Story and photos by Capt. Andi Hahn, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
FRANKFORT, Ky.--Kentucky National Guardsmen Chief Warrant Officer Ryan T. Thompson, aviation maintenance technician with C Company, 1st Battalion, 376th Security and Support Aviation, was named Kentucky National Guard's Warrant Officer of the Year at a ceremony held at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., Jan 17.
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Chief Warrant Officer Ryan T. Thompson, C Company, 1st of the 376th Security and Support Aviation Company, accepts the award for Kentucky National Guard's Warrant Officer of the Year from the Adjutant General of Kentucky Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini and State Command Chief Warrant Officer James W. Simms at a ceremony held on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 17.
The warrant officer of the year nominees are a selection of warrants from each major command in the Kentucky Guard and according to State Command Chief Warrant Officer James W. Simms, they are the best of the best.
"Our warrants are the subject matter experts. They are relied on by the various commands for their expertise and experience in their field," Simms said. "The experience level of our warrants comes from their past service as non-commissioned and commissioned officers in the Kentucky Guard," he said.
Thompson is no exception to the remarkable reputation warrant officers have in the Kentucky National Guard. His leadership said he has always been a tremendous asset to his company and the Army Aviation Support Facility.
Some highlights of Thompson throughout his warrant career; he has managed and coordinated 28 Phase Maintenance Inspections for OH-58 helicopters in support of KYNG's Flying Hour Program, counterdrug operations and Operation Guardian Eye, a southwest border mission.
He has coordinated aircraft transfers and maintenance support with 14 states and managed fully mission capable float aircraft between states to ensure mission readiness.
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Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ryan T. Thompson, C Company, 1st Battalion 376th Security and Support Aviation, accepts the award for Kentucky National Guard's Warrant Officer of the Year at a ceremony held on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 17.
"It was an honor to receive the warrant officer of the year award today from Maj. Gen. Tonini," Thompson said. "The support of Kentucky's leadership and professional diligence of the aircraft mechanics in this great guard has made this year a success."
Simms is optimistic and excited for the future of the warrant officer program which is full of opportunities for both Soldiers and Airmen of the Kentucky Guard.
"We have positions not just for our Soldiers but we look to the Airmen to fill some of the open position related to their Air Force jobs," Simms said. "We continue to promote the program and recruit for these tremendous opportunities."
For more photos from the award ceremony click
here!