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PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 2017CONNECTICUT GUARDIANThe Impact of the Red Tailsthe Tuskegee Airmen. This group of black aviators andaircraft mechanics served with honor and distinctionwhile overcoming racial discrimination both at homeThe month of February is dedicated to remembering and abroad.the many contributions members of the AfricanIn 1941, the U.S. War Department announced the CivilAmerican community have made to our country. In many Aeronautics Authority, in coordination with the U.S.cases, those contributions required battles against racism, Army, would begin development of, “colored personnel,”inequality, discrimination, and institutional constraints for the aviation service.like segregation in order to achieve their goals.The initial class of 13 cadets began ground school onDuring World War II, the U.S. military was engaged July 19, 1941. Those who successfully completed groundin an internal struggle over how to integrate African- school moved on to Tuskegee Army Air Field to completeAmericans into the force. Despite a difficult transition, pilot training. The, “Tuskegee Military Experiment,”the U.S. military significantly impacted America’s path from 1941 to 1946 graduated approximately 1000 pilots,to equality. One of the most influential organizations 355 of whom served overseas with the 99th, 100th, 301stwere the first black aviators in the Army Air Corps: and 302nd Fighter Squadrons, three of which (100th,301st, and 302nd) eventuallycomprised the 332nd fightergroup or, “Red Tails,” duethe distinctive solid red paintthat covered the tails of theirP-47 Thunderbolts.The first Tuskegee Airmento see combat were assignedto the 12th Air Force as partof the 99th Fighter Squadronin North Africa. Eventually,the 332nd Fighter Groupwas formed, assigned tothe 12th Air Force andsaw combat in both NorthAfrica and Italy where theysuccessfully flew more than1,200 sorties using the sameAbove: A restored P-51 Mustang associated with the Tuskegee Airmen, now flown aircraft and conducting thesame missions as their whiteby Red Tail Project. (Image courtesy of Tuskegee Airmen Inc.)counterparts.Top Right: Eight Tuskegee Airmen in front of a P-40 fighter aircraft. (Imagescourtesy of Tuskegee Airmen Inc.)The Tuskegee Airmen1st Lt. T. Ryan SerfesState Equal Employment Managerexcelled at their tasking and proved that they were justas capable as the other fighter groups. The capability of332nd was clearly recognized and ultimately resultedin the group being assigned the state-of-the-art P-51DMustang they eventually became famous for.In early June 1944, the 332nd was reassigned to the15th Air Force where they were primarily tasked withprotecting bombers carrying out raids. The escortsoccurred throughout Europe in locations including;France, Germany, Poland, Greece, Austria, Hungary,Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Poland.Of the seven fighter groups assigned to the 15th AirForce, the 332nd was the most successful at protectingtheir bombers, going 100 consecutive missions withoutlosing a single bomber at one point.Out of the 311 missions they flew, they only lostbombers on seven total missions, with an overall successrate twice that of the other fighter groups assigned to the15th Air Force. The Tuskegee Airmen further establishedtheir legendary status on March 24, 1945, when the15th Air Force conducted its longest bombing missionof the war to Berlin. During that mission three separateTuskegee Airmen shot down an advanced LuftwaffeME-262 Jet Fighter.The above examples are but a few of the achievementsof the Red Tails during WWII. By the end of the war,members of the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332ndFighter Group had flown four variations of aircraft incombat (P-39, P-40, P-47 and P-51). They achieveda combined 112 aerial victories, were awarded 96Distinguished Flying Crosses and four DistinguishedUnit Citations. Four pilots earned three aerial victorycredits in a single day.The Tuskegee Airmen’s aerial achievements provedconclusively that African-Americans could fly and repairhighly sophisticated aircraft and fly combat missions.Despite their accomplishments in war, the TuskegeeCONNECTICUT GUARDIANAirmen faced many