Hitting the Home Stretch

Guest Blogger

Captain Chris Vernon

Commander, 624th Engineer Company

 

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Things continue to move along very rapidly and we remain busy. We are in the process of moving from our current FOB (Forward Operating Base) to Sharana. Our RIP (Relief in Place)  will take place in Sharana. The OPCON (Operational Control) relationship is officially over and we have 2^nd Platoon back. I am actually visiting them right now and they are doing very well.

I am not going to go through a platoon-by-platoon breakdown of what everyone is doing right now, but for the most part all the platoons are tying up loose ends and finishing up smaller projects while preparing to move. 

 

We are also putting a lot of emphasis on our ANA (Afghan National Army) partnerships and training the three engineer Coys (Afghan Army equivalent to a company) we work with. Now that we have 2^nd Platoon back, our company is responsible for all the ANA partnerships in the entire battalion.

Our replacing unit will arrive at their mobilization station very shortly. It is starting to feel real that we are not going to be here for much longer. We continue to remind ourselves and our Soldiers to avoid complacency.

One of our main efforts right now is making sure all our i’s are dotted and t’s crossed so we finish strong and set up our replacing unit for success.

Logan Armory Reopens after Yearlong Remodel

By Lt. Col. Hank McIntire

Click here for more photos of this event.

LOGAN, Utah — Logan Armory was formally reopened Jan. 12 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony following nearly a year of remodeling the building.

Dignitaries at the event included Randy Watts, mayor of Logan; Col. Val Peterson, Land Component Commander for the Utah National Guard; Lt. Col. Matt Price, director of facilities for the Utah Guard; and the commanders of the two units based at the armory, Maj. James Helco, of Delta Company, 142^nd Military Intelligence Battalion; and Capt. Chris Kroeber, of Alpha Battery, 1-145^th Field Artillery.

 

Logan Mayor Randy Watts, center, is joined by leaders of the Utah National Guardto cut
the ribbon, officially reopening the Logan Armory Jan. 12. Photo by Lt. Col. Hank McIntire.

Originally completed in 1969, the $1.1-million remodeling project included the following improvements:

     ·  New paint, carpet, floor and ceiling tile and landscaping
     ·  New electrical wiring
     ·  Heating and cooling system upgrades
     ·  Lighting and energy-efficient improvements that will reduce electricity 
        costs by 20 percent
     ·  New doors and windows
     ·  Communication and data-system infrastructure

“This is more than a building,” said Lt. Col. Matt Price at the ceremony. “It’s a wonderful place for soldiers to come train and prepare for deployments in response to domestic and overseas emergencies. It does send a message to our soldiers that we care about them and expect them to be professional.”

“Our soldiers are the citizens here,” said Col. Val Peterson. “Many of them are students or work here and create the fabric of our community. When we look at this facility we think, ‘What a tremendous asset.’ It creates a place to train our soldiers and prepare for the unexpected.”

 “We hope that it will be a resource that the community uses,” added Peterson, drawing attention to the many improvements, including a brand-new basketball floor.

Logan mayor Randy Watts praised soldiers for the good they do for the community.

“The beauty of this valley is one thing, but we are really blessed with the quality of people we have,” he said. “I give my gratitude to those of you who serve. It’s a huge sacrifice.”

“I hope this remodeled facility will continue to train you for the unknown obstacles this world has,” concluded Watts.

A number of veterans of Korea, Vietnam and more recent conflicts were also in attendance, swapping stories and memories of the old days at the armory.

Veterans of previous conflicts were present for the Logan Armory
ribbon-cutting Jan. 12. Photo by Lt. Col. Hank McIntire

Still-serving Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Gonzalez, of the 142^nd Military Intelligence Battalion, began his career in 1991 in Logan Armory.

“I lived in Rexburg, Idaho, and I would come down for drill and stay in the armory for the weekend,” reminisced Gonzalez. “After 22 years [in the military] I’ve been all over the world, but it still feels like coming back home. It was emotional when I drove up today.”

