Kentucky Guard

Bravo Battery, 1-623rd Field Artillery conducts CS gas training at Fort Knox
August 3, 2026 — Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment, completed mask confidence training May 16, 2026, to build confidence in their equipment and prepare for operations in contaminated CBRN environments... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers with Bravo Battery, 1-623rd Field Artillery, conduct chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) confidence training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, May 16, 2026.

Gold Star Families Find Community Aboard Annual Riverboat Cruise
August 3, 2026 — Gold Star families from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana gathered aboard the Belle of Cincinnati for the annual Survivor Outreach Services Riverboat Cruise, June 28. Joined by military leaders from across the tri-state region, the event provided surviving families with an afternoon of fellowship, youth activities, and community-building along the Ohio River. The annual cruise serves as a vital touchpoint, reinforcing the military's lifelong commitment to honoring the fallen and supporting the families they left behind... MORE

Gold Star family members board the Belle of Cincinnati for the annual Survivor Outreach Services Riverboat Cruise in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 28, 2026.

Kentucky National Guard Artillery Battalion Trains for Northern Strike 2027
July 29, 2026 — Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, conducted annual training June 7–19, sharpening their warfighting skills and validating unit readiness for multi-domain operations... MORE

Soldiers reinforced fundamental infantry tactics to enhance their effectiveness in complex operational environments.

123rd Medical Group and Kentucky Guard Airmen honored for national excellence
July 29, 2026 — The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group has been named Air National Guard Medical Unit of the Year, and two of its officers have been recognized for individual excellence in the 2025 Air National Guard Medical Service Awards... MORE

Lt. Col. Lauren Lwanga, left, a public health officer in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group, and Capt. Leigha Bowyer-Jones, a nurse practitioner from the same unit, have been named top performers in the 2025 Air National Guard Medical Service Awards. Lwanga was selected as ANG biomedical specialist officer of the year, and Bowyer-Jones was named ANG privileged advanced practice nurse of the year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett)

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... MORE

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)

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... MORE

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.

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... MORE

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.

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... MORE

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.

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... MORE

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)

Airmen Reflect on Ramstein Flag 2026: ‘We’re Here, We’re Capable, We’re Ready’
June 29, 2026 — Kentucky Airmen from the 123rd Airlift Wing provided critical C-130J airlift support to NATO Allies during exercise Ramstein Flag 2026 in Denmark. This display of flexibility and collaboration with international partners not only enhanced readiness, but strengthened NATO interoperability... MORE

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, flies over Karup Air Base, Denmark, June 2, 2026.

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... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Tomothy Nein talks with 1st Sgt. Clifford Marbrey during a field training exercise.

Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy grads highlight the power of second chances
June 22, 2026 — Cadets from Kentucky’s Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy Class 28 graduated after completing a 22-week residential program June 13, 2026. Graduates not only earned their high school diplomas, but also walked away with the confidence, discipline, and life skills equipping them for future success... MORE

Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy's Class 28 graduation ceremony at Harlan County High School

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... MORE

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.

Kentucky National Guard officer promoted to colonel
June 12, 2026 — Lt. Col. Michael Sharp was promoted to the rank of colonel during an April 24 ceremony, marking more than 25 years of service in the Kentucky Army National Guard. As the state's director of logistics, Sharp oversees efforts to ensure Guard units are equipped and prepared for both state emergencies and federal missions. He credited his leadership development to the Soldiers and noncommissioned officers he has served alongside and emphasized that caring for Soldiers and supporting their growth remain his top priorities. Sharp also highlighted the National Guard's commitment to serving Kentucky communities and maintaining readiness for missions at home and abroad... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Sharp is pinned with his new rank by his wife and his mother during a promotion ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, April 24.

Auditorium Dedicated in Honor of Former Kentucky General
June 11, 2026 — The Kentucky Department of Military Affairs honored the legacy of Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker by dedicating an auditorium in his name at Boone National Guard Center, June 4. The ceremony brought together family, friends, and state officials to celebrate Barker's nearly five decades of distinguished military and civilian service to the commonwealth... MORE

During the event, the auditorium adjacent to Wellman Armory was officially dedicated as the Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker Auditorium, recognizing Barker’s decades of distinguished service and leadership within the Kentucky National Guard and the commonwealth.

U.S. Air National Guard Airlift Wing from Kentucky Supporting Large-Scale NATO Exercise
June 9, 2026 — Airmen with the U.S. Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing are supporting a major NATO Allied Air Command exercise in Denmark through June 19, providing tactical airlift for an event spanning three operational areas from Norway to Spain... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tristan Stonger, a pilot assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, flies a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in the airspace above Karup, Denmark, June 4, 2026. The 123rd AW is providing tactical airlift support to NATO Allies throughout the month of June as part of Ramstein Flag 2026, an Allied Air Command large-scale, air-focused, multi-location and joint operating area exercise that kicks off June 8 with 18 participating nations and more than 200 aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Guard’s 940th Military Police Company partners with Ecuadorian forces for historic Exercise EL GATO, celebrates 30 years of partnership
June 8, 2026 — The 940th Military Police Company traveled to Ecuador May 10-19 for Exercise EL GATO, marking the 30th anniversary of Kentucky’s partnership with Ecuador through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. More than a training exercise, the event showcased the unit’s versatility and demonstrated Kentucky’s enduring commitment to interoperability and security cooperation with Ecuador... MORE

Lt. Col. Brandon Davisson, commander of the 198th Military Police Battalion, receives a commemorative trident from the Ecuadorian Navy during the closing ceremony for Exercise El Gato 2026 in Salinas, Ecuador, May 19, 2026.

Arcane Thunder 26: Kentucky sets new benchmark leveraging Starshield with multi-domain live-fire
June 4, 2026 — Soldiers of Kentucky’s Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, executed a trans-Atlantic live-fire event at the National Training Center during Exercise Arcane Thunder 26. Using the Starshield satellite network to receive real-time targeting commands directly from Germany, the event validated the Army’s global multi-domain capabilities... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Drury points at the designated impact zone from atop the observation point during Exercise Arcane Thunder 26 at Fort Irwin, California, April 24, 2026.

Kentucky Guard MEDEVAC officer leads critical NATO partnership in Bosnia
June 3, 2026 — During a recent deployment to Southeastern Europe, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dustin Haubner and his MEDEVAC unit integrated with NATO forces to enhance regional medical support and interoperability. Through joint training exercises with Bosnian and Romanian counterparts, the unit established a strategic healthcare framework that ensures long-term medical sustainment and improved emergency response capabilities for personnel stationed at Camp Butmir... MORE

U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Dustin Haubner with Task Force Griffin (KFOR 35, TF Aviation) looks toward the ground as the UH-60 Black Hawk takes off during ther deployment to Kosovo.

Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe cadets compete in intrastate field training exercise
June 2, 2026 — Cadets from Kentucky’s Appalachian and Bluegrass Youth ChalleNGe academies recently competed in a two-day intrastate field training exercise at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, testing teamwork, leadership and program skills. The event featured athletic and academic competitions including softball, flag football, chess, a spelling bee, land navigation and an obstacle course. The exercise is designed to showcase cadets’ development and build confidence through friendly competition, and they plan to make it a recurring tradition held once per training cycle... MORE

Cadets from Kentucky’s Bluegrass and Appalachian Youth ChalleNGe Academies participate in athletic and academic competitions during the Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe Intrastate Field Training Exercise at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, May 13-14.

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