Guardlife - Volume 30, Number 2

Table of Contents

 Guardlife Staff
 TAG's Message
 CSM's Message
 177th Supports OEF
 Combat Veteran to Head NJANG
 'Faithful and Brave' Arrive
 1-114th Deploys to Arrabian Penninsula
 253rd TC Back from Iraq
 Mobilization Page
 News Guard Families Can Use
 Salute the Troops
 NJNG Newsmakers
 Jersey Air Guardsman Wins Services Award
 Photos from Iraq
 Finance Battalion Update
 Family Appreciation Day
 Short Rounds
 NJ Places 17th in NG Marathon
 Army and Air Enlisted Promotions
 In Memoriam

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Sgt. Kenneth D. JohnsonJersey Air Guardsman Wins Services Award

By Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, 177FW/PA,
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Mildren, 177FW/Multimedia Center


Tech. Sgt. Kenneth D. Johnson, Services Flight, 177th Fighter Wing, was one of 19 individuals worldwide to receive the coveted Air Reserve Component Non-Commissioned Officer, Air Force Services Award June 29.

This is the first time a member of the New Jersey Air National Guard has ever won the prestigious award. In addition, he was the only Guardsman in the United States to receive an award in the competition.

“This award is really recognition for all the Air Guardsmen that were deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Tech. Sgt. Johnson, Food Services Assistant Shift Leader, 177th Services Flight.

The Air Force Services Individual Awards Program recognizes Services personnel in 19 individual categories and 20 services program areas who make outstanding contributions to the Air Force Services Program, which covers a variety of areas including: dining facilities, lodging, Morale, Recreation and Welfare, mortuary affairs and fitness.

Tech. Sgt. Johnson was activated to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, from Feb. 22 to Nov. 15, 2003. Upon arrival in the combat theatre, he assisted with the build up of two bases, the first being at a classified location 34 miles from the Iraqi border where he served as part of the 688-member 447th Air Expeditionary Group where he played a vital role in the conversion of a small commercial airport to fully operational forward staging base in just 18 days.

Following the invasion of Iraq, Tech. Sgt. Johnson’s unit deployed to Camp Sather, Baghdad International Airport (formerly Saddam International Airport), where he was instrumental in the rapid build-up and sustainment of coalition and humanitarian airfield operations, as well as special operations and combat search and rescue forces.


Signal to Deploy to IraqSignal To Deploy To Iraq


Members of A Company, 250th Signal Corps Battalion are entertained by "Bob Hope" (right) during the Farewell Salute ceremony held June 17, at the Cherry Hill Armory. At the end of the ceremony a Soldier spends time with his son (far right). Photos by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.