2010 december indiana guardsman

IndianaG uardsmanG uardsman

feature story page 4

Major General Alfred F. Ahner Soldier, combat veteran, leader, mentor, family man, friend1921-2010

Volume 6, Issue 3

Guardsman December 20102

The Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger

Public Affairs Officer Maj. Shawn Gardner

Editor andLayout and DesignMrs. Susan Hawver

Print OfficerSgt. Whitney McCullough

PhotographersStaff Sgt. Les Newport

Sgt. 1st Class Tina EichenourStaff Sgt. Jeff Lowry

Staff Sgt. Tommi MeyerSgt. Lorne Neff

Sgt. Matthew ScottenSgt. William HenrySgt. John Crosby

Mr. Michael B. Krieg

Contributing Writers and StaffState Public Affairs Office

120th Public Affairs DetachmentPublic Affairs Office, Camp Atterbury

Joint Maneuver Training CenterPublic Affairs Office, Muscatatuck

Urban Training CenterPublic Affairs Office, 122nd Air WingPublic Affairs Office, 181st Air WingPublic Affairs Office, 38th Infantry

Division

The Indiana Guardsman is an unofficial publication authorized under the provisions of AR 360-81, and is published by the Joint

Forces Headquarters, Indiana National Guard. It is distributed without charge to

the members of the Indiana Army and Air National Guard. All material submitted for

publication should be addressed to:

Joint Forces Headquarters IndianaPublic Affairs Office

ATTN: Guardsman Magazine2002 South Holt Road

Indianapolis, IN 46241-4839

Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the

Joint Forces Headquarters of Indiana or those of the Department of the Army

and Air Force.

Remembering Major General Alfred F. Ahner A superb leader and great friend of the Indiana National Guard passed away in September. We remember him with the greatest respect and

admiration.

The Counterdrug Task Force wages war In conjunction with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, the Task Force rolls through Indiana on a mission

End of an eraThe 122nd Fighter Wing looks to its future as it says good bye to its past

A new joint mission for the Indiana GuardSoldiers and Airmen of the Indiana Guard working together for Hoosier safety: the CERF-P

A look back: World War II, Part IThe 38th Infantry Division in the Philippines

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Departments 3 Message from the Adjutant General

20 People making news

24 Homecomings

26 Fast Facts

J9i-iv Civil Military Affairs and Family Programs tear-out directory

About the Guardsman

In this Issue

Have a suggestion for the Guardsman?If you have information to contribute to the

Indiana Guardsman, please contact the editor by calling 1-800-237-2850 ext 3220

or emailing Susan Hawver at [email protected].

Visit the Indiana National Guard at www.in.ng.mil and on facebook

“Indiana Guardsman”

3www.in.ng.mil Indiana Guardsman

Message from the Adjutant General

I don’t remember that I’ve ever done this, but I’d like to take a moment to reflect on a man, a life, that has been very important to me.

Major General Alfred F. Ahner, who was just lost to us in the past few months, was such a presence, such an inspiration, that I want to make these few personal comments in his honor.

From the time my military career and I were both very young, I was aware of Alfred Ahner. He was not flashy or showy. He was just a rock-solid man of integrity. Whether on a training field or in a conference room, he was the center of attention, quietly going about the business of being a leader. He did not seek media attention or try to steal anyone’s spotlight, but everyone knew him. And everyone wanted to be part of his military, part of his organization.

I have talked with many retirees who served for him. They say he almost seemed Godly when he walked into a room. And the way he led - always under control, organized. We had a trust in him, a trust that he would make the right decisions, always, for the best of the organization. We were proud to be part of his team.

Major General Alfred Ahner was the longest serving adjutant general in Indiana history, having been appointed 5 times under 4 different Governors, for a total of 15 years of service.

He carried his high personal and professional standards and his steadfast attitude into his retirement years, continuing to work for the good of his community, his state and his country.

Alfred Ahner was an individual of rare humanity and personal dignity. I will miss him very much.

Someday, when I complete my tour of duty as adjutant general with the Indiana National Guard, if it can be said that I am half the man that Maj. Gen. Alfred F. Ahner was, I will feel that I have been paid the very highest tribute.

The last issue of the Guardsman for the calendar year 2010 should be in your home just in time for the new year - the end of a great year for all of us.

What a time we’ve had. Just since the middle of June we have welcomed home two different units of the 38th Infantry Division, Task Forces 38 and Cyclone, as well as the 939th MPs and the 2-19th Agribusiness Development Team. As they came in the door, we sent out our 738th Medical and 381st MP Companies to Haiti in support of humanitarian missions.

Muscatatuck Urban Training Center celebrated its fifth anniversary in October. Hard to believe how much they’ve accomplished in such a short time. Vibrant Response, a nationally-based emergency response exercise, was hosted there and at Camp Atterbury, and included personnel from across the country. I still hear compliments on how our two training centers handled that responsibility.

After collaboration between many federal, state, and local agencies, Governor Daniels signed the Camp Atterbury and Putnam County land exchange agreement, which will significantly increase the capacity of Atterbury. The agreement also gives the citizens of Indiana the new Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area in Putnam County. A great trade - everyone benefits.

The Patriot Academy at Muscatatuck just graduated its third class of young Soldiers in November. As the military’s first and only high school program for servicemembers to win accreditation in Indiana, the Patriot Academy continues to be a source of pride to us all, as do the men and women graduating. They are a credit to themselves and to the military.

The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy for at-risk youth, having made a move to the historic Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in Knightstown, is getting ready to graduate its first class from that new location this month. Well over 400 young people have challenged themselves to a better life through this program, succeeding in ways they never imagined possible. Our congratulations follow them as they move back into their homes and communities with new purpose.

The Warrant Officer Candidate School program at the Indiana Regional Training Institute is going strong, just graduating 65 new Warrant Officers on July 31. This is another great example of goals being met to enhance the opportunities available to our Guardsmen.

The Family Programs and J9 folks have been busy as well. The Kids AT 2010 filled up quickly and was as high-spirited as usual. For the first time the TAPS program, which we held at Franklin College, was open to family members of fallen heroes from all military services in Indiana. The logistics were interesting to say the least, but it was a very successful weekend.

For the first time, the Indiana National Guard had a permanent display throughout the Indiana State Fair. Hand-built and manned by Guardsmen, the display told the story of the agricultural teams we’ve sent to Afghanistan. Hundreds of people stopped to talk to our men and women to find out more about what we have accomplished.

Our Counterdrug Task Force worked hand-in-hand with state and federal law enforcement agencies on Operation Hoosier Thunder, sweeping southern Indiana to locate and eradicate illegal biologicals being grown, some on public land. The Task Force is also going strong on its mission to educate school children to the problems with drugs. Their outreach activities are much in demand by school administrators.

The 181st Intelligence Wing has completed its transition and is a completely operational center for the analysis and interpolation of data. The 122nd had a grand ceremony to say goodbye to its F-16s and welcome the new A-10 Thunderbolt, commonly referred to as the Warthog. This air-to-ground airframe will take the 122nd mission many years into the future.

Rowana and I send our best wishes to all our Indiana Guardsmen and to our very special Guard family members as well. We hope this holiday season is a safe and blessed one for everyone, near and far.

We consider ourselves so lucky to be in the position to know you, to work with you, and to serve our country alongside you.


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Major General Alfred F. Ahner - Remembering a great man

The State of Indiana has lost not only an unwavering advocate of the Indiana National Guard, but a profound connection to an important military heritage with the passing of Maj. Gen. Alfred F. Ahner.

The Soldier and statesman has left an indelible mark that has spanned decades, starting with service in World War II up to, and including, the current wars in the Middle East.

Born November 12, 1921, in Hun-tington, Ind., Maj. Gen. Ahner graduated from Huntington High School in 1939. He attended Indiana Central College, now the University of Indianapolis, for three years prior to entering active military service.

Major General Ahner enlisted in the Army as a private in 1943 to serve during World War II. In July 1943 he embarked for England as a member of the 134th AAA Gun Battalion. He engaged the enemy in direct combat in France, Germany, Belgium and Austria during the war.

He was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and in Austria he was the first de-nazification officer for the American zone of Vienna, supervising organization and administration of this department. He was recognized personally by Gen. Mark Clark for his efforts.

Maj. Gen. Ahner arrived home nearly three years later in May 1946.

After finishing his senior year of college, he taught elementary students in the Frankfort City School System for six years.

In January 1948 he was appointed a first lieutenant in the Indiana National Guard and was assigned to Company D, 293rd Infantry. For a full year he helped organize the unit for federal recognition without pay.

During his long career in the Indiana National Guard Maj. Gen. Ahner held various staff positions including battalion operations officer, state operations and training officer, plans officer, chief of staff and assistant adjutant general.

He was appointed as the adjutant general on five occasions by four governors. Maj. Gen. Ahner was appointed by Governor Harold Handley as the adjutant general from August 16, 1960, until January 8, 1961. On August 1, 1972, he was again appointed as adjutant general by Governor Edgar D. Whitcomb and served until his retirement on June 30, 1986. He served as Indiana’s adjutant general for a combined total of 15 years.

Having held the post of adjutant general longer than anyone in the history

of the state, Maj. Gen. Ahner saw many changes in the National Guard.

He played an instrumental role in the amendment of the state’s constitu-tion in 1972, permitting women to join the Guard and established the Indiana National Guard’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program.

David Shirley of Shirley Brothers Funeral Homes, served with the general when he was chief of staff and said he had a reputation for being a strong leader, even at an early age.

“He never took himself over seri-ously, never gave the impression that he was too important to talk to a green second lieutenant, was always willing to talk and help,” said Shirley. “He made everyone’s job a lot easier.”

Shirley admitted to being some-what surprised by the extensive list of philanthropic causes to which he lent

his talents: “He never let on that there was anything more important than the Guard, but I am sure he was that way with every-thing he accomplished,” said Shirley.

And lend he did. Maj. Gen. Ahner served as the chair for Easter Seals for two consecutive years, a role that required a significant commitment, fueled by his compassion for young people with special needs.

His work with the Indianapolis Service Club included raising funds for supporting and sustaining the USO in Indianapolis, and for establishing the USS Indianapolis Memorial.

His family said he had a particular fondness for the Indiana War Memorial Museum and the preservation and recog-nition for the accomplishments of Indiana veterans. Brig. Gen. Stewart Goodwin, director of the Indianapolis War Memorial, said Ahner made many gifts to the institution.

“Major General Ahner was an excellent student of history who possessed a keen knowledge and respect for document-ing military achievements,” said Brig. Gen. Goodwin. “The basement of his house was a mini museum.”

Maj. Gen. Ahner’s passion for education, the art of providing young minds an environment in which to grow, whether in front of a classroom of Frankfort grade-schoolers or mentoring young staff officers of Indiana’s militia force, is evidenced in one of his final requests.

General Ahner asked friends to give to and support the University of Indianapolis Scholarship Fund, to support deserving students, according to Dr. Gene E. Sease, President Emeritus.

“General Al Ahner was an enthusiastic supporter of his alma mater. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1947, and in 1981 I conferred on him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding leadership to the State of Indiana,” said Dr. Sease. “He was a loyal and proud alumnus and the university was proud of him and his praiseworthy and distinguished accom-plishments.”

