JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ –Today February 10, the New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.
Yesterday, February 9, Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.
The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion / 150th Aviation Regiment AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) are completing training for the “Combat Lifesaver Course” located at the Fort Dix MSTC. The Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier, and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics.Photos: Kevin C Mcdevitt | USASA, Fort Dix | Date Taken: 02/10/2022These Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.These Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.These Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.These Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.These Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.These Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.These Air Force Soldiers from the 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team) are completing pre-mobilization training on Range 7 on the Fort Dix Range Complex. Training on the M240/M249 is part of an emphasis on preparing airmen for deployment into areas of potential combat.Fort Dix – 321st CRS (Contingency Response Team), by Kevin C Mcdevitt, USASA, FORT DIX
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Florida man today admitted assaulting two U.S. Air Force military police officers with his car, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Hal Wander, 25, of Port Charlotte, Florida, pleaded guilty by teleconference before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to an information charging him with assault on two federal officers using a deadly and dangerous weapon, namely, a motor vehicle.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Nov. 16, 2020, Wander drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed into Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a U.S. military base located in Burlington County, New Jersey, without stopping at the designated check point. Two marked military police vehicles, driven by Victims 1 and 2, gave chase. Victim 1 positioned his car in front of Wander in an attempt to stop Wander, and Wander intentionally drove his car into Victim 1’s military police vehicle. Victim 2 positioned his military police vehicle behind Wander’s vehicle, and Wander intentionally drove his car backwards into Victim 2’s vehicle. While Wander’s car was stopped, Victim 1 reached into Wander’s vehicle and attempted to turn off the ignition. Wander then drove forward, dragging Victim 1 several feet before Victim 1 was able to disengage from Wander’s vehicle. Wander continued to drive his vehicle dangerously until he hit a utility pole, came to a stop, and was arrested.
The assault charge to which Wander pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 307, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Nicholas J. Kaplan, with the investigation that led to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the Criminal Division in Camden.
22-042
Defense counsel: Benjamin J. West Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
TRENTON, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man was arrested today on charges that he distributed images and a video depicting child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Brian J. Crann, 37, of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (Joint Base MDL), in Burlington, New Jersey, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography. He was arrested today, appeared this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert, and was ordered detained.
According to documents filed in this case:
On Jan. 22, 2022, Crann transmitted a video and two images of child sexual abuse to another individual using an account on an instant messaging mobile application. Crann also transmitted a non-pornographic image of himself with a minor, who appeared to be the same minor victim depicted in the images and video of child sexual abuse.
The investigation revealed that the account was associated with an Android smartphone and that a short time before the user of the account sent the images and video, the account was accessed using a Wi-Fi Internet Protocol address assigned to an internet service account subscribed in Crann’s name at a residential address on Joint Base MDL. The contact number for the internet service account was a mobile telephone number subscribed in Crann’s name at the same residential address. On Jan. 25, 2022, law enforcement officials searched Crann and recovered an Android smartphone with the mobile telephone number subscribed in Crann’s name. A search of the smartphone revealed a copy of the non-pornographic image of Crann with the minor that had been sent from the account via the app on Jan. 22, 2022.
The distribution of child pornography charge is punishable by a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI Newark Field Office Crimes Against Children Squad, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., and Fort Dix Army CID Resident Unit with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
22-025
Defense counsel: Lisa J. Van Hoeck Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a scheme to use drones to smuggle contraband, including cell phones and tobacco, into the federal correctional facility at Fort Dix, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Johansel Moronta, 29, of Linden, New Jersey, a former inmate at Fort Dix, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with one count of possessing and obtaining contraband while in prison. Moronta, who had been released from custody several months after the offense occurred and was on federal supervised release thereafter, also pleaded guilty to violating the terms of his supervised release.
Another former federal inmate, Jason Arteaga-Loayza, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the scheme as well as to distributing narcotics and was sentenced in September 2021 to 43 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton. Two other men, Adrian Goolcharran, aka “Adrian Ahoda,” aka “Adrian Ajoda,” aka “Adrian Ajodha,” and Nicolo Denichilo, also have been charged with participating in the scheme to use drones to smuggle contraband into Fort Dix prison.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Moronta, an inmate at Fort Dix from April 2018 to March 2019, participated in multiple drone deliveries of contraband into Fort Dix while incarcerated. Between October 2018 and June 2019, Arteaga-Loayza arranged for Goolcharran, with Denichilo’s assistance, to fly drones over Fort Dix and drop packages of contraband into the prison, where Moronta took possession of the contraband and helped sell it to inmates for a profit. The packages that Moronta helped to smuggle in to FCI Fort Dix included cell phones, cell phone accessories, tobacco, weight loss supplements, eyeglasses, and various other items. Moronta, from inside the prison, helped coordinate inmate requests for specific items of contraband and assisted in the collection of payments.
