New Mexico Minuteman - Summer 2011 - Keep Trees

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The Long Journey Ahead Aviation unit deploys to Afghanistan By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs NCO, JFHQ Maj. Christopher Holland, commander of Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, addresses family, friends, and members of Company C, 1/171st during a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony April 20, 2011, at the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe, N.M. More than 200 family members and friends gathered at the New Mexico National Guard Headquarters Regional Training Institute April 20, 2011, to honor and bid farewell to 65 National Guard Soldiers who will be deployed for a year in Afghanistan. Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, a Medical Evacuation unit based out of Santa Fe, will provide aero medical support to the theater of operations under the command of Maj. Christopher Holland. At the ceremony, Gov. Susana Martinez wished the Soldiers well and thanked them for their service and wished them a safe return. Martinez then addressed the family members, reminding them that they’re making an incredible sacrifi ce as well. Holland thanked Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, Adjutant General for the state of New Mexico, and the families for their support of the unit. He said he was proud of his unit and appreciated their sacrifi ce and dedication to the mission. Before Holland and his unit get “boots on ground,” they transition to their mobilization station at Ft. Hood, Texas, for further realistic and collective training with the other units they will be deployed with. At the MOB station, New Mexico National Guardsmen linked up with Soldiers from Minnesota and Arizona that would be deploying as part of C. Co. 1-171st. Pilots, crew chiefs, medics and support personnel trained together for approximately 60 days before deploying to Afghanistan. Holland told the Ft. Hood Public Affairs Offi ce that “This is a crucial training phase. We’ve never trained together, and we’re coming together for the fi rst time. We have to be prepared to fi ght together. “This is the last chance we’re going to get to hone our skills before deploying,” Holland added. “Our mission’s real simple: save lives on the battlefi eld. Pick up patients and get them to a medical facility as quickly as possible. I don’t think there’s any mission on the battlefi eld that’s more important.” Currently, about 500 Soldiers and Airmen from the New Mexico National Guard are mobilized overseas. 8 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2011 Army National Guard Black Hawk medevac helicopters with Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, out of Santa Fe, N.M., arrive at a landing zone during a mass casualty training exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, May 16. Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen The Lopez family listens to remarks made by Gov. Susana Martinez during a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony for C. Co, 1/171st at the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe, N.M.
(Above) 1st Sgt. Charles Bouyer and his wife tie a yellow ribbon to a tree during the Yellow Ribbon Ceremony for C. Co, 1/171st April 20, 2011. (Left) Staff Sgt. Tym Larson, right, an Arizona Army National Guard medic with Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, out of Santa Fe, N.M., and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Ford, a senior fl ight medic and observer controller/ trainer with the 166th Aviation Brigade, discuss the evacuation of about 30 simulated patients during a mass casualty training exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, May 16. Larson, from Eloy, Ariz., has 25 years experience as a civilian paramedic fi refi ghter and fl ight medic. He will deploy for the fi rst time when the medical evacuation company (air ambulance) goes to Afghanistan next month. (Bottom left) Army National Guard medevac crew members with Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, out of Santa Fe, N.M., write down information about their next mission during training at Fort Hood, Texas, May 17. Photos: Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, the Adjutant General, presents Col. Francis X. Carillo the Meritorious Service Medal during a retirement ceremony May 15, 2011, at Kirtland Air Force Base. Carillo was awarded an MSM for his dedicated time while serving in both the Air National Guard and active duty. Summer 2011 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 9
Page 3 and 4: Governor Susana Martinez Bob Ulin P
Page 5 and 6: Colonels earn one star By Sgt. Suza
Page 7 and 8: Cadre includes: Col. Michael Montoy
Page 9: GUARD HOSTS ANNUAL BATAAN FESTIVITI
Page 13 and 14: By 1st Lt. Brian Raphael, 150th Fig
Page 15 and 16: JOINT AGENCY TRAINING By Sgt. Suzan
Page 17 and 18: The fi rst fi ve training scenarios
Page 19 and 20: AS ENERGY COSTS INCREASE, USE MUST
Page 21 and 22: CSM retires after 39 years of servi
Page 23 and 24: “ The 150th has always been good
Page 25 and 26: Service before Self: A way of life
Page 27 and 28: Summer 2011 / NEW MEXICO National G
Page 29 and 30: Pfc. Alfredo Salazar, C Company, 1s

New Mexico Minuteman - Summer 2011 - Keep Trees

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