Upon retirement from the Indiana National Guard, Maj. Gen. Ahner left the Indiana National Guard with a message that would prove prophetic and vital:

Major General and Mrs. Alfred Ahner, 1983. Photo courtesy of Indiana National Guard archives.


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Major General Alfred F. Ahner - Remembering a great man

“We are Citizen-Soldiers. When the Citizen-Soldiers

go into combat with a definite need and desire to serve the country, I don’t think anyone can surpass them in battle.

“To me, they are more innovative, more

imaginative and once inspired, there’s nothing

a Citizen-Soldier can’t accomplish.”

- Major General Alfred F. Ahner

Photo courtesy of Indiana National Guard archives. Story by Indiana National Guard Public Affairs


Indiana National Guard supports stateIndiana National Guard supports state Story and photos by Maj. Gordon Campbell Counterdrug Task Force Indiana National Guard

The successful eradication of more than 20,500 marijuana plants valued at more than $50 million, in nine operational days of concentrated, collaborative effort by Indiana State Police, Indiana National Guard Counterdrug Task Force and other state and federal law enforcement agencies, stopped illegal drugs from hitting American streets.

Running from Aug. 23 through Sept. 2, the joint effort, dubbed Operation Hoosier Thunder, materialized from law enforcement suspicion of drug trafficking organizations using public lands, including the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana, to grow and cultivate illegal drugs in Indiana for profit.

“Operation Hoosier Thunder is a multi-agency marijuana eradication effort on Indiana public lands in southern Indiana and the Hoosier National Forest,” said, Sgt. Lou Perras, Indiana State Police.

“Our goal is to protect Indiana lands while taking as much marijuana off the streets as possible.”

Through the combined efforts of multiple agencies and resource sharing, 35 counties making up the southern portion of Indiana were scoured by aircraft supported by mobile ground teams.

Making daily discoveries of mari-juana grow operations, the team’s efforts led to 22 arrests, more than 20,500 plants seized and the discovery of multiple camp sites on public land which were associated with illegal marijuana cultivation.

The Indiana Counterdrug Task Force played a major role in the coordination, planning, equipping, training and execu-tion of Operation Hoosier Thunder.

Their expertise and knowledge also provided detailed training to state and fed-eral law enforcement agents ranging from team movement, rappelling, amphibious and air operations, and critical medical training for every member involved in the operation.

The Indiana Counterdrug Task Force also contributed the aviation assets which became a vital addition to the operation.

“With their unique capabilities

in aircraft and personnel, they bring a lot to the

table in helping law enforcement locate

and destroy marijuana, thereby

taking drugs off the streets.”

- Sergeant Lou Perras Indiana State Police

“The UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter’s ability to linger and transport law enforce-ment teams proved to be a valuable ingredient for overwhelming success,” said Perras. “The aircraft allowed teams to quickly spot illegal marijuana grows, insert and investigate, eradicate the illegal plants, extract, and move onto the next site.”

In addition to the UH-60 aircraft, the Indiana National Guard’s OH-58 Kiowa light utility aircraft were also used to as-sist in spotting marijuana and transporting eradication teams wherever needed.

As part of its mission description, the OH-58 reconnaissance aircraft is well suited and equipped for the fight against drugs.

“Operation Hoosier Thunder confirmed that drug trafficking organizations are in fact using public lands for illegal marijuana growing operations,” said Perras.

“This confirmation follows a national trend of illegal marijuana grow operations tended and guarded by criminals in state and national public lands.

“These plots not only destroy our lands as forests are cut down to plant their illegal crop, but also pose a danger to those that might be caught ‘trespassing’ in the criminals’ crop.

“Often these criminals are armed and could pose a serious threat to someone stumbling into the wrong area.”

The future of the Indiana State Police’s marijuana eradication program will continue to have the support of the Indiana National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.

counterdrug initiative counterdrug initiative


Indiana National Guard supports stateIndiana National Guard supports state counterdrug initiative counterdrug initiative

“The months of planning with an emphasis on safety of our National Guardsmen and law enforcement agents certainly contributes to the successful execution of this historic operation. Together, with other law enforcement agencies, the Indiana State Police and the Counterdrug Task Force will continue to work to protect the citizens

of Indiana and its public lands.”

- Lieutenant Colonel Terry MullinsCommander, Indiana Counterdrug Task Force


Around the stateAround the state

Photo courtesy of Joseph McClure, father-in-law of Capt. Michael Shutt, 122nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Officer. Shown is the 122nd’s last F-16, flown by Lt. Col. Craig Ash, 122nd Fighter Wing Chief of Safety, Sept. 16, 2010, taking off for the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, often called “The Boneyard.”


Indiana Air Guard Unit embraces new aircraftStory by Air Force 1st Lt. Rebecca M. MetzgerIndiana Air National Guard

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Airmen and their families watched with mixed emotions on Sept. 11, as the sound of a 122nd Fighter Wing F-16 filled the air for the final time. After 19 years of accident-free flying with the F-16, the wing is taking on a new aircraft, the A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the Warthog.

The “Farewell to the Viper,” ceremony coincided with the wing’s family day. Along with family day activities, the day included low passes of both the F-16 and the A-10, 122nd Fighter Wing commander Col. Jeffrey A. Soldner’s final military flight and a formal ceremony celebrating the unit’s accomplishments using the F-16.

“Flying your last flight is something you always think about early on in your career. But I have to say, as I was taxiing back to the ramp, there was nothing bittersweet about it. I knew it was time to get out of the jet and what a wonderful flying career I have had here at the 122nd Fighter Wing,” said Soldner.

“The only real emotion I had was that of how lucky and privileged I was to be given the honor of our unit’s last F-16 sortie, and it matching up to my own personal fini-flight to boot,” Soldner continued.

Farewell to the Viper

The A-10 is a larger aircraft than the F-16, at 53 feet 4 inches long with a 57-foot- 6-inch wingspan. This aircraft was created for air to ground operations, whereas, even though the F-16 performs this mission well, it was originally created for air to air operations.

Compared to the F-16, which is capable of reaching speeds up to 1,500 mph, the Warthog flies low and slow reaching speeds up to 420 mph. This gives the pilot ample time to lock on and engage the target.

The A-10 is capable of carrying a 16,000 pound payload which could be made up of a large variety of bombs, missiles, rockets, flares and of course the 30 mm, seven-barrel Gatling gun. The gun on this aircraft will fire up to 3,900 rounds of ammunition per minute, defeating a wide variety of targets including tanks.

The pilots in this aircraft are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. Because the Warthog is designed to fly low and slow, it is also designed to survive close air support missions, meaning it can take direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles and still make it home. Photo courtesy of United States Air Force.

“When you get to keep flying fighters until you are old enough to have your grandsons hose you down after the flight, you know you have had a pretty good run.”

Deployments in which the 122nd participated with the F-16 include: Southern Watch in 1997, 2000 and 2001; Panama in 1999; support on 9/11; Operation Noble Eagle in 2001 and 2002; and Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom in 2004, 2006 and 2007. During these deployments the unit flew more than 8,300 hours and nearly 2,000 sorties. In total, the wing flew 67,034.3 hours; 47,092 sorties; expended 203,000 rounds of 20mm and 1,608 tons of munitions in the F-16 with zero aviation accidents.

Although the thunderous sounds of the F-16s taking off with afterburners lit will be missed, the wing is embracing the conversion to the A-10. Pilots and maintenance personnel are finishing their training to cross over to the A-10, and the local community should see the Warthog flying over Fort Wayne before the end of the year.


Story and photo by Spc. John CrosbyCamp Atterbury Public Affairs

“This is a stress fire,” said Platoon Sergeant Staff Sgt. Cody Wooten from a berm overlooking 67 Soldiers and Airmen below him. “It’s nothing personal; we’re not trying to hurt your feelings. “You’re standing on the 500-yard line,” continued Wooten, pointing with all five fingers at the targets off in the distance, barely visible through the darkness and early morning fog. “You will do three-to-five second rushes on the way to your targets.” The troopers will have to sprint a few seconds at a time, fall to the ground for cover, and sprint again, minimizing exposure to enemy fire. “When you get to the 100-yard line you load a magazine and fire at the target directly in front of you. Reload the second magazine and continue firing until you have fired all of your rounds,” said Wooten as the troops struggle to look past each other and the fog to the finish line. “I see they brought up some chow for you guys,” he said, pointing at a table of olive drab, steaming containers of eggs and potatoes. “I suggest you eat after you’re done so you don’t puke on the lane.” The Soldiers and Airmen are part of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, currently training for deployment to Kapisa Province in Afghanistan. The “Stress Fire” range is run by Wooten and

the Range Training Team at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in central Indiana. PRT Kapisa successfully completed this new training requirement Aug. 24 and is one of the first units to run this range since it was implemented at Camp Atterbury roughly two weeks ago. “We’re taking them out of the normal ranges where everything is nice and calm and trying to see if they can still function under some pressures,” said Wooten. “The reason why we set up this stress course is to make sure when these guys get over to Afghanistan, that they’d have some type of experience actually firing their weapons with a little bit of stress involved,” continued Wooten . “We want to get their heart rate elevated and get their adrenaline going to make sure that they can do simple tasks like loading a magazine, placing their weapon on fire and making a precision shot. It can be a day and night difference when you’re all amped up.” PRT Kapisa, along with French Brigade Task Force Lafayette, will be taking on an infrastructure rebuilding and governance mentoring role while in country, but their commander believes that they need to be prepared for anything. “Personally I’ve never done anything like this before, I’m an Airman, I’m a navigator by trade so I’m not used to being on the ground doing maneuvers and utilizing

weapons,” said PRT Kapisa Commander Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Sierco. “Many of my men out here are also Airmen, so it’s invaluable for what we will be doing out in the field. A lot of times we’ll be out doing dismounted foot patrols and we can come under hostel fire so this is very critical to our mission. “The members of this team are non-organic; most of them have never worked together before. We have members of the active-duty Air Force; we have members of active-duty Army; we have Army National Guard, and we have Army Reserve Civil Affairs. The whole point of this training is to give our troops the first hand knowledge practice with the weapons as many have never used them before, as well as tactics.”

The Soldiers and Airmen of PRT Kapisa came together from different walks of life on Aug. 1. Their knowledge and experience varies widely across their ranks. The training scenario also gave the servicemembers of PRT Kapisa an opportunity to mesh together as a joint unit. “The training today was one of the first opportunities for us to train jointly as a unit and for us to see and learn from [each other’s] expertise,” said 2nd Lt. Ashley Skillman, public affairs officer for PRT Kapisa. “Hopefully we’re never in this situation; primarily, our mission is to win the hearts and minds of the people. However, if we are [in this situation], this is good preparation for how we would handle it.”

Soldiers engage targets down range under stress

Stress Fire -

Soldiers of a Provincial Reconstruction Team prepare in the early morning hours of Aug. 24 for mobilization training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in central Indiana. The PRT is made up of Air Force and active-duty Army, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers and is training to deploy to the Kapisa Province of Afghanistan, near Kabul, to help rebuilding efforts.


Indiana offers new opportunities for prospective warrant officers

Soldiers keep a low silhouette during a field exercise at the July 2010 Warrant Officer Candidate School at Camp Atterbury. Sixty-five candidates graduated the course July 31, 2010. Photo by Staff Sgt. Josh Trautman, Information Management NCO, 138th Regional Training Institute, Camp Atterbury.

