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Story by Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Lyddane
1st Lt. Holdun Reed with the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery and his girlfriend, Jasmine at the 2015 St. Barbara’s Dining Out in Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 5, 2015. Reed is an award-winning body builder competing in regional events. (Courtesy photo)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — According to the TRADOC Standardized Physical Training Guide, physical fitness is defined as having “the ability to effectively function in work, training and other activities while maintaining optimal health and well-being.” Many of our Kentucky Guardsman know and understand this notion, but 1st Lt. Holdun Reed embraces it.
Throughout the past year his mental fortitude, determination, and hard work has afforded him the opportunity to compete as a natural body builder. Reed recently competed in the Kentucky Derby Championships, Natural Kentucky Championships, and Kentucky Muscle Championships. He represented both himself and the National Guard well by dominating the competition, taking first place in Physique Novice Class B, third place in Physique Open Class B, and won Overall Physique Novice Champion, respectively.
“Body building gives me something to work towards,” Reed said. “I feel that I am an athlete at heart and have found my sport.”
Competent leaders lead by example, overcome adversity, and are able to persevere through the toughest challenges. Reed has proven that he possesses those traits. Reed serves as a platoon leader for Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery located in Bardstown, Kentucky.
He deployed with the unit to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from October of 2006 to February 2008. Not long after returning home, Reed was severely burned in an automobile fire.
“There were more challenges than I can remember, I woke up in pain for nearly eight months,” he said.
He endured a major surgery to repair the burned areas and skin was grafted from his legs to replace the skin that had been burned away on his arms. He attributes the love and support of his friends and family and especially his girlfriend who stuck beside him every step of the way. For some, this may have negatively impacted their motivation. For Reed, this was a driving force that created a more intense desire to achieve his goals.
1st Lt. Holdun Reed and his girlfriend Jasmine both place in their respective categories at the 2015 Kentucky Muscle Championships in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 14, 2015. (Courtesy photo)
“My parents raised me with the attitude to let nothing stop me from achieving my goals. They told me to never make excuses but instead create solutions.”
After a full recovery, Reed felt there was more he could do in uniform. With years of honing his leadership skills as a Non-Commissioned Officer under his belt, and completing his degree in Business Management and Administration at Western Kentucky University, he decided to challenge himself by attending Officer Candidate School in 2012.
As an artillery officer, Reed is an expert in fire support, observed firing tactics, fire direction procedures, and well versed in platoon leadership. He is a firm believer that great leaders can transform people and encourage the best out of a unit; he has known that type of leader and wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Reed said that as an officer, the challenge is greater because of the requirement to not only provide guidance to subordinates but juggle that responsibility with being a role model and mentor. If you ask Reed’s chain of command, you’ll hear similar comments.
“Lt. Reed has faced many challenges in his life, but continues to demonstrate a true resiliency to persevere,” said Col. Rob Larkin, commander of the 138th Field Artillery Brigade. “His work ethic in and out of uniform has helped him become a well-rounded officer who sets a fine example for others to follow.”
1st Lt. Holdun Reed takes 1st place in his category at the NPC Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2015. (courtesy photo)
Now with five body building awards under his belt, Reed plans to continue competing and challenging himself. Body building has similar requirements to that of being a Soldier, it involves a tremendous amount of focus and commitment - Reed knows this all too well. Leading up to competitions takes hours of time in a gym, knowledge of the human anatomy, and strict adherence to a diet regimen. Similar to the way he uses his position to influence, mentor, and encourage other service members in his unit.
Story by Spc. Lerone Simmons, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Soldiers assigned to Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion,138th Field Artillery Brigade, move as a fire team and conduct a Military Operation in Urban Terrain as part of their annual training at Wendell. H. Ford Regional Training Center, July 30, 2014. The 138th focused on Soldier training that helps with individual communication and movement during their reset year after completing a deployment to the Horn of Africa last year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Lerone Simmons)
GREENVILLE, Ky. — Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 138th Field Artillery Brigade carried out their annual two-week training at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, during the last two weeks of July.
For a large number of the brigade’s Soldiers, it was their first annual training since deploying to the Horn of Africa in 2012-2013. The unit served as security forces for Camp Lemmonier in Djibouti and assisted in multi-national military training in the region.
“This is a reset year for us, so this AT was focused heavily on individual Soldier training, and has been quite successful,” said Sgt. Maj. Rob Hughes, brigade operations sergeant major.
Hughes mentioned how much time went into planning for an event of this large scale, ushering approximately 800 Soldiers through training.
“From first plans to execution, it took about three years to see this become a reality,” he said. “I’m impressed with the way our leadership kept track and carried out the training as well as our Soldiers who are meeting every task placed in front of them to standard.”
