Digest

Maryland Military Department 

Winter 2009

Super Soldier - pg.3

Artillery - pg. 17

Africa Mission - pg. 11

Michael Phelps - pg. 7
Martin O’Malley

Governor

Anthony G. Brown

Lt. Governor

NGAUS

Maryland Army and Air National Guard members worked with local law enforcement authorities 

to provide security for the 130th National Guard 

Association of the United States annual conference in 

September. 

Members from the 175th Security Forces 

Squadron, 200th Military Police Company and the 

32nd Civil Support Team augmented Baltimore City 

police to provide security for the dignitaries including 

the secretary of defense and the Army chief of staff. 

“We have planned for the worst and now 

are hoping for the best,” said 1st Lt. Matt Tower, 

commander of the 175th Security Forces Squadron. “It 

is always good to train with other agencies and make 

contacts for future missions. We always like to extend 

a helping hand.” 

Security was increased by FBI and Secret 

Service agents during the speeches given by 

Republican presidential candidate John McCain and 

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.

During the conference, about 75 Soldiers and 

Airmen performed security functions like roving 

patrols and the coordination of participating agencies.

Additionally, the CST provided monitoring for 

chemical agents and weapons of mass destruction 

with AreaRAE monitoring equipment that scanned 

for five different gas compounds. In the recent past, 

the CST has supported local events like the Preakness 

Stakes horse race, the Army-Navy game and the 2004 

Presidential Inauguration.

During the last three years, Airmen of the 

175th Security Forces Squadron have been deployed 

twice to Iraq and twice to Bosnia. 

The 200th MP Company on September 12, 

2001 was ordered to federal active duty status for 

contingency operations at the Pentagon following the 

September 11, 2001 attacks. The company provided 

physical and area security for the interior of the 

Pentagon for 19 days. In 2003, the 200th was deployed 

in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Photography Courtesy of the 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Text by Spc. Keith Muckler

1 2

To the Men and Women of the Maryland Military Department:

With the end of yet another year fast-approaching, I continue to be amazed by the remarkable pace of projects, taskings 

and operations that we in the Maryland Military Department continue to tackle with the utmost professionalism, enthusiasm and 

resourcefulness.

We have welcomed home the 290th Military Police Company from Iraq, Detachment 13 of the Operational Support 

Airlift Agency from Kuwait, and elements of the 135th Airlift Group, from Afghanistan. 

We deployed members of the 115th Military Police Battalion to Bosnia-Herzegovina to familiarize the Bosnian military 

with procedures used by U.S. Army Military Police under the State Partnership Program. And we deployed elements of the 58th 

Special Troops Battalion for service in Iraq. The Maryland Army National Guard also mobilized and deployed a contingent of 

Soldiers to be part of the Afghanistan National Army Embedded Training Team. 

To help with our mission here at home, our Congressional delegation helped us to secure nearly $8 million in federal 

funds for the construction of a new fire station at Warfield Air National Guard Base, home to our 175th Wing. The delegation 

also worked to obtain an additional $579,000 for planning and design work to renovate the Dundalk armory. And, we broke 

ground for a new Armory in Olney, which will eventually house the 224th Area Support Medical Company when it is finished. 

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency hosted an emergency preparedness exercise, which included 

participation by Governor O’Malley and his Cabinet, at the State Emergency Operations Center. The event proved to be a dress 

rehearsal for Tropical Storm Hanna, the remnants of which arrived in Maryland later that week resulting in significant wind 

damage, flooding of low-lying areas and power outages. As part of Emergency Management Assistance Compact, we deployed 

a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and crew and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to assist the state of Louisiana with its recovery 

operations in the wake of Hurricane Gustav. We also deployed a 50-person aviation command and control cell and an 11-person 

aviation tactical control systems team. These units were transported by the 135th Airlift Group of the Maryland Air National 

Guard’s 175th Wing. 

So far this year, the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard has provided more than 3,500 honors for veterans 

throughout the State of Maryland. Military funeral honors are one of the benefits offered to those who served our nation in time 

of war and peace. The Engineer Corps of the Maryland Defense Force completed detailed inspections of 23 National Guard 

installations and armories across the state during a two-month period, which involved more than 450 man-hours of effort. The 

inspections assessed the material condition of critical MDNG infrastructure and are used to program maintenance and repair 

dollars for modernization and refurbishment. The Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy graduated 84 cadets from its 22-

week in-residence program for at-risk high school dropouts. The program has graduated more than 3,600 cadets since its 

inception in 1993.

