Volume 5, Number 2 April 2011

Top Soldiers, Former TAG passes

NCOs and Airmen

page 5

Soldiers run shadow marathon

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page 8

Artillery unit fires new guns

page 10
2 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN April 2011

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April 2011
ARKANSAS
MINUTEMAN
Editorial staff
Capt. Chris Heathscott
State Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Col. Keith Moore
Air Guard Public Affairs Officer
Sgt. 1st Class Chris Durney
Public Affairs Specialist
Adrienne Brietzke
Public Affairs Specialist
Donna Shelton
Information Officer
Garrick Feldman
Editor & Publisher
Christy Hendricks
Managing Editor
How to reach us
404 Graham Road
Jacksonville, Ark.
72076
Ph: 501-982-9421
Fax: 501-985-0026
arkansasminuteman@arkansasleader.com
Advertising:
arkansasminutemanads@
arkansasleader.com
Story ideas
chris.heathscott@us.army.mil
christopher.durney@us.army.mil
Arkansas Guard
News
Published by Leader Pub-
lishing, Inc. 404 Graham Road,
Jacksonville, AR 72076, phone
number (501) 982-9421, a pri-
vate firm in no way connect-
ed with the Arkansas National
Guard, under written contract
with the Adjutant General of
the Arkansas National Guard.
This civilian enterprise Na-
tional Guard newspaper is an
authorized publication for the
members of the U.S. military
services, published under the
provisions of AR 360-1, AFI 35-
101 and the Arkansas Military
Department. Contents of the
Arkansas Minuteman are not
necessarily the official views of,
or endorsed by, the U.S. govern-
ment, the Department of De-
fense or the National Guard.
The appearance of advertising
in this publication, including
inserts or supplements, does
not constitute endorsement by
the National Guard or Leader
Publishing Inc. of the products
or services advertised. Every-
thing advertised in this publi-
cation shall 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 non-merit factor
of the purchaser, user or pa-
tron. Editorial photos unless
otherwise noted. The Arkan-
sas Minuteman reserves the
right to edit all items. Editorial
content is edited, prepared and
provided by the Public Affairs
Office of the Arkansas Nation-
al Guard. All photos are Arkan-
sas National Guard unless oth-
erwise noted.
ARKANSASMINUTEMAN 3
FROM THE TOP
Arkansas National
Sexual assault Guard
Mission Vision and
Values
‘hurts one, affects all’
MISSION
To provide trained,
ready professionals
and units responsive to
As nature and the Clifford Stanley, Un- the needs of the nation,
world around us awaken April is der Secretary of Defense state, and community.
to new life and warmer for Personnel and Readi-
Sexual Assault Awareness
VISION
weather, the Department ness may have said it best.
Arkansas National
of Defense, the Nation- “Commanders and senior
al Guard Bureau and the Month enlisted leadership must
Guard military and civil-
ian professionals, work-
Arkansas National Guard set the tone in their units
are asking everyone to be ing as a team, building
many forms such as ver- sault affects not only the to prevent this crime and
“awake” to a problem that not damage the trust that the finest reserve military
bal harassment, intimi- individual, but the entire
hurts one, but affects all. our military members organization serving the
dation, unwanted sexual National Guard Family by
April is Sexual Assault contact, rape, attempt- destroying our sense of have in their leaders and nation, state, and com-
Awareness Month, with a ed rape and child sexual trust in our Soldiers and their peers.” munity.
mission of addressing the abuse. It affects people of Airmen. Leadership at all Taking this one step VALUES
damage sexual assault any gender, age, ethnic- levels must remain dili- further, every Arkansas
INTEGRITY
causes – not only to an ity, sexual orientation or gent when it comes to this National Guard service
(Honesty, Candor, Ethics,
individual, but also to our ability. And perpetrators crime.” member, federal employ-
overall readiness and unit Morals, Accountability)
can be friends, acquain- This is especially true ee, state employee and Ac-
cohesion. tances, family members for the Arkansas National tive Guard and Reserve COMMITMENT
According to the Na- or strangers. Guard. We are successful personnel has the respon- (Loyalty, Caring, Trust,
tional Violence Against It is clear that all of us and work well in our as- sibility to learn the signs Teamwork)
have an important role in signed missions because
Women Survey, as pub- of a potential sexual as-
PROFESSIONALISM
lished by the U.S. De- preventing sexual assault, we function as a Family, sault and to learn how to
partment of Justice’s Of- in protecting victims, in and we count on each other (Selfless Service, Empow-
safely intervene and pre-
fice on Violence Against changing attitudes and in to be strong, focused and erment, Stewardship, Ex-
vent it.
Women, one in six Ameri- reporting incidents. responsive. When sexu- cellence in all we do)
Remember, it’s up to
can women has been the As Gen. Craig McKin- al assault occurs, it harms
all of us not to let even WARRIOR SPIRIT
victim of rape or attempt- ley, the chief of The Na- one of our own and dimin-
one person down, because (I will always place the
ed rape. tional Guard Bureau ishes our ability to function
writes, “One sexual as- that lets everyone down. mission first. I will never
Sexual assault takes proficiently as a team.
So, let’s take to heart this accept defeat. I will nev-
year’s message for Sexual er quit. I will never leave
Assault Awareness Month a fallen comrade.)
and “Don’t let your Guard
down.”
ON THE COVER
READY T O
ATTACK. Warriors
THERE’S A WAY TO RECLAIM YOUR LIFE. in the 2011 Arkansas
Army National Guard
For more than 25 years, The BridgeWay has reconnected people with their Soldier a nd N CO of
families and communities by helping them overcome their emotional and the Year c ompetition
addictive problems. In addition to being a leader in treating substance square of f during a n
abuse, we also offer treatment for depression, anxiety and panic Army combativ es
disorders, HPRWLRQDOGLI÷FXOWLHV, VXLFLGDOEHKDYLRU and SRVWWUDXPDWLF tournament Ma rch
stress disorder (PTSD). Contact The BridgeWay today to learn how you can 11. S pc. A lec B ald-
reclaim your life or help someone you love. win ( on t he l eft), o f
the 8 7th Troop Com -
mand, e merged a s
the Soldier of the Year
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chris A. Durney.
following four days of
%ULGJHZD\5RDG1RUWK/LWWOH5RFNá
%5,'*(:$<á7KH%ULGJH:D\FRP tough competition. Staff Sgt. Brandon Shaw, of the Nation-
al Guard Marksmanship Training Center, bested a fi eld of
No-cost assessments for adults, adolescents and children are available KRXUVDGD\.
No physician referral required; most insurance plans accepted. four to take the NCO of the Year honors. The two Soldiers
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will compete at the regional level in Kansas in May.
4 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN April 2011