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Story by Staff Sgt. Matt Scotten Indiana National Guard

For years, Ft. Rucker, Ala. has been the home of Warrant Officer Candidate School. To address the needs of today’s National Guard and Reserve components, and thanks largely to the efforts of Indiana warrant officers and Indiana’s Regional Training Institute, war-rant officer candidates now have more school options available to them.

Five years ago, Indiana’s corps of warrant officers was dwindling every year, leaving a void in Indiana’s force structure. Several senior leaders, including Chief Warrant Officer Frank Vaughn, State Com-mand Chief Warrant Officer, set out to find a solution that offered more opportunities to prospective candidates while maintaining the high standards set by the Warrant Officer Career Center at Ft. Rucker.

“In 2005, the initiative was launched to create a reserve component Warrant Officer Candidate School without keeping Soldiers away from their jobs and families for extended amounts of time,” said Vaughn. “It was not meant to replace Ft. Rucker, but simply to give Soldiers and the states more options.“

Indiana was chosen to pilot the new program and create a WOCS that could meet the standards set by Warrant Officer Career Center in Ft. Rucker while meeting flexibility requirements specific to National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers.

Over the last five years, the program has grown from being a pilot program, under

heavy supervision from the career center in Alabama, to being a fully accredited and recognized option for National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers across the country.

Course leaders improved upon that model over the years, and sought ways to improve training to produce the best new warrant officers possible by evolving the course to incorporate the recommendations of candidates, instructors and the WOCC.

“When the school first started, it was a small program with very little infrastruc-ture,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Wendy Robinson, a former senior training advising and counseling officer at the Camp Atterbury course. “The program is now so developed that I consider it an excellent course that I would highly recommend to anyone aspiring to become a warrant officer.”

The current program now has three phases. The first, being an online distance learning program. The second consists of five drill weekends devoted to the course. The final phase is a two-week training period of-fered at the Regional Training Institute here.

“The course was designed this way understanding that we needed to avoid tak-ing any more of the Soldiers’ time than was necessary,” said Vaughn. “Since everyone has monthly drill weekends and a two-week annual training requirement every year, this would fit into that model.”

Now, warrant officer candidates throughout the country travel to Indiana to attend the WOCS here.

“It’s the best decision I’ve made

for my career. It’s a challenging and rewarding course

and it’s not for the weak. It was an honor to graduate.”- Chief Warrant Officer Ron Dillon

2010 WOCS graduate

Indiana was chosen to be the first state to offer the third phase of the course. Now, all 11 states offering the first two phases of the course send their candidates to Indiana to finish and graduate WOCS.

“Indiana is no longer the ‘other school’,” said Vaughn. “We have had five very successful years, and we have gradu-ated over 500 successful candidates.

There were more than 2,000 open warrant officer positions across the country in 2005. Before the new course at Camp At-terbury, that number increased every year. However, every year since Indiana began its WOCS that number has decreased, and the school is helping the Guard and Reserve fulfill the warrant officer vacancies.


Story by Sgt. 1st Class Tina R. EichenourIndiana National Guard

Indiana National Guard’s newest task force, CERF-P, stood up in October to aid the Hoosier citizens for nuclear, chemical and biological disasters a critical homeland security mission against weapons of mass destruction.

“It’s a big step for Indiana to get a CERF-P,” said Lt. Col. Deedra Thombleson, 81st Troop Command executive officer.

“It is real-world mission to prepare to help the citizens of Indiana and citizens across the country. “

The Indiana National Guard is fielding and training a Chemical, Biological, Radio-logical, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force

Package (CERF-P). The CERF-P joins 197 Air and Army personnel to form the task force team.

Indiana and Alabama will be the first two states to include a Fatality Search and Recovery Team in the CERF-P. The other 17 CERF-P states do not have the FSRT. Those states receive the fatality search and recov-ery support piece from an outside agency. Indiana will have the FSRT internal to the CERF-P team from the Air National Guard.

The CERF-P consists of four subor-dinate teams for the immediate response capability for the citizens of Indiana. The task force will fall under 81st Troop Com-mand for operational control.

The search and extraction team is composed of 50 Soldiers from the 1313th Engineer Company. The Soldiers will be

trained and certified on how to locate and extract victims from collapsed structures and confined spaces of an incident site. Ten medics from the Air National Guard Medical Group will also assist the search and extrac-tion team to triage and stabilize victims before they are transported to the decon site.

“The search and extraction is very hands on, light equipment capability to get into rubble with small hand tools, ropes and small leverage to try to find those survivors and extract them for medical care,” said Maj. Michael B. Daake, the CERF-P actions officer.

The 438th Chemical Company will provide 75 Soldiers for the decontamination or “decon” team. The decon team, will set up lanes for ambulatory and non-ambulatory victims. The team will operate in a large

Photo by Spc. John Crosby, Indiana National Guard

Decontamination Platoon, Platoon Leader 1st Lt. Jason Moore of Indianapolis, sprays a simulated decontamination solution on an area affected by chemical weapons during a training exercise held at the Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind., June 15, 2010. Moore is part of the 438th Chemical Company, 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, headquartered in Indianapolis.

Indiana National Guard’s newest task force trains for possible WMD attacks: the CERF-P


specialized tent or a trailer, depending on the size of the incident. The team will be trained to decontaminate 75 non-ambulatory and 225 ambulatory patients per hour.

“Their role is to get patients, victims, from the incident to a clean environment so they can continue to get the proper medical care,” said Daake.

The 16 personnel for the command and control team will come from Joint Force Headquarters. The command and control team manages and coordinates the entire CERF-P effort with the Incident Commander.

The Air National Guard Medical Group is providing 45 medical providers and medics for the medical team plus the 11 FSRT members. The medical team is a new force structure for the Air National Guard in Indiana.

The medical professionals provide emergency medical services for victims of the incident. The medical team will perform medical triage and initial treatment to stabilize patients for transport to medical facilities.

The Air National Guard Medical Group will train on pediatric and adult advance cardiac lifesaving. Medics will have to be certified as emergency medical technicians.

“None of the missions with the CERF-P have to be tied to any particular kind of unit,” said Daake. “With deployment schedules, these units are going to change. We are going to try to minimize that as much as we can, but there are going to be times when 1313th gets another sourcing for (mobilization). We can’t just pull 75 people off and leave them home; they will go and we will retrain another unit.”

The CERF-P will operate in times of nuclear, biological or radiological disasters under the Emergency Management Incident Command System. The task force will be activated by the governor on state active

duty. The CERF-P will work hand-and-hand with local, state and federal assets in a supporting role.

“Who we would work with is deter-mined by what kind of incident we respond to,” said Thombleson. “We are always going to work with the incident commander.”

The CERF-P can be called upon for minor and major incidents in surrounding states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The EMAC agreement is requested by the affective state’s governor.

From the time the CERF-P is activated by the governor and the adjutant general, the task force has six hours to be on its way to the staging area. The teams are coming from several different areas around the state to one staging area before reporting to the incident site.

“The decon element has 90 minutes to be set up and operational from the time they hit the ground to the time they are up and operational to accept patients,” said Thombleson.

The CERF-P has a vigorous training schedule until the validation exercise in August. The teams will train an additional 14 days on top of the normal training schedule for Guardsmen.

“We are trying to lump the training together to keep from impacting the families and employers of the CERF-P members,” said Thombleson.

There are specific CERF-P tasks that each different section has to be trained on. Some of the training includes hazardous materials operations and awareness, incident command system, concept of operations and terrorism response training.

The Soldiers and Airmen will also train on new equipment that is being fielded in April. The new equipment is not military- issue items, but civilian items such as vehicles, all-terrain vehicles,

tents, and medical and decontamination equipment.

Thombleson added that the goal is to train 100 percent of personnel in each of the units involved with the CERF-P mission.

The CERF-P mission is an indefinite, continuous mission with validation exer-cises occurring every 24 to 36 months. The CERF-P will also be conducting yearly training exercises to maintain skill sets and certifications required for the duty.

“Soldiers and Airmen working

together to protect citizens of Indiana.

They are going to do real world training … this is a very specific

mission.” - Lieutenant Colonel Deedra Thombleson

Executive Officer81st Troop Command

Photo above by MSgt John Day, Indiana Air National Guard

Medical units from the 181st Intelligence Wing (above) and the 122nd Fighter Wing have been efficient and effective in their emergency response training throughout the past year, which will enhance their key role with the new CERF-P mission.

Photo left courtesy of 181st Intelligence Wing


Story by Sgt. William E. HenryIndiana National Guard Public Affairs

An estimated 340 Indiana National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 38th Infantry Division deployed to Southwest Asia in support of the Global War on Terror in 2009 and 2010.

Approximately 200 Soldiers assigned to the 38th Infantry Division Headquarters Company, Task Force Cyclone, based in Indianapolis, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Soldiers primarily operated from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan until the team was remissioned in April 2010 to Camp Phoenix in Kabul.

The leaders of Task Force Cyclone were Brig. Gen. Lonnie Culver, commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Lucas, top enlisted Soldier.

During the transfer of authority ceremony at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Culver attributed teamwork to the success of Task Force Cyclone’s mission. Task Force Cyclone relinquished command to the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team - Mountain based in Vermont.

“To Task Force Cyclone, this is a great command, and I thank each of you for your dedication, hard work and commitment to all our successes,” said Culver. “All that we’ve accomplished has been a team effort between CJTF-82 and Task Force Cyclone in partner-ship with our Afghan allies.”

Throughout the first portions of its deployment, Task Force Cyclone partnered with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and in close coordination

with joint interagency and multinational partners to improve security, governance and economic development for the Afghan population in Bamyan, Panjshir, Parwan and Kapisa provinces.

The task force also facilitated reception, training, housing and sustainment of coali-tion forces in five locations in Afghanistan, overseeing base operations and support commands at Bagram Airfield and forward operating bases Fenty, Selerno, Sharana and Camp Eggers.

When Task Force Cyclone Soldiers relocated to Camp Phoenix in the Kabul Base Cluster area, its new mission encom-passed base operation functions for 11 bases in the Kabul area.

Meanwhile, in Iraq, a team of aviation Soldiers from the 38th Infantry Division supported ground troops with battlefield circulation flights throughout Iraq and supported other aviation units headquartered at Joint Base Balad.

About 140 Soldiers, assigned to the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade, deployed as Task Force 38 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The leaders of Task Force 38 were Col. David C. Wood, commander and Command Sgt. Maj. John A. Watson, top enlisted Soldier.

Wood gave credit to his Soldiers for increasing the stability of Iraq during their transfer of authority ceremony, which relinquished Task Force 38’s command to the 1st Infantry Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

“The shift in Operation Iraqi Freedom

38th ID Soldiers succeed in Iraq, Afghanistan

US Army photos above and right by Sgt. William E. Henry

Task Force Cyclone staff judge advocate, Lt. Col. James Zieba, of Carmel, Ind., listens to the chief judge of Kapisa province, Abdul Manan Atazada, discuss building plans of a jail in the Tagab Valley District Center area in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Aug. 25, 2009.

from combat to stability operations is what success in Iraq looks like,” said Wood.

