Annual Soldiers learn National Guard Governor’s how to Appreciation Easter Egg protect unit’s Day held in PPllHuntaa . i.i . .nn . .6 ss GGhealthuu .a a. . . .9rrddiiTopekaaann . . . . .12

Volume 51 No. 2 Serving the Kansas Army and Air National Guard, Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Homeland Security and Civil Air Patrol May 2008 Ribbon cutting, groundbreaking enhance Homeland Security By Sharon Watson fill a gap that our state has had for some Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Maj. time and that’s the chance for those who Gen. Tod Bunting, the Adjutant General work together in a disaster response to and Director of Kansas Homeland actually come together in a realistic train- Security, hosted a ribbon cutting for the ing environment and determine the best debut of the Crisis City Rail Venue at the course of action before lives are at stake.” Great Plains Joint Regional Training “Until now, Kansas first responders, Center (GPJRTC) in Salina on March 28. including the National Guard, train on The railcar venue is the first training their own, but today this will change with feature of Crisis City, which is a hands-on a new opportunity for inter-agency training homeland security public safety training on a regular basis,” said Bunting. “In area at the GPJRTC. This rail training 2007, we learned a great deal about how venue will allow emergency responders well we can work together and we’ll take from local, state and federal organizations, our lessons learned from those disasters including law enforcement, search and res- and improve our response capabilities even cue teams, medical response teams, public more.” and private industry safety professionals In-kind contributions of approximately and the National Guard, to train together, $12 million made the rail venue possible. conduct exercises and work through realis- The locomotive and other rail cars were tic disaster scenarios. provided by Burlington Northern Santa Fe “Kansas is among one of the first states Railway. They were moved and the tracks in the country to develop such a training set in place by R.J. Corman Railroad opportunity for our first responders and Group. Other contributions of equipment National Guardsmen to better prepare and labor came from Union Pacific together for emergencies and disasters,” Railway Company, Occidental Chemical Federal, state and local dignitaries joined together to cut the ribbon at the Crisis said Sebelius. “Crisis City, at the Great Corporation, J.R. Simplot Company, Mid- City Rail Venue, the first section to be completed at the multidiscipline training Plains Joint Regional Training Center, will (Continued on Page 2) facility, located at the Great Plains Joint Regional Training Center at Smoky Hill Range outside of Salina. The center will provide a variety of training scenarios so that law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical, fire, military and 161st Field Artillery Battalion other public and private organizations can train together to respond to emergency Soldiers reunited with medics situations. (Photo by Jane Welch) By Tech. Sgt. Jami Perusich Bunting also used the opportunity to thank Kansans bring World War II On Feb. 22, seven Soldiers from the the three medics for helping Kansas Kansas Army National Guard’s Battery B, Guardsmen, saying that he wanted to “rec- 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Dodge ognize some people who have done aircrew back from watery grave City, were reunited with the three medics incredible things.” By Staff Sgt. W. Michael Houk thought back then. that assisted when they were wounded in Sgt. Allison Justice, Florida Army A drama unfolded in the skies above the Thanks to an organization called Iraq exactly one year earlier. The reunion National Guard; Spc. Amanda Kistler, western Pacific island nation of Palau on BentProp, who found the crash site in took place at McConnell Air Force Base, Wisconsin Army National Guard; and Spc. Sept. 1, 1944, as intense fighting between 2004, the location is no longer a mystery. Wichita, and around 60 people were present. Billy Jo Bush, New York Army National American and Japanese forces was getting BentProp is a privately funded organiza- Among those in attendance was Guard were all presented with the Kansas under way. During a raid, comrades of the tion that searches for planes and their Kathleen Berry, the widow of Staff Sgt. National Guard Medal of Excellence for U.S. Army Air Forces looked on helplessly crews who crashed after being shot down David Berry, who was killed in the same their actions. Bunting also recognized the as the crew of a B-24 Liberator bomber, by the Japanese in 1944-45. They reported attack. Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adju- seven Kansas Guardsmen who were wound- the Babes in Arms, was brought down by it to the Joint POW-MIA Accounting tant general, stated that “while 22 February ed in the attack. 1st Lt. Todd Miller, Sgt. 1st anti-aircraft fire. Three of the crew report- Command, who for the last three years 2007 was a dark day for the State of Class Jerrod Hays, Sgt. 1st Class Lloyd edly bailed out, one without a parachute, investigated and recovered the remains Kansas, today is an important, but particu- Mattix, Sgt. Johnny Jones, Sgt. Mike Miller, before the bomber dove headlong into the from the site. The Kansas Coyotes had the larly difficult day for the people who have Sgt. Pete Richert and Spc. Curtis Turpin ocean never to be found — or so it was (Continued on Page 3) come together here.” were all present at the reunion. An eighth While the reunion’s main purpose was to Kansas Soldier, Spc. Simon Makovic, was allow the wounded Soldiers to meet the injured in the same attack, but was unable medics under happier circumstances, to attend the ceremony.

U.S. Navy divers hand Master Sgt. Matt Miltz, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas (Left to right) Sgt. 1st Class Jerrod Hays, Jennifer Turpin and Spc. Curtis Turpin, Air National Guard, a sealed case containing remains of U.S. B-24 crewmembers 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, talk with Sgt. Allison Justice and Spc. Amanda shot down during World War II off the western Pacific island of Palau. Miltz placed Kistler, two of the medics who attended to the Soldiers when they were wounded in the case and another like it in the cabin of the KC-135 tanker that flew the remains Iraq in 2007. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt McCoy) to Hawaii for identification. (Photo by Staff Sgt. W. Michael Houk) Page 2 Plains Guardian • May 2008 Ribbon cutting, groundbreaking enhance Homeland Security Continued from Page 1 National Guard. America Car, Inc. and Energy Senator Sam Brownback secured $9 Transportation. million dollars in funding for the ASOS’s “The rail industry shares the state’s new facility. interest in safety training and the rail “The ASOS facility adds an important venue at this facility will provide perma- new dimension to operations at the Smoky nent training capabilities not previously Hill Range, which has become a unique available to emergency responders in national training asset,” Brownback said. Kansas,” said Mark Stehly, BNSF’s assis- “The new squadron that will operate out of tant vice president, Environmental/Haz this facility will train our Soldiers and Mat/Technical Research and Development. Airmen to coordinate their operations in Crisis City at the GPJRTC will eventual- the field, making them safer and more ly be expanded to include an incident com- combat-capable.” mand training center, an engineered con- The targeted completion date for the crete rubble pile, urban search and rescue 284th ASOS facility is one year. venues, a grain bin for search and rescue “This unit is unique because it brings training, a farm venue to provide training the ground forces and air forces together to for farming and grain silo accidents and a conduct joint training,” said Lt. Col. J.J. five-story rescue training tower. It will Jordan, commander of the 284th Air also provide training in military operations Support Operations Squadron. “The ASOS and urban terrain. can facilitate the process by training the “We are building a state of the art joint Army how to best employ air power. We training center to ensure the people we call do this in military operations, but don’t upon to save lives and property have the typically have a training venue where we best resources possible to prepare to can train jointly.” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius joined Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Sen. Sam Brownback, respond during what could be very chal- “Because of the ASOS mission to pro- Congressman Jerry Moran and other officials in breaking ground for a new facility lenging circumstances,” said Col. Randy vide air power to ground forces, the 284th for the 284th Air Support Operations Squadron, located at Smoky Hill Range. Roebuck, GPJRTC garrison commander. will be a key component to joint military (Photo by Stephen D. Larson) 284th Air Support Operations Squadron training operations at the Great Plains Joint Regional Training Center,” Jordan said. and the 284th ASOS facility, some addi- allow anyone using the facility to train as Sebelius and Bunting also hosted a tional training capabilities are currently close to real world as possible.” groundbreaking ceremony for a new facili- In addition, the ASOS can also provide communications resources for homeland being constructed at the GPJRTC and will “The Great Plains Joint Regional ty for the Kansas Air Guard’s 284th Air be completed in the next year. Training Center is preparing our military Support Operations Squadron at the security needs in Kansas during disaster response. Congressman Jerry Moran secured $3.5 forces for missions here and abroad and the Smoky Hill Range in Salina. million dollars in funding for the Great joint military and civilian training venues Great Plains Joint Regional Training The 284th ASOS is a new Kansas Air Plains Joint Regional Training Center. will ensure they are not only ready to Center Future Capabilities National Guard unit and will provide joint Specifically, he secured $2.4 million for respond, but also prepared to take the best In addition to the Crisis City Rail Venue training capabilities with the Kansas Army establishing urban terrain operations, which course of action due to extensive training will include military and civilian training with others involved,” Sebelius said. components and will be built over the next Another military training capability at year, and $1.1 million for refurbishing and GPJRTC, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, will providing additional space at the Smoky provide a potential homeland security Hill Range’s operations facility for training, response in the future. The testing of dif- mission planning and debriefing. ferent unmanned vehicles, to include the “These added capabilities will help put Aerosonde and CQ10 SnowGoose, for dis- Smoky Hill Range on the map as one of aster response scenarios is ongoing and the top joint training installations in the will expand in the future. Combining UAV country,” Moran said. “Today, we wit- flights in the GPJRTC with the skilled nessed collaboration from all levels of imagery analysts of the Wichita-based government and from private partners to 184th Intelligence Wing of the Kansas Air support our war fighters and first respon- National Guard provides a unique opportu- ders. We have something special here in nity to perfect the delivery of real time Salina. Smoky Hill Range plays a vital video and imagery products for first role in national and homeland defense. We responders during emergencies. will continue to enhance and highlight this “Both the Crisis City and ASOS capabil- jewel on the Kansas prairie.” ities will enhance our military pre-mobi- Congresswoman Nancy Boyda also lization training,” Bunting added. secured $2.1 million in federal funds for “Recently the 1st Battalion, 161st Field equipment, radio and safety upgrades for the Artillery made history when conducting training capabilities at Smoky Hill Range. the first Kansas Guard pre-mobilization “I am happy to support the Kansas training here at the Great Plains Joint Guard’s efforts to make the Great Plains Regional Training Center before deploying Joint Regional Training Center a reality,” to Iraq. This resulted in a much shorter The Crisis City Rail Venue simulates a train derailment. First responders will be said Boyda. “This type of facility is badly training time out of state and kept the able to use the site for training on haz-mat spills, rescue and other scenarios. (Photo needed not only within the state, but Soldiers closer to home and their families by Stephen D. Larson) across the nation. This equipment will for a longer time period.” 35th Division staff completes disaster preparedness training By Maj. Angela Halvorson management system that allows organiza- The 35th Infantry Division staff took tions from different jurisdictions and dif- part in disaster preparedness training at ferent functions to communicate during a Division Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, disaster response. on March 15. Following the attacks on Sept. 11, it The class, Incident Command System became apparent that different emergency for executives/senior officials, is a part of responders from different jurisdictions were a series of ICS courses mandated for all unable to communicate on radios and other federal employees who could be a part of a communication networks. Additionally, disaster response. there was no standard response to a disaster The division has been tasked by Maj. in terms of incident operations, incident Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, to communications, personnel qualifications, be prepared to serve as the command and resource management, and information control element for National Guard troops management and supporting technology. In should a disaster strike Jackson and/or response, the National Incident Wyandotte County or other large areas Management System was created. around the state. The March 15 training was one class in The division could also serve as the a series of required courses that Soldiers command and control element for National from the 35th headquarters have been Guard troops throughout Federal working on for the last several months as a Emergency Management Agency Region part of their on-going civil support opera- 7, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri tions training. Each Soldier who completed Trainer John Marmon addresses a question from Maj. Mike Kitchens, Division and Nebraska. the course received two hours of continu- Information Operations section, during ICS 402 training at Division Headquarters ICS is a standardized, on-scene incident ing education credit. in March. (Photo by Maj. Angela Halvorson) May 2008 • Plains Guardian Page 3 Riedel takes command of battery New technology enhances By Sally Gray, Marysville Advocate Riedel was born at Beloit and graduated Capt. Murl Riedel, Topeka, assumed from Tipton High School. He received a mission of Medical Detachment command of Battery A, 2nd Battalion, bachelor of science in history from Kansas By Col. Jason Showman vices that currently exists and will ulti- 130th Field Artillery, succeeding Capt. State University and is working on a mas- On March 8, the members of the mately increase Soldiers availability for Larry Leupold, Hiawatha, who