Kentucky Guard

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Category: Army Guard

A Kentucky Soldier’s story of resilience
August 25, 2022 — Due to the flooding that hit Thomassy's family’s home in July, she lost everything, forcing her and her husband and children to live in a camper that was provided by her grandfather and is sitting in her neighbor’s front yard. But despite all that, and even not having uniforms to wear since hers were washed away in the flood waters, she only took a week off before returning to work, showing her dedication and selfless service... MORE

Army Sgt. Kathleen Thomassy-Mills poses with her family. Their home was destroyed in the flooding in Eastern Kentucky July 28, 2022. (

Kentucky refueler keeps flood rescue mission going
August 17, 2022 — Kentucky Guardsman worked for 48 hours by himself during the height if the Eastern Kentucky flood response to keep all the helicopters fuels and in the air... MORE

Army Sgt. William ‘Cecil’ Harris, a fuel Supply specialist with Detachment 1, Carlie Co. 2-238th Aviation- ‘Wildcat DUSTOFF’ poses for photo in front of his HEMMTT fuel truck which is capable of holding 2,500 gallons of fuel, which he used to help fuel the flood response mission in Eastern Kentucky.

Kentucky Artillerymen step up, help battle buddy in need
August 15, 2022 — Three years ago, Spc. Akir Jackson was involved in an automobile accident in January 2019 and sustained a traumatic brain injury. Since the accident, he has been bound to a wheelchair and unable to walk. Recently, Jackson got a bigger motorized wheelchair but it was going to be too big to access his house and fellow Guardsmen stepped in to help... MORE

Several Kentucky National Guard Soldiers, as well as, a few civilians, donated their time to help build a needed ramp so Spc. Akir Jackson could access his home with his new electrical wheelchair.

Kentucky National Guardsman Graduates Naval War College
August 15, 2022 — Kizziar took the opportunity to attend the Advanced Strategist Program at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating on March 1, 2022. It is a 13-month course for U.S. Naval officers that focuses on advanced military strategy both on land and sea. Army and Air Force officers are given the opportunity to attend the course to provide cross-service interactions and training to strengthen the bonds between branches of the military in the multi-domain joint environment... MORE

Army Maj. Randall Kizziar graduated from the Advanced Strategist Program at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island on March 1, 2022.

Kentucky Soldier’s passion drives him to help flood victims
August 13, 2022 — One of those Soldiers that stepped into help was Spc. Andrew Melton with Delta Company, 1-149th Infantry. He was in charge of the POD for Breathitt County at the First Church of God in Hazard... MORE

He was in charge of the POD for Breathitt County and the surrounding areas during the flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Soldier perseveres to become a first in Kentucky National Guard
August 12, 2022 — Pfc. Tristian Hines, of Somerset, Ky., who will be joining the 1-149th Infantry, he was Ranger qualified before he even received his unit’s patch at First Formation July 21, 2022... MORE

Hines arrived at his unit Ranger and Airborne qualified thanks to the Ranger Training Leadership Initiative (RTLI) program, a program in which only National Guard Soldiers qualify for.

Soldier uses local ties to help bring community back from flooding
August 12, 2022 — For Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Dyal from 577th Engineer Company, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, he was eager to answer that call for help. He has been working at several point of distribution (POD) sites, making sure residents receive water and supplies. He has been wearing multiple hats while in charge of a very large POD at Letcher County Central High School in Whitesburg... MORE

The Soldiers are part of a point of distribution site at Letcher County Central High School.

Guarding from a Distance: One Kentucky Officer’s Non-Traditional Approach to serving the Commonwealth
August 10, 2022 — An in-depth look at one Kentucky Officer’s Non-Traditional Approach to serving the Kentucky National Guard... MORE

Career photos spanning the 20 plus careeer of of Col. Shaune Jones, Kentucky National Guard (Courtesy Footage)

Military Reserve Exchange Program National Guard & Reserve Growing Partnerships to Last a Lifetime
July 26, 2022 — The Military Reserve Exchange Program (MREP) was hosted at Camp Nymindegab, Denmark July 1-8, 2022 by the Danish Home Guard (DHG). Over 50 reservists and National Guard members from 18 different states and Puerto Rico, combined with around 90 military members from four countries including, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania took part in this joint, multinational program. The MREP, selects United States National Guard and Reserve members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The selected participants are part of a one-for-one exchange of personnel from a NATO allied country... MORE

Participants for MREP 2022 work together on team building exercises at Camp Nymindegab July 7, 2022. MREP is a program that houses almost 130 participants from 6 different nations, to increase interoperability, strengthen partnerships, and to enhance professional development between allies.

TAG Match
July 26, 2022 — The event brings together the state's top marksmen to participate as individuals as well as a team. All team members had to be from the same battalion or equivalent type unit... MORE

TAG match individual competition portion of the annual "TAG Match" on July 23rd, 2022 on Wendell H. Ford Training Center.

Guard Soldiers train with Unmanned Aerial System team
July 22, 2022 — The RQ-11B Raven is a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) that provides reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and force protection for the battalion commander and below during day and night operations. The Raven is roughly 4.2 pounds and has a wingspan of 4.5 feet. It can operate up to 10km away depending on battery and signal strength but can also be handed off while in the air to another operator at a distant end. The video feed comes back to the team on the ground and then can be streamed through a Global Broadcast System (GBS) for command staff to watch live... MORE

The training was conducted by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joe Alexander and Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Welch from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky.
and Staff Sgt. Gaylon Johnson, who is the only master trainer in the KYARNG.

Guardsmen aid in water shortage
July 5, 2022 — The Soldiers with the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company as well as the 206th Engineer Battalion, 201st Engineer Battalion, and 103rd Chemical Battalion have been working with Kentucky Emergency Management on efficient ways to source water from local rivers due to the recent low levels from Old Town Lake, which is the town’s water source... MORE

Soldiers from within the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade began transporting water from the Trade Water River to Old City Lake, near Marion. Army Palletized Load System (PLS) vehicles transported non-potable storage tanks daily with the goal of moving up to 80,000 gallons of water to the reservoir to minimize decreasing lake concerns. In addition, bottled water was also distributed at the Old Marion Armory to town residents.

Field Artillery Showcases firepower
June 30, 2022 — The 1/623rd utilized this requirement to showcase its capabilities to McCreary County’s Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps (JROTC) and demonstrated a joint training effort by certifying a crew from the 238th Regional Training Institute and hosting Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) from the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard. ... MORE

The 1/623rd utilized this requirement to showcase its capabilities to McCreary County’s Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps (JROTC) and demonstrated a joint training effort by certifying a crew from the 238th Regional Training Institute and hosting Joint Terminal Attack

KYARNG engineer company receives outstanding engineer award
June 27, 2022 — For the fifth straight year, a Kentucky Army National Guard engineer unit was named the best in the Guard... MORE

For the fifth straight year, a Kentucky Army National Guard engineer unit was named the best in the Guard.

Gold Star Families enjoy Riverboat ride
June 14, 2022 — Several hundred Gold Star Families were treated to fun, food and great views of the Ohio River as the Kentucky National Guard and Survivor Outreach Services hosted their annual Riverboat Ride on the Ohio with BB Riverboats June 12... MORE

Carl lost his father when he was 6 years old and Sonja lost her husband Mecolus McDaniel who died in Afghanistan in 2011.

Kentucky Army National Guard veteran awarded bronze star with valor
June 13, 2022 — A Kentucky Army National Guard veteran was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor in a ceremony at the Owensboro Armory in Owensboro, Ky. on June 10, 2022... MORE

Kentucky National Guard veteran Sgt. John Burlew speaks to friends and family that attend an awards ceremony at the Owensboro Armory in Owensboro, Ky. on June 10, 2022. Burlew was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for actions in Afghanistan in 2002 (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson).

Kentucky National Guard Soldier plays TAPS with childhood Bugle hero on Memorial Day 2022
June 2, 2022 — In 2010, Spc. Anthony Rayburn, 223rd Military Police Company, witnessed his first bugle call during a Boy Scout's event at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Steve Buttleman, the official bugler of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, played for the group of young men, where 10-year-old Rayburn vividly recalls telling his mother after, "When I grow up, I want to do that."... MORE

Spc. Anthony Rayburn, 223rd Military Police Company, and Steve Buttleman, the official bugler of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, play Taps on Memorial Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 30, 2022. Rayburn was inspired to learn the bugle after Buttleman played for the group of young Boy Scouts in 2010.

My Sapper School Experience
May 18, 2022 — Sapper Leader Course is the premier leadership school for the Engineer Regiment. The 28-day training is broken up into two, two-week phases. The first phase -- General Subjects focuses heavily on Engineering tasks from expedient demolitions, engagement area development, obstacle emplacement, obstacle breaching, along with mobility and counter-mobility operations. Additionally, there are physical fitness events, mountaineering, air operations, and land navigation blocks of instruction during this phase... MORE

A SAPPER Soldier is responsible for tasks such as building and repairing roads and bridges, laying and clearing mines.

Malawi Defense Force JAG visits Boone Center, Guard Staff Judge Advocates
May 17, 2022 — Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard's legal team hosted Brig. Gen. Dan Kuwali of the Malawi Defense Force, for a 2-day visit that included a tour of Kentucky's Capital building and presentations to Guardsmen Apr. 21-22... MORE

Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard's legal team hosted Brig. Gen. Dan Kuwali of the Malawi Defense Force, for a 2-day visit that included a tour of Kentucky's Capital building and presentations to Guardsmen Apr. 21-22.

Derby 148 back in full force and so was the Kentucky Guard
May 7, 2022 — Soldiers of the 223rd ensured that the return to the first 100% capacity Derby since the COVID-19 pandemic was safe and enjoyable for this year’s attendees... MORE

The Kentucky National Guard has been assisting local security and police every year for the past 116 years.

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