The Magazine of the Texas Military Forces

THE ISPATCHJAN 2015

It’s a new year...

get your mind & body

in shape

New Year - resolve to get physically and mentally fit. See page 18 for our new

behavioral health section.

The Cover

Contents

6 Texas Airmen foster military working dogs

10 36th Infantry Division’s Snowball Express

14 Texas State Guardsmen visit children’s hospitals in Dallas

16 San Antonio Middle School honors former Texas Airman

18 New Year - New body and mind

YYork, a military working dog in training with the Department of Defense’s Military Working Dog Breeding Program, is pictured playing with a toy in water. YYork is currently being fostered by Col. Susan M. Dickens, commander of the 149th Mission Support Group, Texas Air National Guard, a subordinate unit of the 149th Fighter Wing, at JBSA-Lackland. (Photo courtesy of Col. Susan Dickens). Read more on page 6.

DContents

* The Dispatch is an authorized publication for members of the Texas Military Forces and the Department of Defense. Contents of The Dispatch are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the National Guard Bureau, or the State of Texas. * The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office. * The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Texas Military Forces. * Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. * Content is edited, prepared and provided by the Texas Joint Military Forces Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 10,

2200 W. 35th Street, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 78703.*

The Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols

GovernorGov. Rick Perry

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Joanne MacGregor

Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Travis Walters

Public Affairs Staff Capt. Joshua AmstutzCapt. Martha Nigrelle

1st Lt. Alicia Lacy SSG John Gately

Laura LopezJohn Thibodeau

Michelle McBride

Managing EditorGraphic Layout and Design

Sgt. 1st Class. Malcolm M. McClendon

Contributing Writers and Photographers The Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office would like to thank all the contributing writers and photographers

who generously share their work with us. Without the hard work and dedication of Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians, we would not be able to tell YOUR Texas Military Forces story.

www.txmf.us

Contents

4 TheDISPATCH January 2015

www.txmf.us 5

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Two mem-bers of the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard have opened their

hearts and homes to future military work-ing dogs. The dogs are from the Depart-ment of Defense’s Military Working Dog Breeding Program, which is operated by the U.S. Air Force’s 341st Training Squad-ron. The wing and the squadron are both based here.

Col. Susan M. Dickens, commander of the 149th Mission Support Group, and Tech.

Sgt. Brandon M. Harrist, an aircraft electrical and environmental systems craftsman assigned

to the 149th Maintenance Squadron, are each fos-tering military working dogs in training.

The puppies were born earlier this year at the pro-gram’s JBSA-Lackland facility, they said, and Dickens

and Harrist took them home over the summer.

Dickens is caring for YYork, a Belgian Malinois, while Harrist is caring for DDexter, a Dutch Shepard.

“[YYork] is part of the YY4 litter,” Dickens said.

OPEN HOMES

OPENHEARTS

Story by2nd Lt. Phil Fountain

149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

Around Texas

“All the puppies in a particular litter have the double first letter in their names.”

The double first letter in the dog’s name indicates they are part of the DoD MWD program.

“Lackland is the largest military working dog training facility in the U.S., and possibly the world,” said Tracy Cann, a foster consultant with the DoD MWD Breeding Program. “This has been the place to train MWDs since the military started using dogs in wartime and in peace.”Cann manages the recruiting and screening of potential fosters, and also evaluates the health and wellness of the puppies in the program’s care.

There are multiple MWD programs within the DoD, she said, but that all their dogs are processed through the Lackland facility. Cann said there are four programs to train the dogs: a trainer’s course, a specialized search dog course, a combat tracker dog course and a mine detection dog course.

This is not Harrist’s first rodeo when it comes to fostering a MWD in training.

Harrist and his wife, Lora, who is the primary trainer, have previously fostered three Belgian Malinois, he said.

There are some challenges to training working dogs.

“They are very intelligent and have a lot of energy,” Har-rist said. “Trying to keep the balance of training them to be a working dog and becoming a pet can be challenging. But we have great people on the breeding program staff and other fosters that are always there to help out.”

Dickens agreed that there are a number of challenges.

“The biggest challenge is the logistics of taking him places with you,” Dickens said. “He is very active, mentally and physically, so you have to ensure he is getting enough activity or he will get into mischief.”

But with the challenges come some unique opportunities.Harrist said he has escorted his dogs to interact with se-nior Air Force leaders and has been able to participate in

numerous civic demonstrations.

