News For Your Views
Results Of Investigation Of The F-16 Mishap At The
Warren Grove Range
Released
LANGLEY
AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -
Air Force officials determined that the cause of the forest
fire on the Warren Grove
Range
on May 15 was pilot error, committed when an F-16 pilot
deployed countermeasure flares at an altitude that allowed
the flares to contact the range while still burning.
Maj.
Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw, president of the Air Combat Command
Accident Investigation Board established to investigate
the Air National Guard F-16 training mishap that resulted
in the forest fire at the training range, released his
findings at a press conference on Thursday, July 26.
The
investigation team discovered that during a basic surface
attack training mission, two F-16C pilots, assigned to
the 177th Fighter Wing, conducted an unscheduled "show
of force" maneuver.
While
executing the show of force maneuver, the wingman pilot
deployed multiple countermeasure flares below the WGR
minimum release altitude of 500 feet.
At the time of the flare release, the pilot was
unaware that the environmental conditions on the range
prohibited the use of flares on the range.
The aircraft's flares contacted the ground while
still burning, causing several fires.
One of these fires spread rapidly beyond the boundary
of the WGR due to extreme environmental factors.
The
AIB results have been presented and briefed by Maj. Gen.
Titshaw to residents of homes destroyed by the fire and
to New Jersey
Congressional members and state officials.
The report has also been forwarded to The Adjutant
General of New Jersey and to the commander of the 177th
Fighter Wing.
Questions
regarding the AIB findings should be directed to the ACC
Public Affairs office at (757) 764-5007 or e-mail accpa.operations@langley.af.mil. To download the report's executive summary,
statement of facts and statement of opinion, visit: http://www.acc.af.mil/aibreports/.
Engineers head from Jersey Shore to Belize
By
Kryn P. Westhoven, NJDMAVA/PA
For
members of the Army Guard's 110th Engineers Utilities
Detachment (EUD) based in Tuckerton, their annual training
might have sounded like a government funded vacation.
Their two-weeks in Belize
was certainly exotic, but was far from a vacation as one
could get.
In
just two months one of New
Jersey's newest units sent 27
Soldiers in two rotations to support Operation Tradewinds-Belize
to provide build-up, operational and carry-on engineer
support for the annual multinational exercise.
It
was the New Jersey's mission to make the training facilities
better in the coastal nation south of Mexico for the participating
military forces from Antigua-Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados,
Bermuda, Canada, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana,
Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad-Tobago and United Kingdom, to
name a few.
The
training to combat transnational threats, in counter drug
operations and conducting a disaster response was coordinated
by Marine Forces South and U.S. Army Southern Command.
Participation
in the Operation Tradewinds was a first for the unit which
features a cross section of engineering skills such as
carpenters, plumbers, electricians and heavy equipment
operators. The remote annual training provided an opportunity
to build unit cohesion and practice newly acquired engineer
skills. "A lot of guys got a chance to show what they
can do as well as learn from the experts in the unit,"
said Sgt. 1st Class Donald Brandinelli, 110th EUD NCOIC.
The
engineers used their two Bobcats and assorted power or
hand tools to make the military home improvements in weather
that makes the hot, humid days on the Jersey Shore easy to take. "It was brutal, no
breeze just dead air,' added Brandinelli.
Besides
the stifling environment the engineers had to deal with
an existing infrastructure that was quite antiquated.
"Years of wiring and rewiring, and transition
from the European to American Voltage standard made the
utilities part of the project especially challenging,"
noted Brandinelli as he talked about the electrical work
on the former British colony. The varied projects kept
the electrical section busy with several crews in multiple
buildings.
"But
as far as a pure physical challenge; the construction
of the tent city on nearby Hattieville range took the
cake," explained Brandinelli.
The
tent city was built from the ground up and included 24
barracks, an Ammo Supply Point (ASP), medical, and a pair
of dining facility tents complete with platforms, tables
and electrical lighting. The power generation was provided
by an on-site generator and the electrical distribution
network was custom built and buried during the tent city
phase of the project which was completed in just five
days.
Follow
on support for the operation included earthmoving operations,
furniture construction, plumbing repairs, logistical support
and construction of an emergency barracks to quarantine
a group of visiting military that developed cases of chicken
pox.
"The
guys out here really gave their all and impressed me with
just how far they were willing to go to accomplish the
project within the allotted time," said Capt. George Fedorczyk,
110th EUD commander.
Despite
the difficult working conditions, and the challenges presented
by both a tight deadline and shifting project requirements,
the 110th EUD showed determination and skill in accomplishing
the mission for this Caribbean nation of 300,000 people.
