august/september 2013 tarheel guardsman

Tarheel Guardsman

August/September 2013

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS)

NC Air National Guard Trains, Takes Command, and Then Deploys for Fire Fighting Missions US Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Philip Smith, loadmaster for the 156th Airlift

Squadron, NCANG, conducts a pre-flight checklist with fellow loadmasters on the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System onboard the 145th Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules, MAFFS 8 aircraft during annual training for certification.

A 145th Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules aircraft loaded with a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) executes a water test before flight operations during an-nual MAFFS training for certification.

See pages 8-9 (Photos by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Findley, 145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

– Tarheel Guardsman — August/September 2013

NC National Guard Contact Information

Maj. Gen. Gregory A. LuskAdjutant General of NC

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Email: [email protected]

NC Adjutant General – MG Greg Lusk Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk: http://www.facebook.com/NCAdjutantGeneral http://twitter.com/NCTAG

NC Assistant Adjutant General Air – Brig. Gen. Todd Kelly: http://facebook.com/NCAirAAG http://twitter.com/NCAirAAG

NC Command Chief Warrant Officer Rick Comer: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NC-Command-Chief-Warrant- Officer/261726843901458 http://www.twitter.com/NCCWO

Command Senior Enlisted Leader CSM John Swart: http://www.facebook.com/NCCSM http://twitter.com/NCSCSM

NC Command Chief Master Sergeant Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Pickett: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NC-State-Command-Chief- Master-Sergeant/330777956943662 http://www.twitter.com/NCCmdChief

TAG’s Corner

May 30, 2013 was a very special and humbling day as Governor Pat McCrory reappointed me as the Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard. It has, and is, my distinct pleasure and honor to continue serving alongside the tremendous men and women from North Carolina who selflessly serve in our ranks. As I mentioned in my remarks, while my name may be the one that appears on the headlines, it was the great work and the multitude of accomplishments of a talented, dedicated group of North Carolina Citizen Soldiers and Airmen who made that day possible. Thank you all for what you do every day to make our organization so successful. Thank you for allowing me to serve alongside you and for your continued voluntary service in support of our Old North State and the United States of America. I look forward to travelling across this great state to talk with and visit the Always Ready Team of NCNG Citizen Soldiers and Airmen. Throughout the spring and the beginning of the 2013 hurricane season, from Charlotte to Wilmington, I had the pleasure to meet with several North Carolina civilian first responders and to visit NCNG Soldiers and Airmen at their facilities. I traveled overseas to meet with U.S. military leaders to discuss ongoing and future NCNG joint programs as well as our successful State Partnership Programs with Moldova and Botswana. It humbles and amazes me how our NCNG Soldiers and Airmen with their multitude of skills, knowledge, experience, and professionalism are each day supporting NC communities, civil authorities and US objectives around the world. Army Gen. Frank J. Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, stated recently in a letter to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, “Maintaining the National Guard as an operational force preserves the investment made in the Guard over the past 12 years of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan,” that is why I strongly encourage the Department of Defense to continue to place National Guard units into operational use throughout the world with predictable deployment rotations such as Kosovo, the Sinai, the Horn of Africa, Guantanamo Bay, global airlift missions, train and assist missions, and special operations deployments. Utilizing the National Guard represents efficient means to accomplish the Nation’s security goals and objectives. The National Guard, without a doubt, has demonstrated its readiness and capability to accomplish all assigned missions, and furthermore, it is clear that the NCNG has proven itself to be a relevant operational military force for our state and nation. We continue to fulfill federal overseas mobilization orders, national civil support requests, and regularly work with our state partner agencies, local rescue squads, and Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Teams. The challenge, we as an organization face, is ensuring key decision makers at the state and national level see our relevancy as well. Due to these extraordinary and serious budgetary circumstances, the Secretary of Defense gave official notice to begin furloughing the civilian and National Guard federal technician workforce starting July 8, through the end of September. This means a loss of up to 11 days or 88 hours of pay for each furloughed employee. This decision greatly impacts our Guard families with loss of wages. I, personally, consider this an unfair burden to place on the backs of those who are so critical to maintaining our abilities to respond to a call to duty. Candid discussions on important issues, such as furloughs and our organization’s “way ahead” in these challenging times, will continue to be a hallmark of my command team’s commitment to NCNG service members, their families, and supporters. I ask your help in communicating our organization’s accomplishments, strong partnerships with civilian agencies, and the importance and relevancy of the NCNG to our state and nation. Talk with your fellow Guardsmen, your families, friends, employers, and local civilian leaders. Educate them on the NCNG’s capabilities, accomplishments, and significance to our state and nation. I welcome your creative ideas and solutions to the issues facing our organization and ways that we may continue to remain the military force of choice for the state and nation. You may contact me and the entire NCNG command team at the links listed in the box to the left of my article, or email me at [email protected]. With this unified front and focus, I am certain that the NCNG will remain a relevant, Always Ready Team.


Officers Executive Council

Teri Foster, Editor

NCNGA:Legacy Bridge Program 4President’s Report 5Educational Foundation Information 10Educational Foundation Scholarship Recipients 11

NC National Guard:Joint Training 6NC Air Guard News 8,9

Contents:

The Tarheel Guardsman, (ISSN 10618392) is published bi-monthly for the Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina, by the North Carolina National Guard Association, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-5047. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC 27676-9651. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Tarheel Guardsman, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-5047. The Tarheel Guardsman is the official publication of the North Carolina National Guard Association, a non-profit organization. The publication’s mission is to promote the general welfare of the NCNGA, assist in increasing the readiness of the NC Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina and serve as a vehicle of expression for members of the National Guard. Members receive the publication free with their membership. The annual subscription rate for non-members of the Association is $15.00. Please include your old address when requesting change of address. Deadline for submitted material to the Tarheel Guardsman is the 5th of the month, two months preceding the calendar date of issue. Manuscripts and photographs on subjects of general interest are invited. Unless otherwise indicated, material may be reprinted provided credit is given to the Tarheel Guardsman and the author where listed. Articles and photos will not be returned, unless requested. (USPS 533-640) Advertising is accepted. For details contact the Association headquarters. Advertising, including political ads, published in this publication does not represent the endorsement or approval of the North Carolina National Guard Association.

