Kentucky Guard

Kentucky’s 123rd Airlift Wing named top mobility flying unit in Air National Guard
December 5, 2021 — The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing has been named the top mobility flying unit in Air National Guard for 2021, officials announced in Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. 5... MORE

Col. Bruce Bancroft, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, speaks to hundreds of Air Guardsmen during a ceremony celebrating the wing’s fifth Curtis N. “Rusty” Metcalf Trophy at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 5, 2021. Bestowed annually by the National Guard Association of the United States, the trophy recognizes the airlift or air refueling unit that demonstrates the highest standards of mission accomplishment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Guardsmen talk with cub scouts
November 18, 2021 — Two Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers belonging to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 138th Field Artillery Brigade, along with four Cadets from the University of Kentucky’s Reserve Officer Training Corps’ ‘Kentucky Rangers’ spent time demonstrating military equipment. At the event Soldiers showcased the iconic military Humvee and taught the Scouts how to fold and care for the American flag. ... MORE

Soldiers from the 138th met with the Scouts at a military appreciation night in Lexington, Ky on November 18, 2021

Kentucky Air Guard enters new era with arrival of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft
November 6, 2021 — Two new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft buzzed over the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 6, 2021, before taxing to stop on the flight line under the spray of water cannons while a crowd of Airmen cheered their dramatic arrival... MORE

One of two new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft arrives at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 6, 2021, ushering in a new era of aviation for the 123rd Airlift Wing. The state-of-the-art transports are among eight the wing will receive over the next 11 months to replace eight aging C-130 H-model aircraft, which entered service in 1992 and have seen duty all over the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

New technology reduces energy costs, improves air quality at Response Forces Facility
October 30, 2021 — The 123rd Airlift Wing’s recently dedicated Response Forces Facility features new air handling technology that can reduce energy use by up to 36 percent while improving air quality for occupants... MORE

Current and retired members of the 123rd Airlift Wing joined friends and family for the dedication of a new Response Forces Facility at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., July 30, 2021. The 28,000-square-foot building will house the 123rd Security Forces Squadron, the 123rd Contingency Response Group, a Fatality Search and Recovery Team, and a medical detachment for the state’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Official signing of the 2021 Kentucky National Guard Joint Labor-Management Agreement
October 28, 2021 — Members from the Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) met with since promoted Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, Kentucky Adjutant General, for the official signing of the 2021 Kentucky National Guard Joint Labor-Management Agreement, Oct. 25, 2021, on Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky... MORE

From left to right, Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) members, Mr. Pete Rendon, president of the Air Bluegrass Chapter, Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, Kentucky Adjutant General, Mr. Chris Searcy, president of the Kentucky Army Chapter pose for a photo prior to the official signing of the 2021 Kentucky National Guard Joint Labor-Management Agreement, Oct. 25, 2021, on Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky.

Soldiers participate in leadership engagement course
October 27, 2021 — The course intends to give leaders practical concepts and models to guide them toward better communication with their colleagues and practical engagement with their subordinates... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers meets with attendees of the leadership engagement course Sept. 9-10 at the 123rd Air Lift Wing. The 2 day course is designed to help Soldiers progress their effective leadership skills.

Jenkins, Blevins, Wariner named top Airmen for 2021
October 17, 2021 — Staff Sgt. Harrison Jenkins, Master Sgt. Jacob Blevins and Master Sgt. Duane Wariner have been selected as the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021... MORE

Staff Sgt. Harrison Jenkins, an intelligence analyst with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Operations Support Squadron, performs inflight aircrew training aboard a C-130 Hercules at Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on June 16, 2021. Jenkins is the Kentucky Air National Guard's Outstanding Airman of the Year for 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Last C-130H rolls down the stretch at Kentucky Air Guard
September 24, 2021 — The last C-130H aircraft assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing departed the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 24, 2021, for its new home at the Delaware Air Guard... MORE

The last of eight C-130 H-model aircraft departs the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 24, 2021, as the 123rd Airlift Wing prepares to convert to the C-130J Super Hercules. The unit is slated to begin receiving the most modern variant of the venerable transport plane on Nov. 6. In the meantime, the departing H-models — which the Kentucky Air Guard has flown since 1992 — are being transferred to the Delaware Air National Guard. Tail number 11233 has logged 9,967 hours of flight time all over the world, supporting every kind of mission from humanitarian airlift to combat resupply operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Air Guard supporting COVID fight at Louisville hospitals
September 14, 2021 — More than 40 members of the Kentucky Air National Guard reported to Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 14, 2021, to provide logistical support for medical staff fighting a rising tide of critically ill COVID patients... MORE

Staff Sgt. Keontay Curry, a communications specialist in the Kentucky Air National Guard, reports to Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 14, 2021, to provide logistical support to medical staff struggling to keep pace with the rising number of critically ill COVID patients. He is one of 45 Airmen, all of whom volunteered for the mission, who will serve at the hospital as long as needed. The group is part of 310 Kentucky Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who were activated last week by Gov. Andy Beshear to provide non-clinical support to 21 hospitals across the Commonwealth. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Dale Greer)

Adams takes command of 123rd Contingency Response Group
September 12, 2021 — With family and colleagues looking on, Col. Ryan Adams assumed command of the 123rd Contingency Response Group during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 7, 2021... MORE

