Louisiana Air National Guard Airmen react quickly, save the lives of three boaters

By Air Force 1st Lt. Alex Juan

159th Fighter Wing

NEW ORLEANS – It was supposed to be a relaxing day for members of the Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Security Forces Squadron. During down time while taking part in training exercises at Volk Field, Wis., several members of the squadron rented a boat to spend time out on nearby Castle Rock Lake.

They anchored their boat near an island to fish and relax and, said squadron members, after a few hours, another boat with a group of women celebrating a bachelorette party anchored up near them.

One of the women jumped into the shallow water and quickly surfaced covered in blood and screaming in pain. A second person on the boat also jumped into the water, but surfaced motionless.

 “My first thought was that this isn’t good,” said Senior Airman Raenell M. Dubroc. “I honestly thought she might be dead.”

In total, seven Airmen rushed to render aid to the woman. Tech. Sgt. Edward J. Griffin, a trained medic, was credited with creative, quick thinking by ensuring the victim was stabilized and calm throughout the rescue.

“We used her arms to stabilize her spine, rolled her over and lifted her onto the boat,” said Griffin, adding that a life vest was used as a make shift cervical collar and other floatation devices were used to stabilize her body.

Griffin then assessed the patient’s condition.

“I conducted a neurological assessment and knew it was critical to get medical attention immediately,” said Griffin, who, from his responsibilities during the training event, knew there was limited medical response in the area. He said the boat ride seemed to take a long time as they were trying to keep the ride slow and steady to not further injure the woman.

 Griffin stayed with the patient as others in her party piloted the boat to shore. Squadron members followed behind in their own boat.

Senior Airman Steven Mehrtens, 159th SFS fire team leader, from Metairie, La., spoke

During the ride to shore, another member of the bachelorette party fell from the boat while calling for local emergency response. That individual suffered a head injury in the fall and was also rescued from the water by squadron members.

The Airmen said it was their training that kicked in and helped their response that day. 

“It’s not something that I think about on a daily basis …  how all of this training makes me a better person, but now that this happened, I am glad that I know how to react,” said Senior Airman Jared M Vignes.

 The injured woman, Katie Wahl Johnson, fractured two vertebrae in her neck, shattered a third and sustained a spinal cord injury. She was airlifted to the University of Wisconsin Hospital where she underwent a six-hour surgery. She was then sent to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for recovery.

The accident left Johnson paralyzed from the chest down and with partial use of her hands, but she said she is incredibly grateful to the Airmen who she says saved her life.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s father, Bill Wahl, tracked down those who helped his daughter on that day. He persistently contacted the training center and recently made contact with the squadron commander.

“I just want to thank them for saving my daughter’s life,” said Wahl. “The timing of their response, the way they protected her body … it maximized her opportunity to recover, and we are just so grateful.”

Johnson and her fiancé, Jeremy Johnson, were married at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

“It was a beautiful wedding,” said Wahl, adding that it is still very emotional for him to discuss the events but he is eternally grateful for the quick response of the Airmen.

Face of Defense: Soldier Continues Holiday Tradition in Afghanistan

By Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 18, 2008 - Although far from home, a deployed soldier here will continue a long-standing holiday tradition with his family in Louisiana. Every Christmas Eve, Army Lt. Col. Stephen Jeselink, Task Force Warrior deputy commander, reads the poem "The Night Before Christmas" to his family – a tradition he started 18 years ago when the family was stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany.

"It's a simple act, but it means so much to me and my family," Jeselink said.

Jeselink will be able to continue that tradition, thanks to the United Through Reading military program, which allows servicemembers to record themselves reading books and then send the DVD to their children back home. United Through Reading is, in part, a troop-support group that offers DVD services at deployed and some USO locations.

"Many Americans only see the USO centers in airports throughout the United States, but they're providing an incredible service to our servicemen and civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, too," Jeselink said.

Jeselink said he is grateful for the program, particularly since this will be the first Christmas he and his wife, Barbara, will be apart in their 26 years of marriage.

"I felt like we needed to do this even though he is deployed," Barbara said.

She mailed her husband a copy of the poem by Clement Clarke Moore so he could record himself reading it at the USO here.

Barbara hopes to surprise her family by playing the recording of Jeselink after Christmas Eve dinner when the entire family gathers in the living room in front of the Christmas tree.

"Dad gets the book while Mom gives an envelope to everyone," son Stephen II said, adding that the envelopes may have money, gift cards or gifts inside.

"Dad usually sits with us in a circle and gives instructions on what to do with the envelopes. As he reads the story, every time he says the word 'the,' we pass the envelopes to the person on our right," he said.

"The best Christmas memory I have is sitting around the tree with my family, listening to my dad read the story, and watching his face light up every time he read the word 'the,'" his son Jarod said.

"He has such enthusiasm reading the story for us, it makes it all the more fun," daughter-in-law Stormy added.

The fun starts after Jeselink finishes the story. Everyone, beginning with the youngest, gets to exchange, if desired, an envelope with another family member. After everyone has had a chance to pass the envelope or keep it if they wish, everyone opens their envelope at the same time.

"It's special to be part of something that was started so many years ago," daughter-in-law Shelley said.

(Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens serves in the Task Force Warrior public affairs office.)

