NGAT Magazine - Summer 2008 - National Guard Association of ...

N A T I O N A L G U A R D A S S O C I A T I O N O F T E X A S 


Summer 2008 

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS 

Founded 1959 • Volume 49 • Number 2 

H H 

Redesignation of the 

147 th 

Fighter Wing 

H H 


N A T I O N A L G U A R D A S S O C I A T I O N O F T E X A S

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2008-09 

Board of Directors 

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeffrey Merrill 

President-Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michele Little 

Vice-President . . . . . . . . . . . . .Justin Perryman 

Secretary-Treasurer . . . . . . . . . Monica Trevino 

HQ, TXMF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tony West 

ARNG Troops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mitchell Fuller 

36ID Troops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Earl Redrick 

72nd IBCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Quick 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Covington 

56th IBCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ken Gustavson 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Quine 

36th Sustainment Bde . . . . . . .Randy Ransom 

36th CAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wilson Early 

61st Engr Bde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlton Mosley 

71st BFSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Dinkins 

136th MEB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wilbur Sleppy 

HQ, TANG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Leopold 

149th FW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Craig Folts 

147th FW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marcus Falleaf 

136th AW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charles Chavers 

Texas State Guard . . . . . . . Robert Cheeseman 

Retired Rep – Region I . . . . . . . . . Don Smithers 

Retired Rep – Region II . . . . . . . . . . . .Art Souza 

Retired Rep – Region III . . . . . . . . . .Bill Maginot 

Family Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sharon Scotti 

Publisher . . . . . . . .MediaNation, Terri Sheets 

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ray Lindner 

Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ray Lindner 

NGAT News 

3706 Crawford Ave. 

Austin, TX 78731 

(512) 454-7300 

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ngatnews@ngat.org 

HH CONTENTS HH 

Page 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Letter from the President 

Page 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Members Spotlight 

Page 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Homecomings 

Page 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Departures 

Page 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wing Rededication 

Page 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Leadership Changes/TXMF Hall of Honor Induction 

Pages 12-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Around the World with the Guard 

Page 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NGAUS Charles Dick Medal of Merit 

Page 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NGAT Night at Dell Diamond/NGAT Store 

Pages 16-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Annual Training 

Pages 18-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Around Texas with the Guard 

Pages 20-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Veterans Corner 

Page 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Taps/Corporate Sponsors 

Page 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NGAT Planning Calendar 

Wing Rededication — page 8 Annual Training — page 16 Around Texas with the Guard — page 18 

ON ThE COvEr: Redesignation of the 147th Fighter Wing to the 147th Reconnaissance Wing 

(Photos by SMSgt Marcus Falleaf, Ray Lindner and Christopher Ebdon, av8pix.com) 

NGAT NEWS (USPS 015-752) IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS, 3706 

CRAWFORD STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78731-6308. 

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID P AT AUSTIN, TX AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES 

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: NGAT NEWS, 3706 CRAWFORD STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78731-6803 

W W W . N G A T . O R G H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H 3

p r e s i d e n t ’ s r e p o r t 

IS IT HOT ENOuGH IN TEXAS FOR yOu? Ou? If not, not, just just stick stick around around a little little longer longer and and I know know things things will will 

get hotter . Already there are three digit temperatures around the state . Along with the heat, your 

association is heating up in how we take care of our members and the Texas Military Forces . 

Association membership has also reached two different three digit numbers, one hot but one cold . We 

have already had 101 new life members join this fiscal year — the most since 1995! This is a significant 

milestone, particularly since the great majority of new members are junior enlisted and junior officers . 

However, we remain mired in triple digit annual member numbers for the fiscal year as well, currently 

languishing at just under 600 . The only way to grow this number is for all our members to talk to their peers, subordinates, 

friends and colleagues about joining their OWN State Association . For Texas this is the Association of choice . Please consider 

this a HOT topic that is and will remain a priority for our association . As we grow in membership we are remembering the units 

that are deploying or deployed and will continue to offer a discounted life membership rate to those unit members . 

Please take time to visit the association’s website and NGAT merchandise store . We are continually working to improve the 

products we offer to our members . The website is an important part of how we communicate with our members . For those who 

haven’t visited the site lately, we have added a Retiree and Veteran’s link, NGAT store, and many updated other important topics 

for you to view . As always with anything we do as an Association, your feedback is always welcomed . 

For the members who are planning to attend the National Association Conferences, I know you’ll have a great time . The Enlisted 

members will be going to Savannah, Georgia, and the Officers will travel to Baltimore, Maryland . As I have stated in the past, 

these national organizations are very important to our current members and retirees who have worn the uniform . At the national 

level, they are the stronghold for working to improve National Guard personnel issues along with equipment funding, manning, 

and all retiree benefits . 

The most significant recent legislative success is the new and improved GI Bill . under the new GI Bill, payment rates will go up, 

and will be based on the college or university costs in the service member’s state of residence . Most importantly, some benefits 

are transferable — exactly what your Association has been lobbying for the last two years! The Veterans Administration (VA) now 

provides free medical care to combat veterans for most conditions for five years after separation from active duty . Finally, NGAT 

lobbied hard for the successful passage of legislation stabilizing Medicare rates for doctors at current levels for the rest of 2008 . 

As I close, let me extend my deepest appreciation to each one of you for the individual contributions you make to this association . 

