Improving Unit Partnership

During the April 9, 2017 regular scheduled drill, COL Edward L. Vaughan, 156^th Airlift Wing Commander and COL(PR) Jesus Delgado, 1^st Air Base Group Commander signed a Memorandum of Understanding solidifying the working relationship between the Puerto Rico Air National Guard and the Puerto Rico Air State Guard.

“Our partnership with the Puerto Rico Air State Guard is stronger today than ever.” said Vaughan. “In every way the 1st Air Base Group has been able to help us, they’ve done an outstanding job. Their dedication to our community and the 156th Airlift Wing is vital to our mission readiness. While State Guard Airmen work side by side the 156^th AW Airmen on our regular scheduled drills, there were legal hurdles to mutual aid that weren’t solved. This MOU resolves a lot of those issues and shows our commitment to the outstanding relationship between the 156th AW and the 1st ABG, now and for years to come.”

COL(PR) Delgado said “For all of us in the 1st Air Base Group, signing this MOU is the culmination of years of efforts to formalize our relationship with the 156th AW. This is a historic milestone, and the beginning of a new era of partnership and joint work amongst us. Thanks to COL Vaughan, COL Figueroa, and all the 156th AW leadership and Airmen for believing and trusting in the integrity and capabilities of the 1st ABG’s Airmen.”

For more information … http://sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/156AW-and-1AB-MOU.pdf

1. Puerto Rico State Guard:  Basic course – Construction  During this week, 25 soldiers of our state command are taking courses in basic concepts of construction, carpentry, plumbing and electric. The course is conducted at Fort Allen, RTI, in Juana Diaz, PR. The course was coordinated by Colonel Manuel Alicea, Commander, 500th Engineering Group led by Lieutenant Colonel Apollonius Morales. Units were visited by BG(PR) Edwin Rivera.  Photos Captain Maria Piris Grau (UPAR);  Article Captain Maria Piris Grau and Captain Javish Collazo Fernandez

2. Maryland Defense Force:

Captain (MDDF) Sanford and SGT (MDDF) Dixon were honored this morning at the Maryland State House. After photos with the Governor and Adjutant General they were recognized on both floors of the state legislature. Congratulations!

3.  California State Military Reserve:

a.  If you are an active member in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia you may be eligible for a state-funded program designed to provide an educational incentive to improve your skills, competencies, and abilities.  For more information, go to … https://nationalguard.csac.ca.gov/

b.  CSMR Chaplain comforts neighbors in time of need.  Evacuees at the Los Molinos shelter displaced by flooding in the unincorporated community of Williams received some unexpected comfort and spiritual support. On the night of Feb. 18, Chaplain Harlan Confer, a major in the California State Military Reserve, traveled to the shelter to provide spiritual support and comfort to those displaced by the flooding.  For more information, go to … https://www.dvidshub.net/news/224244/csmr-chaplain-comforts-neighbors-time-need

4.  New York Guard:

NY Guards 88th Brigade in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, 21 March 2017. Pictures from SPC Ed Shevlin

5.  Washington State Guard:

Governor Inslee declares emergency proclamation — “I also hereby order into active state service the organized militia of Washington state to include the National Guard and the State Guard, or such part thereof as may be necessary in the opinion of the adjutant general, to perform such duties as directed by competent authority of the Washington Military Department in addressing this event,” reads Inslee’s proclamation. “In addition, the Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division, is instructed to coordinate all incident related assistance to the affected areas.”  For more information, go to … http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/article/20170321/ARTICLE/170329983

6.  Alaska State Defense Force:

The countries of Denmark and Canada joined with the Alaska National Guard, the Alaska State Defense Force and other agencies, in collaboration with the active duty military’s Alaskan Command, to apply and respond to scenarios that will prepare them for Artic Eagle 2018.  For more information, go to … https://www.dvidshub.net/news/226011/alaska-national-guard-trains-respond-state-emergencies

7.   Georgia State Defense Force:

Making a difference in support of DSCA operations!  Members of 1st and 5th Brigade, Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF), assist the Turner County Sheriff’s Office by loading supplies for tornado victims, January 26, 2017. GSDF members are in their second day of helping local residents recover from the devastating tornadoes that ripped through southern Georgia earlier in the week.   Georgia State Defense Force photo by Spc. Hatcher

8.  Texas State Guard:

Texas State Guard hosts ribbon cutting for remodeled headquarters building.  The project, which began in April 2015 was state funded and cost $2.4 million.  For more information, go to … https://tmd.texas.gov/texas-state-guard-hosts-ribbon-cutting-for-remodeled-headquarters-building

Texas Military Department Maj Gen. John F. Nichols Texas Adjutant General, right, and Texas State Guard Maj Gen. Gerald “Jake” Betty, commander of the Texas State Guard conduct a ribbon cutting for the newly remodeled headqaurters building at Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas, Jan. 25, 2017. The renovation increased the Texas State Guard’s ability to better utilize the building’s square footage for training and missions. The Texas State Guard is comprised of more than 1,800 volunteers organized into four components – Army, Air, Medical and Maritime – with individual units assigned throughout the state. (U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Elizabeth Pena)

