Honoring - Arkansas National Guard

Honoringthe Fallenpage 6Rumor control39th say what!?page 3Little Rock Central:Then and Nowpage 5Guardbreaksground fornew $55Mfacilitypage 11

2 ARKANSASMINUTEMANMarch 2, 2007AFCU’sMILITARY• Free AFCU checks• $500 Overdraft protection• No monthly fees of any kind• No AFCU out of-network ATM fees• Free instant-issue Visa Check Card• Free E-Statements and Online Check images• Free Online Account Access and Bill PaymentNot a member?Now’s the perfect time to join!Call 982-1000 or toll free1-800-456-3000 or stop byany Branch.

March 2, 2007ARKANSASMINUTEMAN3FROM THE ADJUTANT GENERALEditorial staffGarrick FeldmanEditor & PublisherChristy HendricksManaging EditorCapt. Chris HeathscottState Public Affairs OfficerEditor in ChiefMaj. Keith MooreAir Guard Public Affairs OfficerAssociate EditorAdrienne BrietzkeARNG Public Affairs SpecialistAssociate EditorBuddy GarrettARNG Public Information OfficerAssociate EditorHow to reach us404 Graham RoadJacksonville, Ark.72076Ph: 501-982-9421Fax: 501-985-0026arkansasminuteman@arkansasleader.comAdvertising:arkansasminuteman@Arkansasleader.comStory ideaschris.heathscott@us.army.milkeith.e.moore2@ar.ngb.army.milArkansas Guard NewsPublished by Leader Publishing, Inc. 404Graham Road, Jacksonville, AR 72076, phonenumber (501) 982-9421, a private firm innoway connected with the Arkansas NationalGuard, under exclusive written contract withthe Adjutant General of the Arkansas NationalGuard. This civilian enterprise NationalGuard newspaper is an authorized publicationfor the members of the U.S. military services.Contents of the Arkansas Minuteman are notnecessarily the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. government, the Departmentof Defense or the National Guard. Theappearance of advertising in this publication,including inserts or supplements, does notconstitute endorsement by the National Guardor Leader Publishing Inc. of the products orservices advertised. Everything advertised inthis publication shall be made available forpurchase, use or patronage without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,marital status, physical handicap, politicalaffiliation or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user or patron. Editorialphotos unless otherwise noted. The ArkansasMinuteman reserves the right to edit allitems. Editorial content is edited, preparedand provided by the Public Affairs Office ofthe Arkansas National Guard. All photos areArkansas National Guard unless otherwisenoted. The Arkansas Minuteman reserves theright to edit all items.It is a privilege to sharemy thoughts with you asI step into my new role asyour adjutant general. TheArkansas Guard has seensome tremendous leadershipthroughout its history, andit is truly an honor for meto step into this role. Asmy predecessors before me,my focus and priority willbe to ensure the continuedreadiness of our Soldiers andAirmen throughout the state.The increasingrequirement for supportof the global war on terrorhas resulted in a major shiftin the role of the Reservecomponents during thepast several years. We havetransitioned from a strategicreserve that was designed fora Cold War environment intoand operational force.Throughout the history ofthe National Guard we havenever been called upon to theextent as we are today . . . notonly at home, but throughoutthe nation and overseas. Thereadiness of our Soldiers andAirmen is more importantto our national security nowthan it ever has been.To our brigade, wing,battalion, and squadroncommanders, I ask thatyou continue your effortsto ensure the technical andtactical proficiency of ourSoldiers and Airmen.For the past five yearsthe Arkansas Guard hasperformed exceedingly wellduring mobilizations anddeployments. I am proud ofeach of the men and womenwho have represented thestate by answering thenation’s call to duty acrossour great nation and abroad.However, we cannot afford torelax our standards.It is imperative that weensure that our personnelremain trained, equipped,and ready for the nextmission.Like the many othercombat veterans thatwe currently have in theArkansas Guard, I fullyunderstand the challengesand sacrifice our men andwomen endure in order toserve.Those of us in uniformshare a common bondand have felt the sacrificeof service, but few sufferthrough deployments morethan the families that weleave behind. For years Ihave contended that thereal heroes during ourdeployments are the familymembers that valiantlykeep the home and familytogether until their lovedones return. Overallreadiness of a unit beginswith personnel readiness,and that cannot be fullyachieved without familyreadiness.I encourage your family’sinvolvement in our statefamily readiness programsto help ease the uncertaintyPhoto by Capt. Chris Heathscott, State Public Affairs OfficeMaj. Gen. William D. Wofford takes some time to visit witha veteran at the VA Medical Center in Little Rock on Thursday,February 15. Wofford took the opportunity to visit thecenter, thanking vets for their service, as part of the NationalSalute to Hospitalized Veterans, which is an annualevent during the week of Valentine’s Day. The following day,Feb. 16, was Wofford’s first official day in his new positionas the adjutant general of Arkansas.and burdens that theyendure during deployments.As I travel around thestate, never have I witnessedsuch an out-pouring of pridefor our men and women inthe Guard. Our Soldiers andAirmen have stepped uphonorably throughout ourtransition to become fullpartners with the Army andAir Force, and they continueto lead the way as relevantassets of our Nation’sdefense.Through our trained,ready Soldiers and Airmen, agrateful nation will continueto look upon you as warriorswho live and breathe themotto “Always Ready . . .Always There . . .”Photo by Capt. Chris HeathscottThe Arkansas National Guardsuffered the loss of three moreSoldiers when a Black Hawk helicopterwas shot down in Iraq onJan. 20. See story on page 6.RUMOR CONTROL... 39th…Say What!?Word of the 39th Brigade gettingdeployed without weapons is a hot storyfor the press…if it was true it might beeven bigger and hotter. For the secondtime, in hopes of getting the hot newsout first, the rumor of a 39th Brigadedeployment has ignited into a wildfire.Here are the facts as we know themright now: The 39th has not received analert order. Of course that could changetomorrow, but as for right now there aretoo many variables involved to speculateon when the 39th will deploy again. Isthe 39th equipped to deploy right now?No…and here’s why…federal fundingfor such equipment is available, but itis based on priorities. First prioritygoes to units in combat already, secondgoes to units about to deploy, third goesto units still conducting home stationtraining. The 39th currently falls in thelatter category, because it does not havean alert order. Fact is the Army willnot send any unit to combat withoutthe proper equipment, training andcertifications. Again, the 39th doesnot have an alert order for deploymentat this time…that doesn’t mean thatwon’t change…but for now, this rumoris busted.

