Kentucky Guard > News - Category Joint Force Headquarters

Kentucky surpasses expectations through ‘KEEP’, a non-traditional National Guard recruiting program
March 18, 2026 — In response to nationwide recruiting struggles, the Kentucky National Guard has implemented a successful new strategy. The Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program (KEEP) incentivizes its own Soldiers and Airmen—not professional recruiters—to find new enlistees. This approach has proven highly effective, bringing more than 600 new members into the Kentucky force since its inception in February 2023... MORE

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers, Kentucky's state command sergeant major, presents a check to Pfc. Iram Sosa during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Nov. 19, 2025. The presentation is part of the Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program, an initiative that pays Soldiers for enlistments that they refer to the Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)

Two Kentucky Guardsmen Reach World CrossFit Finals, Embody Army’s H2F Principles
September 30, 2025 — Two Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers, Col. Eddie Simpson and 1st Lt. Erik Thomas, competed in the 2025 World CrossFit Games Finals in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 21–24, showcasing peak fitness and championing the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness program to improve Soldier readiness and lethality... MORE

1st Lt. Erik Thomas competes during the 2025 CrossFit Games

Kentucky gains another colonel
August 28, 2025 — The Kentucky Army National Guard celebrated a significant career milestone for one of its senior leaders as Lt. Col. Derek Hart, intelligence officer for Joint Force Headquarters, was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at the Louisville Country Club, Aug. 20... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Derek Hart's daughter, Helen and wife, Emily(top corner), pin on his new rank to his uniform during his promotion ceremony at the Louisville Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 20, 2025

Kentucky National Guard Colonel Natalie Lewellen Promoted to Brigadier General
August 13, 2025 — U.S. Army Col. Natalie Lewellen, a former state judge advocate for the Kentucky National Guard, was promoted to brigadier general at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Virginia, on April 18, 2025. Her promotion recognized a career of dedicated service and leadership. Currently, Lewellen serves as the Deputy General Counsel – Army at the National Guard Bureau... MORE

From left to right, Brig. Gen. Joseph Baldwin, deputy director Army National Guard Col. Natalie Lewellen deputy general counsel Army National Guard and Maj. Gen. Bobby Christine, judge advocate general Army stand during the playing of the national anthem.

Best named top enlisted leader of Kentucky Air National Guard
June 29, 2025 — Chief Master Sgt. Steven Best officially assumed the post of state command chief for the Kentucky Air National Guard during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, April 13... MORE

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Steven Best, right, accepts the guidon for Joint Force Headquarters—Kentucky/Air from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, signifying Best’s assumption of the role of state command chief during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 13, 2025. Best replaces U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Tongate, who is retiring. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Guardsman Interprets Native Language, Cyber Skills
June 13, 2025 — Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Daniel Jarillo-Gutierrez and over 900 Soldiers, Sailors, Guardians and civilian experts participated in Cyber Shield 2025, a cybersecurity exercise held in Virginia from May 30 to June 13. They collaborated to share best practices and build a unified defense against cyber threats. Using his trilingual skills – English, Spanish, and cyber expertise – Jarillo-Gutierrez worked with Ecuadorian participants to strengthen Kentucky’s partnership with Ecuador by enhancing both nations’ cybersecurity capabilities during this exercise... MORE

Staff Sgt. Daniel Jarillo-Gutierrez, an information technology specialist assigned to Joint Force Headquarters with the Kentucky Army National Guard participates in exercise Cyber Shield 2025 with Ecuadorian state partners in Virginia Beach, Virginia, June 4, 2025.

A Faithful Servant: Former State Chaplain Prepares for Retirement After Decades of Service
May 29, 2025 — U.S. Army Chaplain (Col.) William Draper is set to retire from the Kentucky National Guard in June 2025 after more than four decades of dedicated service, leaving behind a legacy marked by compassion, commitment and spiritual leadership... MORE

U.S. Army Chaplain (Col.) William Draper sits in in his office at the Joint Force Headquarters building on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort April 21, 2025.

