Contingency Response Group earns Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation
Military kids honored at State Capitol
Kentucky Air Guard to play key role in return of Thunder Over Louisville

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Gywn Reinersman, daughter of U.S. Army Maj. Michael Reinersman, flies a mini drone through rings during Military Kids Day at the Capitol annex in Frankfort Feb. 19. Kentucky National Guard families, along with children from Fort Knox and Fort Campbell gathered for a fun and engaging day of activities, learning, and connection. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)
‘You’re rock stars’: Military kids honored at state Capitol
Feb. 26, 2026
More than 100 children of military families gathered at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort Thursday, Feb. 19, for the annual Military Kids Day.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, right, speaks at a press conference in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 23, 2025, announcing the return of the Thunder Over Louisville air show and fireworks display to the banks of the Ohio River April 18, as Matt Gibson, president and CEO of show organizer Kentucky Derby Festival, looks on. Historic flooding caused the cancelation of last year’s event, which typically draws more than 100,000 spectators. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)
Kentucky Air Guard to play key role in return of Thunder Over Louisville
Feb. 24, 2026
Historic flooding canceled Thunder Over Louisville in 2025, but officials promise an exciting air show and fireworks display for its return this spring, thanks to help from the Kentucky Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Bruce Bancroft, left, the Kentucky National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Air, presents Col. Aaron Zamora, commander of the 123rd Contingency Response Group, with the Kentucky Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 14. The award recognizes the group’s exceptional service to citizens across the state and nation from August 2024 to March 2025. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Horton)
Contingency Response Group earns Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation
Feb. 22, 2026
The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group has been recognized for exceptional achievement, earning the Kentucky Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation.

Recent News

Staff Sgt. Shea Moody with Det. 1, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Battalion, competes in the obstacle course event of the Kentucky Best Warrior Competition, held at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Greenville, Ky., March 21, 2026. This competition shows the adaptiveness, resilience, and lethality of our forces, affirming the readiness of National Guard citizen-Soldiers to meet the nation's challenges. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Kentucky names 2026 ‘Best Warriors’
March 25, 2026
Twenty Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers representing major commands across the commonwealth competed in the 2026 Best Warrior Competition at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, March 20-22.
The Kentucky Air National Guard recognizes the 123rd Airlift Wing’s top Airmen for 2026 during the Airman’s Gala at Wildwood Country Club in Louisville, Ky., March 14, 2026. Senior Airman Ethan Greco, Staff Sgt. Lucas Bradshaw and Senior Master Sgt. Dallas Stoll were honored in the Airman, NCO and Senior NCO categories, while Master Sgt. Josh Pence was named First Sergeant of the Year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Horton)
Kentucky Air Guard honors top Airmen
March 25, 2026
The Kentucky Air National Guard recognized the 123rd Airlift Wing’s top Airmen for 2026 during the Airman’s Gala in Louisville on March 14.
Kentucky Army National Guard combat medics from the 201st Headquarters company conducts medical refresher training to ensure readiness for upcoming missions, at Wendell H. Ford regional training center, March 2, 2026. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Levi Piper)
Kentucky Guard medics sharpen lifesaving skills
March 24, 2026
Kentucky Army National Guard medics from around the state sharpened their lifesaving skills during a two-week annual recertification course at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Feb.21- March6. The course brought together combat medics, combat paramedics and critical care flight paramedics–all military occupational specialty 68W–to refresh critical medical knowledge and ensure they remain fully qualified to provide care in combat environments.
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers, Kentucky's state command sergeant major, presents a check to Pfc. Iram Sosa during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Nov. 19, 2025. The presentation is part of the Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program, an initiative that pays Soldiers for enlistments that they refer to the Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)
Kentucky surpasses expectations through ‘KEEP’, a non-traditional National Guard recruiting program
March 18, 2026
In response to nationwide recruiting struggles, the Kentucky National Guard has implemented a successful new strategy. The Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program (KEEP) incentivizes its own Soldiers and Airmen—not professional recruiters—to find new enlistees. This approach has proven highly effective, bringing more than 600 new members into the Kentucky force since its inception in February 2023.
U.S Army Sgt. 1st Class Caleb Tidei, Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Wilhoit and Spc. Kyle Clark, all with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, assist a vehicle who had gotten stuck on the roadway in Frankfort Kentucky, during Winter Storm Fern Jan. 26, 2026. The Soldiers were a part of state's efforts to assist Kentuckians in need during the winter storm. The brigade was tasked with providing support and transportation to essential medical personnel throughout Central Kentucky. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Sooter)
Kentucky Guard answers the call for Winter Storm Fern
March 12, 2026
More than 2,200 Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen activated to support emergency operations across the state as Winter Storm Fern swept through the commonwealth in late January.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, shares his leadership philosophy with Kentucky Guardsmen at the 2026 National Guard Association of Kentucky conference at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 28, 2026. Photo by 1st Sgt. Scott Raymond.
Kentucky National Guard ‘Ready for the Future,’ Army Guard Director Tells Leaders
March 11, 2026
The director of the Army National Guard praised the Kentucky National Guard’s combat readiness, domestic response capabilities and international partnerships during remarks at a leadership conference, Feb. 28.
Master Sgt. Josh Pence, first sergeant for 123rd Medical Group, has been named the Kentucky Air National Guard’s First Sergeant of the Year for 2026. He will be honored at a banquet in Louisville, Ky., March 14, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)
Pence selected as Kentucky Air Guard’s top first sergeant for 2026
March 8, 2026
Master Sgt. Josh Pence has been selected as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s First Sergeant of the Year for 2026 and will be honored at the Airman’s Gala banquet in Louisville, Kentucky, March 14, 2016.
Staff Sgt. Ethan Greco, a medical technician with the 123rd Medical Group, has been named the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Airman of the Year for 2026. He will be honored at a banquet in Louisville, Ky., March 14, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)
Greco, Bradshaw, Stoll named Airmen of the Year for Kentucky Air Guard
March 8, 2026
Senior Airman Ethan Greco, Staff Sgt. Lucas Bradshaw and Senior Master Sgt. Dallas Stoll will be honored during a banquet in Louisville, Kentucky, March 14, 2026, as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Airmen of the Year for 2026.