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Story by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Baker, 202nd Army Band Unit Public Affairs and Historian Representative
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by or about 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 ….
The 202nd Army Band performs during the Great American Brass Band Festival In Danville, Ky., June 9, 2012. (photo by Sgt. KJ McAleesejergins, Kentucky National Guard)
DANVILLE, Ky. — The 202nd Army Band once again performed for the 15th year at the Great American Brass Band Festival, June 9, in Danville, Ky. This perennial event features many world class performers from around the country.
Performers included bands from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, and Louisiana to name a few. Solo performances included jazz trumpeter, Doc Severinsen of “The Tonight Show” fame.
The weekend’s theme was a special tribute to Vince DiMartino who is retiring as Centre College music professor and a longtime musical mastermind behind the Great American Brass Band Festival. This event routinely draws 30,000 + festival attendees annually and is considered by most a “must” attend event.
The 202nd Army Band performs during the Great American Brass Band Festival In Danville, Ky., June 9, 2012. This year marks the 15th year the 202nd has participated in the event. (photo by Sgt. KJ McAleesejergins, Kentucky National Guard)
The performances from the 202nd included the parade event as well as a concert performance held at Weissiger Park. Musical repertoire included Patriotic, Broadway, Traditional and Military March music.
As eventful as the the festival was, the 202nd also had some sad moments. Sgt. Kevin Bowling, from Mt. Sterling, Ky., and Sgt. Dale McGuffin, from Franklin, Ky., performed for their final time with the band. These two longtime members have just retired each given more than 20 years of service to the Kentucky National Guard, the Army and to the nation.
‘I enjoyed getting to hear one of my favorite trumpet players of all time at the Great American Brass Band Festival, and performing my final concert with the 202nd Army Band,” said Bowling. “Retiring after 21 years of service in the National Guard, I can’t think of a better way to spend my last day with the 202nd.”
Sgt. Kevin Bowling pictured with Doc Severinsen of “Tonight Show” fame during the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Ky., June 9, 2012. (photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Baker, Kentucky National Guard)
Sharon McGuire Belisle, a former member traveled from Michigan for the event and stated “Words cannot describe how proud I am of the 202nd. Performing at the GABBF takes guts when you share the stage with musicians like Doc Severinsen. I proudly tell my high school band classmates that I was apart of the 202nd for 10 years. The bonds strengthen the band beyond simple definitions. Words fail me again.”
The 202nd is actively recruiting now and looking for trombonists, euphonium, French horn, oboe and keyboard performers. It’s a great opportunity for a young person to serve his or her country, get world class training and have college costs covered.
For additional information about the 202nd Army Band please contact Sgt. 1st Class Angela Wilkins at 502-607-5331.
Story by Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
The official party, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini (center), the Adjutant General of the Kentucky National Guard, Col. Scott A. Campbell (right), outgoing commander of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard, and incoming commander, Col. Michael A. Abell (left), review the troops during for the 149th MEB Change of Command ceremony on June 23, 2012. (KYNG photo by Maj. David Page)
FORT KNOX, Ky. – A change of command ceremony was held June 23, 2012 at Fort Knox, Ky., to hand off the guidon of one of the most recognized units in the Kentucky National Guard.
Col. Scott Campbell relinquished command of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to Col. Mike Abell on Brooks Field in front of the large 149th family.
Campbell led the 149th since 2008, preparing them for the largest deployment of the Kentucky National Guard since World War II, to Iraq in 2011.
Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini presided over the event, complimented both leaders for their service and character as excellent Citizen-Soldiers.
“We are recognizing the accomplishments of a man who has been at the core of activity, at the very heart of the organization that we all serve and love,” said Tonini of Campbell. “He was already an exceptional officer to the Kentucky National Guard, and his accomplishments as brigade commander mirror the rest of his extraordinary career.”
Col. Scott A. Campbell, former commander of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky National Guard, receives the brigade colors from the Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas L. Johnson during the change of command ceremony on June 23, 2012. (KYNG photo by Maj. David Page)
Col Michael A. Abell receives the brigade color from the Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini on June 23, 2012, signifying Col. Abell’s assumption of command of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky National Guard. (KYNG photo by Maj. David Page)
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“Colonel Abell has a very strong reputation as a Kentucky National Guard officer, he is truly deserving of this opportunity,” said Tonini. “He is now in a place where he can make a huge difference, not just to the Soldiers under his command, but for the citizens of the Commonwealth in their time of need.”
