Courtesy Story by: Maj. Robert Cowart, Special Operations Detachment - Africa, Texas Army National Guard

Posted: August 21, 2015

KEY WEST, Fla. - As the ramp opened up, the smell of salty air and humidity filled the C-130. It was almost as thick as the enthusiasm displayed by the Texas Army National Guardsmen on board. The soldiers, part of the Special Operations Detachment – Africa (SOD-A), 71st Troop Command, conducted a long-range airborne insertion into the waters near Key West, Fla., July 24, 2015.

The exercise was a culmination of a three-year process, which executed the unit’s Mission Essential Task List training; a training plan designed to take units from an untrained status, to proficient and finally to a trained status – all leading to the unit’s ability to conduct its wartime mission. 

“The key focus for this weekend is the Mission Essential Task, load out and deploy,” said Col. Doug O’Connell, SOD-A commander. 

The SOD-A mission is to provide command and control for U.S. and coalition special operation forces within the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

“Everything we have done, leading up to this weekend, are essential skills that we use on a regular basis, as we send small teams to remote locations,” said Lt. Col. Tim Ochsner, SOD-A executive officer. 

Coordination for the operation involved several branches, which included reaching out to the Army’s Special Forces Underwater Operations School that helped secure the drop zone, lodging, watercraft and parachute drying facility; the Navy for the overall use of Naval Air Station Key West and for emergency management services during the airborne insertion operations; the Air Force helped with their C-130 aircraft for the trip to and from the insertion and the U.S. Coast Guard provided its galley for meals. 

“After completing the water jump into Key West, the unit conducted recovery operations in preparation for redeployment back to Austin, said Maj. William “Rusty” Weedman, SOD-A logistical planner. “During the SOD-A's stay in Key West, they received support from the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West Galley and the Special Forces Underwater Operations School.” 

With preparations set, the SOD-A members, assisted by 294th Quartermaster Company (Rigger), 36th Infantry Division, leapt from the aircraft, as members of the SFUOWS conducted drop zone operations, manned watercraft for recovery and provided medical coverage. Once all of the jumpers had successfully completed their required water sustainment jump, they transitioned to deploying-and-supporting dive team operations, in this case, the 5th Special Forces Group dive team as they conducted airborne water insertion and underwater infiltration operations.

Planning a training event with this many moving pieces is an enormous undertaking, but it ensures that SOD-A always has trained and deployable personnel to conduct the many real world missions it is called upon to execute, Ochsner said.

“Because the unit deploys small teams, almost quarterly to remote locations in Africa supporting missions and exercises, it is imperative that we find ways to conduct mission essential task list training while conducting steady state operations,” O’Connell said.

Lt. Col Matthew Jensen at 2015 Military Finals | American Ninja Warrior

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.

On this edition of TAG Talks Curtis De Keyrel speaks about how the Air Guard and Active Air Force use their assets. TAG Talks are a series of unique presentations put together by students in The Adjutant General's Executive Leadership Development Program offering the perspective of future Senior leaders of the Texas Military Forces.

Commentary by Michelle McBride

Though you wouldn’t know it from the heat, summer in Texas is almost over.  For kids, parents and teachers, this translates to “back-to-school” time complete with shopping sprees for school supplies and clothing--a burden on wallets. To help with budgeting shoppers, many retailers in Texas will be offering a tax free holiday this weekend August 7-9, 2015.  As with previous years, this will include most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100.

The Christian Science Monitor noted, as a reminder, that Texas excludes clothing and footwear designed primarily for athletic use, but makes a nice distinction between athletic apparel and stuff that's more equipment than apparel. For example, a football jersey would be tax-free, but football pads and pants are not. Running shoes are tax-free, but track shoes and cleats are not.

Dates for sales tax holidays are set by the legislature and could mean savings of about $8.00 on every $100.00 spent. It is also good to note that Tax free will apply to layaway items if you place your items on layaway during the holiday or make the final payment during the holiday. The tax free sales can be combined with extra deals, both in stores and online, and some stores may even flex their hours, opening earlier or closing later.
For more information and a full list of exemptions please visit http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/d/
 

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. 

