January 11, 2018

 

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NCNG Apache battalion one of four selected to survive aviation restructuring Fayetteville Observer

A North Carolina helicopter battalion that was in danger of being cut from the Army will survive a military aviation restructuring initiative first announced in 2014. North Carolina National Guard leaders learned Friday the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 130th Aviation Regiment would be one of four AH-64 Apache helicopter battalions to remain in the National Guard. The decision saves the jobs of more than 130 full-time workers, including pilots, mechanics and human resources officials, as well as more than 350 drilling soldiers, according to numbers previously provided by the NCNG. The unit, based at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Morrisville, has an estimated $30 million economic impact within the state. “It is official!,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, the adjutant general of North Carolina who announced the decision via his Facebook page. “The (1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 130th Aviation Regiment) is one of four battalions that will remain in the Army National Guard – proving what we already knew, the Panthers are the best in the Army National Guard!” here…

National Guard responds to blizzard pounding U.S. Reuters 

A powerful blizzard battered the U.S. Northeast on Thursday, knocking out power for tens of thousands of people and snarling travel amid a cold snap that has gripped much of the United States for over a week and killed more than a dozen people. Thousands of flights were canceled, firefighters scrambled to rescue motorists from flooded streets in Boston, National Guard troops were mobilized in the Northeast and New York City’s two main airports halted flights because of whiteout conditions. “Today, I thought Manhattan was going to have the streets cleaned up, but I see not,” said Valentine Williams, who usually operates an electric scooter to deliver food in New York City. The snow forced Williams, 28, to make deliveries on foot. No customers complained that he was slower than usual. “They’re just surprised that I‘m out here,” he added. Officials feared fast-dropping temperatures after the storm passed would turn snow on roadways to ice. Ahead of that threat, snow plows and salt trucks were dispatched along streets and highways, and schools were closed through much of the region. In Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh said schools would remain closed on Friday. Blizzard warnings were in effect along the East Coast from North Carolina to Maine. The U.S. National Weather Service measured wind gusts of more than 70 miles per hour (113 kph), which downed power lines. Almost 80,000 homes and businesses in the Northeast and Southeast, where the storm struck on Wednesday, were without power. Read More…

Camper Rescued from Linville Gorge Go Blue Ridge
A man was rescued while camping in the Linville Gorge Saturday. Mountain rescue teams, local rescuers and an aircrew from the NC Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team (NC HART) worked together early this morning to rescue a camper in Linville Gorge who was suffering heart problems. The 59-year old man had been winter camping with a party along the Pinch-In trail, near the river at the bottom of Linville Gorge when he began experiencing chest pains. The campers called 911 and local rescuers and two Mountain Rescue Teams responded to assist. Rescue teams hiked in, reached the campers in the gorge and provided first aid and advanced life support. Facing a carry out of several hours over icy trails, the rescue teams called for NC HART to assist with a helicopter evacuation. A North Carolina National Guard UH-60 aircrew and three rescue technicians from the Charlotte Fire Department lifted off from Salisbury and arrived on the scene around 4:30 a.m. They hoisted the man to safety, along with paramedics who were treating him, delivered him to an EMS vehicle and he was transported to a local hospital. Read More…

NCNG Brig. Gen. Byrd retires after 36 years Fayetteville Observer
A North Carolina National Guard general officer marked the end of a 36-year Army career during a ceremony last month in Raleigh. The NCNG honored Brig. Gen. John Byrd, a Spring Hope resident with ties to Fort Bragg, during a celebration at the Joint Force Headquarters on Dec. 14. Byrd last served as assistant adjutant general for domestic operations in the state Guard. He was principal advisor to the Guard’s top officer, Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, during state emergencies like hurricanes and civil disturbances. Read More…

NGAUS: Guard Apache Battalions Need Six More Aircraft PR Newswire
Retired Brig. Gen. Roy Robinson, the NGAUS president, issued the following statement after the recent release of the Army basing decision for the four AH-64 Apache attack-helicopter battalions to remain in the Army National Guard. The battalions will be in North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah with a battalion split between Texas and Mississippi:

“The recent announcement that the Army will retain four AH-64 Apache attack-helicopter battalions of 18 aircraft each in the Army National Guard follows to the letter the recommendation of the National Commission on the Future of Army.

“Unfortunately, that recommendation was made two years ago—in a very different environment…” Read More…

January — Today in Guard History National Guard 

1942 San Francisco, CA – “Combat Team X” sails for Singapore aboard the transport steamer President Coolidge. It is made up of ten North American 0-47 aircraft with crews drawn from several mobilized Guard observation squadrons. With the impending fall of Singapore to the Japanese the Team was diverted to Australia where for a brief period it flew antisubmarine patrols. Each plane carried two depth charges though they spotted no enemy boats. By summer the Team was broken up and its men were reassigned to other Army Air Corps units in theater.
Read More…

57th Annual NCNGA Convention and NCNG Combined Ball Registration is NOW OPEN NCNGA 

Our North Carolina National Guard Association and Convention Committee are proud to announce that this year’s 57th Annual Convention will be hosted at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, NC between March 17-18. Asheville is one of our States top destinations with wonderful scenery, amazing attractions and great food and shopping. It has been a number of years since we have been to Asheville and the mountains, so we are happy to bring it back by popular demand. With the great accommodations and amenities at the resort, we believe this year will surpass previous years’ attendance. This year we are also collaborating with the NCNG and hosting the Combined Event/Ball. We encourage you to book early to reserve your room. Again, this year we will host our Membership Session on a Saturday and Sunday timeframe to minimize conflicts with those on a typical Monday-Friday work schedule and maximize attendance. Our goal this year is to offer a Kid’s Night Out (includes dinner) coordinated by Family Services during our Saturday Evening Event. With so many young families and retirees with grandchildren, we thought this addition would be great for everyone. Our intent is to make it a very enjoyable time for the kids with games, fun and movies to keep them entertained. We are currently wrapping up items like our agenda, entertainment and Convention theme. Once we have these locked in, we will post it on our Facebook page, Weekly Guardsman online newsletter, and on our website. You can signup for these resources on our homepage. We appreciate your support and encourage you to take full advantage of our Early Bird prices. Register Now…