Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 South Carolina photog misses his colleagues on Thanksgiving By Lt. Col. Cindi King
                South Carolina National Guard
 GREENVILLE, S.C. - Rows of South Carolina Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopters usually fill the busy flight line located here, providing a welcoming scene for visitors who peer through the big bay hangar window of the Donaldson Center in Greenville, South Carolina. With the onset of the holiday season, Staff Sgt. Roby Di Giovine, a combat camera photojournalist assigned to the 59th Aviation Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard, reflected on the feeling of both pride and loneliness at the facility, as he recognizes the Soldiers and his comrades assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, who are now deployed to Afghanistan. "Exactly a year ago, my buddies were dropping water on Table Rock and Pinnacle Mountain from their helicopters in order to contain the wildfires on the South Carolina-North Carolina border, said Di Giovine. "During those days, I was flying with them, taking pictures, sharing their story." Di Giovine added that a month prior to the wildfires, his unit was responding to Hurricane Matthew, landing on a football field in Beaufort, South Carolina, to deliver food and water to the local communities. "I was there, with them, taking pictures of my friends and comrades who were saving lives," said Di Giovine. In 2015, elements of 2nd Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment and the South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Teams were flying rescue missions on both UH-60 Black Hawks and LUH-72A Lakota helicopters, while Chinooks were dropping sandbags in the downtown Columbia canal to repair the city's water supply. These efforts were part of the nearly 4,000 South Carolina National Guard troops who responded to recovery efforts after the devastating floods in October that affected the state. Di Giovine was with the units on these missions too, documenting their missions. "Both in 2015 and 2016, these aviation crews worked (constantly) for weeks, through Thanksgiving and some crews straight through the holidays," said Di Giovine. "They did it with dedication, and now they continue this selfless service deployed to Afghanistan." This year, in addition to the Chinook crews and their fellow 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance battalion with Apache helicopters deployed to Afghanistan, two UH-60 Black Hawk crews and Aviation planners supported Hurricane Harvey efforts in Texas and in Puerto Rico. Di Giovine said that although he is not always provided a seat to document all of the missions, he always seeks ways to ensure these Soldiers are recognized. "Most people will probably never experience eating cold turkey while sitting on a Chinook ramp," said Di Giovine. "This Thanksgiving and holidays, whether there are troops supporting at home or overseas, perhaps some of our thoughts and prayers could and should be for them and for my buddies--the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, and their families." As he walked through the nearly empty maintenance bay, he stopped and looked around for one more reflection of the Soldiers he is both proud of and missing this holiday season. "It's never about me, it's always all about and for them," said Di Giovine.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Conduct Expert Exchange
 By Joseph Siemandel,
  Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park
 By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas,
  Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match
 By Master Sgt. Charles Johnston,
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • yesterday
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • 2 days ago
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • 2 days ago
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • 2 days ago
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (189)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil