MAJOR GENERAL EDWARD W. TONINI

The Adjutant General, Kentucky

Major General Edward W. Tonini was appointed the 51st Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky by Governor Steven L. Beshear on December 11, 2007. As the Adjutant General, he serves as the Commanding General of both the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard and as Executive Director of the Department of Military Affairs where he guides the preparation of the 8,500 Citizen Soldiers and Airmen, along with the Division of Emergency Management, to respond in times of state and national emergency. He is responsible for Federal and State missions, assignment of leaders, recruiting, training, equipping, mobilization, facilities, and public relations. He also oversees the development and coordination of all policies, plans, and programs affecting Army and Air National Guard members in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. General Tonini serves on the Governor's cabinet and is the principle advisor to the Governor on military matters.

General Tonini received a direct commission in 1970 in the Kentucky Air National Guard. Prior to receiving his commission, General Tonini served as an enlisted member of the 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing of the Kentucky Air National Guard.

EDUCATION:

1973 Bellarmine University, Bachelor of Arts, History, Louisville, Kentucky
1988 Air War College, by correspondence
2000 United States Air Force Wing Commander's Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. September 1970 - January 1972, Group Information Officer, 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Shewmaker Air National Guard Base, Louisville, Kentucky
2. January 1972 - September 1972, Base Fuels Management Officer, 123rd Supply Squadron, Shewmaker Air National Guard Base, Louisville, Kentucky
3. October 1972 - December 1974, Information Officer, Headquarters Kentucky Air National Guard, Frankfort, Kentucky
4. December 1974 - September 1979, Wing Information Officer, 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Standiford Field, Louisville, Kentucky
5. October 1979 - August 1983, Chief, Public Affairs Office, Headquarters 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Standiford Field, Louisville, Kentucky
6. August 1983 - April 1996, Chief, Public Affairs Office, Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard, Frankfort, Kentucky
7. April 1996 - November 2003, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard, Frankfort, Kentucky
8. November 2001 - November 2003, Director, Your Guardians of Freedom, Headquarters United States Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia
9. December 2003 - December 2007, Retired Reserve, Headquarter, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Denver, Colorado
10. December 2007 - Present, The Adjutant General, Kentucky, Frankfort, Kentucky

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Stars)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon (with 1Silver and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with 'M' Device and Gold Hourglass)
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Kentucky Merit Ribbon
Kentucky Service Ribbon (with 2 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:

Air Force Association
Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association
Bellarmine University, Alumni Board of Directors
Board of Trustees, Humana Hospital - Audubon
Kentucky National Guard Historical Foundation
Leadership Louisville Alumni Association
National Guard Association of the United States (Lifetime Member)
National Guard Association of Kentucky (Lifetime Member)
United States Service Academy Selection Board (3rd Congressional District - Kentucky)

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

1993 Developed Regional Media Pool concept, 'Guardians of Hope'
1994 Organized Media Operations for Operation Provide Promise - Bosnia
1995 Organized Media Operations for Operation Joint Guard - Bosnia
- Directed 'Saving Sarajevo' documentary
1997 Coordinated the United States Air Force 50th Anniversary Event, Thunder Over Louisville
- Named Hoyt Vandenberg Award recipient
- Received Patrick Henry Award for Patriotism
- Received Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition
2000 Gallery of Distinguished Graduates, Bellarmine University
2001 Director, Air National Guard Senior Leader Development Seminar, Washington, District of Columbia
2001 Recipient of the Air Force Association Medal of Merit

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant 1 September 1970
First Lieutenant 1 September 1973
Captain 18 October 1975
Major 7 December 1980
Lieutenant Colonel 12 January 1986
Colonel 13 June 1992
Brigadier General 13 December 2001
Major General 28 January 2009

(Current as of April 2012)