Merely Merely by being being a member, member, you you show show your your care care for for the the Texas Texas National National Guard Guard and and the the National National Guard Guard Association Association of Texas Texas. 

CSM Hulen Rigsby (Ret) (NGAT Life Member) was selected 

as the Vice President for the Houston Light Guard Veterans 

Association, at the Heuer Armory in Houston, Texas, 

during their Annual Reunion. (Photo by CW2 Juan Medrano) 

NGAT Executive Director, Ray Lindner presents CSM Jeff Merrill 

his certificate of service during his recent retirement ceremony 

in Austin, Texas. CSM Merrill will officially retire from the Army 

National Guard on 31 Oct 2008 with 24 years of military service. 

(Photo by MSG (Ret) Billeck-Zuniga) 

4 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H W W W . N G A T . O R G

M E M B E R s s P O T L I G H T 

Governor Presents Brevet Promotions to Texas State Guard Leaders 

TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PERRy presents retired Texas State Guard MG Leroy 

Sisco a certificate of promotion as the general’s spouse, Frances, and LTG (TX) 

Charles G . Rodriguez, look on . General Sisco was brevetted by the governor 

to the honorary rank of lieutenant general . General Sisco is a former NGAT 

President and life member of the association . H (Photo by SPC Jeremy Spires) 

THE 50TH NGAT ANNIVERSARy CONFERENCE is fast approaching and plans 

for the celebrations are well underway . you’re not going to want to miss 

this event so mark your calendar for 27-29 Mar 2009 . We have some photos 

and history together, but we want more! We need your help to fill out the 

history of NGAT . If you have any news clippings or photos from past NGAT 

Conferences or events that you are willing to share please email them to 

ngatnews@ngat .org . It only takes a moment to send in a photograph or to 

jot down a paragraph or two about a favorite memory from your 

participation with the association . Those memories make real connections 

with others and will help us tell the real story of NGAT . Watch the NGAT 

website, www .ngat .org, for updates and specials concerning our 50th 

Anniversary Celebration . H 

Members Spotlight 

Are you a member of NGAT and want to be featured in our “Members 

Spotlight?” If so send us a current photo of you in action to ngatnews@ngat . 

org . Be sure to include names and ranks of anyone pictured in the photo, 

what is happening in the photo and who took the photo . H 

CPT (Ret) Erwin H. Teggeman 

TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PERRy presents Texas State Guard MG Richard A . Box 

a certificate of promotion as the general’s spouse, Lynn, and LTG (TX) Charles 

G . Rodriguez, look on . General Box was brevetted by the governor to the 

honorary rank of lieutenant general . H (Photo by SPC Jeremy Spires) 

CPT (RET) ERWIN H . TEGGEMAN (Life Member #57) joined the Army National Guard in the summer of 1939 while a 

student at Sam Houston State university in Huntsville Texas . His unit (143rd Inf, 36th CPT (R 

student at Sam Houston State 

ID) was activated in November 

of 1941 1941. 

He participated in the invasion at Salerno on 9 Sep 1943, and was amoung the first troops on European 

Soil in WWII WWII. 

He was captured by Germans later that month and after a trip by foot, truck and train he arrived at 

Bruckenwald German Prison Camp Camp. 

He spent 19 months in the prison camp and just before the European surrender 

in 1945, he and two other buddies stole bicycles when they were sent out to pick up potatoes for the camp camp. 

using the 

bicycles they escaped and found their way to the American troops troops. 

They were then sent to England and flown home . 

After being out of the service for several years CPT Teggeman joined the Texas Army National Guard and served in 

Taylor, Texas Texas. 

In 1961 the unit was activated because of the Berlin Crisis . He was made a company commander and 

was sent to Ft Polk, Louisiana for training training. 

They trained at Ft Polk from Oct 61 to Aug 62 . After his return home he 

stayed in the guard for several more years and retired with 23 years of service service. 

CPT Teggeman is pictured with his 

wife Dorothy and they now reside in the Will-O-Bell Nursing home in Bartlett, Texas Texas. 

H (Photo by SGM Ronald H. Kirkpatrick) 

NGAT Conference Photos Wanted 

We have collected some photos and history, but we want more! 

We need your help to fill out the history of NGAT. 


HH h o m e c o m i n g s H 

H 

ON MOTHER’S DAy, a little over a year ago, the Soldiers of 

3-144th Inf “4th Texas” deployed to Iraq . While in Iraq, the 

Battalion of 814 Soldiers patrolled over 100 square miles 

daily . Due to the Soldiers professional and careful execution 

of patrols, the battalion apprehended over 50 suspected 

criminals trying to gain entry on the base by illegal means 

within the first 60 days in country . This is just one of the many 

accomplishments of the battalion . Family and friends greeted 

members of Task Force Panther as they arrived home in Fort 

Worth, Texas, for their Welcome Home Ceremony . H 

3-144th Inf Returns Home 

HH 

c o n t r a c t o r s r e s c u e d 

Black Hawk helicopters from the Texas Army National Guard wait with their engines running as the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft carrying three former hostages approaches 

Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2. Three U.S. government contractors had been rescued by Colombian security forces after being held captive by the Revolutionary Armed 

Forces of Colombia since their plane crashed in a remote area in February 2003. The C-17 aircraft is based at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lance Cheung) 


H 

H 

H d e p a r t u r e s H 

2-149th Aviation Brigade Prepare to Deploy to Iraq 

A DEPARTuRE CEREMONy WAS HELD in June at Warrior Coliseum at 

South Grand Prairie High School where family and friends gathered 

for a day of fun, music, and food to honor the Soldiers of 2-149th 

Aviation Brigade . 