President Bobby Lumsden

Vice PresidentBrent Orr

Past PresidentRonnie Honeycutt

Secretary-TreasurerAdene Tyler

Judge AdvocateRick Fay

ChaplainCarl Singley

30th HBCTBrian Alkire

Scott Schnack

130th MEBRobert Holland

Christopher McCurry

60th Troop CommandVelma Evans

Dale Baker, Jr.

449th TABColby Hammonds

Thomas Underwood

113th Sustainment BDEMiriam Gray

Randy Ly

JFHQ-NCSteven Johnson

Charlene Johnson

139th Regiment (CA)James McKeeDavid Eaton

Air GuardBarbara Doncaster

Wendy Larsen

Junior CouncilTimothy Stanhope

Lonnie Brooks

Associate ClassJohn Eudy

John Sweat, Jr.

STAFFExecutive Director

Adene TylerInsurance Administrator

Teri FosterAssistant Insurance Administrator

Rhonda ArndtExecutive Assistant

Kathy FordNCNGA Educational Foundation

AdministratorPeggy Robinson

Address changes or questions? Contact us at919-851-3390

[email protected] or www.ncnga.org

Official publication of the North Carolina National Guard AssociationTARHEEL GUARDSMAN

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Volume 47 Number 4

Deadline for submitting articles for the OCT/NOV issue

of the Tarheel Guardsman:

4 SEPT 2013

To be announced in the Oct/Nov issue of the

Tarheel Guardsman:Date and Location of the next Combined Event!!


Legacy Bridge Program

Two years ago, Active Associate Representative Al Rose introduced a program that is designed to financially

carry the Association through our present fiscal transition period. As we move from a system where we depended on our investments and insurance premiums to pay our Association’s expenses to one that will rely on new revenue sources to cover our budget, the Legacy Bridge Program will provide the interim funds to meet budget costs until the transition is complete. Our projection is that this should occur within 4-5 years, and as such it is a closed end program. The short-term plan is to use the income from the Legacy Bridge Program until our new revenue sources come on-line allowing us to insulate our investments so that they are allowed to grow over the long-term. At the end of 4-5 years, the new revenue sources, along with insurance premiums, will be our main income sources and the Legacy Bridge Program will close.

NCNGA LEGACY BRIDGE PROGRAM DONATION

Name:

Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: ( ) NCNGA Life Member: Yes No

Unit: Rank:

E-Mail Address:

$100 Donation (Donations are not tax deductible)$25 Quarterly Installments _____ $100 Full Payment __________ Check _____ Money Order _____ Master Card/Visa (Add $2 credit card fee)Credit Card Information:Acct #__________________________________________ Exp Date: ___________ 3-digit Sec Code:__________ Signature: ____________________________________

Return Application & Payment To:

NCNGA ATTN: Legacy Bridge Program7410 Chapel Hill RoadRaleigh, NC 27607-5047

( ) I would like to make this donation in honor of ( ) in memory of ( )

Long-term, we hope to reach an investment fund goal of $3 million. At that point, even at a modest 4%, the Association could survive indefinitely should our insurance and new revenue sources take a hit during lean times. Please consider joining us in the Legacy Bridge Program. And, if you would like to remember or honor someone, please consider making a donation in their name. Take a few minutes to fill out the application and to write a check. Al and his team have started us in the right direction. It is up to us now to make it happen. Questions? Please call us at 919-851-3390.

*As of press time

*Our Newest Members of the Legacy Bridge Program:

250. In Honor of Crew Chiefs, Present and Past, who served the NCANG


It has been just over 70 days since my election as President. This has certainly been an extremely busy time, and the

phrase “drinking from a firehouse” should that be firehose? comes to mind on the amount of information that I am attempting to absorb. Things have not slowed down for the Association, and we are hard at work solidifying the new committees and their chairs. I ask for everyone’s patience and understanding during this period of transition while the new officers of the Executive Council, Committee Chairs, and I get settled and pick up the torch from our predecessors. I promised that I would include a quick note on the actions we are requesting each of our members to take, but before I do, I wanted to remind everyone of our goals, and bring you up-to-date on the actions we are taking. Below are the goals with a quick note on the actions taken thus far: 1) Increase Membership: We have seen some small gains in membership over the last two months. I asked in the last issue that every member speak to at least one Soldier, Airmen, or Retiree and ask them to join. To lead by example, I have done that and have personally signed up three new members. 2) Increase participation in the Association: We did see an increase in the number of members willing to join a committee following this year’s convention. However, we still have a long way to go in getting equal representation from each major command. I ask each MSC Commander and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer to speak with your junior leaders and ask them to get involved and volunteer for a committee next year. 3) Increase Financial Stability: Albeit a small step, you may have noticed we have eliminated the 800 number for the Association. Because most phone plans (both cell and landline) have unlimited calls within the US, the Executive Council decided to discontinue this service. This saves the Association approximately $130 monthly. We are also reviewing new avenues of income and areas in which we can gain greater efficiency.

