspector general; Kansas warrant officers the chance to meet Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Haworth, state and get to know one another, express con- Operation Tropic Care 2013 command sergeant major; and I visited sev- cerns and share ideas. If you know of Continued from Page 7 form for our medical group,” said Col. Rohn eral units during their annual training. We someone interested in becoming a warrant Medical Group an opportunity to meet mis- Hamilton, 184th Medical Group com- had the opportunity to observe these Sol- bring them with you so they can ask ques- sion essential training requirements and mander. “It has allowed us to train for rapid diers and their training and talk to them tions. achieve certifications necessary to perform response and sustainment and provide free about their experiences. The morale and If you know of any warrant officer news their duties. health care to the underserved people of motivation of all of the Soldiers was very such as promotions, graduations, retire- Communities that lack medical services Lanai and Molokai. This joint training has high. ments or changes and you would like to see or may be underserved are considered for also given 184th Medical Group members Now that deployments have slowed them in the Plains Guardian, please send the designated location when the IRT is se- the opportunity to work with the Army and down, it is very important not to lose the them to me at hector.a.vasquez4.mil lected. Navy and to see we are all part of the same skills learned while deployed. Exercising @mail.mil or call me at (785) 274-1903. “This IRT has been a great training plat- team. Overall, this was excellent training.” August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 15 161st Intelligence Squadron Airman honored for lifesaving actions By 2nd Lt. Matt Lucht front porch. After relaying the information 184th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs to the 911 operator, he realized that some- The Wichita Fire Department recognized one was still in the basement of the house. Tech. Sgt. Shawn Rucker, a member of the Rucker entered the house with the home- 161st Intelligence owner and found the still-sleeping resident. Squadron, for Together they were able to carry her to heroic steps he took safety. Rucker stayed with the woman until to help two individ- the Wichita Fire Department arrived. The uals and save an- house sustained significant damage. other from a house “We’re all proud of Technical Sergeant fire. Rucker was Rucker’s heroic actions last November,” honored during a said Col. Kreg Anderson, commander of ceremony June 13 the 184th Intelligence Group. “We have at the Wichita Fire great Airmen in this unit and Shawn’s self- Department’s Re- less act represents the Jayhawk tradition of gional Training Tech. Sgt. service to the military and the community. Center in Wichita, Shawn Rucker Shawn’s been in the Guard for almost 10 Kan. years and is always willing to take on the Rucker was driving home after his shift toughest challenges. It was no surprise that at the 184th Intelligence Wing, Nov. 24, he was willing to risk his life to help a 2012, when he noticed a large plume of neighbor.” smoke near his home. Following the smoke, At the awards ceremony, he was humble Wichita fireman assess the fire damage of a house belonging to a neighbor of Tech. he discovered a house partially engulfed in about his role in the rescue. Sgt. Shawn Rucker, a member of the 161st Intelligence Squadron. Rucker noticed the flames. Rucker immediately called 911 and “Honestly, I think that most, if not all, the fire on his way home and called 911. Shortly after Rucker risked his own safety to ran toward the house to help. members of the military, would have done help one of the homeowners rescue a residents that was still in the basement Nov. 24, While on the phone with dispatch, he the exact same thing,” said Rucker. “I work 2012. (Photo courtesy of Tech. Sgt. Shawn Rucker, 184th Intelligence Wing, 161st In- found the homeowners standing on the with people like that everyday.” telligence Squadron) State Command Sgt. Maj. Haworth: Taking charge of your career By Sgt. Iris N. Marston Once a request for fill, RFF, is submitted to 635th Regional Support Group UPAR the state, the list for that Military Occupa- Members of the Kansas National Guard tion Specialty and rank is reviewed and the leadership traveled to the Black Hills of top Soldier who is eligible, meeting the South Dakota to observe Kansas Guards- standards with a current passing Army men participating in Golden Coyote 2013 Physical Fitness Test and height and exercises. weight, is sent a set of orders for the pro- Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant motion. general, was accompanied by Brig. Gen. The third change includes conducting a Eric Peck, assistant adjutant general – supplemental board for staff sergeant slots Army and commander of the Kansas Army and below. The state will conduct a second National Guard; Chief Warrant Officer 5 board halfway through the EPS year, Febru- Hector Vasquez, state chief warrant officer; ary to February, for any Soldier that was not and State Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Ha- eligible to board for the original board due to worth, senior enlisted advisor of the Kansas time-in-service, time-in-grade and missing National Guard, to Golden Coyote, where Noncommissioned Officer Education System the 635th Regional Support Group con- schools. ducted annual training. “The final change to the Kansas National In addition to a visit to several Forward Guard EPS system was a Statewide Va- Operating Bases and a review of the Tacti- cancy Announcement for any position that cal Operations Center of the exercise, Ha- cannot be filled by the current list due to the State Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Haworth, senior enlisted advisor of the Kansas Na- worth led a question-and-answer session list being exhausted,” said Haworth. “There tional Guard, talks with Soldiers of the 635th Regional Support Group about the lat- with enlisted Soldiers regarding the changes are vacancies across the state that need to est changes to the Enlisted Promotion System during a visit to their annual training to the Enlisted Promotion System board. be filled which currently have no eligible at the Golden Coyote 2013 exercises in South Dakota, June 12. (Photo by Sgt. Iris N. “Besides using the Automated Board individuals on the list. Therefore, we will Marston, 635th Regional Support Group UPAR) System for all the boards, we made the four begin using the Statewide Vacancy An- retirements in the near future. Therefore, and, consequently, promotions. It should be following changes to our system for this nouncement process to fill these positions.” serious consideration should be given to noted that as of mid-June 2013 Kansas is at year's boards,” continued Haworth. “First, Peck asked the Soldiers about best becoming a warrant officer. the top of the list for medical readiness. was the online review of the individual’s method to get the information out to them. Tafanelli challenged Soldiers to each tell Haworth continued by reminding Sol- 4100s. Soldiers reviewed their 4100 online “If there is an issue, we need to know,” two Soldiers who might not have been diers to meet APFT and height and weight prior to the EPS board and were able to said Peck. “If the method of getting informa- present during the question-and-answer because that is what prevents a Soldier submit documentation to update or correct tion to you is a problem, we need to know.” session about the changes to the EPS board. from being promoted. any mistakes or omissions in their records.” Vasquez provided information about