Abell has served as an officer since 1993. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry prior to taking the role of Deputy G-1 (Personnel). Abell recently graduated form the U.S. Army War College.
Campbell was commissioned in 1984, serving a variety of command and staff positions before becoming the Executive Officer of the then 149th Armor Brigade, then into command of the 149th MEB. He will now fill the role as head of the State G-3 (Plans and Operations).
Story and photos by Sgt. Sandra Fariss, 206th Engineer Battalion Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by or about 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 ….
2nd Lt. Cory Netherton and Spc. Thomas Drury, both of the 206th Engineer Battalion, discuss cut and fill estimates for a recommended air strip during annual training, May 18, 2012, at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky. (Photo by Sgt. Sandra Fariss, 206th Engineer Battalion Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative)
GREENVILLE, Ky. -For the first time in their history, the 206th Engineer Battalion, based in Owensboro, Ky., and the 201st Engineer Battalion from Ashland, Ky., joined forces at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Greenville, Ky., for their annual training May 12, 2012.
In a joint effort, Detachment 1, 149th Vertical Engineer Company from Olive Hill, Ky., assembled sea-huts; horizontal construction engineers of the 207th Horizontal Engineer Company from Hazard, Ky., and heavy equipment operators from Walton, Ky.’s 118th Haul Platoon moved dirt to build an access road and landing strip at the new Contingency Operations Location (COL) at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center.
To see more photos from this story, click here
Engineers of the 206th completed cut and fill estimates for a recommended air strip that will be expected to land military aircraft, potentially including Boeing C-17 Globemasters. If approved, the airstrip will be used for rapid strategic and tactical airlifts located near the new Contingency Operations Location.
Soldiers used the engineer field data manual to formulate calculations from topographic data at the proposed elevation located at the proposed air strip site.
Spc. Donald Pace of the 207th Horizontal Engineer Company operates a D7 Dozer to move dirt in efforts to build a new Contingency Operations Location (COL) at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., during annual training, May 15, 2012. (Photo by Sgt. Sandra Fariss, 206th Engineer Battalion Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative)
“The mission is time consuming but the completed project will be beneficial to future operations and serve as a tremendous asset to this training area,” said 2nd Lt. Cory Netherton, combat engineer officer with the 206th.
The 206th and 201st also managed fuel operations and log pack exercise missions to the Contingency Operations Location at the Combat Training Command Post during annual training.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Dean R. Gosney of the 201st, said with excitement as he overlooked the project going on at the new Contingency Operations Location, “Great things are happening here and years from now these Soldiers will look back with pride and say, ‘I built that’!”
Story and photos by: 1st Lt. Gus LaFontaine, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Capt. Chad Vance of the 613th Engineer Facilities Detachment kisses his son Gage as wife Krissy and son Gavin look on. The unit departed Springfield, Ky for Afghanistan on June 20, 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Gus LaFontaine)
SPRINGFIELD, Ky. — Soldiers of the 613th Engineer Facilities Detachment are Kentucky’s latest Soldiers to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Family and friends said temporary goodbyes to their loved ones during a departure ceremony held at the River of Life Community Church in Springfield, Ky., June 20. Speakers included Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky’s Adjutant General, State Senator Jimmy Higdon and Col. Steven King, commander of the 613th.
To see more photos from this story, click here
Soldiers of the 613th Engineer Facilities Detachment stand at attention during the unit’s departure ceremony. The unit departed Springfield, Ky. for Afghanistan on June 20, 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Gus LaFontaine)
The mission of the 613th is to provide training, mentorship and synchronization of operation and maintenance efforts at Afghan National Security Force sites. Col. King commands the detachment of 15 Soldiers. Despite the size of the detachment, the 613th has a big mission ahead.
“While the 613th is a small unit, their mission is huge and their impact on the U.S. Army’s mission in Afghanistan will be immense,” said Tonini.
The larger impact may be the absence of family members at home, and some Kentucky families are all to used to the sacrifices of answering their nation’s call to duty.
Krissy Vance, wife of Capt. Chad Vance and mother of their two sons Gavin and Gage, has a perspective most military wives don’t. In 2004 she deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now, she will experience a deployment as a military wife instead of a Soldier.
“Having deployed will help me support Chad better, “ she said. “I understand how busy it can be and some of the discomforts associated with a deployment. I will do my best to support him while he is away.”
While he is away, Vance’s efforts will not only be to provide training and mentorship but also to aid in transitional efforts to the Afghan National Army. One of the primary goals of the 613th is to protect the investment in facilities and teach Afghan’s how to operate and maintain infrastructure. The 613th will work closely and personally with Afghan’s in support of these goals.
