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Staff Report
Photos by Tech. Sgt. Jason Ketterer, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
State Command Chief Master Sgt. James Smith proudly hangs the musket as an homage to the National Guard's minuteman. It is on display at Kentucky's Emergency Operations Center building on Boone National Guard Center.
This musket is an exact replica of the .75 caliber Newtowne, Massachussetts Musket on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
BOONE NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky National Guard added its newest piece of equipment to its arsenal during the joint conference for the National Guard Association of Kentucky and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kentucky. Hung proudly on display at Kentucky’s Emergency Operations Center, the replica of the original .75 caliber Newtowne Matchlock Musket bears a distinct significance to the Commonwealth.
“The serial number is NG0015, signifying the 15th state of the union. We were able to acquire that by request for Kentucky,” said Kentucky National Guard’s State Command Chief Master Sgt. James Smith.
“It very much signifies the role of the Citizen Soldier. In old times, the minuteman would have set down the plowshare and picked up the arms,” added Smith.
The original Newtowne musket was made in Massachusetts during the first half of the 17th century and was used to arm the militia. Its place of origin, Newtowne, Mass., was established as an outpost of Boston in 1631.
The replica is based on an original musket that is on display in the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent exhibit on American military history.
Story by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Photos by Maj. Dale Greer, Kentucky Air National Guard Public Affairs
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES OF THE WELCOME HOME CEREMONY
Judy Tabor hugs her son-in-law, Staff Sgt. Jeff Valentine, during a welcome-home ceremony held Feb. 28, 2012, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Valentine was one of 58 Kentucky Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who have been deployed to Afghanistan for the past nine months as part of the Kentucky National Guard's Agribusiness Development Team 3. The team’s mission was to help Afghan farmers develop sustainable agriculture. Its members were instrumental in coordinating the first-ever commercial mulberry harvest in the Panshir Valley, producing 75 metric tons of mulberries and netting $45,000 for local farmers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Dale Greer)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fifty-eight members of the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 3 were honored during a welcome home ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base Tuesday.
KYADT 3 was charged with sustaining the relationships built between former KYADTs and Afghan farmers to ensure the country becomes agriculturally self-sufficient through development of the agricultural marketplace. The task force was composed of Army and Air National Guardsmen with a variety of skills in agricultural matters.
“Without a doubt, the hard work of our third agribusiness development team will continue to be realized by an Afghan nation 20 years from now … and beyond,” said Brig. Gen. Mike Dornbush, chief of the joint staff, KYNG, to a crowd of more than 300 friends and family gathered to welcome home members of Task Force Hurricane.
Presiding over the welcome home ceremony was Brig. Gen. Steve Hogan, assistant adjutant general. “In a war torn nation where 70 percent of the population earns its living as farmers, the ability to increase the presence and legitimacy of the government’s local agriculture representatives can be a key to winning the counterinsurgency fight,” said Hogan. “You have shown our Nation your Unbridled Service.”
This was the third agribusiness mission for the Kentucky National Guard. KYADT 4 is currently in Afghanistan and has just replaced KYADT 3.
“I want to thank the families, friends and loved ones of Task Force Hurricane for allowing your Soldier and Airman to serve our Nation,” said Col. Neil Mullaney, commander of KYADT3. “It has been an honor to serve with you, beside you and as your commander. I thank you.”
The Kentucky National Guard has nearly 450 Soldiers and Airmen deployed across the world. More than 14,000 Kentucky troops have deployed in support of the Global War on Terror since 2001.
Brig. Gen. Michael Dornbush, chief of the Kentucky National Guard’s Joint Staff, leads the official party into the Base Annex at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 28, 2012, to kick off a homecoming ceremony for the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Dale Greer)
By Sgt. Scott Raper, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Civilian and military employees of the Kentucky National Guard gather for a security meeting at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky, Feb. 7. The meeting provided training of proper security precautions prior to safety exercises held twice a year. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Every military task begins with planning. And what would any function of the military be without training? The execution goes to show how good the planning was and how useful the training. For the Kentucky National Guard’s Security Office, it all equaled high profile recognition. They were awarded the Department of the Army’s Best Antiterrorism Program Unit for 2011. The award recognizes Army units that focus a high level of effort towards protecting Army personnel and missions from terrorist attacks.