Spc. Tyler Douglas, a fire direction controller assigned to Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion,138th Field Artillery Brigade, interviews Spc. Christopher Plummer, a petroleum and resupply specialist, assigned to 2/138 Forward Support Company, during a mock “Interacting with Media” exercise during their annual training at Wendell. H. Ford Regional Training Center, July 30, 2014. The 138th focused on individual Soldier training during their reset year after completing a deployment to the Horn of Africa last year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Lerone Simmons)
One of the main priorities of individual Soldier training was completing the Army’s Self Structured Development training, which is a requirement for specialists to master sergeant for promotion.
“The training is designed to be continuous throughout a Soldier’s career, geared to expand the individual Soldier’s knowledge base, self-awareness, and situational awareness,” he said. “So far we have almost 100 percent of those who required the training, completed.”
Soldiers also learned the very important role they play as ambassadors for the Kentucky National Guard and the Army during media engagement training.
“We were briefed on how to properly interact with media,” said Spc. Christopher Plummer, a petroleum & resupply specialist assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 138th Forward Support Company.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if an interview popped up at any time, but now I’m more confident knowing that I have this training to fall back on,” he said.
Aside from theu classroom and computer-based instruction, Soldiers also conducted military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) training. According to 1st Lt. Sean C. Jones, fire direction officer for Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th FA, the MOUT training was productive and a good reminder that the unit must work as a team.
“The MOUT training served as a valuable communication tool for our Soldiers, and also gave our junior non commissioned officers more opportunities to lead,” he said.
The training allowed unit leaders to rate the Soldier’s proficiency with the Army warrior tasks also refreshed the teams on important security procedures they may face again in future operations.
“MOUT training requires Soldiers to work as a fire team under small arms fire while moving through an urban environment,” Jones said. “We also train on how to properly conduct a search on an individual to ensure safety and security.”
“Completing individual Soldier training was our mission for this AT and I’m proud of leadership and the Soldiers who carried it out,” said Jones. But the unit is also excited, he said, to “shooting our cannons.”
Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
DJIBOUTI, Africa — An innovative website is helping deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers prepare for their return to civilian life.
http://operationhiredjibouti.com
Operation Hire Djibouti is a collaborative effort between members of the 2nd Battalion, 138th Fires Brigade, Kentucky Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, and the Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office.
“What we were looking for was a one stop shop that gave our troops all they needed to find a job,” said Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Chief of Public Affairs for the Kentucky Guard. “All a Soldier has to do is sign on and follow the process and we can point them in the right direction toward a career.”
“The key to this,” he said, “is simplicity and effective response in the career-seeking process.”
With troops facing multiple deployments and a tough job market, it’s no secret that unemployment among Guard members is fairly high, ranging from 12-15%. Out of the 500 deployed, around 170 were either unemployed or underemployed.
Finding careers for servicemembers is a significant part of the mission of ESGR. ESGR is a Department of Defense program that was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component servicemembers and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,900 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the ESGR website, “Volunteers, hailing from small business and industry, government, education and prior military service bring a vast wealth of experience to assist in serving employers, servicemembers and their families.”
Operation Hire Djibouti is just the beginning, said Hilbrecht. “We see this as a test bed for future deployments. Wherever our troops are deployed, whether it’s Africa, the Middle East, Afghanistan … it could even be Antarctica. As long as they have an internet connection we can tailor a website to their needs and make sure they get all the information and opportunities they need, not just to get a job, but to find a meaningful and rewarding career.””All they need,” he said, “is a laptop and the desire to better themselves.”
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| Medical Leader | TORIE FOWLER |
| TECHNOLOGY BRINGS FAMILY TOGETHER: Sergeant First Class Jason Rhodes looks on thanks to SKYPE as his wife gives birth to the couple’s first child. The Kentucky National Guard member was stationed in Djibouti, Africa. |
Courtesy The Medical Leader, Pikeville Medical Center
PIKEVILLE, Ky. — When Sergeant First Class Jason Rhodes and his wife Samantha found out they were expecting their first child, they were ecstatic.
Unfortunately, they were about to walk out the door to attend a conference in Lexington for families facing deployment.
“I had taken a test that came out negative, so I threw it in the trash,” recalled Samantha. “The next morning before we left I happened to look in the trash can and noticed a faint positive sign on the pregnancy test. When we got to Lexington, I took another test and set it on the bathroom counter. A few minutes later, Jason came out holding it in his hand.”
The couple was excited to grow their family, but Jason, an SFC in the Kentucky Army National Guard, would be leaving in less than two months for a deployment to Djibouti, Africa.
