News Release - New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

NJDMAVA NEWS
February 2000

New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

108th ARW Participates in
Operation Northern Watch

     For the second year in a row, the 108th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), McGuire AFB, spent January participating in Operation Northern Watch.
    This year, two KC-135E Stratotanker air refueling aircraft, three aircrews, and sixteen support personnel were deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, as part of an Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron.
“This is part of our role in the Expeditionary Air Force,” noted Maj. Daniel J. Rutkoski, Chief of Wing Logistics Plans, 108th ARW. Rutkoski also noted that the 108th airmen were combining forces with the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron, Mountainhome AFB, Idaho. The combination of the 108th and the 22nd made up the Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. This mission is unique for the 108th because it is the first time the New Jersey Air National Guard unit was deployed with an active-duty unit to work side-by-side.
    During January, there was a staggered swapout of people and planes approximately every 10 days. The reason for this was to ease the burden of time away from civilian jobs for many of the participants. With the increase in number of these missions, shorter trips have become necessary.
    The 108th ARW will be joining with the 92nd ARW, of the Washington state Air National Guard for another Operation Northern Watch Deployment this April.

Guardsmen Battle Snowstorm “Billy”
      On January 25th, snowstorm “Billy “ unexpectedly dumped as much as 12 inches of snow in some New Jersey Counties. The National Guard Emergency Operations Center at Fort Dix was activated and before the storm was over, called 121 Guard soldiers and airmen to duty to deal with the emergency.
    Transportation of medical professionals was the primary mission performed by the Guard, who delivered doctors and nurses to hospitals in Hummvees.
    Tidal flooding was a problem in parts of Atlantic County and the Guard evacuated a nursing home outside Atlantic City as high water threatened the facility.
    Major General Paul J. Glazar, NJ’s Adjutant General said, “This is just one way we add value to the communities where we are based. When you call we are there, and always will be there!”

177th Returns From Operation Snowbird

On January 22, 132 people and 12 F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 177th Fighter Wing, Atlantic City returned from deploying to Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, for Operation Snowbird.

The 15 day deployment, which began on January 8, included pilots, aircraft maintenance and security forces personnel.

The pilots trained at the Goldwater Bombing Range located near Davis-Monthan AFB. The range provided 177th pilots with a variety of desert warfare training opportunities including bombing runs on a variety of targets and flying with different types of combat aircraft in various air combat exercise. Back at Davis-Monthan, weapon crews loaded the F-16Cs with live missiles and bombs, while security forces were able to conduct combat search and rescue operations.

Operation Snowbird will help prepare the wing for future overseas deployments as part of an Air Expeditionary Force.

Free Tuition!
The New Jersey National Guard offers FREE college tuition for members who attend NJ State colleges and universities. In addition to great skill training, pay, and benefits, your constituents can get a college degree while serving their community and country!

Veteran’s Commander Call Held at Vietnam Ed Center
    The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs briefed 36 state veteran organization commanders at the New Jersey Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Center on January 30.
    Maj. Gen. Paul J. Glazar, The Adjutant General and Michael L. Warner, Deputy Commissioner for Veteran Affairs, briefed the commanders on the status of the veteran services and programs. NJDMAVA periodically holds these meetings to discuss recent and proposed legislation, current changes and accomplishments.
    This meeting’s major topics included the dedication of the Korean War Memorial planned for July 27 in Atlantic City, the new budget, federally-funded expansion and construction projects at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery and Veterans Haven.
    Also discussed was the increased capacity at New Jersey’s three veterans homes to meet the rising numbers of WWII and Korean veterans. The possibility of adding assisted living to the Vineland Memorial Home was discussed. Proposed legislation to consolidate determination of veterans status in New Jersey was explained.