Headquarters,
New Jersey Air National Guard | The 108th Air Refueling
Wing
204th Weather Flight | Detachment 1,
Warren Grove Range | 177th Fighter Wing
Headquarters, New Jersey Air National Guard
The
role of the New Jersey Air National Guard (NJANG), a critical component
of the Total Force team, continues to evolve. As NJANG units assume their
Air Expeditionary Force roles, they must train and retain their personnel
in order to ensure they remain an effective fighting force, ready for
any contingency.
NJANG volunteers serve on NJNG Domestic Preparedness Response teams that are trained to react on short notice to a wide range of incidents. Their goal is to protect our citizenry from the threats of modern terrorism.
The NJANG has approximately 2,500 military personnel and 100 Federal and state civilian employees. These dedicated individuals are assigned to the Headquarters, NJANG, Fort Dix, and its subordinate units, the 108th Air Refueling Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and the 177th Fighter Wing, Atlantic City International Airport, Egg Harbor. Throughout the Garden State, the Air Guard works closely with its NJARNG and New Jersey Office of Emergency Management counterparts to support state missions and emergencies.
Members of the NJANG welcomed their new commander, Maj. Gen. Richard (Craig) Cosgrave, on May 1 as Maj. Gen. James McIntosh retired after more than four decades of military service. Maj. Gen. Cosgrave has personnel strength as his number one priority. In order to improve the NJANG’s recruiting and retention rates, he instituted a number of initiatives. Among them, the Commander’s Diversity Commission was created. Former and current members of the NJANG were challenged to review the NJANG’s military equal opportunity and social actions programs’ effectiveness in support of a culture of diversity and an improved racial climate.
The National Guard Bureau (NGB) has declared the year 2000 as “The Year of the Family.” Maj. Gen. Cosgrave assigned Retired Chief Master Sgt. Richard Newell as coordinator to enhance the NJANG’s Family Support Program. The coordinator ensures that the programs meet the needs of unit members and their families.
The NJANG continued to refine and redefine its five-year Strategic Plan linking it with the NGB’s Strategic Plan. This plan establishes a firm foundation for the future of the organization. The plan addresses goals for five key management areas: mission, people, basing, training and force structure. Additionally, the HQNJANG staff was reorganized creating a new Plans and Programming directorate charged with overseeing all like functions.
In its commitment to have its Guardmembers be a lean, mobile and trained mission-ready militia force, HQNJANG continued to revise its 14-goal, 29-objective State Action Plan for Diversity. HQNJANG’s diversity objective is to continue creating an environment where every member of the NJANG can achieve his or her goals, earning merit through one’s work . When the active duty force at McGuire Air Force Base could no longer provide Equal Opportunity 2000 training to the 108th ARW, HQ personnel stepped in, ensuring that more than 300 Wing personnel completed their training. HQNJANG also had the distinction of having Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Burton selected as the ANG Human Resource Advisor of the Year for her contributions which directly impacted state mission human resources objectives.
In the personnel arena, HQNJANG provided continued support and guidance to the two flying Wings. Members of the HQ Director of Personnel (DP) implemented the first-ever Exceptional Promotion Program for traditional Guardmembers aspiring to the top two enlisted grades. They also developed and implemented a new Deserving Airman Promotion Policy for the NJANG. This policy encourages promoting deserving airmen, particularly in hard to promote areas such as security forces and maintenance, thus ensuring improved morale and retention. Both Wings use a new Officer and Enlisted Promotion Recommendation Form, developed by HQ DP personnel.
DP also assisted the 108th during the Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up (PSRC) while the Staff Judge Advocate supported provision of legal services to deploying Guardmembers mobilized during hostilities in Kosovo. The State Air Surgeon (SAS) was instrumental in obtaining certification for authority to waive certain medical conditions, improving turnaround time to units. The SAS also guided the dissemination of accurate information to the wings about the anthrax vaccine.
The NJANG Heritage Center prepared to move into its new home at McGuire Air Force Base. Led by retired Brig. Gen. Robert Dutko, a group of volunteers established the NJANG Heritage Center in order to preserve the history of the NJANG and to tell its story.
Volunteers of all ranks and ages, including past and present NJANG members, took on the task of cataloging artifacts, photographs and other keepsakes as the Heritage Center prepares to open its doors in 2000.
The HQNJANG enters the new millennium with a continued commitment to its state and Federal missions and to its people. HQNJANG, along with its units, will continue to develop and implement initiatives to ensure that the men and women of the NJANG have the leadership, training and equipment to remain an effective fighting force in an ever-changing world.
