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Contents The Adjutant General s Letter 4 The Dual Role of the National Guard 5 Key Messages Economic Success 7 Top 5 Employers 9 Stewardship 11 Partnerships 13 Always Ready 15 Major Command Updates Air Force 117th Air Refueling Wing 17 187th Fighter Wing 18 226th Combat Communications Group 19 Army 20th Special Forces Group 21 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Brigade 22 62nd Troop Command 23 122nd Troop Support Command 24 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) 25 142nd Battlefield Surveillance Brigade 26 Front Cover: Capt. Philip Brown, 100th Fighter Squadron, Alabama Air National Guard, and Sgt. 1st Class Jose Garcia, 214th Military Police Company, Alabama Army National Guard. (Composite photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) 167th Theater Sustainment Command 27 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade 28 1 2
Governor of Alabama The Adjutant General of Alabama In compliance with the provision of the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 31-2-67, I am submitting this annual report for the period October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. This report will familiarize you with the challenges and accomplishments of the Soldiers and Airmen of the Alabama National Guard in fiscal year 2016. The Alabama National Guard continues to pursue our mission as the only organization in the U.S. military charged with both a federal and a state mission of producing units ready to conduct full-spectrum operations to support and defend our fellow citizens and the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Alabama, whenever and wherever the threat arises or the need exists. Dr. Robert Bentley Adjutant General Alabama National Guard The Alabama National Guard is vital to the state s economic health and success, bringing more than a half-billion federal dollars to the state every year. We also have more than 13,000 jobs located in Alabama and even though many of these are part-time, they offer full-time benefits and excellent training that can be used in careers outside the Guard. We realize that it is a privilege to be such a big part of who Alabama is, and we realize that with that privilege comes great responsibility. That is why we work hard to be a recognized leader in stewardship of funds, material, and the environment. One key way we strive to be a good steward is by developing partnerships to share resources and work toward common goals. We have put great emphasis on our partnership program which has helped us better integrate our resources and work toward common goals with many state agencies. All of these things and more keep us at the forefront of excellence in our Army and Air Force areas of specialty, and also helps us remain always ready in times of disaster to support local authorities with our unique capabilities and expertise. As the adjutant general, I am proud to respectfully present to you the following accomplishments of the Alabama National Guard. PERRY G. SMITH The Adjutant General 3 Major General Perry G. Smith 4
The Dual Role of the National Guard The National Guard is the only organization in the U.S. military charged with both a federal and a state mission. This unique dual-mission makes the National Guard distinctly different from the active component, the U.S. Army and Air Force Reserve and all other services which have strictly federal missions. As commander-in-chief of all American armed forces, the president can call the National Guard into federal service based on the needs of the nation in support of overseas contingency operations, homeland defense or other federal missions. The request for forces comes through the secretary of defense, the Departments of the Army and Air Force and the National Guard Bureau to the state adjutant general. The federal mission of the National Guard is to provide properly trained and equipped units for prompt mobilization for war or national emergency (Title 10, United States Code). The National Guard s state mission is to provide trained and disciplined forces for natural disasters, domestic emergencies, or as otherwise prescribed by law (Code of Alabama 31-2-52). 1st Lt. Jerry M. Ward, commander of the Forward Support Company, Group Support Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), conducts a static line jump from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden, Alabama, Nov. 5, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) 5 6 The governor of Alabama serves as commander-in-chief of the National Guard in the state. The governor, through the adjutant general, calls individuals, elements or entire units to state active duty based on the needs of the state. The National Guard can provide emergency relief, rescue and recovery support after disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and snow or ice storms. The Guard can also provide maintenance of public services such as power generation, water purification, security and traffic control. This support is provided at the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency with the approval of the governor. In order to fulfill this unique dual mission, the Alabama National Guard relies on resources provided by Congress, the Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau, the governor of Alabama and the Alabama Legislature.
