Kentucky Guard

Kentucky, Tennessee emerge victorious at 2024 Region III Best Warrior
April 30, 2024 — Soldiers from Kentucky and Tennessee earned top honors in the 2024 Army National Guard Region III Best Warrior Competition in Greenville, April 14-19, 2024. Hosted by the Kentucky National Guard, the event put Soldiers from ten states and territories through a week of grueling challenges to see which Soldier and which NCO would finish with the most points. Spc. Noah Green, a combat engineer assigned to 890th Sapper Company, Tennessee Army National Guard, earned the top honor as Region III Soldier of the Year, while Sgt. Robert Buck, a horizontal construction engineer assigned to 130th Engineer Support Company, Kentucky Army National Guard, was named NCO of the Year... MORE

Nineteen competitors from 10 states and territories competed for the titles of Soldier and NCO of the Year for Region III.

Tri-state cadets compete at Fort Knox challenge
April 29, 2024 — Cadets from Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan gathered at Fort Knox recently to take part in the Tri-State Challenge hosted by the Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy. The students competed in a variety of events including basketball, softball, chess, and a spelling bee among other events... MORE

Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy cadets celebrate as their team wins a volleyball match Friday, April 26.

KYNG environmental teams up with businesses to enhance Soldier training sites
April 26, 2024 — In green initiative that blends military readiness with environmental stewardship, the Kentucky National Guard’s environmental team planted over 77,000 trees at its state training facility, Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, in Greenville, Kentucky on March 14, 2024... MORE

All the trees to be planted were purchased by Beam Suntory in efforts reclaim the old mind land and build something sustainable for the foreseeable future.

Kentucky Guardsman’s child picked to have Easter egg represented in DC
April 26, 2024 — One Kentucky National Guard family was invited to represent the Kentucky National Guard at the White House for a special tour and honorary showing of personal artwork during the White House Easter Egg Roll, April 1. This year's annual event, hosted by the First Lady and celebrating the theme of National Guard families, invited children in National Guard families to submit colored drawings of Easter eggs that would be recreated on actual eggs and displayed in the White House East Colonnade... MORE

Eli Willingham, son of Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Willingham, readiness Non-commissioned officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, poses with the egg he submitted to the White House for First Lady's Egg Roll design contest that was later picked to be displayed in the White House East Colonnade

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)

Kentucky Guardsmen, Ecuador's special forces unite in urban warfare exchange
April 10, 2024 — Kentucky infantry soldiers and Ecuadorian military special forces exchanged urban operations tactics in Latacunga, Ecuador, from March 18-22, 2024, enhancing interagency relations and military readiness through the Kentucky National Guard State Partnership Program... MORE

Ecuadorian Army Col. Gustavo Iturralde, commander of Ecuador's 9th Special Forces Brigade, talks with Kentucky Army National Guard in Latacunga, Ecuador, March 18, 2024.

Enduring state partnership strengthens leader development through exchange
April 10, 2024 — Members of the Ecuadorian military visited the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, February 24-28, 2024, for a leadership exchange focused on military officer development. This engagement, part of a long-term strategy to foster relationships and share tactical insights, underscored the commitment of both nations to continue building a strong partnership through shared experiences and learning, with a focus on officer development, cultural exchange, and overcoming operational challenges... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard officer candidates mix with Ecuadorian Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets for a group photo at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky, Feb. 24-28, 2024.

TAG, Leaders of 75th TC visit troops in Europe
March 22, 2024 — Kentucky Guard’s top leader visited the deployed Soldiers of the 2113th Transportation Company currently stationed in Poland and Romania Feb 23-28. ... MORE

Also with him during the visit were Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers, the state command sergeant major, Col. Jason Penn, commander of the 75th Troop Command and Command Sgt. Maj. Benzie Timberlake, command sergeant major of the 75th Troop Command.

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)

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.