These Soldiers are headed to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where they will 

complete their mobilization training before deploying to Iraq . The 

2-149th Aviation Brigade will combine with units from Minnesota, 

Oklahoma and South Carolina . Their mission will be to fly air assault, 

VIP transportation, heavy lifting, and general air support missions in 

support of Operation Iraqi Freedom . 

Featured speaker at the ceremony was columnist and radio personality, 

Mark Davis who spoke to the Soldiers thanking them and their families 

for their sacrifices . He also reminded everyone of their responsibility to 

support our troops both at home and abroad . 

Several chapters of the Patriot Guards provided a motorcycle escort to 

the convoy from Grand Prairie to Fort Sill, Oklahoma . H 

(Photos by Bob Fitch/www.grandprairiereporter.com/blog1/2008/06) 

HH 


HHTexas Air National Guard H H 

147th Fighter Wing Redesignated As The 147th Reconnaissance Wing 

(Original Story by CMSgt Gonda Moncada) 

HuNDREDS TuRNED OuT AT ELLINGTON FIELD to bid adieu to the F-16 Fighting 

Falcons of the 147th Fighter Wing . The squadron of jet fighters flew their last 

mission in June after 50 years of protecting the Texas Gulf Coast to make 

room for the MQ-1 Predator as the Air National Guard unit became the 147th 

Reconnaissance Wing . 

Formed in 1917 as the 111th Aero Squadron, the unit became the 111th Tactical 

Reconnaissance Squadron during World War II and it patrolled the Gulf Coast 

for German submarines, and flew 3,840 combat missions . 

In 1950 the unit served in the Korean War, flying close air support and 

interdiction missions destroying 3,000 targets, including two MIG-15 fighters, 

the first Air National Guard unit to do so . 

In 1956 the Ace-In-the-Hole Squadron, as the unit is affectionately called, 

moved to Ellington Field, and in 1958 the 147th Fighter Interceptor Squadron 

was formed and almost immediately placed on 24-hour alert guarding 

America’s skies . 

From 1968 through 1970, the unit served in Vietnam and Thailand, and in 1968 

started training Air National Guard F-102 pilots . One of those pilots, of course, 

became president of the united States, then Lt George W . Bush . 

In September 2000 the first Air Expeditionary Forces deployed to Prince Sultan 

Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during Operations Southern Watch . On September 

11, a day no one will ever foget, four 111th Fighter Squadron aircraft escorted 

The 147th Fighter Wing will train its F-16 Fighting Falcons for the new UAV 

MQ-1 Predator. 

LTG (TX) Charles G. Rodriguez (left), Adjutant General of Texas, and Col Lanny 

McNeeley, 147th Reconnaissance Wing Commander, and CMSgt Priscilla Leger, 147th 

Reconnaissance Wing Command Chief , cut the ribbon to symbolically open a new 

chapter in the history of the Houston Air National Guard Unit. (Photo by SMSgt Marcus Falleaf) 

President Bush onboard Air 

Force One . 

In August 2005 members of the 

unit deployed to Balad Air Base, 

Iraq, in support of Operation 

Iraqi Freedom . During repeated 

deployments since then, the unit 

has remained on 24-hour alert and 

passed every inspection . 

During 90 years of flying history, 

the unit has flown the Curtiss 

JN-4 Jenny, Douglas 2C, Stinson Three F-16 aircraft depart Ellington Field 

49, Curtis 52, A-20, P-39, P-51, F-84 for the last time. (Photo by Ray Lindner) 

Thunderjet, F-51 Mustang, T-6 Texan, 

F-80, T-33, F-86, F-102, F101, F-4 Phantom, C-26 Merlin, F-16A and C and now 

the MQ-1 Predator unmanned Aerial System (uAS) . 

The Predators at Ellington Field are expected to enhance u .S . military 

capabilities worldwide and to aid in Homeland Security missions aimed at 

preventing terrorist attacks at home . 

With its wingspan of 48 feet and a length of 26 feet, the Predator operates 

between 15,000 and 25,000 feet and has a 600-mile range, 20-hour mission 

time . The unmanned aircraft carries three sensor systems — television, 

infrared and radar sensors — for reconnaissance and surveillance missions . 

It can also carry Hellfire missiles and can be used for interdiction . A basic 

crew consisting of a pilot and two sensor operators operate the Predator from 

the ground . 

“A chapter of 147th Fighter Wing was closed and a new chapter for the 147th 

Reconnaissance Wing was opened,” said Brig . Gen . Donald Harvel, the Texas 

Air National Guard Deputy Commander . “I am very proud of the men and 

women of the 147th Reconnaissance Wing for their tremendous service and 

hard work to transform into a wing and mission that will serve our state and 

nation for many years to come .” H 

An F-16 aircraft painted in the unit’s 75th anniversary color scheme, prepares for 

its final flight as part of the 147th Fighter Wing. 


