THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD Vol. 29 No. 1THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD Vol. 29 No. 1

GUARDLIFEGUARDLIFE

GUARDLIFE STAFF

EditorsEditorsEditorsEditorsEditorsLt. Col. Roberta NiedtMaj. Denise Waggoner2nd Lt. Luz Colon

Assistant Editor-ProductionAssistant Editor-ProductionAssistant Editor-ProductionAssistant Editor-ProductionAssistant Editor-ProductionTech. Sgt. Mark C. Olsen

Staff PhotographersStaff PhotographersStaff PhotographersStaff PhotographersStaff PhotographersLt. Col. James PippittMaj. Mark Preston

Master Sgt. Donald Taggart

Staff WritersStaff WritersStaff WritersStaff WritersStaff WritersRoman Martyniuk

Staff Sgt. Barbara Harbison

GUARDLIFE is a product of theNJDMAVA Public Affairs Office, the

444th Mobile Public Affairs Detach-

ment, the 177th Fighter Wing and the

108th Air Refueling Wing Public Af-

fairs Offices. GUARDLIFE is pub-lished under provisions of AR 360-81

and AFI 190-7. Opinions expressed

in GUARDLIFE are not to be consid-ered the official view of this head-

quarters, or the Department of the

Army or Air Force. GUARDLIFE isprinted via the photo offset process.

Letters may be sent to: GUARDLIFE,Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 340,

NJDMAVA, Trenton, NJ, 08625-0340.

E-mail at:mark.olsen@njdmava.state.nj.us

About The CoverAbout The CoverAbout The CoverAbout The CoverAbout The CoverIts All About TrucksIts All About TrucksIts All About TrucksIts All About TrucksIts All About Trucks

Staff Sgt. Joseph Tress, 253rdTransportation Company, drives

a five-ton truck into the stagingarea at Fort Dix in preparation fordeployment in support of Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom. Photo byTech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJ-DMAVA/PA.

G U A R D L I F E2

GUARDLIFEVVVVVOLOLOLOLOL. 29, N. 29, N. 29, N. 29, N. 29, NOOOOO. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1

IndexIndexIndexIndexIndex

Letter From The Governor Page 3Letter From The Governor Page 3Letter From The Governor Page 3Letter From The Governor Page 3Letter From The Governor Page 3

TAG's Column Page 4TAG's Column Page 4TAG's Column Page 4TAG's Column Page 4TAG's Column Page 4

Cavalry Deploys To Air Bases Page 5 - 7Cavalry Deploys To Air Bases Page 5 - 7Cavalry Deploys To Air Bases Page 5 - 7Cavalry Deploys To Air Bases Page 5 - 7Cavalry Deploys To Air Bases Page 5 - 7

177th Receives Top Three Environmental Awards Page 8177th Receives Top Three Environmental Awards Page 8177th Receives Top Three Environmental Awards Page 8177th Receives Top Three Environmental Awards Page 8177th Receives Top Three Environmental Awards Page 8

Task Force Pegasus Page 9Task Force Pegasus Page 9Task Force Pegasus Page 9Task Force Pegasus Page 9Task Force Pegasus Page 9

253rd Transportation Company Mobilized Page 10 - 11253rd Transportation Company Mobilized Page 10 - 11253rd Transportation Company Mobilized Page 10 - 11253rd Transportation Company Mobilized Page 10 - 11253rd Transportation Company Mobilized Page 10 - 11

50th Finance Serves In Bosnia Page 12 - 1350th Finance Serves In Bosnia Page 12 - 1350th Finance Serves In Bosnia Page 12 - 1350th Finance Serves In Bosnia Page 12 - 1350th Finance Serves In Bosnia Page 12 - 13

Guard Activated For Homeland Security Missions Page 14Guard Activated For Homeland Security Missions Page 14Guard Activated For Homeland Security Missions Page 14Guard Activated For Homeland Security Missions Page 14Guard Activated For Homeland Security Missions Page 14

Homecoming 108th Style Page 15Homecoming 108th Style Page 15Homecoming 108th Style Page 15Homecoming 108th Style Page 15Homecoming 108th Style Page 15

New Jersey Soldiers Of The Year Page 16New Jersey Soldiers Of The Year Page 16New Jersey Soldiers Of The Year Page 16New Jersey Soldiers Of The Year Page 16New Jersey Soldiers Of The Year Page 16

108th Inspection Results Page 17108th Inspection Results Page 17108th Inspection Results Page 17108th Inspection Results Page 17108th Inspection Results Page 17

Short Rounds Pages 18 - 19Short Rounds Pages 18 - 19Short Rounds Pages 18 - 19Short Rounds Pages 18 - 19Short Rounds Pages 18 - 19

Last Round: 1st Women Commanders Page 20Last Round: 1st Women Commanders Page 20Last Round: 1st Women Commanders Page 20Last Round: 1st Women Commanders Page 20Last Round: 1st Women Commanders Page 20

IIIIIMPORTANTMPORTANTMPORTANTMPORTANTMPORTANT D D D D DATESATESATESATESATES

May 11-17, National Guard WeekMay 11-17, National Guard WeekMay 11-17, National Guard WeekMay 11-17, National Guard WeekMay 11-17, National Guard Week

May 15, National Guard Day at theMay 15, National Guard Day at theMay 15, National Guard Day at theMay 15, National Guard Day at theMay 15, National Guard Day at theState House in Trenton.State House in Trenton.State House in Trenton.State House in Trenton.State House in Trenton.

The 108th Air Refueling Wing refuels a Navy Prowler over the Atlantic. Photo by Kenn Mann, 305th Communications Squadron

The 108th Air Refueling Wing refuels a Navy Prowler over the Atlantic. Photo by Kenn Mann, 305th Communications Squadron

The 108th Air Refueling Wing refuels a Navy Prowler over the Atlantic. Photo by Kenn Mann, 305th Communications Squadron

The 108th Air Refueling Wing refuels a Navy Prowler over the Atlantic. Photo by Kenn Mann, 305th Communications Squadron

The 108th Air Refueling Wing refuels a Navy Prowler over the Atlantic. Photo by Kenn Mann, 305th Communications Squadron

G U A R D L I F E3

A Letter From The Commander - In - ChiefA Letter From The Commander - In - ChiefA Letter From The Commander - In - ChiefA Letter From The Commander - In - ChiefA Letter From The Commander - In - Chief

Governor McGreevey signs Executive Order #54 at the Teaneckarmory Apr. 1. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

April 17, 2003

On behalf of the citizens of New Jersey, I thank you foryour service in the New Jersey National Guard. In time of warand domestic crisis, the National Guard provides vital secu-rity for our State and nation. In times of natural disaster, theNational Guard protects life and property against forest fires,

floods, and snowstorms. I want you to know that the peopleof New Jersey greatly appreciate the sacrifices you and yourfamily make.

