MAJ Kernaa D. McFarlin, III, a native of Longmeadow,
Massachusetts, enlisted in the United States Army on October 18,
1990. After serving as a cannon crewmember assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Polk, Louisiana,
MAJ McFarlin enrolled at Southern University and A&M College in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On May 8, 1998, MAJ
McFarlin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications
and earned a commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate into
the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, Air Defense
Artillery.
In May of 1998, MAJ McFarlin attended the Air Defense Artillery
Officer Basic Course, followed by his first overseas assignment in
the 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery (PATRIOT), in Ansbach,
Germany. While assigned to Echo Battery, 6-52 ADA, he served
as the Launcher and Fire Control Platoon Leader, Battery Trainer and
Battery Executive Officer. During his service to 6-52 ADA, MAJ
McFarlin deployed to Incirlik, Turkey in support of Operation
Northern Watch and served in the Operations Joint Project: Optic
Windmill in Depeel, Netherlands and Juniper Cobra, Israel.
Upon completion of his overseas assignment, MAJ McFarlin attended
the Aviation Captain’s Career Course at Ft. Rucker, Alabama,
Combined Arms Service Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, the Air
Defense Artillery SHORAD Transition Course, Ft. Bliss, Texas, and
the US Army Ranger School, Ft. Benning, Georgia. In July of
2003, MAJ McFarlin was assigned to the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 4th
Air Defense Artillery Regiment as an Assistant Operations Officer.
In September 2003, MAJ McFarlin deployed to Iraq with 3-4 ADAR in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September 2004, MAJ McFarlin
completed the US Advanced Airborne School’s Jumpmaster Course, Ft.
Bragg, North Carolina.
MAJ McFarlin commanded Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion (Airborne),
4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment from August 2004 to November
2005, leading the ‘Bulls’ through numerous day and night Airborne
Operations, Field Training and Operational Readiness Exercises.
MAJ McFarlin’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious
Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement
Medal (3OLC), Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,
Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist and Air Assault Badges and
Ranger Tab.
SFC
Duane E. Whitaker
Senior Military Instructor
dwhitake@uncfsu.edu
(1-910-672-1962 or 1942)
Sergeant First Class Duane E. Whitaker enlisted in the United States Army on June
0f 1984 and attended Basic Training on Tank Hill, Fort Jackson, SC. SFC Jackson moved to Ft. Gordon, GA to attend his Advance Individual
Training as a Special Electronic Devices Technician. In 1988,
SFC Whitaker retrained as a Food Service Specialist.
SFC Whitaker served the US Army in varying leadership positions
to include Platoon Sergeant to Dining Facility Manager throughout
the last twenty years. SFC Whitaker has served his country in
numerous locations around the world, to include the 9th Infantry
Division, 3rd Armored Division, 3/47th Infantry Division, 1/509th
Infantry Battalion (OPFOR), 1/508th Infantry Battalion, 5th Special
Forces Group and the 82nd Airborne Division.
Additionally, SFC Whitaker served two overseas tours within
Germany and Italy and three combat tours within Operations Desert
Storm, Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
