Members of the Georgia Army National Guard got more than they bargained for this year during their annual training. They traveled half way around the world, and thanks to their training skills, they did a world of good.
Specialist Donnie Kessler is back home in Georgia, but just weeks ago, he was in the Republic of Cameroon in central Africa.
"My specific mission was to set up pathfinder operations," said Kessler.
Every year, National Guard members attend a two week training period known as annual training. But this year, Kessler and other members of the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade spent annual training in Africa, training Cameroonian military personnel how to get supplies to their soldiers by air.
"When you're out in the field for weeks at a time, you just can't walk back to your base and get food and water or medical supplies -- things like that. So, the most logical thing to do is to get supplied by air," said Kessler.
The streets of Cameroon are busy with people, but the jungle was a bit of a challenge and a machete was their best tool.
"They're not for war-fighting. They're for chopping down some of the landscape," said Cpt. Leif Rivera.
The heat was a bit of an issue for the American soldiers, with average temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees. Sgt. Steven Ondrejech says the Cameroonians' friendliness and willingness to learn was encouraging, making the mission a success.
"If you run out of food or ammunition, water, medical supplies while you're out there, it could mean the difference between life or death -- critical skills we were teaching these guys out there," said Ondrejech.
The training was part of the United States Africa Command's mission which protects and defends the national security interests of the United States by strengthening the defense capabilities of African states.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:09 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:09:40 GMT
You might have dreamed about getting the chance to decide which of your coworkers should stay on the job, and which ones need to go.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 9:34 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:34:51 GMT
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Thursday, May 23 2013 9:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:27:50 GMT
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Thursday, May 23 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:44:55 GMT
It's graduation season AND it's also #ThrowbackThursday, so what better time to go back to the archives? Today's victim: the one and only Buck Lanford.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:31:33 GMT
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale?
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
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