Soldier earns Silver Star Taking the guidon Shooting for a target ...

Soldier earns
Silver Star
page 4
Shooting
for a target
audience
page 8-9
Taking the
guidon
page 12-13
page 10-11

a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
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September 2007
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
Editorial staff
Capt. Chris Heathscott
State Public Affairs Officer
Commander, 119th Mobile Public Affiars Det.
Editor in Chief
Maj. Keith Moore
Air Guard Public Affairs Officer
Associate Editor
Adrienne Brietzke
Public Affairs Specialist
Associate Editor
Buddy Garrett
Public Information Officer
Associate Editor
Garrick Feldman
Editor & Publisher
Christy Hendricks
Managing Editor
How to reach us
404 Graham Road
Jacksonville, Ark.
72076
Ph: 501-982-9421
Fax: 501-985-0026
arkansasminuteman@arkansasleader.com
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arkansasminutemanads@arkansasleader.com
Story ideas
chris.heathscott@us.army.mil
keith.e.moore2@ar.ngb.army.mil
Arkansas Guard News
Published by Leader Publishing, Inc. 404 Graham
Road, Jacksonville, AR 72076, phone number (501)
982-9421, a private firm in no way connected with the
Arkansas National Guard, under written contract with
the Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard.
This civilian enterprise National Guard newspaper
is an authorized publication for the members of the
U.S. military services, published under the provisions
of AR 360-1, AFI 35-101 and the Arkansas Military
Department. Contents of the Arkansas Minuteman
are notnecessarily the official views of, or endorsed
by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense
or the National Guard. The appearance of advertising
in this publication, including inserts or supplements,
does not constitute endorsement by the National
Guard or Leader Publishing Inc. of the products or
services advertised. Everything advertised in this
publication shall be made available for purchase, use
or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap,
political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of
the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial photos unless
otherwise noted. The Arkansas Minuteman reserves
the right to edit all items. Editorial content is edited,
prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of
the Arkansas National Guard. All photos are Arkansas
National Guard unless otherwise noted.
Photo by 1st Lt. Chauncey Williams, Arkansas National
Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Home sweet home. A Soldier
receives an emotional welcome home
from a loved one at Fort Hood, Texas,
on August 7, 2007, after his unit returned
home from Iraq. Approximately
60 of the Soldiers arriving that day
were with the 185th Aviation Regiment
of the Arkansas Army National
Guard’s 77th Aviation Brigade. See
pages 10 and 11.
From the Command Group
Mobilizing Arkansas for success on the Battlefield
By Brig. Gen. Richard E. Swan
Joint Force Land Component Commander
Six years ago this month, the U.S.
suffered a terrorist attack that brought us
together as a Nation. It also resulted in a
full court press against terrorism, giving
the Guard more time on the court than we
had seen in decades.
In support of that effort, Arkansas has
provided over 8,500 Soldiers and Airmen
to the war on terror, and on April 6, we
got the call for another 3200. The 39th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team was alerted
for its second tour of duty in Iraq, and on
Friday, Aug. 17, that mission was made
official, with the receipt of the brigade’s
mobilization order.
But with a thorough mission analysis,
it was determined that this was not just a
job for the 39th Brigade. The most effective
route to success would be the mobilization
of Joint Force – Arkansas…a package of
Arkansas units, combined, to fulfill the
personnel requirements of the mission at
hand.
On Aug. 4, we identified Soldiers from
several additional Arkansas units to
augment the 39th Brigade’s mobilization:
87th Troop Command units:
· 216th Military Police Company - West
Memphis
· Detachment 1, 216th Military Police
Company – North Little Rock
· 1123rd Transportation Company –
North Little Rock
· Detachment 1, 1123rd Transportation
Company – Blytheville
· 224th Maintenance Company –
Mountain Home
· Detachment 1, 224th Maintenance Co.
– Marshall
· 1038th Horizontal Construction
Company – North Little Rock
142nd Fires Brigade units:
· 217th Brigade Support Battalion:
• Headquarters Company – Booneville
• Co. A – Lincoln, Ark.
• Detachment 1, Co. A – Berryville
• Co. B – Rogers
Unit augmentation is nothing new to
Arkansas and the 39th Brigade, due to the
mission requirement calling for the ‘entire’
brigade of 3200 Soldiers.
With a call for troops equating that of a
unit’s authorized strength, that particular
Photo by 1st Lt. Chauncey Williams, Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Thank you for your service. Brig. Gen. Richard Swan, Arkansas’ Joint Force Land
Component Commander greets a Soldier with the 185th Aviation Regiment of the Arkansas National
Guard’s 77th Aviation Brigade. The general traveled to Fort Hood to welcome the Soldiers
back to the States on Aug. 7, 2007, after their yearlong deployment. As the ‘land component’
commander, Swan serves the adjutant general with command of all Army units in the Arkansas
National Guard
unit’s ability to support the call is severely
hampered. On any given day, the 39th
Brigade has as many as 600 Soldiers
that are non-deployable due to the fact
they have yet to attend, or are currently
attending, their initial entry training. Add
to that number the Soldiers who are in
line to retire, at the end their enlistment
contract, and anticipated to be determined
non-deployable during the SRP [Soldiers
Readiness Processing] process and you
have just lost an extremely significant
portion of your strength.
Just as is required this time around, the
first mobilization of the 39th Brigade in
support Operation Iraqi Freedom resulted
in the need of over 1,000 additional
Soldiers to fill the personnel requirement
handed down by the National Guard
Bureau. Those Soldiers were pulled from
nine other states in 2003 which ended in
a successful deployment, yet met with
various challenges.
Reaching into the state’s own assets
to support this mobilization rather than
seeking external units will result in more
effective command and control, continuity
of training and overall mission success.
Although these augmentation units will
not deploy with their day to day brigade
command and leadership, they are training
and working with their fellow Arkansas
Soldiers, while maintaining squad and
company integrity for unit cohesion.
The bottom line is…with the opportunity
to pick the players we wanted on our team,
there was little argument that Joint Force
– Arkansas was the right answer. With
3200 of the best Soldiers in the nation
deploying on the same team, you are set up
for success.
With this mission, Arkansas will have
mobilized a total of 12,000 Soldiers and
Airmen. Second and third deployments
are not uncommon and many of our troops
have given more than that.
There is no denying that service in the
Guard today comes with sacrifice, but six
years ago…our world changed. Take care of
your Families, yourselves, and your fellow
Soldiers.
Always place the mission first. Never
accept defeat. Never quit. And never leave
a fallen comrade.
Thank you for your service and for your
sacrifice.”

a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
Arkansas Guardsman awarded Silver Star
ny, Brig. Gen. Richard
By Sgt. Rick Fahr
New Blaine Soldier embodied ‘never leave a Troop’ philosophy Swan praised the captain’s
119th Mobile Public Affairs
Detachment
actions.
“Without a doubt you
FORT CHAFFEE
have proven that you are a
MANEUVER TRAIN-
Soldier and a Warrior. God
ING CENTER, Ark.
bless you,” he commented.
— Capt. John F. Vanlandingham’s
mission for Op-
A letter penned by Maj.
Gen. William Wofford,
eration Iraqi Freedom
adjutant general of Arkansas,
honored the Soldier’s
was to train Iraqi National
Guard (ING) troops to defend
their country. When
“dynamic leadership.”
“Your discipline and
insurgents attacked the
professionalism serve as
convoy he and his comrades
were traveling in,
an example to your peers
and have earned for you
Vanlandingham ignored
the respect of your superiors.
You are a fine asset
his own personal safety
and saved the lives of several
ING Troops by ven-
to the Arkansas Army National
Guard,” the adjutant
turing numerous times
general wrote.”
into the kill zone to help
Vanlandingham is the
them escape.
fourth Soldier to earn the
That “never leave a
Silver Star during service
troop on the battlefield”
with Arkansas’ 39th Brigade
during Operation
philosophy earned Vanlandingham
a Silver Star.
Photo by 1LT Chris J. Heathscott, 39th Brigade Public Affairs Office Iraqi Freedom II. The Silver
Star was posthumously
“The Iraqis to me were
Standing Ready. Capt. John Vanlandingham, left, of New Blaine, Ark., stands ready with (left to right) Staff Sgt. Shawn
like American Soldiers, Buffalo, of Jacksonville, Ark., 1st Lt. Mark Bourgery, of Cranston, R.I., and an Iraqi National Guard Captain while waiting for presented to the Family of
and I wouldn’t do that to the word to move forward from Maj. Christian Neary, of Cumberland, R.I. (on radio in back). The leaders were at the starting
line of an operation to cordon and search 23 homes and buildings in Taji Village along the banks of the Tigris River while
Sgt. Russell ‘Doc’ Collier,
them, either,” the captain
said. “We put the time and deployed with the 39th Brigade Combat Team in October 2004. Vanlandingham earned the Silver Star for his “exceptionally of Harrison, Ark. Collier,
meritorious actions” less than one month later during an ambush by anti-Iraqi forces on Nov. 14, 2004. Without regard to his who was also a member
effort and countless hours
own personal safety, Vanlandingham’s actions saved the lives of several Iraqi National Guard Soldiers. Capt. Vanlandingham of the 39th’s 1st Battalion,
into training them. We
is the third Arkansas Guardsmen to earn the Silver Star while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Silver Star 206th Field Artillery, gave
had the duty to help them presentation took place at Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center on Sunday, August 12, 2007.
his life in an attempt to
as much as we would have gents an opportunity to mediately realized that the
save a fellow Soldier during
the same deployment.
a fellow American.” prepare for an ambush Iraqi Soldiers were caught
The captain, a member
of 1st Battalion, 206th only available route back “I was the only cadre
of Bono, Ark., and Staff
along the roadway – the in the attack.