be- Soldiers were also informed that medical “Take charge of your careers,” said Ha- The second change to the EPS did away coming a warrant officer. He told the group readiness has a direct impact on availability of worth. “It is every Soldier’s responsibility with sending acceptance letters to Soldiers. that there will be several vacancies due to not just equipment and resources but strength to manage their careers.” Kansas Guard families receive ‘Recycled Rides’ from Progressive By Spc. Nicolas VanWyhe Brewer deployed with the Kansas Na- Public Affairs Office tional Guard 778th Transportation Com- Two Kansas Guard families learned first- pany in support of Operation Enduring hand that good deeds do not go unre- Freedom in 2010-2011. He said receiving warded. These Guardsmen serve their the vehicle has made life better. community and, in return, their community “It’s a dependable car, a newer car then I rewarded them with a much-needed vehicle had,” said Brewer. “My truck’s transmis- as a token of appreciation during a cere- sion went out.” mony at the Progressive Service Station, The other family chosen to receive a ve- Kansas City, Kan., June 12. hicle was husband and wife Spc. Christo- The cars were provided through Progres- pher Grove and Spc. Alison Smiley, both sive Insurance Company’s Keys to Progress with the Company B, 1st Battalion, 108th National Auto Body Council Recycled Aviation Regiment, out of Salina. They Rides program. In total, 60 vehicles at 55 have been members in the National Guard service stations were donated to families in for a little over two years. need nationwide that day. Recycled Rides is “It will definitely make a big differ- a nationwide community service project ence,” said Grove. “It will give us a lot where members of the National Auto Body more time with family and gives us op- Council repair and donate recycled vehicles portunities for family activities. It will to families and service organizations in help get more accomplished in one day need, in their own communities. and really save time when needing to go Sgt. Chad Brewer, Overland Park, with Sgt. Chad Brewer, Overland Park, a motor transport operator with the 778th Trans- places.” the 778th Transportation Company, was portation Company, poses in his new car which he received from Progressive Insur- They reside in Salina with their three chil- one of the recipients. He is a single father ance as part of Recycled Rides program following a ceremony at the Kansas City, dren, 12, 13 and 17 years of age. Tammy with four kids ranging from nine to 19 Kan., service center. Brewer is a single father with four kids ranging from nine to 19 Alsup, with family assistance, had entered years of age. years of age. (Photo by Sharon Watson, Public Affairs Office) (Continued on Page 18) Page 16 Plains Guardian • August 2013 New website unveiled CAP supports Heartland Park Military Day By CAP Maj. Michael Mathewson staffed a booth where they were able Road Swing Band, Civil War re-enac- Kansas Civil Air Patrol Wing Public to educate visitors on the mission and tors and Vietnam Veterans of America. to help veterans Affairs Officer activities of the Civil Air Patrol. The Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Kansas Department of Commerce Soldiers in olive drab had just con- Between the re-enactments, the Patrol has almost 200 cadets and 250 The state of Kansas announced a new website July 1 solidated their gains when soldiers in cadets were able to examine the vehi- senior members. The Civil Air patrol that will serve as a central, comprehensive resource for field grey uniforms attacked. The cles of the Rolling Thunder and the is a private, volunteer, nonprofit services that the state provides to veterans. KanVet will Americans were forced to withdraw, museum’s military equipment that was 501(c) (3) corporation and by con- connect veterans with higher education information and only to counter-attack, supported by an on display. gressional charter is an auxiliary of job searching tools designed specifically for veterans. M2A1 halftrack with a .50 caliber ma- “I enjoyed using the 40mm anti-air- the United States Air Force. In 1997, The website address is www.KanVet.ks.gov. chine gun and artillery support from a craft gun,” said Joachim Settanni. “I the Kansas Wing was placed under the "The women and men who have served our country 40 mm anti-aircraft gun mounted on a was surprised how easy it was to use Kansas Adjutant General’s Depart- deserve our support when they transition out of the mili- 1-1/2 ton truck. They regained their the gears to turn it.” ment for administrative support and tary," said Gov. Sam Brownback. "KanVet will be a ground and continued to move forward. “I’m glad I went,” said Dominic control of state resources and funding. wonderful resource for the veterans in our state by pro- To anyone who had been near the Settanni. “That was fun.” The Civil Air Patrol is charged with viding them an easy way to access the educational and Normandy coastline 69 years ago, Other groups at the event were the three balanced primary missions; job searching programs available in Kansas." these scenes, re-enacted June 8 on the Topeka Big Band, the Kansas City, aerospace education, cadet programs Brownback and Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant grounds of the Museum of the Kansas Betty’s USO troupe, the Fairlawn and emergency services. general, unveiled the new KanVet website at a news National Guard in Topeka, Kan., may conference. They were joined by representatives from have seemed all too real. the Kansas Board of Regents, the Kansas Commission Members of the Civil Air Patrol on Veterans Affairs and Black & Veatch, a KanVet Topeka Eagle Composite Squadron sponsor and a company that has hired more than 600 were involved in organizing and run- veterans. ning the event. Although sponsored by "This new resource will be invaluable to our National the Rolling Thunder Chapter of the Guard, reserve and active duty troops and veterans all Military Vehicle Preservation Associa- across Kansas," Tafanelli said. "Helping them to find tion, this year’s event was organized employment, training, education and other assistance is by CAP 2nd Lt. William Nicholson one way for the state to give back to them for their will- and his son, Cadet/Staff Sgt. Kyle ingness to serve their state and country and to thank them Nicholson, Vassar, Kan. The Heart- for the many sacrifices made to fight for our freedoms." land Military Day was started by KanVet houses employment and education informa- William Nicholson’s father. It is con- tion in an easily navigable website with links to Kansas ducted on the weekend closest to June programs available for veterans. Employment resources 6, the anniversary of the Allied inva- include information about KANSASWORKS, the sion of France, commonly known as KanSERVE program, opportunities with the Kansas D-Day. At the first Military Day there Army and Air National Guard and explanations of other were six vehicles and two re-enactors. employment services. Education tools provide the abil- This year there were over 60 re-enac- ity to search for higher education programs for veterans tors. Cadet Nicholson was one of the at all Kansas Board of Regents universities, community re-enactors wearing olive drab. (Left to Right) Standing in the pulpit of an M2A1 WWII vintage halftrack, colleges and technical schools. Several agencies were “I had fun and I know that the other Cadet/Master Sgt. Austin Robberson, Topeka, Kan., is shown how to oper- involved in developing KanVet, including the depart- cadets had fun,” said Cadet Nichol- ate a M2 .50 cal heavy machine gun by Cadet/Tech. Sgt. Kyle Nicholson, ments of Commerce, Labor and Children and