Story by:  Capt. Shawn James, 447th Air Support Group 5th Air Wing, PAO and Warrant Officer Malana Nall, 8th Regiment, PAO

Posted:  December 24, 2015

HOUSTON - Santa got a lot of  help from the Texas State Guard Army Component Command 8th Regiment, 5th Air Wing 447th Air Support Group, and the Texas Maritime Regiment 1st Battalion by delivering Christmas toys to children aged 2 months to 16 years old in Houston area hospitals, December 21, 2015.

In total, the Houston area Guardsmen collected 3,658 toys for the "Young Heroes of the Guard Toy Drive" and delivered the toys to children at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Texas Children's Hospital and Shriner's Hospital for Children-Houston.

Tech. Sgt. Rhueben Towne, 447th Air Support Group, coordinated the toy drive and worked with local hospitals and Houston area Texas State Guard units to set up collection points all over the city.

Towne's wife, Charlotte, Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Horowitz, Texas Maritime Regiment 1st Battalion,  and Pvt. Dwayne Holt, 8th Regiment, collected almost 700 toys by themselves.  Houston schools and businesses and the residents of Houston donated hundreds of toys.  

Sugar Land Fire Station No. 6, Sugar Land, Texas, kindly allowed the Guardsmen to sort the toys by age groups in the fire station.

At the first hospital the soldiers, acting as Santa's elves, went room to room and into the emergency room at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital delivering toys and visiting with children and their families. They left toys in the children's play area, leaving enough toys to last until next year.  

The soldiers not only delivered toys but also sang Happy Birthday to one patient who was celebrating his seventh birthday.  

"It was a great experience to see all three Texas State Guard units come together and bring joy to the faces of the children," commented Tech. Sgt. Towne.  "We will take as much time as necessary from toy pickups to delivering toys to make the holiday a special time for the children."

At Shriners Children’s Hospital, soldiers delivered 1,200 toys so that the hospital staff could set up its version of Christmas shopping for the families of patients. Parents will be able to look for just the right gifts for their children.  Then the hospital staff will wrap each toy and Santa will deliver the toys on Christmas morning.  

"It means a lot to our patients," commented Elizabeth Ferrer, a representative of Shriners Children's Hospital.  "The greater meaning is that the kids know someone outside the hospital is thinking of them."

At Texas Children's Hospital, soldiers delivered hundreds of toys that the hospital staff and Santa will hand out to the children at a party Christmas Day.

With all the toys finally delivered, Chaplain Douglas Richardson (Lt. Cmdr.), Texas Maritime Regiment, felt humbled by the experience.  "As chaplain, it is a privilege to share the real meaning of giving and the spirit of soldiers of the Texas State Guard."   

Story by: Warrant Officer Malana Nall

Posted: November 2, 2015

HOUSTON - For almost thirty years the Texas State Guard has provided logistical, operational, and medical support to the Wings Over Houston Airshow.  Working alongside the Commemorative Air Force and local law enforcement, soldiers from the Texas State Guard Army Component 8th Regiment, 447th Air Wing, Maritime Regiment 2nd Battalion, and Medical Brigade 2nd Battalion guided visitors through entrance and exit gates, supplied information on airshow venues, and offered other assistance to ensure that the 50,000 visitors had an enjoyable time at Ellington Field, Houston, October 17-18, 2015. 

This community event allowed the soldiers to hone their mission-essential skills, such as shelter management, food and water distribution, radio communications, and medical support.  Soldiers practiced working together in a joint operation with different units of the Texas State Guard.  These skills are necessary to support residents and local communities during a disaster or emergency, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

Soldiers had a great time, too.  They handed out candy and ear plugs.  They set up a recruiting tent in front of the 447th Air Wing communications trailer, where children enjoyed trying on Texas State Guard caps, boots, and equipment belts.