4 ARKANSASMINUTEMANMarch 2, 2007FROM THE PAONewspaper deservesnew name: Do youaccept challenge?By CAPT. CHRIS HEATHSCOTTState Public Affairs OfficerIt is an honor to introduce you to the first issueof the newest information outlet for our Soldiersand Airmen of the Arkansas National Guard.As the face of the Guard has changed over theyears, a need to change the method of pushingout information to our troops has developed aswell. The name, Arkansas Minuteman, may soundfamiliar to you since it has been temporarilyborrowed from the former magazine publishedquarterly by this office…but a new face is deservingof a new name…and we’re leaving it up to you.Before we offer that challenge, let’s give yousome background on what to expect from thispublication.As a trial run, this initial issue will only reachCamp Robinson and various armories in centralArkansas with the intent of expanding futuredistribution to every military facility in the state.This trial issue will determine the feasibility ofcontinuing to publish monthly and have papers atthe units by the month’s first weekend.The publication will aim to provide currentinformation on what is going on in the ArkansasGuard today, along with news from the departmentof defense and other sources that are relevant toour troops. But, most importantly, it will hopefullyspark awareness to the multitude of opportunitiesavailable to you here in the state such aseducational and veteran’s benefits, training andcareer opportunities, as well as highlighting otherworkshops and programs that are designed to helpour troops.Now, with that in mind, we are opening upa newspaper naming contest. Send us an emailoffering your idea(s) on a name for the newpaper…and please…keep it clean. Submissions willbe accepted via email at christopher.heathscott@us.army.mil until April 15, 2007.Now, you don’t call it a contest without offeringa prize. The Soldier or Airmen with the winningsubmission will receive a challenge coin from theadjutant general of Arkansas, Maj. Gen. WilliamD. Wofford, accompanied with the bragging rightsof having come up with the name of this statewidepublication.Challenge #2: In order to ensure we havematerial to print future papers to post that nameon…we need your story ideas! Let us knowif you have a unique story that highlights theprofessionalism of the Guard. Let us know whenyou have an upcoming unique or visual trainingevent that would be of interest to others in theGuard. Our units and troops are doing greatthings. Here’s your opportunity to give your unitthe press it deserves. Submit story ideas to theemail above and let us tell that story for you.Photo by Staff . Sgt. Chris Durney, 875th Engineer Battalion Public AffairsOutgoing message from Gen. ChastainMy tenure as your AdjutantGeneral was brief but verymeaningful to me. When Iaccepted the position, I knewwe would have a new governorin just a few months. I alsoknew that the new governorcould select his own adjutantgeneral. I accepted the position,because I felt I could do thingsto improve the readiness of theArkansas National Guard. Ournew governor selected a highlyqualified replacement, Maj.Gen. Bill Wofford. I ask that yousupport General Wofford as youhave me.I am fortunate to have anew assignment as a DeputyCommander at United StatesArmy Forces Command. I lookforward to the opportunityto continue improving thereadiness of the Army NationalGuard.I am extremely proud of theSoldiers and Airmen of theArkansas National Guard. Theterm “Citizen Soldier” has takenon new meaning since 2001.Arkansas Guardsmen havedeployed and performed as ouractive component counterpartand they have done anoutstanding job.Regretfully, we are at a pointwhere units will mobilize anddeploy again.Right now, we see no end tothe global war on terrorism. Thatis why you must remember “It’sAll About Readiness.” I ask youMaj. Gen. Ronald S.Chastain gets an insidelook at an up-armoredpatrol vehicle at CampStryker, Iraq, during acommand visit with the875th Engineer Battalion.Chastain returnedto the state on Saturday,Feb. 3, at the conclusionof the weeklongtrip. Chastain has takena new position as theDeputy CommandingGeneral of the US ArmyForces Command.to continue to focus on thoseindividuals and units that go towar.During my seven months asTAG, we lost four Soldiers in Iraq— Maj. Michael V. Taylor, Sgt.Maj. William T. Warren, Sgt. 1stClass John Gary Brown and Pfc.Dereck Plowman. These bravemen answered the call to duty.Let us never forget them andtheir sacrifice, nor that of the 16Arkansas Soldiers we lost duringOperation Iraqi Freedom II.We ask much of you Soldiersand Airmen. We also ask muchof your families and employers.I am proud to have served insuch a dedicated, professionalorganization.Yes, you can get there from here.• Online and Evening Courses• Real World Experience Assessed• Courses Taught by Industry Experts• All Credit EvaluatedDegree Programs Offered:• Undergraduate – Professional Aeronautics, Technical Management• Graduate – Aeronautical Science• Certificate – AMT, Aviation Safety, Logistics and OSHAFor more information about our programs, callThe Little Rock Center at 501-987-5550/501-983-9300e-mail: little.rock.center@erau.eduLittle RockCampus

