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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Melissa Longhofer, an orderly room administrator with the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, plays bingo with her daughter during the 123rd Airlift Wing’s family holiday party at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 2, 2012. The annual event also offered snacks and prizes for the more than 85 children who participated. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Maxwell Rechel)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Christmas came a little early this year for the children of Kentucky Air National Guard members when Santa stopped by the 123rd Airlift Wing for the unit’s family holiday celebration Dec. 2.
More than 85 boys and girls turned out for the annual party, which provided each youngster with the opportunity to pose for a picture with Santa and take home a sack full of presents donated by area businesses, said Dave Rooney, program manager for the wing’s Airman and Family Readiness Group.
The daughter and son of Senior Airman Jose Lopez Castro, a crew chief for the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, talk with Santa Claus during the 123rd Airlift Wing’s family holiday party at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 2, 2012. The annual event also offered snacks and prizes for the more than 85 children who participated. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Maxwell Rechel)
“I believe it was probably our best children’s Christmas party yet,” Rooney said. “This is my fifth one, and it seems to get bigger year after year after year.”
Rooney expressed his gratitude to the more than 20 volunteers who operated games, painted faces and handed out door prizes during the celebration.
“A big thanks to Ms. Sharon Williams, our top volunteer, for a lot of the planning, and to our key volunteer groups, who were instrumental in the party’s success,” he said. “Their contributions were huge.”
The son of Staff Sgt. James Edington, a crew chief in the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, plays a game during the 123rd Airlift Wing’s family holiday party at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 2, 2012. The annual event also offered snacks and prizes for the more than 85 children who participated. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Maxwell Rechel)
Story by Master Sgt. Philip Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Chief Master Sgt. Michael W. Shepherd, 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent, receives his certificate of retirement from Col. Ken Dale, commander of the 123rd Maintenance Group, during a ceremony held Dec. 1, 2012, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Shepherd retired after 32 years of service to the Kentucky Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Maxwell Rechel)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky.- With 32 years of outstanding service to the 123rd Airlift Wing, Chief Master Sgt. Michael W. Shepherd was honorably retired from the U.S. Air Force during a ceremony Dec. 1 at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base.More than a hundred friends, family members and fellow Guardsmen, both active and retired, attended the ceremony, which was punctuated by laughter and tears as the chief looked back on his career.
Capt. James Embry, an aircraft maintenance officer who has worked with Shepherd for the past 15 years, spoke at the event, praising him as a natural leader.
“He has the ability to rally the troops and lead them to a common goal greater than themselves,” Embry said.
When he asked others to describe Shepherd’s character, Embry received many telling responses: willingness to help; someone who takes care of his people; a father figure; a person of integrity; the ability to unite; a team player; down to earth; not afraid to make tough decisions; full of humility and respect.
“Your legacy here at the Kentucky Air National Guard will live on by all the lives you’ve touched or helped mentor throughout your career,” Embry concluded. “Your career truly lives up to the Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all you do.”
After graduating from Manual High School in Louisville in 1978, Shepherd was an aspiring mechanic. One day after passing the base while working at a local car dealership, he noticed a C-5 Galaxy parked on the tarmac. He stopped in during an open house a few weeks later and was asked if he would like to work on aircraft.
“The rest was history,” Embry added.
Shepherd joined the Kentucky Air National Guard in 1980 as a traditional aircraft maintenance crew chief on the RF-4C Phantom II. He was hired full-time in 1983 and was later named Airman of the Year.
From 1985 to 1989, he was assigned to the Maintenance Operations Center within the 123rd Maintenance Group. In 1989, he was a key player in the wing’s conversion from the RF-4C to C-130B Hercules aircraft as the Kentucky Air Guard transitioned its mission from photo reconnaissance to military airlift.
In 1991, Shepherd was named crew chief for a factory-fresh C-130H aircraft, tail no. 91-1238, which is widely considered to be one of the best in the fleet.
From 1995 to 2003, he filled the position of isochronal dock chief for the 123rd Aircraft Generation Squadron, and in 2001 he was again named Airman of the Year.
Shepherd’s unit was activated following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and he deployed to multiple locations across the globe in support of the Global War on Terror.