Moronta’s conspirators took various steps to prevent BOP officials from detecting and intercepting the contraband. They planned drone drops during the late evening hours or overnight when it was dark and the drones were less likely to be seen. Goolcharran, the drone pilot, with Denichilo’s assistance, flew the drones from concealed positions in the woods surrounding the prison. The lights on the drones were covered with tape to make it more difficult for prison officials to spot the drones against the dark evening sky.
Moronta and his conspirators used cell phones, including contraband phones concealed within the prison, to coordinate the drone drops. A contraband cell phone used by Moronta while an inmate at Fort Dix contained text messages with Arteaga-Loayza about the collection of profits from the sale of the contraband inside of the prison. In one exchange, for instance, Moronta messaged Arteaga-Loayza about an inmate, “Ok so I am tell him 10 phones and 100 baco [i.e. tobacco] he has to pay 10 bands and 500 on each phone?” Arteaga-Loayza responded, “And well (sic) even give him an ounce of weed tell him.”
Moronta admitted in court that, on Oct. 30, 2018, he received a bag dropped by a drone onto the roof of a housing unit at FCI Fort Dix which contained contraband tobacco, cellphone chargers and charging cables. Prison officials recovered that bag which contained 127 bags of Bugler tobacco, 10 cell phone chargers and 10 USB charging cables. Moronta also admitted to possessing a contraband cell phone on that date, which he had used to coordinate the drone drop.
During a search of Arteaga-Loayza’s residence on June 27, 2019, agents found a kitchen closet containing packages of empty cell phone boxes, including a package with empty cell phone boxes that had been shipped to Arteaga-Loayza the day before the drone drop of Oct. 30, 2018, cell phone chargers, empty boxes of SIM cards, and several cell phones.
Moronta also admitted to physically assaulting his girlfriend in June of 2021 while at a gas station in Fort Lee, after his release from federal prison.
Moronta faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and maximum fine of $100,000 for the plea to possession of contraband while being a federal inmate. Moronta also agreed to a term of imprisonment of 14 months for violating the terms of his supervised release by assaulting his girlfriend, a term which will be served consecutively to whatever term of imprisonment he receives for the contraband charge. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited agents of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Cyber Investigations Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Keith A. Bonanno; the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 307, under the direction of Superintendent Nicholas Kaplan; and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Joseph Harris, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
He also thanked Federal Bureau of Prisons personnel at Fort Dix; special agents of the FBI; special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office; and officers with the Pemberton Borough Police Department; the Pemberton Township Police Department; and Chesterfield Township Police Department, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the criminal complaints issued against the remaining defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – A Marine Corps AH-1 incident occurred approximately at 3:30 p.m. today in Wrightstown, N.J. according to the Joint Base MDL Public Affairs Office.
Local fire departments as well as Airport Rescue Firefighters from the US Air Force responded to the area of 500 Block of East Main Street in Wrightstown for what appeared to be a hard landing. East Main was closed from Fort Dix Street-Sykesville Road to McGuire Boulevard.
Joint Base Officials stated two personnel were on board and were transferred to nearby medical facilities. Their condition is stable.
The incident is currently under investigation.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
The scene this afternoon. Photo sent in by “Dutch” These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.File photos from a training exercise on Range 85 last year You can read that MidJersey.News story here: https://midjersey.news/2021/12/08/marine-light-attack-helicopter-squadron-trains-at-joint-base/
In photos below Marine Soldiers prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.
These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.These Marine Soldiers from the HMLA 773d DET B prepare for a Dive Fire Aerial Gunnery exercise on Range 85 on Fort Dix, NJ Ranges. The Aerial Gunner is to make sure all weapons systems are functioning properly and are properly secured for safety and usage reasons. The Special Duty Assignment position is responsible for operating the airborne weapon systems and equipment.Photos: Marines / HMLA 773d DET B, USASA, Fort Dix, by Kevin C Mcdevitt, photos taken 12/3/2021 released 12/7/2021
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, AL DHAFRA AIR BASE–Airman forward deployed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst were seen performing maintenance on a KC-10 and other equipment with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates yesterday and today.