Face of Defense: Honor Guard Soldier Strives to Leave Lasting Impression

By Army Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang
Special to American Forces Press Service

Oct. 16, 2008 - His look is piercing. His movements are sharp. His skills are among the best. He wears a patch on his left shoulder that identifies him as the first National Guard soldier in the state of Louisiana certified to train others to meet the high standards embodied by a member of the Military Funeral Honors Program. "It's important that we look our absolute best," said Sgt. Michael A. Huff, the first Louisiana Guardsman to complete the Army's honor guard course. "For some people, you are the first Military impression, ... and for some you are the last."

The Shreveport, La., native graduated from the Honor Guard Train the Trainer Course at Camp Robinson, Ark., where his instructors were members of "The Old Guard," the famed 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Myer, Va. Trained by the best, Huff is now a team leader for the Shreveport area Military Funeral Honors Program. With its demand for excellence and precision, the program represents the epitome of perfection as soldiers exemplify Army traditions and standards.

"The course was both physically and mentally demanding, but the honor guard is what a soldier should be, and our deceased veterans have earned the right for us to be at our best," Huff said. "It's my job to make sure they get the respect they deserve."

Huff now trains the honor guard teams around the state. "It is a challenge to take soldiers who have never done this and get them ready to look their best for a funeral or ceremony," he said.

Though the team is made up of volunteers, only those who are highly motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct are considered to be a member of the honor guard, Huff said.

Huff, who is also a mortar platoon squad leader for B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, said he was looking for a full-time job when his readiness noncommissioned officer presented the honor guard idea to him.

The Military Honors program through the Louisiana Army National Guard started in December, with Command Sgt. Maj. Steven R. Stuckey as the state coordinator.

Huff explained that prior to a funeral, he must mentally prepare and focus on the mission at hand. "I am going over everything in my mind," he said. "I am going over movements and making sure that I am ready to represent and show that soldier and his family the respect they deserve."

The duty can challenge soldiers' emotions, Huff said. "The hardest part of this job is knowing that when you go to a funeral, people are going to be upset and they are going to cry," he said. "But we must remain professional at all times. I have lost friends in combat and understand how difficult death is to a family, but if I don't find a way to focus and detach, I can't give them the funeral that they deserve. ... I can't afford to get emotional then."

Huff said that he tries to incorporate the importance of professionalism into the honor guard soldiers he trains. "It can be hard, ... especially when it's someone we know, but we have to be in that focused mental mind frame before any funeral."

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth R. Wagner, senior enlisted advisor for the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said he is impressed with the state's program. "I've been to five funerals since Command Sergeant Major Stuckey started this program," he said. "On short notice, the honor guards have come together and formed a good team. Their execution is extremely well done and very professional."

Stuckey agreed.

"I am proud of my team and what they represent," he said. "Most people do not understand what they give up. These guys have to be ready at any time. Some of them have families at home and have civilian jobs, but at a moment's notice, with their uniforms maintained to perfection, they are ready to drop their plans and give our veterans the respectful funeral they deserve."

Stuckey said that most families of veterans do not know that the benefit of a Military funeral is available to all veterans. Family members should request a Military funeral through their funeral home director.

"It's a benefit that everyone who has served in the Military is entitled to, whether they were honorably discharged or retired. It's an honor for us to be able to give them respect as a comrade, and we want the opportunity to do it," Huff said. The four Louisiana National Guard honor guard teams have conducted about 225 funerals in eight regions of the state.

Huff said that even though he originally joined the National Guard to pay for school and earned an associates degree in biology, he does not plan on getting out any time soon, and that he plans on making a career as an honor guard soldier.

"I achieved my goal of earning that degree, and that is a great feeling, but I am very proud of my service," he said. "I feel like I am supposed to be in the Military, and I love what I do."

(Army Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang serves with the 199th Brigade Support Battalion.)

Louisiana Guard Continues Hurricane Recovery Efforts

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 15, 2008 - Louisiana National Guardsmen have used high-water vehicles, boats and helicopters to save more than 330 flooding victims in the wake of Hurricane Ike. "Our Guardsmen have proven once again that they are the finest soldiers and airmen in America," said Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Louisiana adjutant general. "They are truly remarkable, working every day to assist their fellow citizens, even though in many cases their own homes were flooded or damaged, and their own families evacuated."

The Louisiana National Guard's primary missions are saving lives, providing security for citizens and logistics support for humanitarian relief operations and helping with clearing roads and removing debris.

More than 9,400 Guardsmen have participated in support of operations related to Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana. Full mobilization of the Louisiana National Guard's 7,000 Guardsmen and more than 2,400 Guardsmen from seven other states continue to support emergency operations.

As the Louisiana National Guard wound down an aggressive, 36-hour search-and-rescue operation -- with aviation missions south of Jennings and boat missions to Hackberry in Cameron Parish being the focus of yesterday's mission -- they transitioned their efforts to commodity distribution, security, engineer assessments and support to local governments.

Additionally, the Louisiana Guard supported the Corps of Engineers by conducting aerial inspections of locks and control structures across Louisiana's coastline. After an early assessment, two National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopters air-dropped more than 200 sandbags, weighing 3,000 pounds each, to protect a pumping station in Chauvin, La.

Also yesterday, National Guardsmen cleared more than 48 miles of roadways and hauled more than 1,800 cubic yards of debris, totaling more than 4,200 miles of cleared roadways and 19,000 cubic yards of debris from the hurricanes.

To date, the Louisiana National Guard has distributed more than 11 million packaged meals, 12 million pounds of ice, and 14 million bottles of water.