Two 8th Regiment soldiers, Staff Sgt. Cheryl Lemmings and Sgt. Sasha Shepard, volunteered to escort  children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to a VIP tent to watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practice that day. Lemmings and Shepard spent time meeting the children and their parents and answering questions about the Texas State Guard.

Col. Edwin Grantham, commander, 8th Regiment, explained that "the job here is part of our support to civil authorities.  We want Texans to have a high confidence level in our ability to take care of them when called upon.  We take great pride in what we do for Texas residents and events like the airshow allow us to practice our mission skills."

Wings Over Houston is one of the top airshows in the country and attracts visitors from around the world.   Featured were the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who are known for their aerial acrobatics in F-16 Fighting Falcons, as well as Breitling Jet Team, "Tora, Tora, Tora" air re-enactors, and the U. S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet.

Story by:  Chief Warrant Officer Two Janet Schmelzer

Posted:  October 2, 2015

GRAPEVINE, Texas - The 4th Regiment, Texas State Guard, welcomed a new commander, Col. Alfred Sustaita, Jr., during an assumption of command ceremony at the 9/11 Flight Crew memorial in Grapevine, September 12, 2015. Sustaita will lead 4th Regiment headquarters and three battalions in Weatherford, Decatur and Arlington. 

"I am honored to be the commander of the 4th Regiment.  The soldiers in this unit are the best trained and I plan to continue the strong leadership role of Col. Lietz," commented Sustaita.

Sustaita has spent his entire military career in the Texas State Guard.  Enlisting as a private in 1989, he joined the 202nd Military Police Battalion. His was commissioned a second lieutenant  and was assigned to the 8th Military Police Brigade in 1993.  Other assignments included aide-de-camp to the deputy commander of operations south and commanding officer, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade. 

Sustaita was promoted to the rank of colonel, September 26, 2015.

After the Texas State Guard was reorganized, Sustaita became the 2nd Regiment operations officer,  commanding officer of the Quick Reaction Team, and commanding officer, 1st Battalion.  His most recent assignment was operations officer, Texas Medical Brigade. His state active duty deployments include hurricanes Rita, Dean, Dolly, Edouard, Gustav, Ike, and Alex, and Operation Lone Star, the largest humanitarian operation in South Texas.

His professional military education includes the Texas State Guard Basic Reserve Component Non-commissioned Officer Course, Basic Officer Training Course, Advanced Officer Training Course, Infrastructure Protection Detachment Training Course, Command and General Staff Course, and the Texas Adjutant General Leader Development Program. 

He has received the Texas Outstanding Service Medal, Texas Medal of Merit with one bronze acorn cluster, Adjutant General Individual Award with four star devices, Commanding General Individual Award with one silver oak leaf cluster, Texas Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Texas Faithful Service Medal with two bronze cactus devices, and the Texas State Guard Service Medal.

He supported Operation Iraqi Freedom as a contractor through the Logistics Civilian Augmentation Program in Iraq from 2003-2005. 

Sustaita holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioenvironmental Science from Texas A&M University where he was a member of the “Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets.”  He is married to Dawn Lei and resides in Alvin. They have one son, Wyatt Tomas Sustaita.

Woodmansee Takes Command of 2nd Regiment

Story by:  Chief Warrant Officer Two Janet Schmelzer

Posted:  September 25, 2015

CAMP SWIFT, Bastrop, Texas - The 2nd Regiment, Texas State Guard, welcomed a new commander, Col. Robert A. Woodmansee, during an assumption of command ceremony at Camp Swift, Bastrop, September 19, 2015. Woodmansee will lead the 2nd Regiment, with headquarters in Gatesville and three battalions in San Marcos, Gatesville, and Taylor.

"Leading soldiers is an incredible honor,” commented Woodmansee.  “But more important, I’m looking forward to both serving and learning from these men and women.  They are the ones who are known for their selfless contributions, in the Central Texas community, during times of need.  It’s up to me to show them that I’m worthy to be in their ranks.”