“This is a confirmation from the Army that we are the best in their inventory,” said Eldern Riley, State Antiterrorism Program Manager.
In a statement from the U.S. Army Provost Marshal General, Maj. Gen. David Quantock said, “the Kentucky National Guard’s hard work, innovative actions, extraordinary training efforts and awareness management reflect the utmost dedication towards an essential program that protects our most valuable resources.”
“Our success is greatly attributed to the support of the Kentucky National Guard leadership and the excellent cooperation and working relationships we have with state agencies and the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security,” said Richard Copas, State Antiterrorism Officer.
Sgt. Christopher Turpen with Joint Force Headquarters, secures the front door of a building during a training exercise at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky Feb. 8. Scenarios require a variety of personnel actions to be conducted to protect employees and property.(Photo by Sgt. Scott Raper, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
Exercises conducted at Boone National Guard Center are given as realistic conditions as possible with scenarios that potentially could happen in Kentucky. Each event involves the Joint Operations Center and the Crisis Management Team. From bomb drills to tornado drills, every facet of the training brings a variety of responses necessary to save lives and protect property. Twice a year, the Security Office runs the exercises to assess internal emergency operations and to keep the knowledge fresh for everyone on post.
Col. Charles Harris, State Security Manager, said their success is because of all the experience in the office. And the Kentucky National Guard benefits from it all, pointing out that there are several award winning programs in the same office.
“Everyone on post really participates, all employees, military and civilian,” said Copas. “That makes our exercises go very well and everyone benefits from it. We take the results each time and fix any issues we have, so we will be ready for anything.”
By Staff Sgt. Paul Evans, Kentucky ADT 4 Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
Click here to see more photos from ADT 4
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bucky Harris, a resident of Lietchfield, Ky. gets information from Sgt. Matt Buitrago, of Lexington, Ky. at a gathering prior to a mission on February 11, 2012. The two are part of Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team 4, which recently deployed to southern Afghanistan to take over the mission from Kentucky’s ADT 3 teaching improved farming and business techniques to Afghanis.(Photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE PASAB, Afghanistan— Talk to a Kentuckian around this small military base in the mountains of southern Afghanistan, and you will very likely get a feel for the nervous, excited vibe here.
For Soldiers of Kentucky’s Agribusiness Development Team 3, who served the people of Afghanistan since April 2011 by teaching more effective farming and business methods, the excitement is centered on finally going home. Meanwhile, ADT 4, who arrived during the first week of February 2012, looks forward to building on ADT 3’s success helping the Afghan people.
“It’s been different (serving in Afghanistan), I can say that much,” said ADT 3’s Sgt. Darrell Buchanan, a 37-year-old native of Owensboro, Ky., before adding, “I think we’re leaving it (the mission) in good hands.”
“We’re more than ready to take over the mission. We trained really hard over the past few months,” said Sgt. Amanda Behling, a 25-year-old from Louisville, Ky.
While ADT 4’s mission will be the first of its type to teach farming in southern Afghanistan, ADT 3 spent their last few months in country helping get ADT 4’s living accommodations set up the south. The Team also helped establish contacts and get ADT 4 familiarized with routes before beginning the process of handing over operations to their replacements.
“It’s been a challenging last couple months for our deployment,” said ADT 3 Commander Col. Neil Mullaney, a native of Louisville, Ky., referring to their move from northern to southern Afghanistan.
“ADT 3 has gone above and beyond to make this as comfortable as it possibly can be. They moved (south) to come here and set up shop for us and they’ve done an excellent job,” Behling stated.
