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Making a Difference: Kentucky Guardsman Reflects on His First Year in Uniform
June 15, 2026 — U.S. Army Spc. Ishmael Wilson, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairer with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade reflects on his first year in the Kentucky Army National Guard during annual training at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center. Motivated by a desire for positive change, Wilson discusses his challenges, personal growth and the impact mentorship had on his development as a Soldier... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen Schmelzer (left) and Spc. Ishmael Wilson (right), assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, conduct a pre-flight inspection of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in support of air movement operations and Defense Security Cooperation Agency mission requirements at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana, June 1, 2026.

Kentucky National Guard officer promoted to colonel
June 12, 2026 — Lt. Col. Michael Sharp was promoted to the rank of colonel during an April 24 ceremony, marking more than 25 years of service in the Kentucky Army National Guard. As the state's director of logistics, Sharp oversees efforts to ensure Guard units are equipped and prepared for both state emergencies and federal missions. He credited his leadership development to the Soldiers and noncommissioned officers he has served alongside and emphasized that caring for Soldiers and supporting their growth remain his top priorities. Sharp also highlighted the National Guard's commitment to serving Kentucky communities and maintaining readiness for missions at home and abroad... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Sharp is pinned with his new rank by his wife and his mother during a promotion ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, April 24.

Auditorium Dedicated in Honor of Former Kentucky General
June 11, 2026 — The Kentucky Department of Military Affairs honored the legacy of Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker by dedicating an auditorium in his name at Boone National Guard Center on June 4. The ceremony brought together family, friends, and state officials to celebrate Barker's nearly five decades of distinguished military and civilian service to the commonwealth... MORE

During the event, the auditorium adjacent to Wellman Armory was officially dedicated as the Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker Auditorium, recognizing Barker’s decades of distinguished service and leadership within the Kentucky National Guard and the commonwealth.

U.S. Air National Guard Airlift Wing from Kentucky Supporting Large-Scale NATO Exercise
June 9, 2026 — Airmen with the U.S. Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing are supporting a major NATO Allied Air Command exercise in Denmark through June 19, providing tactical airlift for an event spanning three operational areas from Norway to Spain... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tristan Stonger, a pilot assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, flies a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in the airspace above Karup, Denmark, June 4, 2026. The 123rd AW is providing tactical airlift support to NATO Allies throughout the month of June as part of Ramstein Flag 2026, an Allied Air Command large-scale, air-focused, multi-location and joint operating area exercise that kicks off June 8 with 18 participating nations and more than 200 aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Guard’s 940th Military Police Company partners with Ecuadorian forces for historic Exercise EL GATO, celebrates 30 years of partnership
June 8, 2026 — The 940th Military Police Company traveled to Ecuador May 10-19 for Exercise EL GATO, marking the 30th anniversary of Kentucky’s partnership with Ecuador through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. More than a training exercise, the event showcased the unit’s versatility and demonstrated Kentucky’s enduring commitment to interoperability and security cooperation with Ecuador... MORE

Lt. Col. Brandon Davisson, commander of the 198th Military Police Battalion, receives a commemorative trident from the Ecuadorian Navy during the closing ceremony for Exercise El Gato 2026 in Salinas, Ecuador, May 19, 2026.

Arcane Thunder 26: Kentucky sets new benchmark leveraging Starshield with multi-domain live-fire
June 4, 2026 — Soldiers of Kentucky’s Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, executed a trans-Atlantic live-fire event at the National Training Center during Exercise Arcane Thunder 26. Using the Starshield satellite network to receive real-time targeting commands directly from Germany, the event validated the Army’s global multi-domain capabilities... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Drury points at the designated impact zone from atop the observation point during Exercise Arcane Thunder 26 at Fort Irwin, California, April 24, 2026.

Kentucky Guard MEDEVAC officer leads critical NATO partnership in Bosnia
June 3, 2026 — During a recent deployment to Southeastern Europe, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dustin Haubner and his MEDEVAC unit integrated with NATO forces to enhance regional medical support and interoperability. Through joint training exercises with Bosnian and Romanian counterparts, the unit established a strategic healthcare framework that ensures long-term medical sustainment and improved emergency response capabilities for personnel stationed at Camp Butmir... MORE

U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Dustin Haubner with Task Force Griffin (KFOR 35, TF Aviation) looks toward the ground as the UH-60 Black Hawk takes off during ther deployment to Kosovo.

Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe cadets compete in intrastate field training exercise
June 2, 2026 — Cadets from Kentucky’s Appalachian and Bluegrass Youth ChalleNGe academies recently competed in a two-day intrastate field training exercise at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, testing teamwork, leadership and program skills. The event featured athletic and academic competitions including softball, flag football, chess, a spelling bee, land navigation and an obstacle course. The exercise is designed to showcase cadets’ development and build confidence through friendly competition, and they plan to make it a recurring tradition held once per training cycle... MORE

Cadets from Kentucky’s Bluegrass and Appalachian Youth ChalleNGe Academies participate in athletic and academic competitions during the Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe Intrastate Field Training Exercise at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, May 13-14.

Engineers strengthen readiness and adaptability through multiple projects
June 1, 2026 — Soldiers of the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 207th Engineer Company, 201st Engineer Battalion, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, completed several engineering projects across the commonwealth from May 17-20, demonstrating the professionalism, technical skill and teamwork of the unit’s horizontal and vertical engineers... MORE

The 207th Engineer Company completed three separate projects at the three separate locations for their annual training, utilizing both their horizontal and vertical engineers.

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