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After 35 years of dedicated service to the Kentucky National Guard, U.S. Army Col. Eddie Simpson retired during a ceremony at the Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker Auditorium in Frankfort, Kentucky Aug. 21, 2026. Throughout his career, Simpson has made a lasting impact on the Soldiers, families and communities of the Kentucky National Guard. His dedication and leadership will be remembered for years to come. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)
Kentucky Guard honors Col. Eddie Simpson after 35 years of service
Aug. 31, 2026
U.S. Army Col. Eddie Dewayne Simpson retired from the Kentucky Army National Guard during a ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 21, 2026. Over his 35-year military career, Simpson commanded multiple infantry units, built strategic state partnerships, and pioneered early holistic health and fitness initiatives that drastically improved Soldier readiness.
Anna and Emma Armstrong pin the rank insignia of brigadier general onto the shoulders of their father, Col. Michael Armstrong, during a promotion ceremony at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Aug. 23, 2026. Armstrong, a career Army National Guard aviator and 2001 graduate of WKU’s ROTC program, celebrated his promotion alongside family, friends, and state military leadership at the university where his military service first began. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Georgia Napier)
Col. Michael Armstrong Promoted to Brigadier General at Western Kentucky University
Aug. 26, 2026
Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Service members atop the Hill at Western Kentucky University, Col. Michael Armstrong was promoted to the rank of brigadier general Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Landon Smith provides instructions prior to a training scenario at Jim Beam Distillery Booker Noe Plant in Boston, Kentucky, Aug. 11, 2026. The Kentucky National Guard’s 41st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST) along with North Carolina National Guard’s 42nd CST conducted a joint training exercise designed to test how teams integrate and communicate during a complex incident. During the exercise, teams conducted survey operations in separate buildings while coordinating communications and sharing critical information across the incident site. The realistic scenarios provided an opportunity to strengthen interoperability, coordination and decision-making in a controlled training environment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)
Kentucky, North Carolina Civil Support Teams strengthen interstate response capabilities
Aug. 26, 2026
Members of the KYNG’s 41st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team trained alongside North Carolina National Guard’s 42nd CST at the Jim Beam Booker Noe Plant in Boston, Aug. 11, 2026. The joint exercise tested how the teams integrate during a complex chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) incident.
Lt. Col. Tim Ori, right, officer in charge of a 123rd Medical Group Critical Care Air Transport Team, meets with members of the Ecuadorian Air Force during a five-day information exchange in Ecuador. The Kentucky Air National Guard has been partnered with Ecuador since 1996 and helped stand up C-130 Hercules operations there when Ecuador acquired H-model aircraft in 2024. (Courtesy photo)
Kentucky Air Guard medical troops conduct information exchange with Ecuadorian partners
Aug. 10, 2026
Two Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group traveled to Ecuador in April to share information about the unit’s Critical Care Air Transport Teams with their Ecuadorian colleagues.

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A U.S. Army UH-72 Lakota belonging to the Kentucky National Guard flies over Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, on Aug. 25, 2026, supporting a training scenario for the Patriot ’26 exercise at the installation. Hosted by the Air National Guard, Patriot ’26 was designed to enhance domestic-response readiness and interagency coordination by placing participants in realistic, high-stress emergency scenarios requiring them to respond quickly, adapt to changing conditions and operate as a unified team. Fort McCoy played an important role in that training, providing multiple specialized training areas and facilities across the installation’s South Post while working jointly with personnel at Volk Field, Wis. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office)
Kentucky National Guard Lakotas bring aviation rescue capability to Patriot ’26 at Volk Field, Fort McCoy
Sept. 10, 2026
Patriot ’26 brought together approximately 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units representing 35 states, along with federal, state and local agencies, for realistic domestic-response scenarios designed to improve readiness and interagency coordination during large-scale emergencies. Soldiers from Kentucky's 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation Regiment of the 751st Troop Command, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, operated UH-72 Lakotas during the exercise.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Poole, a crew chief with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation Regiment, Kentucky National Guard, performs prechecks on the aircraft prior to their simulated surveillance mission at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC), Wisconsin, during Patriot 26, Aug. 25, 2026. Patriot 26 is an Air National Guard-hosted exercise taking place at Volk Field CRTC, that brings together approximately 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units across 35 states, along with federal, state and local agencies, to enhance domestic response readiness and interagency coordination during large-scale emergencies. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)
Kentucky National Guard aviators strengthen domestic response capabilities during Patriot 2026
Sept. 10, 2026
Kentucky Army National Guard aviators enhanced their readiness for domestic emergencies during Patriot 2026 in Wisconsin, Aug. 24-31, 2026. The exercise provided realistic flight and joint-response training while strengthening partnerships with military, law enforcement and civilian emergency responders.