Col. Steven King, commander of the 613th Engineer Facilities Detachment, speaks during the unit’s departure ceremony. The unit departed Springfield, Ky. for Afghanistan on June 20, 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (KYNG photo by 1st Lt. Gus LaFontaine)
To accomplish such an important mission the 613th assembled a highly-skilled team of industrial, mechanical, construction, civil and environmental engineers as well as logistical, contracting and resource managers. Their proficiency has already been field tested with projects at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center (WHFRTC) and Boone National Guard Center here in Kentucky. The 613th team constructed the Tank Pad Memorial at WHFRTC and designed the future National Guard Memorial on Boone Center giving them an opportunity to gain valuable experience for their mission ahead.
Tonini recognized the valuable contributions of the 613th.
“Without a doubt this team represents the Kentucky Guard slogan, ‘Unbridled Service’.”
Krissy Vance will sorely miss one of those team members. In speaking of her husband and the father of her two children she said, “He’s my best friend. I will miss him a lot.”
Story by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans, KY ADT 4 Unit Public Affairs and Historian Representative
Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team 4’s Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Corson of Nicholasville, Ky. pauses while evaluating a demonstration farm in southern Afghanistan on February 20, 2012. Corson, who also took part in ADT 1 in eastern Afghanistan, is now helping local farmers in the Kandahar Province through agricultural and business education. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans/Released)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE PASAB, Afghanistan— For some, life is all about helping others. Such is the case for 34-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Corson of Nicholasville, Ky. As a member of the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 4, she has made it her goal to help the people of southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province.
“When you look at the big picture of helping people, even at home I try to help people in the community, it’s just really what I felt like I was born to do,” Corson said.
Previously, Corson served as a part of Kentucky ADT 1 in eastern Afghanistan, returning after spending a short time at home between missions.
“On ADT 1 I was primarily the administrative NCO (noncommissioned officer). However, the Commander gave us the leeway to do projects as we saw fit,” she said. “In that, I was able to adopt a girls’ school and I did a really cool thing there. I asked for Christmas, for everybody to send backpacks stuffed with supplies.”
“Out of that, I felt like I wasn’t able to touch as many Afghan lives and make as big of a difference in the Afghan side as much as I did the Soldier side on ADT 1.”
Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team 4’s Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Corson of Nicholasville, Ky. speaks to a child in southern Afghanistan on February 20, 2012. Corson, who also took part in ADT 1 in eastern Afghanistan, is now helping local farmers in the Kandahar Province through agricultural and business education. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans/Released)
“When the opportunity came up and I was asked to come and be a part of the team on ADT 4, I accepted with one stipulation…‘I want to be on the Ag Team.’ Overall, I just wanted to paint a bigger picture and be able to influence more with the projects that I’d seen that may have been viable, things that I saw that could have been different on ADT 1, and to carry over projects (from ADT 1).”
Corson wasn’t alone in returning to Afghanistan from ADT 1, however. Joining her are ADT 1 veterans Maj. Jim Rush of Alvaton, Ky., along with fellow Nicholasville residents Staff Sgt. Isaac Jones and Sgt. Tiffany Teegarden.
“Myself, Jones and Teegarden were all a trifecta, if you will. The only way you were going to get one is if you got the other two,” Corson explained. “We may not talk every day, but throughout the course of things, I know that I can always lean on either of them for anything.”
“Everything about this mission is completely different from ADT 1,” Corson said. “When you factor in two different areas, Eastern Afghanistan to Southern Afghanistan, the two don’t compare even in a side-by-side comparison.”
“Obviously, here they don’t have as fertile of a climate as the east,” she explained. “Here, it’s desert versus being a little more lush and green in the east. When you look at that and you also look at the kinetic activity, it plays a huge part in safety and the things that we’re able to do. I think here, there are probably a lot more opportunities, though.”
“As much I hate to hear ‘we’re not ADT 1 and we don’t do it that way,’ I thoroughly understand that firsthand…the dynamics don’t change. The people are still the same, the country is still war-torn, and the country is still experiencing war.”
“So, as a whole, the ADT theory doesn’t change. We’re still here to grow things, we’re still here to help fix crops that can’t thrive or that are disease-infected,” she said. “Even though the two missions are different, the two commands are different, and the two teams are different, the mission as a whole is still the same.”
Corson briefly explained some of the progress so far, using her main assigned district of Zharay as an example.
