Kentucky National Guard Honors Outstanding Soldiers and Airmen of the Year

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The Kentucky National Guard's 2011 Soldiers of the Year display their Kentucky Enlisted Exceptional Performance awards at the Outstanding Soldier and Airmen of the Year banquet, held March 12, in Louisville, Ky. Pictured left to right are Spc. Kelly Burch, an acting team leader with Detachment 1, 1123rd Sapper Company, 206th Engineering Battalion; Staff Sgt. Jess Willard, an assistant platoon sergeant in Alpha Company, 149th Brigade Support Battalion, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; and 1st Sgt. Chris Morgan, who serves as first sergeant of Charlie Company, 1/149th Infantry Battalion.

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The Kentucky Air National Guard's 2011 Airmen of the Year display their Kentucky Enlisted Exceptional Performance awards at the Outstanding Soldier and Airmen of the Year banquet, held March 12, in Louisville, Ky. Pictured left to right are Master Sgt. Gary Pelletier, a special operations weather specialist in the 123rd Specials Tactics Squadron; Staff Sgt. Jeff Kinlaw, a combat controller in the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron; and Senior Airman April Kennedy, a material management handler in the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron.

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Col. Greg Nelson, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, meets with members of the Ecuadorian air force during a tour of the Kentucky Air Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., March 1. The Ecuadorians were visiting as part of the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, which fosters stronger relations between the United States and foreign governments by promoting bilateral military cooperation. (U.S. Air Force by Master Sgt. Philip Speck)

By LOUISVILLE, Ky / Published March 12, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. , The Kentucky National Guard honored the top Kentucky National Guardsmen of 2011 at the Outstanding Soldier and Airman of the Year Banquet March 12.

The banquet highlights the top enlisted Guardsmen for the Army and Air.

The 2011 Outstanding Soldiers and Airmen are:
• Senior noncommissioned officer: 1st Sgt. Christopher Morgan, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry (Army)

• Noncommissioned officer: Staff Sgt. Jess Willard, Alpha Company, 149th Brigade Support Battalion (Army)

• Soldier: Spc. Kelly Burch, 1123rd Sapper Company, 206th Engineer Battalion (Army)

• Senior noncommissioned officer: Master Sgt. Gary M. Peletier, 123rd Special Tactics Squadron (Air)

• Noncommissioned officer: Staff Sgt. Jeff G. Kinlaw, 123rd Special Tactics Squadron (Air)

• Airman: Senior Airman April Kennedy, 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron (Air)

Each of the award recipients competed against others at the unit and higher echelon levels before winning the state-level competition held last fall. Each winner received a Kentucky Enlisted Exceptional Performance award during the ceremony.

“This banquet highlights the Kentucky National Guard’s joint efforts and showcases the partnership between our Army and Air brethren,” said Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini. “Furthermore, it celebrates the enlisted personnel who are truly the backbone of this organization.”