Kentucky Guard

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Tag: National Guard

56th Connelly Award goes to Kentucky
June 13, 2024 — India Company's field kitchen Soldiers took home the Phillip A. Connelly Award as the Army National Guard’s Field Kitchen winner for their excellence in Army Food Service... MORE

I Company joined other food service professionals from every branch of the military who were also receiving awards for being the top of their branch's food service units. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Benjamin Crane)

Director of Operations promoted to Colonel
June 5, 2024 — Kentucky Army National Guard Col. John Harvey was promoted during a ceremony in front of his family, friends, and colleagues inside the Wellman Auditorium at the Boone National Guard Center on May 24, 2024. The ceremony highlighted the remarkable career and achievements of Harvey, showcasing his dedication and commitment to service... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard Col. John Harvey was promoted during a ceremony in front of his family, friends, and colleagues inside the Wellman Auditorium at the Boone National Guard Center on May 24, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Destini Keene)

Building Renaming Ceremony Honors CW5 (Ret.) Joe Wilkins
May 28, 2024 — Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Joe Wilkins was honored with a renaming ceremony recognizing his remarkable 52 years of service, both in and out of uniform. On May 20, 2024, families and friends of Wilkins gathered at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky, as the Garrison Training Command headquarters building was officially named the "CW5 Joe N. Wilkins Building." “Dad loved being part of the Guard and supporting the Guard. That’s what he lived to do,” said Brent Wilkins, son of Joe Wilkins. “From the time he joined in 1960 until he retired in 2012, he lived the Guard. He supported the Guard.”... MORE

Frances Wilkins, widow of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Joe Wilkins, holds the plaque for the building renaming in remembrance of Joe Wilkins at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center (WHFRTC) in Greenville, Kentucky on May 24, 2024. Joe Wilkins was one of the three full-time employees who made WHFRTC a major state training site. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

Kentucky Alpha competes in 53rd Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championship
May 10, 2024 — Four Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard competed in the 53rd Winston P. Wilson (WPW) national rifle and pistol marksmanship championship in Camp Robinson, April 27-May 3. This event, hosted and sponsored by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center and the 233rd Regional Training Institute Sniper Instructors, exemplifies the high-level training designed to enhance and ensure the National Guard is a lethal and ready force that is capable of addressing our nation's challenges. There were 192 competitors that attended this year's event, making 48, four-man teams. They traveled from 44 states and territories and included U.S. allies from as far away as the Netherlands... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Adam Brown receives the Chief's 50 badge for marksmanship excellence during the Winston P. Wilson Championship hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in Camp Robinson, Arkansas, from April 27-May 3, 2024. The WPW competition showcases the adaptiveness, resilience, and lethality of our forces, affirming the readiness of National Guard citizen-Soldiers to meet the nation’s challenges. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Destini Keene)

Kentucky National Guard Supports 150th Kentucky Derby
May 6, 2024 — Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard augmented Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and Churchill Downs to assist with security and traffic for the historic 150th runnings of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 4-5. Military Police of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade were positioned alongside LMPD Officers at more than 20 key intersections and checkpoints around Churchill Downs to assist traffic direction and provide additional safety, lightening the demand on local law enforcement agencies. With over 260,000 spectators in attendance, 149th MEB’s presence at Churchill Downs eased the workload on local law enforcement... MORE

Soldiers of the 940th Military Police Company, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade guard the winner’s trophy at the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, May 4, 2024. The Kentucky Army National Guard carries a long tradition of escorting the winner’s cup dating back decades. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Caleb Sooter)

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.

Kentucky Guardsman’s child picked to have Easter egg represented in DC
April 26, 2024 — One Kentucky National Guard family was invited to represent the Kentucky National Guard at the White House for a special tour and honorary showing of personal artwork during the White House Easter Egg Roll, April 1. This year's annual event, hosted by the First Lady and celebrating the theme of National Guard families, invited children in National Guard families to submit colored drawings of Easter eggs that would be recreated on actual eggs and displayed in the White House East Colonnade... MORE

Eli Willingham, son of Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Willingham, readiness Non-commissioned officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, poses with the egg he submitted to the White House for First Lady's Egg Roll design contest that was later picked to be displayed in the White House East Colonnade

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.

Civil support team completes interagency certificates
March 7, 2024 — The 41st Civil Support Team, 75th Troop Command were evaluated in an interagency exercise at the Jim Beam Book Noe plant in Boston, Kentucky. This evaluation is part of an certification program that must be completed every 18 months... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sergeants Zachary Baise and Jawan Smith, both members of the The Kentucky National Guard's 41st Civil Support Team, conducted their Training Proficiency Evaluation with ARNORTH at a Jim Beam warehouse in Boston, Kentucky, Mar. 7, 2024. (Kentucky Army National Guard photo by Capt. Cody Stagner)

Army Lt. Col. Todd Reed was honored during a retirement ceremony
March 7, 2024 — Army Lt. Col. Todd Reed was recognized for his distinguished military career during his retirement ceremony held at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, March 1, 2024. Reed served in the Army for 37 years, where he spent the past five years as the inspector general (IG) for the Kentucky National Guard... MORE

Army Lt. Col. Todd Reed was honored during a retirement ceremony at the Wellman Armory auditorium on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort March 1, 2024. He has served in the military for 37 years. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Benjamin Crane)