1st Lt. Michael McCarty,
Field Artillery Regiment, to the U.S. post.
there who was in charge
Sgt. Matthew Zedwick, of
of Arkansas’ 39th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team, plosive device] went off around and went back,” he
presented the prestigious
“The [improvised ex-
of the Iraqis, so we turned
Corvallis, Ore., were both
served as an ING advisor. two vehicles behind me,” said of his decision to return
to the fight.
tions in combat as well.
award for their heroic ac-
He was presented the Silver
Star during a ceremoplaining
how the ambush The captain directed
McCarty served with the
the captain noted, exny
Sunday, Aug. 12, at Fort began.
American forces to suppress
the enemy fire as he
Infantry. Zedwick served
39th’s 3rd Battalion, 153rd
Chaffee Maneuver Training
Center.
vehicles the Iraqis were made his way into a ditch
with the 2nd Battalion,
He explained that the
The citation for the traveling in each held and back toward the Iraqi
162nd Infantry of Oregon’s
41st Brigade Combat
award, the Army’s thirdhighest
for valor, touted and did not have proteceral
wounded and at least
Team. Zedwick’s battal-
nearly two dozen troops Troops. He retrieved sev-
Vanlandingham’s “exceptional
meritorious brav-
them susceptible to IED along with several weap-
39th Brigade during the
tive armor, thus making one dead Iraqi Soldier
ion served with Arkansas’
ery.”
attacks.
ons. The Iraqi Troops had
mobilization.
Documents relating to Seconds after the first suffered severe injuries,
Despite the kind words,
the award indicate that bomb exploded, another and without quick medical
attention, they would
Vanlandingham downplayed
his “hero” status.
Vanlandingham was leading
a convoy from an oil vehicles, and several in-
likely have died.
Ready for Action. Capt. John Vanlandingham earned “I really appreciate
IED detonated near the
Photo by 1LT Chris J.Heathscott, 39th Brigade Public Affairs Office
refinery back to a U.S. post surgents began attacking After accounting for all the Silver Star for his “exceptionally meritorious actions” during
an ambush by anti-Iraqi forces on Nov. 14,2004. Without to give me this award,” he
what the people have done
north of Taji, Iraq, on Nov. with small arms.
Troops, Vanlandingham
14, 2004. Included in the Vanlandingham’s vehicle,
the convoy lead, leading the way back to saved the lives of several Iraqi National Guard Soldiers. Capt.
reorganized the convoy, regard to his own personal safety, Vanlandingham’s actions
said. “I’m no hero. I just
convoy were about 50 ING
did what I had to do that
troops in several vehicles.
Vanlandingham is the third Arkansas Guardsmen to earn the
escaped the ambush and post to secure medical
day to survive and to have
A delay in the convoy’s
Silver Star while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Silver Star presentation took place at Fort Chaffee
motored to safety, but he treatment for the wounded.
At the award ceremo-
Maneuver Training Center on Sunday, August 12, 2007.
my fellow Soldiers survive.”
movement allowed insur-
and troops with him im-

September 2007
License plates for veterans
By Master Sgt. Bob Oldham
189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Military members
and retirees in Arkansas
are missing out on an
inexpensive way to put
a license plate on their
vehicle and show their
patriotism, according to
one state official.
Low-cost Iraqi Freedom
and Enduring Freedom
license plates have
been an option for service
members since the
state legislature passed
a law allowing them in
2005. But sales of the
plates have been slow;
perhaps because military
members just aren’t
aware they exist, said
Roger Duren, the state’s
administrator of motor
vehicles.
“We don’t have a marketing
section,” he said.
“We’ve never done that on
any of the special plates.”
As of July 31, the state
has issued 985 Operation
Iraqi Freedom Veteran
plates and 124 Operation
Enduring Freedom plates.
In contrast, the Arkansas
National Guard has deployed
about 8,500 service
members and Little
Rock Air Force Base has
deployed about 5,200
Airmen since Sept. 11,
2001, some of which have
been on multiple deployments.
Those numbers
don’t include Army Reserve,
Air Force Reserve,
Marine Corps Reserve or
Navy Reserve members
from the state who have
deployed.
Veteran plates – World
War II, Korean War,
Vietnam, Persian Gulf,
Enduring Freedom and
Iraqi Freedom – cost
$4.75 when they are initially
issued and are $1 to
renew. The normal cost
of putting a plate on an
Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
is Arkansas’ largest
provider of behavioral
health services for
children and adolescents.
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
auto or renewing each
year is around $25.
Armed forces members
will need their current
registration, proof
of insurance and a copy
of their DD 214, showing
proof of eligibility for the
applicable car tag they
want. Active duty members
in Central Arkansas
who don’t have a DD
214 can take a letter on
official letterhead from
their commander to the
central revenue office at
1900 West 7th Street in
Little Rock that verifies
the member served honorably
during the period
deployed to the Iraq area
of operations for Afghanistan
area of operations.
Service members who
receive the Purple Heart
Medal for wounds in a
war zone are eligible for a
special plate.
The Purple Heart
See Plates, page 6
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concerns for the family
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with the complication of behavioral health problems, the
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can provide assistance to the entire family.
For more than 15 years, Pinnacle Pointe Hospital has
provided acute and residential services for children and
adolescents. It is the largest Tricare-approved provider of such
services in the region.
Pinnacle Pointe provides individual, group and family
therapy for numerous issues including but not limited to
depression, anxiety, parent/child conflict, eating disorders,
substance abuse, divorce and stepfamily issues, and ADHD.
As a result of understanding the need for immediate
attention to behavioral concerns – not only for families, but the
communities they live in – the hospital features free and
confidential assessments every day of the week, day or night.
For more information, call 1-800-880-3322.
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Photo by Buddy Garrett, Public Affairs Information Officer
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Additional programs are in place to provide assistance to
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• Intensive therapeutic programs featuring a
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• Fully accredited K-12 school on site that works to
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Good Sam’s Deliver
cool gift
to Guard. Pamela
Harrell, vice president
of the Rock City Sams
Chapter of the Good
Sams RV Club, explains
to Maj. Gen. William
Wofford, adjutant general
of Arkansas, how
her group has made
head and neck coolers
for Arkansas National
Guard Soldiers and
Airmen. The coolers
fit inside the Soldiers’
helmets and the polymer
crystals inside the
coolers can be reused.
The items can also be
warmed in hot water
or a microwave and
used as hand warmers.
Harrell’s group plans on
making enough of the
coolers for every deployed
service member.

a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
Guard officer honored for service to military
the roof of that facility
Warren armory dedicated in honor of Lt. Col. Jerry P. Richardson
prepare to deploy for a
second tour to Iraq.
“These are pretty trying
times. Our country’s at
war,” said the general.
“It is truly fitting that we
dedicate this facility as a
living memorial to Lt. Col.
Richardson…one of our
own…and a true hero.”
WARREN, Ark. – The
Arkansas Army National
Guard paid tribute to one
of its former leaders with
a dedication ceremony
renaming the Warren
National Guard armory
in his honor on Thursday,
August 23, 2007.
Home of the 39th
Infantry Brigade Combat
Team’s 1st Squadron, 151st
Cavalry Regiment, the
new facility was dedicated
to the memory of Lt. Col.
Jerry P. Richardson.
“This is a great day
for the city of Warren,
and a great day for the
Arkansas national guard,”
said Maj. Gen. William
D. Wofford, the adjutant
general of Arkansas. “I
can remember [Colonel
Richardson] with great
respect.”
A native of Warren,
Richardson took on a
career in the military,
including service as a
company commander
during World War II.
He participated in the
Rhineland and Central
Europe Campaigns,
earning both the Bronze
Star and Combat Infantry
Badge, among other
awards.
Wofford reminisced
his own early years in the
Guard, when Richardson
was winding down his
own career.
Wofford noted that
during that time, it was
Plates
Continued from Page 5
t
Photo by 1st Lt. Chauncey Williams, Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Honoring service. Family members unveil a plaque renaming the Army National Guard armory in Warren as the Lt.
Col. Jerry P. Richardson Readiness Center in honor of his 36 years of service to the Nation. Richardson, who passed away
in 2004, earned the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge while serving as a company commander in World War II. After
completing nearly five years of active duty, the Warren native went on to serve 31 additional years in the Arkansas Guard
prior to retirement in 1979.
uncommon for officers
to have had earned such
awards and having actual
combat experience, adding
that he knew Richardson
was one to watch.
The general went on to
speak about the Soldiers
occupying the Warren
armory today, their recent
return from Iraq, and
current orders to go back
in 2008.
His words reflected
on both the service of
– Combat
W o u n d e d
plate is issued
to “an Arkansas
resident who has been awarded the
Purple Heart Medal while serving in the
U.S. Armed forces, or a resident who
is the unmarried surviving spouse of
a Purple Heart recipient,” according to
the state’s Web site.
