OCTOBER 2018 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4

IN FRANCE TO COMMEMORATE WWI HERO SGT. ALVIN YORK

THE VOLUNTEER STATE

guard

magazine

CENTENNIAL

COMMEMORATION

SGT.

YORK

PLUS:

HURRICANE FLORENCE:

OUR SUPPORT IN

SOUTH CAROLINA
2 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

ON THE COVER

Tennessee National Guard Soldier of the Year, Spc. 

Kason Glass, lays a wreath at the memorial site of 

World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York Oct. 7 in Châtel-Chéhéry, France. (Photo by Spc. Lauren Ogburn)

08

In France to 

commemorate 

WWI hero Sgt. 

Alvin York on the 

100th anniversary of WWI.

20

Honoring the

past: These 

brothers are 

making sure 

Veterans are 

appreciated

28

241st 

EIS is 

making a 

difference

18

Hurricane 

Florence

THE VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD MAGAZINE
3

CONTENTS VSG

08 YORK 100TH COMMEMORATION 

Members of the Tennessee National Guard travel to France to commemorate 

Tennessean Sgt. Alvin C. York on the 100th anniversary of WWI.

16 NEW PT TEST CHALLENGES

Army National Guard Soldiers anxious over new PT test. 

18 HURRICANE FLORENCE

Tennessee sends support to South Carolina.

20 HONORING THE PAST

Mason and his brother Sam are making sure WWII Veterans are still appreciated in 2018.

25 118TH WING TRAINING

118th Wing conducts annual training in Savannah, Ga.

26 FIRST ARMY SELECTION

Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes is selected as next Deputy Commanding General, 

First U.S. Army.

27 SUPER-SIZED AIR CLASS

More than 250 Airmen from units across the nation attending Airman Leadership School in East Tennessee.

28 241ST EIS

From Iraq to the White House, the 241st Engineering and Installation Squadron is making a difference.

30 TASK FORCE RAIDER

Tennessee State CSM Mike Gentry visits Soldiers at the Task Force Raider 

exercise in Texas.

32 ASSUMING COMMAND

The Tennessee’s 278th ACR assumes command of Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine.

33 FRANKLIN PROMOTED

Col. Vincent Franklin, Tennessee Air National Guard Chief of Staff, promoted 

to Brigadier General.

34 134TH TRAIN IN THE UK

134th Guardsmen train with 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, 

United Kingdom.

36 A PRESENCE IN POLAND

Tennessee Army National Guard assumes responsibility of 

NATO’s eFP Battle Group Poland.

37 OUT OF THIS WORLD

118th Wing Base recycling program saves enough oil to 

drive to moon multiple times.

38 VALOR IN THE FAMILY

Husband and wife chaplains are awarded The Adjutant 

General’s Ribbon for Valor.

39 BOOK REVIEW

Maj. Darrin Haas Gives his review of Gates of Fire: An 

Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

The Volunteer State Guard Magazine is published to provide command 

and public information about Tennessee Guard Soldiers and Airmen 

throughout the world. Views expressed herein are those of the authors 

and do not necessarily reflect the official view of and it is not endorsed 

by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Departments 

of the Army and the Air Force. This publication does not supersede any 

information presented in any other official Air or Army publication. Articles, photos, artwork and letters are invited and should be addressed 

to: Editor, The Volunteer State Guard, 3041 Sidco Dr., Attn: TNPAO, 

Nashville, TN 37204.

For more information, the staff can be reached by telephone (615) 313-

0633, or by email to tnpao@live.com. The Volunteer State Guard reserves the right to edit all material. Published works may be reprinted, 

except where copyrighted, provided credit is given to The Volunteer 

State Guard and the authors. Distribution of the The Volunteer State 

Guard is electronic and can be downloaded at: http://www.tnmilitary.org.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTION

SENIOR EDITORS

PHOTOGRAPHY 

WRITERS

MAJ. (RET) RANDY HARRIS

ROB PENNINGTON

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 NICK ATWOOD

MAJ. DARRIN HAAS 

SGT. 1ST CLASS (RET) WILLIAM JONES

ROB PENNINGTON

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 NICK ATWOOD 

MASTER SGT. JEREMY CORNELIUS 

MASTER SGT. MIKE R. SMITH

CAPT. (RET) DAVE ROBERTS 

SENIOR AIRMAN ANTHONY AGOSTI

SGT. 1ST CLASS EDGAR CASTRO

STAFF SGT. MICHELLE GONZALEZ 

TECH. SGT. DANIEL GAGNON

SGT. SARAH KIRBY

SGT. TIMOTHY MASSEY

SGT. ERIK WARREN

SPC. LAUREN OGBURN

DANIEL SOLOMON

MAJ. (RET) RANDY HARRIS

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 NICK ATWOOD 

MAJ. DARRIN HAAS

SENIOR AIRMEN ANTHONY AGOSTI

MASTER SGT. MIKE SMITH

TECH. SGT. DARRELL HAMM

TECH. SGT. DANIEL GAGNON

SGT. SARAH KIRBY

SGT. TIMOTHY MASSEY

KYLE REMPFER

VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4

tnmilitary.org

NOVEMBER, 2018
4 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

BLACKHAWK VIEW

Aug 13, 2018 - 278th ACR Task Force Raider infantrymen kick it up a notch with livefire training at Fort Hood, Texas, in preparation for a 9-month deployment to Poland in 

support of Atlantic Resolve.

PHOTO BY: SGT. SARAH KIRBY

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
5

CLASS IS IN SESSION

July 17, 2018 - U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of The National Guard Bureau, speaks to Airman Leadership School 

instructors and students at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.

PHOTO BY: STAFF SGT. MICHELLE GONZALEZ 

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
6

9/11 STAIR CLIMB

Sept. 11, 2018 - Soldiers from RHHT 278th ACR joined firefighters from Knoxville and 

surrounding areas to pay tribute to FDNY firefighters killed on 9/11/01 by climbing the 

equivalent of the World Trade Center’s 110 stories.

PHOTO BY: 278TH ARMORED CALVARY REGIMENT

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
7 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

SGT. YORK 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Oct. 7, 2018 - A Tennessee National Guard Soldier lays a wreath at the York Memorial 

near Chatel-Chéhéry. This is the 100th anniversary commemoration of Sgt. Alvin C. 

York’s heroic actions during World War I that awarded him the Medal of Honor.

PHOTO BY: SPC. LAUREN OGBURN 

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
8 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

MEMBERS OF THE TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD TRAVEL TO FRANCE TO 

COMMEMORATE THE HEROIC ACTIONS 

OF TENNESSEAN SGT. ALVIN C. YORK 

ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS 

EARNING THE MEDAL OF HONOR.

STORY

WRITTEN BY

MAJ. DARRIN HAAS

PHOTOS BY

SGT. 1ST CLASS EDGAR CASTRO

SPC. LAUREN OGBURN

CENTENNIAL

COMMEMORATION

SGT.

YORK
9

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Glass, Tennessee 

Asst. Adjutant General Air, renders a salute 

during a wreath laying ceremony Oct. 7 in 

Châtel-Chéhéry, France. 
10 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

Chatel-Chéhéry, France – On the morning of October 8, 1918, the 82nd 

Division of the American Expeditionary Forces was ordered to attack German positions west of the sleepy town of Chatel-Chéhéry in eastern France. 

