Kentucky Guard

Emergency Operations Center crucial to relief efforts Partnership built during exercises, succeeds during disaster
March 3, 2012 — Kentucky’s Emergency Operations Center, the heart of recovery and relief efforts at the Boone National Guard Center buzzed with activity March 3 after Gov. Steve Beshear declared a statewide emergency March 2, allowing local officials immediate access to state resources to assist with public security. “Without the EOC, there would be a lack of command and control,” said Kentucky National Guard Lt. Col. Jeffery Hughes, director of military support, Joint Operations Center... MORE

Kentucky National Guard Col. Charles K. Harris, J2 Intelligence and Security officer, briefs the Kentucky Emergency Management at the Emergency Operations Center at Boone National Guard Center, March 3, following tornadoes and storms that ripped through Kentucky, March 2.

Kentucky Guard engages in search and rescue operations after tornadoes
March 3, 2012 — Kentucky National Guard soldiers and airmen converged on the remains of West Liberty, Ky., March 3, to assist local fire and law enforcement in recovery and relief efforts, in the wake of the series of tornadic storms that ripped through the state, March 3. Soldiers from the Morehead, Ky.,-based 301st Chemical Company arrived on the scene Friday, hours after the tornado flattened the town, and assisted local officials with the evacuation of the citizens. On Friday, the operation changed to search and rescue... MORE

Kentucky National Guard service members engage in a search and rescue mission in West Liberty, Ky., for survivors after torrential storms and violent winds destroyed much of the community there, March 2.

Guard responds immediately after tornadoes
March 3, 2012 — Before the first winds crossed the Commonwealth of Kentucky March 2, the Kentucky National Guard made preparations to keep its citizen-soldiers safe and ready to assist in the event local officials would request assistance. Once the sun rose March 3, the need for Kentucky’s Guardsmen was evident across more than 40 of the 120 counties. From the sky, in a Kentucky Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, Kentucky’s Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson surveyed the damage and visited with residents in the small community of East Bernstadt, Ky., located in Laurel County... MORE

Staff Sgt. Joshua Matlock, with the Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery (HIMARS), accompanies Kentucky's Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson as they view the debris that covered the area of East Bernstadt, Ky., March 3.

Kentucky Guard supports local communities in eastern Kentucky
March 3, 2012 — Kentucky’s motto, “United we stand, divided we fall,” set the stage at ground zero after severe tornadoes ravaged several communities in eastern Kentucky, March 2. Local law enforcement officials, the Kentucky State Police, and soldiers from the Kentucky National Guard are working diligently in an effort to assist local community residents recover from the massive destruction caused by the natural disaster... MORE

Spc. Matthew Sellers, Horizontal Engineer for the 207th Engineer Battalion, based in Hazard, Ky., shakes hands with Kenna Spears, district leader for Advance Auto Parts in Salyersville, Ky., March 3. Kentucky National Guardsmen from Hazard assisted local residents by directing traffic, aiding in search and rescue missions, and handing out supplies.

Kentucky Guardsmen deploy to West Africa
February 20, 2012 — Deployed to southern Afghanistan with a team of soldiers, airmen, and other Agricultural specialists on the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 4, Mixon finds himself on a mission to help Afghan farmers... MORE

Mixon is a member of the Kentucky National Guard's Agribusiness Development Team 4, whose mission is to help Afghan locals develop more effective farming and business practices by providing education and sustainable tools.

University of Kentucky crop research scientist brings skills to National Guard mission
February 19, 2012 — Neal, a civilian agricultural specialist from Versailles, Ky., with the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team 4, said he started helping on the family farm around the age of 8 and has loved farming ever since. ... MORE

Neal is a member of the Kentucky National Guard's Agribusiness Development Team 4, whose mission is to help Afghan locals develop more effective farming and business practices by providing education and sustainable tools.

Yama Sakura 61: Ichi Dan!
February 2, 2012 — U.S. Army soldiers and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members participated in the 2012 Yama Sakura 61 exercise at Camp Itami in Osaka, Japan, Jan. 23 – Feb. 6. Yama Sakura is an annual, simulation computer driven joint-bilateral exercise between the JGSDF from Middle Army and the U.S. Army Pacific... MORE

Maj. Miranda Killingsworth, civil affairs planner with U.S. Army Pacific Contingency Command Post, works on an operational chart during Yama Sakura 61 at Camp Itami in Osaka, Japan.

Unbridled service in Japan
February 2, 2012 — What started off as a whirlwind of a mission evolved into a great working and learning experience for the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment as they embarked on a mission to Camp Itami located on the outskirts of Osaka, Japan. Members of the Kentucky National Guard’s 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment provided direct public affairs support to the Yama Sakura 61 exercise at Camp Itami from Jan. 23-Feb. 3... MORE

Members of the Yama Sakura 61's Public Affairs Office tell the stories of the personnel associated with the exercise. Members include: Mr. Hideo Kawada, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Oliver, Maj. Randall Baucom, Spc. Josh Bennett, Airman 1st Class Laura Yahemiak, Staff Sgt. Fredrick Varney, Spc. Brandy Mort and Staff Sgt. Rebecca Wood.

Yama Sakura 61 begins with opening ceremony
January 30, 2012 — Yama Sakura 61, an annual bilateral exercise with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and U.S. Army Pacific officially began, Jan. 30, at Camp Itami, Japan. The Yama Sakura exercise is a simulation-driven joint bilateral command post exercise designed to enhance U.S. and Japan combat readiness and interoperability while strengthening bi-lateral relationships... MORE

U.S. Army Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski and Middle Army Commander of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force Lt. Gen. Ryuichiro Arakawa shake hands during the bilateral press conference Yama Sakura 61 Jan. 30.

Last tour of duty: Deployed soldier reflects on storied career
January 29, 2012 — “The Soldiers, I think are smarter. They’re required to be because of all the equipment that we have, advanced technology…the battlefield is ever-changing, and you’ve got to be flexible with it. Clearly, I think the soldiers we have today are maybe not better soldiers, but more skilled than when I was a young soldier. You kind of have to be in today’s Army. It takes a lot,” Lile added. ... MORE

The two are currently deployed on Kentucky's Agribusiness Development Team 4, which seeks to improve the lives of Afghan farmers by teaching better farming and post-harvest techniques.

Yama Sakura 61: Home visit
January 29, 2012 — As a tradition of the Yama Sakura exercise, U.S. Army Japan soldiers participated in a home visit to the household of Maj. Yasuo Okamoto, chief of security for Middle Army’s Japan Ground Self Defense Force, in Osaka, Japan, Jan. 29... MORE

Military personnel enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine during a visit to the home of Maj. Yasuo Okamoto of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Jan. 29.

Yama Sakura 61: Cultural Activities Offer U.S. Military Personnel a Unique Experience in Japan
January 29, 2012 — However, the annual Yama Sakura in Japan offers a unique cultural experience designed to strengthen relationships between U.S. personnel and their Japanese counterparts... MORE

United States Army Pacific participate in a Japanese traditional tea ceremony outside Camp Itami, Japan, Jan. 24.

Going green in Osaka
January 28, 2012 — Nonetheless, several soldiers participating in the Yama Sakura 61 exercise at Camp Itami decided to trade in their free time and give back to the city of Osaka by assisting their Japanese counterparts in picking up trash and raking leaves around Osaka Castle Jan. 28. ... MORE

Spc. Isaac J. Ferderer, battle radio transmitter operator for the 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard, assists a member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during a cleanup of Osaka Castle in Osaka, Japan Jan. 28.

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