Arkansas ANG welcomes new commander

Vilonia resident accepts munities, their state and
their nation. And they do it

command over state’s 2,000 well.”

Among many other chal-

Air National Guardsmen lenges faced during Porter’s

ROBINSON MANUEV-
ER TRAINING CENTER,
Ark. – Brig. Gen. Travis D.
“Dwight” Balch, of Vilonia,
Ark., assumed command of
the Arkansas Air National
Guard in a ceremony here
today. Balch replaces Brig.
Gen. Riley Porter, who com-
manded the state’s 2,000
Airmen over the past five
years.
“This is a great day for the
Arkansas Guard,” said Maj.
Gen. William D. Wofford,
the adjutant general of the
Arkansas National Guard
and senior commander over
both the state’s Army and
Air National Guard forces.
“It’s a sad day for Gener-
al Porter,” Wofford added as
he addressed over 300 in at-
tendance at the ceremony.
“Anytime an officer gives
up a command you certain-
ly face that with mixed emo-
tions. But he has had a suc-
cessful command, one that
he should be proud of.”
General Wofford went
on to talk about many of the
challenges faced by the Ar-
kansas Air National Guard
during Porter’s tenure. Dur-
ing Porter’s time in com-
mand, the men and women
of the Arkansas Air Guard
participated in multiple de-
ployments in support of Op-
erations Iraqi and Enduring
Freedom. They supported
the communities of Arkan-
sas with state emergency
response in the face of win-
ter weather, tornados and
flooding. They also mobi-
lized intelligence personnel
in response to hurricanes in
the Gulf, the earthquake in
Haiti, and the oil spill in the
Gulf among other things.
ACCEPTING COMMAND. Brig. Gen. Travis D. “Dwight” Balch (center), accepted the
Colors of the Arkansas Air National Guard from Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, the adjutant
general of the Arkansas National Guard and senior commander of both the state’s Army
and Air forces.
“The Arkansas Air Na-
tional Guard has stepped
Photo by Staff Sgt. Julian Johnson, 189th Airlift Wing public affairs
forward quickly and profes-
sionally every time they’ve
tenure, the Base Realign-
ment and Closure initia-
tive of 2005 left the 188th
Fighter Wing with the loss
of the state’s F-16 mission.
The wing maintains a flying
mission today however, af-
ter winning the fight to gain
its new mission aircraft, the
A-10 Thunderbolt II.
While Porter moves on to
take on his new role as com-
mander of the state’s Air Co-
ordination Group, Wofford
expressed his confidence in
Balch as the incoming com-
mander of the Arkansas Air
National Guard.
“You bring to the com-
mand an outstanding record
of accomplishments and I’m
confident that you will lead
the Arkansas Air National
Guard to even greater suc-
cesses,” said Wofford. “I’m
been called on,” said Wof-
ford. “They serve their com- See NEW, page 5