As part of the massive Meuse-Argonne Offensive to end World War I, the 

primary objective for the 82nd Division attack was to relieve pressure on 

the “Lost Battalion,” an American unit surrounded and cut-off. At 6am, the 

82nd advanced on the enemy but the Germans were ready for them. The 

American attack was soon stalled by overwhelming German machine-gun 

fire.

 Company G of the 82nd’s 328th Infantry Regiment was one of the units 

stopped and taking harsh casualties from the German machine guns. The 

company commander decided that the only way to defeat the guns was to 

try and sneak a force through enemy lines and destroy the machine gun positions from behind. Four squads were chosen. A total of 17 men made up 

the force. One of the non-commissioned officers in the unit was Cpl. Alvin 

C. York, a conscientious-objector from Pall Mall, Tennessee, a man who declared he could not kill for his country, but was willing to die for it. 

 The 17 soldiers from Company G found an opening in the German line 

and then slipped behind the German defenses. After an hour-and-a-half of 

searching, they ran into a German force. Two-and-a-half hours later, the 

American patrol would emerge from the woods. Only seven Americans 

would still be alive, but they had captured 132 German prisoners and York 

was credited with killing 20-25 German soldiers. He would be awarded the 

Medal of Honor for his actions in the woods and was destined to become a 

Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Alvin C. York 

Tennessee Guardsmen being 

briefed while visiting the Montsec 

American Monument
11

national hero. 

 After the war, York returned home and devoted the rest of his life to improve the 

lives and education of the citizens from his home state of Tennessee and Fentress 

County. He built the York Institute which still teaches students in Jamestown and he 

helped build the Alvin C. York Highway. After his death in 1964, Tennessee would 

honor him by naming the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Murfreesboro after 

him. It cares for thousands of veterans daily. Each year thousands of visitors flock 

to the Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park to learn about a man who gave so 

much for his country by following what he believed.

 Ten decades later, on Sunday, October 7, 2018, the town of Chatel-Chéhéry, held an 

international ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of York’s heroics that earned 

him the Medal of Honor. To help celebrate and honor him, 12 Tennessee Army and 

Air National Guardsmen from across Tennessee, and two state legislators, traveled 

to France to participate in the ceremony held at the very site of York’s heroics. Led 

by Maj. Gen. Terry “Max” Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, the purpose was 

to honor one of Tennessee’s greatest military heroes who devoted his life to helping 

others as was well as being one of the most famous soldiers from World War I. 

 The Tennesseans joined hundreds of townsmen, dignitaries, and members of the 

York family in celebrating this American hero. During the ceremony, Haston laid a 

wreath at the York memorial, which was erected by Tennesseans in 1987 located at 

the steps of Chatel-Chéhéry’s town hall. Wreaths were also laid by the town mayor 

and Col. (ret.) Gerald York, the grandson of Sgt. Alvin C. York. 

 Haston had the privilege of giving one of the keynote speeches where he focused 

on York’s post-war life and legacy. “Throughout his life, York was a man devoted to 

“THE PURPOSE WAS 

TO HONOR 

ONE OF TENNESSEE’S 

GREATEST 

MILITARY 

HEROES 

WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE 

TO HELPING 

OTHERS.”

YORK 100TH

Members of the Tennessee National Guard and World War I living history 

interpreters stand in formation during the 100-year-anniversary memorial 

ceremony for Sgt. Alvin C. York, Oct. 7 in Châtel-Chéhéry, France.

- MAJ. GEN. TERRY “MAX” HASTON
12 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

“York was 

a man devoted to 

God, his 

country, 

his family, 

and making 

the world 

a better 

place for 

everyone.”

YORK 100TH

American eagle sculpture at the 

Saint-Mihiel American Cemetary

God, his country, his family, and making the world a better place for everyone,” said 

Haston. “Monuments stand throughout France and the United States to celebrate his 

ideals and the sacrifices he made.” 

 Tennessee Senator Paul Bailey and State Representative Kelly Keisling also participated in the ceremony. “It was an honor and a privilege to travel with the Tennessee National Guard to Chatel-Chéhéry to celebrate the heroism of Alvin C. York, a Tennessee 

hero,” said Baily. 

 Senator Bailey was impressed with the amount of pride and respect the town of Chatel-Chéhéry had for York and what the United States accomplished during World War 

I. “The excitement that’s here in this little town about what Alvin C. York did for the 

French people during that time is unbelievable,” said Bailey. 

 Following the speech and ceremony in town, a second wreath laying was held on the 

Sergeant York Trail. The York memorial is located at the trail’s apex just feet from the 

site near Hill 223 where York captured 132 German soldiers and killed 20-25 enemy 

troops. The trail was built by U.S. Army Col. (ret.) Douglas Mastriano and follows the 

route York and his patrol took on the morning of October 8, 1918. 

 The second wreath was laid at this location by Tennessee National Guard Soldiers 

Spc. Kason Glass and Sgt. Andrew Trescott. Glass won Tennessee’s Best Warrior Competition this year and Trescott is Tennessee’s Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. 

The Army and Air National Guardsmen who participated in the ceremony were selected from across the state of Tennessee and were representative of each major command. 

Glass, who is a member of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, said, “the ceremony 

was an opportunity of a lifetime; especially getting to meet the family of Sgt. York and 

hear more about him.” 

 Rep. Keisling said, “It is just an honor to be here in the area where Sgt. York and all 

- MAJ. GEN. TERRY “MAX” HASTON
13

of our troops in World War I fought so heroically for freedom for our French 

brothers and sisters.” 

 Also attending the ceremonies from Tennessee were members of the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, Tennessee State Parks, and the Tennessee 

Great War Commission. The ceremony not only honored York but it helped to 

foster good relations between Tennessee and France, particularly the town of 

Chatel-Chéhéry, which is also a sister town with Pall Mall, Tennessee. 

 “York continues to bring people together to remember that there is still good 

in the world,” said Haston during his speech. “As I look out across this crowd 

this morning, I see people, organizations, and two countries together that normally would not be, here to honor a man few living people have ever met, and 

we do this to celebrate his humility, courage, and example.”

 The Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall also held a mirror 

ceremony that honored the centennial of York’s heroics. 

 After the second ceremony, the Guardsmen took a tour of the actual battlefield where York captured the German soldiers. Led by Col. (ret.) Douglas 

Mastriano, the author of Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne, he was also the leader of the Sergeant York Discovery Expedition which 

located the exact spot where York earned the Medal of Honor. Mastriano took 

the Guardsmen to the exact location where York fought and explained in detail the fight that occurred on that very ground. Capt. Rachael Hernandez, the 

commander of Tennessee’s 776th Maintenance Company, said, “It was a great 

opportunity to hear Mastriano, who personally discovered the site of York’s 

heroics, explain what happened here and how he came to find it using research 

and archaeology.” 

