Kentucky Guard

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)

Air Guard Civil Engineer team takes second place in Air Force competition
December 18, 2023 — Two civil engineers from the Kentucky Air National Guard helped their team earn second place in the Air Force Civil Engineer Readiness Challenge, held April 24-28, 2023, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida... MORE

A team of Airmen representing the Air National Guard took second place in the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Readiness Challenge held April 24-28, 2023, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. One component of the team, a group of Airmen specializing in water and fuel systems maintenance, included two members from the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron: Staff Sgt. Tristen Baxter, far left, and Staff Sgt. Cathy Chasteen, second from left. (U.S. Air Force photo by Francois Wood)

Kentucky aviators take part in simulated post-nuclear response exercise
December 14, 2023 — The Kentucky Guard worked with federal, state, and local agencies while simulating post-nuclear forensics missions across Northern Kentucky and exploring emergency response tactics... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is loaded with radiological detection equipment during Prominent Hunt 24-1 interagency exercise in Frankfort, Kentucky, Oct. 8, 2023.

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 Guardsman completes Ranger school on first go 
December 6, 2023 — Army National Guardsman, 2nd Lt. Dustin McKie-Miller aced every challenge on his first attempt at Ranger School and finished the course in 62 days, the shortest time possible for training, crediting both luck and skill.  ... MORE

McKie-Miller aced every challenge of the Ranger training on his first attempt and finished the course in 62 days, the shortest time possible for training, crediting both luck and skill.

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)

Gregory concludes four decades of military service
November 22, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Danny L. Gregory, senior enlisted leader for the 165th Airlift Squadron’s Flight Engineer Section, retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 9, 2023, ending a career spanning more than 40 years... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Danny Gregory, senior enlisted leader of the 165th Airlift Squadron’s Flight Engineer Section, speaks to a group of family, friends and fellow Airmen at his retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 9, 2023. Gregory retired from the 123rd Airlift Wing after more than 40 years in the military. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Honoring a legacy: a tribute to LTC Jeff Cole
November 20, 2023 — Leaders of the Kentucky National Guard, joined by over 100 attendees, dedicated the Middlesboro armory to Lt. Col. Jeff Cole, on Nov. 17, 2023. The ceremony in Middlesboro honored Cole's legacy as an exemplary Soldier, leader, family man, and man of faith... MORE

Christi Cole Pope speaks to attendees at an armory naming ceremony in Middlesboro, Kentucky, on Nov. 17, 2023.

Survivor’s Day at the Races honors 700 Gold Star Family members at Churchill Downs
November 16, 2023 — More than 700 Gold Star Family members who’ve lost loved ones in military service to the United States gathered at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 5, 2023, as part of Survivor’s Day at the Races... MORE

A parachutists skydives into Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 5, 2023, with a U.S. flag as part of Survivor’s Day at the Races, an annual event to honor family members who've lost loved ones in military service to the United States. Hosted with assistance from the Kentucky National Guard, the event drew more than 700 family members from 18 states. (U.S. Air National Guard photo bay Dale Greer)

Kentucky Air Guard’s Special Tactics plays key role for Resolute Sentinel in Peru
November 15, 2023 — Four members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron played a key role in Resolute Sentinel 23, a multi-national exercise held in Peru to enhance readiness, cooperation and interoperability between partner nations... MORE

U.S. Air Force operators assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron conduct a casualty evacuation training scenario with the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group, Peru’s Defensa y Operaciones Especiales and other Special Operations Forces assets during exercise Resolute Sentinel 23 in Peru, July 20, 2023. Resolute Sentinel improves readiness of U.S. and partner nation military and interagency personnel through joint defense interoperability training, engineering projects and knowledge exchanges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Chris Hibben)

Kentucky National Guard MP promoted to Sgt. Maj. through mentorship
November 14, 2023 — Kentucky Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Naarah Stallard has been promoted to the rank of sergeant major in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 15. Stallard has served 27 years in the military, with the last 22 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard (KYARNG)... MORE

Army 1st Sgt. Naarah Stallard (left) receives congratulations from Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Sallee, the retired sergeant major for the 198th Military Police Battalion at her promotion ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky on October 15, 2023. Stallard was pinned to sergeant major by Sallee at the ceremony. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of Command Sgt. Maj. Naarah Stallard)

Kentucky National Guard selects the Best Warriors of 2024
November 8, 2023 — The Kentucky Army National Guard announced the winners of the state-wide Best Warrior Competition at the awards breakfast held at Wendell H. Ford Training Center, Nov 5... MORE

Soldiers who competed in Kentucky's Best Warrior Competition received trophies during a ceremony held in Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky, November 5, 2023. From left: Spc. Jackie Zheng, Soldier of the Year; Command Sgt. Maj. Benzie Timberlake, 75th Troop Command; Sgt. Jerry Marksbury III, NCO of the Year Runner-Up; Sgt. Robert Buck, NCO of the Year; Command Sgt. Maj. Aaron Lester, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; and Spc. Stephen Shelton, Soldier of the Year Runner-Up. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Cody Stagner)

Kentucky Honor Guard helps put to rest forgotten Medal of Honor recipient
November 6, 2023 — Honor Guard Soldiers from the Kentucky National Guard were on hand to help honor a Medal of Honor recipient whose grave had gone unmarked and almost forgotten for the past 148 years at Highland Cemetery Nov. 4... MORE

Rowalt had served during the American Indian War before contracting smallpox and dying around the age of 28 in Cincinnati and buried at the nearby Kentucky cemetery. His grave site was previously unmarked for the last 148 years.

Kentucky National Guard selected as top command
October 31, 2023 — The Kentucky National Guard has been awarded the 2023 Association of the United States Army’s trophy for best National Guard command... MORE

A C-130-J Super Hercules aircraft awaits the next sortie on the flight line of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 14, 2023. The Louisville-based 123rd Airlift Wing was just awarded its 20th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award — a record among C-130 airlift units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Guard Soldiers honored with Governor’s Outstanding Unit citation for Southwest Border support
October 27, 2023 — Governor Andy Beshear honored Soldiers from seven Kentucky National Guard units who served along the southwest border since 2020 at the Capitol Rotunda, Oct 26... MORE

Governor Andy Beshear honored Soldiers from seven Kentucky National Guard units who served along the southwest border since 2020 at the Capitol Rotunda, Oct 26.

Gov. Beshear honors Ky. Air Guard as 123rd Airlift Wing earns 20th Outstanding Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award
October 16, 2023 — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear praised the men and women of the 123rd Airlift Wing for superior performance during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 14, 2023, to honor one of the top wings in the U.S. Air Force... MORE

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, right, presents the Kentucky Governor’s Outstanding Unit award to Brig Gen. David Mounkes, Kentucky’s assistant adjutant general for Air, during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 14, 2023. The ceremony, which highlighted the unit’s accomplishments over the last four years, concluded with the presentation of the wing’s 20th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Adoption benefits through Kentucky's Military Family Assistance Trust (MFAST)
October 16, 2023 — Lt. Col. John Harvey and his wife, Miranda, explain the benefits they received through Kentucky's Military Family Assistance Trust (MFAST) program, a program to help military families in emergencies and other needs at their home in Lexington, Kentucky on June 13, 2023. The MFAST program was created by Kentucky law to assist Kentucky service members in need of emergencies such as natural disasters and can also be used to help families in need of financial assistance. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Andy Dickson)... MORE

Recruiters Sign commitments
September 29, 2023 — Kentucky National Guard state leadership joined senior leaders from the Recruiting and Retention Battalion for the signing of their mission commitments yesterday at the Bowman Field Readiness Center in Louisville, Kentucky... MORE

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