Samantha began seeing the physicians at Pikeville Medical Women’s Care Center for prenatal care and Jason was able to attend the first ultrasound before he left.
“Growing up, I always thought about my wedding day and the day I would have a baby,” Samantha said.
“I knew the delivery wouldn’t be what I dreamed about, because Jason wasn’t going to be a part of it. He never got to feel the baby kick, and you never get those moments back. It was so important for me to have him be a part of it.”
Even though Jason is more than 7,000 miles away, Pikeville Medical Center made it possible for him to be a part of the birth.
The hospital was able to set up a television used to SKYPE Jason the entire time Samantha was in the hospital.
SKYPE is a form of technology used to facilitate communication with others using a webcam.
Samantha said, “I arrived at Pikeville Medical Center to be induced on a Wednesday night at 10 pm. Within 30 minutes, we were talking to Jason. We were able to talk the entire time.”
When the decision was made to go to surgery, the hospital transferred the necessary SKYPE equipment into the operating room. PMC OB-GYN Dr. Rick Mcllelan was on-call and delivered the baby by c-section.
“Having Jason there, actually being able to hear him talk in the operating room put my nerves at ease. There are so many men who aren’t able to see their children until after they leave the hospital, and my husband was in Africa and witnessed the whole thing,” Samantha said. “He was speechless and we can’t thank the hospital enough for that moment.”
Caleb Michael Rhodes was born on April 5, 2013, weighing in at 9 lbs, 5 oz.
The SKYPE didn’t stop after the baby was born. Jason was able to stay connected with his new family during their stay at Pikeville Medical Center.
He watched as they brought his newborn son into the room for the first time, his first feeding and his first review from the pediatrician.
“It was something I will never forget. It was the best few days of my life,” Jason said via text-messaging.
“I can’t thank the hospital enough. The Information Systems department, Public Relations, Rita Crum, all the Labor and Delivery nurses, Dr. McClellan and the physicians at the Women’s Care Center, everyone was amazing,” Samantha added.
“We are so grateful, and the experience was more than I could imagine.”
Both mom and baby are doing well. Samantha says they SKYPE Jason at home every day. Jason is scheduled to return home at the beginning of June.
Samantha is the daughter of PMC speech language pathologist Camilla Damron and her husband Rick Damron. Her father is Bobby Davis. She is the granddaughter of PMC chaplain Kaminski Robinson and board member Jo Nell Robinson.
Jason is the son of Terry and Dan Rhodes of Mt. Sterling and the grandson of Karen and Pat Middendors.
Story by Staff Sgt. Steve Tressler, Task Force Longrifles Public Affairs
Sgt. Bradley Osbourne, a Danville, Ky. native, was the distinguished honor graduate for the Warrior Leader Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa in March 2013. Soldiers of the deployed unit were offered the chance to complete the course instead of waiting until they retuned home.(KYNG photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Tressler)
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Every enlisted Soldier Army-wide who wants to continue being promoted and more importantly, to eventually lead other Soldiers must at some point attend Warrior Leader Course. Some deployed Soldiers have to wait until they return home to attend this mandatory step their career progression. But for members of the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, WLC came to them in the Horn of Africa.
Task Force Longrifles is proud to announce that 58 out of 62 Soldiers graduated from the intensive, March 2013 edition of WLC, conducted here at Camp Lemmonier. The unit shared more pride in the fact that the distinguished honor graduate of the course, Sgt. Bradley Osbourne is one of their own.
WLC is usually a month-long course that teaches Soldiers the basic skills to lead small groups of Soldiers. It is also a course that is offered at several locations in the U.S., but this is only the second time in 10 years it has been offered here to Soldiers. The Texas National Guard and the Kentucky National Guard were the only states to make the school available to their Soldiers while here at Camp Lemonnier.
Sgt. Alexa Becerra, a Versailles, Ky. native, and one of the six nominees for Distinguished Honor Graduate, prepares to receive her graduation certificate. Following close behind are WLC graduates Spc. Brandon Bell and Sgt. Travis Berthold. (KYNG photo by Capt. Chris Fitzwater)
The instructors said this group was a little easier to instruct and train than normal. “This unit already had great cohesion and it was evident that the working relationships of the Soldiers were already established. This made it easier for us because we didn’t have to manage those relationships the way we normally would in the US with a class full of Soldiers who don’t know one another” said Assistant WLC Commandant Master Sgt. Rick Ewert.
Task Force Longrifles Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Gividen pushed to get WLC brought to Africa for his Soldiers. He said the reason behind bringing the course to the Soldiers here, rather than waiting until they got back to the U.S. was simple, “We [leadership] wanted to get as many young Soldiers through the course as possible.”
