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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
MJO
By J.C. Newton, Kentucky National Guard Education Liason
Staff Sgt. Adrianne Morey, Kentucky National Guard Career Counselor, discusses college funding options with Gordon Webber, a Western Hills High School junior, at the College Career Fair hosted by WHHS in Frankfort, Ky., Sept. 08. Webber is considering the medical field and using the Guard’s scholarship program to pay for his college.
Zack Al-dbhany, a Bondurant Middle School student, tries on Staff Sgt. Adrianne Morey’s Army combat helmet. Al-dbhany was visiting the Kentucky National Guard Education Booth during the College Career Fair hosted by Western Hills High School in Frankfort, Ky., Sept. 08. (Kentucky National Guard photo by J.C. Newton)
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By 1LT Dustin Pack, Platoon Leader, 207th Engineer Company
Engineers from the Kentucky National Guard of 207th Horizontal Company and 149th Vertical Company use a new back hoe loader to dig up an area for the bridge’s headwall during the Soldiers monthly training at Kentucky National Guard Hidden Valley Training site in Powell County Ky., Aug. 22.
POWELL COUNTY KY (Sept. 29, 2010) – Massive improvements to the Kentucky National Guard Hidden Valley Training Site are now complete after two Kentucky engineer units worked in unison to install culverts and drainage systems to control erosion at the Central Kentucky facility.
Members of the 207th Horizontal Engineer Company and 149th Vertical Engineer Company finished the projects Aug. 22, after utilizing four weekend training periods to get the project done.
The Kentucky Guardsmen used shovels, heavy equipment and their hands to reinforce more than 5,000 feet of drainage systems to ensure that the site will withstand the ever-changing meteorological conditions that Central Kentucky is accustomed to.
Heavy equipment from the Kentucky National Guard 207th Horizontal Engineer Company backfills a bridge surrounding area with rock and clay mixture during the unit’s monthly training at Kentucky National Guard Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County Ky., Aug. 22.
“The culvert played out like a turn based game,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Spencer, Detachment 1, 207th Horizontal Engineer Company.
“We would do a phase of the ground work, then the 149th would lay block then we would be back for more of the horizontal piece,” he said.
The Guardsman began the project May 2010. Plans are in the works for future improvements to the drainage system and will begin in fall 2010.
MJO
By Sgt. Dale Elliott, 75th Troop Command, Unit Public Affairs Representative
Kentucky National Guard Pfc. Justin Piercy, a soldier assigned to Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, provides security at one of the horse competitions at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sept 25.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2010) – Of all the sights at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Soldiers wearing a Kentucky thoroughbred shoulder patch may be one of the most unique. That’s the calling card of the Kentucky National Guard’s 138th Fires Brigade, sometimes known as the “Horse Head Brigade.”
Located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, the World Equestrian Games are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports. The games are held every four years and over 50 nations make up the list of this year’s competitor.
Members of royalty from Britain and the Middle East, celebrities and dignitaries are among the competitors, and tens of thousands of spectators bring the attention of the world to the “Bluegrass State.”
The 138th is supporting federal, state and local authorities in the security mission at the games, which are being held for the first time outside of Europe.
“The 138th Field Artillery provides a visual presence and acts as a third line of defense,” said 1st Lt. Daniel Van Horn, platoon leader of Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery.
“Our unit provides back up and support for civilian security, law enforcement and other emergency responders,” he said.
According to Van Horn, logistics was the hardest part of the unit’s mission.
“Once the Kentucky Guard mobile command post was set up and logistics details were worked out, everything started running smoothly,” said Van Horn.
Kentucky Guardsman 1st Lt. Daniel Van Horn of Charlie Battery, 2nd 138th Field Artillery, works alongside representatives from various agencies in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Emergency Operations Center. The FBI EOC is the main hub for emergency information for 2010 World Equestrian Games at Lexington, Ky.
“The experiences you are a part of with the National Guard allows Soldiers to see and do things others will miss out on,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Lyddane of the 138th Fires Brigade.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am glad to be here to see it,” said Lyddane, a Bardstown, Ky. native who shoes horses when he is not on duty serving with the Kentucky National Guard.
Pfc. Justin Piercy, a member of Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, is a corrections officer for Lexington-Fayette County. He finds his assignment at the games rewarding.
“I have enjoyed the friendliness of the people I have met. A lot of people have come up to me to shake my hand and tell me how much they appreciate my service. This has been a very good experience,” said Piercy.
Most of the Citizen-Soldiers involved with this mission were volunteers. Almost all of them expressed a love of horses and real interest in being part of Kentucky’s modern history.
“I have enjoyed seeing all of the celebrities and royalty coming through,” said Pfc. Phillip Price of B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery.
“When I was younger, I use to do a lot with horses and I really enjoy seeing all of the different breeds coming through my post,” said Price.
