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FLIGHT BRIEF OCT.2016

The 165th Airlift Wing, 116th Air Control Wing, Joint Air Dominance Center and State Headquarters Airmen respond to relief efforts of Hurricane Matthew!

HURRICANE MATTHEW

The Airlift Chronicle is an Air Force funded monthly digital newsletter. This is an authorized publication for the members of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard. Contents of this newsletter are not the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the National Guard Bureau or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The editorial content is provided by the 165th Public Affairs Office.

ON THE COVERU.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Phillips, 116th Air Control Wing (ACW), Georgia Air National Guard, throws a branch from a fallen tree on a debris pile while clearing roads in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Savannah, Ga., Oct. 9, 2016. Citizen Airmen from the 116th ACW deployed to Savannah to support civil authorities, are working along side the Chatham County Public Works department to assist in road clearing and debris cleanup operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons)

165TH AW 70TH ANNIVERSARY- The City of Savannah and Chatham County recognizes the165th AW legacy of 70 years of service! - 70th Anniversary Dining Out Ceremony!

165th ASOS INTERNATIONAL COMMANDO TRAININGASOS Airmen attend the Desert French Commando Course!

H U R R I C A N E M ATTHEW

STORY BY: LT. JEFFREY BEZORE

“It was motivating to exercise our domestic operations mission,” said Lt. Amanda Correll, 116th Security Forces Operations Officer. “For many, this was their first state mission so they got to see how the Army and Air National Guard help the local authorities to get law and order restored to the affected areas.”

Another one of the first units to respond was the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron when they deployed and operated one of their Joint Incident Site Communications Capability trailers in Metter, Ga. Because of their capabilities all the different agencies involved in the relief efforts were able to

THE GEORGIA AIR NATIONAL GUARD RESPONSE

Members from the 116th Air Control Wing, 165th Airlift Wing, the Air Dominance Center and State Headquarters provided support to the Georgia Department of Defense’s relief efforts in response to Hurricane Matthew from Oct. 6 – Oct. 13, 2016.The 116th Security Forces Squadron was one of the first units activated in the state and was a part of Task Force Hydra. They provided assistance to law enforcement agencies in Glynn and Chatham counties.

Members of the three components of the Georgia

Department of Defense monitor Hurricane Matthew

response operations during the overnight shift at the Joint

Operations Center.

Airmen from the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, roll a fallen tree off a roadway during a road clearing operation in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Savannah, Ga., Oct. 9, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons)

Citizen Airmen from the 116th Air Control Wing (ACW), Georgia Air National Guard, along with workers from Chatham County Public Works, clear fallen trees from roadways in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Savannah, Ga., Oct. 9, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons)

communicate with each other.

Airmen from the 224th Joint Communication Support Squadron based in Brunswick, Ga. also provided communication support by deploying to the Aviation State Operations Center located at Mosquito Control in Garden City, Ga. The Air Dominance Center and 165th Airlift Wing provided base support to the Georgia State Patrol, Civil Air Patrol, and the Department of Natural Resources’ rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

Guardsmen from the 116th Civil Engineering Squadron provided Route Clearance Teams to the affected areas of Chatham County, Ga. This was the first time the 116th CES was able to use their new route clearance package during a Defense Support to Civil Authorities operation. The 116th CES also supported the Georgia Ports Authority during their recovery operations.

“This is what we do, the Guard takes two oaths; one to

the nation, one to the state,” said Col. Jonathan Cox, 116th Mission Support Group commander. “This was our time to answer the call to the citizens of Georgia and we were there.”

Col. Cox managed all of the 116th ACW deployments in support of Hurricane Matthew.Additionally the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron provided route clearance teams to the affected areas of Chatham County and Jekyll Island, Ga. The 165th ASOS worked with the 648th Mobile Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard.

The 165th Airlift Wing provided liaison support to the State Operations Center in Atlanta, Ga. and the State Headquarters provided administrative support and Joint Aviation Operations Center liaisons at the Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga.

“Our Airmen represented us well during recovery efforts,” said Brig. Gen. Jesse Simmons, assistant adjutant general – air. “Their professionalism, quality performance and physical presence was a force multiplier to the local first responders. Morale was high among our deployers and were a calming effort on the local populace.”

Prior to Hurricane Matthew’s landfall the 165th Airlift Wing evacuated their fleet of C-130 H3 Hercules aircraft to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. and maintained two aircraft on standby status to quickly respond to any mission request. The 116th Air Control Wing evacuated some of their E-8C Joint Surveillance Targeting Attack Radar Systems (JSTARS) aircraft to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. and kept some in their hangers at Robbins Air Force Base, Ga.

178th Military Police Company, Georgia Army National Guard help a stranded motorist push his truck clear of the standing water at an intersection in West Chatham County during Hurricane Matthew relief efforts. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Perry)

Citizen Airmen from the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard meet with Chatham County Public Works to plan road-clearing operations during cleanup in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Savannah, Ga., Oct. 10, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons)

165th Airlift Wing members, Lt. Col. Rusty Wood, TSgt. Robert Osnoe, TSgt. Matthew Waitwright, A1C Dustin Yeomans, SMSgt. James Harnisch, and Tech. Sgt. Adam Lindamood, stand together for a group photo during hurricane relieft efforts in the Savannah area. (courtesy photo)

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The governing bodies of the greater Savannah area paid special recognition to the 165th Airlift Wing in recognizing the unit’s 70 years of service to the state of Georgia and the nation. On Friday, Sept. 23, Col. Hal Davis, 165th Operations Group commander, accepted from the Chairman of the Chatham County Commission, Al Scott, a resolution honoring the wing for their service and dedication over the past 70 years.

