Kentucky Guard

Kentucky Air Guard partners to stage Thunder air show
February 29, 2024 — The Kentucky Air National Guard is once again serving as a key partner in the city’s annual Thunder Over Louisville air show, officials announced Feb. 28, 2024... MORE

A C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing performs an aerial demonstration along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 22, 2023, as part of the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, from the latest-generation fighter jets to historic warbirds. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Retired Guardsman donates missing KY National Guard magazines
February 16, 2024 — In January 2024, a retired public affairs officer donated forgotten pieces of Kentucky’s military history to the Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office in Frankfort. Retired Army Col. Tom Little was preparing his belongings for a move into a new home when he came across his old military documents. Among those documents were copies of previously published issues of The Kentucky Guardsmen and The Bluegrass Guard. These printed newsletters were under his responsibility when he served as the commander of the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) during the 1970s and 1980s... MORE

Retired Army Col. Tom Little looks through old issues of the Kentucky Guardsman at a local restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky on Jan. 17, 2024. Little, former commander of the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs detachment, donated almost 40 issues from his personal collection to the Kentucky National Guard to help preserve it's history. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

Kentucky Guard hosts Ecuadorian military for leader engagement
February 13, 2024 — Eight senior ranking officials representing Ecuador’s Army, Navy and Air Force got to hear and see what the Kentucky National Guard was about and build bonds between the two countries that are beneficial to both countries... MORE

During the four-day visit, the Ecuadorians visited multiple locations in Frankfort, they participated in capability briefings by the Kentucky Army National Guard and Kentucky Emergency Management, toured the capitol, and had a highlight visit with Governor Andy Beshear.

Groves awarded Legion of Merit for expert leadership of maintenance group
February 9, 2024 — Col. Ash Groves was awarded the Legion of Merit during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. 10, 2024, recognizing his superior performance as commander of an aircraft maintenance unit... MORE

Col. Ash Groves, left, director of Air Staff at Joint Force Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, receives the Legion of Merit from Brig. Gen. David Mounkes, the Kentucky National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Air, during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 10, 2024. Groves earned the honor for superior performance as commander of the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Maintenance Group from Dec. 1, 2018 to Aug.1, 2022. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Ecuadorian military leaders visit Kentucky Air Guard
February 2, 2024 — Key leaders from the Ecuadorian military met with Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard on Jan. 31, 2024, to tour the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., and learn more about the wing’s missions. They also spoke with unit members about their roles in supporting U.S. military operations around the world while also serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky during times of crisis or natural disaster... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elija Lamastus, right, a medic assigned the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group Detachment 1, demonstrates the use of a combat application tourniquet to Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Vela Erazo is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Hall, Motamedi, Wilding selected as Kentucky Air Guard’s Airmen of the Year
January 31, 2024 — Senior Airman Ethan Hall, Staff. Sgt. Yuri Motamedi and Master Sgt. Charles Wilding will be honored as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 2023 Airmen of the Year during the Airman’s Gala to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 10, 2024... MORE

Senior Airman Ethan Hall is the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 2023 Airman of the Year. He will be honored Feb. 10, 2024, during the Airman’s Gala, to be held at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Foote selected as KYANG’s First Sergeant of the Year
January 31, 2024 — Master Sgt. Megan Foote of the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron has been selected as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 2023 First Sergeant of the Year... MORE

Master Sgt. Megan Foote of the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron is the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 2023 First Sergeant of the Year. She will be honored Feb. 10, 2024, during the Airman’s Gala, to be held at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Kentucky contingency response Airmen train with Puerto Rico security forces to enhance multi-capable mindset
January 30, 2024 — Security forces Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group completed air base ground defense training with Airmen from the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Security Operations Squadron Sept. 16-23, 2023... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyrone Alexander, a security forces journeyman with the 123rd Contingency Response Group, Kentucky Air National Guard, aims his weapon during air base ground defense training at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, Sept. 21, 2023. During the training, Airmen reinforced air base ground defense skills utilized during contingency response operations in contested environments by practicing radio communications, warning and operation orders, vehicle searches, vehicle take-downs, close-quarter battle, and small team tactics. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Rafael D. Rosa)

Number one specialty branch recruiter named by NGB promoted to CW4
January 24, 2024 — This promotion ceremony highlighted Collins and his career accomplishments. He was recognized as the number one specialty branch recruiter by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) across all 54 states and territories... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer Four Timothy Collins' children pin on his ranks during his promotion ceremony at the Wellman Auditorium on the Boone Center in Frankfort, Kentucky Jan. 22, 2024

75th Troop Command Unit Hosts Maintenance Terrain Walk
January 22, 2024 — The MTW is a leader development program for battalion commanders. Its purpose is to assure a high level of awareness and command interest in field maintenance by ensuring senior commanders understand how their maintenance program operates... MORE

The MTW is a leader development program for battalion commanders. Its purpose is to assure a high level of awareness and command interest in field maintenance by ensuring senior commanders understand how their maintenance program operates.