“Iraq is forming a new government, and Iraqi security forces are increasing their capacity. Iraq’s march toward stabil-ity and self-reliance are a result of your determination and hard work. Your efforts directly impacted the stability of the region and the security of the United States.”

Task Force 38 conducted responsive, full spectrum general support and direct support aviation operations in support of United States Forces – Iraq in order to provide freedom of maneuver to coalition forces to secure and maintain a stable environment for the government of Iraq.

Task Force 38 conducted 284 days of combat operations while in Iraq, with more than 11,600 air mission requests supported at 90 percent totaling in about 20,000 rotary-wing and 8,000 fixed-wing flight hours logged. The unit transported an estimated 102,000 people throughout its area of operations, including Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Both of these task forces were given a warm welcome home in Indianapolis with both missions considered a great success by the 38th Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. Tod Carmony.

“I attribute the success of these two missions to the motivation and skills of our great Indiana National Guard Citizen-Soldiers,” said Carmony. “From our lower enlisted to the top ranks, our Soldiers un-dergo the toughest military training avail-able to them before they deploy. This training adds to their knowledge of the civilian world and better prepares them for challenges abroad.”

15www.in.ng.mil Indiana Guardsman 15

EXTRA, EXTRA: 38th ID updates

38TH INFANTRY DIVISION REORGANIZATION

Nov. 1, 2010, will mark a new organizational make-up for the 38th Infantry Division.

In this reorganization the 38th will stand up a Headquarters and Support Company,

an Operations Company, Intelligence and Sustainment Company and a Signal Company.

OLD UNIT/ NEW UNIT Headquarters and Headquarters Company /

Headquarters and Support Company

Tactical Command Posts (-Det. 1 & Det. 2)/ A Co., Operations Company

HHC Special Troops Battalion / B Co., Intelligence and Sustainment Company

A Co., Special Troops Battalion / C Co., Division Signal Company

VIBRANT RESPONSE EXERCISE Indiana’s 38th Infantry Division

National Guardsmen participated in a major training exercise called Operation

Vibrant Response in July. Vibrant Response was a multistate and multiagency operational mass casualty

exercise to prepare joint interagency emergency responders in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosive for consequence – management

response forces reaction capabilities. The 38th joined several other National Guard and active-duty

units and government agencies for the exercise. The Division worked in function groups to gain

knowledge of specific roles during Defense Support of Civilian Affairs operations as division operations center support components.

FULL-SPECTRUM EXERCISE The 38th Infantry Division is scheduled to

participate in a computer simulated, digital battle and command staff training drill known as a full-spectrum exercise in September with the 35th Infantry Division. The 38th will support the 35th by providing command guidance in full-spectrum, digitally simulated training

through Army Battle Command Systems.

OPERATION BRIGHT STAR – EGYPT Also in September, 38th Infantry Division Soldiers

are scheduled to participate in Operation Bright Star in Egypt. Operation Bright Star is a biennial Central

Command exercise that is co-hosted in conjunction with Egyptian forces. This exercise program was initiated in

1979 shortly after the Camp David Peace Accords. The training will include a command post exercise,

live-fire exercises, maneuver operations, and operating as a division response cell.

38th ID Soldiers succeed in Iraq, Afghanistan

Photo, top of page: Indiana National Guard Sgt. Michael Seegel, a Task Force 38 medical administration noncommissioned officer, and Air Force Tech Sgt. Joey Burgess, a 332 Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron construction inspector, work together to move supplies from an Air Force storage container to an Army vehicle to distribute to local Iraqi communities October 10, 2009. Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. Beth Gorenc, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade public affairs

Middle: A civil engineer for the Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team, 1st Lt. Anthony Raffaele, inspects a wall that’s being constructed at Omar Shahid High School, Sept. 16, 2009, in Kohistan, Kapisa, Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Troup.

Bottom: Indiana National Guard Soldiers with the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade unload humanitarian supplies from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at a forward operating base in Iraq on Sat-urday, April 10, 2010. Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. Beth Gorenc, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade public affairs

15


By Spc. John CrosbyCamp Atterbury Public Affairs

A Soldier deploys for war. He does what he’s trained for, what he’s called on to do. He sees and feels extraordinary things while deployed, some of which may stick with him forever. The Soldier grows used to the elevated levels of adrenaline and anxiety felt when deployed to a combat zone for a year at a time or more. Once returned home, he feels the lack of adrena-line, anxiety and sometimes fear. A sense of boredom can set in. He looks for outlets to expend this energy.

Unfortunately, there are many nega-tive and/or dangerous outlets that may provide a fast answer for these service-members. Some Soldiers display high-risk behavior and turn to drugs or alcohol, drive at excessive speeds or even become violent.

According to the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, between October 2001 and October 2009, 287 Soldiers died from motor vehicle and personal injury accidents within one year of returning from deployment.

Approximately 21 percent of these deaths occurred within the first 30 days of post-deployment and approximately 67 percent within 180 days of post-deployment. It has become more apparent than ever that some wounds are deeper than flesh and blood and that something needs to be done to better help transition our combat veter-ans into home life.

Consequently, the Department of Defense Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command created an outlet for returning Soldiers called the Warrior Adventure Quest. Team-building exercises, leadership development and stress management through extreme sports such as mountain biking, rock climbing, bungee jumping, scuba diving, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding etc., are offered to Soldiers returning from deployment.

These high-paced activities are meant to give the Soldier the adrenaline rush he is missing while combining Battle-mind Training.

Battlemind Training is the Army’s psychological resiliency building program which helps Soldiers recognize and respond to fear during combat, then mitigate the cumulative effects of a sustained combat environment and become mentally prepared to reintegrate during the redeployment, post-deployment and reset

Camp Atterbury first National Guard post to offer Warrior Adventure Quest

portions of the deployment cycle, according to the FMWRC Public Affairs Office.

The WAQ program has been imple-mented with success for demobilizing Soldiers on 39 Army installations both nationally and abroad to more than 20,000 Soldiers.

“As a Soldier who has proudly served on multiple combat tours, I have had the privilege to see the power of WAQ and its potential to cultivate young Soldiers and leaders today,” said Staff Sgt. Brenton Bulrice, FMWRC WAQ representative.

“Although WAQ might not be the

answer to all post-combat issues

such as PTSD and [traumatic brain injury],

I believe its holistic approach should

serve as a model as the Army continues

to identify and create programs to honor and

empower Soldiers who are reluctant to reach out for professional help.”- Staff Sergeant Brenton Bulrice

FMWRC WAQ representative

WAQ works closely with Army Medical Command, the Combat Readiness and Safety Center, Army Family Programs, Army Substance Abuse Program, Defense Manpower and Data Center as well as the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center to track statistical data about participants and how WAQ has initiated positive changes in their behavior.

“Not only is WAQ intended to give Soldiers the ability to cope with the stresses of war before, during, and after

deployments, it is also intended to help detect mental-health issues at home, before they spiral out of control,” said Bulrice.

The Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in central Indiana will be the first National Guard and Reserve mobilization post to implement this program.

“We need to have an outlet for these Soldiers to give them a way to find another activity that isn’t going to put their lives in jeopardy,” said Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center’s top non-commissioned officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Spade.

“Warrior Adventure Quest is a way to identify Soldiers that are at risk for injuring themselves or needing that high, and giving them another outlet to get that attitude or expression out of their system, helping them focus on other things.

“It gives them another way to go to help them in their integration back into society and back into their families.”

Spade was asked by the FMWRC to help initiate a WAQ pilot program at Camp Atterbury and after months of plan-ning, ground was broken in April on the eastside of the installation. Spade hopes to send the first Soldiers through the program by August.

Four paintball courses, a 3.8-mile mountain bike trail and Alpine Towers with suspended ropes systems are under


construction, providing Soldiers demobilizing through Camp Atterbury with a physically challenging, team-building, safe environment to exert some of the tensions built up during the course of deployment.

Spade also plans to in-corporate canoeing on the Big Blue River running through Camp Atterbury and a sheltered, 30-foot, rock-climbing wall.

“Our goal is to provide options to the demobilizing unit,” said Spade. “We are trying to incorporate this into the demobilization process from here on out.”

“The most important thing is these Soldiers heading into harm’s way and coming back from theatre,” he said. “That has always been my goal and objective, that we provide services and support to these people.”

Spade said the program can also be a multi-purpose tool, providing additional uses for team building exercises among deploying units, traditional National Guard units conducting weekend and annual training as well as for Soldiers stationed at Camp Atterbury.

“The door is wide open for the possibilities on what we can actually do with this once we get it running.”

Background, Courtesy Photo from Warrior Adventure Quest.

Photo left: Sgt. Aaron Morris, a human resources administrative specialist at Camp Atterbury, drives screws into a newly constructed bridge, part of a 3.8-mile mountain bike path at Camp Atterburyw. The course is part of the Warrior Adventure Quest. Photo by Spc. John Crosby, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs.

Story by Staff Sgt. Les NewportIndiana National Guard

Eight months after an earthquake devastated an already fragile Caribbean nation, approxi-mately 200 Soldiers of the Indiana National Guard returned from Haiti in September to report that devastation still reigns, but recovery remains the priority.

Military police, engineers and medical units of 81st Troop Command volunteered for two extra weeks of annual training, to be counted among the thousands of responders still working to stabilize the western edge of Hispaniola, the island Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic, 750 miles to the south-east of the Florida coast.

“They want to help, they want to help,” said 1st Sgt. Christopher Warren, the 381st Military Police Company’s top enlisted Sol-dier.

The unit provided security for forward operating bases where civil and military re-sponders have based operations in support of recovery efforts.

“The situation is worse than anything I saw in Iraq,” said Warren, and added that the people of Haiti are very kind and appreciative, often thanking the Soldiers and offering gifts.

Colonel Mark Litz of the Indiana Medi-cal Detachment led efforts to provide medical support to first responders, as well as provide humanitarian aid to Haitians suffering from the lack of the most basic health care.

“There are a lot of infections,” said Litz. “We treated minor lacerations, infections and offered education on basic nutrition, public health, safe water handling and sanitation.”

Litz and Warren said that the experience goes beyond providing their Soldiers with an opportunity to serve their fellow man. The experience of operating in a disaster zone can be invaluable experience to prepare the Indiana

National Guard to respond in future crises, ac-cording to Lt. Col. Deedra Thombleson, 81st Troop Command executive officer.

“Many of these Soldiers have deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as to the Ka-trina disaster,” said Thombleson. “The Indiana National Guard has (experience), a lot of it.”

Thombleson said that the number of training exercises and the scope of the ex-ercises also add to the quality of the typical Soldier in the National Guard today. She felt that the state’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, was instrumental in setting the Indiana Guard up for success.

“Maj. Gen. Umbarger has made sure we have the opportunity and resources to train, train like the National Guard has never trained before, and that has created a force that is more prepared to respond than ever before,” said Thombleson.

The emphasis on training has made for a significantly higher operations tempo for Indiana National Guard Soldiers, but has also led to a state militia force that has been able to respond to the needs of the state and country according to Thombleson.

“General Umbarger is very aware of the sacrifices, all the hard work of the Indiana National Guard,” said Thombleson. “But I don’t think he could do it any other way. He feels he owes it to the citizens of Indiana, to the families and most importantly to the Soldiers.

“What continues to impress me is how these units, these individual Soldiers step up to that challenge, just like these Soldiers who have just returned from Haiti,” she concluded.

