U.S. Air Force Col. Ash Groves was recently awarded the Legion of Merit during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, recognizing his superior performance as commander of an aircraft maintenance unit.
Groves, an Elkton resident, currently serves as director of Air Staff at Joint Force Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, and previously led the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Maintenance Group. During his nearly four-year tenure, Col. Groves commanded a group of Airmen who maintained eight C-130 Hercules aircraft that flew over 3,000 sorties, attaining more than 100,000 hours of aircraft availability in support of numerous combat operations, exercises, and contingencies all over the world.
His decisive leadership in key engagements with state partners Djibouti and Ecuador, as well as allied engagements within United States European and Pacific commands, led to significant advances in joint aircraft maintenance efforts, sortie production management, and allied airlift operations, according to the award citation.
Groves also led the way for the Kentucky Air National Guard as it converted from legacy C-130 H-model aircraft to new C-130J Super Hercules airframes, requiring critical maintenance qualification training for more than 200 personnel in minimal time to achieve initial operating capability.
Brig. Gen. David Mounkes, the Kentucky National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Air, praised Groves during the award ceremony, calling him an exceptional officer and natural leader.
The Legion of Merit is awarded by the United States Armed Forces and is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments.
Col. Groves is married to Todd County Chamber of Commerce Director Tiffany Groves. More information on his award can be found here.