The initial plate is free, but if one
must be re-issued, it will cost $3.75.
today’s Soldier, and that
of Colonel Richardson.
“It takes a great
American to answer the
call of the county,” he said.
“It takes even a greater
American to remain in
uniform on their return.”
Wofford spoke on the
significance of dedicating
the new facility to the
memory of a combat
veteran and local hero of
World War II, as today’s
heroes who train under
To apply for a veteran plate, service
members and retirees in Central Arkansas
will have to go to the central revenue
office in Little Rock.
Those who live outside of Central
Arkansas should check with their local
revenue office for the closest location.
More veteran plates and information
about those plates is available on the
Web at http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/
motor_vehicle/mv_plates_categories.
phpcategory=Military.
Richardson retired
from the Arkansas
National Guard on
November 17, 1979, after
36 years of service and
passed away on July 23,
2004.
Attending the ceremony
in his absence were
his wife, the former Ms.
Billie Clower, and their
four children, Ms. Belle
Summers, Ms. Leanna
McClendon, and sons Jerry
and John Richardson.
The ceremony concluded
with Richardson’s
Family unveiling a plaque
naming the Army National
Guard facility as the Lt.
Col. Jerry P. Richardson
Readiness Center.
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September 2007
Working
to protect
the Troops!
Sgt. 1st Class
Douglas White,
of New Blaine,
Ark., fabricates
metal to complete
modifications
for his
design to make
the new Gunner
Protection Kits
compatible
with existing
gunner turrets.
The modifications
will allow
gunners to both
enjoy the
greater visibility
advantages of
the new GPK
turret, while
offering greater
vertical protection.
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
US Army Photo by Sgt. Walter Brown
Arkansas Guardsmen dies while
home on leave from Iraq
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON,
Ark. – Sgt. Michael Lee Chenoweth, 29,
of Plainview, Ark., died Tuesday, August
28, 2007, from a boating incident the
previous evening on the Petit Jean River.
The incident is under investigation. He
home on a two-week leave from deployed
service in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
“Word of this Soldier’s death hit hard,”
said Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford,
adjutant general of the Arkansas National
Guard. “Michael was in the middle of
his second tour of duty in Iraq. It is
devastating to know this young man lost
his life within the peaceful borders of our
state, while separated from the dangers he
endured in combat for nearly two years.
Our thoughts, prayers and support are
with his Family as they endure the pains
of this tragic loss. He was a member of
our Guard Family. He provided a great
service to our state and nation as a Soldier.
And he will not be forgotten.”
Chenoweth had volunteered for service
with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 142nd
Sgt. Michael Lee Chenoweth
Fires Brigade of the Arkansas Army
National Guard. Prior to deploying with
the 142nd, Chenoweth had completed his
first tour of duty in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom where he was deployed
with the Russellville based Headquarters
and Headquarters Battery of the 39th
Infantry Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 206th
Field Artillery Regiment.
Guardsman combines military and
civilian skills to protect Soldiers
By Sgt. Walter Brown
Task Force 11
LSA ADDER, TAL-
LIL, Iraq — On Friday
July 20, 2007 at the motor
pool of Battery C, 2nd Battalion,
142nd Fires Brigade,
Sgt. 1st Class Douglas
White began a design
that will no doubt save the
lives of countless Soldiers
in Task Force 11 and across
the Iraqi theater.
White, of New Blaine,
Ark., was tasked to resolve
the problem of adapting
the newly developed Gunner’s
Protection Kit (GPK)
to make it compatible with
existing GPK turrets.
The new turret system
offers more protection for
the gunner when on the
dangerous roads of Iraq.
It does this by limiting
open spaces which have
afforded the enemy opportunities
to injure or
kill gunners in the past.
There is no doubt that the
new turret provides more
protection for the gunner,
however, the new GPK
had a major problem, the
turret – called ‘pope glass
kits,’ which provided additional
vertical protection
on the old turrets, were
not compatible with the
existing turrets.
White was tasked to
solve this problem with
his unique set of skills.
When out of uniform,
White works as a tool and
die maker for Stark Manufacturing
in Russellville,
Ark., close to his home
town. He also has welding
skills his father helped
him develop, having been
a welder himself for 30
years.
Utilizing this set of
skills, White managed
to manipulate the ‘pope
glass’ from an older model
turret and fit it on top of
the new GPK. The result
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offers better vertical protection
for the gunner as
well as greater visibility.
Gunners have been expressing
how much they
like the added protection.
White is a great example
of the additional skills
that a reserve component
Soldier can bring to the
fight because of their civilian
occupations and experience.
He’s been a member of
the National Guard for 12
years. As a Guardsman,
White works as a self-propelled
field artillery repairer.
Thanks to Sgt.1st Class
White and his combined
civilian and military training,
gunners no longer
have to choose between
the vertical protection of
the old turret and the superior
overall protection
and visibility advantages
of the GPK turret.

a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
Guard demonstrates value of Sharpshooters to Air Force commanders
By Sgt. Julia Spinnato
National Guard Marksmanship
Training Unit Public Affairs
FORT LEWIS, Wash.
— Airmen from the National
Guard Marksmanship
Training Unit’s Close
Precision Engagement
Course (CPEC), on Camp
Joseph T. Robinson, Ark.,
performed a sharpshooter
demonstration for guests
and competitors during
the Air Mobility Command
Rodeo, held July
22-27.
The Air Mobility Command
(AMC) headquarters
asked CPEC to provide
this demonstration in
order to help the security
forces commanders better
understand how to employ
these skilled shooters.
The sharpshooter uses
advanced observation to
deliver long-range precision
rifle fire, enhanced
observation and reporting
in support of airbase
defense and continuous
airfield operations.
Students who attend
the CPEC learn stalking,
field craft such as range estimation
and target detection,
and keep in memory
exercises, which enhance
the airmen’s intelligencegathering
capability.
“Believe it or not,
[sharpshooters] are so
new to the Air Force that
many people in the Air
Force don’t even know it
exists. That’s why we conduct
these kinds of demonstrations,”
said Col.
Michael Irwin, the AMC
Chief of Security Forces at
Scott AFB, Ill.
During the demonstration,
CPEC instructors
displayed some of the
gear that a sharpshooter
employs.
The instructors set up
a stalk, where a two-man
sharpshooter team hides
Arkansas School offers only Air Force training in Close Precision Engagement
Photo by Sgt. Julia R. Spinnato, National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit Public Affairs Office
Engaging the target Master Sgt. Mike Kennedy, a Close Precision Engagement Course instructor, helps an Airmen accurately engage his target.
With the help and observation of the instructors, spectators of the CPEC demonstration were able to shoot the M24 sharpshooter rifle.
downrange and onlookers
act as observers, trying to
detect the position of the
sharpshooter team.
After this exercise was
completed and the team
returned to the base of the
range, the instructors assisted
spectators in shooting
the M24 rifle. With
the expertise of the instructors,
spectators were
able to effectively engage
targets up to 850 meters
away.
“This demonstration is
an opportunity to educate
the command group on
the capability of sharpshooters,”
said Maj. Victor
Marcelle, the officer
in charge of CPEC. “They
are another tool in the
tool box for the Security
Forces commander to use
in support of security operations,”
Marcelle said.
Sharpshooters are employed
in the Air Force for
See Value, page 9
Photo by Sgt. Julia R. Spinnato, National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit Public Affairs Office
Hands on Tech. Sgt. Sean Wallace, a Close Precision Engagement instructor, shows Maj. Gen. John M. Howlett, the
mobilization assistant to commander, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Il., how to shoot the M24
sharpshooter rifle. Competitors and guests of the 2007 Air Mobility Rodeo were given the chance to fire the M24 as part
of a demonstration put on by the Close Precision Engagement Course instructors from the National Guard Marksmanship
Training Unit, Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark.

September 2007
Hide and Seek.
Foreign competitors at
the 2007 Air Mobility
Command Rodeo are
trying to identify the
sharpshooter team
who are situated in a
hide downrange. Competitors
from around
the world participated
in the Close Precision
Engagement demonstration,
run by the
National Guard Marksmanship
Training Unit
from Camp Joseph T.
Robinson, Ark.
t
Value
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
Photo by Sgt. Julia R. Spinnato, National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit Public Affairs Office
Valuable Asset. Maj. Victor Marcelle, the officer in charge
of the Air Force’s Close Precision Engagement Course, explains the
sharpshooter weapons system to Gen. William T. Hobbins, the commander
of the United States Air Forces in Europe. Instructors from
the CPEC were at the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo in Washington,
performing sharpshooter demonstrations.
Photo by Sgt. Julia R. Spinnato, National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit Public Affairs Office
Continued from Page 8
tasks such as presidential and
distinguished visitor security,
air show support and stateside
and overseas base defense.
Air Force sharpshooters also
augment military emergency
service teams and assist Air
Force Space Command during
nuclear convoys.
“The most important thing
[sharpshooters] bring to the
fight is real-time surveillance
and intelligence gathering,
which is forwarded to the Security
Forces commander,”
said Marcelle.
The Security Forces sharpshooters
are tasked with a dual
job, said Retired Air Force Col.
