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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By Staff Sgt. Christopher Barton, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry
Col. Bryan Howay, commander of the 75th Troop Command passes the colors of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry to Lt. Col. Thomas Black during a change of command ceremony in Barbourville, Ky., Oct. 3, 2015. Black took charge from Lt. Col. Joseph Lear who led the battalion since 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Barton)
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. — Lt. Col. Thomas Black took charge of of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry during a change of command ceremony in Barbourville, Oct. 3. Black succeeded Lt. Col. Joseph Lear who has led the battalion since 2013.
Brig. Gen. Charles Jones, Kentucky’s deputy adjutant general, joined friends, family members and Soldiers of the battalion in welcoming Black and congratulating Lear on a successful run as the unit commander. In addition, five former battalion commanders and one former command sergeant major of the unit were in attendance, a testament to the legacy of the Mountain Warriors within the Kentucky Guard and the commonwealth.
Click here for more photos.
Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Roberge presents Lt. COl. Joseph Lear with a framed collection of the guidons of the 1st Battalion,, 149th Infantry during a change of command ceremony in Barbourville, Ky., Oct. 3, 2015. Lear commanded the unit since 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Barton)
“Being here in this moment at this place is nothing short of surreal,” said Black. “I couldn’t help but be reminded of the leadership over the past 3 decades that I have been blessed with, the history I have shared with this battalion, and the heritage that at this very moment I am inheriting.”
Black has served in the Kentucky Guard for more than 30 years, most recently as the operations and planning officer for the 75th Troop Command. As a traditional Guardsman, Black owns and operates a real estate firm in Southern Kentucky.
Lear, who called the chance to lead the battalion the best job he’s ever had, will move to the 75th TC as an operations officer. Black said the battalion has a legacy of great leadership and the last two years were indicative of the same under Lear.
“This battalion is the best combat arms battalion in the Army National Guard. It will remain that way and continue to lead the way. We will emphasize our efforts on near term challenges, constantly evaluating who we are, where we are with respect of who we want to be and where we want to be in respect to long term goals.”
Col. Bryan Howay, commander of the 75th TC called Black a very diverse leader, considering his roles as a Soldier, the father of a Soldier and a local businessman, “there’s nothing he can’t relate to.”
“My most honorable character is being a Dad, my 2nd most honorable character is being a Untied States Army Infantry officer proudly serving in the Kentucky Guard,” said Black. “And now my most honored position while wearing this uniform is commander of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry.”
Lt. Col. Joseph Lear presents Sgt. Daniel White with the Soldier’s Medal in Barbourville, Ky., Oct. 3, 2015. White received the award for his actions in saving a motorist’s life in an automobile accident in Frankfort, Ky., in 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Barton)
In addition to the change of command, the Mountain Warriors also celebrated one of their own with a prestigious honor. Sgt. Daniel White was presented the Soldier’s medal for his actions in helping to save the life of a motorist involved in a fiery automobile accident in January of 2014.
“This means a lot to me, to be recognized for the award,” said White. “It’s not the recognition that any of us were looking for though, the main priority was that Mr. Burdett was out of harm’s way and we did everything that we could do for him. We were lucky enough to be in the right place to put our training in effect and do what anybody in that situation would have done.”
Kentucky National Guard Staff Report
Jennifer Hatfield (second from right) is presented with the National Guard Bureau’s Youth Development Volunteer Award in Middlesboro, Ky., Aug. 23, 2015. Maj. Bryan Combs, Family Programs Director (far right) presented Hatfield with the award for her work as the Family Readiness Group leader for Delta Co. !st Battalion, 149th Infantry. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Olivia Burton)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — “Sometimes you do things not looking for someone to say thank you,” said Jennifer Hatfield, Family Readiness Leader for Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry.
But recently, the National Guard Bureau did say thank you to Hatfield, presenting her with the Youth Development Volunteer Award.
Hatfield received the award during the unit’s family day in Middlesboro, Kentucky, Aug. 23.
“If we had more Jennifer Hatfields in the world, the world would be a better place,” said Maj. Bryan Combs, Kentucky’s Family Programs director.