challenges due to segregation andinequality at home. In 1944, Capt. Willard B. Ransomled a group of 12 black officers into the white-only TAAFPost Exchange restaurant which had been reserved forwhite officers. Upon entry, the black officers were askedleave. However, Capt. Ransom came prepared with twoletters from the War Department stating that service atPost Exchanges and recreational facilities could not bedenied due to race. The TAAF Commander, Col. NoelParrish intervened and the white officers withdrewtheir protest. The twelve black officer’s moral couragepeacefully desegregated the TAAF that day. However,many white officers refused to eat at the restaurantafterward and there was concern in the communitiesoutside the base about possible desegregation in theirtowns. As a result, Col. Parrish had to speak with townleaders and assure them that desegregation was not goingto happen outside the base.In contrast, when the Tuskegee Airmen from the 477thBombardment Group moved from Goodman Field,Kentucky to Freeman Army Airfield, Indiana in March1945, 104 black officers were arrested for attempting todesegregate the officer’s club there. Several were chargedwith minor crimes and were unsuccessful at integratingthe officer’s club despite the War Department policy.Clearly the military had a long way to go in its effortto remove racial barriers for service members. It wasn’tuntil August 1995 that those arrested at Freeman Fieldwere cleared of any reference of the incident in theirmilitary records.Meanwhile there was an effort in the newly formedUnited States Air Force to fully integrate black servicemembers into their ranks. Stuart Symington, the firstSecretary of the Air Force, supported racial integrationfrom the inception of the Air Force.In a letter dated April 5, 1948 to Lemuel E. Gravesof The Pittsburgh Courier, Gen. Carl Spaatz, Chiefof Staff of the United States Air Force, wrote, “It isthe feeling of this Headquarters that the ultimate AirFEBRUARY 2017 PAGE 5Force objective must beto eliminate segregationamong its personnel bythe unrestricted use ofNegro personnel in freecompetition for any dutywithin the Air Forcefor which they mayqualify.” On April 26,Spaatz announced thatthe Air Force would fullyintegrate. A driving factorin the Air Force’s pursuitof full integration wasthe combat success of theTuskegee Airmen and theunfairness of segregationhighlighted by the blackofficers courageousenough to confront theinequality.At the time Spaatzmade his integrationannouncement, members Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. providing a map overview. (Image courtesy of Tuskegeeof Congress and President Airmen Inc.)Truman were also working toward integrating the total Rights Movement.Eventually, the entire U.S. military integrated andforce. The Air Force, however, did not actually integrateuntil after President Truman issued Executive Order 9981 though it was not a smooth process, the Tuskegeeon July 26, 1948. EO 9981 did not specifically address Airmen earned a double victory: one against enemyintegration or desegregation but, President Truman made forces overseas and the other over racism in the military.it clear that his intent was to end segregation in the U.S. Many factors went into the final decision to integrateArmed Forces. The achievements of the Tuskegee the force, but the aerial achievements of the TuskegeeAirmen in combat along with the selfless sacrifice and Airmen combined with their personal courage to standcontributions of black service members in World War II up for what was right helped pave the way for equalityprovided President Truman a persuasive argument for in the military.The information for this article was derived fromintegration. In 1949, the Air Force finally implementedfull racial integration. A resounding achievement at the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. at tuskegeeairmen.org. Please visittime, and many years before African-Americans in the the website to learn more about the incredible history ofcivilian population achieved the same through the Civil the Tuskegee Airmen.Left: Pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group. Right: A group of nurses stationed at Tusekegee Army Air Field in flight uniforms with parachutes. (Images courtesy of TuskegeeAirmen Inc.)

