Keeping an eye on things
Cavalry Scout Sgt. Chealoo Mastroddi, C Troop, 5th Squadron,
117th Cavalry, surveys the area outside the wire at an entry
control point at Logistics Support Area (LSA) Anaconda, Iraq.
The unit just recently passed the one year milestone, which
in the words of 1st Sgt. Michael V. Rigby makes them "The
old dogs on the block." Anaconda is one of the largest
American military bases in Iraq. Photo courtesy 5-117 Cavalry.
Never let go
Staff Sgt. Jason Scalzi, 177th Fighter Wing Security Forces,
hugs his wife Damaris and daughter Rachel after serving a
six month tour at Kirkuk Regional Air Base in Iraq on March
13. The 13- member team were assigned to the Quick Reaction
Forces - a mobile response team designed to all points on
base and outside the wire. The team was responsible for everything
from unexploded ordnance sweeps to serving as security details
for visiting dignitaries. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen,
177FW/PA.
On the lookout
Two members of the New Jersey National Guard Recruiting Command
scan the streets looking for new applicants at the newest
store front recruiting center to open in New Jersey. The office,
which had its grand opening on Feb. 22, is located at 80 Ward
Street in Paterson. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stephenson,
NJDMAVA/PA.
World’s longest banner
The world’s longest holiday greeting banner, dedicated
to the men and women serving in Iraq, was unveiled at Crockett
Middle School, Hamilton, on Dec. 15. Lt. Col. James Stenson
(right) along with more than 850 students, New Jersey Army
and Air National Guard members, local veteran organization
members and elected officials were on hand for the event.
The banner measures 990 feet long, weighs 500 pounds and was
signed by more than 50,000 people. Surveyors determined that
the banner, which stretches nearly three football fields in
length, had earned its place in the Guiness Book of World
Records. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.
New Troop Command(er)
Under the watchful eyes of outgoing commander Col. John DiNapoli
(left) and Command Sgt. Maj. James H. Marshall Jr. (right)
Brig. Gen. Charles A. Harvey Jr., (second from left) presents
incoming commander Col. Kevin C. Hegarty with the 57th Troop
Command colors during the Change of Command ceremony at the
National Guard Armory in Atlantic City on March 4. Photo by
Maj. Carl Palmer, NJ-JFHQ-PA.
Hayes to command Infantry
Col. Jorge J. Martinez, 50th Brigade Combat Team commander,
center right, passes the colors of the 2nd Battalion,113th
Infantry to incoming commander Lt. Col. James A. Hayes. Battalion
Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Clark, left, stands ready to receive
the colors at the Change of Command ceremony held at Sea Girt
on Feb. 11, while Lt. Col. Nicholas Chimienti, right, watches
the flags pass signaling the end to his 18-months as the battalion
commander. Photo by Kryn P. Westhoven, DMAVA/PA.
254th gets new leader
Col. James T. Corrigan (left) accepts the 254th Regiment (Combat
Arms) guidon from Brig. Gen. Charles A. Harvey Jr. (right)
during a Change of Command ceremony at the Sea Girt armory
March 3. Relinquishing command of the 254th was Col. Frank
W. Dulfer. Photo by Sgt. Shawn Morris, 444MPAD.
108th gets new Command Chief
In a Change of Authority ceremony on March 17, Command Chief
Master Sgt. Joseph Ortu passes the 108th Air Refueling Wing
colors back to Wing Commander Col. Michael L. Cunniff while
incoming Command Chief Master Sgt. Vincent P. Morton watches.
Morton, formerly with Security Forces, is the first African-American
Command Chief Master Sergeant in the history of the New Jersey
Air National Guard. Ortu served the Wing as Command Chief
from 2002-2007. Photo by Master Sgt. Ray Knox, 108ARW/CF.
