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Kentucky National Guardsmen with the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment gather with members of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force after the final rounds were fired of a combined live-fire exercise during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 in Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kauai, Hawaii, July 12, 2026.Thirty nations, over 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft and more than 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Kentucky Guardsmen integrate with Japanese for live-fire exercise during RIMPAC 26
July 13, 2026
Kentucky's 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery participated in a joint live-fire exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, July 11. Working alongside the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, the HIMARS unit successfully engaged naval targets to strengthen multinational interoperability and collective security in the Indo-Pacific.
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 123 Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, is parked on the flight line in Bodø, Norway, to support an airlift mission for exercise Ramstein Flag, June 15, 2026. The 123rd AW is providing tactical airlift support to NATO Allies throughout the month of June in support of Ramstein Flag 2026, an Allied Air Command large-scale, multi-location and joint operating area exercise with 18 participating nations and more than 200 aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Annaliese Billings)
Kentucky Air National Guard concludes operations supporting NATO exercise Ramstein Flag
July 1, 2026
Airmen with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing concluded operations in Denmark June 19 in support of Ramstein Flag 2026, a large-scale NATO defense exercise spanning Europe with troops from 18 nations.
Command Sgt. Maj. Tomothy Nein talks with 1st Sgt. Clifford Marbrey during a field training exercise. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Reno)
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Nein Leads From the Front, As He Always Has
June 27, 2026
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Nein, senior enlisted leader for the 75th Troop Command and Distinguished Service Cross recipient, leads from the front by actively training alongside his Soldiers. Through demonstrated consistency and dedication to standards, Nein's presence is not only seen, but his impact is felt across the formation.

Recent News

Col. Ash Groves, center, chief of the Air staff at Joint Force Headquarters-Kentucky, is pinned with the rank of brigadier general by family members during a promotion ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., June 7, 2026. Groves previously served as headquarters’ director of Air staff. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Chloe Ochs)
Groves appointed chief of staff, promoted to brigadier general
July 27, 2026
Ash Groves was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and formally assumed responsibility as chief of staff for the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, June 7, 2026.
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Settles poses for a portrait at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, June 26, 2026. Settles retired from the Kentucky Army National Guard after 29 years of service. (Photo by Jennifer Arnold)
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Settles reflects on 29 years of service, leadership in Kentucky National Guard logistics
July 13, 2026
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Settles retired after nearly three decades of service to the Kentucky National Guard.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Ash Groves asks a question during the Kentucky Resilience and Emergency Preparedness (K-REP) Summit at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, June 16-17. Hosted by the Kentucky National Guard, National Guard Bureau and U.S. Northern Command, the K-REP Summit brought together military, government and private-sector leaders to strengthen homeland defense, emergency preparedness and statewide resilience through improved partnerships and coordinated planning for natural disasters, cyber incidents and other emergencies. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)
Kentucky Guard hosts K-REP Summit to strengthen disaster response partnerships
July 13, 2026
The Kentucky National Guard partnered with the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Northern Command to host the Kentucky Resilience and Emergency Preparedness (K-REP) Summit at Boone National Guard Center June 16–17, 2026. The two-day event brought together military, civilian, and emergency management leaders to discuss critical infrastructure protection, cyber threats, and statewide disaster response coordination.
Kentucky National Guardsmen with the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment gather with members of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force after the final rounds were fired of a combined live-fire exercise during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 in Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kauai, Hawaii, July 12, 2026.Thirty nations, over 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft and more than 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Kentucky Guardsmen integrate with Japanese for live-fire exercise during RIMPAC 26
July 13, 2026
Kentucky's 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery participated in a joint live-fire exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, July 11. Working alongside the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, the HIMARS unit successfully engaged naval targets to strengthen multinational interoperability and collective security in the Indo-Pacific.
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 123 Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, is parked on the flight line in Bodø, Norway, to support an airlift mission for exercise Ramstein Flag, June 15, 2026. The 123rd AW is providing tactical airlift support to NATO Allies throughout the month of June in support of Ramstein Flag 2026, an Allied Air Command large-scale, multi-location and joint operating area exercise with 18 participating nations and more than 200 aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Annaliese Billings)
Kentucky Air National Guard concludes operations supporting NATO exercise Ramstein Flag
July 1, 2026
Airmen with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing concluded operations in Denmark June 19 in support of Ramstein Flag 2026, a large-scale NATO defense exercise spanning Europe with troops from 18 nations.
Command Sgt. Maj. Tomothy Nein talks with 1st Sgt. Clifford Marbrey during a field training exercise. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Reno)
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Nein Leads From the Front, As He Always Has
June 27, 2026
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Nein, senior enlisted leader for the 75th Troop Command and Distinguished Service Cross recipient, leads from the front by actively training alongside his Soldiers. Through demonstrated consistency and dedication to standards, Nein's presence is not only seen, but his impact is felt across the formation.
Cadets assigned to the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy Class 28 color guard retire the colors during the graduation ceremony at Harlan County High School in Baxter, Kentucky, June 13, 2026. The ceremony recognized nearly 100 cadets who graduated from the Kentucky National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, completing a five-month residential phase focused on education, leadership, discipline and life skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Isaiah Jackson)
Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy graduates highlight the power of second chances
June 22, 2026
Cadets from Kentucky’s Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy Class 28 graduated June 13, 2026, after completing a 22-week residential program. Graduates not only earned their high school diplomas, but also walked away with the confidence, discipline, and life skills equipping them for future success.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen Schmelzer (left) and Spc. Ishmael Wilson (right), assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, conduct a pre-flight inspection of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in support of air movement operations and Defense Security Cooperation Agency mission requirements at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana, June 1, 2026. Bravo Company's mission includes providing aviation support to citizens of the Commonwealth during natural disasters and other emergency situations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Marissa Keith)
Making a Difference: Kentucky Guardsman Reflects on His First Year in Uniform
June 15, 2026
U.S. Army Spc. Ishmael Wilson, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairer with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade reflects on his first year in the Kentucky Army National Guard during annual training at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center. Motivated by a desire for positive change, Wilson discusses his challenges, personal growth and the impact mentorship had on his development as a Soldier.