Families; son. “I am glad they could come out.” Vassar, Kan., during the Heartland Military Day at the Museum of the the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs; Kansas Civil Air Patrol cadets served as a Kansas National Guard, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan., June 8. Nicholson is Board of Regents and the Kansas Adjutant General’s color guard and provided crowd con- not only a Civil Air Patrol cadet, he is also a third generation World War II Department. trol during the two 30-minute re-en- re-enactor. (Photo by CAP 2nd Lt. William Nicholson, Topeka Eagle Com- "KanVet is a valuable resource for the veterans who actments. The cadets also setup and posite Squadron.) have served this county," Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George said. "It’s great that state organizations have partnered to provide this website, and KanVet’s sponsors Civil Air Patrol conduct missing person training also deserve recognition for their support of veterans." By CAP Maj. Michael Mathewson gency locator transmitter. Kansas Civil Air Patrol Wing Public Affairs Officer Using a radio direction finder, a map and good old-fash- Senior members and cadets from the Lawrence and ioned legwork, the search team located a plastic water bot- Topeka Civil Air Patrol Squadrons conducted a search and tle, then a second water bottle and a blue bag. Using these rescue exercise May 6 on the grounds of the State Defense clues, the team broke into two-person elements to search in Building complex, Topeka, Kan. three directions. One element found a lean-to made from a “It was great to be out of the classroom and do hands-on poncho. Hearing a whistle, the CAP team followed the training,” said Topeka Squadron member, Cadet/Senior sound and found the missing camper, dehydrated, but oth- Airman Kyle Nicholson, Vassar, Kan. erwise fine. For the exercise, a camper had gone out Friday night “This was a great learning experience for me to serve as for a weekend camping trip alone. He was to be home the team leader,” said Topeka Squadron member Sunday afternoon. When he did not return Sunday Cadet/Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Pugh, Topeka, Kan. “I evening, family members became worried. It was now learned that I can’t do everything myself.” The state of Kansas, along with Maj. Gen. Lee Monday evening and the Civil Air Patrol had been asked “This is the most realistic exercise that I have been on,” Tafanelli, the adjutant general, announced a new to help in the search. The camper had equipped himself said Lawrence Squadron member, Cadet/Senior Member website July 1 that will serve as a central, compre- with everything he needed, including a personnel emer- Ellie Page, Lawrence, Kan. hensive resource for services that the state provides to veterans. KanVet, www.KanVet.ks.gov., will con- nect veterans with higher education information and DoD appoints Paul Mock as Employer Support job searching tools specific to veterans. (Photo by Steve Larson, Public Affairs Office) of the Guard and Reserve National Chair Courtesy by Department of Defense Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has selected retired Maj. Gen. Paul E. Mock as the national chair for Employer Sup- Join the Civil Air port of the Guard and Reserve. ESGR’s national chair is an official Department of Defense volunteer position. Mock took an oath of office and was sworn in May 31. The position carries a three-year term and the protocol status of a military Patrol four-star flag or general officer. A retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles Police Department, he also has extensive experience serv- ing military members and their families through work with the Association of the United States Army, Fisher House Foundation and The Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is the Military Child Education Coalition. Mock will provide leadership and vision for a team of more than 4,900 dedicated volunteers looking for adults and spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. teens ages 12 to 18 to The Honorable Jessica L. Wright, acting under secretary of defense for Personnel and Readiness, praised the selection, join our current volun- noting, “Mr. Mock comes to us with a wealth of experience in the employer community, the Reserve Components and sup- porting military families. His leadership and management expertise are a tremendous asset for the Department of Defense.” teers on important With almost half of our Nation’s military force residing in the Guard and Reserve, Mock will have a direct impact on missions. these brave men and women and their civilian employers. The Civil Air Patrol is “I am humbled by my selection as the National Chair for ESGR and excited about fur- an auxiliary of the U.S. thering employer support for the men and women in the National Guard and Reserve. I Air Force with three look forward to supporting ESGR’s cadre of volunteers and assisting Mr. Ron Young, primary missions: ESGR’s executive director, in advancing our mission.” • Aerospace education Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense operational committee, seeks to foster a culture in • Cadet programs which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Re- • Emergency services serve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, in- creasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, and helping resolve potential conflicts between employers and their www.kswg.cap.gov employees who are service members. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Re- servists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 17 Kids Camp and Teen Camp Rewarding experiences abound for kids and counselors alike By Steve Larson Kids Camp, so I didn’t really know what to Public Affairs Staff expect,” said Alley. “I had the opportunity, When the last bell rings at the end of the so I figured ‘Why not try it?’ It’s been fun. school year, many kids say goodbye to It’s definitely been a learning experience. I their school friends for the summer, know- don’t have as much experience working ing they’ll see them again in the fall. For with little kids as other people, but I feel some kids, however, that bell signals a like I’m growing from the experience.” short countdown to a time they will see “Here at Kids Camp this week I am super- friends they haven’t seen in a year. vising twelve amazing nine-year-olds and Each year, the Kansas National Guard helping them through this experience,” she Family Programs sponsor two week-long continued. “I’m marching them around, I’m summer camps in Salina for children from calling cadences, I’m taking them to do all military families. Held during separate these awesome activities to help give them weeks in June and July, Kids Camp, for some insight into what it is their mother, fa- children ages 8-12, and Teen Camp, for ther, whoever goes through in the military.” ages 13-17, give these kids a chance to “I think the most fun thing for me was connect with others like them from all over the first night we played kickball,” said Kansas, sharing a special bond that their Alley. “It was sort of a last-minute thing. school friends may not understand. My little girls challenged their brother “They can instantly start talking about flight to a game of kickball and they were deployments, things they’ve gone through bringing it! They’re about nine years old in military life in general and it’s under- and we have this big ball and they’re kick- stood,” said Darcy Seitz, Child and Youth ing and they’re out there talking trash and program lead coordinator. “I think that’s we’re having a fantastic time. One of the one of the main reasons kids come back Kids Camp 2013 campers try out the safety harnessess in a Black Hawk helicopter at girls comes up and says ‘It’s the first day time after time.” the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Salina. The visit was one of many activities but I am having a blast.’ She was just so “Some of these kids I’ve known since and experiences given to the campers during the camp, held July 8-12. (Photo by excited. It was just an impulsive thing. It fourth grade,” said Taylor Dunbar, a second- Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett, Public Affairs Office) wasn’t even one of the big activities, but year Teen Camp participant. “Some of them It’s really fun out here. We get to go to the From such beginnings, Kids Camp par- that was really rewarding for me to see live close by me so I see them at track meets pool. We march and sing. We do dances ticipants learn and grow. them interacting and having a great time.” and home football games, but others that live sometimes.” “It’s very rewarding to see some of the Alley said the experience also gave her the far away, this is the only time I see them.” Her favorite part? kids take those leadership responsibilities,” opportunity to be a role model for her girls. “I have been to Teen Camp twice and “I like the lockers. They’re cool. I like said Fox. “We have a young lady that started “On a personal level, one of the things every time I leave I have a friend that I don’t undoing them and doing them.” as an eight-year-old camper and now she’s that I love is the fact I’ve got my camou- get to see for a year,” said Cameron England, Ella Vesler enjoyed “all the buttons in- one of our adult squad leaders as a matter of flage pants on and they are seeing that not “but I get to stay in contact (online) with side” the Black Hawk helicopter made fact. She just progressed. We didn’t have everyone in the military is a man,” said some of the friends I’ve made here.” available for the kids to see and climb in- enough adult volunteers this year so we so- Alley. “It’s not just the little girls seeing me “It helps the kids relate with other kids side. Although this is her first year at Kids licited one of our junior squad leaders from be in charge, it’s the little boys. It’s a great that are in the Guard,” said Dan Fox, the Camp, Vesler said she had already made a last year and Karen’s doing a great job.” learning experience for them and for the first sergeant for Kids Camp. “Whether friend, Elise. Fox said he was in his “ninth or tenth” girls. I think all the kids are growing from they’re Army Guard or Air Guard, they “She’s really nice and she plays with year as a Kids Camp counselor, but for the diversity they’re seeing.” have moms and dads me,” said Vesler. Tech. Sgt. Emily Alley, 190th Air Refueling “If I had about a year to recover from it, that go away one “It’s very rewarding to see Fox said in addition Wing, this was a whole new experience. absolutely I would volunteer next year,” weekend a month, some of the kids take those to helping kids and “This is my first year to volunteer at said Alley. several months or a teens make those con- year at a time. To leadership responsibilities.” nections, part of the know that there are Dan Fox Kids Camp goal is to Kansas Guard youth travels to other kids out there Kids Camp first sergeant expose the campers to that have the same some of the aspects of D.C. as backpack journalist experiences, they can military life that their Courtesy story the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Each of the three relate to that.” parents deal with, such as marching. Three military youth, Hannah Rauhut, military youth were given the opportunity “It has shown me that I am not alone,” “We try to do some cadences, some Daniel Jones and Jessica Herlinger, travel- to ask Dempsey a question. While he an- said Dunbar. “I can lean on other people jodies,” said Fox. “If we can keep little ing as Backpack Journalists, attended the swered all of them, he also gave them some and rely on other people to help me eight-year-olds in a straight line, that’s a Points of Light Conference in Washington advice of his own. through tough situations. Teen Camp has good march for them. Every once in a D.C., June 18-23. “I graduated from West Point with a de- really helped me get through rough spots.” while they get in step. But by the end of the For Herlinger, daughter of retired Sgt. 1st gree in engineering,” said Dempsey. “In Although making connections is impor- camp they start learning how to march two- Class Robert Herlinger and Cherie Her- today’s world, you have to be able to com- tant, there are plenty of fun activities for by-twos.” linger, a family assistance coordinator with municate in order to succeed. You can have kids and teens at both camps. Nine-year- “I think the biggest kick they get out of it Family Program, this was her third time at- an IQ of over 200, but if you can’t commu- old Mallory Bellows thinks Kids Camp is is singing the jody songs that the squad tending a Backpack Journalist trip. nicate, you will go nowhere. So I went “awesome!” leaders come up with,” he continued. “Usu- The Backpackers interviewed over 100 back to school. It wasn’t that easy either. I “There’s all these fun things,” she said. ally by the end of the camp we have some volunteers from across the nation at the con- worked hard.” “The first year, I thought it was pretty cool. of the kids wanting to call out cadences.” ference. Herlinger said her favorite part of To listen to the pod casts, see pictures, this trip was mingling with these volunteers. videos and more from the trip visit the A Kansas Guard pins new chaplain They also had the opportunity to inter- Backpack Journalist website at view Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of www.abackpackjournalist.com.

Jessica Herlinger (center), a member of the Kansas National Guard Teen Council, in- Chaplain (Col.) William Jenkins (right) pinned Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Pempin terviews Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with her fellow as the newest member to the Kansas Army National Guard Chaplain Corps July military youth Backpack Journalists at the Points of Light's Conference on Volun- 11. Present at the ceremony were members of Pempin's family and the Chap- teering and Service Military Summit in Washington D.C., June 21. (DoD photo by lain's office. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett, Public Affairs Office) Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Photo Team) Page 18 Plains Guardian • August 2013 Awards and Decorations Warrior to Warrior KANSAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device Living by the NCO Creed Legion of Merit Continued from Page 4 many of the time-honored institutions such Maj. Jeffrey Crysler, 102nd MHD, Topeka Master Sgt. Lyle Babcock, 102nd MHD, Topeka peers. The one time you do something to as saluting and recognition of rank. The re- Col. Robert Schmitt, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Staff Sgt. Kelly Perry, 102nd MHD, Topeka discredit yourself and the NCO Corps, spect I am talking about is what you earn by Sgt. Maj. Becky Middendorf, HHD, 69th TC, Topeka NATO Medal everyone notices. No matter how small it your actions. If you are looking to earn my Bronze Star Medal may be, someone noticed and is forming an respect, show me you live the Army values. Maj. Jeffrey Crysler, 102nd MHD, Topeka opinion based on your actions. In a working environment, the values of Maj. Jeffrey Crysler, 102nd MHD, Topeka Master Sgt. Lyle Babcock, 102nd MHD, Topeka Over the years I have seen a fundamental duty and selfless service come to mind. Master Sgt. Lyle Babcock, 102nd MHD, Topeka Staff Sgt. Kelly Perry, 102nd MHD, Topeka Staff Sgt. Kelly Perry, 102nd MHD, Topeka change in how