The award is given to those who have positively impacted Guard Family Readiness Groups and key volunteer efforts.
Hatfield has been the FRG leader since 2012 and her leadership skills contributed to the success of two military child events in 2013 and 2014. Her personal community involvement included Middlesboro Youth League Cheerleading Coach, Coordinator for 5K for Our Hometown Hero’s, Gymnastics Instructor in Middlesboro, and Middlesboro T-Ball. She was instrumental in building and strengthening community relationships that have benefitted both the area and the Kentucky Guard.
“We certainly want to recognize one of our own on both a national and local scale,” said Combs. “The dedication and time that she takes for the 149th Infantry is outstanding, and her support is
through her own accord, her own time, and her own energy.”
“What I can tell you from a state level is we do everything we can to support families so our Soldiers can train, but we can’t do that without people like Jennifer. The ground roots level is where it’s at. It’s that person like Jennifer that meets face to face, who knows what our soldiers needs are, what the families and kids are going through that makes us strong.”
Combs said she has played a key role in the FRG to build trust and continuity within the unit and family members. A tough task that has been successful for Hatfield and the 1/149th and it all started with her raising her hand to help and recognizing military children.
“I started Month of the Military Child Appreciation Day because there was a need here for our kids here in this area,” she said. “It started out small and it’s grown tremendously over the years. I do it because I feel our military children need to be involved just as much as the families. They’re just as important as everyone else. I couldn’t do it without the help of the guys here in the unit.”
“Sometimes I do feel like no one sees what I do, so receiving this award feels really good.”
Story by Capt. Ryan Hubbs, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry
Soldiers from Bravo Company 1-149th Infantry participated in one of the largest regional, multi-agency exercise in the history of the Kentucky Guard at Camp Sherman, Ohio, June 16-18, 2015. Acting as the Quick Reaction Force for a Special Focus Event known as Operation Guard Shield, members of Bravo Co. quickly assembled at their home station, loaded their equipment, and deployed to the exercise site in less than 7 hours. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Ryan Hubbs)
Camp Sherman, Ohio — “GAS, GAS, GAS!” What would you do if you had to respond to a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) threat? For members of Bravo Company 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, they were about to find out…
With the focus of the National Guard’s efforts over the last 14 years, centered on the War on Terror, it is important as Soldiers in the National Guard to be able to respond domestic events as well.
Soldiers from Bravo Co. participated in one of the largest regional, multi-agency exercise in the history of the Kentucky Guard June 16-18. Acting as the Quick Reaction Force for a Special Focus Event known as Operation Guardian Shield, the infantrymen quickly assembled at their home station, loaded their equipment, and deployed to the exercise site in less than 7 hours.
Soldiers from Bravo Company 1-149th Infantry escort a simulated casualty during a training exercise at Camp Sherman, Ohio, June 17, 2015. Acting as the Quick Reaction Force for Operation Guard Shield, members of Bravo Co. quickly assembled at their home station, loaded their equipment, and deployed to the exercise site in less than 7 hours. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Ryan Hubbs)
In conducting this full scale exercise event, the 40 participants flew from London, Kentucky to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio in a C-130 provided by the Ohio National Guard. The soldiers then conducted a quick Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (JRSOI) briefing describing the situation on the ground. From there the Bravo Co. participants loaded up onto four UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters and departed for Camp Sherman, Ohio were they would begin their exercise.
The scene at the incident site was a train derailment caused by a domestic terrorist organization (for exercise purposes only). The train was carrying hazardous materials which were in theory released into the air. Bravo Co.’s job worked with the incident manger, local law enforcement, local fire departments, and the CBRN Enhanced Response Force (CERF) to provide security to the site, help evacuate casualties, and prevent decontaminated personnel from entering into the contaminated zone and vice versa.
Staff Sgt. David Olszewski, Platoon Sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Bravo Co. discussed the benefits of training for the mission prior to executing. “Luckily, we have trained with our protective masks so it was not a complete shock to the system; however, it was still difficult to communicate while wearing them. Having trained with masks previously allowed us as Soldiers to not only have confidence in our equipment, but also provided us the stress inoculation necessary to remain calm and collected while wearing the mask.”