served as ter’s degree in museum studies from the Medical Detachment of the Kansas Army training. commander for the past two years. University of Kansas. He is the assistant National Guard supported a readiness mis- The Kansas Army National Guard is on Lt. Col. John Rueger, Lenexa, battalion curator at the Kansas Museum of History. sion in the Smoky Hill Joint Forces the cutting edge of technology for support- commander, participated in the change of In 1998, Riedel enlisted in the Kansas Medical Center, at the Kansas Regional ing the readiness events that are required command ceremony. Rueger said Leupold Army National Guard with Battery B, 1st Training Institute in Salina, Kan. for all Soldiers. The unit, under the com- did an outstanding job increasing the oper- Battalion, 127th Field Artillery as a field The 180 Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, mand of Col. Gordon Kuntz, has accepted ational readiness of the battery and that he artillery howitzer crewman. He was com- 635th Armor underwent yearly examina- the responsibility of ensuring that every appreciated everything Leupold did “to missioned as a second lieutenant in 2001 tions and physicals that included hearing avenue available for improving the medical make this a better battalion and battery.” through the Kansas Officer Candidate tests, immunizations and complete dental and dental readiness of Kansas Soldiers “We expect great things from you,” School in Salina. His assignments have evaluations that field tested mobile x-ray will be exploited to the fullest degree. This Rueger told Riedel. included fire direction officer, Multiple equipment and electronic data entry of per- includes the innovative mobile hand-held “We’ve got a great group of Soldiers,” Launch Rocket System platoon leader, oper- sonal health information into the new DEN- x-ray machines. Leupold said. “You guys are ready to ations officer and battalion logistics officer. CLASS automated system. The National The “Nomad” is a 14 pound piece of respond in a way the adjutant general and He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Guard Bureau’s Office of the Chief Surgeon technology which replaces the older and governor can be proud of.” Officer Basic Course. His awards include has mandated that the new systems be awkward radiology machines of the past. A He said he appreciated the Soldiers’ and the Army Achievement Medal, Armed incorporated into all Guard units’ SRP briefcase with a laptop computer, digital families’ sacrifices. Leupold will transfer to Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on events. This will enable a paperless record sensor and hand-held x-ray machine can headquarters battery as personnel officer. Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global to be stored and archived for future recov- now be exported for use where and when- Riedel said the first time he was at the War on Terrorism Service Medal, National ery on behalf of deploying Soldiers. ever necessary. Marysville armory was in 2003 when the Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve The web-based system utilizes a secure Kuntz’s philosophy of always taking battalion was activated to deploy to Iraq Component Achievement Medal and the network to retain vital health information care of Soldiers and seeking innovative and “I wondered what I was getting into.” Army Commendation Medal. for Soldiers that will be readily available approaches to medical care has placed by accessing the network worldwide. This Kansas in the top echelon of all states for Medical Detachment performs health will reduce the potential duplication of ser- measurable readiness statistics. assessments for 635th Armor 137th Transportation Company By Spc. Joseph Andaverde, UPAR deployment. In addition, they provide Over 200 Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, walk-in clinics in Salina and Lenexa. welcomes new commander 635th Armor participated in the Periodic Sgt. Jennifer Carroll was recognized for Health Assessment during the March drill her performance through Soldier feedback. By Sgt. 1st Class John Melnick a new assignment at the 35th Division, to weekend. The Kansas Army National Carroll, in collaboration with Kerry The 137th Transportation Company the newly arriving commander. Guard Medical Detachment was responsi- Manning, performed an excellent job (PLS) welcomed a new commander, Capt. With 2008 underway and the calendar ble for processing these Soldiers and fin- ensuring that all Soldiers had updated and Flora M. Carson. A change of command filling up with training events, Carson will ished processing 172 on the first day. accurate immunization records. ceremony was held March 2 at the have her hands full. Carson accepts the Staff Sgt. Debe Pierce, noncommis- “Working with the military is the high- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Olathe. challenges and the responsibility with sioned officer in charge of the operation, light of my week,” Kerry commented The 137th stood in ranks to continue the honor. She isn’t a new face to the 137th. commended her Soldiers for being when asked about her thoughts on the honored military tradition of passing the As a former cadet with the company, extremely flexible and efficient. Capt. operation. Kerry works in drug and alcohol company guidon from the departing com- Carson knows the quality and expectations Brian Komar, officer in charge, shared testing in addition to her work with the mander, Capt. Robert Parvin, who is taking the Soldiers uphold. similar regards, but added that he prides military. Carroll and others also work in their operation on the amount of cross the medical field as civilians, which they 190th brings home aircrew’s remains training of each Soldier. One week a believe helps them to be more effective large truck with their cargo: two sealed Soldier can be doing vitals and the next and accurate in their duties. Continued from Page 1 honor of transporting the fallen back to black cases containing the remains of the taking x-rays. Both Komar and Pierce The Periodic Health Assessment U.S. soil — to Hawaii for identification. B-24’s lost crew. These divers, dispatched mentioned that there had been some replaces the Annual Medical Screening “That seemed like a pretty good thing to by Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command changes to the process recently and were process with more in-depth testing. Some do to give some closure to some families to this site, spent a month and a half under pleased that their solders had adapted well. of the tests include vitals, dental, vision back home in the states,” said Master Sgt. 70 feet of water meticulously recovering One of the changes involves the integra- and hearing. The improved process identi- Mark Mertel, adding that it was an honor- the remains and, in some cases, personal tion of the Dent Class system. This system fies the medical readiness for deployment able thing to do and “a fine way to end my effects of the bomber’s crew. maintains Soldiers’ dental records electron- of Soldiers and records the results elec- career with the Kansas Air Guard. I When BentProp personnel find a site, ically. Initially, the Dent Class system was tronically. Komar believes the Periodic jumped on it. It’s a great opportunity.” they tell Joint POW-MIA Accounting non-operational due to network issues. Health Assessment is useful because it The Kansas crew flew from its home at Command and an investigation is begun However, because of the level of expertise gives units an accurate idea of the overall Forbes Field, just outside Topeka, to Hawaii involving archaeologists, doctors, forensic of the staff the issue was quickly resolved. health of their Soldiers. then Guam and, from Guam, another hour scientists, divers, and whoever else is For Soldiers of the Medical Detachment, The weekend was a great success for the and a half to the Republic of Palau. required to recover and identify a service- this is a regular occurrence. They often 635th Armor Battalion and the Medical “It was really moving to see that island member so that a family might be notified have two to four missions per month. Each Detachment. Every Soldier from the battal- and kind of imagine what might have hap- and the remains appropriately honored. mission is to perform Periodic Health ion completed his Periodic Health pened that day,” Maj. Jeff Warrender said At the tanker, Air Force Capt. Jarrod Assessments and out-process Soldiers for Assessment and is current with the system. from the pilot’s seat. “It really made me Ramsey, a pilot, and Master Sgt. Matt think about how brave those guys must have Miltz, a refueling boom operator, carefully been and what they might’ve gone through helped the divers, who handed the cases up before they died. To see how beautiful the from the truck into the side cargo door of island was, it was just kind of eerie.” the KC-135. Other members of the crew Warrender first did a flyover inspection got the aircraft ready to fly again, checking of the destination, a short airstrip with no and rechecking its structure and systems. tower that is usually used by smaller air- At the end of the runway, the engines craft, in order for the crew to ensure condi- whined louder and louder about not going tions on the runway would permit a safe anywhere as the pilot let their power build. landing. Standing water, among other con- Finally, the pilot released the brakes, and ditions, might keep the lumbering tanker the tanker rocketed down a rapidly short- from landing. Satisfied, Warrender circled ening runway and into the Pacific sky with back around, smoothly touched down and the remaining crew of the Babes in Arms brought the big plane to a quick halt on the finally on their way to completing a trip island nation. that took much longer than anyone would Local officials, whose cooperation made have imagined. the Palau recovery efforts possible, met the After a quick stop back in Guam, the KC-135 crew on the runway. Jennifer KC-135 flew east to Hawaii, where the Anson, executive assistant to the vice pres- remains of the B-24 crew would be exam- ident of Palau, said the event was emotion- ined forensically by JPAC experts to verify al for her. their identities. Once identified, the ser- “A lot of my relatives were here during vicemembers will be flown the rest of the the war and a lot of them went missing and way home to their families, but that honor we never found them,” she said. will be for another aircrew. The Kansas “I’m happy for whoever’s family has Coyotes had accomplished their mission. Sgt. Gabriel Bailey, a member of the Kansas Army National Guard Medical that peace of mind now, knowing that their “We’ve had some fairly long days and Detachment, draws blood from Spc. Kyle Bridges, a Soldier from Headquarters and family members are being returned back not a lot of ground time,” Miltz explained. Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 635th Armor, as part of the Periodic Health home,” Anson added. “But it’s all been worth it, helping to bring Assessment. (Photo by Spc. Joseph Andaverde, UPAR) U.S. Navy divers sat in the back of a these people back.” Page 4 Plainly Speaking Plains Guardian • May 2008 Planning, preparedness key to safety and security By Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting Greensburg tornado, we’ve learned a and program possible for our Guardsmen Months of hard work paid off in late While we work to improve tremendous amount about the needs a dis- right here in Kansas. March as we unveiled two new invaluable aster of that nature can bring. We’ve seen Approximately 900 of our Kansas Guard resources to the state’s preparedness the town begin the long process of rebuild- members are deployed this month, many ensure the state of level, one of our best ing. As a result of lessons we learned serving in Kosovo, others in Iraq and some Kansas is better there, we are working hard to expand our in Afghanistan. We appreciate the sacrifice prepared for disas- defense strategies is partnerships with business and industry to the Guardsmen, families and friends are ter and terrorism individual preparedness. improve our preparedness capabilities. making and the many things you do to response. The first In May, we will host our First Annual help your Guard member through the is a rail training Business and Industry Forum for Disaster deployment. venue at the Great side with their partners around the state. Operations. It will provide a forum for The Kansas Air National Guard recently Plains Joint While we work to improve the state’s utility, telecommunications, transportation welcomed new commanders to the 184th Regional Training preparedness level, one of our best defense and other businesses to determine how the Intelligence Wing and the 190th Air Center in Salina strategies is individual preparedness. With public and private sectors can support the Refueling Wing. Congratulations to Col. which the storm season upon us, it’s critical we all state in an emergency response. We are Michael Foster, who took command of the Maj. Gen. Adjutant General’s check our home emergency supply kits also working on developing a Kansas 184th while outgoing commander Col. Tod M. Bunting Department began and ensure they have water, food, medica- Emergency Resources Registry which will Randy Roebuck became the garrison com- developing plans for in 2005. This is a tions, and other necessities to survive on provide information about what private mander of the Great Plains Joint Regional tremendous training asset for our first our own following an emergency. Having sector resources and expertise exist in the Training Center. And congratulations to responders and Guard to train together. a weather radio to alert us and our families state to help in disasters. Col Keith Lang, who assumed command The second resource is the new 284th Air to storm warnings is another important To improve our service to Soldiers, of the 190th from retiring commander Col. Support Operations Squadron facility that measure to ensure our safety. Airmen and their families, the Adjutant Gregg Burden. will house the newest Guard unit which Prepared individuals ensure we’re better General’s Department is creating a new Recently our department developed its has joint air and army training capabilities prepared as a state. The residents of program to prepare soldiers and airmen for Strategic Implementation Plan for 2008 to as well as potential homeland security Greensburg proved that. With the town the psychological stress they and their 2014 which outlines our four priorities. communications capacity during disaster nearly destroyed, the loss of lives could families may face during a deployment. Additional information will be coming out response. have been much worse. The residents of The development of the Resiliency in the months ahead about this planning As new venues are opened at the Great Greensburg are to be commended for Program is in the early stages at this time. effort. Please take a moment to review it at Plains Joint Regional Training Center, the heeding the warnings, preparing for the We are partnering with others around the our web site, http://www.kansas.gov/ksad- result will be many more opportunities for worst, and for their resiliency since that state and nation to ensure the best center jutantgeneral. Kansas first responders to improve disaster difficult day. response capabilities while training side by With a year behind us since the Soldier to Soldier Timeline changed for Basic