Chief Master Sgt. Olatokunbo Olopade, command chief of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, is instructed by Senior Airman Charles Hennage in proper maintenance of a generator used to provide ground power to aircraft at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 4, 2021. Olopade and other senior leaders from the 380th AEW routinely visit work spaces around the base, rolling up their sleeves and working alongside Airmen. Hennage, an aerospace ground equipment specialist, is forward deployed to ADAB from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton)Chief Master Sgt. Olatokunbo Olopade, command chief of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, is instructed by Senior Airman Charles Hennage in proper maintenance of a generator used to provide ground power to aircraft at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 4, 2021. Olopade and other senior leaders from the 380th AEW routinely visit work spaces around the base, rolling up their sleeves and working alongside Airmen. Hennage, an aerospace ground equipment specialist, is forward deployed to ADAB from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton)Senior Airman Charles Hennage, an aerospace ground equipment specialist with the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, and Chief Master Sgt. Olatokunbo Olopade, command chief of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, pause while performing maintenance a generator used to provide ground power to aircraft at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 4, 2021. Olopade and other senior leaders from the 380th AEW routinely visit work spaces around the base, rolling up their sleeves and working alongside Airmen. Hennage is forward deployed to ADAB from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton)U.S. Air Force photos by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public AffairsAirman 1st Class Nicholas Carson, a crew chief with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, perform maintenance inside the wing of a KC-10 Extender at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 3, 2021. Carson is forward deployed to ADAB from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton)Staff Sgt. Michael Smith and Airman 1st Class Nicholas Carson, both crew chiefs with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, perform maintenance inside the wing of a KC-10 Extender at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 3, 2021. Both Airman are forward deployed to ADAB from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton)Staff Sgt. Michael Smith and Airman 1st Class Nicholas Carson, both crew chiefs with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, perform maintenance inside the wing of a KC-10 Extender at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 3, 2021. Both Airman are forward deployed to ADAB from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton)U.S. Air Force photos by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Putting the maintenance Airmen’s safety first, Wright escorted congressional delegates, business owners and CEOs of various companies onto McGuire to show how the base’s small hangars were not sufficient in sustaining the base’s robust mission set.
Wright brought all of the visitors on a bus, took them out to the McGuire flight line on a cold Jan. day.
“I wanted to show them the hangars we had,” he said. “They were built for smaller aircraft and how a C-118 Liftmaster and C-141 were only able to fit up to the wing and was too dangerous to do maintenance on.”
The general had it in his mind to keep his Airmen on McGuire safe, so that’s what he did. Shortly after Wright’s departure, the base built hangars large enough for the bigger mobility machines. He’s also proud that three of his squadron commanders from McGuire were promoted to General as well.
Wright also started an aviation museum while there, collecting seven aircraft – the first of which was one of his favorites, the P-38 Lightning.
While at McGuire, he earned a Bronze Oak leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for his accomplishments there.
November 11, 2021
By: Nicholas Pilch, 60th Air Mobily Wing Public Affairs
Travis Air Force Base, Calif. – U.S. Air Force retired Brig. Gen. Larry Wright was inducted into the Georgia Veterans Hall of Fame, Nov. 6, 2021.
Gen. Wright commissioned into the Air Force in 1960 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Maryland. Some of his highest decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The general was a command pilot with 7,400 flying hours, including 1,874 combat flying hours and 533 maintenance test flight hours.
Though heavily decorated, he is a family man at heart. His wife, Gretchen, and he recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. They have four successful children, Teresa Marie, Pamela, Heather and John – and to this day, he continues his passion of aviation.
“The best things about the Air Force are the airplanes,” said Wright. “They are the mortar that holds all of the Airmen together.”
Wright began his career as a young lieutenant at Travis Air Force Base, California, after he finished flying training at Craig AFB, Alabama. His first assignment at Travis AFB was as a C-133 Cargomaster pilot, as well as an instructor and maintenance test pilot.