“I think there’s been quite a bit accomplished. As a whole, we came in and developed a mentorship program with the Extension Agent in Zharay. We’ve introduced training, we’ve helped him implement programs, and we’ve reached out through him to farmers, which in-turn builds him up.”
Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team 4’s Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Corson (far right) of Nicholasville, Ky. takes notes during a meeting in southern Afghanistan in February, 2012. Corson, who also took part in ADT 1 in eastern Afghanistan, is now helping local farmers in the Kandahar Province through agricultural and business education. Also pictured (from left) are Maj. Jim Rush of Alvaton, Ky.; Civilian Agricultural Specialist Jonathon Mixon of Rutledge, Tenn.; and Civilian Agricultural Specialist Beau Neal of Versailles, Ky. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans/Released)
“Farmers tell other farmers, who tell other farmers. So I think that through that mentorship program, through projects…as a whole, the program is growing.”
“We were able to implement some really good programs just from the start. I can see a lot more good things coming, but I think it’s still going to take some time.”
“Because of where we’re at, the hazards, and then you have to consider the 82nd (Airborne Division) and the operations they have going on, it all kind of kind of impedes a little,” Corson said of the challenges involved in ADT 4’s mission. “As a whole, I kind of envisioned a program and the way I wanted to do things. When I got here, it was totally different.”
“The challenge for most people is the relationship of the Afghan person that you’re working with,” Corson explained. “They’re still people…they’ve still been told after 11 years that ‘this is the way we’re going to do things when we come here.’ That’s the number one thing that I hear (from Afghans) is that when we come here, we implement something, and then we’re gone.”
“Building that trust with our mentorship program, I think it’s not a setback, but it takes a lot of time. And we as Americans are dependent on time. Everything revolves around time.”
“In Afghanistan it’s different,” she added. “They live for the moment, they live to feed their family for the next meal, and Enshaala (if God wills) for tomorrow.”
Corson, a woman who has spent a lot of time learning about Afghanistan and its people, had good things to say about both.
“The beauty of Afghanistan as a whole amazes me. Even through a war-torn country, several wars, and destruction, it’s still one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been,” she said. “If you can look past the rubble, you can really see beauty.”
“I think that if you friend an Afghan and you really set down and know them, and know their mind and their heart, they take you in…you are friends for life,” Corson said of the people she’s met so far. “It’s not like one little thing goes wrong or something divides you, you’re enemies.”
“I believe that we’ve come a long way,” she said of ADT 4’s progress so far in their mission. “When you look at five districts as a whole, you can see progress just across the board. But it’s going to take help even after we leave.”
Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Corson of Nicholasville, Ky. spreads flower seeds in a drip-irrigation demonstration garden on May 21, 2012 in southern Afghanistan. Corson is a Soldier with Kentucky’s Agribusiness Development Team 4, whose mission is help local farmers in the Kandahar Province through agricultural and business education. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans/Released)
“ADT 5 is coming here, which is great because there’s several different projects that they’ll need to follow up on. The most important is just that mentorship, to get them (Afghan counterparts) to think in terms of long-term and not just for tomorrow.”
“Sgt. Corson and I have worked together for years in the 138th Fires Brigade,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Bates of Louisville, Ky. Bates serves as head of ADT 4’s Ag Advisory Team. “Sgt. Corson has experience from a previous ADT deployment, so she’s got a lot stronger cultural awareness about the Afghan culture than almost anybody on the team.”
“One of the great things about the ADT is you’ve got Soldiers from different Brigades throughout the Kentucky National Guard all working together,” Bates added. “But we already know each other from working alongside each other at the 138th Brigade, so I already knew before I came on this mission that she was a very reliable leader who we could trust to get any kind of organizational tasks done.”
“Sgt. Corson is very organized,” he said. “She has great attention to detail, she’s got a tremendous work ethic, and she’s very scrupulous about making sure that everything gets done.”
“She jokes that she doesn’t have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)…she’s got CDO,” Bates observed. “Because that way, they’re in alphabetical order.”
“She has established a very strong rapport with the Afghan GIROA (Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) counterparts, such as the (Zharay) Extension Agent Sahki Dad,” Bates noted. “They trust her, and even some of the leaders from other (American) elements have turned to her for her feedback about these GIROA people because they feel like she’s earned their trust and she’ll be able to give a better assessment of their attitudes.”
“I don’t regret coming here to Afghanistan because I’m a Soldier-but I’m really looking forward to going home and getting to know my kids again and their personalities now that they’re grown,” Corson said. “I left, and now I have a high-schooler, I have a third-grader, and I have a Kindergartener, so I missed out on a little bit of time…and you can never make that time up.”
