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Story and photos by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Surviving families of fallen service members attended Churchhill Down’s Survivor Day at the Races, hosted by Humana Military, Sunday 4 November, 2012. Survivor Outreach Services is an Army-wide program designed to provide dedicated and comprehensive support to survivors of deceased Soldiers. Members from across the Commonwealth and surrounding states took part in the day’s festivities.(Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than 500 survivors from of fallen active duty and reserve component service members attended Churchill Down’s Survivor’s Day at the Races on Sunday November 4, 2012.
The survivor’s event was coordinated by the Kentucky National Guard’s Survivor Outreach Services and sponsored by Humana Military Healthcare Services and Churchill Downs. The day included free admission, family activities and a buffet lunch.
The highlight of the day was being recognized in the winner’s circle after the fourth race, honoring the Survivors of the Fallen.
Surviving families of fallen service members honored in the winners circle after Churchill Down’s Race for the Fallen, November 4, 2012.(Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
“This was an outstanding gathering for our survivors of American heroes” said Mark Grant, SOS coordinator. “The folks at Churchill Downs and Humana opened their doors and their hearts to this great families and showed them what Kentucky hospitality is all about. We couldn’t have had this spectacular event without their combined generosity.”
This year’s SOS event honored survivor families from Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky. Survivor Outreach Services is an Army-wide program designed to provide dedicated and comprehensive support to survivors of deceased Soldiers.
“Giving this well deserving group a day of entertainment and horse racing is a small token for the immeasurable sacrifice their fallen loved ones made in service to our country,” said Orie Mullen, president of Humana Military.
To find out more about Survivor Outreach Services contact:
Mark Grant, 502-413-4172 or email him at [email protected]
David Orange, 502-607-1099 or e-mail him at [email protected]
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By Master Sgt. Philip Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Master Sgt. James Tongate, a Humana employee and loadmaster with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, speaks during a ceremony at Humana’s corporate headquarters in Louisville, Ky. Humana was being honored as a finalist for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for exceptional support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Also pictured is Mike McCallister, Humana’s chief executive officer. (Courtesy photo)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana Inc. was honored as a finalist for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award during a ceremony at its corporate headquarters here Nov 1.The award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.
Robert Silverthorn Jr., a retired Army major general and chairman of the Kentucky Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented the honor to Humana chairman and CEO Mike McCallister.
“Today’s event, while it focuses on the National Guard and Reserves, represents another opportunity for Humana to say ‘Thank you’ to all our military-affiliated associates and their families,” McCallister said. “Humana understands the importance of the healthcare needs that the Guard, Reserves and their families face, especially in this time of extended deployments.”
In accepting the award, McCallister noted Humana’s progress toward its goal of hiring 1,000 former servicemen and servicewomen or their spouses by late 2014. The company has hired 928 veterans and spouses to date.
Master Sgt. James Tongate, a Humana employee and loadmaster in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, also spoke at the event.
Master Sgt. James Tongate hugs his daughter after his Air and Space Expeditionary Force (AEF) deployment. (Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
“I’m proud to be a part of a company that strives to help those that have sacrificed for their country,” Tongate said.The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 160 employers have been honored with the award.ESGR was established as a DoD agency 40 years ago. It develops and maintains employer support for Guard and Reserve service, advocating for relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between service members and employers.
Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging the employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce, officials said.
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Baker, 202nd Army Band Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
The 202nd Concert Band performs during a Veteran’s Day concert at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky., Nov. 11, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Spc. Larry Daniels)
SOMERSET, Ky.— The 202nd Army Band performed a concert in honor of Veterans Day on Saturday, November 10th, 2012. The concert was held at The Center for Rural Development and was attended by several hundred patrons.
