Kentucky Guard

Kentucky National Guard welcomes newest officers from OCS class 66-24 at State Capitol
May 10, 2024 — The Kentucky Army National Guard celebrated the graduation of Officer Candidate School (OCS) Class 66-24 at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort April 20. The ceremony honored the ten Soldiers who successfully completed the twelve-month training program, of which nine have now been commissioned as new officers in the Kentucky Army National Guard... MORE

Family members, friends and fellow Guardsmen were in attendance for the officer commissioning ceremony inside the rotunda of the State Capitol building in Frankfort, Ky., April 20, 202. Nine officer candidates from Officer Candidate School Class 66-24 became the Kentucky National Guard’s newest second lieutenants. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Destini Keene)

Kentucky G3 retires after 25 years of service
May 8, 2024 — Starke had served in the military for over 25 years in various parts of the country on Active Duty with him coming to Kentucky in 2005 to join the National Guard. ... MORE

Army Col. Timothy Starke addressed the audience at his retirement ceremony at the Wellman Armory auditorium on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., May 8, 2024.

Kentucky National Guard Supports 150th Kentucky Derby
May 6, 2024 — Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard augmented Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and Churchill Downs to assist with security and traffic for the historic 150th runnings of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 4-5. Military Police of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade were positioned alongside LMPD Officers at more than 20 key intersections and checkpoints around Churchill Downs to assist traffic direction and provide additional safety, lightening the demand on local law enforcement agencies. With over 260,000 spectators in attendance, 149th MEB’s presence at Churchill Downs eased the workload on local law enforcement... MORE

Soldiers of the 940th Military Police Company, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade guard the winner’s trophy at the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, May 4, 2024. The Kentucky Army National Guard carries a long tradition of escorting the winner’s cup dating back decades. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Caleb Sooter)

Ecuador-Kentucky Guard partnership welcomes C-130 to Ecuadorian Air Force
May 6, 2024 — The Ecuadorian Air Force welcomed a C-130H Hercules into its inventory March 25, 2024, during a ceremony attended by leadership from the Kentucky Air National Guard, who were on hand to congratulate their State Partnership Program colleagues on the new capability... MORE

Members of the Ecuadorian Air Force salute during a ceremony welcoming the arrival of a C-130H Hercules to the Ecuadorian Air Force in Latacunga, Ecuador, March 25, 2024. The ceremony, which included top Ecuadorian military and civilian leaders, marked a new milestone in Ecuador’s participation in the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, which has paired Ecuador and the Kentucky National Guard for mutual military cooperation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

National Guard athletes finish strong at Lincoln Marathon
May 6, 2024 — Twenty-one of the National Guard’s best athletes from the All Guard Marathon Team, representing 17 states and territories, competed in the 47th annual Lincoln Marathon May 5. ... MORE

Puerto Rico National Guard runner Sgt. Angeles Virella crosses the finish line of the 47th annual Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon May 5, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Nebraska National Guard has a long history of supporting the Lincoln Marathon, which biennially serves as the time trials for the National Guard All Guard Marathon Team.

Kentucky, Tennessee emerge victorious at 2024 Region III Best Warrior
April 30, 2024 — Soldiers from Kentucky and Tennessee earned top honors in the 2024 Army National Guard Region III Best Warrior Competition in Greenville, April 14-19, 2024. Hosted by the Kentucky National Guard, the event put Soldiers from ten states and territories through a week of grueling challenges to see which Soldier and which NCO would finish with the most points. Spc. Noah Green, a combat engineer assigned to 890th Sapper Company, Tennessee Army National Guard, earned the top honor as Region III Soldier of the Year, while Sgt. Robert Buck, a horizontal construction engineer assigned to 130th Engineer Support Company, Kentucky Army National Guard, was named NCO of the Year... MORE

Nineteen competitors from 10 states and territories competed for the titles of Soldier and NCO of the Year for Region III.