For Your Calendar
Traveling Vietnam
Wall in Long Branch July 26-29
The
city of Long Branch will host the
traveling Vietnam Wall, "The Wall that Heals," July 26-29. During the opening
ceremony, retired Col. Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner
for NJDMAVA will be one of the speakers.
The
Wall that Heals has been traveling around America,
Canada
and Ireland for
more than 10 years. Along
with the ½ scale replica of the monument in Washington,
D.C., a traveling
museum and information center completes the exhibit.
The museum reports the history of the Vietnam War
Era and the interesting healing powers of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial. The information center gives visitors the
opportunity to learn about friends and loved ones lost
in the war.
The
"Wall" is open 24 hours a day during its stay.
Pre-retirement
seminars slated for AGR, technicians
From
the desk of Lorraine Jamison, Human Resource Development
Specialist
HRO
is sponsoring two retirement seminars on Fort
Dix
at the JT2DC in August. The
technician pre-retirement planning seminar is Aug.
21-22. The AGR pre-retirement planning seminar is
scheduled for Aug. 23.
These
seminars are important step in planning for your future. For more information, call Lorraine Jamison
at 609-562-0874 or e-mail lorraine.jamison@us.army.mil.
Celebrate
Labor Day at Jenkinson's on the Boardwalk
Jenkinson's
on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, N.J., is hosting a
New Jersey National Guard Appreciation Day on Sept.
3, at Jenkinson's Pier, open only to N.J. National
Guard personnel (with IDs) and their immediate family.
Details will follow in a future issue.
Honorable Mention
Pay
news for state employees
Salary
increases (effective July 7, 2007) for Executive Branch
employees in CWA, AFSCME, IFPTE, and non- aligned employees
in units V,W, and Y are reflected in this paycheck.
Clothing Allowances for eligible employees in the
Executive Branch in CWA, AFSCME, and IFPTE are also included
in this paycheck.
Salary
increases for eligible employees in the Judicial Branch
are reflected in this paycheck.
Effective
July 7, Executive Branch employees covered under labor
agreements with the CWA, AFSCME, and IFPTE, and employees
not covered by a labor agreement, are required to contribute
1.5 percent of their annual base salary for health and/or
prescription drug coverage under the State Health Benefits
Program. Employees
affected by this agreement will see the new deduction
beginning with this paycheck.
Also
effective July 7 - for all members of the PERS and TPAF
retirement systems employed by the Executive and Legislative
Branch of State Government, the pension deduction will
increase from 5.0 to 5.5 percent of compensation. Employees affected by this change will see
the increased deduction beginning with this paycheck.
New
TSP account numbers being issued to make accounts more
secure
From
the office of J1-HRO
Be
on the lookout in late fall for a mailing from the Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP) with your new TSP account number.
This account number will replace your Social Security
number as your primary ID for your TSP account.
You will need to use your account number when filling
in TSP forms. You
will use it with your TSP password when entering the Account
Access section of the TSP Web site.
You will use it with your TSP Personal Identification
Number (PIN) to gain access to your account through the
ThriftLine. If you send the TSP loan payments from your
own funds, you will need to include your account number
on the loan coupon that accompanies your check or provide
it to your on-line bill-paying service if you have one.
Substituting this randomly selected account number
for your Social Security number will make your TSP transactions
more secure. We
at the TSP are doing all we can to protect the security
of your personal information.
The rest is up to you.
Be careful about giving out your account number,
and don't write it down where it can be seen by others
who should not have access to it.
Pilot
bonus program for Army to aid recruiting effort; reward
helpers
From
the desk of Cyndi McCoy, NJARNG Recruiting, Marketing
Representative
Every
Soldier a Recruiter (ESAR) is a pilot referral bonus program
of the Active, Reserve and National Guard components of
the Army that provides select Soldiers and retired members
of the U.S. Army the opportunity to assist with recruiting
efforts and rewards those efforts with referral bonuses
up to $2,000. For more information, contact NJARNG Marketing
Representative Cyndi McCoy at 609-672-6308.
Chance
to earn extra money for Guard members through G-RAP
From
the desk of Cyndi McCoy, NJARNG Recruiting, Marketing
Representative
Sign
up today and earn up to $2,000 for each new recruit who
enlists into the National Guard and reports to basic training.
The
Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) is a contracted
program designed for individuals who voluntarily apply
to become eligible to serve as a part-time Recruiting
Assistant (RA).
G-RAP
is available to Traditional Guard members and National
Guard retirees. This opportunity is open to both Army and
Air Guard members. For
more information, contact Cyndi McCoy at 609-672-6308,
NJARNG Marketing Representative.