Rubble and debris from the derailment site could be seen everywhere. Role players were hired to act as casualties, on lookers, family members searching for loved ones, and members of the media to make the scenario more realistic.
Soldiers from Bravo Company 1-149th Infantry man a tactical control point during a training exercise at Camp Sherman, Ohio, June 17, 2015. The exercise, Operation Guard Shield, brought National Guardsmen from at least eight states together with a variety of civilian organizations to respond to a simulated domestic incident. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Ryan Hubbs)
Throughout the day Bravo Co. established and manned a tactical control point, provided litter assistance for casualties who had undergone the decontamination process, conducted a wide area search for survivors, and treated multiple simulated casualties for a variety of injuries all while wearing their protective gas masks and equipment.
With such a large-scale event involving a variety of organizations, interagency communication was difficult but vital to the exercise.
“The most challenging aspect of the operation was coordinating across multiple agencies including military, law enforcement, and emergency management,” explained Olszewski. “Agencies use different communication systems, pro-words, acronyms, and command structures so it can be a challenge to determine the most effective and efficient means of sending and receiving information.”
Along with Soldiers from the Kentucky Guard, Operation Guardian Shield included Soldiers and Airmen from Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, West Virginia, Ohio, and National Guard Bureau. Also, representatives and agents from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FEMA, Civil Air Patrol, Red Cross, and Ohio Emergency Management were all on the scene. This made the need for coordinated communications extremely important.
At the conclusion of the exercise, all 40 Bravo Company participants loaded up onto to the UH-60s, returned to the air base, loaded onto a C-130 and returned to London where they officially ended their mission.
“We hope to continue to participate in high profile exercises such as this,” said Capt. Ryan Hubbs commander of Bravo Co. “This event allowed us to complete a full spectrum of mission essential tasks and practice our most important mission which is to protect the citizens of our nation. It was great to be able to shift the focus onto a domestic response event, and give us broader perspective of what our duties as members of the National Guard entails.”
Staff Report with contributions from Capt. Ryan Hubbs
Capt. Ryan Hubbs prepares to begin a practice road march at Fort Benning, Ga., in preparation for the 2014 Best Ranger Competition. (Courtesy photo)
FORT BENNING, Ga. — As the weeks dwindle down to the 2014 Best Ranger Competition, training and preparation only intensify for the participants. Capt. Ryan Hubbs, a Kentucky Guardsman from the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry keeps his eyes on the prize of raising his own Colt pistol in the air if he is named the Best Ranger.
Hubbs, along with other competitors are currently at Fort Benning, Ga., making the most of each day they have preparing for the April event.
“It is important to understand that just being the most physically fit will not guarantee victory, it will only separate you into the next tier. Practicing, strategizing, and rehearsing your techniques are what will separate those competitors at the top.”
“No time is wasted here. Even in our hotel rooms at night we practice rigging our ruck sacks for airborne operations, studying Ranger History, and tying knots for time. The rest of our down time is spent recovering, doing stretches, foam rolling out the knots in our legs, and taking ice baths, followed by Epsom salt baths.”
Capt. Ryan Hubbs rappels down from a 60 feet high tower at Fort Benning, Ga., during practice for the 2014 Best Ranger Competition. (Courtesy photo)
Hubbs said the competitors are training 10-14 hours per day, dedicating themselves to the event. He estimates that they run and average of 20-30 miles per week, 4000-5000 meters in the pool and more than 20 miles on road marches. And the mileage only increases each week.
“Each competitor down here is extremely competitive. Everything we do is timed and measured and no one wants a loose a single event. It is a very interesting environment where everyone is extremely encouraging and helpful to each other until it is time to compete and then we all try our best to crush our competition.”
Soldiers from active-duty Ranger units and Special Operations Command teams also compete in the prestigious event. Fo several years, members of the National Guard have competed and have finished well, but Hubbs believes that more Guardsmen will finish strong this year.
“I suspect by the start of Best Ranger the National Guard will have the most physically fit and technically proficient Soldiers in the competition.”
