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 Neil H. Sartain was born in Memphis, Tennessee on 16 July 1969. He graduated from Raleigh Egypt High School in 1987. CSM Sartain attended Austin Peay State University from 1988 to 1991, where he was awarded a full athletic scholarship for track and cross country. He enlisted in the United States Army in July 1993, and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was the distinguished honor graduate of his class while attending advanced individual training at Fort Bliss, Texas and was awarded the MOS of 14J (Early Warning Systems Operator).

Command Sergeant Major Sartain served in various positions and assignments throughout his career such as the AAMDC Command Sergeant Major of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, JBPH-H, Hawaii; the Brigade Command Sergeant Major of the 38th ADA BDE, Sagami Army Depot, Japan; the Battalion Command Sergeant Major of the 2-43 ADA BN, Fort Bliss, Texas; the G3 Sergeant Major of the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, Texas; the Battalion S3 Operations SGM of the 3-43 ADA BN, Fort Bliss, Texas; the G3 Training NCOIC of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; the First Sergeant of the 1-7 ADA BN, Fort Bliss, Texas/Osan Air Base, South Korea/Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the Operations Center NCOIC of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; a Sentinel Radar Platoon Sergeant of the 2-44 ADA BN, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; an Air and Battle Management Operations Center NCOIC of the 1-44 ADA BN, Fort Hood, Texas; a Training Room NCOIC in 5-5 ADA BN, Camp Stanley/Camp Red Cloud, South Korea; a Sentinel Radar Squad Leader in 1-3 ADA BN, Fort Stewart, Georgia; an A2C2 Operations Sergeant and Sentinel Radar Team Chief, Sentinel Radar/Early Warning Systems Operator in 1-5 ADA BN, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Command Sergeant Major Sartain completed numerous military schools and courses including, the Nominative Leaders Course, Brigade CSM Pre-Command Course, Battalion CSM Pre-Command Course, United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy (Class 63), First Sergeant’s Course, Battle Staff Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, and the Air Assault Course.

Command Sergeant Major Sartain’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1-Oak Leave Cluster), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (7-OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3-OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3-OLC), Good Conduct Medal (9th award), National Defense Medal (2 stars), Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal (2 stars), Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (1 star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Medal (5th award), Overseas Service Ribbon (6th award), Army Service Ribbon, Drivers Badge (W), Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Air Assault Badge. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.

CSM Sartain and his wife, Paula, are the proud parents of two daughters, Sarah (25) and Natalie (21).

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 David Pritchett currently serves as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Wyoming National Guard and the Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard for Field Artillery to the Fires Center of Excellence. He commissioned as an Artillery Officer in 1991 from the Auburn University Army ROTC program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. His military education includes a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

BG Pritchett has commanded at the Battery, Battalion, and Brigade level. His combat and operational experience include deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricane Opal, Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Katrina, and Deepwater Horizon.

BG Pritchett is married to the former Julie Kidd of Fort Payne, Alabama. He has three children Katelyn (25), Clay (20), and Anna Chris (17). He and Julie reside in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Biography

Coming Soon

Biography

Brigadier General Morgan was born and raised in South Eliot, Maine. Graduating from Norwich University in 1994, he received his commission in the Field Artillery and was first assigned as a Company Fire Support Officer in 1-9 Infantry (Manchu), 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Hovey, Korea. His next assignment was with 1-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment (AFAR), 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he served as a Company Fire Support Officer in C/2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), and Battery Fire Direction Officer, Firing Battery Platoon Leader, and Battalion Fire Direction Officer in the Loyalty Battalion. In 2000, he graduated from the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course and was assigned to 4-11 Field Artillery, 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate).

During his tenure at Fort Wainwright, Alaska he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Battalion Fire Support Officer for 1-17 Infantry. In 2002, he was reassigned to Task Force 1-501 PIR at Fort Richardson, Alaska and commanded Battery B, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment (PFAR), which included a combat deployment to Afghanistan as part of TF Geronimo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Following Firing Battery Command, he was assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas with duty at CAC-T in the Collective Training Division followed by resident attendance to the Command and General Staff College. From 2006-2009, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with duty in G3 Future Operations, XVIII Airborne Corps to include a combat deployment with Multi-National Command-Iraq (MNC-I) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Upon redeployment, he was assigned to 1-321st AFAR, 18th Fires Brigade where he served as a Battalion Operations Officer with combat deployment to OEF and the 18th Fires Brigade Operations Officer.