Economic Success The Alabama National Guard is key to Alabama s economic health and success. Through the office of the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, the federal government will execute more than $400 million in support of the Alabama National Guard in fiscal year 2016. For fiscal year 2016, the federal government will reimburse the state of Alabama approximately $38 million dollars in support of the Alabama Army National Guard and approximately $5.7 million dollars in support of the Alabama Air National Guard through the Master Cooperative Agreement and Military Construction Cooperative Agreements. Repairs & Maintenance $1,829,532 Operations $1,742,883 Personnel Cost $2,092,937 State Active Duty $786,810 Utilities $1,521,034 State Defense Force $13,614 State Funding Executed services and projects totaling $40.9 million for base operations, master planning, repair, maintenance, and modernization of current facilities. Effectively managed $56.8 million in payroll for approximately 770 full time military technician employees and $71.2 million for approximately 911 Active Guard Reserve Soldier and Airman employees. Obligated $ 5.3 million dollars in federal funds were to local Alabama small businesses for provision of food, lodging, and fuel to the Alabama National Guard. In fiscal year 2016, the Fort McClellan Army National Guard Training Center s economic impact to Calhoun County was $47 million. Through the office of the USPFO, the federal government will reimburse the state of Alabama approximately $44 million for operating costs in support of the Alabama National Guard in fiscal year 2016. Facilitated the Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program, which assists Alabama Guardsmen pursuing a college degree. The program processed 738 applications for Airmen and Soldiers during fiscal year 2016, totaling more than $1.46 million. Economic Impact $1.3B Federal $602M State $1.3M 7 Economic Impact * Economic Impact Factor (2.11194) provided by Center for Buisness and Economic Research at University of Alabama. Air Guard Federal Funding Other Pay & Allowances (Traditional) $104,850,000 Operation & Maintenance (Traditional) $130,040,000 Military Construction $6,525,000 Federal Funding Active Guard Pay & Allowances $85,790,000 Military Construction $5,240,000 8 Special Forces $10,880,000 Operations & Maintenance $117,860,506 Active Guard Pay & Allowances $40,809,840 Operation & Maintenance (Active Guard) $5,240,000 Traditional Operations & Maintenance Pay & Allowances $117,860,506 $87,005,774 Army Guard Federal Funding
Top 5 Employer The Alabama National Guard is one of the top 5 employers in Alabama. During fiscal year 2016, the Alabama Army National Guard achieved 100 percent of the target end strength ceiling with 10,189 Soldiers. We also accessed 71 basic branch commissioned officers, 22 special branch commissioned officers, and 28 warrant officers, and enlisted 1,106 service members. The 22nd Recruiting and Retentio Battalion worked with unit members and their assigned units to retain 1,066 Soldiers, attaining 102.3 percent of the National Guard Bureau retention goal for Alabama. Through the Armory Commission of Alabama, we managed more than 200 construction and architectural-engineer contracts during fiscal year 2016. Awarded more than $19 million in federal contracts in support of the Alabama National Guard. Construction and Facilities Management Office manages 198 state employees at a minimal cost to the state, and an 84 percent federal reimbursement of $5.7 million for facility operations and maintenance. During fiscal year 2016, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations successfully managed and executed federal funding in excess of $94 million to support individual training, annual training, military schools, overseas contingency operations, new equipment fielding, and new equipment training. Sgt. David Houser, E Company (Long Range Surveillance), 1-173rd Infantry Regiment, repacks his parachute after conducting a static line jump from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden, Alabama, Nov. 5, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) 99 Workforce Ethnicity/Race National Guard Strength Duty status - Federal Army Air Traditional/Part Time Active Guard Military Technician Total Soldiers and Airmen Duty status - State State Employees - Full Time State Employees - Part Time Total Workforce Education Service Army Air Service Army Air High School Only 69.6% 6.7% Some College Four Year Degree Masters Degree Doctoral Degree 8,467 1,676 194 Gender Ratio White Black Hispanic Other Male Female 67.2% 10.5% 71.9% 15.1% 14.3% 3.8% 4.6% 901 189 716 420 10,084 2,285 58 252 0.6% 1.6% 30.9% 1.6% 0.3% 82.0% 18.0% 72.5% 24.7% 0.4% 3.7% 81.6% 19.3% 10 66 0 66