There but for the grace . . .

Photo above: Indiana National Guard Spc. Brandon Earixson, 384th Military Police Company from Bloomington, Ind., ensures an orderly queue in front of the medical readiness site in Gonaives, Haiti on August 30, 2010. The medical site provides free assistance to those in need after the earthquake devastated the population. Indiana National Guard photo by Spc. Anthony Archer.


Story by Tech. Sgt. Ronald R. Barnett Indiana Air National GuardPhotos by Staff Sgt. Stephen BushPhotojournalist, USAF

If someone were to ask what your definition of a hero is, what would be your answer?

Most would say that it is someone who does a good deed and is rewarded in some way. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a hero as “any person admired for qualities of achievement, nobility and exploits…especially in war.”

On Oct. 2, 2010, the 122nd Fighter Wing held a Hometown Heroes Salute awards ceremony.

The purpose of the HHS ceremony is to honor Airmen who have served in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle.

This was phase I of the HHS program which is expected to be an annual ceremony.

Phase I honors Airmen who deployed for at least 30 days between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2008. Plans are in the infancy stage for holding a ceremony for Phase II of the HHS program for Airmen who have served from 2009 to 2010.

At the start of the ceremony, The Airman’s Creed was read, providing a reminder of what it means to be an Airman.

During the ceremony, Col. Jeffrey A. Soldner, commander of the 122nd Fighter Wing presented the award to each Airman. Chief Master Sgt. Darrell W. Newman, State Command Chief Master Sgt., Indiana

National Guard recognizes Hometown Heroes

National Guard, was also in attendance to show his support.

There were 340 Airmen in attendance to receive their award. The ceremony included service members, retirees and their families. Awards were also given to significant others, children and the service member’s center of influence.

The ceremony was a reminder of the sacrifices that the recipients and those close to them have made for the freedoms in this country. Soldner summed up the event by saying, “it takes a 100% effort from all involved to make us combat ready.”

Soldner added that he hopes to continue the recognition of the Airmen who have scarified time away from home, family and civilian employment to be part of the fight against our enemies abroad.

Captions:Counterclockwise from top left: Capt. Roderick Metzler, second from right, accepts the Hometown Heros award at the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind., along with his family. Members and their families were recognized for their role they played overseas and at home. Far left is Col. Jeffrey A. Soldner, far right is Command Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Witte.

Master Sgt. Tony and Chief Master Sgt. Debra Pruitt accept the Hometown Heros award at the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Members of the 122nd Fighter Wing sit with their families after recieving the Hometown Heros award.


National Guard recognizes Hometown Heroes Rededication of Lafayette Armory and

eserve center Story and photo by Sgt. William E. Henry Indiana National Guard

A newly remodeled armory was the focal point for a dedication ceremony here, Oct. 22.

The $28 million armory project will house Soldiers in units of both the Indiana Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves. The armory was completed with the help of local workers contracted from the Lafayette area.

There will be approximately 660 Indiana National Guard Soldiers, assigned to elements of the 638th Aviation Support Battalion, the 738th Support Medical Company, 38th Military Police Company and a Recruit Sustainment Detachment, operating from the armory. There will also be approximately 160 U.S. Army Reserves Soldiers, assigned to 209th Quartermaster Company.

Many Soldiers, civilians and dignitaries were present at the ceremony. Some of those who spoke at the occasion included Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, The Adjutant General of Indiana, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, U.S. Congressman Steve Buyer and Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski.

Roswarski thanked those present for the chance to be at the ceremony and commented on the impact of the armory.

“We are simply thrilled here in Greater Lafayette,” said Roswarski. “This is another fine example of people working together to get something done good for our community, good for our Soldiers and good for our country and we are honored and very happy to have that as part of our community.”

Skillman spoke of two Guardsmen on her staff, one is training and one is deployed, and thanked all Soldiers and their families for sacrifices made for the benefit the nation. She also emphasized the importance of why communities must increase training, troops and equipment.

“We are very proud of all our members

of the military. We understand as

well that for them to do their jobs right they need the right

equipment, they need the right training facilities.”

- Becky SkillmanLieutenant Governor

Indiana

Buyer, Indiana’s 4th District congres-sional representative, praised Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh on their assistance in making the project happen.

Buyer, a Gulf War Veteran who recently retired, boasted about the reserve component’s ability to be on line with any active-duty component and not notice that they were a reserve component as a result of readiness.

“Readiness is what you do when training and you’re preparing for things that are unforeseen,” said Buyer. “

Umbarger spoke on why, in a time of war, it is important to have structures for training. He also commented on the sheer numbers of combat Veterans in the Indiana Army National Guard and their dedication to service.

“Our Soldiers who wear the uniform today know that deployments are not just something that are on the horizon, you’re either deployed, you’re back in your dwell status, or you’re preparing to go again,” said Umbarger.

19


P e o p l e m a k i n g n e w sP e o p l e m a k i n g n e w sTwo Indiana National Guard logistics and maintenance teams were recognized for excellence by Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., at the Sustainment Commander’s Conference in Richmond, Va., June 24, 2010.

The U.S. Property & Fiscal Office, located at Stout Field in Indianapolis, received the Supply Excellence Award as the best National Guard Supply Support Activity; Field Main-

tenance Shop # 6, in Evansville, Ind., received the Maintenance Excellence Award, small category, for the National Guard.

Both teams were submitted to compete nationally against similar entities from across the country for the Combined Logistics

Excellence Award. A team of supply and maintenance judges came out and observed the Soldiers in action. The teams were evaluated for fiscal

year 2009.

Soldiers garner awardsStory by Sgt. Lorne Neff, Indiana National Guard

“It was an incredible honor to win,” said 1st Sgt. Scott Schelf, materials handler supervisor at the USPFO. “I was excited to be a part of the competition. Once the judges got here, I really had a good sense of pride to listen to the answers my people gave, and when they left we felt really good about how we did. But when we won, I was ecstatic. It’s an honor because it’s a national award.”

“It was pretty intense,” said Staff Sgt. Linda Todd, materials and systems administrator at the warehouse. “Outside of going to Katrina, this was the most satisfying award I have received, but it’s a team effort, if one team falls down, then the whole team fails, and that goes for the whole warehouse.”

According to Schelf, that sense of pride and teamwork comes from the top, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Wendy Robinson, the USPFO warehouse supervisor.

“I have to recognize Chief Robinson,” said Schelf. “She has tremendous technical knowledge as well as a strong passion for wanting things to be right, following regulations, and obtaining the most current information. And then communicating that out to all the personnel out on the floor and telling them what the standards are. She’s a good enforcer as well as supervisor on both the personnel side as well as the technical side. When you have that combination in a leader, you end up with the results that we have.”

“It’s because Chief Robinson runs a tight ship,” said Todd, echoing the sentiment. “She expects you to do your job and she has good people running things.”

A sense of pride is felt in Evansville’s Field Maintenance Shop #6 as well for winning the award in the maintenance category.

“This allows the unit to feel self-pride,” says Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ronald Baird, who was the surface mainte-nance mechanic supervisor when the shop was evaluated.

“We not only met the requirements, but surpassed them. This also helps other units to strive for a level of excellence. If all of the shops maintained this level of excellence, the Indiana National Guard would be better for it. We challenge other shops to this.”

“We don’t prepare; we are always ready,” says Staff Sgt. Christopher Frizzell, a shop mechanic and the unit safety non-commissioned officer. “This was a year-long process. Basically,

we did our job to standard by making sure that we worked on an active Army standard. We looked closely at our processes while writing SOP’s [standard operating procedures] and executing them.”

Baird says the award program helped his team excel. “They were very excited and eager to get started. Over this year-long process, they helped to maintain and improve on our day to day operations. The units we support were also very excited, knowing that they had the best support.”

“It was an enlightening experience,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Harnishseger, a production controller at FMS #6. “They [the judges] were good mentors; we listened to their suggestions as they shared information on things that worked at other armories, like how we track man-hours. We have even gone back and made a few of those suggested changes.”

The Combined Logistics Excellence Award was awarded to 82 winners from the 316 total submissions throughout the Army, Army Reserve and National Guard. The USPFO and FMS #6 were recognized for achievements in logistics by winning the awards.

“The Logistics Excellence Awards provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding units and their diligent efforts to sustain the force,” said Lt. Gen. Mitchell H. Stevenson, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army for Logistics. Photo above left: Front Row Staff Sgt. Kenneth Harnishfeger, Spc. Daniel Horton, Sgt. 1st Class Louis Dauphin, Sgt. Chris Claridge, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ronald Baird. Back Row: Sgt. Jarid Clapp Sr., Staff Sgt. James Johnson, Spc. Travis Frizzell, Staff Sgt. Raymond Mathes, Staff Sgt. Chris Frizzell. Photo above right: Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey Jr. (left) presents the Supply Excellence Award (SEA) to 1st Sgt. Scott Chelf, who accepted on behalf of the SUPPLY SUPPORT ACTIVITY (TDA), U.S. PROPERTY & FISCAL OFFICE, Indiana National Guard. Photographs unattributed.


P e o p l e m a k i n g n e w sP e o p l e m a k i n g n e w sStory by Sgt. Lorne Neff, Indiana National GuardIndiana’s Marathoners run, run, runThe Indiana National Guard Marathon Team kicked off a “new era” by running in the 2010 Army Ten-Miler. This was the first time in almost a decade the team ran as a full eight-person squad. For years, the team ran with only three runners, but now the program is being restored to full strength.

The guard team ran on Sunday morning, Oct. 24, with approximately 30,000 registered runners in The Army Ten-Miler race that began and ended at the Pentagon and wound through our nation’s capitol. The team finished 5th out of 29 National Guard squads and placed 102nd of the 652 race teams that finished.

The team is captained by 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Donald Barnard, a full time member of the Indiana National Guard who works at Joint Forces Headquarters, Stout Field, Indianapolis, as a budget analyst. Having been on the team for two years now, Barnard is helping to revive the Indiana National Guard team.

“It’s a great program; it inspires people,” said Barnard. “It’s great for the Guard and great for me. It brings in hard working, goal- orientated people and I really enjoy being part of it.”

Barnard said he began running with his dad in the One-America 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis when he was a kid and has been running ever since. He feels the Army ten miler is actually more suited to him because he doesn’t always do well in long distance races, so he really can run all out in this event.

Co-captain, 40-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 Darren Minnemann, Indiana National Guard team member since 2003, has ran in 109 marathons. He’s also been on several Indiana teams that placed among the top all-Guard teams at the Lincoln National Guard Marathon that takes place each spring.

Sgt. Scott Beiri, 46-years-old, says he was really excited and fired up to run the 2010 Army 10-Miler. He works as a supply technician for the Combined Support Maintenance shop at Stout Field and ran his first race with the Guard in Lincoln, Neb., this year. He began running races while deployed three years ago.

“It’s really a good feeling for me, being new to the team, and the people at work are very supportive as well,” said Beiri. “Going back to Lincoln, it’s really cool how there is a camaraderie between all the states out at these events. It’s like when we mobilize. You compete against each other, but you’re still very supportive of each other.”