Kentucky Soldiers set to deploy for Spartan Shield
January 13, 2024 — The families of the nearly 20 Soldiers filled the high school auditorium as they prepared to say goodbye to their loved one for the next 365 days... MORE

The 1/299th will be deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Spartan Sheild.

Bridging Two Worlds: Kentucky ESGR hosts civic leaders to improve lives of citizen-Soldiers
January 10, 2024 — Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, Kentucky's adjutant general, and retired Brig. Gen. Mike Richie, the Kentucky ESGR committee’s state chairman, addressed business and civic leaders during the 2023 Leadership KY Conference hosted in Frankfort, Dec. 14, 2023. Their dual purpose was to highlight the Kentucky National Guard's roles and importance of supporting troops... MORE

Kentucky National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton speaks with local business owners at the Wellman Auditorium on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky on Dec. 14, 2023.

Legion Brigade welcomes first female commander
January 5, 2024 — Command of the largest brigade in the Kentucky National Guard changed hands during a ceremony at the armory in Richmond, Dec. 2, 2023. During the event, Army Col. J.B. Richmond handed the reins of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade over to Col. Brandye Williams... MORE

Col. J.B. Richmond relinquished command of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to incoming Commander, Col. Brandye Williams during a ceremony held on December 2, 2023 at the Richmond, Ky. armory. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Joy Himmelsbach)

Kentucky’s Adoption Assistance Program expands growing Guard family
January 4, 2024 — The Military Family Assistance Trust (MFAST) Funds enables Guardsmen like Army Master Sgt. Michael Meredith, the senior human resources noncommissioned officer for the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, to overcome challenges faced when adopting a new member into their family... MORE

Kentucky Guard honors late pilot held prisoner during World War II
December 22, 2023 — There can be little doubt that the spirit of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen is alive and well today, nearly 11 years after the former World War II bomber pilot passed away at the age of 92. On Nov. 13, the adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard presented his family with a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal here, during a ceremony held in Owen’s long-time family home. Owen, who retired from military service in 1972 after more than 24 years with the Kentucky Air National Guard, spent 21 months as a prisoner of the German military during World War II. He was not awarded a POW Medal at the time because the honor did not exist until 1985... MORE

A ceremony to present a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal to the family of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen was held at this historic home in Cynthiana, Ky., Nov. 13, 2023. The structure, erected in 1858 and now operated as a bed and breakfast, was Owen’s home until his death in 2013. Owen, who served in the Kentucky Air National Guard for more than 24 years, rising to become assistant adjutant general for Air, was piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress over Hamburg, Germany, on July 25, 1943, when the aircraft was shot down, and he remained a POW for the duration of World War II. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky Guard Recruiters awarded for hard work
December 19, 2023 — Soldiers with the Recruiting and Retention Battalion awarded their top mission making Soldiers during an award ceremony held at the Galt House hotel Dec. 16... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Heather York, this year’s Directors 54/Recruiter of the Year received her Meritorious Service Medal during the Mission Maker award ceremony held at the Galt House hotel Dec. 16, 2023. As Kentucky’s selection for Directors 54, she went on to compete in the regional competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)

Air Guard Civil Engineer team takes second place in Air Force competition
December 18, 2023 — Two civil engineers from the Kentucky Air National Guard helped their team earn second place in the Air Force Civil Engineer Readiness Challenge, held April 24-28, 2023, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida... MORE

A team of Airmen representing the Air National Guard took second place in the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Readiness Challenge held April 24-28, 2023, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. One component of the team, a group of Airmen specializing in water and fuel systems maintenance, included two members from the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron: Staff Sgt. Tristen Baxter, far left, and Staff Sgt. Cathy Chasteen, second from left. (U.S. Air Force photo by Francois Wood)

Kentucky aviators take part in simulated post-nuclear response exercise
December 14, 2023 — The Kentucky Guard worked with federal, state, and local agencies while simulating post-nuclear forensics missions across Northern Kentucky and exploring emergency response tactics... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is loaded with radiological detection equipment during Prominent Hunt 24-1 interagency exercise in Frankfort, Kentucky, Oct. 8, 2023.

Drerup recognized by Supreme Allied Commander Europe for leadership
December 8, 2023 — Capt. Sarah Drerup of the Kentucky Army National Guard was honored in a ceremony for her achievements during her 2022 deployment in Kosovo. Recognized for her leadership and positive impact, Drerup’s efforts were recognized by U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and contributed significantly to the success of her unit and the Kosovo mission... MORE

Capt. Sarah Drerup receives the Supreme Allied Commander Europe's Recognition Award

Kentucky Guardsman completes Ranger school on first go 
December 6, 2023 — Army National Guardsman, 2nd Lt. Dustin McKie-Miller aced every challenge on his first attempt at Ranger School and finished the course in 62 days, the shortest time possible for training, crediting both luck and skill.  ... MORE

McKie-Miller aced every challenge of the Ranger training on his first attempt and finished the course in 62 days, the shortest time possible for training, crediting both luck and skill.

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