Kentucky Guard

Mountain Warriors Complete NATO Mission
December 21, 2022 — Approximately 200 Soldiers returned from their mission in Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. The Soldiers were part of NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) mission as KFOR 30, representing the thirtieth rotation for U.S. Soldiers... MORE

Senior enlisted advisor visits Kentucky soldiers
December 13, 2022 — The National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor visited Kentucky to meet Soldiers and answer questions in Lexington, Frankfort, and Louisville, Ky. on Dec. 4, 2022. Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) Tony Whitehead visited Soldiers with the 138th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB); 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade (TAB); Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 75th Troop Command (TC); the 223rd Military Police Company; and the 202nd Army Band before the holiday season to take questions about the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau position... MORE

National Guard SEA visits Kentucky ROTC program
December 12, 2022 — The National Guard’s senior enlisted advisor visited the University of Kentucky (UK) and Kentucky State University (KSU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets at their respective campuses in Lexington and Frankfort, Ky. on Dec. 5, 2022. Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau, visited both universities to talk to cadets on the importance of building strong relationships and communication between the officer and enlisted corps early in their careers and how essential their leadership training is to the future of the force... MORE

Kentucky Aviators say their goodbyes, set to deploy to Africa
November 16, 2022 — Soldiers with Detachment 4, Charlie Company, 2/245th Aviation Regiment, 63rd Theater Aviation Battalion will be charged with flying C-12 King Air fixed wing aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During their deployment they will be providing air movement support throughout the Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) area of responsibility... MORE

Soldiers compete in Kentucky Best Warrior
November 14, 2022 — This year’s format included some of the new technology that was implemented this year. Moving targets were used during the weapons skills portion and night vision goggles were implemented for a portion of the competition... MORE

Gold Star Families enjoy a day of racing at Churchill Downs
November 10, 2022 — Family members and loved ones of fallen service members gathered from fourteen different states to witness the fifth race of the day which is dedicated to the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to United States... MORE

Cooper draws 3-decade career to a close as commander of 123rd Medical Group
November 4, 2022 — Col. Michael A. Cooper concluded his military career with a retirement ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022, drawing a close to 30 years of distinguished service... MORE

Otto takes command of 123rd Medical Group
November 3, 2022 — Col. Hans F. Otto assumed command of the 123rd Medical Group during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022, replacing Col. Michael A. Cooper, who is retiring... MORE

Fatality search and recovery mission helps bring closure to disaster
November 1, 2022 — Never before had Airman 1st Class Brandon Porter seen the kind of destruction left by a tornado after it ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, in December 2021, starting a fire that killed eight people... MORE

Zollman assumes command of 123rd Maintenance Group
October 31, 2022 — Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman took charge of the 123rd Maintenance Group during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022... MORE

Command Chief Warrant Officers change over
October 28, 2022 — Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dwight D. Harlan relinquished the responsibility over Kentucky’s warrant officer corps to the new Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ricky L. Skelton... MORE

Thunder Six promoted to colonel
October 27, 2022 — Army Lt. Col. Steve Mattingly, 138thField Artillery Brigade commander (Thunder Six) was promoted to the rank of colonel in a ceremony at the Federal Hill Mansion at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, Ky. on Oct 6, 2022. Mattingly knows his way around the 138th FAB. He began his military career as an enlisted Soldier in 1998 as a Forward Observer. Since then, he has served as the Bravo Battery 2/238th Field Artillery Battalion commander and 1-623 Field Artillery Battalion commander, among multiple other positions throughout the brigade. In 2021, Mattingly took command of the 138th Field Artillery Brigade. He has been serving in the brigade for 24 years. While more common in the National Guard than active duty or any other branch of service, it’s still quite notable... MORE

Central America militaries grow stronger through Guard relationships
October 24, 2022 — Generally, the SPP improves the readiness, recruitment and retention of National Guard units, according to Lt. Col. Dan Cooper, of the Kentucky National Guard. The Bluegrass State’s unit first connected with Ecuador’s army in 1996. Since then, he said, Kentucky and Ecuadorian forces have assisted each other to gain practical experience in military skills or disaster preparations... MORE

Medical doctor direct commissions into the Kentucky National Guard
October 18, 2022 — A new medical doctor direct commissioned into the Kentucky Army National Guard in a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky. on Oct. 18, 2022. Capt. Sara Powell took the oath of the commissioned officer with her husband, parents, and daughter watching. Powell will be the new brigade surgeon for the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Richmond, Ky... MORE

Flemingsburg Police Department Honored by Department of Defense
October 12, 2022 — The Flemingsburg Police Department today received the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition of employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The award was made to Police Department Chief Brian Bowling by Governor Andy Beshear on behalf of the Department of Defense in a ceremony at the state Capitol... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer retires after 39 years
October 11, 2022 — Chief Warrant Officer Charles Harris is retiring from the Kentucky National Guard after 39 years of military service and service as an intelligence officer and state security manager. During his career, Harris earned many titles, from being promoted to a colonel, joining the warrant officer corps, and then doctor when he earned his Ph.D. in strategic intelligence... MORE

Kentucky National Guard celebrates its newest officers
September 26, 2022 — Seven Kentucky National Guard Soldiers were commissioned to second lieutenant in a ceremony in the rotunda at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. on Sept. 24, 2022. Officer Candidate class 64-22 received their commissions with family and friends present after attending the 18-month Officer Candidate School held by the 238th Regional Training Institute (RTI) in Greenville, Ky... MORE

Mounkes takes command of Kentucky Air Guard as new assistant adjutant general
September 13, 2022 — David J. Mounkes was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and officially took charge of the Kentucky Air National Guard during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 13, 2022, at the 123rd Airlift Wing... MORE

Kentucky Guard signal leaders swap knowledge, build relationships with counterparts in partner nation Djibouti
September 12, 2022 — Although the early-morning sun was still low in the sky, temperatures were already hovering near 100 degrees, as a small group of Kentucky National Guard signal leaders made their way in utility vehicles across the rugged, barren terrain of sunbaked Djibouti, a small country in East Africa... MORE

Wilkinson concludes career as special tactics officer who rose to become top Air Guardsman
September 12, 2022 — Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson concluded his military career at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base Aug. 18, 2022, drawing an end to 28 years of service that saw him rise through the ranks to become the state’s top Air Guardsman... MORE

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