Many National Guard members called to State ActiveDuty may suffer financial, healthcare and other hardships. Iwant you to know that I am taking action to reduce those

hardships.For National Guard members who are ordered to State

Active Duty for 30 or more days, I am seeking legislation toincrease State Active Duty base pay to a minimum of $100 per day and to provide medical coverage for members and theireligible dependents. I am pleased that Senate President Codey and Assembly Speaker Sires have agreed to have thatlegislation introduced in the near future.

In addition, on April 1st I signed an Executive Order granting additional benefits for National Guard members including:The Division of Motor Vehicles will provide automatic extensions for drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations and

inspections for National Guard members who are engaged in active duty.The State will create a Scholarship Program for children, spouses and dependents of New Jersey military

personnel killed or severely disabled during the war on terrorism or war in Iraq. Also, the Higher Education StudentAssistance Authority will extend application deadlines for Tuition Aid Grants for National Guard members on active military

service.Guard members who had to leave a state college or university when they were called to active duty will be able

to receive refunds of registration, lab, and student fees or have the option of re-enrolling without new fees.The New Jersey Department of Labor will provide job training through its one-stop career centers. Counselors will

conduct special seminars for employers and job search workshops for returning Guard members.For the next six months, a half price discount will be provided for military personnel traveling on New Jersey Transit

trains and buses. Military personnel will need to show proper military identification.The Department of Banking and Insurance will undertake necessary action to prohibit cancellations of professional

liability insurance policies while the policyholder is on active duty; to suspend the policyholder’s obligation to pay premiumsduring the term of his or her period of active duty; and to require renewal without lapse of policies that expire during activeduty, if application to renew is made within 60 days of return from active duty.

The Office of the Attorney General will strictly enforce all laws to protect military personnel against discrimination

related to housing, employment, education, public accommodations, and credit applications due to active duty service.The Adjutant General, Brigadier General Rieth, will be providing additional information to all National Guard members

through normal communication channels. If you have any questions related to the increased benefits the State will beproviding to National Guard members, please go through your normal chain of command.

Again, thank you for your service. May God bless and protect you and our nation.

With All Good Wishes,James E. McGreeveyGovernor

G U A R D L I F E4

Command Philosophy Outlines Top Three PrioritiesBy Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General

OOOOO

Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth shakes the hand of Chief Warrant Officer 2Mickey McGuire and other members of the 253rd Transportation Com-pany deploy to Kuwait. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

ne of my goals as your Adjutant General is to keep you

and your family informed about issues and programs

with the potential to impact the New Jersey National

Guard (NJNG). The success of the NJNG is rooted in

teamwork and based on communication. We will make every

effort possible to share information and provide direction and

guidance as we prepare our National Guard forces for a “new

way of doing business.” I would like to take this opportunity to

review our top three priorities for the New Jersey National

Guard: Security, Readiness/Strength, and Integrity.

Security.Security.Security.Security.Security. The number one challenge for the Americanmilitary is the protection of the homeland. In doing so, the

United States and New Jersey remains fully committed to the

Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Since the terrorist attacks

on Sept. 11, NJNG personnel have participated extensively in

OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE air and ground missions, OP-

ERATION LIBERTY SHIELD, OPERATION ENDURING FREE-

DOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Our role in homeland

security has generated the high degree of confidence and

reliance elected officials and the American public have placed

in the National Guard. Homeland Security missions include

force and resource protection actions, counter-terrorism, criti-

cal infrastructure protection, and information security opera-

tions. In most cases, state emergencies are handled at the

local level by civilian authorities such as police and first

responders. In instances where the resources required to

mitigate a disaster, manmade or natural, exceed the capabili-

ties of local authorities, either the Governor or The Adjutant

General may call the NJNG to active

duty. When you are mobilized for

state active duty, you will be happy

to know that the Governor has proposed

legislation to increase the pay and

add health benefits for members and

their families when your duty exceeds

30 days. For all mobilized members,

the Governor has also signed an

Executive Order to implement addi-

tional benefits such as extensions

for drivers’ licenses and registra-

tions, job training, and half price

tickets on New Jersey Transit, as just

a few examples.

Readiness/Strength.Readiness/Strength.Readiness/Strength.Readiness/Strength.Readiness/Strength. Threats to world peace andthe nation’s subsequent military needs have changed.

National Guard members are performing duties and

missions both at home and overseas locations. On

an average, you are performing well above the tradi-

tional 39 days of service a year while balancing, in

most cases, the demands of a family and

civilian career. It is imperative that we

maintain 100 percent strength to enable us

to fully engage in readiness or security

matters. Strength is the lynchpin for our

continued success and, therefore, I chal-

lenge each and every one of you to become

a voice for our mission and for the Guard.

We all play a role in recruiting and

retaining members. We are transforming the

way we do business; and, as we do, our

families and civilian employers need to

understand this change. More now than ever,

the retention process must include families

and employers. Our Department is fortunate

to have available the services of our

Employer Support to Guard and Reserve

(ESGR) volunteers should difficulties arise

with employers over military duty obliga-

tions.

Integrity.Integrity.Integrity.Integrity.Integrity. As members of the military, we must adhere tostandards in everything we do. Integrity is also the fair and

consistent treatment of all members and honest execution of

our policies, such as weight, physical fitness, military and

civilian education, accountability and fraternization. But more

than this, integrity means doing the right thing even when no

one is looking.

Finally, I encourage you to submit ideas and inputs as we

approach these new daunting tasks. I will make a conscious

effort to share information about “hot button issues” when

practical and provide the necessary guidance and direction as

we prepare to face together an array of challenges in 2003 and

beyond.

