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Volume 13 , Number 1 January-February 2005

Comforting Our Wounded, page 8 Airpower Maintained, page 11

From Ground Zeroto

Rainbow ‘Stretches’ into Iraq

Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, Multinational Corps Iraq commander passes the Rainbow flag to Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, 42nd Infantry Division commander, during the Transfer of Authority ceremony Feb. 14. Thismarks the first time the Rainbow colors have been unfurled in a combat theater since World War II. See story on page three. Photo courtesy of 42nd Infantry Division, Task Force Liberty Dispatch.

42nd Infantry Division takes command of Multinational Division, North Central, Iraq

Bank of America says DoD travelcardpersonal information lost, alerts card holders

About 900,000 Defense Department employees may be affected by Bank ofAmerica’s loss and the possible compromise of government travel card information,Pentagon officials said Feb. 25.

Bank of America officials have sent letters to affected employees.Secret Service agents are conducting the investigation, with help from the Defense

Criminal Investigative Service.Officials said that although there has been no evidence of criminal activity, release

of details on the circumstances of the loss could jeopardize the investigation.The information that may have been compromised includes names, Social Security

numbers, addresses and account numbers. Officials notified DoD Jan. 19.“The bank is notifying cardholders of the situation,” says BoA officials. "Cardholders

may request that the bank cancel the card and reissue a card to them.”Bank of America has a hotline: (800) 493-8444.Cardholders who notice irregularities in accounts should call Bank of America at

the number on the back of their cards.

The Department of Defense launched a nationwide program, “America SupportsYou,” and a new Website to showcase the many activities taking place across thenation in support of the troops.

The Website, which highlights organizations and individuals coordinating localand national support efforts, has logged nearly a million hits since its inception.

Individual citizens, businesses, schools, veterans groups and others have visitedthe site, www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil, to register their activities, send a messageto the troops and identify programs of support in their own communities.

GUARD NOTES Naval MilitiaContinuesGrowth asJoint ForceAsset

Guard TimesPage2

Website Links Public to Troops

Camp Offers Hoops for TroopsMVP Basketball Camp, White Plains, a nonprofit organization, is offering a free

week during their summer 2005 camp session to children or siblings of deployedtroops. If you have a child between the ages of 7-16 who loves basketball, pleasecontact MVP at (914) 946-1231. Space is limited and registration is first come, firstserved.

Pentagon leaders and Capitol Hill legislators want to increase the current availablecombined government death benefit for families of fallen servicemembers by about$250,000.

If enacted, the proposed change essentially would double the $262,000 nowavailable to families of servicemembers killed in wartime operations.

DoD and Senate proposals would increase the death gratuity payment to $100,000and boost maximum Service Group Life Insurance coverage to $400,000. ThePentagon would pay the premiums for the extra $150,000 in SGLI coverage whenparticipating servicemembers are deployed in a combat zone. A plan under discussion,if approved by Congress and the President, would be retroactive to Oct. 7, 2001, theday Operation Enduring Freedom began in Afghanistan.

Pentagon, Senate Seek to double G.I.Survivors’ Benefit

Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management officials havepublished the regulations that will govern how the new National Security PersonnelSystem will operate. The proposed regulations appeared in the Federal Register inmid-February.

The public comment period ended March 16. Officials will then confer with thevarious federal employee unions. The first 60,000 people under the NSPS arescheduled to transfer to the system in July, at their current salaries.

General-schedule workers will stop being GS-designated employees and willtransfer to pay bands. It will be a year before the first decisions are made onperformance-based pay raises.

New Civilian Personnel Rules Published

By Rear Adm. Robert A. RosenCommander, New York Naval Militia

JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS, Latham—Over the past eight years since I havecommanded the New York Naval Militia (NYNM), the naval militia team has been ableto mold the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserve, and our volunteer forces intoa first-rate military National Guard type entity in addition to supporting their Reservetraining.

We have molded our operations, regulations and procedures to conform not only toNational Guard requirements but, also, to the Reserve forces as well. Although we are afederally recognized military organization, under Title 10, U.S. Code, we successfullyarranged for Memoranda of Understanding with the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard,which reaffirms our close, mutual support and working relationships, focused on training,preparation and response. We are also successful in modifying State law to permit CoastGuard reservists to participate in the NYNM.

Many outstanding persons with extensive military and civilian credentials have joinedour ranks over the years. I am particularly proud of the inquiries received from states thatnow look to reestablish naval militia-type programs. We are pleased to have made acontribution to our homeland national defense in this regard.

One of our significant achievements is obtaining high speed, state-of-the-art patrol boats.The State has provided six patrol boats built to Navy and Coast Guard governmentalspecifications, which are now patrolling our waterways. These boats, rangeing in sizefrom 22 to 44 feet, and the people who man them, have made an outstanding contributionto the defense and security of the state’svital waterways, and facilities in closeproximity, throughout the state. We haveestablished a new command called theNew York State Military Emergency BoatService (NYSMEBS). At present, onehundred NYSMEBS volunteers areorganized into various crews for eachboat.

I am very proud of the close workingrelationship and full integration withother state forces including the ArmyNational Guard, Air National Guard andState Guard.

As a component military force, and apart of N.Y.’s Division of Military andNaval Affairs, the NYNM is an integral part of all responses requested by the Governoror Adjutant General. Our orders, like the orders of other state military forces, come throughthe office of the Adjutant General or, in time of emergency, the Joint Operations Center(JOC). We have trained and certified naval militia personnel who are part of the JOC.

We support the activation of our members when they are called into federal service, havedone so on many occasions. We enjoy, now more than ever, a close working relationshipwith the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and we form a seamless force. We havetried to be an exemplary model of what a citizen/sailor/soldier should be.

The NYNM has a wide variety of skills and capabilities, which embrace not only militaryabilities, but the civilian skills that members in the Reserve forces have. We run drillsbetween our regional commands, throughout the year, to insure our responses andcommunications are ready and in excellent shape.

The NYNM made lifesaving and vital contributions when called into action during snowand ice storms, TWA 800, 9/11 and a number of other state emergencies. We haveperformed tens of thousands of man-days, on my watch, responding to state emergencies

“With good leadership,understanding andappreciation, I amconfident the future isbright for the NavalMilitia.”

—Rear Adm. Robert RosenCommander, New York Naval Militia

See NAVAL MILITIA, page 12

Guard Times Page3

By Staff Sgt. Duane M. Brown22nd Mobile Pubic Affairs Detachment Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta42nd Infantry Division Public Affairs

TIKRIT, Iraq—In a ceremony honoring a job welldone and welcoming the new, the 42nd Infantry Divisionassumed responsibility of Coalition efforts inMultinational Division - North Central, Iraq, Feb. 14.

In the ceremony, the torch was passed from Maj. Gen.John R. S. Batiste, 1st Infantry Division commander, toMaj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, 42nd ID commander,signifying an official transfer of authority.

“Soldiers of Task Force Danger have done everythinghumanly possible to support the Iraqi people inestablishing a new and better life, to include sheddingblood for the Iraqi patriots,” General Taluto said.

Soldiers from the 1st ID have made great strides duringtheir tenure in Iraq, General Batiste said.

“Our successes over the past year have been achievedin partnership with the people of Iraq,” General Batistesaid. “We have worked together to empower IraqiSecurity Forces to defeat the insurgency and haveconducted operations to kill or capture the enemy.”

Results of the 1st ID efforts are evident in many facetsof the Iraqi communities. Improvements include, but arenot limited to, improved quality of life, new jobs andhope given to people who were oppressed for decadesby the former regime, General Batiste said.

“Together we have built the foundation of a newbeginning by developing relationships based on trust andconfidence—by changing people’s attitudes,” GeneralBatiste said. “Together, we have given the people thefreedom to make their own choices about their leadersand how their country will be governed.”

Rainbow Stretches Into Iraq“I feel we have completed our mission here and set the

42nd up for success,” said Staff Sgt. Deondre L. Long, 1stID division plans noncommissioned officer in charge.

The Rainbow Division will continue to build upon theblocks already laid by its predecessors. General Talutosaid Task Force Liberty would honor U.S. commitmentsto work with the Iraqis to strengthen freedom and establisha representative Government in Iraq.

“Soldiers of Task Force Liberty are inspired and readyto take up a position alongside Iraqi citizens in the causefor freedom,” General Taluto said. “Our pledge is tocontinue the march toward a free and peaceful Iraq.”

More than 22,000 soldiers under the command of the42nd ID will support Multinational Division-NorthCentral Iraq.

Division Headquarters Brings TrainingAdvantage of Adjusted Deployment Date

The main body of the 42nd ID, the command and controlelement of Task Force Liberty, left Fort Drum and FortDix for Kuwait and their final destination—Iraq andOperation Iraqi Freedom III—in January.

The mobilization of the Rainbow Division provides afoundation on which the Army can build a combat taskforce for operations in Iraq. Division Soldiers willprovide the command and control, logistics andoperational base for combat brigades to succeed in theirIraq mission.

The combat force, known as Task Force Liberty,includes the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade CombatTeam, Fort Stewart, Ga., and 3rd Brigade Combat Team,Fort Benning, Ga. The Idaho National Guard’s 116th

Brigade Combat Team and the Tennessee Army National

42nd Infantry Division Engineers assume responsibility for Area ofOperations Danger at the Transfer of Authority Ceremony, Tikrit,Iraq Feb. 3. Photo by Sgt. Blake Kent

Guard’s 278th Regimental Combat Team complete theforce.

Approximately 2,000 Soldiers departed in the first twoweeks of January. Many of these Soldiers have beentraining for Operation Iraqi Freedom since May of 2004.

Gathered from Army units across 24 states and theAmerican Samoa, these 21st Century Soldiers embody

See RAINBOW, page 4

By 2nd Lt. Amy FiresGuard Times Staff

TROY—Valentines Day is a daythat Americans remember theirloved ones. This year, New York’sFamily Readiness Groups (FRGs)were no exception when they joinedin support of their Soldiersoverseas.

The 42nd Infantry Division FRGand 642nd Military IntelligenceBattalion FRG anxiously waited inFebruary’s frigid morning air at thefront of Glenmore Road Armory,Troy, Feb. 14, for the arrival of atractor-trailer loaded with donatedgoods from the “Support OurTroops” campaign.

Since last November, a group ofstate and federal lawmakers fromWestern New York joined local

Rainbow FamiliesBlend for SupportCampaign

veterans in a campaign to collectdonations from their counties forNew York’s deployed Soldiers.

Senator George H. Winner, Jr.,53rd District, one of the organizersof the campaign was present andcommented, “It’s just been anincredible effort and a real show ofthe American spirit in our region.”

The donations arrived from

"it...gives thefamilies andfriends a purposeand opportunity tomeet and supportone another."

—Mrs. Heffner42ID Family Readiness Group

42nd Infantry Division and 642nd Military Intelligence Battalion Family ReadinessGroup volunteers sort items donated through the 'Support Our Troops' campaign.Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petione.

A Family Readiness Group membersorts donated items.

Western New York via a longdistance trucking company fromArkport, a small community locatednear Hornell. The CompanyPresident volunteered her truck’sservices at the beginning of thecampaign. The company collecteddonations from 15 AmericanLegion Posts and Veterans ofForeign Wars in Steuben County,which served as regional collectioncenters.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph

Bruno, whose district consists ofRensselaer County, where thearmory is located, spoke at the hand-over and exchange of donations,

complementing the many volunteerswho played a part in getting somany supplies ready for the troops,the goodwill of the FRGs and thenever-ending support of friends andfamily of those Soldiers who arestationed in theater.

Mrs. Heffner of the 42nd ID FRGsaid, “we can’t say enough about

the support from the home front.Not only does receiving of thesecare packages serve as a moralebooster for N.Y.'s deployedSoldiers, it also gives the familiesand friends of these Soldiers apurpose and opportunity to meetand support one another," onValentines Day. !

Guard TimesPage 4

By Karen Bradshaw1st Army Public Affairs Office

FORT GILLEM, Ga.—The ImprovisedExplosive Device or IED is the single biggestproblem for our troops and convoys in Iraq.Priority one for 1st Army is to train alldeploying Soldiers how to detect, deter,prevent, defeat and respond to IEDs.

To that end, 1st Army Commander Lt.Gen. Russel Honoré and his IED Tiger Teamhosted 51 expert trainers from the easternhalf of the United States at 1st Armyheadquarters to collaborate on the best IEDtraining techniques.

Honoré said that the purpose of theconference was to share ideas on how totrain Soldiers to adapt to the enemy. “Wearen’t here to standardize training at thisconference,” he said. “We are here toenhance and improve what we are alreadydoing. Remember this...the enemy has nostandards. The enemy isn’t reading a bookbut is adjusting how he attacks on a daily

IED...threeletters withexplosiveimpactImprovised ExplosivesChallenge Soldiers

basis. We must think like that.” First Army trainers teach Soldiers to expect

an IED attack 24 hours a day and that anytimeis a good time for an IED strike and how IEDtraining has become vitally important forSoldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.

”Soldiers will train at their mobilizationstations under theater immersion, an Iraqi-like environment where they are jolted by thenoise and explosions of simulated attacks atall times of the day and night. With thelessons taught by the trainers using theseconditions, Soldiers will be better prepared,”said Capt. Sheree Green, operations trainingofficer.

For Honoré, this is serious business and hebelieves the label “improvised” is somewhatmisleading.

“The word ‘improvised’ implies thatamateurs are throwing these bombs togetherand haphazardly using them against us,”Honoré said. “That is not what we are dealingwith. They are more like ‘Precision’Explosive Devices. They are preciselyplaced, precisely timed and precisely

designed to cause casualties. The enemymay not use space age technology, but makeno mistake, he knows what he is doing.”

Methods used by the enemy to detonatean IED can be a simple command detonateddevice that is hard wired or remote controlledby such common electronic gear as pagersor cell phones. Easily disguised, IEDs canbe placed anywhere and are a low-costmethod for the maximum yield.

Honoré assembled his IED Tiger Teamlast year to provide a dynamic resource for1st Army’s trainers.

“Because the enemy’s tactics are changing

on a daily basis, the Tiger Team’s focus is topush the latest information down to thetrainers at the mobilization stations,” saidSgt. First Class Gregory L. Williams Sr.,training NCO.

”Our IED Tiger Team is key to keeping thetraining focus current and based on what ishappening in theater,” said Lt. Col. SamTello, 1st Army Chief of Training.

”Our Soldiers must learn to see first,understand first and act first,” Honore said.“Their actions must become intuitive. Itcould save their lives and those of theircomrades.” !

Trainers from 1st Army converged at the Fort Gillem headquarters to collaborate on their best IEDtraining techniques. IED events are embedded into all training that each deploying Soldier receives.Soldiers must be tested numerous times until their responses become intuitive.Photo by Karen Bradshaw.

A triggering device, recovered by members ofthe Iraqi National Guard, the Iraqi Police and theU.S. Army, found where an IED struck a convoy inNovember 2004.Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee Harshman.

the division’s proud World War I heritage, summed upby Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s historic comparison, fromwhich the division takes its name: “The 42nd Divisionstretches like a rainbow from one end of America toanother.”

As forward elements of the 42nd Infantry DivisionHeadquarters established forward command posts inKuwait to control the deployment of thousands of Soldiersinto theater, the remaining headquarters Soldiers focusedon “conducting post-validation training to better prepareour Soldiers not immediately deploying to do theirmission,” said Taluto.

The division’s advance party deployed in earlyNovember, and elements of Task Force Liberty deployedto Kuwait throughout November and December. Assubordinate units continued to flow into Iraq to assumetheir mission, the theater commander, Gen. John Abizaid,adjusted the division headquarter’s original November2004 deployment to January 2005.

“The combatant commander did not want to realignforces at the critical time of the Iraqi elections,” saidOperation’s Chief of Plans, Lt. Col. Michael Hamlet.

“The troops in theater have been there a while. They’vedeveloped relationships with the Iraqi people andleaders. They know the nuances of the situation,” Hamletsaid. “Why would we swap out troops at that criticaljuncture? Although this adjustment was frustrating to not

RainbowRainbowRainbowRainbowRainbow, from page 3

42nd Infantry Division Soldiers board an aircraft for Kuwait andOperation Iraqi Freedom III. Approximately 2,000 division Soldiersdeparted in the first two weeks of January.Photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta.

only the Soldiers, but their families as well, the timeallowed Soldiers at all levels to focus clearly on themission, and fully prepare for it.”

