Here are recent headlines about the military in Kansas:Kansas National Guard(BlackAnthem) Transportation unit begins its protection mission: The 11th Transportation Battalion from Virginia Beach, Va., officially began its convoy protection mission in March, a newcomer to the desert of southern Iraq and its dangerous roads. The unit, which has already come under small arms fire and multiple improvised explosive device attacks, is a mix of active duty and National Guard Soldiers from several different states. One of those components is the 731st Transportation Company from the Kansas National Guard. Spc. Donald Cunningham of Towanda, Kan., a gunner with 2nd Platoon, was about a week into the mission when a rock the size of a cement block was thrown from an overpass and struck him in the back of his helmet. Although he was later diagnosed as receiving a concussion, he dismissed it as not being that serious. “It was a little bit of a wakeup call,” Cunningham said. “Complacency is a big issue for some : It certainly made me more aware of the environment.” His vehicle commander, Sgt. Gary Wenke of Wichita, Kan., said one of the differences between his training and his experiences guarding convoys is how fast a situation can change. An IED you miss on one trip may be used against you the next trip, he said. “You just have to stay on top of everything,” Wenke said.Fort Leavenworth(AP) McCain: I’d move Guantánamo detainees to US: GOP presidential candidate John McCain, defending his conservative credentials, said Sunday he is resented by some political activists in Washington while well received by Republicans around the country. .. McCain generally supports President Bush on Iraq, but is questioning the conduct of the war and would have a different approach to fighting terrorism. ”I would probably announce the closing of Guantánamo Bay. I would move those detainees to Fort Leavenworth” in Kansas, McCain said. “I would announce we will not torture anyone.” … McCain made the comments on “Fox News Sunday.”Fort Riley ¢ 1st Infantry Division(Omaha World-Herald) Guardsmen learn skills to that will help get U.S. out of Afghanistan: FORT RILEY, Kan. – In the hilly river valleys of this Army post in northeastern Kansas, a small group of Nebraska National Guard soldiers is learning how to help get the U.S. military out of Afghanistan. The success of small teams such as these Nebraskans ultimately could determine when – or if – the United States withdraws its troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, Army officials say. “This is our exit strategy, in essence,” said Lt. Col. Curtis Hudson, deputy commander of Fort Riley’s 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. “We need to build up the Afghan and Iraqi native security forces to the point that they can protect their own national security,” Hudson said. “There’s a lot riding on the success of these teams.” Since last June, more than 2,000 active-duty and reserve troops from the Army, Air Force and Navy have trained at Fort Riley, preparing to staff small “transition teams” in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 1,000 are training now.(AP) Trash talk on post: FORT RILEY – A new state law could pave the way for a project at this Army post converting garbage into fuel for machines and vehicles or even into something ground up and layered on 127 miles of tank trails. It’s the latest example of military efforts to be better stewards of the environment and part of a goal of getting 25 percent of the military’s energy from renewable sources by 2025. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a bill Friday allowing the state to work with federal agencies and private contractors to secure funding for energy conservation projects, such as the one at Fort Riley. It also removes a $5 million cap on energy conservation improvements for state facilities.