Pre-mob training at home works Officer Leadership Course By Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 percent of the Army. By Command Sgt. Maj. Michael arrived trained well ahead of their peer Mark Jensen Col. Jones also relates that actions Quenzer units. Chiefs: Just a note to bring you up to have been initiated to increase the course In January, I had the pleasure to visit the I congratulate the Premobilization speed on a couple of pending actions in lengths for the Warrant Officer Staff Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Training Assistance and Evaluation Team the Warrant Officer community. Course to five weeks and the Warrant Artillery, while and the leadership of the Kansas Army The Basic Officer Leadership Course Officer Senior Staff Course to four they were at their National Guard on a job well done. The II (BOLC II) weeks. For those Soldiers considering a mob station, Fort 161st Field Artillery deserves much of the implementation Signal Warrant career, the proponency Bliss, Texas. The credit for their success, because most of timeline for has related that it will adhere strictly to trip again reaf- the training was done by their own Warrant Officers the experience requirements for predeter- firmed my belief Soldiers, Soldiers who stepped up to teach has been moved mination. For 251A it will be four years that the Kansas and train their fellow Guardsmen. to the right, with documented experience, for 250N four Guard has some of Those who were involved in the plan- Col. Mark Jones, years and for 254A also four years docu- the finest Soldiers ning and the training of the 161st know commandant for mented experience. The Quartermaster in the Army. that it has not been an easy road, but it dis- the Warrant proponency has indicated that it will Our trip was to plays that we do know how to get things Officer Career adhere strictly to the regulatory require- visit and to check done in the Kansas Guard. This success Course, indicat- ments for becoming a Signal Warrant. Command Sgt. Maj. on these great cannot be used as an excuse to relax and ing that so many My point in illustrating this is that it is Americans as well Michael Quenzer take it easy and to believe that we have all changes are Command Chief apparent that the Active Army proponen- as to find out what the answers. We have many, many more being considered Warrant Officer 5 cys are no longer as willing to consider else we could do to assist them in getting troops to train and get ready to go into for condition Mark Jensen waivers for required military education ready for their deployment. combat. To let one Soldier though our based training and documented experience when con- One of the things that we were interest- training without the maximum effort on that right now “No one goes.” I think it sidering Warrant Officer predetermina- ed in was to find out how the training they our part to prepare them, would be a realistic to conclude that 2010 or later tion packets. I would still encourage any- got before leaving Kansas had helped or tragedy! This is one job that we must be would be the earliest we might expect to one interested to process a packet, but be hindered them. able to look in a mirror and know that we hear additional guidance on implementa- conscientious when ensuring you include The 161st was the first of Kansas units did our best. tion of BOLC II for Warrant Officers. everything that documents your time in to deploy under the new policy of the This is just another success story that we This is a pretty dramatic change from the feeder MOS. states pre-training their troops, thus reduc- can carry with us as members of the past guidance and welcome news for the There will be a Warrant Officer Senior ing the amount of time that the units have Kansas Army National Guard. During my Warrant Officer community. Warrant Leaders Conference at NGB late in the to spend at mob station and shortening 37 years as a Guardsman it has become Officers currently make up 14 percent of summer and each CCWO will be permit- their entire deployment time. When this very clear to me that we as Soldiers stand the entire Army Officer Corps and two ted to bring two additional Warrant policy was first put in place it created both as tall as any of our brothers in uniform. (Continued on Page 9) pro and con feelings about the ability of As Guardsman we bring some special ben- each state being responsible for much of efits to the table that the full time forces the training that each unit needs in order to may lack, such as our ability to think out- be successful when they deploy. side the box, because we work and live in PlainsPlains GuarGuardiandian Having returned recently from a deploy- a different world from the regular Army. The PLAINS GUARDIAN is published under the provisions of AR 360-1 for the personnel of the Kansas National Guard. The editorial content ment, I knew that much of what we were We switch back and forth from one week- of this publication is the responsibility of The Adjutant General’s Department PA Officer. Contents of the PLAINS GUARDIAN are not neces- sarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of the Army or The Adjutant General’s Department. News, fea- trained on could be done right here in the end to the next, from one drill to the next. tures, photographs and art materials are solicited from readers; however, utilization is at the discretion of the editorial staff. All photos must be state, but the huge challenge of actually We have another world to compare our high resolution and include complete caption information, including photographer’s name and rank. No paid advertisement will be accepted, nor will payment be made for contributions. setting up a program that would honestly goals to and how to accomplish them. Our The deadline for all submission is the first Wednesday of the month: February, April, June, August, October and December. prepare these troops, remained a question loyalty and belief in our country and fel- Submissions may be e-mailed to Jane Welch ([email protected]). mark. low Guardsman cannot be questioned. We Circulation: Approximately 15,500 To the credit of the Kansas Guard, it are the ones who put down our plows, pick Printed under contract with the U.S. Government Printing Office appears that we got it as close to right the up our rifles and defend this country of Commander-in-Chief Public Affairs Office first time as we could hope for. The ours. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Director Soldiers echoed time and again that their We as Kansas Guardsmen need to be Adjutant General of Kansas Sharon Watson 785-274-1192 Maj. Gen. Tod M. Bunting time spent in Salina and the training that extra proud of who and what we are. We Assistant Director Stephen D. Larson 785-274-1194 took place there gave them a big head start need not be arrogant and rude with our Editor Sharon Watson over the other units that they are deploying pride, but we do need to remember that Administrative Assistant Production/Graphics/Writer Jane Welch 785-274-1190 with. These facts were not just the dreams people are looking at us and are measuring Stephen D. Larson FAX 785-274-1622 e-mail: [email protected] of these Soldiers from Kansas, it became us, each step we take in uniform. It Production Assistant apparent from visiting with the noncom- becomes extra important that the person Jane Welch missioned officers and officers of the unit watching sees a professional, in deed and The Plains Guardian may be read online at that was training, and preparing them for dress. We serve and set the example! http://www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral/Library/Plains Guardian current issue.pdf For change of address, contact Jane Welch. deployment, that the 161st had indeed What example are you setting? May 2008 • Plains Guardian Page 5 Kansas team takes first at Bataan Memorial Death March The 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery 26.2 mile march through White Sands presented a strong showing at the Bataan Missile Range that commemorates and Memorial Death March on March 28 at honors the sacrifice of tens of thousands of White Sands, N.M. Two teams from the American and Filipino Soldiers who were battalion competed and the Battery B responsible for the defense of the islands Team took first in the Military Heavy of Luzon, Corregidor, and the harbor National Guard category with a time of 7 defense forts in the Philippines in World hours and 12 minutes. 1st Lt. Jessica War II. Walker, chemical officer for the battalion, Civilians, military personnel, some chil- placed 4th in the civilian light category dren, an occasional military police dog and with an impressive time of 4:00 and 1st Lt. people from across the globe participate in Aleshia Bedore placed 11th in the military different categories such as military, civil- heavy individual female category in a time ian, team and many walk the shorter 15 of 8:39. mile route in honor of the veterans. 2008 The Battery B Team consisted of Capt. brought a new record of more than 4,400 Steven Schneider, 1st Lt. Jeff Mann, 1st participants. Lt. Allen Vonderschmidt, 2nd Lt. Derek Marchers compete for different reasons, Leeds and Sgt. Gabriel Bailey. often to honor a particular loved one or Members from Battery C that competed honor all veterans. Some march year after were Sgt. 1st Class Steve Ahlstedt, Staff year. Bloomquist said he couldn’t remem- Sgt. Marc Beswick, Staff Sgt. Chip ber exactly how many times he’d been to Cunningham, Sgt. Shawn Dillon and Sgt. the Bataan Memorial Death March and Randal Milleson. Other Kansas National said he “thought this was my sixth, but can Guard Soldiers that competed were Col. only count five shirts (marchers receive a Battery B marches toward the finish line. Seen here are Sgt. Gabriel Bailey, 1st Lt. Robert Bloomquist, 1st Lt. Jason Davee, different color shirt every year)! Two of Allen Vonderschmidt, Capt. Steve Schneider, 1st Lt. Jeff Mann and 2nd Lt. Derek Chief Warrant Officer 2 Steven Peak and them were in heavy category, that I am Leeds.” (Photo by 1st Lt. Jessica Walker) retired Sgt. Maj. Steve Gfeller. sure of!” War II engineer who cleared landing member of the winning National Guard The Bataan Memorial Death March – Gfeller marched for the seventh time beaches on the Pacific islands and built Military Heavy Team for 2008.” 2008 was the 19th year for the event – is a this year in honor of his father, a World airfields on them as Allied forces leap- Mann’s team trained hard before the frogged their way closer to Japan. He says, event, both individually and as a team with Guardsmen earning their spurs “The opening ceremony roll call is the part some members logging around 100 miles By Maj. John Clark This year’s spur ride events began in that gets me the most. Every year fewer with their rucksacks and the bare minimum On March 8, the Kansas National January and will end in July. In January, survivors answer the roll call and (hearing) 35 pounds. Training in Kansas did not pro- Guard’s 1st Battalion, 635th Armor spur candidates demonstrated personal the list of those who have passed away is vide the altitude, the weather, the hills or Regiment spurred four new members into expertise at Army warrior tasks. In February, very sad.” the sand like that found at White Sands. the Order of the Spur. The new members they demonstrated proficiency at tank crew Others like the mental and physical Ahlstedt said, “It was much more difficult of the Order of the Spur are Capt. Ernest gunnery skills test in preparation for live fire challenge the march represents. than I expected. You can’t train enough for Kratina, Headquarters and Headquarters exercises. In March, they performed individ- “(I march) because it’s there,” said this event. The hills of central Kansas don’t Company, 1st Battalion, 635th Armor; 1st ual weapons qualification. Remaining trials Mann. “It’s to challenge myself, but it’s compare to the sand and mountains of the Lt. Christopher Coco, 35th Military Police for them on the spur ride include dismount- also significant because it honors the vet- White Sands Missile Range.” Company; Sgt. 1st Class Erik Kaltenborn, ed land navigation and a small unit raid that erans.” Mann has coordinated competitive “The Bataan Death March might possi- Company A, 1-635 AR; Staff Sgt. Darin will serve as a capstone training event. It teams both last year and again this year. bly be my best accomplishment and I’ll Liefried, Company C, 1-635 AR and Spc. will culminate with a spur dinner to mark “Overall, I am extremely proud of the never do it again.” Nathan Sparks, Company C, 1-635 AR. everyone’s accomplishments. team for such a solid performance and for “The opening ceremony was incredible,” Donning Stetsons and spurs, Soldiers in The Spur Ride is an outstanding way to never giving in to the pain of the event,” said Cunningham. “Several veterans of the (Continued on Page 8) the armor battalion are hosting a spur ride build esprit within Kansas National Guard Mann said. “I’m also honored to be a for their Soldiers in order to honor their units. The spurs are definitely not a “give cavalry and armor traditions. Couched in me.” Not every Soldier that begins their Team “Bravo” competes in the traditions of the Kansas Volunteer spur ride will complete the required cru- Cavalry serving on the Great Plains of cible. It’s a great way to honor our tradi- Bataan Memorial Death March Kansas, spur candidates will participate in tions rooted in the Kansas Volunteer By Sgt. 1st Class Chris Baker Day, Sgt. Devry Jeffress, Spc. Beau Gene training events that symbolize duties that Cavalry while emphasizing key tasks that The Bataan Memorial Death March is a Allen and Spc. Arthur Rodriguez. Team cavalry troopers have done historically to Soldiers must master to survive and win on challenging march through the high desert “Bandit” trained for weeks preparing for prepare themselves for combat. For today’s battlefield.” terrain of White Sands Missile Range, N.M. the grueling 26.2 mile Memorial March. instance, Soldiers are expected to demon- The group most recently awarded their The march honors the heroic Soldiers who The march weaved through diverse terrain, strate care for their steed through pre- spurs performed their spur ride as trial by defended the Philippine Islands during including high desert trails, sandy washes maintenance checks and services certifica- fire through combat experience with World War II, sacrificing their freedom, and overgrown hillsides. tion on a vehicle they serve upon. They are armor/cavalry units or by earning a health and, for some, their lives. The Bravo “Bandits” competed in the required to demonstrate rifle marksman- Combat Action Badge, Combat Company B, 2nd Battalion, 137th National Guard Light Team portion of the ship through individual weapons qualifica- Infantrymen’s Badge, Combat Medical Infantry, Kansas National Guard, Wichita, march. The team completed the march in 8 tion. In all, the areas of training are Badge, or Purple Heart. They will now was represented in this year’s Memorial hours, 28 minutes, 4 seconds, finishing grouped in three phases: pre-requisite serve as spur holders during the remainder March by five of their own: Sgt. 1st Class fourth out of nine teams, a respectable first training requirements, the spur ride and of the battalion’s spur ride to train new Bonifacio Purganan, Staff Sgt. Benton outing in the event. lifelong service to the armor community. members into the Order of the Spur.

