150th Deploys to Panama
Port of Cristobol, Republic of Panama— Members of the 150th General Support Aviation battalion re-attach rotor blades to a UH- 60 Blackhawk in Panama to participate in New Horizons 03, Joint Task Force Chiriqui. The Joint Task Force will construct schools and clinics and practice medicine to benefit the rural villagers in the remote mountain region along the Costa Rican border. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tom Roberts, NGB Public Affairs Support Element.
444th MPAD Mobilizes
Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth congratulates members of the 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD), New Jersey Army National Guard as they began mobilization processing for active duty service. The 444th, under the command of Maj. Carl Palmer, will be stationed at Fort Dix where they will provide public affairs support to Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP)activity. The SRP prepares mobilized soldiers for the realities of extended active duty deployment. The 444th was previously called to active duty on March 1, 1999 when they served in Heidelberg, Germany for eight months supporting NATO peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.
Homeland Security Center Opened
Governor James E. McGreevey (right) and Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth cut the ribbon officially opening the Homeland Security Center of Excellence on Jan. 4. The Center, located in Lawrenceville, will serve as the focal point for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the New Jersey Army and Air National Guards’ involvement with New Jersey domestic security activities. The Center is capable of supporting multiple, simultaneous emergency response operations, while integrating both New Jersey Army and Air National Guard capabilities into the state emergency response system. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.