So, while some Rainbow Soldiers went forward intoKuwait and Iraq, those that remained behind in the U.S.went forward with additional training, including theMiddle Eastern Orientation Course, language classesand insurgency operations seminars.

“If you took a typing class and learned to type, thennever touched a typewriter, your skill would degrade,”said Hamlet. He added that cultural awareness is criticalto the mission.

“In general, Americans are not overly-familiar withArab culture, history, language or the Islamic faith,”Hamlet commented. “These courses are designed togive degrees of knowledge in those areas.”

The courses teach that the vast majority of Iraqis are nothostile to the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom, saidHamlet.

“The key to our success will be our professionalismand the culturally appropriate ways with which weconduct ourselves,” he said.

“The importance of that conduct is, as we execute ourmission, we do so in a way that does not create moreproblems by violating customs and norms,” he said. “It isprobably some of the most important training we’veconducted because it relates directly to our mission’scenter of gravity—the hearts and minds of the Iraqipeople." !

1st Battalion, 142nd AviationReturns from Iraq

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Aviation Intermediate Maintenance are greeted by family membersand friends at a January homecoming ceremony in Rochester.Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone.

By 2nd Lt. Amy FiresGuard Times Staff

ROCHESTER—Soldiers of the 1st

Battalion, 142nd Aviation IntermediateMaintenance (AVIM) returned home fromOperation Iraqi Freedom in January to begreeted by fresh fallen snow and a gatheringof excited family members and friends at theunit’s home base, Army Aviation SupportFacility II at Rochester International Airport.

Anticipation had been building among thehundreds of enthusiastic spouses, parents,children and other relatives and friends asthey anxiously waited for the bus carryingtheir Soldiers to arrive from Fort Drum.

The Soldiers arrived at Fort Drum theprevious week and completed out-processing from active duty before beingreleased to travel home.

The unit was mobilized last year and, onValentines Day 2004, began what wouldbecome 10 productive months of “boots-on-the-ground” in Iraq.

The Soldiers were praised for an“outstanding job well done,” from Col.Anthony Riscica, State Headquarters, whocame to represent the Adjutant General andformerly receive the unit back to state controlfrom federal active duty.

The crowd was delighted by the shortremarks that recognized the service and thesacrifices of both the Soldiers and theirfamilies.

Lt. Col. Michael Bobeck, battalioncommander, credited the team efforts bySoldiers, families and the command for thesuccess of the mission and the safe return ofthe unit. He saluted his troops for the qualityof their service and said, “they always didtheir jobs well.”

In Iraq, the 142nd was part of the Army’s 3rd

Corps and was assigned to oversee aviationmaintenance operations. The AVIM wasonce an attack aviation battalion thatconverted to a maintenance battalion

headquarters.For this mission, the AVIM supervised two

subordinate aviation maintenance companiesfrom other states–one National Guard andone Army Reserve–that repaired, maintainedand tested the full range of Army helicoptersused in theater.

Guard Times Page 5

By Guard Times Staff

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER,Arlington, Va.—The Army National Guard’s first blackfemale line officer to rise to the rank of brigadier generalretired Sept. 30, 2004, after 30 years of military service.

Brig. Gen. Julia J. Cleckley retired serving as Assistant to

Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire, Jr., awards Brig. Gen. Julia J. Cleckley the Conspicuous Service Medal during her retirement ceremonyon Sept. 30, 2004 at Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington, Va. Courtesy photo.

Brig. Gen. Julia J. Cleckley Retires after 30 Years Servicethe Director of the Army, Lt. Gen. Roger C. Schultz, sinceJuly 2002. As the Special Assistant for Human ResourceReadiness, she was responsible for human resource programsand policies that affected the Army National Guard and it’smore than 350,000 citizen Soldiers.

Brig. Gen. Cleckley began her career right after high schoolby joining the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). She went on

to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology and educationfrom Hunter College, in New York City, and a master’sdegree in human resource management from Golden GateUniversity, San Francisco, Calif. She was also selected forthe United States Army War College where she received aSenior Service fellowship to study at Fletcher School ofLaw and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Medford, Mass.

In 1976, she joined the New York Army National Guardand earned her commission as second lieutenant in theAdjutant General’s Corps with the 42nd Infantry Division inNew York City.

Throughout her 30 years of military service, General Cleckleyhas established herself as a “first” female officer. Prior tobecoming a brigadier general, she was the first black femaleto be promoted to the rank of colonel in the Army NationalGuard’s Active Reserve program. Her other pioneeringachievements at National Guard Bureau include the firstblack female branch chief, the first black female to beassigned as a division chief and first black female to serveon the Army National Guard Director’s Special Staff asChief, Human Resources Office.

General Cleckley’s numerous awards and decorationsinclude the Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious ServiceMedal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army CommendationMedal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve ComponentAchievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, GoodConduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

She is also the recipient of several public honors to includethe National Association for the Advancement of ColoredPeople-Roy Wilkins Renowned Service Award, HunterCollege Hall of Fame Inductee and a member of the CaliforniaChapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction.

General Cleckley currently resides in the Northern Virginiaarea. She is widowed and has two daughters’, Helene andEllen Cleckley. !

Soldiers ran aviationmaintenance operationsfor Army's 3rd Corps

“They maintained,” Colonel Bobeck said,“all the aircraft in theater."

There were about 600 Soldiers in theBattalion, including Soldiers from SouthCarolina, Texas and North Carolina.”

The AVIM Soldiers spent nearly a yeartogether in the field. !

Guard TimesPage 6

Pfc. Francis Obaji

Age 21, Queens

Village

KIA Jan. 17, 2005

1st Battalion,

69th Infantry

Sgt. Kenneth

Vonronn

Age 20,

Bloomingburg

KIA Jan. 6, 2005

1st Battalion,

69th Infantry

By Spc. Erin Robicheaux256th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

CAMP AL TAHREER, BAGHDAD, IRAQ—Sgt.David Bernal puts heart and soul into his job as acivilian police officer in Staten Island, New York, andhis work ethics are mirrored as a Soldier fighting thewar on terror.

Bernal is the recipient of the 256th Brigade CombatTeam’s first Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device. Thisparticular award is reserved for Soldiers who exemplifyvalor and courage beyond compare.

Sergeant Bernal is a member of Company D, 101stCavalry, but the 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regimentis lucky to have him attached for the deployment. On afateful night in December, as families across Americawere warm and cozy in their homes enjoying the holidayseason, Bernal and his fellow Soldiers were in a fightfor their lives.

“We went back into the kill zone and used our vehiclesto push the others out of the road and before long all ofthe vehicles were disabled,” Bernal remembered. “We

Soldier'sActions Awarded

See BRONZE STAR, page 7Sgt. David Bernal receives the Bronze Star Medal with “V”Device. Photo by Spc. Erin Robicheaux

Soldiers of the Arlington National Cemetery Firing Partyconduct a rifle volley Jan. 28 at the funeral service of N.Y. NationalGuard Soldier, Pfc. Francis Obaji. Private First Class Obaji wasburied with full military honors. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith

New York Soldier earns Bronze Star Medal, 'V' Device

Spc. Alain

Kamolvathin

Age 21, Blairstown,

N.J.

KIA Jan. 16, 2005

1st Battalion,

69th Infantry

By Capt. Kathy SweeneyGuard Times Staff

LATHAM—The state mourned the loss ofthree New York National Guard Soldiers inJanuary who died supporting Operation IraqiFreedom. All three Soldiers served with the"Fighting 69th” 1st Battalion, 69th Regiment,42nd Infantry Division.

Bloomingburg Soldier falls fromImprovised Explosive Device

Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered inSullivan County, Jan. 15, to pay their lastrespects to Spc. Kenneth G. Vonronn, 20,Bloomingburg, who died from injuriessustained while on patrol in Iraq.

Specialist Vonronn was one of sevenSoldiers killed when an improvised explosivedevice struck his Bradley fighting vehiclewhile on patrol, Jan. 6.

He was assigned to the Army NationalGuard’s Headquarters and HeadquartersCompany, 1st Battalion, 69th InfantryRegiment, six fellow Soldiers, from the 256th

Infantry Brigade, La., were killed by thesame blast.

Spc. Vonronn was promoted,

ThreeSoldiersKilled in IraqPatrols posthumously, to the rank of Sergeant.

Governor George E. Pataki honored thesergeant saying, “Sergeant Vonronn put hislife on the line to save others and to tend tothose Soldiers who were injured in battle.His first concern was not for himself, but forhis fellow Soldiers in need of care andassistance.”

Sergeant Vonronn served as a combatmedic.

Linda Pierson, a close family friend, stated“Ken took CPR with me in high school andwas planning on taking advanced lifesavingwhen he joined the Army to become a medic.His goal was to become a pediatrician.”

Kira Vonronn, his widow, gave the eulogy.She started by saying, “We are here today,not to mourn Kenney, but to celebrate thelife that he had. Kenney truly did love his joband his Soldiers that were under his watchfuleye. Many times, Kenney would stop aphone conversation to help a fellow Soldierwho had a medical problem. Kenney wouldwant everyone in this room to remember thathe loved his country and the job that he didfor this great land.”

In closing, Mrs. Vonronn wanted everyoneto remember her husband in a positive way,because “he was an amazing individual withmany wonderful qualities.”

Sergeant Vonronn was laid to rest atSullivan County Veterans Cemetery withfull military honors.

The Veteran Corps and the AmericanLegion paid tribute during viewing hours.Tom Fitzsimmons, Veteran Corps, 69th

Regiment, stated that Sergeant Vonronn will“be forever remembered and enshrined inour armory.” Both organizations rendered afinal salute to Sergeant Vonronn followingtheir respective tributes.

Sergeant Vonronn is survived by his wife,Kira, 20, his parents, Debra and Remen andhis three sisters, Samantha, 17, Courtney,13, and Gina, 13.

Humvee accident claims two‘Fighting 69th’ Soldiers

Two "Fighting 69th" Soldiers died frominjuries in a Humvee accident in Iraq Jan.16, one month after receiving Purple HeartMedals for injuries sustained from a roadsidebomb.

Spc. Alain L. Kamolvathin, Blairstown,N.J., was killed instantly, while Pfc. FrancisC. Obaji, Queens Village, succumbed to hisinjuries at the 86th Combat Support Hospital,Baghdad, one day later.

Specialist Kamolvathin, 21, enlisted in theArmy National Guard to honor a promise he

made to his dying mother four years ago.“He promised he’d turn his life around,”

said cousin, Brian Kaiser.Specialist Kamolvathin’s mother died of a

long-term illness in 2000 and his father diedof a heart attack in 2003. His sister Sidney, 12,now must deal with the loss of her entireimmediate family within the last five years.

“Everything he did was geared towardgetting custody of Sidney,” added Kaiser.

Private First Class Obaji, 21, was aNigerian immigrant whose father broughtthe family to the United States in 1994. AtArlington National Cemetery, Va., mournerslearned how the 9/11 terrorist attacksmotivated him to alter his life’s plan. He wasjust about to board the Staten Island Ferrywhen the planes hit the Twin Towers; thedeath and destruction he viewed on his longwalk home forever changed him. He joinedthe N.Y. Army National Guard shortlythereafter.

“He wanted to give back to the country heso loved,” said Kingsley Obaji, his uncle.His father, Cyril Obaji, mentioned that hedied knowing he made a difference.

“They knew at last freedom will prevailover there and democracy will reign,” said

See PATROLS, page 10

Bronze StarBronze StarBronze StarBronze StarBronze Star, from page 6

By 2nd Lt. Amy FiresGuard Times Staff

LATHAM—Governor George E. Pataki,the Adjutant General Maj. Gen. ThomasMaguire, Jr., and other local dignitarieswere on hand, here, Feb. 7 to award threeCapital Region Soldiers the military’soldest award: the Purple Heart Medal.

Sgt. Kenneth Comstock, Queensbury, amember of Charlie Company, 2ndBattalion, 108th Infantry Regiment waswounded when an enemy roadsideexplosive was used to attack the patrolvehicle he was driving in.

Sgt. Robert Hemsing, Jr., Glens Falls,also of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion,108th Infantry Regiment was woundedfrom shrapnel when insurgents attackedhis convoy with rocket-propel ledgrenades and small arms fire.

Staff Sgt. Robert Griffin, Albany,backfilled into the Buffalo-based 105thMilitary Police Company, was woundedwhen enemy roadside explosives wereused to attack his patrol vehicle.

These Soldiers were awarded the PurpleHeart Medal during a ceremony filledwith family and friends.

Governor Pataki told the audience andSoldiers, “there is an unbroken line ofmen and women who are called to duty,and everyone is a hero that puts on the

'Hometown Heroes' Awarded Purple Heart Medals

jumped out of them and did individual movements into aberm about 500 meters away and held the fight there.”

He said that it was an average patrol, their third sincearriving into Baghdad, and they were still doing ride-alongs with the 10th Mountain Division. They were in anarea where a unit had previously been hit during the daywith rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and small armsfire. They had four vehicles and as they made a turn ontoRoute Avalanche, he had a clear view of what happenednext.

“I was in the last vehicle so I could see everything,” hesaid. “We (the vehicles in the front) started receivingRPGs and small arms fire from another direction.”

Bernal recalled that when those vehicles tried to moveaway a tractor trailer came in and blocked the rest of thevehicles off. When that happened the convoy started to gethit from the other direction.

Someone came over the radio and gave alternate directionsto Bernal and his crew, but when they were reunited withthe front half of the convoy they only had two vehicles. Theproblem was that the vehicles on either side of the ambushassumed the same thing, and thought that each other was ineach other's line of fire.

Bernal turned back. When he arrived on the scene theother two trucks were inoperable and the Soldiers startedto receive heavy weapons fire.

“We used our trucks to move the others out of the killzone,” Bernal said, “but before long all of the vehicleswere disabled.”

That’s when the 256th Soldiers took to the ground andbegan pounding the earth to find cover in a berm. He saidthat they sat there for a couple of hours and eventuallyeither the enemy ran out of ammunition or they just couldn’tproceed any further. After that the Soldiers just waited forrecovery assets.

When asked of what was running through his mind through

all of this, Bernal smiled slyly as he recalled that all hecould think of were his buddies’ lives.

“They all owe me money,” he said smileing. “It’s kind ofhard to get cash around here sometimes.”

It wasn’t long before Bernal and the rest of the survivorsof the event were right back out doing their duty.

He said that three days later they all decided together thatit would be best to get right back into the saddle, and hesaid that if they sat back and dwelled on it the easier itwould be to start asking, “Why am I here?”

“We drove past the area, stopped, and took a look aroundto the check the enemy positions out (from that night). Theywere well fortified.”

Bernal said that no matter what happens from here on out,he has full confidence in his fellow Soldiers and in thelessons that they’ve all learned.

“If it’s one thing that the military has taught me, it’s thatif you’re on the other side of our ambush, you usually don’tmake it out.” !

Governor George E. Pataki shakes hands with Sgt. Ken Comstock along with Sgt. Robert Hemsing,left, and Staff Sgt. Robert Griffin. Photo courtesy of Governor's office.

Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire, Jr., speaks during the Purple Heart Medal CeremonyFeb. 7. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith

Guard Times Page 7

uniform.”Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Van Pelt

reminded everyone that, “these Soldiersare hometown heroes.”

As of the ceremony, there were more than3,500 New York Soldiers overseas, 5,000called to active duty, and, as the Governorcontinued, “every time freedom has beenthreatened we have seen the line unbrokenof those who defend our freedoms acrossthe state and nation.”

The solemn ceremony included a NewYork State Senate proclamation,introduced during a State Senate sessionby Senator Joseph Bruno, State SenateMajority Leader, and bestowed toSergeant Comstock by State Senator BettyLittle, Queensbury.

Not only was a proclamation on behalfof the State Senate given to SergeantComstock, in addition, during a legislativesession at the Capitol, a resolution for allthree Purple Heart Medal recipients wasrendered. The Soldiers’ valor, honor andheroism was showcased by the StateSenate, which included a salute by theentire Legislative body.

In the resolution, New York Senate says“The residents of New York State cannotsoon forget their courage and recognitionas those who serve in the military.”

The Purple Heart Medal is the firstAmerican award made available to

Soldiers.The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to

members of the armed forces who arewounded by an instrument of war in thehands of the enemy and, posthumously, tonext-of-kin in the name of those who arekilled in action or die of wounds receivedin action.

