@ease Patrol base named for Wisconsin Guardsman turned over to Iraqi forces SAMARRA, Iraq — The changing role of U.S. forces in Iraq was evident across the entire country June 30, but in Samarra it also created a poignant moment for those who remembered Wisconsin Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Todd Olson. Olson, who died Dec. 27, 2004, of wounds he suffered in action in Samarra early in his tour with 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, was honored at a ceremony turning a Samarra patrol base over to the government of Iraq. The outpost, Patrol Base Olson, had carried his name for more than four years. “We have won this war because of men like Staff Sgt. Todd Olson and the efforts and sacrifices of all of our Iraqi brethren in attendance today,” said Army Lt. Col. Samuel Whitehurst, commander of the 25th Infantry U.S. soldiers salute the memory of Wisconsin Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Todd Division’s Olson while Iraqi forces raise the flag of Iraq at the turnover of Patrol Base Olson in 2nd Samarra, Iraq, June 30. The base had been named in honor of Olson, who was killed Battalion, in an attack in Samarra in 2004. It is now called Fond’k Albo Hera. U.S. Army photo by 35th Spc. Jazz Burney. Infantry Regiment, as “Lake Hotel,” recognizing the military in our combined vision to protect and serve 3rd Infantry post’s previous use as a hotel and casino the Iraqi people and specifically the people Brigade Combat on the shore of a small lake on the city’s of Samarra,” Whitehurst said. Team. northern edge. And for the former hotel-casino — As Patrol The U.S.-Iraq security agreement calls named, until June 30, for Todd Olson— it’s Base Olson was for the withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops back to the future. turned over to from Iraq by the end of 2011. One of the “This facility represents the tourist Iraqi forces, agreement’s provisions called for U.S. potential for the city of Samarra,” said Army its name was combat forces to move out of Iraqi cities, Maj. Kareem Montague, the battalion’s changed to towns and villages by June 30, 2009. Patrol executive officer. “Our desire is to return Fond’k Albo Base Olson was among more than 100 this asset back to the city. To do this, we first Hera. The combat outposts vacated by U.S. forces over must reduce our presence here and turn it Arabic name the past nine months. back over to the government of Iraq.” translates “Today we are witnessing a transition A Multi-National Corps–Iraq news into English that does not divide us, but further unifies us release contributed to this story. @e August 2009 From the TAG isconsin Guard’s great Soldiers and Airmen continue to serve around Wthe world as well as here in @ease Wisconsin. We currently have more than 3,600 Soldiers and Airmen deployed for overseas contingency operations and all are performing August 2009 superbly. I am very proud of Official Newsletter of the Wisconsin Wisconsin’s finest. Army and Air National Guard As you know, serving in the National Guard is more than being http://dma.wi.gov a Soldier or Airman, it involves being a responsible member of the The Adjutant General: community — our community. Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar “Going green” has been a national Deputy Adjutant General Army: initiative of the National Guard Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson since 2001 and the Wisconsin Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar Guard is part of that effort and The Adjutant General Deputy Adjutant General Air: continues to implement eco- Brig. Gen. John McCoy preparing the national police for the friendly ways to carry out business. upcoming presidential elections. Director of Public Affairs: Check out what the 115th Fighter Maj. Jackie Guthrie The Wisconsin National Guard Wing is doing to at Truax Field plays a significant role in building At Ease Editor: Airbase in Madison. A more recent Sgt. 1st Class Vaughn R. Larson friendships across the world, as development is our efforts to go seen by the 115th Fighter Wing “paperless” with our command delivering four F-16 Falcons to information publications such as Greece, and by the continuing Joint Force Headquarters BAM (Badger Air Militia), The Public Affairs partnership with the nation of Tankard, and At Ease. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Nicaragua. Solar panels, windmills and On the home front, the sustainable design and development Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team are some methods already in use Public Affairs Volk Field hosted a two-week in other states. Additional ways 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs international exercise, and the 1st in which the Wisconsin National Battalion, 121st Field Artillery 128th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Guard is helping preserve the of the Wisconsin Army National Volk Field Combat Readiness environment will be explored in Guard proved it was made of true Training Center Public Affairs future issues of At Ease. artillerymen during its first live Of course, the Wisconsin fire in four years. Wisconsin sent How to Reach Us National Guard also impacts the its first group of Army Guardsmen world by deploying some of the to the Air Assault Course at the E-mail: [email protected] finest Soldiers and Airmen in National Guard’s Warrior Training Phone: (608) 242-3056 Fax: (608) 242-3051 the nation. A patrol base in Iraq Department of Military Affairs; Attn: Sgt. 1st Center at Fort Benning. named for a fallen Wisconsin Class Vaughn R. Larson As you can see, the Wisconsin 2400 Wright Street; Madison, WI 53708-8111 Army National Guard Soldier National Guard continues to be was recently turned over to local Always Ready and Always There. Submissions: control, underscoring Wisconsin’s For photo or story submissions, please call I’m proud to represent you — (608) 242-3056 or e-mail vaughn.r.larson@ role in the recovery of that nation. keep up the great work! us.army.mil. The Wisconsin Air National Guard has sent one unit to help The Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard’s At Ease fuel the fight on terror, while Express newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of another unit demonstrates how At Ease are not necessarily the official views of, or en- Guard members bring a unique dorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of and vital blend of skills to the the Army or Air Force. The editorial content of this pub- lication is the responsibility of the Wisconsin National fight. In Afghanistan, a handful of Guard Public Affairs Officer. Wisconsin Army Guardsmen are 2 August 2009 GUARD GOES GREEN Not offset but online: Wisconsin National Guard dispatches go digital Sgt. 1st Class Vaughn R. Larson director of public affairs. Cost was one — a Wisconsin Army National Guard different sort of “green” benefit — but getting timely, relevant information to our audiences “Bye-Bye BAM,” began a recent post on was key to the final decision, she said. Ed Jilbert, 115th Civil Engineering the 115th Fighter Wing’s website signaling In the past, “going to press” involved Squadron facility maintenance October’s monthly newsletter as the final several steps between writing the story or specialist, installs a light print product, and the transition to an online taking the photograph and opening the glossy emitting diode fixture in the CE publication. pages of At Ease. Sidestepping the physical squadron building. Wisconsin Air But the Badger Air Militia, better known printing process makes the final product much National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jon as BAM, isn’t the only Wisconsin Guard more immediate and timely for the reader, LaDue publication going “green” — The Tankard, and accessible anywhere the Internet can be from the 128th Air Refueling Wing and found. At Ease, the Wisconsin Guard’s official Audiences of all publications will reap Truax Field command information publication, has also the advantages of this transition, Guthrie made the switch from hard copy to an online said. News is not only more timely but also sees the light publication. available in multiple formats including video. Tech. Sgt. Jon LaDue Discontinuing publishing printed command Readers can download articles, pictures 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs information publications is part of the and videos and “share” via online social Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs networking sites such as Facebook. The TRUAX FIELD ̶ When and National Guard’s communications plan websites can also be accessed on the go via Airmen of the 115th Civil Engineer to maximize use of limited resources while web enabled mobile devices. Squadron tell people they are communicating essential, sometimes life The eco-friendly side to online publishing “going green,” there is an emphasis saving, information to internal and external coincides with giving the consumer a direct on going, as in ... ongoing. audiences. say in how to access the final product. The Despite already being the first, “In today’s fast paced technological online format allows the reader to print as few and only, Air National Guard base society, it is essential that we use the most or as many pages as desired — like a personal of 92 to purchase 100 percent effective tools to get information to not only “on-demand publishing” venue. Overall, this of its power from renewable our Soldiers and Airmen but also the people can mean a great reduction in paper and ink “green” energy sources, the 115th of Wisconsin,” said Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, consumption. Likewise, distribution of an Fighter Wing refuses to rest on its the Adjutant General of Wisconsin and online product is accomplished with a few successes.