Gorter, Hamm to assume new leadership roles at 123rd Airlift Wing

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FRANKFORT, Ky. --  Col. Barry Gorter will assume the role of vice commander of the 123d Airlift Wing effective June 22, and Lt. Col. Robert Hamm will take command of the 123rd Operations Group on the same date, Kentucky's adjutant general, Major Gen. Edward W. Tonini, announced today.

Gorter has commanded the 123d Operations Group since June 2010, while Hamm has served as vice commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing since September 2012 and as the full-time military technician air vice commander since January 2011. Both officers are veterans of multiple contingency, combat and humanitarian support operations, Tonini said.

"Colonel Gorter recently completed a tour as the U.S. Central Command Deputy Director of Mobility Forces at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and is currently serving in an additional duty role as the Air Forces Northern DIRMOBFOR for the 1st Air Force Commander, U.S. Northern Command," Tonini said.

The C-130 command pilot, who joined the Kentucky Air National Guard out of pilot training in 1991, is an in-residence graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air War College.

Prior to Hamm's current assignment, he was deputy commander of the 123rd Operations Group. He is a C-130 command instructor/evaluator navigator who graduated from Air War College via correspondence and the Joint Forces Staff College Advanced Joint Professional Military Education course via seminar. Hamm served as a B-52 radar navigator in the active-duty Air Force and was briefly in the Air Force Reserves prior to joining the Kentucky Air National Guard in 1991.

"Colonel Hamm served admirably in his vice wing commander and air vice commander roles, providing critical insight into the day-to-day operations of the 123rd Airlift Wing," Tonini said. "He was the focal point for all wing inspections and ensured compliance with higher headquarters directives along multiple functional areas."

The change of command for both officers will be held June 22 during the wing's Unit Training Assembly weekend.