111th SB Newsletter - August 2021

ISSUE 1 AUGUST 2021

111th

Sustainment Brigade

Sustain the force!

In This Issue

720th
Transportation
Company returns
from CENTCOM

LTC Griego takes 720th Transportation
command of 111th Company returns
STB from CENTCOM

Messages from the Photos by Joseph Vigil, NMNG chief of public affairs
commander & the
chaplain Our 720th Transportation Company is back in New
Mexico. New Mexico National Guard leaders greeted
111th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs them as they deplaned at Cutter Aviation at the
Spc. Iain Jaramillo Albuquerque International Sunport. The troops were
then bused to the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe
phone: (505) 407-3381 where they were greeted by family and friends.
email: [email protected]
photos continue p.2
Find more online:
Facebook @111thSustainmentBrigade
dma.state.nm.us/111th-sustainment-brigade

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720th Transportation Company returns from CENTCOM

Griego takes command
of 111th STB

"STB, let’s get to work." By Spc. Iain Jaramillo, 111th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

-Lt. Col. Daniel Griego RIO RANCHO, N.M. – Lt. Col. Michael Calhoon
relinquished command of the 111th Special Troops
Battalion to Lt. Col. Daniel Griego during a ceremony at
the Rio Rancho Readiness Center here Aug 22, 2021.

Col. Pia Romero, the commander of the 111th
Sustainment Brigade, presided over the ceremony.

Romero presented the Meritorious Service Medal to
Calhoon in recognition of his contributions to the
battalion. During his tenure as the battalion commander,
Soldiers from the 111th STB supported a wide array of
missions, from domestic humanitarian missions to
overseas deployments.

“It has been a humbling experience,” Calhoon said. “There’s always something going on. In the last year
alone, we’ve had two units deploy, the 1209th Medical Company deployed to Poland and the 1954th
Contracting Team went to Kuwait. Here in the states, the 111th Headquarters and Headquarters Company
attended a Warfighter exercise in Pennsylvania, we’ve supported the COVID-19 response and just recently
finished Operation Patriot Press and Operation Northern Strike.”

Romero praised Calhoon for his success in leading the battalion through a particularly challenging time.

“When you look at the 111th STB’s accomplishments over the last 28 months, it is apparent that Lieutenant
Colonel Calhoon and the Soldiers of this battalion have contributed vastly to many of its successes,” Romero
said. “Under his leadership, the 111th STB has been recognized by multiple entities for its successes and
tremendous contributions to our communities, our state, and our nation.”

“Lieutenant Colonel Calhoon, you have been quite busy overseeing these very important and meaningful
activities,” Romero said. “You are a man of great character, compassion, and steadfastness.”

Calhoon addressed the Soldiers of the battalion during the ceremony.

“As I look at the faces and names here, I think about all of the things that we’ve been through since March of
2019,” Calhoon said. “Thank you. It has been a great experience working with each one of you. I’m grateful
for the opportunity and I know that you will all continue to do well.”

Calhoon enlisted as a specialist in the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3-200th Air Defense Artillery
in 1999. He entered the state’s Officer Candidate School in 2002 and received his commission in 2003.

continued p.4

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"It has been a great experience
working with each one of you. I’m
grateful for the opportunity and I
know that you will all continue to
do well.”

- Lt. Col. Michael Calhoon

Calhoon has held numerous positions throughout the New Mexico National Guard in addition to his
time as commander, from sentinel platoon leader to support operations officer transportation officer
and battle captain in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Calhoon imparted a message of trust to Griego as he handed over the reins of the unit.

“You have a great staff to provide for you,” Calhoon said. “The troops that you’re taking command of
are poised and ready to continue on. Provide the leadership and they’ll execute. They’ll be ready for
any missions that present themselves.”

Griego began his career as a private first class in the 3631st Maintenance Company as a generator
mechanic in 2001. He attended New Mexico Military Institute in 2003 and received his commission in
2004.

Griego earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico in
2009. He has deployed to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, as an operations battle captain.

Griego thanked senior leaders for the opportunity to lead the 111th STB and addressed the Soldiers of
the unit directly.

“To the chain of command, thank you for the opportunity to command such a diverse battalion,”
Griego said. “To the 111th STB, it’s truly an honor being able to join your team today. I look forward to
getting to know everyone with who I have not had the privilege of working. And for those of you who I
have, I look forward to tackling new tasks with you.”

“I look forward to what the future will bring," Griego said. "Know that I am here for each and every one
of you. STB, let’s get to work.”

04 111TH SUSTAINMENT BRIDGADE | ISSUE 1

Featured Photos

Hundreds of pairs of combat boots hang from
an abandoned building in the CENTCOM area
of responsibility. The boots represent the end
of an overseas tour and are left in the hope that
a service member will not need to step on the
same grounds again. (Photo by Sgt. Marcos
Gonzalez, 720th Transportation Company.)

Soldiers of the 720th Transportation Company
embark on a convoy mission during their
deployment to the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
(Photo by Sgt. Marcos Gonzalez, 720th
Transportation Company.)

Members of the 1209th Medical Company
(Area Support) practice providing Tactical
Trauma Care under combat conditions
during annual training at Kirtland Air Force
Base. (Photo courtesy of Maj. Cristian
Laguillo, 1209th MCAS.)

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MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER

As my tenure as the Bridge Commander nears one year, I can’t help but reflect on the
multiple missions the Brigade has participated in. The continued COVID-19 pandemic
response, the return of three deployed units, the anticipated deployment of another unit,
our participation in Operation Patriot Press, Sage Eagle, completing key exercises
involving the Military Decision Making Process and exercises challenging our medical and
mechanical skills, are but a few activities we have successfully completed.

It is such a great honor to be working with a highly proficient group of premier sustainers
that enable our communities, our state, and our nation with their tremendous experience
in transportation support, component repair, medical support, and engineering support.
Through your superb leadership and talents, we continue to work toward improving our
posture through these efforts.

While we have successfully completed these challenging efforts, the New Mexico National
Guard has experienced an uptick in SHARP, and driving under the influence (DUI)
incidents. I strongly encourage you to use your chain of command if you are experiencing
challenges. When used properly, a chain of command can help solve problems at the
lowest possible level and provide helpful resources (Inspector General, Equal Opportunity
Representative, Union Representative, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Victim
Advocate, Judge Advocate General, Chaplain, or others qualified to help our service
members, family members, and civilian employees). If issues cannot be resolved at lower
levels, they can be brought to my attention and I will gladly do all that is appropriate and
feasible to assist.

I hope you continue to have a great and wonderful summer.

¡Siempre Adelante!

-Col. Pia Romero

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Chaplain’s Corner!

As last year, this year ushers in unusual challenges with the renewed surge of the pandemic.

While restrictions, masks, etc., are indeed troublesome and anOnouyrinfga, mremilyemtableernthtapt voiortlually

all religions and good philosophy—not to mention our Arimsygreothwici—npgr.aWisees 'rthee virtue of

service, and what better service can we give but to protect the health and lives of others? Think

of it as entering another kind of battle on the smallest ofpfrroonutds—tao bhaattlveeto2 dneefewnd our

families, friends, and neighbors from the ravages of an unseendeoncetmoyr…ss, e2ekdinegsaiglwnaeyrs sto serve
rather than to be served. Blessings to all.
and a lawyer!

- Chaplain Capt. Glennon Jones

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