The program consisted of the following selections;
-“An American Fanfare”, by Rick Kirby
-“The Star Spangled Banner”, lyrics by Francis Scott Key, music by John Stafford Smith
-“The Black Horse Troop”, by John Philip Sousa
-“American River Songs”, by Pierre LaPlante
-Italian Rhapsody, by Julie Giroux
-Fort McHenry Suite, by Julie Giroux
-“Journal For A Soldier”, by Brian Balmages
-Roll Call of the Fallen
-Armed Forces Medley, arranged by Staff Sgt. Kelly Diamond
-Big Bands in Concert, by Bob Bob Lowden
-“God Bless America”, by Irving Berlin
Members of the 202nd Dixieland Musical Performance Team perform during a Veteran’s Day concert at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky., Nov. 11, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Baker)
During the performance of Fort McHenry Suite a slideshow was displayed on the backdrop containing pictures of Revolutionary War depictions. Additionally, during the performance of “Journal For A Soldier”, based on “Brahms Lullaby”, pictures of Soldiers with their children and family members were displayed.
As a special tribute to the 108 Kentuckians who have fallen in the War on Terrorism each Soldiers name, rank and service branch were read followed by a single chime. The names were read by Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Wilkins, 63rd Theatre Aviation Brigade Command Sergeant Major and Sgt. 1st Class Angela Wilkins, Readiness NCO for the 202nd Army Band. The tribute concluded with the playing of “Taps” by Sgt. Jennifer Bowling.
Pre-concert music was presented by three of the unit’s Musical Performance Team in the lobby area. Patrons were treated to music from musical genres that included Dixieland, Swing, Jazz, Classical and Broadway show tunes.
“The concert in Somerset was especially meaningful because it was more than just another opportunity to show off the unique talents of the 202nd; it was a chance to do so while recognizing so many brave men and women who have served so honorably throughout our nations’s history,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Embury, who has 18 years of service. “It is really an honor to serve with a group of such highly skilled musicians.”
The 202nd is actively recruiting and looking for trombonists, euphonium, French horn 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
Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear and the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, join recruiters and new Kentucky Guard recruits on the steps of the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 20, 2012. The Guardsmen gathered at the Capitol to celebrate Kentucky meeting its recruiting goal for the ninth year in a row.(Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — For the ninth year in a row, the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 75th Recruiting and Retention met the state’s assigned end strength goal. The recruiters of the unit ensured that Kentucky remained above the 7,370 Soldiers needed in its ranks as set by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) in Washington, D.C.
To celebrate the occasion, Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini gathered with members of the 2/75th and recent enlistees at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Nov. 20, 2012 to share his congratulations and bestow honors on a select few.
To see more photos from the event, click here.
Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini speaks during a press conference in the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., to celebrate the 2/75th Recruiting and Retention’s ninth year of meeting its recruiting mission, Nov. 20, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“What we do here today, recognizing both our recruiting team and our new recruits, gives a face to the men and women who answer the call, whether it is overseas on a battlefield far away, or here at home during a flood or in the aftermath of a devastating tornado,” said Tonini.
Maj. Fred W. Bates V, Commander of the 2/75th since 2011, said the unit’s success has been one based upon the recruiters’ responsibility for each new Soldier recruited, from the time they swear in to their first day with their new unit. And he believes his unit has fully accepted that responsibility.
“I believe our battalion has been successful for 9 years because we truly place the mission first, and always go the distance to take care of our new Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Miller, non-commissioned officer in charge of Bravo Company, Detachment 1 of the 2/75th in Louisville, Ky.
Miller has served with the unit for each of those nine years, and was recognized as the area supervisor of the year for Kentucky and also for the entire southeastern region of the United States.
Miller and other recruiters, such as Staff Sgt. Miguel Santiago who was named Kentucky’s recruiter of the year, agreed that their job is about helping others see their potential and not wasting their chance to better themselves in what the recruiters said is one of the greatest opportunities in life. As their commander, Bates is proud of the hard work of every member of his staff, but more importantly, proud of the message his recruiters are representing.
“We have met mission because the Soldiers in the Kentucky Army National Guard have worked together to show people in the Commonwealth why it is imperative to serve them and our Nation,” said Bates. “It has been more than just recruiters talking with applicants, Moms, Dads
families; More than sharing what the benefits are in education, job skills, life skills; it is people seeing that the Kentucky National Guard is an organization they want to belong to and want to be a part of.”
Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear and the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, laugh with new Kentucky Guard recruits on the steps of the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 20, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Scott Raymond)
The event at the Capitol celebrated the success of the recruiters, but also for a select few of the recruits who recently have raised their hand to serve in the National Guard. More than 30 of the newest members of the Kentucky National Guard were on hand to be recognized for being among “The Hundred”, who Bates called some of the best and brightest in Kentucky.
Tonini and Bates accepted a challenge from NGB to enlist an additional 100 Soldiers in the final two months of the 2011 fiscal year. Recruiters had to meet their original goal, plus 100. The Kentucky Guard launched a marketing campaign called “Be The Elite” to generate interest in the Guard and to highlight the benefits of serving their state. They succeeded and enlisted more than 100 young men and women in the final push. Bates said that is another example of why the adjutant general has such confidence in the unit’s operation and why the state Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) is ranked 4th out of all 54 states and territories.
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear took a few moments out of his busy schedule to also congratulate the recruiters and speak to the newest recruits, thanking them for their dedication to the Commonwealth and their country.
According to Bates, the 2/75th has worked hard to continue building on the foundation set forth by previous commanders and recruiters to stay on track. He said they have focused on: maintaining integrity, always placing the mission first, the RSP, officer recruiting, and taking care of families.
“We have the faith and the focus to stay on track and can continue to be successful if we do not take these things for granted,” said Bates.
Along with the 1,200 Airmen of the Air National Guard, Kentucky has 8,570 Guardsmen stationed in more than 50 locations in the Commonwealth.
Story by Sgt. Jared Smith, HHB, 2/138th FA
Pvt. 1st Class Ismaila Pam, a resident of Louisville, Ky., pauses from his duties as a supply specialist to grant an interview on his ties to Africa on Nov. 8, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Capt. Daniel VanHorn))
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Most Soldiers from the 2/138th Field Artillery Regiment have been born and raised in Kentucky. Others are from Indiana, Florida and New York. But one bright, young Soldier calls Africa his home.
Pfc. Ismaila Pam, an Automated Logistical Supply Specialist from the 2138th Forward Support Company (FSC) of Louisville, Ky., was born in Mauritania, Africa, and grew up in Senegal.
“Growing up in Africa was a good life.” said Pam, “Everyone in the area is your family, you own most everything that you have to include your home, and electric was very cheap.”
When asked how he ended up in the United States from such a far away continent, Pam said that his father lived in the United States for about 18 years. His father decided to stay in Louisville, Ky., because he had many friends in the area and he enjoyed the American lifestyle. He settled down and decided to bring his family to him from Africa.
By the young age of 18, Pam had already completed high school and two years of college in Senegal before moving to Kentucky. Although he could speak three languages, Wolof, Fulani and French and could read and write Arabic, he didn’t know English. Upon his arrival in Kentucky, he had to go back to high school to learn the language, which brought his total to four languages that he is able to speak.
Shortly after his arrival to Louisville, Pam started working in the same restaurant as his father as a bus boy. He recalls while on breaks he could see through the small window looking into the kitchen how hard his father worked to be able to provide for his family.
At that point Pam decided that he was going to find another job trade to be able to help his father so he decided to join the Kentucky National Guard which enabled him to get a steady paycheck as well as be close to home.
When asked how his family felt about him joining the military, he said his father is very proud of him and what he is doing although his mother isn’t too happy about it. She worries about his deployment. Pam stated that it doesn’t bother him and he wants to continue to serve because it is something that he loves dearly.
Pam has family who still reside in Africa, to include his Grandfather, Aunts, Uncles and even an older brother. If he gets the chance, he would love to be able to visit them while on his deployment.
With his unit in Africa, Pam is looking forward to all the possibilities that lie ahead.
“It’s very exciting, because we are going for peacekeeping and not war,” he said with a smile.
