MAGAZINE OF THE OHIO NATIONAL GUARD ~ Vol. 36, No. 5
PLATINUM WOLF 18 Forging Bonds for Peace
Volume 36, No. 5 September/October 2018
FOCUS ON HISTORY LINEAGE LINKUP A closer look into the origins and lineage of the Ohio National Guard’s 1487th Transportation Company, which originated in October 1872 in Covington, Ohio. HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT The St. Mihiel Offensive took place Sept. 12-13, 1918, during World War I. The Ohio National Guard’s 166th Infantry took part in the offensive as part of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division.
About 50 members of the Ohio National Guard’s 838th Military Police Company deployed this summer to South Base, a premier Serbian Armed Forces training site, to take part in a two-week multinational peacekeeping exercise that brought together more than 500 soldiers, from 10 nations. READ STORY
Supporting STRATCOM
THE OHIO NATIONAL GUARD
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE Col. Camp, the assistant adjutant general for Air, says that “carrying the mission forward into the next generation requires us to take ownership of our ranks…. we owe it to our future legacy to train like we fight.” Annual training is the key time each training year to build that readiness.
The Ohio National Guard is an organization that respects, values and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that define every Soldier, Airman and civilian member. Our strength lies in our diversity. This issue recognizes:
RETENTION REPORT Nearly 180 Ohio high school football teams have signed up this year to take part in Operation Buckeye Guard, a statewide effort of high school teams showing their support for the Ohio Army National Guard, as well as all the men and women serving in the U.S. military.
ANNUAL TRAINING
During their annual training this summer at Camp Grayling, Soldiers built cohesion and created bonds to overcome training challenges and accomplish their missions. “Everybody in our unit is willing to learn and willing to teach; we are a good, strong family,” said one Soldier. READ STORY
Commander in Chief Gov. John Kasich Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman Director, Government and Public Affairs Maj. Matthew J. France Public Affairs Officer (Federal) Capt. Jordyn Craft Public Information Officer (State) Ms. Stephanie Beougher Editor Mr. Steve Toth Layout and Design Ms. Cindy Ayers Hayter Army Historical Content Sgt. 1st Class Josh Mann Contributors - Army and Air National Guard Photo/ Broadcast Journalists - Unit Public Affairs Representatives (UPARs) - Ohio Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion Marketing Office The Buckeye Guard is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense (DOD). Contents of the Buckeye Guard are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the DOD, the Departments of the Army and Air Force, or the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department. The Buckeye Guard is published bimonthly and is available for viewing at ONG.Ohio.gov/buckeyeguard.html. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office (NGOH-PAO), Ohio Adjutant General’s Department, 2825 West Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235-2789. Direct communication is authorized to the editorial staff at 614-336-7003 or ng.oh.oharng.mbx.pao@mail.mil. Guard members, Family and other interested persons are encouraged to submit any articles and photos meant to inform, educate or entertain Buckeye Guard readers. Submitted content, if approved for usage, may be used additionally or exclusively on the Ohio National Guard website, ONG.Ohio.gov, official Ohio National Guard social media sites, or in other Public Affairs Office products. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department. Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the Public Affairs Office will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation has been corrected.
Over the past five years, two Ohio Air National Guard engineering and installation units contributed to work on the infrastructure and cable installation for the U.S. Strategic Command’s new $1.3 billion, 916,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art command and control facility in Nebraska. READ STORY
FEATURES
By
Renowned leadership experts Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky present everyday tools that give equal weight to the dangerous work of leading change and the critical importance of personal survival. Through vivid stories from all walks of life, the authors present straightforward strategies for navigating the perilous straits of leadership. Whether you’re a parent or a politician, a CEO or a community activist, this practical book shows how you can exercise leadership and survive and thrive to enjoy the fruits of your labor. See the Adjutant General's full reading list on the Ohio National Guard website.
