Features - Nevada National Guard

Fall 2009 / BATTLE BORN / 1

In accordance with Department of Defense Instruction5120.4, Battle Born is an authorized, unofficial publication ofthe Nevada National Guard. Content is not necessarily theofficial view of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. government, theDepartment of Defense, the Nevada National Guard or the stateof Nevada. It is published by AQP Publishing, Inc., a private firmin no way connected with, but under exclusive written contractwith, the Nevada National Guard.

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From Senior Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Drop Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6From Enlisted Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Personnel Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Sports News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Enlistments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Promotions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Retirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Events Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Future appears bright with solar project installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Army Guard ready for expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8New faces in new enlisted roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Assault response coordinator ready to assist, inform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Trooper Chuck has dual career in Air Guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Déjà vu for public affairs officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Vietnam finale: Topken is Nevada Air Guard’s last Vietnam vet . . . . . . . . . . 16Suicide prevention training aims to curb trend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Air Guard remains busy around the globe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20PTAE tests soldiers’ skills, mettle before deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Top Three Council, Senior NCO Conference vital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241/168th MEDEVAC returns home from Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Features:

ON THE COVER: Master Sgt. William Topken, seen here inVietnam in his early 20s, is the Nevada Air Guard’s lastVietnam vet. He will retire next year.Photo: Courtesy of Master Sgt. William Topken

Governor Jim GibbonsCommander in Chief

Nevada

Brigadier General Bill BurksThe Adjutant GeneralNevada National Guard

Bob Ulin, PublisherMarie Lundstrom, Editor

Gloria Schein, Graphic DesignerChris Kersbergen, Advertising Sales

Toll Free: (866) 562-9300 • Fax: (907) 562-9311www.AQPpublishing.com

www.nevadaguard.com

GovernorJim Gibbons

The Adjutant GeneralBrigadier General Bill Burks

Managing Editor/State Public Affairs OfficerCaptain April Conway

EditorSergeant First Class Erick Studenicka

Staff WriterSergeant Mike Getten

Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Contributors

Ashley ButlerUniversity of Nevada, Reno, Intern

Specialist Robert Honeycutt106th Public Affairs Detachment

Staff Sergeant Rebecca Palmer152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Steve RansonJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Departments:


In August, the Nevada NationalGuard has successfully completed itsState of the State address at theNational Guard Bureau in Washington. Iam proud to report we are one of thebest National Guard organizations in theUnited States.

With that trip, we successfullycompleted a journey that began threeyears ago with a goal to be among thetop 10 on the Director’s StrengthReadiness Oversight report among the50 states and four territories thatconstitute the Army National Guard. In

several areas, we are No. 1 in the nation. This is a significantaccomplishment and one for all of us to be very proud.

Additionally, we recently received a significant force structureincrease within the Nevada Army Guard. We acquired the 17thSustainment Brigade that will become the first modified table oforganization and equipment – capable of going into combat theater– brigade headquarters in Nevada state history.

Along with the brigade, we added the 757th Combat ServiceSupport Battalion, the 609th Sapper Company, Company B, 422ndExpeditionary Signal Battalion and an engineer haul platoon. Thisforce structure promises to increase our strength from 2,500 to morethan 3,200 soldiers. With our ongoing outstanding performance, wewill continue to be deployed into combat theaters. Nevada soldiershave proven to be the best in the U.S. Army.

With this unprecedented growth, it is a great time to be in theNevada National Guard. This era is sure to allow our soldiers andairmen tremendous opportunities for ongoing personal growth andpromotional opportunities. �

FROM SENIOR LEADERSHIPBrigadier General Frank Gonzales • Colonel Michael Carlson

Taking a military career past 20 yearsis an important challenge that needs tobe addressed as early as possible.

I have sat on selection and hiringboards of all types and seen oneconsistent, major problem – manysoldiers and airmen don’t take the timeto manage their careers. Somethingthat’s often overlooked is that theseboards are less about achievementsand more about the potential forimproving the organization.So, what does your potential account

look like?Potential is not a history lesson about the past year’s work.

Potential is about making you a viable asset to the growth andfuture direction of the organization.

Therefore, potential must become your personal watchword.Your career path must be a series of developmental steps that

focus on adding to your potential to contribute to the organization.Continually ask yourself these questions:“Is this adding to my poten-tial account?” and “How is this contributing to the organization?”

Here are three key points you should carry away to build yourpotential account: manage your career, seek challenges, documentyour accomplishments.

Manage your career. Like most things in life, the fate of yourcareer is in your hands. Don’t rely on the “system” to see you beyond20 years – this is something you must pursue, track and monitor.

Some of the low hanging fruit to get your hands around includecivilian education, professional military education, physical fitnessand leadership development.

The bachelor’s degree you struggled to earn is only the beginning.Civilian education should be the cornerstone of a lifetime effortfor self-improvement and professional advancement. Career

Commander’s report: Nevada National Guard among best in the nation

Brig. Gen. Frank GonzalesArmy Guard Commander

Potential – An important word to remember during military careerenhancement also means looking for opportunities beyond basiceducation. These are training classes that might not equate toadvancement, but enhance your viability – building up yourpotential account.

Maintaining a sound body is an ongoing requirement throughoutyour military career and is a matter of self-discipline more than any-thing else. Don’t allow a fitness test to become an emotional event.

Networking is a career enhancement that provides a lifetime ofbenefits. Effective networking goes beyond friendship by providingbonds of support and learning with each new advancement.

Seek challenges. I have often seen this used as a selectiondiscriminator, especially involving command positions.

The question is: “Did you flourish in the hard assignments orseek the easy road throughout your career?”

Treat every new duty position as if it’s the most importantassignment of your career, because it just might be. If the hardassignments don’t come your way – go after them.

Document your accomplishments.Maximize the effectivenessof your evaluation forms and document your accomplishments.Remember, you need to get on your rater’s busy calendar for timelyperformance counseling. This goes back to managing your career.

Document all of your accomplishments above and beyond justdoing your job. You’d be surprised how often these moments areforgotten in the write-up of your evaluation. Career enhancementsays to start now to note one or two items on your support form thatcan improve the overall organization to some degree.

Everything you do must contribute to your forward momentumas a soldier, airman, leader and person. My recommendations arenot the Holy Grail for success, but I do believe they are an insight forcareer enhancement and will make you a valuable asset for thefuture success of our organization.

If your evaluations are primarily filled with common remarks,you face a serious challenge getting past the 20-year mark.

Think about it. What does your POTENTIAL account look like? �

Col. Michael CarlsonArmy Guard Chief of Staff

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By Ashley ButlerJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs Intern

CARSON CITY – Like so many othercommunities, businesses and organizationsacross the nation, the Nevada National Guardis making necessary changes to becomemore energy and cost efficient. With thatgoal in mind, the Nevada Guard is looking tocapitalize on two of its abundant naturalresources, sunlight and land, to produce itsown renewable energy.

Three Nevada National Guard facilitieshave become construction sites for majorsolar module structure projects thisautumn. The three sites include the LasVegas Readiness Center, the Floyd EdsallTraining Center near North Las Vegas andthe Office of the Adjutant General complexin Carson City. These sites were selectedbecause they are the biggest energy con-sumers of all Nevada Army Guard locations.

When the project is complete, theNevada National Guard will be ahead ofschedule as it works toward its goals forrenewable electricity production. Federalmandates state that by 2015 at least 20percent of all the energy used by NevadaNational Guard military locations must comefrom renewable sources.When finished, thesolar structures will give the Nevada NationalGuard the capacity to produce fully 60percent of its energy from renewablesources by March 2010.

“Overall, this project is a big step for theNational Guard as it moves toward its goalof becoming an organization that is aresponsible example for other organizationsin the field of energy efficiency,” said ChiefWarrant Officer Jim Groth, an environmentalprotection specialist for the Nevada ArmyNational Guard. “Some schools and civilianbusinesses are already interested in makinga change and switching to solar energy useafter seeing the plans for this project. TheGuard will assist these entities as acommunity outreach effort in providing itslessons learned from this construction.”

All three of the locations will feature thesame design. The parking lots at all threelocations will be covered by carports withsolar modules attached at the top. Thesecarports benefit the Guard by collectingsolar energy and they will also create abetter environment for employees bycreating covered parking with significantlycooler temperatures in comparison to open-air parking.

Another important fact surrounding theupcoming project is that federal dollars willnot be used. A private-sector firm, SierraSolar I, LLC, is the sponsor company forthe solar energy carports.The firm will coverthe engineering, procurement and con-struction costs estimated at $17 million.

In return, the Nevada Guard will purchaseenergy from Sierra Solar I at a fixed price forthe next 20 years regardless of fluctuatingprices in the energy market.

“This energy business model knownas a power purchase agreement can bereplicated by other state agencies andcommercial entities to facilitate majorrenewable energy development and bringsignificant positive environmental andeconomic impact to Nevada,” Groth said.

Combined, the solar energy collectorswill produce about 3.4 megawatts of energy,equivalent to about 15,000 kilowatt hoursof electricity per day. The OTAG complex inCarson City will have a capacity of about 1.4megawatts and the other two sites will

produce about 1 megawatt apiece. Times ofthe day and months of the year will affectthe amount of energy produced as theamount of sunlight will vary.

During peak days of sunlight, the solarmodules will create more energy than theGuard will consume. This extra energy willbe diverted back to the power grid andgive the Guard sites with the solar panelscredit toward future power bills in awin-win situation for the Guard and theenergy company.

Some questions concerning how theproject would affect the environment andwildlife arose during the planning stages, butbecause the solar modules will be built overpreviously developed land – the parking lots– the wildlife impact promises to be minimal.The project received its final Nevada Boardof Examiners approval on Sept. 8, andconstruction has already started.

Groth said other organizations in Arizona,Colorado, Texas and California are joiningforces with Nevada in “going green” withsolar energy. With its abundance of landand sunshine, the Nevada Guard is amongthe first of Nevada’s large organizationsable to cash in on its home state’s solarenergy potential.

Groth said that although constructionmay cause some temporary inconvenienceswith parking at the three constructionsites, the end result will be very positive foreveryone. �

With solarmodules,future brightfor Guard,environment

Nevada National Guard soldiers install solar modules at the Office of the Adjutant General inCarson City last winter. The modules served as training and test equipment for this fall’ssolar module installation at three Nevada Guard sites.Photo: Courtesy of Nevada Army Guard Environmental Office

6 / BATTLE BORN / Fall 2009

SEASIDE, Ore. – Lt. Col. Jeff Mark displaysthe American flag and his team’s medals atthe finish line of the 197-mile Hood-to-CoastRelay Aug. 29. Mark was the anchor leg onthe “360 goes 180” team this year thatincluded nine civilians and three militarymembers. While deployed in Iraq last year,Mark ran three virtual legs of the relay in“real time” remotely for the team andexchanged with other runners via satellitephone. Mark’s idea of running virtual relaylegs caught on, and this year 61 Oregon ArmyNational Guard soldiers ran legs of the Hood-to-Coast Relay remotely from their bases inIraq. Photo: Courtesy of Lt. Col. Jeff Mark

RENO – The “Autism Cycle,” itsdesign inspired by the NationalGuard, took a spin around the ArmyAviation Support Facility in Steadbefore heading to Reno’s motor-cycle event, Street Vibrations,Sept. 25. The cycle is owned by thefamily of Sgt. Ronald Seagreavesand promotes awareness aboutautism, a neurological disorderwhich affects one in 150 childrenin the U.S., including Seagraves’nephew A.J. The cycle has visitedseveral racetracks and events,including the Red Bull U.S. GrandPrix, to spread awareness andinform the public about autism.Photo: Courtesy of Sgt. Ronald Seagraves

LAS VEGAS – Master Sgt. Donald Sandershugs his wife, Natalie, upon his arrival backin Nevada July 23 after the EmbeddedTraining Team concluded its mission toAfghanistan. The soldiers landed at McCarranAirport after serving a year-long tour of dutyin Afghanistan. This was a unique team fromthe Nevada Army Guard. They left in August2008 and trained and fought alongsideAfghan forces, including the Afghan army,police and border patrol. Photo: Courtesy ofKevin Cannon, Las Vegas Review-Journal

WASHOE VALLEY – Domenic Veneziano Jr., 6, left, who has refused to take off his camoclothing since his dad, Domenic Veneziano Sr., deployed with the 1/221st Cavalry inApril, works on his equestrian abilities July 25 with a volunteer at the Center forAdaptive Riding. In conjunction with the Nevada Guard’s family support office, thecenter hosted all children of deployed soldiers that day and offered free instructionand riding. For information on the center, call (775) 329-1839. Photo: Heather Bryan


Spc. Andrew Silva from L Troop in Yerington makes newfriends after distributing some small gifts to childrennear his undisclosed forward operating base.Photo: Spc. Andrew Silva

Sgt. Patrick Johnson had the rare photo opportunity fora solar eclipse over his forward operating base in July.Photo: Sgt. Patrick Johnson

AFGHANISTAN – Now in its fifth month of duty inAfghanistan, the 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry, continuesto perform its convoy security and reconstructionmissions in more than a dozen locations in the country.A large number of Nevada soldiers are at a forwardoperating base in Mehtar Lam. Although a car bombingoccurred just two miles from Nevada soldiers inSeptember, there have been no casualties in the 700-soldier squadron as of early October.

