@ease ExpressSeptember-October 2011 Click here for more about how the Wisconsin National Guard observed the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Wisconsin Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Roth @ease 4 Above, Gov. Scott Walker presents Col. Jeffrey Liethen with a Wisconsin state flag xpress during a sendoff ceremony Sept. 16 at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee. Soldiers prepare to deploy for At right, a heartfelt farewell. 128th Air Refueling Wing photos by Senior Master Sgt. E Jeffrey Rohloff 2010 NGB Media Contest winner Kosovo-bound Soldiers receive sendoff 2nd Lt. Nathan T. Wallin of a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Kosovo known as KFOR. The 157th will serve as the brigade headquarters unit for Elected officials, senior Wisconsin Multi-National Battle Group East, also National Guard leaders, family and friends referred to as Task Force Falcon. NATO mission in Kosovo gathered at a large hangar at the 128th Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee Friday general of Wisconsin, recognized the (Sept. 16) to bid farewell to approximately Soldiers preparing to deploy as well as 150 Soldiers of the Wisconsin Army their families. on the cover September-October 2011 National Guard’s 157th Maneuver “You can count on us,” he said. “We’ll Enhancement Brigade. do our job for you, as I know you’ll The Soldiers — members of the do your job for the United States of brigade’s headquarters company as well America.” as the 32nd Military Police Company Gov. Scott Walker thanked the Soldiers — will serve alongside more than 700 for their continued dedication. National Guard Soldiers from seven other A Wisconsin National Guard rifle team stands at Volume 3, Issue 5 states, as well as six other nations, as part Official Newsletter of the port arms during the official ceremony at the state Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard capitol in Madison commemorating the 10th an- Men of the North niversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on http://dma.wi.gov to the rescue The Adjutant General: America. 128th Air Refueling Wing photo by Senior Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar 6 Airman Ryan Roth Deputy Adjutant General Army: From the frying pan to the forest, FROM THE TAG Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson 3 54TH CST DEMONSTRATES ABILITY TO Gov. Scott Walker got a first-hand look at storm Approximately 50 Soldiers from the 8 cleanup efforts by the Wisconsin National Guard and Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 724th 724th Engineer Soldiers get to work Deputy Adjutant General Air: other state agencies in two northern Wisconsin counties Engineer Battalion used chainsaws, Sept. 23. wood chippers, front end loaders and “After surveying the cleanup effort, I was truly back hoe loaders, along with muscle amazed by the good work being done to repair the power, to clear timber Sept. 19 felled by damage done by storms over the summer,” Walker said. a powerful storm in northern Wisconsin. “I’d like to thank the local elected officials, hardworking The Soldiers have been clearing selected SERVE, PROTECT Brig. Gen. John McCoy state employees at numerous agencies, the Wisconsin areas in two northern Wisconsin counties National Guard, state legislators from the area and other since Sept. 6. Wisconsin National Guard photos by 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson Director of Public Affairs: 9 BG McCOY VISITS DEPLOYED AIRMEN Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie 10 AVIATION UNIT MEMBERS PREPARE TO At Ease Editor: at DEPLOY Vaughn R. Larson MUSTER WisconsinMILWAUKEE hosts National Guard Association’s annual conference 11 LAST MOBILIZATION FLIGHT AT VOLK Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs 15 12 ANNUAL TRAINING IN KOREA 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Wisconsin National Guard hosts 13 TESTING THE WATERS AT CAMP RIPLEY 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs annual NGAUS conference 14 LEAP CELEBRATES MILESTONE 157th Maneuver Enhancement 24 WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD Brigade Public Affairs SUPPORTS 9/11 CEREMONY 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 28 EXPERIENCING AN INCENTIVE FLIGHT 128th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Brewers salute Wisconsin 30 FAMILY CONFERENCE STRESSES RESILIENCE National Guard, veterans Volk Field Combat Readiness on 9/11 anniversary BERLIN CRISIS REMEMBERED 2nd Lt. Nathan Wallin 31 Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Training Center Public Affairs Ten years ago, in the days immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on America, major league sports events were cancelled in recognition of the magnitude of the tragedy. Ten years later, the Milwaukee Brewers took to the field and saluted veterans and members of the Wisconsin National Guard. Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general KEY PROMOTIONS IN COMMAND STAFF of Wisconsin, approved. 35 “The decision the public made on that day [in 2001] not to live in fear, to continue to live their lives, to keep their hopes and dreams alive ... that decision was How to Reach Us a key point for our country,” Dunbar said to Brian Anderson and Bill Schroeder, 26 36 MERITORIOUS SERVICE E-mail: [email protected] Milwaukee Brewers salute Phone: (608) 242-3056 Fax: (608_ 242-3051 Wisconsin Guard, veterans on 38 VETERANS, FAMILIES, RETIREES Department of Military Affairs; 39 PARTING SHOT Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, was among distinguished Attn: Vaughn R. Larson military veterans to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game Sept. 11. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Sgt. Carlynn M. Knaak 2400 Wright Street; Madison, WI 53708-8111 9/11 anniversary Submissions: For photo or story submissions, The Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard’s At Ease Express newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of please call (608)242-3056 At Ease Express are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army or Air Force. The editorial content or e-mail [email protected] of this publication is the responsibility of the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Officer. @ease Express 2 September-October 2011 From the TAG e just commemorated the 10th the National Guard has proven it anniversary of the terror attacks can take more of that responsibility Won America. This was a moment going forward and continue to meet when time stood still and our nation our homeland security requirements changed. We’ve had others — Pearl at home. Given our capability and Harbor, the day President Kennedy unmatched cost effectiveness, this was assassinated. We all know where will not likely be overlooked as our we were and we all have a personal nation’s leaders seek to address our story. Our National Guard has a story national fiscal crisis while preserving as well. national security. There is value in remembering — The strides we have made or, put another way, never forgetting over the past 10 years reflect the — the events of that tragic day. There character of the men and women is also great value in looking forward in the National Guard, from the from that day, to see where we have enlisted members fresh out of boot gone as an organization and what we camp to the senior leaders who have become. have effectively leveraged their When the Pentagon contemplated knowledge and abilities to help mobilizing the National Guard for transform the National Guard from sustained operations in Afghanistan, a Cold War strategic reserve to an and later in Iraq, there were many operational force with strategic who thought that doing so would depth. It also reflects the courage, break the National Guard. On the sacrifice and support of families, contrary — not only did it not break communities and employers. When us, it has made us stronger. Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar our nation mobilizes the National That should not be surprising, The Adjutant General Guard for operations — it mobilizes when you consider the enduring state mission. Even as we deployed Our National Guard has never our families, communities, and value of the National Guard. We have hundreds and thousands of our men been more ready, reliable or relevant. employers as well. We connect Main always responded to our nation’s and women to support the global We have never been more combat- Street to the war effort. need. We have grown up in an war on terror, we maintained our hardened or experienced, and we As we move forward, I am America that has maintained a robust capability to assist local authorities have never been more accessible. confident that we will face future active duty standing military force, in natural disaster response efforts. This is a posture we want to challenges with the same passion, but before World War II that was not In addition, we sent help to other maintain. character and professionalism that the case and we were a militia nation states, such as the Hurricane Katrina I believe that the Wisconsin we have displayed over the past 10 with a much smaller active duty response in 2005. Earlier this year National Guard brings great value years. component. Today’s National Guard we called National Guard troops to Wisconsin, and similarly the It is truly an honor and a privilege is a fulfillment of the total force to active duty to support local National Guard brings great value to serve with you. vision and the all volunteer force authorities during a major winter to our nation. I believe that the with one exception — the National storm, and in September we sent nation can and should rely on the Guard is no longer a theoretical Soldiers from the 724th Engineer National Guard to continue to be an concept but a proven capability.