Stewardship The Alabama National Guard is a leader in stewardship of funds, material, and the environment. During fiscal year 2016, managed and executed Army federal funding in excess of $94 million to support individual training, annual training, military schools, overseas contingency operations, new equipment fielding, and new equipment training. In 2016, the Fort McClellan Army National Guard Training Center coordinated the planning, resourcing and execution of more than 240,000 man-days (man-day = 1 service member working one day; example: 12 service members working 10 days is 120 man-days) of annual training, premobilization training, and schools; supported 351 training days and the live fire of more than 2.2 million rounds of ammunition. The logistics directorate managed the annual federal funding program of $26 million with a 99.9 percent execution rate in support of equipment maintenance costs and a wide variety of supplies and services for units around the state. Reduced energy utilization by 9.6 percent compared to fiscal year 2015. Successful reduction in overall energy use over past ten fiscal years. Transformed an annual battery disposal expense of $30,000 into a revenue generation of $40,000 through a qualified recycling program. As web-based services and cloud computing became even more prevalent in 2016, we executed $2.2 million of federal funding, providing internet circuit connectivity to 77 facilities throughout the state. With the total facilities being reduced in 2016, we were able to increase bandwidth and quality of service to some of the remaining facilities without increasing the budget. We continue to improve efficiencies in order to improve circuit throughput and reduce cost. The Alabama Army National Guard sent more than 1,100 Soldiers to school totaling $8.8 million in fiscal year 2016. Completed a biannual audit of personnel property assigned to this department by the state auditor s office with no noted shortages. Executed $765,000 of federal funding supporting a robust sustainability program focused on energy and water conservation. Alabama s internal review auditors continued to conducted monthly Army National Guard audit readiness testing as part of the Department of Defense s Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) testing of business processes, including associated internal controls and the overall audit readiness of the organization. Human Resources Office provided targeted education and training provided to full-time employees throughout fiscal year 2016, including basic supervisor s course, mid-career financial planning course, pre-retirement planning course, new employee orientation and career management courses. 11 12
Partnerships The Alabama National Guard develops partnerships to share resources and work toward common goals. During fiscal year 2016, we developed multiple strategic partnerships with state of Alabama agencies such as the Department of Education, the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Corrections. We continued additional partnerships with organizations such as the Alabama Community College System, all Alabama university-level ROTC programs, the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama and the Alabama Broadcasters Association. These partnerships allowed the Alabama National Guard to communicate with local communities across all 67 counties within the state to further educate our citizens on all the job opportunities within their National Guard. In 2016, the Alabama National Guard conducted 22 engagements with Romanian land and air forces. The 187th Fighter Wing has played a pivotal role in guiding the Romanian Air Force through the acquisition of 12 F-16 fighter aircraft from Portugal, and will continue to play a prominent role in the operations and maintenance programs of these aircraft through military to military engagements through the foreseeable future. Members of the Alabama National Guard s 166th Engineering Company are working side by side with members of the Romanian Land Forces to install a lightning protection system at Cincu Training Range, Cincu, Romania, July 3, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) Consulted with municipalities and other agencies for options concerning partnering on real property acquisitions and joint usage of facilities in order to diminish costs. Collaborated with the Alabama Department of Human Resources to identify the critically underserved 16-18 year-old population in Alabama s foster care system and created a process to support this demographic and its social workers, medical and mental health providers, foster and adoptive families, judges and the law enforcement community with Alabama National Guard employment information, training opportunities and career guidance. The information management directorate participated in the Office of Information Technology s Alabama Digital Government Summit that provided valuable professional development and opportunities for Alabama Guard IT personnel. We continue to participate in the Alabama First Responder s Wireless Commission. The counterdrug program assisted federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in seizing 4,887 marijuana plants, 1,068 kilograms of cocaine, 479 pounds of methamphetamine, 96 pounds of heroin, 1,872 pounds of marijuana, $4,364,791 in U.S. currency, and 144 firearms, resulting in more than 2,000 arrests The 46th Civil Support Team conducted three no-notice responses, four standby missions as well as six multi-agency training missions. The 46th CST participated in chemical and biological warfare agent training at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, as well as a training proficiency evaluation administered by U.S. Army North in which it received a go in all areas. The 46th also participated in the Vigilant Guard national level exercise in Louisiana. Alabama National Guard Military Funeral Honors program conducted and supported 2,193 funerals. Conducted 21 military funeral honors in a single day, which amounts to a yearly average of five funerals per day with multiple weeks averaging more than 10 funerals per day. It also conducted 203 in a single month. Jennifer Greathouse, Bibb County career coach, navigates the Leader Reaction Coarse (LRC) at Pelham Range, Alabama, Nov. 4, 2016. Operation Citizen Soldier is an opportunity for personnel from the Department of Education and the Department of Human Resources to experience a day in the life of an Alabama National Guard Soldier. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) 13 14