The 108 Air Refueling Wing (ARW) saw the close of the 20th Century with a highly successful, very intensive year – a year of unparalleled results. Major operational missions, including Operation Northern Watch in January; Operation Allied Force, March – May; and the Presidential Selective Reserve Call-Up (PSRC) at the end of May dominated the personnel and operations tempo challenges.
The 108th’s ability to support the State of New Jersey was validated during the Hurricane Floyd relief operations in September. Facilities, infrastructure, as well as recruiting and retention issues rounded out the year’s challenges.
The 108th continues its “tip of the spear” leadership role by providing world class air refueling support to units and nations around the globe. The wing deployed to numerous locations: Incirlik Air Base, Turkey for Operation Northern Watch and Operation Allied Force; Geilenkirchen, Germany for NATO support; Al Jaber, Kuwait for Operation Guarded Skies, Istress Air Base, France for Operation Deliberate Forge; Riyadh, Eskan Air Base and Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch; Sembach Air Base, Germany and Aviano Air Base, Italy for Operation Joint Forge; Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea for Foal Eagle Exercise, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. for a joint Air Force exercise; and, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas for Prime Beef training.
The wing expanded its record level pace of operations around the globe. Among them, PHOENIX MOAT, DELIBERATE GUARD, and a myriad of other refueling and airlift missions in addition to meeting its contingency taskings. The 108th served as a force multiplier in these operations bolstering this country’s efforts to stabilize potentially dangerous regional conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. The wing refueled USAF receivers and aircraft belonging to our NATO allies, successfully offloading in excess of two million pounds of jet fuel on missions around the world.
The 108th participated in the following critical missions in addition to its normal training operations:
USAF “Flag” exercises in support of sister Air National Guard units requiring air refueling training.
Business Effort missions to bolster USAF receiver training requirements.
More than seventy airlift missions in support of Air Mobility Command and the Air National Guard throughout the United States and the globe. Many of these airlift missions also included air refueling of strategic airlift resources around the world.
The President of the United States has the authority to call members National Guard and Reserves to active duty to support operational or contingency missions. Operation Allied Force received its first Reserve and Air National Guard participants on April 27. The 108th was activated on May 21 and received its deployment order on May 28. The wing was tasked to deploy 14 aircraft and approximately 420 personnel. The 108th Advanced Operational Element (ADVON) team departed McGuire AFB with 42 members on June 1.
Just as wing’s jets were about to leave McGuire, the 108th deployment schedule was placed on a 24- hour slip; the delay continued for five days. The demands of the United Nations had been met. The ADVON returned on June 24. By June 25, 99 percent of the 420 108th Guardspeople had been deactivated.
The NJANG provides expert advice to, and coordinates support for the Burlington County Assistance Team. This support to the local community was developed and headed by Maj. Paul Novello of the 108th Support Group. The strong relationship developed with the county facilitated our ability to provide needed support during Hurricane Floyd. Wing personnel helped staff the Burlington County Emergency Operations Center throughout the emergency. The unit transshipped potable water, provided onsite transportation, emergency lighting, and Chaplain services. Through their efforts, the 108th has become a benchmark for community support Crisis Action Teams (CAT) teams throughout the Guard.
The 108th Crisis Action Team provided similar support to the Burlington County Emergency Operations Center during the Y2K transition. The resulting changeover from 1999 to the year 2000 was seamless.
The annual Veterans Standdown provided food services and medical support support to our state’s homeless veterans. Clothing donated by members of the unit and the community were also distributed.
The 108th provided the Air National Guard contingent for the Governor’s Annual Military Review held on the New Jersey National Guard Military Academy’s parade grounds, Sea Girt. The wing assisted with the planning and implementation of the review. This yearly event is open to the general public and is the showcase for the NJNG. Unit organizations provide people and static displays pertinent to their mission. A 108th KC-135E Aircraft Refueling Boom was the highlight of the exhibits.
The 108th continues to support the state’s Drug Interdiction program. Two members of the 108th Services Flight are assigned as full-time staff to the effort.
The wing’s Medical Squadron participated in a mass casualty exercise with the 305th Air Mobility Wing and Ft. Dix emergency services personnel.
In 1999, 108th Civil Engineering continued its outstanding construction project management. The wing’s goal is to replace or modernize the many aged and obsolete facilities with functional, energy efficient, and aesthetically complementary buildings. Civil Engineering completed the following projects:
Aircraft Parking Apron expansion, and Fuel Systems Maintenance Hangar to support the consolidation of all KC-135 aircraft on the west side of McGuire Air Force Base.
A new Composite Squadron Operations complex to support expanded missions and new organizational structures.