U.S. Army Maj. Anthony Moore, right, incoming commander of the 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, receives the battalion colors from Col. Steven Engels during a change of command ceremony at Jody Richards Elementary School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Aug. 23, 2026. The passing of the colors is a military tradition symbolizing the transfer of total authority and responsibility for the unit and its Soldiers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Georgia Napier)
Watson relinquishes command of 1792nd CSSB to Moore
Sept. 8, 2026
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jennifer Watson relinquished command of the 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to Maj. Anthony Moore during a ceremony in Bowling Green, Aug. 23, 2026. The passing of the battalion colors symbolized the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for the sustainment unit's mission and Soldiers.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eric Eastridge, incoming commander of the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion, passes the battalion colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payton, the battalion's senior enlisted advisor, during a change of command ceremony at the 103rd BSB armory in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Aug. 9, 2026. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Haven McKenney)
Eastridge assumes command of 103rd Brigade Support Battalion
Sept. 8, 2026
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eric Eastridge assumed command of the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion from Lt. Col. Dayna Sanders during a ceremony in Harrodsburg, Ky., Aug. 9, 2026. Sanders relinquished command after leading the battalion since June 2024.
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group maneuver cargo on a forklift at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis., Aug. 24, 2026, during exercise Patriot 26. The Air National Guard-hosted exercise brings together approximately 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units across 35 states, along with federal, state and local agencies, to enhance domestic response readiness and interagency coordination during large-scale emergencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Angelee Barnett)
Kentucky Air Guard’s Contingency Response Group provides key capabilities for Patriot 26
Sept. 4, 2026
Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group provided key support to exercise Patriot 26 in Wisconsin Aug. 20 through 27.
Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion distributed leftover flowers and pastries to local healthcare workers and nursing home residents Aug. 9 in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, following a change of command ceremony. (Courtesy photo)
Soldiers from 103rd Brigade Support Battalion give back to Harrodsburg community
Sept. 3, 2026
Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion distributed leftover flowers and pastries to local healthcare workers and nursing home residents Aug. 9 in Harrodsburg, Ky., following a change of command ceremony.
After 35 years of dedicated service to the Kentucky National Guard, U.S. Army Col. Eddie Simpson retired during a ceremony at the Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker Auditorium in Frankfort, Kentucky Aug. 21, 2026. Throughout his career, Simpson has made a lasting impact on the Soldiers, families and communities of the Kentucky National Guard. His dedication and leadership will be remembered for years to come. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)
Kentucky Guard honors Col. Eddie Simpson after 35 years of service
Aug. 31, 2026
U.S. Army Col. Eddie Dewayne Simpson retired from the Kentucky Army National Guard during a ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 21, 2026. Over his 35-year military career, Simpson commanded multiple infantry units, built strategic state partnerships, and pioneered early holistic health and fitness initiatives that drastically improved Soldier readiness.
Leaders from the Kentucky National Guard hosted six state legislators at the Army Aviation Support Facility on Boone National Guard Center, March 9. During the visit, senior leaders, including Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, Kentucky’s adjutant general, provided an overview of the organization’s missions and accomplishments over the past year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)
Kentucky Guard hosts state legislators
Aug. 31, 2026
The Kentucky National Guard hosted six state legislators at the Army Aviation Support Facility on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, March 9.