The Virginia National Guard has approximately 200 personnel staged and ready Jan. 7, 2017, at guard readiness centers through the Hampton Roads area. Some soldiers and vehicles are prepositioned at firehouses and other emergency services facilities in the region in order to quickly deploy if needed as part of the state’s multi-agency response. “I am incredibly proud of how quickly our forces were able to stage Friday night in order to be ready for possible missions Saturday morning, and most importantly they did it safely,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the adjutant general of Virginia. “Our state and local partners count on us to provide the capabilities they need in order to help the citizens of the commonwealth when faced with hazardous weather situations, and once again our soldiers, airmen and Virginia Defense Force troopers have demonstrated we are able to rapidly respond when we are needed. Our forces are standing by to assist local first responders in keep our fellow Virginians safe.” Expected missions for the guard include using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through snow or help evacuate citizens in need of shelter. Soldiers are also organized into debris reduction teams with chain saws to help clear roads if needed. Additional soldiers, airmen and Virginia Defense Force troopers are on duty in Sandston and Fort Pickett providing mission command, sustainment, incident management assistance and public information support. Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency Jan. 6, 2017, and urged residents of the commonwealth to prepare for impacts from a winter storm system, which potentially could result in significant snow accumulation, hazardous road conditions and high winds. This order authorizes state agencies to assist local governments in responding to this major winter storm that is expected to impact the commonwealth through the weekend.

STEWART ANGB, NEWBURGH, NY – 2016 AUG 12. Airmen of the 105th Airlift Wing Security Forces Squadron gather in classrooms. Each one has a black, USAA pre-deployment kit. In one room, sergeants and airmen alike joke and pass the time. In the other, the sound of papers rustling and muted chatter can be heard as those preparing to deploy speak with lawyers from the New York Guard. It’s a fairly somber mood as the airmen prepare last wills and powers of attorney to give to their loved ones before deployment.

While stoic in nature, this Legal Services Operation, or LSO for short, provides a much-needed service. Airmen are provided with free legal services to help make the deployment transition easier and to make sure their affairs are in order. Volunteer lawyers from the New York Guard provide a full range of services for deploying troops overseas. These operations usually run all day and involve anywhere from eight to 10 lawyers and several support staff members.

The officer-in-charge, or OIC, is MAJ Steven Hartov; commander of Task Force 105. As the liaison between the NYG and AW 105, he arranges rooms, times, and personnel for these operations. Full cooperation is given to him to prepare what he needs and to make sure the operation runs smoothly. The NCOIC, SSG Jim Masi, coordinates the roles of the support staff, who provide everything from witnesses for document executions to technical support staff for network operations.

During these operations, lines can sometimes form as airmen wait to get their documents executed. During these times, the support staff converses with the airmen to set their minds at ease. In stark contrast to the mood inside the room where documents are being prepared, the mood outside in the hallway is more jovial. YouTube videos are being shared and conversations about cross-branch jargon happen. Despite this, the serious nature of what is going on in the next room is not lost.

The New York Guard will be holding another LSO, for airmen that did not have a chance to prepare documents this time around, on 2016 SEP 10. While the soldiers from the NYG did process roughly 40 plus airmen through in one day, the number deploying is much larger. With the aid of the JAGs from the NYG, those that will be sent overseas will have greater peace of mind knowing that their affairs have been set in order and their loved ones will be taken care of.

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Marietta, Ga., Sept.17, 2016 – Members of 1st Brigade and the 76th Support Brigade, Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF), recently teamed up with 15 other local, state, and federal agencies for a full-scale public health exercise. GSDF Soldiers participated in loading and off-loading approximately forty simulated casualties from a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Charlie Bunn, Incident Commander during the operation, described the multiagency collaboration as, “A magnificent display of the impact the Georgia State Defense Force has on this scenario.”

Over 200 participants, including 35 GSDF Soldiers, took part in the exercise which focused on the safe movement, evaluation, and treatment of injured persons. “We rely 100% on the Georgia State Defense Force,” said Pam Blackwell, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response for Cobb & Douglas Public Health.

The exercise was conducted at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program. Although the primary purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the operational capabilities required by hospitals to manage victims of a mass casualty event, the procedures used to receive large numbers of patients can be utilized in hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other emergencies.

Today’s morning at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, five (5) professional medical personnel from the 1st ABG and one (1) PRSG Army Officer graduated from the Direct Appointment Officer Course (DAOC). As professional officers they received the fundamental military education to fulfill their roles at the PRASGct Appointment Officer Course (DAOC). As professional officers they received the fundamental military education to fulfill their roles at the PRASG.

The Texas State Guard graduated 10 new officers from the Officer Candidate School at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas, December 14, 2016. The graduates are grateful to the guidance and support of COL Thomas Hamilton, Professional Military Education Director and the OCS cadre of Officer Candidate School Commander Capt. Scott Hunt, Executive Officer Lt. Richard Faltot, Senior TAC Officer 1st Lt. Roy Lopez, JAG TAC Officer Lt. Lee McNutt, OCS Sergeant Major Master Gunnery Sgt. John Nichols, Senior TAC NCO Senior Master Sergeant Raymond Winkler, TAC NCOs Master Sgt. Wade Lay and Sgt. Richard Rodriguez, Medics 1st Lt. Vincent Abel and 1st Sgt. Roger Dean.