Always Ready The Alabama National Guard is always ready in times of disaster to support local authorities with our unique capabilities and expertise. The Alabama National Guard executed more than 960 man-days (man-day = 1 service member working one day; example: 12 service members working 10 days is 120 man-days) in support of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency joint field office as well as continued support for local civic groups with 92 civic action projects. In fiscal year 2016, the Alabama Army National Guard issued 673 pieces of new, modern equipment valued at more than $30 million to units in the state. Equipment fielded includes dual-use equipment available to be employed for both federal and domestic missions. This equipment has enhanced unit readiness and the Guard s ability to respond to a range of events statewide. In 2016, our 12-person computer network defense team participated in a national level cyber security exercise, Cyber Shield, which helps prepare Alabama s cyber team for possible real-world missions. In fiscal year 2016, the Alabama National Guard conducted the annual hurricane and winter storm training exercises and participated in Alabama Emergency Management Agency s nuclear power plant exercises, the governor s hurricane exercise and the pandemic influenza virtual tabletop exercise. Maintained a fully functional continuity of operation plan (COOP) site capable of providing key IT capabilities to Alabama National Guard forces during potential disasters that may damage or destroy primary systems. The COOP ensures Alabama National Guard leadership can continue to effectively command and control forces supporting defense support to civil authorities missions. In fiscal year 2016, the Alabama National Guard has mobilized approximately 700 Soldiers for overseas deployments. The logistics directorate completed 4,313 work orders on equipment in support of the deployment and redeployment of seven different Army National Guard units. Maintained four non-tactical portable communication packages capable of providing data, Voice over internet Protocol, or teleconference services to Alabama Guard forces supporting defense support to civil authorities missions. 15 Right: An Alabama National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with Bambi bucket assembly provides aerial water delivery, at the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, in support of wildfire suppression efforts in DeKalb County, Alabama, Nov. 19, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) 16
Air National Guard Major Command Updates 117th Air Refueling Wing Overview: The 117th Air Refueling Wing, headquartered in Birmingham, provides quality worldwide air refueling, airlift, support, logistics, intelligence, and medical services in support of our community, state, and nation. A KC-135 Stratotanker, 117th Air Refueling Wing, Birmingham, Alabama, refuels an F15 Eagle, 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England, Aug. 24, 2016, over the Atlantic Ocean as part of a support mission. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Senior Airman Wesley Jones) 17 The 117th Air Refueling Wing s economic impact is valued at $108 million in fiscal year 2016. This includes $57.8 million in annual payroll, $2.8 million of new construction for Alabama vendors, and $1 million in government purchase card acquisitions from Alabama vendors. These expenditures created an estimated 368 additional jobs for Alabama in fiscal year 2016, valued at $15.5 million. Deployed more than 500 Airmen to U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Pacific Command, and homestation for six month tours. This is the largest deployment executed by the 117th to date. Designed and constructed joint fitness track for all tenants of the installation (Birmingham National Guard base behind airport). The project utilized resources from both the Army and Air Guard. The project provides Soldiers and Airmen with a regulation fitness track for both training and testing, and was completed totally in-house, saving approximately $620,000. The 117th Air Refueling Wing has begun the planning to develop a joint use ramp expansion that can be completed in one to three phases, depending on funding availability. The project will renovate currently underutilized space, refurbish the Army National Guard ramp to provide required weight bearing capacity for larger aircraft such as the KC-46 Pegasus (the most modern tanker), and install a fuel hydrant system in order to provide aircraft fuel directly to the aircraft parking spots (as opposed to using trucks to provide the fuel to the aircraft, thus greatly reducing the time needed to fuel large aircraft which will be needed if the 117th is selected for a follow-on tanker). 