Some of the sights from the deployment include thephotos below.

Iraqi children say thank you to 1864th soldiers after receiving some waterbottles, soda and Pop Tarts from the troops. Photo: Courtesy of Spc. Jake Sere

KUWAIT – Spc. Scott Pitt of the 1864th Transportation Company removesradio parts from a Humvee in Kuwait Oct. 7. Pitt has been in the Army Guardfor four years. The 1864th is now in its fifth month in southwest Asia with itsongoing mission to haul heavy equipment and assist with convoy security.The unit, with about 160 soldiers, is due back home in Las Vegas in thespring of 2010. Photo: Spc. Joshua Sizemore, 593rd Sustainment Brigade

By Sgt. Mike GettenJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

CARSON CITY – As a result of its efforts in Washington, theNevada Army Guard is in the process of receiving one new brigade,adding one battalion within the new brigade, replacing a currentbattalion with a new sustainment battalion and adding two companies.

With this prodigious expansion will come new employment andpromotion opportunities – and some growing pains until the ArmyGuard constructs more facilities for its growing number of soldiers.

The new units will create nearly 600 traditional and full-timejobs. Soldiers began to be assigned to the new units Sept. 1 and willbe available for state and federal missions in September 2011 whenthe units are fully equipped and staffed.

“The addition of these units will mark the largest single influx ofgrowth for theArmy Guard in the state’s history,” said Col.Alan Butson,the Nevada Army Guard’s director of personnel. “We will receive a

Soldiers in the 240th and 777th Engineer units replace a section of concrete at the Stead Training Site in August 2009. These two units, alongwith the newly-formed 277th Engineer unit in Las Vegas, now fall under the new 17th Sustainment Brigade in the Nevada Army Guard’scurrent force structure. Photo by Sgt. Mike Getten

significant increased amount of both active Guard and reserve andtechnician jobs proportionate to the traditional growth.”

The major additions include the following:

• The new brigade, 17th Sustainment Brigade Headquarters, willcall the LasVegas Readiness Center home and have 309 soldiers.Its subordinate internal battalion, the 17th Special TroopsBattalion, will be located at the Reid Readiness Center in Stead.

• The 992nd Troop Command will become the 757th CombatSustainment Services Battalion. With its 78 soldiers, it too willbe located at the LVRC.

• The 46 soldiers in the new 277th Engineer Platoon will join twoother engineering units, the 240th Engineer Company and the777th Engineer Detachment at the LVRC.

EXPLOSION


Nevada Army Guard positionsitself for expansionNevada Army Guard positionsitself for expansion

• The new signal unit, Bravo Company, 422nd ExpeditionarySignal, will relocate to the Edsall Armory (aka Clark County)from Alabama with its 146 soldiers.

Butson explained that Nevada added smaller units the NationalGuard Bureau offered in the past, and that past cooperation assistedthe state when NGB looked for sites for a new brigade.

“Nevada was one of only four states or territories that did not havea brigade headquarters,” Butson said.

Sgt. Maj. Mark Rogers, training sergeant major for operationalplans and joint force development, said the expansion effort beganlong ago.

“We began lobbying and planning about two years ago to bring inadditional force structure and expand the Nevada Army Guard,”Rogers said.

With the addition of dozens of senior officer and enlisted slots, theexpansion is sure to increase upwardmobility among Nevada soldiers.

“There is growth and promotion potential for everyone, especiallyif soldiers are willing to change their military occupation to match thenew units’ occupational requirements,” Rogers said. “We will alsogain a number of full-time jobs as a direct result of the expansion.”

About the only negative associated with the expansion is thateveryone will have to compress into even tighter work spaces tomake room for the newcomers.

“We will have to put even more equipment into our alreadylimited space,” Rogers said. “The new force structure growth willforce existing units to consolidate their space to make room for thenew units. Everyone will lose space until new armories can be built.”

Tomake room for the new units, the followingmoves will bemade:

• The 221st Cavalry will condense its space at the Edsall Armoryto make room for the incoming signal unit.

• The 991st Troop Command will condense its workspace at ReidReadiness Center to make room for the 757th Special TroopsBattalion.

• Both the 1/168th MEDEVAC and the 1/189th Aviation companieswill condense into one command suite at Reid Readiness Center.

• The 106th Public Affairs Detachment moved from Stead tothe Office of the Adjutant General building in Carson City.The 150th Maintenance Company made room for the PADin its command suite.

New brick-and-mortar buildings for all of Nevada’s new soldiersappear to be years away from completion. According to Capt. DanThielen, the Nevada Army Guard’s facilities designs and projectsmanager, an actual soldier surplus must exist before building cancommence.

“You cannot build for force you don’t have,” Thielen said. “Thisoffice recognizes there will not be enough room for the new soldiers,and it will be difficult to catch up to the expansion. But we are work-ing diligently with Guard Bureau and our congressional delegations toremedy the issue.”

Thielen said a new readiness center has been proposed for asite just north of the Edsall Readiness Center, and a fieldmaintenance shop is set to be built next to the Las Vegas ReadinessCenter. Construction is set to begin on both facilities within the nexttwo years.

A civil support team building at Las Vegas Readiness Center is alsoin the planning stages.

Rogers said the positive effects of the expansion will far outweighany growing pains.

“We will all have to deal with the pain of not having enoughspace, but there will be many long-term benefits,” Rogers said. �



By Command Chief Master Sgt. Rick ScurryState Command Chief

The enlisted force structure of the AirForce requires each of its command chiefmaster sergeants to “provide leadership tothe enlisted force and advise commanderson matters impacting the enlisted force,among other responsibilities.”

As the Nevada Air Guard’s commandchief master sergeant, I am the principaladvisor to the adjutant general for all enlistedairman affairs, including force structure,leadership development, benefits programsand airman recognition. But I see my dutiesencompassing much more than those topics.

The Nevada Air National Guard has arich and storied history we can all take pridein. Since 9/11, our operational tempo hasbeen greater than ever, and it continues totest us every day.

We live in a high-tech world that ismoving at an incredible pace, so we musthave the vision tomove forward. At the sametime, it is important to remember that muchof our success is rooted in fundamentalsand basics.

I would like to return to the root of whatconstitutes a top military organization andprioritize discipline, high standards, morale,professionalism and leadership.

I understand the National Guard of thepast and the Guard of the present. We needto stop resisting change and allow transfor-mation to occur.

A big part of that is changing the cultureof the Guard in our state.Today’s airmen don’tjoin the organization based on what aircraftis sitting on the ramp or social activities.They join for a variety of reasons: travelopportunity, discipline, structure, patriotism

Newpositionentailsbroad spectrumof topics

and educational benefits, to name just a few.Members stay because they like theirorganization or first line supervisor; theyleave for precisely the opposite reasons.

Communication, top to bottom andbottom to top, is critical to the success ofany organization. We need to listen to ourjunior airmen.When they have an issue or aquestion, we have to ensure that we getback to them with an answer. We need touse our councils to educate and inform.

We need strength in our processes. Isthe current way of doing business the bestway? Is it the correct way? Is it what is bestfor our airmen?

I want to take a good look at some ofour business practices and, with your assis-tance, make appropriate changes. We needto eliminate the time wasted resolvingissues that arise due to poor processes.

Everyone needs to manage their owncareer. You play a big part in your profes-sional development. What do you want?Do you have a plan to get there? Is account-ability in place for you to succeed?

We need to give airmen the opportunityto have a full career that includes a broadspectrum of education, experience andassignments.

Let me conclude by saying it’s an honorand privilege to serve you, the enlisted menandwomen of the NevadaAir National Guard.

I understand that, just like the stripes onmy shoulders are borrowed, so too is theadded star on my chevron. I will do myabsolute best to serve you in taking care ofenlisted issues that affect Nevada’s airmenand their families. �

Although Scurry has been in the military for29 years, he can’t retire until at least 2011when his daughter Allie is set to graduatefrom the University of Nevada, Reno.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Rick Scurry

FROM ENLISTEDLEADERSHIP


CARSON CITY – The structure of theNevadaArmy Guard’s senior enlisted leader-ship experienced major changes during thesummer as Command Sgt. Maj. StephenSitton was named the state’s first seniorenlisted leader by Brig. Gen. Bill Burks inJuly and Command Sgt. Maj. Darryl Keithleystepped into the state sergeant major rolevacated by Sitton.

With the creation of the new position,Nevada joins 20 other state National Guardswith senior enlisted leaders. Sitton’s dutieswill include oversight of enlisted training,morale, leadership, personnel and logistics.He will also act as an advocate on all enlistedmatters for soldiers, airmen, their familiesand their civilian employers.

Sitton said the increasingly joint organi-zation of the National Guard made the newposition a necessity.

“The Adjutant General needed a seniorenlisted leader who could report to him onall matters that pertain to the enlisted sol-diers and airmen of the Nevada NationalGuard,” Sitton said.

Sitton said his duties will be similar tothose in his previous position and will

strengthen the ties between Army and Airenlisted ranks.

“My goals are the same as they werewhen I was the state command sergeantmajor,” Sitton said. “We will strive forexcellent communication from top to bottomand bottom to top and have great leader-ship from both sides. Our soldiers andairmen deserve nothing less.”

Prior to his current new position, Sittonserved as the state command sergeantmajor for 12 years.

Keithley was named the Nevada Guard’sstate command sergeant major by ArmyGuard commander Brig. Gen. Frank GonzalesAug. 5. As the state command sergeantmajor, Keithley is among the top enlistedleaders for the Nevada National Guard. Heensures the policies and standards of theperformance, training, appearance andconduct of the enlisted soldiers in theNevada Army National Guard.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Keithley has theskills and abilities to lead the Nevada ArmyNational Guard into one of the greatest erasof military growth and the largest deploy-ment of Nevada soldiers fighting the globalwar on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan,”said Gonzales upon announcing Keithley’snew position. “He brings with him anoutstanding level of combat experienceand genuine care for our soldiers and theirfamilies.”