Leadership on the Line By Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky Harvard Business Press Boston, 2002
PREPARES US FOR TOTAL FORCE READINESS
By Col. James R. Camp, Ohio Assistant Adjutant General for Air
Col. James R. Camp is the Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air. He is responsible to the commander of the Ohio Air National Guard for directing Air National Guard operations and establishing policy to ensure mission readiness of more than 4,600 personnel assigned to four flying wings and six geographically separated support units. Camp earned his commission in 1990 through the Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. Prior to assuming the post of assistant adjutant general for Air, he commanded the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio and served as director of human resources for the Ohio National Guard. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours of military flight time in multiple airframes and has deployed several times in support of the War on Terrorism. READ BIOGRAPHY
Readiness in the Ohio Air National Guard is a clear measure of accountability at every level. How we utilize our training resources is more critical now than ever. Airmen today must be prepared for the unexpected deployment at a moment’s notice. Annual training is a chance to reinforce the comprehensive nature and scope of our complex mission sets for which we may be tasked. Commanders must ensure personal accountability across the board in order to maximize the effectiveness of all training periods. We live in a world where we cannot afford to lose one day of training due to a lack of individual responsibility. When the time comes to send our Airmen down range for a federal, state or partnership mission, we cannot fail to prepare. Our leadership must inspire excellence. Annual training is not the time for administrative matters, instead, it’s the time for combat preparation. “Always Ready, Always There” is more than a mission, it’s a duty. Our Airmen want to execute what they’re trained to do. Providing every Airman with a challenging environment to excel in their Air Force Specialty Code is the root definition of full spectrum readiness. Amidst a multitude of distractions and predictable Reserve Component Period and Aerospace Expeditionary Force battle rhythms, the Ohio Air National Guard is moving in the right direction. Along with numerous operational deployment success stories in every unit, the recent Northern Strike exercise is a shining example of our capabilities in a joint, live-fire environment. Although we’ve consistently provided support augmenting active forces around the world, this enormous exercise at multiple operating areas in Michigan provided the opportunity to demonstrate our lethality as a stand-alone, command and control enterprise. Hundreds of Airmen from the 123rd Air Control Squadron and the 269th Combat Communications Squadron — along with more than 20 states, Hungary and eight other international partners — provided the critical equipment and personnel to control the skies and battlefield for dozens of weapon systems. I had a chance to speak with many of these Airmen and those conversations validated that we’re on the right track. The overall morale and sense of team cohesion was alive and well. We’re no longer a strategic reserve. Our active-duty brothers and sisters in arms need us to be at the top of our game. We are now, and will always be, an operational necessity as we’ve proven our combat capabilities. Our wings and geographically separate units are structured to deploy as a team. Annual training, especially for our younger members, is where we have the inherent ability to train our future replacements. The fact is, our Air National Guard possesses a combat capability that transcends almost every major U.S. Air Force capability. We can build runways, establish a safe base perimeter, stand up communications and radar capabilities, sustain personnel and fly multiple combat mission sets in any area of responsibility. I ask that you avoid complacency and continue to lead by example. Carrying the mission forward into the next generation requires us to take ownership of our ranks. With more than 50 percent of our Airmen on their first term of enlistment, we owe it to our future legacy to train like we fight. For this, we are all accountable. I know creating a legacy to carry the mission forward is an awesome responsibility. Most of our Airmen have deployed numerous times, thereby preparing all of us for the next fight. Please make the most of your annual training.
Col. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, visits with Airmen participating in Northern Strike 18, a National Guard Bureau-sponsored readiness-building exercise uniting service members from several states, multiple service branches and a number of coalition countries during the first three weeks of August at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. Ohio National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden
Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman, Ohio adjutant general, has published his suggested reading list to enhance individuals’ professional development, with more than 30 titles addressing subjects including leadership, history and politics, and diversity and inclusion.