On the personnel front, I am pleased to share with you certain key leadership appointments. Brig. Gen. Peter Hinz 

has accepted the position of Military Department chief of staff, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Sann assumes the role of state 

command sergeant major. Brig. Gen. Annette Deener has accepted the position of director, Joint Forces Headquarters, and Col. 

Marco Harris takes on role of Joint Forces Headquarters chief of staff. Col. Mark Tracy has accepted the position of chief of 

staff, Maryland Army National Guard, and Col. Stephanie Walsh assumes the role of director of staff, Maryland Air National 

Guard.

I am also pleased to announce the promotion of Brig. Gen. Edward Leacock to Major General, with assignment as 

deputy chief of staff for intelligence and information for the newly created U.S. Africa Command based in Stuttgart, Germany. 

This is a significant development and one we should take great pride in.

Here at home, the Maryland National Guard proudly hosted the 130th Annual Conference of the National Guard 

Association of the United States. The conference, which was held at the Baltimore Convention Center, was attended by 

4,000 people from all 50 states and four U.S. territories. Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown participated, as did 

representatives from both presidential campaigns. It is estimated that the conference resulted in an economic impact of more 

than $7 million for the State of Maryland.

Finally, as we enter 2009, please take a moment to keep our deployed Soldiers and Airmen, and their families, in your 

thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all you do for your state and nation. 

 Respectfully,

JAMES A. ADKINS

Brigadier General (MD)

 The Adjutant General 
rmy

S

A

trong

Photography and Text by Spc. Loni Kingston

T

he 200th Military Police Company, Catonsville, 

Md., just welcomed its newest Soldier to 

their team, Pfc. Siobhan Healy. Under normal 

circumstances, a Soldier graduating from Basic 

Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training 

doesn’t attract the attention of many besides 

the Soldier’s home unit and friends and family. 

However, Healy isn’t a normal Soldier.

Healy, a 39-year-old mother of 13 children, 

not only graduated at the top of her class, she also 

scored 350 points on her Army physical fitness test. 

“I started working out about six months 

before I went to basic training,” she said. “I was 

afraid that the younger people would outrun me.”

Pfc. Healy, a native of Germany, has wanted 

to join the military since the age of 18, said 

Christopher Healy, the Soldier’s husband. She was 

unable to serve in the German military due to her 

gender and her 6-foot-1-inch stature. 

At the age of 39, Healy thought that the 

opportunity to join the military had passed her by 

until a Maryland Army National Guard recruiter 

informed her otherwise, she said.

Healy said that although she was excited at 

the prospect of fulfilling a lifelong dream to become 

a Soldier, she was a little apprehensive of being 

deployed and away from her children.

Ultimately, due to her appreciation and her 

desire to give back to her adoptive country, she 

decided to go for it.

Healy declined any bonuses because she 

didn’t want to sign up for the money; she did it for 

her country, she said. “It was the right thing to do for 

me.”

Pfc. Healy is not finished in her endeavors; 

she also wishes to become a police officer for the 

Baltimore City Police Department and is currently 

earning a degree in criminal justice. 

The Maryland Army National Guard’s newest 

Soldier, this busy mother of 13, has brought a whole 

new meaning to the motto “Army Strong.”

3 4

Pfc. Siobhan Healy, her husband Christopher Healy and 12 of her 13 children 

pose for a family picture after her graduation from Advanced Individual Training, 

Pfc. Siobhan Healy awaits her certificate Edgewood, Md. 

during her graduation from Advanced 

Individual Training.
Giving Back to the Community Photography and Text by Spc. Loni Kingston

For the last seven 

years, the Maryland 

National Guard’s 

Freestate Challenge 

Academy has given 

back to its local 

community by planting trees on Havre 

de Grace Military Reservation, in 

coordination with the Department of 

Natural Resources.

“The purpose is to give the 

cadets a chance to work alongside the 

Department of Natural Resources and 

to expose them, as much as possible, 

to conservation projects,” said 

Linwood White, Freestate Challenge 

Academy program coordinator. “It 

helps them understand the importance 

of keeping the environment clean.”