Gen. George Washington awarded thefirst Purple Heart Medal to a 2ndContinental Army Soldier for bravery indefeating the British in Long Island.

The 2nd Battalion, 108th InfantryRegiment, as Sergeant Comstock proudlymentioned, “were the ones who did allthe work” while deployed in Samarra,Iraq. They were “stationed with tankerswhose tanks couldn’t get into the city,thus leaving the work to them.”

Sergeant Comstock casually mentionedthe card games he enjoyed and his threeday rest and relaxation in Qatar, which heexperienced before the attack.

Sergeant Comstock said he will bemedically discharged from the NationalGuard but still plans on keeping in touchwith the friends he has made. His best

friend, who was a combat medic attachedto his unit and stationed with him, playeda large part in assisting him after theattack, with whom, he says, he will alwaysremain friends.

Sergeant Griffin says he is thankful tobe home and enjoying his growing familyand getting back to work at the AlbanyCounty Correctional Facility. He saidthat while he enjoyed all of the friendshipsmade, he is also glad for the people heencountered from other countries. He metthem al l while working with themultinational forces, and he won’t forgetthe experience. !

“The residents of NewYork State cannot soonforget their courage andrecognition...”

—New York State Senate Resolution toPurple Heart Medal recipients, 2005

Guard TimesPage8

From Lt. Col. Kacey BlaneyExecutive Officer/Public Affairs Officer,Northeast Air Defense Sector

ROME—Honor Guards bring honor andtribute to those who served their country,including the 16 million veterans who servedour nation in World War II, of which roughlyfour million “greatest generation” veteransremain. Each veteran deserves the best wehave to offer, and the Northeast Air DefenseSector’s Tech. Sgt. Thomas Whiteman bringsthe best to them.

Whiteman was named the N.Y. NationalGuard’s Honor Guard Program Manager ofthe Year for his work as NEADS HonorGuard coordinator.

Sergeant Whiteman coordinated more than50 funeral details last year, representing

NEADS Sergeant Outstanding Honor Guard Managermore than 1,000 volunteer man-hours.

“Tech. Sgt. Whiteman certainly stands outin the crowd,” NEADS Commander, Col.Robert K. Marr, remarked, alluding not onlyto Whiteman’s six-foot, seven-inch framebut the stellar reputation he builds for theNEADS Honor Guard throughout CentralNew York. “He has worked extremely hardto train and equip members of NEADS’Honor Guard, and he certainly deserves thisrecognition.” said Colonel Marr. “We’revery proud of him.”

“This should really be a team award,” saidSergeant Whiteman, “I’m just thecoordinator, I do the behind-the-scenes work.Without the rest of the team, who performthe details, I wouldn’t have beenconsidered.”

When asked why he’s a member of the

Honor Guard, he simply stated that "it’s theright thing to do to pay final respects to thebrave men and women who have servedbefore me."

Sergeant Whiteman will now compete thisSpring at the Air National Guard level againsthonor guard nominees from all 50 states. !

EDITOR'S NOTE: New York NationalGuard traditional Soldiers and Airmenprovide military honors for honorablydischarged veterans throughout New YorkState through Army National Guard officesand Air National Guard air wings. To join amilitary honors team or to receiveinformation, contact Donald Roy, ProgramDirector at 518-786-4906, e-maildonald.roy@ny.ngb.army.mil or online, atwww.dmna.ny.us/honor/index.html. Tech. Sgt. Thomas Whiteman. File Photo.

By Staff Sgt. Mike R. SmithGuard Times Staff

LATHAM—Take a small-townfirehouse, add colored thread andfabric, pour in various amounts oflove and caring, mix thoroughlywith a strong sense of communityand country and you have whatmight be the warmest recipe tocomfort wounded Soldiers.

To recognize New York’swounded Soldiers, the LadiesAuxiliary of the Alplaus FireCompany, Alplaus, crafted 26 lap-size quilts for the New York ArmyNational Guard.

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert

VanPelt, who holds NYARNG’shighest rank for enlistees, receivedsome of the quilts Jan. 30, a sunny,winter Sunday, at a meeting aboveAlplaus’ brick, four-stall fire-engine room.

“It just took off,” said ElizebethBurke, program co-chair, speakingof their “Quilts for WoundedSoldiers” program.

More than 20 ladies volunteeredeach stitch of time. They started theprogram November 2004, hand-making the fleece and traditional

cotton quilts in assembly linefashion. But each quilt ispersonalized and one of a kind.

We write a personal letter,thanking Soldiers for their service,Burke said, adding that the materialswere either donated by thecommunity or bought through theladies auxiliary.

“The squares for the cotton quiltswere sewn together by an 87-year-old woman,” said Mrs. Burke.

Their efforts are all worth it, saidthe ladies, who “hope to give asmile of comfort to a woundedSoldier.”

“It has brought a smile to all theirfaces,” said VanPelt.

The Ladies Auxiliary firstcontacted VanPelt when organizingthe project. At that time,NYARNG’s wounded Soldierswere at Walter Reed Army MedicalCenter.

Whenever someone went to visit(the wounded), I ensured they hadquilts for them, said VanPelt. Hesaid that the quilts also go towounded Soldiers now at Brooks

SmallTownComfortsWoundedSoldiers

Army Medical Center and FortHood Army Hospital, Texas; thequilts are distributed with the helpof Capt. Mike Dunn, a NYARNGliaison officer looking after theneeds of NYARNG Soldiersdeployed to the Texas posts.

The idea that a small communitylike Alplaus would generate suchfar reaching interest and caringseems surprising, consideringAlplaus has no Soldiers of its ownserving in Iraq.

“Alplaus is a caring and sharingcommunity,” said one auxiliarymember at the Jan. 30 meeting.Surrounding her was a colorfulcollection of quilts in the making:blue and green fleece quilts with

outdoor art, patched yellow, brownand red cotton quilts with patrioticand traditional designs, all withhandwritten tags identifying theirintent and origin: “To an AmericanHero, from the Ladies Auxiliary ofthe Alplaus Fire Company.”

“The auxiliary is very perceptivewith the designs they incorporate,”said VanPelt. He explained thatmost of the quilts have either asports theme or contain “a wholelot of red, white and blue.”

“You can’t go wrong with thatformula,” said VanPelt. “They’reall top quality but, even if theyweren’t, the Soldiers see the lovethat went into producing these, justfor them.”

Mrs. Burke said the quilting wouldcontinue, “as long as there is aneed.” But she admitted that hopealso rests on peace, that anotherquilt will never have to be given toanother wounded Soldier.

“The wounded Soldiers are happyto be recognized for theirsacrifice,” said VanPelt, “but if Inever had another Soldier that Ineeded to give a quilt to, I’d be onehappy man.” !

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Alplaus Fire Company display their lap quilts forwounded Soldiers with Command Sgt. Maj. Robert VanPelt, far right.

Spc. Daniel Swift, right, 69th Regiment,42nd Infantry Division displays a quiltreceived from the Auxiliary withCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert VanPelt.

A woman from the Ladies Auxiliaryworks on a quilt for a wounded Soldier.

All lap quilts have handwritten tagsidentifying their intent and origin.

A woman from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Alplaus Fire Company sews a quilt for awounded Soldier in tribute to their service and sacrifice.Photos by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

By Staff Sgt. Mike R. SmithGuard Times Staff

SCOTIA—A group of Airmen organizedat the Stratton Air National Guard Baserecently to push thousands of pounds ofgear and equipment off the back of aC-130, and it might have made quite adrop, but they never got off the ground.They were too focused on "important"stuff: straps, skid-boards, parachutes andthe "unquestionable certainty" of theircareer field: Aerial Port.

As long as Airmen, Soldiers and scientistsdepend on aerial ports for airdrops, there’sno time for distraction. “I will be surealways” is a common statement amongthem; so, don’t mistake their work for anelementary school “egg drop.”

“You want everyone to grasp that frameof mind,” said Staff Sgt. Jermia White,aerial port delivery trainer, Pope Air ForceBase, N.C. “This is a key part of ourtraining.”

The 109th Airlift Wing Aerial Port Flighthosted an airdrop qualification course fromJan. 18 to Jan. 28 to fulfill Air Force andAir National Guard aerial deliveryqualifications.

With the “Fabrication of Aerial DeliveryLoads Course”—more commonly calledthe “Rigger Course”—instructors SergeantWhite and Staff Sgt. Seth Abel from the

Stratton Airmen OrganizeRigger’s Airdrop Course

3rd Aerial Port Squadron, Pope Air ForeBase, N.C., arrived here to teach 20 Airmenthe ups and downs of aerial delivery.

We teach these classes whenever theyare needed, said Sergeant Abel.

The Aerial Port Airmen explained that,in the past, the Rigger course was heldthrough the Army’s Quartermaster School,Fort Lee, Va., but classes for Air Forcepersonnel have been limited—Pope AirForce Base, N.C., has begun offeringtraining, but, with the limited number ofseats a waiting list for students exists,making attendence difficult.

Sergeants Abel and White are teachingthe course for Air Mobility Command untilHeadquarters, Air Education and TrainingCommand is up and running with anadditional course.

We needed our personnel qualified tosupport our Greenland and Antarcticaairdrop requirements, said Staff Sgt. RickCowsert, aerial port journeyman.

When a course was managed here,additional units were invited to attend.Airmen from the 166th Airlift Wing,Delaware, 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada,165th Airlift Wing, Georgia, 139th AirliftWing, Montana and the 182nd Airlift Wing,Illinois arrived to train with the aerial portflight.

“We filled 10 seats and they made up 10other seats,” said Sergeant Cowsert.

Attending from N.Y.'s 109th Airlift Wingwere Staff Sgt. Mike Byerwalters, StaffSgt. Michael Eldred, Tech Sgt. ScottHelmer, Staff Sgt. Donald Masse, StaffSgt. Kyle Partlow, Master Sgt. Chris Rowe,Senior Airman Shawn Rulison, SeniorAirman Leonard Smith, Tech Sgt. ChrisWood and Staff Sgt. Kelly Yerg. AllAirmen receive full credit for the course,which is a subsection of the Aerial Portcareer field.

“Usually, it’s...unilateral training forairdrop qualifications, but the 109th has aunique mission with its real-world workperformed,” said Sergeant Able, whocommented that the class consisted of allAir National Guard students.

“They have been pretty good and aregrasping the information well,” he said.

Normally, one instructor holds a coursefor a maximum of 14 Airmen. Here, theinstructors say the 20 to two Airmen/instructor ratio allows for increasedindividual critique and training, anadditional instructor also helps accomplishthe training in less than 10 days, with whatis normally a longer course.

Sergeant Abel says their main focus isteaching everything by regulation. Airmenlearn the basics including proper nameand identification of equipment, howairdrops are performed and whereinformation can be found in specificmanuals. Then, the course shifts to hands-on training including packing/inspectingparachutes and rigging cargo.

The G-12 parachute is the most commonparachute used for C-130, low-velocityairdrops, said Sergeant White, whoexplained that Airmen jump into an all-encompassing sub-course on the parachuteincluding packing, inspecting and repairingminor damage.

Airmen additionally rig containerdelivery systems for airdrop; the systemsare an interlocking mix of cargo and pilotparachutes, actuators, cables, straps,slings, ties, honeycomb-shaped impactcardboard and metal skid-boards.Everything must be packed to perfectionfor the system to work properly.

We build them and point out the commonmistakes found in the field, said SergeantAbel. “It’s all building blocks stackedthroughout the process.”

For the aerial port flight, these buildingblocks heighten their real worldcapabilities at the North and South poles.With four qualified Airmen in the aerialdelivery section previously coveringairdrops, the Flight was limited. Now, theFlight will more than triple its airdropability.

“Without airdrops the National ScienceFoundation could not accomplish some oftheir research at remote sites,” saidSergeant Cowsert.

The Airmen will feel confident whenthey go back to their units because theyknow the processes and fundamentals ofaerial delivery, says Sergeant Abel. !

A cargo-parachute release assembly.

Aerial Port Airmen rig a container delivery system for airdrop at a January qualification course heldon Stratton Air National Guard Base. Photos by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith.

Airmen and instructors review air cargo prepared for airdrop.

“Without airdrops theNational ScienceFoundation could notaccomplish some oftheir research at remotesites.”

—Staff Sgt. Rick CowsertAerial Port Journeyman, 109AW

Guard Times Page9

PatrolsPatrolsPatrolsPatrolsPatrols, from page 6

Guard TimesPage10

his uncle. “He was one of thousands ofmen and women who collectively made adifference in Iraq. There is no doubt in mymind.”

Private First Class Obaji applied forcitizenship approximately three years agoand was posthumously declared a UnitedStates Citizen.

Specialist Kamolvathin’s wake andfuneral were held at local Richmond Hillfuneral home , and his interment was heldat Long Island National Cemetery.

Private First Class Obaji’s wake andfuneral were held at St. Gabriel’s

Episcopal Church, Hollis, and hisinterment was at Arlington NationalCemetery, Va.

Both Soldiers earned the Purple HeartMedal, Good Conduct Medal, NationalDefense Service Medal, Global War onTerrorism Expeditionary Medal, GlobalWar on Terrorism Service Medal, ArmedForces Reserve Medal with “M” device,Army Service Ribbon and New York StateConspicuous Service Medal. Private firstclass Obaji was additionally awarded theBronze Star Medal. !

By 1st Lt. Anthony L. BucciPublic Affairs Officer, 174th Fighter Wing

SYRACUSE—Master Sgt. John “Jack” Baxter, a computer-switching specialist with the 152nd Air Operations Group(AOG) at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, here, wasawarded the Colonel Gouverneur Morris Citizen Soldieraward for 2004.

Sergeant Baxter received the award based on his technicalexpertise, selfless dedication to duty and his commitment tohis community.

“It was a total surprise for me, an honor,” said SergeantBaxter. “I did not expect it at all.”

Sergeant Baxter was born and raised in Central Square andnow lives in Hastings. His military career began in 1968, withthe Air Force, as a ground radio technician stationed atStewart Air Force Base (AFB), Newburgh, and later at AltusAFB, Okla., where he received an honorable discharge in1972. He separated from the military and began his civiliancareer with Bell Atlantic. In 1985, he joined the 108th TacticalControl Squadron (TCS) at Hancock Field, Syracuse, as awide-band communications specialist, ending his 13-yearbreak in service. He spent approximately nine years with theTCS.

The squadron evolved into the 152nd AOG, which Sgt.Baxter has been a member of since 1994. His specialty withthe 152nd Air Operations Group included computer, network,

174th Fighter Wing Airman Earns Citizen-Soldier Awardswitching and cryptographic systems. This experience nowenables him to solve diverse problems that most peoplecan’t. His military training offered him many opportunitiesto learn and sharpen his skills, but his civilian careeradditionally aids immeasurably to his expertisetroubleshooting communications problems.

“Master Sgt. Jack Baxter is simply the finest seniornoncommissioned officer with whom one could wish toserve,said Maj. Steve McDaniel, 152nd AOG Deputy Directorof Communications. "His technical expertise, loyalty andability to work with superiors, peers, and subordinates areunmatched. He is a quiet but firm leader, and, despite thefact that his knowledge could command high salaries in theprivate sector, he has remained with our unit accepting onetemporary tour after another rather than leaving theorganization.”

Sergeant Baxter retired from Bell Atlantic after 32 yearsof service as a special services repairman; he then spent twoyears as a transmission engineer for the, now defunct,Telergy Corporation. At Bell Atlantic he spent the first fiveyears of his career as a home telephone repairman, he thentransitioned into the radio department and eventually specialservices, which dealt with a myriad of communicationsapplications.

“They knew, when they sent me on a job, I got it fixed rightthe first time,” said Sergeant Baxter.

Although he kept quite busy between his military and

Master Sgt. John "Jack" Baxter, 152nd Air Operations Group. Courtesy photo.

By 1st Lt. Anthony L. Bucci174th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Officer

SYRACUSE—A New York Air NationalGuard Recruiter from the 174th Fighter Wingcreated a new continuity guide. The guidehas been adopted by the Air Force EducationTraining Command for future training of allAir National Guard recruiters.

Master Sgt. Brad Addison of the 174 FWRecruiting Office condensed a continuityguide for utilizing the Air Force RecruitingInformation Support System (AFRISS). Theguide better illustrates the procedures

needed to navigate through the system.“I am not at all surprised by Sergeant

Addison’s creation of a continuity guide forthe AFRISS program,” said Col. HarveyVanwie, 174FW Mission Support GroupCommander.