Mary Moseley, President of Al J. Schneider Company, is instructed on one of the weapons that the Agribusiness Development Team 5 will use while deployed to Afghanistan later this year. Civic leaders and employers from across the Commonwealth had the opportunity to see what a Kentucky Guardsman goes through when they visited Camp Atterbury, Ind to view ADT5 training Nov. 19, 2012. These civic leaders and employers also got to experience a flight on an Air Guard C130 Hercules Transport Plane as well as a UH-60 Blackhawk during their trip. (photo by Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
Civic leaders and employers from across the Commonwealth had the opportunity to see what a Kentucky Guardsman goes through when they visited Camp Atterbury, Ind to view Agribusiness Development Team 5 training Nov. 19, 2012 prior to their deployment to Afghanistan. These civic leaders and employers also got to experience a flight on an Air Guard C130 Hercules Transport Plane as well as a UH-60 Blackhawk during their trip. (photo by Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
Will James, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company in Georgetown, Ky., visits with the pilots of the C-130 Hercules Transport Plane as the passengers travel from Louisville to Camp Atterbury, Ind. Civic leaders and employers from across the Commonwealth had the opportunity to see what a Kentucky Guardsman goes through when they visited Camp Atterbury, Ind to view Agribusiness Development Team 5 training Nov. 19, 2012 prior to their deployment to Afghanistan. These civic leaders and employers also got to experience a flight on a UH-60 Blackhawk during their trip. (photo by Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
Multiple UH-60 Blackhawks land at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the Bosslift event on Nov. 19, 2012. Civic leaders and employers from across the Commonwealth had the opportunity to see what a Kentucky Guardsman goes through when they visited Camp Atterbury, Ind to view Agribusiness Development Team 5 training prior to their deployment to Afghanistan. These civic leaders and employers also got to experience a flight on an Air Guard C130 Hercules Transport Plane as well as a UH-60 Blackhawk during their trip. (photo by Sgt. Austin Lynn, Kentucky National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility)
Spc. Ryan Stull, a medic with Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, sends a greeting back home for Thanksgiving from his duty station at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, 2/138th Public Affairs)
The Kentucky National Guard is deeply thankful for all of our men and women in uniform across the Commonwealth. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving Day with friends and family, let us not forget the brave Kentuckians supporting overseas operations in Afghanistan, Africa and around the world.
Story by Senior Airman Vicky Spesard, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Lt. Col. Jeff Wilkinson, commander of the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, presents Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Malone with a Meritorious Service Medal during Malone’s retirement ceremony Oct. 20, 2012, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Malone served in the active-duty Air Force and Air National Guard for 30 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maxwell Rechel)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With 30 years of exemplary service in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, Chief Master Sgt. Patrick M. Malone was honorably retired from the Armed Forces Oct. 20 during a ceremony held in his honor at the 123rd Airlift Wing.
Surrounded by hundreds of friends, family and co-workers of all ranks, the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron pararescueman was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal and the Distinguished Kentucky Service Medal by squadron commander Lt. Col. Jeff Wilkinson.
“Chief Malone’s accomplishments are too many to name,” Wilkinson said. “He is a one-in-a-million individual. His degree of personality, talent, leadership and caring is so exceptional, that we are blessed to work with him. Men like him come around only once in a lifetime.”
Malone began his career in the Air Force on Oct. 19, 1982. After completing basic training, he went on to become a special operations pararescueman, a jump-qualified trauma-care specialist whose primary mission is to deploy into restricted environments and extract injured personnel. His first duty assignment was with the 6594th Test Group at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where he conducted numerous open-ocean rescue missions.
After serving an active-duty tour in Alaska as a member of the 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Malone joined the Alaska Air Guard. There, he assisted in several search-and-recovery missions and was credited with saving 85 lives.
In 2000, Malone enlisted in the Kentucky Air National Guard as its first pararescue senior enlisted advisor, playing a key role in the transformation of the existing 123rd Combat Control Flight into a special tactics squadron. He also personally led the Air National Guard special operations task force responsible for the evacuation of thousands of citizens in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina.
“Chief Malone is a visionary,” Wilkinson told the audience. “He mentored, cultivated and trained future members of the new squadron. More than that, Chief Malone has built an everlasting bond of brotherhood within our unit.”
As part of the retirement ceremony, the special tactics squadron presented Malone and his family with a commemorative American flag.
“What can I say about my squadron — wow!” Malone remarked. “It has been my pleasure, my privilege and honor to work with you, and I salute you all.”
A combat veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom, Malone’s many decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Airman’s Medal, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Malone thanked many of his co-workers and family members for their support during his career, but he reserved special recognition for his wife, Kim.