As 2012 progresses, Kentucky’s Agribusiness Development Team 4 will take on the difficult task of continuing to build on the good reputation established by their predecessors before Kentucky ADT 5 takes over the mission in late 2012.
“We focused a lot on education and capacity… we did do some individual improvements for farmers as well,” Mullaney reflected. “But in order to have a long-term sustainable impact, we knew that was through education, so that’s what we really focused on.”
“I think the key thing that ADT’s can do is close the loop on the value chain,” explained Mullaney about the issues faced in their mission. “Afghan farmers have been farming for thousands of years…we’re not teaching them anything new. The problem is their post-harvesting techniques, getting goods to market, basically completing that value chain.”
Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team 4 and Air Force Staff Sgt. John Stribling, a resident of Louisville, Ky. prepares for his first mission in southern Afghanistan on February 11, 2012. Stribling recently deployed as part of Kentucky’s Agribusiness Development Team 4 to begin taking over the mission of teaching improved farming and business techniques to Afghanis from ADT 3. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans)
Buchanan took a few minutes to reflect on lessons learned in Afghanistan from his perspective.
“I’ve learned to not take as many things for granted anymore. Little things that used to annoy me with the kids before seem trivial now. I’ve just learned a lot about appreciating what you have because it could always be a lot worse,” recalled Buchanan. “ADT 3’s been a great team, though. I’ve enjoyed everybody here,” he added, noting his excitement at getting home to his wife, kids and 8-month-old daughter.
Buchanan’s parting advice for ADT 4 was simple.
“Always keep your eyes and your ears open, because you can always learn something new every day. If it gets to the point that you think you know everything, that’s probably when you’re going to get hurt,” said Buchanan.
“I think Col. Barrier (ADT 4 Commander) and his team are going to do a fantastic job,” concluded Mullaney.
In the end, both Afghanis and Kentuckians will likely continue learning from one another during the Agribusiness Development Team’s 4th rotation, even if ADT 4 has big shoes to fill replacing its predecessors.
Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Jason Ketterer, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Click here for more photos.
1st Lt. Michael Hornback takes the oath of office from Chaplain (Col.) David Graetz, Kentucky Army National Guard State Chaplain. “It’s awesome," said Hornback. "I’ve been waiting for four years to get my civilian education completed so I could put on the Crosses and now I’m finally a chaplain. It’s really exciting." The swearing-in ceremony as an Army Chaplain was held at Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky. on February 15. Hornbeck will be the chaplain for the 206th Engineering Battalion, Owensboro, Ky., taking over for Chaplain (Maj.) James Messer who retired last month.
Hornback displays a big grin as his wife, Ambar and Col. David Graetz, Kentucky Army National Guard State Chaplain, pin on Army Chaplain Crosses to his uniform.
Hornback is all smiles with his wife Ambar and son Christopher.
Story and photo by Sgt. Sandra Fariss, 206th Engineer Battalion Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
State Chaplain (Col.) David Graetz (left) presents the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal to Chaplain (Maj.) James C. Messer of the 206th Engineer Battalion during a retirement farewell ceremony held in Owensboro. Messer retired in January after more than 23 years of service. (Photo by Sgt. Sandra Fariss, 206th Engineer Battalion UPAHR)
OWENSBORO, Ky. — After two decades of military service, multiple deployments and touching countless souls, Chaplain (Maj.) James C. Messer is hanging up his uniform to tend his flock in the civilian world.
Messer received the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal presented by State Chaplain (Col.) David Graetz, during a retirement farewell ceremony held in Owensboro last January. His most recent assignment was with 206th Engineer Battalion.
“When I think of Chaplain James Messer, the words that come to mind are dedicated, competent, hard-working,” said Graetz. “Chaplain Messer could be counted on to step up to the plate and provide what was needed for the individual soldier, the Kentucky Army National Guard and the United States Army.”
Messer deployed two times to Bosnia and once to Iraq during his military career. He was also an expert trainer in the Kentucky Guard’s Strong Bonds, Preparation and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). His wife, Janet, also helped teach at the marriage retreats.
