Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Heads Up! is the electronic publication of the Georgia State Defense Force, produced by the GaSDF's Public Affairs Office for State Defense Force members and interested parties. Keep up with the latest news, events, and achievements of the Georgia State Defense Force!
Citation preview
HEADS UP!HEADS UP!
ON TARGET
E-NEWS FROM THE GEORGIA STATE DEFENSE FORCE
Volume One, Issue Five
Page one.
SDF TROOPERS TRAIN WITH RANGERSThirty GSDF Support Group personnel attended a three-day training session at Camp Rogers, the Ranger Training Facility located at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Under the command of Colonel Richard Lockert, these GSDF troop were trained and housed at the facility. Troopers did an extensive Land Navigation Class, search and rescue, compass course and other skills training while at the facility. All training was conducted by US Army Rangers.
I'm not lost. I'm not lostI'm not lost. I'm not lost.I'm not lost... whew, I'mstill at base camp!
Follow me for more Heads Up!
HEADS UP!HEADS UP!
ON TARGET
E-NEWS FROM THE GEORGIA STATE DEFENSE FORCE
Volume One, Issue Five
Page two.
WO1 Russell at his post at the recent Homeless Veterans Salute. Supported by the VA some 150 homeless soldiers were provided with clothing, food, health screening, dental referrals, and other services including referrals to social service providers. Some 20 GSDF volunteers assisted in all aspects of the event
Major Daniel Rado, 1st Brigade, GSDF issues boots to Veteran Alvin Tench, who served in Vietnam from 1966-67.
SDF TROOPS ASSIST HOMELESS VETERANS
State Defense Force troops assisted in an annual statewide program to aid homeless veterans.
SDF troopers helped distribute food, boots and food for veterans who have fallen on hard times.
MORE ON PAGE THREE...
HEADS UP!HEADS UP!
ON TARGET
E-NEWS FROM THE GEORGIA STATE DEFENSE FORCE
Volume One, Issue Five
Page three.
G8 SUMMIT PROCEEDS WITHOUT A HITCHSDF TROOPERS PLAY VITAL SUPPORT ROLE
Georgia State Defense Force member Bobby Anderson assists Chief Warrant Officer 2 Angela Belding during the in processing of troops at the Movement Control Center at Fort Stewart
Georgians from all walks of life, including a career firefighter and a real estate business owner, participated in the Georgia National Guard’s security mission this summer at the Global Eight Economic Summit.
Like the state’s paid Citizen-Soldiers, these members of the Georgia State Defense Force (GaSDF) left jobs and families to spend more than a week helping the Guardsmen. There was, however, one important difference…they were volunteers, participating at their own expense and without pay.
The State Defense Force, is an all-volunteer organization of about 400 people statewide. Under the Georgia Department of Defense, the SDF provides additional strength to the Guard during times of crisis and on state missions.
Many of the SDF’s members also drill with their National Guard units, and they maintain a state of readiness for any kind of mission. About 22 states have a standing State Defense Force.
In the case of the G8 mission, many of the Defense Force members worked with Task Force 2-121 and 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry on St. Simons Island . Another 12 SDF volunteers operated with Task Force Savannah and 78th Troop Command as part of the air medical detachment. Many of the SDF pilots who participated are actual doctors and surgeons in the South Georgia area.
“We feel this is what we do best – serving the citizens of Georgia and assisting the National Guard,” said Col. William Price, officer-in-charge of the SDF forces during the summit.
State Defense Force Maj. Bill Garlen, a real estate business owner, left his Jesup-based company to lead the 25 Defense Force volunteers who worked TF 2-121. The group of 25 on the island was in charge of operating the task force’s transportation center, manifesting buses used to get Guardsmen back and forth between their duty posts each day.
“Because of the SDF, I knew where all my guys were, at all times, in the area of operations,” said Maj. Jeff Dickerson, 2nd Battalion’s operations officer.
As the days of the summit progressed, SDF personnel didn’t just assist with transportation, they stood side by side with Guardsmen guarding security checkpoints and helping with battalion communications at the task force’s tactical operations center (TOC). This was important, Garlen explained, because the TOC occupied space at the intersection of Sea Island Road and Frederica Road, the main access point to Sea Island where dignitaries from around the world met to discuss world issues.
