Walker promoted to brigadier general, assumes post as chief of staff

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vicky Spesard
  • 123rd Public Affairs Office
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --  Charles M. Walker, the newly appointed chief of staff for Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony Nov. 4 at the Kentucky Air Guard Base.

Walker was presented with his brigadier general’s flag by Army Maj. Gen. Steven R. Hogan, adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard; and Walker’s new rank insignia were pinned on by his wife, parents and daughters.

“It is an honor to serve alongside our guest of honor today,” Hogan told the audience of family, friends and coworkers. “I am reflective of how lucky we are in the Guard to have him in our ranks. He is a first-class leader and officer.”

Turning to Walker, Hogan added, “It is our privilege for you to accept this honor today.”

As chief of staff, Walker is responsible to the adjutant general and assistant adjutant general-Air for the coordination of policy, guidance, and direction for the Commonwealth’s 8,400 Army and Air Guardsmen. He also serves as the deputy director of the Joint Staff at Joint Forces Headquarters—Kentucky National Guard. Before assuming those posts, Walker served as state judge advocate for Headquarters—Kentucky National Guard.

Walker was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Auburn University in 1990. During nearly eight years of active duty, he served as a squadron section commander and group executive officer at the 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; and as operations officer at the Chicago Military Entrance Processing Station, Des Plaines, Illinois.

In 2004, Walker joined the Air Force Reserves as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His initial assignment was as deputy staff judge advocate at the 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

He transferred to the Air National Guard in 2005 to become staff judge advocate for the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard. Since joining the unit, Walker has been activated twice in support of Operation Noble Eagle and has participated in exercise Eagle Flag as part of the 123rd Contingency Response Group.

Walker also served as the program director for the Contemporary Base Issues Course, a national-level seminar designed to assist commanders, supervisors and their support staff in addressing everyday command legal issues.

He is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of Tennessee, U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee, the U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

During the ceremony, the newly appointed general thanked his family members, co-workers and mentors, whom he credited for his successful military career.

“I have been associated with the United States Air Force since I was 19 years of age,” Walker said. “I stand here not as an individual, but as the sum total of all the people who have put something in me that allowed me to be here today.

“My one mission moving forward is to represent the Kentucky Air National Guard, and I can say with great knowledge, that hands down we are the best airlift wing in the United States Air Force.

“My charter is to continue to tell your story, get you the resources you need and to fight for the things we need right here in Kentucky.”