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On Sept. 14 at Fort Knox, Ky., friends, family, retirees and current Airmen of the 123rd Airlift Wing gathered to honor the life of Master Sgt. John Medley. Sgt. Medley was a Loadmaster with the 165th Airlift Squadron, as a Loadmaster he worked directly with the loading, rigging and dropping of cargo and Airmen. Click below to watch footage of the ceremony, as Tech. Sgt. Diane Stinnett of the 123rd Public Affairs Office tells the story.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GVGDczPc40]
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By Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Lt. Col D. Blake Settle, Plans and Operations 4th Cavalry Brigade, gives a monogram KYNG polo shirt and a KYNG Unbridled Service plaque to Lt. Col Siad, Commander of Jordanian National Guard Artillery, in Zarqua Jordan Sept. 21.
FRANFORT, Ky., (Sept. 30, 2010) –
Kentucky National Guard Recruiting items were recently presented to the Jordanian National Guard Artillery Commanders in Zarqua, Jordan.
A Kentucky plaque will be on display at the Royal Jordanian Artillery Museum.
Kentucky Army National Guard Operational Warrior Trainers, augmenting the 4th Calvary Brigade, trained and observed the King Talal 3rd Mechanized Brigade during a bilateral command post exercise from July 15 – Aug. 10, at the Jordanian Military Institute.
The OWTs from Kentucky were able to share professional knowledge and enhance the U.S. and Jordanian relations.
Jordan currently has two Army Battalions serving in Afghanistan as strategic partners and allies of the U.S.-Coalition forces.
“As a Kentucky Guard team member working with First Army, I am proud of our unique civilian skill sets and robust reach back capabilities that our Team brings to big Army and to the fight,” said Lt. Col. D. Blake Settle.
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By Staff Sgt. Aaron Hiler, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Kentucky National Guard Spc. Anthony Hoffman, a Soldier assigned to 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, fires an M41A4 Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-Guided missile during live fire exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., Sept. 18. The TOW missile system was originally designed in the early 1960’s and has been a primary anti-tank and anti-bunker weapon for the U.S. Army.
FORT KNOX, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2010) – A violent explosion rocked through a peaceful valley in central Kentucky Sept. 18, and when the dust and smoke rose into the air, the sudden silence was interrupted by cheering Soldiers.
Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry provided plenty of explosions during the unit’s weapons sustainment training at Fort Knox, Ky.
For the first time in more than a decade, the 1-149th conducted a live fire exercise with its Tube-Launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided missile launchers.
The M41A4 TOW Improved Target Acquisition System missile is the latest variant of the vulnerable anti-tank/anti-bunker weapon in the Army’s inventory. The TOW missile was originally introduced into the military arsenal in the 1960’s during the Vietnam War and has been configured for use in stand-alone and vehicle-mounted roles.
“This is not only the first time we fired TOW missiles in 10 years, but also the first time any Kentucky National Guard unit fired from the new ITAS,” said Capt. Robert Andersen, 1-149th Infantry training officer.
“It’s a very mobile device that delivers extremely accurate, devastating effects on a point target,” Andersen said. “We received the system about six months ago and immediately began training our Soldiers.”
Kentucky Guardsmen, Spc. Kenny Crag and Spc. Anthony Hoffmann, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, load an M71 missile cartridge into a Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided missile launcher during live fire exercise at Ft. Knox., Sept. 18. This is the first time in more than a decade that the company conducted a live fire with live TOW missiles.
Soldiers of the unit also received training on the TOW ITAS in March when the unit fielded the weapon system.
“This has been a fun experience,” said Spc. Anthony Hoffmann, a gunner assigned to 2nd Plt. Co. D, 1-149th.
“I’ve fired other weapons before, but this is a whole new animal. I really enjoyed it,” Hoffmann said.
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By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason Ketterer, Kentucky Air National Guard
Ecuadorian Search and Rescue Diver Ronald Pluas gives a thumbs up to Master Sgt. Mario Romero of the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. The Ecuadorains were visiting the Commonwealth on an underwater search and rescue subject matter expert exchange with the Kentucky Air National Guard's Special Tactics Squadron at Dale Hollow Lake in Albany, Ky., Sept.17.
ALBANY, Ky. (September 23, 2010)-
Kentucky Air National Guardsmen hosted an underwater search and rescue exchange with Ecuadorian military members and their National Police Sept. 17 at Dale Hollow Lake in Albany, Ky. The event was part of the State Partnership Program – a cooperative that allows Bluegrass guardsmen to interface and learn from their Ecuadorian counterparts.
“The State Partnership Program is widespread across the Guard because of the continuity and longevity of relationships our Guardsmen can provide,” said Maj. Matt Groves, Kentucky National Guard State Partnership Program Director.
“Kentucky formed our partnership with Ecuador in 1998. We were one of the first states to go in the [United States Southern Command area of operations] and we have had a mutually beneficial relationship with Ecuador for over a decade,” Groves said.
Members of the Ecuadorian Military and pararescuemen from the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron prepare to conduct a dive while tethered to a rope in order to perform a sweep of the nearby area at a State Partnership exchange at Dale Hollow Lake in Albany, Ky., Sept.17.
