Iraqi Freedom Took Toll on Nevada Guard
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Winter 2012 Governor Brian Sandoval Brigadier General Bill Burks Commander in Chief The Adjutant General Nevada Nevada National Guard Governor Features: Brian Sandoval Freedom ranges offer bang-up training opportunities . 5 The Adjutant General 1864th Soldier is one in a 1,000 . 8 Brig. Gen. Bill Burks Ross’ return marks end of era in Iraq . 10 Managing Editor/State Public Affairs Officer 485th locks down battlefield insurgents . 12 Maj. April Conway Reno seminar aims to increase rifle knowledge . 13 Editor Contest reveals talented crop of Nevada Soldiers . 14 Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka Deployed 422nd Soldiers moonlight as teachers’ aides . 17 Staff Writer/Photographer Airman’s algorithm boosts NASA’s lunar exploration . 18 Sgt. Mike Getten New brigade patch features familiar Nevada icons . 20 Public Affairs Intern Catherine Stokes Contributors Departments: Lt. Col. Terry Conder, Joint Force Headquarters From Senior Leadership: Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt . 3 Public Affairs; Spc. Emerson Marcus, 106th Public Affairs Detachment; Staff Sgt. Eric Ritter, 152nd Airlift Wing From Senior Enlisted Leadership: Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Sitton . 4 Public Affairs; 1st Lt. Jason Yuhasz, 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Ranson, Drop Zone . 6 Joint Force Headquarters Deployment Roundup . 16 Spotlight: Sheet metal shop has simple creed . 19 Sports News . 21 News Briefs . 22 Awards . 24 Promotions . 26 Retirements . 26 Accessions . 27 Event Schedule . 28 Bob Ulin, Publisher ON THE COVER: 2nd Lt. Rory Mele of the 1864th Marie Lundstrom, Editor Transportation Company beat the odds to make a Gloria Schein, Graphic Designer successful bone marrow donation last year. Chris Kersbergen • Darrell George, Advertising Sales Photo illustration: Lt. Col. Terry Conder and Maj. April Conway Toll Free: (866) 562-9300 • Fax: (907) 562-9311 www.nevadaguard.com www.AQPpublishing.com In accordance with Department of Defense Instruction violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an invited and encouraged. Please send articles and photos with 5120.4, Battle Born is an authorized, unofficial publication of advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print name, phone number, e-mail and comp lete mailing address and the Nevada National Guard. Content is not necessarily the advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. comments to: official view of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Battle Born is published quarterly for all current civilian Department of Defense, the Nevada National Guard or the employees, military members, National Guard retirees, state of Nevada. It is published by AQP Publishing, Inc., a government leaders in the state of Nevada, and civilian Battle Born Magazine private firm in no way connected with, but under exclusive employers of Nevada Guard members. Battle Born is State Public Affairs Office written contract with, the Nevada National Guard. distributed free of charge via mail and is available at The advertising in this publication, including inserts or www.nevadaguard.com. Nevada National Guard supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the state of 2460 Fairview Drive Nevada or the Nevada National Guard of the products or Comments and Contributions Carson City, NV 89701 services advertised. Everything advertised in the publication Letters to the editor must be signed and include the shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage writer’s full name and mailing address. Letters should be brief Or e-mail to [email protected] without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and are subject to editing. Other print and visual submissions of marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any general interest to our diverse civilian employees, Nevada Publication of material is determined by available space and other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a National Guard military members, retirees and families are reader interest. The staff reserves the right to edit all material. Winter 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 1 FROM SENIOR LEADERSHIP Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt, Director of the Air National Guard AirGuarddirectorWyattlandsinSilverState By 1st Lt. Jason Yuhasz, 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Lt.Gen.HarryWyatt is the director of the Air National Guard. Working from his Pentagon office, he is responsible for formulating, devel- oping and coordi- nating all policies, plans and programs affecting more than 106,000 Airmen in more than 88 flying wings and 200 units throughout the 54 National Guard states, territories and the District of Columbia. Wyatt was in Reno on Dec. 3 as the guest presenter and speaker at the annual Nevada Air Guard Awards Ceremony. During his visit, Battle Born magazine caught up with the Air Guard’s highest ranking Airman to discuss current Air Guard topics and share his opinions on the organization’s future direction. Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt, right, receives a commemorative photo from Brig. Gen. Robert Fitch during the annual Nevada Air Guard Awards Ceremony. Wyatt, director of the Air National Although he comes from the Sooner Guard, was a guest speaker and presenter at the ceremony. state of Oklahoma, it’s not out of the realm Photo: Master Sgt. Suzanne Connell, 152nd Airlift Wing of possibility that Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt may someday become a Nevadan, considering should anticipate the entire Air Force populace – better comprehension of the his reaction to his enjoyable first trip to the including the Air National Guard down- Guard’s capabilities and resources. Silver State as the director of the Air Guard. sizing,” Wyatt said. “We know C-130s are “Full membership will result in a Wyatt said he was excited and proud to old, just like most of the aircraft in the Air greater appreciation for the National Guard participate in one of the Nevada Air Guard’s National Guard, and they need to be and increased understanding about its role most impressive events set in the “Biggest replaced. in domestic operations, homeland defense Little City in the World.” “Definitely it’s a concern the Air Force and homeland security,” he said. Wyatt’s predominant message through- has a program to buy new C-130s, but “Historically, the military’s focus has been out his Nevada junket was the cost effec- none of those are set to come to the Air on foreign wars and homeland defense. But tiveness of the National Guard. National Guard.” historical events like Hurricane Katrina “Per dollar, Guardsmen are a tremen- The budget crunch felt by the entire show natural disasters can also be threats dous value,” he said. “They provide the military will undoubtedly be felt in Nevada, to the homeland. In certain situations like a combat capability the federal government Wyatt said. natural disaster, the attributes and capabil- requires and answer the call to help the “The impact of the budget on the ities of the National Guard make it the citizens of our respective states. Nevada Guard will correspond roughly to preferred military responder to a threat.” “The fires, the Carson City shooting the Air Guard as a whole,” he said. “All Finally, Wyatt gave some bread-and- incident and the response to the Reno Air of the military branches will be affected. butter advice on how every Nevada Guard Race crash are all events Nevada has expe- What we must do is look for cost-effective Airman and Soldier can remain an asset to rienced recently where Guardsmen have ways to do our business and provide the organization in lean times. assisted the community.” maximum combat capabilities on a reduced “Always strive to become even more Wyatt discussed topics very pertinent budget. efficient, more proficient, and more profes- to the 152nd Airlift Wing, including staffing Wyatt said the elevation of the Chief of sional within your military occupation,” levels and future aircraft. the National Guard Bureau to full member- Wyatt said. “Study and train hard and find “In my speech today, I quoted the Air ship on the Joint Chiefs of Staff will give creative ways to do your job quickly, better, Force Chief of Staff’s statement that we the Secretary of Defense – and the nation’s and more cost effectively.” I Winter 2012 / BATTLE BORN / 3 FROM SENIOR ENLISTED LEADERSHIP Command Sgt. Major Steve Sitton, Senior Enlisted Leader Leadership entails more than issuing orders Every now and then, you set is just as important as the words nation’s wars. Military leaders at every it’s good to revisit the you speak, and you set an example – good level have the duty to embrace our military topic of leadership as a or bad – with your every action and word values. reminder of what both on and off duty. As Heraclitus said long ago, “A man’s leaders must focus on to Through words and example, you must character is his fate,” and his destiny is be successful. Great communicate purpose, direction and moti- bound to his leaders. leaders give us tools and advice necessary vation. A leader’s influence obviously Remember, Soldiers and Airmen are to be leaders ourselves. affects day-to-day business operations and first and foremost America’s sons and As Colin Powell says, anything less is a accomplishments.A strong leader proficiently daughters. failure of leadership. plans, executes, assesses and continuously Given the great responsibility leaders The military defines leadership as adjusts his operations.Assessing change is have to the nation and to its people, the influencing people through direction and essential to improving an organization. National Guard is committed to values- motivation while accomplishing the mission Whether through orders, personal based leadership that strives for excellence and improving the organization. The Army examples or cooperative efforts, leaders get every day. bluntly defines influence as a means of others to work together for collective goals. With change a constant in the military, getting people to do what you want them Within a unit, leaders are responsible it’s a challenge for leaders to stay ahead, to do.