G U A R D L I F E5

TTTTThere’s a new team in town.One hundred and fifty-twomembers of the 5th Squad-ron, 117th Cavalry, have

been transformed into the 5-117thArmor Reconnaissance Squad-ron and deployed to McGuire AirForce Base - 120 troops - and the177th Fighter Wing - 32 troops -as part of Operation Noble Eagleto provide additional base andflightline security.

"As an Air Force leader I'mvery happy to see our youngtroops, both enlisted and officer,be exposed to the professional-ism and unique skills of the NewJersey Army National Guard NCOcorps," stated Capt. Mark C.Anarumo, Operations Officer,305th Security Forces, McGuireAir Force Base. "That experiencewill be a great addition to their

Cavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air BasesPhotos and story by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA

leadership toolbox.""My staff has integrated into all

the Air Force staff sections," saidCapt. Tim Cole, CommandingOfficer, 5th Squadron, 117th Cav-alry. "My people are performinglaw enforcement backup, internaland external security, checkpoint9 vehicle search -we're everywhere."

Since theevents of Sept. 11,the 5th Squadron,117th Cavalry hasbeen one of themost deployed unitsin the NJARNG.Following the terror-ist attacks againstthe World TradeCenter and the Pen-tagon, 5th Squad-ron guardsmen

were placed on state active dutyand Title 10 federal status to per-form security missions at theHudson River bridges and tun-nels, Newark International Airport,the Salem Nuclear Power Plant,and at other key infrastructurethroughout the state. The unitwas again placed on alert in theweeks surrounding the first anni-versary of Sept. 11th.

“Most of my troops served atthe bridges and tunnels, as wellas other state security missions.Only five of the 32 have neverdone anything like this before,”observed 19-year New JerseyArmy National Guard veteran StaffSgt. Alfred Lamar, NCOIC of theAtlantic City International Airportdetail of the 5-117th Armor Re-connaissance Squadron.

“It has been a vast learningexperience, doing duties that arenot in our MOS’s (Military Occupa-pational Specialties),” stated 2nd

Continued on page 6 Continued on page 6 Continued on page 6 Continued on page 6 Continued on page 6

Pfc. David Lopez checks an ID card while Spc. Erick Contreras watches a carat one of the entrances to McGuire Air Force Base.

Capt. Mark C. Anarumo (left) and Capt. Tim Cole (right) goover scheduling and locations for the upcoming rotation.

G U A R D L I F E6

Sgt. Ronnell Pulley (left) clears his M-16A1 while Sgt. TerranceSmith (right) watches.

Cavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air BasesCavalry Deploys To Air Bases

Continued from page 5Continued from page 5Continued from page 5Continued from page 5Continued from page 5Lt. Robert Jenkins, Officer inCharge of the newly constituted 5-117th Armor ReconnaissanceSquadron at Pomona. “Eventhough it looks similar to what wedid at the bridges and tunnels,there is a much greater level ofresponsibility here.”

If the idea of having an ArmyGuard unit serving at Air Guardand active-duty Air Force basesseems strange it’s because it’snever been done before. The con-stant demand for Security Forcesworldwide has resulted in a strainon the Guard, Reserve, and theactive-duty Air Force SecurityForces.

On Jan. 11 the entire 5thSquadron, 117th Cavalry reportedto their various armories aroundthe state to begin pre-mobilization

training in preparation for up toone year of active duty service.This followed an historic agree-ment between the Secretaries ofthe Army and Air Force and theAssistant Secretary of Defensefor Reserve Affairs.

Following thepremobilizationtraining, Lt. Col.Michael V. Shute,Squadron Com-mander, chose152 soldiers to bedeployed. Aftersix days at FortDrum, N.Y., thetroops arrived attheir respectiveduty stations onFeb. 10.

“The way theAir Guard trains

their security forces is fantastic,”noted Staff Sgt. Lamar. “Theyprepared us very well for what weare doing. This will help some ofthe younger troops who are inter-ested in law enforcement as acareer.” The majority of the troopsdeployed are between the ages of18 and 38.

“So far so good. I'm on the dayshift and am doing a completelydifferent job than I was trained for.I have a cooking MOS,” said Spc.Amy Pendola, the only female de-ployed to the 177th. Prior to volun-teering for the mission, Pendolaattended the Moore College of Artand Design thanks to the Guard’stuition reimbursement plan.

Moreover, knowing that theyare a critical element of our nation’swar on terrorism and a key playerin Homeland Security missions isvery important to the New JerseyArmy Guardsmen. “Some of mytroops feel that if they can’t deployoverseas, they’d rather be here

Staff Sgt. Alfred Lamar (left), Cpl. Richard Rivera (center) and Pfc. Paul Drabold(right), return from patrolling the flightline.

Spc. Amy Pendola stands guard in oneof the alert hangars. The 5th Squadron117th Cavalry has been fully integratedinto both the Active Duty Air Force andthe New Jersey Air National Guard Se-curity Forces.

G U A R D L I F E7

“Even though it looks similar to what we did at the bridges and tunnels, there“Even though it looks similar to what we did at the bridges and tunnels, there“Even though it looks similar to what we did at the bridges and tunnels, there“Even though it looks similar to what we did at the bridges and tunnels, there“Even though it looks similar to what we did at the bridges and tunnels, thereis a much greater level of responsibility here,” 2nd Lt. Robert Jenkins, OIC,is a much greater level of responsibility here,” 2nd Lt. Robert Jenkins, OIC,is a much greater level of responsibility here,” 2nd Lt. Robert Jenkins, OIC,is a much greater level of responsibility here,” 2nd Lt. Robert Jenkins, OIC,is a much greater level of responsibility here,” 2nd Lt. Robert Jenkins, OIC,177th Fighter Wing Detail, 5-117th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron.177th Fighter Wing Detail, 5-117th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron.177th Fighter Wing Detail, 5-117th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron.177th Fighter Wing Detail, 5-117th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron.177th Fighter Wing Detail, 5-117th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron.

making a difference,” observedStaff Sgt. Lamar. “I know Home-land Security is very important andI appreciate being part of this mis-sion,” concluded Spc. Pendola.

