Kentucky Guard

Chief Malone retires after 35 years of service
April 30, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. David E. Malone, senior enlisted leader of the 123rd Maintenance Group, retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 4, 2023, ending a career spanning 35 years... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. David Malone, left, 123rd Maintenance Group senior enlisted advisor, receives the Meritorious Service Medal from Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman, 123rd Maintenance Group commander, during Malone’s retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 5, 2023. Malone is retiring after more than 35 years of service to the Kentucky Air National Guard and United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Keller takes command of support group; Imorde named wing vice commander
April 30, 2023 — Col. Shawn Keller assumed command of the 123rd Mission Support Group during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Jan. 21, 2023, replacing Col. George Imorde, who has been named vice commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing... MORE

Col. Shawn Keller, center, incoming commander of the 123rd Mission Support Group, stands at attention after accepting the group's guidon during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 21, 2023. Keller is replacing Col. George Imorde, who is taking on the role of vice commander for the 123rd Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky engineer platoon leader wins outstanding platoon leader award
April 28, 2023 — A Kentucky Army National Guard platoon leader was awarded the 2022 Lt. Orville Munson Award at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on April 28, 2023. 1st Lt. Jason Ball, a platoon leader with the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company, received the award from U.S. Army Col. Joseph C. Goetz, the commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer Regimental School. The Munson award is given annually to honor an engineer lieutenant or warrant officer platoon leader in the Active Army and Army National Guard in recognition of outstanding contributions to military engineering by demonstrated technical and leadership ability... MORE

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jason Bell poses with his wife, Dr. Michelle Baltam, after receiving the Lt. Orville Munson Award at the U.S. Army Engineer Regimental School at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri on April 28, 2023. The award is given annually to honor an engineer lietuenant or warrant officer platoon leader in the Active Army and Army National Guard in recognition of outstanding contributions to military engineering by demonstrated technical and leadership ability. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson)

Kentucky Air Guard flies in Thunder air show
April 24, 2023 — This year’s Thunder Over Louisville air show, held April 22 along the banks of the Ohio River, featured more than 20 military and civilian aircraft, including a C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard, which served as the base of operations for military planes flying in the show. Other highlights included the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy's F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Teams, historic warbirds, and parachute demonstrations by the U.S. Army Golden Knights and the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron... 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)

Kentucky National Guard Supports Thunder Over Louisville
April 24, 2023 — For the 34th year in a row, Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were called on to help ensure the success of the Bluegrass's largest one-day festival known as Thunder Over Louisville, April 22, 2023. The mission of the Kentucky National Guard was very clear: supplement Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) to provide additional security and traffic control and man the cannons on the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge... MORE

The 138th Field Artillery Brigade played a role in Thunder Over Louisville by firing their 105mm Howitzer cannons from the Clark Memorial Bridge in sync with the National Anthem. April 22, 2023. This was the 34th Thunder that has been held. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Georgia Napier.)

Aircraft arrive at Kentucky Air Guard Base for Thunder air show
April 20, 2023 — Military aircraft began arriving at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base April 19 in advance of the 2023 Thunder Over Louisville air show... MORE

An aircraft from the U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team arrives at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 19, 2023, in advance of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. The annual event, to be held along the banks of the Ohio River on April 22, will feature more than 20 military and civilian aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Weight Loss to Enlistment
April 18, 2023 — At 400 pounds, Aaron was severely obese, he knew that he needed to lose weight if he was going to be able to meet the Army's rigorous physical standards. Fortunately for Schichtl, he learned about the Army's new Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program, which was designed to help Soldiers like him improve their physical fitness and overall health... MORE

Pfc. Aaron Schichtl lost over 200 pounds with support from Kentucky Army National Guard's Holistic Health and Fitness team. He will attend basic training and advanced individual training at Ft. Leonard Wood.

202nd Army Band plays for Military Day at Keenleland
April 16, 2023 — In the middle of it all was the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd Army Band. The five Soldiers were on hand in the center of the walking ring near the entrance to the racetrack playing for the attendees when the gates opened before the races kicked off... MORE

The 202nd Army Band helped kick off the spring meet at Keeneland Racetrack as they opened their doors to all military members and their families to enjoy a day of fun, food and horse racing.

Celebrating Excellence: Kentucky Army National Guard's Officer Candidate School Graduates Emerge as Leaders
April 15, 2023 — The ceremony honored the Soldiers who successfully completed the 12-month training program and have now been commissioned as new officers in the Kentucky Army National Guard... MORE

The ceremony honored the Soldiers who successfully completed the 12-month training program and have now been commissioned as new officers in the Kentucky Army National Guard.

Kentucky Guard hosts career fair, connects with community
April 14, 2023 — Some of the vendors that were present were Amazon, Fed Ex, UPS and Atlas Air. There were also colleges from around the area that included Northern Kentucky University, Thomas Moore University and Gateway Community and Technical College... MORE

Over 50 vendors and colleges were present for the career fair at the Kentucky National Guard’s Readiness Center in Northern Kentucky Apr. 14, 2023. Soldiers and civilians were invited to talk to the many companies like Fed EX, Atlas Air, Amazon and CVG Airport Police about protentional job opportunities.