Camp Robinson welcomes Smothers as new post commander

ROBINSON MANUEVER
TRAINING CENTER, Ark. – New-
ly promoted Col. Robert Smothers
assumed command of one of the
National Guard’s premier training
sites here on Sunday, March 5, 2011.
Smothers, who was pinned as
a full colonel just moments before
formally accepting command, re-
places Col. Walter Jones as the new
post commander for the Robinson
Maneuver Training Center – bet-
ter known as Camp Joseph T. Rob-
inson. Jones, who originally took
command of the post in October
2007, is retired from the Arkan-
sas National Guard lMarch 25 after
over 35 years of service.
Smother assumes this tradi-
tional command assignment, while
continuing to work for the Arkan-
sas National Guard in his full time
capacity as the deputy chief of
staff for information management.
With this command, Smothers’
gains responsibility of the instal-
lation’s year round operations and
maintenance.
While there are less than 140
Soldiers assigned to his new com-
mand, the unit supports over
30,000 active and reserve compo-
nent troops who pass through the
32,000 acre post annually for train-
ing.
“But it goes much deeper and
much broader than that,” said Brig.
Gen. Richard Swan, chief of staff
for the Arkansas National Guard’s
Joint Force Headquarters which is
located at Camp Robinson. “In to-
day’s new operational force of the
Guard, Robinson Maneuver Train-
ing Center [Installation Support
Unit] has done more, and does
more today, than just taking care of
an installation.
“They’ve been full partners and
participants whenever we’ve pro-
vided military support to civil au-
thorities for disasters and emer-
gencies. And Robinson Maneuver
Training Center has certainly not
been untouched by mobilizations
since the global war on terror be-
gan.”
Swan went on to thank Col.
Jones for a job well done in both his NEW COMMANDER. Freshly-pinned Col. Robert Smothers stands ready to accept command of the Ar-
command and his career, and fol- kansas National Guard’s Robinson Maneuver Training Center from Col. Walter Jones. Jones, who retired after
lowed by expressing his confidence 35 years of service, passed the installation colors to Brig. Gen. Richard Swan, the chief of staff for Joint Force
in Col. Smothers as the new instal- Headquarters, who then passed the colors to Smothers.
lation commander.
units as well as the citizens of the tions,” said Smothers. “To the unit, working with you to ensure we are
“It’s the highest privilege to serve
great state of Arkansas during di- I’m deeply honored to serve as your ready, trained and resourced to ex-
the needs of deploying troops and
sasters and other domestic opera- commander and look forward to ecute our mission.”
April 2011
Guard mourns the passing of former adjutant general
Maj. Gen. (R) Charles H. Wilson
served under Gov. Rockefeller
ROBINSON MANEU-
VER TRAINING CEN-
TER, Ark. – The Ar-
kansas National Guard
mourned the passing of a
former adjutant general,
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Charles
H. Wilson. General Wil-
son died the evening of
March 7, 2011 at the age
of 99.
General Wilson, who
served as adjutant gen-
eral from 1967 to 1970,
passed away due to natu-
ral causes at his home in
Arkadelphia, Ark. He was
the son of Charles H. Wil-
son and Eva Perry Wil-
son. He was preceded in
death by his parents; his
wife of 59 years, Eloise
Sears Wilson; two sisters,
Arlene Aldridge and Dor-
othy Mc Donald; and two
brothers, Seth “Bill” Wil-
son and Burley Wilson.
General Wilson was
born November 7, 1911, in
Turner, Kansas. His fam-
ily moved to North Little
Rock, Arkansas in 1915.
He graduated from North
Little Rock High School
in 1930 and married his
high school classmate El-
oise Sears, the daughter
of Tim Albert and Rosa
Lee Sears, in their home
on January 1, 1937. They
soon built a home in the
New
▼
Continued from Page 4
confident that the Arkan-
sas Air National Guard will
respond to your leadership.
country south of Jackson-
ville and settled into rais-
ing a family.
General Wilson’s voca-
tion was automobile me-
chanics. He started work
as an automobile mechan-
ic and worked his way to
service manager at sever-
al automobile dealerships
in the Little Rock Area
before retiring from Rus-
sell Chevrolet in 1976 as
their service manager.
General Wilson joined
the Arkansas Nation-
al Guard in 1937 as an
enlisted member of the
154th Observation Squad-
ron. He remained in the
154th until 1940 when he
was discharged as a pri-
vate.
He joined the U.S.
Army two weeks after
Dec. 7, 1941.. As a re-
sult of his prior service,
he was commissioned as
a first lieutenant in the
Ordinance Corp. This is
very unusual, as most of-
ficers begin their career
as a second lieutenant and
are later promoted to first
lieutenant.
After joining the Army
he and two other officers
toured automobile dealer-
ships throughout Arkan-
sas. They recruited me-
chanics and formed the
Arkansas Air Guard, Gen-
eral Balch assumes respon-
sibility of its subordinate
units to include the 188th
Fighter Wing at Fort Smith;
The Marksmanship Train-
ing Unit – Air at the Rob-
ARKANSASMINUTEMAN
Maj. Gen. (R) Charles H. Wilson
264th Medium Mainte-
nance Company, which
was primarily made up
of mechanics from Ar-
kansas, with fill-ins from
other states. The unit
was deployed to Oki-
nawa where the 264th
maintained weapons and
equipment to support the
fighting forces until the
end of the war in August
1945, and returned home
in early 1946. General
Wilson commanded the
264th from its formation
are not that many com-
manders of the Arkansas
Air National Guard,” said
Balch, who formerly served
as the commander of the
189th Airlift Wing from
August 2003 to Novem-
until the unit was dis-
banded after the War. He
was discharged after the
war as a major.
Major Wilson then
joined the Arkansas Army
National Guard and later
commanded the 739th
Ordinance Battalion as a
lieutenant colonel for 17
years. He had other as-
signments and retired
from the Arkansas Na-
tional Guard as a colonel
in 1966.
Upon the election
mand and were respect-
ed leaders who laid a sol-
id foundation for us today,”
said General Balch. “My
pledge to you is that I will
continue to build on that
foundation. I’m going to
of Governor Winthrop
Rockefeller in November,
1966, Colonel Wilson was
selected as his Adjutant
General for the Arkansas
National Guard. After be-
ing notified of his selec-
tion he rushed home to
dress for a press confer-
ence announcing his ap-
pointment. His wife had
previously packed all his
military clothing and had
to get his clothing out of
storage. She only had
time to press the collar
and cuffs of his shirt be-
fore he had to appear at
the State Capitol.
Governor-elect Rock-
efeller had asked the Of-
ficers Association and
the Non-Commissioned
Officers Association for
a list of five officers to
be considered as Adju-
tant General. Col. Wil-
son’s name was on both
lists. After all were inter-
viewed, they were asked
if they were not selected,
who they would recom-
mend. All replied that
Col. Wilson would be
their choice. The commit-
tee was chaired by the late
Sherwood Moose Lodge
4000 EE. Kiehl • Sherwood • 835-1200
(9(5<78(6'$< 7+856'$<1,*+7
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2 8SWR
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5
Lieutenant Governor and
Medal of Honor recipient
Footsie Britt.
General Wilson as-
sumed duties as Adjutant
General of the State of Ar-
kansas National Guard in
January 1967 and served
during Governor Rocke-
feller’s two terms. He re-
tired from the military as
a Major General and was
awarded the Legion of
Merit along with numer-
ous awards and decora-
tions for his 43 years of
military service.
Survivors include his
son Col. (Ret.) Charles
“Hank” Wilson and wife
Lela of Arkadelphia,
and his daughter Rosa-
lyn Huddleston and hus-
band Billy of Arkadelphia.
Other survivors include
four grandchildren: Steve
Huddleston and wife Jen-
nifer of Arkadelphia, Car-
rie Huddleston of Dallas,
Texas, Charley Wilson of
Austin, Texas, and Christy
Teague and husband Bri-
an of Fayetteville, Ark.; a
sister-in-law Mrs. Burley
Wilson, and numerous
nieces and nephews.
835 1200