In addition, Messer is also a civilian counselor and sees many military personnel and their families in his practice.
“He will truly be missed for his hard-work, dedication and expertise,” said Graetz.
“In 23 years of service I have met many Soldiers and their families that have taught me many things about what it means to be a Chaplain,” said Messer. “When Soldiers and their families face difficult problems they need the support of someone who will listen and not take sides, and tell them the truth.
“As a Chaplain I had that opportunity time after time. I was amazed at the results I saw in families when they let God lead them instead of society.”
Messer said that during deployments it was especially difficult for soldiers to keep clear lines of communication open.
“Soldiers were ready to listen to God when times were tough and they couldn’t just go home and fix the problem,” he said. “It is the difficult times that help them to become strong.”
Messer is a pastor at Morningside Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Evansville, Ind. He and his wife run a counseling service in their hometown of Bowling Green. But the Kentucky National Guard will always close to his heart.
“I have met so many Soldiers that I will never forget their willingness to give of themselves in service to their country,” he said. “I will not forget them and I hope they will not forget me, but most of all that they will trust in what they learned of God in their struggles.”
Check out www.Kentuckyguard.com next week for the full story on the Ecuadorian Air Force visit to Kentucky!
Col. Greg Nelson, Commander of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, met with Ecuadorian Air Force members during their week-long visit to Louisville, Ky. Because of the ongoing partnership between the Kentucky National Guard and Ecuador, Five Ecuadorian Air Force aircrew members visited the Kentucky Air National Guard on a Subject Matter Expert Exchange in Mid-February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Baker, 202nd Army Band Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. This is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story. This is one such story ….
Spc. Michael May of the 202nd Army Band became the unit's newest member in Feb. 2011. May is a trumpet player majoring in music at Eastern Kentucky University. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Baker, 202nd Army Band Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — We say “hello” to our newest member of the 202nd Army Band, Specialist Michael May. The 20 year old from Danville, Ky., occupies a trumpet Military Occupational Specialty position in the band. He is a recent graduate of Basic Training in October 2011 and Advanced Individual Training in December. Currently, May is enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University where he is majoring in Music Education.
When asked what inspired May to join the military he replied, “While attending Boyle County High School I saw a news story where a funeral tribute of TAPS to a fallen Soldier was presented using an ‘electronic’ bugle. Since qualified military buglers are in short supply or often busy I felt like this was something I could do in the service to my country.” May added, “The 202nd has provided me with an avenue to fulfill the desire to serve as well as fulfill personal meaning.”
Chief Warrant Officer Gregory Stepp, Commander of the 202nd said, “We welcome Specialist May in to the 202nd band following the successful completion of combat training and Advanced Individual Training. As with any unit we face attrition with current long time members retiring and look forward to Specialist May bringing his Soldier skills and musical abilities to our unit.”
Spc. Andrew Easley has served four years with the 202nd Army Band. Easley auditioned and was accepted as an Euphonium player in the active Army. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Baker, 202nd Army Band Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative)
We must say “goodbye” to a four-year member of the 202nd Army Band. In January 2012, Spc. Andrew Easley successfully auditioned and has accepted the position of a Euphonium player in the active Army. His new duty station has yet to be determined.
Easley is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and received his Bachelor of Music degree in December of 2009.
“This is an exciting opportunity to further my service to the Army in the musical field, however, it is also a bitter sweet decision,” said Easley. “The 202nd is an outstanding unit and leaving the unit was a hard decision. The training and experience being associated with the 202nd was second to none and I look forward to taking that with me as I advance my military career”.
“Specialist Easley is a reflection of the high musical skills that we enjoy in the 202nd and he is to be congratulated in passing the audition and interview for participation in the active Army band program. His membership will definitely be missed,” said Stepp.