Lawrence “Rocky” Lane, who
served as the director of Force
Protection for the U.S. Transportation
Command.
They are qualified in combat
operations and then in law
enforcement.
“The roles are changing for
each service and as we take on
more of an expanded mission,
it just makes sense to use these
airmen,” said Lane.
“If you are going to deploy
a team of this capability, the
officer corps requires training,”
said Lane. “The Air Force
should teach officers and senior
noncommissioned officers
how to employ sharpshooters.
You can have a great capability,
but if you don’t know about
it and aren’t taught about it,
you can’t do anything with
them.”
The AMC and CPEC instructors
make it clear they
want to get the word out about
the critical skills of the Air
Force sharpshooter.
“We have about 70 teams
competing in Rodeo,” said
Irwin. “Thirty-five of those
teams are security-force related
teams. The guard, reserve,
active duty and their leadership
are getting a first-hand
view of what this capability
does,” Irwin said.
“Commanders need to have
an understanding, and more
importantly, be aware of how
the capability is to be employed,”
said Irwin. “A critical
piece of that is recurring training.
The CPE skills set is a perishable
skill and without continual
and reinforced training
and time with the weapon and
the scope, in time, those skills
devolve to a point where the
CPE team would not be as effective
as it could be.”
Arkansas
troops aid
injured Iraqi
Soldiers
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA
ANACONDA, Iraq – A route
clearance team with the 875th
Engineer Battalion, from northwest
Arkansas, recently rendered aid
to five Iraq Army Soldiers injured
when their armored vehicle flipped
along a major supply route near
Balad. A sixth Iraqi was killed in
the single vehicle accident.
According to official reports,
the route clearance patrol arrived
on the scene at about 10:15 the
morning of August 16. The up
armored Iraqi Army patrol vehicle
had experienced a front tire blow
out, which flipped the truck into a
nearby ditch and ejected an Iraqi
Soldier.
Sergeants Patrick Hart and
Richard Isom, of Jonesboro, and
medic Spc. James Werner, of
Springdale, quickly dismounted
from their armored Buffalo and
rendered first aid to the injured
Iraqi men. All five were flown
via a U.S. Army Blackhawk air
ambulance to a hospital in Baghdad
for treatment.
The U.S. route clearance team
was able to use a winch mounted
on one of their armored vehicles to
pull the flipped truck upright and
off of the ejected Iraqi, who was
dead at the scene. The rest of the
patrol team provided a security
cordon around the accident sight
until the injured were evacuated
out and the area secured by
additional American troops.
The Arkansas Army National
Guard’s 875th Engineer Battalion is
attached to the active Army’s 20th
Engineer Brigade, and is over 10
months into a yearlong deployment
to Iraq. Soldiers from the Vermont
Army National Guard’s 131st
Engineer Company, and the
Indiana Army National Guard’s
1313th Engineer Company augment
the 500-man unit. The 875th is
charged with a critical assured
mobility mission, which includes
route clearance, route sanitation,
rapid crater repair and culvert
denial operations.

10 a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
Arkansas’ 77th Aviation Briga
77th
Aviation Brigade
back from Iraq
449th Aviation Support Battalion
welcomed
Poppy’s Home!
Photo by Sgt. Rick Fahr, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Zoe Baugher (left) and Abbey
Baugher anxiously await the return of their grandfather,
Sgt. George Baugher of the 449th Aviat ion Support Battalion.
Baugher and more than two dozen other troops returned
from a deployment to Iraq. The troops were the final
group of the battalion to return. The units’ initial wave of
30 Soldiers came home last month. Col. Karen Gattis, new
commander of the 449th’s parent unit, the 77th Aviation
Brigade, said she relished welcoming the troops home. “I
couldn’t be more happy,” she said.
Photo by Sgt. Rick Fahr, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Welcome home! - Col. Karen Gattis, commander of the 77th Aviation Brigade, welcomes home Spc. Lance Hamilton
of the 449th Aviation Support Battalion. Hamilton was one of a couple dozen Troops who returned Saturday from a tour of
duty in Iraq. Joining dozens of family members were about 30 Patriot Guard Riders, volunteers who attend military funerals
and homecomings to show their support. “Our mission is anything we can do to let those men and women know that
they have people here in the states who love them and are praying for them and appreciate what they do,” explained Jeff
Hulsizer, chaplain of the Arkansas chapter of the national group. “Everybody who serves under the flag of the United States
deserves to be honored and respected.”
1st Battalion 111th Air Ambulance returns
Photo by Capt. Chris Heathscott, Arkansas National Guard State Public Affairs Office
Back in the States. Chief Warrant
Officer Derek Horton, center,
is greeted by Command Sgt. Maj.
Ira Blueford as Horton stepped
off the plane that brought his
unit home from Iraq on Saturday,
Sept. 1, 2007. A resident of Maumelle,
Ark., Horton returned to
the States, via Fort Benning, Ga.,
with the first wave of 30 Soldiers
from the 111th Air Ambulance
Company of the Arkansas Army
National Guard’s 77th Aviation
Brigade at the conclusion of the
unit’s yearlong deployment to
Iraq. Returning home with several
Florida Guardsmen, the Soldiers
were greeted by Maj. Gen. William
D. Wofford and Maj. Gen. Douglas
Burnett, the adjutants general of
Arkansas and Florida, along with
several other leaders from the
Arkansas and Florida National
Guard. The troops will return to
their respective states later this
week at the completion of out-processing
from active duty, while at
Fort Benning. The second group
of 30 Arkansas Soldiers with the
Camp Robinson based 111th Air
Ambulance Company will arrive
at Fort Benning this week as the
unit’s first group returns home to
the state.

September 2007
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
11
de Soldiers Welcomed Home
Formation
of Heroes.
Soldiers of the
185th Aviation
marched to their
welcome home
ceremony at Fort
Benning, Ga., Saturday,
August 18.
The unit conducted
the demobilization
process at
Benning prior to
returning to the
state the following
week.
185th Aviation Regiment returns
Photo by 1Lt. Chauncey Williams, Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Photo by 1Lt. Chauncey Williams, Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Waiting for their Soldiers. The Families of the 77th Aviation Brigade’s 185th
Aviation Regiment, gave a warm welcome to their loved ones returning home, Saturday,
August 18, 2007, at Fort Benning, Ga. The unit returned to the US at the completion of a
yearlong deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Photo by 1Lt. Chauncey Williams, Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Command Welcome. Brig. Gen. Richard Swan, Arkansas’ joint force land component
commander, welcomes home the Soldiers of the 185th Aviation as they step onto
the flightline at Fort Benning, Ga., Saturday, August 18. To the left, Brig. Gen. Joe Harkey,
deputy adjutant general of the Alabama National Guard joins Swan in welcoming the
troops. Troops from both states were on the flight that marked the end of their yearlong
deployment to Iraq.
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12 a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
87th Troop Command welcomes Lumpkin as its new leader
By 1st Lt. Chauncey Williams
Joint Force Headquarters
CAMP JOSEPH
T. ROBINSON, Ark.
— Mark A. Lumpkin,
pinned on his wings and
took command of the
87th Troop Command
during a ceremony here
Saturday, August 11,
2007. Lumpkin, of North
Little Rock, replaced Col.
Larry W. Curtis, who relinquished
command after
two years of leading
the brigade.
Lumpkin quoted Maj.
Gen. William Wofford,
saying, “The job of command
begins with accountability
and extends
to people, mission, and
readiness.
“The mission accomplishes
a full range of activities
extending beyond
this formation to central
and northeast Arkansas,
across the country
to Fort McCoy, Wis., and
across the world to Iraq,”
he said.
Extending the mission
to the warriors’ Families,
the newly promoted colonel
reminds Soldiers and
guests they have Soldiers
either in pre-mobilization
training, preparing
to deploy, deployed, or
about to redeploy.
“The mission doesn’t
end there, it also extends
for Families in support
of our warriors and, we
must never forget, to our
wounded and fallen,” he
said.
Brig. Gen. Richard
Swan, Arkansas joint
forces land component
commander, congratulated
Lumpkin on his
new assignment and promotion.
Swan said he is looking
forward to working with
Lumpkin knowing he has
North Little Rock resident accepts the responsibilities of colonel and command
Photo by Sgt. Jessica Hughley, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Practice makes perfect. Then-Lt. Col. Mark Lumpkin accepts the colors of the
87th Troop Command during a ceremony walk through prior to the actual event at Camp
Robinson on Saturday, August 11. Less than one hour later, Brig. Gen. Richard Swan, Arkansas’
joint force land component commander, presented Lumpkin with his new rank of
colonel prior to handing him the responsibility of his new command.
new challenges and high
expectations.
“The expectation level
for a colonel is extremely
high and as a brigade
commander in the current
environment of war,
uncertainty, heroism,
mobilization, and continued
transformation, is
even higher.” Swan continued,
“The system is
now going to cash in on
that expectation…I know
you are up to that challenge.”
Curtis, a resident of
Sherwood, thanked the
Soldiers for support during
his command as he
stepped down.
“Together we have accomplished
many mission,”
he said. “It is truly
a pleasure to work and
serve with you.”
Curtis acknowledged
his subordinate commanders
as playing a key
role in the brigade’s success
during his tenure,
adding that he looks forward
to their continued
success, working with
the brigade and its new
commander on future
endeavors.