Spc. Pendola’s statement un-derscores the new duties and re-ality facing the New Jersey ArmyNational Guard unit. Traditionally,the majority of 5th Squadron troopsserve with tank, mortar, or scoutunits; utilizing the M1 Abrams mainbattle tank, 81mm mortarsmounted in M-113 armored per-sonnel carriers, and helicoptersto provide rapid deployment/com-bat capability. The 5th is a subor-dinate unit within the 50th ArmoredBrigade, 42nd Infantry Division.

Inevitably the question comesup: can the Army and Air Guardperform the same mission to-gether? Based upon the responseof both the leadership and thetroops, the answer is yes.

All are members of "NewJersey's Hometown Team.

New Jersey Army Guard Scores PerfectNew Jersey Army Guard Scores PerfectNew Jersey Army Guard Scores PerfectNew Jersey Army Guard Scores PerfectNew Jersey Army Guard Scores PerfectCLRT-XCLRT-XCLRT-XCLRT-XCLRT-X

By Maj. Elizabeth T. Murren, STARC Maintenance Officerhe New Jersey Army Na-tional Guard received a per-fect score on this year'sCommand Logistics Re-

view Team - Expanded (CLRT-X)inspection.

Overall, 13 of 13 areas in-spected received satisfactory rat-ings, placing New Jersey as oneof only two states to recentlyachieve this distinction. A CLRT-X combines several inspectionsinto one major evaluation, whichallows the National Guard Bureauto evaluate each state’s logisticalposture.

New Jersey’s CLRT-X wasconducted Feb. 24 -28. Col.

Frank Carlini, Chief of Staff, Army,organized assistance teams toprepare the various organizationsand identify areas where re-sources could best be applied.

A year prior to the CLRT-X,several In-Progress Reviews andworkshops were conducted inpreparation for the inspection bythe State Area Command Logis-tics Office (G-4) and the UnitedStates Property and Fiscal Office.In addition, a web site was devel-oped, containing a self-evaluationchecklist, mailing lists, a docu-mentation page for reference ma-terial and a links page.

Thirty days prior to the inspec-

tion the state was notified that thefollowing units would be inspected:50th PSB, HHC DISCOM, HHC250th SBF, HHC 50th Bde, HHC2-102nd AR, C Btry 3-112th FA,T3BL, CSMS-B, UTES, OMS-1,OMS-12, OMS-20, OMS-25,USP&FO, USP&FO warehouse,Class IX warehouse, the G-4, theSurface Maintenance Office andthe Division Support Commandproperty book.

Due to New Jersey's success,the state is not scheduled for an-other CLRT-X for 40 months.

A job well done by all involvedOne Team, One Fight, One Fu-ture.

TTTTT

G U A R D L I F E8

TTTTT he 177th Fighter Wing re-ceived the top three Air Na-tional Guard environmentalawards at the Air National

Guard Environmental Conferenceheld at Gulfport, Miss., on Mar. 19.

The Wing’s Natural ResourcesConservation Team was pre-sented the Air National Guard En-vironmental Quality Award, theANG Natural Resources Manage-ment Award and the ANG StateEnvironmental Employee Award.

The Environmental QualityAward is presented to the best airguard environmental program.“The Wing has received the Awardthree times since its inception in1996,” stated 1st Lt. Rich DeFeo.“This award is directly related tothe hard work and dedication of allthe unit members. What theyconsider as day-to-day is seen asexceptional by the ANG, and theAir Force.”

The ANG Natural ResourcesManagement (team) Award waspresented to Lt. Col. John Elwood,1st Lt. DeFeo, Master Sgt. WayneMiller, Master Sgt. AnthonyBoccelli, Tech. Sgt. MichaelChaney, and Senior Airman JuliusSimmons. The team conductsinventories of natural resources;prepares and implements naturalresources plans; applies manage-ments techniques; protects wet-lands and other special naturalareas and promotes conserva-tion education. The ANG StateEnvironmental Employee Awardwas awarded to 1st Lt. DeFeowho manages the entire Environ-

177th Receives Top Environmental AwardsBy 2nd Lt Luz Colón, 177FW/PAO, photo by Master Sgt. Donald Taggart, 177FW/MultiMedia Information Center

mental program.The unit will be recognized in

May at the Air Force Environmen-tal Awards Ceremony in Wash-

177th Fighter Wing Natural Resources Conservation Team, left to right: 1st Lt. RichDeFeo, Lt. Col. John Elwood and Master Sgt. Wayne Miller. Not pictured: Master Sgt.Anthony Boccelli, Tech. Sgt. Michael Chaney, and Senior Airman Julius Simmons.

ington, D.C., as the winner of the2002 General Thomas D. WhiteEnvironmental Quality Award fora Reserve Component.

Members of 177th Civil Engineering Squadron display their battle pennants priorto deploying to Southwest Asia. Left to right:Senior Airman Mike Mimler, Tech.Sgt. David St. Leger, Master Sgt. Bill Brown, Tech. Sgt. Dominic Tedesco, Staff Sgt.Mark Sparagna, Staff Sgt. Mike Jones, Staff Sgt. Richard Dickson, and SeniorAirman Ryan Butcher. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

G U A R D L I F E9

Task Force PegasusBy Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA, Photo by Maj. Mark Preston, 150th GSAB

s part of the mounting involvement of the NewJersey Army National Guard in worldwidemilitary operations, 19 members of the 1stBattalion, 150th Aviation deployed to Bosnia -

Herzegovina as part of Task Force Pegasus fromSept. 21, 2001, through April 6, 2002.

The 15 men and four women who deployed werea cross-section of the unit: pilots, communications,a cook, flight operations, base security, ammunitionhandlers and refuelers. The 150th troops were partof a task force of 359 soldiers and aviators (69percent National Guard, 30 percent active duty, andone percent Reserve) from 10 states and four active-duty posts. Task Force Pegasus was the first multi-component, multi-functional Aviation Battalion underNational Guard command.

