Kentucky Guard

Mountain Warriors Complete NATO Mission
December 21, 2022 — Approximately 200 Soldiers returned from their mission in Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. The Soldiers were part of NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) mission as KFOR 30, representing the thirtieth rotation for U.S. Soldiers... MORE

Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, commander of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Brigade, shares a laugh with his family at the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Ky., after he and his unit arrived home from their deployment to Kosovo Nov. 17, 2022.

Senior enlisted advisor visits Kentucky soldiers
December 13, 2022 — The National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor visited Kentucky to meet Soldiers and answer questions in Lexington, Frankfort, and Louisville, Ky. on Dec. 4, 2022. Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) Tony Whitehead visited Soldiers with the 138th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB); 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade (TAB); Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 75th Troop Command (TC); the 223rd Military Police Company; and the 202nd Army Band before the holiday season to take questions about the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau position... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. David Page (left) introduces Army Spc. Garner Offutt (center) to Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead (right) as the Kentucky National Guard's Soldier of the Year for 2023 in Lexington, Ky. on Dec. 3, 2023. Whitehead is visiting Kentucky National Guard soldiers and airmen before the holidays. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Dickson)

National Guard SEA visits Kentucky ROTC program
December 12, 2022 — The National Guard’s senior enlisted advisor visited the University of Kentucky (UK) and Kentucky State University (KSU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets at their respective campuses in Lexington and Frankfort, Ky. on Dec. 5, 2022. Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau, visited both universities to talk to cadets on the importance of building strong relationships and communication between the officer and enlisted corps early in their careers and how essential their leadership training is to the future of the force... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead addresses the University of Kentucky Air and Army Reserves Officer Training Corp (ROTC) at the University of Kentucky's Seaton Center in Lexington, Ky. on Dec. 5, 2022. Whitehead is visiting Kentucky to recognize soldiers and airmen for their accomplishments throughout the year and meet with local ROTC cadets. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Dickson)

Kentucky Aviators say their goodbyes, set to deploy to Africa
November 16, 2022 — Soldiers with Detachment 4, Charlie Company, 2/245th Aviation Regiment, 63rd Theater Aviation Battalion will be charged with flying C-12 King Air fixed wing aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During their deployment they will be providing air movement support throughout the Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) area of responsibility... MORE

Four Soldiers with Detachment 4, Charlie Company, 2/245th Aviation Regiment, 63rd Theater Aviation Battalion will be charged with flying C-12 King Air fixed wing aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During their deployment they will be providing air movement support throughout the Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) area of responsibility.

Soldiers compete in Kentucky Best Warrior
November 14, 2022 — This year’s format included some of the new technology that was implemented this year. Moving targets were used during the weapons skills portion and night vision goggles were implemented for a portion of the competition... MORE

These Soldiers are representing their units and brigades in an intense gauntlet to find out who will advance onto the Regional Best Warrior Competition.

Gold Star Families enjoy a day of racing at Churchill Downs
November 10, 2022 — Family members and loved ones of fallen service members gathered from fourteen different states to witness the fifth race of the day which is dedicated to the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to United States... MORE

Family members and loved ones of fallen service members gathered from fourteen different states to witness the fifth race of the day which is dedicated to the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to United States.

Cooper draws 3-decade career to a close as commander of 123rd Medical Group
November 4, 2022 — Col. Michael A. Cooper concluded his military career with a retirement ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022, drawing a close to 30 years of distinguished service... MORE

Col. Michael A. Cooper, commander of the 123rd Medical Group, retires from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Cooper served for 30 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Kentucky Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Otto takes command of 123rd Medical Group
November 3, 2022 — Col. Hans F. Otto assumed command of the 123rd Medical Group during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022, replacing Col. Michael A. Cooper, who is retiring... MORE

Col. Hans F. Otto, right, accepts the guidon of the 123rd Medical Group from Col. Bruce Bancroft, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Otto is replacing Col. Michael A. Cooper, who has served as the group’s commander since 2014 and is retiring. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Fatality search and recovery mission helps bring closure to disaster
November 1, 2022 — Never before had Airman 1st Class Brandon Porter seen the kind of destruction left by a tornado after it ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, in December 2021, starting a fire that killed eight people... MORE

Airman 1st Class Brandon Porter, left, and Master Sgt. Kevin Woodard from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team inspect a generator used in recovery operations during training at the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 8, 2022. The FSRT, part of the 123rd Force Support Squadron, assisted local coroners during historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky this summer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Phil Speck)

Zollman assumes command of 123rd Maintenance Group
October 31, 2022 — Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman took charge of the 123rd Maintenance Group during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2022... MORE

Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman, right, accepts the 123rd Maintenance Group guidon from Col. Bruce Bancroft, 123rd Airlift Wing commander, during the group's change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Zollman assumed command from Col. Ash Groves, who has been named director of staff at Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

Command Chief Warrant Officers change over
October 28, 2022 — Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dwight D. Harlan relinquished the responsibility over Kentucky’s warrant officer corps to the new Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ricky L. Skelton... MORE

Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harlan relinquished the responsibility over Kentucky’s warrant officer corps to the Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ricky L. Skelton.