Sergeant Addison volunteered to be giventhe new continuity guide to serve as a testperson for the ANG as an additional task. “Ittook me a four months to learn this continuityguide inside and out. I wanted to feelcomfortable operating AFRISS withoutusing the guide,” said Sergeant Addison.

The continuity guide proved to becumbersome, not as user-friendly as it couldbe, this is when Sergeant Addison decidedto do something about it.

“I just decided there had to be an easierway to do it,” said Sergeant Addison. “Ifsomeone who was not a recruiter and hadnever been exposed to the AFRISS programcould navigate through this system with

Air GuardRecruiter SetsBenchmark

only the help of the continuity guide I createdthen I knew it would be an effective tool,”said Sergeant Addison. However, it wasmore than an effective tool for usingAFRISS—it changed the way recruiters weretaught at the ANG Recruiter Course locatedat Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

“We built the recruiter’s course around thecontinuity guide modified by SergeantAddison, in addition to giving eachgraduating recruiter a copy to take back totheir unit,” said Master Sgt. Mynor Castillo,ANG Recruiter Course Instructor. I haveseen many continuity guides that weredeveloped to assist in using the AFRISSprogram, but none were as user-friendly andconcise as Sergeant Addison’s version, saidSergeant Castillo.

“For him to take time out of his scheduleand go above and beyond his job descriptionis a testament to his dedication to therecruiting field and the Guard.” !Master Sgt. Brad Addison. File photo.

civilian career, he still found time to pursue other interestswithin his community that included his love of singing.

Sergeant Baxter has been involved with the Master’sTouch Chorale, a Christian singing group, for more thanseven years. His group has released a compact disc withvarious inspirational songs, one song in particular is entitled,“A Prayer for our Time,” which they performed at the WhiteHouse on December 2002 for a 9/11 memorial service. Hissinging career began, alongside his wife, in the church choir.

It was an unexpected event that led him to this singinggroup.

“The church I was attending did away with their choir, so,I began to look for other singing opportunities,” said SergeantBaxter, who added that the group’s performance at theWhite House went so well that they were asked to performagain last December.

Sergeant Baxter is a dedicated professional who nevershies away from a challenge, whether it is creating a zonedpublic address system or installing a new control system forutilizing multiple visual aides simultaneously during missionbriefings.

In addition to his technical skills he has continuallydemonstrated his leadership ability in assuming positionsof increased responsibilities, which are normally carried outby commissioned officers.

The hardest thing to do is give someone else the workwhen I want to do it myself, said Sergeant Baxter. !

By Staff Sgt. Ann~Marie Santa105th Public Affairs Office

NEWBURGH—The gutted C-5 sat in anoverseas hangar while a crew worked toreplace insulation blankets, apply newsurface paint and make other necessaryrepairs. It took six weeks to finish; right ontime, under budget.

Whether it’s maintaining C-5s overseasor refurbishing them here, members of the105th Maintenance Group (MXG), 105thAirlift Wing work tirelessly in support ofthe mission.

“We completed a refurbishment on a C-5in Georgia last year,” said 1st Lt. Thomas

105th Airlift Wing AirmenProvide top-notch C-5Support in Georgia, Spain

Albrecht, MXG Aircraft MaintenanceOfficer. “The planes have been in use somuch since 9/11 that we fell behind on therefurbs. We needed to find an alternate wayof getting it done,” he said.

During a refurbishment, all the “old stuff”such as insulation blankets, anti-skidsurfacing, seats and surface paint arereplaced, Albrecht explained.

The refurbishment was accomplished withprogrammed depot maintenance (PDM),where aircraft structures are analyzed,upgrades are installed and mainframes arerepaired.

The C-5 was, essentially, being strippedbare, so, it was an ideal time to perform the refurbishment, said Albrecht. “Technicians

from Lockheed took everything apart, butthe ‘refurb,’ in conjunction with PDM, wasdone by our maintainers. We saved theNational Guard Bureau more than$100,000.”

Though the project experienced somesetbacks, such as MXG members travelingto Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, to makemodules, Albrecht boasted that therefurbishment was completed within theestimated six-week time-frame.

Members of the MXG haven’t been limitedto C-5 make-overs here. Their most recentmission to Morón Air Base, Spain, hadthem repairing as many as 15 to 20 U.S.-bound C-5s every day, says Chief Master

Sgt. Isaias Mavila, MXG accessorieselement chief.

There, MXG crews in Morón had fivehours to complete repairs and inspect, loadand fuel each aircraft, said Albrecht. Despitethe 12-hour shifts, scorching temperatures,being away from their families and thepressure of getting aircraft off the ground infive hours, the MXG pulled together andwere able to reduce the time each aircraftspent on station.

“When you deploy together, you form abond…work better as a team because youdepend on each other,” Mavila said.“What’s more…just about everybody hadissues to contend with while away, butthere was very little complaining.” !C-5s on the flightline in Spain. Photo by 1st Lt. Thomas Albrecht.

A 105th Airlift Wing C-5, aircraft 9008, undergoes a complete refurbishment and Programmed DepotMaintenance (PDM) in Georgia. The project was completed in six weeks and 105th Maintainers savedthe Air Force over $100,000. Courtesy photo.

By Staff Sgt. John Gassler105th Public Affairs Office

NEWBURGH—An underwaterearthquake in the Indian OceanDec. 26 generated a cataclysmictsunami that wreaked havoc alongthe coastlines of 11 differentcountries in Southeast Asia. Morethan 150,000 people lost theirlives and millions more were lefthomeless.

With a proven 20-year trackrecord of providing unrivaledhumanitarian airlift support inNew York and around the world,105th aircrews from Stewart AirNational Guard Base were onceagain called upon to aidworldwide relief efforts overseas.

“Whether it’s flying generatorsto upstate New York, like we didin 1998 during the ice storms, orwhether it’s sending food andmedical supplies to hurricanestricken towns in Florida, we’re

Aircrews Fly Humanitarian Relief to Tsunami Victimsready to do our part when needed,”said Brig. Gen. Dana B. Demand,105th Airlift Wing commander."Despite our continued support of‘Operation Iraqi Freedom,’ ourparticipation in Southeast Asiaproves once again the men andwomen of the 105th can rise to anychallenge."

According to the U.S. GeologicalSurvey, which monitorsearthquakes worldwide, theepicenter of the 9.0 magnitudeearthquake was under the IndianOcean near the west coast of theIndonesian island of Sumatra.Jolted by a massive, sudden shiftof the Earth’s tectonic plates, avast amount of water wasdisplaced by the shockwaves.Moving at speeds up to 500 m.p.h.it has been calculated that wavesup to 30-feet high completelydemolished property from Africato Thailand.

Stewart aircrews were

dispatched Dec. 31, 2004 to helpairlift critically needed suppliesfrom Kadena AFB in Japan toplaces like Sri Lanka and Thailand.

C-5 Aircraft Commander, Maj.Patrick Lasella, who flew a two-week mission in support of“Operation Unified Assistance”said humanitarian airlift missionsare highly rewarding, and his crewwas extremely motivated to getthe job done.

We flew everything from all-terrain forklifts to Navy dive teamsinto the region. All of us werehonored to have played a key rolein such a critical time of need,said Major Lasella.

Aside from food, water andmedical supplies, Stewartaircrews were responsible fortransporting critically needed CH-46 (mini-Chinook) helicoptersduring the early stages of theoperation. Stewart aircrewsfurther airlifted much needed

water purification systems into theregion.

The last Stewart C-5 returnedhome on Jan. 24. Airmen flew atotal of 35 sorties, transported 553military and civilian passengers

and airlifted more than 1.8 millionpounds of cargo. In the words ofMaj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire Jr.,Adjutant General, “New YorkState’s National Guard answeredthe call to duty.” !

Airmen load an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter into a 105th Airlift Wing C-5 duringtsunami relief efforts. Photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis.

Guard Times Page11

Learning about Naval Militias and their potential in Maryland’s state military force, Maryland Adjutant General, Maj.Gen. Bruce F. Tuxill, is “welcomed aboard” the lobby of Joint Forces Headquarters, Latham, with his support staff on Feb. 4 by NewYork Naval Militia Commander, Rear Adm. Robert A. Rosen, Deputy Commander for Operations, Brig. Gen. Robert Wolf andAdministrator, Kevin Ettrich. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone

Guard TimesPage12

and public service activities. The largest numbers ofpersonnel we have activated were some 800 persons inresponse to 9/11. Please keep in mind that we have morethan 4,500 NYNM members, so, we have vast, untappedresources. Ninety-five percent of our members are actingdrilling reservists, and a large part of our response isalways by our very experienced volunteer veteran coresthat assist us with planning, administration and on-the-ground supervision, as required.

When activated, the NYNM forces are integrated into theappropriate command and, thereafter, are controlled by thecommander of that force, usually an Army or Air Guardgeneral officer. By and large, it works well.

New York State has many retired flag or general officersfrom the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. It’simportant to continue to involve this vast resource ofknowledge and experience in NYNM activities, policiesand future plans, receiving their vital guidance andassistance in aligning our force with active dutycounterparts. Accordingly, on Oct. 24, 2002, we establishedthe Retired Flag Officers’ Advisory Council, which, today,involves some 16 flag officers. The Council makesrecommendations, assists with policy reviews, helps solveproblems that arise and gives valuable guidance. This is agood model that every state should follow.

I am proud of the people with whom I am privileged toserve, NYNM members who perform important, dailymissions. The state has recognized our contribution byincluding NYNM members in scholarship programs, pay,when called to active duty, state license plate fees, thatwaive bridge, highway and tunnel passes when on duty andmany awards, laws and encouragements. Together, overthe years, this support exceeds more than $5,000,000.There are additional benefits as well, including theJosephthal Awards, named after NYNM’s first Paymaster,and the Rear Adm. Czesak Management Excellence Award,named after NYNM’s oldest member. All awards are tooutstanding NYNM members and given with a cash awardand plaque.

Our Staff Judge Advocate General, Rear Adm. J. RobertLunney is a past president of the Naval Reserve Association.We continue to actively operate many chapters in NewYork, which do important work and have annual “MessNight” ceremonial events. We encourage support for theassociation and its activities, and we have a significantmembership.

I see an important, contributory, relevant and extensivefuture for the NYNM and, indeed, for the entire NYNMprogram or its equivalent naval guard-type forces throughoutthe country. It’s an idea whose time has returned.

It’s important that all of our military forces are used—trained volunteers, assets and capabilities—in response tothe needs of homeland defense as well as local emergencies.Each state has Naval Reservists and Marine CorpsReservists; many states have Coast Guard Reservists aswell. Each state has trained young, able, experienced andeager veteran volunteers who are anxious to come to theaid of their state and neighbors in time of need. These vastresources provide another “insurance policy” to eachgovernor, each adjutant general and the country. Theyshould not be cast away or over looked. Also, the NYNM’sunique skills or complementary skills are vital to the jointprotection of life and property.

These days, when our resources are stretched, our budgetstight and we are fighting new wars and experiencingterrorists’ threats, we must be certain that we use everytool in our command. Also, it’s important to tie the ReserveForces closely to local accomplishments and communityappreciation and support. I believe strongly that the statesshould provide additional resources in support of the

Reserve Forces. Every state needs a naval militia or navalguard; every state has assets and every state deserves oneas a vital component of homeland defense.

If we have learned anything, we have learned the lessonof joining together, working to be a “purple-suited militarynation.” This knot must be tight, even tighter I feel. Therefore,with good leadership, understanding and appreciation, Iam confident that the future is bright for the naval militiaconcept to blossom and strengthen in the years ahead and tospread to all states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

One of the best legacies, I feel, is helping to create,

Naval MilitiaNaval MilitiaNaval MilitiaNaval MilitiaNaval Militia, from page 2 energize and shape a formidable, qualified military forcein New York State that is relevant and able to respond toits emergencies and needs when called by the Governor orAdjutant General. Being ready, prepared, equipped andtrained is essential to save lives and property when needed.Being able to integrate into activities with other statemilitary forces is, indeed, a major contribution for all ofour years of work. For that, I am grateful to my shipmates.

My family and I consider it a privilege having beenafforded the opportunity to serve in the military forces ofthe United States of America. !

New York Naval Militia Street NamingAt the intersection of Water Street and Fulton Street, near the South Street Seaport, NYC

Sunday, April 10Refreshments will be served atthe South Street SeaportMuseum, Melville Gallery,213 Water Streetcommencing at 10:15a.m. prior to the event.

The City of New York willadditionally name Water Streetbetween Fulton and John Street,Manhattan, NYC as 'New York Naval Militia Place.'

This remarkable event honors our Navy, Marine Corps,Coast Guard, veterans and volunteers who havebeen, and are, associated with the New York StateNaval Militia, a component force to the New YorkDivision of Military and Naval Affairs.

Military: Service Dress UniformCivilian: Casual Attire

RSVP by Monday, April 4, to Vivianat (516) 333-2000 ext. 130 ro via E-mail to rar@rosenmgmt.com.

Guard Times Page13

Master Sgt. Chris DesoNew York Army Guard Medical Command

LATHAM—One of the biggest questions in the New YorkArmy National Guard today concerns the transitioning of theArmy Combat Medic.

The questions that arise include: what is meant by transition,how does a Soldier go about it, and what happens afterwards?

Effective Oct. 31, 2001, all medical specialists andpractical nurses have been reclassified as transitioninghealth care specialists. By Oct. 1, 2009, all health carespecialists are required to meet criteria required to droptheir transitioning designator, which means thay need toachieve one of three three approved strategies:

STRATEGY ISoldiers who are sergeant first class promotable or above(effective on, or before, Oct. 1, 2001) are grandfathered andwill have the designator removed; no additional training isneeded.

STRATEGY IISoldiers who obtain, and maintain National RegistryEmergency Medical Technician, Intermediate or NationalRegistry Medical Technician Paramedic certification willsatisfy transition requirements.

STRATEGY IIISoldiers who obtain and maintain a current National RegistryEmergency Medical Technician Basic certification plus oneof two certifications: valid Basic Trauma Life Support foradvanced providers or valid Pre-hospital Trauma Life Supportfor advanced provider’s and one of the following fourcourses / licenses:

1. Current state Licensed Practical Nurse / LicensedVocational Nurse2. Graduate of the AC BNCOC medical track3. Graduate of the RC BNCOC medical track after Oct. 1, 19964. Completion of the Trauma AIMS course

Once transition is complete, all Soldiers are required toparticipate in the semiannual Combat Medic SkillsValidation Test, which comprises eight tables testing

By Maj. Jeffrey J. Lape2-108th Infantry

LATHAM—Conditions on thebattlefieldbring a need for the combat lifesaver nowand in future Army operations.

Battlefield constraints limit the ability ofhealth care specialists to provide immediate,far forward care; therefore, the combatlifesaver provides needed, initial care tocombat casualties.

The combat lifesaver is a nonmedicalSoldier trained to give emergency care. Hedoes not replace the health carespecialist. Each squad, crew, team orequivalent-sized element should have at leastone combat lifesaver to provide care tomembers of their team. Combat lifesaversassist the health care specialist in providingforward care and preparing casualties forevacuation.

Combat Lifesavers Save Lives, Bring TransformationThe U.S. Army has entered the new

millennium with a greatly enhanced andredefined health care specialist. The modernmedic embodies the traditional combinedwith a mandate for enhanced medicalcompetency.

However, factors influencing casualty careinclude enemy fire, medical equipmentlimitations and widely varied evacuationtimes. The combat lifesaver is a bridgebetween the aid training given to all Soldiersduring basic training and the health carespecialist.

During the train-up for Operation IraqiFreedom II, the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantryqualified 246 soldiers as combat lifesaverswith 40 more qualified in Iraq. During theoperational phase of OIF II many battlerelated casualties were initially evaluatedand treated by combat lifesavers. Combatlifesavers save lives! ! A Combat Lifesaver from the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry aiding an Iraqi civilian. Courtesy photo.

different medical skills and is administered and recorded bythe Soldier’s unit. The training and testing manual is availableelectronically or can be ordered through medical command.

All transitioned Soldiers additionally require 72 hours ofcontinuing education, also conducted and recorded bytheir units.

Once the soldier is transitioned and has their EMT NationalCertification, it is his or her responsibility to remain current.

Medical Soldiers, who have met any of the transitionrequirements, either through the military or civilianorganizations, must forward all documentation to the medicalcommand for review.