The fosters are expected “to socialize the pups at a young age, so they learn to trust people and aren’t afraid of being in different environments,” Harrist said. They also work with getting the dogs to interact positively to various rewards.

Fosters like Dickens and Harrist are important to the training process and the dog’s success.

“Working dogs are very high energy and intelligent and growing up in a kennel could make them shy and intro-verted when we need them to be just the opposite,” Cann said. “Foster homes raise the puppies in their homes and socialize them in all kinds of environments, which would not be possible if they were raised in kennels.”

This initial training is important to get the dogs ready for their next level of training and careers.

Dickens said she regulates YYork’s diet to ensure he re-mains fit for his future training.

“We use the philosophy that he is an athlete and must train and eat right to be the best he can be,” Dickens said. “So no ‘people’ food and no ‘eating’ the toys. Needless to say, we are constantly picking up toy parts once they start getting torn up.”

After the dog’s comprehensive training is complete, Cann said they work on explosive and drug detection patrols, as well as tracking suspects, among other missions. Fosters are a critical component of the getting the dogs to where they need to be.

Beyond the basic training requirements, fosters are also expected to ensure the dog’s receive comprehensive med-ical care.

“When the puppies are little, you have to take them to the Holland MWD Hospital for their vaccinations,” Dick-ens said, “which are every few weeks until they are four months old.”

Additionally, all parties within the breeding program

www.txmf.us 7

Around Texas

maintain close contact with program officials.

“We have monthly training sessions,” Harrist said, “so the heads of the breeding program can see how the pups are progressing and give us feedback, as well as pointers for keeping them on the right tract.”

Dickens said the monthly training sessions are “very helpful and gives you insight on what to expect as they get older.”

“This has been tremendously helpful as a first-time own-er,” she said.

The toughest part of the program is saying goodbye, they both said. These dogs will soon head back to the 341st Training Squadron to begin their next level of training.

“The most challenging part for us, really, is their report day,” Harrist said. “You get attached to them as if they are your pet, and it’s hard to say goodbye to them. But then you just keep reminding yourself that these dogs are going to go out and save lives.”

YYork is Dickens’ first foster, and she has been preparing to say goodbye.

“It will be very difficult to not have him with our family anymore,” Dickens said. “But he is definitely ready for the next step. Since he goes to work with me almost every day, I will probably miss him the most and it will take some adjusting to not having my ‘little shadow’ following me everywhere.”

Harrist said the program coordinators attempt to keep him up-to-date with the dog’s training, when possible.

“Sometimes they even send us pictures or video of our dogs in action,” Harrist said. “On occasion, we are lucky enough to see our pups after turn in.”

After returning to the program, the dogs will undergo further training to be readied for transition to an active military unit.

They come back to our trainers and start their pre-train-ing at the age of seven months,” Cann said. “After two weeks of acclimation in their new environment, they are tested in various areas. If they pass testing at that time, they stay in pre-training with our trainers until they are 12 months old.”

“At 12 months, the puppies are tested once more – this is

Tech. Sgt. Brandon M. Harrist and Col. Susan M. Dickens take a picture with DDexter and YYork at Joint Base

San Antonio – Lackland, Texas. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mike Arellano)

8 TheDISPATCH January 2015

Around the Texas

the same test that all MWD’s must pass,” she said. “Once tested and accepted, the dogs move onto their respective training schools to receive advanced training for 90-120 days. If the dogs make it through this training, they are tested once again (for certification). When the dogs are certified they are then assigned to a base [or] post and start their operational careers.”

Once in the field, the dogs work for about 10 years.

“They generally work until they are eight to 12 years old,” Cann said. “They are usually adopted by their (military) handler, or to the public, if it is appropriate for the individual dog when they retire.”

But it all starts with those willing to open their hearts and homes to this im-portant program.

“Outside fosters are vital to our program,” Cann said. “Without them, we would not succeed.” - 149th FW PAO

Outside fosters are vital to our program. Without them,

we would not succeed. ”“

Previous page: DDexter, a military working dog in training with the Department of Defense’s Military Working Dog Breeding Program. DDexter is currently being fostered by Tech. Sgt. Brandon M. Harrist, an aircraft electrical and environmental systems craftsman assigned to the 149th Maintenance Squadron, Texas Air National Guard.

This page: YYork, a military working dog in training with the Department of Defense’s Military Working Dog Breeding Program. YYork is currently being fostered by Col. Susan M. Dickens, commander of the 149th Mission Support Group, Texas Air National Guard.

