By Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, 177FW/PA

"In the top 10 percent of ANG units."

That was how lead inspector and Team Chief Dick McCoy of the National Guard Bureau described the 177th Fighter Wing in the final assessment of the Environmental, Safety, Occupational Health, Compliance Assessment and Management Program (ESOHCAMP) inspection.  The inspection is performed every three years.

“Out of 98 units they inspect (during the inspection cycle), we were among the top nine,” observed 177th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Randall S. King.

This makes the third separate inspection the Wing has gone through in less than a month and passed with flying colors.  The Wing recently completed a Unit Compliance Inspection on March 31 and Health Services Inspection on March 30.

During the inspection McCoy noted that the "Inspectors were impressed by the level of cooperation in the shops."

The inspection began on April 14 and ended with a briefing to the Wing leadership on April 17.  During that time the team of 11 inspectors inspected the following specific Wing programs: Environmental,  Ground Safety, Occupational Health, Weapons Safety, Flying Safety, and the Environmental Management System, and finally inspection of various Wing activities including the Warren Grove Range.

In the final report and briefing McCoy cited Capt. Rich DeFeo, who runs the 177th Environmental Management Office, for running "a great environmental program!"

ESOHCAMP inspections are designed to assist wings in complying with Federal, State, Local and Air Force and Air National Guard regulations, assure commanders their programs are effective, provide data for programming, and budgeting Environmental, Health, and Safety (ESOH) programs and lastly, provide training to enhance installation ESOH capabilities.  In addition, the inspection assures the Air National Guard and installation commander that their ESOH programs are effectively addressing problems that could significantly degrade the environment, adversely affect the health and safety of employees, or expose the Air National Guard and its people to avoidable financial liabilities as a result of noncompliance with requirements.

With statements such as "strong program” and “well prepared" the 177th Fighter Wing is definitely on the right track.

Today is the last day to register for Summerfest ’08 – the DMAVA picnic.  It will be held Friday, May 2, next to the HSCOE following the Town Hall meeting.  Cost is $10 which includes a raffle ticket for a grill.

Casual attire is acceptable for all in attendance. See your local representative to sign up

The Town Hall meeting will be held at 11 a.m. and is mandatory.  If personnel chose not to attend the picnic, it will be a full and normal workday at their duty station.

ý DMAVA – Karen Wallace, Dawn Baulo, and Tina Taylor

ý Fort Dix – Marie Durling, Barbara Alcott and Drew Faucett

ý HSCOE – Kevin Hearn

By Paul Wityk, ChalleNGe social studies instructor

On Sunday, April 20, cadets from the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy teamed up with volunteers from the Forked River Mountain Coalition to help with their Annual Pine Barrens Clean-up.  The cadets cleaned up more than five miles of dirt access roads that crisscross Ocean County.  With the help of two front end loaders, the cadets filled two large dumpsters with everything from sofas and mattresses to tires and everything in-between.  Kerry, the event organizer, commented that the cadets far exceeded his expectations and that the Forked River Mountain Coalition would be very pleased to have the cadets help them again. Thank you cadets for all of your hard work!

Okay all you motorcycle riders out there – here’s a way to support of the men and women who defend our freedom everyday and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, Burlington County Military Affairs Committee and Barb's Harley-Davidson (barbshd.com) have organized the second annual Armed Forces Freedom Ride - Sunday, May 18. 

Participants of the ride will meet at Barb's Harley-Davidson, West Collingswood Heights, at 8:30 a.m. Departing at 10 a.m., the procession lead by police escort and Army Hummers will ride through historic, downtown Mt. Holly, and proceed to McGuire Air Force Base where all riders will have the opportunity to ride down the flight line of one of the runways.  Don't miss this opportunity to virtually ride under the wings of Boeing C-17 transport planes.  Due to security restrictions pictures will not be permitted.  The ride will conclude at Fort Dix Military Base in Burlington County.  Arriving at the base, participants will receive a complimentary BBQ chicken lunch and enjoy a variety of activities including live music, motorcycle vendors, The Crescent Shrine Motorcycle Patrol Drill Team Show and much, more....

All participants MUST pre-register by May 16, in order to take part in the ride.  The first 200 riders will receive a free t-shirt and all riders will receive an event pin.  Registration is open to anyone wishing to show their support, $30.00/per person (passengers additional) and must be paid at the time of registration.  Proceeds benefit the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation and Burlington County Military Affairs Committee.  Active military personnel ride free and must present valid ID.  Participants can register in-person at Barb's Harley-Davidson or print a registration form and submit it by mail.  Go to www.barbshd.com for registration slip and more information.