Thunder Six promoted to colonel
October 27, 2022 — Army Lt. Col. Steve Mattingly, 138th Field Artillery Brigade commander (Thunder Six) was promoted to the rank of colonel in a ceremony at the Federal Hill Mansion at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, Ky. on Oct 6, 2022. Mattingly knows his way around the 138th FAB. He began his military career as an enlisted Soldier in 1998 as a Forward Observer. Since then, he has served as the Bravo Battery 2/238th Field Artillery Battalion commander and 1-623 Field Artillery Battalion commander, among multiple other positions throughout the brigade. In 2021, Mattingly took command of the 138th Field Artillery Brigade. He has been serving in the brigade for 24 years. While more common in the National Guard than active duty or any other branch of service, it’s still quite notable... MORE

Army Lt. Col. Steve Mattingly was promoted to the rank of colonel in a ceremony at the Federal Hill Mansion at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown Ky. on Oct 6, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Carla Raisler)

Central America militaries grow stronger through Guard relationships
October 24, 2022 — Generally, the SPP improves the readiness, recruitment and retention of National Guard units, according to Lt. Col. Dan Cooper, of the Kentucky National Guard. The Bluegrass State’s unit first connected with Ecuador’s army in 1996. Since then, he said, Kentucky and Ecuadorian forces have assisted each other to gain practical experience in military skills or disaster preparations... MORE

Members of the Guatemalan Air Force participated in a three-day patient movement tour with the Arkansas National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program.

Medical doctor direct commissions into the Kentucky National Guard
October 18, 2022 — A new medical doctor direct commissioned into the Kentucky Army National Guard in a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky. on Oct. 18, 2022. Capt. Sara Powell took the oath of the commissioned officer with her husband, parents, and daughter watching. Powell will be the new brigade surgeon for the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Richmond, Ky... MORE

Army Capt. Sara Powell takes the oath of commissioned officers from Chief Warrant Officer Tim Collins at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky. on Oct. 18, 2022. Powell is the medical facility director at St. Joseph Hospital in Mt. Sterling, Ky. and has commissioned to be the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade surgeon. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

Flemingsburg Police Department Honored by Department of Defense
October 12, 2022 — The Flemingsburg Police Department today received the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition of employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The award was made to Police Department Chief Brian Bowling by Governor Andy Beshear on behalf of the Department of Defense in a ceremony at the state Capitol... MORE

The Flemingsburg Police Department is awarded the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. on Sept. 29, 2022. The Freedom Award is given to civilian employers of the Guard and Reserves by the ESGR for exceptional commitment to servicemembers' military careers. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

Chief Warrant Officer retires after 39 years
October 11, 2022 — Chief Warrant Officer Charles Harris is retiring from the Kentucky National Guard after 39 years of military service and service as an intelligence officer and state security manager. During his career, Harris earned many titles, from being promoted to a colonel, joining the warrant officer corps, and then doctor when he earned his Ph.D. in strategic intelligence... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer Charles Harris (left) thanks his wife, Megan, for her support at his retirement lunch on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky. on Sept. 30, 2022. Harris is retiring after 39 years of military service as a military intelligence officer. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

Kentucky National Guard celebrates its newest officers
September 26, 2022 — Seven Kentucky National Guard Soldiers were commissioned to second lieutenant in a ceremony in the rotunda at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. on Sept. 24, 2022. Officer Candidate class 64-22 received their commissions with family and friends present after attending the 18-month Officer Candidate School held by the 238th Regional Training Institute (RTI) in Greenville, Ky... MORE

Army Maj. Jack Rachau introduces the newly commissioned officers in a ceremony at the Kentucky State Capitol Rotundra in Frankfort, Ky. on Sept. 24, 2022. The new officers will be pinned by family and friends at the ceremony as part of commissioning tradition. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

Mounkes takes command of Kentucky Air Guard as new assistant adjutant general
September 13, 2022 — David J. Mounkes was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and officially took charge of the Kentucky Air National Guard during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 13, 2022, at the 123rd Airlift Wing... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, left, adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, administers the oath of office to Brig. Gen. David J. Mounkes, assistant adjutant general for Air, during a promotion and change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 13, 2022. Mounkes assumed command of the Kentucky Air Guard at the event, taking on the role of assistant adjutant general for Air from Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson, who is retiring. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky Guard signal leaders swap knowledge, build relationships with counterparts in partner nation Djibouti
September 12, 2022 — Although the early-morning sun was still low in the sky, temperatures were already hovering near 100 degrees, as a small group of Kentucky National Guard signal leaders made their way in utility vehicles across the rugged, barren terrain of sunbaked Djibouti, a small country in East Africa... MORE

Wilkinson concludes career as special tactics officer who rose to become top Air Guardsman
September 12, 2022 — Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson concluded his military career at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base Aug. 18, 2022, drawing an end to 28 years of service that saw him rise through the ranks to become the state’s top Air Guardsman... MORE

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson, center, outgoing assistant adjutant general for Air, renders his final salute to Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, left, adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, during Wilkinson’s retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 13, 2022, as Brig. Gen. David Mounkes, incoming assistant adjutant general for Air, looks on. A career special tactics officer, Wilkinson served the Air Force and Air National Guard for more than 28 years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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