“I’m looking forward to getting back with my children, and then I look forward to going back to my home unit with my fellow artillery Soldiers,” Corson said.
Story and photo by Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky’s Adjutant General, presents Command Sgt. Maj. John Gipe the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal during a ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., June 11, 2012. A former Kentucky Guardsman, Gipe now serves as the senior enlisted advisor for Reserve affairs to the Assistant Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Raymond/Released)
FRANKFORT, Ky. – For nearly 30 years in uniform, Command Sgt. Maj. John Gipe said he has kept his job as simple as he could. And while he has held many different positions in that time, a sergeant major’s responsibility remains simple as well, to take care of Soldiers.
Gipe was awarded for his continued work for the benefit of service members nationwide when he was presented the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., June 11, 2012.
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky’s Adjutant General was on hand to present the award to Gipe, who had traveled back to Kentucky for a visit with family.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Gipe has been an inspirational and exceptional leader for the entire Army National Guard,” said Tonini. “And he has never stopped taking care of Soldiers.”
Gipe currently serves as the senior enlisted advisor for Reserve affairs to the Assistant Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C. He provides advice on policies concerning Reserve service members in not only the National Guard, but all other Reserve components of the Armed Services.
His work in the Pentagon is a long way from his roots as a Kentucky National Guard cavalry scout in Owensboro, Ky., where he enlisted in 1982.
Gipe was a command sergeant major by 9/11, serving in that position for the 238th Regiment at Fort Knox. And in 2002, he was named the fifth State Command Sergeant Major of the Kentucky National Guard.
Following a deployment with U.S. Central Command in 2005, He was chosen to be the eighth Command Sergeant Major of the National Guard. He helped coordinate the largest domestic deployment of National Guard troops during the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. In 2009, Gipe assumed his current role with the Assistant Secretary of Defense.
“I have been very fortunate,” said Gipe. “I have had the opportunity to do what I needed to do to make sure troops were taking care of, and all the rest just worked itself out. I have been very blessed.”
Having served away from the Commonwealth for so long, Gipe is ready to return, but not until he has done what he can in Washington, D.C. During his tenure, he has not only monitored service members while on duty, but also promoted military efforts at home through family and Soldier support programs.
He returned to Kentucky for a simple family visit, and was surprised by the award presentation, calling it very gratifying.
“It’s great to know that things you do are noticed,” he said. “And it’s nice to see that people respect what you do have done.”
The support he still has was evident during the ceremony with numerous members of the Kentucky Guard’s command staff on hand. Current State Command Sergeant Major Gregory Armstrong called Gipe an example of the continued legacy of the Kentucky National Guard.
He said it is only a matter of time until he can bring his storied career to a close and call the Bluegrass home once again. He appreciates the ongoing support he receives from Maj. Gen Tonini and the Kentucky Guard and said he will always be proud to be a Kentucky Soldier.
By Master Sgt. Philip Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Local middle and high school students board a 123rd Airlift Wing C-130 prior to an orientation flight from the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on June 15. The students were participating in an Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals aviation camp designed to educate young minds about the world of aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than 50 Louisville-area youth spent June 15 visiting the 123rd Airlift Wing to learn about career opportunities in military aviation and the Kentucky National Guard.
The day’s events, which included orientation flights on a Kentucky Air Guard C-130 transport plane and static tours of a Kentucky Army Guard Blackhawk helicopter, were the culmination of a week-long Summer Aviation Career Education Academy held by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.
Lt. Col. Jeff Harrison, a Kentucky Air Guard C-130 pilot, discusses the operation of aircraft engines June 15, 2012, with middle and high school students attending the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Summer Aviation Career Education Academy at the Kentucky Air National Guard base in Louisville, Ky. The program’s mission is to stimulate youngsters’ interest in the aerospace community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
“The mission is to educate, proliferate and stimulate interest in the aerospace community,” explained Lt. Col. Jeff Harrison, an African-American C-130 pilot in the Kentucky Air Guard and member of OBAP. He also flies 757s for United Parcel Service, an academy sponsor.
The camp exposed the students, who ranged in age from 6th-graders to high school seniors, to many aviation opportunities, Harrison said. Earlier in the week, the students trained in a flight simulator at UPS, visited the air traffic control tower at Louisville International Airport and logged flying time at Bowman Field that can be applied toward a private pilots’ license.