WLC is not MOS (military occupational specialty) dependent, every Soldier must attend if they have any desire to be promoted. It’s an intensive school with the primary emphasis on leadership skills. It also prepares Soldiers to advance to the rank of staff sergeant.
The Soldiers of Task Force Longrifles were able to attend this course here in Djibouti thanks to the officers and the NCO corps already in place within their units. The NCOs covered down on the their mission so that the junior Soldiers could attend.
“Our command truly came together and stepped up to the plate to cover down on shifts and work longer hours to be able to make this all possible for us,” said Sgt. Alexa Becerra with Task Force Longrifles.
“Being able to complete this milestone for my career while deployed was a great opportunity for me,” she said. “Going through the Warrior Leader Course here in the Horn of Africa was a very unique experience; one that not many Guard Soldiers will be able to say they had.”
Story by Capt. Olivia Cobiskey, 205th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs
Spc. Ashley Craig, an in-home care specialist from Louisville, Ky., looks through the gate at the Entry Control Point during a training scenario that tested the procedures Soldiers of Task Force Longrifle, 2/138th Field Artillery Battalion, Lexington, Ky., learned from the 205th Infantry Brigade trainers at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuvering Center, Ind., Sept 22, 2012. (Photo by Maj. Penny Zamora, 205th Infantry Brigade)
CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind., - At an Entry Control Point, Spc. Ashley Craig, an in-home care specialist from Louisville, Ky., looked through the gate as local contractors arrived to report for work. Craig, charged with determining who would be allowed inside the gates, called on all the skills she had only recently learned during mobilization training.
National Guard Soldiers from Kentucky preparing to deploy to Djibouti as Task Force Longrifle gained a sense of the challenges they will soon face when they participated in the realistic training exercise. Developed by the 205th Infantry Brigade at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuvering Center, Ind., the exercise was designed to help Craig and other members of the 2/138th Field Artillery Battalion, Lexington, Ky., test the procedures they had learned but also reinforced their confidence as they prepared to deploy.
“The First Army team has given us tips on how to man the ECP,” said Craig, one of 565 Soldiers deploying to the Horn of Africa from the Kentucky National Guard.
The realistic training give her confidence that she will be prepared to keep her fellow Soldiers secure when she arrives in country, she said.
Pfc. Ismaila Pam, a student at Spalding University in Louisville, Ky., and Task Force Longrifle teammate, agreed.
“It’s a view of what it’s going to be like,” said Pam, who emigrated from West Africa. “So, we can be more confident of how it will be when we get down there.”
This will be the first deployment for two-thirds of the Task Force Soldiers, including Craig and Pam.
Sgt. 1st Class Scott Richardson, 205th Inf. Bde., the scenario developer, spent nine days on a pre-deployment site survey in Djibouti doing research prior to the Kentucky Soldiers’ arrival.
National Guard Soldiers from Kentucky preparing to deploy to Djibouti as Task Force Longrifle are getting a sense of the challenges they will face manning an entry control point during a realistic training exercise developed by the 205th Infantry Brigade at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuvering Center, Ind., Sept. 22, 2012. (Photo by Maj. Penny Zamora, 205th Infantry Brigade)
“I spend one day at each of the mission sets talking to the guys to see what they do,” Richardson said. “It’s a permission environment over there; it’s not like Iraq and Afghanistan.” Conducting the PDSS (pre deployment site survey) is just one way that First Army Division East ensures they tailor training to each deploying unit’s misson.The scenarios covered the loss of sensitive items, a vehicle breaking down at the ECP, movement of local contractors who work on the base, a media engagement, and other issues.
Richardson said the scenarios were meant to help prepare the Soldiers for the repetitive nature of their upcoming deployment.
One of the scenarios tested the Soldiers of Task Force Longrifle, 2/138th Field Artillery Battalion, knowledge of command messages and ability to interact with reporters.
Brigade public affairs officers Maj. Penny Zamora and Staff Sgt. Reginald Graddy portrayed reporters trying to get information.
Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Averkamp, an observer, trainer with the 1-335th Infantry Regiment, 205th Infantry Brigade, watched as the National Guard Soldiers kept the reporters at a safe distance. Averkamp, there to help mentor the unit and make on the spot corrections during the scenario, spoke with one of the Soldiers.
After nearly 10 minutes of the reporters constant questions and comments, 1st Lt. Andrew VonHandorf, gave the name and number of the Task Force Longrifle’s public affairs officer to the reporters. VonHandorf was later told he had reacted correctly; however, for these younger Soldiers, not only was this their first interaction with members of the media as Soldiers, it was their first mobilization and deployment.
