The Capital Guardian - Spring 2011

NEWS BRIEFS ... NEWS BRIEFS ... NEWS BRIEFS
Pilot trades in colonel’s
wings for a star
By First Sgt. Gigail Cureton
715th Public Affairs Detachment
Brig. Gen. Arthur W. Hinaman was promoted to his current
rank in a ceremony held at the District of Columbia National
Guard Armory on April 1. Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz,
commanding general, District of Columbia National Guard,
presided over the ceremony, which was attended by his fellow
Capital Guardians, other military personnel, local political
leaders and Hinaman’s family and friends.
Hinaman has served as the Land Component Commander
since October 2009. In his current role, he is responsible for
the overall readiness, training, maintenance, and operational
employment of the units assigned and attached to the District
of Columbia Army National Guard. He will continue his focus
on the soldiers of the DC National Guard, which is dedicated
to supporting the nation’s capital.
In a speech laced with humor and emotion, the newest
general officer in the DC National Guard thanked the hundreds
of military personnel who helped him throughout his career.
“You are truly the ones who have earned this rank, and I will
use it to make your lives better,” Hinaman said.
Hinaman was commissioned in 1982 through the Reserve
Officer Training Corps program at the Pennsylvania State
University. Previously, Hinaman served in the District of
Columbia National Guard as the commander, 74th Troop
Command; chief of staff, Army; deputy director of the Joint
Staff; and state Army aviation officer. While deployed in
18 • CAPITAL GUARDIAN / Spring 2011
Brig. Gen. Arthur Hinaman, center, is presented with his
command flag by Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Espinosa,
land component command sergeant major, and Sgt. Julia
Keith of the DCNG Color Guard.
support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Hinaman served as
the commander, Air Corps Advisory Group in Kabul,
Afghanistan.
The general is an Army pilot with over 2,000 flight hours
on aircraft such as the TH-55, UH-1, AH-1 and C-12.
Awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service
Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf
Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf
Clusters, and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
Nation's busiest Air Sovereignty Alert unit earns
Meritorious Service Award from
First Air Force/NORAD
The District of Columbia National
Guard’s 113th Wing was recently
awarded the First Air Force/Continental
U.S. NORAD Region Meritorious
Service Award for outstanding mission
accomplishment.
One of its major achievements this
year was surpassing 3,000 alert responses,
the highest of any air sovereignty alert
unit in the nation, according to Air Force
Lt. Col. Susan Romano of First Air Force.
“I am very proud of the team effort
that this entire wing puts into defending
the skies of our nation’s capital,” said Air
Force Brig. Gen. Jeffrey R. Johnson,
113th Wing commander.
“I would like to further recognize the
entire Air Sovereignty Alert Detachment,
commanded by [Air Force] Lt. Col.
Scott Arbogast, for their never-ending
commitment to excellence and air
sovereignty alert readiness.”
ASA’s mission began on 9/11 minutes
after an airliner piloted by terrorists
crashed into the Pentagon. Smoke from
the attack could be seen by an incoming
F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilot, who
was ordered to stay airborne by the White
House to protect Washington, D.C., from
other potential attacks that day.
Since that time, the unit has become
the busiest among the 18 ASA sites in the
nation due to its proximity to Washington.
The National Guard operates 16 of
18 sites. ASD units nationwide have
responded to about 59,000 alert missions,
according to Romano.
“We stand vigilant and ready to
continue this mission for as long as it
takes,” Johnson said. He added that the
detachment has not failed to respond to a
single alert mission.
“Reaching 3,000 alert responses is a
credit not only to our pilots and controllers,
but also to airmen who maintain and
crew our aircraft,” said Air Force Lt.
Col. Jeffrey Bozard, 113th Maintenance
Group Commander. “They keep the ASA
jets ready for daily sorties 24/7.”
The wing’s mission is particularly
important because Washington is considered
to be the most powerful city in
the world. Unfortunately, it makes the
city a target for terrorists. Having a
significant role in protecting the city
adds urgency to the unit’s performance.
“Just as important,” Johnson said, “is
that we are defending our families, friends
and fellow Guard members. We take this
mission personally.”