Prior to his current new position,Keithley was the command sergeant majorfor the 991st Troop Command. He was alsothe first sergeant for the 72nd MilitaryPolice Company when it deployed to Iraqin 2003. �

Sitton, Keithley step into newenlisted roles

Command Sgt. Maj.Stephen Sitton

Command Sgt. Maj.Darryl Keithley

Compiled by Sgt. 1st Class Erick StudenickaPERSONNEL BRIEFSGovernor hosts assumptionceremony for Burks

With the sights and sounds of racingT-38s providing a fitting backdrop, NevadaGov. Jim Gibbons and the Nevada Guardmarked Brig.Gen.WilliamBurks’ assumptionof command ceremony Sept. 19 at the ArmyAviation Support Facility in Stead. Burkswas appointed the adjutant general for theNevada Guard by Gibbons in June, but thisceremony officially marked his assumptionof command. During his speech, Burksthanked Gibbons for the opportunity toserve Nevada.

Gibbons presided over the event thatincluded representative elements from everyunit in the Nevada Air and Army Guard. TheAir National Guard Band of the West Coastfrom Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., providedthe music for the ceremony.

Fornof named director of thejoint staff

Col. TerrenceFornof was namedthe Nevada NationalGuard’s director ofthe joint staff byAdjutant GeneralBrig. Gen. Bill BurksJuly 15. In his newposition, Fornof will act as the principalmanagement liaison between the adjutantgeneral and all assigned Nevada Guardcomponents and units.

With confirmation, Fornof is set to attainthe rank of brigadier general. Burks was thedirector of the joint staff before he wasnamed adjutant general.

Prior to his current position, Fornofserved as the advisor to the U.S. Air ForceWarfare Center commander. He wasresponsible for developing and coordinatingpolicies, programs and plans affecting theintegration of the Nevada Air Guard into thewarfare center. He was also the deputychairman for the Governor’s Blue Ribbonpanel responsible for developing the NevadaAir Guard vision through 2025.

Fleitz becomes commanderof recon squadron at Creech

Air Guard officer Lt. Col. James Fleitzbecame the commander of the 30thReconnaissance Squadron at Creech AirForce Base July 30. The Nevada Air Guard is

integrated with Creech and Nellis AirForce bases in southern Nevada supportinga variety of unmanned aircraft systemsmissions.

The 30th Reconnaissance Squadron is adevelopmental UAS squadron under the432nd Wing, Air Combat Command.

Fleitz has been a member of the NevadaGuard for more than four years, serving asboth MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaperinstructor pilot in three 432nd combat andtraining squadrons, as well as the 432ndWing director of staff for the past year.

Farris takes over at RegionalTraining Institute

Lt. Col. Joanne Farris became thecommander at the 1st Battalion, 421stRegiment, Regional Training Institute in aSept. 27 ceremony in Reno. She took overthe command from Lt. Col. Cori Powers.

Farris is a 2004 graduate of Commandand General Staff College. She earned herbachelor’s degree from the University ofNevada, Reno, in 1991 and her master’sdegree with from Clayton College in 2004.

She works full-time at the SierraNevada Veterans Hospital in Reno as arecreation therapist.

Prior to serving as commander at RTI,Powers was on active duty for three yearsas assistant professor of Military Scienceand executive officer for the University ofNevada, Reno, Reserve Officer TrainingProgram. Upon completion of that assign-ment in 2005, she was assigned to theUnited States Property and Fiscal Office asthe chief of purchasing and contracting.

Karrick new commander ofOperational Support Airlift

The command of the Nevada ArmyGuard’s Detachment 45, Operational SupportAirlift, changed Aug. 18 when Chief WarrantOfficer Steve Karrick assumed command ofthe Reno unit from Chief Warrant OfficerMike Billow. Brig. Gen. Frank Gonzales,commander of the Nevada Army Guard,presided over the ceremony. Detachment45 is the only Army Guard unit in Nevadathat features a fixed-wing aircraft, a C-12 Umodel Beech Super King Airplane.

Karrick, 46, who resides in Reno, grewup in Corpus Christi, Texas. He joined themilitary in 1987 and attended flight schoolin 1990. He holds a bachelor’s degree fromEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Billow, 60, the first officer to attain therank of chief warrant officer five in theNevada Army Guard, retired in Septemberafter recordingmore than 40 years ofmilitaryservice, including 30 with the Nevada ArmyGuard and more than 15,000 flight hours inboth helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

The unit becamewell known in the worldof aviation after it set the world altituderecord for turboprop aircraft with a 1,000-to 2,000-kilogram payload in September2002 at the Reno National Championship AirRaces and Air Show. At the time, thestandard was considered one of aviation’s“10 most wanted” records.

Santiago surpasses 1,000flight hours in combat zone

In September, MasterSgt. Santiago Santiago,192nd Airlift Squadron,became the first NevadaGuard airman to surpass1,000 combat hoursaboard one of theNevada Guard’s C-130s.Santiago is a combatflight engineer.

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, right, congratu-lates Brig. Gen. Bill Burks on his assumptionof command of the Nevada National GuardSept. 19 in Reno. Photo: Sgt. Mike Getten



First and foremost, I would like to intro-duce myself and greet the entire NevadaNational Guard extended family. My nameis Capt. Melissa Buschette, and I am thenewly appointed Sexual Assault ResponseCoordinator for the Nevada National Guard.

Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime in the world. It’s necessaryto educate ourselves about the crime andhow it differs from the more publicized term,sexual harassment. The National Guarddefines sexual assault as, “intentionalsexual contact, characterized by use of force,physical threat or abuse of authority orwhen a victim does not or cannot consent.”

Sexual assault and its ramifications needto be taken seriously by every airman andsoldier. This crime is extremely damaging toeveryone involved. It shatters the corevalues of both the Air and Army NationalGuard and leaves a devastating path ofdestruction. The morale of individuals andthe units they reside in can be broken, oftenbeyond repair, by one traumatic event.

As the Joint Force Headquarters SARC,it’s my responsibility to promote educationsurrounding sexual assault and its effectson our community through the SexualAssault Prevention and Response trainingprogram. This year the main focus of theSAPR program is to teach soldiers andairmen how to intervene in and preventsexual assault.

It is my intent through this program toinform every airman and soldier that sexualassault is a crime and will not be tolerated.I want to ensure that every airman andsoldier knows whom to contact should anassault occur, what resources are available,and what their rights are as a survivor. Nosurvivor should ever feel helpless followingan incident of sexual assault because oflack of resources. The National Guard hasprioritized the prevention of sexual assaultand the support of its survivors; however,there is always room for improvement. Theultimate goal of the Nevada SAPR programis to train our airmen and soldiers to thepoint where we can completely eradicatesexual assault from our ranks.

Scenarios discussed during SAPRtraining can evoke a multitude of emotionsfor the participants. Sexual assault is anuncomfortable topic and in an attempt tomask one’s discomfort, a person may be

New sexual assault responsecoordinator ready to assist, informBy Capt. Melissa Buschette, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator

Sexual assault and sexual harassment may seem the same, but they are in factvery different. The National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programdefines sexual harassment as, “a form of gender discrimination that involves one ormore of the following: unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/orverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

• Sexual assault is “intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force,physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannotconsent.”

• Sexual assault refers specifically to rape, forcible sodomy, indecent assault, orcarnal knowledge, or attempts to commit these acts.

• Sexual assault is a crime punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Sexual harassment can be considered rude comments, jokes or other advancesthat are sexually explicit and uncomfortable. Sexual harassment can involve physicalcontact but when physical contact becomes sexual in nature for example, grabbing orrubbing the body or grabbing a breast, it crosses the line into sexual assault. Sexualassault involves physically violating someone sexually. There is a significant differencebetween sexual harassment and sexual assault, but both are completely unacceptablein today’s military.

inclined to make inappropriate comments,jokes and even snicker. As the SARC,I respectfully request everyone keep in mindthat no one truly knows what the personnext to you or down the row from you hasovercome in their life. He or she could be asexual assault survivor or a family memberof a survivor of sexual assault.

I am a serious advocate for the healthand well being of every airman and soldierin the National Guard. I have devoted aconsiderable amount of time to advocacyprograms for sexual assault victims, campusresources for our college Guardsmen, andcontinuous education about resourcesavailable to victims throughout the state.I have worked diligently with the NevadaCoalition Against Sexual Violence through-out Nevada in the past and am alwayslooking for additional programs and eventsthat support members of the NevadaNational Guard.

The Nevada National Guard also has anamazing team of unit victim advocates anda wing SARC who are passionate about thewell being of every airman and soldier in theNevada National Guard. Our current groupof individuals involved in the SAPR programhave the qualities which, I believe, will leadto an exceptional Sexual Assault Preventionand Response program for Nevada and

allow our program to become a benchmarkfor other National Guard states throughoutthe country.

Staff Sgt. Michael Noyce Merino, thecurrent Army Noncommissioned Officer ofthe Year, recently spoke at the Army SexualAssault Prevention and Response Summit.His words accurately describe the theme ofthe SAPR program: “We see every soldier aspart of a brotherhood. Sexual assault is aviolation of that trust. There is no leewayfor that. We don’t accept that. Every soldierknows what the standards are and what isexpected of them. Sexual assault is nottolerated in any way.”

If you are interested in becoming a unitvictim advocate, if you have any questionsregarding the SAPR program, or if you needto speak with someone about sexual assault,please call me at (775) 291-7820. �

Sexual assault Sexual harrassmentVS


RENO – Nevada National Guard airman Charles “Chuck”Allen’s dual careers have combined to make him a household namein Nevada.

As the public information officer and spokesman for the NevadaHighway Patrol in northern Nevada, he has become a familiar faceon local television.

As a Guardsman, Master Sgt. Allen served a tour in Iraq and wasrecently selected as the 152nd Air Wing’s human resource advisor.

Allen, 49, said his National Guard skills assist him with hiscivilian position and vice-versa. Since he has delivered numerousbriefings in the Air Guard, Allen took those skills with him as a PIO.

“The Guard helped me with my public speaking, and I’m comfort-able with that skill,” he said.“The more you do it, the better you get.”

Allen also said the rank structure is similar.“I closely relate the role of a first sergeant in the Air Guard to

those duties of a PIO for the Nevada Highway Patrol. In eachposition, I report to the commander and often become the voice ofthe commander,” Allen said.

“For us, he’s about the perfect Guardsman,” said Col. JimCumings, the 152nd Mission Support Group commander.“His militaryjob and Guard experience complement his highway patrol job well.”

For example, he said Allen receives more weapons and squad-tactics training in the Guard than he does in the highway patrol.

Allen believes his experience with the National Guard preparedhim for one of his most challenging experiences as a PIO whenTrooper Kara Kelly-Borgognone was killed in an automobileaccident in February 2008.

“I wanted to be extremely respectful of the family,” Allen said.“I had worked directly with her and her brother, Chris, also a trooper.”

As a PIO, Allen is always on call, so he expects the worst if thephone rings late at night.

When the phone rang at 10 p.m the night of Kelly-Borgognone’saccident, Allen hurriedly put on his uniform and left for the scene.

After conducting numerous television and newspaper interviews,an exhausted Allen finally returned home the next day at 2 p.m.

“It was hard,” he said. “Car crashes are the hardest for the mindto absorb.”

Chris Perry, the state’s director of public safety, said Allen’sNational Guard training has helped him refine his civilian skills.

“He was recently promoted to master sergeant, and he jugglesthings well – it’s been a great marriage of careers,” Perry said.

Allen first joined the highway patrol in 1990 and has served asthe agency’s PIO for the past six years. Initially, Allen had reserva-tions about becoming the PIO and almost walked away from the jobafter two weeks.

Brent Boynton, a Reno television anchor and news director, hasworked with Allen both as a journalist and as communicationdirector for Gov. Jim Gibbons.

He said Allen has developed a good rapport with the media,where it is not an “us versus them” situation.