Then in 1965, his life changed forever that December when he met his wife at Travis AFB, he recalls in his memoir:
“It was the 19th of Dec. 1965, the time was 5:15 p.m. I remember it exactly. She was in my apartment and I walked into my living room. I saw her. She was standing on a chair, decorating a Christmas tree that wasn’t there (before). As a matter of fact, she hadn’t been there either. She had short, neat auburn-colored hair. Her eyes were large and dark. She saw me and turned. She had a tree decoration in one hand and a bottle of Chivas Regal in the other. She (had) a brilliant smile that caused the whole room to light up. ‘Hi, I’m Gretchen. Merry Christmas.’”
After Gretchen and him were married and they started a family and moved on base, Gretchen started a tradition.
“One of the neatest things Gretchen would do at each assignment was plant a tree when we moved in,” he said.
At Travis, he completed combat flight school, where he received honor graduate – which isn’t a first for his educational journey. Throughout his journey into education, whether if it was for higher education or military training, he always graduated with honors, the top of his class or cum laude.
An educated officer in the Air Force, his command started putting him on combat missions into Vietnam with the C-133 from Travis AFB from 1965 to 1968 until he was deployed there in 1969.
In 1969, he earned his Silver Star, but it wasn’t a single thing that happened that got him to the mission in which he earned it. Wright said that being an honor graduate from combat flight school was the ripple effect that brought everything into place. He received honor graduate, then he was named chief of aircrew standardization in Vietnam, then he was sent on one mission that he completed, under heavy fire, when he was awarded the Silver Star.
The mission wasn’t simple.
Fly a C-7A Caribou into a heavily fortified enemy territory, no landing lights, very little cover – and during a heavy rain storm. He and his copilot flew the C-7 above the landing area, waited for the ground grew to ignite a few small lights for landing, quickly landed under fire, unloaded the equipment and resupply for the ground troops then took off under heavy fire.
“The C-7 was the only military aircraft that was never rated for commercial flight,” he said. “This is still one of the only aircraft you rip into reverse to sit it down, or land.”
This cold and rainy Oct. 30 mission was also the inspiration for why Mrs. Wright felt compelled to nominate Gen. Wright for the Georgia Hall of Fame.
“His mission that he got the Silver Star for made a difference in a lot lives,” she said. “If he didn’t land with the ammunition and things the army needed there, a lot of those men wouldn’t have made it out.”
The citation describes the thunderstorms and darkness, which caused two other aircraft with supplies to turn around, but Wright went forward.
He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross for another mission while in Vietnam where he had to avoid friendly and hostile fire to deliver essential supplies.
After arriving home in 1970, Wright was then stationed at the Air Force Academy where he served at the 4th Squadron commander. While in Colorado, he completed his first Master of Arts degree and, along with his wife, adopted their son.
His Next assignment was to Charleston AFB, South Carolina the quality control officer and the Avionics Maintenance Squadron commander and eventually assistant chief of maintenance. He flew C-141 Starlifter at Charleston.
On flying the C-141, Wright recalls in his memoir:
“Off to fly C-141’s at Charleston AFB. The C-141 is a big, powerful, four-engine jet. It’s a tough, reliable aircraft that got the job done. It had a decent performance cruising at .74 mach. When the Air Force first got the C-141 in 1965 they had the original aluminum finish with the tops painted white. Now, eight years later, we were in the process of painting them all the NATO olive drab, camouflage colors. It was a good move. Charleston kept two aircraft with the aluminum and white paint for sensitive missions, where we didn’t want to look ‘warlike.’”
At Charleston, too, Wright exceeded, graduating top of his class in the pilot course that would qualify him to fly his new office there: the C-141.
Wright has story after story he remembers from each base because each assignment was special to him.
“Charleston was good to us. The wing there does well – they always have because of the people,” he said. “I was promoted to lieutenant colonel while there and received my appointment to the National War College in Washington, D.C.”
The general is always quick to give credit to the men and women that worked for him, but a follow-on assignment to the National War College was another educational opportunity he was both excited and nervous for because only 160 people, including civilians, received such a prestigious appointment. The school is focused on government education and broader priorities with military planning and logistics from a federal and nation-wide perspective.
Directly following his appointment, Wright moved over to the Pentagon to work directly for the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an action officer in the Logistics, Planning and Review Branch for Strategic Mobility.
Andrews AFB, Maryland, was next for him and his family. He took command of the 89th Military Airlift Wing in June of 1979, where he flew Vice President Walter Mondale and the First Lady, Rosalynn Carter.
