Kentucky Guard

Kentucky Guardsman and ROTC Cadet Blake Embry sets powerlifting record, qualifies for USPA National Championships
April 11, 2023 — Army Cadet Blake Embry, a Kentucky Army National Guard Soldier and University of Kentucky ROTC Cadet, made history by setting the Mississippi bench-press record in February 2023. This feat was accomplished by lifting 343 pounds, which also earned him a victory in the HQ Fitness Show of Strength competition. As a result, he secured a spot in the United States Powerlifting Association National Championships in Las Vegas... MORE

Army Cadet Blake Embry, a Kentucky Army National Guard Soldier and University of Kentucky ROTC Cadet, made history by setting the Mississippi bench-press record in February 2023.

238th Regiment Change of Command
April 3, 2023 — U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Philip Robinson assumed command of the 238th Regiment from Col. L. Allen Joiner during a change-of-command ceremony held at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Greenville, Ky., March 31, 2023. Joiner will travel to Scott Airforce Base, Ill. as the FORSCOM Liaison Officer for the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). Joiner took command of the 238th Regiment in April 2021, but he has served as a member of the 238th Regiment for nine years... MORE

U.S. Army Col. L. Allen Joiner, outgoing commander of the 238th Regiment passes the regimental guidon to Brig. Gen Brian Wertzler, Kentucky National Guard deputy adjutant general, symbolizing the relinquishing of his command of the unit at the 238th Regiment’s Change of Command ceremony held at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Greenville, Ky., March 25, 2023. (U.S. Army National Guard by Lt. Col. Carla Raisler)

Honor Guard certifies new Soldiers
March 22, 2023 — Around ten Soldiers from units around Kentucky learned the proper way to fold the flag and present it. They also worked on drill and ceremony and even practiced taps on the bugle... MORE

Soldiers from around the commonwealth were educated, graded and assessed in the ways of the Kentucky National Guard Honor Guard March 20-26.

Kentucky’s Civil Response Team Hosts Multi-agency Exercise
March 17, 2023 — Around 20 Soldiers from the 75th Troop Command’s, 41st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST), along with Soldiers from CSTs from seven other states’ National Guards, Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), conducted the one-day exercise in preparation for the Kentucky Derby festivities March 14... MORE

During their search, they had to assess victims, test the air quality and investigate suspicions packages.

Congressional staff visit Kentucky National Guard
February 28, 2023 — Staff members from Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation spent the day at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 17, 2023, meeting Soldiers and Airmen, and learning about the robust mission capabilities of the Kentucky Guard... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Turner of the 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, briefs staff members from Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation about unit capabilities Feb. 17, 2023, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. The staffers were touring the base to learn more about the mission sets of the Kentucky National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

20th Special Forces Group Military Intelligence Company conducts Water Jump
February 13, 2023 — Soldiers of the 20th Special Forces Group Military Intelligence Company (MICO) conducted a water jump at Green River Lake near Campbellsville, KY, Aug. 6, 2022. The jump was conducted to enhance the company’s proficiency in conducting airborne operations that require a water landing... MORE

Soldiers of the 20th Special Forces Group Military Intelligence Company (MICO) conducted a water jump at Green River Lake near Campbellsville, KY, Aug. 6, 2022. The jump was conducted to enhance the company’s proficiency in conducting airborne operations that require a water landing. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Sooter)

Resiliency leads to the Kentucky National Guard’s first female infantry officer
January 4, 2023 — In January 2022, the Kentucky Army National Guard welcomed the commonwealth’s first female infantry officer to the team... MORE

Mountain Warriors Complete NATO Mission
December 21, 2022 — Approximately 200 Soldiers returned from their mission in Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. The Soldiers were part of NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) mission as KFOR 30, representing the thirtieth rotation for U.S. Soldiers... MORE

Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, commander of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Brigade, shares a laugh with his family at the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Ky., after he and his unit arrived home from their deployment to Kosovo Nov. 17, 2022.

Gold Star Families enjoy a day of racing at Churchill Downs
November 10, 2022 — Family members and loved ones of fallen service members gathered from fourteen different states to witness the fifth race of the day which is dedicated to the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to United States... MORE

Family members and loved ones of fallen service members gathered from fourteen different states to witness the fifth race of the day which is dedicated to the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to United States.

Military Police head for deployment
September 7, 2022 — The detachment from the 438th MP Co. will be heading to Kosovo for a year-long mission to provide Military Police Liaison Officer Support to Operation Joint Guardian and will join up with their fellow 438th MP’s who deployed to Kosovo... MORE

This detachment from the 438th MP Co. will be heading to Kosovo for a year-long mission to provide Military Police Liaison Officer Support to Operation Joint Guardian and will join up with their fellow 438th MP’s who are also deployed to Kosovo.

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 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.

Kentucky National Guard Youth and Child Camp 2022
July 22, 2022 — Summer camp fun meets military tradition as children of Kentucky’s National Guard (KYNG) attend the week long Child and Youth Camp at Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp in Nancy, Ky. on July 18-22. At the camp, kids ages 9-15 meet and relate to kids with similar experiences, learn about basic fundamentals in the military, and are inspired by their mentors... MORE

Campers attend the Kentucky National Guard (KYNG) Child and Youth Camp at the Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp in Nancy, Ky. on July 18-22, 2022. The Child and Youth Camp is a KYNG sponsored, 4-H supported weeklong camp for children who have ties to the KYNG. (U.S. Army phot by Pfc. Georgia Napier)

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.

Kentucky National Guard celebrates 230th birthday
June 27, 2022 — Airmen and Soldiers from across the Commonwealth gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, June 24, 2022, to celebrate the 230th birthday of the Kentucky National Guard, one of the nation’s oldest state militias... MORE

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Wilkinson, left, the Kentucky National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Air; Airman 1st Class Maryah Bridges, center left; Spc. John Stark, center right; and Col. Joe Gardner, the Kentucky Guard’s Chief of Staff for Army, cut a ceremonial cake during a celebration honoring the 230th birthday of the Kentucky Guard in Louisville, Ky., June 24, 2022. The organization was established in 1792 by Gov. Isaac Shelby, 19 days after the Commonwealth became the 15th state of the Union. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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.

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