Lt. Col. Howard E. Wheeler, president of the Spur Committee, awards Order of the From the left: Sgt. Devry Jeffress, Staff Sgt. Benton Day (in back with guidon), Spc. Spur certificates to the newest Spur Holders: Capt. Ernest Kratina, Sgt. 1st Class Beau Gene Allen and Spc. Arthur Rodriguez march across the New Mexico desert Erik Kaltenborn, Staff Sgt. Darin Liefried, Spc. Nathan Sparks, and 1st Lt. as part of the Bataan Memorial Death March event. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Coco. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Miles) Bonifacio Purganan) Page 6 Plains Guardian • May 2008 Foster assumes command of Lang becomes commander 184th Intelligence Wing of 190th Air Refueling Wing By Maj. DeAnn Barr Command ceremony attended by 184th Command of the 184th Intelligence unit members. Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, passed Foster, a native of Indianola, Iowa, grad- from Col. Randy Roebuck to Col. Michael uated from Central Missouri State Foster during a ceremony on Sunday, University in 1983 with a Bachelor of March 2. Science degree. Commissioned in the U.S. Roebuck is leaving his position to Air Force on Dec. 21, 1984, Foster subse- become garrison commander of the Great quently attended Undergraduate Navigator Plains Joint Regional Training Center near Training and Electronic Warfare Officer Salina. This center is the first of five pro- Training at Mather Air Force Base and was posed centers throughout the state that will designated a rated navigator / electronic provide training facilities for law enforce- warfare officer in 1986. He attended B-52 ment, fire, emergency rescue, military and Combat Crew Training at Castle Air Force other first responders. Base. During his initial B-52 tour, he was Foster was vice commander of 184th selected as a B-1B weapon systems officer. Intelligence Wing. The wing supports the Following B-1B Combat Crew Training at Air Force Global Engagement Strategy by Dyess Air Force Base, he completed B-1B operating a diverse set of missions focus- tours at McConnell and Dyess Air Force ing on intelligence and information tech- Bases, respectively. Foster joined the nology. These missions greatly enhance Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Bomb the U. S. Air Force’s capability to accom- Wing in 1994 as an instructor weapons Col. Keith Lang (left) assumed command of the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas plish cyber warfare and provide intelli- systems officer in the B-1B. National Guard, from Col. Gregg Burden during a ceremony on March 8. (Photo gence supremacy and information domi- Foster has accumulated nearly 4,000 by Tech. Sgt. Mandy Johnson) nance for combat forces around the globe. hours flight time and has held positions in By Master Sgt. Greg Burnetta Burden served in several leadership and “I can’t run this wing by myself, it’s def- the Operations Group, Maintenance In a change of command ceremony held command positions at the squadron and initely a team effort and I’m humbled and Group, Mission Support Group and at Forbes Field on March 8, 2008, Col. wing levels and logged more than 4,700 honored to be named as your commander – Headquarters. Gregg Burden, retiring as 190th Air flight hours in military aircraft while par- the commander of the first and finest Foster and his wife Alicia have three Refueling Wing Commander, handed the ticipating in combat and peacetime mis- Intelligence Wing in the Air National children: Aaron, Andrew, and Matthew and unit’s flag to Brig. Gen. Edward Flora, sions. Guard,” said Foster, during the Change of reside in Derby, Kan. commanding general, Kansas Air National Lang’s last assignment was director of Guard. Flora, in turn, handed that flag to operations for Joint Forces Headquarters Col. Keith Lang, signifying Lang’s where he coordinated air operations appointment as the new wing commander. involving more then 3,000 flight hours and Lang is the first traditional unit com- more than 500 missions flown world-wide mander in the 190th. He is a professional, annually. civilian airline pilot when not performing Lang was born in Fargo, N.D., and military duties. He currently has logged began his military career when he enlisted more than 4,000 military flight hours and into the North Dakota Air Guard when he in excess of 20,000 civilian flight hours. was 19 years old as an F-4 Phantom crew His military flight hours include more than chief. 130 hours flying combat missions. Lang moved to the Kansas City area and The change of command ceremony is transferred to the Kansas Air Guard and steeped in military tradition dating back to was assigned to the 190th ARW. He was 18th century Prussia. The purpose of the selected for pilot training and, in 1991, ceremony is to serve as an outward sign of was commissioned a second lieutenant. one commander leaving a unit while being Since graduating from pilot training, he replaced immediately by another comman- has logged over 3,000 hours flying KC- der in one seamless manner. 135 A, D, E and R models. Burden, wing commander since August During the ceremony, Burden was rec- 2003, is retiring after 26 years combined ognized for his many achievements which service to the U.S. Air Force and the helped the 190th obtain its designated Kansas Air National Guard. He has been a Outstanding Unit status by the Air Force, member of the 190th for the past 17 years. as well as being awarded the Spaatz His military career began in 1982 when he Trophy for being the Air National Guard’s graduated from Kansas State University Outstanding Flying Unit. Lang vowed to Col. Michael Foster (right center) accepts congratulations from Brig. Gen. Ed and was commissioned a second lieutenant maintain the high standards which have Flora, commander of the Kansas Air National Guard, during a change of command through the Air Force Reserve Officers been set by this unit’s members and their ceremony at the 184th Intelligence Wing on March 2. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Training Corps program. predecessors. McCoy) Annual Easter event accomplished with help from Kansas Guard By Sgt. Michael Mathewson, UPAR Cedar Crest, the crews moved into a lower Isaac Burbank; Sgt. Danny Cheatham and Cole and Pvt. 1 Joseph Bonner stood out- The Soldiers arrived at 6 a.m. level room of the mansion. Out of the Spc. Athena Cobb; and Sgt. William Fisk side the front and side entrances to insure “Why does it seem that every mission weather, in a room used by the Capital and Spc. Nathan Decker. Pvt. 2 Bobby (Continued on Page 7) starts before dawn,” said Sgt. Bradley Police and the Cedar Crest staff, Randall Carney. and Palmer briefed the Soldiers. The mis- This mission would be much like many sion was, in Soldier terminology, to secure others that the 35th Military Police the main supply route and provide on-call Company has run over the years. No one Force Protection. In other words, they could remember how many times the MPs would provide traffic and, if needed, had conducted this mission. What they did crowd control. To complete their mission, know, it was the 51st Annual Governor’s the National Guard Soldiers would be Easter Egg Hunt. working with the Kansas Highway Patrol, There was not a lot talk as the sergeants Capital Police and the Topeka Police inspected the Soldiers and the four M1025 Department. Randall and Palmer planned HMMWVs. By phone, Maj. Tony Randall, where to position the four HMMWVs on officer in charge for the hunt, said “There 6th Avenue. This was the bus route is a real possibility that the main event will between Security Benefit and Cedar Crest. be rained out and we will have to go with Assignments were also given to the Plan B.” Plan B involved the eggs being Soldiers who would be on foot patrol at moved down town to a State parking the entrances to the Governor’s Mansion. garage. Cars would be allowed to drive Staff Sgt. Marc Henry and Spc. Jason through and the eggs would be handed out. Colobong rolled their M1026 to the At 7:30 a.m. Staff Sgt. David Palmer, non- Security Benefit parking lot, where they commissioned officer in charge, said “Get provided traffic control. It was there that ready to roll, we are a go for the main the young egg hunters and their parents event.” board buses for the ride to Cedar Crest. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius consults with Maj. Tony Randall, officer in charge, on the The cold and rain flooded the mainte- The security of the bus route was provided order of events for the Governor’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt. (Photo by Sgt. nance bay as the door opened. Arriving at by three other teams: Carney and Spc. Michael H. Mathewson, UPAR) May 2008 • Plains Guardian Page 7 Gen. Norton Schwartz is guest speaker for banquet By Maj. Mike Wallace, 105th MPAD deployed.” the core, we know that we are citizens of Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the “About 460,000 of those are from the a good and decent nation. We’re called on commander for the U.S. Transportation National Guard and Reserve,” he continu- to make the world better by defending the Command and the highest ranking mili- end. “Right now, more than 50,000 Guard innocent, by confronting the violence, by tary officer in charge of logistics, was the members are deployed and more than 4.5 helping millions secure their freedom and guest speaker during the annual Combat million passengers, some 10 million tons by ensuring peace and liberty at home.” Service Support banquet honoring the of cargo and around five billion gallons of Also attending the banquet was the 287th Sustainment Brigade on the night of fuel are just a part of what we have Kansas Air National Guard Commander, Feb. 16 at the Hyatt Hotel and Convention moved and supplied.” Brig. Gen. Ed Flora, who was represent- Center in Wichita, Kan. He thanked those Kansas Army ing Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Schwartz pointed out the relationship National Guard members attending, Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant gen- between the branches of the services. acknowledging their upcoming deploy- eral, during the evening’s activities. “We’re a joint team. It is important to ment to Iraq later this year. Flora had met Schwartz before at the acknowledge that logistics in the “Commitment! That is why you and I Transcom conference, where he saw the Department of Defense is independent of serve, especially in the Army and the Air full scope of Transcom, which includes service and independent of components, National Guard. Many of you have lived getting Kansas Army National Guard including active components, Guard or this commitment for a long time to our Soldiers and all their equipment where Reserve.” nation.” they need to be. Schwartz and his wife, Susan, braved “There’s an old saying that you must be inclement weather and flew from St. committed to have an impact. No one is “The partnership that the Kansas Army Louis to attend the banquet. impressed with the won-lost record of a and Air Guard is replicated at a much larger level in General Schwartz’s arena at Gen. Norton A. Schwartz points out that Schwartz’s speech was not long, but hit referee. If you’re not in the game, you’re all branches of the armed forces are a much larger scale, and Kansas Army and on interesting points. “Since beginning not scoring any points.” important members in a joint team. Air Guard members excel in their part of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, more Schwartz summed up the missions that (Photo by Maj. Mike Wallace, 105th than 1,600,000 people have been the Kansas Army and Air Guard has. “At this joint team,” said Flora. MPAD) Black shows support for the Red, Jayhawks fly last White and Blue at military banquet refueling mission By Tech. Sgt. Sabrina Foster By Maj. Mike Wallace, 105th MPAD writer, this song inspires me,” he said. The flying chapter was finally closed Dec. 1 for the last Clint Black recently had a first in his professional “Not to give a history lesson, but when Francis Scott career as a country-western superstar—he sang the Key wrote the National Anthem he was a prisoner of two members of the 127th Air Refueling Squadron at a National Anthem for an assembly. war on an English Frigate, waiting to see if his country’s base in Southwest Asia. He sang at the Hyatt Hotel and Convention Center in Fort McHenry would last out the night from the English Maj. Gary “Sluggo” Nash, KC-135 pilot, and Master Wichita on Feb. 16 while attending the annual bombardment. To see the Star Spangled Banner still Sgt. Steven “Bull” Albers, boom operator, both assigned to Combined Service and Support banquet for the 287th waving after such an intense night, well, I just don’t the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, flew Sustainment Brigade. The Kansas Army National Guard know of many things that could be more inspirational, their final refueling mission supporting Operation Iraqi unit is slated to be deployed to Iraq this fall. so it was with great emotion that I practiced the song Freedom - closing the doors of the 127th ARS forever. and thought about that song-writer, standing, watching “This is a bittersweet day for us,” said Nash. “We knew and waiting on the frigate for dawn to see if the battle it was coming, so it’s just good to put it behind us and was won.” look forward to the future.” “I have traveled some, and it is truly an inspiration to Nash is now working to stand up the 284th Air Support see our beautiful flag when I get home. It is such a bea- Operations Squadron. He started his military career 21 con of hope to people around the world,” Black said. While Black talked to more than 500 Kansas Guard years ago as an enlisted crew chief on the T-37, F-4 and Soldiers and Airmen and their families, he related where the F-16. He eventually went Palace Chase and later he once met a vendor in the music industry that was earned his commission. He was a B-1B Weapons System from Iraq and they began to talk. Officer, Electronics Warfare Officer, Range Control During their conversation, the Iraqi man broke down Officer and Weapons Instructor Course graduate before in tears and told him about members of his family who becoming an aircraft commander of the KC-135. were discovered in a mass grave — put there by Saddam’s regime. But the man was thankful now that America has helped stabilize the area, that other mem- bers of his family still living in Iraq have the hope that they can go on without fear of ending up in one of those graves. “I don’t say this tongue-in-cheek,” said Black, “but I Country music artist Clint Black sings the National think it’s only the communists still remaining among us Anthem for the Combined Service and Support ban- who don’t appreciate the effort to go abroad and free quet for the 287th Sustainment Brigade (Photo by other people and it’s with great disdain for the politics Maj. Mike Wallace, UPAR) injected into these sort of things that I look at it, and look for the beauty in it.” “This is the first time I’ve ever sang the National Black was beginning to choke up as he finished his Anthem professionally and I wanted it to be special,” short speech to the attendees. “Even with all the said Black. Even though the opportunity has come close tragedies involved, the beauty is in the effort, in the many times, Black was never given the opportunity to wishes in the hearts of all of you who will go abroad and Maj. Gary “Sluggo” Nash checks out the gauges in the sing the National Anthem. try to help other people have what we have. So, as one cockpit as he piloted his final refueling flight during Black had been slated to sing the National Anthem for person that is free, I’m hoping for all the other people an Operation Iraqi Freedom mission Dec. 1. (Photo the Yankees at the World Series, but the Yankees only and I thank you all, and all of your families who wait provided) went four games and his slot to sing the Anthem never behind. We all love you, appreciate you and are proud of Albers has started a new career in munitions. He began arrived. you. God speed and a safe return for all of you.” his military career 20 years ago as a crew chief on the F-4, “When this opportunity arrived, I thought, ‘World It has been Black’s pleasure to perform for the troops F-16 and then finally the B-1B. When the unit