Military children recognized at Kentucky General Assembly
February 29, 2024 — Approximately 80 children of Kentucky military service members were recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly for Kentucky Military Kids Day at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Kentucky on Feb. 27, 2024. Children of servicemembers from almost all branches were first introduced to the House Committee for Veterans, Military, and Public Protection (VMAPP). They also participated in demonstrations from the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, scavenger hunts in the Capitol, and ended with serving as a page to their senator or representative from their home counties in a legislative session... MORE

Approximately 80 children of Kentucky military service members were recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly for Kentucky Military Kids Day at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Kentucky on Feb. 27, 2024. Children of servicemembers from almost all branches were first introduced to the House Committee for Veterans, Military, and Public Protection (VMAPP). They also participated in demonstrations from the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, scavenger hunts in the Capitol, and ended with serving as a page to their senator or representative from their home counties in a legislative session. (Kentucky National Guard photos by Andy Dickson)

Retired Guardsman donates missing KY National Guard magazines
February 16, 2024 — In January 2024, a retired public affairs officer donated forgotten pieces of Kentucky’s military history to the Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office in Frankfort. Retired Army Col. Tom Little was preparing his belongings for a move into a new home when he came across his old military documents. Among those documents were copies of previously published issues of The Kentucky Guardsmen and The Bluegrass Guard. These printed newsletters were under his responsibility when he served as the commander of the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) during the 1970s and 1980s... MORE

Retired Army Col. Tom Little looks through old issues of the Kentucky Guardsman at a local restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky on Jan. 17, 2024. Little, former commander of the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs detachment, donated almost 40 issues from his personal collection to the Kentucky National Guard to help preserve it's history. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

Bridging Two Worlds: Kentucky ESGR hosts civic leaders to improve lives of citizen-Soldiers
January 10, 2024 — Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, Kentucky's adjutant general, and retired Brig. Gen. Mike Richie, the Kentucky ESGR committee’s state chairman, addressed business and civic leaders during the 2023 Leadership KY Conference hosted in Frankfort, Dec. 14, 2023. Their dual purpose was to highlight the Kentucky National Guard's roles and importance of supporting troops... MORE

Kentucky National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton speaks with local business owners at the Wellman Auditorium on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky on Dec. 14, 2023.

Kentucky’s Adoption Assistance Program expands growing Guard family
January 4, 2024 — The Military Family Assistance Trust (MFAST) Funds enables Guardsmen like Army Master Sgt. Michael Meredith, the senior human resources noncommissioned officer for the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, to overcome challenges faced when adopting a new member into their family... MORE

Kentucky Guard honors late pilot held prisoner during World War II
December 22, 2023 — There can be little doubt that the spirit of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen is alive and well today, nearly 11 years after the former World War II bomber pilot passed away at the age of 92. On Nov. 13, the adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard presented his family with a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal here, during a ceremony held in Owen’s long-time family home. Owen, who retired from military service in 1972 after more than 24 years with the Kentucky Air National Guard, spent 21 months as a prisoner of the German military during World War II. He was not awarded a POW Medal at the time because the honor did not exist until 1985... MORE

A ceremony to present a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal to the family of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen was held at this historic home in Cynthiana, Ky., Nov. 13, 2023. The structure, erected in 1858 and now operated as a bed and breakfast, was Owen’s home until his death in 2013. Owen, who served in the Kentucky Air National Guard for more than 24 years, rising to become assistant adjutant general for Air, was piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress over Hamburg, Germany, on July 25, 1943, when the aircraft was shot down, and he remained a POW for the duration of World War II. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky Guard Recruiters awarded for hard work
December 19, 2023 — Soldiers with the Recruiting and Retention Battalion awarded their top mission making Soldiers during an award ceremony held at the Galt House hotel Dec. 16... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Heather York, this year’s Directors 54/Recruiter of the Year received her Meritorious Service Medal during the Mission Maker award ceremony held at the Galt House hotel Dec. 16, 2023. As Kentucky’s selection for Directors 54, she went on to compete in the regional competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane)

Drerup recognized by Supreme Allied Commander Europe for leadership
December 8, 2023 — Capt. Sarah Drerup of the Kentucky Army National Guard was honored in a ceremony for her achievements during her 2022 deployment in Kosovo. Recognized for her leadership and positive impact, Drerup’s efforts were recognized by U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and contributed significantly to the success of her unit and the Kosovo mission... MORE

Capt. Sarah Drerup receives the Supreme Allied Commander Europe's Recognition Award

Kentucky Guard combat medic trains with MREP exercise
December 6, 2023 — Staff Sgt. Peter Fleming of the Kentucky Army National Guard served as a combat medic in the Military Reserves Exchange Program (MREP) in the UK and Estonia from June 27 to July 17, 2023. He volunteered for this three-week training alongside infantry companies from Virginia, Maryland, and Louisiana Army National Guards... MORE

U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Peter Fleming (left) talks with service members of the United Kingdom's 7th Rifle Regiment during Operation Baltic Fist in Tapa, Estonia between June 27 and July 17, 2023. Operation Baltic Fist is part of the Department of Defense's Military Reserves Exchange Program in which U.S. reserve forces train with joint NATO partners to share tactics and procedures in different joint environments. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Peter Fleming)

Kentucky infantry wins national award for readiness
November 28, 2023 — The Kentucky National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry was recently honored with the 2023 General Walter T. Kerwin, Jr. Readiness Award. The unit received the award at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) national meeting and exposition October 9 in Washington, D.C... MORE

The MG Robert G. Moorhead National Guard and Army Reserve Breakfast at the AUSA 2023 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. (Carol Guzy for AUSA)

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