The Capital Guardian - Spring 2011

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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.”
NEWS BRIEFS ... NEWS BRIEFS ... NEWS BRIEFS Wing passes unprecedented five simultaneous inspections By Capt. Byron Coward 113th Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. – The 113th Wing, DC Air National Guard, hosted Air Force and National Guard Bureau inspectors for its unit inspections March 3-7. This was the first time an Air Force unit participated in five simultaneous inspections. Components of the 113th Wing participated in the Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command Inspector Generals’ Compliance Inspections. Additionally, National Guard Bureau inspectors conducted a Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection. The 113th Medical Group also hosted inspectors from the Air Force Inspection Agency for their Health Services Inspection. “An inspection of this capacity is unique,” Maj. Matthew R. McDonough, 113th Wing plans officer, said. “Most CIs or LCAPs don’t exceed 70 inspectors. For the 113th Wing to handle five inspections with more than 120 inspectors speaks highly of our wing’s professionalism and excellence.” A typical Air Force wing is associated with one major command, who sends a team of inspectors to ensure that the wing is in compliance with Air Force and MAJCOM standards. The 113th Wing is unique because it is associated with both ACC and AMC MAJCOMS. As such, AMC and ACC inspectors conducted separate compliance inspections for their respective gained units. NGB inspectors conducted separate inspections in both AMC and ACC-gained units. The HSI consisted of one inspection of the 113th Medical Group. The 113th Wing successfully completed all five inspections. Superior performers were identified, and some units’ practices were identified by the inspectors as “best seen to date.” “Personally, I viewed these inspections as a progress check on our wing’s journey toward greatness,” said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, 113th Wing commander. “We are already a great unit, with great people, doing great things. There is no doubt about that. In order to truly experience a sense of greatness, we need to set the standard, not merely meet it. When this happens, we will have met our goal.” Although the inspections are complete, wing organizations will improve, modify or correct all findings that were indicated in the inspectors’ final reports. Some unit members will be selected by other Air National Guard wings to conduct staff assistance visits in preparation for their CIs. Prior to 2011, the 113th Wing’s last CIs were in 2002 and 2007 for ACC and AMC respectively. The medical group participated in an HSI in 2007. The 113th Wing also participated in an ACC, Phase II, Operational Readiness Inspection in 2009. Tech. Sgt. Richard Noon, 113th Communications Flight, discusses his program with UCI inspector Tech. Sgt. Robert O’Neil from the ACC I.G. team. The 113th Wing participated in five different inspections during the March Unit Training Assembly. Tech Sgt. Gareth Buckland Spring 2011 / CAPITAL GUARDIAN • 19
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Page 15 and 16: million annually, and he used to fr
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The Capital Guardian - Spring 2011

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