482nd Air Support Group completes first TXSG annual training

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Dan Hawkins
  • 482nd Air Support Group Public Affairs
CAMP BOWIE, Texas --  The Texas State Guard's 482nd Air Support Group, based at Sheppard Air Force Base, completed its first annual training exercise as a unit Jun 28 - Jul 1 at the Camp Bowie Training Center in Brownwood.

The TXSG's annual training is four days long, consisting of training both in the classroom and the field. Other units at Camp Bowie included the entire Air Component Command, consisting of the 4th and 5th AW's headquarters staff, along with their subordinate air support groups, and TXSG army regiments from across the state.

Since the Sheppard unit's formation in November of 2011, it has been operating as a detachment of the 4th Air Wing, which is based in Dallas. The Sheppard detachment was officially activated as an air support group Jun 29th, with the primary mission of the unit concentrating on communications, security and shelter management responsibilities during state disaster relief operations.

Lt. Col. Ron Soejoto, 482nd ASG commander, was pleased with the training at Camp Bowie, which featured communications, weather, web emergency operations center, security and logistics training, along with shelter management activities.

"This is the first time we have had the opportunity to work with some of our communications equipment," Soejoto said. "Getting the chance to interact with the rest of the air arm of the Texas State Guard and see how we fit into the big picture is huge for as we continue to develop our mission capabilities."

Master Sgt. Jesse Doria, retired U.S. Air Force member and a communications specialist in the TXSG, appreciated the knowledge-sharing that took place amongst the different units.

"I got the chance to deploy out to an exercise shelter in the local community," Doria said. "Coordinating with the Army unit in place, figuring out their communication requirements and then executing the set up and operation of the radio systems was a lot of fun. I learned how we can operate in a joint environment, not just with other TXSG units, but also the local emergency management teams."

Interested in becoming a part of the TXSG?  Prior military experience is not required; the mission of the TXSG is Texans helping fellow Texans during disaster relief operations, such as hurricanes, tornadoes or other disasters. 

For more information on joining the 482nd Air Support Group of the Texas State Guard in Wichita Falls, please contact Senior Master Sgt. Chris Riordan at christopher.riordan@txsg.state.tx.us.

ABOUT THE TXSG

The Texas State Guard is one of three branches of the Texas Military Forces (TXMF), operating under the command of the Adjutant General of Texas and the Governor as Commander-in-Chief of all state military forces. The TXMF includes the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard.

The mission of the Texas State Guard (TXSG) is to provide mission-ready military forces to assist state and local authorities in times of state emergencies; to conduct homeland security and community service activities under the umbrella of Defense Support to Civil Authorities; and to augment the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air National Guard as required.

Headquartered at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, the TXSG functions as an organized state militia under the authority of Title 32 of the U.S. Code and Chapter 431 of the Texas Government Code.