March 2, 2007ARKANSASMINUTEMAN5Little Rock Central... Then and nowBy CAPT. CHRIS HEATHSCOTTArkansas National Guard State PublicAffairs OfficeLITTLE ROCK, Ark.— In partnership with theCity of Little Rock’s Racialand Cultural DiversityCommission, a crowdof Guardsmen gatheredTuesday, Feb. 21, incelebration of Black HistoryMonth. The agenda forthe program offered a lookback to 50 years prior, whenthe Arkansas Guard wascalled to state active dutyas a result of the FederalDistrict Court ordering theLittle Rock School Districtto proceed with plans forintegration.On Sept. 2, 1957, GovernorOrval Faubus ordered theArkansas National Guardto Little Rock Central HighSchool because he claimedevidence “that there isimminent danger of tumult,riot and breach of peaceand the doing of violence topersons and property.”According to a historyof the Arkansas NationalGuard, a force of 280Soldiers created a perimeteraround the school, refusingentry to nine African-American students, tellingthem to return home. Theevents eventually led upto the federalization of theentire Arkansas NationalGuard by President DwightD. Eisenhower. By orderof the president, the Guardwas now directed to supportthe integration rather thanblock it as was directed bythe state.During Tuesday’sprogram, Maj. Gen. WilliamD. Wofford, the adjutantgeneral of Arkansas, spokeSept. 4, 1957 - Students of Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., including Hazel Bryan,second left, shouts insults at Elizabeth Eckford, second right, walking past a line of NationalGuardsman, not shown, who blocked the main entrance of the school. One of nine blackchildren who endured angry white mobs to integrate a Little Rock, Arkansas high school in1957. (Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette)Sept. 4, 1957 — Lt. Col. Marion Johnson, commander ofNational Guard troops, turns back a group of African Americansseeking to enter Central High School today. He said hewas acting on orders of Governor Faubus not to admit them.(Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette)to those in attendance andoffered a reading of anannex to operation ordernumber one that called theGuard to duty.“Our mission is to enforcethe orders of the FederalCourt with respect to theattendance at the publicschools of Little Rock, ofall those who are properlyenrolled and to maintain lawand order while doing so,”he read to the crowd. “Ourindividual feelings towardthose court orders shouldhave no influence on ourexecution of the mission.”Wofford, who was eightyears old during the crisis,reemphasized the lastsentence he had just read.“Our personal feelingshave no influence on theexecution of the mission,”he said, stressing the role ofa Soldier. “That’s the way itwas in 1957, that’s the way itis today.”Wofford expressed hisinitial reluctance to speakon a topic that he considered“a blemish on the historyand reputation of the stateof Arkansas,” yet expressedthe significance of the eventwith great respect.“This was a monumentalevent in the history of ourstate,” said the general.“There were nine young menand women brave enoughto stand up to their fears. Itchanged the world. Theiractions changed Arkansas.”The president of the LittleRock Central High SchoolStudent Body, Brandon Love,stepped up to the podiumnext as the program’s guestspeaker.In a written parallel toCharles Dickens’ book ATale of Two Cities, Lovestood before the crowdand presented his storyreferencing the continuingchallenge of racism. Love’sversion of Dickens’ tale,A Tale of Two Centrals,described the continuingseparation between blackand white America.“The world watchednine African Americanstudents make history bydesegregating the state’spremiere high school inthe face of open hostility,”Love said as he spoke thewords he wrote in a test forcollege entry into VanderbiltUniversity. “Escorted bythe National Guard, thesestudents walked the hallsof what is now a nationalhistoric site and enduredhardships that I can onlybegin to imagine. Today Iwalk the same halls walkedby the Little Rock Nine.”Love went on todescribe the day to dayracial challenges ofcurrent day Little RockCentral…challenges whichunfortunately are not housedsolely within the walls ofthis infamous schoolhouse.Just as obstacles faced bythe Little Rock Nine weremet by changes in the late50’s, Love’s story describedhow he overcame the oftenignored racial challengesand separations of today togain a good education from agreat institution.“I can honestly say. It wasthe best of times. It was theworst of times,” said Love.

