Kentucky Guard > News - Category 123rd Airlift Wing

Kentucky Air Guard strengthens ties with NATO allies in Air Defender
June 24, 2023 — More than 130 Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard arrived in Germany in early June to participate in NATO’s largest-ever multinational air force redeployment exercise, Air Defender 23, joining with more than 10,000 personnel and hundreds of aircraft from 25 partner countries... MORE

Airmen from the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky National Guard, marshal a German aircraft tug towing a C-130J Super Hercules at Wunstorf Air Base, Wunstorf, Germany, June 12, 2023. Exercise Air Defender integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Richards retires, concluding 30 years of service
June 7, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Richards, senior enlisted leader of the 123rd Medical Group, retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base May 20, 2023, concluding a career spanning more than 30 years... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Richards, senior enlisted leader of the 123rd Medical Group, addresses an audience of friends, family and fellow Airmen during his retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., May 20, 2023. Richards is retiring after 30 years of service. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

123rd Contingency Response Group trains on sling loads with 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade
May 16, 2023 — Airmen assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Contingency Response Group trained on hot-refueling techniques and prepared cargo for a helicopter-borne sling load carry at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., March 23, 2023. The training, conducted jointly with the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, enhances the Air Guard unit’s ability to employ UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in domestic and wartime environments... MORE

Airmen assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Contingency Response Group train on hot-refueling techniques and prepare cargo for a helicopter-borne sling load carry at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., March 23, 2023. The training, conducted jointly with the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, enhances the Air Guard unit’s ability to employ UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in domestic and wartime environments. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

Andrews concludes 35 years of service to Guard, Reserves
May 16, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Scott Andrews retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base April 29, 2023, concluding a career that spanned 35 years of service in the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Andrews, right, material management chief enlisted manager for the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, receives the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal from Lt. Col. Leslie Brooks, 123rd LRS commander, during Andrews’ retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 29, 2023. Andrews is retiring after 35 years of military service. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Guard serves at Derby
May 8, 2023 — Soldiers from the 617th Military Police Company provided security for the Derby from outside the track, conducted traffic control and augmented the Louisville Metro Police Department. Inside the Downs, the Soldiers of the 617th kept a close eye on the Kentucky Derby trophy as it was transported throughout the building and eventually to the winner’s circle prior to the race... MORE

Sgt. Matt Broce, with the 617th Military Police Company, puts the Kentucky Derby Trophy back in the box after showing it in the winner’s circle prior to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., May 6, 2023. The trophy is six pounds of solid gold and is awarded to the first-place winner of the Derby.

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)

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)

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)

Congressional staff visit Kentucky National Guard
February 28, 2023 — Staff members from Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation spent the day at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 17, 2023, meeting Soldiers and Airmen, and learning about the robust mission capabilities of the Kentucky Guard... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Turner of the 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, briefs staff members from Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation about unit capabilities Feb. 17, 2023, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. The staffers were touring the base to learn more about the mission sets of the Kentucky National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky Guard Airmen supporting exercise in South Pacific
February 14, 2023 — A team of contingency response Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard arrived in the Northern Mariana Islands Feb. 12, 2023, to provide cargo handling and aircraft maintenance services for Cope North, a multinational exercise designed to enhance combat readiness in the South Pacific... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Monica Sealey, a loadmaster with the North Carolina Air National Guard’s 156th Airlift Squadron, directs the loading of a vehicle onto a C-17 Globemaster III at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 10, 2023. The vehicle is being transported to the Northern Mariana Islands for Cope North, a multinational exercise designed to enhance combat readiness in the South Pacific. Fourteen Kentucky Air Guardsmen from the 123rd Contingency Response Group are providing air base-opening and cargo-handling capabilities for Cope North. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Cooper draws 3-decade career to a close as commander of 123rd Medical Group
November 4, 2022 — Col. Michael A. Cooper concluded his military career with a retirement ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022, drawing a close to 30 years of distinguished service... MORE

Col. Michael A. Cooper, commander of the 123rd Medical Group, retires from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Cooper served for 30 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Kentucky Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Otto takes command of 123rd Medical Group
November 3, 2022 — Col. Hans F. Otto assumed command of the 123rd Medical Group during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022, replacing Col. Michael A. Cooper, who is retiring... MORE

Col. Hans F. Otto, right, accepts the guidon of the 123rd Medical Group from Col. Bruce Bancroft, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Otto is replacing Col. Michael A. Cooper, who has served as the group’s commander since 2014 and is retiring. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Fatality search and recovery mission helps bring closure to disaster
November 1, 2022 — Never before had Airman 1st Class Brandon Porter seen the kind of destruction left by a tornado after it ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, in December 2021, starting a fire that killed eight people... MORE

Airman 1st Class Brandon Porter, left, and Master Sgt. Kevin Woodard from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team inspect a generator used in recovery operations during training at the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 8, 2022. The FSRT, part of the 123rd Force Support Squadron, assisted local coroners during historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky this summer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Phil Speck)

Zollman assumes command of 123rd Maintenance Group
October 31, 2022 — Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman took charge of the 123rd Maintenance Group during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022... MORE

Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman, right, accepts the 123rd Maintenance Group guidon from Col. Bruce Bancroft, 123rd Airlift Wing commander, during the group's change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Zollman assumed command from Col. Ash Groves, who has been named director of staff at Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

Mounkes takes command of Kentucky Air Guard as new assistant adjutant general
September 13, 2022 — David J. Mounkes was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and officially took charge of the Kentucky Air National Guard during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 13, 2022, at the 123rd Airlift Wing... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, left, adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, administers the oath of office to Brig. Gen. David J. Mounkes, assistant adjutant general for Air, during a promotion and change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 13, 2022. Mounkes assumed command of the Kentucky Air Guard at the event, taking on the role of assistant adjutant general for Air from Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson, who is retiring. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Wilkinson concludes career as special tactics officer who rose to become top Air Guardsman
September 12, 2022 — Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson concluded his military career at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base Aug. 18, 2022, drawing an end to 28 years of service that saw him rise through the ranks to become the state’s top Air Guardsman... MORE

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson, center, outgoing assistant adjutant general for Air, renders his final salute to Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, left, adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, during Wilkinson’s retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 13, 2022, as Brig. Gen. David Mounkes, incoming assistant adjutant general for Air, looks on. A career special tactics officer, Wilkinson served the Air Force and Air National Guard for more than 28 years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Wing completes aircraft modernization with arrival of eighth C-130J Super Hercules
September 11, 2022 — The 123rd Airlift Wing welcomed its eighth C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 25, 2022, completing the unit’s transition from legacy C-130H transports... MORE

A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft arrives at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., from Lockheed-Martin Corp. In Marietta, Ga., Aug. 25, 2022. The plane is the eighth J-model to be delivered to the 123rd Airlift Wing since November, completing the unit’s transition from legacy-model C-130H transports. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

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