Woodmansee received his commission as an armor officer from the United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1984.  His military schooling includes the Armor Officer Basic and Advance courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and the Command and General Staff Officer Course.  He is also a graduate of Air Assault, Airborne and Ranger school.  

His career includes overseas service in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.  He has served both on active duty and as a member of the Texas Army National Guard.

His command assignments include commander, A Company, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor, 2nd Armored Division; commander, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 144 Infantry, 49th Armored Division; commander, 5th Battalion,  112th Armor, 49th Armored Division; commander, 36th Infantry Division Rear Operations Cell;  commander, 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; and commander, Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan.

His operational assignments include three combat tours overseas.   In 1990 he deployed for Operation Desert Shield while serving as the Battalion Motor Officer for 3-67 Armor.  He later took command of Alpha Company, 3-67 Armor prior to Operation Desert Storm, 1990-1991.  His unit culminated operations at what was known as the Highway of Death, the road that leads from Kuwait City to Basra, Iraq.  

He deployed to Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division, 2009-2010, serving as the Deputy Team Leader for the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team.  He helped deliver essential services to the Province of Baghdad, as well as supporting State Department mentoring efforts to the local and provincial leaders of Baghdad.  

He deployed to Afghanistan with the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 2012-2013, serving as the commander of Camp Eggers in Kabul.  He provided life support and security for over 2,500 personnel from over 20 coalition countries.  

Woodmansee joined the Texas State Guard as the Army Component Command chief of staff, February, 2015.

Colonel Woodmansee is married to his 5th grade sweetheart, Caree.  They have seven children.

Story by:  Capt. Esperanza Meza

Posted:  September 24, 2015

DALLAS - The 19th Regiment, Texas State Guard, welcomed Lt. Col. Lloyd W. Lietz, as the new regimental commander, during a change of command ceremony at the Army National Guard Armory, Dallas, September 12, 2015.  Lietz will lead the regimental headquarters and three battalions located in Dallas, Greenville, and Kilgore.

Maj. Gen. Gerald "Jake" Betty, commander, Texas State Guard, and Brig. Gen. Howard N. Palmer, Jr., commander, Army Component Command, led the ceremony as Col. Robert Hastings, former 19th Regiment commander, formally handed to Lietz the 19th Regiment guidon.  

"Having seen the 19th Regiment in action over the last two years, I know what a fine unit of soldiers they are,” said Lietz. “I am excited to be taking command and I look forward to meeting our training challenges in the future."  

Lietz was commissioned a second lieutenant at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1979.  During his 27 years in the U.S. Army, he served as an infantry officer, including 5 years of battalion level command.  His active duty assignments included Operation Noble Eagle in  and Brussels for NATO support activity. 

He graduated from the Branch Immaterial Officers Candidate Course, Airborne School, Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Mortar Platoon Leaders Course, the Adjutant/Personnel Officers Staff Course, Command and General Staff College and the Inspector General Course.

Lietz earned the Expert Infantryman and Parachutist badges.  His highest military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal (3^rd Award), as well as various other state and federal ribbons.

Upon his retirement from federal service in 2006, Lietz joined the Texas State Guard in 2013.  He has served as 4th Regiment operations officer, executive office, and interim regimental commander.

His professional associations include the American Legion, Association of the United States Army, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America and State Guard Association of the United States.

Lietz graduated from the Allen Military Academy in Bryan in 1970 and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts Degree in Military History (Land Warfare) from American Military University.  Lietz has been married to his wife Gloria for 35 years and has three children, Charlene, June and Richard.

Lietz and his wife live in Stephenville and McKinney, Texas..

Story by: Chief Warrant Officer Two Janet Schmelzer

Posted:  September 23, 2015

CAMP MABRY, AUSTIN - The Texas State Guard Army Component Command welcomed a new chief of staff, Col. Robert Hastings, September 12, 2015.  As chief of staff, Hastings is the principal military advisor and second in command of the Army Component Command, Texas State Guard. 