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Master Sgt. Mike Arellano)

SNOWBALL EXPRESSFamily and servicemembers honor the fallen heroes of 9-11.

10 TheDISPATCH January 2015

Around the Texas

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Family members of service members boarded a special flight Thursday with an important mission: provide hope and new happy

memories to the children of military fallen heroes who have died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001.

Several family members of 36th Infantry Division Sol-diers were among the special “VIPs” that participated in this year’s Snowball Express, which brought over 1,600 to Fort Worth for this annual event.

Maj. Gen. Lester Simpson, commander of the 36th ID, boarded one of nine American Airlines charter planes at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. In San Antonio, the char-ter plane, which was decorated in Christmas lights and garland, picked up the family of Sgt. Christopher Loza, who died in 2009 while serving with the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment in Iraq.

Upon arrival in San Antonio, Simpson greeted Amelia Gonzalez, the mother of Sgt. Loza, and Iliana Loza, his daughter, in the airport terminal. They then boarded the flight as it continued on to Fort Hood/Killeen before the last leg back to the DFW airport.

Simpson, of Rowlett, said, “It’s important to show the kids that they are still part of our military family and ensure they know we haven’t forgotten about them.”

“It’s an honor to board this flight and be a small part of

Story and photos byMaj. Randall Stillinger

36th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

A fire truck from the Fort Hood Fire Department shoots water over an American Airlines MD-80 aircraft as it arrives at Robert Gray Army Airfield to

pick up more families for the Snowball Express. Several family members of fallen military members had boarded the flight in San Antonio and witnessed

the traditional “Shower of Affection,” which pays tribute to our fallen and their family members. American Airlines is the primary sponsor of the

Snowball Express, a non-profit organization that brings Gold Star families to the Dallas/Fort Worth area each December for a memorable weekend.

www.txmf.us 11

Around the Texas

the Snowball Express, an organization that gives special attention to our Gold Star families while honoring our fallen military heroes,” Simpson said.

During the weekend, the families were treated to a number of different events, including a visit to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a trip to the Sheriff’s Posse Ranch in Weatherford, the annual talent show featuring the kids themselves, a show by magician David Hira, and a performance by actor Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band in a hangar at the Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base. Sinise, who is involved in several military causes, regularly supports the Snowball Express and its Gold Star families.

The highlight for many is the traditional Walk of Grat-itude, which gives local residents the opportunity to

come out, line the streets of Fort Worth, and show their appreciation for the sacrifices of the fallen and their families as the procession goes by. Red, white and blue balloons were then released into the sky by the families with messages to their loved ones.

Melanie Mason brought three of her four daughters back to Fort Worth for the weekend of fun and re-membrance. She is the wife of Staff Sgt. Luke Mason, who died when the helicopter he was on went down in Southern Iraq, September, 2008. Staff Sgt. Mason was deployed with 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, the division’s General Support Avia-tion Battalion, which is headquartered in Grand Prairie. The family has participated in the Snowball Express each year since the accident that took his life.

Wyatt McCain, left, and Jackson Thomas, right, demonstrate the proper technique on how to use the oxygen masks on an American Airline’s charter flight. Wyatt is the son of Army Sgt. 1st Class Johnathan B. McCain, who died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, in 2011. Jackson is the son of Staff Sgt. Ryan J. Thomas, who died while serving in the U.S. Air Force.

12 TheDISPATCH January 2015

Around the Texas

Mason, of Springtown, said that her family benefits from Snowball Express as they see that they are not alone in their loss.

“The girls have made some very close friends over the past few years,” Mason said.

As the Snowball Express travels around the Dallas Fort Worth area during the weekend, they are escorted by local police and the ever-present Patriot Guard Riders. Citizens line the streets with signs and cheer in a show of support. American flags fly from overpasses and vet-erans stand at attention to salute the convoy of buses as they pass.

“I really like when we go places and see people standing along the road waving,” Mason said. “I like knowing they

are there for us, and that they are there to honor our heroes.”

Mason’s daughter, Sarah, age 10, said that her favorite experience of the weekend was seeing all the animals at the Fort Worth Zoo.

