Dean E. Stoops

Dean E. Stoops is a retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) with a distinguished military career spanning over 40 years. He enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard (KYARNG) in August 1977 as a Fire Direction Specialist with C Battery, 2-138th Field Artillery. In August 1980, he completed Flight School as a class Honor Graduate and was appointed as a U.S. Army Aviation Warrant Officer. His first aviation assignment was with Company C, 42nd Aviation Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division in Frankfort, KY, where he served as a UH-1 Assault Helicopter Pilot.

In October 1984, Stoops completed the UH-1 Instructor Pilot (IP) qualification course and was assigned to a platoon IP position. In May 1988, he applied for Active Duty with the KYARNG and became a full-time IP at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Frankfort, KY. He served in various roles until August 2009, including Safety, Standards, Tactical Operations, and Airspace Management positions, ultimately becoming the Aviation Standardization Officer for the KYARNG and the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade.

Stoops mobilized in April 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), serving from July 2005 to July 2006 as the Theater Aviation Standardization Officer, Tactical Operations Officer, and Air Traffic and Airspace Officer for Headquarters United States Army Central Command (USARCENT), Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC), and Udairi Army Airfield, Iraq. From August 2009 to January 2014, he was assigned to the National Guard Bureau (NGB) Aviation and Safety Division as the ARNG Aviation Standardization Officer and an Army accident investigator.

Throughout his career, Stoops earned numerous ratings, including Air Assault Helicopter Pilot, Standardization Instructor Pilot (SIP), Instrument Flight Examiner (IFE), Air Traffic and Airspace Officer, Facility and State Aviation Safety Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer, and Tactical Operations Officer. He accumulated over 5,700 hours in various military and civil aircraft, with more than 1,000 hours of Night Vision Goggle flight time. His qualifications also include OH-58 PIC, UH-1 SIP, UH-60 SIP, Helicopter IFE, Survival Instructor, and Master Army Aviator. In addition to his military qualifications, Stoops holds civilian certifications as a U.S. Parachute Association Advanced Skydiver and Jumpmaster, FAA Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Instrument Pilot, and Private Airplane Pilot, as well as being an Open Water Scuba Diver and National Rifle Association Range Safety Officer.

Before retiring in January 2018, Stoops served as the State Command Chief Warrant Officer for the KYARNG. Following his retirement, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs on 11 June 2018 by Commissioner Benjamin F. Adams, III, and later served as Deputy Commissioner from 1 February 2019 through 28 February 2021. His legacy includes a commitment to mentorship and the development of

future leaders within the Army National Guard, as well as significant contributions to aviation safety and standards.

CW5 (Ret) Stoops' service has been recognized through various awards and honors, including his induction into the Order of the Eagle Rising Society, which reflects the respect he commanded among his peers and the lasting impact of his leadership. His contributions to the military and veteran community continue to resonate, as he remains an advocate for veterans and their families.