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COL Mark N. Campsey 

(NGAT Life Member) 

Commander, HQ 72nd IBCT 

Texas Military Forces Leadership Changes 

The following leadership changes have been made in the Texas Military Forces: 

LTC Jet hays 


Commander, 6th Civil Support Team 

(Weapons of Mass Destruction) 

THE TXMF HALL OF HONOR was created as a permanent tribute to recognize 

members of the Texas Military Forces who have made lasting contributions of 

an outstanding nature to the Texas National Guard . Induction into the Hall of 

Honor is the highest form of recognition the Texas National Guard can bestow 

on an individual and is widely recognized as the crowning achievement of a 

distinguished career . 

Since the program was started in 1980, more than 95 members of the State 

Military Forces of Texas have been inducted . Their pictures, along with the 

narrative explaining their services and deeds, hang proudly in the conference 

room of the Brigadier General John C . L . Scribner, Texas Military Forces Museum 

at Camp Mabry in Austin . For narratives on this years recipients, visit the 

museum website at: www .texasmilitaryforcesmuseum .org/hallofhonor . H 

Col John F. Nichols Nichols, 

149th Fighter Wing commander and 

NGAT Life Member, formally turns 

command of the Texas Air National 

Guard’s 204th Security Forces 

Squadron in El Paso, Texas, over to 

Maj Carl Alvarez. Assisting in the 

ceremony is MSgt Loretta Streza, 

squadron First Sergeant. 

(Photo by SMSgt Mike Arellano) 

2008 TXMF Hall of Honor Induction 

Mrs. Barbara Crayton, TXMF 

(Posthumous) 

LTG Don O. Daniel, TXArNG, retired, 


MG Darren G. Owens 

(NGAT Life Member) was recently 

promoted to Major General and appointed 

as the Special Assistant to the Director, 

Army National Guard. He is responsible 

to represent the Director and the Army 

National Guard in a variety of forums 

including State, NGB, MACOM, HQDA, 

Joint Staff, Congressional and public 

meetings, presentations and conferences. 

Lt Col Albert C. Lloyd Jr., TXArNG, retired, (NGAT Life Member) 

Maj Gen Belisario D.J. Flores, TXArNG, 

retired, (NGAT Life Member) 


CSM (Ret) Clyde & 

Dorothy Worrell 

(Former State CSM), 

LTC (Ret) Ken & Linda 

Caudill (254th CCG), 

and CCMSgt Bill & 

Sharon Maginot 

(Former NGAT 

President and TX 

ANG Command Chief) 

stop for a picture in 

Dawson Creek, British 

Columbia, Canada as 

they travel to Alaska for 

their dream vacations. 

All are NGAT Life 

Members. 

SSgt Olga Snow, a munitions specialist 

with the 149th Fighter Wing, cuts the 

bands on a palette of bomb blanks at 

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, 

Arizona while participating in Coronet 

Cactus, an annual training exercise. 

(Photo by SSgt Andre Bullard) 

N A T I O N A 

Col Kenneth Nereson, NGAT Member and vice commander of the 149th Fighter Wing, 

gives a final briefing at Lackland AFB to pilots before they take off in their F-16 aircraft 

for Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona to participate in Coronet Cactus 2008. 

(Photo by SSgt Eric Wilson) 

These Soldiers are all smiles after completing 

their Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort 

McClellan, Alabama. Pictured left to right: OC Ariel Gonzalez, 

OC Stansel, OC Meyers, OC Bartling, OC Bert Gonzalez. In the back is CPT 

James Monroe, the OCS OIC. 

MSgt Roy McQuatters 

and TSgt Lamont 

Brown conducting 

sensitive site 

exploitation of a 

suspect WMD lab 

during a response 

exercise at North 

Dakota’s Air 

National Guard Civil 

Engineering Regional 

Training Site. 

Chaplain (1LT) James Delgado (NGAT Member) 

conducts chapel service in Trinidad. 


L G U A R D 

SPC Ireneo Flores, survey 

team leader with 6th Civil 

Support Team, mans the 

controls and monitors the 

flow of water going into 

the hose at the vehicle 

decontamination site at 

Camp Tisa, Czech Republic, 

during a 14-day joint 

exercise exercise between Czech 

and American chemical, 

biological, radiological 

and nuclear units. 

(Photo by SFC Merrion LaSonde) 

MAJ Ronald Wilkins (NGAT Life Member) sings the 

National Anthem during a senior NGB leaders promotion 

ceremony at the Pentagon. MAJ Wilkins works at NGB as 

the Army Asymmetric Warfare Office Force Protection 

Resource Manager Team Leader. 

SGT Adrian Torres (NGAT Member), chemical operations specialist, 436th Chemical 

Company, and Staff Sgt. Petr Stania, dosimetric and chemical squad leader, 

312th Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Battalion, Czech 

Army, examine the levels of water and decontaminate fluids in the 

tanks of an ACHR-90 large decontamination vehicle during 

training at Camp Tisa, Czech Republic. 