converted Series are great, Super Bowls are great, but nothing can in other countries and around the United States. For his to KC-135s, he became a boom operator. be more special than singing the Anthem for the people support of the Kansas National Guard, he was presented The last two members of the 127th ARS wrote the final of the Armed Services getting ready to deploy to Iraq a plaque by Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, commander of the chapter with a combat refueling sortie, a fitting end to an this evening,’” he said. U.S. Transportation Command, and Col. Robert Schmitt, era of combat and combat support from the Flying According to Black, the night was special. “As a song- commander of the 287th Sustainment Brigade. Jayhawks. Flight over. Mission complete! Annual Easter event accomplished with help from Kansas Guard Continued from Page 6 were scattered across Cedar Crest’s lower lawn by a score eggs, baskets were over flowing. that no one wandered into the building. Although public of volunteers. For fairness, the hunting grounds were With the eggs collected, lines quickly formed for the property, it is, after all, the Governor’s home. The traffic divided up into four age groups. As Gov. Kathleen buses. It did not take long for the buses to return everyone control point in front of the mansion was manned by Pfc. Sebelius walked down the hill to the stage, several of the back to their cars. Master Sgt. Gregory Cochran, 35th Travis Weaver and a member of the Capital Police Force. Soldiers had the opportunity to have their picture taken Military Police Company first sergeant, said “Weather The rain had stopped, but it was wet and cold with an with her. At 11 a.m., with the Easter Bunny at her side, aside, this was a great event.” overcast sky. The buses started running at 9 a.m., bringing the governor started the hunt by counting down. The Soldiers maintained their posts until the last of the the crowds. The poor weather did keep the attendance “Is everybody ready? Three, two, one go.” hunters were safely on the buses heading for their parents’ down when compared to previous years. As the young and The hunt was on. It did not take long for the crowd to cars. Only then did the Soldiers head back to their armory young-at-heart waited; 12,000 candy-filled plastic eggs clear the lawn of eggs. Because of the ratio of children to at Forbes Field. Page 8 Plains Guardian • May 2008 KC-135 Stratotanker marks 30 years of service at Forbes Field By Master Sgt. Bill Gilliland refueling mission wasn’t scheduled until The arrival of the first tanker at Forbes July, but due to the rapid pace of the train- Field on March 22, 1978, came with a ing taking place, it actually took place on whole new set of inspections and evalua- the May 25, 1978. tions. The Strategic Air Command was the Col. William Mahler piloted the unit’s new reporting command, and they had the first refueling mission with Tech. Sgt. most ambitious inspection and operational Michael Madden on the boom. Tempo 01 schedule in the entire Air Force. was the call sign as the 190th successfully Organizational Readiness Inspections completed the refueling of an E-3 Sentry were new to the unit and the Kansas from Tinker AFB. Coyotes responded with their usual excel- Over the next few months, Kansas lent results. In fact, the unit completed the Coyotes would prove that they were up to conversion ahead of schedule. When the the challenge of a new mission. The conversion was first planned, the first 190th’s first ORI in 1979 resulted in an Ask

the A 190th Air Refueling Wing KC-135D stands at RAF Fairford in 1997, with special tail art tribute to the Air Force and the 190th on their birthdays. (Photo provided) outstanding rating. Over the next several distinction of having the only four KC- TAG years, similar results were achieved. 135 D-models in the world. These were By 1980, only three years after the KC-135s that had been converted from change, the 190th Air Refueling Group was EC-135 models and had very different selected by the National Guard Bureau to electrical systems. Coincidently, several of Why has the Central Issue represent the Air National Guard in compe- these same jets had spent part of their for- tition for the Daedalian Maintenance mer EC-135 days at Forbes Field as part Facility been closed? Award, meaning the 190th was selected as of an active duty unit stationed here the best of the 92 flying units in the Guard. before Forbes Air Force Base was closed. Below is a question from one of our Duty Feb. 29 through March 2. While the 190th did not win the Air Force They ended their flying days as part of the Soldiers. I asked our United States We take pride that our Central Issue wide competition, being selected as the 190th Air Refueling Wing. The tail at the Property and Fiscal Office to respond. Facility exports the equipment to our National Guard representative was on out- main gate to Forbes Field with the Thank you for your questions. Soldier Readiness Processing sites to sup- standing accomplishment in itself. Minuteman on it was displayed as part of ** ** ** ** port the Soldier on the ground. However, In 1984, the KC-135 A-model was con- the Air Force’s 50th and the unit’s 40th My Supply Sergeant has told me that the CIF isn't manned to provide this and verted to the E-model with more power- anniversary and was originally painted on the Central Issue Facility in Topeka has continue with normal operations. ful, quieter and more fuel efficient one of the D-Models. been closed for issue/turn-in of individ- We regret this had a negative impact on engines. This would be the jet that the unit The Base Realignment and Closure ual TA-50 for almost three months now the remainder of the state. We were flexi- would fly for more that 20 years, includ- process in 2005 brought another signifi- and will remain closed for another ble when asked to provide emergency ser- ing through Operation Desert Shield and cant change - the KC-135 R-model. The month or so. What's going on? And why, vice and will be in the future. In this case, Operation Desert Storm. It was during most recent upgrade to the KC series when headquarters is trying to improve we did turn away requests for body armor Desert Storm that an E-model belonging gives the unit increased capability and service to our Soldiers, is CIF permitted and Rapid Fielding Initiative equipment to another unit with a 190th crew aboard responsibility. to be closed for four months straight? that we held back for deploying soldiers. lost two engines off one side, resulting in It has now been 30 years since the first Follow-up question: What is the plan Rapid Fielding Initiative equipment will some very dramatic moments for the crew. KC-135 was placed into service with the to issue the Rapid Fielding Initiative only be issued to deploying Soldiers due to During the mid 90s, the 190th had the 190th, but what a 30 years it has been. clothing and equipment to Soldiers that budget and availability issues. We will have not received it yet? however, issue Advanced Combat Helmets, helmet covers, universal camou- Troops to Teachers provides A Curious M-day Soldier. flage wet weather gear and universal body armor as long as we have enough for new career opportunities There was an impact to the service of deploying Soldiers. The Troops to Teachers program enrich- To assist military spouses interested in the KSARNG from the Central Issue Customer service is a priority for the es the quality of American education by pursuing teaching careers the Department Facility service due to inventory and USPFO and in the CIF. If there are con- helping to place and retain mature, moti- of Defense has recently developed Spouses command priority to the 1st Battalion, cerns or suggestions, please contact me vated, experienced and dedicated person- to Teachers. Through the Spouses to 161st Field Artillery mobilization. The or Sgt. 1st Class Clay Winters at 785- nel in our nation’s classrooms. Thousands Teachers program eligible military spouses CIF was closed from Jan. 21 through 274-1311. of current and former military personnel receive up to $600 in reimbursement for March 6. The CIF did not close com- Master Sgt. Bobby Dodd, USPFO, are discovering new and rewarding careers teacher examinations. pletely until Jan. 21 when our inventory Central Issue Facility manager in teaching, helping to build and sustain Both the Troops to Teachers and counts actually started. ** ** ** ** our nation’s communities. Spouses to Teachers programs provide We were still issuing to Soldiers that Do you have a question you'd like to Through the Troops to Teachers program information on a variety of teacher licen- were going to school and taking turn-ins ask me? Please submit it to eligible military members are able to obtain sure programs and state requirements. for Soldiers that had Enlisted [email protected] or mail it to a $5,000 stipend for educational expenses to There is a national network of education Termination of Service. We opened the Adjutant General's Department, Public obtain a teacher’s license. Military members specialist available to assist military mem- CIF back up for full operation on March Affairs Office, Room 108, Attention already teaching may utilize the $5,000 bers and spouses obtain their initial 6. This took longer than we expected, Sharon Watson, 2722 SW Topeka stipend to obtain a second endorsement in a teacher’s license, transfer a license from partly due to supporting 1st Battalion, Boulevard, Topeka, KS 66611. You may high-need subject area such as math, sci- state to state, obtain a second endorsement 108th Aviation Release From Active submit it anonymously, if you prefer. ence or special education. Additionally, eli- or secure employment. gible military members who work in low- For further information regarding the income schools may receive a $10,000 Troops to Teachers or Spouses to Teachers In memoriam bonus. Military members interested in programs, please contact Mountain West Written by: Holli Gill, Step-daughter of Sgt. 1st Class David R. Berry, financial assistance can visit www.proud- Troops to Teachers at 1-800-438-6851 or Killed In Action Feb. 22, 2007 toserveagain.com to determine eligibility. visit www.mwttt.com. On that awful But to us we never Thursday morn Thought of you that way Kansas team takes first place We got the devastating You’re our husband, uncle, Continued from Page 5 actual Death March should be held in the News you were gone. actual Bataan Death March were in atten- highest respect and are a symbol of what the Brother and son dance and shook our hands on our way American Soldier is all about.” Our lives were ripped Papa, best friend past the starting line.” Veterans also greet Results for the 2008 Bataan Memorial Apart that day And Big Daddy to one marchers at different mile markers. Death March can be found at It wasn’t supposed “Experiencing an event like that really http://www.arizonarunningeventsco.com/ It seems like just yesterday To happen this way puts in perspective what Soldiers in the past bataanmilmar08.htm But it’s been a whole year have had to endure,” said Beswick. “Most Information about the 2009 Bataan Your life was taken Not a day has gone by Soldiers today have no idea how good we Memorial Death March can be found at In the blink of an eye That we haven’t shed tears have it. Those Soldiers who survived the www.bataanmarch.com We never even got To tell you “Goodbye” With the ultimate sacrifice You answered the call Interested in being a SCOUT for your county? The “Ultimate Soldier” Always a hero to us We're looking for Kansas Guard members and retirees of the Guard Is what they all say Now forever a hero to all! to consider this important role, please call 785-274-1117. May 2008 • Plains Guardian Page 9 Training teaches Soldiers how to protect the health of their unit By Sgt. CJ Tustin ed: medical threat to field forces, personal On the weekends of Jan. 12 - 13 and hygiene and preventive medicine mea- Feb. 9 - 10, 2008, the Preventive Medicine sures, water supply in the field, food ser- Section from the Medical Detachment in vice sanitation in the field, waste disposal Lenexa, Kan., conducted and successfully in the field, arthropods and diseases, certified 27 Kansas Army National Guard rodent management, as well as a course in Soldiers as field sanitation team members. hot and cold weather injuries. Many of the The instructors were 1st Lt. Rick Upshaw, Soldiers who took the class came away a veterinarian; 1st Lt. John Rule, a preven- with a better appreciation and understand- tive medicine officer; and Sgt. CJ Tustin, a ing of preventive medicine and field sani- preventive medicine specialist. The pur- tation. pose of the course was to ensure that all “What I expected from the FST training units are in compliance with the Army was to get a better understanding of why requirements to have field sanitation teams we get put where we do in the field,” said for every unit in the state. Pfc. Dustin Bruncken. “Also, I was inter- The FST Certification training is ested in learning what type of sanitation designed to enhance, sustain or provide the rules and regulations that there are. I did initial training of the field sanitation teams learn a great deal of why rodents and other to ensure that small units have preventive types of animals out in the field are not medicine resources to reduce diseases and something that you want to mess with. non-battle injuries. Since field sanitation is Also I didn’t realize that mosquitoes car- an unfamiliar topic to many Soldiers, ried that many harmful diseases.” many of them were surprised by the depth Field Sanitation is not only an important of information they learned. method to reduce risk and prevent injuries “I thought we would learn how to to our Soldiers, but it is also a requirement inspect water buffalos, but I learned that as for commanders. The commander is Soldiers certifying to become members of their unit’s field sanitation team receive a field sanitation team member, my job is responsible for appointing and training the training on the Wet Bulb Temperature Gage. (Photo by Sgt. Jacob Fields) to be the guide for our commander for pre- field sanitation team. The commander is Soldiers came away with a better under- for the FST due to their MOS training in ventive medicine,” said Sgt. Jacob Fields. not alone though, the Army Medical standing of what their responsibilities now field sanitation and medical care. Members “I also learned how to set up a proper Department, specifically the Preventive included. As a member of a FST, they are of the cooking staff do not make good can- camp site.” Medicine Section, is responsible for pro- responsible for those preventive medicine didates for the FST, as they receive sepa- Some of the topics that were covered viding the necessary technical guidance. measures that affect units as a whole or are rate training pertinent to their specific during the Field Sanitation course includ- After the completion of the course, the beyond the resources of the individual MOS in food sanitation. After completion Soldiers. Also, the role of the team is to aid of the course, Soldiers are ready to prac- the unit commander in protecting the health tice field sanitation and train their own Sustainment program prepares of the unit by advising and assisting in units in preventive medicine. many duties essential to reducing diseases Spc. Scott Reeves commented, “I will recruits to become Soldiers and non-battle injuries. All of the Soldiers train my unit and keep my Soldiers and By Sgt. Michael H. Mathewson, UPAR who took the FST training passed the exam, unit safe.” What do young Soldiers do between join- which is the only way to receive FST Pfc. Jeremy Berry stated, “The instruc- ing the Kansas Army National Guard and Certification and be appointed as a member tors kept a nice pace that even those of us the time they are ready to join their unit? of their units’ field sanitation team. who are a little slower could keep up with. From the time they join and until they com- The FST must consist of at least two The instructors’ willingness to keep things plete Advanced Individual Training, they Soldiers, one of whom must be a noncom- in a lighter mood with humor was a very are assigned to one of the six Recruit missioned officer to provide assistance nice