 Before and after the ceremonies, the members of the Tennessee National 

Above: Video from ceremony in France

A World War I living history interpreter during the 100-year-anniversary memorial ceremony for Sgt. Alvin C. York, Oct. 7 in 

Châtel-Chéhéry, France.
14 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

Trail marker along the York Trail

Guard had the opportunity to learn more about World War I and the role 

York played in it. While in France, the group conducted a historical staff-ride, 

visiting key battlefield sites and memorials, and learning about the challenges 

the American Expeditionary Forces had in the Argonne and the role Tennesseans, particularly York, played during the war. The Guardsmen visited battlefields in Verdun, St. Mihiel, Belleau Wood, and various sites throughout the 

Meuse-Argonne, the largest and bloodiest battle in American history. 

 “I enjoyed getting to learn more about World War I in the museums since 

I feel like they skipped over a large portion of it when I was in school,” said 

Glass. “It gave me chills to walk where so many people fought and died and to 

see the amount of people buried in the cemeteries.”

 The soldiers also had other opportunities to honor the soldiers of World 

War I. They lowered the American flags at the Meuse-Argonne American 

Cemetery, the largest U.S. Military cemetery in Europe, as well as at the St. 

Mihiel American Cemetery. They also met with members of the American 

Battle Monuments Commission to learn how our fallen soldiers are taken care 

of. 

 “It was truly a trip I’ll never forget,” said Glass. 

- MAJ DARRIN HAAS

YORK 100TH
15

Left: Maj. Gen. Haston speaks 

with a French living historian 

following the ceremony.

Right: Tennessee National Guard 

Soldiers also visited the American Montfaucon Monument which was a strategic 

position during the first phase of the 

Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

Top: Tennessee Guard Solders during the 

100-year-anniversary memorial ceremony for Sgt. 

Alvin C. York, Oct. 7.
16 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Equipment requirements, logistics and training are on the 

minds of Army National Guard Soldiers this 

year, as the Army prepares to roll out a new 

gender- and age-neutral fitness test.

 But while Soldiers voice trepidation, the 

larger Army says it’s not going to be an issue.

 “I think the test is going to be good, [but] 

my concern in the National Guard is the 

equipment requirement,” a battalion commander from the Louisiana National Guard 

said during a discussion with Army Chief 

of Staff Gen. Mark Milley at the National 

Guard Association of the United States conference in New Orleans this past weekend.

 “There’s a tremendous amount of equipment that’s going to be needed at every company, every armory, every detachment in 

order to administer the test and to train our 

troops. Have we addressed a plan to do that 

prior to the roll-out?” the Soldier asked.

 Milley said the equipment concerns were 

not just an issue for the Guard, but one 

across the force. However, the new Army 

Combat Fitness Test correlates much better 

to actual combat requirements, and “we’d all 

be negligent if we didn’t train to this [new] 

test,” he said.

Army National Guard Soldiers Anxious Over 

New PT Test, Gear Shortfalls.

NEW PT TEST 

CHALLENGES

The deadlift exercise, which requires a hexagon bar, is one of 

the new exercises and equipment 

requirements that makes the new 

Army Combat Fitness Test a concern for some National Guard and 

Army Reserve units. (Photo by Sgt. 

Erik Warren/Army)

PHYSICAL TRAINING
17

PHYSICAL TRAINING

 “In order to do it right there’s going to have 

to be a lot of training the trainers, it has be 

phased in, we have to make sure the scoring 

standards are correct, and, as you pointed 

out, it does require a little bit of equipment,” 

Milley said.

 The ACFT field tests will begin in October 

and last one year. It will include 60 different 

types of battalions from all three components of the total force — active Army, Army 

Guard and Army Reserve.

 Additionally, Milley said, Training and 

Doctrine Command is currently conducting an analysis of all the equipment required 

throughout the force, how much it will cost 

and how to distribute the gear to the entire 

Army.

 There will be some challenges, Milley acknowledged.

 “For example, embassies,” he said. “We 

have soldiers at embassies around the world, 

not in big units but small ones. ... But the 

equipment is an issue. The Guard will get the 

same equipment the rest of the Army gets. 

In the meantime — which means the next 

year — you can train for it. This isn’t rocket 

science.”

 For instance, grab “a 10-pound medicine 

ball, throw it over your head. Every gym in 

America has a 10-pound medicine ball,” he 

added.

 Similarly, he said, the hexagon deadlift bar 

needed for the test is available in the majority of gyms soldiers will run across.

 “We’re going to get you the equipment. 

It’s going to get distributed to the force, but 

don’t wait. I guess I’m stomping my feet. Do. 

Not. Wait,” Milley said. “This test is hard.”

 Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s adjutant general, shared more on the equipment 

issue in an interview with Army Times.

 “I’m really concerned about the new PT 

test,” Haston said. “It will be an issue. Smalltown America doesn’t have a Gold’s Gym.”

 Haston said the Tennessee National 

Guard draws soldiers from small communities where rural areas often have just one armory with only about 100 soldiers. The idea 

that disassociated solders at separate armories could just drive to a collective location 

to administer and train for the test doesn’t 

solve the logistical issue, Haston explained.

 “Now you’ve got a cost of transportation. 

You also just lost a drill day of training,” 

Haston said. “We’ll make it happen, ... but 

one of the best deals that ever hit for us was 

the three-event PT test, because all you had 

to do was push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile 

run. I can do that anywhere.”

 “But this, it’s going to create a logistical 

challenge.”

 Stephanie Slater, a spokeswoman for the 

Center for Initial Military Training, told 

Army Times in a statement that the concerns are understood and being dealt with.

 “The Army has several remote locations 

across all components to include more than 

1,500 recruiting stations, overseas assignments, Reserve and National Guard unit 

locations, fellowships and training assignments that take soldiers far from normal 

military base support,” Slater said. “There 

are seven National Guard battalions, seven Army Reserve units, and recruiting and 

ROTC units that were specifically chosen for 

the field test in order to evaluate and solve 

minor logistics challenges involved with remote locations. Additionally, training programs and equipping strategies are being 

developed in close coordination with all 

components.”

 Additionally, Slater said, the Army will 

soon publish an ACFT training guide with 

exercises to help soldiers prepare to take the 

new test.

 “These specific exercises will use common 

strength training methods found in current 

Army doctrine,” she added.

08.29.2018 Story By Kyle Rempfer / armytimes.com

A Tennessee Army National Guard 

Soldier does push-ups at the 2018 

Best Warrior Competition. (Photo 

by Spc. Lauren Ogburn)
18 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

HURRICANE 

FLORENCE

Tennessee Sends Support to South Carolina

Sept. 18-19, 2018 - Tennessee National Guard 

Soldiers assisted local authorities in Raleigh, 

North Carolina following the aftermath of 

Hurricane Florence. The Soldiers helped move 

a hospital patient and aided moving cargo in 

a resupply mission. (Photo Courtesy of 230th 

Assault Helicopter Battalion).

Hurricane Florence Background Photo Courtesy BBC News
19

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee National Guard sent a military police company 

to South Carolina today to assist residents of 

that state in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. More than 100 personnel of the 117th 

Military Police Battalion departed Athens, 

Tenn. on Sept. 16 with the necessary equipment and supplies to operate for approximately two weeks. 