6 ARKANSASMINUTEMANMarch 2, 2007FALLEN SOLDIERSThe Arkansas NationalGuard’s contribution insupport of the GlobalWar on Terror has notcome without cost. Werespectfully dedicatethispage to the friends we havelost in service to our greatnation. Although they aregone, they will never beforgotten...Never.In memorySgt. 1st ClassWilliam W. LabadieBauxite, Ark.Chief Warrant OfficerPatrick W. KordsmeierNorth Little Rock, Ark.Capt. T Arthur L. FelderLewisville, Ark.Staff Sgt.Stacey C. BrandonHazen, Ark.Staff Sgt. Billy J. OrtonHumnoke, Ark.Spc. Kenneth A. MeltonWestplains, Mo.Staff Sgt. Hesley Box JR.Nashville, Ark.Spc. 1st ClassTroy L. MirandaDeQueen, Ark.Sgt. Russell L. CollierHarrison, Ark.Spc. Ronald W. BakerCabot, Ark.Sgt. Michael A. SmithCamden, Ark.Spc. Jimmy D. BuieFloral, Ark.3-153 INSpc. Joshua S. MarcumEvening Shade, Ark.3-153 INSpc.Jeremy W. McHalffeyMabelvale, Ark.Spc. Lyle W. RymerRoland, Okla.Staff Sgt.William T. RobbinsBeebe, Ark.Pfc. Dereck PlowmanEverton, Ark.1st Sgt. William WarrenNorth Little Rock, Ark.Co. B, 1/185th Aviation,77th Aviation BrigadeAnalysis: Black Hawk down heroesBy PAMELA HESSUPI Pentagon CorrespondentCopyright C 2007Displayed by permission. All rights reserved.BAGHDAD, Feb. 16 (UPI) — TwelveU.S. soldiers died Jan. 20 when their BlackHawk helicopter was shot down northeastof Baghdad.A U.S. Army press release details theirnames, hometowns and ages but it doesnot tell what happened that day. That isleft to their friends, who protected andavenged them but in the end could notsave them.It was a day time flight for this NationalGuard unit, 1st Battalion, 131st AviationRegiment of the 38th Combat AviationBrigade. It was a dangerous but routinemission to ferry soldiers from one baseto another. Black Hawks are the safestmeans of getting around Iraq. Vastly moresoldiers are killed by roadside bombs thananything else in Iraq. Getting them up inthe air is the easiest way to avoid them.Black Hawks fly in pairs. On Jan.20 Easy 71 was the lead aircraft in theformation.“I remember we were doing an ordinarytransit mission, a routine mission carryingpassengers across Iraq,” said 1st Lt. CraigD. Neely, 25, the lead pilot on Easy 71.Easy 40 was flying behind when itwas hit by machine gun fire from threeinsurgents in the back of a truck belowthem.“We heard (Maj. Michael Taylor, thecompany commander) talking to (his)Maj. Michael TaylorNorth Little Rock, Ark.Co. B, 1/185th Aviation,77th Aviation Brigadeaircraft. He yelled out he was hit; therewas no question in his voice that they werehit. Myself and Sgt. Evans were able to seehim and see his aircraft,” Neely said.Sgt. Terry L. Evans, 33, is one of Easy71’s gunners. “We saw the aircraft get hitinitially. I saw they were in trouble. I told(pilot-in-command Chief Warrant OfficerMax Timmons) — I told him they werehit. I immediately started returning fireand Mr. Timmons banked left towardEasy 40.“Easy 40 was on fire and we knewthey were in trouble. We had moved intoa position where we could possibly helpthem if they went down. The aircraftimpacted the ground. That’s when I toldMr. Timmons and Lt. Neely to put ouraircraft on the ground so we could gosecure the aircraft,” Evans said.They landed 75 yards from the burninghelicopter but Evans and gunner SpecialistDavid L. Carnahan, 33, jumped out beforethe bird was even on the ground. Armedwith just pistols, the two raced to Easy 40to rescue the wounded and protect theiraircraft from ground attack.But everyone on board — four crew andeight passengers — was dead.They ran around the aircraft to see ifthey could pull bodies out. They couldn’t.Evans went back to Easy 71 for his rifleand then returned to Carnahan and theburning helicopter.“We were going to attempt to get (Maj.)Taylor’s body out,” he said.Unspeakable things happen to thebodies of dead American soldiers here ifthey are not protected on the battlefield.Sgt. 1st Class John BrownLittle Rock, Ark.Co. B, 1/185th Aviation,77th Aviation BrigadeEvans and Carnahan would not allowthat to that to happen. The two, withtheir rifles and pistols, set up a defensiveperimeter.It was instinct that drove them outof their helicopter and onto the killingground.“You don’t think about people shootingat you,” said Carnahan. “For me it was apretty traumatic experience — to watch ahelo go down with people from my unit.You don’t think about yourself at themoment. You think about the people onthe other aircraft.”By this time, two other Black Hawksflying had received Lt. Neely’s maydaycall. They were overhead.Easy 53, commanded by Chief WarrantOfficer Jerry D. Sartin, 41, and flown byCW3 Michael Hodges, 37, was just aminute behind Easy 40 on the same flightpath.“We started to land to lend aid andassistance when we noticed a truckmoving at a high speed,” said Sartin. “Wetook off to engage that vehicle.”Black Hawks are not attack helicopters.The machine guns that protrude fromeither side are meant for self-defense.“We practice aerial gunnery (on a range)at least once a year. The only difference isthe targets at the range don’t shoot back,”said Staff Sgt. Gary L. Smith, 32.Easy 53 made five passes around thetruck which was now firing on them withthe same weapon that brought downEasy 40. After the first pass, one of theinsurgents pulled out a rocket-propelledSee Black Hawk, page 10

