Command Sergeant Major Kevin McGovern returned to Kuwait and Iraq with Task Force Iron Fist, 5-52 ADA (PATRIOT) for initial assault securing Baghdad International Airport. CONTRIBUTED

Veteran of the Week

MADISON – In 1986, then U.S. Army Private Kevin B. McGovern enlisted in Tampa, Florida.

His assignments took him to Fort Bliss, Texas as a Stinger Manpads Crewman; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Polk, La., Joint Readiness Training Center; Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii; Peterson Air Force Base (AFB), Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Redstone Arsenal.

During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, McGovern deployed to support 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division supporting elements from Division Artillery & 69th Armor in the attack into Iraq at Tallil Airbase and Al Basrah.

“This maneuver eventually was known as ‘The End Around’ to cut off Royal Iraqi Guard Forces fleeing Kuwait,” McGovern said.

He graduated from U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class #52. McGovern was assigned to 2-1 ADA (PATRIOT) and deployed to Kuwait for Operation Southern Watch, a JTF-SWA mission controlling airspace south of 32nd Parallel in Iraq.

Command Sergeant Major McGovern returned to Kuwait and Iraq with Task Force Iron Fist, 5-52 ADA (PATRIOT) for initial assault securing Baghdad International Airport. These soldiers also placed PATRIOTS and Tropospheric Scatter (TROPOS) communication elements.

McGovern also was stationed in South Korea.

He concluded his career at Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space (PEO MS) in 2010. He and wife Carolyn have three children: Tyler James, 19, University of Alabama sophomore; Kamren David, 16, Buckhorn High School junior; and Abbey Reese, 12, Buckhorn eighth-grader.

Since his retirement, McGovern has worked for Quantum Research International Inc. as a program manager and at APEO International for PEO M&S as a senior international program manager specialist.

McGovern is affiliated with Redstone Arsenal CSM/SGM Association, Association of U.S. Army (AUSA), Air Defense Artillery Association and NDIA. For Buckhorn, he serves with Parent Advisory Council.

He likes kayaking and fishing on the Flint River. The McGoverns own three rescued Golden Retrievers.

“I enjoy precious time I get to spend with my wife Carolyn and watching Abbey and Kamren play both school ball and travel softball and baseball,” he said.