Military children recognized at Kentucky General Assembly
February 29, 2024 — Approximately 80 children of Kentucky military service members were recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly for Kentucky Military Kids Day at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Kentucky on Feb. 27, 2024. Children of servicemembers from almost all branches were first introduced to the House Committee for Veterans, Military, and Public Protection (VMAPP). They also participated in demonstrations from the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, scavenger hunts in the Capitol, and ended with serving as a page to their senator or representative from their home counties in a legislative session... MORE

Approximately 80 children of Kentucky military service members were recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly for Kentucky Military Kids Day at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Kentucky on Feb. 27, 2024. Children of servicemembers from almost all branches were first introduced to the House Committee for Veterans, Military, and Public Protection (VMAPP). They also participated in demonstrations from the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, scavenger hunts in the Capitol, and ended with serving as a page to their senator or representative from their home counties in a legislative session. (Kentucky National Guard photos by Andy Dickson)

Retired Guardsman donates missing KY National Guard magazines
February 16, 2024 — In January 2024, a retired public affairs officer donated forgotten pieces of Kentucky’s military history to the Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office in Frankfort. Retired Army Col. Tom Little was preparing his belongings for a move into a new home when he came across his old military documents. Among those documents were copies of previously published issues of The Kentucky Guardsmen and The Bluegrass Guard. These printed newsletters were under his responsibility when he served as the commander of the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) during the 1970s and 1980s... MORE

Retired Army Col. Tom Little looks through old issues of the Kentucky Guardsman at a local restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky on Jan. 17, 2024. Little, former commander of the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs detachment, donated almost 40 issues from his personal collection to the Kentucky National Guard to help preserve it's history. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

Kentucky Guard hosts Ecuadorian military for leader engagement
February 13, 2024 — Eight senior ranking officials representing Ecuador’s Army, Navy and Air Force got to hear and see what the Kentucky National Guard was about and build bonds between the two countries that are beneficial to both countries... MORE

During the four-day visit, the Ecuadorians visited multiple locations in Frankfort, they participated in capability briefings by the Kentucky Army National Guard and Kentucky Emergency Management, toured the capitol, and had a highlight visit with Governor Andy Beshear.

Number one specialty branch recruiter named by NGB promoted to CW4
January 24, 2024 — This promotion ceremony highlighted Collins and his career accomplishments. He was recognized as the number one specialty branch recruiter by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) across all 54 states and territories... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer Four Timothy Collins' children pin on his ranks during his promotion ceremony at the Wellman Auditorium on the Boone Center in Frankfort, Kentucky Jan. 22, 2024

75th Troop Command Unit Hosts Maintenance Terrain Walk
January 22, 2024 — The MTW is a leader development program for battalion commanders. Its purpose is to assure a high level of awareness and command interest in field maintenance by ensuring senior commanders understand how their maintenance program operates... MORE

The MTW is a leader development program for battalion commanders. Its purpose is to assure a high level of awareness and command interest in field maintenance by ensuring senior commanders understand how their maintenance program operates.

Kentucky Soldiers set to deploy for Spartan Shield
January 13, 2024 — The families of the nearly 20 Soldiers filled the high school auditorium as they prepared to say goodbye to their loved one for the next 365 days... MORE

The 1/299th will be deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Spartan Sheild.

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.

Legion Brigade welcomes first female commander
January 5, 2024 — Command of the largest brigade in the Kentucky National Guard changed hands during a ceremony at the armory in Richmond, Dec. 2, 2023. During the event, Army Col. J.B. Richmond handed the reins of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade over to Col. Brandye Williams... MORE

Col. J.B. Richmond relinquished command of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to incoming Commander, Col. Brandye Williams during a ceremony held on December 2, 2023 at the Richmond, Ky. armory. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Joy Himmelsbach)

Kentucky’s Adoption Assistance Program expands growing Guard family
January 4, 2024 — The Military Family Assistance Trust (MFAST) Funds enables Guardsmen like Army Master Sgt. Michael Meredith, the senior human resources noncommissioned officer for the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, to overcome challenges faced when adopting a new member into their family... MORE

Kentucky Guard honors late pilot held prisoner during World War II
December 22, 2023 — There can be little doubt that the spirit of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen is alive and well today, nearly 11 years after the former World War II bomber pilot passed away at the age of 92. On Nov. 13, the adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard presented his family with a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal here, during a ceremony held in Owen’s long-time family home. Owen, who retired from military service in 1972 after more than 24 years with the Kentucky Air National Guard, spent 21 months as a prisoner of the German military during World War II. He was not awarded a POW Medal at the time because the honor did not exist until 1985... MORE

A ceremony to present a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal to the family of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen was held at this historic home in Cynthiana, Ky., Nov. 13, 2023. The structure, erected in 1858 and now operated as a bed and breakfast, was Owen’s home until his death in 2013. Owen, who served in the Kentucky Air National Guard for more than 24 years, rising to become assistant adjutant general for Air, was piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress over Hamburg, Germany, on July 25, 1943, when the aircraft was shot down, and he remained a POW for the duration of World War II. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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