March 2, 2007ARKANSASMINUTEMAN7LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq— Spc. Justin Haynes of Beebe, Ark., was pinned with aPurple Heart medal by Maj. Gen. Ronald S. Chastain at anemotional bed-side ceremony here January 30.Haynes is a member of the 875th Engineer Battalion’sA Company from Jonesboro, Ark., which deployed toIraq in September. Haynes was honored with the awardfor wounds he received in combat on January 29, 2007.Chastain was conducting a command visit with theArkansas Guardsmen when he was offered the privilege ofpresenting the award to Haynes.Brig. Gen. Michael Silva, commander of the 411thEngineer Brigade, to which the 875th is attached, alsoparticipated in the brief ceremony, and thanked Haynesfor his service. The state command sergeant major of theArkansas National Guard, Deborah Collins, presentedHaynes with a leader’s coin for excellence and spoke withhim for a few minutes after the pinning. Collins wastraveling with Chastain on the command visit.Haynes seemed to be in good spirits and gave everyonea thumbs-up at the ceremony’s conclusion. Accordingto hospital reports, his wounds are not life threatening.Approximately 400 Arkansas Soldiers are deployed withthe 875th. The battalion is one third of the way througha yearlong deployment in support of Operation IraqiFreedom.Purple Hearts awardedBeebe Soldier honored in IraqPhoto by Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Murray, 411th Engineer BrigadeCommand Sgt. Maj. Deborah Collins, the command sergeant major of the Arkansas ArmyNational Guard, talks with Spc. Justin Haynes following a bed-side Purple Heart ceremony atLogistics Support Area Anaconda in Iraq. Haynes, from Beebe, is a member of the ArkansasArmy National Guard’s 875th Engineer Battalion, which is on a yearlong deployment insupport of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Lt. Col. Kirk Van Pelt(right), deputy commandingofficer of the39th Brigade CombatTeam, pins the PurpleHeart on the chest ofSpc. George Hendricks,of Melbourne during aSaturday morningceremony in Searcy.Hendricks earnedthe honor for woundsreceived in combat onNov. 20, 2004 whileserving with the 39thin support of OperationIraqi Freedom.Photo by Capt Chris HeathscottMelbourne Guardsmanhonored for woundsreceived in combatSEARCY, ARK — Spc. George Hendricks, ofMelbourne, was honored with the presentation of thePurple Heart during a ceremony on Saturday, January20, at the headquarters of the 39th Brigade CombatTeam’s 2nd Battalion.Hendricks earned the honor for wounds receivedin action on Nov. 20, 2004, while conducting combatoperations in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad,Iraq, with the 39th Brigade. Hendricks is a memberof the 2nd Battalion’s, Detachment 1, Company C inBrinkley.The 39th Brigade was mobilized in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom from October 2003 throughMarch 2004.In total, over 300 Soldiers who served with the 39thearned the prestigious medal for wounds received inaction.

8 THE MINUTEMANMarch 2, 2007Photo of the monthPhoto by Capt. Chris Heathscott, State Public Affairs OfficeLEGISLATIVE DAY. Soldiers with the 77th Aviation Brigade look for a parkingspace on the ground of the state Capitol in Little Rock on Tuesday, Feb.13. The aviators flew in the UH 60 Blackhawk and an OH 58 Kiowa as part ofeducation and capabilities demonstration by the Arkansas Guard. The demonstrationwas designed to familiarize the lawmakers with the equipment andthe disaster/emergency response capabilities within the National Guard. TheArkansas National Guard regularly conducts an education and capabilities dayfor the Arkansas State Legislature each time it is in session.Soldiers honored for serviceBy SPC. CHARISSA BELL119th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentCAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON,N. Little Rock, Ark. — Soldiers withthe Arkansas National Guard’s 25thRear Operations Center (ROC) werehonored here Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, inrecognition of their service in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom.Approximately 48 Soldiers fromthe 25th ROC returned safe and soundin October of 2006 following a oneyeardeployment to Iraq supportingoperations in the global war on terrorism.The Soldiers were recognized during aFreedom Salute Ceremony, a nationwidecampaign to honor Army Guardsmenfor service in support of OperationsNoble Eagle, Enduring Freedom andIraqi Freedom.Command Sgt. Maj. Lonnie Medford,operations sergeant for the “ROC”, saidthe units’ mission was to run garrisonsfor Forward Operating Bases (FOB)and to provide oversight to contractsthat facilitated lodging for troops. “Mymission was to get them over there andback safely,” said Medford.The Honorable Mike Beebe, governorof Arkansas, presented each ofthe Soldiers returning from their firstdeployment with the American flag,displayed in a wooden case. Soldierswho have mobilized for multiple tours ofduty since Sept. 11, 2001 were presentedwith certificates for the FreedomRing, a new addition to the campaignhonoring Soldiers for their defense of ourfreedom.Guest speaker, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Don C.Morrow, presented each of the Soldierswith commemorative coins followinga speech in which he expressed hisheartfelt appreciation to the Soldiers fortheir service.“When I see that flag, I see you woveninto it,” said Morrow, speaking of thematerials which make up the Americanflag. Brig. Gen. Richard E. Swan, JointForces Land Component commander,presented each Soldier with the “Defenderof Freedom” certificates. Therewere also presentations for each Soldier’sspouse or “center of influence”, as well asseveral presentations honoring Soldier’semployers and local organizations whichprovided support to the unit with carepackages while the unit was deployed.Photo by Spc. Charissa L. Bell, 119 th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentGovernor Mike Beebe presents anencased American flag to a memberof the Arkansas Army NationalGuard’s 25th Rear Operations Centerat Camp Joseph T. Robinson onSaturday, Feb. 3, 2006.GuardrailA Soldier was killed in a vehicleaccident Dec. 9 at approximately1218 local in Katy, Texas.The Soldier was driving a 2004Ford Expedition at a high rate ofspeed when the left front wheelcontacted the median’s curbcausing the vehicle to roll severaltimes.The Soldier and his 12-year-oldson (front passenger seat) were notwearing their safety