PARTNERSHIP
Ohio National Guard strengthens both during multinational peacekeeping exercise Story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker Video by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
through
INTEROPERABILITY
SOUTH BASE, Serbia — In uncertain times, with many challenges in the world, focusing on the strong bonds established with partner nations around the globe will not only increase strength in peacetime, but will also improve capabilities during times of conflict, when they arise. With that goal in mind, about 50 members of the Ohio National Guard’s 838th Military Police Company deployed to South Base, a premier Serbian Armed Forces training site, near Vranje, Serbia, to take part in Exercise Platinum Wolf 2018. The two-week multinational peacekeeping exercise brought together more than 500 soldiers, from 10 nations, to enhance military cooperation and interoperability at South Base and Borovac Training Area, June 11-22. The large-scale exercise, led by the Serbian Armed Forces, allowed Ohio National Guard military police Soldiers, along with members of the Tennessee National Guard’s 269th Military Police Company, to train alongside, develop partnerships with and build mutual understanding between partner nations including the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Romania. “One of the Serbian Armed Forces’ most important missions is participating in peacekeeping operations,” said Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin. “During exercises like this one, we prepare ourselves to bring peace and stability where there is war. In this, we cooperate with and exchange our experiences with some of the most developed militaries of the world.”
Training for Peace Taking place at Serbia’s premier training facility, the Borovac Training Area — located just outside of South Base, in the southern part of the country — the 296-acre training facility supports several specialized training lanes. The soldiers lived and operated from a small tent city, built to simulate a real-world forward operating base, during the exercise. The exercise, designed specifically to train for peacekeeping operations, focused on four primary tactical areas of training, including military operations in urban terrain; cordon and search; crowd and riot control; and mounted and dismounted patrol. This required the more than 500 soldiers to break down into smaller, integrated groups for the daily scenarios occurring at the various training lanes. “We gained a valuable opportunity to increase the working relationship with our Ohio National Guard state partners,” said 2nd Lt. Timothy Kurfiss, 838th Military Police Company officer in charge. “We also had the added benefit of getting to train and meet training objectives in a new environment that was not familiar to us. This allowed leaders to plan and execute training for a variety of scenarios and terrains we wouldn’t normally see at home.” The military operations in urban terrain, or MOUT, training was led by members of the Serbian Armed Forces Special Forces Brigade and taught soldiers to perform police engagement operations; collect police intelligence; process detainees; perform reconnaissance and surveillance; and conduct troop leading procedures. Cordon and search training supported civil security tactics. Taught by members of Serbia’s 4th Brigade, the training enabled soldiers to conduct police operations including security of critical sites; roadblock and checkpoint security; convoy security and troop leading procedures. The crowd and riot control training lane also included a portion designated for public law and order with use of nonlethal weapons. This training, taught by Soldiers from the Ohio and Tennessee National Guards in partnership with soldiers from the 4th Army Brigade, allowed soldiers to perform as a response force to conduct security of critical sites, civil disturbance control and troop leading procedures. This area also included host nation police training and support. Mounted and dismounted patrol lanes focused on reconnaissance and surveillance techniques, police intelligence collection procedures and route regulation enforcement tactics. Training lanes are used for systematic, performance-oriented training that enables military units to train in smaller teams, quickly and efficiently to attain proficiency in tactics, techniques and procedures. Training lanes are typically built to resemble military operational environments, allowing soldiers to plan, execute and assess training to achieve maximum results. The use of the training lanes during Platinum Wolf not only allowed for Soldiers from the 838th to work and learn, side-by-side, with their international counterparts, but also played an integral part in ensuring that training aligned with the U.S. Army’s readiness requirements. The Ohio National Guard Soldiers logged more than 100 training hours and expended more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition, ensuring the company is meeting the goal set by Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, of being ready to "Fight Tonight," anytime, anywhere. “Participation in this multinational peacekeeping exercise has boosted morale and confidence for every Ohio Soldier involved,” Harris said. “The opportunity to operate side-by-side with counterparts from countries such as Hungary, Serbia and the UAE puts an exclamation point on the importance of constant readiness.” Added U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Kyle Scott: “This exercise is very useful for peacekeeping operations. The most important thing is that our troops train together with other countries’ troops, that they get to know each other’s equipment and that they can train in real time. In real peacekeeping operations, it is usual to have militaries from different countries working together so they need to be able to communicate, to share their equipment and most importantly their operating tactics.”
More than an exercise While the exercise promoted cooperation and interoperability with several of the world’s defense forces, Ohio’s invitation to participate in the fifth annual Platinum Wolf exercise stems from a strong 12-year relationship with Serbia. The Ohio-Serbia partnership was established in 2006, as part of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program, with a focus on developing a military partnership that could benefit both nations, while also promoting regional stability and civil-military relationships. Throughout the past 12 years, the countries have conducted about 20 events each year, enhancing joint training, building cultural understanding, showcasing accomplishments and collaborating to achieve security cooperation goals. During this year’s exercise, Ohio and Serbia not only continued to further the already strong bonds, but also continued to work at building partnerships with nations throughout the Balkans region. “Since 2014, we have been training our units together with our partners from the Ohio National Guard, Great Britain, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Col. Sladjan Stamenkovic, the exercise director. “Our goal has been to raise our troops’ capabilities to participate in peacekeeping operations worldwide.”
World-Class Training The vision to develop South Base into a premier training center for units engaged in multinational peacekeeping operations, by providing world-class facilities with state-of-the-art technology and training lane complexes, began in 2010 with a meeting at South Base between the Serbian Armed Forces, the Ohio National Guard and U.S. Army’s European Command. A Peacekeeping Operations Training Center master plan was developed and set into three phases. Phase one was to construct a national training center for the Serbian Armed Forces. Phase two was to develop a peacekeeping operations training center that would comply with United Nations standards and meet Serbian Armed Forces deployment requirements. The third phase was to create a training center at South Base that could support NATO’s Partnership for Peace training objectives. Starting out as a steep-walled valley only four years earlier, the multipurpose Borovac Training Area was completed in 2014 and Serbia hosted the first multinational Platinum Wolf exercise. “South Base was created with a view to holding such exercises and activities at it,” Scott said. “I am very pleased that the American troops participated in this event and I am also happy that the Serbian Armed Forces cooperates with the American armed forces to this degree, because we have three times as many exercises with the Serbian Armed Forces than they have with any other partner. We are proud of it, and the results can clearly be seen.” Today, five years later, Platinum Wolf continues to promote South Base as the standard model for regional peacekeeping operations training centers. “Five hundred ten officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers from nine other countries participated in Platinum Wolf 2018,” Stamenkovic said. “As the exercise director, I can say I am very pleased with everyone’s hard work, discipline and professionalism.” Stamenkovic highlighted during the exercise’s closing ceremonies that Serbia intends to keep organizing and participating in similar exercises while working to increase participation of additional partner nations in future exercises. Serbia also plans to enhance the capabilities of South Base and Borovac to better host visiting nations. “More importantly, the trust and mutual respect that is developed between Soldiers and leaders from such diverse backgrounds can’t be created through manuals or training videos,” Harris said. “This exercise will pay dividends and shape the security environment for years into the future as these young Soldiers become leaders in their respective nations’ militaries.”