(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)

National Guard Major Helps to Rescue Members of Own Family

By Army Maj. David W. May
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 15, 2008 - While more than 7,000 Louisiana National Guardsmen were activated to assist in hurricane recovery operations in Louisiana, an officer with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had the great satisfaction of taking part in the rescue of one of his own family members. As the storm surge from Hurricane Ike, the second major hurricane to batter the Gulf Coast in less than two weeks, made its way along the coast, Army Maj. Bryant R. Billiot, chief intelligence officer and a native of Dulac, La., received a call from his worried sister.

"She told me that our cousin, Jessica Billiot, was franticly trying to get to her children, who were staying at their uncle's house while she was at work," Bryant said. "When she returned that evening, the waters had covered roads, and local authorities would no longer let anyone into the area."

After pleading with them to let her through, Jessica finally gave up when an uncle assured her they would be fine inside his house, which was on seven-foot stilts.

The next morning, she once again tried to reach her sons, but found they had moved to another house on higher ground.

Jessica then became frantic after finding out her eldest son, Starlin, had suffered a back injury. Normally, this may not have been serious, but Starlin has hemophilia and could bleed indefinitely when injured, Bryant explained. In addition, the medicine he uses to control the condition was at the first house, and the wind and rain made it impossible to return.

"That made it a dire situation," Bryant said. It was then that his sister called, although they had been staying in touch through text messages.

Bryant said he already knew that units were operating in the area and set about to contact them. "I had been tracking them since Day One," he said. Even though they were not his unit, he said, he believed he could trust them as if they were his own unit.
Bryant explained the situation to the Guardsmen, who immediately contacted the Emergency Operations Center in Terrebonne Parish. The mission was then given to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agent Thomas DeWitt.

DeWitt told Bryant that a boat would be sent immediately to get Starlin and his younger brother, Holden. Bryant gave DeWitt the address, and searchers set off to find the boys. But when they got to the address, no one was left in the house.

Bryant called his sister and found Starlin's father had picked him up in a small boat a few minutes earlier and was taking him to meet his mother. But the boat was so small that Holden had been left behind, and his mother was desperate to get him away from the area.

At this point, communications were lost with the family, but Bryant said he had grown up in the area and had a good idea where they might be.

"I gave Agent DeWitt the address of another family member a few doors down," he said. "They called me back a few minutes later and said, 'We got him.' It made me feel really good."

"It was a logistical nightmare driving the boats down the streets and in yards that have never been underwater," DeWitt said. "You are always running into things you can't see and dodging mailboxes. When we can work together with the National Guard to make a rescue, it's a beautiful thing."

The story didn't end there; Holden refused to leave without getting his brother's medicine from the first house, and he convinced the agents to take him there first. After retrieving the medicine, he was returned to his mother and brother, now at Terrebonne General Medical Center nearby.

Bryant said that at last report Starlin was doing fine, that everyone had been reunited, and that personally he felt very good to have had a small part in the rescues' outcome. "Makes me feel good that I have this uniform on," he said. "That's what it's all about."

There was one other thing, though. "If I wouldn't have helped in the rescue, my family would never have let me live it down," he said with a laugh.

(Army Maj. David W. May serves in the Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office.)

National Guard Helps 2,500 Ike Victims to Safety

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 15, 2008 - Taking people to safe, dry places became one of the main missions for National Guard troops after Hurricane Ike rampaged through Texas and Louisiana. Guard members had rescued nearly 2,000 people in Texas, the hardest-hit state, by today, and had rescued or evacuated another 343 in Louisiana, the states reported.

"We're proud of the work our troops are doing out there," said Army Lt. Col. James Waskom, deputy commander of Louisiana's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. "But we've got to keep our heads in the game, because there is lots of work still out there to do."

Texas Guard members used ground, water and air assets to help people stranded by the hurricane.

Texas troops had rescued 1,554 people with ground vehicles and boats and had rescued another 394 people with helicopters by midday today, Kristine Munn, a spokeswoman for the National Guard Bureau, reported. Furthermore, they had assisted 639 people who were not evacuated and had assessed the damage to about 500 buildings.

"The No. 1 mission is search and rescue, second is damage assessment, and third is setting up points of distribution," Army Maj. Gen Charles Rodriguez, the Texas adjutant general, said before the storm struck. That is how it all worked out in both states.

Louisiana troops rescued 308 citizens during 44 missions with high-water vehicles, 29 citizens during six boat missions, and six citizens with two helicopter missions, Guard officials reported.

The state had 255 trucks, 41 boats and 20 helicopters for search and rescue missions.

"Our Guardsmen have proven once again that they are the finest soldiers and airmen in America," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general, said. "They are truly remarkable, working every day to assist their fellow citizens, even though in many cases their homes were flooded or damaged and their own families evacuated."

National Guard Sandbags Levee, Protects Highway

By Louisiana National Guard Sgt. Michael L. Owens
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 13, 2008 - On the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America, soldiers and airmen of the Louisiana National Guard assisted Plaquemines Parish by sandbagging a levee that protects Highway 23, the main artery for entering and exiting Plaquemines Parish, as a precaution against Hurricane Ike's storm surge. The levee, which was overtopped and breached when Hurricane Gustav passed through the area, had suffered damaging erosion caused by heavy rainfall throughout the year.

"There are eight dips and low spots in the levee that were caused from erosion," said Blair G. Rittiner, Plaquemines Parish land superintendent. "If these holes are not filled or repaired, it may cause the levee to breach again. Basically, we are putting band-aids on the levee."

Although Louisiana is not expecting a direct hit from Hurricane Ike, Plaquemines Parish is expecting at least a four foot storm surge e as it passes through the Gulf of Mexico.

