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Washington State Guard – The Patriot-Vol22-Issue4-APR-2022

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, has appointed Larry M. Pinkerton, a retired colonel in the Ohio Army National Guard, to the position of commander of the State of Ohio Defense Forces (OHSDF). Pinkerton takes command upon the retirement of Brig. Gen. (OH) Richard J. Vasquez, who has led the organization since its inception in 2019.

Please read the pressser below:

2022_03_APR_OHSDF_CoC

By Maj. (MD) Stephen Rice 

March 1, 2022                                                                                                                  

MDDF 121^st Engineer Regiment Supports MDNG with ISR Program

For over 15 years the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) 121^st Engineer Regiment has been managing the Installation Status Review (ISR) program for the Maryland National Guard (MDNG).  The ISR program is an annual facility inspection program of Army National Guard infrastructure.  The ISR program is a critical part of the U.S. Army’s Installation Management Program and it supports budgetary and resource allocation decision making.

Every year each state adjutant general is required to submit completed ISR reports to the U.S. Army.  The facilities that are reviewed are benchmarked against U.S. Army standards to determine their physical condition and readiness.  Any facilities that are not equipped to carry out the National Guard’s mission are identified and construction or revitalization requirements are determined.  Last year the 121^st Engineer Regiment inspected 70 Maryland Army National Guard buildings as a part of this program and donated 1,050 hours towards this effort.

“Over the years the MDDF has identified facility issues that might have impeded the operational readiness and quality of life of MDNG soldiers.  We’ve also had the opportunity to identify and help to resolve safety issues at MDNG armories,” shared Lt. Col. (MD) Isadore Beattie who leads this effort for the MDDF.  “The Maryland National Guard relies on the MDDF to complete this critical work annually and we take immense pride in supporting the MDNG and serving the state,” said Col. (MD) Ed Hubner, commander of the 121^st Engineer Regiment.  “We have effectively unburdened the National Guard of this important work so that they can focus their energies elsewhere and we’re honored to do it,” Hubner continued.  It is estimated that the MDDF has saved the State of Maryland $6.5 million dollars over the 15 years that the MDDF has managed the ISR program.  The MDDF ISR reports have also helped to justify the construction or replacement of six armories across the State of Maryland.

“The ISR program is of value to the Maryland National Guard but it also serves as a training mission for the MDDF,” shared Brig. Gen. (MD) Gregory J. Juday, commanding general of the MDDF.  “Conducting ISR missions helps the MDDF prepare for the performance of building damage assessments during an emergency if and when our services are requested by the state.  This program is truly a win-win for the Maryland Military Department,” concluded Juday.

The Maryland Defense Force is the state’s uniformed volunteer militia branch that provides competent supplementary professional and technical support to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland as needed. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 200 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support, and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.

Washington State Guard Soldiers are the Tip of the Spear in Cyber Warfare

by PFC John Sauer

“Cyber Shield is an opportunity for our Guardsmen to work with professionals from other states,” said Col. Curt Simonson, commander, 56th Theater Information Operations Group. “These cyber experts are the tip of the spear in the new front of cyber warfare.”

 By working closely with interagency partners and the private sector, the National Guard seeks to strengthen network cybersecurity and the capability to support local responses to cyber incidents. Cyber Shield 17 is part of the National Guard’s ongoing effort to improve their ability to respond to real-world cyber incidents. This is the sixth iteration of this training exercise.

Washington participants included members from Joint Force Headquarters, the 56th Theater Information Operations Group and the Washington State Guard.

 “Cyber Shield 2017 has been an amazing opportunity for our Washington guardsmen,” said Lt. Col. Charles Randolph, commander, 156th Information Operations Battalion. “This year’s exercise had particular focus around issues such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Our cyber soldiers were able to gain exposure to and mitigate risks involving these issues, which could have severe effects to any state and the country.”

 In cooperation with the U.S. Army Reserve, Cyber Shield is designed to conduct Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), training, and assessment for Defensive Cyber Operations Elements (DCO-Es), Cybersecurity detachments or cells, and Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs).

 Divided into two phases, the first week offers participants the opportunity to hone their skills through academic instruction covering everything from the legal aspects of cyber operations to the nature of cyber threats to hands-on technical training. Equally important, the soldiers and airmen are learning their roles as part of the larger cyberspace defense community.

 During the second phase of Cyber Shield, exercise participants from cyber protection teams face off against trained antagonists, who simulate online adversaries. The teams try to defend their networks and mitigate the effects of attacks in a free-wheeling clash of cyberspace acumen.

