Soldiers from the Lexington, Kentucky-based 138th Operational Fires Command (OFC), Kentucky Army National Guard, recently participated in a corps-level Command Post Exercise (CPX) with U.S. Army V Corps, held in early May 2025 at both Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Camp Kosciusko in Poland.

Col. Eddie Simpson and 1st Lt. Erik Thomas, both members of the Kentucky Army National Guard, qualified for the 2025 CrossFit Games. Competing in August in Columbus, Ohio, they credit their success to years of dedication and the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program.

The Kentucky National Guard Marathon Team claimed their first championship title at the All-Guard Marathon Time Trials, held in conjunction with the 48th annual Lincoln Marathon, May 4, 2025. More than 180 National Guard runners from 47 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia competed in the prestigious event, vying for a coveted spot on the elite All-Guard Marathon Team.

Chief Master Sgt. Blair Baerny accepted the guidon of the 123rd Airlift Wing during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, April 13, signifying his appointment as the unit’s new command chief and highest-raking enlisted Airman.

Chief Master Sgt. Steven Best officially assumed the post of state command chief for the Kentucky Air National Guard during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, April 13.

Chief Master Sgt. James Tongate concluded 28 years of service to the Kentucky National Guard with a retirement ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, April 13.

Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Daniel Jarillo-Gutierrez and over 900 Soldiers, Sailors, Guardians and civilian experts participated in Cyber Shield 2025, a cybersecurity exercise held in Virginia from May 30 to June 13. They collaborated to share best practices and build a unified defense against cyber threats. Using his trilingual skills – English, Spanish, and cyber expertise – Jarillo-Gutierrez worked with Ecuadorian participants to strengthen Kentucky’s partnership with Ecuador by enhancing both nations’ cybersecurity capabilities during this exercise.

Two Kentucky Army National Guardsmen represented the state in the Region III Best Warrior Competition (BWC) at the McCrady Training Center in Eastover, South Carolina, April 21-26.

Soldiers of the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and its assigned units reacted to a real-world emergency that occurred during a medical evacuation training exercise on May 14, 2025.

Hundreds of Gold Star families came together from across the region to ride aboard the Belle of Cincinnati for the 11th annual Riverboat Ride on the Ohio River, June 1, 2025.

Eleven members of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team were recently honored with medals from two states for meritorious service following Hurricane Helene in 2024.