 Once processed through reception, their 

mission will be to augment the local authorities by conducting door to door health and 

welfare checks, assisting with the manning 

of traffic control points designed to avoid 

impassable roads due to flooding and providing for the overall safety of those most 

affected by the storm.

 “This is one of our busiest battalions in 

the state because of the capability of the 

MP Companies,” said Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. 

Max Haston. “They did a fantastic 

job in the Virgin Islands last year 

when called upon, and I’m confident they will do no less for our 

friends in South Carolina.”

 South Carolina requested the 

assets through the Emergency 

Management Assistance Compact 

process whereby states can ask 

for help in time of crisis, or other 

natural disasters. The Tennessee 

Emergency Management Agency is the mitigating agency for such requests and works 

regularly with other state emergency management agencies to facilitate these cooperative agreements.

 The 117th Military Police Battalion is 

part of the 194th Engineer Brigade, headquartered in Jackson. The 194th Engineer 

Brigade has approximately 2,000 soldiers, 

and is considered one of the Army’s most 

diverse multi-functional engineer brigades 

consisting of an engineer battalion, an engineer detachment, and two military police 

battalions.

 Additional footage is available at: https://

www.dvidshub.net/video/625908/hurricane-florence-relief

- CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 NICK 

ATWOOD

Soldiers of the 117th Military Police Battalion conduct a convoy 

operations briefing prior to departure on September 16, 2018. 

(Photo by CW4 Nick Atwood, Tenn. National Guard)
20 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

Sam and Mason Roberts pose with Jurgen Mingels and Rini Ackermanns at the 2018 30th Division World War II Veterans Reunion in 

Raleigh, North Carolina. Mingels and Ackermanns are from South 

Linburg in the Netherlands which was a village liberated by the 

117th Infantry during WWII. (Photo by Daniel Solomon)

M A S O N A N D 

HIS BROTH -

E R S A M 

A R E M A K I N G 

S U R E W W I I 

V E T E R A N S 

A R E S T I L L 

APPRECIAT -

ED IN 2018
21

HONORING

THE PAST

STORY BY MAJ. DARRIN HAAS
22 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

E

very year, there are fewer World War II veterans around to tell 

the first hand stories of the sacrifice so many soldiers made to 

defeat Nazi Germany. Soon they will all be gone and there will 

be no Soldiers left to honor and their tales will only be available in 

the letters, recordings, and materials they left behind. According to 

Pvt. Mason Roberts, currently assigned to Smyrna’s Company B of 

the Recruit Sustainment Program, more should be done to honor 

these veterans while they are still alive and we should never forget 

the trail they blazed to make us the strong military we are today. 

 For the last four years, Mason and his younger brother Sam have 

been volunteering at veterans reunions to help honor these men. 

Primarily attending reunions for the 30th “Old Hickory” Infantry 

Division from World War II, which is comprised of National Guard 

units from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, 

Mason takes it as his personal duty to ensure that all of these veterans 

Sam and Mason Roberts honor WWII Veterans as they arrive for a presentation at the 

30th Division Reunion.
23

know they are appreciated. 

 “These men are all heroes,” said Mason. “They all managed to accomplish feats that are the reasons we all live free today. We should tell 

them thank you every chance we get.” 

 Every year, the 30th Infantry Division Association and the North 

Carolina Army National Guard host a reunion to honor these World 

War II veterans which had a reputation as a top fighting unit in the 

European theater, often referred to as the Workhorse of the Western 

Front. Mason and Sam travel to them each year, helping the association out in different ways. This year, they attended the 30th Infantry 

Division Association reunion in Raleigh, North Carolina, from June 

21-23. 

 They meet and talk with World War II veterans, listen to their 

stories, sell tickets to association events and raffles, help veterans get 

to each event, and conduct registration. The young men’s most notable contribution is living history. Donning Word War II era uniforms 

from the 30th Infantry Division, they are often a part of the historic 

color guard and honor guard. 

 “We choose to represent the 117th Infantry Regiment when we 

perform living history, because they were a highly celebrated unit and 

hailed from Tennessee,” said Mason. “They were also an integral part 

of the division and the honors that it earned.” 

 During the reunions, Mason and Sam developed a special friendship with one 117th Infantry veteran in particular, Cpl. Knox Holder 

of Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Holder joined the 117th Infantry Regiment’s L 

Company in 1941 after the division was mobilized and then stationed 

at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He would be assigned the Browning 

Automatic Rifle and fought throughout the European theater. He arrived in France with the division six days after D-day and fought in 

every battle with his regiment, including St. Lo, St. Barthelmy, breakWWII Veterans from the 30th 

Division at the 2018 Reunion.
24 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

ing the Siegfried Line, and the Battle of the Bulge. When asked how 

he survived those many months of combat, Holder replied, “I crawled 

most of the way. If you stood up, you got shot.”

 Mason and Sam’s father, retired Capt. David Roberts, who served 

20 years with the Tennessee National Guard and deployed three times 

to Iraq and Afghanistan, is very proud of his sons and what they do 

for the veterans. “For their age, it’s amazing that they choose to spend 

their time doing this,” said Roberts. “Not only are they giving back 

to their community, but they are getting a rare opportunity to talk to 

someone who experienced the fighting in World War II first hand.”

 Meeting these veterans impacted Mason’s decisions on what he 

wanted to do after high-school. An Eagle Scout and an officer in his 

school’s JROTC unit, Mason decided to join the Tennessee Army National Guard in January while still a senior. Currently attending Infantry OSUT training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he chose to be an infantryman in the Springfield’s C Troop of the 278th Armored Cavalry 

Regiment, whose lineage comes from the 1st Battalion of the 117th 

Infantry. Sam also plans to enlist in the Tennessee National Guard after he graduates.

 “I really wanted to be a part of the legacy of the 117th Infantry 

Regiment, and hopefully serve my state and country in a manner that 

would honor the memory and sacrifice of those World War II veterans,” said Mason. 

 Recently, the 30th Infantry Division Association opened membership to any veteran who served in any overseas deployment from a 

unit that has lineage to the 30th Infantry Division. Roberts took advantage of the new policy to join the association since he served in 

Iraq with the 267th Military Police Company (formerly E Company 

of the 117th Infantry) and the 278th Regimental Combat Team. Anyone interested in joining the 30th Infantry Division Association as full 

member or associate member can find more information at www.facebook.com/30thIDA/ - MAJ. DARRIN HAAS

Sam and Mason pose with Knox Holder, 

a Veteran from Lawrenceburg, Tenn., 

who fought with L Company of the 117th 

Infantry throughout the entire war.

“ W e s h o u l d 

t e l l t h e m 

t h a n k y o u 

e v e r y c h a n c e 

w e g e t . ” 

- p v t . m a s o n r o b e r t s 
25

118th Wing Conducts Annual Training at the Savannah Air 

National Guard Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Ga.

118TH WING 

TRAINING

118TH WING

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The 118th Wing conducted leadership training and team building events during annual training held at the 

Savannah Air National Guard Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia, August 

13-17 2018.

 The week was planned so that units 

throughout the wing could train together, 

share ideas, and build unit esprit de corps. 

