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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | July 10, 2020

First airborne ISR operator who enlisted as a 1A8X2 becomes senior noncommissioned officer

By Catherine White 363d ISRW Public Affairs

Last month, the 306th Intelligence Squadron hosted a virtual promotion ceremony for Master Sgt. D. Cody Kaglic, 306th IS flight chief of standardization and evaluations. The occasion marked the first time in U.S. Air Force history that an Airman who enlisted day one as an Air Force Specialty Code 1A8X2 became a senior NCO, said Senior Master Sgt. T. Kearny Vertner, 306th IS superintendent.
 
1A8X2’s fly as primary aircrew onboard a variety of aircraft to operate, evaluate, and manage ISR information and related ground processing systems.  The 1A8X2 career field married Kaglic’s passion for flying with his desire to be a part of the intelligence community.
 
Naturally, he found his home with the 306th IS, which trains and qualifies airborne cryptologic operators to execute special operations missions worldwide.
 
“He’s [Kaglic] the top enlisted evaluator in the squadron,” said Vertner. “He spent his entire career in the 306th IS in one way or the other.”
 
Kaglic, whose first duty station was with the 306th IS when they were stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California, is still with the squadron nine years later. “Working with the 306th IS has been very special for me,” said Kaglic. “It’s a squadron that I’ve gotten to watch the progression of in such a short time for a career field that’s in such high demand—it’s very rewarding.”
 
The squadron’s trainings constantly adapt to what’s happening on the battlefield and require strong leadership to implement those changes in an efficient manner.
 
“Cody is one of the most intensely motivating folks I’ve ever worked with,” said Vertner. “His willingness to accept feedback, challenge assumptions, and work hard for his Airmen is exceptional and will suit him well as a master sergeant and beyond.”
 
His positive attitude extends beyond his work duties. In the wake of COVID-19, Kaglic’s promotion ceremony was pushed online, but there was a positive side to the virtual ceremony. “It was cool, because having it virtually I was able to see a lot more family, and friends and mentors that I’d made over the years, than I would normally see at a promotion ceremony,” said Kaglic.
Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert
Thunderbird Challenge Program teaches cadets no obstacle too big to overcome
Oklahoma National Guard
Oct. 25, 2024 | 1:23
The Thunderbird Challenge Program is a 22-week tuition-free military program for Oklahoma students in need of school credit recovery. The program uses the structure and discipline of the military to support cadets while they attend high school classes, GED classes as well as learn job skills and life coping skills.

While at Camp Gruber Training Center, Thunderbird cadets took on the same obstacle course that Soldiers taking part in Air Assault School, best warrior competitions and pre-mobilization training face.

The cadets also faced off with one another in pugil stick bouts supervised by TCP cadre, and some cadets had the opportunity to rappel from CGTC’s 40-foot rappel tower. (Oklahoma National Guard video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

CG:
00:15:08
Traci Johnson
Commandant of Cadets, Thunderbird Challenge Program

00:34:27
Marissa Treat
Thunderbird Challenge Program Cadet
More