143rd MP Co. Deploys Big Sky Patriot - Montana Army National Guard

Big Sky PatriotA Monthly Publication of the Montana National GuardVolume 1, Issue 15November 2008A publication of the Joint Force Headquarters, Montana National Guard143rd MP Co. DeploysThe 60 members of the Montana Army National Guard 143 rd Military Police Company(Law & Order) began their 12 month deployment cycle upon departure from the GallatinField Airport, Belgrade this month.The unit will mobilize at Ft. Dix, NJ where they will receive their final train up prior to beingsent overseas in support of the Global War on Terror.Brigadier GeneralJohn WalshThe Adjutant GeneralMontana NG Public Affairs StaffMajor Tim Crowe2Lt. Dan BushnellSFC Tom SteberSFC Roger DeySGT Stacey TysonPhotos:All photos by PA Staff unlessotherwise noted• ANA-ETT Update• 1049th FF• Christmas at OurHouse

1049th FFTG Train as they FightPage 3Soldier training comes in many different forms in the Montana Army National Guard, but none as unique as that of the1049 th FFTG Detachment , based in Helena.The Soldiers of this unit are required to not only conduct their Warrior task each month, but keep up-to-date and currenton the latest firefighting and rescue techniques as is their job. The November drill was not exception as approximately15 Soldiers conducted comprehensive extrication exercises on abandoned vehicles at the City of Helena car junkyard.The training provided the Soldiers the opportunity to utilize their equipment, including the PowerHawk extrication tool(jaws of life) as well as a variety of hand tools, such as glass saws. Soldiers of the 1049 th took turns being mock victimstrapped in a vehicle, mimicking a vehicle accident.This training is important as many of the Soldiers of the unit are just returning from their initial training and many of themembers require refresher training, giving all a chance to hone their skills and abilities. The training gives all the membersa chance to use the extrication equipment in a real life situation, as they would be if called upon.

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Page 7Hello from Team Fido in Afghanistan—by MSG Tom MooneyThe latest update on the 3/3/201 st ETT. Our Armor Kandak (BN) had been given the mission of conductinga cordon and search of the two villages, Bar Mandikowl and Lar Mandikowl. Intelligence reports indicatedthat the Taliban had moved 40 surface to surface rockets into the villages in preparation for futureattacks on both Kabul and Bagram Airfield. The Kandak conducted this operation while being evaluatedby a VTT, or Validation Training Team, a part of the process of being rated as to their ability of independentcombat operations. After the outer and inner cordons were established, elements of Weapons Companyand 2 nd Company (Armor) conducted a knock and search in both villages. A Shura was held with theelders of the villages, the ANA XO and Religious Officer and LTC Yaeger discussing the Taliban, the conditionof the road leading to the village as well as the “40” rockets. The search yielded none of the reportedrockets, yet the mission was a success based upon the principals of COIN. Positive contact withthe citizens of a remote valley by the Afghan National Army and a Kandak proving their ability to plan, resourceand conduct its own operations.In the past couple of weeks Team FIDO has also been designated as the Air Assault Quick Reaction Forcefor the voter registration program. The registration leading up to new national elections was being conductedin Parwan, Kapisia, and Panjier Provinces. Thus far voter registration gone smoothly with few reportedproblems.LTC Yaeger greeting an arriving village elderMSG Mooney & LT Babulla inside a QRF MI-17 HipSFC Willy Frank Providing security for the Shura