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Making a Difference: Kentucky Guardsman Reflects on His First Year in Uniform
June 15, 2026 — U.S. Army Spc. Ishmael Wilson, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairer with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade reflects on his first year in the Kentucky Army National Guard during annual training at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center. Motivated by a desire for positive change, Wilson discusses his challenges, personal growth and the impact mentorship had on his development as a Soldier... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen Schmelzer (left) and Spc. Ishmael Wilson (right), assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, conduct a pre-flight inspection of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in support of air movement operations and Defense Security Cooperation Agency mission requirements at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana, June 1, 2026.

Kentucky National Guard officer promoted to colonel
June 12, 2026 — Lt. Col. Michael Sharp was promoted to the rank of colonel during an April 24 ceremony, marking more than 25 years of service in the Kentucky Army National Guard. As the state's director of logistics, Sharp oversees efforts to ensure Guard units are equipped and prepared for both state emergencies and federal missions. He credited his leadership development to the Soldiers and noncommissioned officers he has served alongside and emphasized that caring for Soldiers and supporting their growth remain his top priorities. Sharp also highlighted the National Guard's commitment to serving Kentucky communities and maintaining readiness for missions at home and abroad... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Sharp is pinned with his new rank by his wife and his mother during a promotion ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, April 24.

Auditorium Dedicated in Honor of Former Kentucky General
June 11, 2026 — The Kentucky Department of Military Affairs honored the legacy of Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker by dedicating an auditorium in his name at Boone National Guard Center on June 4. The ceremony brought together family, friends, and state officials to celebrate Barker's nearly five decades of distinguished military and civilian service to the commonwealth... MORE

During the event, the auditorium adjacent to Wellman Armory was officially dedicated as the Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker Auditorium, recognizing Barker’s decades of distinguished service and leadership within the Kentucky National Guard and the commonwealth.

Kentucky Guard’s 940th Military Police Company partners with Ecuadorian forces for historic Exercise EL GATO, celebrates 30 years of partnership
June 8, 2026 — The 940th Military Police Company traveled to Ecuador May 10-19 for Exercise EL GATO, marking the 30th anniversary of Kentucky’s partnership with Ecuador through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. More than a training exercise, the event showcased the unit’s versatility and demonstrated Kentucky’s enduring commitment to interoperability and security cooperation with Ecuador... MORE

Lt. Col. Brandon Davisson, commander of the 198th Military Police Battalion, receives a commemorative trident from the Ecuadorian Navy during the closing ceremony for Exercise El Gato 2026 in Salinas, Ecuador, May 19, 2026.

Arcane Thunder 26: Kentucky sets new benchmark leveraging Starshield with multi-domain live-fire
June 4, 2026 — Soldiers of Kentucky’s Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, executed a trans-Atlantic live-fire event at the National Training Center during Exercise Arcane Thunder 26. Using the Starshield satellite network to receive real-time targeting commands directly from Germany, the event validated the Army’s global multi-domain capabilities... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Drury points at the designated impact zone from atop the observation point during Exercise Arcane Thunder 26 at Fort Irwin, California, April 24, 2026.

Kentucky Guard MEDEVAC officer leads critical NATO partnership in Bosnia
June 3, 2026 — During a recent deployment to Southeastern Europe, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dustin Haubner and his MEDEVAC unit integrated with NATO forces to enhance regional medical support and interoperability. Through joint training exercises with Bosnian and Romanian counterparts, the unit established a strategic healthcare framework that ensures long-term medical sustainment and improved emergency response capabilities for personnel stationed at Camp Butmir... MORE

U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Dustin Haubner with Task Force Griffin (KFOR 35, TF Aviation) looks toward the ground as the UH-60 Black Hawk takes off during ther deployment to Kosovo.

Engineers strengthen readiness and adaptability through multiple projects
June 1, 2026 — Soldiers of the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 207th Engineer Company, 201st Engineer Battalion, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, completed several engineering projects across the commonwealth from May 17-20, demonstrating the professionalism, technical skill and teamwork of the unit’s horizontal and vertical engineers... MORE

The 207th Engineer Company completed three separate projects at the three separate locations for their annual training, utilizing both their horizontal and vertical engineers.

Engineer battalion bids farewell to family and friends
May 31, 2026 — Nearly 150 Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers gathered for a departure ceremony at the Boyd County Community Center in Catlettsburg, Ky., May 30, 2026, and will be deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield... MORE

Soldiers of Kentucky's 201st Engineer Battalion, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, listen to remarks during their departure ceremony at the Boyd County Community Center in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, May 30, 2026.

623rd Field Artillery enhances lethality during annual training at Fort Irwin
May 21, 2026 — Under the desert sun of Fort Irwin, Calif., Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, endure intense annual training designed to sharpen their combat readiness, April 8-15, 2026. Through demanding live-fire exercises using the M142 HIMARS, Soldiers learned to operate with greater speed, precision and coordination under realistic battlefield conditions... MORE

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with Kentucky's Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment fire a rocket from a High-Mobility Artillery Tocket System (HIMARS) at Fort Irwin, California, April 24, 2026.

Kentucky Army National Guard Soldier promoted to master sergeant
May 20, 2026 — U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James Troxell of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, was promoted to the rank of master sergeant during a ceremony, April 14, 2026... MORE

U.S. Army Master Sgt. James Troxell of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, is congratulated by his unit after being promoted in Monticello, Kentucky, April 14, 2026.

