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A C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing performs an aerial demonstration along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 22, 2023, as part of the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, from the latest-generation fighter jets to historic warbirds. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)
Kentucky Air Guard flies in Thunder air show
April 24, 2023
This year’s Thunder Over Louisville air show, held April 22 along the banks of the Ohio River, featured more than 20 military and civilian aircraft, including a C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard, which served as the base of operations for military planes flying in the show. Other highlights included the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy's F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Teams, historic warbirds, and parachute demonstrations by the U.S. Army Golden Knights and the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jason Bell poses with his wife, Dr. Michelle Baltam, after receiving the Lt. Orville Munson Award at the U.S. Army Engineer Regimental School at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri on April 28, 2023. The award is given annually to honor an engineer lietuenant or warrant officer platoon leader in the Active Army and Army National Guard in recognition of outstanding contributions to military engineering by demonstrated technical and leadership ability. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson)
Kentucky engineer platoon leader wins outstanding platoon leader award
April 28, 2023
A Kentucky Army National Guard platoon leader was awarded the 2022 Lt. Orville Munson Award at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on April 28, 2023. 1st Lt. Jason Ball, a platoon leader with the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company, received the award from U.S. Army Col. Joseph C. Goetz, the commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer Regimental School. The Munson award is given annually to honor an engineer lieutenant or warrant officer platoon leader in the Active Army and Army National Guard in recognition of outstanding contributions to military engineering by demonstrated technical and leadership ability.

The 202nd Army Band helped kick off the spring meet at Keeneland Race Track as they opened their doors to all military members and their families for Military Day Apr. 16, 2023. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)
202nd Army Band plays for Military Day at Keenleland
April 16, 2023
In the middle of it all was the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd Army Band. The five Soldiers were on hand in the center of the walking ring near the entrance to the racetrack playing for the attendees when the gates opened before the races kicked off.

The ceremony honored the Soldiers who successfully completed the 12-month training program and have now been commissioned as new officers in the Kentucky Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Gus LaFontaine)
Celebrating Excellence: Kentucky Army National Guard's Officer Candidate School Graduates Emerge as Leaders
April 15, 2023
The ceremony honored the Soldiers who successfully completed the 12-month training program and have now been commissioned as new officers in the Kentucky Army National Guard.

Recent News

Kentucky Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion change their command team during a dual-ceremony held at Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Kentucky, May 22, 2023. During the event, Lt. Col. Jacob McKinney relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, and Command Sgt. Maj. Johnnie Parton turned over responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Reed.  (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Cody Stagner)
New Command Team ushers in a new era for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion
May 25, 2023
The Kentucky Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion changed its leadership team during a ceremony held May 22, 2023, at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. Lt. Col. Jason Mendez took charge of the battalion, headquartered in Frankfort, from Lt. Col. Jacob McKinney, while Command Sgt. Maj. Johnnie Parton turned over his responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Reed.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jennifer Ritchie, Recruiting and Retention Battalion officer strength manager, presents a retirement gift to Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Barker, Joint Forces Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, during his retirement ceremony in Frankfort, Ky, April 27, 2023. Barker is retiring after 39 years of service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Carla Raisler Kentucky National Guard)
First KYNG Signal Chief Warrant Officer 5 signs off the net
May 23, 2023
Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Barker retired during a ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center, in Frankfort, Kentucky on April 27, 2023, culminating a distinguished 39-year-long military career. Barker joined the Army in 1984 as an enlisted Soldier and in 1993 commissioned as a warrant officer, specializing in electronic maintenance. His career at Boone National Guard Center began before he enlisted into the Kentucky National Guard as a groundskeeper.

From left to right, Fire Chief Rondal Hambrick, Crew Chief Kyle Wade and drivers Tyler Henderson and Lincoln Miller, pose for a photo in front of their 2021 Oshkosh Striker, made specifically for responding to aircraft fires at the Wendell H. Ford Region Training Center’s fire station and readiness center in Greenville Ky, May 18, 2023. All four responded to the downed JN4 Jenny that crash landed on the training center. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Benjamin Crane)
Firefighters respond to unique call
May 15, 2023
Fire Chief Rondal Hambrick, Crew Chief Kyle Wade and drivers Tyler Henderson and Lincoln Miller, responded to the downed WWI aircraft that crash had landed on the training center May 15.

An MC-130J Commando II from the 1st Special Operations Wing takes off from Highway 287 in Wyoming during Exercise Agile Chariot on April 30, 2023, honing capabilities linked to Agile Combat Employment. Instead of relying on large, fixed bases and infrastructure, ACE employs smaller, more dispersed locations and teams to rapidly move aircraft, pilots and other personnel as needed. Under ACE, millions of miles of public roads can serve as functional runways with Forward Arming and Refueling Points when necessary. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
123rd Special Tactics facilitates aircraft operations on Wyoming highways
May 9, 2023
Nineteen Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron made history near Riverton, Wyoming, April 30 and May 2, 2023, when they facilitated the landing of aircraft on two Wyoming highways for the first time as part of Exercise Agile Chariot.

Sgt. Matt Broce, with the 617th Military Police Company, puts the Kentucky Derby Trophy back in the box after showing it in the winner’s circle prior to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., May 6, 2023. The trophy is six pounds of solid gold and is awarded to the first-place winner of the Derby. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Georgia Napier)
Kentucky Guard serves at Derby
May 8, 2023
Soldiers from the 617th Military Police Company provided security for the Derby from outside the track, conducted traffic control and augmented the Louisville Metro Police Department. Inside the Downs, the Soldiers of the 617th kept a close eye on the Kentucky Derby trophy as it was transported throughout the building and eventually to the winner’s circle prior to the race.

1st Sgt. Jason Rhodes and other members of the Kentucky National Guard County Outreach Team speak to Harrison County emergency services and elected officials May 2nd in Cynthiana, KY to discuss emergency planning and identify any shortfalls in resources where the Guard can assist. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Milt Spalding)
Guard County Outreach Team meets with local officials, discuss emergency contingency plans
May 2, 2023
The newly formed Kentucky National Guard County Outreach Team has been meeting with officials of each of Kentucky’s 120 counties since January. The idea for the team came after the tornadoes ripped through western Kentucky in December of 2021, but the formation of the team got kicked into overdrive following the flooding of eastern Kentucky last year.

Army Brig. Gen. Brian Wertzler, the Assistant Adjutant General-Army, hands the Brigade colors to Col. Jason Penn signifying his assumption of command during the Change of Command ceremony at the Bowman Field Readiness Center in Louisville, Ky., Apr. 30, 2023. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)
Brigade welcomes new commander to the 75th
May 1, 2023
Army Col. Jason P. Penn assumed command of the brigade from Col. Timothy R. Starke, who had previously served as the brigade’s executive officer two years prior to becoming the commander.

Chief Master Sgt. David Malone, left, 123rd Maintenance Group senior enlisted advisor, receives the Meritorious Service Medal from Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman, 123rd Maintenance Group commander, during Malone’s retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 5, 2023. Malone is retiring after more than 35 years of service to the Kentucky Air National Guard and United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)
Chief Malone retires after 35 years of service
April 30, 2023
Chief Master Sgt. David E. Malone, senior enlisted leader of the 123rd Maintenance Group, retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 4, 2023, ending a career spanning 35 years.