Shepherd led the 123rd AGS as flight chief, and the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as production superintendent, through numerous inspections and deployments from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, he was promoted to chief master sergeant and became the superintendent of the 123rd AMXS, deploying in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
“Along the way, his career was filled with — well let’s just say if he was a professional athlete, he would have a favorable stat sheet,” Embry said.
Shepherd, who was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal and the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal during the ceremony, thanked his many friends and family members for their support through the years.
“Thanks to my family,” Shepherd said as his voice strained with emotion. “You obviously can’t have a career like I’ve had, and not have good support at home. And that’s family and friends.”
Under his leadership, the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron successfully met 100 percent of the unit’s taskings in support of the Global War on Terror, supporting over 10,000 sorties, 22,000 flying hours and more than 218,000 mission-capable hours.
Story by Senior Airman Vicky Spesard, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Adarius Hite, son of Kentucky Air National Guard member 2nd Lt. Angela Hite, paints pictures during Family Day at the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 21, 2012. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Vicky Spesard)
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Bounce houses, games, a popcorn stand and a fire truck lined Thoroughbred Express Blvd. as Airmen, family members, guests and volunteers converged onto the Kentucky Air Guard Base here Oct. 21 for the 123rd Airlift Wing’s 2012 Family Day.
Col. Warren Hurst, wing commander, greeted more than 500 spouses and children during a welcome address in the Fuel Cell Hangar.
“We are very excited to have all of you here to share this day with us,” he said. “Our families play a vital role in our mission and make sacrifices every day to support what we do here. This day is about celebrating that family spirit.”
Guests were treated to motivational speaker Kay Frances’ humorous look at military life, followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a miniature C-130.
To see more photos from the event, click here.
Following the theme of “Christmas in October,” a small AAFES store was set up in the hangar by the Fort Knox Post Exchange. Uniform items, electronics, perfumes and many other items were available for purchase.
Branson Wagoner, brother of Airman Dalton Wagoner, plays games during Family Day 2012 at the Kentucky Air Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 21, 2012. Airmen and their family members participated in a range of activities, from bounce houses and photos with Santa to fire truck tours and a picnic lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maxwell Rechel)
On the main activity field, family games including a duck pond and bingo, face-painting and washable tattoos rounded out the afternoon.
A picnic-style lunch was served and several prizes were raffled off, too.
“Today was a great day,” said event coordinator Dave Rooney, program manager for the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Airman and Family Readiness Group. “The amount of family members who came out to support their Airmen and spend the day here is tremendous. We had so many volunteers who came to help (and) more activities for families to take part in. It was a very successful event.”
Story by Master Sgt. Phil Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Lt. Col. Mark Heiniger receives his first salute as commander of the 123rd Contingency Response Group during a change-of-command ceremony held Sept. 15, 2012, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Also pictured is the group’s former commander, Col. Warren Hurst, who has been promoted to command the 123rd Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maxwell Rechel)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVLLE, Ky. — Lt. Col. Mark Heiniger assumed command of the 123rd Contingency Response Group during a ceremony Sept. 15 at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville.
Heiniger, a C-130 pilot who most recently served as deputy commander of the 123rd Maintenance Group, was selected for the job because of his experience and dedication, said Col. Warren Hurst, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing.
“Colonel Heiniger is a highly experienced C-130 pilot who has flown numerous contingency missions worldwide for over 25 years,” Hurst said. “He knows how an operation should run to safely maximize airlift capability.
“As a traditional Guardsman, his level of volunteerism has earned him the moniker ‘war horse,’ which is fitting because he has participated in so many deployments. His civilian and military experience will be a great asset to the CRG.”
The contingency response group is designed to be an early responder in the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other major emergency anywhere within the United States. It also can support military contingency operation worldwide. The group facilitated civil-military air relief efforts during the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, delivering more than 725 short tons of humanitarian aid.
Heiniger earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1984 and completed pilot training in 1985. For the next six years, he served as a C-130 pilot for the 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
He joined the Kentucky Air National Guard in 1995 and became an evaluator pilot for the 165th Airlift Squadron before serving as chief of standards and evaluation.
Heininger was named commander of the 123rd Operations Support Flight in 2002 and later led flying operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during a seven-month overseas deployment to U.S. Central Command.