A new Composite Range Operations Facility at Warren Grove.
The Base Master Plan is 35 percent completed. The plan is part of the on-going development and improvement of the installation. The master plan insures an orderly development process and is intended to provide guidance regarding future installation needs and facility siting.
These include constructing a medical training facility. After relocation of medical training functions into the new building, building 18-18 will be returned to McGuire AFB.
Construction of a base civil engineering complex within the central installation area on a site across from the wing headquarters. The new complex will allow for demolition of Buildings 33-03, 33-05, 33-06, 33-12, 33-15, and 33-75.
Building a new security police operations facility north of the new squadron operations, Building 33-90. Building 33-32 and 33-52 would be demolished.
Construction of a second aircraft maintenance hanger and AGE facility on the flightline to the north of building 33-36. After the completion of this project, Building 18-11 will be returned to McGuire Air Force Base, and Building 33-22 will be demolished.
One of the many challenges faced by the 108th ARW is the ability of the Wing’s Logistics Group to meet the high maintenance demands placed on the fleet of 21 KC-135 aircraft. The Group safely generated over 430 flying hours in excess of the Wing’s 5200- hour program. The unit met 100% of its external tasking and at the same time provided sufficient aircraft to permit wing aircrew to complete 100% of their in-flight training requirements. In addition to the high maintenance pace, the wing continued its accident free record - an achievement unparalleled in the Air National Guard or the active Air Force.
A key goal of the 108th is Community Awareness. With that comes Recruiting and Retention. Recruiting and Retention directly affects unit strength. To accomplish these objectives Unit Strength Teams were established to augment Recruiting. Additionally, Unit Retention Managers continue to be the conduit for the commander to maintain morale and manage their strength.
The impact the 108th has on defense is conveyed at the variouscommunity events the wing hosts. The following are annual wing activities: Wing Career Day, local community holiday parades and events, air shows, high school visits, visits to Cooper Children’s Hospital and Vineland Veterans Home, competing in (and winning) national sports events, Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Boss Lifts, and orientation flights to our community leaders. These efforts are also part of the wing’s annual marketing plan.
The 108th ‘s Honor Guard was called upon to participate in numerous events. Expert professionalism leant dignity to community holiday parades, retirement ceremonies, dedications, funerals and dignitary cordons, and distinguished visitor escort duties. This distinguished group represented the people of New Jersey well. Their contributions and outstanding professionalism were recognized by many organizations including the Air Mobility Warfare Center.
The 108th continues to strive for excellence in every mission and takes pride in all it does. The wing has “cut the ribbon” across the road to success, greatly improving the quality of life for all of its members and bringing the organization into to the 21st century. In every aspect of this year’s performance, the 108th Air.
The
mission of the 204th Weather Flight, as part of Air Combat Command, is
to provide tailored weather support to both Army ground forces and the
state of New Jersey.
Since the Air Force’s inception half a century ago, the Air Force has maintained responsibility for providing weather support. The 204th Weather Flight is capable of operating in both an Army tactical and Air Force/Army fixed station environment. Weather products provided by the 204th fall into three broad categories: weather observations (what is happening now), weather forecasts (what will happen) and weather briefings/presentations.
Today, the 204th’s primary customer’s are the 27th Enhanced Readiness Brigade of the New York Army National Guard and the US Army at Fort Drum, New York. Since weather observations and forecasts prepared by the 204th can be disseminated through all Department of Defense channels, the total customer spectrum actually includes civilian, U.S., and allied military forces.
The 204th supports NJANG recruitment efforts through 108th’sCareer Day ’99. In addition to participating in recruiting efforts, the flight conducts weather forecasting and observation demonstrations to local high schools and local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. This resulted in each Scout receiving their meteorology merit badges after visiting and working with 204th Weather Flight members.
Detachment 1, Warren Grove Range
Detachment 1, of the 108th Air Refueling Wing, located at Warren Grove Gunnery Range, continued its outstanding management of its operations in eastern Burlington County. During 1999, 2,973 fighters, helicopters, and tactical airlift aircraft either bombed, strafed, fired rockets, or air dropped training cargo on the many targets located throughout the expanse of 9,416 acres of southern Jersey Pinelands.
This year marks an increase of over 350 sorties flown to this unique range. Further, this expansion represents the 4th consecutive year of increased flight activity.
Warren Grove Range has responsibility for military VR route 1709 through maintaining controlling and scheduling. The range sustains a drop-zone for C-130 customers based in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Increasing the level of viability for military training and operation the range constructed two additional landing zones, USTER and SLIGO, for medical evacuation and US Army Tactical Training.