He said this assignment was memorable because of the presidential flights, but the particular elation for the assignment was because of the election year he was there and being able to fly President Ronald Reagan for his first inauguration.
He received the Legion of Merit for his successful missions supporting the President, Vice President, members of Congress and other prominent national and international leaders.
After Andrews, the general went further northeast to McGuire AFB, New Jersey, where he feels he did a lot as a wing commander.
“Gen. Wright was the kind of leader who knew how to lead and change the scenery,” said retired Col. Harvey Haas, an officer that worked for Wright during his time at McGuire and is a friend to him to this day. “It takes a fearless warrior with courage and the ability to make the correct choices under stress.
“He was a person that looked after his people,” Haas said, laughing. “He set up a volleyball game for the colonels to play against the junior officers – where the junior officers just crawled all over each other, trying to be the superstar, but under Wright’s leadership, us older guys tore up the young ones because we came together as a team.”
Haas was quick to credit Wright for his leadership and attitude about his people.
Putting the maintenance Airmen’s safety first, Wright escorted congressional delegates, business owners and CEOs of various companies onto McGuire to show how the base’s small hangars were not sufficient in sustaining the base’s robust mission set.
Wright brought all of the visitors on a bus, took them out to the McGuire flight line on a cold Jan. day.
“I wanted to show them the hangars we had,” he said. “They were built for smaller aircraft and how a C-118 Liftmaster and C-141 were only able to fit up to the wing and was too dangerous to do maintenance on.”
The general had it in his mind to keep his Airmen on McGuire safe, so that’s what he did. Shortly after Wright’s departure, the base built hangars large enough for the bigger mobility machines. He’s also proud that three of his squadron commanders from McGuire were promoted to General as well.
Wright also started an aviation museum while there, collecting seven aircraft – the first of which was one of his favorites, the P-38 Lightning.
While at McGuire, he earned a Bronze Oak leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for his accomplishments there.
In 1983, General Wright went on to Scott AFB, Illinois, where he became the deputy chief of staff for logistics at Military Airlift Command headquarters, but was there for a short amount of time because he was promoted to Brigadier General, which out-ranked him for the position he was in. He promoted June 1, 1984, with date of rank Oct. 1, 1983.
He and his family headed back to Travis AFB, but this time, he would be the vice commander of the 22nd Air Force, Military Airlift Command. It was one of three combat-ready strategic and tactical airlift arms of the Military Airlift Command.
“Returning to Travis was nostalgic for my family and I,” he said.
Their first time at Travis, Mrs. Wright planted a small palm tree in their front yard. When they returned, the family went to their old address to find it tall and growing healthy.
First arriving to Travis as a lieutenant and then coming back as a general humbled him and reminded him how small one’s career can be, or how much of an impact one can make in their career.
His assignment at Travis earned him the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. In the absence of the commander, Gen. Wright directed strategic and tactical airlift capabilities for half the globe, said the award citation. His leadership was essential for readiness exercises in 1985 and 1986 which meant a stronger United States strategic military partnership in the Korean theater.
Wright capped off his career with a year-long assignment to U.S. Forces Portugal and returned to Charleston afterwards.
His retirement wasn’t in the slightest a forgettable one – in Charleston, South Carolina. While there, him and his family evacuated for Hurricane Hugo that hurricane made the Isle of Palms almost disappear.
Afterwards, in 1989 he went on to complete his second Master’s degree in history at The Citadel in Charleston and went on to teach U.S. history and national security policy at The University of North Florida and Jacksonville University until 1999.
Wright’s journey, 22 years later, brought him to the Saint Luke Ministry Center in Columbus, Georgia for his induction to the Georgia Veterans Hall of Fame, Nov. 6.
“What strikes me from the ceremony was the dinner,” he said. “Sitting there, listening to stories from other inductees – there were men there with the Medal of Honor, four Silver Stars – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“To sit with those heroes – to be there with them – that was the real honor.”
The General has over 22 decorations which include: the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 11 service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Editor’s note: Portions of this article have been researched and gathered from various websites, awards citations, other online articles, yearbooks and revised sections of Brig. Gen. Wright’s memoir. Information has been presented to Brig. Gen. Wright and credited to him to be factual.