PAGE 6 FEBRUARY 2017CONNECTICUT GUARDIANLeadership Changes Within the Aviation RanksStaff Sgt. Richard WrigleyJFHQ, CTNG, Public AffairsSoldiers, family and friends of the 1109th TheaterAviation Sustainment Maintenance Group gatheredtogether to bid the former command team farewell duringa Change of Command Ceremony held in Groton, Conn.at the 1109th’s maintenance facility, Dec. 18.Col. Vincent Vannoorbeeck, former commander,1109th TASM-G, surrendered his authority of theunit and Lt. Col. Ray Chicoski, commander, assumedauthority of the unit.This was Vannoorbeeck’s last command in the U.S.Army, as he will be retiring after serving honorably formore than 30 years.Brig. Gen. Fran Evon, Assistant Adjutant General of theConnecticut National Guard, presided over the ceremony.The 1109th TASM-G, is one of only four units like it inthe nation, and just recently returned from an 11-monthdeployment to the Middle East.With the unit’s return in August, the state officiallyentered a time where all Connecticut Army NationalGuard units were state-side; something that has onlyhappened once before since 2003.Left: Col. (Ret.)Vincent Vannoorbeeckrelinquishes commandof the 1109th TASMGas he hands theColors to Brig. Gen.Fran Evon during aChange of CommandCeremony in Groton,Conn., Dec. 18.(right) Incoming1109th TASMGcommander, Lt.Col. Ray Chicoskireceives the Colors byCommand Sgt. Maj.Paul Garofolo, 1109thTASMG CommandSgt. Maj.(Photos by Staff Sgt.Richard Wrigley,JFHQ Public Affairs)CONNECTICUT GUARDIANSlots for regular golfers and substitutes availableWho: Members - current and former - and employees of theConnecticut National Guard.When: Regular play expected to begin April 27, 2017 (weatherpermitting). Tee times will be every Thursday at 3:30 p.m.Where: Keney Park Golf Course471 Tower Avenue Hartford, Conn.Details: Two person teams competing in match play each week, inround-robin rotation.Green fees for 9 holes will be 18 to walk plus dues.Contact: Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret.) John Godburn:(H) 860-489-0736, (C) 860-491-6063(email) cjgodburn@gmail.comExpect response by early MarchPar 3, 13th hole at the Keney Park Golf Course in Hartford, Connecticut.(Photo Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret.) John Godburn)7Hail and FarewellBernard Hands Reins to Hein as CTARNG RRB Senior Enlisted LeaderMeet Your New Recruiting Sergeant MajorMaj. Mike Petersen, State PAO &Master Sgt. Glen HeinCTARNG Recruiting & Retention BattalionMaster Sgt. Glen HeinJoin the 2017 CTNG Golf LeagueFEBRUARY 2017 PAGEMaster Sgt. Glen Hein has served for 16 years in theConnecticut National Guard, beginning with the 2/126Aviation Regiment based in Windsor Locks, Conn. Helives in Coventry with Leigh, his wife of 21 years. Themilitary tradition runs deep in the Hein family. Leigh isan Army Veteran, and their two sons have served: Romanin the CTNG and Brandon is currently active duty atNATO Headquarters in Belgium.Of Hein’s four sisters, two are currently CTNGmembers as well. We sat down with the newestRecruiting and Retention Battalion Sergeant Major tolearn a little more about him.Q: What has been your most rewarding assignmentin the CTARNG?A: I have enjoyed every assignment so far but mymost rewarding assignment has been in Recruiting andRetention. Changing lives in a positive way is what Ilove to do.Q: What motivated you to join the CTARNG?A: Patriotism. I joined to serve my country.After 34 Years, Bernard Set to RetireMaj. Janae GrantCTARNG RRB Operations OfficerThe Connecticut Army National Guard Recruiting andRetention staff wants to wish the best of luck and offersincere congratulations to Command Sgt. Maj. WilliamC. Bernard after finishing a nearly decade-long stint asR&R’s senior enlisted leader.Bernard is retiring in the spring of 2017 and spent 31of his 34 years in the military as a recruiter. Originallyfrom Jamaica, he most recently deployed to Kosovo withthe 1-169 General Support Aviation Battalion in supportof Operation Joint Guardian.He also was named Connecticut’s top recruiter a recordseven times, according to Bernard.Master Sgt. Glen Hein assumed the role of R&RSergeant Major in early February, and was well awareof Bernard’s accomplished career.