3D\RXW1LJKWO\
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I’m confident that you will
continue to provide those
outstanding leadership ex-
amples and the drive that
is needed, as we continue
to face the challenges of the
21st century.”
As commander of the
inson Maneuver Training
Center; and the 189th Air-
lift Wing, 123rd Intelli-
gence Squadron, and 154th
Weather Flight at the Little
Rock Air Force Base.
“If you look back in our
history, you’ll see that there
ber 2007, and most recent-
ly served as the Air Guard’s
chief of staff to General Por-
ter. “To be included in that
group is a phenomenal
thing for me.
“All of these men were
uniquely qualified to com-
lead with integrity. I’m go- +DUGSDFNVSP 3URJUHVVLYH-DFNSRWV
ing to take care of the Air-
men who serve. &RXSRQ
“I’m blessed, I’m hon-
ored, and I’m humbled to
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have been chosen the com- %DFN8S3DFN
mander of the Arkansas Air /LPLWSHUSHUVRQ([SLUHV
National Guard.”
Advertisement
6 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN
Arkansas Army National Guard names to
Spc. Baldwin, Staff Sgt. Shaw move on to regional competition
Photos and story by
Sgt. 1st Class Chris A. Durney
ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CEN-
TER, Ark. – Nine Arkansas Army National Guard
Warriors were put to the test over four days here in
March during the 2011 Soldier and Noncommis-
sioned Officer of the Year competition.
Spc. Alec Baldwin of the 87th Troop Com-
mand proved that Army journalists can be fierce
warriors in beating out three others for the Sol-
dier of the Year title. Staff Sgt. Brandon Shaw
of the National Guard Marksmanship Training
Center set his sights on the NCO of the Year title,
besting four other competitors.
Joining Baldwin in the Soldier of the Year cat-
egory were Spc. Christopher Brunner of the 39th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Sgt. Travis Fun-
derburg of the 77th Theater Aviation Brigade,
and Spc. Michael Hobbs of the 142nd Fires Bri-
gade. Private 1st Class Vincel Jones of the Rob-
inson Maneuver Training Center was unable to
compete due to deployment.
On the NCO side, Shaw was challenged by
Sgt. Joshua Dickerson of the 87th TC, Staff Sgt.
Melissa Geving of the 77th TAB, Sgt. Ralph Tan-
ner of the 39th IBCT, and Staff Sgt. Timothy Ten-
nel, Jr., of the 142nd FB.
The two Arkansas warriors move on to the re-
April 2011
gional competition in Kansas in May. The region-
al winners compete at the National Guard Bureau
level, with the NGB Soldier and NCO of the Year
competing for the active Army crown in October.
This year’s Arkansas Army National Guard
Soldier and NCO of the Year competition be-
gan with an Army Physical Fitness Test early on
the morning of March 8, and wrapped up with
an appearance before a board of command ser-
geants major the morning of March 12. Along
the way, the warriors endured weapons quali-
fication, essay writing, warrior task training, a
mystery event, day and night land navigation, a
tough 12-mile road march and a spirited Army
combatives tournament.
“I’m convinced that the Arkansas Nation-
al Guard has some of the best Soldier and Air-
men in the country, and these young men and
women prove just that,” said Maj. Gen. William
Wofford, the adjutant general of Arkansas dur-
ing the awards ceremony and luncheon March
12 at RMTC.
Each competitor was awarded an Army
Achievement Medal along with gift certificates
from the Arkansas National Guard Morale
Welfare and Recreation fund. Baldwin and
Shaw were each awarded the Arkansas Dis-
tinguished Service Medal, and an additional
MWR certificate. DYNAMIC DUO. Spc. Alec B aldwin (l eft), 1 19th M obile Pu blic Af fairs D etachment,
87th Troop Command was named the 2011 Arkansas Army National Guard Soldier of the
Year. Staff Sgt. Brandon Shaw, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, was named
the 2011 Arkansas Army National Guard NCO of the Year.
(ABOVE) A RUNNING START. Soldier and NCO of the Year competitors begin a two-mile run.
(LEFT) FRAG OUT. Sgt. Joshua Dickerson of the 87th Troop Command aims a grenade at a ta
Year competition.
 April 2011 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN 7