4) Increase/Extend the Influence of the Association: Our messages are getting more traction. Just this month, one of our legislative measures reached the floor of the NC House of Representatives. Sadly it was defeated, but this was a step in the right direction. Last month, I asked each of you to use the NGAUS website to write at least one letter to an elected official. Again, to lead by example, I sent four. Also, some of you took up this charge and we went up 10 slots on the number of letters to Congress. We have a long way to go to get within the top 10, but we are making the small steps now. I told you last month our communication plan needed a significant overhaul. I am happy to report that the Communications Committee has taken up this charge and is making some significant strides in improving the way we communicate with you, our members, as well as with our elected officials. In the very near future, you will see a new look to our website and Tarheel Guardsman magazine. These changes and others we are considering will greatly enhance our ability to interact and mobilize our members so we remain on the forefront of all those who have influence on the capability of the North Carolina National Guard. You must be asking, “Where do you need my help the next two months?” I ask everyone to take the following actions: 1) Continue to talk to your new Soldiers and Airmen, as well as current Airmen and Soldiers who are not members, and encourage them to join. 2) Contact your Federal Legislators about the importance of the National Guard. We will soon face a time when the Departments of the Army and Air Force will begin to suggest cuts to the National Guard to enable them to maintain their levels. This proposal is in direct opposition to what the Founders of our Nation envisioned. Our country was born based on the efforts of citizen soldiers, not a large standing army. 3) Contact your State Legislators about maintaining funding for our Tuition Assistance Program and increasing our facility infrastructure budget. We have a large number of aging facilities in need of major upgrades. If you have a question about who your Senator is or Representa-tives are, here is a web link that will assist you: http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx. I would also recommend that you review the “Take Action” page on the NGAUS website (http://www.ngaus.org/issues-advocacy/take-action), where you will find most of the issues that we need to take action on at the federal level along with a tool to help you write to your elected officials.

The President’s ReportBy Bobby Lumsden, NCNGA President ([email protected])


POPE FIELD, NC – Air Force Tech Sgt. Louis Gyurkovics contacted Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 252nd Armor Regiment (AR) in early May with a plan for an upcoming Joint Operational Access Exercise (JOAX) 13-03 Loadmaster Challenge at Pope Field on June 23. It was simple enough: together load their North Carolina National Guard M1A1 Abrams Tank on his C17 Globemaster III aircraft. This mission was extremely important for the Air Force’s loadmasters, Airmen who are experts on safely loading cargo aircraft. “The loadmasters have been training on loading and dropping various types of equipment, but most have never worked with a tank,” said Gyurkovics. Both the units agreed to support each other. The Abrams, due to its size, poses several issues for even a veteran loadmaster. It is tall, long and wide, with a typical height of 8 feet, a width of 12 feet, and a length 32 feet. Not to mention it is one of the heaviest pieces of Army equipment on the battlefield. Even with just half a tank of fuel, it weighs nearly 68 tons. That weight equals three quarters of the payload capacity of the C17 Globemaster III. Another loadmaster challenge is securing this massive payload properly. The C17, while airborne, will make turns up to three times the force of gravity. The loadmasters secure the tank with 45 tie-down devices ensuring that it will not move an inch while the aircraft is in flight and maneuvering. After many weeks of planning and coordination by Air Force, NCARNG and logistics leaders, the mission was cleared to begin. The day of the exercise, Soldiers of the NCNG’s 1452nd Transportation Company of the 113th Sustainment Brigade using a Heavy

Equipment Transporter (HET) with trailer prepared to haul the M1A1 across Fort Bragg to Pope Field. The 1452nd Soldiers displayed their expertise, by loading and chaining the 68 ton Abrams tank in less than 20 minutes. Then they waited for the JOAX – Loadmaster challenge to officially begin. They cannot arrive early since the loadmasters at Pope Field had no idea what type of equipment they would load next. When the M1A1 came into view, the veteran Air Force loadmasters did not seem to be fazed one bit at the task they now had to accomplish.

They lowered the C17 ramp and with the rest of the aircrew got to work immediately. The loadmasters gathered around the M1A1with their iPADs, notebooks, and pens, measuring the tank and plane, and asking various questions. The tankers from

Charlie Company watched with proud smiles, as the Airmen clambered around their massive machine. Once all calculations were completed, checklists checked, and ground guides assigned, it was time to put their knowledge to the ultimate test. Would the plane’s cargo decking hold a 129,000 lb tank? The calculations were correct as the tank came to a rest in the aircraft with a foot and a half space left on each side. Soon after the engines were shutdown and master power switched off, the Soldiers and Airmen had the opportunity to tour each other’s “offices.” The Guardsmen learned about the C17 and the Airmen got a rare chance to climb into and sit inside one of the greatest battle tanks the world has ever seen. The load-masters and Guardsmen earned positive marks in all categories at the conclusion of the exercise reinforcing their skills in Joint Operations, and together, remaining Always Ready for any mission.

Relevant and Ready -NC National Guard Conducts Joint Training with US Air ForceBy Sgt. 1st Class Henry Rhodes, Company C, 1-252d Armor Regiment


The North Carolina National Guard’s 440th Army Band performs at a concert at Johnston County Community College in Smithfield, NC. The unit is composed of 34 soldiers and has nearly 10 different types of music performance teams ranging from traditional concert and marching bands, jazz ensembles, brass and percussion teams to vocal ensembles and a rock band. Their mission is to perform for troops and their families and for the citizens of North Carolina at ceremonies, public concerts, and parades.

440th Army Band Brings Guard to CommunityBy Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, NCNG Public Affairs

Jordan L. Abbot, a 2013 graduating senior at Croatan High School, is the recipient of the 2-year “State Employees Credit Union Foundation, in partnership with the NCNGA Education Foundaion, Scholarship.” The scholarship is for $2,000. Hal Gray, a member of the NC National Guard and also a member of the Morehead City Advisory Board, presented the award.

NC National Guard Support Cadet CommandBy Maj. Matt DeVivo, Dep. Director Public Affairs, NCNGThroughout May and early June, 29 Army ROTC Cadets lived with their Moldovan counterparts, visited historical sites around the city and countryside, participated in various physical training events, conducted language and cultural training and participated in three different cultural venues; humanitarian service, host nation mil-to-mil training, and education and understanding about the social, economic, cultural and historical aspects of Moldova. Every year hundreds of Cadets travel the globe, spending up to three weeks immersed in foreign cultures, learning more about how others around the world view the US and, in the process, learning more about themselves. The Moldova program is funded by Cadet Command and supported by NCNG State Partnership Program.