belts and werethrown from the vehicle.His son was pronounced dead atthe scene and the Soldier died enroute to the local medical facility.The Soldier’s ex-wife and twodaughters in the rear seat survivedthe accident.The Texas Highway Patrol isinvestigating the accident.COST:1 Soldier killed1 Civilian killed3 Civilians injured■ ■ ■A Soldier was injured duringa rollover accident Dec. 9 atapproximately 1530 local in Iraq.The Soldier was inured when theHMMWV he was in was hit fromMASTER OF SCIENCE INOPERATIONS MANAGEMENTCAREERADVANCEMENTfor Professionalsand Managers...PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS• Focus on Management Skills• Enter from any undergraddegree• Evening Classes at LRAFB• Distance Option Available• Begin Aug/Oct/Jan/Mar/May• No GRE/GMAT with requisiteGPA• Complete in 1-2 years• No ThesisU.S. Army Combat Readiness Centerbehind by a tracked vehicle.The Soldier sustainedamputation of two fingers on hisleft hand with a possible futureamputation of the third finger andhis right forearm.COST: 1 Soldier injured2 vehicles damaged■ ■ ■A Soldier was injured in aHESCO barrier accident Dec. 9 atapproximately 1530 local in Iraq.The Soldier sustained left spinefractures when he was struck by afalling HESCO barrier.COST: 1 Soldier injured■ ■ ■A Soldier was injured in anegligent discharge Dec. 13 atapproximately 1930 local near Iraq.The Soldier was walking throughan alley when he tripped over somedebris and shot a round into hisfoot.COST: 1 Soldier injured.Contact: Sharon Garner of the University of Arkansas(501) 988-2522 or 987-8256uafgrad@centurytel.net • www.opnsmgmt.uark.edu

March 2, 2007CAMP SHELBY,Miss. — A crowd ofapproximately 300family, friends andArkansas Guard leadersattended a send offceremony here Sundayfor the 150 Soldiers ofOzark’s Battery C, 2ndBattalion, 142nd FiresBrigade.The unit initially leftArkansas on November9, 2006, in preparationfor the unit’s yearlongdeployment to Iraq.The unit completedits mobilization trainingand gave Soldiers oneadditional opportunityto see family andfriends prior to Mondaymorning’s flight overseas.The Arkansas ArmyNational Guard’s JointForces Land Componentcommander, Brig. Gen.Richard Swan, was onhand to address theSoldiers at Sunday’sceremony.As he addressed thecrowd and the unit,Swan referenced thesymbol of the NationalGuard...the minuteman.“It’s a patriot standingbeside a plow,” Swan saidas he offered the crowda visual description ofthe symbol. “He hasone hand resting on theplow and in the otherhand he has a blackpowder musket. Whatthat indicates is, backthen, that citizen...thatfarmer...put away theplow and took up therifle, when his countryneeded him. Ladiesand gentlemen...today...the family members ofthis audience...you’relooking at the modernday patriot.”Col. Jeff Montgomery,the commanderof the 142nd FiresBrigade, also took theopportunity at Sunday’sceremony to thank theSoldiers for their hardwork and sacrifice,wishing them goodluck and encouragingthem to stay focusedon their missionsduring the deployment.Montgomery recognizedthe other patriots inattendance...the familieswho traveled fromnorthwest Arkansas toCamp Shelby, Miss., tosee off their Soldiers.“I know you wouldn’thave it any other way,but I’m not quite sureyou understand, fromthe Soldiers heart, theimportance of you beinghere today and seeingyour Soldier off,” saidMontgomery. “It willbring back memoriesfor them that will carrythem through the nextyear and then on withinlife.A heartfelt thank youfor being here today. Weunderstand the sacrificethat you are making toallow your Soldier to bein our unit. Thank youfor that sacrifice.”The Soldiers of BatteryC are joining nearly500 other Soldiers of the142nd that are currentlydeployed in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom.The 2nd Battalion’sFort Smith, Van Burenand Siloam Springs batteriesinitially mobilizedin July of last year for anOctober deployment toKuwait. The batteriesare anticipated to returnin the fall.The 142nd 1st Battalion’sRogers batteryis currently deployed toIraq and is anticipatedARKANSASMINUTEMANOzark Soldiers complete training: Deploy to IraqPhoto by Sgt. Mark Woodall, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Arkansas Army National GuardA crowd of family and friends line the street at Camp Shelby, Miss. on Sunday, to see off their Soldierswho departed the mobilization station on Monday morning to begin a yearlong deployment in Iraq. TheSoldiers are members of Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Fires Brigade from Ozark, Ark. The 150-manunit initially mobilized for training in November and will spend the next year conducting security missionsin support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.to return next month.The battalion’sSpringdale batteryreturned from Iraq inOctober 2006, with itsBentonville unit cominghome from Kosovo thispast December.Each of these unitswith the 142nd have aprimary mission in fieldartillery yet receivedspecialized trainingat their mobilizationstations to meet theneed for security forcesand convoy securitymissions in the Iraqitheatre of operations.In total, the ArkansasNational Guard continuesto have over 1500Soldiers and Airmenmobilized for overseasservice.Over 10,000 Soldiersand Airmen strong, theArkansas Guard hassupported the mobilizationof over 8,000troops since Sept. 11,2001.Many of theGuardsmen accountedfor in this number haveserved on two or moremobilizations in supportof the global war onterror.9