Fire Direction Chief, 47-year-old Staff Sgt. Curt Carey, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery Regiment headquartered in Bloom-ington, Ind., has been running races for a very long time and calls himself the “old timer” of the group. He joined the Indiana Marathon Team in 1995 and has run in 13 National Guard Marathons and five ultra marathons of 30 miles or more.

Maj. Tracey Andrews, 40-year-old operations officer for the 38th Sustainment Brigade, began running with her mother as a little girl. The Army 10-miler is her first go with the Indiana Marathon Team.

“It’s really cool to represent my division and the state,” said Andrews. “I’m really looking forward to this. I’m grateful for the opportunity and it’s great to represent the [38th Sustainment] Brigade.”

The other female on the team is 32-year-old Capt. Alain Samples,commander of Company C, 1st Battalion (Assault), 137th Aviation Regiment, in Shelbyville, Ind., who also works as the education

services officer for Joint Forces Headquarters.

Samples said she used to fear the run on the Army Physical Fitness Test and was miserable. She decided to conquer her fear during her deployment to Afghanistan in 2006 and started running on a regular basis. She’s run in the last four Indianapolis mini-marathons, including last year when she ran her miles while deployed to Kuwait. Like several members of the team, this was her first race with the Indiana team. Samples and Andrews have a friendly rivalry and ran with each other in the last four Indianapolis mini-marathons.

38th Sustainment Brigade Operations Sergeant Major, 40-year-old Sgt. Maj. Lance Hochwalt said that like Samples, he never enjoyed running growing up. This is his first time running with the Indiana team and is glad to run with Andrews for their Brigade. Hochwalt ran in the Army Ten-Miler while deployed with the 76th Infantry Brigade in Balad, Iraq, 2008.

Barnard said the team finished well and he’s happy with the result. He finished the race in a personal best time of 61 minutes and 51 seconds.

“It was a great race, a lot of fun, a lot of crowd support, and it was great to see all the National Guard running teams representing their states and organizations,” said Barnard. “I really look forward to running this event again in the future.”

The rest of the team echoed the sentiment.Carrey said he didn’t know what to expect but was also very

pleased with the results. He and Barnard ran together at the start, but the “old man” pulled away and finished with the best time on the team at 60 minutes and 57 seconds. Only 210 of the 30,000 runners finished ahead of him.

“It was great weather and a great crowd,” said Andrews. “I think seeing the wounded warriors definitely had a positive impact on me. You’re pushing along, sucking wind and then you see someone up there with an artificial leg and blade on and you know they’re doing their best.”

“It definitely wasn’t the race I was hoping to run, but the weather was great and the race was fun,” said Samples. “I passed several people [wearing] shirts that said ‘running in memory of,’ trying to keep the memory alive of a service member that had passed [away]. That’s something you don’t see in most races.”

This was the 26th Army Ten-Miler, which boasts to be the 3rd largest 10-miler race in the world. More than ten locations in Iraq and Afghanistan hosted a shadow run, with more than 4,000 runners. Other race locations this year included Bagram Airfield and Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan as well as Forward Operating Base Union III and Joint Base Balad in Iraq.

Photo above: From top left: Staff Sgt Curt Carey, CW2 Darren Minnemann; Bottom left: Capt. Allie Samples, Staff Sgt. Donald Barnard, Sgt. Scott Biere, Sgt. Maj. Lance Hockwalt and Maj. Tracy Andrews. Maj. Gary Blagburn not shown. Photo by Sgt. Lorne Neff, Indiana National Guard.


A look back

The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 38th Infantry

Division incorporates its own history in detail.

According to the Institute of Heraldry, the clover leaf is reminiscent of the original badge for the first established units of the 38th Infantry Division based out of Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.

The lightning flashes represent the unit’s participation in three campaigns in the Pacific Theater of World War II: New Guinea, Leyte, and Luzon. An assault landing on Luzon is indicated by the arrowhead tip in the center flash.

The cloud and lightning flashes also allude to the cyclone, a circular counter-clockwise rotating storm, from which the division takes its name.

The colors blue, white and red refer to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the unit for World War II service from Oct. 17, 1944, through July 4, 1945.

The 38th was mobilized for World War II service in January 1941. They mobilized at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, as they had 24 years earlier for World War I when they were dubbed ‘Cyclone.’

The men of the 38th conducted train-ing over weeks and months in Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana, finally embarking out of Louisiana and Florida in 1944. They were bound for Hawaii to conduct security patrols, as the Japanese had “suddenly and deliberately” attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1942.

The 38th left Hawaii bound for Oro Bay, New Guinea, in July 1944 where they underwent four months of jungle training. Some of the troops encountered enemy Japanese soldiers during this training and dispatched them.

Though the 38th did not see any real action in New Guinea, they were awarded a campaign service streamer, as they were in the combat zone during operations. This combat credit is represented by one of the lightning bolts in the DUI.

The 38th had trained well and was ready for the ferocities of war that waited them.

The first units of the 38th to experience combat were the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 149th Infantry, the 138th Field Artillery Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry.

They landed at Leyte Island in the Philippines on Dec. 6, 1944, under fire from the Japanese 16th and 26th Divisions and the 3rd and 4th Airborne Raiding Regiments. The day prior, their transport ship, the SS Marcus Daly, was struck by a dive bomber, killing three sailors and rendering another 200 troops killed or missing.

In the end, the 11th Airborne Division, reinforced by 1st Battalion, 382nd Infantry, and 1st and 2nd Battalions, 149th Infantry, 38th Infantry Division, defeated the enemy paratroops by nightfall of Dec. 11, 1944.

Leyete was the second combat service streamer awarded to the 38th Infantry Division and is represented on the unit insignia by a lightning bolt.

The first enemy combatant to fall to the 38th was credited to Sgt. Bill Stewart: “It was Pearl Harbor Day, 1944, when Sgt. Bill Stewart of the 149th Infantry’s 1st Battalion raised his M-1 to his shoul-der, braced his feet in the sucking mud and fired.” 1

The center lightning bolt with the arrowhead represents the assault landing on Luzon. The 38th hit the beach at San Narciso at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 29, 1945.

“Though initially heavy Japanese resistance was anticipated, prior to landing, the ship’s loudspeaker announced, ‘Men! The Bridge has just been informed by Army Intelligence that the Japanese forces have withdrawn from the beach area and that Filipino Guerrilla forces under Lt. Col. Merrill have secured all roads as far east as Castellejos. The red flare some of you may have just seen indicated that our advance beachmaster party is ready for business. There will be no pre-invasion bombardment.’

“1st Lt. Charles J. Tabler of Newark, Ohio, went ashore in the fourth wave and the first person he encountered was a Filipino woman holding out two hard-boiled eggs.” 1

This would not be the end of combat operations for the 38th Infantry Division, nor would the rest of their tour be so sedate.

They still had to take Zigzag Pass, cutting off the Japanese retreat through Bataan, then move southward while another 38th Division Task Force consisting of units of the 34th RCT and the 151st Regiment, would land at Mariveles, move northward and link up with the first task force.

Zig Zag Pass

“There are many tough battles ahead, but Zigzag Pass will remain the 38th’s campaign monument,” AP Dispatch.

Zigzag Pass was reported to the commanding general of the Philippine Department to be a “natural fortress” in the Zambales province.

It is a horseshoe-shaped bend on Route 7, a.k.a. the Bataan-Olongapo road, east of Olongapo City, with mountainous terrain all around it.

The Japanese were entrenched in fortified strongholds within the mountains

A look back

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Zita Moore, Indiana National Guard HistorianWorld War II , Part I : The 38th Infantry Division in the Philippines


A look back

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Zita Moore, Indiana National Guard Historian

and they held the higher terrain with which they were very familiar when the 38th moved into Zigzag Pass on Jan. 31, 1945. The Japanese spent years digging tunnels within the mountains and used them to move from one position to another, enabling one team to defend two positions without exposing them-selves.

The battle for Zigzag pass lasted 16 grueling days. The 34th Regimental Combat Team attached to 38th Infantry Division was the lead element.

As they approached the pass, the 152nd Infantry was to come through the 34th and take the pass. It was a good plan in theory, however execution proved to be problematic for many reasons, mainly the Japanese’s advantageous knowledge of terrain and tunnels.

The fighting was brutal and almost nonstop. The Japanese employed every-thing they had, but could not hold out against the U.S. Forces.

“Throughout the night (they) threw in harassing fire from mortars and mountain guns. Several times in several places they infiltrated, calling out names

they had heard the previous afternoon. They stood off outside the perimeter and rattled clumps of bamboo. If they drew fire, they smothered the source with grenades. The light of morning was never more welcome to the men of the 152nd.” 2

The Battle of Zigzag Pass was not the only area of the Philippines that the 38th was involved in fighting. Once that 38th Division task force moved through Zigzag Pass, it was to move southward on the Pilar-Bagac Road and meet up with the other 38th Task Force fighting its way North from Mariveles.

There were also three islands in the Manila Bay that needed attention.

D-Day for the Mariveles landing was Feb. 15, 1945, the day after the two regiments on Zigzag Pass were united and began working their way south.

The island campaign began on Feb. 11, 1945.

World War II , Part I : The 38th Infantry Division in the Philippines

Photos:Indiana National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Ed Androse, 38th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, 1944-1945

Bibliography:

The Registry for Heraldry

1 38th Infantry Division, Avengers of Bataan’, World War II History Book, published 1947 2 Attributed to “Yank Magazine” in the 38th Infantry Division, Avengers of Bataan, World War

II History Book, published 1947.


Since the middle of June we have welcomed home the 38th CAB, 38th ID, 939th MPs and the 2-19th ADT

Homecomings


J9 insertast

actsAttached is a quick reference guide to

the Indiana National Guard J9 Directorate, which includes

State Civil Military Affairs and Family Programs. Tear it out and keep it

for a handy directory of services. DD Form 93An Important Consideration in Estate Planning

In October 2008, all Soldiers were required to complete a new DD Form 93.

The new DD Form 93 allows Soldiers to designate one or more recipients of up to 100 percent of the $100,000 death gratuity.

This is a major change in the federal law. Previously, beneficiaries of the death gratuity were determined by

federal law. Soldier designations were not permitted. Now, a Soldier may distribute the $100,000 gratuity in $10,000

increments. No longer is the Soldier required to designate the spouse as the recipient.

If a Soldier fails to designate a recipient, the death gratuity will be paid to a Soldier's spouse, children, or parents, in that order.

Further, the death gratuity will be paid to the Soldier's spouse even if the Soldier and the spouse were separated or in the process of getting divorced when the Soldier died.

Married Soldiers should be aware that if they do not give their entire death gratuity to their spouse, the Army will send a ‘‘spousal notification” letter to the spouses notifying them of this election.

The Army will not tell the spouse to whom the Soldier elected to give the death gratuity or the amount that the Soldier elected to give.

To prevent confusion, surprise or anger, a Soldier should inform his or her spouse if the Soldier designates someone other than the spouse to receive all or a portion of the death gratuity.

The death gratuity is a one-time, nontaxable payment of $100,000 to one or more individuals designated by a Soldier or determined by federal law after the Soldier's death on active duty or within 120 days after release from active duty if the death is due to a service-related disability.

A Soldier can designate a minor child as the beneficiary of some or all of the death gratuity by designating a trustee or custodian to control the money while the child is under age 18. Soldiers who need help with a beneficiary designation for a minor child should make an appointment with their command legal assistance attorney.

