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Photos by 1st Lt. Michael Vaughan, 201st Engineer Battalion
Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Powell County, Ky. (October 28, 2010) – Kentucky National Guardsmen of the 201st Engineer Battalion are put to the test during the unit’s Army warrior task training at the Hidden Valley
Kentucky Guardsmen of the 201st Engineer Battalion searches for improvised explosive devices during the unit's Army warrior task training at the Kentucky National Guard's Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky.
Training Site in Powell County, Ky.
Soldiers went through a series of exercises which included identifying and reacting to improvised explosive devices as well as land navigation.
“This doesn’t knock out all the warrior task skills but it goes a great way to help the battalion hit their triennial requirements,” says Capt. Derrick Frodge, administrator officer of 201st Engineer Battalion.
“We call this training event the ‘engineer challenge’.”
Members of the 201st Engineer Battalion are in a land navigation class at the Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell, Ky.
Over 400 soldiers from the battalion were put to the test while the unit’s non-commissioned officers set up and executed the ‘engineer challenge.’
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Photos and story by Master Sgt. Phil Speck, Kentucky Air National Guard
The Winners of the Kentucky National Guard Adjuant General's Open Championship are Dave Tharp, Scottie Sloan, Joe Brummett, Matt Ihnen at Shelbyville Country Club in Shelbyville, Ky., Oct. 14.
SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (October 28, 2010) – More than 150 members and friends of the Kentucky National Guard gathered together at the Shelbyville Country Club earlier this month for a little fun on the golf course, some light-hearted competition and to raise money for a common goal.
For more than twenty years The Adjutant General’s Open Championship has benefited Guard-related issues. This year’s motto – “Get Tee’d off…for a good cause” – was in honor of the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund.
Brig. Gen. Lonnie Culver, assistant division commander maneuver, 38th Infantry Division, tees off at the Kentucky National Guard Adjutant General's Open Championship at Shelbyville Country Club in Shelbyville, Ky., Oct. 14
More than $2,700 was raised as a result of the games, all of which will be used to help construct a memorial at Frankfort’s Boone National Guard center that honors the service of Kentucky Guard members, particularly those who perished in the line of duty.
This year Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, the adjutant general for Kentucky, created his own trophy, the TAG Cup. The competition pitted one Army Guard team and one Air Guard team on two holes. Best score wins the trophy for their branch. The TAG Cup will be adorned with the appropriate colored ribbon and on display in the EOC building at the Boone Center.
Also, the team that wins the open will have its name embroidered on the “Green Jacket,” which returned after a two year hiatus.
“This year we started a new tradition supporting the memorial fund,” said Joe Brummett, an Army Guard retired master sergeant whose team took first place in the games. “That is such a great cause. Also, the TAG Cup was a lot of fun and the competition between the services was an extra treat.”
This year’s turn out was the largest in the event’s twenty year history, said Brummett.
“The mixture of old and new, Army and Air, that was all great,” said Brummett. “Combine that with the money we made for the memorial fund, it all made this year’s tournament really special.”
First place winners for the championship were Joe Brummett, Matt Ihnen, Dave Tharp and Scottie Sloan. This team also won the coveted TAC Cup competition.
Second Place was Gart Buckland, Randy Molten, Mark Robinson and Mark DeGroat. Third Place was Larry McCord, Lloyd King, Jeff Gartin and Todd Combs.
You can find out more information about the Kentucky National Guard Memorial at www.kyngmemorial.com.
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Story by: Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Kentucky National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter conducts waterbucket operations to aid in fighting forest fire. Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs file photo.
FORT KNOX, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2010) – Kentucky Army National Guard aviation Soldiers responded over the weekend to help fight fires that had broken out on Fort Knox’s training range areas.
Two Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters worked for three days to help contain the fires that had broken out in the area. More than 200 drops were made by the Blackhawks throughout the weekend, helping to contain the fire that threatened to spread.
