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

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    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
 Tennessee Guard Airmen train Soldiers on heavy equipment By  Tech. Sgt. Teri Eicher
                134th Air Refueling Wing
 CATOOSA SPRINGS, Ga. – A crowd of Army National Guard Soldiers gather around a giant piece of heavy equipment as an Airman in a hard hat explains the purpose and function of the various knobs and shifters. One by one, they take turns donning hard hats and helmets, climbing into the driver’s seat, and taking the machine for a spin around the field under the careful supervision of the Airman. Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plaas from the 241st Engineering Installation Squadron is very familiar with this Vermeer RT950 trencher – he’s used it to perform his duties for the length of his career with the Tennessee Air National Guard. For many of the Soldiers, mostly ranked E-4 and below, this is the first time they’ve received training on the machines. 1st Lt. Jason Mckelvey of the 230th Signal Company was on-site training with his troops, and emphasized how valuable this experience was for them. “We typically don’t even see this equipment until we’re overseas,” Mckelvey said, “and we need to operate it to perform our job. Being able to incorporate this training and getting hands-on experience is invaluable to us.” Tech. Sgt. Doug Haveman, team chief from the 241st EIS, is also familiar with this problem. The 241st EIS often works joint missions with Army troops, who frequently aren’t afforded these training opportunities. “It’s a really good experience,” Haveman said. “I’ve deployed with the Army before, and we often have to train them onsite. It’s good for us to learn how to train other people, it helps them prepare and it helps us grow as trainers.” Of course, this type of joint training is exactly what the Tennessee National Guard leadership hopes will continue to grow. Col. Jason Glass, Tennessee assistant adjutant general, Air, was on site to observe the troops working together. “One of my initiatives is to develop Airmen and Soldiers,” Glass said. “Part of that is training. The 241st and 230th have the same mission set and it only makes sense to conduct joint training. We’re working on several opportunities to get the two groups together. For example, they will be working on a project at the Tennessee Volunteer Challenge Academy. We’re really trying to interlace the Army and Air National Guard and get them working together across the state.” Once the Soldiers learned how to maneuver the Vermeer RT950 safely, they then received instruction on how to operate the digging functions. The machine features a rock wheel for creating a narrow trench on one side, operated from the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The other side features a backhoe with its own operator seat, from which the driver could also maneuver the machine into a better position, if necessary. The 241st worked with a new group of 230th SC Soldiers every day for a week, repeating and refining their training instruction. Plaas emphasized that the experience was just as beneficial for them as it was for the Soldiers they trained. “I’ve been here all week, and it’s been a lot of fun,” Plaas said. “I feel a natural desire to instruct, so it’s been a real pleasure to share the knowledge I have with our sister service. To us, it’s just fun to get outside and play on the equipment, so it’s a great experience all around.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 2 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 10 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  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