CAMP GRAYLING JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, MICHIGAN
New field artillery battery hits mark with its new guns Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
“FIRE MISSION! FIRE MISSION!” The bellow of the crew chief echoes down the gun line. Crew members burst into motion, deliberate and methodical, despite their speed. In under a minute, the blast of the 155 mm cannon fills the air, the explosion felt as much as heard. The rolling thunder hasn’t faded before the gun crew is already clearing the breech and readying the next shot. A casual observer would be forgiven for thinking these crew members have been together firing these weapons for years. These members of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment were all going through their final validation exercise on the newest weapon system in the Ohio Army National Guard arsenal, the M777 Howitzer. “It was a challenge, learning this new system,” said Staff Sgt. Jack Osborne, a section chief. “We worked hard to get our squads and sections trained up in the best way.” The M777, or Triple 7s, is quite different from the M119 howitzer the Soldiers are transitioning from. It’s a much larger bore weapon, 155 mm vs. 105 mm. At more than 2 inches larger in diameter, it takes the weight of one shell from 35 pounds to more than 95 pounds. Size isn’t the only difference, the new gun systems have the latest in positioning and targeting systems. “These are the smartest weapons in the inventory,” said Lt. Col. Daryl Beltz, commander of the 1-134th. “They’ve got GPS on them; they know where they are at any given time. Emplacing them is not the slower old-school way. We’re quick; we’re accurate. We are what the infantry and maneuver elements need when they contact (the enemy).” While these are the first M777s in Ohio, this isn’t the first time some of the Soldiers have been around them. “Many of our newer Soldiers coming into the unit have been on them,” Osborne added. “The brigade saw ahead of time that we were standing up a M777 battery, so when they (the Soldiers) were at AIT (advanced individual training) they got trained on the M777 already. So when they came to the unit, they had a lot of knowledge already.” Though they may have been trained on the new systems at school, it was still a day of firsts. “This AT, I got to be the ‘No. 1 Man,’ which means I got to pull the string that fires the weapon,” said Pvt. 1st Class Alex Youngs, a cannon crew member. “This was the first time I wasn’t running rounds. Getting to be the reason it goes ‘boom’ is pretty exhilarating.” In the lead up to annual training, the Soldiers drilled their tasks repeatedly to ensure that when the time came, they could perform. “It’s muscle memory,” Beltz said. “They’ve been rehearsing out here, each Soldier probably has done about 600 fire missions. When you execute it time and time again, you can do it in your sleep. It’s good too because with the big rounds they’re going to start to get tired, and when you get tired you could get sloppy, but they don’t. They have the discipline, and we are ready to fight tonight.” The crew chiefs were justifiably proud of their teams, who had come together from different batteries to lead the way on the new guns. “They are the top of the line, there is no doubt in my mind with this crew,” Osborne said. “They are highly motivated, they’ll do anything you ask of them. These guys are family, to be able to come out and shoot as safe and as proficient as we did, there is nothing like it.”
ANNUAL TRAINING 2018
It’s everywhere in the Army: the feelings, the emotions, and the connections. It’s what you feel when you know that someone is always going to be there for you…no matter the circumstances, it’s still there. Camaraderie. During their annual training this summer, Ohio National Guard Soldiers across Camp Grayling built cohesion and created bonds to overcome training challenges and accomplish their missions. Staff Sgt. Nathan Ruby, a tank commander for the 1487th Transportation Company, and Spc. Steven Shonk, a gunner for the 211th Maintenance Company, are the perfect examples of what it means to form this type of bond with members of their units. The 211th faced the challenge of getting their 12-vehicle convoy up to Grayling safely and setting up most of their camp, but worked collectively to get the mission completed, Shonk said. “I feel like I’m part of a family,” he said. “We all come together when times are hard, and we all have fun when it’s time to have fun... that is why I joined the Ohio Army National Guard.” Annual training is a great opportunity to build cohesion because of the challenges it puts on an individual, thus requiring partnerships to overcome these obstacles. “The Guard has taught me a lot and has become like my second family,” Shonk said. “Everybody in our unit is willing to learn and willing to teach; we are a good, strong family.” Every day, Soldiers have the opportunity to bond with their comrades. They spend time together in the field, at the dining facility during meals, and doing recreational activities when they are off duty. “I want to be here and be a part of a team.” Ruby said. Camaraderie is essential to the success of the organization. One Soldier cannot win a war, it takes many Soldiers working together with a common goal to complete the mission. Units at Camp Grayling Annual Training 2018 were focused on building readiness to rapidly deploy and conduct combat operations in an uncertain, changing 21st-cenutry global environment. By working to enhance their skills and learn throughout annual training, these Soldiers become better prepared to “Fight Tonight,” being ready to deploy for a mission with no notice, with the equipment and training the already possess, confident in the bonds they have developed with their fellow Soldiers to get the job done. See more videos, photos and stories on Ohio National Guard Soldiers and units conducting annual training at Camp Grayling this summer. 196th MPAD, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) Annual Training 2018: Camp Grayling New Ohio National Guard field artillery battery hits the mark with new guns during annual training The Brains of the Operation Soldiers train to detect, defend against electronic warfare Ohio Guard Soldiers tackle worst case, real-world scenarios