Staff Sgt. Steve Tressler, public affairs professional with the Task Force, said the Soldiers are ready for the deployment to begin. The public affairs office has developed command messages and a “Troop Card” for Soldiers.
“If you can develop public affairs guidance that the lowest ranking Soldier can understand and discuss the mission and what they are doing and why, it becomes a very powerful tool,” said Col. John F. Dunleavy, commander of the 205th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division East. “Everyone expects senior leaders to speak to the media, but when Pfc. Jones can articulate why they are there and what they are doing it’s a powerful thing.”
Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Averkamp, an observer, training with the 1-335th Infantry Regiment, 205th Infantry Brigade, watch as National Guard Soldiers from Kentucky’s 2/138th Field Artillery Battalion, Lexington, Ky., preparing to secure a facility where recently freed hostages are being debriefed during a training exercise developed by the 205th Infantry Brigade at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuvering Center, Ind., Sept. 22, 2012. (Photo by Maj. Penny Zamora, 205th Infantry Brigade)
Last year, First Army Division East trained more than 19,000 Soldiers for deployment to places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Horn of Africa.“It’s going to be a life changing experience,” said Spc. DeMarcus Hopson, a student at Kentucky State, Ky., the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Entry Control Point during a training scenario.
DeMarcus, who is studying secondary education, smiled and laughed a little before continuing. “I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, I guess I get to go for free now.”
DeMarcus said the 205th Infantry Brigade has helped his Soldiers understand how to maintain positive control of the entry point.
“The Soldiers who just returned from Djibouti helped enforce the training we’ve received here and gave us a better understanding of what the job entails,” he added speaking of Richardson’s site survey.
Its part of meeting today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertain conflicts, said Dunleavy said.
“We must field an Army that can rapidly dominate any operational environment and provide decisive results across a full range of missions that include deterring and defeating aggression, providing humanitarian assistance, and engaging with our allies while building partner capacity which is what these Soldiers will be doing in the Horn of Africa.
Story and photos by Sgt. David Bolton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Chaplain Brent Kelly, Kentucky National Guard Yellow Ribbon Program Manager, passes out care packages to Families of Soldiers deploying with the 2nd Battalion, 138th Fires Brigade to the Horn of Africa at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012. The boxes contained teddy bears and books that could record the Service member’s voice as they read and be played back at any time. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bolton)
FRANKFORT, Ky.— As Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery prepared to serve their country abroad, the Guard’s Yellow Ribbon program prepared to serve the Families of these service members at home.
More than 500 care packages with special gifts for the Families of the deploying Soldiers were presented to children, spouses, aunts, uncles and grandparents prior to the farewell ceremony for the 2/138th Aug. 31, 2012 at the Frankfort Convention Center.
“The boxes have a teddy bear with a recordable book in it so that the Soldier can read it and record their voice so that the child can have that while they’re gone,” said Linda Jones, Child & Youth Programs Coordinator. “There is also a memory box that the kids can decorate and put things in that their parents send to them or something that is important to them.”
The boxes provided a way for the children and Families to stay connected and maintain ties with loved ones throughout the duration of the deployment.
“The bags have all sorts of goodies so the kids wind up having a really good connection with their parents who are deploying and spouses wind up feeling supported,” said Chaplain Brent Kelly, Yellow Ribbon Program Manager.
Workers with the Kentucky National Guard’s Yellow Ribbon Program pass out care packages to families of Soldiers deploying to the Horn of Africa at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bolton)
Supplying care packages isn’t the only thing that the Kentucky Guard Yellow Ribbon Program does however. They also provide National Guard and Reserve Members and their Families with information, services, referral and proactive outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle.
“Anytime a spouse has any kind of problem, if a child is having trouble in school, if they can’t pay their electric bill, maybe they’re stressed, anything you can think of, they can call and get help from somebody,” said Jones. “We want the spouses to think of Family Programs as their extended family, we’re there for them when their spouse is gone.”
This isn’t the only type of event that the Yellow Ribbon Program has provided to the Service members of the Kentucky Guard.
“We support Operation Military Cheer, Summer camps; we have a whole host of other events throughout the year to support Kentucky Guard Families,” said Kelly. “We understand what the Soldiers are going through and we are happy to support them and their Family because we in the Kentucky Guard are a Family.”
For those interested in finding out more about the Kentucky National Guard’s Yellow Ribbon Program, you can contact Ms. Kim Coyle at 1-502-607-1177
or visit http://www.jointservicessupport.org for more information.
Story by Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Photos by Sgt. David Bolton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery enter and stand at attention during the farewell ceremony held at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012. Approximately 536 Kentucky Guardsmen will deploy to the Horn of Africa for nine months. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bolton)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky National Guard honored approximately 565 Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, during a departure ceremony at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012.
