4 MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Colonel Tara D. McKennie of the 187th Fighter Wing was promoted to brigadier general during a pinning ceremony at Montgomery’s Dannelly Field Saturday, becoming the first female brigadier general in the Alabama Air National Guard.
Alabama’s Gov. Kay Ivey presided over the historic event, pinning the rank of brigadier general on the shoulders of McKennie’s service coat, alongside McKennie’s daughter. Coworkers of her civilian occupation, Radiology Partners, completed the pinning ceremony, placing rank insignia on McKennie’s dress blouse.
McKennie enlisted in the Air Force in 1989 as an airman basic, and served six years on active duty. She earned a commission as a second lieutenant through the Army’s Officer Candidate School in 1999. McKennie transferred to the Air National Guard in 2002 and has served in the 187th Medical Group since 2015.