“I can’t thank Command Sgt. Maj. Bernard enoughfor his mentorship and hard work during all of his years(in recruiting),” said Hein. “I know I have big boots tofill, but he gave me a template for success that I hopeto build upon.”Decorations, awards and citations: Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak LeafClusters Army Commendation Medal with six Oak LeafClusters Army Achievement Medal with two Oak LeafClusters Good Conduct Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters National Defense Service Medal NATO Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal numeral 2 Army Service Ribbon Connecticut National Guard Medal of MeritRibbon Connecticut Long Service Medal Connecticut National Guard Emergency ServiceRibbonSignificant Military Experience: Operation Joint Guardian (KFOR), Aug. 2015 Mar. 2016 Recruiting and Retention Sergeant Major, Nov. 2007 - Present Recruiting Team NCOIC, Oct. 2002 - Oct. 07 Production Recruiter, Sept. 1985 - Sept. 2002Right: Command Sgt. Maj. Willliam C. BernardQ: What drove you to stay in for so long?A: My commitment to the CTARNG and the Soldiers Ihave come to know as family. I enjoy Recruiting; I love toassist civilians into becoming highly motivated Soldiers.Q: What advice do you have for those wishing tojoin the National Guard?A: Challenge yourself to be the best you can be. TheNational Guard provides countless opportunities forsuccess. Joining the CTARNG will be the best decisionof your life.Q: What skills do you bring to this new position?A: I have 26 years of military experience, multipledeployments, an Expert Recruiting and Retentionqualification badge, and Career counseling. Above all,I plan to bring solid leadership by setting the example,providing guidance, mentorship, and purpose.Q: What do you want to tell your fellow recruiters,the leadership and anyone else reading?A: I feel blessed for this opportunity. I am excitedand proud to serve as the Recruiting and RetentionCommand Sergeant Major. Our Recruiters are the faceof the National Guard and the finest, most professionalNCOs in the Army.

PAGE 8 FEBRUARY 2017CONNECTICUT GUARDIAN“Always Ready, Always There”CONNECTICUT GUARDIANFEBRUARY 2017 PAGE9The Connecticut National Guard Stands By Its Motto in 2016Maj. Mike PetersenState Public Affairs OfficerThis is the second part of a two-part series highlightingthe accomplishments of the Connecticut National Guardin 2016. In this edition, we will look back at some of thehighlights that defined the Connecticut National Guardin the latter half of 2016.JulyAnnual Training was in full swing around the state– and around the world. Members of the 103rd ForceSupport Squadron, Communications Flight andLogistics Readiness Squadron traveled to Ramstein AirForce Base in Germany to conduct training in support offuture deployments.Echo Company, 1-169 General Support AviationBattalion took the cake – literally! The company’s messsection took home top honors at the Philip A. ConnellyAward Regional Competition, at Camp Hartell,Windsor Locks, Conn., July 16.Like the Best Warrior Competition, the ConnellyAward pits units against each other to represent the state,followed by the region, and the nation. Echo Companywill compete for the national title in March 2017.Connecticut formerly won the national award in 2000,when the 712th Maintenance Company brought homethe hardware.History was made, as Governor Dannel P. Malloysigned a bill updating the state’s anti-discriminationlaws for the Connecticut Military Department at aceremony held in Hartford, July 20. With numerousmembers of the legislature and the ConnecticutNational Guard on handto witness the signing,Malloy told a crowd that,“this bill sheds a light inConnecticut.“A state that recognizesand values thecontribution of each andevery one of its citizens,regardless of their gender,their sexuality or the colorof their skin,” Malloycontinued.That same evening, theConnecticut NationalGuard officiallywelcomed home 90Soldiers of the 1-169General SupportAv i a t i o n B a t t a l i o n Pfc. Holly Kidder prepares the beans and Spc. Ryan Jones stirs the gravy during theduring a Freedom Salute Philip A. Connelly Award competition at Camp Hartell, July 16. (Photo by Maj. Georgeceremony in Hartford. Duggan, 143rd RSG Public Affairs Officer)The unit deployed toKosovo in April 2015, and was welcomed from their Guard leadership award medals to the returning Soldiers.Augustfirst deployment since 2009-2010.The month began with a change in National Guard“This is our chance to thank and formally recognizeeach Guardsman and their families for all of the hard leadership, as Defense Secretary Ash Carter administeredwork, dedication and effort put into making this mission the oath of office to incoming National Guard Bureaua success,” said Maj. Gen. Thad Martin, Adjutant General Chief Air National Guard Gen. Joseph Lengyel at thePentagon, Aug. 3, assuming command from Gen. Frankof the Connecticut National Guard.Gov. Malloy was on hand to help Connecticut National Grass.Governor Dannel P. Malloy (right) is joined by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman(center), Maj. Gen. Thad