As part of the Cadets’ 

training, they must perform 40 

hours of community service prior to 

graduation. 

In addition to their annual 

tree planting event, the cadets have 

also participated in the Governor’s 

Volunteer Service Certificate program, 

performed service to the Living 

American Flag at Fort McHenry and 

participated in many other projects on 

Aberdeen Proving Ground.

The Freestate Challenge 

program was initiated 15 years ago as 

a means to give troubled teens a 

second chance at a better life. The 

cadets spend 22 weeks at the

 military-based academy where they 

learn self-discipline, leadership and 

responsibility. 

After the residential phase, 

the cadets go through a 12-week 

post-residential phase, during which 

assistance is provided to help the 

cadets obtain a job or further their 

education. 

Following graduation, many 

cadets go on to join the military 

and continue their service to the 

community.

5 6

Cadet Joshua Zimmerman participates in the Freestate ChalleNGe Annual 

Treeplanting event, Havre de Grace, Md.
The Maryland National Guard’s ‘Minuteman’ Humvee may have been arguably the most photographed 

military vehicle in the world this fall. 

An estimated 30,000 screaming fans lined the streets of Towson, Md., along with local, national and 

international media to welcome home celebrated Olympian Michael Phelps on October 4 as he made his 

way slowly down the two-mile parade route standing up through the sunroof of the now-famous Maryland 

National Guard Humvee. 

“This thing is awesome,” said Phelps as he looked around the inside of the modified military vehicle, 

which is typically used for recruiting and retention events. “Everyone needs one of these,” he said.

Driving the Humvee was Maryland Guard Staff Sgt. Demetrius L. Luck, who works full time with the 

Baltimore County Police Department and is routinely assigned to protect dignitaries and VIPs.

Luck, who is no stranger to driving a Humvee, having just returned from Iraq after a deployment with 

the Maryland Guard’s 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said he was honored to be assigned to Phelps for 

Saturday’s parade. 

“It was an exciting day for me,” said Luck. “It didn’t even feel like work.” 

Michael Phelps and all of our Olympians are hometown heroes and represent what you can achieve 

with hard work and dedication, according to the Maryland National Guard. 

Phelps

Local boy turned international 

celebrity gets a hero’s welcome 

Photography and Text by Capt. Rick Breitenfeldt

They have become much like the National Guard – a symbol of Maryland that has gone overseas and has 

returned with enormous success. 

The Maryland National Guard also provided a fly-over with several UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters 

later that evening at Fort McHenry. 

Other local Olympians also participated in the parade and festivities including Katie Hoff and Jessica 

Long. 

Almost 450 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Maryland National Guard are currently 

serving on active duty in the Global War on Terrorism. Since September, 11, nearly 8,100 Guard Soldiers 

and Airmen have been called to support various missions including Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring 

Freedom, Noble Eagle and Jump Start, and in relief efforts for several hurricanes.

Michael Phelps and all of our Olympians are 

hometown heroes and represent what you can 

achieve with hard work and dedication. 

Olympic gold medalist, Michael Phelps gets a ride in the Maryland National Guard “Minuteman” Humvee during a welcome home 

parade for the hometown hero.

7 8
Maryland Army 

National Guard Soldiers 

Honored for Service

The city of Havre de Grace recognized the sacrifices 

made by its Citizen-Soldiers by proclaiming 

May 1st to be Silver Star Day. The city of Havre de 

Grace coordinated with the Maryland Silver Star 

Organization to award each family of a Soldier who 

was killed or wounded in action with a “Silver Star 

Banner” to display in their window. In attendance for 

the proclamation were the commanders of the Havre 

de Grace VFW and American Legion and Capt. Rose 

Forrest, who represented the local National Guard 

units.

Capt. Forrest is the current commander of 

Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 

1297th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 

located in Havre de Grace. The unit has a long 

history of wartime service and was deployed to Iraq 

in 2004. Although she was not the commander 

during the deployment, Capt. Forrest deployed with 

the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and was 

in Ramadi, Iraq with the HHC of the 28th Infantry 

Brigade Combat Team from 2005-2006. 

While deployed, she was assigned as a mortuary affairs 

officer.

Besides the combat patch displayed on her right 

shoulder, Forrest came home with many memories of 

her time and experience in Iraq.