13 187th Fighter Wing The 187th Fighter Wing civil engineering squadron completed a $1.2 million upgrade to the perimeter fence. The project consisted of the alteration of the existing perimeter fence assembly along U.S. Highway 80 East to provide a secure and visually opaque screen between the installation and the highway. First Air National Guard Wing to host a visit from Gen. David L. Goldfein, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, and Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody, chief master sergeant of the Air Force. This visit highlighted the Alabama Air National Guard mission to the Air Force s senior leaders. Overview: The 187th Fighter Wing, headquartered in Montgomery, provides the state and nation with a superior F-16C+ aviation package, RC-26B intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform, and expeditionary combat support functions organized, trained, and equipped for rapid world-wide combat deployment, domestic relief, and law enforcement operations. Members of the 187th Fighter Wing maintain constant readiness for a worldwide deployable mission. This past year, members regularly integrated with state partners and participated in exercises around the world. Fiscal year 2016 missions included a 300-member team deployed to Romania, participation in combat exercises Combat Archer and Silver Flag, security forces squadron annual training in Germany, as well as a number of individual personnel deployments executed throughout the year. Hosted 14 Romanian Air Force personnel for one month to strengthen the State Partnership Program. Romanian personnel were able to observe best maintenance practices from seasoned Alabama Air National Guard members. This interaction helped train Romanian maintenance crews and pilots to transition to F-16s and directly impacted the senior Romanian maintenance leadership team. F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 187th Fighter Wing fly in formation with a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 117th Air Refueling Wing during a training mission over southern Alabama, Nov. 4, 2015. (Courtesy photo, Jim Haseltine) 18
Air National Guard Major Command Updates 226th Combat Communications Group Overview: The 226th Combat Communications Group, headquartered in Montgomery, exercises mission command of several subordinate signal units in order to provide command, control, and communications and computer support capabilities. Right: A two ship formation of F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 187th Fighter Wing maneuvers during a training mission over southern Alabama, Nov. 4, 2015. (Air Force photo by Jim Hazy Haseltine) The Eagle Vision Detachment in Huntsville provided commercial satellite imagery support for U.S domestic relief operations for 22 states to include operations associated with Hurricane Matthew, Tropical Storm Hermine and numerous wildfires, floods and tornadoes. Additionally, the detachment supported operations and relief efforts in the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Iraq. During the past year, Eagle Vision 6 collected 9,984 scenes from Oct. 1, 2015, to Oct. 18, 2016, covering nearly 36 square kilometers. Successfully engaged cyber response activities during the National Guard Bureau Cyber Shield and U.S. Cyber Command Cyber Guard exercises supporting electrical and transportation industries across Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The 226th Combat Communications Group, with assistance from the 232nd Combat Communications Squadron and the 280th Special Operations Communications Squadron, provided support to the multi-state, joint force team in response to a simulated cyber-attack on critical state and regional infrastructures. For the second year in a row, an Air National Guard member was recognized for outstanding achievement during Cyber Shield. Left: Members of the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Birmingham, Alabama, pitch in to help put the finishing touch on the newly constructed running track Sept. 7-8, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Bentley) Provided support to the Alabama National Guard Joint Operations Center by augmenting the Joint Force Headquarters hurricane exercise and severe weather response in order to prepare the state of Alabama for a complex, catastrophic environment requiring activation and staging of Alabama National Guard forces to conduct defense support of civil authorities operations. Airmen from the 232nd Combat Communications Squadron set up an antenna mast supporting the Alabama National Guard CBRN Enhanced Response Force Package during a recent field exercise. Collaboration between Alabama Army National Guard and Air National Guard members from the 226th Combat Communications Group, 187th Communications Flight, 232nd Combat Communications Squadron, and the 280th Special Operations Communications Squadron advanced the Alabama and Romania State Partnership Program through a series of cyber workshops and planned exercises. The combined cyber exercise schedule will continue to strengthen the partnership program and facilitate future combined events between Alabama and Romania. 19 Right: Members from the 117th Air Refueling Wing maintenance squadron prepare KC-135 stratotankers for a mission during a 48 hour surge excercise to demonstrate conventional aircraft generation and employment from the home base location without the aid of any outside resources Nov. 15, 2012. The surge generated 15 sorties and more than 48 flying hours. 20
