

In 1984-1985, while serving as the Administrative Officer of the 169 th Support Battalion, he supervised the relocation of the battalion headquarters from Kansas City to Olathe. He later served as the training officer of the 2 nd Battalion, 130 th Field Artillery in Hiawatha, KS. In January 1980, Captain Foster began his full-time National Guard career as the Active Guard and Reserve S-1 of the 1 st Battalion, 161 st Field Artillery in Dodge City. He served in all of the Field Artillery Battery positions in Battery B and Battery A, commanding Battery B from August 1978 through September 1979. He was assigned to Battery B, 2 nd Battalion, 130 th Field Artillery in Horton, KS as a forward observer. He attended the Kansas Army National Guard Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in June 1972. In February 1970, he enlisted in the Kansas National Guard assigned to HHC, 69 th Infantry Brigade in Topeka, KS. He served as a teacher in the Seaman School District #345, Topeka, and the Perry-Lecompton School District #343. COL Foster received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia in 1967 prior to entering the Kansas National Guard. He graduated in 1963 from Reserve Rural High School in Reserve, KS. Foster was born November, 6, 1945 to Ernest A. Foster was selected for induction into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame for exceptional service to Kansas Army National Guard Field Artillery, exceptional service to the communities in which he has lived, and for outstanding leadership in the Kansas Army National Guard. He and his wife, Juanita, reside in Topeka, Kansas.ĬOL John S. His actions, as reflected by the Bronze Star Medal, clearly resulted in enhanced credibility and and a positive reputation for the Kansas Air National Guard.ĬCMSgt has served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, including several years as the President of the Board of Directors. He served his fellow Airmen and women selflessly and contributed significantly to the successful air campaign during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He is solely motivated by the drive to always leave things better than he found them for the common good of others.ĭuring his service, CMSgt Wilson clearly demonstrated courage and fidelity while serving his nation during wartime commitments. He has never been driven by a self-centered need for recognition, nor has he sought awards for his actions. CCMSgt Wilson is a person who makes everyone around him better, at the same time remaining strikingly humble. He and his wife, Juanita, are staples in their church community and continue to provide a significant amount of support to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Topeka. Program Manager for the Public Assistance Program of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, using his leadership skills and operational knowledge to the benefit of State and Local Communities. He has always been a champion of community service, which resulted in the Kansas National Guard being viewed in a very favorable light. He was always accessible and visible to the Enlisted troops, while tirelessly working to personally recognize the efforts and accomplishments of all Airmen and women. He also constantly maintained visibility on the issues affecting Kansas Air National Guardsmen and women.
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He routinely went above and beyond the requirements of routine duty through devotion of his own time and energy to improve the success of the 190th Air Refueling Wing missions.Īs one of the first State Command Chiefs, CCMSgt Wilson was responsible for advising commanders and staff on mission effectiveness, professional development, military readiness training, resource utilization, health, morale, and welfare of the Enlisted Airmen and Women of the Kansas Air National Guard. He deliberately developed subordinates into leaders, using the USAF “Core Values” of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. He brought substantial operational and occupational experience, as well as strong institutional skills, to the 190th Air Refueling Wing during his time in that unit. He deployed for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990-1991, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.ĬCMSgt Wilson served honorably for over 40 years–4 years in the United States Air Force and 36 years in the Kansas Air National Guard. Wilson served as the State Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Kansas Air National Guard from 1998 until 2003.