U.S. Army General William J. Livsey, center left, 8th U.S. Army commanding general, greets Brig. Gen. Larry D. Wright, center right, U.S. Forces Azores and 1605th Military Airlift Support Wing commander, during Exercise Team Spirit, in Pohang, Republic of Korea, March 1, 1986. This was Wright’s final tour before retiring later that year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Danny Perez, provided via DIMOC)
U.S. Air Force retired Brig. Gen. Larry Wright, wearing Colonel at the time of this photo dated Feb. 2, 1981. (Photo courtesy via DIMOC)
By Airman 1st Class Joseph Morales Joint Base MDL Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community celebrated a monumental milestone for the installation as it welcomed its first KC-46A Pegasus to its new home in an arrival ceremony Nov. 9, 2021. The event marked the beginning of new total force aerial refueling operations at the joint base, making it the first and only joint base with KC-46 lead operations.
The aircraft, delivered by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mark Camerer, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, and Brig. Gen. Neil Richardson, Air Mobility Command’s Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration Operations deputy director, will be operated and maintained by the 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings, and will receive installation support from the 87th Air Base Wing.
“The arrival of the KC-46 at JB MDL signifies the continuation of a great tradition of air refueling in the 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings,” said Col. Scott Wiederholt, 305th AMW commander. “A tradition underscored by a strategically located installation that is postured to provide increased and enduring capabilities to execute our nation’s most important missions. The KC-46 is now part of an impressive lineage of aircraft and great aviators.”
Joint Base MDL was selected to receive the KC-46 in 2017 by meeting all operational mission requirements within the U.S. Air Force’s tanker recapitalization strategy. The installation, with co-located operations between active and reserve components, expects to receive 15 additional aircraft during Fiscal Year 2022, with nine more planned for Fiscal Year 2023.
”The Reserve Citizen Airmen of the Freedom Wing are honored to be a part of the historical arrival of the KC-46,” said Col. William Gutermuth, 514th AMW commander. “We look forward to the next generation joint partnership we have formed with our mission partners across the installation and will continue to provide mission ready Airmen ready at a moment’s notice to augment our active duty counterparts.”
The KC-46 maintains air refueling edge through the use of both the refueling boom and drogue systems, allowing for simultaneous air refueling of multiple aircraft with wing pods. The KC-46 is designed to refuel allied and coalition aircraft and provide multifunctional support, like passenger and cargo transport along with medical and humanitarian relief.
On top of its air refueling, cargo, and passenger capabilities, the KC-46 will amplify next-generation capabilities such as the Advanced Battle Management System, which demonstrates the ability to collect, process, and share data from air, land, sea and space domains at exponential rates.
“Today, we send KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders around the world to enable Global Reach…providing capabilities only this country can provide [and] options to our senior leaders no other nation can offer,” Wiederholt said. “From this day forward, the aircrew, maintainers, Port Dawgs and support personnel will place their indelible mark upon our nation’s tanker legacy in the KC-46.”
The arrival of the KC-46 on Joint Base MDL reinforces the role of the installation in enabling global reach.
“Today highlights the important role our installation has in delivering warfighting capabilities for combatant commanders anywhere in the world,” said Col. Wes Adams, Joint Base MDL commander. “The arrival of our first KC-46 is the result of close coordination with our community and mission partners who worked hard over the years to bring this mission to JB MDL. Today we celebrate this incredible milestone in our joint base’s history.”
U.S. Air Force Col. Scott Wiederholt, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, gives remarks during the KC-46A Pegasus welcome ceremony on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., on Nov. 9, 2021. The arrival of the KC-46 on Joint Base MDL reinforces the role of the installation in enabling global reach. The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings will operate and maintain the aircraft with installation support from the 87th Air Base Wing.
U.S. Air Force Col. Scott Wiederholt, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Col. Erik Brine, 514th Air Mobility Wing vice wing commander, salute Pudgy 01, the first KC-46A Pegasus part of a welcome ceremony on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 9, 2021. The event marked the beginning of new total force aerial refueling operations at the joint base, making it the first and only joint base with KC-46 lead operations.
The flying crew of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s first KC-46A Pegasus arrive to the welcome ceremony at the hangar, Nov. 9, 2021. The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings will operate and maintain the aircraft with installation support from the 87th Air Base Wing. The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings will operate and maintain the aircraft with installation support from the 87th Air Base Wing.