Army National Guard Major Command Updates 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Overview: 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) headquarters, out of Birmingham, is an operationalized organization based in the continental United States, which provides planning, execution and logistical support on a daily basis to forward deployed elements in four separate theaters. Within the supported theaters, the 20th SFG (A) provides capability and capacity development while liaising with host-nation military and U.S. country teams. A member of the 20th Special Forces Group operates an M-RAZOR all-terrain vehicle during Operation Citizen Soldier at Pelham Range, Nov. 4, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) As part of Operation Observant Compass, the 20th SFG (A) deployed a Special Forces company to develop, advise and assist four partner nations security forces in Central Africa while supporting the embassy country strategy and the theater Special Operations Command mission. The group also further supported worldwide missions, rotating several teams through two 6-month rotations at various locations. 20th Special Forces Group, under Title 22 authorities, and in support of the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, maintains an enduring mission of two Special Forces detachments to train Iraqi Security Forces in Baghdad. The 20th manages on-going operations in four theaters, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. European Command, continuing from 2015 into 2017. The 20th SFG (A) Special Operations Recruiting Detachment proactively engages the leadership of the five active component Special Forces groups and installation transition offices. Through this engagement, the recruiting detachment has increased unit readiness while saving the Alabama National Guard more than $2 million in schools and training funding. 20th SFG (A) deployed its group headquarters to Jordan for the bi-lateral Eager Lion 16 training event with Jordanian special operations forces. 21 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Brigade Overview: The 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade is a multi-faceted major command in the Alabama Army National Guard. The 31st CBRN Brigade consists of two chemical battalions (145th and 151st), one of which is responsible for the CBRN Enhanced Response Force Package mission, and one Military Police battalion (203rd), one Engineer battalion (877th), one Signal battalion (115th), one Theater Transportation Opening Element battalion (440th) and the Civil Support Team (46th). With this capability, the 31st CBRN Brigade is postured to support both its wartime mission and defense support to civil authorities mission. Because of the brigade s unique capabilities, it can respond to defense support to civil authorities missions within Alabama and throughout the continental United States. Due to the operational capability of the 31st CBRN Brigade, three units were selected for mobilization in 2017. Sent 280 Soldiers to Romania for Military Police and Engineer support for Operation Resolute Castle. 2101st Transportation Company conducted Operation Bandoleer during August 2016. The operation utilized 135 Soldiers, moving 110 20-foot containers of ammunition over 5,623 miles across the country. The 46th CST conducted three no-notice responses, four standby missions and six multi-agency training missions. The 46th CST continued to partner with and provide support to several agencies throughout Alabama including the FBI weapons of mass destruction coordinators, The Alabama National Guard s 2101 Transportation Company from Demopolis, Alabama, is transporting 30 tons of cargo almost 6,000 miles during Operation Patriot Bandolier, September, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) the FBI SWAT team, the U.S. Coast Guard s Gulf Strike Team, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and multiple county EMAs. The 46th CST worked with local and state agencies to ensure the safety of Alabama citizens including Pelham, Maxwell Air Force Base, and Mobile Fire Departments; Montgomery and Birmingham Fire Department hazardous material teams; the Maxwell Air Force Base emergency management agency; the Montgomery and Mobile Police Departments; Talladega Speedway security personnel; the Tuscaloosa Sheriff s Department; and the Alabama Fire College. 22
Army National Guard Major Command Updates 62nd Troop Command Overview: The 62nd Troop Command has a presence in 15 armories throughout the state. The 62nd Troop Command is comprised of more than 1,700 Soldiers with its subordinate units and has the largest community of combat arms Soldiers in the state: 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry; 1st Battalion, 173rd Infantry; E Co, 173rd Infantry (Long Range Surveillance); and the 151st Army Band. The 62nd has an equipment inventory of $129 million, which includes rolling stock, weapon systems and communication sets. The 62nd Troop Command experienced a good deal of reorganization in 2016. The unit saw the deactivation of the 1-131st Cavalry, and the activation of the 1-173rd Infantry and E Co, 1-173rd Infantry (Airborne) units. These changes resulted in an addition of more than 300 positions. The Geneva armory, when renovations are complete, will house Alabama National Guard Soldiers and the Geneva Regional Workforce Development Center. This partnership will attract local youth joining the workforce and offer trade school training and job opportunities for locals and Alabama National Guard Soldiers. The 1-167 Infantry and 1-173 Infantry are partnered as maneuver battalions for the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Florida National Guard and the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana National Guard, respectively. The 1-173rd participated in a table-top exercise with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, hosted by the city of Enterprise and coordinated with Geneva County officials which validated the plan to ensure continuous defense support to civil authorities coverage with the closure and restationing of units in the area. 122nd Troop Support Command Overview: Headquartered in Selma, the 122nd Troop Support Command is responsible for more than 1,000 Soldiers. Its primary capabilities include passenger and cargo air movement, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and rescue hoist operations. Major ground support equipment consists of wreckers, fueling apparatus, aviation ground power units, generators, cranes, forward repair systems, standard automotive tool sets, portable aircraft maintenance shelters, and various other trucks and trailers. The 122nd s subordinate units consist mainly of aviation assets from Birmingham, Hope Hull, and Mobile, but also include Military Police and public affairs units. The command operates UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and UH-72 Lakota helicopters. 