Martin and members of the ConnecticutNational Guard as he signs the bill updating the anti-discrimination lawsfor the Connecticut Military Department at a ceremony at the ConnecticutState Veterans Memorial in Hartford, July 20. (Photo by Allison L. Joanis,State Public Affairs Office)Soldiers assigned to the 38th Sustainment Brigade, Indiana Army National Guard, load acontainer on a train car during rail head training at Camp Atterbury, Ind., August 8. The menand women of the Connecticut Army National Guard’s 143rd Combat Sustainment SupportBattalion helped provide the training and the 38th was one of several units the CSSB providedlogistical support to during the Annual Training period. (Photo by Sgt. Alicia Brocuglio, 130thPublic Affairs Detachment, Connecticut Army National Guard)Airmen assigned to the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Force SupportSquadron, Communications Flight and Logistics Readiness Squadron traveled toRamstein Air Force Base in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany for training with theiractive duty counterparts July 9-25. (Photo courtesy of Capt. Alan Bolduc, CTANG)“We know that General Lengyel will lead this forcewith certainty, clarity and the full confidence and trustof myself and the president,” Carter said.The 1st Battalion, 169th Regiment (RegionalTraining Institute) awarded the gold bars of a secondlieutenant to five members of the Officer CandidateSchool Class 61 that graduated from the grueling17-month program and earned a commission into theConnecticut Army National Guard at Camp Niantic,Aug.20.“It’s surreal. I can’t believe we’re at this point,” 2nd Lt.Melissa Maciag said following the ceremony. “It’s beena long haul, but it’s been worth it. We really succeededtogether as a team and that’s why we’re here together.”Connecticut National Guard units were still pluggingaway at Annual Training. The 143rd CombatSustainment Support Battalion conducted anExportable Combat Training Capability rotationalongside components of the Indiana National Guard atCamp Atterbury, Ind. in August.The CSSB supported more than 2,500 Soldiers duringthe exercise, and is slated to conduct a similar rotationat the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk,Louisiana, later this year.For the second consecutive year, the 1048th MediumTruck Company headed south for annual training.In mid-August, the unit participated in OperationPatriot Bandoleer, supporting Army Material Commandby hauling Army munitions and equipment from theMilitary Ocean Terminal Sunny Point facility in NorthCarolina.According to unit officials, the Enfield-based truckcompany helped move over 2.25 million pounds overthe 15 day mission.The month ended with the return of the last ConnecticutArmy National Guard unit serving overseas in 2016,when 65 Soldiers assigned to the 1109th TheaterMembers of the Connecticut Air National Guard Honor Guard, the 1st and 2ndCompanies Governor’s Horse Guard and 1st and 2nd Companies Governor’sFoot Guard present the colors at the opening ceremonies of the Connecticut Dayparade at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Sept.21. (Photo by Tech Sgt. Erin McNamara, 103rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group returned States Army Reserve as Connecticut’s graduates offrom a nearly year-long deployment to the Middle East. Class 16-001.Commanded by Col. Vincent Vannoorbeeck, the unitJust a few days later, Bradley Air National Guard Basesplit their efforts between Afghanistan and Kuwait, played host to more than 100 young women for thefocusing on rotary-wing aircraft maintenance.Women in Aviation International’s, “Girls in AviationSeptemberDay,” Sept. 26.A New England staple turned 100 years old, and theThe event, which is recognized nationally, exposesConnecticut National Guard continued its longstanding girls aged 8-14 to opportunities in the career fields oftradition by celebratingduring Connecticut Dayat the Big E in WestSpringfield, Mass., Sept. 21.Led by ConnecticutLieutenant Governor NancyWyman, who was escortedby Maj. Gen. Thad Martin,members of the ConnecticutAir National Guard HonorGuard, and the state militiakicked off the annual paradedown the Avenue of States.After months of hardtraining both in the fieldand in the classroom, threeConnecticut NationalGuard Soldiers graduatedfrom Warrant OfficerCandidate School, Class Connecticut’s graduates of the Connecticut Warrant Officer School Program,16-001, during a ceremony 1st Battalion, 169th Regiment at their graduation ceremony at Johnson Countyheld at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Armory in Franklin

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