op Soldier, NCO
BALDWIN HONORE D.
Soldier of the Y ear Sp c.
Alec Baldwin, an Arkansas
Army National Guard pho-
tojournalist with the 119th
MPAD, receives an Arkan-
sas D istinguished S ervice
Medal from Maj. Gen. Wil-
liam Wofford, the adjutant
general of Arkansas.

SHAW HONORED. NCO

of the Year Staff Sgt. Bran- PLOTTING A COURSE. Each Soldier and NCO underwent a day and night land navigation challenge in
don S haw o f t he National the backwoods of Robinson Maneuver Training Center.
Guard Marksmanshi p T rain-
ing Center receives the Ar-

Arkansas National Guard

kansas D istinguished S er-
vice M edal fr om Maj. G en.
William Wofford.

Airmen of the Year Honored

ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER – The 2011 Arkansas Air National Guard Airmen of
the Year were announced during a Soldier and Airmen of the Year luncheon and awards ceremony here
March 12. Senior Airman Twila Ocapio was named Airman of the Year. Tech. Sgt. Jeremiah Brewer was
named the NCO of the Year. Master Sgt. Bradley Orr was named the Senior NCO of the Year. Master
Sgt. Greg Qualls was named the 1st Sergeant of the Year. Master Sgt. Jillian Churchill was named the
Air Guard Honor Guardsman of the Year.
arget during the warrior task training section of the Soldier and NCO of the
8 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN April 2011

Soldiers run Little Rock Marathon in Kosovo

Story and photos by Sgt. Jerry Boffen
130th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP BONDSTEEL,
Kosovo – Since 2003 the
city of Little Rock, Ark.,
has hosted the annual
Little Rock Marathon, a
run that takes competi-
tors through scenic down-
town Little Rock, passing
such landmarks as the Ar-
kansas State Capitol, the
Little Rock River Market
District, the Clinton Pres-
idential Center and the
Governor’s Mansion.
This year, several Ar-
kansans, stationed in
Kosovo with Multina-
tional Battle Group East
as part of the NATO-led
peacekeeping mission
here, ran the race thou-
sands of miles and several
time zones away, amidst
a mountainous Balkan
backdrop, as the Camp
Bondsteel Morale, Wel-
fare and Recreation held
the Little Rock Marathon
Shadow Run, March 6.
Approximately 60 Sol-
diers with two units of the
Arkansas Army Nation-
al Guard’s 77th Theater
Aviation Brigade served
as the command element
for Task Force Griffin in
Kosovo.
According to Renee Fa-
vors, MWR program spe-
cialist at Camp Bondsteel,
a shadow run typically
starts at the same time
as the official marathon,
even though it’s in a dif-
ferent location. The Little
Rock Marathon shadow
run was started five hours
ahead of the official start
to allow the Kosovo run-
ners enough time to finish
the race during daylight
hours.
Of the 37 runners that
competed in the Little
Rock Marathon shadow
run at Camp Bondsteel,
seven were officially reg-
istered as contestants
in the actual Little Rock
Marathon in Arkansas.
The seven who offi-
cially registered with the
race organization in Lit-
tle Rock qualified for the
boards around Arkansas,”
May said. “There wasn’t a
marathon scheduled [on
Camp Bondsteel] while
we were here and I want-
ed to do the half-mara-
thon portion of the race
in Arkansas when we got
home from this deploy-
ment. When I realized
that we wouldn’t be home
in time, I started thinking
it’d be a good idea to do a
shadow run here.”
May said that he and
1st Lt. William Northern
of Birmingham, Ala., de-
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jerry Boffen, 130th Public Affairs Detachment cided to bring the idea
(FROM LEFT) 1ST Lt. William Northern, Sgt. Dan Akers, Spc. John Vorrath, Capt. Pat to Favors, who worked
May o f t he A rkansas A rmy N ational G uard, S taff S gt. J oktan N oble, a nd Ca pt. C harles on the marathon logis-
Wesley, who are all deployed to Kosovo as part of a NATO-led peacekeeping mission, pose tics such as planning the
together before competing in the Little Rock Marathon Shadow Run at Camp Bondsteel, route, providing water
Kosovo, March 6. points and a timer, etc.
same rewards as those Arkansas Army Nation- joked. They also contacted Ge-
who ran in Arkansas, in- al Guard. “Some people May played a large role neva Hampton, the Little
cluding the official 2011 don't run the marathon in having the Camp Bond- Rock Marathon Executive
Little Rock Marathon because the medal is so steel MWR host the run. Director, about having
medal and a certificate of big, they're afraid they'll “I knew about the run See MARATHON, page 10
completion. get back problems,” he from seeing signs and bill-
“We really wanted to
do the race officially so we
could get the medal,” said
Capt. Pat May of Ward,
Ark., and a member of the