Tri-state cadets compete at Fort Knox challenge
April 29, 2024 — Cadets from Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan gathered at Fort Knox recently to take part in the Tri-State Challenge hosted by the Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy. The students competed in a variety of events including basketball, softball, chess, and a spelling bee among other events... MORE

Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy cadets celebrate as their team wins a volleyball match Friday, April 26.

KYNG environmental teams up with businesses to enhance Soldier training sites
April 26, 2024 — In green initiative that blends military readiness with environmental stewardship, the Kentucky National Guard’s environmental team planted over 77,000 trees at its state training facility, Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, in Greenville, Kentucky on March 14, 2024... MORE

All the trees to be planted were purchased by Beam Suntory in efforts reclaim the old mind land and build something sustainable for the foreseeable future.

Kentucky Guardsman’s child picked to have Easter egg represented in DC
April 26, 2024 — One Kentucky National Guard family was invited to represent the Kentucky National Guard at the White House for a special tour and honorary showing of personal artwork during the White House Easter Egg Roll, April 1. This year's annual event, hosted by the First Lady and celebrating the theme of National Guard families, invited children in National Guard families to submit colored drawings of Easter eggs that would be recreated on actual eggs and displayed in the White House East Colonnade... MORE

Eli Willingham, son of Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Willingham, readiness Non-commissioned officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, poses with the egg he submitted to the White House for First Lady's Egg Roll design contest that was later picked to be displayed in the White House East Colonnade

Kentucky Air Guard helps stage Thunder Over Louisville
April 22, 2024 — Spectators lined the banks of the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky, and Southern Indiana on April 20, 2024, for the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show, made possible with support from the Kentucky Air National Guard... MORE

A C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing deploys flares as part of an aerial demonstration during the Thunder Over Louisville air show and fireworks display in Louisville, Ky., April 20, 2024. This year’s event drew hundreds of thousands of spectators to the banks of the Ohio River and featured more than two-dozen aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Final Formation for Departing Soldiers
April 22, 2024 — In a poignant display of respect and camaraderie, the Kentucky National Guard held its Final Formation ceremony Saturday at the Boone National Guard Center, bidding farewell to Soldiers of various ranks who are concluding their service. The Final Formation Program, overseen by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adriane Graf, Joint Forces Headquarters retirement and discharge officer, assists Soldiers with out-processing from the Kentucky National Guard whether the Soldier’s term of service is expiring (ETS) or the Soldier is retiring... MORE

Spc. Jochell Palacio, processing pay at Final Formation on April 20th, 2024 at the Kentucky National Guard Boone Center ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Kirk)

Aircraft arrive at Kentucky Air National Guard for Thunder air show
April 18, 2024 — Military aircraft began arriving at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, April 18, 2024, in preparation for the Thunder Over Louisville air show... MORE

Lt. Col. Jim Roy, a U.S. Air Force pilot with the 47th Fighter Wing, climbs out of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 18, 2024, after landing in preparation for this weekend’s Thunder Over Louisville air show. The aircraft is one of more than two-dozen military and civilian planes slated to appear at Thunder, including the Kentucky Air Guard’s C-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Kentucky Guardsmen, Ecuador's special forces unite in urban warfare exchange
April 10, 2024 — Kentucky infantry soldiers and Ecuadorian military special forces exchanged urban operations tactics in Latacunga, Ecuador, from March 18-22, 2024, enhancing interagency relations and military readiness through the Kentucky National Guard State Partnership Program... MORE

Ecuadorian Army Col. Gustavo Iturralde, commander of Ecuador's 9th Special Forces Brigade, talks with Kentucky Army National Guard in Latacunga, Ecuador, March 18, 2024.