From the desk of Marie Durling, Family Programs Specialist

A fisherman from Brigantine brainstormed an idea on taking soldiers/airmen out fishing at no charge and has expanded to other retirees to do the same.

This offer is for Soldiers and Airmen only (does not include spouses or children).  If you are interested, please go the website www.bassbarn.com click on message board, then off shore fishing forum and then click on the first link at the top "Take a Soldier Fishing" (it has 5 stars next to it).

You can then review the offers being made, select one and contact them to set up your fishing trip.  They may ask to see your ID when you arrive. 

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2008 - The Department of Defense announced today that campaign stars are authorized for wear on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) and Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM).  

The campaign stars recognize a service member's participation in DoD designated campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.  

Service members, who have qualified for the ACM or ICM, may display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each designated campaign phase in which they participated.  The stars will be worn on the suspension and campaign ribbon of the campaign medal.

The three campaign phases and associated dates established for the ACM are:

(1)    Liberation of Afghanistan – Sep. 11, 2001 to Nov. 30, 2001.

(2)    Consolidation I – Dec. 1, 2001 to Sep. 30, 2006.

(3)    Consolidation II – Oct. 1, 2006 to a date to be determined.

The four campaign phases and associated dates established for the ICM are:

(1)    Liberation of Iraq – March 19, 2003 to May 1, 2003.

(2)    Transition of Iraq – May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004.

(3)    Iraqi Governance – June 29, 2004 to Dec. 15, 2005.

(4)    National Resolution – Dec. 16, 2005 to a date to be determined.

Service members should contact their respective Military Departments for specific implementation guidance.

Join fellow motorcycle riders for a 100 mile police-escorted ride on Sunday, May 18. The ride will start at 11 a.m. at Legends Harley, 1895 U.S. Highway 46, Ledgewood, NJ.  It will return to Legends and riders will find food and entertainment to enjoy. Proceeds of this event benefit the Family Readiness Group of Company B 50th Brigade Support Battalion.

Pre-registration must be postmarked by May 16; make checks payable and mail to B Co. Readiness Group, PO Box 511, Augusta NJ 07822, or drop it off at Legends Harley Davidson by May 16.

Cost is $20 for riders and $15 for passengers.

Visit www.legendsharley.com for more information.

Sample some of the finest micro and craft brew beers available in the world while benefitting the Family Readiness Groups of the 112th Battalion, Morristown and B Company, 50th Support Battalion, Dover at the New Jersey Loves Beer Festival on May 10 at the Morristown Armory, 430 Western Avenue, Morristown.  Sponsored by WDHA, 105.5FM, WMTR 1250 AM and The Ale Street News, admission is $40 to one of the two sessions.  Session I is noon to 4 p.m. and Session II is 6-10 p.m.

Here is an opportunity for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to get scholarship money for college.  The Fund for Veterans’ Education will award up to $3.5 million in scholarship money this year.

You can read more about the scholarship program and how to apply at www.veteransfund.org. The application postmark deadline is June 15, 2008, so send in your application as soon as possible.

Col. Barry Johnson, formerly of the 117th Fighter Wing, 108th Air Refueling Wing, Headquarters New Jersey Air National Guard and National Guard Bureau is having a retirement dinner following a round of golf at the Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, Cologne, on June 20.

Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. and the buffet dinner starts at 6 p.m. There will be a cash bar.  Cost is $40 per person. Attire is sport casual.

RSVP no later than June 13 to

Maj. Yvonne Mays, 609-645-6206, Yvonne.mays@njatla.ang.af.mil

or Connie Cisek, 609-562-0901, connie.cisek@njmcgu.ang.af.mil

Come play a round of golf with Col. Barry Johnson and check up on his plans for retirement.  Golfing will take place at the Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, 550 West Country Club Drive, Cologne on June 20.  Tee time is 10 a.m. and the cost is $80 per person and includes cart and golf fees.

RSVP no later than June 13 to

Maj. Yvonne Mays, 609-645-6206, Yvonne.mays@ njatla.ang.af.mil

or Connie Cisek, 609-562-0901, connie.cisek@njmcgu.ang.af.mil.