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April 2011
Theater aviation brigade prepares for combat mission
By Sgt. Deanna M. Shelton
777th TAB Public Affairs
DALESVILLE, Ala.
– Members of the 77th
Theater Aviation Bri-
gade, from Camp Robin-
son, Ark. came together
to make self-assessments
during an Aviation Train-
ing Exercise, at Fort Ruck-
er, Ala., Mar. 9, 2011.
All members of the
brigade, including four
support battalions, par-
ticipated in simulated avi-
ation missions in prepa-
ration for a deployment to
Iraq. Among the support
battalions were the 1st
Battalion, 151st Attack Re-
connaissance Regiment,
Company B of the 1st Bat-
talion, 111th General Sup-
port Aviation Regiment,
1204th Aviation Support
Battalion, and 1st Battal-
ion, 108th Assault Heli-
copter Regiment.
According to Fort Ruck-
er evaluators, the train-
ing validated the brigade
Photo by Sgt. Deanna M. Shelton, 77th Theater Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
(ABOVE) L EARNING
THE ROPES. Soldiers from
the 7 7th T heater A viation
Brigade p ersonnel an d a d-
ministration section pre -
pare re ports needed f or a
simulated e xercise during
their Aviation Training Exer-
cise March 9.
(RIGHT) 1 ST ARMY
BRIEF. C olonel L awrence
Madkins, f rom t he 1 66th
Aviation Brigade Fort Hood,
Texas, g ives co nstructive
criticism to the members of
the 7 7th Theat er A viation
Brigade during a unit wide
after action re view on the
March 9.
ARKANSASMINUTEMAN 9
staff, ensuring they can leaders and having a tac- important things a unit expected them to be at this “We will definitely get
provide proper command tical standard operational can do.” point.” them where they need to
and control of aviation op- procedure that everyone “The 77th TAB is par- “The mission given to the be before they leave to go
erations in a deployed en- knows and understands tially trained right now,” 77th Theater Aviation Bri-
into country,” Madkins
vironment. It also brought is the best starting point Col. Lawrence Madkins, gade is a mission for a com-
together two of the battal- in preparation for this commander of the 166th bat aviation brigade … this confidently stated.
ions that will fall under training,” Lashbrook said. Aviation Brigade from Fort staff had never faced many The 77th TAB is slated
77th TAB command while “Having all of your staff Hood, Texas, explained of the tasks needed for this to travel to Fort Hood to
in theater, so as to develop working together with one during the after action re- mission before the training continue training through-
synchronized operations accord is one of the most view, “but that is where we began, Madkins said. out April.
throughout all staff sec-
tions.
“The Aviation Train-
ing Exercise Facility here
at Fort Rucker is the best
training facility in the
world, for an aviation bat-
tle staff,” explained Lt.
Col. Rob Lashbrook, 77th
Offering Families Award Winning Services
TAB operations officer in
charge.
Lashbrook stated that
the type of technology,
network connectivity, avi-
ation cockpit training, as
well as the support from
subordinate units and sub-
ject matter experts, could
only come together here at
the Battle Simulation Cen-
ter at Fort Rucker.
“Identifying your key
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Photo by Sgt. Deanna M. Shelton, 77th
Theater Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
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10 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN April 2011

39th Brigade readies for mobilization

with systems integration training
Ensuring a common operating picture through a ‘system of systems’
CHAFFEE MANUEVER
TRAINING CENTER, Ark. – The
39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
participated in an exercise here 14-
25 March in order to ensure the full
collaboration of its various com-
munications, central power, battle
command, and command post sys-
tems.
The Battle Command Systems of
Systems Integration Training (BC-
SoSIT) event gave the 39th the op-
portunity to validate their abil-
Photo by Spc. Prentis Grayson, 39th IBCT. ity to operate with its multiple
STEEL ON TARGET. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 206th applications in a unified effort down
Field Artillery got the chance to fire their new M119A2 towed through the battalion level.
howitzers as a unit for the first time March 18. The 39th In- “This is the first time we’ve in-
fantry Brigade Combat Team battalion retired their Vietnam-
tegrated all the command archi-
era M102 towed howitzers in June 2010.
tecture,” said Capt. Marcus Pierce,
tical.”
WIN-T is the newly fielded com-
munications system which provides
secure video, data, imagery, and
voice services for the battlefield. It
is the latest addition to the 39th’s
digital inventory which began to
grow when the brigade mobilized
for Iraq in 2004. At that time the
39th fielded the latest collaborative
software system called the Com-
mand Post of the Future (CPOF)
which gave brigade-level command
and staff the ability to monitor the
battlefield more closely.
“We had one CPOF when we were
in theater in 2004, 2005 – one at
brigade,” said Pierce, who serves as
the chief signal officer for the 39th
the network,” said Pierce. “I think
everybody’s really pleased with
what’s happened here this week.”
The exercise included the de-
ployment of the brigade’s massive
Deployable Rapid Assembly Shel-
ter (DRASH), which is a quick erect
shelter system complete with its own
lighting, heating, cooling and power.
With the setup and integration of all
systems, the brigade was then able
to validate their ability through var-
ious simulated battlefield scenarios.
The brigade walked away success-
ful, but far from through with this
kind of technological training.
“By the time we’re through with
[the National Training Center],
I think we will be [well-trained]

Battalion fires
referring to the various software Brigade. “Now we have, I think across the board,” said Col. Kirk
systems throughout the brigade there are 17 in brigade alone. Van Pelt, commander of the 39th
from intelligence, artillery, com- “The brigade commander can vi- Brigade. “After that, we’re going

new 105 mm
mand and control. “It’s the first sualize the battlefield, and each one to have to bring this stuff up every
time we’ve implemented all those of the battalion commanders can vi- drill. You’re going to have to. You’ve
systems though the WIN-T, Warf- sualize the battlefield, and they can got to touch it. All these skills are

weapons system
ighter Information Network – Tac- all share information throughout perishable.”

