Kentucky Guard

Kentucky National Guard celebrates 232nd birthday
June 24, 2024 — June 24, 2024, marks the 232nd birthday of the Kentucky National Guard, which was formed by Gov. Isaac Shelby as one his first official acts in 1792. On Thursday, dozens of Soldiers and Airmen gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, to celebrate the occasion and look back over the past two centuries... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman Makenna Rollins, left, a supply technician in the Kentucky Air National Guard, and U.S. Army Sgt. Jensen Humphrey, right, a paralegal specialist in the Kentucky Army National Guard, assist U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in cutting a cake to mark the 232nd birthday of the Kentucky Guard during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., June 20, 2024. The Kentucky Guard, which was established by Gov. Isaac Shelby on June 24, 1792, is comprised of more than 6,000 Soldiers and over 1,100 Airmen stationed across the Commonwealth. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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.

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.

Honoring a legacy: a tribute to LTC Jeff Cole
November 20, 2023 — On Nov. 17, 2023, more than 100 attendees joined leaders of the Kentucky National Guard to pay tribute to Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Cole by dedicating Middlesboro’s armory in his name... MORE

Christi Cole Pope speaks to attendees at an armory naming ceremony in Middlesboro, Kentucky, on Nov. 17, 2023.

Kentucky National Guard selected as top command
October 31, 2023 — The Kentucky National Guard has been awarded the 2023 Association of the United States Army’s trophy for best National Guard command... MORE

A C-130-J Super Hercules aircraft awaits the next sortie on the flight line of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 14, 2023. The Louisville-based 123rd Airlift Wing was just awarded its 20th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award — a record among C-130 airlift units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

More than flying: One Kentucky officer's story
July 31, 2023 — As a first-generation Soldier and aviator in her family, she is pioneering an Army career while also balancing her civilian career as a nurse. After speaking with a friend from nursing school who was also in the Guard, Frederick decided to join the Kentucky National Guard in 2018. ... MORE

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Cassandra Frederick, platoon leader and UH-60 Black Hawk pilot assigned to Bravo Company, 2/147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, inspects the rotors of a UH-60 Black Hawk on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., July 27, 2023

Kentucky Logistics Director Promoted to Colonel
June 30, 2023 — Army Lt. Col. Phillip Robinson was promoted to the rank of colonel by his wife and children during a ceremony at the Wellman Armory auditorium June 28,... MORE

Robinson is the director of logistics for the Kentucky National Guard on the full-time side and is the commander of the 238th Regional Training Institute on the M-DAY (traditional Soldier) side.

2061st MRBC conducts wet gap crossing training during interagency exercise
June 14, 2023 — As part of their annual training this year, members of the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company participated in a joint exercise with military and civilian agencies as part of Operation: Homeland Defender 2023 at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, June 8-10... MORE

Soldiers from the Kentucky National Guard’s 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company load vehicles onto their raft bridge

Kentucky Infantry unit welcomes new commander
May 30, 2023 — Lt. Col. Jason Mendez relinquished command of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, to Lt. Col. Jason Partin during a ceremony held at Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky, May 21, 2023... MORE

Lt. Col. Jason Partin, incoming commander of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, Kentucky Army National Guard, receives the colors from Col. Jared Lake, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Virginia Army National Guard.

New Command Team ushers in a new era for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion
May 25, 2023 — The Kentucky Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion changed its leadership team during a ceremony held May 22, 2023, at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. Lt. Col. Jason Mendez took charge of the battalion, headquartered in Frankfort, from Lt. Col. Jacob McKinney, while Command Sgt. Maj. Johnnie Parton turned over his responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Reed... MORE

Lt. Col. Jacob McKinney relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, and Command Sgt. Maj. Johnnie Parton turned over responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Reed.

Celebrating Excellence: Kentucky Army National Guard's Officer Candidate School Graduates Emerge as Leaders
April 15, 2023 — The ceremony honored the Soldiers who successfully completed the 12-month training program and have now been commissioned as new officers in the Kentucky Army National Guard... MORE

The ceremony honored the Soldiers who successfully completed the 12-month training program and have now been commissioned as new officers in the Kentucky Army National Guard.

Kentucky's H2F conducts first ever Performance Course aimed at helping recruiters
March 28, 2023 — For two weeks in February 2023, the Kentucky Army National Guard Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) team conducted their first performance course at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort as part of a push to help Soldiers perform at their best... MORE

H2F holds Performance Course for KYARNG recruiters

Infantry Battalion completes mission with reintegration program
March 20, 2023 — More than 200 Soldiers and their families attended the event that added to the more than 1.5 million individuals impacted by the program. The Soldiers were part of NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) mission as KFOR 30, marking the 30th rotation for U.S. Soldiers. For many of the Soldiers, this was their first deployment... MORE

YRRP has promoted the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and their communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle.

Kentucky Guardsman takes charge of active-duty division
March 9, 2023 — Brig. Gen. Bryan M. Howay, Kentucky's Land Component Commander and Director of the Joint Staff, has been serving as acting commander for an active-duty unit, First Army Division East, since December 2022... MORE

Brig. Gen. Bryan M. Howay speaks during the Spring 2023 Commander's Forum at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Feb. 23, 2023.

Longtime Kentucky aviator retires
February 7, 2023 — After thirty plus years of service as an aviator in the Kentucky Army National Guard, one of Kentucky’s finest Soldiers will be moving on to something new... MORE

Army Col. Gary Dwayne Lewis receives a plague of appreciation from Col. Michael Armstrong, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade commander, for his service to the Guard during the retiree's breakfast at the Army Aviation Support Facility on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky.

Kentucky Infantry officer promoted to colonel
January 30, 2023 — Kentucky Army National Guard Lt. Col. Jason P. Penn was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at Wellman Armory in Frankfort, Ky. on Jan. 18, 2023. Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, Kentucky’s adjutant general, hosted the event and provided remarks... MORE

Jason P. Penn is promoted to colonel during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, Jan. 18, 2023.

Kentucky Aviators say their goodbyes, set to deploy to Africa
November 16, 2022 — Soldiers with Detachment 4, Charlie Company, 2/245th Aviation Regiment, 63rd Theater Aviation Battalion will be charged with flying C-12 King Air fixed wing aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During their deployment they will be providing air movement support throughout the Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) area of responsibility... MORE

Four Soldiers with Detachment 4, Charlie Company, 2/245th Aviation Regiment, 63rd Theater Aviation Battalion will be charged with flying C-12 King Air fixed wing aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During their deployment they will be providing air movement support throughout the Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) area of responsibility.

Command Chief Warrant Officers change over
October 28, 2022 — Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dwight D. Harlan relinquished the responsibility over Kentucky’s warrant officer corps to the new Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ricky L. Skelton... MORE

Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harlan relinquished the responsibility over Kentucky’s warrant officer corps to the Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ricky L. Skelton.

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