Col. Lumpkin was
commissioned as a military
intelligence officer
upon graduating from
Ouachita Baptist University,
Arkadelphia,
Arkansas, in 1983 with
a Reserve Officer Training
Corps commission.
Subsequently, he served
in assignments with the
National Training Center
(NTC), Fort Irwin, Calif.,
prior to joining the
Arkansas Army National
Guard in 1987.
Throughout his career,
Lumpkin has served numerous
command and
staff assignments with
the 142nd Field Artillery
and 39th Infantry Brigades,
as well as directorate
staff assignments
in the State Area Command/Joint
Force Headquarters.
He deployed in support
of Operations Desert
Shield and Desert Storm
with the 142nd. He also
served as the rear detachment
commander for the
39th, during its deployment
in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom.
His decorations include
the Bronze Star,
Meritorious Service
Medal (3), Army Commendation
Medal (3),
and the Army Achievement
Medal.
A graduate of the University
of Arkansas with
a Masters of Science in
Chemical Engineering,
Lumpkin is the Director
of Risk Management and
Regulatory Affairs at the
Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine
Bluff, Ark.
He is married to the
former Jolyce M. Shackelford,
of Columbus, Ga.
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September 2007
CAMP JOSEPH T.
ROBINSON, Ark. — For
the first time in more than
five years, the 77th Aviation
Brigade has a new
commander.
Col. Karen D. Gattis
assumed command of the
brigade Saturday, August
11, 2007, during a ceremony
at the Arkansas
Guard’s new Army Aviation
Support Facility on
Camp Joseph T. Robinson.
Gattis took the brigade’s
reins from Col. Joseph E.
Cooley, who oversaw the
units for more than five
years.
Gattis told those assembled
that the brigade’s
history of deploying often
makes the command
a challenge. A veteran of
overseas deployment herself,
Gattis said she will
use her experience as a
guide.
“I plan to use those
lessons learned while on
deployment and other lessons
learned throughout
my career as a benchmark
to take the 77th Aviation
Brigade to the highest
level of readiness,” she
pledged.
The colonel, promoted
to the rank earlier that
day, encouraged the crowd
to remember deployed
Troops.
“Keep deployed Soldiers
in your thoughts and
prayers,” she asked.
Brig. Gen. Richard
Swan, the joint force land
component commander
for Arkansas, noted
that the National Guard
demonstrated its faith in
Gattis by putting her in
charge of the large outfit.
He quoted Maj. Gen. William
Wofford, adjutant
general of Arkansas, as
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
Guardsman takes reins of 77th Aviation Brigade
By Sgt. Rick Fahr
119th Mobile Public Affairs
Detachment
Photo by Sgt. Rick Fahr, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Taking Command. Col. Karen Gattis addresses troops and guests Saturday, August
11, 2007, during a ceremony at which she assumed command of the 77th Aviation Brigade.
Gattis took command of the brigade hours after being promoted to colonel.
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affirming that trust.
“We award medals to
Soldiers and officers for
outstanding performance.
We promote them because
of higher expectations and
potential,” he said.
“The expectations for
a colonel are extremely
high. … You’ve got this assignment
because you’ve
done a superb job in the
past and you’ve consistently
displayed a higher
level of potential.”
Cooley thanked the
many guests who attended
the ceremony and
acknowledged the bittersweet
moment of stepping
down.
“These have been the
best five years and 10 days
of my life in the military,”
he said. “I’ve loved every
moment of it, every moment
of command.”
He praised the brigade’s
troops, calling them the
“fiber that holds the great
fabric of the military together.”
Gattis entered the military
in 1981 with the 296th
Medical Company.
She received a commission
as a second lieutenant
13
in 1985 after graduating
from Officer Candidate
School.
She transitioned to aviation
in 1988 and graduated
from the Initial Entry
Rotary-Wing Aviator
Course in 1989.
She has graduated numerous
military schools,
including Command and
General Staff Officers
Course and Combined
Army Services Staff
School.
She has earned a number
of military decorations,
including the Army
Meritorious service Medal
(four oak leaf clusters) and
the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary and
Service medals.
A graduate of the
University of Arkansas
— Fayetteville, she holds
a bachelor’s degree in secondary
math education
and a master’s degree in
operations management.
Gattis lives in North Little
Rock and is a principle
operations inspector with
the Federal Aviation Administration
Little Rock
Flight Standards District
Office.
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14 a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
Chaplain (1st Lt.) Jeremy Miller
is a native of central Arkansas. He
was born and raised in Greenbrier.
He and his wife Beth and their oneyear-old
son, Bennett, have recently
moved back to that area. Miller is a
graduate of Ouachita Baptist University
in Arkadelphia.
Commissioned into the National
Guard as a second lieutenant and
initially assigned to 1st Battalion,
206th Field Artillery of the 39th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team on May
8, 2004, Miller couldn’t ignore God’s
calling and he started on the road to
becoming a chaplain. He received
his Master of Arts in Religion and
Theology from the Baptist Missionary
Theological Seminary in Conway.
During that time he also attended
and graduated from the Chaplain’s
Course, Air Assault School, and the
Army Mountain Warfare School.
Miller has served as a civilian minister
in the past as well as chaplain to
the 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery.
He was given the task of staff
chaplain to Camp Robinson on May
1, 2007.
In talking about his new position,
Chaplain Miller said, “When most
people drive through Camp Robinson
they never notice Armstrong Chapel.
Many hear the bells ring throughout
the day but most keep moving
through their busy schedules. But
if you were to stop and look inside,
you could see the heartbeat for the
spiritual life of Camp Robinson. The
overall goal of the Armstrong Chapel
staff is to ‘Bring Soldiers to God, and
God to Soldiers.’”
Miller went on to say, “To accomplish
this mission, the chapel has a
dedicated staff whose sole purpose
is the spiritual well being of every
Soldier and civilian at Camp Robinson.”
Miller handles all forms of
counseling including such issues as
post traumatic stress and marriage.
He is also the pastor over the multiple
worship services held in the
chapel, with a regular attendance of
over 300 from across Camp Robinson.
Supporting him is his chaplain
assistant, Sgt. Eric Flud, who is the
main organizer behind many events
such as the quarterly spiritual enrichment
trips. Mrs. Debra Beale
serves as the chapel administrative
assistant and is the coordinator for
all weddings and other events at the
chapel.
Inviting people to attend the services,
Miller said, “Weekly services
include an 8 and a 10 a.m. Sunday
worship on drill weekends and a 10
a.m. worship on all other Sundays.
Photo by Buddy Garrett, Public Affairs Information Officer
Native Arkansan 1st Lt. Jeremy Miller took over as Camp Robinson staff chaplain May 1.
Camp Robinson has new chaplain
By Buddy Garrett
Public Affairs Information Officer
Plans are for the chapel to hold a
Wednesday worship service each
week with the official time to be determined.
Each service is a time of
vibrant worship consisting of songs,
scripture reading, and preaching.
The music is a mix of traditional and
contemporary while the preaching
seeks to teach others how to grow
closer to God and farther away from
oneself.
“Spiritual Fitness luncheons are
held on the first Wednesday of each
month at 11:30 a.m.. These provide
a free lunch for anyone on post and a
wide range of speakers.”
Enrichment trips are quarterly;
transportation is free and all tickets
are at a reduced price. Past trips
have included “The Passion Play”
and “The Singing Christmas Tree.
Officer Christian Fellowship meets
on the first Thursday of every month
at 11:30 a.m. This group gathers for
a meal and Bible study.
Miller went on to say, “Counseling
services are held on a first come, first
serve basis. My door is always open
to those searching for a direction
or just needing some help. You can
join us for worship and fellowship
anytime. No matter if you are looking
for answers, a place to serve, or
a simple place to spiritually grow, let
me invite you to Armstrong Chapel.
Thank you and have a blessed day.”
VA’s Suicide Hot Line
begins operations
WASHINGTON — To
ensure veterans with
emotional crises have
round-the-clock access to
trained professionals, the
Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) has begun
operation of a national
suicide prevention hot
line for veterans.
“Veterans need to
know these VA professionals
are literally a
phone call away,” said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Jim Nicholson said.
“All service members who
experience the stresses of
combat can have wounds
on their minds as well
as their bodies. Veterans
should see mental health
services as another benefit
they have earned, which
the men and women of VA
are honored to provide.”
The toll-free hot line
number is 1-800-273-
TALK (8255). VA’s hot line
will be staffed by mental
health professionals in
Canandaigua, N.Y. They
will take toll-free calls
from across the country
and work closely with local
VA mental health providers
to help callers.
To operate the national
hot line, VA is partnering
with the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services
Administration of
the Department of Health
and Human Services
(HHS).
“The hot line will put
veterans in touch — any
time of the day or night,
any day of the week, from
anywhere in the country
– with trained, caring
professionals who can
help,” added Nicholson.
“This is another example
of the VA’s commitment to
provide world-class health
care for our nation’s veterans,
especially combat
veterans newly returned
from Iraq and Afghanistan.”
The suicide hot line is
among several enhancements
to mental health
care that Nicholson has
announced this year. In
mid July, the Department’s
top mental health
professionals convened
in the Washington, D.C.,
area to review the services
provided to veterans of
the Global War on Terror.