From the desk of Joseph K. Dunleavy, NJDMAVA Environmental Office

Recycling is mandatory in New Jersey and this department should be a leader for all state agencies and for those that visit our building each day. There has been some confusion with our recycling program in the past, but fortunately this is about to change.

The key to a successful recycling program is that the participants follow directions and separate their recyclables from the trash properly.  Below is a list of items that must be recycled.  New recycling opportunities may be added in the future and this page will be updated accordingly.

If you have any questions regarding the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s recycling program, please contact Mr. Joe Dunleavy at (609) 530-7134 or contact the DEP_Recycling Program in the Bureau of Recycling and Planning. 

Bottles & Cans

What is recycled?

• ·                Glass containers
• ·                Steel cans
• ·                Aluminum Cans
• ·                Plastic bottles numbered with #1 & #2 (BOTTLES ONLY)

How do I recycle it?

You do NOT need to rinse the containers, but please empty all liquids from bottles and discard the caps or lids. Recycle these containers in the buckets labeled for bottles and cans.

What is prohibited?

• ·                No plastic bags;
• ·                No trash;
• ·                No plastic containers labeled with #3-7 (yogurt containers, for example);
• ·                No plastic bottle caps;
• ·                No plastic or foil wrap or serving trays.

Empty bottles and cans only!

Cardboard

What is recycled?  Cardboard boxes from shipments and supplies.

How do I recycle it?

Break down boxes and place them near the copier locations or place them on the loading dock in the containers. Please be mindful of other people’s space and safety. Do not block hallways.

What is prohibited?

• ·                Pizza Boxes;
• ·                Other paper material that should be recycled separately in the paper-recycling bin.

Paper

What is recycled?

Office paper, newspaper, magazines. Also included are manilla & kraft paper envelopes and folders, paper ream wrappers, post it notes, window envelopes, cereal box board (chip board) etc. As a reminder, shredded paper is also acceptable!

How do I recycle it?

We do NOT need to separate paper types from each other any longer. New signs for recycling bins are on display. All acceptable paper types can be placed in any paper-recycling container together. The goal is to remove as much paper from our waste stream as possible! The State gets paid for this material!

What is prohibited?

• ·                Paper contaminated with food or liquids (paper plates, paper cups, napkins, pizza boxes, cake boxes, juice boxes, milk cartons, paper towels, tissues, etc.);
• ·                Corrugated cardboard boxes;
• ·                Carbon Copy Paper;
• ·                Blueprint Paper;
• ·                Bubble lined envelopes;
• ·                Food or other trash

Styrofoam Packing Peanuts

What is recycled?

Styrofoam packing peanuts.

How do I recycle it?

There is a plastic tote in the mailroom. Place ONLY Styrofoam peanuts directly in the tote and make sure the lid is closed.

What is prohibited?

• ·                Plastic bags,
• ·                Rigid Styrofoam packing material,
• ·                Paper, plastic, aluminum, or any other recyclables,
• ·                Food or other trash

Toner & Printer Cartridges

What is recycled?

Any empty cartridges should be recycled, not thrown in the trash.

How do I recycle it?

Currently when a cartridge is depleted, a new one will be obtained from the State Supply room.  Bring your old cartridge to supply and the box that the new cartridge come in will be used to return your old cartridge.  Small cartridges must be placed in prepaid mailers that are on hand for your use.

What is prohibited?

Cartridges not specifically identified as recyclable

By Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, 177FW/PA

Editor’s note: Holocaust Remembrance Day and the Days of Remembrance memorialize all who died in the Holocaust.  This year marks the 70th Anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Bach, Beethoven and Brahms; Goethe, Nietzsche and Hegel; Friedrich, Kandinsky and Marc.

Hitler, Himmler and Goebbels.

Jarring isn’t it.  The country that produced some of the greatest composers, philosophers and artists also gave the world the “Final Solution” – the Holocaust – concentration camps and killing squads – an entire apparatus developed for the single purpose of “efficiently” murdering entire races of people.

When people think of the Holocaust, they think of the more than six million Jews killed in the concentration camps.  Yet there were other victims of Nazi aggression, which can be divided into three groups: racial, political and “undesirables”.  The racial group was comprised of Jews, Poles, Soviet Slavs and POWs, Roma (Gypsies) and non-Europeans (Africans and some Asians).  Those that fell under the political criteria included political prisoners, leftists, trade unionists, Freemasons and enemy nationals.  The last group – “undesirables” is a catch-all group that included: the handicapped and mentally ill, German homosexuals, Catholic clergy, Confessing Church members, (a German Christian resistance movement), Jehovah's Witnesses, prostitutes, vagrants, alcoholics, drug addicts and common criminals.  In the broadest definition, including Russian civilian deaths, researchers estimate that more than 17 million people were killed by the Nazis.