Hundreds of Family members and friends gathered with the Kentucky National Guard command staff to provide a fitting farewell as the unit departed for the Horn of Africa for a scheduled nine-month deployment.
To see more photos from the ceremony, click here.
Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini and Secretary of State, Alison Lundergan Grimes were on hand to greet Family members and speak to the troops, who will be known as Task Force Long Rifle. Tonini reminded them all of the importance of serving their country and the Commonwealth.
“You are serving in the highest level of Kentucky military tradition,” he said. “You are living examples of our Unbridled Service. This mission is about giving comfort, aide and stability to a community of people.”
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery stand at ease during rolecall before the farewell ceremony held at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012. Approximately 565 Guardsmen will deploy to the Horn of Africa for nine months to help promote regional security and to protect U.S. and Coalition interests in the region. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bolton)
“This is what we Guardsmen do day in and day out.”
The mission of the 2/138th will be to promote regional security and stability while strengthening local national relationships, as well as to protect U.S. and Coalition interests in East Africa.
This is not the first deployment of Kentucky National Guard troops to Africa. The Kentucky Air Guard sent aircraft and crews to Somalia and Rwanda in the early 1990s as part of international humanitarian famine relief efforts. In addition, Kentucky Army Guard units have trained with coalition forces in neighboring Egypt as part of Operation Bright Star. Individual troops and teams have also deployed to the continent in support of U.S. military operations over the past few years.
Regardless of the location of a deployment, Soldier readiness remains the same, and according to the 2/138th leadership, Task Force Long Rifle is primed to take on this unique mission.
“We’re 110 percent ready,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Gividen, Task Force Long Rifle Command Sergeant Major. “I am really proud of these Soldiers, they’ve trained really hard. I know we are ready to get there, come back and stand proud for a job well-done.”
The Kentucky National Guard Yellow Ribbon Program has also contributed to prepare the families of the deploying Soldiers. Yellow Ribbon events and a strong Family Readiness Group have helped remind those left at home that they will not be alone.
“Deployment is never easy,” said Kelley Slaughter, wife of Capt. Mark Slaughter. “But because of the programs available to families and going to Yellow Ribbon events, our family is prepared, and we have great information and resources.”
Spc. Perry Lowe with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 138th Fires Brigade, holds his niece after the farewell ceremony for the 138th’s departure to the Horn of Africa held at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bolton)
“I am so thankful they are here to help,” she said.
The Lexington, Ky.-based 2/138th stands as the most decorated unit in the Kentucky National Guard having completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during the war on terror.
Tonini said Soldiers of the 2/138th and the National Guard are an essential element in world events.
“Task Force Long Rifle shows the power of a force for good that can only be wielded by a Guardsman,” he said. “This mission is about building and strengthening partnerships and being responsible world citizens.”
The Soldiers will train at Camp Atterbury, Indiana prior to deploying to Africa. The unit is expected to return home in the summer of 2013.
Photo essay by Sgt. Ellie Waters, 103rd Brigade Support Battalion Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
Sgt. Matthew Atwood, Pfc. Brandon Zamara, Staff Sgt. Richard Conklin, Spc. Ashley Thompson, and Sgt. Timothy Drew, all with Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 138th Field Artillery conduct room clearing training at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., June 21, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Ellie Waters)
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by or about Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. This is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story. This is one such story ….
GREENVILLE, Ky. — More than 900 Soldiers from the 138th Fires Brigade conducted lanes exercises while at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in June. It was part of the unit’s annual training, in preparation for their scheduled mobilization later this year.
The units conducted their training on urban operations, entry control point, close quarter marksmanship, reacting to contact, land navigation, operating as fire teams and team maneuvers.
To see more photos from the 138th FA’s annual training, click here
2nd Lt. Doyle Stephens and Sgt 1st Class Roger Kidwell,both of Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, plot coordinates on the land navigation lane during the 138th annual training at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., June 21, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Ellie Waters)
While the 2/138th conducted their pre-mobilization before their departure, the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion was tasked to be the support element on annual training.
“The training has been very successful this year,” said Pfc. Dustin Gonyer, an automated logistical specialist with A Company, 103rd BSB. “The trainees come in having limited knowledge of these tactical exercises and the trainers have given these Soldiers the confidence they need to be successful over there.”
A mock insurgent, Spc. Benjamin W. Cave, surrenders to Staff Sgt. Richard Conklin and Sgt. Timothy Drew during an urban operations training simulation at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., June 21, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Ellie Waters)
“Staying focused is key, said Spc. Scotty Scruggs, a food service specialist with the 2/138th. “There’s a lot of information coming at you in a very short amount of time, but it’s extremely important that you keep up. One day, what you learn on these lanes could save your life.”