CHAFFEE MANUEVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. –

Marathon
Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery exercised
▼

their ability to put “steel on target” here March 18, 2011, as they
fired their first rounds from the unit’s new towed howitzers.
The unit, part of the Arkansas National Guard’s 39th Infan- Continued from Page 8
try Brigade Combat Team, turned in their Vietnam-era M102 contestants register with the actual
howitzers last year and fielded the new M119A2. While both marathon in Arkansas.
weapons systems launch 105 millimeter artillery rounds, the “Geneva was able to get the regis-
new system can connect with targets at much greater distances tration fee for us reduced, and gave
on the battlefield. us a code to use when we registered
“The capability of the M119 provides us with a greater range,” that identified us as participants in
said battalion commander Lt. Col. Mike Spraggins, comparing a shadow run, but still allowed our
the M119 to the older system’s range of 11.5 kilometers. “With times to be included in the official
our rocket assisted projectile, ‘RAP’ round as we refer to it, it will results,” May said.
now get up to 19 and a half kilometers. So that provides a lot They’ll also get the coveted Lit-
more lethal fires deeper into the fight to support the 39th In- tle Rock Marathon finisher’s med-
fantry Brigade.” al, though they’ll have to wait until
The battalion, which is currently preparing for deployment they return stateside to receive it.
with the 39th in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, For both May and Northern, the
fielded 15 of the new howitzers and have been working on new run was a milestone. May ran the
equipment training and certifications ever since. half-marathon, which was the lon-
The unit fired the final rounds from their M102’s on June 19, gest distance he’d ever run, finishing
2010, as Spraggins took command of the 1st Battalion from out- in 1 hour, 50 minutes, 30 seconds.
going commander, Lt. Col. Damon Cluck. Northern, a member of the Army
“I can’t brag enough,” said Spraggins. “Everywhere, down Reserve, completed his first ever
to the lowest ranking Soldier that I have in the battalion, we’ve marathon, with a time of 3 hours, 29
got a great attitude. We’ve got a great team. And I expect that minutes, 45 seconds. This earned
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jerry Boffen, 130th Public Affairs Detachment
there’s going to be lots of good things coming out of the 1st and him fourth place in the overall mar-
athon portion of the shadow run,
SOLDIERS FROM MULTINATIONAL Battle Group East take off running to start
206th. the Little Rock Marathon Shadow Run at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, March 6. The run,
The 206th is headquartered in Russellville, with subordi- first among the seven competitors
which included approximately 40 competitors from Poland, Ukraine and the U.S., was
nate units in Morrilton, Perryville, Dardanelle, Paris and North who registered with the Little Rock
held in conjunction with the 9th Annual Little Rock Marathon, held in downtown Little
Little Rock. Marathon. Rock.
April 2011 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN 11