“I have several memories, both good and 

bad, that I will always remember from my 

deployment,” said Forrest. “It is probably 

fitting, due to the season, to share with 

you the experiences we encountered in 

January 2006, the first election after the 

constitutional referendum. I was able to be 

out on the streets that day, meeting with 

local women who were so very excited about 

being able to vote.” 

Forrest described bands of citizens 

in the streets cheering and displaying their 

purple fingers, which symbolized they had 

voted. 

“It was one of the most peaceful days 

of the deployment, when everyone’s focus 

was on making a positive change in Iraq,” 

Forrest said.

Good, bad or indifferent, Soldiers 

come home changed; they also come home 

to carry the honor of being called a veteran.

“I am very proud to be a veteran,” 

said Forrest. “Out of the accomplishments in my life, being an officer in the United 

States Army is the most satisfying, second only to being a mom.”

Photography and Text by Spc. Loni Kingston

9 10

Capt. Rose Forrest accepts an award for her 

service presented by the mayor of Havre de 

Grace, Wayne Dougherty.
Mission to Africa Photography by Sgt. Kieran Cuddihy Text by Capt. Rick Breitenfeldt

12
F

or the first time since U.S. Africa Command 

was stood up, the National Guard has 

deployed Citizen Soldiers to an African 

nation to provide desperately needed 

medical care. The two-week deployment of 

18 Maryland National Guard doctors, dentists and other 

medical professionals was in support of a 14-nation 

exercise known as Flintlock 09, which concluded on 

Nov. 20. 

The Maryland Guard medical team, based at 

Camp Fretterd in Reisterstown, Md., was led by Col. 

John V. Gladden, the state surgeon, who said this type 

of training mission is exactly what the Guard needs to 

be doing. 

“It teaches us how to do things outside our 

specialty; how to work together,” said Gladden about 

his team, which treated nearly 1,600 Senegalese, who 

visited the makeshift clinic with a variety of medical 

and dental issues. 

Gladden, who has worked in eight previous 

medical exercises in his career, said the working and 

living conditions in Africa were the most austere he 

had ever seen, but his fellow Citizen Soldiers were 

professionals under the toughest of circumstances.

“Nobody got flustered,” said Gladden. “We 

knew there were limitations on what we could do to 

treat some of these patients, but nobody dwelled on this 

being a less than perfect outcome.” 

The two-week exercise was developed as a 

joint multinational exercise to improve information 

sharing at the operational and tactical levels across the 

Saharan region while fostering increased collaboration 

and coordination. 

“This was a perfect fit,” said Sgt. 1st Class 

Kenneth McGill, the operations sergeant for the 

Maryland Guard medical detachment, who organized 

the training mission.

“We had the professional talent, and they had 

everything we needed to do the job,” said McGill. 

“This was the opportunity to take a portion of 

our staff, send them to a far away land to do wonderful 

things and get more medical experience,” McGill 

continued. “Having an opportunity like this, even in the 

civilian world, is rare.” 

More than 200 people participated in Operation 

Flintlock, a part of AFRICOM’s Operation Enduring 

Freedom-Trans Sahara, which provides military support 

to State Department programs that enhance regional 

security in Africa by also addressing economic and 

social development, as well as things like disaster 

preparedness and medical emergencies. 

Although this was a first-ever mission for the 

National Guard to an African country, the Guard has 

a long-standing State Partnership Program, which 

was designed to build relationships with emerging 

democracies by pairing states and U.S. territories with 

more than 59 countries around the world. 

“This is a terrific opportunity for our Soldiers 

to take their military and civilian skills and apply them 

in a real-world training environment, while at the same 

time helping the people of the Republic of Senegal,” 

said Brig. Gen. Alberto Jimenez, commander of the 

Maryland Army National Guard. “This exercise is a 

continuation of the ongoing efforts by the Maryland 

National Guard in support of emerging democracies in 

countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estonia and now 

Senegal. 

Former Maryland Assistant Adjutant GeneralArmy Maj. Gen. Edward Leacock, now deputy director 

of the Intelligence and Knowledge Development 

Division at AFRICOM said the exercise “set a 

strong precedent for future U.S. Africa Command 

engagements where the U.S. military will actively 

seek the partnership of stakeholders to meet common 

challenges.” 

McGill said Gladden and his medical team’s 

mission didn’t end when the last patient left the clinic. 

The Guard team left behind all excess medical supplies 

and equipment for future use by the Senegalese 

government. 