Story by 1st Lt. Joshua L. Witt, 1/149th Unit Public Affairs Representative
Capt. Ryan Hubbs with the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry was selected to participate in the 2014 Best Ranger Competition in April, 2014. (Photo courtesy of 1/149th Infantry)
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. — Only 50% of students that start Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia ever graduate the grueling three phase course. Of those that persevere to graduation, more than 37% have had to start over at least once before completing the training. Needless to say, becoming an Army Ranger is no cakewalk!
Capt. Ryan Hubbs, a Ranger qualified logistics officer with the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry recently proved his mettle even further. He is one of just 21 Soldiers from across the entire National Guard selected to compete in the 2014 Best Ranger Competition.
“These are the kinds of opportunities that I live for. I just can’t believe that the Army is actually going to pay me to do this,” said Hubbs. “I trained for months with the help of my friends, Maj. Snyder and Capt. Mendez, in order to make the National Guard Best Ranger Team and now I get to be on full time orders to train for just this.”
“Captain Hubbs exudes the relentless determination expected from all of our Mountain Warriors,” said Capt. Robert Andersen, operations officer for the 1/149th. “Having him represent us, and more importantly the Kentucky Army National Guard, is a privilege he has earned. There is no doubt in my mind that he will serve the Bluegrass with the utmost character, competence, and confidence.”
The Best Ranger Competition was started in 1982. Each year since, it has showcased some of the best military men in the world. With time and popularity, the competition has evolved over the past thirty years. While originally created to recognize the best two-man “buddy” team from within the Ranger Department at Fort Benning, the competition has become the preeminent determiner of the most outstanding two-man team across the entire United States Armed Forces.
Three Guardsmen from the 1/149th originally tried out for the upcoming competition.
“I looked at the Best Ranger Tryout as a team building event within the unit,” said Maj. Al Snyder, Executive Officer of the 1/149th. “My vision for the future is to have even more Rangers tryout next year from our Battalion.”
“We started seriously training about seven months prior to the event,” said Jason Mendez, also a Ranger and Training Officer for the First of the 149th Infantry Battalion. The most fun about the tryout was the train-up and adventure.”
During those seven months of preparation, Snyder, Hubbs, and Mendez spent countless hours training on their own time and getting to know one another. Teamwork is an essential quality within the Ranger ethos.
Of the three colleagues and friends, only Hubbs was selected to compete in the 2014 competition.
“Though I got hurt during the event, and didn’t make the team this year, I’m already starting to get ready for next year’s tryout,” said Snyder. “I felt very blessed to get the opportunity to get paid to do something I love to do, compete.”
Hubbs continues to train many hours each day as he prepares for the competition at Fort Benning this April. He will carry with him the support of his Infantry Battalion brethren, as well as the pride of the entire Kentucky National Guard. Having successfully run the training gauntlet to first become a Ranger, Hubbs has already shown his knowledge of how to “lead the way.”
Winning the 2014 Best Ranger Competition is the next goal in his sites as he continues to bring honor to the legacy of the Mountain Warriors of the 1/149th.
Said Hubbs of the training he’s getting ready to enter into, “No matter what happens, these next couple of months will probably be the best of my Army career. Each day I will be running, road marching, shooting, conducting airborne operations, doing land navigation, obstacle courses, and rappelling. These are essentially all of the things I signed up to do in the Army.”
Story by 1st. Lt. Joshua Witt, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Cole relinquishes command of 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry to Maj. Joseph D. Lear at the Joint Readiness Center in London, Ky., Nov. 2. (U.S. Army National Guard photo taken by 2nd Lt. Adam Disney)
LONDON, Ky. — November 2, 2013 — The autumn sun shined brightly on 1st Battalion 149th Infantry’s change of command ceremony this weekend. The event was held outdoors at the Joint Readiness Center in London on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2. Immediately prior to the official ceremony, outgoing commander Lt Col. Jeff Cole was honored with a beautifully engraved custom Kentucky Long Rifle. The gift was presented by members of the battalion on behalf of all Mountain Warriors.
For all photos from this event, please click HERE.