American Airlines is the lead sponsor of the Snowball Express as it donates the charter airplanes and airline tickets that bring all the families together. Other spon-sors include Neiman Marcus, the Airpower Foundation, Dallas Fan Fares and Armed Forces Insurance, among many others. - 36th ID PAO

Maj. Gen. Lester Simpson, 36th Infantry Division commander, chats with Jason Thomas in the overhead baggage

compartment during a charter flight from Fort Hood. Jason is the son of Staff Sgt. Ryan J. Thomas, who died while serving in

the U.S. Air Force.

www.txmf.us 13

Around the Texas

DALLAS, TEXAS - Santa’s helpers paid an early visit to three

Dallas-area children’s hos-pitals Dec. 13, 2014, bring-ing a special delivery from the Texas State Guard, 19th Regiment of Dallas, as part of the TXSG’s Young Heroes of the Guard toy drive. “We have the opportunity to serve Texans during di-sasters, but this gives us a great opportunity to serve little Texans when they need us most,” said TXSG Chaplain Lt. Col. Douglas Sewell.

Texas State Guard volun-teers rolled in a variety of toys, art projects and games to patients at Chil-dren’s Medical Center of Dallas, Medical City Chil-dren’s Hospital and Our Children’s House of Baylor. With the generous dona-tion of more than 3,505 toys from local businesses and communities across North Texas, children were able to pick and choose their favorite toys with the help of their family.

A number of guardsmen

said it was very humbling and rewarding.

“You think you are worse off, but when you see what the kids and families are going through each day, financially and emotion-ally, it’s humbling and brings joy in doing what you are doing,” said Capt. Joe Jones, 19th Regiment, logistics officer.

Two fathers said they were thankful to the TXSG since they didn’t have time to buy toys for their other children. Others observed a mom in the hallway, overwhelmed with tears in her eyes, as she watched the activity from the hall-way into the children’s toy room, as her child couldn’t join the other kids due to his illness. She said it meant so much to her that people cared enough to give, collect and bring the array of toys, also sharing that her child had a big smile when a volunteer brought him a toy.

“I have four kids and one of mine was in the hospital so I stayed in the hospital many days,” said Spc. John

Turner, TXSG. “Coming back, I know what the parents are thinking. There are so many things to worry about and getting toys for their children at home and their child in the hospital, that’s one less thing to worry about.”

The TXSG Young Heroes of the Guard program was initiated by a couple of chaplains in 2009 and has grown tremendous-ly, surpassing last year’s record of about 6,600 toys to more than 20,000 this year, helping provide toys to hospitalized children in 14 hospitals throughout the state. “You don’t know what to say as you don’t know how it feels as a parent being there,” said Cpl. Leonard Deonarine, TXSG. To summarize his feel-ings, Deonarine quoted something he heard once, “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I served and I saw that service is joy.”

The TXSG delivered not just toys, but joy and

HONORING YOUNG HEROESTexas State Guardsmen visit Dallas Area children’s hospitals with toys in hand

smiles that day to the children and families that needed it most thanks to the churches, organiza-tions, businesses, private citizens and families and friends of the Guard. - 19th Regt. PAO

Story and photos byCapt. Esperanza Meza

19th Regiment Public Affairs Office

Soldiers from 19th Regiment, Dallas, provide toys to children during the holidays at Our Children’s House at Baylor, Dallas, Dec. 13, 2014.

14 TheDISPATCH January 2015

Around the Texas

We have the opportunity to serve Texans during disasters, but this gives us a great opportunity to serve little Texans when they need us most. ”“

Soldiers from 19th Regiment, Texas State Guard, provide toys to children during the holidays at

Medical City Children’s Hospital, Dallas.

Cpl. Lester of 19th Regiment, Dallas, provides a Dallas Cowboy fan a blanket during the holidays at

Medical City Children’s Hospital, Dallas.

www.txmf.us 15

Around Texas

Honoring a heroFormer Texas air NaTioNal GuardsmaN becomes saN aNToNio middle school NamesakeStory by Capt. Joshua AmstutzTexas Military Forces Public Affairs Office

An outside shot of San Antonio’s North East Independent School District’s David Lee “Tex” Hill Middle School. (Courtesy photo)

Opposite page:Top: Courtesy archive photo of David Lee “Tex” Hill.Center: Maj. Gen. Kenneth Wisian, Deputy Adjutant General-Air and Commander Texas Air National Guard speaks at the dedication.Bottom: Maj. Gen. Kenneth Wisian, Deputy Adjutant General-Air and Commander Texas Air National Guard poses with school principal, Rudy Jimenez and Oliver Crawford, San Antonio Airpower Heritage Foundation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Joshua Amstutz)

16 TheDISPATCH January 2015

Around Texas

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - The San Antonio Northeast School District dedicated its newest

middle school to David Lee “Tex” Hill, a San Antonio native and for-mer Texas Air National Guardsman, Nov. 11, 2014.