Ohio National Guard Soldiers build bonds during annual training Story by Pvt. Jeremiah Smith, Video by Pfc. Samantha Hawkins 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Photos by 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
OFFUT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — Two Ohio Air National Guard units, the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group and 220th Engineering Installation Squadron, were among the Air Force’s total force engineering installation community recently recognized for five years of work contributing to the construction of the U.S. Strategic Command’s new command and control facility located here. Over the past five years, the E&I units worked on providing the infrastructure and cable installation for the new facility, a $1.3 billion, 916,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art weapons system and the second-largest building in the Department of Defense, second to only the Pentagon. “The command and control facility is a weapons system that will take our country into the next generation of warfare,” said Vice Admiral David M. Kriete, deputy commander of the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Airmen with the 251st CEIG were on the forefront of this infrastructure project, which was the largest one in engineering and installation history. The 251st CEIG, from Springfield, Ohio, and the 220th EIS, from Zanesville, Ohio, and their supporting units sent more than 200 Airmen to work on the project. Overall, the Air Force E&I community had more than 300 Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active-duty experts from around the country deploy to Offutt AFB, located in Omaha, from 2013 to 2018 in support of the enormous construction task. “We could not have done this without the support from all of our officers and enlisted folks,” said Col. Wade Rupper, the commander of the 251st CEIG. “We sent the right people to do the right job for America, for the Air Force and for the Air National Guard.” E&I Airmen emplaced communication cabling that will enable USSTRATCOM’s warfighting systems to function and communicate in its new facility. The E&I effort to lay more than 650 miles of cable will conservatively save the Department of Defense more than $250 million in direct savings and cost avoidance of using a civilian contractor, according to information provided by USSTRATCOM. Airmen completed up to six-month tours, which consisted of 12- to 20-hour duty days in order to progress the facility to an operable status. The average tour was over 90 days per person. Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Day, the project manager assigned to the 220th EIS, was the lead Air National Guard member and worked on the project the longest. Many Airmen returned for more than one tour over the course of the five years. “This has been a great opportunity to hone our wartime skills in an operational environment. We don’t normally get a chance for this type of collaboration outside the theatre,” Day said. “The benefits to the E&I community have been incredible as the skills the members receive here equate to many years of training for the traditional guardsmen.” The new USSTRATCOM command and control facility replaces one built in 1957. It is fully redundant in mechanical and electrical systems, so it can continue to operate without any loss of operations during events such as an electromagnetic pulse caused by a nuclear explosion or an F-5 tornado. Surrounding it is a permanent earth retention system, to mitigate potential flooding and prevent any water from penetrating the facility. From this new facility, USSTRATCOM professionals will conduct strategic planning, warfighting operations, provide global situational awareness to the National Command Authorities and combatant commands, aid the president’s nuclear response decision-making process, and, if called upon, deliver a decisive response in all domains. USSTRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, space operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting. Through their critical contributions to the new facility — including installation of 1,800 communications racks and cabinets needed to house over $474 million of electronics equipment used to operate extensive and diverse networks — the Ohio E&I units and the rest of the total force team that worked on the project were able to provide USSTRATCOM with vital infrastructure to complete their numerous missions effectively. “We thank each and every member that has gotten us to this point,” Kriete said. The Ohio Airmen worked on the project through joint occupancy with internet technology, construction companies and other engineering and installation units. Rupper said the Ohio Airmen who worked on the project exhibited resiliency because they were able to overcome several challenges throughout the installation process. “Flexibility has been our greatest asset,” Rupper said. “People thinking on their feet has helped tremendously with this project.” Rupper said the Airmen who worked on the multiyear project have demonstrated the Air Force’s core values of “service before self” and “excellence in all we do,” and gave credit to their hosts for the outstanding support they provided. “What great support we got from Offutt Air Force Base over the last five years,” Rupper said. “This community could not have been supported more than we have here at Offutt.”