The range also continued its outstanding public relations role for the NJNG and the United States military with over 3000 members of the public viewing flight training throughout the year. Visitors included: Boy and Girl Scouts of America troops, local school groups, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol units, college ROTC and high school Junior ROTC, New Jersey Challenge Youth Program participants, residents of DMAVA’s New Jersey Veteran Homes, NJNG Summer Youth Camp participants, and friends, families, and NJNG members.
Det 1 has hosted a variety of fire fighting organizations. Ocean County Prosecutor’s Arson Investigation and fire departments of local communities in the Pinelands region are most frequent visitors. Periodic class instruction for high volume fire well and wildland fires was conducted throughout the year. Also, there were four permanent range boundary gates established for emergency response support agencies constructed in strategic locations around the range.
Warren Grove Range continued its comprehensive environmental plan in cooperation with the Pinelands Commission and Environmental Protection Agency. Since the range is located in the heart of the New Jersey Pinelands, two controlled burns were performing totaling 1200 acres. These burns were conducted with the assistance and cooperation of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The 177th Fighter Wing (FW), NJANG, is a “community-based” force located at the Atlantic City International Airport. Known as the “Jersey Devils,” the wing’s federal mission is to provide combat ready personnel, aircraft and equipment for worldwide deployment in support of United States Air Force objectives. The wing’s state mission is to protect life and property, provide disaster relief, and ensure public safety when called upon by the governor. The wing’s community role is to participate in events that add value to the community.
From 1973 through 1998, the 177th was responsible for the maintaining the sovereignty of U.S. airspace from Long Island, New York, to the Virginia capes. This responsibility required 24 hour/7 days a week coverage from wing pilots, maintenance crews, security forces, fire fighters, and command and control personnel.
Throughout the 25-year period, the wing maintained a minimum of two fully armed fighter aircraft and aircrews on “alert” status under the operational control of the North America Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). These fighter aircraft, referred to as “alert birds,” would launch in response to “scramble” orders from NORAD’s North East Air Defense Sector control center. Their mission was to locate the unknown aircraft, identify it, determine its intentions, and, if the situation required it, stop it from penetrating US airspace.
Over the years, 177th pilots scrambled and intercepted numerous unknown aircraft in U.S. airspace including Soviet TU-95 Bear bombers; suspected drug trafficking aircraft, and lost civilian aircraft. Now the 177th Fighter Wing is about to write a new chapter in its storied 70 year history — the conversion from the air-sovereignty/air defense mission to the general purpose F-16 mission.
Col.
Gary A. Corbett, the Wing Commander, summed up the challenges ahead, “We
will add an air-to-ground mission capability, load new munitions and be
ready to mobilize for worldwide deployment in support of United States
Air Force objectives.” The general-purpose fighter role will be crucial
to the Air Force’s Expeditionary Air Force (EAF) concept. The EAF
will rely upon the formation of newly created Air Expeditionary Forces
that will be comprised of a mix of aircraft and personnel. Individual
Air Expeditionary Forces will rotate to various theaters of operation
to perform a variety ongoing Air Force missions (such as Operations Southern
Watch and Northern Watch).
As the wing entered 1999, the general-purpose conversion was on track. Two pilots completed conversion training and the 177th FW sent additional pilots and a substantial maintenance support team to Tucson, Ariz., for training. The 177th is learning the skills and requirements needed to be worldwide deployable.
1999 was designated the Year of the Enlisted Force. During that period, the wing introduced several initiatives and programs including contract quarters; mentoring program; certificates of appointment for new Non Commissioned Officers (NCO); and a special awards display.
All this change comes down to two things for 177th: new equipment and training – lots and lots of training. The 177th Fighter Wing is in the midst of a two-year training cycle that includes highly specialized technical training for pilots and aircraft maintenance crews as well additional combat readiness training for the rest of the wing. All unit members will be fully trained for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare. This will have a big impact on the 177th Logistics Squadron. “We are going from maintaining 600 to close to 4,000 mobility bags with the mission change,” noted Chief Master Sgt. James Leopardi, Supply Superintendent. These bags contain everything from cold and warm weather uniforms to chemical gear.
Exercises and deployments for 1999 included: mission conversion training in Tucson, Ariz.; Medical Squadron training, at Langley Air Force Base, Va.; Security Forces support at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.; readiness training for Civil Engineering and Services Flight personnel at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.; a NORAD exercise on the East coast; water survival training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla.; and several exercises at home station.
In all, the 177th had a very successful year in training personnel on skills that they need for its new mission. The next step is to transition from Air Force Specialty Code specific training to training on the skills that will enable the unit to deploy effectively as a team.