(Photo by SFC Merrion LaSonde) 

The 436th Chemical 

Company in Afghanistan 

celebrated the U.S. Army 

Birthday by having one 

of their soldiers cut the 

cake. Standing in front 

of the U. S. Army Cake 

is Command Sergeant 

Major Arthur L. Coleman, 

CSTC-A, SPC Glen Pena, 

436th Chem Co, the 

youngest soldier in Camp 

Eggers (19), BG Andrew 

B. Twomey, Combined 

Security Transition 

Command-Afghanistan 

Deputy Deputy Commander, and 

the oldest soldier Major 

J. Johnson (59). 

MAJ Devin James (Asst 

AG TM Chief), CPT Rob 

Chamberlin (SECFOR PL) 

and 1LT Nicole Teasdale 

(ADT Vet Tech) take 

time for a photo prior to 

leaving for a key leader 

engagement in Ghazni 

City, Afghanistan. 


Texans Win the NGAUS Charles Dick Medal of Merit 

THE CHARLES DICK MEDAL OF MERIT was established in 1988 

to recognize the contributions to the National Guard by elected 

representatives of legislative bodies at the state and national 

levels . The medal is named in honor of Major General Charles 

Dick, President of the National Guard Association of the united 

States (NGAuS) from 1902 to 1909, a major general in the Ohio 

National Guard, a Congressman and later a Senator . Dick was 

responsible for the passage of the Dick Acts of 1903 and 1908 

that established the foundation of the modern National Guard . 

NGAT is proud to announce Governor Rick Perry, Senator John 

Cornyn, and u .S . Representative Henry Cuellar have been 

selected to receive the NGAuS Charles Dick Medal of Merit . 

These individuals have distinguished themselves over many 

Governor rick Perry Senator John Cornyn U.S. representative 

henry Cuellar 

years of service in support to the National Guard through service at the state and national levels . Their support has clearly had a lasting effect on the future of the 

Texas National Guard . They are scheduled to receive their award at the NGAuS Conference in September . H 

NGAT Needs You to Join the Legislative Action Team 

NGAT SPEAKS WITH yOuR uS REPRESENTATIVES in the House and Senate on a regular basis . Our agenda focuses on you . however, we can’t do it all alone. 

We need you to contact your respective Congressmen and Senators to voice your opinions and concerns on issues that affect your National Guard careers and 

benefits for both active and retired members . Join the Legislative Action Team by signing up to receive electronic copies of the LEGIT newsletter, Legislative Alerts, 

and other valuable information . 

One of the first lessons you learn in Washington is the importance of good “timing .” The legislative staff knows when the “time is right” on the important issues . 

They know when legislation should be introduced, when committees are meeting, when critical votes will take place, and when a key input will make the most 

impact . When that time is right, NGAuS posts “Legislative Alerts” on the NGAuS web site with all of the information you need to make a difference using the “Write 

to Congress” feature . your support here will benefit all members of the National Guard . Sign up today at the below website: 

www.capwiz.com/ngaus/mlm/signup 


NGAT Night at the Ball Park 

ON 2 JuLy THE ROuND ROCK EXPRESS presented “NGAT Night” at the Dell Diamond . Over 200 NGAT members received free tickets to see the Round Rock 

Express beat the Albuquerque Isotopes 6-2 . 

NGAT gear door prizes were presented throughout the game and one lucky section of NGAT members also won free pizzas from Pizza Hut and free wings at 

Pluckers . NGAT would like to thank the Dell Diamond for their generous donation of tickets . Watch the NGAT web site for more association specials or sign up 

for our email news by sending your email address to ngatnews@ngat .org . H 

ARE yOu PROuD TO BE AN NGAT MEMBER? If so, then why 

not show your pride by purchasing NGAT gear? NGAT has 

a number of items for purchase . Go to the NGAT website at 

www .ngat .org and download an order form today . Call NGAT for exact 

shipping cost based of your total purchase . 

Show your pride and purchase NGAT gear! 

NGAT Tote Bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 10 .00 

Texas Military Forces Tote Bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 10 .00 

NGAT Caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5 .00 

NGAT Lapel Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1 .00 

Texas Flag Shirt (SS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 15 .00 

Texas Flag Shirt (LS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 15 .00 

NGAT Logo Shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 15 .00 


2008 

(Photos by CPT (TX) Michael Spraggins, SSgt Andrea Bullard, SGT Daniel Griego, and SPC Juan Martinez.) 

texas military F 


orces annual training 

SSG (TX) Frank Johnson became an American Citizen at the Campbell 

Educational Center in Houston, TX on July 2. Johnson, a native of Sydney, New 

South Wales, Australia is assigned to the 8th Civil Affairs Regiment in the 

Texas State Guard. Pictured right to left is U.S. District Judge David Hittner, 

SSG Johnson’s wife Amanda, Son Joshua, SSG Johnson, and the ceremony 

guest speaker Thomas Varnell, President and Scout Executive, Sam Houston 

Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. 

Members of the 136th AW and 173rd FW return from an 

exercise sampling operation in a suspected chemical 

weapons laboratory during training at the Chemical 

Biological Radiological and Nuclear Special Tactics 

and Response (CSTAR) courses held at Fort Smith, AR. 

(Pictured from left to right) SRA Robert Clopton, 136AW; 

and A1C Eve Wasche, 173FW. 

�� 

Members of the Texas State Guard successfully 

complete a team building exercise that required them 

to make a raft and transport items from one location 

to another during Annual Training conducted at Camp 

Bowie in Brownwood, Texas. 

(Photo by CPT (TX) J. Michael Spraggins) 

COL Mark Campsey (NGAT Life Member) and 

an unidentified Soldiers evaluate and treat a 

battlefield casualty while participating in the 

Combat Lifesaver’s Course conducted during 

Annual Training at Camp Swift , TX. 

