TAG Holiday Message

From The Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard, Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton

Dear Members and Employees of the Utah National Guard:

Pick any Christmas from the past, and the headlines of the day will include stories of strife, heartache, contention, disappointment, anguish, uncertainty, and likely even some bad weather. But in spite of the
challenges, there are also times of incredible joy spent with family and friends as we reflect on the things that we are truly thankful for.

This is a season for rededication of our hearts, our minds and our hands. This is a season where the real news is the Good News, and the most important weather report is the one that speaks to what is inside you: a positive attitude and a hope for the future.

During this holiday season I ask that you reflect upon the relationships and positive experiences within your families and your lives. There is good in every relationship, and the holiday season is a time to mark all the good in your lives. This is a time of year to magnify four of the key pillars in the comprehensive Soldier fitness program: emotional, social, family, and spiritual. Take the time to approach everything in a positive manner, develop trusted relationships, build your families, and strengthen your set of beliefs.

As a Servicemember in the Utah National Guard, your well-being is of the utmost importance to me and the Utah National Guard leadership. It pains me when I hear of our Servicemembers' tragedies and times of sorrow, and I am excited to hear of successes and positive experiences. I want you to know that I and the leadership appreciate how you and your families contribute to the success of the Utah National Guard team.

Also remember that safety never takes a holiday. I urge all of you to take a few extra minutes to thoroughly think through your holiday plans and use sound risk management when traveling and participating in winter activities. Focus on stress management, winter driving, winter sports, responsible drinking, and preventing complacency. All of us have a responsibility to ensure a safe holiday for ourselves, our families, and our fellow Servicemembers by being alert to safety risks, both on and off-duty.

Whether you are deployed or serving here at home, your dedication and sacrifice are profoundly appreciated. Happy holidays to you and your families. Travel and celebrate with care, and remember that safety never takes a holiday.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

JEFFERSON S. BURTON
Major General
The Adjutant General

German President Honors Utah Guard Aviators in Afghanistan

Story by Heath Druzin

Orignially published in Stars and Stripes

Click here for more photos of the event (scroll down).

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan — The president of Germany presented two American aviation units the country’s highest honor Wednesday, for their “heroic deeds” in support of German forces.

President Joachim Gauck visited this northern Afghan city to laud the aviators of task forces Ready and Pirate, who provide medical flights, close air support and transport flights throughout northern Afghanistan, where most of the 4,600 German troops in Afghanistan are based.

“On many occasions you put yourselves in harm’s way for one reason: to save the lives of German soldiers,” Gauck said during a ceremony at Camp Marmal.

Lt. Col. Greg Hartvigsen, commander of the Utah Guard's 1-211th Aviation, left, holds his unit colors
as German President Joachim Gauck, right, places his country's streamer on the Battalion flag Dec. 19.

Gauck, who also visited with German troops with his domestic partner, Daniela Schadt, and attended a ceremony at a memorial for fallen coalition soldiers, presented the American aviators with the Fahnenband, the highest German honor that can be given to a military unit. The German role in the war has been a highly contentious issue for Germans, many of whom are uncomfortable with their troops in a combat role.

Much of Task Force Ready is made up of aviators from 5th Battalion, 158th General Support Aviation Battalion, based in Katterbach, Germany, who are used to working with their German counterparts, said U.S. Army Maj. Eric Hanes, the task force’s executive officer.

“We train with German soldiers in Germany, we’ve built that relationship early, so when we’re stationed together as a coalition unit in Afghanistan, it’s seamless,” he said.

The lead unit for Task Force Pirate is the 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, from the Utah National Guard.

Northern Afghanistan has avoided much of the bloodshed of southern and eastern Afghanistan, but some formerly quiet areas have seen major attacks recently, including a suicide attack on a mosque in the capital of Faryab province at the end of October that killed more than 40 people. There have also been a number of supply trucks targeted by insurgents in the north, which includes a vital overland route used by NATO to get supplies in and out through Tajikistan.

While the bulk of the ground forces in northern Afghanistan are German, the U.S. has been providing nearly all of the air support, but with the recent delivery of the Tiger attack helicopter to the German military, the Germans may be taking on a more active aviation role. Hanes said with American troop withdrawals expected to pick up, it will be important for other coalition nations to take on more responsibility.

“The writing is on the wall that forces are drawing down, and going forward it’s going to be more critical to partner with other nations,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Adam Robinson Promoted to Colonel

By Lt. Col. Hank McIntire

Click here for photos and here for the audio of the ceremony.

DRAPER, Utah — Lieutenant Col. Adam L. Robinson, Utah Army National Guard, was promoted to colonel Dec. 17 at a ceremony at the Utah Guard’s Draper headquarters.

Robinson, of Heber, grew up in Richfield, Utah. He currently serves as full-time Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, for the Utah Army National Guard.

Prior to the pinning ceremony, Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, congratulated Robinson on this signal accomplishment and gave him his marching orders.

“Adam is a guy who cares for people, and this is what this business is all about,” Burton said to those assembled. “When we promote people, it’s not for what they’ve done; it’s for what they are going to do—so eat your Wheaties, Adam.”