PROMOTIONS
E2 Loomis, Kathryn A.
Loughridge, Andrew S. E3 Green, Montana A.
Grimsley, Joshua E.
Canser, Jasmine A.
Green, Curtis J., Jr.
39TH IBCT
Akens, William R., Jr.
87TH TC
Canerday, Heather N.
142ND FA Loy, Micah D. 142ND FA Hayes, Justin T. Mauldin, Ezekiel D. Anderson, Cody M. Dreyer, Timothy J.
Findley, Richard A. Marlow, Dwayne A. Alley, Thomas E., Jr. Hundhausen, Michael J. Prewitt, Spencer K. Boyd, Tommy L. Farley, Lauren B.
Franklin, Christopher Martin, Michael R. Arconati, Charles J. IV Ingram, Jesse W. Brown, Eric K. Henderson, Gier A.
Bowen, Bobby O. 87TH TC
S. McAdoo, Deshona L. James, Jonathon E. Charlton, William Z. Cecil, Graig M. Hildebrand, Blake W.
Hisek, Greggory E. Pate, Alisa D. Brown, Victoria L. Jones, Christopher C. Childers, Nathaniel A. Hunt, Jared W.
Dobson, Philip E. Humble, Darren C.
Jones, Koury G. Pruitt, Anthony D. Jones, Jay J. Kerley, Jared P. Cross, Steven L. Mann, Alec W.
Kahana, Andrew K. Roberts, Gavin E. Hittner, Michael B. Lankford, Michael D. Fulmer, Robert E. Shea, Martin G., Jr.
McCallister, Jonathan Pillow, Jonathan G.T.
Marroquin, Denys E. Rubier, Dante U. MacDonald, Jacob W. Rodriquez, Miguel A. Hardenford, Charles A. Shipman, Pharis M.
Stokes, Kyle B. Sandoval, Rick D. W. McCoy, Daniel N. Helms, Zachary T. Smothers, Joshua L.
McKibben, Kendell W. Schraml, Timothy M.
Wigley, Joseph A. Stacker, Christopher D. McDaniel, Mason E. Taggart, Jeremy C. Hennagan, Joshua D. Snyder, Thomas K.
Wilson, Tippin S. Steelman, Jesse M. Murphy, Steven D. McLaughlin, John W. Johnson, Nicholas F.
Stell, Christopher J. Quinn, Jonathan L. III CMTC Landsperger, Hugh CMTC
39TH IBCT Sullivan, Dannie L. Ramasanto, Nicho- Mercer, Calon C. Drewry, Michael E. E., Jr. Carter, Emily M.
Allison, Justin A. Sykes, Terrance D. las A. Merritt, Terry D., Jr. Ferguson, Derek A. Magers, Royce L. JFHQ
Amos, Marquel D. Thibodeaux, Dakota L. Talley, Thomas A. Parks, Angelo D. Wilson, Matthew R. McCulough, Wesley L. Burns, Jerod S.
Bednarski, Thomas Toudouze, Robert M.
J., Jr.
White, Tyler O.
Wilcox, Joshua D. Wells, Carl D.
Pigg, Christopher L.
Priddy, Mackenzie A. E4 Nesbitt, Wesley M.
Peterson, Gregory L.
Priddy, Jonathan W.
Bower, Aaron N. Wesson, Ryan J. RMTC
77TH TAB Rankin, Johnathan A. 142ND FA Pierce, Christopher R.
Boyd, Christopher L. Whorton, James K. Raper, Partrick L. Hadley, Shameka S.
Haley, Sherin M. Austin, Joshua G. Ready, Dakota W.
Boyette, Scott A. Williams, Travis P. Rickett, Jody A. Krause, Daniel R.
Molden, Cameron T. Bogle, Brett s. Smith, Nicholas T.
Bradley, William E.
Campbell, Robert D. Thomas, Darrell K., Jr. 39TH IBCT
Anderson, Jordan D.
Roland, George E.
Satterfield, Timothy L.
Dean, Michael J.
Hobbs, Michael D. II
Smith, Tommy L.
Turner, Michael H., Jr. E5
Cooper, Tracy S., Jr. 87TH TC Seaton, Matthew J.
Coppock, Dustin T. Brothertonhauser, Holmes, Justin M. Washington, Vergile Q. 142ND FA
Cornman, Jeremy L. Randy A. Smith, Paul A., Jr. Howard, Tyler D. Wilkerson, Daniel W. Campbell, Sean M.
Cotroneo, Ryan M. Liddell, Laquation J. Waddell, Andrew T.
Brown, Shieisha M. Lish, Michael L. 77TH TAB Pace, Eli Howell
Elmgren, Sean E. Walker, Justin
CMTC Combs, Cody D. Mayse, Bradley J.
Foshee, Jeremy N. Wallen, Robert A., Jr.
Clark, Bobby L. 39TH IBCT
Dunigan, Tyler W. Conde, Robert A. Najera, Oscar, Jr. Harris, Dolores R.
Gibson, Riley K. Wertz, William W. Coleman, John F., Jr.
Huskey, Thomas W. Dailey, Jerimiah J. Nash, Phillippe I. Horton, Paul R., Jr.
Graves, Casey S. Wilson, Shaniqua D. Hanning, Tony M.
Thomas, Garrett L. Davis, Samantha L. Posey, Zachary E. Moore, Patrick M.
Guerber, Thomas A. Jones, Henry A.
Whitmer, Wesley D. Edwards, Jerry W.J. 77TH TAB Reed, Tyler G. Musteen, Christopher
Hutson, Connan H. Nelson, Nicholas R.
Faris, Daniel S. Bart, Michael R. Scleiff, Eric A. A.
Jackson, Brittany N. RMTC Zackious, Gomez E.
Staples, Mark J.
King, Nathaniel J. Faucette, Eric B., Jr. Braswell, Christopher Oliver, Ashley D.
Post, Timothy G.
Gray, Ethan K. See Promotions, page 12

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12 ARKANSASMINUTEMAN April 2011

Promotions
▼
Continued from Page 11
77TH TAB
Sanders, David S.
87TH TC
Branch, Angela D.
Chaloner, Betty K.
Jones, Dwight J.
Veasey, Brittany R.
MEDCOM
Johnson, Jovonna K.
RRC
Ragan, Jackie G.
E6
142ND FA
Blakley, Jeremiah J.
Bowen, Brandon D.
39TH IBCT
Erisman, Shandy K.
Lakin, Joshua F.
Webb, William W.
77TH TAB
Hawkins, Erin B.
NGMTC
Farrar, Justin C.
Sykes, Hunter C.
RRC
Lawson, Leland C.

E7
189TH AW
Travis, Jassen C.
Hammons, Shannon A.
Ware, Eric S.
Wesley, Tamira D.
87TH TC
Banks, Valerie S.
Wilson, Daniel E.
NGMTC
Marchland, Micah M.

E8
142ND FA
Williams, William J.
189TH AW
McElyea, Melvin E.
Siever, Victor J.
E9
188TH FW
Fredrick, Donald E.

O3
39TH IBCT
Hogue, Jason P.
O4
233RD RTI
Terry, Edward E.

O5
77TH TAB
Zega, Steven S.
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