VA is the largest provider
of mental health
care in the nation. This
year, the Department will
spent about $3 billion for
mental health.
More than 9,000 mental
health professionals,
backed up by primary
care physicians and other
health professionals in
every VA medical center
and outpatient clinic, provide
mental health care to
about 1 million veterans
each year.
For the latest news
releases and other information,
visit VA on the
Internet at http://www.
va.gov/opa.
Hotline helps Soldiers, families
The Army’s four-month-old “Wounded Soldier and
Family Hotline” continues to find answers to Soldiers’ and
families’ medical questions. The hotline provides a more
direct way for wounded soldiers and their families to obtain
information for medical issues that couldn’t be resolved
though local channels.
The hotline is managed and operated by U.S. Army
Human Resources Command, in Alexandria, Va. Callers’
issues are staffed to subject-matter experts for resolution.
The hotline staff later contacts callers to ensure they’ve
been helped.
The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Army’s Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline can be
accessed at 1-800-984-8523. Overseas customers can call
the hotline via the Defense Switched Network, or DSN, at
312-328-0002.

September 2007
Army safety
officials notice
trend relating to
Soldier deaths
By Kelly Widener
U.S. Army Combat Soldier deaths
FORT RUCKER, Ala.
— A trend standing out
among Army safety officials
is that the number
of Soldiers who have died
in privately owned vehicles
and on motorcycles is
down.
As of July 23, the Army
has experienced a total of
90 POV accident fatalities
compared to a total of 99
such deaths in fiscal 2006,
and Army officials are attributing
the success to the
Army’s engaged leadership.
The most prominent
example of
l e a d e r s h i p
e n g a g e -
ment and
Band-of-
Brothers
concept
is the Army’s
Motorcycle
M e n -
t o r s h i p
P r o g r a m
– voluntary installation-level
motorcycle
clubs where less experienced
riders and seasoned
riders pair to create a supportive
environment of
responsible motorcycle
riding. There are currently
57 unit-/installation-level
programs supporting more
than 1600 members.
Leaders are also engaging
to reduce loss through
the use of another program
in the area of POVs.
The primary tool they are
using to decrease overall
POV loss is the Army’s
TRiPS program. This
risk-planning tool allows
service members and civilian
employees to create a
tailor-made risk analysis
for traveling. The program
gives users specific guidance
and steps to take to
lower the overall risk while
traveling on trips. Users
can also view narratives
of mishaps that happened
during similar trips and
other traffic-safety information.
Although as of July 23
this fiscal year, the Army
has suffered 33 fatalities
in sedans, a slight decrease
from the 40 fatalities for
fiscal 2006 in the same
timeframe, the number
of fatalities in the “Other”
POV category has increased
from 18
in fiscal 2006
to 28 in fiscal
2007.
T h i s
category
consists
of
pick up
trucks,
S U V s ,
Vans an d
ATVs .
A key feature
for supervisors
using the TRiPS tool is that
they receive a copy of the
risk analysis.
This allows them the
opportunity to discuss the
planned trip, the risks involved
and how to control
those risks with the traveler/subordinate.
Since its
inception, Soldiers have
completed more than 2.3
million assessments.
Of those people who
completed the assessments,
four have been killed with
only two of those actually
operating the vehicle.
Soldiers complete
roughly three to five thousand
assessments a day.
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
Photo by Capt. Chris Heathscott, Arkansas National Guard State Public Affairs Office
Like Father, Like Son. Officer Candidate School graduate Randy Vest, of Fayetteville, gets his new rank
of 2nd Lieutenant pinned on his shoulder during his class graduation ceremony on Saturday, August 18. Vest was
pinned by his father, Sgt. Garry Vest, who was home on leave from service in Iraq with Arkansas’ 875th Engineer
Battalion. A resident of Bald Knob, the elder Vest served 30 years as an officer himself, successfully holding
the rank of colonel prior to mandatory retirement of his commission. The younger Vest was one of 16 Arkansas
Guardsmen graduating with the 50th anniversary class of Arkansas’ Officer Candidate School.
ASSISTING VETERANS WITH
VA DISABILITY CLAIMS
Attorney Scott A. Scholl
RICE & ADAMS
501 West Main Street
Jacksonville, AR
501-982-6556
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16 a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
Arkansas unit wins
regional Supply
Excellence Award
By Sgt. Julia Spinnato
National Guard Marksmanship
Training Unit Public Affairs
CAMP JOSEPH T.
ROBINSON, Ark. — The
supply section of the National
Guard Marksmanship
Training Unit (NG-
MTU) at Camp Robinson,
Ark. won the Region Five
Supply Excellence Award
on July 31.
The NGMTU advanced
to the regional competition
after winning at the
state level on July 15 and
now will compete at the
national level against the
six other region winners
from the National Guard.
“The NGB [National
Guard Bureau] office that
manages this program
gave a presentation during
a logistical workshop
earlier this spring and encouraged
National Guard
units to apply for [the
award],” said Chief Warrant
Officer Donald L.
Kinder, the logistics officer
at the NGMTU.
This is the first year
that the NGMTU has applied
to be considered
for the Supply Excellence
Award, said Kinder.
“It’s just recently I felt
like we had gotten to the
point where we are capable
of being competitive
for the award,” said
Kinder. “That’s why we’ve
waited until now to apply
for it.”
The Supply Excellence
Award, which is the pinnacle
of competitions for
logistics personnel, is
broken down into eight
categories, depending on
the type and size of the
unit, said Kinder.
So far, it’s been just basically
a paper overview,
said Kinder.
For the state and regional
level awards, we
submitted a packet which
was judged against other
organization’s packets.
The results were based
on a variety of supply inspections,
goals, performance
measures and innovation.
“The national level
actually consists of an
inspection team coming
down here and doing
a hands-on inspection,”
said Kinder. “They will
judge the organization
against the Command
Supply Discipline Program
(CSDP).”
“Every logistics organization
in the U.S.
Army goes by CSDP. It is
a regulatory way that supplies
are supposed to be
accounted for and issued
and it sets forth regulatory
requirements as far as
all your files, how they are
Photo by Sgt Julia R. Spinnato, National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit Public Affairs Office
Achieving Excellence. Staff Sgt. Steven Strayhorn completes supply requisitions for the National Guard Marksmanship
Training Unit. This is part of Strayhorn’s daily routine as a logistics noncommissioned officer. Many daily duties
and responsibilities which encompass the logistics arena are instrumental in command supply discipline and achieving
excellence.
supposed to be kept, from
expendable supplies to
durable supplies to clothing,”
said Staff Sgt. Steven
Strayhorn, a logistics
noncommissioned officer
at the NGMTU.
“A lot of the work put
into winning the award
was for CSDP, which is
what every unit should do
in making their section
more automated and innovative
to the needs of
the customer,” said Strayhorn.
“We’ve done a lot of
stuff to make everything
more streamlined, more
efficient,” said Strayhorn.
“CSDP and supply excellence
go hand in hand.
The better you do at
CSDP in implementation
and training subordinates
in CSDP, the better you
are going to be prepared
for the award.”
“We have done a lot of
hard work in making everything
more efficient,
customer friendly and
customer oriented and I’m
proud we got the award,”
said Strayhorn.
“The goal of the NG-
MTU supply section is to
have the proper equipment,
supplies and sustainment
to continue any
mission for the required
period of time and ultimately
be successful in
the mission,” said Kinder.
“We excel because we do
innovative things for the
customers. We’re more
proactive in our customer
needs so I think we stand
out above others.”
“If it wasn’t for the
support of other sections
within our unit and
our command cell, we
wouldn’t have achieved
this award,” said Kinder.
“The logistics system
that we have is always in
support of our unit,” said
Col. Steven E. Miles, the
commander of NGMTU.
“They are the backbone of
our unit and sometimes
go unrecognized. This
award shows that we not
only have high standards,
professionalism and excellence
in our schools
and competitions sections,
but also within our
support sections.”
The NGB inspection
team is scheduled to conduct
on-site inspections
between Oct of this year
and March 2008.
The NGMTU supply
will find out the results of
the national level in April
2008.
AKO offers free anti-virus, spyware removal and firewall software for home use
By SSgt. Jerry Greuel
DCSIM/J6 Training and Implementaion Branch
Army Knowledge Online (AKO) users
are now able to download free licensed
copies of anti-virus, Spyware
removal, and firewall software for
home use.
These software downloads also include
free updates.
With the ever increasing threats
that loom around the Internet and
the personal information that exists
on our home computers, it is critical
that we protect our computers with
software that’s designed to block and
or remove malicious software (I.E., viruses,
Spyware, Malware) before our
personal information is stolen, altered,
or destroyed.
These threats often hide on our
computers without our even knowing
they are there.
The following link will take AKO
users to the website where these programs
can be downloaded free of
charge: https://www.us.army.mil/
suite/page/364105.
AKO users will be asked to login
with their AKO username and AKO
password.
!!!Warning!!!
n If anti-virus and firewall software
is already installed and running on the
home computer, it must be uninstalled
or disabled before the new copy of the
software is installed.
n Multiple copies of Spyware removal
software can be installed on a
home computer.
Keep in mind, incidents of personal
identity fraud are at all time highs and
we must do everything within reason
to make sure our personal identification
information doesn’t fall into the
wrong hands.
