June 2011 Vol. 6 No. 6 GRIZZLYOfficial Newsmagazine of the California National Guard 1-140th AVN’s work in Iraq almost done 13 146th AW fights Texas wildfires www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs 7 Leadership Corner Leadership, accountability focus of first 45 days June Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin Since being sworn in as the adjutant gener- implementing key process controls to en- staff, and past adjutant generals. We have I secured the most experienced U.S. Prop- al, I have squarely focused on restoring the sure sustained success. also implemented process controls to en- erty and Fiscal officer (USPFO) in the na- honor and integrity associated with being a sure the adjutant general, who is appointed tion to serve our state while we execute a member of the California National Guard. Working closely with senior leaders, I have by the governor, adheres to SCO and DPA nationwide search for a permanent replace- In the spirit of transparency, I want to share also reorganized key elements of the Mili- pay policies. ment. I am also working closely with the with you what we’ve done during my first tary Department to improve efficiency and National Guard Bureau (NGB) to imple- 45 days to improve leadership, dialogue accountability. For example, we: We are also investigating alleged abuses of ment process controls and ensure over- and accountability as we move forward. • Initiated a study of the Military Depart- the Student Loan Repayment Program and sight of federal property and money. Ad- ment construction program to maximize Selective Reserve Incentive Program. This ditionally, I have received a commitment I am not the only new leader at Joint Force available federal construction funds and investigation, which involves auditing tens from NGB to hire eight new auditors, and Headquarters. Since taking command, I have refocus those funds toward training facili- of thousands of transactions, is being led by we are moving quickly to identify poten- replaced virtually every key leader in the or- ties that directly benefit the Soldiers and an Army colonel, who is a former prosecu- tial candidates and get them on board as ganization, each with a proven combat vet- Airmen of our force; tor, and is proceeding concurrently with an quickly as possible. Our focus is on mak- eran with a distinguished record of service. investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office ing our internal controls program the best • Are developing a comprehensive Mili- for the Southern District of California. We in the nation. Early on, I brought together senior leaders tary Department diversity plan, which we have established a working relationship from across the state and issued clear com- will publish next month; and with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our California National Guard members are ex- mand priorities: fiscal accountability, lead- • Re-aligned organizational structures to complementary efforts will ensure there is a pected to meet high standards, which are ership, and responsiveness. During these streamline our response to domestic emer- thorough examination of the alleged fraud. clearly defined and decisively enforced. We discussions, we developed a senior leader- gencies. are also expected to look forward, be eager counseling program and I personally coun- Pending the results of the investigations, I to meet new challenges and achieve new seled CNG senior leaders. I also issued Leadership sets the tone for any organiza- have reassigned a colonel who was associ- goals as situations demand. When we ex- guidance for a strategic plan re-write. tion, and our leaders will be held account- ated with the programs in question, and pect the best from each other, we achieve able. I have therefore coordinated with the I have suspended eight service members great things as an organization. I will never The 144th Fighter Wing has also undergone California State Controller’s Office (SCO) ranking between master sergeant and lieu- accept anything less. a leadership change, and the new com- and the Department of Personnel Admin- tenant colonel. Additionally, personnel as- mander is rapidly taking proactive mea- istration (DPA) to audit the pay of all cur- sociated with our performance and reten- The leadership from the California State sures to put the organization on the right rent CNG general officers as well as the tion bonus program have been suspended Legislature will play a critical role in our trajectory to accomplish its “Air Sovereign- assistant adjutant general, the director of or reassigned because of a previous lack of success. I look forward to working with ty Alert” mission, while simultaneously the Joint Staff/Military Department chief of appropriate oversight in that section. you as we move forward. The adjutant general of the California Na- tional Guard, Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, far left, Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Brig. Gen. (CA) James Gabrielli and Command Sgt. Maj. William Clark Jr. listen to Capt. Sonya