The transition process can take two years of drill weekendsand annual training, and it's recommended that medics startsearching the Army Training Requirements and ResourceSystem at www.atrrs.army.mil for schools, or contactMedical Command. Transition levels are offered throughATRRS, and units are advised to start enrolling their Soldiers.

Questions can be forwarded to Master Sgt. Chris Deso,chief medical noncommissioned officer, Medical Commandvia e-mail at christopher.deso@ny.ngb.army.mil. !

Combat Medics Undergo Transition

Combat medics in Iraq. Courtesy photo.

LATHAM—National Guard Members and theirfamilies are eligible for the TRICARE DentalProgram (TDP), the same comprehensive,worldwide dental program that was previouslyavailable only to active duty family members.The TDP is voluntary. Sponsors must have atleast 12 months remaining on his or herservice commitment for eligibility. Any reservist who is on a tour of active dutythat is greater than 30 days receives the sameentitlements as an active duty member. Thisincludes the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR)and reservists on active duty for special workor for training. The TDP limits the amount that can be paidfor each guardmember’s dental services:annual maximum, $1,200 per-member per-contract year (Feb. 1 to Jan. 31) for all servicesexcluding orthodontics; lifetime orthodonticmaximum, $1,500 per-eligible member (agerestrictions apply); diagnostic servicesprovided for orthodontic purposes are notapplied towards the $1,500 lifetime orthodonticmaximum. Enrollment is for a minimum of 12 monthsand can be completed by calling 1-888-622-2256 to request an enrollment form. Formsare also available online. All new enrolleesmust submit a payment equal to their portionof one month’s premium with the TDPenrollment application.More information on the TDP, a copy of theTDP Benefits Booklet, is available on theirwebsite at www.ucci.com. !

TRICARE DentalProgram Available

Army PromotionsPage14

LIEUTENANT COLONELBURKE JOHN HARRIS, 53 HQ LIAISON FWDGIM HENRY, HHD 369TH CORPS SPT BNMACDONALD ROBERT B, 42 IN CTR REAR CP OP FWD 2SPRENGER MATTHEW P, NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCE

MAJORBROWN DELROY ANTHONY, MEDICAL COMMANDCHODNICKI JOSEPH AMBROSE, NYARNG ELEMENT JOINTFORCE HQLOONAN JOHN FRANCIS, NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCEVANAKEN JAY WILLIAM, HHC 1-105TH INFWERNS ELIZABETH ANN, CO C (-) 342D FWD SPT BNWILLIAMSON ANDRE PIERRE, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)

CAPTAINFURNIA BRIAN THOMAS, HHC AVN BDE 42 IN DIVOBRIEN DENNIS MICHAEL JR., HHC 1-101ST CAVALRYOBRIEN SEAN DOUGLAS, NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCEWALLEY MICHAEL BRUCE, H & S CO 204 ENGR BN

FIRST LIEUTENANTGRAVES REYNOLDO VANN, 138TH PUBLIC AFFAIRS DETKRISHNAN ANEAL, 27TH SPT CTR (CORPS RAOC)LIONA BRIAN HAROLD, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)MANCINI JOHN, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNMCCALL GERALD WILDEN, HHC 1-101ST CAVALRYMONFORT BRIAN EARL, DET 1 105 MP COROLFE SCOTT MATTHEW, 108 IN BN 02 HHC REAR NY

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FIVEHOUCK TIMOTHY ROGER, DET 20 OPER SPT ALFT CMD

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FOURBROWNING STEVEN JACK, CO B 3-142D AVIATIONFOLEY PATRICK C, 249TH MED CO AIR AMBULANCE (-)KANG MARTIN, CO A 3-142D AVIATIONROSE DAVID MICHAEL, 249TH MED CO AIR AMBULANCE

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER THREETHOMPSON JAMES, 145TH MAINTENANCE COTURNER SCOTT EVERETT, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)

MASTER SERGEANTCOBA ALVARO D, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SP

GARDNER JACK D JR, CO D 1-127TH ARMORGINTHER RICHARD M, 145TH MAINTENANCE COHOWLEY MICHAEL OLIVER, CO D 1-101ST CAVALRYMATHIS JESSE, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDPHILLIPS DAVID PAUL, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPSTROZEWSKI ROBERT J, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)THIBERT JAMES EDWARD, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT

SERGEANT FIRST CLASSAYALA JOHNNY, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNCOLONRODRIGUEZ IVAN, 145TH MAINTENANCE CODARNELL GARY L, HHC 3RD BDE 42ND ID (M)HUGHES CHRISTOPHER GERRARD, HHD 342D FWD SPT BNKLAASSEN JAY DEAN, CO B 152D ENGINEER BNMAYNARD MARC LOUIS, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKMELTZ JAMES MICHAEL, TROOP E 101ST CAVALRYMENDEZ JAIME JR., HQS 106TH REGIMENT (RTI)MICKENS ALLEN E, 102D MAINTENANCE COMOORE CHARLES T, NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCE HQMYRUSKI PAUL J, 42D INFANTRY DIV BAND (-)PADILLA VICTOR MANUEL, 145TH MAINTENANCE COPETIBONE STEVEN BLAINE, JOINT FORCE HQPONCE EDGAR ALEX, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)ROBINSON MARC KENNETH, 204TH ENGINEER DETSCHWARTZ RICHARD FREDERICK, HHC 1-101ST CAVALRYVANBUSKIRK MICHAEL LYNN, CO A 1-127TH ARMORVASQUEZ JACQUELINE MAUREEN, HHC 27TH AREA SGWIMBERLY ERIC A, HHD 206 CORPS SPT BN

STAFF SERGEANTACOSTA RAMON, 145TH MAINTENANCE COAIELLO MAURICE, EN HHD HHD BDE FWD 3ALLIE ASMAT, 37TH FINANCE DETBEBEN TIMOTHY ALBERT, CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNBIERON PAUL JOSEPH, 145 OD CO MAINT FWDBONNER ERNEST, 1569 TC CO MED TRK FWDBOONE RICKY D, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)BRAMMER DOLAN PAUL JR., CO A 3-142D AVIATIONCHALKER JOHN WILLIAM, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)CHILDERS DONALD LYNN, HHC 642D MI BATTALIONCOOK DAVID PATRICK, 0152 EN BN HHC DET 1COOLBAUGH BRUCE EDWARD, 222D MILITARY POLICE COCOOLEY YVONNE ELLEN, 2ND BN 106TH REG (RTB)DIAZORTIZ CARLOS W, 145TH MAINTENANCE COEBERHARDT ANDREW, 442D MILITARY POLICE CO

FOY RICHARD JR, HHB 1-258TH FIELD ARTILLERYGARDNER GARY N, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKGOUTREMOUT CHRISTOPHER L, 427TH MAINT CO (DS)GRANA MICHAEL J, HHC 1-101ST CAVALRYGROW KRISTOPHER M, HHC 27TH AREA SGHAGGETT CHARLES EDWIN III, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDHARGE FRED III, HHC 642D MI BATTALIONHARPER PETER JOHN, HHC 152D ENGINEER BNHENDERSON JOHN JEFFREY, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)HOLLINGER DEBORAH KAY, 442D MILITARY POLICE COHUDSON JAMES EARL, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPHUNT JESSE O, CO C 1-69TH INF (M)JONES RUDOLPH E JR, HHB 1-258TH FIELD ARTILLERYLIVERGOOD AARON MICHAEL, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)LLOYD THEODORE HAROLD, 258 FA BN 01 BTRY C REARLONG BARBARA ANN, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPMARTIN GREGORY ALAN, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)MARTINEZ JEFFREY RIOS, 42 INFANTRY DIVISION DETMCFADDEN DANIEL JOHN, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)MITHU JAGGAN, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPMUNNO FRANCO, 442D MILITARY POLICE CONEGRON HECTOR M, CO B 101ST SIGNAL BNOBRIEN CHRISTOPHER JUSTIN, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)OROSZ ALLEN JUDE, CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNPADGETT JAMES EDBERT JR, 442D MILITARY POLICE COPRESLEY RAYMOND III, HHC (-) 27TH IN BDEQUINONES KATHERINE, 2ND BN 106TH REG (RTB)RACHO JOYCE WONG, HHC 101ST SIGNAL BNRAMOS CATHERINE ANNE, CO B 101ST SIGNAL BNRIVERA GABINO JR, 442D MILITARY POLICE COSANCHEZ MANUEL, CO C(-) 638 SPT BNSINGH BUDHRAM, 145 OD CO MAINT FWDSOTO ANTONIO, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)STHILL MARCONI C, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSSUME PIERRE EDSON, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPTRAVERS DAVID WAYNE, NYARNG ELEMENT JTFHQVANDUSKY ROBERT, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)VIRUET JOSE V, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPWALESKI JAMES EARL, 2427TH TRANS CO MEDIUM TRUCKWALLACE DANIEL ALBERTO, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)WALTERS CARL A, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSWEIR JERRY ALAN, 258 FA BN 01 BTRY C REAR NYWENTZEL DAVID JOHN, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)WINDLEY TRACEY TERRANCE, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)

SERGEANTABBATE ANTHONY NICHOLAS, 442D MILITARY POLICE COALLSOP JEROMY JORDAN, CO D 1-101ST CAVALRYBAER THERESA ANN, HQ 531ST TRP CMDBAGROWSKI STANLEY JOE, HHC 3/142 AVN FWD 5BAILEY CHARLES EVERETT, DET 1 HHC 1-69TH INF (M)BAUCH TIMOTHY D, 1427TH TRANS CO MEDIUM TRUCKBEHNKE JOSEPH C, RECRUITING AND RETENTION CMDBELLUCCI MICHAEL ANTHONY, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNBERARDINELLI RICHARD MICHAE, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNBOBERG JUSTIN JAMES, HHC (-) 1-127TH ARMORBOKSA KYLE JEFFREY, 1427TH TRANS CO MEDIUM TRUCKBROWN KENNETH NICHOLAS, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)BUINISKIS JENNIFER LYNNE, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNBUSH CARL ALLEN III, 222D MILITARY POLICE COCALDERON WILSON, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSCAMACHO ALEXIS VICENTE, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPCAPUTI DAVID SAMUEL, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDCARLL DANIEL WESLEY, DET 1 HHC 27TH IN BDECARR MATTHEW MICHAEL, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNCARTIER LORRIE L, NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCE HQCASE STEPHEN ADDISON, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPCHMURA DOUGLAS JOHN, 145TH MAINTENANCE COCLARK SETH RICHARD, HHC 642D MI BATTALIONCOLON ANGEL L JR, 249TH MED CO AIR AMBULANCE (-)CONCEPCION RAFAEL , 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSCUMBERBATCH RICHARD A, HHD 27TH FINANCE BNDECARE JAMES M JR, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPDEFTEREOS CHRISTOS C, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPDENNIS JOHN NORMAN III, HHD 206 CORPS SPT BNDIMANCHE ERMENTS, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSDUBOIS ALAN JAMES, 1427TH TRANS CO MEDIUM TRUCKDUERR KENNETH WILLIAM, HHC (-) 27TH IN BDE

Family Support Group volunteers from the 4th Personnel Service Detachment and the 56th Personnel Service Battalion FamilyReadiness Groups receive a donation Jan. 20 at the Adjutant General's Office, Latham. The money was raised at the Annual Divisionof Military and Naval Affairs Golf Tournment in 2004. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith

Army Promotions Page15

EDMAN WINONA ANN, HSC 642D SUPPORT BNFERNANDEZ JULIO CESAR JR, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPFINNIE BARBARA M, HHC AVN BDE 42 IN DIVFIRESTONE ANDREW NATHAN, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)FLICK KATRINA ELISABETH, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDFORD RICHARD EUGENE, CO B 101ST SIGNAL BNFORTNER DOUGLAS LYMAN, CO B 1-127TH ARMORFRANCIS RUPERT, 1569 TC CO MED TRK FWDFRANCISCO BRIAN KEITH, 427TH MAINTENANCE CO (DS)GANSER GREGORY ALFRED, 145TH MAINTENANCE COGARCIA DANIEL ALBERTO JR, 145TH MAINTENANCE COGARCIA JOSE RAMIRO, DET 1 HHC 1-69TH INF (M)GARCIA MARLON NIGEL, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)GARLAND PATRICK E JR, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDGAWRONSKI TIMOTHY EDWARD, 827 EN CO SEP IN FWDGEMBALA PETER RICHARD, HSC 642D SUPPORT BNGIAMMELLA LOUIS EDWARD, 108 IN BN 02 AASLT CO DGINNANE KEVIN MICHAEL, 442D MILITARY POLICE COGOMEZ LUIS ALBERTO, RECRUITING RETENTION CMDGONZALEZ EDWIN, 102D MAINTENANCE COGONZALEZ MARCOS ROLANDO, DET 1 442 MP COGRACE KIMICOE ULANDA, 145TH MAINTENANCE COGRAVES JAMES EARL, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPGROSSO GIACOMO, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)GROSSO MICHELLE ANNE, DET 1 442 MP COGUZMANESTEVEZ DANNY D, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSHAND PENNY LYNETTE, 2427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKHARTMAN DAVID WAYNE, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNHARTMAN DEAN TIMOTHY, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDHEINS SHAYE H, NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCE HQHELSDON ADAM RICHARD, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKHEMSING ROBERT C JR, 108 IN BN 02 HHC REAR NYHERNANDEZ CHARLES A JR, 145TH MAINTENANCE COHERNANDEZ EDWIN, 108 IN BN 02 AASLT CO CHIRALDO EDDY ANTONIO, 145TH MAINTENANCE COHOUSE CYNTHIA JEAN, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDHUGHES WAYNE A, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPJENNEJOHN CHRIS, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKJIMENEZ HUGH HENRY, DET 1 442 MP COJOHNSON ERIC RONALD, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPJOHNSON RICHARD DAVID, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)JONES RICHARD CHARLES, HHC 642D MI BATTALIONKAIER JUSTIN PAUL, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDKELLY BRANDY PATRICIA T, 37TH FINANCE DETKHAN NAIEEM AHMAD, RECRUITING AND RET CMDKINSELLA NIALL, 442D MILITARY POLICE COKRMENEC THOMAS JR, 108 IN BN 01 ANTIARMOR REAR NYLAPORTE EDWIN CHARLES, 145TH MAINTENANCE COLATORRE MIGUEL ANGEL, 719 TRANS CO (MDM TRK CGO)LAWRIE STEVEN PATRICK, CO B 1-127TH ARMORLAZAR ADORIAN, 69 IN BN 01 HHC REARLEWIS THOMAS ANDREW, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKLIANG SI CHUAN, DET 2 CO B 638 SPT BNLONG JEREMY, 105TH MP COLORCA MIGUEL ANTONIO, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)LOU DION ZIANG, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)MACK SCOTT CORBIN, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)MANN CHARLES WALTER, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNMARTIN JAMES IRVING, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNMATIAS MICHAEL MARTIN, 1569 TC CO MED TRK FWDMATVIIV RUSLAN, 442D MILITARY POLICE COMCMURRAY JEREMIAH LEE, 204 EN BN CO A FWD2MEEHAN JAMES MICHAEL, DET 1 442 MP COMILLER THOMAS KLENG, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNMINER JACOB ANDREW, HHC (-) 1-108TH INFMISNER WILLIAM DAVID, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKMUNZERT DANIEL WILLIAM, DET 1 105 MP COOKUN CHRISTOPHER MARTIN, DET 1 HHC 1-69TH INF (M)OLANDER LOUIS NASH, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)OLDENBURG RONALD, RECRUITING AND RETENTION CMDORTIZ HERBERT, COMPANY C(-) 638 DASB FWDPADILLA RYAN CHRISTIAN, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)PALMER BRYANT KEITH, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSPASQUINOGRECO EVA MARIA, HHD 104TH MP BNPECK CORY WILLIAM, CO B(-) 642D SUPPORT BNPHILLIPS MATTHEW, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKPINEDA DAVID, 37TH FINANCE DETPOLK KIMBERLY TATJANA, 145TH MAINTENANCE CORAGUBIR BEJAI, 145TH MAINTENANCE CO