The joint base honor guard marches past the KC-46A Pegasus as part of a welcome ceremony on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 9, 2021. The arrival of the KC-46 on Joint Base MDL reinforces the role of the installation in enabling global reach. The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings will operate and maintain the aircraft with installation support from the 87th Air Base Wing.
An airman assigned to 605th Maintenance Squadron marshals in a KC-46A Pegasus on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 9, 2021. The arrival of the KC-46 on Joint Base MDL reinforces the role of the installation in enabling global reach. The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings will operate and maintain the aircraft with installation support from the 87th Air Base Wing.
WRIGHTSTOWN, NJ (BURLINGTON)– The 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor ceremony was held at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., on Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony.
Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes.
U.S. Army and Air Force Honor Guard members carry American Flags and urns containing the cremains of a veteran during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army and Air Force Honor Guard members carry American Flags and urns containing the cremains of a veteran during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army Pfc. Jeremy B. Peguero, right, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, places an urn containing the cremains of a veteran while Sgt. Aldo A. Posas, Joint Force Headquarters, both with the New Jersey Army National Guard, waits to place an American flag in front of it during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army Sgt. Aldo A. Posas, left, Joint Force Headquarters, places an American flag in front of an urn containing the cremains of a veteran while Pfc. Jeremy B. Peguero, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, both with the New Jersey Army National Guard, stands at attention during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army Pfc. Jeremy B. Peguero, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, carries an urn containing the cremains of a veteran during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Airman 1st Class Bertha E. Paul-Odionhin, places an urn containing the cremains of a veteran while Senior Airman Jai A. Williams, both with the 87th Air Base Wing Honor Guard, waits to place an American flag in front of it during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jai A. Williams, left, places an American flag in front of an urn containing the cremains of a veteran while Airman 1st Class Bertha E. Paul-Odionhin, both with the 87th Air Base Wing Honor Guard, stands at attention during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army and Air Force Honor Guard members carry American Flags and urns containing the cremains of a veteran during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Airman 1st Class Bertha E. Paul-Odionhin, places an urn containing the cremains of a veteran while Senior Airman Jai A. Williams, both with the 87th Air Base Wing Honor Guard, waits to place an American flag in front of it during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jai A. Williams, left, and Airman 1st Class Bertha E. Paul-Odionhin, both with the 87th Air Base Wing Honor Guard render honors during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Bertha E. Paul-Odionhin, 87th Air Base Wing Honor Guard, places an urn containing the cremains of a veteran during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor (NJMOH) ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army Sgt. Aldo A. Posas, left, Joint Force Headquarters, and Pfc. Jeremy B. Peguero, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, both with the New Jersey Army National Guard, unfurl the American flag during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army Sgt. Aldo A. Posas, left, Joint Force Headquarters, tucks the American flag while Pfc. Jeremy B. Peguero, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, both with the New Jersey Army National Guard, holds it during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
U.S. Army Pfc. Jeremy B. Peguero, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, salutes the American Flag held by Sgt. Aldo A. Posas, Joint Force Headquarters, both with the New Jersey Army National Guard, during the 36th New Jersey Mission of Honor ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, N.J., Sept. 9, 2021. The cremains of World War II U.S. Army veteran Edward T. Hopkins, World War II U.S. Army veteran Steven L. Horvath and his Margaret, World War II U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Korzeniewski, World War II U.S. Army veteran Philip W. Lehn, Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Frederick Sawade Jr., Cold War era U.S. Army veteran William Stern, and Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran Paul G. Strongin, were honored during the ceremony. Some of these cremains had gone unclaimed for as long as 45 years. NJMOH’s mission is to identify, retrieve, and intern the cremated remains of veterans forgotten in New Jersey funeral homes. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)
WRIGHTSTOWN, NJ – JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST –Operation Allies Refuge has turned into Operation Allies Welcome. As part of Task Force Liberty Joint Base McGuire-DIX-Lakehurst is taking a part supporting the Department of State and Homeland Security in hosting Afghan guests that have been evacuated from Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan.