Discounts
offered for State employees
Are
you a state employee looking to save a few $$$?
Visit
www.state.nj.us/personnel/discounts/index.htm and you can find a number of businesses who
offer discounts to New
Jersey state employees.
From amusement parks to fitness to computer to
phones and lots of other discounts between, you will find
many ways to save money. For more information, please
contact Cindy Leese at cindy.leese@njdmava.state.nj.us
or call 609-530-7056.
Retirement Dinners
Farewell dinner for Command Chief
Ortu of 108th ARW
Come say your goodbyes to Command
Chief Master Sgt. Joe Ortu of the 108th Air Refueling
Wing on Aug. 4, at the Community Center, McGuire Air Force Base. Cocktail
hour with a cash bar begins at 5 p.m. and the spaghetti
buffet will begin serving at 6 p.m.
Cost for the dinner is $15 per person
for E-5 and below and civilians; $20 for E-6 and above.
"Uniform" for the evening is civilian casual.
Members of the 108th ARW can sign
up with their duty section Chief Master Sgt., others can
RSVP by calling 609-754-3683 or e-mail 108ARWCCE@njmcgu.ang.af.mil.
For the Families
Military Family Day at Six Flags
on Aug. 27
Bring the family to Family Appreciation
Day at Six Flags, Great Adventure, Jackson, on Aug.
27. The park
opens at 10:30 a.m. and the discounted tickets cost $20
per person, children under 3 have free admittance.
Parking will cost $15 per car.
Tickets include all the rides and the safari. Tickets
can be purchased at JFHQ', Family Program's Office (see
Marie or Amanda) or at any Family
Assistance Center.
For further information, please contact the Family Program
Office at marie.durling@nj.ngb.army.mil or amanda.balas@us.army.mil. This is a one-day ticket only, not
a season pass. This offer is available to all New
Jersey National Guard soldiers, airmen and DMAVA
State
and Federal civilian employees.
Job assistance for military spouses,
retirees, injured military
From the desk of retired Command
Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Re/Max in conjunction with the US
Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Initiative
launched Operation Re/Max in 2006 to help mentor interested
military members and their family members in a career
in real estate. Interested military spouses, retirees
and injured soldiers can obtain detailed Operation Re/Max
information at http://www.remax.com/inside_remax/become_an_agent/new_to_
real_estate/index.aspx or contact operation
remax@remax.net or 1-800-826-7720.
Youth trip to Camp
May
zoo, lighthouse on Aug. 23
Family Programs is conducting a youth
trip to Cape May zoo and lighthouse on Aug. 23 for youths, ages 8-15. Cost
is $5 per child for the T-shirts
The Family Programs staff is renting
a charter bus for the day and taking 35 children and 10
staff members as chaperones. There will be two pick-up and drop-off points
- Fort
Dix Reserve
Center
on Route 68 at 7:15 a.m./5:15 p.m. and the Hammonton Armory
at 8:30 a.m./4:30 p.m.
Reservations can be made by calling
Amanda Balas, State Youth Coordinator, at 609-562-0742
or by e-mail at Amanda.balas@us.army.mil. They will
be taken on a first come, first serve basis and children
of deployed service members have
priority.
Deployed Military Spouses Assistance
Program Award
The Deployed Military Spouses Assistance
Program provides direct assistance and referrals to existing
programs for spouses of deployed military personnel (active
duty, reserve and National Guard) who face unusual financial
and emotional stress as a result of the deployments.
Applicants should contact Fawn
Mutschler at 609-543-6200 ext. 325 or wocmilitarygrant@ymca-bc.org
to obtain an application. In addition to the completed
application form, applicants will also need to submit
the following documentation: LES/paystub for applicant
and spouse; statement of Financial Need (i.e. reason for
applying and how the grant will help); bill or pricing
of expenditure as well as any other supporting information
the applicant feels may be helpful. Additional information
can be found at: www.state.nj.us/dca/dow/depmilspouseasst.shtml
Family Readiness Council offers Tier
I and II grants
The New Jersey National Guard State
Family Readiness Council has expanded its Family Grants
Program to include an additional grant. There are
now two levels of Family Grants; TIER I is the $2,500
grant that has been in place for the past couple of years.
The TIER II opens family grants to New Jersey Army and
Air National Guard non-deployed service members who were
on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes,
floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive
days. Service members meeting these criteria are
eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up to
$1,500. Applications are available at all New Jersey
Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers.