“They know that there is a job that needs to be 

done,” McGill said about the team. 

13 14
WINTER STORM PREPAREDNESS

Many of the employees of the Maryland Military Department are classified as “mission essential” which means 

that during an emergency, they could be summoned to duty to protect the lives and property of the citizens of 

Maryland. As we move into the winter season, it is important for all employees, regardless of classification to 

prepare for the threats posed by winter storms. The Maryland Military Department Digest offers the following 

information to assist in the preparation for such storms.

Winter Storm Hazards:

A winter storm watch means that a winter storm is possible for the area. This watch is issued 12 to 36 hours 

before the event. A winter storm warning means that a winter storm is occurring, or will soon occur in your 

area. A blizzard warning means that sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and 

considerable falling snow, which will reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile, are expected for a period of 

three hours or longer.

BEFORE THE STORM ARRIVES:

• Learn about your area’s winter storm risk. Contact the American Red Cross, the Maryland Emergency 

Management Agency at www.mema.state.md.us or the local National Weather Service office to learn 

more about your area’s winter storm risk.

• Learn first aid, especially for treatment of exposure to the cold, frostbite and hypothermia.

• The most likely direct threat is a loss of electric power and heat that could last for several days. Make 

sure that stocks of non-perishable food and water are sufficient.

• Make sure there is plenty of food and water stored for pets and livestock.

• Make sure there is adequate warm clothing for each member of the family. 

• Understand the effects of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures 

on exposed skin.

• Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins.

• Carry a winter storm survival kit in your vehicle.

• Keep your car’s fuel tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.

• Service snow removal equipment before the winter season.

• Make sure your home is properly insulated. If necessary, insulate walls and the attic.

• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.

• Invest in a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio with a tone-alert feature to keep 

you informed of watches and warnings issued for your area.

• Install and check fire alarms.

• Consider storing sufficient heating fuel if the possibility exists that regular fuel sources may be cut off in a 

winter storm. Be cautious of fire hazards when storing any type of fuel.

• If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing flood insurance to cover possible flood damage that 

may occur during the spring thaw.

• Install snow fences in rural areas to reduce drifting in roads and paths, which block access to homes, barns 

and animals’ feed and water.

• Consider keeping safe emergency heating equipment.

DURING THE STORM

The following information is provided to help citizens get 

through the storm:

• Avoid unnecessary travel. About 70 percent of winter deaths 

related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.

• Listen to a NOAA weather radio, radio or television for 

updated information about the storm. These devices should 

be battery-operated or have a battery backup in the event of a 

power failure.

• If you are caught out in your vehicle when the storm 

hits, stay in your vehicle. You will become quickly 

disoriented in wind-driven snow and cold. Run the 

motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Open the 

window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide 

poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked. Turn 

on the dome light at night when running the engine, as this will make you more visible to rescuers. After the 

snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate that you need help. 

AFTER THE STORM PASSES: 

• Continue to monitor NOAA Weather Radio, radio or television for official information about the storm and 

its impact.

• Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Keep the body replenished with 

fluids to prevent dehydration.

• If you go outside after a snowstorm, dress in many layers and wear a hat and gloves or mittens. Many layers of 

thin clothing are warmer than single layers of thick clothing. Wear a hat to keep the body from losing heat through 

the head. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Covering the mouth with a scarf protects lungs from extremely cold air.

• If in a vehicle, exercise from time to time by moving your arms, legs, fingers and toes to keep blood circulating 

and to keep warm.

• Avoid overexertion, and use caution when engaging in activities such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car or 

walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and hard labor could cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to 

chill or hypothermia.

• If indoors, wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing and remember to remove layers to avoid 

overheating, perspiration and subsequent chills.

15 16
The Lectern

By Chaplain (Col.) Sean Lee

The community support of our Soldiers, our Airmen 

and their families is of paramount importance to readiness in 

the Maryland National Guard. As the Maryland National Guard 

comes from communities across Maryland, it looks to the 

community for support to remain ready to respond to the call for 

federal and state missions. Without the community in support, we 

cannot succeed; with the community in support we cannot fail.