Representing the Commonwealth in the exchange and hosting of the event were pararescuemen from KYANG’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. They operated alongside and exchanged information with narcotics police, port inspectors and Marines from Ecuador.
Together, they dove at the lake, practiced with underwater radios and discussed techniques for performing search sweeps while submerged using a search grid.
“I believe this is going to make a tremendous difference for me when I return,” said an Ecuadorian Narcotics Police Officer, who will use the training for duties that require him to do counter drug inspections on the hulls of naval vessels and search and rescue missions near his port in the future. “There is a great benefit for me to learn how [Kentucky Airmen] operate. Truly, this is a tremendous opportunity for all of us to grow and share,” he said.
While the latest installment of the program focused on search and rescue, the Commonwealth and Ecuadorians have worked together on other exchanges such as aircraft maintenance, officer training, counter drug programs and munitions disposal, storage and transportation. Even though the dive subject matter expert exchange was led by the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, officials said the Airmen benefit extensively from the exchange of ideas and the opportunity to travel south and learn from the Ecuadorians.
“Ecuador is very geographically diverse,” said Groves. ”Their country has 20,000-foot mountains, the Amazon jungle, the Galapagos Islands and the Coastal Range. It offers a lot of benefit to our personnel to be able to go down there and operate in those diverse regions,” he said. “Search and rescue will definitely be a continuing theme in our Partnership with Ecuador and it’s an area where we can develop a great relationship.”
WATCH THE ALTERNATE BROADCAST VERSION OF THIS STORY BELOW
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnrDtxQIwt8]
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By Staff Sgt. Joseph Woolston
This edition features a story on a Kentucky National Guard Agribusiness Development Team teaching Afghan farmers in Kapisa province how to farm various crops and honey from bees to learn ways to diversify their farming products. Hosted by Air Force Staff Sgt. Joe Woolston. Includes soundbites from Capt. Bobbie Mayes - Kentucky ADT Women’s Empowerment coordinator.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lewU_gQjV8]
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Courtesy Department of Military Affairs
Who Will Be Immortalized on the OD “Green Jacket?” Who Will Be Crowned The KYNG Golf Masters
Hole Sponsorships Still Available
New this year! TAG CUP Army vs. Air One Hole Team Shootout
Think your team has what it takes to defend the honor of the green or the blue? Enter to compete in the TAG Cup. Each team choosing to vie for the TAG Cup must declare themselves as Army or Air and all the members of their team must be current or former members of the service the choose to play for.
At the end of the scramble the best scoring Army and Air teams will square off for a one hole - play your own ball - team shoot out between the two teams. Lowest team score wins bragging rights for the next year.
Will it be Army or Air? Blue or Green? Be there to witness the Titans of the Tee duke it out. The TAG Cup will be adorned with the appropriate colored ribbon and be on display in the EOC building.
Get Tee’d Off For A Good Cause
All proceeds benefit Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund, Inc.
If you have questions contact one of the TAG Open Coordinators: COL (R) Michael A. Jones; Cw4 (R) Clyde Wiseman, Jr.; COL (R) Michael Sebastian; Freddie Maggard; MSG (R) Joe Brummett; LTC (R) Virgil Elliott; CMSgt (R) James E. Turpin; Jason LeMay; COL (R) William Clark; MSG (R) James C. Rogers; COL (R) Jasper Carpenter; Chris Ripy and Members of the KYNG Memorial Committee.
Remembered Now & Forever
The mission of the KYNG Memorial Fund is to raise money to design and construct a memorial at the entrance to Boone National Guard Center honoring all Kentucky Guardsmen who have served in the Modern Kentucky National Guard, in any duty status, from March 1912 to present and especially those who have perished in the line of duty.
KYNG Memorial Fund, Inc.
PO Box 5466
Frankfort, KY 40602-5466
www.kyngmemorial.com
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Courtesy 1-149th Infantry, Kentucky National Guard
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (September 20, 2010)-Three Kentucky National Guardsmen from 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Brigade graduated Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Ky., September 16.
Capt. Jason Mendez, commander of Charley Co., 1-149th IN, 2nd Lt. Joshua Bailey, platoon leader Charley Co., 1-149th IN and Sgt. Adam Broughton, sniper from Headquarters Co., 1-149th IN completed the two week tough course.
Air Assault School deals with making soldiers qualified to conduct airborne helicopter operations. Aircraft orientation, slingload operations, proper rappelling techniques and fast-rope techniques. The school itself is 10 training days and requires a 12-mile march with rucksack in order to graduate.
The school is located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, (home of the 101st Airborne Division). Instructors at the course are referred to as Air Assault Sergeants. It is open to both males and females. The school is composed of learning helicopter insertion techniques, rigorous training, and tedious packing lists; one missing item could cause the student to fail the school immediately.
Courses offered at the Air Assault School include: Air Assault, Pathfinder, Pre-Ranger, Basic Airborne and Jumpmaster Refresher, Rappel Master and Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction (FRIES)/Special Purpose Insertion Extraction (SPIES) Master courses. TSAAS is also home to the Division’s Parachute Demonstration Team.