A World War II fighter pilot, Hill served with the Flying Tigers and became a triple ace. In 1944, Hill returned to the U.S. and took com-mand of the 412th Fighter Group, America’s first operational jet fighter group. He separated from active service in 1945.

Hill became a member of the Texas Air National Guard when then-Texas Governor Coke Stevenson asked him to command the 58th Wing of the Texas Air National Guard.

He accepted and activated Guard units throughout the area, becoming the youngest brigadier general in the history of the Guard.

“Hill was a great Texan, ground breaking pioneer and founding member of the Texas Air National Guard, which made it appropriate to name the middle school after him on Veterans Day,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Wisian, Deputy Adjutant General - Air and Commander of the Texas Air National Guard.

Hill’s daughter Shannon Schaupp shared some of her memories of her father at the ceremony.

“Daddy said to be the best you can be,” said Schaupp to the students. “We are all counting on you. Now it is time for you to write your own story.”

The new middle school will strive to promote this attitude with their students according to Principal Rudy Jimenez. - DISPATCH

www.txmf.us 17

Around Texas

Strengthening Your Mental FitnessCommentary by TXARNG Counselors Renee Senn, LCSW and Tracy K. Ward, LPC

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained

and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills

- Soldier’s Creed

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Alicia Lacy)

18 TheDISPATCH January 2015

In your Corner

After the holidays most of us find ourselves with some additional weight and tighter clothes... two “signs” that our physical body needs a little tune-

up and a little extra attention. An important aspect of being a service member is to maintain a level of physi-cal fitness and a readiness to serve. Knowing you have Army physical standards and a PT test increases your awareness of your body and physical fitness level.

The Soldier’s Creed emphasizes that soldiers maintain not only their physical toughness to serve but also their mental toughness as well. How do soldiers measure their mental toughness or know when it needs some attention?

A mental fitness tune up is needed when you BEGIN to: • lose sight of Army values• pull away from family and friends • smile less • laugh less • drink more alcohol • smoke or increase smoking• use illegal substances• have more arguments with those you love • no longer engage in activities you enjoy• skip family events • sleep more or sleep less• have mean thoughts toward yourself or others• hold grudges • feel an increase in sadness, anxiety, boredom or

anger• no longer engage in spiritual practices like attend-

ing worship services, praying, etc.

When you notice your physical body is beginning to be out of shape it is wise to make changes early. For exam-ple, making changes when the waist band is too tight, versus waiting to react when all your clothes no lon-ger fit. The quicker you recognize the signs, create an action plan and make changes, the smoother and easier the process. This is also true for your mental toughness. Pay attention to the early signs. Notice when you BE-GIN to lose sight of your Army values. Knowing your personal signs, creating a plan of action, and engaging in the plan will create quick changes to your mental

fitness and decrease the chance of a crisis.

It is important to create a plan of action with lists of people, places and activities that mentally strengthen you and uphold Army values. Choose people who will tell you the truth, listen with compassion, advise you and will help you get back on track. Choose from a combination of your friends, family members, Battle Buddies, a chaplain, a therapist or anyone who you trust and believe will have your best interests at heart. This does not include mischievous friends. Mischie-vous friends may be fun to be with but can lead to trouble and they may not honor Army values. A plan should also include places and activities that replenish, strengthen and build resilience. Participate in activities that make you smile, laugh, move, talk and engage with good people. All of these activities may strengthen mental fitness. This plan does not include long hours of video games, stressful movies and social media, each of which is shown to increase stress and anxiety.

Just as you must exercise at least three times a week to keep up your physical fitness, you will need to make an effort to use your mental fitness plan three times a week. That means having personal contact with good people, engaging in activities that you enjoy and going to places that increase your level of relaxation. Con-tinuing to do this weekly will help your mental fitness and will reward you with a level of mental toughness that will serve you well in and out of battle.

Tracy K. Ward, Renee Senn and Courtney Lynch are counselors at Camp Mabry and have made a com-mitment to honor and accept the physical and mental standards of the Army. At this moment they aren’t willing to post their physical fitness status so watch for quarterly updates on their progress.

If you need help creating a mental fitness plan or have helpful advice regarding their physical fitness prog-ress, please contact them in Bldg 34 or at 512-782-6791.

www.txmf.us 19

In your Corner

http://www.txmf.us/