​From 1903 to 1991m Clark Air Base was a military installation operated by the U.S. Army and the US. Air Force respectively.  Clark Air Base is in the Philippines on the Luzon Island. The base covered 14.3 square miles. Additionally, the military reservation extended north covering another 230 miles. The U.S. Army established the installation as Fort Stotsenburg in Sapang Bato, Angeles, Pampanga in 1903. In 1919, it was renamed Clark Field after Harold M. Clark and became a landing field for the U.S. Army Air Corps medium bombers. Nine hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the base was attacked by Japanese forces. Many aircraft were destroyed. The American military evacuated the base on December 24th, 1941.  The Japanese took over the base and it was a major Japanese air operation. On January 31, 1945, the American forces took back possession of Clark Field. The base grew into a major air base during the Cold War, a launching pad for the Korean War and an essential logistics hub during the Vietnam War. In 1991, Mount Pinatubo volcano erupted. The Philippine government wanted $825 million annually for the U.S. to continue operations on the base. The U.S. Government decided not to renew the lease, therefore in November 1991, the U.S. Air Force lowered the last U.S. flag and transferred Clark Air Base to the Philippine government. Due to ongoing Chinse claim to the Philippine seas, the Philippine government agreed to the return of American military forces to Clark. Clark was notably the most urbanized military facility and was the largest American base overseas.
This week we salute Bill Cunningham. Bill was an U.S. Air Force Officer and served for three years. He is originally from Hysham, Montana. He went to Officer Candidate School at Montana State College. He received an Agricultural Engineering Degree. He is married and has two daughters and a son. His favorite memory of being stationed at Clark Air Base was that it was a happy place. He and his family had a house on the hill overlooking the Base and it was beautiful. 

​As a response to the increasing demands created during World War II, the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) was established by the U.S. Navy in 1942. The UDT were called “frogmen”, carrying out essential missions for the U.S.  Navy. The nickname for “Frogmen” was based on their water activities, which included combat swimming. The “Frogmen” had an intense training regimen including physical endurance tests and training focused on demolitions, and reconnaissance missions to ensure they were warriors up to the challenges often found in war time. The selection process included trials, like running while answering complicated trivia questions.  Swimming underwater became as natural as walking to the “Frogmen”. Training included mastering breathing apparatus and various underwater equipment to ensure efficiency. The numerous missions included clearing obstacles for amphibious landings. They also cleared underwater obstructions before major offensives at Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jim and other areas located in the Pacific Islands.  In Vietnam, UDTs manned riverine patrol crafts, going ashore to blow up enemy bunkers and other obstacles The UDT mission expanded in the 1950’s and transitioned to the U.S. Navy Seals.
This week we salute Joseph “Joe” Ash. Joe was 17 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Toledo from 1958 to 1961 as a cabinet maker. In 1962, he relisted under the Buddy Program with his brother, Robert Ash. They both served on the U.S.S Toledo from 1962 to 1965. Joe was an excellent swimmer and could hold his breath for 5 minutes. It only made sense he was chosen for the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team. After serving in the military, Joe did a variety of different jobs. He was a ranch hand, a cabinet maker, and a construction worker.  He was the county sheriff for 18 years, and he worked and retired from Western Energy after 20 years as a sand Blaster. Joe was married to his devoted wife, Pamela (Pam) Ash for 52 years. They had 4 kids, and 8 grandchildren. Sadly, Joe passed away on August 10, 2022. Fair winds and following seas.

​The Afghan National Army (ANA) can trace its history back to the 1800’s. The ANA received training from the Soviet Union from 1960 to the early 1990s. Unfortunately, after the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan overthrew the regime of Mohammad Daoud, the Afghan army lost a lot of their fighting ability. In the 1980s, the Soviet Afghan war occurred with the Afghan army fighting against the mujahedeen. The Taliban Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized the country in 1996. The timeline for U.S. training the ANA started three months after the 9/11 attacks. The model used was based on a Western Army, requiring a complex supply and logistic train that the Afghans had no chance of sustaining. Several things can be attributed to the fall of the Afghan Army. Corruption, lack of education, poor leadership, and ideological differences to name just a few. Eleven days after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, the Afghan military fell apart. The ANA could not operate without the U.S. support. In the end, the Kabul government gave the commando units orders to retreat and hide.
This week we salute James Cookman. James is from Rosebud and served in the United States Army. He retired as a Sergeant First Class (SFC) after 20 years (1997-2017) of dedicated service. During his service, he was stationed at Ft. Cavazos (Hood), Ft. Liberty (Bragg), Ft. Sill, three years in Germany and two tours in Korea. He had four deployments, once to Iraq, twice to Kuwait and once to Afghanistan. His military occupational specialty was initially as a 13M (Multiple Launch Rocket System Crewmember) and then 13F (Joint Fire Support Specialist) for the last half of his service. When asked what was a memory that has stayed with him, SFC (R) Cookman said it was the time spent training the Afghan National Army on the artillery systems. James is married and recently celebrated his 20-year anniversary. They have one child. James is a Colstrip Police Officer. 