Story by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Director of Public Affairs, Kentucky National Guard
Pictures by Tech. Sgt. Jason Ketterer, Public Affairs, Kentucky National Guard
The engagement of the Kentucky National Guard with the University of Louisville will reinvigorate, strengthen, and bind our communities in a successful partnership that includes, but not limited to, jointly developed initiatives in strategic areas of education, health, engineering, business, medicine, leadership, and intercollegiate athletics, and specific to the needs of soldiers and families. This partnership will promote a professional exchange between University faculty, staff, students, Soldiers and their families.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville and Kentucky National Guard have established a partnership that will promote an ongoing professional exchange among Soldiers and their families with UofL faculty, staff and students.
University President James Ramsey and Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, signed the document last Friday.
“We are your neighbors, we stay here, we are always going to be here,” Tonini said. “And our responsibilities are not only for the federal mission but also for the state mission, so we really are a part of the home team.”
The two organizations will work together develop a wide array of joint initiatives such as research in post-traumatic stress disorder, degree programs for Soldiers, training in language and culture, and summer academic and athletic camps for children of Kentucky National Guard families, according to the memorandum.
“I think it’s very exciting as a U of L alumni and a Kentucky National Guard member to see where they are going to move in the future,” says Tech. Sgt. Jason Ketterer, Kentucky Air National Guard.
The school’s Executive Director of Military Initiatives and Partnerships, Renee Finnegan, says the program is modeled after a similar agreement with Fort Knox.
Finnegan says the program is modeled after a similar agreement with Fort Knox.
UofL recently began offering discounted tuition to Kentucky National Guard Soldiers, a benefit it was already offering to active military and veteran students, Finnegan said. This year, some 700 veterans are attending the university and another 140 active duty and civilian students at Fort Knox are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in workforce leadership.
[flickr video=6916572681 show_info=true secret=39d96e53bf w=619 h=348]
WDRB, Fox 41 reports on the engagement of the Kentucky National Guard with the University of Louisville will reinvigorate, strengthen, and bind our communities in a successful partnership that includes, but not limited to, jointly developed initiatives in strategic areas of education, health, engineering, business, medicine, leadership, and intercollegiate athletics, and specific to the needs of soldiers and families. This partnership will promote a professional exchange between University faculty, staff, students, Soldiers and their families.
CLICK HERE to see other reports from Louisville media.
By Sgt. Scott Raper, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Spc. Samuel Blackburn of the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion adjusts the flow of water through a purification system in Bledsoe, Ky., Feb. 8. Members of the 103rd deployed to the Harlan County community to assist with a water shortage. (Photo by Capt. William Mattingly, 103rd BSB)
BLEDSOE, Ky – Kentucky Guardsmen of Alpha Company, 103rd Brigade Support Battalion deployed the first week of February to assist the residents of Harlan County with water filtration. 15 members of the unit traveled to the small coal-mining town of Bledsoe where some residents have been without water for several days.
“Our mission here in Harlan County is very important because people are without water,” said Pvt. 1st Class Cody Faught. “And we will provide purified water in a timely manner to the community so the people of Bledsoe can return to their daily routines.”
Guardsmen of the 103rd set up one Tactical Water Purification System and two Lightweight Water Purification Systems in order to help provide drinking water to the community. According to the Soldiers on the ground, the TWPS can produce 1500 gallons of filtered water each hour, while the LWPS can produce 600 gallons per hour.
Water purification equipment is set up by members of the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion in Bledsoe, Ky., Feb. 8. The water purification systems helped provide local residents clean, drinking water during a water shortage. (Photo by Capt. William Mattingly, 103rd BSB)
Several hundred residents have been affected by the shortage that began with mechanical difficulties at the Pineville Water District. As their flow decreased, out-lying communities such as Bledsoe, simply ran out of clean water.
“Having the National Guard here gives us hope that this will be fixed so we’ll have water again,” said Bledsoe resident Jacob Callahan.
Officials from the Green Hills Water District instructed all customers to continue boiling their water until further notice, and were able to pick up drinking water at designated locations.