Staff Sgt. Matt Singer, from Bravo Co. 2nd Battalion 147th Aviation, was one of the crew members helping to support the response.
“We worked well with the Fort Knox firefighters on the ground,” he said. “They directed us to where we needed to go in order to keep the fire contained.”
Singer just recently returned from a year-long deployment with his unit to Kosovo where they supported NATO’s mission to build peace and stability in the area. Bravo Co. conducted troop transport, slingloads and waterbucket operations in support of that mission during their time in the Balkans Region.
Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter helps to fight forest fires through waterbucket operations. Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs file photo.
“I love the firefighting mission,” said Singer. “It’s challenging to use the waterbuckets and worthwhile to help protect the environment.”
The aviation crews worked alongside firefighters from Fort Knox as well as more than 50 civilian firefighters from area departments surrounding the military base.
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Story and photo by: Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, UPAHR 1/623rd Field Artillery
Col. Ron L. Turner, incoming commander of 138th Fires Brigade, accepts the brigade gideon from Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, the Adjutant General of Kentucky, at Ft. Knox, Ky., Oct. 17.
FORT KNOX, Ky. (October 17, 2010) – Kentucky National Guard redlegs (a term for artillerymen who wear a red stripe down the dress uniform) assembled at Brooks Parade Field on a picture perfect day to welcome Col. Rondal L. Turner as commander of the 138th Fires Brigade.
In his 27-years of service, Turner has held numerous positions with the Kentucky National Guard, including chief of staff. But Oct. 17, he was welcomed back to the launching pad of his military career with the Fires Brigade.
“This was the perfect day for me to come back to my roots with the Kentucky National Guard artillery,” he said. “I’m looking forward to commanding the fine Soldiers assigned to this brigade.”
The 138th Brigade is headquartered in Lexington, Ky., with more than 800 Soldiers represented in units from three states.
Turner accepted the command from Col. Rodney Hayes who will continue as the Chief Information Officer for Kentucky.
Attending the ceremony were Turner’s daughters, Ashlee, Allison and Avery, son-in-law Josh and grandson, Abram.
Turner presently serves as the full-time Chief of Staff for Joint Force Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard. In 2009 he was selected to attend the Army War College Resident Program in Carlisle, PA.
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Story and photo by Maj. Benjamin Singleton, PAO 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade
Kentucky Guardsman D. Steven Knight is promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 in a ceremony held on Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky., Sept. 30. His wife Kim and son Jeremy have the honor of pinning on his new insignia. CW5 Knight is a helicopter pilot serving with DET 1 C/1-169th MEDEVAC and has over 30 years of service in the Kentucky National Guard.
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Story and photo by Sgt. A. Dale Elliott, UPAHR, 75th Troop Command
Kentucky Guardsmen Pvt. Kristen Brown, Pvt. T’Keyah Woods, and Pfc. Samantha Rae help build a trail for Waverly Park in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 16. The Soldiers are building sustainable trails that are expected to last for years and benefit visitors of the Metro Parks System.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 25, 2010) – Soldiers assigned to the 2/75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion’s Recruit Sustainment Program reported to the Waverly Park Oct. 16 and 17 and assisted the Louisville Metro Parks with cleaning up bike trails on the park grounds.“Protecting our environment is part of protecting our nation and our community,” said Pvt. William Jones of Louisville, Ky.
The clean-up was part of a nation-wide event in which National Guard Soldiers throughout the nation assisted local communities with several environmental projects.
Pvt. T’Keyah Woods said the program reminded her of area beautification that Soldiers conduct while in Basic and Advanced Individualized Training.
“It is a really good cause,” she said, “and it is different from our every-day (drill) activities.”
But the day wasn’t full of relaxation. Soldiers got a good workout traversing the trails throughout the park.
Billy Davis, a trail team leader for Louisville Metro Parks and president of the Louisville Chapter of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association, was pleased with the help the National Guard provided in this project.