SECU/NCNGA Scholarship Recipient


NC Airman Commands National Airborne Fire Fighting SystemStory by Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Carver, Air Expeditionary Group Public AffairsPhotos by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Findley, 145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

US Air Force Chief Mas-ter Sgt. Andy Huneycutt and Senior Master Sgt. Gene Del-linger, load-masters for the 156th Airlift Squadron, NC Air National Guard, go over the MAFFS unit’s pre-flight issues with Rob-ert Onsgard, Forest Service Plans and Operations Coordinator, during MAFFS annual training for certification. Chief Huneycutt is one of two survivors of MAFFS 7, the 145th Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules aircraft that crashed while fighting forest fires in South Dakota July 1, 2012. Huneycutt and Dellinger assist the loadmas-ter’s ground training and monitors loadmaster flying training events.

US Air Force Col. Paul Lyman, air liaison of-ficer JFHQ-Wyoming, Col Roger E. Williams, Jr., commander 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. Todd Kelly, NC assistant adjutant general - Air and Col. Charles D. Davis, III, Air Expeditionary Group commander listen to a briefing dur-ing the start of the annual Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) training for certification. This year’s MAFFS training is hosted by the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, at the Cheyenne Regional Airport, Cheyenne, WY, on May 6, 2013.

BOISE, Idaho – The national command head-quarters for military air tanker aircraft assigned to fight wild land forest fires activated at the National Interagency Fire Center here June 13. “Our first priority is protecting the lives and property of Americans threatened by wild land forest fires,” said Air Force Col. Charles Davis, North Carolina Air National Guard, commander of the Air Expeditionary Group (AEG), which oversees the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) mission. “Our team cuts across local, state and federal agency lines. It’s a real cooperative, interagency mission.” MAFFS activated June 11 to assist in fighting forest fires in Southern Colorado after the US Forest Service (USFS) sent a request for assistance to the Department of Defense (DoD). The US Air Force Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing, based at Peterson Air Force Base, CO, responded immediately. MAFFS is a self-contained aerial fire-fighting system owned by the USFS. MAFFS modules are loaded into the cargo bays of military C-130 aircraft. Led by small USFS planes, military aircrews can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant from the MAFFS modules along the leading edge of a forest fire in less than five seconds covering an area a quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, ground crews at a MAFFS tanker base can refill the modules in less than 12 minutes. A joint DoD and USFS program, MAFFS provides aerial firefighting resources when commercial and private air tankers are no longer able to meet the needs of the Forest Service. Four C-130 units perform the MAFFS mission, each providing two MAFFS-capable aircraft and the air and ground crews needed to operate them. They are the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard; 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard; 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard; and the 302nd in Colorado.

Since June 11, MAFFS aircraft have made more than 70 drops on Colorado and Arizona fires using in excess of some 190,000 gallons of fire retardant. On July 7, in addition to assuming overall oversight of MAFFS operations in the southwest, the 145th has also provided additional aircraft to help fight a fire which has burned more than 8,000 acres in Arizona. “We were just out in South Dakota to memorialize them at the crash site, so to get back out in the fight is significant to us. To me personally, it is an emotional event,” said Col. Roger Williams, 145th commander. The activation fell near the one year anniversary of the unit’s MAFFS 7 disaster that took the lives of four crew members and injured two. According to Williams, executing the firefighting operations is a way to honor their fallen comrades and to help the people of Arizona at the same time. A recent report showed that the deadly wildfire in that region is nearly 90% contained and should be under control within the next week. The MAFFS operations are a valuable way our NC Guardsmen help

protect the citizens of our nation against disaster.


Edgemont, SD. Lt. Gov. Matt Michels; Craig Bobzien, BH National For-est Supervisor; Major General Greg Lusk, NC Adjutant General; Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Huneycutt, MAFFS 7 survivor; Major General Timo-thy Reisch, SD Adjutant General; and MIke Ortner, Chairman, Fall River County Commission, unveil the MAFFS 7 interpretive memorial on display near Edgemont, SD. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.

Edgemont, SD. Robert F. Cannon, touches a picture of his son, Senior Master Sgt. Robbie Cannon at the MAFFS 7 interpretive memorial on display near Edgemont, SD. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.

EDGEMONT, SD – A memorial ceremony was held today to dedicate an interpretive site that honors the airmen of the North Carolina Air National Guard C-130 aircraft that crashed one year ago on July 1, 2012, while fighting the White Draw Fire near Edgemont. Four members of the six-person Modular Airborne Firefighting System 7 (MAFFS-7) aircrew died when strong winds out of a thunderstorm caused their air tanker to impact the ground on a ridge top northeast of Edgemont. “We are honoring these six North Carolina Guardsmen for their heroism and we are dedicating this site so that people will remember them forever,” said South Dakota Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, during the ceremony. “It is impossible for any words to pass my lips that can express our incredible gratitude for the sacrifices that these men have made…but they will always be remembered by this memorial.” The MAFFS-7 C-130 aircraft that crashed was from the NCANG’s145th Airlift Wing based at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Killed were Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal, 42, of Mooresville; Maj. Joseph McCormick, 36, of Belmont; Maj. Ryan David, 35, of Boone; and Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon, 50, of Charlotte. Two survived but were seriously injured — Chief Master Sgt. Andy Huneycutt of Lancaster and Sgt. Josh Marlowe of Shelby. More than 100 family members, friends and colleagues were present for the ceremony and to see the unveiling of the interpretive signs. Located approximately seven miles north of

Ceremony Honors NC Guardsmen Killed Fighting FireStory by Maj. Anthony Deiss, South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