These applications can help us to
protect our personal information on
our home computers.

September 2007
n e w s b r i e f s
Paralegal training
The Arkansas National Guard
Judge Advocate General’s section are
sponsoring training for all Arkansas
National Guard 27D paralegals, senior
NCOs, and unit Readiness NCOs 22
September at Camp Robinson.
Training includes a review of
the Military Code of Arkansas, the
Uniform Code of Military Justice,
proposed military justice regulations,
non-judicial punishment options,
and court-martial procedures.
DATE: 22 Sep 07 TIME: 0800 hours
PLACE: Room 186, Chappell Armory,
Camp Robinson. Request for orders
can be made through your unit
administrative office. PMC is JE0
and the TDC is 111, 27D Training.
POC is CPT Thomas A. Lee, 501
212-5033.
Military Funeral Honors Program
The Military Funeral Honors Program
is looking for Traditional Soldiers
in the pay grades E3-E6, O1-O3,
and WO1-CW2.
If you are interested in the qualifications
or for more information
contact Staff Sgt. Bloom at (501) 212-
5979 or Mr. Gregg Slawson toll-free at
(866) 280-7542.
Free CPR Training
The State Surgeon Office is now offering
free CPR Training to fulltime
personnel in the Arkansas Guard.
The classes are American Heart
Association Heart Saver CPR and
Health Care Provider CPR.
The Heart Saver CPR covers adult,
child, infant CPR and use of the automated
external defibrillator.
There is no written test. You only
have to take a hands-on skills test and
pass.
You will receive your CPR card at
the end of class. This class is for nonmedical
personnel.
Classes are from 8 – 11:30 a.m at
the HRO Classroom on Camp Robinson.
The POC for signup is Sgt. Robert
MacConaugha.
Call 212-4042 to sign up. If you
want to setup where he comes to your
location to teach a class please contact
at least three weeks in advance.
Heart Saver Classes Health Care
Provider Classes
11 SEP 07
16 OCT 07
18 SEP 07
27 NOV 07
9 OCT 07
18 DEC 07
13 NOV 07
20 NOV 07
11 DEC 07
OCS Accelerated Open House
Change to the date of the OCS Accelerated
Open House — The OCS
Accelerated Open House will be held
Sept. 15 at Sroczynski Hall, Camp
Robinson. The open house will commence
at 9 a.m. All interested parties
can attend.
Fort Chaffee hunting permits
Applications for the Fort Chaffee
Maneuver Training Center 2007 Modern
Gun and Muzzleloader Category I
hunt have been posted on SharePoint
or for those not able to access, POC
is: Beth Phillips/479-484-2231/ DSN:
962-2231.
These are available for second day
only (Nov. 18 for Modern Gun and Nov.
25 for Muzzleloader). Application(s)
for the Category I Permit Hunts(s),
proof of identification or status, proof
of exemption (if applicable) or payment
must be received in the FCMTC
Environmental Office no later than
Oct. 5, 2007.
Payment or proof of exemption
from payment must be submitted
with the application.
Application packets may be delivered
in person to the FCMTC Environmental
Division Office (Building
1370) or mailed (postmarked on or
before Oct. 5) to FCMTC-EN Attn:
Category I Special Hunt, Bldg. 1440,
Fort Chaffee, AR 72905. Faxed applications
will not be accepted. POC is
Beth Phillips, natural resource manager.
Her numbers are: 479-484-2231,
office, or DSN: 962-2231; FAX: 479-
484-2015; CELL: 479-461-3757.
Death gratutuity entitlement
Effective May 25, 2007, Soldiers
may designate one beneficiary (and
only one beneficiary) to receive
up to 50 percent of the $100,000
death gratuity entitlement. May be
someone
not listed under Title 10, Section
1477(a). Soldiers may elect to
designate in 10 percent increments,
up to the maximum of 50 percent
to that one beneficiary. Any
undesignated portion of the DG will
be paid to Soldiers’ living survivors
in the order of precedence. If no
beneficiary is designated, the full
amount will be paid in accordance
with Title 10, Section 1477. Effective
immediately, personnel records
work centers will offer Soldiers the
opportunity to designate a
DG beneficiary in accordance
with this new law. DD Forms 93
executed prior to May 25, 2007 are
still valid. However, beneficiaries
erroneously designated on a DD
Form 93 executed before then will
not be paid pursuant to this new
law until the Soldier completes a
new DD form 93. POC: SFC Janice L
Kindall RPAM NCO janice.kindall@
us.army.mil. (501) 212-4043
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
Army Boosts Enlistment bonuses
In an effort to bolster the growth of
the Army by more than 34,000 Soldiers,
Army officials are implementing
a new bonus for recruits who sign
up by the end of this fiscal year.
U.S. Army Recruiting Command
announced a $20,000 “quick-ship”
bonus for aspiring recruits with no
prior military service who enlist for at
least two years of active duty and report
to basic training within 30 days
of enlistment.
The program ends Sept. 30, 2007.
‘eKnowledge’ Offers free prep
for SAT, ACT
A company that makes test-preparation
products for students gearing
up for college entrance exams is offering
free materials to servicemembers
and their families. eKnowledge is an
online- and CD-ROM-based learning
program that teaches test-taking
techniques for the Scholastic Aptitude
Test, or SAT, and American College
Test, or ACT, among others.
The company plans to expand its
coverage soon by offering complimentary
programs to Junior ROTC
members.
Test-prep products usually run
$300 to $400. SAT and ACT exam
scores often weigh heavily in college
admission. Servicemembers interested
in more information or receiving
free eKnowledge products can complete
an online request form at www.
militaryhomefront.dod.mil by following
the link to “Donation: VSG/NFL
Players.”
Requests can also be made by calling
eKnowledge at 951-256-4076 or
via e-mail at support@eknowledge.
com.
America Supports You: Group
Connects Heroes, Employers
An online nonprofit group is helping
servicemembers preparing to
transition to civilian work connect
with solid job opportunities.
The group’s Web site, www.Hirea-
Hero.org, asks participants to complete
a profile about their situation.
Those who register with Hire a Hero
also can search and apply for jobs
with “military-friendly employers” on
the site.
Hire a Hero is a supporter of
America Supports You, a Defense
Department program connecting citizens
and corporations with military
personnel and their families serving
at home and abroad.
Key features of
TRICARE Reserve
Select
n Freedom to choose
from any TRICARE-authorized
provider or qualified
host nation provider
n Pay fewer out-of-pocket
costs when choosing a
provider in the TRICARE
network
n No referrals are required,
but some care may
require pre-authorization
n Freedom to manage
your own healthcare (no
assigned PCM — primary
care manager)
n May have to pay for
services when they are received
and then seek reimbursement
n May have to submit
health care claims
n Receive care in a MTF
— Military Treatment Facility
on a space available
basis
n May fill prescription
through the TRICARE
Mail Order Pharmacy, TRI-
CARE network and nonnetwork
retail pharmacies
and MTF’s
WHAT’S CHANGING
n HOW TO QUALIFY
Only two requirements:
1. You must be in the Selected
Reserve
2. You cannot be eligible
for the Federal Employees
Health Benefits (FEHB)
program or currently covered
under the FEHB (either
under their own eligibility
or through a family
member with FEHB)
n WHEN TO PUR-
CHASE
You can purchase plan
at any time throughout
the year as long as they are
eligible for TRICARE RE-
SERVE SELECT
n WHEN COVERAGE
BEGINS: You decide when
your coverage begins and
indicate the start date on
your TRS Request Form;
either the:
First day of the month
after your TRS Request
Form is received or first
day of the month after that
n PERIODS OF COV-
ERAGE: No specific period
of coverage Coverage is effective
unless terminated
17
TRICARE Reserve Select
changes effective Oct. 1
NOTE: There is a one
year lock-out for voluntary
and non-payment disenrollment.
n MONTHLY PREMI-
UMS: Elimination of Tiers.
One Premium amount for
each type of coverage:
TRS Member Only (Currently
$81) or TRS Member
& Family (currently $253)
n SURVIVOR COVER-
AGE: Survivor coverage
available to all surviving
family members
n TYPES OF QUALIY-
ING LIFE EVENTS
Only changes in family
composition are considered
qualifying life events.
n WHEN SPONSOR
GAINS OTHER TRICARE
COVERAGE
TRS coverage is terminated
when you become
eligible for other TRICARE
coverage
n WHEN SPONSOR
LOSES OTHER TRICARE
COVERAGE
Eligible members of the
Selected Reserve must take
action to purchase TRS
coverage (no automatic reenrollment)
n QUALIFYING AND
PURCHASING
-QUALIFY:
1. Log on to the Guard
and Reserve Web Portal
2. Click on the “TRI-
CARE Reserve Select” Box
• Select the type of
coverage that you want to
purchase: TRS Member
only or TRS Member and
Family
• Certify that you are
not eligible for or enrolled
in the FEHB program
• Select when you want
your coverage to begin
3. Print and sign the
TRS Request Form (DD
Form 2896-1)
-PURCHASE:
Mail or FAX your completed
TRS Request Form
along with the first month’s
premium payment to your
regional contractor by the
applicable deadline .