"Our role as Army Component Command staff," Hastings stated, "is to make our soldiers successful; ensuring that they have the training, resources, leadership and support necessary to execute their missions, effectively and safely."

Hastings enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1978.  He was a distinguished graduate of the Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course.  He piloted the AH-1 Attack Helicopter with the 7th Infantry Division, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the Army Combat Developments Experimentation Command.

Graduating from Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in aviation.  He served as an Attack Helicopter Platoon leader and Forward Support Platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division, and as a Reserve Component Aviation advisor at the Fifth U.S. Army headquarters.

Hastings completed Armor Officer Advanced Course and returned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment where he served as regimental operations officer, Air Cavalry Troop commander and Assault Helicopter Troop commander.  He served as a public affairs officer, Public Affairs Detachment commander with V Corps, and Senior Public Affairs instructor at the Defense Information School before retiring from the U.S. Army. 

His combat and expeditionary deployments include tours in Iraq, Bosnia and Honduras.

His military education includes the Aviation Officer Basic Course, Scout Platoon Leaders Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, Public Affairs Officer Qualification and Advanced Courses, and Combined Armed and Services Staff School.

Hastings joined the George W. Bush Administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. As the senior public affairs official and spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense, he served as principal staff advisor to the Secretary of Defense for strategic communication, public information, internal information, and community relations, leading a worldwide public affairs community of some 4,000 military and civilian personnel.

Upon joining the Texas State Guard, Hastings has served as the Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Texas State Guard and commander of the 19th Regiment. 

Hastings received the Master Army Aviator, Pathfinder and Air Assault badges.  His military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal, and Secretary of Defense Staff Identification Badge. 

His civilian awards include the Secretary of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal and the Order of St. George Medallion.

Hastings resides in Keller, Texas.

Story by: Chief Warrant Officer Two Janet Schmelzer

Posted: September 13, 2015

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Re-enactors honor the selfless service of active duty soldiers,  veterans, and fallen heroes of the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard in many ways. 

Five re-enactors are Texas State Guard soldiers who, as civilians, have chosen a very memorable way to pay tribute. 

They are civilian parachute jumpers and re-enactors.

Those five re-enactors are 1st Lt. Leland Burns and Senior Master Sgt. Denny Darnell, 4th Air Wing, Air Component Command, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Wood, Engineering Group, Staff Sgt. Gary Bostic and Sgt. Kyle Clark, 4th Regiment, Army Component Command.  

They are members of the Liberty Jump Team, which performs static line parachute jumps from an actual C-47 aircraft used on D-Day, just as soldiers did in World War II. 

The jumpers wear authentic World War II paratrooper uniforms. The Liberty Jump Team consists of 70 members who are active-duty, retired, and reserve United States and foreign military members.

"My father, a World War II veteran of the Okinawa campaign," commented Clark, "was only 18 years old and he believed that the service of United States soldiers was a job that needed to be done."

"I am honored to be able to pay tribute to the bravery, self-sacrifice, and heroism of the American soldier who fought to preserve our freedoms."  

On the 71st anniversary of the Normandy invasion during World War II, Senior Master Sgt. Darnell and Sgt. Clark honored the 24,000 Normandy Allied paratroopers by re-enacting the June 1944 parachute jumps from a C-47 aircraft over Amfreville, Graignes, and La Fiere-Merderet River, France, June 2-7, 2015.

The final jump for this anniversary commemoration was performed by jumping from a C-47 over the "The Airborne Trooper," a statue of a World War II 82nd Airborne, United States Army  paratrooper overlooking the Merderet River from the La Fiere Bridge, Normandy, France.  Four  C-130 aircrafts with over two hundred paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne, United States Army, also participated in this event.  

