Kentucky Guard

Air Defender 23 provides joint training for 123rd Contingency Response, German Luftwaffe
July 6, 2023 — A 123rd Contingency Response Element from the Kentucky Air National Guard deployed to Wunstorf Air Base, Germany, in June to provide base operations support and cargo distribution for exercise Air Defender 2023... MORE

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky National Guard practice refueling operations in an austere environment, transferring fuel directly from one aircraft to another at Lechfeld Air Base, Germany, during exercise Air Defender (AD23), June 19, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph R. Morgan)

KYARNG Judge Advocates complete Basic Trial Advocacy Course
July 5, 2023 — Eight Kentucky Army National Guard Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) recently completed the Basic Trial Advocacy Course (BTAC) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia from May 7-15, 2023. The course, hosted by the Trial Counsel Assistance Program (TCAP), marked the National Guard's first training session at TCAP. This move reflects the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army’s commitment to promoting Active Duty, Army Reserve and National Guard integration. The integration efforts were set in motion by Lt. Col. Richard Couch, the newest military judge in the Kentucky National Guard JAG Corps. ... MORE

Eight Kentucky Army National Guard Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) recently completed the Basic Trial Advocacy Course (BTAC) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia from May 7-15, 2023. The course, hosted by the Trial Counsel Assistance Program (TCAP), marked the National Guard's first training session at TCAP.

Kentucky National Guard Chaplain Provides support at Cybersecurity Training Event
July 5, 2023 — Col. William Draper, chaplain with the Kentucky National Guard, provided spiritual guidance and counseling services during the Cyber Shield 2023 training exercise held at the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, 2-16 June. The demand for cybersecurity experts continues to surge, along with the stress of evolving threats and technology. In recognition for holistic support, Draper has taken a proactive approach to ensure the well-being of its cyber warriors during this year’s event... MORE

Col. William Draper, chaplin, Kentucky Army National Guard, prepares to deliver a sermon for attendees of the Cyber Shield Training exercise at the Camp Robinson chapel, Little Rock Ark., June 2-16, 2023. More than 800 National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian cyber professionals from around the world gather during this year’s Cyber Shield Training exercise. More than 25 states and territories will participate in the event and will make a signifiacnt milestone as members from five State Partnership Programs join forces with the National Guard cyber teams for the first time during the event. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffery Reno)

Aviation Brigade Demonstrates Combat Readiness and Integration During Warfighter 23-05 Exercise
July 3, 2023 — Acting as a combat aviation brigade at the corps level, the 63rd TAB successfully executed large-scale combat operations, showcasing their proficiency and tactical expertise in a realistic simulated battlefield environment. The exercise aimed to identify strengths and areas for improvement, enabling the units to fine-tune their tactics and ensure seamless integration with ground forces... MORE

The Watering Hole was open for lunch daily during the warfighter and was a moral boostSpc. Connor Ridings builds links on the ADSI (Air Defense Systems Integrator) to provide Command and Control data and track friendly and enemy forces activity within the airspace of the unit’s area of operations during the warfighter exercise May 27-June 13 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.

Kentucky Logistics Director Promoted to Colonel
June 30, 2023 — Army Lt. Col. Phillip Robinson was promoted to the rank of colonel by his wife and children during a ceremony at the Wellman Armory auditorium June 28,... MORE

Robinson is the director of logistics for the Kentucky National Guard on the full-time side and is the commander of the 238th Regional Training Institute on the M-DAY (traditional Soldier) side.

Kentucky Air Guard strengthens ties with NATO allies in Air Defender
June 24, 2023 — More than 130 Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard arrived in Germany in early June to participate in NATO’s largest-ever multinational air force redeployment exercise, Air Defender 23, joining with more than 10,000 personnel and hundreds of aircraft from 25 partner countries... MORE

Airmen from the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky National Guard, marshal a German aircraft tug towing a C-130J Super Hercules at Wunstorf Air Base, Wunstorf, Germany, June 12, 2023. Exercise Air Defender integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Hartman retires after 23 years of service
June 23, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Donald J. Hartman, chief enlisted manager for the 123d Force Support Squadron, retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base May 21, 2023, ending a career spanning more than 23 years... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Donald Hartman, right, outgoing senior enlisted leader for the 123rd Force Support Squadron, receives a certificate of retirement from Lt. Col. Kevin Krauss, 123rd Contingency Response Support Squadron commander, during Hartman’s retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., May 21, 2023. Hartman is retiring after 23 years of military service. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

1-149th Infantry get back to basics at their annual training
June 22, 2023 — During their two weeks of training, the infantry Soldiers went through a round-robin of refresher classes on combat life-saving techniques, reacting to contact on the battlefield, observation and mapping, radio basics, concealment basics, and weapon familiarization. ... MORE

During their two weeks of training, the infantry Soldiers went through a round-robin of refresher classes on combat life saving techniques, reacting to contact on the battlefield, observation and mapping, radio basics, concealment basics and weapon familiarization.

Army National Guard company evaluated in regional field feeding competition
June 15, 2023 — Soldiers with the Kentucky Army National Guard competed at the 56th Regional Philip A. Connelly Field Feeding Competition at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky, on June 14. Soldiers from India Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 75th Troop Command, set up their containerized kitchen (CK) and field sanitation stations for evaluation and competed against Service members from nine other states and territories geographically located in the southeast United States. ... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Adam Bwesi of India Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 75th Troop Command, adds ingredients to a pot in a containerized kitchen during the Regional Philip A. Connelly Field Feeding Competition at the Harlold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky on June 14, 2023. Bwesi and the rest of India Company are competing against nine other states and territories National Guard field feeding units in the southeast United States for a chance to compete nationally against the other regions of the National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Andy Dickson)

Gold Star Families cruise the Ohio River
June 15, 2023 — Gold Star family members of fallen U.S. military service men and women came together for a riverboat ride on the Ohio River June 11. More than 350 family members of those who passed away in the line of duty were in attendance. This year was a little different though, with Survivor Outreach Services coordinating nine additional locations for departures on the same day: Harrisburg, Pa., Pittsburgh, Pa., Nashville, Tenn., Charleston, S.C., St. Paul, Minn., Portland, Ore., Hannibal, Mo., Brownville, Neb., and Cleveland, Ohio. Attendance at each location varied based on the size of the boat and the Owner’s agreement. Planning for attendees at these sites ranged from 50 to 500, with state military leadership in attendance at each event ready to greet Gold Star Families... MORE

The Belle of Cincinnati, owned by Gold Star spouse Terri Berstein, hosts the Survivors Outreach Services Riverboat cruise along the Ohio River near Cincinnati, Ohio, June 23, 2023. The day is designed to recognize the surviving family members of military service members who have given their lives in defense of our nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. Matt Damon)

Legion Brigade refines skills with 38th Infantry Division
June 14, 2023 — The CPX is a “multi-echelon exercise focused on tasks supporting communications, command and control systems, and procedures”. The MEB set up their Current Operations Integration Cell (COIC) along with several other tents, replicating an operational environment using a tactical scenario... MORE

he 149th MEB staff and supporting elements participated in the exercise to set up and operate command and control systems, which increases the brigade’s readiness.

Kentucky Air Guardsman continues grandfather's WWII legacy
June 14, 2023 — Kentucky Air Guardsman honors grandfather's service legacy in Germany during Air Defender 23... MORE

Maj. Matthew Skeens, a logistics readiness officer with the 123rd Contingency Response Element from Louisville, Kentucky, stands by a memorial on Wunstorf Air Base, Germany, June 7, 2023. The stone commemorates those who served in the famous Berlin Airlift. Skeens, who is deployed here in support of Exercise Air Defender 23, holds a picture of his grandfather, U.S. Air Force pilot Kenneth Skeens, who flew in that mission 75 years ago from this base. Exercise Air Defender integrates both U.S. and Allied air power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Vicky Spesard)