In addition to being able to designate beneficiaries of the death gratuity on the new DD Form 93, a Soldier may also designate a Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) of his or her remains should he or she die. By federal law, only a spouse or a blood or adopted relative who is at least 18 years old may be a PADD for a Soldier.

For more information or to pick up a DD Form 93, contact your unit administrator.

Questions concerning legal issues can be directed to the Stout Field Office of the Judge Advocate General at 317-247-3449.

The Judge Advocate General office at Stout Field now has a Web page on the

public Web site at www.in.ng.mil.

Look under “Organization” to find the JAG page, which lists hours of

operation, contact information, and available services, including a full page

on Trial Defense Services.

Judge Advocate General

38th Division Band

Like to follow the Band?

The 38th Division Band’s Web page is available at

www.in.ng.mil under “Organization.”

Visit the home page and subpages for information on the schedule, auditions,

and points of contact.

News from the Staff Judge Advocate

J9iwww.in.ng.mil Indiana Guardsman

Leading the way to a stronger Indiana National Guard Family

State Civil Military Affairs and Family Programs

Comrades! Welcome to this introduction of your

Indiana National Guard Fam-ily Programs Office. Among several initiatives, our main purpose on be-half of the Adjutant General, MG R. Martin Umbarger, is to come along side of you and your families with re-sources we hope will strengthen you and your entire family.

These continue to be some of the most uncertain times for the Guard as it deploys in defense of our nation and the cause for freedom. I continue to be amazed at the role the Guard plays with increasing state and na-tional level military initiatives. The stress on our force con-tinues to be most felt in the many lives of those who sup-port our servicemembers. I remain amazed of the level of resilience seen in the eyes of so many families as they weather the many mis-sions we support.

To this end, your Indiana National Guard Family Programs team continues daily with the tasks of developing, assessing, and connecting many of our Guard families to local, state and national military fam-ily resources. From Family Assistance, to Military Youth Development to the volumes of military

As many of you know, the J9 Directorate has

become a fully operational department.

We have developed and expanded to cover servicemember and family needs through all phases of your military career:

• training, • pre-mobilization, • mobilization, • post-mobilization, • retirement, • family support after a death.

We are dedicated to becoming an active support network for every-thing from crisis intervention to basic family assistance.

We are creating and developing new initiatives for 2010-2011 such as expanded youth programs, survivor outreach services, and family resiliency.

We are developing new social media tools where you will soon be able to contact or interact with us.

This next year we will also focus on creating more competent commu-nities.

This means we will work to make your hometown more military friendly inside its provided services, all with the goal of better local home-town support for our servicemembers and families.

We are very proud of the work we are doing to support you.

The J9 Directorate is manned with dedicated experts constantly available at YOUR time of need to assist anyway we possibly can. We are proud to be part of your military family.

Colonel Ross WaltemathDirector, J9Indiana National Guard

family resources available, our drive is to see our Guard family, strength-ened in ways unlike any other time in history; because these are times unlike any in history.

I encourage each of you to visit the INNG Family Programs Web page at www.in.ng.mil/FamilyPrograms for upcoming events. We are always looking for volunteers to assist in Fam-ily Readiness Groups, Youth Program-ming, as well as supporting other Fam-ily Programming events.

Have an awesome Guard day!Lieutenant Colonel Marcus H. Thomas

State Family Programs Director

Guardsman December 2010J9ii

Indiana National Guard Relief Fund

The Indiana National Guard Relief Fund, Inc. is a private, non-profit

corporation that was created to assist servicemembers and their families who have had an adverse financial impact because of military deployment or other military service, or in times of unexpected financial hardship or disaster beyond their control.

It is not an Army or Department of Defense organization. Funds are not for use by the Army, and the government cannot dictate the use of funds.

There are two programs within the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund.

The first one is the Financial Grants program which provides financial grants to Indiana Army and Air National Guard members for limited financial relief due to hardships related to deployment or other military service, or in times of unexpected financial hardship or disaster beyond their control.

The second program is the Families First Initiative which provides additional programs that benefit the Indiana National Guard servicemembers and their families, such as Operation Re-Connect, Survivor Outreach Services, and Youth Programming. More information about these programs can be found at:www.in.ng.mil./FamilyPrograms.

Our mission is accomplished by granting funds to servicemembers and their families for limited financial relief. Indiana Army and Air National Guard servicemembers in good standing are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

The applicant must meet eligibility requirements, submit the written appli-cation packet, and provide the necessary documents requested. However, meeting eligibility criteria does not automatically entitle the applicant to receive a financial assistance grant and does not determine if a grant is awarded. Applicants must prove a financial hardship related to deployment or military service, or from an unexpected financial hardship beyond their control.

The Relief Fund is not an emergency relief fund. The application process takes up to 30 days. Completed application packets are reviewed and voted on by the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund Executive Committee.

Committee decisions are final and are granted under guidelines set forth in the Relief Fund By-Laws.

Applications are available by contacting the Indiana National Guard Family Assistance Centers and on the Web site.

Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program consists of information, events and activities for members of the reserve compo-nents of the Armed Forces, their families, and community agencies. This facilitates access to services supporting their health and well-being through the four phases of the deployment cycle: pre-deployment, deployment, demobilization, and post-deployment/ reintegration.

Before deployment, Yellow Ribbon conducts briefings for servicemembers and their families to help create a hands-on approach for family assistance.

During deployment families of servicemembers receive reunion briefings to prepare them for the homecoming of their loved one.

After servicemembers return home from deployment, they and their families go through a reintegration program hosted by YRRP at the 30 and 60 day marks of their arrivals. These events consist of interactive briefings, informational presentations and recognition ceremonies for servicemembers and family members.

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program visit www.in.ng.mil/FamilyPrograms or call 1-800-237-2850 ext. 3192.

Military & Family Life Consultants

Military Family Life Consultants who are licensed clinicians provide:• up to twelve solution focused consults

with no cost to the servicemember• confidential meetings with no paper trail,

(but MFLCs are subject to duty to warn laws in Indiana)

• mobile services to armory or other loca-tion such as the Red Cross

• psychological education presentations and trainings to Family Readiness Groups, servicemembers, community members

Meetings can involve family members including significant others, children, parents of servicemember, siblings, children etc.

For appointments or assistance, Joyce K. Smith, LMFT LMHC can be reached by phone at (317) 605-9575 or [email protected]. Kimberly Salsman, LMHC can be reached by phone at (317) 771-5376 [email protected].

MLFC services are located at Joint Force Headquarters with Family Programs (J9) at 3762 W. Morris Street Indianapolis, IN 46241

State Youth Programs

State youth coordinators are responsible for the training and coordination of child and youth services for deployed personnel and their families during all phases of a service-member’s deployment cycle.

We ensure that families are educated, trained and supported regarding available resources, benefits and programs during each phase.

State youth coordinators monitor the development of children, and deliver training packages, briefings, and other material required to support children through the deploy-ment process.

We work through Yellow Ribbon programs and send out a youth newsletter.

We also conduct Kids Annual Training camp (Kids AT) at Camp Atterbury, the State Youth Symposium, the National Youth Symposium, and Leadership Training.

Children go through many different types of separation because of parents’ training periods, deployments and other missions.

Youth Programs has been working on new programs which will educate and support all of our National Guard children.

Our hopes for 2011 are to increase enrollment in our Youth Council which will in turn increase enrollment in our Youth Symposium and Leader-ship Training programs.

Our goal is to develop programming that will help our families raise a fully grounded, resilient child, and which will serve as a community inspira-tion to all children throughout Indiana and our country.

For more details about these programs please contact Suzanne Dagley at:[email protected], Ann Medford at:[email protected], or find us by visiting the Youth Progams Web page at: www.in.ng.mil/FamilyPrograms

J9iiiwww.in.ng.mil Indiana Guardsman

Family Assistance

Family Assistance Centers are available in times of contingency call-up, mobilization, and large scaled deployment to provide support and assistance to servicemembers and their families.

The primary mission of a FAC is to inform and support families before, during and after a deployment so servicemembers can perform their mission.

Family Assistance Specialists provide wellness calls to family members every 30 days during a mobilization. The FAC is designed to be a focal point for families to get assistance with issues related to finances, TRICARE, DEERS, coun-seling, crisis situations and referral to the appropriate community resources. Indiana has 14 Family Assistance Centers located throughout the state to reach our geographically dispersed families.

The Indiana Family Assistance team also provides briefings for servicemembers and families on benefits and entitlements associated with military life. These briefings can be provided through your Family Readiness Group, commander or the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

In the past year, the Family Assistance Team has been hard at work building our community resource partners. Many local com-munities in Indiana offer military support meetings to network and share programs designed to assist military families and veterans.

In October, the Family Assistance Team kicked off the annual “Operation Christmas Cares” Program. This program is in the 6th year of providing Christmas assis-tance to Indiana Air and Army National Guard servicemembers facing a financial hardship. Through generous donations from our community, servicemembers and families receive gifts to provide to their children and make the holidays a little brighter.

Family Assistance Centers are a “one stop shop” for information and resource referral. To locate the center closest to your home visit the Indiana National Guard Web site Family Programs page at www.in.ng.mil/Family Programs or call the Family Programs office at 1-800-237-2850 ext. 3192.

Employer Support of

the Guard and Reserve

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve works to de-velop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees, with ESGR as the principal advocate within Department of Defense.

We develop and promote re-lationships between employers and servicemembers by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between em-ployers and servicemembers.

With the assistance of vol-unteers located all over the state, the Indiana Committee conducts employer support programs in-cluding informational briefings, mediation, and recognition of em-ployers whose policies support or encourage participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

We work with all employers, uniformed servicemembers in all components of the military, and families of affected servicemembers to assist in building and sustaining the relationship between the ser-vicemember and their employer.

ESGR Services are free and include:Employer Services:• Uniformed Services

Employment and Reemployment Rights Act Briefings

• Boss Lift Program• Ombudsman Services• Statement of Support

ProgramServicemember & Family Services:• USERRA Briefings • Awards Programs• Ombudsman Services

For information about the programs or for assistance, contact Mr. Douglas Gibbens, ESGR Executive Director at: Office: 317- 247-3548 or Fax: 317- 247-3388, or visit:

http://inesgr.org.

Transition Assistance Advising

The purpose of the Transition Assistance Advisor program is to provide a person in each state/territory to serve as the statewide point of contact to assist members in access-ing Veterans Affairs benefits and healthcare services. Each TAA also provides assistance in obtaining entitlements through the TRICARE Military Health System and access to community resources.

The Indiana TAAs are located at Joint Forces Headquarters in the J-9, Civil Military Affairs. The TAA office is com-prised of two individuals, retired Col. Roger Peterman and 1st Lt. Craig Cooley. Monthly, the Indiana TAAs provide assistance to more than 400 servicemembers, family members, and veterans across the state of Indiana.

The TAA office acts as the National Guard Liaison and subject matter experts for all VA related issues. TAAs provide assis-tance to myriad resources and benefits avail-able to Veterans, servicemembers and their families. There is a TAA located at every state headquarters in the nation. Contact your local TAA and he/she will be able to provide contact information for a TAA in any state you need assistance in. Assistance is just a call away. Don’t get frustrated with the sys-tem, contact your TAA and let them be your advocate!