In addition to the increased training schedule, the wing will see the addition of some new functions. A new shop for maintaining the electronic countermeasure pods has been created. These pods, which are attached to the belly of the F-16C Fighting Falcon, will ensure aircraft survivability in a combat theater by generating signals that will confuse surface- and air-to-air missiles. The wing’s F-16s are now capable of carrying a variety of new weapons. These include everything from 500 to 1,000-pound bombs, as well as smart and cluster bombs.
Accordingly, there will be changes in the physical size of the wing. Some areas will gain more people; others will have people moved to fill new duties. In addition, some squadrons will gain additional roles.
These are just a few of the challenges along the road toward becoming a general purpose unit. These are exciting, as well intensive times for the wing. Based upon past experience, the wing will be as just as successful in this new era of combat as it was during the Cold War.
Members of the 177th continue to actively support a host of state mission areas including emergency management, fire fighting, explosive ordnance disposal, county assistance team staffing, emergency communications, and Weapons of Mass Destruction training and response.
The Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) Fire Department is responsible for 24-hour crash, fire, and rescue services for the Atlantic City International Airport and its tenants in conjunction with the South Jersey Transportation Authority. In addition, the Fire Department maintains an extensive Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) response capability that can be tasked. Of the 998 calls that the fire department responded to during 1999: 48 were aircraft incidents, 115 were medical responses, 76 were structural fires/incidents, 15 were HAZMAT responses and 16 were mutual aid responses.
The CES participates in airfield mutual support to include snow removal operations on the airfield and surrounding county roads. The 177th Civil Engineering Fire Department and Readiness Office are actively involved in providing no cost, extensive training to local emergency response personnel; they recently conducted a crash extraction class for the Atlantic County Fire Academy.
Throughout 1999, wing personnel were actively involved with supporting all aspects of the DMAVA Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Twenty members of the wing provided support for Hurricane Floyd recovery operations with command and control personnel, provided Spanish language translators to support the American Red Cross shelters in Bound Brook, and maintained portable light carts for areas without power.
During 1999, the wing continued to serve as the primary National Guard liaison to the State Office of Emergency Management for Atlantic County. Unit members staff the NJNG’s County Assistance Team (CAT) - Atlantic County. The CAT supports the Atlantic County Emergency Management Office by providing military support advice and guidance to the County Emergency Management Coordinator. CAT personnel were activated during Hurricane Floyd recovery operations and the Y2K rollover period.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was very active throughout the year supporting local law enforcement. As one of only 10 EOD teams in the Air National Guard, 177th EOD specialists remain on-call to respond to “live ordnance” and “improvised explosive device” calls. The EOD team serves Atlantic, Cape May, Gloucester, and Ocean Counties and also provides training sessions to local law enforcement agencies and offices.
The Civil Engineering Readiness Office continues to be involved in the state’s effort to provide Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and HAZMAT awareness training as well as Domestic Emergency Action planning. In September, the 177th participated in a WMD exercise on the Atlantic City International Airport. During 1999, the Readiness Office conducted WMD First Responder awareness training for 20 state emergency management officials.
The 177th supported 53 community events this year, which included food and toy drives, scouting events, D.A.R.E. days and the Police Athletic League. They also had 61 tours with a total of 1,225 people, the wing’s Honor Guard supported 31 events, 11 speakers were provided for patriotic events and the unit performed 12 multiple ship flyovers.
The wing remains strongly committed to mentoring youth through the sponsorship of a Civil Air Patrol Squadron and assisting Junior ROTC programs. The unit also hosted its third annual Boy Scouts of America Invitational Camporee and sponsored a Walk-a-Day Girl Scout event.
The 177th won the Air National Guard’s National Environmental Policy Act Award for Team Excellence. The wing was a winner of the Flight Safety Award. This award was in recognition of completing the fiscal year without a command-controlled Class A or B flight mishap.
The 177th successfully completed another Environmental Compliance Assessment Management Program inspection conducted by NGB. The purpose of the inspection is to assess compliance the quality environment programs at the base level. The unit has consistently been among the leaders in both compliance and quality in the entire ANG.
The wing conducted an initial Response Phase I mobility exercise, which exercise evaluated the wing recall procedures and initial response mobility capabilities. The new EAF structure demands that units be on ready standby. Within a year, the unit is due to participate in its first rotation as part of an Air Expeditionary Force.
In summary, 1999 was another highly productive year for the men and women of the 177th Fighter Wing.
Headquarters,
New Jersey Air National Guard | The 108th Air Refueling
Wing
204th Weather Flight | Detachment 1,
Warren Grove Range | 177th Fighter Wing