Yet the Holocaust did not spring into existence overnight.

It began in 1933 when the Nazi government enacted a series of laws restricting the rights of German Jews to earn a living, enjoy full citizenship and to education.  By 1935, the Nazis had enacted 48 additional laws – the most abhorrent were the “Nuremberg Laws” created 'for the protection of German blood and honour' (by) prohibiting Jews from being citizens of the Reich and forbidding marriage between "those of German or related blood" and Jews, Roma (Gypsies), blacks, or their offspring.

In the ensuing years, the situation deteriorated and by 1938, the situation had gotten to the breaking point.  In October, 12,000 Polish-born Jews were given one night to pack one suitcase and were expelled from Germany.  As they left, neighbors and Nazi party members broke into their homes to steal the remaining possessions.  Sent to the Polish border, 4,000 were given entry, the rest, remained in a deportee limbo at the border.

Herschel Grynszpan, the son of one of the deported couples, was living in Paris at the time.  On Nov. 3, he received a postcard his sister asking for help.  The next day, he read about the deportations in a newspaper.  On Nov. 6, Grynszpan bought a revolver and the following day went to the German embassy in Paris and "in the name of 12,000 persecuted Jews," shot the Secretary of Legation, Ernst vom Rath, fatally wounding him.  Grynszpan was arrested, and remanded to the Gestapo where he vanished without a trace.

Following vom Rath’s death two days later, an orchestrated orgy of anti-Jewish violence – called a pogrom – broke out throughout Germany.

The pogrom, called Kristallnacht (it is also referred to as Reichskristallnacht, Reichspogromnacht, Crystal Night and the Night of the Broken Glass), had begun and would last from Nov. 9-10.

Thirty-six Jews were killed (some researchers have this figure at 91); 30,000 more were deported to Buchenwald, Dachau, and Sachsenhausen concentration camps, where hundreds died within weeks of arrival; 267 synagogues were burned and more than 7,000 Jewish shops, businesses and homes were vandalized and ransacked.  The prisoners were released only after they agreed to transfer their property to "Aryans" and leave Germany.

State authorities made no attempt to contain the rioting.  In fact, Reinhard Heydrich, the head of the office which oversaw the Gestapo (Geheimes Staatspolizei-Amt or GeStaPA, which translates as Secret State Police Office), police and SD (Sicherheitsdienst was the intelligence service of the SS) sent a secret telegram on Nov. 10 to "all head quarters and stations of the State Police; all districts and sub-districts of the SD " with the following admonition: "The demonstrations are not to be prevented by the police".

While a number of world governments condemned the Nazis, no economic and military action was taken against them.  This led the Nazi government to two conclusions: the first was that whatever they wanted to do to the Jews, it had to be done secretly.  The second and more far-reaching conclusion was that nobody would stop them.

Kristallnacht foreshadowed the "Final Solution."

Writer’s note: The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Wikipedia were sources for this article.

Hailing from Washington, D.C., the United States Air Force's premier jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, will be performing a free concert at Bergenfield High School on Monday evening, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. The group has been critically acclaimed by jazz legends such as Randy Brecker, Clark Terry and Slide Hampton and is considered to be among the finest touring "big bands" in the world today.  Their appearance at Bergenfield High School will be one of only two stops in New Jersey on their northeastern U.S. tour.

Tickets can be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Airmen of Note Tickets

P. O. Box 204

Bergenfield, NJ 07621

For more information, call 201-385-3251 or e-mail music@bergenfield.org. The high school is located at 80 South Prospect Ave., Bergenfield.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 28 of Union County is presenting a Purple Heart Memorial to be dedicated in the Township of Springfield on Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m.  The Township will be hosting the dedication ceremony at Veterans Park located at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Shunpike Road.  Refreshments will be served at the firehouse afterwards.  In case of rain, the ceremony will be in the municipal building courtroom.  All members of the public, especially present and former military personnel and recipients of the Purple Heart are welcome.  For additional information regarding the dedication ceremony, contact Springfield Committeeman Ziad Andrew Shehady at 862-206-2309.

