LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein toured the Kentucky Air National Guard Base here Saturday, meeting with Airmen and learning about the unique mission sets of the 123rd Airlift Wing.
In addition to providing tactical C-130 airlift and aircraft maintenance, the wing is home to the only contingency response group in the Air National Guard; a special tactics squadron with combat control, pararescue and special reconnaissance airmen; two Critical Care Air Transport Teams; an Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight; a fatality search and recovery team; and a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package.
Goldfein was on base to present the Distinguished Flying Cross to a Kentucky Air Guard pilot whose decisive action during a 2016 training flight lead to the successful recovery of a C-130 aircraft following a catastrophic mechanical failure. Lt. Col. John “J.T.” Hourigan’s expert airmanship saved the lives of six crew members and a $30 million aircraft.