Montgomery lands Air Force’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission
For over two years, unit commanders, community and state leaders, local business leaders, and Alabama’s congressional delegation have worked together to bring the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Ala. On Thursday all of their efforts paid off when the U.S. Air Force announced Montgomery landed the coveted mission. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson made the announcement that the Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing was chosen as the home for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet mission. “I am thrilled and very pleased that the 187th Fighter Wing has been chosen as the home for the new F-35 fighter jet,” Governor Kay Ivey said of the news. “This announcement is huge for the River Region, it is huge for Alabama and is certainly a welcome gift for us as we approach Christmas. The decision to send the F-35 to Montgomery is a testament to the quality of our people and our workforce, and further cements Alabama’s reputation as the leading aerospace state in the nation.” The F-35 is the military’s latest fighting machine and will eventually replace many Cold War-era fighter planes, which are currently in use. The 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard currently includes a squadron of F-16 fighter jets, a combat communications group, an RC-26 reconnaissance aircraft squadron, and an eagle vision unit. The 187th was one of five Air National Guard units on the short list to receive the F-35. “The Alabama Air National Guard is dedicated to excellence in protecting both our state and nation,” Alabama Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon commented. “We look forward to adding the F-35 to our slate of tools available to enable us to carry out our mission.” “Today is a historic day for Alabama and the River Region,” added Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby who worked to bring the project to her District. “I could not be prouder of the men and women of the 187th for how they demonstrated their capability to carry out this special mission. There’s no question that our community’s firm support for our military installations and units made a big impression on decision makers. With today’s announcement, we know this unique unit has a very bright future with the F-35.” The F-35 decision builds on the long and proud history of the 187th Guard Unit which is also home to the historic Tuskegee Airmen Red Tail Fighters. As a result of the decision, the City of Montgomery and the River Region will receive approximately $3 billion in new capital investment and $70 million in new construction. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who also represents part of Montgomery in Congress, joined Roby in celebrating the decision with her District. “What amazing news! I am thrilled that our district’s t Unit will become the first home in the Southeast to F-35 fighter jets,” said Sewell. “I am so proud of the unit commanders, federal, local and state leaders, and all those in Montgomery and the River Region community for working together to win the F-35 competition. The F-35 builds on the legacy of military excellence exhibited by the 187th Fighter Wing, which is home to the famed ‘Red Tails.’” Ala. Sen. Richard Shelby agreed, and said he looks forward to seeing the success of this new project. “This announcement by the Air Force is excellent news for our state and a true testament to Alabama’s work in the defense sector,” said Shelby. “The strong support of the community, along with the proximity of Dannelly Field to several other major military bases, saving both time and money, led Air Force Secretary Wilson to choose Montgomery for the new F-35A fighter jet program. I am extremely proud of the operational strength of the 187th Fighter Wing, and I look forward to seeing the success of this new undertaking.” Once production is concluded, the 187th Fighter Wing will receive the F-35 as a replacement of the F-16. The delivery of the F-35 fighter jets is slated for 2023.
Ala. National Guard logistics team called to active duty, to deploy to Afghanistan
Roughly 20 Alabama National Guard (ANG) soldiers have been called to active duty. The members of the ANG’s Joint Force Headquarters Forward Logistics Team Six, out of Montgomery, Ala. will deploy to various locations across Afghanistan to teach, assist and advise the Afghan National Security Forces on logistics as it relates to sustaining a force. They will work with the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior levels of the Afghan government. Each member of the team is highly specialized in their functional area. Before heading overseas, the team will conduct additional training at a mobilization station stateside. They will also have a departure ceremony in Montgomery at the Alabama National Guard headquarters building on Thursday, Dec. 7. Civilian officials, as well as senior Alabama National Guardsmen, will attend the ceremony to send off the Soldiers of the logistics team. The general public is invited and encouraged to attend the event to show their support for the soldiers and their families. It takes place at 1720 Congressman Dickinson Drive, at 10:30 a.m. Anyone planning to attend should RSVP by 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 7, as the headquarters is a controlled facility. Since 9/11, the ANG has called more than 24,000 personnel to active duty and remains a top contributor among the nation’s National Guard organizations.
Ala. National Guard logistics team called to active duty, to deploy to Afghanistan
The Alabama Army National Guard’s (ANG) Joint Force Headquarters Forward Logistics Team Six based out of Montgomery, Ala. has been called to active duty. 20 ANG soldiers will be deployed to various locations across Afghanistan to teach, assist and advise the Afghan National Security Forces on logistics as it relates to sustaining a force. Each member of the Forward Logistics Team Six team is highly specialized in their functional area and will work with the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior levels of the Afghan government The general public is invited and encouraged to attend the departure ceremony at the Alabama National Guard headquarters building located at 1720 Congressman Dickinson Drive, at 10:30 a.m. on Thurs., Dec. 7. More than 24,000 Alabama National Guard personnel have been called active duty since 9/11. The ANG remains a top contributor among the nation’s National Guard organizations.
Bradley Byrne: Honoring our veterans
On November 11, we will celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have served our nation. This is a day set aside to share our deep appreciation with all those, from the Battle of Yorktown to the War on Terror, who have fought to keep us safe and to protect the values we hold dear. There is really something remarkable about serving our country. It means that an individual is willing to give up their own life so that others may have the opportunity to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Veterans Day began in 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson created Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. The name was officially changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a veteran himself. Veterans Day was briefly moved from November 11th to October in the seventies, but Congress passed a law in 1975 officially setting Veterans Day as November 11th. While Memorial Day is specifically for those who lost their lives while serving our country, Veterans Day is intended to honor all of our nation’s veterans, past and present. I am sure each of you has at least one veteran in your life. It may be a parent who served in Vietnam or a child currently serving in the Middle East. For some, it may be a co-worker, grandparent, or classmates. One thing they are for sure is a hero. On Veterans Day, I am always reminded of my brother, Dale. Dale had a lengthy career in the Alabama National Guard, where he rose to rank of Command Sergeant Major. During his military career, Dale served in the Airborne Rangers and Special Forces (20th Special Forces Group). Many times his missions were secret and even our family could not know all the details. Through his service, Dale earned many honors including the Bronze Star (two awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Army Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Global War on Terrorism Expedition Medal. Dale loved the camaraderie of the military, and he treasured so many friendship that he made through his service. Sadly, Dale passed away back in 2013 after a lengthy illness. I miss Dale every day, but I am always blown away by the wide range of people from all over who come up and tell me their stories about Dale. No stories are more powerful than those from people who served alongside Dale over the years. It is that fellowship that makes military service so special. Earlier this year, Secretary of Defense James Mattis was asked in a television interview what keeps him up at night. Secretary Mattis did not hesitate before answering, “Nothing. I keep other people awake at night.” That confidence is not derived from any special aircraft or any great piece of military equipment. Those items are important, but they are meaningless without a highly capable and trained military; without individuals willing to put country before self. That confidence is a testament to the men and women who make up the greatest fighting force in the world: the United States military. Today’s sailors, soldiers, airmen, and Marines are carrying on the legacy of the countless others who came before them. So, this Veterans Day, may we remember the courage, sacrifice, dedication, and unselfish nature of all those who have served our country. May we never allow their service and sacrifice to be in vein, and may we always honor the United States of America. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Kay Ivey authorizes Alabama National Guard to send support to Puerto Rico
An RC-26 aircraft and a team of five Alabama National Guard crew members have been authorized to deploy to Puerto Rico in response to the recent hurricane impact to the island. Governor Kay Ivey authorized Major General Sheryl Gordon, Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard, to send the RC-26 — highly capable aircraft in relation to airborne reconnaissance missions. The aircraft and crew will provide aerial imagery of hurricane impacted areas — based on the unique capabilities the aircraft will provide in supporting the efforts of Puerto Rican emergency managers and the National Guard. “Alabamians are a kind and caring people – we are committed to helping those in need,” said Ivey. “We are proud to offer the Alabama National Guard to assist with recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, and we continue to keep the people of Puerto Rico in our thoughts and prayers.” More than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico still lack adequate food and water six days after Maria ravaged the island as a Category 4 hurricane. Officials say electrical power may not be fully restored for more than a month. Alabama National Guard equipment and personnel remain postured to ensure additional resources are readily available to support other recovery efforts, if needed.
Alabama National Guard deploys to Texas for Hurricane Harvey assistance
Three days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday night the Alabama National Guard was being deployed to the Lone Star State to assist in recovery efforts. Ivey authorized Alabama Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon to send two CH-47 Chinook Helicopters and two UH-60M medical aircraft, along with their respective crews upon a request from the National Guard Bureau. “One of the hallmarks of the American spirit is the desire to help each other when disaster strikes,” Ivey said. “Alabama is proud to help our friends in Texas through lending our National Guard resources and offering our prayers and continued support in the days of recovery which lie ahead.” Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane Friday night unleashing winds of up to 130 mph and “catastrophic” flooding across parts of southeastern Texas. On Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he had activated the entire Texas National Guard in response to hurricane, bringing the total number of deployed personnel for rescue efforts to 12,000. “It is imperative that we do everything possible to protect the lives and safety of people across the state of Texas as we continue to face the aftermath of this storm,” the governor said in a news release. The National Weather Service said some areas of East Texas could be slammed with an “unprecedented” 50 inches of rain by week’s end as the storm lingers in the region, reports USA TODAY. “While this is still a dangerous situation with a long response effort ahead, the state and people of Texas are resilient,” said FEMA Administrator Brock Long. “FEMA was here before the storm hit, and we will be here as long as needed, actively coordinating the full resources of the federal government, to support Gov. Abbott and the state.”
Alabama should be prepared for ‘above-normal’ 2017 hurricane season
With the 2017 hurricane season beginning, Alabama Power employees, the Alabama National Guard and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency have demonstrated they are prepared to respond, if and when they are needed. Alabama Power customers and the rest of the public also should make sure they are ready for the potential of severe storms this summer. Hurricanes can be devastating but being prepared can protect lives and property. (file) The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center say there’s the potential for an above-normal hurricane season this year. They predict a 70 percent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Five to nine of those storms could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and up to four could become major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or higher), NOAA officials said. An average season produces 12 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes and three becoming major hurricanes. Of course, it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for people in the path of that storm, say hurricane researchers at Colorado State University. They say residents in coastal communities should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted. Every year, Alabama Power reviews historical data and scientific models as it updates its hurricane plans. Company teams also test their storm plans by conducting drills. Alabama Power employees across the state have reviewed storm plans and have updated the company’s emergency operating procedures. Alabama Power has plans in place for hurricane recovery if and when the big storm happens. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter) “Our major storm response plans are based on scale,” said Steve Kirkham, Distribution general manager for the company’s Mobile Division. “We can ramp up or ramp down our response to meet the respective threat, while working safely and efficiently to restore service to our customers.” The Alabama Emergency Management Agency conducted a statewide hurricane exercise last month that included several government agencies and private sector participants. The Alabama National Guard also conducted its annual hurricane exercise to prepare and test plans. As hurricane season begins, Alabama Power customers should review their storm plans in case of a weather emergency. Here are some safety tips for hurricane season: Before a hurricane strikes: Build an emergency kit, including flashlights, batteries and a first-aid kit. Keep cellphones and electronic devices charged. Have a three-day supply of water and nonperishable food on hand. Make a family communications plan. Learn community hurricane evacuation routes. Determine where your family would meet and how you would get there. Cover your home’s windows and reinforce garage doors. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection. Otherwise, board up windows with 5/8-inch exterior grade or marine plywood. Make sure trees and shrubs around the home are well-trimmed. Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc. Keep a battery-operated weather radio to stay informed. Turn down the thermostat to keep your home cool as long as possible. During a hurricane: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building. In a tornado, the safest place is on the lowest level, in a room with no windows. Make sure pets are safe. Turn off propane tanks. Stay tuned to the radio for updates. After the storm: Drive only if necessary and don’t cross flooded roads. Avoid damaged trees. Stay away from downed or hanging power lines. If you see a downed line, call Alabama Power at 1-800-888-APCO (2726). Check your property for gas leaks or structural damage. Take photos for insurance purposes. Avoid climbing on debris, as it may be unsafe or harbor dangerous wildlife. Be cautious about cutting or removing large limbs. Check that electrical wires are not hidden in the brush. Check food for spoilage and check tap water for contamination. For more tips, visit the National Weather Service Hurricane Preparedness Week 2017 website. Hurricanes can be destructive to life in property along the Alabama Gulf Coast. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter) Republished with permission of Alabama NewsCenter.
Alabama sends resources to Florida to assist with Hurricane Matthew response
As Florida readies herself for the impact of Category 4 Hurricane Matthew, Alabama is prepping to help. The Yellowhammer State is already sending personnel and resources to Florida to assist with hurricane response efforts. Gov. Robert Bentley made the announcement Thursday, saying the Yellowhammer State has received numerous requests for assistance from Florida as Hurricane Matthew approaches and intensifies. Thus far assistance has been requested from the Alabama National Guard, Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). “Our disaster response teams are always ready to act at a moment’s notice during emergency situations,” Bentley said. “I am proud of our men and women who are dedicating their time and expertise to help others during natural disasters. Alabama stands ready to assist Florida, or any other state that requests our support, as they respond to Hurricane Matthew.” AEMA will deploy an Emergency Operations Center Augmentation Team to support the Florida Division of Emergency Management at their Emergency Operation Center. Their primary role will be to support their Florida counterparts as they experience an overwhelming need to coordinate their state response efforts. “When Alabama is not impacted we always stand ready to support other states in need of assistance,” AEMA Director Art Faulkner said. “We always remember the assistance that has been provided to our state following catastrophic events and want to return the favor.” Florida also has requested aviation assets and air crews from the Alabama Army National Guard (ALARNG). ALARNG plans to send four UH-60 Blackhawk and two CH-47 Chinook helicopters and 33 air crew soldiers to assist with lift capabilities transporting personnel and supplies as needed. These soldiers will be activated under State Active Duty beginning Friday and arrive in Florida Saturday. ADPH will deploy two Medical Needs Shelter Teams and a Public Health Nurse Strike Team to assist with medical needs in the areas hit by the hurricane in Florida. They will set up medical care shelters and medical strike teams to provide for the impacted residents in the area. The teams are scheduled to arrive at the staging area in Tallahassee Saturday afternoon.
Alabama National Guard unit returning home from Kuwait
About 100 Alabama National Guard soldiers are expected to return from a yearlong mission based in Kuwait and other countries. Al.com reports that the Company A, 136 Expeditionary Signal Battalion Guard unit is scheduled to return to Huntsville on June 11. The soldiers are returning on a charter flight and will be arriving at Signature Aviation in Huntsville at 10:05 a.m. The unit is based in Arab but has members from across Alabama and other states. The welcome-home ceremony will take place in an aircraft hangar. While deployed, the unit provided tactical and strategic assets to war fighters and other elements within their assigned area of operations. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Robert Bentley orders Alabama National Guard to protect U.S. border
On Tuesday, Gov. Robert Bentley ordered Alabama National Guard members to assist in protecting the United States border with Mexico at the request of the National Guard Bureau. The state will send UH-72 helicopter and three pilots to Marana, Arizona to assist in this effort. “Securing the U.S. border is an issue that is important to every American, and the Alabama National Guard is supporting the effort to secure the border,” Bentley said in a press release. “The men and women who serve in the Alabama National Guard are some of the most dedicated and professional military service members in the country. I appreciate the Guard’s effort to support the Southwest Border Mission.” The press release goes on to say that the support is “needed immediately and the Alabama National Guard support will remain until the end of September.” The effort will come at no cost to the Alabama National Guard and the mission will provide training opportunities to for Alabama’s volunteer army members. The Southwest Border Mission, also known as Operation Phalanx, has gone since 2010 and has assisted local law enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol in addressing the issue of illegal immigration into the country. According to Bentley’s statement, the effort has aided “in more than 28,000 apprehensions and countless border turn-backs, as well as seizure of 42,000 pounds of marijuana and additional narcotics.” “The Alabama National Guard will support the Southwest Border Mission by providing one UH-72 helicopter and three pilots through the end of September 2016 in Arizona,” Major General Perry Smith said. “These missions provide enhanced training for our pilots, while at the same time providing strengthened borders to protect the Nation. I appreciate Governor Bentley’s long-standing and steadfast support of the Alabama National Guard.” The announcement of Alabama guardsmen being sent to the border comes on the heels of an announcement by Bentley that he is supporting a Texas lawsuit calling executive immigration actions by President Barack Obama an “overreach” of power.
Terri Sewell visit Alabama troops in Iraq
Next week she heads back to Capitol Hill, this week Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07), a second-term member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, took time to meet with members of the Alabama National Guard’s 20th Special Forces unit, part of U.S. Special Operations Command that is currently deployed in the Kurdish Region of Northern Iraq, during a four-day trip to the country. There, Sewell received oversight briefings on the current U.S. Department of Defense training mission with Syrian fighters and the Iraqi Army. “Our brave men and women in uniform play an integral role in Iraq, and my visit to Ebril and Baghdad deepened my appreciation for the sacrifices they have made to protect our country,” Sewell said of the men and women she met on her trip. “I was especially honored to meet with members of the Alabama National Guard’s 20th Special Forces division, and to learn more about their vital mission in Iraq. I want to thank these remarkable Alabama National Guardsmen for their exemplary service to our nation during their deployment in Iraq. I am especially proud to acknowledge the critical role that Alabama troops are playing in the fight against global terrorism.” Sewell continued, “As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, one of my most sacred duties is to ensure that every vote I make supports and advances our national security. Freedom is not free, and members of the armed forces deserve special recognition for their service and sacrifice. We in Alabama are doing our part.” Congresswoman Terri Sewell with American leadership in Iraq, including General Mark Odom who is the Combined Joint Operations Center Commander in Northern Iraq.
