Kentucky Guard

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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.

Kentucky Air National Guard recognizes 2024 retirees
May 27, 2025 — Forty retired members of the Kentucky Air National Guard were honored by the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Kentucky, April 12 when a plaque bearing their names was unveiled in front of the Lt. Gen. John B. Conaway Headquarters Building... MORE

Current and former members of the 123rd Airlift Wing gather at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 12, 2025, for a ceremony unveiling a new marble tablet honoring retirees.

Exercise Grindstone tests Kentucky Air Guard’s response to a major earthquake
May 24, 2025 — The Kentucky Air National Guard staged a major earthquake-response exercise in Paducah, Kentucky, May 13-15, deploying more than 30 Airmen and three aircraft to establish a regional cargo hub, process relief supplies, provide fuel for helicopter operations and manage aeromedical evacuations at two airports... MORE

An airman from the 123rd Contingency Response Group marshals a C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard down a taxiway at Murray-Calloway County Airport in Murray, Ky., May 14, 2025, as part of Exercise Grindstone, a major earthquake-response simulation.

Kentucky National Guard band supports local historical society’s 200th bicentennial event
May 23, 2025 — Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd Army Band supported the 200th anniversary of the French officer Marquis de Lafayette’s visit of Frankfort which was coordinated by the Kentucky Historical Society at the Old State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., May 17, 2025... MORE

Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd Army Band performs a concert at the Kentucky Historical Society’s (KHS) 200th anniversary event at the Old State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. on May 17, 2025. The band supported the 200th anniversary of the French officer Marquis de Lafayette’s visit of Frankfort which was coordinated by the KHS. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson)

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.

Simpson, Thomas Qualify for 2025 CrossFit Games, Championing Army's H2F Program
May 21, 2025 — Col. Eddie Simpson and 1st Lt. Erik Thomas, both members of the Kentucky Army National Guard, qualified for the 2025 CrossFit Games. Competing in August in Columbus, Ohio, they credit their success to years of dedication and the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Eddie Simpson (left) and 1st Lt. Erik Thomas pose for a post-workout photo at CrossFit Frankfort in Frankfort, Kentucky, May 15, 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 Guard partners with Morehead State
May 19, 2025 — Leaders from Morehead State University and the Kentucky National Guard met on the university’s campus on May 5, 2025 to sign an agreement, formally entering a partnership. The memorandum of understanding establishes the conditions agreed upon by both organizations to support veterans and their family members in pursuing higher education... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton (left), Kentucky’s adjutant general, and Dr. Jay Morgan, president of Morehead State University (MSU) signs the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between MSU and KYNG at MSU in Morehead, Ky. on May 5, 2025. KYNG and MSU signed the MOU to give more educational benefits to Soldiers and Airmen of the KYNG. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

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.

Canine Callie, DOD’s only search-and-rescue dog, retires from service
May 10, 2025 — Callie, the only certified search-and-rescue dog in the Department of Defense, officially retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Jan. 24, 2025... MORE

Callie, the only certified search-and-rescue dog in the Department of Defense, is retired from service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 24, 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.

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 National Guard members gather for National Day of Prayer
May 8, 2025 — Service members gather to pray during the service at the Kentucky National Day of Prayer event at the Wellman Armory in Frankfort, Ky. on May 1, 2025. The Kentucky National Guard held its 15th annual National Day of Prayer for service members, civilians, fallen warriors and their families at a breakfast ceremony... MORE

U.S. Army Chap. (Col.) Angela White, Kentucky National Guard state chaplain, gives a prayer for fallen Service members and their families at the Kentucky National Day of Prayer event at the Wellman Armory in Frankfort, Ky. on May 1, 2025. The Kentucky National Guard held its 15th annual National Day of Prayer for service members, civilians, fallen warriors and their families at a breakfast ceremony. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

Kentucky National Guard supports the 151st Kentucky Derby
May 7, 2025 — Soldiers and Airmen of the Kentucky National Guard augmented local law enforcement, assisted in guarding the Derby Trophy, and participated in the Finish Line detail during the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 3, 2025... MORE

Sgt. 1st. Class Joshua Urbanowski of the 438th Military Police Company, 198th Military Police Battalion, guards the Kentucky Derby Trophy during the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 3, 2025. Urbanowski volunteered for the duty, which has been carried out by Kentucky National Guard service members for 119 years. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Caleb Sooter)

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)

Kentucky National Guard Soldier commended for heroic rescue following storm-related crash
April 28, 2025 — Kentucky National Guard Spc. Brandon Pollard rescued a driver from an overturned vehicle during a storm on Mar. 15 while driving home from drill. The crash occurred on I-64 near Simpsonville. Pollard was later honored with challenge coins for his quick, lifesaving actions... MORE

Col. Steven Engels, 75th Troop Command, pins Spc. Brandon Pollard with an Army Commendation Medal following his heroic actions following an accident in Shelby County, March 15, 2025. Pollard helped a driver from her overturned vehicle following a weather-related crash. (U.S. Army National Guard courtesy asset)

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