On the other side of the Atlantic on the 75th anniversary of the first Army Airborne Infantry platoon jump in 1940, Bostic, along with eleven members of the Liberty Jump Team, jumped with almost 300 United States Army paratroopers at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Georgia, August 15, 2015.

The Liberty Team, wearing the uniforms of World War II paratroopers, jumped from a C-47, just like the Army Airborne paratroopers of World War II.

"I am honored to be here to pay tribute to the Army Airborne paratroopers who gave selfless service during World War II," commented Bostic. 

"They were fearless soldiers who jumped into dangerous battle zones to help win World War II."

The first Army Airborne Infantry platoon was organized with 40 soldiers from the 29th Infantry located at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1940.  This platoon made the first jump as paratroopers in the United States Army, at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, August 16, 1940.

The first platoon mass jump occurred at Fort Benning, August 29, 1940.

This drill weekend the Texas State Guard trained new Guardsmen at their Regional Basic Orientation Training Phase I in Austin, Texas. Training continues next month with Phase II.  Click here to see the photos.

Story by: Capt. John Root, 39th Regiment

Posted:August 7, 2015

MIDLAND, Texas (July 28, 2015) – Soldiers from the 39th Composite Regiment, Texas State Guard, performed route and safety guidance for the Cactus & Crude MS-150 Bike-A-Thon, sponsored by the  Multiple Sclerosis Society, along the 150-mile route from Midland to Lubbock, Texas, July 25-26, 2015.  The Texas State Guard serves Texans by providing assistance during emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, and community events.   

Soldiers from the 39th Composite Regiment followed the lead of local law enforcement to create a safe roadway for the cyclists at multiple highway intersections, blind curves, and other potentially dangerous points along the route.

In the spirit of the event, Sgt. 1st Class Rosalind Roger, 3rd Battalion, 39th Composite Regiment, entered the race and finished among the top riders. "The ride was great, the weather was fabulous, and the support from the Texas State Guard was amazing," said Roger.  "I am proud to be a part of a great team like the Texas State Guard.  I look forward to this event next year.”

"The  soldiers of the 39th Composite Regiment, along with event organizers, local emergency management, law enforcement and emergency medical services, did an outstanding job of ensuring the safety of all cyclists along the two-day 150-mile route," stated Col. Barney E. Welch, commander of the 39th Composite Regiment, Texas State Guard.  "In the process, our soldiers used this event as a training opportunity for future missions where the regiment is needed for maintaining traffic flow and assisting with the evacuation of citizens during an emergency, such as a hurricane or a wildfire.  The 39th is always ready and "equal to the task"."

The 39th Composite Regiment appreciated the support and cooperation of their local jurisdiction partners, National Multiple Sclerosis Society Event Coordinator Lyndee Groce, the congregation of the Lamesa First Baptist Church, the local officials and citizens of Lamesa, Texas, and Larry Duyck and Terri Stahl of Lamesa and their staffs.

Working together, the organizers, cyclists, and soldiers, saw this community event as a shining example of  how cooperative efforts among citizens, local authorities, and the Texas State Guard can achieve a successful outcome. 

The Commanding General, Texas State Guard, is pleased to announce the following assignments:

Colonel Robert Hastings, commander, 19th Regiment, Dallas, Texas, to chief of staff, Army Component Command, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 

Colonel Robert Woodmansee, chief of staff, Army Component Command, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas, to commander, 2nd Regiment, Gatesville, Texas.  

Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Lietz, executive officer and acting commander, 4thRegiment, Fort Worth, Texas to commander, 19th Regiment, Dallas, Texas.

Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Sustaita, training and operations officer, Texas Medical Brigade, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas to commander 4th Regiment, Fort Worth, Texas.   

Lieutenant Colonel John Dudenhoeffer, commander, 1st Battalion, 2ndRegiment, San Marcos, Texas to training and operations officer, Texas Medical Brigade, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas.

Approved, MG Betty, Commanding.