10 ARKANSASMINUTEMANMarch 2, 2007▼Black HawkContinued from Page 6grenade launcher. “He was neutralized,” saidSartin.This was one of Smith’s first combatengagements.“It’s nothing that you really think about. It’s moreof an instinct. We are there to protect our brothers.We will do anything it takes. If it means puttingourselves in the line of fire to attack them that’spart of what it means to be a soldier,” he said.“When we started making our runs on the truckI really wasn’t thinking. It was more just acting out,engaging the truck, following up targets. When theweapon was out of ammo, the actions of reloading,getting the guns back out the window when it wasyour turn to fire again engage the enemy. Therereally wasn’t much time to think,” he said.His first response was sadness at seeing Easy40 hit and smoking, then anger when he heard themayday call and realized it was an aircraft in hisown battalion. Then adrenaline took over.“Once we started engaging the truck all that flewout the window and we paid attention to engagingtargets,” Smith said.The Black Hawk gunners killed the three shootersduring a 15-minute fight. Apache attack aircraftarrived just minutes into the battle, allowing thetwo Black Hawks in Easy 53’s flight to land withEasy 71.“We had that place swarming. The enemy hadnowhere to run,” Neely said. The crew and soldierson board formed a defensive perimeter around thefour helicopters now on the ground while Evansand Carnahan did what they could to put out thefire and pull their friends from Easy 40.Ground forces were on their way to secure thescene, but it would take time to get there. Theroute in had been thoroughly booby trapped withimprovised explosive devices, an Army officialsaid this week. The Black Hawks were runninglow on fuel. With Apaches overhead protecting thesite and ground forces on their way, they decidedto take off toge ther, leaving the 12 men on Easy40 in others’ hands. They flew together to theU.S. air base at Balad where they delivered theirpassengers, completing their mission.“The crew of Easy 40 is very brave and theydid heroic things,” said Neely, naming andmemorializing each of the downed crew. “(Maj.)Taylor was our company commander from Arkansas.I’m a pretty young pilot. I’ve only been flyingfor two years and we flew together quite often.”“Capt. Sean Lyerly was at the controls,” he said.“They made every effort to talk to us, to let usknow what was going on. They were controllingthat aircraft to the ground,” Neely said. “We sawthem smoking and burning and heard (Maj.)Taylor’s voice on the radio, talking to Capt. Lyerly,controlling that aircraft.”“(Sgt. Maj.) Thomas Warren and Sgt. First ClassGary Brown, the crew members in the back, weredoing all that they could as well,” he said. “The crewof Easy 40 went down fighting. They are the trueheroes in this. There is nothing we can do to bringthem back. But we can make sure the world knowsthese guys were total professionals,” said 1/131battalion commander Lt. Col. Zachary Maner.Arkansas contributes to ‘Brotherhood’By STAFF SGT. TAMMY TREAT119th Mobile Public AffairsDetachmentCAMP JOSEPHT. ROBINSON — Thedefinition of valuabletraining? It saves lives.That’s what Soldiers saidabout their two-weekprogram after graduatingfrom the 233rd Regiment,Regional TrainingInstitute (RTI) 11BInfantry reclassificationtraining.Lt. Col. Rick Miller,administrative officer ofthe regiment, recalledvisiting with an injuredSoldier who contendedthe infantry training lessenedhis injuries andprobably saved his life.“You can’t put a valueon what they do here,”said Miller.RTI is home to thelargest National Guardinfantry reclassificationschool, training moreinfantry soldiers thanany other facility exceptfor Fort Benning, Ga.,the active duty home ofArmy infantry. In recentyears, the National GuardBureau has relied evenmore heavily on RTI,increasing class cyclesevery year.This training year,instructors are scheduledfor 11 cycles of classeswith an average of 81students per class. Classesare spread out ina way that meets theneeds of the students’personal schedules, andthe program isn’t just forSoldiers with infantrymilitary occupationspecialties.Miller explained thatmechanics, cooks andeven a judge advocategeneral officer can benefitfrom the fundamentalbattlefield skills includedin the program. The instructorsat RTI bringreal-life experiences tothe course. They have thetenor, knowledge and thebackground to producehighly proficient andskilled Soldiers, accordingto Sgt. 1st Class JamesSlaughter, one of fiveinstructors for the course.The 39-year veteran of theGuard has taught at thecenter since 1984.The 11B10 level providesthe stepping stone toleadership skills necessaryfor career progression as anon-commissioned officerfor Soldiers belonging toan infantry unit. Slaughterexplained that the firstweek of the course focuseson weapons knowledge.Soldiers receive trainingon the M-249 squadautomatic weapon andothers. Instructors alsostress land navigationskills throughout theentire course.The second week of theprogram has participantsdoing into squad tacticalmovements. Studentsparticipate in a three-day,two-night field trainingexercise in which they arecaught in an ambush. Thispractice provides a lessonin how important effectivecommunications amongmembers of their squadare. After every exercisein the course, instructorslead the students in anafter action review tocritique themselves inorder to accomplish ongoingself and squadimprovement.Pvt. Mark Woodyard,a cavalry scout fromDallas who was fresh outof advanced individualtraining, said he feltthe training serves as arefresher course.He noted however, thathe picked up some skillsnot learned in previoustraining. He went on toexplain that one of thoseskills was the hands-onexperience of modifyinghis weapon’s aim. Inbasic training, he said,drill sergeants made theweapon modifications.The infantry course instructorsallowed him tolearn the skill for himself.The additional land navigationtraining was alsovaluable, Woodyardadded. Upon graduationfrom the course, thesetroops are welcomedto the “Brotherhood” ofthe infantry. “Withoutinfantry Soldiers on theground, you don’t winwars,” Miller noted.For more informationabout all the 11CMFcourses contact Sgt. 1stClass Todd White at(501) 212-5583 or e-mailat todd.o.white@ar.ngb.army.milPrior to attending anytraining at the 233rdRegiment (RTI) Soldiersare required to contacttheir unit Readiness NCOto get enrolled throughATRRS. Your ReadinessNCO will be able to printoff our welcome letter andall pre-requisites throughATRRS and provide youwith a packing list.HURRY CLASSES FORMING NOW. MILITARY DISCOUNTPLUS $50 OFF Sylvan Skills Assessment. Just clip and bringthis ad to your scheduled appointment. Call 501-791-9200