Your coverage begins on
the first day of the first or
second month (whichever
you select on the TRS Request
Form) following the
postmark of your TRS Request
Form

18 a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
National Guard team hosts Wal-Mart, FLW tournament
By Maj. Keith Moore
ANG Public Affairs Officer
ROYAL, Ark. — The National
Guard hosted the field
of 160 professional bass fishermen
who gathered here at Brady
Mountain Resort on Lake Ouachita
to brave the 100 degree
plus temperatures in pursuit of
the Forrest L. Wood Cup event
August 2nd through the 5th.
Ironically, an Arkansan took
the event on his home lake .
Scott Suggs, an electrical contractor
from Bryant, Arkansas,
electrified a packed Summit
Arena at the final weigh-in as
he surpassed nine other anglers
in the finals with a total weight
of 17 lbs and 1 oz to capture the
2007 Forrest L. Wood Cup.
The Forrest L. Wood Cup
event in Hot Springs was the
culmination of the Wal-Mart/
FLW Tournament Series season.
At stake was the largest
purse ever offered in bass fishing
- $1 million. Ranger boats
also contributed $500,000 to
the winner.
As Irwin Jacobs, chairman
of FLW Outdoors, realized his
own decade-long dream of
awarding one angler $1 million
for winning a bass tournament,
he handed Suggs the check.
“My little girls are getting a
pool!” Suggs announced, denoting
his intentions for the
momentous funds. “My daughters
are 4 and 10 years old, and
I promised them and my wife
a pool if I won. This is a dream
come true for all of us.”
At the outset of the four-day
event, the field of 81 boats set
out from Brady Mountain Resort’s
two boat ramps at 7 a.m.
to thunderous applause and the
reverberating echo of a 105 millimeter
howitzer which sounded
the start.
Two anglers from the National
Guard sponsored team
began the event in the “hunt”
for the big money. Scott Martin,
a member of the National Guard
sponsored team and winner of
the Snickers “Big Bass” award
said his strategy was to fish the
grassy shorelines early and work
along some deeper shelves later
in the day. Martin who came
into the championship ranked
39th overall was optimistic on
the first day of fishing.
Martin, a Clewiston, Fla. native
was unknowingly prophetic
in his pre-tournament comments
when asked about his
Photo by Maj. Keith Moore, Arkansas National GuardPublic Affairs Office
Scott Martin, a professional bass fisherman for the National Guard team, proudly displays stickers on his
boat depicting the unit patch for several units currently deploye d from the Arkansas National Guard. He added
the unit stickers in preparation for the first round of the Wal-Mart/FLW series Forrest L. Wood Cup event held
Photo by Maj. Keith Moore, Arkansas National GuardPublic Affairs Office
Scott Suggs of Bryant, displays the Forrest L. Wood Cup to the
crowd of thousands after being presented with the trophy by its namesake
Mr. Forrest L. Wood (left) founder of Ranger Boats Corporation.
Suggs won the 2007 Forrest Wood Cup event Aug. 5, 2007, which was
held on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs. Along with the trophy, Suggs took
home a $1 million check from the FLW Outdoors and $500,000 from
chances in winning the event.
“There are a few home-town
guys from Arkansas here, and
this lake is their home turf, so
the competition is tight. But
with the warm weather and the
fish working deep it could be
anybody’s tournament. We’ll
have to see how things go after
today,” Martin said.
Fellow National Guard teammate
Clifford Pirch, who came
into the tournament in 43rd
place was equally optimistic, “I
just say a little prayer then go try
to enjoy doing some fishing.”
Neither Martin or Pirch made
the cut for the final round of the
tournament as the field of competitors
was narrowed to the 10
finalists after the weigh-in on
Friday. Pirch, who had a twoday
total of 10 fish weighing
18 lbs 15 ozs., finished in 13th
place overall. Martin weighedin
a total of 7 fish for 12 lbs 9
ozs. to put him finishing in 40th
place.
No matter what your ranking,
getting paid to fish is definitely
a perk of the job. And paid they
were, as Pirch’s 13th place finish
netted him a payoff of $18,000
while Martin earned $10,000
for his 40th place finish.
Aside from the spectacle of
the weigh-in and presentation
of the $1 million award, one focal
point that held every spectator’s
attention at the event was
a video teleconference where
the father of a deployed Arkansas
National Guardsman got to
see and talk to his son live from
Iraq.
Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director
of the Army National Guard,
joined Maj. Gen. William Wofford,
adjutant general of the
Arkansas National Guard and
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe
on the stage and told the crowd
how important Families are
to the Guard, and how pleased
the Guard was to facilitate this
meeting via satellite for this
Soldier and his father. Then
the General asked Mr. Tommy
Crawford of Jonesboro, Ark. to
join them on stage as the giant
20-foot screen behind the stage
came alive with video of Spc.
Levi Crawford, a member of Co.
B, 875 Engineers and three of
his colleagues live from Logistic
Support Area Anaconda, Iraq.
The crowd cheered and gave
the soldiers a resounding “Hoohah”
at the prompting of Gen.
Vaughn. Mr. Crawford and his
son exchanged a few comments
then Spc. Crawford introduced
the crowd to the three soldiers
with him. Mr. Crawford laughed
and did the same saying…”Son,
you might well recognize the
few individuals here with me” as
he introduced Lt. Gen. Vaughn,
Maj. Gen. Wofford and Ranger
Boats founder Forrest L. Wood
and bass fishing legend Hank
Parker.
After a few questions from
each of the men about how the
Soldiers were doing in Iraq, Mr.
Crawford was escorted from
the stage to a television production
truck outside where he was
able to talk privately with his
son for about 20 minutes. Then
Governor Beebe brought out 20
recruits to the stage and gave
them the induction oath and
swore them in as members of
the Arkansas National Guard.
Other highlights of the FLW
bass fishing event included the
National Guard Junior World
Championship which was held
simultaneously on nearby Lake
Hamilton in Hot Springs. This
event hosted a field of 11 to 18
year old anglers out to capture
a $5,000 scholarship towards
their college education.
The six top anglers in each
age division (11-14 and 15-18)
got the opportunity to fish with
a pro from the National Guard
team in their boat during the
championship round on Sunday.
Shane Lehew, 18, of Charlotte,
NC was crowned the
National Guard Junior World
Champion Bass Fisherman for
the 15-18 year old division. He
was presented with a $5,000
scholarship by The National
Guard, FLW Outdoors and
See TEAM, page 19

September 2007
a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
19
Photo by Adrienne Brietzke, Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office
Training program passes graduate milestone
The Civilian Student Training Program (CSTP) Honor Guard prepares
for their August 3, 2007 graduation program. The Arkansas National Guard
Civilian Student Training Program graduated it’s 4000th student at the ceremony,
bringing the total number of students graduated since the inception of the program
12 years ago to 4,030.
t
Team
Continued from Page 18
Wal-Mart, Inc. Additionally,
FLW Outdoors will
present the North Carolina
Chapter of The Bass
Federation with $1,000
on behalf of the National
Guard to benefit its youth
fishing programs.
Dylan Peppers, 13, of
Good Hope, Ga. won the
11-14 year old division and
was also presented with
a $5,000 scholarship by
The National Guard, FLW
Outdoors and Wal-Mart,
Inc. FLW Outdoors will
also present the Georgia
Chapter of The Bass
Federation with $1,000
on behalf of the National
Guard to benefit its youth
fishing programs.
Lehew and Peppers
fished the final round in
the boat with National
Guard Team Professional
Derek Jones of Chicago,
Ill. After winning, Lehew
commented on the mentoring
benefits of fishing
with a tournament series
professional.
“Derek gave me a lot
of great tips to better my
fishing today,” Lehew said
Photo by Maj. Keith Moore, Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office
Jr. World Champion Crowned….Lt. Gen. Clyde
Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, congratulates
Shane Lehew, 18, of Charlotte, N.C., and presents him with
the trophy as the 2007 National Guard Junior World Champion
Bass Fisherman for the 15-18 year old division. He
was presented with a $5,000 scholarship by The National
Guard, FLW Outdoors and Wal-Mart, Inc. Lehew was sponsored
and fished for the Castrol Oil team during the two-day
event held at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs Aug. 4th & 5th,
2007.
after weighing-in four fish
for a total of 7 lbs 7 ozs to
capture the title.
Designed to highlight
the best up-and coming
bass fishing talent in
the country, the National
Guard Junior World
Championship also provides
national recognition
for the positive activities
pursued by America’s
youth.
The junior tournament
was also represented well
by Arkansas anglers, as
Tyler Towers of Star City,
Ark. finished second in
the 15-18 year-old division
behind Lehew.
Photo by Sgt. Rick Fahr, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Radio personalities ride across nation
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Billy Kidd and David Lawson, with WIMZ Classic Rock 103.
5 in Knoxville, Tenn., stand beside one of the motorcycles they rode across eight
states as part of their National Guard appreciation tour. The team visited National
Guard troops from California to Tennessee, presenting each group with a certificate
and Tennessee “Volunteer” T-shirt. The men were on hand at the Little Rock
National Airport, Saturday, August 11, to welcome home Arkansas’ 449th Aviation
Support Battalion of the 77th Aviation Brigade prior to moving on to Nashville as
their next stop.
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20 a r k a n s a s M I N U T E M A N
September 2007
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