With just three weeks of collective training, theteam was deployed to Camp Comanche, locatedapproximately six miles from Tuzla. For the nexteight months, Task Force Pegasus provided 24/7

aviation operational support throughout Bosnia -Herzegovina. They flew more than 5,700 flight hoursand transported 3,967 passengers; maintained thehighest Operational Readiness Rate of the US Army(90 percent); conducted more than 650 aerialreconnaissance and air movement operations; andparticipated in several multi-component and multi-national operational missions in support of the Multi-National Division (North) and the General Frameworkof Peace (Dayton Peace Accords) includingsuccessful raids on illegal weapons caches and theroundup of terrorists. The unit also participated inmore than 75 humanitarian support operations tolocal refugee camps and area schools.

Because of their successes, Task ForcePegasus received numerous accolades from I CorpsAviation Safety and Standardization Detachmentduring the Aviation Operational Readiness andStandardization Evaluation that was held during thedeployment.

The New Jersey contingent of TaskForce Pegasus. Front row: Maj. MarkPreston, Capt. Bart Montee, Spc.Danielle Draeger, Sgt. Lisa Lopez, Spc.Guinevere McSulla and Sgt. Victor Mo-rales. Middle row: Sgt. 1st Class GuyFoy, Spc. Jean-Paul Ortega, Cpl. JamesNall, Spc. Richard Morgan and Sgt. 1stClass Kimberly Hodge. Back row: ChiefWarrant Officer 4 Bill Tuttle, Capt. DanielMcGuire, Sgt. William Bovik, Lt. Col.Jack Dillie, Master Sgt. William Smithand Chief Warrant Officer 2 CasperDyckman. Not Pictured: Sgt. AnthonyColeman and Sgt. Henrique Miller.

AAAAA

253rd Tran253rd Tran253rd Tran253rd Tran253rd Transportation Companysportation Companysportation Companysportation Companysportation CompanyMobilizedMobilizedMobilizedMobilizedMobilizedPhotos and story by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA

n Feb. 7, the members of the 253rd Transpor-tation Company, reported to their armory atCape May Courthouse, to begin mobilization

training in preparation for active duty service insupport of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This actionfollowed the mobilization of the 150th AdjutantGeneral Detachment and the 444th Mobile PublicAffairs Detachment.

The 253rd Transportation Company is com-manded by Capt. Michael Ciarrocca and is part ofthe 119th Corps Support Battalion under the 57thTroop Command. The 253rd was one of three NewJersey Army National Guard units activated forOperation Desert Storm/Desert Shield.

At the end of their three-day preparation, theNew Jersey Guardsmen moved to Fort Dix forSoldier Readiness Processing (SRP) activity. TheSRP activity concentrates on preparing mobilizedsoldiers for the realities of extended active dutydeployment. These additional Garden State Guardtroops are now part of the largest mobilization ofArmy Guard troops since the Persian Gulf Warmore than 11 years ago.

G U A R D L I F E10

OOOOO

G U A R D L I F E11

G U A R D L I F E12

BBBBBosnia has all the aspects of any Europeancountry: culture, great food, and friendly people. And like all the major European countries itis the latest victim of the devastation of war.

From September 2001 through March 2002, 18members of the 50th Finance Battalion were deployedto Bosnia as part of SFOR-10 (Stabilization FORce).What was unique was that for the first time the Guardwas in charge of the deployment. The finance section(and all the money) was assigned to the Divisionheadquarters, Eagle Base, near Tuzla, which is almostin the dead center of Bosnia. The base is a FormerSoviet/Yugoslav air base where they are still findingland mines (so you had to be careful when you steppedout). To this day several million landmines are stillunaccounted for in the Bosnia-Herzegovina region.

“I was the first National Guard Finance BattalionCommander in charge of active duty troops in Bosnia,”stated Lt. Col. James Pippitt, Commander, 50th Fi-nance Battalion. “I had 18 guardsmen from my unitand 15 active-duty troops, which I integrated immedi-

50th Finance Serves In BosniaBy Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, photos by Lt. Col. James Pippitt

ately in sections based on the abilities of the soldiersand not on whether they were active or guard.”

“The troops were then parceled out to CampComanche, the NATO base in Sarajevo, and Taszar,Hungary,” noted Capt. Walter Laskowski, A CompanyCommander, 50th Finance Battalion. Money wasdisbursed from those locations by road or by air whenthe weather got bad.

“They would go on two to three hour trips throughthe mountains, on roads that were barely passable, toget to the various Forward Observation (FOB) sites,”continued Lt. Col. Pippitt. “Every Monday, Tuesdayand Thursday, I was sending out troops to FOBConnor and Morgan, as well as Camp McGovern,which are all on the Croatian border. It got worse inNovember when we got two feet of snow - definitely notparkway driving.”

“Bosnia is one of the poorest countries in theregion and the capital city Sarajevo is still pretty torn upfrom the war. The people are very pro-American.They are not looking forward to when we leave be-cause the possibility of renewed conflict is still there,”observed Capt. Laskowski. “For a lot of our youngtroops this was a real eye-opener: it was their first realtime away from home and in a combat zone as well.”

“It was the best experience of my life,” said Sgt. 1stClass David DeMarco, Chief of Military Pay. “I dealtwith entitlements where there were a lot of pre-existing

A Sarajevo apartment building shows both the effects of thecivil war and the speed of rebuilding the war-torn region.

Spc. Roberto Ramos, 250th Finance Detachment, in the cagedisbursing money to the troops.

G U A R D L I F E13

problems. By the end, 98 percent of thetroop pay was correct while the other twopercent were problems that they had broughtdown-range (from home base) with them.”

The finance troops had experiences in Bosnia likenone they had ever encountered at Annual Training.“We were paying the Bosnian landowners for use oftheir land; we were paying for the telephone, electric-ity, and food,” explained Spc. Susan Cook, Commer-cial Vendor Pay. “Without Spc. Cook, there wouldhave been no water, no electricity, and no food for thebase,” commented Sgt. 1st Class DeMarco. “Mostpeople had no idea that Cook was making sure theyhad a base to work at.”

All work and no play? “You have to adjust andadapt to your environment. Our unit participated inflag football and won the league trophy. We playedbasketball; one of our troops even won the Karaokecompetition. We had the USO and ArnoldSchwarzenegger come visit. The University of Mary-land offered long-distance learning so some of my kidstook classes and earned college credits,” added Lt.Col. Pippitt. “There are plenty of opportunities; youjust had to take advantage of them.”