Enduring state partnership strengthens leader development through exchange
April 10, 2024 — Members of the Ecuadorian military visited the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, February 24-28, 2024, for a leadership exchange focused on military officer development. This engagement, part of a long-term strategy to foster relationships and share tactical insights, underscored the commitment of both nations to continue building a strong partnership through shared experiences and learning, with a focus on officer development, cultural exchange, and overcoming operational challenges... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard officer candidates mix with Ecuadorian Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets for a group photo at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky, Feb. 24-28, 2024.

Kentucky Air Guard supports European allies with Silver Arrow
April 4, 2024 — Fifty-three members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing supported their European allies Oct. 25 to Nov. 17 as part of the Silver Arrow program, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany... MORE

Master Sgt. Jerome Noltemeyer of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing positions a cargo pallet for weighing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 16, 2023 in support of Silver Arrow. The program, administered by U.S. Air Forces in Europe, provides funding and mission requirements to build readiness and validate C-130 elements throughout the Force Generation deployment cycle. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Jennifer Nash)

Kentucky Air Guard assists with storm recovery
April 3, 2024 — Fourteen members of the Kentucky Air National Guard cleared roadways in Prospect, Kentucky, April 3, 2024, after tornados touched down across the region... MORE

Fourteen members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron and 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron clear roadways in Prospect, Ky., April 3, 2024, after multiple tornados touched down in the region. The Airmen removed multiple fallen trees that blocked access to about 100 homes. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Brandon Hall)

TAG, Leaders of 75th TC visit troops in Europe
March 22, 2024 — Kentucky Guard’s top leader visited the deployed Soldiers of the 2113th Transportation Company currently stationed in Poland and Romania Feb 23-28. ... MORE

Also with him during the visit were Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers, the state command sergeant major, Col. Jason Penn, commander of the 75th Troop Command and Command Sgt. Maj. Benzie Timberlake, command sergeant major of the 75th Troop Command.

Army Lt. Col. Todd Reed was honored during a retirement ceremony
March 7, 2024 — Army Lt. Col. Todd Reed was recognized for his distinguished military career during his retirement ceremony held at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, March 1, 2024. Reed served in the Army for 37 years, where he spent the past five years as the inspector general (IG) for the Kentucky National Guard... MORE

Army Lt. Col. Todd Reed was honored during a retirement ceremony at the Wellman Armory auditorium on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort March 1, 2024. He has served in the military for 37 years. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Benjamin Crane)

138th Field Artillery Brigade Incorporates Artificial Intelligence
February 29, 2024 — In the current landscape, the term Artificial Intelligence (AI) pervades virtually every facet of our daily lives. It is being used in autonomous driving vehicles, enhanced facial recognition software, and optimizing marketing and social media campaigns. The military is starting to see the advantages of machine learning on land, sea, air, space and cyber domains. The evolution of technology and the incorporation of non-conventional tactics on the battlefield require similar innovation and creativity... MORE

Maj. Tyler Brown, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jody Lyddane, Staff Sgt. Matthew Beverly, Staff Sgt. Earnest Cansler III, Staff Sgt. Zane Caudill pose for a team photo at the Combined Air & Space Operations Center, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Military children recognized at Kentucky General Assembly
February 29, 2024 — Approximately 80 children of Kentucky military service members were recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly for Kentucky Military Kids Day at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Kentucky on Feb. 27, 2024. Children of servicemembers from almost all branches were first introduced to the House Committee for Veterans, Military, and Public Protection (VMAPP). They also participated in demonstrations from the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, scavenger hunts in the Capitol, and ended with serving as a page to their senator or representative from their home counties in a legislative session... MORE

Approximately 80 children of Kentucky military service members were recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly for Kentucky Military Kids Day at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Kentucky on Feb. 27, 2024. Children of servicemembers from almost all branches were first introduced to the House Committee for Veterans, Military, and Public Protection (VMAPP). They also participated in demonstrations from the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, scavenger hunts in the Capitol, and ended with serving as a page to their senator or representative from their home counties in a legislative session. (Kentucky National Guard photos by Andy Dickson)

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