Spc. Alexander Wilkinson-Johnson, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry, participates in a 12 mile ruck march, the final scored event at the Wisconsin State Best Warrior Competition April 5 – 7 at Fort McCoy, Wis. The demanding competition measured each Soldier’s physical fitness, stamina, marksmanship, land navigation, Soldier skills, military bearing and composure. (112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Staff Sgt. Bridget Vian/Released)
CAMP DOUGLAS, Wis. — Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers and Airmen past and present will be honored at an awards ceremony at a 7 p.m. ceremony at Volk Field Thursday, Sept. 5.
The ceremony encapsulates the annual Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor and Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame inductions while also honoring the current Soldiers and Airmen of the Year.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame will induct retired Maj. Gen. Jerald Slack to its ranks in 2019, while the Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor will induct retired Col. Todd Nehls and retired 1st Sgt. Robert Patrouille.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame recognizes Wisconsin Air National Guard personnel who served above and beyond that which is normally considered outstanding or exemplary. All are recognized for their sustained exceptional performance of their duties, their institution of innovative programs, the enhancement of the combat effectiveness of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, and enhancement of public support of the Guard.
Sgt. Jason Wagner, Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, is evaluated on strength and stamina by completing six tire flips during the Wisconsin State Best Warrior Competition April 5 – 7 at Fort McCoy, Wis. The demanding competition will measure each Soldier’s physical fitness, stamina, marksmanship, land navigation, Soldier skills, military bearing and composure. Winners will advance to represent Wisconsin at the upcoming regional Best Warrior Competition. (112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Staff Sgt. Bridget Vian/Released)
Slack served as Wisconsin’s adjutant general from 1989-1996. He originally enlisted into the Illinois Air National Guard in 1959 before his assignment as a pilot in the 176th Fighter Squadron and later as an operations officer with the 115th Fighter Group. He held various assignments in both the 176th Tactical Air Squadron and the 128th Tactical Fighter Wing before his reassignment as the director of operations for the Wisconsin Air National Guard and eventually the Wisconsin Air National Guard chief of staff. He amassed more than 3,200 flight hours in the T-37, T-33, F-89, F-102, O-2, OA-37, A-10, and KC-135.
The Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor recognizes Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers who have distinguished themselves through exceptional achievement and devotion to duty. They have exemplified the core values of military service in the Army: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.
The 2018 Wisconsin Air National Guard Airmen of the Year during a September 2018 ceremony in Madison, Wis. The 2018 ceremony marked the first year the Wisconsin Army National Guard and Air National Guard held a combined commemoration for outstanding current and former members of its ranks. Wisconsin Air National Guard photo by MSgt Thomas Sobczyk
Patrouille served as the first sergeant of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry and in the Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion for 40 years. A heavily involved member of his community, Patrouille mentored and developed hundreds of Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers over the course of his career in his various assignments. He also established one of the first off-site associate degree programs through Lakeland University to better the lives of Soldiers serving in the organization.
Nehls began his career in 1978 as an infantryman assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry as well before attending the Wisconsin Military Academy to pursue his commission as an officer in 1983. He served in a variety of command and staff assignments at both the company, battalion, and brigade levels, including commanding a special task force for Operation Noble Badger, the airport security operation after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He eventually commanded the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 64th Troop Command before serving as the chief of staff of the Wisconsin National Guard’s joint staff. He also became the first commander of the 54th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team and was instrumental in developing the unit, which today serves as a full-time response force for incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and hazardous materials. Nehls also served as the Dodge County Sheriff in 2005 and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
The ceremony will also recognize the Wisconsin National Guard’s Soldiers and Airmen of the Year. The Army Guard crowns its honorees through the annual Best Warrior Competition held each year at the state level at Fort McCoy. Madison resident Sgt. Alexander Wilkinson-Johnson, of Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry, earned the title of the Soldier of the Year during the competition while Deerfield resident Sgt. Jason Wagner, of Detachment 1, Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, became the 2019 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Capt. Cody Anderson, a Grafton resident assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery is the company grade officer of the year by virtue of his selection as Wisconsin’s nominee for the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. Anderson went on to become one of just 30 recipients of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award across all components of the Army.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Air National Guard will recognize their Airmen of the year, including Airman of the Year Senior Airman Hannah Corbett, a Milwaukee native assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Tech. Sgt. Brandon Lutz, a 115th Fighter Wing recruiter from Mount Horeb, Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Senior Master Sgt. Deanna Rosenberger a Sussex resident and nursing services superintendent with the 128th Air Refueling Wing, First Sergeant of the Year Master Sgt. Adam Zuniga, a Waukesha resident assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing, and Company Grade Officer of the Year 2nd Lt. Jenna Lenski, with the 128th Air Refueling Wing.