(Photo by SPC Juan Martinez) 

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�� 

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Retired Brig. Gen. and Apollo astronaut Charles Duke Jr. (right) stands 

with his son, Lt. Col. Thomas Duke (NGAT Life Member), an instructor 

pilot with the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing, following 

an orientation flight in an F-16D. General Duke visited the wing as 

guest speaker at the banquet honoring the newest graduates of the 

wing’s F-16 basic course. (Photo by SMSgt Mike Arellano) 

SGT Marc Jones (NGAT Life Member), SSG Robert Ribeiro, SSgt Gonzalo Roman and MSgt Mark 

Martinez (NGAT Life Member) set up a BASE-X tent as part of the Joint Incident Communications 

Capability (JICC) that will provided video teleconference, satellite and cellular communications 

next to the Emergency Operations Center at Brooks City-Base in San Antonio as the National 

Guard prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Dolly. (Photo by Lance Cheung) 

a round t exas 

a round t exas 

Soldiers of the 840th Mobility Augmentation 

Company (MAC) conduct MOUT training at the 

new Fort Wolters’ MOUT Site during their IDT 

weekend training. 

LTC John 

Belousek (NGAT 

Member) ended 

his 23-year career 

in the AF and the 

ANG with a final 

flight in a C-130. 

He was met by his 

loving family with 

a traditional wet 

down as he steps 

off of the C-130. 

(Photo by TSgt 

Charles Hatton) 

LTC Scott Morris (NGAT Life Member) and LTC 

Suzanne Lipcaman check out the skid marks on the 

runway for the landing competition for the C-130s 

at Carwell Field, Texas. The 136 AW held a mini 

Rodeo amongst five aircrafts and five crews. 

(Photo by MSgt Michel Lachman) 

Soldiers and Airmen from the Texas Army and Air National Guard work side 

by side during Operation Jump Start at the Border Patrol Field Intelligence 

Center (BORFIC). Texas Military Forces have been monitoring our borders 

for almost 2 years prior to the completion of the operation 13 June 2008. 

(Photo by SMSgt Elizabeth Gilbert) 


with the Guard 

with the Guard 

The Texas Army National Guard is currently preparing Soldiers to be a 

part of the 627th Heavy Dive Team, the National Guard’s first team of 

divers. Experienced salvage diver SGT Lance Little (top) “attacks” SGT 

Roel Ramos (NGAT Member) during repeated pool “hits” by taking off his 

mask and removing his swimming fins. Prospective dive school students 

must overcome panic and perform corrective actions with one precious 

breath of air. (Photo by MSgt Brenda Benner) 

SPC Muhammed Abusnaineh explains the Arabic script on the new 

recruiting poster. His primary mission is to recruit people with specific 

language skills — namely those who speak Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi, Dari 

or Pashto. (Photo by TSgt Gregory Ripps) 

CSM Alfred Cordova brings the colors of the 72nd IBCT forward during 

the 72nd IBCT Change of Command Ceremony where COL Firmin D. LePori 

relinquished command to COL Mark N. Campsey on the steps on the Alamo 

in downtown San Antonio. (All are Life Members of NGAT.) 

Governor Rick 

Perry auctions off a 

PEACEofMIND5K T-shirt 

signed by Willie Nelson 

at the PEACEofMIND 

5K run, the brain child 

[pun intended] of Dr. 

Robert W. Van Boven, 

a local neurologist. Dr. 

Van Boven’s daughter 

proudly holds up the 

framed T-shirt that 

fetched a whopping 

$850.00 for the cause. 

A friend of the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) 

Museum living in France, Mr. Gerome Villain, 

found two of the many belly tanks dropped to 

succor the “Lost Battalion.” With permission of 

French officials he recovered them on behalf of the 

TXMF Museum. This past January, FedEx donated 

$10,000 in services to return these historic 

materials to Texas where they were recently 

unveiled during the Lost Battalion Symposium. 

The celebration included a ceremony to induct the 

commander of the “Lost Battalion,” then Lt Marty 

Higgins, into the Hall of Honor and featured Franz 

Steidl, author of Lost Battalions, and speakers 

from the “Lost Battalion.” 

Soldier and Airmen Support Center Opens 

CAMP MABRy RECENTLy CELEBRATED the opening of the Soldier and Airmen Support Center . 

This center will offer assistance to Soldiers and Airmen in a variety of areas that include: 

• Survivor Benefits • Retirement Points Accounting Management (RPAM) 

• DOD Vehicles Decals • Retained Records (Archives) 

• Family Support Services • Offical Military Travel Passports 

• ID Cards 

The center is open to both active and retired members of the Texas Military Forces . It is located 

on Camp Mabry in building #34 . To contact the center about their services call 512-782-5976 . 

LTG (TX) Charles G. 

Rodriguez (center), 

Adjutant General of 

Texas, and Cappy 

Rodriguez cut the 

yellow ribbon to 

officially open the 

Soldier and Airmen 

Support Center as 

CW3 Travis Evans 

the center OIC 

looks on. 