“I went on a road march in the Danish-Polish sectorsponsored by the Danish Army. More than 150 UNpeacekeeping forces, Polish, Danish, American,French, and Russian troops participated,” said Capt.Laskowski. “You got to see homes, watch farmersslaughter animals, and smell wood and coal burning.”

The 50th adopted their new community and visitedthe area schools and refugee camps. “After seeingthe conditions these people were living in, we con-tacted friends, family, co-workers, and various otherstateside organization to seek donations of schoolsupplies, winter clothing, and sporting goods for thechildren,” remarked Lt. Col. Pippitt. “It was very easyto get people to donate items.”

So what does all this add up to? The 50th providedfinancial services to more than 3,000 soldiers, civil-ians, and multi-national troops including more than56,000 transactions for more than $27.2 million. Paymissions resulted in the disbursement of more than

50th Finance Battalion troops work with schoolchildren duringa visit to an area elementery school.

The finance troops had experiences in Bosnia like none they had ever encounteredThe finance troops had experiences in Bosnia like none they had ever encounteredThe finance troops had experiences in Bosnia like none they had ever encounteredThe finance troops had experiences in Bosnia like none they had ever encounteredThe finance troops had experiences in Bosnia like none they had ever encounteredat Annual Training. “We were paying the Bosnian landowners for use of theirat Annual Training. “We were paying the Bosnian landowners for use of theirat Annual Training. “We were paying the Bosnian landowners for use of theirat Annual Training. “We were paying the Bosnian landowners for use of theirat Annual Training. “We were paying the Bosnian landowners for use of theirland; we were paying for the telephone, electricity, and food,” explained Spc.land; we were paying for the telephone, electricity, and food,” explained Spc.land; we were paying for the telephone, electricity, and food,” explained Spc.land; we were paying for the telephone, electricity, and food,” explained Spc.land; we were paying for the telephone, electricity, and food,” explained Spc.Susan Cook, Commercial Vendor Pay.Susan Cook, Commercial Vendor Pay.Susan Cook, Commercial Vendor Pay.Susan Cook, Commercial Vendor Pay.Susan Cook, Commercial Vendor Pay.

$12.5 million dollars while 50th troopslogged more than 5,000 accident free milesconducting these missions. They evenparticipated in a training film about theArmy's stored value (credit) card.

Throw into this the changeover to the Euro (thenew European common currency). For the soldiersthis wasn’t much of a problem, they had their cash cardcalled the Eagle Card, which was linked to cash orchecks so the conversion didn’t really affect them. Itwas a whole different story for the Bosnians. Everyonehad to swap their Deutschmarks for Euros. “Bosniahad linked their money - the K-Mark - to theDeutschmark. Yet Bosnia is not part of the EuropeanUnion so there was a big question whether or not theEuro would be accepted,” explained Lt. Col. Pippitt.

“We collected the European currencies from theBosnians and shipped them back to their countries oforigin,” noted Capt. Laskowski. In the end the Bosniansstuck with their currency and linked it with the Euro.

“Based on our Bosnian mission, we are changingour training to mirror what we did while deployed. Ichallenged my troops when they got back to train thetroops that didn’t deploy,” finished Lt. Col. Pippitt.“This deployment set us up for the next 10 years.”

G U A R D L I F E14

The New Jersey Army National Guardwas activated at the direction of the Gov-ernor and the Office of Emergency Man-

Guard Activated For Homeland Security MissionsGuard Activated For Homeland Security MissionsGuard Activated For Homeland Security MissionsGuard Activated For Homeland Security MissionsGuard Activated For Homeland Security MissionsPhotos by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA

agement. The troops will be providingadditional security at Newark-LibertyInternational Airport, Staten Island

Spc. Anthony Goodell (left), 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry receives an ArmyCommendation Medal from Brig. Gen. William J. Marshall, III (center) while Lt. Col.Joe O'Connor watches.

Cpl. Homero Almanzar, 2nd Battalion, 113thInfantry on post at the Newark-Liberty Inter-national Airport.

crossings, the Lincoln Tunnel, and theGeorge Washington Bridge, as well asthe two nuclear power plants.

Staff Sgt. Evelyn Montanez, E Company,50th Main Support Battalion, guards theGeorge Washington Bridge.

Specialists Jessica D. Gable and Sabrina V. Mohamed of B Company, 50th MainSupport Battalion, guard an entrance to the George Washington Bridge.

G U A R D L I F E15

AAAAAfter a six-year effort to get federal funding,Col. Maria Morgan joined members of the108th Air Refueling Wing (NJANG), the 514thAir Mobility Wing of the Air Force Reserves,

the project contractor and the 305th Air Mobility Wingat the 305th Medical Group Ambulatory Health CareCenter on March 6, to break ground on the JointMedical Training Facility.

The 15,000-square-foot, $4.9 million facility willhouse the administrative and dental offices for theGuard and Reserve, and will be connected to theactive duty Ambulatory Health Care Center via acovered walkway. It will be the first time Guard,Reserve and active duty units will share a state-of-the-art medical complex.

Guard, Reserve And Active Duty Break Ground On NewGuard, Reserve And Active Duty Break Ground On NewGuard, Reserve And Active Duty Break Ground On NewGuard, Reserve And Active Duty Break Ground On NewGuard, Reserve And Active Duty Break Ground On NewMedical FacilityMedical FacilityMedical FacilityMedical FacilityMedical FacilityBy Maj. Denise Waggoner, 108 ARW/PA

Homecoming 108th StyleHomecoming 108th StyleHomecoming 108th StyleHomecoming 108th StyleHomecoming 108th StylePhotos by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA

Above: Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth and GovernorJames E. McGreevey pose with Senior AirmanStephanie Marshall (third from right), her husband,Gulf-War Veteran Patrick (second fromleft) and theirfamily. Photo right: a tearful reunion at the end of thetransatlantic flight awaited this guardsman.

On April 4, approximately 60 members of the108th Air Refueling Wing returned from an undis-closed location in the North Atlantic. These airmen

have been deployed since late February/early Marchand were being replaced by 50 more airmen to joinanother 100 guardsmen already in place to provideaerial refueling and strategic airlift in support of Op-eration Iraqi Freedom. These were the first NewJersey Guardsmen to return from deployment. Pho-tos by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

Col. (Ret.) Aldo Baldi (far right), former 108th Medical SquadronCommander joins members of the Guard, Reserve and active-duty Air Force in breaking ground on the new Joint MedicalTraining Facility at McGuire Air Force Base on March 6. Col.Baldi conceived the concept for the Facility 10 years ago.