Moore of the 349th Quarter- master Company sing the national anthem June 2 at Mather Airfield, Calif. Ga- brielli was promoted to brigadier general during the Mather cer- emony, while Baldwin was pinned as a major general and presented his second Bronze Star Oak Leaf Cluster in recognition of his recent deployment to Afghanistan. Gabrielli is the commander of California’s Youth and Community Programs Task Force. Photo by Master Sgt. David J. Loeffler 2 GrizzlyThe Official Newsmagazine of 12 the California National Guard Quake- June ready Vol. 6 No. 6 2011 Ropes Publisher Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin course The Adjutant General Director of Communications ‘Dustoff’ Maj. Thomas Keegan Editor 6 return Brandon Honig 8 Editorial Staff TABLE OF CONTENTS 1st Lt. Will Martin 2nd Lt. Jan Bender Smooth transition TF Long Knife cuts through Iraq tour Senior Airman Jessica Green 4 The Community Based Warrior Transition Unit enables troops 13 The 1-140th Aviation Battalion (Assault), which is averaging Photographers to heal at home with the support of family and friends 2,000 hours of monthly flight time, is preparing to return home Master Sgt. David J. Loeffler Tech. Sgt. Joseph Prouse Bin Laden killed Capitol performance Al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden is dead A CNG bagpiper represented the Air Force during two perfor- 5 mances for President Barack Obama and distinguished guests 147th Airman makes AF Team of Year Senior Master Sgt. Ernest T. Williams is one of five first ser- Deployed now, employed later geants who compose the Air Force Team of the Year 14 Deployments for Soldiers serving full-time on the Southwest border mission may end soon. ESGR wants to help. Submissions 129th shows Special Ops the ropes Army Special Operations forces cross-trained with pararescue Articles: Food fight 6 jumpers from the CNG’s 129th Rescue Squadron The 340th Brigade Support Battalion’s “Fighting Culinarians” 250-300 words for a half-page story; are gearing up for the Army food service competition 600-800 words for a full-page article Drench from above Include first and last names, and verify 7 C-130J aircraft and crews from the 146th Airlift Wing dropped Viewfinder spelling thousands of gallons of retardant on Texas wildfires 15 The Long Range Advance Scout Surveillance System brings new capabilities to troops along the Southwest border Spell out acronyms, abbreviations and Super savers full unit designations on first reference The 640th ASB found more than $10 million in unused helicop- Midnight run If there is a public affairs officer assigned ter parts in Iraq and returned them to the supply system A 12-Airman team ran a 201-mile, nonstop race in 36 hours to your unit, ensure he or she reviews it Medevac homecoming Executive Personnel Council Photographs: 8 Sixty “Dustoff” Soldiers returned from Afghanistan, where they 16 The results are in for the first quarter of 2011 transported 609 injured patients during a yearlong deployment Highest resolution possible: MB files, not KB Maternal influence No retouched photos Road team The 163rd Reconnaissance Wing on Mother’s Day recognized Caption (what is happening, who is The 649th Engineer Company is working with Afghan engi- daughters, mothers and grandmothers who have served pictured and the date of the photo) neers to improve vital routes in Paktika province NASA focuses on military children Credit (who took the photo) Star system 17 A CNG Soldier and California educator met with top minds 9 The 148th Space Operations Squadron has a new Advanced from around the U.S. to improve education for military kids E-mail submissions by the 15th Satellite Mission Control Subsystem of the month to: Not your father’s armory [email protected] Language arts The new 100,000-square-foot Sacramento Okinawa Street Ar- CNG linguists are vital to humanitarian efforts in El Salvador mory features the latest in technology and design Feedback: [email protected] Pharmaceutical waste Comprehensive Soldier Fitness CNG troops supported a Drug Enforcement Administration 18 Two San Diego events focused on resilience and performance initiative to dispose of old prescription drugs Cover Shot Communication is key Cover Shot Quake relief Diversity and respect affect mission readiness, course shows 12 Four CNG wings worked with local responders and volunteers in Camarillo to prepare for a potential disaster FEATURES Modern aircraft 2 Leadership Corner 19 News & Benefits The 3-140th S&S Battalion’s new LUH-72A Lakota helicopters bring technological advancements to domestic missions 10 At a Glance 19 Did You Know? The California National Guard as of May 2011 Afghanistan/Germany/Guam/ Asia Honduras/Iraq/Kuwait/ Europe Kyrgyzstan/Qatar/United Arab U.S. Emirates/Horn of Africa (51) Afghanistan (418) (331) Kosovo U.S. Photo by Spc. Darriel Swatts (8) Iraq (303) Air (1146) Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez of Company E, 1st Battalion Africa (Assault), 140th Aviation Regiment, cuts a steel beam North America Army Kuwait with an arc welder May 5 on Joint Base Balad, Iraq.