NCOs see themselves com- As I look through the NCO Creed, I can’t Kansas National Guard Achievement Ribbon pared to their Soldiers. More than ever, it is help but notice how many of the Army val- Meritorious Service Medal about taking care of your Soldiers. Take ues are specifically stated: loyalty, duty, re- Capt. Benjamin Gruver, 105th MPAD, Topeka care of them and they will take care of you. spect, integrity and personal courage. Even Col. John Muther, KSARNG Med Det, Lenexa, with 4th Oak Capt. Michael Ogle, 105th MPAD, Topeka Leaf Cluster Capt. Michael Sullivan, 105th MPAD, Topeka Being an NCO isn’t about having a position though it is not stated specifically, it still al- Col. Robert Windham, 235th Rgmt, Salina, with 2nd Oak Capt. Jonathon Wood, 105th MPAD, Topeka of power over someone else, it is about ludes to selfless service and honor. If I had Leaf Cluster Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Witzke, 105th MPAD, Topeka, with 3rd Maj. Henry Camarin, Co C (Ord), 2nd Bn, 235th Rgmt, Oak Leaf Cluster training and Soldier care. Training requires to sum up the final paragraph of the NCO Salina Staff Sgt. Eric Dahlquist, 105th MPAD, Topeka discipline and enforcement of the standards, Creed, it would be to always live by the Maj. Daniel Matthews, HQ, 235th Rgmt, Salina, with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD but that is not a license to use your position Army values. Maj. Alma Whitelaw, 287th Sustainment Bde, Wichita for personal gain. Taking care of Soldiers Finally, we must always remember that 1st Sgt. Danny Crumpton, HHC, 287th Sustainment Bde, Meritorious Service Medal Wichita requires communication. In the Army, com- NCOs before us have worked hard to earn 1st Sgt. David Miller, Co D, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, munication is the first priority. Think about the right to be considered professionals. Emporia Col. Joseph Jabara, 184th IW, Wichita, with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster 1st Sgt. Paul Purdham, Co A, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Lawrence Lt. Col. Lin Dehning, 184th IW, Wichita, with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster it. Your vehicle is dead-lined if you do not Never forget we are an Army of profession- Master Sgt. Larry Henry, Rec & Ret Bn, Topeka Lt. Col. Bradley Hinkle, 190th ARW, Topeka, with 2nd Oak Leaf have communication with others. Do your als, individuals who are entrusted with the Master Sgt. Paul Johnston, HHD, 69th TC, Topeka, with 1st Cluster Oak Leaf Cluster Lt. Col. John Smith, 184th IW, Wichita, with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Soldiers understand your expectations? responsibility of defending our nation to the Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Sherwood, 235th Rgmt, Salina, with Senior Master Sgt. Layne Hauserman, 184th IW, Wichita When they ask you to fix an issue, how long best of our ability. Being considered a pro- 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Senior Master Sgt. Jay Honey, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Paul Thompson, Det 2, 778th Trans Co, Master Sgt. Dustin Land, 184th IW, Wichita does it take you to respond? I know perse- fessional means doing the right thing no Wichita Master Sgt. Ralph Lilley, 190th ARW, Topeka verance is not one of the Army values, but matter how tough it gets. We are responsible Staff Sgt. Jay Wilson, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Master Sgt. John Vsetecka, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. Kristin Ricard, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Teresa Jones, 184th IW, Wichita as an NCO, it is a key character trait. for training the next generation of profes- Sgt. Sarah Shafer, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Ivy Pinkston, 184th IW, Wichita I do believe respect is earned as an indi- sionals. They are watching us, learning from Tech. Sgt. Cade Sisson, 190th ARW, Topeka Army Commendation Medal Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Zuercher, 184th IW, Wichita vidual. In the Army, we show respect to us, justifying their actions based on ours.

Air Force Commendation Medal Staff Sgt. Kenneth Coyle, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka, with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Regional Training Site changes Sgt. Shawn Evans, 35th ID Band, Olathe Chief Master Sgt. Chad Johnson, 184th IW, Wichita, with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster Army Achievement Medal Senior Master Sgt. John Kill, 184th IW, Wichita, with 2nd up training techniques Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Richard Schwarz, 184th IW, Wichita, with 2nd Continued from Page 3 proficiency in many areas. Spc. Brandon Jacobs, 105th MPAD, Topeka Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Zachary Washington, 184th IW, Wichita any Soldier in the maintenance community. The purpose of the SBT is to train Sol- Afghanistan Campaign Medal Tech. Sgt. Ricky Canlapan, 184th IW, Wichita Every Soldier’s mind is similar to a tool diers to perform their jobs in an efficient Tech. Sgt. Neal Jensen, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Teresa Jones, 184th IW, Wichita box. The more tools a Soldier has the better amount of time. When Soldiers learn Maj. Jeffrey Crysler, 102nd MHD, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Bonita Lumpkins, 184th IW, Wichita equipped they are to handle a variety of methodologies, principles and techniques Master Sgt. Lyle Babcock, 102nd MHD, Topeka Staff Sgt. Nathan Cheney, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Kelly Perry, 102nd MHD, Topeka Senior Airman Brett Eastman, 184th IW, Wichita conditions. The greatest impact of these that are repeatable and focus on increased tools is directly related to how well they are production, unit readiness is positively im- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Air Force Achievement Medal developed. The task of using mechanical pacted. One principle that Soldiers receive ability, troubleshooting and prior experi- when they are trained using the SBT Maj. Jeffrey Crysler, 102nd MHD, Topeka Staff Sgt. Thomas Belgard, 184th IW, Wichita, with Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Lyle Babcock, 102nd MHD, Topeka Staff Sgt. Jeremy James, 184th IW, Wichita, with 3rd Oak ence is imperative to how well Soldiers process is the ability to work on like pieces Staff Sgt. Kelly Perry, 102nd MHD, Topeka Leaf Cluster will perform. of equipment using like skills. One analogy Senior Airman Shana Sanders, 190th ARW, Topeka Airman 1st Class Sean Titterington, 184th IW, Wichita The SBT process gives Soldiers the criti- is taking your personal vehicle to a local cal thinking fundamentals to work within mechanic shop to have your alternator re- Staff Sgt. David Rogers, HHC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola their discipline as well as the ability to placed. The skills for changing an alterna- Retirements Staff Sgt. Wayne Ryba, Det 1, 995th Maint Co, Concordia Staff Sgt. Timothy Stock, Btry E (TA), 161st FA, Great Bend cross over into other fields. tor from one vehicle make to another are Kansas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Paul Thompson, Det 2, 778th Trans Co, Wichita “There are basic principles you can use the same. Staff Sgt. Paul Vancleave, HHC, 169th CSSB, Olathe Col. Robert Schmitt, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Garth Adams, 2137th FSC, Manhattan regarding troubleshooting, whether it is Currently, the ordnance community Lt. Col. Gregory Platt, Det 1, HHD, JFHQ-KS (GPJTC), Salina Sgt. Michael Cochran, Co B (-), 1st Bn, 108th Avn, Salina pneumatic, hydraulic or any electrical trou- trains Soldiers