In this age of persistent conflict, our Guard personnel 

and their families are always in the deployment cycle; either 

deployed, preparing to deploy or returning and resetting after 

deployment. The resiliency of the force is tested time and 

again by this operational tempo. Factor in the commitment and 

responsibility of a civilian job, and it is easy to understand the 

extra weight of citizenship, service and patriotism that every 

Maryland National Guard member and family carries. The Guard 

members and their family members look to the community for 

employer support, neighborhood support, and faith community 

support.

The Maryland National Guard’s ‘Partners In Care’ 

program has 55 participating congregations in 21 of 23 counties 

and Baltimore City. These congregations have signed on to 

provide support to Maryland National Guard Soldiers, Airmen 

and their families. In 2008 alone, these congregations supported 

82 referrals for assistance. We hope to identify a participating 

congregation in both Charles and Somerset counties in 2009, so 

every county of Maryland will have a faith community available 

when support is needed to assist our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen. 

Support by ‘Partners In Care’ congregations is always 

provided free of charge, regardless of religious affiliation and 

with no further obligation. A referral is always made to the 

closest participating congregation to the Guardsman and is never 

an endorsement of a particular religious group by the Maryland 

National Guard. 

The chaplains and assistants of the Maryland Army and 

Air National Guard and Maryland Defense Force continue to 

provide religious and spiritual support to Soldiers, Airmen and 

their families during drill weekends, but needs can arise any 

day of the year. We are truly thankful for the ever-available 

community support of our ‘Partners In Care’ congregations. 

These faith communities help the Maryland National Guard 

remain ready for mission success anytime and anywhere.

For more information about’ Partners In Care’ call 

410-576-6124 or e-mail william.sean.lee@us.army.mil.

Many changes have taken place within the Army National Guard over the last few years as units 

transition to the Army’s modular force structure. As those transitions have taken place, some units 

have been inactivated and others reflagged. One of those units affected as part of the transformation 

is the Maryland Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 110th Field Artillery Regiment. 

Currently part of the 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the unit’s batteries will be deactivated. A 

military police company and a chemical decontamination company will take the place of Batteries A and B, 

respectively, as the 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team 

transitions to a battlefield surveillance brigade in 2009. 

Recently, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., members of the unit closed 

out the regiment’s history not with a whimper, but with a 

characteristic bang. 

Members of the unit conducted their last live fire of 

the regiment’s M102 105mm howitzers. For many, the day 

brought about a variety of emotions.

“No one here today, even among this large and 

august group, can rightfully speak to the regiment’s 

glorious history. Rather, it is best that the regiment’s 

accomplishments be allowed to speak for themselves,” 

said Lt. Col. Matthew Packard, battalion commander, as 

six 105mm guns roared simultaneously during a ceremony commemorating the milestone. 

The final live fire of the battalion was a tribute to the accomplishments and history of the unit. Former 

members were in attendance, as well as the current commander of the 29th Infantry Division and the adjutant 

general of Maryland National Guard. The event was a chance for the unit to showcase their significant 

accomplishments as it closes the book on more than 90 years of history. 

First organized in 1915, Soldiers with the unit have been in conflicts from World War I to Operation 

Iraqi Freedom, including one of the most famous battles in American history. 

“(The) 2-110th landed at Normandy on D-Day,” said 1st Sgt. Michael Adams, of Headquarters and 

Headquarters Battery, who has been with the unit for 14 years. “Supposedly, there’s still a dispute as to whether 

the first round was fired by Alpha Battery or Charlie Battery.”

But for many, the occasion was also a sad one. The unit is close-knit, with many likening the experience 

of serving in the unit to being in a family.

“There’s some kind of, I don’t know whether you want to call it chemistry or whatever, that bonds these 

guys together to keep in contact even off drill weekends,” said Adams. 

Change, however, is necessary. 

“It’s a sad day to see the artillery leave, but it’s also a step forward for our Soldiers as we move into 

the new type of units to better support our intent on the battlefield,” said Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant 

general for the Maryland National Guard. 

Artillery Goes Out 

with a ‘Bang’

Photography by Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy

Text by Staff Sgt. Sean McCollum

17

18
Check Out Our Website at:

https://www.md.ngb.army.mil

Martin O’Malley

Governor

Anthony G. Brown

Lt. Governor

 The Maryland Military Department

Digest

Adjutant General

Brig. Gen. James Adkins

Director of Public Affairs

Quentin Banks

Editor/Layout Design Specialist

Spc. Loni Kingston