“Being where we can do the most good with the skills and expertise that we have among our members is important,” Garlen explained. “When that happens, everyone benefits.”
Like the majority of Soldiers attached to the 121st, 108th Armor and 48th Brigade Combat Team, the SDF volunteers lived, and sometimes worked out of, Epworth by the Sea, a scenic Christian retreat and resort on Saint Simons Island .
Garlen’s command center, for example, was in one of the many historic buildings that face the inland waterway that runs along Saint Simons. The scenery may have breathtaking, but Garlen said he had little time to enjoy the view.
“We were there came here because we want to serve,” Garlen said. “There were times when things slowed down, but operations never-ever came to a point where we had the time to just walk and fully take in the beauty.” Participating in such a momentous event as the G8 Summit is something that he and his people will remember for quite a long time, Garlen said. The significance of that occasion, the important role played by the Georgia State Defense Force goes hand-in-hand. And when the next mission comes along, Defense Force members will be there.
Georgians from all walks of life participated in the Georgia National Guard’s security mission this summer at the Global Eight Economic Summit.
Like the National Guard, the members of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) left jobs and families to spend more than a week helping the Guardsmen. There was, however, one important difference…they were volunteers, participating at their own expense and without pay.
Over 170 GSDF troops served on State Active Duty in support of the G8 mission. Many were in direct augmentation of task Forve 2-121 on St. Simons Island. Others supported 78th Troop Command and STARC at Savannah and Ft. Stewart,and staffed the GaDOD Joint Ops (rear). GSDF troops also provided 24/7 securityaugmentation for a critical infrastucture facility impacted by G8 realted factors.
The GSDF's Air Medical Detachment provided medical support to National Guardtroops temporarily housed in military facilities near Savannah.
CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR
HEADS UP!HEADS UP!
ON TARGET
E-NEWS FROM THE GEORGIA STATE DEFENSE FORCE
Volume One, Issue Five
Page four.
SDF TROOPERS PLAY VITAL G8 ROLECONTINUED FROM PAGE THREE
As the days of the summit progressed, SDF personnel didn’t just assist with transportation, they stood side by side in support of Guardsmen guarding security checkpoints and helping with battalion communications at the task force’s tactical operations center (TOC). This was important, MAJ Garlen explained, because the TOC occupied space at the intersection of Sea Island Road and Frederica Road, the main access point to Sea Island where dignitaries from around the world met.
Like the majority of Guardsmen attached to the 121st, 108th Armor and 48th Brigade Combat Team, the SDF volunteers lived, and sometimes worked out of, Epworth by the Sea, a scenic Christian retreat and resort on Saint Simons Island .
“Because of the SDF, I knew where all my guys were, at all times, in the area of operations,” said Maj. Jeff Dickerson, 2nd Battalion’s operations officer.
State Defense Force Maj. Bill Garlen, a real estate business owner, left his Jesup-based company to lead the 25 Defense Force volunteers who worked TF 2-121. The group of 25 on the island was in charge of operating the task force’s transportation center, manifesting buses used to get Guardsmen back and forth between their duty posts each day.
“We were came here because we want to serve,” MAJ Garlen said. “There were times when things slowed down, but operations never-ever came to a point where we had the time to just walk and fully take in the beauty.”
Participating in the the G8 Summit is something that his unit and all the other GSDF personnel attached will remember for quite a long time.
MORE HEADS UP ON PAGE FIVE...
HEADS UP!HEADS UP!
ON TARGET
E-NEWS FROM THE GEORGIA STATE DEFENSE FORCE
Volume One, Issue Five
Page five.
SDF TROOPS SUPPORT MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIESTroops assist at Marietta National Cemetery
A strong contingent of 49 GaSDF troopers participated in the annual Memorial Day "Silent Moment" at Marietta National Cemetery.
Troops under the command of 1LT Amie Toole, assisted with crowd management, traffic control, security and first aid.
The featured speaker was Maj. Gen. Thomas A. Wessels, retired Commanding General of the US Army Reserve.
Wreath laying ceremony in front ofthe central cupola.
BG Seymour visits with a group ofcurious youngsters.
GSDF COL Garner and MAJRado observe operations atMarietta National Cemetary