March 2, 2007ARKANSASMINUTEMAN11CONSTRUCTION STARTS. Dignitaries turning dirt for the ceremonywere (from left) Brig. Gen. Richard Swan, the Land Component Commanderfor Joint Forces Headquarters for Arkansas; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Don C. Morrow,former adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard; CommandSgt. Maj. Garlen Davis, commandant of the 233rd; Amy Clement representingBurns && McDonnell Engineering, the architect for the project;Col. Steve Womack, commander of 233rd; William Clark project; Brig. Gen.Larry Haltom, deputy adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard.Guard breaks ground for$55M new training facilityCAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON,NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Civicleaders, congressional representativesand local government officials joinedleaders of the Arkansas NationalGuard to break ground here January18 for phase I of a new $55 milliontraining facility for the 233rdRegional Training Institute (RTI) ofthe Arkansas National Guard.Phase I of the three-phase projectentails construction of a new $5.5million general instruction buildingcontaining classrooms, instructorprep areas, storage, computer labsand a 6,000 square foot auditorium.The entire project, designed by Burns& McDonnell Engineering Company,Inc. and being constructed by CDIContractors of Little Rock, willinclude several more buildings suchas four three-story barracks and asimulations building.Funding for the first phase of theproject was provided through the2006 Military Construction Budget.It was not anticipated until fiscal year2011, but the overwhelming need foradditional infantry training causedArkansas’ congressional delegation topush to get it moved up in the fundingcycle. Phases II and III are as yetunfunded, but Col. Steve Womack,commander of the 233rd RTI, isoptimistic that if the need for trainingremains high that the funding will bemade available in the next few years.Addressing the crowd gatheredfor the ceremony, Brig. Gen. LarryHaltom, deputy adjutant general forArkansas said, “With this facility the233rd Regiment will have the assetsit needs to prepare soldiers. And weowe it to our soldiers to ensure thatthey are totally prepared (with skills)for war or whatever mission they arecalled upon to do.”The Arkansas unit, regarded asthe second largest of the infantrytraining schools in the Army behindFt. Benning, Ga. based on the numberof soldiers trained annually, providescombat arms, leadership and militaryoccupational specialty training forArmy National Guard and ArmyReserve troops from all 54 states andterritories.“We’ve grown every year,” saidLt. Col. Rick Miller, administrativeofficer for the 233rd, “and it seemsthat infantry skills are far and awaythe most needed in the nation rightnow.”During 2006 the 233rd trainedapproximately 1,000 soldiers forSee RTI, page 12

12 ARKANSASMINUTEMANMarch 2, 2007▼RTIContinued from Page 11infantry specialties and another1,000 were trained in artillery skillsor as medics. These numbers did notaccount for the other classes of officercandidates and non-commissionedofficer leadership courses offered atthe facility as well.The new 22,000 square-footinstruction building will enablethe RTI to train more Soldiers eachyear and provide the education anddevelopment to aggressively improvereadiness and survivability for soldiersacross the National Guard.Currently the RTI utilizes a seriesof open-bay barracks collocated onCamp Robinson to house students forits training courses.The barracks planned in phaseII of the project would help free upthese open-bay facilities for the manyother units that wish to come andtrain at Camp Robinson, which is alsohome to the Army National Guard’sProfessional Education Center andPhase I Expansion. This artist rendering depicts the new facilities underdevelopment as part of the Phase I construction expansion of the 233rdRegional Training Institute at Camp Robinson. Construction on this phaseof the project is due to be completed by October this year.National Guard MarksmanshipTraining Center.William Clark, Jr. a manager withCDI Contractors, builder for the projectsaid, “CDI may be known for buildingdepartment stores and commercialbuildings, but we welcome thisopportunity to perform this projectfor the National Guard.” He addedthat he hadn’t really felt the impact ofdoing this project for the military andits purpose until he was on his way tothe groundbreaking.“This is an important facility andan import job that you do in trainingour troops to go in harms way. Thankyou to the members of our militaryand the Arkansas National Guard forall you do for us the citizens.”Dignitaries turning dirt forthe ceremony were: Brig. Gen.Richard Swan, the Land ComponentCommander for Joint ForcesHeadquarters of Arkansas; Maj.Gen. (Ret.) Don C. Morrow, formeradjutant general of the ArkansasNational Guard; Command Sgt. Maj.Garlen Davis, commandant of the233rd; Amy Clement representingBurns & McDonnell Engineering, thearchitect for the project; Col. SteveWomack, commander of the 233rd;William Clark, Jr. representing CDIContractors the builder for the project;Brig. Gen. Larry Haltom, deputyadjutant general of the ArkansasNational Guard; Devon Cockrell fromCongressman Vic Snyder’s office andSteve Nawojczyk representing theoffice of North Little Rock MayorPatrick Hayes.Construction on this first phase ofthe project is due to be completed byOctober of this year.