“The National Guard has shown that they not only protect us but give us a better quality of life,” he said.
According to Davis, it takes between $5,000 and $20,000 to build a sustainable trail and it takes nearly six months to get a mile of that trail built. The Guard saved time and money, he said.
“I wish we could have more help like this,” Davis said. “The work they are doing will extend the life of this trail and make it easier to maintain and protect it from erosion.”
Mike Hirn, another volunteer from the KMBA, said “This benefits a wide variety of people in the community and the environment.”
“We normally have only 4 or 5 people working on this trail. The Guard has had a huge impact on what we are doing,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, the Adjutant General of Kentucky, talks to new Kentucky Guardsmen who are participating in Guard the Environment program at Waverly Park in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 16.
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini addressed the Soldiers and thanked them for the work they accomplished. He called the Guardsmen stewards of the environment, and praised the Kentucky National Guard’s Soldiers and Airmen for their work in protecting the beauty of our Commonwealth.
“Every new armory or building we build we make sure we are Silver Certified,” says Maj. Gen. Tonini. “We have installed Solar panels and electric saving devices in most of our buildings at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Facility, in fact there are times we are producing more energy than we are using.”
The Soldiers were given a Halloween warning to be careful while working. Waverly Park is attached to property that borders Waverly Hills Sanitarium. Waverly Hills has been named one of the most haunted buildings in the United States and has been featured in several movies and TV Shows.
Luckily, no Soldier reported any unusual activity while working on the project.
For more photos of Guard the Environment, please visit our Kentucky Guard the Environment Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Frankfort-KY/Kentucky-National-Guard-Guard-the-Environment/167412086607861?v=wall
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Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Aaron Hiler, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Soldiers of the Kentucky Army National Guard's 2-75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion stand on the steps of the State Capitol in recognition of their achievement of meeting their recruiting mission for the seventh year in a row, Monday, Oct. 18. In addition to meeting their recruiting mission, the 2-75th has also maintained the State's retention rate at over 95%. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Hiler, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Army National Guard recruiters from across the Commonwealth gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to be recognized for a milestone achievement June 18.
For the seventh consecutive year, Soldiers of the 275th Recruiting and Retention Battalion have achieved recruiting goals and kept the Kentucky Army National Guard at 100 percent strength.
“This is a significant achievement for Kentucky,” said Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini. “We have been able to maintain our strength at 100 percent despite having deployed more than 14,000 Soldiers since Sept. 11, 2001.”
In addition to meeting recruiting goals, the 2-75th RR also helped the Kentucky Army National Guard maintain a 95 percent retention rate of Soldiers currently serving.
Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, the Adjutant General of Kentucky, addresses Soldiers of the 2-75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion and recognizes their achievement of meeting their recruiting mission for seven consecutive years, Monday, Oct. 18. In addition to meeting their mission, the 2-75th also helped the Kentucky Army National Guard maintain a retention rate of over 95%. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Hiler, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
“While it is vitally important to maintain our strength, it is equally important that we retain our most experienced and best-trained Soldiers,” said Maj. Tamara Hurst, commander of the 2-75th RR.
“By keeping our experienced Soldiers, we ensure that the Kentucky National Guard can meet whatever challenge comes our way.”
Hurst also said that Kentucky Guard recruiters are already well on their way to meeting recruiting goals for the eighth-year running.