May is designated APAH month—a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the US.  The celebration was first designated via congressional bill on June of 1977, and on 5 October 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the first 10 days of May to commemorate the celebration. To honor this month the Asian Pacific American Heritage committee of McGuire Air Force Base will be holding their annual Luau at the McGuire All Ranks Club on May 10, 5-9 p.m.  The buffet dinner and show will be $22 for adults, children 6-10 will be $10.50. (5 and under are free) Please call Master Sgt. Ferdinand Bautista 108th Air Refueling Wing, 609-754-2044 for reservations/tickets or email felicitas.shuler@mcguire.af.mil.

From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist

Great Adventure Military Appreciation Day will be on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17.  There will be meal vouchers for $9.50 each which can be used at six of the food vendors in the park.  Tickets will be available for Great Adventure on April 15 in the State Family Programs Office.  Tickets are good for the Theme Park and the Safari.  The price of each ticket is $20.

The Foundation for the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey invites everyone to support the First Annual Gala which will benefit the museum and its mission.

The Lawrenceville Armory is the setting for the gala on May 17.  Tickets cost $75 per person.  Military personnel will pay $50 for their tickets. Tables of 10 cost $750 and include special recognition at the event.  RSVP for the event has been extended to April 15.

Other ways to support the gala include –

ý Become an advertiser or booster sponsor in the gala’s souvenir commemorative ad journal

ý Donate a gift or service that can be auctioned off during their Silent Auction or Live Auction during the event.

If you would like to purchase tickets, place an ad in the journal or have an item for the auctions, contact Bob Dennin at denninr@oponline.net or retired Col. Donald Kale at the Lawrenceville museum, 609-530-6802.

All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the museum. Your support of the event will help the museum to continue to tell the story of the military history in New Jersey, and the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.

From the desk of Paul Serdiuk, DMAVA Human Resources Division

The Human Resources Division is offering a number of free seminars presented by the Human Recourse Training Section.  Reservations are needed for each seminar; contact Paul Serdiuk at 609-530-6878 or at paul.serdiuk@njdmava.state.nj.us. All seminars will be held in Conference Room A at DMAVA Central Office. All are welcomed.

May 7: State Deferred Compensation – Mike McConnell from Prudential Financial will meet with State employees to discuss their participation and contributions to their deferred compensation account. A 30 minute consultation will be scheduled per each employee.

May 15: Preventing Identity Theft – A representative from the Department of Banking and Insurance will present a one hour overview on what you can do to prevent identity theft and what to do if you should become a victim of identity theft.

June 12: Automobile Insurance – We all have it, are required to have it, but do we really know what it is about? A representative from the Department of Banking and Insurance will present a one hour overview on what you need to know about automobile insurance in New Jersey, decipher many of the terms and jargon of your policies and give an overview of what a policy should include in it to protect you.

Sep. 17: State Deferred Compensation – Mike McConnell from Prudential Financial will meet with State employees to discuss their participation and contributions to their deferred compensation account. A 30 minute consultation will be scheduled per each employee.

The Regional Training Site-Maintenance provides maintenance and logistics education under The Total Army School System. The RTSM is a subordinate unit to the 254th Regiment RTI. It utilizes automated and current force modernization equipment systems to support Active, Reserve and National Guard soldiers. As a fully accredited schoolhouse it offers military occupational skill classification, additional skill identifiers, sustainment and transition training.  Its charge is to provide instruction to non-commissioned officers under the non-commissioned officer education system.  The mission supports the enabling of Armed Forces Components to mobilize for wartime mission requirements. The overall unit mission helps to support the "Warrior" during the current operational environment and undertake critical missions to win the fight.

Schoolhouse:  Regional Training Site-Maintenance

Location of training: Building 3601, Technology Drive, Fort Dix, N.J.

School Code: 967

Unit Phone: 609-562-0566/0568

RTSM (NJ) Team Home Site:   https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/468201   (Army Knowledge Online (AKO) password required)

 

v 091-ASIH8 (63B)  Wheeled - 2 weeks - 80 hour course:

The course helps students to safely and correctly use/operate wheeled vehicle recovery systems and equipment.  Instruction on specialized rigging and recovery wheeled vehicle techniques is given throughout the course.  Students conduct towing and winching of wheel vehicles to include self-recovery. A mini-field training exercise is part of the course.  Note: E5s and below receive an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) of H8.  E6 and above receive a Certificate of Training and cannot be awarded the H8 ASI.  The student must possess a current Civilian and Military Driver's License.

 

v 131-F13 Small Group Inst