Supporting STRATCOM OHANG units critical members of Air Force Total Force Installation Team Story by Airman 1st Class Amber Mullen 178th Wing Public Affairs
Photos by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis, Staff Sgt. Michael Carden and Sgt. Andrew Kuhn, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Celebrating 230 years of being ‘Always ready, Always there’
Photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
First responders like police or firefighters are the go-to people when an emergency happens, but who do they call when they encounter a potentially hazardous situation? When they come across unidentified substances, they call the Soldiers and Airmen of the Ohio National Guard’s 52nd Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction). The Soldiers and Airmen of the 52nd CST are equipped to enter into potentially hazardous areas to identify substances that threaten first responders, such as caustic chemicals, biological agents or even nuclear hazards. READ MORE
Video by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Always Ready, Always There
178th Wing assists with relief efforts for storm-ravaged states
52nd Civil Support Team trains for worst case scenarios
Soldiers of 1-174th ADA regiment deploy for duty
Airmen with the 178th Wing Incident Awareness and Assessment team provided support for states affected by tropical storm Florence in mid-September. The 178th Wing IAA team gathered imagery from commercial satellites and publicly provided information to relay to emergency responders on the ground in North Carolina and South Carolina. The 178th Wing has a history of assisting the nation in times of natural disasters. Last year, Airmen provided imagery analysis for states and territories that sustained damage from multiple hurricanes. READ MORE
Photos by Staff Sgt. Rachel Simones, 178th Wing Public Affairs
Video by Sgt. Andrew Kuhn, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Annual combatives competition exhibits warrior spirit
Ohio’s military kids enjoy summer sun at Camp Kelleys Island
Photos by Warrant Officer Candidate Joanna Bradshaw, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
A weeklong summer camp for children of Ohio Military Families was held Aug. 6-10, 2018, off the northern Ohio shores of Lake Erie. Ohio Military Kids Camp Kelleys Island provides positive youth development experiences and support for the families, particularly the children of military members throughout the deployment cycle by providing the opportunity to bond with children of other Military Families. For information on future camps and other programs, go to the Family Readiness Youth Programs page or the Ohio Operation: Military Kids page on Facebook. READ MORE
The Ohio National Guard
Ohio Military Kids Family Readiness and Warrior Support
Nearly 50 Soldiers from Ohio Army National Guard units across the state battled to be the best during the 2018 Ohio Army National Guard Combatives Tournament Aug. 19 at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus. The tournament called on Soldiers’ skills and hand-to-hand combat techniques learned through the Modern Army Combatives Program, and featured a variety of skill levels among its participants. Male and female competitors were divided into six weight divisions, and fought six-minute preliminary rounds in a double-elimination format. READ MORE | FINAL RESULTS
Elements of the 1st Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment deployed during separate call to duty ceremonies in September. About 200 personnel from the 1-174th Defense Artillery Regiment, headquartered in Cincinnati, are deploying to the National Capital Region in Washington, D.C. to provide homeland defense support, while about 80 personnel from Battery C, 1-174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, headquartered in Marysville, are deploying to Europe and will provide enhanced air defense capability in support of U.S. European Command. READ MORE | READ MORE
The Ohio National Guard celebrated its 230th birthday during a ceremony on July 25, 2018, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus. During the celebration, the ONG command staff led a program that featured a review of the organization’s history, remarks by Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman, Ohio adjutant general, and a ceremonial cake-cutting with the two most recent enlistees, Josie McCue and Garrett Baldwin, who joined the Ohio Air and Army National Guard, respectively. READ MORE
THE OHIO NATIONAL GUARD LINEAGE LINK UP featuring the 1487th Transportation Company, Piqua, Ohio
3584th Transportation Company, Camp Grayling, Mich., circa 1960.
