Leaders

Biography

Major General Ken Kamper is the Commanding General of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. MG Ken Kamper commissioned as an Artillery Officer in 1989 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. His military education includes a Bachelor of Science from the U.S Military Academy, a Master of Arts from the U.S. Naval War College, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

MG Kamper has commanded at the Battery, Battalion, and Brigade level as well as the Operational Test Command. Most recently he served as the Deputy Commanding General for the III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, Texas

His past assignments include: 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army; 82nd Airborne Division; 1stBattalion, 508th Airborne Battalion Combat Team; 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment (Automatic), a part of 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division; 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment (Red Lions) in 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division; 17th Fires Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, I Corps; 1st Infantry Division; 4th Infantry Division, and III Corps.

MG Kamper’s combat and operational experience include deployments to OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM from 2003-2005 and 2006-2008, OPERATION ATLANTIC RESOLVE, and OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE from 2014-2015 and 2017-2018.

MG Kamper’s Awards and decorations include: Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.

Biography

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Stephen A. Burnley assumed his duties as the Air Defense Artillery Regimental Command Sergeant Major on 14 December 2018. He has held a variety of positions in airborne and air defense artillery units throughout his career, ranging from a stinger gunner to command sergeant major.

CSM Burnley is from Alexandria, Virginia and entered the United States Army in February 1993. He attended Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bliss, Texas graduating as a 14S Avenger Crewmember. His previous assignments include the following: CSM 32D Army Air and Missile Defense, Fort Bliss, Texas; CSM 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Kaiserslautern, Germany; CSM, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Germany; Operations Sergeant Major, 4th Battalion 3rd Air Defense Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Senior Enlisted Advisor, 8th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team (47433), MNF-S; First Sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (Airborne); First Sergeant, Detachment 3, 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, Space and Missile Defense Command, Shariki, Japan; First Sergeant, Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion (Airborne) 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (ADAR), 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Platoon Sergeant, Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion (Airborne) 4th ADAR; Officer Basic Course Instructor, 4th Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery, Fort Bliss, Texas; Operations Sergeant and Observer Controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center (Airborne), Fort Polk, Louisiana; Stinger Section Sergeant and Team Chief, Delta Battery, 3rd Battalion (Airborne) 4th ADAR, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Avenger Crewmember, 5th Battalion 5th Air Defense Artillery, Camp Stanton, South Korea.

CSM Burnley has completed numerous military schools and courses including Cheju-do Rappelling and Mountaineering, Jungle Operations, Jumpmaster, Combatives, Joint Firepower, Battle Staff, Army Force Management, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, and the Advanced Military Transition Team Courses. He has completed all levels of the Non Commissioned Officers Education System and is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class #61 (Resident) and the Executive Leader Course. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Silver and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award (1OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal (w/Bronze Star), Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 5), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Master Parachutist’s Badge, British Royal Parachutists Badge, and is a member of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.

CSM Burnley is married to Victoria, and they have two daughters.

Biography

Mr. Joe E. Gallagher was selected for the Senior Executive Service in November 2009. Mr. Joe Gallagher was appointed as the Deputy to the Commanding General, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, effective 16 January 2013. In this capacity, Mr. Gallagher works in collaboration with and under the general direction of the Commanding General in the development and execution of organizational goals, objectives, and policies to ensure the Warfighting commanders receive world class Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery Soldiers, equipment and organizations. Mr. Gallagher has full responsibility to direct the action of the Center's 3300 military and civilian personnel, technical and managerial efforts and the 130 million dollar annual operating budget. He provides direct supervision to the Center's 700 military and civilian workforce engaged in Force Management and the development of capabilities, concepts, doctrine, organizations, materiel, leader education, personnel, and facilities. Additionally, he serves as the Commander's principal advisor and the Center's senior expert in force management, joint capabilities integration and development system, requirements determination, and material acquisition.

Biography

Brigadier General Bryan Grenon is a native of Tacoma, Washington. He is a graduate of Washington State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and received his commission as a Field Artillery officer in 1989. He currently serves with the Washington Army National Guard. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Western Washington University, Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Washington, and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.