Check out the video below by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Oliver, 133rd MPAD
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTq5ONorJLM]
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Story and photos by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Peter Ferrell, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Wolverine Public Affairs
KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Lt. Col. Garland H. Goodrich, Kapisa team leader for the Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team and a Wakefield, Va., resident; Mohammad Husain, Kapisa Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; and Mohammad Hakimzadah, interim governor of Kapisa, cut a ribbon to celebrate the completion of the latest project at the DAIL compound here Oct 4. Hakimzadah thanked the Kentucky ADT for all their assistance. The project consists of a water reservoir that is used to pump water into a holding tank that delivers water to a drip irrigation system for two greenhouses to raise fruits and vegetables. After the crops are harvested, they are stored in one of two new cold storage units until they are ready to be distributed to local markets. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Peter Ferrell, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Wolverine Public Affairs)
KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Lt. Col. Garland H. Goodrich, Kapisa team leader for the Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team and resident of Wakefield, Va., visits with Mohammad Husain, the Kapisa Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, and Abdul Kabir Noori, the contractor for the latest agriculture project at the DAIL compound here Oct. 4. Kabir planned the day’s events and provided an Afghan meal after the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the latest project at the DAIL compound. The project consists of a water reservoir that is used to pump water into a holding tank that delivers water to a drip irrigation system for two greenhouses to raise fruits and vegetables. After the crops are harvested, they are stored in one of two new cold storage units. The three men discussed how well the total project came to completion. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Peter Ferrell, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Wolverine Public Affairs)
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By Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Tamara M. Hurst receives her Lieutenant Colonel ranks from her sons’ Cameron and Macaulay during a ceremony at 2/75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion headquarters in Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 19.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (October 20, 2010) – The Kentucky National Guard’s 2/75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion held a promotion ceremony for Lt. Col. Tamara M. Hurst, battalion commander, at the R&R headquarters in Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 19.
Hurst was pinned by her sons’ Macaulay, Cameron, and Zacary.
“This was one of the defining moments of my career,” Hurst said.
Hurst began her military career almost 18 years ago as an enlisted Soldier. In October 1998, she was commissioned as an officer and became the operations and training officer for the 2/75th. Hurst deployed with 149th Brigade Combat Team, now known as the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, to Tikrit, Iraq in January 2006 to May 2007 as the garrison force protection anti-terrorism officer. In October 2008, Hurst became the 2/75th Battalion commander.
Lt. Col. Tamara M. Hurst stands with Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, The Adjutant General of Kentucky, and her sons’ Cameron, Zachary and Macaulay during a ceremony at 2/75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion headquarters in Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 19.
“I was honored and humbled to have my greatest supporters pin on my rank,” Hurst said. “I can only hope my achievements inspires them to do the same in whatever profession they choose.”
Check out the video below by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, Public Affairs NCOIC
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By Capt. Andi Hahn, 149th MEB Public Affairs Officer
Sgt. 1st Class James Johnson, Headquarters Headquarters Company Readiness Noncommissioned Officer, grades the pushups of Union College Basketball player during Mountain Warrior Challenge at Artemus, Ky., Oct 9.
ARTEMUS, Ky.-Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry conducted a team-building event with Union College men’s basketball team as part of the the Mountain Warrior Challenge Oct. 9 at Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Ky.
The goal of the event was to foster team unity and leadership development among the players while instilling the Army values of selfless service, loyalty and personal courage. The MWC also supported the battalion’s information operations campaign to become more involved and visible in the community prior to the possible deployment.
The one-day event began early in the morning with the athletes performing a modified version of the Army Physical Fitness Test. Following the APFT, the players divided into five, 4-man teams and rotated through five “lanes” that challenged them mentally and physically including rappelling, combatives, litter carry, leadership reaction course and individual movement techniques.
Staff Sgt. Floyd Branham, Headquarters Company training noncommissioned officer, pins Union Basketball Team player during combatives at Mountain Warrior Challenge at Artemus, Ky., Oct 9.
Capt. Dylan Sizemore, the officer in charge of the event, said the Soldiers enjoyed teaching the basketball team lessons in leadership, teamwork and self-sacrifice for the better of the team.
“Mountain Warrior Challenge opened the Soldiers’ eyes on how the skills they have learned in the Army can be applied to help other individuals, groups and treams in the community,” Sizemore said.
Check out the videos below courtesy Derekk Forrest WYMT.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbshLmSwWe4] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfFIxWEbaJ8]