Sports and Entertainment
Camden
County
Veterans Night at the Riversharks, July 30
On Monday, July 30, the Camden Riversharks,
together with the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs,
will present Camden County Veterans Night, as the Riversharks
play the Atlantic League's Road Warriors at Campbell's
Field.
The game begins at 7:05 p.m. and
the Veterans Night pre-game ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.
The two different discounted offers
for the Veterans Night game are:
Advanced sale order: Two tickets
plus two hot dogs and two sodas for $10.
To receive this rate, you must purchase your tickets
by noon, July 26 and mention the promotional code: CCVETS.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office, call
1-866-SHARKS9 or order online at www.riversharks.com.
Day of game: $10 per ticket with
$5 of each ticket going to the Military Support Group
of NJ and PA.
Baseball, food and supporting the
Fisher House Foundation
Come watch the Lakewood Blue Claws
play baseball, eat lots of hot dogs and hamburgers and
support the Fisher House Foundation all at the same time.
On Aug.
6, The Fort Monmouth chapter of the Association of
the United States Army is sponsoring a "Night at the Baseball
Park"
to salute disabled service members and their families.
For the cost of $20 for adults or $15 for children, you
can get all you can get all you can eat hot dogs and hamburgers.
Sponsors at various levels are also needed. To
make payment, reservations or for sponsorship, contact
Kit Roache at 732-380-9500 or kit.roace@gdc4s.com.
Proceeds from the night are being
donated to the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House
Foundation supports America's military
in their time of need; the Foundation provides "a
home away from home" that enables family members
to be close to a loved one (military member) at the most
stressful time -- during hospitalization for an illness,
disease or injury.
Military golfers have chance to win
$10,000
Hey all you military golfers - here
is a contest for you! On August
11, at Greely Field, Fort
Monmouth, at 1 p.m., the 2007 Military
Long Drive Championship is being held.
Take your best shot and you could win $10,000. You can win an all-expense paid trip, luxury
hotel, premier golf outings and play in a pro-am event
in Mesquite, Nevada.
For rules and information, or to
register, call 732-532-8404 or visit www.armymwrgolf.com.
Veterans Appreciation Day with the
Trenton Thunder, August 25
Go to Waterfront
Park in Trenton on August 25 for the Veterans Appreciation Day. The game starts at 7 p.m. and will be between
the Trenton Thunder and the Binghamton Mets. Stay for the postgame fireworks.
Tickets will cost $10 each and a
portion of the ticket sales will support troops serving
in the Middle East and
their families.
The evening is sponsored by the Mercer
County Veterans Council and the New Jersey State Elks
Association.
For more information and to purchase
tickets, call:
Col. Norman Matthews at 609-838-0354,
John Tymash at 609-499-3339, James Hall at 609-610-2240,
Cus Dalik at 732-295-8370 or retired Brig. Gen. Robert
Dutko at 609-273-1004.
Trenton Vets Center, Trenton Thunder offer "cheap" seats
The Trenton
Vet Center
with support from our community partner, Trenton Thunder
Baseball, will sponsor baseball tickets at a special rate
for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard, separated,
and retired veterans. A regular $10 season ticket will be offered at $7 for veterans and family
members. The primary purpose of the program is to
allow veterans and their families an opportunity to experience
Trenton Thunder baseball due to their service and sacrifice
for our country. If you have questions, call Matt Petima, director
of ticket operations for the Trenton Thunder at 609-394-3300,
ext 1200 or the ticket box office at 609-394-3300.
Proof
of Veteran Status: Interested veterans
must have a picture I.D. and provide proof of their veteran
status by showing one of the following documents:
Military I.D.
card; Federal Department of Veteran Affairs medical I.D.
card; DD Form 214.
Here's to the Heroes provides a
single day's free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch
Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water
Country USA for the service member and as many as three
direct dependents.
Any active duty, active reserve,
ready reserve service member or Guard member is entitled
to free admission under the program. He or she need only
register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance
plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of
Defense photo ID.
Scholarship, Education News
Scholarships for OIF/OEF veterans
The Horatio Alger Association of
Distinguished Americans is offering scholarships to combat
veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. It offers a scholarship
of up to $1,250 per year for person pursuing a BA/BS degree.
You must have an honorable service record and a 2.0 GPA.
The deadline for applying is September
28, 2007. Contact: www.horatioalger.org.
Free SAT/ACT Offer Extended
A group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL,
and CFL football players have announced they are extending
their sponsorship of the SAT/ACT training to all military
families.