change of pace, also.” Sustainment Program Detachments. The and/or consultation. If your unit has This course will be offered again next detachments are spread throughout the state assigned or organic Healthcare Specialists year, and preparations for a Food Service to be closer to the Soldiers. (MOS 68W), those Soldiers are a good fit Sanitation course have already begun. The weekend of March 8 and 9 was a drill weekend for the Salina-based RSP Timeline changed for course Detachment 2. Master Sgt. Roger Sinclair, Blvd., from 9 to 11 a.m. Please plan on noncommissioned officer in charge, and Continued from Page 4 Officers to attend. If you would have inter- attending. Warrant Officers that do not his staff, Sgt. 1st Class Clair Hoesing, est please send me a note and I’ll select drill that date should contact their chain of Staff Sgt. James Suber and Sgt. John two participants. I would prefer someone command for MUTA or SUTA options per- Alderson are full time National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 or Chief Warrant mitting attendance. recruiters. “The RSP program is designed Officer 4 that will be around for a number The last meeting had sparse attendance, to get the new Soldiers ready for Basic of years yet, so the information chain has with those present suggesting the next one Training,” Hoesing explained. “The pro- sustainability. The conference will be be on a weekend. gram then supports them until they com- sometime late in August and I will publish Look forward to seeing all of you there. plete their Advanced Individual Training. the date when established. If you have questions about anything writ- We train the Soldiers in the skill they will There will be another Warrant Officer ten here please call me at 785-861-3863. need in Basic Training.” Pvt. Ronald Dyke shoots an azimuth Town Hall Meeting here in Kansas on June Thank you all for your continued excel- On March 8, the Soldiers trained on with a compass during a training exer- 8 in the TAG Conference Room, State lent service and do something special for a their map reading skills. Pvt. Leymon cise at the Recruit Sustainment Defense Building, 2800 S.W. Topeka Soldier today. Harris, who joined to be an artilleryman, Program Detachment 2 in Salina. said “We were in the classroom this morn- (Photo by Sgt. Michael H. Mathewson, Sgt. Peter Richert, Btry A, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Dodge City ing when it was really cold. We were UPAR) Retirements Sgt. Joseph Steele, HHC (-), 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, Kansas City taught about the symbols on the map. The Spc. Roy Lowe, Det 1, HHS, 2nd Bn, 130th FA, Ottawa will need to succeed. That is why every Kansas Army National Guard five colors, how to tell a hill from a drill we conduct an Army Physical Fitness Kansas Air National Guard depression and what a saddle looks like.” Lt. Col. Larry Parrish, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Test and a performance counseling.” Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harold Durkes, JFHQ KS-LC, Lt. Col. Curtis O. Coln, 184th IW, Wichita Pvt. Kendra Raskopf, who will be join- “We try to make things as real as possi- Topeka Lt. Col. Charles R. Morris, 184th IW, Wichita ing Company D, 1st Battalion, 108th Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert Coleman, Co B (-), 1st Bn, Maj. Randy Smith, 190th ARW, Topeka ble,” he continued. “In an upcoming drill 108th Avn, Salina Chief Master Sgt. Edwin E. Kramer, 184th IW, Wichita Aviation Regiment, said “We are shooting we will be using paint ball guns when we Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Rostine, Co B (-), 1st Bn, Chief Master Sgt. Sheila Payne, 184th IW, Wichita azimuths with our compasses.” 108th Avn, Salina Chief Master Sgt. Richard C. Ramsey, 184th IW, Wichita move through a training village. Before we Sgt. Maj. John Birdsong Jr., HHB, 130th FA Bde, Topeka Chief Master Sgt. Jack L. Solter, 184th IW, Wichita “Once we have two azimuths we can go on the mission, we will do a mission 1st Sgt. Kenneth Dewitt, 250th FSC (-), Ottawa Senior Master Sgt. Harold E. Brotemarkle, 184th IW, draw lines making something like an inter- 1st Sgt. Larry Heck, 250th FSC (-), Ottawa Wichita brief and a rehearsal. We will use sand Master Sgt. Douglas Lillich, HHD, 169th CSSB, Olathe Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth E. Dent, 184th IW, Wichita section on the map,” said Pvt. Jeremy tables and aerial photographs of the village Master Sgt. Marshall Martin, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Senior Master Sgt. Jerry W. Lucas, 184th IW, Wichita Simmers. “With that, we will know the tele- Master Sgt. Kenneth Paillet, HHC, 1st Bn, 635th Ar, Senior Master Sgt. Eugene R. Turner, 184th IW, Wichita for the mission brief.” Manhattan Master Sgt. Clark D. Aiken, 184th IW, Wichita phone pole’s grid location down to eight “Although; we are geared for the Recruit Sgt. 1st Class Sean Aspedon, Btry C, 1st Bn, 161st FA, Master Sgt. Kevin Bante, 184th IW, Wichita digits.” Simmers is looking forward to his Kingman Master Sgt. Larry D. Breuninger, 190th ARW, Topeka that is headed for Basic Training, we do Sgt. 1st Class Michael Baker, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Master Sgt. Willie J. Daniels, 184th IW, Wichita training as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. not forget our split option Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Mincks, HHD, 169th CSSB, Olathe Master Sgt. Steven Dearmond, 184th IW, Wichita The Soldiers were shooting the azimuths Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Piatt, HHC, 287th Sustainment Bde, Master Sgt. Timothy B. Greenlee, 184th IW, Wichita Hoesing. Split option Soldiers have com- Wichita Master Sgt. Mary K. Hansen, 184th IW, Wichita from several known points to a telephone pleted Basic Training, but have yet to Staff Sgt. Steve Boren, Btry A (-), 2nd Bn, 130th FA, Master Sgt. Gary D. Holtzman, 190th ARW, Topeka pole. Pvt. Ronald Dyke, who will be join- Marysville Master Sgt. Michael P. Lowe, 190th ARW, Topeka attend their Advanced Individual Training. Staff Sgt. Douglas Clements, 995th Maint Co (-), Smith Master Sgt. Stephen D. Manker, 190th ARW, Topeka ing the 35th Military Police Company, said “As they have been through everything, Center Master Sgt. Dary L. McPhail, 190th ARW, Topeka “That means that we know where it is Staff Sgt. Robert Davis, Det 2, Co E, 1st Bn, 108th Avn, Master Sgt. Dennis S. Moriarty, 190th ARW, Topeka we place them in leadership positions to Topeka Master Sgt. Ross Vermillion, 184th IW, Wichita within 10 meters. That is important if we further develop them.” Staff Sgt. James Dickson II, HHC (-), 2nd Bn, 137th Inf, Master Sgt. Roxann Vermillion, 184th IW, Wichita need to call in artillery or a resupply air- Kansas City Tech. Sgt. William A. Caylor, 190th ARW, Topeka The other Recruit Sustainment Program Staff Sgt. William Oberst, Det 3, 250th FSC, Sabetha Tech. Sgt. Tona L. Diekhoff, 184th IW, Wichita drop or something like that.” Detachments also conducted equally chal- Sgt. Mikael Boyd, Det 2, 778th Trans Co, Wichita Tech. Sgt. William D. Gardenhire, 184th IW, Wichita The sergeants spend their drill weekends Sgt. Mark Ford, Det 3, 250th FSC, Sabetha Tech. Sgt. Charles LeGrande, 184th IW, Wichita lenging training. The other detachments Sgt. Brant Marble, Det 1, 250th FSC, Burlington Tech. Sgt. David E. Naylor, 184th IW, Wichita training the future of the Kansas Army are Detachment 1, Topeka; Detachment 3, Sgt. Ryan Moore, HHC, 287th Sustainment Bde, Wichita Staff Sgt. Jeffrey A. Bodine, 190th ARW, Topeka National Guard. Hoesing said “We want to Sgt. Mario Ortiz, 1161 FSC, Hutchinson Staff Sgt. Anthony W. Grimmett, 184th IW, Wichita Wichita; Detachment 4, Iola; Detachment Sgt. Jonathan Raye, Det 3, 250th FSC, Sabetha equip our Soldiers with everything they 5, Lenexa and Detachment 6, Liberal. Page 10 In Recognition Plains Guardian • May 2008 Staff Sgt. Jose Flores, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Troy Abel, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Raymond Gawith, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Jennifer Allen, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Awards and Decorations Staff Sgt. Gerald Gibson, 731st TC, Larned Cluster KANSAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Spc. James Henkle Jr., 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Harrison McWhorter Jr., 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Jerry Atkinson, 184th IW, Wichita Spc. Allen Hill, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Kevin Patterson, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Sandra Bearden, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Bronze Star Spc. Clayton Hogie, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Robert Pugh, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Spc. Merlin Hollis Jr., 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Brian Riley, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Larry Breuninger, 190th ARW, Topeka Spc. Ashlee Hommertzheim, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Staff Sgt. Matthew Rubin, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Greg Burnetta, 190th ARW, Topeka Cluster Staff Sgt. Alvin Winns, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Mickel Coffin, 190th ARW, Topeka Maj. Bradley Burns, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Linnea Jones, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Robert Armstrong, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Tiyonna Evans, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf 1st Lt. Jonah Krause, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Kenneth Kester, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Jason Baetz, 731st TC, Larned Cluster 1st Lt. Mark Mullinax, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Michael Knapp, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Michelle Baker, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Deborah Kill, 184th IW, Wichita 1st Lt. Justin Rutledge, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jessie Lawrence, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Alan Boatman, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. William Kneller, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Chief Warrant Officer 3 Blaine Garrett, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Douglas Lawson, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Eric Brodersen, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster 1st Sgt. Darell Keller, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jason Lee, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Joseph Conway, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Orville Lanier, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. 1st Class Sheila Dues, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Patrick Murphy, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Brian Dear, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Daniel Larson, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Laffery, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Lopez Ocasio, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Christopher Dix, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Friedrich Maisberger III, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Littlefield, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Lawrence Pearce, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Michael Fellman Jr., 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Stephen Manker, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Darrin Sack, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Matthew Pfeifer, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Kerry Free Jr., 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Dary McPhail, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schmidtberger, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Daniel Philip, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Warren Graham, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Leland McKinley, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Sherwood, 731st TC, Larned Spc. John Phillips, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Tyler Griffin, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Scott Moser, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. 1st Class Scott Williamson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Gricelia Ramosjimenez, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Michael Hanson, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Staff Sgt. Robert Bieker, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Dustin Randolph, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Jack Jackson, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Mitchell Powell, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Jose Flores, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jorge Salazar, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Bernard Jennings, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Edward Simpson, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Gerald Gibson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Brian Sickler, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Danny Kelley, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Tracy Unruh, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Tyron Hudgins, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Gerald Simmons Jr., 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Joshua Kepley, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Barry Weiner, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Harrison McWhorter Jr., 731st TC, Larned Spc. Erik Tipsword, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. John Kuenzi, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Jeffrey Welshans 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Terry Murray, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Joseph Verschelden, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Phillip McGlothlin II, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Barbara King, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Kevin Patterson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Paul White, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Jerry Mead, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Damion Magee, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Brian Riley, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jay Wilson, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Thomas Monaghan, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Lucas Kekel, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Matthew Rubin, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Ronald Moore, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Jay Seaman, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Thomas West, 731st TC, Larned Army Achievement Medal Sgt. Michael Mortimore, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Alexander Wiley, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Alvin Winns, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. James Riggle, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Tyler Berends, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Kristina Rios, 731st TC, Larned Air Force Commendation Medal Sgt. Joseph Conway, 731st TC, Larned 1st Lt. Bruce Stephenson, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Donald Shearmire, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Michael Fellman Jr., 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Alfred Besser Jr., 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Robert Stillwagon, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Jack Jackson, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Mickeal Blackburn, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Brandon Tippy, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Joshua Kepley, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Bryan Clark, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. William Vining, 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. Mark Stevens JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka Sgt. Phillip McGlothlin II, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Clayton Davis, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Gary Wenke Sr., 731st TC, Larned Maj. David Williams, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. William Vining, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Raymond Gawith, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. Frank White, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Sgt. Larry Widener, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Sgt. John White, 731st TC, Larned Capt. Jesse Sojka, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Henry Womack, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Calvin Wilson, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Shawn Whitmore, 731st TC, Larned Capt. Ryan Strong, 190th ARW, Topeka Cpl. Craig Jackson, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Ronald Allen, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Larry Widener, 731st TC, Larned Capt. Jeffrey Woods, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Robert Armstrong, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Henry Womack, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Von Burns, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Purple Heart Sgt. Jason Baetz, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Wesley Wright, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Sgt. Michelle Baker, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Donald Yost, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Christopher Dubois, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Alan Boatman, 731st TC, Larned Cpl. Gary Hall Jr., 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Thomas Gattis, 184th IW, Wichita, 3rd Oak Leaf Sgt. Eric Brodersen, 731st TC, Larned Cpl. Steven Iverson, 731st TC, Larned Cluster 1st Lt. Jonah Krause, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Erik Green, 731st TC, Larned Cpl. Craig Jackson, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Kevin Wagner, 190th ARW, Topeka Spc. Seth Diggs, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Phim Khamphouvong, 731st TC, Larned Cpl. Eriberto Murillo, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Valinda Atwater, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Justin Hicks, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Michael Mortimore, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cpl. Chad Taylor, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Spc. Allen Hill, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Spc. Christopher Akers, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. William Haug, 190th ARW, Topeka Spc. Patrick Murphy, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Christopher Roddey, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Timothy Alexander, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Troy Hultgren, 190th ARW, Topeka, 2nd Oak Leaf Pfc. Jeffrey Jader, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Oad Sears, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Michael Andrews, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Sgt. Donald Shearmire, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Michael Arendt, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Bradley Roberts, 190th ARW, Topeka Meritorious Service Medal Sgt. Jeffrey Slomba, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Julya Barnes, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Mark Wall, 184th IW, Wichita, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Kenneth Swanson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Robert Bell, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Joel Willis, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Jesse Thomas, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Amanda Bonner, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Elaina Balderes, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. Shawn Whitmore, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Joshua Burrell, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. David Benton, 190th ARW, Topeka Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steven E. Kientz, JFHQ KS-LC, Sgt. Randy Wilson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Kenneth Cadwalader, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Christopher Hogan, 184th IW, Wichita Topeka Sgt. Donald Yost, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Anthony Carver, 731st TC, Larned Command Sgt. Maj. Glenn L. Peterson, HHC, 1st Bn, 108th Cpl. Gary Hall Jr., 731st TC, Larned Spc. Daniel Chambers, 731st TC, Larned Air Force Achievement Medal Avn, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Cpl. Kristopher Jones, 731st TC, Larned Spc. James Crabb, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. 1st Class Steven Coup, RTS-M, Salina Cpl. Eriberto Murillo, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Donald Cunningham Jr., 731st TC, Larned Sgt. 1st Class George H. Harris Jr., Det 2, 226th Eng Co, Cpl. Chad Taylor, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Seth Diggs, 731st TC, Larned Cherryvale Spc. Christopher Akers, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Drew Edwards, 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. Janet Hanson, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. 1st Class James M. Mueller, Btry A, 2nd Bn, 130th FA, Spc. Timothy Alexander, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Nicholas Gazzano, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Marysville Spc. Michael Andrews, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Ricky Gonzales, 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. William Hefner, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. 1st Class Doris D. Willey, 287th STB, Hays, 1st Oak Spc. Michael Arendt, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. John Halley, 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. William Hendricks, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Julya Barnes, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. John Heater, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. William W. Wolf, HHD, 635th RSG, Hutchinson Spc. Robert Bell, 731st TC, Larned Spc. James Henkle Jr., 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. Robert Hof, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Staff Sgt. Rogelio Flores, HHC, 1st Bn, 635th Ar, Manhattan Spc. Amanda Bonner, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Justin Hicks, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Spc. Joshua Burrell, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Allen Hill, 731st TC, Larned Maj. Robert Crossley, 190th ARW, Topeka, 4th Oak Leaf Spc. Kenneth Cadwalader, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Clayton Hogie, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Army Commendation Medal Spc. Matthew Campbell, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Merlin Hollis Jr., 731st TC, Larned Capt. Ingrid Trevino, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Daniel Chambers, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Ashlee Hommertzheim, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Cluster Spc. Billy Jack, 731st TC, Larned 1st Lt. Amy Blow, 190th ARW, Topeka, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Seth Diggs, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Linnea Jones, 731st TC, Larned 1st Lt. Michaela Parsel, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf 1st Lt. Jonah Krause, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Robert Frankowski, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Kenneth Kester, 731st TC, Larned Cluster 1st Lt. Justin Rutledge, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Nicholas Gazzano, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Michael Knapp, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Robert Brown, 190th ARW, Topeka Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth E. Hampton, JFHQ KS-LC, Cluster Spc. Jessie Lawrence, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Carla Hurlbert, 190th ARW, Topeka Topeka, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Ricky Gonzales, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Douglas Lawson, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Gene Meyer, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. 1st Class David E. Burgoon Jr., JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka, Spc. John Halley, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jason Lee, 731st TC, Larned Cluster 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Clarence Hallner, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Kentrell Lee, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. William Mick, 190th ARW, Topeka, 2nd Oak Sgt. 1st Class Dinah Johnson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Clifford Harris, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Christopher Leech, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Sgt. 1st Class Julie A. Kempel, JFHQ KS-LC, Topeka, 2nd Spc. John Heater, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Kevin Moberly, 731st TC, Larned Master Sgt. Connie Moser, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. James Henkle Jr., 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Patrick Murphy, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. Shawn Crabb, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Spc. Ryan Nichols, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Preciliano Deleon, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Staff Sgt. Bruce Eldred, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Justin Hicks, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Lawrence Pearce, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Staff Sgt. Robert Himelrick III, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Allen Hill, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Matthew Pfeifer, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Adam Fortner, 184th IW, Wichita Staff Sgt. Tyron Hudgins, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Clayton Hogie, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Daniel Philip, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Deborah Henry, 190th ARW, Topeka Staff Sgt. Robert Pugh, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Merlin Hollis Jr., 731st TC, Larned Spc. John Phillips, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Norling, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Leaf Staff Sgt. Phillip Rider, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Billy Jack, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Raymond Qualls, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Staff Sgt. Brian Riley, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Kenneth Kester, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Gricelia Ramosjimenez, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Michael Riblett, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Ronald Allen, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Michael Knapp, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Dustin Randolph, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Joshua Smith, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Michelle Baker, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Douglas Lawson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Samuel Rowe, 731st TC, Larned Tech. Sgt. Yrral White, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Christopher Boyer, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jason Lee, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jorge Salazar, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Rebecca Hastings, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Brian Dear, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Christopher Leech, 731st TC, Larned Spc. James Scott Jr., 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Christopher Reese, 190th ARW, Topeka, 1st Oak Sgt. Christopher Dix, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Aaron Little, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Brian Sickler, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Sgt. Michael Fellman Jr., 731st TC, Larned Spc. Peter Mercado, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Kelly Simmonds, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Joletta Sampson, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Randy Fortin, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Kevin Moberly, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Gerald Simmons Jr., 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Benjamin Webb, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Kerry Free Jr., 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Olivia Nguyen, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Christian Suarez, 731st TC, Larned Senior Airman David Guice, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Warren Graham, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Ryan Nichols, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Erik Tipsword, 731st TC, Larned Senior Airman Doyse Manz, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Tyler Griffin, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Matthew Pfeifer, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Rheavan Towns, 731st TC, Larned Senior Airman Matthew McQueen, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. Ben Guhr, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Daniel Philip, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jeremiah Vague, 731st TC, Larned Senior Airman Casey Peavler, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Michael Hanson, 731st TC, Larned Spc. John Phillips, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Joseph Verschelden, 731st TC, Larned Senior Airman Tomasiena Ross, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. Michael Hoffman, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Raymond Qualls, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Ronnie Wilkerson, 731st TC, Larned Senior Airman Ashley Stewart, 190th ARW, Topeka Sgt. Bernard Jennings, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Matthew Richards, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Spc. Carlen Williams, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Cluster Spc. James Williams, 731st TC, Larned Kansas Achievement Medal Sgt. Danny Kelley, 731st TC, Larned Spc. James Scott Jr., 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Marques Wyble, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. John Kuenzi, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Brian Sickler, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Christopher Young, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Randall Lee, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Gerald Simmons Jr., 731st TC, Larned Pfc. Jeffrey Jader, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. Benjamin Lewellyn, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Erik Tipsword, 731st TC, Larned Pvt. Travis Icke, 731st TC, Larned Capt. Michael Hagerty, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. Jerry Mead, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Jeremiah Vague, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Senior Master Sgt. Donna Buckman, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. Thomas Monaghan, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Ronnie Wilkerson, 731st TC, Larned KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD Master Sgt. Anthony Bowmaker, 184th IW, Wichita, 2nd Oak Sgt. Ronald Moore, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Carlen Williams, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Leaf Cluster Sgt. James Riggle, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. James Williams, 731st TC, Larned Meritorious Service Medal Master Sgt. Jeremy Cook, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. Kristina Rios, 731st TC, Larned Spc. Christopher Young, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. Frank Russell, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Master Sgt. Jammie Frakes, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. Donald