A contractor working at the dining facility in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, wipes down the food line before Afghans arrive for breakfast, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
A contractor working at the dining facility in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, prepares her food area before Afghans arrive for breakfast, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
Afghans select their breakfast meal at the dining facility in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
Afghan children play on a playground swing set in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
Afghan children swing on a playground swing set in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
Afghan children swing on a playground swing set in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
Two Afghan children hold hands walking to play with other children at the playground in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
Afghan individuals’ clothing hang out to dry on a metal fence in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter)
Afghans play a game of cornhole in Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghans at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. –Construction workers continue to build Liberty Village 3 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 5, 2021. Video by Master Sgt. Joseph Vigil
CAMP MURRAY, WA–As citizens around the globe watched events unfold in recent weeks in Afghanistan, approximately 50 Airmen from the Washington Air National Guard departed Aug. 28, 2021, to provide essential support to vulnerable Afghans as part of Operation Allies Refuge at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
The Department of Defense recently approved a request for assistance from the State Department to provide temporary housing, sustainment, and support inside the United States for vulnerable Afghans at military installations around the country. JBMDL is one of the locations where servicemembers are providing this support.
According to Lt. Col. Lisa Weaver, Air Component Coordination Element for the Washington National Guard, the WNG received urgent requests for OAR volunteers through the Joint Information Exchange Environment, the National Guard Bureau’s web-based, interagency mission coordination and situational awareness system. The request then went out to the units with a short suspense.
Due to Airmen being heavily tasked since March 2020 with Covid operations, civil disturbance missions and wildland firefighting support, just to name a few, the speed and size of the response was unexpected. But in hindsight it all made sense to Weaver.
“We have so many people who have been connected to Afghanistan the last 20 years and want to help in any way they can,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to make a difference in a situation where it really is necessary: working directly with displaced nationals, helping them settle, and keeping them safe.”
The more than 50 Airmen who volunteered belong to all the units of the WA ANG: the Headquarters Washington Air National Guard and 194th Wing at Camp Murray, 141st Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, and Western Air Defense Sector at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The group is a blend of ranks, career fields and part time and full time guardsmen.
With a majority of the WA ANG contingent designated as general augmentees, they will help the JBMDL task force provide housing, medical, logistics, and transportation support. The WA ANG also deployed security forces and transportation Airmen to provide career field-related support.
Senior Airman Sarah Godfrey, a material management specialist with the 194th Logistics Readiness Squadron, is an Airman who has been on back-to-back missions. According to her, she volunteered again because she’s thriving, and also, it goes back to why she joined the WA ANG in the first place.
“The [whole] reason I joined the guard was to assist with any kind of state side mission or mission in general [that] contributes to the community,” she said. “I just want to at least comfort refugees coming in and help in any way I possibly can.”
During an in-processing event for departing Airmen at Camp Murray, Washington on Aug. 27, 2021, the state’s adjutant general, Army Maj. Gen. Bret D. Daugherty, addressed the group and talked about the historic nature of OAR.
“You are about to play a part in what very well could be the last chapter in 20 years of war in Afghanistan. While the previous chapters have all been full of death and destruction, this last chapter could be really really positive,” he said. “You’re going to have an impact on our country for generations. Typically people who come to America have a pretty rough go of things that first generation but their kids and grandkids make major contributions to our country. So the work you are going to do here is going to set the stage for major contributions for generations and not everyone gets to do that.”
Washington Air National Guardsmen out-process on August 27, 2021 at Camp Murray, Wash. The Air Guardsmen will deploy to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ in support of Operation Allies Refuge to help process Afghan evacuees.
(Air National Guard photo by TSgt Emily Moon/Released)
Washington Air National Guardsmen out-process on August 27, 2021 at Camp Murray, Wash. The Air Guardsmen will deploy to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ in support of Operation Allies Refuge to help process Afghan evacuees.
(Air National Guard photo by TSgt Emily Moon/Released)
Washington Air National Guardsmen out-process on August 27, 2021 at Camp Murray, Wash. The Air Guardsmen will deploy to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ in support of Operation Allies Refuge to help process Afghan evacuees.
(Air National Guard photo by TSgt Emily Moon/Released)
Washington Air National Guardsmen out-process on August 27, 2021 at Camp Murray, Wash. The Air Guardsmen will deploy to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ in support of Operation Allies Refuge to help process Afghan evacuees.
(Air National Guard photo by TSgt Emily Moon/Released)
Washington Air National Guardsmen out-process on August 27, 2021 at Camp Murray, Wash. The Air Guardsmen will deploy to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ in support of Operation Allies Refuge to help process Afghan evacuees.
(Air National Guard photo by TSgt Emily Moon/Released)
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