"The levees are about three feet high," explained Spc. John M. Clement, G Company, 1-141st Field Artillery Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. "We are putting lots of sandbags here that will eventually raise the height to about four feet."

Plaquemines Parish dips deep into South Louisiana and has the most combined land and water area in the state. The parish suffered minor flooding after a portion of its levee breached as a result of rising water from Hurricane Gustav. Unlike the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there were no reports of homes flooding in the parish due to Gustav.

Louisiana Guardsmen Answer the Call as Hurricane Ike Slams the Coast

By Army Maj. David W. May
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 13, 2008 - As Hurricane Ike slammed ashore today, the National Guard was already at work evacuating stranded citizens from their homes and other locations across Southwest Louisiana. By noon today, members of the Louisiana National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, working in conjunction with local and state authorities, rescued 19 people, including three children, as well as four family pets, and responded to numerous calls for assistance from both civilians and other rescue agencies.

The day began hours before daylight, as National Guard members prepared their rescue equipment and vehicles and themselves mentally for whatever the day might bring.

Around 7 a.m., a line of high-water vehicles and humvees loaded with troops rolled out of their armories to begin the process of locating those in need and getting them to safety.

Almost as soon as they rolled out, soldiers reported flooding and street blockages throughout the area – in lower Vermillion Parish, water rose fast and threatened two of the towns including Erath High School; water at Pen Street Park rising nearly six inches an hour; an apartment complex had water coming in on the first floor; power outages occurred in multiple locations; communications went down, and the reports continued.

Just before 8 a.m., a paraplegic trapped in his home called for rescue. By the time soldiers arrived, police had removed the man, but another family of six called needing evacuation and the Guardsmen obliged, transporting them to Chennault Air Park in Lake Charles, La. Another rescue occurred soon after in Westlake, La.

Soldiers were also asked to assist the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with a rescue request of 17 people.

By 10 a.m., the Guard received several more requests including one with residents trapped in their subdivision and an elderly couple stuck in their home. In the meantime, waters continued to rise and winds showed no signs of abating.

Throughout the effort, estimates cited sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph, which only served to complicate efforts.

By midday, the Guard received various other requests for assistance and responded to a group of people stranded in a casino parking lot and others who had to be rescued by boat.

Even as the requests continue to pour in, the 256th has no plans of slowing effort or of curbing operations. They will stay on mission as long as they are needed, according to officials.

"We're proud of the work our troops are doing out there," said Lt. Col. James Waskom, deputy commander of the 256th. "But we've got to keep our head in the game because there is lots of work still out there to do."

(Army Maj. David W. May is assigned to Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs.)

National Guard Patrols Grand Isle Waters

By Indiana Army National Guard Spc. William E. Henry
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 13, 2008 - GRAND ISLE, La. – In an effort to prevent looting of area residents' property and local businesses, Louisiana National Guardsmen began patrolling the waters along the north shore of Grand Isle, La. The 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company of the 205th Engineer Battalion arrived with MK-2 Bridge Erection Boats originally designed to build bridges in strong currents. Fortunately, these special boats also perform well in the security and patrol missions the unit was performing.

Coordinating with local law enforcement, the National Guard Special Reaction Team and the 1083rd Transportation Company, the 2225th say they are more than prepared for the mission.

"We have SRT members of the Louisiana National Guard on board our vessels that patrol day and night. We use night-vision goggles to monitor during the night patrols and help deter any looting," said 1st. Sgt. Kevin Giroir of the bridge company.

There about 15 SRT members on site that have detention and arrest powers. "We're the state's military SWAT team," said Spc. Coleman Barnett of the SRT.

The 2225th and the SRT are responsible for seven miles of coastline. They patrol the area with six vessels and are required to approach and identify anyone coming into the area.

"There are a lot of expensive homes here. People come to Grand Isle for their own enjoyment; it's a fishing community and an oil field port," said Sgt. 1st Class Brian LeBoeuf of the 2225th. "People have their homes here and like anyone else, they don't want to lose them. We're providing a helping hand to keep trespassers out so they can start their lives again when the storm is over."

Louisiana Guard Prepares for Hurricane Ike

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 11, 2008 - With parts of Louisiana still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Gustav and National Guardsmen continuing to provide assistance, Gov. Bobby Jindal has directed troops to relocate, stage and prepare for possible landfall of Hurricane Ike at a moment's notice. "Our governor has called upon us once again, and our Guardsmen are prepared to help our communities," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general, said. "Our Guardsmen are mobilized and ready to support the citizens of Southwest Louisiana."

About 3,000 troops are moving to staging areas outside of Hurricane Ike's potential impact area to conduct response efforts for Southwest Louisiana. These efforts include evacuations, security and preparations for possible search-and-rescue missions after landfall, officials said.

Calcasieu Parish authorities expect the arrival of 300 troops this morning to support evacuations, with 40 troops reporting to Cameron, La., and 40 troops to the Lake Charles Convention Center in Lake Charles, La. Fifty National Guard boat teams will be staged in the Calcasieu area. Liaison and satellite communication teams will be stationed in parish emergency operation centers.

A C-130 cargo plane, capable of moving 30 patients at a time and making as many trips as needed, will stage in Lake Charles to assist with the evacuation of medical patients.

At 8 a.m. EDT today, Ike was about 575 miles east of Brownsville, Texas, moving west-northwest at 9 mph. Maximum sustained winds near the center of the storm are 100 mph. Movement is now toward the west-northwest at about 10 mph. Forecasters expect Ike to strengthen and become a major hurricane today or tomorrow.