In 2010, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC), Fort Knox, Kentucky with duty as the Field Artillery Lieutenant Colonels Assignment Officer. In 2011, he was assigned to the Pentagon with duty as the Aide-de-Camp, to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. From 2012-2014, he commanded 1st Battalion, 319th AFAR, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division as the Army’s component to the Global Response Force. Following graduation from the National War College in 2015, he was assigned to the Joint Staff, where he served in the J35 Readiness section and the J35 Joint Operations Division - CENTCOM (JOD-CENT). From June 2017 until June 2019, he then commanded the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), also known as the Warrior Brigade. During his BCT command tenure, the Warriors served as a Regionally Aligned Force to United States Army Africa, deployed an Infantry Battalion to Afghanistan, and deployed elements to Iraq. From July 2019 to July 2022, Colonel (P) Morgan’s General Officer assignment was as the Deputy Commanding General for Sustainment of the 82nd Airborne Division, to include forward support in Poland as part of NATO’s Operation EUROPEAN ASSURE, DETER AND REINFORCE. He is currently serving as the 56th Field Artillery Commandant in Fort Sill Oklahoma.

Brigadier General Morgan’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Irish Jump Wings, and the Ranger Tab. His military education includes the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. He holds Masters’ Degrees in Leadership Management and National Security Strategy.

Biography

Coming Soon

Biography

COL Curtis W. King assumed responsibility as the 45th Commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School, Chief of Air Defense Artillery, and Deputy Commanding General of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on July 7, 2022. His prior assignment was the Director, DAMO-Fires HQDA G-3/5/7 at the Pentagon.

COL Curtis King comes from Central City, Kentucky. He graduated from the United Stated Military Academy in West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United Stated Army in 1996. He also holds a Master of Science in Strategic Military Studies from the United States War College.

From 1997-1999, COL King’s served as a Platoon Leader and Battalion Fire Direction OIC in 1-7 Air Defense Artillery at Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Fort Bliss, TX. From 2000 to 2002, he served as the t Brigade Assistant S-3, in 108th Air Defense Artillery, Commander Alpha Battery, 3rd BN 6th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Commander, Delta Battery, 1st BN 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Bliss, TX. In 2005 COL King served as the Missile Defense Planner, Joint Functional Component for Integrated Missile Defense at Peterson Air Force Base Colorado Springs CO. From 2007 to 2009 he served as the Battalion Operations Officer, 3rd BN 4 Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and Brigade Operations Officer, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC.

In 2010, COL King was assigned as the Commander for Task Force Torkham, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st AASLT Division in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. He also served as the Deputy Commander, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and as the Battalion Commander, 1st BN 7th Air Defense Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC from 2011-2013.

In 2015, Col was assigned to the Joint Special Access Program Office Chief, Pentagon. In 2017 COL King took command of the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Hood, TX. After relinquishing command, he served as Plans Director, FORSOM G3/5/7, Fort Bragg, NC.

COL King’s military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Basic and Captain’s Courses, Command and General Staff College, US Army War College, and Airborne School. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

COL King is married to the former Kimberly Wilcox, and they have 3 children.

Biography

CSM Randy B. Gray was born in Newberry, South Carolina and graduated from Newberry High School in 1991. He enlisted into the United States Army for active duty on Jan 5, 1994, as a 14S Stinger MANPADS Crewmember completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and Advance Individual Training at Fort Bliss, TX.

CSM Gray’s duty positions and assignments include Stinger Crewmember, 5-5 ADA Camp Stanton, Korea; Avenger Team Chief, 5-2 ADA Bamberg, Germany; Stinger Section Sergeant and BDE S2 NCOIC, 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate) Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Avenger Platoon Sergeant, 3-62 ADA Fort Drum, New York; ANCOC SGL, ANCOC Senior SGL, and Operations Chief at the NCO Academy Fort Bliss, Texas; 1SG C Battery and HHB 3-4 ADAR Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Brigade Master Evaluator and 1SG HHB 108th ADA BDE Fort Bragg, North Carolina; ADA Branch SGM HRC Fort Knox, Kentucky; Battalion Command Sergeant Major 2-44 ADAR Fort Campbell, Kentucky; BDE Operations SGM 101st ABN DIV (AASLT) Sustainment BDE Fort Campbell, Kentucky and 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Command Sergeant Major at Fort Sill, OK. His operational and overseas assignments include Turkey, Operation Joint Endeavor (Hungary), Operation Joint Guard (Croatia), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (Afghanistan) and Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq).

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, seven Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and several service awards. He is a graduate of numerous professional development courses to include: Basic Leaders Course, Advance Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Small Group Instructor Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Equal Opportunity Course, First Sergeant Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 63 at Fort Bliss, Texas. He is also a Graduate of the University of Maryland (University College) with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management.

CSM Gray is currently serving as the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School Command Sergeant Major at Fort Sill, OK. He is the father of four children and has three grandchildren.

Biography

Colonel Daniel D. Blackmon is a native of The Woodlands, Texas. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant of the Field Artillery in May of 1997 after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After completion of the FA Officer Basic Course, COL Blackmon was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment where he served as a Troop and Company Fire Support Officer, Executive Officer and Platoon Leader. He culminated his time at Fort Hood as the Aide de Camp to the Deputy Commanding General of III Corps.

Upon completion of the Infantry Captains Career Course in the summer of 2002, COL Blackmon was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He served as a G3 plans officer and Fire Support Officer to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment; the assistant S3; and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Commander, and Battalion S3 in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment.