Les Patterson retired a few years ago after spending decades at Logan Armory as a soldier in Bravo Battery, 1-148^th Field Artillery, the predecessor to Alpha Battery, 1-145^th.

“It’s cool to come back and see this place; I spent several years here,” he said. “It’s good to see some of the vets from Vietnam here and how they still give back to the vets of today. I’m all right being done [with my military career], but I still love it.”

Utah Guard Fulfills Traditional Role in Utah Governor Gary Herbert's Inauguration

By Lt. Col. Hank McIntire

Click here for more photos of this event.

SALT LAKE CITY — In keeping with long-standing tradition, the Utah National Guard was a key part of Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert’s inauguration ceremony at the Utah State Capitol Jan. 7.

Herbert is commander in chief of the 7,000 Airmen and Soldiers of the Utah National Guard, which historically has had significant involvement in the inauguration of each of Utah’s 17 governors.

 
Beginning with Governor Heber M. Wells' inauguration on Jan. 6, 1896, where members and officers of the Utah Guard marched in a pre-inauguration parade through the streets of Salt Lake City, Utah Airmen and Soldiers have been a highly visible part of each subsequent inauguration.

Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, was master of
ceremonies for Governor Gary Herbert's inauguration Jan. 7. Photo by Ileen Kennedy.

As called for by state statute, Utah Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton served as master of ceremonies at the event, his first opportunity to do so after being appointed adjutant general by Herbert in October 2012.

“It was an amazing event and one that everyone here will remember,” said Burton. “I felt like it was a good opportunity for me to serve.”

Dozens of Utah Guard Airmen and Soldiers followed Burton’s lead, giving their time and expertise to ensure that the event was carried out with the right mix of pageantry and professionalism.

The 23rd Army Band, let by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Denny Saunders, performed prelude and postlude music, while Second Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, provided a a flyover consisting of three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. First Battalion, 145th Field Artillery, rendered a 19-gun salute to Herbert just after he took the oath of office to begin his first, full, four-year term as governor.

Other Utah Guard support to the event included the 85th Civil Support Team’s standing by in the event of a hazardous-materials incident, and several senior officers and enlisted personnel functioning as escorts for the many dignitaries attending the event. Other Guardmembers provided security or rendered logistical or administrative support.



Members of the 1-145th Field Artillery stand by to render a 19-gun salute at
Utah Governor Gary Herbert's  inaguration Jan. 7. Photo by Capt. Ryan Sutherland.

Herbert noted the presence and involvement of the Utah National Guard at the top of his remarks at the ceremony.

“We thank the men and women of our Utah Army and Air National Guard for their service,” he said, “not only on this day, but for the service and sacrifice they offer us every single day.”

According to Lt. Matt Price, director of facilities for the Utah Guard and chairman of its inauguration committee, planning for the ceremony began days after Herbert won reelection in November. Price was pleased with the final result, and officials and guests were also lavish in their praise of the Utah Guard’s role in the inauguration.

“There were a lot of scripted items that had to hit the mark exactly,” said Price. “The people out on the floor thought it looked wonderful.”

Brigadier Gen. David Fountain, Utah Guard Assistant Adjutant General—Air, noted with pride the importance of the Utah Guard’s traditional role in the inauguration.

 
“History is everything,” he said. “The ceremonial aspect is so important, not only what we do in uniform, but also for our civic leadership. When we think about how often we hear the National Anthem when we’re in uniform and all the different renditions, I stood a little straighter today. It really makes you want to be a part of this organization.”

UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters fly over the Utah State Capitol Jan. 7 as part of the inau-
guration ceremonies for Utah Governor Gary Herbert. Photo by Staff Sgt. Renae Saylock. 

The inauguration, Burton observed, also demonstrated the effectiveness of the continuing partnership of the military and elected representatives.

“We answer to our elected civilian officials,” he said. “It’s important that we have a good relationship with the governor because he can do a lot to help us in the execution of our duties. We need his support, and we need the support of the legislature to do our job.”
 

“It’s an opportunity to be this beautiful Capitol building and witness something that many people don’t get the opportunity to witness,” Burton concluded. “I feel very honored for us to showcase what we can do.”