The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch from Cameron, La., westward to Port Mansfield, Texas, with hurricane conditions possible in the watch area by late tomorrow. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Mississippi-Alabama border westward to Cameron, La., with tropical storm conditions expected in the watch area into tomorrow.

Louisiana Guard's Focus Shifts to Food, Water Distribution

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 4, 2008 - With the majority of the state without electricity and in need of food, water and basic necessities, the Louisiana National Guard has shifted its post-Hurricane Gustav focus. "After the landfall of Gustav, our focus was to save lives beginning immediately at dawn [Sept. 2]. By 11 a.m., we had flown the affected area across the state and realized that search and rescue wasn't required," Army Col. Douglas J. Mouton, the Louisiana Guard's operations officer, explained. "We immediately shifted our focus from search and rescue to food and water distribution, which is a significant operational transition. Now, here we are 24 hours after that focus shifted, standing up food, water, ice and tarp distribution points."

The Guard soldiers set up 22 distribution sites in about 48 hours since the focus shift, Mouton said. So far, more than 640,000 packaged meals, 920,000 liters of water and 25,000 tarps have been distributed to those affected, he added.

The Guard is focused on increasing distribution sites throughout the state over the next few days as roads are cleared and troops make their way to locations around the state to assist those in need.

"We evacuated, so we were OK, but I know those who didn't went far too long without necessities," said Daniel McLaughlin, a resident of Mandeville, La., who was affected by Hurricane Katrina three years ago. "I am really impressed with the speed of assistance, and it makes me proud to see that emergency response has come so far."

Mouton agreed.

"As we mobilize to get the distribution points set up, we get requests from the parishes and prioritize as quickly as possible," he said. "When you consider the scale and magnitude of the distribution mission, given an extremely tight schedule, it is pretty impressive. We are not where we want to be, but will not stop pressing the effort until all the affected people of Louisiana are getting the support they need and deserve."

(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)

Citizen-Soldiers Distribute Food, Water, Ice as Louisiana Recovers

By Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 4, 2008 - Like a scene from pit road during a stock car race, cars and trucks formed a line as National Guard soldiers, looking like pit crew members, gave away packaged meals and water to Louisiana residents suffering from damage left in Hurricane Gustav's wake. That was the scene at one of many distribution points set up across the state to help citizens recover from the storm and deal with the loss of electrical power.

"I think it's great," Floyd Wagner of Killian, La., said, commenting on the food and water he was about to receive. "[Louisiana residents] need all the help they can get, because everybody in the community needs it."

Two tractor trailer trucks delivered more than 6,000 boxes yesterday afternoon, each box containing 12 meals. Later, a tractor-trailer load of bottled water arrived.

Depending on the specific distribution point, citizens could receive water, ice, food or tarps.

First in line here was Ruby Mayeaux of Livingston. She said she was driving by and saw the trucks arrive at a local kennel club. "The Lord blessed me," she said of her prized position in line.

Radio reports said lines at some distribution points were nine hours long. Within an hour, the line at the Livingston distribution point extended a mile down the exit ramp to Interstate 12; another line extended about a half mile on the overpass.

The National Guard soldiers said they are happy to deliver the food and water.

"It feels really good that we can help out," said Army Pvt. Marvin Warner of Vidalia, La., as he helped stack the boxes of meals. Warner is a driver for the 1086th Transportation Company.

"It's pretty fun going to different places every day," said Warner, who has been to five towns since Aug. 28. Warner is a physical therapy major at University of Louisiana Monroe when not serving in the Guard.

Army Spc. Zachary Morrison of the Tennessee National Guard said he takes honor in helping his fellow Americans. "It's good to help Americans in their time of need," he said as he directed the drivers to pit road.

"It's good to help, but home is home. It's good to help Americans when you can," said Morrison, an infantryman with Headquarters Troop, 2nd Battalion, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

(Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry serves with the 120th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Bush Cites 'Excellent' Hurricane Gustav Response Efforts

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 3, 2008 - President Bush praised federal, state and local government efforts to assist the people of the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Gustav during his visit to the emergency operations center in Baton Rouge, La., today. "All in all, the response has been excellent," Bush told reporters during a news conference that included Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Bush was briefed about the post-Gustav situation by emergency response officials.

However, "there is more work to be done," Bush said. "And, that's why I came down here with members of the federal government to listen and to figure out how to help."

Hurricane Gustav turned out to be a less-powerful storm than Katrina, which in late August 2005 flooded most of New Orleans and devastated large swaths of the Gulf Coast.

Nonetheless, Baton Rouge, the state capital, and parts of Louisiana farther west were pummeled by Gustav's 100-mph-plus winds and slashing rain. Bush has visited several regional emergency response centers since Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, La., Sept. 1.

State and local governments and the federal government, Bush said, were able to work effectively together in response to Hurricane Gustav.

"We're much better-coordinated this time than we were with Katrina," Bush said. However, hundreds of thousands of Louisianans have been left without power in Gustav's wake.

"One of the key things that needs to happen is they've got to get electricity up here in Louisiana, get moving as fast as possible," Bush said. "The governor understands it's a problem, his team understands it's a problem, and I understand it's a problem."

Jindal also discussed the need, Bush said, to release some oil from the nation's strategic reserve to assist a local business.

"Last night we got a request from a company doing business here in Louisiana and we met that request, ... so oil was released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And, we will continue to do that upon requests by companies," Bush said.

