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Kentucky Guard celebrates 233rd birthday
July 17, 2025 — Soldiers, Airmen and community leaders gathered to celebrate the 233rd birthday of the Kentucky National Guard during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center, June 24, 2025. The birthday celebration was held in conjunction with the dedication of the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Highway, and special recognition of the Kentucky National Guard Marathon Team... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton and Pfc. Alexander Stark cut the cake together at the celebration of the 233rd birthday of the Kentucky National Guard in Frankfort, June 24, 2025.

Honoring Commitment on Sacred Ground
July 14, 2025 — Twenty-three Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers reaffirmed their commitment to serve the Commonwealth during a memorable reenlistment ceremony held on the court of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program July 14., 2025... MORE

The twenty three Soldiers were there to have a reenlistment ceremony on the practice floor.

Kentucky National Guard Helps Fight Wildfire of Historic Kosovo Monastery
July 14, 2025 — Kentucky National Guard’s Task Force Aviation helped fight a wildfire July 8 that was threatening the Dević Monastery, a centuries-old Serbian Orthodox religious site in the Drenica Valley... MORE

Task Force Aviation of Kentucky National Guard, assigned to the 256th IBCT and KFOR RC-E drops water over a wildfire threatening the Devic Monastery in Kosovo, July 8, 2025. Crews worked 19 hours to suppress the fire using helcopter water buckets.

Sign unveiled for Kentucky National Guard Memorial Highway
July 11, 2025 — A portion of U.S. Highway 127 in Frankfort has been officially designated the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Highway. The dedication coincided with the 233rd anniversary of the founding of the Kentucky militia. The designation was approved by the Kentucky General Assembly through a joint resolution earlier this year. The mile-long stretch between Louisville Road and Devil’s Hollow Road was renamed during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center, where new signage was unveiled, June 24, 2025... MORE

A portion of US Route 127 in Franklin County—known as the West Frankfort Connector, from the intersection with US 60 (Louisville Rd) to KY Route 1005 (Devil’s Hollow Rd)—has officially been designated the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Highway, in recognition of the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our Commonwealth and nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Benjamin Crane)

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.

1-149th Infantry “Mountain Warriors” participate in Exportable Combat Training Center exercise
July 10, 2025 — Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry conducted annual training to sustain mission-essential task proficiency at the Exportable Combat Training Center in Fort Pickett, Va., June 19, 2025... MORE

Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, practice assault tactics using blank fire ammunition on a training range as a part of the Exportable Combat Training Center (XCTC) exercise at Fort Pickett, Virginia, June 19, 2025.

Kentucky National Guard Honors Five Spiritual Leaders for Lifelong Service
June 26, 2025 — The Kentucky National Guard paid tribute to its spiritual leaders during a ceremony held at the Wellman Armory auditorium June 25, celebrating decades of service, compassion, and commitment... MORE

The ceremony also included Lamberton awarding four former state chaplains with the Order of Martin of Tours medallion for their many years of faithful service.

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.

Calm in the Chaos: Flight Medic Training Turns Real
June 5, 2025 — Soldiers of the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and its assigned units reacted to a real-world emergency that occurred during a medical evacuation training exercise on May 14, 2025... MORE

Staff Sgt. Ashley Renye performs during a culminating training event to medically evacuate Soldiers at Fort Cavazos, Texas, May 14, 2025.

Andersen promoted to colonel in Lexington ceremony
May 30, 2025 — U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert (Robbie) Andersen, commander of the 138th Operational Fires Command, was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at the Lexington Armory, surrounded by family, friends and fellow Soldiers, May 30, 2025... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Robert Andersen is pinned with his new rank by his children during his promotion ceremony at the Lexington Armory, May 30, 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.

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.

Twenty-two names added to Kentucky National Guard Memorial
May 28, 2025 — More than 100 people gathered for the Kentucky National Guard's Memorial Day observance held at Boone National Guard Center on May 26, 2025. Twenty-two names of fallen Kentucky Guard Soldiers and Airmen were added to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial in recognition and remembrance of their service... MORE

Kennedi Trowell, niece of U.S. Air Force Maj. Latonia Trowell, makes an etching of her aunt’s name after the Memorial Day remembrance ceremony that was held at the Kentucky National Guard Memorial at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, May 26, 2025.

1792nd CSSB uses field exercise to strengthen leaders at every level
May 28, 2025 — Soldiers assigned to the 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion executed multiple events during annual training to empower new and future leaders. The multi-week training exercise held May 12-28 at Camp Atterbury focused on developing the technical and leadership skills needed to defend against modern threats... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conduct chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, May 21, 2025.

Soldiers push mental, physical toughness in Norwegian Foot March
May 22, 2025 — More than 200 National Guard Soldiers, along with several ROTC cadets from the University of Kentucky, took on the Norwegian Foot March during a recent event hosted by the 206th Engineer Battalion, with 90 of them successfully completing the rigorous 18.6-mile course at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center May 12, 2025... MORE

2nd Lt. Darian Huff with the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company, Kentucky Army National Guard, completes the Norwegian Foot March at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., May 12, 2025.

Kentucky Recruiting Battalion Gets New Commander
May 21, 2025 — Lt. Col. Jason W. Mendez relinquished command of Kentucky's Recruiting and Retention Battalion to Lt. Col. Stephen T. Strack during a change of command ceremony at the Wellman Armory on Boone National Guard Center, May 20, 2025... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Stephen Strack, incoming battalion commander, holds the unit guidon after it was passed to him signifying the exchange of command during the Recruiting and Retention Battalion’s change of command ceremony at Wellman Armory on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort May 20, 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 Lakota Pilots Land at UK Hospital
May 15, 2025 — Soldiers with the Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation Regiment, 751st Troop Command, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard conducted a training flight to the rooftop of University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Ky. on May 5, 2025. This flight was part of emergency management contingency training intended to positively affect patient outcomes during austere casualty evacuation operations... MORE

Maj. Curtis Lowe, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Ashbrook, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Ferguson with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation Regiment, 751st Troop Command, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard conducted a training flight to the rooftop of University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Ky. on May 5, 2025.

Kentucky National Guard claims first team title at all-Guard marathon time trials
May 9, 2025 — The Kentucky National Guard Marathon Team claimed their first championship title at the All-Guard Marathon Time Trials, held in conjunction with the 48th annual Lincoln Marathon, May 4, 2025. More than 180 National Guard runners from 47 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia competed in the prestigious event, vying for a coveted spot on the elite All-Guard Marathon Team... MORE

Members of the Kentucky National Guard Marathon Team won their first championship at the All-Guard Marathon Time Trials in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 4, 2025.

Ronnie Barnes promotes to brigadier general
April 21, 2025 — Friends, family, and fellow Soldiers packed the Wellman Armory auditorium to honor newly promoted U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ronnie Barnes’ April 17, 2025. He has served in the Kentucky National Guard for more than 30 years and has shown strong leadership and commitment to the Commonwealth... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Ronnie Barnes, flanked by his wife Sabrina (right), and daughter Makenzie, was promoted to brigadier general.

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