We will educate you so you will under-stand the benefits you have earned, such as:• Guard/Reserve entitlements and access for

health care in both the DoD and Veteran Affairs medical facilities

• TRICARE benefits while you are on active duty and when you return as a veteran.

• Referral for counseling services for you and your family that will not affect your career

• Referral for possible compensation for injuries or illness sustained in the line of duty

• Insurance information such as SGLI and TSGLI

• Assistance with job search and connection with ESGR for rights of employment

• Assistance in connecting you to the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veteran Service Organizations to file disability claims

• Assistance in the event of financial hard-ship, healthcare issues, or unemployment needs

• Assistance with locating your medical records, DD 214s and other needed documents

For information or assistance contact Roger Peterman at: 317-247-3300 ext. 85472, 317-752-7145, or [email protected]. You can also contact 1st Lt. Craig Cooley at 317-247-3300 ext. 85444, 317-697-4740, or [email protected].

Guardsman December 2010J9iv

Crisis Intervention Team

The Indiana National Guard Crisis Intervention Team is the first of only a few crisis teams con-structed in the National Guard.

The goal of the Crisis Intervention Team is to use understanding and skills gained through training to identify and provide the most effective and compre-hensive response to servicemembers who find themselves in a crisis. The CIT focuses on four major programs: suicide prevention and Intervention; sexual assault prevention and response; domestic violence prevention and awareness; and critical incident stress management.

The diverse make-up of the CIT, and its close working relationships with other support resources, allows the cri-sis team to work more efficiently and effectively when responding to a crisis situation.

The CIT works closely with the In-diana National Guard Substance Abuse Coordinator, chaplains, veteran service personnel, Family Programs, and a vari-ety of community organizations.

The Indiana National Guard CIT is equipped to handle a wide array of crises and is available to servicemem-bers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The best way to obtain informa-tion on the Indiana National Guard CIT is by visiting the Indiana National Guard homepage at www.in.ng.mil. The Crisis Intervention link is located in the red column-header on the right side of the homepage. Here you will find hot-line numbers, links to downloadable flyers, brochures and posters to assist commanders, servicemembers, families and friends to understand crisis situa-tions and how to obtain help when they need it most.

Additional Crisis Intervention Team Contacts:

Joint Operations Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 317- 247-3320 or

1-800-237-2850 ext. 3320

The Crisis Intervention Team 24 hour hotline:

317-247-3300 ext. 85474 or 317-247-3300 ext. 85485

Sexual Assault Prevention and Re-sponse Coordinator

317-247-3300 ext. 85474 (this will forward to cell phoneand is available 24 hours)

Army National Guard Honor Guard

Honoring those who served is our commitment - to recognize the sacrifice and contributions of our nation’s veterans.

As of January 1, 2000, and upon the family’s request, the law requires that every eligible veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, which includes the folding and presentation of the United States Flag and the playing of “Taps.”

This Department of Defense program calls for the funeral home to request military funeral honors on behalf of the veteran’s family.

All requests for Funeral Honors are on a first come, first served basis. The only two exceptions are Medal of Honor recipients and Soldiers killed in action.Following is a list of funeral details:

Military Honors Details are reserved for any veteran who was honorably discharged with any form of proof of service regardless of component: Active, Reserve or National Guard. It consists of a team of two to three Soldiers, the playing of Taps, and folding and presentation of the American Flag.

Seven Person Details are reserved for retired servicemembers who served 20 years of active duty in the Armed Forces other than traditional Indiana Guardsmen, Active Duty, Reserve Soldiers not killed in action. They consist of a team of seven Soldiers, three volleys of rifle fire, playing of Taps, and folding and presentation of the American Flag.

Full Military Honors Details are reserved for servicemembers killed in action, Medal of Honor recipients, General Officers, Army Sergeants Major, Navy Master Chief Petty Officers, Marine Master Gunnery Sergeants/Sergeants Major, and Air Force Chief Master Sergeants. It consists of a team of 16 to 21 Soldiers, three volleys of rifle fire, playing of Taps, and folding and presentation of the American Flag.

We currently have nine teams serving throughout Indiana composed primarily of traditional Guardsmen and women. Teams are located in Gary, Elkhart/South Bend, Ft. Wayne, Muncie/Anderson, Lafayette/Kokomo, Terre Haute/Brazil, Indianapolis, Evansville and New Albany.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our elite core or have any questions concerning our services please contact Rick Karkowski at 317-460-6937 or Staff Sgt. Jeff Hawley at 317-695-7622.

Find out more about military funerals and planning under “Warrior Resources” at the Indiana National Guard Web site: www.in.ng.mil.

Survivor Outreach Services

Survivor Outreach Services continues to demon-strate the Army’s commitment to Families of the Fallen. The SOS coordinators outreach to survivor families, keeping them connected to the military fam-ily and providing resources and information that suits their indi-vidual needs and/or requests.

The coordinators assist in connecting survivor families to one another and letting them know they are not alone in their journey through grief, and that other families like themselves exist within their communities.

SOS supports the survivor family through the annual Trag-edy Assistant Program for Survi-vors Seminar event by assisting the families of Indiana’s fallen servicemembers to remember, pay tribute to and celebrate the life of their fallen loved ones. The seminar brings these fami-lies together for one weekend a year to provide emotional sup-port, opportunity to meet other families within the state, share their stories, make new friends, journey through grief with oth-ers who have experienced a sim-ilar loss, and continue to heal.

Concurrently run with the Survivor Seminar is the Good Grief Camp for children ages 4-17. Youth activities focus on building resilience, sharing ex-periences, making new friends and having fun. Indiana Na-tional Guard servicemembers are brought in to pair up with youth struggling to engage in the activities, while offering ad-ditional emotional support, and to be a mentor and friend.

The national TAPS Web-site can be found at www.taps.org and offers many links and informational pages.

Army One Source has in-formation for surviving family members on their Web site at www.myarmyonesource.com. At the home page, look for the “Family Programs and Services” tab. On that dropdown menu, click on “Surviving Families.”


at Indiana Joint Forces Headquarters. “It has taught me how to react to a Soldier logically in an emotionally charged environment. It has also taken the stigma out of keeping quiet. Emotional health is no longer being ignored.”

The suicide prevention training consists of a video called “Beyond the Front.” The video training is interactive and allows the group to decide what to do next in various scenarios. The training encourages group discussion to help figure out the right decision to save the person’s life. Each scenario has a different situation that family members and Soldiers might face.

The training educates participants on the warning signs and stressors that can lead to suicidal ideations. Stressors and warning signs are different for everybody. A stressful event can affect every person dif-ferently. Coping skills are also taught in the training, offering ideas for ways to handle different situations.

Stressors can affect a servicemember and possibly develop into the warning signs. Stressors can include financial, relationship problems, medical problems, legal issues, employment related and substance abuse issues.

Some of the warning signs are: comments regarding suicide; giving away possessions, excessive drug and alcohol usage; depressed mood; and withdrawal from social activities.

“I have learned to recognize the signs and the cries for help,” said McCullough. “Never again will I discount someone’s sadness. I have learned to know my fellow Soldiers, to understand when something is out of ordinary.”

Leaders and fellow troops are encour-aged to intervene to prevent a life crisis or a mental disorder from leading to thoughts of suicide.

Guardsmen at all levels are given an ACE Card, a training tool to increase aware-ness and provide intervention techniques during a potential suicidal situation. ACE stands for ASK, CARE and ESCORT:• Guardsmen ask their buddy ‘are you

thinking about killing yourself?’ • Guardsmen care for their buddy by

removing means that could be harmful, calmly controlling the situation and actively listening to their buddy

• Guardsmen then escort their buddy - never leaving the buddy alone - and escort the buddy to receive help

The Indiana National Guard is trying to erase the stigma that seeking mental health and assistance during a crisis situation is a sign of weakness. Instead, the CIT is

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Tina R. EichenourIndiana National Guard

Suicide is a rising problem throughout the armed services. To combat that, Indiana National Guard is raising awareness through suicide prevention and intervention training.

“We lost four Indiana Army National Guardsmen and zero Airmen in 2009 to suicide, and zero Soldiers and one Airman this year,” said Col. Ross Waltemath, Joint Forces Headquarters director of civil and military affairs. “We believe our crisis intervention teams being hands on with Soldiers and Airmen has made a difference in preventing suicide.”

September was Suicide Prevention month and the Indiana National Guard Crisis Intervention Team partnered with behavioral health professionals, chaplains and leaders to help those in need.

“The program is set up to help create awareness about

suicide prevention, because suicide IS preventable.”

- Captain Elizabeth Williams Crisis Team officer in charge

State suicide prevention program manager

“Hopefully, by educating on the signs and symptoms of suicide, we can help individuals be referred to the resources they need prior to it becoming a crisis,” Williams continued.

Suicide prevention focuses on prevent-ing normal life stressors from turning into life crises. The suicide prevention program focuses on equipping the Soldier, family member, and Army civilian with coping skills to handle overwhelming life circum-stances.

Effective suicide prevention requires that everyone in the unit be aware of risk factors for suicide and how to respond. The CIT has developed training for Guardsmen and all levels of leadership.

“I think it is needed and a good use of time and resources,” said Sgt. Whitney McCullough, information services supervisor

encouraging Soldiers and Airmen to have help-seeking behaviors ready.

“As the interventions have increased, the suicide numbers have decreased since the first line leadership has gotten involved in the crisis situations,” said Williams.

Indiana’s Crisis Team has created subordinate level crisis intervention teams to assist Soldiers and Airmen in need. The crisis teams consist of the chaplain, medical noncommissioned officer, personnel officer, victim advocate and personnel services noncommissioned officer. The teams are responsible for prevention awareness, intervention actions and post-intervention support.

“The goal is to bring a Guardsman back to a state of readiness,” said Williams. “If you get them to the proper resources, where they can develop the proper coping skills through counseling, chances are they are most likely not to have that issue again. If we can help them by developing those coping skills and they seek out the treatment. Then it shouldn’t be an issue again.”

Later this year, the crisis team will be educating with a new training video called “Home Front.” This video is a sequel to “Beyond the Front,” and is focused more on National Guardsmen and situations they face while at home. The Crisis Intervention Team assisted the Department of the Army with the creation and scripting for the new video.

“Suicide is complicated and complex so there are a lot of different variables that play into it,” said Williams. “Typically if a person has a choice they will always choose life over death.”

RESOURCES: • Indiana National Guard Crisis

Intervention Team 24-hour line: 1-317-247-3300 x 85474

• Indiana National Guard Joint Operations Center 24-hour assistance: 1-317-247-3320 or 1-800-237-2850 x 3320

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) www.taps.org

• Military OneSource 1-800-342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.com

• National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center www.safeyouth.org

• Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM)

• http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil

Suicide Prevention – training the force to save a life

“More than any other Soldier, leader,

general officer, (Maj. Gen. Ahner) laid the

foundation for today’s Indiana National Guard, and I can

see his hard work reflected in each and every Soldier and

Airman.

“Someday, when I complete my tour of duty

as adjutant general, if it can be said that I am half the man that Major

General Alfred F. Ahner was, I will feel that I have been

paid the very highest tribute. ”

- Major General R. Martin UmbargerAdjutant General

Indiana National Guard

2010 december indiana guardsman

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