Pages
Stay In Touch
More
© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By Spc. William E. Henry
Task Force Cyclone, 38th Infantry Division Public Affairs
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of the Kentucky Agri-business Development Team went to a village in Parwan province Sept. 16 to take soil samples to learn how they can increase yields of crops for years to come.
U.S. Army Maj. Jim Rush accompanied other ADT members on a mission to Turkmen village to help solve why some the crops in the village’s fields were not growing properly.
Rush and others thought there may be a fungus affecting the growth in the plants, but said they can’t make that determination without further testing of the soil.
U.S. Army Maj. Jim Rush, Ky. ADT member, is assisted by a Turkmen village member during a soil sampling process on a farm in Parwan province, Afghanistan, Sept. 16. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. John Holmes, Jr., Kentucky ADT)
Rush said they were going to take the samples and send half to a new soil testing laboratory in Kabul and the other half to the University of Kentucky to be analyzed.
“We can come back to make suggestions for the land owner to make applications of fertilizers, gypsum and lime to improve his soil for crop yield for next year,” Rush said.
The results of the soil samples taken should come back in about a month. From there, they will make determinations on what steps to take to provide improvements.
A representative of over 300 families in the village said he hopes to sell the produce at local markets to make more money and get better equipment to expand on what he is doing beyond just providing for his family.
“This is going to be a big help for the farmers and for the reconstruction of Afghanistan,” said the village representative. “We will be able to produce more and get more yields out of this. That’s a big favor from the coalition forces.”
Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center manages a very pro-active and well established Fish and Wildlife program for the Soldiers, Airmen and Employees of the Kentucky National Guard. This program has established some of the most fertile conservations lands in Kentucky for your use. Like any well managed program it has established rules and regulations to ensure the long term viability of the program, the wildlife and the conservation of the lands.
I want to personally invite each you to utilize this resource. They provide a great opportunity to get away for a day and bond with family and friends. Mr. Nave and the entire staff is extremely proud of this resource and we will do everything within our power to ensure you have an enjoyable visit.
To ensure everyone knows of this opportunity I wanted to distribute the “Category Codes” or priorities for use:
A. Soldiers/Airmen/Personnel actively training at WHFRTC.
B. Kentucky Guardsmen
- Retired Kentucky Guardsmen
- Federal, State or Contract Employees assigned and supporting training center operation
- Kentucky Department of Military Affairs employees
- Retired Kentucky Department of Military Affairs employees
- Kentucky State Police assigned to Muhlenberg County
C. Immediate Family Member (Spouse, Parents or Children of a military hunter/fisherman)
D. Guest of personnel in Category B (normally 2 guest per category B Personnel)
A few items to remember:
- Always call ahead before you come to the site to ensure the areas are open for use. We regularly close areas when they impact our ability to support military training.
- Always remember that we typically have a 1 to 3 ratio of Soldiers and Airmen to Civilians eligible to utilize the site. For example, a member of the Kentucky National Guard (CAT. B) could have his children, parents and spouse here along with 2 guests at any one time.
- The Standard Operating Procedures utilized to manage the program is vetted through a Committee of sportsmen throughout the Kentucky National Guard that meets annually. Any questions or concerns can be vetted through anyone on staff or the WHFRTC Website, AAR Link, and we will ensure the Committee is aware of the concern.
- I as the Base Operations Manager would not be considered a typical sportsman as I do not hunt and rarely fish. I am always available to answer questions and ensure this program is run in a way that all members of the Kentucky National Guard can be proud of. If you ever have a questions or concern, my door is always open.
I want to Thank each of you for the support of this program and encourage its use to all eligible members.
LTC William L. McDaniel
Training Site Commander
Base Operations Manager
502-607-7922 Office
502-229-3305 Cell
http://www.whfrtc.ky.gov
Sergeant 1st Class Ben Moyers is congratulated by Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, 82d Airborne Division Command Sergeant Major, for saving a Soldier's life on Nov 16, 2009 in Afghanistan. Moyers performed the Heimlich maneuver on a Soldier choking in a dining facility at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (Photo by Army Maj. John Holmes, Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team)
Brig. Gen. Joseph "Lonnie" Culver, command of Task Force Cyclone, congratulates Sgt. 1st Class Ben Moyers for having saved the life of a fellow Soldier in a dining facility at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Michael Brady, Task Force Cyclone)
UH-60 Blackhawks from B Co., 2-147 Aviation and Det. 1, C Co. 169th MEDEVAC fly across the Austrian, Croatian Border on October 26th en route to Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Stephen Martin, KFOR12)
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — A new U.S.-led KFOR (Kosovo Forces) task force, made up of Soldiers from 37 states, officially took over responsibility of Multi-National Task Force-East (MNTF-E) on Saturday, joining units from five other NATO nations, all of which are maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo.