Edgemont along Hwy 18, the interpretive site overlooks the ridge where the aircraft crashed while dropping fire retardant on the White Draw Fire. “None of them took off that day to become heroes, in fact they would all tell us assuredly if they were here that they were simply answering a call to duty,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory Lusk, adjutant general of the NC National Guard. “They were simply doing the job they all love to do. As we pay tribute to the crew – by commemorating on the anniversary this site – we acknowledge that they join a very long line of Minutemen who have for over 376 years done exactly what they did; just answer the call of the neighbor in need, service to the community and service to our nation.” “I recall that first approach by a large air tanker, the roar of the props

and turbines above the treetops…time and again, I witnessed how well it helped ground firefighters,” Black Hills National Forest Supervisor Craig Bobzien said of the MAFFS-7 aircrew. “Our purpose today probes deeper. We are peering into the tiny windows and inside the aircraft at the humans and focusing on the crew of MAFFS-7 – protecting our freedom and protecting us from peril. They served with honor and we are here to honor them.” The construction of the interpretive site and signs were a collaborative effort between the South Dakota National Guard and Black Hills National Forest officials. The interpretive site includes a parking area and signs that tell the story of the fire and the fatal accident. “The unveiling of this marker here today will assure that these heroes will indeed live forever,” said Maj. Gen. Lusk. “To the families of these brave men, just know that we will always remember and acknowledge your sacrifices and your service, every step of the way. I hope from your perspective this dedication is indeed the legacies of your husbands, and that it is fair to say that the citizens of North Carolina and the citizens of South Dakota will forever share a kindred bond.”


RAFFLEIncome ticket sales $ 5,511 Expenses: cost of tickets, postage & prize - 2,811Net Income $ 2,700

TOOL BOX RAFFLE $ 852

REVERSE DRAWING (4/25/13)Income ticket sales $ 11,520 Income side bars/misc auction 876 Expenses (cost of tickets, meals & prizes) - 5,574 Net Income $ 6,822

GOLF TOURNAMENT (4/25/13)Income: $ 11,686Expenses: - 7,236 Net Income $ 4,450 SILENT AUCTION $ 2.997

FOUNDATION’S HEROES TRAVELING TROPHY 505th EN BN $ 20 SCHOLARSHIP FUND CONTRIBUTIONSLen Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund (505th EN BN) $ 1,000 Air National Guard Chapter Scholarship Fund 1,100Roy Brantley Memorial Perpetual Scholarship Fund 100 Danny E. Bowers Memorial Scholarship Fund 3,529Capt. Chris Cash Memorial Scholarship Fund 2,000CMSgt. David A. Earnhardt Memorial Scholarship Fund 1,400 Walter Freeze Memorial Scholarship Fund 5,000General Officers Scholarship Fund 1,450Elmer Hardison Memorial Scholarship Fund/wagon 1,736Dorothy Ledbetter Fund – Marvin & Thomas Ledbetter 500Lucille Webster Stalls Memorial Teachers Scholarship Fund 300Total $ 18,115 ENDOWMENT FUND CONTRIBUTIONS2012 Foundation BOD $ 5002013 Foundation BOD 74 Total $ 574 OTHER

NCNGA Annual Contribution to General Fund $ 2,500 TOTAL NET INCOME $ 39,030

Financial StatementNCNGA Educational Foundation, Inc.

2013And the winners are!!!! The North Carolina National Guard Armory in Winston-Salem was the location for the Educational Foundation Annual Reverse Drawing on April 25, 2013. A good time was had by all.

Reverse Drawing Prize winners were: 1st ticket drawn # 113 - $40 - Sam Cherry Winners of $50 for every 25th ticket drawn: Vinnie Dagostino, Curtis Harris, Shawne Johnson, Greg Smith, Maria Frym, Mark Ryals, Nicholas Mitchell, Rick Fay, Charles Hunt and Wendy Larsen $100 Side Bar winner was Melanie Price $200 Side Bar winner was Jim Harrison Ticket # 150 – Kim Schnack The $4,000 Grand Prize was split as follows: Ticket # 82 Reggie Hill Ticket # 85 Robert Moore Ticket # 110 James McKee Ticket # 127 Rita Colbert Ticket # 150 Kim Schnack Ticket # 151 Ward Tyndall Ticket # 188 Mark McMahan & Reggie Hill Ticket # 224 Paul Terry & Rick Fay Ticket # 257 Carly Tanner Ticket # 264 Andy & Dianne Hoyle Winners of our other Fund-Raisers: The Hardison “Party Wagon” was won by Cathy Bullock. $1,736 was raised and deposited into the Elmer Hardison Memorial Scholarship Fund. Doris and Rex did another great job! The $2,000 Raffle was won by John Dandridge, second prize of $100 went to Jimmie Weaver. A rolling tool box, donated by Stanley Black & Decker was won by Jerri Edwards. The Educational Foundation thanks everyone who bought and/or sold tickets to help raise funds for educational scholarships. We sincerely appreciate your support. Terry Westbrook, Fundraising Committee Chairman