In June 2007, COL Blackmon was assigned to the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York as the Field Artillery Branch Representative.

Following graduation from the Naval College of Command and Staff in January 2011, COL Blackmon was assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat team where he served as the Executive Officer of 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment and later the Brigade Executive Officer.

In April 2013, COL Blackmon was assigned as the Field Artillery Lieutenant Colonel’s Assignments Officer, Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

COL Blackmon took command of 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment (ON TIME) in March of 2015. After battalion command, COL Blackmon attended the National War College at Fort McNair, Washington D.C. Upon graduation in June 2018, he was assigned to the Joint Staff, J5, where he served as the Plans Integration Branch Chief in the Deputy Directorate for Joint Strategy and Plans, and later the Global Integration Division Chief in the Deputy Directorate for Global Integration.

In May 2020 COL Blackmon took command of the 434th Field Artillery Basic Combat Training Brigade, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In July 2022 he was assigned to his current position as the Chief of Staff of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.

COL Blackmon is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. He holds a Master of Science in National Strategic Studies from the National War College, Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College, a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the United States Military Academy and was a Senior Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics, International Relations and the National Interest. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Staff Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), and the Combat Action Badge. He is also a graduate of the United States Army Airborne School and the Ranger Course.

COL Blackmon is married to his wife Lisa of 22 years. They have two sons Walker (18) and Luke (16).

Biography

Colonel James (Jim) H. B. Peay IV, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in May 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and was commissioned into the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. Colonel Peay served his company grade years in the Republic of South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division, followed by the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and then the 82nd Airborne Division. During this time, he deployed three times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following his battery command, Colonel Peay was selected for the Personnel Exchange Program, and was the U.S. Field Artillery Exchange Instructor to the United Kingdom at the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill, England. Upon completion of his tour in the U.K., Colonel Peay attended the U.S. Navy Staff College in Newport, Rhode Island. As a Major, Colonel Peay served in the XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters, the 82nd Airborne Division, and as the Assistant Executive Officer / Aide to LTG Gary Cheek, the Director of the Army Staff, Headquarters, Department of the Army.

Colonel Peay was selected for Battalion Command of 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), permanently stationed in Europe. After command, Colonel Peay attended the Army War College, and was then assigned to the Joint Staff, J36 - Nuclear and Homeland Defense Operations, as an Assistant Deputy Director of Operations and a Presidential Strike Advisor.

Colonel Peay is married to the former Ms. Heather Christine Leonard. They have six children, two boys and four girls; Parker (23); Lauren (21), Beatrice (20), Henry (12), Audrey (8), and Blythe (5).

Biography

Command Sergeant Major William C. Taylor was born on 21 January 1979, in Crystal River, FL, but was raised in Basking Ridge, NJ. He enlisted in September of 1998 and completed AIT with the MOS 14J in June 1999.

CSM Taylor has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career. CSM Taylor was first assigned to 3-4 ADA BN at Fort Bragg, NC from 1999 – 2007 where he served as an Early Warning Team Leader, Air Defense Liaison NCO, Assistant Operations NCO, Early Warning Squad Leader, and C-RAM Platoon Sergeant.

He deployed to Afghanistan with Charlie Battery 2002-2003, Iraq with HHB 2003-2004, and Iraq again with Charlie Battery 2006-2007. CSM Taylor then served as a Recruiter with Pittsburgh Recruiting Battalion in Pennsylvania from 2007 – 2010. He was then assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC from 2010 – 2012 as the Corps ADAM Cell NCOIC and deployed to Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn while helping to bring the mission there to a close in December 2011.

CSM Taylor was then assigned to 3-4 ADA BN from 2012 -2015 where he served as a First Sergeant in Echo and Charlie Battery with a deployment to the CENTCOM AOR. Following the completion of the deployment, he was assigned as First Sergeant for Alpha Battery 3rd ADAR at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD from 2015-2016. Following attendance at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in 2016-2017 at FT. Bliss, TX, he served as the Current Operations Sergeant Major for the 94th AAMDC at JBPHH, HI from August 2017 – March 2019.

Most recently CSM Taylor was the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for 4-3 ADA BN at Fort Sill, OK from May 2019 – November 2021 where he deployed the Battalion to the CENTCOM AOR from June 2019 to June 2020.

CSM Taylor’s military education and training includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Senior Leader Course, Sergeant’s Major Course (Class 67), U.S Army Recruiter School, Airborne School, and Jumpmaster School. CSM Taylor also holds an Associate’s Degree in Counseling from Coastline Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from the American Military University, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree.

Some of CSM Taylor’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal ( 4 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 4 campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 star, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon(5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and Meritorious Unit Award (3 OLC). He also wears the Combat Action Badge, Gold Recruiter Badge w/ 3 Sapphires, Senior Parachutist Badge and Venezuelan Parachutist badge.

CSM Taylor has been married to his wife, Lauren (Sanford) Taylor, for over 18 years and they have two children: Madisyn and Karter.