In 2007, Heiniger was named commander of the 165th Airlift Squadron, leading the unit through two successful Operational Readiness Inspections, three Air Expeditionary Force deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and numerous Joint Forge and Coronet Oak deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Puerto Rico, respectively.
Heiniger is a veteran of numerous combat operations, including Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He also has deployed in support of Operations Volant Pine, Restore Hope, Provide Promise, Volant Oak, Joint Enterprise and Coronet Oak.
Photo essay by Master Sgt. Phil Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
A Kentucky Air National Guard member is welcomed home by loved ones Sept. 11, 2012 after his deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several Kentucky Air National Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing returned home Sept. 11, 2012, after the unit’s six-month deployment to Southwest Asia. The 21 members were primarily aircraft operators and maintainers as part of an air expeditionary force supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They have been overseas for two months. The returning airmen were replaced by a second rotation of Kentucky Air Guardsmen who are expected to stay in Southwest Asia until mid-December.
Kentucky Air National Guard Col. Greg Nelson, 123rd Airlift Wing Commander, welcomes home Kentucky Air Guard members Sept. 11, 2012 after their deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
A Kentucky Air National Guard member is welcomed home by loved ones Sept. 11, 2012 after his deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
A Kentucky Air National Guard member is welcomed home by a loved one Sept. 11, 2012 after his deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
Kentucky’s Assistant Adjutant General for Air Brig. Gen. Mark Kraus welcomes home Kentucky Air Guard members Sept. 11, 2012 after their deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
Story and photo by 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Col. Steven Bullard was named the new chief of joint staff of the Kentucky National Guard by Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Aug. 23, 2012. (Photo by 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Col. Steven P. Bullard has been selected as the next chief of staff at Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard, the adjutant general announced Aug. 23. Bullard, who currently serves as vice wing commander of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, is expected to assume the post in December, following the retirement of Brig. Gen. Michael J. Dornbush.
“Colonel Bullard excelled as vice commander and 123rd Mission Support Group commander for the 123d Airlift Wing,” said Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini in making the announcement.
“He also served successfully in several mobilization assignments, including NATO senior airfield authority and 451st Air Expeditionary Group Commander at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan; deputy director, Air Component Coordination Element, and USAF liaison with Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan and the government of Afghanistan.”
“Colonel Bullard’s success is a direct reflection of the level of professionalism and the deep talent base representative of the 1,200 Airmen in our nation’s finest Air National Guard wing.”
Upon accepting the position, Bullard will be eligible for promotion to the rank of brigadier general as a traditional Guardsman. He will maintain his civilian job as director of the Administrative Services Division in the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs.
The division is responsible for personnel administration and functions, procurement actions, accounting and fiscal functions, maintenance and storage of “War Records Bureau” documents and records, legislative activities, and state grant funding to the Civil Air Patrol.
Throughout his Air Force career, Bullard has served in numerous leadership roles, both at home and abroad. In addition to his duties in Afghanistan, the colonel served as chief of operations for the Joint Intelligence and Operations Center at Headquarters, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., from August 2008 through January 2009.
At home, Bullard served as director of joint doctrine and training, Joint Forces Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, from April 2005 to July 2008.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he deployed as operations officer, then commander, of the 10-aircraft, 306-personnel joint Guard-Reserve 38th Airlift Squadron (Provisional) at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from March to October 2003.
Bullard has participated in Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, Provide Promise, Restore Hope, Joint Endeavor, Joint Forge, Southern Watch, Bright Star, Coronet Oak, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He also has participated in numerous Special Operations low-level deployments and served as lead instructor during Red Flag and Green Flag exercises.
Bullard served two terms as elected president of the National Guard Association of Kentucky and was the volunteer executive director of the Kentucky Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve from 1993 to 2001.
By Maj. Dale Greer, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Col. Warren H. Hurst
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Col. Warren H. Hurst has been selected as the next commander of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky’s adjutant general announced Aug. 7.
Hurst will replace Col. Gregory L. Nelson, who was named deputy director of strategic plans and policy at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. A formal change-of-command ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Air Guard Base in Louisville on Sept. 16.
