Posts From May, 2008

Members of the Texas State Guard Arrive at Camp Bowie for training

Members of Texas State Guard arrive at Camp Bowie for training
Gene Deason - Brownwood Bulletin 
2008/05/24

Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey, right, welcomes Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Powers, commanding general of the Texas State Guard, to Brownwood Friday during a reception at Adams Street Community Center. More than 200 members of the Texas State Guard will be training at Camp Bowie over the next two weeks. Photo by Gene Deason
Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey, right, welcomes Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Powers, commanding general of the Texas State Guard, to Brownwood Friday during a reception at Adams Street Community Center. More than 200 members of the Texas State Guard will be training at Camp Bowie over the next two weeks.
Photo by Gene Deason

Business and civic leaders from Brownwood and Early welcomed approximately 20 command staff from the Texas State Guard at a reception Friday afternoon as preparations were made for two weeks of drills at the Camp Bowie Training Facility.

“We in Brownwood do realize that we enjoy the freedoms we enjoy in this country because of those who are willing to serve in the armed forces,” Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey said during remarks offered at the casual gathering. “It’s especially significant that you’re in the place where the 36th Infantry Division mobilized at the start of World War II, and it’s a great facility where you’re training in order to be ready to answer the call when emergencies strike.”

Massey said the complex is here because of the efforts of the late Groner Pitts, a businessman who served in the National Guard and became what Massey described as the greatest civic booster any community could ever have. “Groner did love Camp Bowie and the military and the Guard,” Massey said.

Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Powers, commanding general of the Texas State Guard, said Guard members will be rotating in and out of Camp Bowie in coming days, and invited community leaders to visit.

“We thank you for your wonderful welcome,” Powers said.

Powers received his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1969 after graduating from St. Mary’s University. He left active duty and joined the Texas National Guard in 1973, where he remained until retirement in 2000. During those 27 years he served as commander of two field artillery battalions, director of logistics 111th Area Support Group, and division artillery commander 49th Armored Division Task Force Texas. He joined the Texas State Guard in 2000 and served as commander of the 1st Brigade in the Texas State Guard from 2002 to 2003, when he was assigned as deputy commander.

The Texas State Guard is one of three branches of the military forces of the State of Texas, reporting to The Texas adjutant general. The other two branches are the Texas Army National Guard, and Texas Air National Guard. The Texas State Guard is a state military force that assists Texas civil authorities in times of Texas state emergencies and in ongoing support of local communities.

TXSG GIS/GPS Training

TXSG GIS/GPS Training
Various
2008/05/15

TXSG soldiers participate in GIS/GPS training Photo by KCDB, NewsChannel 11, Lubbock, Texas
TXSG soldiers participate in GIS/GPS training
Photo by KCDB, NewsChannel 11, Lubbock, Texas

The TXSG in conjunction with the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center (CRGSC) is conducting Geospatial (GIS) / Global Positing System GPS training at four colleges around the state.

COL Charles Miller Plans and Operations for the TXSG stated the intended goal was for the TXSG to provide military support to civilian authorities in times of State Emergencies, with 50 Damage Assessment Teams.

The three – soldier Teams will be proficient in the use of GIS/GPS systems to assist local officials in determining the precise location of damage structures to assist local responders and local authorities.

Dr. McDonald of the GRGSC said think of it as training in the use of Smart Maps (GIS), for planning of evacuation before an event and the location of damaged bridges and structures after the event.

For more information click on the following links for several television reports and stories.

Texas’ Best Kept Secret - The Texas State Guard (KCDB, NewsChannel 11, Lubbock, Texas)