Dressed in his blue Army Service Uniform, Robinson asked his wife Danette to do the honors in changing his oak-leafed, lieutenant colonel epaulets to ones one with an eagle with outstretched wings, the insignia for colonel.


Colonel Adam Robinson (left) receives his new rank insignia from his wife Danette
at his promotion ceremony Dec. 17. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Hank McIntire.

In remarks following his pinning, Robinson thanked his children and extended family and paid special tribute to his wife.

“I have a bumper sticker on my car that says ‘The toughest position in the Army is the Army wife,’” he said.

Robinson also acknowledged his mentors and peers, saving his greatest professional thanks for the noncommissioned officers, first sergeants and sergeants major he served with in his career.

“I am proud to wear this uniform,” said Robinson as he concluded. “With rank comes great responsibility. I am humbled and want you to know that I will give it my all.”


Colonel Adam Robinson gives remarks at his promotion ceremony Dec. 17.
U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Hank McIntire.

Enlisting in Richfield-based Alpha Battery, 2-222nd Field Artillery, in 1985, Robinson achieved the rank of staff sergeant before receiving his commission through Officer Candidate School in 1995. During his career he has served in a number of leadership positions to include fire-direction officer, platoon leader, intelligence officer, operations officer, executive officer, battery commander and battalion commander.

Robinson deployed to Afghanistan in 2006-2007 with I Corps Artillery (Forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was also mobilized in 2002-2003 in support of Operation Noble Eagle, providing security for Deseret Chemical Depot in Tooele.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Combat Action Badge.

He holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Webster University. With his wife Danette they have five children and five grandchildren.

L-3 Communications Donates to Utah Guard Sub-for-Santa Program

By Capt. Ryan Sutherland
Photos by Staff Sgt. Shana Hutchins

See more images here.

SALT LAKE CITY — L-3 Communication Systems-West presented an in-kind donation to the Utah Guard Sub-for-Santa program Dec. 6 at the Salt Lake Armory.

L-3 Communications employees organize donations for the the Utah Guard's Sub-for-Santa
program  at Salt Lake Armory Dec. 6. U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Shana Hutchins.

According to Capt. Noé Vázquez, director of the Sub-for-Santa program, donations from private citizens and organizations like this will ensure a more meaningful Christmas for military families in Utah who have indicated a need for support this year. As of Dec. 5, the Utah Guard Family Support Services office projects helping about 300 children during the holiday.

The Utah Guard Sub-for-Santa program was originated in 2003 after many community members realized the sacrifices that our Utah servicemembers were performing. The intent of the community members was to give back to military families, with deployed members and who were in need. Last year, the Sub-for-Santa program assisted nearly 400 children in need. While this program specifically assists those dependents of our Utah military who might go without during a holiday season, the program does accept general gifts for the parents or family gifts.

Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, formally thanks L-3 Communications
employees Dec. 6  for their generous donations. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shana Hutchins. 

Sub for Santa is dedicated to helping people who cannot help themselves. An application process verifies that the donations go to the families who need it most. Applicants are also given the tools and resources with learning opportunities to help them better manage their money, time, and talents from a Family Assistance Center.

Those wishing to make a donation to the Sub-for-Santa program can make payments online here.

Update on the 624th Engineers

Guest Blogger Captain Chris Vernon, commander of the 624th Engineer Company, deployed to Afghanistan.

Time continues to fly; I can't believe we are already into December! Our mission tempo is still very fast paced.

First Sgt. H. and I are in the process of interviewing every Soldier in the company to see from their perspective how this deployment is going. Our goal is to take what we learn from them to further mentor and develop their leaders and make changes necessary to make the second half of the deployment even better than the first half.

Here is what has been going on the last few weeks:

First Platoon. Nearly all soldiers have returned from the mission in Bagram. The remaining individuals are staying behind to work on a fence, flooring, and a list of add-ons.

One squad is currently working on a project for a portion of a FOB that will shortly be turned over to the Afghan National Army. They are starting their fourth week on that project with about one more week to go. The rest of the platoon is working on projects on our home FOB.

Second Platoon. They continue to work directly with another Engineer unit. They just completed a repair project on a FOB that was damaged by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Soon they will be working on another FOB project. Both the first sergeant and I are planning on visiting them soon.

Third Platoon. Staff Sgt. B. has assumed leadership of the platoon. I have not seen many SSGs as prepared and ready to step up as platoon sergeant as I feel he is. He has been in the position for about a week and is doing a fantastic job. It is fun to watch a motivated soldier work hard, address the issues head on, and make a significant impact for the better. I am excited to see the positive changes that will come about over the next several months because of his leadership.

The platoon has just started a project at another FOB, building a brigade headquarters. It involves the entire platoon and will take them a few weeks to complete. This should be a very fun project for them.

The first photo above is from a ceremony in which the new brigade building was dedicated. A nearby Joint Operations Center was named after Sgt. 1st Class James Thode, a Utah Guard soldier who was killed in action two years ago here in Afghanistan.

I also have included a picture of the JOC in the construction process (second photo above) and a picture of the completed room (above). The workstations are tiered just like a stadium, and the desks are all custom made by our guys. The craftsmanship was outstanding. Each desk has drawers, cubbies and a false back to hide all the wiring.