123rd Airlift Wing - Kentucky Air National Guard

08/10/2026

PHOTO GALLERY: U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, honored U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Walker at a ceremony July 24 in Nashville, Tenn., on the occasion of Walker’s retirement from the United States Air Force and Air National Guard.

Walker, Air National Guard assistant to the judge advocate general of the United States Air Force, concludes a distinguished 35-year career during which he previously served as director of the Office of Complex Investigations at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, Walker was chief of staff for the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters—Kentucky National Guard and staff judge advocate for the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville.

Congratulations, Sir!

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Dale Greer)

08/10/2026

Congratulations, sir!

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Walker concluded his military career during a ceremony in Nashville Tennessee, July 24, drawing a close to 35 years of service that saw him excel in top posts at the

08/10/2026

Two Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group traveled to Ecuador in April to share information about the unit’s Critical Care Air Transport Teams with their Ecuadorian

08/04/2026

07/29/2026

123rd Medical Group and Kentucky Guard Airmen honored for national excellence

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group has been named Air National Guard Medical Unit of the Year, and two of its officers have been recognized for individual excellence in the 2025 Air National Guard Medical Service Awards.

Lt. Col. Lauren Lwanga was selected as ANG biomedical specialist officer of the year, and Capt. Leigha Bowyer-Jones was selected as ANG privileged advanced practice nurse of the year.

“These recognitions are a direct reflection of talent, dedication and mission focus,” said Col. Patricia Adams, group commander. “I couldn't be prouder of this group and all they continue to accomplish in service to our Airmen.”

The Air National Guard Medical Service Awards are presented annually by the National Guard Bureau in recognition of efforts that improve health care delivery and medical procedures, Adams said.

The 123rd MDG was honored for overall readiness, innovation and excellence, according to Col. Jennifer Schmidt, director of the ANG Medical Service. The group expertly managed individual medical readiness program for 23 units and more than 1,000 personnel during the award period. Group leaders also reorganized internal procedures, reducing the processing time required for flight physicals by 50 percent.

Lwanga and Bowyer-Jones were selected for honors based on contributions to their respective fields, continuous improvement and exceptional accomplishments in medical operations, Schmidt said.

As the wing’s senior public health officer, Lwanga led three health-risk mitigation efforts, improving workspace air quality, reducing harmful chemical exposures and coordinating the removal of rodents in base facilities.

Additionally, Lwanga worked with the Kentucky Army National Guard to develop a bilateral operational/training/flying construct for Air and Army medical assets. Her efforts pave a path for joint exercises, mission interoperability and real-world readiness support, Adams said.

Bowyer-Jones was recognized for processing 24,464 medical pre-screenings, leading to improvements in the accuracy and speed of Military Entrance Processing Station clearances. She also participated in a high-level knowledge exchange with an Israeli search and rescue team during disaster response scenarios; and led a critical knowledge exchange with Puerto Rico’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package.

— Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Photo Caption: Lt. Col. Lauren Lwanga, left, a public health officer in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group, and Capt. Leigha Bowyer-Jones, a nurse practitioner from the same unit, have been named top performers in the 2025 Air National Guard Medical Service Awards. Lwanga was selected as ANG biomedical specialist officer of the year, and Bowyer-Jones was named ANG privileged advanced practice nurse of the year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett)

https://www.123aw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4558523/123rd-medical-group-and-kentucky-guard-airmen-honored-for-national-excellence/

07/28/2026

Kentucky Guard Airmen volunteer to build affordable housing

A team of Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing donated their personal time and labor to help construct a low-cost home in Louisville’s Parkland neighborhood in June.

Working with Habitat for Humanity, a charitable organization that builds housing for people in need, the volunteers provided carpentry skills to hang exterior siding for a new-construction, single-family home, said Master Sgt. Adrien Martin.

The project was part of “Empowering Parkland,” a local initiative patterned on Habitat’s “Love Your Neighborhood” concept, which engages future homeowners in the building process to instill a sense of sweat equity and community.

“Empowering Parkland calls on residents to become the stewards of their homes and the leaders of their neighborhood by providing the tools necessary to improve their quality of life,” said Martin, vehicle management superintendent in the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron.

The “Love Your Neighborhood” initiative works with homeowners, residents and community volunteers to repair homes, clean streets and parks, and provide access for aging in place while maintaining and improving the character of neighborhoods.

“The goal is to create successful home ownership and a thriving community by connecting families in need with volunteers to prevent displacement, preserve affordable housing and revitalize their neighborhood,” Martin said.

—Dale Greer, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

07/27/2026

Congratulations, sir!

Ash Groves was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and formally assumed responsibility as chief of staff for the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, during a

07/23/2026

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, will honor U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles M. Walker during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday, July 24, to commemorate Walker’s retirement from the United States Air Force and Air National Guard.

Walker, Air National Guard assistant to the judge advocate general of the United States Air Force, concludes a distinguished 35-year career during which he also served as director of the Office of Complex Investigations at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C.

Prior to that, Walker served as a staff judge advocate for the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, and chief of staff for the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters—Kentucky National Guard.

07/14/2026

The Kentucky National Guard partnered with the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Northern Command to host the Kentucky Resilience and Emergency Preparedness (K-REP) Summit at Boone National Guard Center June 16–17, 2026. The two-day event brought together military, civilian, and emergency management ...

07/05/2026

250 Years of Independence

This Independence Day, the Kentucky National Guard joins our nation in celebrating 250 years of American independence and the enduring spirit of freedom that began on July 4, 1776.

For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have answered the call to defend the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence—liberty, self-government and opportunity for all. From our nation’s founding to today, Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen have stood ready to protect those freedoms at home and abroad.

As we commemorate this historic milestone, we honor the courage, sacrifice and service of those who came before us and reaffirm our commitment to serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the United States of America.

Today, we celebrate not only our nation’s independence, but also the resilience, unity and patriotism that continue to define America 250 years later.

Happy Independence Day from the Kentucky National Guard!