“He is professional but friendly and valuable to us,” Boyntonsaid. “He is very accessible and is good at getting back to us. Hestays on top of what is going on our roads in northern Nevada.

“We look at a PIO as a go-between for the reporter and theperson we want to talk to. With Chuck, he is good on camera andgood with information. He is always good for a sound bite.”

Boynton said Allen is very professional but also very human.“He wears the badge, gun and a smile,” Boynton said. �

Master Sgt. Charles Allen:Nevada airman doubles as ‘Trooper Chuck’By Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Ranson, Special to Battle Born


LAS VEGAS – Public affairs officers Maj.John Strahan and Capt. Jeffrey Johnsonseem to be leading parallel lives separatedby only 11 years of time.

Both were 38-year old captains andcommanders of a public affairs unit in theNevada Army National Guard at the time oftheir first deployment. Both held well-payingcivilian jobs with plenty of opportunity foradvancement. They were both fathers ofyoung children. And they both volunteeredto serve in a combat theater.

But despite their similarities, there couldnot be two more disparate individuals.

Strahan likes to ride his Harley, quoteBeavis and Butthead, and aggravate peoplewho are too uptight. Johnson is a steady,by-the-book officer who is conscientiousand easy going.

Strahan was a 38-year-old captain in1996 when he gave up his command of the106th Public Affairs Detachment and volun-teered to deploy to Bosnia with a TexasNational Guard unit. At the time, NewsweekMagazine described Bosnia as “Hell in avery cold place.” Now 50, Strahan is on hissecond deployment to Iraq.

Eleven years after Strahan volunteeredfor Bosnia, Johnson was the commander ofthe 106th PAD when he gave up commandand volunteered to deploy. Johnson went toIraq with an Arizona National Guard unit.

By a twist of fate, Strahan and Johnson,who never met in Nevada, served at thesame base in Iraq this past summer.

Strahan is midway through his secondtour in Iraq. He’s the tactical safety officerfor the 555th Engineer Brigade.

Johnson was the executive officer forthe 123rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.He returned to Nevada after finishing hisdeployment in late summer.While deployed,the two spent numerous hours talking abouthome and their days in the Nevada ArmyNational Guard.

“The nine months I spent in Bosnia gaveme a new appreciation for the training wewere doing at home over the years,”Strahan said. “Back then, I had no idea thatI would later serve in two more deployments.These deployments have definitely givenme the chance to learn more, and they’vemade me a better officer.”

Capt. Jeff Johnson stands by a blast wallthat is decorated with Nevada ArmyNational Guard icons atBalad, Iraq.

Maj. John Strahan puts on his game face fora patrol “outside the wire.”Photos: Courtesy of Maj. John Strahan

Déjà vu all over again forpublic affairs officers

Johnson, 38, a resident of Reno, hadsimilar reasons for volunteering. After threeyears as commander of the 106th, hewanted to test his military skills and tacklethe challenge of a deployment.

His first assignment was as a publicaffairs officer embedded with the British-ledMultinational Division media operationsoffice in Basra.

“I had many challenges and successesworking with the British,” Johnson said.

When the Brits pulled out of Iraq andwent home, Johnson was reassigned to theSustainment Command at Balad.

“I’ve had my mettle tested, and I’vegrown from it,” Johnson said.

Strahan is also anxious to get home.“Spending a year in Iraq makes you

appreciate life in Nevada,” said Strahan. �

By Lt. Col. Terry Conder, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

Strahan likes to ride his

Harley, quote Beavis and

Butthead, and aggravate

people who are too

uptight. Johnson is a

steady, by-the-book

officer who is

conscientious

and easy

going.


RENO – He was used to the dry, dusty summers of Fallon andpeaceful rural living, fixing old cars and chasing jackrabbits in thesubtle hues of the Nevada desert. So when the aircraft door openedand he was met with a blast of hot, moist air that smothered himlike a wet, woolen blanket, he knew he was nowhere near home. Itwas August 1970.

Welcome to Vietnam.Master Sgt. William Topken, 59, is the last active member of the

Nevada Air National Guard to earn the Vietnam Service Medal forparticipation in the Vietnam War. He is a traditional airman whoworks in the 152nd Maintenance Operations Flight in Reno as aC-130 aircraft maintenance controller.

Topken is a reserved man, prone to giving short answers tolengthy questions. He sits still now during an interview, but when heopens up and begins to share recollections of his 41-year militaryaviation career, it’s evident that in his life, sitting still was the lastthing on his mind.

“I grew up in Fallon watching the jets at the naval base, fasci-nated with anything aviation related,” Topken said. “My dad was aWorld War II and Korean War veteran, an infantryman, but it wasalways my plan to join the Air Force and spend 20, maybe 30 yearsworking on jet fighter aircraft.”

In January 1969, at age 18, he enlisted in the active duty AirForce and was stationed at George Air Force Base in Victorville,Calif., as a crew chief on the F-4E Phantom II. He volunteered forduty in Vietnam “to see what it was all about,” and less than a yearlater was on his way to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.

“I was with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 366thTactical Fighter Wing, the Gunfighters,” Topken said. “In the mid-1960s, the wing had F-4Cs and D that did not have an internal gun,but someone came up with the idea of mounting a Gatling gun podon the external pylons, and that’s how the Gunfighters got their name.

“By the time I got to Da Nang in mid-1970, the 366th had twosquadrons equipped with the newer F-4E that had an internal nose-mounted Gatling gun, definitely a Gunfighter!”

Da Nang Air Base – now Da Nang International Airport – issituated in the northeast coastal area of the former Republic ofVietnam and with unobstructed approaches to its parallel north-south runways, it was an ideal location for U.S. and SouthVietnamese forces to operate a joint airfield.

Topken said he had a good tour there.“I believed what we were doing in Vietnam was important,

important for the Vietnamese people and important for the world. Itwas what I signed up to do,” he said. “In fact, I believed in ourmission and enjoyed working on the jets with my fellow airmen somuch that in the summer of 1971, I extended for an additional sixmonths there.”

Topken received 30 days of leave after his first year in Vietnamand chose to come home to Fallon.

“I still remember going with my dad to the bar in Stockman’sto celebrate my 21st birthday,” he said. “I knew he was reallyproud of me.”

Back in Vietnam, airmen were largely restricted to the air base,but a three-day pass to China Beach and two temporary-dutytrips gave Topken some respite from the day-to-day routine of12-hour shifts and rocket attacks that hit near the base on aregular basis.

“I went to China Beach for my ‘R&R,’ and it was a nice beach,but nothing like what I saw depicted on the TV show,” Topken said.“I also went to Clark Air Base in the Philippines for two weeks,where the pilots trained for air combat maneuvers, and to NakhonPhanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand to support F-4Es onMiG combat air patrol.”

In early 1972, Topken requested another six-month tour ofduty in Vietnam but was denied due to the reduction of U.S. forcesin Vietnam.

By Capt. April Conway, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs


Even with his breaks in noncombat areas, 18 months was a longtime to be in a war zone. He finished his time in Southeast Asia andwas sent to McChord Air Force Base, Wash., where he became acrew chief on F-106 Delta Darts with the 318th Fighter InterceptorSquadron. But he admits to feeling a little lost after the war.

“I thought I’d do a lifetime [in the Air Force], but I had a changeof attitude at McChord. I was a combat vet and didn’t want tomerely ‘play war,’ and I didn’t like some of the things that werehappening in the military and the Air Force, so I decided to notreenlist,” said Topken, who left the Air Force in 1973.

He came home to Fallon, became a truck driver and mechanic,and worked all over Nevada and the West. That civilian career wouldlast 30 years, but he missed working on the jets. In the mid-1980s,he got the urge to wear the uniform again.

“I thought I missed working on the aircraft. Turns out, I missedthe people, camaraderie and esprit de corps of the military,” he said.

Topken began the process of joining the Nevada Air Guard inlate 1985, but it wasn’t an easy entry for him. He’d been out of themilitary a long time, and much had changed in his life.

“I was the single parent of two little girls, had been in troublewith the law, and was a professional truck driver with an inordinateamount of moving violations. Attitude, you know,” he smiles.

Other recruiters told him not to bother, but Master Sgt. SteveAnspach kept working and pushing for the required waivers untilfinally in November 1986, Topken enlisted with the Nevada AirNational Guard.

Topken spent four years in Reno as a High Roller, including twoyears on the RF-4 phase inspection docks and another two years asa flight-line crew chief. Within the first year, Topken realized he wasdoing what he always wanted to do and would continue to do it aslong as the Air Force would let him.

In 1990, Topken discovered he could become an enlisted aviatorand left Nevada to take a position with the Air Force Reserve atMcChord as a flight engineer on C-141B Starlifter transport aircraft.

When the 141s were replaced by the new C-17 Globemastersat McChord, Topken transferred to March Air Reserve Base, Calif.,where he became an instructor flight engineer on the C model of theC-141 Starlifter.

William Topken directs an RF-4 out of its hardened shelter in Da Nang, Vietnam, in 1971. Topken, a Fallon native, enlisted in the Air Forcein 1969 and served in the Vietnam War.


Master Sgt. William Topken, 59, is set to retire in February after a career that has spanned four decades.

“The C models were upgraded with all glass cockpit displaysand digital navigation avionics,” Topken explained. “It was interest-ing testing and evaluating the latest aviation wizardry in an almost40-year-old airframe, but once we got all the bugs worked out, itwas good stuff.”

When the Starlifter was retired from service in 2005, and MarchARB gained the new C-17, which doesn’t have a flight engineerposition, Topken started talking to the High Rollers about returningto Reno to finish his career.

“I always felt I would return to the Nevada Guard to finish up.Thanks to Chief Master Sgt. Al Delsanto and Chief Bob Benton, I wasable to do that,” he said.

Topken said his return to the Nevada Air Guard was both excit-ing and nostalgic.

“I was close to home, working with people I had worked withbefore. Most of my peers with similar time in service were10-15 years younger than me,” he said. “Some of my fellowmaintainers, who were buck and staff sergeants with me yearsago, are now senior and chief master sergeants leading themaintenance sections.

“A couple of them are now majors and C-130 pilots, and two arecolonels. It has always made me feel good to see people excel.”

All told, Topken has been a crew chief on two legacy fighteraircraft, a flight engineer who has recorded 5,000 flight hours,including 160 combat and combat support hours, in less than 15years – pretty good for a reservist, he says – with eight different

squadrons at four different bases, and now an aircraft maintenancecontrol airman with the 152nd.

He’s been to all seven continents and dozens of countriestherein, received two associate degrees from the CommunityCollege of the Air Force, earned a private pilot’s license and multipleoccupational certificates.

Topken has four children and three grandchildren, with onemore due soon. During the week, he’s a civilian contractor aircraftservices technician at the air terminal and transient aircraft line atFallon Naval Air Station.

After more than 27 years of service within a 41-year timeperiod, Topken can see the end of his military career, this time forgood. He is set to retire February 1.

He will finish his career a scant hour from where it began, closeto home where he watched the jets flying “a long, long time ago.”

“I’ll miss all of the people I served with and the good relation-ships we’ve had over the years, but it will be good to spend moretime with my wife and my kids, two of whom are still in high school,and my grandkids,” Topken said. “Even with all of the good andwonderful things I have been able to do since then, my time inVietnam is still the greatest adventure of my life.

“I am grateful to the Nevada Air Guard for the opportunity to beof service to our great state of Nevada and to the U.S. Air Force forallowing me to serve our great country. Aim high.” �

Nevada Army Guard Vietnam veterans will be profiled in the Winter2010 issue of Battle Born.


By Ashley ButlerJoint Force Headquarters Public Affairs Intern

CARSON CITY – It’s a sad fact that 617 National Guard soldiersand airmen have died since 2001 supporting operations IraqiFreedom and Enduring Freedom.