Col. Ryan Adams (right), incoming commander of the 123rd Contingency Response Group, accepts the unit’s guidon from Col. David Mounkes (left), outgoing commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug 7, 2021. Adams is replacing Col. Bruce Bancroft, who assumed command of the 123rd Airlift Wing during a ceremony later the same day. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Kentucky Air Guard completes mission to receive 11,000 Afghan evacuees
September 10, 2021 — Airmen from the 123rd Contingency Response Group returned to the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 8 after completing an 18-day mission at Volk Field, Wisconsin, to receive more than 11,000 Afghan evacuees arriving aboard military and civilian aircraft... MORE

Airmen from the 123rd Contingency Response Group return to the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 8, 2021, after completing an 18-day mission at Volk Field, Wis., to receive Afghan evacuees arriving aboard military and civilian aircraft. The Airmen processed 87 aircraft carrying more than 11,000 evacuees as part of Operation Allies Refuge and the follow-on mission, Operation Allies Welcome. The evacuees were then sent to nearby Fort McCoy, Wis. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Guard Engineers conduct Djibouti State Partnership training
September 8, 2021 — For over 25 years, through SPP, the National Guard has conducted military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals, and leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements; spanning military, government, and economic and social spheres. Kentucky maintains state partnerships with Djibouti and Ecuador... MORE

Kentucky Air Guard plays key role in Afghan evacuation
September 3, 2021 — More than 40 members of the Kentucky Air National Guard have played a key role in the reception of evacuees arriving at Volk Field, Wisconsin, from Afghanistan since Aug. 22... MORE

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 271st Movement Control Team and Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group receive a plane of Afghan evacuees at Volk Field, Wis., Aug. 29, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Eric Cerami/ 55th Signal Company)

Bancroft assumes command of 123rd Airlift Wing
August 8, 2021 — Col. Bruce Bancroft assumed command of the 123rd Airlift Wing during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville on Aug. 7, 2021, accepting the wing’s guidon before an audience of more than 50 socially distanced family, friends and fellow Airmen... MORE

Col. Bruce Bancroft (center) accepts the 123rd Airlift Wing guidon from Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Wilkinson (left), Kentucky’s assistant adjutant general for Air, during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 7, 2021, formally recognizing Bancroft’s assumption of command of the wing from Col. David Mounkes (right). Mounkes, who had served as wing commander since 2016, has been named director of policy for air operations, plans and programs at Joint Forces Headquarters—Kentucky. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

123rd Airlift Wing earns 19th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
August 7, 2021 — The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing received its 19th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 7, 2021, maintaining a lengthy record as the most decorated airlift unit in the U.S. Air Force... MORE

Col. David Mounkes (right), outgoing commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, pins a streamer representing the wing’s 19th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award to the wing guidon during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 7, 2021. The award, which is bestowed on the top 10 percent of all units, recognizes the wing’s outstanding achievement across a full spectrum of operations, from homeland disaster response to the war effort overseas, between October 2017 and September 2019. No other airlift unit in the United States Air Force — active duty, Guard or Reserve — has earned 19 AFOUAs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

123rd Airlift Wing dedicates new $8.9 million facility for response forces
July 30, 2021 — The 123rd Airlift Wing dedicated an $8.9 million building in Louisville, Kentucky, July 30, 2021, to house multiple units that respond to contingencies and disasters around the world... MORE

Tongate assumes role as state command chief for Kentucky Air Guard
June 29, 2021 — Chief Master Sgt. James Tongate assumed responsibility as state command chief for Joint Force Headquarters—Air, Kentucky National Guard, during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, May 15, 2021... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. James Tongate stands at attention to accept his new role as state command chief of the Kentucky Air National Guard during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., May 15, 2021. Tongate previously served as human resource advisor for the 123rd Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Chloe Ochs)

Kentucky Guard Celebrates 229th Birthday
June 24, 2021 — This is the first time the Kentucky Guard has publicly celebrated the date, according to Lt. Col. Stephen Martin, the State Director of Public Affairs, and Master of Ceremonies for the event... MORE

During the ceremony, there was a ceremonial cake cutting where the two senior members of the Air Guard and Army Guard helped cut the cake with the two lowest ranking members in attendance of each branch.

123rd CRG completes successful U.S. TRANSCOM training mission with U.S. Army
June 24, 2021 — More than 100 Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group joined approximately 50 Soldiers the U.S. Army’s 690th Rapid Port Opening Element to participate in Operation Lone Oak, a U.S. Transportation Command Turbo Distribution exercise held June 7-12, 2021... MORE

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group set up their base of operations for a Joint Task Force-Port Opening exercise known as Operation Lone Oak on June 7, 2021, at Volk Field, Wis. The objective of a JTF-PO is to establish a complete air logistics hub and surface distribution network from scratch. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Vicky Spesard)

Cecil concludes 24-year Kentucky Air National Guard Career
May 1, 2021 — After 24 years of service to the Kentucky Air Guard, Chief Master Sgt. Shaun P. Cecil retired during a ceremony held in the maintenance hangar at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, April 10, 2021... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Shaun P. Cecil, chief enlisted manager for the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron, speaks to audience members during his retirement ceremony April 10, 2021, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Cecil's career spanned 24 years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

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