By Capt. Michael Reinersman, 138th Field Artillery
Brigade Public Affairs
GREENVILLE, Ky. – The 138th Field Artillery Brigade honored
Col. Ronnie Barnes as he relinquished command to Col. Andrew J. Bates during a
change of command ceremony Sept. 19, at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training
Center in Greenville, Ky.
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The 138th Field Artillery Brigade initially organized on Jan. 21, 1839, as the
Louisville Legion. The 138th, headquartered in Lexington, commands battalions
in Lexington, Harrodsburg, and Glasgow, Kentucky.
Brig. Gen. Robert Larkin, assistant adjutant general
for Kentucky, presided over the ceremony and passed the colors from Barnes to
Bates.
Larkin recognized both leaders’ accomplishments and the 138th for overcoming challenges during the last two years.
“The 138th participated in two warfighters to
prepare for Western Strike, which would have moved the entire brigade to
Wyoming for the largest firing exercise in years,” said Larkin. “Now, granted,
COVID-19 dashed that exercise. But you continued to be a force provider for the
pandemic response.”
This year, Barnes led Task Force Thunder to help the
Louisville Metro Police Department restore order and protect lives and property
during a civil disturbance in Louisville.
“Civil unrest is undoubtedly the most difficult job
the Guard may be called in to do,” added Larkin. “But Barnes did so with
strength, honor, and overwhelming care for [his] troops.”
During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. David Miller
presented Barnes with a framed 138th FAB guidon to remember his service
“Through it all, I cannot be more pleased with the
success of the Brigade and the dedication of our Soldiers,” said Barnes. “I
want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Soldiers, families, employers, and
communities that support the Brigade.”
Barnes provided a pre-recorded message to the Soldiers of the 138th.
He will continue to serve the Kentucky Guard
full-time as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer.
Moving from Joint Force Headquarters as the Deputy
Chief of Plans, Bates assumes command of the artillery brigade known as
“Kentucky Thunder.”
According to Col. Bates, the experience was a repeat from when he took
battalion command.
“I’ve been spoiled in my field grade command
assignments. I succeeded then Lt. Col. Barnes in command of 2/138th Field
Artillery, the Paladin Battalion,” said Bates. “At that time, it was then Col.
Larkin to pass me the colors. Then Maj. Steve Mattingly was battalion admin
officer.”
Currently, Lt. Col. Steve Mattingly is the deputy
commanding officer of the 138th and will continue to support Bates.
Bates joined the Kentucky Army National Guard in
1998 after serving in the 82nd Airborne Division.
“When I joined the Army as a private 30 years ago, I
never imagined that I would be here today,” said Bates. “I am very grateful and
will do my best to serve the Soldiers, the families of the 138th, and the
citizens of the commonwealth.”
Bates also served in the 138th Field Artillery
Headquarters, 206th Engineer Battalion, 63rd Aviation Brigade, Task Force
Phoenix in Afghanistan, Kentucky Agricultural Development Team, and Kentucky
Joint Force Headquarters.
During his 30 years of military service, he
completed three overseas deployments as a Guardsman.
In his civilian career, he has worked for Jefferson
County and Louisville Metro Government since 1998. He currently serves as
Executive Administrator for the Department of Community Services.