Kentucky general retires after nearly four decades of service
May 19, 2026 — U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bryan M. Howay was honored during a retirement ceremony at Boone National Guard Center May 16, 2026, recognizing his 38 years of dedicated service to the Kentucky National Guard and the United States Army. Throughout his distinguished career, Howay served in numerous leadership roles, deployed overseas multiple times, and became one of the few Guardsmen to command an active-duty division. Leaders praised his lasting impact on Soldiers, his balanced leadership style, and his commitment to both state and federal missions. During the ceremony, Howay reflected on the importance of the people who supported him throughout his career and thanked his family, fellow Soldiers, and mentors for their unwavering support... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bryan Howay receives a Distinguished Service Medal from Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, the Adjutant General of Kentucky National Guard, during his retirement ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, May 16, 2026.

Stewarding Service: Protecting Kentucky Derby Tradition
May 7, 2026 — Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miller returned to the 152nd Kentucky Derby to lead the joint-service trophy detail at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 2, 2026. Transitioning from trophy carrier to noncommissioned officer in charge, Miller’s experience highlights a commitment to the Commonwealth’s traditions and exemplifies how NCOs steward the profession through developing the next generation of leaders... MORE

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miller of the 617th Military Police Company escort the winner's trophy onto the Paddock at the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 2, 2026.

Kentucky welcomes newest officers
April 29, 2026 — Kentucky Officer Candidate School Class 68-26 commissioned in Frankfort, April 18, 2026, following 12 months of rigorous training. Kentucky's newest officers have been tested and are mission-ready leaders, prepared to serve the Commonwealth at home and the nation abroad... MORE

Officer Candidate School Class 68-26 poses for a group photograph following their graduation ceremony at Kentucky State University’s David H. Bradford Hall Auditorium in Frankfort, Kentucky, April 18, 2026.

Kentucky Native Col. Franklin (Shaune) Jones Promoted to Brigadier General
April 28, 2026 — Brig. Gen. Franklin “Shaune” Jones, a native of Owingsville, Kentucky, was promoted by Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, in a ceremony at the National Guard Memorial Museum, April 3, 2026... MORE

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, administers the oath of office to Brig. Gen. Franklin “Shaune” Jones during a promotion ceremony at the National Guard Memorial Museum in Washington, April 3, 2026.

Kentucky welcomes its newest targeting officer
April 21, 2026 — Friends and family gathered to celebrate U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Elijah Johnson’s appointment to warrant officer during a ceremony in Lexington, Feb. 10, 2026. Johnson is Kentucky’s newest field artillery targeting technician, assigned to the 138th Operational Fires Command... MORE

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Elijah Johnson with his wife, Samijo, and daughter, Mallory after his appointment, Feb. 10, 2026, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Kentucky National Guard hosts job shadow event in Bardstown
March 31, 2026 — The Kentucky National Guard hosted a job shadow event for ten local high school students at the National Guard Armory in Bardstown on March 24. Organized by the Recruiting and Retention Battalion and Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, the event provided students with a firsthand look at military careers such as combat medicine, field artillery, signal support, and equipment maintenance through interactive stations... MORE

Students don protective masks during a timed event to apply Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear during a cumulative skills challenge at a job shadow event in Bardstown, Kentucky, March 24.

Weapons qualifications and leadership evaluations completed at WHFRTC
March 31, 2026 — The 103rd Brigade Support Battalion conducted training in Greenville, Ky., March 20-21. Soldiers qualified on various weapons, leaders were evaluated, and the battalion's logistical capabilities were tested to ensure the unit remains a prepared and effective force... MORE

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Collin Sissom of the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion, 38th Infantry Division Artillery, completes M4 rifle qualification at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, March 20, 2026.

Kentucky names 2026 ‘Best Warriors’
March 25, 2026 — Twenty Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers representing major commands across the commonwealth competed in the 2026 Best Warrior Competition at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, March 20-22... MORE

his competition shows the adaptiveness, resilience, and lethality of our forces, affirming the readiness of National Guard citizen-Soldiers to meet the nation's challenges.

Kentucky Guard medics sharpen lifesaving skills
March 24, 2026 — Kentucky Army National Guard medics from around the state sharpened their lifesaving skills during a two-week annual recertification course at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Feb. 21- March 6. The course brought together combat medics, combat paramedics and critical care flight paramedics–all military occupational specialty 68W–to refresh critical medical knowledge and ensure they remain fully qualified to provide care in combat environments... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard combat medics from the 201st Headquarters company conducts medical refresher training to ensure readiness for upcoming missions, at Wendell H. Ford regional training center, March 2, 2026.

Kentucky surpasses expectations through ‘KEEP’, a non-traditional National Guard recruiting program
March 18, 2026 — In response to nationwide recruiting struggles, the Kentucky National Guard has implemented a successful new strategy. The Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program (KEEP) incentivizes its own Soldiers and Airmen—not professional recruiters—to find new enlistees. This approach has proven highly effective, bringing more than 600 new members into the Kentucky force since its inception in February 2023... MORE

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers, Kentucky's state command sergeant major, presents a check to Pfc. Iram Sosa during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Nov. 19, 2025. The presentation is part of the Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program, an initiative that pays Soldiers for enlistments that they refer to the Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)

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