G U A R D L I F E16

New Jersey Soldiers Of The YearNew Jersey Soldiers Of The YearNew Jersey Soldiers Of The YearNew Jersey Soldiers Of The YearNew Jersey Soldiers Of The YearPhotos and Story by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA

Lt. Col. John Nunn (left, front), the Surface Maintenance Man-ager, presents Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Laner (right, front),supervisor, Organizational Maintenance Shop #7 the NJARNGAward for Maintenance Excellence. Back row (left-right) areshop members: Staff Sgt. Steve Vidam, Sgt. 1st Class GaryHaddican, and Staff Sgt. Joe dePadua. OMS-7 was also theRegion 1B winner for the Army Award for Maintenance Excel-lence (AAME). Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

The 2003 New Jersey Army National Guard NCO of the Yearand the 2003 New Jersey Army National Guard Soldier of theYear were awarded to Sgt. Johnathon M. Sodamin (center, toppicture) and to Sgt. Maria E. Velez (center, right picture)respectively. The plaques were presented by New Jersey StateCommand Sgt. Maj. Richard S. Adkins, Jr., (right) and Com-mand Sgt. Maj. James H. Marshall, Jr., (left) 57th Troop Com-mand on April 8. Sgt. Sodamin is currently assigned to the150th General Support Aviation Battalion located at Trenton-

Mercer Airport, while Sgt. Velez is a Visual Information Equip-ment Operator/Maintainer at the Training and Training Tech-nology Battle Lab at Fort Dix. The basic criteria for the awardincludes being MOS qualified or in the process of getting MOSqualified, be within Army height and weight standards and beweapons qualified. Once a soldier is selected by his or her unit,they then go on to compete against candidates from other unitsup through the entire command level. After that they competeagainst nominees at the regional and national levels.

Top OMS In NJARNGTop OMS In NJARNGTop OMS In NJARNGTop OMS In NJARNGTop OMS In NJARNGOn Aug. 12, 2002, the 177th Fighter Wing under-

went a weeklong Unit Compliance Inspection (UCI).“Looking back over the last two years of inspec-

tions the 177th is the BEST seen to date,” stated Col.Joseph J. Kahoe, Inspector General (IG) Team Chief.

The UCI's purpose was to verify the wing’s com-pliance with public law, Department of Defense, AirForce, Air Combat Command, and Air National Guarddirectives by using Air Combat Command and Na-tional Guard Bureau.

The IG team inspected 476 critical complianceobjectives with the following findings; 383 or 81%“Complied”, 79 or 16% “Complied with Comments”,and only 14 or less then 3 % “Did Not Comply.” TheIG team also recognized 11 superior performerteams, 58 individual superior performers, two bestpractices, and zero findings. The 177th was one ofonly two units Air Combat Command-wide to satis-factorily pass their Special Interest Item.

"177th Best Seen To Date""177th Best Seen To Date""177th Best Seen To Date""177th Best Seen To Date""177th Best Seen To Date"

G U A R D L I F E17

TTTTT

Know someone who would make a good member of our Hometown Team? Cut out this form, fill in the blanks and send it in.Know someone who would make a good member of our Hometown Team? Cut out this form, fill in the blanks and send it in.Know someone who would make a good member of our Hometown Team? Cut out this form, fill in the blanks and send it in.Know someone who would make a good member of our Hometown Team? Cut out this form, fill in the blanks and send it in.Know someone who would make a good member of our Hometown Team? Cut out this form, fill in the blanks and send it in.

108th Finance Section as Financial Managementand Comptroller Organization of the Year for FY 02

While simultaneously supporting OperationsNoble Eagle and Enduring Freedom finance taskings,the 16 members of the finance team maintainedcontrol of more than $54 million in Operations andMaintenance funds and more than $800,000 in Mili-tary Personnel funds, and dispersed $15 million inmilitary payroll, all with virtually 100 percent accu-racy. They also managed to deploy a member of theirteam to Oman, another selected as 108th NCO of theYear and as always, had other team members work-ing extra duties in the wing.

The finance team, which consists of 12 full- timemilitary employees, two full-time civilian employeesand four traditional Guardsmen, also developed auser-friendly process for the demobilization phase.The unit is also the seventh best in the entire AirNational Guard for government credit card delin-quency.

Lt. Col. Ronald Alfors, 108th Comptroller andChief Master Sgt. Leon Cisek, 108th Deputy Comp-troller, received the award from Lt. Gen. Daniel JamesIII, Director, Air National Guard, during an ANG Comp-trollers luncheon in Arlington, Va.

108th Finance Section Best For108th Finance Section Best For108th Finance Section Best For108th Finance Section Best For108th Finance Section Best ForFY 02FY 02FY 02FY 02FY 02By Staff Sgt. Barbara Harbison, NJDMAVA/PA

he 108th Medical Group recently re-ceived an Excellent Rating from the AirForce Inspection Agency.In addition, two of the group's sections came

away from the inspection with perfect scores.The Health Services Inspection (HSI) is con-

ducted every three years and has a variety of pur-poses. The primary ones include assessingreadiness, providing an independent assessment ofmedical care, evaluate and report on the effective-ness and the efficiency of medical management andto identify any fraud, waste or abuse.

A number of recent personnel changes in thegroup provided some challenges for the unit, butthrough the hard work of the group’s members andsupport from the wing, the 108th came out with ascore of Excellent on the inspection.

Programs noted with special recognition by re-ceiving perfect scores were Flight Medicine Manage-ment and Workplace surveillance.

The 108th Medical Group provides quality medi-cal support for 1500 wing personnel while maintain-ing readiness for its diverse peacetime and wartimetaskings.