on individual pieces of Lt. Col. Antonia Vaiskunas, 35th Div, Fort Leavenworth Sgt. Jerry Doby, FSC, 891st Eng Bn, Iola Maj. Allen Moore, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Michael Fitzpatrick, Det 3, 731st Trans Co, Hays bleshooting,” said Staff Sgt. Ken Hare, an equipment and certain tasks using technical Maj. Clarence Raymond, 35th Div, Fort Leavenworth Sgt. Brian Harvey, Co G, 2nd Bn, 135th Avn (GSAB), Topeka RTS-M instructor. manuals and flow charts. The main issue Capt. Darin Fahey, Rec & Ret Bn, Topeka Sgt. Jacky King, KSARNG Med Det, Lenexa Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ronnie Jackson, Det 37 OSA CMD, Sgt. Timothy Lang, 778th Trans Co (-), Kansas City “When I worked at a John Deere imple- with this type of training is when Soldiers Topeka Sgt. Joshua Parker, Det 1, 250th FSC, Hiawatha ment dealership, I worked on four wheel come across a problem that is outside the Chief Warrant Officer 5 Terry Patton, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Benjamin Romero, Co A, 1st Bn, 108th Avn, Topeka Chief Warrant Officer 4 Darrell Linenberger, Det 37 OSA CMD, Sgt. Ian Schmitt, HHB, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Wichita drive tractors and the person in the next bay traditional scope of what the manual cov- Topeka Spc. Jason Branstetter, Det 1, HHC, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, worked on utility tractors,” said Sgt. 1st ers. This training is equipment specific and Sgt. Maj. Becky Middendorf, 69th TC, Topeka Wichita 1st Sgt. Kevin Rieschick, Btry A (-), 2nd Bn, 130th FA, Holton Spc. Kevin Bronson, Det 1, 995th Maint Co, Concordia Class David Larson, a master instructor. not as efficient or effective. The weak- Master Sgt. Annette Frenzl, KSARNG Med Det, Lenexa Spc. Tonya Carson, 287th Sustainment Bde, Wichita “When needed, we could switch areas be- nesses in this type of training show that Master Sgt. Larry Henry, 105th MPAD, Topeka Spc. James Jackson, Btry E (TA), 161st FA, Great Bend Sgt. 1st Class Steven Collins, HHC (-), 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Spc. Jane Lervold, Det 1, 995th Maint Co, Concordia cause of our skill set we learned at a techni- SBT can be a viable option for Soldiers. Kansas City Spc. Brandon Lundin, Co A, 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Lawrence cal college. We can use SBT in the same Ordnance instructors can utilize the SBT Sgt. 1st Class Randy Cox, 772nd Eng Co, Pittsburg Spc. Norman Merritt, 137th Trans Co (-), Olathe Sgt. 1st Class Rickie Davidson, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Spc. Elijah Nichols, HHC (-), 2nd CAB, 137th Inf, Kansas City way.” process by developing tasks and utilization Sgt. 1st Class Carline Long, HHB, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Wichita Spc. Curtis Turpin, Det 1, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Liberal This moves Soldiers towards being a di- of SBT basic principles. Equipment-based Sgt. 1st Class Sheila Powell, 731st Trans Co (-), Great Bend Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Sherwood, HQ, 235th Rgmt (RTI), Kansas Air National Guard agnostician verses Soldiers that use a training was effective in the past, but with Salina book and follow a step-by-step flowchart. the fast pace of technology and the current Sgt. 1st Class Marty Tatum, 2nd Bn, 235th Rgmt, Salina Col. John Hernandez, 184 IW, Wichita Sgt. 1st Class David Viegra, 1161st FSC, Hutchinson Lt. Col. Lin Dehning, 184 IW, Wichita The answers to troubleshooting are not al- operating environment, we need Soldiers Sgt. 1st Class David Wymore, 242nd Eng Co (Horz), Senior Master Sgt. Mark Angelini, 184 IW, Wichita ways in the book. Critical thinking is a who can use a skill set of technical areas Coffeyville Senior Master Sgt. Tim Graves, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Michael Carlson, 1077th Med Co (GA), Olathe Senior Master Sgt. Layne Hauserman, 184 IW, Wichita key area for ordnance Soldiers to maintain and not equipment. Staff Sgt. Earl Chism, Det 1, HHB, 2nd Bn, 130th FA, Senior Master Sgt. Jay Honey, 184 IW, Wichita Marysville Master Sgt. William “Lyle” Brown, 184 IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Stephan Drury, 287th Sustainment Bde, Wichita Master Sgt. Mary Jo Douglas, 184 IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Kevin Durkes, 69th TC, Topeka Master Sgt. Ralph Lilley, 190th ARW, Topeka 2013 Judge Advocate General’s Conference Staff Sgt. Daniel Haines, Det 1, 778th Trans Co, Manhattan Master Sgt. Lenice Turner, 184 IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Tyron Hudgins, 778th Trans Co (-), Kansas City Master Sgt. John Vsetecka, 184 IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Kenneth Isaac, 35th MP Co, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Dale Wright, 190th ARW, Topeka Sept. 28-29 Staff Sgt. Michael Kelly, 778th Trans Co (-), Kansas City Staff Sgt. Steven Blowers, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. David Moore, Btry E (TA), 161st FA, Great Bend Staff Sgt. Dennis Davis, 184 IW, Wichita Washburn University School of Law 17th and MacVicar, Topeka Kansas Guard families receive Presentations will include: ‘Recycled Rides’ from Progressive • Combatant Status and Cyber Warfare Continued from Page 15 to an even bigger scale.” • Drones in Air Defense and Air their name to receive the vehicle. Prior to There have been several service stations Sovereignty receiving the 2007 Ford Five Hundred, they that have done this before but not all of • Military Ethics had been without transportation for almost them at one time like on this day. two years, requiring them to walk or ride bi- “Progressive donates the cars,” Barrows • and other topics of interest cycles everywhere they needed to go. explained. “The body shop plays a huge 7 hours of Continuing Legal Education credits “Here in Kansas City this is the fourth part in doing the car repairs. They spend event, [but] the first year Progressive cor- their own money and partner with their Registration information: porately has been a part of it,” said Robert vendors as well. Their paint supplier may Barrows, Progressive service station man- give them their paint; their part supplier, Maj. Alma Whitelaw ager in Kansas City, Kan. “They have let like OEM, may donate the parts. Midway (785) 274-1027; [email protected] us at a local level basically get involved donated the engine that went into one of the with it and this year we’ve just expanded it vehicles for example.” August 2013 • Plains Guardian Page 19 “A Home Front Concert” by the 'Rag top' stays in the family By Mike Berry He said the $25 undercoating had saved the 35th Infantry Division Band The Wichita Eagle frame. He did a lot of rust repair on it... the By Sgt. Michael H. Mathewson ance during annual training,” said Sgt. 1st Fred Speer's eyes twinkle as he recalls rocker panels and the spare tire well, which 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Class Nathan Fabrizius, readiness noncom- seeing the brand-spanking new 1949 Mer- he fabricated himself. He did just an unbe- As part of annual training, Soldiers of missioned officer for the band. “We per- cury convertible for the first time. lievable job on it.” the 35th Infantry Division Band conducted formed in a different city almost every day “I was fresh out of the service,” Speer re- Moyer, who is a colonel in the Kansas a series of open-air concerts. One of the of annual training, and still managed to do called. “I came back in 1948 and Dick Army National Guard, and a special educa- “A Home Front Concert” series concerts weapons qualification, record Army Physi- Price had a new building on Waterman. I tion teacher in Clearwater, was deployed to was hosted at Garfield