Ky. Air Guardsmen honored for outstanding service to community

  • Published
  • By Dale Greer
  • 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --  The Kentucky Air Guard’s Maj. Alyson Harris, Lt. Col. Tricia Adams and Lt. Col. Chris Bishop were recognized for exceptional service during the 2019 National Guard Association of Kentucky annual conference, held here Feb. 9.

Harris, an administrative officer in the 123rd Medical Group, received the 2019 Billy G. Wellman Award for her leadership during an Innovative Readiness Training exercise in Eastern Kentucky in 2018. During the exercise, military personnel provided no-cost medical care to thousands of underserved residents, performing more than 11,000 procedures and delivering 1,400 prescription eyeglasses with a market value of more than $1 million.

Adams, an optometrist in the 123rd Medical Group, earned the 2019 General John Hunt Morgan Award for outstanding service as a clinical site leader during the same exercise.

Bishop, commander of the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was bestowed with a Community Service Award for exceptional service as a volunteer for 15Thousand Farmers, a Kentucky non-profit whose mission was to promote community gardens and educate citizens on how to grow their own food.

“One of the unique aspects of the Air National Guard is that our members have a dual mission of serving the nation during wartime missions and contingency operations, while also serving the needs of their neighbors at home,” said Col. David Mounkes, commander of the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing.

“It’s extremely gratifying to see the commitment of these Air Guardsmen to their local communities, and to helping improve the lives of fellow Kentuckians across the Commonwealth.”