July-August 2011
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@ease ExpressJuly-August 2011 Click here to learn more about how the Wisconsin National Guard supported this year’s Rhythm and Booms celebration. Wisconsin National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson Wisconsin aviators back on home soil The approximately 300 men and women of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment returned home June 17 to @ease family, friends and welcome home celebrations in Madison. “On behalf of the 5.6 million people here in the state of Wisconsin, welcome back to not only the land of beer, brats and cheese, but in the last year the home of the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers,” Gov. Scott Walker, commander- in-chief of the Wisconsin National Guard, said to Wisconsin’s newest combat veterans. “We are so pleased to have the men and women of the 147th back ... It’s important to remember that freedom isn’t free.” The 147th “Iron Hawks” mobilized one year ago and deployed in September in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were among the 50,000 U.S. troops to remain in Iraq after Operation New 4 Dawn began, and were responsible for all aviation operations — including troop and cargo movements, medevac and attack missions — in United States Division- xpress South, which covers nine provinces of ‘Iron Hawk’ aviation battalion Iraq, including the area south of Baghdad. E “Our nation, the United States Army, the Army National Guard and I owe you guys all a debt of gratitude that I 2010 NGB Media Contest winner can never repay,” Lt. Col. Marty Pond, commander of the 147th, told his battalion as well as family and friends gathered for the brief welcome home ceremony at the 64th Troop Command headquarters in Madison. on the cover “The accolades for the 147th keep wraps up demanding Iraq rolling in,” said Chief Warrant Officer Approximately 300 members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s M119A2 towed 105-mm howitzer crews from July-August 2011 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment returned home June 17 to family, friends and welcome home celebrations in Madison following a deployment to Iraq. Wisconsin National Volume 3, Issue 4 Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Jon LaDue deployment the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, Official Newsletter of the 120th Field Artillery, fire powder charges in time with Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard Tchaikowski’s “1812 Overture” during the grand fi- http://dma.wi.gov nale of the 2011 Rhythm and Booms fireworks show The Adjutant General: at Madison’s Warner Park on July 2. Wisconsin Na- Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar 12 tional Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson Deputy Adjutant General Army: An Wisconsin National Guard supports FROM THE TAG exercise proportions 3 Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson of WisconsinPatriotic National Guard Combat Readiness Training through logistics support and Soldiers and Airmen continue Center and neighboring Fort exercise planning. Essex is AIR GUARD UNIT SUPPORTING to support approximately 1,000 McCoy July 11. a member of the readiness 6 local, federal and military The exercise is intended safeguard team which operates emergency responders from six to develop best practices and the simulation cell for the entire states in the second week of the refine emergency responses for exercise. large-scale international exercise at Deputy Adjutant General Air: National Guard’s largest annual a variety of contingencies, from “We’re acting as the training exercise. terrorist threats to train accidents overarching command for the Participants of Patriot 2011 and exposure from hazardous players in the field,” Essex — a conglomeration of many material spills. said. “Overall the big, key UNIFIED PROTECTION national-level organizations, Lt. Col. Eugene Essex, Volk things we’re looking for are including the FBI, FEMA, U.S. Field’s readiness safeguard interoperability and interagency Brig. Gen. John McCoy Members of the 178th Medical Group, Springfield, Ohio, practice Department of Energy, U.S. program director and a lead coordination.” a hot unload of a medevac patient from a UH-60 Black Hawk July Postal Inspectors and National exercise controller for Patriot Volk’s CRTC maintains the 13 during the domestic operations portion of the 2011 Patriot Guard Soldiers and Airmen — 2011, said the entire CRTC is Exercise. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amy N. Adducchio began training at Volk Field supporting the Patriot Exercise Volk Field 7 SPECIALIZED TEAM HEADING TO Director of Public Affairs: AFGHANISTAN Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie FEMALE WISCONSIN GUARD SOLDIERS At Ease Editor: 8 Vaughn R. Larson PREPARE TO MAKE HISTORY BASIC TRAINING BUDDY PLATOONS Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs 9 20 10 AIMING TO BE BEST WARRIORS 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment A look at the robust annual 11 SENIOR LEADERS VISIT WOUNDED WARRIORS 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team 14 RHYTHM AND BOOMS Public Affairs Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers and Airmen take advantage of training throughout the Wisconsin time between deployments to hone the skills needed for their 16 SUPPORTING EAA’S AIRVENTURE 157th Maneuver Enhancement core missions Brigade Public Affairs National Guard 17 YOUR ARMY CAREER ONLINE, ON TRACK 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 18 YOUTH CAMP MAINTAINS ITS PULL AIRMEN LEND A HAND TO HABITAT FOR Sgt. Brandon Swanson, of the Wisconsin Army 35 National Guard’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 128th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs 128th Infantry, gives the thumbs-up during his two-seater ride at the Milwaukee Mile as part of Panther Racing’s Hometown Hero program June 19. Wisconsin National Guard photo by HUMANITY Volk Field Combat Readiness Staff Sgt. Andy Poquette AIRMAN AIDS IN-FLIGHT EMERGENCY Training Center Public Affairs 36 37 CHALLENGE ACADEMY CADETS GRADUATE How to Reach Us 38 CAMPAIGN STARS APPROVED E-mail: [email protected] Wisconsin’s NCO of the Year 39 Phone: (608) 242-3056 Fax: (608) 242-3051 A hero’s welcome at the Milwaukee Mile 40 VETERANS, FAMILIES, RETIREES Staff Sgt. Andy Poquette Racing CEO John Barnes began in 2008, seeks to raise agreed with his CEO. Wisconsin National Guard awareness of the National Guard, their mission and what “We think we have to deal with long days here on the they can do for communities. race track,” he said, “but it pales in comparison to the WEST ALLIS — The Wisconsin Army National “National Guard Soldiers are not only a part of sacrifice our servicemen and women make. Being a part honored at Milwaukee Mile Department of Military Affairs; Guard’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year received a of Panther Racing has given me a new appreciation for PARTING SHOT the community, they are the connection between the victory lap June 19 at the Milwaukee Mile race track on community and the military,” Barnes said. “America is how much a part of our lives the National Guard is.” 42 the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. built on communities, and we want to support them.” That message may be sinking in with the public, Sgt. Brandon Swanson, of Company A, 1st Battalion, This ceremony was the 42nd Hometown Hero as hundreds of people lined up at the Milwaukee Mile 128th Infantry, signed autographs with Indy Racing celebration by Panther Racing, and they have no plans to seeking autographs from not only Indy car drivers, but Attn: Vaughn R. Larson League driver J.R. Hildebrand of Panther Racing before Swanson as well. stop any time soon. Sunday’s race at the Milwaukee Mile. Sgt. Steven Dahl “This is a great experience,” Swanson said. “It’s — the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s Soldier of the “Very few people in the nation understand the mission definitely not something you get to do every day.” Year and also a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, of the National Guard,” Barnes said. “National Guard Swanson and Dahl will compete at the National 128th Infantry — was on hand for the event as well. The Soldiers and Airmen are the cream of the crop, and Guard’s Best Warrior contest in the noncommissioned 2400 Wright Street; Madison, WI 53708-8111 Soldiers were able to take two-seater rides in Indy cars, America needs to understand the incredible sacrifices and Soldier categories, respectively later this summer. If tour the pit crew areas and meet Indy car drivers. these men and women are making in their name.” they win, they will advance to the Army’s Best Warrior Submissions: The Hometown Hero program, which Panther Hildebrand, who is new to the Panther Racing team, Competition in October. For photo or story submissions, The Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard’s At Ease Express newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of please call (608) 242-3056 At Ease Express are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army or Air Force. The editorial content or e-mail [email protected] of this publication is the responsibility of the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Officer. @ease Express 2 July-August 2011 From the TAG his year is a notable year for remembrance and Europe or the South Pacific, but Southwest Asia reflection. to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. More T Already this year we have observed the than 1,400 Soldiers and Airmen — refuelers, 20th anniversary of Desert Storm and the 150th transporters, engineers, maintainers, military anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. police, historians and medical providers — In the coming months, we will mark the 10th demonstrated that the National Guard was fully anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks that capable to serve shoulder to shoulder with its launched the global war on terror, and the 50th active duty counterparts.