Kentucky National Guard leaders brief new civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army during Frankfort visit
May 20, 2025 — Kentucky National Guard leaders met with retired Col. Lance O’Bryan, newly appointed civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), on April 30 at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. The visit allowed Guard leadership to brief O’Bryan—who previously served as Fort Knox garrison commander—on the Guard’s mission, structure and state-federal partnerships. CASAs serve as key liaisons between the Army and civilian communities, offering insight on regional issues and strengthening public support... MORE

Kentucky Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), retired U.S. Army Col. Lance O’Bryan, listens to presentations from Kentucky National Guard directorates at Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, April 30, 2025. Kentucky National Guard senior leadership along with directorates met with O’Bryan to highlight the Kentucky National Guard and the organization’s capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Milt Spalding)

Kentucky Army National Guard command chief warrant officer changes hands
May 3, 2025 — Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jennifer Ritchie was appointed as the Kentucky Army National Guard command chief warrant officer during the ceremony, held previously by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rickey Skelton, at the State Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, Ky. on April 29, 2025... MORE

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jennifer Ritchie smiles as Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, Kentucky’s adjutant general, places the command chief warrant officer insignia on Ritchie's uniform at the command chief warrant officer change of responsibility at the State Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, Ky. on April 29, 2025. Ritchie was appointed as the Kentucky Army National Guard command chief warrant officer during the ceremony, held previously by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rickey Skelton. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

New Kentucky State Chaplain Promoted
February 18, 2025 — Chaplain Angela White was promoted to colonel; pinned by her husband, son and daughter, and officially recognized as the next State Chaplain by the Adjutant General during the ceremony... MORE

Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, Kentucky Adjutant General speaks about Chaplain (Col.) Angela White, Kentucky's new state chaplain, during her promotion ceremony at the Wellman Armory auditorium on Boone National Guard Center Jan. 26.

Jones Promoted to Colonel
October 7, 2024 — Kentucky Army National Guard's Kevin Jones was promoted to the rank of colonel in a ceremony held at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Oct. 7... MORE

Col. Kevin Jones is promoted by his daughters, Samantha and Sandra.

Chief Information Officer retires after 30 years
September 27, 2024 — Col. John B. Blackburn retired after more than 30 years of service during a ceremony held in his honor at the Wellman Auditorium on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Sept. 27, 2024... MORE

Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, Adjutant General-Kentucky, awards Col. John B. Blackburn, the Silver Order of Mercury during his retirement ceremony

Kentucky National Guard connects regions in natural disaster prep
August 28, 2024 — Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard’s communication/IT support section’s (G6) Mission Command shop mobilized to western Kentucky to conduct an emergency deployment readiness exercise, Aug. 12-16, 2024... MORE

Emergency management officials from across the state attended a road show event at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort on August 12. Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Communication/Information Technology Mission Command mobilized through parts of western Kentucky August 12-16 for a natural disaster response exercise alongside local emergency management officials. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Milt Spalding)

Kentucky National Guard hosts Ecuadorians for interagency operations exchange
August 23, 2024 — The Kentucky National Guard hosted Ecuadorian military and civilian officials for a subject matter expert exchange focusing on interagency operations and communications in a domestic operational environment Aug. 5-9... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carolyn Peabody, a member of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team, discusses the unit’s personal protective equipment with a group of Ecuadorian military and civilian emergency management officials during a tour of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 6, 2024. The Ecuadorians were visiting as part of the State Partnership Program to learn more about the Kentucky Guard’s emergency response capabilities and interagency cooperation across the state. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

New headquarters building promises enhanced capability for Kentucky Guard
August 16, 2024 — The Kentucky National Guard dedicated a state-of-the-art office building in Frankfort, Kentucky, Aug. 13, 2024, to serve as home to Joint Force Headquarters, marking a new era of increased operational capability, officials said... MORE

Officials cut the ceremonial ribbon to dedicate a new Kentucky National Guard Joint Force Headquarters building at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 13, 2024. The 63,000 square-foot, $15.9 million facility marks a new era of increased operational efficiency, with the top command elements of both the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard being located at the same site for the first time. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky National Guard Hosts Ecuadorian Military for Interagency Operations Exchange
August 10, 2024 — The Kentucky National Guard hosted a subject matter expert exchange with members of the Ecuadorian military, focusing on interagency operations and communications in a domestic operational environment. This engagement, scheduled from August 5-9, 2024, included various activities and site visits across central Kentucky, including the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, and the Lexington Fire Department... MORE

The KYNG hosted leaders from Ecuador during a subject matter expert exchange on the topic of collaboration between military and civilian agencies during disaster or civil response

Maj. Gen. Howay bids farewell as Brig. Gen. Simmering assumes command of Division East
July 31, 2024 — FORT KNOX, Ky. - First Army Division East bid farewell to Maj. Gen. Bryan M. Howay, the outgoing commander of Division East, and welcomed Brig. Gen. Michael J. Simmering, the incoming commander, in a change of command ceremony at Brooks Field on July 25... MORE

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)

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)

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.

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