 “I feel like we had a really great week,” 

said Lt. Col. Marty Malone, 118th Wing executive officer, “We met commander’s intent. We got our leadership training in, we 

had great camaraderie and time together, we 

got people on a military airlift twice, so from 

that standpoint we definitely met commander’s intent which is number one, and we had 

a great experience for our people.”

 Events during the trip included Enhancing Human Capital, Habits of Effective 

Airmen, a low ropes course, Savannah history walk, and a visit to the 8th Air Force 

museum, as well as a presentation by retired 

USAF Col. Ed Hubbard about his experiences as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam 

conflict.

 “I believe that my favorite event was 

hearing from the POW gentleman,” said Lt. 

Col. Tracey Kinslow. “His mindset; just his 

approach to life now is eye-opening to hear 

that from someone who’s main focus was 

survival. I really enjoyed that perspective. It 

gave me a lot of different perspectives on my 

own life. I think it was really, really valuable 

to hear.”

 The general feeling among the attendees 

was that the week was a great success. Time 

spent bonding with co-workers and team 

building were favorites among those who 

participated.

 “I think that it’s wonderful to have all the 

units come together as one [and] be able to 

work together,” said Staff Sgt. Amanda Bishop. “I really loved all the speakers and all the 

classes that we had. I think it was really beneficial for our unit as a whole and the morale 

of our wing.”

 Because of the success of the trip, the 

118th Wing will most likely be continuing 

wing-wide annual training like the trip to 

Savannah.

 “We’re in discussion about how we’re going to do it, how often we’re going to do it,” 

said Malone. “This type of thing, if not every 

year, maybe every other year, with something else on the off years, but we’re working 

on that and figuring that out so it’s a great 

possibility that it’ll happen again soon.” - 

TECH. SGT. DARRELL HAMM

Members of the 118th Wing attempt 

to get all their team mates through the 

netting without touching it during annual training at the Air Dominance Center 

in Savannah, Ga. Aug. 16, 2018. (Photo by Master Sgt. Jeremy Cornelius)
26 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maj. Gen. Jeff 

Holmes, Tennessee National Guard, is the 

new Deputy Commanding General, First 

U.S. Army headquartered in Rock Island 

Arsenal, Illinois. He previously served as the 

Deputy Adjutant General, Tennessee National Guard. 

 The First Army is the oldest and longest 

established field army of the United States 

Army activated in France in 1918. In World 

War II First Army’s troops were the first to 

land on Omaha and Utah beaches in Normandy. In 1973, First Army’s mission transitioned to improving the readiness of the 

Reserve Components and now includes the 

training, readiness oversight, and mobilization for all U.S. Army Reserve and Army 

National Guard units within the continental 

United States and two U.S. territories.

 Holmes is responsible to assist the Commanding General with the training and 

readiness of all Army National Guard and 

Army Reserve units. An official assumption of responsibility ceremony occurred in 

mid-July. 

 “The Tennessee National Guard is proud 

to see one of our own selected for such a 

prestigious assignment,” said Maj. Gen. Max 

Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “Jeff 

is without a doubt one of the most balanced 

leaders in our Army today. His command 

leadership experience at multiple levels in 

combat while forging a private career as 

an accomplished architect and ultimately 

founding his own company, establishes him 

as the epitome of the Citizen Soldier.”

 Maj. Gen. Holmes has deployed twice in 

support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, first as 

the Commander of the 3rd Squadron, 278th 

Armored Cavalry Regiment and second as 

the Regimental Commander. He holds a 

Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a Master 

of Strategic Studies from the United States 

Army War College in Carlisle, Penn. He is 

a registered architect, founder of J. Holmes 

Architecture and resident, with his wife 

Rhonda, of Lascassas. - CHIEF WARRANT 

OFFICER 4 NICK ATWOOD

Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes is selected as next Deputy Commanding General, First U.S. Army.

FIRST ARMY 

SELECTION

Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes (Official Photo)

U.S. FIRST ARMY
27

More than 250 Airmen from units across the nation Attending Airman Leadership School in East Tennessee.

SUPER-SIZED 

AIR CLASS

LEADERSHIP

MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL 

GUARD BASE, Tenn. - U.S. Air Force Airmen enrolled in Airman leadership school 

raised the flag during reveille this morning, 

July 24, at the Air National Guard’s Chief 

Master Sergeant Paul H. Lankford Enlisted 

Professional Military Education Center in 

East Tennessee. 

 Reveille involves raising the flag at the 

start of the duty day, and retreat involves 

lowering the flag at the end of the duty day. 

EPME students conduct both ceremonies 

and recite the Airman’s Creed, as part of other customs and courtesies.

 The super-sized, total force class is in the 

third week of a five-week school and includes more than 250 Airmen from units 

across the nation.

 Additional instructors arrived from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, Nellis 

AFB in Nevada, Ellsworth AFB in South 

Dakota, and Offutt AFB in Nebraska. They 

are assisting faculty to graduate additional 

flights of students in what is considered a 

super-sized class.

 In-resident ALS prepares Senior Airmen 

for positions of greater responsibility by providing leadership skills required of supervisors and reporting officials. It is an Airman’s 

first level and experience in EPME.

- MASTER SGT. MIKE R. SMITH

U.S. Air Force Airmen enrolled in 

Airman leadership school raise the 

flag July 24, 2018, at the Air National 

Guard’s Chief Master Sergeant Paul 

H. Lankford Enlisted Professional 

Military Education Center on McGhee Tyson Air Guard Base in East 

Tennessee. Their super-sized class 

includes more than 250 Airmen from 

units across the nation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Master Sgt. Mike 

R. Smith) 
28 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The official mission 

statement of Tennessee’s 241st Engineering 

Installation Squadron (EIS) is to provide 

engineering and installation of cyberspace 

infrastructure and electronic systems. This 

unit also embraces their Vision Statement, 

“To provide consistently flawless engineering and installation services anytime, anywhere, during peace and war”.... And they 

do it very well!

 The 241st EIS, commanded by Lt. Col. 

David Moss, is currently leading a Joint 

engineering and installation team in Iraq 

comprised of active-duty Soldiers and Air 

National Guard Airmen from three different 

states. They are responsible for engineering and network infrastructure installation 

across several bases and Special Operations 

From Iraq to the White House, the 241st Engineering and 

Installation Squadron is making a difference.

241ST EIS

ENGINEERS

Airmen and Soldiers from four different units make up the Combined 

Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent 

Resolve Engineering and Installation 

Team. They are responsible for engineering and network infrastructure 

installation throughout Iraq to enable 

warfighters to degrade and defeat the 

enemy. 
29

Units throughout Iraq to enable warfighters 

to degrade and defeat the enemy. Their work 

also contributes to Combined Joint Task 

Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOIR) mission of training and assisting Iraqi 

Forces. 

 In an email to the commander of the 253rd 

Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, 

Colonel Jason Fick, Director of Communications, CJTF-OIR/CJ6, said, “I visited Dave 

Moss and his team this past Saturday and 

they are crushing it for us. It is obvious from 

my short visit this team is motivated, well 

lead, and aggressive. They are working hard 

to robust our networks, which is increasing 

our ability to find, fix and finish the enemy. 

I depend on Dave and his team. Thanks for 

sending them.”

