Kentucky Guard

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... MORE

his competition shows the adaptiveness, resilience, and lethality of our forces, affirming the readiness of National Guard citizen-Soldiers to meet the nation's challenges.

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... MORE

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 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... MORE

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.

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... MORE

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 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... MORE

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.

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... MORE

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.

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... MORE

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)

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... MORE

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)

‘You’re rock stars’: Military kids honored at state Capitol
February 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... MORE

The event was hosted by Kentucky Senate joined along with Mrs. Karen Lamberton, wife of the Adjutant General–Kentucky, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, whose continued support of Guard families helps make opportunities like this possible.

Kentucky Air Guard to play key role in return of Thunder Over Louisville
February 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... MORE

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)

Contingency Response Group earns Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation
February 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... MORE

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)

Kentucky Air Guard, Ecuador share C-130 expertise
February 6, 2026 — Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard and Ecuadorian Air Force conducted an aircrew subject matter expert exchange recently at Cotopaxi Air Base, Ecuador, as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program... MORE

More than 30 members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing and the Ecuadorian Air Force’s 11th Transportation Wing conducted an aircrew subject matter expert exchange at Cotopaxi Air Force Base, Ecuador, May 19-24, 2025. The effort, part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, helped promote mutual cooperation across a full range of military and civil affairs. (Courtesy photo)

Ketterer takes command of 123rd Operations Group
January 30, 2026 — Lt. Col. Josh Ketterer took command of the 123rd Operations Group during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base Dec. 14, replacing Col. Randall Hood, who was named deputy commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing... MORE

Lt. Col. Josh Ketterer, right, accepts the 123rd Operations Group guidon from Col. Matthew Quenichet, 123rd Airlift Wing commander, during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 14, 2025. Ketterer replaces Col. Randall Hood, who was named deputy commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

Kentucky Air Guard provides transportation for medical care after Winter Storm Fern
January 26, 2026 — Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing are transporting medical patients and healthcare workers to and from clinics and hospitals after Winter Storm Fern dumped around 10 inches of snow and ice in Louisville, Kentucky, Jan. 24 and 25, leaving many secondary roads and parking lots impassable with two-wheel-drive vehicles... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Brendan Overstreet from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing drops off Alicia Crawford at Norton Hospital Brownsboro in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 26, 2026, for her shift as a medical-surgical nurse. Crawford was unable to drive to work after Winter Storm Fern dumped around 10 inches of snow and ice in across the city Jan. 24 and 25, leaving many secondary roads and parking lots impassable with two-wheel-drive vehicles. More than 50 Kentucky Guard Airmen will remain on duty as long as needed, officials said. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Oldham County students gain hands-on medical experience during visit to Boone Center
January 13, 2026 — The Kentucky National Guard hosted a medical-focused recruiting open house at Boone National Guard Center, welcoming nearly 200 students in the Nursing, Biomedical and Sports Medicine program from the Arvin Education Center and offering them an inside look at medical career opportunities and pathways available through service in the Guard... MORE

The students visited from Oldham County to explore military careers the medical field.

Man o’ War C-130 returns to ‘Old Kentucky Home’ for retirement
December 22, 2025 — A military cargo aircraft named for a famous thoroughbred racehorse has returned to its old Kentucky home for retirement... MORE

A historic C-130H Hercules taxies onto the flight line at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 22, 2025, ending the 33-year-old transport’s final flight. The plane, which has flown millions of miles around the world over the past three decades, initially was assigned to the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing straight from the Lockheed-Martin factory in 1992 before being reassigned to the Delaware Air Guard in 2021, when the Louisville unit began transitioning to the new C-130J Super Hercules. Named after the famous thoroughbred racehorse “Man o’ War” during its time in Kentucky, tail number 1231 was the 2000th C-130 to roll off the assembly line. It will now be placed on static display for retirement at its original Kentucky home, complete with restored livery and its unique Man o’ War markings. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky honors Veterans with wreath laying ceremony
December 22, 2025 — Members of the Kentucky National Guard joined the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to honor Veterans during a wreath laying ceremony at Kentucky’s Old State Capitol in Frankfort, Dec. 11, 2025... MORE

Eight wreaths are placed outside Kentucky's Old State Capitol in observance of Wreaths Across America in Frankfort, Dec. 11, 2025.

Kentucky Guardsmen forge firepower for Florida
December 18, 2025 — Four Kentucky Guardsmen traveled to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, to qualify 15 Florida Guardsmen as HIMARS crewmembers, Oct. 31 – Nov. 16, 2025. The 13M MOS instructors bolstered the Florida unit’s combat readiness by qualifying Soldiers for a critical artillery role and supported the U.S. Army's broader expansion of its artillery forces... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Jean Augustin from the 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment of the Florida Army National Guard participates in a field training exercise during a military occupational specialty transition course at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, held Oct. 31 through Nov. 16, 2025.

Kentucky Guard Airmen score top Medical Service Awards
December 17, 2025 — Four members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group have been recognized for excellence in the 2024 Air National Guard Medical Service Awards... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Cristen E. Lane, an aerospace medicine technician for the 123rd Medical Group, speaks with a patient at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 6, 2025. Lane has been named Air National Guard Aerospace Medicine Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 2024 by the National Guard Bureau. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Angelee Barnett)

Kentucky Air Guard Marksmanship Team places 3rd in Adjutant General's Match
December 16, 2025 — The Kentucky Air National Guard Marksmanship Team placed third overall in the 2025 Adjutant General’s Match at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., with three Airmen claiming the “Governor’s Twenty” tab for scoring in the top 20 percent of all competitors... MORE

The Kentucky Air National Guard Marksmanship Team earned third place in Adjutant General’s Match, a marksmanship competition held at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training center in Greenville, Ky., July 11 to 13, 2025. The event tested Soldiers and Airmen with realistic, combat-focused shooting scenarios designed to sharpen weapons proficiency and lethality. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett)

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