History was made this past week when members of the Second Company Governor's Horse Guard reported for duty in their Battle Dress Uniforms, (BDUs), at various command centers around the State of Connecticut. For the first time in more than 50 years
History was made this past week when members of the Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard reported for duty in their Battle Dress Uniforms, (BDUs), at various command centers around the State of Connecticut. For the first time in more than 50 years, the Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard along with other state militia units served side by side with National Guard in support of ongoing operations.
Acting on their motto, âReady to Serveâ, members joined other state and federal emergency management personnel during the State of Connecticut Y2K Emergency Operations from December 29, 1999 to January 3, 2000.
Not since World War II has the Second Company Governorâs Horse Guard been asked to support state or federal military operations. In the past, the unit was converted to a machine gun unit and deployed to France in WWI, and to an anti-aircraft unit in WWII and sent to the Pacific.
Manning communications equipment ranging from CB radios and cell phones to high frequency and low frequency radios, and satellite communications equipment, Horse Guard personnel quickly became familiar with the standard operating procedures. Most of the activity consisted of receiving and re-transmitting the faxed Situation Reports (SITREPs) from Connecticutâs 169 municipalities to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Hartford Armory for coordination with the Governor and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA).
The SITREPs evaluated the towns on 18 functional areas to include, energy, food, water/sewage, communications, and health/medical services. Local officials reporting included police, Directors of Emergency Management, Directors of Civil Preparedness, Mayors and First Selectmen.
Everything went very smoothly.
The all-volunteer cavalry unit, under the command of Major Steven L. deFriesse of Brookfield, participates in numerous parades and ceremonies during the year. It also initiates, organizes, and maintains a handicapped riding program that has primarily benefited residents of the Southbury Training School, organizes benefits for various charities, and attends annual training at the National Guard facility at Camp Rowland in Niantic.
A new recruit class will be starting soon. Personnel interested in joining this unit should contact Lieutenant Safarewitz, 203-426-9970 for more details. Prior military service is beneficial but not required.