 Back at home, the 241st EIS is stretched 

from Puerto Rico to the White House, where 

their engineers and installers designed and 

installed a state-of-the-art security system to 

include access control, fence protection, surveillance cameras, network infrastructure, 

and all associated cabling. The result is a 

modernized Physical Access Control System 

(PACS) with over 105k feet of cabling and 

$3 million in total material and equipment 

installed over 18 months, making it the first 

project of its kind in the DOD to exclusively 

leverage organic manpower from concept to 

completion.

 The impact of this project resulted in system performance that enhances facility security, providing greater ability to safeguard 

National Security Information and protect 

operations directly supporting POTUS and 

cabinet members. The total savings over 

contract of $2.8 million enabled funding to 

be utilized for countless additional initiatives.

 In Puerto Rico, a 241st EIS Project Engineer and Team Chief, aiding another EIS 

unit, rapidly responded following Hurricane Irma to provide a complex technical 

solution to expedite the relocation of critical communications infrastructure from 

hurricane damaged facilities. Infrastructure 

and equipment in excess of $1 million were 

safely and efficiently relocated to hardened 

facilities with minimal interruptions to base 

operations. Relocation avoided catastrophic 

communication failure that would have severely diminished mission capabilities at a 

time when airlift operations were crucial to 

continuation of Hurricane Irma disaster response and humanitarian relief efforts.

 Whether its repairing a fire alarm system and modernizing the base wide video 

distribution system in Louisville, Kentucky; 

adding nearly 5,000 feet of optical cable for 

the expansion of the outside plant fiber optic 

cable network in Montgomery, Alabama; or 

contributing to the installation of over 650 

miles of communications cabling in supporting construction of the new MAJCOM 

HQ, in Omaha, Nebraska, the 241st EIS is 

on the job. 

 Chances are if you are communicating in 

the United States Air Force, you owe a big 

THANK YOU to the Airmen of the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 241st Engineering 

and Installation Squadron.

- MAJ. (RET) RANDY HARRIS

Lt Col David Moss (left), commander of Tennessee’s 241st 

Engineering and Installation 

Squadron accepts the flag of the 

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Engineering and Installation Team from 

Lt Col Joe Harris (right)

ENGINEERS
30 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

COMMAND SGT. MAJ. MIKE GENTRY VISITS SOLDIERS at 

the TASK FORCE RAIDER EXERCISE in TEXAS.

TASK FORCE 

Tennessee Army National Guard’s State Command Sergeant Major 

Michael Gentry visits his Soldiers assigned to Task Force Raider at Fort 

Hood, Texas, August 14, ahead of their 9-month deployment to Poland. 

(Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Kirby)
31

 RAIDER

Story by SGT. SARAH KIRBY

Task Force Raider combat engineers shape the rugged terrain 

of Fort Hood, Texas with heavy 

explosives to improve mobility 

operations during a pre-deployment training exercise. (Photo 

by U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Kirby)

Tennessee Army National Guard’s State 

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gentry 

visited Soldiers assigned to Task Force 

Raider during their pre-deployment 

training at Fort Hood, Texas, August 

12, and awarded select Soldiers a challenge coin for their devotion to duty 

and exemplary performance as seen by 

their chain of command.

 “I was really surprised to be coined,” 

said U.S. Army Sgt. Ryan Duginski, a 

Clarksville, Tenn. native, a M1 Abrams 

master gunner. “It’s a huge honor especially from him. I love my job and what I 

do. I try my best to make everything run 

smoother and take as much stress off the 

guys actually on the ground running the 

tanks.”

 The awarded Task Force Raiders were 

nominated by their direct supervisors 

and approved by Task Force Raider Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Haynes. “You 

don’t deserve anything from the Army 

you haven’t earned,” said Gentry to Soldiers of Task Force Raider. “If you haven’t 

earned it, you won’t get it. You earn promotions and awards through doing the 

right thing, completing schooling, keeping yourself healthy and maintaining discipline.” 

 Gentry represents and advises the Assistant Adjutant General - Army on matters pertaining to policies and actions that 

affect enlisted Soldiers. 

 During his visit to Task Force Raider 

Soldiers, he answered questions ranging 

from topics such as pay discrepancies, 

health care coverage, new noncommissioned officer education system and the 

impending Army Combat Fitness Test. 

 Command Sgt. Maj. Gentry’s final 

words were full of encouragement and 

advice all can appreciate. 

 “Lastly, always maintain your discipline 

it’s what separates you apart from others,” 

said Gentry. “Surround yourself with 

good people that have similar successful 

goals as you do. I’ve only surrounded myself with the best and so far it’s taken me 

all the way to the top.” 
32 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

YAVORIV, Ukraine - Soldiers from the 

278th Armored Cavalry Regiment out of the 

Tennessee National Guard participate in a 

change of command ceremony on, Aug. 8. 

 The 27th IBCT transfers authority to the 

278th ACR over the Joint Multinational 

Training Group - Ukraine. The 27th IBCT 

deployed to Yavoriv on November 2017.

 The ceremony consisted of partnering 

nations at the combat training center from 

Canada, Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. The 

distinguished guests in attendance include 

the Commander of the 7th Army Training 

Command, Brig. Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, Governor Deputy of the Lviv Oblast, Mr. 

Rostyslav Zamlynskyi and representing the 

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, is Col. Thomas Wofford. 

 The ceremony included the transfer of 

colors and speeches from the outgoing 

JMTG-U commander, Col. Dennis Deeley 

and incoming JMTG-U commander, Col. 

Jimmie Cole.

 “I would like to honor and celebrate the 

success of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Orion and our friends, 

partners and allies that have worked to ensure the success of this critical mission”, said 

Cole.

 JMTG-U is part of an ongoing effort in 

the development of the Yarvoriv Combat 

Training Center. 

 The JMTG-U hosts this years multinational training exercise, Rapid Trident this 

September. 

- SGT. TIMOTHY MASSEY

The Tennessee’s 278th ACR Assumes Command of Joint 

Multinational Training Group - Ukraine.

ASSUMING 

COMMAND

UKRAINE

278th ACR’s commander, Jimmie Cole 

and CSM Dale Crockett, perform the 

transfer of colors during the Transfer of 

Authority ceremony, Aug.8. (Photo by 

Sgt. Timothy Massey)
33

Col. Vincent Franklin Tennessee Air National Guard Chief 

of Staff promoted to Brigadier General.

FRANKLIN 

PROMOTED

PROMOTION

MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL 

GUARD BASE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Air 

National Guard Chief of Staff returned to his 

home unit for an important milestone in his 

career. 

 Vincent Franklin was promoted to Brigadier General at the Louisville, Tennessee Air 

National Guard Base during a ceremony on 

Saturday, October 13, 2018. 

 “This ceremony isn’t for me; this is for all 

of you who supported me,” Franklin said, to 

the crowd. “I did not get here on my own.”

 “If I could have drawn up my career back 

in 1988 when i got my first mission, it would 

not have looked anything like this, but I 

would not change a single solitary thing that 

would have kept me from knowing the people in this room” he added. “You guys are my 

treasure.”

 Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Adjutant General, Tennessee National Guard, also made the 

trip from Nashville to personally promote 

Franklin. 