2061st MRBC conducts wet gap crossing training during interagency exercise
June 14, 2023 — As part of their annual training this year, members of the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company participated in a joint exercise with military and civilian agencies as part of Operation: Homeland Defender 2023 at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, June 8-10... MORE

Soldiers from the Kentucky National Guard’s 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company load vehicles onto their raft bridge

202nd Band Performs at State Capitol
June 13, 2023 — Five Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 202nd Army Band performed at the Kentucky State Capitol rotunda in Frankfort, Kentucky, on June 10th, 2023. Soldiers of the 202nd Army Band provided music for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Act. The 202nd supported the community by performing a variety of music prior to the ceremony and after its completion... MORE

Five Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 202nd Army Band performed at the Kentucky State Capitol rotunda in Frankfort, Kentucky, on June 10th, 2023. The 202nd supported the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Act by performing a variety of music prior to the ceremony and after its completion. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Danielle Sturgill)

Richards retires, concluding 30 years of service
June 7, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Richards, senior enlisted leader of the 123rd Medical Group, retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base May 20, 2023, concluding a career spanning more than 30 years... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Richards, senior enlisted leader of the 123rd Medical Group, addresses an audience of friends, family and fellow Airmen during his retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., May 20, 2023. Richards is retiring after 30 years of service. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

Kentucky Infantry unit welcomes new commander
May 30, 2023 — Lt. Col. Jason Mendez relinquished command of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, to Lt. Col. Jason Partin during a ceremony held at Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky, May 21, 2023... MORE

Lt. Col. Jason Partin, incoming commander of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, Kentucky Army National Guard, receives the colors from Col. Jared Lake, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Virginia Army National Guard.

Kentucky Military Police take training to the ‘Show Me State’
May 29, 2023 — The 198th Military Police Battalion, and its subordinate units, conducted their annual training at the home of the United States Army Military Police Schools (USAMPS) May 12-26... MORE

The 198th Military Police Battalion, and its subordinate units, conducted their annual training at the home of the United States Army Military Police Schools (USAMPS) May 12-26.

New Command Team ushers in a new era for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion
May 25, 2023 — The Kentucky Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion changed its leadership team during a ceremony held May 22, 2023, at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. Lt. Col. Jason Mendez took charge of the battalion, headquartered in Frankfort, from Lt. Col. Jacob McKinney, while Command Sgt. Maj. Johnnie Parton turned over his responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Reed... MORE

Lt. Col. Jacob McKinney relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, and Command Sgt. Maj. Johnnie Parton turned over responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Reed.

First KYNG Signal Chief Warrant Officer 5 signs off the net
May 23, 2023 — Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Barker retired during a ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center, in Frankfort, Kentucky on April 27, 2023, culminating a distinguished 39-year-long military career. Barker joined the Army in 1984 as an enlisted Soldier and in 1993 commissioned as a warrant officer, specializing in electronic maintenance. His career at Boone National Guard Center began before he enlisted into the Kentucky National Guard as a groundskeeper... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jennifer Ritchie, Recruiting and Retention Battalion officer strength manager, presents a retirement gift to Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Barker, Joint Forces Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, during his retirement ceremony in Frankfort, Ky, April 27, 2023. Barker is retiring after 39 years of service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Carla Raisler Kentucky National Guard)

Kentucky Air Guard recognizes 2022 retirees
May 19, 2023 — Fifty-one retirees of the Kentucky Air National Guard were honored April 22 when a plaque bearing their names was unveiled during a ceremony at the 123rd Airlift Wing... MORE

The names of 51 Airmen have been added to a monument at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., recognizing service members who retired from the organization in 2022. The names, inscribed on a black granite plaque in front of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Lt. Gen. John B. Conaway Headquarters Building, were announced during a ceremony at the base April 22, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo illustration by Dale Greer)

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