Kentucky Guard

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)

Kentucky National Guard supports 35th Thunder Over Louisville
April 20, 2024 — Kentucky National Guard Supports 35th Thunder Over Louisville event in Louisville, Kentucky, April 20, 2024... MORE

Soldiers of the 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, perform a helocast demonstration as part of the Thunder Over Louisville’s Air Show in Louisville, Kentucky, April 20, 2024.

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)

Four Kentucky Guard Airmen honored at NGAKY Conference
February 29, 2024 — Four Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard were honored for outstanding achievement during the National Guard Association of Kentucky’s annual conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Feb. 3, 2024... MORE

2nd Lt. Audrey Parios, right, of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Maintenance Group, receives the National Guard Association of Kentucky’s Service Award from Col. George Imorde, association president, during the organization’s annual conference in Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 3, 2024. During the Kentucky National Guard’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parios worked seamlessly with military and civilian counterparts to provide more than 53,000 hours of non-clinical services, freeing medical providers to execute crucial patient care. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Michael Reinersman)

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)

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