The visit to the Kentucky Air Guard began with the students’ being welcomed by Kentucky’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Edward. W. Tonini, who encouraged them to consider careers in the Kentucky National Guard. Next, they received briefings on aircrew flight equipment and aircraft safety before touring the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron and boarding a C-130 for a local training sortie.
One student, Adam Ackermann, said he’s been participating in the program for the past three summers and credits the camp with instilling a love of aviation.
“I got into this camp three years ago, and that really made me want to be a pilot,” Ackermann said. “I want to fly the C-130, and it makes me more interested every year because there is always something different to learn about.”
The Kentucky National Guard has supported the aviation camp for 15 years, Harrison said. It was founded by Larry Parker, a UPS management captain; Ray Thomas, a UPS captain and former Kentucky Air Guardman; and Keith Buckner, a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller.
The Kentucky Air Guard’s Col. Ken Dale, 123rd Maintenance Group commander, was instrumental in forging the partnership with the Guard, Harrison said.
OBAP, formed in 1976, is a non-profit organization that “shows young people the exciting potential available in aviation,” he said. In addition to the ACE aviation camp, OBAP offers scholarships, aviation education programs and flight training instruction.
“It’s a very systemic approach, going from cradle to career,” Harrison said.
Story by Spc. Marty W. Herndon, Unit Public Affairs, Historian Representative, Det 1-1123rd Sapper Co.
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by or about 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. Matthew Winder(left), Sgt. Jonathan T. McMackin(center), and Sgt. 1st Class Edwin J. Bayer (right) of the 206th Engineer Battalion prime a C4 charge while supporting the validation of the new Light Demolition Range located at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. The exercise was the first of its kind at the site. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Micheal Sims, 206th Engineer Battalion/Released)
GREENVILLE, Ky. — Soldiers from the 206th Engineer Battalion and 1123rd Sapper Company conducted the first test fires of demolitions at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, April 3-5, 2012. The test included 1-10 lb charge, 1-25 lb charge and 2-32 ½ lb charges.
“This will allow engineers to conduct demo training for the first time at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center and for some of these Soldiers it was their first time to initiate a charge,” said Master Sgt. Micheal E. Sims, Operations Sergeant for the 206th Engineer Battalion.
The test was conducted to determine the blast shock wave. The decibel level was measured by civilian agencies to determine the capacity of charge to stay within state requirements. The tests were a part of the necessary steps to validate the range for future explosive use. Once the range officially passes these tests, it will receive the green light for further demolition training.
“The demo test went well,” said Lt. Col. Ruth Graves, Training Site Manager. “The initial test data results show that blast activities at the demolition range comply with all safety and noise regulations.”
Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Bayer, Readiness NCO for Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 206th said nine Soldiers participated in the test, but knows more will follow with this new opportunity.
“It’s going to be a great benefit to be able to go down there for training,” Bayer said. “It will benefit the entire engineer community in the state.”
A C4 blast ignited by the 206th Engineer Battalion sends debris into the air at the new Light Demolition Range located at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. The 206th assisted with the validation of the site to be used for future demolition training. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Ruth Graves, Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center/Released)
When asked about the quality of the training, Bayer said that each Soldier feels the same, ‘every opportunity to detonate explosives, is a good day for an engineer’.
The range is expected to host a good amount of training for Kentucky engineers, and the location is one of the greatest advantages. Bayer said previous training had to be scheduled and conducted at Fort Knox or Fort Campbell, but now the Kentucky Guard has its own demolition range.
Following the initial tests, the 201st Engineers were the first to use the range during an annual training period in May. The 1123rd is scheduled to use the range in the fall for demolition certification.
“Our biggest chunk of training is there and we will certainly get a great deal of use out of it,” said Bayer.
Story by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
Lt. Col. Timothy Fanter, the 1/623rd Battalion Commander, presents an award plaque to Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Campbell, a firing battery platoon sergeant, during a formation at Fort Knox, Ky., May 20, 2012. Bravo Battery, 1/623rd was awarded the annual Alexander Hamilton Award, recognizing the unit as the most outstanding field artillery unit in the National Guard. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative/Released)
FORT KNOX, Ky. — The Alexander Hamilton Award annually recognizes an outstanding Kentucky Army National Guard Field Artillery Battery for superb mission accomplishment and overall unit excellence. This year the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery achieved a remarkable feat by capturing this award for the second straight year. The award was presented to Bravo Battery, which is located in Campbellsville, Ky.