Perhaps more disheartening, though, is the even sadder factthat 262 National Guardsmen have taken their own lives in thesame time period. In comparison, that number is more than 100deaths greater than the total – 157 – of National Guard soldierskilled while on duty as a result of aviation or ground transportationaccidents since 2001, according to the U.S. Army CombatReadiness and Safety Center.

Suicide, especially among Army Guard soldiers, remains aserious problem in the National Guard. There have already been 39cases of suicide nationwide among Army Guard soldiers in 2009.

The Nevada National Guard has taken significant steps toaddress the problem with the implementation of suicide-preventiontraining for every soldier and the addition of a full-time suicideprevention coordinator to its staff, Staff Sgt. Tiffany McKimmy.

“The problem is growing, especially in the Army,” McKimmysaid. “This year, the Army is on track for its deadliest year everfrom suicide.”

McKimmy’s suicide prevention duties entail ensuring each ArmyGuard soldier completes two phases of suicide prevention trainingand each unit has a trained suicide intervention officer. The suicideprevention training includes a session on recognizing the signs andsymptoms of a suicidal person, how to react to the signs, and howto ensure a person receives needed assistance.

She also works to create an environment within the Guard whereeveryone can receive support without judgment.

“Our goal is to remove the stigma that if you ask for help, youwill be considered a sub-par soldier,” McKimmy said. “In reality,seeking help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness.”

Although the number of suicides nationally is high, there havebeen no Nevada Army Guard suicides since 9/11, a statisticMcKimmy hopes to retain through informing soldiers about theproblem.

“Knowing about suicide and its effects is important,” McKimmysaid. “Everyone should take it seriously, because it affects us all.”

Although its statistics are not as dramatic as the Army Guard’s,the Air Force also has a significant suicide problem. The Air Forcelost 38 airmen to suicide in 2008. (Air Force statistics did notseparate active duty, reserve and National Guard airmen.) Nonewere from the Nevada Air National Guard in 2008, but the NevadaAir Guard has lost two airmen to suicide since 2001.

The Air Force is combating its suicide numbers by training eachof its first sergeants in suicide prevention. Anyone can also view theAir Force’s public suicide preventionWeb site at www.afspp.afms.mil.

Although deployment and combat stress likely contribute to theArmy Guard’s high suicide rate, a recent Army Guard study provided

some interesting and not readily expected facts surrounding thereasons for suicide and suicide attempts:

• Never deployed – 60 percent of the individuals had nodeployment history

• Relationships – 75 percent of the cases studied had ties topersonal relationship issues

• Integration – 50 percent of the cases involved some unit integra-tion or reintegration issues.

• Substance abuse – 50 percent of the cases involved somesubstance abuse, specifically alcohol

McKimmy said many people falsely believe suicide will solvetheir problems. “They want their pain to be over,” McKimmy said.“They don’t see any other way to get the pain to stop. It’s our dutyto show them they have other options.”

McKimmy recommends that anyone who has experienced atraumatic event that is causing depression should seek guidance.She said thoughts of hopelessness, talking about death or givingaway possessions are all possible signs of someone who isthinking about suicide.

Veterans also are at risk of suicide and are often overlooked aspotential recipients for suicide prevention information.

“There are many resources available to help our veterans,”McKimmy said.

For suicide prevention training information, call McKimmy at(775) 887-7225 or Air Guard chaplain Lt. Col. Tim Gregory at(775) 788-9498.

For immediate help, one can call the suicide hotline at1-800-273-TALK (8255). �

Sgt. First Class Shauna Reese of the 17th Special Troops Battalionsubmitted this design as an entry in the Nevada Army Guard’s recentposter contest for suicide prevention.

Suicide prevention training aims to curb sad trend

CIVILIAN SUICIDE FACTS• Nevada has second highest rate of suicide in the nation behind Alaska.

• Males make up 80 percent of suicide deaths.• Firearms are used in 59 percent of suicide deaths.


RENO – The NevadaAir National Guard con-

tinues to support numerousoperations around the world.

Currently, the Nevada Air Guard has sixmajor units and about a dozen individualsdeployed domestically and internationallytotaling about 200 airmen.

The current deployments are set tocontinue anywhere from a few weeks tomany months. Here is a summary of thecurrent major deployments:

• About 20 members of the 152nd CivilEngineer Squadron are currentlydeployed, with the majority stationedin Kuwait. Its mission is to build struc-tures, lay out roadways and completegeneral construction projects.

• The 152nd Forces Support Squadronhas about 10 airmen in Kyrgyzstan.These personnel support OperationEnduring Freedom by operating thedining, lodging, fitness and recreationfacilities at military sites in the country.

• A combined group of about 50 airmen,including elements from the 152ndLogistics Readiness Squadron, the152nd Maintenance Group and 152ndOperations Group, are in Afghanistan.The 152nd Maintenance Squadronhas about 35 people deployed inAfghanistan and Kuwait. The mainte-nance squadron completes all repairsto C-130 aircraft. The maintenancesquadron also includes all the crewchiefs for the C-130.

• In addition to Afghanistan, the 152ndLogistics Readiness Squadron hasairmen in Iraq, Turkey and Qatar.

Closer-to-home domestic deploymentsinclude the following assignments:

• The 152nd Airlift Wing has airmen atDover Air Force Base, Del., and atKeesler Air Base, Miss.

• About 60 airmen in the 152ndIntelligence Squadron work at theirhome station in Reno.These personnelsupport the Air Force around theworld by providing operational intelli-gence and information.

• The 232nd Operations Squadron hasabout 15 Guardsmen deployed at itshome station at Creech Air Force Basein Indian Springs, Nev.

Several squadrons are also represented abroad, including the following:

• The 152nd Logistics Readiness Squadron has about 10 peopledeployed overseas to Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey and Qatar. The squadron’smissions vary. They operate the aerial port that loads and unloads passengers. They

also fuel aircraft and work in the motor pool as well as provide local transportation.

• The 152nd Medical Squadron has some airmen in Iraq providing medical support andadministering immunizations to deployed personnel.

• The 232nd Operations Squadron trains personnel and flies and maintains the Predatoraircraft at Creech Air Force Base in Las Vegas. About five airmen are deployed overseasto the actual locations of the Predators to maintain the aircraft. �

Staff Sgt. Troy Jorgenson pulls down the side of the fire guard in order to secure it to theCalifornia Tent structure at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan Sept. 3. Jorgenson, from Reno, isdeployed from the Nevada Air National Guard. His squadron is responsible for manpowerresources, billeting and local national force protection escort operations.Photo: Senior Airman Felicia Juenke, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing

By Staff Sgt. Rebecca Palmer, 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Air Guard remains busy around the globe

CARSON CITY – Whether one is atruck driver, medic or policeman, everysoldier needs specific training to complete theirmilitary occupation tasks correctly.

When faced with a deployment, however, a soldier’s trainingpriority suddenly becomes surviving combat and taking the fight tothe enemy. In the Nevada Army Guard, the unit assigned the toughand important duty of refining soldiers’ skills before deployment isthe Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element.

Based in Carson City with about 15 soldiers, the PTAE assistsdeploying units during their busy premobilization and training stages.The majority of the personnel are on active-duty, organizational-support orders.

During training, the unit acts somewhat as a “coach” fordeploying soldiers. It must provide constructive criticism for thesoldiers while at the same time motivating and encouraging thedeploying troops.

The team builds cohesion within each unit it works with to ensurethe overall success of a deployment. It is the PTAE’s job to makesure each soldier set to deploy does so with the proper set of skillsand knowledge that is required to return home unscathed by combat.

“The soldiers look at us as playing an adversarial role, butreally, we are their advocates,” said Staff Sgt. Bradley Johnson, atraining sergeant in PTAE. “We are there to help and support theunits. We work closely with command and offer assistance.”

The soldiers in the PTAE are skilled in many combat capabilitiesso they can assist in a variety of training scenarios. Because futuredeployment situations vary, the training tasks constantly change toprepare specific units for their specific deployment situations.

“You have to be a subject matter expert for a broad scope oftopics,” Johnson said.

He emphasized that he had to be skilled at multitasking toeffectively do his job.

Pre-mobilization training occurs before troops go to their specificmobilization stations, usually to sites within Nevada or California.

During this time, the troops refine theirsoldiering skills until the basics can be

performed to perfection.“It is important to have a strong foundation of basic skills,”

said Johnson. “After that, specific training for individual missionscan be conducted.”

Skills soldiers focus on during pre-deployment training includefirst aid, communication, and movement techniques. All training istracked and tested so the PTAE knows exactly what training thesoldiers received and who trained them.

“We track and catalog all training. If it is not on paper it didn’thappen,” Johnson said. “This is important because if somethingwere to go wrong, a soldier’s training can be re-evaluated andtechniques can be reviewed for improvement.”

The PTAE team remains constantly ready to handle manydifferent situations. The team members must be able to teach andtrain multiple skills in any location, be prepared to assist withdiffering group sizes and go on a flexible schedule.

Johnson said there have been times when PTAE was preparingfor one unit to deploy but the team’s soldiers suddenly found them-selves training a completely different unit.

Johnson isn’t complaining, though – he knows the importanceof his job and takes pride in it.

“We teach the basics,” Johnson said. “That knowledge canmake a difference between someone coming back in one pieceversus coming back injured or even worse.”

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Mark became the PTAE commander in September.Soldiers may inquire with him about vacancies within the team.

“We generally look for some specific military occupationalspecialties or deployment experience,” Mark said.

For additional information, call Mark at (775) 887-7372. �

During the final week of her summer internship, Ashley, a Universityof Nevada, Reno, senior, suffered only mild nausea when she took herfirst Chinook helicopter ride.

By Ashley Butler, Joint ForceHeadquarters Public Affairs Intern



Compiled by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Ranson, Spc. Rob Honeycutt, Sgt. Mike Getten andSgt. 1st Class Erick StudenickaNEWS BRIEFS

Chinook helicopter cleansup Carson River

While participating in a communityservice project Sept. 11, the Nevada ArmyGuard’s 1/189th Aviation Company used oneof its CH-47 Chinook helicopters to pull 20abandoned cars from the Carson River. Thecars had lurked there for years below thewater surface, threatening the safety ofwhitewater rafters and kayakers, andmarring the river’s natural beauty.

The number of cars removed marked aone-day clean-up record for the unit.

The Guard removed the junk cars with-out charge to Carson City, accomplishing atask that was prohibitively difficult whileproviding excellent sling-load training forthe unit’s soldiers.

Interactive kiosk installationnears completion

Eighty-eight of the 91 interactive com-puter kiosks set for installation acrossNevada have been completed. The installa-tion of the computers promises to improveefficiency among the full-time and traditionalNational Guard soldiers.

“The project started about a year ago,”said Lt. Col. Vernon Scarbrough, chief infor-mation officer for the CommunicationsDirectorate. “The kiosks are installed ineach of the armories across the state and insome of the recruiting offices.”

All of the interactive kiosks providesoldiers with Internet access to check officialmilitary e-mail and allow soldiers to performwork-related duties that require specificmilitary software.

The final three kiosks are due for instal-lation at the Ely Armory.

240th soldier becomescitizen on 9/11

Spc. Italo Macchiavello learned whatfreedoms the United States embraces at anearly age. Now he associates his new lifeof becoming a naturalized citizen on a daythat defined Americans and their patrioticresolve.

Macchiavello, an Army Guard soldierwith the 240th Engineering Company in LasVegas, became a U.S. citizen Sept. 11 duringa naturalization ceremony conducted at theNaval Air Station Fallon Air Show just prior

to the afternoon performance of the famedBlue Angels.

“What made this event so special forMacchiavello and three others was that thiswas the first naturalization ceremony heldon 9/11 at an air base with an air show,”said Zip Upham, public affairs officer forNaval Air Station Fallon.