Pfc. Brandon Zamara and Sgt. Timothy Drew of Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, begin training at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., June 21, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Ellie Waters)
Sgt. Matthew Atwood, Staff Sgt. Richard Conklin, Spc. Ashley Thompson and Sgt. Timothy Drew, all with Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery conduct room clearing training at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., June 21, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Ellie Waters)
Spc. Joseph Clark, a forward observer for the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, shoots an azimuth during the land navigation exercise during Annual Training at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., June 21, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Ellie Waters)
The following is a compilation of significant dates in our commonwealth’s military history. For more on the legacy of our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, visit the Kentucky National Guard eMuseum.
General Robert E. Lee surrenders (Civil War)
April 1, 1945 – Invasion of Okinawa began (World War II)
April 1, 1968 – Operation Pegasus began (Vietnam War)
April 1, 1977 – Kentucky Air National Guard wing vice commander John B. Conaway appointment as Deputy Director of the Air National Guard at National Guard Bureau approved by Congress.
Sgt. James Alexander Sherrill, Operation Iraqi Freedom
April 3, 2005 – Sgt. James Alexander Sherrill, of Ekron, Ky. in Meade County, was killed in Bayji, Iraq, when his armored medium truck encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Sherrill was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 2113th Transportation Company, Paducah, Ky. This unit mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom in December 2004 and deployed to Southwest Asia in January 2005.
April 5, 1951 – Operation Rugged began (Korean War)
April 6, 1972 – Operation Linebacker began (Vietnam War)
April 8, 1972 – Siege of An Loc began (Vietnam War)
April 9, 1845 – The officers of the 123rd Regiment of Kentucky Militia unanimously, by newspaper communications and petitions, seek the abolition of the present militia system.
April 9, 1858 – Twenty-one companies volunteered for service. Only 10 companies were selected by Governor Morehead (The Utah War)
April 9, 1856 – General Lee surrenders (Civil War)
April 9, 1942 – Fall of Bataan (World War II)
Roadblock on the Road to Bataan, World War II
April 10, 1942 – Bataan Death March – Sixty-six Kentucky Army National Guardsmen from Harrodsburg took part in the march; only 33 survived captivity to return home. (World War II)
April 10, 1968 – Battle for Lang Vei began (Vietnam War)
April 10, 1990 – Staff Sergeant Regina L. Isenberg of Bowling Green (Warren County) was killed in a military vehicle accident on the Western Kentucky Parkway near Leitchfield in Grayson County. She was assigned to Headquarters, State Area Command (STARC) Kentucky Army National Guard. She was transporting a M-60 tank engine from the Ford Regional Training Site (WHFRTC) to the Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) in Frankfort in an engineer dump truck on rain slick roads. She was a Technician Material Control and Accounting Specialist at the Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES 2) in Greenville. Isenberg graduated from Warren Central High School in 1978 and joined the 2123d Transportation Company (Heavy Truck), Kentucky Army National Guard in Bowling Green in February 1981. She also served in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 138th Field Artillery Brigade. Her awards included Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOTR) and the Kentucky Service Ribbon.
April 11, 1873 – Brig. General Edward R.S. Canby, U.S. Army, commanding the Department of Columbia, murdered by Captain Jack, chief of the Modoc Indians, while mediating for their removal from their rocky fastness on the northern border of California to a government reservation. General Canby was a native of Mason County, Kentucky.
April 11, 1991 – Persian Gulf Official Cease Fire
April 15, 1777 – First attack on Fort Boonesborough by Indians (Early Indian Wars)
April 16, 1851 – John Marshall Harlan appointed Adjutant General of Kentucky by Governor John L. Helm. At time of his appointment Harlan was 17 years old, the youngest individual to hold the position. He served as Adjutant General from 1851 to 1859.
April 16, 1953 – Battle of Pork Chop Hill began (Korean War)
April 16, 1978 – Private First Class Jeffery Clinton Howard died while training with his unit, the 307th Maintenance Company – Central City, at Ft. Campbell. Howard reportedly retrieved his gas mask from the cab of the truck to put it on as a part of training and unknowingly released the hand brake before he walked behind the truck, which had been parked on a gradual incline, the vehicle rolled backwards some 4 feet and pinned him between a tree and the trailer of a truck.
Master Sgt. Clinton Wayne Cubert, Operation Iraqi Freedom
April 16, 2006 – Master Sgt. Clinton Wayne Cubert, died at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, Ky., of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his armored HMMWV during combat operations in Samarra, Iraq, on Sept. 11, 2005. Cubert was assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 2113th Transportation Company, based in Paducah, during his deployment.
