Honor Awarded By The Kansas National Guard

Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers, A.A.E. was awarded the first Kansas National Guard Patriot Medal, March 26, at the M.J. Kennedy Air Terminal Building.   

Kansas Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Tod M. Bunting presented Rogers with the medal "for providing immeasurable support to the Great Plains Joint Training Center and Kansas National Guard" during a briefing with the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Craig R. McKinley. "The airport is in a whole other dimension of support," said Maj. Gen. Bunting during the briefing.  "We came up with a new award to recognize people who have been incredible to us for a long time, and I'm talking well over a decade not just a few months."

This marks the first time this award has ever been given by the Kansas National Guard, and the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Craig R. McKinley, along with other Guard VIPs and local officials were there to witness it. "You go to other cities where they don't have that kind of support and it's a whole different ballgame," said Gen. McKinley.

A surprised Rogers called it "a distinct honor" for the airport and the Salina community to be host to the National Guard and other military units. "I'm deeply honored to have received the Kansas Guard's Patriot Medal," said Rogers.  "It is a privilege to be of service to the men and women who are dedicated to the service of their state and nation."

Great Plains Joint Training Center Deputy Commander, Lt. Col. Jeffry Jordan said Rogers, being the first awarded the medal, has set the standard extremely high for the future recipients. "I'm not sure what else anyone could do to be awarded the second medal now," he explained.  "He has set the bar so high and over the last couple of decades really." 
    
The Salina Airport Authority is actively involved in the Governor's Military Affairs Council and works to facilitate military units basing at the airport and training over the nearby weapons range.
 
The award reads:

For distinguished service in duty of great responsibility over a period of several years, Mr. Timothy F. Rogers, Executive Director, Salina Airport Authority, is hereby awarded the Kansas National Guard Patriot Medal for providing immeasurable support to Great Plains Joint Training Center and the Kansas National Guard.  His persistent and exceptional efforts have enabled the Kansas National Guard to expand its capabilities in providing world class joint-use training opportunities for our warfighters; setting the standard for community partnerships.  A visionary, his interaction with Kansas National Guard leadership has facilitated the Salina Municipal Airport to function seamlessly as a Forward Operating Location for Canadian and US military personnel using the Great Plains Joint Training Center facilities and ranges.  Support initiatives implemented by Mr. Timothy Rogers include the construction of a weapons storage area, hot arm area and additional hangar which will positively influence the Kansas National Guard and its capabilities long beyond his tenure.  The distinctive accomplishments of Mr. Timothy Rogers reflect great credit upon himself as a true champion of the Kansas National Guard and the State of Kansas.

FMI: www.salair.org