“We were first notified about this in December of 2011, and it seemed somewhat surreal,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Rogers. “For our battalion to receive this award for two consecutive years is remarkable. This is truly a reflection of the quality Soldiers that we have in this battalion and this great Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
Lt. Col. Timothy Fanter, 1/623rd commander said bringing the award back to Kentucky could be a historical event.
”This is a tremendous accomplishment for not only Bravo Battery, the 2011 Alexander Hamilton Award winner which recognizes them as the best National Guard Field Artillery Battery, but for also for the battalion as the 2010 Alexander Hamilton Award winner was Alpha Battery,” said Fanter. “When the award was presented to Capt. Carlson at Fort Sill, Okla., during the 2012 Fires Conference, many of the active and National Guard field artillerymen commented that this was the first time they could recall the same battalion winning the award two years in a row. Congratulations to Bravo for this tremendous recognition.”
To be considered for this award, units are required to submit their statistics in such areas as physical readiness, command inspections, safety, Soldier care, weapons qualification and unit strength, just to name a few. When these categories are submitted and evaluated with other units, it is then determined, as to which unit will become the recipient of the annual award.
“Bravo Battery, 1/623rd field artillery is a solid unit and continues to perform in a professional manner,” said Col. Brian Wertzler, the 138th Fires Brigade Commander. “I am grateful that they have been recognized for the prestigious Alexander Hamilton award, honoring their achievements and further complimenting their efforts.”
Bravo battery had one of the most challenging years in recent history. Not only do these Soldiers have to focus on their duties as described by their job responsibilities, but they are also very active in their communities as well as state. The “Stallion Warriors” conducted 16 state active-duty missions of various types in support of the following counties, Taylor, Marion, Green and Adair. The missions that they accomplished ranged anywhere from community support at fairs to disaster relief in flooded areas.
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans, KY ADT 4 Unit Public Affairs and Historian Representative
Staff Sgt. Charles Yankey of Frankfort, Ky. rises from the water following his baptism on Sunday, May 20, 2012 in southern Afghanistan as fellow worshipers applaud. Yankey, a Soldier from the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 4 celebrated his rededication of faith through baptism following the day’s worship service. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Paul Evans/Released)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE PASAB, Afghanistan—Even in the midst of what the military calls a ‘combat zone’ in southern Afghanistan’s largely Islamic Kandahar Province, some Soldiers have found reasons to reevaluate their Christian faith.
In the case of two Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 4, the journey overseas led them to take a step forward in that faith. The two were baptized in a small ceremony at FOB Pasab’s Chapel following worship services on May 20, 2012.
“You know, a lot of guys come over here and work out to get their body strength and stuff, but I want to do something the opposite. I want to get my inner, spiritual self where it needs to be,” said Sgt. Randy Sewell, a 42-year-old Jackson, Ky., native, who lives in Frankfort, Ky.
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Back in Kentucky, Sewell, a mechanic with Frankfort, Ky.’s Bravo Co. 103rd Brigade Support Battalion, 138th Fires Brigade, has spent the past seven years as a Guardsman. Prior to that, Sewell spent four years on active duty based out of Germany and Fort Bragg, N.C.
“Being here has helped me sit back, talk to people, and kind of look over my life,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Yankey, a 31-year-old Frankfort, Ky. resident from Newhaven, Ky. “There’s things that have come into my life that have been guiding me along my way. I’ve just been so full of hatred and anger to see a lot of this,” he added.
Yankey has served in the Kentucky National Guard since shortly after leaving active duty in 2003 with the Vicenza, Italy based 173rd Airborne in 2003.
“I go to bible study with Yankey,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Watts, a 37-year-old resident of Danville, Ky. who initially met Yankey as a member of the 103rd BSB. “That’s the first time I heard about his baptism. I’m glad he’s doing it. He’s a good guy.”
“I think it’s pretty cool myself,” Watts added. “I got baptized in basic training (in 2002 at Fort Benning, Ga.). A lot of people don’t know that.”
Sewell and Yankey each had their own reasons for finally deciding the time was right to rededicate their faith while overseas.
“It goes pretty far back into my childhood,” said Yankey. “I kind of grew up in a pretty rough home. My mom always worked a lot, I had a stepdad that liked to drink, just liked to hit on kids and stuff like that. You know, abusive mentally and physically. I could’ve had it worse.”
“To make a long story short, I’m getting ready to turn 32,” Yankey said. “I’ve been battling a lot of anger and demons from my past. It’s made me go down a lot of wrong paths in life and make some pretty bad decisions.”
