Gorter named next commander of 123rd Airlift Wing Published Aug. 13, 2013 By Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Col. Barry Gorter has been selected to serve as the next commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky's adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, announced today. Gorter will assume the post effective Oct. 19, replacing Col. Warren Hurst, who has been named Kentucky's assistant adjutant general for Air. Gorter currently serves as vice commander of the Louisville-based 123rd Airlift Wing and was commander the 123rd Operations Group from June 2010 through June 2013. The C-130 command pilot recently completed a deployment 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 director of mobility forces for the 1st Air Force commander, U.S. Northern Command. He is an in-residence graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air War College, where he earned a master's of science in strategic studies. Gorter joined the Kentucky Air National Guard out of pilot training in 1991. He is a veteran of numerous combat and humanitarian missions, including Operations Restore Hope, Provide Promise, Volant Oak, Joint Enterprise, Coronet Oak, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and has served in additional leadership positions including commander, 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and deputy commander, 123rd Maintenance Group. "The Kentucky Air National Guard emphasizes building a great bench of leaders capable of maintaining our position as the best airlift wing in the nation," Tonini said. "Colonel Gorter will continue Kentucky's national reputation of unequaled excellence and unbridled service into the future."