Brigadier General Grenon’s military education includes the Filed Artillery Officer Basic Course, Field Artillery Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff Officer’s Course, Field Artillery Pre-Command Course, Army War College, Senior Service Seminar, and Joint Task Force and Dual Status Commanders Qualification Course.

Brigadier General Grenon’s military career began in 1990 and has served in the following assignments: Platoon Leader, Company/Battalion/Brigade Fire Support officer, Battery Commander, Battalion S3, Battalion Executive Officer, Brigade Fire Support Coordinator, Field Artillery Battalion Commander, and Brigade Commander for 81st Armor Brigade Combat Team which transitioned during his command into the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat team He has served in numerous staff positions throughout his career and commanded at all levels through Brigade. BG Grenon completed two tours in support of operations in Southwest Asia. In 2003-2005, he deployed to Kuwait/Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Battalion Executive officer, 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team. In 2008-2009, he served as Fire Support Coordinator, 81st Armor Brigade Combat Team, United States Forces, Iraq, assigned to Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. His General Officer assignments include Deputy Commanding General -Mobilization at JBLM for 1st Army Division West. BG Grenon concurrently serves as the Land Component Commander, Washington Army National Guard, headquartered in Camp Murray, Washington.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal. National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon. Brigadier General Grenon is a Captain Precinct Commander with the Seattle Police Department and resides in Puyallup, Washington with his wife Monica.

Biography

Brig. Gen. Frank M. Rice is a native of South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. He graduated from the Palmetto Military Academy in 1987 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.

Brig. Gen. Rice’s military education includes BCT/AIT, the Signal Officer Basic Course and Advance Courses, Reserve Component Signal Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, US Army War College, Air Defense Artillery Officer Reclassification Course, Joint Air Defense Tactical Director Certification Course, Pre-command Course, Joint Firepower Course, and Joint Task Force and Dual Status Commander Qualification Courses.

BG Rice started his military career in 1982 and has served in the following capacities: Fire Protection Specialist, Audio Visual Operations Officer, Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Battalion S-3, Battalion Executive Officer, Intelligence Officer, Battalion Commander, G6 Assistant Chief of Staff AAMDC, Chief of Staff 263rd AAMDC, and the Commander 678th Air Defense Brigade. He currently serves Dual-Hat as the Deputy Commanding General for the 263d Army Air & Missile Defense Command and the Army National Guard Deputy Commanding General (ADA) at the Fires Center of Excellence.

BG Rice’s decorations and awards include: The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Biography

COL (P) Brooks latest assignment was as Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) for the 1st Infantry Division. As the 54th Commandant of the U.S. Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) and Chief of the Field Artillery (FA), he assumes responsibility of the USAFAS and FA Branch as they rapidly continue to modernize and shift to fire support for large-scale ground combat operations.

COL (P) Brooks received his commission in the FA Corps from the Univ

COL (P) Brooks served in Baumholder, Germany, from 1994 to 1997 and deployed to Bosnia for Operation Joint Endeavor. Upon completion of the FA Captain’s Career Course, he was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga., where he served as a Human Resources Officer, Fire Support Officer, and Commander from 1997 to 2001. He then served as an Aviation Brigade Fire Support Officer, and Trainer at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., from 2001 to 2004.

COL (P) Brooks deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom three times where he served as the Executive Officer of the Commanding General, Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Executive Officer of the Commanding General, Multinational Division-Baghdad, a Battalion Operations Officer, a Brigade Executive Officer and as a Battalion Commander in Mosul, Iraq. He deployed to Afghanistan twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He commanded battalions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff in Regional Command East in Bagram. He deployed in support of Atlantic Resolve in Eastern Europe between 2015 and 2017 as a Brigade Commander. In 2017, he served in the Pentagon as the Department of the Army’s Chief of Contingency Operations and the Chief of Staff for the Army’s Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate.

While serving as the Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) for the 1st Infantry Division, COL (P) Brooks deployed to Eastern Europe, where he assumed the command of the 1st Infantry Division (Forward), United States Army Europe on June 3, 2019.

