Major General I. G. Brown

The First Director, Air National Guard and founder of the I. G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center

In 1966, General Brown was invited to speak at a noncommissioned officer academy graduation at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. He was impressed by the enthusiasm and professionalism of the staff, particularly the Vice Commandant, Chief Master Sgt. Paul H. Lankford, and by the students. This event planted the seed of an idea that the Air National Guard should have a noncommissioned officer academy to increase the professionalism of the enlisted corps. After a great deal of planning, discussing, persuading, and convincing, the Air National Guard Noncommissioned Officer Academy was founded at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tennessee. Maj. Gen. Brown hired then Maj. Edmund C. Morrisey of the Texas Air National Guard, and the same Chief Master Sgt. Paul H. Lankford who had so impressed him to be the two leaders to make this new venture successful - two choices showing General Brown's ability to judge leadership and character. The first class graduated in 1968.