Bush thanked everyone for their hard work in Louisiana since Gustav barreled ashore.

"I can't thank you all enough for working as hard as you are," Bush said. "Looking around, I can see that some people may not have much sleep recently."

Thousands of National Guard members were mobilized in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other states to deal with Gustav's wrath. U.S. Northern Command aerial assets were employed to evacuate elderly and severely ill persons out of the path of the storm.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates authorized a call-up of up to 50,000 National Guard personnel to assist in the storm's aftermath, if necessary.

Meanwhile, officials are preparing for Tropical Storm Hanna, which is now passing through the Bahamas. Hanna is currently projected to make landfall somewhere between South Florida and the Carolinas Sept. 5.

Louisiana Guard Reacts to Damage, Assesses Needs

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 3, 2008 - In response to flooding yesterday in West Monroe, La., the Louisiana National Guard delivered 58,000 sandbags throughout the night, with 50,000 more expected to be delivered today. More than 20 engineer work teams are moving throughout the state to support efforts to assess what needs to be done in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav's Sept. 1 landfall.

National Guard personnel are deploying to assist with secondary road and tree clearing, debris and trash removal, water and food distribution, evacuee return efforts, generator and power support, transportation and search and rescue.

Security at shelters and hospitals continues to be a priority, as well as hourly patrols to ensure the security of property as residents begin returning to their homes. Soldiers also are helping local police with curfew enforcement to curtail looting and preventing accidents in areas where traffic lights are still out.

"These highly trained and professional citizen-soldiers are willing and prepared to defend themselves and protect the lives of other Louisiana residents," said Army Capt. Taysha Deaton Gibbes, deputy public affairs officer for the Louisiana National Guard. "National Guardsmen are working closely with local policemen to provide security, supply and water distribution, transportation, and other assistance as locations and requirements are determined."

The Louisiana National Guard's 62nd Civil Support Team based at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, La., is in Terrebonne Parish today conducting environmental assessments and identifying potential hazards that may have been caused by wind and rain from Hurricane Gustav. The 19-member team is working with the parish's Emergency Operations Center, helping to provide them with communications, and assisting in damage assessment.

"We will stay here in Terrebonne until our mission is complete and all environmental concerns have been addressed," Army 2nd Lt. Jacob L. Witte, team leader, said.

Several Civil support teams have been brought into the state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states. The 7th Civil Support Team has brought 17 members from Missouri to Rapides Parish, and the 45th Civil Support Team from Tennessee is in Lafourche Parish with its 22-member crew.

(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)

Mullen Praises Military Response to Hurricane Gustav

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 2, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today praised the U.S. military, in particular the National Guard, for its role in the government's response to Hurricane Gustav, which lashed the Louisiana coast yesterday. The National Guard has more than 14,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen deployed to the Gulf Coast, according to the latest Defense Department statistics, with troops manning security positions and evacuation vehicles.

"They've been called out in several states; they were called out early," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said of the Guardsmen in a Pentagon Channel podcast interview. "We made them available earlier, we supported them from the federal standpoint very early, and I know that that made a difference."

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates authorized the call-up Aug. 31 for a period ending Sept. 15.

Mullen expressed gratitude for the Guard's effort so far, but stressed that assessments are ongoing to determine the effects of Gustav, which caused some 2 million people to evacuate their homes. He added that the military is now watching two other storms that ponentially could strike the U.S. coast.

"We're very much in preparation for the next two hurricanes, and I'm confident we'll do all we can to prepare for those disasters," he said.

The armed forces' response to Gustav assisted the overall government effort, Mullen said.

"We were able to plan for and prepare for this in a way that allowed us to, as a military, greatly assist the rest of government organizations, whether it was national, state or local governments," he said.

Mullen said the government learned lessons from Hurricane Katrina, which battered homes, flooded cities and led to widespread looting and death in 2005.

"We put those lessons into play, and done it in a way that ... [generated] a very positive outcome," he said, referring to the response to Gustav. "So I'm proud of our participation. The military has really made a difference here."

Guard Aids New Orleans Evacuation, Braces for Storm Mission

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 31, 2008 - With the full force of the Louisiana National Guard activated, more than 7,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen are assisting local authorities with evacuation and security efforts in New Orleans and performing dozens of other missions across the state as Hurricane Gustav approaches. As the Guard and the state brace for the powerful storm, each day brings new challenges that all agencies involved must work together to overcome. "Louisiana citizens and our governor needed the Guard, and we were there immediately, redirecting hundreds of troops to assist New Orleans with their evacuation plan," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general, said.

Guard soldiers began patrolling the streets of New Orleans yesterday, assisting with security as the area began evacuating citizens. They were scheduled to begin helping the state police with "contraflow" operations today, a process that converts normally inbound roads to handle outbound evacuation traffic.

About 400 National Guard soldiers and airmen are driving buses, transporting citizens to shelters across the state.

In other areas, convoys carrying more than 900 soldiers from the 225th Engineer Brigade arrived in Lake Charles, Napoleonville, Iowa, Breaux Bridge, Lake Charles and Rayne yesterday to assist civil authorities with evacuation and security of citizens moving from southwestern Louisiana on contraflow routes.

"One of our greatest strengths is that we are citizen-soldiers and live in the communities we serve, Landreneau said. "We are able to transition from our civilian careers to military roles quickly when called upon."

The activation of the 225th Engineer Brigade calls into service soldiers who are responsible for boat search-and-rescue missions, engineer assessment teams that will deploy to support coastal parishes, security teams and contraflow support.