Officers, Company M, 148th Infantry, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 1943.
Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Bellville (second from right), of the 1487th Transportation Company, teaches Task Force Provider Soldiers about the Heavy Equipment Transport system's capabilities July 31, 2013, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
3583d Transportation Company, Camp Grayling, Mich., 1965.
PARENT UNIT Covington Guard DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH 31 October 1872, Covington, Ohio To provide transportation for the movement of containerized, noncontainerized, palletized, dry and/or refrigerated containerized cargo, bulk water products and bulk petroleum products. CAMPAIGN CREDIT World War I Ypres-Lys; Meuse-Argonne Lorraine 1918 World War II Air Offensive, Japan Guadalcanal Northern Solomons (with arrowhead) Luzon (with arrowhead) Southwest Asia Defense of Saudi Arabia Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Cease-Fire War on Terrorism Iraq – Transition of Iraq Iraqi Governance Afghanistan – Transition I DECORATIONS Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Streamer embroidered LUZON Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990-1991 Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2012-2013 Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945
Soldiers from Company M, 148th Infantry stand in formation after arriving at Camp Perry, Ohio via train for summer training, circa 1950.
View a more detailed lineage of the 1487th Transportation Company
Company M, 148th Infantry, Camp Perry, Ohio, 1937.
Lt. Col. James Kelleher (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Van Sickle of the 112th Transportation Battalion place a streamer on the guidon of the 1487th Transportation Company after the unit returned from Operation Desert Storm in 1992.
OPERATION
BUCKEYE GUARD
Ohio Army Guard joins forces with HS football teams to honor military Nearly 180 Ohio high school football teams have signed up this year to take part in Operation Buckeye Guard, a statewide effort of high school football teams showing their support for the Ohio Army National Guard, as well as all the men and women serving in the U.S. military. Throughout this year’s football season, participating schools around the state are hosting military appreciation nights, displaying patriotic banners at the schools and during games, wearing American flag decals on their helmets and performing military-related community service projects in conjunction with Ohio National Guard Troop and Family Readiness Centers. This summer, during preseason conditioning, several schools had the opportunity to experience a military “boot camp” style exercise training session, led by their local Ohio Army National Guard recruiters. Setting a positive tone for the season ahead, the training sessions have helped teams take a holistic approach to being ready for the rigors of the upcoming season. For more information on how to become part of Operation Buckeye Guard, contact your local Ohio Army National Guard recruiter, or: Coach Gerald Cooke Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Ohio Army National Guard Marketing Office
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Back issues of the Buckeye Guard (1976 to present) Watch us on the Ohio Channel Watch our companion, the video Buckeye Guard, on the Ohio Channel, a service of Ohio’s Public Broadcasting Stations. Ohio Channel web site Past Episodes Need help from the PAO? If you would like to request public affairs support or guidance for your upcoming training event or unit activity, contact Capt. Jordyn Craft, state public affairs officer, at 614-336-7449 or Jordyn.R.Sadowski.mil@mail.mil Have a story to tell? Guard members, Family and other interested persons are encouraged to submit any articles and photos meant to inform, educate or entertain Buckeye Guard readers. Submitted content, if approved for usage, may be used additionally or exclusively on the Ohio National Guard website, official Ohio National Guard social media sites, or in other Public Affairs Office products. How to submit photos/articles Call the editor at 614-336-7003 with any questions or concerns.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT
The St. Mihiel Offensive took place Sept. 12-13, 1918, during World War I by the American First Army. The 166th Infantry, formerly the 4th Infantry Regiment, Ohio National Guard, took part in the offensive as part of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division. The goal of the offensive was to reduce the salient (outward line of defense) held by the German army near the town of St. Mihiel, France. It marked the first operation of the war carried out by an American Army under independent control of the American commander in chief, Gen. John J. Pershing.
ONG.Ohio.gov
Volume 36, No. 5 - Sept./Oct. 2018