COL (P) Brooks’ military schooling includes the FA Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Combined Arms Services Staff College, the Senior Service College, and Joint Forces Staff College. His awards and decorations include three Legion of Merits, five Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and multiple overseas campaign and service ribbons.

COL (P) Brooks is married to Lori, of Fayetteville, Tenn.; they have two children Wes, a recent graduate from the University of Alabama, and Amelia, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky.

Biography

Biography

Colonel Mark A. Holler assumed responsibility as the 43rd Commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School and as the Chief of Air Defense Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on 3 May 2019. COL Holler's prior assignment was as Director, HQDA G-3/5/7 DAMO-Fires.

A native of Florida, COL Holler graduated from the University of North Florida in 1992 as a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned into the Air Defense Artillery Corps. His military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate), US Army Jumpmaster Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Air Command and Staff Course, and the Army War College (Distinguished Graduate).

COL Holler’s initial assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart Georgia as a Vulcan Platoon Leader, Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle (BSFV) Platoon Leader, and Battery Executive Officer.

Upon graduation from the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1996, COL Holler was assigned to Fort Bragg and served as an Air Defense Fire Coordination Officer in the 1st Battlefield Coordination Detachment, and then as an Assistant S3 and Battery Commander in 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division. Following command, he served as an Observer Controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk Louisiana from 1999 to 2001.

COL Holler returned to Fort Bragg in 2001 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2002, serving as a CJ3 Battle Captain for CJTF-180. In 2003 COL Holler deployed to Kuwait and Iraq where he served as an Army Liaison Officer to the 1st Marine Division during the initial invasion and early occupation phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

After graduating from the Air Command and Staff College in 2005, COL Holler returned to Fort Bragg where he served as the XVIII Airborne Corps G3 Chief of Operations, and then as the Battalion S3 for the 82nd Airborne Division Special Troops Battalion. In 2007 he deployed to Afghanistan and served as a Brigade Task Force S3 in Regional Command – East. COL Holler then served as the Brigade S3 and Deputy Commanding Officer, 108th ADA Brigade at Fort Bragg from 2008 to 2010.

While stationed at Fort Hood from July 2010 to June 2013, COL Holler commanded 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery and served as the Deputy Commanding Officer, 69th ADA Brigade, deploying twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Following graduation from the US Army War College in 2014, COL Holler was assigned as the ACoS, G3 for the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Bliss, TX. He then served as Commander, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Korea from June 2015 to June 2017. Following brigade command, COL Holler served as the Executive Officer to the Army Inspector General from June 2017-July 2018.

COL Holler's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3 OLC), Bronze Star (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), and Joint Service Commendation Medal. His badges include the Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.

Biography

Biography

Colonel Lee T. Overby is a native of Houston, Texas and attended Sam Houston State University where he received his commission in the Field Artillery in 1993. Following the Field Artillery Officer’s Basic Course, he served as a Platoon Leader in the 2nd Battalion, 14th Field Artillery (MLRS), 3rd Infantry Division in Bamberg, Germany. During the division’s reorganization, he subsequently served in both A/76 Field Artillery and in A/33 Field Artillery.

After attending the Field Artillery Officer’s Advanced Course, COL Overby was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where he served as a DIVARTY Assistant S3, Battalion Fire Support Officer, and Battery Commander in 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery. His next assignment was to the 3rd Brigade, 87th Division (Training Support) at Camp Shelby, Mississippi where he supported the training and mobilization of numerous Army National Guard and Army Reserve units. Afterwards, he served as an Assistant Fire Support Coordinator with 1st Cavalry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

Following attendance at the Army Command and General Staff College, COL Overby served on a Military Transition Team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 where he advised both Iraqi Army and National Police units. Subsequently, he was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, where he served as a Brigade Fire Support Officer and then as Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery. Following a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-10, he was selected to be the Professor of Military Science at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi.