NCNGA Educational Foundation Winners


RALEIGH, NC – A distress call went out in the late afternoon hours of Friday, June 14, 2013, concerning a hiker who had been injured in Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Gatlinburg, TN. The challenge; how do you extract a subject that would take 12 hours by foot (due to terrain) for rescue? The answer ultimately became, by air! North Carolina National Guard aviation assets, in conjunction with members of the NC Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART), were tasked with this search and rescue mission in the rough and tumble terrain of the southern region of the Appalachian Trail. “Everybody worked together to get the survivor out of there,” said Army Capt. Darrell Scoggins, a NCNG helicopter pilot who flew the mission. NCHART is a highly specialized team consisting of North Carolina Army National Guard and North Carolina State Highway Patrol air assets matched with North Carolina Emergency Management and local emergency services personnel that perform helicopter-based rescues. According to reports, the subject, identified as Nathan Lipsom, 53, of Cambridge, Mass., was injured when a large tree fell on him, breaking his ankle and causing internal injuries on Thursday evening. “There were numerous trees down and there had been reports of a tornado in the area the night before,” said Scoggins. According to the park spokeswoman, Molly Schroer, the hiker was found by a ranger during a patrol of the trail system around Cosby and Big Creek area on Friday morning after a tornado strike from the previous evening. Schroer said a National Weather Service crew confirmed that an EF-1 tornado hit the Cosby area during the storm, which caused considerable damage and made it difficult to execute a ground rescue of Lipsom. The rangers were patrolling the area in order to assess storm damage. Park rangers

were unable to reach the injured hiker earlier in the afternoon, located on the Low Gap Trail just south of the Appalachian Trail system, due to trail conditions from the downed trees in the area. After a conference call between officials from the NCNG and N.C. Emergency Management, the decision was made to deploy a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, along with two NCHART technicians.“It is a collective effort, pilots fly, crew check for clearance for the helicopter and HART technicians plan the safest, best approach to extract,” said Scoggins. In the early evening hours on Friday, the NCHART technicians were able to successfully load Lipsom on board the helicopter, using a litter, and extract him to the nearest hospital in Asheville, N.C. “The canopy is normally thick there and it was difficult to insert,” said Scoggins. “We found an area near the survivor and inserted the HART technicians there. They were able to clear an area so we could do a pick up.” At approximately 6:45 p.m., Lipsom was taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville to be treated for his injuries. This most recent rescue is the fourth successful mission since last July of the assets from NCNG and NCHART working together.The flight crew and NCHART technicians were praised by NC National Guard leaders for their dedication and professionalism. NCHART also executes missions involving swiftwater/flood rescue, lost persons and urban/wilderness high angle rescues. NCHART trains on a quarterly basis in these areas in order to keep both technicians and air crews proficient.

Members of the North Carolina Helicopter and Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART) hold mountaintop rescue train-ing at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, April 16. Aircrew from the North Carolina National Guard and North Carolina State Highway Patrol with North Carolina Emergency Management personnel and local first respond-ers from Alexander County Emergency Services, EMS, and Rescue Squad gain valuable experience during the exercise simulating rescues from the cliff at Rocky Face. (Photo courtesy of Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area Public Information Office)

NCNG Aviators, NC HART Rescue Injured HikerArticle by Capt. Rick Scoggins, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs

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A NGAUS tradition, the annual conference allows members to gather and vote on the top legislative priorities for NGAUS, share information and celebrate the camaraderie of being National Guard and NGAUS members. Join us in Hawaii and network with more than 4,000 fellow National Guard men and women from all 50 States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. Members and guests of the NCNG will be staying in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki.• We will host a hospitality suite

in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for daily meetings and Hospitality Night

• We have 30 rooms blocked at the Hyatt at $159 (+taxes/fees)

• Registration is $200 and includes tickets to the Governor’s Reception, All States Dinner, Convention Center exhibits and events, and daily access to refreshments at the North Carolina National Guard’s hospitality suite.

For more information, contact MAJ Brian McIlvaine, 1636 Gold Star Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607 or 919-791-6419 or [email protected]. (You can also go to www.ncnga.org and click on Membership/NGAUS for more links to the NGAUS website.)

135TH NGAUS GENERAL CONFERENCEHONOLULU, HI

20-23 SEPTEMBER 2013

NGAUS Conference Join Us in Hawaii!

“For God and Country - Still Serving Proudly.”

The North Carolina Department of the American Legion

Thanks You for Your Service to Our State and Nation!

We invite you to visit any of our 334 Posts, statewide, visit our website

www.nclegion.org, email us at [email protected],

or call 919-832-7506.

Fly-Fight-Win!

Congratulations to the 145th Civil Engineering Squadron, Readiness & Emergency Management Flight, North Carolina Air National Guard for winning the 2012 Colonel Frederick J. Riemer Award. US Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dan Eakman, ANG Civil Engineer Career Field Manager and Air Force Col. Peter “Puck” Sartori, Director of Logistics, Installations and Mission Support from the Air National Guard headquarters, District of Columbia, pose with military and civilian members of the 145th Civil engineering Squadron after they were presented with the Society of America Military Engineers Curtain Award for Air Force Outstanding Unit of the Year, the Col. Fredrick J. Riemer Award, for ANG Outstanding Readiness & Emergency Management Flight and Col. William L. Deneke Award for Outstanding Unit of the Year Award. These annual awards recognize the best CE squadron from all Air Reserve components in the United States that best demonstrates exemplary performance in support of the engineer readiness mission. The ceremony was held on May 16, 2013, at the North Carolina Air National Guard base in Charlotte, NC. (US Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Findley/Released)


Memorial/Special Scholarships

Len Adams Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Abigail M. Mansfield of Gastonia – Mars Hill CollegeDaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Walter J. Mansfield – HHC 505th EN Combat BN

Lauren A. Harrelson of Hamlet – Appalachian State UniversityDaughter of Mr. Robert Harrelson – HHC 105th EN BN

Air National Guard Chapter Scholarship - $1,000

Brittany A. Wood of Kannapolis – East Carolina UniversityDaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Wood, Jr. – 156AS/145AW

Dare Reese “John” Beam Memorial Scholarship - $400

Gail G. Wagner of Kannapolis – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College725th Equip Spt PLT

Danny E. Bowers Memorial Scholarship - $400

Samantha M. Starcher of Gastonia – Gaston College Dallas CampusGranddaughter of Thomas A. Pilon - Associate Life Member

Roy L. Brantley Memorial Perpetual Scholarship - $1,000

Shawna M. Loftis of Peachland – Bellevue UniversitySpouse of Gary L. Loftis – HHC 60th Troop Command