Kentucky Soldiers and Airmen awarded a new state ribbon for State Partnership Program
April 13, 2023 — Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were the first to receive a new joint state ribbon recognizing service with the State Partnership Program (SPP) in a ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky on April 13, 2023. As of the ceremony, 34 Soldiers and Airmen qualified for the new ribbon and those present were awarded their orders for record and the official ribbon. ... MORE

The Kentucky State Partnership Program (SPP) ribbon is the newest state ribbon to be awarded to Soldiers and Airmen of the Kentucky National Guard. The new ribbon was created to honor Soldiers and Airmen who enhance military-to-military relationships in subject matter expert engagement with one of Kentucky’s partner nations, Ecuador and Djibouti. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

Letters from Bataan: A Kentucky POW’s letters found after 75 years
April 13, 2023 — This month marks 81 years since the Bataan Death March in the Bataan Peninsula during World War II. Almost every member of the military can tell you the power of receiving mail during times of training; it’s hard to remember but many years ago, letter writing was the only form of communication while in basic training and overseas deployments for centuries before the days of cell phones and the internet. Finding the letters, as a historian, is also very vital to putting together the story of how our troops lived while at training. The author tends to write a detailed picture of their day-to-day life, how they spent their training, who was with them, and how they spent their off time... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard Sgt. Jennings Bryan Scanlon from the Service Record, World War I and II in an undated photo album. Scanlon mobilized to the Philippine Islands with the 192nd Tank Battalion shortly before World War II began in the Pacific and was captured as part of the Bataan Death March. Scanlon died shortly after in a POW Camp. (Photo courtesy of the Harrodsburg, Ky. veterans' community).

Kentucky National Guard conducts Senior Enlisted Leader Seminar with Ecuadorian Military
April 12, 2023 — This seminar was the first of its kind in the KYNG and Ecuadorian partnership's nearly 30-year trajectory, focused solely on sharing non-commissioned officer competencies, capabilities, and leadership responsibilities... MORE

During the seminar, the participants exchanged best-practices on topics involving non-commissioned officer competencies, capabilities and leadership responsibilities. (Submitted photos)

AXE founder, promoted to full-bird colonel
April 12, 2023 — Kentucky Army National Guard Lt. Col. Eddie Simpson was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at Wellman Armory in Frankfort, Ky., Apr. 12... MORE

Lt. Col. Eddie Simpson speaks to the crowd of family and friends during his promotion ceremony at the Wellman Armory in Frankfort Apr. 12, 2023

Kentucky Guardsman and ROTC Cadet Blake Embry sets powerlifting record, qualifies for USPA National Championships
April 11, 2023 — Army Cadet Blake Embry, a Kentucky Army National Guard Soldier and University of Kentucky ROTC Cadet, made history by setting the Mississippi bench-press record in February 2023. This feat was accomplished by lifting 343 pounds, which also earned him a victory in the HQ Fitness Show of Strength competition. As a result, he secured a spot in the United States Powerlifting Association National Championships in Las Vegas... MORE

Army Cadet Blake Embry, a Kentucky Army National Guard Soldier and University of Kentucky ROTC Cadet, made history by setting the Mississippi bench-press record in February 2023.

238th Regiment Change of Command
April 3, 2023 — U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Philip Robinson assumed command of the 238th Regiment from Col. L. Allen Joiner during a change-of-command ceremony held at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Greenville, Ky., March 31, 2023. Joiner will travel to Scott Airforce Base, Ill. as the FORSCOM Liaison Officer for the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). Joiner took command of the 238th Regiment in April 2021, but he has served as a member of the 238th Regiment for nine years... MORE

U.S. Army Col. L. Allen Joiner, outgoing commander of the 238th Regiment passes the regimental guidon to Brig. Gen Brian Wertzler, Kentucky National Guard deputy adjutant general, symbolizing the relinquishing of his command of the unit at the 238th Regiment’s Change of Command ceremony held at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Greenville, Ky., March 25, 2023. (U.S. Army National Guard by Lt. Col. Carla Raisler)

Kentucky's H2F conducts first ever Performance Course aimed at helping recruiters
March 28, 2023 — For two weeks in February 2023, the Kentucky Army National Guard Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) team conducted their first performance course at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort as part of a push to help Soldiers perform at their best... MORE

H2F holds Performance Course for KYARNG recruiters

LaMastus, Penne, Newby selected as top Airmen for 2022
March 25, 2023 — Senior Airman Elijah LaMastus, Master Sgt. Ryan Penne and Master Sgt. Jason Newby have been selected as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022... MORE

Senior Airman Elijah LaMastus has been selected as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airman of the Year for 2022. He will be honored during a banquet to be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center on March 25, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Thompson named KYANG First Sergeant of the Year
March 25, 2023 — Master Sgt. Joshua Thompson of the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has been selected as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 2022 First Sergeant of the Year... MORE

Master Sgt. Joshua Thompson of the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has been selected as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 2022 First Sergeant of the Year. Thompson amassed more than 500 hours as an instructor at Maintenance University, leading 325 service members through 12 days of training events and increasing the squadron’s overall aircraft proficiency. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Grugel oversaw STS growth, retires after 31 years
March 24, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Karl Grugel, senior enlisted leader of the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, concluded 31 years of distinguished military service during a retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base here Dec. 10, 2022... MORE

Retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Wilkinson, left, former assistant adjutant general for Air in the Kentucky National Guard, presents a Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal to Chief Master Sgt. Karl Grugel, senior enlisted leader for the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, during Grugel’s retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 10, 2022. Grugel served the Air Force and Air National Guard for 31 years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

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