Major Brannon Bowman, the wing chaplain, was named Pastor of the Day by the county commission, and led the nine-member panel in a devotion and prayer.

The following week, the Mayor of the city of Savannah, presented 165th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Speedy Gomez with a resolution proclaiming Oct. 1, 2016 as “165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard 70th Anniversary Day in the City of Savannah.”

Once again, Chaplain Bowman was asked to lead a prayer in blessing the men and women of the military services. The 165th Airlift Wing traces its history back to the Army

Air Corps and was founded in 1946 as the 158th Fighter Squadron. The 165th Airlift Wing is one year older than the U.S. Air Force.

STORY BY: LT. COL. DAVID SIMONSPHOTOS BY: TECH. SGT. AMBER WILLIAMS

SAVANNAH RECOGNIZES 165TH AW 70TH ANNIVERSARY

UPCOMING EVENTSWing Holiday Party Date: Dec. 3, 2016Cocktail hour: 1700Dinner: 1800Cost: $40 per personLocation: Hyatt Regency Savannah

U.S. Air Force Col. Hal Davis, 165th Operations Group Commander, speaks to the Chatham County Commission during their recognition of the 165th Airlift Wing 70th Anniversary. (photo by Tech. Sgt. Amber Williams)

U.S. Air Force Col. Hal Davis, 165th Operations Group Commander, accepts a resolution from the Chatham Country Commission. (photo by Tech. Sgt. Amber Williams)

U.S. Air Force Col. Rainer Gomez, 165th AW Commander, speaks during the Savannah City Council meeting. In the meeting the council announced Oct. 1st as 165th Airlift Wing Day for the city of Savannah. (photo by Tech. Sgt. Amber Williams)

Members and distinguished guests of the165th Airlift Wing celebrated a rich 70-year history during a Dining Out ceremony held Oct. 1, 2016 at the Savannah Marriott Hotel.

The affair laced with pomp and circumstance is rooted in long-standing military traditions dating back to 10th century English practices, and more recently reintroduced during World War II as part of American and British celebratory customs.

President of the Mess, Col. Rainer “Speedy” Gomez, presided over the commemoration flanked by “Mr. Vice” Lt. Col. Jonathan Drew, Chaplain Brannon Bowman and Sergeant of Arms Master Sgt. Jamal Barrow. Distinguished guests included Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Brigadier Gen. Jesse T. Simmons, commander of the Georgia Air National Guard, Col.

James Marren, vice wing commander of the 165th AW, Chief Master Sgt. Reginald McPherson, command chief of

the Georgia Air National Guard and Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Jenkins, command chief of the 165th AW.

Cagle cited the wing’s contributions to state and national defense and recognized it as one of the most distinguished, decorated air national guard units in the country.

“I am so proud of the 165th Airlift Wing,” said Cagle. “What you’ve accomplished is nothing short of amazing. You make our state and nation proud,” he said.

The 165th AW launched on Oct. 12, 1946 as a fighter wing where it provided air defense in Korea and Japan. Recognized as today’s leading C-130 airlift wing, its members have supported campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST 165TH AW VIDEOS

Chief Master Sgt. Jim Fox stages a mutiny during the dining out ceremony. (photo by Senior Airman Jamila Haven)

Georgia Lt. Governor Casey Cagle speaks to Airmen of the 165th AW during the dining out ceremony. (photo by Senior Airman Jamila Haven)

165th members make a toast during the 70th Anniversary Dining Out Ceremony. (photo by Senior Airman Jamila Haven)

165th AW 70th Anniversary Dining Out Ceremony!

Story by: Staff Sgt. Chelsea Smith

165th ASOS members attend the French Desert Commando Course

Story by: Chief Master Sgt. Alvin Freshwater

The 165th ASOS deployed in support of operations to the Horn of Africa with the 3rd Infantry Division, 103rd Rescue Squadron and other federal agencies as part of the East Africa Response Force and Rescue Task Force.

While deployed, several members had the opportunity to attend the French Desert Commando Course. The 15-day course teaches desert and mountain tactics and operations at the small-unit level, desert survival and mountaineering. The course is sponsored by the CECAD (Centre D’entraînement au Combat et D’aguerrissement de Djibouti) at CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti.

Each of the 165th ASOS members earned the French Desert Commando badge. Two of the members

were invited to become instructors and

earned the instructor tab. They organized two courses and helped teach French Infantry/Cavalry/Marines/Artillery, French Foreign Legion, Djiboutians, Germans and US Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines.

Related Links:https://www.army.mil/article/168357/2016_french_commando_coursehttp://www.defense.gov/Media/Collection-View/CollectionID/15070http://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/7824/through-airmens-eyes-airman-earns-french-desert-commando-badge

U.S. Army Spc. Zach Dean, left, and Jacob Currie, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, use a stick, bow and paper to make a fire during the French Desert Survival Course, May 5, 2016 at Arta Plage, Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton)

U.S. Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, paddle a zodiac watercraft across a beach during a water crossing exercise May 5, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

AROUND THE WING70TH ANNIVERSARY GOLF TOURNAMENT

HIGHLIGHTS

A C-130H3 hercules sits on the 165th Airlift Wing flightline during sunrise Oct. 19, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Amber Williams)