You may be aware of asbestos, a mineral once deemed to be the "miracle mineral", due to its fire-resistant properties. The military relied heavily on asbestos for decades, using it in many of their products like in ships, aircraft, and barracks. Because of this, veterans are more likely than others to be affected by mesothelioma cancer, making up almost 1/3 of all cases. See our guide for more information below:
Mesothelioma Cancer Guide - lanierlawfirm.com/mesothelioma/cancer/

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​The U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy jointly formed the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF), a substantial part of the brown-water navy. The brown-water navy is a naval force capable of operations in littoral zone (close to shore) waters. The term originated during the American Civil War. The Navy had barracks ships and barrage barges to house both Army and Navy personnel. The purpose of the riverine forces was to take advantage of the inland waterways. As there were several distributaries of the Mekong River, it was difficult for the South Vietnamese to adequately protect the waterways. The intent of the U.S. Mobile Riverine Force was to seize the initiative from the communist Viet Cong. The Viet Cong used the distributaries to move and resupply their forces. The Mobile Riverine Forces’ permanent base was Dong Tam, near My Tho. Eleven umbrella operations in the Mekong Delta were launched by the Mobile Riverine Force. This occurred from June 1967 to March 1968. Due to the remarkable cooperation between the Army and Navy, the Mobile Riverine Force was able to transform the Mekong Delta from terra incognita (uncharted land) to chartered and American controlled area. 
Veterans Administration (VA) is expanding their health care benefits starting on March 5 ,2024. All veterans exposed to toxins either at home or abroad while serving in the U.S. military are eligible to enroll directly in the VA. If you served in Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan or deployed in support of the Global War on Terror or were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service, you are eligible to apply for benefits. The Veteran Service Officer for Eastern Montana is Earl Edmonds. His phone number is 406-232-1203 or email [email protected].  You can also call the VA directly at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). 

​Time magazine labeled the attack on Fire Base Mary Ann as a massacre. It was certainly one of the worst loss of life in the Vietnam War. Fire Base Mary Ann was built on a 4,000-foot mountain and was strategically located to intercept enemy troops and supplies moving down the K-7 Corridor and the Dak Rose Trail. Originally meant to be a temporary base, Fire Base Mary Ann evolved to a permanent base station for the first Battalion, 46th Infantry, a part of the Americal Division .On the day of the attack, Charlie Company, a 75-man unit was garrisoned on Fire Base Mary Ann, in addition to a 180 man recon platoon, 34 medics, communication personnel, clerks and cooks from HQ company and eight man contingent from the 4.2 inch mortar platoon, E Company for a total of 231 Americans. There were also 21 South Vietnamese (ARVN) soldiers. Some reports stated the ARVN soldiers did not fight during the attack. The Viet Cong slipped through the defensive perimeter and attacked the Fire Base in the early morning of March 28, 1971. The attack lasted one hour, resulting in 30 soldiers killed in action and 82 wounded in action. Ten soldiers received Silver Stars for their actions that fateful morning. Unfortunately, there were negative repercussions in the aftermath. Officers were relieved of duty, many forced to retire, others were demoted in rank.
This week we salute Russell Ponessa. Russ graduated from Hysham High School in 1969. He volunteered for the draft entering active duty in 1970. He attended basic training at Ft Lewis, Washington then spent 17 weeks in Infantry Advanced Individual Training (AIT) before being shipped to Vietnam. Initially assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, he was transferred to the Americal Division located in the northern part of south Vietnam. The morning of March 28, 1971, Sergeant Ponessa was out on patrol with Delta Company. Ponessa stated he could hear explosions in the distance. The attack on Fire Base Mary Ann lasted an hour although sniper fire and mortar fire continued throughout the day. The next morning his Company arrived at Fire Base Mary Ann to secure, clean up and rebuild the base. Ponessa left the Army in 1971 after his tour of duty was completed. Russ moved to Rosebud County three years ago.
Last weeks article, “Who is killing the American Legion” was written by American Legion member Kevin Motter from Montpelier, Ohio.
Have a story to share? Email or call me [email protected] Phone: 406-351-9775
Dr. Irene Dickerson has a doctorate in Business Administration and is a retired Army Colonel living her best life in Big Sky Country.
 

Veterans Guide can help you with any questions you may have. 
https://veteransguide.org/

​The United States Military Academy Preparatory school was formally established in 1946. The US Military Academy Preparatory school has several names: USMAPS, the Prep School, or West Point Prep. In 1916, Congress enacted legislation to authorize Soldier appointments to West Point. The prep school prepares Soldiers to attend the United States Military Academy and be successful. USMAPS accepts students and Soldiers from all walks of life. Students or Cadet Candidates are high school graduates or enlisted personnel from the Active, Reserve or National Guard force. The school challenges the students to meet and exceed West Point’s rigorous admission standards. The training is ten months. The first day the cadets arrive, military training referred to as Cadet Candidate Basic Training starts. It is a four-week training program. The focus of training is Basic Rifle Marksmanship, Land Navigation, Medical Readiness Training and Crew Served Weapon Familiarization Fire. The Academic Program establishes the intellectual foundation for service as a highly educated commissioned officer, and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for service and continued growth.
This week we salute Larry Kautzman. Larry served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967.  He went to Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Gordon (now called Ft. Eisenhower) GA and airborne school (jump school) at Ft. Benning, GA. His military occupational specialty was 11B, Infantryman. After graduation from jump school, he was assigned to the 1-8th Air Mobile Cav-1st Cav. Instead of deploying to Vietnam with his unit, Larry was selected to attend the West Point Preparatory School. After several months of training, he changed his career path and asked to be reassigned. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne as the company clerk. Although no formal military training as a clerk typist, Larry excelled and was moved up to the Battalion Headquarters S1. During his military time, Larry did 37 jumps (out of a perfectly good airplane). He retired after 21 years working at the plant in Colstrip. His family moved to Rosebud county in 1963, and he has lived here ever since. He is married with two sons and one daughter.