fl^^^^J ^^^ Louisiana ^ ** GuardsmaVOL. 1, NUMBER 2, MARCH/APRIL 1989 i - - ~ , 1989 - Yeaifo BULK RATE This newspaper is an Authorized Publication for members of the U. S. POSTAGE Louisiana National Guard. Contents of the Louisiana Guardsman are PAID not necessarily the official views of, endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Permit No.*G 5 Dept. of Defense, Dept. of the Army, or the Louisiana National Guard. Arabi, La. Page 2 LOUISIANA GUARDSMAN MAR/APR 1989 La. Guard Enlisted in War on Drugs In an effort to halt the international Last year over 400 Guardsmen from flow of illicit drugs entering the United of drugs entering through Mexico into drug trade and attendant threat posed 32 states assisted law enforcement State* the South Western United States. to national security National Guard- authorities in the eradication confisc.i Guardmembers from Texas, Arizona tion of $1.3 billion in illegal drugs, The first state to employ the National smen throughout America are bolster- Guard in the war on drugs was Hawaii and Florida assisted US Customs Of- ing US. drug interdiction efforts in what specifically 727,000 marijuana plants, ficials in what was the first federally is proving to be a cost-effective, viable 77 tons of processed marijuana and when in 1976, then Governor George Ariyoshi orchestrated "Operation Green funded interstate Guard mission in sup- tactic to winning the war on drugs. 2,270 pounds of cocaine, port of civilian enforcement agencies. Up to 200 Louisiana Guardsmen may Louisiana Guardsmen working with Harvest," an ambitious and successful program that combined various local be federalized for short times to help in law enforcement agencies would be us- Louisiana Guardsmen could get in- this war. These soldiers and airmen ing their normal military specialties, and state agencies to eradicate volved in the war on drugs as early as would work with local state and federal such as electronic surveillance, military domestically grown marijuana. March. law enforcement agencies in a support police skills, transportation and material Since that time, the Guard's role in It could be for a day, for a week, or capacity. handling. While assisting in the drug interdiction has evolved to an un- for longer periods of time, MG Stroud MG Stroud said he expects to be able surveillance and tracking of suspected precedented 32 states reporting opera- said. to fill all the positions with volunteers, drug smugglers the guardmembers will tional support to local and state agen- both because the work will be exciting not be making arrests, MG Stroud said. cies in 1988. Forty million of the $300 million and interesting, but also because of Although Guard involvement in drug Another first in 1988 was the team- dedicated for drug interdiction and law Louisiana's poor economy. But some interdiction dates back as early as 1976, ing of U.S. Customs and National Guard enforcement is earmarked for National personnel will be called up if necessary, only in recent years has a nationwide ef- personnel along the US • Mexican Guard programs in each of the 54 states he said fort been launched as a way to stem the tx>rder in an effort to decrease the flow and territories. Diefenthal Commissary Privilege Receives Award Made Simpler A new program has been developed to gress in 1986. It allows Guardmembers The Louisiana Distinguished streamline the procedures used by more flexibility in choosing when to Civilian Service Medal was presented members and dependents of the Na- shop throughout a 12-month period It to Mr. Edward L. Diefenthal by LTC tional Guard to shop in military replaces a more complicated validation Urban M. Martinez on behalf of the commissaries. system based on a member's monthly Louisiana National Guard. The Under the new policy, there will be military pay receipt called the leave and ceremony took place on January 15 two separate means of identification for earnings statement TT»e former system during the quarterly Louisiana members of the Selected rteserve and placed an extra administrative burden Employer Support of the Guard and their dependents to exercise earned on reserve units and didn't accurately Reserve Committee meeting at commissary shopping benefits. A new reflect a member's earned shopping* Barksdale Air Force Base in U.S. Armed Forces Commissary privileges. Shreveport. Privilege Card will be issued to all The new privilege cards will members of the Selected Reserve, in distributed to members of the Guard Mr. Diefenthal, a prominent New good standing. The commissary Orleans businessman who heads and Reserve between January and privilege card and appropriate photo March 1989. Use of the privilege card Southern Scrap Materials Corporation identification, such as a driver's license chairs the Louisiana Committee of the or reserve identification card (DD Form will become effective July 1. 