231st Military Police Battalion supported the National Guard s State Partnership Program by deploying 128 Soldiers to Romania. Detachment 1, A Company, 1-114th Aviation Battalion (Security and Support) supported the Alabama National Guard Counter Narcotics program by flying 320 hours in direct partnership support of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Detachment 1, A Company, 1-114th Aviation Battalion (Security and Support) conducted Southwest border support by providing aerial observation and communication to customs and border patrol for Operation Guardian Eye in Tucson, Arizona. B Company, 1-169th General Support Aviation Battalion flew approximately 607 flight hours while conducting training and operational missions in support of the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Sgt. David Houser, E Company (Long Range Surveillance), 1-173rd Infantry Regiment, conducts a static line jump from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden, Alabama, Nov. 5, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) 23 Due to force structure and reorganizations, the 62nd Troop Command will undergo three major armory renovations in Geneva, Calera and Northport. This will reduce the amount of facility maintenance requests, and repair and utility bills. 231st Military Police Battalion participated in the Alabama National Guard annual hurricane exercise. 1-131 Aviation Regiment provided aviation support to multiple federal agencies and U.S. Northern Command during Operation Marble Challenge 2016. 24 An Alabama National Guard, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter refills its Bambi bucket assembly in a pond at Lil Mole Run Golf Course, to provide aerial water delivery, at the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, in support of forest fire suppression efforts in DeKalb County, Alabama, Nov.19, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt William Frye.)
Army National Guard Major Command Updates 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Overview: The 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) conducts mission command of all units assigned, attached, and under its operational control. The unit also provides sustainment planning, guidance, and support to forces in an area of operation. The ESC also conducts mission command of task organized units in support of a state or national response to mitigate the effects of natural and/or man-made disasters. The 135th ESC deployed 59 Soldiers to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to support Warfighter Exercise 16-2 during November 2015. The team played the role of sustainment higher command. This opportunity provided Soldiers with an understanding of how the staff synchronizes sustainment functions to sustain land component forces in preparation for executing the 135th mission command functions as a training audience during Warfighter 17-1. The 135th ESC reorganized during fiscal year 2016, gaining the 877th Engineer Battalion, the 115th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, and retaining the 1200th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. The 135th ESC received notification in early 2016 that it would be deploying for the third time to the U.S. Central Command s area of operation in mid-2017. This deployment follows the 135th s deployment to Kuwait in 2013, and its deployment to Afghanistan in 2009. The 135th ESC, in preparation for the 2017 deployment, reorganized its subordinate units to two other major commands in the Alabama National Guard, the 111th Explosive Ordnance Group and the 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Brigade. A team of officers from the 135th ESC conducted a military-to-military engagement to train on operational logistics for more than 30 logisticians from five other nations (Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Romania). Training included a practical exercise and hands-on training on the use of the logistics estimate worksheet. The 1200th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion returned from its deployment to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt in April 2016, prior to being reassigned to the 111th Explosive Ordnance Group. The 1200th s mission supported the multinational forces and observers in accordance with the Camp David Peace Agreement between Israel and Egypt. 