Captain Chris Cash Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Faith J. Locklear of Battleboro – UNC at PembrokeDaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Locklear – Associate Life Member

Jessica G. Pope of Rocky Mount – East Carolina UniversityDaughter of Mr. Jeffrey L. Pope – Associate Life Member

CMSgt David A. Earnhardt Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Talitha C. Bowers of Granite Quarry – Western Carolina UniversityDaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Bowers – Co C 1/131 AVN

Walter R. Freeze Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Tricia J. Mallimo of Salisbury – Pfeiffer UniversityDaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Mallimo – 1454th Trans Co

Elmer C. Hardison Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Rachel M. Taylor of Indian Trail – Wingate UniversityDaughter of Mr. Robert H. Taylor, Jr. – Associate Life Member

William E. Ingram Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Samuel T. Hopkins of Morehead City – UNC at WilmingtonGrandson of Mr. James A. Muse, Sr. – Associate Life Member

Wes and Betsy Ives Memorial Perpetual Scholarship $1,000

Meghan B. Pope of Greensboro – UNC at GreensboroDaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Chalmer D. Pope – JFHQ - NC

Wesley Draughn Ives Memorial Perpetual Scholarship - 1,000

Dan R. Millard III of Pikeville – UNC at WilmingtonGrandson of Dan R. Millard – Associate Life Member

Dorothy Ledbetter Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Justin T. Dunn of Angier – Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteSon of Mrs. April Mauldin - JFHQ - NC

LTC William C. Polk, Jr. Memorial Perpetual Scholarship $1,000

Elliott T. H. Powell of Graham – UNC at PembrokeSon of Mr. & Mrs. LaMonte Powell – Associate Member

Memorial/Special Scholarships continued:

Lucille Webster Stalls Memorial Teachers Scholarship - $1,000

Megan E. Aguilar of Apex – UNC at Greensboro Spouse of Ronnie L. Aguilar – 113th SUS BDE

COL Lon W. & Emma R. Taylor Memorial Perpetual Scholarship - $1,000

Nicholas T. Lannon of Camden – NC State UniversityGrandson of Mr. Albert Everson – Associate Life Member

Ed and Trudy Webber Memorial Perpetual Scholarship – $1,000

John D. Boger of Winston Salem – UNC at CharlotteGrandson of the late Mr. Joseph F. Corley – Associate Life Member The following Special/Memorial Scholarships were unable to be awarded due to lack of available funds:

CMSgt George R. Auten Memorial Perpetual Scholarship - $1,000USAA Scholarship - $1,000

The Following Special Memorial Scholarships were unable to be awarded due to no qualified candidates:

Danny E. Bowers Memorial Scholarship (two additional) - $400 CMSgt David A. Earnhardt Memorial Scholarship - $400

Ruth and Ellis Fulbright of Icard Memorial & National Merit Scholarship - $1,000

Weldon E. Holcomb Memorial Scholarship - $400 James B. “Sandy” Stokes, Jr. Memorial Scholarship - $400

Other Scholarships

Academic Excellence/Leadership Award - $1,000

Brooke S. Loftis of Peachland – East Carolina UniversityDaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gary Loftis – HHC 60th Troop Command

Jesse R. Pope of Lake Lure – Converse UniversityGranddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. Earl Willis – Associate Life Member

Citizenship Award - $1,000

Kenneth W. Neal of Raleigh – Wake Forest UniversityGrandson of Mr. Kenneth L. Stalls – Associate Life Member

Ryan A. Lefler of Concord – NC State UniversitySon of Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell E. Lefler – 145 MXS Chapter 7

Post Grad Scholarship - $800

Holly M. Flint of Ravena, NY – Albany College of PharmacyGranddaughter of Thomas Pilon – Associate Life Member

Special Population Scholarship - $800

Arthur T. Hohnsbehn of Garner – Campbell UniversitySon of Mr. & Mrs. Arthur E. Hohnsbehn – Associate Life Member

SECU Foundation/NCNGA Educational Foundation Scholarship - $10,000

Aaron C. Stinson of Boonville – North Carolina State University Grandchild of Albert Everson, Associate Life Member

SECU Foundation/NCNGA Educational Foundation Scholarship - $5,000

Jordan L. Abbott of Newport – Craven Community CollegeGrandchild of the late Verner A. Abbott III - Associate Life Member

NCNGA Educational Foundation, Inc.2013-14 Scholarship Recipients


The NCO inductees, including 18 514th Military Police Company Soldiers, stand with their NCO sponsors under the NCO arch after the NCO induction ceremony at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, April 12, 2013. Before Soldiers are officially inducted into the NCO Corps, they must affirm their commitment by stating the NCO oath which states they “will fulfill my greatest obligation as a leader and thereby confirm my status as a non-commissioned officer.” (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gerard Capstaff)

NEW LONDON, NC – Lt. Col. Timothy Moran, Deputy Commander, 145th Engineer Squadron swaps construction helmets with Master Warrant Officer Martin Cloutier, Royal Air Force 3 Wing Construction Engineers Canadian Forces from Bagotville, Quebec. Cloutier is one of 26 engineers that participated in a two-week Deployment for Training Program, an exchange agreement between the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Air National Guard hosted by 145th Civil Engineering Squadron at the North Carolina Air National Guard Regional Training Site in New London, NC. (National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Findley, 145th Public Affairs)

As a member of the NCNGA, you are entitled to discounts from many businesses, nationwide and statewide. Listed below is a new discount being offered to our members. If you would like a complete listing, please contact Kathy Ford at 1-919-851-3390, ext. 2.

Carm’s Cafe — FREE drink with the purchase of an entree to those with a valid Military ID. Located in Concord, NC at 42 Union Street, South. (Veteran Owned!)

Did You Know...

Check out our website (www.ncnga.org)

for more discounts, insurance information,

scholarship applications, etc.