Park, Topeka, Kan., cal Fitness Test, warrior training briefings got to talking to him and I said I was look- Iraq during the restoration. Joshua took July 1. and a great family day activity.” ing for a car. New cars were hard to find at over as the parts-runner/project coordina- Several hundred members of the local Each concert featured a special salute to that time.” tor, keeping in touch with his dad with community brought folding chairs and veterans and their families. Toward the end “He took me down to the basement... daily e-mails. blankets to enjoy the live music coming of the concert, the band played a medley of there were no lights down there at the time. The 255-cubic-inch flathead V-8 was re- from the band stand. The 90-minute pro- songs for the five armed services: United I had to look at it with a flashlight. It was built and the 3-speed overdrive transmis- gram consisted of military marches, vocals, States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and the first car sold out of that building. They sion was taken to Fisher’s Transmissions patriotic selections and big band music. Coast Guard. cleaned it up and delivered it to me a cou- for a complete rebuild. “The audience was larger than normal,” The band performed in Andover, Au- ple of days later,” he said. All the chrome trim was removed and said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Steve Patter- gusta, El Dorado, McConnell Air Force A former Air Force A-26 bomber pilot shipped to Paul’s Chrome Plating in Evans son, commander and band conductor of the Base, Melvern, Osage City, Overland Park, stationed in Japan, Speer paid $3,036.95 for City, Pa., for show-quality replating. 35th Infantry Division Band, headquartered Parsons, Topeka, Wichita and Winfield the Lima Tan Metallic convertible. He met Choctaw Buffing Co. in Clearwater han- in Olathe, Kan. “Topeka has always been from June 23 to July 4. The band per- his wife, Connie, and courted her in the car, dled polishing the stainless steel and other good to us.” formed in the Lenexa Independence Day with its luxurious leather and tan cord inte- trim pieces to a high shine. “We have been doing these concerts on Parade, the Merriam Flags for Freedom and rior. The car, one of only 16,735 Mercury top of our other annual training missions,” in Overbrook July 4. “We met and six months later we were convertibles built in that landmark 1949 said Sgt. Andres Sladky, Olathe, Kan., per- “It is pretty amazing what we accom- married,” Connie said. “It was more him body style, was outfitted with hydraulically cussionist and trumpet player with the 35th plished during these two weeks,” said Fab- than this car,” she said, grinning. controlled windows, top and front seat, Infantry Division Band. “For example, we rizius. “Working together as a team has “We used it as a family car for quite a which all needed attention. All new glass have just finished with the rifle range.” been one of the most important parts of our while,” said Fred. was also in order. “I am really proud of our unit’s perform- success.” “But it was not a very good car for ba- With the body work done and fresh two- bies... it was too cold in winter,” Connie stage paint applied by the Classic Body added. Works crew, that left only the interior “We put 100,000 miles on it... and for a restoration. But a deadline was looming: ‘49 model, that's a lot of miles,” he added. Joshua Moyer was getting married and “It was a very good car.” everyone wanted the Mercury convertible Sometime in the early 1960s, the old done in time for wedding photos. Mercury ragtop was retired to a farm shed. Scott Downey at Downey’s Upholstery It wasn’t long before it literally was a “rag took on the task and recreated the beige top,” as the roof deteriorated and critters leather and fabric seats and door panels in began taking up residence. exacting detail. A new folding cloth top Fast forward a half century. Joshua was fabricated and mounted over the beau- Moyer, the Speers’ grandson, had his eye tiful chromed top ribs. The Mercury was on the old convertible. finished just in time for the festivities. “He and his grandpa are about as close as And Fred Speer was almost giddy when they can be,” said Clinton Moyer, Joshua’s he saw his old car made new. dad. “He’s a mechanic at Cummins Diesel, “I never expected to see it that way... it so we pulled the car down here and tried to looks better than it did when it was new,” restore it. It was full of sticks and trash and he said. there were three or four possum skeletons Clinton Moyer said the car was restored in it.” as a tribute to his father-in-law, out of his About two years into the project, with the The 35th Infantry Division Band plays a tribute to the Armed Forces during its con- respect for the man and his family. For now, car half disassembled, they realized they cert in Garfield Park, Topeka, Kan., July 1. The performance was part of the band’s Clinton is the caretaker. One day, Joshua needed a professional to finish the job. “A Home Front Concert” series. The Topeka concert was one of several concert per- Moyer will park the car in his garage and “We took it to Steve Nicholson at Classic formances conducted as part of the band’s 2013 annual training. (Photo by Sgt. take it out for an occasional spin. Body Works in Wellington,” Clinton Moyer Michael H. Mathewson, 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) But it will always carry the personalized said. “He took it clear down to the frame. license plate that reads "FREDS49."

Owner Col. Clinton Moyer entered his father-in-law’s restored 1949 Mercury con- vertible into the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels held at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, Mo., this past February. The convertible won Best of Class for Restored Origi- nals. It also won for Outstanding Interior - Restored. (Photo by Col. Clint Moyer) Follow us on the web www.kansastag.gov www.twitter.com/KSAdjutantGen www.twitter.com/KansasGuard www.twitter.com/KansasEmergency www.facebook.com/KansasNationalGuard www.facebook.com/Kansas-Division-of-Emergency-Management Plains Guardian Page 20 Plains Guardian • August 2013 Plains Guardian Company D’s Family Readiness Patriot Business Program aims to Group treats Soldiers grow across state and nation By Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett local businesses to offer meaningful dis- Public Affairs Office counts to current military identification Saline County formally committed to cardholders. The voluntary action by the supporting Kansas National Guard service business to offer military discounts raises members and their families at a Joining awareness about service members visiting Community Forces Covenant Signing July or living in a community and fosters a posi- 10. tive relationship between the military and Joining Community Forces is a collabo- their civilian community. rative effort to develop and communicate The Patriot Business Program is an agree- initiatives that expands on the national- ment between local chamber of commerces, level “Joining Forces” campaign by focus- military affairs councils or other veterans or- ing on grassroots solutions in support of ganizations and an area business operator to veterans, military members and families. offer a 10 percent or more discount to current The primary goal is to foster a sustainable military identification cardholders. The store network of local support through govern- must honor the discount at all times to dis- mental/nongovernmental, non-profit, cor- play the logo in their place of business or any porate partnerships and local citizen promotional materials. Those eligible for the collaboration to fill service and information discount are active