As the Louisiana Guard activation has reached full potential, officials have called on sister states to support additional requirements created by Gustav's landfall, expected tomorrow afternoon. Battalions from Kentucky and Tennessee and 28 aircraft arrived in Louisiana yesterday, thanks to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states.

A Guard military intelligence battalion already serving in hurricane operations has provided a Spanish-speaking soldier to relocate to New Orleans and assist residents in understanding instructions being given by the governor and other agencies.

In an advisory issued at 1 p.m. EDT today, the National Weather Service said Gustav was 270 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving toward the northwest at 17 mph. Though maximum sustained winds had dropped to 115 mph with higher gusts, forecasters said, it could regain Category 4 status tonight or tomorrow. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 131 to 155 mph.

Governor Calls Louisiana National Guard to Full Operational Status

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 30, 2008 - As 1,500 National Guard members arrived in New Orleans yesterday to support the city's police department and assist in executing civil support missions, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the activation of all available remaining Louisiana National Guard forces to assist with emergency operations in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. With the newly activated troops coming on board today, the total of Louisiana Guard members activated reaches 7,000.

Gustav, which grew to a Category 3 hurricane overnight, is bearing down on western Cuba today with sustained winds of more than 120 mph, and is expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast late Sept. 1 or early Sept. 2.

The Guard troops who arrived in New Orleans yesterday will safeguard homes and businesses during evacuation and instill confidence in the citizens, state Guard officials said.

The state's adjutant general assured residents of a response to Gustav that's based on lessons learned three years ago, when back-to-back hurricanes struck the region.

"The Louisiana National Guard is fully prepared for a hurricane disaster and has improved reaction times, communication and equipment resources by learning from hurricanes Katrina and Rita," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau said. "Throughout the year, the Louisiana National Guard, in coordination with other state and local agencies has conducted numerous statewide emergency response exercises testing capabilities, and validating plans to improve overall efficiency and reaction time. These coordinated efforts were and continue to be crucial to our current success."

As state forces in Louisiana have reached a full operational capability status, neighboring states are preparing assets in the event they are needed as well.

The Louisiana National Guard has requested additional aviation assets and personnel through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact -- a mutual-support agreement -- to assist with meeting potential mission requirements, with the Arkansas National Guard responding and moving into place.

Headquarters 1-114th Aviation Battalion of North Little Rock, Ark., is sending 44 personnel to Esler Field in Pineville, La., to fill in for Louisiana's 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group, currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Other neighboring states also have National Guard forces ready to deploy if additional support is needed, officials said.

(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)

States Support States as National Guard Prepares for Gustav

By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 29, 2008 - Through Emergency Management Assistance Compacts, National Guard members from around the country are signing up to support states in the path of Tropical Storm Gustav. "EMAC provides a responsive and straightforward system for the National Guard in unaffected states to send lifesaving capabilities, such as personnel and equipment, to help in affected states," Rick Breitenfeldt, a public affairs officer at the National Guard Bureau, explained.

Approved by Congress in 1996, EMAC is a mutual aid partnership agreement among the 54 states and territories that allows state-to-state assistance during governor-declared or federally declared emergencies.

"EMAC is about governors helping fellow governors in time of need," Breitenfeldt said.

In 2005, EMAC deployed more than 65,000 personnel to the affected states after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. "That was the largest deployment of state-to-state aid in history and stands as a testament to EMAC's effectiveness and efficiency," Breitenfeldt said.

So far this year, the Louisiana National Guard has requested 20 aircraft from eight states, because their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and about 360 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, are currently deployed to Iraq, said Army Sgt. First Class Melaine Rowton with the Louisiana National Guard.

During Hurricane Katrina three years ago, the battalion rescued about 16,000 people in the area.

The 1st Battalion, 114th Security and Support, of the 77th Aviation Brigade based at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark., will deploy more than 40 soldiers to Pineville, La. The group also will include five Air National Guard members from the 154th Weather Flight at Little Rock Air Force Base, according to a news release from the Arkansas National Guard.

The 114th will provide airspace management and command and control of all aviation assets supporting the relief effort if required. The 154th will support the 114th with weather briefings and forecasts as well as providing resource protection for the airfield.

In preparation for another potential mission, the Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center near Fort Smith, Ark., has identified temporary emergency sheltering for up to 4,000 evacuees, the Arkansas Guard announced.

With the support of federal, state and emergency responders, Fort Chaffee's role potentially would include evacuee reception and accountability, housing and shelter, subsistence, medical care, transportation, information management and public safety, along with command and control of all operations through the establishment of an emergency operations center.

According to the Arkansas Guard, the state has a detailed operations plan in place to support all operations, many of which were either developed or improved through the lessons learned with Hurricane Katrina, when more than 10,000 evacuees were processed through the post.

In Texas, the governor has requested aeromedical support. The 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Oklahoma City, Okla., will provide five crew members, who will stage at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and transport special-needs personnel from communities threatened by the storm. About 30 aeromedical crewmembers from the 166th AES in New Castle, Del., also will depart today for Texas.

"This is the right thing to do. Our men and women are highly trained for these tasks, and our Delaware National Guard troops are ready to help if American lives are at risk and our assistance is called upon," Army Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, adjutant general of the Delaware National Guard, said.

The Indiana National Guard also has been alerted for possible duty in the Gulf Coast region. The 38th Sustainment Brigade from Kokomo, Ind., and Headquarters, 38th Infantry Division from Indianapolis may be activated for command and control and other rapid-response operations, Army Lt. Col. Deedra Thombleson, the state public affairs officer, said.