 “No one I have ever met has as much humility as he does, Haston said. “The world is 

full of selfishness. Vince knows it is not all 

about him, he makes it all about the Airmen 

out there.”

 “Today is a great day. To all the junior officers out there, look at all this guy has done,” 

he said.

 Franklin has been serving as the Chief of 

Staff of the Tennessee Air National Guard in 

Nashville since February.

 He previously attained the rank of Colonel serving at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base where he first led the 228th 

Combat Communications Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Hurricane Gustav humanitarian relief. 

 When the squadron disbanded, Franklin 

took command of the 119th Command and 

Control Squadron, now known as the Cyberspace Operations Squadron. 

 In that role, he led the Air National 

Guard’s Cyber Weapons System, supporting 

more than 15 cyber squadrons and the Air 

Force Information Network.

- COURTESY STORY 134TH ARW

Col. Vincent Franklin 

Tennessee Air National 

Guard Chief of Staff was 

promoted to Brigadier 

General Oct. 14, 2018 at 

McGhee Tyson ANGB. 

Previously Franklin 

served as the commander 

of the 119th Communications Operations Squadron. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. 

Daniel Gagnon)
34 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

RAF MILDENHALL, United Kingdom 

- Tennessee guardsmen from the 134th Air 

Refueling Wing traveled to RAF Mildenhall, 

England for annual training June 11-22. 

 During the two-week temporary duty 

Airmen completed training and worked 

with their active-duty counterparts learning 

best practices to bring home. Working with 

active-duty Airmen was mutually beneficial, 

allowing both active duty and traditional 

guardsmen to accomplish necessary training.

 “It’s outstanding training because we get 

away from the unit, integrate with active-duty and learn how they do things,” said Lt. 

Col. Jonathan Pinkard, 134th ARW deputy mission support group commander. “It 

allows us to be more prepared for how we 

134th Guardsmen Train with 100th Air Refueling Wing at 

RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom.

134TH TRAIN

IN THE UK

TRAINING

Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling 

Wing recently assisted the 100th 

ARW in their base-wide terrorist 

attack response exercise by playing “victims” with various simulated 

injuries and moulage applications. 

The Tennessee guardsmen were at 

Mildenhall for their two-week annual 

training. (U.S. Air National Guard 

photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Gagnon) 
35

could deploy and be ready for those types of 

missions.”

 134th Guardsmen also volunteered to 

assist the 100th ARW with their inspection 

by portraying victims in a terrorist attack response exercise. Airmen spent several hours 

having simulated wounds applied to limbs, 

head and torso. This is referred to as “moulage”, which is French for “casting”. Moulage 

helps give a realistic element to training by 

creating a dramatic visual of injuries that 

could occur. 

 “It gives us an opportunity to compare 

active-duty exercises with the Air National 

Guard,” said Lt. Col. James Blanton, 134th 

Air Refueling Wing inspector general. “It 

allows us to observe how Mildenhall does 

their exercises and how we can benefit from 

their practices and processes.”

 The Airmen worked together seamlessly 

and the experience provided valuable training for both parties. 

 “We were thrilled that the 134th ARW 

volunteered to participate in our challenging 

exercises, specifically the protests and vehicle ramming scenarios,” said Capt. Joseph 

Brzozowske, 100th ARW chief wing readiness inspector. “I was very happy and appreciative for Lt. Cols. Blanton and Thiele’s 

expertise on the Inspector General side.”

 One specific training the Airmen found 

beneficial was the Individual Airman Professional Development class. The course was 

designed to help Airmen achieve success 

and develop interpersonal relationships. It 

taught Airmen about different personalities, 

strengths and potential relationship pitfalls 

and how best to work with the differences. 

 Training helps Airmen learn to work as a 

team, but experiencing “down time” together is equally important. Morale and welfare 

trips reduce stress and create an atmosphere 

for bonding with others. Most members on 

the TDY took advantage of the off days to 

visit London and the surrounding areas as 

well as nearby countries like Scotland, Ireland, France and Spain.

 “We have people from different sections 

that did not know each other, but through 

this TDY, now they do,” said Pinkard. “This 

will benefit us back at home station for years 

to come.”

 The 134th ARW Airmen benefit from 

these trips with improved skills and morale. 

However, collaboration between guardsmen 

and active duty Airmen strengthen the total 

force mentality which benefits the Air Force 

as a whole. 

 “The leaders I’ve met here have been very 

excited about the interaction, teamwork and 

integration of our unit with them and have 

welcomed us back,” said Pinkard. “We will 

definitely keep the 100th ARW on our short 

list of places to come back to.” 

- TECH. SGT. DANIEL GAGNON

An Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing 

has simulated wounds addressed by members of the 100th ARW in their base-wide 

terrorist attack response exercise. (U.S. Air 

National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel 

Gagnon) 
36 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

BEMOWO PISKIE, Poland – Task Force 

Raider, part of the Tennessee Army National Guard, has officially assumed responsibility of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence, Battle Group Poland, 

during a transfer of authority ceremony 

at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, 

Sept. 20.

 U.S. Army Lt. Col. Donny Hebel, commander of the Tennessee Army National 

Guard’s 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored 

Cavalry Regiment (Task Force Raider) assumes command of Battle Group Poland 

from U.S. Army Lt. Col. Timothy Wright, 

commander of 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry 

Regiment (War Eagles). 

 The arrival of 2/278th ACR marks 

the first rotation of a U.S. Armored Task 

Force under NATO providing presence 

along the eastern border of Poland. 

 “Our presence strengthens the defensive 

capability within Poland,” said Hebel. “And 

is evidence of continued US commitment to 

NATO, as well as the deterrence of aggression.”

 Among the distinguished guests were the 

Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak, the Tennessee Army National Guard’s Adjutant General Terry ‘Max’ 

Haston, the Tennessee State Command Sergeant Major Michael Gentry and U.S. Army 

Brig. Gen. Todd Wasmund, the Commander 

of the Mission Command Element. 

 “This is a historic event,” said Haston. “The 

United States has not had heavy forces this 

far here in Europe since November of 1989. 

We are bringing a lot of disciplined fire power here to Poland. This mission shows that 

we have not taken our eye off of our Eastern 

European allies. We are here in defense and 

deterrence against Russian provocation; it 

simply will not be taken lightly.”

 Battle Group Poland (BGPOL) is a unique, 

multinational battle group comprised of 

U.S., U.K., Croatian and Romanian soldiers 

who serve with the Polish 15th Mechanized 

Brigade as a defense and deterrence force in 

northeast Poland in support of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.

 “We stand ready to take the reins and continue the mission with our NATO partners,” 

said Hebel, the new commander of BGPOL. 

“We are a group of highly motivated individuals chosen to improve interoperability by 

strengthening relationships and trust among 

Allied armies. I look forward to leading this 

enhanced Forward Presence with our fellow 

nations and with our host nation, Poland.” 

- SGT. SARAH KIRBY

Tenn. Army National Guard Assumes Responsibility 

of NATO’s eFP Battle Group Poland.

A PRESENCE 

IN POLAND

Lt. Col. Donny W. Hebel (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Kirby)

POLAND
37

118th Wing Base Recycling Program Saves Enough Oil to 

Drive to Moon Multiple Times.