COL Overby commanded the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery in the 3rd Infantry Division from 2011 to 2014. Following attendance at the US Army War College, he served as the Fire Support Coordinator with Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. After commanding 434th Field Artillery Brigade from 2016 to 2018, he recently served on the Joint Staff, J35 as the Assistant Deputy Director for Joint Operations.

COL Overby holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Sam Houston State University, a Master of Arts in History from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge. Colonel Overby is married to the former Melissa Pipkin from Deer Park, TX and they have three children, Chris, Austin, and Taylor.

Biography

Colonel Rhett A. Taylor enlisted in the Indiana National Guard in 1991. He received his commission as a Field Artillery Officer in 1997 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) upon his graduation from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. His first duty station was Vilseck and Bamberg, Germany, serving in the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment (1st Infantry Division) as a company fire support officer, platoon fire direction officer (Kosovo), platoon leader, and battalion logistics officer from 1998-2001. Following the field artillery advanced course he remained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was assigned to the 214th Field Artillery Brigade. There he served as the brigade fire control officer and deployed in support of the initial invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He then commanded Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment from 2003- 2005.

Upon completion of command, COL Taylor, was assigned to 205th Infantry Brigade, Camp Atterbury, Indiana. There he served as an observer-trainer and operations officer in 2nd Battalion, 335th Infantry and a brigade plans officer. He then deployed as part of a Military Transition Team to Mosul, Iraq where he served as an operations officer advisor to an Iraqi Brigade from 2007-2008.

Following Command and General Staff College he was assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. There he served as the Battalion Executive Officer for 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment. He later served as the brigade fire support coordinator during the brigade’s deployment to Kandahar City, Afghanistan as part of Regional Command – South, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2011-2012. In 2012, COL Taylor reported to Mission Command Training Program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as a fires observer, coach, trainer and senior fires warfighting function chief.

From July 2015 to July 2017 COL Taylor command 2-289 Infantry Regiment at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The regiment was responsible for the training and mentoring of 12 National Guard battalions that resided within a six-state region. Following battalion command COL Taylor served as a planner in the Commander’s Initiative Group for the Command General of Training and Doctrine Command; Fort Eustis, Virginia. Upon graduation from the Army War College, COL Taylor assumed duties as the Director, G-3/5/7 Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.

COL Taylor’s decorations include the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal with three OLC, Army Commendation Medal with three OLC, Army Achievement Medal with three OLC, Valorous Unit Award, and Combat Action Badge. He is a graduate of the Airborne and Air Assault Courses.

He is married to the former Ms. Amy Heckelmoser.

Biography

Command Sergeant Major Russell R. Blackwell originally hails from Turtletown, TN. He graduated from Copper Basin High School in Copperhill, TN, in May 1996. He entered the Army in July of that same year at Fort Sill, OK, and completed initial entry training in the Field Artillery.

CSM Blackwell has held every leadership position from Platoon Forward Observer to Command Sergeant Major. His stateside assignments include Fort Sill, OK; Fort Stewart, GA; Chattanooga, TN; Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Bliss, TX; and Fort Drum, NY. His overseas assignments include two tours in the Republic of Korea and Schofield Barracks, HI. He as deployed twice with the 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major of 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, and the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. On 4 October 2019, CSM Blackwell assumed responsibility as the Garrison Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Sill.

CSM Blackwell’s military schools include all levels of the NCOPDS system culminating with the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 67. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault School, the Recruiter Course, the Master Resiliency Course, the Battle Staff Course, the Battalion Pre-Command Course, the Garrison Pre-Command Course, and the Brigade Pre-Command Course. His college education includes a Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude) in Political Science and Public Administration from Troy University and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Security from the University of North Georgia.

CSM Blackwell’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (five Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Good Conduct Medal (seventh award), the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal (two bronze stars), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (number 5), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Services Ribbon (number 5), the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Superior Unit Award, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Gold Recruiter Badge (3rd Sapphire), the German Parachutist Badge, the Royal Thailand Army Parachutist Badge, and the Driver’s Bade (W). He is a member of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.

CSM Blackwell is married to Mrs. LaFleur Blackwell. He has two daughters, Kayla and Raegan.