(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)

Louisiana Guard Black Hawks Respond to Yosemite Fire

American Forces Press Service

July 28, 2008 - Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Louisiana National Guard departed the Mather Flight Facility here yesterday to support firefighting operations in California's Yosemite Valley. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Calfire, is leading the firefighting effort.

A Fire that grew from about 1,000 acres to around 10,000 acres July 26 forced the evacuation of 170 homes and is threatening more, officials said. Midpines is located along Highway 140, which leads to the west entrance of Yosemite National Park.

Aircraft from the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Brigade, of Pineville, La., which completed Fire support missions in Butte County on July 25, will operate from Mariposa Airport, performing tasks as requested by Calfire officials.

"During Hurricane Katrina, we had great support from all the other National Guard states, and to be able to come out here and return that favor and support the state of California and Calfire and the California National Guard is a great opportunity," Army Maj. Joseph Brocato, the unit commander, said.

The Louisiana National Guard has supported the Fire operation with two Black Hawks and 10 crew members since July 13. The helicopters are equipped with 660-gallon water buckets and can carry firefighters and equipment to the fires.

A truck that will provide fuel support to the aircraft departed Mather on July 26 and is at Mariposa Airport, awaiting the arrival of the aircraft. An additional aircraft, an S-70 Firehawk with a 1,000-gallon water tank, is on standby at Mather and is available for rapid-response missions supporting Calfire operations if needed.

To date, more than two dozen National Guard helicopters have dropped nearly 4 million gallons of water on fires that have been burning throughout the state since June 22.

(From a California National Guard news release.)

Face of Defense: 'Sgt. Ken' Urges Enlisted Leaders to Stress Fitness

By Army Master Sgt. Bob Haskell
Special to American Forces Press Service

April 30, 2008 - The Army Physical Fitness Test would be a lot more demanding if "Sgt. Ken" was in charge. It would, in his world, gauge soldiers' ability to do a lot more than perform a mandatory number of push-ups and sit-ups in two minutes and run two miles within a required time. The test would determine soldiers' fitness for combat, if Sgt. Ken had his way. "We need to be focused on physical conditioning for combat, not just the APFT. The battlefield is no place for those who fatigue quickly," Sgt. Ken told the Army and Air National Guard's state enlisted leaders here in mid-April.

"Sgt. Ken" is Staff Sgt. Kenneth Weichert of the Tennessee Army National Guard. He has gone to war in Southwest Asia twice: during Operation Desert Storm as an active Army soldier in the early 1990s and again during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a California Army Guard soldier in 2003-04.

He is 41, and he may best be known in Guard circles as the fitness guru for GX (Guard Experience) magazine. That magazine, which focuses on Army Guard soldiers, has included his feature, "Start Fitness," for the past three years. He is now the monthly publication's co-editor for health and fitness. He also has created workouts in video, audio and print products as the fitness director for AmericanSoldier.com. He has, in short, become the 21st century's Jack LaLanne for the Army Guard.

Weichert enlisted in the Army in 1988 and then joined the Louisiana Army Guard in 1992 after serving during Desert Storm. He was a traditional soldier and full-time recruiting and retention NCO with the California Guard from 1997-2007 before transferring to Tennessee to join the IOSTUDIO team that publishes GX in Nashville. He has been a master fitness trainer since 1993 and has trained servicemembers and civilians for nearly 20 years.

The man who was partially paralyzed for four weeks from a football injury during his senior year in high school has made physical fitness his lifestyle and career.

Weichert is as much showman as he is a soldier. He has a Schwarzenegger-like body. He is polished and outgoing in word and manner. He has studied theater at Drake University and the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He was clearly the celebrity at the National Guard Bureau's first Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference here April 18-21. He barked encouraging commands, sang inspirational songs and counted cadence like a seasoned drill sergeant during nonstop, half-hour morning workouts that were not for the faint of heart.

He attended the conference, however, not to promote himself but to promote physical fitness among Guardmembers who could find themselves in combat during the global war on terrorism or engaged with wildfires or floods in this country.

Command Sgt. Maj. David Ray Hudson, the National Guard Bureau's senior enlisted leader and the driving force behind the first-of-its-kind conference, acknowledged that his emphasis on fitness was Weichert's most important contribution.

Soldiers should train as if they are athletes year-round to be physically fit for those challenges, Weichert told the state command sergeants major and the command chief master sergeants. Combat, he observed, requires a lot of upper body strength. An infantryman should be able carry a 160-pound person in full combat gear on his back for 30 meters, as if he were carrying his injured buddy to a landing zone, Weichert said.

Guard soldiers should be able to sidestroke the length of an Olympic pool in full uniform, holding a rifle above the water, to be fit enough to swim across a flooded river. They also should be prepared to hit a hill in full gear to help fight the wildfires that scorch sections of this country from March through October.

Push-ups, tummy crunches, pull-ups, marches with full rucksacks, and swimming in uniform are the drills that Sgt. Ken advocates for those who must be prepared to support their state or defend their country during crises. And the traditional troops who are not inclined to exercise have to be encouraged to work out during the 28 days of most months when they are not in uniform. "We have to 'think smart, not hard' about ways to stay in shape," Weichert said.

"They don't call out the Guard when things are going good. They call us out when things have gone bad," he observed. "We have to be ready -- mentally and physically. Fatigue makes cowards of us all."

(Army Master Sgt. Bob Haskell is assigned to the National Guard Bureau.)