Brigadier General Jared P. Kennish is the assistant adjutant general for the Rhode Island Air National Guard. He serves as the chief advisor to the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to Air National Guard programs, policies, command and control, operations and management of the Rhode Island Air National Guard and provides staff assistance guidance and direction concerning Air National Guard personnel, administration, training, recruiting, retention incentives and budgetary matters.
General Kennish began his military career by receiving his commission through Officer Training School in September 1967. After completing Undergraduate Pilot Training at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama he was assigned to the 345th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Ching Chuan Kang, Air Force Base, Taiwan. Following this South East Asia tour he returned to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, as an Instructor Pilot. He separated from active duty in June 1973 and joined the Rhode Island Air National Guard in July 1975. Since joining the Rhode Island Air National Guard, General Kennish has served in a number of different capacities including Chief of Standardization/Evaluation, Training Officer, Operations Officer, Deputy Commander for Operations and Vice Commander. In February 1991 General Kennish was mobilized and later deployed to Europe and South West Asia in Support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was also the Mission Commander during the 143rd Airlift Group's Support of Operation Provide Comfort. In December 1992 Colonel Kennish performed a one-month tour in Mobassa, Kenya during Operation Provide Relief. He was the Deputy Director of Mobility Forces. In January 1995 General Kennish was appointed Commander of the 143rd Airlift Wing. He was appointed to the Chief of Staff of the Rhode Island Air National Guard position in April 2000. From October 2001 through March 2002 General Kennish preformed numerous tours of duty as the Director of the USAF's Crisis Action Team at the Pentagon. The General assumed his current position on 4 August 2002.
1967 Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry, State University of New York
1967 Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Syracuse University, New York
1972 Squadron Officers School
1979 Air Command and Staff College
1987 Air War College
1. July 1967 - September 1967, Student, Officer Training School, Lackland Technical Training Center, Texas.
2. September 1967 - December 1968, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Craig Air Force Base, Alabama.
3. December 1968 - January 1969, Student, Survivor Training, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.
4. January 1969 - April 1969, Student, Combat Crew Training, Steward Air Force Base, Tennessee.
5. April 1969 - November 1970, C-130 Squadron Pilot, 345 Tactical Air Squadron, Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan.
6. November 1970 - June 1973, C-130E Instructor Pilot, 61st Tactical Air Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
7. May 1975 - July 1976, Tactical Airlift Pilot, 143rd Tactical Airlift Squadron, Warwick, Rhode Island.
8. July 1976 - October 1977, Tactical Airlift Pilot, Aircraft Commander, 143rd Tactical Airlift Group, Warwick, Rhode Island.
9. October 1977 - January 1982, Pilot Tactical Airlift, Flight Examiner, 143rd Tactical Airlift Group, Warwick, Rhode Island.
10. January 1982 - March 1987, Operations Officer, 143rd Tactical Airlift Squadron, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
11. March 1987 - December 1987, Director of Operations, 143rd Airlift Group, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
12. December 1987 - May 1993, Operations Vice Commander, HQ 143rd Airlift Wing, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
13. May 1993 - January 1995, Vice Air Commander, HQ 143rd Airlift Wing, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
14. January 95 - April 2000, Air Commander, HQ 143rd Airlift Wing, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
15. April 2000 - August 2002, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Rhode Island Air National Guard, Cranston, Rhode Island.
16. August 2002 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Headquarters, Rhode Island Air National Guard, Cranston, Rhode Island
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal with 1 device
Air Medal with 2 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 devices
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 devices
Combat Ready Medal with 8 devices
National Defense Service Medal with 2 bronze stars
Armed Force Expeditionary Medal with 1 device
Vietnam Service Medal
Southwest Asia Campaign Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with 1 device
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 5 devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 device
Air Force Training Ribbon
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (K)
Rhode Island Star Medal
Rhode Island Defense Medal
Rhode Island Service Medal with 1 device
Rhode Island Emergency Ribbon
Second Lieutenant September 29, 1967
First Lieutenant August 1, 1971
Captain June 2, 1973
Major May 5, 1979
Lieutenant Colonel July 16, 1983
Colonel December 5, 1987
Brigadier General April 1, 2000
(Current as of September 2002)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.