Story by: Sgt. Praxedis Piñeda
100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Posted: August 5, 2015

Members of the Texas Military Forces gathered for a five-day emergency preparedness training exercise in South Texas, July 27-31, 2015. Operation Lone Star allows guardsmen, local and state health agencies, and the Department of State Health Services to train together and prepare for a mass casualty disaster.

"We get the opportunity to practice what we do in case of a deployment for a disaster situation," said Texas State Guard 1st Lt. Daniel Steinberg, a personnel officer with 3rd Battalion, Texas Medical Brigade. "At the same time we get to provide medical care for a lot of individuals that don't have the access to that care"

Community members of all ages give the multi-agency healthcare providers the chance to treat civilian patients as they would during a real-world catastrophe.

"It's invaluable for everyone participating, because it's difficult to gain real world experience during training," said Spc. Danielle Schrag, a health care specialist with the Texas Medical Command, Texas Army National Guard. "You immediately see the impact you have on the community."

While conducting vision, physical, dental and other medical exams, healthcare personnel also benefited from the interagency environment. 
 
"It's my third time doing OLS and every year it’s a little bit different and every year we learn how to effectively manage and communicate amongst other people from different agencies," said Capt. Ryan Sharp, a dentist with the Texas Medical Command.

Together, the supporting agencies provided medical services to more than 9,000 South Texans in Laredo, Palm View, Rio Grande City, San Juan, and Brownsville. The operation has served more than 100,000 people in the last 16 years. 

"This is an excellent service that we're providing for the people of Texas, and it also gives us, as a resource, an excellent opportunity to practice what we may be called upon to do," said Steinberg.

Operation Lone Star 2015

Is an emergency preparedness exercise to help us get ready for disasters.
We bring FREE medical services to communities with help from hundreds of local service groups and volunteers.

Some of the services provided are:

Immunizations for children.
Diabetic screening.
Blood pressure screening.
Hearing and vision screenings.
Sports physicals.
Dental

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.

Story by: 1st Lt. Alicia Lacy

Posted: July 31, 2015

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Command brought the force to support the 2015 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Games of Texas July 30-Aug. 3, 2015, in College Station and Bryan.

For five days, thousands of Texas athletes and their supporters converged upon the two cities to compete in the state’s biggest multi-sport event. 

To support such a large event, coordinators enlisted the help of their partners from the TXARNG and its Recruit Sustainment Program warriors to help manage the chaos at two of the games’ biggest events – track and field and swimming.

“We were really stressed planning this event, knowing that having volunteers would be our No. 1 issue,” said Kelly Kelbly, city of College Station recreation manager and Games of Texas coordinator. 

But the support of the TXARNG, Kelbly said helped alleviate some of the strains that came with planning such a behemoth event.

“As we developed a relationship with the Guard, it’s knowing the dependability we have on the volunteers and it takes some of the stress from the staff,” Kelbly said. “It takes 600 volunteers, 200 staff, a couple hundred liaisons, and so knowing the dependability of the Guard handling our biggest two events, track and swimming, it takes all the pressure off of us.”

Additionally, the TXARNG’s work at the event demonstrated the presence of the Texas Guard, not just in emergency or combat situations, but also in community events such as the TAAF Games of Texas to celebrate Texas athletes.

“It’s exciting and I’m glad that I have the opportunity to volunteer here so everyone can see that the National Guard helps in combat and also the civilian side,” said Pvt. Kamiya Smith of Houston, a human resource specialist assigned to the RSP. “We’re here to help and serve when they need us.”
This is the second year the recruiters have supported the event.

“Last year, we generated more than 200 leads, which is good,” said Staff Sgt. Richard Strelsky, a TXARNG recruiter.

For the next two years, the games will move to McAllen, but will return to the Brazos Valley area in 2018-2019, and coordinators will keep the Guard in mind when they begin planning.

“We look forward to working with them again,” Kelbly said.