Kentucky Guard > News - Category 138th Field Artillery Brigade

Kentucky welcomes its newest targeting officer
April 21, 2026 — Friends and family gathered to celebrate U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Elijah Johnson’s appointment to warrant officer during a ceremony in Lexington, Feb. 10, 2026. Johnson is Kentucky’s newest field artillery targeting technician, assigned to the 138th Operational Fires Command... MORE

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Elijah Johnson with his wife, Samijo, and daughter, Mallory after his appointment, Feb. 10, 2026, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Kentucky Guard medics sharpen lifesaving skills
March 24, 2026 — Kentucky Army National Guard medics from around the state sharpened their lifesaving skills during a two-week annual recertification course at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Feb. 21- March 6. The course brought together combat medics, combat paramedics and critical care flight paramedics–all military occupational specialty 68W–to refresh critical medical knowledge and ensure they remain fully qualified to provide care in combat environments... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard combat medics from the 201st Headquarters company conducts medical refresher training to ensure readiness for upcoming missions, at Wendell H. Ford regional training center, March 2, 2026.

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)

Avenger Triad ’25: Strengthening Protection and Fires Communication Capabilities for V Corps
October 29, 2025 — V Corps conducted a command post exercise from both its headquarters in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and its forward headquarters in Poznan, Poland... MORE

U.S. Army Kentucky National Guard Soldiers review Fire support plans from the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade in the “FIRES cell”, the tactical hub for precision lethality during Avenger Triad 25, Oct. 30, 2025, Camp Kosciuszko, Poland.

1-623d Field Artillery Awarded Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation
August 4, 2025 — The 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS) of the Kentucky Army National Guard was awarded the prestigious Kentucky Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation in April 2025 for exceptional service during its recent overseas deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Trevor Denner of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, coordinates a sling load delivery of rockets to a training area at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Soldiers awarded Army Sea Duty Ribbon
July 30, 2025 — Twenty-one Soldiers assigned to Kentucky's 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), were recently awarded the Army Sea Duty Ribbon (ASDR) for their support to a joint mission alongside the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet during the unit’s deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations during fiscal year 2024... MORE

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery Regiment, 138th Field Artillery Brigade bears the guidon in front of formation as their M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) display the Kentucky flag.

Kentucky National Guard Field Artillery gets back to the basics
July 11, 2025 — Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery got back to the basics, mastering artillery fundamentals and training for evolving threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) during their annual training, June 6-21, 2025... MORE

After setting the howitzers, the unit conducted a dry fire mission to ensure the weapons were functioning properly.

Kentucky Soldiers take part in Region III Best Warrior Competition
June 10, 2025 — Two Kentucky Army National Guardsmen represented the state in the Region III Best Warrior Competition (BWC) at the McCrady Training Center in Eastover, South Carolina, April 21-26... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Syrus Butts, a cannon crewmember with Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, participates in the shoot, move, communicate and survive events of the Best Warrior Competition (BWC), Region III phase, held at the Clinton House Range, Clinton, South Carolina, April 24, 2025.

138th Operational Fires Command completes first corps-level Command Post Exercise with US Army V Corps
May 29, 2025 — Soldiers from the Lexington, Kentucky-based 138th Operational Fires Command (OFC), Kentucky Army National Guard, recently participated in a corps-level Command Post Exercise (CPX) with U.S. Army V Corps, held in early May 2025 at both Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Camp Kosciusko in Poland. ... MORE

Soldiers from the 138th Operational Fires Command integrate with 41st Field Artillery Brigade and U.S. Army V Corps during Command Post Exercise hosted in both Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Camp Kosciusko, Poland, early May 2025.

National Guard answers the call as near-historic flooding isolates Nelson County community
May 9, 2025 — Heavy rainfall between April 2–6, 2025, caused near-historic flooding in Kentucky, with Boston, Ky., in Nelson County among the hardest-hit areas. Soldiers from the Kentucky National Guard’s Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Brigade, joined local firefighters and Georgia Task Force 6 to rescue 32 people and dozens of pets. The Guard later delivered critical supplies to the isolated town. Residents praised the support and unity shown during the disaster, while Guard members emphasized their commitment to serving communities in crisis... MORE

Spc. Nathan Ashworth unloads supplies to help the residents of Boston, Ky., Apr. 7, 2025. Soldiers with Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Brigade based in Bardstown, work with local officials to aid Nelson Countians stranded because of flood waters. The catastrophic flooding is the result of several days of heavy rainfall across the commonwealth. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Milt Spalding)

Kentucky Guard holds first leadership conference of its kind
February 21, 2025 — More than 400 Kentucky Army National Guard staff sergeants and promotable sergeants gathered at Kentucky State University for a two-day leader development event Feb. 8-9... MORE

Brig. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general for Kentucky spoke to the audience of staff sergeants during the two-day leader development program event held at Kentucky State University in Frankfort Feb. 8-9, 2025.