April 17, 1868 – Re-interment, with impressive ceremonies, at the cemetery in Lexington, of the remains of General John Hunt Morgan.
1st Lt. Robert Lewis Henderson II, Operation Iraqi Freedom
April 17, 2004 – First Lieutenant Robert Lewis Henderson, II, of Alvaton, Ky., (Warren County) died in, Diwaniyah, Iraq, when his convoy tried to avoid an overturned trailer and came under small arms attack. Henderson, though mortally wounded, continued to drive his vehicle and lead the convoy out of the ambush and repositioned his vehicle so that the other soldiers in the vehicle could return fire before he collapsed. 1st Lt. Henderson was assigned to the Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, 2123rd Transportation Company, Owensboro, Ky.
April 18, 1847 – Storming of Cerro Gordo, Mexico. Captain John S. Williams’ company (the only Kentucky company engaged) behaved with distinguished valor (Mexican-American War)
April 18, 1942 – Doolittle Raid on Japan (World War II)
Sgt. Randolph A. Sigley Jr., Operation Enduring Freedom
April 18, 2010 – Sgt. Randolph A. Sigley Jr., of Richmond (Madison County), was found dead in his quarters at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan where he was serving with the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 2123rd Transportation Company. A member of the Kentucky Army National Guard since 2006, Sigley served from 2000-2004 with the United States Marine Corps. He served a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Marines.
April 19, 1906 – Henry Robert Lawrence appointed Adjutant General of Kentucky by Governor J. C. W. Beckham.
April 19, 1968 – 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, Kentucky National Guard with units in Louisville, Bardstown, Elizabethtown and Carrollton, Kentucky were ordered to active duty by President Lyndon B. Johnson (Vietnam War)
April 19, 1968 – Operation Delaware began (Vietnam War)
April 20, 1953 – Operation Little Switch began (Korean War)
Capt. Clayton Lee Adamkavicius, Operation Enduring Freedom
April 20, 2006 – Capt. Clayton Lee Adamkavicius, of Louisville, was mortally wounded by small arms fire while investigating an anti-coalition weapons cache discovered near Dihrawud district, Uruzghan Province, Afghanistan. Adamkavicius, a native of California, joined the Kentucky Army National Guard in 1999, and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 149th Brigade in Louisville. Adamkavicius was on his third operational deployment with the Kentucky Army National Guard. His first deployment was to Eastern Europe in 2003 where he served as Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor, in support of Operation Joint Forge at Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina. In a subsequent deployment to Bosnia in 2004, he served with Headquarters Company, 149th Brigade. Adamkavicius had been training Afghan soldiers when he was killed.
April 21, 1945 – Second Lieutenant Everett R. Preston, assigned to Company A, 192nd Light Tank Battalion (Harrodsburg Tankers), died at Fukuoka Camp #1-D Honshu, Japan of acute enteritis.
Sgt. Edward Theodore French, World War II
April 22, 1942 – Sgt. Edward Theodore French, Company D, 192nd Light Tank Battalion (Harrodsburg Tankers) died in a field hospital on Bataan while recovering from shrapnel wounds received in a Japanese bombing attack. He perished when the hospital was inadvertently hit by artillery fire from Fort Drum.
April 24, 1873 – Kentucky Legislature directs that the remains of General Cary H. Fry, Colonel Theodore O’Hara, and Adjutant George N. Cardwell to be brought from distant States, and buried in State military lot at Frankfort, and graves marked with appropriate stones.
April 24, 1967 – Battle of the Hills began (Vietnam War)
April 27, 1805 – Battle of Derne - Lt. Presley O’Bannon led an expedition across North African desert and captured the fortified city then held against numerous attempts to retake the place until peace treaty was signed on June 4 1805. O’Bannon was the first to plant the American Flag on foreign soil. The phrase “the shores of Tripoli” from the U.S. Marine Corps Hymn refers to Lt. O’Bannon’s expedition. O’Bannon is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery. (War with Tripoli)
April 29, 1984 – Private Steven E. Jones of DeMossville (Pendleton County), died while training with his unit, Company C, 201st Engineer Battalion in Cynthiana. Jones was killed after an accident near the armory when the unit was training on erecting and using gin poles. Jones was struck by the pole when the rigging failed and he was unable to escape the falling pole. He was given immediate aid by members of the 475th Combat Support Hospital who were at the armory and transported to the hospital but he perished from his injuries a short time later. Jones had just joined the unit on March 2, 1984 and was training with the unit until he got orders sending him to basic and advanced training as a Combat Engineer.