The 35-year-old Macchiavello was bornin Valparaiso, Chile, a port town known asthe “Paradise of the Pacific” in 1974 at atime when his country was encounteringupheaval after a bloody military coupdeposed the civilian president the previousyear. His father strongly believed the UnitedStates afforded more opportunities for hisfamily, so he sold many of their belongingsand arrived in Miami in January 1980.

Airmen can mix and matchjackets through May

The Air Force has extended authorizationto wear battle dress uniform cold weatherouter garments with airman battle uniformsthrough May 1, 2010. This means an airmancan wear a BDU Gore-tex or field jacket withan ABU uniform this winter. This is allowablebecause of the possible delay of coldweather gear arrival due to private industrydelivery trends.

Nevada Guard unit torepresent Region VII

The NevadaArmy National Guard’s 593rdTransportation Company, headquartered inReno, is set to represent Region VII in theupcoming national competition for the ArmyAward for Maintenance Excellence. The unitreceived the news about the nomination inSan Diego Sept. 2.The nomination was givento the unit during the Region VII LogisticsManagement Seminar as a result of it beingone of the top medium modified table oforganizations and equipment in the region.

The unit received the nomination basedon its maintenance records, vigilance inequipment services and exceptional drivertraining documentation and licensing.Other considerations were given to theunit’s support of its soldiers and community,operational readiness and an extraordinaryreview from the evaluators.

Soldiers reminded tocomplete health assessment

All Army Guard soldiers who recentlycompleted a deployment are reminded tocomplete the Post-Deployment HealthReassessment in order to determine one’shealth care needs and to remove impedi-ments that may stand in the way of gettingthose needs met. The PDHRA is mandatoryfor all soldiers who have returned from acombat deployment.

The program was mandated in 2005 bythe assistant secretary of defense for healthaffairs and is designed to identify andaddress any health concerns. The NevadaGuard is doing well with its completion rateof 97 percent but aims to resolve the healthcare needs for the three percent of soldierswho have not completed the assessment.

Military research shows that soldiersmay experience unrecognized and undiag-nosed medical conditions after release froman active duty tour. The PDHRA helpsidentify and resolve deployment-relatedmedical issues, especially those related tosoldiers’ behavioral health as they readjustback to their life at home.

The PDHRA program directly impactsthe retention and well being of NevadaNational Guard soldiers and their families,and it is critical for future readinessstrength. It is imperative that all Army Guardleaders and readiness sergeants make sure

In a community service project Sept. 11, theNevada Army Guard’s 1/189th AviationCompany used one of its CH-47 Chinookhelicopters to pull 20 abandoned cars fromthe Carson River. Photo: Sgt. Mike Getten


their soldiers returning from a deploymentcomplete their PDHRA.

For information, call Staff Sgt. CathyManzanares at (775) 887-7245.

Army Guard soldier takesoath with ROTC

Micah Gill is one of the new members ofthe University of Nevada, Reno, ReserveOfficer Training Corps. Gill, 24, served in theArmy National Guard for 15 months in the422nd ESB signal battalion.

He attended both basic and advancedindividual training to gain the training he feltwas necessary to be a good leader. Con-tracting with ROTC gives him the opportunityto further develop his leadership ability.

Gill was one of 13 ROTC cadets at UNRwho took the oath to uphold freedom whileprotecting the citizens of the United States.

Guard helps host covenantsigning at Capitol grounds

More than 100 community leaders,military members, veterans groups andelected officials gathered Aug. 18 to sign acovenant between Nevada communities andservice members in the Silver State at theCapitol grounds amphitheater in Carson City.

The covenant is part of a U.S. Army pro-gram to bring together those who serve andthose who support those service membersback home. The Nevada event was hostedby Gov. Jim Gibbons, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolickiand Nevada Guard Adjutant General Brig.Gen. Bill Burks. The day was organized tohonor and thank Nevadans across the statefor their ongoing support of those in uniform.

TRICARE clarifies primarycare manager

Most military families have a primarycare manager. TRICARE defines a primarycare manager as “a civilian network provideror military treatment facility provider whoprovides primary care services to TRICAREbeneficiaries.” This is the person to run tofor all non-emergency services.

A PCM may be a certified medical pro-fessional who practices within the state’srules and regulations and has signed acontract to be a TRICARE PCM. That couldbe anyone from a pediatrician to a nursepractitioner. The medical professional mustbe in the beneficiary’s prime service area.


CARSON CITY – Nearly every militaryorganization has an internal communicationavenue to raise awareness and resolvematters regardless of the ranks in whichthose issues arise. In Nevada, the seniorenlisted soldiers and airmen are responsiblefor analyzing and examining enlisted mattersin the state and have instituted both formaland informal means for addressing pointsof concern.

The Nevada Air Guard has a formalcouncil – the Top Three – that meets eachdrill. Because its units and senior enlistedsoldiers are so far flung, the Army Guardrelies on its annual Senior NoncommissionedOfficer Conference to discuss matters.

The Top Three Council isopen to enlisted airmen in paygrades E-7 through E-9. Annualmembership dues are $12. Thecouncil meets every Saturdayduring drill weekend at 3:30p.m. in the Sierra Air NationalGuard Association building .

“The council’s primaryefforts lately have been toimprove esprit de corps,promote military values and tohelp unite the unit,” said formerTop Three president ChiefMaster Sgt. Rob Taulman. “Wetry to help with the morale,camaraderie and general com-munication between everyone.Often our council seems morea service organization on basethan an advisory board.”

Taulman, the operationsbranch chief of the 152ndCommunications Flight, was presidentthrough August. The current president,Senior Master Sgt. Steve Graham, took overthe duty during September drill.

“Our goal this year is to improve uponthe foundations set by the previous council,”Graham said. “We will continue to establishand maintain a spirit of camaraderie, espritde corps and encourage an attitude ofunified purpose throughout the base. Thecouncil will work to enhance the prestige,responsibility and professional developmentof all senior noncommissioned officers.

“With the current team, I am confidentthis year will be very successful for the

senior NCOs as well as the base and localcommunity.”

Taulman explained what occurs eachmonth during the meeting. “The councilmeets once a month at drill for about 30minutes,” he said. “We have a quick briefingon current and working issues. Then theremay be a speaker talking about open topics.In all, it’s a pretty short agenda, but we areadamant about resolving agenda items.”

The state command chief, Chief MasterSgt. Rick Scurry, said he attends Top Threemeetings as often as he can to improvecommunication between his office and thecouncil.

“I want the council members to knowthey have a communication avenue throughme,” Scurry said. “Communication is a

two-way street. I receive and send informa-tion during the monthly meetings.”

The Nevada Army Guard does not havea formal council, but its entire senior enlistedcorps meets for two days each summer todiscuss issues and topics at its Senior NCOConference. During the conference, speakersaddress a variety of current topics includingsoldier training, uniform updates, careerdevelopment, operational security, strengthmanagement and force structure.

This year, the conference was held inJuly in Reno. A record number of 232Guardsmen attended, along with four AirGuard chiefs including Scurry. Brig. Gen.

Top Three Council, Senior NCO Conferencevital for enlisted communication

Frank Gonzales, commander of the NevadaArmy Guard, and Col. Michael Carlson, theNevada Army Guard chief of staff, bothaddressed the NCOs during the conference.

“The senior NCO conference cumulatesthe year for the NCOs,” said Sgt. Maj. SteveSitton, the Nevada Guard’s senior enlistedadvisor. “It provides the opportunity to meetand look at the past year’s experiences andsee where we want to focus next year.We also receive updates on current eventsthat affect us. This year, because it is theYear of the NCO, we invited a number ofjunior soldiers, which is something wehaven’t done in the past.”

Present this year was the entire JuniorEnlisted Council from the Army Guard.Council president Staff Sgt. Kimberly

Boeckman presented anupdate to the attendees on thecouncil’s achievements.

Sitton said he benefits fromthe feedback at both the SeniorEnlisted Conference and theJunior Enlisted Council.

“I gain insight from theleaders of the units becausethey know their soldiers well,”Sitton said. “But we are alsomaking decisions concerningthe future of this organizationthat won’t pertain to us – it willpertain to the junior soldiers.So that’s why it’s very impor-tant to hear from everybodyacross the soldier spectrum.”

Additionally, both of theGuard branches in Nevada alsohave councils at the highestenlisted level. The SergeantsMajor Council and the Chiefs’

Council address issues at a level reservedfor E-9s.

Taulman said the Nevada Guard’s currentenlisted council system has evolved tocreate an efficient process to initiate changefor Guardsmen.

“These councils have proven to be aneffective communication tool to keep thelines of communication open between units,sections and personnel,” Taulman said.

For information on the Top Three, callGraham at (775) 788-4793. The date forthe 2010 Senior Noncommissioned OfficerConference is set for July 23-25. Contactyour first sergeant to receive orders. �


ELY – More than 200 years after National Guard “rebels”overran British soldiers in the Revolutionary War, NevadaGuardsmen voluntarily surrendered one of their armories toanother group of Rebels.

For a 10-day period each summer, the Nevada Army Guard’sEly Armory becomes the temporary home for the University ofNevada, Las Vegas, football team. The Rebels chose Ely as thesite of their annual preseason training camp primarily becausethe town, with its 4,000 residents allows the players to focuson football.

The UNLV staff also found the Army Guard armory to be aconvenient – and inexpensive – locker room and equipmentstorage area next to expansive Broadbant Park. The NevadaNational Guard allows UNLV to use the facilities in Ely for nocharge as a courtesy to the university.

“We chose Ely because of the altitude, weather and theabsence of distractions,” said Terry Cottle, the UNLV associateathletic director. “Our first camp up here was in 2006, and wehave been coming to Ely since.”

Cottle said Ely’s elevation helps players prepare bothphysically and mentally.The tough training in the summer preventsthe players from being intimidated later in the season againsttough teams in thin air.

The Rebels play several teams at high altitudes, including theAir Force Academy in Colorado and the University of New Mexico.

Retired Staff Sgt. Allen Benzon recalled how the relationshipbetween the National Guard and UNLV began. He was the full-time readiness sergeant at the armory in 2005 when the Rebelschose their new summer training site.

“In 2005, head coach Mike Sanfordhad just been hired. Sanford and Cottlecame up here in early 2005 to see thearmory and liked what they saw,” Benzonsaid. “We had no problem with the teamusing the facility for training. The localscame out to watch the scrimmages andworkouts. From then on it was a beautifulmarriage.”

According to National CollegiateAthletic Association rules, a Division I teammay bring up to 105 players plus supportstaff to summer training camp. This year,the Rebels entourage totaled about 150players, coaches and support staff.

It’s a winning situation for both Ely andUNLV. Ely receives an economic boost, whileUNLV saves money by getting out of town.

“In Las Vegas, we have to house theteam in hotels because school is not openyet,” said Bryan Haines, UNLV’s assistantsports information director. “The cost of

UNLV FootballEarly Season ResultsSept. 5 UNLV 38, Sacramento State 3Sept. 12 Oregon State 23, UNLV 21Sept. 19 UNLV 34, Hawaii 33Sept. 26 Wyoming 30, UNLV 27Oct. 3 UNR 63, UNLV 28Oct. 10 BYU 59, UNLV 21Oct. 17 Utah 35, UNLV 15

Final GameNov. 28 San Diego State @ UNLV, 6 p.m.

Ely at a GlanceEly is at an elevation of 6,439 feet with an average temperature in August of 85 degrees.

It is located near the eastern border of the state about five hours north of Las Vegas and sixhours east of Reno by car.

With a population about 4,000, it is the largest city in White Pine County. There are fewerthan 10,000 people living in the county’s 8,897 square miles.