REDRICK JOSEPH, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPRIVERA ANGEL, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSRIVERA CARLOS JOSUE, 719 TRANS CO (MDM TRK CGO)ROBINSON EVEMARIE, RECRUITING AND RETENTION CMDROCQUE ERIC RAYMOD, HHC 3/142 AVN FWD 5ROLLINS CECIL CHARLES, 145 OD CO MAINT FWDROSEN MICHAEL ANDREW, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNSANTOS NICHOLE, DET 1 442 MP COSCHMITT GREGORY THEODORE, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)SCHREINER SEAN THOMAS, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNSEYMOUR JAMIE W, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPSHANNON ISAAC JR, DET 1 442 MP COSHERRICK DAVID DRYER, 642 MI BN CO C REARSLOW CHRISTOPHER JAMES, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)SMITH CRAIG BURTON, HHC 642D MI BATTALIONSMITH JOSHUA PHILIP, 1427TH TRANS CO MEDIUM TRUCKSMITH LAURA JOYCE, HHC (-) 27TH IN BDESMITH LUIS ALBERTO, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSSOMERS JEREMY DUAINE, 145 OD CO MAINT FWDSOSNICKI JANET LYNN, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNSOZIO MICHAEL GERARD, HHC AVN BDE 42 IN DIVSTACKHOUSE GAVIN G, 108 IN BN 01 ANTIARMOR REAR NYTAYLOR OBN KITSON, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)THID ANDREAS PETER, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPTIBURCIO KELY, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPTIPPETT BRIAN EDWARD, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)TORRES JOHAN A, RECRUITING AND RETENTION CMDTUFFOUR ALLAN AFRIFA, 133 OD CO MAINT NONDIV DSVELEZ ROBERTO A, 204 EN BN CO A FWD2VOGT JOHN THOMAS, COMPANY C(-) 638 DASB FWDWILKOSZ KENNETH ALLEN, HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDWOODING JILL RENEE, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPZAPOROWSKI ETHAN P, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCK

SPECIALISTALLEN JAMES PATRICK, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKANDREWS JAMES SCOTT, HHC (-) 27TH IN BDEAZZALINA ASHLEY N, 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTBELL JAN MARIEANN, 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTBERDOE SIMONE PATRICE, 102D MAINTENANCE COBERKMAN KEVIN MICHAEL, CO A(-) 427TH SPT BNBERRY GARVIN ORLANDO, DET 1 133RD MAINT COBOWDEN WAYNE DOUGLAS, 145TH MAINTENANCE COBURGESS WESLEY C, 108 IN BN 01 CO A DET1 REAR NYCARTER JASMINE SHAMEC, HHC 642D MI BATTALIONCHAN MANKIT N, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)CHAPMAN WILLIAM CHARLES, HHC(-) 3-142D AVIATIONCORNIER RICHARD JAMES, 69 IN BN 01 CO A REARCOWLEY TAMRA RASHELLE, 206 CS HHD CSB FWDDELEONARD KEM JACQUES, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNDOOKRAN DURGESH, 145 OD CO MAINT DS REARDOWNS MICHAEL ALLEN, HHC 1-105TH INFFERNANDEZ JOHN JASON, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)FORMUS PAUL JERRY, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)FRANCO CARLOS ALBERTO, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)FUNNELL JOHN RAYMOND, DET 1 CO A 204 ENGR BNGALARZA JOSE RAMON, CO D 1-101ST CAVALRYGIBSON DARRYL, CO B(-) 642D SUPPORT BNGORCZYCA LOUIS KIRK, DET 1 HHC 27TH IN BDEGREEN AMANDA LEIGH, CO C (-) 342D FWD SPT BNGRITMAN KENNETH JOHN, 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTGROTH KEVIN MICHAEL, 249 MD CO AIR AMBL REAR,NYHENRIQUEZ STEVE, DET 1 107TH MILITARY POLICE COHOLDER KERRY TYRONE, 102D MAINTENANCE COHOUCK EDWARD JOHN, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPJOHNSON CHRISTOPHER ISAIAH, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPJOY BRIAN DAVID, 108 IN BN 01 CO B FWD 2KAIRUPAN ALEXANNIE D, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)KIMMEL REBECCA MARIE. 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTKISSOON DEREK, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)KNOX RUSSELL BRANDON, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNLIPINSKY ADAM DANIEL, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)LOWERY JAYSON MICHAEL, CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNLUAN GAO MING, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)LUOMA JAMES E II, HHD 104TH MILITARY POLICE BNMACK ERIN MARY, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)MANNARA RICHARD ANGELO, TROOP E 101ST CAVALRY

MARCINIAK TIMOTHY LYMAN, 1427TH TRANS CO MEDIUMTRUCKMARISCAL GERALD ANTHONY, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)MARTIN MATTHEW JAMES, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)MARTINEZ IVAN ORLANDO, DET 1 CO C 204TH EN BNMCELROY NICHOLAS JAY, 108 IN BN 02 AASLT CO CMCLAREN RICHARD WARREN JR, CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNMEJIA GUSTAVO ANDRES, 7TH FINANCE DETMIRANDA JOSE ANTONIO JR, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPMOERMAN MICHAEL J, 1427TH TRANS CO MEDIUM TRUCKMORALES HEALY ABRIL BLOSSOM, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)MORAN JAMES LEANDER, DET 2 CO B 638 SPT BNMORTILLARO FRANK, CO C(-) 638 SPT BNMROWKA MARCIN, 1569 TC CO MED TRK FWDMUNASSAR MOHAMED, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPMURPHY JASON ROBERT, 0152 EN BN HHC DET 1NEHRKORN ERIK ALAN, DET 1 199TH ARMY BANDNEWCOMB DONALD TOBIAS JR, CO D 1-101ST CAVALRYOLSEN TIMOTHY JOHN, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)POLLARD JONATHAN D, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPPRIVITERA ADAM JOHN, HHC (-) 1-108TH INFQUIJANO MICHAEL ANTHONY, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNQUINONES DIVINE, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNQUINTANA DEREK FELIX, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)RACINE JASON BRYAN, 206 CS HHD CSB FWDRAMIREZ JOVANNY, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNRANDAZZO MICHAEL JAMES, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)RAPHAEL JACQUES, CO C 1-105 INFRICE SEAN PATRICK, 108 IN BN 01 AASLT D CO FWDRIVERA CARLOS JR, HSC 642D SUPPORT BNRIVERA NOVALES LUIS ANGEL, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPROBLES CRYSTAL LEE, 206 CS HHD CSB FWDROGERS ERIC LAQUAN, 133 OD CO MAINT REAR NYROSARIO STEVEN JOHN, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)

State of the State VIP, Spc. Daniel Swift, 1st Battalion, 69thRegiment, 42nd Infantry Division stands in recognition atGovernor George E. Pataki’s State of the State address atthe New York State Capitol Jan. 5. Governor Pataki saidSwift, and his fellow members of the New York NationalGuard, provide a "tremendous service to our state and nation.”Photo courtesy of Governor's office.

Army PromotionsPage16

SANCHEZ IVETTE, CO C(-) 638 SPT BNSANTIAGO HERIBERTO ELIEZER, 4TH FINANCE DETSCANLON ADAM JOSEPH, DET 1 HHC 27TH IN BDESCHEUER MELISSA E, 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTSCHUSS CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL, CO C (-) 1-108TH INFSCOTT OWEN KEITH, CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNSHAPPY JOSHUA AARON, HHC 1-105TH INFSIMMONS JASON PATRICK, CO C 3-142D AVIATIONSMITH MISTY NICKEYA, DET 1 442 MP COSMOAK ALBERT B JR, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPSOLOMINSKY DMITRY, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)SPENCER WILLIAM MICHAEL, 642 CS BN HSC REARSPEROS EVERITT PHILLIP, CO E 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)SULLIVAN BRENDAN PATRICK, CO C 101ST SIGNAL BNTAMBURELLO TIMOTHY, 138TH MPADTASAKOVIC ERIC F, DET 1 107TH MILITARY POLICE COTERBILCOX DAVID E, CO C (-) 1-108TH INFTHOMAS PHILIP MICHAEL, CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)TIERNAN STEPHANIE JOY, 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTVARGAS GOANERGIS, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPVOELGER LAWRENCE P, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)WILSON NICHOLAS ERIC, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)WINSTEL JORDAN JOSEPH, CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNZARIAN VAROOSH, HHC (-) 27TH IN BDE

PRIVATE FIRST CLASSALICEA JONATHAN LUIS, 102D MAINTENANCE COALLBRIGHT ANDREW R, DET 1 CO G 137TH AVIATIONALVAREZ GRACIELA AGNES, 102D MAINTENANCE COAMEYAW MERCY NMN, HHD 342D FWD SPT BNANDUJAR JOEL EDWIN, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPBENNETT ANN MARIE, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)BERNARD MICHAEL STEPHEN, DET 1 CO A 1 BN 105 INFBESSONG AUSTIN ENOW, 827TH ENGR COBRAMAN KYLE WARD, DET 1 HHC 27TH IN BDEBRICE ANTOINETTE D, HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPCASTELLI VENESSA , 249 MD CO AIR AMBL REAR,NYCLARY BRANDON MICHAEL, CO C (-) 1-108TH INFCOLVIN RICHARD WILLIS III, HHC (-) 1-108TH INFDALEY JASON MICHAEL, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPDANTES YVON WENER, DET 1 CO C 204TH EN BNDAVIS NORMA ELIZABETH, 145 OD CO MAINT FWDDUMAS JOSEPH ST CLAIR, 204TH ENGINEER DETACHMENTESTEY KRYSTAL, DET 2 CO B 638 SPT BNFIELDS MICHELLE RENEE, CO A 342D FWD SPT BNFRANCO CHRISTHIAN ANDRES, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)GALE MATTHEW RICHARD, CO C (-) 1-108TH INFGREGG WALTER DERRICK, HHC 42 IN DIV(-)GRICE GREGORY SCOTT, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKGUZMAN HOOVERNEY A, 1569 TC CO MED TRK FWDHAIRE THOMAS ROBERT, HHD 104TH MP BNHARPER EUGENE GEORGE, 427TH MAINTENANCE CO (DS)HARRIS CASEY AARON, HHC (-) 1-127TH ARMORHARVIN CINDY ANN, 369 CS HHD CORPS SPT REAR NYHELM KAGAN MAURICE CHARLES, CO C 1-105 INFHILL KEVIN LLOYD, DET 1 107TH MILITARY POLICE COKALVAITIS AIDAS, 102D MAINTENANCE COKEENEY MICHELLE LORAINE, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNLEFEVRE ERNST REGINALD JR, CO C 1-105 INFLENNON CHRISTINA, CO C(-) 638 SPT BNLUTHER JUSTIN MICHAEL, HHC (-) 1-108TH INFMARTIN JAMELL MITCHELL, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY C 155 SPMARTINEZ MARCO ANTONIO, CO C 1-105 INFMERCADO VIVIAN, 102D MAINTENANCE COMILLER MURVEN KAOPHUS, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)NEWTON KIWAN NEIL, HHD 206 CORPS SPT BNOCHOA EDGAR YOVANI, HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)PEREZ CARLOS JOSE II, 258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPPEREZ NELSON, DET 1 CO G 137TH AVIATIONPRICE KELLY ANNE, 42 HHC HVY DIV REARQUINONES PEDRO D III, 427TH MAINTENANCE CO (DS)RAVANES FRANZ, CO C 1-69TH INF (M)REBERON CARLOS JOEL, 102D MAINTENANCE COREGOLINO ANTHONY ROCCO, CO C 1-105 INFRICHARDSON WESLEY L, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKROBERTS JAMAL NETFAN, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)ROBINSON THOMAS WILLIAM, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNRODRIGUEZ EFRAIN, CO C 1-105 INFSMITH EBONY CHRISTINA, DET 1 CO C 204TH EN BN

STEVENS TREVOR SAMUEL, CO A(-) 427TH SPT BNSTLOUIS ANTONIO T, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)SWAIN LATOYA MARY, HHD 342D FWD SPT BNSWARTZ FREDERICK JOSEPH, CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNTOSCANO AGEA KIWANDA, HHD 342D FWD SPT BNULYSSE VLADIMIR, 145 OD CO MAINT DS REARVANSLUYTMAN ELVIS R, CO E 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)WHITEHURST SHAUN TOMMY, 102D MAINTENANCE COWITKOWSKI WALTER, 69 IN BN 01 CO A REARWONG YUEN HUNG, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)YATES JASON ANTHONY, CO C 1-105 INFZERVOS DAMIEN JOHN, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)

PRIVATE 2ARACENA GILBERTO JOSE, 69 IN BN 01 HHC REARBADILLO ROQUE EMANUEL, HHC 1-105TH INFBALANDIS DUANE MARK, CO C (-) 1-108TH INFBARRETT WILLIAM PATRICK, HHC (-) 1-127TH ARMORBARTLETTKING JERRY GENE, DET 1 CO A 1 BN 105 INFBLONCOURT JOSEPH LUIS, CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)BOHART BRIAN EUGENE, DET 1 CO C 204TH EN BNBORSODY JOSHUA LEWIS, DET 1 HHC 1-108TH INFCOLLINS ERIN MARIE, CO A(-) 427TH SPT BNCOLON ERIK JOEL, DET 1 133RD MAINT COCOMBS DARRYLL JOSEPH, DET 2 CO C 1-108TH INFCORDICE EWAN, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNCOURTRIGHT CHANTEL MARIE, DET 1 HHC 27TH IN BDEDELATORRES CARLOS RANDU, CO D 1-101ST CAVALRYDORCE WILNER, DET 1 133RD MAINT CODORN AARON JACOB, DET 1 HHC 1-108TH INFDOTSON RASHEEN DANYAA, DET 1 133RD MAINT COFRENCH JASON ANDREW, 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTFROST BRIAN ERIC, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNGADDIS MELISSA AMANDA, 466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTGALL ORIN NKOSI JR, 7TH FINANCE DETGAUTHIER JUSTIN RYAN, CO A (-) 1 BN 105 INFGENTILE THEODORE WILLIAM JR, CO C 1-69TH INF (M)GOLDEN THEODORE FRANCIS, CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNGOMEZ MELVIN A, 204TH ENGINEER DETACHMENTGONZALES DANIEL MICHAEL, HHC 1-105TH INF

GONZALEZ FERNANDEZ M, HHC 3RD BDE 42ND ID (M)GRAY LEAH LYNNEE, 42 HHC HVY DIV REARGUERRA MARCO WILLIAM, 133 OD CO MAINT REAR NYHAMILTON JAMES CHRISTIAN, DET 1 CO C 204TH EN BNHARRISON JESSICA RENE, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKHENNEL BRIAN DOUGLAS, HHC 1-105TH INFHISERT JAMES FREDERICK, CO C (-) 1-108TH INFHONEYWELL DAVID JEFFREY, CO B 1-101ST CAVALRYHOTALING DANIEL ROBERT EDWA, 42 IN CTR REARINGA JAVIER FERNANDO, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNINGERSOLL NICOLE M, 1427TH TRANS CO MED TRUCKJORGE HAYDEE CELESTE, 102D MAINTENANCE COKENNEDY RICHARD KEITH JR, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNKODRA ADAM TODD, HHC 1-105TH INFLAKE EDWARD ROBERT, HHC (-) 1-108TH INFLAUER CONRAD ARTHUR, 108 IN BN 01 CO A DET1 REARLEBRON ELVIS NICOLAS, CO C 1-105 INFLEMORE CHRISTOPHER HERSCHAL, 204TH ENGINEER DETLLAUGER LORRAINE, 102D MAINTENANCE COLONGO CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL, CO A 1-101ST CAVALRYMAYNARD CHAD ISSAC, CO C (-) 204TH ENGR BNMERRICK JONATHAN ALBRT, CO B 1-108TH INFMOORE TIMOTHY JOHN, 105TH MP COMUNIZ ELIZABETH, DET 1 133RD MAINT CONADEAU TRAVIS DOUGLAS, CO A (-) 1 BN 105 INFNUZI MARSEN, CO C 1-105 INFPALMATEER MARK CHARLES, 108 IN BN 02 CO A DET 1PEREZ DERRICK ANTHONY, 102D MAINTENANCE CORIOS HERNANDO, 69 IN BN 01 HHC REARROSALES EDGAR HERNAN, 1569 TC CO MED TRK FWDSCHOEHEIT MATTHEW DOUGLAS, 427TH MAINT CO (DS)SIMPSON DOREEN CLAIRE, 133 OD CO MAINT REAR NYSMIETANA STEPHEN MICHAEL, 427TH MAINT CO (DS)SPARKS CARRIE REASHELL, 427TH MAINTENANCE CO (DS)STJUSTE RICHARD PIERRE, 69 IN BN 01 HHC REARVASQUEZ JANINE E, 107TH MILITARY POLICE COVELEZ ANTHONY JR, CO C 1-105 INFWATSON MARLANA STARR, H & S CO 204 ENGR BNWILLIAMS MATTHEW JOHN, 427TH MAINT CO (DS)

25th AnnualArmed Forces Military Ball

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary ofThe End of World War II

The 25th Annual Military Ball will be held for all membersand friends of the Armed Forces.