“You’re everything,” he said. “You have been here with me always. You are my mentor, my guide, and the love of my life. Thank you.”
Story by Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Morgan presents the battalion guidon to Lt. Col. Bryan Howay during a change of command ceremony in Artemus, Ky., Nov. 11, 2012. Maj. Jeff Cole assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry from Howay. (Photo courtesy of 1/149th IN)
ARTEMUS, Ky. — The Kentucky National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Ky., Nov. 11, 2012.
On a sun-filled day in Southeastern Kentucky, the Soldiers of the 1/149th, known as the Mountain Warriors, stood in formation with their company colors. They watched as the battalion guidon was passed from Lt. Col. Bryan Howay to Maj. Jeff Cole. The commander of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Col. Mike Abell, along with numerous friends and family members were in attendance witnesses the exchange.
“I am both honored and humbled to be the new commander of the Mountain Warriors,” said Cole. “This battalion has a long history of significant achievements. In the decade since 9/11, we’ve been deployed three times, including twice to Iraq.”
Howay commanded the 1/149th since May, 2010, including the unit’s last deployment to Iraq as one of the last units to leave the country in 2011. He will assume the role of Deputy Commander of the 149th MEB.
The Color Guard of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry stands ready in the front of the battalion formation during a change of command ceremony in Artemus, Ky., Nov. 11, 2012. (Photo courtesy of 1/149th IN)
The Mountain Warriors comprise the largest battalion in the Kentucky Guard, consisting of more than 800 Soldiers in 6 companies. The unit operates out of seven armories all located in Eastern Kentucky.
Cole and Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Morgan will be charged with continuing the traditions of the last combat arms unit in the Kentucky Guard.
“Our Soldiers are among the best and have proven themselves time and time again,” said Cole. “So, to be allowed to lead this group of Soldiers for a short time is an incredible privilege. My goal is for us to continue this long legacy of serving our Country and Commonwealth with excellence.”
Story by Capt. Joseph Fontanez, Kentucky National Guard Agribusiness Development Team 5
Heather Hodgin, project manager for XCapture instructs Capt. Joseph Fontanez of Kentucky’s Agribusiness Development Team 5 on the use of the new web-based tool at Camp Atterbury, Ind. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sidney Hoffmann)
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – Members of Kentucky’s fifth agribusiness development team participated in XCapture training and development in November in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. XCapture is a web-based tool that will help ADT 5 document and share experiences and lessons learned while conducting missions overseas. These unclassified mission reports will be accessible to personnel who would like to learn more about what ADTs are doing during their deployment.
Although XCapture is still in the research and development stage, ADT 5 has been actively participating with XCapture developers to enhance the software user experience and mission information collection process. The feedback and suggestions provided will make this a tool that ADTs from other states can use to view unclassified agribusiness project data, mission story boards, and lessons learned from any computer connected to the internet.
“Our agribusiness development team is very excited about the opportunity to be on the front-end of the XCapture project,” said Lt. Col. Dallas Kratzer, Ky ADT 5 Executive Officer. “We have the right mix of tech-savvy and agribusiness professionals who are giving outstanding feedback to the XCapture development team, and they are in turn designing the application to meet our specs. It is truly a synergistic approach of end-users and designers working together to deploy a fully functional, relevant, program for capturing what we are doing in the field in regards to agriculture.”
In addition to inputting data into a web-based interface, Ky ADT 5 will also be assisting the developers with a mobile version of XCapture that can be used on Android-based tablets. This added capability will allow team members to create field expedient reports with pictures and audio clips that can be transferred to the XCapture web interface upon return to the forward operating base.
Ms. Heather Hodgin, project manager for XCapture, explained how Ky ADT 5 has been helping with the research and development of the project.
“Although the system has already been deployed as an in-theater pilot to gain initial feedback about user needs in Afghanistan, the Beta deployment of the system with Ky ADT 5 marks a landmark for the project,” said Hodgin. “This will be the first time the system is used for capturing data with the intent of operationally sharing it not only with other ADTs operating in Afghanistan and teams preparing for deployment, but also with stability operations organizations with a need for ADTs’ valuable lessons learned and methods.”