V E T E R a n s C O R n E R 

Department of veterans Affairs • 1-800-827-1000 • www.va.gov 

� Take advantage of your � 

State of Texas Veterans Benefits 

LAND LOANS 

Up to $80,000, one acre minimum 

HOUSING LOANS 

Up to $325,000 

HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS 

Up to $25,000 

TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOMES 

Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, 

McAllen and Temple 

TEXAS STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES 

Killeen and Mission. Abilene opening in 2009. 

Active d rv r ists ts: 

1-800-252-VETS 

www.texasveterans.com 

Texas Veterans Land Board 

Jerry Patterson, Chairman 

P.O. Box 12873 

Austin, Texas 78711-2873 

MILITARY CONNECTION 

MILITARyCONNECTION .COM specializes in connecting those seeking employment with outstanding government and civilian employers . All areas of the 

website are free to users, including the Directory of Employers with over 30,000 employers and the brand new Scholarship Directory featuring thousands of 

scholarships . There are over thousands of pages and directories offering users all types of free resources and information . They also feature many Veteran 

resources, including Veteran Centers, Legislation, along with Articles and Columns . H 

DiSCOUNTS FOr CONCEALED hANDGUN TrAiNiNG 

“A TEXAS GIRL’S GuNS” offers private classes necessary for obtaining a Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL), and also functions 

as an official Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer . NGAT members are now being offered CHL classes at discounted prices; other 

discounts on range fees, firearms, and supplies may also be offered . For price quotes, send an email to info@atexasgirlsguns .com 

and be sure to mention NGAT . We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable offer from “A Texas Girl’s Guns” and be sure to 

thank them for their ongoing support of NGAT and our members . To visit their website go to www .atexasgirlsgun .com . H 

hArPEr 

SFC (RET) HENRy HARPER, 

shows off his NGAT Life 

Member Card that he 

purchased in 1977 . 

SFC (Ret) Harper is Life 

Member #12786 . H 

(Photo by CW2 Juan Medrano) 

DOD TO PHASE OUT FULL SOCIAL SECURITY #s ON IDs 

AS A MEANS OF COMBATING IDENTITy THEFT, the Defense Department 

will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed 

onto them . Plans are to remove the Social Security number from identification 

cards issued to military family members by the end of the year, but 

those cards will still display the sponsors’ SSN, for now . Between 2009 

and 2010, all department-issued identification cards will feature only the 

last four digits of a holder’s Social Security number . New identification 

cards will be issues as they reach their expiration dates . H 

SGM (Ret) Phyliss Early (NGAT Life Member) processes an NGAT mailing at the 

Bulk Mail Entry Unit located at the main Post Office in Austin, Texas. 


H Special Offers H 

SESAME STREET EXPERIENCE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES 

SESAME STREET partners with the uSO to 

bring the furry, fuzzy and friendly Muppets 

to military families across the country . The 

Muppets’ Sesame Street Experience for 

Military Families show is free to military 

personnel both active and retired . The show 

is free and exclusively relates to military 

families . The 60 minute experience is a minishow 

with giveaways and outreach materials . Texas tour dates are: 

Fort Sam houston, San Antonio, Texas, Aug 10-11 

Fort hood, Killeen, Texas, Aug 13-14 

For additional information go to the NGAT website at 

www .ngat .org and select “Limited Time Special Offers .” H 

DiSNEy TiCKETS AvAiLABLE By MAiL OrDEr 

HERE’S SOME EXCITING NEWS from the Walt Disney World Resort 

in Flordia . Military retirees, active duty, reservists, National Guard 

personnel and Department of Defense employees qualify for exclusive 

discounts on Disney Theme park tickets, and now you can order your 

tickets by phone . Experiencing the magic of Disney has never been easier . 

Call today to take advantage of exclusive military discounts . 

619-767-6000 — Commander, Navy region Southwest 

210-652-2855 — Air Force Central Ticket Program 

For more information on special base ticket offers in Texas visit the NGAT 

website at www .ngat .org and select travel/discount tickets . H 

Exclusive Savings 

with T-Mobile! 

National Guard Association of Texas Exclusive Offer! 

T-Mobile has partnered with NGAT 

to give exclusive member savings! 

��10% 

Discount on monthly service charges 

��Up 

to 5 FREE Phones on a Family Share Plan 

�� 

�� 

*! 

FREE Standard Shipping & FREE Activation 

Other FREE Phones Available! 

FREE Blackberry Pearl 

with new activation 

Offers are not available in retail stores, through dealers, or on any websites. 

*Subject to credit approval. Requires activation on a qualifying rate plan with a two-year service agreement. Depending on credit results, monthly service 

discount may not apply and upfront payment of first month's service charge may be required. $200/line early cancellation fee and 86¢/line monthly Regulatory 

Programs Fee apply. Taxes additional (and may total approx. 6-28% of your monthly bill). FamilyTime plans: min. 2 lines/max. 5 lines per plan; $9.99/month per 

additional line. Phone supplies may be limited. Some phone offers require a mail-in rebate. See T-Mobile’s Terms and Conditions s (including mandatory arbitration) 

and other relevant pages at www.T-Mobile.com for rate plan information and other details. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark, tr and the magenta color is a 

trademark, of Deutsche Telekom AG. myFaves, the myFaves design, and Stick Together are service marks of T-Mobile USA, Inc. All other brands, product names 

and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. ©2007 T-Mobile USA, Inc. 