Endearing family, life-long friends, dedicated Soldiers and four former Battalion Commanders gathered again to show their admiration for the long standing leadership heritage of the 1-149th, the last maneuver battalion in the state. Retired Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Donald Storm, and current Deputy Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Scott Campbell, along with numerous other senior leaders were in attendance for the event. The Brigade Commander of the 75th Troop Command, Col. Michael Abell, served as the Reviewing Officer for the ceremony.
“I simply could not be more proud of these two men,” he humbly stated with respect to Cole and incoming commander Maj. Joe Lear.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Cole receives a gift from the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry for his time as the battalion commander. Cole relinquished his command to Maj. Joseph Lear at the Joint Readiness Center in London, Ky., Nov. 2. (U.S. Army National Guard photo taken by 2nd Lt. Adam Disney)
During his remarks, Cole offered specific guidance to his troops with one final command, “Take care of your families, take care of yourselves, and consider where you place your hope.”
A little more than one year ago, Cole accepted command from Lt. Col. Bryan Howay. In May of 2013, Cole was surprisingly diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Despite multiple bouts with chemotherapy and various experimental treatments, he has continued to lead the battalion by maintaining almost daily contact with his then Executive Officer, Maj. Lear.
“Jeff, your strength, courage and faith are amazing and an inspiration to us all,” said Lear. “I feel certain that with God’s help, you will ‘sucker punch cancer in the mouth’,” quoting from Cole’s blog.
“I almost feel sorry for the leukemia. It should never have messed with Jeff Cole,” he continued during his first comments as Battalion Commander.
The two have been compatriots in the infantry Battalion for over a decade. They have each served in multiple leadership and staff positions, refining each other and developing countless leaders within the infantry community.
Lear went on to proudly assert, “We are the battalion every other member of the National Guard wants to be part of. You see it in their eyes, when they run the grenade course; they all want to be Infantry.” Needless to say, the legacy of the Mountain Warriors will continue on due to the selfless contributions of many as they collectively proclaim ‘Defending Freedom!’”
NOTE: As often as we can 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 ….
Story and photos by 1st Lt. Joshua Witt, 1/149th Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry take up defensive positions during a training scenario at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Ky., July 23, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Joshua Witt)
ARTEMUS, Ky. — More than 500 Mountain Warrior Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry participated in annual training July 13-28 at the Disney Training Center in Artemus, Ky. Despite the heat index regularly cresting 100 degrees, the undaunted Infantry of the Kentucky National Guard diligently focused on achieving proficiency within their squads and sections. Emphasis this year was on collective tasks that support both their company and the battalion.
“It is imperative that we build capable squads before we transition to platoon training and potential deployments in the future,” said Capt. Jason Mendez, battalion training officer.
“We will continue to train and validate our maneuver squads and sections in a decisive action training environment that encompasses offensive, defensive, and stability operations,” said Maj. Joe Lear, acting battalion commander.
Soldiers of the 1/149th Infantry conduct a react to contact while mounted battle drill as part of their annual training at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Ky., July 23, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Joshua Witt)
To see more photos from the unit’s annual training, click here.
Annual training was completed with the successful validation of 18 rifle squads and six assault sections from Delta Company. By achieving this milestone the battalion will advance to platoon-level training in 2014.
During annual training infantry Soldiers conducted multi-echelon training and progressed through a crawl, walk, run methodology. Days and weeks of preparation culminated in a 96-hour continuous exercise. Each company was responsible for operating a training lane during annual training - react to conduct, knockout a bunker, and point ambush.
They planned and resourced the training while also certifying instructors. Key training events included squad and section validation through lanes training, tactical leader validation program, sustainment operations, staff decision making processes and communication exercises. The S2 section built a hybrid-threat training operational environment and controlled 24 oppositional force personnel during the final training events.
A Soldier with the 1/149th Infantry takes cover during a battle drill at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Ky., July 23, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Joshua Witt)
Soldiers and aircraft from Bravo Co. 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation assisted the 1/149th Infantry with aviation support during the infantry’s annual training in Artemus, Ky., July 13-28, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Joshua Witt)
Soldiers of the 1/149th Infantry escort another Soldier posing as an enemy combatant during a scenario as part of the infantry’s annual training in Artemus, Ky., July 23, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Joshua Witt)
