Major GeneralRoger Philip Lempke[1] is a retired United States Air Force officer and was the adjutant general (TAG) of the Nebraska National Guard. The Nebraska Adjutant General commands the state military forces and also directs the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).[2]
The Army National Guard in Nebraska consists of over 4,000 soldiers in 74 troop units in 28 communities throughout the state. The Nebraska Air National Guard, which is based in Lincoln, flies the KC-135R aircraft, and has unit strength of approximately 940 airmen.[3]
Approximately 30 NEMA personnel coordinate state and federal emergency planning and disaster recovery and assist local governments with training and education programs. Lempke retired effective September 2007, and was succeeded by Timothy J. Kadavy.
Background
After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1969, Lempke become a pilot and flew T-41C, T-37, and T-38 aircraft, accumulating more than 1600 flying hours and senior pilot status. Selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1975 he graduated with honors in 1976 with a Master of Science degree in logistics management. Lempke served in the B-1 and B-52 Offensive Avionics System Program Offices until separating from the Air Force in 1979. After a short stint in the Air Force Reserve at Offutt AFB he joined the Nebraska Air National Guard as a traditional guardsman in 1984.[2]
After attending Maintenance Officer School in 1987 he served in various maintenance officer positions. This included leading a maintenance team that won the Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM) Maintenance Trophy in 1988. He became the consolidated aircraft maintenance squadron (CAMRON) commander in 1991. In 1996, he was nominated for the rank of colonel and assigned to lead the 155th Logistics Group. On the civilian side Lempke rose to vice president in charge of manufacturing, purchasing, and data resources for a company in Lincoln that manufactures high-technology pressure vessels for the aerospace and defense industries.[2]
Since retiring from military service, Lempke became the director of military affairs for United States Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska through December 2013.[4]
In January 2014, he was named director of military affair for United States Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), following the announced retirement of Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska.[5] Lempke is also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[citation needed]
Honorary promotion in the military forces of the State of Nebraska, post-retirement; not federally recognized as a lieutenant general in USAF.
Air National Guard officers are limited to federal recognition no higher than major general[6] unless assigned to the 3-star positions of director, Air National Guard (national level); deputy commander, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM); vice chief, National Guard Bureau; or en route to the 4-star position as chief, National Guard Bureau.
References
^Polaris(PDF). Vol. XI. Colorado Springs, Colorado: United States Air Force Academy. 1969. p. 379. Retrieved 21 February 2019.