Women have played key roles in military service since our nation’s inception, from helping with personnel shortages at home, to tending to battlefield wounded, to serving side by side in combat. As of September 2012, the Department of Veteran Affairs reports that there are over 2,248,579 female Veterans in

the US and over 87,840 Veteran women live in North Carolina. Vet Centers understand that many Veteran women face distinct challenges throughout their service and can be confronted with difficulties transitioning. We recognize that each Veteran is unique and our staff strives to meet each Veteran’s needs. Many Vet Center counselors are Veterans themselves. We understand and appreciate Veterans’ war experiences while assisting them and their family members toward a successful post-war adjustment in or near their community. The women and men who staff Vet Centers pride themselves on experience, education, cultural awareness and sensitivity. Vet Centers offer a wide range of services to help female Veterans make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Our counselors are knowledgeable about treatments for the after-effects of trauma, both combat and military sexual trauma (MST). We offer individual counseling, workshops, groups and evidence based treatments for PTSD. At the Raleigh Vet Center we also offer a group specifically designed for Veteran women; the Veteran Women’s Support and Processing Group. This group helps women address interpersonal issues related to readjustment. Veteran women can discuss issues such as loss, hurt, anxiety, depression, family concerns, health issues as well as issues that pertain directly to PTSD, combat and MST. This group is lead and attended by Veteran women, and is open to all females who meet eligibility. If you or someone you know would like more information on the Vet Center Program, please contact us.

VETERAN

Vet Centers offer readjustment counseling to Combat Veterans, MST Veterans, and

their families.

Raleigh Vet Center

1649 Old Louisburg RoadRaleigh, N.C. 27603

(919) 856-4616www.vetcenter.va.gov

All our services are free of charge; thank you for your service to our country.

Serving Women Who Have Served Our Country

By Gillian Holt, NCC, LPCA, Readjustment Counselor, Veteran

William C. PressleyLake Wylie, SC

5 May 2013

Ronald A. PhillipsClyde, NC

6 May 2013

Tremaine Ray JohnsonTarboro, NC 27 May 2013

Jason G. JesterHHC 113th SUS BDE

29 May 2013

James R. “Pete” PetersonRaleigh, NCJune 2013

Charles A. YoungDet 11 NCARNG RRB

Ellenboro, NC10 June 2013

James PrinceSon of Levi Bellamy

Supply, NC11 June 2013

Ernest Keith NelonOld Fort, NC13 June 2013

Roy B. AsbellElm City, NC13 June 2013

Deborah L. WardSpouse of Michael L. Ward

Rogersville, TN14 June 2013

Donald M. BarnesKenly, NC

16 June 2013

Daryl B. GreenDurham, NC16 June 2013

Angela HartSpouse of David Hart

Morganton NC18 June 2013

David M. ChuCo A 1-130th ARBFranklinton, NC

22 June 2013

In Memoriam

PeriodicalsU. S. Postage

PAIDRaleigh, NC

Tarheel GuardsmanNC National Guard Assoc.7410 Chapel Hill Road Raleigh, NC 27607-5047

How to reach us:919-851-3390 [email protected] - emailwww.ncnga.org - website

Tickets — *The NCNGA pays for tickets as they are sold; we are unable to provide refunds if tickets are unused.*Tickets are mailed the day the request is received. *Ticket info is also on our website: www.ncnga.org

To order tickets, send check, money order, MasterCard or Visa information to: NCNGA, 7410 Chapel Hill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607 or call 919-851-3390, ext. 2 for Kathy Ford

Mail tickets to: Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________ State: _________ Zip code: _________________

Type of Payment: ___ Check ___ Money Order ___ Master Card ___ Visa

Make checks or money order payable to NCNGA. A fee of $23 will be charged for any check returned due toinsufficient funds or a check written on a closed account. If checks remain unpaid, Commanders will be notified.

Credit Card Information: Account #_____________________________________________________

Exp. Date _____________________ 3 Digit Security Code:_____________

Name on Card: __________________________________________ Signature _______________________________

When ordering tickets, please

allow one week for delivery

2013 NCNGA Discount Ticket Order Form Carowinds/Kings Dominion - Valid at either park - $33.00 for ages 3 & up. (Carowinds Gate prices (opens March 31) – Adults - $56.99 - ages 3-61 & at least 48” tall. Junior/Senior - $39.99-ages 3-61 & under 48” tall or 62 & older: Children under 3-FREE. )Kings Dominion Gate prices (opens April 6) – Adults - $61.99 - ages 3-61 & at least 48” tall. Junior/Senior - $39.99 - ages 3-61 & under 48” tall or 62 & older. Children under 3-FREE.)

Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park* - Adult Tickets-$27.00 for over 48” tall.Park open May 25 - Sept. 2 (Gate price $34.99 over 48” tall. Children 2 & under are FREE.)

Junior Tickets* - $19.00. (Gate price $24.99 under 48” tall.)*Tickets can also be ordered online at www.emeraldpointe.com. Call NCNGA for Corporate Code.**

Busch Gardens Military Appreciation Days - Tickets $38 for ages 3 & up. Valid Through 27 October (Gate prices $70.00 ages 3 & up)

Busch Gardens Fun Card - Tickets $65.00. ($70 at gate) Valid Thru 2 September ONLY

Water Country USA - Tickets $27.00 for ages 3 & up. Valid 18 May thru Sep 2 Only (Gate prices - Ages 3 & up $49.99. Ages 2 & under FREE.)

*ANHEUSER-BUSCH “HERE’S TO THE HEROES” TRIBUTE*Single Day’s FREE Admission to Anheuser-Busch Parks for active military & 3 direct dependants. Register online @ www.herosalute.com or at the park entrance plaza with DOD photo ID.

Quantity Total $

SubtotalCreditCard Fee +$3.00

Total Due $

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