Kentucky Guard > News

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...

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...

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...

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...

38th Division Artillery hosts Family Day at Fort Knox
June 16, 2026 — Soldiers with the Kentucky Army National Guard's 38th Division Artillery hosted a Family Day at Fort Knox, Kentucky, June 13, 2026. The event provided Families the opportunity to tour military equipment, meet unit leaders, and experience military life firsthand during annual training. Leaders emphasized the event reinforced the important role Families play in maintaining Soldier morale, readiness, and mission success...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Engineers strengthen readiness and adaptability through multiple projects
June 1, 2026 — Soldiers of the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 207th Engineer Company, 201st Engineer Battalion, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, completed several engineering projects across the commonwealth from May 17-20, demonstrating the professionalism, technical skill and teamwork of the unit’s horizontal and vertical engineers...

Engineer battalion bids farewell to family and friends
May 31, 2026 — Nearly 150 Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers gathered for a departure ceremony at the Boyd County Community Center in Catlettsburg, Ky., May 30, 2026, and will be deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield...

623rd Field Artillery enhances lethality during annual training at Fort Irwin
May 21, 2026 — Under the desert sun of Fort Irwin, Calif., Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, endure intense annual training designed to sharpen their combat readiness, April 8-15, 2026. Through demanding live-fire exercises using the M142 HIMARS, Soldiers learned to operate with greater speed, precision and coordination under realistic battlefield conditions...

Kentucky Army National Guard Soldier promoted to master sergeant
May 20, 2026 — U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James Troxell of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, was promoted to the rank of master sergeant during a ceremony, April 14, 2026...

Kentucky general retires after nearly four decades of service
May 19, 2026 — U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bryan M. Howay was honored during a retirement ceremony at Boone National Guard Center May 16, 2026, recognizing his 38 years of dedicated service to the Kentucky National Guard and the United States Army. Throughout his distinguished career, Howay served in numerous leadership roles, deployed overseas multiple times, and became one of the few Guardsmen to command an active-duty division. Leaders praised his lasting impact on Soldiers, his balanced leadership style, and his commitment to both state and federal missions. During the ceremony, Howay reflected on the importance of the people who supported him throughout his career and thanked his family, fellow Soldiers, and mentors for their unwavering support...

Artifacts from 617th Military Police Company time capsule discovered at Fort McCoy now on display at Fort McCoy History Center
May 12, 2026 — Historic artifacts discovered in a hidden time capsule inside a Fort McCoy barracks building are now on public display at the Fort McCoy History Center following a new exhibit completed in April 2026 by the Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office. The exhibit features items that were hidden by Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard’s 617th Military Police Company in 2004 before the unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The collection was unexpectedly discovered nearly two decades later during renovation work in a World War II-era barracks building at Fort McCoy...

New plaque recognizes latest retirees at Kentucky Air Guard
May 8, 2026 — Fifty-three retired members of the Kentucky Air National Guard were honored in Louisville April 18 when a plaque bearing their names was unveiled in front of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Lt. Gen. John B. Conaway Headquarters Building...

News Search

Narrow Search

Expand Articles by Year and Month

Kentucky National Guard Links