25 142nd Battlefield Surveillance Brigade Overview: The 142nd Battlefield Surveillance Brigade provides command and control of reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence operations in support of a division, corps, or joint task force. When deployed in an operational environment, the brigade focuses on collecting, analyzing and providing actionable intelligence, as far forward as possible. One of the 142nd s subordinate units, Company A, 136 Expeditionary Signal Battalion, demobilized in June 2016 from a deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. During its deployment, A Company, 136th Expeditionary Signal Battalion operated and maintained tactical and strategic communication support to air defense artillery units in support of Operation Spartan Shield, with additional missions supporting U.S. Army Central forces throughout Southwest Asia. The company also provided customer support and established network redundancy to critical Army Central communications infrastructure. The 142nd transferred authority of the 115th Expeditionary Signal Battalion to the 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and the 1-131st Cavalry Squadron and 31st Brigade Support Company to the 62nd Troop Command in April 2016. The 142nd Battlefield Surveillance Brigade deactivated and cased the colors in September 2016. The organizational colors of the 142nd Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, are prepared for casing by Command Sgt. Maj. Jay Stallings (right), the brigade command sergeant major, and Col. Terry L. Grisham (left), the commanding officer of the brigade, at a ceremony to commemorate the deactivation of the brigade at Fort Quarles-Flowers Armory, Decater, Alabama, Sept. 18, 2016. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Shanley.) 26
Army National Guard Major Command Updates 167th Theater Sustainment Command Overview: The 167th Theater Sustainment Command plans and executes operational sustainment of active component forces responding to defense support of civil authorities or homeland defense contingencies in the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility. Assigned to the Army service component command (U.S. Army North), the command participates in multiple annual exercises and coordinates sustainment of contingency operations ranging from complex catastrophes such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires to man-made attacks against the homeland. The 167th Theater Sustainment Command developed an innovative rapid deployment sustainment capability in response to a need identified by Army North. The Theater Logistics Coordination Element (TLCE) concept was tested during Ardent Sentry, a U.S. Northern Command exercise, during which the TSC coordinates sustainment to joint forces of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. The TSC coordinated sustainment operations for the annual homeland defense-focused Vibrant Response exercise and the defense support of civil authorities-focused Ardent Sentry exercise, and supported U.S. Northern Command s Vigilant Shield exercise. The TSC also provided the higher echelon control cell for the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command during a Warfighter exercise conducted at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The 279th Army Field Support Brigade, a TSC subordinate unit, had five Soldiers complete one-year tours on Title 10, active duty orders as part of the ongoing plan to achieve the certification for contracting specialists. Additionally, five more soldiers are currently working one-year tours at four locations in order to complete their certification as contracting specialists. 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Overview: The 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade is a major subordinate command in the Alabama Army National Guard with more than 1,600 Soldiers assigned. The brigade headquarters is located in the historic Fort Whiting, in Mobile, Alabama. Subordinate units of the command are located from Winfield to Dothan, but the majority of units are based in the southwest portion of the state. Soldiers of the 186th Engineer Company install articulated mesh, a sturdy road building material capable of supporting M1A1 Abrams tank traffic, on Route Crimson, Cincu Training Range, Cincu, Romania, July 6, 2016. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye.) The 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducts security area operations, maneuver support operations, and support to consequence management and stability operations in order to ensure the mobility, protection, and freedom of action of the supported force. In addition to its organizational mission, the 226th serves as mission command for a joint task force to provide defense support to civil authorities within the boundaries of an assigned area of operations in order to mitigate and/or alleviate the effects of a natural disaster or a terrorist event. Soldiers of the 167th Theater Sustainment Command fire the M2.50 caliber machine gun at Pelham Range, Alabama, Nov. 14, 2015, as part of the unit s annual weapons familiarization and qualification weekend. (Photo by Maj. Andrew J. Richardson) 27 All 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade units are closely involved with their communities, supporting Alabama communities during times of disaster and during many local events such as parades, honor guards, military honors and other civic events. The 226th forms the nucleus of Task Force Tarpon, a joint task force designed to provide mission command of numerous Alabama National Guard units supporting civil authorities for hurricane relief or other natural or man-made disaster response. In early 2016, the 226th and other brigade units participated in the largest Alabama National Guard hurricane exercise conducted to date, maximizing Task Force Tarpon s preparation for the 2016 hurricane season. 28
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