 The National Guard’s dual state-federal character makes it uniquely positioned to help civilian agencies and critical nongovernmental entities, such as public utilities, if an incident occurs. Because of their status as a state military force when not under federal mobilization orders, Guard units are available to respond to state-level emergencies at their governor’s discretion. The Washington State Guard fills a similar role with their status as a state military force.

 “I’m extremely proud of the efforts from a combined force of both army and state guard personnel,” said Randolph. “Their skillsets, teamwork and professionalism were second to none.”

 

Washington State Guard Soldiers: 1LT Russ McRee and SGT

Andrew Baze with 156 IO BN CDR LTC Charles Randolph. LTC Randolph, 1LT McRee and SGT Baze work for Microsoft. The team brings the Industry partner expertise to Cyber Shield.

[Camp Murray, Washington] Recently two soldiers from the Washington State Guard’s Cyber Unit joined more than 800 other cyber experts at Camp Williams, Utah, for the National Guard’s premier cyber defense training event: Exercise Cyber Shield 17..

Cyber Shield is designed to assess participants’ ability to respond to cyber incidents. The yearly exercise includes members of the National Guard from 44 states, the Army Reserve, state and federal

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.

< Airmen line up to receive legal services from the New York Guard LSO team.

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.

Photos and story by SPC Matthew Gussow, New York Guard

In support of the Maryland National Guard (MDNG), the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Band, widely known as “Maryland’s Musical Ambassadors,” performed three concerts of patriotic music.  The MDDF Ceremonial Band performed at the Columbus Center in Baltimore for a reception, hosted by Maj. Gen. Linda Singh, the adjutant general of Maryland.   MDDF Band performed two concerts.  The first performance consisted of a Jazz Combo at Government House in Annapolis, Maryland which serves as the Maryland Governor’s residence.  The second performance consisted of a Woodwind Quintet at the Baltimore Convention Center. 

The Maryland Defense Force Band is a ceremonial unit of the MDDF that provides musical support to the Maryland Military Department and provides ceremonial support to the State of Maryland. 

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 250 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.

(Camp Pendleton, CA)–With the recent re-organization  of the California State Military Reserve (CSMR) happening across the state, and  personnel numbers  increasing at a slower rate than expected, soldiers are stepping up to fill gaps to complete missions.  One example of this effort is the joint mission on 21 October 2016, where 25 soldiers from the 79^th Support Brigade (headquartered in Kearney Mesa, CA) came together in a joint range mission to support the 1/18^th Cavalry.  This mission was led by Charlie Company Commander, CPT(CA)  Daniel Derkum, with the support of HHC/ 79^th Support brigade and it’s Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Company soldiers.  The mission operations order detailed support of 530 members of the 1/18th Cavalry, assisting them on weapons qualification on the M4, M9 and M249 weapons.

When asked about how he felt about the joint mission, Derkum said, “I think it is fantastic that Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Companies are working together.  We’re looking for more soldiers to help the National Guard meet their missions successfully.” Prior to soldiers’ names being placed on the mission TDA, they each attended the PMI class conducted by the Charlie Company PMI instructors with soldiers from other companies in attendance.  In tandem with recruiting efforts, this trend of working jointly across units and geographical areas validates the CSMR soldiers’ commitment, capability and dedication to meeting missions successfully in support of our State Guard. Soldiers, both National Guard and CSMR, trained and worked side by side, in support of this range mission.

SPC (CA) Michael Harrison remarked, “I never thought we would get this opportunity.  This mission gives us an idea of what the other side does.”  SPC (CA) Andre Tardiff agreed, ” I enjoyed it so much, I want to do it again.  It makes me want to give and do even more.”

A command field visit was conducted by COL(CA) Joseph von Sauers, Commander of the 79^th Support Brigade, along with COL(CA) Russell Nakaishik, Chief of Staff, and CSM(CA) Richard Moriarity, Command Sergeant Major.

“CSMR soldiers continue to train to meet and exceed standards in support of whatever mission they are called to do.  This range mission in support of the 1/18th Cavalry proves that our soldiers are committed, dedicated and needed for the National Guard to succeed.  We will be supporting 1/18th Cavalry’s upcoming 2017 Annual Training (AT) next June and encourage more soldiers to participate,” said CSM(CA) Moriarity of the 79th Support Brigade.

The California State Military Reserve (CSMR) is an all-volunteer State Defense Force. Our primary mission is to support the Soldiers and Airmen of the California National Guard (CNG) in its Homeland Defense, Homeland Security missions and service to California during times of State Emergencies.

Article written by 2LT Chin.