Kentucky 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.

Kentucky Army National Guard veteran awarded bronze star with valor
June 13, 2022 — A Kentucky Army National Guard veteran was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor in a ceremony at the Owensboro Armory in Owensboro, Ky. on June 10, 2022... MORE

Kentucky National Guard veteran Sgt. John Burlew speaks to friends and family that attend an awards ceremony at the Owensboro Armory in Owensboro, Ky. on June 10, 2022. Burlew was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for actions in Afghanistan in 2002 (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson).

Names of 13 fallen Soldiers added to Kentucky National Guard Memorial
June 1, 2022 — The names of 13 fallen Soldiers were added to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial during a ceremony in Frankfort, Kentucky, May 30, 2022, recognizing their ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom... MORE

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James R. Tongate, left, Kentucky Air National Guard state command chief; and Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, the adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, place a wreath at the Kentucky National Guard Memorial during a ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., May 30, 2022. The memorial honors 286 Solders and Airmen from the Kentucky Guard who have paid the ultimate price for freedom since 1912. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

My Sapper School Experience
May 18, 2022 — Sapper Leader Course is the premier leadership school for the Engineer Regiment. The 28-day training is broken up into two, two-week phases. The first phase -- General Subjects focuses heavily on Engineering tasks from expedient demolitions, engagement area development, obstacle emplacement, obstacle breaching, along with mobility and counter-mobility operations. Additionally, there are physical fitness events, mountaineering, air operations, and land navigation blocks of instruction during this phase... MORE

A SAPPER Soldier is responsible for tasks such as building and repairing roads and bridges, laying and clearing mines.

Derby 148 back in full force and so was the Kentucky Guard
May 7, 2022 — Soldiers of the 223rd ensured that the return to the first 100% capacity Derby since the COVID-19 pandemic was safe and enjoyable for this year’s attendees... MORE

The Kentucky National Guard has been assisting local security and police every year for the past 116 years.

Aviators Get Dunked
April 24, 2022 — The course put Soldiers in a chamber resembling the troop area of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that submerged and flipped over in an indoor pool. The training given allowed the Soldiers to develop survival skills that could save their lives if they were ever in a helicopter crash over water... MORE

Dunker is a training that prepares helicopter pilots and crew members in life saving measure if they were to ever find themselves having to abandon their air craft in an inadvertent submerged situation.

Kentucky Guard brings “Thunder” back to Louisville
April 23, 2022 — More than 450 Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supported this year’s event by manning the cannons on the Clark Memorial Bridge, providing security and traffic control, as well as participating in the airshow... MORE

Thunder Over Louisville kicks off the two week celebration leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

History is made during change of command
April 15, 2022 — With Davies becoming the battery commander, it makes her the first female Field Artillery commander in the history of the Kentucky National Guard... MORE

The unit guidon representing an historic exchange of command was handed off to Army Capt. Taylor Davies as she assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Brigade in a ceremony Mar. 27.

New BAOs for Ecuador and Djibouti
April 15, 2022 — The Kentucky National Guard has two new leaders heading up the State partnership program as their Bilateral Affairs Officers for Ecuador and Djibouti. ... MORE

Air Force 1st Lt. Joshua Selby will be the Bilateral Affairs Officer in Ecuador responsible for planning and executing future subject matter expert exchanges, key leader engagements, and exercises between both the Kentucky State Partnership Program, US SOUTHCOM, and all branches of the Ecuadorian military

A Call to Action
April 12, 2022 — It seemed like just another day in the city of Kamenica, Kosovo. Traffic was much heavier than normal and at a standstill with a tractor-trailer blocking the road. Sgt. Jessey McDaniel, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Kentucky National Guard, and member of one of Kosovo Force’s Liaison Monitoring Teams, was traveling to a Soldier level engagement with the director of economic development for Kamenica. Just outside of Partes, Kosovo, McDaniel and a teammate circumvented the traffic to assess the situation. They found a live power line lying in the road and a man nearby... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Jessey McDaniel, an infantryman with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Kentucky National Guard, and member of one of Kosovo Force's Liaison Monitoring Teams, poses for a photograph at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, April 8, 2022. McDaniel, a native of Lexington, Ky., is part of the U.S.'s 30th rotation of the KFOR mission, which is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people of Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alexander Hellmann 1-149 INF)

Kentucky Army National Guard hosts Signal and Cyber Symposium
February 24, 2022 — The symposium focused on establishing a community for all members of the signal and cyber fields, as well as sharing knowledge regarding opportunities and career paths in an open forum... MORE

The Silver Order of Mercury is awarded to those select few who stand above their peers and have made conspicuous long-term significant contributions to the U.S. Army Signal Corps and the Association (SCRA).