W W W . N G A T . O R G H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H 21 

CALL IN 

OFFER 

ONLY! 

Act Now while supplies last! To take advantage of the offer, 

you must CALL T-Mobile at 1-866-464-8662 (option 3) 

A live person awaits to help you! Mention promo code: 9780TMOFAV 

Visit the NGAT website for more benefits of membership! 

Guard Muster 

PRESERVE yOuR NATIONAL GuARD HERITAGE and sign up for GuARD MuSTER . 

A living tribute to all the men and women of America’s National Guard . 

The Guard Muster is the permanent register of Guard men and women, 

past and present, who have been enrolled into the Muster by themselves, 

or by those who wish to honor them . Names in the Muster are displayed 

electronically at a computer kiosk located in the National Guard Memorial 

Museum, as well as online on the National Guard Education Foundation 

website . Visitors are invited to search for individual records, which display a 

person’s name, state, unit, place of birth and Guard duties performed . 

A donation of only $25 is requested 

for each Muster enrollment, with 

an additional $15 to include a 

photograph . The photograph can 

be added to the Muster at any time, 

and may be either black and white 

or color, and no larger than 8”x10 .” 

Anyone who is or has served in 

the National Guard, the relative of 

a Guard member, or is a friend or 

supporter of the Guard is eligible 

for inclusion in the Guard Muster . 

Visit www .ngef .org for more 

information . H

COL Paul D. Aikin, Life Member #15062, retired, Paris 

Mr. roger B. Bailey, Life Member #32085, retired, San Antonio 

Mr. Floyd M. Baird, Life Member #5025, retired, Dallas 

1SG Barney Bolt, retired, Pasadena 

*SPC Kevin J. Alexander, 342 EN CO (horizon Construction), Elgin 

*Mr. Thomas L. Brough, Life Member #13076, retired, Dallas 

*Mr. Alfred J. Eugene, Life Member #26908, retired, Port Arthur 

*Mr. Alfredo Garcia, retired, Corpus Christi 

SGT Paul D. harbison, Life Member #9273, retired, Commerce 

Mr Ernest r. hearon, Life Member #21320, Bolingbrook, iL 

LTC Terrell W. Kirkpatrick, Life Member #32224, retired, Lubbock 

SGT Oscar Knowles, retired, Sugarland 

*SGT Pamela M. Lary, Life Member #23207, retired, Temple 

*Mr. James E. Loomis, Life Member #1496, retired, Mesquite 

MSG Gustavo “Gus” Lopez, Life Member #2539, retired, Austin 

*Mr. Miguel Marquez, retired, El Paso 

Mr. Edward M. Miller, Life Member #2117, retired, Silver City NM 

LTC John r. Mitchell, 36 iD TAC CP #1, huntsville 

CPT Gloria Mote, Life Member #32268, TXSG, houston 

SGT James L. Pryor, Life Member #30341, retired, Clarksville 

Mr. roy E. Stark, Life Member #1476, retired, houston 

Mr. ignacio G. villarreal, Life Member #6786, retired, San Antonio 

Mr. Kevin E. Winegeart, Life Member #17259, retired, Moorehead MN 

*Had NGAT Life Insurance 

Taps (as of 7-7-08) 

NGAT Corporate Members and Sponsors 

LK Town 

22 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H W W W . N G A T . O R G 

Lake 

texas vfw

GSA: 

www.gsaadvantage.gov 

GSA Contract No: GS-07F-0228M 

Model No: F7462 (Parka) 

Model No: F7262 (Trousers) 

Propper International offers the 

offi cial Universal Camoufl age 

2nd Generation ECWCS Parka 

and Trouser made with 

GORE-TEX® fabric. 

This parka and trouser combination is 

constructed of strong, durable and 

waterproof GORE-TEX® fabric. These 

garments offer the only n-IR image sup- 

pression technology which is durable for 

the life of the garment. These garments 

are windproof, breathable and have a 

moisture-wicking barrier for maximum 

comfort in even the harshest conditions. 

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Propper International Sales or GSA. 

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contact Propper International Sales 

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Web: www.propper.com 

GORE-TEX is a trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

National Guard Association of Texas 

3706 Crawford Street 

Austin, Texas 78731-6803 

NatioNal Guard associatioN of texas 

NGAT PLANNiNG CALENDAr 

(As of 1 August 2008) 

2008 

18-21 Aug EANGUS Conference, Savannah, Georgia 

18 Sep United States Air Force Birthday 

19-22 Sep NGAUS Conference, Baltimore, Maryland 

13 Oct Columbus Day Observed (NGAT Office Closed) 

13 Oct United States Navy Birthday 

11 Nov Veteran’s Day Observed (NGAT Office Closed) 

17 Nov NGAT Board Meeting, Austin 

27-28 Nov Thanksgiving Observed (NGAT Office Closed) 

13 Dec National Guard Birthday 

24-30 Dec Christmas Holidays Observed (NGAT Office Closed) 

31 Dec New Year’s Observed (NGAT Office Closed) 

2009 

1 Jan New Year’s Observed (NGAT Office Closed) 

19 Jan Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed 

(NGAT Office Closed) 

16 Feb President’s Day Observed (NGAT Office Closed) 

27-29 Mar 50TH ANNUAL NGAT CONFERENCE, Austin

NGAT Magazine - Summer 2008 - National Guard Association of ...

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