Help us honor our Military & Veterans who sacrifice somuch for our defense and safety.

All Ranks, Branches, Active, Inactive,Veteran and Retired are Welcome!

Proceeds from the Ball will go to:Veterans Care

the supporting agency for the Fisher House

Visit us on the web at:

www.milball.usDate: Saturday, May 7, 2005Time: 7:30 p.m.Place : Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Ave

Ext., Albany, N.Y.Dress: Dress Uniform preferred, if possiblePrice : $25 per personDinner : Choice of Sirloin of Beef, Boneless Chicken or

Stuffed SoleDancing : Dance to live music after dinner

Please complete form below, detach and return withcheck payable to: Military Ball Committee, Box #471,Slingerlands, NY 12159. RSVP NLT APR. 29

Name: ________________________________________ Number in Party:

Home Address: ________________________________ List Guests:

City: __________________ State: _____ Zip: _________

Phone:___________________________

Branch/Unit: _____________ Group you wish to sit with: ____________________

E-mail Address: ______________________________________________________

# BEEF

# CHICKEN

# FISH

Army Reenlistments Page17

101 AR TRP TRP E CAV REARSGT FANCHER DAVID ETSON SRSSG SHAUT JONATHAN WILLIAM

102D MAINTENANCE COSPC CASTRO HECTOR

105TH MP COSSG FRANCIS DANIEL ESGT LONG JEREMY

107TH MILITARY POLICE COSPC HENDERSON MILES JACOBSFC JAWORSKI PAUL HENRY

108 IN BN 01 AASLT A COSPC ERRINGTON CHRISTOPHER ALLAN

108 IN BN 01 AASLT A CO FWDSSG REASKA TIM KSGT SHERMAN KENNETH LEESPC STEGER PATRICK MICHEAL

108 IN BN 01 CO A REAR NYSPC ALIANO CURTIS JAMES

108 IN BN 01 HHC FWD 2SPC BARNER FRANK EARL IV

108 IN BN 02 AASLT CO ASGT AHERN MICHAEL WILLIAMSPC BENITES CELSO AUGUSTOSPC ESTERGUARD ZACHARY DANIELSGT KENNEDY DANIEL MARTINSPC KIRKMAN JASON CHARLESSPC MILLER DANIEL JOSEPH JRSPC POTTER CRAIG JOSEPHSGT SILBERSTEIN JONATHAN LLOYDSPC SOTO ERIKSSG WYKRETOWICZ STANLEY MICHAEL

108 IN BN 02 AASLT CO BCPL BLOWERS TIMOTHY JOSEPHSFC BOYER MICHAEL JOHNSSG LEDUC JEREMY MICHAELSSG TAVERNIA WILLIAM JAMES

108 IN BN 02 AASLT CO CSPC FARNDELL JASON THOMASSGT GILLMAN ERIC KIRKSGT LYNCH MICHAEL ANTHONYSPC RALPH HERBERT WILLIAMSSG SKOMP IVAN RANDOLPH

108 IN BN 02 AASLT HHCSPC BALLING LEE JASONSPC BRIGGS JACOB GLENNSGT COLLOTON MICHAEL ROSSSGT FARR EUGENE RAYMOND JRSPC ROBERTS BERNARD DAVID

108 IN BN 02 CO A REAR NYSPC CELENTANO JOSEPH JOHN

108 IN BN 02 HHC REAR NYSGT ADER JAMES MELVINSSG BARKSDALE ANTHONY ESPC BYERWALTERS JOSEPH PATRICKSGT CONYNE PETER DANIELSGT CRYTSER TIMOTHY SCOTTSPC DRAPER HOWARD WILLIAMSGT MANLEY DWAYNE RUSSELL1SG OLMSTED CHRIS EDWARDSPC PHILLIPS JAMIE JEFFERSONSPC SIRETT EDISON AUSBERTO

1156TH ENGR CO PORT OPENINGSGT DEGROTE TIMOTHY ALLEN

SGT FIRTH PATRICK JAMES

133 OD CO MAINT REAR NYSGT LATORRE LOUIE JESUS

1427TH TRANS CO MEDIUM TRUCKPFC JAMES BENSPC MILLER ANDREW DAVIDSGT MILLIMAN THOMAS JAY JRSGT PAPPERT RICHARD ADAMSSG VEGA EDWARD JRSGT WIDMER ROBERT EUGENE

145 OD CO MAINT DS REARSGT BURGOS YOLENESPC GOWE FREDRICA ANTOINETTESPC MASON TYRONESPC ROBLES CARLOSSGT TAYLOR LASHANA MAE

145TH MAINTENANCE COSGT CARRASQUILLO JOSUESGT GANSER GREGORY ALFREDSPC LUKE ERROL SIMEON

14TH FINANCE DETSGT GONZALES MARK ANTHONY

156 FA BN 01 HHS FWD 3SGT AHMED SAIF UDDIN

1569TH TRANSPORTATION COSPC FIGUEROA LUIS JR

199TH ARMY BAND (-)SGT HARROLD WARREN LEE

1ST BATTALION 142D AVIATIONSFC MORRELLI FRANK JOSEPHSFC WEGERSKI PATRICK CHARLESMSG WILSON MARK HOWARD

204 EN BN CO A DET 2 FWDSGT RIVERA DANIEL

204TH ENGINEER DETACHMENTSGT RIEGEL DAVID JAMES

206 CS HHD CSB REARSPC CAPERS BRIAN SCOTT

222D MILITARY POLICE COSGT ALEXANDER ROBERT JAMES JRSGT LOURDIANE NACER EDDINE

258 FA BN 01 BTRY B REAR NYSPC CHOULOUTE ROLAND JRSGT CORNIELLE CHRISTOPHER ASGT CYREK MARK JOSEPHSGT GANCAYCO ROMARICO ASPC LOPEZ JOSEPH JOHNSGT MALAVE MICHAEL ANTHONYSGT MENDOZA GREGORYPFC SEABROOKS ANDREWSPC SPARKS ROBERT LEESGT BANTAN DONSPC MINOTT ANTUAN EVERSLEY

258 FA BN 1 BTRY B 155 SPSGT CARUTH ELTON EMMANUELSPC DEDRICK JOSEPH MICHAELSPC SOBERS RODNEY ODANESGT THID ANDREAS PETERSSG CLAVELL CARLOSSSG HEATON SCOTT JOHNSFC VELASCO JULIO M

29 AG HHD PSC REAR

SGT BROWN LEROY ALLENSPC LADUE VALERIE FAYSGT RAINEY JOHNATHAN MICHAELSPC WRIGHT RACHEL LYNN

2ND N 106TH REG (RTB)SFC WILSON DONALD ANTHONY

2ND CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM (WMD)SSG FREDERICKS NOEL DOUGLASSSG WOODARD LANCE NOLAN

369 CS HHD CORPS SPT REAR NYMSG HEYLIGER BENTLEY JRSPC JACKSON ANTHONYQUIAME ECPL SMITH MARIOSSG VARGAS MARTIN B

37TH FINANCE DETSGT PINEDA DAVID

42 HHC HVY DIV FWD 2SGT DOUGHERTY KEVIN JOHN

42 HHC HVY DIV REARSPC BARTON AMBER MARIE

427TH MAINTENANCE CO (DS)SGT CHAFFEE JOHN ALLANSGT ODONNELL DALE LLOYD

442D MILITARY POLICE COSPC STEWART BRIAN MALCOLM

466TH MEDICAL CO AREA SPTSGT ESPOSITO GERALD JOSEPH

4TH FINANCE DETSGT ROSS MICHAEL ALLEN

642 CS BN CO B REARSGT MERRY ROBERT ALANSPC RAMIREZ JOSE RAMON

642 CS BN HSC REARSPC FONDIO MAMADOU

642 MI BN CO C REARSPC MCCONNELL DUDLEY GEORGE II

642 MI BN HHC REARSPC KELLIHER JAMES TIMOTHY

69 IN BN 01 CO A REARSPC MERCHAN MARCO PATRICIOSFC VASQUEZ RUBEN

69 IN BN 01 HHC REARCPL BOONE GEORGESGT CAMPANA CESAR ACPL NG PHILLIP WAILAP

719 TRANS CO (MDM TRK CGO)SPC MAMODESEN LUC NOEL STEEVESPC MARRERO LUIS ANTONIO JRSGT RAMOS OTTONIEL

7TH FINANCE DETSGT RICHARDSON DEMETRIUS CHRIST

827 EN CO SEP IN FWDSGT GRAY LEVERNON NAKAISPC KOWALSKI BRUCE EDWARD

827TH ENGR COSPC STURGIS RONALD TYRONE

CO A 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)

SPC MITCHELL TERRY EFPHRAMSGT PINKSTON DONALD RICHARD JRSSG TUPPER KEVIN JOHNSPC WETHINGTON MARVIN DWAYNE

CO A 101ST SIGNAL BNSGT BULLOCK DAVYD TRAMMELLSGT GILLEN WILLIAMSSG MARKHAM BRIAN KEITHSSG OROSZ ALLEN JUDESGT SAEZ GILBERT

CO A(-) 427TH SPT BNSGT BOLTON JOSEPH MICHAELSGT GIANCURSIO PATRICK

CO B (-) 204 ENGR BNSPC BACON RONALD STEVEN IISGT BEEBE BRUCE ALLENSGT BELLUCCI MICHAEL ANTHONYSPC BENTLEY ARTHUR ALLENSPC GARDNER JAMIE LEESSG GRAVESANDE JOHN ANTHONYSPC HEATH ALAN JOSEPHSGT KESEL RODNEY PSPC KULCAVAGE COREY JOSEPHSFC LOPEZ ARMANDO JRSFC PALUCH TIMOTHY MARTINSGT ROOT KEVIN MICHAELSGT SCHRAUTH TIMOTHY MAXIMILIANSGT SHARE FREDERICK GEORGESGT STACY SUSANNA GSGT SZABO SCOTT ANDREWSPC VILLACIS MARIO FSPC WEITZEL HEATH ERIK

CO B 1-108TH INFSSG KIEBZAK STEPHEN STANLEYSPC MCCLAIN ASHUNTI DESHUN

CO B 1-69TH INFANTRY(M)SPC HAR WING SUMSGT MAIOLO DAVID JOHNSPC WALKER TYRONE DWAYNE

CO B 101ST SIGNAL BNSSG BURGOS HECTOR IVANSGT COLON CARMENSPC ESPINAL CRISTINASGT SPENCER PETER

CO B 342D FWD SPT BNSGT BOVEE KRISTYSPC DASNO ANNETTE MARIE

CO B(-) 642D SUPPORT BNSPC PARKER KEVIN

CO C (-) 1-108TH INFSSG RUTTER MICHAEL ANTHONY

CO C (-) 342D FWD SPT BNSPC LOGALBO MARC J

CO C 1-105 INFSGT BEAUPIERRE FRANCIS

CO C 1-69TH INF (M)SSG DONNELLY MICHAEL JOHNPFC GUEVARA MILTON HENRYSGT MIRRO JAMES HENRY

CO C(-) 638 SPT BNSGT AYALA JOHNNYSGT MARIN GAIRO R

CO D 1-101ST CAVALRYSGT HERNANDEZ DOUGLAS EDWARD

Army ReenlistmentsPage18

CO D 1-105 INFSFC CONTOMPASIS NICHOLAS HARRY

CO E 1-69TH INFANTRY (M)SPC BARRATT KWAME HILLARY

DET 1 105 MP COSSG FROHLICH RICHARD ARNOLD

DET 1 107TH MILITARY POLICE COSSG OVERSTREET LLOYD N

DET 1 442 MP COSGT MORALES FRANKSPC RODRIGUEZ DAVID

DET 1 CO C 1-108TH INFSFC BENNETT ROBERT EARL

DET 1 CO C 204TH EN BNSGT DUNCAN GREGORY ALLENSPC MARMO GERARD PASCHAL

DET 1 CO C 342D FWD SPT BNSPC DEER DIAMANTESSG JAQUEZ BERNARDA JOSEFINA

DET 1 CO G 137TH AVIATIONSSG BOBECK JOHN CHARLESSGT LINKE ERIC SIEGFRIED

DET 1 HHB 42 DIVARTYSPC KENDRICK DANIEL JAMES

DET 1 HHC 1-108TH INFSPC JONES GLEN LEROY

DET 1 HHC 1-69TH INF (M)SPC KREBS DANIEL EDWARD

DET 1 HHC 107TH SUPPORT GROUPSPC CORDERO LINOSSG SOTO JAIME LORENZO

DET 2 HHC 27TH IN BDESGT BROCK GEORGE DAVIS

H & S CO 204 ENGR BNSGT BABCOCK DAVID JAMESSPC BURKEE JAMES MICHAELSPC EMERY NORMAN DEANSSG NOBLE VICKI LYNN

HHB 1-258TH FIELD ARTILLERYSSG JONES RUDOLPH EDWARD JR

HHC (-) 1-108TH INFSSG MARSHALL ROBERT FREDSPC STARRATT ANDREW JAMES

HHC (-) 1-127TH ARMORSGT BLACK KEVIN LYLESSG FEGER DENNIS RSPC LUCAS BRIAN THOMASLYALSPC REDDECLIFF JASON THOMASSPC RODRIGUEZVILLANUEVA EDGAR RSPC STERZINGER DONALD CSFC SWANSON GLENN STEVENSGT WILLARD CHRISTOPHER G

HHC (-) 27TH IN BDESGT DAVENPORT STEVEN WRIGHTSPC POWELL RONALD CORDELLSFC SAYWARD ROY CARL JRSPC STELLAKIS KATRINA MARIESFC WHITE JOHN EDWARD

HHC 1-101ST CAVALRYSGT ANDERSEN JOHN RICHARDSPC CANDELARIO MICHAEL ANGELOMSG DECKER MARK

HHC 1-105TH INFSPC BADILLO WILBERTSPC FEIDEN FRANK ALLENSFC THERRIEN JOHN MARTIN

HHC 101ST SIGNAL BNSPC POPA ALEXANDRU

HHC 27TH AREA SUPPORT GROUPSGT DECARE JAMES MICHAEL JRSFC MEADOR EDDY THOMAS

HHC 3RD BDE 42ND ID (M)SPC CAREY MELISSA ANNSFC DARNELL GARY LSGT TORRES ELIZABETH

HHC 42 IN DIV(-)SGT BURCKHARD RANDY ALANSGT LORCA MIGUEL ANTONIOSGT MORATH JASON MICHAELSGT TALUTO JASON JOHNSGT WALCZAK MICHAEL ANTHONY

HHC(-) 1-69 INF (M)SPC DEJESUS RANDOLPHSGT LEIGH GODFREY RONALDSFC NIEVES EDGAR ANIBAL

HHC(-) 3-142D AVIATIONSSG HOWARD ALICIASPC WILLIAMS KENNETH JAMES

HHD 104TH MILITARY POLICE BNSGT KANE PATRICK KELLEYSGT VANVLEET WALTER ALBERT

HHD 27TH FINANCE BNSGT CUMBERBATCH RICHARDSFC WEST ZETHA A

HHD 342D FWD SPT BNSPC STRIDIRON KENT

HHD 369TH CORPS SPT BNSFC MAHARAJ YOGINDRAMSG RIVERA PEDRO C

HHD 369TH WATER SUPPLY BNPFC RIVERA JOSE LSPC SCHRAM CHRISTOPHER BRIANSGT SCHWENDLER JOSEPH RICHARD

HHD ENGINEER BDE 42 IDSGT HOUSE CYNTHIA JEAN

HQS 106TH REGIMENT (RTI)SFC LANE CHARLES ARTHUR

NY DET 36 MED DET FWD 204SFC BOWMAN MICHAEL JAMES

NYARNG ELEMENT JOINT FORCE HQSFC BYRON DAVID ESGT JOHNSON MATTHEW IIISSG MARTINEZ WILLIAM RSFC MOORE CHARLES TREMAINSSG MUSTICO JOHN MICHAELMSG RYAN KEVIN WMSG SUSZKO MICHAEL CSPC WILLIAMS ADAM MARSHALLSPC WINNE AMBERLEE ANNSGT YIP ERIK WAH

RECRUITING AND RETENTION CMDSSG FAJARDOGUEVARA ALLAN ENRIQUSSG MCDOUGALL THEODORE E III

TROOP E 101ST CAVALRYSGT ASHLEY GARY EDWARDSPC DELOACH ROBERT TYRELSGT GALLAGHER ROSS ANDREWSSG HERNANDEZ FRANKIESGT PAPENHEIM BRIAN JAMESPV2 PECHLER THOMAS GERALDPFC RYAN ROBERT M JRSGT TOLENOA MARK TULENSRU

Air Guard Promotions

LIEUTENANT COLONELJACKSLAND, ELAINE, 139 AEROMED EVAC SQ

MAJORARNOLD, MICHAEL A, 174 CIVIL ENGINEER SQRATHMELL, STEVEN H, NORTHEAST AIR DEF SQ

CAPTAINBROWN, LAWRENCE E, 174 MEDICAL GPCOUSINEAU, STEVEN A, 139 AIRLIFT SQDAVEY, KELLY M, 139 AIRLIFT SQHICKS, JOSHUA P, 139 AIRLIFT SQKIBLIN, DANIEL, 107 LOGISTICS READINES SQWOLFORT, WESLEY F, 105 MEDICAL GP

1ST LIEUTENANTENGLISH, BRENDAN T, 106 STUDENT FTMADIGAN, DANIEL G, 106 OPERATIONS SUPPORT FTPRESTON, MATTHEW O, 106 STUDENT FTSUMWALT, KEITH A, 106 RESCUE WG

2ND LIEUTENANTNIETZEL, LEE H, 174 OPERATIONS SUPPORT FTPENNY, STEPHEN W, 106 STUDENT FT

CHIEF MASTER SERGEANTCRONIN, CORNELIUS A, 137 AIRLIFT SQSCHAIBLE, MARK R, 109 AERIAL PORT FTVAN WIE, JUDY L, 174 FIGHTER WG

Congratulating great accomplishments, Lt. Gov. Mary O. Donohue and Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire, Jr.,award the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal to Staff Sgt. Michael Pantschyschak, along with 24 Airmen of the 109thAirlift Wing Aerial Port Flight, at a Feb. 5 ceremony at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia. The Airmen ended a one yearmobilization to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan and Dover Air Force Base, Del. They were additionally awarded the Air ForceOverseas Ribbon, Expeditionary Service Ribbon (Gold Border; for combat participation) and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M”device. Photo by Master Sgt. Willie Gizara.