108th Medical Squadron Gets108th Medical Squadron Gets108th Medical Squadron Gets108th Medical Squadron Gets108th Medical Squadron GetsExcellent On InspectionExcellent On InspectionExcellent On InspectionExcellent On InspectionExcellent On InspectionBy Tech. Sgt. Ken Schechter, 108 ARW/MDG

G U A R D L I F E18

Posing in front of a pair of UH-1 helicopters, the soldiers of BCompany, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment whodeployed from Picatinny Arsenal to the Combat ManeuverTraining Center in Hohenfels, Germany for three weeks inorder to augment the Opposing Force Ravens and ObserverController Falcons. Front row: Staff Sgt. Roger O’Brien, Sgt. JanRzeszot, Sgt. Larry Simms, Staff Sgt. George Bono. Back row,left to right: Sgt. 1st Class Lou Wiersma, Pfc. Paul Weiss, Sgt.Carlos Ayala, Spc. Charlie Fisher, Spc. Ryan Cortez, ChiefWarrant Officer 4 Frank Partica, Chief Warrant Officer 3 TomFrickanisce, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tom Egleston, ChiefWarrant Officer 3 Tim Tucker, Chief Warrant Officer 4 DaveLichtbach, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeff Angle, Spc. SteveMolina, Sgt. 1st Class Bob Brownlee, Spc. Mike Rooney, Spc.Kelwin Nieves, and Capt. Tim Hughes. Photo courtesy 1-126th.

126th Returns From CMTC126th Returns From CMTC126th Returns From CMTC126th Returns From CMTC126th Returns From CMTC

Short Rounds:Short Rounds:Short Rounds:Short Rounds:Short Rounds: 126th Returns From CMTC; 126th Returns From CMTC; 126th Returns From CMTC; 126th Returns From CMTC; 126th Returns From CMTC;150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized

Front to back: Specialists Katherine Quiring, Rosa Barillas,Michael Bendel and Jermaine Hamwright, 150th AdjutantGeneral Detachment, work in a converted shower room at theSoldier Readiness Processing center at Fort Dix. The 150thwas mobilized on Jan. 27 and provides administrative andpersonnel services at the center, which helps to prepare mo-bilized soldiers for extended active duty deployment. Photo byTech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized150th AG Mobilized

G U A R D L I F E19

150th Deploys to Panama150th Deploys to Panama150th Deploys to Panama150th Deploys to Panama150th Deploys to Panama

Port of Cristobol, Republic ofPort of Cristobol, Republic ofPort of Cristobol, Republic ofPort of Cristobol, Republic ofPort of Cristobol, Republic ofPanama —Panama —Panama —Panama —Panama — Members of the 150thGeneral Support Aviation battal-ion re-attach rotor blades to a UH-60 Blackhawk in Panama to par-ticipate in New Horizons 03, JointTask Force Chiriqui. The JointTask Force will construct schoolsand clinics and practice medicineto benefit the rural villagers in theremote mountain region along theCosta Rican border. Photo bySgt. 1st Class Tom Roberts, NGBPublic Affairs Support Element.

Short Rounds: Short Rounds: Short Rounds: Short Rounds: Short Rounds: Hawks Land In Panama;Hawks Land In Panama;Hawks Land In Panama;Hawks Land In Panama;Hawks Land In Panama;444th Mobilizes and HSCOE Opened444th Mobilizes and HSCOE Opened444th Mobilizes and HSCOE Opened444th Mobilizes and HSCOE Opened444th Mobilizes and HSCOE Opened

Homeland Security Center OpenedHomeland Security Center OpenedHomeland Security Center OpenedHomeland Security Center OpenedHomeland Security Center OpenedGovernor James E. McGreevey (right) and Brig. Gen. Glenn K.Rieth cut the ribbon officially opening the Homeland SecurityCenter of Excellence on Jan. 4. The Center, located inLawrenceville, will serve as the focal point for the New JerseyDepartment of Military and Veterans Affairs and the New JerseyArmy and Air National Guards’ involvement with New Jerseydomestic security activities. The Center is capable of supportingmultiple, simultaneous emergency response operations, whileintegrating both New Jersey Army and Air National Guardcapabilities into the state emergency response system. Photoby Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

444th MPAD Mobilizes444th MPAD Mobilizes444th MPAD Mobilizes444th MPAD Mobilizes444th MPAD MobilizesBrig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth congratulates members of the 444thMobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD), New Jersey ArmyNational Guard as they began mobilization processing foractive duty service. The 444th, under the command of Maj. CarlPalmer, will be stationed at Fort Dix where they will providepublic affairs support to Soldier Readiness Processing(SRP)activity. The SRP prepares mobilized soldiers for therealities of extended active duty deployment. The 444th waspreviously called to active duty on March 1, 1999 when theyserved in Heidelberg, Germany for eight months supportingNATO peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. Photoby Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

State of New JerseyDepartment of Military and Veterans AffairsPO Box 340Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0340

BULK RATEU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No.

Last Round: 1st Women Commanders For Two Units

n April 5, New Jersey Army National Guardhistory was made when Lt. Col. Roberta Niedtand Maj. Sharon R. Tootell took command ofthe 50th Personnel Support Battalion and the

119th Corps Support Battalion respectively.In both cases it was the first time in each of the

battalions' histories that a woman officer would bethe commander. Lt. Col. Niedt serves as the Public

OOOOO Affairs Officer for the New Jersey Department ofMilitary and Veterans Affairs. Maj. Tootell is a tradi-tional drilling Guardsman.The Ceremony was held at the National Guard

Armory at Lawrenceville. Both the 50th PersonnelSupport Battalion and the 119th Corps Support Bat-talion are assigned to the 57th Troop Command.

Project Fun At The BeachProject Fun At The BeachProject Fun At The BeachProject Fun At The BeachProject Fun At The Beach

Project Fun At The Beach offers free Jerseyshore housing units to families of military person-nel who have been deployed since Sept. 11,2001. Families need to call the Burlington CountyActive Duty Assistance Program hotline at (609)265-5222 to check for available dates. Requestswill be handled on a first-come, first-serve basisand limited to unit availability.

New Cell Phone PolicyNew Cell Phone PolicyNew Cell Phone PolicyNew Cell Phone PolicyNew Cell Phone Policy

Starting May 1, cell phone use in a governmentvehicle any time, any where, or in a private vehiclewhile conducting government business, is re-stricted to a Hands Off policy. You must either pullover or put your vehicle in park to use your cellphone, or use a no hands device for your cellphone while driving.