Ky. Army National Guard artillery aligning with active-duty corps
February 6, 2025 — The 138th Field Artillery Brigade will redesignate as the 138th Operational Fires Command in support of the U.S. Army V Corps, located at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The OFC will be the first unit of its kind in a pilot aimed to solve challenges faced while applying lethal and non-lethal fires in large scale combat operations... MORE

Soldiers in the 138th Field Artillery Brigade supported Operation Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve under the directive of CENTCOM.

Guardsmen recognized at Kentucky State of the Commonwealth
January 17, 2025 — Two of our Army Guard Soldiers were honored by Gov. Andy Beshear during last night’s State of the Commonwealth address in the House Chambers at our state capitol. Sgt. Grayson Johnson and Spc. William Price each received the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge as a result of drone attacks at Tower 22 in Jordan last year. The Soldiers received a standing ovation from the governor, members of the Kentucky House and Senate and the Kentucky Supreme Court as well as guests and visitors... MORE

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recognizes two veterans, Sgt. Grayson Johnson and Spc. William Price, at the State of the Commonwealth in the Kentucky House Chambers in Frankfort, Kentucky on Jan. 8, 2025.

Kentucky National Guard supports Bardstown Christmas Parade, strengthens community bonds
December 23, 2024 — Soldiers from Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Brigade, supported the 2024 Bardstown Christmas Parade Dec. 5, 2024, by providing a color guard and assisting local police. The event featured over 100 entries, including the Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy cadets and Ethan, the canine star of the upcoming film Ethan Almighty, as the grand marshal... MORE

Kentucky National Guard Soldiers with Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Brigade took part in the 2024 Bardstown Christmas Parade, Dec. 5, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)

Thunder support, change of command and responsibility
June 25, 2024 — The 103rd BSB says farewell to one command team and welcomes another during a dual-ceremony at Campbellsville University Harrodsburg Athletic Center in Harrodsburg, June 14, 2024... MORE

Lt. Col. Dayna Sanders assumed command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Esther Platt.

Kentucky guardsmen support 250th anniversary parade
June 15, 2024 — The Kentucky National Guard 103rd Brigade Support Battalion out of Harrodsburg, proudly supported the 250th anniversary of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, by providing 71 Soldiers, four vehicles, color guard, and marching during the parade throughout downtown on June 8, 2024. ... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers with the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Brigade, prepare to post the colors for the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Harrodsburg at the Old Fort Harrod State Park in Harrodsburg, Kentucky on June 8, 2024. The 103rd BSB supported the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Harrodsburg by participating in posting the colors, marching in the parade, and providing a static display of military vehicles. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson)

Civilian employers get inside perspective to Guardsmen training
June 13, 2024 — Employers of Soldiers from the Bravo Battery, 2/138th Field Artillery Battalion flew from Boone National Guard Center to Fort Knox on a Blackhawk to observe their annual training on June 13, 2024... MORE

he employers and ESGR met at Boone National Guard Center to talk about what their service members do when they are called up to service.

Kentucky National Guard remembers recently fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day
May 29, 2024 — For the U.S. Armed Forces, Memorial Day transcends picnics and pool days. It is a solemn day of remembrance for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation’s freedom. For the Kentucky National Guard, it is important to remember those who have sacrificed while preparing for duty stateside and overseas. ... MORE

The Army and Air Kentucky National Guard performed the presentation of colors at the Memorial Day ceremony held at Boone National Guard Center on May 27, 2024. The ceremony was followed by the playing of the National Anthem.

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.

Departure Ceremony for Kentucky Guardsmen deploying to Southwest Asia
August 14, 2023 — Friends, family, and the community gathered to bid farewell to more than 100 Kentucky National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 138th Field Artillery Brigade, “Kentucky Thunder,” at the Clive M. Beck Center on the Transylvania University campus Aug. 13... MORE

Col. Steve Mattingly speaks to Soldiers with the 138th Field Artillery Brigade during a departure ceremony in Lexington, Ky., Aug. 13, 2023. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st. Sgt. Scott Raymond)

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