OUT OF THIS 

WORLD

CONSERVATION

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 118th Wing 

took great strides in protecting the local 

environment with eye-popping numbers 

from its recycling program.

 Based on a report from Jil Norman, the 

state environmental officer for the 118th 

Civil Engineering Squadron, the 118th 

Wing recycling program has recycled 

nine tons of cardboard and mixed paper, 

and saved over 43,000 gallons of crude oil 

in 2017. 

 Broken down further these numbers 

equate to approximately 2.3 million sheets 

of paper, and enough fuel for a Toyota 

Camry to drive the distance from Earth 

to the moon three times.

 “Everyone is doing a real good job when 

it comes to recycling,” said Ray Jones, the 

operations and maintenance superintendent for the 118th CES. “Filling up the dumpsters every month.”

 The 118th Wing also recycled over seven tons of metal, enough to build almost 12 

Fiat 500’s. The recycled metal also provided 

an additional financial incentive to the program. 

 “We do receive funds for the metals, that’s 

what helps to fund the recycling program,” 

said Norman. “The funds for metals pays for 

other recycling that we do.”

 While the wing has done well overall, 

there is still room for improving recycling 

numbers in other areas, especially with plastic bottles.

 “Getting new water fountains on base 

have helped with less bottles going out,” said 

Norman. “But there is still a lot of bottles not 

being recycled.”

 For the upcoming fiscal year, Norman 

wants to place a big focus on both plastic recycling and water conservation.

 “Our water fountains have counters; I 

want to use that data to educate how much 

water and energy have been saved since their 

installation,” said Norman. “It will be quite 

an eye opener to many people.”

Photo by Senior Airman Anthony Agosti - SENIOR AIRMEN ANTHONY AGOSTI

The moon is an average of 238,855 miles 

(384,400 km) away. (Getty Images).
38 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 18 / ISSUE 4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee Army 

National Guard husband and wife Chaplain 

team were recently presented the Adjutant 

General’s Ribbon for Valor in a ceremony 

at Tennessee Joint Force Headquarters in 

Nashville.

 Chaplain (Major) Kyndalin Mooney and 

her husband Chaplain (Captain) Donald 

Mooney were traveling on Interstate 40 to 

the Tullahoma Readiness Center to hold a 

memorial service for a Soldier assigned to 

the 107th Airfield Operations battalion who 

was killed in a recent vehicle accident. On 

the way, they witnessed another vehicle accident and were the first to respond to the 

scene. The Mooney’s immediately jumped 

from their vehicle to assist the victims. 

While approaching the vehicle, they saw a 

male in his early 20’s who had succumbed 

to his injuries and a female victim who was 

having difficulty breathing. 

 Chaplain K. immediately used her military and civilian life saving training to clear 

the victim’s airway enabling her to continue 

breathing, while Chaplain D. performed first 

aid to stabilize and prevent further harm to 

the victim. The Mooney’s also performed 

first aid to control bleeding on another victim still in the wrecked vehicle.

 Upon arrival of paramedics, Chaplain’s 

Mooney stayed to provide spiritual comfort 

for the father of the deceased man and driver of the vehicle. 

 The Adjutant General’s Ribbon for Valor 

was presented by Brigadier General Tommy 

Baker, Assistant Adjutant General, Army.

- MAJ. (RET) RANDY HARRIS

Husband and Wife Chaplains are Awarded The Adjutant 

General’s Ribbon for Valor.

VALOR IN 

THE FAMILY

RECOGNITION

Chaplain (Captain) Donald Mooney 

and Chaplain (Major) Kyndalin 

Mooney are presented the Adjutant 

General’s Ribbon of Valor by Brig. 

Gen. General Tommy Baker
39

Secretary of Defense James Mattis gave a keynote 

address to thousands of National Guardsmen at 

the National Guard Association of the United 

States General Conference in August of 2018. A 

former Marine General and distinguished combat veteran, he explained that one of our national 

strategy’s main lines of effort is to build a more 

lethal military force. He announced, “We have 

no God given right to victory on the battlefield, 

so we need you, my fine young National Guardsmen, at the top of your game. Lethality begins 

when we are physically, mentally, and spiritually 

fit to be evaluated by its most exacting auditor on 

earth... war.” 

 There are many things that a soldier needs to 

do to make themselves a more lethal warrior prepared for combat. For example: increased physical fitness, professional education, discipline, and 

a warrior ethos are just a few. Mattis, a prolific 

reader, feels that soldiers should also be avid readers and they “need to have that broader reading 

as you grow and personally develop.” Last year, 

Mattis recommended 30 books that every young 

leader should read. One that he recommended to 

help instill a warrior ethos and promotes lethality 

is Steven Pressfield’s Gates of Fire. 

 Published in 1998, Gates of Fire is a fictional 

account of the Battle of Thermopylae, where allied Greek nations deployed a small force of four 

thousand Greek infantry to defend against two 

million Persians invading at a place nicknamed 

the “Hot Gates.” The Greek plan was to delay the 

Persian advance at a natural choke point, giving 

themselves time to amass a larger army to defeat 

the Persians. The mission was considered suicidal 

and was led by a small force of 300 Spartans, an 

elite warrior class of Greeks prepared to die to the 

last man. 

 Told through the eyes of Xeones, one of only 

three Greek survivors, the novel brilliantly narrates the intense training, culture, and mindset 

that made these 300 Spartans the best and most 

feared warriors on the battlefield. Told from a 

soldiers’ viewpoint, this fictional tale gets into the 

horror of war and puts the reader on the front line 

to witness Greek combat against insurmountable 

odds. Their sacrifice would ultimately lead to a 

Persian defeat, thus saving the Greek way of life.

 Written by Steven Pressfield, a former Marine who graduated from Duke University in 

1965, the fictional telling of this historical event 

explains Spartan culture in all its brutality, glory, 

and humor. Pressfield was able to masterfully do 

this by drawing on his personal experiences as a 

Marine, and using their code and ethics to flesh 

out the fully fictionalized parts of the book. Thus, 

resulting in a fascinating tale of honor, heroism, 

and self-sacrifice.

 Overall, Pressfield has taken this story of valor 

and created a novel that is not only a brilliant recreation of combat in Ancient Greece, but it can 

stand beside other great war novels like Michael 

Shaara’s The Killer Angels and Robert Heinlein’s 

Starship Troopers. The novel stresses military 

themes of honor, duty, stoicism, and esprit de 

corps and should be read by every member of the 

Tennessee National Guard and used to inspire 

our soldiers to become more lethal and embrace 

the warrior ethos.

- MAJ. DARRIN HAAS

GATES OF FIRE:

Gates of Fire: An Epic 

Novel of the Battle of 

Thermopylae

By Steven Pressfield

New York: Doubleday, 

1998 

BOOK REVIEW

Maj. Darrin Haas Gives his Review of:

* Maj. Darrin Haas is the Historian for the Tennessee Military Dept.

AN EPIC NOVEL OF THE BATTLE 

OF THERMOPYLAE
Produced in collaboration with the Tennessee Military Department 

and the Tennessee National Guard