Air Guard Promotions Page19

SENIOR MASTER SERGEANTCOUPART, PATRICK M, 105 LOGISTICS READINES SQELLIS, MARTIN E, 106 MEDICAL GPMARSH, STEVE J, 105 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQSCHAFFER, SCOTT E, 174 OPERATIONS SUPPORT FT

MASTER SERGEANTAGUILAR, MILDRED, 106 RESCUE WGBARRINGTON, TIMOTHY J, 174 MAINTENANCE GPETHERIDGE, ROBERT W, 106 MAINTENANCE SQFISHER, DENNIS R, 174 LOGISTICS READINES SQFONG, JOHN C JR, 137 AIRLIFT SQGASIEWICZ, ANDREW J, 107 SECURITY FORCES SQKIRCHNER, BRETT L, 105 COMMUNICATIONS FTLEWANDOWSKI, MARK A, 107 MAINTENANCE OPS FTNAPPA, SCOT E, 174 SECURITY FORCES SQOBROCHTA, THOMAS A, 136 AIR REFUELING SQPEEK, MICHAEL D, 109 LOGISTICS READINES SQPORTER, JOHN R JR, 107 MAINTENANCE SQSALZANO, FRANK M, 106 LOGISTICS READINES SQTORRES, ELCIAN R JR, 137 AIRLIFT SQTRASKY, DAVID A, 109 COMMUNICATIONS FT

TECHNICAL SERGEANTBAKER, JAMES W, 139 AEROMED EVAC SQCAMPBELL, TAMMY M, 139 AEROMED EVAC SQCZECHOWICZ, PAUL J, 107 LOGISTICS READINES SQDERROCHES, DAVID, 105 MAINTENANCE OPS FTDOBRANSKY, ALAN P, 174 SERVICES FTDURANTINI, STEVEN M, 174 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQDWYER, GERALD A, 174 SERVICES FTERIOLE, KEITH F, 109 SERVICES FTERWIN, CATHERINE E, 109 LOGISTICS READINES SQFAAS, DAVID T, 139 AIRLIFT SQHALLMARK, JAMES L JR, 107 MAINTENANCE SQHOOSOCK, ANN M 174 MAINTENANCE SQJACKSON, DARREN M, 105 MAINTENANCE SQKRUZINSKI, MICHAEL P JR, 139 AIRLIFT SQMARTINEZ, RAFAEL A, 105 MEDICAL GPMCMAHON, SEAN, 107 LOGISTICS READINES SQMOORE, CRAIG E, 106 CIVIL ENGINEER SQMOYA, GLADYS T, 137 AIRLIFT SQPEDERSEN, DOUGLAS H, 105 MAINTENANCE SQREX, DENVER M, 174 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQSHEERAN, ANDREA L, 109 SERVICES FTSMITH, ROBERT J, 109 CIVIL ENGINEER SQSTUART, PAULINA, 105 AIRLIFT WGTAYLOR, JUSTIN C, 139 AIRLIFT SQVENDITTI, MATTHEW J, 107 MAINTENANCE SQ

STAFF SERGEANTADANZA, ALIZA S, 107 LOGISTICS READINES SQALLEN, III WALTER L, 137 AIRLIFT SQBLACKBURN, JOANNA M, 107 LOGISTICS READINES SQBORAWSKI, BRIAN H, 137 AIRLIFT SQBOUDREAU, PAUL R JR, 107 MAINTENANCE SQBRAGG, NATHANIEL J, 107 SECURITY FORCES SQBRIZZI, MARK J, 174 MAINTENANCE SQCARTICA, JR JAMES T, 105 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQCARUSO, NICOLE E, 106 MAINTENANCE SQCHAGNON, JOSHUA M, 174 SECURITY FORCES SQCLARK, MICHAEL J, 105 MAINTENANCE SQCURRAN, CHRISTOPHER T, 105 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQDAGATA, KIM M, 174 MAINTENANCE SQDIXON, DANIEL A, 107 SERVICES FTELDRED, MICHAEL S, 109 AERIAL PORT FTELWELL, AMANDA D, 109 SERVICES FTENGLISH, NEWTON L, 174 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQFARINA, ROBERT M, 107 SECURITY FORCES SQFOUNTAINE, PATRICIA A, 107 SERVICES FTFUSCO, BEAU J, 102 RESCUE SQGALARNEAU, SHAYNE M, 109 MAINTENANCE SQGRAZIADEI, DANIEL J, 107 SERVICES FTGWITT, KRISTIN L, 107 MISSION SUPPORT FTHOTALING, MARK S, 109 AIRLIFT WGHUDSON, BRANDON J, 109 MAINTENANCE SQKENT, CHRISTOPHER M, NORTHEAST AIR DEF SQLEBLANC, DAVID M, 109 LOGISTICS READINES SQ

LEWIS, MICHAEL M, 109 MEDICAL GPLIQUORI, MARTIN AUSTIN, 174 SECURITY FORCES SQMARTIN, NICOLE R, 107 AIR REFUELING WGMAY, MICHELLE T, 107 MISSION SUPPORT GPNICHOLSON, JAMES A JR, 174 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQNORDLUND, JASON V, 105 MAINTENANCE SQORTH, ALLISON M, 174 FIGHTER WGPASTOR, JIMMY, 101 RESCUE SQROACH, DAVID L, 105 CIVIL ENGINEER SQRODGERS, ANDREW J, 107 CIVIL ENGINEER SQROGERS, JOSHUA J, 174 SECURITY FORCES SQRUTKOWSKI, CHRISTINA M, 107 SECURITY FORCES SQSALISBURY, JOSHUA A, 109 LOGISTICS READINES SQSTEARNS, ANDREW L, 109 MISSION SUPPORT FTWEEKS, MICHAEL G, 105 AERIAL PORT SQWOOD, CHRISTOPHER N, 109 LOGISTICS READINES SQ

SENIOR AIRMANBELLRENG, NOAH L, 107 MAINTENANCE SQDAVISON, STACEY L, 174 LOGISTICS READINES SQDITRO, JASON F, 174 LOGISTICS READINES SQDONOHUE, MATTHEW PETER, 174 FIGHTER WGDOTY, COLEEN M, 106 LOGISTICS READINES SQFREDERICK, JENNY, 105 SECURITY FORCES SQGUILLIANI, ALEXIS AUGUSTO, 105 MAINTENANCE SQHURTLEY, DOLINA J, 107 CIVIL ENGINEER SQLABARR, ADAM C, 174 SECURITY FORCES SQLANG, SHAUN M, 105 COMMUNICATIONS FTLI, TIM B, 106 COMMUNICATIONS FTLIMBAL, YVAN S, 107 CIVIL ENGINEER SQMENGE, CHRISTOPHER P, 109 CIVIL ENGINEER SQPAULDINE, MARK A, NEAD SCTY FORC FTPELLAND, MATTHEW SCOTT, 174 FIGHTER WGREBOTE, NENA E, 137 AIRLIFT SQ

REEVES, TRACI R, NORTHEAST AIR DEF SQSAYERS, KELLY A, 107 MAINTENANCE SQSKINNER, DAVID N, 106 CIVIL ENGINEER SQTORRES, MIGUEL A JR, 109 SECURITY FORCES SQTRUDEAU, TODD MICHAEL, 174 LOGISTICS READINES SQTULIP, SLADE W II, 109 LOGISTICS READINES SQURQUHART, JEREMY R, 106 CIVIL ENGINEER SQVANWINKLE, JOHN J, 174 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQVASILAKOS, ANGELA M, 109 COMMUNICATIONS FTZILLIOX, KRISTIN L, 107 SERVICES FT

AIRMAN FIRST CLASSBAUER, COURTNEY C, 107 MAINTENANCE SQCELLIO, RENEE M, 105 LOGISTICS READINES SQCORNER, JEREMY M, 107 STUDENT FTFRANCOIS, MAKENZY, 105 CIVIL ENGINEER SQGEREZ, MARCELLO ALBERTO, 174 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQGORDON, ALEXANDER M, 109 STUDENT FTJOSOPERSAUD, SHARON, 105 SERVICES FTLANCE, JAMES E III, 109 STUDENT FTMCDONALD, BREEANA E, 174 STUDENT FTMCGRATH, JOLI M, 174 STUDENT FTMCMULLEN, GREGORY M, 109 STUDENT FTMINOR, CHRISTOPHER A, 105 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQSTOLWORTHY, CHRIS J, 106 STUDENT FTTAUBER, KENNETH M, 105 MAINTENANCE SQTORRESDIAZ, CHRISTIAN, 105 MAINTENANCE SQUPDIKE, CHRISTOPHER J, 174 STUDENT FTWALSH, PETER C, 105 AIRCRAFT MAINT SQWEIR, SHANNON T, 105 STUDENT FTWIGDORSKI, BRIAN M, 107 STUDENT FT

AIRMAN BASICSCHEER, MARCUS F, 105 STUDENT FT

Story by Pfc. Adam Phelps22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE COBRA, Iraq—New York Army National Guard Soldiers providepurified water daily to Soldiers on Forward OperatingBase Cobra, Sadiyah, Iraq.

The priority for Soldiers from 50th Main SupportBattalion, 42nd Infantry Division, is to make suretroopers coming in from a long day’s work haveclean water.

“Our mission is to provide water to the diningfacility, showers and anywhere else that may needit,” said Spc. James Spasoff, one of the Soldiers whopurifies the water.

To make well-water ready for use it must bechlorinated, he said.

“We pull water out of a well and put it into a tank,and then we purify it,” said Specialist Spasoff. “Afterthe water is purified, we send it to the bag (watercontainment system) where we have the waterchlorinated.”

“Soldiers would get sick without treated water. If itdoesn’t have the right (amount of) chlorine in it, itwon’t kill bacteria,” he added. “Soldiers could getdiarrhea, and that wouldn’t be a pretty sight.”

Purifying water is rewarding, Spasoff said.“We’re not in the field like the rest of the cavalry,”

he said. “It feels good to know when they come backthe water situation is one thing they don’t have toworry about. They can brush their teeth, shower andshave and not have to worry about a shortage. It’s alltaken care of.”

One trooper said he thought the Soldiers, whopurify the water, were definitely on top of their job.

Rainbow purifies water for OIF troops“They run everyday to get water to everyone,” said

Sgt. David Roach, Headquarters, HeadquartersCompany, 3rd Squadron, 278th Regimental Combat Team.“It’s not potable but we still need it for a lot of things.

We’re out here busting down (tank) tracks, and it keepsthe flames down from the blow torch. They keep us withhot showers every night. They also keep the sanitationstations up so we can keep our hands sanitized, keepingus from getting sick.”

Each day, the Soldiers pump from 27,000 to 32,000gallons from the well. !

Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division, 50th Main Support Battalionstart a generator to purify well water for Forward Operating BaseCobra, Iraq. Photo by Pfc. Adam Phelps.

About Guard Times

The Guard Times is published bimonthly usingfederal funds authorized under provisions of AR360-1 and AFI 35-101 by the New York StateDivision of Military and Naval Affairs and the NewYork Army and Air National Guard Public AffairsOffice. Views which appear in this publication arenot necessarily those of the Department ofDefense, the Army, the Air Force or the NationalGuard Bureau.

The Guard Times has a circulation of 25,000 andis distributed free to members of the New YorkState Militia Force and employees of the Divisionof Military and Naval Affairs.

Governor George E. Pataki, Commander in ChiefMaj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire, Jr., Adjutant GeneralKent Kisselbrack, Director of Public AffairsLt. Col. Paul A. Fanning, NYARNG , EditorStaff Sgt. Mike R. Smith, NYANG, Assistant Editor

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Guard TimesPage20

By 2nd Lt. Amy FiresGuard Times Staff

HARLEM—Elation, excitement and honor were just a few of the emotionsthat accompanied the return of the “Harlem Hellfighters” in January.

A welcome home ceremony for the 369th Corps Support Battalion hereformally marked a return from federal authority to state authority Jan. 28.

Family members, relatives and friends welcomed the Battalion home froma 12-month active-duty tour, including more than 10 months in Iraq.

The unit was activated in December 2003 and deployed with Soldiers fromacross the State. They conducted pre-deployment training at Fort Dix, N.J.,for eight weeks before embarking to Kuwait and moving on to Iraq by March2004. The Battalion served there as a logistical, headquarters battalion,which acted as a springboard for supplies and soldiers deploying intoNorthern Iraq.

The “Harlem Hellfighters” transported tons of gallons of fuel as part of theirlogistical and supply mission, an important caveat, noted by BattalionCommander, Lt. Col. Irving Donaldson.

For 10 months boots-on-the-ground, the Soldiers earned 11 Bronze StarMedals, two Meritorious Service Medals and 36 Army CommendationMedals for the Battalion.

Leaving their homes in Buffalo, Westchester and New York City, BattalionSoldiers joined the 300th Area Support Group, 13th Corps Support Commandat Camp Anaconda. The Command was the only joint-service andmulticomponent command in southern Iraq consisting of Air Force, active-duty Army, Army Reserves and Army NationalGuard. The Battalion provided command support to 20 field units during their deployment. In addition, the Battalion operatedthe Convoy Support Center (CSC), Camp Cedar 2, located in Sadr, Iraq, and provided a Detachment to CSC Scania, alsoin Sadr.

Before closing the ceremony, Colonel Donaldson reiterated that the Battalion was able to successfully complete theirmission and handed out personal awards to Soldiers for their “professionalism and warrior spirit.”

Their strong bonds with family, veterans and local neighbors, who came out to give thanks , manifests the bravery and hardwork of the “Harlem Hellfighters.” A community, strengthened by its Soldiers, was evident here. Their job, well done, canbe credited to each Soldier's professionalism and determination to accomplish the mission and return home safe.!

'Harlem Hellfighters'Return from Iraq

369th Corps Support Battalion 'Harlem Hellfighters" at their homecoming ceremony in Harlem Jan. 28.

The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to 11 HarlemHellfighters, at a Jan. 28 welcome home ceremonyin Harlem, including Maj. Henry Gim.Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone.