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National Guard Chief Visits Taji
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122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment CAMP TAJI, Iraq (10/6/2004) — With just a few months left until units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II begin redeployment to home stations, planners and logisticians with the National Guard Bureau are facing challenges not seen since the end of World War II. Addressing issues ranging from the comfort of individual Soldiers to concerns of redeployment, Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau spent the day visiting Camp Taji, Sept. 29 talking to commanders and Soldiers of the Arkansas National Guards 39th Brigade Combat Team attached to the 1st Cavalry Division. "With over three National Guard Brigades and various detachments now serving in theater, the largest National Guard deployment since World War II," explained Maj. Andreas de Kunffy, the 39th's information officer, "the issues and problems of how those units will redeploy to home station is of major concern." De Kunffy went on to explain that models that exists for active duty units, whereby a unit returns home, has 30 days of receiving of equipment, maintenance and other issues and then begins block leave potentially would not work for a National Guard Brigades unless changes are made. "Once a unit is de-mobilized, they are no longer on federal orders and return to their one weekend a month status," noted the Fort Smith, Ark resident. "This issue is going to have to be addressed in order for a National Guard Brigade size element to properly receive, account for, and submit any paperwork needed for all the equipment that deployed with us [the 39th BCT]." During a briefing attended by Blum as well as Command Sgt. Maj. John J. Leonard, Jr., Command Sgt. Maj. of the National Guard Bureau, commanders and staff officers of the 39th BCT addressed such concerns as well as offering potential solutions. While answers to the many questions raised are still in the planning stages, Blum noted that the suggestions taken from his visit with the 39th BCT and other National Guard brigades currently deployed would be taken back to Arlington, Va., headquarters of the National Guard Bureau. As the issue of return to home station weighted heavily in Blum's concerns, the primary reason for Blum's trip was to visit with Soldiers of the camp and listen to concerns and problems they faced. "Getting out here on the ground and seeing first hand what the troops are experiencing is extremely important," noted Blum as he walked through the 39th Support Battalion's maintenance section examining armor attachments Soldiers there made. "What's this over here?!" said an excited Blum as he noticed a homemade go cart sitting off in a corner of the welding yard. Laughs and chuckles were heard as Blum took up his spot behind the driver's seat as the creator of the vehicle, Staff Sgt. Gerald Birdsong of Conway, Ark. with the 39th Support Battalion was found and brought before Blum. Sheepishly, Birdsong explained that the vehicle was made from salvaged or custom made parts he had found or collected. "So why aren't you driving this thing around the camp," asked Blum to which Birdsong replied. "Haven't been able to make brakes for it yet, sir." "Sounds like my kind of car," Blum quipped. As they talked to Soldiers, both Blum and Leonard asked if there was anything they could do to help. Soldiers gave voice to issues ranging from the granting of new, secondary Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) because of the job training to challenges faced with shortages of parts needed. "It's really great that the general is able to get out here like this and visit with the troops," said Birdsong. "He seems genuinely concerned with the issues we are facing." Last 10 Stories |
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2004 National Guard Bureau |
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