NATCHITOCHES – In continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University recognized the military service of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Christopher W. Kegerreis as the honorary captain during its football game against McNeese State University Oct. 17.
Kegerreis currently serves as the Military Personnel Officer for the Louisiana National Guard. He lives with his wife Sarah, and two children in Alexandra.
Kegerreis graduated from Northwestern State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2003. He enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard and attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He graduated from the Louisiana National Guard’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) in August 2005 and then completed Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) Training in June of 2007. During the period between OCS and IERW, Kegerreis was activated in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Kegerreis’ first assignment was Flight Section Leader for the 812th Medical Company Air Ambulance in 2007. He successfully completed the UH-1 H/V Aircraft Qualification Course (AQC) and performed numerous missions in response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
In 2009, Kegerreis volunteered to deploy with the 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group and served as the J3 Air for US Forces-Afghanistan Regional Command South (J3 Air USFOR-A/S).
In 2013, Kegerreis volunteered to deploy a 2nd time with the 204th as the Air Traffic Services Standardization Element – Airfield Management Officer.
After returning from his deployment, Kegerreis was assigned as the Administrative Officer (AO) for five tenant units of Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Pineville. From 2014 through 2021, he served as the Commander of Detachment 1, Charlie Company, 1-114th Security and Support; Commander of Bravo Company, 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion and Commander of Golf Company, 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB). During that time, he successfully completed the LUH-72 and UH-60M AQC, bringing his total number of aircraft qualifications to four. His mission progression allowed him to perform Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Air Assault, Counter Drug, and Security operations. He advanced to Pilot in Command and Air Mission Commander.
In 2019, Kegerreis deployed for a third time as the Commander of Task Force (TF) 238 and Golf Company, 2-238th GSAB, attached to 10thCombat Aviation Brigade (CAB). He commanded all Aeromedical and Aerial Personnel Recovery assets from five Forward Operating Bases in the Train, Advise, Assist Command (TAAC)-South, TAAC-West and Task Force-SW, Afghanistan. His command supported 223 deliberate operations and 77 MEDEVAC missions while flying more than 1800 accident-free combat hours. TF 238’s contributions played a significant part in 10th CAB’s TF Dragon receipt of the Lieutenant General Ellis D. Parker Award for Top Aviation Battalion.
Kegerreis’ military education includes Intermediate Level Education at the Command and General Staff College, Aviation Captains Career Course, Basic Officer Leaders Course, Officer Candidate School, Flight School XXI (UH-60 A/L), Advanced Individual Training (15P), Basic Training, UH-1 H/V AQC, LUH-72 AQC, and UH-60M AQC.
Kegerreis was escorted on field by his son Baylen, NSU President James Genovese and LTC Retired Arthur Smalley, Chief of Staff of NSU’s ROTC Alumni organization.