In comparison, Las Vegas is 2,000 feet above sea level with an average August tempera-ture of 103 degrees. More than 1.8 million people reside in Clark County’s 7,881 square miles.

hotel rooms is a little bit cheaper in Ely. The savings help usoffset the cost of transportation to get here.”

The National Guard is only one entity that contributes to thesuccess of the training camp. This year, the Jailhouse Hotel andCasino provided meals for the team to eat in the conventioncenter. And each year, the Ely State Prison assists by launderingthe massive amount of dirty uniforms the team generates.

Chartered buses make the round trip between Las Vegas andWhite Pine County, but once in Ely the school district allows theuse of its buses to transport the team around town.

“Obviously with the economic situation across the country,the state and at UNLV, we can’t be taking the training camp on theroad unless it can be economically comparable to staying in LasVegas,” Cottle said. “We have been able to accomplish thatbecause of the National Guard, the local businesses, the city ofEly, the school district and the prison. Everybody has been a goodpartner in the ongoing success of the Ely training camp.

“As long as we have the opportunity, we will continue tocome up here for summer training camp. We love it.”

Nevada Guard’s Ely Armory overrun by RebelsBy Sgt. Mike Getten, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, football team works out Aug.17 in Broadbant Park adjacent to the Army National Guard’s ElyArmory. Photo: Sgt. Mike Getten




STEAD – The soldiers of C Company,1/168th (Medical Evacuation) Aviation unitwere welcomed home from a year longdeployment in Afghanistan by family andfriends during a ceremony at the ArmyAviation Support Facility on Oct. 16.

The unit, comprising about 60 soldiers,was in the combat theater since December2008 and evacuated 1,027 people in 663missions.

“It’s good to be back,” said Capt. DarrenChrisman, commander of the unit. “I amvery proud of how hard everyone worked,especially the medics and how well theyperformed saving patients. It was impres-sive to watch a medic in the back of anaircraft working to save someone’s life. Allof the men and women in this unit areprofessionals.”

The Guardsmen arrived at the Reno-Tahoe airport early in the morning and weretransported by bus to the Reid Armorywhere they awaited the arrival of theirfamilies. Moments before the ceremonybegan, the unit marched over to the ArmyAviation Support Facility where they stood information outside the big hangar door.

Maj. Heath Kelly, the 991st TroopCommand executive officer, was the master

168th MEDEVAC returns home from Afghanistan

of ceremonies and greeted the guests.Then, the huge hangar door was openedwith cheers and shouts from the waitingfamilies. The hangar was filled with emotion

as everyone rose to their feet, and the unitmarched forward into the building.

The speakers included adjutant generalBrig. Gen. William Burks and representa-tives from Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki’s office andSen. Harry Reid’s office. All kept theircomments brief in an effort to reunitefamilies in a timely manner.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, thesoldiers rushed forward to embrace theirfamily and friends for the first time inseveral months. The hangar quickly clearedas the reunited families went home to catchup on the past year of life.

The return of Master Sgt. Patrick Mooreand his son, Sgt. Ryan Moore, marked asubstantial military reunion for the Moorefamily. Patrick’s father is retired ChiefWarrant Officer Bobby Moore, who servedfor 30 years in the Nevada Army Guard.Karla Moore, Patrick’s wife, is a firstlieutenant in the Army Reserve with ACompany, 328th Combat Support Hospitalin Sacramento, Calif.

Even with the return of the aviationsoldiers, the Nevada Army Guard still hasabout 600 soldiers deployed in southwestAsia. The majority of the deployed soldiersare with the 1864th TransportationCompany in Iraq and the 1/221st Cavalry inAfghanistan. �

Sgt. Ryan Moore reunites with his wife,Elise, on October 16 during the 1/168thAviation Company’s return ceremony at theArmy Aviation Support Facility in Stead. Theaviation unit was in Afghanistan sinceDecember 2008, and it evacuated more than1,000 people during its deployment.Photo: Sgt. Mike Getten

The medical evacuation Black Hawk helicopters used by the soldiers of the 1/168th (MEDEVAC) Aviation unit arrived home at the ArmyAviation Support Facility in Stead on October 14, two days before the soldiers arrived in Reno and greeted their friends and families in ahomecoming ceremony. Photo by Sgt. Mike Getten


AWARDS•PROMOTIONS•RETIREMENTSMoving Up and Moving On • June, July & August 2009

AWARDS

CPT David Waller . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Sig BnSSG Catalina Manzanares . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint CoSFC Allen Palmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTISFC Marvin Johnson . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnSPC Christopher Mancebo . . . . . . . HHT, 1/221st CavSSG Richard Jerrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTISGT Anthony Rigano. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTIPV2 Alexandria Avant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Gary Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Christian Baughman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ2LT Bradley Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Bradley Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGT Stephanie King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGT Glen Mead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Jason Miller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Jeremiah Mock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Leonel Paradis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMSG Kevin Pearson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Michael Raviart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGT Cirila Santillano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGT Kimberly Amos . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetCPT Christine Ancajas . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSPC Kayla Chandless . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSGT Alexander Drossulis. . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSSG Harry English . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSSG Sandra Flores . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSGT Oreana Henry . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSGT Lianna Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSSG Ryan Davidson. . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Derek Ernst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Matthew Fenn . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Rosemarie Fred . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Brandon Kellogg . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Richard Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Jeremiah Mock . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/Ret

Air Force Commendation Medal

Maj Glen Martelle . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSSgt Rebecka Swatman . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnMSgt William Randall . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint Sqdn

Army Achievement Medal

SPC Julio Huaman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavPFC Alan Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSPC Julioadrian Arevalo . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoCPL Timothy Hardin . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoSPC Sandra Rodriguez . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoSPC Casey Torblaa . . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoSGT Jennifer Ewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140th MP DetPV2 Marco Iglesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Trans CoSSG Larry Klein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/140th S&SPFC Jonoa Savou . . . . . . . . . . . . 777th Engineer DetSPC Brian Aleman . . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Sig BnSGT Michael Miller. . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Sig BnSGT Jose Ramos . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Sig BnCPL Rome Flores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint Co

Legion of Merit Medal

CW5 Mike Billow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Det 45 OSA

Meritorious Service Medal

SSG Henry Willrich . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACSFC Ronald Bosmans. . . . . . . . . . . . 1/189th AviationSFC William Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavCW3 Ronald Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/140th S&SSSG Lamont Boyles. . . . . . . . . . . . . 991st Troop CmdSFC John Dunham . . . . . . . . . . . . . 991st Troop CmdCPT Lance Beckert. . . . . . . . . . . . . 992nd Troop CmdSFC Fouad Diallo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992nd Troop Cmd1SG Heidi Merrill-Hernandez . . . . . 992nd Troop CmdSFC Donna Lucas. . . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Sig BnSGM Carl Adams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTILTC Maria Powers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTISFC Leland Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnCSM Jared Kopacki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTICSM Suzanne Albin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQCW4 David Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMAJ Kerry Cutting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMAJ Michael Heil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQLTC Vernon Payette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

SGT Gina Putt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQCW5 Nancy Roza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSFC Linda Turner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Paul Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetCSM Robert Reid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetCMSgt Sheryle Wilkerson . 152nd Mission Support FltCMSgt Kenneth Bunker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQCMSgt John Ternau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQCapt Andrew Jennings. . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnCol Jack Schnurr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMSgt Maureen Rutherford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQLtCol Brett McCann . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops Sqdn

Army Commendation Medal

2LT Kandace Gonzales . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACSGT Shawn Horner. . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACSGT Jason Coleman . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/189th Aviation1SG Gary Giddens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st CavSGT David Ryder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Trans CoSSG Timothy Wells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92nd CSTSFC Edward Holler . . . . . . . . . . . . . 991st Troop CmdSSG Robert Jester . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992nd Troop CmdCPT Lisa Martinez . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992nd Troop CmdSPC Rey Delrosario . . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Sig BnCPT Shawn Murphy. . . . . . . . . . . C Co, 422nd Sig Bn


PFC Kolan Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint CoSPC Roger Kluthe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint CoPFC Belinda Slanina . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint CoSPC David Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGT Jeffrey Dooley. . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSGT Erik Foisy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med Det1LT Elizabeth Gabriel . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSPC Mark Gomez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSPC Abigail Green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSGT Oreana Henry . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSGT Michael Krieger. . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSSG Tara Pushkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSPC Barbara Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSGT Joseph Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSSG Edward Benites . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG David Eisele. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Sara Harger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Wade Mendenhall . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Rachael Ramirez . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG April Adams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stead Training SiteSFC Brian Bitner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stead Training Site1SG Brent Whipple . . . . . . . . . . . . Stead Training Site

Air Force Achievement Medal

SrA William Boekenoogen . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnMSgt Jason Barlow . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnSMSgt Craig Madole . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnLtCol Gregory Baker . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt William Batiz . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Jeffrey Bellato . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Eric Beyersdorf . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSMSgt Steven Bourquin . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Timothy Broadway . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Philip Brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnLtCol Curtis Campi. . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Kathleen Caudill . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Joseph Deese . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Julie Dietrich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Kevin Eikleberry. . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Joshua Flatley. . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt K Justin Galli . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Derek Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnLtCol Caesar Garduno . . . . . . . 152nd Ops Support FltMSgt Thomas Glover . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnLtCol Theron Gough . . . . . . . . 152nd Ops Support FltMSgt Paul Grush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSMSgt Lorne Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Ops GrpMSgt Cory Hallock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Shanon Hampton . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnLtCol Donald Harvey . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSSgt Christopher Henrich. . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Robert Hoadley . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Todd Hudson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Ops GrpTSgt Dimitrius Kassebaum. . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Andrew Kremers . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Anthony Machabee . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Frank Magee . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Shannon Manning . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSMSgt Blake Martelle . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Michael Martin . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSMSgt Robert Martinez . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Ops GrpCapt Steve Mills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCMSgt Robin Mocabee . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Brian Moynihan . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Hillary Moynihan . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Todd Nylaan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnLtCol Bartley O’Toole . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Edward Petrik . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Kristoffer Pfalmer . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift Sqdn

MSgt Cameron Pieters. . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnTSgt Shawn Plunket . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt David Raschen . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Allan Renwick . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSSgt Lewis Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSSgt Joshua Rogers . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Santiago Santiago . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSSgt Brian Santor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCMSgt Christopher Santor . . . 152nd Ops Support FltLtCol Jon Schulstad. . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnTSgt Lyle Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCol David Snyder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQTSgt Ernest Spandau. . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnLtCol Matthew Speth . . . . . . . 152nd Ops Support FltCapt Charles Steffens . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Russell Stewart . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCapt Spencer Trehal . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Kevin Walen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSMSgt Craig Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Michael Wilcox . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCol Michael Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Ops GrpMSgt Robert Nyblom. . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint Sqdn

Nevada Medal of Merit

LTC Vernon Payette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQCPL Patrick Brunson . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Marvelle Cranford . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Robert Gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Richard Gilberti . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Marco Irenze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Travis Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Junior Krows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Joshua Lappin . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Mike Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Jose Obregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC David Ramage . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Ted Ziegenfuss . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/Ret1SG Daniel Quintana . . . . . . . . . . Stead Training Site

Nevada State Commendation Medal

SPC Charles Chang . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoSPC Jonathan Ford . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoPFC Michelle Chinen . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Trans CoPFC Michael Ackerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoSPC John Ackley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint CoSSG Pak Castillo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTISFC Ricky Fitzgerald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTISSG Sean Stephenson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTISPC Stacey Bonnar . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetCPT Karen Hansen . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSPC Jeremy Raih . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetSSG Victor Boivin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Joseph Feenstra . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Thomas Gensinger. . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Michael Gilbert . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSPC Myka Hevel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Joshua Montes . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT David Powell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Tomas Ramos . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Augustine Reyes . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSSG Che Rios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSGT Richard Samson . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Brandon Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSPC Aaron Wiggins . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetSFC Richard Williams . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetMSgt Weston Smith . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnSrA Meagan Cuthbert . . . . . 152nd Intelligence Sqdn