duty, Guard, reserve, re- When the Soldiers of Company D, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th In- gaps. The JCF initiative seeks to educate, tirees and their dependents. This does not in- fantry Regiment arrived at Fort Riley for their June drill weekend, they were leverage and promote existing grassroots clude veterans who do not have a current expecting the usual long hours in the motor pool, hot weather and cold food. efforts and build community capacity to military ID card or family members who do This time, they were delighted to learn the Company D Family Readiness better support local military communities. not hold a dependent ID card. The business is Group would be selling hot pizza, snacks, homemade baked goods and cold “There is a nationwide push for Commu- only required to honor the discount for those drinks to refresh the Soldiers. Soldiers loved the opportunity to purchase a tasty nity Covenant Signings. This is pushed by who produce proper military identification. lunch while supporting the efforts of the FRG. the Army to have communities stand up Wichita and Manhattan have been talking The FRG plays a vital role for Kansas National Guard. The FRG builds Sol- and say ‘We support those that support with Hinde and McCoy about possibly dier and family cohesion and morale, prepares families for separation during us,’” explained Mary Nesbitt, chair of Join- adopting the program. deployments, helps families reunite after a deployment and acts as an informa- ing Community Forces and director of the "It would be great," said Sgt. Brenda Jen- tion conduit between the unit and its families. State Family Program of the Kansas Na- nings, a Fort Riley resident and member of “The FRG is really important to me,” said Katie Pawlosky, a co-leader of the tional Guard. Company B, 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Company D FRG. “We are a support network for each other while our hus- Just such a program has already been recog- Regiment. "It helps us save money and it bands are gone, even if it’s only once a month. We all share something in com- nizing those communities and giving support shows us the community actually cares mon; our husbands are in the National Guard.” to them for supporting our service members, about the military." With the money that was raised, the Company D FRG hopes to host a family veterans and families in Salina, Kan. To learn more about the programs visit picnic later this year. (Photo by Spc. Jamie Carlos, Company D, 2nd Combined Co-founders Melissa McCoy and Rachel www.patriotbusinessprogram.com and Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment) Hinde said the Patriot Business Program aims www.jointservicessupport.org/community- to grow across the state and beyond the bor- forces/. For further information regarding the ders to a national-level with the help of JCF. Patriot Business Program by call Rachel 995th Maintenance Company "I'm so proud of where we are going with Hinde at the Salina Area Chamber of Com- the program," said McCoy. merce at 785-827-9310 ext. 129 or Melissa sends contact team to engineers The mission of the Salina Area Chamber McCoy at the Salina Airport Authority at By Sgt. Amanda Mayfield “These guys were able to get the scraper of Commerce’s Patriot Business Program is 785-827-3914. For further information re- 995th Support Maintenance Company UPAR up and running in half the time projected,” to create valuable savings for military garding the Joint Community Forces initia- Detachment 1, 995th Support Mainte- said Laffery. “This was huge for us because members and their families by encouraging tive call Mary Nesbitt at 785-274-1171. nance Company was recently given the op- our AT begins in July. Functional equip- portunity to participate in a mission to ment is mission essential and it took a support the 242nd Engineer Company monumental workload off of our shop.” headquartered in Coffeyville, Kan. The Positive unit interaction was in check mission set forth for the 995th Maint. Co. during training. was to send out a contact team to assist the “The guys from 242nd were really help- engineers with equipment readiness and ful and easy to work with,” agreed Stafford offer the team an opportunity to train in and Munson. “They provided lots of posi- their Military Occupational Specialty. Stay- tive feedback and made sure we had every- ing true to their title “Support Maintenance thing we needed to get the job done.” Company” and exhibiting their dedication “It was a great pleasure to help the engi- to exceeding the standards in maintenance neers with their maintenance,” said made for a successful and beneficial mis- Kohlman. “The idea of the 995th sending sion for all involved. out support teams only makes sense. After The expert team was made up of more all we are a ‘support’ maintenance com- than 70 years of combined mechanical ex- pany. It increases the maintenance war- perience and service. Soldiers of the crew rior’s knowledge base and allows them to hold a variety of maintenance MOS. Staff sustain their MOS skill, while increasing Sgt. William Warner, a wheeled vehicle the supported unit’s mission readiness by Representatives of the Salina community, military services and businesses take part in a mechanic and a motor transport operator; allowing the practice of basic skills such as ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the nationwide start of the Patriot Business Pro- Staff Sgt. Phil Hebert, a track vehicle re- mission planning, pre-combat checklist, gram. The ceremony took place July 10 during a press conference in Salina for Joining pairer and wheeled vehicle mechanic; Sgt. pre-combat inspection, mission execution Community Forces. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Barnett, Public Affairs Office) Jonah Stafford, a wheeled vehicle me- and after action review. These types of mis- chanic; and Spc. Chris Munson, a wheeled sions will only make the Kansas National vehicle mechanic; led by Sgt. 1st Class Guard stronger. The amount of support Randy Kohlman, a maintenance supervisor; given to our team from the 242nd was out- completed the five-man team. standing.” Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andy Laffery, Training opportunities such as these unit’s motor officer, coordinated the event could be a new trend for the Kansas Na- with the intent to benefit his current com- tional Guard. Headquarters Company, pany, 242nd Eng., as well as his former 995th Maint. in Smith Center, Kan., sent unit, 995th Maint. Co. Not only would the out their own contact team to Field Mainte- mission reduce the 242nd Eng. backlog, it nance Shop 1 during July’s drill weekend would also offer the opportunity for the with the same goal intended. 995th Maint. Co. troops to perform the “The purpose of these types of missions level of maintenance often only experi- is two-fold,” said Capt. Wallace Miller, enced at annual training. company commander for the 995th. “Sol- “Being from the 995th originally, I liked diers are building proficiency in their MOS the idea of providing them with hands-on and we’re building readiness in the state.” maintenance opportunities along with re- It was generally agreed among that con- ducing our own workload,” said Laffery. tinuing training in this fashion benefits vis- While on site, the team worked on a itor, host and the Kansas National Guard as 621B scraper tractor. Soldiers were able to a whole. troubleshoot airbrake, hydraulic and electri- “The mission was a great opportunity to cal systems, as well as complete an overdue refine our essential skills,” said Waren, service. Noteworthy, the group performed a “and build inter-unit relations and opera- repair of dead lining faults on the vehicle. tional cohesiveness.”