At a mid-day Transfer-of-Authority ceremony, Brig. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann, Bismarck, N.D., 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the North Dakota National Guard, and the Soldiers who make up his task force, accepted responsibility of MNTF-E from Brig. Gen. Keith D. Jones, 40th Infantry Division (Forward), of the California National Guard, and the Soldiers under his command.
“We’ve trained very hard for this mission, really, for more than18 months now,” Brig. Gen. Dohrmann said. “We’re all ready for the mission; I know the Soldiers are excited to get things started with the mission, and I’m very excited to get things started too.”
More than 1,300 Soldiers comprise Task Force Falcon, the U.S. contingent of MNTF-E. Though its headquarters is based out of North Dakota, units that make up the task force come from 14 states and territories: Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Hawaii, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, Michigan, Utah, and the Virgin Islands. In all, 37 states have Soldiers represented. (Below is a breakdown of units and where they’re based.)
Nearly 2,200 Soldiers from several NATO countries, including the U.S., make up the total MNTF-E force.
Stretching along Kosovo’s eastern Administrative Boundary Line, MNTF-E is one of five sectors, where NATO peacekeeping forces conduct patrols and engage with people and institutions.
Brig. Gen. Jones and the Soldiers of the 40th ID (FWD), known as KFOR 11, based out of Los Alamitos, Calif., have been providing safety and security in Kosovo since they arrived in February of 2009.
“This has been an especially important time in my life and my career and it has been an extraordinary experience meeting so many wonderful people and making so many wonderful friends,” said California’s Brig. Gen. Jones. “We could not have been successful were it not for the many partnerships that we were pleased to have. Our efforts have been greatly enhanced by the team of teams and I truly believe that those partnerships have allowed us to have a much more profound and lasting impact to Kosovo.”
Brig. Gen. Dohrmann, with KFOR 12, looks forward to continuing that important mission with the help of multi-national partners from Task Force Hellas (Greece) and Task Force POL/UKR (Poland and the Ukraine), as well as units from Armenia and Romania.
“KFOR 12 Soldiers have been well-trained, are disciplined, and prepared to carry out their mission here in Kosovo,” Dohrmann said. “The Task Force I lead comprises Soldiers, both National Guard and Reserve, with a wealth of knowledge and experience, both civilian and military. They are all eager to begin what we have trained for months to do — maintain a Safe and Secure Environment.”
The incoming KFOR 12 Soldiers started arriving in Kosovo in late October.
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
After hitting the ground running, the KY ADT has spent the last month getting a sound footing in our area of operations. Upon arrival, we took over 25 active projects that were being handled by the Nebraska ADT. Our first mission was to establish good quality control on the projects. Some examples of existing projects include bee hives and saffron projects in each of our four provinces and headed by Sgt. Jo Lisa Ashley; an Al Bironi University land leveling project in the Kapisa Province headed by Maj. Jim Rush; Veterinarian Field Unit canal repair in Bamyan Province headed by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Petett; Kabul University Veterinarian Training Center in Charikar headed by Lt. Col. Carney Jackson; green house, grape trellising and drip irrigation projects in Parwan Province headed by Lt. Col. Toby Peterson, and numerous marketing initiatives headed up by Capt. Bobby Cabaniss. The projects listed are only a small portion of the work we are doing to help the Afghan people. In order to accomplish all of these tasks, the Ag Team rolls out of the gate on a daily basis.
It has taken an enormous effort by Capt. Jeremy Ballard, Sgt. 1st Class James Ray, and Staff Sgt. Chris Ramsey to look at and analyze each contract. This effort has taken many man-hours and caused this group of dedicated Soldiers and Airmen to burn the midnight oil on many occasions. In turn, their efforts have made it possible for the unit’s leadership to get a firm grasp on all projects. Two of the team’s greatest assets have been Staff Sgt. Ray Norris and Staff Sgt. Estill Combs. These Airmen have been on numerous missions and their knowledge of land leveling and terrain features have been invaluable. Our leadership represented by Lt. Col. Ruth Graves and Lt. Col. Todd Ewing have been very active and hands on. It is exciting to watch these 14 talented Soldiers and Airmen come together and work as one team.
Staff members of the Wendell Ford Regional Training Center (WHFRTC) paused briefly this morning for a group photo during the Fall Cleanup of the entrances and roadways of the Training Center. The entrance of the Wendell Ford Center was decorated in a Fall theme for all Soldiers training onsite. The training tempo at WHFRTC remains very high during the beginning of the holiday season. The Fall decorative display is receiving compliments from the Citizens of Muhlenberg county. The Wendell Ford Center is observing its 40th Anniversary supporting the Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard.
The WHFRTC Staff strives to provide quality facilities and customer services while promoting a trained and ready military force.
Many thanks to Master Sgt. William Gossom for organizing and Lt. Colonel McDaniel and staff for supporting this event.