“I forgave, and then I opened up my heart, looked at all of it and realized that everything that happened to me, it didn’t kill me,” Yankey said. “Yeah, it hurt and there was a lot of things I had to deal with, but essentially it made me into who I am and the leader that my guys respect…you know, the guy that people like.”
Capt. Loren Aderhold (right), a Chaplain with 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division prepares to baptize Sgt. Randy Sewell (left) of Frankfort, Ky. on Sunday, May 20, 2012 in southern Afghanistan as fellow worshipers watch. Sewell, a Soldier from the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 4 celebrated his rededication of faith through baptism following the day’s worship service. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Paul Evans/Released)
“I understand it and it’s what I want to do,” Yankey said. “I’m washing away the old me and all the bad things…to start the new me. To me, it seems like what I need to do for the final step of making the transformation of who I used to be and all the bad things, and the hatred and anger, stepping into the new me that is going to enjoy things more and make my relationship with Shannon (Yankey) work.”
“I grew up in a Christian home. In eastern Kentucky, you get raised pretty much in church,” Sewell said. “I became a teenager, kind of grew away from it, joined the Service and got real far away from it. Here lately, I don’t know. I’m sure the deployment has something to do with it,” he added.
“I was just kind of trying to contemplate…not to sound too cliché with like ‘what’s the meaning of life’ and stuff, but I just came to a point where I felt I needed some help,” Sewell explained.
“My wife, she did it (got baptized) less than a month ago at home…and it kind of started turning things around for her. I talked to a few of the people here, and they recommended that I look into doing it,” he said.
“It’s something that I’ve chosen to do, totally, but I basically needed guidance from somebody,” Sewell added. “You know, your buddies tell you this and that, but when it all comes down to it, nobody was really giving me anything that was helping me.”
Each Soldier briefly explained what their baptism meant personally.
“Honestly, I forgave, let go, and it felt like just the world was lifted off my shoulders,” Yankey explained. “Col. Barrier’s been asking me for a little while to do it, and I’ve kind of been hesitant, cause I didn’t really understand it till recently.”
“To me, it means washing away the old and bringing in the new. When the weight lifted off and I forgave and opened up my heart to God, I just…when I first did it, I started telling people because I wanted to be held accountable for my actions,” Yankey said.
“There’s many times when I wanted to make a change, but it’s just me in the room, just me and God. But I always fell away from what I wanted to do because I’m stubborn,” Yankey recalled.
“Part of my stubbornness is that I told people what my intentions were so I’d be held accountable, and it wasn’t just me talking to myself,” he added. “Other people put faith in me, and I can’t let other people down in that aspect.”
“To me, it symbolizes a new beginning in my life,” Sewell explained. “I know it sounds kind of weird, but to me it symbolizes a new beginning at what I’d probably consider a midpoint in my life. I’m just looking forward to a rebirth, so-to-speak and wiping away some bad stuff that I’ve went through.”
“My sister, she’s older than I am, so she’s very proud of me. My wife, words can’t describe how proud she is,” Sewell said of his family’s reaction to news of his baptism.
“Col. Barrier’s been a pretty good inspiration for me as far as talking to me. He kind of talked to me…gave me some good advice, kind of steered me in certain directions,” Sewell said.
“I think it’s pretty cool, especially since I’ve known Yankey for a few years,” Sewell said. “He was at Bravo Co. as well, so I’ve known him for a while.”
“A lot of people would probably be surprised that he’s doing it. I’ll be proud to do it with him because I’ve known for a while,” Sewell added.
“It’s a big step for Sewell and it’s obviously a big step for me,” Yankey said. “Instead of just one of us doing it alone, we’ll have each other to help us through it.”
“The people that are (baptized), they say that nothing’s going to be easy once you become baptized,” Sewell concluded. “It’s no cure-all to all your ills and problems, but they say it’s a positive step. Right now, any positive’s good.”
A few of the churchgoers from the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 4 gather for a group photo outside the Chapel at Forward Operating Base Pasab, Afghanistan in support of Staff Sgt. Charles Yankey (5th from left) and Sgt. Randy Sewell (3rd from left). Both are Frankfort, Ky. residents. Also pictured (left to right): Beau Neal of Versailles, Ky.; Ken Parsons of Lancaster, Ky.; Sgt. 1st Class Crystal Dunn of Lexington, Ky.; Col. Tommy Barrier of Versailles, Ky.; Chief Warrant Officer Scott McCauley of Versailles, Ky.; Staff Sgt. Mark Arnold of Harrodsburg, Ky.; and Jonathon Mixon of Rutledge, Tenn. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Evans/Released)