Kentucky Guardsmen recognized for leadership
January 27, 2022 — The winners of the Kentucky selection for the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award are Capt. Eric Sheaks, with the 75th Troop Command and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kristan Beard with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kristan Beard with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade.

Always ready, not just a slogan for Kentucky Soldier
January 18, 2022 — As the tornadoes that hit western Kentucky bore down on the small farms and towns, residents ducked into their bathrooms, closets or any other place they could find to ride out the massive storm. For many, their hiding spots were ripped from their foundations and left some bruised and battered. One of those residents hiding from the storm was a young Kentucky National Guardsman with the 2113th Transportation Company. He survived the storm, only to be called on a few hours later join his unit to help the many others in need... MORE

Pfc. Cody Warmath's family's home in Benton Ky., suffered severe damage during the the tornado that hit Dec. 10, 2021 but he still chose to volunteer to be activated with the 2113th Transportation Company out of Paducah, Ky

Kentucky’s 438th MP’s head to Kosovo
January 6, 2022 — The 438th Military Police Company based out of Murray, Ky., will be heading to Kosovo for a year-long mission to provide Military Police Liaison Officer Support to Operation Joint Guardian... MORE

The 438th MP Co., based out of Murray, Ky, will be heading to Kosovo for a year-long mission to provide Military Police Liaison Officer Support to Operation Joint Guardian.

Santa’s helpers
December 17, 2021 — Four Kentucky Soldiers jumped into action after they heard tornadoes hit the western part of Kentucky Dec. 10... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Gina Vaile-Nelson, Sgt. Jessica Jenkins, Staff Sgt. Billie Jacobs, Staff Sgt. Rachel Pete raised over $2,500 for Kentucky’s First Lady, Britainy Beshear's Western Kentucky Toy Drive. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st class Benjamin Crane)

Leaders visit Soldiers activated for help in the wake of deadly tornadoes
December 14, 2021 — Kentucky’s State Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers and State Chaplain (Col.) Jay Padgett the visited Soldiers at various locations impacted by recent tornados in Graves County, Ky., Dec. 14... MORE

During the two-hour visit, leadership traveled to the Mayfield Consumer Products facility, better known as the candle factory site.

Guard Assists After Record Tornado in Mayfield, Ky.
December 13, 2021 — Over 300 Kentucky Air and Army National Guardsmen have been activated in support of tornado relief in various locations to include Mayfield and Dawson Springs, Ky. on December 11th, 2021. Members of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Search and Rescue Team, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP), and the 438th Military Police Company have mobilized to the region for search and rescue missions, road clearing and law enforcement support. ... MORE

Kentucky state flag rescued from the ruble of the courthouse in Mayfield, Ky.

Kentucky Guardsmen participate in leader’s course
December 9, 2021 — The two-day, course-integrated, Four Lenses training, resiliency training, and team- building event is designed to make leaders look inward to find out more about themselves, and use that information to be better leaders... MORE

The two-day course integrated Four Lenses training, resiliency training and team building events with the goal of making the leaders look inward to find out more about themselves and how they can use that information to be a better leader.

Kentucky infantry company deploys to Horn of Africa with Virginia National Guard
November 28, 2021 — Kentucky National Guard senior leaders and honored guests joined family and friends at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, Nov. 27, 2021, to honor approximately 150 Soldiers of Somerset-based Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment as they left Kentucky and entered federal active duty... MORE

Departure ceremony held for Kentucky Infantry company deploying to Horn of Africa with Virginia National Guard

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