Nevada Humanitarian Service Ribbon

A1C Anthony Hinen . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnCapt April Conway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQCMSgt William Cribbs . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnCMSgt Monica Milne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMaj Koby Harding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMaj Jeffrey Zupon . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Kevin Cralle . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnMSgt Dean Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnMSgt Cameron Pieters . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt William Schy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSMSgt Konrad Delger . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSMSgt Steven Martin . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GroupSrA Stacy Walters . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSSgt Lance Boekenoogen . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnTSgt Kimberly Bledsaw . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnTSgt Owen Lawson . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnTSgt Oliver Miller . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness Sqdn

Nevada Outstanding Graduate Award

SGT Timothy Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168th MEDEVACSGT Heather Ibarra . . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoSGT Samuel Wright . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoSGT Philip Sondgeroth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137th MP DetSGT Larry Harlan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140th MP DetSGT Samuel Acevedo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoSGT Nicolas Allred. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoSFC Colin Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoSFC Jason Elfberg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoSFC David Hurwitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoSSG Kevin Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoSSG Omar Calderontomayo . . . . . . 992nd Troop CmdCPT Vanessa Marrero . . . . . . . . . . . 992nd Troop CmdSSG Kevin Painter. . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnSGM James Foreman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSPC Robin Kinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Tiffany McKimmy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Rachel Mira . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSGT Scott Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQSSG Miles McGuire . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med Det

Nevada Overseas Deployment Ribbon

MSgt Marco Trejo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops SqdnSMSgt Michael Brown. . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSrA Jose Escobar. . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSrA Jauies Sosa. . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSrA Justin Juergens . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GroupSrA Mariah Pomoty. . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GroupSSgt Gary Mireles . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSSgt Timothy Schweppe . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSSgt Christopher Henrich . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSSgt Brandon Upton. . . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops SqdnTSgt Nathan Steiner . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift Sqdn

Nevada Meritorious Service Ribbon

LTC Scott Maylath . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992nd Troop Cmd

Nevada Service Ribbon

SPC Ashley Brun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med Det

152nd Airlift WingVicenza Dix

152ndCommunications FltChristopher StoweTorrey EldridgeAshley Browder

152ndForce Support SqdnJo Anna GoodenoughKaitlind Becker

152nd Maint SqdnRobert PlantRusty ScovelSteven HeringJose FloresEdward MaloneyPaul Teska


Otis TimmHenry SerranoBrian McGaryLane KingTaylor KunzMichele ConantZachary SectonDevin SteffensBrandon HerbertQuentin Young

152nd OperationsSupport FltChristopher Caminiti

152nd SecurityForces SqdnBrandy CarnellSarah HuntKylea DouglasPaul Contreras

James BottgeRichard Sharber

152nd AircraftMaintenance SqdnAnthony StandganelliGarold WisemanTasha Jensen

152nd LogisticsReadiness SqdnLarry DavidsonGarrett Madsen

152nd Medical GrpMichelle Watkins

192nd Airlift SqdnDornan BlandKristen HillZane Buck

ENLISTMENTS

232ndOperations SqdnJennifer Burg

1/168th MEDEVACJack PulleyAdam Peterson

1/221st CavalryJason DsouzaDejan GrujicicDaniel Cruz

100thQuartermaster CoTimothy DuffyWilson Sumalpong

106thPublic Affairs DetVictor Joecks

137th MP DetDonald Johnson

150thMaintenance CoSteven BaizAxas YangYvette HernandezReem HassanKeith LinfordJay ScarbroughGabriel Andrada

240thVertical Const CoBenjamin AlworthJason Goodberlet

421st RTIBrett Penny

485th MP CoNikolaus NelsonJustin Banfield

593rdTransportation CoWong SantitivechRichard Martinez

609th Engineer CoDavid PaxtonJeremiah McPhersonAustin MakowskiJorge Wilson-Perez

72nd MP CoGlenn Rigdon

Caroline JehorekKaylynn Milstead

777th Engineer DetDaniel ShawMatthew Leming

991st Troop CmdMyrillia Cosay

B Co, 422nd Sig BnDarren LawsonKeith TurnerThomas ConantDavid HammondKelsi Washington

C Co, 422nd Sig BnTerence SterbaColby Nelson

HHC, 422nd Sig BnChristine Callanan

JFHQTodd BrownAlan AwdishoRoy Hellen

NVARNG Med DetNathan Stromberg

NVARNG Rec/RetChristopher CluckElren JordanMiles Samuel

AWARDS (continued)

Nevada Recruiting Ribbon

A1C Joshua Dockter-Arbogast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Communications Flt

A1C Alex Norris . . . . . . . . 152nd Force Support SqdnA1C Linda Gutierrez . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnA1C Mark Kosak . . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnA1C Paul Contreras . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnCapt Joseph Deese . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCMSgt Billie Sexton . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnCMSgt Robin Mocabee . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnCol Donald Delporto . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GroupCol David Snyder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQLtCol Matthew Speth . . . . . . . 152nd Ops Support FltLtCol Scott Shepherd. . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnLtCol Ondra Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQLtCol William Vanleuven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMaj Kyle Cerfoglio . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnMaj Bryan Ricks. . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GroupMaj Anthony Machabee . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Ward Lacy . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnMSgt Michael Reed . . . . . 152nd Communications Flt

MSgt Shawn Marston . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnMSgt John Albertson . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnMSgt Dean Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnMSgt Paul Hinen . . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnMSgt Kathleen Caudill . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt Becky Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMSgt David Raschen . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnSMSgt Michael Coscuna . . . . . . . . 152nd Airlift WingSrA Anastasia Brown. . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnSrA Teresa Thurtle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Airlift WingSrA Ryan Jones . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSrA Thomas Kurkowski . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSrA Tara Richards . . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnSrA Ryan Phillips. . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSrA Jose Escobar . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSrA Catherine Ostermeyer . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnSrA Ronald Hanselman . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnSrA Ryan Pratt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnSrA Frank Nash . . . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSrA Joshua Chaney . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSrA Terra Colucci . . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSSgt Carlos Riano . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnSSgt James Cary . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint Sqdn

SSgt Sara Coney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Airlift WingSSgt Kevin Knight . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSSgt Paul Spencer . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSSgt William Young . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnSSgt Rexford Barton. . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnSSgt Lewis Dix. . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnSSgt Eric Dahlgren . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnSSgt Benjamin Reynolds . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnSSgt Matthew Martin . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSSgt Darren Pruden . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSSgt James Miller . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSSgt Inthasone Sackdavone

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnSSgt Randal Casaquit . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Services FltSSgt Brandy Hessler . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnTSgt Christopher Geraci . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnTSgt Victor Hicks. . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnTSgt Kimberly Whetzel . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnTSgt Vicki Kuykendall . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GroupTSgt William Smiraglia . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnTSgt Patricia Clark . . . . . . . . . 152nd Ops Support FltTSgt Gabriel Gamboa. . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops Sqdn

RETIREMENTS


PROMOTIONS

LTC/LtColPerry Tangen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQMary Devine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQEric Wishart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

MAJ/MajDavid Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

CPT/CaptLawrence Chappell . . . . . . . . . 152nd Medical GroupChristopher Solberg . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnMichael Steward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift SqdnMichael Schiemer . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnJon Haydock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992nd Troop CommandNatalie Morrow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med Det

1LT/1stLtDavid Jennings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp Co

CW5Steve Karrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Det. 45, OSA

CW2Michael Guerra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVACJared Clack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVAC

CMSgtBillie Sexton. . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence Sqdn

MSG/SMSgtBrent Whipple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stead Training CenterLarry Balko . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Force Support SqdnGregory Bartlett . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnDavid Clarke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops SqdnLuis Loe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQJohn Sekora . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer Sqdn

SFC/MSgtShawn Woodhams . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnElias Perez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnChristian Riege. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnLord Alvarade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoJacob Lewis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnJerry Hughes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnFrederick Bartolomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoDavid Hurwitz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoChristopher Crawford . . . . 152nd Force Support SqdnJoseph Henle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192nd Airlift Squadron

SSG/TSgtJustin Chapel . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnJoushua Garcia . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnCory Demille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnChad Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnGraham Hanik . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnDavid Rosado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint CoJoseph Rourke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoDonald Dorsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoTyson Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoJames Delpalacio . . . . . . . . . 240th Vertical Const CoWilliam Suminski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTIPak Castillo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st RTI

Tony Lawton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnJeremy Tenorio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnKenneth Falconer . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnJamie Willis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Signal BnJustin Hurt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609th Engineer CoJustin Fetty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609th Engineer CoDouglas Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoLisa Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetMatthew Fenn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetMichael Gilbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetChe Rios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetVictor Boivin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetAlejandra Montes-Cervantes . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetNathan Collingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/RetApril Adams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stead Training CenterVincent Girolami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops SqdnAdam Koehler . . . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnCecil Levy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnJesse MacDonald . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnGabriel Sanders . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnDavid Smith . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnBrian Toward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops SqdnJawann Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232nd Ops Sqdn

SGT/SSgtAaron Carl . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer SqdnRyan Carlile . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Aircraft Maint SqdnJoshua Chaney . . . . . . . 152nd Security Forces SqdnNidia Ituarte-Olivas . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Airlift WingChristopher Lyons . . . . . . . . 152nd Intelligence SqdnKristy Lazaro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnMarcus Eisemann . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnMatthew Zierenberg . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maint SqdnChristopher Pope . . . . . . . 152nd Force Support SqdnCatherine Ostermeyer . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnMichael Schwind. . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness SqdnShamika Webb . . . . . . . . 152nd Log Readiness Sqdn

CW5 Lynn (Mike) Billow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Det. 45 Operational Support Airlift

CW4 Ernie Stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint Company

TSgt James R. Riger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Civil Engineer Sqdn

MSgt John E. Blevins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Security Forces Sqdn

SSgt Stanley T. Bragg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Maintenance Sqdn

CMSgt Sheryle K. Wilkerson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152nd Mission Support Flt

CW3 Ronald Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/140th Security & Support

1SG Ronald Demet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421st Regional Training Institute

SFC Darryl Akana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig Bn

SFC Marvin Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig Bn

CMSgt Kenneth A. Bunker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

MG Cynthia N. Kirkland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

MSG Kevin Pearson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

LTC Steven Ranson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

CW5 Nancy Roza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

CMSgt Cynthia L. Sullivan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

CMSgt John A. Ternau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JFHQ

Jesse Newman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVACRyan Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVACDavid Sumner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVACRussell Hottell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVACTimothy Carter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVACHillary Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/168TH MEDEVACJames Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnEric Debord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnMichael Urdea . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnArthur McKeller . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/221st Cavalry SqdnSamuel Wright . . . . . . . . . . . 100th Quartermaster CoPhilip Sondgeroth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137th MP CoAlex Foos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137th MP CoJames McFarland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137th MP CoAnnie Emprima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137th MP CoChristopher Souza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150th Maint CoAndre Hines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoMichael Frazer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoJustin Haws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoChristopher Rosales . . . . . . . . . . . . 1864th Transp CoKurnhee Ma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnAnthony Dixon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnSteven Rossi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHC, 422nd Sig BnAnthony Esposito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig BnAnthony Doyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig BnHarrison Cohen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig BnChristopher Ciarolla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig BnMayra Avalos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig BnRoberto Brooks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422nd Sig BnRoberto Rueda-Gonzalez . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoRodden Villarama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd MP CoPaul Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777th Engineer DetJason Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777th Engineer DetKimberly Amos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetJoseph Rutski. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetLianna Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Med DetDerek Ernst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NVARNG Rec/Ret

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