“The Kentucky Air National Guard has placed great emphasis on building a great bench of leaders capable of maintaining our position as the best airlift wing in the nation,” Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini said in making the announcement. “Colonel Hurst will continue Kentucky’s national reputation of unequaled excellence and unbridled service into the future.”
Hurst has served for he past five years as commander of the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group, a unit designed to be an early responder in the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other major emergency anywhere within a 400-mile radius of Louisville. The group also is capable of supporting military contingency operations worldwide.
Described as an “airbase in a box,” the 123rd CRG has all the personnel, training and equipment needed to deploy to a remote site, open a runway and establish airfield operations so that aid or troops can begin to flow into affected areas. Unit members’ training, experience and equipment — including immediate access to the Kentucky Air Guard’s C-130 aircraft — mean they can deploy rapidly in any contingency situation to quickly establish initial operating capabilities for humanitarian or military airlift.
The 123rd CRG is one of only 10 CRGs in the entire Air Force and the first fully operational CRG in the Air National Guard.
Tonini credited Hurst’s leadership of the unit for setting a new standard of excellence in the disaster-response community and for “developing policy in this high-profile mission area.”
Hurst is a command pilot who has flown C-130 combat, combat-support and humanitarian relief operations worldwide while serving for the active duty Air Force and Air National Guard. He has participated in numerous missions, including Operations Provide Promise, Restore Hope, Provide Relief, Joint Forge, Coronet Oak, Red Flag-Alaska, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Prior to assuming command of the 123rd CRG, Hurst served a three-year temporary duty tour on the Tanker Airlift Control Center Battle Staff at Air Mobility Command Headquarters, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He also has an extensive background in planning and executing expeditionary airlift operations worldwide. Hurst coordinated civil-military air relief efforts during the 2010 Haiti earthquake and served as deputy director of mobility forces to the Pacific Air Forces commander in response to the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan.
Family members of deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen gather for lunch and hear from their loved ones via video teleconferencing at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY, 4 Dec.
All photos taken by 123rd AW Wing Public Affairs.
KEH
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Governor Steve Beshear and first lady Jane Beshear joined Adjutant General Edward W. Tonini and his wife, Carol, for holiday luncheons with Families of the deployed Soldiers and Airmen from the Kentucky National Guard today.
“These Families are so strong,” said Tonini. “I take great pride in seeing them during the holidays. It’s no secret that they make as much of a sacrifice for their country as their Soldiers and Airmen overseas.”
State Command Sgt. Major Greg Armstrong and State Command Warrant Officer Delynn Gibson from the Kentucky National Guard visited Family members of the 2123rd Transportation Company in Richmond who currently have 168 Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Chris Eden, a Purple Heart Medal recipient, was also in attendance.
“Sergeant Eden truly represents our Soldiers at their best,” said Armstrong. “His loyalty to his country and his selflessness is an example to us all. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to shake Chris’ hand.”
Maj. Gen. Francis Wiercinski presents Gov. Beshear the Honorary Screaming Eagle award as Maj. Gen. John Campbell, Commander of the 101st Airborne Division watches the presentation via a video teleconference from Afghanistan.
While visiting Family members in Louisville, Beshear received an Honorary Screaming Eagle award from Maj. Gen. John Campbell, commander of the 101st Airborne Division. Campbell joined Beshear through a video teleconference from Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, senior commander for the 101st, Campbell’s wife, Ann, and T.C. Freeman, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for Kentucky assisted in the
presentation.
The Families in Louisville represented Kentucky Guard members currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 123rd Airlift Wing, with over 160 Airmen; the Agricultural Development Team II with 70 Soldiers and Airmen; and the 3rd Detachment 20th Special Forces Group, with 28 Soldiers deployed, are all stationed in various locations throughout Afghanistan.
.The Kentucky National Guard currently has more than 450 Soldiers and Airmen deployed worldwide. Nearly 14,000 Kentucky Guardsmen have been mobilized for the War on Terror since 2001.
Gov. Beshear visits with Family members of deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen while having lunch at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
Santa Claus visits with Family members of deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen while having lunch at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
Family members video teleconference with their deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen while at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
Gov. Beshear shares holiday cheer with the child of a deployed Kentucky Air National Guard Airman while having lunch at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
