The Gem State Guardian - Spring 2011 - Keep Trees

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Regional Training Site – Maintenance Transforms By Lt. Col. Dean Hagerman, 204th Regional Training Institute The 204th Regiment’s Idaho Ordinance Training Battalion, formerly known as the Regional Training Site – Maintenance, is at the forefront of the Army’s need to outpace its adversaries. This effort is seen in the rapid expansion of class offerings, the upgrading of facilities, the installation of new training aids and an additional mission. “We’re working hard to complete a major remodel in time to accommodate new hands-on trainers for Soldiers learning to maintain M1 tanks,” said Col. Alan Conilogue, commander, 204th RTI. “These new trainers are actual turrets from M1 tanks and contain all of the component systems maintainers need to master. The system allows trainers to insert specifi c faults into the equipment which students must sleuth out, further enhancing this interactive training.” To provide additional classroom space for the anticipated doubling of their student load, the unit is also revamping and Sgt. 1st Class Damon Moysard, right, an instructor with the IOTB Small Arms Repair Course, provides guidance to a student learning to adjust the M-242 Bushmaster 25 mm automatic gun from the M-2/M-3 series Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Photo: Sgt. Shauna Rowen. 4 The Guardian upgrading classrooms with state-of-the-art multimedia systems. High tech training aids are not the only tool used by instructors. Army schools have often been behind when it comes to getting the latest information from the frontline into the classroom. Using students’ personal, fi rsthand experience, instructors now incorporate the latest information on Operational Environment by asking students to give examples of performing maintenance in a real-world, mission-directed environment. The IOTB facilities are a schoolhouse setting, so students are constantly asked how they could perform their mission in an austere, fi eld location. By doing this, the school ensures that its students are given the most useful and most current information possible. As part of a new mission, the IOTB sent members several times to Cambodia, Idaho’s State Partnership Program partner nation. Once there, they trained Cambodian Soldiers to maintain trucks provided to them by the U.S. As an additional challenge, in the next year, while adding courses, increasing student through-put, upgrading facilities and overseas travel, the IOTB will be evaluated by both the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Ordinance School, their proponent command. This evaluation will decide whether the school is accredited under new, more stringent standards. The school’s future will be determined by their successes. If past performance is any measure, despite all of these demands and with a lot of hard work by the staff and faculty, the future of Idaho’s Ordinance Training Battalion looks bright.
AIR CONTROLLERS TRAIN CANDIDATES BEFORE TECH SCHOOL By Lt. Col. Gary Daniel, 124th Fighter Wing public affairs offi cer The high-demand, select cadre of Joint Terminal Air Controllers from the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron are investing heavily in the next generation of controllers by training candidates for their positions even before these candidates attend their fi rst technical schools. The National Guard Bureau-mandated “One-Level Program” directs all Air National Guard Air Support Operations Squadrons to prepare young Airmen to pass the physical and academic standards at the rigorous Tactical Air Command and Control apprentice program at Hurlburt Field, Fla. TACC applicants benefi t from a low student-to-instructor ratio. All 124 ASOS mentors are Terminal Attack Controlcertifi ed instructors. Days in the four-day course usually run to more than 16 hours of training. The 124th recently fi nished training its second group of candidates. “Our students have to accomplish dozens of tasks before they are allowed to attend the TACC school in Florida,” said Senior Master Sgt. Travis Weitzel, instructor/evaluator, JTAC, 124 ASOS. The new program’s purpose is to allow ASOS units throughout the ANG to ensure the readiness of aspiring Terminal Air Control Party members and send them with a high likelihood of completing the demanding apprentice program. Weitzel pointed out that the active-duty Air Force does not have a similar program because many basic training graduates don’t have the opportunity to identify with their units before technical training. “When we send a student to Hurlbert, he’s representing the Idaho Air National Guard,” Weitzel said. Joint Terminal Attack Controller instructors (in tan pullovers) Tech. Sgt. Mark Andrews, center, Tech. Sgt. Scott Hunter, back of pack, and Tech. Sgt. Grant Settle, right, participate in every step of the multiple physical training classes as they lead students of the 124th ASOS “One-Level Program.” The National Guard Bureau has mandated the program for all Terminal Air Control Party aspirants. Photo: Master Sgt. Tom Gloeckle SPrinG 2011 5
Page 1: IN THIS ISSUE U.S. Rep. Labrador vi
Page 4 and 5: 2 The Guardian
Page 8 and 9: 124 th Fighter Wing Operational Rea
Page 10 and 11: 2011 Soldier and NCO Best Warrior c
Page 12 and 13: New award recognizes supportive emp
Page 14 and 15: Sexual Assault Awareness and help B
Page 16 and 17: Snowmobiler rescued by Guard helico
Page 18 and 19: An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from
Page 20 and 21: “How can we help?” State leader
Page 22 and 23: New Lakota helicopters arrive at Go
Page 24 and 25: 22 The Guardian Gowen Airfi eld Ope
Page 26 and 27: 24 The Guardian Hiedi Young named
Page 28 and 29: “Continuous Process Improvement
Page 30: Have a great summer... By Chief War

The Gem State Guardian - Spring 2011 - Keep Trees

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