Shearmire, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Pfc. Jeffrey Jader, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Sgt. Robert Stillwagon, 731st TC, Larned Pfc. Samuel Rowe, 731st TC, Larned Col. Bradley Link, 184th IW, Wichita, Silver Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Melanie Graber, 184th IW, Wichita, 2nd Oak Sgt. Jesse Thomas, 731st TC, Larned Pvt. 2 Andrew Fritschen, 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. James Culp, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Leaf Cluster Sgt. Brandon Tippy, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Pvt. Nickalos Coone, 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. Ronald Krueger, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Master Sgt. Troy Henderson, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. William Warner, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Pvt. Kelly Simmonds, 731st TC, Larned Cluster Master Sgt. Randi Hill, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. Gary Wenke Sr., 731st TC, Larned Lt. Col. Frank Molnar Jr., 184th IW, Wichita Cluster Sgt. Frank White, 731st TC, Larned Combat Action Badge Lt. Col. William Waddell, 184th IW, Wichita Master Sgt. Jack Kortkamp, 184th IW, Wichita Sgt. John White, 731st TC, Larned Maj. Billy Garst, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Tammy Lamar, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Sgt. Wesley Wright, 731st TC, Larned Maj. Eric Hamilton, 184th IW, Wichita Cluster Cpl. Gary Hall Jr., 731st TC, Larned Maj. Bradley Burns, 731st TC, Larned Maj. Joanna Hupp, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Gerald Singer, 184th IW, Wichita Cpl. Steven Iverson, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster 1st Lt. Jonah Krause, 731st TC, Larned Maj. Timothy Smith, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Master Sgt. Selina Touhey, 184th IW, Wichita Cpl. Craig Jackson, 731st TC, Larned 1st Lt. Mark Mullinax, 731st TC, Larned Chief Master Sgt. Larry Aldridge, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Brendan Boales, 184th IW, Wichita Cpl. Eriberto Murillo, 731st TC, Larned 1st Lt. Justin Rutledge, 731st TC, Larned Chief Master Sgt. Elmer Logue, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Oak Tech. Sgt. Marsha Chavez, 184th IW, Wichita Cpl. Chad Taylor, 731st TC, Larned, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster Sgt. 1st Class Dinah Johnson, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Tech. Sgt. Randall Davidson, 184th IW, Wichita, 2nd Oak Spc. Robert Bell, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Laffery, 731st TC, Larned Chief Master Sgt. Sheila Payne, 184th IW, Wichita, 4th Oak Leaf Cluster Spc. Kenneth Cadwalader, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. 1st Class Darrin Sack, 731st TC, Larned Leaf Cluster Tech. Sgt. William Gardenhire, 184th IW, Wichita, 2nd Oak Spc. Anthony Carver, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schmidtberger, 731st TC, Larned Chief Master Sgt. Jay Pine, 190th ARW, Topeka Leaf Cluster Spc. James Crabb, 731st TC, Larned Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Sherwood, 731st TC, Larned Chief Master Sgt. Karl Pruett, 190th ARW, Topeka Tech. Sgt. Michael Hagen, 184th IW, Wichita Spc. Donald Cunningham Jr., 731st TC, Larned Sgt. 1st Class Scott Williamson, 731st TC, Larned Senior Master Sgt. Kristine Clarke, 184th IW, Wichita, 1st Tech. Sgt. Chartchai Halverson, 184th IW, Wichita Spc. Seth Diggs, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Bryan Clark, 731st TC, Larned Oak Leaf Cluster Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hines, 184th IW, Wichita, 2nd Oak Spc. Drew Edwards, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Shawn Crabb, 731st TC, Larned Senior Master Sgt. Douglas Billig, 190th ARW, Topeka Leaf Cluster Spc. Tyler Griffin, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Clayton Davis, 731st TC, Larned Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Hren, 190th ARW, Topeka, 2nd Tech. Sgt. Thomas Link, 184th IW, Wichita, 2nd Oak Leaf Spc. John Halley, 731st TC, Larned Staff Sgt. Bruce Eldred, 731st TC, Larned Oak Leaf Cluster Cluster May 2008 • Plains Guardian Page 11 250th Forward Support Company hosts Halo 3 tournament By Pfc. Lori Hudson how to get a shot grouping which is used The 250th Forward Support Company in zeroing the weapon. held a Halo 3 tournament on Saturday, With the assistance of Spc. Nate Pharr, March 23, at the Kansas Army National 250th FSC, participants also had an Guard building in Ottawa. The event was opportunity to get hands-on with several sponsored by the Kansas Army National weapons including the Squad Automatic Guard Recruiting. Players from Ottawa Weapon machine gun, a 50 caliber and several nearby communities competed machine gun, a 9mm Beretta, and an M- for prizes such as T-shirts, hats, and other 16 rifle. Army related items. The tournaments, which were mainly The tournament consisted of 12 teams designed to be recruiting events, have with four players each. The teams were become much bigger than they had antici- made up of mostly civilian players, but pated. They are so popular that they have there was a large number of Kansas Army been doing one every week for the last National Guard Soldiers on hand both as three months and have more scheduled team participants and also manning vari- through the end of May. ous stations around the armory. They are organized by 1st Lt. Eric Several stations were set up, allowing Hollingsworth from the Kansas Adjutant competitors and visitors to experience a General’s office, Officer Candidate Daniel little of what it’s like to be a Soldier in the Smith of Topeka, Pfc. Brandon Chambers National Guard. One station manned by from Recruiting and Retention in Pfc. Patrick Lawson challenged guests to a Manhattan, and Sgt. 1st Class Brent Rose, physical training test. Lawson is a recruiter for the 250th FSC. Smith said that Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and these events “give Recruiters a chance to Nuclear Specialist for the 250th FSC. talk with more candidates than they could Spc. Eric Hempel gives marksmanship pointers to participants at the Halo 3 tour- Spc. Eric Hempel, who is a member of otherwise. This is a good recruiting event.” nament sponsored by the 250th Forward Support Company on March 23. (Photo Detachment 1, Headquarters and The tournament drew more than 50 par- by Pfc. Lori Hudson) Headquarters Support Company, 2nd ticipants, while others like the one in this, according to the organizers. They The group is planning for a Call of Duty Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, taught Wichita, held April 12, had more than 200 have to find prizes, coordinate the food, tournament to be announced later. For would-be marksmen some firing tech- players. Smith says the players love to which is free to all the players, and set up information on upcoming tournaments, niques at the Engagement Skills Trainer come to these events because they are tents and the other attractions within the contact Officer Candidate Daniel Smith, Simulator. According to Hempel, this loud. “They can’t get that at home, so we armory prior to the event. There is also the (785) 213-8449, Pfc. Brandon Chambers, experience gives a little familiarization really turn it up!” task of marketing the event to ensure a (785) 817-7957 or Sgt. 1st Class Brent with the M16 rifle and showed the kids A lot of planning goes into an event like successful turnout. Rose, (785) 242-1206. Kansas Guardsmen face old enemies: complacency and fatigue By 2nd Lt. Jeremy A. Clawson position. Half tongue-in-cheek they con- In Iraq, Soldiers from 1st Platoon, fessed to reinforcing their “porta-john,” the 1161st Forward Support Company, are small outhouse near their post. tasked with maintaining security around “We filled 120 sandbags and reinforced their bunker complex and to report suspi- the porta-john. So…” said Ennest, his wry cious activity. What that means for the wit baring its teeth, “if we ever get Kansas Guardsmen is long hours and con- mortared we know we’ll all be safe in the tinuous days on point. Their major chal- john. It’s good. It’s very safe.” lenges are staying vigilant and remaining So as these Guardsmen face down focused on the task at hand. fatigue and fight complacency, they get to Sometimes the greatest threat to opera- know each other and work to improve their tional security is from within. As the long slice of the warfare pie. and continuous shift work takes its toll, the troops must develop productive ways of keeping alert and mission ready. According to Spc. Nathan Wedel, McPherson, Kan., “Staying observant is the hardest part of our mission.” Wedel said his way of coping with the long hours and staying sharp is actually Spc. Robert Ennest, Neodesha, Kan., maintains security at his post as he prepares a getting to know the people he works with. spot report using his map, compass and log book. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Jeremy “That’s the best part is having people Clawson) you can work well with, people you can what he anticipated doing in Iraq, but in straight convoys the whole time,” Wedel talk to,” said Wedel. this, too, he keeps focused. said. “I am a little disappointed, but all we The mission he currently performs is not “I expected to be on convoys – just can do is make the best of it and do our job well.” Spc. Robert Ennest, Neodesha, agrees New Manhattan Vet Center opens with Wedel, the hardest part of the task here near Camp Ashraf is “staying alert A fortified porta-john. Unusual? Yes. and not becoming complacent.” But it is about keeping Soldiers safe and Ennest and Wedel use some of the day- keeping them sharp for mission success. light in their long shifts to improve their (Photo by 2nd Lt. Jeremy Clawson)

He retired with over 39 years of service. We Remember... Retired Sergeant Maj. George J. Perry Airman 1st Class Caleb M. Eilert Retired Sergeant Maj. George J. Perry, Airman 1st Class Caleb M. Eilert, 20, 84, died Feb. 29, 2008. died March 14, 2007. He was born Oct. 29, 1923, in He was born Jan. 12, 1987. Oklahoma. Eilert was a member of the Kansas Air Perry was a member of the Kansas National Guard, where he was a civil Army National Guard where he was a engineer assigned to the 184th Air maneuver combat arms sergeant assigned Refueling Wing, Wichita. to Detachment 1, Headquarters and Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, Robert N. Shaumeyer 635th Armor, St. Marys. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Robert N. He retired with over 39 years of service. Shaumeyer, 84, Kansas City, Kan., died Staff Sgt. Lucas Michael Kekel Dec. 20, 2007. Staff Sgt. Lucas Michael Kekel, 24, died He was born June 18, 1923. April 2, 2008. Shaumeyer was a member of the He was born June 26, 1983, in Flint Kansas Army National Guard where he Michigan. Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, joined state and local dignitaries was a command sergeant major assigned Kekel was a member of the Kansas Air at the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Vet Center in Manhattan. The center, to Headquarters and Headquarters National Guard where he was a Phoenix the second in the state, provides free trauma counseling, family mediation and Company, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry Raven assigned to the 184th Intelligence educational services for military veterans. (Photo by Maj. Paul Gonzales) (Mechanized), Kansas City. Wing Security Forces Squadron, Wichita. levels, candidatesandmembersofour graduation numbers—commandersatall everyone isinthefightforbuildingour accomplishment ofthisgoalrequiresthat best inthenation,”saidMartin.“The best inourregionandisthe — KansasOCS/WOCSprogramisthe lieutenant colonelonMarch10. since March2006.Martinwaspromotedto Adams, whohadcommandedthebattalion ion Feb.24,2008,fromLt.Col.BarryL. Battalion, 235thRegiment,Salina. mander oftheOfficer CandidateSchool,1st UPAR By Sgt. Veronica K. Almazan-Chapman, of OfficerCandidateSchool Martin receivescommand Topeka businesshosts NationalGuard Appreciation Day provided aM2407.62mmmachinegunas and CompanyC,1stBattalion,635th Armor provided oneoftheirM1026HMMWVs warm. The 35thMilitaryPoliceCompany but asthedayprogressedtemperaturesdid #1, Topeka, presentedtheflag. Recruit SustainmentProgramDetachment colorguard,madeupfrommembersof A crowed sayingthePledgeof Allegiance. hosted aNationalGuard Appreciation Day. April 12the Topeka HarleyDavidson tism. As adisplayoftheirpatriotism,on cycle ridersarenotedforistheirpatrio- By Sgt.MichaelH.Mathewson,UPAR Steen tosignify thechangeincommand. (PhotobySpc.Kareena Clarke) Lt. Col.Judith D.Martinreceives theOCS Battalioncolorsfrom Col. NormanE. the 35thMilitaryPoliceCompany. (PhotobySgt.MichaelH.Mathewson,UPAR) Spc. Brian Wiggans andPfc.CeraSamplebravedthecoldtoshowoffahumveefrom Plains Guar Plains Guar “My goalduringmycommandissimple Martin receivedcommandofthebattal- Lt. Col.JudithD.Martinisthenewcom- The morningwascoldwithblowingsnow The daystartedoff withtheassembled One thingthatHarleyDavidsonmotor- Zackery. Karen havetwochildren, Alexander and commander in Topeka, Kan.Heandwife Guard astheRecruitingandRetention full timefortheKansas Army National Anastasia. Williams, Pfc.Klint Williams, Alycia and children: Sgt.MarionMartin,Kristina Henry Martin. The Martinshavefiveadult Topeka withherhusband,retired Col. lieutenant in1992.Martinresides 1980 andwascommissionedasasecond and Policies.Shejoinedthemilitaryin deputy director, Office ofStrategic Plans Kansas Army NationalGuardasthe Guard familyincludingourretirees.” Orange CountyChoppersshouldbefamil- was ondisplaytheshowroomfloor. County ChoppersNationalGuardChopper the kidsaroundinturret.” said Sample.“Itwassomuchfunspinning warmed uppeoplestartedcomingout,” Wiggans. years andIstillliketalkingaboutit,”said gun. andthemachine Guard, theirHMMWV to tellvisitorsaboutbeingintheNational Douglas andPfc.CeraSamplewerethere part ofaninteractivedisplay. Adams, thedepartingcommander, works Martin currentlyworksfulltimeforthe In additiontotheMPs,Orange “It wassocoldthismorning,butasit “I havebeenintheGuardforafew Spc. Brian Wiggans, Pfc.Steffany dian dian marketing companycontractedbythe Orange CountyChoppersforDocupak,a cycle is,infact,oneofthreebuiltby M26 handgrenadesand.50calrounds. The included M16roundsandchromeplated cycle displaysmilitaryhardware. These the Army NationalGuard. Orange CountyChoppersbuildacyclefor Channel. Regularviewershaveseen iar forthosewhowatchtheDiscovery Sgt. MichaelH.Mathewson,UPAR) National Guard Appreciation dayat Topeka HarleyDavidson April 12.(Photoby ofthe Army NationalGuard,wasoneofthespecialdisplaysonhandat honor custombuilt American Chopper, constructedbyOrange County Choppersin A featured atHeartlandMilitary Day World War IIreenactments veterans at11 a.m. with apaneldiscussionby World War II actments willbeat10a.m.and2p.m., and gunswillbeondisplay. Battlereen- Field, Topeka, beginningat8a.m. of theKansasNationalGuard,Forbes being heldonthegroundsofMuseum Day onSaturday, June7. The eventis will behighlightedatHeartlandMilitary displays ofvintagemilitaryequipment DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE In Army camouflageandchrome,the PRSRT STD World War IItanks,trucks,artillery, World War IIbattlere-enactmentsand NATIONAL GUARD OF KANSAS U.S. Postage Adjutant General of Kansas 2800 Topeka Blvd. PAID Topeka, Kansas 66611-1287 Augusta, Kansas Permit No. 1 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFFICIAL BUSINESS Penalty For Private Use, $300 Kansas Army and Air NationalGuard. preserve themilitiaheritageof admission isalwaysfree.Itsmissionto from 10a.m.to4p.m.yeararound,and Guard isopenMondaythroughFriday grounds. jeeps. Concessionswillbesoldonthe guns andprimemovers,trucks, including helicopters,tanks,artillery its fiveacresofequipmentdisplays, wonderful menandwomeninuniform.” a daylikethisistheleastwecandoforour both hereinKansasandoverseas.Hosting proud ofwhattheNationalGuardisdoing Topeka HarleyDavidson,said“We areso pared tostartenlistmentpaperwork. someone’s interest,therecruiterswerepre- giveaways. Shouldthedisplayspique Command weretherewithpostersand National Guard.MembersoftheRecruiting The MuseumoftheKansasNational Admission isfreetotheMuseumand Ray Moorhead,generalmanagerofthe