1989. Dur- ESGR. ing the transition. Jan 1, through June 2) will authorize a member or depen- 30 access to the commissaries will be He was recognized for his leader- dent to shop in a commissary during any 12 days of the year. During the based on possession of DD Form 2a ship, dedication to country, and self (Res) for the military member or DA sacrifice displayed while forming and time a member is performing active du- ty, typically the two-week annual train- Form 5431 for the family members, with leading this statewide service commit- a copy of orders showing entitlement. tee. The award recognizes Mr. Diefen- ing period a member or dependent will need only to show a copy of valid ac- Commissary usage during this time thal's efforts in improving the relation- frame is unlimited ships between Louisiana employers tive duty orders and a photo identifica- and the approximately 15,000 Loui- tion card. POC is SGT Dianne M. Mandeville, siana National Guardsmen. The new Commissary Privilege Card State Family Coordinator, 1-800- covers the member's discretionary shop- 541-5860 or Autovon 485-8325 or Com- ping times, a benefit authorized by Con- mercial (504) 278-6325. New Pay System ARNEWS WEEKLY - Soldiers in the ponents soldiers will receive two Army National Guard will get paid paychecks in February. The first, at the earlier for their bimonthly drills, under beginning of the month, will be for the ASAP. a change to the Reserve Components December drills. The second which in- pay system which became effective augurates the new system, will be for If you need help doing your taxt-s. call or visit your local February 15. 1989. January drills. IRS office ASAP. And make your taxes less taxing. TTiis is a change mam the current After the catch-up, checks will be system, in which soldiers receive their mailed the 15th of each month from the Make your taxes less taxing. paychecks around the first week of the Army Finance and Accounting Center. DothemASAP second month after they drill. For Soldiers with surepay or direct deposit example, soldiers who drilled July 15-16 will have their accounts credited on the received their paychecks in the first 15th. and will also receive a pay ad* week of September. Under the new visory notice on or before the 15th in- system, soldiers will be paid about 15 dicating the amount credited to their ac- Front Cover: days earlier, or about a month after they count as long as the soldier has a "home SGT Dianne M. MandeviMe. 773d Mamt Bn. and SSG Louis W. Meador Jr., Det drill of record" address on their Master Pay 3.Troop Command, exemplify the qualities ol the non-commissioned officer.(See The change means that reserve com- File Stories, pages 8 and 9) - State PAO Photo MAR/APR 1989 LOUISIANA GUARDSMAN Page 3 199th Spt Bn Conducts FIX By SSG Adrian M. Lamkin began digging for more permanent posi- 241st PAD Staff tions while others concealed and camoflauged vehicles and supplies, Eight units of the 199th Forward lents were set up as needed Problems Support Battalion converged on Camp were noted and corrected so that they Livingston from various locations could be avoided during future FTXa throughout Louisiana for a weekend The 199th concentrated on sharpen- field training exercise (FTX). ing its skills to ensure success during its Participating were Company A, projected rotation through the National Jonesboro; Company A, Detachment 1, TVaining Center in 1991. Col fax: Company B, Detachment 2. The FTX concentrated primarily on Lafayette; Company B, Detachment 3, company level and common task train- Leesville; and from Alexandria - Head- ing. During the exercise the battalion quarters/Headquarters Detachment; accomplished officer development train- Company B: Company B. Detachment ing concentrating primarily on NBC 1, and the 418th Ordinance procedures and training documentation. Detachment. The entire battalion worked on convoy The units stopped prior to entering operations, establishing an assembly Camp Livingston on the Saturday mor- area and fighting positions. Emphasis ning. They waited in MOPP 2 while the was put on chemical detection training Nuclear. Biological and Chemical (NBC) and preventive maintenance checks and team checked on the NBC conditions. services (PMCS). CPT Eric Jensen. NBC Officer, Field training and maintenance on the radioed LTC Richard W. Averitt, Bat- M60 and M2 machine gun was en- talion Commander that the area was thusiastic Under field conditions they clear. MOPP 1 orders were issued, and were stripped cleaned and maintenance The 199th Support Battalion trained with the M-16, M60 and M-2 machine gun the troops were moved into the various was performed during a field training exercise held at Camp Livingston. (Photo by SSG Adrian areas chosen for bivouac Map reading was reviewed and prac- M. Lamkin. 241st PAD Staff) Vehicle after vehicle filled with tical exercises were performed Proper soldiers, equipment and supplies mov- wearing of MOPP gear was ed into the designated areas.