The sponsorship allows any military
person (active, Guard, reserve, or retired) to request
as many programs as they need for the students in their
lives. There is a secure website to confirm a person's
military status before directing the user to the software
order site. Logon
to::
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_0?current_id=20.20.100.30.0.0.0.0.0
Programs are shipped to domestic
U.S. addresses and APO
addresses. The
sponsorship covers the purchase price of $199 and the
family pays only the shipping and handling of $9.95.
American Legion offers scholarships,
booklet on their Web site
The American Legion has scholarship
information on their Web site - www.legion.org
- including the 152-page booklet, Need
a Lift, which is a complete financial aid reference
guide for veterans, veterans' dependents and members of
the American Legion family. When you get on the site, click on "Scholarship
Information" in the "Useful Links" block.
Association News
NGANJ group life insurance available
to members
Are you covered by the NGANJ Group
Life Insurance Program?
As a member of either the Officers or the Enlisted
Association, you are entitled to enroll in your Association
Life Insurance Program.
This special program provides from $5,000 to $50,000
of Life Insurance for you, "round the clock".
Premiums range from as little as $2 per month and
may be payroll-deducted from your drill check.
Family coverage is also available at low rates
designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army and
Air National Guard. Think
of it!! No aviation exclusions...No hazardous duty
restrictions...No war clauses.No checks to write.
Dependent coverage includes spouses and all children. Information can be obtained by contacting
retired CWO Jack Petrosilli at 609-530-6843, or retired
Brig. Gen. Robert S. Dutko Sr. at 609-273-1004. Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling
retired Col. Frank L. Carlone, Program Coordinator at
732-249-8335.
Enlisted Association of the National
Guard of New Jersey
Give our state a larger voice by
becoming a member of the Enlisted Association.
The increased numbers will help us speak on all
legislative issues that will benefit you and your families.
The association works hard for you at the Federal &
State level on all important issues. Visit the web site
EANG-NJ.org, click on Become a Member for the application and find out more about what
the association does.
Enlisted Association Convention of
NGNJ slated for Oct. 5-7
The
34th annual conference of the Enlisted Association Convention
of the National Guard of New Jersey will be held at the
Radisson Hotel, Valley Forge, Penn.,
Oct. 5-7.
Proceeds
from this weekend event are spent directly on our membership. It is a nice feeling to know that for every
50/50 ticket and Chinese Auction ticket you buy helps
fund the scholarship program, allows junior enlisted to
attend the National Conference and supports legislative
actions for benefits and so much more.
Friday
night features "The American Game Show Challenge," which
is a series of fun trivia contests and physical challenges.
Saturday
is back to business for a bit, with a business meeting
and elections for the executive counsel.
The new Junior Enlisted Team is sponsoring the
Chinese Auction. Local attractions are abundant; register for
trips to Valley Forge and/or Longwood
Gardens. Saturday Night wraps up our conference with
our customary formal Military Ball.
There
are several package plans to fit your particular needs. If you have any questions, call retired Sgt.
Maj. Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or e-mail at jcptfalc@aol.com
or Co-Chairman retired Sgt. Maj. Edward Goetschius at
609-965-1972 or e-mail at esgtmaj@comcast.net. Visit the association's web site at www.eang-nj.org/conference_2007.pdf for additional information, updates and applications.
NGANJ's calendar for members in 2007
The National Guard Association
of New Jersey will be conducting the following event.
All members (active and retirees) are encouraged
to participate:
§
National
Guard Association of the United
States (NGAUS) 129th Conference - this conference will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico
from August 25-27,
2007. The New
Jersey delegation will be staying
at the Caribe Hilton (15 minutes from airport).
Our hotel is located on the beach, has a great
pool for the family and is located close to the convention
center (10 minutes). We
have reserved 30 rooms on a first come, first gets basis. Additional information and registration forms
will be coming out shortly.
If you are interested, please contact Capt. Jose
Maldonado.
§
NGANJ
Website - The above information is posted on the NGANJ
website. If you
need copies of the forms, specific contacts or additional
information, please go to the website at:
www.nganj.org.
Veterans Information
DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign
continues
The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign
continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout
New Jersey. The schedule is as follows:
August
8, 9, 10 |
Newport
Centre Mall |
September
12, 13*, 14 |
Livingston
Mall |
October
2, 3, 4 |
Deptford
Mall |
October
30*, 31, November 1 |
Brunswick
Square Mall |
November
27, 28, 29 |
Quaker
Bridge Mall |
*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30
a.m. on these dates.
The kiosk will be open from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m., July-Sept.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oct.
and Nov.
N.J. Vietnam
Veterans Memorial
N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and
Vietnam Era
Educational Center's
upcoming events:
=================
Free guided tours of the Memorial are offered on the first
Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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